This is not a post about the Miami NBA team. No, this is a post dedicated to the recent summer weather I’ve been experiencing (for the first time) here in Charleston. The heat. In the words of Usher, “it’s getting hot in herrrrrr!”

Folks, I’m melting. With a heat index of 105F, who wouldn’t be? And this is not a dry, desert heat. Oh no, it’s moist. Wet. Dewy. Whatever you want to call it.

The other day, my HOBL implored me to walk to the local farmer’s market, here in downtown – Marion Square. As foodies, it’s one of our favorite haunts here in Charleston. But it’s about a mile each way, and when you’re melting, that’s far. We decided to brave it, and the moment we stepped outside, the foot bed of my sandals already felt wet. Every step felt longer and longer. You know how voice recordings get really low and creepy when slowed down? I’m pretty sure that’s how I sounded. It was way attractive.

We finally arrived and walked the perimeter. The Marion Square farmer’s market is great – tons of food stands in addition to normal produce vendors and craft merchants. As we perused the food options, I panted for liquid of any kind. We settled on a great one called The Messy Apron. She was selling chilled summer soups – borscht (beet soup) and gazpacho (tomato) – in addition to glorious, almost-frozen ice teas. Salvation!

Folks, I don’t know if it was a psycho-heat fluke, or what, but that cold beet soup was the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Ever. So cold. So pink! I’ve since made two gallons of it, and it’s just not the same.

As we sat under an umbrella that brought no respite, I looked around. Everyone around us was soaked – sweaty backs, pits, yes… even butts and crotches. And we were no different. How awkward! How unglamorous!

Here’s a secret – I kinda liked it. This oppressive heat, it brought us together. Everyone’s vanity uniformly squashed, all of us united in just trying to sweat and survive. Hundreds of Gilda Radners, with a “little, teeny, tiny ball of sweat right here, hanging off the tip of their nose.” If you don’t understand that reference, you should watch the old SNL video here (around 2:18).

Despite the unity, we had to get away… to the mountains! Stay tuned for the scoop on our trip to Asheville, NC!