Happy Tuesday, Hoddlers! This is the last substitute Hoddle before Fitzie makes his glorious return. It’s been fun putting out late Hoddles for you over the past week, I hope you have also enjoyed my lateness.
It’s HOT. I know this isn’t new for anyone in Europe right now, what with the massive heatwave going on there on a continent that isn’t really built for that kind of heat. But it’s the same in my neck of the woods. The Midwestern United States is starting what looks like will be a week-long stretch of hot and humid weather. Today’s high was 93º F (34º C). Tomorrow will be 96º (37º C) and with heat indexes up into the 110º realm.
Thankfully our country was founded with the guiding principles of freedom, independence, and air conditioning. I live in an old house without central A/C but we have a few portable units that is providing relief, and thankfully I work in an office and outdoors.
But we have other ways of beating the heat as well. My college-age daughter took a trip to the store today and came home with the perfect hot weather setup for our back yard.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but it’s the inflatable palm tree that really makes it. It might be hot, but filling a portable kiddie pool with cold hose water can really make the difference between a miserable late afternoon and a refreshing way to beat the heat.
A few of our neighbors have in-ground pools and those have usually been kid magnets in hot summer weather, but you don’t always want to knock on your neighbors’ doors, towels in hand, asking for a dip in their pool. So this is the next best thing. I look forward to spending parts of the evenings this week sitting with my lower body in that pool, sipping a mocktail and flipping the bird to global warming.
Before the pool, I was also known to spend some time in the hammock in the shade, a bowl of ice cubes in my lap and a fan just behind them, blowing cool, refreshing air onto my face.
Is it still hot where you are? What are you doing to beat the heat? Remember to stay hydrated!
Song of the Day: “Come and Play in the Milky Way” (Stereolab)
Tottenham news and links
Bad Bunny performed a sold-out show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, and Adele was having the time of her life. (Yahoo)
A harrowing long-form read about the Argentina youth soccer system and how it can perpetuate abuse on impoverished kids who are trying to make it big in Argentinan footy. (ESPN)
Former Spurs Women star Kit Graham has signed a two year contract at Leicester City, where she spent last season on loan. (BBC)
Arsenal are interested in Tottenham target Alex Scott, but Bournemouth are refusing to sell. (BBC)