Enjoying a summer day in Phoenix

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Summers are ridiculously hot in Phoenix. Really, I can't imagine how kids can play here. I grew up in Minneapolis, where summer was the most pleasant season to be out. Here, in the Phoenix, Arizona area, it's the time to be in. And so the best way to enjoy a summer day in Phoenix is to be looking out of a window of an air-conditioned building.

It's early afternoon on August 15th, and not only is it terribly hot out there, this is the *monsoon* season, so it's humid, too. I've tried sitting outside, but even in the shade, and it's pretty miserable. But here is my view to my backyard, which is just nice to look at.

This view is facing due east, so there is no glaring sunlight after noon. I have a patio cover, as all homes in Phoenix do, and so I can leave the blinds up all afternoon. In fact, I don't even have a cover on the sliding glass door.

I have visited many people in Phoenix, or in California, whose backyards are either a mess, or are made invisible with heavy shades. Of course, if your windows face south, or west, there's nothing you can do about it. But this is my favorite view. And on a day like today, it's just nice to look at.

Foreground: Canna Tropicannas; upper right: fronds of a dwarf date palm; at far left (in full sun): a Mediterranean fan palm; behind the tables; Dioon edules (cycads); the pathway is flagstone and the turf is artificial.

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