Thank you, Dr. Gorrie

There are two statues representing the State of Florida in the US Capitol. One is Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an amazing educator, civil rights activist, and presidential advisor. It is most fitting that she represent this state.

The other statue is 19th C. physician Dr. John Gorrie. Less well known, but so vitally important to Florida in his own way. There's an old saying around here, "It was DDT and air-conditioning that settled Florida." DDT is now banned in the US, but in the 20th c. it was crucial for killing off mosquitoes so that people could live in this swamp. The other thing that made life bearable is air conditioning, and Dr. Gorrie's research into refrigeration and using ice and fans to cool sickrooms led to the development of air-conditioning for homes and other buildings. 

I know how important this is because this week our air conditioning gave up the ghost after 20 years of solid service. It may be autumn where you are, but in Florida it's still summer, with high humidity and temps hitting 97F here in the interior. 

I'm fortunate because our home has a separate, smaller unit that cools the bedrooms that were added on by a previous owner's remodel, and that's been, perhaps literally, a lifesaver. If I couldn't cool down the house at night we'd be in an extended stay motel somewhere, and yes, I freely acknowledge how privileged I am that I can say that. 

We can also get a new air conditioner for the house. Sure, it's an unplanned major expense, but as I pointed out to my husband, "Prorate the value we received from the last air conditioner over two decades and you can't complain too much." 

I'm not sure he saw the upside of all of this. But I'm sanguine that this will end up being a positive development. A new AC unit is more energy efficient, and it was just a matter of time before the old one croaked. While I could wish it happened a month from now when the temps are more tolerable, I won't complain. I will remember to say a little "thank you" to the late Dr. Gorrie when I feel that first waft of chilled air coming out of the vents.

Stay frosty, friends!