Am I Hooked On Air-Conditioning?

How did I get here? What I mean is, how did I get so dependent on the need for air-conditioning?

I remember growing up, we never had air-conditioning in the house, the car or at school. And you know what? We survived. Never mind how hot it got in the summer, we sucked it up and dealt with it.

We did have a box fan in the living room, but didn't use it too much as we were told it was expensive, and the monthly electric bill would be too high. We bought into that. I'm sure that little box fan wasn't sucking up too much electricity.

And for some reason, I remember the first portable fan we owned. It was a silver metal wire General Electric oscillating table top fan. While trying to keep cool, I would put my face as close to the front and follow the blades while talking into it. You know the sound it makes. As a kid, growing up in the country with not a lot to do, that was the coolest (sorry for the pun) thing ever.

Fast forward to adulthood. Somehow, air-conditioners became a part of life for me. Well, at least in the heat of summertime. About 15 years ago, when I needed to replace my furnace, for a little bit more money, it was made aware to me that I could get a central air system installed.

Since I have a small house, the added cost wasn't bad, and for the past 15 years, I've enjoyed cool summers inside my home. Well, that was until yesterday. I've been told these older units can last about 15 years or so, and I'm thinking it's time may be up.

Last night, I opened all the windows, turned on all the fans I have in the house and had a lousy night trying sleep with no air-conditioning. Is this what I've become? Dependent on a constant blast of cold air?

Well, depending on what the technician tells me when he arrives to assess the situation, I may just have to begin to relive the days of my youth with windows open, heat pouring in and a table top fan to try and keep me sane. At least I'll have fun making noises into the blades of the fan.