I own none of these characters, but I do love to borrow them and play!

"Maaaaura, look. Loooook!" Jane is waving her phone right in Maura's face.

"Yes, Jane, I know it's hot."

"But, look! It's 95 degrees, but FEELS LIKE 101 degrees. You know how much I HATE the 'feels like' part of the temperature!" Jane's voice starts to whine.

"Yes, Jane, I know how much you hate it. You mention it every time it gets hot and humid." Maura maintains her calm composure.

"I do not."

"Jane, dare I say that your voice takes on a tone that could best be described as whining when it's hot and humid."

Jane's mouth drops open in shock. "I do NOT whine!"

Maura sighs. She looks at her girlfriend. Right now might not be the right time to tell Jane that she is cute when she whines. Logic, Maura's favorite and safest fallback comes to the rescue.

"Jane. We are sitting in central air conditioning. You aren't even out in the heat."

Jane runs her hand through her hair. "I know that, Maur, but I want to go outside. I'm sure Jo wants to go out and play."

Maura looks at Jo snoozing on the floor, her little feet twitching."I believe Jo is fine where she is. It is too hot for any of us to be doing much outside."

"But I feel trapped in here. Look outside." Jane makes a sweeping motion with her hand to the window."I mean, when we're having a blizzard, you can SEE that you shouldn't go outside, then it's nice to stay in cuddled by the fire. Today is sunny, with hazy blue sky and some clouds. You should be able to go play outside. I remember as kids, we used to play in the lawn sprinkler or kiddie pool..." Jane stops her rant and gets a far off look in her eyes.

Maura gets a little worried. She leans forward on the couch. "Jane?"

Jane's eyes are bright. "That's it Maur! Let's go shopping. We'll go buy another kiddie pool like Watson has and we'll get one of those lawn sprinklers that go back and forth that we jumped through as kids. We'll call Tommy and have him bring TJ over and Jo can jump in the pool too! We can set up chairs and dip our feet in the water and have some adult beverages." Jane rubs her hands together in anticipation.

Jo opens her eyes and rolls on her back. Maura bends down to scratch Jo's belly. "Looks like you will be getting a pool, young lady." Jo wags her tail at the attention Maura was giving her.

The animals watch and listen to their moms get ready to leave as Jane Mom opens the door.

"Ug, feel that heat?"

"Yes, Jane."

"It's really nasty out here."

"Yes, Jane."

"You know, we should use the remote car starter and leave the air conditioner on, then the car would be cool when we got in."

"Yes, Jane."

"And...

"Jane!"

Jane looks a little sheepish at Maura's tone. She realizes that she is probably whining. "Yes, Maura?"

"I'm going to put an ice cube down your shirt so you'll stop complaining about the heat!"

"Please, Maura! Would you do that? I would love that!"

The voices stop when the door is shut.

Jo looks at Bass from her position on her back and sees him upside down. It's kinda fun and silly this way, but she decides to roll over to talk to the tortoise.

Bass? Do I have to live in a pool now like Watson does?

No, Jo. I believe they are going to put the pool outside and fill it with water so you can play in it.

Oh, that sounds like fun Bass! Will you and Watson play in it with me? Jo wags her tail again.

Bass loves the little dog's exuberance. Well, Jo. I think Maura Mom will allow me to wander in the back yard, but I can't get into the pool as easily as you can. I'll play with you outside the pool.

What about Watson?

Watson is a little small to wander as I do. He will be happy in here in his pool.

Jo wanders over to Watson's pool. I'm sorry that you can't come out and play with us Watson.

Watson looks up from his greens. The moms set up his pool very nicely with little ramps and things to keep Watson entertained. It's ok, Jo. You'll come back in and talk to me. Maybe the Moms will create a little area for me with a top on it so no animals will try to get me while I am still small.

I'll protect you! Jo makes herself look fierce.

I know you will, Jo. Thank you.

Jo looks back and forth between the tortoises. It's summer and hot. Why do you still sit under your lamps?

Bass smiles. Well, Jo, to keep the humans and you cool, Maura Mom turns on the air conditioner. She knows that Watson and I like it warmer, so she turns on our lights.

Jo does a few spins as she chases her tail. I do like it cooler. She settles down to take a little nap until the moms come home. She wakes to hear noises coming from the back yard. She runs to the back door barking, protecting the finally hears Maura Mom.

"Jane, don't you dare! You wait until I change before you even think of throwing water on me!"

Maura runs into the house and slams the back door just in time. Water from the gardening hose hits the window.

"Jo, your mother would have been in so much trouble if she sprayed water on my Channel top! Time to put my play clothes on." Maura heads upstairs to change.

Jane opens the back door. "Jo! C'mere girl! Want to go outside and play? Bass! Start making your way over here!"

Jane mom, I've been moving since you've been gone! I might need a little help!

Jo races out the door into the heat.

Yuk!

"Jo! See the ball? Go get it!" Jane tosses Jo's ball gently into the kiddie pool that she filled with about 4-5 inches (11 cm) of water.

Jo is surprised when her feet hit the water and she bites the ball gets a noseful of water. She lifts her head and sneezes. She bends her head and starts to drink the water. She hears Jane Mom laugh. Jane bends over and splashes water on Jo. Jo feels the coolness reach her skin and rolls over in the water. She jumps out of the pool and shakes her coat. Jo feels so good, she races around the yard. She is surprised to run through cold rain in the sun.

Jane is setting out chairs near the pool when she sees Maura hold the door open for Bass. Bass settles himself in the sun, not far from the door.

Jane smiles as she puts her feet in the cold water of the pool. Maura hands Jane a cold and sits down beside her with a frozen red beverage with an umbrella.

"What's that?" Jane looks at the concoction as she sips her beer.

"This is a Watermelon Sangria. I added the umbrella to have more of a beach theme."

"Nice touch." Jane smiles at Maura, thinking how lucky she was to have such a wonderful girlfriend that was willing to put up with her whining during hot weather.

"Thank you, Maura."

"For what, Jane."

"For dealing with my crankiness and craziness in this heat."

"Jane, I love you. This is who you are. Look what you created because of your inability to deal with heat. We now have a backyard water park." Maura takes her foot and kicks water at Jane.

Jane laughs and kicks water back. "I love you too." Soon, water is flying back and forth and the women are drenched and laughing.

Jo jumps back into the pool to roll on her back and bark at the moms. She spies Bass and races over.

Hi Bass!

Hi Jo. Are you having fun?

Yes Bass. The cold water is very fun to play in. Want to get wet?

No Jo. Remember? I like the warmth of the sun.

Oh, right. Is it hot enough for ya?

Yes, Jo. It is hot enough for me.

Hi everyone! Sorry that I have been gone so long. Things have been crazy. I hope you enjoy this one. There is a lot of me in this Jane. I HATE hot and humid weather and yes, I do get cranky and whine! lol. Seriously, July 23 is "Hot Enough for Ya Day?". I hope you are all well and enjoying your summer. Thank you for reading!

Love to Belgium!