Where did you live out West? I remember a trip we took to Vegas when it was over 100 degrees out, but coming from hot, humid GA at the time, it felt good.
I like your idea for a simple "Friends & Foliage" day. See if you can get your garden buddy on here - we plantaholics need to stick together and, of course, enable each other.
I'm taking today off to recover and do necessary things like groceries, laundry, etc. My yard needs attention, but I just can't make myself go out there. I did water all the containers this morning, and checked on the veggie plants. I've got 2 new cucumbers that look nearly ready to pick, so I guess my earlier neglect wasn't terminal.