Hot Summer!

Saturday, July 08, 2023

These are beyond the typical dog days of summer, with triple-digit temperatures making the usual hot areas even hotter. We Central Oregonians are complaining about mid-80s heat but getting off easy, comparatively speaking. This week, I’ve been working at HD during the warmest hours daily, but with today off, I’ll be outside experiencing our heat.

Today’s Washington Post carried an article about how to establish a little frog pond. Frogs are an endangered species but an essential component of healthy environments. My neighbor’s pond emits sounds from what seems like thousands of frogs. Until now, that’s more than enough suited me. The critters migrate, however, and some have reestablished in my hanging planters. I like seeing those frogs and have begun considering playing around to create a small safe pond.

Lately, a couple of lizards, including one with a short tail and recognizable as an old friend, have drowned in smallish bowls of water set out for my dogs. Right away, I pulled those bowls and replaced them with easy-to-escape flat and shallow planter-pot underliners. That lizard-water issue got me thinking about doing something that could assist frogs, too.

Besides, there are a few colorful Garder Snakes around. I don’t spot them often, but I am always delighted to sight one. They might also appreciate a little pond.

So, I’m encouraged.

Dear Friends: Thanks again for “being there” for me, and let’s go beat the heat! Diana