Thursday, July 11, 2024

Central Oregon is cooling off a little, and these days, a little seems a lot. Over the last day or two, temperatures have fallen, but they are barely under 100 degrees. Nonetheless, they’re bringing noticeably good differences. For example, while outside feeding horses and chickens, I do not have to battle the frequent misery of eye-stinging sweat.

Yesterday, I worked all day at the jewelry counter. A customer said that her family has been wintering in Arizona and summering here in Central Oregon for many years. She’s sure their summer spot next year will change because our weather too much resembles Arizona’s. She’s right, too. The intense heat had been forcing me to rush from my air-conditioned car into the nearest air-conditioned building, exactly as in my visits to Arizona.

When I moved here twenty years ago, Central Oregon’s weather was very different. I felt astonished by the area’s continuous coolness. Not until early September did the weather warm enough to wear summer dresses, and that usually lasted around a month. In mid-October, I began noticing a coming winter.

Now, besides the newly intense heat, this little city feels overly crowded with continually arriving new residents. Its already inadequate streets are packed with vehicles, and new buildings are being constructed in every direction.

While this morning is still cool, I will wear a straw hat and sunglasses and head outside to care for the horses and chickens. Hopefully, I will not have stinging eyes.

Dear Friends: At least it’s not Texas-like, scorching with oppressive storms. Diana