June 25th Heatwave 2021

[Teresa]

Today start a minimum of an 8 day heat stretch of triple digit weather. Monday they are calling for 110 degrees. It is giving me anxiety just thinking about it.

Chibs got neutered Monday and it has been like trying to bottle a hurricane.The vet said no jumping or running. That is not possible even with drugs. Now for the next week or so we cant go outside because of the heat. I put the bird in the laundry room last night and drugged the dog so I had some peace for a while but I was woke up this morning by a bird meltdown that could have broke glass. I might ignore points and dip into the whiskey or take the dogs drugs. I am irritable beyond the point of being able to stand myself.

I dont like the freezing cold anymore but 110 degree weather and triple digits for days on end is not anything I am game for.

We had to switch vets because Chibs vet refused to neuter him until he was a year old, she said would prefer 2 years old for neutering. So I got rid of that control freak. We went to a vet in Sisters. We need to go back next thursday to get his sutures out but it is going to be 103 degrees that day and Idk if my little car can handle that. I will be glad to get those out and I dont care if it is midnight when it is over, I am taking this dog to the church to run until he passes out and I have to drag him back to the car.

At times like this I wish my yard was grass or rocks and not dirt and weeds.

I guess I am just in totally bitching mood

[Teresa]

[judy]

Every time I hear or see the temperature prediction it goes higher.  Usually the valley between the Coast Range and Cascades never gets to even 100, and now it looks as if it will be at least three days of 100+ temps, and the sad part as Teresa is telling you is that the temps are even higher and predicted to be higher east of the Cascades where she lives.  I am so grateful that we have AC.  It doesn't get our 2nd floor very cool, but it's not uncomfortable.  

Today I finished putting the labels on the two quilts that have pre-made labels.  I need to make some for the other two that are now done except for the labels.  Today I also finished another wallhanging.  It had some problems so I had to rip out and redo a couple of sections.  It still has some problems that I hope will not be a big issue when it is quilted.  I have pressed and pressed and it's almost, but not quite flat and it's also now quite square.  I know my quilter will custom quilt it, so maybe it will turn out okay.  Another almost done quilt I am going to finish.  I realized when I pulled it out to see what needed to be done that I had, no doubt, but it away because it also has problems.  I spent some time trying to figure out how to solve the problems and I think I have.  Hopefully, at the end it will look as if it is supposed to look the way it does. 

The conference session did not last as long as anticipated mainly because the presenter ended up losing his connection.  However, he was on long enough to show three short videos and answer most of our questions.  He works for a technical section of the National Park Service that looks for best practices for cleaning and repairing tombstones.  Their headquarter is in Louisiana.  I had hear of them, but never really connected them with the National Park Service.  They also do workshops all over the United States. 

He mentioned that the photo behind him on Zoom was Kalaupapa in Hawaii.  That's the location of the National Park on Molokai where the people with leprosy were sent.  I asked him what he was doing there.  He and his organization have been doing student workshops for the University of Hawaii in Hilo to teach students how to clean and restore gravemarkers.  The come to Molokai and spend two weeks learning how to work on markers.  I was especially interested in Kalaupapa since my brother, Lon, was the Congregational minister there for over 11 years there.  Kalaupapa has been a national park for some time, but there was also hospital there for patients.  In order to go there it's necessary to get special permission because it is still being used for it's original purpose to take care of patients.  Kalaupapa is made up patients, their families, and now park service employees. 

Kalaupapa is truly a beautiful place, and it has not been developed because of its main purpose.  I had the opportunity to visit twice while Lon was there and it is a very special place.  It is not a depressing place, but it seemed to me that there is an aura of sadness there.  Jason, our presenter today, said that the cemeteries are the most important historic resource at Kalaupapa.  While there are marked graves, there are also probably many more unmarked graves.

Lon also discovered that there was a woman with our last name, Rycraft.  There is probably a connection to our family since our name is unusual, but so far I haven't figured it out.  

Guess I'd better get back to my unfinished (UFOs) quilt tops.  Hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the weekend.

Take care, Judy
  

[Teresa]

Last night, after it had cooled down to the 80's I took Chibs to the church field. He still has his sutures but he was going out of his skull which was making me nuts. He has been cooped up for so long he was more of a spaz and didnt listen as good as he normally does but it was good none the less. While we were there a guy and his huge black dog came. The guy was friendly and the dog was a great big sweet gentle dog. Him and I chatted while the dogs chased the balls we threw. His dog at one point didnt listen to him or something, not sure, it all happened so fast. All at once he was yelling to the dog saying NOW and then he started counting. When he started counting his dog ran and hid behind me, then the man hit his stick on the bench really loud and my dog ran and hid behind me too. Soon this guy was looming over me, screaming at his dog and both dogs are hiding behind me. It got freaky so fast. I said "Chibs you want to go home?" and he took off running for our car and the guys dog took off running down the street. It kind of really freaked me out. Chibs is usually all protective but he is only 5 months and just been neutered, maybe he was feeling vulnerable. I hope the neutering didnt take the protective out of him.

It is 89 degrees at 10, supposed to be 107 today and 110 tomorrow and the next day. This dog and I are going to lose our minds if we cant get out and move. I am fine with being a couch potato but he is not.

[ginny]

Teresa, I agree with you on the neutering dates. I can’t imagine why the doctor thinks that is necessary. They neuter kittens as young as 10 weeks, I think. Sorry you are having such weather. It has been 90 here, and I don’t like it one bit. As you say, I don’t like cold weather either—Spring has always been my favorite, and I tolerate Fall, but so much heat so early is not good either.

Judy, I’ve got my pots of Salvia and petunias all planted, but I haven’t see a hummer at all. I did see yellow throated warbler yesterday, cooling off in my bird fountain. He looked like he was really enjoying himself, splashing around in the lower level of the fountain. I always get excited when any warbler comes along because I hardly ever see them here, usually just one or two during migration, if I’m lucky. This was the second one I’ve seen this season.

I don’t envy you trying to figure out the problems with your quilt. I just don’t have the energy to figure out things like that anymore. Hope it turns out beautifully.

Kathy, hope you are doing well, How is your weather? I remember always escaping to Canada while I was teaching, to find a cooler place. And I’ll never forget the early July morning when we were greeted by a few snowflakes.

Well, hugs to all,
Ginny

[kathy]

I'd rather have heat then snow and cold weather! I can take clothes off but with the - 40 F temperatures one can only add so much clothes on, and 2 feet of snow and having to dig out the driveway to back ones car out of the garage. Shoveling the road as the snow is higher then the bumper of the car is not my idea of winter fun.

The heat wave is affecting the west part of North America and there doesn't seem to be any cooler weather in sight.

On Sunday when I worked, I cashed, I worn a T shirt and a sweater to work, had black jeans on and left my fleece lined pants and long sleeved shirt at home. Different parts of the store are freezing and it make one wonder what one should actually wear? One can't pack a suitcase.


Hope you all are surviving the heat wave and that there aren't any terrible forest fires to cause smoke.

Hugs
Kathy

[judy]

The good news is that the heat wave broke here.  I think it did in most of western Oregon, but central and eastern Oregon are still hot as if the Columbia River Gorge.  I feel sorry for my grandson who lives in Richland, WA where triple digits are forecast for all week.  I think that is also the case for where Teresa lives.

On the two days where it was super hot in the triple digits here, I expected to go out in the evening and see all my plants cooked even though I water.  Yesterday when the wind came it blew hard.  This morning one of my exercise friends told me his wife had a tomato in big heavy pot and the wind blew it over.  We did have lots of leaves and some small branches scattered all over this morning so I know it blew pretty good.  

Ginny, I did manage to figure out both the quilt and wall hanging tops and they will soon be ready to go to the quilter.  I just need to cut the fabric for the backs.  It feels good to get them finished and ready to be quilted.  

I am so happy that it is cooler.  Teresa, hope you are cooler SOON!!!

Take care, Judy

[Teresa]

Judy, we made it to 111 today and parts of Redmond are being evacuated immediately due to a fast moving fire, its up to 200 acres last I heard. I really hope I dont lose power. No ac and no oxygen. This is so stressful.

[judy]

It's been a while since anyone posted...hope everyone is doing well.

Our temps have not reached triple digits since the weather broke last week.  Teresa, are the temps still really high in Redmond?  Kathy, I remember you said something about high temps too, what's happening now?

Only one fire that I know of was set over the 4th of July weekend.  It was started by boys/men throwing fire crackers out of their pickup as they drove along the highway.  Several fire departments were called and it was put out.  One of the departments stayed overnight to make sure it didn't reignite.  They also caught the people that did it.  I haven't heard what's going to happen.  I hope they at least have to pay all the expenses for putting the fire out.  It could have been a real disaster because it was in the Coast Range which is heavily forested and so dry.  I guess it's really not possible to cure stupid!  There were many, many warnings about being careful because of how dry everything is.  We are in the middle of drought!

Ginny, we are having fewer birds at our feeder and only a few Redwinged Blackbirds.  I think they must have migrated.  The hummingbird feeders also have to be filled less often, and the suet only needs a new block every other day.  Anyway, feeding time at the feeders is not quite as raucous as it is was earlier this summer.

I am getting the Civil War letters ready to send to be digitized.  I have them all organized, but I haven't looked at them in a long time, so I've lost track of where I was in the project to get them transcribed.  My focus right now is getting the letters sent, and then I'm going to find the photos and figure out where the transcription stopped.  I'm making it my goal to get everything ready so I can take them to the historical society in Montana next summer.  

Time to get to work, thinking of you, take care, Judy

[kathy]

Haven't paid attention to the temperatures as it has been so hot! Litton BC hit the record temperatures and then they had a fire and the whole town was evacuated. They believe it was caused from a train. The whole town looks terrible.
My place is hot upstairs. I took to sleeping in the basement for a couple of days as it was 25C upstairs it was 30 C. Finally figured out how to put a temperature hold on the furnace. I have it set to 18 C and it's been reading 27C. Still cooler. On Saturday we had thunder storm and it poured. Then Today it was cooler looking and the cloud came and it poured and the thunder came. The temperature was in the mid 20's. The grass is greener but still very dry. At work it's hard to know what to wear as the A/C is on and it's freezing. So have taken to wearing my usual clothing. One can take some off but it's hard to get warm!

I finally got an xray and ultra sound on my shoulder. That mammogram sure did a number to my body! The test came back negative but oh, the pain from the test lasted forever. I have a small tear in my shoulder. My doctor doesn't believe it's from the Mammogram so I guess it's from work. Will see about getting some coverage as I have to go to Physio and that's going to be a long haul.

My gallbladder so going to come out, when I don't know yet but I'm on the list. I don't have pains that send me to Emerg but I do have pain under my ribs, lower back pain and just feeling yucky! I do burp a lot too! So will have to figure out what's causing it and quit eating that.

The Stampede is on! Not going down to the grounds. Too many people and I'm just staying away from large crowds.

Hugs
Kathy

[Teresa]

Hi all, We are out of the triple digits but we have stayed in the high 90's. Tomorrow we are supposed to be 99. Maybe in a few days we will have some high 80's weather but who knows for sure.There are fires, so the smoke is rolling in.
Kind of in a little bit of a funk. Need to work it out. Chibs is doing good, he just gets better every day. I am not losing any weight right now but I am maintaining so that is good until I get back in full swing again.

[Teresa]

Sharing a picture of my 2 ingredient dough pizza with turkey pepperoni and lots of veggies. Whole dinner was 10 points.

[judy]

Teresa, your pizza looks so good.  Looks to me like you are getting out of your "funk."  Working on maintaining when you are in that mode I think is the best solution until you can really get back on track.

Kathy, I hope you will be able to get your physical issues solved soon.  

I've got all the Civil War letters ready to be sent off.  I still want to find some photos, but if that doesn't happen when I send the letters, I can always send them later.  I have been working on slides.  I found two boxes and done a first sort all the way through both and am now working on organizing and checking the ones I saved.  I probably am going to find more, but these are the two boxes that were labeled slides.  I've been walking down Memory Lane, and most of the memories are good.  I've found some slides from the late 1950s and the early 60s my college years.  The ones I am saving I want to digitize because they aren't easily usable in slide format.  

Three more quilt projects are ready to go to the quilter's.  It feels really good to get so many of these unfinished quilt projects done.  I like my quilter and I think her rates are very reasonable.  

My daughter Kylee is coming the last week of July for a couple of weeks.  I can hardly wait.  I sure miss her even though she's great at keeping in touch. 

Time for bed, take care, Judy

[kathy]

Today is the last day of the Stampede 2021

It's cool today 16C. I am sitting in my place with a thick sweater, sleepers on my feet (they are freezing) and trying to get motivated. I am trying the find some documents on my WBC claim from 2019. so far I can't find a claim number. Need to get all these papers put away as one never knows when a son will pop in! It is so Smokey that one can only see about 3 block distance.


I had a pain shot in my shoulder last Tuesday. They put freezing in the shoulder take an x-ray and they press where it hurts. I believe it's a video x-ray or ultras sound. I am light duties at work which means no Cashing as I can't lift or move my arm in different directions as it hurt and then aches. I have heavy duty muscle cream but haven't used it since the shot.
I have a few days off so am trying to get these papers filed and stuff put away.

I got a Wedding invitation to Puerta Vallarta in February 2022. I found some flights but am going to try and use points to fly there. I have a Time Share in Puerta Vallarta so will see about using it for some of the time. Since I'm probably going by myself I thought it would be better to stay at the Wedding Hotel for the night of the Wedding. Have no idea really what's happening yet. But I did look into hotel and flights. My cousin's sister isn't going as she isn't/won't get vaccinated. Which is a subject we don't talk about as she has her mind made up and there is no discussions.

I have talked to a contractor about doing some work on my Condo. I'm tired of having vinyl plank sitting on my garage floor so hopefully there is enough to do my bedroom, closet and on suite. Then do the baseboards to match the rest of the house. Then do the tile around the tub and new faucets in the tub and sink. New tile. My tub is almond and I don't want a BRown/beige bathroom. I lived in a beige interior house and don't want that color.
My laundry room has stick on tile which has come unstuck and I'm going to replace it too.

The only money I spent was on the furnace so hopefully I have enough for all this!

Haven't been paying too much attention to the forest fire situation but it's bad cause we've got the smoke!

Hope everyone is safe!

Hugs
Kathy