Summer is an exciting time to enjoy the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. With longer daylight hours, we have more time to walk along the riverfront trails, picnic in the parks, visit the farmers markets, water the garden, and pull the weeds, and mow the lawn and … Summer is not all fun and games!
Summer in the Gorge can also get hot. Hopefully, we won’t reach the record-breaking temperatures from 2021, when The Dalles reached 118 degrees, and Hood River hit 109 degrees, but NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center does show a good chance of above normal temperatures.
And this can be a concern for older adults.
Many of us have a tougher time dealing with heat and humidity: more health problems and medications, which may make it harder for the body to cool itself. So, the temperature doesn’t have to be high to put us at risk. How can we protect ourselves from the heat?
Go to the coast!
Okay, that’s not possible for most of us, but here are three practical steps you can take:
Stay hydrated — Older adults can be mildly to moderately dehydrated without feeling thirsty. So, drink plenty of cool nonalcoholic and caffeine-free liquids even if you’re not thirsty.
Stay connected — If you don’t have a way to stay cool at home, consider spending at least two hours in air-conditioned places such as a senior center, library, or a cooling center. Or visit a friend who has air-conditioning and share a large lemonade!
Stay cool — Use an air conditioner, and make sure to change the filter regularly. Cool down using ice packs, cool showers, or sponge baths. Keep curtains closed during the hottest part of the day, and open windows at night. Avoid sun exposure and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.
Also, if the air temperature is below 95 degrees, a fan can help. You can maximize the benefits of a fan by dampening your skin with a spray bottle, draping a cool, wet towel over your shoulders, or wearing a damp T-shirt and sitting in front of the fan.
Also, you can create a mini “swamp cooler” by placing a shallow pan of ice in front of the fan. As the ice melts, the fan blows cooler, moister air.
We are not the kids we once were when we could survive those hot summer nights, spread-eagled on the bed with a bag of frozen veggies under our heads, trying to sleep. So, this summer, stay hydrated, stay connected, and be cool.
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Brain Tease: Find a 10-digit number where the first digit is how many zeros in the number, the second digit is how many ones in the number, the third digit is how many threes in the number, etc., until the 10th digit, which is how many nines in the number.
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The thin, inky sheet placed between two sheets of paper to make copies was carbon paper. I received correct answers from Doug Nelson, Bruce Johnson, Becky Podvent, Julie Hoffman, Donna Mollet, Tom Schaefer, Lana Tepfer, Shelley Hinatsu, Rhonda Spies, Rebecca Abrams, Judy Kiser, Pat Evenson-Brady, Eva Summers, Lana Tepfer — who may still have some sheets if you need any — Marlene Clymer, Mike Nagle, and Jay Waterbury, who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
And last week, while reading the dog-eared pages of the novel “Peyton Place,” I missed Rose Schulz and Becky Podvent.
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This Saturday is America’s 250th birthday, so this week’s “Remember When” question is about a world-changing event in American history that took place 55 years ago.
On July 15th, 1971, which country did President Nixon announce he would visit to open diplomatic channels and foster cooperation between the two countries? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with a picture of Henry Kissinger, who prepared the way for Nixon’s visit.
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Well, it’s been another week, keeping an eye on the thermometer. Until we meet again, enjoy a wonderful July 4th, celebrating America’s past, present, and future.
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“Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.”
— Kin Hubbard
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This is my once-a-month reminder of the nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals throughout the Gorge, where you can enjoy the company of others and stay cool. Available at noon Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays
Dufur — Wednesdays at noon at 320 NE Second St.
Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060)
Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191)
The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services at the Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068). In Skamania County, call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
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