Wow, Oregon sure isn't like it used to be! The old adage "it rains 9 months of the year" used to be true, but no longer! We're lucky if it rains three months of the year now. Summer didn't used to arrive in Oregon until July, and even then there was no guarantee of sunshine - often my birthday on July 8th was rained out.
Now though, Oregon's summer begins in March, and there really is no real winter at all! The last week in Portland has been 90 - 100 degrees every day. This is really unusual here. I remember we'd get maybe two 100 degree days per summer, just a decade ago. It's not yet July but everything is getting brown and crunchy. I'm afraid my water bill will be high because I can't stand to see the bushes get dry, and I like to keep the bird water fresh and cold, the poor little guys.
Hub, Faye the dog, and I headed to the river at 7am on Sunday morning to beat the heat and the crowds. It is worth leaving early to drive without any other car on the road, floating along in the cool morning air and finding an empty parking lot and a quiet beach when you get there. Ahhhh, peace. The breeze was so deliciously soft and cool at that hour, and the light was only just starting to come up. When we left, the parking lot was full, and there was plenty of traffic on the road, but we felt relaxed and happy having gotten a few calm, cool moments alone in the city.
We're not the only ones who are hot! The critters need your help to stay cool and hydrated during these summer days. Here is a link to how to make a bird bath. My own is very simple, a piece of wood hanging from a branch, holding a bowl of water. It is extremely busy all day long, so many beautiful birds big and small visit it, it's so much fun to watch them! :) Happy summer days to all! XOXOXO DR