I remember the days growing up in Indiana – hot and humid, without air conditioning: sleeping uncovered – spread out like you were ready to be frisked by a city cop; every morning emptying the water from the dehumidifier; and getting out of the car – the back of my shirt drenched with sweat. Ah, the good ole days! But it seemed like I could handle the heat better then, than now.

As we get older, particularly after 65, we are more susceptible to health issues caused by the heat. We do not adjust as easily to sudden changes in temperature, are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that affects our body’s response to the heat; and are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair our body’s ability to regulate its temperature. And as a reminder, here are some common sense actions we can take to help mitigate the effects of the heat.

Drink liquids, even if you are not thirsty, but avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Dress for the heat: natural fabrics are usually better than synthetic: light colors are better than dark; and wear loose fitting clothes – let the younger generations were the outfits that look like they are painted on. Keep cool. If you don’t have air conditioning, find a place that does. And cool baths or showers can provide relief while ice bags and wet towels are also helpful. Slow down. Additional activity can put extra strain on the heart. Limit salt use. Salt is a problem for many reasons and heat is one of them.

Take the heat seriously. Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, nausea, headache, chest pain, mental changes or breathing problems are warning signs that you should seek immediate medical attention.
Be smart. Although the weather is cooling, we know it will be back up in the 100’s again sometime this summer.

For all of you “pioneers, adventurers, rogues & scallywags”, the Rough and Wild Fort Dalles Days and Rodeo has arrived and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. On Saturday starting at 8:00 AM the Center will be serving a Cowboy Breakfast fit for your finest bull rider or rodeo queen. It will include hotcakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit and the regular beverages all for $5.00. The sponsors for the Cowboy breakfast are the crew at Barb Pashek’s Oregon Dogwoods who would like to thank everyone for all their support over the years and especially this season. And Hazel Philips Travel – offering several trips this year including the Whale Watching Trip in September and a Leavenworth Christmas Lights Tour in December. Stop by the Center or Hazel Phillips Travel for more information. There is no better way of enjoying a trip than letting someone else take care of all the details.

And how many of last week’s “lateral thinking” questions do you think you got right? Are you an “out of the box” thinker? Here are the answers – with the abbreviated questions for those like me who can’t remember what you read yesterday, let alone a week ago.
1. What he would do if you met the airline pilot wearing a dress in a bar? Offer to buy her a drink! The captain was a woman. 2. What are the two coins totaling 11cents, if one of the coins is not a penny? A dime and a penny – the other coin can be a penny. 3. There was an oil lamp, a candle and firewood and you only have one match, which would you light first? The match. 4. What can you put into a wooden box that would make it lighter? Holes. 5. How much soil is there in a 3 inch x 2 inch x 2 inch hole? None – it’s a hole! 6. If you drove a bus leaving The Dalles with 35 passengers … and then drove on to arrive in Portland, what would the name of the driver be? You are the driver! 7. A window cleaner on the 25th floor slips and falls and suffers no injuries. Explain. He was cleaning the inside of the windows. 8. A farmer has 15 cows, all but 8 die. How many were left? Eight. 9. John’s mother has 3 children, one is named April, one is named May. What is the third one named? John. 10. How can a cowboys ride into town on Friday, stay overnight and leave the next day on Friday? His horse was named Friday

And this week’s “Remember When” question is one for the guys. What singing cowboy founded and owned a baseball team but died before he could see them win the World Series in 2002? Call the Center at 541-296-4788 or email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com.

A couple of quickies before I run out of space. Next Tuesday night the Sugar Daddies will be playing for your dancing and listening pleasure, and tonight it’s the Notecrackers. Music starts at 7:00. It is free, although donations are always appreciated. And Joann Scott knew what you call a penguin in the Sahara Desert? Lost!

Well, the steer is about to leave the chute. Until we meet again, as the cowboy from Condon once said, “Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.”