Nature is a comedian

What cruel joke hath nature wrought when it’s 99 degrees in Salem, Oregon and 79 in Austin, Texas?

Is this like one of those Twilight Zone episodes when two worlds are flipped in a herky jerky fashion?

I have been away from my homeland for too long. When 99 degrees feels like it must feel in the center of the sun, then I question my Texan origin.

I grew up without air-conditioning for pete’s sake! Now I’m in Oregon for four years, and I’m whining like a true Oregonian.

Stephen F. Austin, please forgive me!

Happy Mother's Day...Mama.

Well, I hope all my fellow Salemites have a sunny and wonderful weekend. Enjoy that bright orb up there in the sky while you can. We have just a short window of sunshine and warmth before the winter dankness descends on our little valley again next winter.

Oh yeah. And don't forget your mother this weekend on Mother's Day. For those of you lucky enough to be in Texas, go pick her up a bunch of bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas. Meanwhile, I'll be scouting the valley for an Oregon wildflower or two.