EXCESSIVE HEAT DIARY – DAY 4 (TUESDAY, JULY 9)

I missed posting this yesterday because the electricity went off at 4:50 p.m. Mike set up the generator to run the refrigerator, the TV, and a box fan. We had already planned that he would grill our supper, so he also warmed our side dishes. After supper we watched TV for a while but eventually gave it up. Mike turned the generator off, and we went to bed. At 10:45, I was awakened by a vehicle coming up the lane, and I knew it was Clearwater Power checking the line. And since we’re the last place on the route, I figured the electricity would be on within half an hour. It came on at 11:09. The temp was 80.

THIS INFO IS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 9

Morning low – 68 (It was still 75 at midnight.)

Temps: 85 at 10:00 / 93 at 12:30 p.m. / 98 at 3:30

Breeze – Often still; a hot late afternoon breeze at 7 mph  

Attic fan on – 10:40 a.m.

We were up at 5:30 and back from our morning walk before 7:00.

This is our hottest day yet. We’re now struggling to keep the house cool. It’s 81 downstairs and 82 upstairs. We’ll see if it cools off tonight.

The paper says that this West Coast heat wave will peak tomorrow (the 10^th), but triple-digit temps will continue at least throughout the week.

The report from the U-I extension agent is that the winter wheat will probably do all right, but it remains to be seen if the spring wheat will be damaged. I hope the photos show how much the wheat fields change from day to day.

I thought tick season was over, but Mike found two on his person yesterday and one today. But the grackles are gone, and the robins with them. It’s much quieter.

I checked the cherry tree yesterday, and the cherries still weren’t quite ripe enough.

We saw a small whitetail doe on our morning walk. Mid-morning a doe and a small buck ambled through the yard. Mike and I watched but Bess was oblivious as the doe crept behind her.

Yesterday I picked two young zucchini for our supper vegetable. More are setting on. I read that if your zucchini plant doesn’t produce, it’s because of a lack of pollinators. KW

EXCESSIVE HEAT DIARY – DAY 3 (JULY 8)

Morning low – 64

We closed the house at 7:00 a.m. (70 both outside and in)

Temps: 80 at 10:00 a.m. / 89 noon / 93 at 3:00 p.m.

Breeze – 5-10 mph

Attic fan on – 11:00 a.m.

Mike and I “enjoyed” our yoga session in the front yard this morning. The breeze was so pleasant, but when the sun comes over the rise, it’s hot!

I think tick season is over. They apparently can’t take the heat. And we haven’t seen the grackles or the robins. The rodents we will always have.

Today’s story is about the young buck who surreptitiously moved behind the grove when he saw me in the yard. He actually moved through the trees to the north end of the grove where he stood eating the grass. That’s fine. He can have all the grass he wants as long as he leaves the hollyhocks alone.

The buck was well-camouflaged in the brush and trees, but I took pictures anyway. This one is best. He actually turned and looked at me. Honestly, he’s brazen. He feels right at home in my territory.

Oh – and as we walked around the pond late yesterday afternoon, we saw two grouse in the pine trees. And Mike saw three ducklings swimming on the pond the other day. KW 

EXCESSIVE HEAT DIARY – DAY 2 (JULY 7)

Winter wheat cooking in the heat, July 7

Morning low – 62

Temps: 85 at 11:00 a.m. / 88 at 2:00 p.m. / 90 at 4:00

Breeze – 5-10 mph

Attic fan on – 11:09 a.m.

The hummingbirds are staying hydrated. How about you?

Alexa tells me that the Excessive Heat Warning is now in effect through the 10^th. First it was the 9^th, then the 11^th, then the 12^th, and now it’s the 10^th. This appears to be the height of the heat spell, but just looking at the extended forecast, it will continue to be in the 90s here and over 100 in the valley in the foreseeable future. I don’t see a cooling trend.

If memory serves, back in the days of my youth, we thought it was hot in the valley if it was 90. And here at the farm, the thermometer rarely, if ever, reached 90. It was always more comfortable here at the farm, and the breeze was lovely. The breeze is still lovely.

THE REST OF THE COW STORY (MAYBE)

To continue yesterday’s story, the cows cut across June’s field to the road and doubled back to the lane. Some of them ambled down the draw while a 15 head or so entered the north field at the apple trees. 

As the three of us approached on our evening walk, those in the field turned tail and ran across the field to the west. They were soon out of sight over the rise, and we haven’t seen them again.

It's very quiet here. I think the grackles left. Good riddance! KW 

EXCESSIVE HEAT DIARY – DAY 1 (JULY 6)

Ripening winter wheat, July 6

 Morning low – 62 degrees

3:00 p.m. – 87 here; 92 in Orofino

Attic fan came on at 10:45

Breezy – 12 mph

Temp was 70 when we went to bed last night, and it didn’t cool off until early morning. Mike has now set up a fan in the east dormer windows so that we can pull in some cool air.

Our morning walk (about 7:00) was out to the canyon rim behind the house. It’s not far – just a short hike along the edge of the field. We checked the service berries, but they’re still fairly green. And for that matter, the trees (and the berries) are so dry that I’m not sure picking is worth it.

We watered early. Mike took care of the fruit trees. I watered the raised beds. We closed the house by 7:30 – 68 in / 70 out.

We took a morning ride down the ridge on the 4-wheeler. Besides winter and spring wheat, we identified lentils and garbanzo beans.

TODAY’S STORY OF NOTE

We found one cow pie in the lane the other day, and we thought that was strange. Just one cow? Were there other cows, and if so, where were they? Well, we didn’t see them for three days, but as we returned from our 4-wheeler ride, we spotted a whole herd of cows (15-20 head) moving across June’s field. An hour later, Bess sounded an alarm from the front porch, and I opened the front door to see sweet cow faces looking at me from behind the lilac bushes. I was a little sorry that Bess chased them off. Then Mike went over to the neighbors to report that the cows were out.

Apparently, this is not as urgent for the cattle owner as we feel it should be because this afternoon, I happened to look out the upstairs window to see the cows in our lane. They are so quiet! It’s like they know that they are trespassing and that maintaining this life of free roaming depends on absolute silence.

Well, Mike wondered if he could herd them on down the road on the 4-wheeler, but no! They stepped off the road and into June’s field – familiar territory for them by now, and as I look out the window, they are circling back into the lane. KW

CERTIFY YOUR HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE

Winter wheat as of July 4

A couple of years ago, Mike decided to discontinue mowing the area behind the farmhouse. We designated it as an orchard and planted apple trees. As time went on, we began to identify weeds, encouraging those we deemed desirable, and we continue to plant drought-tolerant perennials.

The National Wildlife Federation sponsors a program to certify wildlife habitat (here). Complete a simple form, give them a $20 donation, and your habitat is enrolled in the program. It looks like you don’t get much for your money except the knowledge that your donation helps the programs of the Wildlife Federation to improve habitat for wildlife.

“Isn’t this the silliest thing,” I asked myself. “Why should I donate when we already do what we can to encourage wildlife and pollinators through our plantings?”

But then, as we prepared for the family reunion over Memorial Day, something clicked with me and I wanted to officially join. I filled out the form and paid the $20. Then I paid a lot more and bought the official sign.

Before the reunion weekend, Mike installed the sign for me in the orchard / meadow. Then, using the app on his phone, we identified the more outstanding weeds and I made markers. I don’t think anyone noticed or cared, which I totally expected, but I enjoyed doing it, and I will continue to do it.

Now the Wildlife Federation has a new logo and a new sign. Wouldn’t you know it? Well, maybe I’ll buy one next year.

Mike and I were up by 6:30 this morning. We did a half hour session of yoga and then walked to the mailbox and back (two miles round trip). The sun was already hot as we walked. Back at the house, I watered the raised beds and the fruit trees. Then together we swathed the Lapins sweet cherry tree. The cherries are in various stages of ripeness, and the birds are already nibbling them.

The excessive heat alert is now in effect from the 6^th through the 12^th. Brother Chuck wonders how this hot spell will affect the grain. We’ll see.

It’s 86 right now (2:30 p.m. on Mike's little shed) and 71 in the house. We stay quite cool inside if we open the house in the evening and close by 9:00 in the morning. KW

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

June 26, 2024

July 3, 2024

The photos above illustrate how quickly the winter wheat is ripening. With the anticipated excessive heat alert predicted for next week, we expect the rapid change to continue. 

This photo, also taken today (July 3) is meant to show the difference between the winter wheat in the foreground and the spring wheat beyond (on the horizon). It's not effective for that purpose.

So -- here's a photo of the spring wheat on the neighbor's place (formerly the Plank place).

And here's a photo taken by my dad in 1966. KW

WRONGFUL DEATH UPDATE

Mike and I came to town on Thursday (June 27) so that he could pursue various motorcycling activities. We have had to stay in town two days longer than we expected because I have a chipped tooth and couldn’t get an appointment until Tuesday (July 2). We are determined to spend the Fourth on the farm, though, because Bess has developed “noise anxiety” and can’t handle the fireworks. “They’re shooting guns out there,” she cries, “and they didn’t invite me.”

We have not had an update from the prosecutor regarding Milo’s wrongful death in a month or so. To our knowledge, his murderer still hasn’t been officially named and charges haven’t been filed. They say they are investigating carefully, and these things take time. Seems like an open-and-shut case to me. Two guys were locked in a cell together. One was killed with no defensive wounds, so the other guy had to be the perpetrator. But of course, the truly culpable party – the prison itself (the State of Idaho) – will not be charged. As a second-generation native Idahoan, I feel betrayed.

Through certain contacts, we have reason to believe that the prison continues to place vulnerable inmates in harm’s way. I can’t help but feel that to some extent this is deliberate. It’s at least negligent.

Some people have said to me, “I know what you’re going through. I lost my precious baby.” Or they say, “It’s just wrong to bury your child; it goes against nature.” Not to minimize anyone’s grief, but the overarching issue here is that our son and brother was killed in state custody where he should have been safe, and the issues go on and on and on. My heart hurts for what Milo endured in his final days and hours as he was under threat by his delusional cellmate and prison personnel were unresponsive to his pleas for help. Do you think this will come out in the trial – if there is a trial?

And the longer “they” drag out the investigation, the more this horrible crime slips from collective memory. The public has a short memory, and they know it. 

If it could happen to Milo, it could happen to anyone -- and it does. KW