Cherry Blossoms, Spring 2021

Sage Hills, April 2021

by everchanginghorizon

“Untitled” by | Ryan Rivera

Mt. Rainer National Park, Washington

Cherry Blossoms, Spring 2021

Grove of the Patriarchs, May 2020

“Smoky Wildflowers” by | Doug Shearer

Mount Rainier, Washington State

Oxalis

Cougar Mountain, January 2021

Saint's Super Sexy Tips to Not Dying in the Heat Wave!

When I moved from Arizona to the PNW, I never expected to deal with temptures in the tripple digits again. But here we are in a heat wave. So have some tips from this heat veteren.

For many people in the PNW this is a very dangerous thing, unlike in the state of AZ, having A/C is not required for something to be considered a habital space, so a lot of appartments and homes are without it - making it all the more likley to leave some people very ill or at worse, dead.

So, on to the tips: (Please note that I have only 6 months of medical training, but a decade of living of AZ - so this isn't medical advice, it's life advice)

When you get inside, you will be tempted to go stright to the fridge and gulp a big glass of water. Do Not Do That. Start with lukewarm water, then move to cold water. Drinking cold water or Ice water when you are overheated is dangerous, it stimulates the vagus nerver which will lower you heart rate and it will send your body into shock - you're not meant to go from super hot to cold, you're body doesn't understand it. This can cause seeing spots, fainting, and vomiting. And when you vomit, you will become even more dehydrated. When your body is cool enough to drink cold water, sip it. Do Not Chug.

Popcicles and Ice chips are your new best friends. Ice cream is your enemy - avoid dairy at all costs, it will make you vomit in the heat, which will make you dehydrated. The more dehydrated you are - the more likley you will end up in the hospital.

Avoid spicy foods. Covet fruits and raw veggies.

If you'de like - have what I refer to as The Cocktail of Life. Water, one to two ice cubes, two shots of pedialyte.

Turn off your PC, move to a laptop or even better a tablet if you need to do work. (I am typing this on my tablet - so ignore spelling erros)

Turn off all the lights, turn off any non-essental electronic, in this situation the only non esential electronic is your phone, any fans, and if you need toi work or be online a tablet/laptop.

Do not use the stove or oven. I repeat, Do NOT Fucking Use your stove or oven. You eat salad and fruit and veggies now. Have a small amount of dairy free yogurt or fruit smoothie without milk. You don't eat meat now, you are a temporory vegitiarian.

Keep yourself in spaces with less people and with less objects, aim for rooms that are mostly empty if you can or are large.

Take short naps - not long ones, set an alarm for an hour at the max. Drink a glass of lukewarm water after every nap (You will be pissing a lot during the heat wave fyi. Also a 'gross' comment, but if your urine is yellow you are not drinking enough water, it should be clear.)

Lay on the ground, heat rises. If you can - sleep on the ground, move your matress to the ground if you have hard flooring and the space.

Try taking off all your beding, leave your boxspring or mattress on and lay under your bed if you have carpeting or a sleeping mat. (I am under my bed typing this.)

Limit your activities, but don't stay in one space all day, try to move somewhere else once an hour, even if it's just rolling to the other side of the room/bed or changing seats.

You might be tempted to use an ice pack. Don't. Instead if you need to, get a cold washcloth and spread it out on your stomach.

make sure your breathing is even, in and out. panting will make it worse, you don't function like a dog

speaking of dogs, keep your animals inside - avoid cuddling them, for both you and their saftey.

Lukewarm showers, after the shower, you can take a cold (not freezing) bath. Don't have a cold bath without having a lukewarm shower first, it's just like the point about drinking water.

Don't drink alchol, avoid smoking (regardless of what you're smoking), if you need to be high becouse this is inssufrable, go for an edible and have a timer on your phone remindsd you to drink every half hour.

Close your blinds and your curtains, but leave your windows open so the heat can escape and you can cathe the breezes.

Stay safe out there. If you start seeing spots, vommiting, are dizzy or have a migrane - call an ambulence or have a friend drive you to the ER. DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE ER.

“Mountains, alpine lakes, wildflowers” by | Evan Strandberg

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Oxalis in bloom

Kendall Katwalk, August 2017

Not sure what that shirt is supposed to mean, but is it right to say "Draw your of your OCs wearing this" with the shirt and mug combo?

Monroe wa goodwill

“Firecracker” by | Doug Shearer

Kubota Garden, Seattle, Washington

Lake Crescent - Spring

Greider Lakes Trail, June 2021

“A Perfect Evening…” by | Ryan Resatka

North Cascades National Park, Washington

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