Dryness and Sunshine

This week, our last one in Tucson, I'm trying to summarize some impressions. Dryness is a huge one. It is dry here. I have heard that it may start raining up in the clouds and it is so dry here that the rain evaporates before it hits ground. What does dryness mean to me? When we first arrive here, I notice that my eyes feel less moist and my skin is extra dry. I have learned to do what the natives do--I take a "second shower" every day. After I shower, I put on skin lotion. At night I use vaseline on my hands and feet and wear socks. I also use artificial tears in my eyes and hot wet compresses. These remedies really work. We also added a water softener which aids in skin comfort. I especially like the foot treatment with vaseline. My feet feel softer than they have in years. I'll continue that in Bellevue.

Dishes in the dish drainer dry remarkably fast. Floors that I mop dry within 5 minutes. Mildew doesn't have a chance to form in our shower enclosure. Wood isn't used in siding for houses because it dries out too much. There are very few lawns around here, although there are golf courses. The golf courses are irrigated with grey water. There have been drought conditions, but water isn't rationed. This year is turning out better than it looked for awhile because of the snow pack in the mountains.

Lastly, we keep water and canteens handy so that when we head out the door, we will have water with us.

Re sunshine: It is wonderful! I love the quality of light here in the winter. The nearby mountains have beautiful pink tones both at sunrise and at sunset. Even if the days are fairly short, I still feel that my solar batteries are getting charged during the day. I wear sunglasses and sunblock much of the time. I go without sunblock for outings less than 45 minutes. I've been reading that I can absorb more vitamin D that way. The sunshine does have it's drawbacks. I think that AZ has the highest rate of skin cancer in the nation. Sun bleaches furniture and wood. I have to pay attention to what furniture might be in the sun. Our original patio chair cushions disintegrated due to heat and sun exposure and needed to be replaced. Like all powerful things, it is a blessing and a curse. I will miss the sunshine!