The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Mother Nature and I are sisters in contrary behavior. On October 19, it was 76 degrees, and I have no complaints as I enjoy this contrarian weather pattern. My Irises are blooming. I've got a new mini crop of sugar snap peas, and tomatoes just keep coming. I am cruising the highway with the top down, playing tennis on the outdoor courts, grateful for this unseasonable warmth.

My behavior is less monumentally contrarian than Mother Nature's, but still off the norm. My sister complains I send birthday and holiday gifts to her grandchildren in California after the proper dates. I have frequently...