A8 THE BULLETIN • FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021
Wheat
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I’ve become
involved with a woman I’ve
been friends with for some
years. We became close over
the course of 2020, and more
recently have soft-launched
dating (although she doesn’t
yet feel comfortable label-
ing it).
Not long ago, she expressed
great disappointment be-
cause of my messiness when
I last visited her. I had left an
empty coffee cup on her car
floor, my shoes in the middle
of her kitchen and knocked
some pillows off of the couch,
among other things. I know
her criticisms are fair, but
they were also over the top.
I believe this is a trait I can
fix, and I told her I would, but
now she wants some space.
She said she isn’t sure she
can become romantic with a
messy person who “doesn’t
respect her space.” While I
understand where she’s com-
ing from, I’m afraid I won’t
have a chance to prove my-
self. We spoke a little after the
incident, but I have tried to
honor her request.
Do you have any advice
about how to approach the
situation? It would be sad if
we parted ways after our first
real challenge. I think it may
be important to note that, in
the past, she has dated men
who weren’t respectful to her
at all.
— Mr. Messy in Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Messy: A seri-
ous — but nonconfronta-
tional — conversation with
this woman is in order. Does
she have a touch of OCD?
Or could she be reluctant to
become further involved for
some other reason — such
as a fear of intimacy or her
bad luck with prior men in
her life? You need to ask what
has caused your otherwise
happy relationship to go so
far off track, let her know
you are willing to work on
your “messiness,” and ask her
to lay her cards on the table
about what else may be both-
ering her.
Dear Abby: My wife and
I have a beautiful 8-year-old
daughter. She was a donor
egg baby, as we had had three
miscarriages and were un-
able to bring a baby to term.
My question is, when is the
right time to tell our daugh-
ter that her mother is not her
birth mother? I was bullied
extensively as a kid, and don’t
want this to become a topic
to haunt the rest of her school
days.
— Doting Dad
Dear Dad: I’m sorry you
were bullied as a child, and
I’m glad you asked this ques-
tion. If your wife carried your
daughter to term, she IS the
child’s birth mother. She just
needed a little “extra help” in
the form of a donated egg.
Having reached the age of
8, your daughter is at an age
when school curriculum may
begin covering reproduc-
tion. After she has learned
the basics, consider slowly
starting to educate her about
the various pathways to par-
enthood. Then, when she is
a little older, provide more
details about the miracle of
her birth. It is important that
your child know she can al-
ways get honest answers
from both of her parents,
and at some point, the do-
nor’s medical history may be
something she needs to know
about.
By Georgia Nicols
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important deci-
sions today. The Moon is in Capricorn.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021: You are intu-
itive and sense the feelings and problems of others, which makes you sym-
pathetic and caring. Your curiosity gives you the investigative skills to solve
mysteries, generally, with a stylish flair. This year is the end of a nine-year
cycle, which means you are wrapping up things and letting go of what is no
longer relevant in your life.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
For some reason, personal details about your private life seem to be
made public today. Perhaps people are talking about you. Because this influ-
ence is present, avoid a public argument or anything that might embarrass
you. (Check your zipper.) Tonight: Clarify things.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Today you feel restless. It’s Friday, and you want something different
to happen. You want adventure and a chance to see new places or meet new
faces. Basically, you want to be stimulated in a way that expands your world.
Tonight: Explore different ideas and beliefs.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
You’re proactive right now, which is why you’re concerned with
inheritances, shared property, insurance matters or something to do with
your debt. You will successfully deal with problems because you are con-
fident. Furthermore, Mercury in your sign will give you gravitas. Tonight:
Double-check finances.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Ideally, you need to go more than halfway when dealing with others
today. Even though the Sun and Venus are in your sign — which is a good
thing, because they are empowering, plus Venus will make you charming
and diplomatic — with the Moon opposite your sign, be cooperative with
others. Tonight: Listen carefully.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
extreme drought in the west to
moderate in the east, accord-
ing to the U.S. Drought Moni-
tor. More than three-fourths of
Morrow County is experienc-
ing extreme drought.
“For us, things aren’t as bad
as other drier areas,” said Em-
ery Gentry, Umatilla County
president of the Oregon Wheat
Growers League, who farms on
the foothills of the Blue Moun-
tains near Weston. “But it’s
definitely a poorer year for us
too. Typically we rely on rains
citing The Oregonian’s analysis.
But it has taken several years
for authorities to investigate.
The Oregonian reported in
February that the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission had concluded
that Intel discriminated against
eight older workers in the 2015
layoffs, but it has yet to an-
nounce any resolution of pen-
alties. Complaints related to
the 2016 layoffs apparently re-
main open with the agency.
Supporters of the Protecting
Older Workers Against Dis-
crimination Act, the bill that
passed the House on Wednes-
day, maintain that the 2009
Supreme Court decision set a
higher standard for proving
discrimination than Congress
intended.
That ruling established that
older workers must show that
age was the decisive factor, and
not just a contributing factor,
when suing for age discrimina-
tion. That’s a different standard
than required to show discrim-
ination on the basis of sex, race
or disability.
Backers say Wednesday’s
legislation would put older
workers on the same footing as
other protected classes.
In the Senate, Democrats
Bob Casey and Patrick Leahy,
and Republicans Chuck Grass-
ley and Susan Collins, are tak-
ing the lead in support of the
bill.
Continued from A7
Rauch said local farmers
over the age of 55 remember
the dry spell of 1977 as one of
the worst the region has faced.
But this year seems worse to
Rauch. The ongoing drought,
declining crop conditions
and spiking prices are placing
Rauch in a bind with contracts
he has yet to fill.
“You may have to go into
the market, with how short
you are, and buy even more
expensive wheat to fill what
you thought were good prices,
which are not that great now,”
he said.
Record-breaking drought
conditions have consumed
much of Eastern Oregon. Wheat
industry experts say meager
precipitation stretching back
through the spring of 2020, cou-
pled with high overall tempera-
tures, have all but assured a chal-
lenging year for farmers.
“It’s an exceptionally dry
year,” said Larry Lutcher, an ex-
tension agronomist for Oregon
State University based out of
Morrow County, adding, “It’s
too late for most of the wheat
Workers
Continued from A7
Intel’s layoffs skewed older:
In 2016, workers over 40 were
more than twice as likely
to lose their jobs than their
younger colleagues, and work-
ers over 60 were eight times
more likely to have been laid
off than those under 30.
Dozens of Intel employees
filed complaints with state and
federal agencies after the cuts,
Infrastructure
Continued from A7
YOUR HOROSCOPE
in Morrow County.”
Luther said the crop-year
precipitation in Morrow
County ranges from roughly
4 to 6 inches — about half of
the region’s long-term average.
And a late-season rain would
do little to help now, he said.
“Most folks are disappointed
that our yield potential will
be much less than average,”
Lutcher said.
The drought stretches across
Eastern Oregon. Conditions in
Umatilla County range from
in April and May. And it’s June.
And the amount of rain we got
is just dismal compared to what
we would normally expect.”
The month of March was the
sixth driest on record in Pend-
leton and the second driest in
Hermiston. In April, condi-
tions hardly improved, with
Pendleton reporting the sev-
enth driest month on record
and Hermiston the third dri-
est, according to the National
Weather Service in Pendleton.
A May 2021 climate sum-
mary from the National
Weather Service in Pendleton
said many stations through-
out Northeastern Oregon and
Southeastern Washington re-
ported conditions from March
through May that ranked in
the top 10 driest three-month
periods on record, and some
stations reported the driest
three-month period on record.
Gov. Kate Brown already
declared a state of drought
emergency in Jefferson, De-
schutes, Crook, Harney, Mal-
heur, Sherman, Wallowa, Lake,
Jackson and Klamath coun-
ties. In April, Umatilla County
declared a drought and asked
Brown to follow suit.
The deal was struck after
months of partisan rancor that
has consumed Washington
while Biden has insisted that
something could be done de-
spite skepticism from many in
his own party. Led by Repub-
lican Portman of Ohio and
Democrat Kyrsten Sinema of
Arizona, the group included
some of the more indepen-
dent lawmakers in the Senate,
some known for bucking their
parties.
“You know there are many
who say bipartisanship is dead
in Washington,” said Sinema,
“We can use bipartisanship to
solve these challenges.”
And Sen. Susan Collins,
R-Maine, said, “It sends an im-
portant message to the world
as well that America can func-
tion, can get things done.”
The proposal includes both
new and existing spending and
highlights the struggle law-
makers faced in coming up
with ways to pay for it
The investments include
$109 billion on roads and
highways, $15 billion on elec-
tric vehicle infrastructure and
transit systems and $65 billion
toward broadband, among
other expenditures on airports,
drinking water systems and re-
Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian
A weather vane sits on the side of a combine harvester as it loads a
bank-out wagon at Starvation Farms near Lexington.
siliency efforts to tackle climate
change.
Rather than Biden’s pro-
posed corporate tax hike that
Republicans oppose or the
gas-tax increase that the pres-
ident rejected, funds will be
tapped from a range of sources
— without a full tally yet, ac-
cording to the White House
document.
Money will come from
COVID-19 relief funds ap-
proved in 2020 but not yet
spent, as well as untapped un-
employment insurance funds
that Democrats have been hes-
itant to poach. Other revenue
is expected by going harder
after tax cheats by beefing up
Internal Revenue Service en-
forcement.
The rest is a hodge-podge
of asset sales and accounting
tools, including funds coming
from 5G telecommunication
spectrum lease sales, strate-
gic petroleum reserve and an
expectation that the sweep-
ing investment will generate
economic growth — what the
White House calls the “macro-
economic impact of infrastruc-
ture investment.”
The senators from both par-
ties stressed that the deal will
create jobs for the economy, a
belief that clearly transcended
the partisan interests and cre-
ated a framework for the deal.
It’s Friday! And you’re energetic because fiery Mars is in your sign.
Nevertheless, you have to take care of certain details and old business on
behalf of someone else. You might have to do someone a favor or work on
their behalf. You might have to deal with a pet today. Tonight: Don’t get
hoodwinked.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
It’s Friday, and you are in a playful mood! Accept invitations to party
or socialize. You also will enjoy the arts, a romantic get-together, sports
events or playful activities with kids. This is a friendly, social day for you! To-
night: Romance entices.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
It’s the end of the week and you are still high-viz. You’ve been active
with friends and groups, perhaps even physically or in competition. That’s
why you will appreciate a chance to catch your breath and enjoy some quiet
time at home. Tonight: Clarify family discussions.
Look for Central Oregon events and add your own
bendbulletin.com/events
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
In conversation with others today, you’re eager to be heard. You want
to have a meaningful exchange with someone, not just superficial, polite
chitchat. You feel the need for a connection with someone. Tonight: Be clear
in your communications.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You have money on your mind today because, right now, there are four
planets in both of your Money Houses. This means you are thinking about
earnings, cash flow and possible major purchases. You are also wheeling and
dealing with debt and shared property. Tonight: Know what you’re doing.
Indulge
in Self Care
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
The Moon is in your sign today, which will make you more emotional
than usual. Do be aware of this. However, the good news is that when the
Moon is in your sign (for two days every month), it slightly boosts your good
luck. Yay! Ask the universe for a favor! Tonight: Be realistic.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
It’s Friday, and you feel playful, especially with kids and younger peo-
ple. You also will enjoy a chance to appreciate the arts and crafts of others.
Nevertheless, you have a strong urge for privacy and a chance to contem-
plate your navel with a drink in hand. Tonight: Don’t be confused.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
CALL TODAY TO BOOK
YOUR SPA EXPERIENCE!
HAIR•NAILS•LASHES•SKIN•BROWS
Right now, you’re playing hard and working hard! You will definitely
enjoy schmoozing with others today and this evening. Social outings, the
arts, sports events, fun times with kids and romantic adventures are all tops
on your menu right now. Enjoy a warm conversation with someone today.
Tonight: Make sure you know what’s going on.
405 NE 3RD ST.
541-385-8060
Thomas Alva Bivens
Jr. of La Pine, OR
Nov 22, 1966 - June 18,
2021
Arrangements:
Baird Memorial Chapel
of La Pine is honored
to serve the Bivens
family. Please visit our
website, www.bairdfh.com,
to share condolences and
sign the online guestbook.
Beatrice J. O’Rourke
of Bend,OR
Oct 27, 1945 - June 20,
2021
Arrangements:
Autumn Funerals, Bend
541-318-0842 www.au-
tumnfunerals.net
Services:
At her request, there will
be no services
Margaret Selders
Storkel
of Bend, OR
June 17, 2021
Services:
A memorial service will be
held at Prineville Christian
Church at 1685 SE Linn
Blvd., Prineville, on Friday,
June 25, 2021, at 1:30 p.m.
Contributions may be
made to:
Humane Society of the
Ochocos.
OBITUARY DEADLINE
Call to ask about our deadlines
541-385-5809
Monday-Friday 10am-3pm
Email: obits@bendbulletin.com
OBITUARY
Les C. Simonson II
November 5, 1954
- June 7, 2021
Les C. Simonson II, age 66,
passed away unexpectedly on
June 7, 2021 in West Glacier,
Montana. Les was born on
November 5, 1954 in Ventura,
California to his parents, Les C.
Simonson, Sr. and Lorett a Lois
Simonson, who preceded him
in death. He is survived by his
wife of 46 years Debra, sons,
Lester Simonson III (Alisha),
Cody Simonson, grandson Del,
and his sister Tammi (Mark). He
also leaves behind his sister-in-
law Margaret Berg, numerous
nieces, nephews, uncles, and
cousins.
Les and Debra were married in Thousand Oaks, CA on
November 15, 1975. Shortly aft er that, they moved
to Humboldt County, CA. Les’ job with Reid & Wright
Lumber took them to Boulder, CO and eventually to
Bend, OR. In 2009 Les and Debra moved to Kailua Kona,
HI where he became a member of the Kona Sunrise
Rotary Club. He loved being a Rotarian and was well
known for his parti cipati on in various community
projects. In 2017, they reti red and began traveling the
country in their fi ft h-wheel with their two dogs Oti s and
Kayla. Their travels took them to every state (except
Alaska) and it was truly the trip of a lifeti me. They were
grateful everyday for the amazing journey they were
able to experience and for the people they met.
Les’s greatest joy was his family. He adored his wife,
loved his boys, daughter-in-law Alisha, and his amazing
grandson Del. His accomplishments were many, but he
should be known foremost as someone who was kind,
humble, loyal, sincere, honest, and genuine.
Donati ons to Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital
Pediatric Oncology Department will be accepted
through a Go Fund Me page. A celebrati on of life will
be held at a later date in Bend, OR and Kailua Kona, HI.
GoFundMe for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital:
htt ps://gofund.me/c9ce8e8d