Government Shutdown

 

          Today is Richard’s birthday. 

Jai had suggested that we drive to

the Redwoods today.  

Redwood National Park is only two and

a half hours from where we live. 

We figured the cost would be on

whatever we spent and gas and food. 

Only the weather forecast presents

more moisture than Richard would

care to deal with. 

Monday looks great but Jaime is

not able to go with us on Monday. 

Turns out we couldn’t have gone anyway

due to government shut down as all

national parks are closed. 

I don’t see them opening up real soon. 

Our country seems so corrupt. 

There is too much violence. 

Not just here but in the world. 

STOP!

Another Great Trip to the Dentist

 

          I am such a Big Baby about going to the dentist.  Nothing personal against the dentist or his assistance -  I just don’t like to be flat on my back as it is – and especially with my mouth open trying to breathe with tools in my mouth.

          I’ve felt fatigued the last few mornings and Richard wanted to run some errands today.  I figured riding in the car would put me further into a coma and so I took one of those energy shots to keep me awake.  Not only did it NOT keep me awake, but I think it interfered with the Novocain that the dentist gave me.  Thus I was more disoriented than I had been before we left the house.

          So the dentist lowers me down in the chair and I asked for a pillow so that I wouldn’t get a neck cramp – but that just invited him to lower me even more.  I understand the need for him to have me in that position so he can better see and work in my mouth – but for the most part I feel a little lake of saliva forming in my throuat and though I tried really hard to breathe through my nose I gagged.  I gagged at the pool of saliva and wished the suction would find it and remove it from my throat.

          I swear he used enough Novocain to knock out a large elephant. It felt like he poked me three times in the same exact area.  I was already numb from the first poke.  Why did he have to poke me again? So this is what is going through my head as my mouth was being prodded.

          “Ow, OW!  OW . . . Oh, my gosh that hurts!  If there weren’t tools in my mouth I’d probably scream.  But that would probably make my mouth more painful . . . what with risking the tools impairing me even more.

          “Ow.  OW.  Why are you prodding me in the same exact area where you have already poked?  What about the other side of my face.  OW.!  Holy cow!  The left side of my face is numb.  Why can I even feel that!  Ow”

          The assistant uses the suction cup and trickles of water.  I think she is doing a good job.  And I feel the dentist poking his pinchers into my gum again.

          “OW.  Holy Cow.  Are you kidding me?  What happens to the right side of my face?  My mouth already feels the size of a bouncy house.  My left side is numb – except where that pinch is.  OW!  Stop it already!  . . .”

          I am shaking.  Weird.  I don’t remember ever shaking in the dentist chair.  Half of my face is numb – even my left nostril.  I feel disoriented and they ask if I’m doing okay. 

          “No.  No I’m not doing okay.  I feel like I’m going to die.”

          They assured me that they would keep me alive.  That’s good.  I don’t particularly wish to die in a dentist chair.  I wasn’t quite in a coma, but felt myself slipping away.  Has Novocain ever made me tired before?  Why was I shaking?  It wasn’t until later that I decided it was the caffeine that was making me shake.  Guess that was a very unwise decision on my part.

          I was so dizzy when I left the dentist chair.  Good thing Richard was driving as I was in no condition to drive myself.  It took over four hours for the Novocain to finally wear down.  I can now drink a glass of water without dribbling.

Random Thoughts . . . very random

 

          All summer long I have been able to open the windows and allow fresh air to enter the house early each morning.  And this month has been great for early morning air – that is until recently.  Smokey skies since Saturday.  I don’t even know where the smoke is coming from.  There are three fires just below the California border. 

          Alexa tried to tell us it was the Bootleg fire – the biggest fire in the nation – in 2021.  I don’t think the smoke that lingers outside is from that fire. Emigration, perhaps.  But I don’t know.  I am currently not able to open the windows or door as I will start coughing.

          Watched Jimmy Kimmel’s return – suspended indefinitely but less than a week later . . . I had never seen his program before but am happy to see not only his return but the support for freedom of speech.  It’s the principle of the thing.  I am happy to learn that abc has not allowed the bullyism of some to pull the plug on one-sidedness.  Forget dictatorship. I support Jimmy Kimmel’s message and endorsement to continue.

          Pres. Nelson passed away Saturday night.  On Sunday a congregation gathered for a stake conference in Grand Blanc Michigan.  Another crazy shooter and arsonist upset the meeting.  Lives were lost and several others were injured.  We don’t know the motive or intention.  Did the individual specifically target the LDS church or an individual who happened to be there?  Freaky.  And no flags were flown at half mass for any of them.

          Signs of the times.  More reason to turn to the Lord.

Shortly after I posted the above, Richard and I went to Roseburg to pay a bill.  We were blessed with a rain which thus far has cleared out the smoke.  I have the window open once more.  And it is beautiful!

So Many Parallels

 

         Don’t try to catch a butterfly with a hammer, for gentleness brings results. - idiom

This year we have been reading the Doctrine and Covenants.  I remember learning much from it four years ago.  And this year I am learning more and have added a few more videos to my study. 

Recently I shared this poem on my facebook page –

 originally shared by Ben Wilcox in his Teaching With Power video.  He finished this week’s study with a thought about a hammer.  A hammer can be used to build but that same hammer may also tear down that which was built. 

That is the same thing with our thoughts, words, actions and so forth.  Take the topic of “freedom of speech” for example.  One man was recently assassinated while using his freedom of speech.  Another was suspended from his prime time position on television because of interpretation of that speech.  Both men offended others by what they said – but somehow the first (who I had never even heard of until he was murdered) had been justified – it was political.  The other was “in the wrong” according to the nation’s biggest baby ever.  His hammer has slammed against others well before 2016 – I just didn’t notice it until the end of 2015.  

My brother posted the following Noam Chomsky quote on his wall: “ If you don’t believe in freedom of speech for people you disagree with, you don’t believe in freedom of speech at all.”

In 1833 printing presses were destroyed.  Mobsters chased Mormons out of Jackson county.  There was contention and guidelines of how NOT to react but to ACT with kindness.  The law still applies.

May we all act with kindness and still defend our freedom of speech without fear.

Keepsake Scriptures

 

It’s been a year since I mentioned the scriptures 

that once belonged to my mom.  

The  binding is not in the best condition. 

There is a crack causing the cover to bend. 

But there is no way I can give it up. 

Mom marked what was important to her. 

She wrote notes to accompany her understanding. 

This is definitely a treasure to be handed down.

Unusable Apples

We misplaced our food dehydrator

and so Richard went and purchased another one. 

t is a better quality than the first. 

We had picked some apples from a yard we’ve gone to before.

He likes dry the apples or make apple pie. 

Apple pie.  Pie is really not my favorite dessert. 

I would rather have a cream pie than a fruit pie.

I don’t like most pie crusts.

Graham cracker crust is alright.

 So why not make apple crisp? 

Or apple cobbler? 

Or applesauce? 

Yes.  Let’s go for applesauce. 

I love homemade applesauce. 

 

He did make a zucchini and apple cake. 

That was interesting.

 

We had picked some grapes and plums – though

I don’t think they were really ready to be picked. 

They don’t taste ready. 

I cored and peeled the remainder of apples this morning. 

Half are in the compost, the other half

are in the freezer.

Summer Coming to an End

 

         Mornings lately have had an autumn feel to them.  It lasts until about ten o’clock and then it is a dreadful summer again.  Each morning we have been watering the plants.  It won’t be long until Mother Nature will take over with the watering and all the hill will be green and not just circles around the trees.

 

 

         As of now we have been eating zucchini, cherry tomatoes and peppers.  It may be another five years before we get a harvest from the grapes or the trees.  And I don’t know what is up with the blueberry bushes.  They’re bigger than at the start of the summer.  But I don’t think only nine blueberries is worth all the effort.

Summer Blessings

 

We have been quite blessed all summer as

there haven’t been any fires in Douglas County –

and we’re a BIG county.

I think we have had fires just about every year that

we’ve been here and

often get smoke from ALL directions. 

There was one day in June that we

sensed the smoke from the fires south of us –

probably California. 

No signs since until today. 

We’re thinking from the fires north of us. 

That is trippy. 

Wasn’t it just last night that I saw

the stars through the skylight? 

And now the skies are filled with haze –

nearly hiding the hills.  It’s been so hot. 

And when the wind blows it doesn’t offer the

cool breeze but an overly warm heat that

makes me feel like I’m in a dryer.

I didn’t say anything before because

I didn’t want to jinx it.

We have at least one more month before

the fires come to a rest.

Judging from the past.

Peculiar Taste

 

I think PEZ (originally short for Pfefferminz here) candies have got to be one of the most boring candies on the planet.  People buy them in order to collect the cool dispensers that release the dry powdery bricks of dull flavor.  I think the only reason why PEZ offers the dispensers is so U.S. citizens will buy them.  I don’t know how it works in other countries.  Apparently there are some citizens of other countries that thrive on the having the uninteresting flavor in their mouths. 

Recently Richard purchased a tin of candies that gave me the same initial vibe as the PEZ candy.  But instead of a cool dispenser, these candies come in a cool tin – which in my opinion is the only reason to buy them – not for the candy but for the tin.  The candy may have been slightly better than a PEZ (though it’s been YEARS so I don’t really KNOW) – this nameless candy had a tangy quality almost like a SweeTART mixed with soap. 

Last Year Perhaps

 

               It’s been ten years since we had been introduced to the Pear Orchard in Medford – and served once a year except for last.  I am so out of shape.  And the pears seemed to be tiny again this year.  But maybe not.  They won’t be through today and I am certain it will be announced that we have another opportunity.  Platform workers is what they are called.  Those who can scale the ladders and pick what can’t be reached from below.  Uh, no.  Not my calling.

               I remember one year when our RS pres. scaled the trees and threw down pears to be caught – which is probably a big “no-no” but really . . . how many volunteers can  climb ladders, fill their bags and then shimmy on down?  Not this girl.  That’s for sure.

               The pears which we pick in Medford are shipped to Shelly, Idaho for another cleaning and canning.  They are really good pears, too.  Overall I think canned pears are rather boring, but the ones the church cans are awesome.  In Salt Lake I was a recipient of eating canned product and in the last ten years we have picked.  If we ever move to Shelley I would have the opportunity to can the pears – but I don’t foresee that happening as I don’t believe we will ever move again.   Too much work – not just into the house but our yard as well. 

               We planted fruit trees that should be producing within the next five to seven years.  Will try to include pictures next post.

Dogs Feel No Shame

 

          Bonnie often snores when she sleeps. 

She is loud. 

She is fat. 

She does not get offended if we make fun of her.

Mostly I guess because she doesn’t understand.

But I wonder why we can’t respond as dogs do.

Why get caught up in the our insecurities –

embarrassed by loud snores

(even if it is the dogs)

or laughing at the noise,

calling the dog fat and

out of shape.

Dogs don’t feel the shame that humans often do.

Card Table Makeover

 

The other day the missionaries

came for dinner.

 I had no desire for cleaning the

back table and decided

we would have our dinner on the deck – which

probably was not a wise

move on my part – for the

back room would have been

so much cooler.

 

I washed the filthy card table that we

had left on the porch. 

I still felt the need for a tablecloth but

couldn’t find one and

thought the wind might blow

it around anyway.

 

I did not find a tablecloth – not in

any size but I did find

some contact paper.  

 

Problem solved. 

 

Cover the grime-stained table

with contact paper –

and the wind wouldn’t  blow it off.

Name That Tune

 Jaime learned about a "Name That Tune" game being held at Summerfest.  The person she had planned to go with cancelled on her - which was really not a surprise.  Though it was hot and I hadn't planned on going to the event myself, I volunteered to go with her.  I don't believe we scored any points during the first round, but were able to take 4 of 5 songs on the second round.  The other players were dismissed and we had the opportunity of playing the second round.  We got only two songs but each walked away with five dollars.  Not bad. I was planning on participating without a prize incentive.  Jaime was happy.  We might go see fireworks tonight.

Dear Diary

          I think someone may have been hacked on facebook who in turn tried to hack me.  I don’t know.  I was experiencing so much fatigue yesterday.  I wish I would have taken a screenshot but did not.  I saw who it was from and I think what the invitation was for and deleted automatically because of so many factors.

          So in my notifications I’m told that RAM has invited me to the Relief Society Page.  The page that I created?  Or is there a new one? And why would RAM create an RS page when he is a guy?  We are not even facebook friends.  And he is currently on vacation.  Why would he create a page and invite people in during his vacation?  I thought it said Relief Society.  Maybe it said something else?  Still – why would I want to join his page?  Was I singled out or were there others in the ward who received invites? 

 

          Okay.  Fatigue.  I think I post about it every year.  Weather change.  Always happens between Mothers’ Day and my birthday.  And then I am gone.  And I don’t come to until sometime in September.  But hey, I can breathe.  But my mind is in another dimension than the rest of me.  Is that where dementia comes from?  Not that I have dementia.  I don’t think of one who has dementia considers having dementia.  But I don’t know.  Next time someone tries to scam me over the phone I will tell them that I have dementia and that the people taking care of me won’t allow me access to my bank accounts or social security number or anything like that.  And that if they want to talk with them they should call them on their cell phone and then provide them with a number to the unified police or the FBI.  I wonder if they will call them to get my information?

 

          I just took an allergy pill.  That could be adding to my fatigue I guess.

First Time for Everything

                It’s hot.  So hot.  I asked Alexa to tell me the temperature in Las Vegas – it always makes me feel better that it’s cooler in Oregon than elsewhere.  And yet I remember being cold in Las Vegas when I was there in March this year.  COLD in LAS VEGAS.  Cold wind blowing.  I don’t even remember experiencing wind in Las Vegas before.

               Today’s first was at the dentist.  Yes, I am a little plastered out of my mind.  The heat does that to me.  Under normal circumstances I cry whenever I am in the dentist chair because I’m a dweeb.  I don’t have anything against the dentist per se – I just don’t like being in a laying down position with my mouth wide open and tools in my mouth and the need to swallow but can’t.

               Today I laughed – for the first time ever.  I laughed while in a dentist chair and not just because of this illustration

I laughed out loud because the dental hygienist was tickling my teeth or the gum area or whatever.  It tickled and I laughed.  I laughed several times.  I’m sure it was more out of being tired than being tickled.  But I laughed.  What an odd experience.

When the Wind Blows

 

 When the wind blows

trees dance and

things move –

some seem to make unpleasant noises

like someone is trying to

break into your house.

 

Sometimes the wind itself

makes an eerie noise as it blows.

When it is just a cool breeze the

wind feels nice

but it still seems to

send me into a coma. 

Naughty wind

Our Savior, Our Guide, Our Light

 

The Church is full of imperfect people who are often called to positions they don’t want.  Some people will say “No’ when they are called to a position that they may feel inadequate to serve and some will say “No” to callings they really don’t want.  Many callings are given to the individual so that he or she may learn and grow possibly more than those they are serving.  We grow by the Spirit.  Hopefully we all may rely on the Spirit to guide us.  We are given so many opportunities to do so.

Recently I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting.  I started with two hikes on which to use as outlines.  The first happened during a family trip to Arco Idaho almost 40 years ago.  On average the wind in Arco blows 8-10 miles and I would imagine mirrors the season.  It was June and the winds were warm to an already scorching temperature.  The big draw in Arco, Idaho is The Craters of the Moon Monument.

There was an unguided walk tourists could take on a trail that went from one side of the landscape to the other.  Everything looked exactly the same in the eyes of my family and other spectators we had passed.  We could have just stayed in the parking lot and saw it all without having left the car. 

We would pass others who would ask if it was worth the walk (or hike – whatever it was).  Yes, the Lava ruminants were cool, but my family didn’t think it was worth the walk. I don’t recall any words of encouragement except those of my brother whose attitude was more of “if I’m going down I’m taking someone with me” Again, we had no guide.

I then recounted Emily Belle Freeman’s experience with her hike around Lake Powell (see this post counter 1709) in which she relates encouraging words from a guide who knew the way.  I compared this to our guide in Jesus Christ.  I then returned my focus back to Craters of the Moon. There are caves beneath the lava flow – perhaps impressive but I don’t know.  Those who explore the caves need to come prepared with something much brighter than a disposable flashlight or a birthday candle.  I suggested bringing a devise that carried the strength of the sun/son.

Each of us are in a different place in our lives.  Some members seem to carry the strength of the sun as they are able to teach a lesson at only a moment’s notice while others struggle just to focus on the light of a birthday candle and not on the darkness that may surround them.  We are from different walks of life and rely on the Spirit in different ways. 

I concluded my talk with encouragement to stay focused on the light. 

Myrtle and Creek

           The day we cleaned the shed two black chickens appeared – as though they had been living there and we destroyed their home.  They weren’t.  I have no idea where the two birds came from.  One was pretty much smaller than the other.  Normally Jaime has given names to all the animals that have come into our yard.  But she was not yet up.  Richard named the larger of the birds Myrtle and the smaller one he named Creek.

          We managed to keep Bonnie away from them during the morning.  I don’t know whose yard they had come from or why they chose to stay.  I let Bonnie out after 4:00.  I had forgotten about the chickens until I noticed her attacking Myrtle’s corpse. 

           Poor Creek seemed lost without her companion.  Richard would take Bonnie out and put her on a chain.  I don’t have the strength for the hook.  It has rusted over the years. I did manage to save Creek’s life a few times but failed today. 

           I feel bad at how their lives ended.  I feel helpless in the animal kingdom.  RIP Myrtle and Creek.

Maintenance

 

         For a week now we have been touching up our house.  The deck REALLY needed a make- over.  I don’t think it’s been painted/stained for two or three years.  It NEEDED a fresh coat of something.  And Richard was concerned about the trim facing west as it also needed a fresh coat of paint in his opinion.  Honestly no one is going to notice.  Nobody ever goes back there – especially to look at the shutters.  But whatever.  So here are some things we have done.

 

we painted the chairs after this photo was taken

clean up

          I thought I had posted about our make-shift shed that we made from the tarp of a greenhouse kit.  Richard built the frame to last – but the tarp did not.  It started out with good intentions but became more of an eye sore each time it was moved.  And so much junk accumulated over the years.  We took that down today.  It was a lot of work as Richard had built it to last.  Took us a couple of hours and whacking at it with a sludge hammer.   Made a trip to the dump.  It’s been exhausting.

JOY is an Acronym

 Jesus,  Others,  Yourself          -         in that order

Palm Sunday on Temple Square

 

Last night watched the most beautiful service spotlighting Palm Sunday.  An integration of faiths.

 I remember having gone to the tabernacle on Temple Square.  I didn’t visualize that I would have ever witnessed anything like this.  Pretty cool.

Conference Memories

                I think before the last two conferences (at least the October ones) Jaime has created Bingo cards that we might pay closer attention.  One year she picked a specific General Authority would wear a red tie.  I just had “red tie” on my Bingo card – no one specific.  I would not have even thought about the Bingo card except Dieter Uchtdorf was wearing a bright green tie which I liked.  I would have never guessed that a green tie would be worn.  Nor a lilac/orchid colored one with a circle/sun type pattern (that was worn by Gary E. Stevenson) followed by Amy Wright wearing a colorful orange suit.  I actually lost track after that – not that it’s important.  I didn’t lose sight of the message each had to convey.  It has been a really good conference thus far.

            Dale G. Renlund talked about being prepared and how the topic of the “last days” often make people uncomfortable.  I am one of those people.  Never have enjoyed of hearing about events that will take place.  But in my mind’s eye, I really thought I’d be on the other side.  I don’t like what Trump is doing to our nation.  Sign of the times.  But there are things he can’t control.  No matter how much he and his followers may want to deny evidence of global warming – he cannot control the weather. 

            I took comfort in his talk as I related in my own mind the events of resurrection – how the stone had rolled away.  It didn’t matter how many soldiers were placed to guard the tomb – the resurrection was going to take place.  The stone rolled away.  Those who were supposedly in charge could not change the elements or the events that occurred.  Same with the last days.  If we are prepared things will work out – maybe not the way we expect, but they will work out.

            Jaime is currently at a lake house with a group of her friends.  The nerds who graduated South Umpqua High in 2022.  I think it’s cool that they continue to make arrangements to hang out together.  It has been nearly three years since they left high school.  I enjoy watching conference with Jaime.  I miss having her here – but at the same time I understand.  She’s celebrating her 21^st birthday.  I hope she has an awesome weekend.

 

Preparing for Easter

 

Richard signed up for cookies for a refreshment after our Easter service.  Of course we had to trial run:

No More Dolls!

          Before Richard and I went on our Las Vegas/Gilbert excursion, his brother had mentioned that a package was on its way.  It hadn’t occurred to me what he was sending.  Richard had asked for the return of a doll that he had sent his mom.  We didn’t know that Robert was going to send half of her doll collection.  

We did find homes for the first two,
possibly the one in the middle.  

Richard wanted just one specific doll – but all of these came in addition to a boxed set of Lucy and Desi dolls as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (which Richard had also sent his mom – in addition to a Raggedy Ann doll that did not find its way back to us.  Shame.  It is the only doll that I liked.

 

         Actually I do like the Ricky and Lucy dolls as they remind me of Richard and me.  She is pregnant with Little Ricky.  I was once pregnant with Jaime.  Richard said I might use it as a door price but I said I wanted to keep it.  I didn’t know that would lead to the purchase of more Lucy dolls (Lucy, by the way, was the name of his mother who had passed last October) and would have benefited more from the collection than I.  Don’t get me wrong.  I do love Lucy.  But I am not a doll collector.

 

my favorite Lucy doll would
be the first one pictured

         Both my Aunt Eloise and Aunt Kristie had collected dolls which they displayed in doll cases.  I don’t have room for doll cases.  I have a doll collection.  Just a small one.  But they are buried on a shelf. Most are worthless but I keep them for sentimental reasons.  There is no sentiment in the Lucy dolls or this one 

which Richard had picked up in addition.  I like that it comes with all these accessories – including binoculars and canteen (not pictured because they fell to the bottom of the box.  They were part of a clearance/clean out due to the floods that took place last Sunday.  Business owner is through.