Drastic Change

 

I have a drawer where

my shorts live or

used to anyway. 

Weather changed. 

Make way for the

coats and sweaters! 

 

Problem is – I don’t

have enough room. 

Too much bulk for

just one drawer. 

 

I do love the fall though. 

Kind of naughty for the

morning temperature to be

67 one day and 43 the next. 

 

I have gone two days now

without running the air conditioner. 

I would rather have it cold than

overly warm

 

Pretty soon we’ll be

turning the heat on. 

Bah, humbug!

Perspectives on Craters of the Moon

 

https://www.idahopress.com/opinion/editors_notebook/forget-national-monument-craters-
of-the-moon-should-be-a-national-park/article_084c0496-ad13-53c9-99f0-75e374fb6af5.html

            I was on my mission the first time my family visited Craters of the Moon in Arco, Idaho.  I had only heard about it – but not in full detail as I learned the second time my family had gone – just to make sure I had the opportunity. Patrick was with the family the first time but had managed to miss out the second time.  I still did not experience the fullness that the family had endured the first time around. They told me that everything looks the same.  The picture above, the picture below, whatever is behind it - it looks the same.  The scenery does not change.

            Jenna had reminded me of this as she was asking about church policies and state policies on precautions with COVID.  Unlike the rest of the RS presidency, I am not in a hurry to embrace the world as perhaps I had in 2019.  It’s too soon.  Not just for me – but many people.  And I respect their privacy.  I respect their desire to stay home.  I don’t mean to sound negative nor focus on the solitude but I know the pandemic is not over.

            I think Roland and Jenna get annoyed that I am not as anxious to be outside as they are.  Jenna then tried to remind me of the Craters of the Moon incident that I had partially related to her I don’t know how long ago.  I would have thought before Oregon.  She told what she thought she remembered and got most of it wrong.

            “Didn’t you say that one place looked the same but that when others had approached you and asked if it was worth the walk Corey said that it was.  He was focused on the good parts, right?”

            “No.  First of all, I wasn’t even with them but had heard the story second hand.  And it wasn’t Corey.  It was Patrick.  When people would approach members of my family and ask, ‘Was the trail walk worth it?’ my mom would answer that everything looked the same.  And yes, Patrick did build it up leaving the tourists to believe perhaps there was something.  After they crossed paths my mom would say to Patrick ‘Why did you tell them that?  Do you really think the walk was worth it?’  Patrick would respond, ‘No, but if I had to do all that walking, I am taking somebody down with me.’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv07oiiyDCw

            Not the greatest response for a returned missionary to want “others to suffer as he had” but I somehow don’t believe either his or my mom’s response would have made a difference to most tourists.  My mom had related their experience when they took me back to see the caves – which let me tell you a Duracell flashlight doesn’t have enough power to explore.  You will need the strength of the sun if you go cave exploring.

            The highlight of that day trip was NOT Craters of the Moon but rather the parade we had to stop for - not by choice mind you.  We had to stop for it.  The wind blows dry in Arco – or did at that time.  Mom pulled out a fresh loaf of bread from the car and made sandwiches.  By the time we got them into our mouths the bread tasted stale. 

            I think I was more impressed with Arco and Craters of the moon than I am with the safety vs. freedom issues that are currently a part of our lives.

Chilly

The morning fog was thick

In years past that meant

when the skies decided to clear

 that it would be sunny

and warm

then to hot

Not today.

The fog finally cleared

the sun came out

But it did not get warm

The wind blew and chilled the air

Our day is now near its end

Recycled Candy

                Yesterday was bleak.  The temperature remained pretty consistent throughout the day fluctuating  between 53 and 58.  There was a hint of moisture in the air.  I was able to breathe so much better than I have for over a week.  It has been really dry the last five months.  Dry as though I had never left Salt Lake.

         

          As I hadn't slept well the night prior, I slept several times during the day.  I needed to stay home and rest.  Perhaps I should have rested all day, but had left word that I would help with the library annex.

          It is our fourth year to celebrate Halloween in Myrtle Creek.  Each year the city will close off a few streets downtown and everyone is invited to go from business to business to do their trick or treating.  It isn't mandatory

The building that is barded up used to be a fitness center, now out of

                                              business.  The one next to it chooses not to participate in Halloween

but there  are many who will not only pass out candy, but deck out their businesses with elaborate decorations

                               
                                 This is one of the decorated businesses (barber)  In addition to 
                                                the jellyfish and shark, I saw a mermaid (but not pictured)

while others may go with something simpler.

At the annex, we not only passed out candy, but used the incentive to use the candy to "buy a book". 5 pieces for any book.  And it could be any t pieces of candy.  It could be 5 candies that you might not want anyway.  I can't believe how many teenagers were parting with their chocolate.  Oh, wait a minute.  I would be putting suckers or pixie sticks in - never chocolate.

At first it didn't seem we had a whole lot of takers, but gradually, we were able to refill our plastic tub at least three times.

  

                                                                            Roland helped pass out candy

I didn't see as many trick-or-treaters this year as I had in years prior.  It was the coldest Halloween that we have been a part of in Oregon.

There was a light rain at times.  Perhaps it was the weather that had made it seem less crowded - or perhaps there were other places to go.   I know Jenna had gone to Riddle before returning to Myrtle Creek.

 This was my costume.  As you can see, I went all out.

Dust Maks

I remember the smell of smoke or stale air many times when I was in Utah.  It was usually cold outside.  We could shut the doors and stay warm and the smell would stay on the outside.  I've never had smoke follow me inside the house before.  I can't see it indoors, but I know that it is there.  We've been running the fans and airconditioners to discourage the smoke.  It has helped cut down the strength, but I still have a headache.

True Value has sold out all dust masks:

        Roland said he purchased the last bag less than 30 minutes ago.  The next supply won't be in until Friday.  The air is definitely cleaner with this on.  It is also very hot. We also have dust masks in our evacuation bags.  I had forgotten about that until just now.  We really need to go through our bags again.  Perhaps we will do that for family home evening.

         If school should get cancelled tomorrow due to the poor air quality, we will head up to McMinnville to stay with Beth and Graham for a while.  The air quality up there is just moderate.  That beats very unhealthy though. 

           I tried taking pictures of the red sun (the only evidence we've had of there still being a sky) but my camera can't capture what's really there.

         Meanwhile Jenna has decorated her mask. 

Gotta add some humor to this pathetic situation, right?