Golden Dox

               This morning I took Bonnie for a longer walk than usual – or rather she walked me.  I don’t know why she thinks she has to move at freeway speed.  I know it isn’t comfortable for her to have her collar choking her as I am leaning against the leash trying to slow her down.  She never learns.  For the most part she has pulled either me or Jenna along. 

          I don’t know what triggered my memory of Houdini or entering him in the pet contest at Cinco de Mayo celebration that Kearns does every year – or at least each year we had lived there.  We had this hairy dog who loved his boys and would often “escape” to look for them – sometimes ending up at the elementary school or pound. 

          There were several categories in which we could have entered Houdini.  He would have blown all other dogs out of the water if we had remembered his toys.  Houdini could catch darts in his mouth, bounce a basketball off his nose, and of course, fetch.  Since we didn’t have a ball or other object to use we had entered him in “The most fluffy” category.  I think he took second.

          There had been a category for most “unique” or something to that effect.  A little girl had entered her dog as not many people have ever seen anything like it.  I know I hadn’t.  I wouldn’t consider it ugly necessarily but certainly not beautiful - as a whole.  His head was beautiful.  It just didn't seem to match his body - at all. His head was that of a golden retriever while his body was that of a dachshund – as though Dr. Frankenstien had sewn the two together.  The oddest part was that his head seemed to be the same exact size as the rest of his body. 

          It didn’t matter how oddly shaped he was or that he wasn’t the most sought after pet among all that were there, the little girl loved him unconditionally.  He was her friend.  It didn’t matter if others thought he looked flawed.  In her eyes he was beautiful and she was overly grateful to have him in her life.

          It reminds me of a talk I heard at sacrament.  Given by Brother Brown.  We have several Brother Browns in our ward.  Each seem to shed a stream of tears before he even make it to the pulpit.  He talked about a statue he’d seen recently – someone’s interpretation of how Jesus must have looked after he had been lifted off the cross.  Bro. Brown said the image was of one who had been weakened and appeared to be in despair – not at all beautiful.  Not someone others would follow. 

          As he stood and gazed at the statue and allowed emotions to take over, he thought about unconditional love and what it means.  We need to love others regardless of their backgrounds or misshapen pasts.  We need to love others we may not agree with.  We must love them regardless of the choices they make.  It was a really good meeting.  I wish I had that kind of love, but I know that I don’t.  It is something that I need to work on.

11 out of 11

           I don’t know where Jenna came up with that number but that is how she had rated St. Patrick’s Day this year.  After being denied the opportunity of the annual Grunge Plunge (see here)  for the last two years not to mention the annual Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating downtown (thank you so much COVID) it was decided to involve several of the downtown businesses to participate in a St. Patrick’s Day celebration which Jenna has been looking forward since the beginning of this month it seems.

          Jenna started out the day by eating a bowl of Lucky Charms for breakfast. She decked out in green because Spirit dressing is a large part of personality. 

We left the house later than we had hoped.  She said Scooby Doo would be at Good Dog’s Bakery.  Though he represented the bakery, he was really across the street.  

We made our way around a few of the participating businesses and received green doughnut holes at TrueBlood realty and sugar cookies from MSK Hardware  - Jenna also received a leprechaun hat (which she ended up holding in place with her cone hat – which gave the appearance of a witch or what she thought might look like a green crayon).

          After exploring downtown Myrtle Creek we headed to the library in Riddle and assisted for just a bit before Roland summoned us to return home.  

Jenna had really wanted to participate in the treasure hunt, but we were at a point where the schools were letting out and I didn’t much want to drive around Riddle looking for clues (especially since I am not familiar enough with Riddle to know where to search).

          Later we all went for a walk so that Bonnie and Roland could get some needed exercise. Jenna was a bit sulky but did try to focus on what she enjoyed.  She said she rated the day 8 out of 11.

          The young women were scheduled to play volley ball, but did not have a ball to throw and so we stopped by Dollar General and retrieved this purple ball.

 When she returned home from said activity she wore a smile on her face.  She held her ball and the cup she had used for refreshments – her final snack for the night – Lucky Charms.  She said she rated the day with an 11 out of 11.

The Hardest Part is Not Being There

                Uncle Ted passed away yesterday.  He and Trudy were our eldest living relatives (here). This year Uncle Ted celebrated 100 years of life.  His goal was living to 105.  Now Trudy survives alone.  She is a lot more frail than the last time I saw her.  Her health has declined since we have moved to Oregon.  My cousin has scheduled different family members to rally around the clock so that someone has been with Ted and Trudy at all times.  I wasn't there to assist.  And now Ted is gone.  I cannot even get back for the funeral. 

            We overspent when we went back to Utah to attend Jeanie's funeral and show our support to Biff.  We've also had the demolition of our house, but not a full restoration  and so it probably wouldn't be wise to leave it unattended.   Even if we could afford it, I doubt we would go.  My body has decided that it no longer wants to travel (even though my mind would like to)

            Myrtle Creek Festival starts today and Jenna and I have been assigned to man the booth between 4 and 6.  That will leave us time to attend the pre-solar party in Riddle today.  Hey, maybe this is the year we will actually be able to view sky.  Every other time we have tried to view whatever sky event was taking place, it was always overcast and the clouds were in the way of whatever spectacular view we were supposed to see.

            Good-bye, Uncle Ted, have a great reunion with all of those whom you outlived!

Riddle Celebrates

this flag hangs in our yard

Veteran Memorial at Millsite Park

               For every Federal Holiday and each holiday honoring Veterans though may not be observed by others (I had not been aware of all of the "flag" holidays that Myrtle Creek observes) Myrtle Creek lines the streets and bridges with flags.  

South Umpqua Bridger Exit 108

            The mayor credits the Elks for putting out the flags.  I don't know how early they are put out. Though the flags come out every 4th of July, Myrtle Creek itself seems like a ghost town.  People go out of town.  I don't know where they go.  Riddle, perhaps?

  

not the best pic, but the only one I can find of bridge on Exit 106

            Poor Jenna.  Her parents are tired old fuddy-duddys who don't celebrate as we did when we were younger.  Even if we were more active, I know Jenna would enjoy herself more if she were to hang with someone her own age.  We thought she might have that opportunity yesterday, but it didn't work out as any of us had expected.

            Annette had told Jenna that they would pick her up at 8:30 yesterday morning and spend the 4th with her family and she could stay the night after the fireworks.  I don't know what their plans were taking them, but Jenna was not a part of it after all.  Though Annette's mom believes they have the perfect mother and daughter relationship, their communication is even more pathetic than mine and Roland's. 

            Jenna was ready at 7:30.  8:30 came and went and by 9:00 she called to find out what had happened.  They were already on their way to wherever they were going and would not be picking her up.  I heard Jenna crying - sobbing loudly really.  She had cried herself sick and was heaving in the toilet.  I felt so helpless.

            When Annette called at 10:00 to say they were on their way to pick her up, Jenna informed her that she was sick.  I don't think Annette believed her.  Whether the miscommunication happened between Annette and her mom or Jenna and Annette, I really don't know.  But I do know that Jenna did not feel well and that her sensitive stomach in a car going straight makes her even more queasy.  The curvy roads of Oregon would just add to her car sickness even more. 

            I had told Jenna to lie down and she had tried laying down in mine and Roland's bed (as she is still currently without) but was afraid her stomach might send her heaving before she could make it to the bathroom. Thus Jenna spent the majority of the day on the bathroom floor.  I think she slept for a couple of hours.  After she started feeling better, we left the house for a while.  It was 5:00 I believe. 

            There had been a sawdust jubilee in Riddle - perhaps it's something they do every fourth of July.  Would have been nice to know that our first year here.  The only activity I could seem to find within the county was in Glendale - which I'm sure for many of the members in Glendale was a big deal - but for someone from Salt Lake City who is accustomed to city parades and fireworks and activities ALL SUMMER LONG, Glendale had been a huge disappointment - but had felt about 20 degrees cooler than Myrtle Creek - which was nice.  The year we had moved to Oregon was an especially hot summer - especially for this area - or so we were told.

            We did make it to the fireworks and saw people celebrating and felt a happiness among the people.  Perhaps we can make it a tradition next year.  I had actually hoped to have Jenna spend a few months in Salt Lake but with the unexpected death and return, it just didn't quite fit into our plans this year.

            She enjoyed the fireworks immensely.

            It really was a good show.  And I enjoyed the band that was there.  Of course she chattered the entire way home, and Roland realized he didn't have his glasses.  We said a prayer that we would be able to return today and find them.

            Jenna and I left the house this morning.  Our intention was to go north to pick blueberries, but ended up going south and west to return to the high school to look for Roland's glasses.  She found them right away.  The frame was bent and one of the lenses had popped out and the nose pads were missing.  She straightened out the frame and attempted to push the lens back into place.  Probably we'll be going to Roseburg after Roland gets off work.  Don't know whether we'll make it to the blueberry farm today or not.  It's only 68 degrees at 9 a.m.  It feels a lot warmer than that. 

Speaking of Not Being Able to Plan a Party Due to the Weather . . .

               Earlier last month, the neighbor next door invited Jenna to a birthday party for her niece.  The plans included outdoor bbq, games and a bouncy house.  She somehow had the impression that Jenna was/is younger than she is (that is actually the first time anybody has made that assumption. Based upon physical appearance alone, people have always thought that Jenna is older than she is.)
 

       

        I, too, had been misled.  I presumed her niece, Molly, would be a little older than she is.  She is actually younger than what Jenna and I had been expecting.  But still, the family really did want Jenna to come.  The weather put a damper on all original plans.

        The party had been moved from next door to grandma's house located downtown.  She (the grandma) had even stopped by our house an hour before the party started to extent the altered invitation.  The room was decorated nicely.  The girls wore crowns that said "Happy Birthday". Games had been thrown together to accommodate the last minute change.  And it showed.

        When we arrived, we were told that the guests were working on an art project, but there wasn't actually any evidence of any art related materials or craft projects that I could see.  Jenna tried to make the best of it, but I could tell she was bored out of her mind. 

        There were hot dogs served and a rather quick game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. 

        One of the girls wore a shirt with a "Merida" print. 

        I made the comment that Merida is Jenna's favorite princess in which the birthday girl responded that Merida is her favorite princess, too, because she's not so girly.  I was amused by her comment as the birthday girl was dressed in pink with frilly tutu and looked very girlish.

        Presents were handed out, and I was impressed by Molly's pleasant gratefulness as she opened each gift. 

        There were a lot more cupcakes than there were guests - probably enough for four each, but everybody took only one.

       

        About an hour after we arrived and presents had been opened, the girls were taken outside to break a piñata - of course Jenna was chosen to go last. 

        She managed to whack it open.

        I remember taking pictures, but somehow they didn't get transferred over.  I didn't get to view them.  I don't know what happened.
        In the meantime, Roland was circling around the house, but finally parked.
         We thanked Molly and her family for having invited us and they thanked us for coming. 

        I don't know how often we will see Molly in the future.  We don't close on our house for another two weeks.  We'll still be living in the rental next week when we celebrate Jenna's birthday.  But we'll be moved out before April is halfway through.  Or at least that is our plan.

Labor Day Weekend is for Family

      Facebook has added a new feature.  If you would like, it will give you notifications of what you posted each date however many years ago.  Roland, Jenna and I had spent the day driving and spending time with friends in McMinnville. I happened to check facebook with only an hour left on September 5th - or else I would have missed reminiscing some great posts of years past.

      In 2010 I posted that I enjoyed spending the day playing games with the family.  At that point Bill and Kayla were not married.  Corey and Kayla were both at home and Roland and I decided to visit.  Patrick's family had also come.  They were about to leave to go home and make dinner, but I had actually made a huge chicken salad sandwich which I had put on a loaf of French bread and cut it into pieces, but there was still plenty left for Patrick's family.

      Ellen and Candy loved the chicken salad and ate it all up.  I was happy that I didn't have to take any leftovers home.  I was grateful too for the extra time it had given us to play games.  I have always enjoyed playing games with the family.

      One year later I had posted how much I enjoyed the Walden Family reunion. I was introduced to the Walden family after Jenna had turned one.  They are related to the boys by their mother.  Very hospitable people (mentioned in this post) 

      Jenna, Biff and I had planned on going to the reunion in 2013 but for whatever reason did not go.  Labor Day was on September 2nd.  Mom had gone into the hospital on the 1st.   I was scheduled to teach a class to the youth.  I heard my phone go off during my lesson.  I knew it was about mom. 

      On September 5, 2013 I posted the following: "This post is for those interested in the welfare of [June Cannon] - who was doing so spectacular before Sunday morning, and a freak fall sent her to the hospital. . She is now in hospice at St. Marks room 3W21. They are making her as comfortable as possible. Those who would like the details can message me and I will let you know. Or if you are friends with [Peggy] or [Corey] you can learn more details on their fb pages."  Still with family - but not a fun way. My mom passed away five days later.

      This year Roland will work on Labor day this year. He will take off Wednesday - which is our anniversary. Celebrations this year won't include the same group of people. Two of my sibs remain in Utah, one in Las Vegas. 

      On Saturday we went to McMinnville to spend some time with Beth and Graham - who loaded our trunk with food.  Graham also parted with the clarinet he had played which had remained in the closet since their arrival in McMinnville.  So Roland and Jenna are able to practice together - even if Jenna leaves her instrument at school. Here are a few of the pictures that we took.

Just Who is in Charge Here, Anyway?

It seems like there is always something to do on the 4^th of July.  Salt Lake has their big parade on the 24^th, but Provo (not incredibly far from Salt Lake City) offers a parade.  As mentioned in this post, one can find a parade somewhere during the summer.  I think there is one going on every week.  

Fireworks are also shot in the sky throughout the summer.  Neighbors have their personal fireworks and there are shows throughout the valley on different nights and different locations.  Probably the most impressive are in Sugarhouse (offered on the 4^th) Rice Stadium (University of Utah also on the 4^th) Fire, Water and Ice celebration in Kearns (1^st week in August, I believe) and baseball stadiums as well as others. 

I have a problem breathing around the fireworks.  Over the years I’ve tapered off from watching outdoors to peering behind a window – should I happen to be up (usually I’m in bed)

Last year Jenna spent the holiday with two of her brothers and felt cheated on missing out this year.  I looked on the net for 4^th of July activities in the Roseburg area.  I emailed our friend in McMinnville and facebooked my cousin in Salem to see if they knew of any events surrounding their towns.  I was referred to Eugene by one and so looked up and actually saw a promotion for Glendale on three different sites – two news stations from Eugene. 

The hype was written something like this:

2015 July 4th Celebration - Glendale Oregon

This is a daily event, running from July 2, 2015 through July 4, 2015. 11:00 AM Memorial Park - Glendale, Oregon (Right across the street from the Post Office on Pacific Ave) 541-832-2245 cowcreekvalley@outlook.com

July 2nd the fun begins at 11:00 am! The Food Booth Opens and all Vendor Booths will be open. The Kids games will be starting also! (Tickets 25 cents each or 5 for $1.00). All children win a prize! THE WATER SLIDE IS OPEN AT 11:00 am!!! Let’s not forget the Car Bash!!! There will be Bingo at 1:00 pm and the dunk tank starts up at 1:00 pm also! At 5:00 pm the Silver scramble will be starting for three age groups! At 7:00 pm the drawing for the 4th of July Raffle (Which includes being able to start the fireworks) will be held! Then we will have the Shirley Davis Memorial Cake Walk!

July 3rd We start again at 11:00 am..... The water slide- Food Booth – Kids games – and Car Bash!!!! The Dunk tank and the bingo will start up again at 1:00 pm! At 4:30 – Pinata’s (three age groups) – this is free folks! At 6:00 pm a Patriotic concert in the park put on by the Churches in the area! After the concert try your hand at a Watermelon Eating Contest! All Ages! then 8:30 to 10:00 pm some music in the park!

July 4th – Breakfast in the park from 8:00 am to 10:00 am! The Car Bash will be still happening and then the Water slide will open at 11:00 am. The Annual Parade line up will start at 12:30. At 1:25 pm the National Anthem will be sung by our own Lyla Rose! The parade will start at 2:30 !!!!

Then the highlight!!!!! THE BEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN SOUTHERN OREGON WILL BE HAPPENING AT THE GLENDALE HIGH SCHOOL! The Concession stand opens at 8:00 pm and the Fireworks will start at dusk! If you have not seen it yet folks......You really do not know what you are missing!

Come on out and join in the fun! Hope to see you there!

We decided to take Jenna to Glendale on the 3^rd as we believed the 4^th would be more crowded.  But first she and Roland went to Roseburg to deposit two checks and to pick up a few items.  I chose to stay home and wait for a handyman to come fix the rental refrigerator.

I seriously was more impressed with taking the drive to the sleepy little town of Glendale and the return back to Myrtle Creek than I was with Glendale itself or lack of activity.  It was major disappointment for Roland and me – and appeared to be even more disappointing for Jenna – until we finally found someone who would man the games.  

Glendale was definitely cooler than in Myrtle Creek (which everybody here says is very unusual.  They say it NEVER gets this hot – which is good to know. Because even though I’m from Salt Lake and people think that I’m probably used to the heat – I will NEVER get used to it) and it was really pretty.  I also enjoyed the temporary Christian music that I haven’t heard much of since living in Oregon. But I think I’ve had my fill of Glendale and don’t plan on ever returning. 

When we arrived, the main street was closed off for a block – as if the town had planned something exciting for the entire community and was expecting loads of fun.  And maybe it was in the average Glendalians mind – but I didn’t think it was very well organized.  Some of the booths appeared to be closed even though they had signs of events taking place.  And some seemed to have events set up but no one to man the stations.  Obviously a trusting town with no crime whatsoever.

We had passed one booth of throwing darts into balloons for used stuffed animals. The lady at the booth told her husband tickets were five for a dollar or fifteen for five dollars.  What kind of deal is that?  

Jenna rode the waterslide three times but didn’t seem happy.  She wanted to play the games that had been left neglected – but looked fun to play in her mind.  Roland purchased some melted ice cream for her.  It was actually a very generous scoop.  It must have been seven times the size of the cone.

I was hungry for real food and decided on some nachos.  While the chips themselves were delicious, I wasn’t all too impressed with the gloppy cheese.  Jenna had intended on sharing with me, but was even less impressed.  We ended up throwing away not quite half – but enough to call waste.

Roland finally found someone to take charge of the games, and Jenna knocked over bottles and cans to win more stuffed animals and ended up taking home an armload of cherished pets.  I’m glad she warmed up and actually enjoyed having fun.  Guess I’ll take her to the swimming pool tonight.  I don’t foresee fireworks happening this year.

Not the Reunion We Were After

          My Uncle Ross had battled cancer off and on for I don’t know how many years.  His last time in the hospital was majorly hard on his wife and children – but he kept up a positive attitude, I believe for their sake. 

         

          When he left the hospital, he was told that he would have no more than a year left on earth.  (Probably not in those exact words – but you get the gist)

          My cousin, Michelle, had sent out a request for an early “Christmas in July” celebration – hoping that we would all enjoy one last celebration with Uncle Ross and have those treasured memories as we had for mom.  Only her request came as a plea on my part: “LaTiesha is moving to Oregon.  Let’s have our Christmas early this year before she goes” She didn’t want to say what she really meant “before Dad goes”

          The date was set up for June 14^th – though not everyone would be able to attend.  I don’t think we’ve ever had a “Christmas in July” party in which all of us were there.  And yet when we had celebrated in December, I don’t remember anyone NOT being there – even if it was just to put in an appearance (which seemed to become more popular as the family grew) 

          The celebration for this year would take place at the same time when my family attended Church – which is why I had announced in my ward that the 7^th would probably be my last week (I was still tired from bus trip mentioned in my last post; wasn’t thinking clearly)

          On June 6^th I was on the bus going toward Salt Lake.  I had the option of using my laptop but did not actually make the discovery until the last leg of the trip, but chose not to deal with it in such tight quarters as it was.  Corey had texted me in the event that I wasn’t on facebook.  Michelle had messaged family members to let us know that Uncle Ross had chosen not to fight anymore.  Corey had just seen him two days earlier, and though he had lost a tremendous amount of weight, Corey said that Uncle Ross seemed to be in good spirits.

          Less than two hours later I received another text.  Uncle Ross had passed.  At that point I didn’t have (nor expect) any details about the funeral.  It may not have been until Monday that I learned that there would be a viewing on Thursday and the funeral would be on Saturday, the 13^th.  So of course we wouldn’t be having the “Christmas in July” on the following Sunday.  

          Roland had graduated from his collage courses and already had his diploma in hand.  But he had signed up to walk across the stage in a graduation ceremony that same Saturday – an activity that I was never truly excited about to begin with.  I would seriously rather attend a funeral than a graduation or award ceremony that always seems to drag and make me feel like death would be an awesome option for ending the many hours I feel like I spend at said ceremony.  But it’s not like I wished for it to happen just so I’d have an excuse not to go.

          Meanwhile, Roland seemed to forget about it as well as he planned to leave Utah on Friday night after he got off work to take a load of furniture and packed boxes to Oregon.  He didn’t attend either viewing or funeral.  He and Bill both work late on Thursday and so Bill did not go to the viewing either.  Kayla stopped by with their three children and we rode to the viewing address together.

          The viewing, without doubt, is the most interesting that I’ve ever attended.  Corey would have loved it, I think.  There was a “celebration of life” theme.  Nothing wrong with it – just different.  It wasn’t something that Kayla and I are used to.  It just felt irreverent when we first arrived.  I felt like we had walked into a cocktail party rather than a viewing. But it was a great send-off. Made it easier on my aunt and cousins – who for the most part, were out mingling amongst the “guests”.  Uncle Ross was left in a room by himself (for the most part).  Aunt Fern said it made it so much easier for her not to be in the same room with his lifeless body. 

          They had dressed him in golf clothes and he held a golf ball.  Kayla and I tried to visit with family members while taking turns supervising the children as Anna wanted to go in one direction and Gary in another and the food wasn’t as important as they thought.

          Anna wanted to go upstairs in a closed area and Gary wanted to stand near enough to the water to play in it.  BJ was very good, but after a while he wanted to get down and explore as well.  Neither Kayla nor I were willing to allow that to happen as he could have easily been stepped on.  Didn’t seem like a very kid-friendly environment – but than neither is the traditional viewing that we are used to. Children acting up or misbehaving seems more noticeable at a viewing than it does at Church services.  But given the amount of volume level amongst those who had come to pay their respects, their behavior seemed to be overlooked by everyone except me and Kayla. 

         I had asked Earl how they had found the funeral home or made the arrangements. He said that the family had been introduced to the services after an uncle had died.  His mom liked the feeling of “life” as opposed to the mourning for death.  The family agreed and made the arrangements.

         Kayla and I did not stay long as the kids really needed to removed from the situation at hand.  I think all of us were tired.

          The Saturday service was really nice.  Three of my cousins gave talks and shared memories of their dad.  Michelle’s husband played guitar while Corey sang “Landslide”, a song that neither one of them were familiar with, but I had heard it before.  Michelle mentioned that the song had been chosen as her family doesn’t seem to deal well with change – at least where death is involved.

           Golf balls had been purchased for mementoes to take for each person who attended the services.  One son-in-law works with the police force and made arrangements for a police (on motorcycles) escort to be with the old fashion looking Hearst.  People may have seen it and thought there must have been an important person in the casket.  It was indeed a great honor.

After the services were over at the cemetery, we all threw paper airplanes.  A balloon was tied to one to send on high.  Just a few minutes later many of us returned to the church to have lunch with the family.  I went around and said my good-byes to all of the family members who had usually turned out for Christmas dinner.  Some who said they couldn’t or wouldn’t make it to the BBQ for an early July Christmas. It was Uncle Ross’s final farewell and everyone turned out for it.  And it was great.

  

 

Now he is reunited with his mom and dad and brother and sister. This picture is my dad with Uncle Ross long before they were my dad and uncle.