Internet Problems Because of the Weather?

 

Played Phrasel with Jaime this

morning and afternoon. 

Still foggy outside.  Seems to

be interfering with

many of the sites on the internet. 

 

Played games with Jaime but had

problems opening other games or

even continue with scrabble cheat. 

It’s like the towers aren’t getting

signals due to the fog. 

 

Only YouTube hasn’t been given me

problems.  Not the way the other

sites have.  Even this site was 

giving me a problem at first.

From 80 to 50

     I have wearing my 

sweatshirt the last couple of 

mornings.  

Mist crawls over 

the mountain.  

Fall is in 

the air.  

It would be 

nice if it would 

last always.

Blue Skies, Black Clouds and Fog

          Driving to Roseburg yesterday seemed almost like driving into the Twilight Zone – sort of a slow strobe effect. 

Mist    

disappearing scenery  

blue skies  

inviting sign  

just kidding          

dark clouds          

is that smoke or rain?      

sunny blue sky above the dark clouds         

fog again    

cold bleakness     

inviting warmth     

all within a matter of minutes   

so surreal

This is just our neighborhood.  The change
was a lot more drastic going to Roseburg. 
Bluer sky and darker clouds.

Weather Changes

 Jenna took these five pictures yesterday morning:

She took these three this morning

and I took these two 

Weather, Repairs, Crafts and Desktop

Jenna had wanted to do a craft.  We went and gathered pinecones on Tuesday.  Yesterday we made these:

 Jenna also found the perfect rock and painted a scene.  I thought it turned out well.

 

Roland had purchased some sensors for the house in order to detect anyone in our driveway or anyone on our porch.  One was more sensitive than the other and had gone off more times than needed.  He decided he would take care of it when he got off work yesterday in addition to putting up lights for the stairs and moving the initial light he had purchased which wasn’t serving the purpose as he had hoped.

 We were about to lose light and I didn’t want him to climb the ladder and not be able to finish the projects he had on his agenda.  He was tired and I could sense that he was already frustrated without a darkness challenge.  I suggested putting everything away and trying again today.  He had the entire day off after all.

 He asked me if I would go out with him at 11:00.  The fog was still lingering and it was cold.  Darn cold.  34 degrees Fahrenheit.  I don’t recall ever being so cold in Oregon.  Not even during snowmegeden when the power went out.  COLD.  The first picture was taken before 11:30.

 

The fog started lifting after that.

 

as the sky cleared in the east there was still darkness to the west

tried to highlight above of snowcapped trees

tried to capture dew as it glistened in the trees

 

I turned on my computer to write down my thoughts.  I was greeted by this picture.

My youngest niece and two nephews Halloween this year.  I had to put this on my desktop because it makes me smile.

Crazy Morning

                 When I left the house this morning the view was clear and I could see to drive.  There were clouds surrounding the hills across the way, but nothing obstructing my view. That is until I drove nearer to the church.  The fog seemed to descend upon Myrtle Creek as though the limits were completely swallowed.  I am grateful I did not have to drive up North or South Myrtle as the roads seem to disappear into the whiteness.

          When Jenna and I returned home the fog had thickened our surroundings in Tri City.  It was as though the process of lifting was reversed.  It wasn’t particularly cold outside – or at least my body didn’t think it was.  It was nice to get home and off the road.

          I had paid off a loan with my bank in Oregon.  I had written a check before December 7^th.  I had even made a transfer of money into my Utah account – which is the check I meant to use.  Roland asked me to check the account to see if the money went in.  He meant the Oregon account but I had gone to the other site out of habit. I noticed the check I had written had not yet cleared.  When I went into my Oregon account I learned my error – I had used the wrong account.  So I called the bank to see if I could come to the bank in person to get the error resolved.

          My cell phone was still in my hand when I leaned down to unplug the tree.  In the process I inadvertently hit a button on my phone that I wasn’t aware or had forgotten existed.  It made the sound of a siren.  It took a few seconds to get the sound off – although I don’t know how I did that either.  As I was trying to figure it out, I received a phone call from the RS president followed by the first counselor.  Both had received a text from me that said that I needed help.  Both laughed when I explained my error.  Roland said he had also received the text.  Did my phone notify everyone in my system?  Oh, no!

          I had worn a long sleeve pullover when I had gone to get Jenna. As morning progressed I somehow felt too hot and had changed into a tee shirt before I went to the bank.  The sun was out.  The air felt cool but not cold. That lasted less than two hours as the skies started pouring down rain during the afternoon.  When I could no longer hear the rain I looked out the window. I could see that it was still overcast.  

          Only three chickens have wandered into our yard for the last three days.  No roosters.  No turkeys.  No more eggs.  Roland wonders if the brood has been butchered as we don’t see them in the neighbor’s yard either.  The pigs may have been sold as Christmas hams as only the smaller ones can be seen.  Or perhaps they have built a more solid section for their animals.  There have been a few mornings we haven’t any the roosters crow.  There was also one morning this year that I couldn’t identify the animal or the tormenting sound it made – as though it was being tortured.  It was torture to my ears to wake up to.

          I ended the day with a virtual meeting that took place in Roseburg.  It was a missionary meeting.  I have many thoughts about what has taken place.  That will be for another post.

Let the Sunshine In!

 

                The skies are clear and the sun is shining through.  It’s about 54 degrees – 10 degrees warmer than three hours ago.  Looks and feels like a completely different day.

             This morning there was a dingy fog.  Thick. Appearance was not clean.  It felt eerie – mirroring the upcoming election.

            Tomorrow is the last day to vote. Whatever the results there’s going to be tension.  It’s as though the fog was a sign of what’s to come.

             Malitia if Trump should lose the elect

ion.  He will not leave the white house gracefully.  His mindless fans will protect him.  I cannot even grasp the behavior of so many who refuse to see what is right in front of them or hear what words come out from Donald Trump’s mouth.  They’re mesmerized.  I don’t get it.

             If Biden should lose the election – well, we are all doomed.  Perhaps there won’t be the same uproar of militia.  The pain will spread out over the next four years.

 

            I want the view of today to be a message for me to believe that everything will be alright. 

Where Did My Neighborhood Go?

I left the bathroom and

returned to my bed after

my bladder interrupted

my sleep. 

I looked up at the

skylight to see the stars

which I couldn’t find. 

 

Odd that they had

been there the

night before. 

We have had decent weather

– though cold – the

skies have been clear. 

 

Until this morning. 

Thickest fog I have

ever seen since our

move to Oregon. 

I won’t be driving in this.

Smokey Haze

 When I laid down on Sunday night

I could see the stars

I have not seen the sky since then.

It’s hazy in the morning. 

Eerie fog

And when the fog disappears

Hazy Sky

Smoke from the California fires.

And we still don’t have the worst of it.

I could smell the smoke through the window

Two weeks ago when it was combined with

Oregon fires.

I don’t smell it now.  But I can see the haze.

It’s like a taking a beautiful scenic picture

With a dirty lens.

Hodgepodge of Thoughts

  

        I have been thinking of an assortment of things lately – none seem post worthy however.  I haven’t come up with any great ways to transfer my thoughts.  So perhaps I’ll just assign numbers.

 

1.     I’ve driven many mornings without having to deal with school buses and I always forget.  Thus I have been leaving the house a wee bit earlier in order to pick up Jenna who does go to seminary in person – at least for the time being.

2.     On our return we pass the middle school which has always had a flashing light signal before the turn.  But I have not seen the signal since mid-summer.  I told the crossing guard about it.  Thus far it isn’t working still.

3.     I’ve seen a lot more construction signs and reflective cones set up all over Myrtle Creek.  And they somehow become permanent additions as they had in Utah traffic.  I don’t like that.

4.     At the end of August Douglas County was instructed to turn all fire meters to extreme.  We’ve had over twenty-five fires across the state.  I think we are down to seven now. Our country meters have gradually gone down.  This morning the MCFD was set to moderate and now they have been set to low.  But this is still considered fire season so the restrictions are still in force.

The horrible air quality has been surrounding the state for over a month now, but Myrtle Creek got only a taste of it for two weeks or so before it rained.  The skies have been overcast and the air is more breathable and appears to be clean.  Fog no longer mingled with smoke – though there is smoke north and east of us.

5.     We see helicopters flying with their buckets.  It seems like the fires are further to make such a trip to fill the buckets and haul the water to where the fires are burning.  At least we’re told that the tough winds that we recently had did not spread the fires any.  Most of them are at least 50% contained.

6.     Before the month started the news channels started off the program with the newest and total of coronavirus cases.  After the month started fires were the leading story and cornona cases weren’t reported until after the first commercial break like it was an after thought of “oh, yea, and by the way . . .” almost as though COVID had disappeared.  But it was back to the first report and then the fires

7.     I have not returned to work.  I’ll wait until flu season and Christmas break if I do decide to return.  With these new hearing aids it is probably not a good idea as I haven’t gotten used to them yet.  Or at least the right one – which is the one I really need.  I think I’m okay without the left one right now.  As though the hearing aid isn’t challenging enough I will have to learn to wear them with a mask.  Doesn’t that sound fun?

8.     Saw the black flag as a symbol of our divided nation (politically) and had some Pharisees (my new nickname for Trump supporters) rattle on about the evils of abortion if I voted for Biden as though that is the one and only thing his campaign is built upon.  Beats dictatorship.  But I never said anything about Biden.  I never said anything about race.  But the Pharisees don’t understand that the definition of a civil war is a war between two organized groups living in the same state or nation and does not necessarily have to do with race.

9.     I’ll go on facebook to post a little trivial fact about a past president or presidency.  I will no longer be viewing news feed.

Labor Day Stars and Air Quality

         Just six and a half months before the pandemic Roland, Jenna and I had gone to Bandon.  And yet it feels like decades ago since we made that trip on Labor Day weekend last year. I did not think about that Labor Day until yesterday when I was looking for a picture of the fog. 

        We chose not to go anywhere this year due to COVID.  When Labor Day had turned into night I was lying in bed and looking up at the stars.  What a beautiful sight to see stars all summer.  I didn’t realize that Labor Day would be my last opportunity even though I spent several minutes admiring the twinkles (which appeared to be twinkling as the fan had been lightly moving the blinds).

The next day the RS pres. had picked up to attend a mini-RS meeting.  We’ve had four now beginning in Canyonville, Riddle, Working sisters, and Tri-City.  Will have one more in Myrtle Creek.  I enjoyed the scenery as we were outdoors.  The light breeze was inviting.  The skies were clear on the drive home.  But sometime between 1:00 and 1:30 the smoke crept over the mountains until they seemed to disappear.

Sometimes fog and smoke will appear the same as both distort our vision.  But fog is clean and rises. I don’t have any problems breathing in the moist clean air.  Smoke descends – it envelopes and lingers.  Smoke is not pleasant.  It chokes. It destroys.  It does assist with cool colors sometimes.  But it’s certainly not worth what the fires take away.

From earlier posts I am sharing these pictures of the fog and the smoke:

Sept 5, 2019 fog Bandon Beach

Sept 5, 2019 Bandon

Tri City Smoke Sep 2017

Bandon fog

smoke Myrtle Creek

the worst the smoke has ever appeared 2017

2017 before masks were a required fashion statement

current Star Mountain fire cropped from KZEI photo

    

 Our hometown has not been surrounded by smoke and fire as it was in 2017.  I don't recall the governor issuing evacuation orders in 2017 as the hot topic that's been presented this year.  We have been told that the entire state are at Level 1: be prepared to leave Level 2: pack up to head out and Level 3: LEAVE RIGHT NOW.  

We are at a level 1 saddly there have been and continue to be several at Level 3.

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

March Skies

Monday morning the sky

was white as though the

fog had been lifted up and

covered any trace of blue

I was surprised at how light

was the view for I could

see to drive at 6:15 in

the morning. 

Sometimes it is still

too dark at 7:00 and

so I was surprised.

I did get a brief glimpse of

the sun as it tried to peak

through the whiteness –

shining orange beams in

the east but only temporarily.

It remained white and light for

about 12 hours.

At 6:15 p.m. the sky had

started to darken.

On Tuesday the skies were

blue and only one hill had

clouded fog surrounding.

By noon the sun was shining.

Yesterday the skies were

white again.

Right now it is just after

6:00 am.  The sky appears to
be blue.  The earth is 
surrounded by fog.

It is too dark

for me to see.

What gives?

Weather Change at Every Exit

          Driving to Canyonville should only take 11 minutes according to Google.  Though I have arrived at the school in less than 20 minutes, I generally allow myself at least 30 minutes on the road and arrive to the school just a few minutes early which allows me time to store my belongings in the staff room.

          When I start to approach exit 101 and see I have plenty of time, I will take the ramp that leads to Stanley park and avoid the 99 exit.  Sometimes I have missed the exit and will take the off ramp at 98 – which is where the school is located just on the left hand side.  But it also requires turning left onto Main Street (which can get busy during certain hours) and make another left into the parking lot.  Google maps, the GPS and other sources will always have car exit 99 and drive through town. 

I left the house earlier than normal yesterday morning as Roland mentioned that it was cold and foggy.  I entered I5 at the 106 ramp, and it was foggy.  Three miles of thick fog.  I was focused on the broken white line until I got to 103.  I could see the fog was lifting.  It would have been nice if it had to have that for the rest of the drive.  Just as I neared exit 102 – the sun taunted me with its blinding rays.  Oh, please.  Slow the car down.  I can’t see. 

I had to get off exit 101 as I know I was going too slow for the freeway.  I like the drive when I feel like I am the only car.  However, it felt like the longest stretch of yesterday’s drive.  I finally arrived at Main Street and was able to turn without any problems.  Many of the drivers that use exit 99 – particularly the trucks, don’t seem to go beyond the truck stop or the casino.  The road I travel after exiting 101 brings me behind the casino on the left-hand side.  Then I make my way into town.

Whoa!  I had left the house much earlier than I thought.  Surely that’s what it was.  I can’t imagine I had been speeding during the fog and I know that I slowed down to barely moving once the sun glared in my eyes.  I played on my kindle for 20 minutes before walking up the hill to help monitor the first ten minutes of “before school starts” recess.  And then I went to class.

I had worn a jacket as some of the classrooms get really cold.  I think Canyonville School has the oldest building of the five that are in the district.  The ventilation says it is anyway.  In the morning I had my long green coat scarf and hat in addition to the jacket.  By lunchtime I had just my jacket – sometimes my hat – depending on whether I was standing in shadows or not.  Just before school let out, I had removed my light jacket.  The air had gone from 39 degrees to 63 within four hours.  That isn’t very nice.  I think the weather change needs to happen more gradually.

Weather Perdition

Cold and Freezing Fog.  Does that mean a solid fog that can't be driven through?  Interesting.

For driving safely in "freezing fog" conditions, see here

Driving Into the Unknown

         It’s been a number of years since Roland had purchased a suit.  An embarrassing number of years.  We used to go to the Big and Tall or the Men’s Wearhouse to get a proper fitting.  Douglas County doesn’t have the same variety of clothing stores (or any store for that matter) as is offered in the larger cities.

          Roland had seen an ad for Shaquil O’Neal wear at JC Penny.

We had gone to the JC Penny in Roseburg.  Though there was a small selection of suits he could try on, the formation around the shoulders gave one that he had been propped into his suit as a scarecrow hanging from a pole.  We needed something else.

          The clerk had told Roland that Eugene would have a much larger selection.  Thus on Saturday we took the time to make the drive to Eugene.  We drove through fog practically the entire way there. It feels weird having such a limited view of where we are going – having faith that the road will take us to our destination though it feels like we are driving through the unknown.

rest stop mile marker 179

 As we approached Eugene, the fog had cleared and we could see more scenery again.

          I had considered taking my kindle as I really don’t like shopping and it would help pass the time as Roland tried on suits, but I knew I was getting low on battery and did not want to gamble on taking it there and having the battery need charger after only two minutes or so. 

          When Roland told me to hold his phone, I downloaded a game to pass the time.  I don’t know that the variety of suits was any larger at the Eugene store – not in his size.  He is limited.  We did end up with a suit coat and pair of pants and ordered another pair of pants and a vest.  Plus he got two more white shirts. 

          We went to Red Lobster for lunch.  The lobster pizza is fantastic, but I don’t recommend the lobster mashed potatoes.  I didn’t care for the sauce.  I really did enjoy the pizza.

          Afterword we went walked over to the Men’s Wearhouse as Roland wanted a raincoat that would fit over his suit.  Nada. Well, they did have a wool coat.  Wool coat in rain.  Smart.  440 dollars.  No thank you.

          We passed a site called “Good Feet”.  Roland has flat feet and has been hurting.  We were there for maybe 20 minutes as he answered questions and walked in their shoes as opposed to his own shoes.  We did not make a purchase.

          We drove to Springfield so that we could pick up some cables and transmitters at Best Buy and then we started home.  What a long and expensive day!

on the return to Myrtle Creek