The Weather’s not the Same

           I remember so many cold winters when I was living in Utah.  Occasionally we would have surprises when no coat was required but for the most part we had to bundle up and trudge through snow.

          Our first winter in Oregon was so different.  It had snowed once but didn’t last. 

snow on the 10th of December 2015

It did not last

Jai's snowman kept shrinking

By February there were signs of spring.  I don’t remember having experienced blossoms and blooming growth so early in the year before.

Today I was reminded of this post I had created 8 years ago

“When I was living in Utah, it never occurred to me that one day I would believe that February would offer perfect weather for walking, riding bikes, hearing motorcycles and lawn mowers. I am really enjoying the outdoor temperature right now.”

We’ve had one really nice day in February this year.  We had seen blossoms and growth.  But for the most part we’ve had cold rain and fog.  It has felt like Utah winter - except without snow. Weather is so weird.

Busy Day

           Richard had a 9:00 appointment with his doctor this morning and I had a dentist appointment at 11:00.  With only one car we drove to Roseburg together in the pouring rain.  The rivers and creeks are always feast and famine. The rain has made them really high to overflowing.  I smile when I look at the murky brown color as I think of Jaime comparing it to chocolate milk.

         

          I haven’t been to the dentist for over a year and now have an abscessed tooth which will need to be removed.  I set up three dentist appointments for myself.  One in March and two in April.  Ugggh . . .

Too Many Storms

 

Richard and I slept in yesterday morning.  He had turned the news on just as it was ending.  He said there had been filmage of our news anchor outside of his apartment building showing us the fallen snow and advising all of Lane county to stay indoors if at all possible. None of the stations even offered local news this morning.  The elements have created somewhat of a Sci-Fi feeling - sort of like the pandemic in April and May of 2020

Last week Jaime had a six day weekend as school was cancelled due to weather.  So much of the nation is experiencing the severe snow storms and cold.  It’s been cold in Myrtle Creek though the snow hasn’t stuck in Tri-City we have seen snow in the hills.  Lots of moisture and cold.  But the elements have not effected us the same way as north or south of us.  I don’t know if Eugene is experiencing what the rest of the nation is currently.  It’s weird to think about.

We also have power.  Internet comes and goes.  I’d rather be fighting elements than people.

NOAA - National Weather Service

Weird Weather

 weird weather going around

everywhere across the nation

snow, cold, storms . . . .

we have had rain off and on

Look at the Sky

 On Thursday night it rained

not a heavy rain but enough

to change the mood of the sky.

Jaime and I took Bonnie for a walk yesterday.

The colors were brilliant all throughout the day.

I took this picture through my window just as the sun was

getting ready to set

I never reset the date on the camera; it really was taken yesterday

This is the Weather That Brought Us Here – If Only it Would Last

         I didn’t want to jinx things by saying something sooner but the news this morning said we can expect a warmer hot forecast next week. And surely by the end of the month.  After all what is a Myrtle Creek summer fest without scorching temperatures?

The weather and elements have awesome for about two or three weeks.  June had up and down temperatures but seemed quite pleasant for the most part.  Mornings are always cold and then it cools off at night.  I don’t even think it hit the 70s yesterday.  That was nice.  The rain isn’t so bad.  Better than the blazing sun.

I honestly don’t remember the low temperatures this late in the year.  When I looked at the map there were only seven fires in the entire state.  None up and down I5.  I wish it would stay that way.  I wish the dark skies would always be due to moisture and never smoke.  I wish to breathe in the clean air always.  I LOVE the current weather we’ve been given and wish it would continue to linger ALWAYS.

What Strange Weather

 I feel like it is a safe guess

to say that my family has been

to Yellowstone at least 15 times

from the time I was born and up

until my father’s death. 

 

I remember fires having

closed Yellowstone Park –

but never flooding. 

This weather has been so strange.

I know that I mentioned

how tired I get

each time the wind blows. 

I don’t know why it has sent me

into a coma so often – like

I’m taking sleeping pills that

knock me out into another week. 

The fact that it really does happen

is strange.

 

I also get hot

whenever it rains. 

When I am sound asleep and

the rain is pounding

on the roof, it is not the

sound that wakes me up. 

 

It is the rising temperature

in my body. 

Why does it do that? 

Why would I get hot when

the rain itself is so cold? 

That is also strange.

 

I never referred to the summer

as “fire season” until

I moved to Oregon. 

The first exposure I had to it was

the year 2015 when

we first moved to Oregon. 

 
I don’t remember the fire marker

being set to low in

July through September.

I don’t recall our first exposure to

 smoke and haze until

August of 2015 when we

chose to explore Grants Pass. 

It has been smoky most Augusts that

we have assisted at the pear farm

in Medford.  Strange.

 

And now it’s wet. 

Wetter than I remember Oregon

being this late in June –

if at all. 

I don’t wish to see fire season delayed. 

I would like to not see it at all. 

Or smell it. 

Or breath it. 

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2017/
09/the_worst_wildfires_in_oregon.html

I want to stay safe. 

I want the weather to stay cool. 

I like the 50 – 60 temperatures. 

I don’t like the constant vacillation of

“today will be in the low 40s but may

end in the high 80s.”

  That isn’t nice!

I’d Rather Be Wet By Rain Than Perspiration

               My Baby graduated high school last night. There were ten students representing the honors list.  If they had picked twelve – Jai would have been up front with them wearing golden sash.  Yet just having four year cords was pretty cool – again because she did not attend the school during 2020-2021.  But it sounded like a wasted year for all of them.

       Without meaning to, I had compared her graduation to my own and the HUGE differences between them.  The only similarity I saw was with the weather.  Both were overcast – though I don’t recall as much rain at my graduation as with hers. 

       She had called to ask if we would like to be seated in the very back so that I could lean against the wall or if we wanted to be the second row in front.  I was visualizing the bleachers and not three rows of chairs added to the front – which is still fine.  I would have rather been where I was than in the back which I would have had to climb – not only getting up but coming down.  I would have taken the coat I didn’t think I’d need in the bleachers but wished I had from where I was at.

 

June - a sign of umbrellas and parkas, right?

       So the differences – besides her graduating class being a sixth of the size – were in how the students were seated and returned to their seats.  Except for the honor students seated on the front row, they were seated alphabetically.  We had been seated according to height – except for the students in the very front row.  Shortest kids sat in front and crossed the stage last.  My graduating class started with the back row for students to walk across the stage. 

The staff passed out rolled up “diplomas” which were meant to appear like diplomas but were only paper saying congratulations blah, blah, blah . . . We did not return to our seats but continued walking passed those seated in the bleachers, up the stairs that led to the school.  Once inside we exchanged our robes for the real diploma  - or at least the case that held it.  I think our diplomas were mailed to us at a later date.  But that was a long time ago.

Last night there was a long lasting speech – too long.  I kept thinking “Don’t you remember what happened to William Henry Harris after he gave his long-winded speech? It cost him his life.”  Evidently Jai had been thinking the same thing.  I think that first speaker spoke longer than everyone else put together. 

The students that graduated last night would go behind the stage, walk across and then return to their seats.  But I suppose that’s easier to do with only 96 students as opposed to over 600.  They graduated June 3 while my graduation was at the end of May – I think a week before I turned 18. 

I wore a dress underneath my robe – though I didn’t see the point.  The robe was hot.  Shorts would have been more comfortable.  The students who graduated last night wore whatever.  Some were dressed nice with heels.  Others wore comfortable comfortable .  I saw one with exposed legs and sandals.  Awesome!  It sounded as if our diplomas would have been withheld from us if anyone in my graduating class dare think about wearing anything casual – let alone follow through.

Unlike the boring class of 1980, the students at Jaime’s school are encouraged to be silly and decorate their hats.  Jaime said she wasn’t planning on decorating (which surprised me – why would she not make her uniqueness shine through?) but ended up decorating after the button fell off her cap and she needed something to hold her tassel in place. Before I graduated one of the instructors was adamant about how the cap was to be worn.  It needs to be upright as though you are holding a glass of water on top.  DO NOT use bobby pins!  (And yet the staff – she included – were passing out bobby pins that night.  And yes they did look tacky.  At my high school, we just rented our robes.  They came in the school colors.  Green for boys, white for girls  (or whatever the school colors happened to be).  SUHS colors are black and gold, but all of the students wore black gowns which they purchased as renting wasn’t an option (perhaps it had been prior to covid?)

She has a busy day ahead of her today.  Attending various celebrations that others have planned. I am so happy that school was a positive experience for her unlike me.  I HATED school.  Wasn’t comfortable around the majority of my peers or had the circle of friends that she has been blessed with.

Thoughts for my Journal

          I cannot believe tomorrow is Mother’s Day.  The weather isn’t speaking volumes of how Mother’s Day has looked in years past.  Yesterday we had sun showers all day.  The rain has been pouring all night and this morning.  Not to mention the hens have been cackling.  I can’t sleep with that!  Nobody rescued them from whatever they were cackling about nor did the rain drown them out as they seemed to be louder than the pounding rain.

https://funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/1577805/Chicken/

         I must have slept at some point – and hard as I had another weird detailed dream.  I don’t know where Richard and I were or why.  The neighborhood was not one that I remember.  Somehow we got separated and I went to a house in which I know the woman but chose instead to go to the house next door to wait for Richard when I heard his voice inside of the first house.

         I went to the door and was greeted by one of the woman’s relatives.  I had remembered meeting her before  and apologized for my interruption.  I was led to another room that somehow continued to get larger as I looked around and saw many people – some eating food and visiting while others sat with dark expressions giving off vibes that they really didn’t want to be there.

         I sat down and observed and spotted a couple from my mom’s ward who I have not seen for almost twenty years.  I went up to them to ask how they were doing.  They didn’t seem to recognize me.  I said that we had lived on the same street when I was living in Midvale.  Some facts were distorted in my dream, but I somehow woke myself up remembering more details – and what I could have said.  Like I had served in Young Women’s with their niece and how we had dressed Tom and the bishop up as Ladybugs.  I also thought about the time when I was pregnant with Jaime and Pam and Elena had offered to throw me a baby shower (which Jaime attended when she was almost two months old).

         I have no idea why I would have dreamed about them. 

 

Jaime has her prom tonight. We are going to the salon to have her hair done.  I hope the rain doesn’t damage.  I really hope she will enjoy herself and have positive memories of the night.

Tomorrow will bring some interesting meetings.  More on that later.

Better Without Heat

       It rained yesterday.  An Oregon downpour - but nothing on Salt Lake forming puddles in the street - only the streets that have potholes.  It was a welcome drench.  This morning is muggy.  Still cool on the outside, but have the A/C running currently in the house.  This week has been so nice we have not used the A/C or the heat.  I wish it would just stay like this.

    Though I had written the following on Monday did not post until this morning:

It is much nicer weather this week than last week – cooler than I remember June weather being but closer to the temperature that brought me out her in the first place.  Cooler weather for Levi to build a deck/room as compared to last year’s front deck built in July – though not scalding.  I think each July has been hotter than the last since we arrived in Myrtle Creek although there was no Summerfest last year.  I will have to search online for something more accurate than my body telling me that’s how it is.

The last few days of May and the first couple of days of June were unbearably hot for me personally.  I thought perhaps Randy had packed it up and brought it with him.  He apparently prefers the heat and will walk in it but I don’t like walking in temperatures over 70.  The only time he saw we walk was when we were in Bandon.  The temperatures there were like they are now in Myrtle Creek.  I would like this temperature to remain this consistency throughout the year.  That would be awesome!  None of this 75 to 98 degree nonsense (or higher – I do remember Myrtle Creek getting over 100 once – but three digit temperatures really are rare).  60 – 70 degree range is nice. 

It’s supposed to rain.  I don’t know how Levi feels about that.  The heat didn’t seem to bother him in July.  I will have to ask next time I go outside.  Roland wants us to document the happenings of the progress as we have in the past.

Statistics

         Currently there have been over 57,600 recorded cases in Oregon and over 700 deaths due to the cornavirus disease.  

As of this week Douglas County makes up for 862 cases with 10 deaths.  Douglas County is 5,134 square miles with a population of just over 112,000. The largest city within the county is Roseburg with the geographic size of 10.93 mi² (whatever that means . . . math) with a population of almost 24,000.  

Douglas County is considered to be a part of the Red zone. As of tomorrow to at least January 22 all students attending Roseburg schools will have to do so online except for K-3.  Apparently they are to remain in school until the authorities learn that it was probably never a good idea to do that in the first place. I don’t know about the other surrounding cities, but the two school districts within the area in which I live seem to be in full operation right now and will continue . . . or so is the plan.  I think they should keep it safe by following along what Roseburg is doing instead of chancing that things my get work – which I expect they will.  Students get sick at this time of the year without COVID.  And then there’s Thanksgiving coming up. Seminary is still going.  All in person learning as far as I can tell.

2020 may have cancelled a lot in the way of holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events.  LOTS of events missed or celebrated virtually, dates moved around  - for example my cousin celebrated Thanksgiving outdoors – spaced out tables.  They had the event on a really nice day in October.  I believe there’s snow on the ground right now where she is.  We have rain her.  Lots of heavy rain.  Falling. 

Jenna took this picture from I5

Bonnie doesn’t like the rain.  She mopes around longing to bask in the sun.  We’ll give her a bone toy for her to chew and entertain her.  It’s her mama’s birthday today.  We haven’t seen her since she went to Salem over two months ago.  I bet she’s missing Bonnie. 

What an odd century 2020 has been.  Brought out a lot of creativity with some.  For that I am grateful.

I'd Rather Work Than Wait

          I think Monday might be the best day for subbing in the schools.  It’s right after the weekend.  Some of the aides would like to extend their time off.  The last time I had subbed at Coffenberry, I was asked by another aide if I had picked her shift up for the 16^th.  Unfortunately, I was told to keep that day open as Roland had a doctor’s appointment in the Big City of Roseburg and would be sedated and would need me to drive him home.  I told her I would not be able to do her shift.

On Sunday night I received another request – also from Coffenberry.  I would have liked to have said yes.  I had even double-checked with Roland who really would like to see an extra income.  Her name was on the sub list yesterday morning.  I felt bad.  Once again it feels like I am the only sub in the system.  I’m not as I met another in Canyonville.  Still, they are hurting for subs again.

We left the house at 7:30 a.m, and did not return to Myrtle Creek until 1:30.  There’s six hours of my life that I will never get back.  Not to see that I didn’t want to be with Roland or ensure his safety.  I was in the waiting room.  I, fortunately, had brought a kindle, a book, my journal – so I did have things to do.  It may have not been that big of an ordeal for Roland who was in a trance but had been told later on why the delay.

It seemed like whatever machine the staff had intended to use for the test results wasn’t working properly.  Someone from Eugene had been called to come look at it.  Eugene is over an hour away from Roseburg.  If I understand correctly, Roland was out of it the entire time and did not realize that much time had even passed.  I had looked at the time at 9:00 a.m. and then again at 11:30. I had become concerned.

Meanwhile, I received a request to work at Canyonville – which I would not have done even if I had not gone to Roseburg as the Coffenberry request had come first.  Initially, the Relief Society presidency met each Monday morning to discuss issues which I, myself, have now become a part of.  I guess that is why I couldn’t get a job in accounting – not that I really wanted one.  But an accountant’s pay would be nice.  Having the money to renovate just one of the Brady’s rooms would be nice, let alone the entire house. (see here)  

The weather was unique.  First was our drive to.  The fog was dense on one side.  No landscape could be seen.  The other side could be seen in the morning sun.  So weird that only interstate 5 separated the two.  By afternoon it was raining heavy in Roseburg.  Buckets.  30 mph was too fast for that rain.  I stopped at Arby’s in Winston.  The rain wasn’t falling in Winston.  Theoretically, Roland is not supposed to drive for 24 hours.  When we were at Arby’s I gave him the choice of either driving himself or taking the long way home with me behind the wheel. He did not wish to go the long way home and drove himself. He was fine at the time but is in a deep sleep right now. 

I have not seen any positions available for today.  A friend asked if I would spend an hour or so with her this morning.  I will not be working on Wednesdays as I asked the Relief Society if we could meet on that day instead.  I probably will be able to work on Wednesdays should I accept some long term assignments as I did last year.  Wednesday is not my favorite day to work as it is a short day and the parking lot is full of cars.  One time I had to wait for parents to move their cars before I could get out.  I don’t much care for school traffic.

Happy Anniversary – Let’s Make Grape Juice

          Roland and I went to the outskirts of Roseburg (Melbourne) last night to pick grapes in the rain.  We didn’t go with the intention of being rained on nor did we go to the vineyard with the intent of celebrating our 18^th wedding anniversary and yet it was.  I would have forgotten all about it if my sister hadn’t sent me an anniversary wish.  Wow.

          We were on our mini-vacation when the month had started.  What happened to the week after we returned?  September used to be the longest month in my opinion.  And here it’s been ten days and I have foreseen that this will be the shortest September ever. How odd.

          The weather has gone from unbearably hot to misty fog and cool temperatures except at 4:00 a.m. when the humidity is at 100 percent.  I don’t recall feeling so smothered in the humidity level while in Bandon – though I did in Coos Bay.  Who would have thought I would feel that same temperature and stickiness in Myrtle Creek during my sleep. 

          I’ve been getting up every morning to shut the windows. I wonder how much longer Roland will allow for us to go to sleep with the windows open before he attempts to kick on the heat.  He gets cold and I get hot.

          We started the grape juice last night but it was only a start.  We watched the first episode of “a Very Brady Renovation” How special that HGTV would make the premier on the date of our anniversary (LOL) We picked three and a half buckets and have almost three buckets left and possibly 13 gallons of juice by the time we are finished.  Roland says we’ll make more jam this year.  We will see if he can contain himself.

A Very Short Post

The movie we had seen on Wednesday was The Art of Racing in the Rain.  Good movie.  Lot of symbolism and parallels – and I know I didn’t get it all.  Funny how it had rained that day. It was only drizzling when we had left the house.  But as we neared Roseburg, the rain fell more rapidly. I had left my phone for Jenna and wasn’t able to call my friend who teaches the water fitness class to tell her to come join us if nobody showed.  She said she had one student attend.

          Wish we would have had the rain this week.  Yesterday was 104.  That is 34 degrees warmer than it should be.  I preferred last week’s weather to this week’s forecast.  Wicked weather.

Crazier Than Ever

          Since spring break, the skies

overall

have been grey and have

produced a huge amount

of water. 

The rivers are not

overflowing, but

                    definitely not

dry as they were in winter. 

The temperature has been

47 – 52 degrees on average. 

On Thursday it was up to 82. 

What is up with that?!? 

Yesterday was not

quite as warm –

maybe 10 degrees less. 

Now we are back to

rain and clouds.