Custom Canes by Chris

            After going to the library this afternoon,  Jenna and I went to Millsite Park.  

            There we met a man named Chris.  I would have never guessed that he was/is almost 70.

            He says he's at the park every day.  He needs to exercise  and chooses to walk around the park with his personalized cane.  He had a second branch to craft for another cane for someone else close by. 

            This is Chris:

            This is not the best photo of the cane, but I tried to blow it up for a better view.

           

            He carved words and also used an adhesive to fasten other words from newspapers and magazines.  Things that he likes.  Words that represent who he is.  He uses a pool ball to hang onto. 

            He enjoys making them.  Keeps him busy.  I think they're cool.

            I also took these of photos of Jenna:

Picking Blueberries - Holy Cow

        Last year when we'd gone to pick blueberries, we would leave early in the morning to avoid the sun (which eventually caught up with us - and pounded on us and sent us home) Blueberries were 1.00 a pound.

        I told one of Jenna's friends (who possibly likes eating blueberries more than Jenna does) that she should go with us - but it was always too early in the morning for her household.  And then we stopped going.  Blueberry season was over.

        But now it's started back up again.  Roland sent us out to pick blueberries asking that we please come home with at least 5 pounds.  Oh, my word. Callie and Jenna went crazy and picked over six pounds each, while I barely managed 3 pounds.  

Blueberries had gone up in price.  I was floored when I learned we had picked sixteen pounds.  I hadn't brought that much cash - I had to write a check.

        Roland made two blueberry cobblers last night (yum) and we had blueberry pancakes this morning.  Almost three gallons of blueberries remain in the freezer.  Callie took home most of what she picked and asked if she could return with us when we go again.  She can.  But she'll have to bring her own money. 

Belated Gifts

            We celebrated Jenna's birthday at the end of the month (see here) because of the move.  Sadly more would have showed up if we had stuck with the original date.

            Savannah and Bella had both shown up to the bowling alley with gifts, but Kyle did not have one - which is okay.  In the past we have always expressed our interest is with the guests themselves and gifts aren't even necessary. 

            Kyle was overly quiet that day.  Seemed sad, almost.  Was it because she hadn't brought a gift?  The other night we took her and Jenna to the movies as Jenna had been given tickets by the school earlier in the year for her good behavior.  They expire at the end of this month.

            Kyle must have loaded up between April 23 and this past Monday, as she entered the car with an armload of gifts - on top was a green and black fedora - which Jenna immediately put on her head before rummaging through the box of "treasures" that Kyle had handed her.

            So many wonderful gifts that Jenna truly enjoys, among which were: a little bubbled game of trying to get the candy into the frogs mouth, a small lava lamp which Kyle had made, two camouflage barrettes (one in the shape of a flower), green headband, notebook, pencils, fingernail polish, zippered pocketbook, playing cards, silicone popsicle maker, 4 packets of kool-aid, a small jar of body butter . . .

            We had taken them to see "Finding Dory".  Kyle was way more talkative than she had been at Jenna's party.  Maybe she just does better on a one on one?  Different girl.  Much happier.

            And yesterday Roland received socks and tee shirts for Fathers' Day from one of the boys.  He loves Superman and Superheroes.  These gifts were so awesome!

Jenna's answers for school Profile

        While searching for a remote control, I found an assortment of papers that evidently came out of Jenna's backpack.  I don't automatically throw things away, but sort through them in case there is something important.

          I was amused at finding three or four different questionnaires  I was surprised by some of her answers. Happy about some.  Questioned some of her answers.  She's at camp at this moment, and so will not be able to discuss it with her until tomorrow at the earliest.  May not put the same smile on my readers' faces as it did for me, but this is today's post.  (I did correct her spelling; made my own comments in red)

   

What is your full name?          [Jenna Cannon Romero]

Where is your Home Town?    Salt Lake City, Utah

What is the best toy/object you own?     my Pillow Pet, Fudge

What sports or games do you play?                  Arm Wresting

What else do you do in your spare time?          Wrestling

          don't know why the answer is wrestling, Jenna will shoot hoops, read, listen to music and watch TV;

What singer/music do you listen to?         pop, Christian, 

                                                                 Disney, baby

What person (famous or regular) do you think is great?                                              someone from her school I've never heard even mentioned before

What's your favorite TV show?                   Big Bang Theory

What is your favorite book/book series?  Book of Mormon

What is a saying or expression that your generation is using?                 

                                                                 Name that movie . . .

What do you want to be when you grow up?             

                                                                 I don't plan on growing up

Do you have a nickname?               Unknown Biker Girl,

                   she actually has several. Some kids call her Georgina (she has no clue why) and some have referred to her as JJ

What do you do when you're mad?        Jump on the tramp

Favorite holiday and why?              uh . . .   that would be whatever the upcoming holiday is.  I have always said Halloween, but  she really likes Christmas and is always excited for whatever holiday is NEXT - I would think Independence Day . . . though she enjoyed it more with her brothers than she did in Oregon last year

Ever won anything?      yes, a medal        

                             she received medallions for reflection contest and a similar one through Vista

What do you do on rainy days?     go outside            she LOVES the rain

Favorite flower?            morning glory

Oldest Living Relative?          Aunt Trudy            age   117

          I don't know where she came with that answer.  Aunt Gertrude will be 95 in October of this year {2016) The oldest person you know is her brother, your great great Uncle Ted, who turned 99  in January;  They had aunts who lived to be in their 100's.  I personally don't know of anybody who's lived passed the age of 106.

Most annoying bug?         Mosquito

favorite actor?              [Corey Cannon] alias name for my brother

Favorite actress?          Idina Menzel

Did you ever believe in the Tooth Fairy?  Yes

Who should play you in the movie version of your life?        

                                            [AnnaLeigh Jolly]            her cousin

If you were an animal, what would you be?     

                                            Grizzly Eagleshark

I was surprised that she didn't say cat - though previous questionnaires revealed that she does like dogs better than cats.  She was a top cat in one elementary school and a lion in another and wished to continue attending schools that had some kind of cat as their mascot.  Didn't go according to plan.  She is a hornet.  If we'd stayed in Salt Lake, she would be a General.

Best beverage?                               Root Beer

Who do you wish you could meet?          Sheldon  Cooper

                   I believe the actual character played by Jim Parsons, but not necessarily Jim Parsons himself

Favorite song:                                  Hall of Fame

Earliest memory:           My crib bed sheets

Who do you call when you're upset?                 [Anna Jolly]

Do you recycle?           Yes

Last Book you read?              No Talking by Andrew Clements

What kind of shoes are you wearing?                sneakers

What was the last thing you ate?   Scooby Snacks

Favorite car?                          the one that drives

best cartoon ever?                Calvin & Hobbs

Favorite doughnut?                Maple Bar

Stupidest thing that I've ever done?                  Broke a recorder

Best sitcom ever?                   Big Bang Theory

Favorite place you've visited?         Las Vegas   she isn't here to ask what it is about Las Vegas made it her favorite.  I would guess Uncles Corey and Joh; Corey doesn't especially care for Las Vegas

Least favorite vegetable                 Broccoli

One word that describes you?                 [Jenna]

Name of your very first friend          Jamie

Best pizza topping:                 Pepperoni

Ever owned  a goldfish?                  Yes,  named Elmo

Movies Every Third Wednesday

          Brother Ewell provides a service for the community for Senior citizens and the Food Bank. 

          Every third Wednesday at Roseburg Cinema is a free admission to Senior Citizens (or persons over 50) although encouraged to bring a can of food. 

          I've never been to one until this morning.  Usually I forget - or just haven't gone because it's Jenna's early day. 

          Movie is scheduled for Friday afternoon - except for summer.  The show starts at 10:00 a.m.  but we were told to be there at 9:00.

          So apparently the audience members have a half hour to visit with one another before Bill (or Marilyn) gets up to make announcements and introduce someone in the community and give out free prizes to matching ticket numbers given upon entering the theatre lobby. 

          Roland took the time off to go with me.  I don't know if we'll be going again.  I don't think I will this summer anyway.  Maybe after school starts.  We'll see.

          This month's feature was "Me Before You".  I loved the character that Emilia Clarke portrayed.  Lou Clark (the main character) appeared to have come from a poor background, but had a healthy attitude and happy heart.  I liked that she was happy.

          I understood Sam Claflin's character to a degree, but would have liked to see him be more accepting about changing and not be so bitter about losing what he considered his character and identity. 

          Lou's boyfriend seemed far too involved in himself and she just went along with his desires - until after she tried knew things with Will and made discoveries that she may have never have learned otherwise - even though she didn't agree with some of his choices.  I believe it made her grow even more.

          It had a lot of funny moments - I think possibly more than the tear jerking moments.  But there was definitely tear jerking.

          Overall I thought it was a good movie.  I will see it again someday.  I think Roland was quite grateful that we hadn't had to pay for it.  That is how I feel about his movies.  What a waste of time and money on my part.

          I sent him to the theatre with another ward member when he wanted to see "Batman Vs Superman" - or whatever it was.  Neither Jenna nor I were interested, and apparently no one in Ron's family was interested either.

          One Sunday Ron suggested he and Roland get together again - which seemed to upset Jenna.

          "Don't go see 'Finding Dory' without me!"  I started laughing and kidded with her.

          "Yea, right.  Ron came up to dad and said, 'You know, I really enjoy those kid-vids, but I have two that will always talk throughout the entire movie  and ask questions . and then there's the baby who doesn't even pay attention - so why don't you and I go see "Finding Dory" together and see if we can enjoy it without the kids.'"

          Jenna didn't think my mocking her was at all funny.

          If Ron and Roland go to the movies together, I can guarantee that it will be a movie that neither Jenna nor I would like to see.

One Van for the Girls, Another for Their Equipment

          I was on the road all day yesterday - most of it anyway.  It seemed like I had been driving the same piece of highway for more than four hours.

          The class for water aerobics started yesterday.  I had taken Jenna with me.  It was just us with the instructor in the pool - which was warm, though the air was not.

          The library doesn't open until 12:00 on Mondays, and so we returned home for two hours and Jenna finished her packing. 

          At 11:30 I received a reminder to please have my girls' belongings to the leaders house sometime today (yesterday) and had planned for that anyway.  I told Jenna we would drop her things off and then go to the library.

          After I turned onto our former street, Jenna spotted three of her friends playing together and asked if she could leave the car.  I told her to go ahead and play with the friends she misses seeing more often than just once a week.  She had fun. 

          I dropped off her bags and was told that she might want a chair.  I left Jenna on the street where we used to live and returned for the chair and a blanket and drove back to the leader's house.  I took Jenna with me the second time and we headed to the library and she registered for the reading program.

          She wanted to stay for story time - though she is really too old for story time.  She checked out 8-10 books and I said we should go to the store as story time would not be for another hour. 

          So I drove from the library to Dollar General - which is not that far of a drive.  We browsed a long while purchased Band-Aids, baby wipes, a water gun and some eye drops.  Returned to the library and saw some of our neighbors leaving.  I asked if they weren't going to stay for story time.  I didn't get an answer.  As it turned out we didn't stay for story time either.  There had been a huge mass of kids and then the children's part of the library had emptied out.  What a shame.

          Next library activity scheduled was the teen water fight event at 5:00.  We had to go to Roseburg at 3:00.  I asked Roland if we could please return in time for the library activity that Jenna had been looking forward to now for almost a month.

          So we had programmed the GPS to take us to Charter (a cable company I often refer to as Comcast's little brother - both trying to expand - Comcast with Xfinity and Charter with Spectrum) so we could turn in our cable boxes (which we can no longer afford - not that really could in the first place.  We NEED the internet, but we don't need cable)

This is what the Comcast building looks like in Salt Lake:

and this is the Charter building in Roseburg:

          As long as we were in Roseburg, we decided to pick up a few items that are a bit less costly than in Myrtle Creek.  While on the road, the cars were jammed together much like they are in Salt Lake.  A horrible accident within a main intersection.  Unbelievable.  Just like Salt Lake.  Second traffic jam we've run into since being in Oregon.  Horrible.  Horrible.

          We did not return to Myrtle Creek until about 5:10.  The air was so overcast and seemed to promised rain.  The water fight event had been postponed until next week.  That is good.  Though it doesn't bother Jenna, I was not excited to have her being wet in the chilled air.

          This morning I took her to the church and dropped her off.  She carried a small bag with a few books (I told her she couldn't take any library books) the baby wipes, sunscreen (although its highly doubtful that she'll need the sunscreen) and a small flashlight.

          It wasn't raining when I dropped her off, but I'm certain they'd encountered much moisture on the way to the campground.  It rained for about an hour this morning.  The sun has made a few appearances, but the air hasn't warmed up at all.

          I did not choose to go to water aerobics today.  I think the temperature ought to be above 60.  It has been in the low 50's.   I can live with that.  I'd rather have it be 50 than 80 or 90.         

          I'm told the girls will get rained on when they are at camp.  I hope that Jenna has a good time and may open herself up. 

          There is a saying:  "People who don't know me think I'm quiet.  Those that do know me wish I was."          -      

                                                                         That's Jenna.

          

      

Assisting and/or Taking Over - Being Involved

            After a successful Relief Society activity that I had inadvertently volunteered to set up, I was called to head the RS activity committee.  What committee???

            I have a few ideas to share, but some require more participation than I have been getting.  Aurelia loves the idea of doing a "Price is Right" activity as we had done in my previous ward.  See here and here hopefully (if there is no screen on the second here, try this one).

            I initially brought it up because Aurelia said that we needed to do an activity on food storage and I thought that was a fun activity - but certainly not one we can pull off with just three participants.  So that will be on hold until September at least.  Meanwhile I gave the suggestion of doing a Patriotic program.

            Several years ago (several) my brother, Corey, was asked to present a program to the RS on patriotic songs.  I don't know if he came up with his own agenda on how to present it, or if it had been suggested to him.  I know that he did his own research.

            It was back in the day before Internet and Google.  Corey used the card catalogue and spent hours upon hours checking out material at the library and recording songs.  With each piece of music he played, he presented a bit of trivia about the song itself. 

Roland wanted to change this to make it
more appealing.  Granted, it's not the
 greatest, but still from his suggestions

            It was a great program and very informative.  I kept the tape that he had put together, but have since then misplaced it.  Unfortunately his notes have been discarded and I have had to come up with my own research - which is not a bad thing. 

            With internet access it should work up faster for me than it did for Corey.  Maybe not.  I am getting input and feedback - but not from the sisters I serve, but rather Roland who is eager to jump in and tackle each project I have created for the benefit of the Relief Society.  He always wants to help with the hand-outs and the activity itself.  Roland's like that.  He wants to be involved. He's assisted in a countless amount of activities on a stake level.

            Last week he was released from his calling as Sunday School teacher and was put in as the assistant to the financial clerk - which only goes to prove that God really does have a sense of humor.  As I have had time to think about it, I truly do believe the calling was inspired and that he will grow from it and perhaps learn how to budget our money and time as well.

            He finally did come up with his own announcement (using the background he had initially suggested)

Hot, Cold, Hot, Cold . . . a Plea to Mr. Sun

The other day I was driving. 

I started out with my sunglasses on. 

I would get too dark. 

I'd take them off.

Sun shows itself. 

Sun hides behind

the clouds. 

Hot, hot, hot. 

My ears are cold. 

 don't need

an entire hat - just

a band to cover my ears. 

Raindrops.

Make up your mind!

I personally would rather

have the raindrops and

cooler whether. 

I would

just like to be

able to dress for one or

the other and not

vacillate back and forth,

back and forth. 

Please Mr. Sun,

go on a long break and

do not show yourself until

it is over. 

And then please

Keep your distance. 

Thank you.

Just a Few Observations for my less than Exciting Post

            Tuesday morning I woke up with a stinging sensation on my left arm as though it has been used as a pincushion.  Why all the pain?  I must have encountered a plant that doesn't like me (most plants don't) or heat rash perhaps?  My arm doesn't appear to have a rash visually, but from the inside, the prickly feeling was driving me bonkers.

            Jenna and I had gone to the library.  It wasn't until after I returned that I felt what must have been small cuts on my index finger (just under the knuckle).  Must be from dry skin.  Yesterday I realized it was a sliver of some kind - probably wood.  My left index finger was turning pink. I think I might have gotten it out when I soaked myself and opened up my pores.

            In addition to our house trim in need of painting, our Juniper jungle is in need of sprucing up.  I am the wrong person to do it.  I butcher plants beyond recognition.  I was out there with hedge clippers for what felt like days - but I don't even think it was an hour.  I had to stop.  I didn't want to get heat stroke.

            I was just going to take a shower, but decided on a bath instead.  That way I could soak my arm and finger and hopefully lose the pain.  My entire finger isn't pink anymore.  Still a tender area, but I think I got the sliver out with a final soak (just my finger) in peroxide. 

            Finally we have cooler temperatures that have invited neighbors to come outside to spruce their own yards or walk their dogs or what have you. 

            Roland was on the ladder last night.  I admire his strength.  He is older than me - though he looks 10 - 20 years younger than he really is.  He doesn't appear to be in the greatest physical shape, but he is strong.  The ladder's got to weigh fifty pounds at least.  He moves it with ease.  I can't even budge it.

            Roland can climb the ladder while holding on to the bucket of paint and paintbrush.  I can't even climb stairs with things in my hand.  I can't look up or else I get dizzy.  What a weenie. 

            Jenna shimmies up the hill in our back yard as quickly as a snake.  Roland is not quite as fast, but manages to get up there without getting out of breath.  I will be panting somewhere near the bottom - angry at myself for letting myself go.

            I used to squat all the time before Jenna was born.  Ever since that time I leak quite badly every time I just think of squatting.  And now my right knee usually cries in pain whenever I try.  Or I will have succeeded in squatting but require assistance to get back up.

            This morning I was out in the jungle with the clippers, trying to trim in down.  I got a lot of it, but there are bushes in the middle that I just can't reach. 

            The weather is nice.  It's not raining in the valley - but there is definitely moisture in the hills as they are hidden from view.  It is pretty cool to look around knowing the hills are there but not seeing for the moisture - the moisture that wasn't there just a few days ago - when the temperature both inside and outside were hot and unbearable.

            Today is Jenna's last day of school for this school year.  She'll start the 7th grade in September.  She's one of the few kids who isn't excited about summer and being out of school.  When we went to the library on Tuesday, she checked out eight books.  Yesterday I returned them as she had read them all - except for one that she really couldn't get into.

            This summer I plan to teach her a bit of geography and American history.  I think children shouldn't be ignorant of that - and yet many of them are.  There's adults in their 20s and 30s who are clueless to some of the names of cities and historical or political figures.  I think that's wrong.

That's What I'm Talking About

     The Hallmark Channel has aired a new movie this month. It is called "Ms. Matched"  and I was absolutely thrilled about a book put out by Shawn Roberts character, Ben Reynolds. 

I think every girl ought to run out and get this book and take it to heart before she stupidly spends a fortune on ONE NIGHT!  Holy Cow.

            The story starts out at a Bridal Expo in which Libby and her business partner, Michelle, are trying to promote their wedding planning skills, along with many others who are promoting cakes, gowns, invitations, what have you.  The wonderful expense of being a bride.

            I remember going to a Bridal Expo with my second daughter-in-law.  I was horrified and appalled at the costs and expenses and hoopla and waste.  Ben Reynolds explains that it is possible to create simple weddings and save on expenses for more important things - such as the next 2-4 mortgages (or rent) or perhaps the honeymoon itself.  Gads, if I had a choice between a designer wedding dress that I'd be wearing one night or a vacation that will last several days - no contest.  I'm not paying thousands of dollars for yards and yards of fabric that will spend most of its time in a box rather than on me.  No brainer - at least on my part.  The simpler the wedding, the better

            Yes, I understand, it is a special day, but when your "special day" becomes a financial burden, it really is not that special.  How worth it can it be in a couple of years from now?  You'll have memories of all that hoopla - for a while anyway.  Is it worth it really?  Wouldn't the honeymoon or vacation make for just as great of memories? Don't get so caught up in the hoopla that you lose track of those that are most important to you.  Weddings should NOT be a financial burden to  anyone.  What kind of way is that to start out a marriage?  I think the couple should both participate and both be practical.  Just saying.