a Final Assignment

I found the following assignment still in my files.  I remember submitting it to the writing center.  The person giving me feedback suggested I lose this first line - which I do tie into my closing statement.  As I recall, even my instructor had said it was a poor way to start out a paper.  It is called an attention grabber.  The idea was suggested to me by the dean of the English department.  I can't remember whether I stuck to my guns or not.  I think I did but did not receive full credit.  Ironically, I was not stressed about it.

       “Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall, yet none hurtles and foams all the way to the sea.” – Mikhail Lermontov (Sweatt, 2016).

            There are many things that cause stress such as relationships, finances, health issues of loved ones, not being able to meet deadlines due to heavy traffic, power outages or other elements .  In this assignment I will focus on stress in the workplace (Cause, 2019).

            Work situations are different for each of us.  I will not be able to cover them all, but allow me to provide some examples. Employees that work in sales may feel pressure from a manager who has a deadline to meet.  Those who work in fast foods may feel tension as they deal with unsatisfied customers.  Bosses may get upset with staff members who do not show up for work or put forth their best effort to perform. Dealing with faulty equipment such as a broken copy machine or a computer that is not getting internet may also contribute to stress.

I have fulfilled many temporary job assignments working for companies that rely on one or more employment agencies. There have been cases when a business seems short-staffed due to illnesses, vacations, or other reasons. These companies may take the opportunity to negotiate a contract with an agency that will send out employees to assist with a variety of job situations. 

One of the first temporary assignments I had accepted was with a government agency near my home.  My job description was locating files for case workers in the department of child and family services or DCFS.  I did not mind the work.  I enjoyed being a floating agent as different workers at DCFS were able to utilize my skills in several areas and teams. I was happy with being a temp as I would have not enjoyed being an employee of DCFS.  I saw many workers who felt stressed by case loads, paternal issues, and placement. 

I remember an entire team evacuating the building less than a week after I had started.  Their team had been transferred to another building located in different city. If I had been a part of that team, I would not have gone.  Location is a high priority with me.  I noticed that DCFS seemed to move their employees with less than a 24 hour notice.  I do not know who was responsible for moving teams. That would have stressed me out.

Though I have occasionally felt some tension with each job I have had, I do not recall feeling so much anxiety at work as I have felt on the commute getting there or returning home.  Many workers who live in large cities are already stressed before the workday even starts (Wener, 2003).  Daylight Saving is another stress factor that may result with the work stress.  Although it only happens once (twice counting back to standard) a year, it seems to have a negative ramification on many to perform tasks responsibly.  Just because the clock displays a certain time does not mean my body will agree with it.  In fact, many will feel sleep deprived not just the first day the clocks are set forward (or back) but several days following (Daylight, 2014). Thus in addition to stress, one may also experience fatigue. The time change does not affect only those in the workforce but those who attend school regardless of what stage or grade they are in.

            I have seen people risk both their physical and mental health due to stress.  Overeating, raising one’s blood pressure or cholesterol are not ideal stress relievers as they are harmful to the body.  It is best to pause and take some deep breaths or to go for a walk to clear the mind when the tension seems overbearing (Stress, 2013). Stress effects the emotions or the amygdale part of the brain.  It may also harm the hypothalamus, a part of our brain which commands our nervous system and involuntary body functions (Understanding, 2018).

            There are many different stress relievers.  Some may be as simple as lighting a candle or chewing gum.  Some stress relievers may be more mindful such as writing about what ails you (Jennings, 2018).  I favor the journal and blog method as it is a great outsource for me.  It also helps to be able to laugh at a situation (Neis, 2019).  My brother and I created several posts about my mom and make comments about everybody involved with her care as she had dementia.  We would often write with humor in order to focus on the positive.  We were living in a sitcom at times. My husband laughs at frustrating situations all the time and it really is quite helpful.

            Allow me to refer back to my opening quote. We all experience turbulence in our lives. We need to keep in mind that we need to control the stress before it controls us.  Eventually we will all make it to the sea.  May we do so by letting go of harmful stress.

Even More Homonyms

A field is a plot of land used for farming or playing ball.  Sometimes fields are filled with weeds and are neglected.

Pull is the opposite of push.  When I pull something, it generally has a handle.  Pull often has a different sound than pole or poll - but some people pronounce all three the same way.  A Pole  is a rod or a stand like in a flagpole or fishing pole.  A Poll is a survey.

I had an instructor introduce me to the word complement which is a form of completion.  I needed to add to my documents in order to improve them - to complete or make perfect.  A compliment is a polite expression or greeting.

A chord is associated with music while a cord provides extension or can be wrapped or tied around something.

To be on the lam is to run away and hide.  This is mostly associated with hiding from the police.  Lamb is a baby sheep.  The "b" in lamb is silent. A bleating lamb is not.

An altar is a small table or stone used in Christian ceremony.  To alter is to change or adjust.

A mote is a tiny particle like a speck of dust that is bothersome to the eye.  A moat is the dugout surrounding the castle.  For the most part it is filled with water

Sacks are containers made of fibers.  I can buy sacks of wheat or flour. Sometimes I refer to paper bags as sacks.  Sax is short for saxaphone.

Wear is putting clothes on.  Where is a question to learn a direction.  I want to wear my hat, but I don't know where it is.

To shear is to clip the wool from a sheep.  A shear is a pair of scissors but sheer fabric is quite thin and can be seen through.

Yack is to chat idly.  A yak is a long-haired wild ox.

And finally lessen is to decrease a size.  Lesson is something taught.  More photos like this one can be found at this site:

http://homophonesweakly.blogspot.com/2018/09/lessen-lesson.html

Survey Response

                I was driving when the phone signaled that I had received a text.  Jenna opened it and announced it was a picture sent from a furniture company!  She didn’t understand why they were sending a picture of their logo.  She placed her foot on the dashboard, took a picture of it and hit the reply button to the furniture company.  I don’t know if the company received this picture or not, but I was amused.  I smile each time I look at it.

          It turns out that there was a survey attached – which may come up right away in the average touch-screen phone but not my flip phone.  I did not take the survey.

The Closest Fire - Too Close to the Road

                Yesterday was overcast when I went to the pool.  I prefer going there when the skies are grey with moisture and not sun that blinds.  We are all hoping that the overcast skies and humidity will help with the fire.

                The fire started near the 97 mile marker less than 10 miles south of where I live.  The news reports that it had been started by an illegal camp fire.  It is the closest fire we have ever had and yet the air quality has been better than any other summer . . . for us anyway.  The smoke is thick and black and horrible to the south.  The smoke has infected Glendale, Grants Pass and of course Medford (has there been a summer yet that smoke hasn’t invaded Medford?)  Reports say the smoke has made its way as far as Ashland.  Oh, my word . . . I didn’t realize it had been windy enough to be carried that far.

Daily Express

              Off Ramp Exit 95 has been closed.  I wonder if Interstate 5 will close all together .  The yellow line represents I-5.  There is no yellow road in the part circled in green.  What is the alternative?

OPB here

Daily express see here

                We live less than two miles from Myrtle Creek airport.  I remember some people complaining about paying taxes for an airport that they never use.  Though we may not use it directly, the majority of traffic from the airport to the sky is for our benefit.  Currently there are 15 helicopters traveling back and forth to MC airport to assist with the spreading fire.  Over 15 firemen have been injured.  I’m suspecting that many of them are volunteer fire fighters.

I did take the two above; I have cropped the photos 

I took this picture in January last year

             

Newswatch 12 here

                 I’d love to be able to take my own pictures but am certain my presence would be in the way and my desire to get pictures is not nearly as important as the work that needs to be done.  I hear them more often than I see them.  Though I have taken one from my backyard, it comes out more like "Where's Waldo".  Thus I’ve provided links from which I have borrowed these pictures

Miles Furuichi here

                It’s really strange how drastically the elements have changed from what they were just five months ago.

Robin Loznak - News Review here

The overcast sky changed to a brilliant blue just after noon.  This morning the sun has risen early but the skies are murky.  The air quality has gone from good to moderate.  I feel bad for those who have it worse than we do.

I Like Homonyms

I don't know what it is about homonyms that attracts me, but I have always loved them.  Homographs, homophones . . .  fascinating

Whey is a protein that may be sold in powder form to stir into drinks.  Way in a sense is direction.  “Show me the way to get home?”  “Which way should I go?”  “Do you know the way to the store that carries whey?” You can also weigh yourself or other items on a scale.

A boor is an unrefined, ill-mannered person.  A boar is a male pig.  Bore is a description meaning unexciting. 

Bored is also from boredom.  A board has many meanings.  There are game boards, boards that are signs, boards that are slabs of wood, and used by students and teachers as in blackboards, smart boards, cork boards, etc.

Martial arts are associated with judo and karate.  A marshal enforces the law

Applying your foot to the brake is what stops the car.  Taking a break means that you are taking a short rest from work or school.  When you break something, it means that it is damaged.  Some broken things cannot be repaired.

You may shake hands with another whenever you make a deal or an agreement.  Dill is an herb which is part of the parsley family.  Many people think of dill pickles as a way the herb is used.

A flea is a small bug who attempts to build a home in the hair or fur of animals.  To flee is to run away.  A flea market is an outdoor swap.  Generally you will swap your money for somebody else’s used stuff.

A yolk is the yellow part of an egg.  A yoke is a harness to keep the oxen together

An eel is a snakey fish.  If not cooked properly eel can make you very ill.

A sore is an ache or a pain.  To soar is to fly without flapping

Fill means quanity.  You can fill your car with gas or fill a glass or other container with water.  You may feel refreshed after drinking water on a hot summer day.  To feel is to experience emotion or touch.

Taught is the past tense of teach.  A tot is a small child.  A tot may have been taught to walk.

Dash # 21 About Mom

  

                                                              Mom’s Doll Patsy

                Corey loved when mom would tell about her beloved doll Patsy.  I can’t remember how old she was or how long she had had Patsy for.  It was back in the days when dolls were made out of porcelain or similar material that breaks quite easily, and perhaps it was never meant to play with, but then why else would you give a small child a doll if it was intended to be played with.

          Mom said that she and Patsy were roughly the same size.  She said she was going down the stairs and tripped.  She and Patsy both took a tumble, only my mom survived and Patsy didn’t.  She refers to that as a time when “Patsy was killed”.  I’m guessing she must have been younger than five as the four names she liked all began with “K” and was determined she would name her four daughters those names when she was grown and had four daughters.

                                                Riding the Train

          Mom also referred to the time when they moved from Ogden, Utah to San Francisco, California.  Her father had already gone ahead and was later joined by my mom, her mom, and my mom’s baby brother.  Mom was three and they traveled by train (my grandma did not learn to drive until after she had turned 63).

          Mom says that her mom had to focus her attention on the baby (perhaps she needed to change his diaper) and had asked some soldiers (or other uniformed personnel) if they would keep an eye on my mom until she returned. (Grandma was trusting of others and back in the day, it didn’t appear that she had a reason not to).

          Mom said the soldiers were playing poker and she was sitting on the lap of one who showed her his cards and asked if she knew what he was holding.  She said she did and he told her not to tell the others.  She didn’t.

                                                Education

          Mom also said she learned to read when she would sit in her father’s lap and he would read the newspaper and point to the words when he read out loud.

          That is all I can remember at this time.  But one more story about my grandmother on my father's side.

                                      Drive Until the Gas Runs Out

            Grandma Helen said she could drive her father's car and wanted to prove it to her friends. She took the car without her father's knowledge and drove around the block - several times.  Her initial plan was to go around the block once and return, but as she approached her house the first time, she realized that she didn't know how to stop and so she drove her friends around and around until they finally ran out of gas.  Needless to say, her parents did find out that she had driven the car without permission.

        In San Francisco, Grandma Mary relied on public transportation.  As I mentioned above, she did not learn to drive until after age 63.  I have always admired her sense of adventure and proving to us that you are never too old to do what you set your mind to doing.

        

     

Once a Year

Once a year

downtown parking

is over flowing with cars

More cars than

I ever see in Myrtle Creek

at any given time.

Parked in streets and

all around the park.

People will walk two

or three blocks even

when it’s hot.

Saturday is the day.

The last Saturday in July.

People come to watch

crawlers, participate in

sporting events and

to walk around.

The later it gets, the

more cars and traffic.

Fireworks start at 10:00.

This year there were two lots
reserved for the handicapped.
Sunday morning is when the

vendors remove their tents 
followed by a worship service. 

I love this town!

The Third Week in July is Always the Hottest

I know there are millions of people who have worse heat this year than we have ever had in Oregon.  Even now, when I complain about the heat, we are not sweltering nor are having to go to the hospital due to the intense heat that many across the nation and throughout Europe are going through.  That saddens me that so many have to deal with the trauma.  I would personally have to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane or several feet of snow than to have to bear the heat that is so hot that eggs could be fried on the sidewalk.

from Fondos de Pantalla

          Tri City is an unincorporated area that shares a zip with Myrtle Creek.  My personal belief for the name in addition to Myrtle Creek, Tri City somewhat borders Riddle and Canyonville.  Each of the three cities have a celebration in the summer.  Riddle’s Sawdust Jubilee is held in the last Saturday in June.  Canyonville holds Pioneer Days Thursday, Friday and the last Saturday in August.  Between the two celebrations is Summer Fest held Thursday, Friday and the last Saturday in July – which seems to have been the hottest weekend each year we have been here.  This year’s temperatures have been in the early 90’s.

Jenna's favorite thing to draw is this cartoon dude

          Before this weekend, I had posted how humid it has been each morning and how the wind eventually blows the humidity out – but the wind  is not consistent.  It feels great when the wind blows.  At the same time it can be upsetting to some of the vendors to have their items blow in several directions. The temperatures have been below 85 for the most part – but not this weekend. And the skies have been pretty quiet overall – though I have heard more helicopters in the last couple of days.  And the river beds are dried out again.  But thus far we are not seeing the smoke that has lingered since our arrival in Oregon.  I believe the morning humidity has helped with the air quality.  At least we’ve been able to see the skies this year.

she also makes some really nice flowers

          Jenna, of course, wanted to be at the festival even before it opened.  She enjoyed recruiting people for the library booth two years ago and for Riddle’s Sawdust booth last year.  This year we left her with Summer who is not aggressive or loud.  Jenna grabbed an inflatable guitar and started singing.  Thursdays not the best day for sales.  The park gets a lot of looky-loos and a few spend money here and there (mostly on food) but by Saturday there are mobs descending at every booth and surrounding space.  Jenna enjoys “acting” but I think she secretly was trying to show up or steal away from the vendor in the next booth – a bunch of kids that she had known from Coffenberry who will be going to the high school in fall.

Here she is posing with one that Roland drew of her

On the Right Path

          When we lived in Kearns, there was a family in the ward that made up for a third of the primary.  I honestly don’t remember which of us moved out of the ward first, but I do know they have moved around many times – both within and out of the country.  I would guess that they’ve accounted for at least half to a third of their wards or branches (both geographical boundaries within the church – a branch is smaller in membership than a ward) in almost every place they live.  

She has a blog which I have read every once in a while as she only posts once in a while. 

          Right now they are living in New York.  I would have not known that if my daughter-in-law, Carrie, hadn’t told me.  She and Randy had gone out to look for houses.  While there, they went to the ward in the area where they plan on living.  I’m happy to learn that they now have ties to someone who is strong in the gospel.   I am excited for them.  I hope they grow and create strong memories for themselves.

Our Latest Fruit Project

                A friend of ours had dropped off some plums.  Though I did not count them, I would guess there were 40 – 50 of them.  I put all of the ripe ones in a steamer in order to remove the skin.

I don't know how many plums I steamed

It was helpful for removing the pits as well

I poured the plums into a colander in the sink

returned skins and pits to the other colander on the stove

         

The recipe had called for diced plums, however the step was not needed as the plums had turned to liquid after they were skinned and pitted

this was the product I kept

I started out using utensils as the plums were really hot, but still managed to get my hands dirty

of course I could take a picture of only one hand

Roland freaked when he thought I had scratched my arms.  Apparently I got some plum on my skin and hopefully not the other way around.

plum not scratches

I found a recipe for plum butter and chose to make it for a couple of reasons:

1)    Only three ingredients (plums, sugar and water) so we didn't have to make purchase

2)    I LOVE apple butter and figured it might be similar in texture

The recipe itself was a long process, cooking the plums for two hours

first low boil

Allowing the plums to  rest for two hours, repeat process and then leave 8 hours or overnight.

Repeat process.  The plums started to brown

final boil

But the mixture was off.  It was too thick. 

um . . . why's it sticking?

And so I added bot water. It seemed a bit runny when I put it in the fridge.  But this morning the consistency was just right.

looks like Vegemite, but trust me, it tasted much better