Beneath the Wraps

            Bruce is not the only rooster who crows or comes into our yard.   I don’t know how many there are or why they crow.   Perhaps they are boasting about planting seed in their harem of hens.   I know they don’t get returning to standard   after six months of daylight.   But still.   That accounts for only one hour difference.   Not five or seven.   Half past midnight I hear the annoying cock-a-doodle and can’t figure out why.   It’s raining.   Is Bruce complaining because his feathers are wet?   Dude.   Take a chill pill and find some shelter.   Don’t just stand in it and complain your lack of understanding why there is moisture falling on you.   I can’t sleep with your built in alarm.           I got up to relieve myself and checked the clock before I returned to bed.   That is how know it was half past midnight.   When Br...

            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 contin...

  I had resided in three different houses when I lived in Utah. Each of them provided gas furnaces as a source of heat.   The heat source in Oregon has been electric – which tends to dry me out more than the gas ever did.   I don’t particularly care for electric heat and have felt overly hot each year except for this one.   But it is 2020 – why should anything about this year decade feel normal?   I have worn my long sleeve pajama tops and used the covers for the last two weeks.   Highly unusual – for me.

  Yesterday was cold and wet Bonnie does not like the moisture as it falls from the sky.   She spent most of the day sleeping except for when we took her to the vets.     The governor has issued another “ Stay at home order ” .   It starts on Wednesday and will go until December second. Restaurants and bars or for takeout or delivery only Which, in my opinion, is how it should have been all along.   Currently barbers, hair salons, and outdoor recreation are allowed along with youth programs, childcare, K-12 schools ????? Really?   We ’ re going to eliminate social gathering activity to 6 people and church maximum at 25 people but it is okay to have contact sports and hold schools with hundreds of children.   What???? I don't see hair salons and barbers as an essential. Jenna and I haven't had our hair cut since January.   Roland asked me to cut his. My hair hasn't necessarily grown longer -  but definit...

       When it first came out I remember being interested in seeing the TV series “ This is Us ” but did not start watching it until this year for whatever reason.  Normally I don ’ t enjoy constant flashbacks but have been intrigued with this series about three siblings who have become adults.  We see pieces of memories as they enter the world and grow up.  We see their parents struggles as well as their own.  It ’ s been interesting to watch as their characters are developed based on these memories that the audience members see only glimpses of. Each episode provides a recap of what memories were provided from previous episodes.  The first episode starts off with four different cast members reacting to birthday celebrations.   The first story shows a pregnant woman holding a cupcake while her husband (Jack, the birthday boy) waits for her on the bed.   Her water breaks and they rush to the hospital where the woman is expec...

  Today is Veteran ’ s Day . There is usually a celebration going on.   Roseburg does a parade every year – except this year.   The skies are grey and overcast.   Mirrors the expression of staying inside. COVID cases spike within two weeks of the last holiday -whether it be Federal or not.   Roland has the day off.   He will be spending it in front of the television. TV helps him relax.   He enjoys watching television and taking naps. Often he will nap while the TV blares.   There is a list of businesses who offer free food or discounts to Veterans.   I had wondered if that would be part of the curriculum this year as most celebrations have been cancelled due to the pandemic.   Thank you To all the men and women who have served for our country. I love living in this county. Veterans are supported everyday and not just this day. Thank you.

           Bonnie really is a sweet dog.  She constantly wags her tail.  She will follow family members around from room to room so that she doesn ’ t get left behind.  Jenna was away for three hours on Saturday and Bonne whined from the moment she left until the moment Jenna returned.  Yesterday she decided to make herself my buddy.  It was too cold for both of us to take her on a walk – although we did let her out to do her thing.  She somehow believed the weather would be different out the front door than it was out the back.           Bonnie is threatened by dogs that are smaller than her.   She doesn ’ t seem to have any problems with cats.   She enjoys chasing squirrels and playing in the leaves.   I had the opportunity of seeing her violent side when she darted into the street to chew out a small dog walking with his/her owners.   I had never seen that b...

             How awesome it is to hear that there are other countries celebrating at our victory!  Joe Biden won 284 votes to 214.  How glorious.  Rumor is that the media (perhaps with the exception of FOX which is not high on the reliable source list) will no longer cater to Trump ’ s pettiness and refuse to put him in the limelight where he longs to bask.  I hope that rumor is true.              I guess Trump was right.  He will be able to make America great again whenever he is finally out of the picture.         Congrats to us all!

                 Election Day was three days ago and we still don ’ t know who the president is for the next four years.  I am hoping NOT Trump and yet at the same time, I know there will be violence from some Trump supporters who don ’ t understand that bullyism and threats do not make any country great.  They are abusing their freedoms and taking away others ’ freedoms.  There are so many ballots – more than any other year.   Perhaps four times as many.   It takes a long time to count – especially if there are less volunteers due to COVID.   If Joe Biden wins, I hope he sends in a crew to sterilize the white house and not move in for another month or two after his inauguration – that is if Big Baby Trump and his groupies don ’ t make it such an unrealistic ordeal.   Joe Biden has campaigned for being for the people – all people – whether he was voted in by that person or not.   Trump wi...

  Bruce didn ’ t set his alarm   back to standard.   I don ’ t think he cares.   He doesn ’ t crow at sunrise.   He crows 3-4 hours before.   Are you kidding me?     It ’ s dark.   I ’ m trying to sleep.   Bruce, if you are going to continue going off every morning before there is even a crack of dawn, you are no longer welcome in our yard.   You and your harem.   I don ’ t hear them making noise before the crack of dawn.   When Bruce finally shuts up I hear Jenna talking to Bonnie – asking if she needs to go out.     Bonnie ’ s tag jingling down the hall.   I hear the door open.   Jenna letting Bonnie out. What time is it?   Why are there so many noises?   I want to sleep!   I got up at 7:00.   It ’ s now light enough outside for me to see.   That means I could go pick up Jenna again – at least until ...

                  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 Trum...

            Several years ago when I had served in Young Women ’ s, the YW president decided that she would like all of the YW to learn a hymn.  The hymn she chose was “ I Know That My Redeemer Lives ” ( here ).            I had already memorized the hymn though not necessarily on purpose. I am always touched in such a way that my eyes are so moist with tears that the words seem to blur and I can never read the hymn.           It was the closing hymn chosen for our sacrament meeting.   Perhaps if I had not tried to sing it behind my mask, I would have been okay – though I doubt it.   My eyes leaked and my nose started to run.   It was a newly washed mask!