Just Stay at the Top of the Hill

         It’s been nearly a year since my first mention of the neighbor’s chickens.  They used to lean a ladder near the fence so the chickens could climb back into their own yard.  

At first it was just a few on the hill – not the 15 plus that have accumulated in our yard during that time.  Roland doesn’t want them under the deck and I don’t want them on the deck.  We don’t want them in the garden and so have been putting up barriers all over the yard. 

we had to add netting to the steps to prevent them from going through

 

I did find at least three of them on the inside; they had dug
under the wire to make it wide enough to go though. Roland
used some stakes for the bottom.  Hopefully that will work.

Despite our efforts the chickens have managed to dig under, fly over, or somehow manage to squeeze themselves into areas where we’d rather they not be. 

The chickens always stop near the deck and look longingly on how to get inside and have found ways to get in and will need to be chased out until we can plug up what we had managed to miss. 

a few of the chickens discovered they could enter through this hole

our temporary solution

It’s just a temporary fix at that.  We have wanted to turn the deck into a back room since we moved in.  We finally have the finances to do so (or good enough credit in order to borrow) but cannot find a contractor who will commit to any earlier than December.  Someday.  Meanwhile, we’re continuing to battle the chickens to certain boundaries – which doesn’t seem to be setting well with them.

I thought I could make some profound comparison to God’s commandments for us or certain restrictions that citizens may feel toward the mask or getting the vaccination (looking at the staff of Moses – Numbers 17: 10-12) and the reaction of the natural man.  Instead of belittling the laws or commandments and searching for a way to get back into our own comfort zone maybe take a moment to understand WHY the net is there, why the fence has been put up, why the commandment was given. 

When I saw the chickens at the top of the hill my initial thought was, “Oh, good.  They got the message.” 

They don’t understand and they return.  I think many of us do that.  We don’t understand.  We return to what was familiar – like Pre-COVID for example.  Circumstances change and often we have to change with it.  That’s just the way it is.  Hopefully we will come to terms and learn better than the chickens do.  But there will always those who disagree and voice their opinion – which they are allowed. 

We all have free agency to think of others or think only of ourselves and how the last year has affected us or our business or uprooted our personal lives without a thought of how it has been for others.  ALL OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PANDEMIC but not all reactions have been the same.  I for one like to believe I have become stronger. 

I suppose I am like the chickens to some degree.  I was okay with staying home.  I don’t wish to go back outside because I know it will never be what it was pre-COVID.  We’ve gone (or are going through) another evolution.  There’s always been hate, disagreement, hostility, etc.  just as there’s always been kindness, love, service . . . but it just seems more obvious right now.  It’s a matter of knowing where to look and choosing to follow your peers or the example of our prophets and our God. 

I had the opportunity of adding a “Vaccine” frame to my facebook profile pic. 

I know it will open a can of worms from some of those I am facebook friends with – none of whom I’ve defriended but have unfollowed many. I KNOW that not everyone feels comfortable about the vaccination for reasons other than feeling forced into it.  Some people have had bad reactions to the required vaccinations for being in public education.  But I also believe that the exceptions are few and far between.  I also believe in personal revelation.  I pray about major decisions such as traveling or health.  Prayer works.

Working Out at the Church

            After Roland and I were married, I remember having cleaned the church at least once a month.  Families were supposed to sign up to clean on Saturday – hopefully at least two families per Saturday.  But I remember many a times being the only family.

            Jenna doesn’t remember cleaning the church in Kearns but remembers in West Valley when we did it by organization.  We’d gone from cleaning the church once a month to often two or three times a month.  We would all be there whether it was the primary’s turn, Relief Society or Bishopric.  And that particular building was a huge building housing three wards that could overlap – which meant one ward could hold Sunday School, Primary and so forth meetings while another ward was in sacrament meeting. 

            The building in Myrtle Creek is the not the smallest building which I have ever attended but smaller than any I any I have joined to clean – which hasn’t been often.  We currently near the end of our sixth year living in Oregon and I think only the second time I have signed up to clean.  Normally there have been the same people assigned to clean and do so on Thursday but every once in a while they are not available and so others will take a turn.  Last week was the Relief Society.  There had only been six who had signed up.

            I took my turn with the vacuum cleaners as it is what we had normally done in Kearns.  The chapel is smaller and I can get most of it on just one outlet whereas the Kearns and West Valley chapels required moving the cord multiple times.

            That was Thursday. On Saturday we went back to the Church for an activity set up by the Elder’s quorum.  The turnout was tremendous.  If we had had the same turnout on Thursday, it would have taken only five minutes to clean the church. A bunch of trees had been cut down and several had signed up to chop wood or use their saws and create free firewood to those who are in need.

The last picture above is of a youth who was dressed up to go to the temple, but she wanted to assist.  Jenna was dressed in overalls but had a change of clothes in the car.

Memories of Mom

            I remember looking out the window to see more than average cars on our street and in our neighbor’s driveway.  I hadn’t paid any attention to the license plates to see how many were from another state. Something must have happened.  When Jenna pointed out the mass yard sale set up I was reminded of when we had a massive yard sale at mom’s house.  Everything had to go. 

            I feel bad about never having gotten to know the neighbors or even know how many lived there.  We had learned the name of the person I had just assumed was a daughter living with her elderly parents.  Turns out she was the hired help to assist the home owner who had health issues.  She is gone now.  It was expected.  Her children seem to work well together and have some matters organized.

            I took a picture of only a small fraction of the salt and pepper shakers that had been put out.  

Another reminder of mom – not that she necessarily collected them but did have quite a few for we would make a purchase for them each time we were on vacation during her birthday – which happened often.

            We did not purchase as much from the yellow house (now a ghastly pink color) just over 3 and a half years ago (here) I think it was more crowded – at least on Friday it was.  Saturday offered cooler weather and new merchandise.  We were too worn out to go.  At least I was.  I am so tired of being tired all the time!

I wish the family well. I will miss the association with the one we did get to know as she will be moving on to another position.  God bless her and all the health care workers.  Hope the house sells to some good neighbors.

Tired

 

I HATE being tired.

  So tired that I become

disoriented about

EVERYTHING. 

I can’t think. 

I don’t function. 

My mind seems

farther gone than

my body. I move

from room to room at

the speed of a sloth.

Is it the wind?

Is it the vaccine?

Is it from reading?

I’m so tired.

I have no strength.

Possible Mold, Flooring and Fencing

 Each time I leave the bedroom and go out into the hall, I notice the spot on the carpet looks more sunken and definitely bigger (currently it fills our entire doorway.)  

I KNOW the subflooring is going to be more money.  LOTS of money.  But I also know they will be done and I won’t have to worry about them anymore.  With all of that behind us, may Roland not be coughing anymore and I won’t feel so tired.  I am quite certain that we have a mold problem $$$$$.

One of the main reasons that Roland had chosen this week and last week for vacation days was that we had someone lined up to do our floors – however the flooring I wanted was not available and I wasn’t willing to settle for the grey sampling he’d brought.  Perhaps I should have. Perhaps they’d be at a finishing point by now. Maybe not.

 

We’ve been planting and building fences that will hopefully keep the chickens out.  The hens like to dig holes to plant their behinds.  I don’t know how we’re supposed to weed with the fencing there.  Kind of a pain to bend over.

We did not make it to the beach as Jenna had hoped.

Patches of Gardens

I will now share some pictures of our gardens.  This first one was taken after some April winds knocked off the pedals from three of the tulips.  Today, only the stems can be seen on all four.  But look at how well our yellow flowers have done!

On the side of the house we planted six beats and two rows of spinach seeds

We still need to get rid of the trees  to the left.  

I put the gloves on in the morning.  My fingers felt very cold beneath the glove

Bonnie did not help with the gardening, but look how cute she is

another view of the yellow flowers

The missionaries helped Roland plant cucumber seeds and add dirt, mulching and such.  They also put up a fence to keep the chickens out - we hope

This is one cucumber plant that we put above the cucumber seeds

I noticed we have mountain daisies growing along the hill

 

This is two of six peppers.  You may wonder about the hay.  It was a suggestion given by Raney's in one of the "Homestead" TV episodes.  Thus we decided to try it.

We did not build a fence around our tomato plants but put up pinwheels and spinning flowers which we hope will keep the chickens out

Thus far it has seemed to work

We were told by many that it is too soon to plant.  But Roland's stubborn and has planted anyway.  As a bonus to the pics above are this morning sunrise below.  Enjoy.

 

Backtracking to Earth Day

This post really has nothing to do with Earth Day . . . it just happened to take place last week: Thursday April 22nd.

 

            I woke up early and thought I would surprise Roland by lowering my bed and snuggle with him.  However when I started scooting toward him, his side of the bed began to rise and then he told me he thought I was doing it.  I didn’t have his remote!  But neither did he.  We searched for it on top of the bed, removed the covers one at a time and looked beneath the bed.  I lowered my side and climbed on the bed to see if the remote had fallen between the crack that separates our mattresses. It had.  Only it hadn’t fallen as far as the floor but had somehow nestled itself under my mattress.  I had to use a long object in order to push it out.

            I took Jenna to seminary so that Roland could go back to bed if he wanted.  I just stayed in the parking lot and read on my kindle.  When I leave the parking lot I most always turn right unless I have to go to Dollar General or I know the middle school is letting out.  However when we left the parking lot last Thursday I turned toward Dollar General as I figured the road was better shaded than the one that takes me downtown (and I have to look toward the sun to see if any cars are coming)

            Roland chose to work on some Mothers’ Day cards and asked for an extended list.  We ended up with over 80 names.  He made another trip to Roseburg to get the cards printed while I stayed at home to work on the list.  I also decided to make the beds as I had washed the sheets before he left (taking Jenna with him).  I had raised each side of the bed in order to get the sheets on, but when I went to lower his side it wouldn’t budge.  Are you freaking kidding me?!?!? 

            I put fresh batteries in the remote and it still was not working.  It was in a position I knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep in and so I decided I would trade him sides.  It wasn’t bad for napping, but it hurt my back to sleep that way all night long and ended up on the couch.  But not before planting peppers and onions and setting up the second chicken coop fence – which thus far has worked.  I had collapsed from exhaustion.  I heard Richard’s phone go off and the caller asked for me but I was just so tired – for three days!  I have had a few moments of alertness, but the tiredness has not gone away. 

No Vacancy

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-11/-no-
vacancy-signs-are-vanishing-from-america-s-highways

            I may not remember every detail of every family vacation I took with my parents and sibs, but I do remember looking at hotel signs from the freeway and taking the ramp to find lodging.  We had not made reservations as there was a time it didn’t seem pertinent to do so.  We would look for signs that said “Vacancy” and preferred lodging with a pool and later cable seemed to be a priority.  I don’t recall having had any problems with finding lodging that way. 

I suppose it is still possible to do it that way in some areas but have learned that as the decades pass and more apps and technology are introduced – a reservation will at least secure where you may want to go.  I still would rather throw caution to the wind and find something along the way instead of booking in an area I’m really not familiar with and end up at an out-of-the-way inn than to drive to what is nearest to what brought us to said area.

I think it was in 1995 when my Grandma Mary was visiting from San Franciso.  Mom had decided that we should go explore southern Utah.  We had talked about driving to Moab but ended up driving to the Grand Canyon.  My sister Kayla and I explored the north rim while my mom waited at a visitor’s center with my grandma – who was then walking with a cane.

Of course there were no reservations as our destination had become a spontaneous drive.  Mom knew that she would not be able to drive the entire way home but we would need some kind of lodging for grandma.  The first available lodging we had passed was called Jacob’s Lodge (I think) but offered no vacancy at the time we were there.  I don’t know how we ended up in Fridonia but found a bed and breakfast that was really nice.  I have never been to Fridonia before or since.

There was another trip we took that had taken us through Panguitch.  It must have been a holiday weekend or something.  For by the time we got there (and I’m not even certain why we were there but I remember mom and Kayla – I don’t know if Grandma Mary was with us or if it was the same year/trip or not) and drove through the town seeing signs “No Vacancy” “No Vacancy” “No Vacancy” – finally we hit the last motel on the way out of town.  We were told we got the last available room.

I don’t know what time of year it was, but the night air was freezing.  As I recall the pool was closed but the whirlpool was open.  Kayla and I made the trek to the Jacuzzi – I think our room was located the furthest away from the pool area.  It felt nice to be inside, but the air, of course, seemed cooler on the return to our room.  We were there for just that one night.

I had hoped that I would be able to take my family on vacation each year as my dad had done with me and my sibs but it didn’t come to pass.  I recall taking only two vacations with the boys.  We had reservations.  We did not have reservations when we drove back to Utah for Jeanie’s funeral  as we have not even taken the same route each time we go. That year we had stopped off at Tremonton on the way and Bend on the return.  Vacancy was not a problem.  Finding an open anything on Christmas Day in Winnamucca (here) was a problem. The motel that was open did have vacancies.  I think probably many.  I don’t know how many rooms were occupied.  At least one.  Perhaps another.

Tony’s latest phone call had triggered these memories as he mentioned that his family will be going to Yellowstone in May.  I’d love for Roland and Jenna to see Yellowstone.  Roland joked that we could drive to Yellowstone right now.  We live over14 hours away. I don’t think Yellowstone is something we should try spontaneously – especially during a pandemic. 

Richard and I are now fully vaccinated and Jenna is currently halfway there.  When we had gone to New York last June we did not have to worry about lodging as we were staying with Randy – but the idea of looking for open lodging or staying overnight still does appeal to me during these times.  I think if we’re going to be spontaneous about driving somewhere it needs to be less than four hours away.  I doubt we will be going to Yellowstone anytime soon. 

Randy wants us to come stay with him in St. George.  He says the church has several historical sites that we can visit.  True, there are historical sites, but currently giving virtual tours only.  Driving to St. George will be longer than driving to Yellowstone.  Not this year, folks.  Meanwhile Jenna is going stir crazy with desires to get away.  We’ll have opportunity again. Unfortunately, it won't be soon.

Scavenger Hunt - final pics

The desk in my room is currently on the cluttered side.  This is where I work

unlike Jenna who has acted and is currently rehearsing at the Grand Victorian.  

We both chose Bonnie as our pet subject - though the two I took both had a "green eye" instead of red-eye effect.  I tried cleaning it up, but it is obviously not natural.

I love her picture of Bonnie.  And I love the caption she used.

That's me and Roland

She and her friend decided to camouflage themselves.  Silly girls.

Here is the one she did not submit

She decided to take a picture of Rip-Off-Rays

and I took one of Grocery Outlet

tree cropped off above photo

Interestingly she took a picture of the mailbox with the flag down

   while I did it with the flag up

I had taken pictures of the fist thirteen on the list.  Only she was able to submit the last two.