Beneath the Wraps

                Neither Richard nor I slept well last night         I don ’ t think he ’ s slept well for the last two months         I ’ ve had some regular sleeps off and on We both take cold medicine cough medicine sleep medicine and so forth         We ’ re driving down to Ashland tomorrow to get Jaime and bring her home for a month         I want Richard to be well         I want for both of us to sleep again.

                Scouting is no longer a calling in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but there was a time when it was – which is still a sore subject for some.  I remember when Richard had been called to be a scout leader for the primary youth.  He was told that it would be a five year calling.  I don’t think he was in for even a year before he called to be first counselor in the Elder’s quorum.          I think it was just April of this year that Richard had been called as a Sunday School teacher for the 11-14 year-olds.   In July he was called to be the Sunday School president.   Just now he was called as first Counselor in the priesthood quorum.   Wow.   I wonder who the new Sunday School president will be?          It’s funny how it seems there are some people stuck in callings as though it is a lifetime positio...

           I’ve been searching through flash drives in search for some misplaced memory pages I had designed for Jaime.   During my search I have come across scads of photos in which I see different pieces of furniture in the background. Steven on the lap of my grandpa Ralph          This couch for instance was reupholstered three different times.   This is how it looked as I was growing up.   The second makeover had similar flowers but in green and orange.   The final also had a green/orange theme but with birds.   It was my least favorite of the three. same couch in background - the final makeover          The painting above was removed when mom went into assisted living.   I heard that my niece had taken the couch.         There is this photo which my brother had posted to his wall and wrote memories about each of the items on the knickkna...

 Our Thanksgiving still has not taken place.   Biff and his brood mostly stay confined to their room -  even when they are well.   Richard and I both went to church yesterday -  though he should have stayed home.   Jaime spent her dinner with some members of  our ward and brought home left overs - so that was nice.   She left the next day to spend her weekend with  some high school buddies.   I am so grateful that she was able  to enjoy her holiday.

          I was feeling fine when I woke up on Tuesday.  I don ’ t know what I had encountered before noon, but I had a throbbing headache just after 12:00.  Probably Richard and I should have not gone to the temple, but we did.  We left the house before 1:00 but did not get to Central Point until 2:40. Traffic was horrible.  It doesn ’ t take that long to get to Ashland.         We were signed up for the 3:00 session. Just after 5:00 we were on our way to Ashland to pick up Jaime.   We met her at a 7-11 and I had gone inside to get something for my headache.   Richard and Ally got sick first and then Biff and then me and Clair – I think Clair may have been hit the hardest.   She looks terrible.         Jaime has spent many a Thanksgivings feeling sick.   Ironically, she is the only one who is well.   None of the rest of us even want to eat – ...

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving  and our household is sick. Jaime has returned for four days. Fortunately she will be with friends for three of them. I need to be well by Sunday for I am scheduled to teach RS.

 This is us at Stewart Park.  I find it interesting that there are only five ducks and no pigeons.

                First it was my feet             Then it was my ears             And now my left arm?             Why not both arms?             Why does my left arm feel like it’s caught    in a draft? What is up with that? Seriously. It’s as if I have no blood flow.   Why is my arm always cold? I had three layers on my arm this morning! My right arm seems okay. Perhaps my left arm just  doesn't  get enough  exercise

  When we lived in West Valley I rarely used covers at night Maybe 10 times a year Maybe Even after we moved here And I would fall asleep on The recliner, Richard would cover me But the covers would come off Long before morning And then we moved into a Different house And suddenly my toes were always Cold And so I would keep them Covered But lately it seems like I Am covering all of me. I think the earth is spinning Nearer to the sun and then To the other extreme So far away from the sun that Its always cold Hard to imagine that just over six weeks ago I was complaining about the heat. Ten weeks ago it was in the Three digits in California We had moved to Oregon for The constancy – which We have never had. I don ’ t want three digits and Then near freezing (or Below freezing)   At this point I don ’ t Think it even matters In what state or nation Autumn is still producing Gorgeous colors That ’ s ni...

  When Steven was in his senior year of high school he had the opportunity of going back to New York with the high school drama department.   My mom and dad also took the opportunity of going as there was a need for chaperones.   I don ’ t recall how much the trip costs or how many plays they were scheduled to see.    They were gone for a week and spent more in one day than Shelly and I spent in the entire week including our excursion to Lagoon (an amusement park near Salt Lake City, Utah).   First two pics are of Shelly and Me at a picnic area off pioneer village.  The other two were taken upon the return of the rest of our family.

           Driving to Roseburg yesterday seemed almost like driving into the Twilight Zone – sort of a slow strobe effect.  Mist      disappearing scenery    blue skies    inviting sign    just kidding            dark clouds            is that smoke or rain?        sunny blue sky above the dark clouds           fog again      cold bleakness       inviting warmth       all within a matter of minutes     so surreal This is just our neighborhood.  The change was a lot more drastic going to Roseburg.  Bluer sky and darker clouds.

            Since they moved in Claire has just taken over where they put things and when it will get put away.   Biff just goes along with it.   They had invaded our   fridge with Ally’s medicine – even after they had hooked up their own.   After Richard and I returned home from Costco one day I took it upon myself to move the remainder of Ally’s medicine into their small fridge and told them that I needed our fridge for actual food. Richard and I had to restack their items that they put in my brand new shed.   Exploded and unorganized.   It still is, but at least Richard was able to make some space for our things.   On the plus side we are finally able to get to the Christmas tree.   So kudos to them for that – I guess.   Still haven’t found a home for the fish tank which takes up so much room.   They don’t need to hang on to all that they brought with them.   Why did they bring it?   But ...