Random Thoughts . . . very random

 

          All summer long I have been able to open the windows and allow fresh air to enter the house early each morning.  And this month has been great for early morning air – that is until recently.  Smokey skies since Saturday.  I don’t even know where the smoke is coming from.  There are three fires just below the California border. 

          Alexa tried to tell us it was the Bootleg fire – the biggest fire in the nation – in 2021.  I don’t think the smoke that lingers outside is from that fire. Emigration, perhaps.  But I don’t know.  I am currently not able to open the windows or door as I will start coughing.

          Watched Jimmy Kimmel’s return – suspended indefinitely but less than a week later . . . I had never seen his program before but am happy to see not only his return but the support for freedom of speech.  It’s the principle of the thing.  I am happy to learn that abc has not allowed the bullyism of some to pull the plug on one-sidedness.  Forget dictatorship. I support Jimmy Kimmel’s message and endorsement to continue.

          Pres. Nelson passed away Saturday night.  On Sunday a congregation gathered for a stake conference in Grand Blanc Michigan.  Another crazy shooter and arsonist upset the meeting.  Lives were lost and several others were injured.  We don’t know the motive or intention.  Did the individual specifically target the LDS church or an individual who happened to be there?  Freaky.  And no flags were flown at half mass for any of them.

          Signs of the times.  More reason to turn to the Lord.

Shortly after I posted the above, Richard and I went to Roseburg to pay a bill.  We were blessed with a rain which thus far has cleared out the smoke.  I have the window open once more.  And it is beautiful!

So Many Parallels

 

         Don’t try to catch a butterfly with a hammer, for gentleness brings results. - idiom

This year we have been reading the Doctrine and Covenants.  I remember learning much from it four years ago.  And this year I am learning more and have added a few more videos to my study. 

Recently I shared this poem on my facebook page –

 originally shared by Ben Wilcox in his Teaching With Power video.  He finished this week’s study with a thought about a hammer.  A hammer can be used to build but that same hammer may also tear down that which was built. 

That is the same thing with our thoughts, words, actions and so forth.  Take the topic of “freedom of speech” for example.  One man was recently assassinated while using his freedom of speech.  Another was suspended from his prime time position on television because of interpretation of that speech.  Both men offended others by what they said – but somehow the first (who I had never even heard of until he was murdered) had been justified – it was political.  The other was “in the wrong” according to the nation’s biggest baby ever.  His hammer has slammed against others well before 2016 – I just didn’t notice it until the end of 2015.  

My brother posted the following Noam Chomsky quote on his wall: “ If you don’t believe in freedom of speech for people you disagree with, you don’t believe in freedom of speech at all.”

In 1833 printing presses were destroyed.  Mobsters chased Mormons out of Jackson county.  There was contention and guidelines of how NOT to react but to ACT with kindness.  The law still applies.

May we all act with kindness and still defend our freedom of speech without fear.

Keepsake Scriptures

 

It’s been a year since I mentioned the scriptures 

that once belonged to my mom.  

The  binding is not in the best condition. 

There is a crack causing the cover to bend. 

But there is no way I can give it up. 

Mom marked what was important to her. 

She wrote notes to accompany her understanding. 

This is definitely a treasure to be handed down.

Unusable Apples

We misplaced our food dehydrator

and so Richard went and purchased another one. 

t is a better quality than the first. 

We had picked some apples from a yard we’ve gone to before.

He likes dry the apples or make apple pie. 

Apple pie.  Pie is really not my favorite dessert. 

I would rather have a cream pie than a fruit pie.

I don’t like most pie crusts.

Graham cracker crust is alright.

 So why not make apple crisp? 

Or apple cobbler? 

Or applesauce? 

Yes.  Let’s go for applesauce. 

I love homemade applesauce. 

 

He did make a zucchini and apple cake. 

That was interesting.

 

We had picked some grapes and plums – though

I don’t think they were really ready to be picked. 

They don’t taste ready. 

I cored and peeled the remainder of apples this morning. 

Half are in the compost, the other half

are in the freezer.

Summer Coming to an End

 

         Mornings lately have had an autumn feel to them.  It lasts until about ten o’clock and then it is a dreadful summer again.  Each morning we have been watering the plants.  It won’t be long until Mother Nature will take over with the watering and all the hill will be green and not just circles around the trees.

 

 

         As of now we have been eating zucchini, cherry tomatoes and peppers.  It may be another five years before we get a harvest from the grapes or the trees.  And I don’t know what is up with the blueberry bushes.  They’re bigger than at the start of the summer.  But I don’t think only nine blueberries is worth all the effort.

Summer Blessings

 

We have been quite blessed all summer as

there haven’t been any fires in Douglas County –

and we’re a BIG county.

I think we have had fires just about every year that

we’ve been here and

often get smoke from ALL directions. 

There was one day in June that we

sensed the smoke from the fires south of us –

probably California. 

No signs since until today. 

We’re thinking from the fires north of us. 

That is trippy. 

Wasn’t it just last night that I saw

the stars through the skylight? 

And now the skies are filled with haze –

nearly hiding the hills.  It’s been so hot. 

And when the wind blows it doesn’t offer the

cool breeze but an overly warm heat that

makes me feel like I’m in a dryer.

I didn’t say anything before because

I didn’t want to jinx it.

We have at least one more month before

the fires come to a rest.

Judging from the past.

Peculiar Taste

 

I think PEZ (originally short for Pfefferminz here) candies have got to be one of the most boring candies on the planet.  People buy them in order to collect the cool dispensers that release the dry powdery bricks of dull flavor.  I think the only reason why PEZ offers the dispensers is so U.S. citizens will buy them.  I don’t know how it works in other countries.  Apparently there are some citizens of other countries that thrive on the having the uninteresting flavor in their mouths. 

Recently Richard purchased a tin of candies that gave me the same initial vibe as the PEZ candy.  But instead of a cool dispenser, these candies come in a cool tin – which in my opinion is the only reason to buy them – not for the candy but for the tin.  The candy may have been slightly better than a PEZ (though it’s been YEARS so I don’t really KNOW) – this nameless candy had a tangy quality almost like a SweeTART mixed with soap. 

Last Year Perhaps

 

               It’s been ten years since we had been introduced to the Pear Orchard in Medford – and served once a year except for last.  I am so out of shape.  And the pears seemed to be tiny again this year.  But maybe not.  They won’t be through today and I am certain it will be announced that we have another opportunity.  Platform workers is what they are called.  Those who can scale the ladders and pick what can’t be reached from below.  Uh, no.  Not my calling.

               I remember one year when our RS pres. scaled the trees and threw down pears to be caught – which is probably a big “no-no” but really . . . how many volunteers can  climb ladders, fill their bags and then shimmy on down?  Not this girl.  That’s for sure.

               The pears which we pick in Medford are shipped to Shelly, Idaho for another cleaning and canning.  They are really good pears, too.  Overall I think canned pears are rather boring, but the ones the church cans are awesome.  In Salt Lake I was a recipient of eating canned product and in the last ten years we have picked.  If we ever move to Shelley I would have the opportunity to can the pears – but I don’t foresee that happening as I don’t believe we will ever move again.   Too much work – not just into the house but our yard as well. 

               We planted fruit trees that should be producing within the next five to seven years.  Will try to include pictures next post.

Dogs Feel No Shame

 

          Bonnie often snores when she sleeps. 

She is loud. 

She is fat. 

She does not get offended if we make fun of her.

Mostly I guess because she doesn’t understand.

But I wonder why we can’t respond as dogs do.

Why get caught up in the our insecurities –

embarrassed by loud snores

(even if it is the dogs)

or laughing at the noise,

calling the dog fat and

out of shape.

Dogs don’t feel the shame that humans often do.

Card Table Makeover

 

The other day the missionaries

came for dinner.

 I had no desire for cleaning the

back table and decided

we would have our dinner on the deck – which

probably was not a wise

move on my part – for the

back room would have been

so much cooler.

 

I washed the filthy card table that we

had left on the porch. 

I still felt the need for a tablecloth but

couldn’t find one and

thought the wind might blow

it around anyway.

 

I did not find a tablecloth – not in

any size but I did find

some contact paper.  

 

Problem solved. 

 

Cover the grime-stained table

with contact paper –

and the wind wouldn’t  blow it off.

Name That Tune

 Jaime learned about a "Name That Tune" game being held at Summerfest.  The person she had planned to go with cancelled on her - which was really not a surprise.  Though it was hot and I hadn't planned on going to the event myself, I volunteered to go with her.  I don't believe we scored any points during the first round, but were able to take 4 of 5 songs on the second round.  The other players were dismissed and we had the opportunity of playing the second round.  We got only two songs but each walked away with five dollars.  Not bad. I was planning on participating without a prize incentive.  Jaime was happy.  We might go see fireworks tonight.

Dear Diary

          I think someone may have been hacked on facebook who in turn tried to hack me.  I don’t know.  I was experiencing so much fatigue yesterday.  I wish I would have taken a screenshot but did not.  I saw who it was from and I think what the invitation was for and deleted automatically because of so many factors.

          So in my notifications I’m told that RAM has invited me to the Relief Society Page.  The page that I created?  Or is there a new one? And why would RAM create an RS page when he is a guy?  We are not even facebook friends.  And he is currently on vacation.  Why would he create a page and invite people in during his vacation?  I thought it said Relief Society.  Maybe it said something else?  Still – why would I want to join his page?  Was I singled out or were there others in the ward who received invites? 

 

          Okay.  Fatigue.  I think I post about it every year.  Weather change.  Always happens between Mothers’ Day and my birthday.  And then I am gone.  And I don’t come to until sometime in September.  But hey, I can breathe.  But my mind is in another dimension than the rest of me.  Is that where dementia comes from?  Not that I have dementia.  I don’t think of one who has dementia considers having dementia.  But I don’t know.  Next time someone tries to scam me over the phone I will tell them that I have dementia and that the people taking care of me won’t allow me access to my bank accounts or social security number or anything like that.  And that if they want to talk with them they should call them on their cell phone and then provide them with a number to the unified police or the FBI.  I wonder if they will call them to get my information?

 

          I just took an allergy pill.  That could be adding to my fatigue I guess.