Beneath the Wraps

          There were several signs of spring before it the equinox made (or will make) it official.   So many trees in pink and white blossom and all the daffodils and allergies.    Though my eyes appreciate the view from a distance, I have a hard time with spring up close as my sinuses go ballistic.   My ears tear and my nose runs.   Allergies.   I’m not sick.   I’m annoyed.   I need more moisture than the air has been providing me with lately.   Time to bring out the humidifier – which always seemed like an oddity for this part of Oregon.   But with Roland always being cold at night, the electric heat is really not agreeing with me right now.             It’s the heat.   It’s not a virus.   I’m not sick.   Even if I do get sick, I won’t admit it.   I’m not going to the doctor’s or hospital.   Ther...

        Jenna changed her tune a bit from Monday.   I woke up yesterday to find her dressed in green – well, partial green anyway.   She didn’t go overboard as she did the week prior when she dressed in yellow for spirit week.   She said she will be wearing the same thing for her birthday – her “sweet sixteen” and like everybody else’s plans will be very different from what she had planned.           We started the series "100 Humans" and were amused by many of #23's responses, namely his 600 plus word explanation on how to play Tic Tac Toe - laughter.  It was/is greatly needed.           We had played games the last couple of days.   Sequence on Monday and Spades last night.   We have both danced to music – even commercial jingles.   How much better our day has been when we can smile and laugh.   She had wanted to go to the park to hand out gold coins,...

I often feel like I am an extra or cast member in one of those poorly made science fiction movies in which the government has ordered everyone into isolation.   I feel bad about those who have to go to the hospital as it feels like they will never return.   The only thing missing from this sf weirdness is the standard silver jumpsuit that seems to be the attire of the entire planet – though we never see the entire planet.   Nor do we really know for certain if the jumpsuit truly is silver as it is a black and white movie.   We’re grounded to our houses for our own protection while a selected few get to be out in the public eye for “our protection” – and they end up being eaten by the monsters or disintegrated or whatever.   And those few who are left in their homes have absolutely no clue what is going on.         There are truths and there are rumors, precautions and scare tactics, internet jokes and so forth. ...

Friends of Myrtle Creek Library have been polled on whether to keep the library open or close it along with the schools and other government businesses that have shut.   Our library is NOT government.   We’re run on volunteers.   Some agree that we should shut.   I don’t know if they are panicked or really seeking precaution – which is probably how we should lean, but some of us are already bored with the feeling of recluse.   There are many individuals who don’t have access to current events other than through the library.   There are still children who like to read books and there are things to learn during their time absent from school.               The gal who does the scheduling has worn herself out.   It would be okay to shut down.   We have a choice.   Patrons have the choice whether to come.   Patrons have the choice of whether to shop or go out and eat.   Unfortu...

This morning my alarm went off as I had set a reminder to meet with the bishop this morning.   Of course that never happened.   It is weird not going to church on Sunday.   The dismal air outside mirrors the way Jenna and I feel with summoned isolation. Jenna and I watched a “Come Follow Me” video before reading Jacob in its entirety.    She still plans to study independently according to her daily schedule starting with seminary and each class that she has – except for maybe one of her math classes as she has no reference from the school.   I told her to watch math videos during that time. I did get a message from the friends of Myrtle Creek library.   They may be staying open as they are not considered to be a public library.   However, the library is still in a city-owned building and so the decision may not solely be left for patrons and volunteers of the library to decide. This is such an odd reality – or is it?   A...

            I accepted a long term position at the middle school last week.   When I arrived to the school on Monday I was given a schedule which had my name on it along side three other aides.   I was told to follow the schedule unless another aide is absent and than her schedule would be my priority rather than my own.   I’ve been there enough times to know what teachers utilize me and which ones don’t and so will use my own discretion on where I may be needed most but often will feel as useful as a tampon dispenser in a men’s room.             The schools let out an hour earlier on Wednesdays giving time for instructors to meet together or what have you.   Those aides who are scheduled to stay after school lets out go to the detention room to provide homework support for those students who need it.   As I have mentioned in prior posts I have R...

When the “Come Follow Me” program was introduced at the same time as two hour meetings, we were told to use the third hour to study at home.   We were also told that we wanted to develop the habit for one day when we were unable to attend church meetings for whatever reason.   None of us had predicted this soon however. We had cancelled our last RS activity due to the weather and decided to cancel our upcoming as well.   We had made the decision before the church announced NO MORE MEETINGS until further notice ( here ). Only seminary will be held unless the schools shut.   But as of now only seminary is the only meeting that will be held at the ward house.   No others.   Not even sacrament meeting.   Why do people panic instead of remaining calm?   Why do so many always expect the worse.   Instead of viewing the police car at the high school as “Oh, good.   They are keeping my child safe” a parent may panic and demand, “What...

The morning fog was thick In years past that meant when the skies decided to clear   that it would be sunny and warm then to hot Not today. The fog finally cleared the sun came out But it did not get warm The wind blew and chilled the air Our day is now near its end

         Four grandchildren were added to George and Peggy Bird‘s list of grandchildren in 1998.   I believe all four were in September.   Three biological and my niece who was an honorary member as Ellen and Kimball did not have cousins on either side of the family before Candy was born.   I think she was the eldest of the four cousins. I know she was the largest.           Before Christmas, Birds had held their annual Christmas pageant.   Ellen reluctantly played Mary (as the only two other girls at the time were babies) and held one of the twins in her arms.   He was wailing.   I remember someone saying that Baby Jesus wasn’t being very reverent.     Sarah Fitch - LDS clipart           Corey and I had to excuse ourselves from the pageant as we had another commitment – I don’t even remember what.   Whatever it was...

Monday morning the sky was white as though the fog had been lifted up and covered any trace of blue I was surprised at how light was the view for I could see to drive at 6:15 in the morning.   Sometimes it is still too dark at 7:00 and so I was surprised. I did get a brief glimpse of the sun as it tried to peak through the whiteness – shining orange beams in the east but only temporarily. It remained white and light for about 12 hours. At 6:15 p.m. the sky had started to darken. On Tuesday the skies were blue and only one hill had clouded fog surrounding. By noon the sun was shining. Yesterday the skies were white again. Right now it is just after 6:00 am.   The sky appears to be blue.  The earth is  surrounded  by fog. It is too dark for me to see. What gives?

There are a few posts in which I have mentioned George and Peggy Bird.   They lived across the street from my mom and dad.   We played with their children and we have remain connected and have spent holidays together and all the grandchildren are friends.   But the connection dates back even further – for George Bird’s dad and my great uncle were really good friends – making our families friendship lasting at least five generations now.   I think that’s cool.           The youngest of the Bird children was the only girl.   She married and had three children – a girl and twin boys.   One of the boys received his mission call to Oregon and was recently transferred to Myrtle Creek.   Thus we had invited him and his companion to have dinner with us.   I hadn’t realized that Roland had suggested they wear their P-day clothes.   That was different.   We fed them and learned more about each of ...

          People pick careers for different reasons.   Some people seem to focus more on their paychecks than the occupation.   Others pick their jobs in hopes to create a better world.   Take education, for example.   I don’t know any one teacher that picked his/her career in hopes of seeking financial wealth.   I don’t think teachers get paid near enough.   Many of them make huge sacrifices.   They sacrifice time as well as money out of their own pockets.   I don’t think the majority of students appreciate that – or may even be aware.           I know of two music instructors in the school district   that I work for.   One of the instructors spends three months at three different schools working with elementary children.   In addition she teaches before or after school band at Canyonville.        ...