"you shouldn't judge a book by its cover" - what lies beneath could bear an element of surprise
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| Taken from the right side |
Over the years we have both taken several pictures of both Horse Creek and South Umpqua including these five photos from this very long post.
Day 3
Since it has been light enough to drive Jenna to seminary in the morning, I have been taking her in while Roland sleeps. He gets the honor of picking her up as the sun is glaring so loudly that I am not comfortable with it. Happy Doughnuts offers specials each day: Maple Bar Monday, Twists on Tuesday and so forth. Wednesday's specialty is biscuits and gravy for a dollar. Thus after we picked Jenna up from seminary we went to Happy Doughnuts to get biscuits and gravy for Roland and me and a bacon maple bar for Jenna.
Roland and I left the house again just before
9:00. We drove to Canyonville to get our second shot. Unlike
the first shot where we had to get out and go inside, we stayed in the car
while they came out to us to get our ID and give us our shots. So we are now good to go.
Since we were already in the car,
Roland decided to take me to Roseburg though Jenna would have much rather
gone. I thought it would be great for me
to stay home with Bonnie as we were passing the house anyway. But Roland wouldn’t hear of it. We spent day four in Roseburg first at Lowes
because we needed air filters but also dirt, purifiers, and a replacement pair
of gloves. Oh, and fencing to keep the
chickens out of whatever we plant. They
have already knocked down our tulips and Jenna and I have each straightened
them out and are losing dirt.
We then went to Costco. I was puzzled that they were giving away
samples. But they came in small white
paper baggies that customer could eat once leaving the store. We purchased one hot dog as I was hungry and
didn’t believe the samples would tie me over.
I ate the hotdog plain and shared the samples with Roland as he drove us
back home.
We then set up an appointment to
take Jenna to the fairgrounds on Saturday (I plan on staying home with Bonnie
that day) and I printed out a receipt with her order number on it. Meanwhile,
as you wait for our next adventure, here are some photos to tie you over:
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| Jenna and I have both straightened the tulips that the chickens knocked over |
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| Roland and I added some dirt |
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| and these flowers |
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| and chicken wire and pinwheels which we hope will keep the fowl creatures out |
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| we added chicken wire to keep them from going under the deck |
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| Mitch trying to entice the "trapped" chicken |
The sunrise was gorgeous! Great way to welcome Earth Day.
Cow Creek was given a huge amount of vaccines for their tribes and those working at Seven Feathers. By the first week of March it was announced that any friends or family of those employed at Seven Feathers. The announcement said that candidates had to be at least 65 years of age. But when we called to get Roland set up, it was learned that I could be vaccinated also.
Roland and I received our first shot
on March 16. We were given cards which
provided a date indicating when we would be available for our second shot on
April 13. We hadn’t heard from the
clinic and so went down to see if we could get in. That’s when we learned that April 13 was not
the accurate next shot date but the date of eligibility. We still had to set up an appointment. The
soonest we could get in was yesterday.
Now just to backtrack a bit. If you are a faithful reader you will
remember we spent Roland’s first day off washing cars. The weather was HOT nearing 90 degrees. Could anything beat the excitement of washing
cars? The next two days offered awesome
weather. Overcast skies, cooling
wind. Perfect yard work weather in my
opinion. So here is a summary for the rest of days 1 and the start of day 2.
Day 1
After breakfast and a bit of TV,
Roland went out to use whatever machine while I tried calling the bank and a
pharmacy to see if we can schedule an appointment for Jenna to receive a shot
as the state will now vaccinate anyone over the age of 16. I felt like I was getting the runaround with
machines talking at me and providing choices – but none applied and I wasn’t
allowed to talk to a human. Roland
decided we would all pile in the car (except for Bonnie who we left at home)
and drive to said places to talk to humans.
Our first stop on the agenda was at
the saw shop as Roland’s appliance needed fixing. With mask over face, Roland went in while
Jenna and I waited in the car. It was
small enough that the shop employees could take care of it without calling a
specialized mechanic. They figured they’d have it ready for him within a day or
two.
After that we ran to the bank. Again, only Roland got out of the car while
Jenna and I waited in the car while Roland knocked on the door of the bank to
see if he could set up an appointment.
After that we went to Safeway Drug.
Roland took Jenna with him, but they returned in less than a
minute. Although Safeway does offer a
vaccination drug, it is not that one that Jenna qualifies for and so we had
another number, name and website for
another runaround. At least we knew that
we’d end up at the fairgrounds on Saturday but would feel better about getting
that appointment scheduled rather than just show up.
After that Roland decided to treat
us to A&W for lunch. Enjoyed the
rootbeer. It’s been a while since I’ve
had A&W. No frosty mug. Only 5 persons allowed to dine at once. I don’t think the food was worth it.
Day 2
The reason for our visit to the bank
was to sign some paper work which required two signatures plus a notary. We met our friends who were on their way to
the coast for a few-day getaway. I was
grateful that they allowed us their time.
I’m certain that signing documents was not the highlight of either of
our “va and stay cations”
I had told Jenna that I would take
her out for a scavenger hunt as soon as I returned home (pictures to come) and
Roland dropped me off in the driveway and backed up to the side and told me to
take the Saturn as he would need the bigger car in the event that his garden
tool was ready to pick up – which it was.
He left the house before Jenna and I got into the other car.
Most of the scavenger hunt could be
done at home, but there were a few places that we needed to drive to. I told Jenna to take different pictures from
the ones that I took and we would each enter the contest.
Roland said he had knocked out some
of what he had planned but was on the couch when we returned. He took a couple of naps which I think is a
remarkable way to spend a vacation. I
know he hasn’t slept well for whatever reason and so I am glad he is taking it
easy. More to come. Aren’t you excited?
On Monday night Roland and I watched 911. One of the stories focused on a mother who’d been drinking while driving. Due to her poor decision to find the bottle (or flask) more of a priority than any other human beings - including her own child. Because he is a scared-out-of-his-mind passenger not able to communicate with his mom, he calls 911. By the time the emergency crews arrive on the scene there is a horrific accident involving 10 – 20 cars – all because she had been disoriented behind the wheel.
The mask wasn’t designed to protect
ourselves so much as it was designed to respect others that we may come in
contact. Even now that many have
received their shots, there is a new attitude that “I have now received my
shots – I no longer need to wear a mask”
WE STILL NEED TO WEAR MASKS! The pandemic is NOT over! There I go being a rational buzzkill. But am I really? Biff thinks I’m a weenie who is afraid of getting COVID. I am NOT afraid of getting COVID. I am appalled how torn up this nation has become. I also think Biff is too
focused on having the approval and living the ways of the world than of God.
I like that the show focuses on what
is happening in our nation right now and keep the mandated mask as part of the
storyline. Like it or not – it is a part of history.
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| https://www.idahopress.com/opinion/editors_notebook/forget-national-monument-craters- of-the-moon-should-be-a-national-park/article_084c0496-ad13-53c9-99f0-75e374fb6af5.html |
I was on my mission the first time my family visited Craters of the Moon in Arco, Idaho. I had only heard about it – but not in full detail as I learned the second time my family had gone – just to make sure I had the opportunity. Patrick was with the family the first time but had managed to miss out the second time. I still did not experience the fullness that the family had endured the first time around. They told me that everything looks the same. The picture above, the picture below, whatever is behind it - it looks the same. The scenery does not change.
Jenna had reminded me of this as she
was asking about church policies and state policies on precautions with
COVID. Unlike the rest of the RS
presidency, I am not in a hurry to embrace the world as perhaps I had in
2019. It’s too soon. Not just for me – but many people. And I respect their privacy. I respect their desire to stay home. I don’t mean to sound negative nor focus on
the solitude but I know the pandemic is not over.
I think Roland and Jenna get annoyed
that I am not as anxious to be outside as they are. Jenna then tried to remind me of the Craters
of the Moon incident that I had partially related to her I don’t know how long
ago. I would have thought before
Oregon. She told what she thought she
remembered and got most of it wrong.
“Didn’t you say that one place
looked the same but that when others had approached you and asked if it was
worth the walk Corey said that it was.
He was focused on the good parts, right?”
“No.
First of all, I wasn’t even with them but had heard the story second
hand. And it wasn’t Corey. It was Patrick. When people would approach members of my
family and ask, ‘Was the trail walk worth it?’ my mom would answer that
everything looked the same. And yes,
Patrick did build it up leaving the tourists to believe perhaps there was
something. After they crossed paths my
mom would say to Patrick ‘Why did you tell them that? Do you really think the walk was worth it?’ Patrick would respond, ‘No, but if I had to
do all that walking, I am taking somebody down with me.’”
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv07oiiyDCw |
The highlight of that day trip was
NOT Craters of the Moon but rather the parade we had to stop for - not by choice mind you. We had to stop for it. The wind blows dry in Arco – or did at that
time. Mom pulled out a fresh loaf of
bread from the car and made sandwiches.
By the time we got them into our mouths the bread tasted stale.
I think I was more impressed with
Arco and Craters of the moon than I am with the safety vs. freedom issues that
are currently a part of our lives.
Randy really wants us to come to St. George – like now –
which would be fine but the pandemic is far from over. Almost half of all adults have received a
vaccination shot – but there are still a high percentage that refuse. They are too macho. They are too proud. They are determined NOT to let the government
control them. The same people who refuse
to get flu shots or wear seat belts or have convinced themselves they are immune
to any other law.
So
I read this article from Yahoo. I hope
that Oregon continues with its restrictions and those that think we ought to
reopen can go spend their summer in Florida and see how well that works out for
them. International Travel is still a
rare occurrence. Other countries don’t
wish to let Americans in. I don’t blame
them. Americans are spoiled and have
attitude. The entire world belongs to
them and therefore we should do whatever the heck we want. No
restrictions. No consequences. Some American attitudes make me ashamed to
say that I am American. Get over
yourselves! Think of others.
Even
my oldest who lost his first wife, whose daughter was initially admitted to the
hospital with COVID – who continues to visit the hospital as often as her mom –
refuses to get his shot. Great example
for your daughter, Biff. Nice to know
where your priorities are.
We’re
told that airfares have gone up to outrageous prices and I think are at full
capacity now. Fires have started already
and it’s only April. We use the heater
and A/C in the same day. What’s up with
that. If COVID doesn’t kill us, global
warming will.
Oh, and now they are now mentioning an increase in allergies and a new plus to the mask. Roland had pointed out what we're breathing in as our cars continue to lose their shine.
Brace yourselves. This is almost as exciting as having a pantry/office. Roland started out his vacation by washing the cars! I know. I can hear the envy. We really do know how to live it up. As a result, I may not be posting as often until he returns to work. Meanwhile enjoy the pics.
When we had initially brought Bonnie home back in September, she spent her first morning running from room to room – anxious to greet all of us. Man, that dog was hyper! She still gets excited like that whenever we’re about to go for a walk. Other than that, she seems to have adjusted to less bounce until last night.
I allowed myself to accompany Roland and Jenna to
Roseburg as he was insistent on buying some new clothes for her and she is
never all that thrilled when the very word “clothes” is mentioned. Not your average teenager by any means. I knew she didn’t want to shop for
clothes. I don’t like to shop for
clothes. We made a few moments of our
night being miserable together.
Poor Bonnie. Left
alone for over three hours. And once we
had pulled into the driveway, she was going nuts. Jenna opened the door so that she could run
out on the deck. She ran to my room,
Roland’s office, back outside. Always a
fun challenge putting groceries away while trying to dodge an overly sensitive
animal.
Bonnie was so focused on the joys of having humans in her
life again that she neglected to see what food had fallen to the floor. I count that as a blessing that I was able to
save the food than watch it disappear as she inhaled the products which overall
would not have been good for her. I mean
it’s not like Bonnie is withering away. Bonnie
could really stand to lose weight. She
is like a three year old child. Her
vocabulary is quite limited (unlike Jenna who was using four syllable words and
really did have understanding) and I am always reminded of that Gary Larsen’s
Far Side cartoon in which the master is reprimanding the dog in the first frame and seeing what the dog is
hearing in the second: “Blah, Blah, Blah
Ginger” only in our case it’s: “Blah,
Blah, Blah Bonnie”.
Such a sweet dog. Loves human affection. She does NOT like the vacuum cleaner. Runs away from it before it is even plugged in or turned on. But she doesn’t seem to have a problem with the lawn mower or grass trimmer – which produce a more powerful noise – but they are both outdoors and perhaps she doesn’t even notice. She just notices the person who is outdoors more in hopes of getting to pet Bonnie than maintain the lawn. Or so that is what Bonnie seems to believe.
Shortly after Roland and I had married he had invested in a sales program featuring Roger Butcher.
The more hands that got involved,
the quicker the process. For the most
part it became an activity that we would force the boys to assist. Often we made it a family home evening
project. There was at least one time we
had involved the YW of our ward.
Roland had started out by folding,
sealing, labeling, addressing and so forth – each letter one at a time. I told him that to do just one thing at a
time. Fold ALL of the letters and then
stuff each into its own envelope before moving on to the next step. That way I can assist. I refuse to do one letter at a time from
beginning to end. I think assembly lines
are so much easier.
I don’t know how many times Roland has cleaned up after the chickens which aren’t even ours. I don’t mind them in the yard. I really don’t. But I do not care for arrogance or assumptions. We purchased netting for the deer a few years ago and the chickens have gotten entangled in it. I asked Roland if we could use it to surround the deck. Last night we went out and he used a staple gun which is holding thus far, but seems like it would be easy to tear.
Roland decided to repurpose the
green wire shelves that were once a part of our cheap greenhouse. He had stapled those to discourage the
chickens from getting under the porch.
Now it just looks more like we are trying to capture them and keep them
– which isn’t the case at all.
We’re planning on demolishing the
deck and creating a back room. We just
need to find someone who will commit. Meanwhile
I have these lovely photographs to view.
Roland has purchased several 3 pound jars of peanut m&ms over the years. We all snack on them, but do so in moderation. The candy will gradually go down to empty at which point we will refill with dog food and refer to the jar as “Bonnie’s m&ms”.
We had dropped some jelly beans on the floor which of course went into Bonnie’s mouth the second they hit the ground. She is not the fussy dog that we had in West Valley. She’ll eat almost anything – whether we intend it that way or not. Jenna says that Bonnie doesn’t seem to care for fruit. But she does love pumpkin, peanut butter and any kind of meat.
I took a picture of the remaining jelly beans two days after Easter
There
are five black jelly beans left. I think
they may end up getting thrown out.
