Beneath the Wraps

            We have had mild weather this summer - at least thus far.   There were three times in June that the temperature went above 80.   For the most part, it doesn't really feel as warm as what we're told.   The wind has been blowing hard for the most part - not violently, but more powerful than a breeze.   We are now just going on our the fourth year in Oregon and don't really know any better.   Those who have lived here for a great number of years say that it is unusual.               The fire signs have been moderate and we have not heard of any fires currently surrounding us as they did last year.   That is a good thing as the wind would be very damaging.                Each morning I have gone to the pool, everyone in the class comments on the water's ...

          Why is it that the accounting language is so wordy?   Don't use two paragraphs to tell me what can be said in only four words.   Do they make an accounting book that reads like "Dick and Jane" - not that "Dick and Jane" was much fun to read, but at least it was simple.                    One of the objectives of this project is to create a single set of accounting                   standards to stand at the base of the "production" and at the constant flow                  of high-quality information, clear and compatible in financial situations and                  in other financial rep...

                It took us just under two hours drive when we had gone to the Enchanted Forrest in March - not that it was our destination yesterday - but we did not even pass the sign until almost three hours later.   Our destination was another twenty-five minutes north.               The online school had sent an announcement of two upcoming open house/conventions - one in Boise and one in Salem. We sent an RSVP for Salem.   The convention was to start at 7:00 p.m.             I have a cousin who lives in Salem.   Though I have lived in Oregon for three years now, we have never been able to get together until now.   We made arrangements to visit with him and his wife at 5:00.   I called Zach at 4:45 as we were still on the road in non-moving congestion - which...

Roland and I went out to DelEv Blueberry Farm this morning.   We picked 32 pounds and filled 24 bags with four cups each of blueberries.   The 25th bag had only 3 cups.   Funny, I thought we would run out of bags before we ran out of blueberries. Jenna returned home from camp.   I will probably take her out to the farm again to get some more to put in our freezer. Roland wanted to take a video to send to his mom. We did not do that.   Halfway there he asked if I had my camera.   Unfortunately my camera has died and my cell phone pictures are not that great. I wonder why Roland didn't take pictures with his phone.

                I have been feeling overwhelmed with emotion since last Friday afternoon when Roland came outside to "let me know what's going on."                  I didn't think I would ever see the day when Roland would be angry with Randy or not believe him.   My youngest son has always been a storyteller.   It started out as a form of entertainment, but gradually became a method of deception, and if he gets caught in the lie, will try to mask it with "Oh, I was just joking."               It has gotten old.                 Most everyone in the family had stopped trusting anything that came out of Randy's mouth.   Oh, he's got charm, charisma, so many likable qualities really, but also the gift of gab t...

          I had been asked to mark attendance for choir - only I have not marked anything for four weeks now - either choir was canceled, the doors were locked, or I wasn't there.   For an entire month?           Every fourth Sunday a class is offered to the instructors. A primary counselor reminded me of that.   It's hard to believe that four weeks have gone by.   Where am I?             I had just finished another accounting class - suspecting that my instructor is even more bored with the class than I am.           The one I compared to Walter and Sheldon here, has been copying and pasting her findings word for word.   I called her on it.   I don't know if anybody caught that.             So bored with the dis...

Velveteen Rabbit has never really been my favorite story, but I do like this thought from it: "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it does...