I Like Homonyms

I don't know what it is about homonyms that attracts me, but I have always loved them.  Homographs, homophones . . .  fascinating

Whey is a protein that may be sold in powder form to stir into drinks.  Way in a sense is direction.  “Show me the way to get home?”  “Which way should I go?”  “Do you know the way to the store that carries whey?” You can also weigh yourself or other items on a scale.

A boor is an unrefined, ill-mannered person.  A boar is a male pig.  Bore is a description meaning unexciting. 

Bored is also from boredom.  A board has many meanings.  There are game boards, boards that are signs, boards that are slabs of wood, and used by students and teachers as in blackboards, smart boards, cork boards, etc.

Martial arts are associated with judo and karate.  A marshal enforces the law

Applying your foot to the brake is what stops the car.  Taking a break means that you are taking a short rest from work or school.  When you break something, it means that it is damaged.  Some broken things cannot be repaired.

You may shake hands with another whenever you make a deal or an agreement.  Dill is an herb which is part of the parsley family.  Many people think of dill pickles as a way the herb is used.

A flea is a small bug who attempts to build a home in the hair or fur of animals.  To flee is to run away.  A flea market is an outdoor swap.  Generally you will swap your money for somebody else’s used stuff.

A yolk is the yellow part of an egg.  A yoke is a harness to keep the oxen together

An eel is a snakey fish.  If not cooked properly eel can make you very ill.

A sore is an ache or a pain.  To soar is to fly without flapping

Fill means quanity.  You can fill your car with gas or fill a glass or other container with water.  You may feel refreshed after drinking water on a hot summer day.  To feel is to experience emotion or touch.

Taught is the past tense of teach.  A tot is a small child.  A tot may have been taught to walk.

Dash # 21 About Mom

  

                                                              Mom’s Doll Patsy

                Corey loved when mom would tell about her beloved doll Patsy.  I can’t remember how old she was or how long she had had Patsy for.  It was back in the days when dolls were made out of porcelain or similar material that breaks quite easily, and perhaps it was never meant to play with, but then why else would you give a small child a doll if it was intended to be played with.

          Mom said that she and Patsy were roughly the same size.  She said she was going down the stairs and tripped.  She and Patsy both took a tumble, only my mom survived and Patsy didn’t.  She refers to that as a time when “Patsy was killed”.  I’m guessing she must have been younger than five as the four names she liked all began with “K” and was determined she would name her four daughters those names when she was grown and had four daughters.

                                                Riding the Train

          Mom also referred to the time when they moved from Ogden, Utah to San Francisco, California.  Her father had already gone ahead and was later joined by my mom, her mom, and my mom’s baby brother.  Mom was three and they traveled by train (my grandma did not learn to drive until after she had turned 63).

          Mom says that her mom had to focus her attention on the baby (perhaps she needed to change his diaper) and had asked some soldiers (or other uniformed personnel) if they would keep an eye on my mom until she returned. (Grandma was trusting of others and back in the day, it didn’t appear that she had a reason not to).

          Mom said the soldiers were playing poker and she was sitting on the lap of one who showed her his cards and asked if she knew what he was holding.  She said she did and he told her not to tell the others.  She didn’t.

                                                Education

          Mom also said she learned to read when she would sit in her father’s lap and he would read the newspaper and point to the words when he read out loud.

          That is all I can remember at this time.  But one more story about my grandmother on my father's side.

                                      Drive Until the Gas Runs Out

            Grandma Helen said she could drive her father's car and wanted to prove it to her friends. She took the car without her father's knowledge and drove around the block - several times.  Her initial plan was to go around the block once and return, but as she approached her house the first time, she realized that she didn't know how to stop and so she drove her friends around and around until they finally ran out of gas.  Needless to say, her parents did find out that she had driven the car without permission.

        In San Francisco, Grandma Mary relied on public transportation.  As I mentioned above, she did not learn to drive until after age 63.  I have always admired her sense of adventure and proving to us that you are never too old to do what you set your mind to doing.

        

     

Once a Year

Once a year

downtown parking

is over flowing with cars

More cars than

I ever see in Myrtle Creek

at any given time.

Parked in streets and

all around the park.

People will walk two

or three blocks even

when it’s hot.

Saturday is the day.

The last Saturday in July.

People come to watch

crawlers, participate in

sporting events and

to walk around.

The later it gets, the

more cars and traffic.

Fireworks start at 10:00.

This year there were two lots
reserved for the handicapped.
Sunday morning is when the

vendors remove their tents 
followed by a worship service. 

I love this town!

The Third Week in July is Always the Hottest

I know there are millions of people who have worse heat this year than we have ever had in Oregon.  Even now, when I complain about the heat, we are not sweltering nor are having to go to the hospital due to the intense heat that many across the nation and throughout Europe are going through.  That saddens me that so many have to deal with the trauma.  I would personally have to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane or several feet of snow than to have to bear the heat that is so hot that eggs could be fried on the sidewalk.

from Fondos de Pantalla

          Tri City is an unincorporated area that shares a zip with Myrtle Creek.  My personal belief for the name in addition to Myrtle Creek, Tri City somewhat borders Riddle and Canyonville.  Each of the three cities have a celebration in the summer.  Riddle’s Sawdust Jubilee is held in the last Saturday in June.  Canyonville holds Pioneer Days Thursday, Friday and the last Saturday in August.  Between the two celebrations is Summer Fest held Thursday, Friday and the last Saturday in July – which seems to have been the hottest weekend each year we have been here.  This year’s temperatures have been in the early 90’s.

Jenna's favorite thing to draw is this cartoon dude

          Before this weekend, I had posted how humid it has been each morning and how the wind eventually blows the humidity out – but the wind  is not consistent.  It feels great when the wind blows.  At the same time it can be upsetting to some of the vendors to have their items blow in several directions. The temperatures have been below 85 for the most part – but not this weekend. And the skies have been pretty quiet overall – though I have heard more helicopters in the last couple of days.  And the river beds are dried out again.  But thus far we are not seeing the smoke that has lingered since our arrival in Oregon.  I believe the morning humidity has helped with the air quality.  At least we’ve been able to see the skies this year.

she also makes some really nice flowers

          Jenna, of course, wanted to be at the festival even before it opened.  She enjoyed recruiting people for the library booth two years ago and for Riddle’s Sawdust booth last year.  This year we left her with Summer who is not aggressive or loud.  Jenna grabbed an inflatable guitar and started singing.  Thursdays not the best day for sales.  The park gets a lot of looky-loos and a few spend money here and there (mostly on food) but by Saturday there are mobs descending at every booth and surrounding space.  Jenna enjoys “acting” but I think she secretly was trying to show up or steal away from the vendor in the next booth – a bunch of kids that she had known from Coffenberry who will be going to the high school in fall.

Here she is posing with one that Roland drew of her

On the Right Path

          When we lived in Kearns, there was a family in the ward that made up for a third of the primary.  I honestly don’t remember which of us moved out of the ward first, but I do know they have moved around many times – both within and out of the country.  I would guess that they’ve accounted for at least half to a third of their wards or branches (both geographical boundaries within the church – a branch is smaller in membership than a ward) in almost every place they live.  

She has a blog which I have read every once in a while as she only posts once in a while. 

          Right now they are living in New York.  I would have not known that if my daughter-in-law, Carrie, hadn’t told me.  She and Randy had gone out to look for houses.  While there, they went to the ward in the area where they plan on living.  I’m happy to learn that they now have ties to someone who is strong in the gospel.   I am excited for them.  I hope they grow and create strong memories for themselves.

Our Latest Fruit Project

                A friend of ours had dropped off some plums.  Though I did not count them, I would guess there were 40 – 50 of them.  I put all of the ripe ones in a steamer in order to remove the skin.

I don't know how many plums I steamed

It was helpful for removing the pits as well

I poured the plums into a colander in the sink

returned skins and pits to the other colander on the stove

         

The recipe had called for diced plums, however the step was not needed as the plums had turned to liquid after they were skinned and pitted

this was the product I kept

I started out using utensils as the plums were really hot, but still managed to get my hands dirty

of course I could take a picture of only one hand

Roland freaked when he thought I had scratched my arms.  Apparently I got some plum on my skin and hopefully not the other way around.

plum not scratches

I found a recipe for plum butter and chose to make it for a couple of reasons:

1)    Only three ingredients (plums, sugar and water) so we didn't have to make purchase

2)    I LOVE apple butter and figured it might be similar in texture

The recipe itself was a long process, cooking the plums for two hours

first low boil

Allowing the plums to  rest for two hours, repeat process and then leave 8 hours or overnight.

Repeat process.  The plums started to brown

final boil

But the mixture was off.  It was too thick. 

um . . . why's it sticking?

And so I added bot water. It seemed a bit runny when I put it in the fridge.  But this morning the consistency was just right.

looks like Vegemite, but trust me, it tasted much better

Dash #843 youth and TV

How do you believe the youth are affected by television?

          For the most part I would say that television has a negative effect on children - depending on what they watch, I guess.  I think if they are learning educational facts or self-esteem, it can be good for them.  I think it is wrong for parents to rely upon the television as an electric baby-sitter just to keep children out of their hair.  I also think it's wrong for parents to allow children to watch something violent - perhaps not even of their choosing, but what may be on to entertain said parent.

                Michelle had given birth to Melody five months before I had Jenna.  Michelle had decided that Melody would not be allowed to watch TV and asked those who’d be watching Melody to honor her wishes.  I, on the other hand, engaged Jenna in watching children’s programs.  I loved to watch her watch them and I loved that she learned.

            There were some programs that were more educational than others.  She liked the doll Molly from The Big Comfy Couch and thus we had added the program to our agenda. 

            She would work out with Luna and lay down and work with a pretend clock while Luna did her workout.  Jenna did this on her own as I had never even thought to have her follow along.

            I think her favorite part of the program was watching the dust bunnies who were not always a part of the show. 

She still smiles when I show her pictures.  She laughed as a child.  She has always had such a cute laugh.

            We discovered Laurie Berkner through Noggin.  Jenna would always do the march and actions along with Laurie.  I think her favorite was “We Are the Dinosaurs”

            Over time, Roland purchased two Laurie Berkner CDs for us to listen to

              Of course television did not replace my reading to her.  We spent countless hours at the library playing games and checking out books.  Many of the books we read were non-fiction because she would ask for them.  She'd ask lots of questions - for example about honey and bees.  We would look read the books together in order to answer her questions.  

            Melody was introduced to the television eventually, but has never loved it.  Jenna will rewatch programs from the past just to put a smile on her face.  But she could live without the TV now.

Music Makes a Difference

CD from Peggy Bird

          A month before Jenna was born, my former neighbor and second mother, Peggy had given us twelve children’s books and a CD. I had exposed Jenna to music early in life.  Before she was born I would put headphones around my stomach and let her listen to Classical Baby and primary songs.

        As she got older, we would go to the library and check out CDs featuring Ronno, Bill Harley, Eric Herman and Patty Shukla.  We learned rhymes, rhythm, laughter and more.  Jenna was always singing – she’d sing songs we had learned and often she would just make up her own words and tunes.  Jenna has always been a happy girl.  She has always been confident. 

scrapbook page of my sister and her husband with Jenna and Anna

As I had mentioned in this post, we had listened to CDs that we played in her childhood. When she made the comment about Ronno’s songs having good messages, I gave him credit for giving her those messages – though she may not have understood them at two and three, the words must have entered her brain and the lyrics sent a sublimely message that has assisted in sharping her into a well-rounded person.    

even the silly animal songs have great messages

Here are some lyrics to a few of the songs (titles in bold) we had listened to:

1.

I’m in control

Hey that’s  my goal

I’m in control of what I do

Only losers always lose it

I can choose to keep control.

2.

I wish I could promise you’ll always be free

And I know that’s the same thing that you wish for me

But whatever life holds as its destiny

This alone I can guarantee

Till the winter blows warm

Till we reach the rainbow’s end

Till the rivers run up to meet the sun

I will be your friend

3.

I can care, I can feel

This is how I know I’m real

I can care, so can you

We make miracles come true

When we care

I can care. Do my part

From the bottom of my heart

I can care. So can you

We make miracles come true

When we care

          You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the songs.  The messages still apply.  

           I know that music can shape our lives - so choose wisely.

More Homonyms

Ate is the past tense of Eat.  I Like to eat food.  I Ate food yesterday.  Eight is the number that falls between 7 and 9.

There is a joke that says 7,8,9  but there is a play on words instead of saying Eight (8) you are saying Ate

Pain means sore or achy.  A pane is a panel of glass used in windows. I feel pain when I step on a broken pane.

A Bell is a thing that I ring to get someone's attention.  A Bail is a temporary release of someone in jail - usually for a payment.  A Bale of hay is the same as a bundle.  I can also have a bale of money to pay my friend's bail when he was thrown in jail for ringing his bell too loudly.

A chute is a slide for laundry or garbage - an easy way to send from one floor to another without having to carry it down.  To shoot is light a cannon or send fireworks in the sky.  I may also shoot or release an arrow toward a certain target.

A principle is a truth or foundation.  A principal is the head honcho in the school.  I was once taught that a principal is my pal.  That is how I remember the spelling.

Not is a negative word meaning "NO".  I am NOT a professional speller.  I am also not through with this post. A knot is the result of how something is tied.  It prevents a rope or cord from coming loose.  A knot is often made intentionally, but sometimes it's not.

Red is a color.  And read is pronounced two different ways.  When it sounds like "red" it is the past tense of read - which sounds like reed. Read is something I do or have done to books or texts or memos. Reed has several meanings. I won't list them all but a couple.  A reed is a plant found in wet or marshy areas.  It is related to the grass plant.  A different type of reed is used in some wind instruments like the oboe or clarinet.  When air is blown over the reed, it will vibrate which contributes to the sound that the woodwind instrument makes.

The toe can be found at the end of my foot.  I have five toes on each foot. To tow is to pull something. Usually, we think of cars being towed after a crash or because of unauthorized parking.  Many centuries ago, the cords or tow lines were made of white fiber.  Some people who have really light blonde hair are referred to as towheads as a reminder of the color used on tow lines.

Dear is a term of endearment.  Most people start their letters with the word DEAR.  Deer is a kind of animal.  Deer can be singular or plural.

A herd is a group of animals. Some people may use a microphone or megaphone so that they may be heard.

Your is possessive meaning it belongs to you. You're means "you are" and Yore is an old fashion term meaning long ago.

 Yon is short for yonder which could mean "far away" or "clear over there".  It may have been a more popular word at the same time as yore.  When I yawn I am expressing that I am bored or tired.  Words like "yore" and "yon" tend to make me yawn. 

Humid and Windy

                It’s been quite an unusual summer – not that I’m complaining.  I’M NOT!  I am definitely not.  I love this weather.  It has been a bit unpredictable, but really nice overall.

            Often the wind blows and so the outside temperature hasn’t often felt as hot as what it is.  Or else it will be overly humid, which I have not experienced a lot in this state, but had with I lived in Virginia.

            The humidity has kept the kept the fire conditions moderate which is a GREAT improvement from the smoke we had two years ago.

            Earlier I posted pictures of clouds.  Roland was taking a nap and I didn’t want to wake him, so rather than use my camera, I had taken pics with my cell phone – my flip phone.  Of course it didn’t capture the brilliance of what I actually saw.

            The last pic was the murky skies filled with humidity and not from smoke. 

            Jenna had waken me up at 4:45 anxious to get to the blueberry patch. She had invited her friend Marie to assist with picking.  I told her the gate doesn’t open until 6:00.  And I honestly thought it looked too dark to drive.  How did that happen?

            It has been overcast all day.  The girls paid no attention and kept busy.  When I returned for them six and a half hours later, they had picked 68 pounds of blueberries!  I will return them back to work tomorrow.

It hasn’t been especially hot today.  In fact, I wish I would have had a sock cap to cover my ears.  The heat will get to 80 by 6:00 and go back down.  Currently it is 74 degrees but feels at least ten degrees cooler. 

I love this weather.  This is what we came for.

Clouds