Do Not Cross the Board

               We have done a few more home projects including power washing the house and hanging blinds. 

 

           The power “wash” came out more like a power “rinse” as the soap didn’t seem to be coming through.  After watching a tutorial Roland went back and did the cars – so though the house has not been washed – it does look much better than before.

           We moved things around to get to the windows.  As we did so, a board fell to the floor near the couch between the living room and hall.  Bonnie had been outside but I had let her in.  She remained behind the couch and I didn’t think much about it until she started whining.  I asked her to come but she remained until I picked up the board and then she brushed pass the couch.

           Really?  She was unable to move forward because she couldn’t cross the board?  The thickness was less than the steps that she will move up and down each day. And she wouldn’t step on or over it?  Wow.  Who knew?

 

          So yesterday I was doing laundry and the exhaust wasn’t working properly according to Roland.  He had me open the door to the back room in order to let the air flow for better ventilation, but I did not want Bonnie back there.  Who knew that this flat board would hold her back?  It’s quite miraculous really.  

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda . . .

 Last year when I enrolled Jenna for ORCA, they came back with her to enroll as a senior - which sounded absolutely cool to me. But neither Roland nor Jenna seemed particularly interested in advancing her - especially because Jenna wanted the opportunity of graduating with her class mates at the local high school and not online.  This morning she informed me of the death of one of the staff members who just recently died of COVID.  I don't know why she thinks that.  She doesn't seem to have a source.

It is too late for us to enroll her back in ORCA.  As I mentioned, the school has been put on week delay from when they were supposed to start.  Oregon has called in the national guard to assist with the problem the state is facing with COVID (more specifically the Delta Variant) outbreak.  The state has made national news.  I wish we would have enrolled her as a senior.  Then I wouldn't feel like I am throwing her to the lions den.

Visiting Canines

               Bonnie has been acting squirrelly lately.  We didn’t know if it was because of her allergies or the elements that animals can seem to sense better than any mechanical weather forecaster.  I let her out yesterday and noticed that there was another dog near our unused black car.

I heard Jenna cry, “Why would you let her out?!”

“I didn’t realize there was another dog out here.  Besides, why wouldn’t I let her out?  Maybe she needed to go.”

I don’t know that Bonnie had even tried going potty.  I tried luring back into the house.  She wanted to check out the dogs (turned out there were two of them) but was not vicious about it – which must have meant they were both male.   The border collie seemed a bit put off by Bonnie’s presence and would growl and then Bonnie would growl louder.  Jenna did not get a picture of the three of them interacting on the hill but Bonnie was obviously the smallest of the three.

 

Jenna brought the other two dogs into our brand new room.  I don’t think it was intentional at first, but it seemed a way to keep them safe.  Unlike our neighbor’s menagerie behind our yard, we don’t recall ever having seen either of the dogs before.  Especially the larger of the two.  I would have remembered seeing a St. Bernard before.

Roland jumped the gun and called animal control to come collect them though neither Jenna nor I agreed with his presumption.  She had taken pictures to post to instagram or other media in which others might be able to view.  Her friend dropped by and they both hung out in the back room with the two dogs.  They referred to the dogs as Collin and Bernard.  Jenna said she was willing to keep Bernard and Ruth could take Collin as she seemed to have a better relation with the dog and Bonnie was more tolerable of Bernard than Collin.

Both seemed to be well-mannered and friendly dogs.  They also appeared to be an added expense just in dog food alone.  And it’s not as though our yard has the best room to house a St. Bernard.  But there was a response to the post.  The information gave Jenna an approximate location.  The girls walked them to the area and let them off in a trailer – are you kidding me?  A dog that big needs more room than that!

Just after the girls returned without the dogs, the sheriff went around the house to claim the dogs which had already been returned.  The girls were happy that they no longer had them to put into his custody.  They said he looked mean.  I did not even see him.  When I went out to talk to him I saw a white SUV backing out of our driveway.

I hope the owner of the dogs is okay and that the dogs do not escape again.  I would love to ask them how it is they ended up in our yard.

Oh, That's Not Good

     Jenna and I both need our hair thinned.  I called the hair salon just the other day to learn that they are shut right now due to COVID, but do plan to reopen.  Well, great.  Do I even want to go anymore - although the last time we went, it was just the three of us there.

    A lot of businesses have closed due to staff members testing positive.  Businesses that are open are short-staffed.  I don't think any of us should be shopping anyway.  Unless it's essential - like toiletries and medicine.

    Jenna was supposed to start high school on the 31st this month.  A reminder was sent out last week on the 19th.  Yesterday we found this post: 

    Oh, please.  Jenna could have finished her schooling last year at ORCA but had wanted the opportunity of socializing with her friends once again.  I wonder how many of them will make it to graduation.  I wonder if there will be a graduation.

Your “Free Agency” is Infringing on Mine

        Sunday’s meeting was quite awesome. Our bishop tackled the sensitive subject of following the counsel of the prophet.  He started off sharing one incident in Church history in which the saints were being persecuted and how the division that exists today was alive back then.  I notice that during my studies how often our own lives parallel with the saints.  In a way we are “marching” to our own “Zion’s Camp” (here) as we struggle to do the right thing and shed our pride or judgment.  

https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/3-
little-known-details-about-zions-camp?lang=eng

       We have our free agency to follow the prophet or follow the crowd.  But I often feel that the “free agency” abused by others infringes on my own.  I remember airlines, restaurants, hospitals and other places who offered smoking sections – as if the smoke is seriously going to linger  only in those sections.  Come on!  I happen to be allergic to cigarette smoke.  Lighting up from two to ten feet away from my nose is the same as blowing it directly into my nostrils. 

       Eventually workers who came in contact with the second hand smoke started to experience health problems that were similar to the smokers.  So the smokers had their “freedoms” for a time, but eventually they were taken away.  Some places offer smoking sections but it seems like the majority of buildings (at least in the western states)have a no-smoking-anywhere-in-the-building policy.  Not only does the smoker have to go outdoors but are required to remain a certain distance from the building and only on a certain side.

       I can’t speak for everybody, but I enjoy the quality of non-polluted air.  I can breathe a lot freer in a building that doesn’t have that stench lingering.  I can’t even smell it when I am around it, but my body still reacts negatively when it does happen to linger in my presence.  So yesterday we were infringing on the rights of the smoker vs. the non-smoker.  Today’s issues are mask and no mask and the vaccination.  It’s a trial that each of us is dealing with.  Are you going to stand up to President Nelson or Joseph Smith or God?  Are you going to say they got it wrong and you know better? 

       I’m certain that it was not an easy talk to give.  I hope all those who were present (even those who attended virtually) were able to feel the same spirit that I did.    

Never Saw That Before

 We had been walking Bonnie around Millsite Park.  Jenna pointed out the pinecones and asked if they normally grow on the trunks.  

In all my days of seeing pinecone producing trees (and I have seen A LOT) I have never seen them growing into the trunk like what is pictured above.

Testing Negative

               On Saturday I received my first COVID test ever.  I’m sure the person who was testing was being as gentle as possible – my poor nostrils.  I honestly was expecting that blood would come out of my nose.  It didn’t help matters when Roland (who’d been tested fair) coughed and spewed – or whatever he was doing.  He is NOT a wimp and I am so if he was having problems I figured it was bad.

       It actually was not as bad as I had allowed myself to believe.  Nor was it as easy as my friend, Carol, had indicated the previous day.  It hurt!  And when I said it allowed, I heard Jenna behind me saying, “Thanks, Mom” 

       The person doing the testing told Jenna how brave she was – really?  Hadn’t I been any less brave?  We were told to wait 15 minutes for the results.  Roland started joking that “mom and Jenna” would be negative but his would come out positive.  Not funny.  So we were all more than concerned when they had him take the test again.  Negative.  We had all been vaccinated and had tested negative.  That is reassuring.

       We were told in the beginning (was it last year? Or last century?) that the rural areas would be hit the hardest.  The cocky people of this county didn’t believe – many still don’t – even though Douglas has been proved to be the worst county in the state (don’t forget, Douglas County is also the fifth largest county in the nation) and guess which city in Douglas County currently has the most cases?  That is right, Myrtle Creek’s three thousand somewhat population has contributed to the most cases in Douglas.

       I think I have mentioned before that aside from the massive geographical size of our county, Douglas offers only one hospital located in Roseburg.  Recently they lost a patient from the emergency room.  The patient had been there for two hours or more waiting for an ICU bed to open up.  The patient died of COVID.

       Jenna had come in contact with a friend who had tested positive for COVID. Hence our little jaunt.  Thank you Public Health for your service.

Polio Had Claimed Many Lives Back in the Day

    My brother posted an 11 minute video which he labeled as “ranting” but he had some valid points. One was that if you are purchasing a ticket to the place where he works you are agreeing to a contract to follow the rules – one being “Wear the mask”.  You DON’T have to purchase a ticket if you can’t wear the mask either by choice or because you are not medically able to.  It’s a rule.  The mask has to be worn.  The employees have to wear the mask the entire time they are at work – which is three to four times greater than those who purchase tickets.  Not a big deal.  At least it shouldn’t be.

Jenna and I have a mutual acquaintance who has decided to abandon her teaching career so that she doesn't have to get the vaccination.  OHMIGOSH!! Just overcome your pride and get the damn shot already.  Students are required to have certain vaccinations before they can be accepted into school - which I guess is one reason that some parents choose to homeschool.  Homeschooling doesn't require students to be vaccinated.

 Another one of Corey's comments was about our great uncle Reese who died of polio when he was only 17 years old. My dad loved his uncle.  He was only eight years old when Reese passed away.  More than 40 years later he still choked up about having lost him when they were both so young.

  The vaccination for polio did not come out until ten years later.  Polio was the COVID of the day. People then were probably excited to get the vaccination.  It prevented many others from dying.  We don’t even hear about Polio anymore.  We should be grateful for the opportunities we have to receive an effective vaccine and have it available without having to wait decades.

 How better off I think we would be if people could understand the seriousness of COVID as they did Polio or Measles or Scarlett Fever for example.  But  then again, those that think this whole COVID thing is a hoax probably don’t believe that Measles and Mumps were a real thing either. 

There are those who were against the vaccine who have chosen to follow the prophet and sadly there are so many others who most likely will learn and have learned the hard way.  Those (as the former educational instructor I suspect) that may lose loved ones that could have prevented it.  And sadder still, there are those who will never admit that they could have done something to slow down the disease to keep it from spreading.

Why Do We Hurt The Ones We Love?

         When Estella meets up with Horace and Jasper they become family.  Estella’s desire to create fashion doesn’t work out to her expectations.  At least not for a while.  Eventually she is given opportunity to work for a prestige designer and learns things about her own past that do not set well with her.

The first she learns is the location of a family heirloom she had lost just before meeting up with Horace and Jasper.  The Baroness has the family heirloom and Estella wants it back.  She arranges for Horace and Jasper to steal back her necklace and makes herself the distraction by shedding her darker personality which her mom had named “Curella”

https://screenrant.com/cruella-main-characters-ranked-worst-to-best/

At the time of the break-in the “distraction” notices that the necklace in question is dangling from the Baroness' neck and removes the necklace as Horace escapes the guards who found him trying to steal from the empty vault.  As Jasper tries to escort Cruella away from the Baroness the necklace ends up in the belly one of the baroness’ Dalmatians.  

The next day Cruella emerges into more than a distraction.  Cruella wants revenge.  She decides to leave Estella behind her and allows the evil to consume her.  Still wanting the heirloom, she orders Horace and Jasper to kidnap the dogs for the necklace is bound to come out of one of them at some point.  She is so unkind to Jasper and Horace who had always had her best interest and she them.  She is so consumed with revenge that she doesn’t recognize how her behavior is wrecking her relationship with them.

I think Jasper and Horace start giving into her demands out of fear and are no longer comfortable with their once good relationship.  They miss Estella but Cruella thinks of her former self as a wimp and won’t allow Cruella to show any sign of compassion.  She is mean.

I love the show.  I have seen it several time.  I have laughed each time.  I laugh more during the "Estella" moments rather than the Cruella parts. And yet I hear opinions and critisms.  Granted, I myself wouldn’t recommend it for children – but there is a lot of humor if you aren’t set out to take the movie seriously or analyze what each movement represents.  Come on, already, people!  Why is it that so many Disney movies have been criticized because of its underlined themes.  These movies were created to entertain.  And I am definitely entertained when I watch Cruella.

https://d23.com/cruella-chronicles-hear-from-emma-stone-and-emma-thompson/

I love the soundtrack.  I love Emma Thompson’s portrayal of the Baroness and Emma Stone as Estella.  I love the humor – especially right now with the world in such a crazy and often scary time.  And to all of those who criticize this movie I ask, “Before you spent money to see this movie, you were aware that Cruella is the villain, right?” 

Separating the Wheat From the Tares

          The prophet announced for church members to receive a vaccine and mask up to all of those who don’t have underlined health issues where a mask/vaccination would only jeopardize the underlined complications. Many who are capable of wearing masks and refuse vaccinations are upset just as there were some women upset about the revelation to stay home.  There were members finding it hard to believe black men would be able to hold the priesthood.  Each time we disagree with the prophet we are rejecting counsel from God. This act of rejection has been compared to those who shot arrows toward Samuel the Lamanite for preaching to the people a message that they didn’t want to hear.   

Mormonad by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

         It isn’t just the prophet relating this message but many political leaders as well.  Several states are making it mandatory for health workers and teachers to get the vaccination or risk losing their jobs.  At first Oregon was giving instructors the option to get the vaccination or agree to be tested for COVID once a week.  But because the Delta Varient becoming so popular and flooding the hospitals out of beds, there is no longer the option of being tested once a week. Vaccines are now mandatory. The county where I currently reside had been reported to have the most cases in the state.  Of course there is only one hospital.  The most recent upset has been that a patient died in the waiting room while waiting for a bed. 

          Jenna has several friends whose parents are against the vaccination.  One of her best friends’ mother works as instructor in the school system.  I think her pride will cost her job.  I also believe that she will either organize or join a group of those who desire not to have the vaccine but wish to keep their jobs and sue the governor I guess.  I’ve said it before that I would not wish to be in the governors or other leaders shoes for anything.  What a wicked and prideful time which we live in.  

          My head is swimming with thoughts, judgments, offense, disappointment, betrayal, confusion.  I have attempted a post so often and it has always come out disjointed and as hard to follow as the media, opinions and misleading information of others.  Perhaps I ought to take an idea from each paragraph and try focusing on just that instead of trying to transition each one into the next. 

          Our schools seem to be short staffed as it is.  And while I agree with it, I think this mandatory vaccination is going to leave schools short staffed even further.  I predict that there are several people who will have to learn the hard way.  Sadly, there will be some that will never learn.

Raining Sideways

 I'm certain people are getting tired of my weather posts.  

I am.  

I have a couple of ideas in the works, 

but still disjointed thoughts that don't seem to flow.

I could hear the wind yesterday morning -

I had not heard the rain, but it had obviously rained.

The wind had blown it onto our porch.

Here are some pictures I took as the sun rose:

What Color?

 Do you see the hot pink that this permit used to be?

It faded in the heat or was choked by the smoke

Welcome to the Superstition of Friday the 13th

 Today is Friday the 13^th.  Mandated mask restarts today.  I would have not made the connection if Jenna hadn’t been so vocal about it. A year and a half ago (also Friday the 13^th) we had our last day of school and were sent home for the remaining of the year.  They opened up too soon in my opinion.  Trump had bullied them and they willingly followed.  Now our kids are sick.  Our hospitals are filled up again.  Some say the pandemic is worse than last year when they sent us home.

“We are a rural county” some say.  “We shouldn’t have to mask up as the larger cities do.”  Really?  Everybody in our county just stays in our county?  No traveling to Lane County?  Roland went to Lane County just the other day.  I heard that our county has the most cases and the least amount of beds.  Granted, there is only one hospital besides the VA. 

We managed an RS activity last night – I would guess our last one this year – that is in person.  Stake has one planned for next month.  I would guess that one will be recorded for viewers at home.  The committee wants to do a quilting activity in November.  Call me pessimistic, but I don’t see that one taking place either.  This pandemic is going to last forever because we don’t all agree.

I heard that Canada just opened its borders to Americans but that America hasn’t opened up to Canadians.  Why would anyone from Canada even want to come to the states right now?  And why would they open their borders?  No Canada.  Stick with your guns.  Do not let the Americans in.  Stay safe.

Truth is I am fine with staying home and having virtual contact.  I have said it before and will express it again:  It isn’t the disease that frightens me.  It is man’s behavior – which I suppose in itself is a disease.  It’s not a hoax.  Too bad some others have to find that out the hard way.

A Letter to Jack Clown

 Real letter Corey had written to Jack in the Box:

Dear Jack,

Oh, you cruel, cruel clown! How dare you play with my heart and taste buds so callously.

I wonder, Jack Box, if you understand the damage you have done to my psyche, tongue, and stomach by introducing the sensational menu item, your Hershey-filled Chocolate Croissant Bites only to rip them away from me like a child is snatched from his loving mother's arms. I assume you must delight in the ruthless torture of loyal customers such as myself.

These sweet little flaky delights have been my one bright spot of sunshine in this dark pandemic-saturated world we currently find ourselves in. Congratulations, Jack! Like some devious drug dealer, you have succeeded in hooking me on these scrumptious pieces of heaven only to pull them away from me with no concern for the consequences to my now-dying taste buds.

As that warm, melty, gooey, chocolatey goodness once filled those delicate flaky pastry bites, so was my soul filled with the joy that came from partaking of each warm, delicious morsel of your now-discontinued product. If you think your Mini Churros, New York Style Cheesecake, or Chocolate Overload Cake could possibly fill the void you have left my palate with, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. I am bereft, Jack. Bereft because of you!

I guess my question to you, Jack, you malevolent mountebank, is simply this: Why?

Why offer these enticing delights for a "limited time?" What were you trying to prove? That you could crush a customer's heart, appetite, and dreams just as easily as you captured them? Was this just some perverted, sadistic experiment to you?

Jack, I have been a loyal customer of your brand for some time now. I enjoy so many of your menu items. Your customer service has been beyond compare. But alas, Jack, how dolefully you have disappointed me with this latest, pitiless ruse. How empty you have left me feeling now that I can no longer sate my cravings with your mouthwatering creation.

Tonight, Jack, I only wanted one thing: these bites. When your employee told me they were no longer available, she may as well have thrust a dagger into my heart. And so, Jack, I went home—aggrieved, disconsolate, and unsatisfied.

You, Jack, have the power to rekindle the cold, dead, unlit fire in my heart. I make a heartfelt plea to you. I don't need these Chocolate Croissant Bites. My health and weight are better off without them. But for the sake of my sanity and the lack of gaiety you have left in your barbaric wake, please, Jack, I beg of you, bring back the one solace I had during these times of distress. Bring back these tantalizing treats. Grant me my Chocolate Croissant Bites once more.

Cordially yours,

An anxious, troubled soul and patron of your once-magnificent establishment,

[Corey Cannon]

Forget the Extreme Heat Warning - Don't Breath in the White Sky

 

We have another “Extreme Heat” warning.

Last time the temperature did not get as

hot as they said it would.  I don’t think it will

today either though last time I think there

really was moisture in the clouds whereas

today has been smoky and now the skies are

white and the mountains are hidden.

I can smell the smoke through my window. 

Yuch!!

Back to the Drawing Board

 

           Roland’s boss had told her staff – “whoever has vacation coming up, take it now.”

           Roland took off the last weekend in July and returned on Tuesday.  Meanwhile he received an email from the school that everyone outside of Utah will be laid off on September 6.  It’s not a big surprise for us.  We have known for some time that he could be laid off any day now.  At least now had an idea of when. 

           Roland returned and worked a day and a half when his boss asked if he had any sick leave.  Roland told her yes and she told him to take them off starting then.  Monday was his first day of sick leave and his last day of employment.  Everyone was let go.  So now what?

           To be honest, he seems a lot more worried than I.  He’s been applying for other jobs all along but felt a blow.  I wasn’t surprised.  He’s putting in for unemployment which seems to be more work as he has to report in each week and file the “paper work” each time. 

           He feels like he is applying for the same jobs over and over again and getting frustrated with lack of communication.  Welcome to my world, babe!  But God has a plan for us.  I honestly believe that.  He does not look at the situation with the same eyes of faith that I do.  We’ve survived on less.  We’ll be okay.

           I have called dozens of companies that are withdrawing automatic payments to either change banks or cancel altogether.  No more TV entertainment but we will keep the internet.  How else will we be able to apply for jobs? I changed phone carriers – again – although for the most part I think I would do okay without a phone.  But that’s another post.  Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

           Job hunting is frustrating.  They say there is not discrimination with hiring seniors or someone with a masters.  But there is.  We’re getting up there in years.  We’re not as spry as we were when we were 20 but we have grown in ways that the younger generation has yet to experience.    We’ll see up ahead eventually.  The pandemic is not over.  I think we may be better off if we are not working.

The Skies Are Filled With Smoke and Helicopters

The airport is within walking distance. 

Each year we can hear the helicopters . 

Some are looking out. 

Most appear carry buckets that appear

to be half the size of the helicopter. 

Each year the chopper noise increases –

or seems to anyway.   

 

More than it did in 2019 when

the fires were so close and in

2017 when the entire state

was on fire.  We were surrounded

by smoke from every direction and

wouldn’t have been able to safely

evacuate as every direction had

fires burning.  Even last year. 

 

Smokey skies can sometimes make for

amazing sunsets.  I would rather not have

the amazing sunset and have no smoke. 

Bless the firefighters who risk their lives

to keep us safe.

Here is one that Jenna took

Unbelievable – Let’s Talk Numbers

           Would you believe that I finally joined the world of touch screen phone?  I changed my plan – or rather my carrier who does not support flip phones.  I went with them on a whim.  It will save us almost 10 dollars a month – which isn’t huge.  But if I can save 5 dollars here and 10 dollars there, it adds up.  Before you know I have save us 45 dollars not to mention the subscriptions to various things which adds up as well and before you know it I have removed over 100 dollars of unnecessary luxury spending. 

           So I now have a touch screen but have learned that the automatic machines at the other end of the line don’t recognize my pushing numbers.  Oh, that is so not cool.  I am already annoyed with automatic machines as it is.  So impersonal.  How many jobs have been replaced by machines?  A company does not have to pay wages to a machine. 

`I like when the machine appears to be as frustrated as I am and connects me to customer service.  But this machine did not give me customer service.  It said that I would have to try again.  I can’t yell at the machine.  Well, I can, but it doesn’t have voice recognition.  That is why I’m punching numbers.  My touch screen gives me exactly two seconds to tap on something or the screen disappears.  AHHHHHHHH

Overwhelmed With Thoughts

  

https://www.happify.com/hd/5-things-
you-can-do-if-feeling-overwhelmed/

           I have had many ideas – some which I have jotted down but no complete thought.  It doesn’t seem to be a priority.  Whatever Roland is doing takes priority over anything that Jenna and I may have planned.  Right now it’s the back room – which is important.  But I also believe know that he needs to take breaks. 

           He’s taken Jenna to Roseburg a few times which has given me opportunity to blog and either a nap takes priority or else I just haven’t been motivated to write.  He gave me the assignment to paint the trim while they’re gone, but I can’t find a paintbrush.  Nor do I wish to spend my time looking for one the entire time they are gone.  I did put up some masking tape around the door trim – at least I put in some effort, right?  They are going to Lowes and I did put in a request for more paint brushes.  Disposable ones would be nice. 

           Anyway the room is coming along.  Perhaps it will be ready for Christmas?  That would be cool.  I will be sure to post some progress pictures later on.

A Smile in Each Picture

 I have been able to locate 3 cameras and 5 chargers.  Unfortunately  only one of the chargers will accept on of the batteries.  Thus I have been using a camera that Roland had purchased for Jenna during her sophomore year.  I have noticed the streak found across many of the pictures I've taken.  I tried to clean the lens but have learned that there are three scratches on the lens.  I took a picture of a white napkin and discovered the three scratches make a smile face.  How weird is that?