Summer Blessings

 

We have been quite blessed all summer as

there haven’t been any fires in Douglas County –

and we’re a BIG county.

I think we have had fires just about every year that

we’ve been here and

often get smoke from ALL directions. 

There was one day in June that we

sensed the smoke from the fires south of us –

probably California. 

No signs since until today. 

We’re thinking from the fires north of us. 

That is trippy. 

Wasn’t it just last night that I saw

the stars through the skylight? 

And now the skies are filled with haze –

nearly hiding the hills.  It’s been so hot. 

And when the wind blows it doesn’t offer the

cool breeze but an overly warm heat that

makes me feel like I’m in a dryer.

I didn’t say anything before because

I didn’t want to jinx it.

We have at least one more month before

the fires come to a rest.

Judging from the past.

Peculiar Taste

 

I think PEZ (originally short for Pfefferminz here) candies have got to be one of the most boring candies on the planet.  People buy them in order to collect the cool dispensers that release the dry powdery bricks of dull flavor.  I think the only reason why PEZ offers the dispensers is so U.S. citizens will buy them.  I don’t know how it works in other countries.  Apparently there are some citizens of other countries that thrive on the having the uninteresting flavor in their mouths. 

Recently Richard purchased a tin of candies that gave me the same initial vibe as the PEZ candy.  But instead of a cool dispenser, these candies come in a cool tin – which in my opinion is the only reason to buy them – not for the candy but for the tin.  The candy may have been slightly better than a PEZ (though it’s been YEARS so I don’t really KNOW) – this nameless candy had a tangy quality almost like a SweeTART mixed with soap. 

Last Year Perhaps

 

               It’s been ten years since we had been introduced to the Pear Orchard in Medford – and served once a year except for last.  I am so out of shape.  And the pears seemed to be tiny again this year.  But maybe not.  They won’t be through today and I am certain it will be announced that we have another opportunity.  Platform workers is what they are called.  Those who can scale the ladders and pick what can’t be reached from below.  Uh, no.  Not my calling.

               I remember one year when our RS pres. scaled the trees and threw down pears to be caught – which is probably a big “no-no” but really . . . how many volunteers can  climb ladders, fill their bags and then shimmy on down?  Not this girl.  That’s for sure.

               The pears which we pick in Medford are shipped to Shelly, Idaho for another cleaning and canning.  They are really good pears, too.  Overall I think canned pears are rather boring, but the ones the church cans are awesome.  In Salt Lake I was a recipient of eating canned product and in the last ten years we have picked.  If we ever move to Shelley I would have the opportunity to can the pears – but I don’t foresee that happening as I don’t believe we will ever move again.   Too much work – not just into the house but our yard as well. 

               We planted fruit trees that should be producing within the next five to seven years.  Will try to include pictures next post.

Dogs Feel No Shame

 

          Bonnie often snores when she sleeps. 

She is loud. 

She is fat. 

She does not get offended if we make fun of her.

Mostly I guess because she doesn’t understand.

But I wonder why we can’t respond as dogs do.

Why get caught up in the our insecurities –

embarrassed by loud snores

(even if it is the dogs)

or laughing at the noise,

calling the dog fat and

out of shape.

Dogs don’t feel the shame that humans often do.

Card Table Makeover

 

The other day the missionaries

came for dinner.

 I had no desire for cleaning the

back table and decided

we would have our dinner on the deck – which

probably was not a wise

move on my part – for the

back room would have been

so much cooler.

 

I washed the filthy card table that we

had left on the porch. 

I still felt the need for a tablecloth but

couldn’t find one and

thought the wind might blow

it around anyway.

 

I did not find a tablecloth – not in

any size but I did find

some contact paper.  

 

Problem solved. 

 

Cover the grime-stained table

with contact paper –

and the wind wouldn’t  blow it off.

Name That Tune

 Jaime learned about a "Name That Tune" game being held at Summerfest.  The person she had planned to go with cancelled on her - which was really not a surprise.  Though it was hot and I hadn't planned on going to the event myself, I volunteered to go with her.  I don't believe we scored any points during the first round, but were able to take 4 of 5 songs on the second round.  The other players were dismissed and we had the opportunity of playing the second round.  We got only two songs but each walked away with five dollars.  Not bad. I was planning on participating without a prize incentive.  Jaime was happy.  We might go see fireworks tonight.

Dear Diary

          I think someone may have been hacked on facebook who in turn tried to hack me.  I don’t know.  I was experiencing so much fatigue yesterday.  I wish I would have taken a screenshot but did not.  I saw who it was from and I think what the invitation was for and deleted automatically because of so many factors.

          So in my notifications I’m told that RAM has invited me to the Relief Society Page.  The page that I created?  Or is there a new one? And why would RAM create an RS page when he is a guy?  We are not even facebook friends.  And he is currently on vacation.  Why would he create a page and invite people in during his vacation?  I thought it said Relief Society.  Maybe it said something else?  Still – why would I want to join his page?  Was I singled out or were there others in the ward who received invites? 

 

          Okay.  Fatigue.  I think I post about it every year.  Weather change.  Always happens between Mothers’ Day and my birthday.  And then I am gone.  And I don’t come to until sometime in September.  But hey, I can breathe.  But my mind is in another dimension than the rest of me.  Is that where dementia comes from?  Not that I have dementia.  I don’t think of one who has dementia considers having dementia.  But I don’t know.  Next time someone tries to scam me over the phone I will tell them that I have dementia and that the people taking care of me won’t allow me access to my bank accounts or social security number or anything like that.  And that if they want to talk with them they should call them on their cell phone and then provide them with a number to the unified police or the FBI.  I wonder if they will call them to get my information?

 

          I just took an allergy pill.  That could be adding to my fatigue I guess.

First Time for Everything

                It’s hot.  So hot.  I asked Alexa to tell me the temperature in Las Vegas – it always makes me feel better that it’s cooler in Oregon than elsewhere.  And yet I remember being cold in Las Vegas when I was there in March this year.  COLD in LAS VEGAS.  Cold wind blowing.  I don’t even remember experiencing wind in Las Vegas before.

               Today’s first was at the dentist.  Yes, I am a little plastered out of my mind.  The heat does that to me.  Under normal circumstances I cry whenever I am in the dentist chair because I’m a dweeb.  I don’t have anything against the dentist per se – I just don’t like being in a laying down position with my mouth wide open and tools in my mouth and the need to swallow but can’t.

               Today I laughed – for the first time ever.  I laughed while in a dentist chair and not just because of this illustration

I laughed out loud because the dental hygienist was tickling my teeth or the gum area or whatever.  It tickled and I laughed.  I laughed several times.  I’m sure it was more out of being tired than being tickled.  But I laughed.  What an odd experience.

When the Wind Blows

 

 When the wind blows

trees dance and

things move –

some seem to make unpleasant noises

like someone is trying to

break into your house.

 

Sometimes the wind itself

makes an eerie noise as it blows.

When it is just a cool breeze the

wind feels nice

but it still seems to

send me into a coma. 

Naughty wind

Our Savior, Our Guide, Our Light

 

The Church is full of imperfect people who are often called to positions they don’t want.  Some people will say “No’ when they are called to a position that they may feel inadequate to serve and some will say “No” to callings they really don’t want.  Many callings are given to the individual so that he or she may learn and grow possibly more than those they are serving.  We grow by the Spirit.  Hopefully we all may rely on the Spirit to guide us.  We are given so many opportunities to do so.

Recently I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting.  I started with two hikes on which to use as outlines.  The first happened during a family trip to Arco Idaho almost 40 years ago.  On average the wind in Arco blows 8-10 miles and I would imagine mirrors the season.  It was June and the winds were warm to an already scorching temperature.  The big draw in Arco, Idaho is The Craters of the Moon Monument.

There was an unguided walk tourists could take on a trail that went from one side of the landscape to the other.  Everything looked exactly the same in the eyes of my family and other spectators we had passed.  We could have just stayed in the parking lot and saw it all without having left the car. 

We would pass others who would ask if it was worth the walk (or hike – whatever it was).  Yes, the Lava ruminants were cool, but my family didn’t think it was worth the walk. I don’t recall any words of encouragement except those of my brother whose attitude was more of “if I’m going down I’m taking someone with me” Again, we had no guide.

I then recounted Emily Belle Freeman’s experience with her hike around Lake Powell (see this post counter 1709) in which she relates encouraging words from a guide who knew the way.  I compared this to our guide in Jesus Christ.  I then returned my focus back to Craters of the Moon. There are caves beneath the lava flow – perhaps impressive but I don’t know.  Those who explore the caves need to come prepared with something much brighter than a disposable flashlight or a birthday candle.  I suggested bringing a devise that carried the strength of the sun/son.

Each of us are in a different place in our lives.  Some members seem to carry the strength of the sun as they are able to teach a lesson at only a moment’s notice while others struggle just to focus on the light of a birthday candle and not on the darkness that may surround them.  We are from different walks of life and rely on the Spirit in different ways. 

I concluded my talk with encouragement to stay focused on the light. 

Myrtle and Creek

           The day we cleaned the shed two black chickens appeared – as though they had been living there and we destroyed their home.  They weren’t.  I have no idea where the two birds came from.  One was pretty much smaller than the other.  Normally Jaime has given names to all the animals that have come into our yard.  But she was not yet up.  Richard named the larger of the birds Myrtle and the smaller one he named Creek.

          We managed to keep Bonnie away from them during the morning.  I don’t know whose yard they had come from or why they chose to stay.  I let Bonnie out after 4:00.  I had forgotten about the chickens until I noticed her attacking Myrtle’s corpse. 

           Poor Creek seemed lost without her companion.  Richard would take Bonnie out and put her on a chain.  I don’t have the strength for the hook.  It has rusted over the years. I did manage to save Creek’s life a few times but failed today. 

           I feel bad at how their lives ended.  I feel helpless in the animal kingdom.  RIP Myrtle and Creek.

Maintenance

 

         For a week now we have been touching up our house.  The deck REALLY needed a make- over.  I don’t think it’s been painted/stained for two or three years.  It NEEDED a fresh coat of something.  And Richard was concerned about the trim facing west as it also needed a fresh coat of paint in his opinion.  Honestly no one is going to notice.  Nobody ever goes back there – especially to look at the shutters.  But whatever.  So here are some things we have done.

 

we painted the chairs after this photo was taken

clean up

          I thought I had posted about our make-shift shed that we made from the tarp of a greenhouse kit.  Richard built the frame to last – but the tarp did not.  It started out with good intentions but became more of an eye sore each time it was moved.  And so much junk accumulated over the years.  We took that down today.  It was a lot of work as Richard had built it to last.  Took us a couple of hours and whacking at it with a sludge hammer.   Made a trip to the dump.  It’s been exhausting.

JOY is an Acronym

 Jesus,  Others,  Yourself          -         in that order

Palm Sunday on Temple Square

 

Last night watched the most beautiful service spotlighting Palm Sunday.  An integration of faiths.

 I remember having gone to the tabernacle on Temple Square.  I didn’t visualize that I would have ever witnessed anything like this.  Pretty cool.

Conference Memories

                I think before the last two conferences (at least the October ones) Jaime has created Bingo cards that we might pay closer attention.  One year she picked a specific General Authority would wear a red tie.  I just had “red tie” on my Bingo card – no one specific.  I would not have even thought about the Bingo card except Dieter Uchtdorf was wearing a bright green tie which I liked.  I would have never guessed that a green tie would be worn.  Nor a lilac/orchid colored one with a circle/sun type pattern (that was worn by Gary E. Stevenson) followed by Amy Wright wearing a colorful orange suit.  I actually lost track after that – not that it’s important.  I didn’t lose sight of the message each had to convey.  It has been a really good conference thus far.

            Dale G. Renlund talked about being prepared and how the topic of the “last days” often make people uncomfortable.  I am one of those people.  Never have enjoyed of hearing about events that will take place.  But in my mind’s eye, I really thought I’d be on the other side.  I don’t like what Trump is doing to our nation.  Sign of the times.  But there are things he can’t control.  No matter how much he and his followers may want to deny evidence of global warming – he cannot control the weather. 

            I took comfort in his talk as I related in my own mind the events of resurrection – how the stone had rolled away.  It didn’t matter how many soldiers were placed to guard the tomb – the resurrection was going to take place.  The stone rolled away.  Those who were supposedly in charge could not change the elements or the events that occurred.  Same with the last days.  If we are prepared things will work out – maybe not the way we expect, but they will work out.

            Jaime is currently at a lake house with a group of her friends.  The nerds who graduated South Umpqua High in 2022.  I think it’s cool that they continue to make arrangements to hang out together.  It has been nearly three years since they left high school.  I enjoy watching conference with Jaime.  I miss having her here – but at the same time I understand.  She’s celebrating her 21^st birthday.  I hope she has an awesome weekend.

 

Preparing for Easter

 

Richard signed up for cookies for a refreshment after our Easter service.  Of course we had to trial run:

No More Dolls!

          Before Richard and I went on our Las Vegas/Gilbert excursion, his brother had mentioned that a package was on its way.  It hadn’t occurred to me what he was sending.  Richard had asked for the return of a doll that he had sent his mom.  We didn’t know that Robert was going to send half of her doll collection.  

We did find homes for the first two,
possibly the one in the middle.  

Richard wanted just one specific doll – but all of these came in addition to a boxed set of Lucy and Desi dolls as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (which Richard had also sent his mom – in addition to a Raggedy Ann doll that did not find its way back to us.  Shame.  It is the only doll that I liked.

 

         Actually I do like the Ricky and Lucy dolls as they remind me of Richard and me.  She is pregnant with Little Ricky.  I was once pregnant with Jaime.  Richard said I might use it as a door price but I said I wanted to keep it.  I didn’t know that would lead to the purchase of more Lucy dolls (Lucy, by the way, was the name of his mother who had passed last October) and would have benefited more from the collection than I.  Don’t get me wrong.  I do love Lucy.  But I am not a doll collector.

 

my favorite Lucy doll would
be the first one pictured

         Both my Aunt Eloise and Aunt Kristie had collected dolls which they displayed in doll cases.  I don’t have room for doll cases.  I have a doll collection.  Just a small one.  But they are buried on a shelf. Most are worthless but I keep them for sentimental reasons.  There is no sentiment in the Lucy dolls or this one 

which Richard had picked up in addition.  I like that it comes with all these accessories – including binoculars and canteen (not pictured because they fell to the bottom of the box.  They were part of a clearance/clean out due to the floods that took place last Sunday.  Business owner is through.

The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up

             Not only was yesterday St. Patrick’s Day but the 183^rd anniversary of the Relief Society.  Leaders received notification of this event as early as January. 

 

On Sunday we were supposed to congregate together and watch the broadcast. At first it was going to be on a stake level and then it was changed to wards.  So in addition to the broadcast meeting, Diane had called a last minute meeting for the presidency as there were some things that couldn’t wait for our next scheduled meeting (which honestly I don’t believe was scheduled with a specific date).

         Diane and Angie had each brought their lunch as it didn’t seem convenient for each of them to drive all the way back to their homes and back again.  Melanie had made a large pan of brownies (which could be cut into 48 if we had the turnout) and we had started presidency meeting 20 – 30 minutes after church ended.   

            The weekend provided severe weather for much of the nation.  Douglas County was no exception.  Roseburg was slammed much harder than Myrtle Creek.  The water was high – higher and faster than I’ve ever seen it. Our meeting was interrupted by individuals who had concern about the weather, by Douglas County emergency, and the stake strongly suggesting we cancel the meeting. 

 

By that time we figured it would only be the four of us who showed up anyway.  I told Jaime I would bring her home at least one brownie but ended up with almost half the pan (Melanie had cut about 32 quite large pieces for everybody to take home).  Each of us used our phones to text sisters in the ward to let them know the meeting had been cancelled.  We put a note on the door just in case – but honestly I don’t think anyone showed.  Some of the roads had actually closed due to spillage which I had never seen here in Oregon.

Almost everybody in South Umpqua lives near water – if not the river itself than a creek or a stream or an accidental water fall (see this post) or pond.  though yesterday they all appeared like rapid flowing rivers.  My daughter received a bunch of videos from one of her friends.  I have screenshot a few.

forks into main street and riverside

taken from Riverside

entrance to Evergreen Park March 16, 2025

Evergreen Park July 2016

Evergreen Park March 16, 2025

when the creek was at a normal level in 2017

Evergreen Park October 2017

Before our meeting the rain had turned to snow.  

Jaime did not have to go into work on Sunday. 

 It all seemed to vanish by yesterday morning.  At least from my perspective.  Jaime did end up going into work yesterday. The waters are still high but no spillage.

The Naughty Leprechaun

                Richard is always in a cooking or baking mood. On Saturday night he pulled 24 cupcakes out of the oven and decided that the three of us would decorate them.  I was planning on posting this yesterday but my pictures did not come through until this morning

 

Our frosting, you guessed it, banana.

Putting More Fun into Fun

 

               Richard likes to go bowling.  For the most part we have gone to the Nickel Bowl in Myrtle Creek.  It is a convenient 5 minute drive compared to over 20 to Ten Down in Roseburg. 

 

But yesterday we chose to go to Roseburg – and it was fun.  New look, new appeal – at least to my eyes as I don’t believe I have ever been since before 2020.

           I loved the cleverness of their “pool ball” themed bowling balls and the filters used on photos each player provides for keeping score.  So here are some of the photos displayed as we bowled.

Another Sunday

 On Friday one of the counselors had called Richard about another matter but ended up asking if he could give a talk yesterday.  The theme for the talk was to be Doctrine and Covenants section 19 as this is the reading topic for last week’s Come Follow Me. 

Richard based his talk on one of Scott Woodward’s videos here*.  

I really enjoyed the last speaker’s talk.  She said she had wanted to speak on Section 18, particularly 9-16 (here) focusing on the worth of souls.  During the course of her talk she used two different parables. 

The first of these parables is found in Matthew 20:1-6.  It is one I’ve mentioned before in this post.  It doesn’t matter what hour we enter the vineyard, our worth is the same.   

She also mentioned the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10.  She read some and paraphrased some – never using actual names; she is not that kind of person to point fingers – and yet I heard them in my head.

³¹ Now by chance a priest – no, it was Donald Trump - was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite – Elon Musk - when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 

 God sees us all (even the Levite and the priest, Trump and Musk) as having the same worth.  God does.  I'm still viewing this with the eyes of men. They may be worth more than their decisions.  Their decisions certainly don't represent the people.

*Three years ago Scott Woodward had created 15 Doctrine and Covenant overviews. This was the last one made. At least I thought it was;  several months after creating this post I discovered more.  So glad.

 

It was a great meeting.