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!

Riddle Celebrates

this flag hangs in our yard

Veteran Memorial at Millsite Park

               For every Federal Holiday and each holiday honoring Veterans though may not be observed by others (I had not been aware of all of the "flag" holidays that Myrtle Creek observes) Myrtle Creek lines the streets and bridges with flags.  

South Umpqua Bridger Exit 108

            The mayor credits the Elks for putting out the flags.  I don't know how early they are put out. Though the flags come out every 4th of July, Myrtle Creek itself seems like a ghost town.  People go out of town.  I don't know where they go.  Riddle, perhaps?

  

not the best pic, but the only one I can find of bridge on Exit 106

            Poor Jenna.  Her parents are tired old fuddy-duddys who don't celebrate as we did when we were younger.  Even if we were more active, I know Jenna would enjoy herself more if she were to hang with someone her own age.  We thought she might have that opportunity yesterday, but it didn't work out as any of us had expected.

            Annette had told Jenna that they would pick her up at 8:30 yesterday morning and spend the 4th with her family and she could stay the night after the fireworks.  I don't know what their plans were taking them, but Jenna was not a part of it after all.  Though Annette's mom believes they have the perfect mother and daughter relationship, their communication is even more pathetic than mine and Roland's. 

            Jenna was ready at 7:30.  8:30 came and went and by 9:00 she called to find out what had happened.  They were already on their way to wherever they were going and would not be picking her up.  I heard Jenna crying - sobbing loudly really.  She had cried herself sick and was heaving in the toilet.  I felt so helpless.

            When Annette called at 10:00 to say they were on their way to pick her up, Jenna informed her that she was sick.  I don't think Annette believed her.  Whether the miscommunication happened between Annette and her mom or Jenna and Annette, I really don't know.  But I do know that Jenna did not feel well and that her sensitive stomach in a car going straight makes her even more queasy.  The curvy roads of Oregon would just add to her car sickness even more. 

            I had told Jenna to lie down and she had tried laying down in mine and Roland's bed (as she is still currently without) but was afraid her stomach might send her heaving before she could make it to the bathroom. Thus Jenna spent the majority of the day on the bathroom floor.  I think she slept for a couple of hours.  After she started feeling better, we left the house for a while.  It was 5:00 I believe. 

            There had been a sawdust jubilee in Riddle - perhaps it's something they do every fourth of July.  Would have been nice to know that our first year here.  The only activity I could seem to find within the county was in Glendale - which I'm sure for many of the members in Glendale was a big deal - but for someone from Salt Lake City who is accustomed to city parades and fireworks and activities ALL SUMMER LONG, Glendale had been a huge disappointment - but had felt about 20 degrees cooler than Myrtle Creek - which was nice.  The year we had moved to Oregon was an especially hot summer - especially for this area - or so we were told.

            We did make it to the fireworks and saw people celebrating and felt a happiness among the people.  Perhaps we can make it a tradition next year.  I had actually hoped to have Jenna spend a few months in Salt Lake but with the unexpected death and return, it just didn't quite fit into our plans this year.

            She enjoyed the fireworks immensely.

            It really was a good show.  And I enjoyed the band that was there.  Of course she chattered the entire way home, and Roland realized he didn't have his glasses.  We said a prayer that we would be able to return today and find them.

            Jenna and I left the house this morning.  Our intention was to go north to pick blueberries, but ended up going south and west to return to the high school to look for Roland's glasses.  She found them right away.  The frame was bent and one of the lenses had popped out and the nose pads were missing.  She straightened out the frame and attempted to push the lens back into place.  Probably we'll be going to Roseburg after Roland gets off work.  Don't know whether we'll make it to the blueberry farm today or not.  It's only 68 degrees at 9 a.m.  It feels a lot warmer than that.