An Empty Vessel

          A vessel, by definition, is either a ship or large boat or a hallow container usually associated with holding liquid.

          I remember going to a young women’s camp as a leader.  We had an activity in which we were asked to hold onto the iron rod on our way to the tree of life.  Only in the case of our camp situation the iron rod had been represented by a rope.

          As we were making our way from one area to another, we were faced with temptations.  I can remember being enticed by chocolate chip cookies.  Huge ones.  And I LOVE chocolate chip cookies.  But I wasn’t about to let go.  I rationalized that the main ingredient may have been salt.  A chocolate chip salt lick.  Yum.

          I was going through the motions of hanging onto the rope.  I wasn’t going to let go.  I was going to reach the end because it was expected of me.  I wasn’t in the right frame of mind.  I was pressing on with the attitude of fulfilling my calling out of duty than with gratitude and service.  I wasn’t participating in the right frame of mine - possibly due to a lack of sleep (at girls' camp if you can imagine).  Even with my imperfect attitude I did successfully make it to the tree.

          The stake leader’s had taken some clear stones wrapped in wire and used the wire to hang each stone from the tree.  It represented the fruit.  We were each allowed to pick a fruit.  It was dark and I until we had returned to our campsite hadn’t noticed that the stone or “fruit” from my frame was missing.  My vessel was empty.

          Until I got married I kept that stoneless frame above my light switch as a reminder that I need the right attitude to fully enjoy the sweetness of the fruit.  I am reminded of this experience each time I read Lehi or am in a class discussion that focuses on said topic.

Smoked Peaches . . . . it's a Wonder I Didn't Cut Myself

                We ended up NOT going to McMinnville.  Air quality has shifted.  Yesterday we were at a Very Unhealthy and McMinnville was moderate.  Now we're at Moderate and McMinnville as at an Unhealthy level worse than Roseburg - which seemed more breathable the last time I was there.  And forget Eugene.  As there is no direct line from Myrtle Creek to McMinnville, we'd have to take I5 and through Eugene - which may have been worse off than South Umpqua all along.

                This morning I read that I84 was/is closed due to the smoke (here).  That's crazy.  We are stuck . . . fires north of us (Washington and Canada) fires east of us (Idaho) fires south of us (California) fires to our West (Oregon) Schools have closed or are on delay due to the smoke.  Jenna had school.  That floors me.  I mean, yeah, the air quality is better today than yesterday.  Still can't see the sky or mountains though (I may be seeing more trees) Our state is on FIRE! (here) 

                There has been concern about the crops - particularly those that have been growing grapes in vineyards.  They wonder how the wine will be effected if smoky grapes are used.  That is just one of many crops.  I remember the air quality in Medford was not so great when our family joined others with a pear picking project.  I wondered then how the smoke would/does effect the produce.

                The family next door gave us three buckets of fruit this weekend.  We left them on the back porch and so they have been exposed to the smoke, but I don't taste it.  There are more peaches than we can eat before they start to spoil. We decided to freeze what we can and pull it out as we need it.  Using this video to help guide us, Roland and I decided to start on the peaches this morning.  I say start as there is a lack of trays and freezer room.  So we have decided that we will work on eight peaches per day until we have them all.  We have also bagged frozen apple slices and will continue with apples before moving on to pears. 

                So there is your update for today.  BTW THANK YOU to Better Homes and Gardens for that Tutorial.  Very helpful!