Beneath the Wraps

         Richard and I picked Jaime up from school on the 6th.  A few days later Jaime and I put up the tree and finally started decorating but left oodles of space on the tree so that Ally could also decorate.  She's been running a fever, learned that she has a kidney infection among the many health problems that she has already been blessed with.  She did manage to put up a few ornaments before she returned to bed.          On Friday we did the yard.  Well, mostly Biff, Clair and Jaime.  Richard supervised - or at least said that is what he was doing.  Jaime wrapped lights around the pine tree.  She is a mountain goat and was able to step on the rocks and unbalanced ground without slipping.  She put up some ornaments and I put up some.  Still room on the outside tree for more ornaments but we've had rain and wind in addition to the near freezing temperatures.       ...

           We had put our decorations up a couple of weeks ago.  It took us three days, I think, as we had a small electrical problem.  Just before we finished, the guy across the street brought out his lights and stapled them to his house and wrapped around the small trees in front.  I think he was done within 30 minutes.  His lights were on the night he decorated.  I haven ’ t seen them on since then.              Small electrical problem.  Taking apart.  Trying to find problem.  And replacing one switch with another – which was nice.           The black indicates where the back porch light was. But as we no longer have a back porch, the switch didn ’ t work anything.  I like it not being there as I was always pressing it and of course nothing happened             Jenna and I decided ...

          Jenna had been accepted to Southern Oregon University which we toured on the 19 th . We had invited Jenna ’ s friend Kylee to go with us. We had to have proof of vaccination or else a negative result on a “ last 24 hour ” test.  I thought Kylee would have had that already but was not able to get either in time for our tour and so ended up not going with us which is really too bad.  I think she would have enjoyed it.         We arrived in Ashland very early in the morning.   The elements were dark but there were buildings lit up with Christmas  décor .   It was as though Ashland embraced us with welcoming arms.   It was so beautiful and inviting. We had arrived early and thus able to get a decent parking spot in front of the admissions building which is where the event started.  Those in charge admitted us into the building so that we would not freeze as it has been cold outside....

          Roland had tweaked  a recipe found in this book:              The reason being is because we did not have all the required ingredients, but it was good.   A little dry.   The next day I decided I would go to the store and purchase some queso to add to it as Roland made enough for 12 people and we didn’t have that many eating.              I was just going to go to Ray’s or Dollar General and come right back.   But Roland asked could I pick up this and that and oh, how about some shrimp . . .?   I wasn’t planning on going to Roseburg.   Dollar General doesn’t have shrimp and I doubt Rip Off Rays would have it either.   And if they did . . . really?   Was I willing to max my debit card for the assortment of items?           Jenna had just barely cleared the t...

            Roland and I were both on our computers when the power went off and then back on.               I was trying to do my assignments.   He was at work.               The sky outside had darkened as if the power had not been fully restored.   The porch light shone on the yellow house across the street,             but that was it.   No sign of life anywhere for a minute or two.   Then there was a             brilliance in the sky.       my camera did not capture the brilliance that I saw Jenna took this from the church parking lot she said the power had gone off and on there also It was several hours before ...

I'm really not much of a decorator.   I do put more thought into decorating for Christmas.   It is always so hard for me to take down the decorations - especially the tree.   Jenna must take after me as she is also having a hard time with it. This year I have decided to make it just a bit easier on myself by taking down something just a bit at a time.   On Tuesday I packed up the books that I had only attempted to look at.   I don't think anyone else did.   On Wednesday I removed the cards from the door.   On Thursday I took down the plush toys that hung around the frame of the mirror.   And each day I would also remove ornaments from the tree. Last night Jenna went to Roseburg with Roland and I decided to remove the remaining ornaments while they were gone.   I should have waited until daylight.   What was I thinking?   And why has every house I've lived in had such poor lighting in the front room? The decorations fro...

                       It has raining off and on for almost six weeks.   Mostly on, and I'm fine with it, except was hoping it would not be raining between 5:30 and 7:30 last night. Yesterday was quite a busy day for members of our community. Fortunately it was a nice day.   The fire trucks could be heard all day as they offered rides to youth.   At least that’s what I heard.   After we returned home from the breakfast, we pretty much stayed put until about 5:30 and then headed toward downtown Myrtle Creek. The community puts on a light parade the 2 nd Saturday of each December; they’ve been doing it for over 35 years now.   The parade starts in Riddle and goes up to Old Pacific Highway up to Riverside, down Neal, Division and end at Main Street -       - or so I thought. Last year we had w...

Pie Making          I can’t find a reference to mom’s traditional pie making event. I suppose it could have started with her children.  I do recall having assisted with pies at least once in my childhood.   Kayla says she remembers a time when it was just her and Corey that did it with mom.   I don’t think I ever viewed it as an actual tradition until Ellen and Kimball were small.             My mom made a huge assortment of pies on the Wednesday before   Thanksgiving each year.   The grandkids looked forward to assisting with rolling out the dough and filling the pie with whatever they chose.               We’d have apple pie, banana cream pies, coconut cream, chocolate cream, cherry, lemon meringue and of course, pumpkin.   More pies were added to the dinner each time new grandkids wer...