Beneath the Wraps

                We left the Marino Valley at 4:00 a.m.  We managed to miss any signs of congested traffic.  The heaviest we saw was going through Pasadena – but it was on the other side.  Our side was okay – the entire way home.  How blessed we have been!   We stopped at Santa Nella.  Richard recognized the town we were in.  He pointed out Anderson’s split pea soup restaurant where we had eaten two and a half years ago when we had gone on our Disneyland (extremely hot) vacation. We saw tons of hazelnut trees during our drive And got several pictures of Mount Shasta. This was taken about four hours before we got home This was taken on the day we left Oregon and let us not forget the countless rest stops we saw

                 We passed a horrific accident returning home from the ward luncheon.  I don’t know how many people were involved or how many hurt.  I saw a stretcher out by a car in the ditch.  Ahead was a van all smashed up.  It had to have been going pretty fast to have been that smashed up – or perhaps it had been the other car that hit on the way to the ditch (I guess I don’t even know what direction the ditch car was facing)             We had to slow down as we passed.   Tears formed in my eyes.   I don’t know what happened.   I would guess it could have been prevented.   I feel bad for the victims.   I hope things will be resolved and health will be restored.

        I just read my brother ’ s latest post in which he mentions paying fees towards a park that he never uses.  It is annoying paying fees for something in which you don ’ t feel a part.  For example there are many paying taxes for schools when they have no children.  Those who reside in Myrtle Creek pay taxes on a small airport.  I remember a man complaining about it. At the time I didn ’ t even realize there was an airport in Myrtle Creek.  And though it ’ s true that no commercial planes will ever land here, and I will never personally train to fly, I do reap benefits of having an airport so close to my house as I had mentioned in this post .         My brother took a picture of himself at the park – I don ’ t know from the photo how big the park is or if there is a playground or walking trail available.  If so, I would think that it has the potential of being a good source of giving children or walkers a pl...

                I have used the above picture in an earlier post.   My first post in February 2012 – the year I started my blog.   The post itself had nothing to do with the picture.   Let me relate what really happened and why Jenna is making this face.             As I mentioned in a more recent post we used to walk everywhere – though Kearns offered more destinations than anything in West Valley or Myrtle Creek.  We did not walk to the library often as we had to cross a busy street, but Jenna had not taken a nap and would be in need of one and usually the walk to the library and back wore her out.              I would always hold Jenna’s hand when we were out on walks – especially when crossing streets – especially the busy one. She insisted on crossing 5400 on her own.  No way!  What kind of a m...

          How many of our decisions affect others?   Choosing to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich over tuna fish may not have any kind of a ripple effect as making a choice to drive or walk toward oncoming traffic.             Yesterday morning Balras Sing Dhillon had stopped his car just outside of Myrtle Creek.   Whether it was a conscience decision or not is unknown.   Police received a call about a vehicle stopped in the northbound left lane of the interstate approximately six in the morning and went to investigate. When they approached the vehicle, the driver took off.   The driver continued for another mile before crashing into the medium.   He must have climbed over the medium after he abandoned his car.   Was he running from the police?   Was he so disoriented that he didn’t know what he was doing?   I believe the latter as...

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!

          I try to keep the room cool so I can fall asleep more easily.   Last night it was cold.   I still managed to sleep.   But I felt overly warm at 3:30 this morning.   When the heat kicked on I moved into the bathroom and stood by the window until the heat shut off.   I then wrote the following: From where I stand I can hear the traffic moving over I5 but I cannot see it Even if the fog wasn't there From where I stand I cannot see Old Pacific Highway I can barely see the street where I live From where I stand I can hear the trains I know the tracks were not completely abandoned But had never seen a train in Myrtle Creek until the other day when I went to meet my friends for coffee. I parked between Good Dogs and the park and I saw the train passing the tracks where Jenna and I have explored and taken several pictures. From where I stand I somehow seem ...

        Although the definition for Express means "to convey", I often associate the word with speed or convenience" - such as in "American Express" or "Federal Express"  or even the express lane on the freeway or supermarket checkout.  I find it ironic that an "Express" would hold up the line of cars.         I couldn't take a picture of the vehicle in front of the line as I wasn't directly behind it.  It wasn't a big deal really.  Eight cars driving 20 on a 45 road is no big deal. After all, the daily traffic in Salt Lake - which accounts for more than 8 to 10 cars - is a big deal.  8 - 10 cars would be neighborhood traffic,  but not a main road.         I don't think I would have thought that much about it had I been in Salt Lake,  but 8 backed up cars is quite heavy traffic for MC - so I thought there was a bus making st...

          My dad graduated from high school in 1954 or 1955.   I think he attended every class reunion there was until he got sick.   I think my mom must have attended all of his high school reunions as well. She has never gone to her own.   Nor have I.   Mostly I didn't care.   I didn't even like high school.   Why would I want to go back?           I believe the first high school reunion offered a barbeque at a local park I believe on a Saturday afternoon - and may have attended that one had I been in town, but I was on my mission at the time.    The second reunion announced was located at some prestige resort in Park City.   I didn't have that much money to spend nor did I believe there would be many there that I would want to see for that much money anyway.   I don't remember being invited to another reunion after that - not that it would h...

          Since living in Myrtle Creek, I have NOT missed the horrible traffic accidents that we encountered on a daily or weekly basis - some just fender benders, but some involved lost lives - not to mention totaled cars.   My son lived not to far from this accident and was interviewed about what he saw            We've been in Oregon for almost two years now.   I have been in one line of slow moving cars as there had been an accident in one of the intersections in Roseburg.   I can also remember an employee at Figaro's pointing to the line of cars on I5 and reporting how far ahead the accident was.   I would have never noticed the line of cars on my own.   Perhaps my eyes believe it appears more in the distance than younger eyes do.             We ran a few errands last yesterday.   After we had crossed the parking lot and had gotte...

            A facebook friend had been sitting in heavy traffic.  He must have been bored out of his mind.  He actually made a comment on one of my posts - which in itself was out of the ordinary.  But the post was over four years old.  That's what really threw me.             I had not even started my blog yet.  Jenna was taking a theatre class near my sister's house.  Our house was two hours north of the elementary school that Jenna attended, and Kayla's was two miles west.  On Wednesdays I would just drive to Kearns and park in my sister's driveway.  We would walk around the neighborhood and visit others until it was time to walk to the high school where she had her class.  But on that particular day, we had little time to spare before making our way to the high school.  Who knew that the heavy traffic between thre...

Whenever my phone rings Or signals that I have received a text message Jenna jumps Like Pavlov’s dog Usually I don’t mind I am not a slave to the phone Though she seems to be She’s always excited when she learns That it is one of her brothers Today she answered the phone with excitement “Randy!” she yelled. It isn’t any wonder that none of her brothers have gone deaf First thing he asks her if it is snowing He says that the Utah snow seems harsh today. I remember waiting for the bus in killer snow The snow seen in this part of Oregon is rare Or so we’ve been told We saw it fall for two days But it was never like Utah Buses were delayed for two hours But Jenna did return to school After the snow We had our power back on But some people did not. Those who live in Tiller Were without power for six days To a week. Mostly it rains.   The creeks and rivers rise The grass turns green and The earth is drenched w...

         I don’t recall having seen a car accident the entire time that we were in Oregon.   That doesn’t mean they didn’t exist.   I did see one patrol card on the side of the road had pulled someone over.   I saw one other police car.   But that was it.          Someone had burned down the High School in Albany the night before we arrived.   We didn’t see the High School.   We just heard about it.         Exactly one week ago , when I took Jenna to school, the sun was so bright in the morning.   I generally stay in the parking lot an additional 30 – 40 minutes allowing the sun the rise further up in the sky before I get back on the road.          There is no normal in my routine as I haven’t been driving for that long and had forgotten how I did things a year and a half ago. Ha...