"you shouldn't judge a book by its cover" - what lies beneath could bear an element of surprise
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| This star attached to decoration on fireplace |
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| the star that hangs above Jenna's nativity |
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| I tried taking one on the tree. It came more distorted than this |
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| how it appears when lit up |
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| I don't have pictures or even know all of my followers but here is an old one of me and one who reads my blog |
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| I did share this on an earlier post the year we obtained it |
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| Ooki, Jenna (the year she turned one) and me |
On Sunday Jenna took Bonnie for a walk and made a note of all the houses she wanted to go caroling to. We started out Monday morning going to Dollar General and made a purchase of 12 candy filled candy canes which we would leave with each household.
We continued on our way stopping at
various houses to sing and stopped when the door would open and leave our
little treat. Jenna had such a glorious
time. It was fun.
Although Jenna can participate with today’s suggestion
We had signed up to feed the missionaries yesterday. They had contacted Roland in the morning to ask about their schedule and how to include dinner within the timeframe. Roland had planned on making two lasagnas (one for us and one for them) but decided to change things around as the elders would Roseburg and won’t return until later last night. After Jenna and I returned home from the park, Roland took Jaime to run some errands. One was to pick up a lunch that the elders could eat on their way to Roseburg. He had also made of list of things to pick up at the hardware store – mouse poisoning being one of them.
We may
have mice living within the walls. We
came to the conclusion f few nights ago when Bonnie has barked wildly or whined
about something the rest of us cannot see.
Roland purchased some mouse poison yesterday but misread the
package. Bonnie go a hold of a couple of
baits and wolfed it down as though it were candy. We called the vet to ask
about the situation. We tried what he
had suggested, but when that did not work he volunteered to meet us at his
clinic. Why is it that Bonnie’s symptoms
always come on a weekend when the vets are closed?
I
was in the middle of my thoughts for day seven for yesterday’s post when the
incident took place and had taken time out to take Bonnie to the vet and try to
comfort Jenna who was feeling like an irresponsible pet owner. Dr. Nay told us what side effects might be
expected only we didn’t see anything different with her behavior. She seemed a bit down and asleep – upset that
we wouldn’t let her into the kitchen, but were told she shouldn’t eat for at
least two hours. Once we set her “free”
she was running around and back to her bouncy happy self as though nothing had
gone wrong.
She has the mind of a child. She sees us as people to depend on and to
cling to. We take care of her and love
her. We will all continue to make
mistakes but will make the best of what we can.
We did finish the night off watching the light parade. I have never seen or heard the parade so closely as last night.
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| Jenna did not take as many pictures as I had attempted to our first year - and I think they came out better - not that great but still better than mine. I shared four here |
Today's light the world was to take a break from social media. And yet there are those who needed to open their facebook accounts in order to watch our church meetings on line. We dropped off some Lasagna to Dr. Nay. I hope he and his wife enjoy it.
I LOVE Jenna’s enthusiasm – which I have mentioned several times. Even throughout this pandemic she has never lost her light. Oh, sure, it may have dimmed a few times but the spark would never die completely. She has been so enthusiastic with “Light the World one by one” program. As much as I hate to admit it I often do not have a proper attitude of greeting the day nor have I had the desire to fulfill each daily task challenge for “Light the World”. I do it with Jenna because of her excitement. I don’t want to contribute to dimming her light.
I think she has posted something everyday – but as a story so it doesn’t remain for all to view. I tried to screenshot them all – though I can’t seem to locate all of them nor did I keep all the clip art pictures that she added.
On the 7th day of December we painted a naked sled and took it to a man who will often give Bonnie treats. At the time his window did not have a covering such as curtains or shades. When we walked past his house yesterday he had covered the windows but had left the sled in the corner.
She did use part of the story we had made up about her 3rd great grandfather. I did get a screenshot of that - plus I have a copy of the assignment that she had turned in. (Refer to this post)
Yesterday morning was too dark for me
to drive to pick her up on time. Roland drove and on the way the way home Jenna
mentioned delivering cookies but claimed she wouldn’t have time to
make them due to her schedule and Roland offered to stop off at the store and
we could buy cookies. To be honest, they
looked lost in the containers and the ones Jenna had picked out were not
chocolate chip. You have to have
chocolate chip. I decided to make
chocolate chip after we returned home. I
mixed up the cookies so each plate or box had an assortment which included the
store bought and homemade. Didn’t really go
according to plan.
The first batch I had baked came out
darker than I like and so gave less time on the other two batches. We took Bonnie for a walk and took the first
cookies to a sister in our ward and asked for a suggestion on who to take the
others too. She was caught off guard and
I made some suggestions. She pointed to
the neighbor across the way. No one
answered the door and as we did not have anything to leave a note with we chose
not to leave the cookies but continued onto our next destination.
We took a box of cookies to her friend who lives near the first street where we had lived in Oregon. She was in math class when she answered the door and so did not choose another drop off either. But we had one plate of cookies left and Jenna wanted to return to our old street to visit the pig next door (here) to the house that we had rented. She suggested that we leave the plate with them, but they did not appear to be home either. Jenna then suggested our former neighbor across the street. That was truly inspired as she graciously accepted the cookies and came out for a visit.
She told us about a friend of hers who had recently lost her dog. She couldn’t remember the address but described it to us and we knew exactly what house she was talking about. We returned home so that Jenna could sign into one of her classes and I put another box together. After Jenna continued with her schooling and finished her two projects, we took Bonnie on another walk and found the house of the friend. We presented the cookies and told her who had send us and were sorry for her loss. We continued to walk around the neighborhood and then returned home.
For today’s light the
world, we took Bonnie to the park specifically so that Jenna could walk up to
Good Dogs to purchase some treats for Bonnie as well as herself. She took this picture with my phone but I don’t see that she’s posted it.
I wish I had taken the time to record my thoughts and try to transcribe them instead of the pathetic attempt to post the following:
Jenna has an assignment due
today. She asked if I could bounce
around some ideas in order to help her.
The topic is “Defunding the
Police – Why or Why
Not?” Her thoughts
mirrored my own when the subject started making its way around facebook.
“Why would we defund the police? That is so wrong. It’s their job to serve and protect us. Why would we want to take that away?”
I obviously had not understood why so many seemed to support it until I saw this political cartoon
this was shared on facebook. Unfortunately I am
unable to cite its orginal source but would like to know
Defunding the police is not the same
as abolishing.
Have you ever watched “Little House
on the Prairie”
or westerns in which there is only one doctor in
town. A jack of all trades one might
say. His job was to cure whatever ailed
the citizens whether it be a common cold, the fever, skin rashes, bullet
wounds, delivering babies . . . a doctor was expected to know it all and cater
to all regardless of age. And though
many doctors may have known a little about so much of what was required or
expected the doctor did not everything.
Today
we have gynecologists, pediatricians, Ophthalmologists, podiatrists, Dermatologists,
cardiologists . . . the list goes on and on.
Each doctor specializes in a certain field. I think it is better to have multiple doctors
that cater to something specific than just one who tries to do it all. I think
it is the same with the police. Many
signed up with a specific goal in mind without having been trained for every
aspect one might associate with police work.
We need to spread the funds each to whatever specialty is required.
We have opinions on why we should defund the police or why we should not defund the police. I was most curious about how the police themselves felt about it. I do have friends in the law enforcement and would like to support them. I watched this video chat with Lee Adams from Vice (here) in which he addresses eight different law enforcement officers from across the nation.
Even among those
that are in law enforcement there are still conflicting ideas about why or why
not reallocate the taxpayers money. Though they agree on some things there are
still other items in which their opinions vary.
Two videos were shown – both which I had seen before. The focus is on ward involvement. The story unfolds as a man (I think his name
is Juan) loses his job and doesn’t know how he will tell his wife. On the same day he meets with the
missionaries. They start teaching him
and his life is changed. He introduces
the gospel to his wife, Julia. We are
asked how we as a ward will be able to include them into our fold.
Juan is computer savvy and is
introduced to someone in the church who is not.
The missionaries ask Juan to utilize his talents to assist ward members – an act of service. How can we, in return, help Juan. Introduce
him to someone who can relate. Same with
the Relief Society and Julia (Juan’s wife).
When we are in ward correlation or missionary meetings how can we involve
each organization? Who would be a good
fit? I get that. I understood that as a missionary.
It’s almost as though we are dehumanized with the mask and staying six feet apart – although I support the outline given. I just find it hard to reach out when I don’t feel a foundation of the initial start. I miss connecting with members – let alone those who are not. Hopefully they can feel the Spirit through the meetings themselves and may understand that human contact will come – we just don’t know when.
When I left the house this morning the view was clear and I could see to drive. There were clouds surrounding the hills across the way, but nothing obstructing my view. That is until I drove nearer to the church. The fog seemed to descend upon Myrtle Creek as though the limits were completely swallowed. I am grateful I did not have to drive up North or South Myrtle as the roads seem to disappear into the whiteness.
When Jenna and I returned home the fog
had thickened our surroundings in Tri City.
It was as though the process of lifting was reversed. It wasn’t particularly cold outside – or at
least my body didn’t think it was. It
was nice to get home and off the road.
I had paid off a loan with my bank in
Oregon. I had written a check before
December 7th. I had even made
a transfer of money into my Utah account – which is the check I meant to
use. Roland asked me to check the
account to see if the money went in. He
meant the Oregon account but I had gone to the other site out of habit. I
noticed the check I had written had not yet cleared. When I went into my Oregon account I learned
my error – I had used the wrong account.
So I called the bank to see if I could come to the bank in person to get
the error resolved.
My cell phone was still in my hand
when I leaned down to unplug the tree.
In the process I inadvertently hit a button on my phone that I wasn’t
aware or had forgotten existed. It made
the sound of a siren. It took a few
seconds to get the sound off – although I don’t know how I did that
either. As I was trying to figure it
out, I received a phone call from the RS president followed by the first
counselor. Both had received a text from
me that said that I needed help. Both
laughed when I explained my error.
Roland said he had also received the text. Did my phone notify everyone in my
system? Oh, no!
I had worn a long sleeve pullover when
I had gone to get Jenna. As morning progressed I somehow felt too hot and had
changed into a tee shirt before I went to the bank. The sun was out. The air felt cool but not cold. That lasted
less than two hours as the skies started pouring down rain during the
afternoon. When I could no longer hear
the rain I looked out the window. I could see that it was still overcast.
Only three chickens have wandered into
our yard for the last three days. No
roosters. No turkeys. No more eggs.
Roland wonders if the brood has been butchered as we don’t see them in
the neighbor’s yard either. The pigs may
have been sold as Christmas hams as only the smaller ones can be seen. Or perhaps they have built a more solid
section for their animals. There have
been a few mornings we haven’t any the roosters crow. There was also one morning this year that I
couldn’t identify the animal or the tormenting sound it made – as though it was
being tortured. It was torture to my
ears to wake up to.
I ended the day with a virtual meeting
that took place in Roseburg. It was a
missionary meeting. I have many thoughts
about what has taken place. That will be
for another post.
My mom loved to iron when she was a girl. She grew up in a day before permanent press and I was still in school when the iron didn’t seem so important as during the years prior.
When I was younger my mom taught Patrick and I how to do the “dishing” chore. We first learned to dry and then put away and then she taught us how to wash by hand and finally unloading and loading the dishwasher. I seemed to make dishes a bigger chore for my mom before I learned the “put away” step. Instead of grouping dishes together I would create elaborate displays – often running out of table room before my masterpiece had finished. NOBODY liked putting dishes away after I had dried them.
certainly not the greatest picture but to provide a visual
-though not as elaborate as my from childhood
My
least favorite chore is vacuuming or sweeping the floor. They don’t call it “chore” for nothing. Vacuum refuses to suck or gets clogged
up. There is always a wrestling match
involved. The vacuum frustrates me. It seems the heavier they are the better they
are at doing their job. And that wears
me out.
Sweeping into the dustpan – forget it. There is always a trail. ALWAYS. And after I mop I have loosened up even more stuff to sweep. At least mops, brooms and vacuum cleaners have evolved over the years.
Even irons. Oh, what a joy it must have been to be a pioneer!
Every year the local elementary schools make ornaments to hang on the tree that is displayed downtown. Each year they walk from the school to the downtown area where the tree is displayed so that they can hang the ornaments themselves or drop into a basket of ornaments to decorate higher than they can reach. On the first Saturday of December there is a gathering. There is music and free hot chocolate. And then there is the lighting of the tree.
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| Jenna took this at main street and second avenue entrance to park (closed off in Dec) |
This year Jenna and I saw decorations carted out as some contributed to decorating the town.
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| Jenna took this one yesterday. So foggy this morning that only one strand of snowflakes could be seen |
On Saturday we’ll have annual light
parade (here and here). I don’t know where we’ll stand to view it and keep our
distance at the same time. It’s nice to
have normality after a hard year of chaos. Trucker Light Parades are available on youtube as my video was removed here.
When we are baptized we take upon ourselves the name of Christ – which means we will do our best to follow his example. The purpose of the sacrament is that it allows renewal of covenants made at baptism. We have sacrament meetings so that we can partake of the bread and water – which in itself does not require the entire time we are at sacrament meeting but rather a fraction.
Every sacrament meeting which I have
personally attended has had an opening song, opening prayer and announcements
followed by a song for the sacrament, the sacramental prayers and the passing
of the sacrament. That is until
yesterday. Because the ward had decided
to broadcast the meeting for those unable to attend in person, the sacrament was
held at the end of the meeting.
Once a month the congregation are invited
to bear their testimonies – express their
gratitude for the gospel, share their faith, etc. Yesterday just happened to be fast
Sunday. Although a mask has been
required since our return to church, the person at the podium is allowed to
remove while he/she speaks into the microphone.
The podium and mike are wiped down between each speaker. Both Jenna and
I made it up to the stand. I followed a
youth who had not removed his mask but spoke loudly and clearly unlike me who
often mumbles without the inconvenience of a mask – let alone behind one.
My testimony included that even though
this year has had a number of inconveniences – it is a trial that has helped me relate the scriptures to
our current situation and have a better understanding. I also talked about the #givethanks and
#lighttheworld programs which have added a positiveness to social media which
has been greatly needed. I concluded
with how grateful I am that Heavenly Father has sent Jenna into our lives and
how she always has a spark.
My aunt had a Scottish Terrier when she was ten years old – or perhaps Heather was a family dog. I barely remember the pet dog.
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| I of course don't have a picture of Heather but copied the photo from this site: |
My mom had not grown up with pets nor
seemed fond of them. Grandpa had left
instructions and told my mom that Heather needed to have two fried eggs each
morning. Mom said there was no way she
was going to fix eggs for a dog and so my dad made the eggs for Heather each
morning during their stay.
Whenever Roland cooks eggs for the dog
I always think of that experience that mom had shared with me. For the most part Bonnie will get scrambled
eggs rather than fried eggs – except this morning. I fried up the white part but the yolks were
still runny when I put them in Bonnie’s bowl.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, there is a slew of fowl who come into our yard and expect to get fed. This morning they were following me around like I was a magnet and they were all made of steel.
The owners told us that if we ever find eggs we can keep them – which we probably would have done anyway. We did not know they were roosting right beneath our deck. Roland sends Jenna out every morning to gather what she can find. The first time she found 24 but because we didn’t know how old they were, Bonnie got them all.
My sister was the first to make a comment to which I replied:
NY had just reopened and had barely started phase one. Tours were done virtually - although we took a self guided tour before the missionaries showed. There were more cars in the parking lot when we left than had arrived. It was a nice peaceful feeling being in the grove by ourselves.
I provided more info in this post
Today’s
caption for this photo:
“When the angel comes to the shepherds to announce the child’s birth there is a light that shines through the darkness and changes the countenance of each shepherd (or shepherdess) and I can see a sign of “hope” in their faces.”
I have shared these two paintings before and although they look nothing alike I can always see the above in the dark even though I’m really looking at the one below
If I had claimed the painting as my own, it would have been for sentimental reasons and nothing more. I never disliked the painting, but it wasn’t my favorite and overtime I had become bored with it over the years and yet there was a comfortable familiararity about me that I really have missed the last seven or eight years.
Roland
had purchased the seascape and fog one just over three years ago. It hung above our bed for just over a year
until after we purchased a bed frame.
Now it hangs to the side and I will often see shadows cast over the
painting but instead of seeing the misty shore and sea I will see the painting
that was in my mom’s house. Isn’t that
weird?
