Blowing Smoke

             Richard and I had gone to Medford on Thursday.  As we got closer to the city I could see the mountains in the distance somewhat enveloped in a hazy whiteness.  I asked Richard if it was smoke from the California fires.  He thought it was.  And yesterday I could sense the same sensation I had back in 2020 during the COVID fires – well, not that the fires were COVID related – the fires had pushed the topic of the pandemic into the back burner like it was no longer relevant,

I could see the orange beams spill into my bedroom.  Kind of eerie – especially when the sun wasn’t even visible to my eyes when I looked for it outside.  Or through the window rather.  Still too hot outside to want to open the door just for Bonnie to go out and do her business.  The skies are hazy, but the hills are still visible.  It looks overcast but not.  The air quality is better than most summers – but there is obviously a stench in the distance.  It makes me sad for the thousands who have to evacuate thus far.  How many more?

Each year that we've been here we have heard the fireworks shoot off to mark the end of Summerfest. The skies are clear enough that the first time ever I was able to watch the fireworks from my bathroom window as I lay in bed.  That was cool.  

Still Loving Those Rocks

               Rock is not her most favorite genre of music, but she LOVES the minerals that nature forms for her collection.  My Aunt Eloise had given her a sack of rocks when Jaime was three.  I know.  That seems like an odd gift, but Jaime truly loved them and would spend hours sorting them by color, size, her favorites, and whatever other grouping she could think of.

         After we had moved to West Valley Jaime had gone next door to assist the neighbor with some light chores and came home with a large jar full of rocks – which again she separated into piles.  I remember taking several pictures of her enjoying her treasures which she had strewn across the couch.  This is the only pic I can find and she's not in it

         I did not ask her to pose for this picture but took it as it triggers fond memories.  Her love for rocks may not be exactly the same.  Now she likes to paint them and hide them.  She still treats them as treasures. She will always love rocks.

What Else Can I Throw Away?

 Whenever I see a touchless garbage can I can't help but smile.  It doesn't have so much to do with the can itself opening up - although that is pretty cool.

No, the memory that makes me smile is my first encounter with a touchless trash can was offered at Schlotzsky's then in Midvale Utah up by 1300 and Fort Union (no longer located in said area) and my four year old nephew who had walked by when a device invited him to throw away his trash.

Ben excitedly cleared the table returning for more and asking, "What else can I throw away?"

What Does This Say?

 Not only is the language in Spanish, but the handwriting seems to be providing an even bigger challenge.  

Is this why they stopped teaching cursive in schools?

Merry Christmas

 Jaime always manages to miss whenever we go to the pool on July 25.  Josh had always decorated for the first five years we had lived here but Sebastian did not.  Today I was surprised to see some parts decorated.  

Coming to an End

 What Myrtle Creek summer fest would be complete without the blazing heat?

New Neighbors

               Since purchasing our home in Tri-City, we have had three sets of neighbors to our left.  Jane and Austin lived there for at least three years.  Not quite sure when they moved out (I’m guessing during a holiday excursion to Utah – perhaps even New York?) and Jane’s sister and brother-in-law moved in.  They fought a lot and I suspect moved out of marital problems – but I don’t know.  It’s not as if we had ever become bosom buddies with any of our neighbors.

          They moved in March and a new family – couple moved in this month.  They have two huge dogs who have barked at Bonnie though she tends to ignore them.  Oh, good for her.  I thought she would be the instigator.  Obviously male dogs.  The new home owner says he thinks that his dog has a crush on Bonnie.  That’s different.  That’s sweet.

          Thus far we like these next door neighbors the best of the three we’ve had.