Beneath the Wraps

           Roland got off at 5:00 on Tuesday and we met him in the driveway.   Jenna had a carry-on and boarding pass in hand.   We arrived at the airport in just over an hour and Jenna walked through the gate by herself.   I should have taken some pictures but did not even think about it until now.   Thus this is the only picture we have of us in Medford.            The next picture she took was after she arrived in Las Vegas.     I ’ m guessing that she must have gone out to the curb to meet Randy as she was not aware that Devan was with him until later on the ride toward St. George.   Randy took this picture of Jenna under the Arizona sign as there is a piece of road from Nevada to Utah that goes through the state of Arizona.   I think it is kind of funny as there is no access from Arizona and so if there is an accident on that road even though that part may be in Arizona, the em...

          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....

                 I had asked a friend if she would drive me to the airport yesterday.  I had changed the time of her flight and would have been able to drive myself but my friend was still willing – in fact looking forward to it – perhaps more than I.  Before the pandemic she had received a gift card to Red Lobster but has not used it in all of this time.  So after we went to the airport and picked up Jenna, our friend drove us to Red Lobster and used her gift card on overpriced food that really didn ’ t seem worth what we would have paid.  Jenna and I do love the cheese rolls – which she enjoyed more than I.  It probably isn ’ t the fault of Red Lobster but rather my taste buds (or lack thereof) that are to blame.   Currently Jenna is in Cottage Grove attending the high school football game – not that she knows anything about football or any other sport.   She has school spirit as many of those f...

  Bonnie will whine when we are in the other room but will gladly follow me to   my room and lay down and stop whining.     My room has carpet and so does the office.   Often she will hang out there waiting for Roland ’ s return.   Perhaps she enjoys the rough carpet under her belly. I don ’ t think she is particularly fond of the flooring we chose for the main part of the house as she is always slipping.   She does have her own bed which seems to me should be more comfortable than the carpeted floor.   But I am not a dog.   What do I know?   She ’ s quite an insecure dog. She has waited in the office alone but rarely stays in the bedroom by herself.   I don ’ t know why she doesn ’ t hang out in Jenna ’ s room.   Jenna absolutely adores Bonnie. She really is a sweet dog. She currently seems  to be missing Jenna.

             I thought I would be able to create at least one post today, but Roland just informed me that he has the day off.   I suspect that can change as his boss is a flake. We took Jenna to the airport last night and will be returning for her on Friday.   Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving.   That makes for more wait until I am able to sort my thoughts and post something.           On Friday, the 19 th , we spent the majority of the day in Ashland.   We toured the campus at Southern Oregon University.   I wore myself out.   Jenna ran into one of her friends and made friends with another also majoring in theatre.   Layne will be gone by the time Jenna arrives – unless she chooses to go elsewhere.   Today she will be touring the Dixie State campus only ten minutes away from her brother’s house.           Parent/Teacher conferen...

             I vaguely remember having a “Christmas Pickles” on our tree.   At least I think I do. I don’t even know where it came from or why it was there.   We obviously didn’t know its tradition as it was never hidden.   Tradition says the pickle is “hidden” to bring good luck to the finder.   We never hid the pickle.             I don’t remember hiding any ornaments intentionally.   Many times the fuller trees seemed to swallow up ornaments that had been pushed into the tree which is why I prefer Charlie Brown trees.   Every ornament can be seen on a Charlie Brown tree and none get lost.            There is speculation about the Christmas pickle – or legends. Lost truths.   Invented stories perhaps.   It’s kind of a fun idea.   A little bizarre.   I mean a pickle? Not an item I have associated with Christmas.  ...

             I don’t recall if it was last year or the year before when I received this Snoopy ornament.     I didn’t have it on the tree for very long as it was underneath the tree or in my stocking.   I decided to hang it over my computer and have looked at it throughout the year.   I think it’s cute.             Roland and I used to hang our keys on the fireplace where the stockings would go but have gotten rid of the fireplace this year and thus do not have the hangers anymore.   He started hanging his keys with the coats and I put mine behind the Snoopy – which seemed to work out well until the other day.   When I grabbed my keys I had also grabbed my Snoopy.   When I set the keys down Snoopy fell and the words broke.   I was going to try and super glue them back and still may – but right now it seems to be a poetic justice type thing.   Instead of...