Hodgepodge of Thoughts

          The skies cleared up this last weekend.  The smoke had cleared from the south and the skies were blue.  For two nights and mornings I had my windows   Now we have smoke coming in from the east. The windows remain closed.  I think it's wrong for the skies to appear overcast as though promising cooler weather and learn that it is 80 - 90 degrees outside.  

          Roland has taken off for a week.  Monday felt like a Saturday to me.  Yesterday felt like a Wednesday.  I don’t know what today will bring (as it really hasn’t started yet) Not a normal day for me.  Roland and I will be going to the theatre in Roseburg this morning.  Jenna will stay in town with a friend who stayed the night. 

          They have their dress rehearsal tonight.  I have invited my small group from my water fitness class.  They are excited to see Jenna and Roland perform.  It will be fun for all of us.  I am happy that they are looking forward to this.

          I just barely started my research for this week’s assessment.  It is all that is required this week.  165 points for 1,000 words 975 words (it might as well be 1,000).  I don’t know when I’ll be able to continue working on it today.  It’s a doozer.  Starting Monday I will be taking a break from accounting.  I have a social studies class coming up for the next four weeks.

          I’ve started a new book called “Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles” by A.L. Herbert.  Thus far, it is actually kind of funny.  Halia and her cousin find the body of an arrogant investor in her restaurant’s kitchen.  At first, they believe he is passed out, but when Halia can’t find a pulse, she freaks out.  She was about to call the police believing that death may have occurred as a result of a heart attack, but then sees her cast iron frying pan and realizes that the investor has been murdered.

          She doesn’t want the murder to ruin the reputation of her restaurant, and so she and her cousin move the body to a nearby alley.  When she returns to the restaurant the following day, she prepares herself for rumors and investigations, but as the day progresses without any word of a murdered victim, she learns the body is no longer where she  left if. 

          I am not even halfway into it.  It’s been five days and she has learned that a body was just retrieved from a body of water.  At this point, she does not know if it’s her investor.  It is fun reading about her suspicions and panic.  I am going to attempt reading another chapter before I return to bed.  Though it might be better if I could start applying my references to my assignment.  That seems more likely to return me back to slumberland.

Assorted Thoughts on blog, school and blossoms

        I notice my brother has not posted to his blog for over a year now.  My niece seems to gradually be returning to her blog.  She has created seven posts called “Define your Dash”.  It appears as though she has reached into a journal jar and writes on whatever subject she’s been given – although in her Dash#1 she explained in better detail what she’s doing.  She also uses actual names unlike Corey and me.

        I’ve obviously slipped at posting myself, and my reading has been even more pathetic.  I have so much to catch up on.  It’s just a matter of prioritizing.  This will be my last week of the two accounting classes I'm currently taking.  I have only one assessment and discussion for my favorite class.  I have a normal week for the class I don’t like.

        I have another comparison I have made for the relationship between me and the instructor.  Have you ever watched a Peanuts cartoon and the focus is always on the childish characters and you never actually see the adult?  And when an adult does talk there is only sound but no formed words?  That is what my instructor sounds like to me.  I’ve decided that I’m not alone.

        I mentioned that there are two students who are in both of my classes.  One is a returned missionary I’m guessing in his early 20’s.  He’s been in a few of my other classes before.  He is going for his bachelor’s in forensic accounting.  Dare to dream.

        The other, I'm guessing, is a woman - possibly around my age.  That is basically all I know about her.  Except for she posted her phone number on my discussion post addressed to me.  Could I call her and help her with the assignment?  I don’t know why she singled me out – unless it is because I am in both classes and I have been to the live lectures (when the instructor calls us by name, other students can figure out who attended the live session)

        My grades in that class are not the greatest though are better than my current understanding.  I have been on the President’s List ever since my first two classes, but my understanding of Acct 213 has robbed me of making the President’s List for the next five or six months (however often they are sent)

        It was late when I received her message – well, maybe not so late my time, but I didn’t even know what state she was in; it appears to be on eastern time and landline.  At this point I don’t know what kind of grades she gets.  But I feel her frustration.  I wish I could get a hold of her to see how she’s doing.  Her line was busy when I tried to call on Friday morning.

        Jenna was home from school and I took her to parent/teacher conference.  She showed me the memorabilia that hang the walls of the hall –

tribute continues for Nick and Andrew.  The students released hundreds of balloons into the sky and left daffodils at the flagpole.

I tried calling my unknown classmate a couple of times but her line was busy.  I couldn’t even leave a message for her.  I hoped that she was receiving help from another.   

        Jenna and I ran several errands.  It was such an awesomely beautiful day.  After months of rain, there was sunshine.  Just that day.  I came home and finished my last assessment.  I wish it had been the final.   

          On Saturday, Savannah came over and spent some time with Jenna. Roland took them to the movies and brought them back to hang out.  I spend some time with him before he went into his office to study.  I took advantage to create a few posts. 

             Yesterday I noticed the pink and white blossoms gracing several trees between our house and the church.  Last year the flowers were blooming in February - which the residents said was unusual.  This year was quite different from last.

            I tried contacting my classmate again.  Now my phone insists that it is not even a working number.  What?

       

I Think the Eggplant Proves That God Has a Sense of Humor

                If death was edible, I would imagine that it tastes very much like eggplant.  I don't even know what else to compare the taste to - except for maybe vomit.  It's not even overpowering.  Mostly it is dull, but there is a hint of bitterness that makes my tongue break out into absolute disgust.  Aside from their revolting taste (and often texture) eggplants are deceiving.

Eyes may think this might be a potato and pickles - means major disappointment for the mouth

                 First of all, there's the name.  As a child, I was impressed by the very idea of eggs growing on a plant instead of waiting for a chicken to lay it. According to a few of the websites I have visited into my curiosity of why eggplants even exist, I came across a few pictures of the eggplant in which the plant is named after.  Yes, they do resemble the eggs of chickens at a glance.  Apparently, eggplants come in varieties.  I wasn't familiar with the white egg-shaped eggplants.  I've only had tastes of the purple kind.  Another deception.

retrieved from Quora

                 Purple is the color of grape jelly, boysenberry syrup, and blackberry pie - all sweet and delicious to my pallet.  An eggplant is neither sweet nor delicious.  It is beautiful in color before it's cooked.  But then it gets diced and squashed and mixed.  I guess I've had some okay dishes that might have had a better than okay rating if the eggplant had been removed.  It doesn't seem to matter how much salt, garlic, or butter is added. I just don't understand why anyone would have an intentional desire for it.  And so I have researched the subject just a bit.

                According to Healthline (here) the eggplant is rich in nutrients and antioxidants.  There are many definitions for the word antioxidant.  I personally think it's another word to explain a nasty taste.  The eggplant MAY reduce the risk of a heart disease.  It MAY promote blood sugar control.  It COULD  help with weight loss.  How could it not?  Seriously, how could a person ever gain weight from a horrible tasting plant?   Okay, so perhaps there are some benefits to eating eggplant.  There are also benefits to eating kale and broccoli.  Wish there were as many benefits to eating chocolate - more specifically, chocolate chip cookies.  

retrieved from Femme Auctuelle Cookie Maison

                Great chocolate chip cookies require eggs.  Nothing great requires eggplant.

 other eggplant sites

http://www.indepthinfo.com/eggplants/history.htm

https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-is-it-called-an-eggplant

A Child's Prayer

         The primary theme this month is on prayer - one of my most favorite subjects.  I have so many examples and many triggers take place each week during sharing time.  Here is one memory that my mom liked to tell:

         My family had gone on vacation to Yellowstone Park.  Dad and I had taken the trail to Morning Glory.  At least that's where we thought we were going.  I don't know why it was just him and I that were following the trail - I don't recall how old Corey and Kayla were at the time - perhaps one or both were getting restless and mom decided to take them elsewhere to wait for us.  In their mind, we had been gone quite a while and mom or Corey - maybe both - had questioned our delay.

            

            Humility was not Corey's strong point at that time, but he was devoted to saying prayers and suggested that they say one, but mom decided to wait some more.  Kayla was doing something which demanded mom's attention, and when they had finished up with whatever (remember, I was not there in person so this is a recap of the way my mom used to tell it) and found Corey on his knees with his arms folded and head bowed.  She said right after Corey got up from praying, they could see my dad and I making our way back to them. 

            Corey than said to my mom, "See, there they are.  If we had prayed sooner, they would have been back sooner."

200 More Words To Go

There is a haze outside covering the sky.  It reminds me of those Claritin commercials where the scene was not quite as clear until the individual took the drug that would relieve all allergies and related symptoms (Claritin does not work on me; I might as well be taking candy).  The haze outside is from the smoke related to the fires I didn't believe were all that close to us.  The air is breathable, I suppose, but not pleasant.  Still easier on me than the gunky air in Salt Lake City.

There is a haze over my eyes.  It cannot be blamed on the smoke.  My thoughts are fuzzy due to the subjects of the week.  Last week I was required to turn in two essays.  The 600 words were worth 120 points.  The 750 word worth 100.  Two more essays required for this week - 600 words worth 120 points and 750 words worth 50 points.  What's up with that?  It hardly seems worth the effort or research.  Gads.

And this week's discussion topic is on stocks and bonds.  Boresville!  Posting my initial participating post was hard enough.  I still need to reply to two of my peers.  Blah, blah, blah . . . I can't seem to stay focused.

And this morning I found this link in my email box.  Apparently, I'm okay.

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I Like My Clothes Baked, Not Tossed or Smoked

                When we first moved to our house in Tri City, Roland set up a clothesline between two trees.  Initially, he tried the pulley thing so that I could hang the clothes from one position.  It didn't work to our expectations and I spent that first summer walking up and down the line hanging and removing laundry.

          I like having the sun dry the clothes and I especially like how it can brighten the whites.  A light breeze will make it dry faster, but a strong wind will make the fabric stiff.  The towels feel like sandpaper either way, so generally, I just toss those in the dryer and add will add clothes that have been on the line but don't seem wearable.  Also, I don't enjoy ironing and would rather have the dryer remove the wrinkles for me.

          Roland did put in a new line so I don't even have to leave the porch.  Might appear tacky, but it really is nice to hang clothes that way.  And the lines are quite long and I have not filled them both.  That's quite wonderful also.

          I believed the temperature was starting to cool off as we were told high today would be 78 and low at 54.  But then it started going over 80 again, almost 90.  What???  Don't like that.  Especially when it appears to be overcast and doesn't rain at all.  Yesterday I realized that it wasn't even clouds that gave the gray appearance to the sky, but rather smoke from surrounding fires - though not as bad as California - or the fires that existed last year.  Not powerful enough to my nose that I can smell it. Still - enough smoke to give me a headache. 

          I don't guess I'll be hanging my clothes up for a while.  I mean, what's the point of washing them if I'm just going to dry them in the smoky air.  Gosh, darn fires.  I'm so grateful to all the firefighters.  May God bless and protect each one of them and their families.

No More Moving!

          Today it was announced in primary that one family has left us already and that another family will be moving Thursday.  We knew the stay for both families being in this ward was only temporary.  But when the first accepted a calling in the bishopric, I was truly excited believing that his family would be living in Oregon for a while - not just only one month more!  What's up with that!  They didn't even say good-bye - I think it was just announced: Oh, by the way.

          Two weeks ago there were 15 children in our combined class of valiants. Most of them were visitors.  The amount of all classes combined totaled almost 30.  Today we had 5 in class and 10 in sharing time - and that was with two of the children who are leaving.  Not counting the visitors from two weeks ago, our primary has decreased by a third with the two families that are/will be gone.  And there are at least three vacant positions within our ward now - nursery, primary counselor and bishopric counselor.  We will be able to combine the valiant classes again - though I think Thomas and I would enjoy the one-on-one.  I really don't wish to be called to nursery.  But I guess that would free up more time once a month to focus on the newsletters.  I also take role in choir.

          Roland says I should not accept a second calling if I don't want it - but most of the active people in this ward have several callings.  One RS counselor also conducts the ward choir, the other leads the music in Sacrament meeting.  Our primary pianist teaches Sunday School.   Primary teachers (especially nursery) are really hard to come by.  And there are only four classes (including the nursery).  But as the number of children have decreased, Danny can probably go back to teaching all the valiants without my assistance.  Guess we'll see what the near future holds for us.

Material Things

          When we left Salt Lake, there was a lot of material possessions that were left behind.  I fully believed that we would get back within a few months and I would be able to retrieve those possessions.  But it did not work out that way.  I couldn't even retrieve the five boxes that Kayla had retrieved and saved for me because we had the wrong car.  We were supposed to get a rental that would have been bigger than our Saturn - but we did not have the room.

          Randy reminded me that I had saved several cameras that I thought might be collector items one day.  So much for that idea.  Randy said he'd keep them for me or send them to me.  I don't remember which, but I have no reason to believe them.  I'll never see them again.  And perhaps they really aren't worth anything.  I'll never know.

          I try not to dwell on what was left behind.  Several people have had to abandon their possessions due to wars, floods, fires, many different reasons why they had to evacuate.  Currently, I am reading a book called "The Quilt Walk" by Sandra Dallas.  

 A family moves from Quincy, Missouri to Golden, a city in the Colorado territory.  They are part of a wagon train.  I'm not really too far into it, but the pioneers and others who were migrating to the west left with fewer possessions than what I did or even what was left behind as they didn't have all the material things to begin with.  Nor did they have the technology to email one another.  They had the pony express at best - though the word "express" seems overrated in the delivery sense.

          The story is told in first person.  Emmy Blue is the ten-year-old who narrates where she's been and how life is through her eyes.  A ten-year-old's hardships are so different from the adult.  The ten-year-old doesn't know all the detail that takes place.  Many adults don't either.  They have great expectations and nothing is ever as wonderful as they imagine - particularly the journey.

          Emmy Blue is an only child.  She has a wax doll which I expect will melt sometime along the journey.  She doesn't like to quilt.  Her mom does.   Emmy Blue's current friend is an eight-year-old boy who travels with his mom and dad in the wagon ahead of Emmy Blue's.  She doesn't like his prideful mother. Thus far, I don't care for her much either.  I do like Emmy Blue's mother. 

          I have noticed in stories about those that don't part with their possessions right away, end up parting with them later on - before they reach their destination.  Either the wagon breaks and they have to part with items just to lighten their load.  After a long period, they may trade items for food just to keep themselves from starving.  Many items don't end up arriving at the intended destination.  I suspect there will be more arrivals of people in this book and fewer deaths along the way, but I don't really know.  They have almost crossed the entire state now and will be starting their journey through Nebraska (also a territory).  I'm enjoying it.