July 2023

 Dear Family and Friends           July 1, 2023

Seems like each month, it is getting harder to come up with something special to write about.  In fact, I’m thinking about writing letters only every other month or so, because I’m sure you are not interested in knowing about every time I go to a potluck or have doctor or physical therapy appointments, which is all that my life seems to be filled with now.  I’m not even able to include any new puzzles, because I”m now using ones from previous years, unless I happen to acquire one from somewhere else to include with my own. But I shouldn‘t worry, because towards the end of the month things always seem to pick up, as they did in June.

After the Park’s huge yard sale in early June of this year, where I did buy a few things, Dan and Cathy did come here as planned from their home in Florida for a week, before leaving on July 31st  to fulfill a two year mission in Hawaii.  From here, they will go to Idaho and Utah where they will spend time visiting with other members of both families and then enter the Missionary Training Center at Provo, Utah for some vital instructions and information before actually leaving the Mainland.  They were driving a car borrowed from CJ, Dan’s son in Utah, but suggested that Linda go with them when they leave for Idaho and then fly back home a few days later. That way, she could be with Dan for the baptism of his eight year old grandson Ian, on July 1st.  She jumped at the chance and hurriedly arranged for time off from work at Home Depot and for Naomi to care for her outdoor cats and dog.  But the other dog, who is old, hard of hearing and almost blind, will stay with us.  

Before Cathy married Dan and moved to Florida, she had lived in Calif. and had visited its ‘beaches’ but here in Oregon, it is called “the Coast.”  Even with the Coast being a straight shot West, less than 100 miles from here, it had still been several years since I had been there.  I longed to see the ocean waves again splashing up over the rocks along the shore.  Highway 199, called the Redwood Highway, also passes through a part of the well known and mighty Redwood forest, with its trees sooo large and sooo tall, before reaching the ocean at Crescent City, Calif. Thus providing travelers with that experience as well. (The state line, with its fruit inspection station, is crossed a number of miles further back.)

With Dan doing the driving, all five of our family went to the coast and were able to spend a full day enjoying each other, the majestic Redwoods (trees so big around and lofty), and the Lighthouse at Crescent City, along  with its impressive coastline.  I was anxiously hoping to see large waves crashing over the rocks, but, unfortunately, the ocean was very calm that day.  The weather, however, was just perfect, ranging right around 60 degrees, with virtually no wind.  So, we were able to enjoy a really delightful outing that ended with a luscious Mexican dinner.

Another delightful afternoon and evening was spent at Linda’s home, where she served grilled steaks and burgers, salad, corn and watermelon, outside under the shade of several large trees of her new grassy yard.  We were joined by Linda’s daughter Naomi and friend Ryan, and, of course, her cats and dogs, who waited patiently (?) to be treated with the leftovers   It was a lovely, balmy evening and we all remarked about how much loving toil Linda had put into making that historically old, but quaint little house and its surroundings into such a homey and inviting place to be now.  And, she says, there’s still plenty more to do.  Oh, and while there, we were entertained by two squirrels shifting from tree limb to tree limb, reminding us that even though her house is in the city (next to the high school) it still has some wildlife, too.

It seems that Dan & Cathy had come primarily to see our family before they left on their mission, and do whatever pleased me, no matter the cost.  So, besides the trip to the coast for my sake at my request, I was taken to see and experience the same Wildlife Safari excursion that Linda had recently done.  It is located in Winston, Ore. which is only an hour’s drive north from here and just off the I-5 freeway.  It covers a fenced area of almost 20 acres, yet has free range and open areas where certain animals are free to roam.  We purposely arrived early in the morning when the animals would be most active, and before the sun got too hot.  Indeed, it proved to be a very enlightening and educational experience, as we drove along slowly and were able to see at close range all sorts of animals, large and small, as they wandered around in their own habitats.  Some even wandered out onto the street where inquisitive ostriches, and others, poked their heads into our open windows.  

Being raised there, they were all quite used to cars and people and were very docile and unthreatening, even though some were huge, like the rhinos that blocked the road for a bit.  Lions, tigers, cheetahs, bears, and such, had their own roaming spaces that were fenced off from the street, but within close view.  We saw two big, powerful lions playfully rolling over each other.  I’m sure they are all very comfortable in those surroundings, more so than in a zoo where they are locked up in cages.  Certain sections were labeled for animals from Africa; elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, all sorts of antelope or elk type animals with various sizes of horns, and so many more.   From Asia was the Panda, even a little red one with the Panda face, all right, but a long body and tail.  Very strange!  Their monkeys were quite different too, but cute. Flamingos and other types of fowl, like pheasants, turkeys and geese were all around.  There was also a special section of baby animals like sheep, goats,and others that could actually be touched.  Ah, Yes!  There was just so much to see and absorb in that one day.  But it was wonderful!

Another request that I was cheerfully granted, was to have a picnic with them in my own back yard, so to speak, since it would be at the picnic area of the Riviera down by the river.  To grant this request, Cathy bought all the necessities.  Chicken, macaroni salad, plates, utensils and napkins.  True supplied lemonade, watermelon and mango.  I was so pleased that Cathy would do that for me, even if she wasn't going to eat the same things I did.  I admire her for eating more healthy foods .  So, there, by our lovely, smooth flowing river, we were able to enjoy the environment, the food and just being together.

During the week, we had, of course, played my favorite family game of Tile Rummy.  But, on their last evening here, and having fulfilled all MY desires, Dan asked if we could play HIS favorite family game called “Liverpool.”  Smokey (his dad) loved the game and knew it by that name.  It is a form of progressive rummy that proceeds from level to level of hardness to accomplish, until at the end a player can win only by laying down 4 runs and not have a single card left. It is fun, and as a family we have enjoyed it for years.  But it does take a long time to finish and is best with a group of players.  So, it was great to do it together, again.  Cathy ‘helped’ Dan win the game!

I was truly grateful for all the thoughtfulness and tender love that Dan and Cathy had shone to me and to his sisters, True & Linda, and others, while here and at other times.  I love them and will miss them. For a couple of the days while they were here, I wore my Hawaii dress in honor of their mission.  But when the time finally came for them to leave, it was hard to say goodbye, knowing it would be two long years before we would embrace each other again.  But I was grateful for their devotion and desire to serve the Lord and know the Lord will bless them and keep them healthy and strong and able to contribute much to the good people of “Paradise Land.”  And, with instant communication these days, they will not be so isolated from home as missionaries once were, but will seem no further away than they were in Florida.

After sending them on their way, it’s now time for me to leave you and this letter, along with my love And I ask for our Heavenly Father’s love and blessings to be with you now and always.  

 

Happy 4th of July!   Marie