Aug / Sep 2024

 Dear Family and Friends,

The first part of August was filled with emptiness. True was still at her daughter’s place in Spokane until the 23rd of Sept. and Diane, who was hired to take True’s place, was with her daughter in Colorado for ten days, so I was technically alone for those few days. But arrangements were made for sisters of the Church Relief Society to come in and supply me with a meal each of those days. I am so thankful for each of the ones who expressed their love and concern for me in doing so.

The main thing that occurred in August was the difficulty we had with our printer and computer. The printer had been acting up and then stopped completely. So Linda purchased a new one. When we called the company for instructions in setting it up for a wireless connection with the computer, the printer technician found that a virus existed in the computer that wouldn’t allow for the connection to be made. Many hours of Linda’s precious time was used up closely following the intricate directions of the technician in attempting to solve the situation. But they finally did succeed, only to discover that everything that was on the computer was now lost!

Jeff Jarvis, who had set up the computer in the first place, took it back for a week to see what he could do about it. Instead of working with that old one, he gave me another computer that he was able to set up, connect with the printer and bring back all that was lost. And just in time for me to be able to print up my newsletter for this month! He is such a marvelous friend and a real whiz at electronics. I treasure him and all of his dear family.

August had exceptionally hot weather, staying in triple digits for many days at a time. But a little relief came in the form of rain with thunder and lightning, which thank goodness didn’t cause any fires like in previous years. So in August we were able to escape the whole month without any major fire to contend with. That thunderstorm did however interfere with the Riviera BBQ that was scheduled for the River site, but had to be transferred to the clubhouse. The ribs and chicken pieces tasted just as good, anyway.

Something that was kinda devastating to True and me was the loss of our kitty HaiKu. Shortly after True returned home from Spokane, she was outside tending to the yard and left the door open. HaiKu had never been outside before, but this time she decided to try. When we realized that she was actually gone and not just hiding under the bed, we of course became very worried and because she does answer to her name we began calling out to her close by and around the Park, hoping she would hear and come to us. But with no response, we just waited. She wears a tag on her collar with True’s phone number on it, in case whoever found her should call that number. True also posted a flier with HaiKu’s picture and information about her onto the clubhouse door and elsewhere. Then, we waited again.  A man three streets over called saying he had seen such a cat but was unable to catch it for us. Yes, HaiKu is very skittish of strangers, thus adding to the problem of getting her back. But even so we continued to wait, hoping and saying our little prayers for her safety, wherever she might be.

It was Monday evening when HaiKu had disappeared and by Sunday we had heard nothing more from anyone else so were afraid that we had indeed lost our little kitty. Then something very strange happened .... On Sunday night about 10:00 pm when True was in her bathroom preparing for bed ( I was up too) she heard outside her window what sounded like the tiny bell that hangs from HaiKu”s collar. True has excellent hearing, but could it possibly be? True hurried outside to check on it and soon came back holding in her arms our little kitty, while crying and calling out to me “She’s home! She’s home!” What a wonderful surprise! How glad we were to have her back with us -- and our worries were over. But how did it happen? HaiKu doesn’t talk so we’ll never know what really took place, but I believe it was Heavenly Father’s angels that led her back to us. What do you think?

Yes, it is very good to have True back so we can have a tidy house and a beautiful yard again. And to have HaiKu back so we can have pleasure in seeing her antics as she chases the red laser dot and skids into the throw rugs. And not really minding it when she climbs onto my desk, gets a hold of the roll of stamps and bats it around letting stamps dangle almost to the floor. Although I do hide the roll from her as a plaything now. So my life is once again pretty much back to normal. That is until True plans to leave for good, sometime in mid October. There are plans in place that will be finalized by my children and others later in September regarding my care from then on. So until then I ask for the Lord’s special blessings to be with you, along with my love and best wishes for your health and strength throughout the coming months.

Love to all, 

Marie