Last Thursday, Sept. 1, was my husband Jim’s 83rd birthday. With our daughter, Gloria, and our self-proclaimed “adopted daughter,” Tracie, we headed to Florence for a special lunch at Bridgewaters, since Mo’s was closed. Then we drove north to Heceta Head where we parked and watched the families playing on the beach and the incoming waves. Further out in the water were a few surfers trying to catch one of the bigger waves. The sea-air was glorious – so fresh and sweet – and the gentle warmth of a day with sunshine and very little wind invited open windows. Unfortunately, walks on the beach are no longer possible for Jim, so we enjoyed the sights, anyway. Sunday was reserved for a family barbeque to celebrate some more. Along with being with family and all of the many Facebook birthday wishes he got on Thursday, Jim felt especially honored and loved. Thanks to all who reached out to him.
Our anticipated celebration excursion to take a jet-boat ride last Wednesday with the River Road Parks & Recreation Dept. (which welcomes out-of-district residents) didn’t work out as we had hoped. Because of the wildfires in Southern Oregon, there was too much smoke along the Rogue River to send out the boats. So it was canceled for the time being. We’ve made the trip numerous times (but mainly from the Gold Beach end) and both Jim and I were really looking forward to it.
The wildfire situation is really getting critical. It’s so difficult to keep up with the multitude of fast-growing dandelions that inhabit our lawns when we can only mow before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m., but the rules are needed and we obey them. I was able to get half of our hill in front of our house mowed in the morning last week, but the other half is a bit steeper than I like to tackle on our riding lawn mower, so our daughter, Michele, showed up that night at 8 p.m. to finish the job. I was so surprised to realize that within less than a half hour, she was doing it in darkness. I hadn’t fully realized that fall was coming on quite so fast. Michele got it finished anyway with apologies for the few small spots that were missed.
Our family has always been supportive, but this last year, especially, they’ve been exceptional. Our grandsons have even taken on the task of cleaning out and rewiring our big tool shed and running wire to our gate at the entrance of our driveway so it can be opened and closed electronically … no more getting out to open and shut it each time we drive through! We are so grateful for them all. I’ve said it many times … we are blessed!
Lil Thompson of the Lorane Grange asked me to give you a little more information on an upcoming Grange event: “Come out and meet our State Representative, Boomer Wright. He will discuss education in Oregon, and if there’s enough time, he will talk about crime and public safety concerns. Boomer originally grew up in Lorane on Fire Road, and graduated from Crow High School. Let’s give him a warm welcome on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Lorane Grange. Light refreshments will be served.”
Enjoy this beautiful, more gentle weather we are having as we approach fall, but let’s all strive to do whatever is needed to prevent possible wildfires. Let’s make it through this season without any more incidents than what we’ve already had.
Online: allthingslorane.com
