Jan 23, 2013

Jeff and Camille Knudson had a fun time with a visit from their son, Cameron and Rebecca Knudson and their children.  The family lives in Marysville, CA.  They had a good time with Idaho winter weather sledding and enjoyed the proximity of horses in the country.  Their son Trevor will be leaving for the MTC in  Sao Paulo, to begin his mission call to Brazil.

Steve and Terry Mainini took a trip to California for one week.  Their first stop was with Steve’s folks in Santa Maria, then to Steve’s mother and Terry’s folks in Ventura.  It wasn’t as cold as Idaho, but not as warm as they would have liked. 

Johnny and Jeannine Iverson were California bound as well.  They visited a daughter, Christine and Charles Clark in Roseville, picked oranges, enjoyed family times and warmer-than-Idaho weather.  They went for the occasion of Johnny ordaining a grandson in the priesthood of the LDS Church.

            Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson have reported that they may be on a mission in England, but they now have a Chinese-speaking LDS Branch that meets in their home.  The Olsons are serving in the city of Hull, England.

The youth who are playing basketball with the LDS Ward are having fun  in both practices and their games.  Kerry Christensen is coaching both teams, girls and boys.

Kurt Iverson was released as the Second Counselor in the Mink Creek Ward Bishopric.  He is now serving on the Preston North Stake High Council.

Night skating was enjoyed by the Scouts; their leader is Paul McKay.  The Longhurst family has created a small rink on their property, equipped with lights and music.  There are bumpers of straw bales to line the outer edges.  The sounds of fun echo off the mountains, as well as shrieks when bruises occur.

Two turkey fatalities have occurred along our highway.  The birds feed along the road sides in groups, and they seem to feel that they have the right-of-way and might step out suddenly in front of a vehicle.  I often wonder if there is any way to judge the IQ of these creatures. 

Bob Erickson and Vernon Keller went up to Pocatello to take in the annual Agricultural Expo at the Holt Arena on the ISU Campus.  They returned with new ball caps and florescent vests to add to their wardrobe of farming attire, plus a new gadget or two.

We are still in the grip of below zero weather.  The forecasts are not one bit encouraging.  It is hard on the human residents and their livestock; imagine what it must be for the local wildlife.  My backyard magpies seem plenty lively but I note their feathers are fluffed out for more warmth.  Even when the sun shires it is brittle and sparles, beautiful but bone-chilling.

I just realized that I have been writing this blog for a little over a year.  It started because I am too verbose to match the imposed limit of words by our publisher.  I have struggled during this time wondering which was the most important to put in the printed column---the names and activities, or the local color and scenes.   54 posts later, I still haven't come up with the answer for that one.  Most people tell me they don't do the online thing, no technology for many readers.  So I am still seeking the answer---tell me what you think.  This blog is not connected to the newspaper at all, it just includes info that I wrote for said paper.