Lincoln's Birthday, 2013

The Mink Creek area is a popular spot during the winter for snowmobile enthusiasts.  Many head up Strawberry Canyon to the forested mountains.  Birch Creek attracts another set and that parking lot, located where most of the farmed fields end, is full of trailers and trucks on most weekends.

The LDS Ward enjoyed a Linger Longer lunch following the block of meetings on Feb 3^rd.  Tables set up in the recreation hall were available for seating after the filling of plates.  There was a selection of soups, rolls, strawberry jam (a favorite, judging by how fast it disappeared), and several choices of salads.  Desserts were covered by choices of brownies, cakes and cookies.  This is an activity that is much enjoyed, giving our community that is spread out over ten miles an opportunity to catch up on one another’s lives.

Dr Kurt Iverson received some serious injuries recently. A tow chain came lose as he was trying to rescue a family vehicle that was stuck in the snow.  Dr. Iverson has some facial lacerations, a fractured nose, some damaged teeth and injury to an eye.  He has greatly improved since the incident and will soon be back at his dental practice. 

Juliana Packer  is home in Mink Creek to participate in a baby shower for her newborn infant, a bouncing baby girl.  She is the first child for Blaine and Juliana, the first grandchild for LaRon and Liesa Baird.  The Packer family live in Heyburn, ID.

Watch out for meandering deer.  This past week a lovely doe was mincing her way down the middle of the highway.  When she realized there was traffic coming at her from both directions she finally chose to jump a guard rail and bound down the steep hillside below.  So glad automobiles are equipped with brakes for the sake of both humans and wildlife!

For years our nation has lumped both Lincoln and Washington's birthday together and labeled it "President's Day" but I fondly remember celebrating each day separately and learning a bit about each man that had led our country through some momentous times.  Today is for Old Abe!

The deer are among us, looking for anything worth eating, particularly on the south side of our slopes.  Drivers may slam on their brakes to count how many deer they see.  Drivers may be paying more attention to the deer lying under the trees than they are to their driving.  Deer don’t go to sleep when the sun goes down.  Turkeys, on the other hand, find their favorite place to roost.

Lately most days have been rather dreary, gray and partially foggy.  Not many years ago our community always felt that we were above the fog.  The last couple of years have changed that outlook.  When an inversion moves in, causing Cache Valley to rate high with impure air, we are part of the package.  The clear days, however, are absolutely beautiful and glorious with the sun causing the banks of snow to be filled with jewels.