July 3, 2013

Haying season has its ups and downs during  “life on the farm.”  The smell of freshly cut alfalfa is very satisfying.  It is great to see heavily laden windrows, parallel designs of trails following the swather.  When there are no storms, no rain, little wind, no breakdowns of the various harvesting machinery life is happy.  Growers are dependent on the moods that nature presents.  It is a rare year when all goes smoothly, particularly in the machine department.  All sorts of things, big and small, choose this time to break down, need repair, giving hours of frustration.  If you have ever lived on a hay-production farm or ranch you will understand.

Tiffany Longhurst, daughter of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst, received a mission call to the California, Anaheim, Mission.  She will leave in August.  Recently Tiffany spent a few months in Florida working at Disney World.  She commented that she was training in Disney World to go to the land of Disney.

Cole Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, received his certificate of graduation from LDS Seminary. 

We have been invaded by Cranes.  Three were now adult children of Rex and Brucia Crane, putting in some work time plus fun at the Crane retreat.  Bruce lives in Logan, Sheryl May in Paul, ID, and Linda Shewmaker in Jerome, ID.  Not long after their cousin, Tracy and Joni Crane happened by for an “every so often” visit to Mink Creek.  Tracy and Joni live in Vernal, UT.

Nate and Dana Olson are home after spending a couple of weeks in Utah while Nate was undergoing some heart surgery.   He is doing well.        

Derek and Teresa Atkinson and children have moved into our community.  They are living in the home recently vacated by Shane and Alynna Graham.

This month we have had weddings for two of our young residents.  Nicole Straight, daughter of Avery and Pedro Gomez , married Matt Vanburen from around Grace, ID.  Colton Belew, son of Greg and Brenda Belew, married  Shawntae Bradford, of Preston.  Both couples held their reception on the grounds of the beautiful Deer Cliff Inn up Cub River.

Hot and Dry!  We, too, have been in the three digit temperatures.  It is not even the 4^th of July and things are sweltering.  The frequent wind kicks in and dries up the moisture that was just put out on the garden, the flowers, the lawn. 

It doesn’t look like a very good year for chokecherries.  All those lovely white fragrant blossoms this spring must have gotten frozen.  The developing berries are scanty, often misshapen.  At least that is the state of things in my neighborhood, perhaps further  up the mountains and in the canyons it might be more encouraging.

  Happy 4th of July, Everyone!  Mink Creek always has fun on that holiday, will report next week!