Sept 25, 2013

Our fall weather is starting off like a bouncing ball, up, down, up, down.  We have had a good share of rain with gloomy skies lasting all day.  After a summer of drought conditions we are now getting a drenching.   Harvesting that last crop of hay is a pure gamble.  It is hard to trust a sunny day.  As this is written some fields are full of soggy, brown hay.

There was a good representation of both Riverdale and Mink Creek residents recently at the funeral of Relda McGregor in Niter/Thatcher, ID.  Relda  Ane Smith was born and raised in Riverdale, ID, then married Bob McGregor of Thatcher who had several relatives living in Mink Creek.  With the passage of many years there were quite a few additions to those Smith and McGregor lines.

Macy and McKenna Jepsen, daughters of Kerry and Malinda Jepsen,  have been both excited and nervous about their plans for a trip abroad.  Now they are in Italy for three months of study and fun.  One very nice thing about this is that they have each other for support.

The Mink Creek LDS Ward was invited to view the Preston North Stake Conference at the Riverdale Church.  These two communities have been strongly connected since their founding years in the late 1800’s.

With a chill coming in with the weather change people are more conscious of the need to get their winter’s supply of firewood.  Our forested canyons are beginning to be filled with the sound of chainsaws in action.  Some families make getting wood a planned outing, complete with picnic and games.

            Quite a few kids from Mink Creek are involved in the Preston Recreation Program’s soccer season.    Between school, practices, and games they keep pretty busy.  There are Mink Creek players on three different teams, mixed with  other players from across the county.  There are also three Mink Creek men who volunteer to coach in the soccer league.  They are Kerry Jepsen, Jody Janke, and Kurt Iverson.

            The Lewis and Clark Volunteers, a mountain man group active in southeastern Idaho, met again at a favorite camping spot.  This is located on the banks of Mink Creek on the farm of Vernon and Sallee Keller.   The change in the seasons will soon have them heading indoors, planning the next rendezvous.

Sept 18, 2013

The LOTOJA brought some family fans to stand along Highway 36, cheering for their personal bikers.  At the Pearson place Dean and Rebecca Pearson of Cedar City, UT, Howard and Colleen Hawkes of Kaysville, UT, and other relatives were happy to see Gerald Olsen come pedaling by.  Gerald, of Roy Pearson’s family, has ridden this race for five years.  Further along the road a good portion of the Keller clan was there to greet one of their biking kin, giving questionable advice, snacks and fresh water bottles as needed.

Robert and Phee Crosland made good use of various buildings they have built at their home on Birch Creek. Bunkhouses were needed.  Robert’s sister, Carolyn and Mick Michie of Moroni, UT, brought their sons, Brad and Jacob, plus several of the boys’ friends for an end-of-summer visit.  The Michie family also brought Micah and Camy Glad and their six children, also of Moroni.

Andrew Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, recently turned twelve. In the LDS Ward he was presented with a certificate of graduation from Primary and the Faith In God certificate.  Andrew was ordained to the office of a deacon.

The last child of William and Christina Rasmussen has passed away, Verda Rasmussen Wagstaff, born in Mink Creek ninety-nine years ago.  She has lived many of her years in Orange, CA, but was in Arvin, CA, at the time of her death.  Verda grew up here with no running water, no electricity and has seen many changes in lifestyle during these 99 years.  She was flown back to be buried in the Mink Creek Cemetery alongside her parents.

Dick and LaDawn Jensen have a new grandchild.  Shirley and Kevin Ahrens of Pocatello have recently added a beautiful dark haired little girl to their family.  She will be named Jordan Shaun.  She is welcomed by a big sister and two brothers.

            That fall feeling has arrived.  Storms have arrived with regularity as well.  Even when the day has been dry the dew forms on the grasses well before midnight, so things keep pretty moist.  Lawns are prospering; weeds are having a hey-day!  Any harvesting on the fields of farms are at a standstill.   Pears, apples, peaches are at the picking stage. 

            It is that special bug season---the time when the jr. high kids are on high alert for the extra bugs to add to those they have been saving in their freezers, etc. for Crosland’s collections.  I understand that now other science teachers are on board and no bug is safe in Franklin County. 

Whole families are outdoors searching for any creature that qualifies. 

Sept 11, 2013

Labor Day weekend sent campers galore headed up to our canyons and beyond.  Besides the RVs, the 4 wheelers and motorcycles there were plenty of boats.  That translates into hours spent on Bear Lake and its shores, just over the mountains east of Mink Creek.  These recreation enthusiasts had Friday, Saturday and Sunday to enjoy sunny weather.  Labor Day itself started raining with gusto early on, and stayed gloomy with persistent moisture coming down most of the day.

            Our ground has been so dry that it was most welcomed, but there is no doubt that all that dampness put an end to many celebrations.  It is continually amazing how dry the terrain can be, nearly to the crackling point, and a good storm paints the surroundings with green once again.

Bryan and Shannon Erickson and sons came up from Woodland Hills, UT and split their weekend between his parent’s place, Layne and Karen Erickson, and  the beachfront home they have in Bear Lake.  It made for a nice combination.

Ella Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, turned eight years old before the closing days of August and was baptized and confirmed the newest member of Mink Creek’s LDS Ward.  Friends and relatives were here to witness this occasion.

Sharon Moran has returned from a late summer water trip.  She has been kayaking in the Puget Sound in Washington with her son Willie Moran and friends.   Willie is now employed in that area of our country, growing organic produce, and loving it.

Jody and Laural Janke and their family took a quick drive to Pleasant Grove, UT, to witness the wedding of a friend who has moved there recently.

Fall plowing is part of the work to be done for those of us here that are still in the business of farming.  That recent rain was certainly sent at the perfect time for this necessary task.

It is bow hunting season.  Camouflage clothing, silent steps, good equipment and tools required, have all made it a good hunt for the bow enthusiasts.   I have heard some success stories already this fall.

            Canning season is underway in most homes.  Some apples are ready, zucchini abounds,  cucumbers are turned to pickles, the fall raspberries are on….and there are plans for more as the weeks pass and harvests increase.  Garden tomatoes grace the tables, but they are also being turned into many variety of tomato recipes:  salsa, chili sauce, chili, spaghetti sauce,  plain old tomatoes, and the list goes on. 

Sept. 4, 2013

 Grasshopper season is upon us.  These creatures seem to be very present when it is time to harvest the grain.  They came in all sizes and a variety of colors, red-winged, yellow, non-descript, bodies of grey, dull tan, slightly green.  The bouncing legs are of different lengths, but all able to be is places not desired by humans.  Their flying fills the air, and then, almost by magic, the grasshoppers are gone, disappeared.

            It is also the time to lock your cars at public gatherings or a person is apt to find a deposit of zucchini squash in your vehicle when it is time to go home.  Luckily, there are lots of things a cook can do with this particular item.

            Donald Christensen passed away recently.  He was raised in Mink Creek, a son of Allen and Pearl Christensen.  Over the last months he has been hospitalized several times.  He and his wife, Jeanette, now call Preston home, living in the Whitney boundaries.  His dedication to genealogy research, serving three missions to find and digitize important records, leaves a monument that will benefit many.

            Karl and Marion Haws of Santa Barbara, CA. are enjoying their Mink Creek residence during these warmer days in California.  They come here often, all year round, as do their children and families. 

Kent Egley has had some knee surgery and is recuperating.  Having a nurse for a wife keeps him in line when he is tempted not to follow the doctor’s orders.  He'll be farming as soon as he can.

Jacob and Ranette Free and their son have been down from the Rexburg area to visit the Richard Free ranch.  It seems one of those situations where “you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”

Our local owls and coyotes make their presence known, particularly when there is a good moon.  Between the howling of one and the hooting of the other, it makes for an interesting combination. 

We had a day of rain on Labor Day, in quantities that varied throughout the day.  We needed every single drop.  There were several celebrations that got cancelled, but all for a good cause.  No flooding was reported, although the water level in our various creeks increased some.

The excitement of school starting has worn off.  Now there are moans and groans about having to be out of bed and moving to catch the bus,  along with concerns about lab fees, etc. that accompany some classes.