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.