Last of Feb, 2014

One day it feels like spring may be on its way, the next day we are certain that winter is in a lingering mood.   Our mountains still hold enough snow to attract the many snow mobile enthusiasts that crowd the canyons over weekends.

John Warburton has been in Utah with health issues; now he is back in the county.  He is not at home in Mink Creek, but staying at Franklin County Medical Center in transitional care.

Karla and Chris Jensen of Logan came up to check on her dad, Vernon Keller.  He has had quite a bit of company lately.  He happily claims that his friends and neighbors are supplying him with food that ”is way more than adequate.”

The Young Men and Young Women had fun doing a service scavenger hunt.  Small groups scattered throughout our village with a list of activities to be checked off by homeowners after the team completed cerain tasks.  Some were big:  vacuum a room, dust, clean a toilet, wash a window, etc.  Some were small:  sing a song, read a favorite scripture, sweep the porch, bring in firewood, etc.  Which classification the task of ‘change a diaper’ fell under might differ according to the contents of said diaper.  Another task that could be risky was labeled ‘homeowners choice.’

This was a timed event and each team was given a bag of candy, with the winners receiving more candy than the others.  Refreshments of ice cream and brownies were provided by the leaders.

            Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson took a road trip to Salmon, ID.  Their objective was spending time with their daughters:  Dana and Charlie Peterson and kids in Meridian, and Peggy and Jon Flinders and family in Salmon.  Enjoying scenery along the way, up and back, was a bonus.  They reported that many places across Idaho are devoid of snow in this latter part of February.  

            Two long-time Mink Creek people are in the hospital.   Neither live here now, but their roots are deep in the community.   Darlene Jepsen King, of Fairview, has been hospitalized for quite some time, rallies and then struggles some more.  Leness Keller of Preston, moved around in hospital stays for the last couple of months and he is now at the Franklin County Transitional Center, enjoying visits and sharing memories, but not able to walk.  His nurses are good at  giving him tours through the County med facility, checking to see if there are any Mink Creek friends in residence from day to day.

            Robins are popping up and down the village, singing about the coming of spring. They are probably a tad early.  Some storms are still in the forecasts so they may get their feathers ruffled a mite, but it is good to hear those cheerful notes of song.