After the Ball is Over, 2017

          Turkey Ball that is.  I am a bit behind with trying to get my surroundings back to normal after the big family gathering. Feeling extremely grateful for my modern washing machine and dryer.

          The Baird and McCracken families enjoyed one of those accidental reunions. Tamara Baird Taylor & her children of Woods Cross, UT, and Maria Baird Flake, with hhusband Devin Flake and son Jude, of Saratoga Springs, UT, dropped in for a visit with Lana (Baird) and Ivan McCracken. At the same time, the daughter of LaRon and Liesa Baird, Juliana & Blaine Packer and their two children were here to spend some time with her parents, LaRon being the son of Lana Baird. One of those nice coincidences that put them all in Mink Creek on the same days.

          The family of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons took a trip to Cedar City, UT, to attend one of the tours for the open house of the Cedar City LDS Temple. Joe and Kathy Jarvis, Jennifer's parents accompanied them.This was a much awaited event for them as they had lived in Cedar City for years prior to moving to Mink Creek.

           Women of the Relief Society enjoyed a Quilting Service Day recently. They gathered at the LDS Meetinghouse to assist in tying a quilt for Kristi Torfin Hall. A light luncheon was served to those attending and applying their needle skills.

           Men of the community showed up with hammers and working gloves in hand to help in roofing the home of Craig and Elaine Larsen. The home is located on the shores of Birch Creek and the service project was well received with no injuries reported.

           Our local wildlife are totally comfortable with our presence. The deer come close to the homes, eating frozen garden tidbits and flowers. They are thorough pruners often to the demise of the perennial plant or the breaking of branches.

            The Christmas tree parade goes right down our main street. The mix of license plates is probably 75 % Utah, 25% Idaho. No wonder the local providers claims they are all out of permits to cut your own live tree. Vehicle after vehicle drive by, with a chosen tree attached in some way. Many trees ride, tied down to the top, others are hauled in the back of a pickup or on a short trailer, all destined to be festooned with lights and baubles before many days have passed.

           Mink Creek had lots of guests over the Thanksgiving weekend. College kids were home. Several residences were bulging at the seams. From the sounds of things we all fared fairly well, no injuries, no illnesses. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day as far as weather was concerned. The Salt Lake news stated it was the warmest Thanksgiving day since 1907. That is a lot of weather records to check out. Hope your day was all you hoped for.

Pre-Thanksgiving, 2017

Happy get-ready-for-Thanksgiving Days, plural, because this day doesn't just happen overnight.  May it be a day to reflect on the many blessings in your lives, large and small.  Those small and simple things mean so much in our day to day living.         

           Kent and ReNae Egley spent several days on the east coast. This is not their first visit to this part of the nation and they were able to take in some of the spots that they have missed before. They enjoyed both tourist and historical sites of Virginia, particularly in Williamsburg and Jamestown, getting a feel of the early settlers that claimed those regions.

            The Robert Crosland family took themselves northward to Blackfoot, ID. They were there for the baptism of a grandson, Anthony Crosland, Giovanni and Kristine Crosland's eldest child.

            Lori Muldner is back with us after several weeks down south. She has been “on the road” seeing family and friends A son and a brother live in Arizona. In Texas her visits were scattered with a daughter and grandchildren in various communities: Monahan, Springtown, Azel, Waco, Goldthwaite. She shared memories with family and friends from her days as a cattle-truck driver in that area. For some it has been years of absence. Lori attended a Christian Conference in Ft. Worth and made new friends at that event. She moved on into Colorado with her youngest son living in the Denver area, before heading across Wyoming back to Idaho and Mink Creek.

          Ryan Egley, young son of Jared and Juli Egley was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the first part of this month. This rite took place at the Preston North Stakehouse in Preston and he was announced the newest member in the Mink Creek Ward the next day.

            Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, entered the Mission Training Center in Provo this week. He spoke in the Mink Creek LDS Ward, recalling a motorcycle accident at age 13 that nearly took his life. His siblings, Cody and Kevyn McKay and Morgan and Eli Curtis drove up from Logan, UT, for the occasion. Other out-of-town family gathering were: Connie and Adam Westenskow of Woods Cross, UT, Todd and Julie Kunz and children from Idaho Falls, Bryan and Shannon Erickson and sons of Wellsville, UT, Carla and Mark Nielsen and Aidan of American Fork, UT, River McKay of Logan, UT. Jay and Christen Curtis of Wellsville, UT.

           With the cessation of Daylight Savings Time there has been adjusting to the lighter mornings for children getting on the school buses and bread-winners heading out to jobs. It is harder to adjust to the earlier darkness and often it finds us with little time to take care of outside labor before it is too dark to do much.

           Everyone is gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday and from occasional conversational tidbits overheard it seems that the population of Mink Creek will increase considerably over the next day or so. A temporary situation and many of those visiting are looking forward to being able to claim drinking rights to Mink Creek water. It is a popular beverage for anyone who has set up residency in their past.

            We have turkeys galore with the lower temperatures, not the variety for eating. These would make a rather tough chew on any Thanksgiving menu. In some fields there appears to be more than 500 critters, digging and scratching in the left over stubble.

November 14, 2017

           First staying snow of the year, November 4^th. It went from rain, to sleet, to snow, covering all the way down to our beautiful creek that marks the base of our valley. A bit of melt and snow off and on during the week, fitting for the month. November early morning fog hangs in the dips and hollows, challenging the early commute to work.

             The Mink Creek Ward was the location of the recent blessing and naming of the little son of Jacob and Mallory Linderman who live in Nampa, ID. The guest of honor was named Canyon Jacob Linderman. Grandparents on both sides have Mink Creek connections which brought them here for this event. Lin and Sharla McKay claim Mallory, while Dan and Pam Keller stand behind Jacob. McKay family gathering for this occasion were: River McKay of Logan, Payton and Judith Newby and children Xander and Declan of Springville,UT., Josh and Sarah Newby and their boys Gage and Nash of Farmington, UT, Terrance and Rachel McKay and Braxton of Rigby, ID. Coming from the Linderman side of the family were Dan and Pam of Preston, Jason and Cherone Linderman and children, Jeff and Amy Keller and family, Tara and Brian Watson and their children, Ashley Boehme and her children, Justin and Georgia Keller, Elise and Kade Cox, Tami and Tyler Gaumer. This group hails from a variety of  Idaho places: Preston, Franklin, Oxford, Boise and Idaho Falls. Jacob and Mallory were the family who came from the longest distance and everyone was excited to see this new addition to the family tree.

           Another infant blessing with Mink Creek connections was that of Silas Reaugh Cowgill, the son of Mitch and Cheryl Cowgill of Logan. Silas arrived a bit earlier than scheduled but all is well. Cheryl is the daughter of Craig and Elaine Larsen of Mink Creek and the late Marge Larsen.

            Sarah McGregor Spencer Westerberg, passed away Oct 30, in Cedar City, UT, where she has lived with her daughter, Judy and Ervin Larsen, during the last few years. She had turned 97 on her last birthday in June. Most of her adult life was spent among the hills of Station Creek, part of the Mink Creek community. Born in Perry, ID, Sarah was a World War II bride and then a widow when her husband Ben Spencer was killed in a battle over the Pacific Ocean. She later married Charles Vernon Westerberg of Mink Creek. Her burial was in the Grace, ID, cemetery on a snowy Nov 4, 2017.

           Squirrels, badgers, wild cats, etc. a bit scarce with the approach of winter and the snow. Deer and turkeys are enjoying the gleanings off of the empty hay and grain fields. Sometimes they have their own little area exclusive, other times it is a deer/turkey mix, chomping in the same spot. There have been a couple of deer fatalities on the highway the past week. The mantra in Mink Creek is “Watch out for deer!”

November 8, 2017

          Recent winds have denuded our trees and the earth is covered with a mixture of crisping yellow, bright green, dull orange and purple leaves, making a rather beautiful mosaic if one is so inclined. The beauty is appreciated, however the efforts of raking and dealing with these bits is daunting to all homeowners.

          Mike Jepsen ,his son Jared, and Jared's son JJ, along with Reed Swann and his son Charlie,went with some friends from California for a week of pheasant hunting in South Dakota. It took place on an Indian Reservation. joined a hunting party to check out the possibilities of South Dakota. Jaren Jepsen lives in West Point, UT, and Charlie Swann lives in Lewiston, UT, so both were close enough to enjoy this time with their fathers.

         The Primary children presented their annual program in the LDS Ward. Their theme this year was Choose the Right. The talks and songs are always ones that touch the hearts of those listening in the congregation and that includes the smiles, waves and shenanigans. The Primary President is Juli Egley and the chorister is Candy Longhurst.

          Callie and Shawn Beardall and their four children were up from Spanish Fork, UT, to hunt with his family, Kent and Tammy Beardall. This year Shawn's oldest, Braxton could do more than 'tag along' so it was an exciting year for the whole family.

          Jeannine Iverson is “coming along nicely” after her surgery some weeks ago. For the first four weeks of her recovery at home she and her husband, Johnny, were assisted by week long visits from their four daughters: Rebecca from Washougal, WA, Cherie of Rural Retrea, VA, Teresa of Greeley, CO, and Christine of Roseville, CA. It helped immensely and Jeannine is now able to resume two of her favorite pursuits, Family History work and sewing. She is grateful for the physical therapy program that is now an important part of her life.

           Doug Bruderer's father, Delbert Bruderer of Garland, U , was here for a day or two with Doug and Beverly. They managed to get in a little hunting time.

            Christine Olson and her children drove up from St. George, UT, to spend some time with AnnaBeth and Jimmie Olson.

           Grandma Phee Crosland traveled to Colorado Springs, CO when she received word of the arrival of a new baby in the family of Arianna and Ben Hostetter. This little girl was born October 24 and will be named Makayla. She was 7 lb, 9 oz, and 19.5 inches in length. All doing well.

           Snow on the valley floor has arrived, each morning is more than frosty, though it does warm up a bit during the day. If the sun doesn't reach an area in the shadows, those areas have maintained their mantle of white. Hunting seasons have closed, there is a feeling of quiet. Already the State Highway snow plows are going up the canyon to Strawberry Springs and beyond.

November 1, 2017

           The thankful month, I like it.  Just knowing that Thanksgiving is coming up is a reminder of the many things in my life for which I am grateful, big and small.

           The turkeys have moved back into the community with the coming of fall. Beware of them crossing the highway as you travel about, they own the right-of-way. Geese, on the other hand, are making preparations for the long flight south and from the sounds one hears, they are squabbling about who gets to ride point.

           Much of the once beautiful leaves have crisped and fallen, leaving rattling, bare branches overhead and crunchy paths below. Colors with whatever is left are very muted, other than the forest green of our evergreens and the bright yellow of the trembling aspen leaves before they too drop underfoot.

           A local foursome took a fall trip to Washington DC. Phee and Robert Crosland and Richard and Vickie Free have anticipated this week to be spent with the Crosland's son, Armando, who has been employed in DC for several years. They planned to have Armando as perfect tour guide but things don't always work out the way one plans. Armando's job took him to Armenia on a government project during the same scheduled days as their arrival. Minus their guide they enjoyed getting acquainted with our nation's capitol city, particularly the many museums that are available.

             Dennis and Judy Clark have been in Nampa, ID, attending the National Bull Riding Finals. The sport of rodeo has flown in Denny's blood from his youth onward so this was a great way to have some vacation time from his farming activities.

          There has been a seasonal pumpkin shoot at the park on Vernon Keller's farm for his friends and family. Pumpkins provide a fair sized target and things get pretty messy when the well-placed bullet connects.

          The Mink Creek Ward Choir, under the direction of Jennifer Seamons, presented a special musical number, “One By One,” at the recent High Priests gathering at the Preston North Stake. The soloist was Johnny Iverson, currently a student at BYU-Idaho. Children of the Mink Creek Ward Primary also participated, singing a verse of the song. Accompanying was Judy Wilde and Kathy Jarvis. Also featured in the number were the Seamons Strings, comprised of the sons of Jeff and Jennifer, plus Christopher Wilde on cello. This may have been a final performance for the instrumentalists as they are growing up, off on missions, attending college and moving on in different directions.

           It has been a gusty day today. The wind is working to strip whatever leaves have been stubborn enough to cling to the deciduous branches. Any flags in the vicinity are flying parallel to the earth in whatever direction the wind chooses. The sky has been rather foreboding all day long. Perhaps this is suitable for the day following Halloween.