Boxing Day, Mink Creek, 2017

           Time to take a big breath, it is December 26. Perhaps that is how the Briisht holiday of Boxing Day came into being.I talked my husband into exchanging one of the gifts I gave him.  Felt it was my duty on Boxing Day, my grandmother would be proud.  Even put a few gifts away.

          The FedEx delivery vans and the UPS trucks, along with the daily mailmen/women, are busy outfits this time of year. They are getting a bit ahead of Santa, and rightfully so, since his delivery day is still a few days hence and he is rather dependent on their efficiency.

           Jackie and Wayne Olsen combined with their daughter, Donnell Owen, to perform a beautiful accappella trio for the LDS Ward. Their selection was “Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains.”

          Kelton and Denise Keller and their daughter Mauri, were in Mink Creek for a weekend. They live in Alpine, UT, and travel this way often to spend time with Kelton's dad, Vernon Keller.

          Nancy and Kevin Alder put in an appearance at their Mink Creek digs. They travel considerably and split time between adventures, Utah, and Idaho.

           Josh and Lizzy Greene and their boys, Bently and Oaklan, took a break from their new location in North Dakota for a visit back in the old stomping grounds. Josh's parents are Chad and Dawnell Greene of Mink Creek. Lizzy's parents are Thelma and Ron Womack of Franklin, ID.

             Peter and Gretchen Haws and some of their family came up from the fires and smoke in southern California for a breath of clean Mink Creek air. Several of the Peter's family, parents and siblings, who spend considerable time in Mink Creek have homes in and around Santa Barbara and as a community we have been concerned as to their welfare. This family has been connected to Mink Creek for over fifty years.

             Anyone need a turkey, or perhaps a hundred of them? Or more? Between Mink Creek and Riverdale there are huge flocks feeding in empty fields. We are glad they take to the trees to roost at night, reducing the chance of crashing into one in the darkness. During daylight hours they parade about at will, drivers beware, as the big birds choose to cross the highway whenever the notion strikes them.

            We have had a White Christmas. The first storm brought in about six inches, the persistent one on Christmas even delivered around another six. A good start for the winter season. Winter sports enthusiasts are smiling this week!

            Ross Wilde checked out the winter fishing conditions around the Blackfoot Reservoir and then toured the Chesterfield area. This man loves to fish, weather is no barrier.

December 19, 2017

           December is certainly underway in Mink Creek. The Relief Society enjoyed a Christmas Dinner, held in the decorated multipurpose room of the LDS meeting house. This was a full-fledged Christmas dinner, with all the extras. Dana Olson was the chief chef of the preparations with assistance from several others. A reader's theatre, written by AnnaBeth Olson was part of the program. Musical numbers were a trio from Emma, Kate and Annie Rasmussen and a duet featuring McKinley and Emily Longhurst. Those attending sang several carols to celebrate the coming season.

           The community met on a frosty Saturday morning to have a holiday breakfast, prepared outdoors by Forreset Christensen, LaRon Baird, Clare Christensen, Pedro Gomez, Doug Bruderer, Royce Christensen, Mario Crosland and Kim Keller. The menu included mounds of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, ham, hashbrowns and pancakes swimming in syrup. A good crowd attended. Crafts kept the children busy following the meal as they waited for the arrival of Santa. A program featured some stories. One, told by Lana McCracken was The Candle in the Window and was illustrated through a video for the entertainment of the listener. Another, told by Paul McKay, was about an old man who had been a boxer in his youth, now dying with a huge debt to leave behind. With no training, no practices, a final match was arranged, the old boxer was declared the winner and receiving the prize money was able to pay his debts before his passing. A gift to leave for those he loved. Songs were sung by the audience as Santa entered the recreation hall and began interacting with the waiting children. The traditional bag of nuts and candy, along with a cute felt Christmas mouse decoration was sent home as the group parted for the day.

            Greenlee Christensen, daughter of Lacey and Kerry Christensen, was recently baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is the 'newest' member of the Mink Creek Ward.

             The Relief Society leadership has had a bit of a shakeup. ReNae Egley is the new second counselor and Annavelyn Wilcox is the secretary. Patti Christensen as president and Anna Beth Olson as first counselor remain the same.

              Thus far we don't have much in the way of snow. The little we have had is still in evidence because the bitter cold has prevented much melting. The heavy nightly frost contributes much in the way of glittering crystals all over, as though some giant as just broadcast a handful of diamonds in our direction.

            There is gruesome evidence that a couple of deer met their demise during a night this past week. The highway was thoroughly bloodied in two separate spots between milepost 7 and the lower Bear River bridge in Riverdale.

            The power company has installed a new bulb in the farmyard light at the intersection near milepost 6. The light has been going off and on every three minutes for the last two or three months.

Even the wildlife that live in the neighborhood must have been confused by this erratic behavior.

December 13, 2017

My apologies to any who read this who were looking for last weeks entry.  I did make one, honest I did---but I, not paying attention, posted it on my other blog and didn't realize that until today.  Here is this week's version.  Rest assured that you likely didn't miss much.  I could transfer that one if anyone is interested---just comment to that affect and I will oblige.

         A new bridge across Mink Creek has been installed on the old Ervin/MelRoy Larsen place. The current owners are Johnny and Jeannine Iverson, but they lease the farm to Dennis Clark.The bridge has been a need for quite awhile, particularly for any heavy vehicles. A group of workers and kibitzers gathered with tractors, backhoes and such other necessary equipment to lay the heavy I beams across the gap. A good job to have done and passage to the far side will be much safer.

           Kent and ReNae Egley have been vacationing in Mexico during November. Oh, the fun they had: ocean fishing, checking out the sharks, a camel safari. It was great weather, shared with great people and felt like a life of luxury.

           Richard and Vickie Free enjoyed the warmer weather for a few days in Florida when they went down with their son, Brandon and Heather Hodge and their family from Bountiful, UT. In Orlando the grandchildren and the Animal Kingdom and Epcot center were a great combination. The Free's have been having quite a bit of family time lately. Their son Jacob and Ranette Free of Pindale, WY, brought their children over for a weekend stay.

          Loren and Ken Nash and family were up for the holiday at the Haws family retreat. It was a nice break from their home in Solvang, CA. Theh cold hadn't settled in at that time.

Brooke Corbett, recently returned from an LDS Mission to the Argentina, Resistencia, Mission spoke in the Mink Creek Ward. Family from both the Corbett side and the Golightly side, along with friends gathered to listen as she shared her experiences.

           Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen spent the latter part of November in Canada with the family of their daughter Jill. It was fun for them to be able to be part of the grandchildren's activities. It was worth enduring the bitter cold that engulfed the area while they were there.

           Another couple soaking up Florida sunshine was Patti and Forest Christensen. They traveled there to spend time with Patti's son and his family. She claims there is nothing quite like warm water and a beach with a beautiful ocean stretching to the horizon, particularly during Idaho's cold season.

           Austin and Kathy Jones have been over for visits several times. They now reside on the border area between Thatcher and Treasureton, making for easier walking than the hills of Mink Creek.

           It is 'foggy days in Preston town', but we have not been so afflicted thus far. We have a little lying low in the dawn moments, but it recedes. We can see, down in the valley, a long layer of white that often is there most of the days. Our days have been sunny and bright, cold and crisp. We know from experience that the mists will make their way to us for longer periods of time. Unless, that is the word, unless, we get a good storm to blow things out. It is our hope this second week of December.