May 7, 2019

          It was a beautiful morning for the roadside cleanup project of Mink Creek. All hands were on deck by 8 a.m., the sun was happy to see the activity, and the highway through town was absolutely delirious. It has been a trashy winter along our 'main street.' After the orange bags were filled, all participants met at the LDS Ward for breakfast, nicely prepared for the hungry crew by Clare Christensen and his assistants.

           Last day of April, and big flakes of snow covered our green world with a white blanket. Idaho Spring in the mountains! One wonders how our blooming tulips, daffodils and narcissus feel about this, not to mention the apricot and peach blossoms on our fruit trees. It is all well and good to know that “this too shall pass.” The countryside is filled with the lacy green of leaves just starting to burst on the bare branches of winter. We are a place of many shades of green, a bit behind the lands of the lower valleys.

           Patti and Forrest Christensen used Spring break and then some, for a trip to Florida to check on the lives of some of their children. In their drive of over 5,700 miles they went from winter season of Idaho to spring in Independence, KY, where they spent time with Zane Christensen and his family. Time was spent enjoying Zane's new home and the two grandchildren. Then the Christensens headed south, enjoying the countryside that was leafing out around Lexington, and on to Lake City, FL, where they connected with the parents of a Mink Creek friend, Nelson Coleman. The warmth increased and they landed in Naples, FL, with Patti's daughter Sarah and her family. Naples is situated low on the western side of the peninsula. Feeling like they were now in the tropics they enjoyed the beach, the ocean, tropical fruit, a boat ride in the Gulf of Mexico. After a couple of weeks of moseying about Patti and Forrest retraced their travels, ending up back in not-quite-winter Idaho.

         Eldon and Danita Wilcox are happy to announce the arrival of a baby girl in the family of their daughter MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter. She was born April 18, in Pocatello.

          Sandra Wylie has sold her house, the Aupperlee home of her mother, and has relocated to Rock Springs, WY. Her daughter, Mona, and family live there and are pleased to have Sandy closer.

          For those of you in the far distance, remembering....Foster Reservoir is full already, and the birds that inhabit that area are having a party. Love to see the hawks in their usual warm weather perch as I drive by. The turkeys apparently have taken to higher ground, I call it Turkey Vacation. Our planted crops could sure use a good rain, particularly if they are on dryland fields rather than irrigated.