March 31, 2020

       Our spring weather is surely on a roll. We have had rain, snow, sleet, hail, all interspersed with bits of sunshine. Things are greening up, and isn't March the month our minds go to the color of green? The pattern goes on. Where the snow is gone those underground flower bulbs are soaking up all this wet and pushing up for some encouraging warmth when the sun does appear. In the storms those leftover fall leaves that refused to detach from their trees are coming down, sticking to every available surface with nature's version of wet glue. Weeds are getting a head start, the bitter with the sweet.

        The returning Sandhill cranes are making their presence known. Their squawking call and gangly flight form is familiar to all who live in our valley.

         Cynthia Longhurst took some time to visit her sister and other kin in Texas. The warmth was most welcome and the group were able to take in some fun activities. We are glad she was able to return home before traveling about became rather limited with the Covid-19 efforts.

         Our eldest resident, Vernon Keller, passed away unexpectedly last week. Just the week prior he had been attending the farm auctions that take place this time of year. It has always been a favorite activity for Vernon. Now his family have been challenged in planning closure with a funeral and burial due to the current limitations from both government and ecclesiastic leaders. After private services, internment will be in the Mink Creek Cemetery, on the mountainside not far from where he has spent all of his 86 years.

         Like it or not, our home-bound scholars are missing their daily rides on our yellow school bus. Parents are working to provide not only a school replacement, but 24/7 entertainment as well. With restrictions on gathering in groups, one set of neighborhood kids decided to exchange notes and treats, back and forth, using a drop-off spot provided at each residence. Taking turns, this occupied time, created some learning moments and was supplemented with joyful anticipation.

          One family of four kids did some lip syncing to country western music favorites. It worked out to have a vocalist, drummer and guitars. Families have discovered that their backyards are great places for bird watching and identification, particularly at this time of year with so many feathered friends returning for the coming seasons.

          Last day of March. We have had a strong wind out of the south. Flags flying straight out from the flagpoles. When I write the word 'south' warmth automatically comes to mind, but not for this. The day has been cold, not frozen, but crisp. This month came in with a snowstorm, not a ferocious lion, but still not nice. It is supposed to go out like a gentle lamb. So much for that bit of ancient forecasting!

March 24, 2020

          Our lives in Mink Creek match those of the rest of the world with the restrictions needed with the current health crisis. Life still goes on and we juggle uncertainties. We have always been a community connected to each other and that will not change. One person making a trip to the grocery store may provide pickup for several other families, limiting the need to be out and about. Chores for taking care of livestock and pets are still part of the daily outdoor routines.

          River McKay, daughter of Sharla and Lin McKay is engaged to Hunter Morgan. Their wedding plans center around May 9, 2020, at this point.

           Morgan Curtis drove up from her place in Logan to spend some time with her parents, Paul and Terrie McKay.

           Angelo and Gracie Crosland were down from McCall, ID, staying with his parents, Robert and Phee Crosland while Angelo was checking out possible new employment in Bear Lake county.

           Jonathan Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, has been invited to wrestle for Team Idaho at the Folkstyle National Middle School Heartland Duals in Iowa on April 9-11. At this point things are a bit up in the air, but Jonathan is still looking for work opportunities to help cover his expenses.

           With the changes occurring in the Boy Scout program a number of our residents have been released from callings with that organization. Liesa Baird, Phee and Robert Crosland, Kim Rasmussen, Sharla McKay, Dawnell and Chad Greene, Jeff Seamons, Jamie Forbush, Glen Jepsen, Kent Beardall, Layne Erickson and Lin McKay. There has been some jiggling around and some of them are continuing to work within the Primary organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

             We have a pretty bald eagle frequenting the area. The Canadian geese are setting up a racket and flying in formation up and down our valley. There are even some tulips poking up where the snow has backed off sufficiently.

           Vernon Keller, Mink Creek's oldest resident, passed away unexpectedly a week ago. More details will be in next week's post.

            Our spring of 2020 has officially started with a batch of rainy, drippy days. Luckily the ground isn't frozen and is soaking up the majority of the rainfall. Vehicles hauling snowmobiles continue to make their way to our canyons as the snow slowly disappears.

March 17, 2020

     Hope you have recognized  any Irish heritage you may have on this St. Pat's.  As for me, I wore my shamrock earrings for the occasion, my grandmother would smile, as she was baking Irish scones.

       Longhurst, Craythorn and Wheeler families and friends gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the funeral and burial services for the preemie infant of Tiffany Longhurst and Spencer Wheeler. Tiny Liam Lamont Wheeler was placed near his grandfather, Sheldon Longhurst. Tiffany and Spencer and their son Hudson live in the Boise area.

       Kent and ReNae Egley have returned from a lengthy stay in California. There for medical treatment, they have managed to travel to a variety of spots during their stay. The Egleys are history buffs so anything along those lines were of interest. They particularly enjoyed the area around San Juan Capistrano, both beach and its past. The warmth, the beautiful flowers of California made the time there more bearable. They took in a NASCAR race in Fontana, did a day at Sea World, had a visit with friends living in Palm Springs. It is nice to be back home, but the snowy fields of Montana beckoned and they traveled north within a few days to enjoy snowmobile country.

      Paul and Terrie McKay made a trip to Arizona. They were assisting their son Cody and his wife Kevyn in a move from Logan to the warmer state, where Kevyn grew up. It won't be too long before the younger McKays will be living the constant air-conditioner life that comes with the territory.

       As the snow recedes there are some ugly, bare bones deer carcasses scattered along the sides of our highway. The scavenger birds are cleaning off the rib cages with total aplomb as the traffic moves past. The birds may have to work overtime due to the number of fatalities.

       Do keep an eye out for the live deer, particularly in the evening and night hours. They cross that main street whenever the mood strikes and with no warning.

        As with the rest of the world, the Covid-19 situation has affected us. Generally speaking the report is that we are doing as suggested and, as far as I know, none of our residents have been found wanting in the TP or bread departments. Up here a number of us still bake our own bread anyway. Pioneer stock shows up in times like these.

March 10, 2020

         The Mink Creek community held a belated Valentine Dinner the last week of February. It had been scheduled for the big day, but due to unforeseen circumstances was postponed. Good food and good company is welcome most any time so there were no complaints. The recreation hall of the LDS Ward meetinghouse was beautifully decorated by Wally and Kim Christensen. Crafted by Clare Christensen, wooden vases filled with large wooden tulips were part of the centerpieces on the circular tables. These were given away as drawing prizes at the end of the evening. The nine vases were claimed by names drawn from the 60 people at the dinner.

            The menu was tri-tip beef, roasted chicken breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, BBQ beans, a tossed green salad and rolls. The food prep crew were Clare Christensen, Clifford Jensen, Brint Phillips. Dana Olsen and Corinne Larsen had the salad in charge. Wally and Kim did the desserts, a selection of various flavored cheesecake with raspberry topping. A program was delightful, Cowboy Poetry selections given by Justin Carter, who serves as the High Councilman to the ward, but is also married to a young lady from this community, Colleen Christensen Carter. Carter chose poetry written by Baxter Black, noted journalist. The audience could relate very well. It was a night worth attending.

          Kent and Tammy Beardall enjoyed a whole week of grandparent time with Kimberly and Kayla, daughters of their late son, Adam Beardall, and Laura and Cameron Reeves. The girls had a break from their year-round school. The Reeves family have moved from the Logan area and now are in Syracuse, UT, closer to Cam's employment.

           Layne Erickson recently spent a couple of days in the hospital with flu-like symptoms. Ben Keller had also been hospitalized with a lung condition and is now home recuperating.

           Andrew Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, was ordained to the office of an Elder. Out of town relatives here for the occasion were his brother Johnny Iverson from Rexburg, ID, and his aunt, Rebekah Jones and her son of Washougal, WA.

          Hope you have been enjoying the beautiful moonlit nights with the Worm Moon of March. We have had a night or two of clouds, but for the most part clear, cold and lovely. Nice to enjoy the beauty and have nice warm homes at the same time. Our snow is receding, but still around, for moon mirrors on the icy surfaces. These are perfect nights for coyote howling practice.

March 3, 2020

         The Seamons and Jarvis families are following the Preston Wrestling teams these days. David and Jonathan Seamons, brothers, are both wrestling, different age levels, different locations. The family fan club is important but it does make for quite a bit of travel time.

         It has been the Snowfest time at the Iverson homes recently. This year brought a smaller group of family because most of them had traveled here during Thanksgiving holidays. Johnny and Jeannine Iverson and Kurt and Margret Iverson throw out the welcome mat for family members to come play in the Idaho snow. This year they had Steven and Daniel Iverson up from Texas, Johnny Iverson down from BYU/I in Rexburg, Michael Iverson from Brigham City, and some grandchildren from Ogden and Riverdale. Altogether around 30 to enjoy the snowy slopes.

          The Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held their annual ward conference this past weekend. Officers from the Preston North Stake attended and taught for that day. Members were encouraged to reflect on the devotional presented some months ago by President Russell Nelson and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson under the topic of 'Hope of Israel.' Stake President, Richard Swainston and counselor Duke Mumford addressed the combined assembly. A musical number, “I Will Walk With Jesus” was shared by the Primary children and leaders, under the direction of Jackie Olsen, Primary chorister, accompanied by Danita Wilcox.

          Dana Peterson and her daughter Lexie spent a weekend here with her parents, Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson. They came down so Lexie could participate in a Dance Revue at Skyview High School. It is a drive from their home in Meridian, but always worth it. The hills surrounding their home on Station Creek always has a way of recharging those who have lived there.

         The upper reaches of our community have an adult cougar prowling about. He/she was seen slinking about a driveway close to the road headed up the canyon. It behooves us to check on our outdoor animals frequently, be they pet or livestock.

        We had another burst of snow Saturday night so that everything was white again on Sunday morning. Wind could be heard through the sleeping hours, the lion of March starting us off. By afternoon it had disappeared. This time of year weather is up for grabs, no matter what the forecast may be. Hopefully the weather will go out like a lamb with the end of the month, according to the saying, and real spring might happen.

        The local deer are ever present and they are often in small groups. The warning of 'watch out for deer' is a constant when driving thru, especially at night. They seem to pop out of the dark when least expected,