February 9, 2022

 

Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox and their son Desmond have returned after a lengthy visit to her homeland in the Philippines. They were there during the typhoons that brought devastation to much of the country but were able to spend time with Annavelyn’s family and even visit some areas that were new to them. Jesse served his mission in the Philippines and so this was a memory trip for him. The were able to make connections with Mink Creek’s Samuel Seamons who now lives there, and his wife, for a dinner date. After soaking up the green colors of those islands it was hard to return to the white slopes and winter chores of freezing Idaho. The neighborhood in Mink Creek has greeted them with smiles and comments of, “You are back!” and “Welcome home!”

Landon and Amy Costley and family warmed up the Wynn and Cecelie Costley residence with a check-in day or two. No matter the season it is fun at Grandma’s house.

With the winter temperatures we are experiencing it makes perfect sense that we have several males with bearded faces. These are all dark and nicely taken care of, quite attractive.

Tommy Henderson, son of Shoni and Brady Henderson, is playing on the Preston High School Junior Varsity basketball team this year. His dedication to basketball was recognized by Coach Matt Shumway. It is fun to have one of our own on the team when Mink Creek fans are attending the basketball games.

During the cold months our community often feels like we are the gateway to the mountains and canyons around us for the snowmobiling crowd. They aren’t the only ones that enjoy our nearby spaces, cross-country skiers and those who enjoy trying out snow shoes are also part of the winter scene.

One of the major wildlife critters in our area is “those turkeys.” Hundreds of the birds inhabit our hills and fields. Feeding in a snow covered field they can appear as though a giant had cast a handful of black marbles or black beans onto a white blanket. Although they feed along the highway it is seldom that they connect with a vehicle. This week one of the turkeys must have miscalculated the road crossing because there was turkey carnage spread over an area, feathers galore.

We are sorry to report that lately our days are absolutely beautiful. The white fields glisten, the sky, both blue and white clouds are lovely to behold. It has warmed just enough so that our southern slopes are showing the dry growth leftover from the fall, and of course the local deer population are gathering to munch on what they can find. We appreciate the beauties in our surroundings. However, we are wishing for more storm, more heavy clouds, laden with moisture to build up the supply in our mountains. It isn’t that we are never satisfied, this is a community with deep agricultural roots and we know from experience the need for water in the months ahead.