June 11, 2024

 

A definite marker of the month of June is that the local crops of hay are being mowed and arranged in those lovely parallel lines, designing each field with some uniqueness. The machines that accomplish have changed over time, but the basic process remains the same as the hay goes from the field to storage in a barn or stack awaiting the time needed by animals or to be sold. It is a great season.

There is evidence of some earth slides on some of our slopes, an indication that we have received more moisture than “normal.” These slides are scattered through our village so it hasn’t been only one geological flaw.

Our temporary population is growing, a yearly occurrence when those owners with summer homes return for a few months, before fleeing from winter’s usual onslaught. Bryce and Terry Stromberg are here. Sam and Sylvia Stanger have their beacon on the hillside. Jim and Debbie Harrison are keeping an eye open for possible overflowing canals that did some extensive damage to their place last year. Jeff and Julie Workman spend more and more time in Mink Creek as they work towards permanent residence.

The family of Matthew and Chelsey Rhees are officially members of our local LDS Ward. Their names were announced in May, along with the names of their children, Payton, Brody, Kason, Bridger and Ty. Some time ago the family purchased the land that had belonged to Ron and Mary Norris. Since then the old home was demolished and the Rhees’ have built a new home. This is a farm of long standing in the community, old-timers think of it as the William and Jemima Crane place. Crane was the Bishop of the ward at the time of the construction of the current meetinghouse, dedicated in 1929.

The storms that often hit this time of year are providing lots of entertainment in the way of noisy lightning strikes and the thunder rumble that accompanies. Some of these are even colorful, hitting about the time of sunset with pinks and purples. The rain can be a deluge, but covering a limited area. Quoting one of our farmer residents, “this sort of rain doesn’t benefit much, a short soak of a crop, but it can ruin the hay that is down.”