Splashes of Life

 

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Jess and Dawn surprised me with a spontaneous trip to Roseburg. I suggested we hit up the local park until it dawned on me that the last time we went there, Mallory's breasts were a topic of discussion by a homeless man who was hanging out with the gang of other homeless folks. Most were sitting by us chatting to themselves and watching us closely. Overhearing all sorts of conversations about us and many other muddled convos that had me thinking some of them had mental health issues, I was very uncomfortable. 

While I do always feel badly for those on the streets and especially people in need of mental health assistance, it's also quite awkward to be ogled by those men who don't have anything else to do. I do not like to put myself or my family in that type of situation. Mallory definitely did not feel relaxed after hearing that discussion.

The visit was moved to another park in Sutherlin, Mallory's hometown. It's a nice park with lots of water features and playground equipment. Homeless folks do not hang out there due to the lack of a river or lake or even a stream that they can use to help them survive. So Sutherlin Community Playground it is. 

Dawn and Jess were both intrigued by the idea of the new park, plus it is about 11 or 12 miles closer to Eugene. Something different and something new is always a good choice as well. I climbed into the Sportage and headed toward Mallory's town. Of course, this included a message to Mallory suggesting she meet us since she had not met Novalee yet. 

We all arrived and parked near each other. Lunch was coming up soon too and we had to decide what to feed ourselves, but especially little Zyrah. There is an Abby's Pizza Parlor up the street from the park, so that was quickly selected as the lunch choice. Dawn called it in and we both went to pick it up while Mallory and Jess stayed to chat. 

Beautiful Novalee slept in her mother's arms for a good part of the day. She is so perfect and so good. Of course, there is a bit of bias in that statement as well as the basic "Babies 101" idea that most newborns are perfect and do sleep a lot, making them as good as you can get.  

Speaking of parents, Dawn placed Bella in her own chair to relax and enjoy the day. 

Bella immediately settled in while also keeping an eye on "mom". 

Zyrah wanted to get into her swimsuit immediately to be able to play in the water and on the playground equipment. Without swimsuit, I wanted to join her in playing in water to beat the heat. 

Sprays of water were enticing. Sunshine is great, but it was heating us up even in the shade. 

Dawn and I returned from the pizza run. We sat in our chairs, munching on pepperoni and Hawaiian pizza while watching everyone play in the water. 

Zyrah snagged a swing. The mother of the child in the first swing on the right began pushing her, so she had a great time with her new friend (Zyrah is the second child in from the right). Jessee was busy with the baby and the rest of us were moving about to get things in order. Zyrah sat in the swing for a few moments before a woman began to push her. I'm happy she was being included, as I was going to push her once done helping move stuff around and give Jess things for Novalee. 

Dawn and Mallory spent some sister time chatting and laughing about life in general once we were able to sit and enjoy our day. 

We all spent the day laughing, chatting, and eating. Soon we became bored as we were hot even in the shady space we sat in. The temperature was supposed to be around 96 or so. Once humans get bored, that is when there is a moment to dwell on things we probably should not choose to do. You know, the "Hey y'all! Watch this!" 

As we sat and deliberated on what sounded fun, we came up with the brilliant notion that if we stand under the water feature, wait for the buckets to fill, they will drop a bucket full of water on us, thus beating the heat. Yes, thus.  

Now, three grown women should have known better, but we were too hot to think this idea through completely. The challenge was on though, and off we went to step up to the plate to show them what we had. It was hot, so I figured, "What the heck? Why not?" Yeah. No. Silly grandma. 

Um, yeah. It all started out as innocent fun. We were chilly just having the little sprayers hit us, but it was feeling okay. I could stand this chilly water. Nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared us for what was about to hit. 

Jess and I stood there for quite a while, without buckets falling over. We had spray hitting us from surrounding waterworks, but no serious water fall. Then, being the three geniuses we are, we spotted another bucket that was spilling over every few moments. That was our chance! 

"Hey guys. This is the bucket we need to stand under. Mom, go ahead. Yours is broken." Last words I heard before taking a trip down North Pole Lane. I did notice the girls both pushed me to go first. Sure. Give it to mom. We all took our turns, even after watching the two others go through it. That first drenching (mine) should have been a clue. 

Now, I'm an educated woman. But where does common sense go during these moments? I get an idea in my head, imagine it working out so well, but oh, the swear words that fly from my lips when I find out that just wasn't the thing to do. 

I moved over to the working bucket like a complete dummy. "Oh, sure. I'll do that." Within a couple of moments, swoosh! The water came down and soaked me from head to toe. Not only did it soak me, but it felt like a body ice pack had been applied to my body from head to toe. OMG. Really? Why so cold? 

Like I said, ice cold.

Dawn missed the actual shot of me being dumped on by the bucket, but I know, deep in my soul, my face turned inside out by the coldness that hit when that bucket spilled. I was not able to get my blood flowing again for quite some time. My lips were blue. My cheeks were beet red and I was frozen down to the bone. One would believe that the park officials could at least turn up the heat a bit on that water park for the kids. Yeah. That's it. For the children. Think of the kids. 👧👶😀😏😐😨😖😕

After this little adventure, we all shut our mouths, sat back in our chairs, and relaxed. It felt good once it was over, but wow!

We ate our lunch, laughed at our antics of going into the water, and spent some fun time together. Mallory got a chance to love the baby for a while, then she had to leave. We all packed up and left shortly after she left. Dawn and Jess had a ride home to handle and I had to head back to Roseburg. Another awesome gathering of sorts, but I think next time I'll leave the water fun to the little kids. 

I noticed the looks on adult faces as they watched us stand under the buckets and get wet. The facial expressions said it all. Yeah, you've all been there and tried it out. You could have warned us. Well played people. Well played. 

Walking to the car, I felt sprinkles of even more water falling from the sky. Dawn said it was probably from the water play area, but it was sprinkling, like as in raining. I looked toward the sky and there were thunderheads forming everywhere. 

The clouds began to cover the sun but the temperature remained warm. I guess we were expecting some thunder and lightning last night, although I didn't hear anything. 

When I did return home, however, I found another surprise. There was a cat laying on our front porch. Not the little fur baby that had been hanging out, but a large, adult feline. She was pretty, but I left her alone. I didn't want to scare her. We always go through our side door anyway, so it didn't stop me from getting in. She or he looks a little like the tabby that has been hanging out with us already, so who knows? Maybe an adult had a litter here and here they remain. 

I mentioned the new visitor to Terry and said he might want to look at her. He opened the door. The only face that met him was of the little girl we've had around. The adult cat was gone. We'll see what happens next with all of that. 

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Since Terry is a volunteer for the VA system, we will be attending a banquet to celebrate all of the volunteers that work there. This is my first time attending, along with Terry's initial banquet as well. He began working through the VA last year, before we were married. Shortly after he met me was his first day. Today is the day they pay tribute to all the volunteers. We met in a beautiful park. 

I felt fortunate to be sitting across the table from a couple. Terry works with Larry. Larry works on Thursday and Friday, the two days Terry has off. Larry's wife, Darlene is also a volunteer for the VA. She was wonderful. Very kind woman. I really enjoyed meeting her!

I guess everyone had heard about me already. Everyone I met seemed to say, "Oh, I've heard all about you. How is your foot?" Terry had been telling everyone all about us I guess, or at least those he was in close contact with. It was all very flattering. 

A few picnic tables were set end-to-end to allow people to place the potluck items they brought. We were about to have an amazing feast of pulled pork, baked beans, a myriad of salads, rolls, cookies, cupcakes, cakes, pies, candy, etc. Among the lovely dishes set across the spread, there were also chips galore. 

I had some homemade baked beans, pulled pork, and then a roll. For dessert, I had Terry grab an oatmeal raisin cookie. Not good for me, but what the heck? Terry joined me in the eating of pulled pork, homemade baked beans, two rolls, and a couple of other salad type dishes. All of it was wonderful. 

After we all ate, drank, laughed, and shared stories, the actual banquet began. We had the director of the VA stand at the head of the group and speak about the wonderful volunteers they have in the Roseburg and Eugene area. Terry's boss stood in front of all of us shortly after, to begin her calling of names related to hours worked as volunteers. 

We paid tribute to the volunteers and those who served their time helping others in the community. Help is received in Eugene, Springfield, the coast, and other outlying areas. It was a wonderful time and they all deserved the kudos for the work they do. Now came time for the raffle. 

As they called numbers, everyone looked at their ticket. They gave away electric wine openers, barbeque items such as rubs with meat holders. There were all types of items given out, including a fire pit and a pizza oven. Terry won a nice pitcher with a set of four cups and a lemon squeezer. He also walked away with a strawberry core remover. It was a nice afternoon and time well spent to be able to appreciate the volunteers serving the VA. 

The entire event lasted about four hours. It was nice meeting people Terry works with and those who give so much back to their community. Sweet man has talked about some of these folks he works with, but it was so nice to be able to put a face to the name and meet them for myself. 

I am giving high praise for those I met today. They are selfless, caring, giving folks who may or may not have served in the military themselves. Whatever their status, they come forward and help those in the community who have served in the armed forces. We need more people like this!

This flag was a very special addition to the ceremony today. The flag was actually flown on The Combat King II, HC 130J in honor of the veterans of Roseburg, Oregon. The flag was flown on the mission to drop humanitarian aid over Gaza and other missions to help others. It was a tearful presentation to the group. 

(https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8335229/afcent-hc-130-combat-king-ii-delivers-jordanian-humanitarian-aid-gaza)

Aboard the Combat King II, HC-130J as soldiers dropped humanitarian aid over Gaza. If you wish to read about the mission, the link above will help. 

As I finished writing this post and was actually in doing dishes, Terry walked through the door. I was happy to see him. He was carrying the last thing I expected, as he told me it would only last the first 12 months, but in his hand, behind that beautiful smile was a lovely bouquet of flowers to tell me happy 13th month anniversary. What? 

I asked him about his wanting to stop after the first year, but he replied that it was now a tradition. He also opened up an envelope lying on the table. It had in it my "second half" of my gift for our anniversary, which was a t-shirt. The giving of both gifts actually made me tear up. Yes, I am that girl.

"My biggest accomplishment in life will never be money. It will be all the animals I loved and saved." 

Before I met Terry, my daughter Brandy and I had lived in a home where we had five dogs, one cat, one bird, and of course, one 55-gallon fish tank, all being rescue animals. Now I still have one of the five dogs, one indoor cat, one Siberian husky, and one little kitty who lives on our porch. We feed her, provide her with fresh water every day, and we are going to take her in and have her fixed.

Terry is an animal lover as well, so this shirt fits. He knows of my last zoo situation and knows how much animals mean to me. Speaking of animals, we now have another cat sitting on the front porch. This baby looks so much like the little girl that we are already taking care of, so we are wondering if it is maybe a mother? Sister? Brother? It runs each time we are around, so I have not been able to tell the gender. Now we have another mouth to feed. 

Actually, Terry and I were sitting outside tonight, discussing life in general when another cat appeared. An adult black and white cat moved in to visit the little one. I'm hoping it has a home but decided to come over to see what was happening. 

I love our life. I'm so happy that Terry is the same way I am when it comes to fur babies! The new kitty will live outdoors with the other kitty I guess. If we can catch it, I will take it in to get it fixed as well. Wish us luck. 

Anyway, continuing with the gorgeous flowers Daddy Mac brought home. This lovely floral arrangement is another perfect selection by Terry. 

I love these! I sure am attached to the man who gives them to me each month, without fail. He is my soulmate. My man. My best friend and true love. 

Until our next post, take care of yourselves.