Tales of the Tired and Weary

 

Saturday, July 27, 2024

The photo above was taken by Jessee Ricker, granddaughter. Terry, myself, and sweet Zyrah, great granddaughter were leaving the Wildlife Safari Park area. Thank you, Jessee, for the great photo!

Since Terry and I canceled the trip to Portland on Saturday, we had a chance to relax a bit. We went to dinner later that evening, then watched an episode of Medium. A night that when explained didn't have that much going on, but in reality Terry and I spent some more valuable time together, so it was perfect for us. 

Dinner at a local Denny's seemed perfect for the evening. I didn't feel like cooking, but was willing to throw some burgers on the stove, with fries in the air fryer. We didn't want fast food, so the conclusion of heading to Denny's made sense. Nobody has to cook, the time is better spent together, and we always have a great span of laughter when we are sharing our time. Off to Denny's we went. 

There was no cheese to be strung across my husband's chin or shirt, but it was all good anyway. I had my favorite meal of country fried steak and Terry selected a nice roast beef sandwich. This led to conversation of how good a roast is. When the weather turns a bit colder, roast it is. 

Dinner was filled with laughter over silly things, as is our typical evening. We did spend some time discussing important things as well. Overall, great conversation and time together. 

 Once home, we did watch television and then I headed off to bed. I have felt exhausted for the past few days, my foot has swollen to twice its size, and the heat has drug every ounce of energy out of me. But I have also made well over my goal for the week. I am quite happy with that outcome!

Terry on the other hand is still feeling a bit out of sorts, with his neck being a bit weak. He claims he is fine and does not need to see a doctor. He went outside to smoke a cigar and watch some music videos instead of heading to the urgent care facility, and so it is. We left that topic there, once again. He did have a point that made sense about why his neck may be feeling so tired. He looks down all the time at his phone and his tablet. He reads on his tablet and listens to a lot of music on his phone. Could be the culprit of the sore, tired neck. 

Sunday, July 28, 2024

We were going to cancel our plans to go to Eugene to see Satin Love Orchestra in Emerald Park this evening. We felt the drive to the Billy Idol concert being three and a half hours one way, plus standing for at least eight hours would make our lives suck. That being that, we canceled the concert in Eugene.  

Dawn and Jess canceled too, feeling everyone else was too busy and couldn't come, so they would not have the rest of the group there. However, since we canceled the Portland concert, we changed our minds and wanted to go to the park in Eugene to listen to some music. Now Dawn, Jess, and grandson Coby, his wife Delaney and possibly granddaughter Kylee, her boyfriend Cam and who knows who else may attend. Turned out to be a good idea! 

***

The morning weather is carrying a lot of smokiness in the air. I'm not sure how many forest fires are surrounding us here, but that will be something I check into. 

I did find that we are at an extreme IFPL, level 3 warning for using many of the forested areas around Oregon, as I'm sure a lot of the state and other states are having as well. All of these forests through the state are beautiful, but also comes with that threat of fire, creating a Beauty and the Beast situation. 

I just read that we not only have an abundance of fires around us, but throughout the state the fires are raging. Some of the issue of why it is smoky around Roseburg is the fact that the wind is dragging a large amount of smoke this way from the other fires in the state. I do hope everyone stays safe during the fire season! Stay inside if at all possible to protect your respiratory system. 

According to the Douglas Forest Protective Association, the Spike Buck forest fire was found a day or so ago and the extinguishing procedures are underway. Bless the firefighters who put their lives in danger on a daily basis in an attempt to keep us and our property safe. These photos were published by the DFPA. 

This is the second year I have been in Roseburg during fire season. Both years, before fires begin to burn in their fullness, I take notice of the dry, brown areas around us. 

Roseburg is nestled in the heart of the Hundred Valleys. Hills surround the valley here, and during the spring and summer, those hills are dry and straw-like without much rain. Puts a bit of fear in my mind seeing just how dry these hills become. 

Roseburg may as well be outlined by a group of matchboxes, filled with matches. The kindling is there. We just need a spark. Or an idiot that chooses to throw a cigarette butt out of the car window they are riding in. 

It definitely seems our world is drying out or flooding or having some weather event that is outside of the realm of tradition. This dryness or wetness is becoming more extreme as the years pass. 

Will we leave our future generations anything to hope for in their adult years? Animals are becoming extinct more often now. Weather is becoming extreme. More garbage (mostly plastics) are in the oceans now to kill off the ocean life. What the hell are we thinking? 

Remember, "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children." -- Native American proverb.

***  

Well, off to Eugene we went. Our drive was fairly uneventful, although we were confused when traffic stopped on the freeway. I-5 had some cars that came to a complete halt a bit south of Cottage Grove. I couldn't see what was wrong, but from a long distance did see a vehicle with flashing red and blue lights. 

Believing it was an ambulance or police, I figured seeing a wreck was in our near future. But the traffic continued moving shortly after we stopped. I traveled on through. Once we were about a mile further, traffic slowed again. Suddenly there were signs along the side of the road claiming there was road work and an incident up ahead. Road work is pretty normal, but an incident? 

As I moved up a little more, there it was. On the right hand side of the highway was a dump truck flipped over on its side. The bark or gravel or whatever it was carrying was thrown all over, completely emptying the bed. The engine was in plain view, as the hood was smashed and thrown open. 

The driver was not in the vehicle as far as I could tell. Terry and I were hoping they were okay, but nothing on the site indicated he or she was injured, not injured, or already taken via ambulance. Just seeing the truck in such bad shape had me worrying that the driver was in pretty bad shape as well. 

***

Driving onward, we arrived in Eugene a few moments later than if the incident had not occurred. All was well. Emerald Park was the most crowded I had ever seen it. Satin Love Orchestra is a popular Eugene band, but in the times I've seen them play there, the park was not that full. 

Absolutely no handicap parking anywhere, so we searched for a space that was fairly close. Terry and I looked up and down the main street, but to no avail. All spots were taken. I called Jess to see where they parked and where they were sitting in relation to the band. She said a car had just pulled out and Dawn was running over to save it for us. I hauled ass to get there in time to find a wonderful spot, right in front. Dawn said another car had just pulled out. Lucky us. 

We jumped out, grabbed a cooler, chairs, and a bag of chips. Dawn and Jess, Brandon and the girls were all under the trees in the park. It was far away from the band, but there were so many in the park that it was our only chance of seating. I was happy. We set up our little camp right there and didn't move. 

For the most part, we could hear the music wafting through the crowd under the 10 to 12 foot tall fir trees. Emerald has always been known for the shade the trees throw and how comfortable the park can be. I used to swim at the lap pool inside Emerald Park's building that houses that pool. I took swim lessons there when I was in school. After having my oldest two daughters, Dawn and Marina, I took them to play in the wading pool set up for kids. This place sure brings back memories. 

Now they have a splash pad, remodeled wading pool, added a couple of volleyball nets with sand and a nice fenced in skate park area too. Both were close to us, so we could watch Zyrah play in the sand. 

Like I said, most of the music was heard, for the most part. Terry was having a difficult time hearing the songs due to the distance away from the band, but he was just happy to enjoy the park for the evening. I sat back and looked up at the beautiful trees we had over us, providing us with shade. The music was a bonus! Once again, Satin Love Orchestra played well!

A cool breeze kept us a little cooler as we shook our booties to the funky music the white boys played. It's Sunday night and we were in the spot. Don't believe me? Just read! It was so hot it would make a dragon wanna retire man, as Satin Love Orchestra's great rendition of Uptown Funk had the girls hitting their hallelujah, and then some! Yes, some of the concert goers did fill their cups with liquor in time with the song. 

Then the group showed us they can use their walk to tell us they've been kicked around since they were born. Men and women alike were up and dancing in the park. People were clapping and having a good time. Many songs had me moving and Terry tapping his feet.  Dawn, Jess, and I were all singing to several of the songs. It was a good time had by all. Even if you don't get into the music, the vibe around the park was one of happiness and laid back fun. 

Jess was singing along to the music while taking care of little Miss Novalee. 

Dawn tried to keep Zyrah entertained and on the right track. 

Terry enjoyed the evening, at least what he could hear of it. He said the music was more of a background sound rather than being able to really listen to the entire song.  

Jessee's husband, Brandon kept Novalee in his arms while watching where his two-year-old active baby girl, Zyrah ran off to. 

Three generations. Jessee with her newborn. Jessee's mom, Dawn is holding Jessee's other daughter, Zyrah. Beautiful ladies galore!

Novalee was dozing on and off. She woke up because of hunger, but only stayed awake a few moments and then back off to sleep she went. 

And now, here are some short videos of the music, the band, and some of the people. It was a party in the park!

It was an awesome day, filled with fun, family, and Satin Love Orchestra's music. It was relaxing and just what we needed after the long week we had. Work was hectic for Terry last week. I was way over my goal for deliveries made last week and was exhausted. Dawn and Jess have worked hard as well, and Brandon? Well, poor Brandon is the father of a two-year-old and a newborn. I'm sure he's getting very little sleep on top of chasing his daughter! We all deserve a little time out, right? Life can be hectic. 

We drove home after stopping at Target in Springfield. Terry purchased a sound bar for our TV while he was at the concert. We stopped in to pick it up before heading home. This visit to Target gave me a chance to pick up some cleaning supplies too. I always like to take home a couple of bottles of Ever Spring glass cleaner and the regular disinfectant cleaner. Both are made from vinegar. At $2.99 per bottle, I will take it! The price of household cleaners have risen over the past couple of years, making them ridiculously high in price. A bucket of soap and water can clean and deodorize your home just as easily. 

On our way home, there was about two miles of cars and trucks lined up bumper to bumper on the I-5 heading north. The truck we saw earlier had been set upright again, but wow. Was it ever a mess. That truck had been destroyed. This incident as the DOT called it was holding up a massive amount of traffic headed north. I felt bad for all of them. Terry and I were shocked at how much damage there was to the truck and how much traffic was built up along that side of the freeway. Once again, I do hope the driver and any passengers if any are okay. 

Count those blessings on this beautiful Sunday. We hope all of you are safe, happy, and healthy. COVID is making its way around again, so be careful. 

For more information on Satin Love Orchestra, visit their Facebook page. They are an awesome cover band and are "discolicious" as they put it. Their main focus is the fun disco music of the era, but they also give it their all in playing a few modern songs too. 

For swimming in a lap pool or wading in a small pool for children, visit Emerald Park in Eugene, Oregon. The children can enjoy a splash pad as well as the pool. Awesome place for kids and adults can enjoy the park filled with trees to provide shade. Enjoy the day without the sun!

Until next weekend, please take care of yourselves and enjoy this gorgeous summer!