by Fred Prout
U-turns are done when you suddenly realize you screwed up big time. You are in the middle of an “Oh S*$t” moment and need to change course quickly. Very quickly. We’ve all had them, we’ve all survived them and we all remember them.
Rita and I made many great friends in our travels and we treasure each and every one of you. This story is told because one of those wonderful people can use a lift. So… an adventure with Mikey and Edith. Continue reading
Here’s the latest! Great news! By popular request.
Many of you have been asking about the return of the PotHeads group. Here it is. As of August 17th, the PotHeads will return. We will be meeting monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:30 in the dining room.
This group was started 2 years ago, before COVID, and was very popular. It was created to be a support group for those who had an instant pot and used it; those who were thinking about getting an instant pot and those who still had theirs in the box and just wanted to learn more.
Some of you will remember the samples of chocolate covered peanuts which used the slow cooker part of the instant pot. Or maybe you’ll remember Gene Stalnaker’s hamburger stroganoff that he made and was sampled. Both were big hits. Well, there wasn’t any left to take home.
Mark your calendar, reserve the time and come join us. Bring your favorite recipe or samples are gratefully accepted. See you there!
Questions call or text Joy Stalnaker at 541 343-8283
The Landscape Committee members were hard at work on Friday morning clearing out the stingers in the blackberry vines to make it easier and safer for you to pick those yummy berries. Thank our volunteers when you see them. You will be able to identify those wonderful, dedicated workers by their battle scars and poison oak rashes.
Note: The berries are beautiful and ripening very fast. With the heat and lack of water the berries may not last as long as a normal berry season, so don’t wait too long.
Remember, the early bird gets the ‘berries’. Or something like that.
Submitted by Vicky Mount, #186
Foxtails!!!… Foxtails?
by Deb DeYoung
Those were the very different reactions I heard the Monday my cocker spaniel went to the vet soon after I settled at Timber Valley. Alarm and commiseration from everyone at the clinic. Befuddlement from dog lovers everywhere else. Continue reading
Rita and I had a wedding photography business. We worked everywhere from the firehouse to the country club. After working one very long day at a country club, we found out that “ the help “ , dj and photographers were not to be fed. We didn’t care much for that so we took a few “ candid “ shots of the bride demonstrating her nastiness. We were fed. Blackmail? Hell yes ! Continue reading
It has been quite awhile since I last reported on my Cancer journey. There was supposed to be a story on the radiation treatments that were to follow the chemo. I bought the creams and lotion. Dug out the most comfortable bras. But continued to do my research. Not just with Dr. Google but with a couple of support groups I found on Facebook. My concerns were my age, (I am the oldest member in one of those group,). I am very fair skinned, I will say that I can get a sunburn from 100 wt bulb, not true, but you understand. And it is the left boob that is involved, so close to my heart and I am also an a-fib patient. I read all the directions and tips. Did you know that a cabbage leaf makes a perfect bra liner? Keeps all the ointment and lotions on the boob and not your clothes. But then I read from two different sources that radiation on seniors, 70yrs plus, had little or no benefits. That is when I decided to refuse it. One Dr. admitted it would not change my numbers, and my Primary Dr. was glad. Said there was no reason to put myself through that.
So it was on to an aromatase inhibitor. That is an estrogen blocker pill that I will be on probably the rest of life. So far I have had little side effects but it is an accumulative thing and likely will get worse. That wont be fun, but that is not today.
Today is a good day, I have NED.
Those of you that read Facebook already know this but I wanted the rest of Timber Valley to know. While I am very happy with NED, it is not a new man in my life. NED is cancer speak for No Evidence of Disease.
My cancer team does not want to see me again until December. Then we will take another look. Prayers for continuing NED gratefully accepted.
Helaine
Donald Housholder, a longtime resident of Timber Valley, passed away on July 4, 2021. He and his first wife Jean moved into Timber Valley in 1997. Jean passed away and he and Karen were married on April 8, 2016; they continued to live in Timber Valley Park.
Don was born in Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Bakersfield, CA High School. He was producer/director and film maker for several government agencies including the Air Force. He served under 3 different presidents and worked with several movie stars. Among them: Charlton Heston, Barbara Streisand, and John Wayne. He was an avid golfer and played with several park members.
A celebration of life will be held at the Free Methodist Church in Sutherlin, July 10 at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck. All are invited, bring a dish and join in the remembrance.
Don leaves one son, two step sons, 3 grandchildren and his wife Karen. Karen plans to remain in the park, living with her daughter.
by Fred Prout
Our life can change in an instant. Large scale event like Covid-19, individual event like surgery, or anything in between. Many people have handled the Covid change constructively. Having free time and isolation can spur the creative process in ways that are hard to comprehend. Continue reading
