By Fred Prout
The big table at the Ratcheds Senior Center. The usuals plus newbies.
For some reason Shirley got her knickers in a knot. Of course I’m referring to Shirley Knott Shewill Knott. So…Shirley got her knickers in a knot and a Knott in her knickers. At the same time. For those who are not sure, knickers are what the British call ladies underwear. We’re sitting at the big table in the Ratched’s senior center. Shirley pours another round. Grousing all the while. “My idiot sister, Summer, is staying with me. She can’t bother to lift a finger to help. She’s gotta be the laziest person on the planet. I’ll be glad when she goes back home. She lives in that retirement place in Daisy and it sounds like they wait on her hand and foot.”
Many of us have heard the dog howling in the neighboring mobile home park. During the party, Dana and Stan (and Bobby Lee!) shared that the dog’s owner had been hospitalized. The dog had a doggie door and could come and go freely, and caring neighbors were making sure he had food, water, and attention.
Dianne Good contacted Bob Day, who works with a wildlife rescue. Bob safely transported the gosling to a wildlife rescue facility in Oakland, where it could receive the care it needed.
Timber Valley was saddened by the passing of Loel Banta of Lot 143 on May 19, 2026. He was 81 years old.
