THERE IS A WORD FOR IT

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Jackie Deal

Thank you! Thank you! To those of you who tried to help me find the word I wanted for, shall we temporarily call it, “Corona virus fatigue?”. Many good suggestions, but, of course, the word I wanted popped into my head at 3 a.m. (Who says insomnia is a bad thing?) It’s really a very tiny word, only 5 letters. Looks good in print but I doubt if you could use it too easily in conversation.
You see, it’s actually a French word and thus, to our Americanized ears, the pronunciation is funny. I think you’ll agree it looks good in print: ENNUI. It’s defined as a “feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety.” Satiety, usually referring to food, is being full, probably over-full. And we are over-full of corona virus warnings, right? Now to try to pronounce it. I had to haul out my old American Heritage Dictionary and it gave me: un-we (long e, accent on we). Just try using that in everyday conversation and see what results you get. “Huh? What ya’ say?”
No matter the word, the feeling is hounding us. More mask warnings? New restrictions? And new statistics, each time worse than before. Why can’t we just bury our heads in the sand until it goes away? Sorry, folks, Corona Virus is real. It’s bad and it’s getting worse. We HAVE to hang in there. We simply must. Yes, it’s been about seven long months and we’re fed up with it. And that’s not a good kind of satiety.
Scientists and doctors much better educated and far smarter than me have grappled with the problem and made suggestions. Listen to them. My suggestions are basic. Don’t question the restrictions, they exist. People who know more than we do, say: do it! So do it. They say it will get worse. Accept it. Don’t quibble.
We’re strong enough. We can hang in there. After all, most of us come from pioneer stock or immigrant stock that suffered far more than we are suffering. And let’s be realistic: is it really so bad? No one has taken away our civil liberties. Wearing a mask and washing our hands doesn’t qualify as losing our rights as American citizens.
We have so much to be thankful for. We’re not dodging bombs every time a plane flies overhead. We aren’t living in caves or under bridges. We eat, yah, probably more than we need if you think of the average girth. No matter how disgusted we get with our politicians, we are blessed to be Americans.
So next time a plane flies overhead, look up and smile. When a police car drives by: wave. When the news makes you sick: turn it off. Each night and each morning, thank God for the blessings you have.
Together, we’ll make it.

Posted in Editorial, General Interest, Life at Timber Valley | 2 Comments

I NEED YOUR HELP

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Jackie Deal

I NEED YOUR HELP
By Jackie Deal

There’s a word, or a phrase, that I need. I know it exists and it’s tucked way back in my mind. I‘ve thought and thought (a hard thing to do with so little practice.) Google it? Of course, no matter what we need; Google it, right? But the problem is: I don’t know what the word is that I want to Google. I tried and Google just got into a snit and so did I. I even threatened to flush it down the toilet, but it knew better.

Dictionaries! AW! I have two huge dictionaries that I haven’t used since Google and Yahoo came along. Down on my hand and knees to dig them out of the bottom of the book case. Ugh! They weigh a ton. Blow off the dust. And then realize. You can’t look up a word if you don’t have a word to look up! Remember when your kids were little: “Mmmaaaa, how do you spell it?” And you said, “Look it up” and they said, “Mmmmaaa, how can I look it up if I can’t spell it?” Smart alecks!

Aw Ha! Roget’s Thesaurus. What a waste of time. Nothing even close. Can’t find antonyms and synonyms if you don’t have a word to begin with.

So what is this word I’m so steamed up about? Okay, let me explain. You know how after something bad goes along for a long, long time and you have to be on high alert and then eventually you begin to not really care anymore? It’s sorta like burn-out, only that’s not really it. It’s maybe what happens down in Louisiana or Mississippi (remember learning to spell that in grade school? M-i- curly que-curly que-i curly que-curly que- i-humpback-humpback i.) Now if you’ve just moved there, (no matter how it’s spelled) and there’s an evacuation ordered for hurricanes or tornadoes. You leap into the car, Whoops! Grab the kids and the dog and then leap into the car. But as it happens over and over you move slower and finally you say, “Aw what the heck, it’s just hype.” And you don’t leave.

It happened in London during the bombing by Hitler. At first everyone dashed into the shelters and stayed down low. But night after night when they weren’t hit; well, finally some of them didn’t run so fast or didn’t run at all. Unfortunately, then some of them never ran again.

It’s an actual medical condition. You can tolerate a condition of high adrenalin just so long. Adrenalin is the old “Fight or Flight” hormone. The Siberian tiger is attacking and you need to fight or get the blazes out of there. Nowadays, there’s no tiger but there’s still fearful and stressful situations and the adrenalin response kicks in. Continued high adrenalin can lead to high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.

But what I’m thinking of is more the emotional response. For seven month or so we’ve been on high alert. Social distancing: had you ever heard of that before the corona virus? Masks. Wash your hands. It’s posted on every doorway and in practically every bathroom. Don’t shake hands, don’t hug (What does a hug feel like?). And slowly we’re becoming a little lax.

We don’t know how much longer this will last. We do know that it’s supposed to get worse with the flu hitting, school starting and indoor gatherings in cold weather. Sounds like we should be more vigilant rather than less. But Oh. Ho hum.

And then we read the statistics: more covid positives this week than ever before. More deaths. Worldwide. And yes, right in our own counties and communities. Somehow we’ve got to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and remain vigilant. We’ve got to fight against that word that I can’t remember. Can you help me out? What is the word that I wanted to use for a title for this piece?

Posted in Featured, General Interest | 8 Comments

Suzy Rupert, Rock Painter Extraordinaire

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Thom Hoch

Under the category of “sees a need… does something about it”, Suzy Rupert (Lot 68) is at the top of the list.

Earlier this year she, like many of us, saw all the larger rocks that line many of the roadway intersections around our park. It was obvious that many of these rocks had, at one point, been painted white. And the reason they’d been painted white in the past is safety. Aging eyes, Oregon fog, and long winter darkness combine to make negotiating the curves and turns of our roads a bit challenging at times… especially at night.

But time had taken a toll and the white safety rocks had mostly faded back to nature. Keeping park rocks bright and white is certainly not an easy task and it was a task that just hadn’t bubbled to the top of anyone’s priority list. So it didn’t get done.

Enter Suzy. For much of this summer, she could be seen with her golf-cart “paintmobile” at various spots around the park, intently cleaning, brushing, and painting those long forgotten safety rocks back to brilliant life. When headlights illuminate the corner ahead, negotiating the turn is now much easier and safer.

So a huge Thank You to Suzy for seeing this need… and doing something about it.

Posted in Featured, General Interest, Safety, Volunteer Opportunities | 14 Comments

IN MEMORIAM, CONNIE SUE ATWOOD

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Jackie Deal

Connie Sue and Jimmie Atwood were Timber Valley residents for over 30 years: well-known, well-liked and active in park activities. Jimmie passed away Sept. 30, 2017 and Connie Sue, Sept 20, 2020. Connie Sue was living in Oakland with her daughter, Terry, when she died on her birthday.
Jimmie was in the Army in 1950s and together they lived in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Before moving here, they worked in Yellowstone in 1987, the year of the “big fire”. They became lease holders in Timber Valley on May 4, 1990.

Their three daughters were born in El Paso, Texas, Terry Stephson, Donna Sue Martinez and Bonnie Jean Montoya. Connie Sue and Jimmie had six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Connie Sue is remembered as a “great Mom who was always there for us,” by her daughters.

Her friends in Timber Valley remember her love of playing “Hand and Foot”, “Pokeno” and other games. She was active in Jacks and Jill’s and in Chapter Nine. Part of Timber Valley’s history has passed away with the loss of these early day residents.

Posted in General Interest, Obits | 1 Comment

IN MEMORIAM, ANNIE THOMPSON

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Jackie Deal

IN MEMORIAM, ANNIE THOMPSON

Most of us remember Annie Thompson, gentle, smiling, along with her husband Mickey and their dog, Minnie, the best friends anyone could have. Annie (Anita Loya Thompson) passed away Sept. 14, 2020 at almost 88 years of age.

Mickey and Annie owned the Sutherlin Auto Supply and worked with the newly forming  Timber Valley Park. They moved into the park Feb. 9, 2007.

Annie was a proud Marine; her picture is on one of the light posts along 400 West Central and Mickey’s is on the reverse side. They met when Mickey as a Navy Corpsman was working with the Marines in South Carolina. They were married for 67 years. Annie is survived by daughters Laura Ledford and Kathy Spjut and son, Mickey Jr.

Annie, who was Mexican, was the first non-white person in Sutherlin. She and Mickey were Southern Oregon coordinators for the American Field Service hosting exchange students. Laura says, “When exchange students didn’t fit into the homes they were sent to, they would come to our home and stay with us.” She described one Ethiopian student whose dark skin caused problems with the school and town. Annie and family persevered and the Ethiopian student became a popular and well liked addition to the community, helping to break down racial prejudice in the school and Sutherlin.

Laura says, “Annie lived a long, loving and purposeful life, serving both her country and her community.” Annie and Mickey received one of the “Quilts of Valor” for their service in the Korean War. They volunteered for their church and worked with married couples and teenagers.

Mickey, 89 years old, has suffered three strokes recently and is recovering at his daughter Laura’s home. He will soon be leaving for New Mexico to live with Laura and her husband. Cards can be sent to Mickey Thompson at 743 East 4 th Street, Sutherlin, OR. 97479 until about Oct 25. Then he will be moving to New Mexico; his daughter Kathy will forward any mail: Her address is Kathy Spjut , 3459 Pine St. North Bend, Oregon, 97459.

Annie Thompson, USMC

Annie and Mickey

Posted in General Interest, Obits | 5 Comments

Preparing for future emergencies

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Julianne G Crane

Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management offers the following information about preparing for future emergencies —

“People in Oregon were working on adjusting their lives to autumn and a return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were suddenly confronted with dangerous wildfires, evacuations and hazardous smoke. While so many folks are still having to adjust their lives after being impacted by the wildfires, it may seem like too much to think about preparedness for future emergencies at this time. Even so, keeping track of what you are missing in your preparedness kit right now while it’s fresh in your mind may really help you in the future.

“There are many low-to-no cost actions you can do today that will help you in the event of a disaster or emergency, including measures everyone can take during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You can limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family by taking steps to:

  • Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area and learn what to do before, during and after each type of emergency.
  • Have important documents lined up, from insurance coverage to health/medical records.
  • Learn how to make your home more prepared for emergencies, both structurally and non-structurally.
  • Sign up for emergency alerts so that during a disaster or emergency, you receive immediate life-saving information from your state and local municipality and are prepared to act fast.
  • Ensure your home has the right types of insurance coverage based on where you live. Consider purchasing homeowners, renters, health, life and/or flood insurance to protect yourself and your property.

“Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has a webpage that can help you prepare for future emergencies, and below is a video that can help you prepare.”

OEM Weekly Watch Report July 27- August 2#MyORHealth horizontal rule

Posted in Emer Prep, Life at Timber Valley, Safety | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Preparing for future emergencies

RIGHT NOW

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Jackie Deal

My friend is worried. I’m concerned too. It seems we’ve lost the three Cs. Caring, concern and compassion. We seem to have replaced them with spitefulness, name calling and hatred. Not even of our enemies but of our brothers and sisters.
OH, Yah, negativity has ruled before; anybody remember the aftermath of the Vietnam War? Now, during the Pandemic and pre and post-election, caring about others seems to be low on the list of important things. Better to rant, rail and rag than to seek compromise and caring.
My friend found a song from the 1960’s that she thinks holds the answer. Maybe you remember it?
Come on people now,
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another,
RIGHT NOW!
The song has a very long and successful history. “Get Together” was the second single released from the Youngbloods’ debut album in July 1967. It became the de facto anthem of the “hippie movement” and it remains the Youngbloods most well-known and successful song to this day.
The song was originally recorded as “Let’s Get Together” by the Kingston Trio in a live performance in March 1964. Many prominent popular groups have recorded the song.
The most notable recording came in 1967, when the Youngbloods released their version under the title “Get Together”. It was used in a radio public service announcement as a call for brotherhood by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The Youngbloods’ version, the most-remembered today, was re-released in 1969, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Just think of the social boundaries this song has spanned: from “hippie” to National Conference of Christians and Jews. Perhaps it has a message we should consider.
In his book, “The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho has the shepherd boy, Santiago, say, “the world we live in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that’s where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are.”
Are we striving to become better than we are or are we smugly tearing each other down? Can we heed the plea to love one another? RIGHT NOW! “Come on, let’s get together and love one another. RIGHT NOW!”

 

Posted in Featured, General Interest | 5 Comments

YOU DON’T KNOW HOW GOOD YOU’VE GOT IT

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Jackie Deal

By Jackie Deal

You don’t know how good you’ve got it until you meet someone else who’s got it worse! I’m sitting out a Level 1, expecting Level 2 at any minute; yes, I’m talking about the forest fires ravaging Oregon. They’ve evacuated about 10 miles East of us. The smoke and ash are so thick you can’t see a block away. I can’t see my favorite mountain that rises right behind my place. It’s another in the strange feelings recent events have caused. Life is suspended. All that exists, outside my window is a world of gray, cold, uninviting. Maybe this is how a goldfish feels in his little bowl of water!
I’m packed; my “To Go Bag” is in the trunk, my car full of gas. And where would we go? Well, let’s see: there are fires North of us, fires South of us and fires East of us. Guess that leaves West to the Pacific Ocean! (Yes, spell-corrector I‘m capitalizing them because they’re so important!)
About an hour ago I met a young woman buying piles of clothes at the Thrift store. “Are you from Nonpareil?” I asked. “Yah”, she said, “and I only got out with the clothes on my back when they evacuated us.” I’ve got a pair of jeans and a couple of shirts, sweatshirts etc. in my trunk. Nothing fancy, no dress-up clothes.
My next-door neighbor in Quartzsite comes to Oregon for the summer just like I do. I live in an Escapees co-op park in Sutherlin, Oregon and she works at a campground at Detroit Lakes, Oregon. They were evacuated, Level 3. She got in her motor home, her son in her car and they headed west. Fires were burning on both sides of the highway, trees were falling across the highway. Things were so bad her son drove on ahead to see if it got better. He came back, “Mom, its worse; turn around. We have to go back.”
They headed back east only to run into State Troopers, “Lady, you turn that RV around and get out of here! It’s worse the way you’re going now!” They made it back west through the inferno to safety but they hope never to do it again!
The ash has tapered off; is that a good sign? The smoke is worse, visibility is nil. Yesterday we had the most beautiful sunset at 2:30 p.m. One good thing: the smoke has blocked the sun and the high 90s temperatures we were expecting haven’t materialized. In fact it’s cold: low 50s.
What’s ahead, I don’t know. I’m writing this, going to email it and only time will tell. Have we got it good or not?

 

Posted in Creative Work, Featured, General Interest, Life at Timber Valley | Tagged | 5 Comments

Our New Entry Sign

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Dick Shanahan

Thanks largely to the work of Bob Feiler and Dennis Hellawell.

Posted in Life at Timber Valley, News | 4 Comments

Please Welcome Ray & Janice Lot 132

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Dick Shanahan

Say “Hello” to Ray and Janice Vaughn who recently took possession of lot 132. “They aren’t new” you say, “I see them all the time.”
Ray and Janice have been around the park for several years off and on. They signed up on the AWL list four years ago and have come in from time to time for various activities as guests of the Regan’s. Not only are they not new to Timber Valley, they are not new to Sutherlin, having lived here for 50 years. You may also recognize them from Saturday donuts as they are the ones who have been delivering them lately.
With their move to lot #132, they have taken on a big project getting their new
destination trailer set up, adding a new deck and awnings. Still in the works, is a bit of landscaping. They both look forward to having the time to join in the park landscaping projects.
The Vaughn’s have been rv’ing for many years traveling to Alaska one summer and spending winters in Quartzite and Yuma, Arizona. They also enjoy cruising, with Costa Rica and the Panama Canal being favorites. They have already joined Chapter 9 and look forward to future rallies. Ray retired from Roseburg Lumber and Janice worked as a payroll clerk. Together, they have 3 boys and 3 girls, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Posted in General Interest, Members, News | 1 Comment