Life Can Always Get Better

Posted on February 8, 2021 by webadmin

a guest post by Fred Prout

I am writing this for one person. I don’t know who, but hopefully at least one of you who will have a better day after reading this. Let’s begin with the year 2020 a disaster for many of us.For me personally it was the worst ever.

After leaving a place that I loved (many of you know that my wife Rita and I were part of Timber Valley for many years), I spent five and a half months helping my wonderful wife fight cancer. I spent the next six and a half months grieving and trying to deal with the terrible isolation caused by covid.

As RVers and travelers we have been to many places, talked to many people, and had many different experiences. I have found that remembering some of these things can be a very good way to try to avoid serious depression. If I may, I would like to share one of my experiences with you.

Back in our w#$@king days (they said no dirty words) we took a trip from our home in Florida and went to Arkansas. On the way back we drove through Jackson Mississippi. As it was a beautiful day we drove with the windows open. Suddenly a bug flew into Rita’s eye. Now as many of you know, Rita suffered from albinism and was legally blind. The limited sight she had was doubly precious.

We found the nearest hospital and rushed straight to the emergency room. Didn’t have high hopes as this was a rural area of a rural state. We were pleasantly surprised when we went in and everyone rushed over to help. The doctor provided some salve and told us to contact an ophthalmologist when we got home.

Of course it was now Saturday and we were prepared to have to wait. Not so. The doctor was in his office and said come right in. Took a look, changed medicine and said all should be good in a couple weeks. He also commented on Rita’s eye problem and told us that his wife was also an eye doctor and was working with low vision patients. He would be glad to call for us if we were interested. Well duh!

Monday first thing she does a very extensive exam and says she thinks she can help with special glasses. It will take a week to get them. What a long week. The following Tuesday we went to get the glasses. She was able to correct Rita’s vision to 20/60 in one eye and 20/70 in the other. The chart goes to 20/200.Rita had been worse than that.

On the drive home Rita was in tears looking at the things she never could see. When she saw a giant American flag at a car dealership she said “I can see the stars on the flag. ” I had to pull over as I was in tears. As I am now. Putting these words down is bringing back the feelings I had at the time.

The reason I’m sharing this is simple. Something as potentially devastating as a bug in the eye and the fear of losing part of your very limited vision can be the one thing that can change the lives of two people for the better. It is amazing how things fell into place for us.Maybe, just maybe, one of you will read this and get it. Life can always get better.

Fred and Rita

Posted in Creative Work, Editorial, Featured, General Interest | Tagged , | 30 Comments

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID VACCINATIONS

Posted on February 1, 2021 by webadmin

“Still waiting in the wings for their shots are the county’s seniors, “says the Roseburg News Review. (Tell us something we didn’t know!) The first group of seniors, those 80 and older, don’t become eligible until Feb. 7. Douglas County Public Health Officer Bob Dannenhoffer said the group of providers lined up to administer vaccines to county residents as they become eligible includes all the major clinics — Aviva Health, Evergreen Family Medicine, Umpqua Health Alliance, South River Community Health Center in Winston and Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport. It also includes many smaller clinics, several emergency medical service agencies and even a dental practice. So far, it doesn’t include any pharmacies.

Seniors 80 and older are in Group 2 of Phase 1B becoming eligible Feb 7.

Group 3, people 75 and older, become eligible Feb. 14.

Group 4, people 70 and older, become eligible Feb. 21.

Group 5, the last group of seniors aged 65 and older become eligible Feb. 28.

The general population isn’t expected to be eligible for vaccination until sometime in spring 2021.

Oregon’s vaccine supply is limited. It is estimated it will take 12-15 weeks to vaccinate groups 1-5 of Phase 1B.

But the detailed schedule doesn’t guarantee vaccines will be available on those dates, Dannenhoffer said. So far, the demand for vaccination has exceeded the supply and that means shortages on the ground and delays for some people who want the shots.

“We are working on a plan for the vaccine release for seniors, but it will not be published until we have more information.” Dannenhoffer urges seniors not to call doctor’s offices now with questions, since neither the county nor the clinics knows how many vaccines it will receive for seniors or when it will receive them.

You will still need to continue to wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and physically distance even after you are fully vaccinated. Things can’t go back to normal until enough people are vaccinated. If we all work together, we’ll get to that point faster and save lives in the process.

You are encouraged to visit the CDC website for updated guidance. (I got the above information from “CDC Vaccine Schedule” and “Douglas County, Oregon Vaccine Schedule”.)

Posted in Announcements, Featured, General Interest, News | Tagged | 1 Comment

Poetry Corner — Autism

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Thom Hoch

THE FACE OF AUTISM
a poem by Ruby Bonham Lot #127

A young boy stands by the window
Lost in a world only he can know.
His hand flaps in rhythm to an inner beat
His eyes unfocused, his song incomplete.

Where will life take this extraordinary boy
Whose actions often disturb and annoy
No way to tell us of his innermost fears
He struggles and silently flow his tears.

Society shuns him when he doesn’t comply
His human worth they seek to deny.
They fail to see the beauty within
That needs expression, a place to begin.

This child of God was created just so
For a special purpose that we might know
Compassion for one different from the rest
His song is ours and we are blessed.

So I strive with each passing day
To open the door that keeps him hidden away
To bridge the gap between his world and mine
I enter his world and touch the divine.

Ruby Bonham
2-16-2015

Posted in Creative Work, Featured, General Interest | Tagged | 5 Comments

A Scientific Quarantine Project

Posted on January 28, 2021 by webadmin

A SCIENTIFIC QUARANTINE PROJECT 
By Jackie Deal

Quarantining does strange things to the brain. Especially if you’re a well-organized, scientifically- oriented, analytical thinker.  (Not anybody I know!) My brain was turning to mush; I needed something “scientific” to occupy it.  Some kind of research, yes that was it.  But stuck indoors, what was there to research?  Some scientist research really strange things, like should bats wear sun glasses in the day time or do crickets rub their hind legs together more when they’re in love?

What did that leave me to research?  And then I looked around:  Ahah!  From the bedroom came dust bunnies flooding across the floor.  Could dust bunnies be taught to march in formation?  Maybe even salute? And then I noticed the spider webs.  Could spiders be taught to weave cute little place mats instead of fly catchers?

Good research requires a sufficient “n”, that’s the number of subjects being tested.  Well, Good Grief, I certainly had that! And then you need control groups.  One group gets the prescribed treatment and the other gets a placebo, virtually nothing.  Then you run tests to see which group… oh, well, you get the idea.

Now how to divide my dust bunnies into groups?  I suppose I could use a broom but that might harm the little darlings. (And violate my no housework policy.) About that time a draft of wind swept across the floor and part of the bunnies scurried forward.  Aw, yes. We now have a control group and, and, the back-draft swept the rest of the dust bunnies back under the bed.  I am not about to get down on my hands and knees to coax them back out.  Can you think of anything more undignified than an 80+ year old woman on hands and knees cooing to the dust bunnies:  “come out, come out where ever you are.”?

Forget the dust bunnies. How about spider webs?  Have you ever noticed how beautiful spider webs are in the light?  Or outside in the dew drops?  Aw, they just sparkle and shimmer.  Bur also, have you noticed that they’re not perfect?  No, they aren’t symmetrical or even well-balanced.  Gee, you wouldn’t want a place mat that was all off kilter, would you?

So there’s the research project!!  Let’s see if I can teach the spiders to spin a perfectly symmetrical web and then you can worry about how to make a place mat out of it.  I’m not crafty and that would take a really crafty person.  I’m just lazy; it’s easier to dream up research projects than it is to clean!  Shall we be a team?  I’ll supply the spider webs and you make the place mats.

Posted in Creative Work, Featured, General Interest, Humor | Tagged | 6 Comments

Announcement from the Board on Political Signage

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Thom Hoch
Posted in Announcements, Members, News | 4 Comments

Just Another Shot in the Arm

Posted on January 25, 2021 by webadmin

Whoopee! I got my corona virus vaccination! NO pain. NO bad symptoms: i.e. headache, nausea, weakness, lethargy. None of ‘em. I’m scheduled for my second shot in February. Now those of you who wish you could get the shot; let me assure you, I didn’t pay or finagle to go to the head of the line. I’m a Mercy Hospital Hospice volunteer and all employees and volunteers were vaccinated.

And for those of you who say, “What? Me get vaccinated? Nope! Not on your life.” That’s okay, ‘cus it’s your life. I’m protecting mine; you can protect or not protect yours as you see fit. Once both shots take effect I should be protected from the unvaccinated.

There are tons of questions about the vaccine. I know I was skeptical: how could they produce a SAFE vaccine so fast? Well, maybe there are some answers in the process used to produce a vaccine. Let’s go through it.

According to WebMD researchers are testing 68 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, and 20 have reached the final stages of testing. At least 90 preclinical vaccines are under active investigation in animals. Wow!

First there is “preclinical testing”: Scientists test a new vaccine on cells and then give it to animals such as mice or monkeys to see if it produces an immune response. I know, animal lovers decry this. But hey! I feel for the poor turkeys every time they catch and depose them. It’s all a personal attitude!

PHASE 1 OF THE TRIALS: Scientists give the vaccine to a small number of people to test safety and dosage, as well as to confirm that it stimulates the immune system.

PHASE 2 EXPANDED TRIALS: Scientists give the vaccine to hundreds of people split into groups, such as children and the elderly, to see if the vaccine acts differently in them. These trials further test the vaccine’s safety.

PHASE 3 EFFICACY TRIALS: Scientists give the vaccine to thousands of people and wait to see how many become infected, compared with volunteers who received a placebo. These trials can determine if the vaccine protects against the coronavirus, measuring what’s known as the efficacy rate. Phase 3 trials are also large enough to reveal evidence of relatively rare side effects.

Ordinarily, this process takes years but it was expedited by combining phases. Some vaccines combined Phase 1 and 2 trials. Many countries have given emergency authorization based on preliminary evidence that the vaccines are safe and effective. China, Russia and other countries have begun administering vaccines before detailed Phase 3 trial data was made public. Experts have warned of serious risks from jumping ahead of these results. If investigators observe worrying symptoms in volunteers, they can pause the trial. After an investigation, the trial may resume or be abandoned.

The goal, as with any vaccination, is called “herd immunity.” Don’t you love that? It makes you feel like you’re just a bunch of cattle! But seriously, for this some experts say about 60% to 70% of the population would need to develop antibodies. You can get those from the vaccine or getting and recovering from COVID-19. In other words, if not enough people get vaccinated, it may prove difficult to reach herd immunity. So, I invite you to become part of the herd: either through vaccination or contracting Covid 19.

Posted in Creative Work, Featured, General Interest | Tagged | 5 Comments

Poetry Corner – Poised

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Thom Hoch

POISED
a poem by Ruby Bonham Lot #127

I knew I was in trouble
The minute I started to sing.
For I was at that stage of life
When my Poise pad I must bring.

Protection from a sudden laugh
When I’d spritz my underwear.
Oh Lord please keep me safe and dry
I don’t have an extra pair.

Poised for adventure
Poised to take a stand
Poised with my protection
With a Poise pad close at hand.

Menopause and mini pads
They’re part of my life these days.
A spritz here and a trickle there
Changed my life in many ways.

For that innocent cough or laugh
Like a scout I must be prepared.
For if I’m not I’ll surely regret
That unprotected I had dared.

So these days I’m always ready
For that sudden bladder trickle
Armed with Poise I’ll never worry
If my bladder will be fickle.

Ruby Bonham
1-25-2014

Posted in Creative Work, Featured, Humor | Tagged | 7 Comments

Submissions to Website… Where to Send

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Thom Hoch

Hey Everybody, just a reminder that anything you’d like on the website… and I do mean anything… newsletters, original articles, updated information… anything, please email it to webadmin@timbervalleyskp.com    This allows your hardworking web guys to get the information wherever they are, even while traveling.  It also prevents things from getting lost.  Dick and I share the duties of keeping the website current and your help in this regard is invaluable.  Thanks

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This Month’s Agenda and Open Board Meetings

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Thom Hoch

To clear up any confusion out there, both this Thursday’s Board Agenda Workshop (Jan 14) AND next week’s Open Board Meeting (Jan 21)  will be virtual meetings on Zoom. The sign-in instructions are now available through a link on the Member’s Only page.

If you have questions about how to participate, email me… Thom Hoch, at Thom@timbervalleyskp.com

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** From Monday’s Covid Board Meeting **

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Thom Hoch

The Board is announcing that a survey will be placed in each Leaseholder’s mailbox concerning holding a Park sponsored Covid vaccination clinic at our first opportunity.

We need a count on how many Leaseholders would be interested in receiving the Covid vaccination, and if you’re in the “over 75 years of age” risk group.

Please respond to the survey by completing it and immediately returning it to the office by closing time on Friday, January 15th

Posted in Announcements, General Interest, Members | 6 Comments