MONUMENT – Jan. 10 we had 43 diners and nine dinners to go. Our menu consisted of chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green peas, with brownies for dessert.

Our visitors were Nanette Mitchell from Nyssa, Les Davis from Mt. Vernon, and Dave Herburger and B. Hilliard from Biggs Junction.

We ran out of certificates, so we drew for two free meals, won by Lonnie Davis and Diane Geinger. We picked up more certificates yesterday, so we will have a more varied drawing.

We had six passengers and our driver for our trip, and everything went great. It was one of the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen there. We got to share Dollina Humphreys’ birthday cake, and got to visit with “our Gracie.” And Vienna left me a dozen eggs in the bus. Sure glad she told me or there would have been some kind of mess in my seat.

They checked out some secondhand stores and an antique shop. I stayed in the bus. It takes so long for me to get out and off the bus that by the time I get off and to the door, everyone else has been all the way through and are starting to load up again. So I just stay in the bus and let them describe pretty stuff to me.

We went over by way of Dayville and didn’t see a single deer or any kind of wild critter. We came home the same way and there were herds of deer on both sides of the road. No elk to speak of though.

If it turns off cold, people start complaining that if we don’t get enough snow to go with the cold it’s going to be a long, dry and hot summer. I feel sorry for the ski resorts when they don’t get enough snow for skiing. But most of my sympathy goes out to farmers and ranchers who don’t get enough moisture for their crops and animals.

Our nurse practitioner will be here Wednesday, Jan. 25, so be sure and get your name on the list. She will be here 1-3 p.m., and up in Long Creek in the morning. I’m really grateful that she is going to be here every two weeks. Sure beats having to go all the way to John Day for a blood test or to have your blood test taken.

Hello to everyone whom I haven’t heard from lately.

PRAIRIE CITY – So how are you doing writing the New Year number? Gets rather confusing at times. Get my “1” and “12” in the wrong place. At least it lasts all year, not like darn silly time …

We got the U.S. Postal Service confused, too. Since we will be moving into town in a couple of months, we changed our mailing address to a P.O. box. Oh, my goodness, the trouble that caused! Once that change gets into the system, “they” won’t deliver any piece of mail that does not have the new address. So, we filled out a forwarding form to take care of that problem.

But the holidays interfered, I guess. Last week we were the recipients of a cubic foot of mail that had been held up somewhere all of December. Even had Christmas cards from people who we were wondering about. What happened to them? Also had two bills for another postal customer. Oops. We have moved several times and changed addresses, and I don’t recall ever having this much trouble. I even get mail for the address I had 25 years ago. “The left hand knoweth not what the right hand doeth.”

But one thing that hasn’t changed … the good dinner at the Grange Hall on Wednesday. And we missed it due to doctor appointments in the Ontario area. But we ordered two meals for son Joel who was busy carpentering at the “new” house. He said they were delicious. The entree was roast beef, followed by potatoes, Jell-O, salad and a chocolate cake.

Our servers were Helen Cardwell and Lana Abarr. Jim Howard won the $5 gift certificate donated by Prairie Drug and Hardware. Buzz led the flag salute, and Billy Drinkwater asked the blessing. We had 36 diners in the hall, three meals on wheels, and six take-outs. A first time visitor was Steve Heagy.

Well, time to go wash the sawdust out of our work clothes so we can be ready for next week’s activities.

In honor of Martin Luther King Day: “I Thess. 3:12 And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people …”

JOHN DAY – Monday, Jan. 9, we enjoyed a beautiful spring day, and sure didn’t have to wait for the roads to be plowed to get to the Senior Center. Our meal at the Center was a bountiful taco salad, chips and scrumptious pumpkin cookies. The servers were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Buzz Gilmore led the flag salute, and the blessing was given by Francis Kocis.

The gift certificate from Len’s Drug was given to Rita Bremner, and Doris Breazile won the free meal ticket.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, Dick Day from SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) will give a presentation on benefits available from the program. They provide free counseling to people on Medicare and those who assist them. This is a few weeks away so we will remind you again.

Thursday, Jan. 12, our meal was lasagna, green salad, mixed vegetables, garlic bread and birthday cake for dessert. The cake was furnished by Driskill Memorial Chapel and Velvet Touch Car Wash. We thank the businesses for the monthly treat.

The entree was given by Boyd and Bonnie Britton. The servers were members of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship. Donna Johnson led the flag salute, and Andy Anderson gave the blessing.

The gift certificate from Chester’s Thriftway was given to Rita Bremner, and Jan Ellison won the haircut from Katrina’s Barber Shop and Salon. We had a group of people from Monument: Michael Hamilton, Ruth Hamilton, Betty Shrofe, Marva Walker, Sharon Falls and Carolyn Trujillo.

Andrea Officer and Billie Moore joined their parents John and Diane Aasness here for lunch today.

Dollina Humphreys and Boyd Britton both celebrated their birthdays today.

Denise Seebart from Golden Heritage was here again today with three of her ladies: Dollina Humphreys, Rita West and Eulala Herbert. We always enjoy having them here.

Visiting us for the first time today were two couples from Canyon City: Gary and Sue Cockrell, and Phil and Pat Ellis.

Veanne Weddle announced that a woman had just reported receiving a phone scam, the one where someone impersonates a grandchild needing money for an emergency and asks for you to wire them money. Do not give any family information – names, addresses, etc. – and report it to the police.

The menu for Thursday, Jan. 19, will be chicken and rice, and Monday, Jan. 23, will be baked potato bar with all the trimmings.

A Rooneyism: “Things I have learned: I’ve learned that under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.” – Andy Rooney

(Deda Porter is filling in for a few weeks for John Day Senior columnist Dee Hubbard.)