JOHN DAY — It seems like COVID-19 is finally losing out. We are coming back. People are wanting to get out and see other people. Depressions are becoming a thing of the past. Life struggles will always be in our present.

It is how we handle the struggles that count. We get our inner strength from our God: That is a fact.

On Monday, Feb. 19, Darlene and Margie were greeting all diners and folks who came by to pick up meals.

Everyone was signed in and their names went into the drawings for the day. We sure appreciate these ladies that volunteer their time to see that our lunches are a success in all ways. Elsie gathered information and did the announcements.

Pati Davis, Cathy McPheeters and Marita Coomes, and Flora Cheadle and Millie Lysne, delivered 56 fresh meals and 49 frozen meals into our community. Seven takeout meals were picked up, and 32 folks were sitting at the dining tables to share with one another and visit during lunch. A total of 144 meals went out of our kitchen today.

Sally Duford and Millie Lysne represented the Living Word Church as our servers today. All the smiles and personal care was wonderful. A big thank-you to these wonderful ladies. Millie asked the blessing for the meal.

Earl won the Chester’s card, and Suzette won the free meal. Congratulations to both of you.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, Darlene and Sonie were at the desk greeting everyone who came by to sign in for lunch and pick up meals. Everyone’s name was put into the drawing for the day. Elsie gathered information and did the announcements.

Fifty-nine fresh meals were delivered throughout the area, and five meals were picked up by others. Thirty-five people were seated for lunch and sharing with fellowship, laughter and lots of smiling.

It is delightful to see the groups of people all engaged in chatting and laughter. It sure does bring joy into my heart. A total of 99 meals were taken from our kitchen today.

The wonderful people who delivered the meals all around the area were Peggy Molnar and Cindy Combs, Jeff and Jodie Cyphers, and Rick LaMountain.

These people are special because they care about others enough to drive their own car to deliver food to them.

The Lutheran Church was represented by B.A. Robbins and Bonnie Kocis. These ladies were on top of everything. They cleaned up so quickly and were gone before some of us even were done chatting. Good job, ladies. B.A. asked the blessing for our meal.

Bonnie won the Len’s card, and Gregg won the free meal and the 50/50 pot. Congratulations to both of you.

The announcements for the week were: AARP has brought in some tax papers in kits to help us with this task of annual taxes.

Pick up a kit from the table near the coat rack and give it a try.

There is no loss to try and if you need help, their information is inside for your convenience.

We will be meeting with our financial adviser on March 8 to aid us in handling the financial business of our center successfully. Thursday, March 14, we will have a painting class before the lunch for no charge, and lunch will be included. They promise any one of us can make a complete picture during this class.

The health inspector came by and checked out our kitchen, food storage places, dishes, cookware and all the other things involved with making food, and he gave us a high rate.

Most of the credit goes to our chef, and I am sure his assistant helps with all the cleanliness, too. Good job, Shay and Aleesa.

Tomorrow, leap day, Thursday, Feb. 29, lunch will be pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, salad with red onions and tomatoes, and banana split pie for dessert.

After lunch you can pick up a March menu to find out what is for lunch on the first Monday of March. I forgot to bring one home with me, and it didn’t make it to my email either, sorry. It will be March 4.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not for I am with you. Be not anxious, for I am your God. I will strengthen you.

MONUMENT —

Our greeters at the table were Bob Cockrell and Sue Cavender. They checked in all the guests, collected and counted up the money. Jan Ensign filled out all the paperwork.

Bob led us in the flag salute and made the announcements. Yours truly prayed the blessing over the meal.

Our cooks, Terry Cade, Carrie Jewell and Christy Howell, made us country pasta casserole. It was served along with a fresh green salad, garlic bread, and peach fruit tart for our dessert.

I believe everyone enjoyed the meal and it was a hearty one. We thank our wonderful cooks and we appreciate them so much.

Some of the announcements are as follows: Bob Cox was the winner of the free meal ticket. The takeout meals will be $1 more starting in March.

Thank you to all those who baked and brought cookies for the Cookie Caper. So many went above and beyond the two dozen cookies that there were many left over.

These extra cookies were taken and delivered to the nursing home in John Day.

A group of the ladies put together the plates and wrapped them up in no time at all and had them all ready for delivery.

We thank Sylvia Cockrell for organizing this outreach and appreciate her heart to touch many lives, especially for those who are living alone.

Well, it looks like the end of the month of February is here. I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by! On top of that, it is a leap year, too.

Before we know it, spring will be upon us and the flowers will be blooming and we will have lots of sunshine!

Which reminds me, don’t forget to spring forward your clocks on March 10. Yes, my favorite time of the year is almost here, NOT! I truly hate that “spring forward” time change. I don’t understand why the politicians can’t leave well enough alone. Seriously.

I think I have about one month to enjoy my freedom before I will be tied down with bottle baby goats.

I will need to train my kids to feed them for me and have one of my friends help me make one of those troughs to put bottles in so the babies can feed themselves.

We had a few beautiful, warm and sunshiny days. It felt good to be in the sunshine.

My baby goats thought so, too, for they were running around, chasing each other, skipping and jumping. LOL. It was like they were so happy to be in the warm weather. I guess the sun really does do a body good, for even the goats enjoyed the warmth.

I had a little bit of an adventure a few days ago. I was taking some ladies to Bend, and even before I got started,

I had drama. I decided I was going to take my minivan since the weather was going to be good — it is the most comfortable vehicle and, best of all, it is quite roomy. We had to charge up the battery for it sat during the winter since it is only two-wheel drive.

To be continued…

Psalms 33:4 For the Word of the LORD is right and all His works are done in truth.

PRAIRIE CITY —

And a happy Lincoln and Washington birthday to you. That’s what the Monday holiday was for, remember? Was there any mention of it by the news media If not, a pity.

What those two did for the USA should be remembered, and not by a day that closes certain businesses. OK. Off that soapbox …

Tonya did a little trivia so that we knew that today was the 52nd day of the year and we had 314 days left to be extraordinary! So get to it! In 1804 the first steam-powered locomotive was used for transport. And in 1842 the first sewing machine was patented. And remember, it had only one stitch. And how many today? Whatever the computer makes up! Mine has a couple dozen. I’ve seen demonstrations of fancy quilting machines, and it is fascinating. Kinda like watching a player piano …

Back to business: Jim Sullens led the flag salute; Debra Rubio won the free meal; and Joel Coombs asked the blessing. Ginger announced that we are ready to receive your returnable bottles and cans.

We have special receptacles for that purpose by the library door, so feel free to bring your donations on Wednesdays, when we are open for dinner. And you can stay and have a meal with us, too.

And did we ever have a meal today! Ham and beans, cornbread, Jell-O, apple salad, applesauce, and BROWNIES! Mmmm, good. Thanks to our great cooks for today’s meal. Pam W. is back at her post here, and we are thankful for her recovery. The sponsors for today’s meal were Etta Lou Hendrickson and Chris and Becky Camarena. You can sponsor a meal, too, like they did. You can also have a meal sponsored in memory of or in honor of someone. Just fling us a ring.

Our faithful volunteers included Sharon, Mary, Tonya, Brenda, Pam H. and anyone else who lent a hand. Senior Advisory Council Chairman Rick LaMountain came to invite us to their next award ceremony in Mt. Vernon on March 9. Check the big ad in the paper. That’s gonna be quite a blowout, and for a good cause.

All kinds of things to do that evening, so make your plans.

Well, the sinus drainage was so bad that I had to reschedule my dental appointment. Found out that lots of others were having the same illness, so it wasn’t just me! Hope you don’t get it.

OTEC has distributed some signup sheets if you want to ride the bus to the annual meeting in Burns in May. We have one, so feel free to take advantage of the transportation by signing up.

We have taken steps to help you have a hot meal when you come to eat by purchasing a steam table for the kitchen.

Now, I grant you that today’s ham and beans were hot, but other entrees in the past have not kept their temperature, so we hope that this new item will help. After all, the purpose of the senior meal site is to serve a hot meal!

Rev. 19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”