Mt. Vernon resident Billie Bullard, who turned 101 on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, celebrates her (almost) birthday with friends and family at the John Day Senior Center on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

JOHN DAY — This last week has sure been a hard one. Our chef, Shay, along with his assistant, Aleesa, me and a few others have been sick. My son was diagnosed with the norovirus. It is just a severe stomach flu with a big name. I got better and then got attacked with chest tightness and coughing. My head is feeling heavy as I speak and am writing this.

There sure has been a lot of weather this last week and until now also. The air is still, at least, now, so it isn’t too cold. My hubby and son are both sick, too, so I had to be a big girl and go out to get some things we need and do a couple other errands for the senior center. Now I actually feel worse, but at least I am home and warm and can get everything I need.

On Monday, April 1, we did not get to do April fool’s jokes that some people look forward to. Everyone was sick, so we had to cancel lunch. Misty from the county came in early with Nancy, a longtime volunteer with us, and got all the home deliveries done. Thanks to Misty and Nancy, everyone was taken care of. I don’t know how many they sent out, but there is a list to go by. An announcement was placed on the radio early Monday morning, a post was put on Facebook, and a note was put on the front door to let people know we would not be open. We remembered that some come from Dayville and Prairie City, so Misty looked them up and gave a call. Thanks, Nancy, and Misty, too, for all you did in this time of struggle.

The Grant County Jammers play and sing every Monday morning, so I called them and told them they would not have an audience today as too many are ill, so we won’t be having lunch. Thanks, Ron, for understanding, but you don’t want to be exposed to other people’s viruses and we don’t want to share. So we kept it from you. We are good that way. Haha.

On Thursday, April 4, VeAnne stepped up and helped at the desk with Judy and did our announcements. I just went into the office when I went out for my family, when no one was there, and got the notes so I could write this. Thank you, VeAnne, for getting it all down for me. VeAnne led the flag salute.

Cindy Coombs and Peggy Molnar, Jeff and Jodi Cyphers, and Rick LaMountain delivered 53 fresh meals and an unknown number of frozen meals into our community. Four meals were picked up and 13 people were seated together for lunch. More than 70 meals went out of the kitchen today. Thanks, everyone, for your service of love for other people.

The First Baptist Church members were the servers for this meal of chicken divan, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli and German chocolate cake. Pastor Jessie asked the blessing for the meal. Next Monday, April 8, Shay is making us popcorn shrimp.

Special attention was paid to Jim Brown as it was his birthday that day. Congratulations, Jim.

Corrine won the Len’s card, and Mary Ellen won the free meal. Congratulations to both of you.

Tomorrow, April 11, lunch will be sausage with onions and peppers, rice and s’mores pie. Then on Monday, April 15, lunch will be tater tot casserole, cucumber salad and maple bars.

John 11: 25 I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.

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

Our cooks made us a hearty meal of spaghetti, garlic bread, fresh green salad, and peanut butter cookies for our dessert.

We thank Terry Cade and Carrie Jewell for their fine cooking. There was a little debate going on about the cookies at my table. I thought they were peanut butter cookies and others thought they were just sugar cookies. All thought it was settled that they were sugar cookies — that is, until we found some peanuts in the cookies! I was like, there, there are peanuts in these cookies! Terry confirmed, yes, they were peanut butter cookies. The peanut butter taste was so subtle that one almost missed it.

We have been having some new friends coming from Spray for our lunch. They like to come in their bus and get out. They have also been thoroughly enjoying our meals that the cooks have been cooking. We also had Scott and Cherri Farmer from Dayville join us for lunch. Mark Webb, who is running for the Grant County judge’s seat, was also present.

There will be a funeral service for Diane Ganger on May 11 at 11 a.m. It will be at the Monument Cemetery followed by a potluck meal at the Monument Senior Center.

Some of the other events at the senior center are as follows: There is a Bible study led by Kyle and Kathryn Jezwinski on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. On the second Wednesday of every month, we have sewing from 9 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m., and we share a potluck lunch at noon. All are welcome, and you don’t have to just sew, you can bring your crochet, knitting or other projects. We just like to hang out together and enjoy visiting as well.

Ellie Asher is heading the Roundhouse grant. This will involve the seniors, the Monument School and/or other community folks. The grant has been used to buy cedar wood for the students to make 18-inch-by-18-inch cedar planters. These beds will be lined, have soil, and there will be a choice of six plants. They will be delivered to your home. The limit is one per person. The sign-up sheet will be first available to seniors and then to whomever afterwards. There are only 25 available, I believe. The distribution will be on Monday, May 6.

My goaties are having babies! But because of this crazy weather, new mamas not knowing where to go, what to do, I have lost seven so far. I have been trying to watch them, but of course they have them when I am not there! Ugh! It is very frustrating, and I am tired. Hopefully we will be able to have more live babies.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

PRAIRIE CITY —

Ah, spring in Grant County. April 1 and 2 had temperatures in the 70 degree range. April 3 saw the rain and thunderstorms appear with temps in the 50s. And snow is predicted. Never leave home without a coat! Even if it is clear and warm! That’s the rule in Grant County, ‘cause you never know …

Our quote for the day was from Rabbi Harold Kushner: “You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth.” He was born on this day in 1935.

The Grant County Senior Citizens Advisory Council met in our building this morning. Two of the members stayed for lunch. Nice to see that the members get out to see the centers around the county. After all, if you are gonna give advice on a subject, you should be familiar with it, right? I’m sure our local member will give us a summary of their meeting at our board meeting later this month.

Ginger led the flag salute, and Tom asked the blessing. The free meal went to Carla Wright. Our volunteers included Mary, Sharon, Carla, Delores, Tom, Pam and Teresa. We feasted on ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, green salad, fruit fluff, and chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmm, good! This dinner was in memory of George Ann Williams.

The ensemble made it through the “Hallelujah” chorus along with anyone else who wanted to sing on Resurrection Sunday. I even brought my official music baton that I was given years ago to direct with. All in all it was a great experience to do “The Seven Last Words” and the “Hallelujah” chorus. Wonder if there is something we can do for Advent? Hmmm. Have to investigate that …

But first I had to have an internet-connected person order a batch of pens that I use to write music with. Of course, you know you can get anything on Amazon. What did we ever do without it?! In the good ol’ days, it was the Sears and Roebuck catalog along with Montgomery Ward that brought everything into your home via the USPS. I remember my mother telling us that she was able to mail a letter on Monday to “Monkey Ward” from way out on the ranch in Drewsey to Portland with her order and it would be there in the mail on Friday. Try that today …

So while the weather was so fabulous this week, I made tracks to the garden and got lots of those early-germinating weeds pulled. Made some corrections in the edging to help the dirt stay put and the grass stay out. The Ensemble gave me a gift certificate to Better Blooms (thank you, guy and gals!) so whenever the weather gets settled again, I can go get a load of her super-duper dirt. The plants last year were very happy with it!

Jer. 31:12, 13, 14 …they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD…..they will be like a well-watered garden….. My people will be filled with My bounty, declares the LORD.