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.

Where did the last week go? Just yesterday was June 17 and here it is the end of the week and next week, which is tomorrow, I head to Boise again, for four days. I am very happy that I am busy, though. I sure wouldn’t have it any other way.

So … for details on the week just ending. Monday, June 17, a week ago, Darlene and Judy were greeting everyone at the desk with all the details of preparing for lunch, as the Grant County Jammers were singing and playing in the background, and Elsie was gathering information — volunteers to lead the pledge of allegiance and someone to ask the blessing — when Millie asked if she could sing the flag salute like she used to as a girl in school. No problem. I had never heard of singing it, but I was curious as to how that goes. She came to the microphone and started to sing solo without music. She sang each line, some of them twice, and got all the way to the end and it was very nice. She didn’t miss a word or note. I liked it a lot. We must all learn it and sing it together. It took on a different aura with singing rather than reciting. Thank you, Millie, for that treat.

It is so hard to have the Jammers stop playing and singing and to just talk. I just love the music so much. Many people gather in the room in the two hours they play, which is nice for the Jammers, too. They have a great audience and a great place to jam.

Millie Lysne and Carol Claire represented the Living Word Church as our servers that day. Thanks again, Millie, for your service to our seniors, and thanks to Carol for sharing and serving. Carol asked the blessing for our meal. We dined on ham and lima beans, cornbread, veggies and apple crisp. Yum! It was very good.

Sixty-one fresh meals were delivered into the community to residents who have difficulty getting out. Allie Hubbard of the Blue Mountain Hospital, Millie Lysne, Carolyn Stout, and Maurita Coombs with Kathy McPheeters were the drivers that took these meals to the residents. Thank you all for your service of love for others. There were 12 takeout meals and 32 in-house diners. A total of 105 meals were served from our kitchen that day.

Shay and his helpers do a great job. They are Nancy, Valeda and Chris. Sometimes a couple others come and help as well. This Monday, Nancy stepped up and took Alesa’s place as assistant cook and meal server. Nancy is consistent to fill in wherever she is needed. Thank you, Nancy, for your stewardship to all of us seniors.

This day was Chris’ birthday, so we all sang “Happy Birthday” to her. She stood in the doorway of the kitchen and when we were done singing, she took a bow. That was so sweet. She is a gracious lady.

Laura won the Len’s card, and Millie won the free meal. Congratulations to both of you.

On Thursday, Sonie and Juday were greeting everyone who came by for signing in for lunch or asking questions or needing something. They do a very important job to start each lunch day. Thanks, ladies, for a great job.

Darlene asked the blessing for our meal, and Chris and Valeda from the kitchen were our servers today. They pulled a double duty that day. Wow! These gals are extraordinary and work so hard and do not quit till everything is clean and put away and the floor is swept. That is A-1 volunteering. We appreciate them a lot.

We dined on meatballs and gravy with parboiled potatoes, a blend of veggies that were so good, and great bread with butter, and then we had a parfait for dessert. Wow! This meal was spectacular. There were compliments coming from many diners. Some asked for a takeout so they could have some more later. Good job, Shay.

Cindy Combs and Peggy Molnar, Jeff Cyphers (Jodi was ill that day), and Nancy Elliot delivered 59 fresh and 36 frozen meals to residents in our community. Thirty-two in-house diners enjoyed great fellowship and great food. A total of 145 meals went out of our kitchen that day. Wow! Shay, I really don’t know how you do it but am very happy that you can. We can make a difference to this area when we all work as a team to make the work seem easier.

Chris Labhart was the courier who brought in several large and small bags of dog food to aid our seniors in caring for their pets. There were some cans of dog food, too. Thank you, Chris, and thanks to Hope4Paws who donate all this food. Our seniors do appreciate it all.

The Fourth of July is on Thursday, so we will be closed at our center so folks can spend time with family and friends and no scheduling to think about.

Ron Smith won the Chester’s card, and Ron Phillips won the free meal and the 50/50 drawing. Ron Phillips is a lucky winner; he wins the 50/50 quite often. Congratulations to both Rons.

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 27, lunch will consist of pork loin with dressing, veggies, dinner rolls and banana pudding.

On Monday, July 1, we will dine on baked cod, wild rice pilaf and … that is as far as they got with this menu. Come share with us and see what all it will be.

Psalms 23:4 and 6 Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

MONUMENT —

Our wonderful cooks, Terry Cade and Carrie Jewell, made us ham with scalloped potatoes, carrots, breadsticks, and chocolate brownies for our dessert. I had to go back for a little second helping of the ham and scalloped potatoes. We thank our cooks for the awesome meal we all got to enjoy.

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. The free meal ticket was won by Judy Harris.

There will be cans at the greeters table for raffle tickets. The tickets for sale are for different items that will be raffled at the September Fall Buckaroo. Items include a Blackstone grill, quilts, a rifle, and other such items. The tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5.

There will be a block party here in Monument on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 3-9 p.m. There is also going to be a beer garden. This event will be held at the Monument Park.

The planning and organizing for the September Buckaroo is now well on its way! We have had two meetings so far. If anyone wants to help out, please give Ellie Asher a call.

Rose Howe gave a class on how to use the emergency equipment that the EMTs have donated to the local churches. There were a few people in attendance after lunch. We thank the EMTs for their generosity.

Kyle and Katherine Jezwinski donated two bags each of flour and sugar. We thank them for their generous donation.

Well, it finally looks like we are going to have a real summer now. The temperatures are getting pretty warm. I planted some lettuce and some basil in between some tomatoes and pepper plants. I think I see some little itty-bitty leaves peaking through! LOL.

I took away the babies (the wild ones) from their mamas. They have adjusted pretty well, actually. It’s my bottle babies that are throwing fits right now! Hahahaha. They cry incessantly and act like they are dying. I have been trying to get them to drink from the water tub, but they refuse. I have pretty much watered down their bottles to almost pure water. I still have Rebel, Cap and Pearl, who are getting milk. I’ve started to water down their milk, too, but not like the others.

I guess I might have to just cut the older babies off. I think it will be a little traumatic for them but they need to learn to drink water from the water tub. They are practically drinking almost all water anyways. Maybe they just love the novelty of drinking down liquid in a bottle? I can’t wait till the weaning is all done! What a relief it will be and I will be free! Whee! LOL.

Psalms 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together.

PRAIRIE CITY —

In case you hadn’t noticed, summer’s here! Even though snow fell on Dixie Pass on Monday. … So what else is new, huh?

After I had finished typing last week’s column, my mouse died. And I was without a Solitaire “fix” for 24 hours! Thanks to Sharon, who had an extra one hibernating at her house, I was able to play again. And I never even thought about getting a physical deck of cards out. Talk about habit …

Gail led the flag salute and was also the winner of the $5 gift card donated by Len’s Pharmacy. Joel asked the blessing. Our volunteers included Sharon, Carla, Gwynne, Mary, Tom and Pam. The meal sponsor today was Brenda Ricco in memory of John Coombs.

Our meal was sweet and sour meatballs over rice, scalloped corn, peaches, strawberries, cantaloupe pieces and, for dessert, apple pudding cake. There was also a macaroni salad and homemade rolls for your dining pleasure.

Tom’s trivia concerned this special date in history. I had no idea what it was all about when I heard the term Juneteenth. So now I know. Tom detailed the events leading up to this day: Jan. 1, 1863 — the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves in the Confederate States; Feb. 15, 1865 — the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States; April 15, 1865 — Lincoln assassinated; June 19, 1865 — federal troops enter Texas to ensure slavery is abolished. And now you know, too.

Came across a couple of new words in my perusal of books. First one — “becket” — has to do with the ropes on life rafts. Webster’s says it has no clue as to where this word came from. The definition: a contrivance used for securing loose ropes, oars, spars, etc. Being a long ways from the ocean, we don’t use that word much.

Now, the roofers were using a contrivance to secure themselves in case they slipped on the roof. Could you call that a becket?

The second word is “sapiential.” And you should desire to be known as such. It means having, providing or expounding wisdom. The question is who determines if what you say is truly wisdom, hmmmm?

I am pleased to report that the attic is looking better. Got the needlepoint and latch hook thread all sorted and stored. Found items that had disappeared from view. Got all the family historical boxes sorted through and stashed. Now it’s my stuff’s turn. Hope I can be sapiential in my decisions. Is it memorabilia yard sale or trash?

Speaking of yard sales, there will be one at the Prairie City Senior Center on July 4, 5 and 6. Come and see our new floor and roof and take some goodies home with you. Check the ad for times.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,6b There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: … a time to keep and a time to throw away …