JOHN DAY — No column this week.

MONUMENT — Our greeters at the table were Bob Cockrell and Sue Cavender. They checked in all the guests, collected and counted up the money. Bob led us all in the salute to the flag and made the announcements. Yours truly had the privilege to pray the blessing over the meal. Kristi Little won the Christmas giveaway basket.

Our cooks, Terry Cade and Carrie Jewell, made us beef and potato casserole with green beans, fresh green salad, garlic bread, and peach cobbler for our dessert. It was a delicious and hearty meal. It went perfectly to counter our cold weather that we have been having with thick fog and all! We thank our wonderful cooks for their tireless efforts to keep us all fed and happy.

The hours of operation at the Monument Transfer Station are noon-2 p.m. Sundays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Please take note that there are certain things that will not be accepted. Those things are on a list located at the transfer station, and Brian Jordan can also answer any questions regarding said notice. You can also call the Monument City Hall if you have any questions or comments at 541-934-2025.

The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is looking for volunteers. Their mission is to protect individual rights, promote independence, and ensure a high quality of life for Oregonians living in log-term care and residential facilities, and for Oregonians with decisional limitations. If you are interested, please contact Jill Crawford Hurt at 971-719-6475 or jill.crawford@rights.oregon.gov. Hill is the volunteer recruitment specialist.

One of the residents in our community, Rex Blackstone, lost his home to a fire. Many reached out to him and he was very touched and moved by the financial aid and support that came his way. He thanks everyone for their generosity.

Don’t forget about the Monument Christmas Bazaar that will be on Saturday, Dec. 21. The EMTs will be selling and serving chili and cornbread for $7. There will be over 20 vendors present to sell their goods.

Lastly, do not show up for lunch on Dec. 24. There is NO lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 24. I hope you all remember that and do not make a trip over for nothing.

Rebel, my little goat, has been coming over to me all the time now if I am in their pen, wanting to sit on my lap. I wonder to myself, “What is she thinking about as she is sitting there on my lap”? Do goats even have any thoughts, other than, eating, sleeping and pooping? LOL.

She is a cutie, though. I am afraid that soon she will be too big to fit on my lap, and what am I going to do if she is trying to hop on my lap? Sigh. I will just enjoy this time.

I guess she is really bonded to me. That will make it easier when she has babies later and I can just easily milk her and lead her around. That’s my hope, anyways! Ha.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

PRAIRIE CITY — Today’s meal may have seemed like a not very big meal, but let me tell you that we went away filled to the brim! We had tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, a green salad, cottage cheese, apricots and birthday cake. You could have your choice of a cup or bowl of soup, too. And if that didn’t fill you up, you could enjoy some peach yogurt! Along with the mango juice, we supplied all the major food groups, so our nutritional needs were well met!

Delores led the flag salute, and Carla asked the blessing. Fran Bunch was the winner of the $10 gift certificate donated by Huffman’s Market. The chocolate birthday cake was donated by Driskill Memorial Chapel. We thank these fine folks for their participation in our weekly endeavors.

(When I went to get the certificate for Huffman’s, I remembered that I had forgotten to go get some more. Oh, dear. What to do? But wait! I was rescued by the appearance of a representative from Huffman’s who could sign the certificate! PTL. Fran got a one-of-a-kind certificate. Merry Christmas!)

Our volunteers included Carla, Mary, Tom, Teresa, and Pam at her registration desk. I am very grateful for these volunteers. They show up on time and do their thing with grace and efficiency. If there is a problem in one of their areas and someone asks me what to do, I always reply: That’s not my department.

My working theory is do not try to do what you don’t know how do. I have tried to do Pam’s job at the registration desk and it was a disaster. I really hate it when she has to be gone! Ginger is very good at her position as chair of the board and I really appreciate that, too. The bottom line is that no one wants to do my job, either, so everybody is happy! We have no glass ceiling. 

Tom has a lovely piece of artwork on the white board — the visit of the Magi. So the questions had to do with what the gifts were and what the traditional names of the men were. Some funny names were Huey, Dewey and Louie, and Tom, Dick and Harry. Some hymn books will list the names in the song “We Three Kings” as Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. So there is your trivia for the day …

Here it is two weeks until Christmas and the Mother’s Day pansies are still colorful! Even after three snowfalls the yellow, blue and crimson blossoms are hanging on. And all the snow and rain really helped my lawn green up!

Another thing that must be done at this scason is to view the Christmas movies and listen to the Christmas LPs and CDs. Will have to replace a few of the old VHS ones. They either will not play or not rewind. Interestingly, some give out sooner than others, too. Even after 40 years, some play without any problem. Oh, well, that’s too much quandary for me today.

1 Tim. 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.