JOHN DAY —Summer is really trying to come to us but is struggling. Today was a nice day but no sun.

On Monday, June 10, at our John Day Senior Center we had a nice crowd who gathered for lunch in person and listened to music by the Grant Count Jammers for a while before lunch. Our servers represented the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and each one was on the job, taking care of our seniors. They were Barb Comber, Kay Zangales and Joanie Humphries.

Barb and Joan helped with deliveries, as well and Jodi Cyphers and Rick LaMountain. Thank you all for your service to our seniors. The delivery drivers delivered 143 meals into our area. That is a lot of meals. That was only delivered meals, not counting the takeouts and in-house dining. We didn’t write down the number of in-house and takeout meals, but that would make it at least 25 more meals that day.

I stepped into the kitchen to ask a question and it was so hot in there. Oh, my goodness, how Shay, Alesa and their angel helpers work in all the heat I will never know. We did give them a big hand for their hard work.

Monday was the last day for our high school student, Skyler, to wrap our dinnerware. He is taking a full-time job and will not be available to work with us. We are on the lookout for another person to wrap for us.

Joe Phippen brought in several bouquets of flowers for the Jammers crew. Joe grows a lot of flowers and a large vegetable garden at his home. He brings things in from time to time to share with other seniors. Thank you, Joe, for your kindness.

Painted Sky is having a class to make a pottery bowl. This is funded by a grant from Roundhouse, so the class is free to anyone desiring to attend. This sounds like a lot of fun. I will be in Boise that week so I will miss out on this one.

The Health Fair was June 14 at the fairgrounds pavilion. I haven’t heard how it went, so far. Lots went on, on the 14th and 15th. The ’62 Days celebration was held in Canyon City, and it sounded like a lot of fun. A lot of work went into planning and putting on the event. The High Desert Music Jamboree was June 13-15 in Burns at the Harney County Fairgrounds. Which event to go to is the big question here. There are three choices. When it rains, it pours, my mama always said.

Karrol Green won the Chester’s card, and Vern Pifer won the free meal. Congratulations to both of you.

On Thursday, June 14, Judy Thomas and Darlene Nodine greeted everyone as they came in and signed in for lunch and made their donations and put their names in the drawings for the day.

Pati Davis, Becky Reinhart, and Gary and Bonnie Zick delivered 92 meals into our community to residents not able to come dine in person. Thank you all for your service of love for our seniors.

There were 42 in-house diners for this great chicken fried steak dinner, 25 meals were picked up and 92 delivered, which makes 159 meals that went out of our kitchen that day.

The Cornerstone Church was represented by Heather Swank, Jeanette Julsrud, Joe Steiner and Valeda Grant, serving our diners drinks and condiments, and clearing and cleaning after the meal. This was our Father’s Day meal: chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and country gravy, green beans with bacon, whipped Jell-O and watermelon.

There were 40 in attendance. The oldest father in attendance was Robert Johnston, who is a regular attendee at our center. The youngest father was a guest, and we didn’t get his name. Earl Carlton was the father that came the farthest to be with us. Good times finding all that out.

We had a couple with us who were celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary, so we couldn’t help but break into song and sing happy anniversary to them. Fun times.

Some food boxes have been donated to our senior program and can be had by anyone needing some groceries to help make times a little easier. Give Misty a call at 541-620-3014 to get yours or help someone else.

Scott Myers won the Len’s card, and Carl Swank won the free meal. Congratulations, you two.

We had our annual meeting on the 13th. Everyone that was interested was there to hear what transpired this past year.

Our financial adviser spoke to let us all know how our finances are doing. He answered everyone’s questions. We all went away with a little better understanding of how bills get paid and what we may be able to do in the coming year.

Thursday, June 20, we will dine on meatballs and gravy, parboiled potatoes, veggies, bread and butter and a parfait.

Monday, the 24th, lunch will be soup, chicken chef salad, garlic toast and strawberry pie. Yummy!

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

MONUMENT —

The Lord has been so gracious to all of us over here. We have had some warm weather that helps our gardens grow, and cool nights and mornings to give us a respite from the heat. How blessed are we? God is good, all the time! Hallelujah!

Our greeters at the table were Bob Cockrell and Sue Cavender. They checked in all the guests, collected and counted up the money. They also filled out the paperwork. Bob led us in the flag salute and made the announcements. Yours truly prayed the blessing over the meal. The winner of the free meal ticket was Larry Vote.

Our wonderful cooks, Terry Cade and Carrie Jewell, prepared for us sloppy Joes, curly french fries, coleslaw, and cookies for our dessert. Of course, I had to douse my sloppy Joe with some hot sauce for I am Korean after all and spicy food is a must. It filled my tummy and I was quite satisfied. Ha. We thank our amazing cooks for their hard work and we truly appreciate them.

The meetings for planning the Buckaroo in September will begin and if you are interested in helping out, you are welcome to come to the planning meetings. I will notify when those will occur or you can always go to the Monument Senior/Community Center Facebook page and find out for yourself.

We had our sewing get-together on Wednesday and there were 14 of us ladies. We had such a lovely time! We also had a fabulous meal, and we all got to sit together and visit. There were times where laughter was quite intense and loud. I would encourage anyone who would like to join us, even if you don’t sew, it is a good time to just come and enjoy some company and yummy food. We really eat well! LOL. We get together the second Wednesday of every month. Hope to see you there next time!

My slow plan of weaning the bottle babies is working out very nicely. I have been watering down their milk, and this creates less stress on them than cutting them off cold turkey. They just get full on a lot of warm water! LOL. They have been getting more accustomed to eating hay, fresh grass, and of course some grain. They have not quite started to fight over the grain aggressively yet, but I know it will get there.

It is amazing to me how they each know their name, and what order I feed them. When they know it is close to their turn, they come over from eating hay, and stand waiting for the goat before them to finish and then they come running over as if to say, “It’s my turn!”

Pearl is one sweetheart. She comes over and “paws” at me with her hoof to let me know that she wants more milk or she wants to cuddle and sit on my lap. So I coo and talk to her and she leans into me and gives me this very satisfied look. I love my goats!

Matthew 16:25-26 For whosoever will try to save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what does a man profit, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

PRAIRIE CITY —

When I wrote the date (6-12-24) in my little note-taking book, I noticed that it had a mathematical component. Tom alluded to it but didn’t give any clue to the reason. It’s simple: The second number is double the first, and the third is double the second. Now the question is: How often does that happen in our yearly calendar notations … hmmmm? Ask Siri. I have more important things to attend to. (Ahem.)

Delores led the flag salute, Ginger gave the announcements, Pam registered the diners, and Tom and Teresa put out the tableware and drinks. Gwynne, Sharon and Mary took care of the home deliveries. Pastor Bob Perkins won the gift certificate donated by Katrina’s Barber Shop of $10 off a haircut. He also asked the blessing on our meal.

Joe P. brought in a bucket full of flowers that Tom promptly put in vases and put on the tables. After the meal, they were dispersed to various homes of our diners. The flowers were irises and daisies. There were many comments on the iris. It wasn’t just a plain of blue iris. Was white with dainty blue veining on the petal edges. Thanks for sharing, Joe.

Somebody also brought some rhubarb to share, too. Thanks to you, also.

Our wonderful cooks, Pam and Pam, made chicken enchiladas for the entree today. Along with a large serving of that came rice and refried beans. Then off to the other food table for macaroni salad, corn chips, some other condiments for the enchilada (that I didn’t recognize), cantaloupe pieces, peach pie, and some more strawberry shortcake. I had to bring home what I didn’t have room for in my tummy right then. Whee, don’t have to cook tomorrow!

The roofers are making great progress. Have the south portion finished and have started on the main northern portion. The contractor is using a layer of plywood and some special “house-wrap” for roofs before the new metal roofing goes on, so it should be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with those two extra layers.

Ooops, almost forgot Tom’s trivia. Composer Robert Schumann was born on June 8, 1810, and died July 29, 1856. He had a couple of thought-provoking quotes: “To compose is to remember music that has never been written.” “You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open or you’ve looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.” OK. Tom chose this particular composer for this particular day because we chose to celebrate Father’s Day today and Mr. Schumann had eight children, four boys and four girls. He had an octave’s worth (teehee).

The cucumbers and cantaloupes have sprouted. Come on, carrots! Get with the program!! You are in tubs that will not be walked on, you have been planted in super soil and protected by mulch, watered and enjoyed warm sunshine. Come up!

Rev. 4:1 Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.