For the Archives-2025

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My greenhouse. 

Our chickens. 

We gathered together to inter Earls ashes at Willamette National Cemetery. 

Seriously, I am being very realistic about the times, this year, and you. It seems to me that things do not make you happy. A shadow is hanging over all of us. Bad things happen even to us. 

There is ice in Hillsboro...not the frozen kind. You know what I mean. I have not seen them. Is it true? 

I belong to an organization that is simply asking for the delivery of groceries because people are afraid to leave their homes to shop. Children are so scared to go to school. It must be so hard for those people. Instead of feeling total indignation, I feel torn. One side of my head is thinking that if I were those people, I would want to go back to Mexico and home. I also know that they fled their country to seek a better life, and there is nothing to go back to. I ask myself, "What would I do?" 

I am told by a pediatrician in the area that serves the Hispanic community that ICE is not taking any verification of citicenship. They arrest first and check later. It seems that those people that are brown skinned should be afraid. The whole process is such an unknown. Bad things happen to good, honest people in spite of the effort to keep them safe. I don't suppose any of us would want to be in their shoes.

I read that a lot of illegal activity has been stopped  Its a trade-off I suppose  

The inauguration of Trump in January has somehow made time stand still. The media will not let it go and the truth is elusive.The weeks and months drag on, and watching the news is harder and harder. Even though I watch middle-of-the-road news casts, it seems that every time I want to check on social media, there it is. I can't hide in a hole, no matter how tempting that is.

Brick and motor stores here in Hillsboro are closing. Our Macy's is gone, as well as JoAnn's Fabrics. Walmart if not one of my favorites.  Choices shrink, but we are reminded that small businesses are the bread and butter of our community. Finding what I need has me using a "big box" online stores which is not any better...Amazon, Etsy, Temu and eBay are on the radar. Small online businesses are having a hard time too I think...I am always asking, "Is it a scam"? Etsy is supposed to be small business, but who knows.

The internet serves me well. I order groceries and then just pick them up at the store. I like Uber Eats a lot. I have put "gluten free" in the app. and it helps me find good food.

NOTABLE IN 2025

  • Ethan and Mikaela bought property in the country. They had been wanting it for so long. 
  • Elena dn Micheal moved into a better appartment.
  • Susan and Doug are going to Spain next fall.
  • I turned 84.
  • Donald Trump took office.
  • I sold my Arizona house and am back in Oregon fulltime now.
  • Brayden and Brycen are helping me with my house and yard.
  • Doug finished and installed a new front door and screendoor.
  • We drew names for Christmas (Tuesday gift are anew thing.)
  • We put Earl to rest. 
  • I have rejoined PEO. 

My last crop of grandchildren are growing. Three of them now. The other nine are grown or off to college. I am 84 years old so it seems appropriate that family grows older too. One is graduating from Oberlin in '27 and one is entering University of Arizona in the fall of '26. 

I sold my house in Arizona. Andy and Amanda bought it. They are remodeling the two bathrooms. The house was built in late 1970s so it needs some updating. Earl and I did a lot but still....

Now 2026 is looming. A quick Thanksgiving then Christmas. I love to be near to my family this time of year. The choice to move back to Oregon is feeling really good. 

I made bread/cinnamin rolls today. A neighbor takes my garbage can in and I share homemade bread with he and his wife. My neighbor, Clementine, turned 93 or something this week so I took her some too. I still love to cook. I'm not a good eater so I eat sporatically...twice a day with no thought food in between. When I get hungry I want to eat NOW! Sigh. 

My health is ok and my brain workss better than ever. I am grateful for that.

How are you doing? Leave a comment please.

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