Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Page A-9
Winding Trails: by Al Hobart
severe cramps in his clutch caused
that indispensable member to cease
functioning entirely. Obviously
immediate major surgery was
indicated, and so out came that ailing
organ, and surgeon Matt successfully
transplanted a new one.
Only a day or two later I
noticed that the little fellow was
running another temperature, and an
ominous grinding of teeth indicated
further painful complications. Seat
of the alarming symptoms was soon
discovered and a set of differential
dentures was ordered at once.
So the garage has been standing
empty, and I’ve been waking up nights
with the painful sensation of my right
arm being missing. A small engine,
a little steel cab, a set of oversized
wheels and the bolts, beams, wires and
pipes that tie them all together into
a miraculous little trail locomotive–
funny what an important and
indispensable brick such a combination
can make in one’s life structure.
Ah well, in a day or two the
saucy little rascal will come chuffing
Thursday, December 7, 1967
Illinois Valley News
First Winter Rain
With the pleasant activities of
summer over and winter lurking in
the wings, and with winter sports in
our chosen playgrounds lagging a
trifle behind schedule, I’m just drifting
through a short period of the doldrums,
my only activity besides my homework
being a short hike in the hills now and
then to keep my blood in circulation.
The days are far from being
dreary ones, but certain aspects of the
unusual slack period are not exactly
according to the script and tend to
joggle slightly out of plumb the usual
order of things.
For instance, the little empty
garage out there seems to have
the home picture twisted all out
of balance. Poor Little Toot has
been in the hospital for a week
undergoing treatment for wracking
internal disturbances. It seems to be
something that’s going around. First,
a
up the lane excitedly vibrating the
good news that all is okay again, and
suggesting that we’d better get going,
that time’s a-wastin’ and the Gang’s
wondering what’s become of us.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep the home
fires burning and just wait more or less
patiently for the status to return to what
has always been so pleasantly quo.
What a dandy blow that was
that just came swirling up the gulch.
At last we’re having a real nice storm.
It rained hard most of the night and is
still at it, the temperature being low
enough that the hills low down are
white with the first snow of the late
season. In fact, a few flakes come
down with the rain now and then here
at my 1,900-ft. level. Guess I’ll have to
get busy and check over my ski gear.
I’ll soon be finding out whether the
imaginary skiing I’ve been doing the
past month has improved my style any.
At home and in out of the
weather the situation can only be
described as right snug. The rain
is hammering down like it’s got
something in mind besides just
washing the cinders off the roof; the
roof isn’t leaking ‘ary a drop; the old
cast-iron heater is crackling merrily;
the woodshed is filled to the gunnels
with good dry wood, and Don was
just up and filled my tank with enough
propane to keep the lights, fridge, and
gas range going till next summer.
It’s nearly midday and so dark in
the old cabin I can hardly see to write,
but I don’t want any artificial light
to dispel that cozy, bug-under-a-chip
feeling that takes possession of me at
times like this.
Another profitable summer has
joined its predecessors in the realm
of unforgettable history; fall’s chores
have all been done, and now it’s just
a matter of drifting across a short hill
into winter, and making the most of
what that sometimes grim old rascal
has in store for us.
Unpredictable old Winter, with
his dubious, mixed-up presentation
of keen pleasure and irritating minor
hardships, can best be met head-on
with courageous determination to slug
it out with him toe to toe, and keeping
a wary eye out for the low blows
the cagey old trickster is so fond of
delivering.
When I say I like winter I
suppose I’m speaking as a minority
member of society.
Still, there’s one thing about the
season that surely must be appreciated
by most of us. The hordes of pesky
insects have been driven into hiding
or into oblivion; the dust, smoke, and
pollen have been mostly cleansed
from the air we have to breathe; and
for a few months we will be spared
the irritating heat and sweat of the
inevitable hot-spots of summer.
If I had the power to alter
seasons I wouldn’t make a single
change. A year-round season without
variety would be unbearable. I
look forward with pleasure to each
succeeding season, and the rigors
and peculiar pleasures that winter
brings offer a stimulating challenge
and healthful diversion whose value
should by no means be down-graded or
ignored.
Senior SPoTLiGHT
SPonSoreD BY i.V. Wellness resources
Microwaves Make Meals Easy
Food & Friends Menu
FriDay – Dec 8
Beef Patty w/
PeePeRS & OniOnS
MonDay – Dec 11
tuRkey divan Bake
WeDneSDay- Dec 13
MaCaROni & CHeeSe
Food & Friends Dining is
now located at the
I.V. Senior Center,
520 River St.
Call 541-955-8839
to volunteer or if you
need meals.
The microwave has been relegated as the heater
of left-overs or popcorn, however, it can be used for
so much more! often the hesistation to use the mi-
crowave has been due to little convincing evidence
that they are “cancer-causing death traps” due to the
radiation they emit. Per the Cancer Council micro-
wave ovens do noT make foods radioactive.
Microwave ovens have taken underserved criti-
cism for way too long and are called “ovens” for a
reason; they can create meals equal to anything from
a standard oven in less than half the time! From
steaming vegetables to cooking poached eggs, try
making a healthy meal in your microwave today!
The follwing recipes are examples of the deli-
cious meals you can create using your microwave:
Two-minute Freanch Toast in a Mug
Ingredients: 2 French bread slices, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp.
vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. maple syrup
and 1/2 tsp. powdered sugar. directions:Cut-up
CHAIR FITNESS
Classes Free at
Healthy u, Tuesdays
& THursdays from 1
- 1:45 p.m. 535 e. river
st., Cave Junction Call
541-592-4888 or visit
www.healthyucenter.org.
HEATING
ASSISTANCE
For financial assis-
tance with heating
your home - electric or
wood - call uCan at
541-956-4050
bread slices, crack egg and whisk with vanilla and
cinnamon. Pour egg over bread in a mug, heat in mi-
crowave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until egg is fully
cooked. Top with maple syrup.
Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken breasts, taco sea-
soning, onion, green and red bell pepper and whole
grain torilla. directions: slice bell peppers and on-
ion, toss with taco seasoning, place into microwave-
safe dish. slice chicken into long strips. season well.
add to seasoned vegetable. Cover and heat for 10
minutes. serve with tortilla.
Adapted from “balanced choices for a healthy
lifestyle” from Senior Nutrition Services, December
2017
You can contact I.V. Wellness Resources at 541-
592-9781 or www.ivwellnessresources@gmail.com
and please like our Facebook page at www.face-
book.com/ivwellnessresources.
CARING CALLER
are you isolated in your
home and need a phone
friend to call you with
daily or weekly phone
calls? Call Laura 541-
592-9781 to sign up or to
volunteer.
WELLNESS CHECKS
If you know a senior that
you are worried about and
feel they need a wellness
check. Please call Laura
at I.V. wellness resources
at 541-592-9781.
DISASTER REGISTRY
If you need special help
in an emergency please
register online at www.
rvcog.org or call senior
& disability services at
541-664-6674 for more
information.
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