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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2019)
August 30, 2019 T he C olumbia P ress Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Best-laid plans best described by a tiny mouse’s behavior It was just one of those days! Everything seemed to go wrong with my planned out- ing. Out of my mouth popped the old expression, “best-laid plans of mice and men.” And, later, I pondered where the expression came from. A few of my “sources” re- vealed it was from a poem, “To a Mouse,” written by Scottish author Robert Burns in 1785 and found above the chimney in the parlor of an inn. While plowing on a No- vember day, Burns ruined the nest of a field mouse sup- posedly snuggled in for the winter. He pondered why the wee mouse runs away in such terror. Do take a moment and go to Warrenton Community Library and read the entire poem. It’s a good read! So, back to one of those days. As seniors, we realize the time will arrive when our homes have to be “plowed under.” A new home will be found; not all joy! But, for some, it turns in to the big- gest blessing of their lives. Attitude, of course, has a lot to do with it. Even when driv- ing privileges are denied due to age and/or circumstance, we kind of feel plowed under. Often, when a field is plowed, it’s being readied for a plant- ing of seed, eventually result- ing in new growth. Maybe we should feel that way about our circumstances. It’s a new life! New life could be around the corner. Some purchase a travel trailer and become RVers when they willingly or are forced to give up their homes. My hubby and I did just that and joined a group called the Escapees RV Club. We were blessed to travel to many states and make many lifelong friends. To this day, if you learn a visitor is an Escapee mem- ber upon telling them you are too (or were) then you get a big hug from them and sometimes a meal. So we re- ally don’t need to feel sorry for ourselves when we feel our house has been plowed under. Stretch your horizons and maybe see what God has around the corner for you. Maybe it will be a whole new life with joy unfathomable! Another option for seniors is to check out assisted or in- dependent senior residenc- es or consider adult foster care homes as an alternative. Meals are included in most cases. Many still come to local senior meal sites in Astoria 503-791-7298, Seaside 503- 738-7323 and/or Warrenton 503-861-3502. For those who can’t or don’t drive, local bus- es are available to take you places you want to go. To learn what’s readi- ly available in many areas of your life, a good contact would be Northwest Senior and Disability Services near the animal shelter in Warren- ton, 503-861-4200. 7 Cullaby hike includes tour of historic cabin A Cullaby Lake hike that in- cludes a tour of the historic Lindgren Cabin is set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4. The hike is sponsored by the Angora Hiking Club and begins at the cabin, which was built by Finnish immi- grant Erik Lindgren for his family in 1922. The five-room house has been described as “America’s foremost example of a hand-hewn cabin” and a prime example of “Wild West axmanship.” Greg Jacob of Finlandia Foundation will conduct the tour. Afterward, there will be an easy hike around the park, The 1922 Lindgren Cabin is housed within Cullaby Lake County Park and will be included as part of the hike. which includes native trees and points of interest, includ- ing the gravesite of Chief Cul- laby, for whom the lake was named. To participate, call hike leaders Don or Gwen Burtch at 503-861-8720 by Tuesday, Sept. 3. There is a $5 county park fee per vehicle. Road work W arrenton • A one-night closure of Youngs Bay Bridge is scheduled from 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6. The Highway 101 bridge has been undergoing repair. Most of the work is being done from beneath. The over- night closure is to allow annual maintenance on the drawbridge, guardrail, wheel ruts and signs. The overall project will be com- plete in 2021. • A sheet pile wall is being installed on Columbia Beach Lane west of Smith Lake Road. The project runs through Sept. 5. Columbia Beach Lane will be open for local traffic only during work hours. C latsop C ounty • A culvert replacement project has a portion of Youngs Riv- er Loop Road closed through mid-October. The culvert is Senior lunch menu Monday, Sep. 2: Closed for Labor Day holiday. Thursday, Sept. 5: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, romaine salad, bread pudding. The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is $6 for ages 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more information, call 503-861-3502. near Youngs River Falls, which will remain accessible from the Jeffers Gardens access to the loop road. During construction, the road on the Astoria side of the falls will be closed to through traffic. • A culvert will be replaced on Clifton Road near Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery Sept. 9-13. Traffic will be routed around the work area. a storia • Work continues on the wa- terfront bridge project, which affects the foots of Sixth through 11th streets downtown. Six aging bridges are being replaced. Work on half the streets has been completed and is shifting to the remaining streets. The project will cause disruptions in the area through June 2020.
