CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2020

 

HOLIDAY GREETINGS!!

What a long strange trip it’s been! We are definitely not Deadheads, but that line has come to mind many times in the past year. It is our fervent hope that this missive finds you safe and healthy. We have used the word hope incessantly lately with regard to our country and world, and we will continue to do so!

April moonset with morning alpenglow on Elkhorn Peak

After a winter of stoking the woodstove and admiring our snowy peaks, we left the first of March, towing the trailer and heading south. We met Luke in Dixon, NM for three days at an Air B&B. We explored the area SW of Taos. This included a visit with Lester Casias and Annette at the little Embudo Presbyterian Church. We had not seen Lester since our days in the young adult group at Covenant Church in Gresham, OR, where we met and were married. A highlight of our trip! We continued to

With Luke at Rio Grande Gorge outside Taos, NM

Tucson to volunteer at the home repair nonprofit, CHRPA, where we have spent many a March in the past. It was a short three day visit though. Covid was breaking loose and we decided if we got sick we’d rather be at home than in an 18’ trailer. So, along with everyone from western Canada and the NW US, we packed up and drove home in two days. The highways and campground were packed!

One of our countless blessings was, having built our home the previous year, we had a huge list of projects. Many we had

Late June early garden view

figured would not be addressed until 2021. But we pretty much self-isolated and tackled the list! Ginger’s garden was leveled, fenced, and filled with raised beds (which produced abundantly all summer long!) Lawns were put in, shop and house painted, and many hikes taken. Along the way trips and visits were canceled. Mom R’s internment service was postponed and all Habitat builds called off.

In keeping with the strange year theme, you no doubt heard of the terrible fires we had in Oregon in September. Usually those are on our ‘dryside’ of the state. But this year they occurred on the west side. We were affected by the smoke from both Oregon and California fires and had several days when we were socked in and thus stayed indoors!

Father's Day visit from Jed!

Meanwhile Jed’s employer, Willamette University, pushed on, sometimes totally on-line and at times hybrid. He continues dividing his time between physics and computer science teaching. He visited around the Fourth of July and Turkey Day,
recently heading back to Salem to administer finals on-line. He should arrive back in Baker City mid-month. As with everyone, next year’s plans are uncertain at this point!

Luke also is still employed as the Young Adult Volunteer site coordinator in Albuquerque. Much to his disappointment, the national office decided that no young people would be placed this year. A quarter of Luke’s position is as high school coordinator for the Presbytery of Santa Fe. He has been busy with that along with maintaining the continuity of the Albuquerque site. He is eagerly looking forward to a new group of young people come

September hike with Luke in Elkhorns

August. He came north in September for a wedding and visit. He also should arrive in Baker City mid-month. We will enjoy a longer visit with him since he doesn’t have to return as soon. Another blessing!

Along with hope and kindness, flexibility seems to be another word we use a lot. So far no volunteer trips south, trip east for Mom R’s interment, or Habitat builds are scheduled. We hope that changes but in the meantime we will stay at home and enjoy our countless blessings. We know that hindsight is 2020. We think a lot can be learned from the year 2020. We hope those lessons might bring about a more ‘normal’ 2021. Meanwhile, we will pray for patience and peace for us all. Be well, be safe, be happy, and take care of each other!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(Scroll down for a few more pictures from our year!)

15844 High Country Lane

Baker City OR 97814

elkhornrandg@gmail.com

Taking a stroll through the year...

Much of January was spent getting the siding up on the Shop. 

Easter was a little different this year!

An April escape to snowshoe just 25 minutes away!

Rick tries out his new 'toy'!!  Necessary to plow in winter and mow in summer!

Spending Rick's June birthday up in the Wallowa Mountains

By mid-June we finally had the Shop painted!

Getting our woodpile ready for winter!  We are getting
smarter - rented a splitter!!

Innovative method to get dirt past fence for 
two raised beds added this fall

Jed joined us for a quiet Thanksgiving

And finally, I can't help but show a few of our stellar views!  The sunrises and sunsets are glorious!  And we are reveling in the great expanse of sky!

If you've actually made it this far, HAPPY NEW YEAR!