Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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I recently saw a New York Times headline: "The Finnish Secret to Happiness? Knowing When You Have Enough." For the past six years, Finland has had the distinction of achieving the top ranking by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network on its World Happiness Report. The article then includes interviews they conducted with Finns from various walks of life and locations within Finland. Many of the people interviewed expressed relief that Finland has a robust safety network...
Dear Editors: I read the letter in last week’s paper written by Regina Weldert, a valued, productive business owner in our county and a beloved friend to many. That there should be one ounce of fear in her for her own safety as well as her other trans friends in Washington or across the country, is a statement of failure on the part of all of us that call ourselves Americans. We founded this country not on Judeo-Christian standards, but on the freedom of the individual and the freedom of independence. When our Declaration of Independence s...
My garden awaits Spring, and I am back from my trip to Los Angeles. Daniel worked diligently to assemble the new patio furniture and did a great job. So, what should I write about now? Daniel suggested (jokingly) I ask ChatGpt to write this week's column. The Microsoft program is one of the hot topics in the news lately, so maybe it's time to learn more about artificial intelligence. I am fairly "tech savvy." I am as good as most, better than many, and not nearly as good as the very young. What...
Will the weather cooperate? That is the million-dollar question. If my trip to Los Angeles today is any indication, it’s not great. I will leave Walla Walla in the rain, only to arrive in Los Angeles in more rain. Typically, I leave Walla Walla in bad weather to enjoy the California sun; this time, it’s the opposite. It will be raining when I leave Los Angeles on Wednesday morning to return home. If my weather app is uncharacteristically correct, Walla Walla should be dry if a bit cloudy. Meanwh...
Do you think there’s any chance that Bob Dylan was singing about Daylight Savings Time? I doubt it, but it’s always a welcome change to have longer days and know that sunnier ones are on their way. Mugsy had been preparing early in anticipation of the time change by waking up a little earlier each morning for the last week and a half. A few days ago, he was up an hour earlier, nudging me awake to let him out and feed him. I admit he has me trained. Time and season changes turn very quickly as I...
Last year, we barely had any birds eat from the feeders we strategically placed around our backyard. A local birder told us that it wasn't our choice of seed, the locations of the feeders, or even the loud dog (Mugsy) chasing them away. Most likely, the bird population had suffered from the avian flu (the fowl version of COVID-19?) That has changed because this year, the birds are back. The other morning, I glanced out the back and saw flocks of birds energetically attacking our feeders. My firs...
Although I know it’s short-lived, I’ve been enjoying the glimmer of Spring to come. These past few weeks have even provided some sun and warmer temperatures. Warm enough to defrost the frozen dirt in our planters so Daniel can begin his project reorganizing the backyard garden. What does the current project entail, you ask? First, Daniel emptied all the dirt from the whiskey barrels and moved them from the side yard to the back area. Then he refilled them with soil and our first official bat...
This letter is to let you know how much I enjoy your local writers. Brad Trumbo’s “ Palouse Outdoors: The Final Day” in the February 2nd issue was so evocative of season and place that although I have absolutely no interest in hunting, I wished I were there in the “crisp bluebird morning” among the golden wheat straw and prickly wild roses. Popo Ott’s vignettes offer really unusual and interesting mini-adventures. Luke Chavez’s recipes look delicious, but I confess to not having made one yet. And last but not least, Vicki Sternfeld-Ros...
We just returned from a weekend jaunt to Seattle for the sole purpose, to quote Daniel, “to eat properly.” To start our culinary weekend, we raced into our hotel and hungrily snatched up a bottle of wine and four snack boxes from Starbucks. Not gourmet, but when you’re hungry, culinary perfection is overrated. There was enough time before our dinner reservation for me to do a little shopping. My usual haunt is the Nike store where I cross my fingers, hope for sales, and if nothing else, kill...
To quote my late aunt, “The Golden Years aren’t really golden; in fact, they suck!” She had become a little forgetful when playing her weekly bridge game and had hearing loss, but she refused to wear her hearing aids. She had a single mastectomy, and the prosthetic breast was heavy and uncomfortable. She had a removable bridge, which she frequently forgot to put in her mouth. The bottom line, she was uncomfortable at family dinners and couldn’t hear or chew. So, yeah, it did suck for her. I...
Just when Mugsy and I were adapting to the pitfalls of winter, it’s spring (only temporary, I’m sure). Finally, after four years here, I am much improved and more confident at walking and driving on ice-slicked roads. Even Mugsy has learned, albeit begrudgingly, to negotiate the icy deck when he goes out first thing in the morning. He even braves the cold and wet to chase the neighbor’s cat. I know there is a good chance this “blast of spring” might not last, but while it does, I appreciat...
To quote the late Yogi Berra: It's like déjà vu all over again. We were diligent this winter, determined not to repeat last winter's frozen kitchen and bathroom pipes. We were aggressive with keeping water moving, heating the house, and keeping cabinet doors open. We did it all. We didn't wait for the temperature to drop into the teens but started preventative measures at above-freezing. Still, our hot water pipes in the bathroom froze by day three of our recent cold blast. Cold shower a...
I am not one of those who loves to travel but appreciates being back home to sleep in my own bed and use my own bathroom. I can sleep or have insomnia anywhere and in any bed. When I must use a bathroom, I don’t care whose, or where it is unless it’s too disgusting to fathom, then I manage to have amazing self-control. What is more appealing to me when I am home, is that I’m not living out of a suitcase. And this trip, more than most, was surely an “on the go” never unpack trip. For example, we...
Amazingly, we arrived in Bilbao, Spain, with all our luggage. Considering the insanity of the Lisbon airport, the short layover, and the flight change in Frankfort, we were shocked it all worked out. We had plenty of time for a shower and a leisurely walk to the restaurant we had reserved. According to the map and the concierge, we expected about a ten-minute walk. I don't know if it's Google's walking map or our pace that was deficient, but both in Lisbon and Bilbao, the ten-minute walks...
As a rule, I don’t believe in signs, and yet there’s a little superstition niggling in me. The day I left to start my European adventure, I noticed the bracelet I was wearing was missing. Though not expensive, it had emotional value to me. And, of course, losing it created an unwelcomed “is this an omen?” I soldiered on and headed to Seattle. Everything went smoothly at the airport. The plane wasn’t full, and I had both seats to myself. I could move without bothering anyone and even scored an ex...
HUNTSVILLE-With Thanksgiving here and Christmas coming in hot, the holiday season is in full swing. There is so much to love this time of year, whether it be the seasonal food, cool temperatures, fall colors, or twinkling lights. The Corner Village is a goldmine of holiday gifts and seasonal décor. If shopping for yourself or others brings joy, you will want to know about one of the area's best-kept secrets. Nestled along the highway between Waitsburg and Dayton in Huntsville is the mother an...
Daniel is still working in Portugal, and although I miss him, there is a calm in the house that Mugsy and I appreciate. The kitchen is available whenever I want, and I can have dinner guests when I’m in the mood. That mood is usually indicative of my boredom and frustration trying to have an intelligent conversation with Mugsy. While living alone for the ten years before Daniel and I got back together, I was proud of my ability to manage most situations independently, assuming power tools w...
Letter to the Editor On Thursday October 20th, Port Commissioner Seth Bryan made the following statement on social media about County Commissioner Candidate, Jack Miller: “He has experience at nothing except farming.” And he didn’t follow it up with anything nice after that line. WOW, at least we all know how the CCC elected leaders really feel about the farmers in the area. Commissioner Amerein must have had to really carry more than his own weight sitting on the same commission as Farmer Marty Hall. Poor Marty must have to struggle every...
Letter to the Editor On Thursday October 20th, Port Commissioner Seth Bryan made the following statement on social media about County Commissioner Candidate, Jack Miller: “He has experience at nothing except farming.” And he didn’t follow it up with anything nice after that line. WOW, at least we all know how the CCC elected leaders really feel about the farmers in the area. Commissioner Amerein must have had to really carry more than his own weight sitting on the same commission as Farmer Marty Hall. Poor Marty must have to struggle every...
This extended summer has been great for selected veggies in my garden. I continue to find ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and a copious bounty of green peppers for some unknown reason. But I just received a "pool update" notice from the country club that repairs are ongoing, and there will be no pool until next year. Between no tennis (hand still in a cast) and no swimming, it's been disappointing, and more tomatoes do not compensate! I grew up on Long Island (New York) and was fortunate to spend my...
Somewhat sadly, but with a little smile on my face, Daniel is in Portugal. He has been temporarily hired as a personal chef to work for a family currently in Portugal. This job came together very fast. He is the substitute chef, while their current chef is taking six weeks off. Within two days, we had to arrange his flight and accomplish as much of the heavy lifting house and garden work as possible, mostly because I am still hindered by a cast on my right hand. Timing wasn’t great, we had a cat...
It is a well-known fact that I am a klutz. Added to my determination to exercise, it’s become a dangerous lifestyle. Recently, I took Mugsy (all thirteen pounds of him) for a late-night walk along with two friends and their dogs. It was dark; Mugsy pulled, I didn’t see the curb, tripped, fell onto the sidewalk, and hit another curb with full force onto my right wrist. With a high pain tolerance and hope it was just a sprain, I filled zip lock bags with ice, took Advil, and tried to sleep. It...
To the Editor: I would like to address the fear-filled letter submitted to the Chronicle in the 9/1 edition from Seth Murdock. Mr. Murdock, there is simple way for you never to have to worry about a “Drag Queen Story Time” and it is so easy that anyone can do it: Don’t go to one. Otherwise, please rein in your fear mongering. I’m happy that you believe that Commissioner Amerein possesses conviction and courage. But convictions are personal and subjective, as is courage. There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all suit of conviction that we all can pul...
Board discuss special education contract WAITSBURG–The Waitsburg School Board met Thursday, August 18, for a regularly scheduled meeting. After serving the district for 25 years, board members and attendees said ‘thank you’ one last time to Human Resources and Assistant Business Manager Linda Henze, who retired the following day. The district presented Henze with a plaque, and later she went out for a celebratory dinner with district employees and friends at Whiskey C’s. Teachers and staff a...
Now that the pandemic is somewhat under control and travel has opened, the travel bug has bitten Daniel. Travel with Daniel can be challenging. Even before the pandemic, canceled flights, staffing shortages, delays, and missing luggage could result in a Daniel meltdown. He is not a “roll with punches” kind of traveler. This weekend we made a travel trial run. We drove to Portland for a weekend of food and wine. He drove my car, but since he has the patience of a flea, my rules were: we don...
