montemover

Pics: Sunset at Manzanita overlooking the ocean from our motel; Nancy and Toby on the beach at Manzanita; Nancy, Barbara, Susie, Jaeda, and Toby on the beach at Manzanita.

Hi Folks. Well, the rains have finally come to Oregon, but not so much to Sutherlin. We seem to be in a protected valley and the rains have mostly gone around us. Just enough to keep everything green and growing – yes, growing. I don’t know if the plants, grass, etc. ever go dormant here, but I have to spray the weeds on my lot to keep them from taking over the drive. I love the weather here and think I’m good for the winter. I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like since I’ve heard so many conflicting reports, obviously dependent upon my informants’ point of origin and frame of reference when it comes to “cold”.

I’m delighted to report that Toby has responded beautifully to the medication that he’s on for his “cognitive dysfunction”. He’s back to being his delightful, companionable self. Thank goodness. He sleeps a bit more during the day (but then so do I). Other than that he’s great. Anipryl, the miracle drug for older dogs. It’s hard for me to realize that Toby’s 12-13 years old. I’m hoping for a few more good years with him and with the new meds I do believe we’ll make it. I took him to a vet here in Sutherlin and she’ll continue him on his meds, although she hadn’t previously used them, but after my testimony she’s going to run the exclusionary tests on another dog that she just rescued from a puppy mill and if she has cognitive dysfunction she thought she’d see if the Anipryl will help her since she is demonstrating the same symptoms that Toby had. Anyway, my many thanks to Drs. (cousins) Tom and Jim for their excellent care of Toby and especially to Dr. Tom for his great diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan for Toby. It has made living with Toby a great pleasure once again.

I went to Portland for Barbara’s birthday and met Nancy there. Nancy, Barbara, Susie, Jaeda, Toby (Jaeda and Toby are the dogs) and I went to the coast to a place called Manzanita. We stayed at a motel right on the beach and had a fabulous time. The town is very dog friendly. All the shops have little water bowls out front for the dogs. The dogs can run free on the beaches and we had a great time. It was gorgeous weather while there. Nancy treated us to a great birthday dinner at a little town down the road called Wheeler. And folks, let me tell you, at 9:00 p.m. they roll up the sidewalks in these little Oceanside towns. The only cars visable in the entire town of Wheeler when we left were 5 cars in the parking lot (there were still a few people in the bar there) and not a single car on the street on coming down the highway. Manzanita was the same, no cars anywhere and no people to be seen. But come morning, everyone’s on the beach walking and running with their dogs. I cruised back home to Sutherlin down Highway 101 and then cut across the coastal range to Sutherlin. It was a beautiful drive home.

Since then I’ve been getting well entrenched in the life here at the Skp Park. There are a lot of activities going on, lots of committees and board meetings. Since this is a co-op, we do most of the work ourselves with very little hired help. It’s amazing, and I’ve tried to go to all the various meetings and activities to see what I can contribute. So far I’m on the Library, Office, Activities and fundraising committees. I also attend the open board meetings and have volunteered to help with the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities. I also like to go to Line Dancing a couple times a week, the various luncheons that seem to pop up and I plan to start going to Po Ke No (it’s the only gambling game they play here and is a combination of keeno and poker – sounds like fun and I like to gamble. Right now, about ½ of the park population has headed south, but the rest of us are “hunkering down” for the winter and will carry on the business of the park. I really like it here. The people are very friendly, as are the deer, turkeys, and jack rabbits. What’s not to like????

Still having computer problems, but I’m hoping to get this uploaded today while my computer is behaving. The holiday season is coming and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a fantastic New Year!