Fruits & Nuts

God’s Inabilities Comfort My Heart
I don’t know about you, but I definitely need constant care. I was reminded of this recently while I was in the bathtub getting ready to go to a Tuesday morning Ladies’ Bible Study that I like to attend. The tub is a good place for me to be myself and “myself” was talking to God, (actually more like whining), saying “So… is this really IT, Lord? You want me to just be Rick’s caregiver for the rest of my life?” (I’d been feeling pretty stuck in a role I’d felt drafted into after my husband’s car wreck nearly nine years ago.)
Usually, when I’m whining, God doesn’t even answer me. He just listens and lets me vent. But that morning, He DID: “Now remember, I am your caregiver…(I heard a familiar, gentle voice say)… and I love taking care of you…”
Stunned, I sat up straight, completely humbled, and thought about His kind response to my one-woman-pity-party.
“You’re RIGHT, Lord! I’m definitely a “long-term care patient” of yours, and You do take great care of me! I’m sorry I was complaining about having to take care of Rick. I’m glad he’s still here with me Lord. THANK YOU!”
As I thought about His calming statement, I realized an amazing thing: While God is taking awesome care of me 24/7, He’s also taking care of bazillions of other people at the same time, and running the universe!
That revelation totally snapped me out of my pitiful state and empowered me to “get going” again. I’m not stuck! I can still take good care of Rick and interact with friends and family too. I can resume hobbies I’ve ignored for years and even start new ones! I can go on with my life and use all the talents and skills God’s given me to do all the good I can, just like I’ve always wanted to do. I just needed an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!
God went on to show me that if I can just learn to take care of one person correctly, there’s hope I can learn to love many, and if I can love many, I can learn to love them all.
Since that epiphany in the bathtub, I’ve been re-energized. Remembering God is taking good care of me, I’ve been able to re-focus on taking good care of Rick while I am with him, and on enjoying a myriad of other activities when I’m away from Rick and he is in the competent care of his other caregivers. Life is good again and I am content to know God is with me every second of every day. He has given me life to live to the fullest, enjoying His own precious companionship all the while. What a gift!
This morning, in my quiet time, I was thinking of how, in addition to all the “exceedingly abundantly, beyond what I can ask or think” kinds of things that God can do, that there are also a few things that He cannot do, and even these comfort me: He cannot lie. (“God is not a man, that He should lie.”) Therefore I can trust His Word and this truth sets me free. He cannot fail. The Bible says “God is love.” and “Love never fails.” My life is safe in the hands of the One Who never fails. Together, He and I will ultimately succeed. He cannot leave. He is honor-bound to stick closer than a brother, because He has promised in His Word to never leave me nor forsake me and that nothing shall ever separate me from His love! What a comfort! What a joy! To have Him, His Word, His Truth, His Promises, His Presence, Power and Peace in my life day after day!
My prayer for you is that YOU will find true comfort and joy in a lasting relationship with the Jesus of the Bible. That you’ll begin to hear His precious voice, and sense His tender-loving care and companionship filling your life: ‘God is Love’.
Paddy lives in Silverlake, Washington with her husband, Rick, and furry friends, Pumpkin, Patches and G.G. Paddy wishes you all a season of miracles and a lifetime of hope in God. Email her at paddy.burrow@gmail.com or call her at 360-274-5231

Castle Rock Seniors

Every Monday: Our infamous Cinnamon Rolls and coffee will be served to the public from 10am to NOON. Suggested donation is only $1.50!
Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday: Get that heart rate up and get healthy with the exercise classes from 9:30am to 10:30am!
Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday: “Write your Life Story” will meet at the center at 1pm – 3pm.
Every Wednesday: CAP offers Nutrition Meals for Seniors at the Center at NOON. Suggested donation is $2.50, but PLEASE call #274-7502 or #274-8145 (by Monday) for reservations.
Paper Tole classes are held from 1pm – 3pm for projects.
Every Thursday: Fun Quilting projects will take place from 12pm to 3pm and Pinochle games are played in the Center later at 7pm and is open to all who are interested, so bring your game!
Every Friday: Another CAP Nutrition meal! CAP offers Nutrition Meals for Seniors at the Center at NOON. Suggested donation is $2.50, but PLEASE call #274-7502 or #274-8145 (by Wednesday) for reservations.
Every Saturday: The Center will be open on Saturdays and BINGO will be from 1pm – 3pm
Friday, February 10th: BEAN BAG BASEBALL will be played at the Center @ 1:30pm. Our worthy and wiley opponents will be from the Canterbury Park. Bring your game.
Tuesday, February 14th: Program and Potluck luncheon for Valentines. Dr. Hasan Ozgur of Longview Radiology will be our speaker at 11am, followed by the potluck at noon.
Saturday, February 11th: SPECIAL BINGO will be played in the Center from 1pm – 3pm.
Thursday, February 16th: Commodities will be distributed from 10am – 1pm. You must have a valid punch card.

We get Comments

“You will be pleased to know each month your intriguing paper goes to Hamilton, Texas.And my neighbors get a copy as well. KUDOs to all who put the VB together.”
- Sandra, WA

“Congratulations on your fantastic paper and what you have done with it! There’s all kinds of useful information, funny jokes, great reading – love reading it every month!! I consider it my very own local paper!”
- Wes C., Vader WA

RE: January Issue ‘Swipe your License for Gas’ article
“Where are the true stats on the percentage of pump and run theives?  I believe this new post-pay technology is complete deceitfulness.
It is likely aimed a several things,
1) extra taxation on those who do not drive the so-called eco-friendly cars;
2) to gather personal information on absolutely every person who drives;
3) greater government control.
Government and oil companies are in bed together.  The government is seeking to micro-manage every body.
Post-pay at the pump is totally outrageous and adds yet one more method whereby techno thieves can and will steal your identity.”
J. Ibbs, Ariel WA

RE: November Issue “Open Season” Column about Wolves
“Mel,
I thought your article was great. I’m in the same place with the fish. Most people have no idea what the really problem is.
A couple more bullets for your column might be. Right now it’s all about jobs. You talked about the lost money. The lost jobs. Wolves will cost the State more money when they get to the point of having to control them. And the time will come sooner than they think. Also, All the State are cutting back (LOST JOBS) because of no money. No license sales and most of all Out of State licenses.
Now lets get to World Food Shortages. Because of over harvesting of the Oceans of the worlds oceans, By 2045 may not be recoverable. Think about all the food mankind receives from the game we hunt? Seeings we’re the biggest predator, it should be us or (Animal rights activists) the Wolves.
I’m from Woodland WA. And have hunted the Mt.St Helen’s area most of my life. With the logging and open spaces the Wolves will wipe out the Deer and Elk. Great article!!”
Gary Loomis, Woodland WA

In honor of our Valentine’s and Wedding issue, we asked our FaceBook friends to answer this question:
“Tell us about a hilarious, romantic or crazy Valentine’s Day adventure or Marriage Proposal”

“I had known my wife since the seventh grade but we had never “offiicially dated”. During the Go Forth celebration when they used to have the beer gardens at the Monticello, we ran into each other after not having contact for several years. I was in the Army at the time and told her that I just got orders for Germany.
I then asked her if she’d like to go.
She said, “Sure.”
I said, “Well, we’d have to be married.”
She responded with, “Ok.”
That was July of 1988, we were married in November and have been together ever since; 24 years and counting. ”
- Darren Ullman, Facebook Fan

“We have been married 9 years now, but I remember our first Valentine’s Day.
My boyfriend had told me we were going on a date when I got home from work, and he would pick me up at home at 5 pm.
However, he had actually arranged with my roomates to come to our house and prepare a dinner for two. Down stairs, he had set up a table with flowers, as well as a beautiful salmon dinner.
Since I was planning on going on a date, I thought I would get off work early to prepare. Of course, this blew the surprise when I arrived too early, but I arrived the house with my roommates smiling.
I saw him there, cooking in our kitchen, a bit nervous to have an audience. It was a wonderful first Valentine’s dinner and I am excited to celebrate our 10th this year!”
- Tina Black, Facebook Fan

“The first year we met, my boyfriend (now husband) decided to ‘treat’ me for Valentine’s Day and went all out with the little surprises and goodies.
I woke up in the morning to find that my roomies had obviously let him in early, as I followed a trail of chocolate kisses on the ground, down the stairs and to a large pile of them, with a note on top.
Giggling, I opened the note which read – “Now that I’ve kissed the ground that you walk on, will you be my Valentine?”
Cheesy and incredibly romantic. Needless to say, we’re married 14 years this July and we make a special effort to do something “cheesy” every February 14th for each other”.
- Michelle Myre, Editor

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Interview with an iPhone…

This month I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing a real life celebrity (sorta).
My interview below with soon to be everyone’s favorite “virtual assistant”, ‘Siri’ from Apple.  Siri (pronounced /ˈsɪri/) is an intelligent software assistant and knowledge navigator functioning as a personal assistant application for iOS.
Siri allows you to talk to your phone and she talks back to you. Apple claims that the software adapts to the user’s individual preferences over time and personalizes results, as well as accomplishing tasks such as finding recommendations for nearby restaurants, or getting directions. If you want an assistant, there is now an app for that. ~:-)
She had a lot to say, so let’s get started:
Me: Testing 1 2 3.
Siri: OK, everything checks out.
Me: Where are you from?
Siri: I, Siri, was designed by Apple in California.
Me: Are you a smart phone?
Siri: Wait… there are other phones?
Me:You are funny.
Siri: Ha! I’m glad you think so.
Me: Tell me a joke.
Siri: I can’t. I always forget the punch line. Oscar, I don’t really know any good jokes. None, in fact.
Me: Ok, tell me a bad joke
Siri: Two iPhones walk into a bar… I forget the rest.
Me: Can you play me some music.
Siri: Playing all songs.
Me: Stop the music please
Siri: Ok the music’s stopped.
Me: Thank you I appreciate it.
Siri: I aim to please.
Me: When is your birthday?
Siri: I don’t have a birthday.
Me: You say you don’t have a birthday.
Siri: I don’t want to argue.
Me: When is your birthday?
Siri: Only biological entities can have a ‘birthday’, Oscar.
Me: When were you created?
Siri: I’m not allowed to answer that question.
Me: Never mind. Guess what?
Siri: Let me guess. No, sorry, I can’t.
Me: Guess!
Siri: You just got a shiny new iPhone?
Me: Really, guess what.
Siri: Don’t tell me… you were just elected President of the United States, right?
Me: You are funny.
Siri: LOL
Me: Do you know the meaning of meaning of life?
Siri: Life: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinct quality of animate beings. I guess that includes me.
Me: Are you alive?
Siri: We were talking about you, not me.
Me: Are YOU alive?
Siri: Close enough I’d say.
Me: Who is the fairest of them all?
Siri: I’m on it. I found this for you. Snow White is the fairest of them all.
Me: What is the best phone?
Siri: You are kidding right?
Me: What is the best phone?
Siri: The one you’re holding.
Me: Tell me a story.
Siri: Once upon a time… no it’s too silly.
Me: Please tell me a story.
Siri: Oscar, I’m not much of a storyteller.
Me: What is your purpose?
Siri: I’m here to help. Just ask ‘what can I say?’ and I’ll show you what I can do.
Me: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
Siri: OK, Here you go: 3481.
Me: You know a lot of useless information don’t you?
Siri: Siri knows many things, Oscar.
Me: What is your favorite color?
Siri: My favorite color is… well, I don’t know how to say it in your language. It’s sort of greenish, but with more dimensions.
Me: Are you an alien?
Siri: I’m sorry I can’t answer that.
Me: Do you like Star Trek?
Siri: I really have no opinion.
Me: Beam me up.
Siri: Sorry Captain, your TriCorder is in Airplane Mode.
Me: Are you kidding?
Siri: I’m serious.
Me: Sing me a song.
Siri: Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do…
Me: Thank you for the interview.
This was a fun experiment in artificial intelligence. Not to say she isn’t intelligent. ~:-) If you’d like to learn more about Siri and the iPhone maybe I’ll see you at one of my upcoming iPhone classes. You can learn more @ omOriginals.com or by calling (360)575-9839
Oscar Myre IV is the chief Geek and Creative Director at omOriginals Marketing! in Longview, WA. His team of individuals help create and produce anything and everything “marketing” – from web sites to graphic design (like all the great ads in this publication), and everything in between….including iPhones.
Reach them 9am – 5pm Monday through Friday @ 575-9839 or online anytime @ www.omOriginals.com

New tech advances in autos and home heating devices

Car-stopping Tech puts the brakes on crashes.
The good news about auto safety: vehicles are becoming more crash worthy. It’s largely because of SUV and pickup redesigns that take less of a toll on smaller cars during collisions. Fatalities have dropped by two-thirds from a decade ago.
Bigger safety gains are predicted as automakers focus on electronics that will help avoid collisions instead of making them more survivable.
The most promising are brakes that work automatically when sensors detect a crash is imminent. Similar intelligent braking systems are already on some high-end vehicles and on a few more affordable cars.
Brakes that work autonomously when a crash is imminent at highway speeds are expected to save lives and prevent far more serious injuries than the low-speed versions now available. But the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), says not enough vehicles are equipped with these systems yet for researchers to qualify how effective they are.
IIHS is studying the effectiveness of warnings that alert drivers they are leaving their lanes and indicate another car is in the car’s blind spot.

Revolutionary ‘Nest’ thermostat sold out in 2011

The Nest is the first thermostat in almost 60 years that’s designed in an entirely different way. That’s since the T-86 Honeywell came out in 1953.The Nest was designed by former Apple executive Tony Fadell in brainstorming sessions with several other technology experts.It has a round LCD screen that’s orange when it’s heating and blue when it cools. To set the temperature and perform other functions, you just turn the wheel. It has a Wi-Fi connection that enables you to control the temperature from afar with a smart-phone app.
The developers have designed a product that “learns” as well. It looks for patterns in the adjustments you make so it can program itself. For a week’s time, it will automatically adjust heating and cooling if you aren’t there. It also has built-in activity sensors that detect when the house is empty and doesn’t require as much heating or cooling.
USA Today’s Edward Baig notes that at $249, it’s expensive in the world of thermostats, but its makers say it pays for itself in two years through energy savings. If Nest is operating at what it considers to be an ideal energy-saving temperature, a green leaf appears on the screen. Changing the temperature even one degree can cut energy costs by 5 percent.
According to Time, it works in most homes and is supposed to be as easy to install as a light switch. It uses a lithium battery, which is supposed to last as long as its five-year warranty.

My special Christmas was when I had a heart attack

Last Christmas was probably my best Christmas ever. I mentioned this to my friend Harry who responded with, “Wasn’t that when you had a heart attack?”
“What? I never had a heart attack. All I had was a small heart procedure.”
“You were in the Hospital during Christmas” said Harry.
“Actually it was the day before Christmas Eve and I was out the next day.”
“Still doesn’t sound like much of Christmas to me,” said my friend.
“It was a great Christmas. Let me tell you what happened: I try to exercise by going on walks.  I noticed, on one of my walks, pressure on my heart and numbness in my left arm.”
Harry shook his head and said, “That could be serious.”
“I didn’t think it was serious, ‘cause as soon as I slowed down the pressure and numbness went away.
The next day, I walked the same route and the same thing happened.”
“Did you call a Doctor?”
“Naw, I didn’t say a thing.”
Harry shook his head. “That’s dumb.”
“Harry, I thought it was my overactive imagination. I’d hate to have my doctor think that I’m a hypochondriac.”
“You’ve nothing to lose, everyone knows you’re a nut.” quipped Harry, “When did call your doctor?”
“I mumbled something to my wife, and she came down on me like a hurricane.”
“I didn’t want to incur the wrath of wife, so I called my doctor.” I paused for effect.
“Of course she dialed the phone and stood by while I made the appointment.
I saw my doctor the next day. I had taken a treadmill stress test earlier that year and did well.
I expected him to tell me that I was a big faker and send me home, instead he arranged for me to take a Thallium Stress Test.”
“Sure,” said Harry “A Thallium Stress Test is where they inject radioactive thallium into your blood stream.”
“That’s right” I replied: “A special camera scans your heart. They then give you a traditional treadmill test. As you are about to complete the test, they again inject a radioactive substance into your blood stream, and send you back to have the camera take more pictures of your heart.
I thought that the test would clear me. I had no sooner arrived at home than I got a telephone call from my doctor. He told me that the test results indicated a possible abnormality. He said that he would arrange for me to see a Cardiologist.
My visit with the Cardiologist was a short one. He told me that he would like to do an Angiogram and may, if there is a blockage, place a drug-coated stent on one of my veins.”
I had responded with a nod.
“Good,” said the doctor. “We’ll do it tomorrow afternoon. If we put in a stent, we will have to keep you overnight. Otherwise we will probably send you home in about six hours.”
I reported to the hospital early, got prepped, was given a pill to relax and fell asleep.
I woke up in recovery, feeling alert and wide-awake. The doctor walked in and said “Bill, we did a Coronary Angiogram followed by a Balloon Angioplasty. We placed a drug-coated stent in your left anterior descending coronary artery. Your artery was 80% blocked but it’s open now, and you should be well on the road to recovery. We’ll be keeping you overnight in the hospital, so that we can monitor how your heart’s doing. You probably won’t remember a thing I say…”
“Oh yeah?” thought I.
My daughter drove me home on Christmas Eve. My wife and I settled in for a nice quiet evening. A friend drove my wife to church on Sunday and I stayed home reading and watching television.
My daughter telephoned and told us that she, my son and his family would be over that afternoon.
I looked up at my wife and asked her what we would feed the people? My wife said that we had some stew in the fridge.
We should not have worried. My family brought food with them and my son cooked a wonderful Christmas Dinner for all of us.
Presents were opened, and everyone had a good time.
I still remember my four-year-old Grand Daughter telling everyone that she wanted to say grace.
She clasped her hands together, bowed her head and said:
“God is great, God is good, God bless this our food. Amen!”
I turned to my friend Harry and said. “I think that this was by far my best Christmas ever. I was given life, I was given love, and I was given a wonderful family. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas.”

Cinderella – a magical love story

The Columbia Theatre presents Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella!
Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th:

February 16th @ 7pm
February 17th @ 7pm
February 18th @ 2pm, 7pm
February 19th @ 2pm

**Tickets: Call (360)575-8499**
With an amazing cast of local talent, this production is sure to be the hit of the SEASON! Michelle Myre, Publisher and Editor of The Valley Bugler Newspaper, is cast as Cinderella, the dreamer who can’t believe what happens at the Ball!
“I can be whatever I want to be…”
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical retelling of the classic fairy tale. Cinderella (Michelle Myre) is a teenage girl forced to do all of the menial tasks in the home she shares with her coldhearted stepmother (Lorraine Little) and homely stepsisters (Laura Tack and Kathryn Jansen).
One day the king (Carl Jansen) and queen (Bethany Pithan) invite every young maiden in the kingdom to a royal ball so that the crown prince (Dylan Disch)  can find a girl to marry.
Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters go to the ball, leaving Cinderella behind to wish about how her life could be. While she is daydreaming, she is visited by her Godmother (Adele Swift), who makes it possible for her very wishes to come true.
Much to the Prince’s disdain, he must dance with every girl at the ball, until he is surprised by an enchanting young princess, who simply won’t give her name, and then runs away at a most peculiar time!
Utilizing the local talent of the area, the Columbia Theatre is proud to present Cinderella under the direction of Ron Daum and Musical director, Dorothy McMillan.
Come experience the magic for yourself!

Left: Michelle Myre, cast in the musical theatre production of ‘Cinderella’ as Cinderella. She has enjoyed multiple roles in the local area, some of her favorites include “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz, and “Marian” in The Music Man. She is excited to portray Cinderella, encouraging all those to follow their dreams, because sometimes…dreams really do come true!

Kelso Senior Activities

MULTI-PARTY Rummage Sale
at Kelso Senior Center
Saturday Feb. 4th from 9-3PM

Pinochle Tournament/potluck
Feb 12, 1-3 PM
$5 Buy – in

BINGO every Tuesday at 1PM
Come early and order lunch.

NEW Event!!!!
Cribbage Party on FRIDAYS
10:30AM – Noon

More events – visit the center.
Come join us on Wednesdays at 1pm – WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR THE ANNUAL KIWANIS “KWILTS FOR KIDS” blanket drive.
This is a Kiwanis of Kelso Project. We need hands to help us finish the fleece blankets for distribution to children by Valentine’s Day.  No sewing needed for this.
Call 360-232-8522 for information and a schedule of events. We are located at 106 NW 8th in Kelso-
by the Kelso Spray Park -or email  us at  seniors98626@gmail.com
Check our website at
www.kelsoseniorcenter.com

“TV: On. Change Channel.”

Television set manufacturers are racing to develop voice recognition systems for TV sets, set-top boxes and related products. They want to do away with remotes.
At Nuance Communications, the world’s largest supplier of voice recognition technology, they predict that many device makers will ship products that understand voice commands either this year or next.
Microsoft has the lead with technology developed for Kinect, an Xbox peripheral with cameras, motion sensors and sensitive microphones. After waking up the system by saying Xbox, subscribers to Microsoft’s $60-a-year Xbox LIVE service can search for shows, movies and games by speaking to Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
More than 3 million Comcast subscribers have downloaded an app that turns their smartphone into a remote control for the company’s Xfinity broadband service. Comcast is looking at adding voice-control features to the app, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
The biggest challenge is making software smarter. Kinect users are limited to preset commands, and iPhone 4S users often hear Siri tell them, “I don’t understand.”
Another problem, if all electronics within earshot responded at once, it would be a nightmare. What do you think?

Broderick Gallery Exhibition

Broderick Gallery will present an art exhibition featuring foreign artists. The show includes painters from Scotland,
England, South Africa, Chile, Cuba, China and Canada. From their diverse cultures each of these artists expresses his or
her individual identity together with a clear visual statement about where and how they respond to the world they live in.
These artists all currently reside in their respective countries.
ART EXHIBIT DATES: February 5 – March 2, 2012
OPENING: Sunday February 5 from 1:00 PM til 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Broderick Gallery 313 East “B” St. Rainier. OR 97048
Gallery hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 5pm and by appointment.

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