Site-wide Comments

It’s about time we heard from Connie Kent in such a timely fashion. He time to speak (or write) up is certainly happening at the right time. The time I’ve spent reading her timely posts have always been time gained. Sadly, or perhaps not, I have not always used that time to buy more, but then my bank account is limited, not so much by time, as by $. Now, my Timeex says it’s dinner time, or is that dinnertime?

Should have posted this on April Fool’s Day.

All of your are doing a great job. I’ve found most of the articles to be very interesting and useful. Some have been just “fun” –which is also a good thing too. M. Bj

I only respond to the section about the expansion of I-5. My wife and I have lived here 24 years, and we have never heard about the expansion of the offramp. I am fairly cognizant of the actions of the various boards which exist, but never has my wife or I heard of the expansion until Stan notified us recently.

First, thank you Bob for going one step further and kindly sharing responses from RVM residents to your original brave story about Daphne’s use of DwD processes.
I have been thinking about this issue for the past several years [If I have already responded to you some time back please forgive me; my memory is failing].
I deeply believe in The broad “right to self-determination” which ought to envelop the fundament right to “self-termination”. Sadly, human civilization has yet to evolve to embrace the concept of self-termination as a fundamental human right. There should be no stigma attached to it. Why must one wait until your doctor says you have “only six months left to live”. What about the criminal waste of resources in billions of dollars in unnecessarily keeping humans alive against there own wishes when the same may be applied to more worthy uses such as children’s well-being. Why should there be societal stigma attached it to say nothing about the criminal liabilities one must confront. I am fully aware of the consequences of asserting such a “right” and also various arguments advanced against such a right. Also, I am aware of the religious grounds upon which much of the opposition rests. However, I must say we need to respect them and not importune them to change their views. They should have the right to follow their own religious teachings but also not force their views upon us and deny our fundamental right to self-termination when we determine us to be ready to vacate Planet Earth. Of course there’s much more to be said on this controversial subject but perhaps not appropriate in this space.

Add to the list a couple of N95 or KN95 masks. More if you have respiratory problems. You can expect dust and fire/smoke after an earthquake, as well as for fire alone.

Thanks to all those who have stepped forward. It is good to see so many new faces joining these activities. Volunteering in whatever way you can help and have fun at the same time is one of the pleasures we can still enjoy.
And while I’m at it, let me put in a plug for the AARP Foundation Taxaide program. This is a program where volunteers prepare tax returns for seniors and low income people. The ARRP Foundation works with the IRS to provide the training and the organization for this nationwide effort. Classes for the 45 or so volunteers had been provided here at the Manor for many years, until Covid-19 forced us to go to Zoom and online training this past year. We are now wrapping up the tax season with all returns due by May 17, and we’ll take a welcome break for summer and fall before orientation for new volunteers starts in November. If you would like more information you can ask any of the Manor residents who have recently been active: Jane Hall, Tucker Newlon, David Gent, Bob Spence, Cindy Bollens, Jim Quan, and me, Ken Kelley. It is always a pleasure to advise someone that they have a tax refund coming and that there is no charge for the service. Senior volunteers helping other seniors works.

Thank you so much for this reassuring and inspiring piece about Daphne and how she (and your family) handled the process/progress of death with dignity.

Death seems (to me) to be something of a 4-letter word here at RVM. No one seems to want to register that it is happening except with a photo in a wall display case when it’s all over.

I needed a role model for when my time comes and I don’t think I could do much better than Daphne.

We’ve heard a few stories from you about those dreaded California squirrels but how delightful it is to see a photo of the beautiful grapes in your garden.

What fun garden articles. Carolyn, I know where the “old old old” garden was–by the water tower. I used to go there with my dad who had his garden in that location, I remember the rather ramshackle gardening shed that housed everyone’s garden tools.

Dear Bob,
I congratulate you and your enlightened Team on your publication in ‘The Complement’ regarding Racism.
I carefully read each and every response to Russy’s and my opinion piece. What amazed me most are – the missing voices of residents who prefer not to offer their opinions! It says a great deal about the ‘Silent Majority’!
I would like to ask – all those who are ‘in doubt about racism here in America’ – WHY DID YOUR ANCESTORS COME HERE??? – or – WHY DID YOU IMMIGRATE HERE?

I am very much looking forward to reading Asifa’s Kanji’s book!!!

Thank you, Bob, for your important contribution to enlighten each one of us with your well-selected and inspirational articles!

With best wishes,
Anita.
(P.S. Russy is not feeling well. He has not yet seen your latest issue!)

In reference to the item above seeking volunteers to fill hillTOPICS positions as Publishers, please don’t assume that Sandy and I plan to abandon this at the end of 2021. We both enjoy doing the duties of Publishers. We are looking to train somebody as backups so we have more freedom to plan the kind of travel we are looking for over the next 2-3 years. I believe this job would be a lot of fun for someone who likes the idea of learning how to do something new on the computer. It provides a great sense of being productive and able to create something that folks appreciate. Thanks for your consideration.

I finally got on this site (thank you, Connie) and have managed to check it out. I think you have hit on an important addition to life here at RVM. While I have no smart phone everything will not be at my fingertips, but what I have read is helpful, and important to know. I will check in as regularly as possible. Thank you for setting this up.
Grace

In circuit class Bert Bamforth and I began chatting about places we’d lived. When I was in high school in Ft Collins Colorado (circa 1966-67) I worked at Hested’s Dept Store evenings and weekends. It turns out that Bert was regional manager (I forget his exact title) for all the Hested stores in that area.

great collection

These are lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Eric

Gus, it is wonderful to read your writings, your traditions and memories! All the best in the New Year to you and your lovely wife!

I came across this story on the internet. The tradition of the priest throwing the gold cross into the river following the Blessing of the Waters is new to me. Thank you for sharing your Christmas memories. Gail Bevill

It appears that RVM (PRS) may be getting serious about Emergency Preparedness. Appointing the Assistant Director to head up the effort is a good step.

Thanks Joni for your great story and video about a gorgeous green parrot. Keith and Barbara thank you for sharing your pal with all of us at RVM.

Several years ago, husband Jim and I were on a RVM tour bus, traveling back from Salem, OR. Seated across the aisle, were Peggy and Jon Russell. In a moment of light conversation, Peggy asked where I was born. “Trenton, New Jersey”, I replied. “Me too”, she said. She asked, “What hospital?” “Mercy” I said. “I was born there too” she said. Reaching for more, I asked her if she knew the name of her mother’s obstetrician.
Incredulously, there was another match! We tried to see if our birthdates were close..Were we in the nursery at the same time? But Peggy was born a couple of months before me.
By this time Jim and Jon were laughing and rolling their eyes, becoming bored with our little match game, but they love to recount the story years later…Two little Jersey-girls, coincidentally moved to Oregon and RVM.

Kuali, glad you are a Manor resident. I want to know your secret to longevity. Thanks Joni, Keith, Barbara, for sharing Kuali with us. Kuali, come visit Oscar, Fred (dogs), Alli (cat), and Ken (human). I’ve had bird friends in my pass.

What a delightful little fellow. I think my two friendly cats who have never been outside might invite him into our cottage. Thank you for the story and video.

Lynne Bonetti’s Watercolors are lovely. Thank you for sharing with us.
russy

Bob, another item for pet owners is to take a picture of the owner with the animal – in case they were separated during an emergency and had to reclaim their pet from a shelter.

More to come

First item:
Time alone may be ambiguous as eaqrthquakes and aftershocks may occur on the same or adjacent days, events may occur near midnight (or noon if a twelve-hour clock is used). Suggest adding date.
Area is not needed if the full neighborhood designator is used (9.3)
Suggest putting emergency medical need w/injury evaluation instead of separating by damage.

2nd item — suggest including pets in the same area as people, as similar issues (food, water) arise.

I love your sweet Havanese fur baby, Starr, and our (brother and sister) Tonkinese cats, Koko and Kiki. Pets become a special part of our families. Enjoyed reading your articles! Lynne B.

Just read Ray’s poem titled In the Beginning. Splendid thoughts, poetic homage to humanity’s best invention–language. Thanks to Complement for providing a place to read it.

Sure! Love ’em all!

Welcome. I look forward to exciting news, provocative comments, art, drama and general good will for all of us to enjoy.

Rereading my comment, I need to correct .. I meant “masterful” and not master design

Bob, allow me first to congratulate you on your master and professional, well-thought-out design of The Complement. It is way beyond what I would have imagined. You have surprised me by its depth and width.
I liked your story of Rusty but I am not surprised because as you must know, music has close affinity with language and sound. At a very basic level music is simply an arrangement of various types of sounds presented at different modes of pace and velocity, some pleasing to the human ear and others not so. What’s more interesting to me as a non-musician but certainly a music lover is that Rusty discerned C-sharp by merely rocking the machine back and forth. Thanks.

Saturday, 9/5/’20, 2:40PM . . . I just now discovered this website; many thanks for providing it. I used to be one of three “bangers out” (i.e., “editors!”) of single-page “The Informer” for the Health Center — until it was discontinued last year, and have been “sitting on my hands,” ever since! Now, thanks to “The Complement,” I’ll be able to bang out an occasional joke, or poem, or anecdote, or . . . ? Thanxalot, folks, and stay well . . .
Naomi K.

First time I tried this feature. It works well.