Monthly Archives: November 2025

Letters to Diane – 15

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Hi,

Today was beautiful. Sunny and bright, not a cloud in the sky. It’s a huge change from the rain we’ve been having. The only evidence I could see that the rain happened is how hard the creek is running. It’s up at least 2 feet now.

I went to church because I thought it was time. I’ve missed weeing all those people. Thankfully, no one was sitting in our seats. It’s been a few Sundays since I’ve been, so I was concerned.

After service, I joined everyone in the basement for treats. They are doing it differently by just putting everything on the tables then going around with a coffee pot. I would have rather had water, but it didn’t appear to be an option, so I took coffee, black. It wasn’t bad, but I only had one cup. It was my first cup because I didn’t have time for anything at home before leaving for church. Max was a priority so I walked him around the block and he was appropriately happy about that.

After visiting with Chuck and Larry for a while I returned home and made myself a tuna sandwich using the mixture I’d made a few days ago. It passed the sniff test and it tasted ok so I figured it would be alright. It was.

About halfway through the sandwich, Daniel called Lydia and suggested we all go to El Tapatio for lunch. Sounded pretty good to me, so I gobbled down the sandwich, drank my milk, and we buzzed on over.

I had an authentic Mexican burrito with beans and rice, Jasper had quesadilla, Dan had a sampler plate, Siah got a pizza, Lydia had something I couldn’t identify, and Jennie had an enchilada. You’ll be happy know that I ate all of mine, like normal. It was filling enough that I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have to eat again today. Jared planned to visit later and offered to cook for us which I was all in for. But, Lyd and I ate so much lunch there wasn’t going to be any need for supper.

Since neither of us were hungry, he made a trip to Victorio’s for a burrito, Lydia had some stuff he had in his cooler, and I ate the popcorn Lydia brought home from the movie she went to last night.

Speaking of the movie, she didn’t get home until almost midnight. Max and I stayed up until she was safely home then we went to bed. I fell asleep without having to read my book. That doesn’t happen often but then, I don’t normally stay up until midnight. Maybe I should practice.

Oh ya. I took the steri strips off the new scar on my right cheek. It looks gnarly but nothing leaked out so I wasn’t too concerned that I’d stain my pillowcase. It didn’t and I didn’t so all is good. I won’t have to wash sheets and remake the bed.

Now I’m going to go get in it, right after I take Max outside one more time.

Love you

Letters to Diane – 14

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It’s been a busy here at the Creek House the last few days. Since the remaining members of the family don’t think I should wear your clothes, they convinced me to donate them to people who can. So, it was first brought to the living room where someone stacked them on the sofas in a way that would not interfere with my view of the television. Lydia’s view was not impaired, either.

Jennie was the driver for making this move because I was perfectly OK with just leaving all the clothes scattered throughout the house, but there was a need to make room in Lydia’s closet for her things. I don’t know how long she will be living here but that doesn’t matter, either. I’m just Mister Mellow and I’m Ok with whatever my supervisors decide. I say that believing that you will also approve.

Yesterday we had family visitors remove a majority of the items from the kitchen counter and the dining room table. Both horizontal surfaces were covered with stuff removed from your bathroom closet. Most of it was girly stuff, as you know, but there were a few items I was able to call my own. In addition to the Pepto Bismal I think there was some body wash that I could use. Thank you for that.

Now I’m hunkered down in my chair waiting for the Oregon vs. Washington football game. It’s going to be a doozy. You probably already know that and I so miss you sitting next to me for the game. I’ll let you know who won tomorrow.

The creek is really running hard with all the rain we’ve been having. It’s strong enough to take Max all the way to Astoria if I were to turn him loose. He would love to go wading, but I don’t think I can run, or swim well enough to get him back if he decided to take a dip. So, he doesn’t get to go outside unless he’s wearing his walking gear. He’s well aware of this rule and doesn’t try to get past me when I open the slider to let him out back.

I’ve taken him out a few times off leash and he runs next door like normal, but he comes right back. When Lydia was moving her “things” into the house it was mostly at night, so I left the doors open and he stuck with us going in and out. He got so trust-worthy that we kinda forgot him a couple of times when we all went into the house without him. It took a bit of time for me to realize he was missing. When I did, I went to the patio door and whistled a couple of times, and he came running home right away. Every time. You can imagine how happy that made Jerrie.

I’ve fiddled around on this, and resting, all day and here it is dark outside. I just got back from taking Max on his afternoon walk. I’m really happy with all those fuzzy coats you got me because it’s getting cold outside. A few of the football games today were played in the snow. watching a bit of one of those made outside feel colder. Oregon won, by the way, in case you wondered.

Tonight Jerrie, who lives up the hill, is having a Friendsgiving party at the house. I thought that was pretty neat. Just like we do every year with the Winnebago group.

For Max’s morning walk today, I drove him downtown so we could walk around in the new construction area by the river. He thought that was great. A whole bunch of new stuff to sniff.

I must stop now. My fingers are tired and I bet you’re just tired of reading all this drivel.

I love you and miss you.

Letters to Diane – 13

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Good Morning My Love,

It’s not bright, and not clear today as the storm clouds shuffle across the sky. The ones we see were dismantled throughout the night, scattering their innards all over the place. A testament to that is the increased level of the creek as it tries to cope with the amount of water strewn about.

The creek isn’t as busy as it’s been in the past, but it’s on the rise.

Yesterday I called Avon to report that Diane is no longer an active representative and that her account needs to be closed. When asked “why”, I told them that the last time she went shopping at Safeway, she was attacked by a Mary Kay representative, who was accompanied by a Revlon distributer, Together they subdued Diane right there in the parking lot. She was unable to survive the experience.

It was sad even though you know that’s a lie. I was able to terminate her account and was reassured that the emails to her account would cease. Yes, I still monitor her email. It makes me feel closer to her to do that. I still have her phone, too. Every once in a while I call someone she knows while wishing I could see their face when they checked the caller id and saw it was from Diane. I don’t do that often.

The house is really messed up, now. Stuff is scattered all over the place while Lydia and Jennifer empty closets to make room for Lydia’s stuff. Sounds a little odd, I’m sure, but we all know that Diane would be ok with what’s happening. It’s my understanding that it was her idea for Lydia to be my supervisor for the time being. So far it’s working out just fine.

It’s Friday, now, and I suspect this has been idle long enough. I think I started it on Monday. This time it was at Dan and Jen’s house.

But, first, I’ll share what I remember about Thanksgiving.

Last Sunday we had the family gathering that you started. It was good to get together, visit, and eat a traditional turkey day dinner. Jeff cooked the turkey and it was excellent! As you know, I’m not normally a turkey fan, but his was really good.

Yesterday was the ‘real’ Thanksgiving Day and Jennie took me to the Intel Aloha Campus where I participated in a great meal with the Walter’s Clan (they all work there). Well, Jennie doesn’t, but the rest of them do. That was quite a treat for me. First time ever in an Intel facility. If my phone hadn’t died on me I would have had photos to share. Maybe I’ll get to go another day with my phone charged.

Gonna quit, now, and go to Walmart Black Friday Sale here in St. Helens. I’m going to get you a set of reindeer for the front yard. When you see them for the first time just act surprised..

See you later. Love you.

Letters to Diane – 12

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Hello, My Love.

It’s Monday already. It got here so fast that I’ll have to burrow into my brain to discover what happened to Sunday.

Sunday was Thanksgiving with Dan and Jen. I really knew that. Didn’t have to look it up, or anything. I just remembered. In attendance were: Dan, Jen, Cedric, Jeran, Lydia, Austin, Jesse, Linda, Jasper, Siah, Me, Brandy, Carolyn, and Sanchez. I think that got everyone. If not, someone will correct me, maybe.

For the meal, Lydia mashed up some white sweet potatoes that I got her then she added an abundance of cayenne pepper to surprise everyone. They were actually very good and the crowd ate all but a couple bites. I made deviled eggs using the recipe I found in the notes on your phone.

Jeff cooked the turkey using Jennie’s roaster and it was great. I was handed a big fork and knife when we arrived and directed to whittle some pieces off the bones. I did, and it was a respectable job. There was a lot of ham, too, by Jennie.

Overall, it was a great meal and no one went away hungry.

In case you’re wondering who Austin and Jesse are, I’ll tell you. They are Jeran’s roomies in Keizer. We met Jesse before when Jeran graduated from Corban. He’s a minister now. Smiles all the time. Both are just nice guys and a nice addition to the family.

Jennie took Carolyn and me home before the festivities ended because I was experiencing my normal afternoon depression. I’m not sure it’s depression, just incredibly tired, usually cured with a nap.

Later, when Lydia and Jennie showed up, they got to work cleaning out the closet in Lydia’s room because she has “things” she needs to remove from Autumn’s house. As you may recall, the closet in that room was full of your colored-coded shirts, blouses, and coats. Lots and lots of them. They also took out the boxes and containers of shoes and other “things” that were on the floor. Now it’s piled up on the living room couches. We all agreed that you would not approve but, you know what? That’s what happens when you leave early. In the end, however, you will be pleased with the plan to remove it from the living room.

I was looking for a photo to share but getting something recent is difficult. So, here’s one from last month in front of Bethany.

Love you.

Letters to Diane – 11

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Good evening. It’s been a busy day

Today we celebrated Friendsgiving Day at Simm in Scappoose Prior to that I stopped at the bread store and got a couple loaves of bread and a snack to tide me over until I got my lunch. I also filled the truck with fuel so I could make it all the way back to St. Helens. I know, it’s only 8 miles away, but like you would say, “keep the top part of the tank full.” You’re in my head a lot, and I like that.

After the fillup, I went to Simm’s and parked to wait for the gang to show up. They also went to the bread store, then they went to Goodwill. They finally showed up at 1230. I was ready for them.

Today I thought I’d try something different and ordered Yakisoba Noodles with shrimp. No, wait, that’s what I always get, isn’t it? Yes I do. We didn’t have the egg flower soup or tea so we didn’t get that. Terry thought it should have been part of the meal but I stuck up for the waitress. I didn’t think to order them. You are the one who did that for us. Maybe next time I’ll remember to get the soup and tea. You could also keep an eye on me and jab me in the ribs or something to remind me. Ya, do that.

Everyone but me had a container to take home what they didn’t eat. I managed to finish mine, like normal.

We had a nice visit and Carolann brought gifts for everyone. They are cute little gnomes that you will love. She also got a couple of different ones for Jennie which I thought was pretty special.

The standup ones on the left are ours. The yellow one is yours.

We also made plans for the Christmas gathering. That will be the 30th, a Tuesday so I can take Lydia. We’re going to the Riverside Spaghetti Factory. That’s the day Lydia is flying to North Carolina with Jared to visit an old friend of his. They are starting their adventure, it seems. Lydia is in charge of getting their travel plans booked so she’s following your lead and I’m sure she wishes she could pick your brain a little so she can play the booking agent like you did for so many years. I suspect she will do just fine.

Cliff and Susie drove their RV to lunch so they could continue on to Fort Stevens for a few days which sound like fun. I’m a little torn between keeping the truck and trailer, or selling them because I think it’s risky for me to drive that far all be my own self, but I suppose I should try it once to see how it goes. I might decide that I’d be pretty good at being a nomad. I could just wander around the country until it’s time for me to join you.

I find it interesting that my stability seems to be better. I don’t feel wobbly at all and I’ve been walking around the block with Max without my cane. I know, you think it’s a risky choice, but so far, so good. I don’t know what’s different, but it’s not bad.

We’re still working up for the girls to go through your clothing so we can donate the rest. They do have a plan for that. I can do that part but I don’t want to be part of making decisions about what goes and what stays. I’m OK with keeping it all. I’m perfectly comfortable with half a closet.

I have to stay up late tonight because Lydia is going to the gym after work and won’t get home until 2200 or so. I know, I usually stay up that late, anyway, but not by my self. I might get scared or something.

Lydia is in Scappoose, on her way home, so I’m going to wrap this and make myself ready for bed. I love you and miss you.

Jerrie

PS: forgot to tell you it was foggy this morning so the weather is changing. I suspect we’ll get snow soon.

Letters to Diane – 10

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Hi, my Love,

Yesterday is a little blurry because I apparently didn’t do anything to make it worthy of a place in my memory. Perhaps something will pop up in my mind if I just type aimlessly. Let me get going with today’s activity.

Jennie had a meeting with her team from school this afternoon so I got to keep Siah for a while. We got along great because we watched a couple of really silly movies.

After a while, Autumn dropped Jasper off and things went fine. By the time Jennie got here they were both tired and hungry so it didn’t take long for them to get upset.

Jennie ordered McDonald’s for them to take care of the hungry part, but as time moved on the lack of naps got the best of them. Neither of them could sit still long enough to properly eat their dinner and neither of them wanted to listen to Mom. So, I injected myself into the fray. That didn’t please them, but they kinda listened to me. If you were watching us, I’m guessing you are proud of the way I kept my cool. It wasn’t easy, but I did it.

I finally made it to Thursday coffee with the guys at the Kozy. Larry and Chuck were there and we had a good visit. Since I’ve missed so many, I bought the drinks. I also ate breakfast. You should be happy about that. I had one sausage patty, one egg, and one piece of toast. White, non-nutritional toast, of course. That was my second breakfast because I had a bowl of cheerios before leaving the house.

After I got home from the Kozy I took Max for an extra long walk. He appreciated it, I know.

Now it’s 2030, Lydia is safely home, and Jennie got the littles home to bed. All is well.

Love you.

Letters to Diane – 9

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Hi,

There’s a lot of stuff going on that’s getting my head in a spin. Some of it’s legal and some of it’s common sense. Mainly, I registered your Death Certificate with the tax people so we can remove your name from the house deeds. All I have to do, now, is figure out how to complete the deeds.

An interesting point is that Don’s Rental is where one must get blank deeds and you have to know which kind you need. They can’t provide any legal guidance because they have no legal authority to do so. So, for $11.95 you get a blank form that they cannot help you fill out. I’ll bet Jennie can help with that. Whoever helps, we’ll get it done so that when it’s my turn to follow you no one will have no problem with the courts for the transfer of the property to our children.

I did very little yesterday (Monday) because it was Bunco night. For the past umpteen years I’ve kept Special Mondays, like Bunco Night, clear so I can watch movies. Or watch a ball game. Or sleep.

I guess that’s a weak claim because I do that pretty much what I do every day. So, like you did once a month, Lydia went to Shirley’s house for bunco last night. I have no memory of what I watched last night. I just remember that I went to bed at a reasonable hour because I had an appointment with my dermatologist today at 0820. That early time meant I had to leave home about 0720.

I talked this need over with Lydia, who considers 3-4 hours of sleep a good night, to see if she would like to go with. Always up for a challenge, she agreed, and we decided we would take her car, and she would drive. That worked for me just right. I think she agreed to all of that because she loves me. I’m grateful for that.

Having that extra hour for travel allowed us to get to the office in plenty of time. After checking in, it was only a matter of minutes before I was led to a room where the surgery would take place. I made myself comfortable and took off all my clothes to await the doctor and her knife.

The look on everyone’s face made me regret my decision to disrobe because the surgery was on my cheek so disrobing was entirely unnecessary. So, I got dressed and sat in the chair to wait.

Halley was the doctor’s assistant and I was a little displeased that she didn’t point out that I could keep my clothes on. Thank goodness I wore underwear today. Then she stabbed me in the cheek with a tiny needle and rendered the desired spot on my check dead to the world.

Not long after that, the doctor showed up and wielded her knife in a professional manner to excise a nifty oval where a huge wart used to live. It was gone already because it was taken to run a biopsy prior to scheduling today’s surgery.

It’s a big hole, but she sewed it up.

In a couple of years you won’t even know this happened.

Now I’m going to stop this before things get out of hand. Good Night, my Love. See you in my dreams.

Jerrie

Letters to Diane – 8

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OK, today you got to me big time. Some PT Cruiser friends came to visit me. A small group consisting of Rick many dozens of businesses you’ve visited over the years. There are lots of them. I went through your email list and unsubscribed them one at a time until my fingers got tired. Then I decided to clean up the applications you no longer need. I didn’t get many done, and I fiddled with just resetting the phone to back to zero, or new out of the box for a new user.

As I looked at the list I quickly came across your Notes app and was reminded of the turmoil I caused that last time I messed with that one. Instead of moving on, I opened it to see what you had on your list.

There are 311 items on your list. Imagine my surprise when I was greeted by your last entry on October 15th.

“Remember: You’ll be in my Heart”

I was stunned. You hid this little Gem knowing I would eventually get around to your phone to do exactly what I was doing. As I pondered your message it became clear to me that you were resigned to your fate, to exit this mortal coil long before you should have.

You never said a word about how much pain you were experiencing and I wasn’t able to comprehend what you were enduring. That you were thinking of me at this low point in your life is very meaningful to me and I thank you for that. That sounds like a very simplistic response to the profound message you left for me.

You will always be in my heart, to. You’ve been there since you were 14.

You knew I’d eventually get around to the phone, didn’t you?

Letters to Diane – 7

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Hi Hon. Been thinking about you non-stop and adding that a chance to look you in the eyes would be nice. Not likely, I know, but I can wish.

Each day I encounter more evidence about how brave you are. First was a short discussion with Jennifer about a talk you had with the doctor on, or about, October 21st when he asked if you wanted to consider the suicide departure if the liver biopsy wasn’t encouraging. It’s my understanding that you vetoed that option. That just wasn’t you at all. You’re a fighter even when the odds were so drastically against you. I can only thank you for enduring the pain because I’m not sure how I would have reacted if suicide had been your choice.

Then, today, Carolann called to check on me and we had nice visit. She reminded me that we have a date on the 21st at Simms in Scappoose. We’ll, of course, be talking about you in that venue. The last time we were there, as I recall, was with this same group. It’s been a while, but I think I’m right.

What I learned from Carolann was a conversation she had with you at some point before all the turmoil started with the hospital visits. She said you shared that you didn’t want to “linger” which, you thought, would cause more turmoil in the family. You wanted to fight your way through this, and you knew it early on.

Because of that I’m more in awe of your will to endure whatever cancer could throw at you. Although there was no hope for a recovery, you gave it all you had, and then some.

I’m gushing, I know. But I’m so proud of you, I can’t help myself. For those of us who remain, you gave us a life lesson in how to deal with tragedy head on with dignity.

Going forward, I’m going to bask in the knowledge that of all the choices you could have made, you chose me. I loved every second of it.

Letters to Diane – 6

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Today was another long one but it’s becoming normal. I’m OK with that. Normal is comforting.

Dan and Jen joined us for lunch while they cooked up the breakfasts that require an oven. Their new one doesn’t arrive until next Saturday. It’s coming to Shore because I failed to change the delivery address. Maybe I can convince them to deliver it to Matzen.

I took Max for his second walk this afternoon. While preparing to leave I had a short talk with Lydia about you, your Mom and your Dad. It was about the fact that all three of you died in this house within 20 steps of each other. Specifically, you and Mom were within 10 steps either side of where your Dad died.

I’ve been busy closing accounts for you and it’s a challenge. I suspect the best way to identify what needs to be fixed by checking your emails. Yes, I think I’ll do that.

I’ll start tomorrow.

Now I’m going to eat an apple.