Claire Lovell

I gave myself a treat one Sunday and had lunch at McDonalds. It’s a fun place to people watch where young families are dealing with their children. They seem to manage quite well. Perhaps a few more fruits and vegetables on the menu would be better. Something about the place, though, (Or is it every restaurant?) that seems to bring out the gypsy in some kids who scream and throw tantrums.

It’s good to be a part of all that once in a while.

One of my biggest dissatisfactions at the store are aerosol cleaning productsexpensive ones which lose their ability to squirt. I usually write to the company but my latesta pet stain cleanercame back undelivered.

We had a church circle meeting at Suzanne Elise on Wednesday. It was upstairs for Valentines goodies and coffee or tea, at the home of Irene Schmidt and Jan Boardman. Both attended the meeting and seemed to like being with old friends. Judi Swift was hop-around working hostess for Jan, pouring drinks and reading a little verse. It was a happy occasion.

We all know that there are many areas in print media where mistakes are madenewspapers and magazines who could use a proofreader, for instance. I must confess to watching for errors whatever I’m reading. Today’s writers are not too meticulous. As I was waiting to talk to a friend at the bank one day, I found a goof in the Wall Street Journal! That was a surprise because one thinks of that paper as being above such things. It was a case of using a singular subject with a plural modifier, one of the most frequent errors of today.

That was Paul See whom Jean Hagmeier taught at Clatsop Plains School. Somehow it was left out of my copy. I wonder if he was an ornery kid in her class. Probably. Orneriness, once learned, is hard to forget.

For a while we seemed to have a little respite from funerals. They’re back. I was sorry to hear about Mary Reynolds who has been a strong lady going about doing good. She has been on the edges of my life for many years. Her mother, Exie Weaver, was one of my patients at Ocean Park Nursing Home where her daughter-in-law, Gail, worked with me.

Mary’s funeral, conducted by Deacon Dick Weaver of the Assembly of God of Rainer with remarks by Pastor Lovelady of the River of Life Fellowship, was held at the United Methodist Church on Feb. 9. A great number of friends and family were present and many had something to say concerning their relationship with Mary. She had so many lives affected by her loving care. Nonie Kern sang two hymns, quite beautifully. The Weaver brothers quartet gave us “In the Garden”, too. Guests shared a bountiful lunch after the burial at Ocean View Cemetery.

I wish police would be as assiduous with reckless bike riders as they are with little old ladies in their cars.

One day, a kid on a bicycle came up behind me with about 5-inches of space between us. “Gee-ru-salem” I asked. “Why didn’t you honk?” Maybe instead of such colossal fines for us, they could nick the bikers for fees for infractions at least. They never let you know when they’re coming. How about a bell as standard equipment?

The ladies and gents of Extended Care at Providence Seaside Hospital seemed to enjoy my Valentine of Moonstruck chocolates. They’re special, to be sure. One lady was asleep so I placed an exceptional huckleberry truffle in front of her, which evidently woke her up because she was soon making it disappear. This candy doesn’t need any recommendation. I have Les Morris to thank for it.

Ed Poetter-Tomlin is truly making a success of his life. Recently, he and his wife, Meg, and their little red headed doll, Delaney, moved back to Maryland where her family lives. Ed went to “school” and learned to be a long haul, big rig driver with all the ability and judgment that entails. It’s a rough course indeed. A week or so ago, Ed was making a run to Portland, so his mother, Kathy, and his grandmother, Lucille, met him there to visit him a little and have some lunch at a regular truck stop.

We who have watched Eddie grow up from a busy little guy, protected by his big brother, Scott, to the responsible, capable person he is today, are really proud of his accomplishments. Way to go, Ed! We know you’ll be careful.

So the City Council doesn’t know what to do about affordable housing in Seaside. They might have exercised a little foresight and avoided the problem by denying licenses to some of the condominium contingent. It isn’t as if they weren’t warned but those big city spenders are so attractive to governments.

Cute quip: If you’re no longer under the power of a hex, I would guess you’re ex-spelled.