Odds and ends and things I'm at odds with

Hi neighbors. Another Sept. 11 has passed. It still hurts on so many levels. It's one of those events that you will never forget what you were doing when you heard about it -- like the assassination of President Kennedy. Just saying the words brings back mental pictures of how you first heard about it.

On another note, a reader contacted me in response to the Lyme's disease column. She said she was bitten on her knee by a tick a couple of months ago. A rash developed all over her leg so she went to the doctor. Come to find out, she had contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever from the tick bite!

She also said that she always used hair spray to get a tick to back off from its bite. And that someone had told her to place human hair around gardens, patios, etc., and deer won't come around there. I don't know about her comments, but she said they worked for her.

I always appreciate readers' comments about the column so always feel free to email me or to call and chat.

We are supposed to have some cool days this next week. Figuring out the weather has always been a dicey deal, but the last few years it seems to be even more difficult. It seems the more technical contraptions they invent to predict what will happen, the less likely we are to understand what they are talking about. I suppose just looking out the window is the way to know for sure.

It's difficult to believe that September is almost half over! School is back in session, nights are cooler, high school football has started and summer is slipping away.

On nice days now, we don't know whether to go outside and play while the sun shines; or use the time to prepare for winter! Maybe we can ignore thoughts of winter for another week or two at least and spend our time enjoying being outside while we can.

My daughter-in-law and I were discussing various one-day road trips we might make before the snow flies. There are several great places to visit within three to four hours from Nevada. We are still planning!

Saturday last we went to Bolivar to introduce her to my aunt. My father's sister, my aunt is the only surviving member of her generation of siblings. At 88, she is the family matriarch. Although physically unable to host family get-togethers now, she still enjoys visiting with her extended family and meeting new members.

Amber had brought her album of wedding pictures and we all enjoyed looking at those. I had brought some old photos of past generations of family members and we had a good time with those as well.

I hope you can all take time to go visit elderly loved ones and share their memories and stories about the family. You are bound to hear something about your family you didn't know before.

Since there was a time in the 1930s that the family lived here in Nevada, my aunt wants us to plan a time to bring her to see the school she attended, and to just see how much the town has changed since she lived here. That will be a day trip I don't want to miss out on!

Don't forget all the great parks in Nevada! Take a walk and take your camera. The local goose population is always eager to pose for a picture, as long as you don't get too close. Take pictures of your children playing on the park swings, slides and other equipment they may have.

One thing I've found is that children as they age like looking at themselves in photo albums! If you have a digital camera, make some slide shows with music for each event and let them watch themselves in "movies" on television.

When they are in costumes or dressed out for sports, take pictures of them in the games, or practices. Make some memories. School annual albums can't catch all of the moments you will want to remember. I strongly encourage students to be allowed to purchase the school yearbooks each year. I still enjoy looking at mine (and trying to remember who everyone is.)

And besides, when your children grow up and have children of their own, you can drag those old yearbooks out and smile while their children make fun of their clothing, hairstyles and activities. Just like they did when they were younger about your old yearbooks.

Until the next time friends, remember to not only make some memories, but record them to share with future generations.