Michael,
I’ve been forgetting to mention, since moving to OR a decade ago, I’ve heard more negative things about your area than others – Rogue Valley, from annual smoke/air quality issues, to running healthcare out, general death of neighborly treatment, etc.
I kept thinking that people would recognize they’re all in it together and work to make it better.
Which brings me to my reason for posting.
I grew up with stories of America’s “greatest generation(s),” whether pulling together through the depression, WWs, etc.
I nurtured the myths because my experience has been anything but, AND you’re not supposed to talk about it, ie military “brotherhood,” but thankfully SEALs are now taking the bullet for the rest of us and finally telling the truth on that.
Yes, I served with some great guys, but mostly, it’s just like Israel in the OT, and what the pandemic taught me more than anything, the masses and mostly self-interested, and self-serving, and god-help you if you don’t have what they want.
I would like to think and still nurture my naive hope in some “remnant,” but mostly I find it’s a crap shoot who is a true friend, believer or not, whether where you live is a community or not.
Thankfully, one remnant I still find in one respect are people like you Michael, when you remind people of Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice (ironically this “smart” phone made my slave labor almost fried trying to change the spelling of that hyphenated phrase).
Only Jesus’ real life and real words feeds and sustains my soul.
Having achieved most people’s goals somehow not selling my soul along the way, I still think it’s all sand.
The older I get I wish, and think we’d all be better off if the grid and everything attached died.
Our souls would definitely benefit.
Don’t worry, I’d start a self-sustaining fort almost immediately.
: )
In peace.
My home is no longer what it once was…it’s an entirely different place where I feel like a stranger on my own dirt.
As someone deeply involved as a recipient of the health care system (which people used to move here to access) I can testify that it is not just badly broken, but close to collapse.
We used to have each others backs and a deep sense of community pride…all of that is gone.
It left with the living wage jobs and affordable housing, when the pear orchards were ripped out for pot.
The Trump years and Covid finished off any hope of a new birth.
It’s often smokey here and I live all summer in fear of another fire.
Still, I was born here and will die here…and I will rise again here when God has renewed His good creation and we live in a paradise that will not be corrupted.
u here inn the Entiat River valley, we are watching te same changes….
it has become a favorite place to retire for west siders and they bring all their bias’ with them….. sad
My wife and I toured the Oregon coast last Fall, and noticed all the smoke as you travelled south. I could google this, but what is all the smoke from?
What you are describing confirms that extreme progressivism leads to a failed state, as surely as extreme conservatism would. I think we sadly will get to witness both.
CK
it’s changing thanks for sure. Pear orchards were replaced by vineyards. Now the vineyards are being replaced by marijuana. The valley stinks from the smell.
But I still love it here. I live in Jacksonville an old historic mining town. It’s small and kind of separate from Medford. Lots of culture, wineries, and functions as a community.
But it’s not the same valley I grew up in that’s for sure. Sad to see some of the old fixtures and landmarks gone. But change is inevitable.
Officerhoppy- my wife an I love Jacksonville it was one of our stops on our honeymoon. A friend gave us $200 as wedding gift to buy books in Neil’s bookstore in the old Post Office (I think). Another time I went to his store and at the time my colleague and I were his best day of sales ever (almost $6000)! I almost forgot I was the best man at my friends wedding which was held above the Old Tavern (once again I think I do know it was in Jacksonville for sure). Hopefully it will still have some of its charm left when we finally get the chance to go back to visit.
We grieve for our “brother.” AND PRAY!
when we lost our first son, we had a whole Church praying for us. I think that is why, walking down the hospital hall, I literaly felt a hand on my left shoulder. So real that I turned around to see who was there. No one, the hall behind me was empty. Then I heard a voice say,,,,, “if there was any other way, this wouldn’t be happening.” The nurse walking with me heard nothing!
I felt a strength go through me that I cannot explain.
God keep Rueben and, folks, please keep praying……..
Hoppy,
Yep, I love Jacksonville. Used to go to at least one Britt concert every summer. Loved the restaurants and the small town atmosphere. Does Valley View Winery still exist? Would often bring home a few bottles of their Jazz Label wines.
Thanks for the clarification Michael. It has been so long but I was very fond of Neil’s shop. He had a great selection and reasonable prices (most of my shopping was before most people started selling online). How cool to think that we could have met in passing. I am grateful to be enriched by your wry wit and wisdom even though thousands of miles separate us.
It’s all yours today…
I could use enormous prayers right now
Like you have no idea people
Help please
My dear friend Reuben needs all we have…all the Lord can give.
Please say his name to the Lord…
Praying for you like there’s no tomorrow.
praying ……….
Praying, Reuben.
Our Father…
Amen
Lifting you in prayer, Reuben….
Praying.
praying, Reuben
god keep
Praying
Praying …
Praying for you, sir.
Praying
Michael,
I’ve been forgetting to mention, since moving to OR a decade ago, I’ve heard more negative things about your area than others – Rogue Valley, from annual smoke/air quality issues, to running healthcare out, general death of neighborly treatment, etc.
I kept thinking that people would recognize they’re all in it together and work to make it better.
Which brings me to my reason for posting.
I grew up with stories of America’s “greatest generation(s),” whether pulling together through the depression, WWs, etc.
I nurtured the myths because my experience has been anything but, AND you’re not supposed to talk about it, ie military “brotherhood,” but thankfully SEALs are now taking the bullet for the rest of us and finally telling the truth on that.
Yes, I served with some great guys, but mostly, it’s just like Israel in the OT, and what the pandemic taught me more than anything, the masses and mostly self-interested, and self-serving, and god-help you if you don’t have what they want.
I would like to think and still nurture my naive hope in some “remnant,” but mostly I find it’s a crap shoot who is a true friend, believer or not, whether where you live is a community or not.
Thankfully, one remnant I still find in one respect are people like you Michael, when you remind people of Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice (ironically this “smart” phone made my slave labor almost fried trying to change the spelling of that hyphenated phrase).
Only Jesus’ real life and real words feeds and sustains my soul.
Having achieved most people’s goals somehow not selling my soul along the way, I still think it’s all sand.
The older I get I wish, and think we’d all be better off if the grid and everything attached died.
Our souls would definitely benefit.
Don’t worry, I’d start a self-sustaining fort almost immediately.
: )
In peace.
Unccd
I also live in the Rogue Valley- Jacksonville
UnCCed,
Thanks for the kind words.
My home is no longer what it once was…it’s an entirely different place where I feel like a stranger on my own dirt.
As someone deeply involved as a recipient of the health care system (which people used to move here to access) I can testify that it is not just badly broken, but close to collapse.
We used to have each others backs and a deep sense of community pride…all of that is gone.
It left with the living wage jobs and affordable housing, when the pear orchards were ripped out for pot.
The Trump years and Covid finished off any hope of a new birth.
It’s often smokey here and I live all summer in fear of another fire.
Still, I was born here and will die here…and I will rise again here when God has renewed His good creation and we live in a paradise that will not be corrupted.
I will also note that the decriminalization of drugs (which I voted for) has been a terrible mistake and has devastated this area…
u here inn the Entiat River valley, we are watching te same changes….
it has become a favorite place to retire for west siders and they bring all their bias’ with them….. sad
My wife and I toured the Oregon coast last Fall, and noticed all the smoke as you travelled south. I could google this, but what is all the smoke from?
What you are describing confirms that extreme progressivism leads to a failed state, as surely as extreme conservatism would. I think we sadly will get to witness both.
Terry,
Forest fires.
Yes, we’re close to being a failed state.
I considered moving to the Rogue almost 40 years ago, and worked a summer picking pears. Sad what it has become.
CK
it’s changing thanks for sure. Pear orchards were replaced by vineyards. Now the vineyards are being replaced by marijuana. The valley stinks from the smell.
But I still love it here. I live in Jacksonville an old historic mining town. It’s small and kind of separate from Medford. Lots of culture, wineries, and functions as a community.
But it’s not the same valley I grew up in that’s for sure. Sad to see some of the old fixtures and landmarks gone. But change is inevitable.
Should read “That’s for sure”
Rueben- praying for you.
Officerhoppy- my wife an I love Jacksonville it was one of our stops on our honeymoon. A friend gave us $200 as wedding gift to buy books in Neil’s bookstore in the old Post Office (I think). Another time I went to his store and at the time my colleague and I were his best day of sales ever (almost $6000)! I almost forgot I was the best man at my friends wedding which was held above the Old Tavern (once again I think I do know it was in Jacksonville for sure). Hopefully it will still have some of its charm left when we finally get the chance to go back to visit.
We grieve for our “brother.” AND PRAY!
when we lost our first son, we had a whole Church praying for us. I think that is why, walking down the hospital hall, I literaly felt a hand on my left shoulder. So real that I turned around to see who was there. No one, the hall behind me was empty. Then I heard a voice say,,,,, “if there was any other way, this wouldn’t be happening.” The nurse walking with me heard nothing!
I felt a strength go through me that I cannot explain.
God keep Rueben and, folks, please keep praying……..
Hoppy,
Yep, I love Jacksonville. Used to go to at least one Britt concert every summer. Loved the restaurants and the small town atmosphere. Does Valley View Winery still exist? Would often bring home a few bottles of their Jazz Label wines.
Shawn,
Neil’s shop was across the street from the old post office.
We probably crossed paths there and never knew it…
Thanks for the clarification Michael. It has been so long but I was very fond of Neil’s shop. He had a great selection and reasonable prices (most of my shopping was before most people started selling online). How cool to think that we could have met in passing. I am grateful to be enriched by your wry wit and wisdom even though thousands of miles separate us.