Welcome home to Melissa Palfreyman, who travels to Israel every few years as part of a group hosted by her mother.  Her latest trip was a couple of weeks ago when the latest war broke out.  Many of us worried about her safety, but she was safe in Jerusalem.  She arrived home on schedule to a sigh of relief from family and friends.  What an adventure.

Fall has definitely found us.  The colors on The Mountain expand exponentially every day.  Once the leaves start to turn, they do so quickly.  
‘Tis the season for lots of loads of firewood to come off the hill getting prepared for winter.
Saturday September 23rd saw the annual community woodcutting project with a goodly crew showing up to harvest wood for themselves or for those unable to procure such fuel for themselves.  

A longtime resident of La Sal, Cruz Madrid, passed away quietly at his home on September 13.  
He was born August 16, 1935. He spent much of his life in La Sal working at the local uranium mines, among other occupations. He did a variety of work during his lifetime.
In recent years he and his wife Mary resided in Blanding where they worked at the grocery store there prior to coming “home” to La Sal to really retire.

When I turned the big 5-0 several decades ago (yikes!), my young magnificent black panther-like cat Stuka made it a memorable day. 
I had gotten home from a long night in Trauma ICU in Las Vegas.  It was the dead heat of summer and I took up residence in my pitch black bedroom in my comfy waterbed to recover from the exciting life of a dedicated medical professional. 

The bright yellow food truck, which for several months has been tethered to  Es’ La Sal Store, has pulled up anchor and moved on out of town.
Their first jaunt was on Pioneer Day last month as they set up shop in the park in Monticello, along with other mobile eateries.  However, they did not return and stay at home base.

I guess that means it’s not so funny in a poor man’s world, which is where most of us find ourselves.  It is not just people who need money but organizations also need funds.  In our village, that usually means a fund raiser.  Such was the case last week.

Of course, last week was one of the year’s biggest holidays – the Fourth of July. Lots of folks in our area head to The Mountain for a few days. 
For the past several years, Ana and Hal Adams have hosted a traditional cookout with burgers and dogs on the west side of the La Sal Store where they were the proprietors.

Move over Mary C! This is going to be a foodie column this week.  On Father’s Day, the folks at the Latter-Day Saint Church in La Sal hosted a community “Chili” potluck. It was well-attended.
I don’t know if folks are especially fond of chili or were just hankering for some socialization. Probably both.

After much anticipation, the promised food truck is now open at La Sal Central a.k.a. E’s Store.  It is called Studebaker Station – home of spuds and studs.  
The fare includes burgers, both single patty and double as well as a “Bird Basket” which includes three chicken tenders.  

The first event of the spring – the rummage/bake/craft sale at the community center occurred weekend before last.  
The crowd was a little sparse, unfortunately.  That seems to be the norm for community events of late.  
The purpose of the sale is to raise funds for our local Senior Citizens Center.  There are lots of folks who utilize the center for the twice weekly lunch and for connecting and visiting friends. 

Since the Es have taken over proprietorship of the La Sal Store, they have made great improvements inside.  It’s really a cute shop with lots of items including locally produced art items. For a preview there are photos posted on La Sal Barter and Trade’s Facebook page as well as Instagram.  

In the 1970s, my husband Steve was the cow foreman for La Sal Livestock. He had a good rapport with the ranchers in the area.  
One of those was Harvey Blankenagel.  He and his wife Norma owned and operated Rattlesnake Ranch west of La Sal.  They ran a nice herd of mixed breed cattle. 

Those in the northern part of our state and even to our west, worry that the wonderful moisture, especially snow, received this winter will melt too fast and lead to flooding.  A valid fear.  We can only hope for their sakes, that Spring melting will be slow and not cause flooding. 

I’ve heard a few folks of late comment that it seems like it has been a long winter.  I confess, I am among those so commenting.  “Winter” seemed to start the end of October after a glorious Fall season.  Now, don’t get us wrong, we are more than grateful for the much prayed for moisture, but beware, coming to a neighborhood near you, if you live in La Sal environs, mud season will be here any day.  And, it is going to be a spectacular one thi

First, a little explanation about my last column.  Someone made an editorial change which defeated the whole gist of my article.  Sort of made me seem like a blithering idiot!  And the jury is still out on that.  Besides, this newspaper already has an idjet writing each week.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the CG, he is a dear friend and the best mentor and supervisor I’ve ever had but nonetheless, an idjet.