Opinion

Senioritis takes on a whole new meaning

I used to look skeptically at people who claimed they were having “a senior moment.”
I thought it was a way of making excuses for being disorganized or laughing off a mental mix-up.
Now, the closer I get to 50, the better I understand what they mean.
Take last week, for example.
On Monday, I went to the meeting of the Rio Blanco County Commission. I took some photos at the meeting to go with a future story in the newspaper. That afternoon, I received an e-mail from Pat Hooker, county administrator, asking if I was missing a lens cap for my camera. I checked in my backpack where I keep the camera and, sure enough, no lens cap.
I sent an e-mail thanking Pat for recovering my lens cap and made a comment about my increasing forgetfulness.
His reply wasn’t very encouraging.
“Hey, I have news for you,” Pat said. “It doesn’t get any better the older you get.”
Even now, sometimes I will be in mid-conversation, and my mind goes blank and I forget what I was saying. It makes me wonder what it will be like 10 years from now.
Earlier that same day, when I forget the lens cap, I had spent a good part of the morning rummaging around my office trying to find my notes for an ad that was to run in the paper. I had misplaced the notes, and it was driving me crazy not being able to locate them. I ended up having to call the advertiser, who, thankfully, was very understanding.
I never did find the notes with the ad copy. That is, until two days later when I happened to turn over a piece of paper and, bingo, there they were. I had written the ad copy on the back page of some other handwritten notes.
Then, last Friday, I received a phone call from another advertiser asking why her ad had not appeared in the newspaper the last two weeks.
I could have sworn I had turned in the insertion order, which is the form we use for ads that run in the newspaper. So, once again, I rummaged around the office, trying to find the missing insertion order. I never did find the insertion order.
However, based on the way things have been going, I wouldn’t be surprised if it showed up in a couple of days.
Thankfully, once again, the advertiser was understanding. You know, I’m beginning to see how these “senior moments” may have their advantages. They can be used to cover any number of screw-ups.
Now, if only I could find the pair of gloves and my favorite red pen I misplaced.
n n n
After writing about my lack of cooking skills, I noticed I started receiving curious looks from people who see me shopping at the grocery store.
As one woman told me, “Now, I want to look in your cart to see what you are buying.”
I was in the store the day before Thanksgiving, and another woman asked, “You’re not going to have peanut butter for Thanksgiving are you?”
I just happened to be in the peanut butter aisle at the time.
I did get a thumbs-up from Kai Turner when he noticed I had a pound of hamburger in my grocery cart.
I think he was giving his endorsement to red meat as opposed to my usual diet of chips and salsa, or soup, or, uh, peanut butter.
n n n
The “single guy doesn’t know how to cook” column did have some unexpected benefits.
Kris Casey, Meeker teacher and coach, pulled me aside one day to let me know eighth-grade students serve dinner every other Wednesday at the fairgrounds to raise money for a trip to Washington, D.C. On the menu this week, she said, was brisket. And, at $5 for a meal, it fits my budget.
I also had a business owner tell me, when I was in her store, “I have something for you in the refrigerator.”
Turns out it was green chili, which, by the way, was delicious. I think she felt sorry for me.
“Now I know what to do with leftovers,” she said. “Give them to you.”
And then last Sunday, I was invited to a dinner of steak and crab legs. I haven’t had this many good meals in years.
A friend told me, “You should have written that column a long time ago.”
n n n
I received some dinner invitations for Thanksgiving, which was very nice, since I don’t have any family around.
When one person called to invite me over, I asked if I could bring anything. He responded with, “No, I read your column. You don’t need to bring anything.”
My best friend back in Kansas said I should have taken a box of my favorite cereal. He was joking. I think.
n n n
Two things I told myself I wouldn’t do on Thanksgiving: Go to the laundromat and go into the office. I did both.
As one friend told me about going to the laundromat, “That was a unique way to celebrate the holiday.”
While I was doing laundry, four other people showed up, all of them from other states — Minnesota, Washington, Louisiana and Alabama. All of them said they are out here because of the demand for workers and because they can find better-paying jobs in the oil patch than they can back home.
n n n
A number of people have asked about my puppy. I’m pleased to report she’s doing better. No more crying and barking at night. Now, if only I could get her to stop chewing on me. I walk around the house like Frankenstein, with the puppy clamped down on my pant leg or biting on a shoestring.
At least I get my exercise by stepping over the baby gate I put up to keep her restricted to the back part of the house.
I just hope, at my age, I don’t pull a muscle.

Jeff Burkhead is editor of the Herald Times. You may e-mail him at [email protected].

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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