Sagehen Mesa- Season 3, Episode 11- Josie: A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance

 Hello again. If I recall correctly, I told you about Reuben Roland showing up on my front porch early in the morning to notify me of his wife's death. Hilary, bless her, passed away in her sleep. 

Reuben said he had called Jolene, and she and her new family would be showing up later in the day. So the following day, I went over to check on them to see if they needed anything. 

Reuben said he was glad Hilary lived to see Jolene's graduation and wedding, but was sad that she never got to meet baby Sammy. 

I told him I was glad Jolene was here to look after him for awhile. 

I asked Jolene if there was anything I could do to help with the funeral arrangements, and she said she'd appreciate some nice desserts for the gathering after the service. I also said a few words about dear Hilary. 

I mostly spoke about her gardening skills and reputation for being highly knowledgeable about plants. I think a few of the attenders learned a few things about gardening just from listening to me. 

Even Cliff stopped by to pay his respects, though Bobbi was not pleased about this at all. 

Alden was quite impressed with Cliff, but Cliff can often make a good first impression. It's after you get to know him that his true colors start showing. 

Sherriff Rae was there, but I suspect out of respect for the grieving family and the fact that both Cliff's boys were present at the service, she chose not to try to make a scene by attempting to apprehend him. 

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Obituary of Hilary Roland

Sagehen Mesa lost another of it's long-time residents when Mrs. Hilary Roland passed away from natural causes. Hilary was the wife of Reuben Roland, a local horseman, and they have lived in the valley since she and Reuben were newlyweds. They raised two girls on their small horse property, and Hilary was known for having the only greenhouse in town which enabled her to grow her vegetables year-round. Mrs. Roland was known for her generosity, often sharing her bountiful produce with her neighbors and friends. She is survived by her husband Reuben Roland, her daughter Jolene Lawson and Jolene's husband Alden and son Sammy. She is also survived by her daughter Kathy and Kathy's daughter Magdalena. Mrs. Roland was laid to rest in Mesa View Cemetery. 

Rest in Peace, Hilary Roland.

Spooky day was a few weeks later. I got a few trick-or-treaters. I always love to see the kids in their costumes!

Now and then I like to take myself out to dinner and get away from my own cooking for a change. On my most recent visit to the bistro, I ran into Ben's daughter-in-law. She has apparently been taking classes online, and earned a degree! Good for her!

Snowflake day is coming. A few evenings ago the Barclays, my neighbors across the street, threw a big gift-giving shindig at their place. They go all out. My Snowflake Day decorations are quite modest compared to theirs!

I don't have space for a big fancy tree, and I just don't have the energy for decorating one, so I put a modest little tree in the corner along with a wreath and call it good. 

I went over to the Barclay's a little early to see if I could help out with anything. 

Their house is decorated so pretty. 

Their two little toe-headed boys were all decked out like elves! It was so cute!

Something tells me it was their parents' idea and not their own. 

One of the boys, I think I was Jerod, (they look so much alike,) baked some muffins. 

As late afternoon approached, the guests started arriving. The party was held out in the barn where there was lots of room, music, a buffet, and some drinks from the bar. It was lovely. 

That know-it-all lawman that works with Rae is trying to bring up the problem of Cliff again. It's the holidays! He needs to give it a rest. He's always so condescending toward me. 

Then Rae tells me she's got a new strategy for trapping Cliff. I hated to break it to her, but Cliff is much more clever than she is, and may never be caught. 

One of the boys got a gnome that looked just like him! 😉

In the end, the deputy and I decided to bury the hatchet - at least for tonight. I'm surprised he came without his new bride Stephanie (Cliff's sister.) Maybe she had an emergency at the hospital. I find it ironic that both of the police officers are married to Cliff's relatives. It seems like a conflict of interest to me, but it also helps explain how Cliff has managed to circumvent the law. 

I like to watch the young kids interact. Little Lara Whiting has grown into a teen. She'd be pretty too, if she hadn't inherited her father's nose, poor thing. I think the glasses help hide that abnormally wide bridge. 

Her brothers turned out to be quite handsome. (They seem to take after their mother.)

Tony's nose looks kind of like his father's but that nose looks okay on men, I think. 

Nick is the one who looks like a movie star. 

But I'm digressing. I brought up Lara because she seemed to be hitting it off with this handsome young man - I think he babysits about town. 

He says he's on the school's baseball team. 

They went outside and built a snowman together. 

I think they make a cute little couple. 

I was thinking that I hadn't made a snowman in years. You're never too old to enjoy the snow I guess.

Meagan Gwynne, the pastor's wife, invited me over to their house. Poor pastor was stressed out about money, so I gave him one of the moneybags I harvested from my money tree. 

They don't pay pastors nearly enough - I should know, having been a lay-pastor for awhile until Pastor Jasper came along. Meagan is a kid at heart, so we enjoyed making a snowman together. 

Their daughter Starr is a pretty little thing. 

While I was visiting with the Gwynne's I got a call from Fidel Vest. 

"Your cat has found his way over here! Please come get him, I don't want any more kittens!"

Oh Corwin! He travelled clear across town to see his wife and daughter. 

While I was there, Fidel and I had a little chat about movies. It seems he likes the movies about jewel heists. 

They have a teenage son named Rusty, whom I found hanging out on my porch at two in the morning not too long ago. I asked what possessed him to hang out at that hour in the freezing weather, but he never gave me a straight answer. 

And Fidel is worried about my CAT being at HIS house! 

Happy Holidays!