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Show Volume VI, Issue VII THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 July 15, 2002 Guest Commentary Time Zones, Exotic Fruits, and High Altitudes By Drienie Hattingh Us flatlanders are slowly, but surely, fitting into the high desert country. The mountains and the green Valley keep on enthralling us, and we love the cool nights. However, having moved from one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota, with every possible convenience, calls for some adjustments. But we’ve learned a lot since we moved here a month ago. We discovered that the Valley Market is thee place in town! Not only can I get all the groceries that I need, I can buy delicious fruits. The strawberries, avocados, and mangos, that were very expensive in Minnesota (labeled as ‘exotic’), are priced very reasonable at the local market. And after learning that there wasn’t a dry cleaners or a pharmacy in the Valley, it was quite a relief to discover that I could leave my dry cleaning at the Valley Market, and refill prescriptions there too! Even though there isn’t a Star Bucks or Caribou in our Valley, I did discover a great cappuccino maker— Drew. Again, in the Valley Market of course. Where else? Soon after, I discovered another coffee shop called “The Hole,” not far from the Valley Market. They serve good coffee and great sandwiches. Johan and I also discovered a lovely little restaurant to replace some of our favorite haunts in Woodbury— “Eats of Eden.” What a nice, friendly place to relax, and eat good food (the steak sandwich is yummy). And how refreshing to chat to such honest, open, and friendly servers. They came and sat right at our table, and asked us about our family, then shared something about theirs! And then there is the Hungry Wolf at Wolf Creek, where you can eat grand food by candlelight, and watch the sun set over the Valley. Moving to Eden, we also had to adjust to the high altitude. When Johan and I go on walks on the golf course with our dog Corrie, I still gasp for air. Then there is the problem of different time zones. Everyone who has family far away—living in other parts of America—and remote, distant lands—knows about this unique problem! We had to figure it out all over again—at which times to call who. Since coming to America, we have received many “middle of the night” calls. We all know how we dread those. With the heart pounding, we pick up the phone, expecting bad news from family far away in our homeland. And when my children spread their wings and flew away, my fears of “middle of the night” calls included them also. Of course, middle of the night calls do not always mean bad news. Sometimes my scatterbrained sister Sonja will miss me while drinking her 11 O’clock morning tea. Without thinking, she proceeds to call me right there and then. The problem with such a well-intended call is that it will be in the early morning hours here in America. When I answer in a hesi- tant, shaky voice, dreading bad news, she asks, “Why do you sound so strange? Drienie, is something wrong?” I usually do not know if I should be mad, relieved, or glad hearing her happy, “Hi! Guess who?” My brother-in-law, Gerhard calls when he misses his brother, my husband, Johan. When we point out what time it is, he just laughs and says that he couldn’t wait ‘til we woke up; he was missing his brother now. Since moving to Utah, I really have to think hard before I make a call to, not only my family in South Africa, but also to my children because we all live in different Time Zones now. Making phone calls has indeed become a science. Eugene lives in Zone 3, Brenda in 6, Yolandi in 5 and Johan and I in Zone 4. Yolandi, in Minnesota, is an hour ahead of us, Eugene an hour behind us in Washington state, and Brenda two hours ahead in New York. The confusion for this doting mother, who likes to stay in touch with her offspring, her dear mother, sisters, and brother in South Africa, is mind boggling. South Africa is in Time Zone 13, eight hours ahead of us. When it is my sister-in-law’s birthday, I really have to keep a clear head, remembering to call a day in advance so our good wishes will reach her in time on that little island in the Pacific Ocean, in Time Zone 26, because in New Zealand, today is tomorrow—17 hours ahead of us. When I pray at night, I thank God for our new home in this beautiful place, and I ask for the safe keeping of my children and dear ones, far, far away—scattered around planet earth—because, while we’re safe and warm in our beds, on this side of the world, the other side of the world is not. I guess that is why God never sleeps. Looking for an alternative to high cost and chemically treated produce. Come to the FARMERS MARKET at The Eden General Store 5510 East 2200 North, Eden Utah It is a great time to buy locally grown garlic, onions, berries, potatoes, cut flowers, perennials and much more. Shop for local art - potters, artists, woodworkers, and other crafts. July 13th 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Market Opening Date July 27th Chefs Tour & Lasagna Gardening More dates and events to be announced. If you would like to sell goods, contact the Market Foundation at (801) 745-2400. The Market Foundation works to preserve the quality and high standard of the market. |