A moment in my shoes

My social media

2026-04-29T08:04:38.171-07:00

Hi,

I'm L. Rose McKenzie.

I'm a widow, mother, grandmother and friend.

I was a Mushroom Harvester and a Buyer.

I've crocheted since I was a child. Learned to knit, Continental style about, 12years ago.

I have always cooked, canned ,

Hunted, fished and preserved foods. I was raised to do that. Gathering berries off the mountains and hunting along the way....

Raised farm animals and animals to butcher.

Gardening and landscaping too.

Property management on small farms. Raising kids and having fun.

I taught them to use electronic devices and encouraged music and natural skills.

I encouraged family games and group activities.

Now days I am resting and recovering.

I'm learning to live an older adult lifestyle. Salvaging social media accounts and keeping up with the grandkids.

I'm finding time for me now and enjoying it.

Recently started playing Billiards again, with a wonderful man. I'm recovering from Open Heart surgery (8 months ago). Thankful for everything that I've done and met.

Praying that I'll have many more years to come.

I'm on just about every form of social media. I'm going to start a crochet & knitting group again. Try to attend grandkids games and all family events I can.

I've had a book published. A Visual Guide For Harvesting Mushrooms, thru Author House.

I hope to do a book on Berries and Harvestable Plants here in Oregon.

I've also compiled a Bucket List and want to start marking things off.

You can find me on:

Facebook

Instagram

And down at the local bar playing pool or home crafting.

I have had Open Heart Surgery a year ago.

Healed and moved on to my Bucket List.

Thank you Lord!

Women's rights-Oregon not equal!

2026-04-28T22:04:52.836-07:00

Hi,

I'm still alive.....

It's me - Rose....

It's been a heck of a 4 year period.

I moved south if my home....

Moved in with my eldest son.

After a 2 year battle I finally got approved for my disability....

Had a stroke then another smaller one, fell was injured.

Went thru recovery, caught pneumonia.... Finally got over pneumonia. Went into heart failure- was hospitalized. Had open heart surgery. Am healed- 7 months post op now.....

Still need to repair my mitral valve. In a year or so.

Now I'm dealing with my hormones. I'm 60, a female..... finishing on menopause. Lower estrogen levels snd so. Am having a heck of a time getting estrogen and progesterone, so I've recruited a friend. Very intelligent woman who knows her herbs and mushrooms.....

Anyway, in Oregon in 1991. My youngest son was born. I was married and had 4 other children. My husband paused in conversation with the OB ... when discussing me getting a tubal done.

And so the OB said because my husband hesitated and didn't agree. He obviously wasn't going to give me permission to get the tubal done after our child's birth.

So doc said I had to wait....

I found out that day- a married woman has no control over her body in Oregon!

You must have your husband's permission to get a tubal done or any permanent procedure done!!!

But NOT the husband!

He can get a vasectomy anytime and without any knowledge of the WIFE!

Ain't that the shit!!!

I had to separate from my husband to get the tubal.

And then my child was born on the 30th day of my waiting period- which I didn't know!!!

My OB came into my room the next morning and proceeded to inform me because he was born on my 30th day, he- the Doctor, was going to make me wait 6 months then come back and get it done! From my hospital bed, I reached up and I grabbed him by his coat and stethoscope around his neck and informed him- ONE of us was going to be in surgery in a half hour and I was hoping it was me!!!!!

Needless to say I got my Tubal that morning!

That was in 1991. It's 2026 now and the LAW hasn't changed!!!!

And there are transgender men receiving estrogen and progesterone treatment for sex changes while we women have to fight for it!!!!!!

Again, a man over a woman!!!

David McKenzie

2022-01-10T09:07:00.001-08:00

Thank you all for your condolences after David’s passing. Our family is very grateful for your support during this time.

David would have wanted all us all to gather and celebrate, so that’s what we will do. Join us on March 12 at X:00 pm for David’s Celebration of Life at the Sutherlin Community Center. Wear your best Hawaiian shirt and prepare for a Hawaiian Luau. 💕

David’s Facebook account will be memorialized so pease continue to share happy memories of David with us.

Much love from the McKenzie Clan

I’m Dieing of Cancer

2021-08-20T18:24:00.001-07:00

My name is David McKenzie. I need help. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer with multiple Tumors in my Brain. I am not using any drugs at all and yes, I’m in pain. I choose to let Mother Nature and God let me heal. My only mistake before going on a natural cleaning process was allowing them to do a biopsy on my Lung, which caused pain. I feel like I may be getting better. But I may be more comfortable with the thought of being comfortable. But what I’m trying to do is get help from all angles, even from God. In our society we have to have money. I haven’t been able to work for over 4 months. I’m asking anybody or everybody to help. For me and my wife. Mostly to keep my home. I don’t have enough money to pay off the trust deed, in full. I probably owe, with interest, about $70,000.. If I could get some financial help to save the property. My wife won’t be homeless when I die…. She’ll be able to keep the property and our home! If anybody cares? I hope someone besides God cares?! I have to say this, I asked God for a wife, children and grandchildren and to be wealthy. What I forgot to ask or specify was financially wealthy, not just wealthy in love. I’m wealthier than most with my wife of 37 years, 5 kids and 6 grandkids, thanks to God, with love. Now I need to have my wife taken care of. Please, help me, help my wife!

Sincerely,

David S. McKenzie

You can reach my wife at:

1110 Cook Str.

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

97457

Facebook: Rose McKenzie

leorosemck5@

gmail.com

Reclaiming wood for a natural lifestyle

2012-05-15T22:38:00.002-07:00

I started building a Chicken Wagon so I could raise a few chickens and a couple of ducks. I gathered all the wood laying in discrete areas of the yard and hidden under things to use on this Pen/hutch. I gathered up an old wheel chair, childs wagon, grand pa's old wood hauler side boards an old small book cabinet thing used for holding tools in yard, and even the picnic table that was not being used. and made my chicken wagon.

As you can see. It is a work in progress. I used some guttering material to cover the edges of the pen area to allow for climbing in and out. Wagon wheels in back on platform to stand on and larger wheels on sides to allow for mobility. Side doors for accessing the eggs inside the hutch and top lifts to reach the 3rd floor.

It turned out too heavy to move with the very skinny wheels not supported with a solid axle.

It worked very nicely for the baby chicks and the two ducklings.

Until they got to be a month old. Time to move up to a mansion.

I spoke to a few neighbors and some relatives and asked for wood scraps that they were not using. Chose a spot in the front yard that was not being used and could be reclaimed as well as the wood.

I am not an architect nor a carpenter so as you will see this was a lot of fun. I went with an idea of what I thought would work for the birds and the tree/bush which is a Quince tree/bush. I figured that I could wheel the hut over to it and make an opening and join the two together. That didn't work as nicely as I'd hoped. I
had to chop the front of the chicken wagon and attach it directly to the big pen to allow them to keep sleeping in the hutch and lay eggs in a location I could access easily.

I also wanted to raise rabbit so I thought a good place to have them was under the tree along side of the chickens and ducks. I used some shelves from a neighbor for the boxes on the right to house the rabbits.

I wanted to put in a mulch area too. I framed one in under the shade tree and directly under the rabbit area on the right wall/side. I can use the area for a temporary green house area while the garden still needs to be tilled up...
Main objectives: Chickens, Ducks, mulch area, green house, Rabbits, Hammocks in shade for relax area, remove old deck under Walnut tree reclaim ground, transplant Strawberries into raised planter boxes, and provide us with Rabbit meat, eggs and a garden area while sharing our chicks and duckies with our grand daughter. Their is a lot of joy and love in raising ducks and chicks for a two year old.

I have to replace a few odd cut old 3x4's on the far right and 2x4's that are temporarily in place for support. I have ran out of 2x4's so I nee to make some more phone calls.... This is what I have so far. I used the left over wagon inside the pen.
i lined it with a very thick garbage bag for now and some rocks for the ducks to climb in and swim in. They love it!

The pen is considered as our "grand daughter's play pen". She loves it! See mee Ducks, Gram! See mee Ducks! She goes inside the pen and says Hi to each one of the ducks and chickens.

ALL of the hutches, pens, mulch bin, posts all the work has been done with RECLAIMED WOOD! My only investment was in nails, paint, and some misc. hardware pieces, chickens, ducks, rabbits and feed.
All under $100.00..... Not bad for a country girl living in town. It has been over twenty years since I have had farm animals. I still want a goat.... Ring Neck Pheasants, and a few other things done and put in... Put two more post holes in behind the hammocks on the outside for my actual green house area. I think I'd like to pen in the area out in front of the duck pen for Pheasants (smaller cages in under the bushes). I need more supplies to finish that area. One thing and one day at a time... Wish me luck & success!

Reclaimed Wood Projects.

2012-04-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

I have constructed a Chicken Wagon out of scraps from around the property. I used an old shelf, side boards off Pops old garbage hauler/wood truck, wheels from his old wheel chair, the kids old red wagon and various pieces of wood. I put some thought into it and kept adding as I went along. Had a basic idea of what I wanted the rest was translating the thought into reality.I used old guttering to cover rails so I could climb in and out with out snagging myself while constructing and thinking.

This is a Multi~Family, 3 story, Private play yard, two sky lights Duckinham Palace & Hen Hut!
Top back piece/lid lifts up, both side top sections open for bottom egg access and cleaning. Ramp can pull up to close from pull chain and twist over wing nut to secure closed. I have used zipties to secure some nice flat plastic on the outside for added fence security while they are still chicks & ducklings..
Now I have had 2 more adult female mallard ducks given to me so I need to build an attaching yard, play area for the ducks to all go in... I painted some strawberries, flowers and eggs with legs on the back and the two sides. Painted eggs-n-legs on the fence top and front with some graffiti!
Cost less than $30.00 to make, paint was $12.00. A few pieces of hardware and nails and screws.. My eldest son, Benjamin McKenzie, had some plexiglass so we covered the diamond sky lights with that. Tooo cute.. Can't wait to get eggs from my, "Grany's Hen Hut"!
Now I just need and want to work on hutches for meat rabbits and then of course a larger play pen area for the two more ducks, and a small shelter for a spring goat to eat my grass and get yummy fat...

Deer fence around Garden

2012-02-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

I published this video a few years back.
It still works much better than any thing else I have tried.
The deer still get the nonessentials in the yard but not my garden!

Summer Mushrooms

2011-08-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

I have not been doing much since the weather finally became descent.
Traveled to Eastern Oregon, Sisters, and participated in Boletus Hunting.
What a thrill for me. This was not my husbands first visit. He has been there before, without me.
So this year's visit was very special for me. We only stayed a few days but we had a great time.
A few of our friends learned how to find and harvest Spring Boletes.
It was not a financially rewarding trip, we went over to late in the Spring.
I think I enjoyed the fact that our camp did "NOT" have Mosquitos. Wow!
I so enjoyed camping it and not spending my entire weekend tending to my allergies!
I did take photos. I will come on later and load Sammy's Bolete picture and a few others.
Transitioning into Chanterelles & Lobster at the Coast soon.
I can't wait for the Fall Boletes. I am packing the Camper this week.

Just a little, "cabin fever".

This was taken in late Spring on an outing.. I just love the large grouping of Lady Slippers.

The mountain man is my husband, David. The Mushroom buyer in Douglas County, Oregon.

Oregon Without A Seal of State * 1899 Oregon Native Son Magazine

2011-05-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

This is the best article regarding the State of Oregon's State Seals, that I can find.
The first was in "History of Oregon", Charles Henry Carey, 1922.
The purpose of researching this seal is due to my husband found (many years ago) and old Douglas County, Oregon, Deputy Sheriff's Badge dated: 1859 that has A DIFFERENT STATE SEAL & CREST. There are 33 stars that encircle the design that start at the Eagle's wing tips and the Eagle's chest ~ plate is centered directly above the center of the Crests design. It is clearly not Design # 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. However, it appears to have some of the bits from each years design. 33 stars encircled (#5, 1859), and the Man of War centered above the Wagon with the incoming ship on the left hand side. More closely related to Deady's design #7 which was a variation of #5.
Considering that Judge Deady had land holdings in Douglas County, Oregon and that there is to this day, a road named after him that is on the Old Highway 99 just North of Winchester, which, was the ORIGINAL COUNTY SEAT before the great flood in 1872 (2 actual floods 1868 & 72), the location of Deady's County Seat. I personally believe it was a design of Deady's that was created for the local Deputy's Sheriff's Office that did not get accepted. It is made of Silver and it is an enigma!

Oregon Without A Seal of State * 1899 Oregon Native Son Magazine

Morel Hunting

2011-05-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and so are the Morels.

Driving to our favorite areas to harvest them is

much easier than finding them however.

The On and Off Spring weather has

definately interrupted their growth.

While the guys looked about the area,

I took a break.

I was awakened by the guys showing off

Thier big find.

I would LOVE to Go on the road camping and helping

hubby to harvest & buy.

That's the plan I have.

Camp, do my crafts, pick mushrooms, live off the

land while David gets to have the time of his

life too!

A Visual Guide For Harvesting Mushrooms.

2011-04-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

                                                I often see people with a variety of Field Guides
                                  for Mushroom Hunting. There are alot of wonderful books on the market,
                                  however, I feel that mine offers practical information with wonderful
                                    pictures and advice. The photographs are of actual mushrooms harvested
                                                          in Douglas County, Oregon.
                                           Local reviews of my book have been so positively, wonderful.
                                                "An actual book of our mushrooms", It's great!".

Morel Mushroom sketch & Cartoon.

2011-04-19T00:34:00.000-07:00

I thought I would try my hand at some Art.

Morel

Orgun, home of Sunshine, Rain

and Snow, on the same day.

This one is my interpratation of the weather here in Orgun.
Spring = Wet. Summer = Hot. Winter = Brrrr.

(A lot of detail was lost in scanning.)

                                   1st slide: a city street.
                           2nd: A mountain scene from an Orgonians view point.
                                   3rd: Lower sign reads: 1500',
                                       Upper sign: SNOW ZONE
                                   Three Seasons: Wet, Hot & Brrr.!

Enjoy, LRM..

Spring Fiddle Head Fern

2011-04-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Last night my husband bought some Fiddle head fern.

Spring brings forth the bounty from our forests. There are many wonderful food products to search for, right now. We are still getting Black Trumpets, Yellow Feet, Hedge Hogs and are transitioning into the Spring products such as, Fiddle Head Fern, Stinging Nettle, Morels & Minor's Lettuce.

Another blusterry night at the Mushroom Station.

2011-03-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

This storm just can't pass us over. Only a few harvestors are out picking Yellow Feet, Hedge Hogs, Black Trumpets and now Nettle. Our son, Ben, brought in All the Nettle last night.
Prices are so low for everything this Winter. We have heard every rational reason, new world market contributers, not enough open public ground that is not being logged, the weather is too cold, etc.. Low prices, good crop, supply and demand at it's most basic.

A Beautiful Morel from last Spring. I can't wait for the weather to clear.

I have got Morel fever!

Youngest home on Spring Break, heads back today. Next semesters tuition will be due soon, ugh!
The shop is barely open, if it were not for my husbands persistance, things would be so different. I thank the Lord for his dedication. With the decrease in people showing up we still had a great time at the station,
just us and hubby's cousin and our oldest son around the fire barrel. We have had BBQ's, alot this Winter, not much to do after the harvestors leave. Sharing coffee, stories and a warm chair.
This old shack will be falling down soon or torn down, we gotta move or get some sort of contract. That's why we are trying to regroup and get the place we really want. The Cinerella Story~ kinda, Rags to Riches is not our style, just the basic home & Gathering Hole.

Morel Mushrooms, Finally!

2011-03-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long Winter and the Morel Mushrooms are finally making an appearance.
One lucky harvestor brought in almost 2 pounds this evening.
Nice, perfect and Delicious! Looking forward to the Sunshine next week to warm up the soil.
I can't wait!
We are still working on the $425,000.00, only $424,995 to go!

Last nights "moment" at the Mushroom Station.

2011-03-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

As a wife of 27 years, mother of 5 adult children, grand parents of two girls and the wife of a Mushroom Buyer, things can be very interesting. Last night my husband realized if we were going to move into the property, that we can't afford, we would need to raise $425,000.00.. Yes, that's alot of money, with an annual of $20-$50,000, which varies upon the harvest season & weather, this is not going to be easy! So, if we ask each person we meet for one dollar, we only need to ask 424,995 more people.
All while we put two kids thru college, pay our bills, help the other three kids and move out of our little shack, noooo problem!