Best Birthday Celebration

The over-a-week celebration of my Birthday was finished today as Tim and Laura left to drive back to Columbus, IN and Jon flew back to Washington, D.C. today. Verlon who came a couple days early got back to Richmond, VA on Thursday. We will continue to enjoy and celebrate every day with Carolyn, Ben, and the Owenses since they are here in Seward. After all of them were gone, I went back through all my recent Birthday cards as well as Father's Day and Wedding Anniversary cards that all come in June. We are still enjoying some of the "goodies" they bought while here and left with us. They left us with challenges including getting more exercise and drinking more liquids (rather than coffee).  I've learned several new computer "tricks" that will help me with my "Life Story", etc.  Jon has also ordered a "slide scanner" which will help in putting together collections of various picture topics. One of our weeks highlights was Carolyn setting up Julie's little old TV with VCR tape playing ability. We watched a 1986 version of Vivian, Don, Janice, Jerry and me singing the Lost Cord for our Dad's 90th Birthday celebration out at the farm.

A Vrana Here, A Vrana There

Son Tim with his wife Laura, are visiting us this week and Tim has written today's blog page.

Jakub Vrana is a forward with the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. Jakub was born on February 28, 1996, in Prague, Czech Republic. He was the Capitals' first-round pick in the 2014 draft (13^th overall), and made his NHL debut on December 1, 1996. He scored his first NHL goal on December 9, 1996.

His first full season with the Caps was the 2017-18, which recently concluded with the Caps winning the Stanley Cup, the NHL's championship trophy. It was the first Cup for the Caps, whose inaugural season was 1974-75. It was a glorious playoff run for Washington and its fans, and Jakub played an important role. Already known for his speed on skates, Jakub played aggressively without being nasty. In Game 5 of the finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, he scored the first goal of the game after a tense, scoreless first period and six-plus minutes of riveting but scoreless hockey in the second. The Caps went on to win the game and raise the Cup by winning the finals, four games to one.

I don't know if Jakub and I are related, but I've been jokingly telling people that we are 8^th cousins twice removed. That may not be true, but it's possible. I love to watch him play, and thoroughly enjoy his talent and his demeanor.

Jakub is the 22-year-old pictured here. Also pictured is my dad, Verlon K. “Tony” Vrana, who just celebrated his 93^rd birthday. Dad is wearing the Jakub Vrana jersey that Santa Claus brought me this past Christmas. There are no doubt some people named Vrana who are not very nice folks, but Dad  and Jakub make me very proud to be a Vrana.

Source of Jakub Vrana picture:

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Bless Be the Ties that Bind

It’s said that the tie makes the man. If this is true, then my father is a well-made man. Through many years of his life and career, he has displayed his professionalism in a suit, a white shirt, and a very classy tie. The dress code in the early part of his career in soil conservation was khaki pants, a work shirt, and a pair of well-oiled leather brogans. These were the “formal” apparel of the field conservationist, who worked with the farmers on the land.

But then in the early 60s, he and the family moved to Washington, D.C., and the work attire quickly changed. Every day, for nearly 20 years, my father wore a tie, along with a suit and white shirt. He exuded professionalism, no less the conservationist than when he would walk the hills of Seward County, but with much greater responsibility and sphere of influence.

Today, he brought out his collection of ties. Some brightly colored, some much more muted. Some nearly solidly colored, while at least a handful with pictures of various types. One of my favorites was the dark blue and green tartan with an American flag held by an American eagle, at the bottom of the tie.

I couldn’t help but think about the many years that my father has worn these ties, where they might have been purchased, perhaps on some business trip, and what important decisions on the job or outside of life these ties may have witnessed.
While each of us sons are taking some of these ties with us, my sister-in-law is also taking some, not to wear, but to make into a wonderfully colorful quilt of memories.

As the old Church hymn goes, “bless be the ties that bind.” These ties, expertly tied by my father with a Windsor knot, helped to tie our family together and, so, as we divided up the ties, they will remind me of my father far into the future.

Zion Lutheran Church in Garland, NE

This is another blog page written by our son Jon who is visiting us this week.

Stained glass is purported to have adorned places of worship since the 7^th century. The Zion Lutheran Church of Garland, Nebraska is adorned with assorted windows of stain glass, suitable for the most elegant cathedral.

This week I had an opportunity to make a short trip from Seward, where I was visiting my folks, to visit Garland and the Zion Lutheran Church.

Garland is a small town in southeastern Nebraska with a population of about 280 individuals. Originally named Germantown, it was renamed to Garland at the time of the Great War, after the second local man who had died in the war. Among the modest homes that grace the town is the white clapboard greek revival church with multiple gable roofs of various pitches, topped with a simple white steeple.

The original stained glass window above makes it clear the German origins of both the Lutheran faith and the church. “Kirche,” German for “church,” it was an Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (UAC) when it was originally founded.

The Germans that emigrated to this country and settled in the Garland area had roots in the soil and in farming and a strong work ethic for hard work and a strong faith in God. Anyone that has any experience with farming knows that having those two traits are required attributes for success in farming and in this life.

Local NRCS Office

 Jon gave me some computer assistance this afternoon while others went elsewhere. Then we went over to visit the local NRCS office. His current position in Washington D.C. involves activities at the local level so we made an “unofficial visit”. I asked him to write this blog page on our visit. 

You never know the path that life may take you and mine has taken me to suddenly being responsible for all the offices and vehicles in my agency. Tremendous responsibility, but also a tremendous opportunity to improve the service to our local conservation offices.

Today I made a trip, in the company of my Dad, to the local Seward County USDA Service Center. Seventy years ago, this year, my dad began working for the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), the forerunner of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Through the efforts of my dad and others in the work unit, soil was protected, water was conserved, and agricultural production was sustained and increased. A quick drive down Hwy. 34 to Lincoln is all it takes to see the very terraces that helped protected the soils of Seward County. My dad and my uncle put those terraces in decades ago and they still survive to this day.

A new generation of conservationists have taken both my dad’s and my place in the local field office. They have that same enthusiastic attitude and desire to serve this nation’s farmers and ranchers. Whether it is the district conservationist, the resource conservationist, the soil conservationist, the conservation technician, or the natural resource district clerk, each is ready to bring that high-quality customer service to those of the agricultural community that need help.

It wasn’t lost on either my dad or myself, when I asked the resource conservationist who Hugh Hammond Bennett was, that he quickly responded, “The Father of Soil Conservation!” I can rest a bit easier tonight knowing that the future of this nation’s natural resources are in such capable hands as those in the Seward County USDA Service Center.

Birthday Picture

I have enjoyed many birthday anniversaries over the years, but this one has to be among the tops. All 4 of our Children were here. We got this picture at the Julie and John Owens house following a birthday supper. We lined up according to age with Verlon R. from Richmond, VA next to Elaine; Tim from Columbus, IN; Carolyn from here in Seward; and Jon from Burke, VA near Washington D.C. I believe this is the first time that all 4 of them have been here at the same time since I celebrated my 90th 3 years ago.

USDA Clock

The USDA South Agriculture building was built in the early 1930's and completed in '36. At 458 by 944 feet, it was the largest building in the world until the Pentagon was built a few years later. I began working for the Soil Conservation Service in USDA in 1948. After field experience in Nebraska I was transferred to the Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 1962. And, assigned to the Personnel Division on the 6th floor of the 2nd wing in an office room with desk for 6 of us. This was one of some 4,500 rooms in the building and nearly each room had an "electric clock" similar to the one shown here.

 I believe it was during the 1970's that this type of clock was replaced with newer models. The old ones were thrown in a dumpster near where our "car pool" vehicle was parked. Some how I came into possession of one of them and have kept it since retiring in 1980. I had it displayed with it set to 5 minutes before quiting time until we recently moved into a Retirement Facility. Our daughter had it converted to a battery operated system. Our oldest son, who is visiting here from Richmond, VA got it put up on the north wall of our computer/sewing room. The one I watched was on the north wall of that original office. While I did a lot of "clock watching" during that early year, I had a very successful career with the agency and retired at the Senior Executive Service level in 1980.

Johnson Dam

Verlon had dinner with us this noon here at Brookdale; then we went on our "standard" car ride. We went up the old "Golf Course" road to the farm where Elaine was raised. Then headed east to 81-A, the Johnson Dam in the  PL-566 Middle Oak, watershed. I was the SCS survey party leader for "laying out" the Dam from plans developed in our Regional Office. And, then the Construction Inspector for its construction back in 1959. Verlon would have been 9-years old at the time and often went with me on Saturdays where the Contractor was moving dirt. To assure proper compaction of the "zoned" fill, I would take soil samples to determine compliance. It was a detailed process carried out in a construction bus with Laboratory equipment. Verlon was old enough to remember the "smell" of the process. My Diary on August 29 indicates that "Verlon went along (to the dam) & he weighed & measured several samples". He went along on several additional Saturdays. We were living in Lincoln at the time. I was taking night classes plus cutting weeds on "soil bank" land at our farm.

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Good Day

It was fortunate that Verlon flew out of Richmond yesterday instead of today. The Richmond, VA airport received 7.1 inches of rain between midnight and 7:00am this morning according to TV reports. He got out of Richmond OK yesterday morning but had several delays coming from Chicago to Lincoln. We were happy to see him last night some 4 hours later than scheduled. We were happy to have Elaine back home and down to the dining room for dinner and supper. Holly is shown with us. She is an independent health care person who works with many people in the Independent Living area who have need for some care. We don't anticipate utilizing her services on any regular basis but always nice to have her available. We were able to relieve Carolyn today after her spending a lot of time with us this week. She still ran a few errands and did some shopping for us. Verlon helped out with some chores as well and will take Elaine to the Beauty Shop in the morning. We even did a washing this afternoon where I got some help from a neighbor lady.

Longest Day of the Year

We were able to get Elaine home from the Hospital today after a 2-day stay. She was diagnosed with Hyponatremia (low sodium) and Urinary Tract Infection. They treated both with intravenous fluids. Meagan was one of the nurses who gave her excellent care. She and Julie were good friends as little girls. Carolyn has had a most demanding week with Ben having been diagnosed with blood clotting in his leg from the groin to the knee. Carolyn has done a lot of research on possible side effects of medication since both Ben and Elaine have been on Plavix. Elaine took a good 2-hour nap this afternoon and did some reading & TV. We have had a "walker" for some time and Carolyn put the wheels and gliders on it this afternoon. Elaine is using it within our apartment and to go to supper with me this evening. We are expecting Verlon to get in later this evening. It's been a long day.

Elaine not up to Par

Julie, Sadie and Jack came to visit this morning. It didn't take Jack very long to get his convoy of trucks lined up to move into hostile territory. To make the situation more enjoyable, he found the music boxes, got them wound up and to his ear. Sadie was excited about giving me a Father's Day Greeting she had made for me. Her Mother said she made it all by herself. Sadie explained to me that it was a picture of she and I on a walk with the "Heart" showing our love for each other. She had drawn it on green paper and then cut out a heart shape of pink paper so the message showed through. She may have pattered it after a picture of Julie and I when she was about Sadie's age. It has always been a favorite.

 We thought Elaine was getting over her cough and respiratory problems but went back to bed after getting up this morning. She got up as Julie and the kids came. She drank some juice and a cup of coffee and went to lunch with me at 11:30. She ate a pretty good dinner and had a coughing nap afterward. She helped me get the washing started about 3:00 but stayed back in the room while I shifted it to the dryer. Carolyn and Ben came about then and helped me get it all back in the room and sorted. Elaine got it put away. We went to supper but she didn't eat much of her Chief's salad nor her chocolate bar dessert. She has spent most of the evening in bed since coming back from supper. I plan to get her to the Doctor tomorrow whether she wants to go or not.

Ancestry

If you saw my blog page written yesterday, you are aware of my obtaining Adella Pospisil Schulz's paper back book called: "Undocumented". This 216 page book is the story of her Grandfathers coming to the U.S. from Bohemia in 1885. The story so closely mirrors my Grandfathers coming to this country that I found it most interesting.  While it was spelled a bit differantly, both men were born in Caslav, Bohemia. My Grandfather came to this country in 1872 with his parents when he was 9 years old. Grandmother came over in 1873 at the age of 3. They were married in Saunders County in 1888 and lived on a farm near Linwood where my Dad was born in 1896. I have often regretted never talking with them about their trip over, etc.  Adella explains in the "Foreward" of her book that she has   "woven a fictional story around what may have been his early experiences...".  Her story came so close to answering many of the questions I never got asked, that I finished reading it today. It also helped me realize that my Grandparents were from solid families to support them compared to many of the immigrants.

Garland HS Alumni Luncheon

The Garland High School Alumni Reunion was held this noon with a luncheon at the American Legion Hall. The number attending each year is declining with the class of 1969 being the last. The first graduating class was in 1923. During that span of time,  there were 324 graduates. I would estimate that there may have been 50 of us there today. Elaine didn't feel like going because of a cold and sore shoulder. I'm shown here with Adella Pospisil Schulz and her recent book, "Undocumented". It is the story of her Grandparents coming to the United States from Bohemia in the late 1800's and settling in the Brainard area. Adella grew up a couple miles from where I did, north east of Garland. The story of her Grandparents sounded so much like my Vrana Grandparents, that I had to get the book. 

Vivian Schluckebier was recognized for having graduated in the class of 1936. She presented an interesting message.

Some years ago, Elaine and I bought a new album and put all the GHS sports and graduation pictures in it from an old one that was falling apart. Now, David Kovar has scanned those pictures and has put them on a DVD which was shown on a screen during social hour. He has invited anyone with additional pictures to send them to him for addition. Looks like a good show, and Yes, Adella autographed my book.

Kramer Sisters

The "Kramer Sisters" from Crete entertained at Brookdale this afternoon. Both played guitar and sang for most of the program but the lady to the left also played a harmonica and the Accordion for a few numbers. They even harmonized by singing some of the Czech songs while she played the accordion. She mentioned that her Dad, Leonard Becwar had a Polka Band and she had learned to play several instruments as a girl. I told her that we had a record at one time made by her Dad's band. I did some checking and it didn't make the cut in getting moved up here. This was the first time we heard them entertain but understand they come 2-3 times per year. Rosellen even served little snacks during the program. We enjoyed it and later had a good supper. I apologize for the poor picture, the blinds should have been closed.

It's not Easy

Elaine got her hair cut and permanent down at Shear Reflections this afternoon. I had planned to get my hair cut at "Bob's" but found a "Closed Thursday afternoon" sign on his inside door. This was after I had parked and went to considerable effort to get there. I then went down to Pac n Sav with the order Elaine had written. I got along OK with things I often buy but canned cherries, hand lotion, toilet paper and a few other things were a challenge. The shopping took me out to near the limit of time that I can be on my feet. When the checker left her register to take care of others, I just sat down on the "sacking circle". With the temperature pushing 100, I thought best to get them up to the Unit. When Elaine and I do this together, I can help unload at the front door and she can make whatever number of trips it takes to get them in #125. By myself, I just set them by the door, parked the car and made a couple trips getting them carried in. After a few minutes of resting, I went back down to pick up Elaine. In putting the groceries away, she noticed that I got cans of strawberries instead of Cherries.

A Red Oak

Elaine and I planted this Red Oak at the Seward United Methodist Church some 10 years ago. It was a 3-4 foot, bare root little "stem" but is growing into a nicely shaped tree. It suffered considerable damage during it's early years from a "weed eater". At one time, I tried to keep the grass back a foot or so from the trunk but didn't keep it up. It has had a protective collar around the trunk for the past few years which  enabled it to grow into a beautiful young tree. There are some small flowering trees in front of the Church as well, but this is the only one in front of the Church that will become a big tree.

4-Hour Eye Appointments

Carolyn took Elaine and I down to Dr. Mousolf's office today for our annual eye exams. Elaine is shown here checking the  Amsler grid after having been through the reading of various sized letters and numbers. She had other glaucoma and pressure tests and will need to go back in about 6-weeks just to have the pressure tested. He didn't think there was a problem but wanted to do the follow-up to confirm it. I heard him use the word "stable" which as Tim knows is good news. I got a good reports and we both got appointment to see him again in a year. Neither of us will need to get new glasses.

We barely got home in time for supper. In fact our normal table was already filled so we sat at one by oursselves. As we finished eating, the young women known as the Ukaladies walked in. They played Ukuleles and sang a wide range of songs for nearly an hour. It was just what we needed. It wasn't that they were that good but they were having fun. That something  we don't see very often. Management has done a good job of bringing in professional musicians but none seem to have the fun of the Ukaladies. Only a couple of them had musical back ground but started by taking classes at Southeast Community College less than a year ago. They even sang Happy Birthday to me and Mr. Tesina, the father of the lady at this end of the line, for our June birthdays.

Rocks

These 4 "River Rocks" are on the outside ledge near our patio door. I wish I knew enough about geology to write about their "make-up" but am just happy they survived the move. The were on the floor of the front entry way at our house on 1st street. I just went out to check for a message written on one of them. It was a gray one similar to the #2 and #3 of this stack. It wasn't there and was the only one with it's location documented. With it being special, it may have been put in some "safe" place to be moved. This small gray one goes back to the 1980's when I used it as a paper-weight on my desk at the Nebraska Natural  Resources Commission. These rocks are an example of things that are of little or no monetary value and yet were (and still are) a part of our "environment". We were very well organized at our house in knowing where "things" were and are still getting organized here in Brookdale. I have reached a stopping point on my "Life Story" project until I get some help from Jon. That will free me up to do some more sorting of clothes and other things. I've also got a list going of things to discuss with each of the boys when they get here in a couple weeks. We are certainly looking forward to each of them being here and hope that we will be able to meet all our expectations.

Staplehurst

We took the Bus on the "Joy Ride to Staplehurst" this afternoon. This view was reminiscent of where I hit one of my last Home Runs. The ball diamond looks very much like it did back in those days but a house has been built in the left field area beyond where I hit the ball. The Bar was the last business to close. The grain elevator is still open but nothing on the mainstreet except the Post Office. There isn't even a gas station. It makes one wonder about some of the other small towns in the County. Tamora has already reached this stage. Houses have been kept up pretty well in general, but it appears that the maintenance level is declining. There are still some very nice homes there and some interesting smaller ones.

The Lutheran Parochial Grade school with enrollment of some 60 students appears to be the most thriving activity in the town. The school is affiliated with the Marysville Church a few miles west of town. Over the years, there have been many prominent people from Staplehurst,  but I question of  their future can match their past.

Magazines

Dr. Merlyn Nielsen, Professor Emeritus Animal Genetics UN-L accepted the "Presidential Necktie" of the Seward Magazine Club last evening with his eyes wide open (even though they appear to be closed in the picture). Gerry Meyer conducted the installation and passed the Tie after serving 2 years. Merlyn and wife Elaine, have lived on a farm in the Seward community for a number of years while on the Lincoln UN-L staff. He is a member of the Nebraska Hall of Agriculture Achievement among other organizations. Merlyn and Elaine have a herd of Red Angus cattle at the farm where they live. We look forward to the leadership he will provide when monthly meetings resume after summer vacation. The Club dates back to a time when Magazines were a novelty.

A group of Seward Businessmen and Professionals decided to organize a system whereby members each subscribed to different magazines. They would get together frequently and report on an article from "their" magazine that may be of interest to the group. Wives were included in these meeting. However, when lunch was served, they sat at a separate table. The segregated lunch table is maintained due to custom but women are totally integrated into the reporting of Magazine Articles. Since moving to Brookdale, we have reduced our number of subscriptions. Gone is the National Geographic, Readers Digest and others. More will go as subscriptions expire. For the past several months we have exchanged "Time" for "This Week" with the Everts. We did extend The Saturday Evening Post for 1-year and maybe from among our number shown, we can continue to trade for "This Week". It is an ideal magazine for us older people who enjoy getting a "middle-of-the-road " perspective on political issues and getting it in a brief form.

Entertainment

Tim Javorsky played saxophone and sang for the June Birthday Party at Brookdale this afternoon. He has recorded, computerized accompaniment and went through some 20 songs. His songs and activities cover a wide range on mode and music. He played for an hour with a few minutes out when Rosellen passed out chocolate chip cookies and Carnations to us Birthday people. We will not be eating eating here this evening but participating in a Pot-Luck Dinner at the Hughes Cabin. This is with the Seward Magazine Club which meets monthly except for the summer months. We will be taking a Cherry Pie that Elaine baked in a "Pie Carrier" that was found after thinking it was lost in our move. We have been playing that game since our Auction and before hand, when many things were disposed of elsewhere.  And once in a while, we find them hidden away somewhere.

Anniversary

I post this picture that was taken in July of 1980 in recognizing that Don and Gladys celebrated 30 years of marriage at that time and today it's 68. I thought it would be interesting for their girls to see how many additions we have had since that time. Now Don and Gladys have a family of their own that would come close competition for the size of the Folks' family at that time. While he doesn't look it, Don is even a few years older that what Dad was in the summer of 1980. Congratulations on your 68 years and wonderful family.

A Special Day

Charles Hendon Jaudon's Celebration of Life service was conducted by Pastor Rod Lyon this afternoon at the Seward United Methodist Church. It was a beautiful service and Rod does such an outstanding way of relating the gospel to our daily lives. It is apparent that he was truly "called" into the ministry. Like his Uncle Leo, there is something about  a farmer hearing the call to the ministry, that makes them special. The Graveside and Inurnment Service included Military Honors in the Greenwood Cemetery adjacent to the Church. At the conclusion of the Church service, son Chuck led the walking procession to the site with a golf cart. It even had a set of golf club strapped on. I understand that both Charley and Ruth's ashes were inturned together. Lunch followed with social time.

It was a coincidence that today is Elaine and my 69th wedding anniversary. We have a record of how we celebrated each of them that range from a special dinner in Rome to having lunch together in the USDA Cafeteria in D.C. This Celebration of Charley and Ruth's Lives will be one of the highlights. 

I had contact with all four of our children today for congratulations but also to make plans for the 3 boys and Laura to come visit for my birthday on the 25th. It has been a busy day for daughter Carolyn who was up to visit this morning and took Ben to Bryan Hospital in Lincoln for kidney stone surgery this afternoon.

Good Times

We rode the Brookdale bus down to the Seward Municipal Band Concert last evening. It was a great way to be out and appreciate our beautiful weather as well as the outstanding music. What made it even more special was that we had known the Director as a little girl but lost "track" of her as she pursued her music career, married and has a family. The Band includes some 45 people over a wide age span. 30 have been playing for 7 years of less. While 6 list over 20 years and 3 just list, "many years". Amanda also serves as Band Director at Seward High School and can bring many young people into the ranks of City Band Members. They practice one night a week and have a regular Sunday concert.

On Auugust 11, 1934, the Seward Municipal Band played their first concert in their newly constructed home, the "Rosebowl" as it was known in its early days and now called, "The Bandshell". It was still relatively new when I walked across the stage along with all other Seward County students who had passed their 8th grade written examinations. 

Carolyn and Jack spent some time with us this afternoon out on the Patio. Jack just loves to set on Grandma Carolyn's lap and read stories. His favorite playthings up here are what were some of my model trucks and tractors and now are his toys. While I still have a few "on the shelf", I am satisfied that he has more fun playing with the Texaco trucks, etc. than I ever did just looking at and dusting them. 

Worship Service

Jo Ellen from the Seward United Methodist Church led the worship service at Brookdale this afternoon. She is shown holding a coin and spoke on the Parable of the Lost Coin; one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in Luke 15:8–10. In it, a woman searches for a lost coin, finds it, and rejoices. It is a member of a trilogy on redemption that Jesus tells after the Pharisees and religious leaders accuse him of welcoming and eating with "sinners." The other two are "The Lost Sheep" and the "Prodigal Son". She related the woman searching for the lost coin to Jesus "looking for us". She went on to tell of having scattered many pennies throughout the sanctuary ahead of each of the services. It was a way of demonstrating the glee of finding a coin and it showed up especially with the Children. The service also included Mr. Richard Piontek, who played guitar and led singing of gospel hymns. He is an employee of the Brookdale Corporation and was in the state to review the installation of the fire sprinkler systems here at the Seward facility as well as visiting facilities in other locations.

Life Story

         Here is a Collage and Captions as an example of what I have been working on for some time. The collages, captions and narrative are being put on a DVD for posterity. I have 145 Collages with Captions from 1925 through 2017. I have grouped them in 28 Chapters with usually 3-years in a Chapter. The basic material "stems" from Diary's and Journals which I began at age 15. Over the years we have summarized the "Highlights" each year as it passed by and many years ago added an annual narrative. When computers became available, I started developing the Collages and Captions. This was all printed and assembled in 3-ring binders. My present efforts consist of organizing the information stored on CD and DVDs and scanning the printed material; some of which was lost with computer changes. I am about 1/3 of the way through the 28 chapters editing and hope to have it all on a DVD or Flash Drive when family visits this summer.

Activity in 125

The enclosure of the sprinkler system pipes took on a more sturdy box of metal angle "iron" in the kitchen than other rooms in the unit. Elsewhere small wooden strips were used to support the drywall soffit. They finished the two closets yesterday and worked much of today in the kitchen and west bathroom. They will be back when the paint is dry tomorrow morning to finish up. They make every effort to disturb residents as little as possible, but it is still a pretty noisy operation. They cover things with plastic and even put strips on the floor where they walk. They have a square of "sticky plastic" outside our door to catch anything on shoes rather than track it out into the hallway. We were pleased that Julie and the kids were here during all the activity this afternoon. Jack watched this fellow doing the drywall in the kitchen, and I wondered what he was thinking.

We have been watching Sadie's front, upper tooth coming in after having lost the baby tooth a while back. The new tooth seemed to be coming down a bit unusual so with a trip to the Dentist, they learned that this is an extra tooth coming in that will need to be pulled  and the regular one will come in. The Dentist told them that this was not that unusual. It is certainly something that most of us were not aware of. Weather advisories have been issued for a large area of east central Nebraska which includes Seward. Clouds have already rolled in.