New Flowers

Susan brought up a big bouquet of "home grown" flowers to Elaine this afternoon. It consisted of Peonies, Iris, Daisies, etc. It was a good opportunity to visit about our Methodist  friends that have been most supportive during our hospitalizations. We took the last of two bouquets out with the garbage this morning after enjoying them all week. I got back to working on our 2019 Highlights. This is where I go through my Journal and Scheduler and list items of significance that we may be looking up some day.  These Highlights will serve as a guide when writing the Narrative and other "Over the Years" items. It is the first place to look after the scheduler when finding dates of events. I visited with Brother Don this evening who told of leaving the golf course at Syracuse this afternoon after two holes because of the air pollution caused by the forest fires in Canada. It's a bit unusual but we didn't notice any here is Seward.

Nurse Debbie

Debbie, a Home Health Care Nurse with Angle's came to draw a blood sample from Elaine this morning. She got a blood pressure reading earlier of 158/71 with a 70 pulse reading. She was not aware of the reason for the blood sample but we will probably learn more while meeting with Dr. Summa next Monday. Elaine has continued to feel pretty good and got to the Beauty Shop this afternoon. Debbie told of her family's early settlement near Hay Springs in Sheridan County, NE. Their land included a Lake for which the State later acquired ownership. It is one of the State Game and Parks Recreation Areas today. The name of the Lake as shown on State maps is "Lake Walgren", her old family name. During the 1920's, there were reports and newspaper articles of a Loch Ness Monster type, spotting on the Lake

Aleaha and Josh

Aleaha was back this morning to make an assessment of Elaine's condition and to get her started on straightening exercises. Her vitals checked out good, including her Oxygen test on her finger. Josh came this afternoon and went through much of the same assessment process. Josh is an Occupational Therapist where as Aleaha is a Physical Therapist. They use some different exercises but they each work to help individuals achieve their goals and to prevent falls. Aleaha adjusted Elaine's walker a bit lower to help her stand up a bit straighter when using it. She does use it now even in the apartment as well as every time she goes out the door.  We can both do some of the "setting" exercises as we set at the table in the Dining room while waiting for service as well as in our living room watching TV. 

A Special Day

Jack got over to visit this afternoon when Carolyn came. She was concerned about the amount of water that is running through their yard with the heavy rains recently. We got about 1, 1/2" last night and 2:00" the night before. Rain is forecast for again tonight. This little Red VW is one of Jack's favorites from among those that he has parked out of the way in our living room. We were able to get the travel plans for the three boys and families who will be coming next week to help celebrate our 70th wedding anniversary on the 5th of June. It will be a low-key event with primarily immediate family involved. We are hoping for many extended family members and friends will stop by during the summer to visit. Elaine had a full day and is feeling much better after her side effects of what appears to be from new medication. Her appointment with Dr. Summa for today has been rescheduled to next Monday. Tom Tyrrell, Elaine's cousin Kathy's husband from Alabama and their son Scott from Lincoln came out to visit about noon. They also enjoyed getting to see many old friends from the Beaver Crossing area in the Dining room over Dinner.

Therapist Mary Ann

Dr. Summa saw Elaine at the Seward Hospital this morning and after checking her vitals released her to come home. Her appointment to see him that was scheduled for tomorrow will be delayed to later in the week to see her progress. She felt much better today and had even walked down the hall in the hospital to visit a friend who is in with a broken hip. Carolyn and I got down about 9:30am to bring her home. Soon after we got here, Mary Ann a Physical Therapist from Home Health Care came by to check on her. Mary Ann lives her in Seward and is also on the staff of the Seward Hospital. She will be involved with Elaine's Therapy as well as Josh and Aleaha. Elaine did have a good nap after dinner but felt pretty good throughout the day. She even went down the hall to the ice cream machine and fixed me a milk shake this evening. We had several calls throughout the day and were pleased to be able to report her progress. Our boys and families will be coming home in a week or so to celebrate our 70th Wedding Anniversary so we need to be back in "good shape" by then.

Elaine's Weakness

Elaine wasn't feeling very well today so she stayed home while Carolyn & I took our limited number of plastic flowers out to the Cemetery. We put them on parents, siblings and some grandparents graves. We had one small bunch left and put it between Christopher and Matulda Turner's graves. Great Grandfather Chris has a Union Army marker as well. John, Julie and the kids were here when we got back home, Elaine had enjoyed their company while we were gone and we all did for a short while. I watched TV and read after company went home but Elaine just set in her chair and slept. After a while I suggested she lay down on the bed. Even using her walker and with my help, she was so weak that I had a hard time getting her on the bed. I called Carolyn who came right back down and after a quick check, called the Rescue Squad to take her down to the Emergency room at the Seward Hospital. Dr. Smith was the attending physican who checked her out, did an EKG, various test and was unable to pin-point a cause of he weakness and headache. She is on some new prescriptions since getting home from Bryan Hospital last Tuesday so it seems that her current problems could be side effects of some of the new medication. It was determined that she should stay in the Seward Hospital overnight for observation and see what tomorrow brings.

Josh

Josh was one of my favorite Therapist from Angel's providing Home Health Care. He called today and set up an appointment to start working with Elaine on Wednesday, May 29th at 3:00pm.  Elaine got to know him pretty well during the several times he was here working on me. I'm sure they will get along great. This picture is an example of how he is able to forcefully explain what he wants done. He led me into doing a lot of riding on one of the Nu Step Bikes in the Recreation Room here at Brookdale.

Elaine and I did a washing this morning. We watched a lot of the Big 10 baseball tournament in Lincoln today. After beating Iowa easily yesterday, they took a 18-8 beating from Michigan today. At one stage it appeared that the 10 run lead my be enforced but Nebraska kept scoring enough to keep it from happening and they did get in the full 9-innings. We are now watching the same 2 teams playing off the double elimination with Nebraska leading 2-1 after 3 innings.

I worked on typing a copy of all the pills I take from 2:00-4:00pm when Carolyn walked in the Patio door. I was pretty much "beside myself" with computer problems which she was able to resolve. We will be ready to meet with Dr. Summa on Tuesday at 3:00pm

Nurse Stacy with Home Health Care Angels

Stacy, a Home Health Care nurse from Angels came to visit Elaine today. She took Elaine's vitals, tested her strength, and timed her movement. She also checked out our facilities, bathroom, bedroom etc. She and Elaine seemed to get along very well and she is looking forward to Josh calling to begin therapy early next week. Blake, who was my nurse and visited us on Wednesday, had told us of Stacy being Elaine's nurse since Blake was recently promoted. We continue to monitor Elaine's Blood Pressure and are satisfied with our readings. We look forward to her meeting with Dr. Summa on Tuesday to get his reaction to the regimen set up by the Doctors at Bryan. We had a nice day after having a heavy rain last night. We were able to get some plants moved out on the Patio when Carolyn stopped by this evening.

JoEllen's Visit

Assistant Pastor, JoEllen from the Seward UMC came by this morning to welcome Elaine home and bring her a little Prayer Pillow from the Church. Her visit and Prayers were very timely and appreciated. We have been very favorably impressed with the support, prayers, cards, letters and calls from people in the church during the many Sunday Services we have missed.  Cliff Lowell also stopped this morning who brought blessings from the Church as he came up to play the Piano for residents here at Brookdale. Carolyn came by early after lunch and we picked up Elaine's missing necklace from the ER room at the Hospital before going to the Beauty Parlor. Carolyn and I went on down to Walmart and picked up some things while waiting and were pleased to be back home before the rain came.

Pink Impatient

Carolyn brought over this beautiful Impatient this afternoon. We usually had several of them each summer down at our house and will really enjoy this one on our Patio this summer. Since it is on the north side of the apartment we can keep it in the shade. It was great to have Elaine home today. A Home Health Care nurse from Angles was here this afternoon to pick up her packet from Bryan, interview, and check out Elaine. It's interesting that she is the same nurse that closed out my Therapy 2-weeks ago. She will have some of the same therapist that I had which too will be helpful. We are to monitor Elaine's blood pressure at times during the day and got started on it today. It was 150/65 early this morning and 170/60 when the nurse did it at 3:00pm. We checked now at 8:pm and got 152/68. She was greatly relieved after a phone call this evening from the Seward Hospital Emergency room saying they have her necklace. She hadn't worried about it until learning from Carolyn this afternoon that she didn't have it.

Elaine is Home

Elaine got checked out this afternoon and dismissed to come home about 2:30. This lady Doctor checked out her vitals and took her for a walk and was pleased with her progress. Another Doctor then came in with the final word and we questioned him on the cause of the problem. Though her symptoms were similar to a stroke or TIA he was satisfied to report that it was brought on with high blood pressure. They pulled up records of her visits with Dr. Hansen over the past couple years to help reach that conclusion. He also explained how the high BP must be brought down gradually over time. She got prescriptions for 2 new medications and will go back on "baby" aspirin for 21 days. We are to monitor her BP, 2-3 times per day. Carolyn walked over to a CVS Pharmacy and bought a monitor that works off the wrist. We have tried it out and seems to work much better that the one used up above the elbow. She received many Best Wishes at supper time and had a good visit with Dr. Vahle who stopped by. She talked to Janice, Verlon and Jon over the phone and has enjoyed being home. One of the nurses from Home Health Care that worked with me on Therapy called and will be coming tomorrow to get her started on it.

Elaine in Bryan West

We got Elaine down to the Emergency Room at the Seward Hospital about 3:45pm on Sunday afternoon.  We had an excellent Roast Beef Dinner at noon. After some newspaper reading and Elaine working on "Word Search" she decided to take a nap which was pretty normal. She woke up with a headache and had problems expressing herself. I called Carolyn who was on her way home from Lincoln and came right over and we took her down to the ER. The people there did a great job getting her checked out, pictures taken and ready to go by Ambulance to Bryan West. We stopped by our unit but Carolyn, Julie and I got down to the 6th floor where Elaine was being treated. The images taken in Seward were reviewed and it appeared that it may have been a stroke of some type. She was hospitalized with a TIA stroke on March 4, 1918. The treatment provided to her at Bryan seemed to bring her close to normal speaking ability but they wanted to do further MRI and CTA test today. Carolyn and I got down about 9:30 this morning and she had already been through the test.  She seemed to feel pretty good and ate a part of her lunch. I was able to get copies of today's test information on our Bryan Portal and saw no "Red Flags". It is in medical terms but am still hoping that she can come home tomorrow.

Good Soup

Here is the Entree as served in the IL Dining room for supper last evening. We already had our grape salad and coffee. I really enjoyed the soup with mixed vegetables, etc. The 2 sandwiches were more than I could eat so took the ham out of one and the cheese out of the other. Then made a "double ham" sandwich which was very good. I didn't feel up to eating a full dessert so took a banana (for breakfast) and shared Elaine's dessert. I would be happy with soup for supper at least twice/week but we're lucky to get it once a week. Elaine continues to make me a Milk Shake at least once every day. While I don't have much of an appetite, the Milk Shakes are great. We had a quiet day today but heard on the 6:00 pm Lincoln news of a shower rain over Seward. We were completely dry at the time but have had several little showers, with lots of lightning and thunder since.

Seward Vision Clinic

I was able to get Elaine and I established as new patients of Dr. Keith R. Wintz at the Vision Clinic here is Seward. We have relied on Dr. Mousolf in Lincoln to take care of our eyes during the past 25 years. He has retired and we felt the need to have a local Opthomologist. Jasmin worked with me on our history before having an exam by the Doctor. It had been a couple years since my last exam and was well pleased with the results. Dr. Wintz didn't even write a new prescription at this time. I also visited with them about the malady I've had for several years of having a "curtain" come up from the bottom of the eye and occasionally cover the entire eye for a few minutes. It has only been in the past 2-3 years that it also occurs every few weeks in my right eye. It seems to be related to stress. Dr. Mousolf had me do an MRI at Bryan with no evidence of a problem. Dr Wintz is writing a message to our family doctor Summa and wondered about the possibility of a problem in the Carotid Artery. I wanted to talk with Dr. Summa about some digestive questions so will see him Monday morning. We did get a letter in the mail requesting the transfer of our records to the Seward Vision Clinic.

Good Discussiong

Seward Brookdale Director Terry brought these members of her top staff together this morning to visit with 17 of us "Independent Living" residents. It included: (L-R) Jim, Carla, Jackie, Terry, and Rosellen. First, Terry and the Staff people gave a summary of their experience and history with Brookdale. There were a few questions from the residents and also compliments of staff members. It was very apparent that a high priority of Brookdale is to be helpful to all residents and try to make them happy. There were a few suggestions made which might even further that process. I finished reading "Bottom of the 33rd" this morning and my level of interest increased as I moved through the 400+ pages. Lincoln set a new high temperature reading for this date of 93 degrees. The old record of 92 was set back in 1944.

Out on the Town

We were up good time this morning and decided it would be an opportunity to buy some groceries and get me a haircut. My last one was in later March when Tim was visiting us and took me down. A friend walked into Bob's Barbershop right ahead of me while we were parking out front. Elaine waited in the car for the 2 haircuts to take place. Then we went down to Pac 'N' Save where I let her out and she used a shopping cart to get what we needed. While she was shopping, I got the car clock set for Daylight Saving Time. We put the groceries in the trunk and Deb helped Elaine get them in our Apt.

I put the car in the garage and used Elaine's walker to get in. 

While we were downtown we noticed a flatbed semi truck parked at the NW corner of the Courthouse square. It had a large box as the only item on the truck. The County workers have the site ready for the placement of the Seward Statue and we think that it is probably whats in the box. We will have to do some more checking but know it was to be in place before the 4th of July. We hope it will be all set up ahead of our family being here in early June.

Mixed Emotions

We enjoyed our 70+ temperature today and got the Schefilleria moved out on the patio. We also cleaned up last years residue in some of the pots to make ready for the new flower season. I even got the bird feeder filled, hung up, and saw a "Red Headed Finch" take advantage of it. The pleasure of the afternoon was put into perspective after hearing of Ed Gonzales' wife being killed in a car accident south of Garland yesterday afternoon. It seems that a 20 year old driver from Lincoln ignored a stop sign on the highway from Garland to #34. Early reports are of 2 others injured. Our supper this evening failed to brighten any spirits. It was called "Runza Casserole" and served alone with the crust broken up as a part of it. Oh Yes!! it had some onion in it. Fortunately, I had a helping of cottage cheese for salad (in lieu of cantaloupe) and took a banana for dessert. After a trip to the bathroom, Elaine fixed me an Alka-selzer and that helped. Our problems are minor and prayers go out for the Gonzales Family.

Mother's Day Flowers & Family

The Owen's family brought this big, potted Hydrangea up to Elaine for Mother's Day. The plant has already outgrown the size of the pot so Carolyn is already looking for a larger one. We hope to keep it on our Patio during this summer. She thinks it is of the Annabelle variety and I'm pretty sure it is of the AG species. We sold and planted many of these back in the 1950's while working with Nebraska Nurseries. We had a couple of them in our back yard at our 1st Street house and I remember putting a good shot of Lime on it one spring to get blue flowers. We may have to do some testing with this one. We had a rather quiet, but good Mother's Day with Lunch this noon up at Hughes. We had good visits with all 3 boys. Tim reminded us that Taylor Duncan playing in the PGA Byron Nelson Golf tournament was a local Columbus, IN, fellow. He finished in the top 10 and got some publicity for hitting his wife with a golf shot. (She was not hurt). Verlon mentioned the Book, "Bottom of the 33rd" that I am reading. He tells us of remembering the 1981 game since Richmond, VA's Triple-A team was in the same league.

Mother's Day Flowers

This is the bright smile that Mother had as she walked in from having this beautiful bouquet of flowers handed to her that had been delivered here at Brookdale this morning. It had been ordered by Tim's. We had one guest already comment on their beauty and were tempted to set them on our supper table but didn't want to hurt the feelings of other Mother's in the Dining room that had not been as fortunate. We are planning to be up to Hughes' for a meal tomorrow and will take them along up there. We have had a rather quiet day with sunshine until evening when clouds rolled in with some rain. It may be just right for some of the new planting that's been done recently. I am going to attempt to add this as my 2nd blog page of the day after forwarding one on H.H.Bennett earlier. I've already had trouble getting signed on and had to get set up with a new password. Elaine has just walked in with a washing she did this evening.We will look forward to phone calls from the boys tomorrow for Mother's Day and to their all being here with families in early June for our 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Hugh Hammond Bennett: The Story of America’s Private Lands Conservation ...

Sunshine

While it remains cool, our weather has cleared to where we are enjoying some sunshine. Our lawn was mowed for about the 3rd time already this spring. I believe these flowering trees are Hopa Crabs but am not sure. The cool, wet weather has prolonged the blooming season.  Carolyn was down this evening and told of she and Ben having a big day planting in their new yard. She had some pictures of Boxwoods they had planted in front of their house with wood chip ground cover. It looked real nice. The wet weather over the past several days has been ideal for their new sod which was laid about a week ago. They have been accustomed to working with dark Hastings soil with a lot of organic matter and are recognizing the difference with some of the heavy clay soil in the back yard. Some of it must have come from the digging of their basement. It's a good lesson on protecting the top soil in our fields, gardens, and everywhere.

Just Us at Brookdale

The "Just Us" group performed at Brookdale this afternoon in the IL Dining room. As usual they did a great job playing their electric guitars and supporting the lead singer in his renditions of Country Music Hero's. The tall fellow at the right also played his banjo on a few numbers that was outstanding. The lead singer (center) has an excellent baritone voice and sang nearly non-stop for 45 minutes without a break in his voice. Carolyn had taken Elaine to the Beauty shop where she had a hair-cut and set. They did some other business downtown before picking up Jack from school and being here in the apt when I got home from the entertainment. It's always a pleasure to have Jack here playing with his red trucks and tractors on the living room floor. Jack seems to get much more enjoyment playing with his trucks, etc. on the floor than the pleasure I got from them when they were my Models on the shelf.

Bottom of the 33rdi

Charlotte, a local Seward Librarian provides a weekly service to residents of Brookdale and elsewhere by bringing up and returning books. She honors requests and puts people on the waiting list if necessary but also just brings up some books that she thinks people may enjoy. She knows me well enough to know my interest in the Environment and Baseball and brought up this book yesterday. It is the story of the longest professional baseball game ever played on April 18, 1981 between the International League, Triple A  Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings. "Bottom of the 33rd" was written and copyrighted by Dan Barry, a national columnist for the New York Times in 2011. It was published by Harper Collins Publishers of New York City. I have found this book to be most interesting, it is in larger print which helps and involves a number of familiar named players. The author is obviously very familiar with the baseball hierarchy and traces the steps that many of them take in their quest to the Major Leagues. The 425 page book is divided into only 5 "Inning spans": 1-9; 10-21; 21-32; 33 and 30 years later. I have just finished page 127 when the score was tied 1-1.

Milestones

Nurse Blake was here this afternoon, checked out my vitals, visited and went through many questions before her writing my discharge from their Home Health Services. I have appreciated the services of therapist Aleah and Josh during the past 8 weeks and am satisfied that I am better off as the result of their treatment. The various exercises they promoted have become part of my life style that I practice daily.

Elaine invited Carolyn to join her in the Brookdale Ladies Salad Supper to recognize Mother's Day. Us men were given sack lunches to eat in our rooms. Carolyn had bought a painting from one of the ladies at the table where they were seated. She learned more of it's background and of the Artist that painted it back in Detroit. With her many years of teaching school here in Seward, Carolyn has a much wider acquaintance of people here in Seward than we do despite out long tenure. Our problem is that many of our "friends  and acquaintances" have  "moved on". We were pleased that Virginia brought three of our old friends to stop in to our unit and visit for a while after Supper. The Stock Market performance was the worst part of the day.

Bingo at Rivendale

I walked down to the Rec Room this afternoon while Bingo was still going on in the Dining room and was surprised at the number playing. Some of you may recognize Vivian at this front table and it is Virginia in the polka dot blouse with her back to the camera. The game was being called by Rev. David Dobbertien and assisted by Jack Swanson. Elaine and I have always something else going on and have never played Bingo up here but believe we'll have to try it one of these weeks. Our heavy rain from yesterday continued off and on today with showers. A small tornado did destroy a small ice cream drive-in last evening in the southwestern part of Lincoln. Carolyn was down this morning and booked flights for Verlon to come out in early June for our 70th Wedding anniversary. Some of the flights that he normally took have been cancelled and others are filling rapidly even a month ahead of time. We are looking forward to having all of our immediate family here for the Anniversary but don't plan on it being a major event. We will certainly welcome greeting cards and having relatives and friends drop by at their convenience during the summer.

Exciting Day

We in Southeastern Nebraska have been under storm warnings, watches and even tornado watch areas within our 25 mile area from Seward this evening. We received heavy rain and wind but no hail nor damaging wind. It has been an interesting day. 

We were up good time, showered and dressed after breakfast, reading the Lincoln paper and ready to watch Rev. James Keck's sermon from First Plymouth in Lincoln. He spoke on the meaning of the word, "Shalom". It is commonly interpreted as "Peace" but as it was used at the time of Jesus, it meant much more.

We were pleasantly surprised when Merlyn and Elaine Nielsen called and came to visit. They now own the 320 acre Plum Creek farm north of Seward where Elaine was born and grew up, so we had a lot to talk about and really enjoyed their visit. Soon after they left, Don and LaQuita McKibben stopped in. LaQuita is an ordained Methodist Minister and had given the Sunday afternoon message here at Brookdale on short notice. We also enjoyed their visit. Then we had a phone call from Verlon during the peak of our storm and Carolyn stopped by later to visit and fill our pill boxes. It all made for a pretty special day.

Derby Winner, Country House

Some 21 horses were called to the post late this afternoon at rain soaked Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. The wet track didn't dampen the races nor the variety of Ladies Hats. It made some history on this 145th running by being the first time that the apparent winner was disqualifies and with 65-1 odds, Country House was determined the winner. Maximum Security who was among the favorites and the apparent winner was disqualified for moving away from running on the rail into the paths of others coming up on his right.  The decision was made by 3-Stewarts who spent several minutes in making the decision. I know very little about Horse Racing Regulations but am of the opinion that moving over was a fairly common way for leaders to protect and maintain their leadership position by blocking the opposition. It will be interesting to see if this decision is enforced in future races.

City Administrator Butcher at Seward Magazine Club

Seward City Administrator Greg Butcher provided our program at the Magazine Club Meeting last evening. Elaine and I hosted the meeting along with Dennis and Nancy Kahle. We had driven down to the Civic Center where the Meetings are held and I didn't get a Blog page written last night after we go home. Greg is completing his 2nd year here in Seward after having served the City of Beatrice as Legal Counsel. He and our Mayor Eickmeier had worked together at the Nebraska Unicameral. He spoke on activities going on and coming up the our City. We are pleased with the Pet Food Plant coming to the "Rail Yard" south of town. Their needs for over 100 employees will add favorably to the number of jobs provided by the Tennico Plant and Hughes Brothers. The new plant will be required to treat wastewater through an initial stage. Our current Water Treatment Plant has nearly reached its capacity of discharging treated water into Plum Creek. Plans are underway for a future Plant discharging into the Blue River. He also spoke of upcoming improvements in city streets including a 1-lane "Round-about" on Seward Street at the entrance of Ridge Run as part of the improvement of the street. We also talked about the extension of the "walking-biker" trail with "spokes" to lead in to the Business District. Following Greg's presentation, we each reported on Magazine Articles and then enjoyed a light lunch.

Update of Earlier Blog Page

This is the first time that I have attempted to update a blog page from 6-months ago but it seems it should work. Carolyn took me down to the Specialty Clinic at the Seward Hospital for an appointment with Dr. Donald Henslee this morning.  He has been my Urologist for the past 26 years and his appointments are more of a visit between old friends than the typical Dr./Patient relationship. I might add that my PSA reading did go up to 1.96 and I brought him up to date on my recent Lung experience, treatment, etc. Another 6-month appointment was sent up without any treatment recommended.