Nu Step Bikes

I have focused primarily on riding one of the NuStep bike's as my source of exercise over the course of the past couple weeks. I ride at level 6 and do it in segments of 3 minutes. I have used one of the bikes since soon after we moved up here nearly 2 years ago but have never did so as regularly as in the past couple weeks. I did 6  of the 3minute sessions this afternoon (18 minutes) which represents a new high. My pattern is to go straight through the 3 minute session, then stop for about 1 minute while I take deep breaths through my nose and blow it out through my mouth. (Smell the Roses and Blow-out the candles through my Mouth). I have every reason to believe that I can continue to do something like 20 minutes per day during the next several weeks or months. I will continue to do some of the "sitting down" and "standing up" exercises but the bike will be my main source of exercise.

Baseball History

I really don't know where to start and what I need to say about this 112 page, Sports Illustrated Magazine with 100 photographs and stories about Major League Baseball during the past 150 years. Kostyka Kennedy is listed as Editor and was copyrighted and published by the Meredith Corporation in 2019. We had a lot of activity around here in June with the Celebration of our 70th Wedding Anniversary and my birthday later that month. Among the many things that got passed around and enjoyed was Tim giving we this magazine to read with the understanding that he would like to have it back someday. It got put on a "pile of things" that didn't need immediate attention and only during the past few days has it received it's "just due". It is a fantastic collection of the 100 pictures and stories. During my long history of following Major League Baseball, it's amazing how many of these stories and pictures that I can relate to quite closely. One example was of Cal Ripken taking the "victory lap" in Baltimore on September 6, 1995 after breaking the once "unfathomable consecutive game record" held by Lou Gehrig. Ripken's record exceeded Gehrig's by 2 games and finished at 2,632 games. It was also by coincidence that I was able to see Ken Griffy, Sr and Jr. play in the same outfield for Seattle in a game in Kansas City. It's a great magazine Tim, sorry it took me this long to recognize it as such.

Tony, Deb and Kaci Vrana

We had a very enjoyable time today with Tony, Deb and Kaci Vrana from Tomah, WI. Tony is the son of Jerry and Sondra and our Nephew. He inherited the "Drywall" and "home construction" business from his Dad and they have done very well with their businesses. They opened up a "storage unit" business in Tomah some years ago and they have continued to add to it over time. Their son, Ethan, is working in one of his first jobs and has his own apartment. They also brought us up to date on Sondra, Jerry's widow who lives close to Daughter Cindy and Chad there in Tomah. Tony's also live fairly close by. Tanya and family have moved back out to Colorado which is Blake's home state. All of us ate our noon meal here in the Coffee Room at Brookdale. It was much quieter than the main Dining room. We then went on a car ride around Seward. They were impressed with Carolyn and Ben's house as well as the many new houses of that level in the City. We looked at the housing development underway in the NW part of town as well as the Rail Siding development at the south edge of town where construction is underway for a "Pet Food" plant. Deb was excited about when the next Family Reunion would be held.  They are a very neat family.

Old Birthday Cards

After nearly 2 years here at Brookdale we continue to come up with things that surprise us. That was the case today as I "found" the cards sent to me in June of 2018 for my 93rd birthday. The cards showed-up while cleaning off a card table set up in the computer room to help with some of the filing material that I've worked on recently. Getting the card table folded up was one of my objectives for the day. We still have the basket of this past June's card which in addition to my Birthday cards, also includes the many 70th Wedding Anniversary Cards which was recognized on June 5th, 2019. We have been through all of them a couple times before we do something like this "collage" with them. Incidentally, I had email from Carolyn and talked to all 3 boys on the phone this evening. Jon passed on the information that USDA Secretary "Sunny" Purdue will be taking a delegation of USDA employees to the Nationals Baseball game in DC tomorrow evening. Jon plans to keep score and says that it was some 50 years ago that Tim taught him how to do it.

Quiet Day

I watched part of the St. Jude Classic Golf meet in Memphis, TN this afternoon and saw Rory McElroy move into the lead over Brooks Koepka. It should make for an interesting day tomorrow with the close scoring at the top of the leader board. Things have been pretty quiet around here today and hoped to get phone calls from at least one of the boys today but none have come through. The Kansas City Royals are getting beat by the Cleveland Indians 8-0 at the beginning of the bottom of the fifth.

Cosco Chicken

We have watched the development of the Cosco Chicken Processing Plant here in Nebraska and the process of getting producers on board to provide the chickens since it's first publicity a couple years ago. While I'm concerned about the Environmental impacts of any operation of this magnitude, it even brings some personal relationship into play. Jessica Kolterman is involved in working with producers who are willing to meet the Cosco requirements and County regulations. We have been close friends of the Kolterman family here in Seward for many years. Sean Flowerday, the newly elected Lancaster Commissioner, who is taking a lead role in the Lancaster County proposal is the son of Charles Flowerday, Elaine's Nephew. I have every reason to believe that County Zoning Regulations will be adopted by several southeastern Nebraska Counties that will make it all possible. It will take some time and interesting negotiations and I don't plan to become involved except as an observer on the sidelines.

Change at Brookdale

Carla stopped by our table this evening to tell Elaine that her hair looked nice with it cut short and a new permanent. Terry, our Executive Director, indicated that this has been a very busy, stressful day as she addressed the Supper Crowd. She went on to say that Gorge DeBoer had died this morning. It was his subscription to the Wall Street Journal that I enjoyed reading on a "pass-down" basis. I in-tern provided the Time Magazine to him. Terry also reported that Holly and Jeramey were no longer providing "Health Care Services" to residents. They have been operating  on a "private pay" basis since we have been here. We and others have utilized the "Medicare Certified Home Health Agency" which has provided services to us through Angles. We have had some questions about the private charge services provided by Holly and Jeramey since we came up here nearly 2-years ago.

Mueller Hearings

Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified before 2 Congressional Committees today which made for some interesting watching. While Mueller and his report seems to raise some questions, it is rather short in specific recommendations. The discussion of whether some of the questionable activities constituted a new normal was most interesting. To what extent do foreign countries get involved in our Presidential Elections and for that matter, to what extent do we get involved in other countries internal politics.

Zoo Nebraska

We joined a group of residents in the Independent Dining room this afternoon to enjoy "frosties" made by and served by Jim, our maintenance man. They were excellent and took the place of the normal milk shake that Elaine fixes for me. There was a good sized crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy them. I was planning to send an email to Jon this afternoon but Charlotte dropped off some books from the Library for me to consider reading. I did get started on one, "Zoo Nebraska". It is about a small (81 pop) town in NE Nebraska that had a small Zoo at one time. Elaine thinks we may have visited Royal at one time when we had a Center For Rural Affairs meeting in the area, but I have no recall of it. I wondered if Verlon picked up on the Tornado at Cape Cod this afternoon.

Salem Church Group

We attended the Choral Program at Brookdale last evening when the group from the Salem Church presented the program. They sang in the Independent Dining room to a large crowd. A "sermonet" was presented by one of their members. We were impressed with the number of children involved. At the conclusion of their program, they circulated among the crowd and thanked people for coming out for their program. It was a nice change from the regular type musical programs that are presented here. We also heard reports of up to 6 inches of rain here in Seward, Co. Nebraska  during Saturday evening.

The Whitehouse

This is a very poor version of the picture. It was

taken at the Whitehouse on August 7, 1969, just a couple weeks after the July 20 landing of the    "men on the moon". Tim had been out to UN-L to get registered and Laurie came back with him. (We took her home in just 2-3 weeks later as we drove back to Nebraska). This was an event at the Whitehouse where visiting Dignitaries were in town and the President could call of Civil Servants to build a crown. I was able to get the OK for all of us plus the young lady next to Laurie who was a new employee in my office. President Richard M. Nixon and Henry Kissinger were hosting Leaders from Germany so we were able to take it all in. It always included an inspection of the troops, A Lawn Welcoming Ceremony and good Band music. We must have attended about a half-dozen such events during our 18 years in DC.

Man on the Moon

I went back into my old 5-year Diaries this afternoon and located my entry of July 20, 1969. The entire entry is as follows: "Went to late Church, Aldrin and Armstrong landed on the moon about 4:00pm. They are to get out and walk on the moon in just a few minutes. (10:15pm), Elaine and I worked down at the office for about 3 hours earlier, She called her folks and it rained here." I noted the next day that "we stayed up till 1:00am last night watching the moon walk." We had a big flood in Alexandria with some buildings on fire and no way to fight it. Tim was preparing to came back to UN-L for his Freshman year. Verlon was down in Richmond at VCU. A few days later, Jon ran into the sharp tail fins on a Cadillac as he was coming home from his paper route. Carolyn wouldn't let Jon in the front door for fear of getting blood on the new carpet. Arlene Lovin helped with First Aid and Elaine got home to take him to the emergency room at the Alexandria Hospital where he had 9-stitches  taken in his forehead. I was in the process of changing jobs by leaving the Chief of the Special Programs Branch to become Carl Lindstrom's Assistant as Director of USDA Soil Conservation Service Personnel Director.

Our Presidents

I don't resort to showing my own picture except in unusual conditions. This happens to be one of those times when we wonder how the situation will be resolved in the Iranian situation; among other serious issues.  I don't remember a time when the Editorial Writers were as "frank" in their criticism of the President as we are seeing now. I must say that I agree with much of what is being written, but haven't figured out yet what this all means.  I didn't think Trump was even a serious candidate when he walked on the stage 3-years ago. And, continue to be amazed at his number of supporters. Could it be that we have reached a stage of our system of federal government that we have never experienced. I'm reading a book by Jared Cohen on "Accidental Presidents" that was copyright in 2019 and published by Simon and Schuster, but was ahead of the 2016 election.

Nice Day

I was able to catch Elaine for this "Word Search" picture this evening between trips to the Washing Machines after supper. I even went down on one trip when we switched from washer to dryer. Carolyn picked her up at our front door and took her down to "Shear Reflections". It has been one of our hottest days of the year with heat index well over 100 degrees. Julie, Sadie and Jack were up this morning to visit. Jack is continuing to look forward to being in Kindergarten and learned only recently that he will be going 5-days a week. Sadie is excited about 2nd grade. Julie told of Jack saying early that it was "going to be a nice day". When asked what made him think it would be, he responded by looking at Julie and saying, "Because I get to spend it with you". I felt about the same way about Elaine while she continued to work on the washing while I watched TV.

Carolyn was down this afternoon and brought information on my Ancestory.com account. We had used my computer information on Elaine's account and then used Carolyn's for my information. The "relatives that it brings up are only those who have submitted their saliva sample, paid the fee, and went through the process. Julie was the first name on the list but there were many others as I spun down through them. Many of course were familiar family names. This name of Wayne Kreps caught my eye. I knew Wayne when I was about 14 and he may have been a bit younger. Now, our relationship would have been through my Maternal Grandfather, William H. Walker. His half-brother Lou Walker had a daughter who was married to a "Kreps" with a son named Wayne. We had met at a Family Reunion but they also came out to our farm north of Garland, NE from their home in Emerald, NE  of Lincoln. I'm sure we even have a picture of him at that time. I attempted to do some "follow-up" but was "cut-off". Through Google I found a death notice of Wayne in the Lincoln Journal Star on September 10, 2005 but was unable to find it.

Jacob Austin Band

This group know as the Jacob Austin Band entertained at 2:30 pm at Brookdale this afternoon. I was unable to learn anything about them from Google but must admit being a bit dissapointed. It appeard that the Lady playing the Harpsichord and the Man to the right, playing a guitar, are the parents of the young man playing the Mandolin who also did most of the singing. They played a good collection of Country Western music but the sound system made the words difficult to understand. There Tempo was such that they may score higher playing in a crowded "beer hall" with an audience of young people. I would appreciate learning more about them

1986 Pictures

This is Heather who flew out with Jon for a visit and to help Julie celebrate her 6th Birthday. This picture and one other from the Envelope of 19 were the only ones selected when I went through them a year ago and scanned them to the #1 Flash Drive. This is from the1986 pictures as I continue to work my way back through our print pictures.  We finished the 1987 inventory earlier today that included 569 pictures. Of that number, some 25 were selected in the earlier round. This helps confirm that I did a pretty good job in selecting the better and most representative, earlier. What this round of inventory provides is a detailed listing of all the pictures in envelopes and affords me the pleasure of having a excuse to go through them and look at each one on an individual basis. It will also facilitate future searches for specific pictures.

A Day Of Worshop

Pastor Dan Freeman led the 2:30 Church Service at the Brookdale Dining Room this afternoon. I didn't catch which Seward Church  he serves and was unable to find any reference to this name on Google. I trust that I do have his name correct. Elli played the Piano and we sang several Patriotic songs. He gave a nice patriotic sermon. I got back to listening to Rev. James Keck from First  Plymouth in Lincoln this morning. He is just an excellent Minister. His sermon was on the song, "How Great Thou Art". While the first stanza was written as a poem back in 1885 by a Swedish Minister. His poem was printed, published and he thought forgotten until he heard it some years later. Hearing the hymn in Russia, an English missionary was so moved that he wrote 3 additional stanzas based on living in the Carpathian Mountains.   The missionary Dr. Hine wrote the final  verse after returning to Great Britain.  Some time later Dr. J. Edwin Orr heard "How Great Thy Art" being sung by tribes in India and decided to bring it back to America for use in his own meetings.   When he introduced it at a Conference in California, it came to the attention of music publisher Tim Spencer who contacted Mr. Hine and had the song copyrighted.  It was published and recorded.  During the 1954 Billy Graham crusade in Harringay Arena., George Beverly Shea was given a  leaflet containing this hymn. He sang it to himself and shared it with other members of the Graham team.  Though not used in London, it was introduced the following year to audiences in Toronto.  In the New York Crusade of '57, it was sung by Beverly Shea 99 times with the choir joining the majestic refrain: 

                                   "Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee;
                                     How Great Thou Art; How Great Thou Art."

Family Fun

I worked on "1988 Pictures in Envelopes" today and came across a couple that may be of interest to family. This was taken on Vivian and Eddy Soucek's Patio which was a favorite place to get together when Don and Gladys came up from Syracuse to visit. Dad probably heard a bird calling up in the trees and had to identify it. He couldn't believe how ignorant I was the day I didn't recognize the call of a Cardinal. This one of Mother and Dad in the front yard of our farm house  was always one of my favorites, especially since I started using a cane. I like to think that Dad  may have enjoyed our farm as much as we did, They spent a lot of time out there doing watering when we did some landscaping in the yard. Mother was a good scout and helped do whatever needed to be done. Dad enjoyed working with the little Ford tractor but felt like he was doing more when working the 720 JD Diesel. After having split wood in the early years, he was amazed at how easy it was to do with the splitter hooked up to the 3-point JD system and the Hydraulic hoses in place.

Alex Gordon

It was good to see Alex Gordon and the Kansas City Royals back on TV this evening after the All-Star break kept them off for a few days. Detroit got a run in the top of the first so Alex came to bat in the bottom of the first with Merrifield on 3rd and Modisty at first with no one out. Alex hit a pop fly to short centerfield and Witt was able to score on it. The Royals scored a 2nd run in the next inning when a rookie up from Omaha walked and later came around to score. While the Royals are not having a very good year, Alex is doing much better this year than in the past couple. He is maintaining a batting average of around 0.275, has 56 RBIs and 10 HRs. He leads the Major Leagues in number of times hit with a pitch while batting. Witt Merrifield has been an excellent addition this year but beefing up the pitching staff appears to be the greatest need. I hope Alex can continue to do well as he plays out a very lucrative long-term contract.

Driving Experience

I apologize for the quality of the picture but it was the best that I was able to do. Backyard Farmer is one of our favorite NET Programs. Even with our current "Gardening status", it's interesting to hear the solutions to others nature problems. Since having reason to go to the bank and do some shopping, I volunteered to take Elaine to her 1:00pm Beauty Shop Appointment. I really appreciated the help of Joette in getting me a new credit card ordered as well as getting some I-Bonds back in our Safety Deposit Box. While driving downtown, I noticed a "warning light" suggesting checking tire pressure. I went to Co-Op where the attendant put air in all 4 tires but indicated the right-front was a bit low. As I drove away it seemed OK but after a few blocks the warning came back on. I needed to get some groceries but needed to pick up Elaine so got her and came on home. I put the car in the garage and will be looking for an opportunity to take it back down to Co-Op as suggested by the attendant if the warning came back on.

My Siblings

I came across this picture of us five Siblings taken up in Wisconsin at the Family Reunion at Jerry's in Tomah, WI. I have been using several of these lately and are running down toward when the last one was taken of the 5 of us. We remember when things happen for the first time but never think of the last time things take place. I did check and Vivian died on March 15, 2008. This picture was taken on the 30th of July 2006. I haven't been through the 2007 pictures recently, but this picture could well be the last one taken of the 5 of us together. Jerry died on June 16, 2011. This is a nice one of all of us.

Summer Cookout

We had our "Summer Cookout" for the Mid-day meal here at Brookdale today. Elaine had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Harris at the Specialty Clinic this morning and missed most of the "fun" of eating in the windy outdoors. I was one of the last to set at our table and asked "If anyone could remember when we used to look forward to such Picnic Dinners?" Marv Taylor was the first to speak up and said, "Some of us still enjoy picnic dinners". But with the wind blowing  as it was, it was challenging. Elaine got back about the same time I got back to our Apt. and Kay brought in a tray with her dinner. We both finished our meal at the Kitchen table.

We only received a half inch of rain last night with up to 9 &10 inches falling out in the Elwood, Lexington area west on Highway #81. It fell within a few hours and needless to say, they have local flooding problems. We are anticipating more rain tonight but nothing of that magnitude. Then, as I understand it, we are in for a period of hot, dry weather. I plan to watch the All-Star Baseball game tonight. If it goes into extra innings, a runner will be put on 2nd base to speed up the game.

Vrana Siblings

I'm continuing to work with some of our old print pictures that have been stored in the envelopes returned to us. This one is from a Vrana Family Reunion in 1996 that was held out in Keystone Colorado. These picture of the 5 of us Siblings are among my favorites. I haven't checked to see when the last one was taken. Someone must have told me to "stand up straight" because it's not normal for me. Some of my recent therapy has encouraged that but the old backbone has some pretty permanent bends in it. We certainly enjoyed the Sorge's being here during the past week. Our visit down to Syracuse to see Don and Glady's new place was certainly a highlight. We are looking to the possibility of receiving some heavy rain overnight.

Janice & Larry Sorge

Janice and Larry were up to see us last night but my computer was down so unable to show anything. It seems to be OK this morning so this posting is some 12 hours late. Janice was pleased with the turnout for the SHS Class of '54 Alumni Reunion at the VFW Club here in Seward. Larry reported on the excellent meal served at the Luncheon. There were plans made for another reunion in 2-years. Sorge's went down to Lincoln during the afternoon yesterday to visit their niece, Sandy (Soucek) and Mick Vercellino and their daughter Gena Jo. They are planning on going to early Church here in Seward this morning and driving directly to the Denver Airport where they will turn in their rented vehicle and Fly back to California. We have certainly enjoyed their visit back here and all the taxi service provided us. They are already planning to be back next summer to help Don and Gladys celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Syracuse Visit

Janice and Larry picked us up today after finishing our dinner and drove down to Syracuse to see Don and Gladys' new Home.  It is a 20-year old duplex in a nice neighborhood with 3 or 4 similar units. They and their family repainted the entire 2-bedroom, 2-bath home and had new carpet installed in the living room. The entire place looks just like new. It has a nice double garage and patio off the eating area in the kitchen. We were very favorably impressed and understand that lawn care and snow removal is taken care of by the association.
A very nice set up for people enjoying independent living. Kathy came and joined our family visit and took the picture. Don still plays a limited amount of golf and Gladys continues to work part time at the "Thrift Store" in town.
A high percentage of their 4 daughters families live within a reasonable distance of Syracuse and a Family picture would include 37 people.

They have already set a date to celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary at their Church Facility there is Syracuse next summer. They and Kathy are shown here as we drove away to come home. This was the furthest that we have been away from home during the past year. It was very timely for Janice and Larry to be able to take us along down riding in the luxury of their rental Mercedes SUV. Sorge's were meeting some of the Soucek family in Bee for  Fish Dinner this evening. Janice has her HS Class reunion Luncheon here in Seward tomorrow.

4th of July

Here is a picture of Elaine and I at the Blue Bird Nursery at Clarkson, NE on a Seward Grange trip back in 1994. I am in the process of going through all our printed pictures in the envelopes they came back to us after processing. I am up to 1994 which means 25 years to go. I use the info written on the envelope as to the contents but still look at every last picture to verify my inventory.  I also keep a count of the number of prints/envelope and year.

We are enjoying this evening. It is a very patriotic musical program. I even fixed a little Winsor for Elaine and I to enjoy it with. Janice brought us up some Blueberry Kolachies this evening after their having spent most of the day downtown. Carolyn was over, too, and brought a new pair of SAS shoes that she ordered through Amazon. Elaine  put them right on and they fit fine. Carolyn actually ordered them while we were waiting in the Doctor's Office on Monday. To many of us, that is a real service. This is our 2nd year of not participating in the Seward 4th of July activities. I feel that we have come a long way in adjusting to doing "low key" activities and realizing that our physical abilities are limited. We are planning to ride along with Janice and Larry to Syracuse, NE  tomorrow afternoon where we will visit Don and Gladys in their new home.

Jackie, Shirley and Susan Visit

Jackie from Utah is back for an  SHS class reunion and came up  to visit this afternoon. She is the widow of Don Armstrong one of my best HS buddies. He has been gone for a few years but Elaine and I have many Happy Memories of Travels, and Activities shared with Don and Jackie over the years. Jackie stays with a friend and one time neighbor, Shirley, who lives in the Staplehurst area, when she comes to town. Seward has been officially designated "Small town 4th of July City" and our town of some 7,000 grows by about 40,000 for the City Celebration. Most of the High School Class Reunions as well as many other Special Events are scheduled during the week. Shirley and daughter Susan who are also longtime friends were here with Jackie. We alerted them to Vivian Schluckebier becoming a recent resident of Brookdale; she had been a Home Ec Teacher of both Shirley and Jackie. They were able to get together for a few minutes to share pleasantries. Jackie told us earlier of a certain sewing stitch that Vivian had taught her is HS that she still uses.

Cousins Reunion, etc

This was a busy day  topped-off with a Piano and Violin Concert here at Brookdale by Heide & Kevin Cheng. We had heard them before but didn't quite remember how many piano keys he can strike in a short time. She is very professional on the violin. They are man and wife. Listening to them after supper was the topping to a busy day that got underway soon after 11:15 when Janice and Larry Sorge picked us up to go to the "Pizza Kitchen" in Milford for a Vrana Cousins reunion. Cousin Pat Grimes had made all the arraingements but the crowd was small.  Her brothers Bob Thompson and Merle with his wife Jan, Laurie drove down brother Don and Gladys, The Sorge's, Elaine and I rounded out the group. We did a lot of visiting after eating, took some group pictures  and the party broke up about 2:30. We went out past the old Vrana farm north of Garland where Janice was born on our way home. We also came past the farm where the folks lived when Janice and Larry were married and another farm where they lived for a time. I had a short nap before supper while Elaine entertained a Home Health Nurse. Then it was off to supper and the concert. Here is a picture of the Cousins Reunion:

Family Visit

My sister Janice and husband Larry Sorge from Merced, CA are visiting with us here in Seward. They are shown here following Supper this evening. Janice is having a 1956 Seward High School Class Reunion this Saturday. They got into town this morning and we have already enjoyed some good visiting time. We will be going with them down to Milford tomorrow for a Vrana Cousins Reunion Luncheon planned by Pat Grimes. They have spent a bit of time on their way visiting Larry's family out in the Sidney, NE, area. Larry reports that the Wheat crop doesn't look very good out there this year. Janice is promoting a Fish Dinner in Bee on Friday evening which is always a treat.