Polka Party

I went through our remaining phonograph records this afternoon and picked out these 12 for a picture. We probably still have nearly 100. Our collecting goes back to the 50's when we bought a used  player and some records. I believe we had close to 300 when the process of sorting out for our move to Brookdale began. Jon was the only one who asked for a certain category and he wanted all the Polka ones that we were willing to part with. These 12 are the extent of our remaining Polka records. We have a good many CD's, DVD's etc with Polkas etc but we don't have a very complete listing of them. Jack had learned how to turn the record player on when he spent time with me while still in our house. After my collapsed lung last year, one of my Doctors even recommended that I pass some time just enjoying music that I liked. I'm pleased to see that we have as many old favorites left as we do and will make doing some changes with the computer printer a high priority so I can play them. How many did you end up with, Jon?

Rubber Horseshoes

I filled out a foursome to play Horseshoes this afternoon. The shoes were made of hard rubber and bounced around considerably. I started playing when I herded cows while growing up out on the farm with old shoes that had actually been on a horse. When I got to HS we had real horseshoes and several of the older boys were familiar with the game. I really got pretty good at it and bought me a set. I moved them to Lincoln, DC and back to Seward. I also took them over to Ankney where I set up some stakes down by the water drain. That was the last time that I played with them but did bring them along when we moved up here to Brookdale on 9/1/17 and kept them and stakes in the garage. I had spotted these rubber shoes  in the hall a couple days ago and Marv got me signed up to play today with Him, John, and Carl.

I should have known that tossing these rubber shoes would be altogether different than what I was used to, but just didn't realize how much. I threw a flat shoe with the cleats down and would plan to have it rotate one and a quarter turn on the way to the stake. Back in my "hay day" it wasn't to unusual to make two ringers in a row. I have found some golf balls and the little hole to capture the balls but still haven't come across my putter. As the weather warms up, I plan to make a more search of the garage and hopefully it will turn up. This experience today with horseshoes was depressing.

Picnic at Soucek's`

With these days of the frightful virus it's good to look back on these days in July of 1987 when many of our family would get together for a meal. This happened to be at Vivian and Eddy Souceks back yard with Don and Gladys up from Syracuse.   It wasn't that we didn't have concerns back in these days but nothing with the implications of the Coronavirus. I did hear some good news that at Oxford University they were ahead of the pack in the development of what hopefully will be a successful vaccine. It will still take some time but there is some hope for it being available by the end of this year. I just  hope we don't get too carried away with this "early opening".

Little Leaf

This little Sheffclaria leaf in the middle of the picture is a couple weeks from being full size. It is one of 5 new leaves that are in the process of adding to the big plant. We are looking forward to the day when we can move it back out on the Patio. Elaine also takes good care of the sprig that she treated with "rootone" and planted in a pot on the Patio. We talked to Tim this evening. He has had some experience with Zoom but it doesn't seem to be a substitute for "live" Hearings. We passed on the unlikeliness of our having the Vrana Family Reunion the first weekend in August as previously planned. He has other events scheduled throughout the summer which may need to be cancelled. At this point in time about all we can do is to take care of ourselves and abide with all the rules of Mask, Distances and pray for the Vaccine that will return life to a more normal. normal.

Sister's & My Kids

We had just moved in to our  5th street house as the spirea were blooming and Albert & Flora had stopped by after Church. We had our little house in such good condition that Elaine's folks decided it would make them a steady income by renting it out. This was the spring of 1955 and they retired in 1956 after having their farm sale. Jon was born on 11/22/54 to round out our family.These were good times. In addition to my SCS job, Clarence and I were doing a lot of landscape work with the Nebraska Nurseries out of Lincoln. Elaine had her hands full with the 4 kids and spent a lot of time out at her folks canning, etc. Verlon started to school that fall. It was in the same building where I went to 1st grade when it opened after the Holidays and before we moved out to the old Vrana farm on 2/8/32.

Spring in the Sun

Carolyn came down to visit in early afternoon today. This was the first time I had an opportunity to visit with her in the last week or so. (She came down a couple times while I was napping). She brought her lawn chair and Elaine and I sat on our Patio chairs in the sun. Carolyn had a lot to tell and show (on her phone) about their landscaping that is underway. It all sounds very exciting. I sent 3 booklets home with her that contain good reference material. Ben stopped by on his bicycle while she was here. They have certainly done their part in celebrating Earth day and Arbor Day this week. 

We also called Gladys and both of us had a good visit with her. She certainly has a lot of family support but still misses Don every day. We talked about things that had been planned for later this summer and just don't know how much "social interaction" will be possible. We have some things to pass on to Gladys and would welcome the opportunity to send them along with some of the family if they are out in this direction. One of the items is the Title to the Grandma Mac house on N. 5th St. here is Seward where Gladys lived with her Grandmother for a number of years. We came into possession of the house after Vivian and Eddy Soucek and the Folks both owned it. We inherited it from the Folks when their estate was settled.

Contagion

A friend loaned me his copy of the May issue of 'THE NEW REPUBLIC" and encouraged me to read the 20 page feature story of "Grim Reapers" written by Laurie Garrett.  "How the Trump and Xi set the stage for the coronavirus pandemic." is a sub title to the story. I read the whole article (in 2 settings) this afternoon and must admit some disappointment. It goes back to the animal market in Wuhan, China where the coronavirus may have originated and really traced the debacle of errors that has led to the pandemic. I'm not defending the tendency to see many "missed chances" after the fact but that is what it is. One of the major Trump errors was his ravingly discharging much of the pandemic preparedness team largely on the grounds that the Obama administration had taken pains to build up its ranks. The challenge before us is in the development of a vaccine that is effective in enabling us to return to a more normal life style. My latest count was 50,177 deaths in the US.

Fat Hogs

There was an article in this mornings OWH that  delt with the coronavirus-covid-19 spreading rapidly in the Packing Plants. It's a problem for farmers to get rid of hogs that have reached the ideal weight for butchering. This occurs at about the 225-250 weight level. To hold the hogs, it's necessary to keep feeding them expensive feed but  as they get too overweight, there is a reduction in the price/lb they bring. The article said that it had been reported that some farmers had actually put some to death by euthanization rather than continue feeding the expensive feed. It would take some interesting mathematics to figure out the most optimum financial decision but it would only be a guess with a date when the market for products such as hogs, is again open. With human life being my major factor, I will side with the scientist who are opposing early opening and relaxation of safeguards to enhance economic interest. 

Global Warming

I watched an hour long program this evening on net that was for Earth Day and on Global Warming. It was a very informative program that "Asked the Question: What happens if global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees.?" Global warming has been recognized by Scientist for a number of years with a world wide conference in Europe in 2008 where we joined the majority of nations in recognizing the problem and with some plans for corrective action. This program has not had the support of our current administration. The size of the problem is similar to the Coronavirus - 19- COVID. One big difference is that we know how to solve the Global Warming problem. We have just been too dedicated to the economy in place to devote what's needed to solve the Global Warming problem. 

"Hutch" , D. E. Hutchinson

This picture was taken at the Soil and Water Conservation Headquarters at Ankeny, Iowa on Earth Day 1990; it was for the formal dedication of the D. E. Hutchinson Prairie shown in the back ground. Hutch was on the board of Directors at the time the Society acquired the property and was instrumental in getting some 20 acres of it seeded to warm season native grasses. Earth Day was established under the leadership of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and was chosen as the date for this dedication. The plaque includes Hutch's picture and the "dedication". It is displayed in the headquarters building. Elaine and I were serving as Exective Director of SWCS at the time. 

Barefoot Great Grandson

I wish this picture could have been taken today but we believe in keeping the restrictions in place for at least the time being. Most of them should be kept in place until we have an effective vaccination. We were able to both talk to Julie this afternoon when she called. She confirmed that the kids are getting along O.K. Sadie has been doing some home work provided by the school but Jack is just learning what it's like to be isolated. I had talked to Carolyn earlier and she had been out to see the kids playing on the Patio. She kept her prescribed distance but I'm sure it wasn't easy.

We got back in our apartment a few minutes ago after being out to the garage to unplug the Battery Charger. I had plugged it back in at about 11:00am this morning. I started the car which fired right up so I think the  battery is pretty fully charged. I did find a box of connecting wires out in the garage but nothing of an extension cord. I'm afraid that they all got sold on our Auction. The next time that John gets out we will put it in the garage with the battery connection to the front. That will enable us to hook it up if and when it needs charging again with the cord that's a part of the charger. While it was easier to get at it the way Jim backed it in, it did require an extension cord that we borrowed from Bill.

New 2002 Buick LeSabre

Here is Elaine and I after driving home our new 2002 Buick LeSabre in the fall of 2001. It has been a very good car with many of its 68,000 miles resulting from long trips. We have driven it only "sparingly" since moving here to Brookdale on 9/1/17. The boys have driven it more than I have during their visits back here. Our "Handy man" here backed it out a couple weeks ago to do some garage maintenance on several of the ones in that area. He noted that the battery was a bit low in starting the engine. We got out there today and got the battery charger hooked up. It charged for about 4 hours before I went back out to "Unplug" it. The battery was charged sufficiently to start the engine. I left everything in place to be able to further charge the battery. In visiting with Verlon this evening he suggested I check to see how long it had been in the car. It seems to go back to 12/9/2014 when we replaced the original battery with what is now in the car. It has a 6-year warranty. The cost of garage rental and insurance make it quite expensive but somehow being without a car would be giving up another of our cherished freedoms.  My friend Marv Taylor has a scooter that he would like to store in the garage which I may consider.

Paul Revere

"Listen my children and you shall hear about the midnight ride of Paul Revere, on the 18th of April in '75 hardly a man is now alive"
One of the first things that I heard on TV was that today was the 18th of April and in '75, it  was the date that Paul Revere made that famous ride to warn New England settlers that the British were  going to attack by "land or by sea". The poem was written by William Wadsworth Longfellow. It seems that  Revere left word in Boston to hang 1 lantern in the belfry of the Old North Church if by sea and 2 if by land. As Revere rode about the country side he had been able to see the message that they were coming by land and warned the citizens accordingly. This had a special meaning to me because of an incident while I was in country school and had been assigned reading the poem as homework. I vividly recall setting around the kitchen table with our family and one of Dad's sisters  who was with us that evening. The discussion had to do with whether Grandpa Vrana would have been alive in '75. It seemed that we all missed the fact that this was the beginning of the Revolutionary War and not 1875 when Grandpa would have been alive.

Bright Sunshine

I posted this picture on Facebook this morning and commented that our snow continued through the night with our getting between 6 and 7 inches. There is only about an inch of it left on the table after a day of bright sunshine and upper 40's temperature. There is only a scattering of snow left after our heaviest coverage of the year. 

Our coronavirus continues to grow with the global number up to 2,224,426 with 153,177 deaths. US is up to 692,169 cases with 36,721 deaths and Nebraska has had 1,195 cases with 25 deaths. The talk continues about loosening the restrictions in states and areas with lighter numbers. I watched a PBS program this afternoon on the Polio epidemic back in the 1950's. The efforts of Dr's Salk and Sabin were certainly heroes in their successful vaccine research. Our 4 children were born in the early 50's so we watched that development very closely. My Mother also had a younger brother and sister that had "infantile paralysis" as youngsters which handicapped their walking.

Snow in Seward

I would call it a 5 inch snowfall this afternoon.  A lot of it melted as it fell. the driveway and parking area never did get covered. The weather forecast is that we could still get a bit more before morning. Lincoln only had 3 1/2 inches. Our Patio wasn't covered until after 5:00pm.

Nebraska reported 1,022 cases of coronavirus at 6:00pm with 24 deaths. There is considerable debate as to what and how much will be opened next week ahead of the May 1 target. There is no question but what our quarantine here will be continued. We have gotten pretty used to eating in our unit but will welcome  the time when we can again all join to eat in the dining room. The snow was an interesting diversion this afternoon and I was pleased to be a part of 3 telephone conversations this afternoon. In addition, I was able to make my initial inventory of the files in the upper drawer of our wooden file cabinet.

A Masked Rider

Carolyn brought down masks for Elaine and I A couple days ago. I had Elaine help me put one on this morning before going to the Library to ride the Nu-step. It didn't take long for me to recognize that It wasn't up as high as it should be on my nose. All of the staff here wear masks but it has not been required for residents. Events in the Dining room are limited to 10 residents seated some distance apart. As I understand, we are to stay a minimum of 6 feet but the markings of the floor are considerably greater than that. I was a part of some discussion this afternoon on the use of "sleeping pills".  I have taken 2 "equate" brand 25mg Diphenhydramine antihistamine Allergy Relief pills at bedtime which are very satisfactory. This is a generic substitute for Benadryl. I will talk to my friend about what I use that seem to work and the fact that they are inexpensive. We are spoiled with Carolyn taking care of our medications. We set a new low temperature record of 16 in Lincoln this morning. It sounds like we could have snow tomorrow. While there is no hurry, we did receive a check in the mail yesterday that needs to be dropped off at the Drive-in.

Final Year of Working 1991

This was taken in the Ankeny headquarters of SWCS in January of 1991 when SCS Chief, Bill Richards and Iowa STC Jeff Vonk were out to visit. I wish to hit the highlights of the year since it was my last with a full-time job. Elaine worked nearly full-time at the office that year and often traveled with me. That included an early trip to Tuscon on a project of Groundwater began by Alan Epps, my predecessor. Elaine and I rented a little car and drove through Saguaro NP and Old Tuscon. Jerry and family stopped by with a trailer to pick up things from the Folk's house which was sold to Ryne Seaman. On the 31st we flew to Atlanta, GA for an NACD meeting. Clayton Yuetter, Sec'y of Agriculture gave the Opening Address. We were able to visit with many old friends. While back in Seward, John Cattle asked if I was interested in serving on the Bank Board. We took the girls, Heather and went out to see the Sandhill Cranes. I flew up to Billings MT for a Northern Plains SWCS Meeting. There were no Planes out on Saturday so I rented a little car and drove up to Red Lodge, MT. Elaine and I flew to DC in March to Honor Norm and Ruth Berg. We rented a bright red car and drove down to Richmond to see Verlon. We later drove the Pick-up to Lake Woebegone to work with Charles Abdulla on the Groundwater Education Project, visited Jerry's family in Tomah, WI and on to the American Agronomy Society Headquarters in Madison. We got back to Seward for the Easter weekend, saw Julie get a trophy for her smallest kite. We drove the 527 miles to Tim's and of his thoughts to becoming a Social Security Att'y. We visited Mammoth Cave NP in Kentucky on our way to our SWCS Cover Crop Conference in Jackson, KY. We drove the Motorhome to Tomah, WI for the Wedding of Cindy Vrana and Chad Clay. We went on a "Duck Ride" in the Dells and the Barnum and Blailey Circus in Baraboo. We took the girls and drove the Pontiac to Dena Sykes and Mark Sorge's Wedding in Loveland, CO. In late June we went to DC and took the girls along for a Summit Meeting of Natural Resources Organization. It gave us a chance to visit our old homes, etc. Our Annual Meeting was held in Lexington, KY and featured Lester Brown, Wendell Berry. Nina-Leopold-Bradley, etc. My retirement was made public and honors followed. Maggie Rose Vrana was born 9/10/91. And I spoke at the SCS State Conservationist Meeting in Washington DC. With a few more trips and Meetings, I was able to tell everyone Good-Bye

A Happy Easter

Our Easter Celebration Yesterday was pretty "low keyed" in comparison to when our 4 kids were at this age. We did have phone calls from all 3 boys yesterrday which were greatly appreciated. We talk to Carolyn quite frequently and today had an electric razor delivered after just mentioning that it would make a nice Birthday present this summer. We heard about the 5 Grandchildren having a Zoom experience yesterday. Today I had my introduction. The Seward Kiwanis meeting attempted to have a "Zoom" meeting. Marv Taylor invited me to join him this noon for the meeting.  It was an introduction but still had some bugs to be ironed out before it's ready to go public. I'm having problems receiving mail messages on my laptop nor can I get the "in use dot" removed from the Mail icon at the base of the desktop. Any thoughts or ideas would be welcomed. I tried to shut down thinking that may restore the "quit mail" but a note says in can't shut down with mail open. I don't know how to get mail shut down.

Calls from The Boys

We woke up this morning to having had rain that became sleet and froze to our Patio doors. It went off during the afternoon and now we have had some snow flurries with 40 mph winds. This has been a quiet day here with phone calls from Verlon and Jon. Verlon told of it being a nice day in Richmond and he decided to get "dressed up" just to set on his front porch. He told of how much he appreciated our providing all the things for kids to read while we lived in Lincoln. Jon called a bit ago and told of the cousins getting together on "Zoom" this afternoon and having a fun time. I'm anxious to learn more about it. I have been invited to set in a Kiwanis meeting tomorrow noon which is to be on "Zoom". This could be something that will remain in use even after the Coronavirus epidemic has been put to rest.

Carolyn's Visit

Carolyn came to our Patio door this afternoon. This is not a very good picture and was actually taken earlier when she came over. However, she brought along her lawn chair, Elaine and I sat in chairs on the Patio while Carolyn was out on the grass. We had no physical contact but a wonderful visit. I don't know when we have had a better visit nor covered as many subjects we did in little over an hour. I did get to ride the NU-Step for 15 minutes and cleared up a couple questions I had with Ken Morgan's office (Deniese) on our 2019 Federal and State Income Tax. Carolyn is really our "window" to the outside world. While she and Ben are pretty "home bound" they have more contact with the outside world than we do. While we appreciate our computer, Facebook, daily newspapers (LJS &OWH), Telephone, etc. We are also appreciative of the Staff here at Brookdale with all their efforts to keep us healthy, well fed, and happy.

Some 1990 with Today

I wanted to finish my series of going through the '90's but ran into various problems and give up on it. From now on I'm going to write more of our days activities and less history. This picture showing the dedication of the D.E.Hutchinson Prairie at the SWCS Headquarters location in Ankeny, IA on Earth Day 1990. IT was a highlight of my tour of duty at that location.

We slept late this morning but after showering, shaving and dressing, I talked to Carolyn about some bank business but found in talking to Joette, that we can probably get everything done over the phone, We also got word from Ken Morgan's office that they were bringing up our Income Tax report which they had finished. It was given to a staff person who in turn passed it on to us. After our review, I tried to call Ken for clarification but was unable to reach him. I will  try again on Monday. Our bathroom towel bar fell apart this morning but Jim got it fixed today better than it has ever been, We set a new low temperature of 17 degrees in Lincoln this morning

      I did want to include the picture of Mother that was taken on her 90th Birthday on August 7, 1990 which was  a few months before she passed away on 12/6/90.

Dad's passing in 1989

We began the year of 1989 with the plan to. sell the farm. We had talked with Don about an Auction and Lloyd Terpsma, a Realtor. I had made plans to lead a "Water Qualty" program in Seward and a "SustainableAg Meeting in Omaha.

I was on the UBB NRD, the Homestead Committee on Ministry, the Board of NE SWCS Council of Chapters as well as the Lincoln Chapter. I was a registered Lobbyistfor the State Grange and School Administrators. and involved with the Board of local Ikes, Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club, the Seward Grange, and active in the Lincoln SCS Retirees Breakfast. My commitments took me to Lincoln several times a week. We signed an agreement on March 20th to sell the West 40 acres of our farm to Ron Young's for $95,000. and will sell the east 40 on our February 15 Auction. Jon came back to help get ready for the Auction. Don did a great job at our Auction which produced over $19,000. We made 2 trips back to Tim's with Flowerday Furniture and helped refinish it. On June 19th  we left on our trip to Alaska. On our way home we attended the SWCS Meeting in Alberta, Canada, where I accepted the position of Executive VP of the Society with Offices in Ankeny, IA. We  moved over into a Condo that we bought and were back in Seward for Dad's Funeral after his having died on December 15, 1989

1988, Retirement from NRC

March 23, 1988 was the date we had been looking for. It was the beginning of the time we could enjoy the farm without a "Steady Job". We had gone to an NARD meeting in Little Rock, AK earlier where Gene Sullivan's invited us to their house for a "Super Bowl"  party. Elaine and I met Norris Alfred and Lee Morris for a "Birding" expedition. We conducted a "c" factor workshop at the office. I was appointed to fill Frank Lavicky's position on the UBB NRD when he resigned. Aunt Dorothy showed me the Fred Turner "card file". On 4/7/88 Elaine and I left in the pickup on our southern trip. We visited Tom Shiflet's, Bill Lingle's, Callaway Gardens, the "Little White House" where FDR died, saw Nolan Ryan pitch, Stone Mountain, visited Jon and Mary, Verlon and Kli in Richmond, VA., Mel & Marilyn Davis, blew out a tire leaving 3-Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, and Tim's in Columbus, IN. I seeded Switchgrass for Ted Flowerday soon after getting home. Julie did real well at Shelly's Dance Recital. We enjoyed a flock of Canada geese that hatched out at our pond. Don and Gladys were up for Memorial Day and we all ate at Souceks. Seward County was listed in the Drought Disaster Area. We took the Folks to Ruth and Elmer Geiger's 50th Wedding Anniversary at Superior. Carolyn started scraping and painting her house. Willard got a 3-pound bass out of our pond. We went to "Camp Creek Thrashers" and with the Grange to Milt Fricke's. We visited Andy Kmetz's and Tim's on our way to the SWCS meeting in Columbus, OH with Jon's. He is being promoted to a GS-12 position at Syracuse, NY.`We took Julie to the State Fair and the Kerry-Karnes debate. We took Kilzers to the Int. Plowing contest at the Amana Colonies and visited the Dick Thompson farm at Boone, IA. I flew to a Sustainable Ag Meeting in Columbus, OH with Rodale's. We set a price of $129,500 or $89,950 for just the west 40 acres. Elaine & I drove both pickups with 2,360 lbs of Switchgrass seed to Holly Miller in York for processing. I taught Bob Kuzelka'z UN-L class. Anthony James was born to Laura & Tim on 11/1/88.We had 300 customers at the Ikes Soup Supper. George Bush was elected President and Bob Kerry defeated Karns. We went to see "baby Tony" in Columbus, IN. We hosted the Vrana Family Thanksgiving Dinner at the Boy Scout Bldg. I started installing storm windows on Carolyn's house. NRC Staff party at Hidden Valley. Took Dingleberrry wine to Ike's Party. I accepted the Lobbying Job from the State Grange. Clayton Yuetter announced as Sec'y of Agriculture. We visited with Ted & Muffy at the folks where Muffy told of Mrs. Trump's kiss of Ted after his ability to visit with her in Czech at Norman Vincent Peale's 90th birthday party.

1987, Fishing Trip in Canada

Julie took violin lessons for some time with Mr. Collier who came out from Lincoln. It got her started on a "path" she continues to follow. We had gone to Kay Orr's Inagural Dinner and Dance as I was interested in  Directing an Agency. We continued with our development to the State Soil Conservation Strategy and awarded many State S & W Conservation Pins.  We helped Carolyn move into the 5th St. House. We took the Motorhome & VW out to Reno, NV for an NACD meeting and visited The Custer Battle Ground beforJe going on down to Phoenix for the NE Irrigation tour. We saw the "moved", London Bridge. I continued to work with Sen. Harold Sieck on the Grass Land Protection Act. Coffee at Don Miller's on Saturday morning

was a must. Bill Hartmann did some repair work on 81-A. I bought and planted another 40lbs. of Foundation Switchgrass Seed. Vivian had a nice Teacher Retirement party. We used Paul Hoff's "Tree Spade" to move trees at the farm. Verlon and Kli flew out to visit. Gov. Orr issued a "Soil Stewardship Document" which I had written. Dayle hosted the NRC Picnic at his Waverly home. Ted and Muffy had us down where Dad played the accordion and we danced. We visited Walt Bailey's Prairie Pines with the Seward Garage. In Aug. we went to the SCSA meeting in Bozeman, MT. Visited the PMC at Billings. We and Willard & Audrey Kilzer spent a few days at the Delaney Fishing Resort in Canada. We drove the Motorhome to Kenora and were flown in from there. Paid tribute to Reinhold Marxhausen in Seward.

1986, A Good Year

Here is Vivian and Eddy Soucek when the AC, Bob Foster came to Eddy's retirement party. It was one of several local events that helped to make 1986 memorable. Gene Phillips had been detailed from SCS to help me with the development of a State Soil and Water Conservation Strategy. The Space Ship Challenger crashed on take-off killing 7 Astronauts. We enjoyed the Lincoln "High Flyer's" square dance club with Willard Nixon calling. I often worked on Saturday mornings at the Seward Ikes Recycle Center. Elaine and I sawed wood at the farm with the blocks going on the old SCS Pickup and backed into the attached garage . I had to "sweep" the Chimney to open it up. Jon had a meeting in Lincoln so he and Anna stayed with us. I spoke at the Water Conference in March. We enjoyed Easter Sunday down at Don & Gladys. I brought a Blue Spruce,  Japanese Magnolia and some Yews out to the Folks. Elaine worked to display "Church Symbols". I bought my first 10 lbs of Foundation Trailblazer Switch Grass Seed. We took Julie and Carolyn down to the Roca Berry Farm. Gaylen Bridge and Karen came out to visit. I visited with Arnold Davis at the National Windbreak Symposium in Lincoln, and with Rep. Virginia Smith at the dedication of the Calamus Dam.

On 7/26/86 We and Julie left with the Motorhome and VW for Oprey Land, Jon & Mary's at Oakland and Williamsburg. I got my "Fellow Award" at the SCSA meeting in Winstom Salem, NC. We visited Tim's on the way home. Bob Crosby helped me get the NE S & W Foundation established. We visited the 9-mile Prairie. Dad had his 90th birthday, and Carolyn looked at the N. 5th St. house. Kay Orr was elected Governor. Tim & Laura came to visit in late Nov. We flew down to McAllen, TX to visit friends.

Year to Remember, 1985

1985 might be remembered with specific reason for certain people. We had a family reunion out at the farm in July. Jerry Rehor took the picture.   I had been sworn in as Master of the Seward Masonic Lodge. We took Julie, stopped at Tim's and went on to the home farm of HH Bennett where Jon received an NARD Award. We had seen a baseball game in Cincinatti,  OH, visited Montecello and Verlon in Richmond, VA.Went back up to Duesterhaus' in DC and attended the 50th Anniversary of SCS along with over 1,000 others. After visiting the Ralston's and Davis' we were home by May 4th. The Girls moved into the old Tobin house on August 3 and went to St. Louis for an SCSA meeting and ball game. The Vrana-Milacek reunion was held in Wahoo. Julie started to Kindergarten and Carolyn started teaching. We joined a Lincoln square dance club and ordered 3,000 Nebraska Soil Stewardship Pins. We took the folks up to Dad's birthplace near Linwood and drove the Motorhome over to Ankeny for the annual SCSA meeting. Jon, this picture may take a little explaining. Was it taken in the Richmond Museum?

Seward County Farmers

I looked at our 1984 pictures today. Here is one of Dad out on the pasture hill of the Old Vrana farm. We had driven up through Wagenknecht's 40 and on into our pasture. Dad's picture was looking down to the creek and to the old farmstead. We had a Family Reunion at our John Meyer farm during the summer. A highlight was attempting to move Carolyn's old piano and had it fall off the truck and crash while going around a corner. We just took all the pieces  out to the farm and made them available to "well wishers". During the course of the year we joined the Seward Grange, bought the AC Combine, took the Girls in the Motorhome to visit Tim's and on to see Jon's in Franklin, NC. Verlon flew down to Asheville, NC where we all visited. We went right on from there to Oklahoma City for the SCSA Meeting and on home. Later in the fall, Elaine and I took the Pickup to Franklin to bring back the VW. We attended the NACD Meeting at Oprey Land on the way home. During the summer we joined Mumm's and Jacobsen's for some Motorhome Fishing weekends. As a final outing Elaine and I went to Hawaii in late November, had a great time.

Pictures of 1983 while Quarantined

Another day of quarantine with meals delivered to our units. Here is what our noon meal looked like today. I gave the Tomatoes to Elaine; The cups have cabbage salad, coffee and a hard dessert. The fish was good and Elaine got some preserve out of the cupboard to put on the Muffin.They did bring a small can of Cola and Cookie about 3:30 for a snack. I looked at all of our 1983 pictures this morning and picked out Carolyn's Graduation from Concordia, building our deck, buying the Motorhome and Tim and Laura's wedding as the year's highlights. It was a pleasant way to spend some time. This afternoon I rode the Nu-Step, and got started on the file project; I'm about through the lower drawer of the wooden file.

I did have a short nap after lunch but Elaine had to wake me up this morning when it was close to 8:00 am. Our trip to Yellowstone with the girls in our new Motorhome was certainly a highlight of 1983. 

The coronavirus continues to take its tole. 273,800 cases were reported in the US this afternoon with 7,300 deaths.  Nebraska has 303 cases and 6 deaths. We had a call from Jon this evening where he told of what Mary goes through every night when she gets home from work. It includes showering and changing clothes. We do a lot of hand washing.

Busy but Enjoyable Days

This is our first full day of quarantine with all meals in our rooms. We are to maintain 6 feet of distance with anyone in the hall or elsewhere. This will take some getting used to. I did get to the Library to ride the NuStep bike for 15 minutes. Several people signed up for times during the day.

I did look at every picture on my '52-8/53 & '55-'56 flash drive and selected a few to put on my blog page. This is not what I envisioned retirement life would be like when these pictures were taken but I do enjoy looking at pictures from happier days. I plan to start a project of going through our files in the west room. It is mainly a 2-drawer wooden file with a couple file folders on top. I know there are some things that can go to the garage. Jim borrowed the keys to our car and backed it out along with several others to make some improvements at the back part of the garage. He did back the car into the garage.

Another 70+ degree Day

It happened this noon. We had been alerted by this mornings front page where they told of a "home care Facility" in Blair, NE being closed because of the Coronavirus. We got the word from our head nurse here at Brookdale as we prepared to eat our noon meal. It was our last meal to be served in the Dining Room. In the foreseeable future meals will be delivered to the rooms. Breakfast will be delivered with the evening meal. All meals will be delivered in "disposable" dishes and thrown away with our regular garbage. (It will be picked up by staff if put outside your door.) The Front Door will be locked. Deliveries will be dropped off with Deb at the doorway and can be picked up from her. Nothing is to come in through the Patio Doors. All entertainment is cancelled but some social events can be held in the Dining Room with a minimum of 6 feet maintained between individuals. The double doors that separate the Independent from the Assisted Living area will be locked. One of the NU Step Exercise Bikes will be moved to the Library and times can be reserved in half hour increments. We had our first delivered meal this evening with a small styrafoam cup of coffee and a lemon bar for dessert. The "entry" was mainly noodles with tomatoes and mixed vegetables in it. I never had to eat a "school lunch" but from what I've heard, this might have been a sample. I did set out on the Patio for a while this afternoon.