Thank You

This is to Thank everyone who sent a Card or Birthday wishes by Email to me yesterday for my 95th. Carolyn picked us up to go to their house for Anglefood Cake, Strawberries and Ice Cream at 2:00pm. It was most enjoyable with the Owenses their as well. It was the first time we had been out of our facility here for some weeks. Beginning this week, we are eating Dinner and Supper in the Dining room.

This card was from Carolyn, she had done all the drawing on it. She had done quite a bit of drawing of buildings downtown and my have an outlet for them.

Jimmy Carter

I read the 144 page, large print  version of former President Jimmy Carter’s 1988 book on “The Virtues of Aging” today. It is distributed by Random House and we received our copy from the Seward Memorial Library. It was a good decision for me to seek some guidance from the past-president since I was never a strong supporter of his. The book contains useful guidance and encourages a balanced life of Faith, Nutrition, Exercise, Social Interaction, etc. It also stresses the value and virtue of people doing volunteer work in retirement years. He is a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity. We here in Seward have an outstanding record in the use of volunteers. We are also active with Habitat for Humanity and have utilized it for helping with remodeling or cleaning up a "junky" place. Carters concluding nuggett is “You are old when regrets take the place of Dreams.”

The Mexican War

I pulled the 5th "The Old West" book off the shelf today after riding the NU-Step for 15 minutes. It is titled "The Mexican War and described as: "Mexican-American War, also called Mexican War, Spanish Guerra de 1847 or Guerra de Estados Unidos a Mexico (“War of the United States Against Mexico”),  war between the United States and Mexico (April 1846–February 1848) stemming from the United States’ annexation of Texas in 1845 and from a dispute over whether Texas ended at the Nueces River (Mexican claim) or the Rio Grande (U.S. claim). The war—in which U.S. forces were consistently victorious—resulted in the United States’ acquisition of more than 500,000 square miles (1,300,000 square km) of Mexican territory extending westward from the Rio Grande to the Pacific Ocean." I went through it this afternoon and decided to focus on Jimmy Carter's book "The Virtues of Aging" which is a "better -fit" for me. I read a bit of the large print version and was favorably impressed. It was delivered to us today from the Seward Memorial Library.

Jon David

We didn't realize that Jon was going to be involved in "Horse Back Riding" when he enrolled in "Soils" courses at Virginia Tech at Blacksburg,VA back in the early 70's. He never talked about it very much but must have filled a spot on his schedule. His degree in Soils plus the Masters he picked up at George Washington U. must have set him up with enough education to have a great career with the SCS and NRCS as a Soil Scientist. He, like most college educated people use their formal education as a base for their learning a subject but much of their accumulated knowledge comes from the people they work with, "trial and error", and general experience.

Important Choice

Elaine and I each visited the "in house" hair salon here today. I got a haircut at 10:00an and she got a wash and set at 12:00pm. We are very appreciative of the shop. The lady drives in from Waco and had 18 customers here at the independent and assisted living sides. Having just had our 71st Wedding Anniversary I spent some time reflecting on our choice of mates. As a farm boy, we had just gotten into the Purebred Polled Herford business and I had some appreciation of genetics. I liked Elaine  with her nice looks, pleasing personality and  recognized that her traits could make for a nice family. I liked the way she ran in from centerfield on the softball team and was impressed with her being 3rd in scholastic rank in her high school class of about 65. Her brother Dale received many honors and recognition from Seward HS. My mother had know Elaine's Mother's family as a girl at Leahey country school and spoke favorably of them. What I never once thought about when we were dating was the "later years". I never really understood nor appreciated how much we mean to each other until moving to this facility. Being quarantined as we have been for the past couple months only adds to the importance of each other. No one is going to pick a lifelong mate based on your relationships after 70 years, but I can take credit for having made a very good choice.

Challenges

We are playing games with the meals that are delivered to us in our quarantined condition now that Kinship Pointe has taken over for Brookdale. We are handed menu request to fill out our request for the following day.Thank goodness there is two of us that share to keep us both well fed and satisfied. We always look forward to Chili soup being served and it was served to Elaine today. I don't know what I did wrong to be served "pork and beans"``` soup. We shared and both had plenty to eat. Meals are served early with coffee in 8oz styrofoam cups brought in about 10 minutes before the meal. I may have to seek some guidance in filling out the order but it seems pretty simple. Carolyn was down again today and helped me add names and numbers for Email friends and relatives for my call list. I don't want to have to ask her to help me with anything more than necessary. And Yes, Elaine does get all the tomato that she wants because it includes those from my styrofoam box. We appreciate being able to eat our breakfast food out of a china bowl with Hot coffee in a China cup.

Sadie & Jack Art Work

Carolyn brought Julie, Sadie and Jack down Friday for a little '71 Wedding Anniversary party for Elaine and I. We stayed our distance out on the patio and moved over in the shade because of the heat. The kids brought their art work along which we have had on display. We think Sadie is showing a lot of artistic ability for going to be 8 on August 6. Jack will be 6 on October 28. Jack really has to explain the meaning of his card but both he and I are involved. It will be interesting to see how the vaccine for the Coronavirus comes along in it's development. I can only hope and pray that the treatment will be here in time for them to have a "normal education".

Brother Don & Gladys 70 Years

This picture was taken 70 years ago today after the wedding of Don Vrana and Gladys Makovicka in Seward with Father Hain officiating. Even with Don's recent passing, they have so much in their years of marriage with which to be pleased. It is very fitting that they add another to their family today in the person of a new son-in-law. Don and Gladys made outstanding Grandparents and Family icons. Don had a very pleasing personality but didn't hesitate to draw the line when appropriate. Don was my best life long friend, it never occurred to me that he may precede me in reaching the Pearly Gates. I'm sure he received a Hearty Welcome.

Anniversary Celebration

This is part of the family that gathered this morning in our back yard (under a tree) to celebrate Elaine and my 71st Wedding Anniversary. It was much more informal this year than when the Boys and several grandchildren were here last summer. We actually talked about something similar for this year before the Coronavirus hit and we are quarantined. Carolyn brought banana  bread and got things set up under a tree to the east of our Patio. There was plenty of room for she and Ben, Julie, Sadie and Jack with Elaine and I. The kids took advantage of being able to do a lot of running around and would have climbed the tree with a little help.

Garland High School 1996

This picture was taken at the 1996 Garland, NE, High School annual reunion. The reunions always included all graduates and spouses. Billy Staska graduated with us in the class of 1942, it may have been the only one he ever attended. My sister Vivian also graduated with that class of 11 and had a party at their home in Seward for the group. It was today that I filed the letter announcing that the reunion has been cancelled for this year. This is the first time that I remember of that ever happening. Many of us in this picture have moved on. It was always a "wonder" to me for how many graduates attended. We were getting around 90 (with spouses) and the HS has been closed for more years than what it graduated seniors.

Zoom

Here is Marv Taylor and me as we attempted to Zoom a Kiwanis meeting. We didn't make it very well this first time but got it OK the 2nd try. Some of you may have missed the past couple days Blog page since this is my first one in June. Carolyn was down at noon and gave me some guidance that enabled me to get back "on line". I continue to learn and had trouble with my hearing as I tried to get some help over the phone. I will sleep better tonight and might even dream of getting a haircut tomorrow.