There was a "Social Card Game" going on in the Library this afternoon as I rode the Nu-step for 15 minutes.  LeRoy was determined to be the winner and this was the first time he had played this particular game. Marv had dropped off a 1941 Collier Magazine which I had gone through and visited with him about. I had expected to see more "War Stories" than were included.

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The John & julie Owens Family

John, Julie, Sadie and Jack were all down to see us this morning. They just came in to tell us Good Bye & otherwise we visited out on the Patio. It was cool enough that I put on my windbreaker. They brought along their Bicycles and when they left here, they were headed up to John's Folks place and to see Carolyn and Ben. We had a god visit talking about school. We talked to Tim today and he told of seeing their School Picture for this fall. Julie is enjoying her one day a week work at the dress shop in Lincoln. John helped me out with a couple things on my computer which I appreciate. I asked him about one of the computer books that "were for Dummies" and John said he didn't think they sold them anymore. They expect us to get instruction on-line. 

                                                                                          

                                             
 

Daily Prayer Book

Carolyn came down this morning and took the picture of me reading our prayer book she gave to us many years ago. Here is copies of the book and the open page which I read this morning. 

 Here is a shot of the Burr Oak planting that we made down in a loop of Plum Creek some 8-10 years ago. It is also just a short distance off the Seward Walker-Biker trail. The City has done a good job of keeping the area mowed and maintained.

Here was a happy family getting their picture taken next to the tripod supporting the old black butchur kettle back in 1957. We moved to Lincoln the next year where I was transferred to work on Watershed Dam construction and could take some night classes at UN-L.

I worked at putting captions on1966 pictures today and came across this of the President Kennedy funeral. We watched  TV and timed when we needed to drive up to catch this view of the Cortage with the flag dropped coffin being pulled into Arlington National Cemetery by 6 white horses.

 I was given this book yesterday and spent time in it's 160 pages today. It is the story of the Cubs and Indians in the 2016 Major League World Series, won by the Cubs in 7 games. 

Here is a 1982 picture of Verlon, Carolyn and me with one of Verlon's birds in his apartment in Richmond,VA. He is back at building some similar even now.

10 Participants at Men's Coffee on 8/4/20

Here are half of the 10 men who participated in the Men's Coffee this morning at 10:30. There was a similar number at the other end of the table. Everyone spoke on their immediate family. We just got all the way around in the hour long session.

Jim, Julie (Sorge), Thomas and Emily Goodwin

Here is Jim and Julie (Sorge) with Thomas and Emily. It was taken at a Family Reunion at the Hughes Cabin here in Seward. The event honored Dad's 93 Birthday as well as he and Mother's 69th Wedding Anniversary.

Hughes Garden Flowers

Carolyn was down this afternoon and brought a new bouquet from their gardens. She also brought 3 tomatoes for Elaine. We really appreciate her visits and gifts.

The Crow's Nest: Elaine and her cousin Kathleen and Tom Tyrrell wit...

The Crow's Nest: Elaine and her cousin Kathleen and Tom Tyrrell wit...: Elaine and her cousin Kathleen and Tom Tyrrell with us as they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary here in Seward. They are from the Beaver Crossing area originally but have lived in southern Alabama for a number of years.

Tom & Kathleen Tyrrell 8/1/20

Elaine and her cousin Kathleen and Tom Tyrrell with us as they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary here in Seward. They are from the Beaver Crossing area but have spent several years in  southern Alabama.

Kathleen is not in good health.

Elaine's cousin Sharon and Tom Tyrrell with us at their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They have lived in  southern Alabama for several years after leaving the Beaver Crossing area. Sharon is not in good health.

Here is a picture of Elaine's cousin Sharon and her husband Tom Tyrrell on their 30th Wedding Anniversary back in 2010. They live in the Alabama area where they have been for a number of years. Sharon is not in good health.

Tony on Nu-Step

Here is me on the Nu-Step bike in the Library off the entry way into the Kinship-Pointe independent living facility. It was moved up here from the assisted living area at the time of greater separation. I set it on the 6 level of tension and ride it for 15 minutes each day. I've only missed 1 day this Month in addition to only riding for 6 minutes on one other day. I hope to finish out the month of July with my 15 minutes /day. During June, I rode 15 minutes on 22 days.

KC Chiefs vs Cleveland Indians with Alex Gordon

The Royals got 2 HR's in the 1st inning against Cleveland but the Indians came back and tied it up 2-2. We were gone to our evening meal while that was going on. I did get back in time to see Alex Gordon bat in the 6th inning but he hit into an easy out and in the 9th.  This must be a difficult time for Alex with some question as to how much time he has left. But it's a difficult time for all of us and we are not being paid like he is. The game ended in a tie so a runner was put on 2nd base and bunted over to 3rd. He scored on a long fly to center. The next batter walked but was out trying to steal 2nd. The Indians got runners on 1st and 2nd with walks but were unable to score so the Chiefs won 3-2.

Congratulations on 10th Wedding Anniversary

Congratulations to Julie and John on the 10th Anniversary of their Marriage. They have done very well during this time with having built a new House and Office. But more importantly is Sadie (8) and Jack (6). We couldn't ask for two Great-Grandchildren to be more proud of. They have both done very well in school at Saint Andrews and regret the impact that the coronavirus will have.

Yankee's vs National's

Verlon called me this evening to assure that I was set to watch the TV baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees. The game is being played in Nationals park in DC. There are no fans at the ballpark. The ESPN camera men are well concealed and the announcers are in the studio.

Scherzer was the starting pitcher for the Nationals and is shown here walking off the mound with the yankees having scrored 2 runs in the 1st inning. The Nationals got a run in the bottom of the 1st and it's now 4-1 in the bottom of the 6th. This seems to me to be a poor excuse for Major League Baseball.

Ellie on the Piano

Ellie played the piano here at Kingspoint this afternoon for a group songfest. There were about a dozen of us that participated. Ellie has a long entertainment history of having played in MOTELS some years ago when it was popular to have group singing. Her playing the piano is all by ear. We sang popular songs from her songbook first and then switched to religious songs. She had to take a "time-out" to tell us a few corny jokes. Her hour-long program always ends with LeRoy presenting her a small gift as a token from all of us.

Busy Day for Me

This was a busy day for me. Eight of us got together for the Men's Coffee and 10:30 and told about what we did after retirement from our life's work. I told of my job over in Ankney, Iowa with the Soil and Water Conservation Society. 

After lunch I went to the Specialty Clinic at the Seward Hospital for a Chest X-ray, then over to the Hospital for Breathing test.  I had both of these tests some years ago, but am getting a new pomotologist who felt it necessary to check my current condition. I will see him later this month. 

This evening we had a reception for Sam, Suse, Emily and Bria who are graduating from HS and will be going off to college this fall. They have served the meals here at Kings Point for some time.

Nebraska Soil and Water Stewardship Pin

Here is a picture of Dayle Williamson pining s Soil Steward Pin on Harold Anderson, Publisher of the Omaha World Herald back in the late 1980's. I am standing along side having handed the Pin to Dayle and reading the story of the Pin. I had designed it and written the story that told of thousands having been distributed throughout the State by the NRD's to individuals that had  shown their stewardship for our Soil and Water Resources.

Owens Family & Carolyn

John, Julie, Sadie and Jack stopped by this afternoon. They were all outfitted with their mask as they came into our unit. The kids were really pleased to be here. Jack has such a great memory and wanted me to tell the story of being caught in a tornado over in Ankney. I assume he had heard Julie say something about it and wanted to hear the story "from the Horses Mouth". I related as well as possible but had to check later to see that it was on March 13, 1990 and hit our unit in Ankney at 8:40pm.  Elaine had stayed in Seward so I was all alone. I was able to spend the night there despite one of the bedroom windows being blown in. I may have to do a full blog page on it sometime.

Carolyn was here this morning and got my new cell phone set up to ring instead of just vibrate. She showed me how the two little buttons on the left edge of the phone work and how to use "settings" as well.

Vrana Cousins 1986

This was taken in Vivian and Eddy Soucek's back yard at the time of Aunt Anna Barth's funeral and burial down in the Salem Methodist church cemetery. Included are:(L-R) Dale Vrana, Vivian Soucek, Verlon "Tony" Vrana, Richard Olson, Robert Olson, and Patricia Grimes. Kneeling in front are Phillip Vrana and George Rada. Richard Olson Officiated at the Funeral and Burial Service for his Mother, Anna Barth. Ted & Muffy amd several other relatives were present at a Family Dinner held the night before the funeral. Several have passed on since the picture was taken including: Vivian, Phillip, George,  Robert and Richard.

My Mother 1900-1990

The Crow's Nest: The Crow's Nest:

The Crow's Nest: The Crow's Nest:: The Crow's Nest:

Don's Virginia Visit

Blizzard of 1888- Kooser

“The Blizzard Voices” is based on the reminiscences of those men and women who witnessed the great blizzard of January 12, 1888. This paperback book was reproduced  from proofs of a limited edition designed and hand printed by Gerald Lange at the Bieler Press in Minneapolis and copyright by Ted Kooser in 1986

                   

Sadie & Jack

Train Trip through the Rockies

Here is a scene from a film shown today in the independent dining room. The title was, "Train Trip through the Rockies". It took us through the Rockies east of Denver and then on west to Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to showing the scenery there was coverage of the kitchen, dining room and vista window cars. We had taken this very trip a few years ago to attend a SWCSA meeting in Salt Lake City. The construction of the railroad would have been a major project during the time it was done. I assume there is a continuing amount of maintenance to keep the lines operational. I'm not sure if the "vista dome" cars are still operational. I recall some discussion of their being phased out.

Preparing to Move

New Phone

This has been a busy day as Carolyn dropped off my new Apple Cell phone this morning. I was able to get Elaine's picture on Facebook this afternoon with the following message: "Would you believe that this is the first picture that I've taken on a new camera and are putting it on Facebook. Carolyn has done "yoeman's" duty to make it all possible. First of all, she got me a new Apple phone from the Verison store here in Seward and then had to go back down this afternoon to do whatever was necessary to enable me to send this out. She makes the difference in my being able to use the Phone, camera and computer. I may even try to send out a blog sheet this evening".

This is my attempt to send out a blog page.

Dr. Summa

I rode the Kinship Pointe transportation down to the Clinic today for a 1:30pm  appointment with Dr. Summa. This was the first time I’d seen him this year. I had several things to talk with him about. The first was what he believed to be a Basel Cell carcinoma on my nose. I have had these elsewhere on my face and he suggested just watching. I showed him a lump at the base of my stomach which he recognized as a Hernia. This too he suggested just watching. I did have the nurses clean the wax out of my ears. He is well aware of my not doing treatment until necessary.

I weighed in at 173.6 with shoes on, 119/71 Blood pressure, Heart rate 63, temperature 97.2 and Oxygen at 98.1. I was real pleased with the appointment.

Vivian and old Cupola

This mornings "Lincoln Star" had a picture on it's front page of the second State Capitol Building of the State. This facility  was built in 1888 and demolished in 1932 as the current structure was completed.  The picture shows Vivian Schluckebier looking over the paper and the picture of the older Capitol building. Vivian's father was Harry Westerhoff who had land in the Garland (Germantown) area and acquired the top cupola off the old Capitol Building, revised it somewhat and placed it on top of a barn he was building. It was not their home place but west of Garland. As a youngster I remember of my Dad pointing it out to me as he drove the Model A from the old Vrana farm to Seward. Vivian is well aware of it being there but has no memory of the details. I know there are pictures within the County Historical Society, or elsewhere, of the cupola on the barn but I was unable to find one.

Summer Shirt

With yesterday being the 4th of July, it seemed the season to put on a summer shirt and lightweight, size 42 Kakies. I even shaved with a safety razor today for the season.  There was a scheduled showing of the film "Secretariat" but a substitue was shown. I even looked up to see that it was in 1974 that we had seen that great horse at Claborne Farms in Kentucky. I delayed my after lunch nap to see it and was disappointed at the switch. I did pick up a couple more early 1960's scrap books as put together by Mrs. Elmer Garber. The books are not in very good condition but contain a wealth of information.Where else could I go to read G.F. Eberspachers obituary with a listing of survivors.  Cousin Patricia Thompson's engagement was announced with a picture as she married Gleason. Grimes. Most of the material in the books came from the Seward Independent newspaper which normally consisted of 8-pages, once a week. I was able to learn things about the Harold Davisson family that I'd never known. This type of information has been replaced by the  digitalization of the Seward weekly papers and it is all available to the public. Maybe we had to go through the Scrap Book process but their "life expediency" is certainly limited.

Family Picture

                                                                                                                               

This has certainly been one of the "lowest keyed" 4th of Julys that I remember. One of my earliest memories is of our Turner relatives parking their Model "T" in our yard to watch the fireworks in the City Park just across the railroad tracks from our place. I remember of seeing them put the top down so they could see the aerial displays better. Then more recently the top of the amphitheater was blown off on the night of the 4th. When we lived on the farm north of Garland, Dad would drive the old Model A Ford up to the top of the hill just north of our house and we could see the Seward display-but not very well. The highlight of today is when Carolyn came down for a short visit and brought our pillboxes for the week.
This was taken in our backyard on 1st street when the kids and grandkids were here for Julie and John Owens Wedding. The picture was taken on the 21st of July, 2010 and the Wedding was on July 24th. Those 10 years have gone by pretty fast but Sadie will be 8 next month and Jack will be 6 this fall. They have had built and settled in a new house here in Seward and John has built a new Edward Jones Office and increased his staff. That is all favorable progress. We keep our fingers crossed in looking forward to the day when a vaccine is available for the coronavirus. We hear estimates of it. being here by the first of the year and just hope and pray that it can be that soon. Those Kids are at the point in school that they shouldn't be deprived of the full treatment  

Community Service Award 2017

I was honored 3 years ago when presented the Seward County Community Service Award as presented by Clarke Kolterman. It recognized what I have done for the community through volunteer efforts. It included what I did in building the Seward Memorial Library, with Seward Kiwanis, Seward Kitones; obtaining 501 c (3) status for 3 local organization, for serving on the Seward City Council and many years of the

Cattle Bank Board of Directors, etc. It is interesting that Roger Glawitz who is holding the plaque with me, is receiving the award this year after serving on the Seward City Council and Mayor for a number of years among other things. Part of the honor is in being able to ride in the Seward 4th of July parade which has been cancelled for this year

Elaine

Elaine had an early (8:45) in-house beauty shop appointment for a wash and set. It wasn't that early but it did move us along earlier than normal. Her hair came out real nice. Being able to get this done in-house and for a lesser price than downtown, makes it a very attractive. She is reading "The Best Of Reminisce" 207 page book. Teen-ager's would be amused at many of the things included. It will be interesting to see what today's young people will list in Reminisce as how they helped "pass the time" during this Coronavirus Pandemic that we are living through. Elaine has done some reading on Johnas Salk and the development of the Polio vaccine. It was of special interest to us with four youngters born between 8/17/50 and 11/22/54. We followed the development of the Polio vaccine closely and got all of them down to the Doctor's Office for a shot as soon as possible. My Mother had a younger sister and brother who had "Infantile Parallyis" as teenagers back in the 1915 era and had a handicap in walking.

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.