Music of the 1930's

John Korsgaard presented a program this afternoon at 2:30 in the Independent Dining room on "Memories and Melodies of 1933". John played phonographic records and showed the record covers of popular musicians that brought Swing music to the public in the 1930's. He inherited much home his music from his father and had a couple picture postcards from California that came from his Grandfather. The Depression of the 1930's in the United States had a direct effect on the music of that era. Country Music reached a new high with musicians like Roy Acoff. The period reached a peak with the talents of Elvis Presley. I regretted having to miss part of his presentation  for visits from a Nurse and a Therapist. I am reaching the end of my Theropy treatments and the meetings were necessary. One of my memories that his presentation brought out involved Glen Gray and his Casa Loma Orchestra. There was a time back in the '30's when "The Hit Parade" was a regular Saturday night radio program of the "top 10" popular songs. I kept track of them for some time and remembered the Glen Gray Orchestra.

A Canine Crown Replaced

This picture of our Dentist, Dr. Matt Kunasek was taken a couple years ago but the scene was partially repeated today. I lost the crown off my upper, left Canine on Valentine's Day while eating supper. Fortunately, we were able to retrieve it while still in my mouth. Unfortunately, it was the next morning when I was flown from the Seward Hospital to Bryan in Lincoln with a "collapsed lung". The tooth was of relatively little concern with the second trip back to Bryan and therapy two or three times per week since. I finally got in to see Dr. Matt  who was able to replace the old crown. It wasn't until after his explaining that there was some decay in the remaining stub that should be drilled out and if near the nerve, do a root canal and possibly even install a rod before putting on a new crown. He knows me well enough that it was no surprise that I was reluctant to schedule the procedure. I told him that I was still under therapy and would be willing to see how this simple repair may hold up. There is really little to lose by playing the gamble to see how long I can get by with it.

Elaine in Red Blazer

Elaine enjoys wearing her Red Blazer to the Dining Room for meals on Special Days, like Sundays. She always receives many compliments on her appearance when so attired. I even received some comments today on my "good judgment" in choosing Elaine as my wife. The truth being that the fellow who made those comments knows very little of the actual story. Like most parents, Elaine's folks were well aware of several young men in their church whose families owned land and could have provided a good livelihood. They knew very little about me, who in reality had very little to impress concerned parents. Following HS graduation from Garland, I farmed with my parents. WWII ended just weeks before my farm deferment ended and so did the draft. Elaine worked for the County Extension Agent after HS graduation and was in a position to help me obtain a temporary job with the local Soil Conservation Service Office in USDA. My boss encouraged me to take a Civil Service exam to gain eligibility for a full-time job. I was successful at each and received my probationary appointment as a GS-3 Soil Conservation Aid in the Seward Office during the late summer of 1948. Though Elaine and I had known each other since the fall of '48, my Federal Civil Service appointment made me a much more attractive suitor for the beautiful daughter of very pratical parents. They gave their consent to our becoming engaged at Christmas time in 1948 and signed for Elaine's marriage on June 5, 1949. The rest is History.

Saturday Evening Post

We had signed-up for a Brookdale "joyride" to Garland this afternoon but it was cancelled. I had planned to use the Garland story for my blog page but will use the May-June issue of "The Saturday Evening Post" which we received today. Needless to say, I had plenty  of time for reading. The first article I read was by Seamus O'Mahony who asked the question, "Are we Living Too Long?" and ends with the Editor asking for reader opinion on the statement that "The way medicine is practiced in America today favors longevity over quality of life?"

 I had intended to also write about a couple other articles on D-Day (June 6, 1944) but had trouble with getting it added. The bottom line is that General Eisenhower deserves a lot of credit for the invasion. I have also been upset with some 6 or 7 phone calls tonight wanting to help us get some refund money for something we supposedly spent on a computer. I would hope that the telephone company could trace such calls and people like me could report when they get several calls over a few hours on the same subject which is likely a scam.

Chris from the Four Corners Health Department in York, NE brought an "exercise program" to some 18 residents of Brookdale this afternoon. She showed visuals of healthy body parts as well as examples how they are  diminished in effectiveness from lack of use or exercise. She demonstrated many simple standing exercises to promote balance. She handed out a 20 page "Go4Life" pamphlet with demonstrations of various exercises. Her presentation was well received, and I had the impression that several of the attendees participate in the Brookdale programs. We need to get started in the 9:15 am exercise program here. We are spoiled by sleeping till 7:30, enjoying a leisure breakfast and reading both the Lincoln and Omaha papers before showering and dressing. With just a little bit of effort, I could make the 9:15 time. I did do a lot of exercise on my own today; having walked (with walker) to the far end of the east hall this morning and the far end on the west hall during the afternoon. I also spent several minutes on "sitting" exercises as well as a few minutes on the balance ones.

Britney Promoted

This picture was taken yesterday afternoon at a reception in the Dining Room where Terry announced the promotion of Britney to the position of "Food Service Manager". We have become well acquainted with Britney as a "server" in our Dining room. I'm not sure what all this new position includes but am satisfied that she will serve it well. 

I had a good session with Josh this early afternoon. He checked my vitals and put me through a series of exercises while setting in my chair. His stress today was in pulling my shoulders back, pushing my chest out and head back to enable me to breath easier though my nose and chest. He reminded me of how these exercises can be done even while setting at the table in the Dining Room so I did a bit of it this evening. I got in a good walk too after he left by walking the full length of our east hallway followed by a trip to the NuStep after a short break. I did 8 minutes in 3 phases of 3,2 and 3 minutes generating 544 watts. Elaine had her hair done today and came home "looking pretty" as Josh was leaving and complimented her on her appearance.  I got an extra milk shake out of it all.

My Walker

When Carolyn and I were out and about yesterday evening, I had some problems with the front, left wheel of the walker staying in place. It seems that when Carolyn brought it home from Walmart and assembled it some weeks ago, she mistook some of the vital parts for packaging. While I have gotten along perfectly O.K. with it in the hallways within the Building, using it out on rougher terrain can cause problems. She and Ben came down with Duct tape this afternoon and "fixed it". Ben had it all figured out and we agreed that having a bit of tape showing is a symbol for the care and maintenance of anything that is important to you. I used it today on the entire length of our east hallway and down to the Recreation Room in the Assistant living area. I will have more confidence in using it to get out to the garage now that it's "FIX'D" Thanks Ben