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.