First a note about Redbud Canyon. Last month Amy included a link to join the Pecan Grove email list in the Redbud Canyon newsletter. That resulted in over 100 joining our list. This month we want to reciprocate and provide a link to the Redbud Canyon newsletter for those who don’t receive it. Here it is:

We also added the 3 buttons in the upper right corner which allow you to switch between the list of 46 residents and this blog. The last button can be used for someone who wants to join the email list. We typically send 1 email per month to let subscribers know when the blog is completed.

The biggest news for PG in November was Irving Ross deciding to come here as a resident. Dan Helenek traveled with him on Friday the 21st, and stayed several days. Unfortunately, Iriving was only at PG 4 days and ended up going to the hospital with several issues. He has improved in the hospital in some areas, but not in others. We hope he will come home soon!

Dan and Bev (Ross) Oakes visited Irving in the hospital and stopped by PG.

While Dan Helenek was here, John Sumner brought Betty Goss for a visit.

We received several visitors earlier on in November. Dan and Perlita Dissmore came for a meal and the union meeting. They knew Marie and Ruth quite well and stopped by to have a good chat with them.

Robert and Linda Klepzig brought Kaye Peterson for a one week visit. Also, Joyce’s brother Galen and Marilyn Naber visited. They brought Joyce from the nursing home to PG for a visit.

Roberta had her birthday with us and it was a big one! She’s here as a visitor for now. We hope she will decide to stay. Here are the sisters, Elsie and Roberta with Elsie’s son Don and Becky Schroeder, and Kaye.

Becky (Farring) Grosskreutz’s mother and sister, Ruth and Priscilla Farring visited from Fargo.

Naomi used to meet with the Hapner’s many years ago in Missouri. Becky and Lottie came for a visit and were pleased to have a chance to see Roberta as well. Here Roberta is with Lottie Hapner. Becky took the photo.

Kent and Linda Opel decided it would be nice for all of the residents to join them for a tea party. Most of them had not seen their new home (7 miles from PG) and were very pleased to go. The staff and a few others were also invited. Here they are enjoying their tea and snacks.

Resident Journals

Naomi Watson

Naomi does well, and is very considerate if the staff need or want for anything, especially desserts. She has moved to her 3rd room, which was Clarence’s previously, and is happy to be fully moved in. Kenny asked her if she would like to use her teaching experience to tutor his niece Katelyn. She agreed and they soon hit it off, they really appreciate one another. Here she is on an outing with Abigail enjoying some Mexican food.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen does well. She so enjoyed having our visitors Ruth and Priscilla Farring. Priscilla and Gwen were in Korea together. They took her out for a meal after a doctors appointment. She still does the puzzles with Elsie, but there are even more interested parties (Roberta and Dawn) so the space is limited at the puzzle table sometimes.

Marie Mounce

Marie does well. She still loves to be in the kitchen and help make something festive. She made sweet potato casserole for thanksgiving and cranberry sauce. She managed to escape being in pictures very often this month, though she is with the Dissmore’s above.

Elsie Schroeder

Elsie really thrives now that her sister is here. She still doesn’t say a whole lot but is more excitable during conversation. Her son Don and Becky came for a surprise visit to celebrate Roberta’s birthday. He likes to keep her guessing about when or if he will show up! Here they are on the couch enjoying a laugh. Candice and her kids came to visit Elsie also.

Roberta Stipp

Though Roberta is a visitor, we’ll include here in this roundup. Roberta is more of a talker than her sister, and she appreciates a good joke. She keeps Elsie talking, or perhaps, more listening. She fits right in, having known several of our residents for many years. Dave Bolt (Newry PA) came by for a visit. Here he is with Roberta (who was in PA for several years).

Ruth Henderson

Ruth does well, especially given her fall just over a month ago. She has pain, and her added medications still bother her digestion. However, given that, her recovery was remarkable. She walks without a cane or walker for the most part. She did spend a night in the hospital again last week because of being dizzy from AFib. Here she is enjoying a visit with Timothy Uzzell and Talus Murphy.

Emma Perez

Emma spent time visiting friends in San Antonio this month. Sylvia McPherson and her son-in-law (little) Gordon Smith brought her to PG.

Doreen Beyer

Doreen does very well, and just had visitors, Glen and Betty Gerritson from Iowa.

Esther Duncan

Esther is her usual. She makes a special effort to get to every meeting she can, which can be tiring at her age. We’re glad for her example and care for others.

Park Manor and Willis Nursing

We currently have 4 ex-residents in Park Manor Nursing, Fern Duncan, Alice Oetken, Gilbert Reece and Ronald Elliott, and 1 resident in Willis Nursing, Joyce Naber. We have completed the paperwork for Joyce to be moved to Park Manor, so she can be with the other 4. Now we are waiting for a female, long term bed to become available. All 5 are doing about the same. Ronald has a different (and much better) roommate. Here he is with Brian Jagielski and Silas Gartin (the co-workers in our field this year).

Brendan and Karla (Newman) Furrow and 3 of their 4 kids visited Park Manor today. Ronald was able to visit with Fern and she was very responsive. Then twin 1 (Maren) read Ronald his mail and twin 2 (Maven) read Fern her mail.

Weather

We always appreciate the fall weather, it starts off cool and foggy and ends with crisp sunny skies. We have had some wonderful full moons as well…

Thanks for your interest and support for us here.

Ken and Kenny

We have had many changes to our ranks this year. Some came for long visits, others came to stay permanently, and one (Clarence Mounce) left to return to the work. This is the second time he recuperated at PG and returned to the work. Here is a picture of most of our current residents posing with Barry Barkley. Emma is missing.

October has brought some fine fall weather, and beautiful clear nights. Our wild life really enjoys the slow mornings and the quiet. Here is a deer getting an early start on our persimmons this year. Not to mention all the wildlife that seems to find its way inside! Here are some of the creatures we have found loitering in Pecan Grove.

Naomi has finished moving into her new room, which brought with it cause for celebration! She invited all the ladies for a tea party to christen her room. Here they are pulling out the tea party hats from long ago, trying on their favorite ones, and then having a home coming tea party in her room.

Ruth celebrated her first birthday with us, and it was a big one! She turned 96 years young, and made it look easy! Here she is with some beautiful red coronations and again at the lunch table with her cake.

We also had a surprise celebration for Barry Barkley. He was stopping by to see Fern before being carted off to Georgetown, and while he was here we found out it was his birthday. Needless to say we had to celebrate! Here he is with Fern and the others, and again with his cake.

It happened to be Abigail’s birthday on the very same day. We celebrated with her on the day after because she had taken her birthday off. Her theme was sushi, and the staff did a good job of making it very appropriate and cute. Here she is with her cake and a few of the party decorations.

Abigail also got a fun gift for her birthday: a Panda Drum. Here she is playing happy birthday to herself!

Elsie was once again visited by Don and Becky Schroeder. This time because it was her birthday! She is 97 and going strong, she really loved to see everyone. Here she is with one of Dons favorite cakes: Elsie’s sour cream and chocolate cake!

Elsie’s younger sister, Roberta Stipp, came for a long visit. Here she is with the workers who brought her.

With all the visitors and many birthdays our kitchen has been incredibly busy. The grandchildren decided they would like to get in on the action and bake a cake. Here they are taking turns measuring things for Abigail’s cake.

Curt and Patty Henderson from Hector Minnesota came to see his aunt, Ruth. They ended up staying for a while because Ruth fell and was in the hospital. Here they are posing in the kitchen.

As always we look forward to October because it is convention time for us. Almost everyone went to Georgetown Convention this year. Gwen and Elsie decided to stay home. Val Killum volunteered to fill in for the staff while we were away. Here are the kids at lunch at Georgetown and Val with her two roommates doing a puzzle.

Resident Journals

Esther Duncan

Esther continues to do well, and takes a daily walk. This month it has finally cooled off enough that she can feel at home outside. It reminds her of Ireland. She enjoyed hearing so many conventions and expressed that “she still was not full”. Here she is with our visitor, Florene Miller from NC.

Naomi Watson

Naomi is doing great and fits in well. Her son, Kevin, has come for several visits and really enjoys the scenery. He likes to be up and doing things, so he has even asked Jerry if he could help mow! Here she is with her friendly visitors, Frank and Wanda Burhans, and again playing her beloved piano.

Doreen Beyer

Doreen does very well, and really enjoyed going to Georgetown. She also mentioned how much she appreciated being able to listen to Mountain Peak and Texarkana. She had some visitors who knew her from Iowa, Doug and Gloria Kellogg. Here they are smiling in front of the table.

Marie Mounce

Marie was pleased to be able to attend Georgetown English and Effie. As usual she stayed in Louisiana for a few days after Effie to visit family. Here she is with Fern, and again with her sister, Joy, and husband, Robert Appleman, and brother Clarence.

Elsie Schroeder

Elsie does well, especially after seeing her family for her birthday. Don and Becky came for the weekend to celebrate with us. She also is now being visited by her sister, Roberta Stipp, who came after Effie for a long visit. Here they are completing a puzzle together, and posing with the workers who brought Roberta.

Emma Perez

Emma does well, and still receives many visitors. Carlos and Gema Ramons came again for a visit with Gema’s mother, Rebecca Molina. Here she is outside the front door with her visitors, and again with Rose Hanson and the Millers.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen does well, she decided to stay home from conventions this year. She was able to hear the meetings for all three conventions and really appreciated them. Here she is with Ronald and again at the puzzle table.

Ruth Henderson

Ruth had a bad fall while attending Georgetown. She has some significant bruising on her legs and lower back, as well as a cracked sacrum. She was able to walk on her own, and for a few days stayed by herself in her room. Unfortunately, she began to experience major discomfort in her abdomen and was admitted to the ER. There we were informed that she had critically low sodium levels and would need to stay for observation. They were able to help her relax enough to finally get some much needed rest. She is back at PG now and gaining strength. Here she is trying out a new walker with Becky.

Alice Oetken, Ronald Elliott, Fern Duncan and Gilbert Reese

Our lovely residents, who are at Park Manor nursing home, continue to do well. Ronald has an old and cantankerous roommate which bothers him. So, we are trying to get him moved into the same room as Gilbert. We don’t have a picture of Gilbert. He’s showing his 102 years of age and slowing down.

Joyce Naber

Joyce, who is at Willis Nursing Home, continues to do well, and appreciates her frequent visitors. We are in the process of trying to move her to Park Manor so that she could be near the other residents. She enjoyed a visit from Florene Miller, seen here smiling together, and also with Barry Barkley.

Thanks for your interest in us here!

Kenny and Ken

September has finally started to cool us off around here, with mild mornings reminiscent of Fall . The humidity is still very high, which is great for foggy lakes and rings of mushrooms. Also, it must be peak season for humming bird migration because we now have at least five full time humming birds near our feeder. Here are some of the wonderful Fall phenomenon we are enjoying .

Naomi’s piano has finally arrived, and it is gorgeous! She wants to let it settle in before tuning it and then being able to play it. For now it makes for a shiny new piece of furniture. Here are some pictures of it being put in place. Once it had been here a few weeks, Regi Hedahl came and tuned it.

Naomi celebrated her first birthday with us, and it was a big one! She turned 89 years young, and was so pleased to have her son and his wife here to join in the festivities, and the table of party goers.

Carol Aarstad came for a long visit to see her mother Elsie. She enjoys helping her with her favorite past time: making puzzles.

Resident Journals

Emma Perez

Emma has had a great month with several special visits. She got a quick visit from Emily Garcia and William Nichols, two young friends who know her well. She also got new hearing aids! Just in time to go to convention! She is very pleased to be able to attend both Spanish and English Georgetown and then remain in that area for further visits. Here she is with her young visitors.

Naomi Watson

Naomi’s first full month with us has been very eventful. Not only did she move in, change rooms, and get her piano moved in. She also turned 89! Where does she find the time? Even with all this excitement she finds time to laugh or tell jokes. She decided to play a little prank on Clarence because he usually doesn’t drink his water with meals (so she gave him less). Here she is testing her piano, and Clarences plate.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen continues to do well, she spends a lot of her time at the puzzle table with Elsie. She was very curious to see what was going on when Naomi’s piano arrived. Here she is supervising its delivery.

Esther Duncan

Esther had a wonderful month, she was invited to conventions once again and was in 3 in KY and TN. We received a lunch visit from Ruth Taplin and Sue George. Here is Esther with Ruth.

Ruth Henderson

Ruth does well although she struggles with stomach problems. She takes them all in stride, and was quick to learn her knew medication regiment (and keep us on top of it too!) Here she is chatting with Sue George.

Doreen Beyer

Doreen also was invited to return to her home convention in Boyden IA. She was so excited to see everyone again, but suffered from a pretty bad cold the entire time. She could not seem to shake it for days after her return. She had gotten better by Naomi’s birthday, and can be seen here beaming with her Gwen and Joyce.

Elsie Schroeder

Elsie really thrives when her family comes to town. She does puzzles with them and plays games back in her room, often sharing memories or stories as well. Here they are in front of the fireplace.

Clarence Mounce

Clarence does well, he takes walks every day and chats with Marie. He was invited to go to both Spanish and English Georgetown and then on to Mountain Peak. Here he is waiting to leave on his journey.

Marie Mounce

Marie still likes to bake her sweets, but she has other projects as well. She went and bought some very comfortable shoes, but they just were not the right color. So she took matters into her own hands and painted them herself! Here she is making some blue shoes.

Joyce Naber

Joyce was so tickled to be able to join us for Naomi’s birthday. It was as much a surprise to her as it was to our residents! They each took turns hugging her and exchanging love. She kept saying how great it felt to be with friends, and repeating how surprised she was. Here she is with Gwen and Doreen again.

Gilbert Reese, Alice Oetken, Fern Duncan and Ronald Elliott

These 4 in the Park Manor Nursing home had several visitors this month, but no pictures were taken! Gilbert is eating well, so we were asked to bring him some larger clothes. He sleeps more, but otherwise remains the same. Alice is her usual happy self, glad to see anyone that visits. Fern is about the same, sitting in her special chair sometimes, communicating very little. Ronald remains quite confused. He walks around the home a lot with his walker or pushing a wheel chair.

Thanks for your interest and care in us here!

Kenny and Ken

We had two major birthdays this month. Emma turned 83 and had many well wishers calling or texting her with accolades. Her brother knew that she wanted to do something special for everyone on her birthday so he gave her some pizza money. We had a pizza party with everyone from the farm as well as the Opels! Here she is with her cake, the pizza, and everyone at the table.

Fern Duncan turned 95 this month. The staff at Park Manor Nursing Home have been getting her into a special chair they can wheel her around in, so they had her prepared and ready for us when we arrived to celebrate with her. We were even able to pick up Joyce Naber on the way and have her share in the festivities. Here is Fern with her cupcake, the party goers, again being read to by Salena. Sherdenia sent a picture of herself holding a birthday message for Fern (2nd picture). We called Sherdenia and she talked some to Fern. Also, after the party we all went to Luby’s Cafeteria for lunch which is a fun treat for the residents and especially Joyce. The last few photos are of us at the tables in Luby’s and everyone posing in the lunch room with the Park Manor residents.

Ronald has been moved to Park Manor. We had to wait for a few things to clear up before he could be moved but now he is settled in over there. He took the move very graciously and has been very accepting of the staff there. Here he is being sent off and visiting Alice.

Stetson Nordic has been helping us with some tree work that needed to be done. Several of our larger trees on the property have been in the slow process of dying, and with our frequent thunderstorms they like to drop limbs everywhere. Here he is cutting up one of the largest trees we felled, and again looking triumphant.

August brought many visitors, Don and Becky came to visit Elsie with their daughter, Lana, and her two children, Lucy and Ellie. Here they are in front of the fireplace, and again with Ronald on the bridge.

We always appreciate some repeats! Ken and Mary MacAdams came with Don and Becky Schroeder to visit Elsie again. They were recently on a safari in Botswana where they were able to capture beautiful photos of the wildlife. Ken put together a nice presentation for us, and walked us through some of the different species, their habitat, and interesting facts about each one. Here he is giving the presentation to everyone, and again with Elsie, Mary, Don, and Becky.

Rick and Pat Bishop came to visit Esther. Here they are in front of the piano.

Emma and Ronald shared a visit from Leonel, Rosa and Frida Gomez. Here they are in front of the piano.

Val Killam has been working with us for the month of August. Her daughter-in-law, Kristie Killam, brought her grand children, Devyn and Spencer, to see her for a day. Here they are in front of the fire place happy as can be.

Val and Marie were invited to take a weekend getaway by the Hottells. They had intended to visit some of Val’s family but they were sick, so instead decided to have a fun weekend in College Station at the Hottells. Here they are about to embark on their weekend with Tony and Donna Hottell.

For a short while this month we had 10 residents! That, coupled with our new staff members, we decided it was time for another Pecan Grove photo. Here are most of the staff with the residents and all 10 residents by themselves.

As we mentioned, Val Killam came for the entire month to help us out. She stayed in Gwen’s room, having known her from a visit to Korea many years ago. She enjoyed the work and the atmosphere, but mostly the company and catching up. Here she is posing with Becky and then with Jerry and Becky, and again with everyone wishing her farewell.

Steve Peirson came this weekend and visited the folks in the nursing home, and then us here at PG. Fern recognized him and spoke a little. He called Sherdenia for her and she lit up when she heard her voice. Here is Steve with Clarence and Carl. They had a gospel meeting this afternoon, but 4 inches of rain in a few hours caused localized flooding, so the meeting was smaller than usual.

August has been hot and very wet, but beautiful. Here is a picture of one of the sunrises we have been enjoying, the wildlife enjoying our ample grass, and some of the flooding mentioned above.

Resident Journals

Ronald Elliott

As we mentioned, Ronald has moved on to live at Park Manor Nursing Home. The ladies had been paying especially close attention to him out of concern that he might fall. They were all relieved to hear that he was accepted at Park Manor and would be getting more care. He took the move very well, knowing that he needed the extra eyes on him. Here he is walking with Doreen one last time to feed the fish, and again in his new room at Park Manor.

Esther Duncan

Esther was invited to go to Kentucky for conventions again this month. Here she is so happy to be a part of the convention photos, and happier still for dessert. Sue Culver (sister to John and Lois) had made this coconut cake for Esther before, and knew it was one of her favorites. She kindly made it again to welcome her to Kentucky.

Elsie Schroeder

Elsie always does great when she gets visitors, especially grandkids. It is so nice to see everyone pitching in on her favorite past time: making puzzles. She even tries to forgo her naps, just to get every precious moment of time together with her family. Here they are crowding around the puzzle working away.

Clarence Mounce

Clarence does well. He usually skips breakfast and has put himself on a relatively strict diet of less (not none) sugar. Being across from Marie’s room gives him ample opportunity to drop in and chat with her. Here he is with Marie, Gwen, Ruth and Val at Fern’s birthday party.

Marie Mounce

Marie keeps about the same, still interested in helping out in the kitchen or making a Cajun dish when the mood strikes her. She enjoyed her time at the Hottell’s with Val. Here she is saying farewell to Val with some of the other residents.

Emma Perez

Emma has many people calling, texting, or sending her letters. She makes it a point to see Alice and the others as often as possible. Here she is sitting with Alice during Fern’s birthday party, and again with Lounell and Ruth about to visit Alice and Joyce.

Doreen Beyer

Doreen is a big help in the kitchen, and a good help to Ronald. She made time to walk with him daily, speak with him often, and check on him regularly. Here she is with Joyce at Fern’s birthday party. She really loves to get Joyce laughing, and we all appreciate seeing her big smile.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen keeps about the same. She recently received a nice package from Korea containing the workers list and convention photo of the entire staff. She was thrilled to share them with us and point out a few of her companions. Here she is leaving the puzzle table, Kenny tried to snap a candid photo but she turned too fast.

Ruth Henderson

Ruth is still doing great, nothing slows her down! She gets up and walks just before dawn every morning. Like Emma, she enjoys taking every opportunity to go and visit those at Park Manor. She was companions with Alice. Here she is with Emma and Elsie.

Naomi Watson

Naomi has been fitting in splendidly here. She is so looking forward to the day all of her things can be moved into her room, but above all, she is looking forward to the delivery of her prized piano. She talks often of wanting to play it, and all the memories she has associated with it. We look forward to hearing her play! She has also graciously offered her tutoring services, she is willing to teach anyone to play piano if they are inclined. Here she is chatting with Salena.

Fern Duncan, Alice Oetken, Gilbert Reese, and Joyce Naber

As you saw, we all celebrated Fern’s 95th birthday this month. We got all of the residents there for the festivities and the Park Manor residents were ready to greet us when we arrived. Gilbert is doing about his usual, he recognizes us and smiles when we talk with him. Alice really loves to see her old companions and is eager to talk with each one that comes near to say hello. Fern is mostly non-responsive, but does smile and seems alert when we speak or read to her. Here she is with Ken and Kathy, and the others during the birthday party with Ruth.

As always, we cannot thank you enough for your continued love and care for each one here.

Kenny and Ken