HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just a little thought--worthy for all to enter into the New Year with.

" I HAVE A COMPANION,
A WONDERFUL GUIDE,

A SOLACE AND COMFORT-
WHATEVER BETIDE.

A FRIEND, NEVER FAILING
WHEN OTHERS PASS BY,

OH, BLESSED COMMUNION--
MY BIBLE AND I. "

Years End

To all- A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR.

News from Roger's

Hi: Did you all have a good Thanksgiving and now are busy shopping and getting ready for all the Christmas activities? We had a good Thursday. We went out to Kay-Kay's place with Rich and Sarah. Cindy had to work, and the girls went to Jeff. We spent about 3 hours with them. We had never been there before. Got lost, but I celled Rich. He was about 1 minute behind me. The reason we got off the right road is because some one had turned the road signs. Makes all the difference if they point in the right direction. That is what the Bible is all about- it points you in the right direction for life and it won't be changed.

SJ had a good week, overall ,last week. In fact I believe he fared better than me. I was so tired and had a few low blood pressure days. He started getting upset yesterday over various things and last night was restless for a few hours,from 1-3. First he was cold so I turned up his electric blanket--then he we hot, threw back the blankets and turned down the heat. Then he had to go to the bathroom. It took so long, so I finally checked on him. He said he was having a bm, but it was costing a lot. I teased him by saying, Is the toilet paper costing too much? He mumbled something back to me. Finally he was ready to go back to bed. Then he was cold and up went the heat again. I asked him how much he had to spend and he mumbled-$1.56. When he got up he didn't know where he was and then asked how much longer we had to live in this place instead of home.

Last week one night when we went to bed he was wondering if he should go the bathroom downstairs, cuz there was no bathroom upstairs in this place. I got mad at the dog for something and I said- "I'm going to get rid of you if you don't quit that." He said- "then get rid of me too" and he meant it. I believe he really likes Pugs but just can't get it straight who gave it to us. Any way, you know now where I stand. He's still so kind and good to me.

That's' about it. Will keep you posted.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

ANOTHER YEAR FULL OF GOD'S MANY BLESSING! May all of you have a great day remembering , and thanking Him for all that God has done for you this year. Also enjoy the meal and fellowship through out the day with family and friends.

Have a Great Day. HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Nov. 2 1894

Today would have been dad's 115th birthday. He died young at the age of 62. He was married when he was 26. Just thought I'd share a few things about him with you.

He was my favorite of the parents. Guess because ,since we were twins, the parents each took care of one of us and he was my care giver. His parents came from VerenProvince, in the Netherlands. They came to America because of Religious persecution. Children were baptized in cow sheds because the fear of using the churches.

They left Holland in 1848-landed in Baltimore-on to Columbia, Pa.--took a canal boat through the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers---took a box car (drawn by stationary locomotives ) up the Alleghanney's an down a tunnel on the western slope -on to Pittsburgh. ---Continued west on the Ohio River--traveled by steamboat 1000 miles on to the Miss. at St. Louis. This took 3 weeks. His grandparents and 4 other couples moved on the Ia. They homesteaded at Orange City. Land cost $2.50 and acre and they could buy 80 or 160 at that price.

Dad's parents, Isaac, married --lived at Orange City for six years -- moved to Harrison, S. D. and lived there 14 years. Dad was born in S. D. In 1894 they moved back to OC by covered wagon. Isaac bought the homestead of his father. 8 years latter he died and 4 years after that his mother died. Dad was an orphan at an early age. The family stayed together on the homestead.

Dad was always a cut up-got into a lot of trouble- He broke his wrist, showing off, while jumping out of the hay lot.--wiped up spilled milk of his brother Lester and squeezed the milk back into Lester's glass--hid in his sister's trunk in their bedroom , to watch them get ready for bed.---etc.-etc.

At 23 he joined World War 1. Infantry #9 Company B- 2nd Division. He was at Camp Des Moines, Camp Pike in Little Rock , Ar. and France and Germany. He was in 4 of the 5 Drives. He received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. In 1920 he was in a cast from his foot to his hip because of a knee injury--1926 a binder rod got jabbed into his hip---1934 he had his appendix removed (had to stay flat in bed for 9 days)---1946 he had his 1st heart attack on Thanksgiving day. Had another one in 1947 and had to remain in bed 9 week.

He was a tease, but was well liked. One day after coming home from the sale barn, Mom said-"I smell something" dad said-"Most be your breath" That did not set good. Mom really never had a sense of humor. He had his legs amputated in 1955, but continued to drive a car. He got Sam Zigtama's car, set up for him, because he was an army amputee. We built a new home for them in Maurice. He got the car from Sam-showed us how he could drive it so parked it in his new garage.(Went right through the other end) Backed it up and tried again. THAT WAS DAD.

I liked Dad. He had the longest funeral processions that people can remember--1 1/2 miles. Isn't it funny how you miss your friends. Enjoy the pictures. The top one is dad as Santa Claus--dad feeding the dog at lunch time ,in the field and my favorite--dad coming out of the outhouse.

Vacation

We just had a wonderful couple of days with the whole family. Mike and Belinda drove down to see us, but also enjoy a few days with the family, and some relaxation .

They came in Sat. afternoon. We had supper together and then they went out to Beaver Lake and stayed in one of Kim's cottages. Sunday we went to church and Mike graciously sang a special (had to twist his arm some) "My Redeemer is faithful and True" and it was just beautiful.

Monday Ev. and Gt. came to Rogers with their trailer and crafts and began to set up for the big fall War Eagle craft show which is this week. That evening we all went out to Famous Dave's and had just a wonderful night out together. The food was great and we stayed and chatted for about 2 hours.

They came and went each day, but stayed an hour or so each time. All went well and dad enjoyed it, and did really good. They had time to drive out to Roaring River--see some of the changing leaves--watch the many deer that get fed out by their cottage--play 18 holes of golf-- and go 4 wheeling with Rich and Cindy in Mark Twain Forest. They had a blast. Come again. Maybe the kids would also enjoy 4 wheeling.

Bertha and Marie

Way back in 1935 I went to school, in the third grade, with a very sweet girl ( a little Shirley Temple), by the name of Marie Visser. Her mother was a widow, living on a farm 1 1/4 north of Maurice, on Hwy. 75, with her 5 children. She had another sister, Bertha and 3 brothers.

One night ,after school, we visited Marie and stayed overnight. We were playing in the corn crib (most of us girls had playhouses in one of the cribs after the corn was out.) It was so funny-here came Ivan chasing Bertha with a pail of water. It turned out, it wasn't so funny. The hay stack was on fire. The fire truck came, saved all the buildings but lost the hay stack. In those day we still mixed baking soda in the water to fight the blaze.

The Visser's moved to Orange City a few years latter and I lost contact with them. While in College I met Bertha working in the GOLDEN RULE store. World War 11 was on, Bertha had a boyfriend in Germany. She was always so pleasant, and while working she'd be singing the top song of the day "Mares Eat Oats and Does Eat Oaks and Little Lambs Eat Ivy." Well, her boyfriend got killed. She became the Tulip Queen for the year and latter married a Van Gelder.

Marie married a Rowenhorst and lived on a home farm just out side of OC. I latter saw her in Meza, Az. while visiting Lois and Pete. Never saw her or talked to her otherwise in all that time.

Bertha past away at 88, in May. I, just on impulse, sent Marie a sympathy card and wrote a letter with it about old memories. GUESS WHAT? I got a telephone call yesterday and it was Marie. She appreciated that letter so and we just talked for a long time about old times. Since May she lost her great grandchild of, 8 mons. and she has had a lot of trouble and operations in regards to her gull bladder. She's fine now again.

Just that one telephone call made my day and days to come.

My Friend

Today I thought I'd send a picture of Sentner and Pugsley. They really are getting along fine. I did a bad job of getting a picture that wasn't blurred- but this is it. I took so many, even the dog got tired of it.

We are doing fine. Yesterday it was so cute. We watched an animal show on Halmark. Pugsley just sat like a little kid, about 3 feet from the screen and watched EVERYTHING that was going on. SJ really enjoyed watching him. He thinks he's so nice and likes it by us.

Fall Harvest

I talked to one of my friends from Iowa yesterday. She had been to Lebannon the other day and said the beans were really getting dried and it would not be long until harvest would start.

That brought back memories of the harvest for me. Nothing was automated like it is today, so that meant everything was done by hand. We had to pick our corn that way also. Every year , if you helped your parents do farm work, you could have a week off from school. So in the fall Lois an I got off and picked corn for that week.

We had a triple bang board wagon , hitched up with horses. We had special fleecy cotton gloves with two thumbs used special for picking corn,. When one thumb, and side wore out we would turn it over and use the other side. We had a metal hook on top of the glove on our right hand that would help strip the husk off of the ear, before we threw it on the wagon. Leaving any husk on the ear was a no-no. We would carry our lunch to the field, using gal. and 1/2 gal. syrup pails for our lunch bucket.

Generally we would be out to the field about 7:30. Pick until near noon. Unload our 50 bushels of corn picked that morning--have dinner and go back and pick another 50 in the afternoon.. Harry De Jager always helped dad pick each fall and he bragged about how much Lois and I could pick each day. He could pick 100 bushels a day but the two of us could also.

I remember one morning it was especially cold and damp. We were picking in the back 40 that morning. It wasn't nice. The wet corn stalks were hitting us in the face all the time- We had rubbers on, but our feet were wet and cold. Well-Lois had enough. She walked home about 9 and never did come back.

We picked two rows at a time. The one who picked in the row closest to the wagon would pick ahead of the one in the back row. That way no one got hit with an ear when throwing it on the wagon and the last one double checked if the front one picked EVERY ear. (Course, I never left any behind).

We got paid well, but it still took us 2 1/2 year to save enough to buy a $24.50 Bolovia watch. Isn't that something? My how things have changed.

Promise

I promised to send a poem along the next time I blogged about Sj. Here it is.

DO NOT ASK ME TO REMEMBER, DON'T TRY TO MAKE ME UNDERSTAND. LET ME REST AND KNOW YOU'RE WITH ME, KISS MY CHEEK AND HOLD MY HAND.

I'M CONFUSED BEYOND YOUR CONCEPT, I AM SAD AND SICK AND LOST. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NEED YOU- TO BE WITH ME AT ALL COST.

DO NOT LOSE YOUR PATIENCE WITH ME, DO NOT SCOLD OR CURSE OR CRY. I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I'M ACTING, CAN'T BE DIFFERENT ' THOUGH I TRY.

JUST REMEMBER THAT I NEED YOU, THAT THE BEST OF ME IS GONE. PLEASE DON'T FAIL TO STAND BESIDE ME, LOVE ME 'TIL MY LIFE IS DONE.

We had a bad day so far today. About 4 am he woke up and wanted to know how I found my way home without getting lost. I knew things were not right. He rambled on and muffled all his words. I said, it wasn't easy, but I made it. "Where is the car now" In the garage. "How long have we been gone?" I think about three weeks. "Where have we been" We just took a little ride and stopped at various places. He went back to sleep.

When he awoke at 7:30, I asked if he wanted to go to church? We have not been going to SS. lately. (Much to confusing). Yes, he wanted to. So when he got out of bed, he didn't even wash up or shower, but I suggested he run the wash rag over his face and shave. He has not been taking a shower for at least 5 days, so will suggest he do so tomorrow. His hair is badly in need of a shampoo.

We had breakfast-he put on his Better shirt but kept the same everyday pants on. (I really didn't care.) He doesn't get dirty anyway and his clothing is all in good repair. Then he was antsie until we left for church at 10:15. Where is my collection--where is my comb--where were we for 3 weeks--do I need my cane--etc.

As people welcomed him at church he had to tell them all we had been traveling for the last 3 weeks. He likes the new minister-but couldn't tell you what he preached on nor can he find books in the Bible or numbers in the hymn book without help any more.

He is very tired today and was asleep before I even had his BLT made up at dinner time. I feel so bad for him--but knew this was coming. He still is so gentle and sweet-I can't help but love him, although some times my patience's get very thin.

Isn't this weather something else. I put a blanket on the bed last night and had it up to my shoulders by morning. Suppose to get colder tonight. Heard Mn. had 39 this morning. On our 50th we went fishing in Mn. over the 1st part of Sept. , with Alan and Hendrene,- and it was so hot yet the fish were still out in the deep water.

See you next time. May you all have a great week.

COLTON'S

We really lived it up last night. Friends of ours from church called and wanted to go out for an evening meal. They are Lytle and Myra, and the exact age that we are.

Any of you heard of Colton's ? Well, that's where we went. We got there about 4:30 and they were still running there early bird special, plus all the peanuts you wanted and you could throw the shells on the floor and not get bitched at.

Lytle and Myra each got the 6 oz. steak. Sj got the chicken fried steak and I got catfish. Each meal came with FRESH--HOT buns--salad- and one side dish. Lytle and Myra each got a baked potato( With everything )--SJ got french fries that were 1/2 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick and enough to feed an army. I got a baked sweet potato that must have been the largest one you could find.

The salads came and they were a meal in themselves. Except for Lytle, we other three did not finish ours. Then the food came, and I couldn't belief the portions. Lytle finished everything, but actually it was sinful all the food we wasted. SJ doesn't eat as much lately, so I believe he only ate about 3 french fries and about 1/4 of his big platter of meat covered with brown mushroom gray. But oh-was it all good.

You know--they had black cloth napkins with the silver wear rolled up in them. I never saw black napkins before-but it makes sense--You can't see the lipstick--gravy-ketchup and coffee stains in them.

We had a good time. They visited with us for a short time , but left about 7 . This is both there second marriage. He always brags about that she was the first girl he ever slept with. Very early in life they both went to the same church. While they were in the church nursery- both babes slept in the same crib. Funny!

Cards, anyone?

Thanks everyone for your responds. I'd love to share the goings on around here, but don't wish to have you folks feel I need pity or that things are really rough.

Today Georgean from El Direct came down for her bi monthly check up on our needs.


We had a great discussion this time and different things are developing. Cindy has found a very cute pugs for us which is very healthy and compatible. She was very pleased to hear that--for pets are suppose to have great value for people in his condition. Cindy brought him into town today just to make a visit with us. Dad was very pleased with him and seemed to be ok with it. Then she took him home and he is now wondering where our pugs is. She is making sure it is well house broken and healthy, before we take him.

He can not get his toenails taken care of free, so I will keep on trimming them for him. (Not too big a deal). He fell again today while Vicky was in charge of him. This time in the den. He said his legs just buckled on him, but was not hurt. He just about fell again going to the supper table, but I was right there and helped him stable himself again. He also had more trouble with his stools, which isn't nice for either of us. She thinks too, I should try to get him into elastic pull up pants--no zippers-belts etc. Soon, I will try that. I do have two pants like that for him already. Must wait for the time, and I believe it can be done.

Geeorgean is going to check on me wearing the life line, since he would not know what to do even if he had a need. She is also going to check more on his diagnosis of Spinal canal Stenos . I have checked it out on google, but would like more info if possible.

Also I had to get my pills refilled today. While at the pharmacy I got a booklet on Alzheimer's. It is very interesting-but looks like he is very near the end of stage 3. the late stage. After that he'll need more care--we will wait to cross that when the time comes.

Now for the good news. Georgeann suggested having a person come in once a week, as a friend. to have coffee with us and play some games or cards. She thinks that will help a lot for both of us. This would be for an hour or two in the middle of the afternoon, after our naps. So that would mean I could carrying on a conversation with a person who is also understanding in regards to this matter.

Like I said last time--God is so good. There is a beautiful poem in the booklet I picked up today. Will share that with you all the next time.

Serious but true

I'm not sure how to approach this matters, but I'd like to share it with you folks.

A little while ago, SJ. said. " We should get married". I said, "Why"? He said, "Because you do everything for me". I said, "We are married and have been for 60 years". He said, "We have? That's a long time." Then he drops the subject.

I am used to hearing various things all the time. It won't be long tho and we can not conceal things any longer. I'd like to share them with you , but if you don't want that, please let me know.

I am honored tho that he still wants to marry me. He is so sweet--happy and gentle.
He is getting very bad about people's name and that include our immediate family. Please don't sorry tho. God is so good to us.

MOUNT RUSHMORE

High on a Mountain in western South Dakota, stands a colossal feat of art, engineering and dynamite. An undertaking that took 14 years , moved over 400,000 tons of granite, and cost nearly a million dollars. MT. RUSHMORE.

Talked to Leona Saturday. The big motor cycle rally is over for another year. This takes place at Sturgus, 30 miles away. If I remember right, this was the biggest year yet. Next year is there 70th, and the plans are even bigger. This year they had a bad hail storm on one night and cars- and bikes had a lot of damage.

Oh Me -Oh My--Misery and Pain

Finally!!!!!!!. Our water leak has been solved and corrected. Three weeks ago I saw water on the kitchen floor. Just a wee bit--about 4 feet from the livimng room rug and about 3 tiles from the kitchen wall. I called the land lord. He came that night after work and thought it was coming from the dish water and the leak ran under the tile--found a pin hole in the grout to seep up... He said he would be back Sat. to fix it. This was Tues. Sat. turned out to be very busy for him-so it ran into the next week. Had company that week end so was glad the land lord had to go away for that week end and couldn't make it.

The leak on the floor quit-but the leak in front of the dish water became worse. I called the land lord about that on Tues again. He pulled the dishwasher out-disconnected the electricity to it--shut off the hot water too it and said he'd be back. Now I could put towels on the floor where the dishwasher had been. I did!!!! I actually changed them so many times a day that my thumb joints where getting carpal tunnel?

I called the land lord again on Sat. morning. He came in and cut holes in the sheet rock under the sink and also in the kitchen where pipes are running to the water heater. THERE WAS THE CULPRIT. One of those old gray pipes (now condemned) was leaking . He called the plumber. He would come latter that afternoon and fix it. I got a call about 6:30 that he couldn't make it until Tues. between 8:30 and 9:00. OK. That meant keeping on changing towels. Since the new hole was cut I could now place towels under the water heater space for about 3 feet.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT??? I had so many towels that all I had were four I keep behind for the bathroom. That meant even 4 nice new heavy ones I had gotten as a Christmas gift. I changed them all about ever four hours. BUT I GOT SMART. I now threw them wet into the washer-- ran them through the spin cycle TWICE and then dried them for about 20 mins, or until dry enough to fold or hung them over the patio rail and let the sun dry them.

The leak started to become heavier-- I had to change towels more often --and on Mon. night water was started to run past the towels on to the kitchen floor. I changed all the towels at 9 pm. Had no more dry ones at the time and by 10pm the stack of 3 where damped to the feet and I had the whole night ahead on me to worry about the flood!!!!!!!!!!. Brave Ladene-put on her house coat-rang the neighbors door bell and asked Birch to turn off my water to house at the road. So Tues. we couldn't flush the stool-get water any where --except go to Birch and steal some 5 gal. pails full from him. SO I DID JUST THAT.

Not so bad. The plumber was coming at 8:30. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!He hadn't showed yet by 10 and I was getting crabber. Finally at 10:15 he came-work --cut out some more sheet rock and left the mess for us to clean up--I went away at 2:30 and asked him to write a note if I needed to know anything. Laid out a tablet and pen for him, Got home about 5--the plumber was gone--had water in the bathroom but not in the kitchen. Cindy turned on the valve in the kitchen and water flew everywhere. I called the land lord--he called the plumber and said he'd be back first thing in the morning.

In the morning he called Rich and told him it was because the dishwasher wasn't hooked up. Rich said he wouldn't pay until he came back and had every thing fixed and Rich would run over and inspect it. FINALLY 12:45 the plumber came -worked about 30 mins (free) Rich inspected it--paid him and all is well. Not bad for $65.00 an hour and parts picked up at Louies which he charged #100 for and 5 hours labor.

Sounds like I'm in a bad mood. Really, I am, not--but Sentner NEVER would have treated a customer that way, and you wonder why they have to be different now. But I must admit--I won't miss changing the towels. I soaked the really dirty ones this morning and then had two large batches of only towels-fresh-folded and all put back in place.

Friendship

We have been blessed with visitors lately. That made me think of a friendship poem which I want to share with you folks at this time.

"EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE NEEDS SOMEBODY SOMETIME"

Everybody, everywhere, no matter what his station, Has moments of deep loneliness and quiet desperation, For this lost and lonely feeling is inherent in mankind--

It is just the SPIRIT SPEAKING as God tries again to find--An opening in the "wordily wall" man builds against God's touch, For he feels so self-sufficient that he does not need God much,

So he vainly goes on struggling to find some explanation for these disturbing, lonely moods of inner isolation...

But the answer keeps eluding him for in his selfish, finite mind -- he does not even recognize that he cannot ever find the reason for life's emptiness unless he learn to share the problems and the burdens that surround him everywhere--

But when his eyes are opened and he looks with love at others--he begins to see not STRANGERS but understanding brothers. . .

So open up your hardened hearts and let God enter in- He only wants to help you a NEW LIFE TO BEGIN. . .

And EVERY DAY'S A GOOD DAY to lose yourself in others and ANYTIME A GOOD TIME TO SEE MANKIND AS BROTHERS--

This can only happen when you realize it's true- that EVERYONE NEEDS SOMEONE and that SOMEONE IS YOU!!!!


Within the past month we have had Mike and Debby--Elaine and Dave--Elroy and Chalice and today Henreitta and Wally are coming in. How nice.

People Watching

Today I had a fun day. I was a People Watcher.

It was my day to go to the Wellness Center or anything I wanted to do. I did the tread mill--bicycle machine--stair climbing do-dad--then decided to have a cup of coffee and just watch the people. What a variety!!

All over 55 (must be to get in)--skinny ones--Old as dirt ones-- Fat ones--Extra fat ones--slow ones and ones that didn't stop for anything. Walking as fast as they could with a mile marker in their hand---Actually some even slow running (forwards and backwards ) on the trail, never even looking tired or hot---Really overweight over the hill couples walking with their walkers or oxygen tanks strapped to them---Macho-muscular-healthy guys working out on the weights and muscle building machines---Frail Little ladies in shorts and tight blouses, going as fast as the can on the stair climbing machines---others bent all out of shape and just glad to get the session over with.

Had made previous plans to meet Francis at the Krispy Kreme's about 10-for a doughnut-coffee and talk. She had a Dr.s appointment earlier--I was running a little early--the red light showed they were making hot glazed doughnuts--So I went in, got a free doughnut and cup of coffee and watched the people. It was busy.

Fat mothers with a bunch of kid (mostly overweight) go in, get a free doughnut and leave.---Sharp looking (probable business ladies) picking up bags full of boxed doughnuts and leave with them ,back to the office.---Grandpa's and Grandma's carrying out their drink and coffee they couldn't finish all at one sitting. They took 15 minutes just to leave the store--set everything down-unlock the car-get in and settled before thy could leave (very slowly). I laughed--there goes SJ and LA. ---Grandma's with grand kids, enjoying every minute of it.---A construction worker coming in with his KK cup and leaving with a fresh doughnut and a full cup of coffee.---happy ones--grouchy ones-those in a hurry--those who had all day---stressed ones---irritated ones---but 95% with to much luggage around their waist.

In comes Francis-soooooo--- another free fresh, glazed doughnut and a raspberry Bismark--a cup of coffee and a great talk for about 3/4 of an hour with my good friend. LIFE IS GOOD. PEOPLE ARE INTERESTING.

"Consider the Lilies"

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: They neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" Matt. 6-28.

It happened. All ten of the buds are in bloom. The first pictures shows 7 and today all are open. Isn't it beautiful? Enjoy!

Today I got an e-mail, and it just struck me funny, so want to share it with you folks. Really--it's true. Yesterday in our devotions there was an article on old age also --so am sharing that with you too



It wouldn't be funny if it weren't so true... Julie Andrews turned 69 and to commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP .
One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favourite Things" from the legendary movie "The Sound Of Music."

Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things.
Cadillac's and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things..
When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.
Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.
When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.


"Land of Eternal Spring" devotion of June 10--

J. Robinson McQuilkin, pointed out that
God has a purpose in letting us grow old and weak:

"I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of age is spiritual., We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary so we'll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever. And so we'll be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. If we stayed young and strong and beautiful, we might never want to leave.

When we are young, happily occupied with all our relationships an activities, we may not long for our celestial HOME. But as time passes, we may find ourselves without family and friends, afflicted with dim vision and hearing difficulties, no longer able to relish food, or troubled by sleeplessness or lack of remembrances.

Here's the advice I give myself: Be grateful that, as the apostle Paul wrote "God gives us richly all things to enjoy" in life's summer and autumn. And rejoice too that with the onset of life's winter we can anticipate that we'll soon be living in the land of eternal spring.

The promise of heaven is our eternal hope.

So you folks don't have to worry about us. for the Father waits over the way-To prepare us a dwelling-place there.

activity

These pictures may not mean much to you--but to us they are our day to day activities. We find satisfaction in small things.

If you look hard enough you will see -1004- little airplanes that have dropped from our maple trees and have sprouted in our gutter. We have had a wet spring and I tell you all the--5497 -airplanes have all found a place to grow. The lawn mower does a good job of spoiling there growth..

Three years ago I set out an Easter Lily. Well, it hasn't bloomed since that. Look, it has ten buds on this year. PATIENCE Ladene. I had that once in Bella Vista, and before they bloomed, the deer ate the buds off.

The neighbors cat always uses my flower bed for her bathroom. Well,--I got disgusted with that, so set three mouse traps. Two days in a row they snapped and now the problems over. I should have thought of that long ago.

It's time to bale hay. No one live in the duplex next to us. Kirk Wright, who owns it , lives in West Fork. He used to live here, but he remarried and the single girl who lived in the other unit, got married. It has been standing empty since a year ago Dec. Kirk comes every so often and mows, etc, but hasn't been here since last Sept. While I was in the Hosp. he came and mowed and also did mine. He did that often. Then we had that ice storm-so I dragged all his bigger tree limbs to the road for pick up, but he hasn't been back yet. Well- I won't report him. We are used to seeing hay fields. We grew up with them.

And that's about the news for now. If you want more I will have to make it up.

Found it

A few blogs back I mentioned a favorite poem of GrandpaVZ- but could not find it. Well here it is.



Around the Corner I have a friend

Around the corner I have a friend, in this great city that has no end.
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, and before I know it, a year is gone.
I never see my old friends face, for life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well, as in the days when I rang his bell,
And he rang mine --but we were younger then, and now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name.
'Tomorrow' I say! I will call on Jim-just to show that I'm thinking of him.
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, and distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner, yet miles away, 'Here's a telegram sir,' 'Jim died today.'
And that's what we get and deserve in the end-
AROUND THE CORNER-A VANISHED FRIEND.

The Best Eraser

We read something at our morning devotional that is to good to keep to ourselves. It has to be past on.

What is memory? What is this faculty that enables us to recall past feelings, sights, sounds, and experiences? By what process are events recorded, stored, and preserved in our brain to be brought back again and again? Much is still mystery.

We do know that memories can be blessings--full of comfort, assurance,--and joy. Old age can be happy and satisfying if we have stored up memories of purity,--faith,--fellowship,--and LOVE. If a saint looks back on a life of Christian service and remembers the faithfulness of HIM who promised: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13-5), his or her sunset years can be the sweetest of all.

But memory can also be a curse and a tormentor. Many people as they approach the end of life would give all they possess to erase from their minds the past sins that haunt them. What can a person do who is plagued by such remembrances?

Just one thing. He or She can take them to the One who is able to forgive them and blot them out forever.

He 's the One who said, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Heb. 10-17"

You may not be able to forget your past. BUT the Lord offers to blot out, "Like a thick cloud, Your transgressions." (Isa. 44:22)

THE BEST ERASER IS HONEST CONFESSION TO GOD.

Isn't this just the best advice ever.? The weather is great today- and I'm ready for more of it. Dave and Elaine are coming over latter this p.m. we plan to go out for early supper, and then play a few games. SJ is doing well, and like someone said- "He's just not at home often any more."

PRAISE THE LORD

A stillness lay upon the earth, as in the eastern sky-the signs appeared in coral tints, that day was drawing nigh; Yet 'neath the shadow of the hill there stood a Roman band, To guard the tomb of Christ my Lord, as Pilate gave command.

But hark! and earthquake rends the rock, the guards fall to the ground; An angel rolls the stone away and Death no more is found; For tis the resurrection day, And Christ in victory - steps forth from out the shrouded tomb - in immortality.

O, hallelujah, HE arose who once was crucified; HE lives, He lives, and I through Him - am fully justified; The bars of Death He tore away, and Satan and his horde are conquered by the living pow'r --Of Christ my risen LORD!

In triumph now He treads the earth - Which once received His blood, And fragrant beauty bursts anew--Like blossoms from the bud, As men behold the mystery-- That He who once was dead- is now alive for evermore- Just as the Scripture said.

And now the centuries have passed , The world in darkness lies; Yet we behold the day unfold Across the morning skies, For Christ who rose to heav'n above Is coming back again, And we shall rise as He arose, And with Him we shall reign.

"The Resurrection and the Life" In Christ the Lord we see, For Life hath overcome the stroke of Death on Calvary; In Him the Victor o'er the grave We stand identified, We live who love Him, since He lives Who once for us hath died.

Then sound His praises from the heart All ye, His ransomed host, Give glory to the Father, Son, and to the Holy Ghost; Awake, O world, to welcome Him Who, from the gates of pearl shall come " with healing in His wings" Love's banner to unfurl.

Behold, He standeth at the door, Then haste thy lamp to trim, Lift up thine eyes in gratitude O Christian, worship HIM! He breaks the fetters from the soul, New life through Him is born, Then praise the living Lord of Life-- On this fair Easter Morn!

This comes from one of moms old Ideal books -- March of 1955. May all of you have a blessed Easter--one of the most beautiful, wonderful, most important event in the Bible -for us-just for the taking.

Me again

Today looks like another nice day. I was just reminiscing while listening to wonderful Easter ,taped music, playing in the living room.

My dad was a great April fool prankster. Not a year went by that he didn't get us some way or another. That's one thing I tried to continue in our family, but I was a failure compared to daddy.

April 1-1997 Cindy called Evonne and said--Mom broke her neck and Evonne said- "April Fools.". No-she really did, replied Cindy. Sometimes I wish it had been an April Fools joke. That little accident made a lot of changes in my life.

The most hurting thing of the whole thing was learning to do some little things again that my grandchildren had no trouble with. Ex. Turning nuts on bolts-putting pegs in holes-moving rings on dowels-etc.

Not really having physical pain really helps when it come to having a burden placed upon you -or having a stint put in- or burning yourself. Anyway- I'm still here and having new challenges every day and thankful for it all. GOD is so good. And that's not April Fools.

Dena and C Van Zee

This Blog has nothing to do with the nice spring weather outside we are some time going to enjoy.
Some times my mind wonders. Many times I think of my wonderful grandpa and grandma. You see I only had one set of grandparents. Dad's parents both died before he was 12. His oldest brother married and kept the 9 children all together until they spread there wings--got married--went off to war--died of influenza or what ever. Uncle Hubert and Aunt Gertrude did a great job. We always had family reunions -visited a lot-and still the cousins get together at least once a year. The number has really gotten smaller, but 12 of us did get together again this past Sept. None of dad's family lived to be very old or married long. Uncle Ben 's did celebrate their 50th tho. They complained of sickness their whole life and dad used to say--always sick and never dead. Dad and mom celebrated their 35th in Feb. and dad past away Mar. 1 the next month.


Back to grandpa and grandma. Grandma lost her husband when she was about 35. She stayed alone until 1927. Then she married C Van Zee from Zeeland, Mi. Uncle Garrett actually got them together. He was in Holland ,Mi going to school to become a pastor and missionary. They came to Iowa Jan. 13-1928---Yep-the day we were born. They stepped off the train and the first thing they heard was that Anna had twins.
They lived in Orange City in the same home until after grandma died and grandpa went to the Pioneer Home. Lois and I cleaned house for grandma in June and she past away a few weeks latter. She gave us each an elephant book end that Uncle Garrett had sent home from Arabia. She also gave us each $20.00 and said that would probably be the last gift to us from her. The Sunday after she died, Leona, Lois and I sang "In the Time Of Roses " at her church in memory of her. Sher always liked rose, but was very allergic to lilacs. She and mom would call each other every day. Grandma would call us in the morning about 9 am and mom would call her about 4 pm. I still remember her telephone # - 210 J. We would call the operator and she would connect us.


Grandpa was an intelligent man. He had a large library on the second floor. He had an orchard in Mi. and really new how to prune fruit trees and grape vines. He loved to garden and always kept record of the sun length--longest and shortest day by putting a stake in the garden on various days. They would come to the farm every Sat. Grandpa would always tinker with something in dad's workshop while mom visited with grandma. Grandpa could fix anything with wire and nails He was a long , lanky man who did so much for grandma, like put on her shoe rubbers. He would kneel on one leg and that would stick out half way in the kitchen. At lunch time he would always have hot milk and rusk. Doesn't that sound great? What is so amazing though is that he came to Iowa on our birthday and he lift his earthly home on our birthday. He was 85-just one wonderful man. He had a favorite poem, and I only remember one line "Around the corner I have a friend." It was about a friend he was going to visit-put it off until it was to late. His friend past away. And I think about how that's true today. One thing I didn't like about him tho, was his mustache , especially in the winter when the ice cycles would hang from it.

Church house cleaning

Our church is going to have a cleaning day next Saturday. Should I go or not? Maybe I can polish the pews. They are terribly dirty--need nail holes filled with colored putty and greatly in need of some Old English on the many scratches. Maybe I should not--I am questioning my sanity.

Me--I have a lovely lady, named Vicky, who comes in and helps me two days a week for three hours. I don't tell her what to do anymore. She just does things the way she wants to do them and when she wants to do them.. She rakes the leaves from the lawn--sweeps the drive way--vacuum's the garage--mops the kitchen and bath--vacuum's the carpet--dusts or polishes the furniture--changes the bedding and washes the dirty stuff--cleans the bathroom every time--Windex's the windows--wipes down the kitchen cupboards and appliance's and still has time to pay her bills--watch the soaps on TV--drink a 10 cup pot of coffee and of course runs to the bath at least five times while she is here.

I don't know how she does everything in such a short time. When it all started I asked her to change the bedding every other week and also mop the floor every other week. Do you think I should complain? I will think about the church all this week. Do you think I should? Hope you all agree on my decision that I will be making but right now playing games on the computer sure sound more interesting to me.

Latest News

It finally happened. We had some big stuff to watch yesterday. Our area hired some firm from Al. to clean up all our trees and branches, and yesterday about 1 p.m. was our day.

A huge tandem truck pulled up. A man was sitting high, between the two truck, and soon was skillfully handling a very long armed crane. He was good, and did an excellent job of picking up all the debris. We had a lot.

Latter I went out and raked four piles of the little twigs that remained. It sure looks better. Next week when the trash man comes I will fill up the dumpster and we will be ready to mow. They did pick up a little grass in three places, so I just leveled it and replanted some grass seed. It is suppose to rain today, so grow man, grow.

To Everything there is a season

You may not believe it-but my crocus are about 4" high. Just last week they were covered with inches of ice and this week are ready to get the 2009 spring season off and running. Eccl. 3-1 says--FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN. God sure was smart. Today it is 71 degrees with rain predicted latter this week with possible tornado's.

At Christmas in 1977, Cindy and Mike gave Grandma M. a Helen Steiner Rice--Loving Promises Poem book. It is full of very good poems. Here is one I'd like to share with you folks.

THE SEASONS OF THE SOUL

Why am I cast down and despondently sad
When I long to be happy and joyous and glad?
Why is my heart heavy with unfathomable weight
As I try to escape this soul-saddened state?
I ask myself often--"What makes life this way,
Why is the song silenced in the heart that was gay"?
And then with God's help it all becomes clear,
The SOUL has its SEASONS just the same as the year--
I too must pass through life's autumn dying,
A desolate period of heart-hurt and crying,
Followed by winter in whose frostbitten hand
My heart is as frozen as the snow-covered land--
Yes, man too must pass through the seasons God sends,
Content in the knowledge that everything ends,
And oh what a blessing to know there are reasons
And to find that our soul must, too, have its seasons--
BOUNTEOUS SEASONS and BARREN ONES, too,
Times for rejoicing and times to be blue,
But meeting these seasons of dark desolation
With strength that is born of anticipation
That comes from knowing that Autumn-time sadness"
Will surely be followed by a "SPRINGTIME FOR GLADNESS."

Taking Care of the old people

Some times I feel I'm living in a nursing home. Rubber grips under all the throw rugs to prevent falling----a walker-----a chair in the shower-----sit down shower head-----grips on the tub floor---risers under the bed---extension shoe horns----electric lift chair----heavy armed chair by the kitchen table---canes---aprons-----a batch of wash every day-----looking for misplaced articles----setting out the pills---etc. etc.

But today is going to be different. Some one is coming to put a riser on the stool. That's not all--we don't need it. So today Ladene is getting a riser, just for herself, put on the stool and that will be so great.

No it's really not that bad. I just needed to change the blog and this is the most interesting thing that is going to happen to us today.

Ice Storm 2009

Enjoy We are ok-didn't go without electricity too long while others have it a lot worse.

Beauty vanity

Some times a body just needs a picking up. Well-mine did. Not only is this body old--wrinkled--frail, but my hair was starting to look like a horses mane. Evonne had given me a hair cut at Christmas, so I just got out my trusty old-old rolling curlers--the perm stuff I got at a Hair and Stuff --Supply Store- and got to work. Not that I'm , tight or any thing-- but this was the second time I was using the hair stuff. Only cost $5.49 at the time-divide that by 2 and the cost of my perm was $2.745. Seriously I'm thinking of getting a volunteer job in Washington and teach people how to live within their means and how to get out of debt. (Good idea -maybe not).

Any way I found out I'm extremely slow-- less patient--still just as capable as always. SJ put on the solution after I had the hair rolled--then rinsed the hair--applied the next solution--took the paper off the rollers for me and--and gave me some very nice complements on how nice I looked when it was all finished. It did take very good and I do say--there is a slight improvement.






















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