Sunday on the lake

Jack and Jan Tallman, friends of ours from our square dancing years, live on Lake Panorama. They are part of our Yale/Panora Iowa group of friends and we still get together for cribbage games. Two summers ago Jack suffered what he calls a brain bleed. He was cutting down some small trees and it required him to bend over to cut them off next to the ground. I pictured these trees to be ones that had grown up in a tight line and each of them were about 2 inches in diameter. He suddenly found himself on the ground unable to move. I asked him if he knew what had happened to him and he said yes, he knew something had happened in his brain. He laid there unable to move for  3 to 4 hours. He said he was afraid he would not be found before dark and a fox might come by and start chewing on him and he would not be able to do anything about it.
Jan had been shopping and came home about four. She had bought a shirt for Jack and decided to take it out to him to see if he liked it. That is when she found him. Jack has been through lots of therapy but is still quite limited in his mobility. He can get himself around with a walker but moves slowly and says he has no energy.
And now I continue. Jack had been working on a project building a lighthouse to put down by the lake and it was partially finished. Recently friends of his had picked up on the project and finished it for him. It was to be placed down by the water. A friend of the Tallman's named John finished the lighthouse build. Every lighthouse needs a light and that is where Butch came in. Jack and Jan's son John had built a platform for it so all in all this was very much a group endeavor.  So as not to confuse you there are two Johns. John the friend builder and John the son platform builder and all-around handyman.

These photos are ones I took for the day and I am not going to be picky about which ones I post. So look quickly or linger, it is up to you. *smile*

The beginning point.

Toward the end. Butch on far left, Judy and Marv Smith seated at the picnic table, the two Johns down by the lighthouse, Jan getting into the golf cart and Skippy who is Marv's dog. He was named Skippy because he was the color of Skippy Peanut Butter.

Jack and Jan's house lakeside view.

Jack comes down to see the finished project. His daughter Jill is assisting him.

Jan and her helpers also put together a delicious steak meal enjoyed by all.