Warning signs of a Cult

Six years ago...

 I love it when I run across one of these photos that were posted in the past on facebook. We both liked to play shuffleboard, but we just did not have time for everything.

When you turn 80

 I often said that when I turned 80, it was a change unlike any other. Turning 70 wasn't a big deal. I barely gave a minute's thought to it. 80 was different. So when I stumbled upon this YouTube video, it opened a door I had not opened before. I think those who are already there will recognize it, and those who have yet to be there will enjoy the look of what is to come.

https://youtu.be/ipUNDBSI9Jw?si=oxGej_fYOTAbugjP

After the Storm

 Iowa was hit pretty hard with a snowstorm this Thanksgiving weekend. Keri sent me some photos taken at their home in Jefferson.

I take pics now and then while on our morning walks, and then I forget to post them.

Here are some of them...

There are crops growing beside the park, and this is on our walking route. These are workers taking care of the crop (kale?). I noticed, while taking this by, I am guessing the foreman. It was not a pleasant look, so I only took this one shot.

Meeting up with Renie.

This was a foggy morning, and that is a photo of the sun.

By the way, it's after 3:00 AM, and I was having trouble sleeping, so I decided to make better use of my time than staring at the ceiling thinking of oddball stuff. If something doesn't make much sense, chalk it up to that.

I think I will go back to bed now and try to get some more sleep.

Greatgrands

 Granddaughter Amanda takes pictures of her two children every fall. These are my favorites of the 57 taken.

Elise in 2025

Leo in 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

My Checklist

 If you ask me how to do it and what makes me strong, this is it.

Bernie's Famous Fruit Cake

 My son reminded me today of Bernie's Fruitcake. We lived on Lake Panorama for a few years, and Bernie was our neighbor. He made this very delicious fruitcake every year, and it was something to look forward to. Turkey day is nearly here, and Fruitcake day is not far behind. I could write a whole blog entry about Bernie because he was a very special guy to us and all who knew him. I would ask Bernie for his recipe every season, and he would always say he would make it for me instead. Finally, he did give it to me. Bernie passed on quite some time ago, but his fruitcake will live forever.

Recipe:   Bernie's Fruitcake    12/16/2007

Category: Holiday

Author:   Bernie Craig

2 C Flour

1 1/2 C Sugar

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

4 eggs

3 T butter-room temp.

4 -8 oz. Jars Whole Maraschino Cherries (Drain 3 jars)

2 C Pecan halves or pieces

2 C Walnut halves or pieces

1 LB. Raisins

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Stir in eggs, one at a time. Add remaining ingredients one at a time in the order listed, mixing gently.

Pour into an ungreased tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Increase the heat to 325 degrees and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Let cool in the pan, then remove. Wrap in foil or plastic and store in the refrigerator.

Allow 1 to 2 days for flavors to mingle before serving.

I never liked fruitcake until I tasted Bernie's. :-)

If you live close and decide to make it, I would love to have a slice and

think of our good friend Bernie Craig

Monarchs

 Monarchs migrate South to Mexico every year. Their route covers a large part of the migration through the Midwest, into South Texas, and on to Mexico. It is a magnificent thing and has been covered by many nature shows.

My son and his wife, Jason and Laura, are lucky to have a large number of Monarchs stop for a breather in their yard, and they enjoy the company as long as it lasts. 

Here we have had more fans with Dot and Wink. Wink recently passed, but Dot has carried on by paying attention and keeping them cared for as much as possible on their trip. Last season, Wink brought over a jar with a cocoon in it to happy hour, and we were able to watch the process firsthand. Wink built an "incubator" for them that made it more comfy for the Monarchs and easier for us to see what was taking place.

A few days ago, Dot brought over the incubator because a cocoon had opened and the Monarch was getting ready to use his new wings to head South, and we were lucky enough to be able to see it! 

Right before takeoff!

Childrens home

On Wednesday, six of us made our way to Reynosa, Mexico, to visit the Christian children's home. It was a wonderful day! So much happened and so much was learned!  I will do my best to convey it all to you. 

One of my first thoughts on reflection was that my boys and their wives would have enjoyed it as much as I did. 

Betsy was our tour guide. She runs the Thrift Shop in Pharr, Texas, that goes a long way toward supporting the home. She is also on the administrative team running the home. Betsy gives about 3 tours during the season, and we were lucky to be part of the first one this season. She did say she would be glad to do more if the interest was there. Six of us Trophy people met in the main hall and waited for Betsy to take us across the border in the Children's Home van. 

The trip across the border is a trip in itself. It is very different from going to Progreso

Betsy gave a whole different slant on it. She makes frequent crossings and has all the paperwork to speed it up. Reynoso is a city of over a million and continuing to grow. 

All of the houses have a reservoir on the roof. The reason for that is that citizens only have access to water 3 days a week, so they have to store it in order to have it on the other days of the week. When new houses are built, they do not include all of the plumbing and water connections that we take for granted. And yet they continue to build! This trip is filled with facts. 

The Children's Home is very secure, and without Betsy, we would not have been able to enter. It used to be a rural place, but Reynosa has grown so much that they are now on the edge of the city.

Bill D. is 6ft. 5 in. and the children looked him over thoroughly wherever we went. This photo was taken in the Art Classroom.

This is a small part of the family I enjoyed lunch with.

This is the whole group that lives together, plus the 3 of us visitors

The Dad of the group asked me if I wanted to play Bingo, and I said "yes". An aside to the question is that I always say 'yes' unless I have a very good reason for saying 'no'. So I read the numbers in English, and the Dad repeated them in Spanish. We played till all the numbers were covered.

There are local children who also go to school here, and the parents or guardians must pick them up after school. This is our group watching that happen.

On the ride home, we learned so much more! The traffic out of Mexico and back to the USA is an obstacle in itself. We waited over an hour to get back, and that is not a bad time.  The company was good, and the conversation was lively, which helped pass the time.

I will most likely remember things a bit at a time and will relate them as I remember them. Oh, yes! A boy about 10 years of age came up to me and patted my hair. I was sitting down. He then said "beautiful". I said "Thank you!" 

 

I did not have the Google Translate App on my phone. I do now, and when I do the trip again, I will make good use of it. I highly recommend getting it.

This might help guide you to the one that was recommended to me.

Google Translate - Apps on Google Play

Google Play

https://play.google.com › store › apps › details › id=com...

Translate between 108 languages by typing. Tap to Translate: Copy text in any app and tap the Google Translate icon to translate (all languages).

4.3(9,073,557) · Free · ‎Android · ‎Utilities/Tools

Turkey for 2

Turkey for Two
Did you have a meal with friends and family on the holiday and miss all the turkey and dressing leftovers at your house? Or there are just the two of you, and you do not want to cook a big ol' turkey for two people. I discovered an easy way to have it all. 

Grease the sides of your crockpot or use one of those nifty slow cooker liners. Place a small package of dry stuffing mix (StoveTop) in the bottom. Sprinkle with about a 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. Slice an onion and dice a celery stalk, and layer them on top of the stuffing. Place a thawed Butterball 3-pound turkey roast (found in your grocer's freezer) on top of celery and onion. Cook on low all day or high for 5 or more hours, and you have the best of both worlds. A scrumptious turkey dinner for two with some leftovers if you are moderate eaters.

Elise

This lovely young woman is my great-granddaughter, Elise. ❤

Turkey Time!

 I post this every year for those folks who find themselves staying home for the big day. It is tried and true. Today I went to the BIG H.E.B., you know the one at the corner of Ridge and Cage? They have the Butterball Turkey with white and dark meat.

Turkey for Two
Did you have a meal with friends and family on the holiday and miss all the turkey and dressing leftovers at your house? Or there are just the two of you, and you do not want to cook a big ol' turkey for two people. I discovered an easy way to have it all. 

Grease the sides of your crockpot or use one of those nifty slow cooker liners. Place a small package of dry stuffing mix (StoveTop) in the bottom. Sprinkle with about a 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. Slice an onion and dice a celery stalk, and layer them on top of the stuffing. Place a thawed Butterball 3-pound turkey roast (found in your grocer's freezer) on top of celery and onion. Cook on low all day or high for 5 or more hours, and you have the best of both worlds. A scrumptious turkey dinner for two with some leftovers if you are moderate eaters.

Taste of Home’s Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Ingredients
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup biscuit/baking mix
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
Whipped topping, optional
Read more:
Directions http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pumpkin-pie-pudding#ixzz3HYeQl3sp
In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until a thermometer reads 160°. Serve in bowls with whipped topping if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

Happy Hour Discussions

 Happy hour every day from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, and then we go home. It has been said more than once that we should keep track of what we discuss because every day is a new adventure.

Yesterday I showed them my new toe socks. My toes are in love with each other, and when I walk, and I do a lot of it, my toes develop corns, calluses, and other interesting formations. I have tried lambs wool, Band-Aids, you name it. Toe socks are my newest and best solution.

Another one of our faithful contributors mentioned her newest hobby, String art rocks. It is intriguing! Don't we all need a new hobby? I sure like the idea. Whether I will have the impetus to get into it remains to be seen. Here is an example.

Our discussions take on many forms. The one above led to interesting rock formations. Petoskey Rocks were the next round of rock talk. 

Butch and I workamped in Northern Michigan one summer season. There was a gravel pit on my regular morning walk, and I discovered Petoskey rocks.

Found on the Internet in case you are interested. 

Petoskey stones are fossilized coral that were once part of a reef about 350 million years ago, now primarily found on the shores of Lake Michigan. They are characterized by a honeycomb pattern of six-sided corallites, the skeletons of the ancient coral polyps. These fossils are considered a prized rock for collection and crafts due to their distinct appearance. 

This is not an unusual occasion at Happy Hour. Personally, it is a refreshing part of my day, and I nearly always find out something I didn't know before.

Butch's Picture

This photo was taken in 2024 for the Trophy Garden directory. I was asked today for a picture of Butch to be put on the wall in the pool hall. I decided the easiest way for me to get it out there was to put it on the blog. He has a smile on his face in every picture I have of him!

Trivia a trifle short

Trivia was a trifle short of players last night. A good time was had by all who did come, and I will do a better job of advertising that we are back in business next week. Your next chance of having a great time with fun people in the main hall playing trivia will be next Tuesday night at 6:30 PM.

Candy took the above photo of me last night. I liked it. That is rare.

My thought for the day

I received word that another classmate has passed. Johnny Hamilton- Class of '61. I was writing a note to Alice, his wife, and came across the quote below. It rang a bell with me. I suppose it is our age, as most of us are in our 80s. Doesn't matter the age-it still hits you like a Mack truck when it happens. It has been two months now, and I can feel a slight lessening of the rollercoaster ride it has been.

Johnny was a big personality, and he will leave a hole not only among his family, classmates, and friends but far beyond that. If you have ever met Johnny, you will remember him. He was that kind of guy. 

My quote of the day.

• "A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." — Eleanor Roosevelt 

Further South

 I made my first trip this season, with the Danielsons, further south to Mexico for a pedicure and lunch. It was great as always. It was busy, which seemed odd so early in the season. The little town of Progreso was all spiffed up. It appeared a great deal of effort was put into getting things tidied up and rearranged for all of us Winter Texans. I barely recognised it. We went down to see Hector, and I asked about the current prices of the meds I take daily. I was surprised to find there had been a significant drop in Xereleto, a blood thinner. Since April, it had dropped from $45 a month to $25. This is a med I checked on in Iowa because I was unsure I would be able to come down here, and wondered what it was going to cost. With insurance, it would cost me $247 a month!  I won't rant and rave about the highway robbery taking place in the U.S.  I will let you do that!

We returned to the park and took a nap before happy hour. It was a pleasant day.

Routine

I am developing a routine. Of course I am! It is human nature. My mail is getting here from Iowa at such speed that I have never seen before. I get previews of my mail. It is reassuring to know what is coming. It is a guess, but I think I will be able to wrap up the last of the loose ends soon.

I am still playing pool most days. It isn't going all that well. Time should take care of it.

Tonight is the first trivia session. There are lots of people who haven't arrived yet, so I expect a light crowd.

There are lots of adjustments to being single; some by choice, some by necessity. Time will take care of that, too.

Taken by me in 2012

Proof

 Well, I proved it once again! I can force myself to do things that give me small butterflies and chores I don't really want to do. I drove to the grocery store today for the second time. It may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me. :-) Do any of you remember this symbol for a smile in the early days of the Internet?  Just thought I would throw that in there.

This is not the entire cartoon; however, it is the part that made me smile.:-)

Time for an update

 I know it is time to touch base; however, not much is going on for me, and quite frankly, I am okay with that. 

I am playing pool every day at 1:00. That will change when more of the guys get here and fill up the pool hall. Then I will have to stick with Mondays and Tuesdays and find different slots of time on the other days. I know I can play with the men, and I am not opposed to it, and playing now and then is okay, but I can't see making a habit of it.

I planned on going to Mexico today with Gina and Carl, and then somebody opened the door to the northern tundra. Dropping from 95 down to 49 is nobody's idea of fun. Two days ago, the AC was working overtime, and today the furnace is doing the same. Oh, what a puzzling world we live in!

Today, my plan is to get trivia info up and running for the first official event next Tuesday night at 6:30 PM in the Main hall. Renie has agreed to step in and help train a new scorekeeper. It will be fun having her help me get started.

I really like pineapple! So the other day at the grocery store, I picked up some Pineapple soda on a whim. That purchase has led to a discovery. I have drunk 3 of the six that I purchased. I chose to indulge each of them at my supper meal. Every time I did was followed by a "multiple-trips-to-the-bathroom" night. I do not know if it is the chemicals or the carbination, or something else. The lesson is learned! Anyone want a Pineapple soda? I have 3 that are up for grabs.

I DID IT!

 This Sunday morning, I arose at my usual time of 6:00AM, waited till it was light outside, and ventured forth to the streets of Alamo, Texas, in my car! First stop was the Blue Wave Car Wash. After the windshield was replaced, they advised not to expose it to high-powered water for at least two days. I happily obliged because I didn't want to anyway. 😇 I waited till Sunday morning because traffic is much lighter than on any other day of the week. I am proud to announce that I washed the car, purchased groceries, and returned to my South Texas home without incident.

Most of the people who know me also know it has been a very long time since I drove anywhere. However, this past summer, I worked hard to get back to the confident driver I once was. Butch loved to drive, and I loved to let him. This is but one of the many changes that long-married couples deal with when one passes. I told myself I would do it when I had to, and now I have to. Done Deal!

Be OK - Song by Ingrid Michaelson

 Earlier this month, I went to the clinic for my usual exam before heading south. The song "Be Ok" was playing. I asked the receptionist if they were doing that just for me. She laughed and said, "No, but if you want to think so, it can be." It fit so perfectly for me, it has become a new favorite.

You can find it here:https://youtu.be/vpMI8Qu5fsc?si=0L8ZwWLD2H4zG5Mh

Settling in

 I am doing well in my southern home. There are enough of our closer friends here to keep me busy, so the days are going fast. 

Yesterday, I had the windshield replaced by SafeLite, and what a pleasant experience it was. The two fellows who were doing the work, and by some discounts, were able to save me a little over one hundred dollars. I appreciated their efforts. The speed and the quality of work were top-notch. 

Today I had the park model power-washed. It is something we do each season. I usually wait till our neighbors get here and schedule both of us at the same time, but this year I wanted to get the outside spiffed up quickly. It could be a little cooler, though. It is running in the low nineties. I hear it is supposed to cool off some next week.

So far things are going as expected and appreciated, smoothly.

Texas

 We arrived yesterday afternoon at about two. The travel went well except for the rock the size of a tennis ball that hit the windshield. Fortunately, it hit in the middle and high up, so it didn't impair vision. It was pretty scary when it happened. Jason saw it coming and ducked. It was loud.

When we pulled into our parking spot at Trophy, we were greeted with 3 large wasp nests across the front of the park model. Lots of wasp activity! I went to the office and made out a work order to have them sprayed. We then went to Dirty Al's Bayu Grill in McAllen for a very early supper. It was DEE-LISHUSS! 

When we came back, the manager had sprayed for the wasps. A neighbor told us it was a lively event!

Jason has done a good job of getting all the details taken care of to settle in. Butch had told him what would need to be done, and he remembered it.

We played pool for a while, but were too tired to really get into it.

Windshield:

Till next time!

Today's Greeting

 Jason and I will be headed for South Texas tomorrow. See ya'all soon. And to those I leave behind-See you next Spring!

Life goes on...

I tried to find a photo worthy of this post and finally settled on this one. This pampas grass and the sign are on the bike trail, a place I frequently take pictures. I haven't walked the trail in the past 2 days due to frigid temperatures. When it is in the forties in the early morning, I pass.

 I am slowly getting ready for the journey south. Jason and I have wrapped up the outside chores. Next week, we will wrap up the inside ones and head south. I am looking forward to it. This house has suddenly become too large. 

I don't mind being alone; in fact, I enjoy it. But it can be too much of a good thing, too. It will take me a while to find the balance of it all. The process will be good for me. I have always embraced change, and that will hold true. I do have plans. 

Till next time...

For the record...

 The celebration of Butch's life was fantastic. It was indeed everything it should be. Two days after his death, I put together a slideshow, and the boys helped me get it ready for the big day. It worked like a charm. My friend and sister-in-law, Keri, put together the food, the serving of it, and the cleanup. Emily, Leo and Keri's daughter put together and had printed the memorial folder. The come-and-go theme worked well. The Depot was a great place to have it. I was able to see so many people! The weather was perfect. I do not recall even one snafu.

Today I mailed the last of the thank you cards, dropped off a deposit at the bank, and took a donation to the food bank. I followed up with getting a covid and flu shot, along with a quick trip to the grocery store. I was out of cottage cheese. For many of you who think I don't drive, I do now. I still do not like to drive, even more so when I am stressed, and I have had a fair amount of that in the year 2025. I am getting more and more comfortable behind the wheel. When Butch and I chose the house we live in, one of the main things I loved was that it was a mile from nearly everything, and walking a mile is something I can do with ease.

Yesterday I was bragging that I had a day without tears. Today in the grocery store, I ran into one of the guys with whom Butch played fast-pitch softball for many years. I shed a few.

Each day is a bit better.

I'm Back

 I am back and closer to being the same person I was ...hmmm, let's say last year.

Hindsight is 20/20, and I can look back and see this coming. It has to be a blessing for it to be that way. Can you imagine looking at a calendar that is marked with the date of your demise? Or the demise of your closest friend? We're better off not knowing.

I am adjusting. There is plenty to keep me busy because, right on schedule, I will be going to Texas, and that's only a couple of weeks away.

The dreaded paperwork is 99% completed. That truly is the part that gave me the most angst. The boys helped me through that, and I am lucky to have them.

I have many friends who have walked this path before me, and they have been helpful in every way. Actually, there have not been any surprises. The entire process has been as expected, difficult but doable. I feel better this week than last, and the plan is to feel better next week than this one. Eventually, finding my way through this new and different way of living.

Looking for it...

 In getting ready for the celebration of Butch's life, I have been looking for things. To be specific, I am looking for a book recording people who have come to other events in our lives. I haven't found any of them yet. However, I did come across my diaries and journals of my entire life. I got hooked and started reminiscing.

I came across an entry that made me laugh, and I know I didn't laugh when I wrote it.

Here it is: "My mother had a breast removed. In thinking about it, I have put it on the back burner. She has too."

What made me laugh? She has two!!

I hope you can see the humor also! My mother lived a long life after this event.

Most Frequently Asked ?

 I'm still fuzzy-headed. My confidence in dealing with stuff is about a 4. I can hear a word, any special word and start crying. The paperwork is something I wish were in my past. I want to wake up some morning with the only decision I have to make being "Do I have to do laundry?". I still find it hard to believe...

I know so many who have already walked this path. We all know it is coming. Knowing doesn't help much. 

I was talking to my friend Sherri Clark last night, and she advised me to change 'Bad Days and Good Days' to 'Hard Days and Easy Days.' I can see the value in that.

Hey! You asked me how I was doing! ❤

Saw this today...

 Here is a photo of our son, Rich's, granddaughter, and our great-granddaughter, Scarlett. And she has two sisters just as beautiful as she is. I want to thank their Dad, Anthony, for posting this so I could see her. She is ready for homecoming.

Life goes on...

 In my head, it stood still for a few days, and it still isn't moving quick. My next job will be creating a new life for myself. I only have bits and pieces tentatively imagined thus far. I do plan to go back to Trophy Gardens in Alamo, Texas, for the winter and return to Iowa the following Spring. 

A come-and-go Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th, at the Depot in Jefferson, Iowa, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and lunch will be provided. More visiting later may take place at 402 N Cedar.

That's it for now. Hopefully, my writing bug will bite me a bit harder at a later time.

Barb

Life Changes

 Last Monday, September 8th, Butch woke up and needed to get to the bathroom using his slowboat to get everywhere. He said he felt worse and had very little strength in his legs. Next, he said he needed to get to his "office" where his meds were, and said his left leg was hurting. He made it that far. But then he said I don't think I can make it back to the living room. It wasn't easy, but we managed. Once seated in his chair, he said, Call 911. I did. The pain in his left leg was severe, and he said he thought he had a blood clot. To shorten things, he was right.

The options were a life flight to Des Moines, followed by a 5-hour surgery, or hospice. We asked if his life would be better after the surgery, and he said it could be, but recovery would be long and arduous. It did not seem like the best option. He was already weak, and it would have been grasping at straws, and we had too much of that already. The doctor did not hold back; he said it was going to be very painful, and he would be given anything and everything he needed to keep the pain at bay. Butch rated his pain at 12 on a scale of 1 to 10, and it stayed that way. The morphine took the edge off, but not by much. The morphine did make it so he could bear the pain till the next shot that he was getting every hour. The dosage was increased as well.

Before this, Butch had been taking 3 different blood thinners, and yet the clot developed. That was the main reason he decided on hospice, and it was he who decided. He was cognitive throughout until the morphine dosages climbed up. I stayed with him. And he passed away at 3:00 am on September 9th.

To answer many questions in one sentence, I am doing OK. It feels like a little hammer that pops in frequently to remind me that yes, it really did happen. I am doing my best to get things done that need doing, stopping short of being totally overwhelmed. I have had lots of help. Our boys and their well-chosen spouses have made it as easy as possible for me.

Yesterday, we made some decisions on a Celebration of Life.  It will be held in the Depot in Jefferson, Iowa, on September 27th. The Depot is at the head of the bike trail. I was thinking of our house, but parking is an issue. So chose the Depot instead.

The hours will be 11:00 am to 2:00 PM.  There will be lunch. These times are merely a suggestion because we are certain that people will drift to our house after that. We expect that to happen, and we are looking forward to it.

In Limbo

 We are in a state of limbo. The number of tests he has had is unbelievable. Progress is slow. Sometimes it is invisible. Next week we have an appointment for an ultrasound of his liver, followed by a meeting with his CPAP doctor and those in charge of it. I don't expect any concrete answers.

It has taken 3 months, but Butch has gotten the CPAP where it works for him. That is good news because it was causing a great deal of stress. The secret for him was a change in the adjustment of the mask. It may not be kosher, but it is working for him, and that's the most important part.

One of the stranger things that has happened is weird dreams and sleep-talking. Sleep-talking is not unusual because he has always done that, but now it is clear what he is saying, and he wakes in the middle and can relate what it was about! He has his own private TV in his head. He will suddenly wake up, look at the TV, and wonder why I turned it off. It was never on! What does it mean? Don't know, don't care. It makes things interesting.

Butch had a reprieve when he had the two cardioversions about a month apart, but now the afib is back and causing complications. Not sure where we go from here. His next cardio appointment is September 23rd. Hopefully, it will be well defined.

Butch and I grew up in the 50's/60's and both of our families played cards as a form of entertainment. Butch's family is a bit more intense than mine. TV was new, and not everyone had one. Also, the addiction was not in full swing as it is now. When the kids are here, we play Wizard, Golf(card game), and Cribbage. Butch is usually our target because he was born lucky and thus consistently wins. He is used to the rest of us ganging up on him. It gives us a goal and him a smile.

I am busy being the legs for both of us, and my computer time has taken a hit, so hang in there. I might be late, but it will appear.

Busy Week...

 3 doctor appointments this week. Overwhelming is a word being used frequently. Yesterday was the cardiologist appointment in Ames, IA.  He has returned to AFIB. Nothing has changed, really, that we can see. Basically, it means he will be tired. He is already tired, so it must mean more tired. (Tuesday)

He has elevated liver enzymes, and he has been to see a gastroenterologist to see what that is all about. (Wednesday)

Oddly enough, Butch being in AFIB is not as much of an issue as I thought it would be. It is staying at a manageable rate so far. Hopefully, it will stay steady and low. He is getting home health care, and they are monitoring him, setting goals, and helping him regain strength. He has finally registered the same weight, 147, two days in a row. He started at 180 a year ago.

At this moment, he is on his computer in his "hidey hole". He will stay there until he gets to dozing off too often and then he will come into the living room, where he will doze off in his chair.

The truth be told, I am mentally and physically exhausted. I have continued to get my walk in most mornings. And I, too, take multiple naps. Friends and family have gathered around, and I am very grateful for all the help they have given.

So that is an update. Truthfully, the update is most likely at the bottom of my todo list. I will continue to do the best I can.

Colleen and I are on the biketrail. We walk 2 miles every (most) morning.

The new handrails for the breezeway entrance. They work very well!

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Where we are...

 Butch-His legs feel like jello-he uses a walker- he has made a truce with the CPAP, and it works most nights. He would like to fling a couple of things at the wall: his phone and the CPAP.

He has a housebound diagnosis, so we have people who come in to help with showers, taking BPs, and monitoring his weight and other vitals. They are showing him ways to function safely. And running him through exercises to improve his muscle strength. This is new for us, and we are going into week two with these changes.

He hasn't been playing pool or golf. Getting to both places to do so is not easy and would drain too much of his precious energy.

Jason lives closest to us (30 miles) and has been helping us cope with all this. Gary lives in Missouri and has been coming up when he can. Rich lives in Georgia and is trying to adjust to his own life changes. We know he would if he could. Our daughter-in-laws have been helpful as well. In addition to lending us their guys, they have let their spouses come frequently, while letting their home chores slack a bit. Our boys chose well for their life partners.

Keri and Leo, our other family that is close, have bent over backward to help while juggling their own busy lives. We appreciate all of them!

We have two doctor appointments coming next week. Primary doctor on Tuesday, who is local, and an appointment with his heart doctor in Ames, which is a 40-mile trip one way. It will be good to get them off the calendar.

I am asked often how he is doing, and if you can keep up with the blog (brooker3.blogspot.com), it will help me. The busier I get, the farther I get behind. Texting is the best way to communicate with both of us, but remember how Butch feels about his phone! You don't want to get flung!

So Far-So Good

 We are currently in a state of flux. Numerous doctor appointments and not knowing where we stand most of the time. We have been told that a complete recovery is unlikely, which means we are living on a day-by-day basis. In reality, we should all live that way; however, it doesn't seem to happen until forced. So we are living in the moment; sometimes those moments are good and sometimes not.

Addressing the problem directly, Butch's heart is giving out. We didn't know he had heart issues until last February, when we went to ER early in the morning because he was coughing a lot and bringing up lots of phlegm. We thought it was a cold/allergies situation. He ended up in the hospital for a week and a stent in his heart. He recovered quite nicely...we thought.

The one ongoing big red flag throughout is losing weight without trying. We knew he was losing weight; what we didn't know was the reason why. A doctor explained it to us quite clearly recently. Food is the energy that keeps everything working, and when your heart, the main engine keeping you alive, is not getting what it needs to work, it will take all it can from wherever it can. As we age, it gets more difficult to keep it all working. If you are losing weight and not trying, do something about it! Butch had been losing weight for over a year. We did not take it seriously enough.

I do not know how much knowing all this from the get-go would have helped, but still, I wish we had known.

Currently, his heart is working at 25 percent. He has no energy. His legs feel like jello. He has fallen numerous times. He has had two cardioversions, shocking the heart. They have both worked for a time. The doctor says that after 80, it is very unlikely that it will continue to work. He currently gets around with a walker. Everything is difficult.

At this minute, he is taking numerous meds for the morning, and he will repeat the process at night. Like I said, we are living in the moment, and the future will just have to wait.

We are blessed with many friends and family, and they are all coming to the rescue. We appreciate them beyond words! 

Last-Ditch effort

 The last-ditch effort is working. His heart is in rhythm so far and staying steady. He will be coming home today. As long as his heart stays in rhythm he will be okay. We hope it is a good long time from now.

The Most Difficult...

 This is the most difficult blog entry I will ever have to write. Butch is not going to recover. In the last year, Butch has lost a lot of weight. The amount lost now stands at 36lb. We didn't understand how or why this was happening, but we know now. Butch is currently in Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa. He will be released today. Released to what and where is not yet defined.

While in Texas last February, I took Butch to the ER. We found out he was in AFIB and had a heart issue. This much is old news. When the heart has a hard time functioning, it requires more energy and takes it away from other areas. So the food energy you eat is going to your heart, and taking it from your other organs. Weight loss results. If he were younger, some procedures could help this condition. The older you get, the less they can do. Butch is 84 and has enjoyed a long and active life. Today, he will be getting another shock to his heart. They do not expect long-term results from it because of his age. It is a last-ditch effort.

And then he will get released to come home. This part is very fuzzy right now because I am old, too, and not all that strong. Butch has nearly fallen 3 times in the last week. Two of those times were while in a hospital. 

I post this to the blog in order to reach the most people we know all at once. I will post more when I know more and have the time.

Catch up

 Butch is still on a slow boat to health.  At least he is on board. Being 84 in real-time and somewhere around 50 in your head can be frustrating. If we take baby steps in the right direction, we will eventually reach our goal of having suitable health for our lifestyle.

Yesterday, a lifelong friend of mine passed away. I have mentioned Mickey on this blog in the past. We have known each other since 3rd grade, and our lives have intertwined ever since. She found out she had cancer about 4 years ago and has been in a fight for her life ever since. A couple of years were not too bad for her, but the past two have been challenging. She was placed in hospice in January and a care facility in May. I tried to visit her frequently, trying to make her days shorter. She assured me it worked. Due to her nature, she hung on dearly till the end. I will miss her, of course.

There were four of us who ran around together in our teen years: Mickey, Jean, Valeta, and me. I once again am the last one standing. In my 82 years, I have learned to roll with the punches. It may be a blessing. Sometimes I do wonder.

Jean, Barb and Mickey

 

Mickey and Butch at the lake

A Tumble

When the kids were here, Butch fell in the breezeway. His heel caught on the step, and down he went! Fortunately, it was not a major event. A few scrapings of his thin skin were the worst of it. The subject of falls in general was the topic of the day. I had been wanting good, solid handrails for the breezeway for quite some time. Jason and Butch installed them yesterday. They were our 66th anniversary gift. Appropriate!

I was asked about the definition of a breezeway. The inquirer had never encountered the word before. It is a pretty word!

Breezeway--a roofed outdoor passage, as between a house and a garage.

Today the tumbler is going to the golf course. Not to play! He will ride in the cart with Jason and maybe putt some. He has been waiting quite a while to feel good enough to just ride!

He had another good night with his CPAP. I trust that they will eventually become best friends.