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It has been snowing a little.  Our t.v. reception was out for we don't know how long - we were away picking out new faucets and hardware for bathrooms. Tomorrow we should be able to find out the dates the little company can work on those baths.  Tile is broken so it will be nice to replace too.  I made Snickerdoodle cookie mix so I can bake the cookies anytime.  I talked to a cousin for almost an hour - on SKYPE.  And, still we need to talk more so we are going to set aside a three-day visit to catch up.     Two years ago, I became sick while they were into just a day of visiting and they kindly packed up the next morning and told me to go to bed and get well and I sure appreciated their thoughtfulness. 

Don is watching the Vikings - you know he is Minnesota true blue. 

Gord:  You are such a blessing for serving the poor.  There is such a massive need especially now.

Larry:  Stacey will feel better when she gets home - and so will you. 

Today was a mini vacation for me. I went in a church van with other seniors (we had 2 vans) to Etheridge, TN about 1.5 hours' drive from Nashville toward the south. There is a large Amish community in that town. There are so many that 1/2 of the WalMart parking lot is set aside with watering troughs and hitching posts, and other businesses in that small town also have hitching posts.

These people are very orthodox in their teachings. It was such a treat to ride in a long wagon pulled by two very sturdy horses. That wagon was almost like a horse driven trolley. No glass in the windows, but a roof overhead, and benches running along the walls. We even had to balance the riders' weight on either side so as not to topple the wagon.

In the community, each home has from 11-18 children. The stories the guide told us were so fascinating. And, to make it even more interesting, the couple that rode along with our church group were visiting from Holland. They sat next to me, and the wife was better with English. Imagine me trying to tell them how sorghum molasses is made! Finally I wrote into the notepad on my cell phone (yes, it's an old iPhone, now 2 or 3 upgrades behind current) that sorghum molasses was made from a plant called "cane" and the juice in the cane was ground up and boiled to make the syrup. Then, since I had purchased a small jar, I opened it and they had a tiny taste. Liked the taste and compared it to honey.

At each home, there were little sheds with the items that family made to share with those who came by. The people were so kind and friendly, and those chubby little ones with their long dresses and bonnets and bare feet were so cute. I bought the little jar of molasses and a pint of pickled okra. It is delicious!!

After the ride, we ate at a buffet that served the recipes of the Amish - the food  was bountiful and very A few moments in a nearby souvenir shop, and were tired, but enjoyed the changing leaf colors along the way back.

After taking my friend back to the apartments, I hurried to the grocery to purchase "fixins" to take to a funeral visitation. I'll miss that lady - she and her hubby have been friends with me since my boys were very young. So, I grinned and told someone that I didn't know exactly how many years that added up to be, but that the years themselves now have "gray hairs." 

Y'all have a good rest of this early morning, and I'll try to return tomorrow evening.

Love to all, and humble adoration and love for our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, thanks for the fascinating account of your "mini-vacation"  That sounds like a place I would really enjoy visiting!  And I almost felt as if I were there with you.  Sorry about the loss of another long time friend.  Doesn't it make heaven even sweeter, each time someone we love goes home?

Writing the bios of the Legacy residents makes me realize how each of us has trials, joys, and tragedies through the years, and it's how we respond to those things that makes us the person we are.  And I really see how those who know and walk with the Lord have the strength and courage to forge ahead and look to the future with hope and a sure confidence.  Those people are such a blessing to me!

I'd like to get another bio done today, and this evening we are going to Dodge City with friends to attend the play The Mousetrap.  Since it's an Agatha Christie, I'm sure it will be good.  So I'm looking forward to an evening of visiting (on the way there and back) and a fun play, along with a nice dinner.     God is so good!

I had planned to go spend last evening with my grandson and his family, but the little ones have colds, coughs, runny noses, etc. so I thought that wouldn't be wise.  I don't need a cold, I spend too much time at the care home, and also, we will be leaving on the 5 day trip to Branson, Mo. on Nov. 5.  AND I know grandma couldn't keep her hands off those little darlings!

I want to go to the home soon to read Marie her story and get her photo before she lies down.  And possibly interview Gloria, too.  See you later!

Hi everyone.  Another nice morning and not nearly as cool as the last few days.  Stacey did get out of the hospital yesterday afternoon.  I did go down and get her at the hospital and took her back to her apartment.  While there I finally got her internet dsl setup and working.  It was 5:45 before I left her apartment and thought I would face some really bad traffic but it wasn't so got home in an hour.  Nothing on the schedule for today although have things to work on here at the computer. 

Janet, I think your fears are unfounded about the ebook reader.  The Nook and the Kindle both remember where you left off reading but you can use what they call a bookmark.  The readers that are like the computer tablets are also easy to use but not as easy as just a plain ebook reader.  Janet, I am certainly not tired of reading your stories.  Hope the lasagna was tasty and the price was sure right.

Jeanne, the Apple products are quite expensive but there are alternatives.  The thing I really like about the tablet is that with wi-fi I can rest in bed in the afternoon and basically have my computer with all the things it does. 

Etta Sue, so glad that Ivalou's surgery went well.  I am surprised they did the surgery as outpatient. 

Gord, I just talked with Stacey and she had already been out to the supermarket for something but said she was staying in the rest of the day as was tired.  On Sunday our church had a day to go out in the community for service projects, write letters to soldiers or teachers int he near by highschool, and repair projects.  One of the projects was to go to two Kroger stores and set up points for food donations for your local food cooperative.  Two of the ladies at Bible study Wednesday were talking about how generous folks had been to shop and then drop off food for them.  They two car fulls plus a pickup truck full.  This is also our month at church to help stock the cooperative.

The feeling has come back to Ivalou's arm.  But she said it wasn't bad at all but she also still has the 'block' on that arm.  Jo was laughing and saying that her Mom kept saying that the ice pack wasn't working right the day before...that she couldn't feel it...it needed to be tighter to her body...etc.  Well, when the feeling came back, she realized that the ice pack is working just fine.  She was still numb!!  I would be freezing but Ivalou seldom gets too hot or too cold! 

The plans are still for Ivalou to go home with Jo for the next week.  I won't know what to do with myself.  Wish I could go somewhere for the day or over night.  May think about that.

Today is Botox day.  Kitty is taking me since the last time I felt 14 out of the 15 injections.  She doesn't think I should be driving if that happens again.  So she is driving and is to be here in another 30 minutes. 

After the doctor appointment, we are going to Pizza Hut for their buffet.  Then maybe to some stores to get items for the Shoebox ministry at my church.

When I was here this morning, I hadn't even looked out the window, so when Darrel got up and came in, he said, "It's snowing!"  I said, "WHAT??"  And sure enough, it was all white outside!  Totally unpredicted and unexpected, but lovely.  It is all gone now, but what a nice surprise, and it is no colder than yesterday.

Larry, thenks for the advice on the ereaders.  Wish I had you near, for advice about a phone, when the time is nearly up on my contract.  We are paying a ridiculous amount for cell phone use, and I know there have to be better deals around.

I just sent two more stories to the Ulysses News, so am now three weeks ahead on the project.  Was going to do another today, but the gal was gone, as they took some residents to Garden to shop and go to the movies.  Beth wants to go so bad, but they won't take her. 

Etta Sue, good to hear that your sister is doing well.  Hope your Botox shots do not hurt.  What are they for?  I'm sure you told us, but I'm having a 'senior moment.'

See you another time!

                                                 LILLIAN   SKARE
This week I would like you to get to know a lovely lady named Lillian Skare.  Lillian was born during World War One, at Lake Ellis, Minnesota on June 15, 1917, so she is presently 95 years of age.

Lillian was one of eight children of farm parents.  She grew up working around the farm, as all the children helped with chores: tending garden, milking cows, working with horses, and all the other work usual on a farm.

Her education began in a one room school at Lake Ellis.  This school housed eight grades, and when she finished eighth grade, her parents couldn't afford to send her to high school, so she began working at that time to help the family.

Her favorite teacher "Always let me sing.  I still love music," she said.  When I asked about childhood fun, she said in Minnesota there was always lots of snow, so they sledded, played lots of games in the snow and tried to ski.

Punishment for misbehavior was usually taking away things.  She said she was seldom punished, as she was working all the time.

The family home had no indoor plumbing and no electricity, but after her dad bought it, he began to fix it up and modernize it.  She remembers using kerosene lamps for light. 

When asked about dating, Lillian said, "I never dated."  I asked how she met a man and got married, and she said she was looking after an older lady who owned sheep; there was a fellow there who tended the sheep and Lillian and he got acquainted.  She thinks either his grandma or hers suggested they get married, so they did.  He was 29 and she was 27 when they married.  The couple had three children.

There was a large Indian population in that area of Minnesota, and as a rule, they drank a lot and couldn't control their drinking.  The couple used to attend the Indian dances every Saturday, but when the Indians started drinking, the Skares took off and went home.  They had an old Indian man as a neighbor who was a good fellow.  "He helped us, and we helped him.  He used to help us get the kids to school in the snow," Lillian said.

Her oldest daughter liked Indian bread a lot, so she used to make it for the kids.

Lillian had a little niece, the daughter of her sister, who spent most of her time with Lillian.  When she was three or four years old, the sister's house burned and little Betty died in the fire.  This was a terrible blow to Lillian, and she still talks about it today.

Her husband's grandma had a spinning wheel.  She made socks and gloves for the men, and taught Lillian how to crochet.  Lillian's husband taught her to drive and she would often take the grandma out for a drive, but her husband's uncle complained that women shouldn't drive.

Lillian always wanted to be a nurse, and finally got the opportunity to do that.  She took night classes once the two oldest children were in school and her husband watched the youngest while she worked days in a doctor's office.  She says she learned an awful lot just by watching others.  Later, she worked for a hospital, (it was a tuberculosis sanitarium) and if the snow was too heavy, she could stay upstairs there.  She did housekeeping, took temperatures, made beds, brought water to the patients, bathed them, whatever was needed, she was willing to do.  She worked for doctors in a place for neglected and sick children.  Many were from Indian families whose parents drank.  Lillian took care of the children: bathing, feeding and dressing them and giving them shots.  She always wore uniforms to work through all the ten years she was at that job.

She told me she also taught the kids to mind, to behave, or "get their britches tanned," ....not only her own kids, but those in the hospital!  She used to bring books from home to let the hospitalized kids read at bedtime.  That was a very fulfilling job for her, and she earned just a bit over two dollars a day.  She especially enjoyed working with the babies and took pride in always keeping those in her charge clean and dressed in clean clothes.

The Skare family moved to Ulysses after work dried up in California.  They stopped here in 1973, and have been here since that time.  Her husband is buried here. 

I asked Lillian what was the first thing she saved up her money to buy, and she said, "A sewing machine, which I bought for $1.00.  I had gone to the shop and looked at it, decided I wanted it, so went back with some money and asked the man how much he wanted for it.  He said $1.00, which really surprised me, as I had expected to pay more.  But I bought it (it was a used machine).  I taught myself to sew, making clothes for both the girls and the boys.  I used it for a long time and made lots of clothes on it.

This brought to mind a funny memory which she related to me.  She said her father-in-law often came over for coffee in the morning and they were sitting at the table drinking coffee one day.  She had just made her son a new pair of pants, which he put on, then went out to play.  The grandpa said, "There he goes!"  Lillian looked out the window, and the boy was out in the mud, covered all over, new pants and all.  Another day, grandpa said, "There he goes again!"  The boy had thrown a ball against the side of the house so hard it rebounded straight toward the wide open door of the outhouse.  (The kids were always told to keep the door shut.)  He didn't want to lose the ball down the toilet, so was running as fast as he could, trying to catch the ball.  Lillian rushed outside barely in time to catch the boy's feet as he was falling headfirst into the toilet hole!

The person Lillian most admired was her husband.  She said, "He did so much for me.  He built a table for the kids that exactly matched the big table.  He also built a potty chair which I used for all our kids.  He always kept things repaired.  One daughter still has the table he made.  He was a mechanic and worked on cars."

She always had a big garden and raised and canned lots of stuff.  She would put the kids in the wagon and walk down the road looking for foods that grew wild, which she picked and used.  She canned 300 quarts one summer.  They had apples, cherries, raspberries and strawberries.

The first new car Lillian ever owned was a 1975 black and white Chevrolet.  She said they had always had old cars until then, and hers often wouldn't start, so her husband would have to take her to work.  They never bought things until they could afford them, so having a new car was special.  "I was pretty good at keeping that boy away from that car," she said, referring to her son.

Lillian remembers a plague of grasshoppers when they had to cover children's faces to prevent them from being bitten by the hungry horde.

She kept her kids in church because her family didn't go to church while she was growing up and "I wanted to make myself and my kids different.  When I was working in the hospital and had to work some Sundays, my husband took the kids to church."

The worst thing in her life has been moving into the care home.  She says she took care of so many people all her life, and now there is nobody to take care of her.  "I was used to being alone, doing my work, doing my stuff, whatever I wanted.  I still want to get out of here and have my own home," she said.
The best thing that has happened to her was getting to work as a nurse for ten years, then working in care homes for eight years, and later taking care of an elderly lady.

Lillian has traveled once by train and once by air.  At one time, they had a camper.

Lillian later worked in care homes in California and elsewhere.  Her husband was a school custodian and when he got sick, she helped with that work.

When she lost a breast to breast cancer, she cried a lot afterwards for about three months.  When her husband asked why she was crying, she said, "Because they took my breast and threw it into a can!"  She said she really didn't know what they did with it, but that's what she thought.  After she thought about it, she realized it was gone and there was nothing she could do, so she must go on and live with it.  Then she didn't cry over it any more.

The best pet she ever had was a dog.  This particular dog would sit beside her daughter, while the girl said her prayers on her knees, making little sounds all the while.  When she finished praying, the dog would shake her hand.

Some helpful advice Lillian offers is:  Always be respectful to elders and those in authority.

She says, "So much is different now.  I'd just like to go back to the old days.  We had everything we needed; we milked cows, raised a garden and had a good life.  Kids used to play outdoors all day with the cats, dogs, etc.  Now they stay indoors and watch television."

The first presidential election in which Lillian voted was when Herbert Hoover was elected.

Lillian's husband was in the military and his feet were frozen twice, so they gave him problems for the rest of his life.  In later years, he developed problems with his lungs, so she took care of him until he died, on Veteran's Day in 1993.  She has also taken care of many grandkids, great and great-great-grandkids through the years.  After her husband's death, a neighbor lady took Lillian under her wing and looked after her.  They helped each other all the time, even to helping each other with showers.

Some favorites of Lillian are:  Flowers:  roses, either pink or red; Food:  mashed potatoes; scripture: the 23rd Psalm: sacred song:  Just As I Am; and Christmas song:  Silent Night.

Lillian would like to be remembered as a person who always tried to help others and who was honest and hard working.  I know one thing---she is a delightful lady and I so enjoyed our visit!

Note from Janet:  This is the dear little 95 year old lady I  told you about who was a little confused.  She got straightened out pretty well, and here is her story.  I stopped in this morning to see her, and she said that her granddaughter is interested in more stories from Lillian's past, such as how she did certain things (laundry, etc.) in the old days.  She said, "Now that you talked to me, I can remember things so much better!"  I told her I will come in and write more of her story just for her and her family.  Praise God for these precious people.

Janet, what a wonderful story from Lillian!  I loved reading it.  She reminds me of Earl's oldest sister who lived to be right at 95.  She and her husband lived at Truth or Consequences, NM for over 50 years (she did rather,  he died about 10 years before she did).  They had no children, so Earl and I looked after her when he was gone, but she was so independant that she didn't need much help for awhile.  We brought her up here to a care home when she was ready, and lived there for about 3 years.  She had a varied and busy life too, even with no children, and she truly lived her life in light of Eternity.

Etta Sue, glad to hear that Ivalou is doing well.  She is fortunate that you live near and can look out for her when she needs help.  I know you will miss her the coming week.

Larry, I was glad to know that your daughter was able to go home from the hospital.  Hopefully she can remain at home for a long time now, and suffer no more heart attacks.  I prayed for you and Pat as well as Stacey.  It must be so draining for you to take care of her needs when you have your own health to take care of.  I always say the Lord is my strength, for I know I could not handle these later years alone without Him. 

Hello to all others who drop in today.  I hope you are having a good day.
~Janice

PS, Janet, now I know why it was so cold overnight and this morning....you got snow! 

Janet:  I checked on the location of Lake Ellis and it is NW of where my mother was born but still some distance.  Skare is a family name in the Spicer, Minnesota area too. 

Wonderful trip to Amish land.  I buy molasses for an old-fashioned cookie recipe but it isn't as fresh as the molasses you bought, Ruth Ann.  It just sounds like such a peaceful day.

My neighbor asked me to come over for tea this morning - her husband wasn't feeling well and he goes downhill a few days after every chemo.  She is so "at peace" with everything and whatever happens.  I know that I am meant to be right here to learn a lesson from her and Don is meant to be a friend as well. 

Janet, another enjoyable biography of a special lady!  Thank you so much for sharing these with us!   

Hi everyone.  A bit of overcast this morning but we will go up to over 70 this afternoon.  Have had a busy morning.  I got my absentee ballot yesterday so filled it out and took it to the post office on my way to coffee this morning.  After coffee I stopped at Krogers to pick up a few items and some medicine I needed.  Then I stopped at the UPS store to send back a damaged item we got from Amazon.  This was the second time we had ordered this item and both times the item was damaged.  I came home and did several things around the house that needed attention and am now about worn out.  I decided not to attend my normal Saturday morning meeting as had run out of energy.  I can take it easy the rest of the day and enjoy some football.  I did install the new Windows 8 on my new laptop.  I had to purchase it from Microsoft and then I have a rebate form to send to Lenovo for a refund of the $15 cost.  I think I will like it and so far don't find it hard to use. 

Etta Sue, sure hope your botox session was less painful than the last time.  Does your church do the Christmas Child boxes for the Samaritans Purse organization?  I have one of the boxes and need to get busy and fill it and get it back to the church. 

Janet, snow that comes and goes is fine.  It is the one that occurs and stays around.  I don't think there are any inexpensive cell phone plans especially if your have a smart phone.  Too bad that Beth couldn't participate in the day outing from the home but suppose it would pose too much of a challenge for the staff.  Thanks for sharing Lillian's story.  A very interesting life and it sounds like you were really a blessing to her.

Janice, I appreciate your comments concerning Stacey (as I do all the other comments and prayers).  Unfortunately neither Pat nor I are really able to really take care of her and she is very independent.  She knows if she isn't able to live alone she will have to go to a care home as there is no way we could bring her back to our home and care for her.  Pat and I have learned to live one day at a time and turn our concerns over to God as he is in control.  So many miracles have happened in our lives the last few years that we could never have anticipated.  Life can't all be good but we don't have to live in the past nor spend our time in the future, which we have no control over. 

Carol, it sounds like your neighbor is a blessing to you just as you are to her.  I haven't had a molasses cooking in a long, long time.

I keep seeing an ad on TV for a "package" deal from Time Warner for approximately the same price I'm now paying.  Thinking maybe this special would include more channels, I called the number.  Twice.  The first time I got a gal with a very high pitched voice and a speech pattern that had to be turbo enhanced.  I kept asking her to slow down and she seemed unable to do that, so I said "Thanks anyway" and hung up.

I tried again today and this time got a male representative.  I could (mostly) understand him but after asking three times what the package includes, and answering all sorts of irrelevant questions, (what difference does it make how I keep in contact with my family?) he finally informed me it includes "50 to 60" channels (he doesn't know) and a slower internet than I have now.  But in spite of my stressing that I don't want to pay any more, he then informed me "For an additional $28....."  So again I said, "Thanks anyway.  I'll stick with what I have."

I don't understand at all why they can't just give a simple answer to a simple question!

I understand your frustration, Jeanne.  I often cannot understand those folks on the phone, either, so sometimes just hang up.  And those robo calls!!  We are getting a lot of those!  If I say "hello" twice and nobody answers, I say "goodbye" and hang up!

Curtis and Toni are to bring the little girls by for me to watch while they go to Garden City to get sheetrock and some lights for their living room.  They were going to finish taking down the old plaster ceiling which fell down a week or so ago, clean up the mess, then come.  So I think I will be busy this afternoon.

I went by the civic center to see what is in the auction there today.  A better question  would be what is not there!  Goodness, such a hodge podge of stuff!  The only thing I thought I might bid on was a set of Disney glasses, but another lady got them before I could say anything.  She was actually bidding for something else, but then was told no, they were only selling THIS table, so took the glasses.  That's okay, I didn't need them anyway!  The thing that shocked me was, there were THIRTY TABLES (8 ft. tables) stacked full of brand new Boyd's Bears--everything from tiny to large figurines to stuffed bears of all sizes to signs, etc., still in the boxes or wrappers.  I thought surely they must have been from a store that closed, but no!  They were the collection of ONE woman!  My question is WHY?  Why would one spend that kind of money for things, just to keep packed away, then sell at an auction?  They said she said she had well over $20,000.00 worth of that stuff!!  A friend I was talking with said she would have done better to set up on a street corner somewhere, and every little girl or boy who walked by, give them a bear!   At least she would have gotten happiness from seeing the joy on their faces!  Makes me wonder why we collect stuff!

Thank you for the comments on Lillian's story.  She's special.

I am the fortunate one this time with Ivalou since her daughter, Jo, is staying with her and taking care of her.  My turn will be after Jo goes back home and I will be the driver when Ivalou needs to go anywhere and help her with things she can't do at home.  It sure is a load off of my mind.

My botox was better than the last time but not as good as the other times.  I felt some of the shots.  I also found out that my urologist that treated me for the cancerous tumors in my bladder also does botox injections now.  Same office, just different doctors.  So I asked the receptionist if I could see Dr. Teresa Beam instead of Dr. Peter Knapp in 6 months.  She said she would have to talk to Dr. Beam about it.  I am sure it is because they don't want to 'steal' patients but Dr. Beam was my original doctor!  And botox injections are for spasmatic bladders and urge incontinence.  Takes away that 'I have to go NOW!'  Botox relaxes the muscles of the bladder.  A Godsend for me!

Today the Senior Saints group is taking a train ride.  We have a Railroad Museum at Forest Park in Noblesville.  We are to get on the train there and go north to Tipton, IN.  The train stops there where the old railroad depot used to be but is now a Pizza Shack...a buffet pizza bar!  No one knows if the train is heated...even if there is glass on the windows.  So we are dressing in layers.  I imagine it will be an hour ride at least!

What a blessing to read all your comments since I was here last!

I really enjoyed reading about Lillian also. What a great writer you are, Janet.

I agree with Janet, Larry, since y'all can't be in 2 places at once, do you think you could "come by my apartment" in spirit to encourage me with my computer?

Much love to all who posted. Our Lord surely must enjoy participating in this discussion, with the Christians who love Him so much.

May His Name be praised.

Ruth Ann

Time to start a new topic for the coming week...

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12417.new#new