In Cape Girardeau, MO

26º here in Cape Girardeau, MO at 5:45 am as I start this blog this morning.

Photo at right is of my niece, Jenny Miles, taken last week as she lay in bed in hospice care here in Cape Girardeau.  Without either kidney and cancer in many parts of her body, she went off dialysis a week ago yesterday and is slowly leaving us.  I have to report that Jenn is not now as alert as she shows in this photo.

Phyllis had baked 5 turkeys.

We decided a week or so ago to come up here from La Feria, TX, to be with her, and my brother Don at this time.

making the mashed potatoes.

Phyllis was in charge of the Thanksgiving dinner there in Kenwood RV Park and had around 90 people sign up for the dinner.   About 76 turned up and we had plenty of extra turkey, dressing, potatoes and gravy that the Park furnished and volunteers prepared.

All brought side dishes of vegetables, salads, deserts, etc.

 With two serving lines for the 4 basic items and then lines going down both sides of the three tables of other food, it didn't take too long for everyone to get their plates filled.

Think everyone got their fill and enjoyed each other's company.  We left the hall when we were done eating and pulled out of the park at 1:13 pm heading the 1140 miles to Cape Girardeau.

By not pulling our travel-trailer, Phyllis shared the driving and we pulled into Red Roof Inn in Waco, TX well after dark about 8:30 pm, driving 448 miles since 1:13 pm.

The next morning it was raining and we drove in rain for couple hours.  We were sticking entirely to Interstate roads and had even taken the Pickle Parkway which is some 130 mile tollway around some of San Antonio and all of Austin, Texas.  This is an 80 mph road, though we did not drive that fast, and had lighter traffic than I 35 for that distance.  The toll is to be mailed to us, but I understand it is something under $20 for this privilege of avoiding the I 35 traffic.

Coming to Dallas, on I 35E

Faded fall color in trees east of Dallas

Our daughter, Michelle, who lives near Columbus, Ohio, had been with her cousin in the hospital and then later at the nursing home for the last two weeks.  We had supper with her Friday night after driving some 700 miles and getting to Cape Girardeau around 7:00 pm and visiting a short time with niece Jenn.

Something we don't see in the Rio Grande Valley now is the bright color of this red maple that is in front of my brother's house here in Cape.

Yesterday, Saturday, we spent time at the nursing home with Jenn and also at my brother, Don & his wife Vicki's home.  (In photo at left)

My brother, Darrell, had driven from Miami and he and his wife spent time with us.

At right is Darrell's wife, Lin, and Phyllis.  These three photos are in Don's house.

Several visits to Jenn during the day (someone is with her most of the time).

Last evening the three brothers, wives, and our daughter Michelle, all went to a buffet just north of Cape Girardeau.  Darrell & Lin are leaving this morning heading back to Miami.  Michelle may need to leave by this Tuesday; and we plan to stay several more days.

We are staying in "the big house" on the hill in the complex where my brother and his wife have their residence.  It has many houses, apartments, nursing facilities, etc.  The "big house" is some 4 stories tall and is center for meals, nursing care, and they maintain several apartments for guests of anyone who lives on the facility.  At $50 a night it is less expensive than motel and only a couple minutes drive to brother's house and about 5 minutes drive to facility where Jenn is.

More later, Lynn