Hot & Sunny in Clarinda, IA

About 80º with bright sunshine here in Clarinda, IA on Monday at 12:10 pm.  I am just going to put a few pictures of the last 3 days at the music festival in Schuyler, NE -- out of 600 which I am working on editing.  Have many hours of video that I am converting to audio and will put on flash drive to listen to in pickup.

Molly McGill's son

Some thoughts

2:30 pm Sunday. Well, we are home; yard is brown

.  Crops in SW Iowa best looking of our trip.  Parts of northeast and east-central Nebraska are really dried up.  A rain came through in the night Friday, but not sure how much received there.  I have many, many hours of editing still photos and transferring videos to audio to put on flash drives.  Will work on them.

In the meantime, here are some things from my computer:

 We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy / girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it... And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he/she is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.”

(The author of the piece is Lee Pitts, and it was published under the title "These Things I Wish" in his 1995 book People Who Live at the End of Dirt Roads)

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1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality.

2.  If I get dementia, If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.

3. If I get dementia, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.

4. If I get dementia, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.

5. If I get dementia, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet,a and see if I can still feed myself.

6. If I get dementia, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.

7. If I get dementia, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.

8. If I get dementia, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.

9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past.

10. If I get dementia, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.

11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you would want to be treated.

 12. If I get dementia, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need.

13. If I get dementia, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.

14. If I get dementia, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.

15. If I get dementia, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.

16. If I get dementia, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.

17. If I get dementia, make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot.

18. If I get dementia, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place.

19. If I get dementia, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.

20. If I get dementia, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes.

21. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love.

 

Finishing with music in Schuyler

 Last night of the music show here in Schuyler.   Been a bit warm, but pleasant now at 8:30 with sun setting and a bit of a breeze at 82 degrees.   Been lots of entertainment and visiting with friends old and new. 

WE will be back on Clarinda tomorrow in time to go to the Cattlemen's supper on the square at 5 pm; and then hear Highroad from Nashville with Sarah Davison from Braddyville after that. 

More, with pictures when I am home on a good wifi.

LC

Country Music in Schuyler

 Nice weather here in Schuyler, NE at the Kenaston's Country Music Festival.

Tuesday evening, after returning from Broken Bow, we spent time listening to several campers who were gathered and "jamming".

Wednesday afternoon we helped with

the "Winter Texan" get-to-gather.

Phyllis handed out free

tickets to some door prizes.

Then she helped dispense them

when tickets drawn.

At 4:30 or so, we went to the Eagles Club uptown where they had hamburgers for sale and, of course, music was played.

We then returned to The Oak Ballroom where the Kenaston's, the Burtons, and Justin Trevino performed and many danced.

We spent yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at the outside stage.  Lots of trees, but we were in direct sunshine until about 4 pm.  Lots of entertainment.  Ran until 10:00 am last night.

More later.  LC

To Broken Bow, NE & visit with the Ferguson's

 88 degrees with very bright sunshine here in Schuyler, NE at 6:00 pm Tuesday.

We drove, today, the 147 miles to Tumbleweed Café in Broken Bow to meet with the Fergusons.  Don had spent many years in Kenwood, but moved to the Off Broadway nursing home in Broken Bow 2 years ago.  Phyllis arranged with Gail Ferguson to meet them at the cafe.  Joining us was Don's brother, Lawrence; Larry, Lawrence's son; Gail, Larry's wife; Carla, Don's daughter and Sandy, Carla's daughter as well as brother Jake's widow Helen Ferguson.

Schuyler for the week

 We are in Schuyler, Nebraska for the week.   After church Sunday we pulled our trailer here and set up for the week.   RV spots are short for the expected crowd for the Kenaston Country and Bluegrass Festival which officially starts Wednesday. 

Yesterday we drove the 77 miles to my brother Roger's place in Lincoln and had a nice visit over a pizza lunch.   This area is extremely dry with corn looking like pineapple plants with their pointed leaves, at least on dry-land corn.

This last Sunday I sang a solo at our church.

We are leaving in a few minutes to drive the 150 or so miles to Broken Bow, NE to meet some friends from our winter place, Kenwood RV.   Don Ferguson has been in a nursing home there for the past 2 years.   Will have lunch with him, his brother Lawrence, Lawrence's son and his wife and sister-in-law Helen.   Will return here to our trailer in Schuyler this early evening. 

More later, Lynn 

80

 Well, it happened.   I have lived 80 years; actually 80 years and one day as of today, June 11th.  Got calls from my oldest brother, Roger and daughter Michelle; email from brother Darrell and several friends.

Our son Cameron came with his wife, Patty, and their daughters Ashley and Emily.  Also, Ashley's husband Heath and their two kids 7-year old daughter and 2-year old son and Emily's fiancée Derek.  This was Friday evening.

Dining with the great's always interesting.

For many years we have worked as ushers at the Glenn Miller Birthplace Festival, which was this weekend.  We did work Thursday and then Friday until about 4 pm.  Phyllis has been in charge of getting all ushers for a few years and she lined up others to take tickets and assist with seating for Friday evening and on Saturday.

Saturday morning we all went to the Clarinda Firehouse where a pancake breakfast was being served and the Jazz Band from NWMO State in Marysville, MO performed.

A little time with my Bud

Following eating pancakes and sausage and listening to the Jazz Band, we went to the city park and the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids all made use of the modern playground thingies.

Trying to keep up with 

big sister.

Gotta' get out of the slide quick, because 

someone right behind you!

Jessica hanging from the bars with Dad holding on to her.

David exploring a tent.

Another place to explore.

Hanging 

Time on the swings.

Saturday evening Phyllis had a huge supper of roast beef with onions (1015's), carrots and potatoes; green bean casserole and Cole slaw.

Then, the big 80 birthday cake.

2-year old David

helping great grandma

with loading the dishwasher

The family had spent 2 days at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and the kids had a lot of shark mementos, among other things.

 

Grandpa Cam spending time with Jessica tossing & catching plastic ball.

David getting attention from Aunt Em.

Jessica reading to little brother David.

David always seeking attention.

David with his shark

and Jessica with

hat and outfit.

Saturday evening we spent a little time

at the Glenn Miller Orchestra dance at the gymnasium.  Watched the dancers, some of whom were signed up for competition in various forms.

We sat in the bleachers far above.

Thursday evening we were at the free concert on the square and listened to St. Joseph Big Band.   Got to visit with friend Patty and many others that attended.

Last Tuesday we spent an enjoyable day with Harold & LaRhoda Neher who live on a farm close to Hiawatha, Kansas.  Had to play a few games of Harold's favorite game, Pegs & Jokers.

We had met them

at a fine restaurant

in Highland, KS

for lunch.

Was really nice weather that day.  Note LaRhoda's raised-bed garden in the cattle trough by the garage.  Harold was getting some fresh air on his electric scooter.

'Nuff for now, Lynn