Grandma Ree's letters

Dear family and friends,       Although this is April Fools Day, there's no fooling about the things that took place during the month of March, as follows: True, my live-in care-giving daughter, was gone for three weeks from mid-February to early March, and was able to witness the birth of her granddaughter Aubriella in Spokane before returning home. My son Dan flew out March 1st after spending two weeks taking care of me.     While he was here, Dan succeeded in helping me make the conversion to sending my monthly letters in a more modern format. He observed how involved and expensive it is to send everything out via "snail mail" with almost 80 letters going to the post office, so we decided to use email and update a blog online each month instead. He convinced me it was necessary to make the change. I hope you like it! So, please be sure to give us your email address, to either grandmaree27@gmail.com (mine) or mundelldan@gmail.com (Dan's).     Dan too...

The stack of Grandma Ree's letters to mail out March 1st Dear friends and family members, Each of you should have received in the mail my mother's latest letter to her family and close friends. Hopefully, this will be the last one you will get via snail mail. I've had the privilege to spend the last couple of weeks with Marie, and I observed first-hand the time and effort that goes into this. While I admire her dedication to this undertaking she feels an obligation to accomplish each month, the time and expense involved are just too much for her to continue doing things the same way she always has, especially since there is a much easier and efficient way to communicate with you, either by email or a monthly blog entry. If you prefer to continue receiving a copy of her letter to you in the mail, please let me know in the commenrs section. Otherwise, True, Linda and I will assume an email version will be okay with you. My mom does have an email address, which she...

Dear Family and Friends,       February has been a very unique month, small, but full of birthdays, events and surprises for me, which I would like to share with you.      For birthdays, in addition to Lincoln and Washington, there was Preston Jarvis, now 18 years old and a prospective missionary, and the 19th birthday of Levi Pennington, serving a mission in Yakima WA, born exactly one year apart. They've received financial help for their missions since theday they were born. It gives me such great satisfaction now to see this special dream fulfilled. Other birthdays included my late husband John, my father, great-granddaughter Makayla, my neighbor Shirley, my grandson Clint’s wife Lindsey, and we welcomed the birth of their daughter Aubriella on the 25th. Valentine tokens of love were shared by making a word-search puzzle, sending it out, and getting much love back in return. Dan’s wife Cathy sent me and both my daughters a box full of special Valent...

Dear family and friends,      W e had some beautiful snow at Christmas time for a few days, but no sign of it since; just our typical rain and chilly weather. True’s indoor orchids are doing very well and we’ve even had a blossom already on the camellia bush outside, with many, many buds waiting to blossom out in February. I love their beautiful pink color and the perfect symmetry of their petals, and have, in past years, shared their beauty as boutonnieres for our ward bishopric, young priests, and even the deacons serving that day. It makes them feel so special! I may still be able to do that again this year, we’ll see.       We've been cooped up here because of the cold weather, but a few days ago in the afternoon, True said I should try using the motorized wheelchair that had sat on the back porch for months. So, I got all bundled up, then sat down and took off down the ramp and onto the street. I went around the corner and started down 1st street ...

Dear Family and Friends,       It has been just over one year since the amputation of my right leg (Oct. 15, 2020), and nearly a year since I began writing in longhand to those who seemed interested to know about my new situation. Then, when I hurt my right hand, I changed to typing, learning to use True’s laptop, and found that allowed me to print many copies, so I began sending a copy to all my family members, just in case they might be interested, too. Thus, this soon became a sort of monthly “newsy letter” to family and friends. I really do enjoy writing to all of you, and I appreciate your calls, letters and visits more than you can ever know!       Closing out this year, I’d like to give a recap of the past year’s doings. After the surgery and a month’s time in recovery (and a weeks stay in the ICU due to several infections), I returned home at the Riveria Mobile Park, and saw the marvelous renovation taking place inside of it. I came home e...

     Well, another month has come and gone along with most of the beautiful fall leaves that have been such a joy to see; October also brought several days of welcome rain after a long hot summer. Now the cold winter months will soon be upon us. Each season is a gift from God and meant to be enjoyed.       Among the many things that have occurred recently, was the temple sealing of the marriage done last year in Florida, of my son Dan Mundell and Cathy Meyer. Since Cathy’s family was already planning a family reunion in Utah, this sealing ceremony done in the Draper Utah temple, fit right in, and allowed most of her family members to attend. We here in Oregon were not able to go, but I heard that many of our family members were there too. I appreciated the pictures Sandy sent to me, so I could see all who had attended the sealing ceremony. I was amazed and grateful for those who had made the effort. Even though Dan is retired now and would like to trav...

 Dear Friends and Relatives,       My, it seems as if time is flying by - summer is over, kids are back in school, leaves are turning color, and it’s been almost twelve full months (Oct. 15) since I lost my leg. In June, after it had sufficiently healed, a cast was made of my stump (thigh and hip) in preparation of using a prosthesis. However, the prosthesis has needed several adjustments since receiving it, so I haven’t had too much time for actual use of it. Plus the fact that there are nerves in the stump that are still active and sting me whenever I stand and put pressure on it.       After losing my first physical therapist, Joey, who moved to California, I now have Steve, who is older but very experienced. He is concentrating on strengthening the hip muscles and breaking down scar tissue, so as to relieve the nerves and stop the stinging so I can stand on the leg. I call my new leg “Buddy” because he will be my constant companion from n...

 Dear Loved Ones,       Well, here we are again at the start of a new month. August was filled with many many days of extremely hot weather, even breaking some long-standing records, but was also kind enough to throw in a few pleasant days once in a while just to keep us from melting away. Then, as usual, there were reports of fires in various areas, but, luckily, nothing but smoke has drifted into our little valley, so far.       What really bugged us, though, was that right in the worse part of the heat wave, our air conditioner decided it had had enough, running 24 hours a day, and quit on us! In calling our regular repairman, the message on his machine said “ Sorry, I’m too overloaded now, so am not accepting any more calls.” We knew it would be the same for anyone else, so we didn’t even try. However, when our manager heard of our predicament, she brought a substitute air conditioner and a large fan to help get us through. And yes, we di...

Dear Everyone,      WOW! I know it’s summer, but it has been extremely HOT, in the 90’s and 100’s since June, with more yet to come in August. At the very end of July we did have a reprieve when a nice rainstorm passed through. A few fires have already hit various parts of the West because of such dry conditions, but hopefully, won’t come too close to us. Our heat-pump/air-conditioner has been really having a workout trying to keep us cool and True has been trying desperately to keep her plants alive. Today, the heat pump finally gave out. The town’s fireworks for the 4th were canceled, but the outdoor activities of the LDS Church to celebrate the 24th did go on as scheduled. I did not go, but was told it was so blistering hot that they felt like real pioneers, whose suffering was so great.       Through the generosity of an absolute stranger I received an electric wheelchair, and now I'm able to get outside and go to the clubhouse, around the streets ...

Dear Family and Friends,       Well, May and June have had some ‘ups’ and ‘downs’, I suppose they all do. First, the ‘down’ part: I experienced a strange sensation one night that left me with an excruciating headache (I never get headaches) and when I tried to explain about it to Linda, I couldn’t find the proper words that she could understand. It was more like just gibberish. She knew something was wrong so she whisked me off to the ER.       By the time I was seen there, it was all over and I was fine, but they still gave me all kinds of tests of the brain and of the heart, but found nothing abnormal, and sent me home with a prescription to take 1/2 a baby aspirin and be very watchful for any signs. They figured it might have been a TIA, or mini stroke, but is a warning sign to be more careful about my diet, weight and cholesterol.       Another ‘down’ thing was the death of a sweet friend, Helene Crump, who was so consisten...

Dear Family and Friends,       It is now time to recall all the “adventures” that occurred during the past two months. First of all, luckily, there have been no falls and no COVID virus among any of us. After having church services at home for a year, I was finally able to attend services at our Redwood Ward meetinghouse once again, wheelchair and all. We had been told to wear masks, sit with family members, and space out by occupying every other row. Just this last Sunday, we were informed by Governor Brown that those who were vaccinated, no longer needed to wear a mask, which was welcome news.       Since Grants Pass had had such a mild winter, True,was anxious to get outside and start working in the soil. Due to lack of attention, my yard was now a patch of weeds, but she “dug” right in, pulled them all out, worked in many large heavy bags of potting soil, tended to the roses, and planted new flowers, veggies and herbs. So the outside not only ...

 Dear Ones,       It’s April Fool’s Day, but I’m not fooling anyone when I say I’m thankful for our beautiful Spring weather with its lovely flowers blooming everywhere, especially our bush of sweet pink camellias. Even though the early mornings are still very cold, True takes that time, while I’m still sleeping, to go to a fairly close-by gym to workout. Then later in the day, she is able to take a quick run around the block of homes where we live at the Riviera in order to keep in shape. Wheeling my chair around the house is all the “running” I get done now. But I am getting stronger and more independent as I continue to do my own exercises using 5 lb.  weights in one hand and a 2 lb. jn the other and a stretchy band for both. I try to keep my good leg elevated as much as possible to keep down the swelling that always seems to be there. It is now my lifeline and it must be kept healthy and strong, as it and my arms must raise me up and support my entire b...

Dear Friends,       With of the short month of February, March has come quickly. Not much to tell about this month. We have not had any of the snow that descended on Portland recently, just intermittent rain. Valentine’s Day was filled with nice surprises, especially a box of “love” and goodies that arrived early from my son Dan and his wife Cathy all the way from Florida.       I have continued to work on perfecting all the goals I mentioned in my last letter, plus I have now had two actual showers instead of just sponge baths in bed. True was worried about me maybe slipping, but with the little shower seat inside, there is no need to stand. She is so good about washing my hair and curling it up, too. Believe me, she is really an angel! I certainly couldn’t get along here without her.       Another thing that has helped me considerably to get in and out of a car is a gadget called a car-cane, which is not a cane at all, but a ...