Grandma Ree's letters

  A few things of interest did happen in the month of July.  The first was the acquisition of a foundling (a cat, that is), who was among many being housed by a friend in preparation of being adopted.  We thought it was perfect for True and me.  So we brought her home.  She was scared of the wheelchair that came rolling towards her, but soon got used to it.  We really enjoy having her here, as it sleeps under True’s bed and is not much trouble at all.  She’s a cute little furry thing.  Gray, with a white face, neck and legs. True gave her the name of “HaiKu.”   And so now, she is a new member of our family.     Because my stump began stinging from the inside, due to a few nerve ends being aroused again, and kept stinging so much, I was unable to wear the prosthesis for many days until it quieted down.  I hope that doesn’t ever happen again because I need to be up on my leg for at least a few hours every day or I’m never going...

  Dear Family and Friends           July 1, 2023 Seems like each month, it is getting harder to come up with something special to write about.  In fact, I’m thinking about writing letters only every other month or so, because I’m sure you are not interested in knowing about every time I go to a potluck or have doctor or physical therapy appointments, which is all that my life seems to be filled with now.  I’m not even able to include any new puzzles, because I”m now using ones from previous years, unless I happen to acquire one from somewhere else to include with my own. But I shouldn‘t worry, because towards the end of the month things always seem to pick up, as they did in June. After the Park’s huge yard sale in early June of this year, where I did buy a few things, Dan and Cathy did come here as planned from their home in Florida for a week, before leaving on July 31st  to fulfill a two year mission in Hawaii.  From h...

 Dear Family and Friends,      I can’t believe that May has come and gone already. I hope you don’t get bored hearing about my daily activities, but it’s just my way of keeping in touch with everyone. So, here goes………      Since I was asked to be “Sunshine Lady” for the Park, I am required to attend the 1st of the month Residents Board Meeting to report how many cards were delivered the previous month. This also gives me the chance to get in on the discussions and plans for the next month and feel more involved here.      On the 5th of May I made up “Cinco de Mayo” puzzles to share with the Church’s ‘older ladies’ as we enjoyed the lovely ‘tea party’ prepared for us by the Primary girls, ages 8 thru 11, who did all the decorating, food preparing, and serving. It was delightful for us and good training for them. They had sent a really cute invitation, but I failed to see the notation at the very bottom which said, “Dress an...

  May 1, 2023 Dear Friends and Family, The month of April started out with inspiring messages from our prophet and apostles and others at General Conference in Salt Lake. Then the very next week was Easter with beautiful music from the Tabernacle Choir and more meaningful messages from our inspired leaders. Later, in our own ward’s relief society, a very resourceful former school teacher presented the Easter story very effectively by using objects to represent the various activities of that week. Very appropriately, she had small items hidden inside plastic Easter eggs that were numbered from 1 to 12. These were among the basketful of eggs that were passed to everyone, but containing only candy. As each number was called for and opened, we had a chance to guess what it might refer to, and then were given biblical information connected to that event. I can’t remember them all, but a few stuck in my mind:--- a leaf - palm leaves, a few coins - clearing the temple, bread - the last su...

 Dear Family and Friends,      As an April Fool’s joke, I thought of not sending out a letter for this month (March) at all, because I felt there was nothing noteworthy to write about. But I relented, because in thinking back there are a few things that do come to mind, So, here goes....      As a refresher, last month’s letter ended with the fall from my wheelchair after mopping all the floors of this house with one hand while hanging onto the chair with the other, but at the end was unable to scoot farther back into the chair and fell onto the floor. Because True was not yet home from her trip and I was alone but unable to move, I pushed the button around my neck and help arrived. A trip to the ER and an X-Ray proved there was no damage other than a sore stump and bottom for a few days. I wasn’t thanked for the clean floors, but scolded for leaning so far out of my chair, which l successfully do every day in tying my shoe and picking up crumbs from t...

 Dear Family and Friends,      The month of February was short and seemed to go by extra fast. On the 10th, True flew off to Sedona, AZ for her annual two weeks with friends. On the 14th, Valentine’s Day, I woke up to see beautiful white flakes of snow falling outside my window. What a pleasant surprise! But also a surprise to have the schools closed and the Relief Society’s luncheon canceled, that I had planned to attend. The snow was only 1” here, but must have been much deeper where others lived, for them to call it off. Funny thing, our snow was intermittent for the next few days, but True said snow in Sedona accumulated and lasted until after she left. Evidently a massive snow storm had hit all of the western states. We, here in “It’s The Climate” Grants Pass, are not used to a lot of snow. We like to see it, play in it, but not drive in it. I am so pleased that others are willing to drive in inclement weather and to escort me {and my wheelchair} to activities w...

 Dear Family and Friends,      One month of our new year has already come and gone and may have taken our resolutions and good intentions with it? How are you doing with yours? I know my 1st of January letter was entirely filled with the happenings of my 3rd of December surprise birthday party, which was so overwhelming for me, that a very important duty was neglected. No one was assigned to keep track of the gifts received. Linda says she put the accompanying card with each gift, but somehow they got gathered up with all the other cards, leaving the gifts to be later unknown! Now, what was I to do?       I knew each giver would be expecting a nice Thank You card from me, but how could I do that? With over 60 people in attendance but not nearly that many gifts, how was I ever to know who gave what gift? Some were couples, but a birthday card matched with everyone who signed the guest book. After all, it was to honor me for having reached the miles...