Happy New Year!

             
(We have two thermostats in the house. The area where Jean is upstairs is warmer, and the downstairs is cooler. That's why John is wearing long sleeves.)

Yesterday evening was a surprise. Jean was alert and coherent, he opened his eyes, he recognized us, and he was able to eat by himself.
John showed him a Yosemite picture that Jean took in the 1940's.  Jean did not recognize the setting or the picture, but when John pointed to the top right corner and said that Jean had camped overnight there in the past, Jean said, "Oh yes, that Half dome."
It was nice to see him able to communicate like he used to.

This morning, his condition was not so good. He did not want to eat, and then he briefly fainted, as he occasionally does. The doctor said to put him back into bed as quickly as possible in that situation, so we did.
This evening, he was able to eat, but not a lot.
We were watching a re-run of the morning's Rose Bowl Parade with him for a few minutes.  It was certainly a gorgeous day in southern California!
   
     John:   This is the Rose Parade. You used to take me there when I was a little boy. It's in Pasadena.
     Jean:   Where's that?
     John:   It's in southern California, where you used to live.
     Jean:   I don't remember.
     John:   It's near Alhambra.
     Jean:   Where's that?
     John:   It's where I was born.
     Jean:   How come?

We had to smile.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers for Jean, and for us. We send our love to you all.

Merry Christmas!

Jean has been very weak, and not talking much. His mind seems to fade in and out.
Last evening he was really peaceful and calm when John went to check on him at bedtime.

Jean said, "I'm really happy that everything worked out so well."
John asked him what he meant.
Jean repeated, "I'm really happy that everything worked out so well."

John: "It's because you've done so much good all your life."

Jean: "Well I tried."

Happy Thanksgiving, belatedly!

We hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!
I wanted to post a photo from a Thanksgiving long ago, in Oregon, but I haven't found it yet.
Sorry I have not posted any news for a little while, but there has not been anything special to report.

Jean is weaker, but otherwise he is about the same. His appetite is very good. Currently he enjoys watching Ken Burns documentaries on the tv in his room. There are a lot of very interesting ones. Recently it was the Roosevelts - Teddy, FDR and Eleanor. Personally, I find the black and white photos and film footage from those days especially fascinating.

Currently he is watching a documentary about the early days of the West.

OUTSIDE!

Yesterday we were able to get Jean outside for the first time since his stroke last winter!
Our wonderful aide, April, came by in the late afternoon, and the three of us lifted him in his wheelchair down the stairs, one step at a time, AND back up again.

It worked beautifully, and we are glad Jean was able to enjoy some sunshine and a change of scenery!

A Funny Story

The other day, Jean said that he would like to have some Limburger cheese one of these days.

I know it's smelly, but of course I bought some at Kroger for him. This afternoon when John and I got him up, I said I had a surprise for him - Limburger.

He smiled, and then he started chuckling and laughing - so much so, that he could hardly talk. He said he just thought of a funny memory.
When his Grandma Hoenshell (who lived with them) was old, she could not see very well.
One day, she got herself a piece of bread, and then went to the icebox. She took Limburger and spread it on the bread. Then she spread strawberry jam all over that.

She didn't even notice it was not Nucoa (margarine), and ate the whole thing.

That was so funny.

Note from Julee

This note came from Jean's beloved niece, Julee, the other day. I wanted to share part of it, because it is so true. Many times I have had these same thoughts myself.

         The two photos above are from five years ago, October 2010, when Julee came to Kentucky.

A Beautiful Bouquet

 I bought this beautiful bouquet to put in Jean's room. He likes to have colorful flowers to look at and admire.

 I hope I did not alarm anyone with the quote that I posted last time.  It was just a feeling he had that particular day. When John mentioned it to him a few days ago, he said, " I can change my mind, can't I?"  He continues to be cheerful and positive most days.

A couple of weeks ago, there were several days in a row when he was eating practically nothing. He did continue to drink water and juice, so at least he remained hydrated. No matter what what we brought him, it did not taste good to him, and he would push it away. We thought he cannot continue like that for very long.
Then --  his appetite returned! He started eating double portions, plus dessert, at every meal!

So, we are just taking one day at a time. John smiled and said his dad has always been unpredictable; and he continues to be!
Of course I am just a daughter-in-law and do not know him nearly as well or as long as his children and a few others have, but I think it's safe to say he always was, and continues to be, "a free spirit", living his life according to his own timetable, and marching to his own beat...  And that is wonderful.