Shaker Village 2013...

We enjoyed it so much last year, we decided to do it again this year.

Shaker Village is just an interesting place to visit.  Love going there in the summer and visiting all the buildings and learning how these people lived, worshipped and worked together.  Now I'm just thrilled they have added Christmas events as part of the Shaker Village experience.

We had this Saturday evening as our only available time to go.  So I made reservations for dinner at 5pm.  There was music in the Meeting House from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.  We would enjoy that first, then have a very nice dinner together.

We checked in at the Trustee's Office and got our stickers saying we could participate in whatever.

We were a little early for the music so we went to the Centre Family Dwelling and roamed the main floor.  I have been in these rooms many times but there is something a little different each time.  This time they had things about the men in the Shaker community in one room. Across the hall there were displays about the women who lived in the Shaker community.  Very interesting information.

Then we headed to the Meeting House to be entertained.

The Overtones were the musical group. They are a really good barbership quartet. They state that between the four of them they have over 200 years of vocal music education and experience. They sang traditional barbershop quartet music, Happy Birthday to a man in the audience, Christmas music and finished with 'My Old Kentucky Home'.  It was delightful.

We walked back to the Trustee's Office for dinner.  The Jingle Bell Shuttle was still running although it was really misting and he was not supposed to.  It still made a great picture.

We shopped in the craft store next door until close to time for our dinner seating.  The Overtones came into the Trustee's Office and sang by the Christmas tree as the dining rooms were prepared for the next round of dinner guests.

We were shown to our table and given menus and we started the decision process of which of these wonderful meals to choose.  After our order was placed and we were served all kinds of bread and veggies for an appetizer, I realized it was getting darker and the view through the huge windows was amazing. However, other diners were sitting in front of the windows so getting a full shot of outside with window all around would be just about impossible.  There was one window available so I told Claude I had to try.

I tried to use the window as the frame to look at what was outside.  That just didn't work.  It was dark enough I needed a flash and a flash showed a light spot in any picture.  I had one spot that I just couldn't get around in the picture.  Then I looked at the screen on my camera and realized it was the candle hanging on the all behind me reflecting on the glass in front of me with the winter scene behind it.  It was just a multi-layered kind of picture and I took several in hopes of getting one that wasn't too blurry.  The candle reflection in the center of this picture is actually layered over the Centre Family House.  I just find this picture fascinating and am really happy it worked as well as it did.

Claude and I totally enjoyed our dinner and managed to add dessert to the top of it. We waddled to our car and moaned a bit on the way home.  But it was such a delightful evening.  Even with the light rain and the cold.  It felt very much like a December at Christmastime in Kentucky long, long ago.

Christmas for the Child in ALL of Us...

Friday, December 13th, the Scott County Public Library brought "The Polar Express" to Sadieville for the second year in a row. Sadieville has the only red caboose in the county. Well, actually the only caboose in the county.  Our City Hall is really the old train depot.  What a perfect match to enjoy "The Polar Express".

Friday morning Claude and I delivered our Christmas ornaments to our neighbors.  Then we drove over to downtown Sadieville to check out the snow and ice needing removal before the big event in the evening.  Yike!!  There was a lot of snow and ice needing removal.  It turns out the man who could usually be called upon to help keep this under control in our little city had knee surgery and had been out of commission. Hence, the build up. Particularly in front of the door to City Hall we wanted everyone to use.

I set to work with a shovel on the decking around the caboose.  Claude started on the sidewalks in front of the caboose and Warring Pavilion and then headed to the front of City Hall.  I shoveled the snow and we placed rock salt all around the caboose.  Claude shoveled the front of City Hall an layered the ice melt on the ice there.  It was about 3-4 inches thick in places. Then we headed to do our duties for the day.  I took Papa to the doctor and Claude handled things in his office at home.

I got home about 4pm. We headed back to Sadieville to work on the ice which, hopefully, would be easier based on the work done in the morning and the sunlight and temperatures being just above freezing during the day.

The decking around the caboose cleared off very well for me.  A lot of ice was movable for Claude at City Hall but there were still inches of ices to be pounded and loosened.  He and Cindy Foster, our city clerk, were pounding away the entire time I finished the caboose.  Then I took my heavy duty shovel and proceeded to help them.  Cindy got the orange cones and placed them indicating where people should walk. After yeoman effort, we were set for the arrivals for the first reading of the Polar Express.

Claude and I had not eaten during the day and, after two stints for shoveling and breaking ice, we were ready for something for dinner.  We drove back to the house so I could change my socks and shoes which were soaked through.  Then we drove to the Wendy's at the Pilot station and had a nice dinner.

We missed the arrival of Santa.  I would have loved to have taken pictures of that.  Our local fire department brings Santa in the fire truck with our Police Chief, Bobby Bruner, leading the way in his police cruiser with lights and sirens flashing.  So much fun for the little kids.

There were four readings scheduled for the Polar Express.  They can handle about 20 kids with one parent for the group of kids in each family in the caboose.  Last year we had three readings.  This year people were requesting tickets before any announcements were made about getting tickets.  Based on that, it was determined to increase to four readings at 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm.  The day these free tickets were available they were gone immediately.  Then it was learned there were many Sadieville kids who were not able to get tickets. So a quiet 8pm showing was added for these kids.

The kids gathered in City Hall (the old depot).  Santa was there in a rocking chair by the Christmas tree to allow each child a chance to sit on his knee and have their family take pictures if desired.  We provided candy canes from him to the kids.  The Friends of Scott County Library manned a table with hot chocolate and cookies.  One of the ladies even had song sheets so caroling could happen. The conductor would come to the door and tell the kids it was time for the next reading.  They would gather at the door of City Hall and with his conductor lamp he would lead them across the street and up the little hill to the caboose.  "The Polar Express" would be read to the kids.  Then, as they exited the caboose, Santa would be there with a basket full of bells.  Each child would receive the first gift of Chrismas, a bell with a red ribbon, just like in "The Polar Express".  Then the conductor would lead them with his lamp back to City Hall for hot chocolate and cookies.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a delightful evening. Looking at the pictures you can tell all ages of children from infant to grandparent had a great time.  At the end, Bobbie Bruner took Santa to his police car and they left Sadieville until next year.

This is such a successful event the ladies from the library are considering a Friday evening reading and then a Saturday afternoon reading in 2014.  We are grateful they started this for the children in all of us. Such a fun thing to do at Christmas time.

The Lead in His Golden Years...

This week has brought a drastic decline in my father's health.  The man who walked a mile at break-neck speed in the morning and again in the evening every day except Sunday  when he got to Kentucky has seen a huge change in that.  Over the last year his walking has gone from one mile once a day in his neighborhood or at the Pavilion to a half mile in his neighborhood to a quarter of a mile in his neighborhood.  Papa has also really started to lose his balance.  If he stands still for very long, he will lean forward mostly but sometimes to either side.

Over the last two weeks, Papa has complained about his hip area hurting really bad. Now, with his nice new chair his back has been better.  So the complaints about his hip seemed out of the ordinary.  This last week he has taken to using the cane he kept from Uncle Murray all the time. 

Last Monday, the 9th of December, I went to his apartment to take him grocery shopping.  He just didn't feel like it.  I assured him I was happy to do that for him.  I have done this at least twice before recently.  The Kroger he shops at is the huge Market Place kind. It is like walking a football field to get bananas at one end and milk at the opposite end of this store.  In addition, Papa's memory is very bad and he gets confused about where he is in this store.  I have taken to following him around and keeping him straight. So Monday, I did his shopping for him and brought it back to his apartment.

Wednesday, we were going to take a DVD of country music to the nursing home.  I called Papa Tuesday evening and asked if he would like to take fresh flowers in Christmas colors to put on Mimi's grave before we went to the nursing and also have a bite to eat for lunch while we were out.  He thought that was a good idea. 

I called Papa Wednesday morning to remind him.  He often forgets.  When I got to Papa's apartment he had, had visitors before I got there. When they left, he just completely forgot it was Wednesday and we had plans.  I found him stretched out in his chair and not ready to go out in the cold air at all.  I reminded him of our plans and he got up and got dressed and ready to go.

We drove to Frankfort on the back roads and he totally enjoyed the ride.  It was a clear, beautiful day even though it was very cold.  We had a nice lunch at Zaxby's.  Then we drove to the cemetery and put the new poinsettias on Mimi's grave.  I love the location because I can pull the car right up to the side of the road and her grave is right there.  Papa can sit in the car and have his moment without having to get out in that cold air. 

Then we headed to the nursing home and played the DVD.  When I dropped Papa off at his apartment he was worn out but happy with his day.

Thursday I was in Georgetown again and we checked out this cane he is using. It seems the rubber tip that should grip the surface was worn and duct tape had been Uncle Murray's solution. I took Papa's cane and, after getting bananas for Papa, went to a medical supply store and bought new tips for his cane.  We are both much happier with this now much needed device.  Papa was in greater pain than the day prior.  I again suggested I call his doctor and see if he wanted to check him out or if he had another doctor he thought I might take Papa to.  Papa agreed this time which indicates the amount of pain he was in.  I left a message on the nurses phone and then headed back to Sadieville.  The nurses called me later in the afternoon, I explained the situation, she said I should first bring Papa to Dr. Weckman.  We scheduled an appointment for Friday at 2:30pm.  I called Papa and told him to be ready and I would get him to the doctor.

Friday morning I called Papa to remind him.  He was happy because he thought the appointment was for Monday. Goodness. 

I got to Papa's apartment at 2pm.  He was not ready.  He got distracted by a television show that was 'really, really good'.  I got him going and took care of letting Tiny out and some other items while he got dressed.  I thought we were not going to get his shoes on him.  He ended up wearing his slippers.  We did make it to the doctor on time.

Dr. Weckman was really good with Papa.  He asked questions about what Papa was experiencing.  We explained the balance issues, the pain in the back and I insisted on a checking of Papa's memory.  Dr. Weckman did one of those reflex tests on Papa's ankle. Papa felt nothing.  Dr. Weckman tried a reflex test on Papa's knee.  Papa felt nothing.  Then Dr. Weckman said he was going to try a different tuning fork.  This gave Papa a chuckle.  Imagine our surprise when Dr. Weckman came back with a real tuning fork for middle C!!  He whacked it a couple of times and then held it to the wall and, sure enough, we heard a perfect middle C.  Then he whacked the tuning fork again and placed it on Papa's ankle. Papa felt nothing.  Then he whacked the tuning fork again and placed it on Papa's knee. Papa felt nothing.  Then he whacked the tuning fork again and put it on Papa's hand and Papa really felt that.  Dr. Weckman then explained that Papa has peripheral neuropathy.  This is nerve damage in the nerves which come out from the central nervous system (brain and spine).  It can be caused by a variety of things.  These little nerves send messages to the brain that tell it you are starting to lean and need to move your feet for balance.  Normally this is instantaneous and you really don't pick up on any problem. For Papa his nerves are not sending the signals at all or not fast enough and he leans with the potential for falls.  The problem...Papa has atrial fibrillation and takes warfarin, a generic of Coumadin.  Because of this drug he cannot take the medications normally given for neuropathy. AFib wins out over neuropathy.

Then Dr. Weckman had Papa stand without his cane and face me.  I was to catch him if he fell.  Hmmm...  Dr. Weckman touched a spot on Papa's lower back and asked if that hurt. Papa adamantly stated that was exactly where it hurt.  Papa has arthritis in his spine and hips.  There is a certain nerve running across this spot and that is where all Papa's pain in this hip is coming from.  Geez...we had the back getting so much better with the new chair and now we have a hip issue that truly affects his ability to walk.

Dr. Weckman said Papa can increase in Tylenol intake to a certain level and absolutely no higher.  Papa is to walk even if it hurts, otherwise he will lose the ability to walk.  He also has some stretching he can do.  Fortunately his chair will allow him to get his legs up straight and do that stretching in his chair.

It was a good visit and we learned some things that might help and also that this is just part of his aging and we just have to live with it.

Saturday Claude and I were gone most of the day.  I called Papa while we were out Saturday to be sure he was okay and it was alright for Claude and me to continue our day.  He was okay.  He was in a lot of pain still.  I told him I would get him for church today if he felt like going.  At that point on Saturday he was not feeling like going out.

I called Papa this morning and he sounded A W F U L.  I went to his apartment after choir practice and he was much better.  I think the increase in pain medication was beginning to kick in.  It was good to see him more alert and sounding so much better.

This getting older is tough.  Caring for an aging parent is just hard work.  You love them and do your very best but it is just hard physically, emotionally and mentally.  I feel like I am in my 80's already.  Not a complaint, just a fact.  May my children watch my care of my parents and deal kindly with me if my later years are this hard to get through.  Such is the cycle of life.

The Ice Man Cometh...

The weekend of Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 8th can only be described as 'real wintery'. 

Friday morning we were privileged to receive rain in the morning into the afternoon.  We were fortunate it was only rain and we were able to get to Georgetown and be sure Papa had all the fresh groceries he needed, pick up our newly refurbished chair, have a nice lunch together, get some errands done for Claude and make it back home before any ice came down.  However, by 4:25pm on Friday, this is what the ice looked like on our deck.

Just a few miles down the road in Georgetown, Papa had no ice to speak of.  We were grateful all our ducks were in a row and we were ready in case we lost power.  We did not lose any power.

A friend, Lee Hansen, had passed away. His visitation was at the Church Friday evening.  We opted out because of the ice.

Saturday, December 7th, we awoke to a nice covering of ice all over the roads and trees and grass.  None was to come down during the day.  Trucks treated the roads and we were able to feel more comfortable about heading into Georgetown for Lee's funeral.  I was to play the organ and Claude was to lead the singing. We were also taking food to feed the family members after the funeral. We were grateful for the clearer roads. We just felt bad for Mindy because there were people who could not get out because of the ice.  A funeral is a hard thing at best and we truly felt for Mindy dealing with Lee's in such lousy weather. 

We also had the Saturday sessions of Stake Conference to attend in Lexington.  Claude had meetings beginning at 4:00pm.  We just went to the funeral in the Jeep and then on to Lexington.  I sat in the car and read until 5:15pm.  I was to play the organ for the 6pm session.  It got a little cold but I held up okay.  It was actually nice to have quiet time to read with no interruptions.  The announcement was made that the Sunday morning session, which usually begins at 10am, would begin at 1pm so road crews would have a chance to clear roads. However, we were advised to use our own judgement based on the conditions where we live.  The geographic area of our Stake is from Frankfort, Kentucky into Lexington, north past Sadieville by about 9 miles, and east toward West Virginia.  A lot of us are living in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and these were to get more ice and snow than around Lexington.  Claude and I made it home before the weather got bad again.

Sunday we enjoyed trying to sleep in a bit.  Then we watched weather trying to determine how bad the roads were between us and Lexington. Claude began getting texts from his friends who handle the roads in Georgetown and Scott County. Their texts were about cars sliding all over I-75 and the advice was not to get on the highway.  We opted to stay home.  I was not feeling really perky anyway so we settled in for the afternoon.

Sunday evening we had a Ward Christmas Gathering.  We were to be at the church by 6:30pm.  Everyone was bringing Christmas treats to share.  Claude and I were to furnish the punch.  I was to play the piano for the singing mixed in the little program that was performed.  At 8:00pm everyone was to go in the chapel to view the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional together.  Claude and I covered the punch and refreshments and music.  Then we bundled up and came home to Sadieville to watch the broadcast on our television.

There has been talk this will be a very bad winter.  If this is the start before the actual date for winter to begin, the prognosticators just may be right!!

2013 Christmas Letter...

Claude has done it again in a style that is totally Claude. Below you will find the Reader's Digest Condensed version of our year as seen through the eyes of Claude Christensen. Enjoy!

THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY CHRONICLES

Circa 2013

Just when you thought it was safe to check your mailbox…it’s bacccckkk!

Eagle Bend Achers - Crop Report 2013:  It’s a good thing I don’t have to garden for a living.

Things That Are The Same: The lemonade-fueled view of Eagle Creek from our deck…
Things That Are New: Cell phones; the left-rear tire on her car; carpet steam cleaner; his sweater and hat; …

Selfies – For lack of a better idea 2013 began as usual with our annual We Came – We Saw – We Ate “Lord of the Rings” marathon and food-fest on New Year’s Eve and morning.  This was followed by some extended hibernation and a bottle or so of Tums.  Then, once again, due to mutual good behavior and a general lack of energy to try anything new, we extended our marital contract for the 43^rd consecutive year.  This year we went ALL OUT and traveled to Dayton, Ohio for a several day celebratory adventure.  Why Dayton? Why not?  Turns out there are more cool things to see there than you might expect.  We may have to take back some of what we said about it.  A quaint holiday dinner at Shaker Village capped the holiday season in fine fashion in 2012 and will be repeated along with a dinner trip to Historic Boone Tavern this year as well.

 

Like buttermilk, yogurt, and pearls we needed to be cultured -- hence: March – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (*****); June - Cirque Du Soliel (****); July – Eagles (again, *****); August – Potter’s Field (****); September – Vince Gill (*****); and November – Manheim Steamroller (*****).

 

Dayton worked out so well that our globetrotting duo took an 8-day ride over the pond and through the woods to the Emerald Isle.  Yup, off to the land of the Wooly Jumpers (sheep), Blarney Castle, soda bread and lamb stew it was for us.  Don’t know if this is the highlight for the year, but it comes mighty close.  As the great philosopher Jake put it so succinctly, we traveled to the one place in the world that looks most like Kentucky.  We ate lots of soda bread and lamb stew, climbed the stairs and kissed the Blarney Stone, bought some really cool (well, warm) sweaters, and climbed many a castle step in search of oxygen.  A most enjoyable time was had, thousands of pictures were taken and we decided we liked going to pubs.

 

Ireland was followed by a quasi-romantic spring trip to the blooming Dogwood Trail in Paducah, a trip to the homeland (Louisiana) in June, and a dinner run to West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina in mid-summer.  Of course a plethora of trips west to Marxland and north to Tylerville to count the grandkids (no change to report -- again) dotted the calendar as well, including the one when Grandma Bonnie came to play.  Seems like we eat out a lot doesn’t it…

 

With all of the above, you might wonder when we found time to govern Sadieville, lead the Homemakers Club, chase 70 or so kids around every Sunday, keep track of the ancient ones, and prepare for our next big civic adventure.  Well, hard work and an over developed sense of duty prevailed and we did see to the important governing and caregiving duties that came our way.  In a few days, and through no fault of our own, we take on some new and additional assignments including service as President of the County Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Board of the Kentucky League of Cities, and then there’s that pesky election.  Next year promises to be well…. interesting, and just wait till we share where we’re going next yearJ

 

Take The Last Train To Tylerville - Our Michigan contingent continued uninterrupted.  Nissa and Todd continue to sell cars one part at a time and hang around on the Michigan Upper Peninsula when time permits.   The Katester graduated from Muskegon Community College with a degree in “whatever” and transferred across the street to Baker College where she will pursue a teaching degree, or so we’re told.  Paul continues to spend all his time being Paul and has emerged as a budding artist and musician, finally unhiding his talents in that area.  Then along came Aubrey.  Well, the Aubs is coming into her own as an adult-in-training and stole the show, STOLE I tell you, as the best Flapper Girl in her high school production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, then she snagged, SNAGGED, a part in a local community theater production of what I can’t remember.  She too is showing signs of promise, and may turn out completely normal when all is said and done.  They all came to see us a time or two which we like, particularly since they became useful.

 

Marxland -  Father Michael continues to climb the ladder of success in officiating Futbol (soccer) when not otherwise occupied selling hotel rooms to unsuspecting travelers.  Andie has rejoined the workforce full-time at LaGrange Elementary and together they tag-team chasing the Mini’s about in their numerous social and developmental activities.  Master Hayden, an extremely “interesting” young chap delights us often with his unique take on life and living.  He’s now developed the ability to self-diagnose and can alert Mom at the earliest onset of pending infirmity, with stunning accuracy.  Hayden ran his first 5K this year keeping up with dear old Dad quite well.  Then we come to Bailey…  She is more of a “visual” specimen in terms of trying to describe her.  It’s more of a seeing-is-believing thing.  Moving briskly between the human and animal realms of existence she entertains and delights.  We’re hoping when she does settle on a permanent persona, she lands on the human side.  One and all they traveled to the tall water over Thanksgiving to be with their extended family on a Disney Cruise.  The pictures thus far indicate a good time assuming the Mini’s don’t find their way to the ship’s controls.

 

The World According To Jake – Published again, the last carrier of our family name successfully published some poetry and short-stories, when not “writing for dollars” at his paying job.  He continued to develop and hone his literary skills which are getting pretty good, although I MIGHT be a bit biased.  When he dons his alter ego as a NASA flight director he waxes cosmically philosophical about space and time.  This year he made yet another journey to the NASA flight center near Cleveland (yes, Cleveland, who knew…).  When not working or writing we have no idea how he spends his time, other than camping out at the library or taking hikes across the Michigan countryside.  Rumor has it he will pay us a visit over Christmas which we look forward to as usual.  I don’t know if he is our most interesting offspring or not but he is definitely in the running.

 

You are to be commended for your perseverance and ability to stay focused through the whole newsyletter, We’ve had better readers, but not many.  Hopefully you got everything you deserved this year.  WE ARE OUTTA HERE!    The Christensen’s !!!