Pecan Grove (www.pecan-grove.net) Pecan Grove and Senior Residence

September 30, 2020

September 2020

Filed under: Pecan Farming,Pecan Grove,Senior Residence — knewman @ 5:09 pm

Clinton Goff passed away September 4th at the nursing home near here that he’s been in since 2016.  We hadn’t been able to visit him since the end of June due to the virus.  Rachel and Brenda were able to have a brief visit with him a week before he died using Facetime.  Here’s a link to notes from his memorial service which was held in Virginia.

Clintons Memorial Service

John Culver was taken to the hospital September 2nd because of congestive heart failure.  He improved and was moved to a rehab hospital, but then went down quickly with pneumonia, was moved to an hospice wing of another hospital and passed away Sept 25th.  His funeral is tomorrow (October 1) here in Willis.  There will be another funeral and burial in Owensboro, KY on Saturday.  Here is a picture of John in the bible study the day before he went to the hospital (at right across from Fern).  He was very weak but did try to have a part.  Then a picture of him in the rehab hospital with Lois and myself.

Here’s a link to the folder for John’s funeral tomorrow:  Service Folder

Otherwise, all here are doing ok.  Dad fell and was in the hospital for stiches in his head, but seemed clearer afterward!  We’re all getting older!

Karen Cleveland was still here for several days at the beginning of the month, visiting Elton.  On her 50th anniversary of being in the work we had a sing and she told us some of her story.  Here’s a picture from the sing and the workers that were that were there.

Here’s another picture of the workers, Brenda Townsend, Rachel Potter, Ana Laura Olivar, Alice Oetken and Karen Cleveland.  Another picture of the sisters “talking” to each other!

Here’s Clarence with his son Wayne and Mary, visiting and playing dominos outside on the porch.  Marybelle likes to “walk” back to the residence from meeting (it’s downhill).  Dominique helps her.

We’re getting near harvest time and the varmints are sure making a mess.  Crows, squirrels and pigs eat pecans and make a mess.  We’ve managed to get rid of some, but not enough!  Deer aren’t a problem for the pecans, but they eat the bait we use for the hogs.  We don’t try to get rid of the deer… sometimes we have to save them from the hog trap.  Hopefully there will be some pecans left for us.

Ken

 

August 31, 2020

August 2020

Filed under: Pecan Grove,Senior Residence — knewman @ 11:18 am

Lots of excitement at PG this month.  Hurricane Laura was exciting but we didn’t get anything… no wind and no, much needed, rain.  Karen Cleveland was finally able to leave her bach in Colombia where she’s been locked down since March, and return to the States for her home visit.  She came to PG to spend time with her father Elton.  Here’s an informal and formal picture of Elton and Karen, and Karen with her first hot fudge sundae in years!  Priorities!

Clarence Roachell came to PG as a resident (finally!).  He had been here for a few weeks before, but this time he’s here to stay.  His children brought him and are faithful in visiting him.  BTW, the state of Texas is relaxing the “no visitors” policy for nursing homes and assisted living centers… somewhat.  We still need to be very careful.  For example, Clarence’s family visits with him on the back porch.  We’re supposed to have all residents and staff tested weekly for the virus… before having visitors.  We’re hoping to have the first round of testing this week.  So here’s Clarence with his daughter Becky and her husband Mike, and again with his daughter Mary.  We didn’t get a picture of his son Wayne and Mary when they were here.  We’re glad some of his family is able to visit him regularly.

Joyce Lawrence returned from North Carolina and spent a few weeks at PG before going to the south Houston field with Ruthie Taplin.  So for a short time we had two additional residents, Karen and Joyce.  We took a picture of the residents including these two temporaries.

We also took a staff picture.  Dominique and Mimi Mille weren’t present, so they have their own picture.

Shawn and Anita Bass were married at PG.  Here they are show with Shawn’s aunt Linda and husband Kent who performed the wedding ceremony.  Later on his wedding day Shawn was bass fishing and got a fish hook stuck in his thumb so far that we had to take him to urgent care!  So… hooked twice in the same day!  This time a 200 lb bass!  (His last name is Bass… he hooked himself).

Fern Duncan turned 90, and got hearing aids!  She’s a happy camper!  Rachel, Karen and Joyce had a gospel meeting here. Karen and I had a visit with dad through a window.  He’s able to hear a lot of our meetings, but is still in lock-down.  His short term memory is very short!  But his long term memory is good (he remembered Karen).

Albert and Maja, with children Ana and Danny McSpadden visited us.  Here they are with Joyce, Kathy, Rachel, Brenda, and Dawn and Wayne Overby.

Last week, one of our field workers, Rachel, was able to have a video call visit via Face-time with Clinton Goff.  Communication was enabled by the social worker who helped amplify what was said. Clinton was able to understand that many are thinking of him and he said “Thank you”.  She explained that we would like to be with him but the current situation prevents it, and she felt he understood.  He is in a declining state… on hospice and bed-fast.

Duane and Joan Hinkley moved to Minnesota.  They’ve been in fellowship here for several years… and will be missed.  Darby brought her dog Clover in to visit the residents… Marybelle loves dogs.  The bird feeder is an important part of daily life at PG!

 

Ken

July 31, 2020

July 2020

Filed under: Pecan Farming,Pecan Grove,Senior Residence — knewman @ 4:56 pm

In the June post I told of the 1 hour seizure Dad had.  It may not have been clear… since November 2019 he was living at The Wellington in Conroe.  The picture of him in the June blog is through the window at the Wellington, where he was when this seizure happened.  He was hospitalized, and for a while we didn’t think he would pull through.  But he did improve, and with the help of my sister Ronda, was able to come back to Pecan Grove (on hospice) for several days.  Then he had to go back to The Wellington where he is still on hospice.  One of his caregivers at The Wellington is Tinnette, who came to visit him at PG (1st picture).  Most of the family was able to spend some time with him… Karla and her 4 children (2nd picture), Karin, her 2 children, Kenny, Salena, Kathy and myself (3rd).  Mimi gave him a much needed haircut (4th).  He was able to be in a few morning bible studies, at a family dinner, and in 2 meetings.  The 5th is a meal with distancing while Dad and Ronda were at PG.  Then Ronda, Brent, Ann, Kathy and I took him back to The Wellington (6th).  Tinnette and the other caregivers take good care of him there and make sure he can hear the gospel meetings by phone.  Since he’s on hospice, they allow us to visit him once in a while through an open doorway in his room.

The residents at PG are all doing about the same, frustrated by not being able to get out or to have visitors, but glad for the fellowship and meetings we do have.

July was a difficult month for the Milles.  Dominique had a hip replacement, which went very well, but requires time to heal.  Then Mimi’s brother in France was killed in an accident… and they can’t travel.  Then Mimi fell and hurt her back… so she’s healing also.  They’re both improving nicely.

The workers switched around July 1.  Lyle and Dale left this north Houston field and Rachel and Brenda came.  The residents liked Salena’s July 4th costume.

Our 2 fig trees produced a nice crop of figs in July (1st pic).  John doesn’t use his golf cart much anymore, except when the figs are in… he makes sure we don’t get them all!  We’re working with about half the pecan trees this year as a hobby.  The high humidity we have here causes a fungus called scab.  The scab on the leaves doesn’t really hurt anything, but the scab on the pecan husks keeps them from fully developing.  The 2nd picture shows pecans with scab and the 3rd picture shows some without scab.  We’ve sprayed fungicide 5 times already and will need to spray a few more times before the September/October harvest, and hopefully we’ll have some good pecans.

Ken

 

June 30, 2020

June 2020

Filed under: Pecan Grove,Senior Residence — knewman @ 8:34 pm

June has had good news and bad news.

Good news – no covid virus at PG!  We’re fortunate to be somewhat isolated on this farm.  But those of us who work here often go to town for shopping, etc.   We take residents to town, mainly for doctor appointments.  We try to be very careful… but the virus cases are spiking significantly in Texas.  We are fortunate to have 2 small fellowship meetings here on the farm (at our place and at Hoffman’s), with social distancing and some masks (the residents choose not to wear masks).  We also have our morning bible studies at the residence… the best part of the day for us and them.

Bad news – Clinton Goff was taken to the hospital with pneumonia.  They were able to help with IV antibiotics, but they sent him back to the nursing home he’s been in, on hospice.  The aspirated pneumonia is due to dementia, so they expect it to continue.  I was able to see him last Thursday in the hospital, but after that visitors were not allowed due to the spike in virus… hospitals are full.  That was the first time I’d seen him since March because no visitors are allowed at the nursing home.  He called me Jack, as usual, he has me confused with my dad.  But he did seem to remember some workers.  His speech was difficult to understand.

More bad news – Sunday dad had a 1 hour seizure.  It seems the seizure caused a stroke or TIA.  He’s recovering in the hospital ICU.  Again, no visitors.  I was able to talk to him by phone today and he seemed fairly clear.  His left side was affected but that seems to have improved already.  Sunday evening we were discussing funeral plans, and now it seems he may return to the assisted living place he’s been at in Conroe.  He started using a wheelchair most of the time in June because of frequent falls.

Good news – my sister Ronda and husband Mike Rosamond visited from Arkansas.  We aren’t supposed to have visitors at PG, but we make a few exceptions. They were able to visit with dad (before his seizure) through a window (talking by cell phone).  Dad had been to the hospital because of a fall, so was wearing a mask.  Here’s dad through the window and Ronda with Della at the residence.

Good and bad news – Nyana Thompson (19) (who has been living and working in the residence since March after returning with Fern) went back to North Carolina for a home visit and to bring back her car.  Her dad, Dan Thompson drove back with her.  Then she was asked to return to South Carolina to help Dorthy Steljes until convention time.  The following pictures are of her with her dad, then of her telling the residents of her call to the work (at 14) and her need to return to South Carolina to help, and then with Alice and Elton as she was leaving.  Bad news for us here but we are so glad she is willing and able to go!

Good news – David Cleveland visited his dad Elton for a few days.  Shawn Bass has been working at PG for a few months.  Shawn’s wife to be, Anita, has agreed to work at PG.  Shawn and Anita will be living in the cabin.

Good and bad news – our 6 grandchildren were able to wave to the residents through the windows of the residence.  We don’t let them enter because of the virus restrictions.  Children are such an encouragement to old folks, even from a distance.  The second picture shows our dog Vince with 4 of the grandchildren.  The bad news is that 2 weeks ago Vince disappeared.  He was a wonderful friend to the residents.  We all miss him.

Good news – lots of pecans and lots of deer.

Thanks,

Ken

May 31, 2020

May 2020

Filed under: Senior Residence — knewman @ 3:56 pm

May was an interesting month.  While Texas is slowly opening, we increased the social distancing and face masks at PG, due to CDC requirements.  Here you can see morning bible studies with residents and only 1 staff member in the great room.  The residents are spaced 6′ apart.  The staff member carries the microphone around to each one.  Others are in the kitchen, wearing face masks.    Note the new lights over the tables that Lyle and Dominique installed.  They make a big difference for residents trying to read.

All who enter the residence need to take their temperature, sanitize their hands, and wear masks.  Masks are optional for residents, so none wear them.  Meals are different also.  Breakfast is served in the residents rooms using trays.  For the other meals the residents are 6′ apart (like the bible studies above).

We have Sunday morning meeting, applying the same social distancing and mask use rules that we apply at the center.  At our place we have 3 couples that can sit together but the 8 residents and staff that come all need to be 6′ from anyone else.  That takes a lot of room.  There are sometimes 17 of us.  Here’s the room set up.

Lyle and Dale had gospel meetings here until 2 weeks ago.  Then they set up a gospel tent about an hour from here.  I don’t believe I’ve been to a tent mission since I  was a teenager.  It brought back memories!  The tent is big enough to allow social distancing between family groups, and has lots of fresh air.  We don’t take the residents.  Instead they listen by phone at the residence.

The residents are doing fairly well.  Alice is a little stronger now that we require her to take her medications.  Marybelle now uses the wheelchair all the time, but still manages to transfer in and out of it on her own.  She decided she needed to read without her glasses, but that required more light.  My brother Brent came from North Carolina to visit.  Here he’s with Lyle and Dale.

Lyle killed another coral snake, just outside the residence!  Lyle and Dale had been here since mid March, but have started moving around the field now.  We’ll sure miss their help in many ways!

Thanks,

Ken

 

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