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

April is another big birthday month, and we do our best to celebrate accordingly. First was Kenny’s birthday, here he is with his Dragon Ball themed birthday cake and gifts, then with the younger staff. Salena made a little boy’s wish come true with this one!

• 

• 

• 

Next was Shawn’s birthday, he turned the big 5.oh! He celebrated with us and even cooked his own birthday lunch. Here he is with his Tres Leches cake that reminisces about his lost youth. He also was given a hard hat to protect him from “Senior Moments”. Here is his cake, him with his cake and trying on his new protective wear.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Lastly but not least we had two birthdays in one: Ken (67) and Alice (95). They celebrate together every year but this year actually got to split the cake. Here they are with a his and her themed cake and many happy celebrators.

• 

• 

• 

April has also been a whirlwind of quick meaningful visits. Several visitors have said they have been attempting to come for quite a while and things just kept popping up. First of which was Kathryn Huisman and Lavonne Stipp who came to see Elsie. Here they are chatting in her room.

Nathan and Allison Potter from Mountain Peak came for another brief visit. Here they are with Ken, Kathy and all the residents except Elton.

Marilynn’s brother, Doug and his wife, Barb were able to come for a few days. They have not seen each other in person in many years so it was special for them to catch up. Here they are in Marilynn’s room with the Shawn and the Overby’s.

• 

Long time friend of the ours, Herbie Barnett, came for a visit with his brother, Paul. Herbie and Ronald were co-workers long ago so Herbie felt he wanted to visit his old friend. Here they are together in the entry way, and again with his brother, Paul.

• 

• 

All of us enjoyed a visit from three out-of-state sister workers: Stacey Seidlitz, Ruth Warner, and Mindy Yule. Stacey was on our staff for several years and knows most of our workers well. Mindy was a co-worker with Joyce over the years. Here they are with Elsie and some of our workers, and again with their companions.

• 

• 

Resident Journals

Joyce Naber

Joyce does well, especially with the helpful direction of Esther. She has quite the appetite, and loves apples. Here she is asking to “lick the bowl” after a good meal, and again playing the piano, and lastly with her friend and co-worker Melinda Yule.

• 

• 

• 

Alice Oetken

Alice has been doing great for 95! She still enjoys time spent with her cat Kitty Kitty and walks with Joyce or Elsie often. She had several family and friends call her for her birthday and send their best wishes. Here she is admiring her flowers, and kitty kitty on a table in her room.

• 

• 

Ronald Elliot

Ronald has been going to speech therapy recently. He was given take home exercises to try and improve his speech and vocal cord strength. Unfortunately he was not remembering to practice them and the therapist was not able to see much improvement. However, she was really talkative and interested in hearing about his ministry which perked him up and made him more excited for the visits.

Marie Mounce

Marie still likes to bake and garden. This year she felt less sure of herself helping out with the large garden so she instead has been focusing on the smaller pots close to the porch. Her sister thoughtfully gave her some seeds to plant in them which she cherishes dearly.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen has been doing well, she enjoys the challenge of a good puzzle just like Elsie. She was recently visited by her good friends Leon and Diane Richter. Here they are enjoying a talk on the porch.

Marilynn Frye

Marilynn always appreciates visits from her old co-workers and close family members. Especially those who can reminisce about Minnesota with her. Here she is in her room with her brother Doug and his wife Barb, and again with her previous co-workers.

• 

• 

Esther Duncan

Esther still gets along well. She renewed her drivers license (photo ID) this month! Also, we have started back up our garden and Esther has taken it on with gusto. Here she is planting and again with Salena at the garden box.

• 

• 

Elton Cleveland

Elton has had more difficulty, mostly due to his hearing loss. The doctor removed wax from his ears today, so hopefully his hearing will improve. He still loves his sweets, playing the piano, and taking naps!

Elsie Schroeder

Elsie always enjoys her personal visitors. This month was special with several arrivals. Here she is with her daughter-in-law Becky and Becky’s sister Mary.

Gilbert Reese and Fern Duncan

Gilbert has been doing well after turning 100. He still enjoys eating in his spot near the window and receiving guests. Gloria Reese, Gilbert’s Niece and her family came for a belated celebration with him. She brought her son and his family Brendon, Katie, Makenzie, Marie, Zoie and Zaida. Here they are with uncle Gilbert in front of his favorite window.

• 

Fern continues to decline, though at times she is able to visit. During a visit with Salena she was able to talk by phone with Sherdenia Dunn and Nadene Laird.

We had a lot of wild flowers and a lot of rain in April. Here are some of us watching the eclipse.

• 

• 

• 

Thanks for your interest in us here!

Ken and Kenny

Louis is 100! He celebrated his birthday with his entire family here at PG. Several of them could only be in town for a quick weekend. It was also Louis and Elsie’s 70th wedding anniversary so the party preppers went all out. Here they are sitting at the cake table with two cakes, one birthday cake made of molasses for Louis and one carrot cake for Elsie.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Here are some candid shots of the family happily being together again. Also they took an impromptu family photo on the porch.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Many friends and family came for the event. Here are some candid photos of the party and happy guests.

The fun didn’t stop there for the Schroeders. The next weekend we were joined by their daughter Carol and her husband Troy Aarestad and two daughters Sara and Amelia. They wanted to go all out for their grandpa so they put 100 candles on his cake for a little excitement. Here they are helping prepare the cake, blow out candles, and again together in front of the fireplace.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We also had a few visitors this month, Ed Lloyd and Frank Cook. They have been here before and know everyone well, this time they brought some nice folding chairs for meeting and a hunting canoe! Here they are just arriving in the entry way.

The last day of the month brought more visitors. Judy Timmersman and Kathy lived together in Minneapolis in 1975. William and Chris Williams from PA knew several residents. Here they are with Marilynn and then with the others they knew, Esther, Elton and Ronald.

• 

• 

• 

Resident Journals

Unfortunately we have had another covid outbreak here at PG. This time it was not as severe symptoms but almost as many got it.

Ronald Elliott

Ronald was the first to experience any symptoms, and warn us that there might be covid afoot. He was complaining of being tired on Wednesday, but then on Thursday that week he actually hit his button, having fallen near his desk. Kenny and Salena responded to find him dizzy and slow moving. Eventually they were capable of getting him into bed where he stayed through the night. The next day he tested positive for covid and we isolated him, and then proceeded to test everyone else. He recovered quite quickly and was well enough to speak at the funeral of one of our South Houston friends, Jack Poage.

Louis and Elsie Schroeder

We have talked a lot about them this month, but they also got covid. Elsie was experiencing a severe cough after their company left and while Louis did not immediately test positive, we knew because of their close proximity that it was only a matter of time. He tested positive two days later and they have been isolating fairly well. Kenny took Louis to a show of Ford Model A cars. Here he is with one just like he used to own.

• 

• 

Elton Cleveland

Elton tested positive also, but without symptoms of any kind. It’s likely his positive test was due to having covid in July, but we isolated him out of precaution. Elton really appreciated playing the piano with Chuck Smith.

Joyce Nabor

Joyce did not test positive and has been her usual self. She has eye appointments regularly where they need to inject medicine into both eyes to help stave off macular degeneration. She takes them like a trooper and is back in good spirits quickly. Here she is posing with one of our guests, Ruth Pollard.

Esther Duncan

Esther has returned from her conventions in Kentucky and Tennessee. She is happy to be back, but happier still to recount all the wonderful fellowship she had there. There were several hopefuls who professed and she said they could have applauded out loud if it was appropriate. She is in great spirits.
Esther’s cousin Ruth Pollard came from London to visit for a few days. She took Esther out for a lamb lunch one day which she really enjoyed. Here they are posing with Joyce at the dinner table.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen has settled in well here. She went to New Mexico to visit her sister for a few weeks, but she will be back after Georgetown convention. Here she is offering her congratulation’s to Louis and Elsie.

Marilynn Frye

Marilynn has recovered completely since her surgery last month and is still active in watering her plants. She writes and receives a lot of correspondence and enjoys emailing or calling the friends also. She asked to make whole wheat bran pancakes the other day, here she is with her delicious breakfast.

Marie Mounce

Marie was another one that did not get covid. She has however been going to a lot of appointments this month. Last week she went for an MRI to check out the mass growing in her brain, which we were told has not changed. She still likes to cook in the kitchen and this month made a Cajun style sandwich called a Pistolette, with ground beef and broccoli. Here she is filling her rolls, and again cleaning the peanut butter spoons as a little reward to herself for clearing the breakfast table.

• 

• 

Alice Oetken

Alice did not get covid. She still comes out every morning for her coco and coffee and pleasantly greets all who are around. Her cat, Kitty Kitty, has been somewhat better behaved of late. She still likes to walk with her slowly, as often as she can.

Fern Duncan

Fern has been doing well, but is tired when we go to see her. One of the friends sent her a beautiful purple gown. Here she is smiling while “trying it on”.

Gilbert Reese

Gilbert is always the same when we visit. He spends most of his time sitting in his wheelchair in the back corner of the dining room at Park Manor, where he can see what is happening. He sees his visitors coming soon after they enter the front door and waves. He’s always happy, in good spirits, but he has almost no memory. Sometimes a name from the distant past will register, but even that is less and less.

Thanks for your interest in Pecan Grove!

Kenny and Ken

August has flown by and has been just as eventful as our previous months. We had one major birthday this month: Fern turned 93! Fern always enjoys visits from the residents, as you can tell by her smile here with Esther, and again with Ronald who must have hit her funny bone.

• 

• 

Unfortunately Fern had a spell with her blood pressure the same day 12 0f us intended to go celebrate her birthday with her. After admitting her to the ER they found that she had an infection. Salena went to visit her and brought her a birthday cupcake which she enjoyed. All of the residents enjoyed them too, and sang happy birthday for her which Salena filmed and showed to her at the hospital. Here are her cupcakes as well as her enjoying them and reading her birthday mail.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Pearl Bailey and Linda Wilkins came to see Fern in the morning and were able to have a good visit with her before her spell that sent her to the hospital. Here they are at Pecan Grove on their way to see Fern.

We always enjoy our visitors, especially those who like to laugh. Russ and Judy Rosehill came for a visit with their friends and travel companions Frank and Edie DeVito. Here they are catching up before supper, as well as listening to Elton play a few tunes. Mimi knows them well and joined us for supper, which they so helpfully provided!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

RESIDENT JOURNALS

Unfortunately the Covid scare that started in July continued in August. We took all the necessary precautions and are happy to say that no one became very sick and everyone is now healthy and together again.

Gwen Farmer

Gwen was one of the first ones to test positive for covid upon her arrival here at PG from Happy. Fortunately, she was asymptomatic and did well throughout that time.

Gwen is our newest resident and has taken to the PG life very well. She still has her mind and wants to use it. That is why she has taken up puzzle making alongside Elsie. They spend quite a lot of time and effort on their puzzles and are very proficient at putting them together quickly. Elsie enjoys the company. Here they are working away on a hard puzzle that Mona Reese gave them, and then beaming next to the completed product.

• 

• 

• 

Gwen is quite the social one, happy to talk with anyone. She accompanied the Overbys and Ronald to visit Gilbert. Here they are together during their visit.

• 

Elton Cleveland

Elton was another resident that got Covid during the scare. He was extra tired, had a fever for a few days, but no other symptoms.

Elton asked me to show the story of the time his son, David, and our friend Slade Nordic repaired the stairs to the bunkhouse. This took place a while ago but he had the pictures that he took of them and wanted all to see. Here they are building them together, and then last the finished stairs.

• 

• 

• 

Finally, Elton wanted to show everyone, especially his daughter Karen, that he was Covid free and looking good again. Here he is posing for Salena in the entryway and again entertaining the guests.

• 

• 

• 

Ronald Elliott

Ronald did not get covid and was ok throughout lockdown. He has been a little unsteady on his feet and gave us more than one fright. So far so good, except he has taken to going “offroad” with his walker. Here he is making Fern laugh and again with Gilbert, then at the bridge feeding the fish, and finally enjoying his visit with frequent visitors Jeff and Patricia Oliver.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Alice Oetken

Alice was one of the last ones to get Covid. She slept a lot and had a cough for a week or so. She has fully recovered and has been coming out to talk with staff and residents like usual. She has some trouble with swallowing and has had speech therapy to try and counter this, but she is a trooper and just takes her food to her room to eat at her own speed. Here she is with Joyce and Gwen after bible study, and a fine picture of her cat Kitty Kitty.

• 

• 

Marilynn Frye

Marilynn was among the first to test positive for Covid after her return from Happy. She had a tough go of it, but recovered just in time for her bladder surgery (poor dear cannot catch a break). She was told by the doctor that about 50% of her bladder was full of tumors. They removed all of them and sent her home. Her recovery has been rather impressive, as she still comes out for meals, goes to meeting, and tends to her plants like usual. Here she is after one of her appointments having a savory favorite Pho.

Joyce Nabor

Joyce was also one of the few to get Covid a little later than the rest. Like Alice she was mostly just tired with some congestion. She did not take to isolation well and continued to be subdued for days after her recovery. She has returned back to normal and is back to feeding the fish and helping in the kitchen. Here she is with our guests the Rosehill’s and Devito’s, as well as Marie and Marilynn. Lastly, here is a picture of Esther and Joyce feeding the fish.

• 

• 

Esther Duncan

Esther did not get Covid and was okay throughout lockdown. She is on convention rounds in Tennessee and Kentucky. Here she is visiting Fern and bringing her some mail.

Marie Mounce

Marie was also one of the first to get covid, which like the others was mostly tiredness for her. She has been struggling with congestive heart failure and shortness of breath. As was mentioned last month, she had to be admitted to the hospital for dangerously high blood pressure. They found that she had an 80% blockage of one of her arteries, and that she needed a stent. The surgery went well and her recovery also, but she still has a hard time with her blood pressure spiking throughout the day. The staff has been vigilantly watching her blood pressure, taking measurements multiple times a day and administering medication as needed. She still likes to help in the kitchen and bake muffins, so she is not slowing down! Here she is in a new dress that Mona Reese bought with her.

• 

Louis and Elsie Schroder

Louis and Elsie are doing well, they did not get Covid throughout lockdown. All of their family are coming soon for a grand celebration: Louis turns 100! and they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. Stay tuned next month for the story! Here they are together at the breakfast table.

We look forward to bringing you more updates. Thank you for your interest in us here at Pecan Grove.

Kenny, Salena & Ken

July has carried on with the summer tradition of being scorching hot. Luckily for the residents there is plenty of space to roam inside PG for exercise. We began the month with some welcome repeat visitors. Luis Rosas, who worked for us for a summer, came to see Ronald. He even spent some time with Louis getting to know his “namesake” as Louis called it.

Our other repeat was a small family from North Texas. Brandon and Alisha Trobaugh and their two daughters Summer and Autumn came for a visit. Here they are with Marilynn and Marie.

Fourth of July is always a highlight for the residents. Kenny and Salena like to put on a fireworks display, and Salena enjoys decorating for the occasion. Here they are setting up a fire pit for s’mores and showing off the fireworks.

• 

• 

• 

We had a quick lunch visit from the Sutton family on their way to Happy convention. Here are William and his two sons Gage and Hunter conversing with the Ronald, Esther, Alice and Marie in the living room.

Speaking of Happy, Marilynn was up for riding with Abigail to attend Happy convention. They had a wonderful convention, which our other residents and even some friends here on the grounds were able to listen too. Afterward, Gwen Farmer rode back with Marilynn and Abigail to PG. Gwen will be staying a while again, so we are counting her as a new resident. Here they are on their little adventure, stopping for treats along the way.

• 

• 

Long time friends and frequent visitors Chris and Jo Ellen Hertz came for a nice visit again. This time they brought a pair of South Houston friends Carlos and Mary Cortez. Here they are talking with Alice, Elsie, and Ronald for quite some time, then again with Joyce and Esther in front of the fireplace.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We always appreciate family visits, and the Schroeders have been faithful to deliver! Candace came again with her two boys and girl : AJ, Miles, and Brenna. Along with their aunt Angela Schroeder and her 3 children Everett, Lewis and Camille.

Here are AJ and Miles being read to by Marilynn again, she really enjoys that. As well as the whole family together in front of the fireplace.

• 

• 

We also had a visit from the Schroeder’s daughter and grand-daughter who just graduated college, Carol and Amelia Aarestad. So many special visits in so little time.

• 

• 

Resident Journals

We don’t often take the time to deliver insights into our residents’ everyday lives. We will try not to make it too wordy, and have a few fun anecdotes. Ages and dates are in the “residents at pg” link in the upper right corner of the blog.

Elton Cleveland (105 3/4):

Elton has really been enjoying having Karen so close by. He talks with her by email everyday and sends her news clippings or comics often. He recently decided to write out all the things he appreciates about Pecan Grove, and then proceeded to recount them to a captive audience. Here he is happily trying to bring some cheer to the supper table.

• 

Marilynn Frye:

Marilynn has had a big month, with going to Happy Convention and so many visitors, she stays very busy. Unfortunately after her return she tested positive with covid (along with 4 others) so has been quarantined to her room (as have all the residents). Hopefully the quarantine will be finished tomorrow. Marilynn seems to be doing well, the staff monitor everyone closely and she has steadily been recovering from minor covid symptoms. Unfortunately her bladder cancer has grown, which is a big concern. More testing is needed before any decisions can be made.

Marie Mounce:

Marie has had a tough go of it this month. She was really looking forward to going to Happy Convention with Abigail and Marilynn. Unfortunately her blood pressure has been acting up and just before she was going to leave it plummeted very low. She was feeling dizzy, light headed and fatigued so the staff suggested she stay back and rest. Over time different symptoms began developing which culminated with a positive covid test and her being hospitalized. They found that she heart problems, two infections, and covid! The covid was the least of the doctor’s concerns. In fact, covid may have saved her life because a positive test (on top of her other issues) caused the decision to send her to the hospital. They treated the infections first and she immediately improved. Tomorrow (August 1) they will do a heart catheterization and possibly a stent (her 5th). Also, she turned 90 years young this month! Here she is with Clarence enjoying her birthday and again with the workers.

• 

• 

• 

Gwen Farmer:

Gwen came back from Happy with Abigail and Marilynn and is now staying with us again. She was in good spirits upon her return, but like Marilynn, Elton, and Marie she also came down with covid. She has her appetite and is showing mild symptoms. The staff is continuing to monitor her condition as well. Here she is with Joyce Lawrence at the dinner table (before we knew anyone had covid).

Ronald Elliott:

Ronald has been doing well. He did not catch the bug but he has been isolating like the others. He likes to sit back in his room and read a lot so this is no change for him. Here he is trying to wrangle Abigail’s dog, Ethel, before she could do any damage. He likes to feed her and talk to her, she’s his little friend.

Alice Oetken:

Alice keeps busy with her cat! The cat isn’t welcome in the residence except in Alice’s room through a cat door in Alice’s bedroom window. When the cat is outside Alice goes out to look for it and tries to walk with it. Ronald and Alice enjoy teasing each other. Alice enjoys the visitors and often has visits from her family, though there weren’t any in July (see the April and May posts).

Joyce Naber:

Joyce is an avid walker and does well with all this heat. She likes to walk down to the pond once a day and feed the fish whatever leftover bread the kitchen has. We know for sure, any bread started will be finished! Also that those fish must be getting pretty fat with all this attention. Here she is with her favorite walking buddy Elsie.

Esther Duncan:

Esther is a trooper. She goes out to water the garden every other day, even when not feeling the greatest. She has been struggling with her teeth this year. She has had a few of them pulled and a partial denture has been made to fill in where they were. Unfortunately she has had trouble with the new partial staying put, and has had several repeat visits to the dentist to get it right. That won’t stop her though, she eats everything cautiously with not a word of complaint.

Elsie and Louis Schroeder:

Elsie and Louis have been really enjoying all the company this month. Their granddaughter and her kids come often and love to be with their grandparent’s. Elsie is still a master puzzler, whipping through a jigsaw puzzle in under a week! Louis likes to read the newspaper and sometimes warm up outside while watching the birds. Here they are at Marie’s birthday party and again in front of the fireplace with their guests.

• 

• 

Fern Duncan and Gilbert Reese:

Fern and Gilbert are doing well in Park Manor nursing home in Conroe. Fern is bedfast now. She really enjoys her mail and is still able to read any notes or letters that are sent to her. Gilbert gets around in his wheelchair, and enjoys having his mail read to him. Here they are in a few recent visits.

• 

• 

Here are the workers that have been in our field, Clarence Mounce and Timothy Uzzell with our good friend and visitor Fred Adadjo.

We hope everyone is doing well and we appreciate your thinking of us here at PG.

Kenny and Ken

Della Bolt went down quickly after leaving PG March 10th, and passed away peacefully May 1. She was 90 years old. Much was said at her funeral by her daughter Henrietta, nephew Charles Strong, Esther Duncan and Rich Raschke, to remind us of what a wonderful spiritual and strong woman Della was. We are grateful for the 4 years she had at PG with us. Email Ken if you’d like the link to an audio of her funeral.

April showers have continued into May. Which for us means more mowing! The rain didn’t stop the visitors though, we have had several special visits this month. Beginning with a few visits from our workers. Talus and Lyle stopped by for lunch, and on a separate occasion several sisters stopped by. Mary Simon, Jennifer Bartels and Jennifer Lester. Mary had just returned from Central America and shared some stories of her time there.

• 

• 

• 

We also enjoyed a revisit from Gwen Farmer. She was accompanied by several other sisters who were traveling together. Here they are together. It was nice of them to offer for our residents to take a sister workers photo with them.

• 

• 

• 

Elton had a visit from some old friends, Aaron and Lori Stallings. Here they are with Karen and Elton.

• 

Our old friends from the East Coast Jim and Linda Bolt came for the funeral of their aunt Della. Jim grew up with Ken in Maryland and knows the family well. Several other visitors are shown below.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Karen thought it would be nice to take Elton to see Fern and Gilbert. Here they are together with Gilbert, and again in Ferns’ room for a visit.

• 

• 

Joyce had a family of old friends from Nebraska come visit, she really enjoyed the special time. Here they are in front of the piano.

The Schroeder’s grand-daughter Candace Sandon and her three kids came for a few day visit. They enjoyed making puzzles with Elsie and even worked with her to cook dinner for the residents. Here they are being read to by Marilynn, and putting together puzzles. The boys loved being outside, swimming in the pool, fishing and pedaling the pedal boat on the lake. They picked a fresh pond Lilly from the lily pads for the table.

• 

• 

• 

May saw several big birthdays the first of which was Kathy, who turned 72! We celebrated all of the family’s May birthdays at once, and here are the happy birthday girls. They wanted an ocean themed cake, so Salena delivered.

• 

• 

• 

We have had a few moments for candid shots this month. Here is Ken getting advice from Elton on how to clean gutters, Ronald getting a hair cut, and Marie working with Karen to make omelets. Last we have our resident mothers celebrating mothers day together, and the newest “resident” of the week a tree frog.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We really appreciate your continued interest in us here at PG.

Kenny and Ken