The year is officially half over, and time seems to be speeding up! July was another very wet month. We lost a lot of trees in hurricane Beryl, and have had our hands full with the outdoor work. We have had several great visits, some visitors came a long way to be with us.
Our first visitors were our good friends Don and Becky Schroeder. They popped in to see Elsie for a day. Don informed her that he was taking her to Illinois to see her family. Here they are at the table, finishing yet another puzzle.
A brother worker, Chau, came to visit us from Vietnam. He knows Dominique and Mimi well from their time spent there. The Newman’s also fondly remember visiting him there on several occasions. He took the time to tell us a little of his testimony and how the work first got started in Vietnam. Here he is at lunch with the Overby’s and again with the Newman’s.
Eating makes for good fellowship 
Chau with the Newmans, Furrows and Kellehers
Chau also gave us a rare opportunity to capture almost everyone who lives and works here. This is a photo of us that Chau took at the table. The second photo is our July Union meeting group with Chau.
About to listen to Chau 
July Union meeting with Chau
Our good friends and Fern’s frequent visitors Lynden and Nadene Laird visited from North Carolina. This time they took a quick tour of the property to see where Ken and Kathy will be moving to. (Ken and Kathy are down sizing to the log cabin and their daughter Karla and Brendan Furrow and 4 children are moving to their house). Here Lairds are with Elton and Esther, and again with the workers in front of the piano.
Lynden, Elton, Esther, and Nadene 
Clarence, Nadene, Lynden, Carl, Ken and Kathy
A family from Tennessee came to see Esther: Arnold and Jane Land and their three daughters: Christy White, Melissa Howe and Mary Aaron. They came for lunch and the Wednesday afternoon study. Here they are with Esther in front of the fireplace.
A Chinese man, Joe Zhou from our meeting visited with his wife LiPing and mother-in-law who is visiting from China. Here they are with Wayne and Dawn Overby and Kathy. The mother-in-law is 89 and thinks she’s old. She couldn’t believe Elton is approaching 107! He played the piano for them.
Marie celebrated her 91st birthday this month. She requested a simple white cake with strawberries. Here is Marie excited to taste the cake and Salena serving it.
Russ and Judy Rosehill thought of the residents while on vacation in Hawaii. They sent a nice care package with cookies and coffee, as well as lei’s and postcards. Here is one of the lei’s adorning our mixer, and Mister Prickles.
Each year we invite everyone on the property to come celebrate July 4th with us. We like to put on a fireworks show with some finger food and s’mores. Here are some of the kids with their roman candles, fireworks, and those watching from the back porch. Happy Independence Day!
Jordan 
Elliott 
Andray Howell has been working part-time here at Pecan Grove, mostly on the farm though sometimes in the residence. Here he is (in town) with his aunt, Emily Berry, and her daughter Elliott.
Because of all the rain we have not been mowing as often as we would like. This worked out in our favor because a neighbor asked if they could hay the orchard instead. These are the result of all their hard work, 127 round bails. We’ve decided not to mow as much and let them continue to harvest hay.
Starting to look like a real farm 
Hay!
Resident Journals
Alice Oetken
Alice had a pretty severe fall this month. She was reaching for her phone and trying to use a folding chair to steady herself when she fell and broke her hip. They operated on her right hip and inserted a metal rod. Now she is receiving physical therapy at Park Manor (the same nursing home Gilbert Reese and Fern Duncan are in) and slowly making progress, though it currently seems doubtful that she’ll improve enough to be able to return to Pecan Grove. She enjoys her visits and misses her cat, so Abigail brought her a photo of Kitty Kitty. Here she is with her visitors in the hospital, and again at Park Manor.
Gwen, Alice, Esther, and Marie 
Furrows, Kellehers and Marie with Alice 
Nadene, Alice, and Lynden 
Happy for a Milkshake
Anita with Alice
Elsie Schroeder
Elsie really enjoyed her time in Illinois this month, and we are so pleased that Don came to take her. Her daughter Carol came for a week long visit afterwards with her daughter Amelia. Elsie always loves seeing her family and for them to come for an entire week really cheered her up. Here she is in Illinois with her family: Jim Stipp, Roberta Stipp, Judy Garner, and David Stipp. Also, at the puzzle table with Nadene and again with her visitors.
Judy Garner, Elsie, Roberta Stipp
Puzzle crew with Nadene 
Reading together is a family hobby
Amelia, Elsie and Carol
Ronald Elliott
Ronald has gotten new glasses this month, which we think should improve his sight and balance. He is not one to say much about his condition but he has commented that he likes them. Here he is trying them out on the newspaper.
Todays news in close up HD
Marie Mounce
Marie does well in the kitchen, and recently made some delicious gumbo for the residents. Her eye sight is weakening so we have moved a book magnifier into her room. It takes her a while to read a full chapter but she is very patient with it and continues to persist. Here she is with the Lairds.
Lynden, Marie, and Nadene
Gwen Farmer
Gwen is doing well. She still works hard at the puzzles with Elsie and Joyce. She has some trouble with her eye sight but doesn’t give up on the tiny puzzle pieces. Here she is with Nadene Laird.
Nadene and Gwen
Elton Cleveland
Elton has had a rough month. He fell several times and during his worst fall actually tore his Achilles tendon. The doctor ordered him a therapeutic boot to wear on his right foot. Amazingly, he healed quickly and was able to walk the entire time. Here he is soaking his sore feet in his kitchen, and with the manager of his favorite restaurant Golden Coral.
Esther Duncan
Esther still has pep in her step. She continues to help in the kitchen everyday and keeps her watchful eye on Joyce. She makes sure Joyce uses her walker when going outside and always accompanies her when she does. Here she is checking on the progress of the newest puzzle.
Joyce Naber
Joyce does well when she is with Esther or Gwen. They look after her on walks and around the dinner table. She also likes to sit with Elsie outside to warm up. Here she is with her daily apple, and a mushroom she found while walking Kitty Kitty.
An apple a day….tastes great! 
Look what I found! 
New walking companion
Fern Duncan and Gilbert Reese
Fern is having trouble staying awake during our visits. She appreciated seeing Lynden and Nadene and was able to respond to a few questions. Gilbert is doing well, he continues to enjoy his spot by the window. Some of the visitors took him over to see Alice when she arrived there. Here they are with Alice, again Fern with the Lairds, and finally Gilbert with Shawn.
Gilbert and Shawn
Thank you for your interest and care for us here.
Kenny & Ken