Sunset & Visiting
Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31
When I saw the pink glow in the eastern sky on Sunday evening, I knew there was a pretty sunset to our west.
On Sunday, Lydia mentioned that she has been here all summer, and had not played carpet ball with Great-grandma. We visited Cerwin’s mother several times, but hadn’t taken time to walk to the other side of the retirement community.
We called, and Mother had Monday evening open. During the conversation, it was decided that we would have supper with her in Landis Homes dining room. That was also a fun experience for Lydia.
We were a bit late, so had the dining room to ourselves.
Lydia had a great time playing carpet ball. I think she won all but one or two games – and we played more than a dozen.
By the expression on Lydia’s face, I expect she won this game.
Great-grandma and Lydia.
Lydia, Cerwin, and Uncle John (Mother’s brother).
When playing carpet ball, we are in the area of Uncle John and Aunt Bertha’s apartment. Mother asked if we wanted to stop for a visit. He is 93 and mother is almost 92.
Uncle John is a great storyteller.
He told us about some of his experiences during World War II – when he was in C.P.S. camp, and Bertha was at home with two little children. He said when reading some of their letters to each other during that time of their lives, they were reminded of the times Cerwin’s parents visited Bertha and brought her ham, potatoes, and eggs. He also mentioned how other people and the church helped them during that financially difficult time.
It was interesting to listen to him tell about his experiences as a forest firefighter – some frightening, others funny – while at C.P.S.
Lydia said that she could have listened to him all night.
Aunt Bertha is a sweet, gentle woman, and quietly listened to stories she probably heard many times. A few times she said, “No, John I don’t think it was quite like that.” John would rethink and usually say, “You are right, Bertha.”
Other times, as he was telling a happening, he would say, “No, no, it wasn’t like that.” Then you could see him visualizing the moment, and he would continue after making a needed correction, or affirming that his first thought was correct.
After getting back to Mother’s apartment, and looking over her finances and paperwork for August, I asked Lydia to pose with her. Lydia is going home to Maine on Tuesday, and I didn’t want to miss an opportunity for this picture.
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I posted early today, because we have a 7:00 wedding this evening – so I expect it will be a late night. It is an outside wedding, and the weather is as perfect as an early September day can be.
Look for pictures in the upcoming days. Rob and Jess asked me to be their candid photographer – and you know that I’d be taking lots of pictures even without being asked. 
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