CORRESPONDENTS: Living center: Kids make room calls years ago
By SUE GUTSCH
St. Luke Living Center reporter
Our bakers returned to the Capital Cookies booklet Friday morning, munching our way to Washington and made marshmallow cloud cookies (a Mrs. Fields recipe) from Bonnie Striegel of the Child Care Alliance of Olympia, Wash. Even though we carefully wrapped the "clouds" inside the yummy chocolate dough, baking removed most of the visual evidence.
About 1:30 Friday afternoon, with smiles on our faces, we watched two three-week-old kids, Lonestar and Energizer. Caitlyn, Alicia, and grandma, Earlene Maloney, with bottles in hand, and friend, Brittany Whisenhunt made their way down the hall. The little orphaned goats, graciously wearing "protective gear," are being raised by surrogates, the Maloney sisters. It was evident the void has been filed as the adorable babies followed quickly, bleating loudly at times, behind the girls and cuddled contentedly in their arms.
Our guests even made room calls, visiting Fred and Lou and then toured the rest of the St. Luke facility.
Shortly after that, our friend and volunteer Elsie Reiswig arrived and she, too, drew a big crowd — to play bingo.
Jeremiah Lange, pastor of Marion Presbyterian Church, was here to bring Sunday afternoon's services.
Those who don't play cards spent their time Monday afternoon in "school." Much reminiscing about younger days and one-room schools was rounded out with an actual lesson plan. Residents worked on reading, spelling, math, science (with rock identification), and health class, finishing up with exercises, recess, and snacks.
It has finally happened! During book club Tuesday morning Almanzo gave Laura a gold engagement ring with a garnet set and a pearl on each side and a first kiss. Ma Ingalls feels perhaps it's the horses Laura cares for more than the master. "I couldn't have one without the other," Laura replies.
We took an intermission to visit with and admire two long-haired Chihuahuas, Dutch and Reuben, vacation guests of Bob and Mary Raleigh.
Mid-day, Luke Siebert brought in a bouquet of American Cancer Society daffodil buds. By late afternoon, three of them already had opened.
We had no more than received the statewide tornado drill all-clear when JoAnn Fitzpatrick, her 13-year-old granddaughter, Chandra Reissig and Evelyn Bredemeier came for the monthly afternoon coffee time on behalf of St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary. Evelyn and Dick had made blarney stones to share with us and served them with snack crackers, meat and cheese squares, and seasonal napkins.
Dick Pracht brought in our meditations and song for the Wednesday prayer group. We certainly enjoy his visits. In the afternoon, we listened to and discussed the news of Marion County via the Marion County Record.
