St. Luke Living Center
By SUE GUTSCH
St. Luke Living Center correspondent
Jan. 25-Feb. 1
The Morning Star Mennonite youth had rescheduled their evening visit this month and were here Thursday. We so appreciate the faithfulness of this large group of young singers who always draw a big audience.
Friday, the living center bakers agreed to "tweak" the oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe from last week, using raisins in place of chips. We also had the butter flavoring and extra chunky peanut butter this week and decided we liked this variation even better.
Bingo always is on the agenda for Friday afternoons. There are some things you just don't mess with. Bill Schimpf was here to play with his mom, Gertrude Pauline, and to be of help when needed. Louise Wood joined us for a few games while visiting with Helen Bailey and as usual, our tables were full.
We prettied-up Monday morning after the fourth grade vocalists and Mrs. Hancock entertained us with songs associated with the Wizard of Oz and also appropriately sang some traditional Kansas songs.
Ellen Darrow "tickled the ivories" after lunch, playing not only songs of Kansas, but hymns and other familiar songs. Pearl Thompson said you can always tell it's Ellen playing; she seems to have a wonderful style all her own.
We invited Ellen to stay and continue our Kansas Day celebration as we ate snacks made of indigenous products such as sunflower seeds, wheat-berry bread with honey, oatmeal cookies, popcorn, and apple juice. And fittingly, we sang "Happy Birthday" to our state on its 146th anniversary.
Some of us spent Tuesday morning strengthening our mental muscle by doing puzzles such as word search, crosswords, scrambles, dot-to-dot, etc. We have to acknowledge that Happy Slifer's puzzle-muscle was stronger than the rest of ours again.
In the afternoon, we gathered in our large, sunny, warm dining room to continue reading the Little House series. We're nearing the end of the Ingalls' stay on the banks of Plum Creek, which began with such promise. We shared Laura's happiness when she realized the fur cape and muff on the church tree Christmas Eve were hers. Even Nellie Oleson didn't have a muff.
Khrista led prayer group Wednesday morning in the absence of Dick Pracht. We hope he's feeling much better. We enjoyed his beautiful solo last week when he sang, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," and will look forward to hearing him next week.
Marion High School FCCLA decked the residents' hall doors with cute valentine-themed hangings and four red hearts that spell out LOVE hung on pink ribbons with two little teddy bears at the top.
Our beautician Bonnie also decorated her little shop with garlands decorated with hearts.
The wonderful white van was able to save some miles Thursday when we decided the weather wasn't suitable for boarding and unloading or sightseeing. There's bound to be better days soon.
