April arrived almost too soon. This year has been disappearing very fast. We’ve already had a day of 68 degrees and then down low enough that there was frost in the mornings. Easter dinner was served at the Dining Center April 6. We served 41 congregate and four Meals on Wheels dinners. Three free meal tickets were given as door prizes. The lucky winners were Anita, Katherine and Ken. Our offspring, and theirs, gathered the afternoon before Easter. As usual, when the Hoefts or Eatons eat, it is only great food. I didn’t even do it all, as the kids brought stuff. Grandma delighted the grandchildren with hidden Easter baskets. Their parents were happy also because I didn’t put much candy in them. Two points! Johnathan is very much into “I love this (whatever) so much.” Lately, it has been, “I love this place so much, I buy it.” He told me he’d buy it for $5. I told him he’d have to ask papa about that. Then he lowered the price to $1. I replied that was quite cheap and he still had to ask papa. He ran to papa and said, “I love this place so much. I buy it for $3.” Everybody had a good laugh. He stayed with us until Monday forenoon. Monday, he upped his price to $14. I decided we’d wait a few more years and let him continue to up his price. We’ve had a house “guest” for five and a half years. Bill’s cockatiel, Merle. Granted, there are times I’ve threatened to throw him into a soup kettle when he is too noisy. Jerry just puts him in jail, (the bathroom) with the door shut. Merle has always been partial to Bill. Yet he seems to connect with Johnathan in the same way. Merle (who should be renamed, for after being here a few years, he/she started laying eggs) will let Johnathan touch him while others get snapped at. While I was in the kitchen Easter morning, a certain little fellow opened the cage door and Merle flew out. Johnathan was so proud. The next thing I noticed was Merle walking around on the floor with the little man crawling behind him. Every once in awhile, Merle stopped and allowed Johnathan to touch him. Unbelievable. I finally got the bird back into the cage. When papa heard about it, he asked where Anne (the cat) was during that time. I had to admit I’d forgotten about her. Papa took the job of telling Johnathan what could have happened had Anne decided she wanted a bird for breakfast. A volunteer recognition party was held after dinner April 21. Maymie, Earl and Neil won the three complimentary meal tickets donated by Catholic Charities. If it wasn’t for the commitment of the dedicated volunteers, Kimball wouldn’t have a dining site. The whole concept of the program was built around volunteers doing most of the work and few paid employees. Naturally that is a big cost saver. I appreciate my volunteers very much. Maymie and Sally are willing to fill in for me when I must be gone. Thanks, you two! Art, Neil, Fred, Vi G., Earl, Betsy, Alice, Alvina B., Neil, Jerry, Darlene, Katherine, Janice, Vi Z. and Audrey donated a combined total of 39 hours last year. Seven volunteers from here attended a Volunteer Appreciation party at the Holiday Inn Sunday, April 25. They enjoyed a brunch and musical entertainment by some very talented students from Sauk Rapids/Rice High School. Maymie won one of the many door prizes. It’s been another month filled with a variety of ups and downs, emotions, etc. A neighbor’s little one was seriously injured in a car accident, a very dear friend’s home burned and was a total loss, and Jerry had more bad than good days. We learned that what is usually a “normal procedure with normal recovery” for most people can turn into a more difficult recovery for Jerry. He had an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). In order to have room for the scope, etc., he was inflated with air. After the procedure, that air is painful. For Jerry it was extremely painful. Because of his weakened muscles, it was harder to get rid of. He became nauseated and began vomitting. They gave him morphine which didn’t help the pain and it lowered his heart rate. We ended up putting him in the hospital until early afternoon the next day so they could continue to try to ease the pain. Jerry and I drew the conclusion that the combination of the EGD and the intense pain probably set him off on another of his rough spells. Therefore, the bright spot of the week was a short visit from the little man, and his parents, of course. Hugs and kisses from the grandchildren are truly a blessing. April gave us one really hot day. I don’t know about you all, but I can get along just fine without the 85 degree stuff. I personally would function better if it never got above 70 degrees. May 13 will be a Mexican Fiesta meal. If you have any souvenirs from Mexico, bring them in for a display. The KEYS (Kimball Elementary Youth Service) kids are planning to join us. I’m wondering what the Mexican Fiesta cake will be. Flavors on Friday will bring their ice cream on the 11th. That will be their last visit until fall. There are only four weeks of school left. The Dining Center will be closed on Monday, May 31, in honor of Memorial Day. ‘Tll next time, Rosalea Hoeft, Satellite Site Coordinator
