Memories That Still Make Us Smile: And Preserved in Our Mason Jar

By Jane Does and John

This 55+ facility was begun in 2001 in the state of Kansas. The residents say it is like living on a cruise ship in dry dock. With a total of 149 potential homes and an even greater number of occupants, one can quickly grasp the possibilities. If you are bored, you better step out your door and get with it. If there is nothing of interest to you, start another activity. But you better plan well, as your neighbors might be too busy to join in.

We all have shared the Great Depression and World War II, which greatly impacted our lives. No matter where we came from or what we became, we discover many common bonds. In this book, you willpeek into the lives of these citizens, aged 75 to 104, as they prove that everyone is someone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449778156

Jane Does

The current events committee was killing time while waiting for the call to order. Someone mentioned their now funny but serious experience with the EPA. This triggered memories of other members’ experiences. Our chairperson remarked that we have enough stories to write a book. I said, “Let’s do.” I had word processing experience in the past and felt I could call up some of those skills. We are a senior living facility of approximately 200 residents who age from 75 to 104 years. We decided to ask our residents to write a short story about a memory that still makes you smile.

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Copyright © 2012 John & Jane Does of CLV

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-7815-6 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7814-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7816-3 (hc)

Library of Congress Contol Number: 2012922666

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/04/2012

CONTENTS

PREFACE

FOREWORD

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER IX

CHAPTER X

CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII

PREFACE

John and Dee Thomas are among the very early residents at Cedar Lake Village in Olathe, Kansas. This 55+ facility (current age range is 75 to 104) was begun in 2001 with the motto, In Christ’s Love, Everyone is Someone. Mr. Thomas believes Living at Cedar Lake Village is like living on a cruise ship in dry dock.

Mrs. Thomas says in one way or another, every day at Cedar Lake Village is unique. With a total of 149 potential homes and an even greater number of occupants, one can quickly grasp the possibilities.

One of her favorite stories involves a couple who were awakened in the night by a strange noise in their den. The husband climbed out of bed to investigate and discovered their computer printer ejecting blank paper all over the floor. The wife asked, What did you do? He replied, I stood there and watched until the supply of paper ran out!

Another thing that amazes Dee Thomas is the links we discover with one another. We all have shared The Great Depression and World War II, which greatly impacted our lives in so many ways. Also, it seems no matter where we came from or what we became as mature adults, we discover so many common bonds. Consequently respect, friendship and understanding abounds…….A blessing for all.

FOREWORD

THE MASON JAR

Submitted by Audrey Wolfe, Word Processor

They wheeled me into Cedar Lake Village on Valentine’s Day, 2011. I had major surgery at Olathe Medical Center and my doc said, You can’t go home. As a hospital volunteer, I had made friends with many and John and Dee Thomas encouraged me to try CLV’s Respite Care. They are residents at CLV and have never been sorry they made that living choice.

My family had arranged for my recovery in furnished Apartment 34, Respite Care. They were allowed to bring in my electric lift chair, as there was no way I could pull myself up from anything. Rules allowed my meals delivered for the first 3 days. The 4th day they encouraged me to snail-pace (walker assist) my way to the Bradford Dining Room. They sat me down with Hazel, Wanda and Verna and the friendships began. Right away my small world syndrome reminded me that I had met Hazel’s husband in Scipio, KS long before they were married.

One night Laura told me I looked so miserable and wondered what she could do to help me. They said I should start sleeping in the bed instead of my chair, so let’s give that a try. She helped me into the bed, propped pillows behind me, put a pillow under my knees, an ice pack on my belly, and one on my leg that I had accidentally burned with spilled hot coffee. She then said, Now, here’s your remote. When you are ready for sleep, you can turn off the TV. Ten minutes later I somehow dropped the remote on the floor. I stared at it and just couldn’t bring myself to attempt to pick it up and go through all that again. I pressed my Alert Button. He came through the door with a smile and a question of how he could help me. I said, I did something really stupid. He grinned and said, Did you wet the bed? I replied, No, I dropped my remote. I was afraid he would collapse with laughter!

Twenty-seven days later, they told my family I could be moved to my Apartment #301 in the Lodge. This sounds easier than it really was. My family contracted with a couple to sort, sell and/or trash my life-long treasures. The rest they moved in with me into my 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment. Thank goodness for a Storage Room. They drove my car into a garage and I was all set. I have watched residents survive serious illness and recover. So did I. With all of the miracles I see, I call this place The Mason Jar….because we are all so well-preserved.

Submitted by Betty Lutz

I have been a resident of Cedar Lake Village since it opened in September, 2001. I have several memories that still make me smile. The one which really stands out was told to me by the lady involved. She was laughing as she told it to me.

Hazel and Cot lived in Cedar Lake Village and this incident happened in the year of 2003 at a party time. They were both alone after long marriages and they were dating here. They were both over 90 and very stylish. They were dressed up for the party and riding the elevator on their way. Hazel kissed Cot just as the elevator door opened to a group of spectators! Hazel said, Oh, Cot, I just ruined your reputation! Cot replied, That’s ok, they will forget about it.

PROLOGUE

Harry is just getting back from a lively game of Pool with his buddies down in the Billiard Room. He’s really hoping for a mid-morning snack since lunch doesn’t get served until about noon. He unlocks his apartment door to find Becca sprawled on the loveseat and munching chips. Her eyes are closed and there are plugs in her ears. Harry says, Becca, are you going to share those chips with Grandpa? No response. He tries again, and again no response. Harry reaches over and pulls the plug from one ear. A surprised Great Granddaughter looks up, smiles and says, Oh, Hi, Grandpa.

Harry asks, What are you doing? Listening to music, Becca replies. Where’s it coming from? Harry asks. Becca points to a skinny, black box that is attached to wires with little buttons on the ends. That’s a mighty small radio, Harry comments. It’s not a radio, Grandpa, it’s an iPad. Harry studies the box a minute and then asks, If it’s an eye pad, why isn’t it on your eyes? Oh, Grandpa, you’re so funny, Becca replies. Harry then says, Honey, can I listen to your music? Sure, just put the plugs in your ears, like this. He gives it a try but even though he can’t hear much with his hearing aids in his ears, she can tell from the look on his face this is not his favorite song. Harry asks, What song is this? Becca replies, It’s Mac and Devin Go To High School by Snoop Dogg. Harry looks puzzled and asks, It’s some boys took their dog to school? No, Grandpa, it’s kind of a rap song about high school, didn’t you ever have school songs? Sure, but they didn’t sound like that. That sounded more like noise than music. Now Becca is curious and asks, Well, what kind of songs did you sing? Harry thought a moment and replied, Honey, I’m not much of a singer. Your best to leave that to your grandma. Now Becca is getting excited about hearing Grandpa’s school songs but knows she’ll have to wait ‘cause Grandma is out for the morning. But Grandma has gone to practice her Chimes and won’t be back for awhile, can’t you sing one for me?

Harry thought this over. Becca is 10 years old, his great granddaughter, and will be spending the weekend with he and Hanna at Cedar Lake Village while her parents are out of town. Harry doesn’t want to disappoint Becca, so he says, Okay, let me see if I can tune up my old iPad voice (he begins his me-me-meing). Becca begins to giggle and wiggle. Then in his Irish Tenor voice he sings:

School Days, School Days, Good old Golden Rule days. Readin’ and ritin’ and ‘rithmetic. Taught to the tune of a Hickory Stick. You were my Queen in Calico. I was your bashful, barefoot beau. And I wrote on your slate, I Love You So. When we were a couple of kids.

Becca giggles and says, Grandpa, that’s mushy! How do you play a Hickory Stick and what is it? Harry sat down next to Becca, put his arm around her and said, Honey, I sang that to your Grandma back in 1945 when I came home from the Navy and she cried buckets! That song was written a little before your time…1907 with Music by Gus Edwards and Lyrics by Will D. Cobb. Don’t you think those guys did a good job for a couple of old duffers? Grandma did and she said Harry wasn’t too bad, either. And he gave Becca a big bear hug.

Harry and Becca are in the middle of a big laugh time when they hear Hanna at the door. Hanna asks, What are you two kids doing? Somebody must have told a funny joke. Becca replied, No, Grandma, Grandpa was singing a funny song to me. Hanna is truly surprised and remarks, Oh, phooey, your grandpa can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Oh, yes he can and he sings really good for an (she giggles) Old Duffer!.

Hanna sits in her rocker with her bad leg on her footstool and her eyes begin to close. Becca steps over by her and taps her on the arm and says, Grandma, what did you and Grandpa do in your school days? Hanna keeps her eyes closed in deep thought and finally says, Honey, we had such a good time. I wish you young people could have the sunny play days, running home in the rain and all the games we played. You wouldn’t be a-worryin’ about whether you have the latest thing-a-ma-jig or being overweight.

Becca pleads, But Grandma, what did you do? Hanna thought again and said, Well, we had lots of baby dolls, buggies, doll clothes my mom and grandma made, we had paper dolls, jump ropes, marbles, dodge balls, baseballs, footballs. We had summer picnics, church socials, swimming in the creek, ice skating on the frozen pond, roller skating on the church sidewalks. We had spelling bees, math contests, school plays and we sang in the church choir…AND went to church every Sunday. Hanna stopped to take a breath. Becca got wide-eyed, looked at her grandma in amazement and said, Wow, Grandma! I wish I knew you sooner."

Hanna explains to Becca that she picked up a book from the library for her to read. She suggests she begin the book while Grandpa and Grandma have a little snooze before lunch. Instead of reading, Becca begins to wonder just what these people did without TV, CDs, DVDs, iPods, iPads, laptops. She even wondered if they had cell phones, because they don’t have them now. How did they communicate with each other? I know, I’ll ask them when they wake up.

As soon as Hanna opened her eyes, Becca was ready with her question. How did you talk to each other without cell phones? You don’t even have them now – whatever did you do? Hanna thought back and finally remembered that she was 27 years old before she talked on a telephone. Becca asked, What did you do before then? Hanna said, "Honey, we didn’t even have a mailman. We actually had a circuit rider who came by with packages and letters to deliver. Every household had a big bell to ring in case of fire or injury. We caught rainwater in big barrels for washing clothes and our hair and putting out fires. We also kept spare brooms and gunny sacks to beat out fires before they got ahead of us. Of course, we didn’t have running water, in-door bathrooms, electricity, microwaves or dishwashers. Yes, we did have dishwashers – your grandpa sometimes was one. (Big laugh all around.) But there really wasn’t much chance of fire, since there wasn’t much of anything to cause a fire hazard.

Hanna looked at the Grandfather clock and saw it’s time to go to the dining room for lunch. She just had a thought. Becca, there are over 150 people in these buildings who have many funny stories to tell about their lives and the lives of their girlfriends and buddies. Why don’t you take your phone along and record conversations with our residents this weekend. I’m sure you can get enough funny stories to write a book.

Harry says, "Let’s get to the dining room, look at the menu and see What’s For Lunch!

CHAPTER I

AT MOTHER’S KNEE

FIVE LIFE RULES

Submitted by Charles Marvel

Perhaps many would say we were poor and, by modern standards, I suppose that would be true. Most everyone was in the same boat – hard working when work was available, little money for necessities, making the best with what you had and always the hope that things would soon take a turn for the better. Sharing and helping friends and neighbors became the norm instead of the unusual.

This area brought together people of all races, colors and creeds. I learned early that it was possible to exist happily and peacefully in such an environment. It was made clear to all of us by our mother that certain things applied to everyone – Beauty is brief and color is only skin deep. Everyone, when bleeding, will bleed RED. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Clothes don’t make the person. Patched trousers or overalls are no cause for embarrassment provided the garment is clean, the patches are neatly done and the person wearing the garment is clean of body and mind. Too bad that these simple 5 steps toward understanding have, in large part, disappeared from today’s society.

SUNDAY DINNER

Submitted by Grace Moody

Growing up with a large family – father, mother, 4 brothers, 2 sisters and me, meal times were often an adventure. I was the oldest of the girls and had only 1 older brother. We were a farming family. Everyone had chores to do. When it came to mealtime, we all sat down together to eat a home-cooked meal.

On Sunday there was always a chicken caught, dressed and fried for our dinner. As the family of 9 sat down to dinner at the large rectangular table, everyone sat at their seat, always the same seat. There was just one chicken for the whole family. As the chicken was passed, we