Now is the time.....Can you believe this was 60 years ago????

It's Been a Long Time.....

I figure it's been about 18 months since I last updated our blog. I have no excuse really; I've just not been motivated. I've many articles to post, some from quite some time ago. But if you're patient with me, and if I can continue to motivate myself, we may just get this blog brought up to date. Keep checking back to see how I'm doing.

Another Loss for Our Class

I'm so sorry to have to report the loss of yet another classmate: Marilyn Makumal Cihlar passed away November 11 in Hephzibah, Georgia, after a long battle with cancer. Needless to say, our thoughts and prayers go out to Marilyn's friends and family.

We've Lost Sue Long Larson

When Quaker Oats transferred her dad to Chicago, Sue moved into an apartment a short block from my house ---- and we became fast friends. How well I remember weekly exciting canasta games with Sue and her mom; I remember ice skating on St Joe's creek ---- and I remember the day Sue fell and broke her leg while ice skating. I remember her folks taking us to the big dog show in Chicago; suffice it to say, I remember a wonderful time spent growing up with Sue.

With the arrival of high school came our heading different directions. But my fondness for Sue never lessened. And how happy I was to learn she married Dick Larson, another childhood friend who grew up a couple of blocks from me.

2 years ago, I was stunned and saddened to learn Sue had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She fought valiantly to beat this, but in the end ....... Sue passed away peacefully August 14. As Dick said in a note to me, "Heaven has a new angel".

I'm sure all in the class join me in sending our deepest sympathy to Dick and family; certainly, we all share their grief.

I have Been Remiss....

It's been some 4 months since I last updated you on John's recovery. For this, I am so sorry. My biggest problem has been my computer which, among other things, was rather "fried" when lightning hit much too close to the house. While it's now up and sort of running most of the time, it's still having lapses to the point of refusing to do anything. However, for now, it's operating and I'm here to tell you John is doing superbly. He actually "walked" into his surgeon's office on crutches. He's still limited in his activities, and he's still undergoing intensive therapy, but he's making great progress. Gordon and Allene Rudolph Rondeau dropped by for a visit with John and Ann, but I'm unable to print any of the pictures they shared; another of my computer's current problems is its inability to upload pictures.

Continue to keep John and Ann in your thoughts and prayers. Until he runs a marathon, he needs all the love and caring we can muster up. And drop him a line or a card or an e-mail --- I know he'd be thrilled to hear from all of you.

John's Adventures 3 Weeks Later.....

When I last updated you on John's condition, he had just arrived back at St Mary's Hospital for a resumption of physical therapy. Since then, each day he gets better and better because of the intense therapy and his strong will.


John has been able to transfer himself from his bed to the chair for a few weeks now. He can stand for a very short moment, but his left leg isn't able to support him yet. His core is getting stronger by the day and there are hopes his lower body will soon follow.


The hospital is talking about releasing him to home on or about 4/21. The house will need modifications (it's multi-story) and John and Ann will need assistance, but Ann says "Whatever it takes". They both are looking forward to, once again, being at home together.


If you're on Facebook, John's family has been posting pictures. I can no longer post pictures to this blog, and I'm not sure why, tho I'm in touch with Google to see what we can do about this.


Anyhow, please continue with the e-mails and cards. And please keep up the good thoughts and prayers --- they are the magic bullet to recovery.

Update on John

My last report on John had him awaiting transfer back to the rehab hospital. Well, that's been accomplished and he's having some 3 hours + of therapy per day. The staph infection is "gone", tho he will remain on antibiotics for the foreseeable future. The doctors anticipate a stay of at least 5 more weeks in rehab at which time he'll be reevaluated and a decision about future therapy will be reached.


As of now, John has left-sided deficits, mostly in his leg, tho his body seems to be responding well to the intense therapy. His right side (leg, mostly) has some weakness but is also responding well to the PT.


I spoke with him yesterday; his spirits are high, and he's thrilled with the messages he has received from our classmates. So please continue to send e-mails and/or cards --- and please continue praying for him; as Ann says "we believe in the power of prayer, so keep them coming".


I'll try to keep you informed, but if you have any questions or comments, please let me know.