SUNSET YEARS

Eddie enjoyed taking care of the big yard at our big house, mowing and trimming the grass and trees. We had a garden the first years, but soon gave that up. (He enjoyed using the vacuum cleaner, too!)

For me, these past few years I have become more involved in volunteer work. I read “Old Time Stories” to the residents at Hilda’s Heritage Retirement Home several times a month. This started when my mother was a resident there. I’ve been doing it ever since.

The last few months Delores Otten and I sing for the residents’ entertainment instead of reading stories.

Helping at the Senior Citizen Nutrition program keeps me busy several times a month, setting tables and washing dishes.

Leading the church Women’s Bible Group is a once-a-month lesson to prepare for. Membership is dwindling sadly; we may have to disband, especially since all of us are getting older and less able to do what we would like.

During the long winter days I go into hibernation in my basement, surrounded by my quilt-making supplies. Embroidered quilt squares were made into six queen-sized hand-quilted quilts as well as several baby crib spreads hand-quilted. I can’t count the number of lap robes, child’s cover-ups, etc. that have come from my scraps and material that I buy at garage sales. People have given me scraps, too. The small cover-ups are all give-away items either to friends, relatives or to the Children’s Inn in Sioux Falls. This is a shelter for abused women and children.

Summertime means care of the yard, flowers and the usual housework.