Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to APRIL!!!! Spring is AWESOME. Enjoy some beautiful TULIPS from Biltmore!!

Monday, April 3, 2023

A MARCH 2023 UPDATE

 Dear Blog Friends,    I thought I'd better give you a March Update since I haven't written lately.  First of all,  I do want you to know that George and I are fine--for two old people!!!   We are slowing down but enjoying life!!!!!   Today I'll share a few pictures from  THREE  March events you may have missed (unless you follow me on Facebook)...

FIRST was our little trip to Cades Cove (in the Smokies) to celebrate George's 81st BIRTHDAY on March 9.

SECOND-- shows you some of our DAFFODIL collections in our yard.  The Daffodils must love our rainy weather since they have really put on a show this past month.

THIRD-- was our little spur of the moment trip to KENTUCKY   (March 25 and 26).   We seldom go anywhere much anymore --so this was a nice change for us,  and we NEEDED it.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!!


The Birthday Boy enjoying some ice cream at Cades Cove in the Smokies



I love this picture that George took on his Birthday --showing the silky water at the Sinks in the Smokies.



 Two very happy people enjoying George's Birthday at Cades Cove in the Smokies.



Daffodils in our Yard,  March 2023



These little Daffodils were given to us many years ago by George's sweet Daddy.



More pretty Daffodils in our yard;  We have so many different varieties.



This is from the PINNACLE at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Middleboro, KY..  You can see the little quaint town of Cumberland Gap below.  We love to visit the Pinnacle every time we get near that area, but this time --the high winds and cold temperatures made it more difficult to take pictures....  



From the balcony of our room at the lodge at Pine Mountain State Resort Park,   we enjoyed watching the sun disappear behind the mountain.   NOTE the colors in the sun's rays!!!!  I called it a Sun-Bow!!!!! ha



Another beautiful photo of the fantastic Kentucky mountains,  taken from the lodge at Pine Mountain State Resort Park



The next day,  on our way home,  we stopped at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.   The waterfall was dirty but beautiful after all of the rains we have had.




Finally,  an update on son BERT who has terminal cancer:  

March 1st-- Bert had his last visit with Palliative Care.

March 2nd-- Bert had his last visit with the Oncologist

March 10--Bert was evaluated by HOSPICE care.

March 13-- HOSPICE took over his care.  We (the family) are very pleased with Hospice so far.  They visit him often,  have taken over his medications and have them delivered to his home the next day after being ordered,  and have given the family much information about cremation,  giving his organs for research, etc. They have taken a lot of responsibility off of the family --AND they are keeping him out of pain.

Right now,  Bert is doing remarkably well.   Even with this terrible cancer --he has been healthy in all other ways (which really is helping).   He still cannot eat/drink much since the cancer is in his throat and has destroyed his taste buds... The Radiation treatments HELPED shrink the big tumor but in the process,  he has struggled swallowing and eating solid foods...  Hospice has provided some healthy 'clear' drinks for him which help him get the necessary calories....  Because of his lack of hunger and being able to taste,  he is losing weight plus the fact that he doesn't have much energy.   BUT--he'll tell you if you ask that he is doing FINE...  Bless his heart...

I took this photo last Wednesday  (March 29) when we took Bert to the Soup Kitchen for lunch.  He was able to eat 1/2 cup of Curried Chicken soup  and drink some water.   He took the rest home to eat that night for his dinner.... 

I'm so proud of him and his wonderful attitude.   As I said before,  we don't know how long we will have this wonderful guy on this earth,  but every day we do have him is a BLESSING...

HAPPY EASTER to ALL!

Love,

BETSY and GEORGE 





21 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Betsy,
Wonderful photos of George and you and Bert. Your outings look wonderful, hubby and I have been to Cumberland Falls State Park, it is a beautiful park.
Your daffodils looks beautiful. Sending prayers for Bert. Take care, have a wonderful Easter week!

Lynda said...

Great updates and wonderful pictures as usual. I am so thankful you have been able to get out and travel. That is not always so in different stages of our lives. Very thankful for your relationship with your boys and the good visits everyone has had!

George said...

All in all I think we had a pretty good March, even if I did get older. Hopefully April will be even better. Your pictures are beautiful.

Big Dude said...

Great shots of your three events and glad you are still enjoying the outdoors. Its just so sad about your son.

David said...

Betsy, Good to see that you and George are getting out and about... We haven't been out exploring much lately either. It might have something to do with age and issues. Bert is a champ! Positive attitude and doing the best he can given the circumstances. Praying for the best... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Wonderful to read your post. I have been very ill since Nov 15 and in hospital from that day to Feb 13 due to a routine gall bladder op that went very wrong and I still have a fistula, an open wound. Buddy is glad to have me home as is hubby who just turned 83. He cooks with love and does some driving to keep our house filled with goodies. July more surgery will happen as I need to be well enough.
Bert sure is brave and you are kind to share. Happy Easter to you and George too.
Hugs and positive vibes sent you way.

William Kendall said...

Excellent landscapes. Your son does not look ill.

Sandee said...

You had a wonderful March, a great birthday and I love all the great shots. You two are most precious.

♪♫Happy Birthday to you,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday to you,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday Dear George,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday to you.♪♫

I know you're enjoying Bert as long as you can. He appreciated it very much.

Have a fabulous day and week. ♥

Ginny Hartzler said...

Bert is such an amazing man!! But then, he has an amazing Mom. You and George are looking really well! My favorite photo is your header.

Fun60 said...

So good to hear from you. You and George look remarkable for your age and it's wonderful to hear that you are getting out and about. I loved the photos of your yard and your travels. I see that you treasure every moment with Bert but I think you have always done that.

The Furry Gnome said...

We enjoyed a visit to Cades Cove ourselves when we were in the Smokies, but our daffodils are only 2" up. My thoughts are with Bert.

Betsy said...

Happy Birthday my friend. I'm glad you've had a great month and able to get away a little bit. That's a really good photo of Bert. I can attest to how great hospice is. We used it for Dennis's Dad and they were wonderful. Always there for us for anything we needed and never intrusive into family moments and decisions.
I've been praying for all of you and will continue to do so.
Blessings and love,
the "other" Betsy

Ann said...

Glad to hear you are doing well. Loved all the photos.
Thank you for the update on Bert. I'm glad to hear he's doing well considering.

Linda G. said...

Your daffodils are lovely. I can tell that George enjoyed his birthday ice cream cone. Your vacation pictures are great. I am keeping you, Bert and the rest of your family in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad that you all have had quality time with Bert these past few weeks.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm glad you had some nice get aways. We always loved Cades Cove and all the tame deer there. I am keeping your son in my prayers. Sweet hugs, Diane

Ruth Hiebert said...

I'm so glad you had the chance to get out and take time for yourselves. This is so important . It is also good to see Bert doing as well as he is. Each day is a blessing.

diane b said...

Sop glad you still get out and about. We have slowed down too and don't travel far anymore. The photos are lovely and the daffodils amazing. So sad about Bert but good to hear that he has great care.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Betsy
Many thanks for the post and update.
It was lovely to see you and George getting out and about.
That is a nice photograph of Bert, I think keeping positive helps.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Betsy
I do hope my earlier comment came through okay.
Thinking of you and your family.

All the best Jan

Amelia said...

Hi Betsy, drop by to say hello to you and George. Happy Belated birthday to George and wishing you all the best.

God blessed you and all at home. Regards, Amelia

Great-Granny Grandma said...

Beautiful pictures.