What is truth?

Had a great visit on Monday with Neeley relatives in Seward.  My Aunt Donna had wanted to come to Nebraska to see Eleanor, and the opportunity to make the trip occurred when Nancy Neeley drove to Weeping Water, Nebraska to visit daughter Cora, son in law Adam and grandchildren . The weather was beautiful and a good time was had by all.
   Donna is 84, and is doing quite well, she reminded me of all the things Eleanor could do when she arrived in Seward. She have lost a lot of abilities over the past six years. Eleanor was recounting one of her stories about when she first moved to Pennsylvania and met her in-laws.
One morning Eleanor awoke and found a five to six year old  Elwood standing next to her bed. "Daddy shot Harper" Elwood announced.
 Fred was not close to his family, so they didn't make an effort to trace down the events surrounding Elwood's announcement. It did seem possible the Fred's dad might have indeed shot at his son in law Harper.
When Eleanor recounted her experience, Donna added a new fact to the story. Harper it seems was the name of the family dog, and her dad had indeed shot Harper. 
   I have heard that story many times and had concluded along with Eleanor that my Grandfather Neeley was an ill tempered and violent person. I have heard other things that seem to fit with that conclusion, however the Harper story can no longer be cited as proof. I wonder how many impressions we have about people and events that are based on incomplete or incorrect memories?

Getting Ready

   Eleanor's Neeley relatives are coming Monday for a visit. All told the number stands at 10, so we have been busy with planning for a luncheon. They should all arrive about noon, and we will head for my house for lunch and visiting. I will take the great- nieces and nephews out side or to the basement, so everyone can visit. Eleanor's hearing aids work best with one or two people talking, so a big crowd will only confuse her.
   She had a good visit at Dr. Donovan's office and her next appointment is in January, so the shots have been having the desired effect on her back and hip. Next week will be a busy one as she has visitors on Monday, a perm on Tuesday, and plans to go to the movie matinee of "The Help" on Wednesday.

Colds and codeine.

   Eleanor has had a bad cold, possibly mild pneumonia. this past week. We went to the clinic on Thursday to see Dr. Suma ; he had an intern with him and after listening to Eleanor's lungs told her that he thought this might be as close to the sound of pneumonia as he could have her listen to. My sister Barb came down to visit this weekend, but unsure how much visiting took place, as Eleanor was using the codeine cough syrup that Dr. Suma had given her for her cough. Barb did manage to get Eleanor to get dressed after telling her she couldn't stay in the same pajamas for 36 hours( probably more like 48). I get nervous about codeine for Eleanor as Dr. Froehner  used to give her pills to help her sleep that had codeine in them. I believe it may have contributed to her falling. She called me today to wish me a happy Labor Day, so I'll take that as a sign that she is recovering.
   Eleanor is still in the wheel chair and has refused to use her walker. Evelyn's falling and breaking her hip has frightened Mom to the point that she won't use her walker. She had the Heartland staff put in in her shower.
   Happy Labor Day to all!