Meet Lu!, 1-31-24

Our friend Doris told me about her friend of over 40 years, Lu Albaugh. Lu always had a garden and before she went to the nursing home she and her youngest son lived together but she began falling and so the decision was made to move to the nursing home. At one time she had concord grape vines and we made lots of jelly.

She and I met through work. She was raised on a farm in Iowa somewhere around Waverly.  She had 3 sons and lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren!  She loves all animals but especially baby goats!

Lu is 88 years old and divorced – living in the nursing home in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

Lu Albaugh

5800 NE 12th Ave. Room 207

Pleasant Hill, IA. 50327

When Doris visits her again I’ll have her take a picture and find out how she’s doing. I do not know more details but I need to find out how long she’s been in the home, did she have hobbies, favorite tv shows, did she quilt, did she like to bake, what could we talk to her about that would bring a smile to her face.

Doris – if you’re reading this, please tell us more about Lu.

Here’s a note from Esther:

Thank you, Mary, for thinking of me to receive so many beautiful cards from your readers. I thank your readers for being so kind as to send a card. I’ve received about 75; it was surprising to see where they all came from. I enjoyed hearing all the messages and learning about your lives. Thank you everyone! May God Bless You All, Esther Helps

Esther Helps

604 Fairway Circle

Garner, IA 50438

Reader photos

Telly

Telly is failing yet has a spring in her step every morning. She has a grooming appointment in February – it’s so hard to get in!

Three enjoying the sunshine
Sweet Millie

I kept this up for Sam because she admired it at Christmas time and when she asked about it I told her it was on the cover of a book many years ago. She hasn’t been here for weeks so tomorrow it comes down!!!

Thanks for being so willing to send cards to the women I’ve chosen. Some day it might be one of us that would love to receive a card to brighten our spirits. I appreciate all of you who joined in.

I leave you with this thought…..

46 thoughts on “Meet Lu!, 1-31-24”

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Sheryl – I can’t believe you said that! I thought the same thing X won’t her roommate feel bad when she doesn’t get anything? Think they could share?

      1. Sheryl Harrison

        I bought extra “thinking of you” cards for this reason. And I have more Valentines. Let’s send to Lu’s roommate too!

          1. Sheryl K Harrison

            We could do that. I doubt the care center can give us her name. I might wait a few days to see if Lu’s friend, Doris, might know.

          3. Doris G

            Lu’s roommate’s name is Karen! The only thing I know is that she has a daughter and son in law who only live about 60 miles from me!! She would love getting cards!!! Thank you everyone for sending cards!!

  2. Joy in NW Iowa

    My ears can be really itchy too !! Wonder what my problem is?? Heehee.
    A beautiful day here today. Tomorrow will be cooler with wind!

  3. Diane, Squeak, & Buddy in Central Ohio

    Love the comic! Did you call them Funnies in the old days? We did. I still read the newspaper back to front because the Funnies were in the back! I’m 73!! I will send Lu a card. I love that you have given us these names😀. The reader quilts are always fun. Squeak has become more like Sweet Millie since I made hubby quit giving her toooo many treats! She still “ styles” my hair from the back of my chair😹😹. Thanks for this great blog about LOTS, Mary😀❤️

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Diane – a Millie concern: I have taken her to the vet twice because she digs at her ears – I have had her tested for ear mites and both times were negative. Any ideas? Anybody??

      1. Diane and the gang in Central Ohio

        Oh gosh, Mary. I wonder if she is having trouble hearing and is trying to fix that? That sounds dumb, but cats are very particular as you know. Sorry to hear. Hubby’s contribution—“ She has scratchy ears”. 9 more weeks before he can drive🙀🙀🙀😹

          1. Diane, Sqyeak, and Buddy

            I know. He is used to going and I am used to having him get groceries, but we are doing fine. He just tested positive again for Covid. We thought he might be over it by now. Poor guy.

          2. Mary Etherington Post author

            Diane – what? How can he still have Covid?? Do you know anything about “long Covid”?

    2. Diane and the gang in Central Ohio

      PS. I love meatloaf. It could be on a nspkin except it might be a little messy! Working on getting ready for Guild retreat. I just made two Valentine Mug rugs and I forgot to take a picture. I already gave them away. The sun is out today! The whole month of January was cloudy it partly cloudy according to the weatherman! Rough month😝

  4. Sunflower from Michigan 🌻

    Hi, I was wondering if Erin D could tell me about the quilt she made that was on yesterday’s post. I have the same panel and wondered if Erin had a pattern or if she made the quilt pattern up on her own. It’s beautiful!
    Loved the photos from today’s post. Take care, ever.

  5. Launa Peters

    Will get a Valentine off soon to Lu! Esther’s Valentine is in with others to mail to Grand’s n Greats….
    Enjoyed all the pictures and that cartoon…meatloaf is a favorite here with a special tomato sauce baked on it!
    We are hoping for more snow soon.
    Pepper n Jax are @ the groomers today.
    Hope the Groundhog survives tomorrow!
    Launa

          4. Mary Etherington Post author

            Sherry – also on Alibris for $2.13 – you have to look for it by name and publisher – Martingale.

  7. Charlotte in northern California

    I love the idea of sending cards. Thank you, Mary, for this great idea. I keep adding to my list. I was wondering if we could get the ladies birthdates so we could send birthday cards too. Doris did say that Lu’s birthday is in October.
    Love seeing the quilts that everyone has made. So much talent from this group!!
    I love meatloaf too!! I’d eat it on any dish.

  9. Alice in SW Ohio/PCB

    I’m writing this from Panama City Beach where it’s 56* & sunny! My friend & neighbor wanted to come here and enjoy a couple wks & I agreed to come & help drive & also be the navigator. It was a lovely trip & sitting here in the sun is a blessing!! Going out soon for a walk on the beach & collect some shells. No sewing here, but did bring my knitting & downloaded a couple books to read on my tablet. It’s great seeing people our age walking the beach for exercise. My friend used to live here years ago & wanted to come back one last time as he’s 90+! Will send a picture taken last night a dinner soon.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Alice – sounds like a sweet trip! No shells to collect but it’s 53 degrees here right now, 2:30 pm

  10. Connie in NV

    Lovely bunch of quilts and precious animals featured in your post. I enjoy reading the comments each time, quilters are nice people.

  11. Fran

    I love meatloaf! and I will eat it wherever on whatever I want! Ha Ha

    Plan to send cards. Thank you for doing this. My first thought was I hope to be so lucky if I am planted in a nursing home.

    Sew group today. I am binding. Then this weekend I am again in retreat prep.

  12. Sheryl Harrison

    I’m glad to meet Lu and it warms my heart to read Esther’s note. God bless you and your readers, Mary. This is truly a ministry. Our small contribution makes a big difference!

  13. Viv

    I loved the quilt with the plaids! I made my kids and grandkids all Levi quilts and backed them with flannel plaids. I think I will use that idea to use up all the plaid leftovers.

    Love the joke!!

    Viv in Idaho

  14. Kathy in western NY

    I just got some pretty red stamps at the PO with doves on them. I love sending cards and notes out to people so what a nice connection you’ve given us Mary.
    Love once again all the pictures today and the quilts I did save pictures of to my iPad to remember to use scraps for.
    Telly is loving the sunshine as ours did too but oh the muddy paws and underbelly’s we came in with. I’ll take that any day over walking in the snow for any length of time that makes their paws sensitive and I carry them in. It’s cloudy today but still mild temps. Snowman decorations are coming down and a valentines decorations I have are going up. I use to use gel cling hearts all over my glass front door for the kids to enjoy so I might stop at the dollar store and get fresh ones as I loved the scattering of them on it as I would drive in and see them. I don’t have a wreath or wallhanging to put on my front door- yet.

  15. Doris G

    Lu was always a great cook and she loved the outdoors and digging in the dirt! She likes watching Survivor and nature shows. Her birthday is October and she has been in the nursing home for about a year. She loves to bake and her oldest son was a souz chef(sp). Her middle son passed away 10 years ago from a heart attack and her youngest son works for a delivery company. Her tomatoes from her garden were always big and so delicious! She has always been a seamstress but not much of a quilter.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Doris – oh, thank you so much!! When you visit her again have a picture taken of the two of you together. I wonder how she passes her time in the nursing home – does she join in the activities?

      1. Doris G

        Lu sometimes joins in the activities if they interest her! She has a roommate who has been there for over 2 years and they watch the television shows that are fun like game shows. Her birthday is October 19th. She has a great sense of humor. I will get some pictures in the spring when I go up there again! My old bones hurt in the really cold weather!! Thank you all for sending her cards. She is so excited and looking forward to getting them!

  16. Lynette in Orlando

    A card with a short note is such a simple gesture, but so warms the heart of the recipient! Thank you Mary for giving us this opportunity to add a wee bit of sunshine to these ladies days. It seems like it is easy to be forgotten in this fast paced world. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

  17. Martha W in WY

    I agree with Sandy regarding the quilt with plaids and stars. That quilt would be so easy to make for a donation quilt. I also thought Sunflower’s fall themed quits/wall hangings are stunning. I’m glad to meet Lu. Sweet Millie looks so majestic in your photo and Three looks so relaxed. Poor Telly is just plum tired.

  18. Sandy

    Hi Mary, great idea sending cards to seniors, interesting learning about their lives.Saw ,,One life,, today movie about a young English man who organized saving 669 children before ww2,so much history we need to remember. The quilt with the stars and plaids is a favorite! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy

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