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Statistics always show that the woman lives longer than man. It absolutely pays to be prepared.
My husband’s grandmother didn’t drive and when her husband died she could not even write a check.
We had public busses then, as few people had cars. She somehow managed to survive; women are really good at doing that.
I don’t know what I miss the most about losing my husband, but companionship ranks really high on the list. I also miss his ability to handle bill payments; it isn’t because I can’t, I just don’t like to do it.
But count our blessings, my health is excellent.
Somehow, someway, the survivor must find things to fill the emptiness. I am lucky.
I have a daughter and grandson living with me and another daughter who lives nearby.
Grandson has a lot of activities that I am happy to attend.
And there are lots of things in Leavenworth, Lansing, and Tonganoxie to do.
I like going to lunches, bowling, and annual meetings. I attended a spaghetti dinner at the Lansing Historic Society, recently and saw a lot of people I know.
At that dinner were some folks from the Tonganoxie Historical Society and they had information about an upcoming Saturday event.
It featured live music, a school class, Mountain Man encampment, blacksmithing, and much more.
There was a barbeque lunch, and again, I knew a lot of the people there.
The Heritage Center has a lot of activities and many of them are free. I am learning to knit, crochet, and enjoy listening to John Reichley’s talks.
The recent dinner and country music evening was fun – really fun, and I’m not a huge fan of country music.
Another activity is going with the Rainbow Express, Jeanette Allison, on her bus trips.
She always has a full busload for the New Dinner Theater, which is a lot of fun with good food and excellent plays, without the hassle of driving. Jeanette also has other trips to various places.
Life is full of activities, if one will just get off their duff and take part. Among other things, go to church and take part in the activities offered there.
The Tonganoxie Historical Society has a lot of evening activities, if you can drive.
May 24, the program will be about Dwight D. Eisenhower, a presentation by Daniel D. Holt, author and former director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene.
Holt examines the odyssey of a soldier, from a young man growing up in Kansas to International statesman.
Did you know Ike learned to play golf while a CGSC student at Fort Leavenworth?
When Ike’s son was here as a CGSC student, Dwight and Mamie were in the White House. They sent their grandchildren snow sleds to enjoy at Fort Leavenworth.
Statistics always show that the woman lives longer than man. It absolutely pays to be prepared.
My husband’s grandmother didn’t drive and when her husband died she could not even write a check.
We had public busses then, as few people had cars. She somehow managed to survive; women are really good at doing that.
I don’t know what I miss the most about losing my husband, but companionship ranks really high on the list. I also miss his ability to handle bill payments; it isn’t because I can’t, I just don’t like to do it.
But count our blessings, my health is excellent.
Somehow, someway, the survivor must find things to fill the emptiness. I am lucky.
I have a daughter and grandson living with me and another daughter who lives nearby.
Grandson has a lot of activities that I am happy to attend.
And there are lots of things in Leavenworth, Lansing, and Tonganoxie to do.
I like going to lunches, bowling, and annual meetings. I attended a spaghetti dinner at the Lansing Historic Society, recently and saw a lot of people I know.
At that dinner were some folks from the Tonganoxie Historical Society and they had information about an upcoming Saturday event.
It featured live music, a school class, Mountain Man encampment, blacksmithing, and much more.
There was a barbeque lunch, and again, I knew a lot of the people there.
The Heritage Center has a lot of activities and many of them are free. I am learning to knit, crochet, and enjoy listening to John Reichley’s talks.
The recent dinner and country music evening was fun – really fun, and I’m not a huge fan of country music.
Another activity is going with the Rainbow Express, Jeanette Allison, on her bus trips.
She always has a full busload for the New Dinner Theater, which is a lot of fun with good food and excellent plays, without the hassle of driving. Jeanette also has other trips to various places.
Life is full of activities, if one will just get off their duff and take part. Among other things, go to church and take part in the activities offered there.
The Tonganoxie Historical Society has a lot of evening activities, if you can drive.
May 24, the program will be about Dwight D. Eisenhower, a presentation by Daniel D. Holt, author and former director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene.
Holt examines the odyssey of a soldier, from a young man growing up in Kansas to International statesman.
Did you know Ike learned to play golf while a CGSC student at Fort Leavenworth?
When Ike’s son was here as a CGSC student, Dwight and Mamie were in the White House. They sent their grandchildren snow sleds to enjoy at Fort Leavenworth.
My mother-in-law did alterations for the major and his family.
My neighborhood is wonderful. We look out for each other. My neighbors clear my snow and we frequently have neighborhood block parties.
We help out when someone in our block needs help. We go to each other’s weddings, and funerals. We help each other whenever possible.
My neighbors have driven me many times to events that we are each attending.
I enjoy watching the neighborhood children at play.
One neighbor said “No need to have a security device, we have Annie.” I don’t think that was a compliment!
Recently, after a rainstorm, there were a lot of tree limbs down in a yard in our neighborhood.
Soon there were three boys helping clear the branches out of the yard, and I don’t think the elderly neighbor even knew that his yard was clear. We also dug dandelions at the same time.
My point is - if you feel sorry for yourself, no one really cares.
Try volunteering, that is one way to do something for others, while doing something for yourself.
The more you do for others the better you will feel. There are a lot of activities, please take part.
Annie Johnston is a Leavenworth resident and wife of the late J.H. Johnston III, former Times publisher.
