My Life 2
The anxiety I was feeling since having Covid eventually faded a bit more, although it was still there. I got out more during the summer of 2021.
The Senior Companion was able to hold their In Service meetings at the Pavilion at Ludington Park. And we had some nice days for them.
I even made it to the U.P. State Fair in August. There weren't many wearing the Face Masks, but I was among the few that did.
On October 9, 2021 I had my first Covid Vaccine at Meijer. On Nov 9, 2021 I had my second vaccine at Meijer. They did a very good job, and I hardly felt it at all. The after effects of the vaccines were basically some aches and pains, tiredness, and a sore arm. But as I told everyone, it sure beat the alternative.
On December 3, 2021 in the evening, Escanaba's Christmas Parade took place down Ludington Street. I stood outside the Harbor Tower taking pictures.
On Thursday December 16th 2021 I was to be out of apartment while maintenance took care of some things. The other person involved called in sick, so the plans I made to be out of the apartment still went on.
In the afternoon I took a taxi to Nancy's. She was now living in the Bishop Noa Home Apartments. We had a really nice visit.
For Christmas I gave her three pictures that I had colorized with some programs I had on my TracFone. I remember her telling me really liked them. I had them framed as well. She was so happy, because she told me she had been thinking of getting some pictures to put up there.
From there, I walked over to West Highland to visit Cousin Karen.
For Christmas I gave Karen a colorized and framed picture of her Mom and a friend of her Mom's. She was very happy at having it, and put it on her buffet.
I also gave her a little Bluetooth speaker. Along with a Mini SD card filled with lots of music. She later told me after she had the speaker charged, that she loved it and would play music wherever she went in the apartment.
For Christmas, Karen gave me a chook that she made.
She also gave me two frying pans. She knew the one I had had the wrong size cover for it. She gave me a deep frying pan, and an egg pan. Which I got use out of right away.
Christmas for me was a quiet day. Although I worked on and off throughout the day, as everyone else had other things they were doing. My brother John brought me a Ham dinner plate, which was really nice. I had Salmon on Christmas Eve.
And I had a surprise visit from my friend Basil. Which was really nice as well. We had a nice visit and caught up on things.
As the year 2021 comes to an end, I feel a fear looming over me. Omicron, one of the nasty variants of Covid, is now hitting many places. This means the cloths masks won't be good against it. Three vaccines would help, but not two or none at all. I am hoping that they change the Booster from 6 months, to 3 or 4 months. The masks we need to use now, are the N95 approved by NIOSH.
What goes through my mind is, it's not easy keeping up on things. These masks are not cheap. I wonder how many of the people are going to survive this new Covid that is going around. Do they know? Do they care? I hope it will be a great New Year, and a safe one.
January 2022 started out slow and it seemed like a long winter.
Our In Services for the Senior Companion Program continued.
It was nice to get out and see all my Senior Companion friends.
On Feb 27, I took a walk around the park.
They started tearing down what was once known to
Everyone, including me, enjoyed the Spring season
The Library's Ice Cream Social and Book Sale
The 2nd Night of Rock The Dock was much nicer.
On September 5, 2022 we had a Labor Day
Aronson Island
Ludington Park
Senior Companion In Service on Nov 17, 2022
On Dec 29, 2022 I received my final
This is the love story of Vicki and I. To understand, let me just tell you a bit about how it all began before it began. After my Dad passed in 1990, I started exploring the Spirit World (Heaven). Books by George Anderson, James Van Praagh, John Edward, Rosemary Altea, Sylvia Browne & others. I wanted to know more about the other side. These books and what I learned, came out in my poetry. I wanted to know what was happening over there, since my Dad was over there. Many may not believe in Mediums, yet many of us do. I believe in them. There is a lot that happens in our lives we can't take for granted. Let me move ahead. I started going into Spiritual Chat rooms online. I met some really wonderful people. Not all of us believed the same, but we did believe in a variety of spiritual things. I remember entering a chat room and someone saying how good the energy felt. I laughed at this, how can anyone feel energy. Then one day I met someone named Robin from Canada. She said she wanted to try something, and it wouldn't hurt. I agreed, thinking what could she do to me, nothing, right? She told me to tell her if I feel anything on my left shoulder. It felt like someone touched me there. She proceeded to touch my other shoulder and my arms and legs. I was amazed I could feel that. I hadn't seen Robin in the chat for awhile, then one day I saw her and asked her what she did to me. She told me she saw my gift, but it was like a small flame. She said she just made it stronger and bigger. This is when I started to feel other people's energies as well. It was a great feeling to feel others online, from so far away. I found many connecting with me, as we healed each other and understood spiritual ways. I shall skip over my experiences, and leave that for another story.
I was often going into a Spiritual Chat room I'll call MM. Some really wonderful friends I made there. I posted some of my poems there. One I posted there was called “Death And The Other Side.” Someone on the site named Lemongrass (Vicki) responded saying how much she liked it. This was October 2011. Lemongrass would respond to many of my poems posted there. I remember she even said she would love to frame some and put them on her wall.
It wasn't until August 2012 that I heard from her. She called me up and we talked. I thought to myself “what is she doing calling me, maybe needing some guidance.” She was married to someone who was Bi-Polar and very possessive. He would have fits many times. She lived in fear all the time. I wondered why a married woman would be calling me.
The U.P. Fair came and after that I would run into Lemongrass in different chat places. One she was running. I always bragged to people about feeling energies, because I found it amazing. On Oct 17, 2012 my computer needed repairing, and I was down in the Harbor Tower lobby using the computers they had down there. I was able to enter the Chat Place she was running. I saw she was the only one in the chat room, so I entered. We started talking and she wanted to know about energies some more. I explained about them and as I did, I felt something happening. Our spirits were becoming one. I could not think, I could not move, what was this going on. She was talking to me on chat, and I was feeling so much bliss. I finally did answer her.
After our chat ended I came up to my apartment. It seemed from that moment on I wasn't the same. Our connection seemed to have gone to another level. I felt so different, so unreal. I had to find out if she was feeling any different too. I tried getting a hold of her, but she was looking for her dog that got loose. The next I found out, she had gone out in the dark to look for her dog and was not scared, because she felt my presence and I helped her through it all. She said “Bud, You were with me. I don't know how, but I felt you with me.”
From that moment on, we had a very spiritual connection and could feel each other from many miles away. She lived in Texas. As we got to know each other better, we sometimes had our disagreements, but not that bad. She always would suggest something, and I didn't always want to do or try what she suggested. At first she would get upset, but as we got to know each other better, she understood it was just how I did things. In time we got to know each other very well, in many ways.
She loved music like I did, and introduced me to a group I like called “Architecture In Helsinki.” We shared music. She told me asparagus spears uncooked were good in salads. They were great! She sent me these snow shoes, for the winter.
We would plan to talk on the phone often, and that lead to me wanting to read to her. This later lead to Skype. Now she wasn't familiar much with reading Fantasy, but I wanted her to try one. I started out with a series I liked by Terry Goodkind “Wizards First Rule.” A love story between Richard and Kahlan, in the “Sword Of Truth” series. She loved it! We got through many in that series, and I tried other authors and series I enjoyed. Terry Brooks, Raymond Feist, David Eddings, J.R.R. Tolkein, Tad Williams, Sara C. Roethle, and many others. She started reading and discovering Fantasy series on her own after that. But whenever Terry Goodkind came out with a new book in the series, we would read it. In fact we were in the middle of Terry Goodkind's last book in the “Children Of D'Hara” series, when she passed. Terry Goodkind also passed, so no more books in the series. I still have to finish the book on my own. She also got to know Escanaba really well through my pictures.
She got quite busy babysitting her granddaughter, and I got busy with my job, so we weren't able to Skype as often. I also noticed at my bedtime, her presence grew much stronger in the last two months before she passed. I wasn't complaining, it felt good to feel her presence in bed so warm and romantic.
Her last e-mail to me was Dec 29, 2022 at 8:30 PM. She said she was tired and was going to bed, and her last words were “I Love You.” Because of my job, I didn't get to bed until 2:30 AM and she was there waiting for me. I felt her strongly until just before 3 AM.
I have a cousin who is spiritual and can pick up on spirits. She told me she had a visitor sometime around 3 AM and she was sure it was Vicki. She didn't understand why. But when I told her the next day she had passed, she understood. As we talked about it, I told her that Vicki did know that she had the gift to communicate with spirits. It all started to make sense to her. Vicki was probably letting her know she had passed, and to watch over and guide me.
I never felt a love this strong, and I shall miss her so very much. I know she would want me to go on being the fun loving, happy man that she came to love. And I will. But she will always be a part of me. I am so thankful that we got together for the time we had. Vicki, I Love You!
Christmas Came, and I was kept busy working more hours with Steve, my client.
Just as 2022 ended, 2023 started about the same. Keeping me busy working most of the shifts at Steve's(my client). It was wearing me down, and I kept hoping for someone else to help out, but nothing changed. It was a busy weekend and Steve wasn't feeling good. Not sure if he had Covid, or something else was going on. I wanted to call the Nurse, but he wouldn't let me. I had just left him at 12 Noon, and went and did my laundry. I returned there at supper time to fix him something to eat or drink. I called his name, several times without an answer. What startled me most was, he wasn't breathing. I panicked, and didn't know what to do. I messaged my Cousin Karen, and she said I need to call 911. I only had my TracFone and prefer using my home phone. So I went home really fast (we live in the same building as Steve), and called and on my way back in the elevator, there was a Police Officer coming to answer the call. Police cars and ambulance showed up, and asking questions. All I know is I was hoping I did all I could, because I was scared and worried that I didn't do enough. In my heart, I know I did the best I could. It was Sunday January 8, 2023 that Steve passed away.
I had a lot of thinking to do. Was now a good time to retire, and would it be enough to keep me going. After talking it over with others, and Cousin Karen, I decided to apply for Social Security. This care giving work had exhausted me. I was able to get on it, and make enough combined with my Senior Companion stipend pay, to get by every month.
What I needed after having two deaths in my life, that were close to my heart, was to have fun. I know Vicki would have wanted me to go on, and be that fun loving guy she came to love. So I started a routine of playing dice nightly, a game called Greed with some of my friends here at the Harbor Tower. The dice players in this picture are: Pat Rohdenburg, me, Beverly Thompson, Erin Grimm, and Chris Free. In the year to come many others would join us, such as regulars: Greg Thompson, Steve Viau, Kat Mineau, Mary Gaus. Others would also join us now and then.
The Senior Companion Program continued to have their monthly In Service. This was the January 2023 In Service.
As new thoughts entered my head, and people passing away, I was always writing poems. I'd write them down on paper, and then later type them onto the computer to print out.
As in every life, more deaths came. This next one was a very special friend, Michael Thompson. He liked to joke around with people. He was married to Beverly. His brothers were Warren & Greg, and his Mom was Martha. He had fallen and hit his head, and never came to. They had him on Life Support for awhile, and decided to take him off. One thing about Michael, when he owed you money, he never forgot it. A year after making a CD for him, he would be pulling out his wallet and handing me $10, saying it was for the last two CDs I made him. I am so happy he found love in his life with Beverly, and was sad to see him go.
I took this picture of him, and I wrote a poem for him, and on February 18, 2023 they had a Celebration of Michael's life as well as celebrating Martha's 90th Birthday. They held it here in the Activity Room at The Harbor Tower, and many relatives and friends came.
Two Days later, on Feb 20, 2023, they had a Funeral Service at St. Stephen's Church for Michael
I continued my visits with Nancy and we made it a regular thing for Mondays. We got to play games like Black Box, Cribbage, Mastermind, Switchboard, Battleships. I also took pictures of any birds that came to her feeder.
On April 13, 2023 Harbor Tower said goodbye to its Director, Dave LaCosse. its Maintenance Manager Mark Forvilly, with a Going away party in back.
Mark got married and went off to be the cook of Tumbleweeds. A vender that has
become popular at many local events.
On April 21, 2023 The Senior Companion Program had another In Service
Me as the Old Hippie in the kitchen
On May 14, 2023 The Ocean Navigator came to Escanaba as part of the schedule of the American Queen Voyages. It would take turns coming here with its sister the Ocean Voyager. One time, they were both here. It will be here one last time on October 2, 2023, and then we won't see them any more.
I took a bike ride through the old neighborhood
It use to be white. Rhonda had it painted Butterscotch.
The Martins lived upstairs in the picture below.
Warren & Ohlia: Linda, Steve, Mike, Warren “Peepers and
Sam
Grandpa Pryal lived here
On May 30, 2023, another special person passed away.
Leonora DiGennaro. She was battling Cancer. She was
also living here at the Harbor Tower and I would see her
and talk with her whenever I saw her. This is a picture of
her from when she was a Senior Companion
June 10, 2023 Soulshine played at the Bandshell
Mom made the best Chop Suey. I decided to try
We celebrated the 4th of July on the 1st of July this year. I found out later that a Kris Hovland had taken a picture of me taking a picture of the Escanaba City Band at the Bandshell.
Later yet, I found out Kris Hovland's daughter had sketched a drawing of that photo. of that photo.
On July 7th, 2023 the day before our 45th Class Reunion, our Classmates met up at Chenier's Reef.
Some pictures taken by Jan Ryan
The Following day July 8th, 2023 we met up at Mo's for our 45th Class Reunion.
On July 18, 2023 The Senior Companions took a trip to Munising Michigan, and had pizza, and then went on the Pictured Rocks Tour.
It was around July 2023 that I returned to work after the Covid Pandemic. I returned to Bishop Noa Home on Wednesdays, and on Tuesdays I had a In Home client out by Ford River.
On Thursdays, I was in a place in Gladstone called Transitions. Since Covid came along things have changed. Second of all, I just hated being further away from home. I decided to stay closer to home in Escanaba.
I then was placed in Bishop Noa Home for Thursdays as well.
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July 29 2023 was Sidewalk Day
Marina Fest was the same day
The Escanaba City Band
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I was thrilled to know we were going back to Mackinac Island, and staying overnight. We went on August 24 2023 and returned on the 25th.
It was time for Corn on The Cob. This time
Visited Nancy and Lori came by
The Homecoming Parade
Nancy and I playing Wordle
At my In Home near Ford River, I got a picture of
Long time friend Denise Sayklly passes
Then I walked over to Cousin Karen's at West Highland, and brought her some cookies from Nancy.
Karen and I exchanged gifts.
Christmas Day 2023 was Foggy in the morning
For supper I went to John & Terry's
On December 26, 2023 they had the Sandpoint Lighthouse and Museum Open House, and I went to the Museum first. I did some posing with the models there.
Then stopped into the Sandpoint Lighthouse.
I arrived in the year 2024, knowing I was safer after having my Covid, Flu, and RSV vaccines.
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Me and my Harbor Tower friends started out the year playing Greed (dice)
We didn't get much snow last year, and looking back on this year, we didn't get much this year either
I continued going over Nancy's on Mondays to play games
Our first Senior Companion In Service was January 22, 2024 the day after my Birthday
Don Sayklly came over to the Bishop Noa Home to visit his Cousin Marie Sayklly-Mayville
My dear friend Marie Sundberg passed away
At the Harbor Tower we had a birthday Party for Martha Thompson
On February 20th, we had our second In Service for 2024
This is Kim, Don, and I at Lakehouse on Friday
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We continued playing Greed (dice) at night in March of 2024
Terry Anderson, my Senior Companion friend, has the Cribbage Club every Thursday at Bishop Noa Home. I join it at times as well.
More art by local artist Jim Finlan, on the side of the Delft Theatre
I spent Easter over at John & Terry's on March 31, 2024
April 1st 2024 started with me playing games over at Nancy's.
And continuing playing Greed (dice) with my Harbor Tower friends
On April 5th 2024 I got to see Styx out at the Island Resort
The Senior Companion Program In Service for April (April 19, 2024)
On
June 12, 2024 was the Library's Ice Cream Social, which has a book
sale and also The Escanaba City Band playing out in back.
The Sailboat Races from my window
Biking home from Elmer's
Sunrise
A Visit to Christian Park Village
A visit with Thelma “Sam” Marcotte
She is the Mother of my late friend
Brian Fletcher and also sister Pam
And Wayne Hardwick, fellow Senior Companion,
until his health started failing.
A visit out to Aronson Island
My dear friend Marie Sundberg passed away
On June 21, 2024 we had our
Senior Companion In Service picnic
I continued to play dice (Greed)
with my Harbor Tower friends
The Pearl Mist came in and
docked in Escanaba (June 23, 2024)
Cousin Karen and I spent the
afternoon out on Aronson Island
In the evening, Wingin' It at the bandshell
Sunrise
The Escanaba City Library presents: Live on the Lawn
with musical guests Carolyn and Dave Martin
The Pearl Mist made its second visit to Escanaba
I was able to get some halfway decent shots
of the Gladstone Fireworks on the 4th of July
Escanaba's was on the 6th of July
Nancy's first Asparagus and she likes it
Jim Finlan painted this beautiful scene behind
the newest Farmers Market on Ludington Street
and later PickStop performed there
Bishop Noa Home Picnic and Photo Fun
Senior Companion In Service at the Pavilion
Karen and I on Aronson Island
Brian Bosk & Lyn Recla came by
And The Escanaba City Library had their Live On The Lawn. This time featuring the Seth Brown Duo
Sidewalk Day 2024 had the streets wide open. Which I didn't care for. The businesses say it actually brought them more business.
My favorite part of the Sidewalk Day was the Escanaba City Band. They never let you down. Instead of marching down Ludington Street, they were at the Rest Center performing.
Later, there was Marina Fest down at the Marina
I took time away from Marina Fest to visit a Turtle that was on a rock not too far from where Marina Fest took place
The Flowers look great on Ludington street
Once Again I find myself at the Waterfront Art festival by the bandshell in the park.
The Escanaba City band was just finishing up.
I walked down and around the tents looking at art and taking pictures.
I always find myself stopping at The League Of Women Voters Book Sale
When I got back to the bandshell, Ski was performing
Later, there was Rock The Dock, and when I arrived PickStop was performing.
I also met up and visited with my friend Tom Derusha, and his girlfriend. Tom is a Classmate of mine as well.
On August 6, 2024 I saw some deer behind Meijer
On August 10, 2024 they had A band from Green Bay. Called Brass Differential performing at the bandshell.
They put on a great show.
Some Harbor Tower friends visiting
Fair week came and on August 13, I had to have Norm's Fries.
Also met up with Nancy, Lori, & Will.
On August 14, 2024 at the U.P. State Fair. I checked out the Wellness Fair and saw Linda and Elizabeth (Senior Companion Program), also Bill & Karen Castle.
Watched the Doves being released
Went to the Antique Village and tried a slice of Chocolate Cheesecake from Beck's
Brian and I went to the Petting Zoo. He took pictures of me there, and I took pictures of him holding the snake.
Saw Tracy Byrd in Concert at the Grandstand
They had the Strolling Piano again this year
The next day I went to the U.P. State Fair again
They had K9s in Flight, and they put on a great show
I saw my Niece Theresa and her boyfriend Aiden, and took a picture of them.
She took one of me
Dark clouds came
So did the rain, and many had their umbrellas out. Mine was polka dotted
Hailey Whitters put on a great concert. It rained while they were setting up.
Brian used a garbage bag to stay dry
Hailey said “This is the craziest thing I ever saw”
The next day at the Fair
Dark clouds moved in, later in the afternoon we had a downpour just before the concerts.
Although Saliva and Fuel weren't my kind of music, I practiced taking concert pictures. Here are a few of the better ones.
Saliva
Fuel
Sunday was the last day of the U.P. State Fair 2024, and usually I don't go on Sunday, but since Brian was going, I had a ride there and back, so I went.
There was a concert, but it was very short and started earlier than the other concerts did, and we missed it. From someone who heard it, they said they weren't very good, so it was just as well we missed it.
We stayed for the Fireworks, and I took a video of it instead of pictures. Brian went off, and John McDonough gave me a ride home. A new route that came out by the Delta Plaza.
I did get a picture of the Moon while waiting for the Fireworks to start.
At the Fair I did stop by the Rock shop and picked up two Heart shaped rocks, one for Karen and one for myself
Here's a boat that was docked here
We had the Senior Companion Picnic on August 21, 2024
Had to have my fill of Corn On The Cob, even though it's harder to chew off the cob these days
On August 26, 2024 I spent the day over at Nancy's
On August 31, 2024 Karen and I spent the afternoon by the Water Plant and the Municipal Dock
On September 2, 2024 we had the Labor Day Parade
Later on we had Rock the Dock
On September 4, 2024 The Senior Companions got treated to new shoes at the Shoe Sensation
Love my new Tea Kettle
When my hair gets longer, I like to play the hippie
When I lived at the old family house, I got to enjoy alfalfa and put it on thick on my sandwiches. I picked up some at Meijer and did it again. It was great to eat again. I found Cousin Karen Pelky and her Dad also liked it.
On September 19, 2024 I asked Janet Draze for a haircut. She has a little shop in her basement. She even picked me up, and brought me back home. I gave her a little extra money for doing me that favor.
On October 1, 2024 The Cranes behind Meijer
On October 16, 2024 we had our 41st Senior Companion Program Recognition Luncheon
On October 20, 2024 Karen and I spent the afternoon on Aronson Island
On October 29, 2024 - My last night sleeping in my bed of over 20 years. I got this when I moved into the Harbor Tower on July 1, 2004.
On October 30, 2024 - My first night sleeping in my new bed that Nancy gave me, because she was getting a new one. It was very soft. It was electrical and could move the head and feet and massage, and even had USB ports for charging. John helped me carry it out of the Bishop Noa Home apartments and into my apartment and set it up. Thanks Nancy, and John.
On October 30, 2024 I showed up for the Harbor Tower Halloween party so I could capture the moment. Here it is.
Oct 31, 2024 - Halloween at the Bishop Noa Home – they had some great costumes
And Halloween in Escanaba for the Trick Or Treaters
Nov 1, 2024 - Since my stereos that play CDs quit working, I switched over to other methods of listening to music. I ordered a MP3 Player.
Nov 4, 2024 - Also a Boombox that plays music from Flash drives.
November 2024 – This month the old jailhouse is torn down, as well as the old Chamber Of Commerce. And part of what I thought of as the Municipal Dock is private property and they will be building something there. I saw someone cutting the trees and bushes, making way for it coming up.
Our Senior Companion In Service on November 22, 2024
On November 26, 2024 they had the Christmas Tree lighting. Santa was there, and there was music on stage as well.
On Nov 28, 2024 – I had Thanksgiving at John & Terry's
That night I got Turkey Roast in the Crockpot and on Nov 29, 2024 I had that for supper, for a couple days.
December 4, 2024 I found myself with a BoomByte boombox that plays a flash drive and a micro SD Card as well.
December 6th, 2024 was the Christmas parade
On December 11, 2024 the Senior Companion Program had their Christmas Party at the Island Resort
On December 12, 2024 Failte performed at
Bishop Noa Home
Because Karen was leaving before Christmas to go to Becky's, I planned a day to exchange Christmas gifts with Nancy and her.
I went to Nancy's first, and I got her a BoomByte Boombox with some flash drives with music. I knew she would enjoy that. In return she loaded $50 onto an Amazon Gift card online.
At Karen's we exchanged gifts.
My 2024 Christmas Card
Christmas Day – I spent a quiet Christmas for supper at John & Terry's
January 2025 Started off slow and calm. Many people, including me, lived in fear of what the new Presidency was going to be like. As usual, he did some very stupid things, and made a lot of enemies.
My life continued, and the Senior Companion Program had an In Service on January 16, 2025. Changes ahead meant we were only going to be having an In Service every other month.
I returned to my sites, Lakehouse seen here
Just before my Birthday on January 21, I got sick. Cousin Karen said I should go in and be checked. On January 22, I took up the offer from Classmate, distant cousin, and friend Mary LeMire-Williams to give me a ride to the Walk In clinic at the Hospital. There, they prescribed an antibiotic and some Mucilex to take. So after picking that up at Walmart, I hid away in my apartment until I got feeling better, which was two weeks. Nancy was sick on her birthday as well, a week after mine.
My new action figures came in the mail. In honor of all the great comics I read through the years, I thought I would collect action figures on them.
I returned to playing dice with my friends downstairs in the Multi-purpose room
February came along with bug problems. The viral kind kept us out of our work sites. And the bedbugs added to the cockroach problem we already had here at the Harbor Tower. Those in charge closed the Multi-purpose (activity) room, the lounge, and took away the chairs and benches, so that people wouldn't be sitting down here and causing Cross Contamination.
The other bugs known as the viral ones (such as Covid, the Flu, etc) were hitting the Nursing Homes, but on February 27, 2025 it was safe to go back to the Bishop Noa Home. Wearing masks had stopped.
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