Tuesday, August 08, 2017 – Daniels 43^rd Birthday, Pageant Pots Hauled Away, Lucy Mack, Dentist, Grandpa’s Ice Cream

First I want to say “Happy Birthday” to our Son, Daniel Johnson in Mesa, AZ. Our admiration and heartfelt love go out to him and his beautiful wife and family. He turned 43 years old today, where has the time gone?

We were very busy today at work. Our first project was haul to the compost pile the 60 large terracotta pots/planters that were used as decoration during this year’s Nauvoo Pageant. They were placed all around the public areas and stage.  They were beautiful, full of colorful plants and flowers that spilled out with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors.

Unfortunately the Pageant is over for another year and everything is being taken down including the 60 planters full of plants. They served their purpose well but now they are all going to the compost pile were the soil and plant matter will be recycled.

 

It’s a shame to have to throw away all of those beautiful plants. But the terracotta pots are being saved for use next year. And, one type of plant is also being saved. The ornamental grass that was used in a few of the pots will all be saved.  These grasses are an expensive specialty grass and they will keep nicely and be reused next year.

Back at our regular work of weeding and cleaning the historic sites, we started at the home of Lucy Mack Smith. Next we were off to the Visitor’s Center Liriope beds to weed and get rid of the volunteer “Rogue” trees. 

After work Sis. Johnson and I headed to Burlington, IA for a follow-up dentist appointment. It’s been a week since my oral surgery and the dentist, Dr. Jason Thompson DDS said everything looks very good and no further visits to his office are necessary.

I was very happy to hear that my jaw and bone graft are healing and knitting as planned. My jaw is still swollen and the socket where the tooth came out is still open and exposed clear to the bone. The doctor said it may be three more weeks before the gums grow completely over the jaw bone and graft. So, I’ll still be eating “Soft” food for some time to come. If all goes as planned I’ll be able to have a tooth implant after four months of healing.

On our way home from the dentist in Burlington Sis. Johnson and I stopped at “Grandpa’s Homemade Ice Cream” shop. The ice cream and banana in a “Banana Split” qualify as “Soft” food so I indulged myself with a cold treat. Mmmm-Goood!