20 - Monday, September 1, 2025 -- A Bit of Diversion

 This whole post will be a bit different as I try to catch up!  

Monday morning I (Sharon)  was playing my usual pickleball with missionary friends at the Nauvoo Stake Center.  After playing with the ladies for awhile, everyone rotated and I ended up with three men.  And then Dave Hodson and I went after the same ball!  He is much bigger and his force pushed me and I fell -- flat on my hip.  

Long story short, because Liz Pickering, Nauvoo resident and NP, was also playing, she insisted that we go to the hospital in Carthage, IL -- because they have an LDS orthopedic surgeon.  Who would have thought -- little Carthage as opposed to a larger city.

Well, my hip needed surgery.  It was fractured in two places and Dr. Drake White came that evening and did the surgery.  One of the places he said would heal and the other he put in a plate and screws.  By the next morning, I had to get up and do some walking.

Memorial Hospital is a small, but "critical access" hospital out of Carthage and off the freeway.  It is built for access for all the surrounding rural towns. There are 15 clinics in the towns that feed into this hospital.  

The pain aside, this was a most pleasant experience.  The personnel at the hospital was tops.  They took me right in when I arrived and were attentive, kind, helpful, interested and caring until I left -- and that is every level of staff, including housekeeping, cafeteria, CNA's, and beyond.  Then the hospitalist, Dr. Joshua Byrd, came in and he is from Provo and graduated from Timpview High School the year after Michael and we discovered they have friends in common.  Small world, tender mercy, and a very pleasant experience.

Our wonderful children sent a beautiful bouquet.  Everyone coming in the room commented on how lovely it is and how pleasant the aroma.

Because I have stairs to get to our apartment, they took me outside where there were more than two stairs so I could practice. 

I was released on Friday and we stopped at Walmart on the way home.  A new experience--to drive a Walmart cart through the aisles.  There were several others around which I needed to maneuver.  

Saturday was the Grape Stomp--the 5K run/walk.  I had signed up, but alas, Stan had to walk for both of us.  

This is an annual event in Nauvoo--benefit for the Sts. Perer and Paul Catholic School.  It's a pretty big deal for this small town. It was literally right outside our door.  People came from many miles around to attend the carnival and vending booths. 

The park across from our house was full of all sorts of booths--food, and all sorts of things for sale.  There was a swap meet and a small carnival.  This booth had some very nice wreaths.  But there was a question of how to get it home.  

This is just one sample--my favorite-- of the almost 100 quilts displayed. This one is by Linda Chatwin, who owns the Emporium, a quilt store in Nauvoo.  

Just a sampling of the 388 vintage cars that paraded through town and then displayed at the car show.

Sunday afternoon after the parade (which we did not attend, even though it was only feet from out house) was the awards ceremony.  We could hear them.  They gave out awards and quilts to many winners and veterans.  By Monday morning, there was no sign of former activity -- only the porta-potties that had not yet been picked up.  

One last photo.  I did walk around the block to see, hear and take in the sights.  

I'm doing well and plan to be back to the temple next week.