As time went by Ruby was acquiring quite a few people that took care of all her needs, besides the people that tried to keep the house going. There was Wally Doorman, the lawyer, who usually called every week. Doreen did bookkeeping, wrote all the checks and called people to get help. She also made up new schedules and did some of the shopping for groceries. Then there were the people, like me, who stayed at her house for a few days at a time. We did the cooking and anything else she needed or wanted.

When her husband was still alive she had the job of taking care of him for seven years. He was a stroke victim. She had to help him up by using a belt around his waist. Also, she helped with her Mother-in-law and with her Aunt. Those were in the days before Social Security, when most people lived at home. So now it was her turn to be helped. Fortunately, Sumner left her financially able to live as she wanted.

Every so often we had to take her to the doctor, usually for something minor. He would fix her up and if she felt good by the time for the next appointment, she would cancel it. There were other things more important to do. I was always surprised at how fast she would heal and feel good again. This was partly because she ate healthy food like fresh vegetables and fruit, milk, wheat bread, and very little meat and deserts. Her big indulgence was chocolate bars, which she ate every day while walking round and round the dinette table. It did make her a little hyper, but was her only vice. Our main job was to keep her as happy as possible so things ran as smoothly as possible. In time she became more trusting of all of us.

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Miss Muriel