Bryan Reynolds [00:00:04] Hello, hello, hello, welcome to Episode 15 of the Linkage podcast by Episcopal Retirement Services. This episode is for the week of August 17th, two thousand twenty. Thanks so much for joining us. We're so glad to have you with us. Once again. I'm Bryan Reynolds Vice President of marketing of Episcopal Retirement Services, and I'm here with Kristin Davenport, our director of communications. How are you today, Kristin? 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:00:31] Doing really well today, Bryan. Thanks for asking and having a good one. How about you? 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:00:35] Very, very good. The kids are going back to school, so we're kind of in that mode of getting them off and kind of into a brave new world. So I guess we'll see how all this goes. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:00:46] Yes, fingers crossed. Prayer said all that. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:00:49] Yes. So the Linkage podcast is dedicated to educating our audiences about the issues regarding aging, informing people about the mission of ERS and how that really comes to life in our everyday interactions, whether that be with our residents, our clients, our families or our staff members. So, Kristin, you want to talk a little bit about our episode coming up and who we've got on the show? 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:01:12] Absolutely. So today with us, our guests are Kathy McKurn. Kathy is a resident of Marjorie P. Lee in Hyde Park in Cincinnati. And we have a resident of our Louisville community. Jim Norsworthy lives at Dudley Square at Episcopal Church Home. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:01:33] Well, great as as always, it's always so fun to have the interviews and of course, getting the updates, interviews with our residents and then updates with with Laura week in, week out. So with that said, I want to just remind everyone on virtual Gala is coming up here on Friday, October 9th. As the title suggests, we're doing our first virtual Gala, obviously with the circumstances because of Covid 19. But I would encourage everyone to join us for a special evening of celebration, inspiration and entertainment, all in an effort to support our Good Samaritan Mission Fund. So we've got a really special live program created just just for our our guests. And it'll be hosted this year by Channel Five's very own Curtis Fuller. I'd be remiss without thinking our presenting sponsors this year, the Model Group, Ridgestone Contractors and Builders, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and US Bank. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:02:39] That's a great lineup of sponsors, Bryan. That's good to hear. And I was down at the Manse this week working on some video for the for the program, for the Gala. And progress down there looks amazing. So that was it was uplifting to see that for sure. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:02:55] Yeah. I think we're going to do a nice special highlight of the dance this year, which is old historical hotel that African-Americans frequented back in the 40s and 50s and was listed in the Green Book. And I think there's some great storytelling that we're excited to bring to life. So with that being said, Kristin, do you want to introduce our first guest today? 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:03:25] Yeah. So first up with us today, Jim Norsworthy and Jim and I had a wonderful conversation. And let's meet Jim. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:03:45] Welcome, Jim, thanks for being on the podcast. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:03:48] Well, I appreciate being asked. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:03:51] You bet and how are you doing today? How's everything down at Dudley Square? 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:03:56] Well, right now, it's very rainy, so we're wet and dripping, but other than that, we're fine. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:04:03] Yes, that is that's good. When maybe we need a little rain some some days. It seems like we've had a lot of sunshine lately, though. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:04:09] That's right. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:04:11] You and I have met before. It's been a while since we've seen each other in person. But I know that this this way of living is disrupted all of us, Jim. What are some of the things that you're doing to stay positive right now dealing with reality? 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:04:29] I would say is probably the main thing. You have to accept things for the way they are and not the way you want them to be. And that's a whole lot easier said than done. My wife got sick in April of 2019, had to go to the hospital and wound up over the last year of over three different times and wound up with a severe case of pneumonia. The doctors have not been able to cure her. They say she will never be cured and watch her evolve through the process of dealing with life and all of the reality that she has to face. So this is the one thing that is has been an issue for both of us. Also, she has begun to regain some of her strength. And we look for every little thing that we can to try to stay positive and to work through different things. So I know a lot of people have been extremely frustrated by what they cannot do due to the pandemic. But we had a lot of advanced training here. And it's not easy, I can tell you that. And anybody that's been through that knows that as well. But as I said, you have to deal with reality and we depend a lot on God, so. That's kind of what's helped us. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:06:06] Yes, I can see that you really kind of have had like a preview of what we're all dealing with right now with being restricted, not not being able to do your routines and and all of that. So you had a little bit of a of pre training for for what we're all facing right now. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:06:28] Yes, that's right. And sadly, you know, younger people, which is very understandable, have a lot more trouble dealing with that as those of us who are older, I think, you know, we understand that and don't have the same issues that a lot of the younger people do, but. It's something that is happening all over the world, so, you know, this is one of those 100 year events, it has happened before, not exactly the same way. But if you know history, it's it's not that unusual. It happens and you deal with it. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:07:09] Well, that is so true, Jim. That is some some important perspective for us to all. Keep in mind, this is a 100 year event, not just something that, you know, occurs every year, every decade, even that that is so true. I know that things around Dudley Square are probably looking like they're going to about to start changing. I don't know. Has any ground been broken on? 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:07:34] Not yet. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:07:35] OK, so you're going to have some changes in the neighborhood just just right on top of everything else you're dealing with. You've been an important link for for new residents coming in. And Dudley Square is probably about to get a whole bunch of new residents over the next few years. Tell our listeners about the directory, Jim, that you created and what that's meant to your community there. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:08:01] Well, I guess to begin with, it all started when Jerilyn and I moved in here. We eight years in October, and we were given absolutely nothing to go on. What we learned about living here simply came from what we learned and picked up from other people. So when I found out some friends from our church were going to be moving in here as well, I started writing down things that we had learned over the short time we'd been here and to make a little booklet to give them a one up when they moved in here that has grown and evolved over the years to where it's now about a 35 page book dealing with every aspect of life in Dudley Square. Also, all the residents here had a chance and many did participate in adding things that I had not thought about because we did put it out for everybody and they added what they thought needed to be done. And that book is now at a really what I would call a stopping point, because what was is not what is nor what will be. But in other words, that was the beginning. Also, one of the things that had been done here was one of our residents, a guy by the name of Al Boice, used to produce a one page directory of residents. And this had everybody's phone number and their house number so that if you needed to know who to call, you could put that out and look at that. And they would tell you who's here as Al aged and got to where. He could no longer do that. I took that job over and then let it grow. Some coming up with a directory and I created created a deadly square email group. We had had no way to communicate with each other and we tried it, had a telephone committee, but that worked with varying levels of success. So I asked Joanne Bach, who was director at the time, about setting up an email group. And I remember she said, well, I don't think it'll work, but if you want to do it, go ahead. 

 

[00:10:35]  So anyway, I built that up to where we keep a record of everybody's birthday, their address or email address, and then that's published and put out so that everybody really can stay in charge or in touch with each other at the same time. And this part has not been used to best effect, but it is there. It is a two way street where things can be put out by anybody that lives here as well. So it's an easy way to communicate. We started out we did not have that many people that had computers or I don't think even well, iPads were just beginning to come in at that point. Today, we're down to where only, let's see, two people have absolutely no electronic contact. Everybody else has some type of communication. The other thing that I have done, if a person that lives here is not able to handle the things electronically, if they give me the name of a relative son or daughter, whatever. That person is added to the mailing list and they can get the information and call that person on the phone and give it to them. So we try to have communication because I think and that's been especially good in the pandemic because we cannot physically be in touch with each other. So that's probably more than you wanted to hear about it. But that, in a nutshell, is what's been going on, been what I've been doing. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:12:17] Actually, that's exactly what I wanted to hear, because you just kind of from the very beginnings of just your personal experience being a new resident and an understanding and seeing very clearly what was needed for new residents. And and that is kind of the spirit that I've seen at Dudley Square, is that residents take care of each other and there is some some support from staff. But you guys are an independent bunch and you're not going to wait around for somebody to create a guide or a directory for you. You just took it on and did it yourselves and and take care of each other. And I love that you've continued that even through these times when it's maybe not as easy to communicate, you just can't walk out to your driveway or to your neighbors front door and and necessarily make contact. You use technology and it's good to know that you even found workarounds for for folks that don't don't have that electronic capability, because even though that number is dwindling, it sounds like you've still got a few folks. I love that. And I love your spirit of, you know, this is where it is now, but it's got to go somewhere else. The community is about to grow. And it's nice to know that there's this guide that that is a good starting point for whatever it will be. I don't know if you'll consider it 2.0. You've probably passed 2.0 a while back with it. It sounds like it's evolved. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:13:48] It keeps changing as far as the needs change. And that's but like I say, it's been a good vehicle, you know, for communication, which is why it was started to begin with, you know, and it's also helped out. And we can make fun things out of this. For example, one of our guys is having his birthday next Monday and one of the other residents. And I've always told people you have the ability to send things out, but if you can't do it, get it to me and I'll see that it gets out. And so we're going to have a five o'clock gather on his drive for a party for him next Monday night. And he will bring out his own keyboard and play for himself. And we will all sing along. So it's that kind of thing. We try to have a little fun with all this, too. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:14:42] Absolutely. Absolutely. I love it. You guys are not letting this get in the way of a celebration. I don't think there's been much that could get in the way of a celebration down at Episcopal Church Home, because from what I've seen, they will find a way. The team down there, especially over at the home, they're celebrating anything that's, you know, worthy of a but. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:15:10] It doesn't take much for us to celebrate it. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:15:13] I love it. I love it. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:15:15] The other thing that's been a godsend for us is that we're all in individual homes. We don't have to use elevators. We do not interfere with anyone else. And we have people here that never leave their units and we have people that are gone all the time. But what you choose to do is what you can do. So that's that in a way, makes it a lot easier and better to. Yeah, so. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:15:41] Yeah, absolutely. Well, Jim, this has been a delightful conversation. Let's wrap up. We tell me what is something that you haven't really been able to do that maybe you're looking forward to when this is all said and done and we're all a whole lot safer than we are today. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:16:00] I think the big thing, well, there are several big things get out with other people in a real way and in other words, be able to go to a restaurant, go to a play, go to a musical concert, you know, go back to church physically, you know, those kinds of things. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:16:20] Yeah, yeah. That's for sure. Those face to face contacts where it's really starting to get old that we don't have those. And yeah, a concert experience, you know, there's only so much you can get from, you know, viewing it through your TV or your computer being there. There's something about being in the room with the vibration and all that and everybody else's energy and presence. It makes a huge difference. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:16:51] That's true. But I'll tell you what, if I was thinking you she's the poor woman has been very condemned here lately. But Laura Ingalls Wilder in her books pointed out what people in Pioneer Days had to go through. And, you know, those folks had no support. If they couldn't grow their crops, they starved. They didn't stand there with their hands out looking for everything. And they face so many hardships, you know, so in so many ways, we are extremely blessed, you know, by what is still going. And I think we need to focus a whole lot on what we've got and not what we don't have. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:17:35] There were never truer words than those. Jim, thank you for that wisdom. I think that's something we can all take to heart in when we're feeling down. Just remember that and that will serve us. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:17:48] That's probably the old folk-y way of looking back on that. But, you know, it's I genuinely feel that way. And I think a lot of us that are older do remember all those things. You know, in time, everybody will hopefully look back on this time and appreciate the fact that they're still alive and that they can look back. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:18:12] Yeah, exactly. Well, Jim, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it. 

 

Jim Norsworthy [00:18:17] And I thank you for the invitation. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:18:28] What was so good to hear from Jim, Kristin. He's such a fascinating guy and he's always had just a heart of service and really organizing so much of the life down at Dudley Square for the independent living residence. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:18:43] That is so true, Bryan. He just really took it upon himself to make sure that new neighbors were welcomed. And with our community continuing to build and grow down there, you know, that'll be important, that spirit of welcoming new new neighbors. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:18:58] Absolutely. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:19:01] So next up, I guess we've got our president and CEO, Laura Lamb, who will give us an update on all things ERS. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:19:16] So we're back this week with president and CEO of Laura Lamb. How are you, Laura? 

 

Laura Lamb [00:19:21] I'm doing well, Bryan. How about you? 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:19:23] Doing very well. Thanks so much. You know, it's it's hard to imagine we're here in the middle of August and it feels like so much has happened and over just the last, what, five months now? 

 

Laura Lamb [00:19:37] Oh, my goodness. Has it been that long? 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:19:39] Yes, time flies. Or maybe we just kind of start by maybe giving an update. This week was a big testing week among all of our continuing care retirement communities. I wonder if you could kind of update our listeners on that. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:19:56] Sure, well, both the state of Ohio and Kentucky have mandated that all staff that work in senior living environments need to be tested on an ongoing basis and in both Ohio and Kentucky, if that's in every other week cycle. So last week we had our first week of this mandatory cycle at all three of our locations, Bryan, Marjorie P. Lee were on Tuesday and it was on Wednesday. And beginning on Thursday and Friday, we started getting results from one community, Deupree. And over the weekend, we're we're we're starting to get results from ECH. And we still haven't heard or received any results from Marjorie P. Lee, which makes you think that this they're doing it alphabetically. That's the only Bryan. And I can think of. That's so funny. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:20:56] Deupree, Episcopal Church Home. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:20:58] Isn't that funny? 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:20:59] Yeah, it is funny. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:21:01] So it it's not it can't be that because there are two different states, but it's just it's just a way for me to figure it out my mind. But Deupree results are totally in. We had one staff member, actually a private duty staff member that tested positive at Deupree. So out of one hundred and forty ish tests, one came back positive again. Well, less than one percent. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:21:30] Yeah. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:21:32] And then at ECH we received about 30 to date out of close to two hundred tests. And we have a staff member that tested positive in that surveillant. So it really you know, you have to ask yourself why is the state doing this? And they're doing it because it's surveillance monitoring. It's we understand that there are so many people that are asymptomatic right now. The only way to stop that asymptomatic spread is by testing. Yeah. So, you know, it's it it is quickly becoming, unfortunately, the new normal that will all be tested every two weeks and hopefully over time, that number of asymptomatic people that that we catch on the screening will go down. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:22:24] I think from what I've heard from you and others, that there's a lot of effort that goes into the testing side, the hats off to the the management and all the staff that are helping out with those efforts. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:22:36] It is quite an undertaking. So, you know, the state provides the actual test kits. But in the National Guard tests that we had in Ohio a couple of weeks ago, all the tests moving forward will be administered by our staff. So it's a challenge. I mean, you're you're taking a day several nurses to to do the testing. So it takes it takes a team. And they they are a wonderful team and they are, by golly, rising to the occasion, as we say. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:23:14] Right. Right. And as you also intimated that, you know, having one case at Deupree from a private duty and one so far at DCH, you know, the staff are are doing a lot of things to mitigate risk in their own lives to for the good of the residents. So that's something to be very proud of. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:23:33] They really are. I mean, they really are. They're trying to the best of their their ability to minimize exposure or to to make sure that they are. You know, making sure that they're wearing their mask when they're out in public, making sure that their social distancing, all the things that we have been talking about for, like you said, the last five months, they're doing a great job. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:23:58] Yeah, so proud of them. For on another topic, you know, one one of the things I wanted to ask you today, you know, there's been a lot of media and even chatter out in society in general about nursing homes. And obviously, you know, it's nobody's preference that we can't visit family members or our families can't visit their loved ones. But we're finding some unique ways and doing that through Zoom. And, you know, there have been times where we could do some outdoor visits. But one of the things you hear is just the talk about isolation of our elders. But I think there's a lot of maybe misinformation and misunderstanding about maybe particularly what's going on within our communities and that there's a lot of activity and and thought into know the time that our elders are spending and some positive ways that they can spend their time. So I wonder if you could kind of comment on on that activity, the wellness, and that even maybe some of the vocation that they're able to do in the communities. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:25:05] I'd love to you know, I agree with you there is that that dialog out there and I guess being in it and seeing it firsthand and I see something a little bit different, right? Yeah. And you're right. We want to be reunited with our families. I think that's universal. You know, I was talking to one of our new or residents on the phone the other day, and it was really interesting because I wanted their perspective being newer and moving in. And then the pandemic hit shortly after. And they made a point that kind of echoes what I think you're asking me is that from their perspective, if they had been in their home, they felt like they would be more isolated than they are today. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:25:58] Yeah,. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:25:58] And I asked them to talk about that. And they they pointed to things like our life enrichment programs and the fact that, yeah, it's different what we can do. But there are a lot of things that we are able to do, whether that's, you know, participating in our fitness areas. It's different, but they can still work out, you know, participating in a concert. We had an outdoor concert the other day that was just awesome. You know, just life enrichment has really done an amazing job reinventing themselves. Right. Right. Wellness has done a great job of bringing wellness to their apartments so that they can do it on their own or they can watch a Zoom or they can social distance a few people in a large open space and actually exercise on meet the guidelines, all meeting the guidelines. 

 

[00:26:59] That's been really neat. And they pointed to that, that I wouldn't have this I wouldn't have that camaraderie of my neighbors that that I see it these, you know, in the hallways or in when we have a small group, socially distant events in the community. Right. The other thing that I'm seeing is that. You know, the the world has changed and the residents have rallied to help us in some incredible ways. You know, we've had residents that have helped us with our pop up pantries with Sysco. We we had a toilet paper challenge and we have had residents volunteer to put the toilet paper in the bags so that it could be delivered to the affordable living residents throughout the campus. Just recently, I became aware that it was it's the residents that are actually delivering our Kroeker click list to their peers. We as staff do the ordering and pick up and we drop it off at the building. And instead of the staff taking it to each apartment, we have a group of mighty residents that take that on. And I mean, that is I love your word vocation. It's you know, it's to me it's purpose, you know, work to be done. Right. Staff are busy. They're able bodied people that want to help. And our residents are are raising their hand and saying, I can do this, I want to do this. 

 

[00:28:34] And one of the one of the individuals that is helping with the click list, Bryan, she worked at our ERS office volunteering once a day, once a week. And she teased me. She said, well, I had to find a job, Laura, because she closes down the office. I need to do something. And I always joked that we we keep busy, so we'll stay out of trouble. So I enjoyed that. So she's she's keeping busy over at Deupree house to stay out of trouble. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:29:04] Well, that's great. I mean, there are so many examples of people staying busy and active. And I think that's one thing of the spirit of all our communities, is that our our residents, you know, they they've got us as a staff looking after them, but they look out for each other and that's something. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:29:20] Don't they? They really do. They really do this beautiful place to be. It really is Bryan.

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:29:26] Yeah. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:29:28] And it is a beautiful when you build and they are there, all of our communities, all 30 campuses have built a community. And you know how lucky that they have one another during these times,.

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:29:42] Right. Yeah. That that sense of community, really. You know, it's always been there, but it certainly is coming alive. Alright, thank you so much for joining me again this week. It was good to touch base with you. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:29:55] Great. I'm looking forward to next time. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:29:58] Yeah, well, we'll be back in just one short week again. 

 

Laura Lamb [00:30:02] OK, thanks, Bryan. Have a great week. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:30:14] Well, Bryan, it's always good to hear from Laura, but especially when you guys can talk through some of the issues that we're hearing, you know, the rates of infection being very low, even though we hate to hear of even one and even, you know, the ways that we're working really hard to combat isolation for our residents. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:30:35] Yeah, I think overall, I'm just so proud of our staff that are, you know, really taking care of themselves and therefore able to take care of our residents and then, you know, giving them some sense of purpose and normalcy in all of this that they're really engaged in and day out with with our staff and each other and and, you know, to have such special communities, from what Laura was saying, where they really support one another and our staff is so special. So it was definitely a great, great update this week. I enjoyed talking through with Laura. So with that being said, I had another really fascinating interview with a resident from Marjorie P. Lee. Her name is Kathy McGurn. So I'd like to introduce our segment, an interview with Kathy. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:31:29] So I'm here this week with one of our residents at Marjorie P. Lee, Kathy McKern, welcome. Kathy, how are you? 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:31:36] I'm fine, thanks. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:31:39] Thanks so much for joining us. And, you know, we've I think, as I mentioned earlier, we're we're on our fifteenth episode, and I've got a lot of great opportunities to talk to many residents. And I think that, you know, the first thing that we try and ask everyone is just how you're doing. How are things going over the last, what, I guess, five months now? 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:32:01] Bill and I are doing just fine, we all kind of does what he's always done and that's fooling around with his stocks and everything. He's sitting right here next to me. I'm a people person, so I have to I get out of the apartment and get around and I enjoy that very much. I go down and in the lobby Victoria lobby and read the paper. Usually every day I found that I was with this thing we're going through. I found that I was I was having a trouble kind of situation situating myself and remembering, OK, what day is it? Yeah. Yeah. And so I thought, well, I'm going to have to you know, I've always had a schedule of different like I'm on the grounds committee and go to the meetings, but I'm also a gardener. And thank heavens. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:32:59] Oh yeah. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:33:01] This thing happened didn't happen in the dead of winter. Right. Because that's kind of kept me busy. And also among several of us are exercising five days a week right up in the event center. And that kind of gets us started and gets me started in the morning. So, yeah, I'm I'm very happy. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:33:29] So it sounds like you found some great ways to adapt, but also some of your your normal routines, like the gardening, you know, really kind of helps you get through to get through and enjoy the things that you typically enjoy. Well, tell me about your garden. So I know we have the raised garden beds there. Do you are you garden gardening, mostly flowers or are you doing any better? 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:33:53] I have one of the beds, one of the raised beds. I just happened to lock into it when I came in and the side door here three years ago. And I have fun planning it. I it's different every year. Yeah. And I started out of the first year that I had it, I planted bulbs, different bulbs like tall ones and it's not daffodils and things like. And that was fun. Right. And then when that goes over them I, I use seeds. I always grow from seed. Wow. And this year is. I bought a got a lot of different kinds of seeds for the for the bugs and the bees and and I mix them all together and then I sprinkle in some pollination, helping with pollination. Yeah, the pollinators. I was a little concerned at the beginning of the season that I didn't I didn't see as many as I did last year that they're coming in, but they're still not as many as last year. There aren't as many birds as last year. This is a different year. Yeah, interesting. And it's Garden Wars and everything. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:35:25] Interesting. Well, so, you know, given this pandemic, I mean, this is something unlike I think any of us have seen before, but we've all certainly had challenges in our lives, some of national and global importance, some just personal. So, you know, more personal to us. Are there some lessons that you've learned in your life or from periods of your life or from events that you're kind of helping to get through the pandemic we're going through now? 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:36:00] Well, quite frankly, neither of us here have had a terrible time getting through this. Yeah, basically, we're so glad. Really glad that we moved when we did. And we we are here. This is it, I'm not right. You don't need anything else. Yeah, there are a couple of things that I miss from being in quarantine. Yeah, what I found out yesterday is that it's not the car and driving. So that was a big thing for me. But I'm just just going at walking out the front door. Yeah. Of and I was in the habit of ordering on the web to the library website. Anything I would read about in the newspaper or on TV or of. Oh, I want I'd like to read now. Right. Why would just go in and order it and then eventually it shows up in the library. You go in and you pick it up and you take it out. Right. I can't do that now so I miss it. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:37:18] Yeah, but it does sound like you've found it, as we talked before, that you found you've adopted in other ways. That was very interesting. Like you're now ordering your groceries online. I think you said that. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:37:31] That's amazing. Yeah, I'm we're having a blast with it. That's great. We don't need a whole lot of groceries. Let's see. I'm an old Amazon from way back. I did that right for years and years and years. But on Amazon. So I you know, that aspect of what you need is there isn't anything you need that you can't find on Amazon, right? Yeah, it's amazing. And but the but the food aspect of it is, is something new. And that's even that's even shown to me. The reasoning behind getting rid of this car, so many people had problems getting rid of their car. I'm not having problems, mainly because I'm in town. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:38:21] Right. As you mentioned, there's delivery now from everything from Amazon to Kroger. We've got the Transportation Department, if you want to go out to the doctors or things, particularly when things open up again. But, yeah, I think a lot of your your needs. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:38:42] There's really something missing. Yeah. And that is being able to gather. Yes. People gather because, you know, I don't live in the apartment. I am now. I'm I'm used to being out around people. And that's just not able to be done totally. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:39:04] Yeah, now, yeah, yeah, and I think that's one of the things I miss the gathering of people. Yeah. Whether it be friends or. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:39:13] Well, I do see it. Yeah. I got a Thursday afternoon knitting group. Oh that's great. Yeah. I don't knit. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:39:20] Yeah. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:39:23] But I do maintain my distance and I wear a mask right right now, you know, they have some small group exercises that they're there and that's that's great. And you said you're also exercising up in there. That's a big help. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:39:38] Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think getting getting out and getting your point, getting getting moving is very helpful. Yeah. OK, good, well, Kathy, I want to thank you so much for joining us this week. This has been a lot of fun and. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:39:53] You mean my time is up?!

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:39:56] We'll have to book another session here and a couple more. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:40:00] It's been fun. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:40:02] Yeah, yeah. We'll definitely have to catch back up again and see where we're at a couple couple of months. Yeah, but thank you so much. 

 

Kathy McGurn [00:40:11] OK, Bryan. Thanks, Bryan. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:40:23] Bryan, it was good to hear from Kathy, I know that keeping her routines going was important for her and she's getting a lot more freedom to garden and exercise and gather with friends. It was good to hear fr om her. 

 

Bryan Reynolds [00:40:39] Yeah, she's really a very chatty person and full of a lot of energy, and I certainly really enjoyed our conversation and, you know, hearing her perspective of life at Marjorie P. Lee, which was, you know, quite busy, quite busy. You know, she's normally very social. And it sounds like she's really kept routines in place to make sure that she's staying active and engaged and engaged. 

 

[00:41:09] So so with that being said, Kristin, I'd like to thank everybody for joining our episode of a linkage podcast by Episcopal Retirement Services. For more information, you can visit us on our website at Piscatella Retirement Dotcom. We have lots of great content, including our linkage online blog resources to learn more about aging and the services we offer. We've even got some videos, a really good wellness segment, segments that are up there right now that people can watch from Hoehn. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to see what's going on within the ERS and our communities. And if you have any questions or feedback for us, please email us at info at ERS@esrlife.org. We love hearing from our listeners and getting feedback. The Linkage podcast is produced by Kristin Davenport and Bryan Reynolds Feoshia Davis is our associate producer and our technical director is Michelle Hoehn. I'd like to thank our guests today, including C=Kathy McGurn and Jim Norsworthy and of course, Laura Lamb, for always giving our update on behalf of myself, Bryan Reynolds and Kristin Davenport. Thank you so much for joining us. And we look forward to you joining us for our podcast next week. Thanks so much, Kristin. 

 

Kristin Davenport [00:42:27] You bet, Bryan. See you next time.