"Mom's birthday (Meredith) - 1886
Mom 92! We got there about 1 P.M. & put candles & 'Happy Birthday' sign on the small Lemon Coconut loaf cake. We 4 sang the song & I cut the cake & we had ice cream with it. She rec'd 9 cards. Ken & Nellie gave her (on Thurs) small chain & imitation diamond in silver setting. We played some Silly Solitaire. Left about 3:30."
By 1978 the Kelloggs were well into their retirement years in Clearwater FL. Ruth's mother, Lottie, and her son, Jimmie, were living together in nearby Largo FL. Jimmie, a schizophrenic since his teen years, was 67. Ruth and John were 72 and 79, still fairly healthy, able to see friends, play cards, enjoy tennis, take vacations in the US and other countries.
John loved to take walks. One of his favorite walks was to the library once a week, taking a book bag. He would return books and pick up another 6 or so. At one point his goal was to read all of the books in the Clearwater
In the picture are Ruth and John with Dan after playing tennis. (I was the photographer,) Ruth's diary entry and the picture aren't in Pieces of a Life, my book.
