First, before I forget, let me say that Thursday Doors is a link-up hosted by Norm Frampton, photographer extraordinaire. You have until Saturday to post your Thursday post, so he’s my kind of guy.

Okay. So I was one of the Elders who took communion to our sick and shut-ins. Yes, they let me be an Elder. I’m telling you, Disciples of Christ ain’t particular.

Anyway.

We went to Cedar Hill, an assisted living facility. The front door didn’t get snappied. I just didn’t, okay? It wasn’t very interesting, just kind of sad, since you have to push an alert button to get in and input a code to get out.

BUT, across the lobby is the door to the inner courtyard, and I did snap through that glass.Beautiful! Nice, smooth paths you can easily walk or wheel around, probably plenty of birds to watch.

We did our thing, then the Elder I was with wanted to stop in and say hello to some friends, so we did. And that was my surprise.

Here’s the door to the friends’ room. Most of the doors were decorated by the residents, and this was no exception. This was the room of Arkie and Velva Blank. Arkie and Velva — aren’t those great names?

Arkie and Velva moved into Cedar Hill as soon as it opened, 13 years ago. They were still in good shape, but Velva wanted to be sure they had a place and didn’t have to wait when they did need it, so they went ahead and moved in.

Arkie had been a woodworker, but he couldn’t take his woodworking shop with him, of course. So what could he do?

One thing he’s done is make himself the unofficial angel of the place. He greets newcomers and makes sure they know all the ropes and settle in comfortably. He pushes wheelchairs for people who need a push. He makes sure everybody has what they need and, if possible, what they want — an important role, when some people will tell a friend things they wouldn’t want to “bother” staff with.

And, he does this.

He built this house. What did he build it out of, since he doesn’t have his woodworking tools? Toothpicks. He built it out of toothpicks.

Here he is holding his pride and joy.

This is a model of the church he and Velva used to go to. Also built out of toothpicks.

He built models of the oldest buildings still standing in Corydon, which were on display for a while. I’m not sure who has them now, but I’m certain they’re being taken care of. They’ll probably be on display again for Indiana’s 200th birthday.

Arkie isn’t the only artist in the joint. In the lobby, I saw this display:

Gorgeous paintings of trees by the residents. And this one, on a side table.

I don’t know which one I like best! Fortunately, I don’t have to decide. I can just look at this picture of all of them and enjoy them all.

Before I went, I was kind of disappointed that it was my turn, because we had a harpist playing at church that day and I was bummed out that I had to miss her. But, after I went, I was really really really really glad I had. I love that harpist, but this morning at Cedar Hill was a real gift.

And thanks, Norm, for hosting this link-up. It’s made me look and think and appreciate more, and that’s a real gift, too.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character encounters something/someone absolutely unexpected.

MA