For years now, Mayre and my normal weekday evening routine has been to have supper, get the dishes done, fix a little desert and go in the den to check out the latest news on the TV, before we head off to read and get ready for bed.
But for a few months now, the tv news has become less and less news and more and more talking heads stretching to see and report what they think lies ahead. There is more and more opinion, and, in a way, I guess it helps to fill the time allotted to that program. The 24 hour news cycle needs a lot of fodder to make it through the day.
But there is another reason that the evening news has less and less appeal for us.
A lot of you all may have days like this, but it seems my days are filled with:
Getting both of us up
Deciding what to have for breakfast
Fixing same
Deciding what to wear for us
Dressing
Listening to Christian podcast
Thinking about a mid morning snack
Fixing same
Do we need anything from the store?
Go there
Lunch is coming, what to have?
Putting lunch out
Let's read a book
How about a car ride?
Or just around the condo area in the wheelchair?
Uh oh, time for an ice cream snack in mid afternoon
What will we have for our main meal, supper?
Prepare that meal and eat it
Turn on news, which we taped earlier
Get through most of it, then decide to go to bed
Showers, dental hygiene
Get dressed for bed
Then as you drift off to sleep, you remember that this will also be your schedule tomorrow, and, with some minor interruptions and activities, your go to schedule for future days as well.
So, what about Syria? The President, an Earthquake, a School incident?
They seem to fall into line behind, "what do I need at the store?".
Could be "the tyranny of the urgent".
It seems to me that the mind of the caregiver is filled up to the brim with "care".
I guess I will have to leave the other stuff to those who have time to think.
And, as I think about what I am writing, my hat is off to those moms, and sometimes dads, who do the same things multiple times per day depending on the number of kids in the house. Amazing!
Speaking of care, we are beginning next week with a nurse one time a week and an aide two times. This will bring some relief, if even for an hour, for three days in the week.
But I doubt I will be going in the den and turning on the news for that respite time.
It is the least I can do, for all the years my wife has taken care of me, and everything else. She deserves her ice cream, and she shall have it.
My mission in life for these days is to take care of my wife, and regardless of news stories and opinions, that is what I will do.
And we will pray a lot...
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Flower Report and Other News
Well here it is...
Two buds opened and others on the way.
Now in other news from this front.
After much urging and soul searching, I have made some arrangements for some help on care for Mayre. She insists she only needs me, but I know otherwise.
Dwayne and I had a good talk the other night while he was here, and I told him my thoughts, which I implemented on Monday with some calls.
My friend at church had some contact with an outfit, Georgia Hospice Care. whom I called and set up a Monday afternoon meeting with their manager and their clinical nurse director.
First of all, the patient does not have to be near death to get their services. They operate under Medicare, and if a patient has what they consider to be a terminal illness, they will cover costs.
Without going into a lot of detail, they come 2 days a week with a nurse to keep checks on the one involved and 3 days a week with a nurse aide that helps with bathing and other stuff. We had the nurse today and will have the aide tomorrow for a about 45 minutes to an hour each visit.
They take over the responsibility for all the care, come whenever you need them and are on call 24/7 (365). This peace of mind is worth a lot to a caregiver who does not know a lot of times what to do.
The easiest part was getting it set up once approved, the hardest is convincing the patient that she can benefit from it.
The nurse today received a not-so-enthusiastic welcome, but will be back on Thursday.
We'll see about the Aide tomorrow.
Pray for all of us
Two buds opened and others on the way.
Now in other news from this front.
After much urging and soul searching, I have made some arrangements for some help on care for Mayre. She insists she only needs me, but I know otherwise.
Dwayne and I had a good talk the other night while he was here, and I told him my thoughts, which I implemented on Monday with some calls.
My friend at church had some contact with an outfit, Georgia Hospice Care. whom I called and set up a Monday afternoon meeting with their manager and their clinical nurse director.
First of all, the patient does not have to be near death to get their services. They operate under Medicare, and if a patient has what they consider to be a terminal illness, they will cover costs.
Without going into a lot of detail, they come 2 days a week with a nurse to keep checks on the one involved and 3 days a week with a nurse aide that helps with bathing and other stuff. We had the nurse today and will have the aide tomorrow for a about 45 minutes to an hour each visit.
They take over the responsibility for all the care, come whenever you need them and are on call 24/7 (365). This peace of mind is worth a lot to a caregiver who does not know a lot of times what to do.
The easiest part was getting it set up once approved, the hardest is convincing the patient that she can benefit from it.
The nurse today received a not-so-enthusiastic welcome, but will be back on Thursday.
We'll see about the Aide tomorrow.
Pray for all of us
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Finally Rising...
Just like the Amaryllis in the picture, our lives have finally arisen from the rigors of the last three weeks or so.
One of our families gave us this plant-in-a-box for Christmas, but it too had its problems. Going by the instructions on the box, I planted this guy and waited, and waited and waited, but no action. Not being sure if I did it correctly, I replanted the same bulb in the same medium, and left it be.
Then, one day, it began to move skyward. Nurturing it along, it continued until, today, it is showing color at the top. Maybe it was the soft voice encouraging, who knows?
January has been a challenging month for caregiving. It seems as though Walking, speaking and hand coordination has declined, so that there are less and less activities that can be undertaken with any regularity.
We know we are dealing with a progressive problem, one that has no upside, outside of a miracle, and our job is to do the best that we can each day, and let the future work itself out as in God's will.
We believe in "the prayer that never fails"...Thy Will Be Done
And we also believe that God in His perfect Wisdom and Plan will make it for the best. It is our job to be faithful in the task that we are handed, and we try.
So, like the Amaryllis, we are rising, and we will enjoy that flower as it blooms, for as long as it blooms.
It did not help a whole lot that I got the flu for a week, but we had the help of neighbors and church to help us get through. Thankfully, it was not as bad as some had, so maybe we are out of the woods on that one.
I'll try not be be silent so long next time.
Maybe I get a bloom on this page one day soon.
One of our families gave us this plant-in-a-box for Christmas, but it too had its problems. Going by the instructions on the box, I planted this guy and waited, and waited and waited, but no action. Not being sure if I did it correctly, I replanted the same bulb in the same medium, and left it be.
Then, one day, it began to move skyward. Nurturing it along, it continued until, today, it is showing color at the top. Maybe it was the soft voice encouraging, who knows?
January has been a challenging month for caregiving. It seems as though Walking, speaking and hand coordination has declined, so that there are less and less activities that can be undertaken with any regularity.
We know we are dealing with a progressive problem, one that has no upside, outside of a miracle, and our job is to do the best that we can each day, and let the future work itself out as in God's will.
We believe in "the prayer that never fails"...Thy Will Be Done
And we also believe that God in His perfect Wisdom and Plan will make it for the best. It is our job to be faithful in the task that we are handed, and we try.
So, like the Amaryllis, we are rising, and we will enjoy that flower as it blooms, for as long as it blooms.
It did not help a whole lot that I got the flu for a week, but we had the help of neighbors and church to help us get through. Thankfully, it was not as bad as some had, so maybe we are out of the woods on that one.
I'll try not be be silent so long next time.
Maybe I get a bloom on this page one day soon.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Christmas in January and Beyond...
There are several story lines that seem to fit within this post..
1. You know a lot about your social life when a sandwich at the beach is the highlight of your week, or month.
2. Little things mean a lot. (I seem to remember a song with this title)
3. Christmas is not just on December 25th.
Our daughter, Donna, along with her husband and kids, always send us a small goodie bag for Christmas. She calls it a stocking stuffer, but so far we have not had any stockings. Anyway, this year they sent Granny Lou and Papa a couple of gift cards to be used at...
As a way to get out of the house yesterday, I decided to take my wife down to this fast food outlet. Regardless of what this says about our social life in general, she was thrilled to go.
A Chargrilled Chicken wrap (cut in half), a large Cookies and Cream Milk Shake (with extra cup), and we were set to roll.
The sun was out, but not many folks, at our favorite spot down East Beach. We were treated to unobstructed views of the ocean, the beach, waves, sandbars, all drenched in the welcome warmth of a sunny sky.
Having taken our latest Mitford book, I read aloud until my wife dozed off. She got a good rest, while I had a quiet time, just thinking.
As I thought to myself on the way home, "not a bad way to spend a winter noon hour or so".
And the best part might be the realization that we had two of those gift cards and only used one.
A Christmas gift for now and another one for later.
Little things do mean a lot.....(I looked it up and this was a Kitty Kallen song from 1953, but it has nothing to do with chicken).
Merry Christmas
1. You know a lot about your social life when a sandwich at the beach is the highlight of your week, or month.
2. Little things mean a lot. (I seem to remember a song with this title)
3. Christmas is not just on December 25th.
Our daughter, Donna, along with her husband and kids, always send us a small goodie bag for Christmas. She calls it a stocking stuffer, but so far we have not had any stockings. Anyway, this year they sent Granny Lou and Papa a couple of gift cards to be used at...
As a way to get out of the house yesterday, I decided to take my wife down to this fast food outlet. Regardless of what this says about our social life in general, she was thrilled to go.
A Chargrilled Chicken wrap (cut in half), a large Cookies and Cream Milk Shake (with extra cup), and we were set to roll.
The sun was out, but not many folks, at our favorite spot down East Beach. We were treated to unobstructed views of the ocean, the beach, waves, sandbars, all drenched in the welcome warmth of a sunny sky.
Having taken our latest Mitford book, I read aloud until my wife dozed off. She got a good rest, while I had a quiet time, just thinking.
As I thought to myself on the way home, "not a bad way to spend a winter noon hour or so".
And the best part might be the realization that we had two of those gift cards and only used one.
A Christmas gift for now and another one for later.
Little things do mean a lot.....(I looked it up and this was a Kitty Kallen song from 1953, but it has nothing to do with chicken).
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
This is not our Island
Rain all night..
Cold Outside..
And this is what get for weather this morning:
What we would rather have is this:
So we can do this:
And rest peacefully like this:
But, then I remember, we have been here for around 20 years and have not had this before. Not bad at all. I believe we can tough it out.
This, too, shall pass...
Cold Outside..
And this is what get for weather this morning:
What we would rather have is this:
So we can do this:
And rest peacefully like this:
But, then I remember, we have been here for around 20 years and have not had this before. Not bad at all. I believe we can tough it out.
This, too, shall pass...
Saturday, December 30, 2017
How Does She Do This?
Writing about reading, AGAIN...
As most of you will remember, Mayre and I are reading, well, I am reading aloud, and she is listening, or sleeping, as the situation develops, my reading voice seems to do that to people, but she does get some good naps in, and sometimes I sneak off to another part of the condo to finish up on other things.
But back to what we have been reading, and here I will refresh some memories out there, The Mitford books, by author Jan Karon. We had read most of the series back when they first came out in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ms. Karan started publishing the series in 1994, and the original first nine volumes hit the market from 1994 till 2005.
What got us started this time around was the publication of Come Rain or Come Shine, which was another Mitford book put out in 2015. As we went through this later book, we knew most of the characters from the earlier writings, but we had missed a lot of the details that made up the background for the latest novel.
So, we went back to book one and began again, reading all the way through book nine, which appears to have been the last projected book in the Mitford series.
Karon's next two books were labeled "The Father Tim Series", and included Home To Holly Springs (2007) and In The Company of Others (2010). We decided to continue our oral readings with these, so we are on the Holly Springs one now.
As we are reading through Holly Springs, I was stuck with the amount of detail into the early life of Father Tim, which is hinted at in the earlier Mitford books, but fleshed out in great detail here. The stories of how people and situations came about, and their effect on the life of Father Tim Kavanagh make the older books richer in meaning,
But here is the question that seems to boggle my mind: How much of the detail presented in Holly Springs was present in the author's mind when the series began? Here is a book that gives the background of the life of the main character, whose fictional life began at least 13 years previously.
The author has done a great job of weaving this background through the first nine books, giving snippets of information and hints as to situations and people, without telling the full story. except what is needed for that particular book's story line.
Then she writes Holly Springs and fleshes out the complete story. How does she do that? Does she develop the main character, and then make up situations in an earlier life that fit the current narrative?
Does she have it all in mind the whole way through?
I have spent the entire morning looking for a way to ask her those questions, but without success. There must be a way...I'll keep searching.
After we finish our current reading, we will go on to Company of Others which involves a trip to Ireland, land of the Kavanagh line, and, I'm sure we will discover further information on how Father Tim became Father Tim.
And now I see that there are four more Mitford books, that carry on the stories of all these Mitford people and their beloved priest, the last one published in 2017. How many more does Karon's mind contain?
Well, at least, we have good material to read for a few more days, months, years....and that is a real good thing.
You may note that the photo at the top has no relevance in this post, at least not outwardly. I took it the other night at sunset, and, in my mind, entitled it Peace...
I like it.
And, I like the books, a lot...
As most of you will remember, Mayre and I are reading, well, I am reading aloud, and she is listening, or sleeping, as the situation develops, my reading voice seems to do that to people, but she does get some good naps in, and sometimes I sneak off to another part of the condo to finish up on other things.
But back to what we have been reading, and here I will refresh some memories out there, The Mitford books, by author Jan Karon. We had read most of the series back when they first came out in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ms. Karan started publishing the series in 1994, and the original first nine volumes hit the market from 1994 till 2005.
What got us started this time around was the publication of Come Rain or Come Shine, which was another Mitford book put out in 2015. As we went through this later book, we knew most of the characters from the earlier writings, but we had missed a lot of the details that made up the background for the latest novel.
So, we went back to book one and began again, reading all the way through book nine, which appears to have been the last projected book in the Mitford series.
Karon's next two books were labeled "The Father Tim Series", and included Home To Holly Springs (2007) and In The Company of Others (2010). We decided to continue our oral readings with these, so we are on the Holly Springs one now.
As we are reading through Holly Springs, I was stuck with the amount of detail into the early life of Father Tim, which is hinted at in the earlier Mitford books, but fleshed out in great detail here. The stories of how people and situations came about, and their effect on the life of Father Tim Kavanagh make the older books richer in meaning,
But here is the question that seems to boggle my mind: How much of the detail presented in Holly Springs was present in the author's mind when the series began? Here is a book that gives the background of the life of the main character, whose fictional life began at least 13 years previously.
The author has done a great job of weaving this background through the first nine books, giving snippets of information and hints as to situations and people, without telling the full story. except what is needed for that particular book's story line.
Then she writes Holly Springs and fleshes out the complete story. How does she do that? Does she develop the main character, and then make up situations in an earlier life that fit the current narrative?
Does she have it all in mind the whole way through?
I have spent the entire morning looking for a way to ask her those questions, but without success. There must be a way...I'll keep searching.
After we finish our current reading, we will go on to Company of Others which involves a trip to Ireland, land of the Kavanagh line, and, I'm sure we will discover further information on how Father Tim became Father Tim.
And now I see that there are four more Mitford books, that carry on the stories of all these Mitford people and their beloved priest, the last one published in 2017. How many more does Karon's mind contain?
Well, at least, we have good material to read for a few more days, months, years....and that is a real good thing.
You may note that the photo at the top has no relevance in this post, at least not outwardly. I took it the other night at sunset, and, in my mind, entitled it Peace...
I like it.
And, I like the books, a lot...
Monday, December 25, 2017
It Is Snowing...
It IS snowing, somewhere, but just not down here where the temperature is in the mid 40s as we wake up to a Christmas morning filled with sunshine and memories.
Our front door is festooned with a fresh wreath, fashioned and brought to us by some dear friends who have done this for us in years past and continue on this year.
But today, we are...
Just Granny Lou and Papa, eating a breakfast casserole, brought to us yesterday, by some friends at church. Grits and Summer Sausage, now that is a great feast for this day.
We have been thanking our neighbors and friends for their gifts of food and goodies for the past several days now, but it does not get old. We are happy to be remembered, but wish we could still be on the giving end instead of always receiving. But, after thinking about it, we happily receive these, sent, or brought, our way.
Our Nativity set, rests on the credenza, and, as I look at it again this morning, I remember that I need to put Jesus in his manger. Looking in his resting place in the drawer, I find the box, open it, take out the infant, and place him in the manger. Then I look at the box, take out a piece of paper and find a note from Amazon, telling us that one year a person known as just " a blog reader", has sent this.
I seem to remember a blog post from the past that speaks of not being able to find the Baby when we put out the set, and writing about that dilemma.
Now I see that I can look up on Amazon and find who the actual sender was. I do, and now I know who "a blog reader" is. Thanks if you are still reading.
Had to take a break a few minutes ago to drive over to the house where the casserole came from, when we returned there was another bowl on the doormat. It was some sort of desert, and it was good, real good, but no name on the dish. I want to thank someone, but who?
Oh well, let me get back to the previous few days before Christmas...
As much pleasure as we get from food and gifts, there is more still from visits and conversations from friends, and even more when those visits come from family.
Doug and Dawn have made us a part of their Christmas for a long time. Early on it was at their home in Blacksburg, but now they make it a point to visit down here during the Christmas season. One year they will come to us before Christmas and then visit the other grandparents over in Pensacola for the actual Holiday. The next year, we get the Christmas Day celebration and the Bucks get the before, or sometimes after.
But they always include both sets of parents.
That is good.
No, that is very good....we always enjoy all the kids (5 now) and it makes Christmas for us.
Drew 17
Caroline 15
Lucy 13
Laken (celebrated her 13th while here)
David 10
For several years, we had all the kids and grandkids down here to our Island.We rented a big house near the beach and partied.
But times change, and kids grow and have travel schedules of their own, and other responsibilities, too. So they come when they can, and we love it anytime.
So, this year it was just the Blacksburg contingent, and it was three days of food, fun and fellowship.
Beach time
Games in the condo
Food on the table (and still some in our refrigerator)
We may not remember all the memories we made, but we hope those with more mental capacity will remember these times fondly, and think about family times that are enjoyable and memorable.
It may not be actually snowing, but we will carry a snowstorm full of great times away with us, to remember while we can.
Let it snow...
Our front door is festooned with a fresh wreath, fashioned and brought to us by some dear friends who have done this for us in years past and continue on this year.
But today, we are...
Just Granny Lou and Papa, eating a breakfast casserole, brought to us yesterday, by some friends at church. Grits and Summer Sausage, now that is a great feast for this day.
We have been thanking our neighbors and friends for their gifts of food and goodies for the past several days now, but it does not get old. We are happy to be remembered, but wish we could still be on the giving end instead of always receiving. But, after thinking about it, we happily receive these, sent, or brought, our way.
Our Nativity set, rests on the credenza, and, as I look at it again this morning, I remember that I need to put Jesus in his manger. Looking in his resting place in the drawer, I find the box, open it, take out the infant, and place him in the manger. Then I look at the box, take out a piece of paper and find a note from Amazon, telling us that one year a person known as just " a blog reader", has sent this.
I seem to remember a blog post from the past that speaks of not being able to find the Baby when we put out the set, and writing about that dilemma.
Now I see that I can look up on Amazon and find who the actual sender was. I do, and now I know who "a blog reader" is. Thanks if you are still reading.
Had to take a break a few minutes ago to drive over to the house where the casserole came from, when we returned there was another bowl on the doormat. It was some sort of desert, and it was good, real good, but no name on the dish. I want to thank someone, but who?
Oh well, let me get back to the previous few days before Christmas...
As much pleasure as we get from food and gifts, there is more still from visits and conversations from friends, and even more when those visits come from family.
Doug and Dawn have made us a part of their Christmas for a long time. Early on it was at their home in Blacksburg, but now they make it a point to visit down here during the Christmas season. One year they will come to us before Christmas and then visit the other grandparents over in Pensacola for the actual Holiday. The next year, we get the Christmas Day celebration and the Bucks get the before, or sometimes after.
But they always include both sets of parents.
That is good.
No, that is very good....we always enjoy all the kids (5 now) and it makes Christmas for us.
For several years, we had all the kids and grandkids down here to our Island.We rented a big house near the beach and partied.
But times change, and kids grow and have travel schedules of their own, and other responsibilities, too. So they come when they can, and we love it anytime.
So, this year it was just the Blacksburg contingent, and it was three days of food, fun and fellowship.
Beach time
Games in the condo
Food on the table (and still some in our refrigerator)
We may not remember all the memories we made, but we hope those with more mental capacity will remember these times fondly, and think about family times that are enjoyable and memorable.
It may not be actually snowing, but we will carry a snowstorm full of great times away with us, to remember while we can.
Let it snow...
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