October 2024 Island Trip – Day 3

Today was kind of a proper Sunday. We slept in, had a nice breakfast, watched a lot of football (both of our teams), and visited friends.

Other bits and pieces were attended to too:

• I moved all the paint that won’t get used this year into the (heated) pump room.
• My DH moved the siding for the dryer shed from the lower barn overhang into the barn, where I can prime and paint it.
• *Gross Alert!!* I removed a very deceased rat from one of the bait traps in the lower barn. The 8-year old boy in me wants to know what causes dead rodents to lose their fur in tufts 🤔. I had to bury the body 😂 because we don’t want a raven or fox to eat a rat corpse that’s full of poison. I then left the bait box under the barn’s overhang edge, where the rain runs off, in order to ‘wash’ it out. Yes, I used disposable gloves during all this.
• I worked on some collage. I do not consider this pursuit high art. Some pieces turn out pleasing. Mainly, it’s soothing and is done without malice a forethought, meaning I am able to let go, use what’s in the box of goodies, and have fun. Very soothing, and highly recommended!

We went up the hill to visit our AN and his wife. He seemed better than when I saw him at the end of August. Not nearly as aphasic, but really with it. He expressed concern over my ankle should I not have surgery, in cogent ways. I was able to assure him that my doc is conservative and will toss me into his operating suite if that ends up being the only option. Our AN was skeptical that that I will escape surgery. Six weeks ago, I don’t think we could have had this conversation. It means his docs have his anti-inflammatories well balanced, maximizing his quality of life. It was good to see him this way. He sent me home with a light therapy devise for my foot!

They have purchased another home in the southern part of the state, near family, and are planning to move as soon as they can. The sale they thought was in the bag, didn’t happen for reason’s I won’t go into, but they’re optimistic that these original folks will come back around. I hope so too. Mrs. AN doesn’t want to spent another winter here. The house is heated with a wood fired furnace. Her husband used to take care of this ‘chore.’ Now she is taking care of him and all the things he used to do. She is very capable, and knows, in her late 70’s, that taking care of herself means she can take care of him.

As we drove back to our place, I said to my DH how impressed I was with her gentle strength and wisdom. Every minute with them is a blessing. I am so impressed with their outlook. Few that I know would have their resolve and good attitude about leaving a place they’ve been for decades.

It’s time to bring some dinner together. Lamb burgers with sautéed red onion and feta, roast purple potatoes, and leftover roast veggies. A traditional Sunday dinner seems a good way to conclude the weekend.