T-minus 2
We’ve had a good day. I picked up mom at the ferry terminal at noon. She broke out apples from the tree, having decided to bring just a few, as we got in the car. They were welcome. These transport days always leave one skating over meals somehow. Mom was surprised, upon seeing daughter #2’s […]
Gearing up for the trip
Mom and I leave for the ranch on Sunday. I’m excited and am carrying around a certain amount of anxiety about it all at the same time. Such is living the life of an integrated woman! My clothes are packed. My boss lent me her authentic, beat up snake skin boots, and mesh sided cowgal […]
Dad’s College Obit
Starting in early spring my dad’s first wife, Carole, began coaching my mom to get at obituary published in their college newsletter. The communications that went back and forth about this were many, and repetitive in nature. Mainly it was my mom asking Carole for the same information over and over. Carole finally called me […]
Connecting with old friends.
Mom has been writing with an old college friend. They have connections that transcended their college years, and had filtered into their professional lives. Their correspondence has been good. When I called mom Friday night, she told me what a busy week it had been. Her friend had been there to visit. Her friend had […]
No Simple Conundrum
I read recently, with fascination, that people who are empathetic can suffer severe social anxiety. This explains volumes about me, to me. Certain gatherings have always caused me such tremendous amounts of anxiety that I have felt paralyzed in the anticipation of the event. The event always ends up going far better than my fertile imagination […]
Jam Management
Mom and I both love to make jam. I think we have dominant pioneer genes. We also enjoy putting ‘food by’ in general. Eating jam, however, has gone by the wayside for me. It slipped away when the doctor told me gluten and I we’re no longer friends. No PB&Js? Why bother? I still make […]
Fixing Leaks on the Roof!
Mom has had a small leak around the kitchen oven vent for some time. When I called last night she told me, in detail, how she was going to get up on the, flat, roof today and caulk this transgression into submission. My instant reaction was alarm. This was quickly replaced by resignation. There’s no […]
Money Market
Mom has written eight checks against one of her money market accounts. This is three more than is allowed by the feds. When I called her just now to gently remind her of this, she actually remembered the five check limit! I’ve told her about the limit three times. She apologized. I, in a light […]
Leasing the Mainland House
Mom is sure in her decision to remain on the Island. To the point that she wants to bring back furniture that she and my father moved to their mainland house. I’m totally suuportive of this. Her Island home shows years of fire place smoke damage. I’ve suggested, now that the chimney is fixed (at […]
Department of Licensing ~ Countdown
Recall the letter from the Department of Licensing my mother received in late April. The letter giving her 60 days to have a doctor sign on the bottom line that mom is OK to drive. When she received the letter, she and I had a couple of conversations where I encouraged her to simply make […]
Dementia Dance - Travels with Mom 