…a birthday or two…

Today is your birthday…

A couple of birthdays today…the big guy and uncle John.  So, doesn’t  everyone have an “Uncle John?”    Uncle John is up there in the eighties and the big guy…he will never tell.  So a very happy birthday to the big guy and to Uncle John. 

I am actually going to cook something great tonight and on Sunday, for a family dinner.  (Two times in one week, what am I thinking?)   I think beef bourguignon.  A great meal on a cold wintery day.  We can cozy up to the fire, have a glass or two and celebrate life.  

A few cousins are coming to celebrate mama’s birthday on Sunday.  I am very pleased.  As you know, it is difficult not to get snarky at people for not visiting mama.  (Maybe, if I am really nice, Santa will bring me the south sea earrings in Birks.  What!  I can be nice!)

Stay warm, stay safe and most of all, stay loved!

…afternoon Christmas tea party…

Christmas carols, Christmas songs, Christmas cookies, and Santa

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with mama at the annual Christmas tea party.  Sadly, not as many relatives and friends attended this year.   I realised more residents had passed as several more familiar faces were missing.   I arrived early to snag a parking spot.  Thankfully, one was waiting  just for me.  Thank you! 

Coiffed by moi, we were ready for the party.  It is always interesting to watch people interact with each other, especially when physical and mental challenges are so prevalent.  A lovely woman’s daughter, grand-daughter, and great-grand-daughter came for tea.  The presence of the baby girl brought smiles and clapping hands from residents who are usually very quiet.  The little one with chubby cheeks brought a spark of life into very sad and tired eyes.

Mom enjoyed the cookies and  a good cup of coffee.   Institutional coffee-the reason I bring a  good tall latte or no whip mocha.  I shudder just thinking of the swill.  So … back to the party.  Santa and his elf  brought presents and cheer.    Mom said to me that one of the workers is named Noel.  Noel was Santa.  Really, his name is Noel.  He is a great, able to get mom to cheer up and smile.  A good day for mom.

Sunday, wait for it…the family is coming to celebrate mom’s 94th birthday.  Mom said, “How old will I be again?”  “94, mom.”  She is so surprized she is still here.  Well, at least, she did not ask me why she has not died yet…life’s mystery.  As the boys state, “sheer willpower.”

…time in a bottle, is there a coupon…

There should be a coupon for extra time…

Don’t you agree?!  Too bad life is not a board game with “extra time” cards or “stop the world, I want to get off for a while” or “no phone calls today” …so many things to do, so little time.

Where did the past year go?  Do you feel like that?  This past weekend we had a birthday, a hockey game, and a concert thrown into the mix.  Dakoda turned 13, he is now a teenager.  A big milestone in a young man’s life.  The Canucks played on Saturday night, a winning game.  Unfortunately, we missed the first 5 goals as there were accidents all over the coast land.  The weather was absolutely miserable, dark, wet, cold, rain, rain, and more rain, and very crazy people who think they can speed along as if it was a clear, sunny day.  The fools!  Oh, well,  we saw the remaining second and third periods.  We had fabulous seats, just on the left side of the opposing team’s goal.  It has been years since I saw an NHL hockey game up close and personal.  So long ago… 

We started a new Christmas tradition last year.  We see Stuart McLean, the Vinyl Cafe Christmas show.  Sunday evening’s concert was absolutely wonderful.  The stories were full of laughter, delight, touching, and, of course, groans…Dave and Morely tales.  Stuart showcases Canadian musical talent.  This year-Jill Barber and Matt Anderson.  WOW! 

Go see Stuart McLean when he comes to your Canadian town or city.  It is worth every penny!  

Going to see Mama tomorrow.  Will update later.   Ta, Ta,  people, stay warm tonight. 

 

…another great meal, another great restaurant…

Another Italian restaurant…

We finally celebrated Nicole’s 30th birthday last night.  Three weeks after the fact, but, it could not be helped.  Life is busy.  So… last night in the pouring rain, we drove to Main street to a wonderful Italian restaurant – Campagnolo.  Hmm.  So very good.  No reservations.  Wait for a table if it is busy.  Great food.  Delicious food.  Served family style.  We just let the chef bring us whatever he desires and we eat it.  The winter vegetable salad – excellent.  The pizza – spectacular.  The pasta – to die for.  The meats – succulent.  The flavours – subtle, bold and absolutely divine.  Great bottle or two of wine.  A beautiful server with the best accent.  We wanted her to just sit down and read us a story.  She could have read the phone book and we would have listened in rapt attention.  Oh, it was so good.  We have not had a dinner date with Sean and Jamie for a while.  After the holiday season when Christmas is over, it will be a date.  I think Lizzie and Daniel should come too.  That will be fun.  So…looking forward to another fab dinner in January. 

The Gritti Palace Hotel, Venice, at the end of the day.  On holiday,  my very favourite past time…sitting outside, watching the people,  a glass of wine , the big guy…  and we were in Italy.  A best day.  

All things Italian…

Stay warm, stay dry on this coastland and most of all…stayed loved!

…another day in her wheelchair…

…Mom was not feeling well…

Mom/Granma spent a day or two in bed.  She was not feeling well, thus stayed in bed.  I fed her lunch while she was in bed.  The staff had not had her bed repaired.  The bed goes up and down fine, it is the head and foot raising/tilting  which was out of whack.  So…imagine this-mom had to be pulled into a sitting position with the overhead harness to keep her in the upright position in order to be fed.  Then…she had to sit upright in the harness for another half hour or more for the food to digest.  A fun time was had by all.  As of this past friday, the bed had been repaired…finally, after two or three weeks. 

I like to visit at different times of the day.  It is my way to check up on the care.  Friday evening, I arrived at 6:00 pm with a nice tall, no whip, peppermint mocha latte as a ‘end of the week’ treat.  Sadly the staff had mother all tucked up in bed and the lights out.  Now…I ask you…I think the sooner the staff have all the patient residents in bed with the lights out, the less staff is required for the night shift.  All tucked in their beds with the night time medications zonking them out for the night.  No problem.  So…not many visitors for mother.  Family I am speaking to you!   Family, do you care?  Family are you even reading this blog occasionally to see how mother is doing??  Hello? Anyone in the family out there?

Mama … probably 12 years ago, visiting Sharon,  before life’s aging difficulties ravaged her body. 

Family, I suppose you want to remember mom/granma like this rather than in the wheelchair in a long term facility.  I do too, but, the reality is almost blind and sitting in a wheelchair, every day and most without family and conversation.

…snow capped mountains & cheap gas …

Fall weather is the …… all the rain and wind.  The wet streets, the wet hair, the wet feet and the wet snarky people driving like maniacs!  I am very thankful for the sun on this coastland today.  The north shore mountains are very beautiful with their snow caps.  The “Lions” are majestic as always.  The ski runs are pristine.  All the kiddies will be rushing to the local mountains for opening day this weekend.  Silver Star has been open for a while.  Blackcomb and Whistler are opening this weekend.   The winter games will be full of excitement with all the shushing and racing down the black diamond runs.  I will not be there…too many people and the traffic will be a nightmare.  (Shudders) I will be watching it from afar as I am “getting out of Dodge.” 

And the cheap gas… Point Roberts was selling gas for .799 US$ or .85 Can$.  A very nice savings of .23 cents per litre = almost a $1.00 per gallon more or less when converting to imperial from metric measure.    It was worth the time out of a busy day. 

Geri’s photo of boogie boarders on the north shore of Oahu.   A much better way to get wet.  Stay dry today!  The rains return tomorrow.

Enjoy your day in the sunshine on this coastland!

…Remembrance Day…

John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields serving in the First World War.  It is almost 100 years since the start of that war.  Wasn’t it said somewhere that it was the war to end all wars?    For centuries man continually fights battles, marching off to war for freedom and power.  Don’t you just want to say “Stop It.”  Of course, who is listening. 

What is freedom? 

The dictionary defines it as being “free of restraints.”  The Free Online Dictionary defines the word freedom as: “ personal liberty, as from slavery, bondage, serfdom, etc.  The liberation or deliverance as from confinement or bondage.  The quality or state of being free to enjoy political and civil liberties.  The state of being without something unpleasant or bad; exemption or immunity.  The right or privilege of unrestricted use or access.  The power or liberty to order one’s own actions.  Able to choose between alternative actions in identical circumstances.  The ease or frankness of manner, candour.  The excessive familiarity of manner; boldness.  The ease and grace, as of movement; lack of effort.”  In essence the dictionary states freedom, liberty,  and license refer to “the power to act, speak, or think without externally imposed restraints.”  

The Berlin Wall was and is a symbol of man imposing restraints.  Watching the historical footage of families being separated was heart wrenching.   Families waving hankies to loved ones across the barbed wire or desperate families climbing through the barbed wire to get to freedom in grainy black and white film is forever a part of history.  I can imagine little children saying “Why” not understanding.   What was the answer an adult replied to a child’s question – why? 

How many little children around the world must watch their daddy or mommy march off to war or watch the devastation of war unfold before their eyes?  Too many is the answer.

I recently purchased a book of poems written by soldiers in the first world war. 

Here is an excerpt from a poem by W. N. Hodgson, the poem is titled “Release” ~

Death whining down from heaven,

Death roaring from the ground,

Death stinking in the nostril,

Death shrill in every sound,

 

Doubting we charged and conquered -

Hopeless we struck and stood;

Now when the fight is ended

We know that it was good.

 

We that have seen the strongest

Cry like a beaten child,

The sanest eyes unholy,

The cleanest hands defiled,

We that have known the heart-blood

Less than the lees of wine,

We that have seen men broken,

We know that man is divine.

 

 Thank you to my father, uncles, aunt and countless men and women who have seen the horrors of war to gain our freedom.    

 

…alive and grateful…

Life intrudes on writing …

I know, very lax in writing lately…just a lot on the plate and I really want to get everything caught up before the Christmas season.  (Shhh… I am almost done shopping!) 

Yesterday, a very busy day with Mama.  We went to the eye specialist to have her eye pressure tested – glaucoma.  The eye doctor is very pleased as her eye pressure is low and that is excellent.  Glaucoma is a very insidious eye disease which steals your eye sight.  It is hereditary.  So… if someone in your family has it, you may have the gene which could trigger blindness.  Get your eyes checked!  Very, Very IMPORTANT.

One of my writer friends, Susan Wiggs had a gratitude project last year – 30 days of gratitude.  It was so inspiring and I met another dear writer friend through Susan’s project.  So… all you who are grateful to be alive and have many things to be grateful for…post on Susan’s gratitude project.  I promise you, you will be inspired and may just find a new friend.

Come on…I dare you, send Susan a grateful post.  I dare YOU!  Instructions for posting:

Send a gratitude message in an e-mail to post@gratitudeproject.posterous.com    Your post will appear without an attribution (which means your name) unless you want to sign your first name or initials or your location in this crazy world.  

To read all the posts go to ~ www.gratitudeproject.posterous.com      

You will find funny, sad, colourful, heart-warming, delicious, sappy, inspiring, cool, musical, wonderful comments of gratitude. 

Stay warm.

 Stay safe. 

 Stay loved. 

Stay thankful!

…extended care ~ does the staff listen…

Question: does the long-term care staff listen to mother?    A: NO.

A dear friend from California came for a visit last week.  Off we went to visit mama.  Upon entering the room, mama was telling the care aide there was a problem – no slip.  (What? Again?! Yes.)  Mother was trying to get the aide’s attention that she had neglected to put a slip on under the dress.  Mama was plucking at her dress, getting very distressed while the aide ignored her.

As you all know, daughter to the rescue and none too soon, much like the avenging angel prepared for battle.  Before you all get your knickers in a twist – I was polite, but very firm as to where the slips are (in the second drawer of the dresser), and a slip must be put on under mom’s dress.

“Mom, it’s okay. I am here and I can put it on for you” all the while pinning the aide with a withering look of disdain and trying to put the fear of God into her for not listening to mom.  Mother may be almost blind, but, she can hear, can speak, and can get very frustrated at the uncaring attitude demonstrated towards her.   Upon showing the ‘twit’ (oh, that is unkind… too bad, so sad),  where the slips are and the importance of maintaining a sense of dignity for the elderly.  I hope she will remember to put the damn thing on mother.  I know, I am a bit terse today.  Seriously, how hard is it to put a slip on a 93-year-old woman?!  If one puts the undershirt on, the logical line in thinking is that a slip will take the same amount of time.  It is just a little bit longer and covers up the legs.  Mom gets so frustrated when she is ignored.  Wouldn’t you?  Image yourself…blind, confined to a wheelchair and ignored.  Not very nice is it!

I believe I will have to write a letter to the administration regarding the attitude of the aides.  The point is…not every person in long-term care has dementia or alzheimers.  If one does not have enough verbal stimulation and conversation…the old “use it or lose it” adage comes to fruition. 

Mom was all settled by the time her hair was curled, the fruit and cheese snack and the tall no whip mocha was gone .  The music was softly playing and all was well by the time Pam and I left. 

Now if only, if only we could get the aides to stop for a wee moment and think about the patient’s well-being, both physically and mentally.  NOT all patients are off in la-la land never to return.

…one of my favourite places…

 

Oh-to be in Italy, anywhere in Italy, well…there are a few wonderful places I would rather be when I have to deal with incompetance.

Venice ~ A favourite place to people watch, drink great coffee, and hold hands.  Ah…..

 

Enjoy your day, wherever you may be, hopefully away from the inept.

…another hair cut, same slip of the sissors…

Cutting hair is definitely not my calling…

Last week, I tried cutting mom’s hair again.  Actually this time I did a better job…well, there is that one spot on the right side, just a touch shorter.  Oh well,  this is another time mom’s blindness is a blessing.  I must say,  it looks better than last time.  As you may recall, we had to visit the hairdresser after my little venture into hair styling.  I watched the hairstylist very closely… discovered the hair really should be wet.  So… a much better job, in fact, mom’s natural curls are quite lovely.  (I will pat myself on the back now.)

Saturday, I met my dear friend Jilly and Ralph, her husband.  Together we visited Burnaby Lake with their granddaughters.  So very sweet.  Anna had me take a number of photos, a little model posing by the trees and flowers.  Little Maria soon posed too.  (The little ‘posers’, I guess that is what it will be like to have granddaughters.)  Great day in the sunshine.  It isn’t the Stanley Park seawall, still, a lovely walk. 

Another short visit with mom after my walk.  Fed her, brushed her teeth and put on the music…after the piece of chocolate, of course.

... october sunset ...

 

 

…a spectacular sunset on Saturday evening…

 

The sky was on fire over the rooftops. I will have to learn how to remove  the street lamp out of the shot. 

 

If we had been in the boat…

 

Stay warm and loved where ever you are in this crazy world.