The Years To Remember

 8/25/23 This morning I woke up feeling almost normal and I felt well enough to run a few errands. I needed some protein powder to supercharge my smoothies since my soft food diet makes protein a challenge. Nothing speeds healing along like an adequate protein intake, so I was on a mission.  After a trip to Target, I went to the library to print off some paper work so I can make my first withdrawal from my retirement account. I'm actually just rolling it into a Roth IRA and I found out it's quite a process. I almost considered buying a printer, but I remembered the last two printers I bought - the struggles - the malfunctions - the dried ink cartridges - the fit of rage in which I dumped the last printer into the trash (well, recycling; I'm not a monster). Considering there are only one or two times a year I need to print something, the library will do. I donate a few dollars and am on my way. I almost felt well enough to drive to my Mom's as planned, but then my lip st...

Friday 8/18   The Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra put on the best performance of classical music I have ever seen. I enjoyed it immensely and the free ice cream before hand didn't hurt. Sunday 8/20 Queensbury in Warren County made a beautiful backdrop to today's bike ride with Susan. We did a hard 34 miles up and down hills the entire way (1500 ft elevation) in just under 3 hours. I was exhausted, but pleased with myself. It was the hardest ride I've ever done.  The halfway point on the Champlain Canal Lock #9. Seventeen miles in and the temperature was rising. An adorable little chapel on the route. The chapel was nicely decorated both inside and out. Clowning around a bit. This was near the end - I was ready to be done with the hills. I'll definitely be getting an e-bike someday. Thursday 8/24 The surgery on my lip went well yesterday, according to the Dr., but I was left gobsmacked by the aftermath. I guess I expected it would be just slightly more invasive than ...

My seed grown marigolds are in full flower and add a nice pop of orange to my pink and yellow garden palette.  Today is my fifth day at home and I'm doing little in the way of physical activity, but lots of mental rebooting. Not much socializing aside from lunch with my friends and a bonfire on the bricks with Annette. The lawn is mowed (mostly), laundry is done, and my yoga practice is back to an almost daily habit, as are daily walks. Oh yes, one day I got out the saw and loppers and trimmed trees and shrubs which have been annoying me all summer - very therapeutic! Well, now that I look back at what I accomplished, physical activity is  mental therapy for me. I grew two cabbages!! The garden has been quite neglected so far, and the independent plants are the survivors. Reading by the fire for an hour, before it turned into wine by the fire for another hour. Bliss. A group bike ride got cancelled today due to weather that has not really materialized, so I'll go and do the ri...

 Another week spent at mom's and I'm finding my limits in terms of stress. I suppose one does what one must in difficult circumstances, such as escaping a wildfire with only minutes notice. Or living in a war zone for a year and a half with no end in site. Compared to the challenges some people are facing, caring for an aging parent doesn't seem like much of a stressor. Yet here I am.  When I arrived on Tuesday, mom was still having stomach pains and digestive problems. She was having trouble caring for herself after being sick and eating very little for 2-3 weeks. She refused medical treatment, so I just did my best helping her and preparing meals. I also met with a woman who has agreed to be her care giver starting tomorrow.  We also met with the Caring Angels, a more formal care giving company and mom was receptive to using them as well. She finally admitted that she knows she needs help, but wishes it were family. This is where the guilt got to be overwhelming to me. ...

  The seven clumps of yellow coneflowers are in full bloom and make my coffee hour in the garden very pleasant these days. I'm back at my mom's to help get her care in order. She is quickly losing her capacity to prepare meals, tidy up, or deal with the house. The visiting Angels are coming Friday to evaluate her. She will not go to a nursing facility, so in-home care is the option of choice for now. The past week has made clear that three of us sisters are main decision makers and care givers. Two brothers and another sister are pitching in to some extent, and one sister is out of the picture entirely. And she is the one mom longs for. A tad frustrating. When I was home I managed to take care of my own house - lawn mowing being the biggest job. My lawn mower nearly blew up due to the long grass, but I managed to bring it back to life. My wine buddy Annette heard me scream and stop mowing so she came over to help and we decided to just have a glass of wine and leave the mowing ...

Tansy, I think, from a neighbors garden. My youngest sister comes by for a walk with me each day which is great for our mental health. Wednesday 7/26 A cooler morning prompted me to get on my bike early to ride ten miles which turned into 18 as the 500 mile mark was so close. I did have to back track around the lake twice to get to 18 miles, but the weather was with me and I wasn't sure I could ride in the heat that was in the forecast.  Later, I took to the highway to visit Mom and enjoy a housewarming/graduation party for my sister and brother-in-law and my niece.  One sister and I spent the next morning and afternoon cooking and chatting, and going on a short walk. The party  was lots of fun. Mom made a huge effort to be there, but she was not feeling well today, and I brought her home early and now she is feeling worse. I helped her to bed and she is hoping a good night of sleep will help. We all do worry quite a bit about her.  Tree trimming, bike riding, laundr...