Beneath the Wraps

             Mom embellished on her “sky-diving” story – a bit with the realization that jumping out of an airplane is something she would never do.   In this version it was from a commercial airline with mechanical problems.   Mom said she didn’t want to, but it was the crew that had forced all of the passengers to jump.           Harold told his story about going up in a stunt plane that did loop-to-loops.   They had fastened video cameras to each wing and had one in the cockpit.   This filmed every move that was made and then the three films were spliced together.   Harold said he had it on video tape.   But that it does tend to make most people sick when they watch it because it’s like being there.             Corey had explained to the family that there are seven stages of dementia and th...

--> --> When Jenna was three she discovered some blue gravel that had been dumped by the shed.   Biff had left it there after cleaning out a fish tank.   Jenna thought that they were beautiful seeds and wanted to plant them.   I tried to explain that they weren’t seeds – but she was insistent that we bury them so that they would grow into a beautiful flower. Everyday she would check the spot where the “seeds” had been planted – impatient that the flowers had not bloomed overnight.   Again, I tried to explain to her that even if the seeds had been real seeds – flowers do not spring up overnight.   It takes time.   Especially in our family, it seems. Jenna did not stop checking.   She was determined that her flower would grow.   She watered the area.   She talked to it.   She was certain that a flower would grow.   I really did not want her to be crushed and so devastate...

Mom did not go to Anna’s third birthday party.   She may not have known about it.   I wondered who would bring her – or if she’d be there at all.   I learned that the last time Sunny and her family had collected my mom for a Sunday dinner was probably the last time she was out. I had taken her out on Memorial Day .   I don’t think she would have come if Harold hadn’t given his approval. “Mom, you have to come.   Your brother, Bruce, will be there.” She hadn’t seen Bruce for years.   He actually looked the same to me – but in her eyes he was still 29 or 35, certainly not an old man.   She didn’t recognize him. But she was active and attentive and helped provide Corey with names to go with several photos he had found.   She enjoyed herself and we enjoyed having her there.   But that was over a month ago.   I haven’t taken her out since, and from what I understand, she doesn’t want to go. Well, that’s a far cry f...

As I have previously mentioned here and here , mom and Corey both have collected tons and tons of books over the years. Before we sold mom’s house, Corey and I took very few books to add to our own collections.   But the majority were boxed up for the uneventful yard sale (at least that’s how it appeared) and donated to charity. Most Americans in the 1730s had limited access to books. Books in early America were rare and expensive.   Only the wealthy and clergy had access to several books.   There were no public libraries.    In July 1731 Benjamin Franklin introduced his idea of borrowing books to a group of members. 50 subscribers invested 40 shillings each to start a library.   They committed to continue investing 10 schillings a year for the purchase of additional books and maintaining the upkeep of the building that would house the books which were donated.   Thus the library was born          ...

Today I read a conversation that took place between Corey and my mom.  She's upset that the workers at the facility seem to be sticking their noses into her affairs.  She wants her privacy and doesn't want the world watching her through open windows or open doors.  Therefore she keeps the blinds closed and leaves the door to her bedroom closed because she doesn't want anybody watching her.  Those who do are perverts.  And she swears when she returns to her room to find her blinds have been open.  Evidently she used the word "damn" in almost every sentence she said to Corey this afternoon. Evidently Harold is NOT her boyfriend.  He is an old man.  Mom doesn't even call him Harold anymore.  He is that guy.  He is old enough to be her father - so she says.  I learned that he is twelve years older.  Mom is on the younger end of those who reside at assisted living.  Harold's physical health seems to be far worse than mom's ...

  Noel took Jenna for half the day two Saturdays before Christmas.   In the process Jenna fell in love with Noel’s dog, Hallie.   Later, when Noel was traveling out of town, she was looking for a sitter to take Hallie for four days.   I volunteered – more for Jenna than Noel.   Unlike our dog, Highness, who’s only preferred activities are sleeping and taking walks, Hallie is an active four year old lab who LOVES to play – possibly more than Jenna.   I don’t know why Noel has her on such a strict diet, but I can’t leave food out for Highness to eat at his convenience as Hallie is supposed to eat certain foods at certain times – and Highness is such a fussy eater that he usually chooses NOT to eat what’s been left in his dish. Last week I watched Lacy – who belongs to Frank and Marie.   Normally I’d have said “No” except for they’ve watched Jenna on several occasions – not overnight, but several hours each time. Unlike Hallie, Lacy i...

On Monday I created this post . On Tuesday it was windy.        Not just a cool breeze.   Powerful winds – almost like before a storm. The skies were grey but appeared almost cloudless and yet I could not get this song out of my head Since then the temperatures have been in the three digits.   It’s not supposed to go down until Wednesday.   And then it’s still supposed to be 97 Biff said he is unable to sleep because it’s so freakin hot and we have taken out the air conditioner that was in his room and put it in the main room.   Roland says he can’t give it back until Biff’s room is clean.   And if it’s not clean, we will be moving him into Jenna’s room and Jenna can have Biff’s room.   We did set up a small inflatable pool.   It has been somewhat helpful.   But theoretically we’re not supposed to be using so much water.   There is a drought. Grass is dry and we’re no...

-->   I recently   took out my pocket tape player in order to listen to a talk I had recorded.   Apparently I never put it away as Jenna discovered it this morning.   I gave her a tape that could be used for a blank and she has been singing and playing and laughing.   Not expensive entertainment.   It’s fun listening to her enjoy herself.     Reminds me of when Corey used to do it.   He could keep himself occupied for hours.   I suppose I enjoyed it too.   But the reel-to-reel was not something I could just pull off the shelf and take control.   That was a heavy beast – and we didn’t have blank reels at hand like we had with cassette players.   

Yesterday as I drove to the assisted living I noticed the skies getting darker.   After we arrived in the parking lot, I took my sunglasses off.   The skies didn’t appear to be overcast, and yet the atmosphere was present.    By the time I returned home, the sky looked more overcast – like it does before it rains.   But the air itself said: IT IS NEVER GOING TO RAIN AGAIN – it was ugly and hot – not at all inviting.   I loved the cool breeze of the last two days before.   I’d love for the breeze to return and dwell for the duration.                                                             kfralc