Which One is the Cooler Cat?

I had some fun with my camera yesterday. Kind of making up for working three days in a row and not having it close at hand. Maybe I went overboard, but you know how I like to take pictures. Digital photography has been a gift in so many ways.

So back to the cats...

We have two cats, Oreo and Little Cat. They are of the "mature" variety, both of them well over ten years old. Little Cat was born in our kitchen back on September 1, 2000. Oreo came to stay a year previous, so he is 16 years old.

Little Cat is the typical "scaredy cat." She hides from strangers, runs from the noise of plastic grocery bags, and is afraid of thunder. Although she appears aloof, she is really very affectionate in a safe, secure environment. When I sit on the couch, she often comes to look in my face and pat my arm.

Oreo is a brave soul who never (or at least very rarely) ran from dogs or small children. He often gives the back of my leg a smack as I walk around outside. He talks loudly, and likes attention. He also likes to be up high enough when we eat so as to peer at our plates in hopes of getting a taste, or at the very least a good look at it. Once upon a time he was brave enough to reach out and put his paw on my pizza, Not cool. Not cool at all.

Years back both our cats took up the habit of drinking out of the fish bowl. Now that the fish is dead and gone, we keep a fish bowl around to water the cats. I'm just a little weird like that.

And then, the other day I saw another cat... He doesn't live here, at least not officially. I don't know where he is from or how old he is. I'm fairly certain he shares my cats' food dishes when we are not looking, but I've never seen him in the house. I just happened to spot him watching me from the corner of the barn as I was out shooting picture last night. He's kind of cute, but I think Oreo has claimed the "Cooler Cat" status.
 :0)

Sunshine and Rain

It's a fickle kind of day.

It was our Monday to visit Tim so I wasn't surprised when Rachel called to remind me this morning, and this morning I needed a reminder. Since it was an otherwise "chill" day, we decided she should come early so we could go out and grab a coffee or something ahead of time. We opted for lunch at that little diner in town where we both ordered BLT's, her's on wheat and mine on rye. It was a nice relaxed bit of time together.

While Rachel rearranged a few things in her car, I found our brother settled into a cozy recliner in the home's living room. His eyes registered recognition but he didn't get up. He ground his teeth a few times and I asked if his teeth still hurt.  He said they did. His expression was sweet as we communicated, me with words, and him mostly with his eyes. As soon as Rachel came in, he hopped up and grabbed her hand. (I told you she's his favorite.*insert winky face )

We drove though sunshine, just plain rain, and sunshine mixed with rain while listening to Dad play his guitar and harmonica and sing. Tim ate his snacks and clicked his tongue with the music. At the end of our ride we went through Wendy's drive-thru and got him the customary small chocolate Frosty which he ate in about six heaping spoonfuls. (No, I didn't bother to count.) My head would be throbbing, but I think he's immune to ice cream headaches. Did you know Rachel can drive through the rain, sing, and clean up Tim all at the same time? She is truly amazing. (He ate most of it while we sat in the parking lot.)

No Soap!

So, what can I tell you about today?

I started the day helping my resident friends get washed up and out of bed for the day. I had a fight with a catheter connection. That was fun... And I helped a most obstinate madam with a shower she didn't wish to take. "No soap!" she insisted, even though we had finally managed to find her bar of Camay. When we got to the shower room she continued to kick up a fuss. I took it pretty much in stride. "This is the last shower I'm ever taking!" she warned, to which I replied, "Well, if this is going to be your last shower, then I think we had better use soap." She was not impressed.

Back in her room she moaned and carried on as I helped her into her clothes. I couldn't make her happy. Finally, as I worked her feet through the legs of her pants, I looked at her and said, "You know, if you would be nice to people, they would be a lot nicer to you."

"I don't want them to be nice to me!" she growled.

"Well, I think you do," I said, "I know I want people to be nice to me."

And that was the end of it until she was later heard by my friend (who was visiting her mother in law) complaining about me down at the hairdresser. Apparently I didn't listen to anything! Ah well, at least she was clean. :0)

On Your Mark...

I must admit, I am not feeling quite ready for the next three-day marathon, however, I do believe that I will reach the finish line triumphant.  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 taken slightly out of context and yet, nevertheless, true.) I keep thinking that if He put me there, He will need to provide the strength and endurance because I don't have it in and of myself.

I found myself not knowing quite what to do with my day. I cleaned the kitchen, washed my bedding, and put my laundry in. After a drive to town and a computer delay at the Dollar General where I was attempting to purchase pet food and potting soil, I returned home to repot an overgrown and sprawling (literally) jade.

A walk was considered, and then recon- sidered, and finally did not occur at all. We (Sofie, the cats, and I) made it all the way to the edge of the orchard where I stopped short after making a brief consideration on mowing the lawn. On our return to the house, I climbed onto the tractor only to find the key not in the cup holder, and this being a "new to me" machine, I decided  to fold my clean laundry instead, since it was not folding itself, even though I had given
it plenty of time.

Allergies, Exhaustion, and Observations

It is allergy season. I am lost in an allergy induced fog. My brain is tired and my body doesn't want to move. It only wants to sleep. Last year I referred to feeling "spacey and lethargic" and so it is again. (And you thought work was killing me.) Speaking of work, it took me all day to figure out why there were so many tissues decorating the floor of various halls and rooms. Could it be allergy season?

So, did I tell you that I'm tired? I'm almost too tired to blog. Almost. Love drives us to do many things, doesn't it? (That is one of the latches on a woodshed at my parent's house.)

The last few weeks have brought me to some different views on previous opinions held. I have had a bit of time now to observe the resident in nursing home care. The mentally and physically alert socialize and go to activities. Their days often consist of eating in the public dining room, visiting with staff, volunteers, and fellow residents, playing Bingo or Yahtzee, and going out with family. Those who are less cognitively alert, unable to navigate the halls independently, or even get out of bed, are left to the mercy of others. Many sit around the nurses' station between meals, napping or waiting for someone to come along and offer a kind word. Bedridden patients press call bells and hope that whoever answers will stay and chat for just a minute or two. It can appear that many of those in our care are simply existing. :( Mom did this much, and so much more. I am just now beginning to fully comprehend how blessed she was, and how blessed I am, for her having been here.

One of our residents received a package in the mail yesterday. She appeared rather shocked and confused by its appearance, but pleased just the same. She rarely leaves her bed and so the box of coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, and a few snacks made her day. There was no card tucked into the box and no return address on the outside. She made various attempts at deciphering who could have sent such a thing.  When I checked in later she was coloring contentedly.

A final word of wisdom. Don't hide a box of Junior Mints in the glove box of your vehicle and forget to eat or share them before the weather warms up. At least tuck them into your lunch box where they will be safe from damaging blasts of unexpected summer heat.

Then Comes the Rain

Our summer weekend melted my spring flowers and woke up the lilacs and apple blossoms. Everything is suddenly green!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my four day weekend and am looking forward with eager antici- pation to the next in two weeks. My Minnesota son and his family are coming to visit! How cool is that?

I took my boy back to Auburn this afternoon and dodged the rain for most of the way, but it caught up with me about a half hour from home and gave my dirty, pollen-covered vehicle a good rinse. One free car-wash.
:0)

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,
Today was Mother's Day and I thought of you. You weren't here in person to be blessed and honored, but I hope you somehow know how much we love you still and how you have blessed our lives by having been a part of them. I miss you a little bit more all the time and hope that if it's possible in heaven, one day we'll be able to sit down together and share a long talk.


It was a beautiful day for a family gathering. We cooked hotdogs and sausages out on the back porch, shared baked beans and potato salad, and munched on cucumbers, carrots,

and sugar snap peas. I smiled a little when I got "Jim's" designer plates out of the cupboard. There may not be any credits to his account on the packaging, but they still make me proud and it feels a little bit like he's here with us when we use them.

My afternoon was full of grand- children; loud, ram- bunctious, and rascally. I love them all! They played in the sandbox, ran through the rain, and were generally childish, just like

they should be. We were missing Austin, along with Jim and Michele, but they'll be here in a couple of weeks and we're all looking forward to their visit. I'm always blessed when the whole family gathers together.

Thank you, Mom, for your love of children and family, for childhood days full of laughter, and for passing those things on to me so that I can share them with my kids and grandkids. I am blessed.

Beautiful Day

Morning came early. That's been the way lately, even when I can sleep. The farmers hit the orchard early this morning and ran their sprayers all day. It's spring in apple country.

I took a drive to find my college son today. The weather was perfect. Instead of leaving my little dog home alone again, I decided to take her along. It was kind of nice to have someone to talk to along the way even if she wasn't very good at keeping me awake. I hadn't made the drive myself since January so it was nice to have the opportunity make the trip. I took my camera along just in case I found anything cool. How do you like those trilliums?

Since I've been driving along Lake Rd every day without my camera, and I had it in hand today, we decided to stop at B Foreman Park in Pultneyville and check out the lake. We laughed at how the lawn was all dug up and there was a time not so long ago when the caretaker would chase down kids on bikes, in his golf cart, and make them get off the grass. There was no climbing the trees either, even if your parents were there, and now all the playground equipment is gone aside from the swing sets.

The summer Joe was a year old I took the kids to the park often when My Darling worked late. At that time the beach was all round, smooth, lake stones. Today the beach is completely changed as they (whoever "they" is) have brought in huge quarried stone and gravel to prevent the lake shore from eroding. Only a small stretch of beach stones remain. I guess the signs are to protect the town or county from lawsuits should anyone slip and fall.

I kind of love that lake.

Cantankerous Laughter (or something like that)

Two days on, four days off. I am free for the weekend.

I came home from work totally exhausted last night. Tonight I am tired, but not feeling quite so wiped out as last night. Maybe I'd feel more tired if I had to get up and go back again tomorrow. ha ha!

I had an alright kind of day aside from the episode with one cantankerous individual for whom I could do nothing right. I'd say the experience was unsettling, but it wasn't unsettling for just myself. It's a common occurrence. I should feel sorry for Mr. Cantankerous because he is probably miserable and that is sad.. :(

Every day I am gaining skills and confidence. I'm doing things I'd never dreamed of and never hoped to add to my resume'. I could say that every day is an adventure. I love making people smile and I love the feeling that I might be able to bring a little bit of love and/or happiness to someone's day. I made Judy laugh, at my expense, and because she was so amused, I laughed too.

Hey, how about those cows? I thought I was taking a cute picture of a calf, but someone behind him was taking a leak and ruined my happy photo! Bet you hadn't even noticed, had you?
:0)

Tidbits From Today

* Tonight I am exhausted. It was a long day and my whole body is tired, especially my feet.I won't be staying awake long.

* One of the residents told me I had "permanent greasy eyes." I'm not sure what that means, but I'm not too worried about it.

* One of our residents had a very nice conversation with me while she soaked in the whirlpool tub. I learned that she had "Cadillacs" removed from her eyes. Makes me glad mine are just greasy. ha ha!

* I hadn't been at work too long this morning when one of the workers on our floor who I'd not seen before, asked if I used to go to the church on the Ridge. I said we had and she said, Didn't you have a lot of kids?" Turns out she had been a little girl years ago when we went to the Baptist church in Sodus. The really funny thing is that I had looked at another worker just a few days ago and thought of this very girl. It wasn't her, it was her mother. Small towns are so weird.

Staying Busy

My two days off are just about over. I've purposed to stay busy and not spend too much time sitting on my hind end. I was blessed to be with my friends at Ladies' Prayer this morning. Some of us had lunch together afterward, and a few of us stayed way too long talking before setting out for home or errands.

I deposited my first paycheck and then headed over to Target to spend some of it paying my bill. I was on my way across the parking lot, just about to cross the road directly in front of the door, when a little black car stopped, the window rolled down, and a guy in the front seat said, "Hey!" I was momentarily confused, but it was my son Nate in the passenger seat. Sabrina was driving and my chunky monkey grandson was there in the backseat.

As I chatted with Nate and Sabrina, Nate looked out across the parking lot and said, "Isn't that Bethany?" And there going down the next aisle toward her vehicle went my beautiful pregnant daughter pushing her little guy in a shopping cart. I called her name and we had a little family reunion right there in the Target parking lot! (Maybe I didn't stay too long at church after all.)




Sofie and I took another quick orchard walk late this afternoon. The blossoms can't be far off now. Gotta keep that camera handy.

A Long Post About My Day Off

I made it through my third 12-hour day yesterday and today I got to "rest." I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and met my friend Jo for lunch. I got home from my lunch date in time to take Sofie for a walk in the orchard. It was a gorgeous afternoon!

Sof was thrilled to be out in the sunshine. She thinks she was the leader but I really made the decisions.

We'd no sooner started our walk than I heard a tractor come into the orchard and turn on its sprayer. Blah. Those things can ruin a good walk.

We managed to stay away from the sprayer and met up with the tractor at the far corner of our yard where the driver was kind enough to stop his rounds of the trees until we were well up into the yard, halfway to the house.

Rachel arrived at my house a little after 2 pm and we went out to visit Tim. We found him sitting in a comfy chair. He didn't jump up like usual so I plopped down next to next to him and took a picture.

We had a nice ride, with Tim clicking along with Dad's music on the CD player. At some point, not too far into the ride, he started grinding his teeth, something he's never done with us before. Turns out he needs an extraction. :(

Partway through our ride I mentioned something about Rachel being his favorite sister. I wish I'd been ready to capture the way he looked at her. Sweet. We took one too many selfies when we got back and Tim was more than done with the attention. (A little acting out...) We got him back into the house and settled into his chair. Rachel kissed and told him that she loved him. I gave him a kiss, looked into his face, said "I love you," and I was blessed to hear him say it back to me.

It's been a good day. My feet are still tired and achy, but ibuprofen takes off the edge. Tomorrow I will deposit my first paycheck and buy myself a pair of TEDs. And, I'm going back to Ladies' Prayer for the first time in eight weeks.
:0)

Two Days Done

My feet are tired and achy tonight. The last two days have been full and I am learning so much. In the midst of learning I have had a few moments to love on some sweet residents. Most of them have been more than patient and I am grateful.

Today I had a nice conversation with one of the more spry residents. E. is in her 90's and her son was in to visit her the other night. It's a challenge just learning the names of the residents on our wing, much less the names of their family, but E caught my attention today when I realized the names of her son and daughter in law were familiar. Once upon a time, many years ago, we may have gone to church with them. (It is a small world after all.) Now I'm looking forward to meeting him some day and finding out if my memory is working properly.

There are plenty of moments during the day that make me smile and here and there a few that make my heart hurt. A nursing home is often the final residence and there is often sadness in the eyes of those who know their time is short. They often feel rejected and unloved even if family visit regularly. All we can do is love them and try to reassure them whenever and wherever possible. Sometimes our friends are lonely and I find myself wishing I could just sit and listen to them tell their stories. That would be a cool job, don't you  think?

Okay, time for me to go to bed. It's almost 9:30 pm!
(Pictures from Thursday.)

One, Day One

Day one of the weekend marathon is behind me. My legs and feet are tired and I'm hoping they recover before morning when I will get up and do another day like today all over again. I'm fairly confident my body will gradually adjust, and maybe my mind won't be far behind. It's kind of hard to imagine doing this week after week for months/years on end. I can imagine being home day after day, week after week, because that has always been my practice. This is something new.

I had a fun moment at work this morning when one of the residents called out to a woman across the hall who was braiding another resident's hair. "I'll see you later, Shorty!" she called. I looked again across the hall and into the open door of the other room. The woman braiding the hair was probably a several years older than me, short and slight, and black. Her face was warm and friendly. I went closer. "Do you live on P------ Rd?" I asked her. She did. "My daughter used to live next door to you." I told her.

When Shorty found out I was Bethany's mom, her smile grew brighter. "I just love Bethany!" she told me, and then I smiled. It was such a fun moment that I had to call Beth on my break and tell her. Next time I see Shorty I'm supposed to give her a hug from my sweet daughter. Now isn't that fun?P

PS. It was also nice to come home and find a card of encouragement in the mail from one of my mom's very good friends. I am blessed to call Judy my friend too. :0)