Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Over the River and through the woods
(3:00pm) - I am here in San Diego having flown in last night from Charlotte, NC ... and boy are my arms tired!!!
HA HA HA HA !!!!
Seriously, though, I'm here to visit my grandmother (my mom's mom), to see how she's getting along, help her cope, and hopefully reconnect with her. It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've seen her, not quite as long since I've spoken to her by phone, and much longer than either of those since I've spent any time alone with her.
So I got here last night and sacked out about midnight. This morning I got up at 8:30am (local) and had breakfast. About 12:15pm I was at Amelia's ... Marggie's permanent residence. It's an assisted living facility - actually a typical neighborhood house that happens to be a business taking care of older folks who don't want to give up their independence.
So Amy & I talked a long time. That was very fruitful: it was good to hear another perspective on my grandmother from someone besides a family member. The short form is, Marggie isn't doing well. She's 81 now, and has been in Amelia's house for seven years. She's got emphysema and tremors from having given up smoking. She actually only *quit* smoking a year ago; someone was sneaking her the occasional cigarette before that. I know who it is, and won't publickly reveal that name; suffice it to say that Amy is convinced Marggie smoked her last cigarette about one year ago.
.... And that's when the *tremors* started. Marggie can't walk unescorted without getting the shakes. She's fallen down and broken her hip already; this time she broke a leg. Both within a year. According to Amy, Marggie is so fiercely independent that she won't use the bell Amy gave her - she insists on walking around her room alone. Even just turning the tv on or going to the closet requires assistance, according to Amy. Thus the bell, and thus Marggie's resistance to ringing it.
So ....
I left Marggie's permanent residence and went to the nursing facility where she is recuperating from the broken leg. Talked a bit with Brian, the social worker there (who evidently was concerned I was here to insist she was moving back to Florida - no questions asked), and confirmed to his and my satisfaction that I wanted *only* to reconnect and help Marggie however I can.
So ... I went to her room, and at 2:15pm ... she was sleeping. I may have come a long way, just to see her, but I couldn't do it. I just turned around and left her asleep. It's now about 3:15pm and I'm going to head back there. Hopefully she's awake. If not, I'll just wait by the bed :)
More to come!
Friday, 11 January 2008
Bush's Resume - read it ...
(12:00pm) - This is a modern political classic! Someone went to a lot of effort putting together a list of George W. Bush's travesties of justice, privilege, and Presidential Power. Of course, since it came by email there's no telling how much of it is *really* true. But so much of it is verifiable that I put it on its own page right here:
http://smdk66.googlepages.com/bushresume
It's a crying shame that this *could* be written at all - what a sad testament to our time. We all share responsibility ... but that's a political discussion (argument?) for another place and time.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Happy New Year ....!
(5:30pm) - Once again I apologize for the long layoff. My holidays began a few days after my Nov 14th '07 post (here) and only recently ended ... they were long, busy, happy, fulfilling, and warm. I'm raring to get back to posting.
In short, I went out of town for Thanksgiving, then my folks came back in to town from 12/17 to 12/31, I went to Atlantic Beach, FL for a weekend, and helped my sister celebrate New Year's Eve with a few friends and a healthy bonfire (although the wood was slightly damp and the fire a little less than spectacular) ...
All in all it was a great time. Now it's election time (phew ... I wish Joe Biden had been a viable candidate) and I'm fascinated by how the process works. It's post-season time in pro football (please, somebody, please beat the Patriots!) and my beloved Dolphins have ended their worst season in history. The college bowls are over (my beloved Gators lost to Michigan, taking all the air out of my excitement about bowl season) and the SEC again reigns supreme. Is there any doubt any longer??? All must bow down before the greatest, strongest conference in all of college football!!!
Last but not least, it's time to get focussed on getting work ... I'm still unemployed. Part-time hours working for my brother-in-law helps, but doesn't get it done. I do have a good solid iron in the fire, and there's always Papa John's, Pizza Hut, or Domino's ... or a mom-and-pop joint. If I have to go minimum wage (don't laugh -- it's nearly upon me), I'm going to where I love to work.
Happy New Year to you and everyone you love and care about: I hope you have a GREAT 2008!