What a week Mum has had!
She had Christmas at my brother's house, which was discussed last week, and then, Friday, she had a visit from my youngest (not younger) brother and his son.
They had lunch at Elmer's, where Mom gorged on waffles and strawberries. Then, later, they went for a walk around Laurelhurst Park, just down from where we lived over 50 years ago. Mom hasn't the stamina nor the endurance she once enjoyed, but a short walk was all it took and then she was good to return to St. A's for a nap.
My brother remarked that it was nearly impossible to have a conversation, as Mom was hither, thither and yon in her thinking. After a year, it would be a shocker, but he's right - Mom's slowly sliding downhill with her thinking.
Since that time, Mom has been enjoying the cards sent to her from England, Port Angeles, and Portland, among other places. She truly relishes showing them off!
I asked her how she enjoyed her Christmas gifts, and she stated that she didn't receive anything yet; when prodded about the gifts that were in her room she stated, "Oh, I got those a very long time ago." Well, how time seems to fly for her!
Today we went to see "Unbroken", about Louis Zamparini. It truly paled in comparison to the book, but it did interest her enough for her to comment during the viewing:
"Oh, look! They're taking a train in Alaska!"
"Well, is that man a woman or a man? It must be a man, because they wouldn't allow women to be in charge of one of those camps!" (this was in reference to the man who played 'The Bird').
"Why don't those men bathe? Please, just take a bath!"
"That man is acting very oddly. He needs to stop screaming and hitting the walls!"
So, it was somewhat obvious she wasn't really following the storyline. Oy.
There was, too, a strong pronouncement of the Lewy Lean. Several times I needed to ask if she was sleepy - no. She was just listening (yeah, right!).
We then went to the store to procure some oranges. But, she also needed bananas and cereal. She said she wanted granola, but demanded (once she saw the marvelous selections) Special K with Strawberries and Yogurt. It proved futile to make clear to her that the yogurt was dried, and she'd need milk. Oh well.
At the check out stand she went looking for her purse, even though I kept telling her she'd left it at home. So, off she went into the cart of the people behind us, rummaging through their goods. I tried to stop her, but the couple asked her if she would like their produce.
"No, I was looking for my purse. Have you seen it?"
"Not in our cart, ma'am. But, if you'd like to buy our groceries for us we'd approve!"
I laughed. Mom just walked away without comment, and had completely forgotten the interaction by the time we reached the doors outside.
Yes, Mom is faltering, but getting her out for an airing is also quite good for her, too. She needs to be stimulated in many ways, even though there is no recognition. She does note the dead trees, and wants someone to take them out; next sentence she's stating it's still January (too late to be December, she says), but the leaves should be on most of the trees (didn't you know that? ).
She had Christmas at my brother's house, which was discussed last week, and then, Friday, she had a visit from my youngest (not younger) brother and his son.
They had lunch at Elmer's, where Mom gorged on waffles and strawberries. Then, later, they went for a walk around Laurelhurst Park, just down from where we lived over 50 years ago. Mom hasn't the stamina nor the endurance she once enjoyed, but a short walk was all it took and then she was good to return to St. A's for a nap.
My brother remarked that it was nearly impossible to have a conversation, as Mom was hither, thither and yon in her thinking. After a year, it would be a shocker, but he's right - Mom's slowly sliding downhill with her thinking.
Since that time, Mom has been enjoying the cards sent to her from England, Port Angeles, and Portland, among other places. She truly relishes showing them off!
I asked her how she enjoyed her Christmas gifts, and she stated that she didn't receive anything yet; when prodded about the gifts that were in her room she stated, "Oh, I got those a very long time ago." Well, how time seems to fly for her!
Today we went to see "Unbroken", about Louis Zamparini. It truly paled in comparison to the book, but it did interest her enough for her to comment during the viewing:
"Oh, look! They're taking a train in Alaska!"
"Well, is that man a woman or a man? It must be a man, because they wouldn't allow women to be in charge of one of those camps!" (this was in reference to the man who played 'The Bird').
"Why don't those men bathe? Please, just take a bath!"
"That man is acting very oddly. He needs to stop screaming and hitting the walls!"
So, it was somewhat obvious she wasn't really following the storyline. Oy.
There was, too, a strong pronouncement of the Lewy Lean. Several times I needed to ask if she was sleepy - no. She was just listening (yeah, right!).
We then went to the store to procure some oranges. But, she also needed bananas and cereal. She said she wanted granola, but demanded (once she saw the marvelous selections) Special K with Strawberries and Yogurt. It proved futile to make clear to her that the yogurt was dried, and she'd need milk. Oh well.
At the check out stand she went looking for her purse, even though I kept telling her she'd left it at home. So, off she went into the cart of the people behind us, rummaging through their goods. I tried to stop her, but the couple asked her if she would like their produce.
"No, I was looking for my purse. Have you seen it?"
"Not in our cart, ma'am. But, if you'd like to buy our groceries for us we'd approve!"
I laughed. Mom just walked away without comment, and had completely forgotten the interaction by the time we reached the doors outside.
Yes, Mom is faltering, but getting her out for an airing is also quite good for her, too. She needs to be stimulated in many ways, even though there is no recognition. She does note the dead trees, and wants someone to take them out; next sentence she's stating it's still January (too late to be December, she says), but the leaves should be on most of the trees (didn't you know that? ).
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