Saturday, March 29, 2014 

I almost walked to Barb’s without my coat this afternoon. It’s 60 degrees. One hardly knows what to wear. Was up early this morning, when it was still frosty—around 28 degrees. Lucy went out before 6:00 am. No walk this morning. Mammogram instead. I keep hoping I will arrive at the hospital to learn that mammograms are no longer given; they were proved worthless, diagnostically speaking. Of course, hang in there long enough and no woman over the age of 50 will be allowed to have one anyhow.

I stopped off at market to have breakfast with Richard and Phil, two of the men who meet there on Thursday and Friday mornings for camaraderie and a bite to eat. Richard treated me to Florida strawberries. I had been waiting for them. Nancy reports their first appearance and her visits to the strawberry farms for a shortcake with granddaughter Annaleis. I had some when I arrived home, adding them to yogurt, chopped walnuts, and a dollop of maple syrup. (Can maple syrup be provided in a dollop, or should it be a soupçon?)

When I arrived back home, mom needed another morning shower, and so I obliged. Didn’t wash her hair. Am allowing her a week’s worth of peace.

Mom ate well today: breakfast cereal, toast, and coffee; roasted chicken with potato filling and gravy; stracotta (Italian pot roast with cremini mushrooms, onions, garlic, pinot noir, and beef stock—a Giada Di Laurentis recipe); and my wonderful cauliflower soup with organic peas. This is about two more meals than mom usually eats. But if she asks for food—even if she has forgotten that she has eaten—I give it to her. There are plenty of days she hardly eats anything. In a little while, I will offer her cookies and juice. She is watching Andy Griffith right now. I will not allow her to watch any of the currently fashionable trashy shows. It’s my turn to protect mom.