Tuesday, May 27, 2014

What a morning! I was in the bathroom, when Valentino started to vomit. So I ran and threw the only towel available onto the Oriental runner in the hallway. It was a white towel, naturally. And his vomit was bright yellow. He vomited again outside on the stone patio. No problem there, except that when Lucy peed on the carpet on the porch, I had planned to hose the carpet down and lay it there. No matter. Hose the stones. 

After we walked the pups, Betty and I moved the carpet outside bearing yesterday’s scent. I washed it down with vinegar water, soap, and baking soda, then we laid it over the picnic table to dry. 

Back into the house, and my day was off to an early start. There was mom. In the bathroom already, and it’s only 0800. After she brushed her teeth (a 5-minute ritual), I sent her back to bed. I am off to shower and go to the hospital to give Reiki to oncology patients, and then off to NJ to have my tooth checked. I might have chipped a filling with an unpopped piece of popcorn two weeks ago. 

Long day ahead of me, and Val is already upset because we left him yesterday. (Of course, Aunt Betty was here twice to let them out and check up on them. We were only gone for 5 hours, but that’s a long time in dog-hours!) And mom will be left here with Rob. Oh, tomorrow! Longwood Gardens. I need to find a sitter for mom, or Rob will have two very long days to deal with. On to the phones! 

Later— 

Schedule revised. Stayed home from the hospital. Not feeling well. Canceled the trip to NJ to the dentist. Rain forecast and my tooth is OK. (The filling appears to be intact.) And Mary is unable to go to Longwood Gardens tomorrow. She has some knee damage and must undergo surgery. Is this Mercury in Retrograde? 

Never mind. I am home and can relax and recuperate. Was also available for a conference call and am now revising a 195-page document that was FINAL, but will now be MORE FINAL!  

While I was at it this morning, I cleaned the back porch; hosed down the area rug that Lucy soiled; vacuumed; steamed the tiles; replaced the chair mats (they were getting old) with brighter, more summery ones; and cleaned the patio somewhat (could not put out weed killer because of impending rain). Two weeks from the wedding shower. Need to get things in order. Each time I went back into the house, mom would ask Is it cold out? Windows are opened, breeze is pleasant, and she asks, Is it cold out? I was able to keep her bedroom windows wide open until the storm. 

Storm was violent. Branches down, as usual. Cable out: thus, no email, television, or phones. Sorry I went with the cable company for the phones. But at least I have my cell phone. Mom is in bed, having been to the bathroom around 5 or 6 times in one hour. What else is there for her to do? She has asked me several times to Fix that, meaning the television. But she is happy. Her windows are closed and she is back in darkness and warmth, covered by her down comforter. It’s a bit too early for bed, so I imagine she will be up all night. I hope Rob will get some sleep. She is wont to call and he usually hears her. 

 

Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 

Have had flags for years. Today, I am flying one of the big ones. Need to go to Loews to buy a clip for it. We are headed for Pottstown, where Captain B. will have his flag flying high and always at the ready. 

Mom says she knows where Pottstown is. It isn’t far from here, is it?

No, mom. It’s 30 minute away.
Pottown is nice. I remember always seeing the sign for Pottstown.
So, you remembering seeing the sign when you drove?
Yeah (weak smile).
Mom, you never drove near Pottstown at all.
Oh yeah. What are you doing?
Making lemon squares.
Oh yeah?
Yes, do you remember when you used to bake?
Oh yeah (weaksmile—always a dead giveaway).
Sure, mom. You never baked a cookie in your entire life. 

Rob started to laugh so hard, I followed, with tears streaming down my face. He said we should record our “conversations” and send them to Fire Sign Theater. I couldn’t do the judgin’ cause I didn’t know the Latin! 

Well, at least mom is showered and has had her cereal. All we have to do is load her into the car later, as she regales us with, I remember this, all the way down. If only she did. 

Rob started laughing as he recalled an incident with his father, who complained to his brother (Rob’s uncle) that we had gotten his towels wet. The response was priceless and delivered only as Ken could deliver it: But Crawford, that’s what they’re for!”

I reminded Rob that his father wasn’t demented. No, he said, irascible!
Curmudgeonly!
Cantankerous!
Contumacious!

We were halted by mom, who asked, Where did you buy this? Referring to a small container of Lancôme face cream, which I left on the kitchen counter for her.

At the store.
Really? How much did you pay for it? (That’s another favorite question for which she rarely seeks an answer.)
A lot.
Oh yeah?

Sigh! Went to Loews for the grommets. The American flag is now flying high—well, sort of. It’s over by the fence, but I still have the mounting bracket and will someday have someone mount it onto the house for me! God bless America and all the men and women who fought for us.