I had a pretty busy week as some of you know that follow me on FB. I hope no one thought I was complaining about my life. It was more for me to realize how I need to step back once in a while before I become a whirling dervish. It always feels more burdensome when I'm tired and this past week I was not feeling that great so it added to the burden. I don't know about you, but life always seems a bit harder when I am tired and/or not up to par. Overall, I am so blessed that I truly have no reason to complain.
When I am in Plymouth the bedroom I use does not have a TV so my morning and nighttime rituals are a bit different. I listen to the radio as I get up and as I go to sleep (in Virginia I use the TV for this routine). Each morning and evening I either complete a word search puzzle or a crossword puzzle. I also play a word game on the computer in the evenings as I watch TV. I guess in my own way, I'm keeping my brain active. I have noticed lately that when I'm trying to calm my mind or stop thinking about too many other things, I have words and letters in my mind all the time. It's like a boggle game appears and I start making word combinations. For me it's a way to shut out a lot of extra noise. I know there are some nights when I'm on the computer game that I feel my brain is not working at all. It's a timed game and people from all over the world play it and sometimes I come up with only 30 words and the leader comes up with 127 in the same time period. I am not a competitive person, but sometimes that score gets to me and I have to turn off the game. How do you turn off the noise and thoughts?
Mom had a pretty good week. She has been stable for a bit now. Her appetite goes up and down, but that's expected. Dad had a rough week as his leg was bothering him so he had to break out the cane that was recommended over a year ago. He has to do the exercises again, but they seem to be working. Also he prepped for a colonoscopy which is never pleasant for any one.
Last week for the first time someone asked me if I was going to be tested for Alzheimer's? I was surprised by the question and I have to say it felt like the world stopped for a moment. I answered I don't know! I admit I have not thought about getting tested. Part of me does not want to know. Don't get me wrong every once in a while when I forget something I think OMG is this it? Do I have it? But I can honestly say I'm not sure I want to know yet. Perhaps because there is no cure and I have too many other things to handle at the moment. Perhaps because I don't know how I would react or how I think my life might change. Would you want to know?
One of the things I find hard is watching the progression of Alzheimer's. One of the patients at the nursing home passed away this past week. He was such a nice calm man. He had not spoken a word during his entire time there. He had startling blue eyes that followed you everywhere and once in a while he would smile or move his hands so you knew he was paying attention. In the beginning he walked around a bit, but in the past six months he was in a chair. He was failing the past couple of weeks. His son was with him and he listened to his favorite music from the 50s as he passed. His son said it was very peaceful. It's sad for everyone as the others do notice when someone takes sick or passes. They know something is happening and the angst level goes up during this time. One of my greatest joys has been talking and listening to many of the patients about their history. So many amazing people in the world.
I was thinking the other day people must think I'm boring as I do almost the same things every day and that I don't have a life. I had these thoughts as I walked into my favorite cafe on a day that I was very tired. What transpired next so blew me away. As I walked in the owner said, we were just talking about you and how you've inspired us to read. I said I was just thinking how people must think I have no life. She laughed and said we love you coming here and reading. You have given books away and now we are all talking about books. I was so humbled. (So far this week four people have asked me about book/author recommendations...including the cook came out of the kitchen.) I must admit it was a bit like walking into the "Cheers" bar and having people yell out my name. Believe me, I am not the only one that is there almost every day. The owner has created such a nice place to hang out. Her staff are all women who take a moment to get to know every person that walks in the door. Do you have a place you enjoy going to for a few minutes of nice?
I did not finish any books this past week. I was catching up on newspapers and magazines. I'm also researching places to visit in Maine. We'll see what this week brings. What are you reading?
I'm going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Kind words are such a blessing to the needful, if one but knew the pleasure that they bring." John McLeod
“God gave you a gift of 84,600 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you?”
― William Arthur Ward
“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.”
― C.S. Lewis
Referrals are always appeciated.