Record temperatures in the valley of the sun kept us hopping while we stayed at the Phoenician. Getting from the lounge chair to the pool required quick footwork over burning concrete. Even a poolside margarita and pitcher of ice water in the shade could only keep us outside in the 118 degree farenheit heat for about an hour.
Now, back in Tempe, I'm reading books (Ultramarathon Man - inspirational - particularly when he writes of running through Death Valley - I could relate...although my ten feet from the chaise to the pool is hardly 100 miles of running in what he describes as a "toaster"). Now I'm reading The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Awesome book that strikes despair into my heart as someone who works in the human services field with many cultures.
Other than the highly indulgent lying around with a good book, we've been doing the chores that magically (and routinely) await our arrival. The car needed work at the shop for a constantly flattened battery. Bugs in the house (scorpions!!!! according to the home care woman - I've seen none, and I've been vigilant) required pest control. A trip to the vet for Cotton. A two hour visit to the HMO for mom, where her Dr. is a scary eastern european chick who barks orders to our 88 year old mom - "stand up straight" and "eat properly!" Good thing Mom is profoundly deaf and has zero short term memory. Good thing I didn't acquiesce to the urge to hit Dr. Romania.
Of course Dr. Romania doesn't know that our mom is also much older than her birth certificate states. On any given day, mom might be "almost 100," or "exactly 100," or as was the case yesterday, "nearly 104." Fair enough, I say. At 88, she's earned the right to be as old or young as she wants. I hope she's not expecting a letter of congratulations from the governor or George W though.
A perfect level of dementia has left Mom profoundly happy. Every sentence in a conversation ends up with her laughing and laughing. Perhaps because no one has a clue what she's talking about. Least of all her. I'm glad for her, but worried for her. Although she has daily home support and Richard comes in once or twice a week when he's in town, it really is a short journey from here to the full residential care.
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3 comments:
I miss Ellen.
Glad you are enjoying yourself in Phoenix.
Do you have her name down for some places? This getting old thing sucks. Dad isn't quite into the dementia yet, but we're watching him...
My sister-in-law's mother is in an assisted living place and finds it depressing because she is mentally with it, and there's no one with whom to have a conversation.
I don't think I want to get old.
I am glad you are enjoying Phoenix, I haven't had a phone call so I am guessing everything is alright at your house. Don't forget to call my parents. Miss you Yoda!
AR
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