Last night after Dad went to bed, I went out for a walk under the almost-full moon. A blanket of fog had covered the hay fields to a depth of a foot or so, frogs singing, moonlight reflecting off of the apple trees and the river. Hard to imagine any place more beautiful.
I've really enjoyed watching the seasons change here at Chippewa Pines. It's definitely heading into fall now, even though we're supposed to have temps near 90 later this week. Goldenrod -- and thus, my allergies --- in full bloom, Dad's had the heater next to his chair on nearly every day (which requires me to take off all but the minimum of my clothing), and I even put the comforter back on my bed for one night.
I'm still homesick and bored. Dad likes westerns, and we've watched Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, High Chaparral, The Virginian, Old Yeller, How The West Was Won... all pretty good shows, I must admit, but I've got to do something else to keep me busy while watching, and I've played so much online sudoku that when I close my eyes I see grids of numbers. Clay projects are still entertaining me but I've got an embarrassing amount of projects done and can't imagine what I will do with all of this stuff....
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 21, 2015
Therapeutic Artwork
Finally got around to taking some pictures of the "therapeutic artwork" I've been doing in between eldercare duties in Michigan. Pictures aren't great as the only camera I have is my ipad and I can't seem to get very crisp pics. Too bad, as I really want to show off the fine detail...This is all done with polymer clay. Don't know what I am going to do with all of this stuff, but I can't seem to stop.
Want one? Or several?
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Sewer in Shower, Bats in Chimney, and Medical Personnel Galore
An eventful and stressful morning at Chippewa Pines. First, I had to get Dad up at 8am, several hours before either of our usual rising times, because the occupational therapist was due at 10 am and it takes Dad that long to get dressed and have breakfast. Just after the OT arrived, cousin Jerry arrived to install the grab bar in Dad's bathroom. Then the visiting nurse called to say she was on her way.
A couple of days ago I finally figured out that the water that has been appearing intermittently in the basement hallway and shower (which hasn't been used in years, more on that later) was occurring when both toilets upstairs were flushed in quick succession. Bubbling up through the shower drain, yuck. Dad of course wanted me to use the same plumber he used last time (which turned out to be 8 years ago) so I spent a while riffling through his box of old receipts to find the name. Just after the OT left, the plumbers arrived, followed almost immediately by the visiting nurse. Cousin Jerry needed to drive down to the corner hardware store to get some supplies but was now blocked in by all the other cars. About this time I realized I was shaky....all I'd had for breakfast was a piece of toast ....so had to quickly down a sandwich while running up and down the stairs to check on the plumbers, talk to the nurse, talk to Jerry, re-do Dad's meds due to the nurse's Coumadin-check results, and record upcoming OT and PT and visiting nurse appointments on the calendar.
The downstairs shower hasn't been used in years because some of the tiles had fallen off and dad could no longer get in there to fix them. There's water damage and although I know Dad would like to just have the tiles replaced I think Jerry and I have convinced him that just replacing the whole thing with a fiberglass stall will be cheaper, easier, and likely a longer term fix. So one of my projects while here at the coffee shop is to find someone to come out and give us an estimate. Meanwhile I believe the plumbers have unclogged the drain so at least there won't be sewage in the shower anymore. Unless the septic tank needs to be cleaned. Only God knows when this was last done, and she's not saying.
My other project involves bats. While Jerry and I were investigating the source of the leak in the basement yesterday, Jerry was up on the roof to check the flashing around the bathroom vent. While there he happened to shine a flashlight down one of the chimneys and whooo!!! started a big ruckus of squeaks and chirps. I went out at dusk and confirmed that there are bats flying in and out of the chimney, and also that you can hear them quite clearly at the basement fireplace, where, thankfully, the damper is closed. I've found several bat-control specialists in the area. Stay tuned. I do love bats but having a colony of them in the chimney seems like a bad idea.
Taking a deep breath.....
A couple of days ago I finally figured out that the water that has been appearing intermittently in the basement hallway and shower (which hasn't been used in years, more on that later) was occurring when both toilets upstairs were flushed in quick succession. Bubbling up through the shower drain, yuck. Dad of course wanted me to use the same plumber he used last time (which turned out to be 8 years ago) so I spent a while riffling through his box of old receipts to find the name. Just after the OT left, the plumbers arrived, followed almost immediately by the visiting nurse. Cousin Jerry needed to drive down to the corner hardware store to get some supplies but was now blocked in by all the other cars. About this time I realized I was shaky....all I'd had for breakfast was a piece of toast ....so had to quickly down a sandwich while running up and down the stairs to check on the plumbers, talk to the nurse, talk to Jerry, re-do Dad's meds due to the nurse's Coumadin-check results, and record upcoming OT and PT and visiting nurse appointments on the calendar.
The downstairs shower hasn't been used in years because some of the tiles had fallen off and dad could no longer get in there to fix them. There's water damage and although I know Dad would like to just have the tiles replaced I think Jerry and I have convinced him that just replacing the whole thing with a fiberglass stall will be cheaper, easier, and likely a longer term fix. So one of my projects while here at the coffee shop is to find someone to come out and give us an estimate. Meanwhile I believe the plumbers have unclogged the drain so at least there won't be sewage in the shower anymore. Unless the septic tank needs to be cleaned. Only God knows when this was last done, and she's not saying.
My other project involves bats. While Jerry and I were investigating the source of the leak in the basement yesterday, Jerry was up on the roof to check the flashing around the bathroom vent. While there he happened to shine a flashlight down one of the chimneys and whooo!!! started a big ruckus of squeaks and chirps. I went out at dusk and confirmed that there are bats flying in and out of the chimney, and also that you can hear them quite clearly at the basement fireplace, where, thankfully, the damper is closed. I've found several bat-control specialists in the area. Stay tuned. I do love bats but having a colony of them in the chimney seems like a bad idea.
Taking a deep breath.....
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Dad Comes Home
Dad came home from rehab on Sunday. He was supposed to stay a few days longer but Medicare said no. So far he's doing OK at home, able to get around the house using his electric cart, get to the bathroom on his own, etc. The doctor was able to get his urinary tract working again, which was a huge relief to me as I though I was going to have to learn to catheterize him, A daughter should NOT have to do that! His biggest issue right now is that he can't raise his arms much above chest level. He can dress himself except for the shirt, which so far I have had to help him with. I hope PT will help with that.
I'm quite impressed with the level of elder care resources that are available here. Yesterday an RN came to the house and spent a good two hours there assessing his condition and explaining how the system works. We will have a nurse 1-2 days per week and PT probably two days per week, 60 days all 100% covered by medicare. There's also a bath aide available (which my dad rejected.... we'll see how it goes), and a social worker who can help us set up whatever he will need after the 60 days is up.
Courtesy of cousin Jerry we now have a nice ramp going to the front door, which means dad can now ride his cart right out to the garage. Courtesy of daughter Vickie we have a LifeStation emergency button, which dad actually put on and has promised to wear. Waterproof and with a 1000-foot range, it should keep him from spending another week in the tub. Anyway, he will use the walk-in tub from now on.
I am enjoying the local farmer's market.... vine ripened tomatoes, cukes, melons, eggplant, and right now, the famous Michigan Red Haven peaches are in. I bought a peck of them this morning and will be peeling, slicing, and freezing for Dad this evening.
I am in the compulsive phase of a new hobby, millefiore (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millefiori)
using polymer clay. It reminds me of quilting in many ways.... you make lots of "canes", which are then analogous to quilting fabric or quilt blocks, and then you get to play around with slicing and combining them in pleasing ways. Also like quilting in that everything I make looks (to me) beautiful and it's hard to stop. So far I've been covering glass jars and ceramic cats, but soon I'm going to try out some earrings. Guess what all my friends are getting for Christmas? Leslie referred to the jars as looking "psychedelic", which made me think.... hmm, I wonder if I could sell them at the pot stores in Washington as "stash" jars? One of these days I'll post some pictures....
I'll be here in Michigan until October 22nd. Trying not to think about that being more than two months away. I've been away from home since April 18th, except for the less than 3 weeks between my bike trip and getting the dreaded Dad In Tub call. I am enjoying watching the seasons change here, and there is definitely a hint of fall in the air already. Cecil has finally arrived to cut the hay, and it's been fun watching the various pieces of antique farm equipment.... I doubt if he's got anything that was manufactured after 1960, and I know one of his tractors is a Farmall from the '40's as it's very similar to Dad's.
Thomas Evelyn Cat has gone to friends Leslie and Dave's house for the duration, has made friends with my god-dog, Maggie, and is being tolerated by the other three cats in the household. Friends and neighbors Gerry and Margaret are insuring my house does not get turned into a meth lab while I'm gone. I'm sure my yard has grown up to weeds and the horsetails and blackberries have taken over the hillside, but that can wait until my return.
I'm quite impressed with the level of elder care resources that are available here. Yesterday an RN came to the house and spent a good two hours there assessing his condition and explaining how the system works. We will have a nurse 1-2 days per week and PT probably two days per week, 60 days all 100% covered by medicare. There's also a bath aide available (which my dad rejected.... we'll see how it goes), and a social worker who can help us set up whatever he will need after the 60 days is up.
Courtesy of cousin Jerry we now have a nice ramp going to the front door, which means dad can now ride his cart right out to the garage. Courtesy of daughter Vickie we have a LifeStation emergency button, which dad actually put on and has promised to wear. Waterproof and with a 1000-foot range, it should keep him from spending another week in the tub. Anyway, he will use the walk-in tub from now on.
I am enjoying the local farmer's market.... vine ripened tomatoes, cukes, melons, eggplant, and right now, the famous Michigan Red Haven peaches are in. I bought a peck of them this morning and will be peeling, slicing, and freezing for Dad this evening.
I am in the compulsive phase of a new hobby, millefiore (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millefiori)
using polymer clay. It reminds me of quilting in many ways.... you make lots of "canes", which are then analogous to quilting fabric or quilt blocks, and then you get to play around with slicing and combining them in pleasing ways. Also like quilting in that everything I make looks (to me) beautiful and it's hard to stop. So far I've been covering glass jars and ceramic cats, but soon I'm going to try out some earrings. Guess what all my friends are getting for Christmas? Leslie referred to the jars as looking "psychedelic", which made me think.... hmm, I wonder if I could sell them at the pot stores in Washington as "stash" jars? One of these days I'll post some pictures....
I'll be here in Michigan until October 22nd. Trying not to think about that being more than two months away. I've been away from home since April 18th, except for the less than 3 weeks between my bike trip and getting the dreaded Dad In Tub call. I am enjoying watching the seasons change here, and there is definitely a hint of fall in the air already. Cecil has finally arrived to cut the hay, and it's been fun watching the various pieces of antique farm equipment.... I doubt if he's got anything that was manufactured after 1960, and I know one of his tractors is a Farmall from the '40's as it's very similar to Dad's.
Thomas Evelyn Cat has gone to friends Leslie and Dave's house for the duration, has made friends with my god-dog, Maggie, and is being tolerated by the other three cats in the household. Friends and neighbors Gerry and Margaret are insuring my house does not get turned into a meth lab while I'm gone. I'm sure my yard has grown up to weeds and the horsetails and blackberries have taken over the hillside, but that can wait until my return.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Centennial Farm Celebration
Yesterday I drove up to Standish, my dad's home town, to attend a celebration in honor of the family farm receiving their official "Centennial Farm" designation. I wish my dad had been up to going, as it was just a great time.
My great grandfather, Albert Hagley, started the farm. Dad's father, Rollie, continued and passed it on to Dad's brother Louie, and now Louie's son Tim and family are running the place. Tim has done quite a bit of research into the family, and found that Albert, prior to starting the farm, was one of the major movers and shakers in Omer, Michigan, which was a happening place in the lumber heyday of the turn of the century. He ran a shingle mill, dry goods store, and I think even a hotel there. He built a fine house in Omer, and another one of similar design on the farm, which is still there today. Unusual for it's time, the house had carbide gas lighting, and running water from a 400-foot-deep flowing well. The water was even piped to the barn. It's the house my dad grew up in, and Tim's daughter and family live there now.
There must've been around a hundred people at the celebration. Tim had come down a couple of days before to borrow the 117-year-old dinner bell my dad has, which was originally at the farm. It was fun to have the bell there and Tim and I both got to ring it. Tim promises to return it to Dad's house soon. I got to see some relatives I hadn't seen in quite a while, and a few I didn't even know I had. I met Cindy Hagley from Duluth, around my age and one of Albert's progeny but I have lost track of just how.
One day earlier this week as I was going to bed, I thought I heard faint "meows" coming from outside. I figured one of our outdoor cats was moving her kittens again, and didn't think any more about it. The next morning when I got up, I opened one of the built in drawers in my bedroom to get my clothes, and out jumped poor little Princess. Kitty had spent a cozy night in the drawer and seemed only a little upset about it.
This week cousin Jerry will build a ramp to Dad's front door, so that hopefully he'll be able to ride his little electric cart right out to the garage. Dad should be coming home sometime in the next week or two. Last week I had the house (at least the main floor) professionally cleaned and it looks so much better! Someday soon I will tackle the basement.....
My great grandfather, Albert Hagley, started the farm. Dad's father, Rollie, continued and passed it on to Dad's brother Louie, and now Louie's son Tim and family are running the place. Tim has done quite a bit of research into the family, and found that Albert, prior to starting the farm, was one of the major movers and shakers in Omer, Michigan, which was a happening place in the lumber heyday of the turn of the century. He ran a shingle mill, dry goods store, and I think even a hotel there. He built a fine house in Omer, and another one of similar design on the farm, which is still there today. Unusual for it's time, the house had carbide gas lighting, and running water from a 400-foot-deep flowing well. The water was even piped to the barn. It's the house my dad grew up in, and Tim's daughter and family live there now.
There must've been around a hundred people at the celebration. Tim had come down a couple of days before to borrow the 117-year-old dinner bell my dad has, which was originally at the farm. It was fun to have the bell there and Tim and I both got to ring it. Tim promises to return it to Dad's house soon. I got to see some relatives I hadn't seen in quite a while, and a few I didn't even know I had. I met Cindy Hagley from Duluth, around my age and one of Albert's progeny but I have lost track of just how.
One day earlier this week as I was going to bed, I thought I heard faint "meows" coming from outside. I figured one of our outdoor cats was moving her kittens again, and didn't think any more about it. The next morning when I got up, I opened one of the built in drawers in my bedroom to get my clothes, and out jumped poor little Princess. Kitty had spent a cozy night in the drawer and seemed only a little upset about it.
This week cousin Jerry will build a ramp to Dad's front door, so that hopefully he'll be able to ride his little electric cart right out to the garage. Dad should be coming home sometime in the next week or two. Last week I had the house (at least the main floor) professionally cleaned and it looks so much better! Someday soon I will tackle the basement.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)