Looking Glass

Catherine (my mom) passed away February 7th, 2012, at 6:55am. As quoted in her obituary, she left 8 children, 21 grand children, 35.75 great grandchildren, (one is due this spring), and two great great grandchildren. Many happenings occured this month. Many posts to come. I appreciate my blogger family expressing concern.

 The morning air is waking the sleep from the night. The snow is resting on the grass. The sun is just peeking out from the blanket of darkness. The morning sounds are just whispering across the land. A distant, car engine is heard, a rooster crowing. A light breeze is rustling the twigs on the trees. The train whistle breaks though the quiet, like a teapot on a stove. Sharp, surprising, as it is a forgotten sound, until then.  I step outside to sip my coffee and have a cigarette. My white, fluffy robe is wrapped about me, over my pajamas, as I too, am just waking up with this day. I am exhaling the sleep from my soul, and inhaling the crispness of this early, morning time.  I spent the night with a friend near my office on Friday, so on Saturday, I could go to my mom's house again to clean, one last time. It saved me and my Honda another 60 mile drive, by doing so. Jean and I enjoyed our conversations and exchange of opinions on life and humani...

 The four day Thanksgiving weekend has been lovely. I fear it will be difficult to return to work on Monday. I have been busy helping my mother pack and clean throughout these days. Getting down to bare bones now. My son from Seattle joined us on Thanksgiving at my sister's home at Pacific Beach, on the coast of Washington. She does not live on the water, but we had a drive along the beach towards her home. I had my mom and brother in the car with me. Traveling was fine and weather was not too bad. Hit some rainy and windy spots, but not too threatening. Six of us for the meal. This was smaller than normal for us. My youngest son, decided to participate in the Turkey Bowl, which is an annual football game played among him and his friends. Then he went to his girlfriend's family gathering. It was a bit odd not having him with us, but at 24, he will make his own decisions. He is to go and see his grandma tomorrow before she leaves the state, which will be Wednesday am. My eldest ...

  So, there it is. Mom moved 10 days ago and my brother followed a few short hours later. She by airplane with another brother, he by truck and trailer with a brother in law. Both of their journeys were without incident. Apparently, Continental Airlines treated mom well, and gave her much attention. My brother's truck held out for the trip and no inclement weather hindered them, the whole time. So, my mom is staying with my sister in WI, and Bro is staying with his daughter in MN, temporary for them both until they get their own digs. My mom was to go into an assisted living facility, but they declined her application due to her challenged walking and need for an electric scooter. Really? Really? so, they are off to look at other facilities in my hometown, Austin, MN. (Yes, the home of Hormel). Yes, I've heard all of the jokes about Spam, you can imagine. It's okay. (smile here).   While talking to my sister on the phone, (the one who is housing mom, temporarily), I had to...