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...

  A friend posted a quote recently, that captivated my mind. "Don't look back, you're not going that way ". I shall add this as one of my favorite quotes. I even wrote it on my dry erase board in my office, where I write famous quotes to fill the large white board. I enjoy hearing caregivers, co workers and people, make a comment on these thought, provoking statements upon entering my office. I love evoking smiles or hearing their insights in relation to them. I try to erase and rewrite a new one every two weeks or so.   Isn't it hard not to look back though? Don't we remember mistakes from the past which gain wisdom to not err again? Have you ever said, "I won't do that again", or, "I'll never make that mistake again." So, in some ways, this quote is misleading in that aspect. It is natural to look back, that is where our memories lie. Good and bad. Important or mundane. Those memories are what has shaped us, right? I think the q...

 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 ...

  I am curious to see what grumpy will say about New Year's resolutions. Maybe he has posted something already and I have missed it, due to lack of attention to my writing and blog. Prior to my trip to Texas for Christmas, I worked late, often, and of course, on my trip, was busy and did not even check personal emails or social networking sites with regularity. It was nice. Pressure released. Pleasure ensued.   My time off from work sped by too fast, as always, and at the office today, payroll was the needed task at hand. Pressure reinstated. Pleasure a memory. Though I will admit, I can tell the co workers missed me and I instantly became the supervisor to talk to, to handle situations and problems. I was needed. It is a good feeling.  I am curious about resolutions and opinions of such. I used to behold to them, for a month or two. Then, beat myself up with failure when I started smoking again, or failing to develop an exercise routine. Is there a point to these false...

Have you ever had one of those times where a project you are trying to complete gives you more challenges than it is worth? Your time could have been better spent as you did not accomplish what was expected? The results basically, suck. That is me, tonight. so I am walking away from this blasted computer and going to bed. Maybe tomorrow or the next day I will be able to post the Toastmaster's X-mas party pictures here and to the club's Facebook page easier. It is not happening tonight. Good night.

  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...