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Since I wrote last, we visited Harvey at the nursing home, and then saw him again this morning at the hospital at his routine doctor visit. Yesterday he was still coughing and on oxygen and barely said a word to us. Suddenly he was staring at his Happy Wall. Brian asked him if he was thinking about the artwork I had made for him. He nodded and said, “We have to take it down.” On further questioning, we found out he was thinking about moving to Tate (the place in Georgia we went to a hundred years or so ago) and didn’t want to leave without the paintings. Then he said, “I want you to paint them again, on 4’x8′ sheets so we can hang them on the walls.”
In the hospital today, he was still feeling pretty bad and just looked at us, not saying anything. When the doctor came in, though, he seemed to rally. The doctor said, “How do you feel?” Harvey clearly said, “Crappy,” making the doctor laugh. Then as the doctor examined him, Harvey said, “Your hands are cold. You’ve been working with too many dead people.” We got the paperwork we need in order to renew Harvey’s medical visa. It was 12:30 by the time we got home. I was was exhausted and took a nap.
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My chameleon jigsaw puzzle is coming along very slowly. This one is odd because I seem to be working it from the inside out. I can’t make any progress on adding to the border, but I’ve found areas that are coming together.
This gives you an idea. I did find part of his mouth and eye, but otherwise, it’s all unnconnected ‘flowers’. I THINK I found his elbow…
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I’m going to get my act together and head over to the cafe very soon. Here is the last painted sketch –
These are called, “elephant pants.” I see lots, and lots, and LOTS of tourists wearing them. They seem to be a HAVE TO purchase if you’re visiting Chiang Mai. It’s unfortunate because they look truly awful. I haven’t seen anyone who looks good in a pair. The design goes all the way across the front making the wearer look like their bodies are about 3 feet across. Men and women both wear them, too. This is a style I will firmly ignore, embracing my status as having a retirement visa here…
Mary Hampshire
I love your sketch of the elephant pants, but no, I would not wear those either! Ha!
I hear you about Harvey. He’s in and out of this world reality. Ugh. Sad, but then not! Sometimes I think this reality is overrated. But then we just watched the movie, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. It was sobering about our addiction to cell phones. Smart phones actually.
Hugs!
I’m hurt that you won’t wear the elephant pants. I spent a whole cafe session finishing them! Your confidence should be such that you could wear ugly pants with a smile….
Your visit with your Harvey was difficult and sad. Having your son to share this with has to be a big help.
The puzzle looks very challenging, and the pants … I don’t blame you for not wanting to buy them. (Donna)
Yes, having Brian with me means everything. The thing I hat amazes me is how popular such ugly pants are!
I remember when you visited Tate……….a lovely place and we lived nearby. Harvey’s family had that place for a long time and it was enjoyed by all. Perhaps Harv was remembering those days. Glad he remembers good experiences.
Me, too, except that sometimes his ‘visions’ become fantasies that are hostile. We simply go with the flow and try to keep him calm and comfortable. Thanks for writing.