Tracy Chrest – @tracychrest989204 on Substack
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I just got back from a nice couple of hours at the cafe, drinking an iced latte by the front window (yes! I got “my spot!”) sketching. It is really a wonderful way for me to relax and concentrate on getting something down on paper. All my worries fall away for a while and my biggest problem is the perspective on a bench or the eyes on the monkey… 😁 🖌️
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We visited with my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. He was comfortable, interested in several things, and made almost no sense at all. He is still talking about taking all the sketches down from the Happy Wall and putting them up on the cork board in the shop. (The fact that the shop is in Arkansas, doesn’t belong to us anymore, and never had a corkboard are just ‘details.’) He wants us to get him a Phillips screwdriver and a light he can have installed by the maintenance staff there on his headboard. (The fact that he HAS no headboard was a point of contention until we took a picture. We got him a reading light that he can put around his neck with adjustable tubes with lights on the ends that have two levels of brightness. I got it out and showed it to him again.
He seemed to be happy we were there. He wanted Brian to get him a subscription to “How It Works” magazine. The fact that he might be interested in this makes sense. We will go back to the place we got the one “How It Works” magazine we got for him almost a year ago and see if we can get more. From one visit to the next, though, he may change his mind, so we won’t try for a subscription yet. He wanted a pizza, so Brian ordered him one after we left. The nurse sent us a video of him enjoying it. We’re going to try to get the staff to include him on at least one meal a day of what everyone else is eating, now that he is able to eat French fries and pizza without choking. We’re hoping they can cut back on the nasal tube feedings at some point. He wasn’t having to wear an oxygen cannula today!
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Ugly American was NOT at the gym this morning. I’m afraid to hope that this means his ‘visit’ is over and he has gone back to the States. I’m afraid he’s just toying with me.
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The weather was odd today. It was raining when I got up this morning, but stopped just before we headed for the gym. Then the sun came out strongly. It rained again while I was at the cafe. It makes it a bit difficult to figure out how to time things. I’m just going with the flow now and carrying my rain gear.
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It sounds like you had a good visit with your Harvey. Finding him comfortable and interested in something, asking for a magazine and food seems to be a plus for that visit.
Glad the UA was not at the gym today. Your feelings toward him does not affect him, as he is oblivious to his surroundings and you, it would seem. When you leave the gym and he is there, mentally wish him well and a good day. Mentally tell him you forgive him for making your gym visit unpleasant, then go on your way. I wonder what lesson you are supposed to learn from this UA, as he keeps coming to your space?
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. (Donna)
Can I do the good things you’re suggesting AFTER biting him in the leg?
Well, maybe you could just mentally bite him in the leg, tell him how much he bothers you, then laugh and leave. (Donna)
Now THAT sounds like something I can do!
Sounds like you are being consistent with good self care. I purchased my husband one of the lights that I think you described getting for Harvey. It is very helpful to him. It is Saturday afternoon here and I am reading and knitting as my husband watches college football. Sending blessings!
Oh,I’m glad to hear that your husband likes the reading light. I hope that Harvey will decide it will work for him. I’m hoping his nurse will help him with it. Your afternoon sounds so beautiful, Linda. Enjoy every minute.
Ah and aww, that you had a good visit with Harvey. Wonderful! Glad he can eat real food now, and without that oxygen cannula. Yippee!! Nice of the nurse to send you and Brian a video of him enjoying the pizza too!
You really are brightening Harvey’s days. I hope you know that.
Glad UA wasn’t at the gym. And that you got “your spot” at the cafe. It’s amazing when a plan comes together! ❤️🤗✅
I hope that Harvey can eat one meal that the rest of the people there are eating each day. We’ll see. It was a really nice day. I hope you had one, too, Sheila.