Tag Archives: visit with Harvey

September 5, 2026 · 4:38 am

Saturday 9-5-2026

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My gym time was pretty good because Ugly American guy wasn’t there. I expected him to come in at any time, though, so I was still distracted. I really need to learn to control my concentration better.

Our visit to see Harvey this morning hurt. He was comfortable, but he thought I was his mother, greeting me with, “Hi, Mommie,” and when I told him I loved him before leaving, he said, “You’re a good momma.” In between, he had decided he wanted to get out of bed, so kept trying to swing his legs around, was demanding clothes and shoes, threatening to kick out the side rails of his bed, etc. Not one of our better visits. I try to just go where he is and roll with it, but I didn’t do a very good job today.

I had a really good time at the cafe today, and I really needed it, to dive into my drawing and leave any concerns behind for a while. The nice man who had insisted I take his seat in “my spot” the other day showed up toward the end of my time there. I asked him if he had a minute. I thanked him again for what he did, saying how kind he was, and I told him I had made him a thank you card and gave it to him. He looked at it for a second, looked up and said, “You just made my day.” We wished each other a happy day.

These are the sketches I finished today.

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I had a text from Heidi. She’s in Canada visiting her daughter. It was wonderful to hear from her. I almost feel as if I’m traveling with her!

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Khadija Ali

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June 6, 2026 · 1:14 am

Saturday 6-6-2026

We went to visit Harvey this morning. He was almost totally unresponsive, seeming tired, though not uncomfortable. He liked the headless snowman I brought him for his wall – another one of pictures of mailbox decorations we made out of sheet metal in Arkansas.

The only other thing he said was that I ‘had thrown him into the lake off the dock at Tate’ (Tate Mountain, Georgia) one summer. I don’t remember it, but if I did, he deserved it.

Last night I woke up from dreaming that I was writing a letter to him. I continued writing it in my mind as I remained sleepless. I’ve decided to write that letter in my sketchbook.

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We are indeed entering the rainy season here. It was cloudy this morning, but I went ahead and got my laundry out on the drying rack on the balcony. On the way back from the nursing home the skies opened up and it POURED to the point it was hard for our GRAB driver to see or get around. Then, as suddenly as it started, the faucet was turned off and the rain stopped. By the time we got to the chocolate place, it was as if it hadn’t rained at all. We’ve been to the gym, the nursing home and the chocolate place today and haven’t gotten wet at all.

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We’ll go to the cafe after a while for Brian to work and me to sketch. Hopefully, our luck with the weather will hold.

There were workmen redoing the stones on the front porch at the cafe. They had a pry bar, a drill, and a hammer, and managed, somehow to get all the heavy stones up and moved. They continued breaking up the rocks until they could put the pieces in a gazillion sacks. They then rested and waited for a pick up truck. They loaded all the sacks into the back of the truck and then covered whatever they were going to put down with tarps to protect the material from the rain. All in one day. I only saw 3 men. Today there is a crew putting down whatever the new stuff will be. I know it will look great, but I really liked the old, worn, broken stonework…

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Brian just texted me that there was a parcel outside my door. He had encouraged me to find some books at an online book store. I chose two Nora Roberts books I’ve probably read, but didn’t recognize, plus a book called, “Just Draw It!” The Dynamic Drawing Course for Anyone with a Pencil and Paper.

Wheee! I need all the help I can get, so I’m thrilled to get this one. Added bonus – the books were wrapped in bubble wrap, so guess what this old lady will enjoy doing this evening…

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December 8, 2025 · 1:47 am

Monday, Dec. 8th, 2025

I did 3 more Christmas cards, just in case. I have one more person on my list I haven’t found yet. The rest are for people I SHOULD have listed, but didn’t or who might be at a Christmas gathering of some kind.

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I’m enjoying the ‘great window opening’ at my place this afternoon. It’s 82 degrees and slightly overcast today. It’s a wonderful day for opening up, airing out, and enjoying the beautiful weather. The cross breeze is really energizing and I’m loving it!

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I got a haircut this morning, so I’m looking less like a dandelion-gone-to-seed than I was. This man does a good job. He’s getting the fact that I only want to quickly wash it in the shower each morning after my workout and blow it dry. No rollers, no styling, no gels, no spray. Just clean hair that looks like someone had a plan.

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We’re having some trouble getting around the past couple of days. There is no holiday as such happening now. The tourist season is in full swing, but it has been since around the first of November. I’m not sure what’s going on, but we’re having to build in more time to get where we’re going, since we have to wait longer than usual to get a GRAB.

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The visit to Harvey yesterday was pretty good. He seemed to like the picture I painted for him. I was going to replace his birthday picture with the Christmas picture, but his nurse insisted I just add the Christmas picture to the wall. She indicated that I could cover the whole wall with pictures in time if I wanted to. Is she a wonderful person, or what!

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I hope that you’re having a fun day wherever you are, that you’re safe from ugly weather, and that you’re surrounded by those you love.

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May 9, 2025 · 3:57 am

This’n That from Thailand

One view from my window.

The past couple of days have been challenging – good and bad.

One thing that has been getting on my nerves a bit is having to try to write to you here via my phone rather than getting on my computer. All kinds of problems associated with this, so even though I am doing the best I can, I appreciate your patience.

Our next delivery of IKEA furniture is the 14th and I have asked that we put together the computer table first and get my computer up and going as soon as possible.

Our visit with Harvey today was heart wrenching. He didn’t recognize us, care that we were there, and didn’t try to communicate, so it basically a wasted trip. The worst part of this stroke is the cognitive decline and lack of ability to communicate.

We stopped at the immigration office on the way home and got Harvey’s medical visa. This makes him legal! It is renewable every 3 months. We are still waiting for something on mine, but we are making slow, steady progress on trying to get my retirement visa which we can renew in one year.

The auction on our home in AR was yesterday. Mixed results on that. Brian is in contact with the auctioneer to find out what the next step is. After 37 years, it is hard to walk away, even though the upkeep on the place had become way too much for us. Part of me is relieved – the other part sad.

More good news – as of next Friday I will have a lady who will clean my condo weekly! She cleans Brian’s place and has just agreed to do mine. We got a bunch of cleaning supplies today. I have never had anyone come clean before 😀

I got a massage this morning. She found all kinds of knots in my back and neck. It was wonderful. AND she agreed to do weekly massages on Fridays at 10:00! Spoiled, happy me!!!

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