Goodness, we’re really in the thick of Autumn. More and more trees are changing color, more and more leaves are on the ground, on the roof, in the gutters. That golden light that comes only in the fall is everywhere.
I like it.
Flannel pajamas? Check.
Shawl? Check.
Reading by lamplight in the early morning? Check.
I ran some errands yesterday – very efficiently, I might add. I went to Target, grabbed precisely what I had on my list and got out of there. Same with Michael’s. I stopped at the bookstore, just because it was there. But I hadn’t planned on buying anything and I didn’t.
I have a little project in mind for the TSP. I’m going to work on it this weekend – which is why I stopped at Michael’s. Don and Dan have two gigs in Massachusetts this weekend. And they have the CD release party on Saturday night, of course. But while they’re in Massachusetts, I can work on something for Don’s studio, without worrying about him coming in the door at any minute.
I just finished S is for Silence by Sue Grafton. Now it’s on to T is for Trespass.
This is the color of the Endless Summer Hydrangea, which is right outside our kitchen door. It’s a vivid, bright purply-pink. Between the hydrangeas and the zinnias and morning glories, that part of the property is gorgeous with color.
Scout is getting a bath today. We’ll all be tired out after that ordeal.
We’ve found out that because of my dad’s compression fracture, he had to be coded as under observation. We’re running into problems concerning just what facility he’s going to, and we’re determined to eventually get him into the rehab facility nearby. I’ll fill you in as we learn more. Suffice to say, Meredith and I have been burning up the phone lines.
Be sure to stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page where I’m asking the burning question: What are you Reading?
Happy Wednesday.
Claudia, I’m going to my daughter’s in Florida next week (Thurs-Sun). Orlando/Ft Pierce/Vero area. If you need anything from there or want me to pay a visit (if that’s nearby) let me know.
Hugs,
Ah, you’re so sweet, Patricia! I’m okay, but I’ll keep your generous offer in mind.
Busy time! I think it’s great you will have some time to work on TSP! The color is finally starting to creep in here. I need to get out with my camera. I’m taking Mom out today for some fun shopping (per her request)…lol, she said no Drs and no groceries, just fun. Enjoy your day but I know a bath for Scout isn’t fun at all.
hugs,
Linda
Your mom deserves some fun shopping, Linda!
Scout hates baths nowadays because she has so many aches and pains. But she needs one, so we try to do it very quickly!
Good Morning Claudia! I’m so glad you’re enjoying fall. Sure hope you & Meredith are able to cut thru the red tape and get your dad into a facility closer to home. My husband has driven to N.C. to be with his brother as he undergoes surgery today. I am home babysitting the three year old and the five month old we keep. These little ones fill our home and our hearts with joy when they are here. Hope you have a lovely day!
Hug those little ones for me, Janie!
Enjoy that fall color. Most of our trees are still green because we live so close to the lake. I visited a friend earlier in the week that lives away from the water and was amazed at the color. Love this time of year. When I was driving there, I was exited to turn each corner to see the new view.
Good luck with the bath. We have to give Brady two baths a week because of skin problems. I know he can’t understand why we keep wanting to torture him.
Love to your dad , you, and Meredith. Such difficult times.It just seems so wrong that the older people get the more suffering they have to go through. Keep me posted. I’ll call later when things get settled.
Keep smiling,
Eileen
I’ll keep you posted. The latest (I just talked to Mer) is that the doctor talked to the hospital review board and they looked at his case. They’re going to keep him in as In-Patient, rather than Under Observation, for three days. He’ll get physical therapy and then they’ll reassess his case. If he does extremely well, he’ll go home. If not, he’ll most likely go to the facility we originally wanted him in. I just talked to Dad and he’s relieved, so I think he’ll be able to relax a bit.
Hi Claudia, back in town and catching up a bit on blogs. The Fall colors are glorious this year, aren’t they? Sorry to hear the news about your Dad…hoping you and Meredith can sort everything out. It’s not easy being removed (geographically) and I know your sister has her hands full — good luck! And YAY for Don and his CD release. How exciting. I want to check out the site when I have the time to sit and listen some. I did see a quick review (somewhere) that was very much full of praise. Well-done Don!
They really are glorious this year! Thank you, Vera!
A walk in The Woods, Bill Bryson! Language censored for me! Great read!
I read that book several years ago and loved it!
I just read the comments above….here’s hoping things work out for your Dad! There was frost on the rooftops this morning…finally! So far, it’s been a frost free fall…say that 3 times! But Friday night, it appears we will have a hard freeze. So…I’ll take the last pics…and cut my remaining hydrangeas…so I can enjoy them longer. Enjoy your day! ;)
Did you want frost, Donnamae? It sort of sounds like you did!
LOL! I can understand why you thought that! No….I’m not happy about frost….just surprised that it took this long to arrive…which is a good thing! I would be okay with no frost…no winter for that matter. It could stay just like it is, until next Spring! ;)
That sounds more like you! xo
Our Chloe doesn’t like baths either but she got one on Sunday anyway. *grin*. She looked like we were beating her the entire time, but she’s nice and clean and fluffy now so it was worth it. Have fun with the secret project this weekend. I’m planning a trip to Michaels today too, but it will be to buy yarn.
I’ll keep right on praying for your Dad, you and Meredith.
Blessings,
Betsy
Scout used to love her baths, but no longer. It’s hard on her, because standing for any length of time is hard for her to do. We are now trying to get her to lie down for part of it, so she can relax a little!
I don’t quite follow you. What’s on Earth is TSP??? Seems like it’s an interesting Project though, lol. It’s not Always easy to follow means from a different language!!
Have a nice day in your flanell pyamas.
Love Elzie
I’ve been writing about it a while, Elzie, but you’re new to the blog. It stands for the Top Secret Project – miniature project I’m doing as a surprise for Don.
It sounds as though you are settling into autumn very well! I do hope that all will be well for your Dad, I already told Meredith that I am hoping for all the best for him. Thinking of you. xx
Thank you, Amy. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get him into a good facility.
Cool photo in the gazing ball! Look at that gorgeous tree in the background. I wish I had some of that autumn light here in SoCalif.!!
Continued best luck with working out the right thing for your father. When I dealt with these things for my aging parents, I was an ‘only’ child and the decisions weighed so heavily on me, despite the good support of my husband. I’d hoped as these inevitable things occurred later on in my life that my brother would be by my side to help with the direction; I’d thought we’d travel those roads together but he died young and it left me feeling so unsure about our folks and what to do. So, I’m really glad you have your sister to bounce stuff back and forth with, all in your father’s best interests. My own dad would have turned age 92 today, coincidentally; his birthday. I’ve missed him so much in these past 7 years. He was my rudder for a lot of things I sailed through in life, calm waters and also choppy ones.
I love the dollar bins at Target and they’ve been calling to me as I’ve tried to stay away!
Thinking of you Vicki as you note the birthday of your dad. I know how hard that is.
I am grateful for my sister. My estranged sister is absolutely no help. She wouldn’t dream of going down to Florida to help – she hasn’t seen my father in over 15 years. I know she cares about him and is in phone contact, but in terms of sibling support…nothing. So I thank heaven every day for my sister Meredith. I also am well aware that she has the brunt of the responsibility because she’s right there in Florida with my dad. So I try to do as much as I can from this end.
Thanks for the kindness of a sympathetic thought; I appreciate that you said that about my dad and his birthday today. I’m having an awful day due to lack of sleep so it’s making me ultra weepy. I’m going to make myself go out, do an errand, and get my head somewhere else (despite the crappy weather).
“I also am well aware that she has the brunt of the responsibility because she’s right there in Florida with my dad. So I try to do as much as I can from this end.” Good soul that you are, Claudia, of course you intuitively know what she goes thru in the everyday; the day-to-day with caregiving. And it knows no weekend, holiday or vacation; there’s no let-up. It is often the case that one sibling has the largest weight of responsibility, so often due to that very proximity. But just the fact that you are aware of that, and she also clearly knows you wish you could do more but you’re states away, is a huge thing. This is when she really needs your ear and your problem-solving hat. Sometimes when you’re the caregiver, you need to be able to vent with somebody safe. Obviously, you’re both in the same worry spot. It’s vital that you have each other and I’m so sorry your other sibling remains to the side. The difference? You’ll have no regrets…and she will.
Interestingly, I had many a person tell me when I was in the trenches that I might count myself luckier not to be having to deal with siblings in the saga of caregiving. Because at least I didn’t have dashed expectations or anger/resentment for any lack of participation. My in-laws both died out of state and their daughter had the bulk of their care; they all lived near one another. One parent eventually wound up in a very good facility (Alzheimer’s) and then the other actually moved in with the daughter. The daughter had to steer everything because the parent living with her also was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. (This daughter also had a full-time job and sometimes was called upon to work a double shift.) My brother-in-law, in another state but within driving distance, hardly/rarely visited. My husband was just as busy working a job as his brother (and we lived further away, also out of state and NOT within driving distance), but my husband took his vacation weeks (over probably ten years) to fly there and spell his sister so that she and her husband could get away and take a little break. My husband was very aware about all of this (his sister having the greater responsibility) as you are; his hands were tied because he had a job and was separated by so much distance in miles which made him feel badly but, you know, the parents had made their choice a long time ago to move nearer the daughter rather than their sons.
I recently found some 1950-era letters from my uncle addressed to my dad…same thing, he was the one who lived closest to their father…about his worry over a large hospital bill for the ailing dad. No insurance in those days; the dad had no money. Uncle and Dad had four other siblings. Uncle couldn’t get but three of the six kids to help pay the bill. All were struggling with young families and had obligations; yet some stepped up, others didn’t. My dad actually accessed some kind of money thru his Veteran’s benefit (insurance? haven’t found out those details yet) to help out because he didn’t have a dime after being thrust out of work when the company he worked for ceased due to a building fire and he was just getting on his feet again, barely, with a new commission-only job (and two young kids to feed). My poor uncle was pouring his heart out to my dad in these letters because he was the one having to deal with the hospital; he was the one getting the bills. It was obviously a ton of stress for him. He was so hurt that the other brothers and sisters wouldn’t come thru. I really do think that was the beginning of a lot of emotional separation within the family although Uncle and my dad remained ever close.
It all gets so complicated. The care of elderly parents by adult children can throw families in such chaos. It’s sometimes a lot of scrambling. I was thinking just recently about how ‘in the olden days’ in rural America, I guess Mom & Pop worked the farm til they just couldn’t anymore, and then stayed there in their old age while an adult child took over the work and also their care (the farms passing from generation to generation). Seems like an easier transition. Like The Waltons on TV, where the grandma and grandpa lived with the son and his family. Now, families are spread out all over the place. And the other thing that makes it hard is that often with the elderly parents, it’s an immediate thing, so you have to drop everything and jump. You get a call, “Mom broke her hip.” Mom can’t do anything; she can barely move. Somebody has to dive in immediately to help her. And then it prompts a whole series of changes which are, in the end, LIFE and how it goes. This happened to a neighbor of mine when she got THAT phone call, where she had to hurriedly clean up her desk at work, fling clothes in a suitcase, try to catch a red-eye, nearly throwing her house keys at me with car in gear, “Watch the house and feed the cat.” She thought she’d be gone a couple of weeks and she wound up taking leave from her job and being gone the whole summer. (Somebody had to go to the airport to retrieve her vehicle out of airport parking and then get her mail forwarded to her. My husband tended her lawn and flowers. And I had a hard time giving the cat back when she returned; I’d gotten really attached to him and vice versa!)
xoxo
Now that is the kind of shopping I am striving to achieve…Go in..get what’s on my list…get out…It is so hard for me because I am a person who loves to browse…Just like an old crow I am attracted to shiny pretty things…lol..Oh well…I shall keep on trying…It sounds like you all have some fun plans for the coming weekend…I look forward to hearing about them…Have a great time!…Also best of luck to your Dad…I hope if he does have to stay a while…he gets to stay where he feels more comfortable..That would make anyone feel a bit better…
The ‘boys’ will be off playing gigs on Friday and Saturday. I’ll hold down the fort here with Scout. I’m really looking forward to the CD Release Party on Saturday evening!
I like the gazing ball. Does it double as a crystal ball?
Our (much) cooler weather helps with sleep , but I don’t like the dark mornings. Perhaps I should buy one of those reflector work jackets to wear on the walk to work as the early morning drivers don’t seem to see pedestrians. Wouldn’t that be quite the fashion statement?
It sounds as though you have a fun weekend lined up – I look forward to seeing your next project for the TSP!
If only it doubled as crystal ball!
Hey, if a reflector work jacket keeps you safe, go for it!
Barbara, I have to agree with Claudia. There are so many distracted drivers out there. Better to be safe. There are lots of reflective clothing items and accessories for bicyclists and runners; some are very stylish, if that is important to you.
Claudia, I would love to have some of your hydrangeas to dry . They are such a pretty pink. Hope you are getting to be outside. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
They are really beautiful, Susie. I’d dry them myself, but I already have so many dried hydrangeas around the house! I sort of like seeing them outside my kitchen door.
Oh, Claudia! The “magic” 3 day inpatient stay can change SO MUCH regarding the following care he needs to receive. SO GLAD that it went to an appeal committee.
We are supposed to have a freeze on Friday night, so I think we are “ready” for it with all the winter-over plants on the sun porch, topped off w/ some new potting soil. Also transplanted some of the indoor plants that needed room for their roots to expand. Hoses are in, also. I sure enjoy Spring chores more than Fall ones ~~!!~~
Chris, at some point I’d like to quote your informative comment about coding in one of my posts. I want to make sure everyone knows about it. Is that okay with you?
I’m so hoping we don’t have a freeze – there are so many buds on the morning glories and I don’t want them to die!
Same for my MG,s!!! But, it is supposed to be 29* on Sat morning here….. so, it is inevitable, I guess.
You can certainly use the info……… I actually just read your post today and added some other info related to Medicare. It is quite a ride once we board the Medicare train. I think it just gets more over-whelming with age. When we think that 80 and 90 year olds have to navigate through the system, it is a lot to ask. I lived in the insurance world for over 20 years and I am still learning. In addition, benefits and other info can change annually, also. I think the main thing I can say is to ask questions, and ask them often. Also refer to Medicare.gov as it has a lot of information, and for questions on Medicaid coordinating w/ Medicare etc., if the info isn’t at Medicare.gov then contact your own state’s Medicaid office.
If we don’t ask questions and challenge coding issues, things will never change. We have to remember that most “coders” who are putting that info onto claim forms get their information from Doctor/ Nurses/ PA’s/ ER personnel notes and forms (usually done on hand-held computers). Just a routine Dr. visit has many many many coding options. Imagine all that goes into an ER visit or Inpatient stay.
Thanks so much, Chris!
I’m going to try to cover my MGs with a sheet. Fingers crossed!
Sending wishes for a good experience for your Dad, and hoping that the arrangements sort themselves out to your and your sister’s satisfaction and relief.
Lovely photographs, Claudia. You are really making our little corner of the planet look good to your readers around the world.
Does Scout feel and look beautiful after her ambush makeover?
She looks so much better and, despite the stress of the whole thing, I can tell she feels better!