Yesterday, as usual, we walked our daily circuit: down Granger Way past the llamas, where we look across Hale Passage at the white snow capped mountains which this time were splashed with orange by shafts of sun flaring through the clouds, up the hill to Legoe Bay Road, past our fire department that steadfastly guards us from all disasters, back around the other side of Granger Way where we look across the bay to Orcas Island and the sunset in the west. The days are getting longer. I know that rather than see it. The weather is strangely warm, but high winds have blown down a few trees. Jerry is just now sawing up a dead tree leaning on our fence from the next property’s woods.
The world is looking brighter in this new year. Jerry talked to his brother Bert — a short but friendly chat. Bert has difficulty talking on the phone. He gets breathless, has to pause, and then loses his train of thought. In talking to some of Bert’s friends we know that he is still having hallucinations of bugs and he sees flash-backs of vivid scenes from his past. What pills he takes is a mystery to the friend who is supposed to be taking care of him. But Jerry may be able to help now that Bert is not so hostile.
My son Ben, who is getting divorced, had his children here for a few days during the holidays. They are lovely children, and although they are clearly having a difficult time with the divorce, I believe that they will be well in the end with the loving attention he will not fail to give them. It was good for me to have some time with my grandchildren.
Playing in the loft
Ben is now in school, attending the local community college. He is taking English and psychology. And, best of all, he has a job! He will begin working this week at a good restaurant near our condo in Bellingham where he will be staying. He likes the people there, says all the waitresses look as if they came from a model agency, and he will make enough money to pay his expenses.
My new great-granddaughter, Alison, was born just before the end of the year and I have finished knitting a pretty little sweater for her.
Jerry recovered the lost pictures from my virus infected computer’s hard drive. He bought (on the internet for about $20) a device that you plug into the infected hard drive. It has a cord that goes to a USB port so you can operate a second hard drive through a working computer which has an intact operating system. Then he extracted the pictures. Thus, I now have the pictures I took in San Francisco and among them is a picture of Maria (Small Change) and me in the lobby of the Mark Hopkins hotel before we had lunch together. That was a highlight of the trip. Jerry took the picture, and for some reason he was not able to get it in focus, even after 3 or 4 tries. But I think, when you get to a certain age, out of focus photos of yourself are not all bad.
At the Mark Hopkins Lobby
I am still hoping for New Zealand in February, but we are worried that Bert’s rather precarious condition might be a problem. But, for the most part, 2012 is beginning better than 2011 ended.
I’m so happy for you that this new year is looking more positive. You look fantastic in the photo, as does Maria (whom I have yet to meet in person). Hope your trip to NZ works out, but if not, you’ll find something closer. Take care and a happy 2012 to you and Jerry.
New years always bring a hope of better times. I’m glad you husband may be able to help his brother. And I’m also glad you were able to outsmart your computer crash. Have a great new year.
I am really happen that positive things are starting to reappear in your life. It must have felt overwhelming for a while.
Happy New Year.
Forgive my dyslexic fingers. I am really HAPPY (not happen) that positive things are starting to reappear in your life. And hope for many more of them too.e
I’m glad things are looking up. It seems like life runs in “bad” cycles and then good cycles. I hope 2012 is all good …!
Oh, how delightful to see you and Maria! What a treat!
A fresh new year and a start over…that is all that we can ask for.
Just as there is calm before some storms, there is calm afterwards. Hope 2012 continues to bring good things your way. Your description of your walk was clear and vivid – it was as if I was right there, too.
You look great! You are the Unsinkable Molly Brown of elderblogging!
This is a good idea. I think I am going to insist on all future pictures of me being taken in soft focus too.
I hope that your husband’s skin cancer is on the mend. I hope his brother’s mind clears up. I hope your son succeeds in his new plans.
Your post on your family…that is families, was really interesting. I cannot believe how complicated your many branches of relations is!
I hope you enjoy your holiday in February.
Oh I am so glad that 2012 has dawned well and hopeful for you all, Bert and Ben included.
Lovely pic of you.
XO
WWW
Good to know that 2012 is beginning with some benisons at least! Re pics, that’s a lovely one of you, whatever the fuzzy focus. (Hopefully some enterprising older geek will develop a camera app that provides just the right, plausible degree of soft focus when taking photos of we older folk!
I just recently found your blog and am enjoying your posts, thank you.
My father began experiencing similar symptoms to your husband’s brother last year. Although his what medication related but related to neurological damage caused by several small strokes in 2010. Hope that they find resolution in the brother’s case.
I’m just starting to catch up from my long hiatus. I am so happy that Ben has a good job and that things have gotten better with Bert. I hope all continues to go well.
Your grandchildren are beautiful and I am happy for you that you had time with them.
I can see why you are concerned for the birds. Your love of them shows in your excellent paintings and photography.