I have to thank Canadians for inventing tourtiere, the easiest meat pie I have ever made. It had never occurred to me that you could boil ground meat instead of frying it--easy-peasy, no grease all over the kitchen, and the cast-iron skillet is much easier to wash. Store-bought pie crusts instead of made from scratch, and there you go. I cut mine in fourths--have a couple during the week, freeze the other two pieces for the next week. It was Jazzy who mentioned it on here a while back, and recipes are all over the internet.
Oh Canada--terre de nos aïeux. Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux! Etcetera.
And how could you not just love a country with Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister! What a rock star!
Happy Canada Day. I went to college across the lake from Toronto. TV channels would play both national anthems when they signed off for the day. I always enjoyed that. Also Toronto is a wonderfully fun and interesting city.
Thought about asking Wolf if he could arrange to have the keys left at the Lodge for the Fourth of July weekend, as I have no escape from home for four days due to day care being closed for the holiday. All without realizing we could be celebrating Canada Day as well! Don't know when any other national holidays we could celebrate as well.
Since I didn't speak to Wolf sooner, I am spending virtual time on a small New England lake with floor to ceiling views of the water, and a dock with a small gazebo on it with Adirondack chairs. You can hear the motor boats hum and the children screech at the next door beach. Any and all of you are invited to share with me. There are separate bedrooms, but the walls on the second floor only go up 7 1/2 or 8 feet. So all conversations held upstairs are communal, I'm afraid. No open concept in the cottage, I'm afraid, but the living room is large. The kitchen has linoleum floors and linoleum counters. There are canoes and antique kayaks along with life preservers and paddles under the house. I'm filling the refrigerator with the makings for "make your own sandwiches" and will feel I have done my duty as hostess.
Oooh sounds like Lake George. We could go into town and make those spin art things. And canoe over to the islands in the middle of the lake. Build a fire a do some hot dogs on a stick. But sitting on the Adirondack chairs sipping iced tea with mint sprigs sounds lovley too. Hugs.to you Lindylou.
Should we have that here? Or should we transport this to the lodge thread and start a tradition of celebrating the July weekend in New England where there are Adirondack chairs for everyone? Either will be fine. Some of us would like a minimal bar, and if there's to be exercise like paddling over to the islands, I will need a chaise lounge adirondack chair that I can be poured into - watching people exercise can really tire me out. I'm not as young as I used to be.
bhv, so glad to have you and Wolf join me. Others welcome. Coffee and scones this morning on the dock was restful. We were there before the motor boats started. This afternoon, if you wish, you can help me find the place that does spin things. I have no idea what or where it is. This evening I'd like to canoe along the shore. And Wolf, if you wish I can put cushions and a back rest on the canoe floor and you can just dangle your fingers in the water. No exercise on your part needed. Let's save the journey to the islands for tomorrow. Today I'm into kicking back and taking it more or less easy.
I'm in. Bandit will be good at finding comfortable spots for himself to snooze in the Lodge while we go canoe-ing. I used to have an aluminum, 12-foot Grumman back in the day--hope I have not forgotten how to get in and out, paddle, etc. I'm bringing a fresh bottle of Hendrick's gin--my new favorite--and some good lemonade--my new, go-to mixer with the gin. But I'll bring tonic and limes, too. Let me know where we're going to be, so I can get Bandit in his carrier and crank up the flying car.
Jazzy, I stand corrected. Canada is only 150 years old, not 250. As far as the phrase “a kingdom in its own right within the British Empire,” that is how the country was described after the passage of the 1867 Constitution Act. (I should have put quotation marks around that since I got it from another source.) The article I read said Canada gained more independence in 1931 and became completely independent in 1982. (So, could it be that Canada is really only 35 years old?) Anyhow, I hope all my Canadian friends had a nice day.
I'm here, or there, which ever it is. Floating in the lake outside the cottage, right now. Weather is perfect. I don't think anyone forgets how to paddle a canoe, Elizabeth. I have decorated the gazebo with Canadian and American flags. All flags are welcome. Virtual reality is the greatest. See you soon.
Canada, like Australia and New Zealand, simply waited until Britain got tired. It's true that Canada did not become completely independent until 1982 but nobody talks about that up here. We like the 1867 date which is the date Canada started running itself. The king and then queen were our head of state and had serious final powers they never used. More importantly to us, in 1982 we also passed the Canada Charter Of Rights And Freedoms. The only thing other countries need to know about Canada is that these aren't the droids they're looking for. Enough about us.
This weekend is happening here already which is perfect. I love cottages on lakes. I get villas and mansions and all kinds of places, but my favourite is a cottage on a lake (in which you can swim). I'm definitely in on celebrating the USA's 241'st birthday (I had to do the math). I'm even more in on sitting around the lake in an adirondack chair. I'm thinking this is a quiet lake. Are paddle boats for two allowed?
Imagine sitting maybe in the shade, maybe in the sun, on the deck in the chair reading and you look up and realize a sandwich would be good and a few minutes later you came back and sit down with some nice bread with some lettuce and tomato and maybe a slice of swiss or cheddar on something and can feel the tranquility of where you are. I remember that. I remember looking up suddenly from my book and realizing where I was and looking around for a few minutes before getting back into the story. Nothing terrible serious on my mind except how good the moment was. Nice memory. Shame about the present.
It sounded like the middle of a war here last night. Fireworks were going off everywhere all night long. Now it's a perfect summer's day here on the long weekend which is great for people who have actual lives. Still, it's great sitting here by the lake.
was at a ceremony yesterday at the local Community Centre and they raised a new flag to replace the old one, which was badly faded. I was touched to see an elderly Filipino man beside me, who had tears in his eyes as he sang the national anthem. "Canada is good," he said.
I am Metis and so I come from Indigenous People and from the people who packed up and left their homelands so long ago to find a better life in Canada.
We Indigenous people have been here for maybe 10000 years or more. My European Ancestors came here in the1600's.
On many of the programs printed re. our celebration, I see it noted, "Canada 150 + years." It's very slight acknowledgement that the Indigenous People was here centuries before the first explorers and settlers came. One of the saddest things I've ever read is that when the first explorers came to Canada, the Indigenous People helped them to survive, teaching them the skills necessary to live in this harsh and unknown territory, and then exploited them. My father claimed to have been the first white baby born in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1886, and he said he was kidnapped by the Indians when he was 2 weeks old. They has never seen a white baby before. They kept him for 2 weeks and returned him to my grandmother, saying he cried too much. I don't know how true that is, but I do know he preferred to do business with the Indians rather than the Whites. The latter, he said, "talked with crooked tongues." His wife, my grandmother, said he had an Indian woman on the side. My mother said that Grandma was always catching him around the barn door with another women. The only thing I know is that he used to put pepper on his oatmeal porridge in the morning.
Out on the patio this evening the smallest coyote gal came by. She used the new path I created.outside the fence and passed by about 10 feet from us. She stopped and gave us a good look. She was very pretty. She went around the other side and gave us a look again and disappeared over the hill. Beautiful golden coat blended with the vegetation perfectly. I hope she comes back to help take care.of the critter over population here. I could use some help. Was happy to hear a.screech owl last night too.
Well yet another rat in the pool this morning. We live in very rural area. Coyotes, snakes, turkey vultures, hawks, owls, all help keep the environment in balance. There are bobcats and mountain lions but we haven't seen them at our place. One reason I didn't get.chickens. was afraid I would name them and then be devasted when the hawks or coyotes got them.
Happy Fourth of July to all our American friends. I enjoyed living in the States, once when I was in my 20's and again in my 30's. People were so friendly and good to us. My daughter still has traces of her California accent.
I remember the winter of 2010 we played 'snowbird' and spent the winter in AZ. When we were in Yuma there were roadrunners in the park - first time I had seen one in person. I saw it, went outside and it just stood there looking at me before walking (not running) away.
Staying home today. Yesterday when I was going to give blood the 'check engine' light came on. Have no idea the problem. Toyota said as long as it wasn't blinking it was fine to drive. Can't get it in until Thursday. Checked the gas cap - it is tight - my sister use to have the light come on if it wasn't tight. Will cost $125 just to read the computer to find the problem. I am going to check tomorrow with a independent auto repair that the RV repair guy recommends to see if he might be cheaper.
Yesterday he also broke his third pair of clip on sun glasses. He has also broken at least one bow on his glasses - he put a bandaide on it to hold it together. He is forever cleaning them or playing with them. Who knows how long they will last. I was going to drive to the VA on Thursday to get new bows but the car repairs come first.
Sunny and hot - 94%, 21% humidity. Suppose to be around 100+ or - for the next 10 days. summer is here!
Charlotte, I can't believe you don't live around the corner. Wish you did. I have a code reader. Yuma is where they flight tested the KC10. DH spent about a year there. It was before I was assigned to the test team though. In Minnesota I worked at a.restaurant with several snow bird couples who were regulars. Somehow my Long Island, New York accent combined with the swedish minnesota accent made me sound like I was from Arizona. Isn't that weird?
A little late for the Canada Day topic, but I was in Vancouver overnight on June 30th. I stayed in the Pan Pacific Hotel right in front of Canada Place. That place was hopping even the night before the celebrations. We could barely get to the hotel. The whole street was blocked with Bandstands, and security. Wish we could have stayed another night as there were fireworks out in the harbor the night of the 1st. I have a little paper flag celebrating the 150th anniversary of confederation.
I spent the next 2 nights in Seattle and just got home last night in time for the 4th of July.
Charging you to just read an engine code is outrageous. My mechanic isn't cheap but he only charges me when he fixes something. An engine light can be minor or major. But with it being that hot you don't want your car to break down.
There are devices that can read engine codes and reset the light (you know you have a problem if the light came back on). I use an Automatic which also reports to me on my driving. A lot less than $125.
So this morning I get up earlier cause the last two.days he was unable to turn on the tv. Well it was on today, but he is glaring at me. His.winter jacket is balled up on the coffee table and he is yanking at his jeans complaining that he needs something to do something and this was the only one or maybe "you just forgot!" Well I just about literally fell down laughing out loud rolling on the floor. Maybe I just forgot!!!! I found both of his sweatshirts that he keeps putting on even though it is 100 degrees out. Not what he was looking for. Is it the jeans? Yes. These were the only ones. So let's go upstairs. There.are jeans strewn all over the room. There is some poop on the ones he slept in so those go in the wash. He frequently refuses the sleep pants in favor of jeans. Can't figure that out, but who cares? Now the struggle to change the undies. Always.a joy. Got that done. Was able to block the flying undies so they didnt hit my face! Always counted as a big success. Now trying to figure out what's wrong with the jeans he had on. He doesn't know and I am so stupid. He puts the very same pair on. Curses me out when I say that. Now these are ok. I hand him the belt that was on the ones he slept in and somehow everything is now ok. Whew. I am having trouble not bursting out into giggles thinking perhaps I forgot something he wanted. This will be an all day battle. Not sure how he will react if I give in to the giggles.
Oh, Wolf, yesterday as I.was helping him shave I kept breaking into giggles imagining randomly doing highheeled kicks stopping just in front of his nose. Maybe all this internal giggling is helping cause he has been relatively calm even as the moon gets fuller and fuller.
Mim, that was what I was going for because I was chuckling most of the day. I vacuumed the pool, served his majesty his lunch, then cleaned the pool filter. Nasty job, but nice that is warm so hands don't get frozen or chapped with all the water and DE. So not feeling so happy when I go inside for some water and have to pee. There is poop smeared all over the toilet and floor. I come out of there and he is in the kitchen needng the oriole feeder filled. So I do that, hoping not to pee my pants while running the water to make a new batch of oriole/hummingbird food. Made the GRAVE ERROR of muttering under my breath about the pool and poop. As I am carrying the oriole feeder outside he decides to start cursing me out and comes at me with fist raised. I tried avery response I could think of and finally threw the feeder in the sink so as to have free hands to defend myself. Of course it broke and all the food went down the drain. But he finally left the room.
I cleaned up the bathroom and got a new feeder up for the orioles. Finished the pool filter and put tools away. Then did a bunch of finance work at my desk. He kept coming in there smiling at me and standing behind me looking out my window. OMG. Standing behind me! I don't think I have been able to pee yet.
This evening I talked about how he followed me around the house trying to punch me. He says he would never beat me up - "You know that!" "No I don't know that.". We talked a little bit and he reaffirmed that he wants to stay here with me. He doesn't want to go to.assisted living. He agrees I would take better care of him than some court appointed person. But of course he doesn't really understand any of that. I am going to make some appointments to check out some assisted living places and respite care and talk to his sister. I may need to fnd a therapist or something because the antidepressants are not working.
Oh darn. This doesnt belong here on the July thread. I was doing so well this morning. RATS!
bhv, I read this post with my hand going over my mouth, while gasping. Oh, I wish I could help you...not that I really could. You & so many others have had to deal with things that I have not with this stinkin' disease. Dan scared me a couple of times, but I didn't back down, threatened him with jail. Then I immediately left the room! He was the one who always detested having a confrontation, so maybe that helped...he just walked away too.
Do you think "his majesty" (cracks me up!) might need more than assisted living? Maybe the next step where he would be monitored much more closely? Or maybe I'm just not understanding assisted living.
Assisted living is just that assisted, bhv in my opinion he is well beyond that. There is no care, no one to clean up the poop just meals , laundry and housekeeping. They still need to be able to be independent, to take care of their basic needs. Started my father in law out in assisted living but the facility and ourselves quickly realized he could not be on his own.
Sounds like you are at risk we all know this is not your dh but the disease and it is time for you to look out for your safety and well being. Sorry for being so straight forward but it makes me angry we have enough to deal with without having to worry about our safety. as much as you love your husband this is not him anymore. Ok I am off my soapbox please take care of yourself.
Key to the cottage is under the door mat, bhv. Any time you want, come on by. Want company and I'm sure you'll receive it. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Assisted living varies greatly from state to state and facility to facility. My wife's first ALF provided her with too much freedom and responsibility. Her current one has a much better staff to resident ratio and they do everything, including cleaning up the poop. The current one is memory care only, which makes a difference.
Just echoing what Paul said above--"assisted living" varies state to state, and is kind of a catch-all term. You'll need to look into how it works in your state. In New York, there are a lot of "assisted living facilities", but a true Assisted Living Program as defined by the state has certain criteria--for instance, if the person needs oxygen, that automatically excludes them from the Assisted Living Program and bumps them up to nursing home level. Find some kind of case management person--maybe in your local Office for the Aging--who understands how it all works in your location, and can explain it or furnish you with whatever written material defines it.
paulc - in another thread you mentioned your son, how is he doing?
another hot day - forecast 105, same as yesterday. Right now it is muggy out - 74 with 56% humidity. By the time it hits 105 it will be around 15 % - much better.
Took the car in yesterday. It is the fuel sensor which accounts for the drop in mileage (44 down to 38 or so) and the occasional 'bucking'. They cleans it up - said if/when the check engine comes back on they will know for sure that is the problem. Said it could be a month or a year before that happens, so nothing pressing.
Because I turn 65 in October I will have to sign up for Medicare. I was looking at the Part B, C and D expenses. We have no Medicare Advantage in our area so the leaves a medigap or supplement. Whatever I choose, half my SS will go for Medicare payments. I think we may qualify for help in paying them - will have to keep researching. What a confusing mess.
He is off to day care with both bows broken on his glasses. I told him the strap will hold them on until we can go next week. He almost made it a year before he broke the ends!!
Yes sorry bhv I was speaking about my experience in British Columbia where assisted living means you still need to be independent. My mistake as Paulc explained it varies by state so my comments do not reflect what could be the reality in other areas. Good luck.
So I had decided not to even bother making appointments. He is generally ok toileting by himself as long as he doesn't have diarrhea. I thought eliminating dairy had that taken care of. No idea what caused.it the last two days. The mess that got me upset the other day was nothing compared to last night. OMG. He said he didn't get it all over his clothes but I convinced him to go swimming so changed clothes. Welllll what a mess. Poop falls on the carpet and before I can scream NOOO he uses the poop filled undies to mash it all further into the carpet. I am gagging just thinking about it. I think I am going to have to hire someone to come here sometime soon. That would probably be easier for him than memory care. I still would like to go back east to see my family. Thought about taking a road trip with him, but don't think that will be good for either of us. So was going to see if he could stay at a memory.care place near his sister. But I'd probably better try that out while I am in the area in case they kick him out. Or maybe hire people to come here. Not sure if he would need 24/7. Thanks for chiming in Rona, paulc and elizabeth. I feel a little better prepared to ask questions and I think I will make some appointments after all.
Charlotte, once again seems like you are only a block away. Same temp and humidity. The quail babies stopped by this morning. I haven't seen then for awhile. It is quite a little gathering. I love to watch how the adults and sometimes older siblings help manage the flock. When they.cross the road, one adult goes first and waits till they all go by and the mate is the last one to cross. I was glad I had renewed the big water dish we have out back. They all got up on the edge for a drink at once and kept knocking each other off balance and jumping back on while Pappa watched over the whole bunch from atop the fence. What fun. Yesterday it was 101 in the shade, but low humidity and nice breeze. So went swimming. It was quite pleasant. It's funny that this year 90 feels like the perfect temp.
It's been raining here since early this morning and everything in the garden has perked up. It's the ideal kind of rain for plants - "a gentle rain from heaven."
The rain stopped, (I am two hours or so from Myrtle), and I took Bandit to a preserve along the Hudson, where we walked along an easy trail, saw a small waterfall, dabbled our feet in the little stream as it crossed the tidal flat and merged into the river, talked to a nice woman with her two dogs...and all in all had a pleasant, rather "Zen" afternoon only 15 minutes or so from home. The temperature was around 82, but the trail wound through the woods, and I had water with me for Bandit.
Yesterday my friend Phyllis and I went to a kayak/canoe/wilderness outfitting kind of store, and then went to the downtown area of our little city that is on a big creek that flows into the Hudson--looked at one of the Hudson river sloops that is being restored (the Woody Guthrie, if anybody is interested)...then had a nice seafood dinner at a restaurant down there, sitting right on the water and watching the boats go by.
A nice two days, but what is my point? Well, I guess it is just a way of saying that Alzheimers does not last forever--although it seems like it does--and that there are fun and interesting things in life waiting for you.
I recently cane across this in an email that I had sent to family and frends a long time ago. I was amazed that the youtube links still work.
After this dementia stuff hit us, I became somewhat attached to a website called www.thealzheimerspouse.com where caregivers like myself would share experiences and support each other. It was there that I learned to put my thoughts into written words, which was something quite new for me. At the time it was very helpful to me and I still feel a closeness to that caring group.
I made a song about this website. Here's the Utube link. https://youtu.be/N6n92yDXjOk
Or try this one to play another related song . https://youtu.be/CW-7DJCKmXw
Thanks Charlotte I hadn't thought of that. My friend (same age as DH) said she recently can't tolerate onions, especially raw onions. That could be it, or cabbage. That would be a shame cause one of his favorite things iscoleslaw! Elizabeth those are some of the very things I have been daydreaming about. I can only hope that there might be an "after" for me. Seems like it is a long way off while I serve this life sentence with no possibility of parole for no crime. Now that it is going to be too hot for yard work I am going to try taking him on some outings.Starting tomorrow.
Today I applied for early SS. Since I have to go on Medicare this year, I have no choice. I will go a couple months probably without insurance because my SS will put me over the limit for Medicaid. Will have to just stay healthy!
I did read up and we might be able to qualify for help in paying the various Medicare Premiums. I got a couple months to figure out the maze of Part c, d, e, f and probably all the way to ZZ or the poor house!