Local Update

Well it looks like the weatherman got it about right. There's about a foot of new snow on the table on my deck this morning. I was on the road quite a bit yesterday and it got pretty slippery late in the day. Sounds like it will be a little warmer today with the high near freezing and a wintry mix of rain and snow for the rest of the week. Ugh.

I took dad to the doc yesterday and the doc was pleased with the improvement in his edema. They get a big kick out of the old coot at the clinic. We saw Dr. Cole yesterday and he and dad chatted-it-up big time. In fact late yesterday afternoon Dr. Cole called dad at home to thank him for helping to rescue his son about 33 years ago. After consulting with his wife, the doctor had concluded that dad had rescued their 5 year old son about 33 years ago when dad happened to be delivering oil to their place in Auke Bay when Junior got his foot caught while up a tree. Dad says he has a dim recollection of some such event.

I may have achieved a break-through yesterday on the Oregon plan. Both dad and mom are now conceding that they will not be living at Switzer Village next year (dad says he's not sure he will be living ANYWHERE next winter - although we've heard that wheeze every year for a number of years now). In any event, they now appear receptive to the notion of relocating to warmer climes.

I have decided to forego the spring golf tournament in early March. I just don't feel comfortable leaving the elders alone in the winter and early March can certainly still be very wintry hereabouts. Last week's trip to the ER reinforced my fears about leaving them to their own devices. And I'm doing more and more cooking and chores for them.

So...Plan B - still under development - is to head to the Great Northwest in early April and look for a place in Corvallis. So far the specifications from the elders include: 1) We won't live in a flood plain; 2) We won't live in the woods (fear of forest fire); and 3) We don't like stairs. All imminently reasonable concerns to my mind.

In other elder news, mom had an amusing conversation with Auntie the other evening. She called around 8 PM and woke Emilie up - she was snoozing in her chair in the living room. Emilie asked "What time is it?" Mom replied, "8 o'clock." Emilie then said, "morning or night?" Sigh...

Emilie's daughter, Sandra, arrived night before last for ten days or so. Emilie really shouldn't be living alone - but she and her daughter have been unable or unwilling to figure out what to do about the situation.

Elder care aside, it is mighty quiet around here. I'm working-out twice a day most days. It would sure be nice to be able to walk outdoors - but I just don't like the cold and snow. I should buy some real winter clothing - but for some reason I can't seem to make myself do it...

Later gang!