Thursday, April 25

My day started with my being motivated enough to make oatmeal.  It was cold this morning and it really hit the spot. ( The dog liked it too.)

We played at one of the Alzheimer's daycare locations this morning.  It was at the non-denominational church here in our community.  The dulcimer group has been playing there on a regular basis for about 7 years. and I have been for about 6 years.  Of course, with Cowboy sick I wasn't able to participate much the last couple of years.    There was one fellow who looked like he was asleep through the whole program til we did "Amazing Grace" at the end.  Then he woke up and sang with us.

Then I went to Kohl's and took advantage of a sale and a 20% off coupon and bought a hand vacuum to clean up around here.  I had one but it just wasn't working very well anymore.

Then I had a doctors appointment so I can get my prescriptions refilled.  All looks good.  Labs tomorrow AM, then take dog to groomer and then I am getting a haircut.  All of that before I head over to see Cowboy.

Someone pulled up some of our flowers !!  Man, that was frustrating.  I plan to stop and get some more in the AM before go over to see Cowboy.  The staff has no idea who or why.  We lost about 6 plants, not a huge deal.

Yesterday at the home was more chaotic than usual.  As I was getting there they were taking Cowboy to physical therapy.  This resulted from him having difficulty getting around and getting out of his chair.  I hope it helps.  I read the paper while waiting for his return, then we walked around and looked at the flowers.  They are doing pretty well.

When we went to sit down for lunch there was a fellow, don't know his name, who was talking really loudly and constantly.   He covered everything from politics to economics to an engineering project in Argentina to the origin of the word "ain't".  Don't know his background but suspect he is well educated and smart.  So sad. He was getting on everyone's nerves.  A couple of the guys were very annoyed.   I have read that there is a higher level of intelligence in many dementia patients than in the general population.

Don, the fellow who got in bed with Cowboy a while back, was wandering around taking food from everyone's plate and generally making a nuisance of himself.  In response he was being yelled at.   This one fellow pulled himself up to the table usually occupied by Jim, Bob, Herman and Lee next to Cowboy.    They didn't want him there and were raising a ruckus.  Never have seen so much confusion, noise and general mayhem.  It was unsettling to say the least.  As I was leaving after a while one of the aides was just shaking her head.  It was stressful for the staff as well as the rest of us.