Old age is not for sissies

Mom says, "Old age is not for sissies." Since she is 96 years old, I think she has earned the right to her opinion. She recently cracked a rib and did not complain a bit. Guess she is not a sissy. Last night we visited with Mr. B. who is current a young 83 and just retired this year from his job for the IRS. He liked working the computers but did not like having to talk on the phone with the public. Makes sense to me, since the public does not, in general, like dealing with the IRS. Anyway, we were visiting about his wife who has had two hip replacements, and according to Mr B, "Sits all day and does not get enough exercise and will not do her therapy." Needless to say, he is fed up with her inactivity. He says, "Her family prefers to complain rather than doing something about a problem." So it is safe to say that he is treating old age by confronting issues, but it seems his wife does not have the same point of view. I prefer his feisty approach. We have known them and visited with them for the past nine years. They have lived here in the park that whole time.

Then there is Lola and her husband. He is elderly and in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's. Lola is trying to take care of him and their dog. Last night he got away from her and was taking off directly across the park when we spotted him. I got in my cart and tracked him down and asked him to get in and I would take him for a ride. He got in with me but certainly did not want to go home. I insisted, but when we got to their fifth wheel home, Lola was not to be found. Some of his near neighbors were quite worried and helped us look for Lola, whom HW2 finally found in the laundry room. She thought he was asleep. He was mad at her because she wouldn't trade their truck for a new car. They need the truck when they move their fifth wheel trailer. So they argued, but it was very clear that he was very frustrated in his inability to argue in a coherent way or express himself. Alzheimer's is a terrible disease and takes a toll on the victim and his family, as well. He needs to be put in a home, but she has not come to that realization and acted upon it at this point. We worry that he might get lost or fall into the Guadalupe River, which runs through our campground, or that he might wander onto the main highway right outside the main gate. We felt like we were in full Deacon mode last night with Mr. B and Lola and their issues. Old age is not for sissies.

Life after a colonoscopy

Yesterday dawned with the colonoscopy to be had that morning. As far as I was concerned, "Get it over!" We went to the day surgery center, did the necessary paperwork, happy juice was administered, and then it was all over. No polyps! This was the good result, and so then I do not have to undergo this procedure for three more years. Why not five or ten? It is a heck of a way to lose five pounds. I have not weighed 175 pounds since I was four years old. Well, maybe a bit older.

After the procedure (aren't you glad I left out all of the details? I was out you know), we went out for a late breakfast at Denny's. So good to have a cup of coffee. Then home and I rested a bit. In the evening we noticed that our favorite lady bartender Sam was over at the River Rock Saloon. She had returned from a two-week visit to see her boy friend in Shanghai, China. Of course, we had to go and talk with Sam and hear all about her trip. She even brought us presents of a box of green tea and chop sticks. Her boy friend is an architect working on a very high building there, one of the highest three or four in the world. He is responsible for the very top tower. Sam had a wonderful time and took lots of pictures and filled us in on her travels.

Of course after hearing about China, we had to go out for Chinese food. We have at least three Chinese restaurants here. Then home and quickly to Church. Happy travels.

Maundy Thursday

You might think that at my age I would know what Maundy means, but, I did not. We went to a very meaningful service last night, and in the program were notes that explained. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum meaning commandment. On the night before Good Friday, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment "to love one another, just as I have loved you." Now the name made sense to me.

John, our pastor, gave a wonderful sermon, "Jesus Knew." Jesus knew that tomorrow he would die. We celebrated communion by gathering in the chancel and then walked back to our seats. The church was stripped of ornamentation to represent the desertion of those who had shared the meal with Jesus that night. We then left the church silently reflecting on all seen and hear. It was a magnificent service.

20 inches away

Max and I went outside this morning for his morning constitutional when I noticed a humming bird just 20 inches away from me at the feeder. He was not a bit afraid and continued feeding until he went on his way. What a treat to see this tiny bird up so close. I am not sure but it may have been a Black-chinned Hummingbird female or immature adult. If so, it is the first of this type that I have seen.

Later Max and I went for a walk up to the office. There is a no pet policy in any building here, so I hooked Max up to a pole and went inside. When I came back out, Max had been able to turn over a can used to hold cigarettes butts, and there was sand everywhere. I cleaned up his mess, and we went back home. Puppy days are still here for sure. When we work, we put Animal Planet on the TV for Max to watch and then come by every couple of hours to give Max a potty or water break. So far this has worked well, although Max is not too fond of being in his crate so much. If he ever gets house-broken, he could stay in the motor home. Step by step here in Max's education, or is it mine? Happy travels.

Each working day is different

When we are working, we never seem to do exactly the same thing the same way. We constantly are learning how to do our jobs. HW2 has the harder task, as she is learning how to use a computer system and meet the varied need of incoming or leaving guests. On the other hand, I get to help guests find their way to their parking site and figure out exactly how they should move their rig from the office area through the park. Then I get to help them back up if necessary or decide if they are close enough to utilities and whether they have room to move out their slides.

On one day I get to ride throughout the park to see who is still here and who has departed. As rigs depart I report this to the office. I read electric meters that need to be read so that electric bills can be figured and paid. I pick up trash and take it to the dumpsters. I check for water leaks, fixing those that need to be repaired. Later on I bag ice if we need some, since campers use a lot of ice. I also bunch up wood to be sold to campers who want a camp fire. I answer questions. I clean swimming pools, use the weed eater, mow lawns, and fix things. Fortunately, we have two old hands (Kenny and Roy) who have been doing this business for many years and are a fount of information and give great tips on how to survive. I never exactly know what will happen next or whether I will finish a job begun, but I love it. There is much freedom to get the job done and the expectation that the job will get done and done well. This is so different from teaching or being a school administrator, except that you never do exactly the same thing in those jobs either. The variety and constantly changing situation keeps me awake on this job. Happy travels.

Gibson's

Here in Kerrville we have a wonderful store, Gibson's. It seems to have things that you might need that other stores might not have. We have bought cowboy boots, kitchen things, batteries, string for window shades, tools, flowers, and many other things too numerous to list. The other day I decided that I needed shirts to wear to work. Penney's did not have any nor did Belk, but, Gibson's had all kinds. HW2 checked it all out after getting her hair cut and reported on her findings when she returned home.

Later on we went back to Gibson's and looked at all of the worker shirt options. We were waited on by a local person whose name began with an M, but I cannot remember the rest of his name. I forget names almost as fast as I supposedly learn them. M was a character and informed us that Wrangler shirts last the best and don't shrink as much, and he had fallen off a horse, hunted deer, and worked in stores like Gibson's and this type of shirt lasted for at least a year. It was not clear how often he might wash them, but he clearly was wearing Wrangler shirts. How could I resist such salesmanship? I bought three of various colors and sleeve lengths to try them out. I thanked M for his service, and we shook hands when I realized he did not have all of his fingers. I wondered whether he had lost them hunting deer or perhaps breaking and riding horses. The answer will have to wait for another encounter.

On the way out, he mentioned that Gibson's certainly had masks that were great to use if working in dusty conditions like mowing, especially since this area has experienced a drought for the last eighteen months. Gibson's has everything. When you visit Kerrville, be sure to stop at Gibson's and marvel at their varied inventory, as well as how full the store seems. You can then delightedly thread your way through the store and find that item you can't find any where else. Happy travels.

Very windy weather here today

We are having gusts of wind that are high enough to get your attention. The awning was put down, but our tent is up and so far has remained in this neighborhood. Our umbrella took off, and this time it was found in front of the motor home. One other time it landed on top of the motor home. So in windy times it has to be taken down. All the chairs have had to be stowed, and we stay indoors as much as possible. It is just as it was in Albuquerque and Nebraska!

Max seems to be learning words like treat, walk, and sit. Today we discovered a baby tooth on the floor and can only hope that his constant need to bite or chew is on the downside. He is a good dog for the most part. He seems to think that everyone here in the park wants to fuss over him and barks if they ignore him. He keeps me busy with potty training and walking several times each day. I am glad to have him in our lives. Hw2 loves him too but leaves most of his care to me. He will shortly be 5 months old. How quickly that time has passed from being a handful of a new puppy to his present weight of nearly 15 pounds. He has learned to walk with us and now likes to ride in our cart in the evening.

HW2 is off to try out a new hair stylist and hopes for a cut of hair that will be easy to care for. She bought a magazine with lots of hair/head pictures to take to this new person for good suggestions. We shall see but I, for sure, am hoping she gets a great cut and is happy, although on this windy day it may be blown out by the time she returns. Happy travels.