A Field Trip With Mom

Today I went on a field trip. My mom has Alzheimer-type dementia, and lives in a nursing home near where I live. I try to spend as much time as possible with her, and since the quality of our time with her is changing, I value the chance to be with her and make memories. Our greenhouse business has limited my time with her during this season, so when the staff asked me to come along as a volunteer to go to the lake, have a picnic and try some fishing, I was thrilled.

That's my mom right behind the red walker. She preferred to stay in the shade and just enjoy the view. The walk to the dock to fish was too much for her. She enjoyed herself immensely, but since this lake, called "Long Lake" is long and narrow, she thought she was at the river near her childhood home. We saw mallard ducks and a deer, and listened to the haunting loon calls.
These two gentlemen enjoyed trying to fish. It was a treat watching the staff interact with the residents. These folks were treated with great caring and respect--their dignity was of paramount importance. We had a picnic, and everyone was happy and tired.

Rushed home to make supper for DH (henceforth to be known as Kubota Man). Explanation: About 5 years ago, we purchased a 24 HP Kubota Tractor with mower, bucket, blade, and MY rototiller, and he liked it so much that one day as we were discussing its merits, I casually mentioned that we should have got one a bit bigger (I was thinking maybe 27 HP) Next thing I knew we were the proud owners of a 70 HP model. We kept the smaller one, too. No regrets, and it gives me something more creative to call him than DH.

At 19:00 I had a CWL (Catholic Women's League) meeting in the next town.

I've also been busy fundraising. The Dementia patients don't get outside much when the weather is nice because they require 1 on 1 supervision, and the staffing isn't there for that. But, luckily, between 2 wings of the facility there is a lovely triangular, fully-enclosed courtyard with grass, a patio access to the recreational therapy room--BUT NO SHADE. I saw an opportunity, went to the supervisor and asked if this area could safely be used by dementia patients. They asked for a large roll-away awning. So I rallied Mom's family and collected nearly $1000. Then I priced the awnings: $6000. So I decided to involve my community: Churches, service clubs, and local businesses. The last resort will be a matching grant from a government agency--will match what we raise. I haven't raised all the funds yet, but am ordering the awning tomorrow--I have faith that with prayers, my efforts will be fruitful. I ask all my readers of faith to pray with me.

My garden is almost in. We've had a bit of rain--not enough. The greenhouse season is nearly over. I've begun to clean a couple of flower beds when it was too wet for the garden. The sheep enjoyed the weeds served by the Kubota. And the housework waits.

Till Next time: (from THE SHACK) Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading.