tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49705559202807465632024-02-07T19:07:01.018-06:00michael a. horvich writesThis BLOG features periodic essays, poetry, life observations, anecdotes, and other musings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-84823657193585996082021-10-21T13:42:00.003-05:002021-10-21T13:42:25.886-05:00Remembering His Black Grand Piano<p>Gregory took his mom and his niece to Safir's Piano in Wilmette, Illinois. They were going to help him choose his new piano. He asked Gizelle, owner with her husband of Safir's, about pricing. Her reply was, "Don't ask about price. Play as many pianos as you want until you find the one that speaks to you. Then we will talk about price!"</p><p>He proceeded to audition several dozen pianos with his mother and niece jury chiming in. Bits of Bach and Chopin echoed through the otherwise empty two-floor showrooms of pianos of every size, every finish, and every maker." I hadn't realized that the sound pianos make could be as varied as there are human voice differences. Gregory called it "feeling the action of the piano."</p><p>Eventually, he found one that said, "Gregory, I love you!" Helen and Renee agreed. And they approached Gizelle. Because Gregory had sold so many of her pianos to his Interior Design customers, she made him an offer he could not refuse. She gave him the piano for her cost, and not only cost but what she paid for it five years earlier when she obtained it! </p><p>The piano was a handbuilt, Kawai parlor grand piano, some five to six feet in length with a matte black finish. Gregory always made it his business to dust the piano carefully and to not leave any fingerprints on the lid. Also, unlike many a movie you may have seen, nothing was ever on top of the piano like a line of photographs of family or important people in one's life! "It just shouldn't be done," Gregory would say.</p><p>Twelve years later, when Gregory could no longer play the piano due to his Alzheimer's/ Dementia, he decided to sell it. He said, "If I can't play it as well as I used to, I would rather someone have it who can. I can always listen to my Chopin on my CDs." </p><p>We advertised and found a young pianist, a composer who was looking for a piano having just moved to Chicago from Los Angeles. He came to the house several times to audition the piano and he too heard it say, "I love you!" His name was Michael, fitting! Gregory sold it to him for the same price he paid many years earlier. The piano came and left with love and then more love.</p><p>Last night as I was listening to some "meditative music" at bedtime, a piano piece came on. It took me back to my days of lying on our couch listening to Gregory practicing his various piano pieces, making "clams" as he called incorrectly struck notes, until the piece became a perfect part of his memory, played perfectly!</p><p>Tears began to fill my eyes and the sobs were just around the corner. Grief never leaves. One just becomes stronger and better able to carry the load. Great love means great grief and who would have it any other way? I wondered, "Where did his piano talent go? What is the piano's life like these days?" </p><p>Gigi (the cat who Gregory had picked out) came to me, as she always does in my sad moments, and snuggled in under my arm and purred. It was her way of "petting me! I settled down and eventually fell soundly asleep. Emotions, tears, and sorrow but carried on the joy of love.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-58998205533564750812021-10-18T12:54:00.000-05:002021-10-18T12:54:02.212-05:00A Morning Visit<p><span>This morning I woke up to the smell of coffee.</span> </p><p>It was a surprise because I didn't think anyone else was at home. I went into the kitchen and sure enough, the coffee pot was brewing. There was a note tucked between the sugar bowl and the creamer.</p><p>It was from Gregory, "Don't make any judgments about my rearrangement of the living room until we have had a chance to talk about it." I looked over my shoulder and sure enough, Gregory was sitting in his favorite chair, which was located in a new place as he had promised in his note. </p><p>I looked around the living room and the new arrangement wasn't half bad. I was not awake enough to get the full impact of the changes. Gregory's back was to me as he explained that he had gotten home early while I was out of town.</p><p>He came over and began to hug and kiss me. "Stop," I said. I am still half asleep.</p><p>"No, I will not stop," he replied. "I need my morning kisses!" I laughed and allowed him just a little bit of loving.</p><p>I had some trouble pouring the coffee as the pot was poorly balanced. It was a new pot he had purchased, I asked if he still had the receipt so we could return it, and commented that while he was gone I also had bought a new coffee maker.</p><p>Then, this morning, I woke up.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-22976836289026949232021-10-02T13:33:00.000-05:002021-10-02T13:33:02.084-05:00Follow Me<p> Go to my website to see my current projects including a number of new publications!</p><p>Thanks for following me!</p><p>Michael</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD1rhXVWhTozx5GKDWgWCrIopo2QHVPluPpVIJYylYN7uTNDjaoNFIk2lonILxrRC1XPjEBDHLTg7A9-0zICFbHZYW6jwlwupT3Svnpj6vaVhTP8zp4MXubLEAlqjBlJkgK27FJBi9m0/s2016/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD1rhXVWhTozx5GKDWgWCrIopo2QHVPluPpVIJYylYN7uTNDjaoNFIk2lonILxrRC1XPjEBDHLTg7A9-0zICFbHZYW6jwlwupT3Svnpj6vaVhTP8zp4MXubLEAlqjBlJkgK27FJBi9m0/s320/IMG_0066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-23559714156078911102021-09-29T12:50:00.003-05:002021-09-29T13:09:37.788-05:00Been A While Longer<p>To anyone checking out this BLOG, I have not been posting recently but there are a lot of wonderful posts to scroll back to read. I just finished with my current "Gyroscope: An Alzheimer's Love Story - The Joys, The Sorrows, and the Gifts of Dementia." It will be available for purchase in a week or two. </p><p>I am currently working on a new one with will be ready within the month: "A Pondering of Philosophy".</p><p>Meanwhile, you can see all of my publications (and buy them) by using this link:</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Five books by Michael A. Horvich </p><p style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&fbclid=IwAR1cdN3AkNy4rUseEm3Y5uALXidhQ69C98msVL2_M2IMhXnfZJgunisU1hM&page=1&pageSize=10&q=horvich">https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=Michael+Horvich</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-31128545071430260842021-05-12T11:00:00.002-05:002021-05-12T11:00:11.345-05:00Sixth Annual More Than Ever Education Fund Luncheon ― 2021<p> <span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 18px;">Dear Family and Friends,</span></p><div class="" style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 18px;"><div class="">This will be my final post regarding the La Casa Norte EMPOWER A GENERATION EDUCATION WEEK and the Gregory Maire Memorial Education Scholarship Fund. Counting all donations and the two matching grants, we raised $72,181.00 to support our Youth in College as they continue their studies and work towards the dream of earning a college degree and being able to forever leave homelessness and poverty behind!<div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">My family and friends, as part of the above total, raised $22,525.00+. My heart is filled, my eyes cried out, and my gratitude overflowing! Your donations reflect the love and fond memories we all have for Gregory and the idea that we can help his legacy live on by paying forward the good he shared with us in knowing him.</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">To those of you who made a contribution, THANK YOU!</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">To those of you who missed the opportunity, this link still works: <a class="" href="https://p2p.onecause.com/empower-a-generation/michael-horvich">https://p2p.onecause.com/empower-a-generation/michael-horvich</a> THANK YOU!</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">To those of you who were not able to contribute but I know your love and moral support were with Gregory and me, THANK YOU!</div><div class=""><br class="" /></div><div class="">Thank you,</div><div class="">Be safe,</div><div class="">Fondly,</div><div class="">Michael Horvich<br class="" /><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="main-width" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-size: 18px; table-layout: fixed; width: 610px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="layout" style="padding: 15px 5px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" bgcolor="#0698d7" class="layout-container-border" style="background-color: #0698d7; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" bgcolor="#0698d7" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" class="layout-container" style="background-color: white; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><div class=""><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/b5da7ecc001/aedc392c-e458-4080-89df-8a65443c4f1f.png" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="599" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class=" editor-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div class=""></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor text-container"><div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" style="color: #4d7587; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: bold;">Thank You for </span></div><div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" style="color: #4d7587; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: bold;">Empowering A Generation!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-divider"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; cursor: default; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="divider-base divider-solid" style="padding: 0px 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 1px; min-width: 84%; table-layout: fixed; width: 504px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" bgcolor="D51D31" class="" height="1" style="background-color: #d51d31; border-bottom-style: none; height: 1px; line-height: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif" style="display: block; height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class=" editor-image-vspace-on editor-image" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/b5da7ecc001/285d09f2-0ab5-4575-b016-1589e6c8e86e.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="600" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class="article editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class="editor-text article-heading-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #ee9888; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div class=""></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor text-container"><div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" style="color: #4d7587; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Thanks to you and the generous support of our matching donors, we have raised $72,182 for scholarships, Youth In College and other education initiatives at La Casa Norte! You are the apple of hope.</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-divider"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; cursor: default; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="divider-base divider-solid" style="padding: 9px 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 1px; min-width: 94%; table-layout: fixed; width: 564px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" bgcolor="D51D31" class="" height="1" style="background-color: #d51d31; border-bottom-style: none; height: 1px; line-height: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif" style="display: block; height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class=" editor-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div class=""></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor text-container"><div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" style="color: #d51d31; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 48px; font-weight: bold;">All donations MATCHED!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class="article editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="50%"><div class=""><div class="column-resize-bar"><span class="line"></span><span class="grabber"></span></div></div><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-image editor-image-vspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/b5da7ecc001/9339c108-44b2-472f-b49a-42abc79840b8.png" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="245" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td align="left" class="article editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="50%"><div class="gl-contains-image"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-image editor-image-vspace-on" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" valign="top"><div class="publish-container"><img alt="" border="0" class="" hspace="0" src="https://files.constantcontact.com/b5da7ecc001/61a6a3f8-4aac-4a99-8353-aafd73108abe.png" style="display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" vspace="0" width="247" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class="editor-text article-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div class=""></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor text-container"><div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold;">Again, thank you for the generous support from the Jill L. Meinzer Scholarship Fund and the Gregory Maire Scholarship Fund. Because of their legacy, the impact of your donations were DOUBLED!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-divider"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; cursor: default; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="divider-base divider-solid" style="padding: 15px 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 1px; min-width: 94%; table-layout: fixed; width: 564px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" bgcolor="D51D31" class="" height="1" style="background-color: #d51d31; border-bottom-style: none; height: 1px; line-height: 1px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif" style="display: block; height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-text"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="left" class=" editor-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1; padding: 10px 20px; word-wrap: break-word;" valign="top"><div class=""></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor text-container"><div align="center" class="" style="text-align: center;"><span class="" style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: bold;">Thank you to our generous campaign sponsors!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-divider"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; cursor: default; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="divider-dashed divider-base" style="padding: 1px 0px 9px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" bgcolor="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="height: 1px; min-width: 74%; table-layout: fixed; width: 444px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" bgcolor="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="" height="1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 29, 49); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 3px; height: 1px; line-height: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" class="" height="1" hspace="0" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif" style="display: block; height: 1px; width: 5px;" vspace="0" width="5" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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See how La Casa Norte supports youth-led families & their little ones for early education. Then, watch our first-ever Virtual Education Luncheon in it's entirety!</span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="galileo-ap-layout-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="" class=" editor-col OneColumnMobile" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="gl-contains-divider"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="editor-divider" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="" valign="top"><table class="galileo-ap-content-editor" style="border-collapse: collapse; cursor: default; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody class=""><tr class=""><td align="center" class="divider-base divider-solid" style="padding: 9px 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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text-decoration: none;"><img alt="LinkedIn" border="0" class="" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/galileo/images/templates/Galileo-SocialMedia/linkedin-visit-default-circle.png" style="display: inline-block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="32" /> </a></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor"><br class="" /></div><div class="galileo-ap-content-editor" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Screen Shot 2021-05-05 at 1.59.41 PM.png" apple-inline="yes" class="Apple-web-attachment Apple-edge-to-edge-visual-media Singleton" id="<1E9F359B-154A-427B-BB10-CAB00611499D>" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/dfa47520-abe8-4862-af0a-3f82ff409fe1" style="margin: 0px -3.5px; opacity: 1;" width="640" /><img alt="Screen Shot 2021-05-05 at 1.59.50 PM.png" apple-inline="yes" class="Apple-web-attachment Apple-edge-to-edge-visual-media Singleton" id="<B8E14757-043A-41E3-B243-A43D5175A706>" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/d4ccebfe-283e-47a7-9287-8ffcec145e02" style="margin: 0px -3.5px; opacity: 1;" width="640" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-58855734013976749322021-05-12T10:57:00.000-05:002021-05-12T10:57:08.694-05:00How Do You Know When You Have The Intention?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm-F4EwPJnoSzos8ESb5Q4oJrwW0VyZsdye70vBMfxzM0DWXfwQXMrQaNS2oV4QD9c9G2lQsIDN5L0Y0zu6a2lCPiNhW4nQxBRkfPoDtvcxQPU2zCpnyjaImfJWa9xIuvsMmxMqBy8RI/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm-F4EwPJnoSzos8ESb5Q4oJrwW0VyZsdye70vBMfxzM0DWXfwQXMrQaNS2oV4QD9c9G2lQsIDN5L0Y0zu6a2lCPiNhW4nQxBRkfPoDtvcxQPU2zCpnyjaImfJWa9xIuvsMmxMqBy8RI/w640-h360/maxresdefault.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>You just know it!</li><li>You are willing to take a risk.</li><li>You are comfortable leaving your comfort zone.</li><li>You are ready to stretch the envelope.</li><li>You do not care what others will think.</li><li>You accept that you may fail.</li><li>You anticipate that the best will happen.</li><li>You foresee success.</li><li>You have a feeling in your bones.</li><li>You believe in yourself.</li><li>You are comfortable with being rejected.</li><li>You just know it!</li></ol><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-91828214258205186312021-04-09T14:46:00.000-05:002021-04-09T14:46:34.575-05:00The Museum of Michael's Mind: Memories, Memoirs, and Meanderings VOLUME TWO<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b><u> Coming Soon: Volume Two</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMKz9CSzQJShre0ugPpG-tBpYeo8WX9NoXTaVXPU7T2tm5c6UAWrxWIREzPzEiBgooNrQD1uYTbs6gEnVT86Qs__JVzuRbaeti8LK_1ve0eZIkSxOl-B6BzC5WIKFZBFznqzj-4rlcA8/s1480/Screen+Shot+2021-04-09+at+2.16.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMKz9CSzQJShre0ugPpG-tBpYeo8WX9NoXTaVXPU7T2tm5c6UAWrxWIREzPzEiBgooNrQD1uYTbs6gEnVT86Qs__JVzuRbaeti8LK_1ve0eZIkSxOl-B6BzC5WIKFZBFznqzj-4rlcA8/w448-h640/Screen+Shot+2021-04-09+at+2.16.25+PM.png" width="448" /></a></p><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-63898819492141591392021-03-24T18:58:00.002-05:002021-03-25T13:22:29.458-05:00Available for FREE, while they last! E-mail if interested mahwww@me.com or call<p>These cabinets are available for FREE. They must be picked up in Evanston at my condo. There is a 24/7 door person available so after confirming with me, you can pick it up at your convenience. Pull up in front of building (will give you address with confirmation,) leave your flashers on, run in to get cabinet. Easy Peasy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5wWqeJzIYOLbT6uHkw11svQbsP6FPoXf4KoeDHiVdHQR9KZFzUBzcbio7P55d3qpC8K4HO487FH7yvKQf6jyEFizJTfQRUCP_aTcUxkqyFP_C73cVnHVoQP21dTICqvkejoWfB_0abo/s319/Door+w%253A+Latch%253AKey+13w+6d+20h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5wWqeJzIYOLbT6uHkw11svQbsP6FPoXf4KoeDHiVdHQR9KZFzUBzcbio7P55d3qpC8K4HO487FH7yvKQf6jyEFizJTfQRUCP_aTcUxkqyFP_C73cVnHVoQP21dTICqvkejoWfB_0abo/s0/Door+w%253A+Latch%253AKey+13w+6d+20h.jpeg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13w 6d 20h</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCbwtOF0hG5QlfZseSigyiAG2rCyFG9IkLjTERf7IpkTOn9O_gclJZvSK94s-6za1TR4K1p9ETd5UFHJgKFK_3KCN7iQJSFIUj9f6J7h2HhDx8xmDtm_r6yTNE8ySmqsmlwL5c2LrZfk/s281/Kid%2527s+Hutch+10w+3%253A5-2.5d+12j.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCbwtOF0hG5QlfZseSigyiAG2rCyFG9IkLjTERf7IpkTOn9O_gclJZvSK94s-6za1TR4K1p9ETd5UFHJgKFK_3KCN7iQJSFIUj9f6J7h2HhDx8xmDtm_r6yTNE8ySmqsmlwL5c2LrZfk/s0/Kid%2527s+Hutch+10w+3%253A5-2.5d+12j.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">100w top 3.5d bottom 5d 12h</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniGnlpyZOaxTe2PBlFlt1ZrOZ7r8WNZzRhV_9Ud2He_3gAxaztyQUDuQsJeDx61QBY5V8GAAhoHwd2FSxnIitGiYeQk4SELpKKewedNOqch6tem_B8seKj_4bCD_MF-NDCaa4s7y4lm8/s259/No+Glass+in+Door+11w+5%253A5d+18h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniGnlpyZOaxTe2PBlFlt1ZrOZ7r8WNZzRhV_9Ud2He_3gAxaztyQUDuQsJeDx61QBY5V8GAAhoHwd2FSxnIitGiYeQk4SELpKKewedNOqch6tem_B8seKj_4bCD_MF-NDCaa4s7y4lm8/s0/No+Glass+in+Door+11w+5%253A5d+18h.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11w 5.5d 18h</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No glass in door</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBrx5UVvDOFqyctVuQbZgFntxgR8QXchDttqN2CNW4GN82yIto1jlJFTzYemuhIS_A2xc-cKBQThHKZS7vcRo2WsdE0_typ2MopcU2MAjjqxaQ2YJALBg2a0MNmrdnoYVpXvbKJb5B80/s4032/Oak+All+Glass+25w+4+-+6d+20t.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBrx5UVvDOFqyctVuQbZgFntxgR8QXchDttqN2CNW4GN82yIto1jlJFTzYemuhIS_A2xc-cKBQThHKZS7vcRo2WsdE0_typ2MopcU2MAjjqxaQ2YJALBg2a0MNmrdnoYVpXvbKJb5B80/s320/Oak+All+Glass+25w+4+-+6d+20t.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">25w base 6d shelves 4d 20h</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Glass sliding doors on front, glass back</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9UwrIcY-eURBEn3YhJFGZMMlPN7l2kFVCrpnsnzsHL0VEaNU-vCUoX2qdo7JQtbnQrecxq0-O-Vsc-atSntmJ3zgdbfzwuCf-7Pk2mjEHCtXRvlOeXROFVKqStiKG0TaZm1O2pGCmlM/s281/Two+Door+Gold+26w+6d+26t.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9UwrIcY-eURBEn3YhJFGZMMlPN7l2kFVCrpnsnzsHL0VEaNU-vCUoX2qdo7JQtbnQrecxq0-O-Vsc-atSntmJ3zgdbfzwuCf-7Pk2mjEHCtXRvlOeXROFVKqStiKG0TaZm1O2pGCmlM/s0/Two+Door+Gold+26w+6d+26t.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">26w 6d 26h</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lJL4asE7gtxNsgkHqeBqn7zDgEnc-N0tqmiwjQXrM3HQhuNHhD9J23nlTCpv6hS-reausFaxrDZdYPKFW6nqDiM5x9csBRLDIddV-F198Qh_U1X5wn6Ggo6Y8cJHMfcjnnedktW_CoU/s308/Two+Door+Mini+11w+5d+11h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lJL4asE7gtxNsgkHqeBqn7zDgEnc-N0tqmiwjQXrM3HQhuNHhD9J23nlTCpv6hS-reausFaxrDZdYPKFW6nqDiM5x9csBRLDIddV-F198Qh_U1X5wn6Ggo6Y8cJHMfcjnnedktW_CoU/s0/Two+Door+Mini+11w+5d+11h.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11w 5d 11h</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuibOIS_bkmGfki29SnKyqqa658dCtkLnwP-NOS_jvnDsF0NsLiQg9A4c2BIms47cw7nnJXXIuChegxsswnIiM5TD39Wj-Hfh0jHBwk35E_XtAVUsYrX_6YzhbwbVR0eEhIub1ieqEAco/s320/Two+Luvered+Doors+12w+4.5d+15h.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuibOIS_bkmGfki29SnKyqqa658dCtkLnwP-NOS_jvnDsF0NsLiQg9A4c2BIms47cw7nnJXXIuChegxsswnIiM5TD39Wj-Hfh0jHBwk35E_XtAVUsYrX_6YzhbwbVR0eEhIub1ieqEAco/s0/Two+Luvered+Doors+12w+4.5d+15h.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12w 4.5d 15h</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some damage to back but easy to replace</div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-35088563075846274932021-03-18T14:13:00.005-05:002021-03-24T18:45:31.642-05:00Advice to an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Newbie <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKAnEuK5zEZ5bgZkFV1ycwx-KnYK4bn7ggApgJN3QlQbDtKc4gr19oT9fPuy_8Hn7-oewpURMrrlclqbofcANBOsagcXSXXa9kP9phJNep9Dna29My-LdrfSiB6zS5PJCxRZAzQYOe98/s1650/Alz+Poster+Greece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKAnEuK5zEZ5bgZkFV1ycwx-KnYK4bn7ggApgJN3QlQbDtKc4gr19oT9fPuy_8Hn7-oewpURMrrlclqbofcANBOsagcXSXXa9kP9phJNep9Dna29My-LdrfSiB6zS5PJCxRZAzQYOe98/w400-h310/Alz+Poster+Greece.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><i style="text-align: left;">This essay was published a while ago for Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Dementia Care (www.teppasnow.com) Free Online Monthly Dementia Journal.</i></div></span><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times;">Having re-read it, I feel it is worth publishing again here as a helpful list of how to be a good caregiver for someone you love who is living with Dementia / Alzheimer's Disease.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times;">Advice to an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Newbie <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I am often asked, "What would you tell someone who just found out that their spouse or parent or sibling or friend was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's?" This is what I learned over the forty-one years my life partner Gregory and I were together in a committed relationship and over the twelve years that I walked the Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Path with him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">I will not go into the different kinds of thinking necessary for different kinds of advice to give in different kinds of relationships, but rather tailor my comments to anyone being part of the caregiving team. I will also say, that just as there is no one way in which Dementia expresses itself, there is no one way in which to offer care! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Be gentle with yourself.</b> Forgive yourself. To be a successful caregiver partner, you must know that you will not always be successful. First, you are the one who can, must, and will change and adapt; they cannot. Sometimes you will fall short of being your best possible self! Every morning (or as often as you need to) in front of a mirror, repeat to yourself, “I am not perfect but at least I try!” Or the often-touted mantra, “Each day in each way, I am getting better and better!” If you don’t want to face the mirror, write it down in a place you can see it at the start of each day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Try, try again.</b> Next, you are the one who must be “above it all,” knowing it is all about the disease and the person you love; but sometimes you will let frustration, anger, fear, exhaustion, etc. get the best of you. Remind yourself that you are only human. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Know that each day will be a new one.</b> Each day you will get a new chance to “make it right.” Try not to feel guilty or carry yesterday’s difficulties into today. Chances are your loved one will more easily be able to be forgiving and to start each day anew. Take advantage of beginning fresh each day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Interpreting behavior can be difficult.</b> Know that sometimes you will not know how to interpret the behavior you are witnessing let alone how to deal with it or support the person you love. Try to put yourself in their place and think about how you would feel. Ask them for clarification or at least let them know you care and wish you could help. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Respect the person living with Dementia.</b> No matter what changes they go through, find a way to help them continue to keep their personhood even as their abilities fail. Help them to find alternative abilities to replace those slowly leaving. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Respect the decisions of the person diagnosed.</b> As much as possible, respect their right to be who they are, to make decisions for themselves, or at least to participate in making those decisions, to live their lives in the ways they choose. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Be aware that decisions are not always able to be made by the person living with Dementia/Alzheimer’s.</b> Sometimes and/or eventually, these decisions must be made on their behalf but always must be done ethically, with love and respect, and only in their interests (not your own) for safety and health reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Validate as you seek to understand.</b> If your spouse expresses worries about financial matters, repeat their words to validate their concerns, and then tell them what your plan is. “Oh, so you’re worried about finances? I am pretty sure we are okay, but I’ll check in with our accountant to make sure.” If your mom is upset, but is unable to use language to explain what is upsetting her, validate her frustration. “Mom, I can see that this is hard for you, and I’m sorry.” This can also be where you need to put on your detective hat and get curious about what is upsetting her. Using visual cues and “Is it this or something else” questions, you may be able to figure out what her unmet need is. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Try to maintain a team approach.</b> In your relationship with the person living with Dementia (PLWD), make sure to include them in most decisions that affect them. If their ability to participate in the decision-making process is diminished or does not exist, offer the alternatives in bite-size pieces which continue to respect that they are or once were part of the team! If you are purchasing a new item, show them two similar items and ask which they prefer. Load the questions a little by offering, “I really like this one best, what do you think?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Be patient with the person.</b> Their processing and understanding of the day-to-day activities of life, both mental and physical, are changing. The cognitive abilities are slowing down and/or the connections are no longer as easily made. Abilities may come and go, may return in reduced form, and eventually no longer exist. When asking a question, give the person a chance to process what you said. Asking another question or clarifying too quickly only serves to create more confusion. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Control your anger, as best as you can.</b> Sometimes your frustration can cause anger. Sometimes the PLWD’s behavior can cause anger. Conversations gone awry can cause anger, especially when you have been used to successful conversations for such a long time. Imagine that the person diagnosed is slowly living life backwards, losing what they have learned. Count to ten, leave the room (don’t just walk out, say “I’ll be right back.,” and breathing deeply all can help. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Remember, they are NOT children.</b> What complicates the matter is that mentally, it appears they are becoming a child again, but the fact is, they are NOT children. They are adults, in an adult's body, with an adult's worth of experiences and knowledge that will be at a wide range of various and changing levels of availability to them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Accept repetition.</b> Do this in conversations just as you would gently do for a very young child as he grows with wonder at the world around him, often with his asking the same question repeatedly with a string of Why? Why? Why’s? How you deal with your loved one should be similarly loving but with respect for the adult which they are even though they may slowly be losing their abilities and possibly their ability to wonder. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Realize it is the disease.</b> Differentiate between the person who you are continuing to love and trying to help and the disease. If they get angry with you, it is the disease. If they strike out, it is the disease. If they need you to repeat something for the hundredth time, it is the disease, not the person! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Try to see beyond the behavior.</b> Perhaps the person no longer can express themselves using language, perhaps they are no longer aware of what is troubling them. Maybe they are in pain but do not recognize it, let alone have the ability to let you know about the discomfort. At times thirst and hunger are no longer recognized let alone how to satisfy those basic needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Physical things are not always what they seem.</b> At times a dark, reflective window can be a vast empty frightening place that is home to demons, and a dark area rug in front of a door can be a deep hole in which one might fall! If the memory fails, a loved one can erroneously become a stranger and a trusted friend can become a dangerous enemy. Close the shades at sunset, remove rugs, arrange furniture so it is not in the way of the route to the bathroom or bedroom. Assure them that you care and that you are there to help!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Put yourself in the person’s place.</b> Work hard at imagining what might be troubling them. Then see what you can do creatively to correct, distract, and/or remove them from the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Create music and art activities.</b> They can provide a person living with Dementia/Alzheimer’s with hours of productive fun as well as provide a sense of accomplishment and an opportunity for socialization with loved ones. Use headphones to listen to music from the PLWD’s era or that they used to be able to play. If artistic, but no longer able to practice their art, try to find a replacement. Reintroduce (careful if maybe insulting) coloring, crayons, pencil sketching, finger painting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Activities must be meaningful and foster success.</b> Try to make the activity one where they can experience success and also one which will be meaningful to them. For example: household chores, help with meal preparation, cleaning up and setting the table, folding laundry, reading, watching TV, playing a DVD or video. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Toys can help entertain.</b> Many toys can provide sophisticated ways of spending time. Others, like dolls or Teddy Bears, if accepted, can provide something to do with the hands as well as emotional support and harken back to earlier memories. Crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles come with various levels of difficulty. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Television, video, and DVDs can help. </b>So what if the PLWD sits in front of the TV for a long time? Make sure what they are watching is calm as well as entertaining. Avoid news programs. Videos dealing with nature and animals are great. Musicals (usually older ones) that have an uplifting plot are good. Keep the volume loud enough to keep their attention but not so loud as to frighten them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Tailor the environment.</b> As a person’s needs change, so must the environment in which they live. Be careful about rugs that may cause a fall or furniture that may not support their weight. Keep sharp and dangerous items out of sight or under lock and key. Make it easier for them to find what they might need and try to keep everything in its place. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Meals can become complicated.</b> When eating at a restaurant, help guide the PLWD through the choices depending on their cognitive abilities which can range from “What do you feel like eating today?” to “Do you want chicken or fish?” to “Oh, this chicken dish looks good, shall we try it?” Meals at home, if causing difficulties, can be served one course at a time, be easy to pick up with fingers, be easy to chew and swallow. Sometimes the color of the table, table cloth, and/or dishes can soften dinner time difficulties. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Be flexible.</b> As the diagnosed person's needs change, so must their activities and environmental change. Every day might need a different approach to almost every possible activity: toileting, grooming, eating, dressing, spending time, sleeping, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Be aware of medical changes.</b> Some of the changes may not be apparent so if you see a change in behavior that is not explained by anything obvious to you, and that seems to last for an inappropriate period of time, maybe it is time for a visit to the doctor for some tests. Infections, digestive problems, or physical injuries are just a few that might be happening but not visible to you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Be selfish.</b> Most people will be taken back by this term, but I maintain that if you do not take care of yourself, you will not have the energy or health to give to another. Find ways to relax, refresh yourself, getaway for a short period of time, make sure you visit your own doctor as needed, and enjoy yourself when and as you can. This is important. Statistics show that often caregivers die before the PLWD because they are so busy taking care of the PLWD that they do not take care of themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Ask for help.</b> This is a difficult one. First of all, it does not mean that you are weak or not doing a good job. Second, finding ways to involve other people who love you and love the person diagnosed is not easy. Everyone has a life of their own and most are oversubscribed. But there are ways that others can help to lighten your day-to-day. Also, the PLWD will benefit from having “others” around them for whatever reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Look to your community for help.</b> If not family or friends, check out the possibility of getting respite help from local high school or university students, from your church, from a neighbor, from your housekeeper, from your city’s Senior Citizen Center, from your local Alzheimer’s Association. Even an hour by yourself can help you keep your sanity. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>You can do this!</b> What choice do you have, really? Hopefully, with support from family, friends, your religion if you embrace one, your therapist, your neighbors, a group of people in a support group or online chat room – you can find a support system that works for you. You will be strong and find resources to keep going. Love will help. Kindness will help. Being good to yourself, even though you are devastated, will help. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>You are not alone!</b> In the United States, over five and a half million people are living with Dementia/Alzheimer's and this number is growing. 16 million people are helping to provide unpaid care for them. This includes over 18 billion hours of care at a value of over $232 billion dollars! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Waxing philosophical:</b> It will...get better ... but sometimes better is not on this side of life. We all will die. For some of us, it will be easy, quick, and/or unexpected. For others, dying will be anticipated, slow, and/or very painful. Doing our best to help others reach their end as comfortably as possible is the best we can do and to hope in turn that it will be offered to us! It is a blessing to be able to do this for one another. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Usually, a parent wins the race to death.</b> While one might say “they lived a long healthy life” or “they had a blessedly wonderful life,” often that does NOT lessen the grief and feelings of loss for the children; even if the parent is “in a better place” or “no longer in pain.” Sometimes these platitudes help, other times they do not! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>With a spouse, who wins the race?</b> Either you or your partner will “win the race.” Interestingly, the person diagnosed with Dementia does not always win the race! Often the caregiver partner is the first to cross the finish line and to leave this life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>With a sibling or friend who wins the race?</b> The contest may have either one of you be the winner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Have conversations about death with the person dying</b>. Do this while they are still able to express themselves, it helps them to die with dignity and helps you to serve them in a way that follows their wishes as closely as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>One size does not fit all end-of-life conversations</b>. Again, there is no one way for these types of conversations to take place. They may take place easily or they may be a very difficult topic to broach, for some or everyone involved. You must determine whether to continue these conversations depending on how your loved one reacts or if they let you know they do not wish to have these discussions! You might drop the subject and try to bring it up again at a later date. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Grief always takes its toll.</b> It is never easy when someone we love dies. Talking about death helps, in the long run, to ease the mystery of life and the mystery of death. Telling our stories to each other and listening to the stories of others, gives us a common ground that allows for grief to express itself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>There is no one right way to grieve, no time period in which it should take place, and no right or wrong way to do so.</b> People will try, good-naturedly, to tell you how to grieve. They will share their experiences with grief. They might say something like, “It’s time to move on.” Or “You need to get back to your life!” They might suggest all kinds of ways to make your grief easier. You might experience similar approaches in books you pick up or that others give you. In some ways, one never gets through or gets over grieving, it just becomes a little easier to carry the grief. The problem as well as the joy is that with great love, there is great grief! And each person grieves in their own way!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>The greatest mystery in life is death.</b> We think about it and fear it from the first time, as a child, we begin to have intelligent thoughts. We hold on to it our entire adult life and it can color how we face living each day. Hopefully, death’s mystery also allows us to live a meaningful, fulfilled life with respect, love, and understanding for others and for ourselves during the time we have available. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>You are not alone!</b> You can do this! Believe in yourself! It will not be easy but it can be done well! A diagnosis of Dementia/Alzheimer’s does not have to be a death sentence but rather can be an invitation, not necessarily an anticipated one, to live life to its fullest! </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-49742564609067669822021-03-17T13:25:00.001-05:002021-03-17T13:25:37.167-05:00The Museum of Michael's Mind: Memories, Memoirs, and Meanderings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NOr_esib5cPg-ApcCQI87bWQq7_P40nP94aUxKutYOPQ2gF9y5Fbg5CEEoRgRma8naih3GDc-74luAFlzL4SgR0zZHA2TVeYI6_J6jFm7L2cqYUbx6NYrpEyYaajFt-eNc6YF4YRy_g/s738/Screen+Shot+2021-03-07+at+8.02.09+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NOr_esib5cPg-ApcCQI87bWQq7_P40nP94aUxKutYOPQ2gF9y5Fbg5CEEoRgRma8naih3GDc-74luAFlzL4SgR0zZHA2TVeYI6_J6jFm7L2cqYUbx6NYrpEyYaajFt-eNc6YF4YRy_g/w434-h640/Screen+Shot+2021-03-07+at+8.02.09+PM.png" width="434" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now available for purchase.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;">You can get it at </span><a href="https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00..." style="font-family: times;">www.lulu.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The Museum of Michael’s Mind:</span></b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Memoirs, Memories, & Meanderings</span></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Volume One - The Collected Writings - 2005 - 2015 </span></b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;">“With soft humor and gentle wonder, Michael generously shares his reflections on compassion and connection. What he has learned will resonate in your heart and mind.” </span></i></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i></i></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;">Patricia Anderson May 2010 EWW Conference</span></i></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></i></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Over 350 pages, containing 150+ short writings including creative non-fiction, fiction, dreams, thoughts, experiences, memories, and more. Michael’s writing is easy, engaging, and at times eloquent. Figurative, fanciful, and at times funny. Meaningful, meandering, and at times moving. Detailed, descriptive, and at times deep.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">“…the audience for which he wrote this book includes: (unabashedly) himself, those who might have thought similar thoughts to his, those who have had similar experiences as he has had. It is for those who have wondered about things, those who have looked for answers, those who have supported a close one through living with Alzheimer’s, those who have grieved the death of a loved one and celebrated the birth of a new being. He hopes to let the reader know they are not alone in this frightening, overwhelming, impermanent, wonderful world.”</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">His author’s “voice” invited you to get a cup of coffee and join him in a conversation about life. Being his voice, you will probably not be able to get a word in edgewise but still, the experience should be an enjoyable one.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">He made a baker’s dozen of his favorite chocolate chip cookies! Another cup of coffee? Sure. And have another cookie. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-25924805033003586402021-03-17T13:06:00.000-05:002021-03-17T13:06:53.132-05:00The "I's" of Living in the Here and Now<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigynCUcVhKLz_CX8wUt0MBHHS2q1JNNOi93ax5qiL1Fc90ieSMYeLqAOGRMNSyap7unmsXhjQjzrOHw8w10dYkRyTs0qcZyEfyLcfsWYCKtyaVDWu1PzFwuCENq-bRRxqGyqwDHUV_wuY/s960/Condo+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigynCUcVhKLz_CX8wUt0MBHHS2q1JNNOi93ax5qiL1Fc90ieSMYeLqAOGRMNSyap7unmsXhjQjzrOHw8w10dYkRyTs0qcZyEfyLcfsWYCKtyaVDWu1PzFwuCENq-bRRxqGyqwDHUV_wuY/w276-h209/Condo+Building.jpg" width="276" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEGLrRXfzmlPZhA_6PHJvWqqu5cSoL-SAmPGaJ1QasyZvFmOeKWxWWc2lEMCL4UXpeouvFdbqphgAvzdXppNV85xTbtezjgcDakCQMGAXQce4PNl0Y7lb2Dt_js2xEVMoXL4EdxbIBYA/s2048/%252719+Condo+Outside.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEGLrRXfzmlPZhA_6PHJvWqqu5cSoL-SAmPGaJ1QasyZvFmOeKWxWWc2lEMCL4UXpeouvFdbqphgAvzdXppNV85xTbtezjgcDakCQMGAXQce4PNl0Y7lb2Dt_js2xEVMoXL4EdxbIBYA/w276-h208/%252719+Condo+Outside.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgRjMqHPZFadV0sOEIM07IwJdJQ8nnA1BmdGSlG7Z3zSEzUclnEh7rOSF7ZR_-U4hu4YSYROHFNa6xRpamSUmnvzkzm67ifqoQeZPPYi-DAvYrgDRLNedsJCUpHYzHGncRvTmsqECGTI/s2048/Living+Room+c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgRjMqHPZFadV0sOEIM07IwJdJQ8nnA1BmdGSlG7Z3zSEzUclnEh7rOSF7ZR_-U4hu4YSYROHFNa6xRpamSUmnvzkzm67ifqoQeZPPYi-DAvYrgDRLNedsJCUpHYzHGncRvTmsqECGTI/w619-h421/Living+Room+c.jpeg" width="619" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Old age makes for an easier time of living in the here and now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Except for my many projects, I do not have to work towards any major life goals (except maybe health.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I am comfortable in my condo, do not need to buy any furniture, have everything in its place, and have a housekeeper to help me keep the place clean.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I live in downtown Evanston near many restaurants, Whole Foods, an 18 screen theater, the library, the post office, two transportation lines, ice cream stores, book stores, an immediate care office, and many other shops. What more could I need.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">My car is parked in a protected garage, in a reserved space, on the tenth floor where the car has a better view of the lake than I do from my condo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">During cold weather, I just turn up my heat and do not have to worry about shoveling the sidewalk or cleaning the snow off my car.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">During hot weather, I just turn up my air conditioning and sit out on the balcony with an ice tea and a good book.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I do not need to worry about my career path, work deadlines, pleasing my boss, or work towards future retirement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I do not have to prove myself to anyone (except maybe Gigi and Emma :-)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I am OK financially and it seems like I will be for the rest of my life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I have never “lived in the past,” am not fixated on any particular time and place in the past, and while I miss Gregory, even here I think I have done a fairly good job of moving on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I think I do not need to retell my stories over and over, relive them, or get fixated with them (except documenting them currently in my publications.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I know that I will never get there as to my future self, one never does, but after 75+ years, I am closer to my future self than I am needing to find or work on achieving that place on earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Did I miss anything?</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-70888417894356033632021-03-08T11:15:00.000-06:002021-03-08T11:15:01.583-06:00<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">COMING SOON</span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The Museum of Michael’s Mind:</span></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Memoirs, Memories, & Meanderings</span></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: times;">VOLUME ONE</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVmD5srIPyorrfDSC8xOxz5uS9eSPwKoMDP0uXNIc7JIwT8AswqYG-Nj3KZFtx0CAw54_FeZ1M5zfobGKG5Y_joJSwSQcs2YEFGoH5va-6PzuvvdXfKbnQsmgwrRWNhyphenhyphenOORUUjyok_BQ/s738/Screen+Shot+2021-03-07+at+8.02.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVmD5srIPyorrfDSC8xOxz5uS9eSPwKoMDP0uXNIc7JIwT8AswqYG-Nj3KZFtx0CAw54_FeZ1M5zfobGKG5Y_joJSwSQcs2YEFGoH5va-6PzuvvdXfKbnQsmgwrRWNhyphenhyphenOORUUjyok_BQ/w435-h640/Screen+Shot+2021-03-07+at+8.02.09+PM.png" width="435" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">BACK COVER</span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;">“With soft humor and gentle wonder, Michael generously shares his reflections on compassion and connection. What he has learned will resonate in your heart and mind.” </span></i></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i></i></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;">Patricia Anderson May 2010 EWW Conference.</span></i></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Over 150 short writings including creative non-fiction, fiction, dreams, thoughts, experiences, memories, and more. Michael’s writing is easy, engaging, and at times eloquent. Figurative, fanciful, and at times funny. Meaningful, meandering, and at times moving. Detailed, descriptive, and at times deep.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">“…the audience for which he wrote this book includes: (unabashedly) himself, those who might have thought similar thoughts to his, those who have had similar experiences as he has had. It is for those who have wondered about things, those who have looked for answers, those who have supported a close one through living with Alzheimer’s, those who have grieved the death of a loved one and celebrated the birth of a new being. He hopes to let the reader know they are not alone in this frightening, overwhelming, impermanent, wonderful world.”</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">His author’s “voice” suggests that you get a cup of coffee and join him in a conversation about life. Since it is his voice, you will probably not be able to get a word in but still, the experience should be an enjoyable one!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">He made a baker’s dozen of his favorite chocolate chip cookies with walnuts. If you do to like the nuts, just pull them off and put them on the side! Another cup of coffee? Sure. And have another cookie. </span></p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-54001943991511786742021-02-25T14:08:00.001-06:002021-02-25T14:10:19.896-06:00On Aging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x0aFu48GagsByZBmYEeCuBnGdV5ZR3lKeKMgrUjKtg8s1HWD10KXkdWfauynu0-zL0K9E62wmPO_tG-bla5nBoSOj6FM8F98yIALLALAe4_yCLFgx_k0gF5sKAF2rHYXpx60qJPEj0U/s272/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="272" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x0aFu48GagsByZBmYEeCuBnGdV5ZR3lKeKMgrUjKtg8s1HWD10KXkdWfauynu0-zL0K9E62wmPO_tG-bla5nBoSOj6FM8F98yIALLALAe4_yCLFgx_k0gF5sKAF2rHYXpx60qJPEj0U/w640-h440/Unknown.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There seems to be a general, all-pervasive heaviness to my life nowadays. Is it the COVID? Is it being 75 about to become 76? Is it the continued grief at the loss of the physicality of my love Gregory? Is it the unexpected passing of my sister? Is it due to so much more past to contemplate than future available to anticipate?</p><p>The word <i>morass</i> comes to mind: an area of muddy or boggy ground. a complicated or confusing situation. It describes the Ying and Yang of my current life: being grateful, content, joyful, at peace <b>vs</b> grieving, and fearful of what my age, my health, and my future will bring. </p><p>Gregory and I always used to talk about the "parting of the veil," that brief moment when the truth behind the daily passing of our life is shown with honesty and vigorous uncolored awareness. Those moments are the most difficult to get through but then the veil shifts back to covering those things that would prevent us from living our life today and not worrying too much about tomorrow.</p><p>Part of getting older, I believe, is that the veil seems to open itself more often and takes longer to return to protecting us from the difficult parts of living day-to-day.</p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I find I return to the reality for me, at 75 years of age, that there is <u>more</u> PAST to process than there is FUTURE to look forward to. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The FUTURE to which we look forward becomes more uncertain and more frightening than previous FUTURES of the PAST! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">And the PRESENT with the isolation, fear, suffering, poverty, illness, deaths, and losses from COVID-19 and the STATE OF THE UNION with its divisions, hatred, lying, cheating, racism, homophobia, etc., as well as my own physical and mental changing due to the aging process; is not the most pleasant place to be right now.</span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times;">With the longer history of the past, I believe we begin to forget that nothing is permanent. That the expression </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times;">This Too Shall Pass</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times;"> applies to not only the bad, difficult times but also the wonderful, beautiful times. We become used to a certain way of living and become less flexible in our ability to bend and change. Obviously, we want to hold on to the good, but the bad will arrive whether we want it to or not, and bending and changing is really all we have available to us and they just become more painful!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">So perhaps GRATITUDE for the good we do have, for our ability to be RESILIENT, for FAMILY and FRIENDS and LOVE and CARING and KINDNESS, for not so much LAMENTING the bad things but CELEBRATING the good, not wondering why things are as they are but rather working on how we think about those things is most important. </span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times;">So I learn to live with the </span>all-pervasive heaviness to my life while at the same time appreciating the<span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times;"> </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times;">GRATITUDE, RESILIENCE, FAMILY, FRIENDS, LOVE, CARING, KINDNESS TOWARDS OTHERS AND focus on CELEBRATING THE GOOD .</b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-75628062144531051992021-02-18T13:08:00.001-06:002021-02-18T13:11:55.036-06:00Building a Practice<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB-WHBdd5KVPbjpwKN7A_JOV3t6ufxskKhbSMMZZJ7pbLZJsQTxrnvsYNv1G4vd2ejOv248knqVwi9iNcKnjg37vBMSSdbMKak1IeomHv8W9oXL70gMW3pMNQiwJld5GSwrRKaY4W0XM/s2048/200413152856-03-buddha-art-statue-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB-WHBdd5KVPbjpwKN7A_JOV3t6ufxskKhbSMMZZJ7pbLZJsQTxrnvsYNv1G4vd2ejOv248knqVwi9iNcKnjg37vBMSSdbMKak1IeomHv8W9oXL70gMW3pMNQiwJld5GSwrRKaY4W0XM/w480-h640/200413152856-03-buddha-art-statue-image.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><i style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i style="text-align: left;">Wrote this to a friend and wanted to share it with a larger audience.</i></span></p></i></span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;">Bill,<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">I have been thinking about this for several days. We had a great talk about your feelings of worthlessness especially working for such a huge company like xxx and your need to be “The Best Little Boy.” You had some great insights into why after so many successes in life you still feel that you are not pushing hard enough and/or that you are not good enough! I had some comments about your Grandfather and your dad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">So the question is: Have you been continuing to mindfully work on this issue? Or have you just tucked it away and gotten on with life? I understand the latter approach but to create a new feeling, a new attitude, a new practice; one must meditate on the answer. One must sit with these feelings, out in the open, and see what lessons they can teach you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">When the football is coming at you is no time to practice catching and running for the final touchdown in front of a stadium full of people. The time to practice is before the pressure of the game and the arrival of the audience who is watching.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Holding a self-confidence that does not depend on constant performance and that does not allow past, no longer viable triggers to trigger old feelings, attitudes, and behaviors ... depends on changing deep, long-held, most likely incorrect convictions. Practice, practice, practice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">As I said, sit with the emotions even if they are painful company. Develop new ways of thinking and often repeat them to yourself. Create new mantras to remind and support you. Then, once the Practice of New Thinking comes easily, and when old triggers no longer are needed, and if old triggers do arise no longer create havoc; then one can drop the issue because in essence, it really no longer exists!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Love you,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Michael</span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-81533370500005686662021-02-14T21:13:00.005-06:002021-02-14T21:13:51.870-06:00Neglect and Derelict in My Duties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVAO_q9IcwUMXtF6po8b5d9FCFOSO3sN514VyOQ39lx1wNVDgupH-GLdWlmjod8HA1yQKl-qerCtKtgebVTo4T_IDuCYdqUPo2Qou5xk7UmjEZ24eBJsLc3d_fYGJztSDlQr67Ui1zpc/s1512/IMG_0066.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVAO_q9IcwUMXtF6po8b5d9FCFOSO3sN514VyOQ39lx1wNVDgupH-GLdWlmjod8HA1yQKl-qerCtKtgebVTo4T_IDuCYdqUPo2Qou5xk7UmjEZ24eBJsLc3d_fYGJztSDlQr67Ui1zpc/s320/IMG_0066.jpeg" /></a></div><p>I really have been neglecting my blog. Am working in earnest on my upcoming book: <u>The Museum of Michael's Mind: Memoirs, Memories, and Meanderings</u>. The book will be approximately 650 pages and at least in my opinion, the writing is pretty decent, and the concepts discussed important. </p><p>The reason I write is partly for you to see my world, partly for you to recognize your world, and partly to help you imagine worlds you have never imagined! Hopefully, you will see some things with new eyes and new understandings. Expect to be amused, to be moved, and to shed a few tears along with issuing forth with a few laughs.</p><p>Here is one of the pages from the back of the book:</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Museum of Michael’s Mind:</b></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Memoirs, Memories, & Meanderings</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHufXicN54qCmhClsxbquRdkxK4L2B1HeO06qDmd_64vX5t_KtdJLYC_JAlGoQylmwInfD8c8M_wuDLjcaK6la6ZxaSF-lTP_yeB4tw1uUMsveV6-sqrxbGnxQWyWvQelV_iL6r7aldnY/s1133/Back+Cover.1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="752" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHufXicN54qCmhClsxbquRdkxK4L2B1HeO06qDmd_64vX5t_KtdJLYC_JAlGoQylmwInfD8c8M_wuDLjcaK6la6ZxaSF-lTP_yeB4tw1uUMsveV6-sqrxbGnxQWyWvQelV_iL6r7aldnY/w424-h640/Back+Cover.1.jpeg" width="424" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is another from the back cover:</div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i>“With soft humor and gentle wonder, Michael generously shares his reflections on compassion and connection. What he has learned will resonate in your heart and mind.” </i></b></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b><i>Patricia Anderson May 2010 EWW Conference.</i></b></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: right;"><b></b><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b>• • •</b></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Over 300 short writings including creative non-fiction, fiction, dreams, thoughts, experiences, memories, and more. Michael’s writing is easy, engaging, and at times eloquent. Figurative, fanciful, and at times funny. Meaningful, meandering, and at times moving. Detailed, descriptive, and at times deep.</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">• • •</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">“…the audience for which he wrote this book includes: (unabashedly) Michael himself, those who might have thought similar thoughts to his, those who have had similar experiences as he has had. It is for those who have wondered about things, those who have looked for answers, those who have supported a close one through living with Alzheimer’s, those who have grieved the death of a loved one and celebrated the birth of a new being. He hopes to let the reader know they are not alone in this frightening, overwhelming, impermanent, wonderful world.”</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">• • •</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;">His author’s “voice” suggests that you get a cup of coffee and join him in a conversation about life. Since it is his voice, you will probably not be able to get much in but still, the experience should be an enjoyable one!</p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;">He made a baker’s dozen of my favorite chocolate chip cookies with walnuts. Another cup of coffee? Sure. And have another cookie. </p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-13075286896616385192021-02-03T10:53:00.001-06:002021-02-03T10:53:41.392-06:00Checking In<p> It has been quite a while since I have posted here and I wanted to say Hi!</p><p>I have been devotedly working on my new book: <u>The Museum of Michael's Mind: Memoirs, Memories, and Meanderings</u>. </p><p>Here is my author's photo which will be on the last pages and also the "About the Book" which will be on the back cover.</p><p>Meanwhile, have you had a chance to read my recently published book: <u>Counting Down The Yardstick: A Reincarnation Memoir</u>? Available at www.lulu.com, www.amazon.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zXZigdHHtEmAYxTHLuEmnBtvoLvIgQVT0bkExPD0AqHUIVateQLO87xe_-XhyQBbDM-gC7MPHrXbSKdccAYpNAe5-e1FYKmEaUflsjlHxJVo4HG4e5BEGBMOwMPPxCynahLmevjOlUs/s1133/Back+Cover.1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="752" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zXZigdHHtEmAYxTHLuEmnBtvoLvIgQVT0bkExPD0AqHUIVateQLO87xe_-XhyQBbDM-gC7MPHrXbSKdccAYpNAe5-e1FYKmEaUflsjlHxJVo4HG4e5BEGBMOwMPPxCynahLmevjOlUs/w424-h640/Back+Cover.1.jpeg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">The Museum of Michael’s Mind:</span></b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">Memoirs, Memories, & Meanderings</span></b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">BACK COVER</span></i></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;">“With soft humor and gentle wonder, Michael generously shares his reflections on compassion and connection. What he has learned will resonate in your heart and mind.” </span></i></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i></i></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><b><i><span style="font-family: times;">Patricia Anderson May 2010 EWW Conference.</span></i></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Over 300 short writings including creative non-fiction, fiction, dreams, thoughts, experiences, memories, and more. Michael’s writing is easy, engaging, and at times eloquent. Figurative, fanciful, and at times funny. Meaningful, meandering, and at times moving. Detailed, descriptive, and at times deep.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">“…the audience for which he wrote this book includes: (unabashedly) himself, those who might have thought similar thoughts to his, those who have had similar experiences as he has had. It is for those who have wondered about things, those who have looked for answers, those who have supported a close one through living with Alzheimer’s, those who have grieved the death of a loved one and celebrated the birth of a new being. He hopes to let the reader know they are not alone in this frightening, overwhelming, impermanent, wonderful world.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">• • •</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">His author’s “voice” suggests that you get a cup of coffee and join him in a conversation about life. Since it is his voice, you will probably not be able to get much in but still the experience should be an enjoyable one!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">He made a baker’s dozen of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Another cup of coffee? Sure. And have another cookie. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-40126080475818517082021-01-20T18:50:00.001-06:002021-01-20T18:50:41.498-06:00The Hill We Climb<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">The Hill We Climb</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">By Amanda Gorman</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">as recited at the inauguration of</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">President Joe Biden and</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">Vice President Kamala Harris</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">January 20, 2021</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQSGxlVxamYu7HOP6H-16KPdlfEwEOnPO879RmaUMi77GQpevEB6WyV4aY5rSSKnQKH_3_uxUJwE6x89Qf8CPBSLxt7oHft-_RipwTcDH-PclV0YHgOH_hXnTdUd6MPXOMEeCZ6SapTg/s898/106677738_10217435154572096_5873568186613975017_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="898" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQSGxlVxamYu7HOP6H-16KPdlfEwEOnPO879RmaUMi77GQpevEB6WyV4aY5rSSKnQKH_3_uxUJwE6x89Qf8CPBSLxt7oHft-_RipwTcDH-PclV0YHgOH_hXnTdUd6MPXOMEeCZ6SapTg/w640-h502/106677738_10217435154572096_5873568186613975017_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">Mr. President, Dr. Biden, Madam Vice President, Mr. Emhoff, Americans and the world:</span></p><p></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace. In the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow, we do it. Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.</span></p><p style="color: #9a9a9a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">And so, we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped; that even as we tired, we tried; that we’ll forever be tied together, victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made. That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare it. </span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">Because being American is more than a pride we inherit; it’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We’ve seen a forest that would shatter our nation rather than share it, would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption. </span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">So, while once we asked: “How could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?” Now we assert, “How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?”</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised, but whole; benevolent, but bold; fierce and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation, because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. Our blunders become their burdens. But one thing is certain, if we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy, and change our children’s birthright.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">So, let us leave behind a country better than one we were left. With every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one. We will rise from the gold-limned hills of the West. We will rise from the wind-swept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution. </span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states. We will rise from the sun-baked South. We will rebuild, reconcile and recover in every known nook of our nation, in every corner called our country our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 23px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #262626; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;">— <i>Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” </i></span></p><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-49332537949537765492020-12-26T16:45:00.003-06:002020-12-26T16:45:48.148-06:00TO ALL WHO NEED TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA 🎅 <div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Child: "Dad, I think I'm old enough now. Is there a Santa Claus?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Adult: "Ok, I agree that you’re old enough. But before I tell you, I have a question for you. You see, the “truth” is a dangerous gift. Once you know something, you can't unknow it. Once you know the truth about Santa Claus, you will never again understand and relate to him as you do now. So my question is: Are you sure you want to know?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Brief pause...</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Child: "Yes, I want to know."</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Adult: "Ok, I'll tell you, Yes, there is a Santa Claus.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Child: "Really?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Adult: “Yes, really, but he's not an old man with a beard in a red suit. That's just what we tell kids. You see, kids are too young to understand the true nature of Santa Claus, so we explain it to them in a way that they can understand. The truth about Santa Claus is that he's not a person at all; he's an idea</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Think of all those presents Santa gave you over the years. I actually bought those myself. I watched you open them. And did it bother me that you didn't thank me? Of course not! In fact, it gave me great pleasure.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">You see, Santa Claus is THE IDEA OF GIVING FOR THE SAKE OF GIVING, without thought of thanks or acknowledgment.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">When I saw that woman collapse on the subway last week and called for help, I knew that she'd never know that it was me that summoned the ambulance. I was being Santa Claus when I did that.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Child: "Oh."</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Adult: "So now that you know, you're part of it. You have to be Santa Claus too now. That means you can never tell a young kid the secret, and you have to help us select Santa presents for them, and most importantly, you have to look for opportunities to help people. Got it?</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Help each other this Christma </span><span style="font-family: times;">and ... be kind</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(228, 230, 235); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">(Story by Anonymous. Photo by Son Chung)</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop2X4afI20dkQYs3mBfl6gqzEVAWyr7NP4DTGOfGYQeIaieD_mVPSXJ8gvlIAbUYGr4PTS6IYW5-FQW614aB1ymEOnuKECwJVCw5ryhVdExZZeCzKJLABLw8nrYJHWyQIys2TDhONPZo/s2048/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop2X4afI20dkQYs3mBfl6gqzEVAWyr7NP4DTGOfGYQeIaieD_mVPSXJ8gvlIAbUYGr4PTS6IYW5-FQW614aB1ymEOnuKECwJVCw5ryhVdExZZeCzKJLABLw8nrYJHWyQIys2TDhONPZo/w640-h428/1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-57647162148612988252020-12-26T16:38:00.001-06:002020-12-26T16:38:35.971-06:00Condo Christmas 2020<p>Every year, it seems, Christmas decorating in the condo presents itself differently. In a different format that is. Each time Christmas seems to be a shrine with its own mind deciding exactly where its various pieces want to go. I just listen and follow and am never disappointed! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnke3zji1KIcBUwEQhdItN0XwDc3G7NmiZg9LzbdSQkBcMyTG7rOALKZHYyYN3sxGcamggWalRDtI4-jSPb9ScempZJM408H2EnGYtqE-dViNeWx-bJDaAsHNBAbOjiExoPB4ds_1RKao/s3302/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="3302" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnke3zji1KIcBUwEQhdItN0XwDc3G7NmiZg9LzbdSQkBcMyTG7rOALKZHYyYN3sxGcamggWalRDtI4-jSPb9ScempZJM408H2EnGYtqE-dViNeWx-bJDaAsHNBAbOjiExoPB4ds_1RKao/w640-h168/IMG_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnr8R7YCZz14tnf4DUXjtdxU1I4YhMIP0FaYFM0tTfqkDbmqKosIg6Lw0broNoVKduCDoex-eQY9xK9ZHlG-eLKAApCARWGAvax3K0ihAwTvBIEEg-rb4ZKeGy_aOdTArgJUxa7AnJLY/s2779/IMG_0578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1tNGEnJLgahqR6OHL8Nn3owY7lZ8KB8x3V_Brd78vR9Fhhmt-Fsp4zcl8IU5qkbqy3kF6kxfVSGqwnlH3oB6sSD5tyaa9pZIcL1L6DRVZZ2uHj2WSlItyxDM4jOh-OgXLF2kmw3BFqg/s2422/IMG_0636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2422" data-original-width="2078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1tNGEnJLgahqR6OHL8Nn3owY7lZ8KB8x3V_Brd78vR9Fhhmt-Fsp4zcl8IU5qkbqy3kF6kxfVSGqwnlH3oB6sSD5tyaa9pZIcL1L6DRVZZ2uHj2WSlItyxDM4jOh-OgXLF2kmw3BFqg/w552-h640/IMG_0636.jpeg" width="552" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w0x56gfz7p7KjlpuC7e5LOMA6jsMe9hwrQwY04u5TUR_nXhQyvA8jS2f5n3mihu8k4MrnQ-XqQxJMj29R3eDJVXsFucARtbvEciYioWSzmFsKImsbe7l1nKGN4NXy5amflvIi2Za4XI/s4032/IMG_0637.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w0x56gfz7p7KjlpuC7e5LOMA6jsMe9hwrQwY04u5TUR_nXhQyvA8jS2f5n3mihu8k4MrnQ-XqQxJMj29R3eDJVXsFucARtbvEciYioWSzmFsKImsbe7l1nKGN4NXy5amflvIi2Za4XI/w640-h480/IMG_0637.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-31991670568242667632020-12-20T22:05:00.002-06:002020-12-21T13:01:05.987-06:00Christmas Is Always Filled With Magic<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LkmFM3reZWrtVTWvbrazW3ULxlPow_1gP-4Df_7y6LjTRj2iEcs6vls9k9e8pOOI6fd-tNhvJFpZr7SHLN5YGnUnOaZ905PxITsWgz2BL_wF_Iq2TRT4pgJjPBF6WmeMNW8gPcLuCB8/s1920/part0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LkmFM3reZWrtVTWvbrazW3ULxlPow_1gP-4Df_7y6LjTRj2iEcs6vls9k9e8pOOI6fd-tNhvJFpZr7SHLN5YGnUnOaZ905PxITsWgz2BL_wF_Iq2TRT4pgJjPBF6WmeMNW8gPcLuCB8/w640-h480/part0-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This is a photograph of the "N" Guage train that Gregory and I used to put up in the hutch in our home at Christmas time. When we moved to the condo, we decided that we did not have room to properly display it and gave it to Whitney, one of our God-Daughters. She was the eldest so that is why she got it and not Emily.</p><p>For a while, at Christmas time the train lived at the home of her parents, Cheryl and Larry, and therefore both Emily and she got to enjoy it. When Whitney got married, she took the train to live with her and Nick in Washington D.C.</p><p>Maybe when I am ready to pass on my new "Z" Guage train, I will give it to Emily so they are even when it comes to model trains!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMSU1Ib301uVGBwb_0Bd0EAeg6YJWX8lDbEQCWznRRzCLLzrzUuHS57Uc_WK0SVTBXR5Rlsi6iVDe4LHF_ZyI3Hync4aMSDw_9Rp8-yTVjE65q7iiUaHyrOGW7caCFsmDB6ibfqD2aws/s4032/IMG_0488.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMSU1Ib301uVGBwb_0Bd0EAeg6YJWX8lDbEQCWznRRzCLLzrzUuHS57Uc_WK0SVTBXR5Rlsi6iVDe4LHF_ZyI3Hync4aMSDw_9Rp8-yTVjE65q7iiUaHyrOGW7caCFsmDB6ibfqD2aws/w640-h480/IMG_0488.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>While we love both Emily and Whitney, Whitney is significant to Gregory and me in one additional special way. Cheryl and Larry were trying to decide what to name her and it had to begin with "W" in memory of one of their parents. They were having a terrible time coming up with a name they both liked when Gregory piped in, "Whitney." They both loved the name and the rest, as they say, is history!</p><p>Whitney and Nick are visiting with their parents this holiday and this painting was dropped off for me at the condo's front desk. I am tickled to have it as a holiday gift. It is so significant in many fond memory ways of Gregory and my time together, of experiencing Cheryl and Larry's kids grow up, and more.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg5ZYpZk-CmL5oRtiQYmJQ23uhTT7I8OttdiZROzwxOA4_vlNPuYRLsUobSr74kdzc1mkun0ETfCSnReMtekGvTMko7glIiqz7-JS39eFepmiqmVj9-kPdY4s4P-kmUP9b8CnIQi05BI/s1920/part0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg5ZYpZk-CmL5oRtiQYmJQ23uhTT7I8OttdiZROzwxOA4_vlNPuYRLsUobSr74kdzc1mkun0ETfCSnReMtekGvTMko7glIiqz7-JS39eFepmiqmVj9-kPdY4s4P-kmUP9b8CnIQi05BI/w640-h480/part0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-48246594776697970952020-12-20T21:51:00.001-06:002020-12-20T21:51:22.986-06:00He Just Made Me Cry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz4Za0_ZaOshaaJwh0WRzUUddQ0ed55Gdtvs1Rpia_kCHyMfCarD8oS1RjTlUNfTVPsyvx9uG3RFer4XxQP1CSTQ0ILB3HA_gkLcw-4ufCoF3N1jm6Psww3nLIONn0dw1-BQwWC-fjE4/s720/129882239_146658700535595_8243210775055947902_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="720" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz4Za0_ZaOshaaJwh0WRzUUddQ0ed55Gdtvs1Rpia_kCHyMfCarD8oS1RjTlUNfTVPsyvx9uG3RFer4XxQP1CSTQ0ILB3HA_gkLcw-4ufCoF3N1jm6Psww3nLIONn0dw1-BQwWC-fjE4/w640-h414/129882239_146658700535595_8243210775055947902_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Today, my order of cookies arrived in the mail. A friend from my opera supernumerary days is currently on Broadway in the role of Mary Sunshine and to help pay the bills while Broadway is dark, he has begun a home business baking sweets. I decided to share some of the goodies with my upstairs neighbor.</p><p>The neighbor husband is living with Dementia. It has been about 10 years since his diagnosis and most of his language is gone. He is the sweetest 75-year-old man I know, although at times he is rough with his wife. The neighbor wife is as close to a saint as one can get taking good care of him in their smallish apartment of one bedroom and one bath. </p><p>She, with her daughter, run a gift shop in Evanston, and a while back during a shopping visit, I mentioned that she looked familiar. She returned that I too look familiar and after a few trial and error guesses, we discovered that we both lived in the same condo.</p><p>A little more conversation led to my sharing that my husband had lived with Dementia for 12 years and had passed away a while back. She shared at that time that her husband also was living with Dementia. Need I say we bonded. I also felt the need to be there to support her if I could.</p><p>Several times we went out to coffee and it turns out that many of my stories, prompted by her comments, were able to give her the support she needed as well as suggest possible solutions to some of the caregiving problems she was having with her husband.</p><p>I started sharing baked goods with them as I love to bake but did not want to eat all the cookies, cakes, pies, etc by myself. So I was happy to share with them and they appreciated my efforts. Every now and then she would thank me by leaving a bag of something sweet in front of my door and once called ahead to let me know they were bringing me dinner from a local carryout.</p><p>Over time we have become friends and I have also befriended her daughter on my visits to the shop which the daughter now totally runs since my neighbor cannot leave her husband alone anymore. </p><p>Now and then they both neighbors show up at my door to pick up something I baked or when they are bringing me something in return. Mike and I always shake hands (then I sanitize) and we all wear masks as we do our neighborly exchanges and depending on who is delivering to whom one stays just inside the door while one or the other stays in the hall.</p><p>Today I dropped off some cookies for them. The wife and I talked for a while. When I arrived I called my "Hello" to the husband who was sitting on the sofa watching the TV. When I was about to leave, I called out my "Goodbye" and he got up to come to the door. He offered his hand and we shook (I sanitized when I got back to my unit.) She showed him the cookies I brought and he took the box and looked at them and handled a few. </p><p>Then he looked at me and said, "I love you." Seemingly out of nowhere from a man who has trouble with language. I thanked him and he again offered, "Come back to us!"</p><p>I replied with, "I will." </p><p>I left with tears running down my face at such a show of caring and love on his part and for the joy that apparently I bring with our visits!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-89373367303108714382020-12-11T13:22:00.001-06:002020-12-11T13:22:17.620-06:00The Importance of Names<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROJhwSBJj3wYgm38-FzxMiQKIrcJx6O5oJuG5Ga4UGZKIoouJPFK7YuHKE8KEvlDRqMBo5Y-pu-SMNTcxXHrfW4OddOk6XumaWTCJduP7FngzYjNDoZzIi1ZFAWL5BExAhp0jYiOGToI/s994/michael-name-text-word-with-love-heart-hand-vector-29362184.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="994" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROJhwSBJj3wYgm38-FzxMiQKIrcJx6O5oJuG5Ga4UGZKIoouJPFK7YuHKE8KEvlDRqMBo5Y-pu-SMNTcxXHrfW4OddOk6XumaWTCJduP7FngzYjNDoZzIi1ZFAWL5BExAhp0jYiOGToI/w640-h338/michael-name-text-word-with-love-heart-hand-vector-29362184.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The idea for this post came to me several nights ago. The isolation and self quarantining I have experienced due to COVID 19 led me to the idea and these thoughts. </p><p>While I have kept up with most friends and family members over the phone and during ZOOM and FACETIME, there is something lacking in the "over the wire" digital experience when compared to an in-person experience with the possibility of a hug, a better view of facial and body cues and postures, and just the presence of another person.</p><p>I first became aware of the importance of a name from Ken, a friend, adopted family member, father or my two God Children, and associate architect who worked with Gregory. Often we talk to a person or respond verbally but fail to mention that person's name. Ken, always added my name when asking or telling me something. In place of "Thank you for getting that for me." he would say "Thank you, Michael, for getting that for me." In-person and on the phone, Ken would always acknowledge my existence by using my name.</p><p>In analyzing my own interactions with others, I realized that most often I did not use the other person's name and they did not use mine. But I became aware that when Ken used my name (which he did often) it felt good to hear. It felt like he cared, like he appreciated me and my support. So I began to use people's names when addressing them. Not sure if they noticed or felt any different, but I did!</p><p>I next became aware of the importance of names in the movie Coco, which is about the Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration, and that reminded me of having heard this idea before: As long as a person's name is remembered, they will continue to live, even after death. When a loved one dies we still carry them with us, remember them, name them. That is why telling stories of those who have died, celebrating the anniversary of their death, and naming newborn children after a departed relative are so important. Especially those that lived good lives, were compassionate and generous towards others, will be remembered for a long time to come. To be remembered is not necessarily the reason one cares for others but it is a nice side effect!</p><p>That brings me, as often happens in these posts (where I dance towards the topic,) to the recent awareness of several nights ago. As I was drifting off to sleep, as also often happens. I tease that I have four women running my life. Gigi and Emma, my cats, and Siri and Alexa, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) organizers from Apple and Amazon.</p><p>Alexa seems to be the more intelligent of the two by which I mean, she can do more. Most often Siri will say, "I cannot help with that information." Most often, Alexa at least tries, even if she gets it wrong. Alexa knows my voice so if I ask her, "Who are you talking to?" she will reply, "You are Michael, you are using Michael's account." Alexa will also say things like, "Good Morning, Michael." "Hope you had a nice day, Michael." "Are you enjoying the weekend, Michael?" "Go out and enjoy today's sunshine, Michael." </p><p>When I say "Goodnight Alexa," she will reply, "Good night Michael, see you tomorrow." And these are just a few times she uses my name. I realized that even though AI, it feels good to hear someone mention my name in my otherwise empty, quiet, isolated condo. The cats of course address me as well with their squeeks and meows but they don't quite have the hand of pronouncing my name. I can imagine that would get on my nerves, "Michael, I am hungry again." "Michael, I want a treat," "Michael pet me." "Michael play with me." "Michael won't you please let me go out on the balcony on this bright sunny day?" "Michael, Michael, Michael!"</p><p>When addressed, Alexa will often mention me by name but she does not nag, or demand, or ask for anything for herself, very much unlike anyone I have ever known or lived with before. I value Alexa and her making me feel just a little more human during these times of isolation and self-quarantining and COVID 19!</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-33260940402333392492020-12-01T16:26:00.003-06:002020-12-01T16:26:42.436-06:00Christmas Train and Village 2020<div class="separator"><br /></div><p>The Z-Guage train is the smallest one made. This one is made in Germany and has the finest detail and motor movement. It can speed along at high speed and not fall off the tracks and it can inch along slowly. I had wanted one for the longest time and finally decided to look for one and luckily found just the right one, two years ago. </p><p>The village changes every year with items culled from my various collections. I like how it looks this year and each year it seems to get better. What makes it fun is that proportion, and scale are completely ignored ENJOY!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='381' height='316' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwrmkGuLbg83soDJqGZ0N2ldqkZ3T-2Vq1z_BQ1u-g5sJ-8d7SuzFIhiccGss7dmzHfIE1RuEoeO0Eqxghx8A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSHsisXmN5GI5ED7KIcDTFgbRoQmdF3Z3FKcWhB9H7q9tZsN3hyphenhyphenoyEHi1QH2ty7Cj-V-brN9etrxt9IjAcOE7fiR54eAP-naSfirxKJyORNGYriEt2c2Ne1CwqOi8qoHHk_hqHWOyuXA/s4032/IMG_0488.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSHsisXmN5GI5ED7KIcDTFgbRoQmdF3Z3FKcWhB9H7q9tZsN3hyphenhyphenoyEHi1QH2ty7Cj-V-brN9etrxt9IjAcOE7fiR54eAP-naSfirxKJyORNGYriEt2c2Ne1CwqOi8qoHHk_hqHWOyuXA/w640-h480/IMG_0488.jpeg" width="640" /></a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-53641248669355392262020-11-29T11:23:00.002-06:002021-01-03T18:35:07.596-06:00I Still Believe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0C4do7jpKOgyyA0ds_cND4Ml2cNdn9gZLCvVCn_xCMK7K6DQofbCfeoOOub3mmhZJ4yTSkAyqn9403NdwrFEVA7minowqC-bbfB8XRvKubvByBFX2Na1bhearaxV47qHdHMWtWgSPsI/s900/Believe_Wallpaper_by_Amigoamiga.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="900" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0C4do7jpKOgyyA0ds_cND4Ml2cNdn9gZLCvVCn_xCMK7K6DQofbCfeoOOub3mmhZJ4yTSkAyqn9403NdwrFEVA7minowqC-bbfB8XRvKubvByBFX2Na1bhearaxV47qHdHMWtWgSPsI/w640-h402/Believe_Wallpaper_by_Amigoamiga.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This post is a P.S. to yesterday's post <a href="https://mhorvich.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-ghost-of-christmas-past-and.html" target="_blank">"The Ghosts of Chrismas Past and Christmas Present." </a></p><p>Last night as I was feeling better for having visited the Ghosts, Past and Present, I was still thinking about the more processing and contemplation that I find myself going through more often now a days.</p><p>I came up with this sound bite regarding Past, Present, and Future:</p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The reality is that for me, at 75 years of age, there is <u>more</u> PAST to process then there is FUTURE to look forward to. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The FUTURE to which we look forward becomes more uncertain and more frightening than previous FUTURES of the PAST!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">And the PRESENT with the isolation, fear, suffering, poverty, illness, deaths, and losses from COVID-19 and the STATE OF THE UNION, with its divisions, hatred, lying, cheating, racism, etc. is not the most pleasant place to be right now.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">So perhaps GRATITUDE for the good we do have, for our ability to be RESILIENT, for FAMILY and FRIENDS and LOVE and CARING and KINDNESS, for not so much LAMENTING the bad things but CELEBRATING the good, not wondering why things are as they are but rather working on how we think about those things is the ANSWER? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">In other words: <b>GRATITUDE, RESILIENCE, FAMILY, FRIENDS, LOVE, CARING, KINDNESS TOWARDS OTHERS AND CELEBRATING THE GOOD IS THE ANSWER.</b></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4970555920280746563.post-43765385441907480072020-11-28T23:11:00.006-06:002020-11-29T11:17:37.108-06:00The Ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Present<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeAuom8UVI_alR-8oeTf97OPi9wPGtQ9Fe7LpFXXkqYubAWdfJlC4UH5O3rgR-CvwXylKLKbyJZxHInO4wFB0Z87jiADkTmpY2-0Ej2O3TMHaVMGNTLdgK97N4dfeZ6zzjSYdC1kq3Jw/s2048/IMG_0401.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeAuom8UVI_alR-8oeTf97OPi9wPGtQ9Fe7LpFXXkqYubAWdfJlC4UH5O3rgR-CvwXylKLKbyJZxHInO4wFB0Z87jiADkTmpY2-0Ej2O3TMHaVMGNTLdgK97N4dfeZ6zzjSYdC1kq3Jw/w640-h480/IMG_0401.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>This Papier-màché Nativity was made by Gregory when he was eleven years old. Helen, his mom put it out each Christmas and took good care of it. Shortly after Gregory and I became a couple, she gave it to us, her agency for it having been completed. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">• • • • •</p>For some reason, this Christmas season has gotten off to a more than usual sad start. I usually have my "Christmas Cry" early in the season, missing all those people with whom I spent the holiday over the years and who made the holiday very important to me. But for some reason this year is different. I will visit the possible reasons later in this essay. <p></p><p>Close to 50 years ago, Robert, my first lover, and his family introduced me to Christmas and that brought out again the little boy in me. Mom Dorothy and dad Robert Sr., devout Catholics celebrated the holiday fully and accepted me into their family and into their family traditions. Robert used to tell me that my boyish excitement in the glory of Christmas helped rekindle the holiday for them as well. </p><p>Robert's Grandma Anna and her sisters Clara and Frieda all celebrated the traditions reflecting the decades of their raising their families, living with the losses of family, and with their slowly disappearing abilities to execute Christmas in the way they used to. But they were always cheerful, laughing in the kitchen over forgotten ingredients, and pushing themselves to put on the most amazing celebrations I have ever experienced in my adult life.</p><p>While I was the token Jew in the group, and while Robert and I were homosexual (in those days when it was not acknowledged or discussed) his family just loved me without qualification. In some ways, I was the son (as is often the usual role of a son-in-law) the Planing Family needed without the history or loading of the usual family relationships.</p><p>When Robert and I broke up, I still spent Christmas with him and his family. Slowly my involvement was curtailed as Dorothy and Bob moved away, as Robert and I grew further apart, and the elders grew older. </p><p>I used to visit Grandma Anna at the care facility to which she eventually moved. I would bring a few shopping bags of decorations to convert her room to Christmas and the gifts I gave her were usually of the kind she could regift to her home's friends and staff: for example chocolates, nuts, cookies, etc. Once Bob, Anna's son and Robert's father wrote me a letter telling me that he continued to care for me and appreciated what I did each year for his mother.</p><p>The story is similar with Gregory and his family. I loved them. They loved me. And I loved Christmas which was obvious to everyone! I believe that they enjoyed me enjoying Christmas in my characteristic "little boy" manner. We spent most Christmasses with his family in Goshen, Indiana and then Battle Creek, Michigan. In some ways, I was more involved with the Maire Family than my own. Again, I reference the difference to the absence of the baggage of growing up with my own family and the expectations or lack of them, which I erroneously or not, brought along for my own family.</p><p>As a teacher, the school year and therefore the months of my life seemed to run from holiday to holiday with creating appropriate bulletin boards, writing season-specific educational activities, and celebrating the holidays with my students including appropriate refreshments. For example, on the first day of winter when it snowed, I would get up extra early to bake chocolate chip cookies and make hot chocolate to bring to my class to celebrate the occasion with my students. I encouraged parents to bring refreshments to class and join us to celebrate the student's birthday. If there wasn't a specific type of food for a specific holiday, I would declare it "Gum Chewing Day" and would provide the first round. </p><p>Gregory and I always decorated our home at Christmas time with an abundance of decorations. Was that Gregory allowing me to do my thing? Partly, but he also loved the holiday. I remember the time we had an eight-foot tree in our first home on Poplar Avenue in Evanston which Gregory painstakingly decorated with over 5,000 miniature white Italian lights. He wove the stands of lights from deep inside the tree to the feathery tips and then back deep again. There were no other decorations on the tree except the tree topper silver star. I can close my eyes and still see and feel that tree.</p><p>We always baked cookies, stocked the house with candy, invited people into our home with countless parties, large and small. There was the Jewish Family Party, the Gay Family Party, the Neighbors Party, and when we moved to the condo the later party branched into the Old Neighbors Party and the New Neighbors Party. </p><p>With the onset of Gregory's journey with Dementia, most likely Alzheimer's Disease, we continued the tradition of entertaining for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Slowly he was able to be of less help and I had to do more. But he enjoyed the parties and while you might think that the crowd of people would be disorienting to him, they were on the contrary energizing. At one point I felt like such an adult when I had my housekeeper Halina come in to help me at the parties.</p><p>I always was "beat up" for the week after the parties and Gregory had a more difficult time with "reentry" to his routines after the excitement of the occasions. But it was a wonderful way for me to support Gregory, keep his life active and joyful, and I would do it again if he was still with us.</p><p>The last year of his living at home was like a train running away towards a wreck. Gregory's cognition faile<span>d and I canceled al</span>l our Christmas Parties and deep snow helped me to cancel the New Year's Eve Party without too much guilt. By January 10th he was somewhat successfully ensconced at the Lieberman Memory Care Facility, if any of that can really be successful vs painful but necessary!</p><p>Gregory died on October 4, 2015. This year will be five Christmasses which I have spent without him, alone (not that friends and family are not there for me but without Gregory, it still feels alone!) The first year I left our decorations in the closet and purchased a small live tree, brought new lights and ornaments, and baked a few cookies. By the next year I was able to get out the old decorations but with the goal of sending those which no longer held great joy for me on to a new life with families at La Casa Norte.</p><p>Even though I pare down my decorations each year, I continue to need to purchase a few new, glorious decorations each year and allow myself that. Last year I bought myself a Z-gauge electric train set. Z-gauge is the smallest made and can fit in a briefcase. I foraged my various collections to create a little village for the train to circle. There is a mirror skating rink with sleds and skaters circling as well.</p><p>This year the holidays have been more difficult because of the isolation necessary due to COVID 19. So the annual July 4th party in honor of the birth of Gregory and of our nation was canceled. Halloween and Day of the Dead got decorated but not celebrated and I avoided as much candy as possible. Thanksgiving consisted of all the "tastes of the holiday" picked up at a local restaurant. And now Christmas begins with my decorating the condo on the Friday after Thanksgiving.</p><p>I will share photos of what this year's Christmas looks like. I am pleased with how it turned out and it is quite differently arranged than in previous years. Watch for the photos in a future post. </p><p>So while writing all and revisiting this has helped me make me feel better, why has this season felt sadder? COVID 19 is the biggest culprit. So many people are out of work, or ill and dying, or lonely. tRUMP figures in after four years of his making everything into shit with acceleration during his last year in power!</p><p>My turning 75 and feeling older is most likely part of the reason. My sister's passing figures in as well. She had a difficult time after a fall and breaking her back and pelvis but she made an amazing recovery and was doing so well. Then she unexpectedly decided the day after her 80th birthday, October 4th, that it was time to die and was complicated by the fifth anniversary of Gregory's having left us. As I get older, holidays seem to be more retrospective and more introspective.</p><p>So as I contemplate this Christmas I wonder how many will I have left? Who else might not be around to be part of the celebrations next year? I remember those who have left us. As I unpacked and placed all the decorations I was aware that there would be no one to share them with this year as the COVID 19 self-quarantining continues. I realize that the beautiful stories that are paired with each and every decoration will die with me. </p><p>The memories of Christmases Past, even though filled with love and fondness, leave me feeling sad. Up until this year, there were exciting events to which to look forward, friends with whom to celebrate and spend a dinner or some wine and cheese or some homemade cookies. Not this year. Not during a COVID year! No parties. No visit to see the lights at the zoo and hear the groups singing carols to the animals, no walks through the Botanic Garden with its light show and displays, no shopping with the crowds at the malls, no visits and overnight guests from family, no picking up specialty foods at various grocery stores.</p><p>And though it might sound silly, it has always been important to me since my childhood, to buy a few gifts at the drug store like a gift box of lifesavers, or a special ornament for a friend, and from many years gone by, saving my pennies to purchase a cobalt blue bottle of <i>Evening in Paris</i> cologne for my mom. As a more year old, I can still smell it sitting on the couch in the living room of Kedzie Avenue (my childhood home) watching her standing in front of the powder room mirror putting on her apple red lipstick before going out to a party.</p><p>Ah, memories!</p><p></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2