Category: Journal Entry

I love Sunday morning conversations with Don because there are so many options for TV watching while eating breakfast. In the holiday spirit, I’m gonna light him up like a Christmas tree.  Kristy: Choices today include golf, NFL, last season of Yellowstone or more Food Network.  Don: Pumpkin pie! Kristy: No pie, dude, you finished…

Don entertained the idea of a degree in engineering until his first or second year in college at Oregon State University. When he discovered it would take more discipline and hard work than he was willing to invest, he changed his goals and took the opportunity to get a degree in something else. He never…

The following conversation is not only far out in left field, but it also has strangely good timing. National Pearl Harbor Day is just days away. Don: Do you remember being stationed in Hawaii?  Kristy: I have been to Hawaii 3 times and did not enjoy any of those vacations. I have no plans to…

Kevin and Greg installed flooring in one of our 6 bedrooms last weekend. That bedroom has been in disarray for 2 years while repairs were being made after a window leaked. In the past few days, I’ve been cleaning up the construction zone in my house that expanded to the entire second floor. Little by…

Another cold morning greets me, and I jump in the shower to get a warmer start to the day. If I don’t shower, get dressed and do something with my hair, right out of bed, it won’t get done on that day. Once I put myself together, I take a deep breath and open the…

Seattle Seahawks play the Arizona Cardinals today. Kristy: Jacob told me to tell you to watch for him on TV today as he will be on the 45-yard line at the Seattle Seahawks’ game.   Don: Wow, really? I wonder where the Seahawks will be?   Kristy: Uh, Seattle?????   Don: Oh, that’s right.  This is a classic…

Don is watching Eagles v. Commanders NFL game.   Kristy: Wow, Eagles look a little off balance at the start of this game.  Don: Did you see Landon playing?   Kristy: Landon who? Someone from Oregon State?   Don: No, #38 for the Captains. Washington.   Kristy: OK, you mean the Washington Commanders?  Don: Yeah.   Kristy: Landon who? …

A long-time friend asked me if Don has a shred of anything left of his prior personality before stroke. Does he connect on any level? My answer was not anymore. He wandered out to the kitchen on Sunday, wanting to know where is the bathroom? A bathroom that is located 6 feet from his recliner…

Kristy: Would you like a hot cup of coffee on this chilly November morning?  Don: No, I’m leaving.  Kristy: Leaving to go where? Don: To go home.  Kristy: This is your home. Why is that so hard to understand? Don: I don’t know. Maybe because everything changed.  Kristy: I understand change and unfamiliarity, but you’ve…

It is that time of year when waking up at 7:00 a.m. finds us in the dark and experiencing much cooler temperatures. So hard to tell yourself to get out of bed. After turning on all kinds of lights to navigate, without bumping into everything, I ascend the stairs to see if Don is ready…