Category: Journal Entry

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…

Don is right on schedule. Fifteen minutes into 49ers game, he appears at the bottom of the stairs to my office. I changed his TV channel to watch the game as he requested.  Kristy: What do you need?  Don: Do you know where my slippers are?   Kristy: You ruined them. I told you I…

We are done with self-serve in the dementia ward. I have shop-vac’d the last box of cereal up off the bedroom carpet. Half an hour after I cleaned up today, I took out all the food not in the refrigerator. Don put on a hoodie, with the hood over his head, looking like a punk.…

I slow cooked a pork loin roast in the crock pot today with cranberry sauce and dry onion soup mix. Both sweet and moist. I paired it with mashed potatoes and gravy and added a small salad.  Thursday Night Football was on and I got Don got started on dinner and a game. I returned…

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…