Sunday, June 30, 2013

Happy Birthday, Aunt Edna!!

My dear Aunt Edna is 99 years old today.  Since I am getting over this cold/flu or whatever it is, I have been holding off seeing her.  The cough is pretty much gone  and I did pretty well with yesterday's hour at the art show, so I plan to bring cupcakes to her tomorrow.  She lives in a residential home with 5 other little old ladies.  They all pretty much have some level of dementia but they enjoy each other.

I love this poem I found when we where closing her home:


What Do You See?

What do you see friends, what do you see?
What do you see when you look at me—
A crabby old woman, not very wise
Uncertain of habit with far away eyes.
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, “I do wish you’d try.”
Who seems not to notice the things that you do
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will
With bathing or feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes friends, you’re not looking at me.

I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother
Brothers and sisters who love one another
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon a lover she’ll meet
A bride soon at twenty—my heart gives a leap
Remembering the vows I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure, happy home
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast
Bound together with ties that should last
At forty, my young sons have grown and gone
But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn
At fifty once more babies play round my knee
Again we know children, my loved one and me
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead
I look at the future, I shudder with dread
For my young are all rearing young of their own
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known.

I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel
Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart
There is a stone where I once had a heart
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells
And now and again my battered heart swells
I remember the joys, I remember the pain
And I’m loving and living life over again
I think of the years, all too few, all gone too fast
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last
So open your eyes friend, open and see
Not a crabby old woman, look closer—SEE ME.

--by an elderly woman in Ashludie Hospital near Dundee, England
Found in Aunt Edna’s papers

Aunt Edna, known for her wonderful laugh

Aunt Edna in 2008 with me on the left and Teresa on the right
She still has her wonderful laugh.  Though Alzhiemers has affected her so much, her caregivers love that she always has a happy attitude.

Art in the Garden, Day 2

Yesterday it was about 80 degrees at 10am at the art show at Reagan's Nursery.  All the artists were making all those trip out to their cars to bring all their stuff in to show.  I was just helping check them in, so I had it made this time.  Later I measured how hot the bricks on our patio were:  140.5 degrees F.

Made me so glad I wasn't there at that point!  Maybe it will be cooler tomorrow.  Though I must say, there were a lot of people there early to check out the wares and you cannot go to that nursery without buying some plants too.

Today I will be over there in the afternoon for about an hour to spell the artists so they can get their lunches, potty break, grab some water, etc. Maybe I can get more detailed photos to post later.

UPDATE!



























Saturday, June 29, 2013

Art in the Garden

 Today and tomorrow is Art in the Garden at Reagan's Nursery in Fremont, CA.  I will be helping set up in the mornings.  Tomorrow, I hope to post some pictures!

Wouldn't you know it, the heat is going to really hit this weekend!  Well, at least I'm not going to be sitting in it all day.  Been there, done that.  But I will be able to see all the art first!  Early bird gets the worm!

I am going to have to remember to bring my little water bottle with the fan on it!
__________
Ok!  Here are some peeks into the garden of artists!  They are all interspersed between the flowers.  Beautiful art and lovely jewelry, pottery and woodwork.

 






















More pics tomorrow afternoon!





I did want to post something for Cathy! 


When we were having our little vacation in Santa Cruz, Cathy decided to have a little manicure party.  Look how well my toes match my sandals.....how did she know!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk -part 2

We went on tons of rides and all had so much fun!












But unfortunately, then this happened......

So, all I can say is we had so much fun!




Thursday, June 27, 2013

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

We just got back from a couple days at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!  So much fun!

So for the family, here are pictures.....until I broke the screen on my camera.
 My Room


Views from the balcony
 Timmy does not care if the water is freezing, if it is wet, he is in it!
 All those brave souls!  You certainly don't see me in that water!  By the way, it was foggy and misty most of the time.  That made it so nice, low number of people on the boardwalk, and didn't have to worry about heat and sunburn.

 Jen and Luke




 Prince Charming and Cinderella!

To the Boardwalk!
Some of the healthy boardwalk food!





And Luke actually ate one of those deep fried twinkies!






 Lets go do rides!!!
To be continued tomorrow!