Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1.  A ray of hope…..I actually feel a little hopeful.  We met at my parents’ house today with people from an agency that does homecare for the elderly.  Dad was gracious and shook their hands and then slept through the whole thing.  My mother was charming and pretended to be open.  We are going to start with someone coming over 3 hours a week for general help with cleaning and whatever else is needed.  The woman will come over on Sunday to meet Mom and Dad and will start next week.  It won’t solve all the problems but it will be a huge help.  I assume she’ll get more done in three hours than I do.   When I was over there the other day it was one thing after another—-Owen needed ice water, my father wanted some milk, my mother needed help figuring out the prescription order, then she had a reaction and needed orange juice, etc…..and all this in a house that hasn’t had an open window in God knows how long…..all I wanted to do was clean their kitchen but I never seem to get enough done.  So here’s to hoping that someone who is younger, more energetic and less emotionally invested will be MUCH more productive!  Cross your fingers that this works out…..

2.  I’m really impressed with how much music this woman
manages to cram into her life.  She’s my age.  She’s got young kids.
She works.  What the hell?  I’m envious too….as my visits to clubs
are few and far between.  If only I were a night owl….  I never have
been though—my friends always knew the only way to get me to stay out
late was to get me out early and keep me there….and it’s still true.
If I am home at 9:00…well, I’m just not going out again.  I LIKE
being home.  I LIKE going to bed early. But I like music too.  sigh.  I
guess I’ll just have to make do with Ernie as dj extraordinaire and
Owen as my own in-house popster….

3.  Had my first snake encounter the other day.  I sat down in one of the chairs in the front yard and Ernie stood next to me saying, "uh, Cynthia, uh, uh, you might want to move."  Upon  which I shrieked and leaped up awkwardly and flew to the front porch almost shaking.  I knew it.  There was a garter snake under my chair.  What is with me and this irrational fear?  I went into the house where Owen sympathetically asked, "ohhhh, did it stick its tongue out at you too?"  "EHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," I replied.  Then Owen said he would go out and see if it was still there.  So he stood on the porch muttering to himself, "I can’t be a scaredy cat…… but I hope it doesn’t chase me…..o.k."   Off he went and happily returned with a report that it was gone.  Throughout the afternoon whenever he would pass me he would pat my arm and cheerfully say, "sorry about that snake Mom."

4.  I splurged and ordered a bunch of plants—hoping to revamp my shade gardens this year.  I used Bluestone Perennials and Big Dipper Farm.  I can’t wait til they get here but we have lots to do first.  Planning to divide some ornamental grasses, move my whole daylily bed, dig out the perennials on the border and fill with herbs…oh and need to divide all the sedum too.  Oh and tear out a bush too. 

5.  Would it be too much to ask for spring to last more than two days in Central Illinois?  Once it’s over 80 I believe it’s summer.  And too much heat will fry the damn daffodils that just bloomed.  Harumph.