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Friday, August 26, 2016

This and That

This is going to be one of those posts where I write a little bit here, and then go away for a while, only to return and add a little bit more. There are so many things racing around in my head and yet nothing in there is probably worthy of writing about.

**Bright spot in my week - A little chickadee trusted me enough to come to my outstretched hand, and take the lone sunflower seed I was holding. These little birds are so trusting, unlike the doves that flutter away when they see me.

I have decided to give up trying to keep the squirrel from eating the seeds from the feeder. It is a losing battle, and if I take it away, I won't be able to watch the birds up close. I can sit about 3 feet from them, and several chickadees, 3 woodpeckers (Downy) and a Nuthatch will come.

Finally, we received a very good amount of rain this past week, and it was so desperately needed, not only for the crops and orchards, but to dampen down the forests, and the wildfires that were burning across the province.

I've been spending much more time watching the Olympics, and have watched more TV in 2 weeks than I would in 6 months. I do enjoy watching the competitions.

I attended an Alzheimer information session at a neighbouring Community Hall, and it was very interesting. Included were facts on dementia, how to recognize the signs, and ideas on how to cope. It is so sad what happens to people who suffer through this brain injury. It dawned on me only here that this age related dementia is classified as a brain injury, as brain cells are dying. It opened my eyes to the fact that a stoke victim can have stroke dementia. This is what the Captain is dealing with.

I am about to do something that I have said I wouldn't do. I am taking the Captain to the Camp. He wants to go, and he wants me to take him. I had said I would drive him to the camp  to see if  he had left a car key out there, and somehow it became I would take him overnight. So.......... we shall see how it goes.........

August 26:  Well, I managed to get through not one but three nights, (I thought we were going to stay two nights). The camp has definitely become a 'man's camp' though at one time we spent time there with the girls when they were young. The Captain's grandfather built the camp and used to guide hunters on the river and in the woods. I will not say more about the inside of the building except that after I got over the 'yuck' factor I managed alright. There is no electricity or running water, so you know where I headed several times through the day.
    Now the outside is a whole different story. It is what I always loved about the camp, and was glad to spend time in the great outdoors. Here are a few pictures of the area. It is right on the Medway river, and the big pine is probably 200 years +. We can't be sure.


The water is low in the river due to it being so dry

This is the camp, with a boathouse in the foreground

Another view through the trees from the river's edge


Steam rising from the water
Not a great shot, but it is the top of the old pine.


I was happy to get home to a hot shower, but I am glad that I took the Captain. He struggles to get around, and I am not sure how many more times he will get to the camp. I am not keen, despite the view, to stay overnight any time soon. I kept thinking, 'if I only had a vacuum cleaner', "if I only had hot running water."
 
I have now done my good deed for the year. I think my arm is getting sore from patting myself on the back for being so brave.

Till next time......




11 comments:

  1. May I encourage you by suggesting that the memories you made by going to the camp will last a lifetime.I do hope that you have good memories,thinking about the joy you gave to the Captain.

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    1. Ah Ruth. If only. I wouldn't know if I gave the Captain 'joy' or not. He wouldn't show it or say it. Still, it doesn't matter....I did it.

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  2. Hello brave and wonderful lady! You gave the Captain a significant gift. The scenery looks magical. Sometimes when we leave creature comforts behind for awhile, we appreciate them even more. You are a soul who I believe birds see as gentle and unthreatening. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

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    1. Dear Barb. I am not so brave, and not so wonderful, but thank you for saying so. I am so tardy in replying to this, that the summer is long gone and fall is almost past.

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  3. Hello Bonnie!!
    Thank you for visiting my blog and making a nice comment. Hope you will find more that is worth reading. I took a glance at your other blog and wondered if that is kind of a short story blog, like the second one I have. Anyhow, I enjoyed this post a lot. I expect the Captain is a close relative? It was touching and heartwarming to see these references hither and thither and especially your visit to the camp!! I can only to clearly realize the sacrifice of the trip, even if you enjoy the outdoors. In my service I see those brave and gentle heroes carefully tending their loved ones and trying to bring as much life as possible when there still is time!! You really did a great thing and for sure appreciated your comfortable home more than ever when you got back, just as your friend Barb pointed out here. Blessings!

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    1. Hi Fairtrader. In answer to your question about my other blog, you can see that not much has been written lately. Yes, it is/was an attempt in story telling, but my weird moods have drawn me away from writing. Do you know the "I can't do that" creature that sits on your shoulder. It visits me often. The Captain is my husband, who had a stroke over 7 years ago. Coping with his "I am the center of this world" attitude is difficult. We live in the same house, yet I am alone. I guess we just have to play the cards we're dealt, as the saying goes.I appreciate your stopping by. Blessings to you as well.

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    2. Dear Bonnie!!
      I couldn't comment at all for a while, but now it's okey again.
      This was a very honest and touching answer. Life doesn't always turn out the way we think, does it? And love is a real challenge , because of the truth in that, I started writing. We have a child with autism, and life is absolutely not even close to what we expected 20 years ago. The Lord is never far away , I know that but still we have to give voice to the tangles in our minds when life gets rough. Praying helps but so does writing, I mean, look at the Prophets!!! Bonnie, don't listen to that creature!! I agree, sometimes the energy and inspiration is all gone out of the chimney, but you're not in it for the Pulitzer or the Nobel prize! You just need a place for your thoughts and jots, and we need to share them!!! Right?

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    3. What you say is true, but my first thought was that the Prophets were inspired by God....... :)

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    4. Well, if I'm not mistaken the prophets were not born prophets, except for John the Baptist. They were called upon and chosen to be vessels and spokesmen(men, oh dear!) for the Lords words. I believe the Lord chooses the prophets he needs in every given situation and sometimes anyone of us can be privileged to bear the truth, carry hope and comfort to someone . So please, start writing, Bonnie, from what I have seen, your heart is filled with treasures!!

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    5. Thank you for your inspirational words, Fairtrader. I shall try to take them to heart.

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    6. The name is actually Solveig, pleased to meet you!!!

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