• coffee life,  quotes

    An Update

    A steaming cup of coffee this morning

    “In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.”

    Bill Gates

    Update: My dad had a restless night as breathing becomes more difficult even with oxygen and he is sleeping a lot. Both common aspects of the end stages of congestive heart failure. My sister says he is still sharp and witty and sharing those funny moments with her. What a gift to share! He has plenty of visitors as he is loved by many at his assisted living facility.

    In reference to the above quote I’m not sure it pertains to retirees. For some retirees the coffee life is our real job. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  snow

    First Measurable Snowfall

    We received our first measurable snowfall beginning early Wednesday morning and continuing into the early evening. I had from 4-6 inches of wet snow on my car yesterday morning. After coffee and conversation I drove out to Pineridge Natural Area for the above image. It was deep enough I got snow in my boots. This morning we had clear skies, a beautiful full moon and 10 degrees. Roads are ice and dangerous.

    My dad’s health deteriorates. The heart and kidneys are failing and he is retaining a lot of fluids. So, he asked to stop taking all medications except the Eliquis and be put into Hospice. They brought in a Hospice doctor to evaluate him for their services and then called in Hospice. I am amazed that he is cognisant enough to think this all through and then make the decision himself. He wants to stay on the Eliquis because it can help prevent strokes. Something I would not have thought of. I will not go down there unless something happens since I just visited two weeks ago. I did talk to him on the phone yesterday. He sounded weak and tired and seemed ready to have Hospice available for him. After watching Hospice help mom he knows what they can do. I will keep you informed as you are part of my family.

  • Mary Oliver,  Metro Parks,  quotes

    That Slow Seduction

    Blendon Woods – May 2009

    I could not be a poet without the natural world. Someone else could. But not me. For me the door to the woods is the door to the temple.

    Mary Oliver

    I’m rather new to poetry, in both reading and writing. Primarily because I did not understand it, nor did I put the effort into learning what it was about and what it could teach me. It just wasn’t time yet in my life. Now it is. Some of that slow seduction could be spending more quality time in the natural world, or as Mary suggests the temple. I like how Maria Popova says it here. Having said that I want to thank all of you who read and maybe even understand my attempts at writing poetry. But not today!

  • Family,  lifestyles

    Saying Goodbye

    I’m in Phoenix. They put my mother in hospice on Wednesday so my sister and I flew down on Thursday. She is hardly eating and drinking. Getting weaker, sleeping a lot. In moments of awareness she tells us she loves us. All four of us kids are with her and dad. This image is my dad holding her hand. We are each saying our goodbyes.