The Constants.

 The Constants.

 

No, that word was not con son ants. That one would be the opposite of vowels—what English teachers exchange when getting married. Ahem. What constants mean to women and some men is that LIST of tasks that are constantly being renewed before they even take a deep breath from finishing the list the first time. Laundry, meals, picking up toys or clothes off the floor—or dog toys if the children have left home. Today these dogs even got a bath after my bed was stripped, the sheets changed, the comforter put in the washing machine, and din-upper put on to cook. And yes, the dogs were good to stand still for me, but immediately rolled in the dead grass after having their fur washed. They were not allowed in until they dried just a bit and had no grass hanging off their ears or backs. Gotta love ‘em.

 

Texted back and forth with Anne’s daughter Lesli. She has had a migraine all day and still has to keep going. Have no idea how she does it. Those things will hurt so bad that nothing stays down if you are dumb enough to try to eat. Les said that her mom has a horrible headache. Suspect that Anne is dehydrated. The bag under her bed looks like syrup. But nothing stays down very long—or is removed one direction or the other. All we can do for her at this point is ask for pain meds, nausea meds, and let her know we are there. Stayed as long as possible last night, but no night driving means going home before the sun goes down. She was lucid last night, but Les said she could not even think this morning. Please pray for her. She needs to be able to just go to sleep and not hurt ever again.

 

As soon as the doors can be closed on the hen house, the old woman will go get her bath and remove the dog smell. These clothes probably smell just like dirty dog. It’s pretty hard to tell when my nose tells me something is going to make me sneeze every hour or so—more than once. Ragweed. It should be made into a weapon of mass allergens! Guess that would be like biological warfare, however.

 

Will be glad when they finally put Queen Elizabeth in the ground and let folks get back to some kind of normal over there. Yes, many are discussing the cost of the monarchy, the health of King Charles, the spits and spats of protocol, and the bigger question of whether or not they need a monarchy. If it has worked for them this long, why not. Not our problem. We can’t even tell Benjamin Franklin that we have managed to keep the Republic that was established by the first forefathers to establish our government. So much of what is happening now makes us shake our heads and wonder how these things ever came about in the first place. Even so, would rather live here than anywhere else. At least it is easier to recognize a snake when it makes an appearance.

 

Sterling and Jacqui have Covid. Talked to him briefly yesterday evening, but he is not answering his phone today. Just have to hope that everything is ok. He said he thinks Jacqui has it worse than he does. Just shaking my head. This dadgummed virus has hurt so many folks and messed up our nation is several ways. Someday, even if we know just exactly where and how it developed, we will have a way to combat it better than masks, handwashing, and staying away from others. These shots have not seemed to make much difference. However, I would rather have a flu shot than the flu any day! The shot may make you feel like warmed over drizzlin’ poo, but the flu can put you in the ground!

 

Have asked and not been told why Grace Care Center has about a third of the population it had when my parents were there. Not many nurses and care givers either—about the same ratio as before. Know everyone misses Debbie Brewer as administrator. She had good, common sense. But Dr. Parkey is taking good care of Anne, so that is all that matters to me currently. Just have a feeling that someday they will have to bulldoze that place and build something that will actually accommodate old folks or those recuperating from whatever happens in life besides old age.

 

The comforter and dog blanket need to be folded and put away, but this old person does not feel like fighting with them right now. Maybe tomorrow they will move from the kitchen table to the bedroom at least. No one will notice, right?

 

Please remember to pray for peace. While you are at it, pray for joy and vision for the times to come. We have His promises. His grace and His love are all we really need. Praise His name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.