Keeping the Rhythm

People all over the world every day walk, run, jog and play.  It's just part of life whether it's part of the job or part of a fitness regime. Even I work out 30 minutes on my treadmill most days.
It's different for Merv.  He spends more time than he should sitting and in the last three years he has never suggested we go for a walk.   Whether the wind is chilly or the sun beats down, all that is needed is a patch of blue sky and the rain clouds at bay and you will find us walking in the local park or taking a stroll around the block.  Our block takes about twenty minutes at Merv's not so fast pace.  I hold his hand and ensure he stays on the path.  A slip or a slide can so easily result in a fall.  Merv walks with a swagger and his feet don't always do what they should do.  It is challenging to keep walking but we are so chuffed when  the walk is completed and we celebrate with a cool glass of water.
The challenge is not just the walking to maintain a basic level of fitness, but to find inspiration along the way.  In the park the local cricket clubs play in the summer and the various footy clubs in the winter.  We have the privilege to stop and watch and chat about them later.
We have driven to Kings Park in the city, the beach (concrete path areas only),  short walks by the Swan River,  Whiteman's Park and a variety of parks around Perth.  Everyone of them has a story to tell and we have the pleasure to revel and treasure each of our adventures.

Forget to Remember

I spoke with Mel late this afternoon and she was telling me all about her boyfriend's birthday party at a local restaurant.  She told me who was there, what she ate, all about the surprise ice cream birthday cake.  She was very happy and then as an after thought she said;  'Oh Mum, I had an asthma attack at 3 o'clock last night!'  She simply said she had her puffer and within the hour she was feeling better.  I was flabbergasted!  We had spent a couple of hours with Mel this morning and there was no mention of the attack.  Mel was a chronic asthmatic and had been in hospital over 40 times by the age of 12, twice in ICU.  She had an asthma attack last August and spent two days in the local hospital.
It is not the first time she has 'forgotten' to pass on important information.  It seems to be a common problem!  I know I am far from perfect and sometimes find myself forgetful. 
At times Merv or his carer have forgotten to pass on important information.  It has been; important appointments, people wanting to visit, maintenance problems, information from agencies or medical departments.  Only sometime later does the forgotten information surface and the journey to either correct it or reschedule commences.  It is a journey which could easily have been avoided.  Merv has a communication book which the carer writes down information from the service provided, but this is never fool-proof.  Merv's communication skills are now limited and he may want to tell me something but will choose not to.  Not all of his words are clearly understood now.  I am buying   Merv an i-pad for his birthday next month and hopefully the communication programs will be helpful. 

Hairy Bush Bites the Dust

Thunder and lightning shattered the peace of night and kept us awake at 1am.  Eventually we returned to the slumber of sleep awaking to pouring rain and a grey painted sky.  There seemed there would be little chance of it clearing early.  The tree lopper was booked today and arrived just after 10am.  Merv found comfort in his favourite chair in the lounge while we busied ourselves on our mission.  Ron and Daphne who have helped us so many times in the last few years came and helped us.  The tree lopper bought along his two young sons who worked hard all day.  I fed them banana cake and chips.
We were altogether committed to removing the ever-growing climbing bush which had taken claim
of its territory on our back fence.  It has nice orange flowers, green fringed leaves and grows all year round.   It must have it's own survival plan for we have never given it a drink  but still it refuses to stop its quest to reach the sky.
Not only is this no name fence hugging climber destined for a major haircut but hairy bush is marked for far greater destruction.  The thought being rather pleasing.  I will no longer need to book a bi-monthly haircut for it.  It is destined to be a stump sunning itself and providing a safe haven for insects and other small garden inhabitants. A tear I cannot shed.
The climber stood its ground and five very long hours later was shaved and manicured.  Our arms ached from shifting the branches from the back fence to the front verge.  The local city council has a garden refuse pick up mid-August and our verge was piled high with not one centimetre free of refuse!
Then it was time for hairy bush.  A hush was heard and the pain felt as the chainsaw went to work, removing awkward off-shoots one at  a time.  Silently the short woody trunk fell and the little stump sighed and looked for the sun.  The sun shone and gave us a little relief from the murky grey sky.
I paid the tree lopper, gave the boys a gold star each and presented them with a home made banana cake for their family.  I thanked Ron and Daphne.
I had been busy all day, moving branches, providing food and drinks for Merv and all the helpers.  I ensured Merv was happy watching some good movies and checked on him frequently.
This morning I told Merv I miss him helping in the garden, we used to work so well together with him doing the heavy work.  He said he also misses working together.

Sharing the Smiles

It is stormy today in Perth and I successfully dodged the showers and howling winds to attend a local carer's lunch.  It is a get together of men and women of all ages just enjoying a meal and catching up with friends and making new ones.  This is the third time I have joined the group and I am always amazed and challenged by the carers and their stories.  I sometimes feel I am in a bubble, spending time centred on HD and oblivious to the world as it is and its many challenges. 
Today I chatted to a lady whose two children have a disability.  A lady who cares for her mum and many caring for their spouses.  The disabilities discussed were not what I had expected.  The range of disabilities is so very varied and not as obvious as we often expect.
The very best part of the lunch is listening to people's life stories; where they were born and grew up and their life journey.  I love to hear their stories, see their photos and immerse myself in a little part of them, even for the short time we share together.
During our lunch chatter we share together lifestyle tips and even favourite recipes.  I am already looking forward to the next lunch in August.

Mum and Daughter Day

Thursday is the day Mel and I spend time together.  Merv and his carer have their own plans for the day and I am free to have, 'Mummy and daughter,' time.  We have decided every fortnight we wont do any of Mel's housework and tidy up, instead its shopping and fun times only.  Today is our fun day.  Mel has received a right royal invitation to her new boyfriend's 40th birthday this Sunday and today we shopped for her new outfit.
Merv and I had started some preliminary shopping on Tuesday and asked for a fabulous looking dress to be put on hold for her.  We wasted no time today and Mel tried the dress on only to find it was too small and didn't suit her.  Time for plan B,  we both surveyed the many tops; lacy, dressy, stripy, kaftan style and an assortment of  skirts before she headed off to the change room. Decision time was spent time admiring and parading the tops for all to see.  Then there was the YES pile and the NO pile and after a bit of bantering Mel chose one which looks great; not only for the party but it is easily worn for other occasions and wont be lost at the back of the wardrobe.  The skirt chosen was black  and smart.  She looked fantastic.  Then to accessorise. What seemed like hours were spent checking every shop for a long silver chain and holeproof black tights.  We finished our Mummy/daughter day with lunch and a relaxing walk along the Swan River in Guildford. 
The joy of being a Mum and having a little down time to delight in it with a fabulous daughter!  Photo of Mel with her permission

Best Choices

After two weeks break from college it was time to return.  I was feeling rather lethargic and tossed up whether to play hooky or not.  The thought of curling up on the couch and reading my book, watching a movie, chatting on the phone all sounded so much better than two hours of class.  I checked the weekly outline and was not encouraged by this week's topic; Scriptwriting.  I can't imagine myself as Stephen Spielberg or Baz Luhrmann. 
I tried a different approach and tried talking myself in believing the journey and the social interaction would be of benefit to me.  A cherry on the top sweetener a freshly brewed coffee after class.
I continued with my designated homework before half heartedly driving to the college.  I arrived to find only one other student had arrived but another student joined us a few minutes later. 
Surprise, surprise I thoroughly enjoyed the session.  We learnt about scriptwriting but we also discussed recent movies and why we chose to watch them.  We discussed who the protagonist and antagonist were and even had a go at writing a short scene.  It was unexpectedly fun.
I have found life a lot like this.  When I think the path I am on isn't working for me, I sometimes make the wrong decision to opt out.  I hope next time I have this dilemma this scenario will spring to mind.

Hidden Treasure

Mel  lost another 0.2kg today.  She was ecstatic when her Weight Watcher's leader showed her she has now lost 6 kgs since joining.  It was lovely to see the joy in her face. 
We took time out afterwards for a 30 minute walk and drove down near the river.  I wasn't sure whereabouts we were headed and I just stopped the car at the end of a cul de sac thinking we would walk along the adjoining footpath.  It was then I spied a path leading into the bush area and what better thing to do than to take our chances and follow it to wherever it could lead.   
We were treated to gentle grazing horses in paddocks on both sides of the path.  The path continued over a rustic wooden bridge and suddenly came out onto the road.  For no apparent reason we followed the footpath to the left and decided to retrace our steps at the sign post in the distance.
The surprises kept on coming.  Just pass the sign post was another sign on Stirling Crescent advertising a Nursery (the plant type).  Curiosity hastened  me to find out its name.  It read, 'St Barbe Grove Nursery,' and we later found out it is the headquarters of Men Of The Trees in Western Australia.  As we took the little turn off to the nursery sign a tall lanky man came striding down the driveway carrying a rather large sign.  We were soon engrossed in conversation and he was putting out his sign advertising hot coffee.  He explained it is a brand new venture and he hopes to entice new customers.  He stood holding his sign while we chatted.  I asked if he was open on Sunday morning, as we like to visit the Dome Café, but it is always crowded and never personal.  I could see ourselves enjoying cake and coffee in his secluded nursery.  He considered this and said he would entertain the thought. Already I was planning when we could visit next week and as we retraced our steps we discussed the best day to try out his new venture.  Life is an adventure and one man's plans can result in pleasure for many.  We like to support local business.