Friday, February 20, 2015
Yesterday morning I watched as two holes were drilled at the historic ranch site. They will soon be building a structure over the old steam pump building.
1874 restored ranch house.
It is spring time in Tucson. While the rest of the country is freezing, it is in the 70s and 80s here.
Buddy scampers around the back yard, anxious for me to throw a tennis ball for him to run after. He is no good at playing fetch though, since he does not want to give the ball back.
Buddy.
The aloes are loaded with bright red flowers, it is sexy time for them.
Red.
I stayed home from work to take my mother to her speech therapy and physical therapy, but the first appointment was cancelled (and I wasn't told) and my mother was acting weird this morning, so I cancelled the physical therapy. She was shaking and walking in tiny steps. She didn't take her insulin on time and her blood sugar was super high. Sigh.
Not a lap puppy.
It is hard turning from being the child to being a parent to an elderly person. I am just worn out. My mother is just oblivious to everything. I do the cooking and cleaning, take her places, monitor her medicines, listen when she gets up in the middle of the night. Just worn out.
Aster.
The cycle of life continues. There is a spring time and a summer, a fall and a winter. Mother is in winter right now.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
I am a member of a non-profit group that does living history at the rebuilt corner of the Spanish fort in downtown Tucson. I normally do not participate in the living history events, but yesterday was the 103rd birthday of Arizona achieving statehood, and they had both Spanish Colonial and Territorial-era interpreters.
Yesterday's event was very successful. I stood outside and called out to passerbys to come on in. Some people were skeptical, "Why should we?" and I told them they would get to explore Tucson's history for free.
Blacksmiths at work.
The Presidio Park gets about 15,000 to 20,000 visitors a year- it is difficult to figure out the exact number because there is no entrance fee and people can wander in and look around at the displays at will.
Horno oven is heating up.
The Trust works to educate people about Tucson's history. It has been very successful, but it is also surprising how many people do not know the origins of our community.
Soldiers.
The military has always been important here, from the days of the Presidio up to the present with Davis-Monthan.
And more soldiers.
I am currently supervising a project rebagging, analyzing, and preparing a report on a dig conducted between 1971 and the early 1990s by a college in Ohio.
Dipping candles.
I need a better jacket.
Afterward, some of the people thanked me for inviting them in, the positive comments were great to hear.
The time machine worked.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Mother is approaching 83 and it has become obvious that she cannot live by herself and needs to go into an assisted living facility. The health issues are becoming overwhelming. Yesterday I had to call 911 and have paramedics give her glucose intravenously. And then this morning her blood sugar went dangerously low because she got up at 3 AM, had breakfast, and took her insulin, which she isn't supposed to take until around 7 AM. I have seen and done things now that I never imagined I would have to do.
My sisters back in Michigan are going to find a place. My mother will not be happy about this, but what can we do?
My sisters back in Michigan are going to find a place. My mother will not be happy about this, but what can we do?
Sunday, February 08, 2015
It gets tiresome being grumpy all the time.
Mother has numerous doctor's appointments. She has numerous pills. Getting her to do the things she is supposed to do (taking medicines at the right time, exercising, taking showers, etc) gets old. She doesn't want to be told what to do, but then forgets or refuses to do them. This morning she left my bedroom French door open and Puff got out. She has no common sense. Luckily Buddy didn't end up in the backyard. If he had gotten hold of Puff, Mother would be on the next airplane back to Michigan.
Last night I went over and collected Scott and we went to BKs for some Sonoran-style Mexican food.
Scott and I have known each other via the internet for over 10 years. Back in the old days he had a blog and that is how we became acquainted. He came to Tucson to visit his friend Julie, and so we had to hang out.
Last night I went over and collected Scott and we went to BKs for some Sonoran-style Mexican food.
Scott and I have known each other via the internet for over 10 years. Back in the old days he had a blog and that is how we became acquainted. He came to Tucson to visit his friend Julie, and so we had to hang out.
Of course we also had to discuss mutual acquaintances and fellow former bloggers.
Afterward, I took him to a couple of Tucson's delightful homosexual bars. At Brodie's the bartender was a wholesome gentleman attired in underpants. People were putting coins in the jukebox to play banda music (lots of accordion and tuba, think polka). We chatted and stared at a cute guy with a beard. Later on we wandered over to Venture N. It was a good time.
