1966

 57 years ago today, my second husband was born. I came across him this morning walking across the backyard in his underwear, drinking his first cuppa coffee - quite a sight! (Sorry, no photographs)

I was so wrecked when I staggered away from my clinic last night that I left his BD card on the corner of my desk, so last night I made him a homemade one - actually just a sheet of notebook paper with an apology and a voucher to take him out to dinner! But of course, tonight he has his fire department meeting - perhaps he will let me take him somewhere Wednesday night?

I’ve been a fire department widow for over a decade now - I don’t exactly recall when my dearly departed friend Ginger asked my permission before handing off her duties to my husband: “You know, this takes up a lot of time!” Which it does - all for a good cause as our rural volunteer fire departments are understaffed & poorly funded; Peran oversees several fundraising efforts each year just trying to keep things afloat.

But this has been good for Peran as well - I think it has anchored him in our community, given him a taste of public service - now everyone knows “the veterinarian’s husband”! Not to mention I get a small fraction of reflected glory for myself ;-)

A lot of things piling up on me now in this Towering Inferno of a summer. My mother seems to be acquiescing to my wishes to move her to the newer Arabella facility in Red Oak where I wanted her to go originally - she could still keep her little dog, but would be in the main building with a higher level of care, more or less “forced” into socializing since she’d have to go to the café area for her meals. It would mean downsizing to a studio apartment which she will regret, but I really think it’s for the best. The next challenge will be convincing her to transfer some funds for this operation - obviously I need to secure a financial power of attorney. This will be tonight‘s project since Peran will be tied up in his meeting. Step by step!