Dementors

 I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books, and although I hoped Zach would catch that Wizarding World fever, it didn’t quite click with him. (We did go to the first 5 movies together) I enjoyed “Potterworld” more as Harry matured, as the books & movies explored these themes of loss & betrayal even though in MY universe nothing will ever match Star Trek!

For some reason I’ve been watching The Sorcerer’s Stone (HP1) in installments these last few nights - it does drag on quite a bit, but the John Williams score is tremendous. (Music also figures prominently in Val’s universe) Anyway, if I continue to work my way through these films, I can contemplate how I may have gotten my mom into her new facility just in the nick of time…

I won’t go into great detail about The Sunday Drama, but I may owe the evening receptionist an apology. Mom told me the caretaker who responded to her after pushing her button for assistance chastised her, telling her to save the button for a real emergency?!? I called up there & gave the poor girl hell bcz “push this button when you need help” is exactly what one of the nursing staff instructed us to do last week!

(Yesterday of course being a Monday! I did not have a chance to go up there to talk to the nursing Director about coming up with a schedule for my mom. Simple stuff like being sure the reservoir on her coffee pot has water, turning on her TV (even I was having problems with it this weekend!?!), help walking the dog, and reminders to come out for meals)

But last night really drove the truth home through my thick skull: mom is exhibiting “sundowning” behavior; she started calling about 5 o’clock while I was still in the tumult of getting my afternoon appointments wrapped up so I couldn’t answer the phone. She called several more times and I reluctantly answered shortly before 6 PM…I got an earful as to how lonely she was in this facility with probably 60 other residents? But the kicker was when she then told me that people in the hallways were asking her why she was out and telling her she should go back to her room where she’d be safe.

I’ll definitely be talking to the Nursing Director today - I think the dementors have come home to roost. Poor Zach even commented “I feel so bad for YOU, Mom!”

With a projected high of 104° this Friday, I don’t think I will take mom out to the National Cemetery for my cousin’s memorial service. Surely family will understand - it’s more important for my mental health to get on down to my trail ride & I’ve got a lot to do to get ready for that!

We had a “too hot to ride” mini pool party last weekend - I took a basket of my mom’s old scarves to let anybody that wanted some to help themselves. Bobbie took the most (70-something and still riding!)