Friday musings

We didn't get a picture taken of us on our anniversary in our matching tee shirts and here's why.  I had packed Howard's shirt along with a carafe of coffee to go along with Shauna's yummy rhubarb cake.  On the way to Estevan, after navigating around numerous breaks in the highway, I could smell coffee!  Oh, no!  The carafe hadn't tipped but the carafe is one that you don't need to twist open, it pours as you tip it.  The rough road was enough to slosh some of the coffee out the spout and onto the Black Hills tee shirt and  also on the serviettes I had packed.

So, no picture, but we had a nice party in the Family Room at St. Joseph's and there was lots of coffee to go around, along with iced tea that Kirk's brought.  We were joined by Aunt Viola, Lawrence and Lilah Daae, Ray and Verna Daae, Kirk, Shauna, Carter, Lindsay and Jamie.  I had brought the scrapbook that our four kids put together for our 40th anniversary and one from our 25th so it was fun to look at them again. In our anniversary blog I didn't say anything about how we celebrated our 40th so I'll share some pictures of that now.  Our family gathered at the Swantz cabin just three miles west of West Glacier National Park in Montana.

Kirk and Carter on Lake Five

Original log cabin with addition at the back

Soaking up the sun on the dock

Our family in 2006

Fortieth anniversary, July 2006

The "Swantz Nest" at Lake Five, Montana
July 1906

On Wednesday afternoon our Torquay Grannies entertained at the monthly birthday party at St. Joseph's Care Home.  Two grandpas joined us as well so Phyllis and Bob, Howard and I sang a couple mixed quartets.  Our trio also sang a few numbers and Vi and I played several gospel songs on piano and accordion.

I spent some time with Howard after the program.  He introduced me to one of the nurses as "my mother".  I laughed and so did the nurse as she told him "She's your wife, Howard".  But I think he was more right than wrong.  With his dementia, my role has become more like a mother's than a wife's.  It is hard to visit him as he thinks that I should be taking him home every time that I come.  If I don't, then he thinks that I don't want him to come home anymore.  If I don't answer when he phones, he gets upset, not realizing that I might just be out in the yard cutting grass or doing some watering.  This morning he phoned at 6:45 am when Clare and I were having breakfast.  He thought I had been there last night and left without him saying good-bye.  Once he got past that, we had a good visit.  Clare plans to go in this afternoon to see him and meet Carter, who is anxious to come to the farm.

My agenda for today is to meet Laurel in Weyburn this afternoon at Wal Mart and take Dawson, Eric and Ashley home with me for the weekend.  Greg and Laurel are off to a wedding in Saskatoon tomorrow.  On Sunday we will go to Lampman to help Jamie celebrate her fourth birthday.  Fun times ahead!

Now I better get off the computer and get a few things done around here!  Have a good long weekend.  Sounds like the weather will be great for campers.