Meet Betty. Sister of Alice (not shown). A nice exchange with a neighbor of my brother’s revealed the names. “And who’s the dog?” “Pixie.” Good name for a pitbull mix I decided, if a little ironic. I later realized that the daughter on the garage swing went unmentioned.
If there’s a way to reverse the chair’s strap buckle, I’ll reverse it. If the leg brace Velcro needs to go one way, I’ll wind the strap and discover I’ve got it the wrong way ‘round. Same for the arm brace. The brown shoulder tape goes on top of the white tape, not the reverse as it turns out. And I used the wrong scissors, making the task nearly impossible.
Feeling incompetent is nothing compared to being disabled, I should note.
The tall person kitchen: I need a ladder (not a footstool) to get the rice cooker or Dutch oven down. Hard to hang up the colander with the collapsing handle to the over-the-sink pot holder. I don’t use the Revere Ware with their flopping metal loop handles for that reason. I’m at least four inches shy of making them work.
At least it only took me a day to master the sleek coffee-maker-and-grinder-in-one. It sounds like a jet engine at times. Some phases it spits water. Others, coffee. Could’ve been intimidating.
It’s uncomfortable to be out of my element but I’m aware that my brother would kill to have a chance to fumble around in someone else’s kitchen.
These comparisons remind me of what I have in terms of my own strength and skills. They instill gratitude and act as a balm against frustration.
Am I more tired than last June’s visit? Maybe. Noticing that I don’t feel quite as useful as well. No need to comment on those comparisons, which may or may not be true.
Besides, there’s a major win to share. Check out my brother’s left-handed rendering of fishing rod and reel, boot, and trout. From memory. It’s beautiful. Stunning, really. And I helped — by ordering the sketchbook and pencils, and maybe by channeling the spirit of our mother-the-art-teacher.
I can imagine being out of one’s comfort zone WHILE trying to complete helpful tasks could be quite daunting. Perhaps more tired from the long spell of a Hot Summer – June did not have that in place.
“daughter on the garage swing went unmentioned” – really hit me.
But, my oh my…his left-handed drawing is just wonderful!! I bet he felt so good about that. Perhaps an opening of sorts.
Best to all of you
xo
Nancy
I’m hoping he’ll make a drawing a day. Imagine the record that would make. The satisfaction.
That would be great. That’s what that Sketchbook Skool dude (among many others) suggests as a way to get comfortable and improve. 🙂
the boot … I love the boot!
we once looked at a house that had a short person’s kitchen … I could reach every single cabinet … sigh
The boot is great but my favorite object is the trout.
We BUILt our kitchen and decided to use standard size everything because, you know, resale. Now twenty-two years later, I regret that choice because the new owner will likely redo the kitchen anyway.
The detail in the trout is wonderful. All of the plants, trees and flowers about the place could possibly also serve as drawing inspiration?
It is hard to learn to master essentials for care giving; in my case, I had to learn wound care, a tedious many layered process. Wondering if I was being too rough when removing wound coverings, my husband reassured me that it was fine but then he is a stoic! Learning medical terminology, prescription scheduling, physical therapy routines, etc. took me out of my comfort zone but in the end, you do the best you can and over time, you try to find your competence level…
I feel for you! I’m not doing appointments, script management, or even the runs to PT. Mostly company, honestly.
Sounds like you’re both being challenged outside your comfort zones. Such a great idea getting the sketchbook and pencils. I’m thinking you’re both excited with these first drawings … your brother especially doing what seemed impossible after his stroke. He absolutely has come a long way!
Thanks for that reminder. He didn’t walk for the first entire year.
omg I am so thrilled to he’s drawing!! Is this the drawing since the stroke?
if so I would wager that you could be saving him. He has the gift you and he share that I think surpasses your mom’s, for art.
Yes this drawing was yesterday.
So encouraging!!
sorry about my typos but filled in my blanks.
I recall the beginnings of your brother’s journey…the drawings- I cannot get the smile off my face. Tell him they are EPIC.
Smiling! I told him.
I remember a pen and ink drawing Billy did in high school. In my memory it was ocean related. I was a Barbara Mallon groupie, and Billy’s piece was in her room. He was a senior at the time, and I remember either Barbara or Billy saying that he had to make a choice between medicine and art. Equally gifted. Medicine can be art, and I and my family have all benefited from Billy’s generosity in his craft. I love that he is delving into art again. Amazing left handedness! And I have an idea for a fabulous gift so please keep me in the loop on Billy’s art delving.
That pen and ink is framed and hung downstairs. In the garage. There is too much art work here for one house.
Just have to say my mother would have been very very impressed at your skill and eye with fabric. Those pants! The map-printed bow-ties. Placemats! Printed silk scarves! Also, and we can smile about this, she’s probably have taken a little credit.
If your mom claimed any credit, it would be credit well deserved.
You’re kind