Month: August 2008

Sorry about the long absence cats and kittens. Forgive me. So much has been happening, but really nothing different than the last post…The big difference is in me.

In many ways I am freer than I have ever been. The Caregiving Women who are looking after my mom have given some ultimatums. The first is that I “get a life”. They are good friends, and I know what they mean.

Until last March I have been looking after my mother, watching her slow decline, and thinking only of her, for the most part. With their arrival last spring came the ‘Freeing of Johnnyboy’. The best way to describe it is that when I leave the house for any reason (gym, meetings, The Big City, etc…) I do not have the thought in my head that I must get home to save the day. What a relief!

I have gone to the movies with a very pretty young woman; today I spent the day in The Big City with friends doing photography stuff; and tomorrow night I am going to see “Under Milkwood” at a nearby summer theater with another friend. I even sleep better, not having to be ‘on point’ like I used to be. Yesterday I went to an acupuncturist (accupuncturer?) for a session of intense body and energy work.

What will tomorrow bring?

For my photographic friends like Fred here is a cool link that may help you with many of your more retro photography needs…The Frugal Photographer

Johnnyboy

Now that I have been hone for about a week I have decided to give a run-down of the past day’s events.

My jet-lag lasted about 4 days, but was not a bother, really. I just made sure I drank enough water and had a lie-down when I became worn out in the afternoon. By Sunday night it was all gone.

Mom is doing surprisingly well, considering she has moderate cognitive impairment, is 84, and was diagnosed with erlichthiosis 3 weeks ago….Her weeks of antibiotics are over but she still gets worn out easily. Bed rest with moments of activity and action are the prescribed medicines now. Her caregivers are here, and will be until we no longer need them. In short, my time as caregiver has passed. For three years I did what they are doing and neglected my own life. My activities were kept to meetings, school, and the occasional trip. My mental state was one of constant worry about mom and “what if something happens when I’m out of the house” type of thinking.

I no longer think like that. I can now live a freer life. So the caregivers that are here are really working for me as well. Amazing.

There is a big show at the New York Botanical Garden that I want to see before it closes–The Orchid Show. Then there are some museums to visit…Things to do, people to see…

My Fall semester is shaping up as well. I am taking a Digital Art and Design course and I have designed, with another professor, a course called ‘US-Caribbean Foreign Policy During the Cold War’. I have also been evaluated by a professional concerning the 12 credits I am asking for from my Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. She said she is going to recommend these be awarded at the advanced level. That means (I think) that if this all goes well, I will only have another 24 credits left to complete before my BA is finished!

That’s on;y three semesters…That would be very cool. It would also put me ahead of schedule for my MFA proposal.

So much going on! Yay!

Johnnyboy