Go Celtics!

Gordo is in absolute Heaven! NBA playoffs start today!
Go Celtics!

Prisoner's Song

Gordo's in rare form this morning.


I was outside getting his newspaper and returned to him singing (loudly) to my dog ...Carly ...  this long song about a flying angel blah blah blah. So I asked him what was the song that he was singing? ... so of course ... he did a special encore just for me. Then preceded with the history behind it.


Since dad sang this to Carly and me ... It just wouldn't be fittin ... not to share ... 


The Prisoner's Song ... a 1920s all-time best-seller ... sung by  Vernon Dalhart.


Oh, I wish I had some-one to love me 
Some-one to call me their own 
Oh, I wish I had some-one to live with 
'Cause I'm ti-red of liv-in' a-lone 


Oh, please meet me to-night in the moon-light 
Please meet me to-night all a-lone 
For I have a sad sto-ry to tell you 
It's a sto-ry that's nev-er been told 


I'll be car-ried to the new jail to-mor-row 
Leav-ing my poor dar-ling all a-lone 
With the cold pris-on bars all a-round me 
And my head on a pil-low of stone 


Now I have a grand ship on the o-cean 
All mount-ed with sil-ver and gold 
And be-fore my poor dar-lin' would suf-fer 
Oh! that ship would be an-chored and sold 


Now if I had wings like an an-gel 
O-ver these pri-son walls I would fly 
And I'd fly to the arms of my poor dar-lin' 
And there I'd be wil-ling to die

World Peace

It is amazing how the human brain works. Gordo can't remember how to turn his electric blanket on & off ... but he is "crystal clear" when it comes to the NBA.
I was welcomed this morning with a .. "Pooker Annie ... these Celtics are really testing my pacemaker". I ask ... "did they lose?" He snaps back ... "Hell no ... they whooped em ... but they didn't start the game that way". 
OK ?????
Then he starts yapping about "World Peace" and what a nasty thing he is ... blah blah blah ... I'm thinking ... what the heck is he talking about.
Now I know.
For those of us who aren't nearly as basketball savvy as my father ... "World Peace" is a basketball player who plays for the LA Lakers. Yesterday he was handed a seven-game suspension by the NBA for his elbow to the head of James Harden (actually causing a concussion) in Sunday's game against the Thunder. That will sideline him for the Lakers' final regular-season game and their first six playoff games.
Well ... dad ... some names are poorly chosen. He (seriously) exclaims .. . "They sure as hell are!"
All I have to say is ... GO CELTICS!

Mellow Yellow

Yesterday I tried to downplay the seriousness of Gordo's trip to the ER.
Basically it was a 24 hour "wait and see" if the antibiotics would take hold and if not ... ... well ... I chose not to think about it. 
If you are squeamish ... stop reading here.
Basically his urine was the color of blood. Very ... very ... scary.
So I tossed and turned all night ... just praying it would clear up.
This morning I entered his room and held my breathe ... looked at his "Foley" bag. OMG! ... and what does any caregiver do in a case like this ? She starts singing " Mellow Yellow"!
As I wipe the tears from my eyes ... I tell Dad that I prayed to God last night ... and that I guess he doesn't get a lot of requests to clear up urine ... so he obliged. To which Gordo says ... "Well of course ... Pooker Annie ... God listens ... the Celtics are in the play offs ... aren't they?"
WOW! It's going to be a spectacular day!

Second Hand Rose

Right after my post this morning ... Gordo's darn catheter started wreaking havoc again. So he and I have been at the ER all morning. Although an uncomfortable trip for him and a stressful time for me ... they were able to send him home with some strong doses of antibiotics. He was feeling much better as we left the hospital ... singing ... Barbra Streisands "Second Hand Rose" to the nurses.
Have a super day my friends!

All You Need is Love

Gordo's been very quiet the last couple of days. He's been telling me that nothing is wrong. So ... I have left him alone ... but we're going on day 3 of this slightly odd behavior ... so today I sat down and held his hand .... " OK ... what's going on? He finally says ... "Pooker Annie ... it's just sad sometimes to know you've given up your independence".
I thought ... aww ... poor thing. So I sqeezed his hand and said ... "I know it must be, but I sort of understand." In a way ... I gave up mine too." Then I asked him ... "you know what I do when I'm feeling sad? ... He asks ... "What?" " I think to myself ... if this is the way it's supposed to be ... at least it's with a person I love. He looks up and says ... "that's true ... isn't it?" So I reply ... "well ... I think so".
As I'm walking out of his room ... "Cora?" Yes Dad? ... He melts my heart by saying ... "It's you and me ... kid!" All I can say back is ... "You'd better believe it!"

Three Hoorahs!

I quietly entered dad's room at my usual time of 6:30am, but this morning was a little different.
Before I could flip on the lights ... I was startled by ... a "yelling" Gordo... "Three Hoorahs for the Irish!"
"Geez dad .. you scared me half to death." "What are you talking about?"
"Pooker Annie ... Boston clinched their division title!"
So I say "Thank the Lord" and he (seriously) says and him too!
Well there you have it ... Paul Pierce and our Lord won the NBA's Atlantic Division title for Gordo.

Repeat! Repeat!

Tis the season of repeats ... Have a great day!


Originally posted April 18, 2011


Yesterday Dad stayed in his room watching the NBA playoff games and Mikey went fishing with Ricky. I was left with a pork roast, a Paul Prudhomme cook book and a vote of confidence from my hubby. Spent an hour prepping, as I wept from chopping up onions, got food under my nails from hand rubbing the glaze that I sautéed, then finally popped the roast in the oven. Gosh that’s a lot of work. I’d better be nicer to Mikey (lol). 4 hours later the guys come home from fishing and Gordon surfaces from his basketball cave. Time to eat. Everyone is chatting and eating. Dad leans over and whispers to me “This isn’t one of Michael’s better meals”. I whisper back “That’s because I made it”. At that … he shouts out “Thank God! I thought Mikey was losing his touch”. So there you have it. Michael is still KING of the kitchen and my nails will still look great! Have a super day!

Dawn Patrol

I just have to believe that when one's day begins at 3:30am with a call from Gordo yelling ... " Pooker Annie ... I think I've sprung a leak (sparing you all the details)" ... 

that my day can only get better. lol

Have a great week!

No Spring Chicken

I always get email reminders about what I posted a year ago.
Thought this one was worth repeating.
Have a fabulous Sunday!
Originally posted on APRIL 15, 2011
I lay on the couch yesterday while Gordo was sleeping and actually fell asleep. Woke up and told dad that I took a nap too. His comment “Well I should think so Pooker Annie, you’re not a spring chicken”. OK … Old Rooster (I thought). What is a spring chicken exactly? Poultry Lesson of the Day: Agriculturally speaking, there really is a creature known as a spring chicken aka Cornish Hen … especially one from two to ten months old, having tender meat. The Name : During the earliest days of poultry farming, it was impossible to raise chicks during the cold winter months, so a chicken brought to market in the “spring “was prized for its youth and fresher flavor. So see… I haven’t been a spring chicken for 48 years!

Hearing Aids for Beethoven?

One day when I was helping dad put on his hearing aids … I asked Gordo this question. What would Beethoven have been like if he had been able to wear a hearing device before he lost most of his hearing? 
Dad sums it up by stating (which now seems obvious to me). It would have COMPLETELY changed the power of his compositions. Example: Mozart's music is very elegant, while there's strength and a vitality that infuses much of Beethoven's music.
I would totally agree with that.  It is rather interesting that I prefer Beethoven and Dad loves Amadeus.

Kick Up Your Heels!

“Cora” … not too many people with my (given) name. YES … there is a story about how I got it.
My dad was born in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1930. He always says I was named after a 1930’s flapper. 
When dad was a little boy his mother used to host a weekly “sewing” circle of 5 or 6 ladies. However dad suspects they were really drinking and gossiping. Anyway … there was one woman … named Cora. He thought she was absolutely gorgeous. So … from that time on … he always knew that if he had a girl … she’d be named Cora. WAIT … there’s more. My dad’s father came up to the hospital to see me right after I was born. He says to my dad … “son … why did you choose the name Cora?” Dad replies … “after that beautiful woman that used to come to mom’s sewing circle.” His dad says …. WHAT? You named your baby after the Norwalk whore?
Well there you have it. Yes … I was named after a “loose” flapper from the 1930’s. 
So kick up your heels ... It's FRIDAY! 

A MacGyver Moment

I go into Gordo's room every morning at 6:30am and never know what to expect. Sometimes he tells me about his dreams, or he yaps about the temperature of his room, or explains to me about little mishaps he may have had during the night ... like spilling water, putting his teeth in the wrong bowl, etc. So yesterday ... when the first words out of his mouth were ... "Pooker Annie... had a little accident" ... I mentally prepared myself, sat on the edge of his bed and asked ... what happend dad?
"Well I was trimming the hairs in my nose and accidentally cut the inside of my nostril".
"Oh my gosh ... dad. Let me look". So I did and sure enough ... there was a little cut inside his right nostril. " Dad ... it's not too bad ... you'll be alright".
He then asks ... " So ... what will I do now?"
" Nothing dad ... it's not like you can put a band-aid on it".
He says (in a very annoyed tone)" Well ... I know that ... but I couldn't wear my oxygen, because the rubber hurts my nose, so I was up all night".
See ... Gordo thinks that he may not wake up if he doesn't sleep with his oxygen on ... so of course ... I felt just horrible.
Oh ... daddy ... "I'm sorry" ... So I quickly came up with the solution. Grabbed the pair of scissors and snipped off the right rubber prong of his oxygen tube that feeds into his nose and announced ... " Problem Solved!".
"Pooker Annie ... you are so clever!"
So needless to say ... he took a very long nap, while Pooker Annie "MacGyver" hid all the scissors.
Have a Great Day!

Happy Tuesday!

This is all I have to say today. 

Happy Tuesday!

Easter 2012

Easter was "Eggcellent" and I am still "Egghausted".
Gordon had a blast watching his 5 great grandchildren run around like wild Indians ... looking for eggs. To be topped off with a Boston Celtic's win.
All is perfect in Gordo's World.
Have a fabulous week!

                                                                           Gordo with his oldest Grandchild (my daughter) Amber

Easter Weekend Part I

In keeping with tradition ... it's egg dying on Saturday ... then the big hunt on Sunday.

So excited ! Found bunny ears for my 5 grandchildren and even a pair for Gordo!

Happy Easter!

She's Eggcellent!

I may be full time care giver to Gordo, but my amazing sister is mine. I don't know what I would do without her.
Since this is our weekend "Eggstravaganza" ...  I thought the the following was fitting.
Love You Aunt Liz!

I got to thinking of the story my parents told us about how I met my little sister for the first time. Elizabeth arrived (without incident) 18 months after my crazy birth. I stayed with my Nana while they were in the hospital. When they came over to get me , I was in my highchair eating scrambled eggs. Mom walked over to show me this … screaming … very loud … little infant. What’s a big sister to do? I know … scooped up a spoonful of eggs and proceeded to shove them into her mouth. My mother almost had a coronary. They managed to remove all the eggs from her mouth. Dad tells me … no …no ... Pooker Annie … only mommy feeds the baby. No wonder Liz only comes over for dinner. Lol.

NO MORE PITY PARTIES !

For those of you who have come to my pity parties lately ... big HUGS. 
Now that they are over ... I have to get in gear for Biba's weekend "Eggstravaganza".
Plus ... I have to find some bunny ears that will fit on Gordo's head!
Have an AMAZING Thursday my friends !

Little Black Dog

Gordo gave me this poem in a frame a few years back. It hangs right in front of my computer.
In honor of Good Friday and Toby (Dad's little black pug) who died earlier this year ...

THE LITTLE BLACK DOG
by Elizabeth Gardner Reynolds

I wonder if Christ had a little black dog,
All curly and wooly like mine:
With two long silky ears and a nose, round and wet,
And two eyes, brown and tender, that shine.

I am sure, if He had, that that little black dog
Knew, right from the first, He was God;
That he needed no proof that Christ was divine,
And just worshipped the ground where he trod.

I'm afraid that He hadn't, because I have read
How he prayed in the garden, alone;
For all of His friends and disciples had fled
Even Peter, the one called a stone.

And, oh, I am sure that the little black dog,
With a heart so tender and warm,
Would never have left him to suffer alone,
But, creeping right under his arm,

Would have licked the dear fingers, in agony clasped,
And, counting all favors but loss,
When they took him away, would have trotted behind
And Followed Him right to the Cross

Some Days

Some days I post funny things about Gordo, but today it was hard to find humor.
He needed to sign some papers so that we could do our taxes. He couldn't remember how to sign his name. I ... of course ... made light of it ... and helped him.
He forgot why he wore diapers, so he's been wearing his briefs. At 3:00am ... I'm getting a call to help him ... because his shorts are wet. He feels terrible about calling me , changing him and his sheets ... but of course ... I made light of it ... and said "Change is Good".
When he got confused after his shower and thought he was supposed to take his teeth out ... of course ... I chuckled ... and asked ... How will you eat your pork chops?
Today was a little sad for me, but Gordo is happy with the new silk boxers I ordered and that's really all that matters.
Love You Daddy!

Still my BIG baby.

I posted this a year ago today ... all still holds true ... but I hardly ever cry anymore.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON APRIL 4, 2011
I've learned quite a bit about caregiving for an aging adult ... who can no longer live independently . Realizing that this is just the beginning of what could be a very long journey, here are just a few things that I thought to share in case you or someone you know is dealing with the same. For what it’s worth. 1. Facing … then … embracing that my life will never be the same. 2. Letting go (but still remember) of the person you once knew and accepting and loving the latest version. 3. No matter how mad or irritated you may get with them … try to keep smiling … and remember that they are living it every second of every day. You can go in the back yard … have a cry … and DON’T feel guilty for your brief pity party. 4. Routine is paramount. Keeping things in the same place. Doing daily activities at the same time … like eating, bathing, taking meds. etc. 5. Announcing and also in our case writing on a white erase board … what day and date it is … and what today’s plans are. 6. Mental and physical stimulation. Make sure that they move around several times throughout the day. Ask them questions and take time to listen. Get movies and books that they prefer. Take them out of the house for short jaunts of something fun … sitting at the park … picking up lunch … visiting friends, etc. 7. One of the hardest things is helping with the physical “un-pleasantries”. Bathing, going to the bathroom, dressing, cleaning up accidents, brushing teeth, etc. All I can tell you is how I mentally cope with all these things. I go back to taking care of my babies. Did all these things and then some. Taking care of Gordo is somewhat like caring for a toddler. Granted … a very large one, but still in need of these very same things. Plus …. HE currently sleeps through the night. Lol. So far … so good. Knowing that each day will bring a new lesson and that I just have to ACCEPT and EMBRACE each of them. HUG your old folks TODAY! Photo is from the 1980’s show Mork and Mindy … Jonathan Winters played ... Mearth… their VERY big baby.

Just Silky

Gordo likes pocket T-Shirts because he can carry around his Tic-Tacs, but he only has a few. So I told him I would buy him some more, then I (jokingly) said ... and some silk boxers to go with them.
Well ... I went to Kohls yesterday and bought him several pocket T-Shirts in a variety of colors and some of his favorite (gold toe) socks. Took them home and was showing him what I bought. Pooker Annie ... where are my silk boxers? Dad ... I was kidding. He seriously replies ... but that's what I wanted the most. Thinking quickly ... I say ... they don't have silk boxers at Kohls. He says ... then go to Macys.
Oh for Pete's sake! I know ... I started it.
Well I did not go to Macys, but ordered 5 silk boxers on-line. They will be here Monday, so I told Dad. He says ... I really wanted them today, but I guess Monday will be OK.
REALLY?