Ok. So I Am A Bit Morose.

Ok. I have to admit that after that last post, it feels as if I need to do something a bit more positive.

Linda and I decided we wanted to go help our lovely Parents in laws do some spring cleaning. We drove together and stopped in Stillwater at a food coop and bought a trout sandwich. We ate it on the river, it was a bit chilly, but beautiful. Our mom in law was not amused. But when we got down to the nitty gritty, organizing and sorting through winter gloves, vacuuming up dust and lady bugs, sweeping the garage, taking the garbage to the dump... she changed her tune. She was actually happy we came.

Linda and I cleaned like crazy women. I don't think we clean our own houses that well. I will speak for myself on that one. Yes. Linda danced with her Dyson in and out of the porch and living room, she tried to clean the kitchen. I donned a broom and garbage bags to clean the garage and put on rubber gloves and headed for the bathrooms.

Doris walked around flustered not knowing what to do with people in her house cleaning her stuff. I mastered the entry way closet and then the garage, then the dining room and the bathrooms. The garage was dirty from the winter and Selmer and I took it on. He was so happy to help. There were old magazines and paper garbage to pile in bags and lots of wood shavings to sweep. So, Selmer and I took it on. He grabbed the broom and said a little girl like me shouldn't be doing such dirty work... He is a great worker as always but all the sudden activity confuses him. "Why are we doing all this cleaning? Are we selling moving? Who owns this house anyway?" I answered, "You do Selmer. You and Doris own this place." He replied, "We do? Oh, I couldn't afford this. Who owns this place? Are there other investors? Are we moving then? Why are we doing all of this?" And round we went again.

We were exhausted by the end of the day, but of course well fed. After a great meal, looking at old photo albums and laughing at your dad's skinny, albeit buff body when he was 18 and Greg's Farah Faucet Hair style... Linda and I had quite the coif as well all through the 70s. Selmer enjoyed looking through all of the old photos and really placed many of the people and events quite well.

Finally, we attempted to watch Australia... and in spite of the great slow motion washing scene we only made it half way through. I slept on the couch in the living room, Linda took the couch in the porch. Selmer went to get some wood to start a fire, as he is always cold. After he didn't return for about 20 minutes, we realized he was gone far too long to just be getting a log for the fire. He actually found an ax in the garage and was happily cutting small pieces of firewood... sigh.

A fitful night's sleep ensued including a full moon, open blinds, lights on in kitchen and too much water...As I tried to sleep...in the early a.m. Doris and Selmer decide we needed more heat.

They stoked the fire. Selmer, a bit disoriented with the company in his house was up early. His first question, "Did everyone leave?" I replied sleepily from under my quilt..."No, we're still here. Linda is in the porch sleeping." He was satisfied that we were still there. He said he hasn't been well. He realizes things aren't right and so he feels badly most days. I mistakenly said I didn't feel well either...which is true, but what I meant was I didn't sleep well... a whole night with maybe 3 hours of sleep, (no one's fault...I just don't sleep without a little help from my two friends Tylenol P & Tylenol M). He pulled my covers up over me and asked me if I was warm enough. He asked, "Does everyone have it?" I said, no. He remembers most of his family members are gone and a few had his illness. He went to report to Doris that I wasn't feeling well. He was worried and came back and doted on me a few more minutes, "Are you sick too?" He covered me with the comforter and patted my back...asking if I was warm enough...I finally convinced him I was fine. His memory loss has brought out a tenderness that I am so glad to experience.

The next morning, Doris went through hundreds of paper backs she reads while waiting on her husband or in the middle of the night when she stands watch. We loaded them into her car to take to Arlene's.

Afterward, we drove to the dump together and unloaded bags and bags of garbage cargo.

We all had a great time. Linda and I took a walk to Merlins up the road to see if he was making syrup. No such luck. On our way home we stopped in Stillwater and actually had tea and crumpets...well scones at a Tea House... complete with small tea pots, silver spoons and lots of nick naks and pink napkins. A bit too much pink and fuss for the likes of these two old wash women, but was fun just the same.

So glad to have an extended family to enjoy.