Things sort of Normal and yet changes in my life~~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

I have been busy, and I've been neglecting my blog, but that is what happens when life interfers.

A friend of mine who use to work as a Librarian and is now retired, happily she says, told me that Library work is a series of interuptions, interupted by interuptions, multitasking required.

Well the Bart strike is long over, finally settled but the public is not happy with neither the Unions or Management, to the point where the Liut. Govenor Gavin Newsom was sitting at the table.  I have a suspection that he told them they better settle because the rumble is to pass a bill outlawing strikes by any public transit agencies, such a law is in a number of cities and states and it can happen here.  So they settled.  But I think such a bill will continue to be in the works, the damage is done.

The new bridge is now open, our old one is sitting to one side, a source of wonder to the people who use the new pedestrian walk to to walk up to it and take pictures, to see it from view they never saw unless they were on a tour boat,  I look at it when I take the transbay bus, I admire it, it is like an old steel worker, solid and as dependable as humanly possible, its hugeness and quiet power dwarfs the sleek lines of the new bridge, it is like a boxer that knows all the moves, can still do it but it has gone too many rounds and yet in its age still shows its power, it is not defeated, it can still take on the kid and still win.

But bit by bit it will be torn down, it will not be imploded, but dismantled piece by piece it will take years to remove it and yet during that time it will with its revits and steel beams still be a thing of wonder of the early 20th century.  Word is out that eventually you can buy pieces of it as a souviner.  I want a piece, to hold that power in my hands, that tiny fragment.

Joe and I had fun at the Vintage Fashion show, I found a few outfits that I like, as well as small accesories, Joe had fun purchasing two fedora's from one vendor who deals in men's fashions, and has taken Joe's measurements, he will call when he has several items in his size.  We drove up in one of the vintage cars we have, dressed in our vintage clothing,  there was a costume contest, music, food and drink, I love it.  I found some patterns for Mother that I think she'll enjoy.

Joe and his friend have finalized the purchase of the place they want to do car restoration and have made a deal with several people to rent space while they restore their cars, the extra money will come in handy, of course they had to go through all the safety things, insurance and such, and one of the cars that he's been working on has sold, the new owner will complete the body painting and finish up the interior, which is good.   So a hobby that will pay for itself as they say.   His friend will live in the upstairs apartment as a onsite caretaker and they are going to make sure no fire hazzards.

The house that Joe and I were looking at was taken off the market by the owners, they were planning to move out of state but whatever it was that they had planned on fell through and they are staying.  It's too bad because it would have been perfect.

Halloween has come and gone with quite a few trick or treaters, mostly little one's, there were several haunted houses being done by charities so the teens were going to that.  The little one's were so darling in their costumes, of course myself dressed as Maleficent and Joe dressed as Jafar was off putting for the tiniest, but we had fun.

And now we are on standard time, the nights come sooner, dawn comes at a time that seems normal.  Heather and her folks have invited us over for dinner several times and they are very nice people and doing much better than earlier in the year.  Heather is going for her Master's in art, but she is studying a form of art that I can only discribe as forensic reconstruction, by knowing the facial bone structure she can recreate a face, and from what her teacher has told her she is quite good at it.  She has discovered the joy and immediacy of oil pastels and is doing quick study sketches, she's been inspired by the California artist Jade Fong, espeically his portrait work but it is his landscapes he's best known for.  We shall see where this will lead her.

And I am still going to the Gunshows, the bill to remove the gun show from the Cal Palace was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, one of the few things he's done that's right.  Joe and I could not believe the number of families attending, with babies in strollers and little ones, all of them inquiring about security, and taking the gun tests, espeically a lot of women taking the tests with their husbands holding the babies, every one of them finding out what is the best way to protect themselves.   I've been noticing a change in the demographics of late, more families and less individuals and it is not just to prepare for the Zombie appocolypse, it was like a "war mentality"  they were very serious.

This morning it was foggy outside, Foggy!!! There was no fog in last night's forecast. Heather told me that this morning the little beast called "Baby" was puzzeled by it, thinking that the boogins hides in the fog, it might be right.


I stepped out onto the balcony and just enjoyed the fresh feeling of the air, that dampness that is not rain but surrounds you, in many ways I like it better than snow or rain.  I could just barely hear the sound of fog horns of the ships at anchor in the Bay, San Francisco was hidden by the foggy shroud.

Fog is mysterious, its effect creates mystery, its the stuff of old Film noirs and horror movies, it hides the imperfections of the city, of even my view of what I can see in a hazy, filmy dream like substance and creates a hidden distance, from which a mysterious figure could emerge, like Sam Spade, Philip Marlow, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the hound of the Baskervilles or the blood thristy victorian serial killer,  Jack the Ripper.

It's the atmosphere of ships at dock, abandon wharfs, fog horns in the distance, gloomy castles, haunted houses that have a sad air, lonely cemeteries where strange beings rise up from hidden depths, and it's just perfect to curl up in front of a fireplace, with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book to read in the evening.

The down side of fog is the dangerous driving conditions, slippery sidewalks, catching cold. Oh well one can't have it all, come to think of it I do have a good murder mystery to read this evening.

And Joe has arrived, I'm glad I had the day off,  Joe asked if it were possible for me to make stew tonight and I have,  with french bread, a good red wine, a salad, and hot apple pie for dessert.  It's a good thing we both work out otherwise we'd be fat.

Kisses Sweet Things.

A slight cold and an update~~~

Hello Sweet Things,

Well I have a little cold, or it might be allergies, I'm going to see my doctor in an hour, fortunately her office is close by.

My Mother is visiting me for a few weeks, and Baby sis is using the commuter flights to come and visit, she came up Friday and left on Monday. We went to the Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale, and had to get there very early, Lillian and Heather drove us and since Lillian has a handicapped placard we could park in the handicapped slot, so Heather, Baby sis and I went hunting for coffee and pastries. We all had so much fun and I found some things I can put into my office, Joe was on duty, so he went on Sunday.

Mom and Baby sis found things for their "business" Heather found some very interesting artwork and Lillian just enjoyed herself at the jewelry counter.

I just love it, and the next day Sunday was so nice that we went to the Antique Faire that is held once a month. Mother found patterns and things that she could use, Sis found some vintage clothing as well.

Then Monday Sis flew back home but she'll be back in two weeks, we are all going to the Vintage Fashion Faire in the City. And I hope to be better from this cold or allergies or whatever it is.

Joe has made a decision~~~he's going to leave his job, he has had it~~~not to worry he has another one lined up, he has enough to retire on and with this new job he will be in an excellent position financially. He's also moved into a new studio apartment, that's in easy walking distance from my place. I thought he'd want to move in with me but we both admitted that my place is not big enough for both of our interests, but the studio is more of a holding place and it's close by. I can understand, sometimes he needs his own "Man Cave", a place he and his buddies can get together without imposing on me, I hadn't realized that he felt that way. But yes, during the games they can let off steam without worrying about doing any damage by accident. But he's keeping his cars here.

In a way I'm glad that he's changing jobs, but he will still be in touch with his friends, and still be in the know with what they are going through. It relieves my mind.

And what have I been doing? Working Sweet Things, Working! Maybe that is why I'm not feeling so well. I want to travel, to drive someplace in my new car, but the demands of work are preventing me from doing it.

But to be able to have Mom here is a pleasure, and she's not alone, she and Lillian go off on their little excursions and Mom always comes home with a find.

Now I must go, my appointment is in a half hour even though it's only 10 minutes away, but I don't like to be late.

Until later Sweet Things. Kisses

Cars and "Pretties"~~~

Arrgh!! Cars! Cars!! Cars!!!

If I see or test drive or hear another sales person’s spiel I am going to go NUTS!!!

I finally told Joe I was tired of looking at cars, I know it’s not a good thing to just rush to buy one just to get it over and done with, but I’m reaching that point.

Joe is with me on this and has suggested we take a break, just relax and breathe, he suggested that I might want to look into a short term lease on a car until I can finally decide on what I want, which is what I’m going to do. Although I’ll continue to use public transportation and car pooling with my neighbor for work, but to have my own car for a little while will take the pressure off of me until I can make a reasonable decision.

But Joe can be sneaky, we went to a Dodge dealership and I saw the 2011 offerings, yes I became attracted to the Challenger, there was a V6 that looked promising, yes, one more test drive but are you ready for this, our sales person is a woman, Joe sat in the back and she let me take out one; this little thing was ready to purrrrr. The mileage wasn’t as great as I would like it only 18 city, 27 highway, but I really liked the feel and looks of it.

Our sales lady did point out a couple of the weaknesses of it, such as a blind spot, but she said it’s really how I felt about it, so piling me with information, info on the options and the various costs with each option, she advised that I think on it, let it perk a bit, when I’m ready come on back. I liked her low key approach, so when Joe went to get his car I turned to her and said that I liked her style of salesmanship and she said to me that a product will sell itself when the buyer is ready, she wasn’t in the business to make a lot of sales but to have happy customers, repeat customers, and referrals, most of her sales happened that way and that mostly it’s women buyers who come to her.

With her business card in hand and all the information I’m going to look this over, I have no idea if I’m going to go with this one, but I think what I’m going to do is a short term lease for now and just let my brain relax before I jump into a purchase.

However on the flip side, Lillian and Heather have suggested that I might want to look towards a Dodge Caravan, excellent to haul things to my country place or if I make very large purchases or, as Heather is fond of pointing out, taking a “Lot of Friends” some place. But a Caravan??? How “Soccer Mom” and I’m not a “Soccer Mom”.

Even Joe pointed out the practicality of it (What!! He giving in on the Challenger??), and he said that we could use it if we go camping---Camping??!!! Who said I was going to “rough it”??!!

But---- ***sigh*** I told Joe what I was envisioning for myself, and yes it’s selfish, but I could see the sensibility of a Caravan, even if I’m only using it on weekends. Joe said that something could be worked out, I told him I was not going to buy 2 cars and he only replied with a wink and a nod and said “We’ll see what can be done.” So I’ll do a short term lease on a car, just so I can have transportation for a little while and be independent.

So yesterday afternoon I and Lillian indulged while Joe worked on the old jeep that he’s restoring and trying to find parts of the other car as well, he had some of his buddies over but I warned them about getting grease on my rugs and floors.

Lillian had heard about a vintage fashion faire that was close by, Heather had a paper to work on and couldn’t take her so I said why not. Oh it was lovely to see all the beautiful things that were offered. Even the fashionable (for 1970’s) clothing from one the writers (a lady) who wrote the scripts for the 1960’s-70’s soap opera “Dark Shadows” was on display I remember as a child how all my school mates would rush home to watch it with their mother’s. Something I missed out on.

But there were several things I couldn’t resist, a wonderful hat from the 1940’s, a beautiful 1950’s black croc purse just large enough for my 8 ½ inch file folders to fit into, should I take it to work, and a totally decadent lounge outfit in cream and coral. And jewelry to outfit Aladdin’s cave, not that I bought all of it, only two pins that I just fell in love with. Lillian found a purse she liked and bought a couple of poodle pins that she knew Heather would just enjoy. (which she did). And I collected business cards and flyers for other events, which I will post on my calendar for just in case.

We could have stayed forever there, but Lillian was beginning to fade and I had to see what Joe wanted to do about Dinner. So home we went with our treasures.

Unfortunately Joe was called back on duty and was getting dressed when I got home; I made him a couple of sandwiches, fruit and a thermos of coffee for later. Things like that happen; it’s what I knew I was getting involved with. With a kiss, a “be safe out there” and a wave I saw him off to work.

But all was not lost, Heather was finished with her paper, just needs any editing, I looked it over it with her made some suggestions which she noted while Lillian rested. Then we all decided to go to our favorite café for hamburgers and sweet potato fries and indulge in two film noir’s “The house on 92^nd Street” and “The Naked City”.

Now today it’s gray and overcast, I hate days like that, but it’s also a good time to catch up on few things and buy groceries. Joe is asleep and will have to go on duty tonight again.

I have an answer to one of my “reader’s” questions --- where do I find the pictures that I post here on my blog. They are the photos of my favorite actress Ava Gardner which I find all over the internet. I have a bit of a resemblance to her so I try to use the one’s that best illustrate my post, that may not happen all the time, but I do have fun, I also enjoy looking at the beautiful clothing that she and other actresses from the 40’s and 50’s wore with such style and elegance.

Now I must go, I have a very empty pantry which needs filling.

Kisses Sweet Things.

Sunday fun and revelations~~~~~~~~

What a lovely Sunday we had Sweet Things!

I was feeling in fine shape Sunday morning after Saturdays little excursion, so Mother and I went out for breakfast after church. I’m still not stable on my feet so I wore my low heels, and Mother and I took the precaution of wearing gloves what with the H1N1 virus going around, we didn’t want to take chances. We hadn’t received our flu shots yet, so we got ours today when we went to see my Doctor and I asked if my Mother could receive one as well. I would pay for it and it was done.

Well Sweet Things I am concerned what she might contract when she goes home on the train, not that one thinks of the train, more like airplanes, but still one cannot be too safe.

At our local Elks club they were offering a Vintage Fashion sale, proceeds to go to charity and Mother was in her element, I never saw someone so happy finding patterns and things that she could use, handing out her business cards and networking like an old pro. She had even packed a small snapshot portfolio of her work to show to those who were interested. I have a feeling that I’m going to be her “Bay Area Office” for her business. Well why not; she was even wearing one of her own creations that received a lot of compliments and she got several commissions. She saw one outfit that she bought, that included a jacket, vest, skirt and matching hat, just her size and she said that it will inspire her. Quite a little “go getter” my Mom, not the frightened mousy woman that I remembered from my childhood, such a wonderful change.

After such a busy day, I told her to not cook dinner, we would get take out and she wanted to sample the food from our favorite Chinese Restaurant, so phoning an order in and picking it up, we dined alfresco on my balcony overlooking the San Francisco Bay

It was a gorgeous warm Fall day with the sunlight so crisp and sharp, and hardly any wind on the balcony. Mother enjoyed looking out at the Bay and watching the sea gulls.

After dinner we came inside to have coffee, decaf for the both of us. Then I asked Mother something that had been on my mind for a while. I brought to her mind about how Dad treated her around the time that my Grandmother died and now the change in him, it all seemed too good to be real, was it real I asked her. She looked at me and said it was, she confirmed what Dad had told me, that the change within him had been coming on for a long time, starting with my initial rebellion when I went off to college.

Once his father’s influence was gone, only the ‘church’ of his father’s was holding him back, but he is not a man to keep blinders on his eyes, but it was hard for him to admit things. At least at first; the employee at work that was the son of one of his church members was one of the second breaking of his armor, what I had said to him that Holiday that seemed a long time ago, started everything crumbling and then her near breakdown, trying to defrost the old refrigerator, it all finally hit home.

Then Trixie the dog, found exhausted on their porch, Mother said that for Dad to make such changes was a profound awakening for him and one that she had to admit was very frightening for him and for her. But he saw things in a new light and he saw what he had become. “To re-discover Love” said Mother “to let go of all that you had been taught only to discover it was wrong and to understand how to balance one’s life has been the hardest experience for your Father, every day for him is one of discovery.”

She told me that thanks to information that baby sis came up with and my suggestions and my willingness to start all over again has made everything so much easier, and also discovering those societies that seek to preserve Art Deco and Art Moderne has helped a great deal in Father’s transformation. Mother told me that it helped her too, because she was and is not happy with the way society has become. By doing what she is doing and with all of them seeking ways to preserve elegance has been the best thing that could happen for all of them.

”Your Father sees you in a new and positive light” she said “and with everything that you’ve been telling him how to incorporate 21^st century technology with elegance from bygone times, and showing your Father what is fine to accept and what is fine to reject, he’s been more comfortable with all the new things that are being created. Do you know he’s signed up for identity theft through his bank? Now he can keep a very close watch on his investments. That was a very big move for him to do, but with Ted and your sister’s help he can do it. He’s not afraid anymore.”

Mother said the last bit with a smile “The only thing is he will not drive on the Freeway, he’ll take the street roads instead, and I don’t blame him, the way people drive now a days would frighten me as well. But Ted and your sister don’t have that problem so we let them drive, your Dad and Ted in the front seat and your sister and I in the back, especially in one of Ted’s old cars. We love it when people see that old 1950’s Buick on the road.” It was good to hear Mom laugh and I felt better about what she said.

But I had to return to that incident that I saw as a child, Mother told me that later Dad had come to her and sincerely apologized to her, it was the first and only time he ever slapped her and he begged her forgiveness, “It was the only time in the early days of our marriage after you were born that he was ashamed of how he treated me, he never did that again and I forgave him. It was hard for him to unbend from all those years growing up in his father’s house, deep down I felt that in many ways he had to be like his father to gain his father’s approval. When he was courting me and in the first two years of our marriage he was not like the man that you had remembered from your childhood, he became that way because of his father.”

”The best thing that ever happened and I admit it’s unchristian to say this, but when his father died, it was the best thing for your Father. I’m sure you remember that elaborate funeral for your Grandfather, well all of that was pre-paid by your Grandfather, and your Father had nothing to do with it. Privately, after you were asleep, he told me that he was embarrassed by his father’s funeral, but he couldn’t do anything to change it. And if he did he felt that would embarrass him in the church.”

This was such a revelation to me, it took me several moments to try and process it. I told Mother that I owed Dad a very big apology, that I needed to continue to make amends to him. Mom smiled at me “Save it for Thanksgiving, when the two of you go on one of Trixie’s walks. Your Father is happy with how things are going now, and this will go towards a great deal of healing, it’s never too late to heal one’s heart. Your Father and I have been doing it every day of every hour of every minute, even when we come up against some little problem like the sink leaking, or the roof needing repair, it’s a joy” and Mom laughed again. I asked her why she was laughing and she said “I never thought being happy to work together to see a roof get fixed or a sink repaired could be such a wonderful occasion”

With that remark we both began laughing and hugging each other until tears came to our eyes, but they were happy tears. After we got ourselves composed again we went to the kitchen to pop popcorn and watched several DVD’s from the Universal Horror series, “Son of Frankenstein”, “The Wolfman” with Lon Chaney and “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” curled up on my couch and Mom from time to time remarking “I think I can do that dress, all I need is a photo”.

Mom and I rested yesterday after seeing my Doctor for a follow up exam and the both of us getting our flu shots. Today is our SPA day at the Claremont, then on Wednesday we’ll swing by this antique store where Mom purchase a complete set of 1950’s Samsonite Luggage dark blue with white trim almost brand new, where she will put her goodies in that she purchased Sunday, we’ll need to pick up luggage tags as well. I’ll hate to see her leave on Friday, but I know she misses Dad and her home, and I’m almost back up to par, considering I’ll be going back to work the following Monday, so it is time.

In a way Sweet Things, I’m itching to get back to work, get back into the routine of life, and now what with the train and land-line phones and such it’s so much easier for me to keep in touch with family. I’m loving the new found life I’ve discovered as well, and I’m so glad that it’s happened just at the right time. Mother did laugh at my Halloween tree, not that it’s very big and some of the old fashioned Halloween decorations that we found at this lovely old fashioned candy shop called the “Gaslight Emporium”, not too over done and easy to pack away. I have a couple of light up plastic pumpkins that I put out on Sunday, and I have a Harvest wreath that works well on the door for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. And I’ve bought candy too. So I’m all ready for the trick or treaters, I just hope it doesn’t rain on Halloween, but one cannot control the weather.

Mom just told me she’s ready to go and be pampered, and Lillian is at the door, so off we go for a day of beauty---even if it’s a bit cold and breezy out, Mother is thinking of Pumpkin Soup for a late night snack, and I have to agree.

Until Later Sweet Things, Kisses

The Diary continues---shocks and changes

March 10, 2009 6:30 p.m.

Lillian came by earlier and brought in my mail and newspaper, I had given her a key to my house, so she can come and go without having to get me out of bed, more Chicken Soup but also some fresh baked, sweet French bread, “Just heat it a little in the oven” she said, but it was so fresh and the smell is so wonderful, it made me think of quaint side walk Bistros in Paris.

She couldn’t stay, one of her friends was coming by to pick her up and they are going ---are you ready for this?---Bowling---she’s on this Senior Bowling Team and she plans to help beat this other team in some sort of Bowling competition---more power to her.

Resting has helped and it seems that a fever is trying to break, I keep sweating on and off, drink hot Chamomile tea and take plenty of fluids is always the best. Yoshi will be coming over later with some more cold meds and Kleenex as well as the updates I need.

Frank called to see how I was doing and to offer any help, and so did Joe, he told me that Frank called him to let him know. I owe each and everyone one of them for their help, I am in their debt.

Yoshi has arrived and we will review things, at least she got her Flu shot and she says I most likely was contagious the few days before I developed the symptoms. I hope she’s right I’d hate for her to come down ill.

March 10, 2009 8 p.m.

Yoshi has left to go home, she’s taking Wednesday off and said that Dan will cover my clients until she goes back on Thursday. I was going to go back to bed but I got another call this time from baby sis, she said she wasn’t coming up for Spring Break and that plans had been changed.

What she told me has my mind reeling. Ever since last Christmas, she said, there have been changes and that she and Mother wondered if Father is the same person.

When she told me what happened I asked her if something hit him in the head to cause this change, and she said to me “You are what hit him in the head, at least verbally”

After I left to go home but before New Years, Father sat Mother and baby sis down at the dinning room table and started to ask questions. All kinds of questions, their desires and goals what they liked and disliked, and then he told them what he liked and disliked. Then he asked them what they wanted that would make things easier and more comfortable..

Baby sis said that Father listened to them very carefully and it was one of the longest evenings they had, they wrote things out and formulated a plan, there had to be compromises, but it was all workable.

Baby sis said that Geek-wanna-be boyfriend is out of the picture, he had been told by Father to not come by the house that since she (baby sis) was not interested in getting married but focusing on getting a degree and a career that he should not pin any marriage hopes on her. Father told Geek-wanna-be that he (Father) wants baby sis to discover life and find out what she wants in life and that maybe marriage, especially at a young age would create greater dissatisfaction as baby sis got older

Next, Father bought and had installed for Mother a dish washer, one that is just right for the household, and he bought a brand new refrigerator that looks old fashion like the old Frigidaire's but is frost free---now that was not cheap, I know how much they cost because I bought one for my house--- Alright sweet things, I love old things, but I want modern conveniences too. Both of these items have saved Mother a lot of extra work and are more efficient.

And, shocks of shocks, he bought a combination radio/phonograph/ tape player-recorder and CD player----but it looks old fashioned, right out of the 1930’s but its modern, it even has a table that matches the style of the old phonographs of that period. Baby sis said it blends right in with the old furniture. But there are some restrictions, the PBS radio stations are permitted and classical music and there is a news radio program that he likes, but it is not to be turned on at dinner time.

While she is telling me these things I’m thinking that I am having a delusional dream but no, it’s real. I asked her where did Father get the money and she said that Father “Opened the wallet and let the moths fly out”, he had been saving and saving not only in his retirement fund, and in the regular savings account but also in a savings account that Mother was not aware of.

This was my Father??? I asked her again “Are you sure Father didn’t slip and fall somewhere and hit his head?” Baby sis said no, but she remembered what I had written to her about in a long letter that I sent to her via Ms. Lambe.

So she told Father that many people were looking for old things but didn’t want to lose the modern conveniences, but what they do to conceal them. And she gave him a lot of examples. Baby sis told me that Father said that there were many changes that he was not happy with, and didn’t feel comfortable and felt that a number of them didn’t belong in their house, but that some things could be acceptable. And he was willing to work with them, Mother and baby sis were willing to work with these compromises, currently no television or Internet, but they could use the Internet connections at the Library.

Baby sis said that if she could figure out a way to bring the Internet into the house without it feeling like a threat to Father she was going to work on that and for me to think of ideas---Me!! Think of ideas?? When I’m trying to absorb all this new information on top of the Flu???!!!

They’ve taken Father to a few antique shops, but the biggest revelation to Father is when they took him to a Vintage antique show sponsored by an Art Deco Society.

“You should have seen Father’s eyes pop out” said baby sis, “And Mother was in Heaven” it seems that since Mother sews her own clothes some people have asked if she could sew up a few dresses for them. Father made the very big commitment for Mother to purchase modern patterns that are reproductions of vintage styles in different sizes. But, and this was a very big revelation, “There was a group of people who were selling CD’s of music they recorded. Songs from the 20 through the 40’s, Father heard them and he liked it, so he bought a couple of the CD’s!”

At the Vintage Art Deco Show, baby sis met a young man that she likes that goes to the same college she does and is in a couple of her classes, so she introduced him to our Parents. It seems he loves Art Deco and old fashioned things but his personality is totally different friendly, outgoing, balanced, and he’s been to the house a couple of times for dinner and all 4 of them have long talks over coffee about the world and likes and dislikes. So far Father seems to like him.

I almost fainted when baby sis told me that.

Baby sis said that Mother added some bright colored pillows to the couch and chair, and some pretty crocheted dollies, she even picked up some nice vases at the thrift store and put those silk flowers in them and they’ve brightened up the rooms, it’s so much more cozy, comfortable and inviting.

So Mother is making extra money sewing, and is planning to take classes in hat making.

And there is more, but ---and here is where even I had to take a deep breath----baby sis asked if I could come down and stay a few days over the Easter period in April. I’ve never gone to visit them at Easter, but baby sis was insistent. “Don’t drive, come down by train, we’ll pick you up” it seems that it was Father’s idea.

Baby sis says that I have to see what is happening, and she implied that maybe it might be a good thing for Father and I to be on ‘speaking terms’ again, to see the changes. I have agreed to go down, but I told her I had to make some arrangements as Easter time is always difficult to get any vacation time, and I would up date her as soon as I was able.

I knew that since that Christmas when I send letters to Mother she reads them and then gives them to Father to read, but instead of him destroying it like he did with the others he just gives it back to her, but, says baby sis, now Father is saying little things like “I’m glad our daughter is doing well” ‘Our Daughter’???!!! That is a change, I thought, what has happened? Plus it’s alright for baby sis to call me long distance, provided it’s evening or night rates, unless it’s an emergency, and she can receive letters from me at the house.

So here I am, sick and feeling weak, I’m hearing things that are making me think that I’m hallucinating, but no they are real, I played back my answering machine and I hear baby sis’s voice just as I picked up. And now all this.

I know it is impossible for such sudden changes to happen in a man who has been inflexible for so many years, the only thing I could think of is that he is ill, perhaps with cancer and is trying to make up for things before he dies.

Before I hung up I asked baby sis to try and find out if Father is well and what to watch for, but she says that he hasn’t shown any of those symptoms, and is not planning on taking a retirement either, as a matter of fact even though there has been some reductions in the company that he’s working at, through attrition and a hiring freeze, they’ve asked him to stay on and not take a retirement because he knows so much of the workings of the company.

I knew that the company that he works for is in good financial shape (although not great) and should be able to weather things, so for him to retire would really be at his convenience, but for him to say he’d stay on told me that maybe he wasn’t ill. So now I have a sort of mystery on my hands, but I won’t have any answers until I travel down.

For now I’ll put it to one side, and focus on getting better from this Flu, my fingers are tired and slipping.

Until later Sweet things, stay well and be healthy.

P.S. Would that I currently look as beautiful as Ava, but right now I'm with a red nose, red eyes, flannel P.J's and Robe, fuzzy wuzzy slippers, an achey body and head, and carrying my box of Kleenex (Oh pooh --aaachoo!) Not so very glamoures. But determined to get better.