As the previous post stated, Cliff and I were in Copperhill, Tennessee Thursday for his scheduled doctor visit and for my upper respiratory virus that was out of control. He likes me to sit in with him sometimes and be a second set of ears, especially if there's anxiety or new information.
In the history taking info, Cliff mentioned that his mother had dementia. At this time I asked the doctor how a wife knows whether the husband is exhibiting signs of age-related dementia or just shutting her out. He smiled and said husbands have to stick together on that one. Cliff was given three things to commit to memory and recite back in the order given. His long-term memory is excellent and he can still recite all the numbers on his first driver license. Once he focused and concentrated on the three items, he was able to recall them each time he was asked during our hour in the room. It was such a relief to be told that all he needed to do was concentrate and commit to memory and he'd be able to generate the information. So now when he walks into the kitchen, he grins and recites, "a Canadian flag, two green apples, and a pair of shoes." To take the memory exercise even further, we use 5x7 note cards with an different adjective and noun on each card extending the practice out to seven cards or more. That's really taxing on my brain! Also, Cliff has chosen to drop excess poundage by eliminating all white breads, rices, painfully giving up peanut M&M's, and sugar desserts. In only a week he's already dropping pounds, his ankles and legs look better, and he looks forward to his morning weigh-in in. So rewarding to watch the numbers decrease.
Last week we got the garden soil sifter built
but it's been raining ever since. We get one day of sun and 4-5 days of wet. Yesterday I planted beet, radish, and carrot seeds. They're cool weather vegetables and should germinate in a week or so. We had a snow shower earlier today. It's 40 degrees, breezy and cold. My weather app shows 10 days of rain coming after this short sunny spell. I'll be planting with boots and rain gear on. It's been a wild March so far. The hummingbirds have started their journey northward. As off today, the reported sightings are as far north as 32.65 latitude, about half-way up the state of Alabama. I'll hang one feeder out in about 10 days in case a traveler passes through needing a meal. If I knew they'd appreciate warm soup, I'd brew some up.
My latest new soup.
Curried Savoy Cabbage Soup with Mushrooms. Easy, nutritious and warms the belly.
In the history taking info, Cliff mentioned that his mother had dementia. At this time I asked the doctor how a wife knows whether the husband is exhibiting signs of age-related dementia or just shutting her out. He smiled and said husbands have to stick together on that one. Cliff was given three things to commit to memory and recite back in the order given. His long-term memory is excellent and he can still recite all the numbers on his first driver license. Once he focused and concentrated on the three items, he was able to recall them each time he was asked during our hour in the room. It was such a relief to be told that all he needed to do was concentrate and commit to memory and he'd be able to generate the information. So now when he walks into the kitchen, he grins and recites, "a Canadian flag, two green apples, and a pair of shoes." To take the memory exercise even further, we use 5x7 note cards with an different adjective and noun on each card extending the practice out to seven cards or more. That's really taxing on my brain! Also, Cliff has chosen to drop excess poundage by eliminating all white breads, rices, painfully giving up peanut M&M's, and sugar desserts. In only a week he's already dropping pounds, his ankles and legs look better, and he looks forward to his morning weigh-in in. So rewarding to watch the numbers decrease.
Last week we got the garden soil sifter built
My latest new soup.
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