I am feeling disturbed. Yes, I know, the video above is the Sound of Silence by Disturbed, which is probably overplayed but I care not. I love it. And I also love the original. But today this is what I want. That type intensity that Simon and Garfunkel could never give. They give me other stuff for another time.
I needed another walk today. Had another sleepless night. I swear, once all my mother-in-law shit is taken care of and my house has a “For Sale” sign, better yet, is SOLD, will I please, PLEASE sleep through the night? I won’t be greedy… just a 6-hour stretch once in a blue moon without the need for any little sleeping or anti-anxiety pill. Thank you, Universe. I’m counting on you.
By the time I get my arse into gear, it is at least 1:30 pm. No matter. Time to get out!
Zeke and I made our way towards “my river”. As we crossed the end of my street, less than a kilometre from home, we were hailed by Roxanne. Lordy… When I saw her last summer, she was toting a little boy in a child’s seat on her bike. A third son. Today I found out the twins (I swear, born last year), Laurent and Logan are now 3 1/2 and Shawn (I didn’t ask the spelling) is going to be 2 on none other than my birthday! How did that happen? No, not my birthday date, the boys being so big so quickly. We chatted, laughed with her mother (only 6 years older than me? Wha??) who, I found out, has been divorced these past 5 years and thinks the dating life is over. Um. No. Lady… get out there! I told her she was the same age as my beau will be… Life is NOT over by a long-shot. Gawd. I hope I don’t get old before my time.
Kiss, kiss, and off to continue my walk. I had been disturbed in my thought-process but not in a bad way nor by a long shot. Was really nice to hook up with Roxanne. Seriously. She lives across the end of my street. Life and all that.
I’m not yet feeling totally at one with the Universe when my cell rings. Ugh. Jean. (Mother-in-law).
“Hello, Jean.”
“Is this Dale?”
“Yes, Jean, it is Dale.”
And then she starts. “It’s your fault I’m in the hospital.”
“You’re not in the hospital, Jean, you’re in a home”
“Yes, it’s the third floor of the Jewish!”
“No, it’s the 3rd flo–”
“What did you do to make me come here? I want to go home. You have to get me out of here. You put me here. You are so mean.”
I try to interject but frankly, she is not listening to me. Doesn’t really matter what I say because she is totally convinced.
“The people here told me you put me in this place.”
I know she has dementia. I know she is still in early stages so has moments of lucidity. It doesn’t matter at all what I say because none of it will register. Well, funnily enough, just like she was for the last 20 or so years, she registers what she wants to at times, I swear. She was so aggressive, it took everything in my power not to tell her to take a long walk off a short pier. Instead, I listened to her. She complained I never visit. I reminded her that I see her minimum twice per month whereas before we saw each other once per year. Then her tone totally changed and she asked when I would come and visit her. I said “tomorrow” and she said “ok”. Tomorrow will be Monday because I can’t really tomorrow, nor this week-end. It won’t matter. I’ll call her to say hello and she’ll ask me when I’ll come and visit her. And I will say “tomorrow” and she will say “ok”. I hang up and try to shake off the unpleasant feeling that has re-taken over my body.
We arrive at des Iles Percées park and I gaze at the marescent oak trees. There are two of them in this park. Why do they keep their leaves in winter? I’ve googled it more than once. There is no official reason that can be proven but there are a lot of hypotheses. Though other types do so also, it is more of an “oak thing”. Year after year, these two oaks refuse to drop their leaves. At this point, I’m thinking I will write a post linking my mother-in-law’s memory loss with these trees. So manymemories are still stuck to her but others flutter to the ground with the slightest gust of wind. It is so hard. I can’t even imagine what she is going through. I so hope I never do. It is a scary thought as there is Alhzheimer’s in my family. My great-grandmother and one of my great-aunts had/have it. My uncles died too young to know if they would have, my aunt, who just passed at age 81 had no signs and my aunt and mother seem to be ok. I’ll be exempt. Right?
As Zeke and I finally reach the park where I discovered “my” river, I’m feeling myself again. The closer we get, the more I hear the kids yelling. Dang. It must be recess. I choose to go to the west (I think!) bank of the river to avoid them. Zeke loves kids and I don’t want to have to leash him. Walking through the dirty sno-cone-textured snow, I’m thinking I have the wrong boots. Some of it makes its way in. I let it melt. I then, however, carefully place my feet in the already sunken steps taken by another (who hopefully had higher boots than I!) I tried to capture the texture of the snow…sorry! So hard to get a good pic on this sunless day!
I hear the bell as we approach the river and think, Yay, recess is over! Nope. Somehow it was the official recess start bell so the rest of the kids came out. We remained on the west side for a bit. The sound of a river flowing is so soothing to me. I took a video (shared on Instagram) and this great pic of Zeke waiting patiently for me.
We walk all the way to the end and turn back. The recess bell rings once again so we make our way across the little bridges and onto the east side. Why do I insist on coming to this side? Because it’s nicer! I so enjoy taking pictures of this little river. OK. OK! It’s just a stream! Still… It is called Ruisseau Sabrevois and goes through Parc Bois de Brouage, next to the de la Broquerie School. But for all intents and purposes, I shall continue to call it “My river”, OK? OK. Where was I? Yes, on the east side. For some strange reason, the water sounds so much more thunderous on this side. Drowns out any and all thoughts as I sit there, in that sno-cone snow, getting wetter and wetter (thank goodness for snowpants, is all I can say) and feeling freer and freer.
Before the wet seeps all the way through, I decide it’s time to make my way back. By now I am feeling centred once again. Leftover pici, a quick shower and a Skype chat with Rochelle and I sit down to write this post! Iain announces he will make supper but “snacks” at 5:00 pm with a Kimchi bowl and a Ristorante pizza. Right. And what the hell time will he be ready for supper? (Really, Rog? You had a bowl of pasta at like, 3:00 pm? You can’t be in any rush to eat supper, can you?)
So, here I am, just before 7:00 pm, writing this post when my cell rings. It’s my neighbour’s (ok, 5 houses down, neighbour) alarm company telling me they are dispatching a police cruiser as their alarm went off. I tell them I shall go see what’s up and let them know. Right. Put on my boots and coat, grab their house key and off I go. Waitaminute… is that wise? What if there IS someone in the house? Who am I to go snooping? OK. Breathe. This is CANADA. I get there, the house is dark and silent. I open the gate to the backyard, see no footprints towards the back door. I call the company and tell them all is quiet and ask should I go in? Get some inane, “Well, should we cancel the police?” answer. How the fuck should I know? I decide to put my on big-girl pants and open the door, turn off the alarm and go in. All is quiet. A walk around the main floor confirms there is nothing to worry about. Hey, did the grandkids put all those stickers on the patio door? Cute. Gonna have to mention it to Parvin. I tell the dispatcher to cancel the police, reset the alarm, lock up and leave. False alarm. I can breathe.
Get home and realise that Iain is too busy chilling with Luca so I make a quick pasta using his sauce. Add some pancetta, chopped veg, his sauce and toss with pasta shells. Voilà! Supper at “l’heure des riches” (Rich people time) at 8:00 pm!
Come back to my post but end up chatting with my new buddy Marc(o) from Sorryless. We have become fast friends (thank you, Frank!) and chat about anything and everything. He writes divinely and is very encouraging to me as well as being just the right amount of nudge. Yes, I will find someone to tape my cooking videos!
The day has come to a close, it is almost midnight. I don’t feel as disturbed and maybe I’m not fully centred but I am definitely working my way towards it.
Wow. U have a lot going on. love Zeke!
I do. Too much. Thank goodness for Zeke!
Dear Dale,
I’m happy to see our Skype chat included in your day. So happy for this modern miracle. It’s amazing how someone can be so ‘far’ away and yet so close.
As always, I love the photos and the video. Nothing says peace like the sound of water.
Hope you are involved in some quality sleep as I write.
Shalom, my friend, shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
I cherish our Skype sessions. Definitely a plus for modern science!
Got 5 hours 😶
Lotsa love,
Dale
Raising my coffee cup in your honor. Sorry you didn’t get more sleep.
Still pretending I’m not up yet… see ya in a bit!!
Can’t believe you went down to your neighbors and checked out the alarm yourself, Dale! You are braving than I am! Love Zeke…he is stunning….
Not one of my smartest moves but at the same time, a truly quiet neighbourhood.
Should have brought Zeke with Me!
Thank you, he does attract attention…
I was thinking the same thing…would have had Zeke by my side! Glad everything was alright….
My beau said the same when I told him. I was positive all was fine.
There you go again, taking the law into your own hands . . lol
Yanno . . in that video, Zeke is thinking . .”Yep, here’s my river.” He looked right at home.
Center? Centre? Both! And I’m glad you worked through the daily skirmishes to arrive at a better place in the end. One in which this post became a thing. That, is called a good day.
Thank you so much for the mention, you da sweetest! And ‘divinely’ huh? I am duly humbled, and grateful for your feedback, always.
I love the walks you take us on. Each one a unique look into the crazy storm of a mind whose profits move us to think, laugh and reach for something better.
Peace and Habs
Yep. That’s me.
I think you’re right. He likes to jump in when I’m not looking… He loves it.
He’s ALL about it . . .
😁🐕
Zeeeeeekkkeeee!!!!
Hahahahaha! Shhhhh! I can’t take him for a long one today! Gots me a lunch date with a girl friend
Hit send too fast…
We Canucks like to spell it centre, just to play with your head… like the extra “u” all over the place…
Yes. Divinely. Love your writing.
I am humbled you enjoy my blathering about my walks and actually get something out of them! Guess I’ll keep at it!
Peace, love and flowing waters
These walks of yours ARE a ramble. But you mistake ramble with mess when it’s really a semblance of thoughts painted in the colors of Dale.
Writers . . we stick together. . .:)
Now who’s Da Best?
Thank goodness we do… those moments of self-doubt that creep in get annihilated with kind words of encouragement. What a great pack!
Self doubt . . meaty claws on that bastid.
And when it’s dancing with my inner critic, yikes!
Big time!
Tell ya what. When it dances with yours, gimme a call… I’ll put up my dukes! And you can do the same for me.
Deal?
Who’s Butch Cassidy? Who’s the Sundance Kid!
We’ll flip on it!
Tails!
Alrighty then!
Sometime we all wake up with a need for ‘disturbed’. But that’s just the way she spins, this world of witches brooms and cauldrons .
As for Disturbed’s cover. So it does get commercial radio play. Huh. Someone sent it to me a couple a years ago as a joke -“did you sing this” was in the subject line of the email. ” No” was my reply, “I think it is Eeyore on antihistamines”. But I do really like it, too. For a multitude of reasons.
My father suffered from dementia for 26 years; from 60 till he passed away at 86, so I understand to some degree the strain of walking that tightrope of emotion that goes with it. A dimension of the human condition that is difficult to separate the person from the illness. Draining., would be an understatement.
Looks a wee spring-ish there. Real winter departed for Huatulco more than a week ago. We are now official in ‘real mud’ in these parts..
Good luck with the house. Food for thought. The property I bought in NS in the fall was draining on the elder lady I purchased it from as it had been on the market for a long time.. She had her agent bury a Saint-So-And-So on the property (sorry I am bad with my recollections of saint names). I bought it a week later.
So very true, Calvin.
I love the version. When it comes to covers, I can be picky 😉
So very sorry for your father. My great-grandmother also suffered (well, she didn’t as much as my aunt who took care of her till she couldn’t, did) until her death at 87. Her daughter, my grandmother, at 87 told me, guess I’m safe from it at this point, eh? Funny woman. We lost her at 92. Exactly 5 years before Mick. My MIL will be 83 this month so who knows how long. She’s fine as she keeps telling me.
Melting by leaps and bounds here, too. I refuse to get excited. Tomorrow’s the 3rd and there is an expression here: the 3rd determined the month, the 5th undetermines it!
Thanks re the house. I’ll put it on the market and give it a chance before burying Saint Joseph 😉
Life is never simple is it! I understand your need for sleep I am deserted by it often. I long for a simple stress free life but it eludes me. Truth is no one has a free ticket.
Having a dog and somewhere beautiful to walk it is a God send. I would be lost without Ruby.
My sister’s husband of 59yrs has Dementia and has for a few years now, it is hard for her living with a ,stranger. It is an evil scary illness.
The photos of the park, Zeke and the River are fabulous. I like the idea you have of the Oaks and their leaves being like Dementia, some clinging on some falling away to be trodden under foot, (I know you did not say that ,the trodden under foot bit, but that is how I see it).
I also understand the neighbour thing there are people who live around us that I don’t see from one end of the year to the next.
Anyway, I hope you slept well and have or had a good day today.💜
Ah Willow, thank you for seeing all I was trying to say. And yes. Trodden is right (kinda wish I had thought of that!)
Zeke has helped me through so much. I think of the winter Mick died it was bitterly cold and yet we went out regularly. So freeing.
It’s not easy living with someone who has dementia And sometimes we have to hand them over to those better equipped (as my aunt eventually had to for her mother). Sending love to your sister.
I had a great sleep (ok, a good one!)
Have a wonderful day 💚💜💙💛
All we can do is take life on step at a time cope. Rant and rave at the sky when needed, love those who love us and pray God to let us know when to let go. Hugs to you 💜💜💜💜
Absolutely! And right back at you! 😘😘
💜😀😉😉💜💜
Wow–your days are busy. I’m asleep long before midnight. 🙂 I actually stayed up WAY late (for me) last night–almost 11–to finish a book.
I’m so sorry about your mother-in-law. That is a lot to deal with without anything else. I’m fortunate that I have siblings to help with my mom, and she’s not even at that stage.
Your river walk–and Zeke–are beautiful!
Thank you, Merril! Not so much busy physically 😉
I’m rarely in bed before 11…
Yeah, inheriting Jean has been no picnic. Life.
Those walks save my sanity!
Thank you!
🙂
Dale, I’m sorry things are in such a mess about Jean. Be good to yourself and set firm boundaries. No point in putting energy into plying to her questions. Imagine yourself on one of your walks with Zeke to your river and let her s..t pass over you. ❤
Thank you, dear Ina. It is what I do. And shall continue doing! 💜💙💚
Dale; I don’t get this, you have this gorgeous dog Zeke and are going ALONE to your 5-doors-down neighbours to see if any invaders are lurking about?! Are you insane? But ‘m so glad it was ‘nothing’ and hope you can cope with Jean – this is a great worry and not one to go away any time soon. Be courageous and firm – and may you find your beauty sleep!
I know, I know. I guess I really felt it was a false alarm. I may be just a tad insane…
As for Jean. I do what I can when I can.
Thanks for reading!