Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Friday, May 27, 2016

People Wearing Skin

Thinking back over this past week's grocery store marathon I decided there must be a lesson in all that and perhaps I should look for it.

He's feeling a little better since his doctor tinkered with his meds. He has just enough energy now to think he can do more than he probably can, we'll see. I seldom tell him no, I let his body do that.

Seeing people this week has contributed as much as anything to his improvement. He draws energy from people wearing skin.

Our son is a professional man who can not screw in a light bulb. He's a recycling jihadist and has a garage full of stuff that needs to go to various recycling centers. Bob has repeatedly offered to take care of all that but son declines. He knows his dad well. He knows he will head to the nearest dumpster and dump it all. For Rodger it's all about saving the earth, for Bob it's about getting rid of trash.

I promised Rodger if he would tell me the places to take this stuff I would faithfully see that it was disposed of properly but that I was desperate to find some activities that would give his dad a chance to engage with people wearing skin, and make him feel like he'd accomplished something.

He told me he has a small screen that needs repairing and that over the week-end he will get together a Goodwill donation. Now if I'm lucky I can do that over a period of two days.

I've still not been given approval to recycle out of the holy sanctum of Rodger's garage but I'll keep pursuing that.

The best time was when Bob could volunteer in nursing homes. He loved visiting those people and enjoyed interacting with all kinds of people there, all wearing skin. After he lost his immune system the doctors advised against that activity.

I've invited son and his family over on Sunday to grill hamburgers. That's another contact with people wearing skin.

Got any suggestions?

15 comments:

  1. I like recycling jihadist and I do some but not all that I could be doing...papers, cardboard, plastic and batteries. I use the cloth grocery bags 80% of the time. I only wish people had started recycling 50 years ago.

    Does Bob like to go out to lunch? If you can find the right mama/poppa they can be a good way for elderly people to have contract with others. If you go several times a week the waitresses and regulars get to know you. My husband liked to go to concerts in the park in the summers, too, for the same reason.

    Have a good holiday weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the mama/poppa eating place idea. I'll ask son if he knows any such places. I know of one that might work.

      Delete
  2. I knew you were going to ask for suggestions. I'm am introvert so I won't be much help. I lead a bird group once a week and they are a lot of fun. One of the best things I ever did was to have a paper route. Our area is mostly seniors. they were always looking for something to do and lots of times it was to visit the paper boy. Boy, did I get tips at christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Part of Bob's problem is he has no hobbies. I wish he were a bird watcher. That would be wonderful.

      Delete
  3. Hmm, I really can't help with that. The last time I was out was for blood work. It was maybe in February or it might have been March. I do my best to avoid people, not because I don't like them it's because I seem to catch whatever cold or bug they are carrying. It makes for a slim social calendar. If Bob's immune system is shady, you might try going on a picnic in the park and visit with other picnickers sans children. Maybe a senior citizen's tour? If I could I think I would like that myself, something interesting to see or do, going out to eat and no driving except for getting to/from the senior center.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear, you just reminded me of why we aren't doing a lot of people related things, his lack of immune system. Damn. They told us no public transportation, no crowds, no fresh fruits or vegetables (they can be infected with all sorts of nasty stuff), stay away from medical facilities (they carry lots of germs). One reason he's done so well is because he's home most of the time and away from all the germs.

      Delete
  4. We use to be members of a senior citizens center and they offer all sorts of activities from cards to lectures to crafts to music! We joined the gym and would go daily to walk there plus we attended the jam sessions on Friday nights. our life seems to have hit the fast lane since then and we don't go anymore! I always love museums and road trips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We don't have a good senior citizens center near us. They do offer a lot of neat things. S.J. just reminded me why we're in this mess to begin with. He's done well because we've kept him away from people and their germs. Darn that bad immune system. He doesn't care for museums, and does not enjoy even a day trip. He has no hobbies and that's a big part of the problem. It would be wonderful if he were a bird watcher. I think son is thinking up some errands for us. Perhaps that will help.

      Delete
  5. DJan in Bellingham goes to her coffee shop every morning to visit with the regulars. That might be something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is an excellent idea. I think I'll check into that one. Thanks.

      Delete
  6. All I can think of is activities at a senior center or the public library. The Florida library where I go has lots of groups for adults, not so much in VT. I am not sure that any of those would be all that good for someone with immunity concerns though...seems a lot like visits to a nursing home in terms of exposure. Perhaps there is an individual who would appreciate a home visit at his or her home once a week?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Olga, sometimes I forget about that compromised immune system and the reason he's done so well is we've kept him AWAY from people wearing skin. Grrrr

      Delete
  7. I was having the same thought as Linda Reeder. Those coffee shops do attract regulars. Something that might suit you both would be that dog you crave. Put him in charge of walking the dog. Dogs are great people magnets.
    I feel for him. I would hate to be cut off from skin bearers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know Patti, the dog idea has crossed my mind a lot in the last few days. I may need to rethink that. I know a dog would be good for both of us in many ways. Something to think about.

      Delete
  8. Does Bob like talking to people on the phone or just in person? Tom Sightings had several posts about an organization that calls people on a regular schedule. He could be one of the callers and talk his little heart out - if phones would do it for him.

    ReplyDelete