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| U. S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard |
The lunch meal itself was interesting. Mom was the first one at our table to get a meal and was the only one with a meal for about 5 minutes. During that time we wondered why they were serving both rice and mashed potatoes. When the server returned with more meals she said, "The thing that looks like mashed potatoes is fish. They told us we were serving chicken and fish and I said, 'Where's the fish?'" When my sister-in-law came by after the meal, she mentioned that the mashed potatoes had an unusual flavor; we told her it was fish and she said no wonder she found a small fish bone in her mashed potatoes! Unfortunately, I did not take a photo at the beginning of the meal so you can't really appreciate how much the fish looked like mashed potatoes.
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| Mashed potato fish at 12 o'clock |
The dessert was much more normal than the mashed potatoes. And it was delicious, too!
Mom did not eat all of her lunch, she wanted to take it home in a doggie bag. She kept asking if they would give her a doggie bag, I kept telling her no this was not a restaurant. She found a plastic bag in her purse and decided to put her leftovers in that. Fortunately, she started in on her dessert and forgot about putting the leftovers in the bag. I am wondering how much of this is the dementia and how much is the Depression Era frugality at work; or perhaps it is the long-term memories of the Depression Era that are sparking the drive to save everything. (She has a collection of slightly used napkins. If she offers you one, make sure she got it from the roll of paper towels or the napkin holder.)
At the reunion, Ruth and her son Les sat at the K Company table with us. Ruth's husband was in the K Company. Mom says we are related to Ruth through Doris' husband Tom. Ruth gave Mom a small present at the luncheon, now Mom is beside herself trying to figure out what to send her in return. (They live in Hilo and went back this evening.) I offered to send her a smoked salmon. (Bartell's has the best price, which has not changed in a decade or more.) But she was ambivalent about that because it was not from her. Not sure if this is the dementia talking or some old Japanese omiyage-related custom that I am unaware of.
After the reunion, we went to H&R Block for Mom and Dad to finalize their tax return. Since I could not find any evidence of them having made an estimated tax payment, I told Connie to show no payment and they would pay the full amount owing. When we got there Mom wanted to carry the checkbook but I would not let her, she got angry about that saying she could take care of her checkbook. She told Connie she was able to handle her own business but when I gave her the checkbook when it was time to write the check, she gave it back to me and told me to write the check and Dad would sign the check!
I think Momo and Shiro both are sensing that I will be leaving soon. Momo is acting like a dog and sleeping near my feet. And Shiro now waits outside the door to the bathroom or bedroom when I am in either.
I have not been successful in convincing Mom and Dad to use the services provided by the city's Elderly Care office. They don't want meals delivered to them or someone to come in and clean occasionally or even drive them to appointments. I am hoping that once I move here, they will be more open to having some help come in occasionally so I can get a break. Erica said if we needed their help, she would make sure she is the one that would be coming to our house, so that might be a good solution.
Happy Birthday to Anabel! And Happy Anniversary to Susi!
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