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AcornHusk of Ember
Dec. 3rd, 2025 06:58 pmI was looking forward to visiting Madame this morning, because I heard via text that Mademoiselle had obtained another hearing aid for her, so I would be able to converse with her again. However, things didn't go as well as I hoped. When I arrived, once again there was not a single parking spot available. I had to go across the street to the big parking lot, but even there, I found most of the spaces occupied and had to go around to the back of the lot. Then I trudged through the freezing drizzle back up the hill to Madame's building. Tra la la, first world problems I guess, but dang it was COLD out there. I was startled to find Madame's room empty. I found her in the common area, where she usually prefers not to go. She had fallen asleep in her chair, so I sat down and waited a few minutes for her to wake up. She was surprised, but immediately wanted to go somewhere. It was definitely not a day for her to go out, but I thought we might go to the cafe in the building, if she felt up to it.
We almost turned around a couple of times, because she was walking so slowly and seemed distressed and tired. But she insisted on forging on, so we made it downstairs to the cafe. I got her a salad, a fruit cup, and coffee, and we sat looking out at the snowy landscape. In spite of the hearing aid, conversation did not flow. I thought she might have had a nice time at Thanksgiving, but if so, she had already forgotten it. She had little to say, and I think that although she enjoyed having me there to talk to her, it was more as background music than as an exchange of views. She insisted again on visiting the non-accessible bathroom, because it is nearby, but accomplishing this becomes more difficult every time. After today, I think it would be best not to try it again.
When we got back to her corridor, she was so tired she could hardly move. She complained of pain and weakness in her leg and eventually just stopped walking. A kind staff person asked if she needed a ride, and she gratefully accepted. I usually walk her back to her room and get her settled comfortably, but she told me I should just leave instead of walking down the hall and back again. She seemed so flustered and tired that I thought I'd better let the staff take care of her. I accepted her advice and left. Back through the freezing drizzle--I had to scrape off my frozen windshield before I could go home. I found the whole thing disheartening. I've already relinquished the trips we used to make to the bookstore. Now I may have to give up on the cafe as well. It's just too hard for her. Maybe next time I'll bring her some take-out and eat in her room. I'm not sure what's going on, but she is losing ground. She has now definitely forgotten my name.
I suggested to the Sparrowhawk that he should have a look at the weather news before driving to the gym. He decided that it was getting slippery and perhaps he'd be better off skipping the trip this time. My usual Zoom with Moonmoth and the Nonesuch folded up early because Moonmoth forgot it was Wednesday. So we both had an early evening and were fine with that.
We almost turned around a couple of times, because she was walking so slowly and seemed distressed and tired. But she insisted on forging on, so we made it downstairs to the cafe. I got her a salad, a fruit cup, and coffee, and we sat looking out at the snowy landscape. In spite of the hearing aid, conversation did not flow. I thought she might have had a nice time at Thanksgiving, but if so, she had already forgotten it. She had little to say, and I think that although she enjoyed having me there to talk to her, it was more as background music than as an exchange of views. She insisted again on visiting the non-accessible bathroom, because it is nearby, but accomplishing this becomes more difficult every time. After today, I think it would be best not to try it again.
When we got back to her corridor, she was so tired she could hardly move. She complained of pain and weakness in her leg and eventually just stopped walking. A kind staff person asked if she needed a ride, and she gratefully accepted. I usually walk her back to her room and get her settled comfortably, but she told me I should just leave instead of walking down the hall and back again. She seemed so flustered and tired that I thought I'd better let the staff take care of her. I accepted her advice and left. Back through the freezing drizzle--I had to scrape off my frozen windshield before I could go home. I found the whole thing disheartening. I've already relinquished the trips we used to make to the bookstore. Now I may have to give up on the cafe as well. It's just too hard for her. Maybe next time I'll bring her some take-out and eat in her room. I'm not sure what's going on, but she is losing ground. She has now definitely forgotten my name.
I suggested to the Sparrowhawk that he should have a look at the weather news before driving to the gym. He decided that it was getting slippery and perhaps he'd be better off skipping the trip this time. My usual Zoom with Moonmoth and the Nonesuch folded up early because Moonmoth forgot it was Wednesday. So we both had an early evening and were fine with that.
