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WritingAfterDark

Blogs of Writer, Artist, Photographer, & Caregiver Joanne D. Kiggins

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Location: United States

Joanne has published more than 2,500 articles and was award recipient of the 1990 Woman of the Year for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, for her accomplishments and excellence in journalism and to the community. Her co-authored book, “Unforgettable Journey,” won fifth place in the Grand Beginnings romance contest. An excerpt from her WIP, “Unearthed,” placed her fifth in the Absolute Write Idol contest. Most recently, her essay, “Perseverance,” is published in the Stories of Strength anthology in which 100% of the profits are donated to disaster relief charities. Her most recent articles were published in ByLine Magazine, Writer's Digest, AbsoluteWrite.com, and Moondance.org. She has a monthly freelance writing column at Absolutewrite.com. Currently, she is the sole caregiver for her 85-year-old mother.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Surprise Visitors Bring Back Memories

This is something I haven’t seen for a very long time. Horses in Mom’s yard! Brought back some wonderful memories. What a joy it was to see them. I love horses. Here they are at the edge of the drive.

I was sitting at the kitchen table with Mom and something caught my eye through the window. When I looked out, I saw Barney and ? not sure what the other horse’s name is, grazing in her flowerbed.

Just had to run upstairs and get my camera. I reached for the phone to call the neighbor to let her know her horses were out, but before I dialed, I saw her walking down the path with a lead and an oat bucket.

We had a nice chat. She’s a very nice woman. During the conversation, I learned that she’s a nurse at the very nursing home where my Uncle Joe is. Small world.

Mom loved seeing the horses, too. After the neighbor left, Mom and I talked about all the animals Dad raised on the farm. She didn't remember, but she enjoyed talking about it.

The physical therapist saw Mom for the third time today. She gave her a few more exercises to do to help strengthen her legs. Mom doesn't like exercises. She always used to say, "I'll walk around the yard tomorrow." She's saying the same thing about the exercises. "I'll do the exercises tomorrow." She doesn't remember that she's already done them twice each day. Maybe that's a good thing. :D

The home health nurse has been here twice so far. We're still waiting on the occupational therapist and home health aide to arrange appointments.

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6 Comments:

Blogger Lori1955 said...

What a great picture. I would love looking out a window and seeing that in the morning.
The physical therapy reminded me of back in early 2006, Helen had to go to physical therapy 3 times a week. Oh how she hated that and wouldn't do the exercises at home. The only way I could get her to go to therapy was to tell her that we wern't going to go to the casino until she went to therapy. She would do anything then just to go to the casino.

10/03/2007 1:27 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

That is a wonderfully peaceful picture. I hope Betsy sees the horses as she is our resident horse person.

For a while I had my dad walking with me on the driveway but he got to where he just did not want to do it. So strange to me because he had always been so active.

10/03/2007 8:02 PM  
Blogger Joanne said...

Thanks, Lori. It was a joy to see horses in the yard. That was one way to get Helen to therapy. Luckily, I don't have to talk Mom into going anywhere; they come to the house for therapy. :)

Now if I can just figure out how to talk her into doing the exercises. LOL

10/03/2007 10:23 PM  
Blogger Joanne said...

Hi flinty! Glad you came over. I haven't seen Betsy for a few days. Hope she'll be around soon to see the pics.

Mom used to walk with me around the flowerbed in her yard, but with her using a walker now, I don't think she'd be able to maneuver it through the gravel.

10/03/2007 10:27 PM  
Blogger ~Betsy said...

I love when horses just sort of mosey through their fence and visit! The palomino reminds me of Flinty's dad's mare - Babe I think she was called.

Our neighbors graze their herd all night and I love opening my window to listen to 'horse talk'. I wish I could understand what they're discussing.

Good luck with the physical therapy. I can't even get my mom to use a walker - she prefers to cruise furniture like a toddler instead.

10/03/2007 11:45 PM  
Blogger Joanne said...

Ah, so glad you were able to see the horse pic, Betsy!

Mom was inching along holding onto furniture too. When I suggeted we get a walker, she bulked at the idea. I guess she knew she didn't have much of a choice when they sent one home with her after her hospital stay. :)

10/04/2007 7:30 AM