Creatures of the Night

Ever since Queen Janita arrived at Shangri-La bizarre Creatures of the Night have been fluttering about. I don't know if this means she is a sorceress who casts a pall upon her nocturnal minions or they just smell something juicy. I consulted with Mother and she smiled but gave me no insights into the correct way to divine this situation.

A QueenJanita Nocturnal Visitor

Miz Judy does not laugh and giggle now...she grows more tired with each passing day. Nonetheless, she does seem to be in good spirits and comfortable. Mother is very, very thin so I pick her up and carry her to her perch on the verandah sometimes. I do not think she will be able to make any more trips in the wheelchair down the road or to the dock on Lake Hamilton. She is on oxygen supplementation at all times now and is utterly exhausted by being lifted onto the bedside commode. Guests are far beyond her strength.

Dad is a trooper but increasingly distressed and sad. He spends more time than ever out in the garden and garage doing projects but, at night, I notice he does not sleep much and stares at nothing much of the time. I am certain this is very hard for him. Janet and I stay busy and engaged taking care of Mother so that helps us.

Mom does mention all of you at times...still. Always with love and affection.

Jeff for Judy

Dire .... then less so

QueenJanita, Mr. Frog and Miz Judy have a rest

Miz Judy was doing pretty badly until the combo of meds I have been giving her to combat the severe constipation caused by the pain meds "kicked in" about 3 days ago. As one of my friends would put it, "great and prodigious results were achieved". Since that time Mother has been eating and drinking a very, very small amount and is comfortable. She has been in excellent spirits ... grinning and laughing much of the time.

The weather has also dried out so she has seated herself on a daily basis in her chariot (the wheelchair) and off we ride down to the lakeside dock or up and down the road of the "gated community" to view the nicely landscaped gardens. Yesterday, upon our return, she ordered "I want you to get mountains of flowers and have them all around the driveway, walks ... everywhere!! That will knock the neighbors out..."

She is getting weaker but at a slower pace than before. Mom seems to be unaware that she is ill in any direct way. The closest she comes is "I can see in people's eyes that something very serious is going on here".

Jeff for Judy