Social

We have been busy and that is good.

Gregory has been spending his Tuesdays painting after a brief hiatis. He loves his time with Nancy Rosen www.nrosen.com and he continues to be as creative and prolific with his paining as ever.

Went to see "You Can't Take It With You," the movie, yesterday and on Friday look forward to seeing the play by the same name. The original Moss & Hart play premiered in the 1930's and it is one of our favorites. It is great living so close to Northwestern University and being able to benefit from the cultural experiences there.

Also at Northwestern, we attended an Opera Master Class with Nathan Gun, world renowned baritone. Five students from the graduate program at NWU each performed a piece and then Mr. Gun gave suggestions to guide their improvement.

We saw three operas in two weeks: Werther, Elektra, and Simone Boca Negra. All were at The Lyric Opera of Chicago where Gregory and I, volunteering during tech rehearsals, are entitled to see all of the season's dress rehearsals.

Going out to dinner tonight with neighborhood friends and again tomorrow to help a friend celebrate his 60th birthday.

Gregory has begun swimming again and is very pleased with himself. Ken and Ben, his companions join him at the pool and that has helped him to navigate getting from the condo downstairs to LA Fitness and back since he cannot do that on his own anymore.

For Thanksgiving we will be with Nancy Rosen's family. Her mom, Eileen, who lives in our building and is a good friend will be there as well.

Of course the day after Thanksgiving we will decorate for Christmas and begin baking. Busy hands are hands that do not wring themselves over Alzheimer's!

I Don't Mind (Really!)

We, Gregory and I, have a collection of seven (count them) seven Miniature Christmas Trees (approx 6" to 8" tall) decorated with miniature ornaments. They are lined up against the wall on the dining room table (which is in the living room) currently Christmas Central (usually Gregory's desk.)

We have had a number of small parties (more at homes) and one large party (friends, neighbors from the old neighborhood, and neighbors from the condo where we currently live) this holiday.

At these parties, Gregory gets to tell his stories (with great difficulty) and he enjoys being able to share. Usually I tell his stories but there are a few (a very few) that he is still able to tell (wave his arms at and stumble over.)

One of his stories (when we have company over) is to tell about (and show) his recent oil stick paintings. This is a new skill added since he has lost so many (like playing his piano or doing cross word puzzles.) He takes great joy in painting (loves his mentor artist Nancy) and enjoys sharing with our friends and family who sometimes offer to buy one (but he isn't ready to sell any yet.)

Another story is to point out (show) the line of variously sized and colored, heavy mercury ornaments which are hung (artistically) along the fire sprinkler pipe which runs across the living room (which is really The Great Room or the Loft Space.) He calls it (when he can remember the name) his Christmas Pipe.

Another story popped up recently (which was a surprise to me) but which I let pass. He was showing a guest the miniature Christmas Trees lined up on the desk/table and pointed to one saying, "This is my favorite. They (the miniature ornaments) are very old and belonged to my Grandmother. I love these the most and will never let them go.

I don't mind. Really I don't. Turns out that the miniature Christmas Tree with faded, antique, tiny round, multi colored ball ornaments to which he was referring (which Gregory and I have collected over the more than thirty five years we have been together) has now become something inherited from his Grandmother and which he will never let go. I was surprised. I am sad. But I understand (and I don't mind.) Really.

Holiday Time

(Disclaimer Below Entry)

We always look forward and are excited about the Christmas season. We decorate the house early and take it down late. We throw a large party (this year over 40 attended,) and a number of smaller ones. We bake cookies (this year over 20 dozen,) wrap presents (for family and support service people and just a few for each other,) go to the Christmas Kris Kringle Market downtown, have a few theater engagements, and eat out a little more often than usual. 

On Christmas Eve we cook a special dinner at home and watch the George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol, open our presents, have cookies and tea. On Christmas Day we go to friends for dinner. We have friends in for New Year's Eve and look forward to a visit from our niece and nephew for a late Christmas sometime during the middle of January.

Disclaimer: It used to be WE, now it is I because Gregory is no longer able to help with planning, preparation, execution, and/or cleanup of all these events. I do get tired but also get extra sleep. I do get overwhelmed, but also try to keep the details simple. I do have my annual Christmas Cry but cheer up pretty quickly. 

In all, it is well worth while because Gregory still enjoys the festivities and even thrives on them even though it is a little more difficult for me during the down time when he seems a little more confused. But the holidays still work for us so WE (read I) will hold on to them for as long as possible and simplify them as we go along and as necessary. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.