Change of Attitude

Through her plaque coated, uneven, yellow teeth she hissed. "Come over here."

I stopped and leaned over to show her I was listening.

"I want to get out of here!" she said meaning she was done with dinner and wanted to leave the dining room.

I gave my usual reply to situations like this, "The helper will come to get you next. You have to be patient."

She reached up, grabbed my beard, and with each word gave a fairly strong pull, "That - is - what -  they - always - say!" And she let go.

"They have you on the list and won't forget you," my usual reply, but this time amused at her approach.

"I know. I will be patient. Thank you for your help." she smiled through her plaque coated, uneven, yellow teeth. This time without a hiss but with love.

Ruby: A Portrait

Ruby is a black woman who lives on the assisted living floor at Lieberman. She is in her early 90s, uses a walker to help her get around, and is totally blind.

Often, she can be sitting (and sometimes dozing) on a chair near the receptionist by the front door in the main lobby. I always greet her and she has come to recognize my voice. She always seems to be in a happy, friendly mood.

She is always dressed nicely if not tastefully in black with an attractive colorful blouse and has a neatly quaffed hairdo. She is not what I would call pretty but is pleasant enough to look at. You can tell she is blind because her eyes are rheumy and unfocused.

The thing that stands out most about Ruby is her love of good music. When attending a Sunday Entertainment in the Community Room, she can be seen clapping along to the music and if the music warrants it, standing between her walker and her chair "pulling a few steps."

I am told she used to be a dancer and from her involvement with the entertainment I do not doubt it. While many of the residents can barely muster enough energy to clap along, Ruby is clapping vigorously and keeps time to the music. She will add her own rhythm to the clapping and you can tell she knows what she is doing. Periodically she will shout out, "Yea!" or "Amen!" or "Go!"

When she is "stand dancing," she really feels the music in her bones and body and translates that to you if you happen to be glancing her way. She sways, bobs, side and back steps with a bounce, and periodically, when appropriate, shimmies her shoulders and breasts to punctuate the musical phrase.

At the risk of being disrespectful of Ruby's old age, I would say that watching her "move" has a bit of her old sexiness still about it! Ruby is a pleasure to know is all I can say to end this description of my experience with her.

Julia's Feedback

Today's entertainment included a singer of Jazz with his guitar. The music consisted of "oldies," was laid back, and enjoyable.

After a show, Manny and Gregory and I usually hang back while the rest of the wheel chair residents line up for the elevators. As we were finishing off our apple cider and cookies, a well dressed 80+ years old woman in her wheel chair came "foot pushing" in our direction.

She stopped and said, "I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the article. I read it over at least ten times. His working for the Bahai is wonderful and I would love to see some of his art work.

I told her that there was going to be a show of Gregory's art work in the lobby soon and she said she would keep an eye out for it. She told me that she shared the article with her son and her grandson. The grandson is a painter too, she informed me.

She graciously thanked me again, I told her how much it meant to Gregory and I that she stopped to comment, and then she peddled off towards the elevator.

Dinner Time at Lieberman 4/11/14

I told Gregory that I cancelled my dentist appointment because I wasn't feeling well.
"What wedding?" asked J, who sits across the table.
"No, I just told Gregory that I cancelled my dentist appointment."
"Oh, you still have those."

"Shut up, FUCK you!" A shouted for no apparent reason.

"Help me, help me!" A woman loudly shouted through the entire meal.

"I want to go to the bathroom, " spoken in a loud voice.

"Stop yelling," aimed at no one in particular and everyone in general.

"You didn't eat your vegetable, B." I said.
"I'm watching it." replied B.
"What are you watching it for?" I asked.
"I am waiting for it to move." replied B, "One move and it could jeopardize us all!"

"Be quiet," a woman aimed at no one in particular and everyone in general.

"I'm stuck here. How do I get out?" inquired another woman.

"Who do I pay for the meal? I am confused." asked someone nearby.

"I have to pee!" urgently stated.

Still no background music for this Fellini movie!