I am starting to feel like an archaeologist now. I am starting to really make a dent in the canning room, it makes me feel so accomplished and happy to see something being done.
Yesterday (Saturday) I found the first 3 feet of the shelves on the south wall. And a bit of the wall. I say a bit of the wall because I have since covered it back up with stuff that I can not get rid of yet or just do not know what to do with them. I can see a stack of apple baskets, but have not gotten them out yet, still have a layer to go to get them out. I can almost see the entire length of the freezer (which I am not opening until someone else is there to pick me back up when I pass out because of the smell. I am hoping that whatever is in there is now petrified and will no longer smell (fingers crossed!!). So I am leaving that for at least next week when my mom (Karen, Sophia's daughter) and Uncle Tom and Aunt Sara (Sophia's son and daughter-in-law) come up. Maybe while I am at work, they can have that done.
Another thing I found while sorting recycable papers with burn-papers, I came across an envelope with pictures of Uncle John in it. They are professinoal pictures, and I do not know why he had them taken, but the envelope had not been opened. I will try to get a copy to post on here. It made me smile to see him smiling again.
I recently got a puppy. His name is Duke and he is a Lab X. I know that animal therapy is growing in popularity because it has been proven that people are happier when they are near animals, and that happiness spreads into their health, therefore, they are healthier. I decided to put that to use. I now take Duke to visit Uncle John and he is a hit! Uncle John really enjoys him, as do the other residents. Duke apparently reminds Uncle John about a dog they had at the farm in the past. He told me that that dog just showed up and did not ever have a name. He was good about being where you wanted him, and knowing when to stay out of the way. He never even tried to go inside the house. Uncle John laughingly told me about a time that he was on the tractor plowing or planting or harvesting something and that dog followed him for a couple of laps then laid down and waited for John to finish. Uncle John said that that was one smart dog, because he knew when to work and when to relax and let someone else do the work. I will have to agree with him, that must have been one smart dog. He never told me what happened to the dog, but I have a feeling that might come out in another conversation.
Uncle John has been in high spirits here recently. He now remembers me (I do not think he remembers my name, but he does recognise me). It makes me happy to be able to make a difference in the happiness of someone else's life. He has been laughing and smiling a lot more in the last two weeks than he has in the last 2 1/2 months. Although, he has started talking more about going home. I do not think he is going to be able to especially since he can no longer take care of himself to guarantee he is eating and taking his medicines properly.
