Is it time to move on?

Recently, a number of my residents at the nursing home have expressed that it is almost time for me to go or I won't be there for long. I have not made any mention of leaving or looking for another job. But each week one or more of them have quietly said they will miss me when I am gone. I first thought this was about my having a day off from work. I try to keep a friendly attitude towards each of them. But for some reason, they continue to say that I am capable of so much more and I deserve a better job. Each of them make mention of the humbling of my job, I mean to care for these residents at times means to clean what they would just get in a tub or shower but now they lay in a bed or stand up next to a toilet and let me take care of it. Apologizing for the smell, for the accident, a slip. No need I keep telling them, it happens to us all. Anyways, I try to keep a smile and a friendly story about something else to keep their minds on better times and less about their lack of control now. I know that at times these residents are close to God and can whisper the truth of it. I have had several that have said they were tired or ready to go. In a day or two, they go to God. It is amazing how they know. Several of these people, I have grown to love, daily hugs and smiles. Sweet touches, whispers of affectionate glances. Jealous children who come to see that their daily care takers fill them with joy. Talking to many of them just before lunch about what they wore at weddings, their first cars, the color of their wedding gowns. By the way, most of my ladies wore blue at their weddings not white. It surprised me. So many had that in common.

Stories of Animal Encounters

I have always had a special relationship with animals. I have been bitten. I hurt by them but only in their fear or desired need to make me understand them.



I had a big orange male cat. I had his mother and his brother for all their lives. Tom was my inside cat. He was loved by the children especially my son that pulled his ears and tail. Tom never hurt the children. He would purposefully lay near them. Purring and sleeping on his back waiting for the stroking and tender touches of my children. And then there was Charlie...... He was wild. He stayed away from most people but for me. He would come up to me with his hugh head and very long sharp teeth and rub his teeth against my leg, holding me still with his paws, claws out and just slightly digging into my skin. Never did he draw blood but the chills he would send up my spine... would make anyone shutter. Now Tom was a big gray and white cat and stayed pretty close to the house but never did any business in the house; always outside. Charlie was a big orange cat that stayed outside except for those times he came in for some dry food. Both cats loved live meat. They both loved to bring me presents to the front and back door. Live snakes, mice, rats and lizzards. I remember one time a rattler being left on my back porch by Charlie; he truly loved me. Charlie loved to visit my black laborador Lancer. He would rub against him and sleep in his dog house when the mood struck him. One day, Charlie came home with his throat cut open nearly 5 inches. I took him to get stitched up and it took several weeks to heal. Then he was gone. Then Tom came home with almost the same wound. Again I took him to get stitched. The vet said it was a dog. Once he healed, he was out and gone. Neither ever came home again.

Kids Furniture and Rooms

A painted bunny started this whole idea. The house is gone. The bunny long painted over by the newest owners of the property. But still the idea of a room full of friendly animals as tall as my grandson or taller, a closet turned into the inside of a very large tree with limbs framing and leaves hanging to encourage the imagination of the children playing there. A little table inside with a pot and cups, no food or drink necessary to imagine the fine tasting liquid and the sweet crunch of the pastries.



When I started painting the 3' high bunny I was inspired by the packaging of Easter candy but from that inspiration I work as if I was crazed. Working late into the night, I fell asleep, to wake looking at it smiling at me. It assured me that it was a perfect spot, drawing the attention of my grandchildren into the area to play. My grandson would sit beside me as I painted the bunny talking and telling me about her. Of course, it was a her, she had such a pretty face and nice smile. As the room and closet progressed, the visitors (children that came to play with my grandson) became to gather to tell me what goes next. A basket. She is looking for eggs.



All of this led me to dream of furniture for this room. And other rooms with themes.



A drag strip with a car for a bed, a tire for a chair, a floor with carpeting cut out and with an oval race track. The checkered flags draped across one wall showing that he was and is the winner.



A castle with a cascading material hung from the ceiling. A head board of a crown painted with gold and large cut stones. I thought that I would have to use pieces of wood and paint them when I came across large cut semi-precious stones on eBay. I ordered one it was perfect for my purpose. A large mirror with a dressing table with a comb and brush set. Can you imagine.



A circus with a round bed. Banners flying. Balloons. In the corner, a old baby bed cut in half long way, framed with decorative pieces of wood, cut in scroll pattern with painting of circus colors. An excellent cage to hold the stuffed animals collection of any child. A toy chest in the middle of the room, it must be tough enough to stand on or sit on.



A cowboy theme.



A country theme.



A robot theme.



An underwater theme.



An outerspace theme.



More later.