Before I share “Yet Another Example Of Why Our 98 Year-Old Really Should Don The Hearing Aids,” I’m compelled to point out that this photo of the masked Francine was taken last week. Today’s weather is a “weensy” bit different. Even David Duchovny would be somewhat alarmed. Remember his delightful comment about filming X-Files in Vancouver?
Toss in the fact that it’s also Friday the 13th and the fact that our Covid numbers are soaring … well, when Mom called extra early this morning, I damn near tripped over the dog as I dashed for the phone.
It’s Always a Good Day When Francine’s Dance Card Is Full
Francine calls me every morning. When she phones a good hour and a half earlier than the usual 8:30, I’m suddenly frantic. Is she not well, did she have a fall?
Her reply today was thankfully akin to that first sip of my morning coffee. Restorative and full of promise.
“I’m calling early as I’m full on. Bingo at 11:00, a very important documentary at 1:00 and my writing group at 2:00.”
Blessings. Our gal needs a full dance card. It keeps her mind occupied and her outlook positive.
I should point out that Francine’s Assisted Living Facility is doing their best to cope with the Covid fallout. Unfortunately, she can’t participate in any of their diverse exercise options as she suffers from rotator cuff issues acquired whilst hauling herself up that Russian Icebreaker’s rope ladder over a decade ago …
No. For Mom nowadays, each day is different. Sometimes she’s busier than a Starbucks barista on BOGO afternoons and other days she only has her crossword puzzles, sudokus and the newspaper. She’s constantly looking for things to engage her mind. The onsite writing group has proven to be a godsend.
Yet Another Example Of Why Our 98 Year-Old Really Should Don The Hearing Aids
Today’s conversation flowed easily until I foolishly asked about the subject of the afternoon’s documentary. She couldn’t remember. Sensing an encroaching, “do you think I’m losing my mind, Kel?” I opted for distraction; best achieved by the dramatic shifting of gears.
“Are you sure you’ve got the correct writing topic, Mom?” I shouted, possibly louder than necessary.
There was a momentary pause before she broke out into her unique peals of laughter. The ones that are a cross between a wheeze and a chortle.
I should explain. The six members are assigned a different writing topic every week. Last week’s was “How did your parents meet?” Excellent. Francine went first, sharing an eloquent recitation about her parents miraculously locking eyes through the window of a passing train. It received disturbingly weak applause. Confusion further entered the mix when the others mysteriously shared pieces about their penchant for activities like golf, knitting, or stitchery.
Yes, “How did your parents meet?” was actually “What is your favourite hobby?”
Bless her. As per usual, Francine had chosen to leave the hearing aids in their charging case on her kitchen counter. To our great dismay and frustration, our dear mother still refuses to wear them.
Today’s Writing Group Topic?
“Something that made you laugh this week.”
Full disclosure: Mom struggled with this one. I think the US election, Covid and a string of Bingo losses all played into her inability to remember a single funny thing. She called me and asked for help. I naturally suggested a dive into Giuliani’s recent press meeting at The Four Seasons … Total Landscaping Company.
Clever, huh?
No.
Our gal hadn’t heard about it so I launched into a brief description.
“What? Will you speak up, Kel. Who’s Ruby? I really don’t see why you’re laughing. Why didn’t the poor girl simply take her pants to be pressed at the dry cleaner? And I get the porn shop but what’s so funny about a creamery?”
Uh huh. Yet another example of why our 98 year-old really should don the hearing aids …
Enough about why our 98 year-old really should don the hearing aids. I’m curious about you. The Four Seasons: coincidence or conspiracy? What was the reaction of the person who took the booking at the landscaping outfit? When did the truth don on the folks as they tootled further and further into the boonies? Better yet, care to guess if Francine actually nailed today’s writing topic? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
7 Responses
Oh my goodness, thank you for the belly laugh !! Both the US Four Seasons Landscaping fiasco, and your dear Mum’s reluctance to wear her hearing aids really touched my funny bone. My Mum was also guilty of the hearing aid reluctance, however, she would often wear them, but not turn them on. This would of course lead me to think that I didn’t need to speak loudly, until she said, oh I guess I should turn these on, you are speaking!!
Thanks for the chuckle !
Oh, Jane, that is just the best. You made me laugh out loud with that “Oh, I guess I should turn these on,you are speaking.”So great. Thank you for sharing.
Another good one! And I love the photos. My mother also had a penchant for purple…..which reminds me of a line from a famous poem: “ when I am an old woman I shall wear purple”.
I love that poem and especially that line, Susan. While we perhaps had a little bit too much “maroon” in our youth, I could do with some more purple. Thank you for popping in and leaving a comment. Always adore seeing your name pop up.
Well, I really want to hear more about how her parents met…a train, a longing look, spill it! My parents met on a blind date. I love that story.
I think Francine should write about whatever she hears. 🙂
Oh, I love your mom! What a blessing that she keeps herself busy. My dad had hearing loss and had developed some coping mechanisms, like staying away from crowds (which made it difficult for him to pick out what his companion might be saying), and lip reading. He didn’t like hearing aids. Sometimes his hearing loss prompted him to speak in an inappropriately loud voice, which could get annoying, or sometimes embarrassing! We traveled to Ireland once, and for the first couple of days I just wanted to crawl into a hole! Every time someone greeted us or took our order he’d turn to me and exclaim (loudly) over how much he LOVED the Irish accent, usually before the bearer of that accent was out of earshot.
I think it was after that trip that he finally got his hearing aids.
Ok – please accept my profound apologies for not replying to this for months, Beth. I am sorry. Please don’t tell anyone but I had to actually look up my password to get into WP so I could write a new blog post yesterday. Oh my word. Yup – it’s been awhile. As for your dad, I can well imagine how delightful that must have been. Good on him to getting hearing aids eventually. We are still struggling with Mom’s. Yes, she got them. Still doesn’t wear them. Wwwwwwhaaaaaaaaaaaat?