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Memories

After nearly 6000 miles (when I reach home on Friday in NC), touching 12 states on my journey, an average of 30 MPG, dozens of mosquito bites, a dog attack, driving across the Mojave desert in July - twice, the scorched weeds and tumbleweeds, the oppressive heat wave, so much laughter, quite a few tears, multiple frustrating moments, endless upon endless repeated questions, my epiphany experiences, times of frustration for both Alene and I, traveling with my 12 year old pup, DanaRiley across the country, Alene’s child-like joy of life’s simple things, her moments of clarity, her clear memories of the past, getting to know Abbey better, spending time with her family, and staying with my friend in CA, and especially the heartbreaking goodbyes this morning, this will be my final post on this Funny Farm 2024 blog. What a fantastic experience this has been for me. Thanks to everyone who has read this blog in whole or in part. It made it worthwhile.  My heart goes out to everyone who has, or
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Cushion Hiding

 Where do the day go?  We didn’t do much of anything and I think Abbey was going crazy because she’s got to be busy all of the time. She tried. We were going to take a walk to the local store, but DanaRiley was the smart one and turned around…it was too hot.  Before we were going for this walk, Alene brought out her shoes to put on, and her wallet. Abbey and I watched Alene as she “hid” her wallet between the two cushions in the chair she usually sits in. She STUFFED it between those cushions until it couldn’t be seen. She put her shoes on and began looking for her wallet. We let her look in every room, cupboards and drawers until Abbey was vacuuming and lifted the side of the chair and said, “Mom, come look”. Alene didn’t remember right away putting it there, but later said she did remember, (not sure if I believe that). I asked her why she would put it between the cushions, and she said so no stranger could come in and get it.  At least Abbey now knows another hiding place for things
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Seven Trains

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We had an EXCITING excursion to Ogallala today!  We went to the sports complex and let DanaRiley run around the baseball field untethered.  She was a puppy again for a few short minutes. Abbey and Alene shopped for a few items at Walmart while I waited in the car with my pup; we got coffee and headed back to the FF. It doesn’t take much to amuse us! When we got home, Abbey bravely broached the subject again of home health care. Although Alene doesn’t want help, she did kind of agree to 4 hours a day. Now, if she’ll remember this…??? Who knows. Either way, it has to happen and it will be so much easier if she agrees to it.  She was even joking around when discussing the type of person she’d like to help, some of which I won’t repeat! 🤪 She did say “okay, if I can get a dog!”  Abbey said “what about Ducky?”  Alene said she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Ducky’s feelings. No dog for now. Alene has a constant need to be helpful and productive. She spent time in the garage, went out to use t
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Root Beer Floats

 Today, Sunday, started out to be a really hard day. Abbey began the tough conversation about bringing in a home health care aide for 4-5 hours a day when she goes back to teaching school August 1st. Alene vehemently denied she needs help, but, Abbey, through her tears, stuck to her guns. Alene begged for two weeks to prove she didn’t need help. I doubt she’ll remember the conversation tomorrow, but she was determined to prove her worth. She made several attempts to be productive this morning by going to the garage and trying to figure out where all the tools came from, etc. Abbey had to prove to her that the tools belonged to her dad, Alene’s husband Jerry. She wanted to cover a shelf in the garage with contact paper and ran out. She moved many things around so it made sense to her, but probably no one else.  There were tears flowing all around.  In my opinion, Abbey needs to stay with her plan and bring someone in. Alene should not be left alone for any length of time. Alene said “I
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Abbey

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 Today was a rest day. Pretty uneventful except Abbey and I waded in Kylie’s Pink Flamingo in 100 degre temperatures!  I did about 30 minutes and she was outside for hours.  She’s a worker bee and can’t be still for very long. Let me tell you a bit about Abbey: She stays constantly busy doing something productive and it’s usually for someone else. She works hard and fast no matter what it is that she’s doing. She’s a school teacher and teaches mentally challenged youngsters every single day during the school year. She’s extremely organized and, from my perspective, she’d have to be to get accomplished the amount of things she does.  She LOVES her family and is a fiercely protective mama bear when it comes to Michaela and Kylie…even though they’re adults. They call to check in every day and to share their daily lives with one another. Abbey is loving and caring to her core. She would do just about anything for someone in her inner circle. She’ll do whatever she can for her mom, even if
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I 70

 Oh, the gorgeous, majestic Rocky Mountains! We had a beautiful drive through Utah, but there’s nothing that compares to the glorious Glenwood Canyon and the views both east and west of the Canyon   Then we were just east of Vail, and were stopped for almost 3 hours because of a fatal accident on I 70. We were blessed because it happened just minutes ahead of us. By the time we reached Denver, we were in rush hour traffic. It’s all good though; almost 11 hours in the car to go 450 miles, and we’ve arrived at the FF safe and sound.  DanaRiley was a dream pup through it all.  Abbey had a delicious dinner ready and helped bring in the luggage, thank God!  She’s such a doll! Alene and I had a good time in the car today. She was interactive and very funny…that is until we got off I 70 and we’re on I 76 heading north to Nebraska - she seemed lost and very confused with still 3-4 hours to go.  She didn’t recognize any part of the drive (except the last 30 minutes) and kept saying she thought
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7-11

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Cousin Bernie, Alene and me Today was a better drive; it wasn’t as hot and it was much prettier because we drove through gorgeous Utah. The La Quinta we stayed in last night in St. George was great. They had several grassy areas for dogs and the room was very nice as was the front desk clerk. DanaRiley and I were able to get a nice walk in this morning before it got too hot. We were on the road by 8:30 am. We made only 3 or 4 stops today, one was in Richfield where we stopped at Walmart and then at a park. I did stop at a 7-11 because it is 7/11 and free Slurpee day!  However, they only had gross flavors and the ones that turn your mouth different shades of green and purple.  So I passed and eventually found Alene one of her favorite drinks, frozen coke. Much better! When we reached Green River, UT, I left a message for my cousin Bernie who lives in Grand Junction, our stop for the night. She met us at the hotel and visited with us for over an hour. That was very nice! …or was it The G
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