Monday, May 11, 2015

Weekend at a Glance

I was able to spend a fair bit of time outdoors this weekend. I had a visit planned with my dad on Saturday to take him his new wheelchair!! He was quite cooperative and happy to go out for a walk in the neighbourhood with me. It was really hot!! And since my dad has lived in care facilities he has gained a significant amount of weight through overeating and lack of exercise ... he is a heavy man to push in a chair! Ugh, hard work. He felt sympathy for me and suggested  "Come on, I'll push you". Then he said "Take a rest, come sit on my lap". I don't know if he was serious or not ... he looked serious, but I just had to laugh. 

I'm so glad my dad still retains a tiny sense of humour even though he has dementia. There are lots of times that I go to see him and all he wants to do is grumble. Then it turns to "I don't know where I am, how do get out of here". It's hard to answer the questions satisfactorily, and then five minutes later he's asking the same things again. There's always a sense of desperation about them, which makes me so sad for him. Getting him out for a walk was such a relief, and a great change of scenery! He was happy, chatty and saying "hello" to people passing by. A very good visit :) 


I was walking slowly allowing him time to look around and enjoy everyone's pretty gardens. Even though I wasn't over exerting myself, it was hard work on even the slightest of hills. I was so hot by the time we returned to the home. We wheeled him back to his room, switched over to his walker, and got into the dining room for lunch where someone was sitting in "his" spot. Oh dear. I was luckily able to bring him to the seat beside his usual spot, and he seemed content when I said goodbye. 

I guess this will be my usual routine while visiting him now when the weather is fine. I only found out last weekend that he had not been joining any of the outings through the entire winter. I was under the impression that he had been getting out every couple of weeks. I can no longer manage to get him into my own vehicle on my own. I drive a truck, and even when I took a small sturdy step with me, it's really difficult to get him up onto the step and then into the truck. The last time I did that I really didn't think he was going to make it in, and I was getting into a small panic that he was going to fall backwards ... probably on top of me! It was then that I admitted I could no longer manage this safely (I'm no spring chicken myself!). Getting the wheelchair will allow me to take him out again, and he really craves getting out of the building. He loves being outside as much as I do.

Back home I was able to do a small bit of puttering in the gardens. Saturday was hot, and the birds were really enjoying the feeders and the bird bath. The plants are all coming up nicely, although I'm missing a few from last year. And sadly, I think my mom's redbud tree did not make it through the winter ... its branches are bare of any bud or leaf :( 

The red-winged blackbirds were cleaning out the feeder regularly. I was just putting one cup full of seed out at a time because they were just inhaling it! You can see in the upper right photo below, the male is strutting his stuff for the little ladies. His bright red epaulets are trimmed with gold, and he fluffs them up with his wings hunched up when he's feeling proud. Once he was back to eating on the feeder, the moment had past and the epaulets are no longer as visible. The blackbirds were all quite vocal, and I just love their reedy song.


A sweet pair of chipping sparrows were also visiting. I think these may be the tiniest of our sparrows, and are awfully cute with their rusty helmets and delicate ways. I was taking these photos from a distance, but even then they kept a wary eye on that camera lens.


One bird that I don't often see in my yard is the cowbird. So named as they will follow cows and other farm animals around out in the pasture. As the cows move along while eating, they disturb bugs, and the cowbirds eat the bugs. I really like these little guys. They used to follow our horse Scamp around the field. I wonder if she didn't enjoy their company too. You can see the subtle colouring on their black bodies in the bottom photo.


And finally, a warbler!! Last spring I was lucky to have been outside when a small troupe of warblers descended one weekend (the May 24 weekend). I wrote a post with lots of photos here if you're interested. This weekend I saw a little Yellow Warbler, and was able to snap four shots of him before he flew away again. I hope more warblers pass through here again, I just love these tiny beauties!


This is what I was seeing last year ...


Blackburnian Warbler

The American Goldfinches were in their element, especially since I have added another finch feeder for them. I counted ten finches out there, and they certainly brighten up the yard with their flashes of yellow! "Sweet" little birds with a pretty song. Actually, these guys are always bickering with one another, and it's entertaining to watch them with beaks open and wings spread defending their perch at the feeder!


Here's a little White Capped Sparrow hiding out in the pine tree.



The weather started to turn yesterday with a bit of rain late morning, then sun, then rain again last night. This morning is much cooler and overcast, but perhaps it will clear up enough for me to get outside again later today. My husband got the pond cleaned out and the waterfall running again. Although this is officially my son's pond, it seems he has lost interest in it now. I waited all last summer for him to take take the initiative and put some plants around it, but he neglected it. This summer I'm not going to wait, I'll just get some plants to put around it myself because I don't like it looking so empty around the edges.


Unfortunately, there are no fish to put in the pond this year. Some sort of infection took hold of all my son's fish, and one by one they have all died. The last one died yesterday, just as my husband finished filling the pond. It's been a hard winter in that respect for my son, and he was feeling a bit despondent over it all. Hopefully we'll be able to get some more shebunkins (his favourite) at our local gardening centre. I'm tired of burying fish, and now in the gardens are Victoria & Albert, Lemon Ice, Orange (the colour), Orange (the fruit) and Over Under ... we'll miss you guys!

I'm linking up with Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday! Be sure to pop over there and see what others have posted for their mosaics :)
Thanks for hosting Judith!

Mosaic Monday






28 comments:

  1. It's so hard when our parents get older, such a reversal of roles. Glad you got to take him out even if it was a bit of work.
    Lovely bird photos.

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  2. I'm glad you were able to have a good visit with your dad. It's not an easy thing watching a parent age. Those chipping sparrows are really cute. I don't think we have them out West.

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  3. Your bird collection is unbelievable! I wished you lived closer to me as I would have you help me set up feeders! And I'm glad you were able to see your dad and get him outside! He is lucky to have you! And that picture of him is so sweet! We are cooler here too with rain... I hope it warms up a bit! Have a great week Wendy! Nicole co

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  4. I am so happy your visit with your father was a good one-those are always special days-my Mom has taken a turn for the worse now, dementia is such a horrible illness.
    Your birds are fabulous! I love spring especially for listening for all the bird songs-they make me happy

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  5. Kudos to you for pushing your dad's wheelchair this weekend. It was certainly hot here so I'm assuming it was very warm there also. LOVE your warbler photos!

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  6. The visit with your father sounded like it went well, my father also had the dementia..It is sad to see our parents put up with this awful disease..So sorry about the pond fish and redbud.. This last two winters took a toll on our rhododendrons. On the brighter side, I love your beautiful warblers..Love your pretty birds! Lucky you! Have a happy day and week ahead!

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  7. Love the photos of all the birds - what treasures. Glad you could get your father out for a walk.

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  8. Visiting your Father sounds just like visiting my husband's Brother. It is so sad and yet they take such pleasure in the visit only to forget in the next moment. so keep up the good work.
    You are spot on about the Red-winged blackbirds---they can empty feeders in a magical second.
    Nice blog I had a nice interesting visit.
    MB

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  9. Great pictures! I love those bird mosaics. I never seen able to capture birds in my photos. They are too quick for me! My dad had dementia too. He has passed away now, from ALS, but he struggled with Frontal Temporal Dimentia before he passed away. It was hard to see him "lose his mind" as his once athletic body failed him, too. Enjoy your time with your Dad. Time does pass too quickly...

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  10. Great pictures! I love those bird mosaics. I never seen able to capture birds in my photos. They are too quick for me! My dad had dementia too. He has passed away now, from ALS, but he struggled with Frontal Temporal Dimentia before he passed away. It was hard to see him "lose his mind" as his once athletic body failed him, too. Enjoy your time with your Dad. Time does pass too quickly...

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  11. I really enjoy your mosaics and beautiful birds!

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  12. I bet your Dad really enjoyed his trip out Wendy it will have done him a world of good, I wonder why he hasn't been going out during the winter. Your pictures are lovely I wish I could pop over for a coffee and watch the beautiful birds in your garden. I'm sorry to hear about your son's fish dying I know how awful it can be that's one of the reasons I got rid of my fish tank they don't seem to live very long. Have a great week. :) xx

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  13. Yay!! How wonderful that you were able to break your Dad out!!! It sounds as though it did both of you a lot of good to get out and about and to enjoy a little walk, even if it was heavy going on the pushing for you. I am sure that the stimulation must have helped you both. I hope that you can both enjoy some more exploring over the summer. Sorry to hear about your sons fish, losing any pet is never fun is it. I hope that you can enjoy planting around the pond though, and perhaps in time he will get some new fish too. xx

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  14. I'm sorry to hear about the redbud tree, but it sounds like everything else is coming into leaf and bloom nicely there. It's really nice that you're taking your dad for good walks around the neighborhood. He must be enjoying it because he looks very calm and happy in that photo. I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day and that you have a great week.

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  15. I'm really happy that you had a good visit with your Dad!
    It's exciting seeing the birds come back,isn't it.
    Jane x

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  16. I suppose my mother must have been further along with her dementia when we decided to take her out of the nursing home for lunch with my dad. It was terrible to see her so afraid of different surroundings and routine that we decided to never to put her in these upsetting circumstances again. I hope your dad is still good for a few excursions outside in his new wheelchair. (when my mother passed, we donated her chair to the nursing home)
    I'll have to keep an eye out for warblers, a pretty bird and only once has a cowbird come around to check out the feeders.
    Lots of dieback of certain shrubs and trees from winter so I hope we get enough rain this summer so they don't decline further.
    Happy Gardening Wendy, thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

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  17. What a wonderful array of birds especially the Blackburnian Warbler. I have never heard of this bird...love your dad's smile.

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  18. Hi Wendy.....
    Your Dad looks like he would have a lot of good stories to tell!
    My Mom died suddenly....guess that is better than seeing her decline slowly....
    You are a good daughter!
    I have the same mesh bird feeder...and I had tons of those adorable white capped sparrows at the cottage!
    Have a great week...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  19. I am so sorry about your father having dementia. My mother and mother-in-law both had it and it's so difficult to keep a good attitude with them when they keep repeating themselves and they are so grumpy and depressive a lot of the time. They need stimulation and we found they needed to get out and socialize if possible although most times the staff is too busy to do so. It's really sad to see this disease progress and I know it is a difficult road for you. I'm glad your father enjoyed his excursion outside. I loved seeing all the beautiful birds in your yard. I have never seen a warbler but I saw a female cowbird the other day. Lovely post. Pam

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  20. Wendy, thanks for sharing your visit with your Dad. Good for you for getting him out. The bird pictures are terrific. Sylvia D.

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  21. I use a wheelchair for both my Dad and my husband, you get used to it with time and it doesn't ache as much. Its just so nice to be able to get them out and about and enjoy the weather. You have captured some beautiful bird pictures encapsulating the beauty of the season.

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  22. I'm glad you were able to have a good day with your dad, I totally understand how few they can be & it certainly makes all the difference to your moral! Before my dad went in the home & while he was there his wheelchair was a great help to us. Take care my dear x

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  23. Glad you had a good day with your Dad...enjoy the moments..Great bird shots..Enjoy your week..

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  24. Such a lovely photo of your dad. He has a very cheeky smile. Looks as if he is enjoying his excursion around the neighbourhood immensely. You are going to become very fit....oh hang on you are already very fit.....you are the lady who walks miles up and down mountains and canoes for miles. ;) It must be a delight to sit in your garden and enjoy all your feathered friends. You seem to capture the most beautiful photos, Wendy. The birds obviously enjoy your lovely yard and company.

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  25. I remember my husband's Mom asking questions in the same way and worrying about where she was. It's hard isn't it when they seemed distressed or unhappy? I am sure your Dad enjoyed your walk together and the lunch that followed.
    You bird photos are really wonderful. Birdwatching in the garden is becoming a bit of a hobby for me. I have never seen a cowbird or a warbler, but at least I might recognize one now if ever they turn up in my garden.

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  26. Lovely photos. Enjoy the good moments with your Dad. Bless his heart. And yours.

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  27. Stunning bird photos Wendy. Many of your native birds seem more colourful than our equivalents, exquisite creatures :)

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  28. Your photos are lovely but best of all that is a super one of your Dad Wendy.

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