07-17-24 SSI friends and family
I spent the morning washing my car, doing laundry, taking care of a few clients, changing the bed and visiting with Kym. At one point I went t up to the shop with Greg to bring down his flat deck for him. We stopped at guys working on the roadside clearing and 3 of the 4 were friends, Amos, Jay and Ole. I’m not going to lie, my heart was full finding them so happy to see me. Ole said he had been wondering recently how I was doing. It really is nice to know I had a space in their lives that was meaningful.
I packed up and said my goodbye to go visit my step-mom, Donna whom I call Mrs B. She has progressive Alzheimer’s and is in Extended Care at Lady Minto She didn’t know me at first but recognized my voice and mannerisms as definitely being a Bellavance. I laughed when I realized she was wearing a signed Donnie McDougall t-shirt. He was a guitar player for The Guess Who and a friend whom I haven’t seen for a while. I was surprised and cheered the fact that they get happy hour everyday at 3. She enjoys her Scotch and soda. Most of the time we talked about her time as a teacher. She is a brilliant woman and often mentioned that she forgets now, yet quoted Robert Frost. There was one line that kept alluding her so I wrote it on a paper as well as a small family tree from Dad on down.
I took time to speak with Katie who is her worker and has also been an acquaintance of mine for years. I asked her to let me know ow if there was anything I could send or do and she did say some newer comfy clothes and pictures. Mrs B did ask me for the picture of us that I took the last time I was there. Kym has a picture book I the works and will add some of my family as well. We had good laughs and although she often asked my name, how old I was and where I lived, there were sharp moments. I told her that she was my WSM and she immediately responded, “Wicked Step Mother!” I think we both gasped when we calculated that she had known me for nearly 50 years.
I left and headed for the 6 ferry out of Fulford Harbour to Schwarts bay. I was very early so had time for a bowl of soup and a glass of Garry Oaks Pinot Gris. I invited a lady to sit with me who was over for a meditation retreat and was catching a bite on the way. She was sweet and grateful for the seat out of the sun.
Once I was on the second boat to Tsawwassen, which I had to barely sit in line for, I had the fish and chips I had taken out I confess that the wine and the company were the best part of that experience. It was a beautiful crossing and always thrilling for the tourists when the whales breached in Active Pass
I found this online that spoke to my thoughts about talking out my feelings about Lee and how he thought it should be bygones
I enjoyed the drive to Jake’s and found a spot to park right out front. it is a lovely neighborhood near to where we used to live in Vancouver. It is an older building though and very hot
Mom called while I was on the boat. She is very stressed from the heat. I may have to make room for her at my place but that is going to be complicated. I asked Rae if Will could go visit her for a couple hours in the afternoons and put cool cloths on her legs and make sure ahead of time is getting enough water.
Had a great catchup with Jake about the tech show he was at in Tai Pei and the trip to Japan that followed. I am happy for him and am glad he is coming up next weekend for his 30th birthday.
triumphgal 