20 July, 2020 - Joking with You & A Surprise Guest

Dear, Mom -

(Something goofy is going on with the formatting, so I apologize if it looks a bit out of whack.)

I was pleased as punch to be able to talk to you today. It had been about a week, I guess, which is fine. Everyone there needs a turn to talk to family. We are all taking turns and Joy does a great job. We had such a fun conversation. I am very glad that you have a good time with the ladies that live there, too. It reminds me of the Thursday lunches you used to have with the ladies that would come to your painting class. You would have lunch and gossip and laugh. Those were fun times. 

These are a couple of the painting that you taught your class how to paint. Kim’s mom Nella still has her’s hanging up in her house!

Here is a picture that I took today of when you and I and Joy were talking. Joy almost got in the picture, too. It is always nice to see you laugh and smile, Mom. It means a lot to me.

Tonight we have the air conditioner going. Elsa finally hasn’t ran into the bathroom for the first time since the beginning of July. I worry about her feeling fearful and feeling like she needs to be isolated away from the scary noises and us in there. With the air conditioner running, she can’t hear the noises and frequencies that tend to alarm her. We will keep it on all night so that both she and Holly sleep better. I sleep alright, but I tend to wake up and look or listen for Elsa, wondering if she has felt safe enough to come in the room and lay on the floor in the spot she likes.

Holly gets to stay home through September with her work building being closed. They may even offer employees the opportunity to keep working from home, which she really wants to do. Some people really like the routine of going to work, but Holly prefers it at home a lot more. For one thing she can hear a lot better because there isn’t a cacophony of people around her talking. She can have the lighting the way she likes it (she prefers low light to annoying fluorescent overheads). And it is much quicker to get up and use the bathroom, have a cup of tea, pet the dog after a bad call, etc. I am hoping she can stay at home. It will be healthier all around.

Tad just sent me a couple of pictures to share with you. He was asking how you were doing the other day, so I sent him some nice pictures that I have from Joy and from me taking screenshots of our video chats.

This is Tad with wife Debbie out on a ride with Bohemia Mountain in the background.

Here is Tad sending you a smile from his couch this evening.

I’m gettin pretty tired and need to go get ready to turn in, Mom. I will leave you with some lovely flowers from today’s walk with Elsa. I hope you enjoy them. I love you bunches and miss you oodles. We will come see you as soon as it is safe. We’ll give you huge hugs and many smooches. All My Love to You,

❤️😘Your Youngest, Sally Ann😍❤️