The Bistro

Jule comes downstairs less and less these days, and eating in the bedroom began to feel depressing, so I decided to invest in a table to put across the hall by the small window in Anna's former bedroom, hoping it would create a bistro-like atmosphere. After scouting five stores without success, I pulled into the driveway feeling down. As I shifted the car into park, there it was. The table. The small round glasstop table on my front porch. Perfect! I immediately dusted the spiderwebs off, washed it down and moved it upstairs. My old table cloth and two spare kitchen chairs completed the ensemble. Now we have a homey new corner, ten steps from Mom's bed but looking out over the autumn leaves coloring the backyard lawn. We play Scrabble, read the paper over coffee, and she writes her notes away from her bedroom in this cozy nook. I didn't have to go searching for the perfect table, it was right here all along.

After the pause...

Where did the time go? I was blogging almost daily then stopped and life took over. Now a few weeks have passed. The BIAV Scrabble Tournament is finished, a child moved out, I got to see two of my cross country sisters, my trip to Los Angeles is a fresh memory, and the JRW writer's conference is behind me. I'm back pecking at the keyboard, only for some reason, I have little to say, so I'll ramble. After so long away from my writing, I need to warm up anyway...

Fall is here. As usual, we went from summer to winter--A/C to heat. Mom's breathing has grown more labored. She can't walk as far or do much without coughing or wheezing, so she prefers to be still. She remains calm and composed, sweet and agreeable. Two things she does still love, to eat and play Scrabble. She beats me every time, though last night by only two points. We still watch MadMen and it blows her mind: the decadence, the indecency, the cheating and the truly wonderful clothes! She coughs when she laughs, but she laughs anyway.