Dad took another memory test at Dr. Johnston's. She doesn't want us to give him "help". It is hard because I can sort of understand what he is talking about and at times she seems confused by his answers. But he seems to be able to talk about the war in Iraq easier than names. He was talking about Jennie, his sister than started talking about Jennie my sister. (I personally don't mind that kind of conversation that switches gears, but she was asking him about his own siblings).

Anyway, Dad says his shoes bother him, and his eyes feel better when he takes them off. SOmetimes he just slips them on with the heel pushing down on the back of the shoe. Maybe some clogs or sandals would be better.

Dad is still doing good with Scrabble and Cribbage. I was getting bored with dominos and solitaire for three. I always make sure he has the blue peg. One time he was green and he kept asking what color he was. By the end of the game I forgot what color I was!

I called Dad while he was at Cathy's house, to wish him a Happy Father's Day. He sounded very alert and with lots of enthusiasm. He thinks things aren't going
so great, I think in terms of the fact that he doesn't really know what's going
on, although he can't articulate it well. I tried to ask how his day caretaker was,
I thought his name was "Robert" from when I was there in the Spring, but maybe
he has changed, because we couldn't seem to agree on the fellow's name. Mom
wasn't sure, either.

Then I just told him how much I loved him, and what a great Dad he was, sense of humor, doing for others, etc. He really appreciated it. I told him Faye and I would see him
in August - I will go a couple of days early before the beach.

We played Scrabble yesterday. Dad tried to use the word Foxer but I challenged him. I had tried to use the word brainer but Dad challenged me. I was thinking of the expression no-brainer, but was not in dictionary. Since Dad will not count his score Mom and I do it--I watch Mom carefully but ususally she gets it right.

I tried a new food item for the lunch Black bean burgers, made with beans, corn and tomatoes, okay but a bit dry. I also prepared a frozen spinach souffle and added swiss cheese and eggs to make it different.

Talked about getting a cell phone. I may get a tracphone at first because there is no commitment. Mom thinks the "free" phone is a better deal, but the ad does not tell how much the activation fee is. Dad immediately said no. Suzie might get one and I want to borrow it to see how it works.

Dad said he forgot what "rung" meant. Then he immediately remembered that it was from a ladder. He then talked about ladders on ships. I also mentioned that rung was past tense of ring. He also asked me if I had replaced the window in my dining room where we were sitting, which was broken accidently by a falling piece of wood used when I was widening the doorway to my kitchen. (which happened 10 years ago). Anyway, this doesn't seem very interesting, but just wanted to write it down for future reference.

We also played checkers and he won. I am unable to see beyond one turn, so whenever I jump him, he is able to jump me twice the next turn. I do enjoy the cribbage with him though.

I went to a support group for Alzheimer's. There was a very belligerant man there who spoke harshly about his mother. Unfortunately he sat down next to me and seemed to direct his comments at me, which made me feel very uncomfortable. I said a few things, but one or two ladies were doing most of the talking. I hope next time that everyone will get a chance to speak. The facilitator was obviously tired that night and unable to let everyone have a turn. The support group I went to last month was more organized but the facilitator was trying to "solve" peoples problems for them. I think she should have just listened more. Anyway it lets me see other people who are in the same situation and how they are dealing with it.

We played Cribbage for three today. Dad says his eyes were itchy. Mom had to lie down after the visit for a few minutes because her back hurt. But she was fine earlier in the day and had gone to water exercise class. It is a pleasant day so I will go to community wide picnic at nearby Bolton Park for light supper. (I am writing this on Mom's computer but this message is from Cathy).