[Wed]

Rummy in bed till midnight. Slept well. Woke feeling some better this morning.

Disconnected the lifeline and headed out with Mary. 38 degrees. Shared two cheeseburgers, fries and drink at Burger King using coupon.

We ran into Eli and son in Walmart. Then sister-law Kathi Jo and the Mister. Later, a Sandra (?) Mary knew from church.

On the way home, a stop at Peebles'. Mary bought me two new topped sweaters to wear in bed.

I lounged in the waiting area, head thrown back, closed my eyes and imagined I could just make out the sweet notes of a Heavenly choir in the distance. Oxygen deficit? Brought back by the face and voice of private gumshoe Larry Barlar. "How are you doing, John?" I learned from Mary later that I had entirely missed Maricruz and family leaving.

Arrived home not so bad with the oxygen as I feared.

Think I can feel the Prednisone working.

34.0 °F, clear.

[Sat]

All the symptoms early. Abated by noon. Only a small wheezing cough since then. Fingers crossed.

Turkey stuffing for lunch, with plantain, yuca and nopal. Apple and pear appetizers.

We watched Valentin (2002) from Netflix. 9-year-old boy in 60's Buenos Aires deals with family problems. Well made. Fine acting.

47.8 °F, rain.

[Fri]

Bronchitis.

Deborah and Delores called. Marion back at Vanderbilt. Can't make it for cards.

Ham, potato salad, sweet potato and Brussels sprouts for lunch.

Sarah took Marion's place.

Andrea took Mother home. Left Harrison sleeping with Sarah. Picked them up when they awoke.

Visit by Vickie, daughter and grandchildren Isabela and Samuel. Andrea dropped off Mary and Sarah to play with kids.

I'm all in.

119 lbs.

46.5 °F, partly cloudy.

We had Christmas guests yesterday evening. Humberto, Blanca and their kids William, Daniela and Jamie. Blanca's sister Martha and her kids Claudia and Javier. Nidia. Terry and Gloria Einhorn. Eleven in all. Tamales, loud music and much talk. The party lasted till past 2:00 am this morning.

The Einhorns left. The rest stayed over. While some were still in bed, Mary and I headed to the family dinner at the Pink House, arriving at noon. We helped Mother hand out 38 cash gift envelops this day.

Harrison was a big hit. Mary made sure everyone willing, held him for a few minutes. Stephen gave in reluctantly. Only sister-in-law Delores refused flat-out.

Left a little early. I haven't been worth a flip for at least two days now. Don't really feel up to taking pictures or posting. Lack of oxygen and the strength/capacity to breathe it.

36.8 °F, clear.

Town run this morning. First farmers with a deposit. Walmart for more Christmas fixings. Mary ran into a friend from church. I met Tommy Spence shopping. Ewell Caldwell, brother Marion's head mechanic for many years, also happened to be there.

Back home, Humberto's empanadas for lunch. Then, Mary continued preparations for the Novena held here tonight.

A good number made it from Mary's church. Anna, Robert, Denise and Leah were the only gringos to show up. Leah freaked out when the loud music started. I struggled to read my part of the recitations. Not enough breath. Nevertheless, it was a fine Novena.

I ate too many of Margarita's gorditas. Will pay at tomorrow's weigh-in.

49.3 °F, overcast.

[Fri]

Andrea arrived with Harrison and Mother. Marion didn't make it. Expected.

Shrimp in pink sauce for lunch, with creamed spinach and baby potatoes. Cantaloupe appetizers. With everything going on, Mary forgot the black beans. Lunch was good just the same.

Stephanie surprised us, just in time to join our card game.

During the game, Blanca, Martha and Nidia drove up in a van with Claudia, Christian and other stout youngsters to help finish Mary's yard work. While some worked outside, Martha began cooking sancocho.

It was decided that the kitchen was too small for that and cards. Stephanie took her leave. Andrea took Mother home. Nidia took temporary charge of Harrison. As a matter of fact, Harrison probably enjoyed himself more than anyone else this day. Constant attention from the ladies.

I braved the cold just long enough to snap a few pictures. Was told Bill Spence's two daughters were taking down the corral fence at the old barn. Bill, George and Todd attended for a while. But, they were all gone by the time I was out. Would have been a good photo-op. Oh, well.

Odors from the kitchen filled the whole house, driving me crazy. Andrea and I had to have some sancocho. We did. Call it early supper.

Delores called. Marion, as I feared, is back in the Vanderbilt psychiatric hospital. He's not allowed visitors. We'll see.

Company left. Mary cleaned up. Was a good day.

119 lbs.

39.7 °F, overcast.

[Wed]

Feeling my weakness all day. With great reluctance and care, I rise from my chair.

Finished off the soup and green peas for lunch.

Blanca paid us a visit, bringing daughters Daniela and Jamie, Daniela's new boyfriend Christopher, and Blanca's friend Nidia. The three older ladies chatted in the kitchen for a while.

But, after coffees and ice cream, Mary sent the young folk out to finish hanging her Christmas lights on the porch.

Then, it was the ladies' turn.

Blanca and Nidia helped Mary move leaves.

Grandson Johnny called. He has found WoW too easy now, boring. I told him I too would probably stop playing after the free trial period expires.

But, Johnny's a half century younger than I. So, maybe it's not just because I'm old and tired.

Hold on to that thought.

37.4 °F, partly cloudy.

[Tue]

Town run near midday. At First Farmers, we deposited a check and withdrew cash out of Mother's account for her to give as Christmas presents. At Kroger we got medications and a few odds and ends. I think I spotted Tiffany's mother. Mary thinks she saw Linda Cox.

For a late lunch, we finished off the spaghetti and green peas, adding savory rotisserie chicken and sweet potato. Avocado on the side. Apple and pear appetizers.

Mike Wiggins called from the bank to say he had given me two dollars too much. Doh. Debit my account.

Almost too lazy to come to the office and post.

44.1 °F, overcast.

[Mon]

Feeling much better.

George and Anna brought Leah this morning.

Tilapia, green peas, turnip, plantain and carrots for lunch. Avocado on the side. Apple and pear appetizers.

Mary was busy keeping Leah from taking apart the Nativity scene and Christmas tree. I was Mary's eyes and ears while she was in the kitchen, etc.

Denise picked up Leah.

Deborah called. The carpenter began tearing out her kitchen floor today.

50.4 °F, overcast.

[Fri]

Yesterday evening, after a download lasting three days, Warcraft was installed on the Compaq. Immediately, a message popped up, saying the computer did not meet recommended capacity to run the game. Sheesh!

Marion called this morning. He's spending the weekend at Vanderbilt Hospital. I hope Delores didn't put him in the psycho ward again.

Niece Andrea brought Mother and tried out the simple GizmoPal on her. Didn't work. Mother couldn't figure it out. Back to the drawing board. Andrea ran to Walmart and bought a pre-paid phone very similar to the one Mother was using before. I fear Mother's past using any phone at all.

Mary gave Mother a manicure and a pedicure.

Mother had a chicken pot pie for lunch. One of the few things she will eat. The rest of us enjoyed Mary's spaghetti with bread sticks. Cantaloupe appetizers. Cheesecake for dessert.

After the card game, Andrea left Harrison with Mary and took Mother home. Niece Stephanie came. An expression of great weariness on her face. Andrea returned. Serious talk about Mother between the three of us. Weighing the options.

Andrea and Stephanie left me at ease, feeling problems can be resolved.

119 lbs.

36.5 °F, clear.