The appointment with my neurologist was for 1:40 pm at the medical building adjacent to the hospital. We arrived in Columbia in time to lunch at O'Charley's before seeing the doc.

For Mary, O'Charley's means O'Charley's Over-Loaded Potato Soup. She had a bowl. (288-290 calories) I had a cup. (166-170 calories) We shared four rolls. (130 calories per roll!) Two cups of coffee rounded out the order.

Dr. Ruff was pleasant enough. Asked a few questions and made a rudimentary examination. Bottom line, there has been no medical breakthroughs in the sixty years since I contracted polio that could help my deteriorating condition. No news there.

Oddly, a calmness began to take me over as I drove home. It remains with me.

70.3 °F, mostly cloudy.

Anna brought Leah, as usual.

Salmon for lunch, with acorn squash, spinach, carrots and tomato. Apple and pear appetizers.

We never managed to get Leah to take her nap.

After Denise picked up Leah, Mary and I went to Rock Creek Park. Leaving the Durango at the VFW, we took in the library end. May have been our last chance to do it this year in summer-like weather.

Before heading home, we strolled over to La Superior. Mary bought a few things.

72.4 °F, clear.

On edge. Out of sorts today.

I was at the outpost while Mary was at mass. When she returned, I headed for the house. Stuart walked up with Hudson. Stuart meant a longer stay, but Hudson would have none of it. Wanted his mommy.

Cheese Krystals with fries for lunch.

We watched Under the Skin (2014) from Netflix. Confusing fantasy about a kind of alien vampiress. I can't see anyone other than Scarlett Johansson fanatics enjoying this.

George found me at the outpost. We talked into the night.

66.7 °F, clear.

Niece Stephanie called this morning. Full of interesting ideas in regard to Mother's care.

More of the soup for lunch.

Mary attended the mass and wedding for our friend Nayeli. I sampled the summer-like weather at the outpost. George drove up in the golf cart. Showed me a small garden snake Leah had been playing with. Offered, in jest, to show it to Mary. No thanks. That would ruin her day for sure.

When Mary returned, we had coffee. It wasn't long before we headed out to West Church Street. Nayeli's wedding festivities were held in The Powder Room of the old Borden Factory Plant. The industrial building converted to an event center is about the size of one of my warehouses. We knew quite a few guests there. Sat at a table with Maricruz and her sons Jorge and Bryan.

The Mariachi Band Garibaldi was serenading from table to table. Mary's special friend Margarita, mother of the bride, visited with us for a while.

The food, San Luis Potosí style, was provided by the groom's parents. The mole was flown in special from Mexico.

Mary and I left soon after the dance music began. It was ear-splitting.

67.9 °F, clear.

Dark clouds over my head. Soon dispelled.

I was very pleased this morning and much relieved to see Mother walk in on her own two feet. She looked better than she has in some time. Wanted her hair styled as usual. Mary not only obliged, but gave her a manicure and a long overdue pedicure.

I called Darnell. Looks like the interested parties, after I held #2 and #3 for them two weeks, are getting cold feet. $108,000 contract. That's just after I sent away another party interested in the same location. Grr. Probably another $54,000 contract. Not a good day for business.

Chicken noodle soup and crackers for lunch. Honeydew melon appetizer.

Although brother Marion couldn't make it this week, we five still had a high old time. Mother responded to little Harrison, as indeed we all did, and seemed more awake to the world.

We played cards till 3:00 pm. That was enough for Mary. She was tired. As Andrea was leaving to take Mother home, niece Stephanie showed up. She cared for Harrison till Andrea returned.

I learned that Stephanie's brother Wesley is getting married on Halloween day. Hmmm. I wonder what costume the bride will wear.

Andrea returned and she, Stephanie and I had a nice long visit. By the time my nieces left, the relief I felt when I saw Mother walk in this morning and the smiles little Harrison kindled in my heart mingled to give a peace I haven't felt in weeks.

119 lbs.

58.9 °F, partly cloudy.

Deborah had an early morning auto accident between Co-op and Sequatchie. Her car was flipped over. She got out of it almost without a scratch.

Empanadas for lunch.

Mary drove us to Kroger for my inhalation medication. Then, to Mother's. Niece Claire was already there, Delores and Chad arriving later. Deborah had obtained a rental car, Dodge Caravan, in Columbia and was resting at home.

From there, we drove to Murphy for gas, stopping on the way at A-Plus Collision Center to see Deborah's smashed up Ford Escape.

Back home, we watched Mud (2012) from Netflix. Two young boys become involved with a fugitive holed up on a river island. Matthew McConaughey was good. I hardly recognized Reese Witherspoon. She's usually over the top. Solid two hours of entertainment.

62.2 °F, clear.

Stressful day. Mother couldn't/wouldn't get out of bed this morning. Arrived only at noon. Threw the whole day out of kilter.

Pork chops for lunch, with zipper cream peas from George's garden, turnips, turnip greens, tomato and cornbread. Honeydew melon for appetizer. Butter pecan ice cream during the card game.

Mother ate with rollers still in her hair. Mary brought the dryer into the kitchen and Mother played cards while her hair dried. Awkward.

Marion had a rougher than usual day. His two-o'clock medication didn't kick in as expected. He joined me in gasping for air.

During all the Helter Skelter, the Canadian called. Fortunately, Bill and George were at the warehouses to show him around.

Delores picked up Marion. Deborah came for Mother. At odds with Mary. Deborah uses a strident tough love approach with Mother. Mary's the opposite.

At the outpost till dark, talking to George.

69.2 °F, clear.

Drizzle on and off throughout the day.

To Kroger for medications. I spotted sister-in-law Delores enter just ahead of Mary. They never met. Just as well. Delores is going through one of her angry spells.

57 °F was not bad, only the sharp wind that went with it.

Entering Walmart, Mary ran into her Puerto Rican friends.

In Subway, Mary and I split a Steak and Bacon Melt sandwich. I then nursed a coffee while Mary had her hair cut in Smart Style.

In the aisles, I acknowledged Guy Chambers (?), to Houston Walls I lamented the lack of blueberries.

Back home for coffees. Call from Rafa. He needed us at First National Bank to represent Antonio's interests. We met Rafa there just before closing. Michelle Ritter of the bank was very helpful.

On the way back to the house, Mary and I stopped at Dollar. Mary wasn't able to find any Hallowe'en decorations there that suited her.

Calm.

58.6 °F, overcast.

Blanca arrived from Smyrna with her friend Martha, Martha's daughter Claudia and her friend Amanda. Mary served them a late lunch of goulash and rice.

The ladies gabbed for a good while in the kitchen. At length, Mary served coffee with Gansitos.

I retired to the outpost, but wasn't there long. Chilling winds sent me to the shelter of the garage.

The ladies took their leave in a good mood. Amanda was a little girl again. Collected brightly colored leaves that had fallen from a nearby maple.

Watching the trees move, I felt a gentle wave of peacefulness pass over me. It intensified with two recitals of The Sorrowful Mystery from my iPhone app. I stayed for my little supper, but was eventually forced inside by the evening cold.

61.4 °F, overcast.

Without energy all day.

Mary was delighted with a scene this morning. Two deer amidst a gang of turkey, just in front of the garage, all quietly browsing.

Swai fish for lunch, with potato salad, tomato and a steamer of broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. Apple and pear appetizers.

A little time at the outpost. Driveway strewn with hickory nuts, persimmon fruit and leaves. Pleasant fall winds.

Supper in the garage. George drove up for a chat. As soon as he left, a big rainstorm blew in.

72.2 °F, rain.