Wonderful summer weekend. Not too hot. Not too cool. Ate too much-- had dinners and BBQs with three sets of friends. Exercised a healthy amount.

skin care

​I went to my dermatologist today. I am fair-skinned and prone to various skin anomalies. Nothing dangerous, but there's always some bump or growth that I want an expert to look at.

The dermatologist examined, poked, prodded, and biopsied various bumps and spots on my body. He also offered some advice: I am beginning to develop "old guy skin." The bumps and spots will become more common in the years to come, and I will need to be more diligent about regular checkups and sun care.

Sigh

Seattle is lovely this time of the year. Temperatures are pleasant. 

My husband's step father has passed away. The relationship between my husband, his mother and his step father was always strained. None the less, my husband is planning to attend the funeral. 

Sunday was a horrible travel day. Our trip back took ten hours longer than expected and had three delayed connections.

But, we are back home. 

Leaving

​Our week in the Valley is over. It was good to catch up with family. 

One of my brothers and his wife are staying with my father for two more weeks. He will help dad clean up the property, get it back in tip-top shape.

Dad lives on a lovely fifty acre bush lot. It takes alot of maintenance without which the trails and fences will vanish in the growth. Dad puts much effort into this, but, as he says, his body is constantly reminding him that he is eighty. So, this brother spends some extra time with dad each year to complete the more difficult chores. 

The Task…

Dad has given us a job. He has asked us to remove Mom's clothes and jewelry, to split the jewelry as we see fit and then donate or throw out the rest.

It's a little weird going through Mom's effects. She was frugal and never threw anything out. As her dementia advanced, she started saving papers and masks in plastic bags... so many masks buried under piles of clothing. 

It is heartwarming to read her old cards one last time. She kept them too

In the Valley

We are up in the Ottawa Valley for the week, visiting my family. Since Mom's passing last winter, this is the first time in years that we've been here and Mom's care hasn't been our main priority.

It's pleasant here. Temperatures are in the high 70s. Everything is verdant green, with many flowers in bloom.