The tenth good thing about my dad #3

Hunting squirrel that were eating food from the bird feeders out the back door.

The third good thing about my dad is that he told wonderful stories. He had when I was a boy in Utah stories and when I was in the army stories and when you were little stories. One of my favorite stories from his childhood was when he would tell about the summer he had a bear cub as a pet.

Journal Entry 12/23/07
Another good day. Feet are looking better. He ate little bites all day. Fourth Sunday I missed church. Finding I miss worship and missing God's presence although I know he lives in me. Miss worship music but I can't play the radio and hear the intercom when dad beeps.

Happy Hanukkah!

Sunday night at sundown, when the first three stars were spotted marked the beginning of Hanukkah. We gathered with friends from several different fellowships to usher in the holiday. Besides wall to wall people there was food, music, dancing, lighing of the menorah, blowing of the shofar, telling of the Hanukkah story from the book of Macabees, and rounds of dreidel for the children, complete with chocolate coins.

the tenth good thing about my dad #2

Christmas morning: Amy tests a cash register Grandpa gave her knowing she always wanted one.

The second good thing about my dad was he loved Christmas. After his retirement my dad's participation in Christmas increased dramatically. He would do Christmas shopping all year long at the actions he attended on Saturdays. He would start wrapping in early November and by Christmas there were presents mounded up and over flowing under the Christmas tree as he anticipated Christmas morning when all his grandchildren would come to unwrap gifts.

Journal entry 12/19/07
Harried day-nurse visited in AM. I made a quick trip to town-home health aide came-family meeting with Pastor Tom to make initial funeral plans-then Wendy came over to talk. All the while trying to keep dad's leaking feet dry and wash towels as they got wet. So glad Tom can do the funeral as we are all comfortable with him. Wayne spent the night-I slept soundly.

the tenth good thing about my dad #1

A tribute to my father
Armond Dale Nelson
12/9/22-1/16/08

Photo of my dad with his son, Keith and two grandsons, Joel and Logan. The five of us met for lunch at a truck stop.

The first good thing about my dad is he would hum or sing when he was feeling especially content. I have always loved hearing him do this. When I was little he used to sing to me but when I grew up he became more self conscious of his singing. Sometimes I would hear him singing in the next room and try to sneak closer so I could enjoy the soothing sound of his voice.

Journal entry Tuesday 12/18/07
We had a family meeting with the social worker-it went well. We will meet with Pastor Tom concerning funeral prep on Wednesday. Will have Christmas on Saturday. When I told Dad he first asked if Wayne was going to be there and when I said Yes he said, "that sounds good." He talked about the button again and said something to Wayne about not wanting to be this way. I was in tears after helping him to the bathroom in PM-can't decide what would hurt more-having him die or continue in this state. When I checked on him at 3:30 AM He said, "I guess we done made it through another night". His feet are leaking.

wolf waltz

Today I visited my friend Renalee and got to see her cute little wolf pups. There are three pups, seal, bear and wally ('cause he looks like a walrus).

Seal is on the left and Wally on the right.


The pups are so fat they can't get their feet under themselves. Seal the female did scoot around a bit on her belly but the boys didn't try to move much.

Bear


Wally playing peek-a-pup.



Bear with nose in the sun.



Wally strikes a pose.

All rolled up and ready to go.

Puppy paws.

slow dance

Lily loves to play and run.

Today we visited a neighbor who has a two year old dog and 2 four month old puppies. They have a wonderful time running, chasing, and tussling with each other. Yesterday we practiced a new exercise with me riding the bike and Lily running beside the bike. Lily is a quick learner and did very well for her first time. Given the chance she will head down in the wash on the back of our property and chase the birds and rabbits that reside there.

With all this exercise by the end of the day she is typically tuckered out and will nap until bedtime. Here are some cute pictures of her various nap positions.


This is a desirable nap technique if you have a cold nose.

Lily loves her toy spider. The spider is a good playmate as well as nap partner.

Tuck and snooze.

Belly up!

sunset ballet

Fixing dinner and sunset often occur at the same time. Because my kitchen window faces west I frequently watch the sky turn colors as I cook. Recently it wasn't the color in the sky but the reflection on the car that initially caught my eye.


After shooting the car I took snapped pictures of the sunset and the colored clouds over the mountains too.