Oct. 3

Today has been a busy day, although it doesn't seem like one. I went to yoga class this morning, then, because it is my mother's 92nd birthday, I went to Trader Joes and bought her a bouquet of flowers, the South African national flower, Protea, although not the same variety that she used to see growing on Table Mountain, which was right next to where she lived. I also stopped at Steinmart and bought her an outfit. I took 3 things from my closet to exchange for coupons, as part of an offer the store had, and got her an outfit and 2 pair of pants. I don't know yet whether they fit.
I was not going to be around when my parents got back from the Senior Center, but I left these things to tell her I'd been thinking of her anyhow. Tomorrow I will come and get them and take them to eat a bbq lunch at Dickies, the new restaurant near school. I hope mom enjoys the chicken there as much as she did at the other place.
Also today, I heard from a cousin in Israel I had been worried about for a long time. I had tried and tried to call her, but couldn't get through. She is nearly 80 and is looking after her husband, who is 91 and losing his memory. He is a famous physicist and expert in desalination, Sid Loeb. She says that although he can't remember people's names (mine for instance) or who they are, he still plays tennis, reads professional journals, and presents awards at ceremonies once or twice a year. She thinks that he does not have Alzeimers or Dementia proper. In her view, he has just used up his brain, squeezed it dry, like an orange. I don't know if things work that way, but it is an interesting thought. I thought the more you used it, the more energy and ideas you could generate. At least, this is my experience. But brains must wear out, like anything else.
And as if that isn't enough, I also heard from my old friend Amy who doesn't consider herself a friend anymore. You may remember that I wrote about her sometime ago on this blog.
She is finally getting to move away from that terrible neighborhood where the horrible neighbors tortured her and her family and her animals because, essentially, she and her family have different political ideals than the others in the neighborhood. I am happy for her that she is leaving. But she still has a box of my parents' beautiful English china, part of my mom's trousseau. And she wants me to send someone to get it because she doesn't want to take it to her new house. I don't know if my friend in Philadelphia will go and get it. Amy lives a distance away, and my cousin in Jersey has not been well. I don't think she'd get it either, though she might to do a favor for my dad. I am sad about this. I don't know what to do or to say to Amy about it. I have so many regrets about our friendship. I wish I could change her mind about putting me behind her, along with the china.
On a happier note, I also got a rare note with photos from my cousin in Canada. She sends pictures of her two young children climbing up the wall. I will try to post them here.
And yesterday I heard from my cousin in Israel, whose daughter recently gave birth to their first grandchild! I'll try to post that too.