Challenging times, good times

This is our seventh day here with Betsey and our fourth since Katie left. It has not been easy, primarily because Betsey seems unable to get any real blocks of sleep, either day or night. We are hoping to change this with some new sleep medication, but meanwhile, Ellen and Rob have been up many times during the night each of the last four nights. I'm limited in helping out because Betsey doesn't want me involved in the more intimate tasks, of which there are many! During the day, having Emma here has been a huge help. We're trying to arrange things so Ellen, especially, can get a break.

There have been good times. Betsey has expressed a profound gratitude for our being here. We both agree that Ellen is a miracle! We have had some lovely talks. Betsey is often in very good spirits, and when I am reading aloud to her about the nefarious Benedict Arnold, she often has very cogent comments and questions. We are both seeing a lot of connections with the present day. Benedict Arnold and Donald Trump have quite a bit in common! E.g., this line:

       "All that fall, Arnold delighted in being the outrageous provocateur." (Valiant Ambition, p. 223)
  
Yesterday I did a run for supplies that took me to four different places, two farm stands and two natural food stores. At Isabelle's Farm,  which is about 96 blocks east of Boulder (actually in Lafayette), I found fresh kale, spinich, spring onions, snap peas, and carrots, all organically grown. At the Cure Farm, 75 blocks east, I found fresh strawberries (yum!), apricots and Bing cherries. We have been enjoying all of that. Last evening we had a very nice meal of grilled salmon, kale and grilled cauliflower. Betsey herself eats very small quantities. Last evening she had a small cup of butternut/apple soup, which she enjoyed very much, and a bit of fresh strawberry. She has troubles chewing now, because the left side of her mouth isn't functioning well. So soups are best.

Tomorrow will be Betsey's birthday. She has asked for strawberry shortcake, so I'll be making another trip to the Cure Organic Farm. There will also be a TV set up in her room tomorrow, which will give her some new options.

It has been busy here - Laura, the landlord, is in town for a few days attending to maintenance issues at the house. There have been visits by OT and PT folks and the visiting nurse. 

So, challenging times, good times!