Tale of the difficult houseguests

 

 

 

Thanksgiving a day early
That’s us. Sophie and me. Weare the houseguests from hell.

Colin’s house is midcenturymodern with several levels. A wonderful house—unless you rely on a walker toget around. Then ordinary things become difficult. Last night it seemed all Idid was ask for help—and much of it had to do with Sophie. Could you feed her?And then I gave precise instructions for what she eats, in what order. Couldyou give her the insulin shot?  SomethingI don’t do at home. Could I have another glass of wine? Could you hook up mycomputer for me? Could I have a night light in the bedroom, but would you turnout the overhead light because there’s a heavy chair between me and the lightswitch. I’m cold—do you know where you put my jacket? Turns out it isapparently still in the car, and I am wearing a cozy sweater of Lisa’s. Colinand Lisa have stars in their crown, but I am feeling so dependent. I’m sure inaddition to my needs, they are tired of my apologies. At home, because I havethings arranged to suit me, I am much more independent.

The worst of it came in themiddle of the night. Sophie went out at eleven, just before we went to bed. Atone, I had to tell Colin she was really begging to go out. At two she began tobark again and paw at the bed. I tried loving and talking—I’d get a few minutesquiet and then she was back at it, bouncing her empty dish around infrustration. I gave her water from my tumbler, and she drank it gratefully, wasquiet for a while, and then began to bark again. Colin appeared, said he wastaking her outside and then sleeping in the front room with her.

(Lisa told me just now thatshe dreamed a duck was quacking and woke enough to ask Colin if he thought theduck would be okay!)

Colin took Sophie, closed thedoors to the front room and told her she was not leaving. But he said by thetime he got up at six, she was anxious to get back into my bedroom. And when Iwoke up at eight, there she was quiet as an angel. I’ve never seen her so agitated,even though she’s been here many times before. So wish us luck tonight. She hasappeared content and happy all day, so maybe she knows I’m not going away andleaving her with these strange people.

Tonight there were thirteen ofus for dinner—Morgan’s longtime boyfriend and some of his family, withrelationships to tangled to mention. Plus three dogs who got along admirably. Lisa’smom, who grew up in Norway, cooked what we have come to know as Norwegianhamburgers, along with her special chicken recipe, and peas and carrots. I’vebeen the lucky recipient of Torhild’s meals before, looked forward to this, andenjoyed it thoroughly. Noisy, happy, long dinner table. As the evening woredown, Colin summed it up perfectly: It almost felt like tonight wasThanksgiving

So blessed to be here.Tomorrow it will just be the five of us, and I’m looking forward to that too. Lisaand Morgan are talking about first and second dinner—first is scheduled forone; second, at six, will be leftovers.
Best of both worlds.

Sweet dreams tonight of turkeyand dressing and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie!