Thursday, September 20, 2012

His memory is sketchy ...


Another visit up with my brother, Barry, today. He is always so pleased to see me, and has no idea that he sees me each week. To start with today, we spent an hour and a half, rearranging and hanging all the photos and art-works in his room. However, I still forgot to take a photograph to show you. I was too busy, I guess. Then we set to with his computer, which I am convinced he only uses when I am there. Once again, we did a 'paint by numbers' exercise, with a bit more of the negotiating around the program. And another hand of Solitaire, which he is being able to do more by himself now.



Then, a bit after 10 o'clock, we set out on our excursion, having declined to go on the facility-wide excursion in their bus. Barry and I armed ourselves with drawing paper, a range of HB pencils, a sharpener, and something to lean on, and headed off down to the lake. Although he said he could not remember, when we were kids, the three of us (Ross included) used to take similar equipment out into the paddock to sketch - fence posts and the like. However, today, I knew what I wanted to lock into Barry's brain; and that was the scene of the small row-boats pulled up to the edge of the lake. The sun was glorious, and we happily sprawled on the grass for just over 30 minutes, each absorbed in our own project. I will see if I can find two camping stools (with x members, and canvas sling) to make our posture a bit more comfortable. The ground is a very long way down for yours truly!

Upon our return, we went to Barry's garden which is coming along a treat. He reckons he doesn't want to hog the garden incase another resident was disinclined to be involved. However, when I suggested that the succulents could perhaps survive out in the sunshine, he quickly returned them to where HE wanted them. The nurse and I had to smile. I tried to impress upon him, that now that he had sketched his row-boat, he could consider translating that into a painting. I showed him other paintings around the walls of the facility, many of which had boats as their subject. I really don't expect him to have started this until I stick my head in the door again next week.


6 comments:

diane b said...

You are doing a great job with 'diversion therapy' . He looks happy in the last shot.

Julie said...

The silly thing is that he always resists my hair-brained schemes. Yesterday, he did not want to sketch, but just wanted to walk 'cause his sister was up. But he really did enjoy it, once push came to shove. Now to get him to transfer his ideas to canvas and add paint ...

Joan Elizabeth said...

You work so hard at it Julie. I believe recording it is also a fascinating part of the journey.

Julie said...

Recording helps me remember WHEN things occurred. Each post is read by our other brother, and by our cousins, too. Ross rang me last night to say that he already had stools so don't go ferretting around!

Kay L. Davies said...

Great that Ross has the stools. I can't imagine sitting on the grass...oh, okay, I did that once in August, when the dog wanted to lie down instead of walking. It took me a long time to get up, and of course she had decided she wanted to walk some more. Wrestling with an 80-pound dog while sitting on the grass is fun.
I'm glad you're able to see Barry every week. I'm sure the day must be strenuous for you, but I would want to do the same for my brother, should it ever be necessary.
Luv, K

Joan Elizabeth said...

No posts for a week over at Sydney Eye. I am hoping you are OK.