I had my speech, memory, etc, assessment done two days ago, was told that my memory, etc, is fine.....mentally, I'm in good shape, it's my physical being which took the brunt of the stroke.....yeah, sure, great memory, if only. Maybe you're having some of the same problems with botanical names...

My room has a nice big slider looking out on the treed bank across a narrow roadway...all green trees, shrubs....wild-ish. One bush looked familiar, maybe some white buds on it.

Oh, yes...flowers...and one of my favorite common, but all too planted shrubs...and I haven't seen one in 9 years...not up here in our Redwoods (600 miles farther north at 'home' ) so I'm loving seeing it there, quite at home in San Rafael,,,,,,,one of my long-time favorites. the common....what ?....what is it ?
I thought and thought...no answer...

I've noticed that with these names that I can't recall, if I leave it alone for a few minutes, the word will miraculously appear. I looked away for a bit, glanced back out of the corner of my eye and.....OLEANDER !!!

Really ? That's a very odd name...Oleander, are you sure ? Very odd.....but, still...yes, oleander...and I'm really enjoying seeing it there..don't think that I will mention it to my speech / memory therapist.

Started as a bad day, but pain went away and the day got better.

My room has no clock. Apparently the only room that doesn't have one. Everyone will look around, ask "No clock ?" and leave. I've just accepted opening my laptop to check time...

Had a young man from another part of the facility come in early this a. m. to 'change' me. He's been in to do this a couple of times before but I don't really know him. Anyway, I still find it a bit disconcerting to have an unknown man wiping my tush, so I made a bit of conversation..you know, transfer the focus....

So, he's ready to go, looks around, asks , "No clock ?"
He walks out, shortly comes back with a wall clock, puts it up.
Wow....countless people have been in this room...not ONE as ever thought to go find me a clock. With this we have apparently cemented our friendship,because he looks me in the eye, says "My name is Henson..."
Everyone wants, in their hearts, to be acknowledged, recognized. We are now friends.

As Mr.Rogers used to say, "Look for the Helpers."

One Helper, to wipe my tush and bring me a clock....lol.......I will try to do this as an edit since I am apparently no longer a member and cannot post.

In case she has not posted to all.......Dick's wife, Dee, would like all to know that Dick (Strever) has passed away...July 24, 2023. A well known and much respected member, he will be greatly missed by all. Our condolences to the family........

LOL!
I have the same issue with names I seldom use...like plants.

Carol...'Oleander' still does not sound right....lol..

Going home tomorrow...another chapter in life....

GypsyWC said: Going home tomorrow...another chapter in life....

I missed this news because it wasn't in the chat thread. I'm so happy you're home. Any more updates about this?

I am finally home again...frankly, disgusted with the hospitals and their form of therapy......muscles are too weak, will be using the transfer board into and out of my chair to rebuild muscles, etc....They would prefer to have pushed me into a home...you DO know what I told them.....lol...

I don't think we should print that here!

lol.....Carol, you know too well......

@GypsyWC
Always thinking of you. Sending x-mas greetings and also prayers for a complete recovery in 2024… 🎄🎁☃️❄️🙏🏽🐝

Ditto!!! We miss you.

Thank you, guys.....gardening ?? I have not been 'outside' in 11 months....It's killing me.....I was in and out of hosp for 11 months.....
I need to start getting used to using a 'transition board ' to get in and out of wheelchair, starting this week, to build up muscles, to move on to a walker..it's scary, don't want to keep ending up on the floor.

Thank You for thinking of me, I miss everyone so much......

Sherry….It is so good to see you post. I couldn't find you for awhile until I discovered this new thread a few days ago. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. What ever lies ahead I hope you will have the strength to always keep in touch.
You have been fighting a hard battle and it takes courage to go thru rehab , therapy and recovery . Be strong some of us are all fighting a hard battle every day and share our caring thoughts with you, "One day at a time". As we all age it is the toughest battle we fight every day.
I hope you are feeling better and may you be blessed in the new year. Happy Holidays.

Here is a cute pic I made for the Holidays. My hummer bud is always following me around popping in and out forever churping songs of cheer and never gives up on finding a way to tell me to fill up her feeder.
She is so cute and sweet. She has been my shadow for several years since the day I rescued her as a tiny, tiny new baby chick when she was stuck with her head cought in the liquid feeder between the foot perch and the side of the base.
It's an odd little story and a friendship of how a hummingbird became my friend a lil blessing from nature.
Meet Miss Poppy all decked out for the Holidays.

What I grudgingly have learned...we do have to think ahead...we go on planting everything that we want to grow....joyfully doing the 'work' that keeps it all humming along...not giving thought to the fact that we're creating something we can no longer do the upkeep on.....sigh...

GypsyWC said: What I grudgingly have learned...we do have to think ahead...we go on planting everything that we want to grow....joyfully doing the 'work' that keeps it all humming along...not giving thought to the fact that we're creating something we can no longer do the upkeep on.....sigh...

Sherry I am totally guilty of planting everything I can get my hands on over the years. Some trees have grown from seedlings to 50' or more and others have been a constant challenge .

I also enjoyed the whole process from A to Z. The upside and the downside.The many plants planted, ( over 8oo over the years ), and watching them flourish, bloom, coping with winter storms , deer, ground varmits and climate change. My planting days have halted due to physical restraints and age.
I appreciate the survivors that bloom every year over and over. Those that grow out of bounds that always need a haircut.… but never the unrelenting weeds or those plants that grow like they are on steroids- Uh - wisteria anyone? The many lessons learned and the many plants lost.

It's all relative in any gardeners life to learn, appreciate the pros and cons, and never give up. Adjustments in lifestyle has dictated the difference's in my gardening combined with the aging process and other responsibilities . It's a life long passion and as our lifestyle changes over the years the memories are always in our hearts. It's a life long battle and a life long commitment that changes like the weather from one year to the next. Spring will always come as time flies by.