a Rainy Saturday

It has rained all day today, a steady downpour and it is still raining. Rick was out in the yard most of the day with Jim Mc Williams pruning trees and chopping down one tree. Jim has a machine that grinds up all the excess material and turns it into mulch. I stayed inside and worked at the computer and read left over newspapers and magazines. I still have some to read. I copied many of my pictures but learned that I need to buy another memory stick. Hallie and Walker were going to have a yard sale but cancelled it because of the rain.

I have two projects going on I am knitting sweater for my new grandchild and a picture I am preparing a canvas to paint with Dixie.

I am also taking course at UVA on Abraham Lincoln. WE heard a very famous lecturer on Wednesday at the Architecture school. Probably the most famous in the world. He was my age. He said he worked at the library of Congress when he was a young man and that got him interested in being an historian.
During the question and answer period I ask one question about his research and how he suspected some of the newspaper articles he thought were written by Lincoln and if how he came to his conclusion that they were authentic. He said you look and style and vocabulary. I AM still suspicious. I want to look at Walker's blog but don't seem to have any luck getting into it. I will try again.

progress at Philhaven

Today we had our meeting with the councillor at Philhaven. After some prompting from Elaine, the moderator, we got Joe to make a decision and say he would move from Briggs Street. He will contact a Real Estate person. He will contact Megan at Ecumenical house all this before he goes to his next session. We all felt relieved and happy there was movement. At first he said a few months before he would contact anyone but finally got him to make a commitment. I took him to the meeting. We were the first ones there and so we sat outside across the street on a park bench and looked at the river. We held hands as we crossed the street. I told him about the Book Everything you need to know you Learned in Kindergarten He did not let us stay there to long but at least he was willing to go and change perspectives.

Elaine was very good in leading the decision making. She told Joe he was on the Hot Seat and had to set the agenda. From then on she kept him on tract. Emily, Mary Anne and I added some comments but mostly he talked.

After the session Emily, Joe and I had dinner her at the Crown Plaza. Joe ordered a chicken sandwich. Every time we have eaten he has taken pat of the food home. He took a roll home tonight. He was restless during dinner and got up to go for walks several times. Emily and I talked about traveling and also the session and kidded Joe about what he was going to take from the house. He described the setting of his new room some but not too much. I feel relieved and also satisfied that we made some progress. I gave everyone a copy of The Berg to take home and read.

Brother Joe and his problems

I am in Harrisburg, Pa. Today we have a counseling session at Philhaven. The goal is to help Joe realize his sisters support him but also help him make a decision about his living situation. Mary Anne now seems to be ready to have him make a move from Briggs Street since he calls her whenever there is an emergency and she is becoming frustrated. Yesterday I talked to Elaine the councilor at Phillhaven for about one hour. I gave a list of questions that Emily and I had formulated and asked her to address this questions at the session.
I am in the computer room of the Crown Plaza hotel. I will spend three nights here. Mary Anne was negative about me staying with her. Rick said just stay here the whole time at the hotel. Yesterday besides going to Philhaven I also took Joe to lunch at Red Lobster and to a New Balance shoe store where he bought a new pair of walking shoes for $109.00. He also bought socks and sole inserts. It will be interesting to see if he wears them today. I have been keeping a diary of what has happened. Last night I got a call from Emily and a call from Theresa and talked to them a very long time. I am going to go for a swim then walk up to Joe's and have lunch with him at Roxy. I plan to stop at Strawberry Banks on the way. I have been reading a new little paper call The Berg. I got copies for everyone. I wanted to have some remembrance of this trip and so I am glad I did this.