Dad

Dad was supposed to be nearly ready for release from the hospital after nealry a month there, but Friday they discovered his problem had returned.

His planned visit to the assisted living home in praparation for his return was cancelled; the draining tube re-inserted into his stomach; he is back on i.v. feeding.

In the last month he'd already lost about 25 pounds.

Meanwhile, there is the chance he might have to face surgery, and the possibility of his needing a colostomy - which would mean he'd have to move to a nursing home because he will need a higher level of care. And given his physical condition already, the procedure would be more risky than it normally is.

He's terrified at the thought of ending up in a nursing home. I think he'd give up.

I've been over to see him almost every day. Separated from his assisted living home, he's cut off from his little circle of friends so he is very much alone. We talk, play cards.

I'm beat. This is the third year in a row with someone going down hill - mom two years ago, Nana last year. They both died. I don't know what will happen with dad. He could live for years even if he does end up in a nursing home - but he will certainly be miserable given his limitations and problems.

Agents of the Taliban?

James Hetfield of the band Metallica was trying to get in to England for the Live Earth concert, only to be held up at the airport. British airport officials were concerned about his "Taliban-like beard."

I wonder what they would have made of St. Jerome?

Sudoku II

When you're a local coffee shop competing with chains, you have to find ways to set yourself apart.

With two Tim Hortons up and running in Gates, a third in the works, and rumors of a fourth one to be located near the airport, with Dunkin' Donuts now open, and with Panera Bread in the same small mall, Cafe Geo is facing that task.

The small shop has started to offer occasional music - Matt Milecchia is scheduled for next Saturday, for example.

Yesterday, it tried a "Sudoku Tournament."

With little advertising, the tournament drew 10 entrants (though not all showed up) to do the math puzzles.

There were prizes - certificates for the shop. But the tournament was more about fun.

Heck, even the Good Looking One, who went there just for a cup of coffee, and has never done a sudoku puzzle before, joined in and completed one.


Mike Ciacchia has been doing sudoku puzzles for about a year. "My son got me started," he said.












A lot of the participants "blamed" others for getting them into the puzzles.

Connie Eisele saw a friend doing one, for example. "I looked over her shoulder and said, `Let me try.'"

She liked them. "I'm not a crossword puzzle person. I'm more mathematical."

Jack Goronkin in turn cited Eisele for getting him started.

"She said, `These are fun. They’re relaxing.'"

He laughed good-naturedly. "I’ll tell you, I don't know if it’s fun or relaxing."

But that didn’t stop him from taking part in the tournament.

Connie Eisele and Jack Goronkin check solutions.

Store owner Helen Geronikos was open to doing more such tournaments - perhaps even some card games - maybe on a regular basis.

Did I hear euchre?

Deacon quest - sigh

Got back from vacation to find a messsage from the canon lawyer.

Hopes up, I called.

Seems the second canon lawyer reviewing the case had a few questions, so I have to meet with the first canon lawyer next week to answer the questions, then sign the actual document.

I asked how things look. He said they could go either way.

Sigh.

My wife wonders if all this is worth it.

Part of me is beginning to wonder, too. Maybe I should just stick with the choir!

Vacation

The Good Looking One fishing in Lake Placid.

While on vacation in the Adirondacks I checked in with the "boys" at Santa's Workshop.

Yes, I got to hear (and meet) Bluegrass great Ralph Stanley.