Phone calls to make tonight -- there really never seems to be enough time, and each call demands leisure to talk. Tom's first wife emailed back that I don't have to call tonight -- she's keeping up on things. Time to talk when life gets, well, not exactly back to normal, but a little less...I don't know what it is right now. I'm getting things done, checking things off lists, living in a world of lists, knowing there are still people who haven't heard...

Got the online obituary page through the funeral home accomplished today. The website is mine in perpetuity...and I can post as many links, YouTube videos, photographs, etcet etcet as I want.

Still waiting for a call back from the local fire department (down at the foot of the road) which maintains a cache of wheelchairs, walkers and other equipment for those in Nottingham who need them. I have a wheelchair, two different kinds of rollators, and a very nice walker to donate, but the fellow I talked to (who has helped Tom a number of times with lift assists or trips to the ER) had to talk to the chief.

I wanted to take stuff to Goodwill today, but the wheelchair is still in the back of the car and, besides, it got too late in the afternoon. I just discovered yesterday that Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (where Tom has been through most of his hospitalizations) has an outdoor labyrinth outside the new wing. When I take the stuff to Goodwill, I'll go over to the hospital and walk the labyrinth.

Went to Deidre Randall's talk Tuesday night and not only touched base with her, but made a couple other interesting contacts. Inspired me, too, to get serious about my writing again. Last night I went to a song circle run by a friend where I had gone for the first time the night before Tom landed in the hospital the last time (two weeks ago).

I think I've got all my Secret Santa and other Christmas shopping done...and bought myself a present: a lavender plant from White Flower Farms that thrives indoors.

I mailed a few things out today AND got a passport application at the post office. I'd like to visit a friend of mine (who lived in Portsmouth for quite awhile) who lives in Strath-something, Ontario in a converted church.

I also finished indexing Tom's 1995 freelance output, so now I just have 1996 to finish. I got all the meds, etc. cleared out of the table area, the commode moved to the cellar, the couch cushions back on, little bits of stuff organized, cleaned, whatever...it's all therapeutic and giving me a more peaceful environment.

And now I'm going to go upstairs (with a margarita) and make those phone calls. I need to find out what's going on in Milwaukee (my mother went into hospice on Monday, as far as I know) and I need to call another old friend...

Yes. Talking about Tom helps.

Linn