Bill's 2nd Post and some orange themes too.

Bill wrote most of this post.  I am simply transcribing his words from his memory journal, but will probably slip in the odd comment as well.  My thoughts will be in the blue font.

Today was a beautiful day, cold but sunny.  We had a wonderful long walk around Granville Island and False Creek and back to Yaletown via Aquabus.  Later, we met dear friends, Jock and Kitty at our favourite coffee house, Bean Around the World at Mainland and Homer.  We walked to the library after that to pick up Over My Head: A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury From the Inside Looking Out by Claudia Osborn.  We came back home where I had a restful nap before supper.  Later, we watched CBC news for our Rod Ford fix.  Black Jack expressed her disapproval of the whole situation.

Here are Bill's captions to the pictures I took:

Bill and Black Jack waiting for the Aquabus.  

 Aquabus approaching the dock at David Lam Park.

Rich people's toys getting a new paint job.

 Ice covered pond on Granville Island.  Rare to see ice here.  Must have been a cold night.

 Beautiful winter grass.

 Beautiful end of season flower.

 Beautiful finch.  Most likely a House Finch, but I did wonder if it could be a Purple Finch.

 Dragon Boats at low tide.

 The last orange tree.  This tree really stood out to me.  A lady walking by said, "It won't look like that for long."  True, perhaps, so all the more precious.

 The Erickson Building.  

 American Wigeons

 Orange reflection 

 This shows the source of that reflection.

Marina walk way.

 "Getting to know you..  

 "Getting to know all about you."

 We should have brought our ice skates.

 Look Mom, I can fly.

 Saw Hooded Mergansers for the first time in quite a while.  Just a day or two ago, I saw that exact same Mohawk cut on a young fellow crossing the street in front of me.  

 Here is the male.

 Orange berries.

 On the Aquabus, going from Stamp's Landing to Yaletown.  

 Another orange tree.

 Happy times with friends,

We are at Bean Around the World.  They sell many products by Eightfold Eats.  I LOVE their Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Chunk jumbo cookie.  All the products by Eightfold Eats are tasty and healthy, and many are vegan, gluten and sugar-free as well.

Inviting portal to our main library.

I've read the first five chapters of "Over my Head: A Doctor's Own Story of Head Injury from the Inside Looking Out" by Claudia Osborn.  This is the first book Bill has been able to focus on for quite some time.  Amazon describes the book this way:
"Locked inside a brain-injured head looking out at a challenging world is the premise of this extraordinary autobiography. Over My Head is an inspiring story of how one woman comes to terms with the loss of her identity and the courageous steps (and hilarious missteps) she takes while learning to rebuild her life. The author, a 45-year-old doctor and clinical professor of medicine, describes the aftermath of a brain injury eleven years ago which stripped her of her beloved profession. For years she was deprived of her intellectual companionship and the ability to handle the simplest undertakings like shopping for groceries or sorting the mail. Her progression from confusion, dysfunction, and alienation to a full, happy life is told with restraint, great style, and considerable humor."  At Bill's worst, I feared he might need rehab training and contacted G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre to see if he could spend some time there.  He was refused because they don't consider cognitive dysfunction caused by delirium to qualify for brain injury rehab.  I feel this is one of several changes i would like to make in a system, that at least in some respects, failed Bill.  The lady I spoke to recommended this book and it clearly has triggered some interest on Bill's part.  That, to me, is high recommendation.

 Dusk falls down on Homer Street.

 Bill levitates Black Jack's tongue.

 I am the cutest dog on the planet.  And Bill is the cutest guy on the planet.

 Sweet dreams, Black Jack.  And, sweet dreams to our readers.  By the way, the framed words on the table came from my dear sister, Sherrill.  They say, " I smile because you are my sister.  I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it."  Sherrill has been a source of much comfort throughout Bill's illness.

Since it is Friday, I've decided to link this post with the blog meme: Orange You Glad It's Friday.  The requirement is to have an orange theme in many of the pictures.  I found some orange in quite a few pictures.  Anyone up for guessing how many? Thank you so much for stopping by to share in this journey.  

We are back!

Hello to all of you.  It has been a long and difficult journey, one that i won't describe in detail. The main point of this post is to let you know that Bill is on the mend after a six-week stay in hospital.  If I could save any of you from the trauma of the past few months, I would advise you that anyone entering hospital needs a strong advocate.  Be there for your loved ones.  It is a little known fact that many older patients suffer dire consequences from a post-operative condition called delirium.  Read up on this and be aware, should anyone you love be about to undergo surgery.

Below, Bill clowns around for the first time.  It was a very happy moment for me.  More pictures from this sequence can be found at this facebook post.

I'm posting this just because I like the photo.  It was taken during a walk to the Burrard Bridge, and shows our reflection in a convex mirror that helps you see around blind corners.

I love this next photo.  Bill and I had haircuts on Monday at Zhape Studio. The camera took this particular shot in a set-up I prepared, but there are more photos, some taken by Bill.  It was the first time he took pictures of me since his surgery.  You can see the set at this facebook link.

Delirium can cause some serious cognitive dysfunction.  Bill, I'm happy to say, is recovering from one of the scariest times I can remember in my life.  He and I have designed a "therapy" for him that involves writing each day in a memory journal.  Below is his journal and my photographs from Wednesday, November 20th.  I quote Bill for most of the rest of this post.

Beautiful sunny day..   

  for our walk.

Met Dave..

who was carving a walking stick.

 (Carol here.) We both enjoyed this happy lady and her beautiful leaf.

 Took pictures..

 of Carol..

 doing..

stretches.

 She took pictures of me..

 doing sort-of stretches.

Did a few runs..

with Black Jack..

 in Wainborn Park.

 Pictures of me..

 in the Autumn leaves.

(Carol here.)  Bill noticed this bowl at the side of a beautiful old stairway.  I have walked by here hundreds of times, but had never noticed the bowl before.

 Bill at our front door.  Home Sweet Home.

Thursday, November 21st

Another cold day but sunny and we dressed warmly.  A picture of a house finch on a boat-like leaf.

 (Carol here) I added this picture of a male house finch nearby.

 (Carol here again.) This Red-throated Loon appeared and made me happy.  The last time I saw one was several months ago.

Helicopter hovering over Granville Street Meth Lab as relayed by a recovering addict we met on our walk.  Here's a link to the story.

 (Carol again.)  Loved these reflections in False Creek.

 Great shots of an otter family near English Bay.

 Barrow's Goldeneyes..

 in flight.

 Wind damage to a stranded sailboat by Inukshuk  sculpture.

 Picture of Bill under an Inukshuk sculpture.

 Bill doing his laughing mimicry.  

Carol here again.  Thank you for reading, everyone.  We hope to return tomorrow.