How was your weekend? For the US audience, did you travel for the holiday weekend? For others, what did you do this past weekend?
Mine was consumed with my mother-in-law in a hospice unit. This is my first encounter with this organization. What a difficult job to do! But a nurse told me that she couldn’t work in a regular hospital, so cheers to those you have that gift. Thanks to everyone who commented on the previous post.
Interestingly, this weekend was my last battle with the leaves. Well, I’m hoping. If not, I’m confident there’s no more than one more session.
Given the family situation, I’m unsure how much I will be able to visit this week, but I will do want I can. Then again, I know bloggers are very understanding.
My current plans involve Time: The Musical returning this week. The upcoming act, Compound Time, features song titles containing a compound word that includes time; such as bedtime, daytime, springtime, etc. Curtain time is Wednesday, 9:30 pm (2130) Eastern US.
Celebrations for this week’s calendar
- (Week) Cookie Cutter Week, Coelenterates Week, Handwashing Awareness Week
- (Mon) Mutt Day, Special Education Day, Fritters Day, Coats For Kids Day, Science Fiction Day, Abolition of Slavery Day
- (Tues) Persons with Disabilities Day, Roof-Over-Your-Head Day, Ice Cream Box Day
- (Wed) Cookie Day, Dice Day, Special Kids Day, Santa List Day, International Hug Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day, Wildlife Conservation Day
- (Thurs) Bathtub Party Day, Ninja Day, Blue Jeans Day, Sacher Torte Day
On to the Monday Morning Entertainment to start your week. Given the upcoming Monty Python reunion, that’s a good enough reason to feature this classic clip. Enjoy … and have a good week.
A Frank Angle 
Sympathies for your mother in law and empathy for you and your family. Thank you for Monty!! Life with Monty is GOOD!
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Cindy,
Many thanks for you taking the time to deliver good thoughts to us … and of course cheers to Monty!
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We had a very nice long weekend, Frank, and mostly laid back and relaxing. Hospice is an amazing organization and while it’s challenging to accept, they will be able to help your family in powerful ways.
Thanks for the Monty Python giggles and I’m going to start looking for my time song. Sending you and your family positive thoughts.
Cathy
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Cathy,
Laid back and relaxing weekend’s are a good chance of pace because I know you stay active. Glad you enjoyed a bit of Monty Python to start your week, and many songs will fit with the next ac of Time: The musical. Thanks for the support and good words for hospice.
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Those hospice nurses are amazing. They were so wonderful with my mother-in-law. I admire their dedication to a job that must be emotionally exhausting. On the other hand, I’m sure they have experiences they treasure, ones that keep them doing what they do.
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Carrie,
They have a special characteristic that allows them to serve others. Interestingly, the nurse I talked said she couldn’t do the regular hospital nursing … and of course the last hospital nurse I talked too said the opposite. We have have a niche.
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Beautiful Thanksgiving Day, aFA, with my wonderful daughter and her husband. Sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky!
Thinking of you as you journey to that place of decision making, which also means meeting some especially helpful and supportive professionals. Hospice workers are so very good at showing the living that death and dying can be noble and honourable. Strength and courage to you and Mrs.
Raye
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Raye,
Glad to see that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your daughter and son-in-law … and thanks for the good thoughts our way and for cheering Hospice workers.
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I’ve heard only good things about hospice, Frank, so I hope your experience with it during this trying time is positive, too. Thank you for the heads up that Wednesday is Wear Brown Shoes Day so I know which sneakers to don. And thanks for that Monty Python skit. I love those guys! I so hope that HBO televises their reunion.
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Lame,
And why am I not surprised that you enjoy Monty Python. 😉 Hospice has been good to us, and I was very impressed watching the volunteer flower team this morning. Good luck Wednesday!
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The MP brand of lunacy was tailor made for me (and okay, millions of others) Frank. Glad to hear that your experience with hospice is going well during this trying time for you and your family.
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Cheers to your lunacy!
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Considering, December rings in the Christmas season I did as many, Strung up torches along the moat, washed down the walls of the Castle and stored the autumn decorations in the back recesses of the dungeon.
As for hospice – am not really sure what that consists of in the states. Here they are part of the public health care system, staffed by professionals an volunteers who want to be there, with a comment to treat people with the utmost of dignity. There is also hospice support for the home as well, which we took advantage of for my father. Meaningful support is best for all concerned.
….take care
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Hudson,
Cheers to your decorating efforts! Hospice is about dignity, and cheers to their workers and volunteers … and glad to see another endorsement! Thanks for the concern and encouragement.
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Hospice can be a blessing, Frank; I have had relatives in home hospice care which made an enormous difference for the patient and the family.
Thanks for the MP laugh; always a favorite!
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Lynn,
Thanks for the support and kind words about hospice. I must say that watching their flower volunteers today brought me real joy! … and cheers to anyone who enjoys Monty Python.
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Oh Frank. I wish you all strength and love. And a bit of Monty Python silliness when you need to relieve the tension.
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Elyse,
Going through this is never easy for anyone, yet everyone handles it a bit different. Being the in-law allows me to be one-step removed, so I try to manage when to step in versus when to step away. Thanks for the kind words while cheering for Monty Python!
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You and Right Angle are in my thoughts, Frank.
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🙂
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My dear friend, you will be in my thoughts. These last few weeks with your mother-in-law are precious. When my dad entered Hospice, I was overwhelmed by the profound support given by those wonderful men and women. They made all of the difference….
“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” Rabindranath Tagore
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Clan,
Wow … love the quote! Interesting how many people see Hospice in a positive light. Many thanks for sharing and the support.
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My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Thank goodnes there are people to do this wonderful job.
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Debra,
Everyone has a niche in life, and cheers to the works and volunteers who taken on that challenge! Thanks for the best wishes.
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What on earth is ice cream box day? As always regards to the family
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GFB,
Best I can determine is that the celebration must be about the container, so the question is, what is a box? Are the cylindrical containers boxes? Who knows … but it is a reason to eat ice cream! …. and thanks for the best wishes!!!!
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Can you imagine Plato wrestling with these conundrums? I can!
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I think you have a future series of posts in the making.
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You may be onto something……
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Of course I’m waiting for the Oily-Plato debate.
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My thoughts and prayers go to your MiL and to you, may it all work out for the best Frank…
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Bulldog,
Thank you for the kind words and support!
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In my experience, Hospice is a wonderful organization with caring people. My thoughts are with you and your family Frank.
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TBM,
All the comments here about Hospice is very encouraging … and thanks for the positive thoughts!
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Prayers going out you and your family. The best of luck.
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Cee,
To receive a best wishes comment out of the clear blue warmed my heart and brought smile. MANY, many thanks to you for taking the time to comment.
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You are more than welcome :-).
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Strength to your family. I have a friend who is a nurse and during her training she spent some time in a hospice, and she said that it’s not the gloomy place we might imagine, everyone works hard to make it a happy place, I’m sure it’s the same in the US.
Bathtub party day! Now there’s an interesting one. I think I might embrace that one myself and have my own one-person bathtub party on that day with lots of bubbles, a glass of wine, some gentle music, and some candles…
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Vanessa,
Well said. Although it’s quiet there, it’s respectful and the people are helpful. The facility itself is interesting with various places family members can escape to.
Glad to see that you have gearing up for Bathtub Party Day. 🙂
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Best wishes to you and your family Frank.
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Leo,
Thank you, thank you.
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A Monty Python reunion definitely is something to look forward to!!!!
Brilliant video btw – perfect starter for Monday! 🙂
My thoughts are with you and your family, my friend.
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Marina,
Doing my regular Monday post helped me maintain a perspective … including choosing Monty Python. Thanks for the best wishes. … PS: Isadora stopped by and commented on Take 5 … (it seems she from you).
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I’m sorry about your mother-in-law, Frank. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Thank you for the Monty Python sketch. An oldie but goodie. 🙂
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Robin,
Glad you enjoyed the humor … and thanks for the good thoughts.
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I’m glad there is a Coats for Kids Day! I’m always grateful to the parents who bring coats and donate them. It sure does make a needy child happy! (and warm)
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Hood,
Great thought about coats … especially with the tough months ahead!
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Hi Frank-
*Funny video 😆
*Had a nice time with the fam. A bit – hectic with running around between my side of the fam & hubby’s side. But – always worth the time.
*I hope I get my act together for Time: The Musical this week. We shall see…
Thinking of you & your family & keeping you all in my prayers.
{Hugs}
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RoSy,
Glad the video was able to start your week with a chuckle. When it comes to finding a song, there are many choices! More importantly, we thank you for the thoughts and prayers.
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Sorry to hear about your motherinlaw. And I agree with you, I believe those nurses are special people to be able to do such a job. Great video too 🙂
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Robert,
Thanks for the kind words about those workers and volunteers with the special touch … and for the support for us.
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you’re most welcome. they and you deserve it. hope things are going as well as they can.
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Catching up and trying to normalize. Actually visited today, but saw you had posted since the last time.Oh well … good to know I didn’t miss anything. 😉
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well i hope you reach your desired normal status :). and i’m really honored you visited again.
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Trying to normalize during the holiday season isn’t easy … but heck, one can try.
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I completely agree with you about hospice nursing. I’ve not been in the same situation, but I’ve watched from the “sidelines” with friends who have liberally leaned on the care and compassion of these incredibly strong healthcare professionals. Our thoughts are with you and your wife and father-in-law, Frank. And I’m going to look forward to your TIme: The Musical selection later this week. They’re getting more and more challenging. Fun! Bless you all…
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Debra,
Well said about more witness about Hospice workers! Thanks for the good thoughts our way.
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Having had a friend who was in hospice, I have to agree with you they are very special people.
I hope that you and your family can enjoy the small moments left with her.
Blessings,
Isadora
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Isadora,
I wonder how they do it, then again, everyone has a gift, thus are able to do what others can’t. Many cheers for their blessings!
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Frank, I think this post is meant for another Monday than tomorrow. *smile – Sorry, to read that your mother-in-law hasn’t become any better. I have seen a TV-program about a British Hospice and I was totally taken by their view on life and death .. as you said very special people, but it’s the last stop .. so I think they have to be.
Didn’t know the Hospice are a British invention and a wonderful .. one too – until that program. We have them in Sweden too – many get hospice care in their homes today over here, both nurses and and doctor and I think that is a fantastic idea. A close friend died in cancer last year and she had hospice care in her home. If the time has come, let it be so comfortable and pleasant as possible – in a stress free environment.
My weekend .. had some burning .. but Tuesday time to meet the expert – today was a good day.
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Viveka,
We had a home hospice option, but the family thought it was best to use the facility. We were only there a few days, but I will return tomorrow morning to deliver some flowers for the volunteers to use in their wonderful work. I must say that watching them work and seeing the results made me smile – so I look forward to going there in the morning.
Speaking of Mondays, I will return to regular posting in a few hours.
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Frank, so happy that the whole experience for your mother-in-law and for your around her was so fantastic. I think the do an fantastic job … they are angels in my eyes.
Nice touch with the flowers … Frank.
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🙂
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