Dad's Address

For those of you who want to send a card:

H.A. Crosby Forbes
Coachman Square
21 Bradley Road, Apt. 129
Woodbridge, CT 06525

Happy holidays to all!

Lysa and Priscilla visit Dad

Lysa and Priscilla took Dad out to lunch in the main dining room on Monday.

A good day

Dad seems to be settling into Coachman Square after a somewhat difficult week of adjustment. Here he's looking at the great book of photos that Lysa put together for him.

The other excitement today was a birthday party.  Tom turned 95.

Christmas concert 12-3-11

Jo and I came in near the end but it looked like everybody was enjoying this recital.

A beautiful November 26

Jo and I had a nice visit with Dad, joined a little later by Rachel and David.  Almost 60 degrees.

Day after T-Day

Not really up for the bus trip.

Thanksgiving at Coachman Square

Jo and I came over to spend the morning and Thanksgiving dinner.  The Macy's Day Parade made a hit, as did Jackie Bachelor's light-up turkey trucker's cap.  The dinner--salmon and potatoes au gratin--not so much, although it looked great to me.

Lunch at Coachman Square, 11-23-11

Kristin, Ted Brett, and Dad

Made the move yesterday.  The Mary Wade folks were very sad to see Dad go.  We arrived at Coachman Square around 1:30 or so, and they made Dad an egg salad sandwich (excellent) and me a Caesar salad.  Another resident, Ann, joined us and made us feel welcome.  The cousins, Bo, Stef, Tia, and the 2-year-old twins, Oliver and Max came down yesterday as well--coincidentally on the day of the move, I think.  Ruby the guinea pig made a big hit with the twins.  All in all, a successful day (tiring, though--for me at least).

Ruby

Ice cream and Beethoven - 11-21-11

Sunday 11-20-11

Jo and I spent a couple of hours with Dad this afternoon--actually, we spent the first 15 minutes looking for him. Not in his room, not in the living room, not in the dining room, not in the chapel.  He was with a big crowd on the second floor at an ecumenical service--go figure. 

Making a move

Dad is moving!  He will be making the move next week to Coachman Square, a very nice assisted living facility in Woodbridge (about 7 minues from us).  Mary Wade has been wonderful--he has been happy,healthy, has gained almost 10 pounds, and has been well taken care of.  We think, though, that Coachman Square may provide more stimulation and enjoyment.  (NB: They have an ice cream parlor.)  Douglas, Joanne and I took Dad for a visit last weekend and he liked it, and of course made a huge hit.  

Saturday, 11-19-11

Dad was a little shaky on his feet today, according to his aides.  In a good mood, though.  Before dinner we watched part of a little-known Cary Grant movie, Penny Serenade, about a couple who adopt a baby girl.  Brought back memories. That was one cute baby--or I should say two cute babies, since she was played by twins: Diane and Judith Fleetwood, according to the Internet Movie Database.  Winnie (age 102) was in great form tonight.

Beautiful day -11-7-11

Dad looking a lot like Allan

Dad particularly loved the yellow flowers.
Does anybody know what they are?

British Art Center

Jo and I took Dad to the Yale Center for British Art this afternoon.  They had a terrific exhibit on Johann Zoffany, the great portraitist of the Georgian period.  I finally saw in person the great family portrait of the Sharps--including abolitionist Granville--on their musical barge on the Thames.  Dad had a great time.

November at Mary Wade

Serendipity

When I arrived at Mary Wade this afternoon, the Kimberly residents were all in the Community Room enjoying a concert by the Serendipity Singers, a group of charming young women in blue tee shirts.  Kristen the recreational therapist lent Dad a book of American poetry and we hung out downstairs after the concert and read some poems.  The ones Dad liked best was Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.'s "One Hoss Shay" and Emily Dickinson's "I'm Nobody! Who are you?"  When we went upstairs, people were listening to Tony Bennett.  Frank sang along (beautifully) to every song.

Happy Halloween

I missed the Halloween decoration making (and the cookie baking).  Dad was taking a nap, complete with nightcap, or watch cap.

Sunday 10/30

When I came in yesterday afternoon everybody was watching the Barbra Streisand 1994 concert.  Then Dad and I went to pick up Joanne at the train station (coming back from her conference).  Back in time for the last number:  "Happy Days are Here Again"--with a montage of all the great things the Clinton administration was doing.  If she did a concert today, her last number would have to be "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime."

The Quinnipiac River

The riverside park is about two blocks from Mary Wade.  What a beautiful afternoon.

Friday afternoon 10/28

 

The hat came from Kara Kirkpatrick, a former Pepsi exec who is now doing a nursing degree at Southern.

I got a Pepsi tote bag!

Family Council 10/27/11

Lucky to Have Me

I stopped by Mary Wade this afternoon on the way up to class and couldn't find Dad anywhere--he was off with the rec director.  Talked with Sue at the nurses' station who said how much they love him.  Yesterday she told him, "We feel very lucky to have you here."  "I should imagine so," he replied.

Dad is getting along wonderfully with his roommate, Ted Brett.  They are like old friends.  Like Dad, Ted is the youngest and last of five siblings.  Sadly, though, Ted doesn't have any kids.

Stunning Saturday 10-23

Saturday, 10/22/11

When I arrived this afternoon the folks on Dad's floor were bowling. They had a very large desktop bowling alley (skittles?).   Each player got to bowl 10 frames. I was amazed how good some people were.   Helen won with a score of 141!


Afterward Dad and I took a spin in the garden, but didn't stay out long, as it was getting cold.  There was the largest group of blue jays (4) I have seen in about two years.

October 20, 2011

Kristin and Dad - making Christmas tree ornaments

Dad made the truck (above)

Russian Hat

A cold and rainy day.  Dad lent me his fur hat.

Tuesday, October 18