We got home last Tuesday but I didn’t have the energy to post until now. Although mom is communicating better than she was, she has not regained any real strength and is still bed bound. She had a feeding tube put in her stomach because she still doesn’t swallow well. I talked to my brother today and she is going to be released to a nursing home tomorrow. I wish I could be there but unless I work we don’t eat.
Since returning I’ve been doing little other than grading. Twenty-seven term papers, and 35 tests. I finished the papers and about 2/3rds of the tests. I haven’t written a word in the last 9 days. Tomorrow isn’t likely to change that. And on Thursday I give another test. Well, enough complaining. I’ll try to post more regularly and respond to comments and blogs again. I hope that within a week or so I’ll be back to some form of regularity.
I’ve certainly had plenty of ideas for both blog posts and essays. Just no time to write them up for now. I will have a short story coming out for the Kindle in the next couple of weeks. I’ll post more about that in the next few days.
Later.
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Thinking of you, Charles. You sound very stressed. xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a very rough patch you're going through.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the Kindle story and it coincides perfectly with me buying one.
ReplyDeleteAnd Little d and I continue to sympathize with you and Lana. My mother is in the middle stages of dementia and a grandmother is in the hospital this week. One thing after another.
Hang in there, looking forward to your antho and new short.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it's not better news for your mom, Charles. You do sound stressed. It's difficult to be unable to change anything, do anything, to make it better.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some writing time soon, too.
I found I could not blog unless I am in the mood. And I can only blog what I am in the mood for.
ReplyDeleteI know writing may be different where you need to be committed but what I am trying to say is, take it easy. It is hard not being able to be with your Mom and had to catch up with so many things. Time is always the essence.
I had to ask my son what's a Kindle. I don't think it is available here.
Not sure what to say beyond that I'm still thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteBeen there with a loved one a few years ago, and its tough not to be able to do anything about it.
Hang in there big guy.
{Hugs} This sounds like a difficult time for you.
ReplyDeleteprayers for mama's full recovery...
ReplyDeleteglad you and lana got back safely; g'luck with the kindle tale
What Written said.
ReplyDeleteThis is so hard.
You're back and did as well as you could for your mom. It's a hard world. Gotta work.
ReplyDeleteHard to stay creative while handling the dross. A kindle book is a marvellous idea.
Myself, I have neither kindle or kindling, but I have put up an act in my play in my blog--a new direction. Yikes. I thought writing 40,000 words of novel was hard. Playwriting seems so delicate, so nuanced, that you're sort of like the Princess and the Pea. Every nuance is important. And everything seems to hurt.
...That or you've become
one big raw nerve.
(I'm trying to avoid that Jann Ardenn feeling, hoping not to be called "Insensitive.)"
Seems to write plays, you gotta be too sensitive.
...And I'm a former military man and something of a reveller and carouser.
Leave playwriting to the playwrights?
...But its the highest category of writing, and darn, this is the year of the Olympics! Have to achieve.
Brings back a movie from my childhood. The Walt Disney one.
I wanna be Willie the Operatic Whale.
And I want to sing!
Disney Studios, I'm here in Canada.
Ask somebody. I live near Simpson's Gravel Pit, Ontario.
We saw my mother out last year. It sounds like yours has a lot of people not too far away who love her.
ReplyDeleteFunny how those ideas obligingly show up when we're stressed, lying on a beach drinking pina coladas doesn't seem to do it. Take care of yourself, it's good to see you look in here but just - take it as easy as you can.
I know its tough to be so far away from one's parents as they age... Take time to take care of yourself and your family
ReplyDeleteWe'll get through it, baby. I'm sure your mom will be okay.
ReplyDeleteBarrie, thanks.
ReplyDeleteFairyhedgehog, life hits like that on occassion.
David, I sypmathize with your situation as well. 2010 has started out kind of tough.
David J. West, thanks. The story is called "Chimes."
Writtenwyrd, maybe by this weekend I'll get some writing done. Hope so.
Ocean Girl, Kindle is an ebook reader. I've been enjoying mine quite a bit. They're available from Amazon.
G, yes, it's hard being here instead of there. But you've got to feed the ones who are dependent on you.
Chris Eldin, thanks for the support. I appreciate it.
laughingwolf, thanks, man.
Bernita, you know even better than I do.
ivan, I've been reading a couple of things about playwriting. I don't think I'd have the talent for it. IT does seem like a serious challenge.
ArtSparker, thanks. We lost my father a long time ago, but it was sudden. It's never easy, but to see them suffer. Geeze that hurts.
sage, I'm glad I have two brothers who are fairly close, but I feel bad for them getting all the brunt of it.
Lana, glad that idiot driving on the wrong side of the road this morning didn't hit either one of us.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Mom gets better.
ReplyDeleteKeep us informed about the Kindle story, too. You know I have one! :)
I am sorry for your troubles Charles.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you writing here.
Music , Books ,and Writing have been some of the few greatest saviors I have ever known. I hope they treat you much the same now.
You guys have had a rough time lately. I'm glad things, as tough as they've been, are manageable. We're thinking about your family and you.
ReplyDeleteHaving gone through this last year, I know how difficult it all is. I hope things improve. Thank God you have the creative life to transport you even for a few minutes from life's horrors.
ReplyDeleteTake your time, do what you need to do. We'll still be here. Until then, be well.
ReplyDeleteWishing the best for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to see your mom, and I'm sure she really appreciated seeing you. Good luck getting caught up. I'm thinking of you,.
ReplyDeleteI've been where you are and I'm praying still that your Mom will regain her strength, my friend. Don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself. If you feel like blogging, then blog... concentrate on the things that bring you some measure of good and peace. These things help.
ReplyDeleteThe thrill of starting over away from the home zone is a two edged sword. Settling far from family means an independence like no other. It also means visits with immediate family may only happen a handful of times in your lifetime.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about that. My mom went through some similar things. Hope it all goes well and that you get back to writing quickly.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Charles. I'm really sorry about your mom pray for the best for you guys. Must be terrible on you and Lana. If there's any way to help, just email me and tell me what I can do.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you've got the wonderful Lana... Take care, man.
ReplyDeleteDear Charles, your Mom knows where your heart is and she is probably relieved that she hasn't totally changed your routine. As you know, I've been bluesy lately and it draws all the creativity out of a person. Hang tough, dear, and Lana too, lifeline that she is...
ReplyDeleteYou take your time. :-D When you get a chance this week, stop by my blog, I'm running a contest for a book that I think you might like. ;-)
ReplyDeletePaul R. McNamee, I will. I know it comes out in March. Hopefully it will be cheap.
ReplyDeleteRRN, thanks, man. Yes, I’ve got a book I want to start tonight or tomorrow that I think I’ll enjoy.
Randy Johnson, thanks. Much appreciated, my friend.
pattinase (abbott), I know as we all get a bit older we will have to take this journey. Each one is the same, and yet different.
Avery DeBow, Thanks, Avery.
Heff, thanks, dude. Even beer doesn’t help a lot in this situation, and there aren’t many times you can say that.
Shauna Roberts, I appreciate that, Shauna. I want to get back into the swing.
Anndi, I actually watched two movies this weekend for that reason. I just needed some escape.
BernardL, exactly. I didn’t mind being away from home really until now. I would like to be closer, for her, and to relieve my brothers. But you can only do what time and distance allows you to do.
Sidney, it’s never easy. And we all have to deal with it some time or another. Doesn’t make it easy, of course.
Rick, thanks, Rick. I appreciate that.
Steve Malley, yep, she’s been a real support.
jodi, we’ve got some warm weather here today. Maybe that will lift our spirits. I’ll send it your way.
Demon Hunter, thanks. I’ll have to do that. Love me some books.
Welcome back, both of you!
ReplyDeleteJust eat that herd of elephants one-bite-at-a-time, Charles!
Congrats on your Kindle story.
Hang in there with Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Just relax and ease back in.
ReplyDeleteYou're in our thoughts over here.
ReplyDeleteThe horse doesn't always have to go at full gallop eh? Pace the beast so it doesn't get lathered.
ReplyDeleteMay your mother receive the best possible care ever given Charles.
Cloudia, good advice. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTravis, I'm working on it just that way.
Tyrannosaurus Press, thanks.
Mark, from what my brother was telling me this morning her new place is going to really try to do some serious therapy. I'm hoping.
Charles, will this be your first foray in Kindledom or have you walked that path before. Just curious your take.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'd love to see you do a post from you on the positives and negatives of publishing with a smaller press. I've always tried the agent route but am considering submitting my work directly the the publishing houses that accept unagented subs.
ReplyDeleteTravis, Swords of Talera was published as an ebook but not for Kindle. This will be my first official kindle story. I'll post about that small press thing. I may have talked about it way back when but I'll look and see if I did.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Charles ...
ReplyDeleteI hope your Mom will be better soon. These are such hard, heartbreaking times, I know...
ReplyDeleteDon, thanks.
ReplyDeleteVesper, I know several folks going through these kinds of struggles right now. It seems the month for it.
I hear ya - but for the record, come have a beer at Heff's Bar And Grill 02/24/2010 if you get the chance, and thanks for never taking my link off your blogroll. I appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Charles. I know how torn you must be living so far away. I really believe that when life steps in and takes over, on some level, a writer still writes. It'll be there for comfort when you're ready. My best to you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteThat's tough all around, and it hurts not being closer -- that I do know. Good luck with the school daze and back in the saddle.
ReplyDeleteCharles - I'm sorry about your mom. My prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHeff, I figured you'd be back.
ReplyDeleteL.A. Mitchell, thanks. I appreciate that.
Erik Donald France, it took me a good long while to get caught up.
Ello, thank you.