Friends of Ed;
I had a nice and fairly long phone call with father this morning. He enjoyed visiting with Davina yesterday and he had a visit from Will Thurlow today. Will is Father's accountant and he was probably bringing father up to date on the income tax situation. We also discussed the issue which came up yesterday about power failures at Alta Vista Manor and I was able to reassure father that the Manor was well equipped for the eventuality. He seemed to be in fairly good spirits today, though a little out of breath as he had just been up and about when I called.
Vince
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Visit Thursday April 28th.
Friends of Ed;
I had a phone call from Davina Pearl telling me that she had visited father this evening. He was sleeping when she arrived but woke up after a while and she says they had a really nice visit. Evidently the weather in Ottawa has been a bit rough lately and there have been some power failures. The question came up of what happens to Alta Vista Manor and its residents if the power to the Manor is cut off. This is something I investigated when scouting out the Manor and there is an adequately sized backup diesel generator. During one of my walks over to the Manor in March I observed the generator being test run under load. It is reassuring to know that it is being properly maintained and tested so that it will actually work if necessary.
Vince
I had a phone call from Davina Pearl telling me that she had visited father this evening. He was sleeping when she arrived but woke up after a while and she says they had a really nice visit. Evidently the weather in Ottawa has been a bit rough lately and there have been some power failures. The question came up of what happens to Alta Vista Manor and its residents if the power to the Manor is cut off. This is something I investigated when scouting out the Manor and there is an adequately sized backup diesel generator. During one of my walks over to the Manor in March I observed the generator being test run under load. It is reassuring to know that it is being properly maintained and tested so that it will actually work if necessary.
Vince
Phone call Wednesday April 27.
Friends of Ed;
I had quite a long phone call with father today. Much of the discussion was about the upcoming voting day in the federal election and whether father would like to make the effort to cast his vote and how this could be made possible. After considerable discussion he decided that he didn't really want to bother and I was unable to persuade him otherwise, though I didn't really work too hard at it.
Otherwise he said he was feeling pretty good, the meals are still OK and he says he is sleeping well. I did ask if the cannula is bothering his ears and he said no. He has been wearing the headphones connected to the radio listening to the CBC "Tempo" program and in the past, if his ears were irritated, the headphones were the first thing to go.
According to father there have been no visitors since Alex Dopplinger on Monday of this week. Father is also expressing interest in my return to Ottawa. It's less than 2 weeks now so he doesn't have too long to wait!
Vince
I had quite a long phone call with father today. Much of the discussion was about the upcoming voting day in the federal election and whether father would like to make the effort to cast his vote and how this could be made possible. After considerable discussion he decided that he didn't really want to bother and I was unable to persuade him otherwise, though I didn't really work too hard at it.
Otherwise he said he was feeling pretty good, the meals are still OK and he says he is sleeping well. I did ask if the cannula is bothering his ears and he said no. He has been wearing the headphones connected to the radio listening to the CBC "Tempo" program and in the past, if his ears were irritated, the headphones were the first thing to go.
According to father there have been no visitors since Alex Dopplinger on Monday of this week. Father is also expressing interest in my return to Ottawa. It's less than 2 weeks now so he doesn't have too long to wait!
Vince
Monday, April 25, 2011
Phone call and visit Monday April 25th.
Friends of Ed;
I spoke to father on the phone today and he seems to be doing well and wasn't too tired out from the excitement yesterday. He said his ears weren't bothering him and that his meals have been OK over the last few days. He particularly commented on the beautiful Easter bouquet that was brought yesterday. While I was talking with him Alex Dopplinger dropped in for a visit on her way to quartet rehearsal. Rumour has it she brought some Easter turkey with her to tempt father with!
Vince
I spoke to father on the phone today and he seems to be doing well and wasn't too tired out from the excitement yesterday. He said his ears weren't bothering him and that his meals have been OK over the last few days. He particularly commented on the beautiful Easter bouquet that was brought yesterday. While I was talking with him Alex Dopplinger dropped in for a visit on her way to quartet rehearsal. Rumour has it she brought some Easter turkey with her to tempt father with!
Vince
Visits Sunday April 24th.
Friends of Ed;
Being Easter Sunday lots of people visited today. I heard from Davina Pearl that she, Reg and Al Beaudreau, and Joan Paris all ended up visiting at the same time. It must have been quite the party!
Vince
Being Easter Sunday lots of people visited today. I heard from Davina Pearl that she, Reg and Al Beaudreau, and Joan Paris all ended up visiting at the same time. It must have been quite the party!
Vince
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Phone Call Saturday April 23.
Friends of Ed;
I spoke to father on the phone today for about 45 minutes. He seemed in good spirits with no complaints about his sleep or meals. When I asked about whether his ears were sore from the cannula (see April 21 blog post) he seemed to tell me that it wasn't really too much of a problem. He told me he had been watching a fair bit of TV today - evidently there was a lot of advance coverage of the upcoming Royal Wedding.
Vince
I spoke to father on the phone today for about 45 minutes. He seemed in good spirits with no complaints about his sleep or meals. When I asked about whether his ears were sore from the cannula (see April 21 blog post) he seemed to tell me that it wasn't really too much of a problem. He told me he had been watching a fair bit of TV today - evidently there was a lot of advance coverage of the upcoming Royal Wedding.
Vince
Visit Thursday April 21.
Friends of Ed;
I heard from Davina Pearl that she visited father this evening for quite a while. She said he seemed basically well, but was having a bit of a problem with his cannula irritating his ears. Davina called the nurse in to have a look at the problem and the nurse re-arranged the cannula. Hopefully the situation will be brought under control soon. Davina told me one of the other things they did was watch some "Yes Minister" episodes on the TV. For those who don't know, "Yes Minister" (and "Yes Prime Minister") are British TV series from the 1980s with half hour episodes featuring the career of "Jim Hacker". They are political farce at its best and incredibly funny!
Vince
I heard from Davina Pearl that she visited father this evening for quite a while. She said he seemed basically well, but was having a bit of a problem with his cannula irritating his ears. Davina called the nurse in to have a look at the problem and the nurse re-arranged the cannula. Hopefully the situation will be brought under control soon. Davina told me one of the other things they did was watch some "Yes Minister" episodes on the TV. For those who don't know, "Yes Minister" (and "Yes Prime Minister") are British TV series from the 1980s with half hour episodes featuring the career of "Jim Hacker". They are political farce at its best and incredibly funny!
Vince
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Phone Call Wednesday April 20.
Friends of Ed;
I had a long phone call with father this afternoon (while I was feeding my chickens and collecting the eggs) and he seemed to be doing quite well. He had a visit today from Joan Paris and Hubert van Wettum which he greatly enjoyed. Interestingly enough, he informed me that he had been up late the night before watching a baseball game on the TV. It is good to see that he is focusing some of his attention on the outside world.
Vince
I had a long phone call with father this afternoon (while I was feeding my chickens and collecting the eggs) and he seemed to be doing quite well. He had a visit today from Joan Paris and Hubert van Wettum which he greatly enjoyed. Interestingly enough, he informed me that he had been up late the night before watching a baseball game on the TV. It is good to see that he is focusing some of his attention on the outside world.
Vince
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Visit Monday April 18th.
Friends of Ed;
I heard from Davian Pearl that she had a nice visit with father this evening. She reports that he was up watching TV when she arrived and in her opinion he seemed to have more energy that during her visit on April 14th. This agrees with the impression I got when talking with father on the phone and I am certainly glad to have the impression confirmed. While Davina was there she checked father's mailbox in the activity room and there was a card from Kay MacKnight who was one of my mother's sister in laws.
Vince
I heard from Davian Pearl that she had a nice visit with father this evening. She reports that he was up watching TV when she arrived and in her opinion he seemed to have more energy that during her visit on April 14th. This agrees with the impression I got when talking with father on the phone and I am certainly glad to have the impression confirmed. While Davina was there she checked father's mailbox in the activity room and there was a card from Kay MacKnight who was one of my mother's sister in laws.
Vince
Monday, April 18, 2011
Phone Call Sunday April 17th.
Friends of Ed;
I called father today at about 4 PM Ottawa time to see how he was doing. As it turned out, Alex Dopplinger was visiting when I called. She and father were having a nice visit so I kept the call fairly short, which was just as well as I had to go out and do the second egg collection of the day.
Vince
I called father today at about 4 PM Ottawa time to see how he was doing. As it turned out, Alex Dopplinger was visiting when I called. She and father were having a nice visit so I kept the call fairly short, which was just as well as I had to go out and do the second egg collection of the day.
Vince
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Visit Saturday April 16th.
Friends of Ed;
I had a phone call today from Marie-Claire Potvin (father's housekeeper for the last few years) and she said that she had visited father between 1:30 PM and 3 PM today. Evidently he was napping when she arrived but woke up shortly thereafter. In her opinion his color was good and he appeared to be eating well, but he rested in bed during her entire visit. She said they had a nice visit chatting about many things. While she was there Marie-Claire said she did a bit of cleaning up around the place... I see she is still dedicated to her job!
Vince
I had a phone call today from Marie-Claire Potvin (father's housekeeper for the last few years) and she said that she had visited father between 1:30 PM and 3 PM today. Evidently he was napping when she arrived but woke up shortly thereafter. In her opinion his color was good and he appeared to be eating well, but he rested in bed during her entire visit. She said they had a nice visit chatting about many things. While she was there Marie-Claire said she did a bit of cleaning up around the place... I see she is still dedicated to her job!
Vince
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Phone Call April 15th.
Friends of Ed;
I talked with father on the phone today for about a half hour. It was about 8 PM Ottawa time when I called and father was watching some TV. After he got the volume turned down we had a nice chat. He said he had been sleeping well, but was also doing a lot of napping during the day. I got the general impression that his energy levels were not as high as they sometimes are. He didn't mention any problem with the meals so I assume things are OK there. He did mention that he had visits recently from Reg Boudreau (his across the street neighbor on Tweed Avenue) and Davina Pearl, who's visit I mentioned in yesterday's blog post.
Vince
I talked with father on the phone today for about a half hour. It was about 8 PM Ottawa time when I called and father was watching some TV. After he got the volume turned down we had a nice chat. He said he had been sleeping well, but was also doing a lot of napping during the day. I got the general impression that his energy levels were not as high as they sometimes are. He didn't mention any problem with the meals so I assume things are OK there. He did mention that he had visits recently from Reg Boudreau (his across the street neighbor on Tweed Avenue) and Davina Pearl, who's visit I mentioned in yesterday's blog post.
Vince
Friday, April 15, 2011
Visit April 14th.
Friends of Ed;
I had a phone call from Davina Pearl letting me know that she visited father for a couple of hours this evening. She told me that he said he had been sleeping well, but had still been taking a lot of naps each day. From his perspective he said he had been feeling more breathless recently, but Davina said that his situation seemed to her to be about as usual, to the best of her judgement.
Vince
I had a phone call from Davina Pearl letting me know that she visited father for a couple of hours this evening. She told me that he said he had been sleeping well, but had still been taking a lot of naps each day. From his perspective he said he had been feeling more breathless recently, but Davina said that his situation seemed to her to be about as usual, to the best of her judgement.
Vince
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Phone call April 13th.
Friends of Ed;
I talked with father on the phone for about a half hour today and he said he was pretty breathless and didn't have much energy but otherwise things were pretty normal. He mentioned that Davina Pearl had called to let him know she would be visiting on Thursday. I also spoke with John Kerr today and he mentioned that he had made a social phone call to father earlier in the week.
Vince
I talked with father on the phone for about a half hour today and he said he was pretty breathless and didn't have much energy but otherwise things were pretty normal. He mentioned that Davina Pearl had called to let him know she would be visiting on Thursday. I also spoke with John Kerr today and he mentioned that he had made a social phone call to father earlier in the week.
Vince
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Phone Call April 11th.
Friends of Ed;
I had about a one hour phone call with Father this morning. He said he was spending a lot of time resting, but otherwise he seemed to be doing well.
Vince
I had about a one hour phone call with Father this morning. He said he was spending a lot of time resting, but otherwise he seemed to be doing well.
Vince
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Phone Call and Visits April 9th.
Friends of Ed;
I called father quite early today (06:30 BC Time) but he said he was listening to Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe program on the CBC so after a very brief chat I said goodbye and then called him up later for a much longer chat. During the latter call he said he was doing well and having a good sleep at night. Later in the day I heard from Davina Pearl that she had visited father during the late afternoon and evening and that they had a great time.
Vince
I called father quite early today (06:30 BC Time) but he said he was listening to Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe program on the CBC so after a very brief chat I said goodbye and then called him up later for a much longer chat. During the latter call he said he was doing well and having a good sleep at night. Later in the day I heard from Davina Pearl that she had visited father during the late afternoon and evening and that they had a great time.
Vince
Friday, April 8, 2011
Visit Thursday April 7th.
Friends of Ed;
I heard from Davina Pearl that she visited father Thursday evening. She and father had a nice visit where they shared some tea, family and music stories, and listened to some music. She said that father was in a good mood and "up and about" when she arrived at about 7:30 PM and this is very good to hear! Father seems to have been sleeping and eating well and says that he had a visit from Marie-Clair Potvin, probably sometime in the last few days. Marie-Claire left some cookies that evidently went very well with the tea!
Vince
I heard from Davina Pearl that she visited father Thursday evening. She and father had a nice visit where they shared some tea, family and music stories, and listened to some music. She said that father was in a good mood and "up and about" when she arrived at about 7:30 PM and this is very good to hear! Father seems to have been sleeping and eating well and says that he had a visit from Marie-Clair Potvin, probably sometime in the last few days. Marie-Claire left some cookies that evidently went very well with the tea!
Vince
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Phone Call Wednesday April 6th.
Friends of Ed;
I talked with father on the phone today for about a half hour and he seemed to be in good spirits. His sleeping has been fairly good the last couple of days and he said had been up and about for a significant part of the day. His relations with the kitchen seem to be at least tolerable as he says they haven't starved him yet! One thing that he really enjoyed, he says, was watching a 2 hour "Nature of Things" special TV program celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program (I remember watching it as less than 10 year old kid in Toronto when it was presented by University of Toronto Professors Patterson Hume and Donald Ivey!) and David Suzuki's 75th birthday. Father also mentioned that Reg Boudreau, his neighbour from across the street on Tweed Ave, was in to visit him.
Vince
I talked with father on the phone today for about a half hour and he seemed to be in good spirits. His sleeping has been fairly good the last couple of days and he said had been up and about for a significant part of the day. His relations with the kitchen seem to be at least tolerable as he says they haven't starved him yet! One thing that he really enjoyed, he says, was watching a 2 hour "Nature of Things" special TV program celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program (I remember watching it as less than 10 year old kid in Toronto when it was presented by University of Toronto Professors Patterson Hume and Donald Ivey!) and David Suzuki's 75th birthday. Father also mentioned that Reg Boudreau, his neighbour from across the street on Tweed Ave, was in to visit him.
Vince
Monday, April 4, 2011
Phone Call Monday April 4th.
Friends of Ed;
I spoke to father on the phone today for about 45 minutes. He seemed to be doing OK... sleeping not too badly and getting reasonable meals to eat. There really isn't too much more to report today.
Vince
I spoke to father on the phone today for about 45 minutes. He seemed to be doing OK... sleeping not too badly and getting reasonable meals to eat. There really isn't too much more to report today.
Vince
Visit Sunday April 3rd.
Friends of Ed;
I heard from Davina Pearl that she visited for about two and a half hours today. Father was up and about when she arrived and I think this is a very good sign, though he said his sleeping the last couple of days has been not as good as it might be. Davina and father discussed some of the stories in Murray Ginsberg’s book “They Loved to Play” that I took over to father’s place some weeks ago. The book is mainly about interviews with musicians who were active in theToronto Toronto
I heard from Davina Pearl that she visited for about two and a half hours today. Father was up and about when she arrived and I think this is a very good sign, though he said his sleeping the last couple of days has been not as good as it might be. Davina and father discussed some of the stories in Murray Ginsberg’s book “They Loved to Play” that I took over to father’s place some weeks ago. The book is mainly about interviews with musicians who were active in the
Evidently it was a very nice day in Ottawa
Vince
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Phone Call Saturday April 2nd.
Friends of Ed;
Well, I arrived in BC safely and have dealt with some of the more urgent matters here so I had time to call father today. He seemed to be in pretty good spirits and we chatted about various things for about 20 or 30 minutes. He too was struck by the irony that the battery in his watch failed on the day that I left for BC! He says he has been sleeping pretty well overall but is still trying to get in some naps during the day. He also says that he and the kitchen at Alta Vita Manor seem to be getting along reasonably well, which is nice to hear! He mentioned that Alex Dopplinger had been in to visit him on Friday evening. He really enjoyed the visit. I subsequently had an email from Alex and she said that father was looking very well and that they had a lovely chat.
Vince
Well, I arrived in BC safely and have dealt with some of the more urgent matters here so I had time to call father today. He seemed to be in pretty good spirits and we chatted about various things for about 20 or 30 minutes. He too was struck by the irony that the battery in his watch failed on the day that I left for BC! He says he has been sleeping pretty well overall but is still trying to get in some naps during the day. He also says that he and the kitchen at Alta Vita Manor seem to be getting along reasonably well, which is nice to hear! He mentioned that Alex Dopplinger had been in to visit him on Friday evening. He really enjoyed the visit. I subsequently had an email from Alex and she said that father was looking very well and that they had a lovely chat.
Vince
Visit Thursday March 31st.
Friends of Ed;
I have a bit of catching up to do here! I visited father for about an hour on Thursday morning and everything seemed to be reasonably OK. This will be my last visit for a while as I am travelling to BC for about 6 weeks. I will be phoning father every few days so I will still be doing a few blog entries. Seeing as I will not be in Ottawa I would be as connected to what is going on so it will be more important for people who visit to either write a blog entry or let me know by email or phone how things are going. I have met many of my father's friends over the last 3 months and I must say it has been a pleasure!
I had an email from Davina Pearl letting me know that she had a nice visit with father this evening for about an hour and a half. She and father chatted about many things, including some of my father's musical career inToronto
Thanks...
Vince
I have a bit of catching up to do here! I visited father for about an hour on Thursday morning and everything seemed to be reasonably OK. This will be my last visit for a while as I am travelling to BC for about 6 weeks. I will be phoning father every few days so I will still be doing a few blog entries. Seeing as I will not be in Ottawa I would be as connected to what is going on so it will be more important for people who visit to either write a blog entry or let me know by email or phone how things are going. I have met many of my father's friends over the last 3 months and I must say it has been a pleasure!
I had an email from Davina Pearl letting me know that she had a nice visit with father this evening for about an hour and a half. She and father chatted about many things, including some of my father's musical career in
Thanks...
Vince
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)