Saturday, May 27, 2023

Saturday, May 27, 2023

Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2006. It was a day I will never forget. Mattie and Peter went bicycle shopping together. They came home with this adorable bike, training wheels and a helmet. When I returned home, I got to see Mattie bicycle riding around for the first time. He loved it and our outdoor area in the city provided the perfect, safe, and secure spot to learn. In this enclosed area Mattie learned to walk, run, bike, fly a kite, and of course drive Speedy Red (his ride on vehicle).  Every time I am in the city and pass our old home, I look up at this enclosed area. It holds so many memories for me, and I am quite certain Mattie spirit lives on in this space. 

Quote of the day: Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will be powerless to vex your mind. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Peter sent me this photo this morning! He started his day with a walk/run in the woods behind his parent's house. Since January, Peter has been focusing on his nutrition and has developed an exercise routine. He has lost around 20 pounds so far. I admire his discipline!

I have walked these woods with Peter since we were in college together. Then of course we introduced the woods to Mattie and then to Sunny! 

Peter drove his parents to Maine for the weekend, as our youngest nephew is graduating from Bates College. Peter sent me a photo of the family having lunch together in Maine. 

On the left (back to front): Barbara (Peter's mom), Lisa (Peter's sister in law), Sydney (our niece), and Chris (Peter's brother)

On the right (back to front): Peter, Don (Peter's dad), Will (our nephew) and Nat (our nephew)








Given it is memorial day weekend, I wanted to try to do something special with my parents. Honestly their days of touring around, visiting things (even a museum) are OVER! So the outing is always centered around food. I decided to take them to Chez Francois (which is about 30 minutes away from our home). It is a restaurant I have loved for years. Yes it is still special, but NOTHING stays the same. Everything from the service to ambiance have changed and not for the better. 

When I checked in at the front desk, the man told me that he couldn't seat us in the room I requested! Because I was too late! That if I wanted better seats, I needed to get there earlier! Truly..... does he NOT see the show I am traveling with!? I wasn't just asking for a particular room for the fun of it, I was asking because this room is close to the first floor restroom (which is important for my dad and is irritable bowel syndrome). I even noted in my reservation that my dad has a disability and I would appreciate their consideration. Forget it! He wanted to sit us in a dark part of the restaurant, and I said absolutely NOT! So we landed up outside on the terrace. Normally my dad doesn't like eating outside, but since it was a glorious day, I pushed my parents out of their comfort zone. 

In the restaurant's heyday, this is what the terrace used to look like. It was stunning and so tranquil. Tree and flower lined and there was even a fountain in the middle of the space. The terrace looks very different now, and in my opinion it has lost its charm. 

I realize the restaurant, like all restaurants, had to make rapid changes when COVID hit. So the terrace was transformed, with trees and the fountain taken down and a tent set up. I am sure this space is now used for private events, and it gives the restaurant a chance to bring in extra income. But NOT all change is for the better. 

In addition to a change in atmosphere, the quality of the service is beyond noticeable. In the past, servers had incredible skills, loved what they were doing, and were eager to make your meal a memorable one! Now that isn't the case at all. To me it is a sad commentary. If you notice the chairs, you will probably say.... they look uncomfortable. Not only do they look uncomfortable they are! My mom complained throughout the entire meal. I was jumping up and down like a jack rabbit throughout the meal adjusting her chair, and putting blankets all over the chair to provide cushioning. 

My dad did eat today, unlike the last two days. My strategy this morning was to give him only a cut up apple for breakfast. By the time he got to lunch, he was starving. Especially after an hour work out with his physical therapist. Meanwhile my mom injured her back somehow, and between her moaning in pain and my dad's stupefied state, I would say the whole meal was depressing. It takes a lot of inner patience, perspective, and strength to manage what I see and experience daily. 

The restaurant gave us an amuse bouche to start the meal.... a lentil soup. This may not sound good, but it was delicious, and I am sure it had sherry in it!

Honestly I was in such an edgy mood managing both of my parent's needs, that I did not photo the rest of the courses! My mom and I shared a raspberry souffle for dessert. What I love however, is this adorable tea pot. When the server delivered it, he wanted to give me a lecture on how to open the lid of the teapot. He was rather officious about it. So in the same manner that I dealt with the fellow at the front desk, I snapped right back at this server. I told him I love teapots and actually collect them, so I did not need a tutorial in teapots! 

After lunch was over, my dad was desperate to go to the bathroom. So I escorted and helped him and then put him in the car. Then I went back to the patio to help my mom up. I am seeing more and more that my mom is having trouble moving independently and for the most part when we are out of the house, she wants to hold my hand. This becomes a juggling act when I also have my dad in tow. Before my mom and I left the terrace, she snapped this photo of me.