LONG TIME, NO ME
In case you’ve been wondering if I’m still among the living (my last post was March 23), the answer is yes (as of the last time I looked). As for the long time between posts, it’s a long story which I don’t want to re-live (and which, in any case, would be boring to detail). I’ll just say that my wife of 55+ years is now in an extended care facility for the rest of her life, and dealing with all the continuing ramifications has been overwhelming. As a result, posting here will remain infreguent for the foreseeable future.
I regret that I’ve been unable to reply to comments or follow your blog posts, but I appreciate your understanding and hope to be able to return to a semblance of “the way we were” at some future point.
The Observation Post 
BACK ROADS AND OTHER STORIES 12:49 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
I am glad to hear that you are among the living still, but so sorry to hear about your wife. Not much else to say other than take care of yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 5:20 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
I also have not much else to say, except thanks for your thoughtfulness .
LikeLiked by 1 person
BACK ROADS AND OTHER STORIES 8:23 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
gabychops 12:50 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Take your time, we understand and wish you both the best!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 5:23 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thanks for understanding. Your kindness is appreciated..
LikeLike
magickmermaid 12:58 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
It’s good to hear from you. I’ve been thinking of both of you and sending healing energy and hope. Take care and may all be well. (Don’t worry about replying.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 5:25 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you, mm. It’s always a pleasure to hear from my favorite mermaid!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ashley 1:12 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thinking of you both 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 5:25 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Much appreciated, Ashley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rivergirl 1:27 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
I’m so very sorry to hear this. And no apologies are necessary, we understand and will be here if you need us.
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 5:38 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you, my Maine friend. I miss reading your blog. Hope to get back to it before long..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carmen 1:59 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
I am so sorry to read about your wife, mistermuse. It has got to be difficult for you – my heart is hurting for you, sincerely. If we could all go back to ‘the way we were’, eh? Rest assured we have your best interests at heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 5:43 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Many thanks, Carmen. Speaking of THE WAY WE WERE:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rosaliene Bacchus 2:31 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
MisterMuse, thanks for the update. Know that you and your wife are in my thoughts daily. May your loving care for each other carry you both through these difficult years. Hugs ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 5:46 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you for those very thoughtful words, Rosaliene. Hugs right back at you!.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Geo. Raymond 2:57 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
I am very sorry to hear the news, MM
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 5:47 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Much appreciated, George.
LikeLiked by 1 person
willedare 3:33 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
That is a HUGE undertaking with all sorts of layers — strategic, emotional, psychological, spiritual… No wonder you have not had time to write (m)any blog posts! I hope that she is doing OK in her new extended care community and that YOU are doing OK with your new (no wife of 55+ years at home with you!) living situation. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 6:05 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Many thanks. Among the many “overwhelming” issues is the insurance company with which we have coverage for my wife’s extended care ( they don’t make it easy to deal with). I finally had to hire professional help to represent us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
colinmcqueen 4:30 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Nothing much to say, just sending my very best wishes to you both.
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 6:06 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you, Colin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lynette d'Arty-Cross 4:55 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
I’m so sorry to hear this, mistermuse. Thanks for taking the time to update us; I’ve been wondering. Sending my best wishes to you and your wife.
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 5:16 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Thank yo, Lynette. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
obbverse 5:58 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Take time to look after you too MM.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mr. Ohh's Sideways View 8:33 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
Sad to hear about your wife, but you need to take care of you both now. I’ll be waiting when you come back. See you then 🤣😎🙃
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 12:22 am on May 1, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you kindly. We know nothing lasts forever — still, when when something like this happens, it hits hard. All we can do is make the best of it, which is what it’s all about now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
rawgod 11:58 pm on April 30, 2024 Permalink |
My partner’s mother ended up in a care facility last February (2023) after falling on some ice. While there she deceloped a reoccuring memory lapse problem. She reverts to a time in her early life without warning, and can return to normal just as quickly. Her doctor has said for now, unless these episodes stop, she cannot live at home anymore either. Gail’s father is now living alone in a great big house, which he is not ready to leave. It is not a good situation.
I know your situation (not in detail, of course) through him. Everything is topsy-turvy. I wish you an acceptable outcome to your troubles. Take care.
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 12:46 am on May 1, 2024 Permalink |
Thanks, rg. My increasingly frail wife suffered several falls from which she could not get up by herself. At first I could help her, but each time, she became more of a “dead weight”, to the point I could no longer lift her. We are both in our upper 80s, so an extended care facility for her was our only option. At least she receives good care and is happy there, so things could be a lot worse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
rawgod 1:47 am on May 1, 2024 Permalink
Are you thi king of finding a couple’s facility so you can still be together, with help must a knock away?
LikeLiked by 2 people
mistermuse 8:45 am on May 1, 2024 Permalink
That is not in the near future because of circumstances beyond my control, but the present facility is just a 7 or 8 minute drive away, so I’m able to visit her every day.. Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
smbabbitt 9:30 am on May 1, 2024 Permalink |
Best wishes to you both, with hope for whatever comfort can come from puns, crazy old songs, and of course friendship at such a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 12:41 pm on May 1, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you so much!
Our friendship is long,
So let’s keep in touch.
Here’s a crazy old song!
LikeLiked by 2 people
smbabbitt 1:13 pm on May 1, 2024 Permalink
Thanks for the post. The ukelele song reminded me of some of the heavily period-flavored but not crazy songs by Annette Hanshaw that were used in SITA SINGS THE BLUES.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 12:40 am on May 2, 2024 Permalink
Annette Hanshaw was my fav fmale vocalist of the 1920s. I still have some of her records..
LikeLike
mlrover 10:40 am on May 1, 2024 Permalink |
Sending prayers winging your way to help you and your wife through this difficult time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 12:45 pm on May 1, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you!
LikeLike
Bruce@WOTC 6:27 pm on May 2, 2024 Permalink |
I am very sorry to arrive here and hear that news, MM. You will both be in my prayers. It is a blessing you are only a few minutes away. Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
josephurban 6:43 pm on May 2, 2024 Permalink |
Sorry to hear of your problems. Keep the faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
selizabryangmailcom 12:56 pm on May 7, 2024 Permalink |
In my opinion, insurance companies occupy a level of evil on par with orange ex-presidents we will not name and the corporations that run America. You pay in and pay in and pay in and then it’s like pulling teeth to receive the coverage you’re owed, and in an overwhelmingly emotional experience like yours, that’s criminal in my book. I’m glad you got representation. Hang in there, as well as can be expected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 2:30 pm on May 7, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you so much. That’s only part of what I’m going through, but I won’t elaborate because everyone (even an orange ex-president) has troubles (though mine aren’t of my own making). As for hanging in there, I may be up to my neck in problems, but at least I’m getting good at keeping my head above water!
LikeLiked by 2 people
selizabryangmailcom 5:25 pm on May 7, 2024 Permalink |
Lol 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Richard Cahill 4:02 pm on May 8, 2024 Permalink |
My mother has been in assisted living on the opposite coast for 2+ years now, Sr. Muse, so I feel your pain, as a guy from Arkansas once said. Between that and my cancer (14 months in remission as of last Friday) I have not been as communicative as I’d like, either. Good luck to you and yours. It does seem that adulting gets more strenuous as we get older, not less.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 11:56 pm on May 8, 2024 Permalink |
Muchas gracias, Ricardo. Decades ago, a relative (who was about the same age as I am now) said to me, “It’s no fun getting old.” Trying to put a positive spin on the matter, I rather glibly responded, “Doesn’t old age beat the alternative?” She replied, “But who knows what the alternative is?” Now that I’m in her shoes,I apprciate how wise she was.
LikeLike
Carol A. Hand 5:04 am on May 11, 2024 Permalink |
💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
annieasksyou 6:21 pm on May 12, 2024 Permalink |
I have actually been thinking about you and worrying about you, mm. So very sorry about your wife. I look forward to your posting whenever you choose–no pressure! Best wishes, Annie
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 12:28 am on May 13, 2024 Permalink |
Thank you for those kind words, Annie. I very much miss posting and following my followers’ blog posts. Unfortunately, it will still be some time before I’m able to pick up where I left off. Meanwhile, I do often think about you and my other blogger friends.
Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
annieasksyou 9:01 am on May 13, 2024 Permalink
You may appreciate this bit of wit from a friend: “When people talk about the Golden Years, I always think they’re talking about urine.”
To which I add: It sounds like you are going with the flow, mm. That’s very good. Be kind to yourself as you care for your wife. This has to be a stressful time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 11:21 am on May 13, 2024 Permalink
Annie, I thought I was the prince of puns, but when it comes to holding down the throne while I’m out of action, you’re the man….I mean the queen. Please keep up your end of the royal flush but don’t overdo it, because if you get any punier, you’ll put me to shame!
LikeLike