Taping Electrical Switches, More in The Saga...

Yes, more in the saga of taking care of my father, the ultimate challenge to the "sandwich" generation.

As Torah (AKA Orthodox) Jews, we don't "change electric settings" on Shabbat, Sabbath.  Of course we "use" electricity.  Lights can be on, the fridge and heaters, too.  We just don't touch the switch.  Some things, like household lights may be on electric timers, but all that is set up before the sun goes down on a Friday.

My father now lives with us.  He was never religiously observant, even when he "had all his marbles."  Then if he was visiting he could remember not to touch the switches, but now he forgets and he doesn't see well.  Even when turning off the toilet light he could end up turning on the bathroom heater. 

Last week, just after Shabbat began, that's what happened, so the entire Shabbat the bathroom was nice and unnecessarily warm.  I was afraid that the fuse would blow.

I've been trying to tape the hallway and bathroom lights to stay on, so we can benefit in our room.  I guess it was in frustration looking for a "working" switch to turn those lights off, he turned on the heater.

No, I didn't say anything to him about it.  What's the point?

All and all, he's doing great, really.  His blood pressure is lower than ever before.  I changed gears and I'm fine, too.

Just new challenges...

Never dull

First Israeli Haircut

More from the saga of my father's new life in Israel, after making aliyah at 89.

My father has been in Israel about two months already.  Originally I figured that my mother would be here by now, but she feels she must be in New York to sell the house.

In the meantime, we keep him busy here in Shiloh, occasionally visiting my married daughter in Ofra and her family, my father's great-grandchildren.  This week was only his second trip to Jerusalem.  Even by car it's a big trip for him, so we prefer local entertainment.

Yes, he's very pleased with his haircut.

Another Milestone in My Saga, Taking Care of My Elderly Father

So far, bli eyin haraa (don't tempt the evil eye) my father can do a lot for himself.  One thing he can't do is to change the battery of his hearing aid.  That's because his eyesight isn't all that great nowadays, so he can't see it.

Last week, at my daughter's instructions, we went to "HaOzen," a hearingaid place.  I bit the bullet and told the young guy that I'm taking care of my father, and as he can see my father wears hearingaids, and I haven't a clue how to deal with them.  So, I got a lesson, how to clean and how to change batteries and know when that's necessary.  I bought the necessary supplies, brought them home and...

... I waited until a bolt from the blue would tell me when to use my new skills.  Yesterday it hit!

"It's very strange.  These hearingaids don't seem to be working."

"Hmmm... maybe it's time for me to change the batteries."

I "tested" them and they were dead.  So I got the equipment, and easier than I had ever guessed, changed the batteries, and my father was able to hear better.

All the challenges should be this easy.

Will The Sun Shine Today?

OK, as a philosophy exercise, I must stress that the sun always shines.  It never changes.  What changes is the atmosphere around the earth.  The clouds come and go, bringing all sorts of precipitation, sandstorms etc.  So, don't get me wrong here.  The title of this post is just a title not some science mistake.

The world is how we perceive it.  That's an exercise we must learn well.  I do my best to be happy with my father's present condition, because I know that at his age and health, things can only get worse.  So, I keep up his medication and see that he eats and drinks and gets some exercise and stimulation to preserve what we have as long as possible.

And back to the bright sun and blue sky I can see even from the dirty den window...

I must quickly throw a wash in the machine.  It's a perfect day to hang out wash to dry.