Laramie writes:

Tuesday, April 30: I haven't mentioned this before, but the aides at the Yorkshire often ask me if I'm Terry's sister; we do share a certain Nordic appearance. I always tell them I'm just a long-time friend and that we met through the local science fiction community. The last time this occurred the aide seemed very interested and asked about aliens and UFOs etc. as we all got on the elevator (heading down to the bistro on our part. It turned out that another person who got on the elevator was the one who gave occasional talks on science subjects like the eclipse - a guy named Buzz. He commented that he might have to do a presentation on the possibilities of alien life in the universe.

Anyhow, this Tuesday I arrived to find Terry seated in the activity area near her room. I had to remind her of my name, and I took her aside to visit at a nearby table. We had her Galaxy pad, but I'd forgotten my phone on the front seat of my car (fortunately concealed under the Burger King bag from my breakfast stop). We were confined to the apps available on the pad. Terry was not interested in the maze but said yes to the coloring app. We'd hardly started choosing colors when she decided she had to go back and join the other residents as they did exercises. She didn't seem to be joining in on the exercises, but seemed more secure in being among the others. I looked for items of interest on the Youtube app.

When we went to the dining room for her lunch, they were slow in bringing it.  I went to see if I could bring her a drink, but was told they would bring it, even though I mentioned that she was thirsty now. In fact she got her lunch and ate as much as she wanted of it and we were already leaving for the bistro before the aide brought her a glass of juice which she drained in a single draught. (Lunch was a German stir fry with sausage and potatoes and kraut, served with a bread stick and green beans. She hardly ate half of it. I tasted the stir fry  and it was pretty sour.)

In the bistro Terry got an apple and some popcorn while I fixed the coffee. We enjoyed the sunshine through the windows, and later tried stepping outside to catch some of it. We hadn't gone through the outer door before Terry felt the breeze and wanted to turn around and go immediately back inside.

During lunch and coffee I'd been showing her videos of recipe demonstrations and talking cats, and America's most Talented cats performing amazing feats of athleticism.

When we went back upstairs we found seats at a table outside the nurse's offices. The background music was playing Beatles songs and we sang along with them — sotto voce, so as not to disturb anyone — to the extent we knew the lyrics. Terry knew the refrain from 'Hey Jude' and a few others. Another woman, seated across the room seemed to disapprove and came toward me  in her walker. Terry came to my defense and told the other woman to leave me alone and (when she reached out toward me) not to touch me. The other woman retreated into a side room.

Friday, May 3: I'm so sorry but I had to skip visiting Terry today. At yesterday's return visit to the ophthalmologist he told me he's never seen anything like this and he's referring me to a specialist that I'm supposed to see as soon as possible. In the meanwhile I'm trying to keep my eye covered as much as possible and avoid driving. The good news is that my vision in the affected eye is starting to improve.

I'm especially sorry since I promised Terry I'd be back soon. when I visited on Tuesday. She didn't remember my name at that time, so I'm hoping she won't remember that promise.