Notes - a shuffling

      Early morning. Except for troughs of coughing from either of you the house is quiet enough to wake the Dead. - Amorella

Patricia Ann Orndorff Ernsberger
25 April 1921- 25 February 2017

       0254 hours. Tribal drums and military muffled in the genetic hills of Scotland; oh the lingering fog-draped pipes of yore. Ancient and echoes beyond Stonehenge majesty best seen in the extreme clarity of the night forever beyond the cracks of an imaginary dawn. Ever shuffling genetic memory, pauses, methinks, between one hand and another. Destiny is not the teacher here; it is but a change of the tables for new players  waiting to take their seats.. Otterbein Cemetery is built to take all comers in our once quiet peaceful village of old Westerville. No need for new decks when well-worn ones will do. Aunt Patsy's matriarchal duties are doomfully passed to the new patriarchy, if only for a sobering glance to what the future holds for the Hammond-Orndorff-Bookman Orndorff clan. Shuffle the cards, let's play. It is enough to be in the game at this late date. (0324)

       A rare glimpse, boy, on how things really work - Post. - Amorella

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Notes 22 & 26 Feb.17 / how it is

22 February 2017

       Late morning. You are waiting for the clothes dryer to stop so you can head to Kim and Paul's. - Amorella

       1147 hours. I don't have anything on my mind. Amazing. Nothing.

       Your Aunt Patsy is slipping away according to Cathy and the family doesn't think she'll last the week. - Amorella

       1149 hours. That's right Cathy sent a note last night and talked to Carol at some length about ten-thirty. Nothing can be done but waiting. She is under hospice care and has been for a month or so. We did not know this. Nor did Cathy.

       Carol and Kim just went into Heritage Elementary School to pick up Owen. His school is about three hundred yards from where you did your student teaching in the Spring of 1966 at Olentangy High School in the . . .. You asked Owen to name his favorite classes in order. Owen replied without hesitation, "Gym, lunch, art, math, music, and reading are my  favorites."

       This is as far as you got on the twenty-second. // 

       Today is the afternoon of twenty-sixth and it is the first time you have been on the computer since. Post. When convenient. - Amorella

26 February 2017

       Carol is beginning the sixty-third chapter (p. 478) of Memory Man. You are at the far north lot of Pine Hill Lakes Park facing west and the woods covered hill. Some vegetation is beginning to bloom. Carol is on two different meds for her sinus problems and you are on two different meds for bacterial bronchitis and a flare up of arthritis. Dr. - wants you to call back Tuesday if it is not better. - Amorella

       You and Carol were pleased to see Owen and Brennan get their awards at Jujitsu. Brennan just started the program and Owen completed the first year. Brennan earned his first strip for his belt and Owen earned a special belt as he is going into a new program for older kids. His belt is white with a black inner belt which means he completed all the requirements and in three months he will have earned his yellow belt. Novices to this class normally begin with a new white belt, so he's a head of the game. Owen took down his teacher at least twice and you were surprised to see how fast and direct he was -- very focused. Now only did he take her down but moved so he was on top and in control. When you got home (Paul was in the OR) Paul got out his black belt to show Owen and Brennan -- very impressive. Paul competed in Nationals in his day. Even today you don't think Owen is going to be bullied by fellow classmates along the way. Brennan had to get away from an adult stranger which he did several times. He is not as assured as Owen but he got the job down. Again, he was fast with jabs and kicks as well as sounds for help if help were really needed. - Amorella

       1508 hours. The next day (Thursday) I got sick quickly and once home I grew sicker and called to see the doctor. It was disorienting to read so I did not. I got in first thing Friday morning and was diagnosed. I stayed off the computer and did not read any magazines or newspapers. When I got home (Friday AM) Cathy called and said Aunt Patsy had died during the night. A blessing if there ever was one -- the poor woman had lingered for at least six months by my reckoning. Carol grew better yesterday while I grew worse -- chills, sore muscles and joints, very sore lungs, but this afternoon I'm feeling a bit better. Hopefully the worst is over. It was strange not reading and writing. One day, I figure, when the time comes, I'll just stop, cold turkey -- never to read or write again. The words will just disappear after they stop making sense. Might be rather peaceful.

       Carol is finishing up the book, p. 507. Time to head home boy, for a nap. post, when plausible. - Amorella