THOREAU I THINK SAID....“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”
this old age bit is not for the meek... judy and i- in the process of trying to get our dogs in training to entertain some of these places they keep old people--- is enlightening... and i can't say i am pleased... take yesterday--- and i will not mention the town- but it is right here-- WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PLACE AND DECIDED TO DROP IN.. WHICH WE DID--- .60 people-- in "day care" aLL SITTING IN 4 ROWS-- IT IS A BIG AIRY ROOM-- CLEAN WARM THINGS LIKE THAT... THE MAN WHO "RUNS" THE PLACE EXPLAINED-- A BUS/VAN PICKS THEM UP IN THE MORNING- THEY GET BREAKFAST THERE-- THEN LUNCH-- AND A SNACK AND A BUS TAKES THEM HOME.. THEY ARE SAFE. BUT... ENTERTAINMENT?? A BIG BEAUTIFUL TV- THAT DOES GET THE INTERNET- THAT IS STUCK ON A VERY PRETTY SCREEN SAVER. BEEN THAT WAY FOREVER... SO THEY ALL SIT STARING FORWARD- TIL WE CAME IN.
WHATA place for explore !!! so judy and i started in while everyone watched bently and sizzle-- how bad was it???? they were thrilled to watch bently lie down and sleep- that's how bad.. turns out the place is run by the hospital- just down the street... who has an internet services department that has not responded to the request for help with the tv "for months" so they go day to day all sitting in a row very safe.... with their 3pm cookie snack... granted there were some altzeimer's patients there --- but there were many who were not !
that is on judy and my list today.. call that hospital and be nice--
judy has also "booked" me to speak at a rotary club luncheon-- i think my theme will be that of the ted lecture on creativity ken robertson... in every place we have been there is someone who is "activities director" - but just because someone is assigned to that does not mean they are directing any activities..
and then we ran into A BETTER ONE..........one of these "keepers of old people"... and they had a "clutter reduction support group" now there is a creative director... 15 sessions ... a textbook... HOMEWORK.. DISCUSSIONS... topics NON ACQUIRING-- SORTING---DISCARDING- BURIED TREASURES--
THAT IS A COURSE THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
IN THE FINE PRINT--- THE SAFE HOME INITIATIVE HAS A GRANT FROM THE WINCHESTER HOSPITAL AND SPONSORS THIS PROGRAM..
HOW ON EARTH DID A PERSON WHO CLEANS CLOSETS MANAGE TO GET INVOLVED WITH A GRANT FROM THE WINCHESTER HOSPITAL. BRILLIANT PERSON !! THERE IS CREATIVITY !!
DEFINE A PROBLEM AND SOLVE IT.
JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW MUCH WE DO NOT KNOW.
START WITH A GRANT FROM A HOSPITAL?????
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TEH NEW TRAINING REPORT POO PICKERS-- FIRST DAY GOOD SO FAR.. EVERY DOG GOT OUT- INCLUDING MY 3- WHIHC WAS A STRUGGLE BUT WITH LAURA'S HELP WE MADE IT.
WE HAD A REQUEST FOR A FACILITY DOG FROM TEH VA IN BEDFORD- AND I NEED TO GO TALK TO THEM AND SEE IF WE COUDL MANAGE THAT TOO.
A BIG PART OF THIS SERVICE DOG BUSINESS IS PICKING A PERSON/PLACE WHO WOULD BENEFIT -- AND BE ABLE TO PAY IT FORWARD TO SOME DEGREE...
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BACK TO THOREAU.....
another Thoreau aphorism: “You must work very long to write short sentences.”
RIGHT !