we're almost done moving: boxes have all reached the new house, and have only to be unpacked. And sorted. And re-packed for storage, in some case.

We're now living in a room at the Dana's place in Raliegh Hills. Beautiful, secluded, in a forested neighborhood surrounded by moats of fast-moving traffic. Ernie is braving the traffic today to visit Parr Lumber at the bottom of the hill; I'm connecting errands and work time at the library, all in SE Portland.

Lately I've been enjoying yardwork, both at the Dana's and at Grandma's.

I took Grandma to see her GP, doctor Spisak, recently. They both agreed she seems to be doing well, considering. Her ear, which had been bothering her the last few weeks, had paradoxically quit by our Monday morning appointment. So it was more of a general checkup. Dr. Spisak did give her a prescription for some anti-inflammatory medicine, which we picked up. He also gave her instructions to swab her nose with antibiotioc ointment (instead of water) since she seems to be developing a slight staph infection in there. I've placed the ointment in the dish where she normally keeps water for swabbing her nose; hopefully, the habits will transfer smoothly.

In preparation for creating a permanent access path for Paul, Dad and I cleared the lower branches of the big hemlock tree in Grandma's front yard. Everyone seems to like the new look. (Dad told Grandma since she likes to treat her front window as 24-hour live entertainment, we just gave her wide-screen theater.) There are a lot of little ferns and shrubs under there, ready to bloom in the added light. If someone is looking for a Mother's Day present, a birdhouse or birdfeeder could be a nice thing there.
We intend for the ramp/path to be a kind of boardwalk, extending directly from the street to the doorway, with a little added deck (8' x 8') in front of the door.

I spent some time weeding holly and grass out of various parts of the yard Monday, and building little stick barricades (and a hand-painted sign for the rhubarb), in an attempt to guard gardens from being mowed along with the lawn. Grandma's lawn-mowing guy Terry finally delayed his response too long, and Jean hooked Grandma up with another neighbor who has mowed her lawn twice in the past month. More reliable, it seems -- hope he's willing to keep it up.

We're still visiting Dr. Yoon for foot care, and Grandma actually bought a new pair of sneakers last week on his advice. I've yet to see her wear them... but it's a start.

Has anybody seen her "Happy Feet Kit" or "Nail Care Kit" that were in a decorated tissue box by the living room bookshelf?

Or her summer garden hats, visors, etc? (Checked the pantry a few times -- are they in a box? the basement? one of the closets?

Grandma walked down as far as the pet graveyard yesterday, under the big pin-oak tree, and visited my rhubarb too. She's saving the little glade in the "back woods" for next time.
If anyone wanted another idea for Mother's Day, a picnic or barbecue down there could be a real treat. Jean kept me company while I weeded down there for about half an hour, and she suggested it would be a marvelous place for some rustic furniture or a tea-party.