DAY SEVEN

Mo 5/11/15

Up at 530am. Last night I watched part of a bio-pic on Harry Nilsson and then an hour documentary about the blueprints of Auschwitz that were recently found in Soviet archives. A distressing , yet refreshing deviation from the absurd nonsense at the dementia academy over on west Paradise Lane.

Finally some typical Arizona weather. 80 by 9am (on the run) and mid 90's by the final visit to Sun Land.

Instant oatmeal, toast, and a half bowl of cereal at 605am. A walk around the motel grounds with a couple of cups of strong free breakfast-bar coffee. Back in the room, I dashed off an email to Janny which was an explanation of what really occured during her 4pm call to Elsie's House.

On the machines at LA Fitness by 815am. I did a 45" set on the Matrix crosstrainer, and then out on the street for a run in the 'dry heat'. I headed west to 59th by Tagliani's to Grover, and then over to 55th. I had planned to do a 'figure eight' pattern, but this would have run more than an hour. Looped around through the rather scruffy neighborhood, and finally south on 55th to the fitness center. About 50"; felt good.

45" Recumbent bike (Bravo 99.1 FM). 30" Walk. 4.2 pace. 30" Cross (Reverse). Steam room was rockin'; whirlpool; pool.

Banging on the door at Elsie's right at 1230pm. Cindy and Rosie were there and I related the story of The Brandenburgs trip to the parking lot of The Grand Canyon (back and forth from Sun City without leaving the car) with Natty at the controls. She was shocked at his obvious insensitivity, but she actually likes the guy. My point was she didn't know him when he 'really' had a hard edge to his personality, and he is actually getting easier to deal with as he mentally declines. I was prepared for a big scene since this was our final encounter (betting with the odds because this negative kind of thing has happened many times before), but he was good as gold the entire day. He was brimming over with enthusiastic thankfulness, and it almost bordered on parody.

Out the door with the wheelchair and walker and heading for our usual haunts- Sun Land and McD's on Thunderbird. I did some more of 'This Is Your Life' while we were driving and never once was told to be quiet since he was the subject of the dissertation. I kept it up at the gravesite and he was miraculously able to spin it so that it became clear that it was his 'wonderfulness' in raising me that allowed me to 'thank him' for being such a Great Dad. I might have thrown up in my mouth, but he noticed nothing. As long as it's all about him and 'never is heard a discouraging word' , he couldn't be nicer.

When we were walking into the McD's and he blurted out that 'he had a very strong urge to urinate', do you have to urinate'? He said that he needed a stall, but when we got into the bathroom,  the only stall was in use, but luckily the guy split almost immediately. The procedure went fairly uneventful, but I could have done without the running (no pun intended) commentary.

The usual compliments to the culinary ability of the superb chefs at the institution of McDonalds, and he enthusiastically enjoyed the dining experience. As we entered, one of the other elderly nitwits thanked him for his service because he was wearing his 'Veteran of WWII' ball cap. Where's my congratulation ? I have never shot anyone in the face, like Dick Cheney.

Back to the house and Rosie had left when her shift ended at 3pm, and I thanked Cindy for her great work and said goodbye to him, and told him that I'd be speaking to him next Sunday at 930am. He thanked me repeatedly, and seemed absolutely thrilled with the great son that he alone has created.

Over to the neighborhood Frys for a salad and maybe some new flip flops, but nada. Then, to the Shell station at 35th and Greenway to fill up the tank and I bought a Mexican salad type of thing for later (my big meal out- but in the room). Almost twenty-seven bucks topped off the tank and I hope this is viewed as 'full' when I drop off the car tomorrow.

The plan is to run from the motel and then head to the airport. Maybe I'll stay in the American lounge for a bit too long, but I just want to get back to Springfield without any surprises.