Spring, and "meteorological" summer (bah) have yielded precious little sunshine.
It rained this morning as I came back from work.
But I looked up from lunch and saw sunshine.
Time to impart a bit of wisdom to another generation.
Vinegar!
Newspapers!
Elbow grease!
How the windows shine.
I was thinking about a previous encounter with elbow grease.
Five years ago I was felled by that massive stroke,
but delivered to the hospital in time to be clot busted.
When I regained consciousness an arrogant little nurse demanded the name of the round thing on the wall, and the little thing on her wrist. I could not find the words.
Every time she woke me, the same questions.
I couldn't locate their names.
Many times later I said "If you'd tell me, then I'd know, wouldn't I!"
She didn't!
Before I fell into the void again I struggled and struggled for the one on the wall.
It came and went and came and went.
I woke up to it coming and going.
She caught me on the upcycle.
Clock!
I made my daughter bring me a notebook and pencil.
Every noun I remembered that week went in the book.
Words the doctors said went in the book.
I wrote "red" and drew a shoe.
Someone brought back my red sneakers and put them on the windowsill.
People came in and evaluated me constantly.
The last day the speech therapist came in, and there was a test in pronunciation and definitions.
The last word I had to define: elbow grease.
The next day I went home.
You are a real fighter.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, washing the windows the old fashion way! But you are right, they come out so much more cleaner with vinegar and newspaper. Great determination you had while in the hospital to make the best recovery you could!
ReplyDeletebetty
vinegar and water is perfect for cleaning windows and mirrors; how frustrating to know you don't know but can't bring the word to mind; so glad you recovered so well.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDelete... and now look at you &*>... crikey though, couldn't they have come up with something more artistic, like 'loom'!!! WE GOT SUNSHINE TODAY AND "THEY'VE" PROMISED MORE TOMORROW... I might faint...YAM xx
Joanne, I never knew you had a stroke!
ReplyDeleteGahh I cannot think of words often and I don't think I have had a stroke - the other day at work I was talking w/my boss at the garden center, and I could NOT think of the word for 'hose' - I had to point to it. She looked at me like I was nuts!
PS: I also use white vinegar instead of fabric softener.
DeleteYou are so inspiring. I have been telling my hairdresser with Stage 3 cancers and loss of muscle from the surgery taking her lymph nodes what an inspiration you are.
ReplyDeleteI am about to clean the soap scum from the bathroom floor - also using vinegar.
ReplyDeleteLove your determination. I lose words too, and resort to mime. Difficult on the phone. Some words escape repeatedly.
Good old vinegar. So great for so many things! I'm glad to see you teaching the younger generation as they tend to think everything comes ready made in a chemically laden concoction.
ReplyDeleteI love vinegar; it forms the base of most of my cleaning solutions.
ReplyDeleteI'd say you are doing wonderfully and lucky you to make it to the hospital for the clot busting drug. I know you can use newsprint to clean windows, but I just can't understand it. My hands turn black after reading the darn things.
ReplyDeleteVinegar is a super cleaner. I am so happy that you have recovered so nicely.
ReplyDeleteFunny story about elbow grease: my eldest Sister was in the 5th grade and her class was cleaning their desks on the last day of school. Her teacher (a nun, of course) came by her desk and told her that she needed to use more "elbow grease." My Sister went to the supply cabinet and reported to her teacher that she looked and looked but could not find the elbow grease.....
ReplyDeleteVinegar and water is just the best thing to clean the windows, Joanne! It is also great to clean piano keys as well. I use vinegar and baking soda to keep my sinks and bathtub running smoothly, it works so well! :)
ReplyDeleteThis post brought a lump to my throat, Joanne. My dad did not get the clot busting drug when he had his stroke, and ended up paralyzed on one side and in a wheelchair. I'm glad you had better luck, as well as the awareness and persistence to keep working on vocabulary and function.
ReplyDeleteYou are a real woman.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I'll have to give that vinegar newspapers trick a try. I've heard of it before and I remember my mum rubbing windows with newspapers, but generally speaking, I don't do windows.
ReplyDeleteUntil I can't see out.
Or unless there's a house inspection scheduled.
I use vinegar & water for cleaning too xx
ReplyDeleteYou are one strong lady Joanne and I salute you.
ReplyDeleteIs that nasturtium in your header blooming now? Please send some of its lovely aroma to me.... I'd send you some sunshine in return, but we haven't had any for days, and today doesn't look very promising either.
ReplyDeletePig would be so disappointed with an empty flower pot. The nasturtiums look nice!
DeleteNothing cleans windows as well as newspaper, vinegar, water and elbow grease.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, your grandaughters are so fortunate to have you as an example of strength and fortitude.
My goodness, you are an inspiration! What a great fight back out of the fog. Love how methodically you went about your recovery!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my greatest fears, a stroke. Glad you recovered so well.
ReplyDeleteBe afraid, and then be informed on how to know a stroke happened and get to the hospital. The window for the clot busting drug is four hours, but every minute of delay means permanent disability.
DeleteOh my, that is scary. Strokes run in my family and I worry about having one. Nothing like a little vinegar and elbow grease for a lot of things.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're better.
Because I don't wash my windows as much as I should they get very dirty (especially on the outside). A glug of ammonia added to my vinegar and water mixture really makes the dirt disappear.
ReplyDeleteA stroke is also one of my big fears. My type of migraines put me up on the list. Glad you recovered.
ReplyDeleteHow very lucky for you that you made it to the hospital in time for the clot buster. There is such a small window. When I was still working in the hospital one of the questions we always asked was "do you know todays date?" I once had a delightful little lady that after I had asked that (along with several other nurses and the doctor) I came to her room one morning to find the date written on her forehead (backwards of course) in lipstick. It was hilarious and I will never forget her!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your blog all this time, it's hard to believe you suffered such a terrible stroke. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was 5 years ago yesterday, on my birthday You had your stroke. Some time later you came down to my shop and in the process of sewing wool fabric, you called out, "alligator clip". The nouns came back one at a time. I am so proud of you. you are a strong amazing lady and I love you for your fighting spirit.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously recovered completely!
ReplyDelete