So it's a sunny October Monday morning. Today is "Columbus Day" which we still celebrate and honor here in the United States of America. History can be very interesting as it is written by the victors. When I was in Paris we went to the "Hôtel national des Invalides" which is the location of Napoleon's tomb and contains the museum of the history of France's military. Their history of the defeat at Normandy was interesting as it was described slightly different than I learned in my American history class at "Baptist Academy". At the museum in France reference was made that Charles De Gaulle successfully defeated Germany with the help of the U.S. Military. I thought we played a bigger role than that. So it is with Christopher Columbus. The story we were taught is quite different from the reality. I read a book called "Lies My Teacher Told Me. Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong." (Click link for full PDF of the book.) It's quite interesting.
So it's been almost a week since by last blog. Our schedule changed last Wednesday from the plans I wrote about. We had breakfast at my favorite place "The Windmill" in Holland. We didn't make it to the outlet mall because I just didn't feel like going. Sometimes I make plans in the morning and by mid-day those plans change. That makes it difficult for Drew. When I tell him what our plans are his brain "commits" to that. Therefore many times I have to put disclaimers in my conversations with him. I have say things like "...maybe we can do 'such and such' today...but don't hold me to it as I might change my mind." I have to be the one to make the plans and ideas for things to do as he doesn't have the capacity to do so. One of the problems with HD is that a person has apathy. Outsiders will think the person is lazy but the reality is just that their brain is "unwired" for any feelings of emotion or interest in things. So I lead the way.
I had a great visit with a friend of mine this past weekend. I met him about 20 years ago when he was a guest at the bed and breakfast I used to own. We became friends quite quickly. A few years ago he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Drew and I went to visit him this last February. His family lives outside of Chicago so he flew in to O'Hare and spent time with them and then came with his sister and her fiancé to Saugatuck for a visit with us. It was a great visit. He even worked at the store with me on Saturday. We hope to go visit him in California again this next spring. I use the word "hope" because that is what I have to say to Drew when he asks me if we are going to "Cali" this spring. I reply "I hope to." I tell him it depends on how our finances are, otherwise his brain will be set on that happening and it will be difficult for him to handle the change.
I have the next two days off work. This week it's my turn for a haircut...so back to Holland we go on Wednesday. The temperatures are supposed to be back into the 80's so we will have one more short summer experience. - Jimmy
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