Though Niilo has been pretty droopy since Saturday, Monday afternoon he stayed awake and enjoyed an hour outside with Joan and Heather helping him around the driveway and watering the flowers.  Perhaps another time he will do the tour walking.

Niilo went to Friends meeting Sunday, after which Friends wheeled him out toenjoy the traditional tea outdoors in the sun.  Several phone calls and visitors  brought more variety to the day.

Heather

Sneezes and less energy go along with clouds and rain. 

But Niilo was very glad to talk with his childhood Finnish Cooperative housing friend Lauri (pronounced lou-rie, a male name in Finnish) by telephone.  “Mita kuluu?”  What’s up?

Heather

  Niilo is definitely getting stronger:  More transfers from wheelchair to car for medical appointment (“Looks good!”), walking with the walker from the car through the entry to the dining table,  out around the driveway in the wheelchair, and standing without assistance several times.  He looks forward to going to Chena Ridge Friends Meeting Sunday morning.

  His brain is improving too, though still very confused.  However, he remembered his Wilberforce College (now Ohio Central State) classmate Otha who called and talked with him for some 25 minutes.  It turns out they had both been very involved with education and both served in their state legislatures.  The last time they were in contact had been at the Democratic National Convention at which Jimmy Carter was nominated as candidate for President.

Heather

As the sun came out in the evening – after hard rains last night – Joan & Heather picked a second batch of rhubarb and planted potatoes.  With Nancy D.’s help, Niilo also came out to the garden in his wheelchair and enjoyed the sunshine, the company, and being part of something that is part of his identity.

Nancy noted that Niilo was much more vibrant this week than last, even initiating a short conversation with, “Where are you from?” and asking where Joan went when she left the garden to make rhubarb tapioca.

Thank you Nancy!

Heather

How many organizations?  How many committees?  How many boards? 

How many subscriptions?    How much can one keep in one’s head?  and still be able to access the information?

Dad could read very fast – though not a whole book in 10 minutes with total recall as someone recently claimed – and related knowledge of scientific and linguistic research to environmental, economic, anthropologic, and political issues.  He figured  that the more he learned, the easier it was to make sense of and retain, because each new fact related to something else he was interested in.  Everything was tied to something else, “like a spider web.”

Niilo’s Causes and Committees…the list will be too long for any one person, but I’ll start it off for all to add to:  Community Building,  Community Self-Reliance

Healthcare – access for all

Neighbor Helping neighbor – one of founders of:

            Chena Goldstream Volunteer Fire Dept

            Northern Schools Federal Credit Union (now Spirit of Alaska FCU)

            Head Start in northern Alaska

Local Agriculture – Niilo harvested hay, had pride in the family garden

….

There are many many more, but Heather is too tired right now, so please add to the list via Comments!

Sunday evening Dad joined visitors with Mom in the old part of the house again, obviously enjoying the familiar atmosphere.  Folks talked, and Ron gave Dad a much-appreciated neck massage.  After about an hour, he stood up from the wheelchair totally unaided with intent to go to bed.  Walking, though, seemed more problematic, so we took him back outside and around to his new room in his chair; Thanks to Rob, Caitlyn, and Dave for the help up the walkway steps. 

Niilo did walk a few yards with the walker in the remodeled part of the house, where there is less to trip on.

Also Sunday evening, the family was treated to the company of Steve Sayer, longtime family friend and neighbor, recently back from Massachusetts.

There is often music on, often in Finnish, and sometimes we sing.    Dad takes interest in the garden and expressed, “Oh, well!” when told of the recent frost on the new plants and of voles nibbling on some tender tips.  It’s been beautiful clear weather during the days lately.

Heather, Monday evening, June 2nd.

Dad and Mom sat side by side in the garden for about an hour Saturday, soaking up the bright sun and offering mild words of encouragement to Heather as she rearranged garden beds and to Chena as I snipped away at the crabapple and lilac at the head of the garden. Peter’s lovely burial marker is adjacent to the lilac, but I wasn’t able to get down to the brass yet today. Heather and Mom have put in quite a few transplants and seeds, so I am hoping for quite a few more days like today when Dad and Mom can enjoy the garden.

–Chena

Note: Peter G. was a much adored family friend, and when next his brother Tom visits, I wish he’d give some pointers on handling the lilac!