Skylark Luncheon, Ashland, OR - January 21, 2010

London

I've been spending an hour a week at the local assisted living facility, writing down residents' stories and visiting. I bring my laptop, set it in my lap, and type without looking down as I talk with a small group of six or so - over slices of roast, fresh veggies, and some kind of pudding.

One of my favorite residents is Wendell, a former Army Major and world-traveler who carries a worn atlas in his wheelchair and says, "Oh, gorgeous, gorgeous," when anybody speaks of a place he likes. He recently suffered a stroke that left him slightly paralyzed, giving him grief when he wants to come up with specific words or details, but he's a delight to talk to. He has a sweet face, a sweet demeanor, and he smiles a lot as we all play his special form of charades.

He brought up London today and then made sounds and motions for Big Ben, the queen, and the guards, with clues like "tock tock," "crown!" and "the hat! the hat!" After we'd all guessed correctly, I chimed in "I like Trafalgar Square!" His eyes lit up, and he called out, "Gorgeous! Gorgeous!"

I then told him about traveling there with my good pal Maureen in 1993 and how I had her take a picture of me there - just as a pigeon sat on my arm and pooped on my coat.

Everyone in the room laughed and Wendell shouted out, "Pigeons! Pigeons!"

Next week I told him I'd bring pictures of London so he can point out where he's been or what he likes. Needless to say, I'll bring a big coffee table book from the library, but I'll also be slipping in this picture Maureen took of me one "gorgeous" day in Trafalgar Square.