On my seventh birthday, I wanted a toy fire truck, and I didn't get it, and you were real nice about it, and then the house next door burnt down, and then real firetrucks came, and for years I thought you set the fire for me. And if you did, you can tell me!

Xander ,'Same Time, Same Place'


Natter 77: I miss my friends. I miss my enemies. I miss the people I talked to every day.  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


P.M. Marc - Feb 20, 2024 4:46:31 pm PST #28753 of 30000
So come, my friends, be not afraid/We are so lightly here/It is in love that we are made; In love we disappear

If I had any good advice, my own aging/infirm family member situation would be much better, so in lieu of that, you're getting the hairpats.


EpicTangent - Feb 20, 2024 4:48:32 pm PST #28754 of 30000
Why isn't everyone pelting me with JOY, dammit? - Zenkitty

I can only offer the hairpats. Cuz that's rough, Buddy.


Atropa - Feb 20, 2024 4:51:28 pm PST #28755 of 30000
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.

I wish I had helpful advice, shrift.


sj - Feb 20, 2024 4:54:47 pm PST #28756 of 30000
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."

shrift, that's really rough. I wish I had some useful advice. Tons of hairpats headed your way.


Calli - Feb 20, 2024 5:05:29 pm PST #28757 of 30000
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs

Shrift, that is rough. If none of the siblings are localish to your parents, that makes it even harder.

When my parents had just retired, but before they got really old, Mom used to be a driver for something called “Shepherd’s Center.” She drove people to the store, to appointments, and to social things when they couldn’t drive themselves, often for reasons like your father probably has. It’s church related, but non-denominational. [link] The one I linked to is in the town where they used to live, but several came up when I googled it. Perhaps there’s something similar near your parents? You could try to sell it as “just until the study,” or even “just until the car is replaced,” instead of your dad renting something.

Askye, I hope you feel better and have a chance to pursue your art again soon.


Jesse - Feb 20, 2024 5:19:35 pm PST #28758 of 30000
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Oh no, shrift, that sounds terrible and scary. I'm sorry.

I keep wanting to complain because I have a cold! And then I talk to literally anyone else.


shrift - Feb 20, 2024 5:24:44 pm PST #28759 of 30000
"You can't put a price on the joy of not giving a shit." -Zenkitty

Thanks, y'all.

If none of the siblings are localish to your parents, that makes it even harder.

My siblings are local and have been going over and offering help, but the problem seems to be getting my parents to accept it. But depending on how things go, something like Shepherd’s Center could be beneficial. Thanks for sharing it!


Steph L. - Feb 20, 2024 5:27:03 pm PST #28760 of 30000
the hardest to learn / was the least complicated

If I had any good advice, my own aging/infirm family member situation would be much better
Same same same. All I got, shrift, is: that's rough, buddy.


Dana - Feb 20, 2024 5:37:53 pm PST #28761 of 30000
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."

My siblings are local and have been going over and offering help, but the problem seems to be getting my parents to accept it.

It used to irritate the hell out of my mother that my grandmother ignored something my mother said, but if a doctor said the same thing, it was suddenly gospel. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like that works on your dead.

I pat your head.


shrift - Feb 20, 2024 5:43:06 pm PST #28762 of 30000
"You can't put a price on the joy of not giving a shit." -Zenkitty

if a doctor said the same thing, it was suddenly gospel

Oh, that works more than anything we say. But part of the problem is that his current doctor is retiring in a week and has both feet out the door.