Sky: Taking the Test, Again

A long-delayed visit to the Memory Clinic the other day, the second follow-up visit since the diagnosis back in the summer of 2016. Due to scheduling conflicts, I’m overdue for another cognitive assessment and check-in. I ask the friendly psychometrist if the test will be the same as the last time. She just gives me an inscrutable smile and says, “Partly," as she leads me into her office. A former mediator myself, I admire her skills at acting neutral and generally keeping her cool as she guides me through the bizarre world of her test.

The first question sets the stage: "I am going to give you three words for you to remember and then say back to me."

Jane: Our Speaking Schedule

Sky and I have been speaking around the Northeast since September on "Living with Dementia." Many of you who have attended our talks have asked to know our full schedule so that you can refer friends and family who live nearby. So, here it is:


April 15, 10:30 am, Skagit UU Fellowship, Mt. Vernon, WA
April 21, 9-noon, workshop, First Unitarian, Portland, OR
April 22, 10:30 am, West Hills UU Fellowship, Portland, OR
April 28, 9-noon, workshop, East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue, WA
April 29, 10 am, East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue, WA
May 13, 10 am, UU Church, Manchester, NH
May 27, 10 am, Murray UU Church, Attleboro, MA
June 3, 9:30 am, Old Meeting House, E. Montpelier, VT
June 24, 10 am, UU Society, Bangor, ME
July 1, 10 am, College St. Congregational Church, Burlington, VT
July 15, 10:30 am, Barnstable UU Church, Barnstable, MA
Sept. 23, 9:30 am, Mt. Mansfield UU Fellowship, Jericho, VT

If any of our readers would like us to speak in your area, please contact us!

Sky: Alzheimer's Canyon, Part 11

Our hero begins the ragged process of settling in to Alzheimer’s Canyon, apparently his new residence.

Thanks to his invisible guide, Dusty, he has a name now… X…short for X, the Explorer. As well as a few basic supplies, like underwear, clothes and food.

And, he is finally rid of his unfortunate first fashion statement in Alzheimer’s Canyon, the adult diapers supplied by the Shady Way Home.

As the darkness deepens, X notices new sounds drifting up from the valley. You might call it a howling, or maybe a groaning. 

“Dusty, what is that?” 

“Ha! I think I might be right about you after all, my brother, X. Y’all got some good instincts, boy! I didn’t even have to knock you upside the head to be listening, and you HEARD.”

Sky: WTF

My watching self wonders what’s up as I stand in a corner holding my head in two hands.

My deeper self, now shaking and watching the floor, doesn’t have to wonder…it sets off the alarm, at first a discrete beep and a small warning light, increasing in volume and intensity if ignored.

Jane: We're in the News!

We were interviewed by our local weekly in an article about Memory Cafes:

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/finding-community-at-the-queen-city-memory-cafe/Content?oid=12236080