The Free State of Appalachia – I like my new tee shirt that I got from “The Free State of Appalachia”. Both of them. This is one. The other, for another day soon, is green. I know the yellow one is my favorite. I love the yellow one best. They don’t have one yet. So, I don’t either. That does not deter me. Hope comes in bright colors. I don’t recall ever being excited about yellow anything. This yellow I am. I like the people, the creativity, the innovation behind Free State. I like the Appalachian roots. A “global Appalachian perspective that sees the world through beauty and art” (Theirs, not mine) is a good thing. The world could use more Appalachia and, for my money, the time is upon us.
The free state of being – With each visit, walking the halls of a nursing home will shape perspectives. It is the same thing I have experienced time and time again with the numerous children’s hospitals I have known. Nursing homes are new for me though. Old people not so. The main separation between the children of one and the old of the other, is in many ways but one of time. Of course, it isn’t that simple but the similarities are striking. Did you see the smile, the gleam in the eye when contact is made? Did you sense the connection? A connection either of a time lived or of a time to be lived. Maybe a time that is now passing much too quickly. But then again, it always does. It always has. It always will. Time connects us all. It is the most common of threads.
The free state of the Belle – I want to say up front that I am extremely pleased with EVEYRTHING that I have experienced with Prestonsburg Health Care Center. I like the location, the facility and I love the staff I have met. I did like the name Mountain Manor better but that was long ago. I am young enough to remember when William O got sting and the race to BF Casual resulted in a quick chaw of tobacco being applied to a swelling head. Magic or medicine? I don’t know. It seemed to work. At least the crying was ceased. Mountain Manor was adjacent to Prestonsburg Grade School. Prestonsburg Health Care Center isn’t. They shouldn’t have tore it down. Prestonsburg’s monument to justice, lawyers and criminals should have been placed there. An old building with a dedicated purpose can be young again. Time reborn
The free state of the black scissors – They took away the Belle’s small black scissors today. The Belle is not allowed to have scissors. None of the Belles are. Betty didn’t particularly like it when they took Belles scissors. Attempting to leave, a nurse asked which patient I was visiting. I couldn’t ignore her. The bright green button that opens the doors only opens when they let it. Otherwise when pushed, it sets off a mini alarm. I had no choice. I responded that it would depend on why she was asking. I knew she was talking about Betty. She just had to let me know that she had taken the Belles Scissors. A confession of sorts for doing no wrong. She wanted me to know that Betty was none too happy about it. I laughed. One By one they came. The administrator, the head nurse, the maintenance guy, the director of admission, the director of social services, the director of the quality of life and, probably the most important, the dietary gal. It became the conference that was required but had not been scheduled. It was fun. They loved Belle but I think the jury, similar to the one that should have been next door, is still out on Betty . Time, again, will tell,
The free state of Bill – I told them in the conference that the easiest way to find the Belle through Betty is to bring up Bill. She had a thing with the Father of Bluegrass. I did to. I didnt really like him. Outside of Uncle Pen and Jerusalem Ridge, I listen not to him now. Kathleen wasn’t too fond either. Kathleen liked most everyone. Belle pines for Bill. Betty sent him packing. Betty is funny that way. I think Belle doesn’t like that Bill was sent away. I think Betty probably is glad. If Bill doesn’t do the trick, the bill of fare will. Both Betty and Belle agree on one thing; Food. They are both picky, a taste acquired through years of perfecting it. They know of what they speak. I suggested in the conference that an alternative to Bill would be the food. They get 3 sweet tray visits a day. A perk that pleases both Belle and Betty. The threat of two or one or maybe even no sweet tray visits a day will get Bettys attention. It is that simple. They laughed. They thought I was joking. I wasn’t. I am counting the days until the possibility becomes real. Even Belle will keep Betty in step on this one.
The free state of Blues – Adam has become a regular visitor now. It is still difficult for him to navigate the labyrinth of unpassable sidewalk, too long since accustomed to, is a not a deterrent. It is a fact of life in the Burg. I used the back streets for cover. Adam uses them for necessity. Adam takes his Service Learning class from the David School to the local nursing homes for service learning. I like the concept of this class. I like the method in which they teach it. Young and old, learning together. A gleam and smile from one. An unsureness from the other. Hopefully though a life lesson learned. A lesson for time. It will be soon that Prestonsburg Health Care is visited by the Blues. I am sure of that. It will be fun. All will enjoy. Neither Betty or Belle has ever heard Adam play. A video maybe but that is it. It will be good time. I wish tickets could be sold for free. I just wish everyone could enjoy and see.
The free state of the Beedle – I enjoyed this time today. Betty aggravated me. Belle wanted even more copies of her story. It seems the Belle has really taken to the Belle of the Ball. She keeps a copy on hand and clearly visible. She is always wanting more copies for “people I don’t know” but who want to read it. I know these people. They are anyone that will let her tell them about Belle. This is a good thing. Time frozen and compressed into only a happiness. It makes things pleasant. The time moves of course, just not as quickly.
Feel the Burg 