City of Snow: The Great Blizzard of 1888 by Linda Oatman High.

In All Its Fury: A History of the Blizzard of January 12, 1888 by W. H. O’Gara.

Blizzard! The 1888 Whiteout by Jacqueline A. Ball.

Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America by Jim Murphy

More recent blizzards & storms:

One to Remember: The Relentless Blizzard of March 1966 by Douglas Ramsey

Northeast Snowstorms by Louis W. Uccellini

Fiction:

Lost in the Blinded Blizzard (Hank the Cowdog) by John R. Erickson

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Books About the Blizzards of 1888 & More

Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau

Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time by Michael Downing

Crafting Springtime Gifts: 25 Adorable Projects Featuring Bunnies, Chicks, Lambs & Other Springtime Favorites by Tone Finnanger

Time for Change: Setting Clocks Forward by One Hour Throughout the Year by Mayer Hillman

The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

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Books About Spring & Daylight Saving Time

• Mother decorated a cake with white frosting and red hearts.  When we were old enough, sister and I did this.
• She helped us children decorate a mail box for our cards.
• We had a family fun time making and addressing valentines for family members.  When we were in school we had exchanges there, too.
• Mother planned a special night meal for Valentine’s Day, with the cake and fruit for dessert.  There was only our family…four children, Mother, Father and the hired man…but we had a joyous time.
• We made decorations to hang around the kitchen (the warmest room in our farmhouse during winter), and name cards for each place setting.

Throughout her adult life, Mother sent her children and grandchildren valentines.  Even after she began to develop Alzheimer’s and still realized it was Valentine’s Day, she’d ask me to buy valentines she could send.

So this day brings back memories from various eras of my life connected with Mother.

What do you do for Valentine’s Day at your house?

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Valentine’s Memories in Alzheimer’s World

As I mentoned to Edie, it is difficult living day to day with someone who has Alzheimer’s and can be very stubborn. They’re also often frightened by what’s happening to them, so strike out verbally and physically at those closest.  That often is the caregiver.

When I was caring for Mother, I read somewhere that you could end up becoming very angry at that person and had to be careful you didn’t harm them physically. “No never,” I thought. “She’s my mother.”

However, as the tiredness and frustrations grew, I began to understand what the author meant. I had to learn to laugh, to joke with Mother, and make an attempt to stay calm. I also realized I must get away from the caregiving at times and have space for myself.  I had to learn not to take what Mother said and did personally because she often didn’t know it was ME she was venting her frustrations on.

How have you learned to cope when caregiving seems too much?

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When Caregiving Becomes Too Much

There are many fascinating blogs to visit and many really nice giveaways.  Stop by Meandering Threads and you’ll find out more about this event.  Perhaps you’ll find here arts and crafts (as well as giveaways) to perk up your day.

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One World One Heart Giveaway – Arts & Crafts That Might Interest Caregivers

I found books very valuable when I desired to learn more about Alzheimer’s, after Auntie and Mother developed it.  This was in the days before much was available on the Internet and before we used that means to obtain information.

However, even with the Internet, books continue as good sources of information, inspiration and encouragement.

Carol Bradley Bursack, at OurAlzheimers.com mentions the “Voices Of” book series and the types of books she prefers to read. 

Deep down, however, I’m partial to stories told by real people who are going through similar situations that I’ve been through. Especially in this age of the Internet, where most of us can go to sites like ouralzheimers.com, or other disease specific sites, and find information about stages of a disease or new drugs on the horizon, I feel quite comfortable with my chances of getting good, factual information, or a least guidance on finding what I need. What I can’t get enough of, however, is personal stories.

I began thinking about what I prefer.  Because I didn’t have access to the Internet in the early 1990s when Mother and Auntie were ill, I found informational books very helpful, along with stories of how others coped or were coping.  I have to agree with Carol that nowadays, much information about Alzheimer’s is available on the Internet, along with current news and updates.  However, books of this type are still useful.

Books of stories are equally or even more beneficial.  Perhaps that’s also why I wrote about my mom’s journey through Alzheimer’s in When We Become the Parent to Our Parents, and didn’t delve into technical information there.

Which type of Alzheimer’s book do you prefer or find most helpful?

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Which Type of Alzheimer’s Book Do You Prefer?

This may seem like an impossibility after sleepless nights, dealing with a cranky patient, searching for them when they escape on you, and encountering other trying situations.  However, the joys, often small ones each day, give a sense of accomplishment and often laughter.

Caregiving May Lengthen Life

Caregiving May Lengthen Life from Alzheimer’s Daily News

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Will Caregiving Help You Live Longer?

It’s often difficult to choose simply 10 posts from a year of writing, but here goes.  Some of these are my choice.  Others received a number of reader comments, so were popular with my viewers.

1. Not Home for The Holidays – Celebrating in a Nursing Home
2. Enjoying the Small Triumphs of Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients
3. 13 Ways Alzheimer’s Patients Bring Joy
4. Alzheimer’s Finger Food Suggestions
5. Is Alzheimer’s a “Closet” Disease?
6. Are You “going green” in Your Alzheimer’s Home?
7. When Caregiving Becomes an Obsession
8. Sundowning in Mother’s Alzheimer’s Life
9. Do You Take Photos of Your Alzheimer’s Family Member?
10. Time Travel Experiences for Alzheimer’s Households

Which one of the above is your favorite?  Which do you relate to?

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10 Favorite Alzheimer’s Notes Posts of 2008

Today was the first day of winter.  Here in New Hampshire, where I live, a blizzard hearlded the day.  My family and I have just come inside after shoveling and blowing the snow, about 15 inches, on our deck and along the long 400 foot driveway. 

• The Shortest Day, Celebrating the Winter Solstice
• The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice
• The Winter Solstice: Sacred Traditions of Christmas
• Winter’s Tale, An Original Pop-Up Journey
• The Shortest Day of the Year: A Christmas Fantasy

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Winter Solstice or the Shortest Day of the Year

If you’re a quilter or simply like giveaways, why not stop over at Quilting and Patchwork and participate in the Giveaway of a Mini Quilt Book.  It’s in progress over there.

Perhaps you’re not a quilter yourself, but know of someone who would enjoy this book by Patricia Mainardi.  Perhaps your Alzheimer’s family member is a quilter and still enjoys reminiscing about the quilts in her life.

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Giveaway at Quilting and Patchwork