Written in June-July 2011.

1. Television sets have 2 settings, “off” and “full blast.”

2. Poise pads come in a variety of thicknesses.

3. Staff members are undoubtedly underpaid.

4. Accessible showers leave puddles all over the bathroom floor.

5. Seventy-eight degrees is an acceptable room temperature. Even warmer is better.

6. The stereo in the lobby should not play “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” even if it is an old standard.

7. If you let Mom pick the lunch location, she will pick the Chinese buffet, although you were just there two days ago.

8. Next time rent a sedan. Getting Mom in and out of sister’s Hummer is difficult and undignified.

9. Even though Mom has not had a valid driver’s license for 6-7 years now, she is still a skilled backseat-driver.

10. Dollar GENERAL and Dollar TREE are two unique shopping experiences and are not interchangeable.

11.It is acceptable to walk out of a restaurant once you realize it does not serve breakfast around the clock. Plus it was too dark in there, anyway.

12. A nap in the afternoon is beneficial for all ages.

13. No matter how tired you are, you are never too tired to stop and buy a lottery ticket.

14.Red jello snack packs go in the cupboard, not the mini-fridge, because jello is best at room temperature.

15. Even a man in his 80s will do that sneaky guy thing and look at a woman from toe to head to toe.

16. When the nurses tell you your mom is a sweet lady, just smile. A closed-lipped smile, so they can’t see your clenched teeth.

17. Do not listen to the Broadway Channel on the car radio–you will hear “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Circle of Life” and will get teary and be unable to drive safely.

18. When a man wearing only Depends and a tee comes to stand by you as you work on a puzzle, simply answer him politely, pray a nurse finds him soon, and absolutely do not look directly at any part of him.

19. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.