We had forgotten to charge my power wheelchair before heading out yesterday. When I turned it on, there was only one of the four lighted green circles on. Oops. We had quite a day planned and I was going to be travelling a fair distance. But, what the heck, if we needed to, we could take the subway back. Off we set.
First we had to go down to one of the big department stores at the Eaton Center, we had purchased two sets of children's sheets, Snow White and The Little Mermaid, at the big sale there and discovered when we got home that we'd been mischarged. By over 30 dollars! So we went down and had the money returned. We stopped at Starbucks for a tea and after 15 minutes we realized that we'd spent 10 of those minutes talking about how Ruby prefers The Little Mermaid to Tinkerbell, a fact that we cannot fathom, and the possible reasons for her decision. Our discussion was IN EARNEST, and we shook away from it as quickly as a dog realizing the stick it was chasing is a snake. What's happened to us?
Then we went to see the movie, 'A Shine of Rainbows'. There was Joe and I and about a dozen gray haired women in the theatre. I 'boo hooed' through most of the damned picture. I don't get that 'Kick Ass' is playing in a thousand theatres in Toronto and this little gem is playing in two. It will be seen by maybe 12 people and then go away. Guess there is little room for films where the primary special effects are 'writing' and 'acting'. But, what the hell, it was nice to have a good cry. We set off on our way home.
Yonge Street is closed to foot and wheelchair traffic because one of the buildings streetfront crashed yesterday so we headed a different, much longer way back. We were laughing at our Disneyfied conversation and the fact that we even had it. At our age snow white sheets should mean the nice clean ones in they put on for us in the 'home'. And we grumbled about the dummificationi of modern culture - Avatar as Art?
And then Joe said, 'Are there any orange lights showing?' pointing to the controls of my chair. I had to put my hand over to block the sun so I could see clearly. Oh. My. God. I'm running on fumes and there are blocks and blocks to go. We had a choice. Coming home from where we were is uphill all the way. That eats energy. We could zig zag home making the most of flat passageways - but that would really increase the distance home.
'Let's just do it,' I said, knowing that a fat guy in a wheelchair will never, ever, grace a Nike ad.
We arrived home, I turned the chair into place, checked to see that there was still one red light glowing. But I was home. We plugged the chair in right away and giggled our way through the rest of the day.
In other words.
Nothing happened yesterday. But its still a day I'd like to remember.
12 comments:
Oh, I so enjoyed just coming along for the ride. Me, perched on the back of the wheelchair was probably what caused the battery to expire even more quickly--did you feel me breathing down your kneck? :).
The wonderings and wanderings of a simple Saturday were a joy to share.
Those simple, uncomplicated but oh so special days are the pones I like to remember too.
This is just drivel, if you have nothing to write, then, write nothing.
And really, aren't those "nuthin' special" days sometimes the very best ones? Maybe not much was accomplished, but I bet it'll be one of those very sweet and precious memories that will pop into your head in years to come. Some of my favourite memories are of just doing nothing, with someone I love. Thanks for sharing your average day with us average folks.
(And please ignore 'Anonymous'. Anyone that chooses to write nastiness, but doesn't have the courage to put their name to it, is not worth listening to.)
Hi Dave,
Every morning I end with the same prayer....to have a peaceful, safe, healthy, and ordinary day. I have reached an age in my life, that days like yours yesterday are precious gems. I don't want or require excitement of the fireworks kind. I like getting up, putzing around the house, enjoying a laugh with friends and family. I know that someday my definition of o"rdinary" will change, so for now I cherish every moment.
So cheers to many "ordinary" days for you and your beloved joe.
I enjoyed this post. Thank you for taking the time to share your day with us.
Best thing I've read all day. Tink. And thanks for the movie rec. I see so few so I prefer the ones with the really special effects: good craftspersonship, acting, writing!
karen (Glenda's friend in Vancouver)
One of the things I most enjoy about your blog is how you bring out your life and show it to us. Each day is a day lived fully and noticed and written down to remember.
Ya know I think posting comments about someone's thoughts being drivel anonymously is cowardly and easy. If you are going to call someone out on their blog which by the way is not solely for your amusement at least have the decency to leave your name.
I too blog about disability issues and it irks me when people say such things and don't tell me who they are. Think I am wrong tell me so and say whatever you like but not that way. Because I suspect they wouldn't have the nerve to do so if they were required to leave a name.
BTW Dave I as a scooter user I have sometimes decided to risk going a long distance on a less the perfect charge. Hehe sometimes it's like a challenge & sometimes it gives me gray hair
Glad you had a nice day.
Yup. One should never under-estimate the 'nothing' days. The *nice* nothings.
Are you serious? Of course she prefers The Little Mermaid to Tinkerbell! Ariel can actually talk, not to mention sing. Tink just twinkles. Ariel falls in love, and makes great sacrifices to be with her love, all for a happy ending. Tink is a jealous, somewhat catty, fairy, who tragically loves a human boy that won't grow up; it's just never going to work out. The Little Mermaid wins, hands down, any day of the week. :)
captcha: lactia (sounds like "lactose", and amuses me)
I disagree with you on the fact that Avatar isn't an artistic movie. Some people, who, if you don't mind me mentioning, tend to be older, don't realize that computer generated interface is a lot of hard work. Hard drive failure is the equivalent to a fire, for one. It's intricate work that takes hours to do, for another. It also depicts, at times, beauty. Sounds a bit artistic to me.
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