Justin's Shower and the Zoo

 Now that Julia is back home, we have been working to get Justin's apartment shower to be accessible.  There is a lip of four inches outside of the shower and a drop of about three inches into the shower.  The space in front of the shower is tight and faces his laundry closet.  

We bought a curb ramp to address the outside lip. It's a short and steep up for a shower chair moving sideways.  For the inside, we are trying out a perforated rubber mat on the bottom, paving stones on top of the rubber mat, and then another rubber mat on top.  This still leaves a way for the water to drain.  

His staff has been doing sponge baths for over a month, but the house manager isn't happy about that as a long term plan.  Justin is fine with the sponge baths and isn't thrilled about the potential bumpy ride in and out of the shower.  Even when he had a walk-in shower in the dorms, he was only showering once per week to supplement sponge baths.

Sunday morning, we will try it out and see if the plan (and Justin) works. We will go slow.  We practiced with the empty shower chair, but adding 180 lbs to the shower chair will be a significant change. 

We dragged Justin out of his apartment yesterday and walked over to the nearby Madison zoo with one of his caregivers.  Justin never wants to leave but is usually happy when he finally gets outside.  Yesterday was a nice sunny day in the 60's, and he didn't get too cold (Justin never wears long pants or shoes--even in the middle of winter).

We then ordered a Wisconsin fish fry for carry-out, and then watched some of the Milwaukee Bucks' basketball game at Justin's apartment.  Watching tv sports and playing video games is how Justin currently spends most of his time.  

I have to say that he has been doing a better job of managing his personal finances.  He successfully negotiated  receiving both energy and internet subsidies for low income folks.  Justin also has an appointment next week with Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to see about part time job options.  And he figured out a way to get an absentee ballot for his new address and voted!

Madison: Concert on the Square

Yesterday afternoon and evening, we went to Concerts on the Square on the grounds of Wisconsin's State Capitol.  It was a beautiful afternoon and evening.  The performers were the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Wisconsin Dells Singers from the Ho Chunk tribe.  

In order to get good seats, it's common for some state employees to leave work and start setting up blankets on the grounds at 3 p.m, returning after the workday is over.

 

We squeezed in shortly before 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert. By showtime, there is no space left on the grass, and tens of thousands of people are in attendance on all sides of the capitol.  Most people can't even see the performers but watch on big screens set up on the other three sides.

Both of us love the people watching.   We bring a picnic and stretch out on a large blanket.  There was a nice breeze to keep the air moving.

 

By the time the music starts, and after a glass or two of wine, I'm usually laying on my back, looking up at the trees.  I'm not a huge fan of chamber music, and I almost fell asleep in the middle of the crowd.

 

There is no sleeping, however, during the Ho-Chunk performance, which is energizing to me.

The Ho-Chunk is not a poor nation, operating two very successful casinos and other businesses in the area.   William Funmaker thanked us for coming out and encouraged everyone to visit a Ho-Chunk Casino soon.  I'll pass but really enjoyed the music. 

Madison: Art Fair on the Square

Today, Julia and I got up early and went to the Madison Farmers' Market, which was temporarily moved to Breese Stevens Field today.  This market is usually held on the capital square every Saturday morning from spring to fall.  

However, today, the 64th Annual Art Fair on the Square was taking place  and that was our second stop.  The streets around the square were closed off for pedestrian use, and artists from around the country show off their stuff for sale.  I like looking at art, but there were hordes of people, and they were all moving so slow.  Claustrophobia definitely set in.  I couldn't breathe in the crowd.

Julia took mercy on me, bought me a beer, and sat me down next to a Colombian band.  There was an audience, but it was well-spaced.

 

I can breathe again.  Julia enjoyed talking to her fellow weavers at the Madison Weavers Guild booth.

Cold March Day

The day's weather started off like my mood:  dark, windy, rainy and cold.  The plan was to drive to Madison and walk around Monona Bay, but it was still miserable out when we reached the eastern outskirts of the city.

We decided to put off the walk until later in the morning.  Julia shopped for special yarn (she is learning to crochet), while Callie and I circled around the outside of the mall.  I then did important stuff like buying a toilet brush for the Scamp.

Yes, the Scamp.  My plan is to head west around April 1st, give or take a few days, depending upon the weather. Moving the starting day around isn't much of a big deal.  However, the spread of the coronavirus in the United States is a curve ball that I didn't see coming.

Of course, it's still early to make any decisions, but I'm concerned about closed businesses, restricted travel, and out-of-network medical expenses.  It may not be the best time for a long trip.  But I am preparing anyway as though I'm going. 

My good friend Dean installed new front brakes on my Nissan, which was good timing because the brake pads were completely gone.  Going up and down mountains without good brakes would have been a bad thing.  New tires for the truck may also happen.  I am so hoping that there is a trip.

Getting back to today.  Just when we decided to head home, the sun showed up.  We turned around and headed to Monona Bay.  Lots of fishermen were out.

Yes, there were still some clouds, but look in the other direction.

Madison Skyline

That is the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Monona Terrace and Convention Center in the lower right center of the above photo (white building).  I love how it blends into the lake and landscape.  During the summer, there are concerts on the rooftop.

Walking around the Monona Bay is a four mile loop.

Julia and Callie ready to start walking

Then we were ready for lunch.  The original plan was to enjoy some pho at one of Madison's new Vietnamese restaurants.  It has a very naughty-sounding name, but the owner (who doesn't speak much English) claims total surprise.

 Unfortunately, they were closed.

So we headed to a restaurant that we know on the other side of the strip mall:  Badung.  They have excellent food and didn't have any remodeling issues.

Julia and I both ordered Khao Soi, which is a Northern Thailand curry egg  noodle soup with beef, cabbage, lemongrass and star anise.  It was delicious.  With egg rolls, our bill totaled $20, including a generous tip.

When we came out of the restaurant, dark clouds returned.  However, with our bellies full and our exercise complete, we felt much better about the rest of the day.