My father continues to decline. He declines slowly, but inexorably. With his decline, his care has become easier, he needs less but has also become more painful to bare. Chris is still his main caregiver. Continually, offering support. Constantly, offering him food and drink, but more and more dad declines these offers. Chris is not detoured though. The visiting nurses are a godsend, both for the care that they give, but also for their experience. This is not their first rodeo.

Yesterday, Anne and I gave ourselves a break an got out of the house for a few hours. We went to Asilomar, a state beach in Pacific Grove and saw the sea. I think that if I actually lived out here and were not otherwise encumbered, I would go to see the sea every day. It has a vitality that cannot be surpassed. It is good to take time and climb down from this high castle and mingle in the world.

Yesterday, we dropped off at the postal station down the hill, a shopping bag full of food stuffs. The USPS runs this food drive. Before dropping off the bag, Anne scoured the pantry for additional food items to contribute, but everything that we found had expired dates. Today, I am going to take action and begin cleaning out some of these now worthless items. A start at the herculean task of cleaning out this house. This is something that has weighed heavily upon my mind, primarily, because it is something that I can do something about. It is my responsibility.