OFF TOPIC - time to wrack your brains ladies and gents

Those little electronic games ( poker etc) while away some of the "loose" time. I gather he isn't a computer guy, because he could become a wiz at Age of Empires or whatever on a laptop. IF he likes arty things, how about those watercolor pencils, that you make the picture with, then blend the colors in with a brush of water. The MIL did a lot of really very nice painrings with those in her last few years, and it really looks as if they were painted with real watercolors. Not as messy as paints, and if you deop a pencil, what the heck........it doesn't make a messs.

Gill

That might work, he's not much of a "puzzle solver" but poker or blackjack might work.

He spends lots of time on line, I did think about either moving his set up out to his "bed room" or getting a laptop.

Now there is a thought! do you recall a name brand for those; a few sea scapes or tropical scenes.

Cheryl

Check at an A.C.Moore or Michael's craft store; they probably have something like that.

Great idea to move his computer down to his new "bedroom," a supply of DVD's that can be viewed on the computer screen might be a good idea, too. Perhaps a long movie purchased at BJ's or Costco's, etc.?

Good luck to your mother; my other half is a diabetic, and I *know* what you mean about cranky.

-- Carey in MA

You can find the pencils in any art store; even in Michaels' Art Department. There are no "kits", you have to create your own picture. However, maybe one of the paint-by-number kits, substituting the pencils for the paint, would work. Possibly, he will find he is a Grandpa Moses, and has a talent for art! B&N mau have something like "adult coloring books" *adult* here in the context of not a kid LOL.

Gill

Herrschners has some pencil art kits in their catalogue. I don't know what kind of pictures they are but I'm sure they have them on their website. I think I remember seeing some animals and watery, fishy pictures, but I didn't pay a lot of attention.

Would he like macramé?

Lucille

I just had another thought. Would he like to make one of those intricate boat kits that are sold in better craft shops. My husband used to play with those years ago and some of them are really nice enough to display when they're finished and painted. They do take patience though because there are tons of little pieces that must be glued and placed properly.

Lucille

To a large extent, I think you need to start by "playing it by ear"; try and identify specific things that he might enjoy. Then when you identify a possible thing to do, come back to us, and I am sure people will be able to "fill in the details". For example there are playing cards; crib is a wonderful game; there are all sorts of other games. There are jigsaw puzzles;

-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"

Cheryl, you didn't mention what kind of things he normally likes to do. When Dad first went on disability, we got him into jigsaw puzzles. It was something that took quite a bit of time yet produced noticeable results every time he touched it and it was something he already knew how to do. Once he got used to the fact that he was forced into retirement and could no longer do many things he enjoyed, he was willing to learn some new things (primarily computing) but at first we had to keep him occupied with stuff he already knew he could do.

Hi Cheryl,

I hear you... My 80 yr. old Dad has lung cancer (it's also now in his brain), plus he's diabetic, it's been a very difficult 6 months for him. He used to drive, golf, and carpet bowl, but can't do any of those things now. It's been a very difficult adjustment for him.

During the winter Dad worked on puzzles a bit. He quite liked the Schmuzzle puzzles I found for him:

Get him a laptop FIRST. Make sure it has cords enough to connect to all the power sources etc. so he doesn't run out of battery. You might also want to get him a mini-mouse (I use mine all the time when travelling) and perhaps a plug-in keyboard if he has problems with the laptop's built in one.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

(snip)>

I checked at AC Moore today, the pencil kits they had were kind of young, but I'll check the others around here!

The more I think about it, the less feasible that is; it's all hooked up to his radio and scanners.

Spew! My mother will need all the prayers she can get!

Cheryl

Hmm - maybe. I did spot a knot book and could find a supply of rope for him. I'd tell then he could teach DD the knots! Cheryl

I've tried those with him - the pieces are too small and his patience is in short supply on a good day. But maybe some models with larger pieces could work.

Cheryl

I need someplace to start; he's totally addicted to the computer and modem, but I really don't think we can move it to his bed. I need ideas because so far every thing I've thought of so far seems like a no go - he's not going to stitch (only sissies stitch in his mind and I've been polite in my wording), ditto knitting.

The macramé might work but doing knots will work. I can hold out the carrot of teaching DD the knots.

Fine detail stuff is out - trust me on this.

Jigsaw puzzles are definitely out - he has no patience when my mother does one.

Books on tape might be an idea, but I'd have to pick carefully.

Cheryl

Sit at the computer or complain. Used fish, not likely until next year. He did tie flies at one time, but hasn't in ages.

He's sort of a short attention span type and many of things he did do are out of the question until he's semi mobile.

Cheryl

Is your dad into ham Radio, Cheryl?? Just curious, because jim and I are both hams.

Gill

When I was in hospital for a couple of weeks a friend who visited brought me a brown paper grocery bag with small gifts, one to be opened every day. It was fun, things like a small notepad and pen, bar of nice soap, packet of candies, small jig saw puzzle and I can't remember what else. Everything had some entertainment value for the day and I loved it. It was not that expensive compared to some of the flowers, which while they were beautiful had pretty little entertainment value.

Hope he is coming along well Cheryl.

He's love to be but doesn't think he's pass the license test. He does listen to shortwave.

Cheryl

Tell him if I could do it seven years ago, a "mere woman" you understand, I am sure he could. He doesn't need to learn Morse Code to operate at the Tech level. Neither Jim nor I have done that, and he contacts from the Caribbean to Nova Scotia on 6 meters. Maybe this is the time for him to learn it. A lot of the new Hams in our club are in their 70s.

Gill