- Is Phillies owner John Middleton scared and won't admit his own mistake? Scott Sheriden, longtime Phils trainer, was fired today. Is he the scapegoat? Was Sheriden to blame for Andrew McCuthen? Meanwhile it is reported that Middelton is flying all over the country, get opinions from players as to their opinions on the manager and the front office.
Grow some balls, Mr. Middleton! You are the owner. Listen to the fans rather than the diva and coddled players. Gabe Kapler is soft on the players. Why should the players betray him?
Since 5 of 7 coaches are signed for next season, that smells like Kapler will be back. Certainly clueless GM Matt Klentek, who is a boy favorite of Middleton. For Middleton not to have a press conference to keep the fans informed is a disgrace.
I have no clue what Team President Andy MacPhail does. He should be fired just for his stupid "If we don't, we don't" quote. But he will probably stay too.
If I had my way, as a loyal Phillies fan, I would get rid of all of them and start fresh. Letting the front office hang around one more year is fruitless. Why? So Klentek could destroy the minor eagues more? So he can screw up the future by trading a Rhys Hoskins so he can go elsewhere and be a star?
I hate being a Phillies fan right now.
*****************************************************************
Both division series in the National League are going to a Game 5. St Louis at Atlanta has been the most entertaining series so far, with dramatic comebacks and exciting baseball. The Braves should have the advantage being home for the final game. But don't count out the Redbirds. They have a history of winning big games on the road. Look what they did to the Phillies in 2011.
Washington flies across the country again to face the Dodgers. LA has to be favored but I;m sure we will see both Scherzer and Strasburg in Dodger Stadium to pull out the decisive game.
The Yankees swept the Twins to move on to the American League Championship Series. Minnesota had a great year, holding off a talented Cleveland club. But they just can't seem to beat the Yanks.
Tampa Bay stayed alive in their series with Houston. The Rays need to take Game 4 today at home then go back to Houston and somehow win a Game 5 against the powerful Astros. I don't think it will happen. Houston vs New York in the ALCS will be great baseball.
*******************************************************************
The Eagles are preparing for their key match-up with the Vikings this Sunday. Will WR DeSean Jackson play? Clearly the Birds' offense is not as potent with the speedy Jackson. The team does need to make sure he is 100% healthy before sending him out to play. The Dallas game next week is a bigger game, so I'm ok if Jackson sits out one more week.
My prediction for Eagles-Vikes will come on Thursday. Remember, I went 3-0 against the spread last week.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Monday, October 7, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES,NFL WRAP-UP, PHILLIES
- I went 3-0 with my NFL picks on Sunday. I had the Eagles, Patriots and Packers all covering the point spread.
Speaking of the Birds, they did a workmen-like dismantling of the Jets at the Linc, 31-6. The defense recorded 10 sacks on the day, including 3 alone for Brenden Graham.
The offense, on the other hand, was sporadic, even with 31 points on the board. They missed converting a third and one from near the Jets 45 yard line, when a pass was incomplete and a Carson Wentz quarterback sneak failed for the first time this season.
Penalties were the biggest hand-up for Philly, as they were in Green Bay. The team must iron out their penalty situation. Playing the woeful Jets is one thing; taking on a much better squad in the future is another.
Speaking of New York, it will be a boring two games later in the season when the Jets face the equally-inept Miami Dolphins. New England is a good team at 5-0, but how lucky are the Patriots to have two of the worst teams in football in their own division.
Head Coach Adam Geise will get fired sooner than later from New York. Granted he has few players other than Lavian Bell, but Geise screwed up several scenarios yesterday. Down 14-0 in the second quarter, New York had the ball around the Eagles' 40-yard line with a 4th and 4 call. Instead of going for it ( what do the Jets have to lose?), Geise settles for a difficult 55-yard field goal try into the wind.
The kicker misses the try and the Jets get nothing from the drive, plus they give Philadelphia good field position.
Geise is constantly flipping through his charts, trying to find an answer. There is non. Injured QB Sam Darnold will make a difference when he returns, but how much of a difference?
The Eagles start a three game road trip next week in Minnesota. The Vikings are a good team, not great. It's really noisy inside their dome, so the birds will have to deal with a rowdy crowd still stinging from the loss in the NFC Championship Game in 2017.
********************************************************************
Around the NFL on Sunday..
* Arizona got their first win of the season at pitiful Cincinnati. Good thing it isn't December or else an indoor team like the Cardinals may have had a different outcome in icy Cincy.
* The Giants came back down to Earth, losing at home to the Vikes. New York is now 2-3 and facing a trip to New England Thursday night.
* In a tense rivalry game in AFC North, the Ravens beat the Steelers in overtime in Pittsburgh. Baltimore has a pretty firm grip on the division. Let's see what Cleveland does tonight in San Francisco.
* Green Bay has now won 4 consecutive games in Dallas. The Cowboys are now 3-2. The go to New York next week to take on the winless Jets. The Pack and Aaron Rodgers had a 24-0 lead and held on at the end. The Dallas kicker missed two field goals, including a short 33-yarder with only seconds left which would've given the Cowboys one last shot with an onsides kick.
* The Bears lost to the Raiders in London. Oakland picks up a game on losing Kansas City while Chicago slips in NFC North behind the Packers.
* Speaking of which, the Colts surprised the undefeated Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.I don't trust Coach Andy Reid and this loss at home hurts their chances for home field advantage in the playoffs.
* Denver shocked the Chargers in LA. It was the previously struggling Broncos first victory of the season.The Chargers remain a mystery team and must play more consistently to make the playoffs.
* Houston demolished sinking Atlanta, outscoring the Falcons. The Texans have a shot to rule AFC South, with no team yet assuming dominance in the division.
* The Panthers, Saints and Patriots all won. What could've been a major upset in Washington, when the Redskins were up 7-0, turned out to be more disgrace as the 'Skins got blown away in the second half, as the Pats dominated in the second half.
Monday Night Football has the Browns again on prime-time, this time facing an undefeated 49'ers team in San Francisco.
Speaking of the Birds, they did a workmen-like dismantling of the Jets at the Linc, 31-6. The defense recorded 10 sacks on the day, including 3 alone for Brenden Graham.
The offense, on the other hand, was sporadic, even with 31 points on the board. They missed converting a third and one from near the Jets 45 yard line, when a pass was incomplete and a Carson Wentz quarterback sneak failed for the first time this season.
Penalties were the biggest hand-up for Philly, as they were in Green Bay. The team must iron out their penalty situation. Playing the woeful Jets is one thing; taking on a much better squad in the future is another.
Speaking of New York, it will be a boring two games later in the season when the Jets face the equally-inept Miami Dolphins. New England is a good team at 5-0, but how lucky are the Patriots to have two of the worst teams in football in their own division.
Head Coach Adam Geise will get fired sooner than later from New York. Granted he has few players other than Lavian Bell, but Geise screwed up several scenarios yesterday. Down 14-0 in the second quarter, New York had the ball around the Eagles' 40-yard line with a 4th and 4 call. Instead of going for it ( what do the Jets have to lose?), Geise settles for a difficult 55-yard field goal try into the wind.
The kicker misses the try and the Jets get nothing from the drive, plus they give Philadelphia good field position.
Geise is constantly flipping through his charts, trying to find an answer. There is non. Injured QB Sam Darnold will make a difference when he returns, but how much of a difference?
The Eagles start a three game road trip next week in Minnesota. The Vikings are a good team, not great. It's really noisy inside their dome, so the birds will have to deal with a rowdy crowd still stinging from the loss in the NFC Championship Game in 2017.
********************************************************************
Around the NFL on Sunday..
* Arizona got their first win of the season at pitiful Cincinnati. Good thing it isn't December or else an indoor team like the Cardinals may have had a different outcome in icy Cincy.
* The Giants came back down to Earth, losing at home to the Vikes. New York is now 2-3 and facing a trip to New England Thursday night.
* In a tense rivalry game in AFC North, the Ravens beat the Steelers in overtime in Pittsburgh. Baltimore has a pretty firm grip on the division. Let's see what Cleveland does tonight in San Francisco.
* Green Bay has now won 4 consecutive games in Dallas. The Cowboys are now 3-2. The go to New York next week to take on the winless Jets. The Pack and Aaron Rodgers had a 24-0 lead and held on at the end. The Dallas kicker missed two field goals, including a short 33-yarder with only seconds left which would've given the Cowboys one last shot with an onsides kick.
* The Bears lost to the Raiders in London. Oakland picks up a game on losing Kansas City while Chicago slips in NFC North behind the Packers.
* Speaking of which, the Colts surprised the undefeated Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.I don't trust Coach Andy Reid and this loss at home hurts their chances for home field advantage in the playoffs.
* Denver shocked the Chargers in LA. It was the previously struggling Broncos first victory of the season.The Chargers remain a mystery team and must play more consistently to make the playoffs.
* Houston demolished sinking Atlanta, outscoring the Falcons. The Texans have a shot to rule AFC South, with no team yet assuming dominance in the division.
* The Panthers, Saints and Patriots all won. What could've been a major upset in Washington, when the Redskins were up 7-0, turned out to be more disgrace as the 'Skins got blown away in the second half, as the Pats dominated in the second half.
Monday Night Football has the Browns again on prime-time, this time facing an undefeated 49'ers team in San Francisco.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- PHILLIES, BASEBALL PLAYOFFS, NFL PICKS
- Still waiting for the Phillies to make a decision on the future of Kapler, Klentek and McPhail. Jim Salsbury says looks like Kapler will be back. Jayson Stark and Ray Didinger aren't so sure.
Glad the Phils did replace inept pitching coach Chris Young. The Philadelphia young pitchers weren't getting any better under his watch. Did Owner John Middleton need to put pressure on Klentek to fire Young?
Middleton hopefully will do the right thing and clean house, hire better talent evaluators, and make the Phillies a winner. Fans are tired of losing and mediocre baseball. We deserve better!
***********************************************************************
The Braves tied their playoff series with the Cards at 1-1. Now the series comes down to a better of 3 with St. Louis having two games at home. I still think the Redbirds take it, but they better win both home games or else they return to Atlanta for a pivotal Game 5.
Same with the Dodgers and Nationals. Washington tied their series at 1-1 with a victory at Dodger Stadium. LA struck out 17 times. Live by the launch angle, die by the launch angle. Give the Nats credit for using starter Max Scherzer in the 8th inning in a must-win game Scherzer struck out the side.
The mighty Astros took a 1-0 lead over feisty Tampa Bay. The Rays are a good club but they are simply over-matched against Houston.
Finally, the Yankees won at home Friday night over the Twins. Minnesota needs to win Game 2 to avoid a must-win Game 3 back in Minnesota.
*************************************************************************
My picks this week in NFL Pro Football..
Eagles -14 over Jets
Saints - 3.5 over Buccaneers
Packers + 3.5 over Cowboys
Glad the Phils did replace inept pitching coach Chris Young. The Philadelphia young pitchers weren't getting any better under his watch. Did Owner John Middleton need to put pressure on Klentek to fire Young?
Middleton hopefully will do the right thing and clean house, hire better talent evaluators, and make the Phillies a winner. Fans are tired of losing and mediocre baseball. We deserve better!
***********************************************************************
The Braves tied their playoff series with the Cards at 1-1. Now the series comes down to a better of 3 with St. Louis having two games at home. I still think the Redbirds take it, but they better win both home games or else they return to Atlanta for a pivotal Game 5.
Same with the Dodgers and Nationals. Washington tied their series at 1-1 with a victory at Dodger Stadium. LA struck out 17 times. Live by the launch angle, die by the launch angle. Give the Nats credit for using starter Max Scherzer in the 8th inning in a must-win game Scherzer struck out the side.
The mighty Astros took a 1-0 lead over feisty Tampa Bay. The Rays are a good club but they are simply over-matched against Houston.
Finally, the Yankees won at home Friday night over the Twins. Minnesota needs to win Game 2 to avoid a must-win Game 3 back in Minnesota.
*************************************************************************
My picks this week in NFL Pro Football..
Eagles -14 over Jets
Saints - 3.5 over Buccaneers
Packers + 3.5 over Cowboys
Friday, October 4, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- BASEBALL PLAYOFFS, NFL, PHILLIES
- In Game 1 of the NL Playoffs, the Atlanta bullpen blew another game last night, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Braves 7-6. Up 3-1 in the 8th inning, Atlanta surrendered 6 runs in the last two innings. The Braves came back with 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th ( including home runs by Acuna Jr and Freeman) but it wasn't enough.
Atlanta is in a must-win situation today. Lose another home game and they would need to win 4 in a row, including 2 in St. Louis.The Braves have a great team but they always seem to crumble in the post-season.
Speaking of Acuna Jr, he was blasted by his own manager after the game for not running hard to first base. It's not the first time the young superstar has failed to hustle. He reminds me of a young Roberto Clemente and should have a brilliant career but if he can't get it together then Atlanta has a real problem.
In the other Game 1, the Dodgers shut out the Nationals, 6-0. No surprise, as Walker Buehler dominates the weary Nats. Washington had to fly across the country after winning the wild card game against Milwaukee. Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw have yet to pitch in the series so don't count the Nats out yet.
*****************************************************************************
Great game on Thursday Night Football last night as Seattle held on to defeat the Rams, 30-29. The NFC shapes up to be a wild scramble as no one dominate team as emerged from the pack yet. New England, Kansas City and San Francisco are the only undefeated teams left in the league. Seattle is 4-1. The race to the playoffs promises to be a wild one down the stretch.
***************************************************************************
We still wait for Phillies' owner John Middleton to make a decision about manager Gabe Kapler. Kapler is still under contract, as it GM Matt Klentek and President Andy MacPhail. Jim Salisbury says that Middleton is still unsure if he will keep or fire Kapler, and a decision won't be known until next week. Meanwhile Jayson Stark reports that not only is Kapler in trouble but so are Klentek and MacPhail, and Middleton may be quietly interviewing behind the scenes.
We should know something soon.
It will be interesting how the Phillies front office sells the fan base on Kapler and Klentek returning. the Club better win or else the park will be empty after Opening Day.
Atlanta is in a must-win situation today. Lose another home game and they would need to win 4 in a row, including 2 in St. Louis.The Braves have a great team but they always seem to crumble in the post-season.
Speaking of Acuna Jr, he was blasted by his own manager after the game for not running hard to first base. It's not the first time the young superstar has failed to hustle. He reminds me of a young Roberto Clemente and should have a brilliant career but if he can't get it together then Atlanta has a real problem.
In the other Game 1, the Dodgers shut out the Nationals, 6-0. No surprise, as Walker Buehler dominates the weary Nats. Washington had to fly across the country after winning the wild card game against Milwaukee. Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw have yet to pitch in the series so don't count the Nats out yet.
*****************************************************************************
Great game on Thursday Night Football last night as Seattle held on to defeat the Rams, 30-29. The NFC shapes up to be a wild scramble as no one dominate team as emerged from the pack yet. New England, Kansas City and San Francisco are the only undefeated teams left in the league. Seattle is 4-1. The race to the playoffs promises to be a wild one down the stretch.
***************************************************************************
We still wait for Phillies' owner John Middleton to make a decision about manager Gabe Kapler. Kapler is still under contract, as it GM Matt Klentek and President Andy MacPhail. Jim Salisbury says that Middleton is still unsure if he will keep or fire Kapler, and a decision won't be known until next week. Meanwhile Jayson Stark reports that not only is Kapler in trouble but so are Klentek and MacPhail, and Middleton may be quietly interviewing behind the scenes.
We should know something soon.
It will be interesting how the Phillies front office sells the fan base on Kapler and Klentek returning. the Club better win or else the park will be empty after Opening Day.
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Book- paratransit
( on page 267, para 8, line 2..Delete... a" ride from a friend (Julie from Activities) )
Instead insert " I rode the Paratransit van down 202..."
Instead insert " I rode the Paratransit van down 202..."
Book- Fox
(Place on page 91,para 10, next sentence after "I wasn't used to this..")
"What did I just do?" I whispered to myself.
( Place on page 92, para 9, line (sentence after "off we went..")
Fox certainly broadened my horizons in many ways. She loved Billy Idol and Huey Lewis, so it wouldn't be unusual to hear songs like "White Wedding" or "Heart of Rock n' Roll" blasting from her car radio as we cruised on a Friday night.
END OF PARAGRAPH. PLEASE START NEW PARAGRAPH WITH "It was nice.."
"What did I just do?" I whispered to myself.
( Place on page 92, para 9, line (sentence after "off we went..")
Fox certainly broadened my horizons in many ways. She loved Billy Idol and Huey Lewis, so it wouldn't be unusual to hear songs like "White Wedding" or "Heart of Rock n' Roll" blasting from her car radio as we cruised on a Friday night.
END OF PARAGRAPH. PLEASE START NEW PARAGRAPH WITH "It was nice.."
Book- Resident
(Place on page 188 aftter para, 4)
I also fondly remember Mrs. Steele. She used to be a high school English teacher. We always got along well because I was honest and fair when she had a concern. To other staff and fellow residents she could be difficult. Mrs. Steele was feisty and opinionated, and it didn't matter if it was a nurse, a dietitian, another resident or even her own physician, they all faced the wrath of Mrs. Steele at one time or another.
For instance, if she wasn't pleased with her lunch she would wheel out of her room, fuming, and head right down to the kitchen with her issue. No one dared get in her way
Mrs. Steele was angry about her stroke, which left her paralyzed on her left side; angry her family forgot her, only visiting on special occasions; angry she had to be on a unit with less functioning residents, even though she had a much-coveted private room. I could understand her anger. I would be pissed too. Maybe that's why she never gave me much grief?
She admitted to me what I suspected- she was lonely. She liked her private room, but she also isolated herself from others. She missed her cat, China Blue, who she was forced to give up after the stroke.
" I never bothered anyone," she confided. "My son never visited that much when I had the apartment. I was happy with my cat. Everyone else could go to hell."
I found that two things eased her fury: books and animals.
She loved to read. Books were stacked in her room everywhere. I kept her supplied with reading material from the Activities Department, anything from paperbacks to magazines. I suggested she may want to start a reading group with some of the other residents on the Third Floor. Why not hook up with neighbors on the unit who also liked to read or discuss books? Plus it would give her a purpose in life again.
The Manor had a "community cat", a pretty orange tabby feline who visited those residents who liked cats. "Bootsy" could be found on any of the three floors. Bootsy somehow sensed which residents needed a friendly visit. I witnessed this special cat get on and off the elevator with visitors and staff, and calmly stroll the units, stopping into certain rooms ( probably for treats as well).
Pet Therapy was an important piece of a resident's care plan, especially for someone like Mrs. Steele, who secretly wept for her own China Blue.
Bootsy had her own little "apartment" set up in the Activity Room: water, food, cat toys and litter box. Everyone knew where Bootsy hung out when she wasn't visiting.
Bootsy and Mrs. Steele were introduced and they hit it off right away. Mrs. Steele would save part of her lunch for her daily afternoon visitor, especially if fish was on the menu.I would make my rounds and find Bootsy on her lap, content as Mrs. Steele gently stroked her silky fur.
One afternoon I headed up to the unit to have a heart-to-heart with Mrs. Steele. It was cool that she loved to read but her books and magazines were presenting a problem for the nurses and aides who could not walk in her room. Stacks and stacks of paperbacks were cluttered alongside her bed.The nurses also noted scraps of food hidden all over the room, probably for Bootsy The books were a potential fall risk and the morsels of tuna fish presented a health issue as bugs were beginning to visit Mrs. Steele too.
I always hated to be the bad guy, but Mrs. Steele wasn't confused and knew the rules. Problem was when I tried to assist her in tidying up her room she opened her bedside cabinet and out fell everything under the sun that she had been hoarding: salt packets, plastic forks and spoons, paper cups, old newspapers, boxes of opened half-eaten cookies, cosmetics, tons of paper towels and napkins, pieces of soap, pens, pencils, paper clips and old milk cartons. You name it- everything fell on the floor.
"Oh, no! That's still good!" she shrieked as a nursing aide helped me clean up the room. Throwing out the moldy candy took a bit of negotiating.
It seems Mrs. Steele was always a hoarder, even in her own apartment. We agreed to weekly cleaning sessions to make sure things didn't get out of hand again. The roaches would just have to go somewhere else for their snacks.
Towards the end of her life, Mrs. Steele's son started to visit more often. I know that made her happy, almost as much as visits from Bootsy. When she suffered another massive stroke, this one mercifully taking her life quickly, she left us with peace in her heart.
Interestingly enough, about a week before she died, she asked the charge nurse to page me to her room. Apparently it was an "urgent" matter she needed to see me about.
When I arrived she presented me with one of her prized classic books: "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T.S. Elliot. It was the basis for the musical "Cats."
" I want you to have this to remember me by," she said, smiling.
I wouldn't need a book to remember Mrs. Steele. But I appreciated the gift and cherished the book.
On the morning of Mrs. Steele's funeral, Bootsy peeked into the darkened, empty room, just in case Mrs. Steele had returned. Bootsy let out a soft "meow" and continued on her way, making her daily visits and spreading much-needed love and joy.
I also fondly remember Mrs. Steele. She used to be a high school English teacher. We always got along well because I was honest and fair when she had a concern. To other staff and fellow residents she could be difficult. Mrs. Steele was feisty and opinionated, and it didn't matter if it was a nurse, a dietitian, another resident or even her own physician, they all faced the wrath of Mrs. Steele at one time or another.
For instance, if she wasn't pleased with her lunch she would wheel out of her room, fuming, and head right down to the kitchen with her issue. No one dared get in her way
Mrs. Steele was angry about her stroke, which left her paralyzed on her left side; angry her family forgot her, only visiting on special occasions; angry she had to be on a unit with less functioning residents, even though she had a much-coveted private room. I could understand her anger. I would be pissed too. Maybe that's why she never gave me much grief?
She admitted to me what I suspected- she was lonely. She liked her private room, but she also isolated herself from others. She missed her cat, China Blue, who she was forced to give up after the stroke.
" I never bothered anyone," she confided. "My son never visited that much when I had the apartment. I was happy with my cat. Everyone else could go to hell."
I found that two things eased her fury: books and animals.
She loved to read. Books were stacked in her room everywhere. I kept her supplied with reading material from the Activities Department, anything from paperbacks to magazines. I suggested she may want to start a reading group with some of the other residents on the Third Floor. Why not hook up with neighbors on the unit who also liked to read or discuss books? Plus it would give her a purpose in life again.
The Manor had a "community cat", a pretty orange tabby feline who visited those residents who liked cats. "Bootsy" could be found on any of the three floors. Bootsy somehow sensed which residents needed a friendly visit. I witnessed this special cat get on and off the elevator with visitors and staff, and calmly stroll the units, stopping into certain rooms ( probably for treats as well).
Pet Therapy was an important piece of a resident's care plan, especially for someone like Mrs. Steele, who secretly wept for her own China Blue.
Bootsy had her own little "apartment" set up in the Activity Room: water, food, cat toys and litter box. Everyone knew where Bootsy hung out when she wasn't visiting.
Bootsy and Mrs. Steele were introduced and they hit it off right away. Mrs. Steele would save part of her lunch for her daily afternoon visitor, especially if fish was on the menu.I would make my rounds and find Bootsy on her lap, content as Mrs. Steele gently stroked her silky fur.
One afternoon I headed up to the unit to have a heart-to-heart with Mrs. Steele. It was cool that she loved to read but her books and magazines were presenting a problem for the nurses and aides who could not walk in her room. Stacks and stacks of paperbacks were cluttered alongside her bed.The nurses also noted scraps of food hidden all over the room, probably for Bootsy The books were a potential fall risk and the morsels of tuna fish presented a health issue as bugs were beginning to visit Mrs. Steele too.
I always hated to be the bad guy, but Mrs. Steele wasn't confused and knew the rules. Problem was when I tried to assist her in tidying up her room she opened her bedside cabinet and out fell everything under the sun that she had been hoarding: salt packets, plastic forks and spoons, paper cups, old newspapers, boxes of opened half-eaten cookies, cosmetics, tons of paper towels and napkins, pieces of soap, pens, pencils, paper clips and old milk cartons. You name it- everything fell on the floor.
"Oh, no! That's still good!" she shrieked as a nursing aide helped me clean up the room. Throwing out the moldy candy took a bit of negotiating.
It seems Mrs. Steele was always a hoarder, even in her own apartment. We agreed to weekly cleaning sessions to make sure things didn't get out of hand again. The roaches would just have to go somewhere else for their snacks.
Towards the end of her life, Mrs. Steele's son started to visit more often. I know that made her happy, almost as much as visits from Bootsy. When she suffered another massive stroke, this one mercifully taking her life quickly, she left us with peace in her heart.
Interestingly enough, about a week before she died, she asked the charge nurse to page me to her room. Apparently it was an "urgent" matter she needed to see me about.
When I arrived she presented me with one of her prized classic books: "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T.S. Elliot. It was the basis for the musical "Cats."
" I want you to have this to remember me by," she said, smiling.
I wouldn't need a book to remember Mrs. Steele. But I appreciated the gift and cherished the book.
On the morning of Mrs. Steele's funeral, Bootsy peeked into the darkened, empty room, just in case Mrs. Steele had returned. Bootsy let out a soft "meow" and continued on her way, making her daily visits and spreading much-needed love and joy.
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