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| John's new bionic knees |
Plus, I don't know about you, but hanging out in a nursing home is not good for one's mental health, if you ask me. He seems to have plenty of help, and he's also getting two physical therapy sessions a day, so there are good things about it. But frankly, I can hardly wait to get out of there, and I'm only visiting. It's something about the looks on the inmates' faces: blank and hopeless. I could never volunteer in a place like that, or I would be depressed in no time at all.
Yesterday Judy and I went to see Unbroken at the theater, and I now understand why the reviews are mixed. Although it is a wonderfully well-made movie, it focuses on the time spent at sea (47 days) before he and another guy were "rescued" by the Japanese. And then it goes into the time he spent as a prisoner of war, with plenty of brutality by one guard in particular. The part of Lou Zamperini is played by Jack O'Connell, someone I had never seen before. He was great, but the guy who played the prison guard (Miyavi) was simply incredible. But if you read the book and wanted to see how he turned his life around after the war ended, it is summed up by a short picture at the end. The movie is good, but it could have been spectacular. I would give it a B. But go, see it and let me know what YOU think of it.
I just spent a couple of hours getting my Trailblazer pictures for 2014 up on my Flickr site. I haven't been doing it quarterly, like I did for so long before, because frankly, my pictures are just not as good as they used to be. You can find them here, if you want to see the 40 pictures I chose from all the ones I took during the year. I figure my fellow Trailblazers will go there to see if there are any really good ones (or really bad ones) of themselves. Anyway, I'm finally caught up to date!
:-)
so glad john is doing well! i hope he can get out of there soon, too!
ReplyDeleteI find some nursing homes very unpleasant. I'm never getting a knee replacement. My friend asked me to take him to get his stitches out, The whole waiting room was filled with people who had knee replacements. The incision made is about a foot long. Not for me. Everybody in the waiting room was laughing except me.
ReplyDeleteYour view of nursing homes is one I share. I certainly hope I never end up in one. I know some must go there after knee replacements and such, but I certainly would not be a happy camper if I had to do such a thing.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my husband had his back surgery last year that the guy down the hall that had the same surgery had to go to a nursing home because he had no one to take care of him at home. I reminded my husband that he better be nice to me during his recovery time. ;) Seriously, I have nursed my husband through two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and major back surgery. I never wanted to be a nurse, but I've been one to him. I only hope if I ever have to have major surgery such as this that my husband is still at my side.
Glad to hear your friend John is doing better and almost ready to go home.
He may need the Physical Therapy for longer...but hopefully he can escape before the six weeks is up! I don't like the homes either...but they serve a necessary function. In the olden days Grandma and Grandpa, Uncles and Aunts just went to relatives...I cannot see that happening this day and age. My Grandfather made the rounds and then stayed with one of his sons so he was only in the home a few weeks. :(
ReplyDeleteDJan, I was excited to see your judgements on the movie are the same as mine. Sea time and prison time were too long, and his life and his forgiveness was so rich beyond that. Acting was great.
ReplyDeleteI read the book "Unbroken" and it was a great read, but I don't think I'll see the movie. It might be too depressing for me (I'm more of a comedy girl) Glad to see your friend is up and around. Modern medicine is amazing! I'm finally starting to feel normal, and can walk with almost no limp. My skis are starting to call my name......
ReplyDeleteDJan, your photos are wonderful! All 40 of them, and a beautiful collection all together.
ReplyDeleteRehab centers and nursing homes are often combined, now days, it seems. Fortunately people in rehab get to leave, but the others really are "inmates". I could never volunteer in one either.
Hooray for John and hopefully he will be paroled well before the six weeks are up.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy New Year to you and to Smart Guy.
I am glad you are giving your friend emotional support. That should help him during his stay in the nursing home.
ReplyDeleteLong ago my mother was in a nursing home for just a while....both my dad and myself thought the same as you, and we decided to take mom back home and get 'in home' care instead. They are just as you described. And it's depressing for 'em all.
ReplyDeleteI want to read the book instead. I've heard so much about the movie, I want to read instead...THEN see the movie. And compare.
Happy New Year DJ
Glad to see John is healing well. My Mom was always worried about going to a "HOME" - "THE HOME" - I told her I would never do that to her and I never did. I think people are just so busy with their lives they don't want the responsibility to care for their parents - the way everybody did in the old days. Its just easier to get rid of them and the responsibility. My Aunti had Alzheimer's and her daughter & my family looked after her for 12 years before she passed away. Its a pity to lock someone away and the horrors that go on in those places - the individuals would have been better off to go to jail. I truly feel all people that break the law should go to nursing homes, run just the way they are and all the elderly that are no longer capable of looking after themselves should go to jail. I already know who would have the better life. Its a sad, bitter topic DJan even thinking about nursing homes. Lets hope John heals well - and he is by the look of things. I am wishing him the very best of healing and a wonderful NEW YEAR WITH NEW BIONIC KNEES. Happy New Year to you and buddy, what's 'is name too, Eh :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like Angelina fell short in her new director position. I'll still watch it, but now I am prepared for the slapdash ending. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, and your friend may be out of there sooner. My dad even was with his new hip at 90. I think they make cautious estimations and your friend is progressing nicely. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year D-Jan 🎉 I hope it's a good one for you. John's knees look so neat. I mean that in the tue meaning of the word. Someone's done a very good job there! Best wishes from England 🎊
ReplyDeleteGood news about your friend John. Your photos are fantastic and great places to hike with spectacular views.
ReplyDeleteGood for John, making good progress. When I walk into an assisted living facility (the new version of the nursing home, sometimes but not always better) I paste a smile on my face and try to greet everyone I see. Some don't respond, but some seem grateful for just that much of an encounter.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year DJan!
ReplyDeleteWay to go John. Hope he beats the time table by a lot. Quite a bit of stitching there.
ReplyDeleteYour review seems like most I have heard. Good movie but could have been great. So sorry and since I loved the book, I probably will skip the movie.
Happy New Year gal. It is almost here.
Happy New Year, Djan!
ReplyDeleteHauoli Makahiki Hou, DJan. I do want to see Unbroken too. Somehow we haven't been able to get ourselves to the theater yet. Once we're more settled down, we'll try.
ReplyDeleteI feel similarly when inside a nursing home. My grandmother, almost 90, just had surgery before Thanksgiving this year and had to spend some rehab / therapy time in a nursing home afterward. We were all surprised that she seemed to enjoy it, she walked down the hall and ate meals in a social setting. Very unlike her! She lives alone and has never been very social outside of her 10 children and many grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteShe is back home now, I hope John is soon as well.
Happy New Year, DJan!
I've heard that *Unbroken* was good... but it also seems a bit depressing... so unlikely that I will see it... unless DH brings it home on a DVD. As for your friend, John, and his bionic knee. I wish the best for him. I have a good friend that just got her ankle replaced in September. She is just getting up and around now... but still in a bit of pain... and moving slow. But I think the older you are, the longer it takes to adjust.
ReplyDeleteI was really looking forward to this movie, and was quite excited that it was one of the few playing in my cinema in English (instead of dubbed to Spanish). And although I liked the story, I too was a bit disappointed by it. :o(
ReplyDeleteBut yes, the Japanese guard... wow! Very intense!
I guess I should dig up the book somewhere to read the whole story! ;o)
I see the commercials on TV for the movie but since I am on oxygen all the time I will have to wait until it comes to cable.
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