Day 839 The space inbetween

26th November 2019

I laid up the new top for the table, and set it on the flood to dry. I broke open the heat gun that I bought recently to try it on a dresser that had to be re-painted. I tried sanding the top, but the surface was very hard, and the progress I was waking with sandpaper was slow. At the rate I was going it would have taken a week.

I was hesitant to use the heat gun as I didn’t want to damage the veneered surface under the paint. I tried to just heat the blade of the scraper which seemed to work well. I a short time i managed to strip 80% of the old finish before we were called to Kelli’s parents house to help with moving her father’s chair.

He had been moved to hospital as his condition had worsened, and he was due to be moved into a nursing home for his final days.

I helped carry the special chair out and deliver it to the nursing home. This chair was vital as he could lay in a bed because of the pain it would cause to his legs.

Kelli’s brother Matt drove back and forth along 32nd Street trying to find Hallmark Nursing Home, eventually finding it hidden behind a hedge.

After going through rigorous security systems we were let in. I could see their point, I wasn’t looking my best in my work clothes and unshaven, I probably looked like the patient. I guess I was grateful that they didn’t try to get me into a bed.

The place was warm and bright, but that was its best features. The staff were friendly and some had the “ I’m so sorry “ look on their faces.

We borrowed a trolly and off loaded the chair, pushing it alone a corridor to room 404.

This was a grim space, the bed had been moved out leaving an emptiness that felt cold and desolate.

These places are not cheap, a room at a chain hotel would be less expensive, although the quality of food would probably be the same.

We had to carry the chair in through the back entrance (not passage). There were two doors that we had to pass through, the short passage in between was really warm. We did jokingly ask how much would it be for Dave to use this space, instead of the gloomy room, it was light with a good view, but they didn’t take us seriously, nobody jokes in this place.