Today is relish making day at chez Rider-Holden. Mackenzie and I took up shop outside on a picnic table which was a smart move. This kept all the drippy mess outside as we ground our cucumber, peppers and onions in the grinder that was generously given to me by our boating friends Bob and Jane (Last Dance). The vintage grinder had belonged to Bob's step mum, Miss Virginia.

In Alistair news, we were given a discharge date of September 27th for Al to return home. This is not cut in stone, it will serve as a target to aim for. This week he became totally independent in his transfers, he started learning to walk with a quad cane with a lot of assistance and on Wednesday his feeding tube was removed. Nice not having stuff dangling from his stomach. He is doing well in his communication. After discharge he will still get outpatient therapy for a few weeks as needed.

We will be getting a home assessment done by a Home Care Occupational Assistant to see what assistive devices need to be in place before they let him loose. We will start preparing for a trial home visit on a weekend well before he comes home.

He will be coming home with a wheelchair as his main mode of mobility. This does not mean he won't be walking, it just means he can be more safely mobile in the short term.

His spirits are much improved, in part because his antidepressants are kicking in but I also think that as he sees himself progress he is very motivated and happy. He now can voluntarily wiggle the toes on right foot. This was a big thing for him this week and he proudly showed all and anyone who would watch.

His youngest daughter Tonia is here for the weekend. She has gone off with Bridget to hang out with Al while Kenzie and I do relish and later attend a 60th birthday party.

It is proving to be a great and productive day on all fronts.