Josh_Kornbluth My dear, sweet stepfather suffers from Alzheimer’s and — more recently — was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. We were watching TV, and I turned to a channel playing an old movie. On the screen a blond actress was cracking wise. I said, “Maybe that’s Carole Lombard.” He shook his head: “Jean Harlow,” he corrected … Read more
When I first arrived in Chicago, in the summer of 1979, my eyes felt like they wanted to split apart. Earlier, in my teens, I’d been diagnosed with exophoria (or maybe exotropia), which is the eyes not working together. I’d done “eye push-ups” and other exercises — but until that summer I never felt like I had to … Read more
I guessed Spencer Tracy — and apparently, that was was the right answer!! (My stepfather’s favorite actor.) Rough excerpt from my current phone call with a new AT&T person: AT&T: How to may I help you? (Not an English-speaker; not clear whether man or woman.) Me: I need to move my mom’s phone service. AT&T: $#$!#%%#!$^#$^! … Read more
The guy at AT&T told me that my mom hadn’t yet ordered her services to be transferred to her new apartment. The bill is in her husband’s name. I explained that my stepfather has Alzheimer’s. The AT&T guy told me that I need to answer this security question: Who is my stepfather’s favorite actor? I … Read more
Help! My mom’s movers are here, and we didn’t get everything ready. What is ready is because of my very organized step-siblings. I’m on hold with AT&T, because my mom isn’t sure if she already ordered the switchover to her new apartment (which, again, is happening now!). Then I’m going to call Macy’s, to make sure … Read more