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If I worked hard enough to need a nap in the middle of the day, and got enough work done that I could afford a nap, I'd have to consider that a productive day. It would be better if I didn't still have so much to do, and if I weren't still so tired. It seems no matter how hard I work or how much rest I take, there aren't enough hours. Or maybe there are enough hours, but they're just too short. Yeah, that's it.
I got my priorities all screwed up tonight because of that old bugaboo, payroll. I got the time cards late this afternoon, when I was in the middle of something else (equally important to me, but not of much interest to the guys in the shop looking for their paychecks). So I got a late start and worked through until six o'clock, when I remembered that I was supposed to be at Mom's at six.
She has to eat so she can take her pill, and I don't want her getting out of bed to fix herself anything. Not just yet, anyway. Suzanne had helped her with breakfast and lunch, so it isn't really much to ask me to be there at suppertime.
It's not really that I forgot, just that I lost track of time. When you take a nap in the middle of the day, sometimes that helps the end of the day arrive before you're quite ready for it. And of course, Mom didn't mind that I was a few minutes later than I promised. In fact, she didn't even mention it. Neither did I. Natch.
Suzanne is taking off for a well-deserved long weekend away from the hustle and bustle of wedding plans and preparing for the new school year. She's leaving tomorrow, which fortunately for all concerned is just about the time Mom will be able to do a little more on her own. I'll still see to her at least a couple of times a day for the next few days, but I could tell tonight we won't be able to hold her down for long.
I do get the benefit of spending extra time with Mom, although the price (to her) is pretty high. The gout has caused her more pain than anyone deserves, especially her. The fact that it's getting better is wonderful, except that she might be inclined to try to do too much too soon. And then where would she be? No better off than before.
It's good to have that time, though, and it's good to be of some use to her. She's done enough for me over the years, and she still does. I'm spending less time at home these days and more time on the road than usual, and it's made me a little testy with the other drivers. That's chronic, though, and not a symptom of the current crisis. I just noticed as I was driving home tonight that everybody behind the wheel was a little stupider than usual. I suppose they can't help it. | 
