I’ve ordered the tickets for the September 13 Lake George lunch and cruise for the Mansion residents who can and wish to go. I was hoping Joan could come, but the staff feels it would be a bad idea,  her ideas and memory have deteriorated in the past year and it might be unsafe for her to go, even if a staffer was available to be with her all the time.

A boat ride on a crowded boat could be confusing and disorienting for her.

So we huddled and Morgan Jones, the Mansion Director and I, came up with an alternative plan. Morgan says Joan lives to ride around and listen to country music, it is her favorite thing. So I countered with this idea.

How about we make Joanie Queen For A Day, I will  hire somebody with a big and comfortable car to come to the Mansion and pick her and me and Maria up. We’ll take Joan to lunch at the Round House Cafe and then drive around the beautiful hills and mountains her for an hour or with a boombox loaded with old country music songs, Joan’s favorite.

If she got restless or tired, we could just come back.

I asked Joan about it yesterday and she lit up, so we are going to get her family’s permission and then set a date. I love this idea. Joan is full of life and fun, but her eyes and memory are both fading, I would love to give her this kind of day, I know she would love it, and Maria would love to come along and help.

Queen For A Day. It feels right to me.