Abuse

What I learn as time passes! Received a call from a 92 year old friend this week. Her daughter has hit her. I had warned her that if she is going to tell her daughter something that might annoy her that she should have an advocate with her. After talking to an abuse hot line found out that this does not work once the friend is gone. Daughter can then start the abuse. How very sad to find out what I anticipated is happening.
What causes people to do things like this? Why do people cause harm to people who are in no position to help themselves?
Will see what happens when I visit today.

Payment for job

I play in a number of music groups. It is interesting how they evolve and then things change. One of the groups that I am involved in is a large ensemble. The past two years we have had a conductor. Last year, the group had one performance after a summer of practise. This year, we had a number of performances at seniors homes and also a performance at a shopping mall and a gallery. During the summer, I contacted the conductor to firm up payment. He danced around the discussion and avoided saying anything about payment. Now that the season is over, it seems that we have two camps. I think that the conductor would be surprised the group does not want to simply give him all the money. The expectation is that group members get paid as well.
This is a lesson to the group. Need to get expectations set before starting. My how this group has changed over the years from a group that practised in a basement as one of the members said.
Might have more about this in the next few days.

Inheritance

It is interesting. When my parents passed away, I did not expect to get anything and certainly did not tell either one of them what I would have hoped to receive. I can not imagine telling a parent what portion of the estate I wanted. I visit a friend who is 92 and certainly her estate is a concern. Unfortunately, she does not have a vast estate and despite that one of her daughters has asked for 2/3 of the estate not just half. She does not want to share equally with her sister. For some reason, she feels that despite all that her mother has done for her in the past and has done recently, she is entitled to more. She is asking her mother's care givers to give more and also is very abusive of the case worker that her mother has. She feels it is her right to tell these people off.
Families can be interesting and sometimes sad to observe them in action.

Supply teaching

Now that the fall has arrived, (I know that I am a little early), routines are changing. Yesterday, I did my first of the supply teaching days. I can do 20 days this year and next year, it is up to 50 days which will be quite the change.
The school where I work and I only work at one school and usually one department, the music department is very good. The students do not have discipline issues. They are very nice. I am sure that there are a few that are challenging. (There were three police cars outside the school when we left yesterday which means that something was up.) I know the routine so things work out well.
Today, I am going to check about my bassoon students. Have two and that is at an arts school. Nice place to work as well. Have to work on keeping track of payments for lessons. Was not very good at that last year.

Painters

Well, the painting is not done. There were things that we contracted for that did not get done and some of the work was sloppy. I had arranged for the painters to come again today and finish the work. Glad that I did not count on them coming.
I have learned my lesson, will make sure that I ask for references which I will use. In the past, work was always well done. This is not the case this time. Interesting that they came, booked a return visit. Today, no call, no e-mail nothing. No show!
Oh well, I paid a deposit but not the full amount. I think that tomorrow, I will clean up the paint material that was left behind.
Will check the hardware stores for new screen doors. Wanted our painted but think that it will be cheaper to have new doors. After this many years, I think that it might be the better alternative.

Letters

Now that Labour Day is here, time to get into a new routine. Summer seemed so relaxed that I had trouble many days getting into a serious routine. Now that will change after today. Why isn't this day New Years? We are going to celebrate it as New Years because of the many changes. Even at work settings people get into different routines. No more summer shifts, early off Fridays.
My main goal now that the time is changing is to get out more letters. I have been good but time to up the anti. People are home and ready to receive the mail.
Want to send the first letter to Olive who is 92 and really not doing well. She has called and said that when I visit that I should come to her bedroom. However, there is a gatekeeper who is stopping that. Don't want to try to get past her at this point. Might change my mind if it keeps up.
Will let you know what happens.

Labour Day weekend

After a couple quiet weeks, it is time to gear up. That is why I did not write. Nothing of note.
The Labour Day weekend is here, time of great change as I may have mentioned in the past. New Years in many ways. Seasons start, summer vacation is over for students. Since I volunteer at one school, do some teaching at another and supply teach, I do notice the change in schedule. Also the change in daylight. Now when I get up and it is 6 a.m., it is still dark and I know that it will be darker each passing day.
Will enjoy this weekend and work towards the change of schedule.
Hope that everyone else is enjoying their long weekend.