The P.O.S.

Wifey has been busy lately doing volunteer therapy work at a local old age home, with our comical Basset Hound Molly.

Molly EXCELS at laying around in one place, which makes her a terrific therapy dog, especially for the elderly.

Wifey takes her to the Palace, and the residents pet her (the dog, not Wifey) and all have tales of the dogs they've owned over the decades. Molly listens intently to their tales.

Wifey shared an anecdote with me that really raised the hair on my neck. For the past several months, she's visited an ancient, sweet old man, who stays in his room. Wifey noticed he had in his room a beautiful antique grandfather clock, and complemented him on it. He told her he and his wife bought the clock in the 60s, and took it with them whenvever they moved. He promised it to a grandson after he died.

Wifey asked about the grandson, and the old man said he was a nice fellow, and lived in Orlando. Wifey asked if he ever visited, and the old man said no, the grandson meant to, but was busy with his job, kids, etc...

Wifey went to the Palace last week, and saw the old fellow. He truly seemed on his way out, sadly. He petted Molly, and told some tales of being in the Marines during WW II. Wifey noticed the clock was missing, and asked the man about it.

Oh, he said, his grandson came down and got it, in a pickup truck. But, Wifey asked, didn't you want to keep it while you were alive? The old fellow said he did, but he knew if he promised the grandson the clock, he would come for a visit.

Apparently the young fellow came down, took the old coot for lunch, and left with his booty.

Wifey asked when he was due for another visit. The old man smiled, and said "Oh, he'll probably see me over at Van Orsdel's next." Van Orsdel is the local funeral home.

And so it went. Wifey was heartbroken for this sweet old man, who only warranted a visit from his grandson so the grandson could take something of, at best, questionable material value.

I guess to some, stuff is the currency of love.

Wifey is due to visit the old man next month, and plans to bring him a clock. She says Marshalls sells small replicas of grandfather clocks for less than $100. She'll tell him it's a gift from Molly the Basset Hound.

As for the unknown grandson in Orlando --Wifey says she hopes the clock breaks, like the way Wifey's heart did, a little, for this lonely old man...