I have spent almost two weeks looking after my Mum at my sisters. I spent a lot of time cooking. Dinners were the focus for our main meal of the day which is different from my normal routine. I never would have made the time to get this opportunity if it wasn’t for my sister wanting to travel overseas this year. My overseas holiday plans didn’t eventuate as there were too many world issues to warrant travel. Hopefully things settle next year.

I spent a lot of time reading, drawing and thinking of dinner ideas. What I liked was the early nights, the break from my routines and sitting on the porch. I am a decent cook and my Mum is fussy and likes variety but I was surprised I managed to keep her happy. I am not an elaborate cook but I have a good sense of timing. I was worried about the whole thing before it happened and was even slightly stressed a few weeks beforehand.

Yet once I was in place and it was all happening I managed to keep focused on what food I needed and where I would get it from. Today I cooked the last meal as now I have run out of steam and tomorrow I am heading home. I might get some takeaway if I am around for dinner but I am hoping to be home by then if I can. The weather was mostly pleasant and the porch was full of drawing inspiration, a lovely garden.

The last test run of my book ‘The Performance Space’ arrived and some magazines which I am hoping are good. I am not checking them until I get home. My Mum instinctively knows she can’t live on her own anymore but she said that she feels stuck. She was never the best communicator but I get the dilemma with being stuck for her. She is in an unfamiliar place and far from the world she has known for most of her life.

Yet as soon as I mention we are going back to her place in Randwick next week to stay and to be around for an appointment she seems to get worked up. Her dialogue though somewhat tied into her dementia leaves little room for getting to the root cause of the issue. Yet I would say it is the situation she is in mentally and her need of help which she can’t find the right words for.