Came home yesterday from Fresno to render aid to my sister in Fresno. She has her leg in a brace and wrist in a cast from a skiing accident. She can't drive so I was mainly a taxi driver and beast of burden while she hobbled around like an old war veteran or something. I also got drafted into being cook, dishwasher, house maid, dog sitter...not about to let a good deal unused to the full extent, she also decided to rearrange the furniture. "What the hell," she told a friend on the phone, "he's my brother. I can abuse him."

We did find a dust covered cardboard box in her garage. It kept some of our late father's personal effects. I got to inherite a Timex watch at least 40 years old. No date, no chimes, just a watch dial with hands. The winding stem needs fixing, so I'll shop around for someone who still does watch repair.

My teen daughter looked at the watch. Why get it fixed when the problem is obvious? It needs a new battery. Told her I'd have never thought of that, I'll get the battery replaced tomorrow. She was so proud of herself for helping her senile dad, I didn't have the heart to pop her bubble.