Author’s book answers questions about aging parents
Ever since the 1922 silent film “Nanook of the North” played in America, the popular myth has been that Alaskan tribes simply deserted their elderly on the ice. Maybe it wasn’t a myth. Some cultures, in time of particular need, did indeed do away with those who were a drag on the tribe. But this is the 21st century. We’re above that, aren’t we? Sure we are. But that doesn’t mean that dealing with the elderly, especially those related to you, is easy. Quite the opposite, in fact.
That’s why Gail Goeller wrote “Coming of Age With Aging Parents: The Bungles, Battles & Blessings” (Patina Productions, 264 pages, $16).
The Spokane author, who along with her husband John experienced the phenomenon of caring for their own aging parents, will read from her book at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore. The Goellers co-write the regional resource book “Directory for Seniors and Their Families.”
“Coming of Age With Aging Parents” has answers to just about every question that can be posed about the topic, from, according to Goeller, “dealing with late-night phone calls and parental self-diagnosis to managing angry outbursts, emergencies of all sorts, caregiver burnout and end-of life requests.”
But here’s the refreshing part of the book: As serious as Goeller can be, she allows herself to laugh once in a while. And she invites us to laugh with her.
Example: If you go to her Web site, www.comingofagewithagingparents.com, you’ll see that Goeller has included what she calls a “Crash Course Questionnaire on elderly care.”
The first question is, “If you are questioning your parents’ ability to live independently, you should …” and then she offers four choices.
The final potential answer is, “Pack your folks in the car with a few belongings and drive them to your brother’s home 300 miles away.”
It may not be the correct answer (that probably is “Talk to your parents about their concerns before you proceed”), but it sure is funny.
Even to the Nanooks among us.
Spokane is reading …
If you were to continue the thought put forth by the headline immediately above, it would read Orson Scott Card’s science-fiction novel “Ender’s Game.” The monthlong reading project, co-sponsored by Spokane Public and Spokane County library districts along with Auntie’s Bookstores, begins its series of book discussions in earnest this week with events at:
“ 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Indian Trail Library, 4909 W. Barnes Ave. (444-5395).
“ 7 p.m. Wednesday, Cheney Community Library, 610 First (235-7333).
“ 7 p.m. Wednesday, Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. (921-1500).
“ 2 p.m. Saturday, Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main, Fairfield (283-2512).
All discussions are free and open to the public.
Among the best
Spokane poet Laurie Lamon has received special notice from U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
Collins included “Praise,” a poem by the Whitworth College professor of English that was published in the October issue of the Atlantic Monthly, in his poetry anthology “180 More: Extraordinary Poems for Extraordinary Days.”
Random House is expected to release “180 More” in March. CavanKerry Press will publish Lamon’s first collection of poems, “The Fork Without Hunger,” in 2005.
Creative rebellion
Writer Rory Metcalf will kick off a reading/discussion series titled “Rebel Creativity in the Age of Commerce” at 2 p.m. today at the Hi Hopes Cafe & Market in Hope, Idaho.
Metcalf, whose talk is titled “Wild Mind: A Fiction Reading With a Digression …” is a writer of fiction and essays who has been published in journals such as the Village Voice, Black Canyon Quarterly and the Talking River Review. For information, call (208) 255-4410.
No books to sign
Saturday’s book signing by “Matrix Dreams & Other Stories” author James C. Glass at the Valley Waldenbooks has been canceled. The reason: The store wasn’t able to obtain enough books from the publisher, Fairwood Press.
Glass, a Spokane science-fiction author whose other books include the novels “Shanji” and “Emperess of Light,” is scheduled next to sign copies of his story collection Oct. 30 at the Coeur d’Alene Borders. Let’s hope that store has better luck.
Book talk
“ Reading Lewis and Clark (“The Truth About Sacajawea,” by Kenne Thomasma; “Sacagawea of the Lewis and Clark Expedition,” by Ella E. Clark and Margot Edwards), 7 p.m. Monday, Coeur d’Alene Library, 210 E. Harrison (208-769-2315).
“ Auntie’s Book Group (“Time Traveler’s Wife,” by Audrey Niffenegger), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington (838-0206).
“ Romance/Mystery Book Group (“The Sinner” by Tess Gerritsen; “The Eyre Affair,” by Jasper Fforde), 7 p.m. Thursday, Valley Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave. (922-4104).
The reader board
“ Gail Goeller (“Coming of Age With Aging Parents: The Bungles, Battles & Blessings”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“ Robert Townsend (“The End of Superstition: Science and Jesus in Harmony at Last”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“ Dennis Held (“Betting on the Night”), 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Gonzaga University’s Jundt Auditorium (323-6681).
“ David Volk (“The Tribe Has Spoken”), signing, 7 p.m. Friday, Valley Barnes & Noble.