Audrey Mae SpencerSpencer Historical CemeteryHenry Straight / William Spencer Family Cemetery
Vaughn Historical CemeterySpencers of East Greenwich, RI
Life at Alpine Nursing Home
1 December 2003

Heather: How are you doing?

Audrey: Everything is going just right. I had a nice visit with Belinda. She looks good. Belinda wants to be a surgeon. Dr. Belinda Bradley, surgeon. Doesn’t that sound great? I said “go ahead and study, use it for all its worth”. I’m so happy for Belinda. She found what she wants to do in life.

I sat in the “boring chair” for a while at Crystal’s house, but I was glad I didn’t sit there too long! Everybody laughs about the “boring chair” as I called it. I eat a lot now. I’ve got my (large print) books to read. This (companion) chair is worth its weight in gold. I’m busy every minute. I go up and down the aisle.

7 December 2003

Heather: Who has been visiting you lately?

Audrey: Amber. She comes here often! She’s jumping around here getting everything in order. She straightens out my clothes. She makes sure I have everything I need. I haven’t forgotten what she looks like! (Laughter)

7 December 2003

Heather: Yes, I’ve told Amber her middle name Joy fits her perfectly. Amber is a joy to have around! Her middle name, Joy, fits her to a tee.

Audrey: It is snowing outside. It is beautiful. So pretty.  The snow is piling up. It is snowing like the dickens. I have four little drawers and one is to keep papers. I can always tell when my (artistic display) stand has been looked at. The page left open has been changed. I love my little chair. I call it my other self.

20 December 2003

Heather: How are you doing?

Audrey: I’m having a good time with my books. I always get around to everything that’s happening, bingo, etc. There is always something going on in this building. Old friends now are all here! We all get to talk in the dining room. Everything is lovely here. We have a lot of reminiscing to do! Everything is going along fine. Vivian, my neighbor, is out most of the time with her walker. I’m just reading and packing and trying to get rid of paper. I hate to throw out things for fear I’ll throw out something I need. I have some books from the library. I’ve told you that we need to read a book three or four times to really understand it, so that is what I am doing.  There is just a little snow here now.

10 January 2004

Heather: Who have you seen lately? What news have you heard?

Audrey: Chig, I was glad to see her. She sits there quietly. We all enjoy seeing her. Melissa, she is a real star. Little Hannah, she will be a great actress. They got her started at a good time. She is right on top of the work. She loves acting. And, of course, Emma is as beautiful as Hannah. Oh, I’m reading the book  Emma that came all packaged up from you. Emma grows up in the book! I like all books. I haven’t read any books that I didn’t like. I see Amber often. She straightens out all my things. She keeps my fingernails all painted a light pink. The older I get, the better looking I get.

(Heather: No, Mother! The older you get, the more realistically you see yourself. You were always pretty, but just because you were a foot taller than your mother and sister, you thought you were ugly. Now it is fashionable to be tall!! That is the only difference.)

 
17 January 2004

Heather: What are you doing now?

Audrey: I’m starting to sign my clothes AMM in black so they will be labeled if Alpine (Nursing Home) washes them. I’m wearing white pants and a red shirt. My fingernails are red. The sun is shining beautiful but it is really cold. Everybody is bundled up. The garage is even closed.

25 January 2004

Heather: How do you like the food at Alpine?

Audrey: I eat broccoli. I am not crazy about it, but it is good for me. Macaroni and Cheese is my favorite, no matter who cooks it. I like scrambled eggs and bacon. A friend of Crystal is the chef here at Alpine. Well, it is sunny today, but snow is piled all around. There is dirty snow all over the ground. All the big rocks have a roof of Snow! When the snow is wet, it sticks to leaves. When it’s dry, it falls off. I have quite a few friends around here. Many people here I’m friendly with. So many people here, I have a hard time choosing who I like the best. I do not go out too much. It’s too cold. I like to keep warm. I am a great sleeper. I sleep more than I wake. Amber spent the whole day here marking my initials on each piece of clothing. Amber and Crystal are good at that. We were also sorting post cards.

25 January 2004

Heather: How does Dawn like Florida?

Audrey: Dawn loves Florida. Spen drove some of her things down and he is there to be sure everything is in order.  She visited Florida many time before she moved. I’m so glad she is in Florida. I am so glad for her. I’m glad for Dawn. She is happy.

1 February 2004

Heather: How are you, Mother?

Audrey: Couldn’t be better. I play Bingo and am always busy. I am looking out the window and the snow covered everything. It snowed for two days and it covered all those big rocks. There is plenty of snow. It seemed like it was ten feet of snow with the wind blowing.

9 February 2004

Heather: Hello, Mother. I tried calling yesterday, but you were out of your room.

Audrey: I’m always out! I go out in the hall. Everything is going along fine.