Way back in February, I posted about how my grandmom’s life is ruled by the TV.
I feel bad that I sometimes use the tube as a babysitter, but it’s not all bad. The TV gives my grandmom’s life a familiar routine, which genuinely seems to comfort her, in addition to maintaining her circadian rhythm. She gets so confused about so much so often that seeing a familiar smiling face, like Jay Leno or Larry King, seems to calm her. Plus, even when she doesn’t really understand what’s going on, she seems to genuinely enjoy certain programs.
But that’s only during the week.
As I mentioned in my last post about TV, the weekend is a confusing time.
Lots of the shows that she normally watches aren’t on. That throws us out of our routine for a good part of the day, which leads to both confusion and boredom.
Sundays are the worst, because on Saturdays, we generally have something of an alternate routine. Many Saturdays, like today, my mom comes over and takes my grandmom to get her hair done. I cherish my 2 hours of having the house to myself, although I’m torn on how to spend it (I want to savor my alone time, but it’s more prudent to spend it doing things I prefer doing without her around, like scrubbing the bathroom).
Then, my mom picks me up and we all go grab a bite to eat.
But we’re home pretty soon, and the fact that there’s not much on TV becomes an issue.
Except at 7pm!
That’s when Lawrence Welk is on!
Full disclosure: I do not like this show. It’s just not my thing. With maybe one exception, the music isn’t really my thing, and, umm….that’s really about all there is to it.
Oh, and the 60s-era fashions and video quality don’t help matters. Nor does the fact that I’ve seen half of the episodes already.
But I am thankful for ol’ Lawrence, since he gives us a sense of order on Saturday evenings. And lately, believe it or not, I’m actually finding myself coming into to watch a segment or two of the show. Especially when Larry Hooper is performing.
(He does more than just country. Comment if you’d like me to post more Larry Hooper vids. Although I have a feeling I’m going to the be the only one who’s even slightly interested in this.)
Filed under: alzheimers, Nana, Random, TV
more larry please. i record every welk show to find his music, but it’s tuff to find. i fast forward the entire show to find him, and if he’s not there i erase and try again the next week. there must be plenty of footage out there.
I am looking for a vid of Larry Hooper doing “That Lucky Old Sun”..Would be cool if you had that and could post it. Thanks.
I think I might have overstated my ability find Larry Hooper videos. Haha, I really don’t have a secret source or anything.
Try searching on YouTube!
It’s all good…just thought I would try…thanks for your page.
I’m twice as old as you and when I was kid Lawrence Welk was on every (Saturday?) night and my grandparents (who were born in the late 1800′s) loved him. Being a child of the 60s and 70s, we of course DESPISED him and made fun of him and his guests all the time. My grandparents would be mesmerized by the TV when Welk or Sullivan (Ed) was on. They even waved to the TV. I’m not sure they got that it only worked one way.
Anyway, as I got older I was able to understand how soothing the Lawrence Welk show must have been for my grandparents who, after surviving WWI, the depression, WWII and the like, were now beseiged by the strange Vietnam-era hippie protest and sex, drugs and rock and roll. How strange it must have been for people who probably thought they had seen (and lived through) it all.
Now that I am older I appreciate welk and his calming effect and feel guilty that we spent so much time making fun of someone who was probably a bright spot in my grandparents’ lives.
I’m glad he’s still making your grandmother happy.
Is there a way to record some of the weekday shows for Sundays?
Best of luck to you and your grandmother. Thanks for your posts.
desparate for more Larry Hooper, particularly This Old House and Ball of Fire.