DEMENTIA THE HIC UPS OF MEMORY

It surprises me how inconsistent is memory loss. Sometimes it happens on one day, but on most others it will not be repeated. This is quite useful actually, because it means that with organization one can function almost normally. It also strikes me as odd that the things that one forgets tend to be in the same group or activity. Thus, in my case I have a poor memory for faces and names. The strange thing here is that I have always had a poor memory for names, but when young I had an excellent memory for faces and an amazing memory for conversations. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but I would hate to lose my memory for words and expression and thankfully this has remained. Perhaps it's a question of useage. Because I write every morning, I am exercising this section of my memory to the greatest degree. The one area of memory loss that causes me the most annoyance is when I go into a room and by the time that I get there I have forgotten my intention or objective. However, I do find that with concentration the memory will return. Actually, I am doing very well, considering that I have had dementia for about ten years and I thank God every day for my many blessings.With luck, I will not move into Alzheimer's. The weather here has been extraordinary. Four days ago it dropped to almost freezing overnight and then last night, after a wonderful hot day, the night was barely cool. Today, however it has changed again and the temperature dropped to about 15%. My book of poems is going very well and I will publish before the end of October. I don't expect a great commercial success, but I have discovered that poetry is the greatest way to express ones feelings. The only thing that comes close is music. Dogs are well and waiting for me to take them for a run. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa