That is the 64000$ question, Mr. Bond. Beyond physically being nearby, and making conversation when I see her, I don't know. She doesn't ask me about my day - though she knows I did various things - so it feels difficult. Sometimes she'll open a bit more at dinner when d16 is present and talk about her day or some issue.
I think communication is best spoken, but perhaps email (I'll be in the States all of May) can be exploited somehow?
One question is what to talk about, another is when (only at meals? as she is mostly upstairs, though sometimes in the garden, it feels like I am deliberately having to approach her to talk when I go up or out, and so it seems less easy and natural). I do try to ask her about her day, though she is mostly not forthcoming in reply.
Are speech and email the only forms of communication I should use? I've prepped the door that needs repainting, I could scrape an outbuilding wall in preparation for repainting, I made a smoked salmon and broccoli quiche the other day. Flowers got questioned when I sent them last year ("why did you send these?"). My Virginia Woolf's Garden (her literary hero, and my W loves gardening) book present is languishing on the bookshelf. I let her take the car when she asks.
Perhaps I need to set boundaries more, though opportunities have not recently arisen?
Luke
M58, xW54 S22, D18 M 1984, D 2016 Living a new life.
