Bizarre but Never Boring

Cody was full of piss and vinegar when he got off the day program van today. (Click here if you're wondering what being full of piss and vinegar means.) First of all, he tried to tell me something about rain (by the way, it's 81 degrees here and not a cloud in the sky). I asked, "What are you talking about Code?" and he replied by humming, in perfect pitch, 'Here Comes the Rain Again'.

After I guessed what Cody was humming, he hurried into the kitchen and started searching for something. (Remember, Cody is blind as well as autistic, so when I say "searching", he's frantically feeling things with his hands). I asked "What are you looking for?" as Cody scurried around opening the dishwasher and various drawers, and putting fingerprints all over the window Don cleaned yesterday.

Finally, Cody found a cupboard. He opened it, then shut it and headed back to the living room. Confused, as I often am when it comes to Cody's 'Guess what I'm trying to say because I sure as hell will not just come right out and tell you' conversations. I asked, "What does opening and closing the cupboard remind you of?" and this is what he gave me people..."When I was a kid, we listened to ELO and you said something about a cupboard."

If Cody says that's what happened, then I believe him. His autistic memory, as bizarre and unpredictable as it seems, is precise and detailed.

Speaking of bizarre and unpredictable, what came out of Cody's mouth next was probably the best oxymoron I've ever heard. He said...

"That reminds me of something that I don't remember."

See, I told you it was a good one. :)

Now, if you feel so inclined, you can watch this YouTube video and listen to the crappy music that Cody is so passionate about.

Stephen Wiltshire/ Autism Means Art

This is just one of many YouTube videos about Stephen Wiltshire, an autistic artist with the extraordinary ability to draw detailed cityscapes from memory.

If you haven't heard of him and his remarkable abilities, prepare to be amazed.

 


April is Autism Awareness Month and tomorrow, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day. Show your support and raise awareness by Lighting Up Blue . For more information, click here .

Dinner-in-a-Pumpkin Drama

Every October, when I fix Dinner-in-a-Pumpkin for my family, I think about the first time I ever made it.


About fifteen years ago, I was a member of a women's group that met once a month for dinner, crafts and conversation. I was serving on the food committee and one of our members threw out the idea of serving Dinner-in-a-Pumpkin for the month of October. My responsibility was to find women who would volunteer to cook the dish in their homes, provided I supply the recipe and the pumpkins.


Several ladies came forward to help, but one woman, in particular, stands out in my mind. Gayla. Read on and you will understand.


Gayla told me she'd be happy to help, so I delivered the pumpkin, along with the recipe, to her home and left them with her teenage daughter. Later that evening, I received a phone call from Gayla informing me that the pumpkin was "just too big" (each pumpkin was 5 lbs). So, humoring her, I said I would be happy to come by the next day and exchange pumpkins. She said she would not be home, but she would leave the (apparently humongous) pumpkin on her doorstep for me to swap with a smaller one.


The next day, the phone rang and it was Gayla on the other end, letting me know that the pumpkin was the "wrong type" and she refused to make the dish in it. (Bare in mind that the other lady volunteers had the same size and type of pumpkins and were OKAY with it.)

Time was running out. The event was that very night and clearly I was getting nowhere with Gayla. However, she was doing a terrific job of getting out of her assignment as well as making me feel like sh*t.

Exasperated, I told Gayla that I would cook her pumpkin. I mean, why not? I was already cooking one. Surely I could squeeze another pumpkin in my oven (insert eye roll here)?! Gayla didn't hang up before reminding me, one more time, that the dinner was not going to taste good using the "wrong type" of pumpkin. 


That evening, Sharon, a dear friend of mine who also served on the food committee and had lent a listening ear when I needed to vent, informed/warned me that Gayla had arrived. We were surprised she had the audacity to show up,  but surprised isn't the word I'd use to describe how we felt when Gayla was the first one in line for food! I. Kid. You. Not.

Anyway, with that memory shared, here is my Dinner-in-a-Pumpkin recipe...

1 and 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1/4 c. chopped  celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 tea. salt

Cook together until celery and onion are tender.

1 (5 lb) pumpkin
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 TBS. brown sugar
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cups hot cooked rice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 10 inch circle in center of baking sheet. Set aside.

Prepare pumpkin by removing seeds and pulp.

Combine ground beef mixture, soy sauce, mushrooms, soups and rice in pan or large bowl. Spoon into pumpkin. Replace top of pumpkin and bake on prepared baking sheet.

Check pumpkin after 1 hour. Continue baking until pumpkin is tender when pierced with fork.

When serving, dish out pumpkin with the casserole.

Recipe will feed 6-8 people

What Do Cody and Chris Farley Have in Common?

Like many individuals with autism, Cody has an amazing memory. Not only can Cody remember people, but he remembers places and circumstances from as far back as infancy.

Recently Cody said to me, "Remember playing with Phyllis? She did Eency Weency Spider and Hickory Dickory Dock. Then she made me crawl." Phyllis was an employee from the school for the blind who made weekly visits to our home after Cody was born. Her job was to teach me how to teach Cody important things that a typical baby learns by sight; such as eating, crawling, and even how to play. Phyllis worked with Cody and me until Cody was four years old, then our family moved to another state. We haven't seen her since, but Cody recalls things about Phyllis as if we just saw her yesterday. It's mind boggling really.

Not only does Cody have an amazing memory, but he remembers in great detail. For instance, he can tell you exactly where he was and what he was doing during specific occasions. 

Multiple times a day, Cody will ask, "Remember...?" And, if you don't remember (heaven forbid), he will say, "How come your memory is not as good as mine?" or "Mannn, I wish your memory was as good as mine."

Cody's trips down memory lane often make me think of the Chris Farley Show on SNL. As Cody would say, "Remember him?"

Life Is Random, So Am I

...should be Cody's motto. He has such odd, yet concrete moments of recollection.

Cody and I were watching old Sesame Street programs on Netflix and when the following segment came on, this is what he said... "When we were watching this in Eugene, your nose was itching...member?



Then he asked me, "How come your memory is not as good as mine?" when I told him I didn't remember.

We lived in Oregon over sixteen years ago and Cody knows where I was and what I was doing when this particular episode came on television.

That, my friends, is autism at its finest. :)

11 Reasons to Exercise

Maybe if I write a list, I'll read it once in awhile and stay inspired? Here is some information I found in Prevention Magazine:

11- Heart Pumping increases blood flow to the brain- helping with multi-tasking, planning and memory.

10- It reduces pain and stiffness. It releases endorphins- the body's natural pain reliever.

9- You think more clearly, get more done and interact more effectively with others.

8- It increases blood flow to all areas of the body.

7- It thwarts off gum disease.

6- It boosts your immune system.

5- It helps with sleep patterns.

4- It is good for your eyes.

3- It increases energy and reduces fatigue.

2- It adds strength to your bones.

And, my number 1 reason to exercise...

My Crazy Family