New activity – Photo Exhibit – DEMENTIA

Every so often a painting or photo exhibit comes around that is unlike anything we have seen before. That is the case with “Portraits of Dementia” at the Irving Art Center.

We went to the Art Center expecting maybe 6 or 7 photos but instead we were confronted with an entire gallery of photos and stories, all of which were eye opening and heart breaking. We learned that Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not two totally different conditions, but that Alzheimer’s is at the top of the ladder under the umbrella of Dementia. We were also surprised and dismayed at how many people highlighted in this exhibit had gotten the disease early, some as early as their 20s or 30s. Dementia didn’t discriminate by intelligence (quite a few of the people portrayed were highly intelligent and at the top of their respective fields) or give a break to people who had lived through horrible ordeals (the Holocaust and Japanese internment camps to name two). There were stats on what groups had a higher incidence of Dementia and that only 1 in 4 people with the disease are diagnosed. Also heartbreaking was reading about the stigma and abandonment they suffer while they are still functioning human beings.

All told, it was a very worthwhile experience, albeit very upsetting.

New Dish – DIM SUM at Bushi Bushi

We didn’t want to leave our “D” month without trying some Dim Sum – so we chose Bushi Bushi in Frisco. Why? Well, it was all about the name. Growing up we made up the word “bushkie” as a form of sisterly endearment, and then later applied it to our little ones. So bushi is close enough to bushkie to have qualified for a visit. And we’re glad we chose it. There were no carts being wheeled around; here you order using a paper menu and pencil. Our waiter Michael was so friendly and helpful and explained that bushi bushi means fresh small bites. We decided our small bites would be the scallion pancakes, the pork soup dumplings and the crispy shrimp balls with a tasty red sauce. Delicious!