Failing synapses -like trying to connect pieces from two different puzzles

When synapses fail, our brains are like pieces from different puzzles mixed together. The individual bits are difficult to connect. 

The stress of our last move numbed our brains before the first box was loaded into the truck. 

I got to the new condo and took one set of keys, and gave my husband the other. A couple of car loads later we couldn't find either set in pants or jacket pockets. Every flat surface was a jumble with no keys in sight. Going back over our steps didn't help-there were too many. Hours later we found one keychain on the porch in a box with a few hangers. The other one "appeared" in my purse, when I finally thought to search there. 

The next day Bill readied for a trip to the bank to deposit the checks from the closing. I'd put them some place "safe" that I  could get to easily. But surrounded by furniture in unfamiliar places and empty drawers I couldn't remember where the safe place was. Stomach drop. Heart palpitations. Hand wringing. Arrow prayer, "Where?" Then I thought, look in the check book. Bingo. Checks belong in a check book. 

Bull says our guardian angels are working overtime this decade. Next decade, they'll need to double the staff. 

We find life in general takes concentrated effort of both of us. Formerly my house-painter husband could change blades in his utility knife while juggling paint brushes and rollers.  But on a recent morning, he struggled unsuccessfully to get all of the parts to fit back together.  After fifteen frustrating minutes I turned to YouTube. Our problem-solving may have turned to mush, but we could imitate the man in the video. 

A little later, we had to change the vacuum bag and filter. What came out wouldn't fit back in. Back to YouTube. 


The photo for our Christmas card is another example. I'd wanted an updated photo since the last one taken four years ago. Our oldest grandson brought his camera and tripod to the mountain house we enjoyed for Thanksgiving. He put newly-learned skills to work to choose the by-the-creek setting with the right light and ambiance. 

We didn't think ahead to have color-coordinated clothes, although my middle grandchild purchased a new shirt for the event. The neutral blues and grey worked fine. Still, the great photo made Bill and I groan. If we'd had a plan, or looked in a mirror, he wouldn't have looked like a blow-up lawn decoration, and I wouldn't have resembled a two-toned orange popsicle. 

While some synapses create strong connections over longer periods of time, others can weaken.  Apparently some of our old synapses of mechanical and spatial events are not the stronger kind.   

I hope scientists somewhere are working on this problem. In the meantime, there are always clap-for-your-key devices and YouTube.