"Life hands me a journey and says to me, go figure the lessons, look for the
blessings, then share what you find.  This is why I write books.” 

- Virginia McCone

Butterscotch Sundaes, My Mom’s Story of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease has been called the long good-bye.  For my mother it was at least twenty years.  People often ask me how I dealt with this long journey. My response is this: one day at a time, learning new lessons along the way, and thanking God for ordinary blessings like a new doll, an old purse, pink nail polish, a red barn and a Dairy Queen.  This is the book I wished I could have had years ago.  It’s upbeat, personal and has the gift of hope throughout its pages. Butterscotch Sundaes, My Mom’s Story of Alzheimer’s was written in 2001, perfected and published in 2002, released in 2003, and in a second printing in 2004.	Reader Comments “I was touched by the way Virginia so gently and honestly tells her mother’s story.”  Twyla from Richfield, MN “My husband doesn’t read books, but he read Butterscotch Sundaes from cover to cover.”  Bonnie form Minneapolis, MN “I’m a retired family physician.  I read your book in one sitting and I was inspired by it.”  South Haven, MI “I finished reading your book.  You have a spelling error on page 61…”   my neighbor. “I’m the caregiver for my husband who has had this dreaded disease for 8 years.  I have had so many questions but no one seemed to have answers, even though I have read lots of articles on this disease.  Your book had every answer that I needed. Thanks for helping me to understand.” S from Scottsdale, AZ  “I just couldn’t put down your book, Butterscotch Sundaes.  I laughed, cried, and felt like I was there with you.”  Caregiver from Tracy, MN “Your book was inspirational, and it gave me the insight to accept my mother’s disease.”  North St. Paul, MN “I’m a nurse at a Lutheran Care Center. Thanks for sharing your positive and uplifting story.”  RN from Milwaukee, WI “My mother-in-law has symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and my wife appreciates a book with a woman’s perspective.”  Cottage Grove, MN “I read your book a couple of years ago and your story of your journey touched me then, but it will be therapeutic for me to read it a second time, now that my own mother suffers with this horrible disease.”  Karen from Alexandria, MN “A wonderful mother-daughter story…rarer than anything you can imagine.”  Professor University of Minnesota

Come Visit Me
Come Visit Me was written with tears in 2004 because of the heartache of seeing so many residents at the care center without visits from family or friends. It was perfected in 2005 and published in 2006.  This little “how to visit” book can teach the reader what to say and what to do.  It’s perfect for visiting at hospitals, memory cottages, assisted livings, and care centers. Many folks have used this little book to discover the joy of visiting someone who needs their regular visits.	User Comments “I am currently volunteering at a retirement home being a companion to a memory care patient.  I found your book, Come Visit Me, very helpful.” D from Gig Harbor, WA “A friend told me about your book, Come Visit Me.  I need some helpful suggestions on how to stay connected to my husband now that he’s in a memory care unit.”  Fairfax, MN “I wish to order two copies of Come Visit Me, one for my Pastor and one for the church visitation committee chair person.”  Barb from St. Paul, MN “I need ten copies of Come Visit Me, to use as training copies for my hospice volunteers.”  V. from Seattle, WA “Your book, Come Visit Me, has validated to me the reason I am a nurse…to help someone along the journey.  It reinforced to me that whenever I spend time each day talking to our residents, holding their hands, sharing their pictures with them, it matters.” RN from Milwaukee, WI “Thank you for writing this book.  I appreciate the chapter on suggestions for visiting someone who is comatose.  My father-in-law is in that stage now.  It was enlightening for me. “  C from St. Paul, MN “Finally, we have a practical guidebook that offers hope for rekindling the lost art of visiting people.” Chaplain for a Care Center.     If you are a Caregiver, professional or home based,  you may be interested in knowing about the Alzheimer’s section in my book Come Visit Me. Pages 85-119 are filled with practical suggestions of what to say and what to do when caring for an Alzheimer’s person.