View from the North 40: Of all the things I still have ...

My grandma developed Alzheimer’s in her early 80s, which isn’t a particularly funny way to start a humor column because, of course, the disease is not funny.

There were moments we could laugh, of course, because that’s what Burkes do, find humor.

Like the time Dad stopped to visit Grandma, his mom, and found her playing cards with another care center resident. He asked them what they were playing and Grandma said, “Gin rummy.” At the same time, her fellow card sharp said, “Pinochle.”

“Oh?” Dad said. Who’s winning?” And they both said, “I am.”

Grandma, who was...