Same old, same old

Dear family and friends,

Did you know that through the Middle Ages and Renaissance and possibly beyond, “friends” was a term for “family”?

Not much to say today. We are leaving for Manhattan soon and our visit to Mt. Sinai this afternoon. Then later this afternoon there is the book party at Jay's home. We'll sleep at 4E tonight. Jay is celebrating the publication, posthumously, of his wife Beverly Jensen's book, Sisters from Hardscrabble Bay, which has already gotten some wonderful reviews, though it has not yet been officially published. It must be a mixed joy, to see Beverly's gifts celebrated—but no Beverly. Her sixteen-year-old daughter Hannah, will be there of course. I am not sure about Jay's son, Noah, who has just graduated from MIT. The writing group has been following the wonderful story of the initial prize and publication of one of her chapters, the enormous support of Stephen King, the person who also helped Ron McLarty (and of course many others we don't know about) through Jay's nurturing the book for months. Now it is here.

The session with the physical therapist went very well: he is pushing me more and more and says I am getting stronger. Still no SPIN in my immediate future, but I can go to the JCC and work on the hand bicycle and other machines—and perhaps take a chair-exercise class. Whoopee! I have missed my friends there. Elaine, Louise, maybe we can meet for coffee?

Lots to do to get ready, dear friends, so I will close now.

Love,
Bernice