more ahead than behind

Surveyors in the West. As always, clock on it to enlarge it and use back arrow to return to the blog.


















Dear family and friends,

This is a photo, one of a set, that an RSNS (Reconstructionist Synagogue of North Shore) friend, Lee, sent. She says they are all over a 100 years old. The sepia is lovely. I'll post these once in a while. Send me your photos!

The highlight yesterday was an iChat with our dear friends Michèle and Raymond. They returned to Rouen a few days ago, after their first trip to the West Coast of the USA, especially to see their friend Lois and revel in the gorgeous scenery of that part of the country—highpoints being San Francisco, the redwood forest, the ocean along Route 1 and the like. They were underimpressed by Ashland where they chose a matinee instead of Hamlet in the evening. I would have been curious about the production, but I suppose I will read about it in due time. We wlll talk with them again soon.

Not much else to report about yesterday. Since we were eating leftovers all day, there was no cooking, except for breakfast French toast made with the leftover panetone cake-bread. It made for an interesting version of French toast. Merwin and I both finished a first run-through of Harvey's recent paper. We are very excited about it.

Today we are packing to go to the City, our first visit to our studio apartment since before March 16th, the day I broke the pubis ramus (pelvis) bone. and tomorrow is a big day: we go to Mount Sinai for the tests that will determine whether or not I will be accepted into the drug trial. I have very mixed feelings about the drug trial. The only drug that has helped—and continues to help—is HU (Hydroxyurea). For me, though not for others, it has minimal side effects. Now tapering down on the prednisone, the itching is becoming a serious matter, able to prevent me from accomplishing much. Because I took a strong pain pill, the first in a few weeks, my body reacted badly: I wanted to do nothing but sleep. Oh, well. Better days are coming. I am looking forward to the City and seeing my friends there. Yay!

Rick found an apartment not too far from where we are in the City. He is amazing—always doing what he sets out to do. We look forward to seeing more of him this summer.

Love to all,
Bernice