Another weekend

Merwin still on the job.

My darling is showing signs of improvement and is looking forward to the possibility of a homecoming by midweek. As do we all. Pain remains an unwelcome companion. Bernice tried to reduce the pain meds to avoid their downside but relented on that approach and now welcomes the relief. She is catching up on her New Yorkers. Among the things I do during my visits is to read chosen NY Times pieces.

Our son Arthur, visiting for a few days from New Hampshire, left for home at 6:30 this morning. His visit was good medicine for both Bernice and myself. On Friday evening another son, Lincoln, joined Arthur and myself in an extended visit with Bernice punctuated with stories and many laughs. Afterward that night us boys continued with a dinner out. Arthur was great help in many ways. Yesterday we went shopping together and he made sure I was adequately provisioned for the coming days and he told me he would prepare dinner for us after our return from the rehab center.

Our visit with Bernice was very pleasant which included Arthur explaining many interesting details of his work which otherwise there would be little time to explore. When Arthur and I arrived home he dove into our dinner preparation. As a starter he steamed artichokes and served these with a delicious garlic butter sauce for dipping. The main course was a flounder fillet. He had to improvise for bread crumbs could not be found and he used corn meal instead. As a total loss as a cook I can attest to the tasty final product but can only describe in outline form what Arthur did to create his culinary offering. He dredged the fish in some kind of egg mixture and I learned this for there appeared on the plate beside the fish a little pancake of cheese and egg. After the egg served it purpose in cooking the fish he added cheese and created little omelets. So, I was the beneficiary of cooking skills learned early on by all our sons under their mother's firm tutelage. Bernice strongly felt that our boys should be dependent on no one and should be thoroughly knowledgeable with how to cook, do their wash, and generally take care of themselves in the home. Harvey, while in med school was asked to cater the wedding dinner for two of his classmates. At age six Bernice started a "Lincoln Cookbook" for our son Lincoln which grew as he learned how to prepare new dishes. All our boys remain skilled cooks.

In addition to cooking, Arthur also used his inventive skills in our home. The shower handle in the master bedroom had been broken and I had not yet come up with a feasible way to repair the door since no replacement parts could be found. Arthur came up with a brilliant yet simple solution and the repair is now done.

I am off for a visit to dear Bernice.

best to all,
Merwin