Dear family and friends,
As planned, Bill taught me how to get into my bed. It's amazing what a few key moves will do. The main thing is to use a stool to raise the good left leg, then hook the good left foot under the ankle of the right foot (that move supports the bad leg and hip) and use the leverage of the good one to lift the right leg. It's a bit difficult, and though I tried it 3x under Bil's supervision and Merwin's watchful eye, none of us felt that I would be able to do it on my own safely. Yet this morning, after a few false moves, I did do it all my myself. There is nothing like determination and a will to proceed. I am happy I can work through the pain—and thankful that sitting here, typing, I feel no pain. Bill keeps on telling me that this is one of the most painful breaks. Yes, I know, I think to myself, but does it do me any good to hear about it?
The outdoor cycle continues apace: tree after tree comes into full bloom, then fades. Our neighbor Ricky trimmed his cherry tree, and Laury, who visited in the morning, brought in a large bunch of twigs. They will be a delight for a few days. Later in the day Phe visited and though we have know each other for over 50 years, it seems we had much in our pasts to catch up on. A great pleasure.
We spoke briefly to Lee and Murray; our daughter-in-law Sandy was on her way there as we spoke. This is a hard time, the end game. We pray for a peaceful conclusion.
My splendid librarian friends came through for me big time. I think I will soon have on hand every remaining reference I need for At Sea. I am going to suggest to the new editor of SQ that perhaps certain 19th century materials be made available on their website. Jay at NYPL found the 1825 essay I was looking for in the London Magazine, the first detailed discussion of the then newly discovered Q1 Hamlet (1603) and managed to email the pages. Isn't technology wonderful! Google books and other resources did not have this journal, but Jay found it and xeroxed the pages. David at NCC got from Google Books some pages I need and will send them. Alicia has 2 books for me at ILL. Someone will pick them up soon.
Now that I can get into the bed, and will soon try remaining in my bedroom all night, I can ask Merwin to move the work table in my study back into the center, so I can work on the next projects, mainly Measure for Measure and hamletworks.org.
It's a good time for me, and I hope for all of you too.
Love,
Bernice
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Progress continues
Dear family and friends,
Above is a photo of Jesús and me before he returned to Spain on Monday afternoon. I am wearing a U of Valencia shirt he gave me some years ago: ser o no ser: To be or not to be, a challenge to students to make of themselves what they want to become. How sweet it is to be with dear friends and to have a photo memory. We should have a camera so we could take photos of all kinds of things and people. Merwin snapped this photo in my study, which has become our bedroom since my fall 22 days ago.
Yesterday I had an outing to Annie Nails to get a much-needed manicure, due two weeks ago. We decided not to use the wheelie for the few steps from the car to the little shop, but I have to say it was hard to accomplish. I cannot walk well enough with just a hand on Merwin's arm. But once I was in the shop everything was fine. Someone on each side would still be needed now, though I expect to do better in a few days. Every day there seems to be progress in strength, but the pain remains without much change at all; I am still taking a lot of pain meds, but not as much as at the beginning: I am trying to bear with it. While I was at the shop, Merwin went off for his brisk walk at the beach. The photo on the upper right shows Jesús and Merwin sitting on a bench at the end of the beach.
After Merwin picked me up at the shop we took a little ride down to the beach, where we noticed with great interest that the sidewalk that had caused my fall had been repaired beautifully. Below is the "before" picture. Hey! I am getting pretty good at this photo-attachment stuff! Amazing.
Did I mention that a lawyer from the building landlord phoned me last week and wanted to interview me and see my medical records? That's when I asked Dave to take the photos: and we asked Rabbi Lee about a lawyer for our interests.
So I guess we are starting this process of figuring out what to do, an exploration. We are not litigious sorts usually.
Yesterday afternoon, the lawyer we contacted came to see us. He's another man named "Bill." We seem to have many of them these days. My main gripe is that the fall kept me from the Shakespeare conference where we were to settle so many things about our website. There is really no way to replace the time we would have had together in private face-to-face meetings. Phone and email are just not enough. I feel I should be compensated for that loss of time on the Hamlet work, especially since time is so iffy for me.
Speaking of which, I began the prednisone taper, which I may have mentioned yesterday. I felt the difference immediately: more fatigue. The prednisone gives me an upper. Going without it is perhaps not a downer, but puts me into my usual myelo proliferative state. Joanna, the PT from my hem's office, called to check that I had continued with the taper. I will call her if the fatigue gets to be too much. What's too much? Wanting always to lie down, not being able to work. You must know that not being able to work is just not acceptable.
Big change today. I have not needed Merwin's help during the night for several days now, so I suggested that he return to his bed upstairs. I have a whistle I can blow if I need him. He did that, so (1) I can turn on the light in the middle of the night when I am awake, and (2) we can each sleep without disturbing each other. That worked, so today the sleep-couch will be closed up and become a couch again. I will remain on the La-Z-Boy recliner in the study until I get Bill, the Visiting Nurse who will be here this afternoon, to show me how to get into my bed. Can't turn yet, or twist. Because Merwin and I both sleep so erratically, we have used separate bedrooms for the last few years.
And of course the work continues, slowly, slowly. But I'll write about that another time.
Love to all,
Bernice
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Chugging right along!
Dear family and friends,
Just as I was about to sit down and write my blog yesterday, the electricity went off and stayed off for an hour. Since Jesús was here, and we had work to do together, the time for the blog just slipped away. I wish I could convey the beautiful feeling of being with someone well loved, as Jesús is by both Merwin and me, and also the special joy that comes from working together on projects that are meaningful to us both and to the Shakespeare community at large. Then I have to wonder: will we see Jesús again here? I had my first long ride in the car on Sunday to pick Jesús up at Islip, and then on Monday I had an even longer one to take Jesús to JFK. Each time it got easier. I think I am getting the hang of what I have to do to maneuver myself into the seat without stressing the pelvis. So today, instead of having Amy come here to do my nails, as I expected I would need her to do, I think I will go there, just a quarter of a mile away. With Merwin's help I will get in the car and out of it and into the shop, then back into the car and home. With my wheelie, I know I can do it, and looking ridiculous on the main street of Glen Head is OK with me.
For dinner Sunday, I made a lovely beef stew, with wine from Trader Joe's. It is quite good for drinking too. I made myself a vegetarian version of the stew. Both will return for supper tonight, I think. For breakfast, we had gefrüschte matzoh again, except Merwin has given up on it because it makes him sick, literally. Delicious, but deadly. For lunch I was going to make a new recipe derived from the cookbook "Southern Fried Matzah" (you'll notice that there are lots of ways to spell matzo), but the time slipped by and I had to make something faster. This is a variation of the basic blintzes recipe but without the blini. I mixed together no-salt-added farmers' cheese and egg, one package of cheese and one egg per person. I layered a loaf pan with sliced fresh apples and covered them with the cheese mixture. I would ordinarily bake this quantity at 450 for almost an hour. I pushed it to 500 because I was late getting started. It was delicious. The cheese had a brown crust at the top and sides (I don't grease the pan) and was semi-firm underneath, the apples were soft but still had shape, and by the way, the special apples from Lee and Henry were delicious prepared this way. Merwin likes some jam with his portion; Jesús and I liked it as it was.
The idea from the cookbook is intriguing. You make the blini mix, and spread half of it in a buttered pan. Carefully spread the cheese mix on top of the blini mix. You would have to be very careful to make sure the cheese didn't impinge on the blini layer. Then you cover with an additional layer of the blini mix and bake for about an hour at 450.
We are blessed with our sons, as most of you know. Yesterday Dave sprayed our trees (which he selected and planted some years ago) with milk mixed with a few other ingredients. He believes in organic gardening. He helped Merwin move the worm box outdoors. It's been in the cellar some months; they seem to be doing OK. Dave also helped Merwin with some TV and computer problems. And Dave also did some shopping, locating the apple butter that is an indispensable ingredient of my vinaigrette salad dressing.
We also heard from Harvey and Arthur. Harvey had a flood in his house that required him and Sandy to make trip after trip to the dump to throw away soggy things, including carpeting. The sad part is that he had to throw away the records of his earliest research: slides, reports, and the like. Of course the fruit of that work remains intact in published papers and in medical practice, but there goes the history. Arthur called while his daughter, Sabrina, was visiting him and his wife Debbie and mother-in-law Dorothy in New Hampshire, so we had a chance to talk to her also about her work. She is working in Boston, using her B.S. degree in chemistry (my father had an MS in chemistry; Laura our oldest granddaughter is working on a PhD in organic chem at Boston U). All our grandchildren are post undergrad age. Sigh.
Towards the end of the evening, Laury came for a brief visit. We didn't work for once, just talked about what was on our minds and about the Shakespeare Conference. Her seminar went well, and she is glad she went even though she was there barely 24 hours. She and I will start working again on Measure for Measure soon. I also had the pleasure of making her a little snack, a hamburger with a matzo roll with applesauce on the side. Not only do I enjoy cooking but also feeding the people I love.
I am beginning to turn a little onto my right side a couple of inches when I am lying in my glider. I consider this a good sign that I will be more mobile soon. It would be a relief not to always have to lie on my back.
We've already heard from Jesús that he had a wonderful greeting from his children, who were still in pjs at breakfast this morning when he arrived. While he was here, we saw many delightful minutes of videotape of the family, especially the children. They remember well their visit here. And we spoke briefly to Carme, his 9-year-old daughter, when his wife Xelo phoned. Pau has been away all weekend visiting a friend, leaving mother and daughter to enjoy mother-and-daughter-things. Lucky family. We also saw what we have heard about for a long time: Jesús playing in a wind band. I thought it was a casual group, but this is a huge orchestra, and the occsaion was a big community concert, crowded with folks from his village and nearby villages.
It's a gray day today, but I look forward to good progress on all fronts.
Love,
Bernice
Just as I was about to sit down and write my blog yesterday, the electricity went off and stayed off for an hour. Since Jesús was here, and we had work to do together, the time for the blog just slipped away. I wish I could convey the beautiful feeling of being with someone well loved, as Jesús is by both Merwin and me, and also the special joy that comes from working together on projects that are meaningful to us both and to the Shakespeare community at large. Then I have to wonder: will we see Jesús again here? I had my first long ride in the car on Sunday to pick Jesús up at Islip, and then on Monday I had an even longer one to take Jesús to JFK. Each time it got easier. I think I am getting the hang of what I have to do to maneuver myself into the seat without stressing the pelvis. So today, instead of having Amy come here to do my nails, as I expected I would need her to do, I think I will go there, just a quarter of a mile away. With Merwin's help I will get in the car and out of it and into the shop, then back into the car and home. With my wheelie, I know I can do it, and looking ridiculous on the main street of Glen Head is OK with me.
For dinner Sunday, I made a lovely beef stew, with wine from Trader Joe's. It is quite good for drinking too. I made myself a vegetarian version of the stew. Both will return for supper tonight, I think. For breakfast, we had gefrüschte matzoh again, except Merwin has given up on it because it makes him sick, literally. Delicious, but deadly. For lunch I was going to make a new recipe derived from the cookbook "Southern Fried Matzah" (you'll notice that there are lots of ways to spell matzo), but the time slipped by and I had to make something faster. This is a variation of the basic blintzes recipe but without the blini. I mixed together no-salt-added farmers' cheese and egg, one package of cheese and one egg per person. I layered a loaf pan with sliced fresh apples and covered them with the cheese mixture. I would ordinarily bake this quantity at 450 for almost an hour. I pushed it to 500 because I was late getting started. It was delicious. The cheese had a brown crust at the top and sides (I don't grease the pan) and was semi-firm underneath, the apples were soft but still had shape, and by the way, the special apples from Lee and Henry were delicious prepared this way. Merwin likes some jam with his portion; Jesús and I liked it as it was.
The idea from the cookbook is intriguing. You make the blini mix, and spread half of it in a buttered pan. Carefully spread the cheese mix on top of the blini mix. You would have to be very careful to make sure the cheese didn't impinge on the blini layer. Then you cover with an additional layer of the blini mix and bake for about an hour at 450.
We are blessed with our sons, as most of you know. Yesterday Dave sprayed our trees (which he selected and planted some years ago) with milk mixed with a few other ingredients. He believes in organic gardening. He helped Merwin move the worm box outdoors. It's been in the cellar some months; they seem to be doing OK. Dave also helped Merwin with some TV and computer problems. And Dave also did some shopping, locating the apple butter that is an indispensable ingredient of my vinaigrette salad dressing.
We also heard from Harvey and Arthur. Harvey had a flood in his house that required him and Sandy to make trip after trip to the dump to throw away soggy things, including carpeting. The sad part is that he had to throw away the records of his earliest research: slides, reports, and the like. Of course the fruit of that work remains intact in published papers and in medical practice, but there goes the history. Arthur called while his daughter, Sabrina, was visiting him and his wife Debbie and mother-in-law Dorothy in New Hampshire, so we had a chance to talk to her also about her work. She is working in Boston, using her B.S. degree in chemistry (my father had an MS in chemistry; Laura our oldest granddaughter is working on a PhD in organic chem at Boston U). All our grandchildren are post undergrad age. Sigh.
Towards the end of the evening, Laury came for a brief visit. We didn't work for once, just talked about what was on our minds and about the Shakespeare Conference. Her seminar went well, and she is glad she went even though she was there barely 24 hours. She and I will start working again on Measure for Measure soon. I also had the pleasure of making her a little snack, a hamburger with a matzo roll with applesauce on the side. Not only do I enjoy cooking but also feeding the people I love.
I am beginning to turn a little onto my right side a couple of inches when I am lying in my glider. I consider this a good sign that I will be more mobile soon. It would be a relief not to always have to lie on my back.
We've already heard from Jesús that he had a wonderful greeting from his children, who were still in pjs at breakfast this morning when he arrived. While he was here, we saw many delightful minutes of videotape of the family, especially the children. They remember well their visit here. And we spoke briefly to Carme, his 9-year-old daughter, when his wife Xelo phoned. Pau has been away all weekend visiting a friend, leaving mother and daughter to enjoy mother-and-daughter-things. Lucky family. We also saw what we have heard about for a long time: Jesús playing in a wind band. I thought it was a casual group, but this is a huge orchestra, and the occsaion was a big community concert, crowded with folks from his village and nearby villages.
It's a gray day today, but I look forward to good progress on all fronts.
Love,
Bernice
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Feasts for the eyes
Dear family and friends,
I am feasting my eyes on a gorgeous orchid, advertised as "easy to care for." Huh. That's easy for people with green thumbs to say. It has three magnificent vivid fuchsia blooms and many burgeoning buds. How nice it would be to keep this gift from Sophie and Brendan going! I will try. Advice appreciated. Sophie has told me that I should water it rarely, only once a month.
I quickly disposed of Toby's lovely primroses by over-watering. Phe's delicate pansies are still intact. Sandy's bouquet of cut flowers from 16 days ago still has a few blooms going.
Then there is the outside! I appreciate these inside flowers because I am not spending much time outdoors. But I also enjoy seeing the outside blooms: the three times risen-from-the-dead magnolia is now in bloom, as are miniature daffodils, full-size daffodils, a fruit tree, and many others. I can see many of these from the windows. I am going to get outside more. I can easily walk to the deck off my study. But I can also ride in the car now too. We went yesterday evening to Sea Cliff beach and relished the view across the sun-glistened water. We didn't try getting out of the car and using the walker there. I will wait for a few more practice sessions. I look pretty weird trying to get myself into the car. Lifting the right leg is painful, so I have to lie back and raise my knees. It has to be seen to be believed. Luckily for me I don't care about appearances very much. I could tell you tales of me in "I don't care who's looking" mode. Someday, in person.
Speaking of in person, I am very comfortable with visits from friends these days. Call before, because I could be out!
Obviously, I am enjoying my cooking, so food is not a problem and hasn't been since about day 2 when I could roll my way to the stove to make an omelet. Last night I tried a Passover version of pasta with parsley pesto. One buys a huge bunch of parsley for the Seder plate , so the pesto was a good way to use up the bunch. Not bad. But basil pesto is ever-so--much better. And real noodles are better than Passover noodles. I Googled "parsley pesto" and then chose ingredients I had on hand from among the many recipes.
Happy Easter to all my friends, family and acquaintances who celebrate this holiday in any way whatsoever. Happy Egg hunting if that's part of your festivities. It's a gorgeous day here: hope it's so for you too in every way.
And love to all,
Bernice
I am feasting my eyes on a gorgeous orchid, advertised as "easy to care for." Huh. That's easy for people with green thumbs to say. It has three magnificent vivid fuchsia blooms and many burgeoning buds. How nice it would be to keep this gift from Sophie and Brendan going! I will try. Advice appreciated. Sophie has told me that I should water it rarely, only once a month.
I quickly disposed of Toby's lovely primroses by over-watering. Phe's delicate pansies are still intact. Sandy's bouquet of cut flowers from 16 days ago still has a few blooms going.
Then there is the outside! I appreciate these inside flowers because I am not spending much time outdoors. But I also enjoy seeing the outside blooms: the three times risen-from-the-dead magnolia is now in bloom, as are miniature daffodils, full-size daffodils, a fruit tree, and many others. I can see many of these from the windows. I am going to get outside more. I can easily walk to the deck off my study. But I can also ride in the car now too. We went yesterday evening to Sea Cliff beach and relished the view across the sun-glistened water. We didn't try getting out of the car and using the walker there. I will wait for a few more practice sessions. I look pretty weird trying to get myself into the car. Lifting the right leg is painful, so I have to lie back and raise my knees. It has to be seen to be believed. Luckily for me I don't care about appearances very much. I could tell you tales of me in "I don't care who's looking" mode. Someday, in person.
Speaking of in person, I am very comfortable with visits from friends these days. Call before, because I could be out!
Obviously, I am enjoying my cooking, so food is not a problem and hasn't been since about day 2 when I could roll my way to the stove to make an omelet. Last night I tried a Passover version of pasta with parsley pesto. One buys a huge bunch of parsley for the Seder plate , so the pesto was a good way to use up the bunch. Not bad. But basil pesto is ever-so--much better. And real noodles are better than Passover noodles. I Googled "parsley pesto" and then chose ingredients I had on hand from among the many recipes.
Happy Easter to all my friends, family and acquaintances who celebrate this holiday in any way whatsoever. Happy Egg hunting if that's part of your festivities. It's a gorgeous day here: hope it's so for you too in every way.
And love to all,
Bernice
Friday, April 2, 2010
What goes around cmes around
Dear family and friends,
Continuing the story of our neighbors Ann and Bud: After reading my blog yesterday, Dave wrote me: "i saw him in north shore farms, just a few days ago... in our final conversation, there, near the soups, he wanted to inform me that you made the best pecan pie he had ever had. I told him about what had happened to you and suggested that you would be cheered up if he and ann would wish you well."
So Dave instigated their rare show of concern for me just as he had, in a sense, set off the problem. The short story from my perspective: while I was at the Folger Library in Washington, DC, Ann in her car ran into and damaged the open door of my car. It was parked on our narrow street, and Dave had opened the door, he said, several minutes before Ann drove by: he was gathering stuff to bring into the house. Ann said he opened the door just AS she was driving by, thus causing her to drive into the door. With his engineer's eye Merwin decided that the event must have been as Dave described it: the damage matched his story. Nevertheless, Merwin decided not to inform me of this accident and also decided to take the entire blame for it: pay for the damage to our car and pay for any damage to her car, which it turned out was not damaged. When I returned home from the Folger and found out what had happened, I rushed over to apologize to Ann for the trouble. As days went by, though, it became increasingly clear that Ann was angry at all of us. I could not understand it, but her scowls when she saw me approach led me to say OK, "waves from afar only." And pretty much it has remained that way in the 10 years or so since that incident.
Ann had meant a great deal to me; she was a role model, whose way of dealing with, for example, a troubled young boy who lived across the street, inspired me. His home life was not good; he always looked bitter and unhappy, but Ann would call him over, treat him to her bright smile and give him a look that said, "You are worthwhile; you are special." He glowed in her affection—nothing she said, just the way she looked at him and brightened when she saw him. When a neighborhood teen-aged girl in a car hit a boy on a bicycle, many of us gathered around the boy to comfort him, to cover him with blankets, and hold his hand while we waited for the ambulance. Ann was the only one who thought to turn to the young driver and put her arms around her to comfort her, standing there amazed and bereft. So understanding that Ann had clay feet, that she could be small and mean, was a lesson for me.
Take the good and leave the bad.
Sophie came over bearing large amounts of cut-up fruit, eager to do anything we needed. We talked for a couple of hours about her work as a grad student and my experience as a Shakespearean. She is doing so very well. Merwin is always amazed that I have so much to talk about with various people: daily long phone calls with my sister when she was alive and similar intense discussions with several others are a mainstay of my life. But I also enjoy the quick and casual encounters I have with so many people I am fond of—and think I know.
I had my second foray into the car. It was more difficult without Bill to coach me into position, but I made it. We went to the beach and I sat in the car listening to NPR and watching the water and people while Merwin went for his vigorous walk. There is always so much for him to do that he has to be especially careful to take the time to exercise. Mel and Viv came to the window to say hello. Mel spoke of how it had happened with Bud with tears in his eyes. They had been friends since 1955. But we all agreed that it was a great way to go; no illness, just a sudden heart attack, right there at the beach.
And I continue to work on hamletworks.org., cook, make meals, read, watch the news, and all the other good things that make my day. Bill Moyers was especially moving last night.
We went to bed late. I notice I am taking fewer pain pills, but I am also more aware of the pain. I have to be careful not to make a bad move.
Another sunny day today.
Love to all,
Bernice
Continuing the story of our neighbors Ann and Bud: After reading my blog yesterday, Dave wrote me: "i saw him in north shore farms, just a few days ago... in our final conversation, there, near the soups, he wanted to inform me that you made the best pecan pie he had ever had. I told him about what had happened to you and suggested that you would be cheered up if he and ann would wish you well."
So Dave instigated their rare show of concern for me just as he had, in a sense, set off the problem. The short story from my perspective: while I was at the Folger Library in Washington, DC, Ann in her car ran into and damaged the open door of my car. It was parked on our narrow street, and Dave had opened the door, he said, several minutes before Ann drove by: he was gathering stuff to bring into the house. Ann said he opened the door just AS she was driving by, thus causing her to drive into the door. With his engineer's eye Merwin decided that the event must have been as Dave described it: the damage matched his story. Nevertheless, Merwin decided not to inform me of this accident and also decided to take the entire blame for it: pay for the damage to our car and pay for any damage to her car, which it turned out was not damaged. When I returned home from the Folger and found out what had happened, I rushed over to apologize to Ann for the trouble. As days went by, though, it became increasingly clear that Ann was angry at all of us. I could not understand it, but her scowls when she saw me approach led me to say OK, "waves from afar only." And pretty much it has remained that way in the 10 years or so since that incident.
Ann had meant a great deal to me; she was a role model, whose way of dealing with, for example, a troubled young boy who lived across the street, inspired me. His home life was not good; he always looked bitter and unhappy, but Ann would call him over, treat him to her bright smile and give him a look that said, "You are worthwhile; you are special." He glowed in her affection—nothing she said, just the way she looked at him and brightened when she saw him. When a neighborhood teen-aged girl in a car hit a boy on a bicycle, many of us gathered around the boy to comfort him, to cover him with blankets, and hold his hand while we waited for the ambulance. Ann was the only one who thought to turn to the young driver and put her arms around her to comfort her, standing there amazed and bereft. So understanding that Ann had clay feet, that she could be small and mean, was a lesson for me.
Take the good and leave the bad.
Sophie came over bearing large amounts of cut-up fruit, eager to do anything we needed. We talked for a couple of hours about her work as a grad student and my experience as a Shakespearean. She is doing so very well. Merwin is always amazed that I have so much to talk about with various people: daily long phone calls with my sister when she was alive and similar intense discussions with several others are a mainstay of my life. But I also enjoy the quick and casual encounters I have with so many people I am fond of—and think I know.
I had my second foray into the car. It was more difficult without Bill to coach me into position, but I made it. We went to the beach and I sat in the car listening to NPR and watching the water and people while Merwin went for his vigorous walk. There is always so much for him to do that he has to be especially careful to take the time to exercise. Mel and Viv came to the window to say hello. Mel spoke of how it had happened with Bud with tears in his eyes. They had been friends since 1955. But we all agreed that it was a great way to go; no illness, just a sudden heart attack, right there at the beach.
And I continue to work on hamletworks.org., cook, make meals, read, watch the news, and all the other good things that make my day. Bill Moyers was especially moving last night.
We went to bed late. I notice I am taking fewer pain pills, but I am also more aware of the pain. I have to be careful not to make a bad move.
Another sunny day today.
Love to all,
Bernice
A lovely chat
Dear family and friends,
A lovely chat with our dear French friends the Willemses was a highlight of the day: I think we spoke for over an hour, via iChat, after an initial failure of our server. We heard a lot about the conference where she read my paper for me. The affair, with its superb coordination by Sarah and Nathalie, sounded wonderfully congenial.
The Interlibrary Loan librarian, David, phoned me to get some information about books I had ordered. In the process, he led me through the NCC library's Internet system, which has more riches than I would have thought possible for a community college. Since retiring 10 years ago, I have not kept up with the advances they have introduced. They have JSTOR for example, which provides whole journal articles on the web. I found one I needed, did a screen capture of the pages I wanted to quote, then printed them. Neat. Merwin urged me t write down immediately all the steps involved in accessing databases, but of course by the time I got to it I was good with step 1 and 3 but didn't know how to do step 2. I'll confer with the librarian later today to fill in the gap.
Speaking of David, our David came over and replaced light bulbs and in general answered technical questions here and there. He is going to change my email program as soon as he can figure out how to transfer everything without pain.
I made potato latkes as planned: First I grated 2 apples mixing in juice of a half lemon, and cooked this until it was good applesauce consistency. Without cleaning out the Cuisinart, I grated 2 red-skinned potatoes (not as good as Yukon Gold) with a tiny bit of an onion, and a little squeeze of lemon juice, because these potatoes can darken, plus 2 eggs. I fried in canola oil and served with the apple sauce (cooled by placing he bowl in the freezer) and sour cream. Yum. Merwin ate very little because he had had his big meal at mid-day, and he can eat only one big meal a day. Me, I can eat big meals at all three, and in between as well. I am still gaining weight. I would like to believe that prednisone is giving me this appetite and weight gain, but only time will tell. I refuse to worry about it. I have spent too much of my life dealing with weight.
The Passover rolls came out even better than the first time. They toast into delicious freshness. Do I seem fixated on food?
Toby came over bearing goodies, leftovers from her Seder in Boston. It's fun having visitors. I am hoping to have more as the days go on.
Vivian dropped over with the bombshell news that our neighbor Bud had died of a sudden heart attack the afternoon before. Just an hour or so later we got in the mail a card signed by Ann and Bud, written by Ann of course, wishing us a happy holiday and me a speedy recovery.
Not a bad ending for a life: close to 90, a heart attack. Though always sad for those who are left behind.
Off to make a batch of gefrüschte matzo! When in doubt, EAT!
Love to all,
Bernice
A lovely chat with our dear French friends the Willemses was a highlight of the day: I think we spoke for over an hour, via iChat, after an initial failure of our server. We heard a lot about the conference where she read my paper for me. The affair, with its superb coordination by Sarah and Nathalie, sounded wonderfully congenial.
The Interlibrary Loan librarian, David, phoned me to get some information about books I had ordered. In the process, he led me through the NCC library's Internet system, which has more riches than I would have thought possible for a community college. Since retiring 10 years ago, I have not kept up with the advances they have introduced. They have JSTOR for example, which provides whole journal articles on the web. I found one I needed, did a screen capture of the pages I wanted to quote, then printed them. Neat. Merwin urged me t write down immediately all the steps involved in accessing databases, but of course by the time I got to it I was good with step 1 and 3 but didn't know how to do step 2. I'll confer with the librarian later today to fill in the gap.
Speaking of David, our David came over and replaced light bulbs and in general answered technical questions here and there. He is going to change my email program as soon as he can figure out how to transfer everything without pain.
I made potato latkes as planned: First I grated 2 apples mixing in juice of a half lemon, and cooked this until it was good applesauce consistency. Without cleaning out the Cuisinart, I grated 2 red-skinned potatoes (not as good as Yukon Gold) with a tiny bit of an onion, and a little squeeze of lemon juice, because these potatoes can darken, plus 2 eggs. I fried in canola oil and served with the apple sauce (cooled by placing he bowl in the freezer) and sour cream. Yum. Merwin ate very little because he had had his big meal at mid-day, and he can eat only one big meal a day. Me, I can eat big meals at all three, and in between as well. I am still gaining weight. I would like to believe that prednisone is giving me this appetite and weight gain, but only time will tell. I refuse to worry about it. I have spent too much of my life dealing with weight.
The Passover rolls came out even better than the first time. They toast into delicious freshness. Do I seem fixated on food?
Toby came over bearing goodies, leftovers from her Seder in Boston. It's fun having visitors. I am hoping to have more as the days go on.
Vivian dropped over with the bombshell news that our neighbor Bud had died of a sudden heart attack the afternoon before. Just an hour or so later we got in the mail a card signed by Ann and Bud, written by Ann of course, wishing us a happy holiday and me a speedy recovery.
Not a bad ending for a life: close to 90, a heart attack. Though always sad for those who are left behind.
Off to make a batch of gefrüschte matzo! When in doubt, EAT!
Love to all,
Bernice
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Progress everyday
Dear family and friends,
The sun is very bright, a good day to take my first trip in a car since the fall, over two weeks ago. Yesterday Bill showed Merwin and me how I could get down the outside stairs (very easy, same as inside really except one rail to hang onto instead of two), wheel along the path and to the open passenger door, and get in: the trick is to swing the derriere onto the seat, then swing the legs in. Easier said than done, since the right leg does not like to swing. But by holding on to the car and the hand grip, I eased myself in. We did that a few times, in and out, Bill coaching me as we went along. Hooray! Now I can go to the airport to pick up Jesús on Sunday. Today we are going to take a practice run down to the beach.
Bill told me that only walking and standing can strengthen the broken bone. The exercises he gives me to do, more each time he comes, are to prevent muscles from deteriorating. I certainly have done a lot of standing in the kitchen these last few days with all the prep for Passover. But generally I do a lot of sitting also, counting on my JCC exercises to provide whatever invigorating weight bearing exercise I need. Now I have to focus more on walking and standing here at home to get better faster. It will take a long time, Bill says. This is a bad break, he intones. But then again he praises my efforts, as any good instructor should.
Yesterday I found that I had made a serious mistake (in my own thinking) when recording a Gunthio note for hamletworks.org. Who knows how many such I overlook entirely. Oh, my. I have to be extra careful. The mind is not what it used to be.
My bloods came back with good improvements, WBC down and platelets up, though each far from "normal." I am grateful for any signs that the meds are working.
Potato pancakes on the menu tonight, with applesauce and sour cream. I made a second batch of matzoh rolls; they were terrific, very light. Sami writes that her rolls are a bit different. She adds the dry ingredients to the water; I do the opposite, adding the very hot water to the dry ingredients, and then the eggs one at a time. She flavors the rolls with a little cinnamon and uses part walnut oil, which is less savory than the part olive oil I use. The rolls can go either way, sweet or savory, or divide the dough in half and make each half a different flavor.
I hope you enjoy your day as much as I expect to,
Love,
Bernice
The sun is very bright, a good day to take my first trip in a car since the fall, over two weeks ago. Yesterday Bill showed Merwin and me how I could get down the outside stairs (very easy, same as inside really except one rail to hang onto instead of two), wheel along the path and to the open passenger door, and get in: the trick is to swing the derriere onto the seat, then swing the legs in. Easier said than done, since the right leg does not like to swing. But by holding on to the car and the hand grip, I eased myself in. We did that a few times, in and out, Bill coaching me as we went along. Hooray! Now I can go to the airport to pick up Jesús on Sunday. Today we are going to take a practice run down to the beach.
Bill told me that only walking and standing can strengthen the broken bone. The exercises he gives me to do, more each time he comes, are to prevent muscles from deteriorating. I certainly have done a lot of standing in the kitchen these last few days with all the prep for Passover. But generally I do a lot of sitting also, counting on my JCC exercises to provide whatever invigorating weight bearing exercise I need. Now I have to focus more on walking and standing here at home to get better faster. It will take a long time, Bill says. This is a bad break, he intones. But then again he praises my efforts, as any good instructor should.
Yesterday I found that I had made a serious mistake (in my own thinking) when recording a Gunthio note for hamletworks.org. Who knows how many such I overlook entirely. Oh, my. I have to be extra careful. The mind is not what it used to be.
My bloods came back with good improvements, WBC down and platelets up, though each far from "normal." I am grateful for any signs that the meds are working.
Potato pancakes on the menu tonight, with applesauce and sour cream. I made a second batch of matzoh rolls; they were terrific, very light. Sami writes that her rolls are a bit different. She adds the dry ingredients to the water; I do the opposite, adding the very hot water to the dry ingredients, and then the eggs one at a time. She flavors the rolls with a little cinnamon and uses part walnut oil, which is less savory than the part olive oil I use. The rolls can go either way, sweet or savory, or divide the dough in half and make each half a different flavor.
I hope you enjoy your day as much as I expect to,
Love,
Bernice
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