Sunday Afternoon Visit

My sister and her family came for a visit today... a good time was had by all. Here's the proof:

Here are the twins., Louisa and Clark

I think we were talking about who was the moodiest.

Mary Elizabeth is always cheerful. Wish I had some of that.

Pensive Charlotte

Clark is really quite sweet and funny

Charlotte defends herself 

Clark loves his dad, too.

Reading Resolutions

Barbara sent me these that the Strand Bookstore issued. Interesting challenge.

1.  Read a book that intimidates you
2. Read a book you’ve lied about reading
3. Read a short story collection
4. Read a book before the movie
5. Read a book that is over 100 years old
6. Read a debut novel
7. Read a book that scares you
8. Read a book by a woman
9. Read a biography
10. Read a poetry collection
11. Read a picture book
12. Read a book originally written in a foreign language For #1, I'd pick some Russian book like War and Peace. #2 would be Huckleberry Finn or Tom Sawyer.

I'd been thinking about a O Henry short story called the Last Leaf that I read in like 7th or 8th grade that stayed with me about a man who is dying and he tells his friend that when the last leaf is off this tree, he'll die too... and his friend painted a leaf and the man eventually got better. I also have always liked the O Henry story about the exchange of Christmas gifts with the husband and wife where he pawns his watch to buy her hair combs and she pawns her haircomb to buy him a chain for his watch. So knowing these two stories I'd probably explore more of O Henry.

I'll have to see what develops with #4, but I've always preferred the book to the movie.One that did it justice was Prince of Tides. Loved the book and hated to see how they butchered the movie ... but Barbara Streissand directed it and I read later that Pat Conroy, the author, got down on his knees and thanked her for making the movie right. Also read Gone Girl first but haven't seen the movie.

For over 100 years old, I'll have to think of that one. Same with debut novel. I'm not sure if they mean the book scares me like Stephen King or scares me overall. I prefer women authors so that one will come naturally. I like biographies so that's easy -- not sure who I would go to for the poetry collection. Have some great picture books at home of the Wild West and the Civil War. Can my Russian book count double for this one too?

Oh Dear God... it's the White Meal

This has to be the worst... an all-wbite meal... cottage cheese, bad cole slaw and bad macaroni salad. . I did try the cole slaw and I swear it had turned... wanted to spit it out. This time there was ice cream (vanilla, of course) for dessert, and I thought I'd eat that first, but it was clear ice and then melty. Luckily the aide found me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... but come on, nutritionists. You can do better than this.

Saturday Afternoon

It's snowing hard outside right now, but it's supposed to be rain. Tomorrow it's supposed to be a high of 66 degrees, so go figure... meanwhile, back in Flushing:



This is Saturday lunch. I'd give it a B-
The mashed potatoes actually had some flavor and the canned green beans were what you would expect. I skipped the meat which looked like some kind of roast beef.

Apple sauce for dessert



This is Maria who was just so cheerful. I was feeling crabby but it's hard to  be crabby to someone who is beaming smiles at you. She really is sweet.

Socializing

Early on, the folks here insisted that I had to "socialize" and they'd stick me in the dayroom, which was so depressing. Think cuckoo's nest. I'd rather had gone to my room and watched TV and had my computer and did work-work. So one day they insisted and I didn't have a choice. I told them to put me at a table by myself. The other residents sit there with their bibs on awaiting lunch, wordless, speechless, staring and I dont want to identify with them.

So I'm sitting there and Reggie (see photo above) comes over, seeing someone who can carry on a conversation. I decided to make the most of it and told Reggie we should pretend we're on a date at a fashionable restaurant.  I found out he's been married 40 years, worked as a boiler room manager, went to the movies and dinner with his wife on their first date which was a blind date. Can't say I don't try to "socialize."

I see him and he's always friendly. Asked me for a second date and I said yes. Then he wanted to give me a New Year's kiss which he did in a totally appropirate manner of kissing his hand and touching my arm.  My dating life is picking up, it seems.



Culinary Review

This is last night's dinner. Those familiar with NY ethnic food may recognize these as blintzes although there are a bunch of blintz making Jewish grandmas in heaven shaking their fists, spitting on the floor and weeping over these particular ones. These were a crunchy wrap with separating cheese inside.

Ah, but I had eyed dessert -- but it was ice cream soup -- all liquid... too late to eat it as ice cream.

This is tonight.... that brown thing is a piece of chicken, then noodles and carrots. I took the pat of butter, ignored the bread and put it on the carrots.... noodles and carrots weren't bad.

More canned fruit -- tonight was peaches.

OUT with the old.... IN with the new

God bless the New York Daily News (which is delivered to each resident each morning). I couldn't have described 2014 better myself!

I second that!



Yes, it was a crappy old year.

So today I got a shower which is a treat, got dressed, had nearly three hours of PT, walked further and now have had lunch and will do some work-work. All is calm in Flushing.