Veseventures

So, now we're getting used to the new normal - sort of. Medical scares and problems have a way of doing that. M. had an appointment with a cardiologist. A cardiologist ! Unfortunately, one bus was running a few minutes late, while the next one left a little early...He's had to reschedule, as well as set an appointment with our primary care doctor. Then there's the whole diet thing. Pizza delivery has been curtailed (and we were within a point or two of getting a free pizza; with all that grease, though...). Then, there's my son-in-law, B, who is on a whole new regime of meds that may or may not make a huge difference. But at least he's home, after two trips to the hospital. (The second trip came less than 24 hours after he got home from the first one.) If one good thing came out of his hospitalization, it's the fact that B. and M.H. now have a car. M.H. hadn't been able to bring their daughter, my granddaughter, to see her dad in the hospital; thi...

There are days that make a person just want to crawl back under the covers and hide. A good book might help, along with a plate of homemade cookies and a cup of coffee or tea. Or maybe a quart of vodka, if that's your preference. But since I don't drink...But let me back up and explain... Actually, it wasn't just a day , but, rather, the entire week. It started back about a week-and-a-half ago, on Sunday, February 3 when my friend, Cookie, called. We've known each other for over half-a-lifetime, seen each other through the weird thing we call life . She'd just gotten her kids back from what sounds like a horrible ex- when we first met. Her kids and mine were all younger than our grandkids are now. We know things about each other that would make great fodder for the daily soaps, as is the case with most long-term friendships, but that's a whole 'nother story. So, when I saw Cookie's number on the Caller I.D., I picked up. "What's up?...

Ed Koch, New York's colorful former mayor, died yesterday morning. Okay, part of that might be obvious; if someone becomes New York's mayor, chances are that person is either somewhat colorful or forgotten. It seems to be that simple. Other cities may have mayors whose names most of us are unfamiliar with. But to be mayor in the city that never sleeps, you'd pretty much have to be a colorful character. Even then, Koch seemed to stand out, with his arms outstreched. I heard of his death yesterday morning on Today , then read about his death in the Tampa Bay Times . The Times article, originally from the Washington Post , caught Ed Koch's essence beautifully. One paragraph from the article states, "'How'm I doing?' the mayor lilked to bellow as he gallivanted up and down city streets, arms raised above his lanky frame, bald pate bobbing. His signature greeting was delivered in a whiny, nasal voice that was as recognizably New York as the screech o...