cuzn lana and i went over to the u of e theatre production of “six characters in search of an author”. shanklin theatre, where it was performed, is especially good for staging the sorts of plays that make you a part of the drama, as it is round. there were moments that i wondered what the hell? but it was so different from a “normal” theatre experience that it was provocative and refreshing. i tend to forget about ue’s wonderful drama department, but their productions are always well-done and not “pop” choices, adding nicely to our civic theatre performances. we’ll see a civic production this coming week-end and plan on seeing “taming of the shrew” next month at ue. aren’t we the grand audience?
i got a postcard in the mail offering a free derby-ball-cap if i’d come out to ellis park and sign up for the twin spires club. i don’t really care about simulcasting, but a free ballcap and a chance to support my summer home was plenty enticement to go. the debris has been cleared–in fact the entire north paddock area is gone. the glass that surrounds the clubhouse restaurant has been replaced, opening the view to what all is damaged and missing. i spoke with the general manager who said he’s still arguing with insurance companies, but feels it will all come together. he looked stressed, to say the least. i’m determined now to go visit, (maybe even bet), more often in order to support the track. below is looking down on where the toteboard used to be.
i was born in fairfield, illinois, but after leaving the hospital set up shop in albion, il on south second street, next door to a mildred and dick everett and their kids, tom and ricky dean. somehow one of us kids named mildred “nu-nu” or “noo-noo” and she was a good friend. her birthday is 2/24 and mom always said if i’d been born on her birthday she was going to let nu-nu name me. nu-nu says she doesn’t remember what she’d have named me, but it would have included the name “lou” or “lu”. i think it was billie lou. at any rate, i was born 2/23 and named after my mother. we had a pretty day 2/24 and i got a 2-fer when i visited albion, since her son, ricky dean, was also visiting. mildred turned 78-years-young! i’m hoping we can get together for lunch soon and often.
what does nursing mean to me? hmmm….lately i’ve been discussing nursing a lot with my daughter. breast-feeding kind of nursing…continuing the mother-child-union by nourishing and nurturing and bonding with your infant as she grows…(picture halo around Mother’s head as she gently rocks, singing a lullabye as the smell of lemon verbena wafts the room)… reality was that it is often painful and frustrating to both infink and Mother.
the other kind of nursing is similar: nursing is the caring profession, a license to effect other people’s lives in a powerful way and a history of doing that in a positive way. you go into nursing picturing all the people you’ll help, the folks who you’ll touch with your gentle, nurturing hand…(picture halo around Nurse’s head as she wipes a fevered brow, singing a song of hope as the smell of lemon verbena wafts the room)…reality is that it is often painful and frustrating to both patient and Nurse.
the moments of truly giving something no one else could give to someone who is giving you back something only he/she can give becomes your nirvana. it is something worthy. most mothers make it through the raw, painful part of breast-feeding and years later only remember the moments of feeling the halo.
lots of nurses went into nursing because the money’s good, there are plenty of jobs, and you can get a license in 2 years. in my quest for more nirvana-moments, i have worked in an atmosphere of cattiness, bitchiness, laziness, cruelty, griping, onandon—-and that’s just me! add a half-dozen more women and you’ve got a reality show waiting to happen!
it’s more than i feel like thinking about at this point in my life, and i’m grateful that i can just up and leave like this. but i’ll always look for another chance to nurse… it’s really worth the pain.
i wish i could talk freely about the horrible terrible experience of being involved in a caring profession that can do much harm in the wrong hands, but can only say that it’s not my hands anymore. i’m thinking i’ll write up a final resignation that says i’m not responsible for anyone or anything that goes on there, but haven’t come up with the exact wording yet. in the meantime, the gala celebration of the event of My Birth has begun with luncheon at the main st. annex, starring my BigSis– free grilled cheese from the grilled-cheese-queen. on the calendar of upcoming events is partying with elliot&thetwins, a visit to albion, il to knosh with a lady who met me at birth, civic theatre for “moon over buffalo”, some big-time pillow shopping and ordering up a new couch for the tv room. oh, when i force bulbs i don’t put them in the fluff-stuff they say to grow them in—give them some dirt and let them get a little cold before you bring them into the warmth and sun. sounds like child-raising, doesn’t it? well, maybe not. at any rate, above and below are the pictures i’m most intrigued with right now…..i really am a grandma!!! happyhappyjoyjoy
i forced these amaryllis shortly after christmas and their bloom has been very cheering. i’ve also got paperwhites in bloom and in a couple of weeks will have tulips, hyacinths and crocus–this is indoors. outdoors the multitude of daffodils and tulips, etc. that were pushing up optimistically have been covered by the snow, but i know they’re there, giving a promise of spring.
it’s been too long a spell to even begin to catch you up on the drama that has been unfolding here at sonnystone….i attempted to update moon and it made her head spin. suffice it to say: i ran a fever, threw up, ached and groaned, missed two days of work, got too many phone calls from work, decided to quit my job, quit my job. i didn’t give 2 weeks notice, said as soon as safely possible. i should be extracated from the tunnel-of-tension by tuesday. feel greatly relieved. i will be continuing in the capacity of supplemental help and volunteering to visit my favorite patient, a gruff-but-lovable-guy who is ftd. looking forward to having my life back–garden, church, the lutheran school, sonnystone, and having time and mind-space to visit emma on a regular basis.
husband and i left saturday for lafayette and enjoyed a visit with boychild. the men changed out a radiator in the old grand am and shaved off some doors and since the dau-in-law was sicky, i shopped alone. after a nice meal, we bid them adeiu and spent the night at a local inn. next a.m. husband dropped me off at the indy airport and i had a rather uneventful flight here to meet the new person. she’s so sweet, very small, very sleepy. in real life she looks just like her daddy, though i’m fairly certain she will not have his facial hair. this is the first trip i’ve not actually gone walking through the park or visited the museum, but we’re planning a stroller-shopping trip today. interesting conversation overheard while walking back from the bodega’ —”looka dat white woman! day say nobody really blonde.” hence the moniker albino jo, ladies. i love new york.
