1-24-23 SHORT HILLS: I have a feeling of loss, an empty feeling that has robbed me of energy and purpose, an ‘on the edge of an abyss’ feeling—Judy’s brother Ken died yesterday. It was not an unexpected death because of health issues, but even when expected, still a jolt. Judy feels the loss even more than I, he was her life-long anchor. We have told many people the sad news, but I’m sure we forgot people who need to know.
1-17-23 NAPLES, FLORIDA: We’re here to visit Judy’s brother Ken, who has some health issues, and is in a rehab facility at the moment. We’re doing a quick turnaround. This is the first time we have been here at this time of year. It’s cold. It’s not VT or Québec, or NJ for that matter. The locals are complaining about the cold, but we are fine with the temps.
On the way down, we were sent to a Newark Airport departure gate in the new Terminal 'A'. We took the tram from parking lot by Terminal C to Terminal A, now closed, an to a random spot where we could catch a bus to the New Terminal A. it was a long wait, but ultimately we got through check-in, TSA screening and on the other side found out that our flight to Ft. Myers was now moved back to Terminal C. Fortunately a shuttle is available to take people back to Terminal C without having to go through the TSA again. The shuttle, a packed bus load, drove on the taxiway to the other terminal, dodging airplanes and food trucks and luggage trains.
We had two great dinners with Carol and then Carol and Audrey. We spent most of the rest of our time with Ken, but I got a couple picks of birds from the apartment.
1-11-23 SHORT HILLS: Well, it’s been busy. We didn’t go to the fireworks—rain and fog. We checked out of the Frontenac in the morning and had an uneventful drive back to Thetford. Lily was there with friends, Danna, Matt and Harrison.
We spent the afternoon with them, and then we went to Cousin John’s for his southern New Years Day feast with ribs, fried chicken, black-eyed peas, cornbread and other stuff from his Carolina childhood. It was nice to see Becca, Bob and Nate and their friends and some of John’s neighbors.
Lily et al, left in the morning and Judy did the house clean-up with help from me, but I was getting sick with a cold and then tested positive for Covid. I started Paxlovid immediately.
The next day I was worse, and Judy drove us back to Short Hills. I notified everyone we had been in contact with about Covid. I slept for the next two days. On the fourth day of Paxlovid, I felt OK and felt well by the fifth day. Nobody I was in contact with got it. A couple days later I had a negative test.
The tenth arrived and with it my BDay, 85, doesn’t feel much different from 84. Judy served king crab with creamed spinach and potatoes au gratin with an ice cream cake. I did the dishes.
The next day Bill and Lynn took us to Serenade in Chatham for dinner with surprise guest Roger. Old friends are the best! Thanks again, guys
Now it’s back to the bleak mid-winter where the earth is hard as iron and water like stone. [thanks, Christina Rossetti.]
