Rolling On the French River

I had a fabulous time at Crane’s Lochaven Lodge in Canada. The road trip, however, was brutal.  We left at midnight and drove straight through the night.  I tried, but failed, to sleep in the car.  My father and brother, on the other hand, did fall asleep, but it was while they were driving. That was pretty scary.

Sue and Ed, the owners of the lodge, are wonderful hosts.  My father and brothers have been going for several years now, so our family is pretty well known there.  I was very moved to see this tribute to Mark hanging on a wall in the dining hall.

I was also moved by the beauty of the French River.

The weather could have been better (it was cold and wet), but we weren’t there to sunbathe.  We were there to catch fish.  And catch fish we did – small mouth bass, large mouth bass, rock bass, perch, catfish (which we gave to the owners for the Friday fish fry), sunnies, walleye and pike.  I was ecstatic when I caught this pike, even though it was too small to keep.

Then I caught this one - the “Trophy fish” of the season - an astounding 41 and 1/4 inch, 16 pound Northern pike.

Ed’s son demonstrated the proper way to hold a large fish for photographs.  You get a better idea of the pike’s size this way.

What a thrill!  Never in my wildest imaginings did I think I would catch a fish like that - on a worm, no less.  My father and brother were casting with heavy poles and expensive lures, and, after I caught the big pike, the guide suggested that they might want to see if they could get their money back for the lures.  Heh.

I had no interest in having the fish mounted, and was told that pike aren’t good eating (apparently, they’re gamey tasting).  I wish I had released the pike, but I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time.  I was in shock.

Anyway, Ed wanted it for advertising purposes, and offered to give me other fish fillets to bring home in exchange, so I let him keep it.  However, he neglected to follow through with his part of the bargain.  When I questioned him about it as we were leaving the island, he said he forgot, and promised to  make it up to me.  My father and brother are going back next month, so they’re going to remind him of his promise.

We visited the place where Mark’s ashes were scattered.  It was his favorite fishing spot.  After shedding some tears, I dropped my line and silently asked Mark to help me out.  Believe it or not, that’s when I caught the monster pike.

We had a guide for three of the days we were out on the river, and, most of the time, Jerry called my brother, Mike (Mark’s identical twin brother), by his correct name, but every once in a while, he called him Mark.  It was weird, especially considering that he knew nothing about our family.

Speaking of Jerry, he makes a mean “shore lunch.” A fire is built and the freshly caught fish are cooked up along with potatoes, baked beans and coffee made in a can.  Everything was delicious.

After Friday’s fish fry on the deck of the lodge, it has become a tradition for whichever guests and staff members feel so inclined to jump off the railing into the river.  There was no way in hell I was going to do that, despite everyone urging me to do so since I had caught the biggest fish, so one of my nephews volunteered to do it for me. He enjoyed it so much he did it again, and got one of his cousins to take the plunge with him.  We had so much fun.

Tomorrow morning, I leave for Rhode Island. I sure have spent a lot of time on the road this summer.   It’s been great.

I have loads of stuff to do, so I’ll catch you on the flip side.

Song of the Day: Proud Mary by Tina Turner

Bring Out Your Dead

I finally saw Spamalot!  A local community college offered a bus trip to NYC yesterday for the unbelievably low price of $11.  (The train costs $30.)  I went with my mother, my aunt, my cousin, Kathy, and her friend, Bob.  When we got to the city, we split up.  My mother, aunt and cousin had already seen Spamalot, so they went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Bob and I headed for the TKTS Discount booth, and, fortunately, Spamalot was among the listed shows.

Before the performance, we had lunch at Bistecca Fiorentina.  It was the best meal I’ve had in a long time. For an appetizer, Bob ordered grilled octopus and squid.  I had a mixed plate of roasted polenta with Gorgonzola cheese, a stuffed mushroom, zucchini with béchamel sauce, eggplant Parmesan, and a roasted, stuffed red pepper.  It was way too much food for me, so I shared with Bob.  Still, I barely had room for my lobster ravioli entrée.  Even with Bob’s help, I couldn’t finish it.

After we ate, we headed over to the Shubert Theatre.  I was very excited.  The play certainly lived up to my expectations.   It was so much fun!  This was my favorite number.  Hilarious!

At present, Stephen Collins (the father on 7th Heaven) is playing King Arthur, and Drew Lachey (former member of 98 Degrees, along with his brother, Nick, who was married to Jessica Simpson.  Drew was also a “Dancing With the Stars” winner.) plays Patsy.  Marin Mazzie is the Lady of the Lake.   What a voice!  I had such a good time.

The only downside was the physical pain.  I’m really hurting.  Sunshyn and Texas Peach are right.  I most definitely should not have done all that backbreaking gardening, and, yes, I am crazy.  The pain is worse than it was when I was out on disability.  I keep hoping it will get better, but it hasn’t.  I don’t know what I’m going to do…

To add insult to injury, I’m not sure the garden will flourish.  The layers of compost, etc., aren’t as deep as they should be, but it’s the best I could do.  Please keep your fingers crossed.  It would be devastating for the garden to fail after all the hard work I put into it.

Song of the Day:  Not Yet Dead from Monty Python’s Spamalot

A Jolly Holiday

First things first. I’m thrilled to report that I got the ink stain out of my jeans! The rubbing alcohol got rid of most of it, and hairspray took out the rest. Thanks for the great suggestions!

In other news, I’ve been having a really good Memorial Day weekend. It started on Friday with a trip to a thrift store with my cousin, Kathy. I got two pairs of paints, an L.L. Bean denim-colored linen jacket, an Eddie Bauer top, a hardcover book and the game, Pictionary (in like-new condition) all for the grand total of $11.50. Kathy and I topped the day off with a meal at a Middle Eastern restaurant.

The next evening, Daniel and I were invited to a lasagna dinner at my aunt’s house. (My mother cooked the lasagna, but her place is too small to host a gathering.) Somehow, the conversation turned to the Little Rascals, and then to Eddie Murphy’s SNL impersonation of Buckwheat. Too funny.

Yesterday, Kathy and I went to Rhinebeck to see the movie, Alexandra. We had lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant. Everything on the buffet is a gastronomical delight.

Today, we’re having a barbecue. Only a few people have been invited, and the food offerings will be simple – hamburgers, hot dogs, and my renowned potato salad. Tomorrow (I’ll be off work again, thanks to a give-back snow day), I’m hoping to relax. I’m also looking forward to a break from the itching, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon, even though the prednisone prescription runs out tomorrow.

Oh, I wanted to show you my new glasses. (They’re pretty similar to my old ones except that the new frames are black instead of brown.) This pic was taken on Friday, and I got my hair chopped off on Saturday (same style, but shorter in the back and on the sides), but I haven’t had a chance to take another photo, so this one will have to do for now.

I’d better get a move on. There’s a pile of mulch in my driveway that needs to be spread.

Song of the Day: Jolly Holiday from Mary Poppins

Will It Go Round In Circles

I went back to the Orthopedic Surgeon today to review the results of the EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies. As it turns out, I do have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but it’s a relatively mild case, so, of course, there is - let’s all say it together - no treatment. Just more pain to bear without any relief in sight.

In reference to the god-awful pain in my right shoulder blade, Dr. Bones wants me to have an MRI. (This will be my 12th, I think.) He also mentioned pain management. We’ll re-open that discussion after the MRI.

Dr. Bones remarked that it’s a shame that there isn’t one doctor overseeing “the whole picture.” My primary care physician should be doing that, but:

1. He’s worthless.
2. He doesn’t get involved with Worker’s Comp cases, which means that my lower back problems are a taboo subject.

Anyway, Dr, Bones went on to speculate that, if one doctor was seeing me for all of my medical issues, more effective pain meds might be prescribed. Instead, I am seeing a variety of specialists, each one concentrating on a single area (without doing anything to actually treat any of the problems, I might add).

Not knowing what else to say, he advised me to listen to my body and limit my activities accordingly. He told me to avoid doing things that will exacerbate my pain, and try to get as much rest as possible.

That’s pretty much what I have been doing. Today, however, I followed the doctor’s advice by popping a Vicodin when I got home, and spending the next couple of hours in the kitchen cooking. I prepared three meals – a big pot of tomato sauce, Spanish chicken & rice, and kielbasa and cabbage. (I’ve given up on corned beef.)

Oh well, at least I won’t have to cook when I get home from work for a few days… I’m not going to cook on Easter, either. One holiday a year is more than enough for me.

We’re going to a restaurant, just like we did last year. (By the way, the student referenced in the latter part of that linked entry was sentenced today to 20 years to life in prison.)

I have a feeling this new tradition will continue in future years unless someone else offers to take over the hosting duties. I’m in too much pain to care one way or the other, as long as I don’t have to do it.

Song of the Day: Will It Go Round In Circles by Billy Preston

Start Me Up

The superintendent made a really bad call when he chose to not close our schools on Friday. I was terrified that I was going to fall as I inched my way home on treacherously icy sidewalks. Conditions were extremely hazardous.

There were over one hundred accidents in our area, the worst of which involved a vehicle and a sanding truck. That accident resulted in three fatalities – a 26 year old man, a 29 year old woman, and her 7 year old son. The woman’s 2 year old son survived the accident. My heart goes out to the families.

In more pleasant news, I went for a massage yesterday morning. This was my first session with this particular massage therapist. After taking my history, she remarked that the pain I am experiencing sounds like Piriformis Syndrome.

That’s the first I’ve ever even heard of such a thing. Apparently, the sciatic nerve gets compressed or irritated by the piriformis muscle. This diagnosis fits my symptoms, and I now find myself wondering why the many doctors and other medical experts I’ve seen over the past year have never mentioned it…

Lately, the pain has been excruciating. I have an appointment with the orthopedist on Wednesday to go over the most recent MRI results, so I’ll be sure to ask about Piriformis Syndrome at that time.

In spite of the increased pain, I pushed myself to go out with my cousin yesterday. We went to Rhinebeck,where our first stop was at an Indian restaurant for their buffet lunch. We sampled a little bit of everything, and boy was it good.

After lunch, we went to a thrift shop where I scored a great Jones New York sweater. When I looked at the fabric tag and saw that the sweater was made of 50% merino wool, 20% angora, 20% lambs wool and 10% nylon, I was afraid it would be too itchy. However, my cousin (who is a master knitter) explained that the high percentage of merino should eliminate the itch factor. I followed her suggestion that I try the sweater on, and was very pleased to find that it’s soft and comfortable, and not at all itchy. Hurray for thrift shops!

Next we headed over to Upstate Films to see “The Savages.” As usual, I was blown away by Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance.

It was a long day, and I was pooped and aching when I got home. I crawled into bed with Duma Key, and read for a while. So far, I like the book, which is based on King’s short story, “Memory.”  It’s not his best, but not his worst, either.

So, the pain notwithstanding, yesterday was a good day. Unfortunately, today doesn’t appear to have the potential to shape up nearly as well. I really need to do some cleaning, but the pain is very sharp and distracting. Still, it will only get worse as the day progresses, so, if I’m going to get anything done, now is the time to start.

Song of the Day: Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Yesterday afternoon, Rebecca and I made a spur of the moment decision to go to Steve & Barry’s in Kingston. Since Tamica (she was Mark’s fiancée) lives in Kingston, I was hoping that I could drop Christmas presents off for her and Faelin while I was in their neighborhood. So, I called her before Rebecca and I left the house.

There was no answer, but I put the presents in the car anyway, in case I was able to reach her later. I never did get through to Tamica, so I guess I’ll have to mail the gifts, which is unfortunate because it’s a pretty hefty package. I imagine the postage will cost a pretty penny.

Oh well, at least Rebecca and I had a good time. We both scored Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Bitten” jeans for $9.98 a pair. That’s what I call a good deal.

Bitten apparel comes with a “manifesto.” The tag says: “It is every woman’s inalienable right to have a pulled-together, stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live.” Amen to that.

After we left the store, we went down to the riverfront to look for a place to eat. Rebecca was in the mood for Mexican, and that sounded good to me, so we settled on Rosita’s. Our meal hit the spot, and so did the glass of Blue Moon Ale.

Believe it or not (I couldn’t believe it myself), that one beer had me feeling good. In fact, I was downright tipsy. Rebecca thought it was funny, but after I sobered up, I thought it was kind of humiliating. I mean, who (other than me) gets drunk on one stinking beer?

I’ve always joked that I’m a cheap date, but this is ridiculous. Yes, I’ve admitted that two glasses of wine will get me inebriated. However, prior to this experience, the only time I got hammered after drinking one alcoholic beverage, the drink was a rather large martini. I would never have thought I’d get a buzz going with a single glass of beer.

Oh, the indignity.

Song of the Day: The Wassail Song - “Wassail” is an olde English word for a toast similar to “Good Health,” and the wassail is the content of the glass or goblet (spiced or mulled wine or ale)

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Wednesday evening, I went down to the basement to get my folding table and chairs, in preparation for the holiday gathering I would be hosting the next day. I looked everywhere, but my search was fruitless. I climbed back upstairs empty handed, scratched my head a bit, and then headed back down to do a more thorough search. Still no table and chairs. Rebecca looked, and so did Daniel.

Finally, panic set in, and I called my sister, Michele. Being the lifesaver that she is, she offered to bring her folding table and chairs over. When she arrived, she said she had a hard time believing that we couldn’t find objects as large as a folding table and chairs, and wanted to have a look herself. Armed with a flashlight, she explored every nook and cranny of my basement. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Reconciling myself to the fact that my basement had eaten the table and chairs, I went to Overstock dot com and ordered a new set of chairs. (I knew that I would need them in the future, and didn’t want to forget.) After that, my sister and I went shopping with Rebecca. While Rebecca was in the dressing room at Mandees, she got a text message from Leigh inviting her to a party.

Leigh. Party. A light bulb went off in my head.

I took out my cell phone and sent Leigh a text message asking if she had my folding chairs. She texted me back, “I’ll bring them tomorrow.” To say that I was upset is an understatement. With shaking fingers I sent her another text message, describing what I had gone through, including the purchase of another set of chairs. She did not respond.

As soon as I got home, I went on Overstock dot com to cancel the order. It was too late.

Oh well. At least now I won’t have to drag oversized chairs from all over the house to the table when I host future family gatherings.

Thanksgiving Day brought more stress. The 70 degree weather necessitated a change in what I had planned to wear. The only suitable thing I could lay hands on (my lighter clothes had been packed away) was a taffeta dress I had never worn before. (Warning: Do not wear taffeta when you are preparing and/or serving food. The stains don’t come out.) Of course, the dress needed to be ironed. And I had to wear dress shoes instead of the comfortable boots I would have worn with the original outfit.

Let me tell you right now that my dogs were barking. I ended up walking around in my stockinged feet much of the time. I just can’t wear pretty shoes. It’s not fair. Sob.

Anyway, back to getting ready for my guests. At one point, I was upstairs in the bathroom, applying the finishing touches to my makeup, when I heard Daniel shout, “Bad girl!”

Ellie had gotten into the cheese and crackers, and managed to polish off half a block of Gorgonzola.

This shot was taken before the damage was done.

Fortunately, the rest of the day went off without further mishap. Here are some more photos.

From left to right: My ex mother-in-law, nephew Alex, and 96 year old grandmother.

This table was set up in the living room. From left to right: My sister, Patti, Leigh, my mother (standing), Alex, my father, nephew Matt, and Rebecca. Note that she’s talking on her cell phone. Jeez.

Ahh. That’s better.

Me and Patti. (Michele had dinner with her in-laws, but did drop by later in the evening.)

By the time everyone left, I was in agony. The worst of the pain was that blasted area around my right shoulder blade.

Friday was a day of recuperation. The temperature dropped quite a bit, so I built a fire. There I sat, knitting and listening to Bob Dylan and Radiohead.

Before I go, I want to share this video clip with you. The woman in the video found an injured lion, and nursed him back to health. When the lion recovered from his injuries, she made arrangements with a zoo to care for him. This video was taken when the woman, after some time, went to visit the lion to see how he was doing. The lion has quite a reaction when he sees her.

Song of the Day: The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens

Pot Luck o’ the Irish

I am not Irish, but, for some reason, I decided to cook corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Never again. Just the smell turns my stomach, but I went ahead and tasted it, anyway.

I repeat. Never again. That stuff is VILE.

This has got me wondering if anybody actually likes the dish, and, if so, why. Please let me know via the comments section. I’m really curious.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!