Diane and Dan joined ( I know, those companion fees …) Flo and me for Rickís June recital. Tíwas better than May, with a larger crowd (not just by three, Susan), and Iím convinced had he a more elastic audience, there would have been a standing ovation. Among others, Rick played Strauss, Beethovenís “Rage Over A Lost Penny,” Pucciniís “Gianni Schicchi” and Smetanaís “Moldau.”

However, the hit of the day was Dan’s dog, Paxie, who circulated around the crowd and then spent most of the concert on Floís lap.

Flo led Dan on a tour of Concord Park ( “It’s very well laid out.” “There are elevators everywhere.”), ending in her apartment.
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The most recent email from Egdelina:

believe that the information did not arrive, but is here again. The transport of the airport until EstelÃŒ in deprived car, for Matt and Hilary, has a cost of the 70 USA They come direct from the airport to its families in EstelÃŒ. The guide is called Jose Luis Lopez, uses lenses, been of strong low stature and. The guide will have a label that says “to SCHOOL HORIZON” for easier identification. Matt and Hilary can return in transport deprived to Managua the 06 of August, also has a cost of the 70 USA by this service, with the same guide (Jose Luis Lopez). They will leave early from EstelÃŒ in the morning, to arrive on time at the airport. It is not a problem. If They have some problem, they can call to the school, if they are in the United States the number is: (505) 713 4117 but if they are in Nicaragua do not need the code the country (505). single they mark 0 713 4117. IF Matt and Hilary arrive before at the airport, they can hope in a cafeteria of the airport or to call to the cellular one of Gui’a, the number is: 616-4439. Also they can call to the school so that I contact the guide. But this I believe that it will not happen. The guide will have a label that says “to SCHOOL HORIZON” for easier identification. Matt and Hilary must pay directly to the guide in cash, the service of the 70 USA, in Managua the school does not accept traveler’s checks, because they become cash until the 22 days and we in the school paid to families and teachers every week. If they have traveler’s check they can change in the banks of EstelÃŒ soon to pay in the school. Also they can bring a credit card to remove money in the bank, and soon to pay to the school. Another option is, you you can deposit the money to my account of bank. The amount altogether by all the program of Matt and Hilary is the 1200,00 USA altogether. Because every week of program is the 150,00 USA by student, including the family, the classes and the activities Name of the account: Egdelina of Hundredth the Lanuza Rosary Bank of Central America (BAC) the account number is: 009022617 the price of the 150,00 USA is a special price for them. Because in our web site the price of the program per week is of the 165 USA by each person. The families are close, the family of Hilary is: Name of the Family: Luisa de Ibarra Telephone: 713-2245 Direction: Of Warehouse Thousand Colors 75 twigs to the East. The family of Matt is: Name of the family: Mairena Aid Telephone: 713-3274 Direction: Of the CURACAO 1 block and 25 twigs to the West. They can bring chocolates or candies, for the family in general. They can bring clothes and shoes for winter, the winter aqui is different that in his pais. He is not very cold, but there are days of rain and days of sun. If they have more questions you you can write to us. Until soon! Egdelina Lanuza Director

Two more from Adam’s party:

Is it my imagination or is Mark about to bend over and kiss me on lips?

The romantic moment passes.

Why am I thinking of another man on my own twentieth wedding anniversary?

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Iím waiting for Diane to fill out an accident report before we go off to Danielaís for a celebratory dinner. Unfortunately, that means I have more time to play with the blog.

From the Noland archives:

ìMy brother has been married for fifty-one years (Noland is not overly fond of his sister-in-law). Can you imagine standing in front of the judge at twenty-six and hearing, ìThe sentence is fifty-one years?î

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Chris Rad fell and broke her ankle about ten days ago. Her Matthew (7), the only one home at the time, did remarkably well tending to his mother until the ambulance came. ” Mom, I couldn’t watch when they carried you out the door. It added too much to my stress level.”

Poker in Milford at Dwight’s house. Stu smiles after his third winning low guts hand.

Greg was one of 70 returning lead performers in a gala tribute (May 22) to his retiring 8th grade music teacher, Pip Moss.

Pip as he was known to student and parent alike, had the middle school students produce a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta in each of his 34 years of teaching. Becca, Sarah, and Greg all played lead roles in Mikado, Gondoliers, and Iolanthe, respectively.

The love of music and theatre which Pip stirred in so many since 1969, launched Greg and me into a 15-year tradition of attending all the G&S plays put on by the Harvard-Radcliffe G&S Players. In the last few years, Q has been joining us in our semi-annual dinner-and-a-play pilgrimage into Harvard Square.

What this quinticential, unassuming, generous man gave to so many iin the Lincoln community is remarkable — and I as a parent am truly thankful.

Linda finally found, and brought home yesterday, her birthday present.

Meet the newest member of our family — a very cute female toy poodle — 8 weeks old, 2 pounds!

She’s overjoyed at joining a nice family and having a big brother. Remo’s been very tolerant, but is not yet ready to play or show her the ropes.

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Last night we all went to the Sushi House to celebrate my birthday. Five couples sitting around a half-sunken square table in a small room, eating raw fish (among other not-so-raw dishes), and laughing, a lot. And not only at Markís presents; to Adam, a walking, nodding giraffe; for me, a flying boar. Yes, Diane loved the pun.

If boars could fly
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On the way to the restaurant from Hubbarston, Jan penned this poem:

A Summary of Michael

Mikeís the best husband and dad
Diane and Matt have ever had.

Heís done many kinds of work,
but each of his bosses was a jerk.

He did respiratory therapy and helped people breathe,
but hospital rules always made him seethe.

Heís very creative at web design
an old BMW he tried to align.

He can build a deck or fix a wreck,
but camping and hiking are more to his liking!

While playing poker he likes to bluff,
at Queijoís pond he swims in the buff.

Heís always willing to help a friend,
you have something broken?
Heíll try to mend.

Heís a sneaky refrigerator raider.
Heís small but has a mouth like a gator.

With his curly red hair and sparkle in his eyes,
youíre never quite sure if heís telling you lies!

He likes to talk about feelings,
which leaves both Marks’ brains a reeling.

If we all look as young when weíre 57,
Trust me Mike, weíll be in heaven.

During dinner Adam assembled:

They ate ’til they could eat no more
Sushi, shumai, and gyoza galore
But the night was a drag
Until out of a bag
Came our savior — a hip, flying boar!

Mike and Dan both wore teal blue
Nice coincidence — but an eye-assault, too…..
And we made lots of noise
Over drinks and cool toys
Ten good friends, and one birthday fool!

“Mike, before you go, I have something to talk to you about.”

The dining room, the kitchen and bath, they were all done, and I had but a few tools to collect when Noland stopped me.

“Loretta, you go in the kitchen or play in traffic, whatever you want.”

I didn’t know what was coming, but I sat down in the stuffed chair next to Noland’s, where I have often listened to his life stories.

“Mike, you know those commercial on televison, the ones for that product like Viagra. I think it starts with a “C.”

“Cialis.”

“What?”

“Cialis,” I yelled back.

“Yeah, that’s it. They have this pretty blond woman and…”

I nodded as if I had seen it.

“They say it gets you up for four hours. What are you going to do with an erection for that long? Admire it?”

“You mean what do you do for the remaining three hours and fifty-five minutes?”

“The only thing I can think of is call the rescue squad.”

“You know, Noland, they give that to men in nursing homes.”

Noland remembers jokes – an art I think, since I can remember maybe three that I’ve heard in my life, and one of those involves, perhaps appropriately, a moron with an alarm clock. But Noland doesn’t have a computer, so I played this one with a straight face.

“What for?” he replied with a concerned look.

“So they don’t roll out of bed.”

This one, Robby’s math notes for the year, is worth viewing at full size.

The Blogs:

Yesterday the blog turned one. There are 285 entries and 1166 comments.

Mine

Iím not slighting any of my past surprise birthday parties (thanks to adorable Diane), but Monday nightís was the best. Sitting at our dinner table, forcing down my favorite fish dish – Baked Schrod under parchment paper with Bok Choy and Shiitake mushrooms – were Joe, Robby, Chris and Matt.

Why was it so great? Except for opening two birthday cards and two presents, there was not one moment during which the limelight was focused on me. And after dessert, it was over. Up from the table and out the door.

Maybe there was one other moment.

Chris looks my way, ìYou give me the creeps.î

Matt yells, ìWhat? What do you want?î

Robby says, ìThe extensive staring? It doesnít give me the creeps so much as makes me uncomfortable.î

ëTis my habit of staring after the conversation has ended. Something I am not aware of but makes Matt fidget.

Iím guessing itís an age thing. Sixteen-year-olds take in information instantaneously, but for me it takes a few moments longer.

For instance Matt will say, ìWhat are you doing today?î

Iíll turn to him, lock on, think, answer, focus some more, wait for his reply (many times there isnít one), drift off, have a few private thoughts, and finally release. If they think Iím bad, and Matt knows this better than anyone, they should meet Peter. He doesnít drift off, he drifts in.

Another pic from Adam’s birthday brunch:

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Mark Queijo

As usual there are so many sagas leading up to and surrounding the surgery, but I promised to keep this short. 7:30AM we arrived at Heywood hospital in Gardner MA for the pre-surgery check in. The surgery was scheduled for 9:00. Why they needed me in so early is a mystery, although I suspect it is to make sure I am subject to the correct amount of discomfort and embarrassment.

The first step is to strip you of all clothes and get you into a butt crack revealing gown. Why can’t I keep my underwear on? They are doing surgery on my knee, right? Why do I have to change at all, I came in wearing shorts. Then there is the temp and blood pressure check. Temp was somewhere around Maine in October, the blood pressure machine wasn’t working. They no longer do it the old fashioned way with the stethoscope, pressure†arm band†and a watch with a second hand, no, it’s all computerized and digitized, and of course it doesn’t work. Probably has a virus.

Meanwhile the nurse tells us a story about the guy going in for surgery. When they asked him to remove all of his jewelry, they forgot to be specific enough to make sure he removed his penis stud. Did I mention the whole Heywood experience was the most fun I’ve had in years?

Next was the anesthesiologist. A grey haired frazzled looking English bloke who told me the following:

“You have three options, local anesthesia, a spinal, or general anesthesia. We could do local, but we don’t do them very often, so we’re not that good at them. We could do a spinal, but like the local, we don’t do them that often, so…. Or you could have the general. We do them quite frequently and are pretty good at them.”

My surgeon had already told me he recommended the general because he wanted to make sure the knee was totally relaxed, but I enjoyed the anesthesiologist’s sense of humor. When they got me into the OR and had me settled into a very comfortable table with a nice headrest, I asked the anesthesiologist if I should count down from a hundred or something. He said it wouldn’t be necessary. The next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room.

The entire process (now 8 days later) was without nausea, pain, or any discomfort at all. Thanks Michael for the tips, I took my pain meds like clockwork even though I was never in any pain.

To anyone who needs time off, but doesn’t have any vacation time, I highly recommend short term disability! Have Knee surgery!

The next saga is asking Jan to cut my hair. Lucky I have two weeks for the bald spot to grow back!

Matt, Joe and Robby left our yard Sunday afternoon, blue canoe carried aloft, gunwales riding on their shoulders . Assuring me there was a stream but fifty yards down the railroad tracks, I laughed as they passed the bushes in front of our house bobbing down the sidewalk like a huge Portugese Man-of-War. But water they found, and except for one flip of the canoe – a predictable result of one or all of the following: Matt jumping out, Joe jumping in, the attempt to paddle over a two foot dam- they made it to Darylís wet but happy.

The return trip, but with Matt, Joe and Daryl.

Perhaps the issue that most distressed Flo about her move was the lack of a bathtub in her apartment. Here she demonstrates the community spa, which according to Diane of Concord Park, is under utilized.

Diane helps Flo slide into the pod.

Door closed, ready for water.
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Waiting for visitors.