March 27, 2009 archive

The Stars Hollow Gazette

My Elementary School days were not entirely a bloody minded, Lord of the Flies, struggle for existence.  As a matter of fact I had a good relationship with most of my teachers and classmates.

I was a favorite of my third grade teacher because I called her out on bats using Radar (not unless you microwave them).  My first grade teacher I’m eternally grateful to since she helped me decode those symbols behind the shutters at the beginning of Popeye cartoons.

My second grade teacher was an air head, but a fox; and that was also the year my most precocious classmate started developing (I also discovered Nathaniel Greene, it was a big year).

But that’s not the story I want to tell tonight.

Much to my surprise it’s been a little over 10 years since I stopped smoking again, which is a long time for me.

My last relapse started at a High School reunion where so intimidated was I by the pressure of comparing my life to my dreams that I practically tore open the cigarette machine for a pack of Merits after about 2 years of quit.

Interestingly enough, at least to me, precocious girl was right beside me and we had a good time out in the “smoking lounge” (a place I never inhabited in High School).

Stars Hollow is a small town actually.  Hadn’t seen her for years until a few months ago when I needed some new glasses and there she was.

So what are you doing now ek?

Well, I blog.

My Best Friend Died Last Night – What You Need To Know

This was not unexpected. She and I have gotten to the age our circle of friends has started to diminish. It occurred to us the day Johnny Carson died, if your cultural icons weren’t immortal, we probably weren’t either.

About 3 weeks ago Linda’s heart simply stopped. She was rushed to the hospital and  altho it took three times to get her completely stabilized, they did. Her heart was working at 10% and they didn’t think she was going to make it, but she fooled them and rallied. Two weeks ago there was talk of moving her to a nursing home and starting limited rehab, we were hopeful. She had fooled everyone before by beating Lung Cancer a few years ago. A week ago her condition deteriorated and the decision was made to stop her dialysis and move her to hospice care. She had been on dialysis twice a week for three years, it was clear there would be no more rallies, no more hope. I was angry at first, certainly they knew stopping  the dialysis would kill her. But like so many treatments there comes a time when the physical cost of doing them doesn’t enhance the quality of life that is left.

Below the fold I will share a taste of our 50 year friendship.

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