New Hope Valley Railway & Bob's wrist

Last weekend we all went on a New Hope Valley Railway Train ride. It was a blast for Owen. We all were glad we went, but Owen was thrilled. He wanted to go back the next day.
I've always been a fan of trains and train travel. Over the years, I've read a several of Paul Theroux's train travel books. It is amazing how noisy, messy, smelly and slow steam trains are. Reading about it is much nicer than actually doing it.

On a different note, Bob had surgery on his wrist today. He had a nasty rebuild of his bones and tendons due to a bad Ganglion cyst. It went pretty well, but it was more involved than they expected. This is the second surgery for this condition, so we're hoping it works this time. He's not supposed to work or drive for 10 days. Right, like that's going to happen. And, He'll need a cast for 6 weeks. Mercy, it's going to be a tough ten days. He's pretty loopy on the pain meds. He keeps asking me the same questions over and over again. The most frequent questions are about whether or not the surgeon was confident, or did he get it all? Go to sleep now, Bob. Thank you, Percosets.

Peace, love and understanding

Bob and I went to a concert last week. It was Elvis Costello and the NC Symphony. Now, Elvis is a blast from my past. He was very popular when I was in college. He toured and performed at UMASS. The big show was sold out. My boyfriend, at the time, and I managed to see him after his show. He played a set with his girlfriend, at the time, with the band The Pogues at the on-campus bar the Cage. In early 1993, I saw him on a snowy St. Patrick's Day concert at Boston Symphony Hall playing his collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet on The Juliet Letters. That was a wonderful night. Now, he's working with a full orchestra!


The concert was held at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. It was an outdoor concert -- a beautiful night. His performance was strong. He emphasized his anti-war sentiments and love for America. He also seemed happier, talking about his happy marriage and infant twin sons. He joked and belted out some passionate oldies but goodies. He joked that he tries to imagine that we're all the hot young things we used to be when we first discovered him. It seems that the angry young man has grown up, just like the rest of us.

It was a late night for us. We didn't get home until midnight. I even had to wake up the sleeping babysitter--gulp! The very next morning I had to dash to the airport for a trip to Atlanta. I'm not sure why I had to go. I put in some face time with the boss and some VIP authors.

Now, back to the ususal work week...

The Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies

Since I've been in publishing since, well, ahem, a LONG TIME, I have seen new technology come and go from the art and production side. Usually I'm happy to see the old stuff go and thrilled to usher in the new technology. Still, I was feeling surprisingly nostalgic whilst looking over the former tools of my trade at the online museum.

Yes, indeed, the world has changed for the better. We've been swept up into it. I remember the smell of the waxer, the mangled fingers from the X-ACTO knives, and the press-on type. Now, I never went to art school but I have used most of these tools at some point in my career.

Thank you, Apple. Thank you, Adobe. Thank you, even evil Microsoft.

9/11 and the World Trade Center

The memories I have of 9/11 are still fresh. I took the train to work because it was a beautiful day. I was scheduled to hold a weekly staff meeting at 10:00. I was preparing for the meeting in my office, when we heard the news of the plane hitting the World Trade Center building.

It still affects me emotionally, deeply, no viscerally.

Ten years before this, I actually worked on the 43rd floor of the World Trade Center. I only worked there a few months doing a freelance job. I thought it was so cool being on the 43rd floor, but remembered there were over 60 floors above me. The views were amazing.

It was a heady time for me living in New York, being happy about our upcoming wedding plans. We were young and struggling. Bob was in law school; I was trying to find good work.

I think about the people I worked with and wonder if they are all alive. I can't imagine what I would have done if I were in their shoes.

It's just a tiny snippit of my life.

Fourteen years ago

 
August 29, 1992 was our wedding day.

It was a beautiful, warm day on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It was sunny and breezy. We had a lovely place and a nice simple wedding.

There was so much to prepare and arrange. It was truly a team effort.

I remember all the hard work that cousin Nancy did on the beautiful flowers and decorations. The hundred pink and white ballons that Alan strung up to decorate the place. We engaged a harpist for music--it was beautiful. My friend Michael, a trained actor, read us a special poem. David overdid himself in making our cake. Our volunteer videographer, who didn't show up, disapointed us all. Bob and Jeff took the pictures. Jeremy was the ring bearer who wouldn't smile.

We had champagne and hor'dourves served on the lawn. The hot, long receiving line in the sun. Fish and chicken buffet was served for luncheon. I remember catching up with cousins and family from far away, and meeting members of our new blended family.

I remember dancing first with my husband, then with my father, and lastly Jody, my father-in-law. Jody was an award-winning ballroom dancer. I was nervous but it all went very well. Lastly, Loraine and Jody hit the floor and showed off their stuff. It put the rest of us to shame.

It was all over so quickly. We have zipped through the past 14 years with equal speed.
 

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

My son looks so much like me. Here's a picture of me at about 3 or 4 years old. If you scroll down, you will see Owen.