3 December 2009 A simple country meal sounds better en Francaise

The winds blew through on their way northeastward last night and were mostly gone by morning. There was quite a lot of wind damage in the region. Erwin reported garages blown down and store windows blown out. In our protected pocket we topped out at 20 mph sustained with; probably double that velocity 100 feet overhead. Gusts topped at 30 recorded and probably 50 mph based on visual assessment (Beaufort scale).


We received word today that Gloria’s uncle Arnie Weisman died last Friday. He was buried Monday in Sharon MA. He was a WWII veteran, serving in an anti-aircraft unit in the PTO. He was a metal worker/fabricator. He had a quick and wicked wit that made him a real pleasure to know and to be around. I first met him at our wedding. He was one of the people I liked from first contact. He was 90. Like too many people, he fell and broke his hip. The subsequent surgery pushed his body beyond the final edge. He had time to tell his family goodbye, and slipped knowingly and relatively easily across the divide.

Gloria is up and resuming normal activities after yesterday’s procedure. She took a look at her imagery this morning and feels better for knowing what the possible source of pain is, and is not. We don’t know what the surgeon will recommend but we understand that he is conservative in his patient management. That is generally a good thing. Whatever course he recommends, I want him to acquire her hospital records from her last lumbar spine surgery before planning any surgery for her now.

Overcast and breezy today. It was 48°F at midnight and it is 39°F now. The forecast low is 31°F.

Dinner tonight is that luxury item haricots cuits au four avec la saucisse. I can recall enjoying such a meal during my first trip to Boston at a famous restaurant in the Quincy Market area.

Tomorrow, if all things work as planned, we’ll run into Johnson City to the post office, to the library, to VA to have my glasses adjusted, and to Earth Fare for greens, cheese, and meat.



Tonight I have one book to finish and probably some really poor television to avoid. Block out the reality shows and the awards programs and there will be little worth viewing until after New Years.