Exhausted of Venice

This has been one hell of a few days. First, because my husband who, until he got sick never realised so many people love him, has been cherished and nourished night after night by friends who kindly invited us to eat. We have been feted by three consecutive Pie Crust Queens. Friday was strawberry pie, Saturday was apple pie with…

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Waiting, Wondering

This was the week I heard the welcome news that not only can my husband’s condition be treated with neuro-surgery, it can be done in a minimally invasive way at a hospital not far from here. I’m grateful for the diagnosis and grateful for the wonders of modern surgery. I’m not so grateful for the Bermuda Triangle of Radio Silence I now…

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Almost…Too Quiet…

My husband was admitted to hospital today, in preparation for surgery later in the week. It’s one of those brand new hospitals that have a shopping mall and a palm-tree atrium, but not, apparently, any nurses. It hadn’t occurred to me that patients might be expected to provide their own towels, and towards the end of visiting time…

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No Country For Miss Marple

 An interesting conversation yesterday with a breed as rare as the white rhinoceros: a self-deprecating Italian. Gaspare was asking me about my conversion to Orthodoxy twelve years ago and whether one gets to choose one’s own new Orthodox name. Answer, yes. And in my case it was a very easy choice because Catherine of Alexandria’s feast day…

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