Thursday, October 3, 2013
IDOLS
A Russian poet wrote: "Let's not make into idols the transgressions of our motherland!" Wherever there is a good news, a heroic fit, something that we talk about, there will be a disappointment. I want to be an optimist. I really do, but people do disappoint. So do countries and movements. To tell the truth, I disappoint myself! How do we follow someone after being betrayed by so many? Or, perhaps, we should just smile apologetically and close door in the face of a hope?
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
SQUEAK! OUCH!
I am genuinely surprised. In a good way. My doctor bothered to order my medication and send a referral to the Podiatry Dept. They called me and offered to come for an appointment today. I worked hard all evening yesterday and all morning today to make the inflamed ankle feel better. It was not hurting much: only when I flexed it a certain way or walked too much on it. Still, I went to an appointment because I need to convince them to find some long term treatment for this sickness that plagues my life. As I drove up to Kaiser building, I realized that there was no parking available close to the entrance. I waited and circled, like a vulture, until a space freed comparatively close. It was next to a curb on the driver's side, so I had to walk with one foot on the earthen ground where the flowers grow and another - on the pavement. Never mind the pain, a thought occurred then: "I'm becoming more and more attractive, aren't I, walking like Quasimodo?"
The doctor was very, very young. Considering that it costs more, for some reason, to see a Podiatrist than a General Doctor, as well as my irritated and desperate set of mind, I was determined to get some real answers this time. No matter, how much the doc hedged and told me that they have no other treatment for this condition than just taking anti-inflammatory and doing foot exercises, I pushed and pushed. Finally, realizing that the Kaiser physician would not go anywhere that would require them do some real work for a patient, I then started to push for the physical therapy, telling him that I need something other than just an explanation of what exercises I need to do. He was too young to withstand my onslaught. He also agreed to get me a temporary disabled parking placard.
As a way to elevate my ankle and release a tendon, they tried to put a wedge of spongy material in the back of one of my shoes. When I tried to put it on - no go! The shoe now was too small for me. I was offered a post-operative shoe - basically, a sandal with velcro holding it together. It worked. So, I hobbled out of there in a hideous shoe, leaning, but awkwardly because I'm not used to it, on a cane that they provided me, stumbling with every step and squeaking from pain. I told you: I was getting more and more attractive! How will the world stand it, I don't know!
PEACE AND PAIN
The house is quiet. Sonny went to school, Park and Roberta are in their room. At first I heard him whining about something, then it stopped. I'm at peace and in pain.
It started again: first the stiffness and then sharp pain in my ankle. I was desperate, the thought of being inactive and disabled for another few weeks terrified me. I wrote to my doctor at Kaiser. It took me some effort to convince her that I am very distraught about the new onset of tendinitis. She wrote: "I can give you the medicine for pain and an anti-inflammatory." And then an automated message came from Kaiser: "I will be out of the office until the third of October." That means that I have to wait for her for two days to prescribe those medications!
It started again: first the stiffness and then sharp pain in my ankle. I was desperate, the thought of being inactive and disabled for another few weeks terrified me. I wrote to my doctor at Kaiser. It took me some effort to convince her that I am very distraught about the new onset of tendinitis. She wrote: "I can give you the medicine for pain and an anti-inflammatory." And then an automated message came from Kaiser: "I will be out of the office until the third of October." That means that I have to wait for her for two days to prescribe those medications!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
TO BE OR NOT
Remember how Park told my husband, all shining with devotion and emotional sleaze, that he and Roberta don't have any plans to move? Well, she told me in secret that he is getting a lease on a house in Vegas for them. He has a lot of his "Good Ol' Boys' Club" buddies there. I say: "Bon Voyage, don't even think of coming back!" Unfortunately or, maybe, fortunately, Roberta does not want to go there with him. I totally understand her and would 100% support her break from him, but how is she going to stay all alone in that room at night? She gets up at night to go to bathroom, or who knows, why... What if she falls down again?
There are a couple of ways to remedy the situation. She could go to the convalescent hospital to get stronger and have some physical therapy and then come home. But will she want to separate from her husband only to end up in a restrictive, depressing environment? We could also hire someone for a little bit of money and a roof over their head to sleep in her room on a mattress. The person could also eat with us. How do we find someone who needs a place to stay, will work for a mere pittance and be a reliable, stable person? I don't know. To be precise, I have an idea, but it may not pan out.
I would not want to be the cause of Roberta irrevocably injuring herself. My dad fell down in that room and died from complications of it. Her life is already full of pain. Is it better to be well physically even if you are in an emotionally bad situation? I lean toward thinking that it is. At least she'll be alright!
There are a couple of ways to remedy the situation. She could go to the convalescent hospital to get stronger and have some physical therapy and then come home. But will she want to separate from her husband only to end up in a restrictive, depressing environment? We could also hire someone for a little bit of money and a roof over their head to sleep in her room on a mattress. The person could also eat with us. How do we find someone who needs a place to stay, will work for a mere pittance and be a reliable, stable person? I don't know. To be precise, I have an idea, but it may not pan out.
I would not want to be the cause of Roberta irrevocably injuring herself. My dad fell down in that room and died from complications of it. Her life is already full of pain. Is it better to be well physically even if you are in an emotionally bad situation? I lean toward thinking that it is. At least she'll be alright!
BAMBI
My friend Sveta, the Little Red Headed Monster's mother, asked me to help her. She wanted me to drive to the airport together with her to meet her husband, who was coming back from Russia. Me being who I am, I successfully forgot all about it. When she called yesterday, I thought that she wanted to come over in the evening. When I realized my mistake, the poor lady, probably, already went through all kinds of panic, thinking how to find someone instead of me on such a short notice.
Anyway, I assured her that I could help. She, actually, wanted me to come to her house and babysit the Monster and her brother instead. I knew, it would be considerably more work than just sitting in the car and keeping company, but - what the heck, right? She is a nice lady, and it's good to go outside one's comfort zone sometimes.
When I drove up to Sveta's house, she met me outside. She made a small shelter for the street cats that live in her yard. A few cute, fuzzy fur balls were running around, playing. The Little Red Headed Monster, Katya, showed up just then, in pink crocs, pink tutu with a satin bow and a shirt that didn't quite cover her fat little belly. She was dragging along one of the kittens, who was unsuccessfully trying to escape her grasp. When she saw me, she dropped the kitten and ran to give me a hug. Sufficiently melted and gooey, I proceeded into the house, where I was met by Heyong - Heyosha - the Monster's brother. He was no less happy to see me.
From that moment on, the kids' poor mother had to hear every few minutes: "Aren't you going yet, mom?" I felt really bad, but she just smiled!
I told the kids that I brought Bambi II with me. They asked: "What's Bambi?" I realized that they, probably, didn't see the original Bambi. By mom's look I understood that it wasn't a simple gap in the Disney education. Maybe, the parents didn't want the children to see the scene of Bambi's mother being killed. Even as I told Katya and Heyosha about what happened in the first Bambi, they had to ask me a few times: "What do you mean, the mother was shot?!"
Feeling like I just shot the doe, I changed the subject of a conversation. While we were setting up the DVD machine and settling down to watch the movie, Sveta slipped away.
Even though there is just one year gap between Katya and Heyosha, they are at very different levels of development. He watched the movie intently, not stirring or getting distracted. She had to stand leaning on me, turning and adjusting her position every few seconds. I managed to convince her to sit on the couch next to me, but then she declared that the movie was too long. "Is this the end?" - she asked hopefully just a little bit into the movie. She began to climb on top of the furniture and drop things.
I saw that some additional measures must be taken to ensure that the house will be still standing by the time of the parents' return. "Let's look, what's in that purse of mine!" - I said.
It's been a while since I checked, what's in my purse. No matter: Katya did a much more thorough job of it! She was not satisfied with some old plastic cards that I tried to give her. She liked much better my barrette, that went into her hair, and when she came upon my lipstick, her eyes really lit up. I remembered too late about the way kids treat lipsticks. About all those tubes of it with crashed and depleted contents that littered my own mom's drawers. As I prosterred my trembling hands to Katya, she, with a sadistic pleasure in her eyes, smudged my treasured Frosted Rose around her lips and forehead and...Oh, where didn't she put it?! Finally, I threatened her that I didn't like her not listening to me and was going to leave if she didn't immediately turned in the, sad now, lipstick. She did.
Her brother also got involved in the lipstick exploration. I suddenly saw him trying to unscrew another tube! Not thinking that I would be able to explain to his parents why their son was pink and frosted all over, I hurriedly assured him that it was "just for girls!" I detected real jealousy in his eyes at that!
When the movie ended, the real action began. Both kids were now climbing on top of every piece of furniture in the room. Everywhere they went, things began to drop. I told them to find another movie, but first pick up everything from the floor. I was feverishly looking at the clock, trying to estimate, when the parents will come back. Children already began to miss mom and dad and started to ask, when they will be back. Just as I decided that it would be another hour and a half, they walked through the door!
I was forgotten faster than the last winter's snow! "Papa, papa, papa! You are back!" - the kids yelled. I left the house as soon as I could, not willing to intrude on the family's joy. It was as it should've been!
Anyway, I assured her that I could help. She, actually, wanted me to come to her house and babysit the Monster and her brother instead. I knew, it would be considerably more work than just sitting in the car and keeping company, but - what the heck, right? She is a nice lady, and it's good to go outside one's comfort zone sometimes.
When I drove up to Sveta's house, she met me outside. She made a small shelter for the street cats that live in her yard. A few cute, fuzzy fur balls were running around, playing. The Little Red Headed Monster, Katya, showed up just then, in pink crocs, pink tutu with a satin bow and a shirt that didn't quite cover her fat little belly. She was dragging along one of the kittens, who was unsuccessfully trying to escape her grasp. When she saw me, she dropped the kitten and ran to give me a hug. Sufficiently melted and gooey, I proceeded into the house, where I was met by Heyong - Heyosha - the Monster's brother. He was no less happy to see me.
From that moment on, the kids' poor mother had to hear every few minutes: "Aren't you going yet, mom?" I felt really bad, but she just smiled!
I told the kids that I brought Bambi II with me. They asked: "What's Bambi?" I realized that they, probably, didn't see the original Bambi. By mom's look I understood that it wasn't a simple gap in the Disney education. Maybe, the parents didn't want the children to see the scene of Bambi's mother being killed. Even as I told Katya and Heyosha about what happened in the first Bambi, they had to ask me a few times: "What do you mean, the mother was shot?!"
Feeling like I just shot the doe, I changed the subject of a conversation. While we were setting up the DVD machine and settling down to watch the movie, Sveta slipped away.
Even though there is just one year gap between Katya and Heyosha, they are at very different levels of development. He watched the movie intently, not stirring or getting distracted. She had to stand leaning on me, turning and adjusting her position every few seconds. I managed to convince her to sit on the couch next to me, but then she declared that the movie was too long. "Is this the end?" - she asked hopefully just a little bit into the movie. She began to climb on top of the furniture and drop things.
I saw that some additional measures must be taken to ensure that the house will be still standing by the time of the parents' return. "Let's look, what's in that purse of mine!" - I said.
It's been a while since I checked, what's in my purse. No matter: Katya did a much more thorough job of it! She was not satisfied with some old plastic cards that I tried to give her. She liked much better my barrette, that went into her hair, and when she came upon my lipstick, her eyes really lit up. I remembered too late about the way kids treat lipsticks. About all those tubes of it with crashed and depleted contents that littered my own mom's drawers. As I prosterred my trembling hands to Katya, she, with a sadistic pleasure in her eyes, smudged my treasured Frosted Rose around her lips and forehead and...Oh, where didn't she put it?! Finally, I threatened her that I didn't like her not listening to me and was going to leave if she didn't immediately turned in the, sad now, lipstick. She did.
Her brother also got involved in the lipstick exploration. I suddenly saw him trying to unscrew another tube! Not thinking that I would be able to explain to his parents why their son was pink and frosted all over, I hurriedly assured him that it was "just for girls!" I detected real jealousy in his eyes at that!
When the movie ended, the real action began. Both kids were now climbing on top of every piece of furniture in the room. Everywhere they went, things began to drop. I told them to find another movie, but first pick up everything from the floor. I was feverishly looking at the clock, trying to estimate, when the parents will come back. Children already began to miss mom and dad and started to ask, when they will be back. Just as I decided that it would be another hour and a half, they walked through the door!
I was forgotten faster than the last winter's snow! "Papa, papa, papa! You are back!" - the kids yelled. I left the house as soon as I could, not willing to intrude on the family's joy. It was as it should've been!
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