Leah's Journal

13 SEP 2007 Quick note re Kristopher

Wow i would like to thank everyone for the support you have for me if you would like to contact me on the ship you can reach me on my email address its kdolan@lsd50.navy.mil

The above is Kris' response to the blog about his graduation from recruit training.........and is for all who wanted his address.

My next entry, coming soon, will be entitled "What I did on my summer vacation." It won't actually be about my vacation but about my summer.

16 MAY 2007 - THE EYES HAVE IT - OR NOT

On Monday, I had an appointment with a vitrioretinol specialist here at the University of Chicago Medical Center. The purpose was a screening for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) since there is a strong familial disposition for the disease. With no trepidation, I underwent the preliminary procedures of local anesthetic and dilation drops. A very nice resident, Dr. Lin, introduced himself and proceeded to shine a much-too-bright light into each eye. Although I did present with "drusen" (small bright structures seen in the retina and in the optic disc. Origin: Ger. Pl. Of druse, stony nodule, geode), the very nice resident told me that the drusen was diffuse and that I definitely did not have ARMD. I greeted his professional opinion with alacrity and bade him adieu. Drusen is thought to be a precusor or contributor to ARMD .....but, not necessarily. Next entered Dr. Hariprasad, the esteemed attending physician, and much senior in both status and experience than the aforementioned, Dr. Lin. We repeated the routine with the bright light. The good doctor then rendered his diagnosis.............."you definitely have macular degeneration!" The good news..........."of the 3000 plus patients that I see each year with macular degeneration, you are in the top two percent!" He sent me on my way with instructions to take a Centrum Silver each day and to return for follow-up in one year. And so, though I have received the dreaded diagnosis, I currently suffer none of the symptoms of this unfortunate disease. And, so it goes......... The specialist did say that anyone with familial history of ARMD should have screenings, by a specialist, beginning at age 50.

20 APRIL 2007 - GOT ICE?

I have never purchased a new refrigerator. Nor have I ever enjoyed a fancy-dancy fridge enabled with all of the bells and whistles that are so ubiquitious in modern, advanced technology, appliances.

My refrigerator, very small by today's standards, is probably original to the apartment. I have only a teeny-tiny compartment that is dedicated to keeping frozen stuff frozen.........and, I have to periodically defrost the freezer to maintain the space. Otherwise, ice grows and freezer capacity shrinks.

In addition to my small, old refrigerator, I have a new housekeeper from Guatamala. She speaks little English but we make do. I conveyed to Latesia, after offering her a soft drink, that I had no ice....."porque mi refrigerador es muy poquita." With a huge smile, she escorted me to the kitchen. She proudly opened the refrigerator to reveal two trays of partially frozen water that she had positioned on the pull-out defroster tray that is directly below the freezer compartment. "Brava!", said I.............."y muchas gracias."

After almost 19 years of residing with my little refrigerator and imbibing luke-warm martinis.........I GOT ICE!!!

17 APRIL 2007 - ANOTHER SAILOR IN THE FAMILY

Last Friday, I attended the graduation of Theresa's son, Kristopher, from Navy Recruit Training at Great Lakes. I am so glad that I went. The ceremony was impressive as almost 1000 new Sailors joined the Fleet......excellent Navy band composed of recruits, disciplined drill team, choral group, flag bearers displaying the flags of the home states of the graduates........even some inspirational speeches. And, the immense drill hall was packed with proud families who traveled to the Chicagoland area from all corners of the States.

I didn't recognize Kristopher. He has slimmed dow and buffed up since I saw him last at Mother's 90th birthday party. One of his shipmates led me to him and he looked resplendent in his impeccable Navy Dress Blue uniform. It was a proud day for him. I was proud of him.

We went to a local restaurant for lunch and I returned him to the base so he could enjoy his weekend liberty. Kristopher is scheduled to stay at Great Lakes Naval Station where he will attend Gunner's Mate Class"A" School. He said that it is a six month course. I look forward to seeing the nephew again soon.

28 MARCH 2007 - HAPPY IN THE HEARTLAND

Theresa Jacobi and I returned from Kansas on Sunday after an absolutely fabulous four-day visit to the Heartland and Cynthia and Patrick's cozy retreat. Rita and Margaret were also there. We played three tournaments of house Texas Hold'em.........and I got lucky - twice! Patrick took us to the casino in Missouri. I played limit Texas Hold'em poker......and won $54.00. The girls stuck pretty much to the slots. I was sorry that none of them went to the tables because they all have excellent card sense.

The trips to Kansas are so good for health........and the healthy release of endorphins. We laughed and laughed. I took a Netflix DVD, Casino Royale, that was so awful it was funny..........more laughter. Theresa had The Devil Wears Prada........it was a good re-look. We enjoyed a stand-off with about two dozen cows on the other side of the fence. One cow would brave a step forward that was quickly followed by the rest of the herd............more laughter. There was one bull that was exceedingly interested in the "special fragrances" of the bovine ladies...........lucky fellow. Actually, there was one bull only in the entire company............more luck - no competition.

Our trip could not have been better.....well, it could have been a little warmer until the last day that was perfect. Otherwise, Cynthia and Patrick, the lovely hospitality, the locale, the cuisine, the movies and the poker tournaments, the side trips to the Post Exchange, the micro-brewery, Sam's Club, the rock house with wine and appetizers, the casino and the many glasses raised, all conspired to create the best of memories.