"My Stroke in the Fast Lane" reveals a whole new look!!

I am thrilled to announce a NEW COVER DESIGN for my book!! 

:-))

Lifting 12.5 lbs!!!

My trainer, AJ, was proud, too

To many, it might sound like nothing, but for me, 12.5 lbs was huge. 

I can hardly express how proud I was that my body could lift that number on the dumbbells. (Actually, each was 12.5, so essentially, I was lifting 25 lbs. Get outta here!!!) 

It's important for stroke survivors to have regular workouts. Otherwise, a stiffness that hinders everything, including the mind, begins to settle in.

Afterwards I sat in the car and nearly cried. For a brief moment, I had the clarity to consider what I've accomplished since having the stroke. There are too many to list, but my book, My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery is one of them. Now volunteering at the Phelps Hospital Caregiver Center I am able to impart a bit of optimism to stroke patients and their families. 

My mantra is, "You can do it!" Today, lifting 25 lbs was something I am proud my body can do.

 

MY STROKE IN THE FAST LANE will soon have a new look!

The cover of "My Stroke in the Fast Lane" is in the shop for a redesign.

Wooo-hoooo!!! Stay tuned.

"East meets West" Amidst the Peonies

As I was ogling the peonies in full bloom at the recent trip to the Bronx Botanical Gardens, there were two Asian women taking shots of one another. I asked if they would mind if I took one of them together. Before you know it, Amy (yeah, she's my new best friend) grabbed me, thrust a peony blossom in my hand, and put her hand around my waist. Her friend Elaine, also my NBF, took this photo of us.

It was truly an "East meets West" moment. 

 

I am a cul-chahhhhhhd poy-ssssson

A. and I love culture. ANY kind of music, as long as it's good. From jazz in a small club-like setting, to indoor and outdoor concerts at Caramoor, to classical concerts at Carnegie Hall, or David Geffen Hall. (We have season subscriptions to both.) In the fall and winter, we go to Juilliard student concerts. And, all year round, we'll catch a Broadway, Off-Broaday, and Off-off Broadway show. We love going to museums, drive-ins, and movie theaters. 

W e   l i k e   t o  d o  s t u f f .

Here is this particular weekend (Note: In our household, we start the weekends on Wednesday):

Wednesday afternoon 

Go to Bronx Botanical Garden to see hundreds of peonies, you know, those large, showy, blooms in every color in the phone book? It's a must-see.

Thursday night

Jacob Burns Film Center to hear Viggo Mortenson talk about his film, "The Dead Don't Hurt," and then we got to watch he played the lead man. Janet Maslin, a journalist, best known as a film and literary critic for The New York Times, will moderate. 

Friday night

Carnegie Hall to hear the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra play the program:

Maurice Ravel, Piano Concerto in G Major (1929-1931); Mitsuko Uchida, piano

Valerie Coleman, Concerto for Orchestra, "Renaissance"  (2023-2024, New York Premiere)

Claude Debussy, La mer (1903-1905)

Saturday afternoon 

Pound Ridge Authors Society summer luncheon

Saturday night

Jazz Forum for 2 sets of Paquito D'Rivera, a Cuban-American dynamite National Endowment for the Arts master of alto saxophone, clarinet and composer. 

Sunday afternoon

Andy Hammerstein to give a talk on his grandfather Oscar Hammerstein who, along with Richard Rodgers, co-wrote the musical "Oklahoma," a 1955 comedy, drama, musical, romance, and Western all wrapped into one. Janet Maslin, a journalist best known as a film and literary critic for The New York Times, will moderate. (Wait, didn't I just see her on Thursday night?? She gets around.) 

After the talk and movie, going out with Penelope, a good friend from Hampshire College. Incidentally, Andy went to Hampshire, too. I went to Hampshire as well. We were all converged on campus at the same time.

Sunday night 

We will do:

                                                                                                        Nothing.

__________

When I had my stroke, it was difficult to walk three steps. Life was so hard.

Carpe Diem, baby.