"My Stroke in the Fast Lane" reading & book talk at Hudson Valley Writers Center: Sunday, 7/13 @ 4:00pm

I am so excited about this upcoming reading of My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery. First of all, it's at Hudson Valley Writing Center, where I took memoir classes with the esteemed writer, teacher, and memoir mentor, Susan Hodara. It was just after my stroke. Each week, we had the assignment to write a few pages, and then read them aloud in class. I remember going up to Susan after one of the classes and apologizing for speaking so softly. I was actually embarrassed that my voice was so muted.  Wow ... I've come a long way from that beginning. 

"Writing a memoir is hard, and you did it under compromising circumstances, to put it mildly," Susan said recently. "This is a testament to your grit and commitment to yourself."

Along with giving advice to those struggling with their stories, we'll also discuss:

When, during the recovery process, did I decide to write a book? Why? 

With my right hand so floppy, especially my pinky and ring finger, how did I eventually connect my brain with my fingers so that I was writing again? 

What impact has my book had on readers and listeners? 

How has having the book in the world affected my life?

Etc. 

This will be my twelfth reading and book talk. I'll let you know how it goes!

A hug from Susan Lucci: A poignant moment highlighting our shared journeys of resilience & hope

Susan Lucci, an unquestionable icon in daytime soap opera history, appeared in ABC-TV's "All My Children" for the entire run of the show (1970-2011!!). I was one of three survivors honored by Susan at the American Heart Association gala, "The Heart of NYC." A heart survivor herself, she gave this stroke survivor a big hug after introducing me and sharing my story with the audience. It was a poignant moment that highlighted our mutual journeys of resilience & hope.

A Zany, Homemade Birthday Cake

It is truly my honor to make a homemade birthday cake for good friends. Here is one I just made for one of them turning 70, (I know the candles show "3-0," but I thought it was funny because I remember celebrating her 30th, 40th, 50th, and 60th birthdays.)

They take hours to bake and create. I'm considering making these for hire. What do you think? Is your wish to have a homemade birthday cake next year? (Leave a comment!)

A Real Fashion Throwback: Try a 17th Century Collar

"From Rembrandt to Vermeer" at the Hart Museum in Amsterdam is an intimate view of 17th-century Netherlands through the eyes of Dutch masters. Sketches and paintings show many facets of urban life from enjoying food, drink, reading, and music to aging gracefully, raising children, fashion portraits or self-portraits. The exhibit showcases a diverse range of individuals, from young to old, rich to poor, and ideal to real.

A room full of these swanky collars gave opportunity to really go back in time ... to the day.

 

"Here lived ..." Small engraved brass plaques embedded in the sidewalk in front of where a person lived before being exported & exterminated by the Nazis

"Stumbling Stones” was inspired by German artist Gunter Demnig to remind us of the Jewish victims in Amsterdam before they fell victim to Nazi terror. The words Hier wohnte ... ('Here lived ...') are written on most of the plates, emphasizing that the victims of persecution did not live and work at any anonymous place, but "right here."

Each plaque was installed at the last place the person's name, dates of birth, deportation & extermination. I was first introduced to "Stolperstein" while my husband and I were on a walking tour in Koblenz, Germany. There was one grouping of plaques placed for a family. Terrifying.

“Here lived Ida Rosenberg, b 1870, deported 1942,

murdered in Theresienstadt on 8/9/42.”

In Judaism, placing pebbles on a gravestone is a custom to show respect for the departed.

Flowers and pebbles were recently and lovingly placed by a family member or friend on these newly polished plaques.