the low-down

First, a quick update…

My mother is yet among the living, but for how long is anyone’s guess. In the absence of a feeding tube, puree is being slid down her throat on the off chance it will make it into her stomach rather than her lungs. She has been alert and demanding strawberry ice cream. My dad floated a test Red Cross message on Friday, just to see how quickly they could get word if she should pass; it took less than eight hours.

We are going on vacation in spite of my mother’s impending demise. I know it seems callous, but the family needs to spend time together after being so long apart. However, the trip has been seriously shortened. Instead of two+ weeks, it is now a week skiing in New Zealand, with a quick stop in Australia. We may hit the beaches later in the summer if given the opportunity.

The kitchen here has been working over time since my husband’s return. We eat something fabulous almost every night – plus some exceptional breakfasts as well. He made this terrific carrot-ginger soup, stuffed artichokes, grilled pineapple, orange marmalade pancakes and on and on. The two of us have made some pretty spectacular dishes as well. It is wonderful to be cooking with him again.

The cat turned five this past week. It is hard to believe we’ve had him so long. He was a shelter kitten. He fell asleep in my daughter’s arms and we knew he was the one.

We just got my daughter a new cell phone (it is already driving me nuts). We got it for my daughter in case she runs into trouble out and about in Japan. A cell phone is almost a necessity here; everyone has one. Awhile back, when we went to the American Hi-Fi concert in Yokosuka, the band was bemused to see that during the ballad, rather than lighters, they were faced with a sea of glowing cell phone screens. The cell phones send and receive email, take still and moving photos, operate as a planner and address book, play games, wake you up, and, of course, make calls. The kids here collect tiny key chains to hang from their cell phones – some have wads of key chains bigger than the cell phones themselves.

I hope you’ve had as great a week!!