To Tell You the Truth. . .

      If I were to compose a compendium of phrases, habits, annoyances and the like, you can be certain that "to tell you the truth" would be number one on that 'miss' parade.  Can't even dance to it.  In my experience, it seems generally to fall out of mouths that, bent on speaking - or saying ANYthing - belong to the careless-of-expression, mute listeners of their own oration, often less than candid and tending toward fulsome responses that repulse rather than respond to the listener.
      Never, then, did I imagine an occasion when I would employ this over-used and reflexive phrase.  And imagination notwithstanding, the 'deans-of-discipline' in the real world would sever the instrument wielding the quill intent on using this verbiage as a TITLE of anything penned by yours truly.  What, you ask, caused this shocking breach of taste and literary comity?  I'll be quick about it - or is it too late - to dull the sting.  Simple is as simple writes: I simply couldn't fit my conscience into any other of this season's "Simplicity" patterns.
      There.  I said it.  No choice.  See, there was this quandary.And it didn't 'walk into a room or a bar.'  It didn't do anything.  Just plopped atop a pile of like cast-off cant ant would/could not be supplanted with an acceptable bon mot.  QUANDARY:
  wanted/needed to write today
  unfinished business past deadline
  It is Mothers' Day and I refuse to resort to the banalities of  what   conventional wisdom labels 'polite conversation'.
      Sooo.  You'll just have to imagine there's been a diaspora of all the smart people and what we have left id me, writing in a somewhat disjoint fashion.  In psychiatry, I believe it's called 'flight of ideas'.  Do come, then and fly my friendly, albeit disordered skies of tales told randomly - but honestly.

      (ANNIE CLARK:
While I lay in one of five different hospital beds (please see "While You Were Away. . .)  in Pittsburgh, wallowing in self-pity expressed with asperity, I heard a story on the local news, spoken as though it had  come straight from the Mount, of a beautiful child - one of a family of eleven children - who, having been born without hands, had just won a first place award for perfect penmanship.

      On presentation day, Annie, dressed on her sunny yellow school cardigan, matching yellow flower in her ebony hair, walked gracefully, decorously in her shiny royal blue patent uniform shoes to accept her trophy while her seven year-old classmates cheered her on with abandon.  Along with the trophy, Annie has earned a one thousand dollar prize to be applied to her education. 
      She was happy to oblige a request to demonstrate her skills and shared her ambitions enthusiastically.  Annie wants to write books about animals - fiction and non - when she grows up.  That was enough to rouse my sorry arse out of the doldrums of Gethsemane and dive into my physical therapy exercises with renewed elan.)

      Next up, a combo of my 'just wanting to write today' and Mothers' Day.

      (What's Mothers' Day without the Grand peeps?  Here we have Molly (UR), Mia (DL) and Emma (DR).  Molly, now 6, spent today with her older brother Declan, 10 and younger brother, Patrick, 3,  detailing, washing and buffing Mommy Robyn's car.  Mia, 3.5, above left, took Mommy Julie to the Boston Red Sox baseball game today and, along with Daddy, cheered the home team on to a 7-1 victory in a warm 'Beantown' sunbath.

      Emma, 4 and big sister to Charlie, almost 2, above in the pictorial collage they made to brighten up my hospital room, spent today making Mommy Jennie 'Queen Unquestioned' with performances like those pictured, story TELLING and a home-created outdoor Cafe festively adorned for the Mommy-no-cook cook out masterfully directed by Daddy.  Ya know, folks, just like the 'Hokie Pokie', that's what it's all about.)

      And Moi?  Well.  There were chats with my 'kids', my walk and exercises, some laundry and reverie.  This last is one of my favorite because  whereas I always fretted that my life might end up being a 'blank tape', it has/is quite a hoot.

      (I write because I refuse to let the past slip away.  You can't retrieve your life - unless it's on Wikipedia and, by definition, inaccurate.  And I'm not too comfy living in these 'google years' - all of its virtual/techno stuff bodes of my future becoming a constant affront.  For example, I'm SOOO techno-challenged, I couldn't figure out how to submit Emma's dear drawing to an exciting, new page for kids, "Youth Tube", sponsored by my beloved friends/colleagues at The Plum Tree Co., an organization for/by writers.  So, I'll just cheat it in here: That's me on

the left wearing glasses and a tad unsteady re: gait.  Emma's to my right looking for all the world like she's having sympathy 'gait issues' as well.  Charlie puts in an appearance on the following page but just as a signatory as his is a rather jammed dance card these days and 'art' is not on his agenda.  But Emma always is.)

The other passion - and it seems to be family-wide - that I cherish is the theater.  Some say that the lost tribe of drama fanatics has its roots in a form of compensation: it serves as a refuge for the unhappy child.  I prefer the Bard's theory - 'the world's a stage'.

      (The very essence of acting is the art of being someone else.  And the craft of the playwright is to make a fantasy of his own creation SO true to the lives of the characters he's creating, the audience accepts it as reality.  I've been working at both since childhood.  It was the day I asked myself, "What if I'm not me?" That little query launched me into sixty-seven years - and counting - of creating/being whomever.  The whole 'duality gestalt' really hooks me.

      And just when I'm having all manner of giggles being 'me' and 'the other' - and, mind you, I'm never confused as to where the 'I' stops and the 'thou' begins - along comes 'virtuality/we-can-do-it-with-computers'.  Not good.  I just know - KNOW - it does not bode well.  So, dear readers, I leave you this evening having revealed my 'boogieman'.  Perhaps, if you are of like mind - scratch that; if you were, you'd need adult supervision.  Perhaps you can just hope, for my sake, a little token of kindness, hope that one of the infelicities that stalk the script of my erstwhile dulcet and harmonious life's work - "Lorane, the Play" - is not teetering on the fringe of going 'dark'at the hands of "CyberScythe".)

Later, 'Ubermom' Lorane. . . .

While You Were Away from My Desk

      Wow, there's ". . .Wearing Thin" and then there's "Puff. . ." as in the 'magic dragon'.  So which is it, you're wondering with hungry curiosity - or, having tapped the 'unfollow' key weeks ago, you're well over curious and getting on with your life.  Either way, more than the tall, fast, large or small, FRIEND-SHIPS are the most treasured of all.  I can only hope that ours, dear reader, is holding fast.
      (THE SCOOP:)
Lady walks into her favorite specialty food shoppe ("Taste Unlimited") and strikes a careless pose as well as 'up' a chat-cum-meaning-cum-'Lady, this is your life' with the new shoppe manager:
    NM:  "What's with the cane?"
    L:      "It's a Shillelagh" followed by a healthy dose of verbal diarrhea culminating with, "So I was told there's nothing else they can do to fix the discs in my back."
    NM:  "Oh yes there is. (Matter-of-fact-chirpy) You just have to see my friend David.  He'll know what to do."
    L:  Great.  And could you add avocado to that rare roast beef on croissant?"

      (Next Day:)
      L checks email - addressed to Lorane Leavy.  Hmmm.  Spam?  Who's David O., MD?  Wait.  Christy.  'Friend David'.  Opening it, I find I'm personally invited to go to UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Neurological Surgery for an evaluation by Dr. David O. on 01/23/12.  "Please bring all radiographic studies done since 2004 to the present and send a medical/surgical chronological synopsis ASAP via attachment."

      (Ensuing Days:)
      After performing duly diligent online/onvine research in 'the business', L complies with prerequisites and plans trip with husband, Phil (TR, for you 'old-timers').  By 01/26/12, Dr. O., having graciously reviewed pertinent CTs and x-rays, answering questions as we went along (Phil's were along the line of, "How much of a change do you see from December to now in the degree of listhesis?" whereas mine, "Gosh.  That's anything but a straight line." were simpler.) was prepared to render an assessment.
      We had two alternatives.  If we did nothing, he predicted that at this rate of accelerated degeneration, within 18 months I'd be wheelchair-bound on a Morphine pump.  OR, he could perform a very complex - technically and as regarded magnitude - operation during which, starting as high in the spine (bra-line level) as possible, he would insert man-made discs - like those in a normal spine - between each successive vertebra (crescent-shaped spine bones through which the spinal column and nerves exit from same) thus providing support and protection and allowing normal function of the muscles controlled by these nerves and giving the nerves the stability I now lacked to maintain their normal position.  (I'd had four surgeries to date wherein the damaged discs were removed and the vertebrae fused one to another.  During my last surgery, L2-3, the hardware - screws, etc. that had been placed below from L4 to the sacrum were removed.  Unfortunately, there never had been fusion, so within a short time nothing from L3 down was 'connected' and every time I moved, the bones with the nerve exit holes would move as well.)
      We seemed to see ONLY alternative #2, but he preferred we return home, meet with the fam, think, pray and THEN respond.  This was on Friday.  By Sunday, we emailed, "#2, ASAP, Please."  Reply:  kind and endearing assistant Kathleen B mailed us a mountain of forms.  Dr. David called five days later apologizing for his tardy response (He'd been in Istanbul for a week, lecturing an international audience of surgeons on his surgical treatment of spinal deformities.)
      We agreed on a date - 04/06/12, Good Friday - and I enrolled us in a new parish as our dear friend/pastor had retired in June and I planned to ask the newly-ordained and familiar pastor of Holy Spirit to administer the strengthening Sacraments of the Sick before departing for PA.
    Fr. Tim:  "Sure.  Who's your doctor?"
    Lorane:   "Dr. O."
    Fr. Tim:  Chuckle
    Lorane:  ?
    Fr. Tim:  "The Os have been parishioners here for years.  I've even met David when he was home visiting."

      (Cue the 'Twilight Zone' Theme:)
      A fondness for gourmet sandwiches leads to my meeting Christy - who is 1 of 4 sibs, native of Virginia Beach all of whom have known David - also 1 of 4 - since parochial grade school.  Their families shared many a dinner at the Os as Mrs. O is a dynamite cook and Daddy O, fascinated with computers, would hold these eight well-fed buddies captive with his ad lib, apres dessert tutorials.  Follow this serendipitous olio with the execution of Dr. O's pre-op orders, having 'must talk'ed to and become the patient of this formerly unheard-of surgeon, capping the prep off with the administration of the healing sacramental oils by his family's pastor.  Fr. Tim's send-off words:  "Go with God."
      CUT.  (Hold that 'God' thought.)  04/06/12:)
      A fifteen-hour surgery was performed on Lorane while hubby and her three children paced it out in the waiting area.  Then.  BLACKOUT in OR.  Lorane was transferred to ICU.  Dr. David approached the waiting, stolid, terrified family.  After answering all simultaneously catapulted questions coming his way, he concluded reassuringly, "Things went REALLY well, guys.  We're looking for a complete recovery."  Family breathes.  He answers a few more questions then quietly returns to his battlefield.  Family returns home to be with THEIR families when Easter Bunny arrives.  Phil remains, getting ensconced into his home-away-from-home, the hospital's Family House.  Traveling light, he only needed the TV sports schedule and 10 or so lbs of Butterfingers - Easter Bunny NEVER forgets Phil, in his home town no less - to get settled in.
      (Easter Sunday:)
      I opened my eyes to see Dr. David in the ICU.  Gently/with firm encouragement, he said, "Stand up, Lorane."  I locked on his intensely commanding gaze and stood.  For the first time in seven years, there was no pain. Tearfully, I managed, "Guess it WAS a Good Friday, huh."  Smiling broadly, he responded, "It sure was."

[ONWARD:  ICU to Step-Down Unit, dramatic drop in platelet count, a fall/fracture of L3, transfer to Accelerated Rehab Floor, development of 'pseudo-gout' bilaterally in feet (looked like cantaloupes), premature discharge from Rehab Unit without telling my docs, wheeled into Rm 1067 (Patient in THAT bed seemed to prefer solo occupancy), then 1065, 1063, etc. (think "Airplane") until, 'what ho!', an empty room 1025.  Delivery woman retreats; P.T. staff delivered belongings and left; nine hours of "Who are you?"; finally Internal Medicine doc admitted me to his service - GI - so I could receive food, water and treatment; following day, he discharges me as Dr. David's docs there - as they were supposed to be, having no knowledge of early departure from Rehab Floor - and admitted me until transfer could be arranged to the Temporary Care Unit (slow pace rehabilitation) where a host of caring, qualified, efficient care providers executed all orders of Dr. David and his Medical Team surrogates.  Things moved along swimmingly save for the brace ordered by Dr. David - a torso affair that had been constructed according to his measurements of my new spinal architecture.  This would be addressed.)

      There were setbacks, glum chum days, the pain of every muscle accustomed to taking orders from my twisted, bent, scoliotic, shortened spine now having to make dramatic changes in length, function and location to appease this new spine, crafted by Dr. O, designed by God.
      So.  That's what I've been doing these past four weeks, working with my new best friend, "Brace", constructed to precisely mirror the architecture Dr. David blanketed with skin and sutured shut in the OR.  Proceeding tentatively, I  baby-stepped through the rigors of P.T. and the re-learning of 'Activities of Daily Living' until, after one last re-sizing of "Brace", I was carried back to 'ole Virginny' where the REAL work will commence.  It'll be at least a year before any pronouncements are made re: outcome.  BUT.  There should be no need for further surgery.  And function?  'The Bells are Ringin' for Me and My Muscles'  Shall/will we dance?  I've hung up my tap and jazz shoes but my 'shuffle-off-to-Buffalos' are waiting for the 'cattle call.'

      (Back to that 'thought-on-Hold':)
      I see 'Hand of God', as in Rodin, orchestrating this entire experience.  THIS spine came from a realm NOT ruled by human will.  I mean, MY will - such as it is - would have me crying out for freedom from pain and restriction of movement.  Then what?  It (MY will) whispers to me in my dreams: Go to Taste Unlimited; use a Shillelagh; befriend one called Christy;  She knows the way to "The Healer"; they are friends from childhood/share the family/friendship/interdependence bond which is eternal.  Healer will respond/bring you into their fold to re-create/restore that which you have lost.  Pleased, he will broaden the circle of friends - you, your family, his family - all through the portals of the Holy House, er, Spirit Church, your new parish.

NOT.  Not even close.  Rather, THIS Hand of God is possessed of hidden forces which shape the fate of man.  This "Hand" is the PULSING ENERGY that drives us and manifests itself despite social rules and constraints.  (What if I'd never heard of Taste Unlimited? Went there on a day Christy was off?  Never returned because it was too expensive?  The avocado was mushy?)
      THIS 'Hand' allows for disorder and spontaneity.  Each of its creations must be filled with its INNER POWER.  Rodin taught that the surface of his creations (in my case, hesitant, plagued with co-morbidity) is the VISIBLE result of an INvisible force.  Further, he entreated his students to make their minds understand every surface as the OUTER LIMIT of a volume pressing against it.
      Rodin believed in the power of NATURE as his inspiration - when he sculpted The Hand of God as well as The Gates of Hell.  (I, for one, having seen his work in a traveling exhibit in DC many years ago, wondered who he got to 'sit' for The Hand of God?  Models for the Gates of Hell, I reasoned, were in abundance.)
      He felt that ALL life has its origin in a center which then blossoms and unfolds outward.  This center, he called, the INNER PULSE.  It is the very same 'pulse' or ENERGY that drives, oblivious to constraints.  In my experience of the Hand of God, without it, society and age would have directed the continuing process of degradation.  The Hand of God - in its serendipitous fashion, via disorder and spontaneity, INTERRUPTED the anticipated, predictable pattern, leading me to the UNcultivated "rest' - the LANDSCAPE beyond the city's borders.
      If I were a sculpture, my surface/OUTER LIMIT would be under the volume of force coming from the true center, the INNER PULSE.  My life, then, must originate in a center which blossoms, unfolds outward from within or from this INNER PULSE.  (I'd like to think of it as God.  Your call.  No constraints.)  But, if you  chose to follow along, let me know if you sense/feel it before I do.
Later, Lorane. . . .
     

    

Lemon-Haired Leavys

      There we were, chatting with old friends - about NOT commemorating birthdays - when they called.  Our youngest daughter, Jennie, and her mate, working parents, involved citizens, go, go, and then some, have a sacred pact.  It's called 'Sunday is ours - with the kids'.  Refreshing, really.  We always had pacts.  Still do.  They're in the 'we'll-get-to-it' room somewhere with all the other broken stuff.  The call - more of an announcement, really - was to share the 'Saturday plan' which involved visiting at our house, 'early-ish', to celebrate my birthday.  The one we preferred NOT to commemorate although, in truth, we'd had a lovely bash at their place last weekend.  B-Day weekend.  "Sounds great," I heard myself reply. BRAIN: Early-ish.  They're up at 5 AM every day. It's Wednesday.  If I go to sleep now, I can bank some deprivation.

     (Last weekend, their kids, Emma, 4 and Charlie, 19 months, had grandly presented me with their labor-of-love, a travel-photo.  Instant family: add one nail, any wall and, Ta-da! Hi Grams!                               

Charlie, Big Sis told



me, had worked very hard applying the stickers.  As she identified the settings in the selected pics with her still-damp paint brush, Emma subtly let me know who had done - and LOVED doing - the heavy lifting.  But Lord knows, it certainly warms your heart, especially when the years seem to be swiftly ebbing in the wrong direction.)

      Our son's call, following on the hot speed dial of Jen's, was not as surprising as the little Leavys had been still in heated process re: Grams' present when they'd called on my special day with wishes and song.  Philip was confirming a drop-by on Saturday, most likely apres la crosse engagements near our home.  That would put their ETA in the PM hours which provided a dandy dovetail to the 'Emma and Charlie Show'. 

      There simply is no other way to describe these strange bedfellows - Emma all about the tedium of acclimating Mommy and Daddy to her latest persona - gypsy/flower child - which 3-piece, Southern banker Daddy was not anticipating and usually amusing/theatrical Mommy was reacting to with an 'attitude'. As if Emma didn't have enough on her little Dresden plate already.

      Charlie, her polar opposite, is all about throwing - anything - hard - at anyone.  In that his brand at the moment, headful of spun-yellow curls capping an always-at-the-ready-grin which comes with an array of dimples totally denying - ostensibly - any plans of derring-do, has his sitters all a-whisper about 'what-to-do-about-Charlie',  can focus on his main agenda - eating.  The continuity of this passion  is impressive, but he toddles at mach speed so re-fueling needs are met in kind.

      Philip's three - Declan, Molly and Patrick - are no less ebullient and active but they are older and, Mercury is beginning to surrender to Mars and - sometimes - Earth, as they evolve into the activities of the more mature, taller, dervish.  I was told they were most excited about their 'creation' and particularly anxious to make their presentation.

      It was therefore understandable, albeit no less daunting, when the call came shortly after ten AM announcing a final approach as the game had ended early.  One-time fleet-of-foot Poppy, or The Recliner as you may recall him, had barely enough time to scoot to the bakery and snag the richest of decorated cup cakes for the festivities.  This contribution, in his world, is called 'the preparation' for the kids' visit. What else might there be to do?

      (The loud music and louder footfalls announced their arrival as Daddy tried to maneuver their eight passenger 'Sherman Tank' into a strategically-parked position - one that would allow for the elaborately-festooned creation to be extracted from the vehicle and carefully 'Philip-lifted' to our front door, truly an oxymoronic type of performance.

      Joining the already full-swing, madcap, utterly delightful vision of five towheads in impish 'glee-mode', he successfully circumvented tumbling, spinning, giggling, oblivious bodies and made it to the table at the end of our sun room, where I sat smiling in greeting while mentally biting brain cells - the ole handy artificial face-with-grin at the ready.  The final landing was a bit turbulent but I'd donned my seat belt under my clothing at six AM so I was good.  With the near-misses and Charlie missiles, I mean. 

      Having alerted me to the fact that even the card was breakable, he requested the children gather 'round so Grams could open their gift - already in need of first aid from a loading mishap, named Patrick, I believe.  Billed a 'travel-fam' as

 well, words fail me in any attempt at the emotions that overcome a 'Grams' gazing at a framed collage of three of her peeps, artfully and poignantly graced with  super-glued icons representative of her and the stars of this masterpiece.

      The pencil - I write - the die with its face showing the number six, as I have six peeps, a golf tee, Declan's passion, lovely shells and an amorphous sea creature, Molly's obsession - and a gerbera daisy - also compliments of Molly and Mommy because I love these flowers - and when I finally pointed to two race cars, tearing across the bottom of the frame,  Patrick and his arm literally 'lifted off' the floor in a proud display of attribution.  Please note, McQueen's car has a black-and-white, sirens blaring, on his tail.) 

Mia, upper L; middle, lower R

      I do apologize for this shameful breach of taste and form.  The narcotic as yet does not exist that can compete with the effect a bragging grandmother has on her listeners' minds.  But, like these kids - their insistence on including Mia - #6  traveling and could not join us - I have to believe that  there is at least an element of universal appeal to this recounting. 

      Of course, if you, my friends, do not share my belief, I trust you've moved on to real literature and please know, I completely understand.  To be sure, it is unlikely that Mia - all about perpetual motion, rushing into life with a 'try me' affect and a 'you love me' smile - does not.  What could possibly be more interesting and engaging that this 'lemon-haired brood' adoring their "Gigi", huh?

"Beats me," she'd no doubt stoutly put forth.  Whether she'd be correct in her assessment is yours to decide.  I'll just linger a bit and mentally enjoy the future with-the- peeps-ere-in-tow wherever I travel. I am all about sharing (you noticed) so feel free to print 'n take 'em with you as well.  Or not.  Hoping to see you again soon, Later, Lorane. . . .

 

    

Lemon-Haired Lady Lorane

      (Although premature, possibly inappropriate even, I felt it only fair - to me - to provide just a glimpse of autobiography today, my birthday.  It is also something of a canard, really, to include myself among the lemon-haired as for at least sixty years, that I recall, I've decidedly been a brunette. But, as I'm sure you'll agree, my friends, stuff indeed happens - like gray hair brazenly sprouting from an erstwhile pristinely uniform sable pelt.  Further punctuating the need to put a halt to this pernicious progression was the fact that I was - and continued to be - an olive-skinned brunette. 
      There are those (all of the women in my husband's family come to mind) who are simply beautiful 'white blondes'.  Just recently, while talking to Jennifer, daughter of stunning Jackie whose carefully disheveled, high/low-lighted tresses augmented many a closing of million dollar business deals, Jennifer - last seen by ME sporting just-short-of-raven locks that graced her hips, allowed as how after each wrenching hospital visit with her mother, now in extremis, she'd rush home to try even harder to achieve the whitest blond possible for her now smartly-bobbed, vixen-do.
      So VERY soon after the intrusion, nay, invasion of this most unattractive, persistent and rapidly metastasising attribute, it was shorn to the max and transformed into a streaked, low/high-lighted coif requiring studious maintenance performed by the studied, dexterous, internationally influenced hands of Belgium-born, world-traveled Roswitha.

      The results not only changed my classification but 'felt' right, a way of being in the world for which I have always sought steadfastly before launching ANY activity, like living.  Now the cast of characters which will live in my diary, similarly populated/comprised this 'living' to which I've alluded.  In deference, then, to the comity/respect I have come to enjoy and treasure among established authors - quite by chance, I assure you - I daren't transgress the 'code', blemish the bard-influenced art of the literati, by committing the sin of redundancy.

      On the other hand, after a cursory mental preview of the events to which you will share through the 'genuine' lemon-haired set, it occurred to me that there is one ubiquitous aspect/involvement that truly followed me like a well-operated spotlight (like sand through an hourglass) all 'the days of my life'.  Coincident with that massacred introductory metaphor, I speak now of performing.  The set: mostly 'on stage' but, to be sure there were scenes off-stage that were indeed theatrically entertaining - in retrospect.

      My love of the performing arts was described far better than I might by Nora Ephron (except she was referring to her imagined love affair with Bill

Clinton when she wrote) "The vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory".  That truly sums up my personal 'acting' career.  I was the drama queen in my own soap opera.)

      For the above reasons 'snippets' will have to suffice - and be disjointed the while.  To wit, in parochial high school, I suffered my family through a period of preparation for my 'vocation' by attending six AM mass before getting on with my school day. 

      To accomplish this, I would rise in owl-time, shower,wash and 'roller' my hair (you may have to google this last, but it involved rolling one's hair around 1.5 -2 inch wire mesh rollers in multiple precision rows which were then covered for security) and, in my case, deference to the then Roman Catholic 'rule' of women always covering their heads when inside a church.  Ours was particularly ornate - huge, artisan-quality/vintage stained-glass windows, every square inch of wall a fresco ed mural, a ceiling surely modeled after Cellini's, statuary both inspirational and copious, mounted as centerpieces of mini side alters which surrounded the periphery inviting the faithful to pause, light a vigil candle and kneel in meditation.

      On one such morning ritual outing, being a 'daily communicant as well, I reverently processed to the five marble steps one climbed to kneel at the velvet-padded top step, hands folded in prayer (and thus not clutching the sturdy, polished ornate brass railing) heavy-lidded eyes at half mast in both reverence and - in hindsight - rapid onset hypoglycemia.  I vaguely recalled the lateral approach of the priest-with-server-holding-paten-at-the-ready-lest-Christ-hit-the-deck.  And then. cherubim and seraphim, harps and halos - as promised.  I made it! Heaven!

      Were it not for the rollers, it would have been a massive concussion capping off the five-marble step backward free fall.  But as convention would have it, as I plaintively called out, "Saint Peter?  It's me, Lorane.  I made it and. . .", the priest was shaking my cold shoulder - and serving some of his own - trying to rouse this disruptive, shoddily attired teenager and send her to her earthly residence.  Needless to say, Mom put an end to this routine, henceforth, heading me toward the first of the two subways I was to ride - without preamble - to school.  Now.

      I muddled through the educational process by taking advantage of every scholastically-approved dalliance in stagecraft I found.  Post marriage, having graduated with my MRS intact and bags packed, bound for Norfolk, Virginia, I kept the home fires and my duodenum burning, enduring Southern 'hospitality' and hospitals having developed six bleeding gastric ulcers for my trouble. Soon after we arrived and hubby deployed, it began.  First, a phone call from a woman identifying herself as "Mrs. Commodore."

      You see, Doc began his 'payback' Navy career a First Lieutenant.  He deployed as THE medical officer on the flagship destroyer which also berthed the Commodore, hallowed commander of the entire fleet.  (You will appreciate JUST how poorly they did not get along through a successive lemon-haired lady.)  Knowing how/what the Commodore represented to Doc via daily missives, a 'chatty', welcoming call from the Mrs. was unlikely. And darn, I truly believed the last commodore was Perry!

      Her mission was to telephonically elaborate the 'rules' of this charade.  First, the "Luncheon Friday will commence yada yada yada." To which Mrs. "First Lt." replied, interrupting, "My name, the one to which I REPLY, is Lorane Leavy."  More 'psycho-military' babble.  Sooo, and I DO apologize for what will likely be perceived as a 'shocking breach of taste', I'll not be attending the "LUNCHEON".  There was a modicum of satisfaction - think sub-atomic - in hanging up before Mrs. Commodore could master ANY composure.

      In time, eons metaphorically, I had big time ulcer surgery, did some couch time and, at the shrink's suggestion, listening to enough of my, "Y'all come back", "Have a nice day!", "Darlin' this 'n that" - THEY could care LESS what kind of day I have and as for me, I hope they NEVER come back or at all!", I got involved in community theater, tried out/read for my first role and got it.  That started my twenty year love affair with the most important 'escape mechanism'/safe-port-in-any-storm - acting and theater people.

      Now lest you think this relationship in any way TRUMPED what was really primo in my life - my family, having/watching them grow, working at aiding in developing these little copers, LOVING them and Doc more than life - pu-leez, know that, like writing, the acting was/is an invaluable adjunctive tool, permitting, forgiving, blessing, recording, providing the means/fortitude to survive some of the curve balls at which we would 'swing and miss'.  Thank God, as I do daily, for such gifts.

      Ironically, my involvement was sometimes misinterpreted/miss-judged.  To wit, when we purchased our first 'starter mansion', it was located near the hospital at which civilian Doc now practiced AND in the 'right' neighborhood.  Trust me.  Serendipity.  The price was right.  Populated as it was by the 'right stuff' - lawyers, docs, Indian-chief types - we were feted with a 'welcome to (US)' party.  Host, attorney, for local (wonderful) children's hospital, married to Heidi, pres of Junior League-money-raising-arm of same, extended a warm welcome.  We all had "Hello-my-name-is" name tags (yet another warm accommodating gesture) and the fun, like the booze, ran free.

      At a point perhaps ten to fifteen minutes from 'curtain', I was raiding the magically always replenished yum 'snack' table when 'host' approached from behind with, "Just want you to know, Lorane, we all know the type of woman you are."  Assuming this was a jocular, throw-away remark, I answered, "And what would that be Bill?"

"We've all seen you leaving the house in the early evening, little Philip in tow, going 'who knows where for 'we know what'."

"Pardon?", as I noticed Heidi, mixing, stroll by in black, skin-tight slacks, now festooned with male "Hello, my name is"- tags affixed to her derriere.

"I just want you to know, that when I get home at six, every night, my front door is opened, and waiting to greet Dad are my two kids and Heidi, who is prepared to give me anything - and I mean ANYTHING - I want or need."

Wow.  Exit-stage-handy-staving-puke-along-the-way.  Doc got home VERY shortly, inquiring,

"What the Hell was Bill talking about?"

      The 'situation', shall we say, ultimately met with closure.  Lesson learned: Ya just never know what these 'right people' are thinkin'.  AND, it doesn't matter.  Doc was doing his thing - noticeably well - and we were trying to grow our fam but met with losses in that column.  So, my circle of friends - never HAD to do the Junior League - took care of me when doc was away. One memorable example of the reciprocity or symbiosis within this relationship will have to do as time's a 'tickin and us sixty-seven year-olds need our 1) beauty/survival rest and 2) 'lemon-haired' touch-ups regularly and I've an appointment tomorrow for the latter which I will miss without the former.

      One fine mid-day, when I was not involved in his currently, widely-publicized production, a dear and talented and Polish director friend, Stan Fedyszyn, called in an obvious state of panic. He had, for good and sufficient reasons which I do not recall, invited a famous Polish theatrical company, launching an American tour, to begin same at his theater (The original, architecturally/beautifully historic Norfolk Public Library which Stan had transformed into a working theater).

      On the much anticipated day, a caravan of silver, sparkling buses-and-cargo-vehicles lumbered over the historic cobble-stoned-street, coming to rest in front of the majestically-gargoyled "Actors' Theatre".  Much to Stan's surprise/dismay, a Mr. Dviewicz, a State Department go-between, had neglected to mention that the lauded director of this production - an original script, named simply, "JA" -  spoke NO English.  Stan, surprisingly, spoke no Polish but is brilliant in the memory/improv department.  He recalled that I was half Polish. Good, Stan.  But he assumed I was fluent in the language.  Bad, Stan.

      His panicked prattle, naturally elicited a huge 'Nightingale-type' response from yours truly (and foolishly) such that I said, "Stash. (Polish for 'Stan' - poor attempt at ambiance-establishment)  Calm down.  Now, slowly repeat what EXACTLY you think I can do to help."  His voice more modulated now, his respiratory rate low enough to allow for elocution, he said, "Get over her, Lorane.  Quickly.  I don't know what the hell this guy is asking of me!"  Never giving a thought to how I might remedy this dilemma - MY aptitude/facility with the Polish language being restricted largely to 'comprehensive', expressive a distant memory - rushed to change - clothes/persona - selecting a 'Mary-Tyler-Moore-white-pant-suit', grabbing Philip - happy to be going on a field trip - and gunning it to my 'friend-in-need', just half a mile away.  (That's when living in the 'right neighborhood' REALLY paid off).

      Pulling up to the 'crime scene', my antennae locked on the vision of two local remote TV station trucks.  'Suds, Stan, the press is here.  Forgot to mention COVERAGE, Stan?  We're cooked, ya dumb Pollack'.  Soldiering on, I 'unobtrusively' exited my vehicle - white-pant-suit-clad-gal-in-heels-with-toddler-in-tow - barely escaping a lunging reporter armed with an open mike.  Once inside, trying to collect my self/thoughts, Stan appeared, an assistant lured Philip out of the picture with treats/games-in-hand and Stan led me to an obviously, newly/quickly constructed, theater-in-the-round FILLED WITH DIRT.  That's right, friends.  I was looking at an area perhaps 25 x 25 feet, obviously sunken, to accommodate ? 3 - 4 feet of black, loam-type soil, transported from Poland (and stored, no doubt, in several of those shining, silver cargo vehicles still parked - and being filmed by the 'live coverage' because 'if it bleeds, it leads' and this stuff was extravasating - in front of the theatre.)

      Still absorbing THIS 'circus' and mindful of the heels-white-suit costume, I was thinking 'protective logistics' when accosted by the renowned, ebullient, non-English-speaking Director.  "Panie!", he shrieked, grabbing my hand, and bowing to kiss same. (I think 'panie' CAN mean 'miss' and know it translates 'Mrs.') I donned that handy, dandy, 'imitation life' face tuned to 'smile'.  Post hand-kiss ordeal, I managed "Dzien Kuye" - totally phonetic spelling of THANK YOU.  He was really ecstatic now because he thinks I can communicate - dare not mention modality.  Let's just say it had been an unnecessarily protracted 'hand-kiss'.

      What followed was an authoritarian issuance of directives to his 'cast', resulting in several of them 'diving' into the dirt ("Places!) and a final directive yielding the now-submerged 'cast' member's fingers-hand-wrist-arm progression 'ceilingward', and, once in position, a loudly uttered, "Ja!".  Looking at me with a child's anticipatory, "Love me/approve my genius"-expression on his face, I returned what I hoped was a meaningful grin, and applauded wildly, eyes darting at Stan, saying, "Clap, Stash! EVERYBODY clap!".

      And we all did.  Director, so moved, he was now crying, impulsively bent down, grabbed a handful of black dirt, and in an obvious gesture of gratitude, took my hand, pressing this symbolic gold from his Polish soil-dripping hand into mine.  (Did I mention that by this time, Stan, ever the accommodating opportunist, had allowed the 'press' to enter and film this happiness/magic-moment?)  I'm thinking, "What would Mary Do" Ms. Moore, kindness itself, would treat this regally special gift accordingly.  Lorane throws dirt on the floor and then sweeps it up to be discarded.  Mary clutches same to her bosom, thence reverently places it in her . . ? purse?.  Right.  "I'll do a 'Mary'.

      After placing this precious booty in my formerly-pristine purse - AND making certain NOT  to have left a spec behind using a tissue, the now-blubbering, leering-eyed director and his entire loam-dipped cast, burst into applause of gratitude - with Stan and company joining in the festive encore - while the cameras rolled.

      Ah, yes.  The world's a stage and all of that.  Lady Lorane - not yet lemon-haired, but a bona fide future contender, had just gleefully strutted another hour upon 'life's' stage and will happily be heard.  Sooner, rather than,

Later, Lorane. . . .

     

Lemon-Haired Lady Fritz

      (Well, now, today, I give you "Fritz" but pictorially, just not on this page.  However, this 'candid' of SHAMUS, our Brittany, more than serves - as you will see - for several reasons.  Fritz is here for two reasons: he's a dog, like 'Miss Lillian', and he's short - in stature as well as role-played-in-our-lives.

      While doc was 'First Lieutenant Doc' and we lived in a town house community provided for the officers by the U. S. Navy, we had our FIRST family dog  (really our son, Philip's first dog), Max.  In the start of my ninth month of pregnancy with Philip, as I could no longer see my feet, weighed a 'smart' 196 lbs. and had to relinquish my position as Head Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital known for producing their finest surgical resident, our Doc. And I was SO relieved to do so as now I could follow orders & 'put my feet up'.

      Ever sensitive doc, concerned that I might be lonely, noticed a sign outside the "Maximum Care Unit": 'PUPPIES'.  And so it was that to relieve the nurse, whose frantic attempts at selling the 'surprise' litter her dog had presented, our boy brought this little , fuzzy bundle of un-trained canine bliss home as a present for me.  To keep me company.  Whilst I basked in the joys of elevated, edematous stumps, eating Granny Green apples.

      Max - derivative of his foundling origins - was a challenge, as presents go.  Our townhouse there was such that you had to walk down a flight of carpeted steps to exit.  'Training' proceeding at 'snail's pace', I wound up cutting the carpeting off the bottom step, which Max 'read as' "LOO", and placing it out on the commons lawn.  Worked like a charm - if you ever find yourself in a similar dilemma.

      Max-in-Norfolk was a dear, loyal playmate for the little guy.  He looked like a miniature sheepdog, his matted fur-covered nose ever on the prowl for cast-off-Philip crumbs. (Perhaps a breed-specific trait - tidiness.)  In summertime, we'd have him 'groomed' by a guy who thought raw 'Miss Lillian-look' WAS HIM!  So he arrived home post first grooming with bows on his 'poodled' ears and tail.  But he was SOOO cool, even Lt. Doc approved - after trashing the bows.)

      Today's Max episode - and I know you're thinking, wait a minute, 'MAX is a lemon-haired-lady?' - as well you should.  Your patience will pay off - centers on a painstakingly-planned Winter visit to Pittsburgh.  I'd made the flight arrangements, bought a travel crate for himself, explained over & over to Philip that "The cargo area is like a dogie playground.  They run and jump and fetch balls, get treats, etc. ad nauseum, made packing lists and assigned pre- departure duties.  The ONLY thing Lt. Doc had to do was bathe, brush and, at the appropriate time, medicate Max for the trip.

      On the eve of our journey to PA, where 'cold shoulder' would be served as MY three squares to go with the frigid temps outdoors due to the ubiquitous snow, it rained heavily.  Unfortunately, after the ordeal of coaxing (the un-walked) Max upstairs and into the bathroom for his hated 'suds-'n-rinse special', once we were at 'Mission Accomplished', Max scooted out, unseen by yours truly, so focused was I on carrying four bags of trash to the pre-placed garbage barrel.

      Even worse, at least an hour had elapsed before I noticed Max had not executed his post scrub chow-down because my list read, "wash/pack Max bowls after emptied".  "Where's Max?"  Nothing.  Strolling with admirable control to the living room where my 'men' were reading pre-bedtime, I bellowed, "Where's MAX?!"  Blank-tape stares said it all.  NO one knew where or when or whence Max had exited into the dark, stormy night nor his current location.

      Donning those 'handy, dandy imitation life disguise faces that have been pre-'smiled', Doc and I assured Philip he was JUST outside - and, proving yet AGAIN there IS a God - we heard scratching at the front door just in time for, "See? Now up we go for prayers and tuck-in.  We've got a big day tomorrow, big guy."  When I came back down, a very muddy Max was being restrained by a very anger-restraining Doc, waiting an appropriate amount of time before dragging the scoundrel pooch back upstairs for Bath Two.

      When freshly re-groomed, winter-do Max came down, he went, predictably, to the kitchen and his waiting bowls.  Once fat'n happy, he curled up at doc's feet and they watched the news while I returned to my list.  Perhaps an hour later, while I was upstairs blissfully checking task after task off my prep list, I was summoned.  Loudly.  Hmmmm.  So, scurrying down the steps, quickly but quietly, I inquired, "Is someth. . ."

      I was met with a vision.  Doc restraining a very muddy Max who was restrained by a very anger-restraining Doc, waiting an appropriate amount of time before dragging the scoundrel pooch back upstairs for Bath Three.  We both stared at peacefully-sleeping, scrubbed and fed ?.

I approached carefully and did a subtle 'gender check'.  Not sharing the findings I just said, "Well, THIS is NOT Max." Doc, already dragging the now-growling Max upstairs, spat back, "Why don't YOU figure out what to do with 'Fritz' because we have twelve hours and one travel crate till take-off."

      Had to think quickly.  The neighbors two doors down.  Of course.  Kindest folks you'd EVER want to meet.  They'll be happy to keep him/her for a day or two.  But ONLY a day or two as he'd received transfer orders.  They were leaving in four days.  And that will be PLENTY of time for the dear, hardly-known, Mrs. to figure out Fritz' next safe port in this evolving not-so-perfect storm. Most likely, after inquiring of well-known neighbors, she'd have learned that "Those Leavys.  Their dog is MAX. Male dog. SUCH practical jokers!".

      I felt quite certain that lemon-haired Fritz - or, perhaps by now, 'Annie', named for the famed orphan - would be in the care of a loving family or the base shelter.  I have a friend who, in that the family dog, 'Yippie' had taken to nipping the children - she had seven - was moving to a larger house.  On moving day, she simply took the dog to the vet - for his shots - and never saw him again.  Our vet would not have been available on a rainy evening.  And lemon-haired Fritz/Annie would be fine, I was certain.  Aren't you?

Later, Lorane. . . .

     

Fritz Lemonhair Circa 1972

      (Well, now, today, I give you "Fritz" but pictorially, just not on this page.  However, this 'candid' of SHAMUS, our Brittany, more than serves - as you will see - for several reasons.  Fritz is here for two reasons: he's a dog, like 'Miss Lillian', and he's short - in stature as well as role-played-in-our-lives.

      While doc was 'First Lieutenant Doc' and we lived in a town house community provided for the officers by the U. S. Navy, we had our FIRST family dog  (really our son, Philip's first dog), Max.  In the start of my ninth month of pregnancy with Philip, as I could no longer see my feet, weighed a 'smart' 196 lbs. and had to relinquish my position as Head Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital known for producing their finest surgical resident, our Doc. And I was SO relieved to do so as now I could follow orders & 'put my feet up'.

      Ever sensitive doc, concerned that I might be lonely, noticed a sign outside the "Maximum Care Unit": 'PUPPIES'.  And so it was that to relieve the nurse, whose frantic attempts at selling the 'surprise' litter her dog had presented, our boy brought this little , fuzzy bundle of un-trained canine bliss home as a present for me.  To keep me company.  Whilst I basked in the joys of elevated, edematous stumps, eating Granny Green apples.

      Max - derivative of his foundling origins - was a challenge, as presents go.  Our townhouse there was such that you had to walk down a flight of carpeted steps to exit.  'Training' proceeding at 'snail's pace', I wound up cutting the carpeting off the bottom step, which Max 'read as' "LOO", and placing it out on the commons lawn.  Woeked like a charm - if you ever find yourself in a similar dilema.

      Max-in-Norfolk was a dear, loyal playmate for the little guy.  He looked like a miniature sheepdog, his matted fur-covered nose ever on the prowl for cast-off-Philip crumbs. (Perhaps a breed-specific trait - tidiness.)  In summertime, we'd have him 'groomed' by a guy who thought rgw 'Miss Lillian-look' WAS HIM!  So he arrived home post first grooming with bows on his 'poodled' ears and tail.  But he was SOOO cool, even Lt. Doc approved - after trashing the bows.)

      Today's Max episode - and I know you're thinking, wait a minute, 'MAX is a lemon-haired-lady?' - as well you should.  Your patiencewill pay off - centers on a painstakingly-planned Winter visit to Pittsburgh.  I'd made the flight arrangements, bought a travel crate for himself, explained over & over to Philip that "The cargo area is like a doggie playground.  They run and jump and fetch balls, get treats, etc. ad nauseum, made packing lists and assigned pre- departure duties.  The ONLY thing Lt. Doc had to do was bathe, brush and, at the appropriate time, medicate Max for the trip.

      On the eve of our journey to PA, where 'cold shoulder' would be served as MY three squares to go with the frigid temps outdoors due to the ubiquitous snow, it rained heavily.  Unfortunately, after the ordeal of coaxing (the un-walked) Max upstairs and into the bathroom for his hated 'suds-'n-rinse special', once we were at 'Mission Accomplished', Max scooted out, unseen by yours truly, so focused was I on carrying four bages of trash to the pre-placed garbage barrel.

      Even worse, at least an hour had elapsed before I noticed Max had not executed his post scrub chow-down because my list read, "wash/pack Max bowls after emptied".  Where's Max?  Nothing.  Strolling with admirable control to the living room where my 'men' were reading pre-bedtime, I bellowed, "Where's MAX?!"  Blank-tape stares said it all.  NO one knew where or when or whence Max had exited into the dark, stormy night nor his current location.

      Donning those 'handy, dandy imitation life disguise faces that have been pre-'smiled', Doc and I assured Philip he was JUST outside - and, proving yet AGAIN there IS a God - we heard scratching at the front door just in time for, "See? Now up we go for prayers and tuck-in.  We've got a big day tomoorrow, big guy."  when I came back down, a very muddy Max was being restrained by a very anger-restraining Doc, waiting an appropriate amount of time before dragging the scoundrel pooch back upstairs for Bath Two.

      When freshly re-groomed, winter-do Max came down, he went, predictably, to the kitchen and his waiting bowls.  Once fat'n happy, he curled up at doc's feet and they watched the news while I returned to my list.  Perhaps an hour later, while I was upstairs blissfully checking task after task off my prep list, I was summoned.  Loudly.  Hmmmm.  So, scurrying down the steps, quickly but quietly, I inquired, "Is someth. . ."

      I was met with a vision.  Doc restraining a very muddy Max who was restrained by a very anger-restraining Doc, waiting an appropriate amount of time before dragging the scoundrel pooch back upstairs for Bath Three.  We both stared at peacefully-sleeping, scrubbed and fed ?.

I approached carefullu and did a subtle 'gender check'.  Not sharing the findings I just said, "Well, THIS is NOT Max." Doc, dragging the now-growling Max upstairs, spat back, "Why don't YOU figure out what to do with 'Fritz' because we have twelve hours and one travel crate till take-off."

      Had to think quickly.  The neighbors two doors down.  Of course.  Kindest folks you'd EVER want to meet.  They'll be happy to keep him/her for a day or two.  But ONLY a day or two as he'd received transfer orders.  They were leaving in four days.  And that will be PLENTY of time for the dear, hardly-known, Mrs. to figure out Fritz' next safe port in this evolving not-so-perfect storm. Most likely, after inquiring of well-known neighbors, she'd have learned that "Those Leavys.  Their dog is MAX. Male dog. SUCH practical jokers!"

      I felt quite certain that lemon-haired Fritz - or, perhaps by now, 'Annie', named for the famed orphan, would be in the care of a loving family or the base shelter.  I have a friend who, in that the family dog, 'Yippie' had taken to nipping the children - she had seven - was moving to a larger house.  On moving day, she simply took the dog to the vet - for his shots - and never saw him again.  Our vet would not have been available on a rainy evening.  And lemon-haired Fritz/Annie would be fine, I was certain.  Aren't you?

Later, Lorane. . . .

     

The Lemon-Haired Lady Diary

      There she was, at the tip of my callouses, with a simple request.  I simply cannot recall what, of the many sites I follow, page she was on. So, moving right along, as is my wont, I've put her here.  On my page, which I'm far less likely to misplace.  Although I hadn't planned to introduce them in this fashion - The Lemon-Haired Lady Diary - I shall, as, at the end of the day, there's always a reason when 'plans' are thwarted, changed, interrupted - you get the point.  So, I give you "her".
      (Over these many years of conjugal getting-through-it-all with some degree of grace and efficiency, ours has been a very together separated family.  Mark those words.  This achievement is NOT for the weak, the tired, the lackluster or disinterested.
      Rather, the rigors of healing kept my husband from membership in the 'family vacation' set - summers, holidays, breaks - he was simply not a candidate.  To accommodate the conflicting "dad's-a-doc" v. "school's-out-we're-kids-and-wanna-play - away" conundrum, we added a small cottage on the Outer Banks to our already over-extended monthly payments. 
      It was here that the children and I would 'vacate' from June 10 or thereabouts until mid-August, whence fond adieus were bid to the sound/rhythm of the surf and we trundled back to Virginia in time for school clothing/book-shopping and that tachycardic anticipation of another 'new' academic year. 
      To be fair, the Shaman was not in a state of total separation.  He was in Virginia.  And, whenever scheduling permitted, he'd drive down for 3 or 4 day spells of togetherness, drip castles and trash fiction. Oh, and he adored - truly - repairing the west porch screens.  'Ritual' simply denies justice to this annual, focused, in-the-shade-avec-breeze undertaking.
      This arrangement continues to this day, bringing with it a new set of tiny footprints in the sand.  The Leavy 'summer experience' is simultaneously sweet, savory, and brings with it the totally unexpected - like all good things. "Her" particular chapter came at the end of the summer, the 'trundle back to 'Ginny' part.)
      So entrenched in the scheduling of schedules for each child, each child's school picture, the baby's 2 year-old - and 1.5 yr late - portrait in addition to the shopping marathon, I really didn't notice her for a day or two.  Perhaps she was on night duty or off on a rare visit home, whatever, I was taken aback by my husband's query, "You don't MIND about Katie, do you?"
      Wow, aren't those the questions that have you almost checking in to camp 'closed-ward-no-visitors'?  You know when, heart in a panic vice, you 'play it off' casually, maybe with a, "Mind? Don't be silly! WHY . . . would-I-mind?"  Then the glazed stare on the handy, dandy imitation life disguise face, plastic smile in place, HOPING for the "Well, because I just for GOT to mention. . ."
      And you're home free. As I was, because doc was only too happy to quickly prattle on about the circumstances that landed 'new resident' - in its dual meaning - Dr. Katie Lemonhair - in our daughter's bedroom.  Ending with, "I figured the girls would want to share the BIG bedroom together and, yes, they can - and should - get new beds and matching whatevers," he did one of those 'THANK-YOU-GOD-I-OWE-YA' exhales. (Irish Catholic guilt has been a huge problem-solver for me these 44 years.)
      And that was how I came to know that, due to her late acceptance into the residency program, when Katie arrived from Ohio, the only room she could find was with three frosh at Old Dominion U. who were living off campus - with an agenda. What with rushing around, getting her own books, locker, starched white lab coats, schedules and already working on her first rotation, she really wasn't bothered/hadn't noticed the menagerie into which she was ensconced.
      So, when Doc Phil came on duty in the Emergency Department one seven am, he noticed a tangled, yellow mop near the phones and attending roster.  On closer inspection, he determined the 'mop' was attached to a frail human neck which dropped into flattened shoulders belonging to a sleeping resident seated in a chair. This will never do. "Nurse!"  Nothing.  "Anybody WORKING today?" Nothing.
      Within five minutes he had gently wakened the 'poor kid', averted the potential sob session that was beginning to develop on her face and sat beside her, feigning a chart conference, while getting the sorry scoop on the kid's living-unplugged situation. 
"Katie, you'll never survive this rotation in that setting.  And this is only your first rotation of what will be a very demanding year."
"What am I going to DO, Dr. L?"
      Of course he just threw our house keys at her, trying for paternal-authority-figure as he instructed her to get her stuff from that loony bin, just dump it in the smaller of the two bedrooms facing the main street and get a good day's sleep.  The wife, kids and his father-in-law - not very helpful of late, hittin' the booze since Nana passed - won't be back from the beach for another three days.
      A dog? I'm sure he told her that would be a plus.  "We have a Brittany - gets gloomy when the kids go back to school."  "Mind?  My wife will be delighted - if only to have another grown woman around.  Those kids and Poppy and Shamus (our Brittany) - she's got her hands full.  She'll welcome the companionship." or something along those (fine) lines.  What a guy!
      'Quelle surprise!' was MY reaction when the scenario (like Katie) settled in.  And the dog! A fluffy, white toy poodle named 'Miss Lillian' already had the interior blueprint of our home etched on her white, curly-fur-covered brain, like the templates on those new computerized floor sweepers - a quiet, charged stealth weapon with paws. Shamus (well-named for this interlude in the family saga) would stalk her, skulking along at what he thought was an inconspicuous, five inch distance.
      Looking on the bright side - which was beaming in through a narrow slit in an off-kilter venetian blind slat - I thought, well, the kids will soon be busy with school/sports/dance and therefore supervised safely by mature adults for the majority of my day; Katie has that demanding schedule; Poppy will diligently attend to the grocery shopping and then read the receipt for an hour or so as though it was "Moby Dick" before a taste to go with "Hawaii-Five-O"; Phil's saving lives; Shamus has the mutt covered (I thought); and I can get to the computer and finish the long-overdue deader-than-deadlined assignments I had undertaken for a local slick magazine. What's to worry?
      Sometimes trouble, like intra-arterial plaque, has an insidious onset.  I began to wake up around three am intermittently.  Finally, deciding the cause was noise, I dragged myself out of bed to see which of the offspring was NOT sleeping.  Au contraire.  What I found was 'Katie-on-the-phone'. Executing a languid retreat, I noticed Katie had terminated her conversation, placed our receiver in our cradle and meekly explained that three am was the only time she could fit her therapy sessions in.  Her therapist, a blind psychiatrist in Ohio, had been treating her for several years and time of day was of no moment to him, dedicated mental health care provider that he was.
      Indeed. Well, that solved the middle of-the-night issue.  Soon after, I began noticing bits of a pinkish crumb-looking trail on the hardwood floors.  No stranger to Hansel and Gretel, I followed them to THEIR source.  What ho!  Seemed Miss Lillian had 'issues' as well - but no blind veterinary therapist in Ohio.  Thus her addiction to oriental rug padding went un-abated.  In fact, it had escalated to where she no longer bothered to attempt to hide the evidence - such was the square footage of gnawed rug padding I detected upon close inspection.
      With what had become alarming aplomb, Katie presented a picture of an innocent, frightened creature suffering from 'separation anxiety' which netted conciliatory, understanding, shrink-like nods from the master of the house.  The mistress, on the other hand, suggested crating the little (fluffy) bitch until she came to understand that Miss Lillian, if not cured of her addiction, would NOT be relying on the kindness of strangers but on the Greyhound Terminal cargo bus headed to Ohio.
      Thus we muddled through until some time in May.  Totally enjoying my 'rapture' time - now whittled down to two precious hours a day to think and write in silence, I wafted into my study, alighted on my special Swedish Maternity bentwood typing chair with the air of Isadora Duncan, ignoring the gait of Agnes Gooch, and, still entranced, gazed questioningly at a white business envelope taped to my computer screen and labeled, "Lorraine". 
      Mother's Day offering? Ya think? No.  My husband and fam know how my first name is spelled.  Suddenly on 'rampart alert', I tore the envelope open, ripped out the single piece of paper and read:
"I hope you don't mind.  For obvious reasons, when I realized I had run out of my Herpes medication, I wrote a scrip for YOU and called it in to the pharmacy number on your pre-natal vitamin bottle."  Thanks. You'll never know how grateful I am to you for doing this. Katie."
      Mind?  Obvious? HERPES!? For me?  Oh, but I DO know how grateful - and more - you are/should be.  Geez!  MY pharmacy?  MY pre-natal. . . .  That's it.  Time for some tough love. Enough is enough.  And I got RIGHT into my car before I ran out of 'rapture time' and lead-footed it over to . . . the damned pharmacy, praying it would be a down time over there. 
      It seemed an eternity that I loitered around the Father's Day display waiting for a clear, empty shot at the pharmacist.  Finally, coast clear, I waddled over to "Pick-UP" and quietly said, "Leavy".  I looked up into the eyes of a stranger.  My pharmacist was out sick.  "Ma'am?" fell out, loudly, of the stranger's mouth.  On tip toes, waking my now irritated, uncomfy fetus, I spat, "L-E-A-V-Y"  Another head-scratching hiatus.  Then, "I got it. Take this stuff DAILY for that Herpes, hear?"  Dropping the name of the 'condition' loud enough they probably heard it back in Brooklyn, I could only nod.  I didn't have to TRY to look ill.  Running SO low on 'fight-or-flight' juice, I was about to turn, barf and run, when he  - perhaps noticing - busied himself with packaging and cash register activities aborting my flight.
      My ire, however, was very much intact.  Oddly enough, it was disorientingly intact because all of a sudden I was NOT in our driveway.  I was at the hospital.  I was walking in and approaching the receptionist (lovely little elderly candy-striper) and asking her to page Dr. Lemonhair overhead.  Her "Herpes scrip is waiting for pick-up at Main Reception." 
      And there was "one less set of footsteps on our floor.  In the mornin."  Some days you bite the bear and some days the bear bites you.  Doctor Lemonhair suffered a bad bear bite that day.  Hasn't been any Christmas card exchanging since she left.  I guess she realized just "how grateful" I was - for obvious reasons.
                                       Later, Lorane. . . .