A Lot of Catching Up to Do! - October 26, 2015

Well, folks have probably forgotten me after my long silence these past few months!  My India residence had the absolutely worst WiFi connection so I was seldom able to post.  

Besides that, my right shoulder has been insufferably painful and massage did little to relieve the agony.  I didn't get to San Francisco before departure so I was without my usual pain medications -the new Federal law states that you must have prescription in hand from your physician - no more phoning in to your pharmacy.  I can honestly say that Naprosyn does NOT alleviate that joint pain.  My total shoulder replacement is scheduled for November 18th so, thankfully, I should feel better as soon as the day after.  My left shoulder was done two years ago.  Of course, I will need about three months of physical therapy - and it is my right shoulder so I anticipate things will be a bit more difficult post operatively!  I'm trying to practice doing things with my left hand.

I flew from Mumbai to Tampa for a week with Charlene Payton, my dear friend of forty years.  I didn't really have jet lag, I don't think, but with her incredible sleep number bed, I made up for five months on that horrible mattress I had in Mumbai.  Blissful sleep, wonderful company, and great eating readied me for a week in New Orleans and my fifty year Charity Hospital School of Nursing reunion.

I stayed at the home of my friend of fifty years, Martha Meaux Genin.  What a joyful time we all had.  There were so many memories, a few tears, lots of laughs, fabulous food.

Finally, I made it to West Sacramento where I got the warmest welcome ever from my sweet granddaughter, Harper, and the granddogs.  She does not want me out of her sight now and I am being showered with hugs and kisses - when she isn't saying, "Nana, don't touch me!"  She has grown by leaps and bounds and has an incredibly amazing English and Spanish vocabulary for a 2-1/2-year old.

Now that I have really high speed internet, I'll be catching up on India posts and the rest of my world.  While this last stay in India was not my best, I do want to go back.  I can't end my visits to this "country of my heart" on a bad note.

More to come.......

Alphabe Thursday - "L" Is For Life and Love" - July 7, 2011

I must confess, I was married more than once.  Actually, I headed

to the altar several times, without success.  Finally, during a visit to

New Orleans, my pals gave me a T-shirt that said, "Husbands may

come and go but best friends last forever."  It hangs in the hallway

of my home, as a reminder that, sometimes, being single is best

( I applaud those of you who are happily married - I just never was

able to achieve that state! ).

I have now lived over sixty-six years.  I entered Charity Hospital

School of Nursing a month short of my 18th birthday and met a

fellow freshman classmate, Martha Meaux, of Lafayette, Louisiana.

She has remained one of the most important people in my life -

my closest friend - since that day.  It turned out that, my senior

year in high school, in Columbus, Georgia, I had dated her first

cousin.  Small world, huh!

We bonded immediately in nursing school though we weren't in the

same rotation.  Thankfully, that first year, we did live on the same

floor and at the same end of the hall so we spent  a good deal of time

together.  She came home with me and, during the next three years,

our friendship grew.  When I left New Orleans, six years later, I

often came back to visit and I always stayed with Martha or "Meaux",

as I called her.

I was living in Boston when I met my first husband, an Air Force officer,

from Louisiana.  We wanted to get married in New Orleans and Meaux

became my wedding planner, taking care of all the arrangements from

ordering the cake, getting the flowers, finding a place for the reception.

She met with our priest friend, Father Gerard Poche, to make sure all

was secured in that regard.  Of course, she was my maid of honor!

When my son, Shawn, was born, Meaux was his godmother and we flew

to New Orleans to have him baptized since we wanted Father Poche to 

do the honors.

Throughout the years, for the good times - and the bad - Martha has

been there for me.  I was there when she married her handsome

attorney husband and delighted in the birth of her two daughters. 

She has kept me up to date on the happenings of our classmates in

the New Orleans area and she has been my anchor in the only other

place besides GA and San Francisco where I have spent the longest

part of my life. 

To my boys, she is "Aunty Meaux" and to me, she is the ultimate in

love and friendship. 

Yesterday, forty-nine years since we first met, she arrived in San

Francisco to spend two weeks with me and, last night, we giggled

and laughed together like we were still young girls in nursing school.

Forgive me if  I'm a bit remiss in posting, responding to comments,

and handling blogging responsibilities in the next couple of weeks -

I'll be having fun with Meaux! 

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday - check out

the site and join in the fun.



Camera Critters - Lady & Chestnut - October 23, 2010

Camera Critters - Lady & Chestnut - October 23, 2010

I stayed at the home of my classmate, and beloved friend,  Martha Genin, during my

five day visit to New Orleans recently.  "Meaux", as I call her, has two cocker spaniels

in residence.  The oldest, Chestnut is nearly twelve-years-old and, Lady, is a younger

dog, belonging to her daughter, Aimee.  I, of course, couldn't resist taking pictures of

them.

Chestnut, who is a senior citizen, spends a good bit of her time in bed

What a sweet face Chestnut has!

Lady's favorite spot is on the corner of the sofa

From her vantage spot

It's short but it wags like crazy!

Lady, lying down

I am participating in today's Camera Critters meme.

Heading Home Today - October 19, 2010

Heading Home Today - October 19, 2010

Greetings, one and all!!!

I've had a great five days in New Orleans.  My flight home is at 4PM, via Atlanta.  I

don't touch down in San Francisco until nearly 1AM Wednesday.  I'm wondering if I'll

even be able to wedge myself into the seat!  At the least, I'll need a seat belt extension!

I have eaten so much good food - even had soft shell crab twice and, last night, my friend

fixed crawfish etouffe for dinner.

Our reuniion was such fun, though only about a dozen of our classmates attended.  There

was one nurse present from the class of 1944, though!  At the brunch on Sunday, I read

a poem I wrote for our 30 year reunion that they have asked permission to reprint in

the alumni magazine which is an honor to me.  I won't post it here, though, since it would

require too much explanation.  One verse addresses a great steak place in the French

Quarter which was a frequent hangout - "Buck Forty Nine" - yes, you got a steak, salad,

and baked potato for $1.49!!  That was 45 years ago.

For the rest of the week, I'll be catching up on comments, reading posts for the last five

days ( I have really missed all of you so much ), and getting my posts ready.  I didn't get

out and about in the city as much as I would have liked since I was busy with my friends.

Meaux ( Martha ), my friend and classmate, with whom I've been staying, is berating me

that I didn't spend a week...and, now I'm wondering why I am going home so soon.  After

all, I'm retired!!

Flash 55 Friday, It's Great to Be in New Orleans, October 14, 2010

Flash 55 Friday, It's Great to Be in New Orleans, October 14, 2010

I could see the Mississippi,

From my vantage window seat,

And pictured years so long ago,

When I'd partied on Bourbon Street.

I was just about eighteen,

And filled with such delight,

Nursing school in New Orleans,

Was more than just all right!!

Tonight, our class reconvenes,

And remembers why we love New Orleans!

I am participating in Mr. G-Man's Flash 55.

Flash 55 Friday - Going to New Orleans - October 8, 2010

Flash 55 Friday - Going to New Orleans - October 8, 2010

My generous sons have given me,

A trip down memory lane,

Thursday, I'm New Orleans bound,

Can't wait to board that plane.

Katrina spoiled our 40th,

So we've catching up to do,

My Charity class at nursing school,

Hopes no new storm will brew.

I hope to find some oysters that haven't eaten any oil!

Carmen Henesy

10-8-10

Copyright © 2010 Carmen Henesy.

All Rights Reserved

I am participating in Friday Flash 55, sponsored by the brilliant Mr. G-Man!