WordPress has this little program called “Counterize”, which allows bloggers like me to see how much traffic our sites have, and which “pages” are viewed the most. Every so often, I like to check the stats so I can figure out which of my essays are the most popular. You know—so I can play to… Continue reading I Was Just Checking
Category: General Observations
Nurses Talk
I think you all know how I feel about nurses now. If not, go back through the archives of this blog and read my essay “Nurse!” My patients and I have been supported throughout my career by some of the finest people on the planet, my oncology nurses. As a medical student, as an intern… Continue reading Nurses Talk
Really, It’s Not About the Bike
“This is my body, and I can do whatever I want to it. I can push it; study it; tweak it; listen to it. Everybody wants to know what I am on. What am I on? I am on my bike busting my ass six hours a day; what are YOU on?” Lance Armstrong When… Continue reading Really, It’s Not About the Bike
No Fear of Flying
Written January 6, 2013 The wake-up call this morning came at 3:45 am. Ecuadorian standards dictate that international travelers must arrive at check in three hours before flight time in order that the luggage can be thoroughly searched for illicit drugs. Apparently, from the condition of my suitcase, this involves peeking at my underwear. This… Continue reading No Fear of Flying
My Brother-in-Law
A few weeks ago, my brother-in-law resigned his subscription to my blog. Since I am notified when this happens, I grew immediately concerned that I had said something to offend him. I called my sister in New Jersey to ask her. She said, “No, of course not! He’s been really busy at work catching up… Continue reading My Brother-in-Law
There Comes a Time
Written while returning from my Galapagos trip, posting now. It’s happening—the moment that we all dread as we age, that point in time where we realize that we are becoming our parents. When I was a child, my father was a busy man, completing his residency in plastic surgery, establishing a practice, climbing the academic… Continue reading There Comes a Time
Lighting Out for the Territories
“But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally, she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.” Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain As usual, I really should be asleep. But there’s a load of laundry still… Continue reading Lighting Out for the Territories
Love Actually
When I got home this evening I could not believe my eyes. My husband was sitting in front of the television watching, for about the thousandth time, the movie “Love Actually.” Let me digress for a minute….have I told you about the television? It is HUGE and takes up most of my family room. Three… Continue reading Love Actually
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
There is a scene in Les Miserables where Marius, recovering from his own wounds, sings a song about his friends who died on the barricades. In part, it goes “That I live and you are gone, there’s a grief that can’t be spoken, there’s a pain goes on and on”. My little dog Jack used… Continue reading Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
What I Want For My Birthday
What I want for my birthday: Health and happiness for my family and friends A way to cure, or better yet, prevent all cancer so that I can retire, PLEASE! And, of course, world peace. To all my other friends who share my late December Christmas-birthday, I hope you get TWO presents this year! Best… Continue reading What I Want For My Birthday