The original title of this blog piece was CLEANING OUT THE KITCHEN. I started it before I went to Colorado to clean out my mother’s house, and specifically her kitchen. It began: You know those old circus acts where a tiny car pulls up on the stage and then people and dogs start coming out… Continue reading What Is It With Kitchens?
The Road Warrior
Those who know me know that I am no stranger to traffic school. My last session, in January, had to do with a disagreement with a camera perched on top of a traffic signal on my way home from work. I said, “The light was yellow.” Unfortunately the camera disagreed. Bad news, good news—that self… Continue reading The Road Warrior
I Am Easily Charmed
There has been some confusion around the office due to the fact that my partner became suddenly ill, and it was important that the patients on treatment be seen once a week. In addition to my own patients, I had seen all of his three weeks ago while he was on vacation, so I had… Continue reading I Am Easily Charmed
I Had a Brother
Sometimes it’s the little things that trigger the memories. A few weeks ago, when those young women who had been abducted in Cleveland were found, almost by accident, my father said to me, “I don’t believe this story. It’s impossible that these women could be locked up for all those years and no one ever… Continue reading I Had a Brother
Weights and Measures
The sudden illness of a colleague is always a shocking surprise. As physicians, we are trained from an early age to ignore our own infirmities in the service of others. Apart from my three C-sections, I have been extremely fortunate in terms of my own health—I can count the number of sick days I’ve taken… Continue reading Weights and Measures
The Wisdom of Youth
In the spring of our freshman year at Yale, my roommates and I were shocked to open the Sunday New York Times, so fashionable at brunch in the dining halls, and see an article written by one of our very own classmates in the Times Magazine. Called “An Eighteen Year Old Looks Back on Life,”(http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/09/13/specials/maynard-mag.html)… Continue reading The Wisdom of Youth
This Old House
When I lived in Boston many years ago, there was a show on television called “This Old House.” Each season of the show, the host Bob Vila, handyman, architect, contractor and visionary would select an old house in the Boston vicinity. Many times, these homes were not merely in need of renovation—they were in need… Continue reading This Old House
Nina
Sometimes you just get lucky. When I was pregnant with my first child, during my radiation oncology residency, we had a guy living in the apartment over our garage, which we liked to refer to as “the carriage house.” He was a dog trainer by trade, and in his spare time he played softball in… Continue reading Nina
The Red Baton
While I was in Boston last week, I got an email addressed to the School of Medicine faculty group from the president of the first year medical school class. It was an invitation to attend a ceremony which took place three days ago, on the courtyard lawn of the medical school. This ceremony was… Continue reading The Red Baton
Trot Trot to Boston
“Trot trot to Boston Trot trot to Lynn Watch out Baby So you don’t FALL IN!” Nursery Rhyme My road trip expectations always exceed their reality. Last Wednesday evening, after a frantic day of packing which included a trip to the tailor to pick up her favorite dress being repaired for a ripped hemline, my… Continue reading Trot Trot to Boston