Latest posts
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Whale Watching
This has been a special week for Justine and me, as we had beloved visitors at the house. Two of my dear friends from CalArts days came to hang out with us…one bringing her 7 year old son who has long been another brother-figure to Justine. I’ve known my girlfriends for 22 years each, so it…
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Caught Left Handed
Apparently it was International Left Hander’s Day this week. Apparently they make up only 10% of the population. Vernon seems to be turning into a left-hander (for the time being) himself. Here is a little video of one of his recent activities: finding his bearings, and holding on. He did this over and over, even after he got it…
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Missing Him
I haven’t known what to write lately. I am encouraged by all the latest improvements, but honestly, they only leave me wanting MORE. Just as it has been all along, one breakthrough does not mean the next day will be full of more breakthroughs. He gets worn out easily still. I keep the hope, because…
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Midnight Mike
Every once in awhile, since Vernon has been upstairs in the Stroke unit (PCSU), I notice little additions to the wall that seem to have shown up overnight. This Ska (music) logo has been stuck to the frame above Vernon’s bed for a few weeks. At first I thought one of his visiting buddies might have…
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Waking Up
Today was a good day. Forget Hollywood’s ideas of waking from a coma. They have to fit a short scene into 90 minutes. Who wants to watch a 3-month movie, really? Forget what you thought you knew. (At least I have had to.) Every case is different, but this is what Vernon’s looks like….today. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152231015491491&set=vb.535626490&type=2&theater…
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Isolation
Vernon has been in isolation all week, which means people (friends as well as hospital staff) must ‘suit up’ in a paper gown, mask, and gloves in order not to spread the staff infection elsewhere. Vernon is being treated with antibiotics, that seem to be working very well. The hospital staff takes this all in stride,as…
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Abstraction
A friend of ours, Ryan Paul James, has written a play about the world of ART that runs this weekend through next in Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles.) He is a great comedy writer and I’m sure this one will be a smash. Graciously offering to bring some attention to Vernon’s cause, he is putting some of our family artwork…
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Smiling
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” —Phyllis Diller Nurses have been brushing Vernon’s teeth for six weeks, ever since his jaw was un-wired. But he almost always resists, tightening his mouth to foreign objects like toothbrushes and dental suctions. I don’t blame him. I sometimes wonder if he thinks he is…
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Learning to Write
“When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” I know that Vernon has a way to communicate ‘Yes‘ to me, but we still haven’t figured out the ‘No.’ I imagine it’s pretty frustrating for him to only be able to actively answer in the affirmative. We have tried blinking and…
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Trevor, Tanya, and Turtledoves
If you haven’t visited the Be Alert For Bikers website already, I’d like to to re-invite you to check out their well-designed bumper stickers and t-shirts. After I wrote about this little business-with-a-message last month, Trevor (the Brainchild and Owner) decided to put everything on the website at 20% off, if you mention Vernon’s name at checkout. For…