Plunking my self into a chair to check in at cardiac rehab, Nurse M-- had the intern come 'round the desk to look at the screen with my info.Nurse M-- asked when my last catheterization was. "2009". Reading aloud, Nurse M-- tells intern that my ejection fraction, according to the test, was 20-25%."Look at him", she says, "no way his ejection fraction is 20-25% now, he'd would have trouble walking.". "See", she continues, "the value of attendance at rehab?". "He could be a model for a rehab poster.". Whoah. Been a long time, if ever, since RR was used as a model; usually he has been held up as a dire warning.
A correction: in the June 2010 "Tool Shed Thursday" I named the knife in the top photo as a "wrong way knife". Wrong: it is a farrier's knife, used for cleaning out hooves.
Obviously, cable is back and so is RR. It has been interesting.I have been having a blast working the teen desk at our newest branch. Tiring for this modern myocardial, but very rewarding. I really enjoy being that synaptical point between person and book. No matter the format. Connecting people and books is our field's schwerpunkt.
I am reading Leigh Hunt's Autobiography, edited and with an introduction and notes by J.E. Morpurgo. This Cresset Library edition, purchased for the princely sum of $1.00 somewhere, is being read with 2 bookmarks: one in the text, and the other marking my place in the copious endnotes.
I discovered Lulu.com, a print-on-demand publisher, through my interest in aviation history. Imagine my joy when I learned that the author of a blog I regularly read , "Conrad Walks", has published books there. I ordered Conrad Walks:Lands End to John O'Groats, and enjoyed the 77 day trip. So much so, I later ordered his most recent, Conrad Walks Wales. Inspiring stuff, with touches of humor. More on all three titles later.
Veg challenge: well, this year was a very mixed bag. I was distracted by events and the veg garden box missus and I made. This topic too will require a revisit and more space.
Thank you everyone for your comments and notes while I was away. I will be more disciplined in my attention to The Shebeen.
The Taco Bell Interstate Map
1 hour ago
11 comments:
And I'll be watching you and your antics. Great tales.
Now there's a truly disciplined - almost Teutonic - book reader. Two bookmarks, yet. (I love the Yiddish (?) use of "yet" in that sentence-suffix mode, almost like a form of audible punctuation.)
Never mind about the possibility of becoming a poster model (I was once asked if I'd like to be my hairdresser's model at a competition; I turned her down. I suppose I didn't think it was a manly thing to do.). Continue doing what you're doing - feasting on the medics' argot and the way they deliver it. Turning it from a base metal into gold. Correction (with your dad in mind), turning it into, let's say, copper which although not quite as valuable as gold is causing English crazies to go down to the railways lines and rip out the signalling cables to sell as scrap.
How conscientious you are with the knife correction. But I, like anyone who follows your stuff closely, recognise the impulse that caused you to use "wrong way knife" in the first place, causing us - as readers -to get two for the price of one as it were.
My brother will appreciate the wider circulation of his literary efforts. As to your enjoying being "the synaptical point between person and book" it is of course the deep-seated obligation of anyone who reads to pass on constructive judgements. To remain silent is to betray the reaction one felt while reading the book in question.
Welcome back. Where do these other people leave comments when you're away for a bit? I suppose there's no reason why I shouldn't attach one to your most recent post even though I may already have commented.
Thanks for your comment about my books, and my blog. Perhaps you should try publishing something about aircraft - what would your angle be if you decided to do that?
I have fond memories of the huge, old fashioned Bradford Public Library from my teenage years. Just being there, lingering, and delving, and not wanting to leave, was a pleasure, and the serendipitous discovery of interesting books that can only be lighted upon in this way formed part of the ambience, along with other intangible ingredients.
Mo: Welcome to The Shebeen, and thank you for your comment. I enjoy my visits to your London blog. Missus and I were there last year, found it changed from the last time I was there (long ago); still a great fascinating city. Like The Tube widget, very handy.
BB: Thank you for your comment.Hunt's book will have to have a separate entry where I will discuss my 2 bookmark reading. Do don't it much. Funny,I was thinking about Yiddish the other day. A disappearing language.My niece's husband is known intra-familia as the "Scrap Baron of Hanson";he pulled in $1200.00 from scrounged scrap last month. He is a plumber, so he has ready access to stock. Then there is the theft of the "Sacred Cod" windvane from the top of the dome of the Massachusetts State House. A helicopter was needed for that caper.
Your brother's books will get their own posting. I enjoy his remarks about his encounters with all types out there on the trail, tho I am mystified by the 'baps' he eats. A local type of pasty? And that word, "zawn", which appeared in both books: was on that like a duck on a June bug.
When I am away for a while, people e-mail me.Somehow comments get through: I remember The Crow leaving comments on earlier blogs My google e-mail is still valid, "besiegerofcitiesATgmailDOTcom".Always like to get mail.
Sir Hugh: I don't know what the angle would be: I have kicked around the idea of using some of my amassed vacation time to take trips to various airports to fly on vintage aircraft. Not sure how well that would, uh, fly with readers. Older libraries are a balm to me, after working in a branch which has several large screens displaying library information on this one, and movies on that one, and lots of plastic. Hmmm, there may be a screed in there. Thank you, as always, for the inspiration.
Regards to all.
Baps, teacakes, barme cakes, rolls , or cobs, depending on which part of the UK you are at, are circular, soft, bread rolls about five to seven inches in diameter, which are normally sliced horizontally to receive any kind of sandwich filling. It can be a problem in different parts of the country asking for a bacon bap because you are invariably using the wrong word, and your average, behind the counter type with challenged learning and limited horizons just doesn't understand.
Hip-hip-hooray! You're back among us.
I, for one, would love to read about your visits to airports and what it's like to fly older planes. Long ago, I dreamt of getting my license and flying all around the world, though probably not in one trip. So, go ahead, RR - fly, boy!
Thank you , Crow, for your comment. Read your report of too early snow.... don't miss snow, early or late. Though a scant 3" would be nice around Christmas...
I hope you Giving Thanks day has been meaningful and that you both were surrounded by friends, family and other loved ones.
Just a secular (but utterly heartfelt) quickie with best wishes for you and yours. I recall your first comment on Works Well whence you were drawn by a brief allusion by me to Charles Ives. I'd like to do him proud on Tone Deaf but which do you think is his best yet reasonably accessible work? Possibly the sonata? Either that or the Holidays Symphony. Don't want to alienate those with tender sensitivities. You still on for the UK?
LdP: Best wishes to you and yours. AS to the Ives, those choices are perfectly acceptable, along with "Three Places in New England", mature pieces. Look forward to reading it.
And yes, we had so much fun In England a we are doing it again. Missus is a keen gardener, so we will be on a garden tour. Mostly: we are planning on getting there earlier, looking around before we get onto the group tour.
I'll keep you posted, it is in July;sorry, I don't remember if that is when y'all are in FRA.
Regards.
Happy New Year, RR and Missus!
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