Candy Beets

Into bowl, coat beets with olive oil.

Roast in a 350 degree oven for an hour.

Cataract Surgery for Daad! He did GREAT!!!!!!

First of all, Oompa was scared of undergoing this surgery because when he was two years old, and again when he was twelve, he had the muscle shortened in his right eye.  He claims this is when he was born!  From then on, he has been extremely skittish when anyone goes near his eyes including Dr. Brownstone, our  ophthalmologist.  When the glaucoma test is given Oompa becomes an unhappy camper.

A friend of ours at UU told Ed when she had recent cataract surgery with the same ophthalmologist she felt the operation!  Instead of motioning to the doctor there was a problem with the light anesthetic, the surgery continued as she experienced extreme discomfort.  This happens rarely.  So she told Ed to definitely get a "block" , a stronger anesthetic that would virtually put him out. And so he did. Although the block could not be given during the time the laser was reading his eye, the block was given as an injection into the corner of the eye a few minutes before the actual surgery and lens implant.

At the routine exam the day after the surgery, Dr. Brownstone apologized for the black and blue mark at the inside corner of Ed's eye.   Both patient and doctor were very happy with  the end result.

Of interest, the day of the surgery we were to be at the Surgi Center at 9:50 am.  Nothing to eat after midnight including liquids.  Ed slept fine.  I did not.  Because of Ed's nerves, my mind played a trick on me and I felt nauseous to the point I didn't want my morning coffee and I couldn't finish my oatmeal.   I said nothing to Ed about how I felt.  At this point he was ready to roll!  On January 26th the routine is repeated on Ed's left eye.  

Because of the block, Dr. Brownstone had Ed wear this patch
for several hours after the surgery.

Wrappers

This year Oompa helped me wrap presents!  No purchased wrapping paper!  Saved over the years, we cut up holiday gift bags, grocery store bags, plain newsprint packing paper, even rolled up white butcher paper with magic - markered notes from a UUBN workshop. We were finished in 1/2 the time.  Our precious Neal, Carla and 4 1/2 month old Gabriella arrive later today and Laurie, Tim, Signy, Roslyn, and Liesl arrive tomorrow. 

Orchestra of Exiles

Orchestra of Exiles is one of the most moving films we have ever seen to the point where we ordered a copy for Laurie and for Neal.  Carla told us her Grandpa Bill and Grandma Riva already gave her a copy!  What is especially exciting, Oompa and Meema became engaged in 1965 when we sang with the Mendelssohn Choir that performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony directed by Maestro William Steinberg.  What we did not know, William Steinberg was the rehearsal director of the Orchestra of Exiles with the great Arturo Tosconini conducting.  This group of the most talented musicians rescued  from Europe during the Holocaust became the Palestine Symphony and later the Israel Philharmonic Symphony.

Polish Violinist Bronislaw Huberman

On the brink of World War II and the rise of Nazi-occupation, one man’s remarkable four-year odyssey helped rescue Europe’s premier Jewish musicians and their families from persecution, while preserving the musical heritage of Europe. Orchestra of Exiles, a 90-minute documentary film by Academy Award-nominated Josh Aronson, tells the dramatic story of celebrated Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman (1882-1947). With courage, resourcefulness, and an entourage of allies including Arturo Toscanini and Albert Einstein, Huberman bravely stood up to racial intolerance, ultimately saving almost 1,000 Jews from 1933–1936 while forming the Palestine Symphony Orchestra.

100th Birthday, Dr. Jonas Salk, Medical Pioneer

The late Jewish American researcher Jonas Salk, who discovered the polio vaccine, was honored Oct. 28 with a “Google Doodle” for what would have been his 100th birthday. Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1957, many children became paralyzed as a result of the illness.  Dr. Salk was from my beloved hometown, Pittsburgh, PA. 

Desperately Seeking Symmetry

Desperately Seeking Symmetry is mesmerizing, a brilliant video from RadioLab.

Jad Abumrad and Robert Kruwich, the stars of RadioLab

The Prairie Garden Is No More

Too many gardens so I wanted to remove half the prairie garden but Ed thought it would be a good idea if the entire garden were gone.  He was right.  (As usual!) Kevin Neisen transplanted several of the plants to the patio garden and besides, I have some of these magnificent specimens there. 

In 2011 in its heyday although the very tall Prairie Dock 
and Compass Plant are not up yet.  These monsters are 20' tall!   
The leaves of Prairie Dock are at least 12" long.  No foolin'!

Because the tap roots of some of these plants are so long, 
I wouldn't be surprised if a few show up next year. 

"20 Years Ago" Kenny Rogers

We love the song, 20 Years Ago, sung by Kenny Rogers.

What a cool dude!!!!

Fungus Flower

My friend Martie Honan told me about this amazing fungus she found at her house when she was here for lunch last week. 

Gabriella Riva Hines: Cooing for October