buying a new mattress ......

This one felt perfect.

As promised - "next day, free delivery".  The new mattress, a little thicker and higher than before, gives me a new loftier perspective.

Balaban's visit

The Balaban's (my daughter Becca's family) arrive punctually every March for their annual Florida visit.  This year there appeared to be very little physical change from the year prior (so no need for family photos, and could always use the old ones) except for one notable difference - my nine year-old granddaughter Neve, must have grown a foot and was now proudly sporting new "braces".

Neve showing off her "braces" and her shiny new sequined top

But it took a sweet and unexpected smile, to truly admire those newly wired teeth

weddings

Sandy and I were invited to a good friend's daughter's wedding (Herbold Kowalski Wedding). There was a time when I attended quite a few - and most, I was the hired help, and there as acting photographer.

This time, no pressure, beautiful weather, location and a pair of remarkable youngsters. I kept my eye on two particularly, amidst the 200 plus other attendees, before learning later that they were actual brother and sister.

Ryan Hamilton (5) - Flower girl who loves found coconuts and to twirl dance.

Scotty Hamilton (7) - Ring Bearer and young man who really, really loves to dance.


Corina's wedding dress

Ryan (flower girl) with her found coconut from deep within the mangroves

the dinner tent & the hard-working caterer's prep tent

dinner served

dinner menu

5 year old Ryan, spinning all night on the dance floor

Ryan's 7 year old brother Scotty - with his signature, polished wild moves

This young man, this Scotty could dance. He wore me out.

endodontic surgery

APICOECTOMY PROCEDURE

A year old root canal procedure, performed on an upper molar of mine had gone south and the surrounding tooth area, now had become extremely painful. In my case, the soft tissue of the maxilla bone surrounding the noted tooth had developed several large pockets of concern, and all recently discovered through a requested CT scan.

In a typical Apicoectomy procedure, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the tooth root is also removed. The procedure requires going in through the gum-line, drilling out the infected bone area while taking a tissue sample for later biopsy.  Then finally, the infected area is medicated and sealed, while the surgeon, using 5 or 6 stitches, ties the whole thing off.

Well, upon my arrival for surgery, I was a little anxious, I had done my research.  The receptionist first handed me an "informed consent waiver" to sign, outlining the surgical risks.  And there appeared to be many. That done, I picked out a copy of Outside from their magazine rack believing that this might help - to be in another place - to help find another space - like being outside.

Two hours later, I left with a swollen face, an ice-pack, and 5 stitches. But, I was particularly thankful for that quick read of Outside Magazine during the initial numbing process - for the magazine's help in keeping my eyes closed while using those visual thoughts - and for allowing me that time, while I temporarily disappeared somewhere other.

the magazine's appropriate last page, which guided me straight to the local pharmacy.