La Quinta, California: So much grandchildren news! Lenny's parents gave the kids a weekend at Disney for Hanukkah, so a few weeks ago Lisa and Lenny took the kids to Disneyland right after school on a Friday and they stayed in Anaheim until dark Sunday night. They rode the rides, ate the foods, walked miles a day and had a great time (though there was a little rain).
On the 17th, DT had a scheduled ablation on his heart to hopefully stop his Afib. (It's a thing! A cardiologist fishes an instrument up the artery in your leg to the heart, then stimulates an Afib episode (using a drug), then zaps the stimulated spot.) The procedure took about two hours, but Dave had to lay flat on his back for SIX hours after, and then the nurse slowly cranked the bed up until he was sitting, then let him walk a bit, then sent him home. (I am making it sound less invasive than it probably is, but I am not a cardiologist.) Anyway, my husband - who can not sit still for ten minutes - was instructed to do NOTHING for two days, then slowly begin normal activity. He did not want to do anything. He felt terrible. After day 5, he went on a 20 minute walk. So we had a very quiet week and did not go to Los Angeles for the first or second night of Passover.
By the time a week was over, Dave was mostly back to his regular schedule and he felt up to driving to Palm Springs to have lunch with our old friends, Angela and Robin. Robin and Dave share a birthday and try to celebrate together whenever they can.
On Dave's actual birthday (26th), we drove to Los Angeles to see his favorite granddaughter appear in Oliver at her school. The cast was all-school (K-12), and Lucile played Daisy (a pickpocket). Our favorite 4th grader is so teeny, it was difficult to find her in the crowd of children (street urchins, all dressed in drab clothing, with soot covering their faces), so I placed a white arrow over her head in the photo below:
And, of course, every actress must have a head shot!
After the show, everyone went to a late dinner to celebrate Bubba's 69th birthday. Such a fun evening for everyone - and there were so many bouquets for the little thespian (who did not have a speaking part), it really felt like a big celebration... not to mention all the soot/make-up still on Lucy's face.
But wait! There is more. Lisa planned another "day at the races" for her dad's birthday. We had a small box in the grandstands Sunday at the beautiful historical Santa Anita Park, and we had so much fun all afternoon placing $2 bets and eating over-priced foods. There was a special race featuring French Bulldogs (that was a hoot - pretty sure this was the first time any of these pampered pets had ever been on actual dirt - and also a chicken wing festival.
Again, Lisa hired the famed Santa Anita trumpet player, Jay Cohen, to play Happy Birthday to her dad... but that isn't all he played!
Go Ducks!
But we had a 2 hour drive back to La Quinta, so the party ended before 6p, and before the last races. We were able to see the horses for the next race arriving to the track as we walked to our cars. So interesting, watching one guy on a horse lead the jockey and his race horse to the oval. Such magnificent animals!
A big weekend for the Birthday Boy, but as you can see, he is feeling more like his old self every day.
Until my next update, I remain, your Florence Nightingale correspondent.
Happy birthday to Dave, glad to hear that he was is feeling better after the surgery. Hope it did the job!
Loved the trumpeter playing Mighty Oregon💛💚💛💚
Hope Dave continues his improvement post ablation! And happy birthday–you guys do know how to celebrate–what fun! That black and white photo of Lucile is awesome.
Janna – isn’t it! I have ordered an 8×10! Thank you for your good wishes for the Birthday Boy.
Long time reader here and fellow RV Goddess (minor variety). Just a note about the cardiac ablation….my sister had this procedure about 20 years ago and it cured the problem and she has had no recurrence since. It did lay her low for a few days but she has had no regrets so wishing DT a similar experience.
We are long time RV campers and downsized recently to a class B van and electric bikes. Makes for the ability to wander widely and take ferries to places like Haida Gwaii, a trip we have planned for this June.
I appreciate your humour, recipes and your joyful fun with your grandchildren. I have 5 and I think they are the best.
Thank you
Laurel
Thank you, Laurel, for the positive comments on the ablation. Fingers crossed! We have also just downsized to a Class-C + electric bikes.
Happy Birthday to Dave. Glad he is on the mend. Gary had an ablation 4 years ago and hasn’t had a return of his AFib. His was during Covid and I had to sit in my car (in November!) for 8 hours waiting for his release.
Happy Birthday Dave! This post was chock full of everything! From Disney to a school play to Santa Anita Racetrack! Fabulous head shot photo of Lucille by the way. And to top it all off, a medical procedure that I’m sure took a toll. I’m glad to hear that everyone who’s had it done says it works. Prayers and hugs to both of you for continued healing and patience while it does.