My excellent friend from childhood, long-time resident of
Hotlanta came up in April and we made the long-awaited trip to good ol’
Virginny. Back to the old hometown, Roanoke.
It was a good trip, even though she came down with some
stomach-bug-thing which delayed our departure for Roanoke a day while she
mended. I was glad (1) that it turned
out not to be food poisoning since I had prepared dinner for two nights, and
(2) I didn’t catch what she had. I’d have felt pretty badly if I’d made her
sick; I’d have felt pretty poorly if I’d been sick as well. That might’ve
killed the whole trip.
We had a day in K’ville, going to KMA and Market Square, as
well as just going around looking at stuff from the car. I was right proud to show her more of my town
and glad that she liked much of it.
We hit the road Sunday and had fun driving along, looking at
the fine scenery along the roads in Va. Naturally the trip brought up many
memories and generated lot of discussion about those days of yore.
We visited a winery on side of mountain in Roanoke; mighty
pretty up there, but it was overcast and rainy so we didn’t get benefit of the
view. We ate dinner at The Hotel (Roanoke). We went ‘down on the market’ for
one morning. That’s the way it was back when, and so it’s the way it is now for
us. If we were going into downtown Roanoke to shop (which people did when we
were kids and, apparently, can still do) her folks and mine would say, we’re
going ‘down on the market’.
Some things we wanted to do were not open; bad weather kept
farmers and vendors away since it’s open air in booths on the street; and the
arts center is under renovation. We were
disappointed, but laughed at the situation and ourselves. There are things you can’t plan for nor
control, weather and illness being chief among them. BUT in spite of her not
feeling great, the weather being cold and rainy and not getting to do some
things, we had good times visiting with each other and visiting places in our
old stompin’ grounds.
One of the things our home town is known for is the star on
top of the mountain that’s inside City limits. This being the reason for the
eponym, Star City of the South.
As a long-time local gov’t employee, I thought it was
interesting that Mill Mountain is managed by the city Parks and Recreation
Dept, obviously because the mountain is a park and has recreational stuff and
belongs to the City.
Anyway, I recommend visiting good ol’ Roanoke for it’s
natural beauty among other things. And,
if you go, be sure to go up the mountain and stand under the star. It’s scenic above you and in front of you.
Turns out I’m having eye surgery Wednesday. This was decided
the week I got back from Roanoke when the visit to the ophthalmologist revealed
things in my weak eye that require surgical intervention, or at least can be
corrected through such intervention. And
this is before we get to the cataract.
Now Rosey’s annoyed because she’s leaving today for
previously planned Florida trip and will not be here to tend to me, hold my
hand and generally look after me. She does all that very well. Now she’s
worried Mom will be sick or need something and won’t have help.
Then Oliver phoned to find out what the surgery was all
about after he and Rosey had talked. Should he fly down to be with me? Thank
you, dear, for offering; I really appreciate that; but do not fly here from NYC
to take me to the event, hang out in the waiting room and then take me home.
It’ll be OK.
When I phoned Big Bro he wanted to be sure I’d have help as
needed. He had surgery while back for macular degeneration, a step that saved
his vision. He’s all for doing what
needs to be done.
Mandy, my good bud who provides excellent assistance and
direction, is taking the mantle and shepherding me through the process. When I
asked, she said she’d be quite pleased to help me. Now that’s a friend.
I have couple of people who would go to the trouble and take
up their time to help me so I am most fortunate. While I take anything called
‘surgery’ seriously, I trust that this experienced eye surgeon will perform as
needed and I will come out the other side of this with improved vision.
Don’t expect I’ll spend much time reading e-books, doing
puzzles, writing a blog or otherwise challenging my eyes for few days. But I
expect to be back at it in good form in short time.
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