Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Cast Off

The cast came off today! I had to change into sterile greens and wait in the operation theatre for the surgeon to come and remove the three pins which had been inserted into my wrist bones under general anesthesia on the 20th August. The sisters cut off the cast, very carefully, with scissors and a blade. The surgeon came in, and chatted casually with me and the OT nurses, who had been talking about the pins being removed with pliers, which sounded quite frightening. But before I knew it, all three pins were out, quite painlessly, and the surgeon was dressing my wrist.

My left hand is still bandaged from palm to mid-forearm, the fingers are all dry and scaly, and I am really looking forward to having a professional manicure as soon as possible. (I can never get a pedicure done, though, since the soles of my feet are extremely ticklish- earlier attempts have been most embarrassing!)
I have a follow-up visit on Monday, after which I'll know what happens next, in terms of physiotherapy etc.

I can safely remove the bandage the day after tomorrow, and actually wash both my hands!

The nurse handed me a clear plastic bag with the three pins that were holding my wrist bone together. My sister, who is here from Delhi for a few days, was treated to first view before we went downstairs for yet another x-ray. I hope I didn't gross her out. I'm glad she was with me.
The SRE will be treated to the pins when he gets home!

More news on Monday, folks.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Award!


Era gave me this award 'for my unique and uplifting perspective on life' a while ago.
Thanks Era, and apologies for my tardiness.

Doggie Dudes!



The smart dogs are ready for a day in the sun!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Companion piece

While listening to Worldspace this morning, I learned that the harmonium player par excellence,
Appa Jalgaonkar is no more. His was a familiar name, a person who often accompanied great maestros, a consummate musician who enhanced every performance he was part of. I had had the pleasure of meeting him several years ago, after a concert in which he had accompanied Pandit Jasraj, in Kochi. He was warm and friendly, with twinkling eyes and thinning white hair, a pleasure to meet. The Hindustani music scene will be poorer without him.

A morning thought- however great a maestro's performance, without good accompaniment, it would be like a painter's masterpiece, poorly framed.

Rest in peace, Appa. Your contribution has been immense.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

On Teachers' Day: A fascination with life

I cannot think of anything that Ma'am is not interested in. Be it cricket, photography, fiction, poetry, trees, crossword puzzles, classical music, jazz, handicrafts,clothes, birds, politics, travel, art, and so much more, she will always have some fascinating nugget to share with you, if not actual expertise.
Her intellectual stature and achievements are formidable. Her greatest gift to her students is, however, far beyond erudition. It is the gift of responding to the world around one with enthusiasm. Her matter-of-fact responses to the toughest of personal problems also becomes a source of strength. She has the much needed ability to reach the core of a problem, to eliminate all irrelevant side issues, and to focus on what is really important.
I don't think that Ma'am thinks of herself as a style icon, but, in her own way she has most definitely been one to many of her students. In a recent post, Kiran asks, who are your well dressed icons? I didn't really have to think very much to realise that my icon was Ma'am!
She wears the most amazing handloom sarees with elegance and grace, in both silk and cotton and even the occasional polycot in rainy weather. She has a collection of necklaces and bangles that accentuate each saree, many of them from different parts of the world, each with its own story. She has even gone and bought an expensive silk saree to match a beautiful malachite necklace that she acquired on one of her many travels, leaving the salesman quite surprised.
( Peripatetic is a word that often comes to mind when I think of her.) An exhibition of her various bangles and beads would be most educational. Many of her sarees are works of art.
Talking of art, she has known many artists, authors, dancers,actors, musicians. A visit to her home is always enriching- the paintings, books, photographs and music that abound are a feast for the soul. And talking of feasts, meals with her are always exciting: there is often something exotic from another part of the globe, or a traditional pickle that I've never had before. Our conversations across the dining table can continue long after the meal is over- we finally clear up after lunch to discover that it's time for tea. And yes, her teas are interesting too!
Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to share you with all my friends on the blogosphere, Dr.Anandalakshmy. Here's wishing you a wonderful Teachers' Day 2009.