1 September 2023
I got into the pool today! Not for swimming. I got out of bed too late for that since I had an injection at Holy Cross today. After I tended the leaf garden this afternoon,
cleaned the pool filter, cleaned the patio and pool deck, and sprayed for weeds, I jumped in. Wouldn’t you know it, the minute I started to get in the water, it started to sprinkle. At least there was no lightning. I needed to wash off the weed killer anyway.
I turned on my outside speakers, luxuriated in the pool, listened to some Bob Dylan and Bob Seger. I probably didn’t stay in more than 15 minutes but it was perfect. I had no more gotten out of the pool and rinsed off in the outside shower that I got a notification on my phone about lightning in the area. I timed it perfectly.
While tending to the backyard chores, I noticed my Ladies of the Night orchid (Brassavola nodosa) had bloomed.
Usually, the orchid produces three blooms (I assume that’s where the plural of lady comes in) but this was one lonely street walker. Another possible reason for the common name is that it only produces an aroma at night. To me, it smells like a very strong clove smell. Wikipedia describes the smell as citrus and gardenia but it’s nothing like that to me. The reason for the night aroma is to attract pollinating moths. I really love this orchid.
I stopped by the Cancer Center for injection of Filgastim at 11 am. It was quick and easy and again with the Claritin tonight. The real problem was a bout of diarrhea before I left the house. It was a harbinger of things to come.
After the injection, I wanted to stop at the Nova Southeastern University Museum of Art in downtown Fort Lauderdale. My friend Barbara is a docent there and she convinced me to renew my membership which had long ago lapsed. When I moved to South Florida in 1985, the original museum was called the Fort Lauderdale Art Center and was in an abandoned supermarket on Las Olas Blvd. In 1986 it moved to its new digs and from time to time, I rejoin. Lately, it’s had some very interesting exhibits. It partnered with Nova Southeastern University in 2008 and that’s helped it financially.
I parked in the city garage next to the main library and very near the art museum. I always walk the stairs and as I did, I met two workers welding on the staircase. They had not blocked off entry to the stairs from the parking garage but had at the base of the stairs. I had to dodge a shower of welding sparks as I exited the staircase.
The museum had an exhibit of Toulouse-Lautrec posters which were excellent and I had seen on a previous visit. Also seen previously was a “Hooray for Hollywood” exhibit of famous actors but also photos of Elizabeth Taylors jewelry.
What surprised me was the exhibit “The Swans: Artwork by Karen Kilimnik & Dresses from Stephanie Seymour.” Matched with artwork by Kilimnik were famous couture dresses. I was fascinated by the design and quality of workmanship of the dresses – not so much by the artwork of Kilimnik. All of the famous Parisian designers were represented.
It was about this time that I urgently sought out the bathroom. I made it just in time. It looks like I’ll be on two Imodium AD every four hours for the next 6 chemo sessions. It just will not stop.
One of my favorite views in the museum is where the main elevator is located. They allowed a Haitian artist an entire wall to produce lighted panel with voodoo images.
Another striking exhibit was Joel Gaitan’s Puerto Por Una Traición. He’s a Haitian artist and he merges metal (gold leaf?) and terra cotta. The vessels were exceptional. Unfortunately, the photo doesn’t do justice to the beauty of the work.
The last thing that caught my eye was the tapestries of Kandy G. Lopez. The work in fibers were amazing.
By then, it was around noon (I don’t linger too long in museums. It either interests me or it doesn’t. I stopped at the museum’s little cafe and was suggested the tuna sandwich which turned out to be excellent. It came with a very fresh side salad. I was pleasantly pleased. Museum food is either exceptional or dreadful. This was so good I asked for a box to take the second half of the sandwich home with me.
I made it home around 1:30 pm (traffic was very slow) and I curled up in bed with my iPad and read briefly before getting a nap in. I’ll probably have HoneyNut Oats for dinner. It’s so hot during the day, I prefer to eat simply at night and cereal seems to fit the bill.
I talked with my friend Stephanie up near Monticello, Florida. That’s in the Big Bend area and where the hurricane came ashore. Her manufactured home is fine, she is safe and her pets are safe but her yard is a disaster with downed trees and limbs. She can get out with her vehicle but Monticello has no power so there’s no need to go there. She has a generator but it runs on propane and she has to limit the time it runs. She runs it for the refrigerator and freezer. She indicated she was gonna sleep on the screened porch since it was cooler than inside the trailer. I wish I could help her out but it’ll be weeks before she gets electricity. When Katrina and Wilma came through my area, I was without electricity for almost a month each.
Stay tuned!
