Monthly Archives: May 2008
Grandma’s Coffee Pot
My paternal grandma was a nurse… she died many years before I ended up following in her footsteps after my mid-life career change, but I think it would have made her proud. Grandma had long, jet-black hair that she wore in two braids wrapped around and around her head like a halo. She was big and soft and huggable, and felt good when she wrapped her arms around me and squished me into her. It scared me when she talked of losing weight, because I couldn’t imagine being comforted by … Continue reading
Irony
It’s evening on the psych unit. Several patients are watching the movie Titanic in the common area. Rather, they are trying to watch it, but their view is blocked by a delusional woman who is alternately twirling and dancing gaily in front of the television and then holding animated conversations with it, her face scant inches from the screen. The others are amazingly tolerant, simply craning their necks this way and that as they try to see around her. Fast forward about 30 minutes: Snack time. Coffee, juices, cheese and … Continue reading
On Again, Off Again
The patient, newly arrived on the unit, is sitting in a chair in the middle of her room. Her hands are clenched in her hair, one on each side of her head. Her eyes are screwed shut, and she is kicking her legs and yelling at the top of her lungs. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!” I knock, then walk into the room with a tray. “Here, I brought your dinner,” I say through the din. The patient stops yelling, opens her eyes, and takes the tray. “Thank you,” she says calmly, smiling up … Continue reading
Felicity is Famous
My lovely otherdaughter Felicity is officially a published author! A story she wrote, Burgerdroid, appears in the June issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, which is now available on a newsstand near you. You can also get it in electronic format at Fictionwise. Yay, Felicity! I love it when good things happen to people who so completely deserve them.
My new toy(ota)
My new toy(ota) Originally uploaded by Geek2Nurse My very first ever brand-new “just for me” vehicle.