If the Book Fits.....

I hesitate to reveal  information about anything close to me. Yet reality has taken a bite out of my "perfect novel" world, and the words of this post seemed to flow. I have entered it as a submission for an organizations' newsletter. ALDA, (Association for Late Deafened Adults).   Temptation is to leave the story sitting on the shelf, gathering dust while supporting surrounding stories. Yet it is my book. So I am placing my name plate in the front cover and taking ownership.
Thanks for stopping by!


   The day is wrapping heavily around me. A humid yet chilly day. Gray skies and reflections. The type of day when you wish it would rain and get it out of it's system so the sun can shine again.
  It is a perfect day actually. A day that allows me to feel like hiding under the covers, avoiding faces and places. Avoiding tasks and chores. Letting tears fall in place of expected raindrops.  It is a day to permit myself to grieve.
   I had my audiological exam yesterday.  I have been diligent about going every year so I could track "progress" and update my hearing aids.  Amazing how a few tweaks from a computer mouse can change your world through digital hearing aids.
Yet, I have been lax.  It's been several years since I stepped into that  small office. A cheerful place, with dancing bear paintings on the soft blue walls. A welcome approach to that often dreaded  gray steel box, filled with wires, speakers, comfy yet firm chair, red push button and window of glass.  Looking out that window the world can see so very far away.
 I try to arrive with my sense of humor.  I truly have a wonderful audiologist. A knowledgeable lady   with  bold credentials and an understanding that many professionals  never quite grasp.   She is a person who smiles easily and sincerely,  sharing laughter that tickles your day.
   A brief catch up on  family and events and I am seated in the dreaded booth, and the door is shut.    No matter how many times I have sat in this seat, I am still  uncomfortable.   After all it is a test.  One for which I hopefully have studied properly .   Yet my hands  feel clammy when I grasp the  "Push Me" Button when I hear the tone.   For that brief instant before the first "note" I envision a scene from the magical surreal story of Alice in Wonderland. A scene in where Alice has fallen down the rabbit hole and faced with a dilemma and a "DrinkMe" potion.   It is a scene based on trust before stepping into the unknown.
  I confidently and often trigger happily, push the confirmation button that I have heard the tone. well, at least I think I hear the tone. I know the tone follows the other tone so it should be happening now so I will push.   I add a puzzled look and the words "I think"  just  confirm I'm not sure but am moving along.
   Switching the test mode to the other ear,  I lighten my  apprehension with a joke about also needing to switch the hand in which I am holding the button.  We both laugh  at the silliness and settle in for round two.  Same tones, same "I think".
    And then, the rabbit hole gets deeper, or the door gets smaller, or the choices  of Fear , Fight or Flight are null.  There are no rescuing potions nor smiling cats, although you know somewhere they exist. They must. Others have come along this same journey.
   Having been to  "my" audiologist for many years, I am familiar with her voice and style.  I grasp that as a comfort and set off to chase the elusive  white rabbit, which is in the form of a white sheet of paper with a list of "repeat after me" words.
   As smoke rings floating around a caterpillars head the words come slowly  and perfectly formed. Enunciation placed at proper stress points, carefully repeated if necessary.  
    And..... I grasp.  I  reach and I grasp. I touch a letter and it dissolves.  I try to form my own words in repetition . I guess.   I stop and shake my head  in confusion and take a deep breath and strive forward.  "Road"..I heard "Road".   I think it's "Road". There are no visual cues,  the white paper is blocking any chance of lip reading, I am sitting in a gray booth that seems to have wrapped tighter around me or I have grown taller to face this challenge. .   I struggle. I guess some more. I think. I hope.   A jumble of letters that no longer form the memorized list of "baseball, cowboy, hotdog, outside, sidewalk".  Simple words.   One syllable.   Everyday  "along the journey" words.  And I didn't have a clue.
    Numbers and percentages and changes are discussed. Yet numbers can be like boldly displayed hat sizes. In reality they do not always fit.   Being a good guesser fit a small sense of pride on my head. Reality then slipped it off.
    Somehow in this strange world of galvanized knights and bejeweled monsters, dodos and dancing creatures on the shore, tea parties and silly games and adversity and flowers that chide and sing...one develops a determination and  an inner strength.    Following a path, perhaps chasing  the elusive but standing strong and placing  one foot  in front of the other, no matter how scary, no matter how lost, no matter how confusing, no matter how the tears might fall, no matter how different, no matter how rocky the road.
 "Road."  I'm sure I "heard" Road. 
Tomorrow will be brighter.  Tomorrow will a few more steps away from the "hit hard" fall.
Tomorrow perhaps I will wear a hat that fits, smile boldly and step into  my garden to "hear" the flowers sing.

   

Review of Joey's Bar and Grille, Chandler St. Worcester, MA..or Death of Diet by Chicken Frangleio

“A Gastronomical Crescendo”

Reviewed March 16, 2012

Initial impressions mean a lot to me. It's that "make or break" first few minutes that can set the pace. So after a seating snafu, which was promptly corrected once it was "pointed out" to the Hostess...Joey's would need to really impress to earn any stars (or return visit) in my book.
And IMPRESS is exactly what happened.
Our waitress , Angela, was respectful, professional and friendly. Sometimes a tough role on a busy night. Her skillful representation of the restaurant and it's offerings were exact.
Since this was a "break the diet full calorie ahead" night, we placed drink orders and appetizer order for the steamed mussels and a bowl of Southwest Chicken Soup.
My partners' cocktail was served exactly to his preference. My wine , selected from a well thought out wine list, was a generous serving in a sparkling glass.
Steamed Mussel appetizer was a satisfying tease. A creamy broth, yet light and delicate, accented the true flavor of the succulent fresh mussels.
Southwest Chicken soup with it's thick, chili like presentation, zinged with spices and flavor.
A carefully orchestrated staff led us along our dining symphony. Our meal was served smoothly and promptly. Attention to detail , fresh silverware, prompt removal of used dishes, fresh drinks, created an atmosphere of sharp but not haunting, attention .
The menu offered a nice concise variety. Well written with "tease the taste-buds" descriptions. Chicken Frangelio grabbed my attention and would not let go. My partner decided to go with a tried and true Fish and Chips.
The Chicken Frangelio is a concert for all senses. A type of meal I robustly applause.
Tender breast of chicken peeking from beneath a generous portion of butternut ravioli, topped with a delicate hazelnut cream sauce, garnished with chopped candied pecans.
Notes of spices and sweetness tingled the tongue. A lacy scent of hazelnut tantalized.
Tender and smooth..this was a meal to be savored.
My partner's fish and chips were served with a generous portion of sweet potato fries and a small side of tartar sauce. Batter was golden and crisp .Fish was flaky with a distinct flavor of freshness. Sweet potato fries were the right blend of crunch and tenderness. The dish was served with a "grease catcher" liner on the dish. A nice touch, until the paper started to break apart, adhering to parts of the meal. The food was crisply fried, with no residue nor blend of "what else was in the fryolator today" flavor.
A side of Asian Slaw was a crunchy soft blend of cabbages, hint of a dressing mingled the textures.
Spying a dessert tray float by, we stopped our waitress and were dazzled with an array of delights. Pecan Square, Chocolate upon chocolate cake, Brown Sugar Creme Brulee, Carrot cake, Lemon cake and a tempting square of Chocolate chip banana bread pudding. Although this was the presentation tray, all offerings looked freshly sliced and enticing.
We selected the Lemon Cake. A generous portion perfect for sharing. Served pleasingly with a side twist of whipped cream and strawberry slices.
This layer cake was a blend of delights. Cake was dense, moist with a hint of lemon. A mousse like center layer was sharp with the tang of lemon yet a melt in your mouth texture. And the frosting. A thick "birthday cake" style butter cream, hard to resist, lick the spoon, not to sweet , eat it all cymbal crash ending to our symphony for the senses.
Decor is a comfortable blend of metal accents, wood, soft earthy colors and a star like sparkle set on moon rise blue sky. Tables for two, booths for four or more. Bathrooms were "office park" style, yet clean and well stocked.
The check total for the evenings' presentation of cocktails, wine, appetizers, entrees and dessert and a cup of coffee was just over $100.00 .
Our dining adventure that started off with hesitancy, settled into a comfortable satisfaction and a finale of impression.

Visited March 2012