PERSONAL NEWS #87
On Sunday, February 19th, I headed over to Carol & Gary’s place in Manhattan. They live on the upper Westside in an apartment building whose “theme” is based on Van Gogh’s paintings. He’s one of my fav painters from the late 19th century. [Saw my first exhibit of his paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the mid-1980s. The experience of seeing his actual paintings up close left me breathless.] Carol showed me the workings of the NYC Chapter Dept of Peace website calendar. As I would be taking over the responsibility of inputting events, conference calls, meetings and other detailed info. Carol and her hubby Gary invited me to stay for lunch, which was delicious. During our meal we discussed several topics, one of which was the Great Depression of the 1930s and of course current world events.

[Duchess Note … When I first heard this Don McLean song back in the 1970s, it brought tears to my eyes. It still does to this day. The song also kindled a passionate interest in Van Gogh and his brilliant paintings. In high school this fascination was encouraged by my wonderful art teacher, Mr. Witherspoon. To this day I feel such emotion and yes, also joy mixed with peace, when viewing Van Gogh’s paintings/drawings/sketches. To learn more about Vincent Van Gogh and view his work, go to: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/]

“Vincent”
Song by Don McLean

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey;
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will…

Wednesday, February 22nd, I had a follow-up visit with my lung specialist and learned the results of my February 9th catscan. The catscan revealed that the inflammation, scarring and nodules in my lungs have not stabilized, but have gotten abit worse. My doctor wants me to see another specialist for a “second opinion” and that appointment is end of March. Looks like I’ll have to go through another surgery, but I told my doctor there is no way in hell it’ll be a Bronchoscope. No way! Not after last years experience. There is another option which sounds easier to deal with and I’ll know more in 3 to 4 weeks. In the meantime, I still need to utilize the inhalers for the Asthma.