Food Channel

January 10, 2013

Around the planet children are turning up their noses at foods that are “good for them.” Chewy Fettuccini, fresh sliced plump cherry tomatoes, tuna with Dijon and caramelized onions and garlic, dripping romaine lettuce and strips of yellow bell peppers graced the wooden table. Kids had to be enticed with a bottle of Coke if they ate a small portion of each, in the end, the suggestion was to “try” a bite of everything. Theo and his best friend, Anderson are rail thin with little interest in advancing their repertoire of food groups. Ketchup is a required accompaniment, cream cheese and sugar granules sprinkled over the top of even the sweetest of breads. My face certainly reveals my disgusted disappointment. Acceptance is the only acceptable result since they all seem to grow up “normal” and handsome despite their generous sweet teeth.

Dono is getting her hair trimmed and nails done. The entire family gets involved, suggesting different spots for her since she has a lot of head pain and has difficulty getting out and about. Prices range from R$25 for a haircut to R$100 for all services. Takes a village.

Divided each Port Townsend Elevated truffle into three bites to savor the melty chocolate delights with De and Joao…treats for the adults! Thanks Kay, what a gleeful afternoon contribution.

Off to the beach with little scrappy Pipo who has an obvious problematic digestion from all of the goodies discarded under the table at lunchtime. He begs at Dono’s side. No matter how much we insist he not get leftovers, she cannot resist his sad sack bulging eyes. He will without a doubt lose some pudge in the next six months to a year without her generous and fatty offerings.

Discouragement and despairing thoughts weigh me down so I need to get out into the sun and surf to explore the wave break. Worries drift away as the wind rips my shoulders and hair. Cannot stop dancing, dreaming or singing, listening to enchanting stories or playing in the sand.

Test My Patients

January 9, 2012

Where is McWonderful when I need him? Probably off to join the Gray’s Anatomy series!

Need additional surgery to remove a “V”-shaped piece being rejected by my ankle bone. So, back in the Healthcare System circus! Now that I am in another state, I have to register to get healthcare services at the local clinic. Turned over the Xerox of my Passport, CPF (equivalent to a Social Security Card that I acquired after I got married here in 1999-a Green Card story) and my paper ID card from the Registro clinic. I was asked my parents names, what year I completed in school, my birth place, current address and phone numbers. Since the physicians are on holiday hours I have to show up between 8:00 and 9:00am and 13:00-14:00 to be seen first come-first served. All of the firm plastic seats in the lobby were filled with squirming butts. All eyes turn towards the newest arrival. Kind of embarrassing when the simple questions are asked like “what was the last year you attended school” and I didn’t have a clue what the cute, young, dashing receptionist tall (which I could only stab at since he was sitting in a swirling office chair) is asking in earnest. Drat. The natural reaction of exasperation appeared when rich Tobblerone eyes gestured several others to assist in the problematic conversation to repeat the same question, only louder this time! I finally got the message and responded only to be faced with the challenge of explaining what type of appointment I need.

The pharmacist could not fill my open order for remedies so I will have to wait to see a physician and set up an appointment. The incision should be small and heal readily. Only wish I didn’t have to stay out of the ocean and sun while the skin heals! Ugly foot.

No Place Like Home?

January 8, 2012

Writer’s block.

Everyone left for the cinema to watch a children’s movie so I stayed behind with Dono. She had a bad attack of facial pain and I went to hold her slim cold hand and murmur sympathetically while she sobbed in fear of the up and coming lengthy and unknown journey. She, like many who face a huge shift in their world as they age and transition to another new home, is afraid of the near future. Dono struggles with gripping and shameful (her words) pain and is exceedingly concerned about frightening others around her. Tortured with the thought of being trapped on a plane with exhausting bone chilling physical pain is more than Dono can bear. Not able to speak English or have a familiar voice who loves her and understands her garbled words on the phone will be devastating. I can only whisper positive reinforcing words and squeeze her hand, nodding in sympathy and assurance that I understand what she is declaring. It has to be extraordinary to be accepting the inevitable with grace and confidence or putting on a good show until the demon behind the curtain presents itself once again and forces her to speak her truth. The new grandchild will be able to get to know and love his grandmother, she is fortunate that she has several family members who are willing to take on her complicated care. Unfortunately the new home is very far away and will take great courage for her to arrive in peace and comfort.

A complex situation and one that many face with aging family members.

Give someone with too many wrinkles to count a big hug today!

Fashion Police

January 7, 2012

Finished reading The Leader (Port Townsend newspaper) and eating the rest of the chocolate selection of German cookies from the generous care package the Laura’s sent me last week. My favorite section of the paper are the Police and Sheriff Logs and other than the old timer that attacked assisted living facility staff with a potato peeler, they declared “out of 231 calls, seven were related to a dog, cow or other animal and 15 were either partially or totally retracted.” Time in the wading pool pulling and pushing my tender ankle through the water and more reading, Intermitten Skyping with Taelor and where did the day go?

Dono chucked some outdated and undersized clothes in a substantial pile for the maid so I pawed thru it and found a few workable weather appropriate shirts. Still in the “get something and give something” mode so I scrounged through my plastic bags to donate to the pile. Taelor and I went through that process for several years in numerous times in our lives. Keeps down the stored items and feels productive to give to others who aren’t so fortunate to attain something new. Dono took one look at my shirt this morning and declared “I have that very same shirt!” Guess she had forgotten she had given several up for this afternoon she barked the exact words again, turning to her hospitable elderly caffeine loaded friend and pointed at my floral printed tie back top. The recent DIY haircut chiseled son of the visitor grasped his mother’s ring-barrened hand as they raced out to jump in their unattended car ahead of the utility truck. If they hadn’t left when they did, it would have been impossible to pass the cumbersome work vehicle and exit the sandy and ruddy street. Evidently there was an appointment to make soonish. Never did catch their names!

The chunky blonde neighbor has an ailing dog that cannot eat and whines and cries throughout the day. I practiced my Tellington Touch on her and massaged her belly to help with the digestion challenges. Cookie (the neighbor lady, not the dog) lives next door and hollers her many demands over the fence. I can certainly help with the dog issues, at least for a bit. The veterinarian cannot find anything wrong with Sasha so anything I attempt is better than nothing.

Let's Eat...and Eat!

January 6, 2012

Food is life.

Spent the majority of the cloudy humid day on a beach in the north end of the inner coast. Caught a ferry to the  distant port “gratis” since the boat operator has a brother who owns the bar. The tall solemn captain waved secret signals at each passing vessel. The other passengers were as eager to arrive at our destination with a series of cement pathways to turn up at the waterfall and various shops and snack shacks where the mostly Argentinean tourists vacation. It is a lovely but much changed area filled with colorful homes on the water, boats in their private docks and every so often a public taxi station perched on the end of a small dock to collect and deliver them to the bus stop on the civil side of the inlet.

The menu at the bar suggested vast inflated prices yet we partook nonetheless. Fish stew (90% of the catch is from the inlet though I suspect it is extremely polluted since petrol from the constant boat traffic dumps into the cove) crunchy French fries, white fluffy rice and shredded lettuce to accompany fried fish balls. I ate cheese pastels and shredded lettuce spattered with rich olive oil. Fisherman stand on the edge of the dock to throw their large nets. In the few hours we sat nearby they nabbed half a small bucket full of little silver fish. We share large bottles of beer and the kids slurp soda from straws in the bottle. R$400 and four hours later we were headed back on the wooden putting ferry. Nunca mais (never more) are we going to eat out during the holiday season…too much money while hardly any of us are working. ..until the next time!

There are many more beaches to explore, Florianopolis has more than 100 yet few have shade nor anything more advanced than a simple shack for snacks or men struggling behind carts pushing through the thick sand to sell ice cream and water or beer.

Slapped on mosquito repellent and will plop down to read a few chapters of my book. War and Peace is getting the best of me since I drop off after a few chapters. End up re-reading them the next night and the night after..

Fiesta for Pipo

January 5, 2012

Pipo’s birthday…what do you get a dog? Send your suggestions to: paulafhill60@gmail.com.

Lotta nothin’ goin’ on ‘round here! Most of the crew went to the beach in Lagoa and De and I are helping Dono downsize her various piles of clothing and tokens of memories to take along to Calgary. Moving forward as though it is the reality since the final decision has yet to be determined.

Gang of boys are over at the house from the neighborhood, shooting the soccer ball around, flopping in and out of the now sluggishly tepid water in the pool and pointing vibrant florescent nerf guns at one another. Fights break out and parents yell from across the wooden and wire fences on either side of the savage yard.

So far removed from life in privileged North America. Never taken the opportunity to spend six months, abroad or otherwise, without serious and profound concern with paying rent, utilities nor expenses outside of simple food and exotic drink. The sensation of being on a perpetual vacation was disconcerting initially since my sense of value had always been attributed to production-work that translated to adequate income.  Various times in my adult life, after relocating to a new spot (Minneapolis, Dallas, Sacramento, Madison, Florianopolis, Seattle, Kona, Hilo, Port Townsend) I discovered a new avenue for financial stability and limited commitment. The worries creep in now and again yet for the most part drift away with acceptance rather than a per usual resignation. A freedom I could rarely exhibit in the even recent past.

Greater worries such as the street battles in Sao Paulo between drug cartels and federal and civil police continue to weigh heavy on Brasilian everywhere as well as the corruption of the police force and political leaders. This is not a country of war yet the great battle grows between right and wrong, an abyss of desolation and distrust with impoverished victims getting caught in the crossfire. In the meantime, the professional futebol players have preposterous insuperable humongous absurd salaries. As deprived patients await urgent surgery for days, weeks, months on end. Yes, I am exceedingly fortunate.  I have the option to escape a tumultuous situation when not everyone is as auspicious.

Onto celebrate Pipo’s birthday with a beef enhanced cake!

Emotional Upheaval

January 4, 2012

Dying food whisked out of the frig to revive into ham, tomato and ricotta cheese as well as spinach and feta quiches, broccoli and garlic risotto, kale soup and fresh peach, pineapple and mango fruit juice. Piles of steamy towels, sandy shorts, molding t-shirts which happens relatively quickly in this humid environment end up in several loads of wash. We all tend to argue about where the soiled beach and pool towels should be placed versus the clean or used and now drying ones on the thick wire lines. Ah, battles of the beach community! Smelling them does not always determine use.

After much digging around on the internet and searching thru business cards, Gi finally discovered an ophthalmologist who could check out her droopy eye today. They just returned to report it is most likely an emotional issue since the physician could not  allocate the symptoms to something specific and charged a mere R$200. The past few days she appears lopsided and sinister with one semi-closed and puffy punk left eye.

Since the postal worker will not accept the outgoing mail, I have to wait to send my letters in Lagoa or downtown. I am not sure if they deem the Chippendales dude untrustworthy or if no one actually mails anything out. Denise told me the government no longer makes stamps, they simply run the mail thru a machine. I beg to differ, showing off the colorful international and domestic stamps I bought in Registro and Sao Paulo. So, worldwide, letters are unfortunately, fast becoming an antiquated ritual.

There is doubt whether it is a best option for grandma to go to Canada in eleven days. Decisions like this one are infinitely complex and poignant. The elderly seemingly have little say in their final days, months, years on earth whether they actually have the ability to express words or not. Though everyone involved strives to be fair and just, the senior isn’t able to make the choice even when they have all of the details and facts laid out before them. Confusion and chaos, consequential alternatives and doors closing or opening depending upon which side of the fence you happen to be standing. I explain about our culture and how customarily the grandparents sadly either live on their own until they are unable to manage independently or are shuffled from one home to the next and quite often not residing with a family member. Adult children are busy with their own family and the majority have full-time jobs and children of their own to accommodate. It is not an easy decision especially when the family members are physically terribly far apart or do not see eye to eye on these matters. Dono holds my hand and whispers in her sluggish words not wanting to offend either of her children nor sadden the grandson who is old enough to be aware of the controversy. She is torn about moving so far away from her daughter, family and culture. Whether Dono leaves the area or not, her life is clearly changing since the routine here must shift if she remains.

Off to the beach again since I decided on a new resolution is to go to the water daily whether I dip in or not!