In a New York state of mind…

Well, yes, I’ve been incredibly busy…busy visiting with my parents, busy playing with Muffet (their lovely cat), busy running errands with my mother, busy planting flowers in my parents’ garden and…well…busybusybusy. In a good way, of course!!! And when I haven’t been busy with that sort of stuff, I’ve had to work, too, which means that, at least for now, my plans of reading and posting about the studies I brought with me haven’t quite worked out. Oh well!

Speaking of busy, Stefano arrived last Friday (from Italy), and tomorrow we’re driving down to New York City for a short holiday (until Saturday). We’ll be staying with a generous, lovely, kind blog reader and his wife in Manhattan. This is how that happened: when I posted my appeal for help in finding a decent but not too expensive hotel or B&B in New York City (here on the blog), a few blog readers generously offered their homes to us. I really didn’t expect that…and I was quite overwhelmed, I admit. I turned down the offers as gracefully as I could…I mean, don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy meeting blog readers (in fact, the readers I’ve met in real life are now friends of ours, which is absolutely lovely), but Stefano and I are two very independent people who don’t want to be a nuisance to anyone…especially to folks we haven’t met!

But when John wrote and said he’d be delighted if we would stay with him, it was different. I feel that I know John personally, since we’ve been corresponding for quite some time now. He has an interesting “smoldering” background, but I can’t say more than that until (if!) he gives me permission to do so. Suffice it to say that I can’t wait to meet him. 🙂 And I am also looking forward to meeting Liza who also offered her NYC home to us…and possibly a few other blog readers, depending on their schedules this week. Should be FUN!!!

The idea of going back to New York after so many years has brought up a lot of different emotions. I am referring mainly, of course, to 9/11, which had a huge impact on me even though I didn’t know anyone who died in the attack. I was in Italy when it happened…in fact, I was at home alone when a friend phoned to tell me to turn on the T.V., just in time to watch the second plane crash into the South tower. I will never forget…

Okay, time for a change of subject!!! A few days ago a close friend (whom I met through the blog, by the way!) sent me the link to a very interesting BBC article: Sir Anthony Epstein was interviewed recently about the Epstein Barr virus connection to various forms of cancer: http://goo.gl/zMm65r

As you know (if you have been following my blog for a few years), I am very interested in the possible viral connection to myeloma. The main reason (for my interest) is that while I was in grad school I myself became very ill due to an Epstein Barr viral attack…and this occurred, coincidentally (or possibly not!), just a few years before my MGUS was discovered…

Anyway, this article describes HOW the two researchers (Epstein and Barr) discovered the blasted virus that was named after them…A verrrrry good read even if you don’t find viruses particularly interesting…so do have a look…

Okay, Stefano and I have a zillion things to do today (rent a car, etc.), so I’d better get going and do at least some of them…Have a great week, everyone! 🙂

On Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.A…

IMG_9101I’m here. At my parent’ house on Cape Cod. It’s great to be back… 🙂

As soon as I set foot in my parents’ house–after first hugging Mom and Dad, of course–I asked: “so, where’s Muffet? (Muffet is my parents’ new cat…I wrote a post about her last month.)

IMG_9145She was asleep on my parents’ bed, but after about 5 minutes she came downstairs, sniffed me and let me pet her. Then, to everyone’s surprise, she jumped right into my lap–the lap of a complete stranger (to her, I mean)–and settled down.

Muffet is the purrfect lap cat…such a sweet cat…very playful, very gentle. Adorable. When she wants to play, she leads me into the living room where most of her toys are. Smart kitty!

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These are the first photos that have been taken of Muffet after my parents adopted her. Isn’t she (also!) a beauty?

Anyway, clearly, all is well here on Cape Cod…!!!

Getting ready…

How did this happen??? Wasn’t it Xmas just the other day??? 😉 I still can’t believe that it’s April, and that I’m taking off for the U.S.A…again. Yep, I’m leaving tomorrow to go visit my parents and their new kitty, Muffet. The last few months have gone by in a flash, I must say…

Speaking of which, I would like to apologize to those whose emails have remained unanswered. I’ve done my best, but I just haven’t had the time to reply to some of you…

Anyway, while I’m in the U.S. I’ll have access to my Mom’s computer, so I will be online every day (working, mostly…yeah, the paying job/s 😉 ), except for the few days we plan to be in New York City,  and will try to write at least a couple of posts. I’m taking a couple of scientific studies with me, hoping I’ll find the time to read, and post about, them. Interesting stuff!

Okaaaaay, I’d better get back to my packing…Take care, everyone…I’ll write a post once I get settled. Ciao! 🙂

 

Tulip mania

IMG_9060I simply adore tulips. Last fall, with the help of a friend, I planted a whole bunch in my back garden…different colors, different types, smaller ones, bigger ones…

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And now we can finally admire the fruits of our labors…

Some of my tulips have been blooming for the past week or so, and more are getting ready to…burst.

IMG_9087They’re so lovely, in my opinion, and they give me a sense of happiness when I walk among them or even just look out at them, standing as still as elegant little sentinels wearing colorful hats…IMG_9075

Anyway, here are a few photos I took yesterday, a glorious sunny day here in Firenze!IMG_9085

 

 

 

Happiness can be found in small things…