A Look at Kansas City

Room

Well, some of you may have missed my updates about Fred’s fever and hospital stay. I apologize.  That is because I posted them as things unfolded; however, I posted as comments under the same blog.  It just seemed easier as it fell under the same topic. 


After a barrage of tests and a four-day stint in the hospital Fred was really glad to be back at the apartment Tuesday afternoon.   He was not 100% when he came home, but some tasty  mild food and decent rest brought him back to his ol’ self.  Meanwhile, I threw myself into work and the weather took a bit of a turn, so that meant many hours in the apartment.  We had recently watched the movie Room and this prompted Fred  to refer to the tiny (but fabulous) apartment as "room."    At bedtime it was "Goodnight couch. Goodnight bar stool #1, etc."  Next thing I know, we are both doing it!  It had been a long week and I promised the weekend would be all about us.   By Saturday we were both ready to GET OUT.  So, that's exactly what we did. (And thanks to Sheri for some great suggestions.)

 

 

Entertainment

Fred's ID and a copy of our lease satisfied the requirements for a library card. With full access to all sorts of entertainment we strolled around looking at some books but decided to wait until he's done with "Killing Patton."  Instead we checked out DVDs: a Guy Ritchie movie and a comedy and a few CDs:  Jimmy Cliff and Ziggy Marley (to take a break from the local stations in the car).  This card will also give Fred on-line access to media resources during recovery! 


We found a nearby AMC theater, cashed in some gifties we had leftover from Christmas – and just happened to bring -- and saw the movie Deadpool  Saturday afternoon. Good fun and the quintessential "Fred Flick." The weather had been cold but we were surprised when we came out of the theater complex and it was snowing.  The snow melted when it hit the ground and we got even more snow late in the evening. All gone by morning.

  

Sunday we had a yummo brunch at a local bistro a block away from Brush Creek. We decided to walk off the food and took a fffreezing stroll down to the creek.  Brush Creek is a 10.5-mile-long stream that runs from Johnson County, Kansas, through Jackson County, Missouri.  We intercepted it at Country Club Plaza which is a gorgeous shopping district built on the banks of the creek.   No geese.  No joggers.  There was only one other couple walking their dog out there during our stroll … and THIS couple didn’t stay long.  With any luck we can revisit on a warmer day.

 

On to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.  It is walking distance from our apartment, but we learned our lesson at the creek so we drove.  The Kemper is “Missouri’s largest contemporary museum”  -- which leads one to believe there are not many contemporary museums here.  The building itself has interesting architectural bones and the interior was lovely (we thoroughly enjoyed it).  But it was not large.    The temporary exhibitions included a giant room filled with mixed-media pieces that somehow worked ceramics into the art.   Other exhibitions showed off oil on canvas pieces from their permanent collection.  But the Cut and Paste exhibition of collage techniques was super cool and probably my favorite.  Colorful, painstakingly intricate, and really interesting.

Put a Bow On It
So how to end a fabulous weekend?  Well I'd love to say it ended with a phone call from the  Transplant Team to come on down, but it didn't.  We wrapped  it all up at the apartment fitness center for a little cardio and strength training.   And the final call we got last night was the next-best-thing.  We face-timed with Angie and our three dogs!  It was so good to see them happy and healthy.  They didn't have a clue but it warmed our hearts.  Thank you Angie and thanks to everyone for all of your love and your concern and for your comments on the posts.  We enjoy seeing them, but may not always respond.


Also special "thank you" to our friends who have called to cheer Fred on.  You continue to lift his spirits.  And Jerry Albus!  --  he was especially and delightedly surprised to hear your voice.  I'm so glad you two talkers have continued your friendship.

As for me, thanks to this bunch of friends who take my classes .  Your continued uplifting cheer does me good.  I love how hard you are working out without me.  Such an inspiration.  And I love your shiny little post-workout faces. You have no idea how much I wish I was there.

And to those who have called -- especially my sister, Sheri -- you are my rocks.  I love you!


Stay tuned...