Ted Kennedy

I'm not a very political person. I don't really admire any politicians...in fact, I'm usually pretty cynical about them. But I have felt very, very sorry for Ted Kennedy this past year. A brain tumor diagnosis is a terrible burden for both the patient and the family.

DD17 was so upset when she learned of Ted Kennedy's brain tumor. She knew what he would be facing, and that his odds weren't good. She decided she would write him a note, and tell him she would pray for him.

He (or most-likely a staff member) wrote back, thanking her for her thoughts and prayers. She was touched that someone cared enough to acknowledge her note. She still has the thank you, in a box of mementos. I'm glad she kept it. It is another touchstone in the seemingly never-ending cancer battle.

Back from Camp

DS15 came home from camp, and seemed to enjoy the experience. No (major) injuries and no lost clothes, although we did have to throw out his pillow. It was very hot, though, and sleep was difficult in a noisy cabin full of boys. The counselor assigned to their cabin slept through everything, according to DS15, so some of the boys kept the cabin up way too late. However, he wants to return next year so I'll assume all went well. Detailed information from teenage boys is rare.

Today's New York Times Well blog has an interesting piece on concussions in youth sports. DS15 said there was one concussion at camp, and the boy was brought to the hospital. It turned out to be minor, and he was allowed to return to camp but not allowed to participate in any physical activities for the rest of the week. I'm glad to see this strictness with concussions. I suspect it's fairly new, because when DS12 had his concussion earlier this summer, the emergency room doctor would not rate the severity of it. She said the hospital no longer rated concussions because coaches tended to minimize a minor concussion and pressure a child to return back to sports earlier than recommended. And a second concussion at that point would be dangerous.

Our high school gives a "concussion test" to athletes before the season. It's a computer program that determines a cognitive baseline and can then be used post-concussion to determine readiness to return to play. Although it doesn't prevent concussions, I guess it's a useful tool for schools to have, as long as they abide by its "rules."

Lemon Spaghetti

We had our first and probably only heat wave of the summer this past week. I'm not complaining...it's kind of nice, actually, to be hot for a change, considering the string of wet and cool days this summer. And the days of warm weather are numbered around here, come September.

If it were up to me, I wouldn't cook in this weather. I tend not to be hungry in the heat. I think the body knows it's too warm for anything heavy. But everyone else needs to eat and I need to feed them. The challenge is to find something light and not requiring too much work, and I think Lemon Spaghetti fits the bill. Other than boiling the water for the pasta, there is no cooking.

This recipe was featured on the Today Show last year, and I was intrigued. I'd never encountered a citrus pasta sauce, but it makes sense. Southern Italy is full of lemon trees, and if you travel the Amalfli Coast, you see trees with bright yellow lemons, almost hanging over the roads.

This dish is so simple to make. You can prepare the sauce while the water boils, or make it ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use (bring to room temperature first).

Lemon Spaghetti

2/3 cups olive oil

2/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pound spaghetti

1/3 cup fresh basil

1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)

In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, cheese, lemon juice, and salt and pepper together. Set aside or cover and refrigerate for later use (bring to room temperature). Bring a pot of water to a boil, add spaghetti and stir. Cook until al dente and then drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Toss spaghetti with lemon sauce and add basil and zest. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until moistened. Serve immediately.

I think it tastes better the next day, for leftovers. And I've omitted the basil if I didn't have any, and thought the dish was just fine.

Thoughts on the H1N1 Flu and Transmission

I heard a news report today suggesting the best age group to inoculate first against the H1N1 flu is schoolchildren. Various studies point out that the flu tends to spread amongst people that spend lots of time together, like students. Then the students go home and infect their parents, who then spread the flu at work or out in the community.

Well, duh! I could've told them that. Schools are like big petri dishes. Viruses brew and spread, regardless of how many hand sanitizers are available. And I can almost predict when an illness still strike.

Every year, like clockwork, one of my kids brings home the September Cold. This usually occurs within the first two weeks of school. I'm already dreading it, knowing it will then go through the house person by person. Nothing stops the September Cold. It's similar to the April Cold, which attacks when our immune systems are battered and bruised from a long winter and tired of fighting the good fight. Oddly enough, the April Cold usually appears during a spell of warm weather, adding insult to injury.

Then there's the post-Thanksgiving flu arrival, almost guaranteed. Kids scatter to visit far-flung relatives and bring back the flu, along with extra turkey. I'm sure there's a map somewhere online showing the transmission routes.

This year, for the first time, we may be exposed to the Camp virus. DS15 is away at a soccer camp for a week (first time ever...yes, I'm nervous). I know group living, along with less-than-optimal sleep, will wear the boys out and make them susceptible to whatever's brewing. I've also heard that something like 40% of camps in the Northeast have had some H1N1 flu already this summer. We'll see what he brings home with him, along with dirty laundry.

So really, next time anyone needs data on virus transmission, just go ask a mom. I'm pretty sure we're as accurate as the CDC.

Thoughts on Stuff

Life has gotten in the way of posting. Stuff has gotten in the way of posting. Good stuff and some bad stuff.

Good stuff:

• Kids are home and busy, needing driving to and fro, or just attention. I'll give it to them because that's my job and summertime feels like the only time of the year that they are mine again. The rest of the time they are preoccupied with, rightly enough, school and friends and activities.
• College thoughts and plans and visits for DD17. Although I am torn, like most parents, about the looming Leaving Home, I remind myself it's a Good Thing given all she's gone through.
• Outdoor time, when the weather cooperates, means less time indoors and on the computer.

Bad Stuff:

• Misunderstandings and he said, she said between various people I know. Basically, I am not responsible for your happiness. Let me repeat, I am not responsible for your happiness. I think I need to take up yoga or something just to deal.
• Any sort of criticism directed at DD17 and her life choices. She can do what she wants, when she wants, where she wants. Or not do anything. She has earned it. Her successes despite what life has thrown at her are numerous, and if she has some insecurities or fears, no one has the right to judge her. Walk a mile in her shoes before you have any idea of what her world has been like.
• In the same vein, just because we made it look easy dealing with a sick child and keeping her siblings on an even keel through it all, don't assume we don't have any worries and fears and issues. We (her parents) did not cave nor fall apart (well, not much) nor need medication to get through a grueling ordeal, but that doesn't mean it didn't take its toll. And no, it's not over. The past year exemplified that. Until the doctor says, go off on your merry way and we need never see you again, it's not over.

So that's what's been going on...some good, some bad, but I'm just trying to ride the wave without thinking too hard, although sometimes that's a losing battle.