Missing Olney Four Years Later

And the latest trip to the Cancer Center

Ernie shook me awake this morning because evidently I was too sound asleep to register his text alarm beeps that normally wake me. I lay there a little longer wishing we didn’t have to go to the damn Cancer Center but hey, at least the temperature wasn’t below zero. I came downstairs and we sat in the dark with just the glow of the Christmas tree (ok, ok, honestly, I WOULD have taken it down last weekend but with all that cold and snow, well, it just seemed wrong). We chatted for a few minutes, Hattie meowed, and I reminded Ernie that it is the fourth anniversary of David Olney’s death. I insisted we listen and watch a video which led us to be a being a few minutes late but it was worth it.

I’ll never forget Ernie waking me up that morning, standing at the foot of the bed telling me the news in a quavering voice as I just kept saying, “No, no, no, NO!” I don’t know that I will ever be able to articulate why he was so important to me. I wish I could. I just loved him. I loved his music. I loved his humor. I loved his style. I loved his smirk. I loved his curmudgeonly leanings and his poetic, romantic soul. I just loved all of him. It still seems so hard to believe he isn’t out there writing and playing more songs. Love you forever, David.

Ok, I don’t mean to be bossy, but watch these two videos. The first is from 2011, I think it was the second time he played here (with the brilliant and beautiful Sergio Webb). The second is the encore from the last show he did with us, in 2019 with the equally brilliant and beautiful Daniel Seymour. It was only five months later that he passed.

We headed off to the Cancer Center. Grumpy valet guy wasn’t there today. The back of the Honda was frozen shut but Ernie banged on it until it gave up Big Red. Vasireddy was delightful as always but OMG I talked WAY too much. WAY too much. To top it off I told him that he had spoiled us for all other oncologists just the way Daisy had spoiled for all other dogs. “Not that I’m comparing you to a dog,” I helpfully explained. Good God. Then in a delightful little twist, we were assigned to Pod Four in the Infusion Suite

It’s odd how comfortable we are there, how familiar it all is. Our favorite volunteer was even there today. Although, I will say, a few more gluten free options in the snack tray would be nice. I can’t help it, I hate bananas.

However, I found I still had my ER supplies in my purse, which include a Lara bar or two. These things aren’t cheap but if you’re stuck in the emergency room or the infusion suite and you haven’t eaten, they are gold. Gluten free and they last forever. Just a tip from yours truly.

You remember my other emergency room tips, don’t you?

• Wear a bra even if it’s the middle of the night.

• Bring reading material and a phone charger.

• Coins don’t hurt either as nobody is going to give you change for the vending machine.

Ok, I’m rambling at this point. We have potato kale soup bubbling on the stove, Ernie is puzzling in the dining room and we MIGHT get a tiny bit of snow.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia