Roger & Me

It's Friday evening in New York and I just walked in the door from my wonderful Roman holiday with Mikey. One unexpected surprise was running into Roger Federer (along with Mirka Vavrinec and another man) in our "favorite cafe" in Rome on Wednesday night. The Lucy-and-Ethel high jinks that led to our getting this photo -- along with complete trip details and photos -- will be included in next week's blog posts. (A big thank-you to Mark for keeping my blog "alive" while I was away this week.)

For all of you who have sent your well-wishes, I have some encouraging news about my Troy. Suddenly and without explanation, he started eating when I brought him home for his final nights last Monday (April 30) and has only flourished since then. The doctors believe the steroid shot they gave him may have finally kicked in, but whatever the case he is awfully close to being his old self again. I'm trying to remind myself that everything isn't "back to normal" now (he still has pancreatitis and what is likely a cancerous tumor in his stomach), but each additional day with a happy Troy is greatly cherished over here. Yes, going away on vacation was a dilemma, but my cat sitter took great care of my baby and said Troy even stalked a mouse while he was a guest over there! One day at a time ...

Ciao! Manhattan

By the time you read this Michael and I will be all settled in at our hotel near the Spanish Steps in Rome. It's a much-needed romantic getaway -- and our first "real" vacation in quite some time. You see, Michael doesn't count the trips out West that include stops to see my family. He loves my family, but a vacation to him means going away where we know no one, hence our trip to the Eternal City, a place neither of us has been before.

As I was preparing for the trip I ended up digging through piles and piles of old magazines that I had kept for one reason or another. As I flipped through the pages, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite photos before (finally) tossing them into the garbage. I've put together a few posts to last the week so my blog will not be lifeless while I'm away. Enjoy and I will return to action soon ...

Vespa Bound ...