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I still found sleep challenging to find, but once I did, it was hard to stop. I was up about 8ish, made did the dishes, cleaned up, had some breakfast, and then headed out.

The 1 train on a Monday was different, louder but everyone wearing masks, and few couples talking close. The trains were full-ish but not overcrowded.

It is cold today, a sunny East Coast October day. I had on my sweater.

I got Susie a donut at Dunkin Donuts. There was a line, and they are understaffed still. Everyone was a bit more intense as it was a workday.

The line to get into the hospital was long, but I knew the process and even directed people here and there. I am slowly becoming a volunteer at Mount Sinai West!

I reached her room and found Susie up, already had breakfast, and her first session done. She enjoyed the donut I brought her. My plans for the day were to travel by subway to mid-town and visit the central NYC Public Library.

Susie had more intensive action around noon. When those started, I headed out as I were in the room alone. I kissed Susie goodbye as I was not sure I would make it back to the hospital that day with all the travel.

Back to Columbus Circle Station. I found the correct B train, with some confusion, as the signs in the subways have a lot of words on them, but it is hard to harvest helpful information from the words. Nevertheless, I managed to reach Bryant Park without incident.

The park is full of chairs and people eating their lunch on a workday Monday. I nearly tripped on an uneven paver but recovered my footing. I almost rolled my ankle. This is not the trip to break one’s ankle on!

I stopped exploring and went to the closest place for lunch, Bryant Park Grill, and sat outside. This is more biz and upscale lunch. And here, the suits had socks that match their ties and adorable gals in designer outfits. I ordered a beer and ignored them, ignoring me, clearly a tourist.

The Bryant Park Hotel looks like it is ready for being the evil building in the next Ghost Busters. You can also see the Chrysler building from the park.

They had confit duck legs on greens. I have always wanted to try those. Thusly, I had an expensive lunch (the beer was $9). After that, I am sticking to water. The salad and the duck were perfect, all fall flavors.

I then walked all the way around the library to the front. The lions greeted me, and I took the required pics.

I walked into the library and got directions to the Guttenburg Bible. I took the elevator up to the third floor and discovered the book was a facsimile. I then went to the 3rd-floor reading room as I was early. I walked into the near-silent rooms and sat down, and got out my laptop. Most folks seated were using a laptop or iPhone.

I decided to write a bit more of my story on Howard, my hero in my ScfFi-horror stores in the library. I just wanted to say I did some of the work in the NYC Public Library. I also found a book in Greek and English on Aristophanes fragments. So I did a little bit of learning on the ancient comic writer. Only a few plays survive, and I learned more about one of the lost plays and how it got him sued by the rulers of Athens. Back then, laughing at politicians was risky business.

After enjoying the room, I could move to NYC just for the library; I went exploring. I found a few more stacks on American History but decided to get early access to the Treasures of NYCPL as I had a ticket with a time an hour in the future. No problem.

There was a real Guttenburg, the original hand-copied Declaration of Independence in the author’s hand with corrections, the stuffed animals from Winnie the Pooh (yes, the real Pooh), Dicken’s book he read from (with hand notes and corrections) when performing, his desk, and Malcolm X’s briefcase. There were lots of other things too. The original voting count sheet from the passing of the 13th Amendment (banning slavery) had a more emotional reaction for me.

I wondered through this treasury of books and items for an hour. Virginia Wolf’s cane, Mozart’s handwritten music, and Jack London’s flag. My legs, feet, back told me that it was time to head back.

After a bit of searching, I found the subway access after leaving the library. I was surprised as the station should be on the other side. Instead, I saw that this was the tunnel to connect F to the other lines. It is a strange long black line on my map on my phone. It was a long walk underground to the actual station.

I returned via the B train to Columbus Circle, but I left the station on the other side (sigh). I decided on a coffee from the local truck, and then a gal asked me to buy her a cheeseburger, so for about ten bucks, she got one and kept the change after I gave a buck tip in the tip jar to make the proprietor happy. I had not been asked to buy someone a burger before, so I just agreed–it seemed OK to me. The coffee helped.

I reached Susie at 4ish, and she was still sitting in a chair. No lazing in bed in this ward!

She was happy to see me but sorry that she did not see the real Pooh and other items on display in the library.

I stayed through her dinner and left at 7ish. I walked over to Hell’s Kitchen and met Kat for dinner at Der Krung. Slightly swanky Thai place two doors from the Kat Lair. The food was excellent. Mine was a birdnest of rice noodles with a nice stir fry placed inside. Kat ordered the “mild” yellow curry and was at the limit of spiciness for Kat. She ate the rice, most of it, to keep the spice down. I tasted it, and it was lovely and hot.

Kat helped me find Columbus Circle, and then I headed home.

I was tired and so decided to write this and do the dishes this Tuesday morning.

I hope you are enjoying the read!

I slept into just before 8ish and started the sunny but cold day with some fruit and instant coffee. I also wrote the blog for Saturday this morning. I was finally headed out just before ten. I stopped by Dunken Donuts. The line was wrapped in the store, and the wait was twenty minutes as their staff is too small, like everywhere, so we had to wait. The Internet orders were pouring in for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. We who came to the store had to wait. I loaded the Dunkin Donut app on my iPhone while waiting and almost ordered while in line, but I thought that was too rude and waited instead.

Next, I was off to the 1 train in the subway and then a short walk to Mount Sinai West. The security folks recognized me now, even with the mask, and they asked about Susie and how long I would be in the area. Again, an accidental resident.

Susie was not in her room as she was in PT. So I got a chair from Anne Oakley, the nurse for the area, and waited. Finally, Susie was walking with a walker down the hallway. I presented her with the donut holes (I decided on those as they are easier to eat).

I stayed through Susie’s lunch and sent the clam chowder back; it could have a fish base, as it could make Susie ill. I also removed the onions and tomatoes from her roast beef sandwich. She ate it open face anyway.

We used Facetime to chat with Barb, Susie’s sister, and Susie’s mom. Susie had more PT at 2, so I skedaddled. I had to find a prescription at a RiteAid off of Columbia, and I wanted to stop by Zabar’s for lunch and get something for dinner. I also checked out the library (closed for Covid). I meant to find the central library (nope)–I will get the address and try again on Monday.

While I was acquiring a bagel, I was reminded that our church group was meeting on Zoom. I managed to connect with them while eating lunch on a table off of 79th and Amsterdam. They were happy to hear that things were going better and that Susie was improving.

I then walked to the subway and popped up two stops to find the RiteAid. Finally, I picked up my script and carried all my supplies and stuff uphill. Somehow I managed to walk up the hill twice. After that, I was tired and unpacked and read a bit.

I managed to get started again, make dinner, and watch an old Doctor Who on HBO MAX online. I learned how to make the oven work and got a bagel toasted in the oven.

Called some folks to chat and watched the Sunset towards New Jersey. You can hear the chimes with the window open a bit.

I think I can stop there. Thanks for reading.

The morning (I am writing this after getting a night’s sleep on Sunday morning) was rushed. I tried to sleep into 8ish but woke up over and over, so I finally started 7:45ish. Shower and dressing and making instant coffee with a banana.

I then headed out shopping. I walked a few blocks to the pharmacy on the corner, closed. I then used maps to discover a CVS just around the corner. I got a cart and wandered the claustrophobic aisles of the store. I picked items from my list; I still missed a few things and tried to get a prescription refilled.

The gal told me they could not even begin to refill it until next week. Apparently, the pharmacy is “buried” (the clerk’s word) and could not help.

Next, I stop by a local market and pick up one more item and start to walk back. Finally, I stopped by the closest corner market and there purchased bread and milk.

I have some allergy issues, and that takes about an hour to fix at the apartment.

I then try RiteAid’s website to refill my prescription. Unfortunately, the website locks up on searching for a location (not using my local location as a base). I tried a few times. Finally, I search and find the closest RiteAid (about half a mile away) and use the phone to request a refill, just like I do in Oregon. Works. I will pick up the script on Sunday. If that works, I will do all the rest.

Late, I took the 1 train subway to the Mount Sinai West area and walked the required two blocks. Then, after passing the safety and security process, always the same but very detailed, I headed to Susie, nearly going to the tenth floor when she is on 3g room 50A now.

The new room is more cramped than before and has two people in it. When I got there, the room was abuzz with energy. I was told I needed to fill out paperwork by Susie. The nurse, who explained to me that she is not referred to as “nurse” but “Anne Oakley,” has a pile of things for me to sign and cover. The PT people then piled into the room with the doctor. The doctor introduced himself in my left ear while Anne O was having me read and sign in the left. I also wrote my address (the apartment) and my phone and the fact there are no stairs in the building that Susie would need to use. I handed the note to Julia, the PT gal.

No more lying around for Susie. They had her up, before I was there, doing stairs and walking. They are making initial evaluations and plans to improve her walking, habits, and even speech to be the best they could get. So Julia explained to me once all the hubbub was over.

Susie was sat in a chair and soon had lunch. The dietitian came and was delighted to meet a retired registered dietitian, Susie. Susie has to call to use the ladies’ room; this too is to head back to more normal practices.

At 3ish, I slipped out after enabling a few Facetime calls for Susie. Susie’s sister, Barb, and her mother all spent some time with Susie on the phone. I have her hold the phone and talk now; time to use her hand again.

It was Greek Kitchen for me again, I am an accidental regular, and they asked me about Susie and how my unplanned residency is going. I had their Mediterranian Salad, and I posted on a pic on Facebook. My friend back in Michigan, Eric “Elric” Anderson, described it on Facebook as a pizza without the crust.

Natasha still has a sore throat, so our Saturday evening plans of playing board games in NYC were put off until next weekend. Kat and I then thought the 007 movie a good alternative. After some finagling, we got seats at a  5:15 standard screen showing (the IMAX was sold out except for the neck crushing the first row).

I left Susie in Anne O’s hands. She sits on a chair in the hallway with a terminal to hear all the goings-on in the rooms she is responsible for. Anne jumps out of her chair and heads to any room in a moment when she thinks something is wrong.

I took the 1 train up to 66th Street and got lost. I spent 30 minutes trying to find the movie house, a vast AMC theater. But, everything is enormous and tall in NYC. Finally, after retracing my steps, I learned it I had looked right at it and turned away from it!

I found the Apple store (AMC theater is across the street). I stepped in just to say I have been there. I think my M1 Apple laptop purred when I went in.

Kat found me, and we watched the show together, having to show vaxed cards and ID to enter. It was not a crowded theater, and once the movie started, lots of folks changed seats to get a better look and to spread out more.

The 007 movie was OK for this stuff. It is also very long and thus can spend time on plot items and some character-building items. James even meets a gal, fights a great fight, and then leaves with just having a drink with her. She says something like, next time maybe you can stay longer. That is the first hour.

I thought the next hour and a half was OK. The story is built and executed; it is a bit complex, as are the characters. I would say it was a good movie. Maybe great for 007. It was the second new Bond movie I liked (Daniel Craigs first and this movie being the best).

Dinner was at DIG nearby. It was raining by then, and Kat and I, being from Oregon, just sort of ignored the rain. The food there is a bowl, and you pick the items. I told them to just make me something they liked. It was good with Kat having only roasted veggies. It was tasty.

Kat and I split up at the subway station. I took the 1 train back to 104th street and walked back in the rain.

I managed to sleep a bit better.

The night was hard to sleep as my allergies and the new room and new bed, a day bed, made sleep a difficult goal. The alarm came too early, at 6:30ish. I found my way around the new apartment and used the purloined toiletries from the hotel for soap and shampoo.

Next, I collected my dirty clothing and headed down to the first floor, where the community laundry could be found. Jamie, the doorman, was there and helped me. I could not buy a pay card for the laundry, so he loaned me his card, and I put money on it and did my laundry. Later I discovered I had to have a five-dollar bill to buy a card; I had tried all the bills I had, but I did not have Mr. Lincoln. Nevertheless, I was able to finish all the laundry in an hour. I left a bit of extra money on the card for Jamie.

I walked a block to Dunken Donuts while the laundry ran; I used two washers and two dryers. I picked up a large coffee and a few donuts. No plain cake! There was a line, but everyone had a mask on and tried to keep some distance.

I dressed in clean clothing and headed back to Mount Sinai West via the 1 train. On the train, two guys were chatting loudly about how vaccines were racists, and they had no masks on. I have to admit that I was deeply saddened and angered by their behavior, let alone that one was vaping in a subway car.

I reached the hospital without any more challenges. I spent the day sitting with Susie. She was being sent to 3G Rehab, so no other items were planned. Susie had more racing heart that she did not notice. The Rehab and Medicine docs came by to check her out again after that. Still headed to Rehab.

I wrote yesterday’s blog at the hospital while waiting.

Lunch happened for Susie (Turkey Meatballs that she liked), and I waited until 3ish to have my own lunch as I was worried that she would have moved or there would be more tachycardia. So I stepped out for a few minutes to Paris Baguette for a sandwich and some cold tea.

I also rested in the Roosevelt Garden at the hospital. I missed the front of the grave marker for the founder of the hospital. The family moved the body to the family crypt in 1995.

I came back, and Susie was sleepy, and I have to admit I nodded off a few times. I finished one of the books Mariah picked out for me, a Doctor Who novel (The Pirate Loop), while we waited. We just waited. Finally, the RN, Matt, removed the IV and monitoring about 7ish for the move. Susie is resting now in 3g after I left.

I left and headed to have dinner with Kat. She wanted Indian food. Before that, I stopped by a local market and grabbed a few bananas and instant coffee. I can’t make the Keurig work in the apartment. I will try to read the instructions on the Internet one of the days.

Mughlai Indian Cuisine was a few blocks from the Kat Lair. The food was excellent and reminded me of my days there. Kat had, ordering mild, Chicken Tikka which was quite remarkable even in the tame version. I had the Tandoori Plate of various small items from the grill and the oven. We talked about stories and travels.

Kat walked me to the subway, and I traveled back. Again, a few folks were on the train without masks but no vaping or talking, so it did not bother me.

I did see this crazy sign in a window in the underground mall that connects to the subway.

I am tired tonight. As the crisis passes, I usually get fatigued as the accumulated adrenalin fades. I will not get going early tomorrow! I have instant coffee and fruit!

Thursday started with me up early. It was time to move to the apartment. I showered and cleaned up, and started down to the included breakfast. One more bagel and yogurt with coffee. Then, back up to the room to pack with the wheelchair that was in baggage check after the ambulance.

Packing was not tricky, but I could not find Susie’s passport. After a lot of unpacking, I finally found the passport in my carry-on; I had put it there carefully so I would “know” where it was the day before. I repacked everything and checked all the draws, and found more to pack.

Finally, all the draws, cabinets, safe, and floor were clear of our items; I stacked everything on the wheelchair and headed out. I checked out of the hotel and said goodbye.

The XL Uber selected and arrived, the driver a bit impatient while I packed everything in the SUV.

He drove me to the Upper Westside at 104 near Amsterdam. I was unloaded, no help from the driver, and he nearly drove off with my carry-on (with all the passports!) and laptop. I ran and banged on the closing back door and got the last items. A little more excitement for me.

I managed to reassemble the pile on the wheelchair and get everything up to 10G. The move is finished!

I was surprised that the apartment was cleaned again since I was there and the beds made. I arranged things a bit and then headed out again. I switched to a lighter shirt as the sweater is too warm with the walking, subway, and bright sun.

It was only a few minutes past ten when visiting hours started, and I joined the queue. The security guy told me about his experience after telling him I was there because my wife had a stroke. He said his life was broken, and God put it back together and is now better than before. “It will be better than before,” was his hope for me. Not what you are expecting in NYC.

Susie was a bit blah (her words), but she looked fine. She was tired of being in the hospital, also a good sign.

PT showed up, Sam, and he walked with Susie down the hall and back with a walker. He said that Susie has her balance back and is stronger.

Occupational Therapy also came by and worked with Susie and had her do some exercises.

I slipped out for Greek food again at the Greek Kitchen. I had the lamb this time. It was very spicy and large chunks of lamb medium-rare or even rare-ish. The salad was good, and I had baked potatoes, Greek styled, that was perfect.

Susie’s heart ran to a dangerous rate of 170 when she was moved to the bed. This caused some panic, but Susie felt fine. A quick EKG showed nothing abnormal. Oddly, this event occurred with the move to the bed, not the PR or OT.

I stayed through Susie having dinner. I was worried about a repeat of the heart issue, but her BP went to the usual low numbers with a resting heart rate. Susie seemed out of danger.

I went to CVS pharmacy and picked up laundry stuff, and then carried it around. Then, I found a fruit juice place and met a Tibetan doctor running the business. He made me an iron-centric drink. He also gave me their website if I need more medical advice. They offered to help in any way. NYC has been very kind to me.

I met Kat at her place, and we went down the street to the highest-rated Mexican place in Hell’s Kitchen, El Centro. You order online when sitting at a table. The food was good; my tacos were the street style.

I then walked to Columbus Station and took the 1 train back, and walked the two blocks.