Last weekend, Anne & I took advantage of the current treatment window to enjoy a little holiday in the Blueridge. We rode and walked through Shenandoah National Park and toured Little Washington.
But the highlight of the trip was dinner at the internationally renowned Inn at Little Washington. This was the only stop on the 2017 Plate List Tour that wasn't open to friends and family—just a chance to celebrate 23 years of a beautiful marriage. (Which didn't stop my generous Westat colleagues from contributing to the final bill. Thanks again!)
The Inn offers three dinner menus, although alterations are permitted. "Our Enduring Classics" features dishes that have stood the test of time over the Inn's 39-year history, "Here and Now" showcases recent additions, and "The Good Earth" provides vegetarian options. I selected "Here and Now", while Anne chose "The Good Earth". As you might expect, we strayed across each other's boundaries to share these culinary marvels.
I don't know if top-flight restaurants have trends (the way similarly themed movies are often released simultaneously), but I couldn't help noticing that both Fiola and the Inn at Little Washington offered foie gras, Osetra caviar, and Wagyu beef. Coincidence, or poaching of the kind not usually associated with chefs?
Meanwhile, the treatment window mentioned above continues for a few weeks while my various doctors decide next steps. Radiation and chemo ended a couple of weeks ago, but I seem to be having more symptoms now. In addition to the persistent stomachache, there's a lot of fatigue as well as finger and toe numbness and occasional nausea. It's taking the combined efforts of both fentanyl and Percocet to keep the stomachache manageable. I hope my recent CT scan will show whether the underlying issue is the stent itself, blockage in the stent, or cancer-caused. It would really be nice to know.
Steve Flamer
Salut Elliot,
Salut Elliot,
I really like all of your pennings. Thanks for bringing so many good & meaty ideas forward to the rest of us. Your pieces on Bridge are always of interest, as that was one of my first loves as a teenager. I ended up finding out there were 3 types of bridge players: those who played tournament boards, those who played social bridge, and those who will never have a clue. Like many skill sets, there will always be wide differences in the ability to bid and score in a game that seemingly has it all.
Tomorrow is the first day of school in a new academic year Dad. From our house to yours, we wish both of your sons & Anne a growth year. We also will be thinking of you in your courageous duel with medicine trials and tribulations. You, and your family, give us strength and hope for this new year to come!
Steve Flamer, high school classmate of your father since 1958
Thanks for the kind words,
Thanks for the kind words, Steve! Bonne chance during the upcoming school year. (Although I have a sneaky suspicion you aren't attending classes anymore…)
Wishing you and your whole family peace and happiness in the months to come—
etg