Dogs / Thanks / Home
I walked Cris to the World Ed office every morning, and back to the hotel at the end of the day. Kathmandu has a lot of street dogs, most of whom don’t seem attached to any particular person, although the ones we regularly saw were in the same areas every day. You would never want to try to pet them, and they mostly ignore you anyway. We got used to seeing this pup twice a day near a shop, and she was one of the few leashed dogs that we encountered. She clearly belonged to someone who cared for her.
Thanks to everyone who passed along good wishes in regards to my eye thing. I really appreciate it. We are home now and I see my retina guy tomorrow morning; I am really eager to see what he has to say. The huge black blob is beginning to resolve a bit, which is encouraging.
More suitcase uploads coming soon. Thanks for following.
Back in Nepal / Eye
Cris and I are back in Nepal where she continues her work on the UNICEF funded early grade reading project through World Education.
It has been an interesting trip. I developed a problem with my right eye when I landed in Dubai, and by the time I got to Kathmandu last Tuesday evening it was clear that something was really wrong. Cris took me directly to CIWEC travel medicine clinic where they set me up with an ophthalmologist early the next morning (Wednesday). Dr. Meenu is a cornea expert, but she wanted me to see the retina guy at the Triphuvan Teaching Hospital. She immediately put me in her car and drove me there. Dr Pratap examined me and saw two spots on my retina that were torn and bleeding. He immediately took me into the laser room and repaired as much of the damage as he could. I saw him this past Monday for a follow-up and he was really happy with the results. Since this whole thing started I have had huge black floaters in the middle of my right (shooting) eye, but they should begin to resolve in the next few months. It was all a bit unsettling, and I am so grateful to Dr. Pratap for caring for me.
Here he is on the left with some of his students.
And with a patient.
I learned pretty quickly that Nepal has a great reputation for eye treatment in the developing world.
Dr. Pratap’s notes.
Here’s the clinic. Officially the B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies. Note the word “Lions” in the name. The Lions Club is famous for it’s support around eye issues, but I had no idea their reach extended as far as Nepal.
I debated with myself a long time about posting this. Blogs like this are by definition self serving and ego based, but I have always tried to steer away from having it be about me, per se. But weird things can happen when one travels, and I wanted to share my good fortune in getting such prompt and excellent treatment, and to give thanks to all the people here who have helped me. Cris has been a brick through this whole thing and so patient with my worries. I also really want to thank Peggy Ross for getting on the phone and setting up an appointment with my ophthalmologist in Springfield soon after I get back to the States. Her skills at getting through bureaucratic systems are unmatched.
NAMI Waco Talk
I had the chance to walk around Waco a bit this morning before I started working on tonight’s talk.
There was a public ceremony today in the park across from my hotel memorializing fallen police officers. I am always drawn to a crowd (which were behind me when I took this photo).
I learned that Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, and the amazing Cynthia Cunningham from NAMI Waco gave me a bag with some gifts, including these two bottles of Dr Pepper (made with real cane sugar!). I am drinking one now and it is wonderful.
My talk tonight went pretty well; I was nervous at first, but seemed to do ok. I’d give myself a B, but I am still learning. Lots of folks came up to me afterwards and were so nice and complimentary. If you are looking to do a bit of good in this world, send NAMI Waco some money through their site, or if you live in an area with a local NAMI group, think about volunteering. They are doing amazing and important work. / I also met some great folks from the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. Coby Chase was familiar with the suitcases project and drove up from Austin where he works lobbying the state on mental health issues. He mentioned their site okaytosay.org which is really interesting and inspiring. So much of the work NAMI, Meadows, and like minded organizations do is related to reducing the stigma of mental illness. I am so grateful to Cynthia for connecting the suitcases to her work, and for giving me the chance to meet so many wonderful people who work so hard to improve the lives of families who struggle with mental health issues .
That’s it for tonight. Back home tomorrow. Thanks, as usual, for following.
Willard Suitcases / Chapin House / NAMI Waco
I took this photo in the early 1980s at the very beginning of my connection with Willard. It is still one of my favorites from the “Silent Voices” project.
Here are a few shots from my recent uploads to the suitcases site.
I’m not exactly sure what the white fabric object is in Kenneth Q’s case, but it is interesting. The orange toothbursh is kind of nice.
Elizabeth C’s dress is so beautiful.
The cotton fabric is soft and wonderful.
There are 3 different places on the above photograph where I had to obscure Amelia’s surname, and it still makes me sad every time I have to do so. The Office of Mental Health pr guy told me a few years ago that it was necessary due to the stigma of mental illness. It is precisely that attitude that prolongs that stigma; the Willard patients deserve to be recognized as being more than just patients at a New York State asylum.
On Wednesday, I fly to Texas to present the suitcases project at a dinner sponsored by NAMI Waco. Here is a link to the event. If you are in the area, it would be great to see you and make a connection.
Thanks for following.
Tom
I am sitting in a local coffee shop working on email and while looking out the window to see how much time I have left on my parking meter, I noticed my pal Tom Schack making a radical 5 point turn in the middle of Amity Street. I grabbed my camera and took a quick photo before he went into the bank. That is the Outer Stylie van in the background.
Have a great week, everyone.
Olive
My day got a bit mixed up and I am editing and uploading suitcases tonight. It is a good time to take a break and post this lovely photograph of Olive. She is about to turn 3. What a great dog.
Willard Suitcases / John R
John R had quite a collection of interesting objects in his cases. He certainly was interested in the wild west.
The green shirt has a classic western look and the tie with the scantily clad woman is pretty cool. One wonders if he ever wore it, and if so, where. The object in the middle of the photo is a jock strap. I remember them from gym class when I was a kid, but you don’t see them around much anymore.
Back in the day, men sometimes wore garters with their socks. This color gray is beautiful.
I am thinking that these leather straps went with some sort of jodhpur trousers, but I suppose they could have also been worn around the wrists. Anyone out there have an idea about this?
Click here to see all of John’s cases. Don’t forget to click on the “view all” tab, as there are more than 25 images in the gallery. I am really proud of this one.
Robert LeRoy Crispin, Born 19 April 1917
That’s my father in the middle. He was born in Central City, Colorado one hundred years ago today. He died on 14 August 2007. / I think I might have posted this photograph some time ago, but it is an image that is on the wall in my studio and I am really drawn to it. The original is a 4″x5″ contact print and it is beautiful.
Apparently, the photographer was someone called Noyes and I assume he was using the standard Navy issue camera which was most likely a Graflex. His pals were “Kinch” Kincheloe and Chuck Louin (not sure of the surname, it is hard to tell from the writing).
The date here is interesting as the Japanese surrendered on the 2nd. My dad was on a ship next to the USS Missouri on that day. Two days later he was in Yokohama Harbor, and shortly after that he and his pals were the first Americans on the island of Hokkaido. The Navy had taught his to speak, read, and write fluent Japanese in about 18 months. He was pretty good at languages.
Thinking of you today Dad.
DCA / Zoo
Catching an early flight out of DCA. I like airports in the morning. / I went to the zoo yesterday.
I have mixed feelings about zoos. The one in DC is pretty great though. I look at this zebra and feel bad that he or she is not out running around the Savannah enjoying what would be a normal life.
But then I go over to see the lions and I realize that at least the zebra isn’t constantly worrying about getting chased down and et by one of these guys.
The prairie dogs were not out and about, but it was nice to see this little sculpture near their exhibit.
I’ll upload more suitcases soon.
D.C.
It is always a treat to be in D.C. The weather was perfect for baseball yesterday. Peter and I copped a couple of $5.00 seats (section 401, row M, seats 1 and 2). As far away from home plate as you can get, but for us, the best view in the house.
I have posted a Sulgrave Manor photo before, but I am always drawn to this particular entry. I really like this part of Connecticut Avenue. It was a lovely evening for a walk. So much is in bloom and the temperature is perfect.
Wishing all you Massachusetts residents a relaxing Patriots’ Day tomorrow. And to everyone, a happy and productive week.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
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