New Music, New Words, New Life...

Ken in Moscow in '80s.
Right before our wedding in the US, taken in Ecuador. ('83)

Picture of Ken from '79 or '80, taken in Virginia Beach.
Please know that we are all so very grateful for all your emails, cards, flowers, gifts, kind words, hugs, kisses, hand squeezes, and prayers. I will write more when I am ready. Please come back and visit. I will be changing the banner words, and want to tell you about his last days here with us.

Many of you know how Ken interviewed tennis players and wrote articles in tennis publications. After my Mom's funeral in '99 he started to interview the elders in his family. He would then reproduce these and pass them out as gifts to family members.

As one might imagine, no one was able to interview Ken. So, I have decided to interview him through his family and friends. If anyone cares to send in stories, memories, thoughts, conversations, that they would like to share, please email me at lydiaohlydiaart@yahoo.com, or stop anything off to Alex at the club. Of course, there is always snail mail. Just drop a note or comment if you need particulars.

Two things:

1) Ken and I always wanted to have tennis parties here. Think next May, 2011, and of course, you do not have to be a tennis friend to be included. Anyone who knows us, knows that all family and friends are always invited. There is always room for one more.

2)Now this one I have not run past any family members yet, but, as you may know, Ken was Leo Kottke's biggest fan. He loved inviting people to Leo concerts, which are fairly intimate, and very entertaining. So stay tuned to an invite to see Leo in concert, in memory of Ken. His birthday is 7/29. Will have to check the schedule and plan ahead.

I'd always thought of having Leo come and play at KG's funeral if he ever passed before me. hahaha..if I couldn't get Leo here, maybe we could go to Leo.

PS-New Leo Kottke music just found on playlist. There was only 1 song before. So enjoy the musical memories, if you were privy to such, or enjoy as a newbie if you are meeting the music for the first time, courtesy of Ken.

****It would be an understatement to state that we are miserable without him. Please forgive us any lapses, as we find our way without him. This road is so very difficult to travel.

xo Lydia

Ken's info...viewings and funeral

Click on link for Ken's info.

My kenny...9:16 am today

...so peacefully passed away after a drastic change on Sat..

Memory Eternal. xo I love you my honey.

Ken's Grandmother, May she rest in Peace

So we did not post, because we have barely been posting. But, recently, Ken's grandmother passed away. She was 98!

She was a lovely woman, so sweet and gentle, like Ken's Mom. I still remember her painting Larissa's nails years ago on the patio, when Lara was about 4 years old. It was such a neat memory. Great Grandma putting nail polish on little Larissa's nails:)

Vechnaya Pamyat'!...Memory Eternal!

We LOVE our Chiropractor!

Getting ready for a local show. Ken seems to be doing better. Baby steps. 3 days of really trying hard to work with us, most of the time. Also, where he had his brain surgery in 2006 , the lines that evolved as he lost weight- well, they are filling in!

But, overall we are seeing tiny weight gain and clarity of mind a bit more.

When the choice is to be hopeful, or to expect the worst, sorry folks, but we choose the former. He has gotten rid of the hematuria, 2 colds, and is starting to gain weight. And remember, that his cancer scans before he left the hospital showed the cancer gone in a couple of areas. God still has plans for this puppy. And the Hospice nurse is certainly confounded, as his metabolism becomes more regular. A very good sign.

Oh, yes, have we told you how we love our chiropractor? He came all the way out to our house on Sunday, and all of us were adjusted! What a caring individual. We have known him for almost 12 years now, and can only speak well of him. A wonderful person, and a fabulous chiropractor! Dr. Michael Moskowitz .

Have a great day.

17 April---Our 27th Anniversary

So yesterday was our 27th Anniversary. It was not a very good day. There is not much of the 'old' Ken that is with him today. Yes, some of his mannerisms, sometimes his voice, and definitely when he is angry.

It was a hard working day with Ken, physically. That can always make it rough. When I look at his picture on one of the posters from the 'Poach for the Coach', I remember him walking over to me from the courts at the club to say hello, when I would be picking up or dropping off the kids to tennis camp. One of the reasons I married Ken was for his legs, his fabulous legs. haha To see his legs now will make anyone cry.

So the tears just drip down like a waterfall with just one look or remembrance of his quiet, solid ways. This is not much of a quality life for anyone.

But we plug away. That is when I look at the good, even though it is so very hard to find some days. He is alive. He is moving all parts of his body, seeing, talking, hearing, thinking. He moves so much that he has no bed sores. That is a very good thing. He had hematuria for 70 days, and now has been without it for about 37. That is a very good thing.For about the last 3 weeks he takes an iron supplement every other day. His bowels are working better all the time, and he is rectifying his second cold. Doesn't sound like someone leaving this earth yet, does it?

We had take out for our anniversary dinner. A gift from a friend. Then we had Dulce de Leche ice cream for dessert. He never says 'No' to ice cream. He is practically surviving on shakes, yogurt, some rice pudding, and a few morsels here and there of 'other' food. Also the occasional chocolate and the ice cream with whipped cream. We give him anything he will take. It is so very hard to get food into him, although he most definitely has been eating and drinking more lately. He can chug the ice water, and be very pleased with such. He also pronounces his great satisfaction for the shakes. This is a good thing.

And last night we watched 10, the movie.There was a face of a pretty girl in one of the shots and he most definitely raised his eyebrows in satisfaction over her looks, and with a smile. We haven't seen anything like that ever. As himself, before this all happened, he hardly ever did do such a thing. If he noticed, he usually kept it to himself. So this was a funny thing to see. His 'guttural' part of his brain is much more pronounced since the stroke.

So today is a much more quiet day. The kids' fighting has quieted down- hallelujah! They are kinder today. That makes the day easier- much easier.

My 96 year old Aunt Betty says that it is good to be able to vent with others close to you in your home. She said that now she has no-one to vent with....meaning, she wishes that she had. Think of it, not having anyone to fight with or to vent with when your frustrations mount up. Not that we should be fighting or venting all the time or with or on anyone constantly, but it is this letting off of steam that can help us to survive. Because we are after all, humans. I personally like less venting, but I have had my share of doing so, right up there with anyone else.

I hope you have a little venting, when you need it. I hope you smile at the good things in life, even when there may not seem like much to be smiling about in your day. And I hope that the day after a bad day, you have a quiet good one, or a laughing good one- whichever fits the bill.

Thank you for all the Happy Anniversary messages coming into my phone. They bring a smile to my face. And after all of yesterday's tears, a need about a few thousand more smiles to lift up my soul. That's why I force myself to wear one. To unwrinkle the frowns.

He sure does seem to be improving. But, the road seems like such a long, arduous one at times. All in God's plan. That can be more than a bit difficult at times to comprehend. That's when we look toward the hopefulness of a more peaceful future. Gratitude changes your Attitude.

I miss my Ken.

You don't look older than 39!

Amazing, said Kiska the kitty, flabbergasted by the news of the birthday gal who takes care of her hubby at home. And with Lara's help he made a birthday card!

Bleeding hearts, a luncheon at the local Crawfords-Confectionary, guns, and ammo- I kid you not:). (We live in the country , folks).

Then off to check out a new book, but alas it was not my cup of tea. Still nice to be out while Lara kept watch over her Papa.

Hope you enjoyed the gorgeous weather. xo