Address: 3390 May St., Coconut Grove, Florida 33133

My mom has entered the final stages of Alzheimer’s. With 3 hospitalizaions in the last 2 months, she now has blood clots in her brain and legs. We all hope they will dissolve on their own, but anything is possible either way.

I launched my e-newsletter the morning hours on Valentine’s Day, which has a hearty winter soup recipe called “Escarole & Beans.” But I had a surprise in the afternoon, when I was notified that a fantastic article was written about my book in the Italian Tribune. My PR firm sent me the link, and it was an excellent review of the book and the story. I have posted it on my site for your review and comment.

As exciting as it was to see such great coverage, it was also a bittersweet day. My mom had just been released the day before from the hospital so we had a visitor from the social worker to discuss the next steps of her care. Some of the topics discussed were not the most pleasant. Words like “hospital bed in your home” and “hospice visits” began to emerge along with questions forcing my dad to make some important decisions that will ensure that the job of transitioning my mom to her next world, will be easier for both her and him.

Yes, it was a bittersweet day. In the past we would have made a cake in the shape of a heart and discuss our day over a nice meal mom would have prepared. But this Valentine’s Day, we made the decision to bring in hospice care.

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day -

with love,

Barbara

P.S. If you would like to receive my enewsletter, please sign up on my site.

Today my parents fly back to NY with my sister who has flown down this morning to pick them up. Planning on having a nice lunch together, yesterday everything changed.

Well, we are going to have a nice lunch together, but WPLG local 10 Miami TV is sending a crew over to film us cooking and eating together and to talk about Recipes to Remember. They are doing a segment called – “Living with Alzheimer’s - A Daughter’s Perspective” – how appropriate right?

So last night in a panic, my hairdresser Toby rushed over to do my roots – can’t have roots showing if you are on TV – then I raced out to the grocery store to purchase ingredients for our cooking today. I couldn’t decide on whether I should make linguini with clams or eggplant parmigiana – two dishes that were family favorites during Lent to observe meatless Fridays.

So, being the A+++ personality type that I am, I decided to make both. At 12:30 am this morning, I pulled the baked eggplant out of the oven. It looks beautiful.

Today while the crew is here I will make the linguini with clams. What a way for mom to exit her stay in South Florida. I wish we had more press opportunities together while she was here but I am very happy and grateful for today.

So there is much to celebrate today – not only is it the 100th anniversary of the Oreo cookie but it is my 84 year old mother ( soon to be 85 on March 12 ) debut on TV. It is never too late to become a celebrity – even if you can’t remember! God bless you mom!

Click Here to see the segment Living with Alzheimer’s - A Daughter’s Perspective.