Saturday, January 8, 2011

See the Matchstick!

It is a mark of life right now that it actually sounded like good news when the doctors told Mark he had to be upright for the next eight weeks. That's right, in upright position even in sleep.

It is also a mark of life that I walked (actually, sprinted) by a car explosion on West 15th yesterday and forgot all about it until later last night.

The better news is that we're learning to manage on the minute-by-minute. The tasks seemed close to overwhelming this morning, but we also have help from half of NYC, old students and friends. Right now, Susan is helping him answer emails, Rob and Geary are taking Ned to Union Square, Guy is bringing him lunch from the West Side Market, Jaime is doing more extensive human and dog food shopping.

The lovely people who are eager to assist.

And all will be well. Sometime.

(And is it okay to pass along the witty title page of THE BURNING HOUSE? The final page proofs are due soon. See the matchstick!)

15 comments:

Elizabeth Hilts said...

Is it okay? It's a wonderful thing, amid the wonders of helpful friends! To remember that this will pass is vital, is it not?

Elizabeth Hilts said...

Wait. A car explosion?

Paul Lisicky said...

Yes, a car explosion. Not a bomb--we would have heard about that, I think--but it certainly sounded like one. It shook everybody up.

Thanks for your vital reminder.

Elizabeth McCracken said...

I love & covet your cover page.

How is Mark sleeping? In an Ironless Iron Maiden?

Paul Lisicky said...

Thank you, dear Elizabeth!

Fortunately, Mark is one of those rare individuals has no problem sleeping sitting up. Put him on a train, put him on a plane, put him on a bus--he falls asleep. But he's already expressing a longing for lying down, even though he had to spend the better part of December lying down, face down.

Alice Elliott Dark said...

That font and design is very Shipley. That's one alluring matchstick.
Upright sounds a lot better than face down. Eight weeks, though, sheesh.

Donna said...

I do see the matchstick. A very good thing!!

Glad you and Mark are surrounded by wonderful friends . . . others are keeping you both close in our thoughts!

galincal said...

So glad to hear that things are progressing in the right direction,even with difficulty.

Elisabeth said...

Good news amidst the difficult stuff, Paul.

And as I like to say in times of stress, 'soldier on'. But don't join the military.

Paul Lisicky said...

Thank you so much, all!

Amalia Pistilli Conrad said...

Dear Paul, we've only met once briefly (the Non Fiction conference in Iowa) and I've only "met" Mark through the pages of his work but your writings have made me feel close to both of you.
I've only just now learned of his medical vicissitudes (I've been away from the internet for a while), so I'd like to send my warmest wishes to him and a hug to you both!
Amalia Conrad

Bill Matthews said...

Funny how things converge: surgery (multiplied by exploding cars) = chaos= (matchstick squared)multiplied by (light=vision) multiplied by friendship plus compassion= grace and humanity

Be well. EX OH

Paul Lisicky said...

Thanks very much, Amalia and Bill!

katrina said...

Sounds like you and Mark are in trying times. I hope healing goes well for Mark.

I cannot WAIT to read your new books.

Paul Lisicky said...

Thank you, katrina!