What's in a Name: A True Story from the ICU

My Uncle Chris had a heart valve replaced yesterday.  Prior to his surgery, he had instructed that during his short stay in the ICU he only wanted my cousin Laura and me to visit him. After our initial visit soon after he returned from the successful surgery, we provided the nurse with a list of our uncle's approved names. The following is a true conversation between a volunteer in the waiting room, Laura and me.

Vo:           Hi, can I help you.
Me:          We're here to see our uncle.
Vo:           What's his name?
Me:          Chris Katis (The volunteer dials the number to the ICU desk)
Vo:           There are people here to see Chris Katis. Oh OK. What's your name?
Me:          Chris Katis
Vo:           No, your name.
Me:          Chris Katis
Vo:           Not the patient, your name
Me:          Christopher Katis
Vo:           Not the patient's name
La:           He's also Chris Katis

Shaking her head the Volunteer hands me the phone still confused.

We really need to get a few more names in our family.

And Then There Were Two

Not to be outdone by his big brother, last week while I was at a meeting, Niko (and Kelly) came home with this.

I suggested it be named Megara, who was Herakles' wife. But Niko gave him Houdini, since he kept escaping from the box at the store.

Let's hope that's Houdini's only disappearing act!

A Day At Red Butte

After a week of monsoon rains (bet ya didn't know we got monsoons in Utah), the sun finally shone on Sunday. So the boys and I gathered up my sister for lunch at our favorite pizza joint, Setto Bello (and gelato next door), and then headed up to the University of Utah's Red Butte Gardens and Arboretum. Here are some photos of our great day in the beautiful gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And lest we forget...

Welcome Herakles

Greek mythology is filled with Zeus carousing with various women, and Hera, his wife, seeking vengence for being wronged. Take the story of Herakles, son of Zeus and a mortal woman. When Hera found out about the would-be hero, she sent a baby gift of two snakes to kill him. Joke was on her, Herakles killed the serpents in his crib.

I'm sure you all remember Gus's snake, Zeus, who disappeared from his habitat more than a year ago, and is presumed to have met a final fate similar to his mythological brothers.

Well, today his habitat is once again occupied. Hoping for a happier future for his newest pet, Gus has named this little corn snake Herakles.

If you're wondering why he's not called Hercules, well, in this Greek household, we believe in preserving mythology in its pure, original form and not some Roman bastardization!