Monday, September 29, 2025
Fairfield, Connecticut
More Medical Appointments and Delightful Lunch and Dinner with Close Friends:
I started my day early—I had a 7.30 am appointment in Wilton, Connecticut, at Hartford Healthcare on Danbury Road for a Coronary Calcium Score. This has been ordered by my endocrinologist, Dr. Glenn Rich. It’s a good thing I had full confidence again in my driving skills as I took the car alone and left Llew to have a longer lie-in. The streets were a delight to drive along as Fall is definitely in the air, there is a crisp nip to it with some warm autumnal color already on the trees. I used my Google maps to take me to my destination and found it very easily.
A Doctor’s Appointment in Wilton:
As this is the first time I was taking such a test, I did not know what to expect: turns out it was a screening (similar to an MRI but a little less lengthy or complicated). I had the expertise of a really sweet technician who guided me through the moves and took me into the room where the test was carried out. These tests, fortunately, do not freak me out. I am able to relax fully and it was over in about ten minutes.
Thrift Store Shopping is Thrown In:
I had about a half hour before I could make my way to Fairfield, Connecticut, for my next doctor’s appointment: with my gynecologist, Dr. Sapna Tandon. Instead of merely sitting in her office, I happened to be passing by Goodwill in Westport and decided to nip in there and see if there was something that would catch my fancy. So for the next half hour I browsed but was not much heartened.
A Second Doctor’s Appointment: with my Gynecologist:
Like all women, I dread this doctor’s visit but, of course, it has to be done. I have known Dr. Sapna Tandon for about 25 years now. I became her patient, 25 years ago, when she was at the infancy of her medical career—this makes me one of her oldest patients. We know each other well and I feel very free and relaxed in her company and in her care. The examination was carried out quite easily and I was relieved when it was over. Results would be posted on My Chart and, if there were any issues to be further investigated, I would hear again from the doctor.
I then left the parking lot and drove back to Sapna’s place to pick up Llew who had his Diagnostics appointment (and mine) scheduled one behind the other at Quest Diagnostics. I did the driving and we arrived at 12 noon on time for our appointments. Mine went off smoothy (Blood tests, also for Dr Glenn Rich for determining Thyroid levels as well as calcium counts as in bone density tests). Llew, however, faced a glitch as the office had not received his doctor’s order. He tried to get to the doctor’s office (fortunately, in the same building) but though they gave him the order and he brought it up, it still could not be carried out because of some technical issue. He would need to return after seeing the doctor, later this afternoon.
Lunch with Friends at Gruel Britannia:
After a morning devoted to doctors and facing some disappointments, it was great to look forward to a wonderful luncheon with some of our dearest friends: Virginia Dean and Cheryl Carlisemo, who had served with me on the Meet The Author Committee at the Pequot Library. They selected one of my favorite eateries in Fairfield, Gruel Britannia, the very pub-like place, where the menu is essentially British. Our friends were already at a table when we entered, We had a raucous reunion with warm hugs and big kisses before we sat down to order.
Well, the food at this place is just superlative: portions are humongous and the grub is tasty, let me assure you. I ordered the Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy, Llew had a Pulled Pork Burger with a small salad, Virginia had the Mushrooms on Toast with a Poached Egg to top it and Cheryl had the Turkey Meatballs. Everything was scrumps! Oh and that includes the conversation. We had the best time as we gabbed non-stop with our friends who told us all about their current projects, caught us up on the doings of our many mutual friends and inquired about our own lives in Bombay and the health of our family members (Dad and my brother, Russel). Yes, the time we had with them passed too fast but every second was enjoyable.
Llew’s Cardiologist Appointment and My Shopping Spree at Marshalls:
Llew had his appointment with a cardiologist next. Luckily, it was right in Fairfield and I was able to drop him there and then scoot off for some retail therapy. I went first to DSW to look for open sandals—alas, we are long past sandal weather on the US East Coast and nothing was available. I then entered Marshall’s where I particularly needed to buy a large suitcase to accommodate all the items we had to take back from the US to India. I did a reccy and then, when I received a call from Llew, telling me that he was done, I drove off to pick him up. We had time to spare—so headed back to Marshall, so that he could look at the suitcase possibilities too. We did zero in on two: one Samnsonite and one London Fog that would meet our needs and decided to take both home with us. We needed to fit one of our existing suitcases into the new one but as we were not sure of size, we bought both. We would return the one that did not work for us.
With that big chore undertaken, we could carry on towards the next item on our agenda.
A Quick Private Visit with our Friends, Bonnie and Art:
Our visit to Fairfield was so short this year that we felt hurried everywhere we went. My dear friend Bonnie had organized a reunion of my Book Club friends at a nearby restaurant; but because I knew I would not have private time with her, she invited Llew and me over to her place to have a drink and some nibbles with her and her husband, Art, before we all drove over for dinner.
It was great being in their home again and enjoying their hospitality. Bonnie had a few nibbles set out and Llew joined Art in a glass of wine. We did not have the time to take a look at the items that they are holding for us in their basement and so we resolved to return to them tomorrow to make our selection. We took separate cars so that we could leave right after dinner.
Dinner at Sonia’s with my Book Club Members and Their Spouses:
It is always a pleasure to go out for dinner with my Book Club friends. Sadly, two couples had to drop out (Amy and Mary-Jo and their spouses) as work schedules were crazy for them and they were unable to join us. Three other couples were present in addition to Llew and me. We found Sonia’s to be a most magical place—it is an Italian restaurant (my favorite kind) based on hearty Tuscan cuisine. We ordered two appetizers for the table: fried calamari and arancini, which we enjoyed with drinks (wine, mostly). Next, each of us ordered an entrée. These ranged from Seafood Gnocchi with Spaghetti, Grilled Sea Bass, Chicken Parmigiana, Seafood Risotto, Grilled Shrimp and Scallops with Risotto and Osso Bucco. And for dessert, we had tartuffo in three different flavors for the table to share. Oh, what a splendid meal it was! And how fun was our chatter! Indeed, we had a fabulous evening together and were sorry it came to an end when it did. Although briefly, I was really glad that Llew and I were able to get together with some of our friends in Fairfield.
And, on that happy and very full note, we called it a night.
Until tomorrow, see ya’…
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