Us Old Folks

I went to the TCU Retirees Luncheon today. I usually don’t go to these because they interfere with my nap before I get Jacob, but this time I felt the need to get out of the house and the speaker’s subject was one I’m most interested in. So I tagged along with Jeannie Chaffee, who was handing out name tags and door prize tickets and greeting everyone. Jeannie soon put me to work handing out name tags and asking those without tags to please sign a list and make a paste-on tag. I said afterward I’d much rather go to something like that with a job to do than just hang around.

First time I went to the Texas Book Festival without any official duties, I was like a fish out of water, wondering what I was doing there. One reason I don’t go anymore. Today handing out name tags was perfect—let me see and chat with a lot of people I haven’t seen for a while and was genuinely glad to see. Lunch was chicken—what can I say, except that the mashed potatoes (which I don’t need) were buttery and good.

The day’s topic was the new medical school to be co-sponsored by TCU and University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, which already houses the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, along with a variety of other educational programs, such as a pharmaceutical school. I admit I don’t come to this topic without some prejudice. I grew up with the osteopathic school (TCOM) and have a thoroughly osteopathic background, so I worry about the new M.D. school diminishing that program. Unlike many others, I don’t see the need for two schools training physicians in this city. But the speaker, from TCU, was convincing, and I bit my tongue to keep from asking questions. But when he talked about the difficulties of starting a medical school, I thought, “Been there, done that.” On a shoestring. I did have a brief chat with him afterward, and he was highly complementary of TCOM.

The medical school is a big gamble for TCU, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. In a complicated scenario, this will be a private school. UNTHSC tried for an M.D. program, but they are state-funded, and the state would not sanction the program. Hence this collaboration. Sitting back and watching will be fun.

Lasagna for dinner tonight. Jay made it over the weekend, but it just gets better and better. Did a lot more today with my renewed energy and attitude—laundry, dishwasher, garbage (I had help with that). Tonight I’m paying for it with a sore hip joint. Tomorrow is the nerve conduction test, so maybe they’ll decide on a diagnosis and we can go from there. Meantime I’m going to read a book and be lazy the rest of the evening.