Just learnt that Shiv Kapuria has had a stroke and is in the ICU at a hospital in Boston.  I have exchanged text messages with his daughter who advised that the next 72 hours are critical.  On the positive side, Shiv is coherent and “pushing forward”.

Shiv Kapuria is dear to me.  I have known him for ever so long and played a role in his move to the USA in 1978 when he became the AI Sales rep as a local staff.  He was very helpful to Manju and me when I had my first by-pass operation at Mass General in Boston in 1979.  He has our prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

At such times, I am reminded of certain incidents in my life which made life more interesting.  I may have mentioned some of these in my Blog, but I would like to beg indulgence and repeat them from time to time under a column - “MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THESE”.  Here is the first.

Don Reynolds was a former senior executive of American Airlines when I first met him at an IATA Fares and Rates Conference.  Later on, he was appointed Traffic Director of IATA and sometime in the mid-1970s, he invited me to his home and Country Club for dinner.  He showed me a box containing golf balls which he had collected from various golf courses that he had played at.  The Logo of all these courses was visible with one exception and when I asked him where did this come from, he asked me to turn it over and I saw the inscription - “Oh Shit” - a relatively favorite expression of many a golfer when he hit an errant shot.

It has now been two years since we moved to Devonshire and time for reflection.  

Devonshire offers so much that I would like to elaborate how we have taken advantage of these facilities and benefitted from them. 

For over three years, my left knee has been bothering me.  In December 2017, I consulted an Orthopedic Surgeon who stated that I had a worn cartilage, torn meniscus and arthritis in that knee.  He also stated that I was not ready for a knee replacement and suggested that I wear a brace, which I have now worn since then.

On a recent visit to the Surgeon, he saw that the left calf had atrophied and recommended physical therapy.  Interestingly, some time ago, Devonshire had signed up with Liberty Rehab to provide “on-site” therapy. They occupy a suite of rooms on the 2nd floor.  So, I have been undergoing therapy twice weekly and have noticed a definite improvement in my calf.  This has saved me unnecessary trips to the Surgeon’s offices.

We also have a Salon and Spa on the 2nd floor at Devonshire and I have a standing appointment for a hair cut (I still have some hair left) at 09:00 on the last Friday of every month. Similarly, our Bank (PNC Bank) has a small branch with Safe deposit boxes, on the 1st floor here at Devonshire and whenever, the need arises, I go there and do not need to step out on the complex.

One of the best benefits is the well appointed Gym on the 2nd floor.  There is a full time Instructor whom I have been working with.  I have had 6 weeks of “one-on-one” sessions with her and am regularly practicing what she has recommended.  I am scheduled to have another 6 week session with her once I finish my therapy with Liberty Rehab.  

This daily one hour workout at the Gym has done wonders for my physical and mental well being.  Devonshire provides many other facilities, some of which I am detailing below.

We have privileges at the next door PGA National Resort.  We can play at anyone of its 5 Golf Courses and only pay Cart Fees - the Green Fees are complimentary.  We have a small 10 member group and play 3 times weekly.  PGA National has 6 Croquet Courts and in addition, we have one at Devonshire itself.  I started playing this game late in 2017 and am enjoying it more than I enjoy playing golf.  It requires considerable strategy and one has to think very carefully before making a stroke.

We attend lectures at least once a week.  They are conducted by a senior professor from the Florida Atlantic University.  The subject is American Foreign Policy.  Additionally, we have periodic lectures by well know personalities on various subjects - last week the subject was Socialism.

I am a member of two Committees - Marketing and Activities - we meet once monthly.  In January 2018, I was invited to join a “think tank” of 9 residents.  We meet on the last Friday of every month.  We also participate in a 5 couple reading group on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.  Each couple, by turn, selects a short story and we all take turns reading it page by page.  

We enjoy live music about 4 times weekly in our Lounge plus we have a Cabaret 6 times a year.  There is a small movie hall seating 40 persons and they screen both latest and classic movies 4 times daily.  The movies are changed every 2 or 3 days.

On the mornings when I am not playing golf, I have breakfast after my Gym workout with a regular group of 7 or 8 residents.  Continental breakfast is offered complimentary daily at Devonshire in the Verandah.  The Verandah also offers a buffet dinner daily.  We also have a Deli where you can get sandwiches and salads.

There are 3 other restaurants where complimentary dinner is served a la carte.  There are usually 6 to 7 daily entrees and two specials every day. Menus are changed every 5 weeks. One (Windsor) specializes on steaks and other meats while another (Cavendish) offers seafood.  

To accommodate the dietary requirements of my dear wife, both of these restaurants offer one vegetarian dish on the menu.  In addition, the Cavendish has Fish Curry and rice as one entree for the next 5 weeks.  The Windsor had Chicken Curry and Rice last Thursday.

There is a strict dress code in two of these restaurants - jackets are mandatory for gentlemen and, in addition, weekend dinners are the Windsor require gentlemen to wear ties as well.  Ladies are required to be appropriately dressed. 

Both Manju and I crave for our dal and sabzi and so, once or twice a week, she cooks a vegetarian meal in our kitchen.  On such nights, we have lunch in the Deli or order a take-out from the Verandah.

Of course, all these dinners, benefits and facilities come at a cost which is substantial, but I must emphasize that on balance, we believe we made the best choice in making this move.

We have never been so happily busy and are fortunate to have developed very good friendships.  There is seldom any evening when we dine alone.  Even when we plan to be by ourselves, someone will join us at our table.  It just proves that the Lifestyle that Devonshire offered us in their promotions has been just what we needed to maintain an active physical and mental life in our “winter years”.