Angel Hair Pasta With Fresh Spinach...and A Little Alice Cooper!

As life progresses, there are certain obligations that tend to be more difficult than others. For me, visiting an aging family member in a nearby nursing home falls in this category.

Hilde was a vibrant and vivacious woman in her heyday. Always dressed to the nines, she was a social butterfly who had a grand smile, beautiful disposition, and kind words for the people who surrounded her. Stricken twenty years ago with Alzheimer's, at 81 she lingers in her wheel chair, barely able to eat, and mostly non-responsive to the touch and talk of those who love her.

With all of this in mind, we still visit Hilde on a regular basis, secretly hoping for that little spark that ignites once in a while, or the teardrops in her eyes that we hope show some hint of recognition!

On one of my recent visits, I was making my way to the recreation center. As I wandered down the spic and span hallway, I could hear music in the distance. I discreetly opened the double doors, and found myself on the outskirts of a large circle of wheel chairs. I quietly walked around to the other side where I saw Hilde...in her usual reclined pose...as the music played!

At a quick glance, the guy at the microphone reminded me of an aging Alice Cooper! Minus any face make-up or writhing snakes, his long, dark hair flowed down to his belt, and his nose was quite pronounced. Standing in cowboy boots and bluejeans, he was growling to his audience, clearly trying to make every wheel-chaired lady a "Pretty Woman"! And he was good!

I quickly got the feeling that he didn't care that he had an Alzheimer Unit Audience. This gig meant something to him, and he was playing with heart!

Alice closed his eyes and belted out one pop hit after another! Those magical notes rang familiar to me as he sang "Tie A Yellow Ribbon", "Cracklin Rosie", and the usual wedding song,
"Sweet Caroline" (bah, bah, bah)! And the lyrics came alive..."Hands...touching hands...reaching out...touching me...touching you"!

I glanced around at the 34 wheel chairs in the circle, and saw life! The African American woman wearing the floppy hat was bobbing her head up and down. The frail woman with the white hair, pale blue dress and matching blue socks moved her hands from side to side, and tapped her feet in perfect rhythm. The old New Yorker with the Yankee cap started flirting with the Caribbean Aide! And off in the corner was the aging couple...maybe newlyweds, maybe married forever...perfectly content sitting side by side, holding hands.

The finale was the Sinatra hit, "New York, New York". I found I felt no different than when a great Bruce Springsteen concert was over. I didn't want it to end!

Thank you, my Alice Cooper lookalike, for passionately playing for your people. I hope, when I near my final curtain, there will be someone like you, playing for me!

This post is dedicated to Hilde, still lovely deep inside...and to all who are stricken with Alzheimer's. May you have love, dignity, respect, and music in your life!

I chose a recipe that is easy on the teeth...especially if you don't have any! It's Angel Hair Pasta and Fresh Spinach. Again, we offer it to you with love!

From Mama Melisi and Me

Angel Hair Pasta and Fresh Spinach

Ingredients:

1/2 lb angel hair pasta
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, sliced
2 bags fresh baby spinach (16 oz. bags)
(Serves 2 people)

Preparation:

Place a pot of salted water to boil for the pasta
Rinse the fresh spinach and place in a colander to drain
Use a large saute pan to heat the olive oil
Add the sliced garlic
Stir till golden and add the fresh spinach
Toss the spinach in the garlic and oil, and cook until wilted
(Cook to the consistency you prefer - spinach does not take long)
Cook your angel hair pasta in the boiling water
Drain and reserve a little of the pasta water
Mix the angel hair into the spinach
If too dry, add pasta water or heat some chicken broth and add

This is a very light dish and most enjoyable! It can be served with a tomato salad and crusty Italian bread. You can also add shrimp to your pasta and spinach, for a seafood delight!