Author: Marianna Crane

After a long career in nursing--I was one of the first certified gerontological nurse practitioners--I am now a writer. My writings center around patients I have had over the years that continue to haunt my memory unless I record their stories. In addition, I write about growing older, confronting ageism, creativity and food.
My memoir, "Stories from the Tenth Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers" is available where ever books are sold.

My Fear of Trees

Today we had a fir tree cut down in the back of our house. Although it had grown so large that it would ultimately prevent us from opening the door to our screened-in porch, I felt guilty requesting that it be removed.  I grew up in the city with few trees: one scrawny tree in…… Continue reading My Fear of Trees

Photos of the Patients I wrote about in my book: Stories from the Tenth-Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers

This past Saturday, I received a box in the mail filled with old photos. The nurse practitioner who took my place when I left the Senior Center sent this delightful surprise. “Rita Wisniewski” (I changed all names in my book except for my immediate family) said in her note that sending me the pictures of…… Continue reading Photos of the Patients I wrote about in my book: Stories from the Tenth-Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers

Looking for a Good Woman

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/margaret-donat “Old Friends are the Best Friends,” Watercolors by Margaret Donat My husband and I moved from the home where we raised our two children. We left them behind. They were excited to start their new lives, new jobs and independent lifestyles. While I was excited for our new adventure, the reality that we were…… Continue reading Looking for a Good Woman

My Cousin Irene and the Bee Gees

My cousin, Irene, loved my post: A Little Music and Movement Can Make You See Things Differently (June 6, 2017). In fact, she told me she occasionally watches the video I had added at the end, which is a Museum Workout at the NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art to the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. She…… Continue reading My Cousin Irene and the Bee Gees

Remembering Doris

I submitted this essay to the Jersey City Medial Center School of Nursing Alumni Association Newsletter for the Fall publication. Limit: 500 words. Remembering Doris Dolan (December 31, 1926 – January 10, 2021) Class of 1947 I met Doris back in 1965 when we both worked at Pollack Hospital in Jersey City. We became friends…… Continue reading Remembering Doris

Returning to Coney Island

I have written about my trips to Coney Island as a young adult when I lived in Jersey City on this Blog as part of the Alphabet Challenge. My theme was “places I had been.” On April 3rd I posted: C: Coney Island. C: Coney Island Last year, I had planned on taking my grandsons to New…… Continue reading Returning to Coney Island

Olden Days of Nursing: Travel Adventures

Life of adventures: Former nurse tells stories from medical flights to world travels By ANN WRIGHT Ann.Wright@gjsentinel.com The Daily Sentinel, May 30, 2021  The wings of the small plane were icing up and the pilot was nervous.“I’d just as soon have someone up here,” he told Fern DuBose, a flight nurse whose patient was thankfully…… Continue reading Olden Days of Nursing: Travel Adventures

Why Do We Write?

Reblogged from September 16, 2012 I attended the book signing this past August. Farther Along, written by my friend and mentor, Carol Henderson, which tells the stories of thirteen mothers (she is one of them), a bakers dozen as Carol points out, who had lost children at various ages. I was prepared to cry. I…… Continue reading Why Do We Write?