Woman Wakes Up at Her Own Funeral

Photo courtesy of the New York Daily News

When I heard this story, it sounded too far-fetched to be true, but it seems to be very well-documented. A Russian woman woke up at her funeral only to die a few minutes later from the shock at finding herself inside a coffin. The woman had been declared dead after she collapsed at her home suffering from chest pains. The funeral attendees were a bit shaken when the “dead” woman woke up and began screaming. A few minutes later, the woman had another heart attack, and this time, she was officially declared dead. The woman’s husband is now suing the hospital. 


This is not the first case where a hospital has declared someone dead only to have them wake up during their funeral. In 2009, a baby born 16-weeks premature in Paraguay was declared dead only to wake up during his funeral service several hours later. In this case, the baby survived. 

Another version of a Safety Coffin

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, this was a bigger worry for people. In some cases, people had safety coffins constructed, which permitted communication with the outside world should a person revive once buried. A safety coffin was a low-tech device. It had a cord inside the coffin that was attached to a bell on the outside. In more elaborate models, breathing tubes were also installed. 

Woman Wakes Up at Her Own Funeral

Photo courtesy of the New York Daily News

When I heard this story, it sounded too far-fetched to be true, but it seems to be very well-documented. A Russian woman woke up at her funeral only to die a few minutes later from the shock at finding herself inside a coffin. The woman had been declared dead after she collapsed at her home suffering from chest pains. The funeral attendees were a bit shaken when the “dead” woman woke up and began screaming. A few minutes later, the woman had another heart attack, and this time, she was officially declared dead. The woman’s husband is now suing the hospital. 


This is not the first case where a hospital has declared someone dead only to have them wake up during their funeral. In 2009, a baby born 16-weeks premature in Paraguay was declared dead only to wake up during his funeral service several hours later. In this case, the baby survived. 

Another version of a Safety Coffin

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, this was a bigger worry for people. In some cases, people had safety coffins constructed, which permitted communication with the outside world should a person revive once buried. A safety coffin was a low-tech device. It had a cord inside the coffin that was attached to a bell on the outside. In more elaborate models, breathing tubes were also installed. 

Mistakes Have Happy Endings

Whatever happens, happens for a reason; and often, a mistake turns out better than expected. Last week, on my last full day in New York City, I had a special treat: catered lunch on the 31st floor over looking the city, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New Jersey. 


It turns out there was a mix-up in ordering lunch for the DDD Breakfast Seminar. Usually, lunch is ordered when there’s a full day’s class. On Monday, there was just the morning seminar, which ends by noon. Unfortunately, lunch had already been ordered and none of the 

participants could stay. So it was just Eric and myself to enjoy the food and the view. I must say, this wasn’t your usual business lunch. This was good! There were gourmet sandwiches, wraps, salads, drinks and great desserts.

Sitting with Alice in Wonderland

I just hope the housekeeping staff took the food home that was left. So what started out as a big money loss for the company, turned out to be a special treat.

Mistakes Have Happy Endings

Whatever happens, happens for a reason; and often, a mistake turns out better than expected. Last week, on my last full day in New York City, I had a special treat: catered lunch on the 31st floor over looking the city, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New Jersey. 


It turns out there was a mix-up in ordering lunch for the DDD Breakfast Seminar. Usually, lunch is ordered when there’s a full day’s class. On Monday, there was just the morning seminar, which ends by noon. Unfortunately, lunch had already been ordered and none of the 

participants could stay. So it was just Eric and myself to enjoy the food and the view. I must say, this wasn’t your usual business lunch. This was good! There were gourmet sandwiches, wraps, salads, drinks and great desserts.

Sitting with Alice in Wonderland

I just hope the housekeeping staff took the food home that was left. So what started out as a big money loss for the company, turned out to be a special treat.

Those Activists

As reported by Sue Sylvester.


Gay Marriage. Now it has happened in New York. What’s this world coming to? First it was those “activist” judges, then those “activist” legislators, what will it be next: “activist” voters? We need to keep the issue of gay marriage where it belongs: with our religious leaders. Remember, this is America!
And that’s how Sue “C’s” it. 

Those Activists

As reported by Sue Sylvester.


Gay Marriage. Now it has happened in New York. What’s this world coming to? First it was those “activist” judges, then those “activist” legislators, what will it be next: “activist” voters? We need to keep the issue of gay marriage where it belongs: with our religious leaders. Remember, this is America!
And that’s how Sue “C’s” it. 

Imelda May – I’m Alive

I heard this song while having breakfast at a restaurant on 3rd Avenue in NYC. The song is by the Irish singer Imelda May. I’d never heard of Ms. May before this song captured my heart with its catchy rockabilly lyrics and melody. She has a fan now.

Meine Lieblings-Blogs: Berlin Cafes und Mehr

Es gibt viele Blogs im Internet, die ich gelesen habe. Meine Favoriten sind http://cafekulturberlin.blogspot.com/    und http://www.myviewfrommaine.net.

CafeKulture diskutiert die Kafffee-Kultur Berlin. Es ist gut geschrieben und hat Empfehlungen für die besten Cafes in Berlin. Der Nachteil ist, dass es in Englisch geschrieben ist. 


MyViewFomMaine ist eine gute Quelle für Informationen über Portland Maine. Es hat nutzinformationen. Diese spezialisierten Blogs sind lesenswert.       

There are some very good Blogs on the Internet. Some of my favorites include http://cafekulturberlin.blogspot.com/  and http://www.myviewfrommaine.net.

CafeKulture is an excellent English language blog that specializes on the coffee culture of Berlin, including some of the best places to find that special cup of Java. MyViewFromMaine is an excellent resource for information about Portland, Maine, including places to eat and places to avoid. So check them out and have a good read.

Meine Lieblings-Blogs: Berlin Cafes und Mehr

Es gibt viele Blogs im Internet, die ich gelesen habe. Meine Favoriten sind http://cafekulturberlin.blogspot.com/    und http://www.myviewfrommaine.net.

CafeKulture diskutiert die Kafffee-Kultur Berlin. Es ist gut geschrieben und hat Empfehlungen für die besten Cafes in Berlin. Der Nachteil ist, dass es in Englisch geschrieben ist. 


MyViewFomMaine ist eine gute Quelle für Informationen über Portland Maine. Es hat nutzinformationen. Diese spezialisierten Blogs sind lesenswert.       

There are some very good Blogs on the Internet. Some of my favorites include http://cafekulturberlin.blogspot.com/  and http://www.myviewfrommaine.net.

CafeKulture is an excellent English language blog that specializes on the coffee culture of Berlin, including some of the best places to find that special cup of Java. MyViewFromMaine is an excellent resource for information about Portland, Maine, including places to eat and places to avoid. So check them out and have a good read.

Brooklyn: The Other New York

View of Brooklyn Botanic Garden

New York is truly a city that never sleeps. There are few places like it. While London comes closest to describing its vitality and Berlin has many of the same cultural activities, New York is genuinely distinct and apart from these other great cities.

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Bug Sculpture in Children’s Garden

However, one problem I have with New York is the feeling that I need to continually do things while I’m there. All that “doing” can be tiring, and it’s nice to take a break. But where do you go to escape all that energy? Central Park is nice, but it’s too exciting to be restful, even on weekdays.

I go to Brooklyn, and my favorite neighborhoods are Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. These places have many of the same amenities that make Manhattan wonderful, including plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops, but they also have quiet, tree lined streets with less noise and traffic.

Enjoying summer at BBG

If I’m really in need of an urban break, I go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, in the heart of Brooklyn. It’s seldom crowded, and it’s an oasis from all the grit and grime of the city. It’s hard to imagine you’re in the middle of a huge metropolis while surrounded by trees and grassy knolls. And for the record, the cafe in the Garden turns out to be an affordable restaurant with a rather good salad nicoise. So next time you’re in New York don’t forget Brooklyn.