A Break Until the New Year

I am taking off the holidays. After the first of the new year, I will do my blog once a month. That way I can do other things too!

Playing with Math and Fires Continue in the Mountains

For years I have worked on solving math problems in my head- addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. I've never shared this until recently when I got on this site called Math and Mind.  I find it relaxing and fun. One time my husband and I were playing a game of cards and I was keeping score. At the end of the game, I add it up with my way of doing it which is fast. Paul asked "How do you know that is the answer?"  I said "I added it up and if I'm off, it would be by one point."  He started checking me and realized it was correct.  Later, our friends Ron and Janet came over and we played a card game. I was the score keeper and did the same thing. I guess Ron was about to say something about it and Paul said "She gets it right."  Ron said "Really?"  And Paul said "Yup."  That just tickled me. I don't talk about it. I just do it. It can really throw people.  The one area I have some trouble is going into the negatives. I want to find if there are short cuts doing that. I'm sure there must be, but I didn't work on those in the past.  The reason I brought it up is that I signed up for a site that sends several math problems a day and I have really enjoyed it.   I bought a couple of books on this to play to do further games (that is how I see it).

I have two people I know Carol and Lori who's homes are threatened by the Cedar Fire. Ugh!  I know that several homes have been lost. But when you know the people involved, it makes it personal.  Precautionary evacuations started Wednesday afternoon in Kernville which is close to Carol's home.  I never thought they could be affected by the same fire.  It is quite big!  

Janet and I got together at her home to watch a couple of movies, have pizza and wine. I stayed overnight so I wouldn't worry about driving. I brought over two Disney movies I loved thinking Janet would also like them.  They were Wall-E and Alice in  Wonderland (with Johnny Depp).  Both excellent!   Great time with Janet!  That was fun!

So no art class this last week or this week. I bought a couple of young children's coloring books so I can work out doing flat coloring and also variable to give a sense of form. The reason for this type of coloring book is because the spaces are large to allow me to do this.  I bought them  at a dollar store.  I only worked on one, and it isn't very good yet.  It is a shoe skate.  The paper has a lot of tooth.  I wonder if I should have done it on smoother paper.  I really can't wait until Carol can help us in understanding what we are doing.  I know I'll appreciate it.  I know from having used graphite, that I will get the hang of it and the quality will improve.

Shoe Skate

I got my handicap license plate.  My niece Shannon changed my plates out.  I don't need a handicapped parking all the time, but when I am really hurting, I'll appreciate it.  Though, I have to say, most of these spots are taken.  I didn't notice this when I did not need them. Now that I have it and can use one, most of the time I can't get one. 

I'm heading off to the store to get a few items to make dinner.  I am using my organic fruits and vegetables.  They include a few recipes to use these.  I have most of what I need.  

Well, that is it for the week.  It has been slow, but that is okay to me.  I do feel okay.  I just need slow periods.  I hope your week went well and this next week is good for you too!                  Rachel

Alyssa's Baby Shower

I was pretty excited about the work I did on last week's pictures.  It was like I had a breakthrough in what I am accomplishing.   When I went to class, my teacher Carol even noticed this. I really don't know why.  I had thought why would it be when I'm drawing lizards?  No reason.  If we were working on something else, I think it would have shown with that. So this week it is snakes.  I had decided on one snake, and I liked it.  But, it was too distant to give detail, so I decided to do another that was a close up.  My classmate Linda has gotten on to working on eyes. Her pictures are amazing!  She is very detailed and top-notch n shading!  Very good!  I'll ask her sometime for permission to print one of her pictures. Such talent!   Carol mentioned at looking to move to Las Vegas.  I would sure miss her as Linda has said also.  But she said we could stay at her home if we came to Las Vegas. Then she said she might do classes that could be extended weekends to have classes and then time to gamble, or do other activities.  No immediate plans, but it is something we needed to be aware of. 

Snake

Further work on the Peacock

Further work on the Lizard

Further work on the Peacock Feather.

I had gotten an email, not specifically to me, but asking for readers to write reviews of books they want to advertise. So they listed four books and asked that one be selected. They stated it wouldn't be a guarantee that you would get one. So, I filled in the form and the book I selected, called The Vegetarian by Han Kang.

What a fascinating book! I have never read a book like this.  It is about power, the position and treatment of women. The writer is from South Korea and was translated by Deborah Smith.  She has to also be good, because it reads so well. In this story the protagonist is a housewife who is in a relationship not based on love, or anything really positive but that her husband feels he can control her. She also refuses to wear a bra because it is uncomfortable.She has a regular nightmare that show lots of blood. She decides from this to become a vegetarian though that did not stop the nightmares. She will not eat dairy or eggs too. Her husband catches her tossing all the meat in the freezer and becomes very upset with her. Her emotional tone is flat in responding to him.    All she will say is "I don't eat meat". 

They go to a management dinner for work. She is not wearing a bra and she refuses to eat anything with meat. Her husband is embarrassed by her.   He even exerts support from her side of the family to get her to eat meat using violence by her father and  what everyone sees as her sense of duty to her husband and father. She refuses. She appears non- responsive to all attempts for her to eat meat. In the mean time she has become very thin,  This book came from Pelican Random House Books. I don't know where they got my name, but I'm pleased I got the chance to participate in this. The book is around 200 pages. The sentences are short and there are no extra words used in the whole book. I recommend it for the unique style of writing and the excellent story where the theme could fit for all countries and the issues as to treatment of women.  This country perhaps has a stronger sense of need to control women, though I see it a lot. 

My niece Shannon asked about coming up this weekend. I told her that Alyssa, Shelley's oldest daughter's baby shower would be on Saturday.  She had to make arrangements to get a car rental. They do this for out of town visits.   I'm glad Jordan and Shannon were coming here for lots of reasons but the one that comes to mind was to put the shower present (a stroller/carseat combo) into the car and then into the restaurant. 

I had never been to Agave Grill and Cantina. There are so many Mexican restaurants in town. Janet and I go to Mexicali not for the food, but for the Margaritas.  And, as I have said, for both Janet and I, each of us went there with our husbands (both of our husbands have died).  It offers a kind of comfort for both of us.  The food was very tasty and the margaritas were okay, not as good as Mexicali's, but not a bad drink.  Jordan spent the time with his cousins so this was the first time Shannon and I spent time without others.   Very pleasant!  We went to the Red Pepper for fish tacos. She made breakfast Saturday morning which was delicious. Mainly, we just lazed around.  And, on Sunday, we Christened my new waffle maker.  We made enough so I could freeze them and take them out one at a time, putting them in a toaster to get it nice and hot. The baby shower for Alyssa went well and my son Jeff and his wife Stephanie were there.  It was good to see them.  It has been several months since I last saw them.  I got wonderful reports on their two daughters, my granddaughters Cassadie and Meghan.  They are doing very well.

Shannon and Me

Alyssa holding Nylah

Shelley and Alyssa

The back room in the Agave Grill and Cantina

Heather and Shelley

The parents to be Alyssa and Issac

Nylah with her daddy Lorene

Alyssa, the mother to be!

First Friday for the Student Artists

I started the week incredibly tired, sleeping many hours.  I didn't get anything done except reading then, because I felt a strong need to lie down.  I finally took my pain pills and felt my energy return.   I have been taking my pain pills, but I try to stall in taking them.  I think I shouldn't be doing that.  I can't get in to to the doctor in the pain clinic until September, but they will renew my meds until then unless I try to cancel or change my appointment date until later.

I called Shelley to let her know I had her birthday present. She came by after work, having a glass of wine and opening the odds and ends of things I thought she would appreciate. She has done so much for me, that what I gave her was a small token of my gratitude for all she has done to help me. 

First Friday was special because Carol Bradshaw had her students' pictures on the wall, including mine. It really was nice too see it framed and on the wall. I actually thought I have had art lessons longer this I have had. This coming September it will be three years. I have come a long ways.  Before the class, I could do stick figures, and, I'm not exaggerating!  So my thought is, all of us can improve in art and I think I'm a good example of this. My daughter Shelley and her husband Michael came by and  two of my friends Janet and Barbara also dropped by. We had wine, punch and appetizers. We also had a married couple playing guitar, Dave  and violin, Brenda.  It really was lovely.   I didn't get a picture of Janet!  My pictures are the top left -"river rocks", third from the top left, my toad, titled "Why Exercise" and the third one is second row, third from the right, "Old Lion".  I like the people at The Art Center.  Warm and encouraging people who are artists themselves.  Most, much further than me, but that is okay.  

The Display of Carol Bradshaw's Students -  Some topnotch art here!

Pointing toward my rocks.

Pointing at my my toad, titled "Why Exercise/"
A man loaned me his cane to  point.

Pointing toward my  "Old Lion"

The instructor for the students' display,
Carol Bradshaw

Deb and Linda, fellow classmates

Dave and Brenda found a good place to set up

Performers, Husband and Wife team, Dave and Brenda

Rolene also in my class

My daughter Shelley and son-in-law Michael

My friend Barbara came to see

Carol sitting, Wayne and Deb holding Carol's quilt (almost done!)
Wayne and Deb have been classmates of mine

Toni our Manager with her puppy, I think her name is Trixey

Appetizers and Drink

  

This week I worked on a mother rhinoceros and her baby.  Last time I did it, it looked more robot like.  This time it looks more solid and more real.  No class this next week either.  So,  next week, I am going to work on two toads that didn't get in the exhibit.

Mother and Baby Rhinoceros

My friend Barbara and I saw "Free State of Jones" with Matthew McConaughey.  Painful story. I didn't realize there were areas in the south that did not want to fight with the Confederacy against the Union. The blacks and whites joined together in the area to fight to be free.  A powerful movie. We were going to go to this relatively new Thai restaurant in town, but Barbara dropped by the night of First Friday and found one fan in the entire restaurant and no air conditioning. There were a lot of people there, but with the heat over 100 degrees, we are not willing to be so warm.  So we went to the Tofu House. There were few people there but the food is delicious. Barbara and I believe the title should be Korean Barbecue.  We think the name is probably a turn off for many people who would think the main course f food would be tofu. More people would gravitate to Korean Barbecue than Tofu House.

This is worth reading. My daughter Shelley sent it to me. From PBS, What to Say to Someone Who is Dying:

https://www.facebook.com/pbs/posts/10153804408872169

That is it for the week.  I hope your week went well.  I think I will lie down and read.  I'll see you next Sunday.                        

Rachel

Visiting Barbara in Seal Beach

I've slept a lot this week. It seems when I've done a lot (at least to me),  I find myself so exhausted!  Ugh. At least I'm not working. I sleep In between events and I regenerate my energy level. 

Dainette, Meagan's mom sent this to Billy (my grandson) on Facebook:

"Although you are Uncle Billy I want to thank you for stepping in to the parental role with us to raise these 4 other kids. AlyssaBeth, MeLeigha, Gavin and CoCo. You are here for them, you sacrifice your time for them, whether it be baseball, cheer or just hanging out with them in the yard. You've stepped in and I'm thankful for that. Happy Father's Day to you."

Meagan and Billy have two sons, Conner and Kason. They have another child on the way due in January. Billy has been very responsible, working full time and also going to school. I am so proud of him.  I don't think I could handle so much!

My friend Lynn responded about the ridiculous prices for seeing Hamilton in Los Angeles ($439). She said PBS is going to film it and show it on TV.  I think that is great. That charge for tickets leaves it out of reach for the majority of people. And I thought it was just Los Angeles, but tickets in New York are $845 each according to Lynn!  That is just incredible!

At art class with Carol Bradshaw this week, I brought in what I had done on a rhinoceros. I got the idea, but mine looked like a robot. I didn't work on it further this week and I'm not willing to show what I did. But I will next week. She wants me to have the two frogs I was working on and the rhino done when we have class in two weeks. 

There is a major fire going on the south side of Lake Isabella. My teacher Carol lives on the north-west side of the lake.  I feel bad for the people affected by this.  200 homes were destroyed by this fire and a lot of buildings were damaged.  It is not contained much, so there will likely be more destroyed and damaged. It is so early for this to happen. I think this summer will be bad. 

I went to Seal Beach to visit my high school friend Barbara. She lives in Leisure World. To get in, you must be approved (Barbara gave my name to the gate). It was so good to spend time with her. She has a wonderful caregiver Debbie who lives with her. Barbara has dementia. And as she says "that does not mean I am dumb."  She certainly is not.  She was one of the smartest students in high school and she became an RN working in hospice (I did too- working in hospice as a social worker) She reads around 4 books a week. We can have a conversation, but she forgets new facts I share with her. I wrote them down for her to look at.  I also loaned her my Imagaga, my senior yearbook from high school. She remembers people and their names from this period very well. She is much better than me from this time.  We went to Main Street in Seal Beach to have lunch and went to this very nice shell store she introduced me to. I drove and Barbara gave directions. We had no problems. She volunteers at a meal program done by a Catholic group in Los Angeles once a week.  I feel bad because we didn't go on Saturday, but it was the day I had to go home.  She has agreed to go to our 50th Reunion for our high school but she doesn't believe she will be alive then. Well, I also have problems and may not be able to go, but we are going to plan on it now and see what happens. If we go, we will share a room and I will stay by Barbara's side.   Here are a few pictures we took of each other or had taken.

This is from IFL Science and it is fascinating:

5 Laws about the Dead may Spook You 

http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/five-laws-about-the-dead-that-may-spook-you/all/

This Friday is Carol Bradshaw's student showing from 5 to 8 pm. I will have three framed pictures in it. I'm going to find this sheet I drew on about 4 weeks before I started these lessons believe me, I've improved so much. You might think I am kidding when you see it, but I'm not.  I don't think I was even kindergarten level.  So I have grown a lot doing this. So if you think you cannot learn, you are wrong.  I didn't think I could do so well.  It will be at the Bakersfield Art Center, 1607 19th Street. Please come. But this will be up for the month of July if you can't make it that night. 

That is it for my week. I hope you are doing well.  See you next Sunday.                   Rachel

Still No Pepper!!

I still have not found my cat Pepper.  I ordered a Havahart, an animal trap. My step-mom told me about that. All animal shelters and vets check for a chip and she has one. She will hide from people. I don't know if she would shy from other animals. I spoke with several neighbors and checked the backyards of the ones next to me.  I'm going to continue looking. My cat Daisy seems to miss her as I do.  This is what I put up.

A Wanted Poster for Pepper

Shannon and Kerri, my nieces came by with three teenagers after being up north. Shannon helped me in finding Pepper, but with no luck. It was good seeing them. I always enjoy our visits. I meant to take pictures, but I forgot.  I think that worrying about Pepper has put me and my other cat Daisy off our feed.

My class with Carol Bradshaw went well. She recommended putting my elephants in a puddle of water. So I have redone my elephants which she thought I had done well. She also had suggestions for my water and rock pictures which I've redone.  She also suggested I do some coloring in adult, nature type pictures for relaxing in the evening even if I have the television on. I had been having bouts of depression which were diffused., nothing specific, which occurred at night but the increase in Paxil helped that. I have been doing coloring, 5 so far, also at night and I believe that helps. That was Carol's idea.  I also worked more on my rock pictures.   This week I'll be selecting which three or four pictures to go on exhibit July1 at the Bakersfield Art Center.  Carol is having her students select three or four pictures which will go up that evening.  Then they will stay on display for a month.   If anyone is interested in coming, I would love to have you.  The historic Padre Hotel is one block away and has a nice restaurant and bar.  The regular price for a room here is $199, but for today (obviously you don't want today but to show you the price can change), it is $109,  There are many hotels here that are much less and okay hotels.  If you are interested, look under booking.com,  and if you are interested in The Padre Hotel, you need to do it early because it fills up. The showing is on First Friday, July 1 from 6 pm to 9 pm.  We will have food and I believe  we will also have wine.

Mom and Baby in a Puddle

Rocks in Kern River with Water Flowing Over Them

Pile of Rocks
I'll probably make a picture of the right side.

Waterfall 1
Darker version

Waterfall 2
Lighter version

Adult Coloring Book on Insects
Done while watching television.  Relaxing.

A friend of mine Kimberly sent me an invitation to come to the open house of the Stuart Peace Garden located behind the Center for Spiritual Living at 222 Eureka Street in Bakersfield. It was very peaceful and nicely designed.  Beautiful!  This garden is now open to the public. A wedding would be very special here. This is a Zen garden in memory of Pat Stuart wife of Jack Stuart, two important people of this church.   Jack has since died also. The reverend of the church is Barbara White, who was very kind.

I met my friend Marc at the Riverview Restaurant close to the entry of Sequoia National Park. Enjoyed lunch and seeing Marc again. He really looks good. He has been going to the gym 5 days a week.  The restaurant had a covering over the outside patio which looked like parachute material. The water was rushing down the stream. We only saw a couple of ducks there because they would have to back peddle to keep from going down stream. The temperature was 88 but with the covering and a nice wind going across the stream, it was idyllic.  Afterward we went to get a senior pass for the national forests. Only $10 for life. Then we went to the visitor center where I bought some interesting books/guides on trees, butterflies, first aid and problem solving in the wilds. Also I picked up things my grandchildren might like. I figure adding a little learning is a good thing.  I'm hoping my friends who I worked with would be open to another dinner at The Vintage Press in Visalia. I enjoy staying at the Marriott, using their pool besides trying other restaurants while we are there.  Here are four pictures I took from the patio.  Marc says the flow of the river will slow down later.  I remember a lot of ducks there the last time we were there

This is the river coming out of the Sequoia National Park
by the Riverview Restaurant
There are five forks to the Kaweah River and there
is a lake in Three Rivers created by making a dam.
Too bad I didn't get these pictures earlier for my
water and rocks art pictures!

I mentioned previously about getting organic produce delivered to my door from Hopeful Harvest for $30.  The foods I got this time were different than last time. This time I got tomatoes, white nectarines, broccolini, red seedless grapes, fingerling potatoes and romaine hearts. There was information on storing, when some would be ripe and the nutritional value of all this. They even had a couple of recipes.  I'm glad I did this. Last time I shared some with my daughter Shelley. 

Well that was my week. I liked part of it.   I will also continue looking for Pepper.  This week I will have some good things but I have the colonoscopy and the part I dislike the most is the preparation. Well, I'll just bite the bullet and do what has to be done. I hope your week went well and this next week is good for you.  See you Sunday.            Rachel

Mother's Day - Partly Sad for Those We Miss and Good for Those There

91 year old Flossie Lewis shares what it is like to be old. I like her take on it!  This is from PBS NewsHour. 

https://www.facebook.com/pbs/posts/10153688224572169

I saw my primary Doctor because of what sounded like a squeaky heart beat. My doctor assured me it was not from my heart but from my ear.  It is my pulse echoing in my ear.   It is not life threatening

I also got my antidepressant increased.  I have felt for quite a while that I have had real lows, especially at night. My doctor said I didn't seem like a depressed person. I said it is a problem when I'm alone and usually at night. I think this will help me. 

I have to have another Colonoscopy.  Ugh!  The preparation is the worst.  I'm not totally together when I have this procedure, so that is not an issue.   I will call tomorrow to get a date.

At my chemo this week a new pharmacist who mixes what I take, Troy, introduced himself. He then asked if I had questions and I asked if Herceptin, the chemotherapy I take wrecks nails. He said, if there was an issue, less than 1% complained about that. He said hair and nails are pure protein and he suspected I didn't get enough protein. He suggested I take a multivitamin for getting trace minerals and vitamins. And, he said eggs are an easy protein to get.  He told me that with a life threatened (like cancer for me) cholesterol was not a problem.  He also said my weight was good. I said I was overweight and he said, "Not bad. You need to keep a little weight on you to help you if you run into trouble."  So I did pick up vitamins.  I do keep eggs around, but I'll make a point of having one a day. 

My neighbor Bryan shared information with me on this organization that delivers 10 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables on a schedule you select. It is $30 each box and I got it this week.  The organization is nonprofit and called Hopeful Harvest (hopefulharvest.com) . There was a head of lettuce, green beans, green bell peppers, avocados, lemons, apples and oranges this time. I think I'll make stuffed peppers. Money goes to families in crisis with children in the hospital.  It is more than I can eat, but I gave most of it to my daughter Shelley and a little to my granddaughter Heather.

My friend Barbara is sending emails on her tour of England, Ireland and Scotland and Wales.  Her ancestors came from there. Initially I was going to go with her, but the exhaustion I was feeling was so limiting that I thought I would rarely get out of the bus or if we stayed more than one night in a room, I might sleep my time there.   So that seemed like such a waste.  Perhaps my energy will pick up later, but I'm glad that I have traveled a lot, especially with Paul, so I don't feel too bad about missing this. I look forward to more details and pictures from her. 

My friend Janet's birthday was this week. We went to Uricchio's to celebrate.  It was a great time. The rain started up again and I thought I was hearing thunder, but it was so loud from all the talking with the restaurant completely filled, it was hard to tell. Our waitress took a picture of us.

Picture of Janet and me. At my art class with Carol, she reviewed my pictures (which was mostly positive) and then we worked on how many pictures we can get out of one picture. Since the next subject is elephants, I brought in the one picture, then made 6 black and white copied. Then I picked out areas I thought could be a picture to stand on its own. I glued each one I cut putting it in the middle of a paper. So if I do this, I could call it "Elephant Study".   We had done something like this in the beginning which I did with sea shells.  No class this week. I'll see her the following week.  I'll have pictures next week.

We had some wild weather. While it was very noisy at my home, at Janet's home 10 miles away, it was bone dry.  We had mudslides in mountain passes, over flowing creeks, and with a burst of rain coming down in a very short time, there was flooding in some areas.  I'm a little higher which means it isn't too likely to flood where I am.  This ground cannot handle so much rain in so short a time. This is a very dry area and we are subject to flash flooding when it gets like this. 

I finished this book called We Know How This Ends: Living While Dying by Bruce H. Kramer and Cathy Wurzer.  Bruce had ALS and Cathy interviewed him on NPR in Minnesota. He had been writing a blog, then spoke with Cathy several times and after his death, it was made into a book. Bruce shared how this dis ease (how he likes to see it) took him down and each time he had to see his state as the new normal.  He felt looking back at how active he had been was very hard since it never was to be again.  Love was the one constancy that made the changes bearable and he actually gives credit to ALS in opening him to a much deeper understanding of love and knowing what was important.  Good book for anyone going through a life threatening illness and all who want to know about this final step.  You will grow. 

Today is Mother's Day. Jennifer and Shelley with their children came.  My granddaughter Kayla (Jennifer's daughter) came in the morning to help get the place in order, buy the food and prepare it with me. Jennifer's daughter Crystal brought her daughter Nylah.  We  made asparagus quiche, a Mexican breakfast casserole and fruit salad. We had orange juice, chai tea, coffee and Mimosas.  It was a lovely time together as always. No rain and the temperature is a comfortable  71 to 75 degrees. Our weather has been all over the map. So now it is comfortable to go outside and smell the blossoms. Very heady!

Kayla, my granddaughter was my helper today and I
don't think it would have gone so well without her help!

Picture of Shelley with her mom, Wanda on the right
and me on the left

Picture of Shelley with her mom Wanda at her
wedding to Michael Schmitt.  I was the
photographer.

Shelley and her sister Jennifer

Shelley and Me.  I'm wearing a back brace
and it is really helping!

Kevin, Shelley and Heather
Alyssa had to work!

Some intimacy with Kevin, Shelley and Heather

Interesting shot between the leaves
of Kevin, Shelley and Heather

Kevin, Shelley and Heather

Lorene holding Nylah with mom Crystal

Shelley and Nylah

Shelley and Nylah

Shelley and Nylah, Heather on the left

Heather, Shelley and Nylah

Lorene and Nylah

Lorene and Nylah

These boys are getting big!  Kevin's voice is
really low and Devin is soon to follow!

Crystal, Lorene and Nylah

Grandmother Jennifer with
Granddaughter Nylah

Grandmother Jennifer with
Granddaughter Nylah

Well that is it for this week. I hope your week went well and I will see you next Sunday.                     Rachel