And the Wall Came Tumbling Down

I thought my sleep issue would have been corrected with getting my blood pressure in normal range. But that was not the case. On Wednesday after lunch with a friend, I came home feeling overwhelmed with exhaustion and laid down to rest. I woke up at ten in the evening and was able to go back to sleep and sleep through the night. Ugh! Later in the week I went to Mexicali's in the evening with my friend Janet.  I suggested she call me about an hour before we meet in case I was asleep.  I didn't know if that would help because my daughter Ronda called me before heading for the airport to go to Sweden with her boyfriend for a week. They have friends they will stay with and who will take them sightseeing. But my point was, I never heard the phone ring when Ronda called.  I was awake when my friend Janet called.

Last Sunday I received a text message from a childhood friend, Zona who asked if we could get together and have dinner. She was on her way north to do a solo camping trip.  That was a good experience for her.  She got a hotel room here.  I went to pick her up at the hotel and we had Chinese food. We had lots of catching up to do. She said she would be passing through on Wednesday and might spend the night, but she became ill and headed home. 

While out to dinner, I got an email from Gary Hollingsead who was putting up a new retaining wall in my backyard. They wanted to start at 6:30 the next morning. I agreed.

They were prompt and knocked the bricks out one at a time. There were several men here so they moved quickly. They needed to cut some of the branches from the vine on the chain link fence above the block wall. It looked so raw and exposed with the block wall gone.  They asked to come the next day at 6:00 am. The idea was to get the most done during the coolest hours. It is very hot here. The soil in front of the chain link fence had fallen a lot more. It is obvious that it was not packed down when they initially put in the chain link fence to the private neighborhood above me. It was done in 1959, so who do you hold responsible?  My neighbors on my side of the street abutting this private community will face the same problem when they need to do this. My backyard is just a construction zone that I am trying to avoid looking at until it is done.

It looked so raw with the wall down!

The workman were fast in getting the wall up.

The block wall is up.
The clean up will happen tomorrow.

On the first day of the wall project,  I had lunch with my friend Jo at the Chef's Choice Noodle Bar. It was enjoyable. We are both in the Red Hat group. Jo is hard of hearing which interferes when talking much in a group. So it was pleasant to talk with just us two. When we parted company and I was heading to my car, I was approached by a reporter and photographer from Lifestyle Magazine. They asked me what did I like most of Kern County. Of course, there is a lot I like, but since we were downtown, I said I liked the downtown area especially for First Friday ( the first Friday of each month in the evenings) which focuses on the arts.  The art galleries, craft type stores and arts & craft tables outdoors with some musicians playing at street corners.  The restaurants in the area do very well that night and you need a reservation to get in.  I praised the push to raise money to be put toward making the downtown environment more appealing. 

The following day I had my "private" lesson with Carol (it is supposed to be a class with at least one other student). I showed her what I had done on the drawing of the sunflower. I only did the one I was going to paint. I asked how she would paint this picture, etc. so I watched as she did one of her own and asked tons of questions. It really was very helpful. I'm also glad that I can ask any question I want. It helped me to understand the process. Now it was my turn. I felt much more confident about what I would do. Though I'm getting private lessons when I don't pay a private rate, I really appreciate it and I would fully understand if she couldn't continue this. She did say she would tell me when she reached this point. Right now she schedules appointments on the same day when coming into town. She lives around Lake Isabella (about an hours drive into the mountains).

Sunflowers by Rachel

I had lunch with my buddy Victor. We used to work together. I mentioned that he is writing a book and that he wanted me to read it. We will get together once a month here in Bakersfield and he will bring sections of his book each time we meet for me to review by the next lunch. 

My son Jeff and his wife Stephanie had an open house where they live now and a graduation celebration for their daughter Cassadie (my first grandchild to graduate from college).  My grandchildren Crystal and Devin went with us.  The weather was balmy in the mid-seventies.  It was a wonderful break from the heat we have been experiencing at home.  With their front door open, there was a wonderful breeze wafting through the house.  Stephanie, who is a wonderful cook had lots of snacks that could be a meal for anyone who needed that.  She sure has a knack for putting together an event.  This home was built in the 1920's and very well maintained.  Very stylish but much of it not to current code like a window on the second floor going down to the floor where there could be a possibility of someone falling to the ground (I can assure you it wouldn't be me!  I stay away from open areas above the first floor).

Cassadie with her boyfriend Bogart-
They both just graduated from different Universities.

Meghan Jerdin, Jeff and Stephanie's youngest takes acting classes-
I have a feeling we will be seeing her on the big screen or television in the future!

Shelley, Crystal and Devin

Jeff with a jaunty step in front of their duplex (what a lovely home)

Cassadie with her Aunt Shelley

Well, another full week, despite sleeping for hours at a time!  More tests this next week to see if we can figure out what is going on with me.  I hope you had a good week and I will see you next Sunday.              Rachel

The Last Sunset

I’m completing my blog on Father’s Day as I remember my father and my husband who was a loving father.  I miss them both and this is a day also of remembrance of all the fathers who are not here to be honored in person.  This sentiment from The Grief Toolbox fits the feelings I have and I’m sure for many other people.

When I got home last Sunday in the morning,  I felt all my energy leaving me. I needed to get my blog out there as soon as possible.   Thank goodness I work on it throughout the week.  It would be very overwhelming doing it in one sitting.  As soon as that was accomplished, I laid down and slept for eight hours. Then up for a couple of hours before sleeping through the night.   This had been getting worse. I started to have problems scheduling anything. I did see a doctor about this and he took me off a water pill which is the first step they take with people with high blood pressure. I don't have high  blood pressure. This medication has a side effect to keep me from losing calcium when I urinated.   He said my brain was not getting enough oxygen and that was why I was feeling so sleepy. Blood pressure on Friday at chemotherapy  was 113/71.  When I was taking that medication, it was running 99/66.   I am scheduled for a test called a Cortrosyn Stimulation Test.  They are looking at Adrenal Insufficiency.   It is all related to looking at why I’m so exhausted that I could sleep for so many hours.

My granddaughter Cassadie graduated from the University of Oregon this week. And, her mom sent me her first published article in a magazine about a woman who made specialized soap. Well done!  I will see her next weekend.

Meghan with her sister Cassadie who graduated from
The University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism

It is only me in Carol Bradshaw's art class now.  This week was drawing sunflowers.  I was telling my step-mom Kate and she wondered how Carol can do this for just one person.  I agree, but I am glad I have had her.  I've learned a lot even if I have a hard time getting some of what she says.  It is interesting because it will hit me about the meaning of something she has said many times in the past and then all of a sudden I "get it!"  As I was talking to my step-mom, she told me about a picture she drew using cheap colored pencils.  She had taken a photo of her friend's cat.  She was just struck by the color of his hair.  She said he is almost the size of a Maine Coon cat.  This drawing she did was on a 12x16 drawing paper.  She gave the drawing to her friend who was very pleased.  She is a very good artist!

My Step-Mom Kate Gaman drew this picture

My picture of Sunflowers- Pencil and Color Pencil

I went to Martha's home and then the Helping One Woman dinner.  The woman being honored was Theresa Lopez.  She started with breast cancer in 2010 and in 2014 with Stage IV liver cancer.  And just recently they found a lesion in her brain.  Many people were there to honor her.  She has a very positive attitude and a wonderful smile.   Her attitude has helped her in dealing with this.  It is amazing to me how people do what they do when given such tough news.

Theresa Lopez is on the left

A friend, Victor  who I worked with called me. We hadn't talked in a long time.   He is writing a book and asked if I would read it when he is at that point.  I'm honored that he would like me to do this.  We have scheduled lunch this next week at Mama Roomba.  We were best buds at work and though we haven't talked in quite a  while, I still feel this way about him.  I am really looking forward to spending some time with him.

I picked some veggies this week. It is so exciting when you grow it yourself. It also has much more flavor. I like that!  I have actually eaten several tomatoes and green peppers from my garden.  I'm eating them as soon as I pick them.  These green peppers are so small and very tasty.  I will cook the squash today.

Veggies from my raised garden

Here is a lovely picture of my two great-grandsons that my Granddaughter-in-Law Meagan posted this week.  They are one year apart.

Kason and Conner, brothers

So last night my daughter Shelley and I went to a going away party for two of my friends, Susan and Jennifer.  They live on top of a hill and have a wonderful view of sunsets here. I will miss them, but I think this is a wonderful move for them.  Shelley and I will make a point of visiting them.  They were there for me when times were incredibly rough when Paul was dying and when I was having medical problems,  in addition to being just two wonderful women.  There were also several people I knew and that Shelley knew by voice on the phone.  She was finally able to connect a face with the voice.

Jennifer and Susan- Note the dry landscape on the hills

My daughter Shelley and my friend Beth with me

Silhouette of Palm Tree at Sunset

The Last Sunset

That is it for the week.  I hope your week went well.  I'll see you next Sunday.      Rachel

What Strange Weather!

Shelley and I went to a beauty demonstration for skincare.  We met Leslie and her sister while attending the cooking with herbs demonstration.  Leslie had all the fixings for tacos which were great. A short thunder and lightening storm with heavy rain started. It seemed like it would go on and on, but that is not what usually happens here.  When we went home on the east side of town, everyone on this side said they did not have any of this. We are talking like 10 miles away!   We are having more humidity than we are used to these days.  Ugh!  Very uncomfortable.  I would rather stay inside.

I guess my fellow classmate Wayne is dropping out at least for a while. There are two other women in the class now. I have seen them before. We will continue with flowers in the next 6 week period. We worked on roses.  The next flower will be a sunflower.  I'm still working on my rose in watercolor. I felt I did a poor job of it.  Though it is not finished,  I will start over.   Below is one I did with color pencils. 

Unfinished Yellow Rose

Rose Done in Color Pencils

Well I had my final visit to the doctor for my wrist (I broke it a year ago. He was impressed with my mobility. It is good to move on!

Janet and I met at Mexicali's. Esther who was the last of three sisters to own and manage the restaurant died and the service was the day before. Her son was there checking on things like he has done for years. Kenny runs the California Avenue location.  We expressed our condolences. He had a cold and said "I haven't had a cold in years". I thought his immune system could be down with all the stress. He said "I've  shaken a lot of hands". That certainly could have been an issue too.  

I received a message from my endocrinologist. She said my cortisol level is on the low side of normal and I needed further workup.  She said a nurse will contact me to come in for a Cortrosyn Stimulation Test.  If this is related to being exhausted, I hope we can fix it.  I’ll see another doctor at the end of the week.  I take a type of water pill used for high blood pressure, though I don’t take it for high blood pressure.  It seems to have a side effect to keep you from peeing out the calcium in your body.  So my blood pressure is running quite low and this can cause this type of fatigue.

My friend Martha had a pool party at her home in the country.  I saw three tents and there were five RVs staying overnight. My granddaughter couldn't come so my friend Susan let me stay at her home. There was fabulous Mexican food, including homemade tamales (my favorite).  There was also a DJ who played a lot of music I liked, except for later, it was not appealing to me.  It was dance music and though I don't dance now, I made the moves sitting down. It was 103 degrees at its hottest and there was more humidity than usual. I found if I dangled my legs in the pool, it helped to keep my whole body cooler. I did take a few dips too. There were several people I knew from working in the prison. And, while there, I got a call from a fellow social worker, Victor, from the same setting. Amazing!  We will set up going out to lunch in the near future.  

Martha's Pool Party with Lots of Shade!

Martha with her Grandson

And here is a short video of people dancing to a Disc Jockey at Martha's party.  Fun!

Martha's Pool Party June 2015

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Here is a lovely way of looking at life and death by Buffy Andrews who writes for the York Daily Record in Pennsylvania and has written some books.  Check her out!

Every year, I look forward to the fringe tree blooming in our front yard. Its white, fleecy feathers hang from the branches and dance in the wind. Along with the gorgeous pink weeping cherry tree that blooms a few weeks before, it’s one of my favorite spring-flowering trees. The dogwood, saucer magnolia and Bradford pear can’t beat its beauty.

Check out my books

The other night, a wicked storm rolled into town. The wind whipped, pea-sized hail fell and a torrential downpour soaked the ground. When I walked outside the following morning, the fringe tree was naked, and its soft billowy blooms blanketed the ground. All that beauty gone in a flash, ripped from the branches before I was ready to say goodbye.
As I picked up some soggy blooms and held them in the palm of my hand, tears pooled in my eyes. I was reminded of beauty cut short, of parents and family and friends, tassels torn too soon from the tree of life during one of life’s raging storms.
Why must things die? a young child asks, unable to understand that all life is organized in such a way that it has a limited lifespan.
Flies might live for days, tortoises and whales for hundreds of years and trees for thousands of years. But eventually, they all die. No living thing, no animal or plant, can escape death.
So often in life we witness beauty too short-lived. Why can’t the fringes hang forever? Why do the cherry blossoms fade and fall?
What perhaps we should be asking is, Why didn’t I enjoy the beauty when I had the chance?
It’s human nature, I think, to believe there will always be another day. But sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes wicked weather slams us unexpectedly and we’re caught off-guard, standing in the drenching rain and rising water.

I know that everything in life has its own season -- a time to be born and a time to die. But that doesn’t stop me from wishing the seasons could last longer.
• • •
After seeing how the storm undressed the fringe tree, I walked around the yard to see what else had been affected.
I found the dwarf English boxwoods were growing and turning a healthy green. The azaleas were popping with pink.
The barberries were budding and stretching in all directions.
The hydrangeas were beginning to peek out, and the hosta, which had only poked through the ground a couple weeks ago, had taken over the side of the house.
Yes, everything has a season. I hope you enjoy yours.

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Here is an article published on NPR called How to Let Go When A Loved One is Dying

How to Let Go When a Loved One is Dying

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And check out TheGriefToolBox.com for stories, poetry, etc. which may help you in dealing with a loss. The one below came from this site. 

Thank you for reading my blog. There are many people discussing this issue also. We all may say it in a slightly different way. Talk to your friends and family about death and dying, grief and bereavement. These are normal events and will become a part of your life if you have not already dealt with it or dealing with it now.   I'll see you next Sunday.                              Rachel

Making Lots of Memories, Living Before Dying

So in the Central Valley of California we are really dealing with major drought conditions.  A town I used to live in, Visalia, is down to watering one time a week and anyone who doesn't follow this will be fined. I think all the measures being taken are not enough. It appears we will run out of water.   So will this become a ghost valley like how we describe a ghost town?  My friend Martha had a real scare.  She lives in the country outside of Visalia.  They thought their well was dry, but they found out the pump needed repairing.  They are down to 30 feet of water in their well.  That sounds scary to me too.  They are hoping it lasts another year until they are scheduled for their well to be dug much deeper.  60 minutes had a very good report about the effects of the drought on the Central Valley this last Sunday (It was a repeat)s.  See the episode on using up the underground water by clicking on Link below. 

 Link

Last Sunday my son Jeff, his wife Stephanie and their youngest daughter Meghan came to visit. We had some of the family here to join us.  But since Kevin's birthday party was the day before, some had already scheduled the following day with other activities.  We barbecued chicken and with what each chipped in to fill out the meal, we had a huge meal. Stephanie shared with us her experiences of catering for groups of students making movies. This has been so successful, her name is being bandied about for future catering jobs. Of course, the whole family has been very aware of her excellent cooking talents. So it wasn't a surprise to us that this would happen. We are all very pleased her talents are being recognized.  They sold their home and are currently in a rental which they describe as bigger than their last home. They are looking to get a home at the beach.            Jeff started working at a start up company as a CPA which has huge potential.  So,  Jeff said though a lot has happened, it has been very positive. They will have an open house at their new home to celebrate their oldest daughter's graduation (Cassadie) from the University of  Oregon at the end of the month. 

It was a good day. I was telling Jeff how exhausted I felt these days for no obvious reason and he told me he had been feeling this way and was recently diagnosed with diabetes.   I had seen my oncologist that week and told him I was fine. At that moment I was and I couldn't remember what I was planning to bring up. (Write it down next time!)  It was about the exhaustion.  Stephanie and I didn't get in the pictures, but here are the others. 

Jeff Jerdin and Shelley Schmitt, Brother and Sister

Meghan Jerdin, Crystal Kline, Alyssa Estes, Kayla and Devin Kline, my Grandchildren

This week was my husband Paul's birthday. If he were still here, he would have been 74 years old. I really miss him as does the rest of the family. It is definitely not the same without him. 

My Red Hat dinner was the day of Paul's birthday. It was at a Thai restaurant I have not been to. It is called the Blue Elephant Thai Restaurant. The perfect place to eat since Paul and I were married in Thailand while on vacation.  The food was good, as was the company. But I was feeling nauseous and just all around, not well and left early.  

This week was also Shelley's birthday, Paul's oldest daughter, my step-daughter. We went to dinner at Mama Roomba's a fabulous Caribbean restaurant on First Friday, a monthly event in downtown Bakersfield, with the local art galleries open in the evening along with street crafts and musicians all around the area.   This area continues to improve and has been a draw to people as they hear about this event. It makes for a pleasant evening out. To get into most restaurants downtown at the time of this event, make a reservation because they are fill up fast, usually with those who made reservations.

Shelley and I standing at the entrance to Wall Street, an Alley with
Guthrie's Alley Cat in the Background

Shelley and I Standing in Front of Colorful Street Art

And then last night Shelley and I had a wonderful evening at one of the garden nurseries, Robby's Nursery. That place is so lovely. I could spend hours there!  It is gorgeous!  So this event had a chef who made several dishes using fresh herbs talking as he was cooking.  A couple of great hints we picked up is spray the fruit, meat or vegetable lightly with a no-stick spray before putting it on the grill.  It won't shoot back flames and you make sure the food is covered and less likely to stick.  The other great hint is similar.  Grill the veggies dry, then cover with the marinade to not burn the food on the grill.  Amazing that herbs you don't think of putting in drinks (like lemonade) add a nice touch, like oregano. There were also two women who were sisters who made the appetizers. They ended up sitting with us. Very nice people. They used to own Skateland, but recently sold it. The food was outstanding and wine was also served. It was also a wine tasting event. This was $25 per person and required reservations.   Shelley found out about it on Facebook.  Best deal for the money!  We were lucky with the weather which was in the mid-eighties. How fortunate for us!  It is heading to over a hundred degrees this week.

Shelley and I wearing Shades Before the Sun Went Down

Shelley and I with Two New Friends

I am in the Art group on Google+.  I admired the work of a photographer, Mike Dunbar. It really is artistic, especially his still life photos. I can't help but speak up about how impressed I am. He finally recommended a book by Joe McNally, The Moment It Clicks. So I ordered it on line through Amazon.  It took a while to get here. So one day he sent a message about how were Joe and I getting along. I was so confused and asked "Who's Joe?"  He replied Joe McNally!"  Then I remembered and said I'd send him a message when he came. So when it did come and I informed him, he responded, "I hope you'll be happy together."  Ha, ha!  That would look like a love interest!  Maybe, but in photography!

I saw one of my doctors this week. She is an Endocrinologist.  I forgot to tell my Oncologist about being totally exhausted. I told him I was fine.  I was fine right at that moment. So I tell her and she has ordered some blood work. I haven't been tested for diabetes since 2008. My friend Janet said low blood pressure could cause this. I take a water pill which has a side effect of keeping the body from spilling calcium when you pee. I have not had high blood pressure. So I sent a note about that to her.   I eventually got a follow up note from another physician that yes, low blood pressure can cause exhaustion, so I'm scheduled to discuss this with another physician in two weeks.

The other doctor I saw was the pain doctor for a follow-up visit after the cortisone injections in my back.  Since I have always tended to push myself in moving, doing things and taking care of business, these injections I believed helped me a lot.  I really don't want to slow down and I am hoping I can continue to be like this.  He told me that all people with back pain would benefit in knowing two things that would make a big difference in recovering and moving on or being more handicapped.  They are, don't bend and don't lift heavy items.  I know, I know, I cannot totally abide by this.  I don't have people readily available to do these tasks that require these movements.  I do set several things aside and wait until I see them if I can.

I worked further on my drawing of an Iris.  I think I may be done with it.

Iris in Graphite

Here is my picture of an Oriental Poppy I did in watercolor.

Oriental Poppy in Watercolor

I'm working on a rose, however, I was not getting the idea of the petals.  I spoke with my teacher on the phone today and she emailed me pictures to use as guides.  Fascinating.  One page of them has each petal in a different color which makes it easier to distinguish between each petal so much better. I will post it next week.  We need to have the drawn version done this week.  We will be painting from what we drew.

Here is a clear list on how to help someone who is grieving.  I think you will find it helpful. 

http://thegrieftoolbox.com/artwork/how-do-you-help-someone-grief

So this woman is going through her battle with cancer too and she wants to educate others on what people say that does not help. It is short and worth watching.  These were issues for me too.

https://www.facebook.com/holley.kitchen/videos/10153490757561869/

And here is my great-grandson Conner who looks much cleaner as he learns how to use a spoon when eating.

Conner Working on Eating with a Spoon

A very full week.  I have a few things going on this next week, including an overnight camping trip that my granddaughter Kayla.  Her friend Brianna will be joining us.  I think that will be particularly great!  I am making memories here.  I love it and I hope those who are involved with me in enjoying these gatherings get a kick out of it.  Have a wonderful week and I will see you next Sunday.

Rachel