Breaking Out of the Fog - My Friend Janet is Coming Around

I worked on the head of a horse.  The same one as last week, but I think this one is better.  When I was visiting my step-mom Kate who is an artist, made some recommendations and copied some pages to help me in the sketching.  It helped.  My teacher Carol had surgery and is getting physical therapy.  She is communicating with us by email and wants to hear of our progress until she gets back in mid March.  I'll send her this.

My horse improved!

Barbara, Janet and I went to a wonderful concert put on by the Bakersfield Concert Association. The group was the Valinor Quartet. There was another violinist this group knew who was in Bakersfield. They asked him to join in with some of the pieces.   This was all instrumental, no singing.  Excellent!  They were an international group which brought the music of their regions to this concert. Their site describes their playing as a unique hybrid of jazz and classical.   These pictures are from their site.  A wonderful group!

While Janet and I went out for dinner, she told me she was thinking about tutoring children in reading. She said "I don't know what happened, but it is like a fog has been lifting."  Her husband Ron died almost four years ago. "I'm bored".  This is good news to hear. She has not been willing to do much, but this year she is going out with Barb and me to the Bakersfield Concert Series which we include going out to eat.   We also went to a concert she had invited me to at Bakersfield College put on by the choir her granddaughter was singing in.   I have also invited her to join my Red Hat group and she finally has agreed to do that and will go to our next one at the Woolgrowers.  She is gradually coming around. She thinks this volunteering to teach children to read  is a commitment of one day a week.  So gradually she is filling her calendar with activities she likes, or at least wants to find out if it is a good match for her.  She also got me a Gwee Gym like she got herself. She is trying to be more active (though she does walk) and is encouraging me to do the same.  It is simple and portable. 

I remember when I was in that fog. When you are in it, it is about impossible seeing yourself feeling better.  It is an experience that someone telling you that you will feel better does not work. We need that time to grieve and each of us are on different timetables. 

There is this wonderful site where a woman reads some great books, shares from them and gives her input.  The site is Brainpickings.org  

When Breath Becomes Air: A Young Neurosurgeon Examines the Meaning of Life as He Faces His Death

The book is by Paul Kalanithi who died in 2013.    The woman who writes Brainpickings.org does a wonderful job of reviewing books.  She does many.  Anyway, I have downloaded this book to my Kindle and I am anxious to read it.  The problem is that I have three books I am in the process of reading and I think I should just wait a bit to give more of my time to this.  Though you can read her material at Brainpickings.org, she would really appreciate a donation, if you are able to.  I say she provides a wonderful service in what she does and she is well worth it.  Tapping on the title above will take you directly to her article.  She also recommends other reading if you liked this book.

Barbara and I went to see  Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the theater at Valley Plaza. They have one theater converted to an IMAX screen and we also received glasses for a 3D movie. The special affects were awesome. It felt like we were in the middle of the scene. Though it isn't the sort of movie I was interested in, I can appreciate all the work that went into making it. 

Afterwards we went for dinner at the Great Castle.  A while back, I had lunch with my friend Vic here which was not up to their standards. Vic made it clear he never wanted to eat there again. Well, I'm glad I returned, because our dinner was excellent and reasonably priced.  I don't believe I would do lunch again though.

My granddaughter Crystal posted more pictures of my great-granddaughter Nylah. She is so cute!

Crystal and Nylah

Crystal and Nylah

Nylah with her Eyes Open!

My great-grandsons Conner and Kason look great. Both are growing like weeds!  They are so obviously well loved.  Their expressions are playful and happy.

Conner

Kason

Kason

Conner

Conner and Kason

I feel so fortunate for the family I have.  It makes it easier to deal with difficult issues when they come up.
So that is it for the week.  All is well here.  I rested a lot.  I don't know if I can bank it or not.  I have some activities happening in the near future.  It would be nice if the rest I had helped for that.  We will see.  I also know that if I take breaks between events, I do a whole lot better.

I hope your week end well and I will see you next Sunday.                          Rachel