Pepper is Back!!!!!

This morning I stayed in bed until quite late.   I then thought that I should check the trap even if I didn't hear anything happen.  Wow!!!!!  There was Pepper in the trap just lying there.  She ate the sardines and skipped the dry food.  I was too excited to take a picture.  I brought the cage in to let her out since now I was worried she would go out again.  She hissed at me but ran back under my bed.  Daisy was already there.  Now Pepper is growling at her and I hear some hissing.  I'd like to take her to the vet, but last time she bit me puncturing a blood vessel in my hand which swelled badly and I needed to see a doctor.  So I'm going to just stay away from her and let her decide when she wants to come out.  Thanks to everybody for your ideas and support not to give up.  I took it to heart!

The Havahart trap that caught Daisy

This is a picture of Pepper taken two
weeks before she got out.

So generally, other than the above, this week has not been so exciting. I had my class with Carol who still had recommendations on the pictures I'm working on. Also, I could not find the watercolor pictures I have done.  I thought I had all my pictures together, but evidently not. They are around, but I am disorganized and have some work to locate them. So it will be my drawings which will be on displayed instead  of watercolors for First Friday July 1. There will be several students who's work will be displayed.  Two other of her students met Friday to select which pictures will go up and which ones are back up depending on space. One of the students is advanced in her skills. It was impressive. The other woman had picture that weren't realistic but had such a nice feel of playfulness and character. It was nice meeting them and I will be seeing them again. I did more work on some drawings I had. They do get better each time I work on them. I get excited seeing that. The picture I will be doing will be of a toad. What I'm working on is the warty texture of the skin. 

Waterfall done lightly

Waterfall with more contrast.

Kern River Flowing Over Rocks

Mama and Baby Elephant
Improving a lot!

Amargosa Toad
Done in Colored Pencils

My daughter Shelley painted her main bathroom and redecorated it.  She did a beach scene with surf boards and added this to what she did.  I think it turned out very nice!

Shelley Schmitt's Beach Scene

I was going to visit my nieces this weekend, however, they all got bad colds and I do not want to get what they have. Kerri will be heading home to Washington soon and I will miss this chance. However, we will find another time to get together. I really enjoy getting together with them. 

Since this was canceled, I was able to take advantage of a terrific sale at Columbia at the outlet mall in Tejon and see my Granddaughter-in-Law Meagan who works in sales there. And, I got an additional 30% off because of her employee discount.  She and my grandson Billy and I believe at least the two boys they had, my great-grandsons were leaving about 3:30 Saturday morning to see Billy's father and step-mother in Texas. They will be gone about 1 1/2 weeks. 

Billy and Meagan on Their
Way to Texas

My granddaughter Hailey who is going by her middle name Kathryn (so for now on I will call her Kathryn) left for Texas by air on Saturday to stay with her grandmother there and get together with her dad.  I felt sorry for my daughter,  Ronda, who found a great deal on airfare through Spirit Airlines but very late that there was a charge for carry-on luggage of $70 for a round trip and, because she spoke with someone by phone instead of handling it by computer, she was charged $10 for a live talk.  She would lose her money to cancel. She was angry because she would have had a better deal with a well known airline if she had selected them. We all have to read the small print.  I don't always do that too. 

This week I had my colonoscopy. This was a longer ordeal than I have had before.  My doctor had me start two days ahead drinking a 10 ounce bottle of magnesium citrate and taking four Ducolax before bed. Then the day before, drink only fluids and drink a gallon of Golytely (terrible stuff).  Then that evening, I had to take four more Ducolax. So the morning of the procedure, two hours before arriving I had to do a large Fleets enema and the a half hour later, I had to do that again. Now, have any of you had to do that much?!  Now, I will not argue about doing this. They did find two polyps which were removed. So that is a very good thing. My father died of colon cancer and I don't want that to be another problem I'm dealing with. When I woke up, I didn't realize it was all done. I felt more alert than I have before and told my friend Janet I wanted to have lunch and water. Well this turned out to be by quite what I needed. I ordered a quiche and a salad at Marie Callender's.  I used to loved their quiches. Not any more. The egg was on the bottom half and the cheese and other stuff they used to mix in it was as a topping. Ugh!  Definitely not my style. I make a far better quiche than that. Next time I'll get the Fettuccini Alfredo.  I think that is safe.  When I got home, I went to bed immediately around 1:30 pm, waking up two or three times having the oddest dreams until I was up at seven in the morning. Then I went for chemo. I'm glad that is behind me.  

My neighbor Celeste finally sold her home and the people asked to get the Keys this weekend because they are stripping out all the carpet and will refinish the wood floors themselves. They are a couple in their 20's, no children at this time and a rescue pit bull mix. They are excited and will not move in for two weeks while they work on their home.  Celeste and I and my friend Janet have gotten together for dinner at The Renegade Room. We've enjoyed getting together with her. She was a Docent at the California Living Museum (CALM) and will return to this in the Fall to an indoor exhibit.  Celeste and I have had some health issues and have commiserated when in the middle of issues. But, both of us prefer to stay active where and as we can. 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. My husband, my father and his three brothers served in the Armed Services. I support people who have been put in harms way for us and feel they need much more support as veterans than they get. I don't think they should be homeless, get inadequate medical care or make so little money that they must have food stamps to make ends meet. This just seems so wrong with all that they have done for us.  After a typical barbecue of hamburgers with all the fixings, coleslaw, pasta salad, potato salad  and watermelon, I hope we can go to the cemetery to see Paul in memoriam of him, other family and all of those who have lost their lives during and after war.  

That is my week. I hope yours went well and I will see you next week.          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

Last Concert of the Season by Stringfever - What Fascinating Instruments and Performance!

I cannot find my cat Pepper since yesterday.  It is very upsetting!  I know cats will go somewhere to die.  At least I have seen this before. And if she died, I don't know why. If she isn't feeling well, I don't know why. She is a house cat and when the door is open with just the screen to the outside, she doesn't attempt to go outside. I continue to look for her and I'm feeling blue about it. Ugh!  Upsetting!  

When I saw my doctor the week before, I did ask her about dealing with ringing ears. She gave me a handout that recommended a machine that does white noises and nature sounds. So I bought one. This one is made by Homemedics  and is called Deep Sleep. They do have settings for an hour or less, but the sleep mode will stay on until you turn it off. So I have been using it every night for this week, andI do think my sleep is deeper. The setting  "Everglades" seems to be the most helpful for me. My ears ring very loud and when I'm active I can ignore it.  But at night, when it's quiet, there is nothing to distract me.  Also if  anyone  asks me about it, it draws attention to it which makes it harder to ignore!  I'm impressed with this and I will let you know anything new. When in bed, I lie on my side as I read.  I was playing "summer night" - crickets and toads and I became aware that my right hear hears the high chirp, because when I turned over, the left side cannot hear it at all.  So strange, since the other side is so clear!  So I just did my own hearing test!

My friend Janet and I met at Fresh Choice Noodle Bar for dinner before going to the last performance of the Bakersfield Concert Association.   Wonderful dinner with a glass of wine.  I always enjoy eating here. It has excellent Thai food!

The Bakersfield Community Association had their last concert for the season: Springfever. Three brothers and a cousin from London, England make up the group.  They play electric violins, viola and cello.  They could sound like a huge orchestra, an electric guitar or organ. They might have other effects they can do that I didn't hear. They were very talented and have made a show which includes a lot of humor. I highly recommend them!  They come back to the United States yearly.  Check if they could be in your area.  You will really enjoy them!

WEBSITE for Stringfever Band:        http://www.stringfever.co.uk/

The electric instruments they play are manufactured by the company Violectra which does violins, violas, cellos and basses.  They are beautiful.  They can sound traditional or like a  rock band.  They look and sound beautiful.  The reason they started using them was they were buskers in Europe (playing in subways and on streets).  They were trying to make enough money to tour all over Europe and they needed to get people to watch them instead of all the other groups which were out there busking too.  They succeeded in getting the recognition they needed to move up and become a steady group.

Springfever Band

Violin or Viola

Violin and Viola
violectra.co,uk

I have mentioned that these concerts will only be on Sunday at 2:30 this next year.   The first one is September 25, 2016.  I know of some people who did not sign up for the series this last year because of the time of the concerts.  Hopefully, this change will bring them back.  And, they will be in Harvey Auditorium with parking right there. There will be five concerts at a cost of $75 if you pay for the whole season. I think it is a very special program at a reasonable price. Here is their website where you can get more details and buy your tickets. They have reciprocity with 15 other communities in California.  If they have seats available, you can go to their concerts by showing your card at no extra charge.  If you pay for each concert individually, it will cost $35 for an adult, $10 for a college student and $5 for students through high school. This is an excellent deal.

Website for the Bakersfield Community Concert Association:      www.bakersfieldcca.org

I ordered something from Amazon and when it was delivered, the post office sent me a notice that the had delivered it. I went to the mailbox about an hour later. There was a piece of junk mail, but no package. I feel the post office does a good job. My suspicion is that it was stolen. I wanted to talk to someone but couldn't reach anyone with the numbers I had. I went to the post office and they gave me a number to call which had an area code of 877. They said they would start an investigation.  My concern was that someone stole it and I hope that person would be stopped.   Then it comes in the mail the following day and I get a call that at the time the mail was being delivered the postwoman thought someone was suspicious and decided to deliver it the next day.  Wow!  I was impressed. Very professional!

II got a message from my art teacher Carol Bradshaw asking where I was.  She had said no class this week, though I thought that was odd.  She was talking with someone at the time, so I didn't want to interrupt her,  So I think I'll have to have a contour drawing of an elephant by then to stay on schedule.  Ugh!  'I've been working on my art.  I went to Hart Park for a change, but it was too hot to me.  I need to find a shady place next time.  But, while there, the ducks came close and decided to sleep.  It was cute.  I worked more on my rock pile and I just started on doing a mama elephant with her baby.

Ducks at Hart Park Napping Close to Me

Added more detail

Just a start.  Mom and baby.

My niece sent a picture she found of me from about 30 years ago.  It is how I see myself, though I am much older now. It's funny how our memory of what we think of ourselves stops at such an early age! I also went around with my camera taking many pictures.  I know this was annoying, but I'm glad I got them now.

Me Around the Age of 35 or so

So Shelley's husband Michael came over yesterday to get AirDop working.  I can send pictures by email, but this is easier and faster.  It took him little time to get it going.  Thank you!  Thank you!

So that is it for the week.  I sure hope my cat Pepper is okay and shows up.  It is stressful to not find her!  See you next 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

A Weekend in Pasadena

I love this saying on the front of the Los Angeles Public Library directory:

"Think of the library as a convenience store for knowledge"

I would love to see more people excited about books and libraries. I can't express quite how much books have meant in my life. I love a variety of books, but if people would look at what they are interested in, I think they could fall in love with them. I worked in a prison for several years. There were people who went to prison never having been readers. But, prison is quite boring. Because of this I did meet inmates who became readers. I would say they could transport themselves somewhere quite different than the prison. Some men tried this out and did find that to be the case. 

So, in Kern County where I live, we have a proposition, Measure F on the ballot to add a 1/8 of one penny to the sales tax dedicated to the libraries in Kern County. There is only so much you can do without an adequate budget and I hope this will pass. As I shared in last weeks blog going to the Los Angeles Central Library made me so excited. We don't have the money to do what they do, but we can do so much more. 

We are the least funded library system for its size in California. Fresno County took the the same step in 1998.  They have extended the funding because of the wonderful difference it has made for their county. Bakersfield is the worse ranked city in California in literacy and we are third from the worst in the United States.  Why would we want to be a part of these statistics?  The solution asks so little of us and will have such an impact on our population. With more knowledge, people will be more employable.  Their health will improve as they understand what they need to do to be healthier. I think there will be positive affects in areas we aren't even thinking about. There was a nice article in our local paper, The Californian.

http://bakersfield.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5d56f0d3ba4b901846a167399&id=c926839462&e=a426936ed6

So I redid the waterfall, but I'm still not pleased.  I also made more definition with the river running over the rocks.  And, I attempted to make the picture of a pile of rocks I did stand out better.

The Kern River flowing over Rocks

Three Level Waterfall, with Branches at Top,
with Caves behind the Waterfall. 

Pile of Rocks

My friend Marykay, who is an artist has put the three pictures I gave her on her walls. It is an honor to me!  Here they are. 

I did a modern design of clouds, with the sun
setting over the beach in Pastels
The first picture I gave to Marykay.  I
really do love it!

My Deer and Lion

My Artist friend Marykay made a corner for them

Yesterday was the ninth anniversary of my husband Paul's death. I have spent this weekend with my step-mom Kate which was very good and lessened the pain I feel when it is around this date.  Kate's birthday was April 25. 

My daughter Jennifer posted a picture of her, her sister Shelley with their father which I took of them. I know they are appreciative of the pictures I took. I know I annoyed them having the camera in their faces. But now they really mean a lot to them.   I love looking at pictures of my husband Paul!

Jennifer, their dad, Paul and Shelley several years ago.

I was with my step-mom Kate, this weekend. We  saw Eye in the Sky at the ArcLight Cinema on Friday night. Interesting and suspenseful, but not a family or feel good movie.  Saturday was the ninth anniversary of Paul's death. I think because we had a lot going on, I did okay.  On Saturday night, we saw the play, You Never Can Tell by George Bernard Shaw at the theatre A Noise Within which is in Pasadena.  It was too loud for Kate and me, especially two people who played immature twins, but I saw it as an experience.  I really do like experiences as they open me to see things in a different light. We also went to a lovely French restaurant  called Cafe Bizou in Pasadena where we each ordered a prix fixe lunch for an incredibly reasonable price, with the base price of $17 with some variation depending on the choices. I had the house Cabernet and it was delicious.  And to top it off, our waiter had a French accent!   The ambiance was so nice!  It was all very special and I want to go back there.  

Kate and I at Green Street for breakfast this morning
before I headed home.

This is a review by Brain Pickings on a woman's experience with using music to help her grieve: 

ainpickings.org/2016/04/14/wendy-lesser-room-for-doubt-music-grief/?mc_cid=9b04fc8c3f&mc_eid=6c84d8101c

That is it for my week.  It was good.  I really have nothing to complain about.  I hope your week went well and I will see you next Sunday.                                      Rachel

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