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