Photographs, Art and Plants for the Soul

So Mike Dunbar showed this gorgeous picture that he took. I had said on another picture that it looked like a painting. It seemed that this was not acceptable to him then, and yet I thought it was beautiful. Now he does it again and this is gorgeous!  I said I didn't mean to insult him that it looked  like a painting, but there seemed to be something very sensual to what I was looking at. 

Then Mike said:   +Rachel Jerdin ERM, I didn't do anything! (Except go out walking at 5am, mad.) I just turned up and it was there.

ME:   I'm impressed you are out walking that early!  Most of the time I'm still sleeping!  So getting up early would be one thing necessary to get a shot like that!  You live in a beautiful area that is very green!  Now there are lovely places here too, not in the same way, but nature is sooo special. So your setting is really nice!  You must have a wonderful camera. It is more likely to capture what you are looking at. You have a special education with the photography, and, perhaps other subjects that adds to your repertoire of knowledge to draw on like Joe McNally.  And, in addition to that knowledge, You have excellent skills. So maybe it wasn't so obvious to you, but your sub-conscience knows and draws on that. Your personality would also be a factor in what you like. And, then there is luck and timing!  Lots of things go into this picture that you don't give yourself credit in finding and sharing it from your perspective!  I love your work and obviously many other people do too!  You need more exposure. I'm positive other people would love it too!  His commercial site is Mike Dunbar Commercial Photography-  mikedunbar.co.uk.  See his other work.  He is is Scotland, so he has some beautiful areas all around him.

So here is his gorgeous picture which is a photograph!

Gillahill Wood in Scotland by Mike Dunbar

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So at my art class with Carol Bradshaw we focused on doing feathers on a parrot and an owl. She talked about shading and getting more of this to fill in the contour of my drawing. She made a point (which she has told me multiple times- "you must get the hair going in the right direction, otherwise it isn't believable."  So the classmate I did have, Wayne, called Carol to find out when we were doing owls. I got excited because I thought he would be back.  He is so talented and I just enjoy him. Well, he didn't show up, but I am hoping he will return.  It makes for a better class because of our interaction.  I had drawn a feather Carol gave me as a model and did a pretty good job. I couldn't return them because my cats killed these feathers. I will work more on the parrot and I picked an owl walking very determinedly.  I did a chicken once with a similar pose.

Parrot was Redone

Owl Ready to Lift Off

I went to the Helping One Woman dinner honoring Debbie Cramlet She had a lot of family members and friends there. She is a very nurturing person to family, friends and community. She owned Deb's Deli in Hanford.   She was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in 2011 and gets her treatment in Houston, Texas.   That is a long trip!  It went into remission, but came back this March.

Debbie with her daughter Brittany

I stay with Martha when I come here for the Helping One Woman dinner.  We went to a Mexican restaurant called Super Taco for breakfast in Woodlake.  They had a type of Quesadilla for breakfast.  It was okay, but I didn't think it was that great.  I took some of it home and when I heated it for a minute in the microwave, what a difference!  Now that was delicious.  I wonder if they just forgot to do this before giving it to me.  Then we checked out the botanical garden, Bravo Lake Botanical Garden.   started by a couple who live in this town.  Wow!  Now that was special. Most of the signage identifying the plants was torn down. They have to find a way to protect this area. You are allowed to taste the edible plants, but you are not allowed to take them out of the garden.   What a lovely walk that was!    The man, Manuel with his wife started this.  Manuel Jimenez was there so we were able to talk to him about this.  They have a dinner fundraiser in October.  He recommended coming in Spring when there is so much more blooming.  So they have very little money but they do have a fair amount of volunteers.

The Entrance

Martha Getting a Closeup

Martha Catching Up to Me

A Sunflower Going to Seed

Hanging Grapes over an Archway

Colorful Flowers (No sign!)

More Colorful Flowers (No Sign!)

Pumpkin and Gourds

Martha has a cactus plant called a Prickly Pear in her yard that produces a fruit. She had never tried it, but I did. It was mildly sweet and very juicy. The only problem I had is I got stickers in my lip and hands. Now I know where the name came from. It took several days for them to come out on their own.  I think I should wear heavy gloves next time and peal it with a vegetable peeler!

Prickly Cactus Pear

  The other thing Martha showed me was a watering system with clay pots buried in the soil up to the neck.  Her daughter gave it to her.  She had a group of flowers there which were thriving well. You pour the water in the top and depending on the time of year, you only need to water every five to ten days. I like this for vacation.  Here's the site if you are interested. I ordered several. 

GrowOya.com    Also, the original name for this is Olla.  So, if you want to do a search for it elsewhere,  feel free.

GrowOya.com

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My friend Vic and I met at a Korean restaurant in Bakersfield called Tofu House. It has much more than that and the food is delicious. We went over a chapter of the book he is writing. I only had minor suggestions on this, but it was a great discussion.  When I got home, I felt very sleepy and fell asleep.  I slept from around 1:30 to 11 pm.  Then went to bed around 2am until 6 am.  I saw my Oncologist Dr. Tun before my chemotherapy. I told him about this and he said he has this reaction from Asian food that had MSG making him very sleepy.  He thinks the sauces have lots of MSG in it. When I have Asian food at night, I just think I'm normally tired. So for the last few weeks I slowed down dramatically intentionally.   Dr. Tun said my level on the MUGA scan was very good at 74%. The time before it was 60%.  He thought of stopping the Herceptin, but he said the cancer came back after he stopped it before. I told him I'd like to continue until symptoms were continuous. Then I'd be open to stopping it.   I thought my body was telling me to rest so I did a lot less the last three weeks. Now I will think about the food I eat to determine if there is a connection with MSG and sleeping. 

I am getting on my stationary bicycle for 10 minutes per day and will increase this in the near future. I am still juicing also, but now two to three times per week. 

Janet and I met at our old haunt, Mexicali's.  We are struck by the choices younger people make compared to what we would wear. We have had this waitress serve us quite a while. She was wearing heavy black frames on glasses she was wearing. If it were us, we would attempt to use contact lenses and if we needed glasses (I do), we would wear frames that would be less noticeable. However, she is so pretty, she could wear anything and look great.

Well, that is it, for the week.  I hope your week was a good one for you.  I'll see you next Sunday!
Rachel

Family Gathering

So when I had chemo the first time, the first doctor I had explained I would do three treatments of chemo taking Adriamycin  and Cytoxan every three weeks. And then I would take three treatments of Taxol every three weeks. The first combination caused me incredible problems.  I had no idea I could be that exhausted. I could hardly move the third day.  One time I considered falling off the bed and crawling on the floor like an inch worm to get to Paul in the other room and thought that would freak him out. So I walked over and thought it was much easier not to get out of bed. Also smells were horrible, as were tastes. I could hardly eat. Toast was the easiest. It would slowly improve until we repeated this. Ugh!  I had been hearing that Taxol was the worst, that you ached all over. Though the first time I went through this I did ache so much.  I didn't think it was so bad.  It was like bad arthritis to me. Also, I made up for eating. I wanted tacos so much that I made and ate six tacos!  You would have thought I would have lost a lot of weight, but I moved like a slug so I did not lose weight. Of course, when I upped my taco intake, I did gain weight.

At the time Paul died, my cancer had metastasized to my neck. Stage IV.   I also had a couple of spots in the mediastinum (partition separating the right and left thoracic cavities).  They made it clear that anything done were for comfort measures only. So psychologically I was devastated.  They made a type of mask for my face to pin me down while I had radiation. I had a sense of panic each day I was pinned down, however the time in it was seconds. The only bad reaction I had from this was incredible itching. This was worse on my neck. I ended up getting the maximum dose of radiation and this is no longer an option for me.  

Three years later cancer had moved to a lymph node, about the size of a quarter. I now had Kaiser Permanente.   My doctor wanted to do the same chemo but I nixed Adriamycin and Cytoxin. I'm not willing to be that sick again. So I did agree to Taxol since my memories of that weren't so bad.  He also told me, in addition to being Estrogen Receptor Positive, I was also HER2 Positive.  This was a plus because the chemo drug Herceptin was for HER2 Positive Cancers and was amazingly effective.  So I'm taking the Taxol and I hurt really bad all over. I keep upping the pain meds (with the doctor's permission).  Every week I asked for more pain meds and was miserable through all this. It felt like my pain level just kept going up. The Herceptin was not a problem. It can lead to heart problems, but my heart is scanned every three months.  No problems. 

So when the cancer comes back another time, I nix Taxol. He said I would stay on what ever we do until I die or until the cancer comes back. Okay, if I'm not going to get better, I'm not taking stuff that makes me feel lousy. Why?  It doesn't make sense to me. I am doing the Herceptin.  As long as I feel okay, I'll do this.   I share this because I have been asked why I wouldn't take certain medications.  I hope this gives you an idea why cancer patients would refuse some meds.

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I went to a group run by Norma Neil on using pastels making abstract art at Art for Healing.  It was a lot of fun and relaxing.  But I needed to go home and lie down. I was going to go to the women's writing group, but my sense was that I would be in even more pain. I'm trying to get so much done. It is frustrating not to be able to do all these things I used to do. 

My class with Carol Bradshaw was focused on doing washes, using salt for different effects and how to take advantage of it. It is like looking at a Rorschach test which is an ink blot and asking people to identify what they see in it.   We were seeing flowers in what we looked at.  The rocks I tried to paint were pretty poor. Now we are painting bell peppers in a green monotone.   Carol sent me an email saying I'm doing the best washes yet. Here they are.

I had things I needed to take care of but I needed help in getting them done. I did as much as I could, but my back just gets worse and worse.  My grandson Billy helped me in getting a new hose for my propane barbecue and several other chores. It was a relief to have these all done.   Then I went to Visalia for the Helping one Was man Dinner. It was a smaller event this time but pleasant. The woman selected for next month sounded very similar to me. She also pointed out how people find it hard to believe she could be going through so much which has been the same reaction I got. 

I spent the night at Martha's home and we had breakfast at Susan's home. It was delicious and of course great company. I changed my hair appointment to not cut this short, but when I got there Lisa was not well and we rescheduled for next week.  I decided I needed to get home to get in a prone position. I did contact Kaiser through the Internet to renew my pain meds but for some reason it wouldn't allow it and said to call the pharmacy.   I do have an appointment at the pain clinic, but the earliest appointment is not until March 20.

This weekend, my brother-in-law Brian came Saturday and is going home today. We had a great barbecue in n Saturday with Shelley's and Jennifer's families with the girls boyfriends. Wonderful gathering, great food and talk. Today, we made a breakfast casserole and fruit salad. Shelley and Brian identified people in old pictured. Great time and hoping he come more often than every 4 1/2 years. Here are some pictures. 

Crystal and her boyfriend aren't in the picture, they left and Allysa's boyfriend took the picture

Brian, Paul's brother and Shelley

Kevin reading Harry Potter in a Hammock I just put up.
Great spot!

Shelley showed me a couple of stories my grandson Kevin did.  He's a writer! Here is one of the stories

Here's an article about planning ahead. 

http://www.pallimed.org/2015/02/10-practical-things-to-do-when.html?m=1

Here is a poem that is worth thinking about:

CRABBY OLD WOMAN

When an old woman died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, it was believed that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse  took her copy to Alberta.

The old woman’s sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on this simple, but eloquent, poem.

AND THIS LITTLE OLD WOMAN, WITH NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE TO THE WORLD, IS NOW THE AUTHOR OF THIS ‘ANONYMOUS’ POEM WINGING ACROSS THE INTERNET

CRABBY OLD WOMAN …

What do you see nurses? .. .. .. What do you see?
What are you thinking .. .. .. when you’re looking at me?

A crabby old lady .. .. .. not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. .. .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles her food .. .. .. and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice .. .. .. ‘I do wish you’d try!’

Who seems not to notice .. .. .. the things that you do.
And forever is losing .. .. .. a sock or a shoe?

Who, resisting of not .. .. .. lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding .. .. .. a long day to fill?

Is that what you’re thinking? .. .. .. Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .. .. .. you’re not looking at me.

I’ll tell you who I am .. .. .. as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding .. .. ..as I eat at your will.

I’m a small girl of Ten .. .. .. with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. .. .. who love one another.

A young girl of Sixteen .. .. .. with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now .. .. .. a lover she’ll meet.

A bride soon at twenty .. .. .. my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows .. .. .. that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now .. .. .. I have young of my own

Who need me to guide .. .. .. a secure happy home.

A woman of Thirty .. .. .. my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .. .. .. with ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons .. .. .. have grown and are gone,
But my man is beside me .. .. .. to see I don’t mourn.

At Fifty, once more, .. .. .. babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children .. .. .. my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me .. .. .. my husband’s now dead.
I look at the future .. .. .. and shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing .. .. .. young of their own.
And I think of the years .. .. .. and the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old woman .. .. .. and nature is cruel.
‘Tis jest to make old age .. .. .. look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. .. grace and vigor depart.
There is now a stone .. .. .. where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass .. .. .. a young girl still dwells,
And now and again .. .. .. my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys .. .. .. I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living .. .. .. life over again.

I think of the years, all too few .. .. .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact .. .. .. that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. .. .. open and see,
Not a crabby old woman .. .. .. look closer .. .. .. see ME!!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.

We will all, one day, be there, too!

PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM
The best and most beautiful things of this world can’t be seen or touched. they must be felt by the heart.

Thank you so much for reading.  I was thinking of writing some of the experiences that Paul and I had traveling.  Some are very funny, some just different.  Let me know what you think of that.  Traveling with Paul was a wonderful thing.  I loved it.  And, there are some great stories to tell! So I will see you next Sunday.  I hope you have a good week.           Rachel

Life in the Fast Lane

I was thinking about when I found the lump in my breast in December of 1999.  Paul and I had gone to visit my daughter and her family in Texas.  I slept poorly in the hotel room we got.  The mattress was a foam mattress and I was trying to find a good position.  I ended up sleeping on my stomach which is not the way I usually sleep.  When I awoke, I felt very sore, I felt my left breast and felt a lump.  I never had noticed anything like that before.  I didn't bring it up until we were at another hotel by the airport the night before leaving.  I told Paul and he felt it.  He was very alarmed and accused me of ignoring it.  I told him I wouldn't do that.  He said, "You need to see the doctor as soon as we get back".  It was actually kind of strange.  He was very upset and became angry I think because there was nothing he could do to fix it.  When we got back I called right away and had a mammogram the following day.  I could sense there was an issue because the technician became quiet.  She left the room and when she came back she said the doctor wanted another test.  I don't recall what it was at the time, but I laid on a pad with water below.  My breast was in the water.  So somehow they took pictures this way.  I was called the following day by my doctor who said he wanted me to see the surgeon that day.  I have to say this was all freaking me out, but if you were to look and hear me, you would think I was very calm.  I had a lumpectomy the following week on a Monday.  I was told they didn't get it all and that I needed a modified radical mastectomy.  The thing that really sticks in my mind is how dysfunctional I became as I was going through all this.  I didn't think clearly and I was an emotional basket case.  Though I did find humor at times through this whole process,(I'll share some of that next week}, my baseline was fear, anxiety- on the verge of hysteria.  I felt I was going to die anytime and I didn't feel I had the energy or the head to handle problems.  I felt I needed a social worker (I'm a social worker) to help me deal with problems.  Really, I was always very good at doing this, but when it is yourself, all that goes out the window.  I was amazed at my inability to deal with all this when I was quite good at doing it for others.  So I really do understand when people are going through all this in the beginning.  It is very frightening and overwhelming.  I thought cancer was cancer.  I had heard some things, but never learned it.  When it is you, you finally start to get the idea. Also, I really didn't want to know that much about it at the time.  It was like the more I knew, the more it is real.  Ugh!

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I was invited to join a group of women called WeSpeak: Women's Story Circle.  In addition to sharing ourselves, there was drumming, dancing, stretching and writing. There were many women from teen to late 60s. So I joined at the second meeting. This is a safe place for women to open up with much support from everyone. I think this will make me braver in sharing what I go through, because I'll hear how others see their experiences and I expect I'll pickup on the universality in these experiences. My only concern is over committing myself because I physically hurt much more if I don't work in enough breaks. Everybody was okay with me sitting on an ottoman while they sat on the floor and when exercising that I did much less than they did. The woman who was leading the exercises said using my imagination by seeing myself doing the moves would help me.  So we put in a word to complete a sentence about ourselves and then it be came a poem. This is mine:

I am honest and caring.
I wonder what's around the corner.
I hear purring
I smell Cedar.
I want to travel.
I am honest and caring.
I pretend I feel well.
I feel happiness.
I touch my kitties
I worry about arguing.
I am grateful to read.
I am honest and caring.

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So I returned to my art class with Carol Bradshaw having lightly drawn the pictures. I ended up having this really neat tool called a ruling pen. Where my lines are very uneven and shaky, this allowed me to put it on more evenly. Wayne, my fellow student, figured it out right away. Carol said you can use with paint too. You can make you lines with different widths. It would be great for doing grass. So I finished applying the mask so it wouldn't run into other areas. Carol cautioned that it would make a hard line and to keep this in mind.    I should have drawn the buildings using a ruler, but it makes it very much mine without the straight lines.  Here is what I have done. 

Boats at the Marina

Butterfly and Flower

I saw an optometrist through Kaiser.  I didn't know that Kaiser Permanente paid some of the cost.  The exam was covered.  I have cataracts, but they aren't bad enough for surgery.  My right eye can't be fully corrected, but it will be an improvement.  My eyesight has gone downhill quite a bit, but there is nothing major going on.  I had Radial Keratotomy around 1987 to correct my vision.  It did help a lot, but there are problems with stability after the surgery.  She felt that was probably the reason I have problems now.  My vision prior to the surgery was 20/800, so I don't feel bad that I had the surgery.

My Red Hat group met at Chef's Choice Noodle Bar. There were seven of us. One thing this allowed was for us to share as one group.  We were very open with each other about what we were going through. It is good to have people where we can do this.  Our next meeting is at T L Maxwells. My granddaughter-in-law's mother Dainette will hopefully join us next month. 

I figured that I had so much to do this week that I couldn't stall. It is amazing how much time the little things take to accomplish.   Well that was a good idea and I probably need to be more like this.  I would get a lot done.

My friend Janet and I went to La Costa a fairly new Mexican restaurant in town (In it's new location in the Icehouse).   We talked a lot.  Though our politics are on opposite sides of the spectrum, we can connect (and quite well I'd say) because of the similarities in losses.  But it is much more than that.  We have known each other for many years and we are just very comfortable with each other.  By the way, the food is quite good.  They have lots of seafood, but there are other dishes you would expect in a Mexican restaurant here.

So my namesake Rachel had a baby shower yesterday in Visalia.   What a wonderful event!. It was great to see her and her sisters Libby and Lacey.  They all look fabulous.   They look a lot like their mom when she was their age.   I didn't get to talk much with Marykay, but we will set up another visit to Livermore in the not too distant future.  Her mom Marykay is a very good friend of mine and I gave her one of my pictures. I have two of hers on my wall.

Standing on left Lacey, Libby, Sitting on left Jordan,
Rachel,  and Johnny (the boys are Lacey's)

At back, my friend Marykay, her daughter Lacey and Lacey's best friend.
Marykay looks fabulous.  This family has great genes!

Rachel, My namesake, and the honored one!

I went to spend the night at my friend Annemarie's home in Hanford.  We went to an Indian restaurant there which was quite good!  They have meat dishes but really quite a bit of vegetarian and vegan food.  This morning we went out for breakfast talking more about working in the prison, our friends and getting together later.  So we have set a date to get together with Lynette, Marc and Mimi, but they don't like to plan way ahead.  For myself, it has to be on the calendar or I probably cannot go.  So we will be letting them know a week or two ahead of the event.  Also Annemarie and I will see if we can go to San Diego and visit her sister.  I haven't been to San Diego in quite a while.   

No picture of Conner this week, but Meagan did go in for an ultrasound. Meagan is 27 weeks along with Kason.  So she had an ultrasound and I find it amazing how clear the picture is of his face!

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This is quite good.  It is very true that what you saw as important changes as your life changes.

What Was Once Important Is Now Meaningless

So it has been a very full week.  I liked all I did and feel a lot was accomplished.  I hope you have had a good week, and I'll see you next Sunday.            Rachel

Wow, What A Wonderful Week!

So when weather reports show lots of rain coming to Bakersfield, it is not worth getting excited about. Skies looked like they would break again, but they didn't.  Here is a picture my daughter Shelley Jerdin Schmitt took after one of our recent rains. 

Rainbow over Bakersfield, taken by Shelley Schmitt

So Norma Neil had a somewhat "impromptu" art session at The Art for Healing Center where were brought food to supplement the soup she made.  That was a good idea.    It wasn't on the full schedule.  She showed us other mediums to use and special techniques.  I loved it but was done in because I had Occupational Therapy before it.  I was out and about for seven hours.  A little bit too much for me.  I need to bring a cot along with me!

I thought my friend Janet and I wouldn't be able to see the Holiday Lights at CALM (California Living Museum), but it held. Love this!  It is so magical!  Last year it was in Sunset Magazine as one of the 10 best holiday experiences in California. Now I just heard of another one that I understand started last year called Bakersfield Christmas Village. It is a little more expensive. I understand there is also ice skating there.  Perhaps I'll check it out next year. 

Holiday Lights at CALM by Janet Seinturier

My niece Shannon, her husband Patrick and their son Jordan were here this weekend. We went to the Holiday Lights at CALM. I loved it as much as the first time.   There were some sprinkles, but it stopped before we got in.  At my home they put up picture tiles on my patio and put the bird feeder in a tree.  With it on my patio before, I had bird doo everywhere! They gave me an owl with various scented oils. We are burning winter pine on the patio and have my sound effects of birds and my fountain going for the water effect. The outdoor heater is on. It is sooo wonderful right now!

Shannon and Patrick McDonnell

Shannon and Rachel

Holiday Lights by Shannon McDonnell

Holiday Lights by Shannon McDonnell

We went for brunch at Anita's on 178 meeting my daughter Shelley there. Delicious!

My Daughter Shelley Schmitt, Niece Shannon her husband Patrick McDonnell
and their son Jordan McDonnell

Then we went Geocaching.  Didn't know a thing about it, but it was worth it!  They picked two easy ones and we found them driving around town.  So much fun. It is an adventure. They are puzzles ranging from easy to hard.  You can download the application for android phones and iPhones. There are free ones. The one I got cost 9.99.  This is the official one connected to the web site.  It has a GPS and a compass. The rest of the family has now heard and is trying it out. Who would have known? Millions of people all over the world do this. 

The main website that will teach you about this is:

Geocaching

Jordan and I opening the first one at the Albertson Shopping Center

This one was in the parking lot at Albertsons near my home.

On the left is Wes Sandiford with my Granddaughter Heather Estes
and my Grandson Kevin Schmitt.  They are excited to find their
first in Geocaching.

So I have written down several tasks to get done in the next two weeks. First, if I write it down, I won't forget it and I am so much more likely to get them done. It is also satisfying to cross them off as I get them done. 

Here is a sentiment that fits for me and I think many others keep it in mind or share it.  It comes from HealingWell.com

It is chilly - much more like I expect it to feel at this time of year.   It is hard for me to find the right temperature in the house. I'm bundled up. 70 degrees feels like the cold is seeping in!  That seems so ridiculous!  I'm putting another layer on. 

Had lunch with Janet, Lisa and Charmaine at Sandrini's. It is an Italian and Basque Fusion. Very tasty food.  I've met Lisa ( who cuts my hair) and Charmaine (who does real estate) through Janet.  They are all locals.  I came here when I was 27. It is interesting to hear their stories. 

My great-grandson Conner is trying so hard to get up to a standing position. Not there yet, but close. 

Harvard Medical School puts put a newsletter and publishes papers on a variety of issues. This one had questions and answers about end of life  issues. I have had questions about this, so I figured others did too.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/archive

In the December 18, 2014 issue, they talk about commonly held myths about end-of-life issues and about living wills.  It is free to subscribe to their email, but you don't have to subscribe to read them.

There is also a useful site called Grief Tool Box.  You might want to check it out.  I like it!

http://thegrieftoolbox.com/

So that is it for the week.  I liked it.  I hope yours is going well.  Christmas is around the corner.  I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas enjoys it.  I like it as a family gathering.  Happy Hanukkah for those who celebrate it.  Whatever is your celebration, enjoy it.  See you next Sunday.          Rachel

Helping One Woman

I feel much better. I'm so much less congested.  

At Occupational Therapy,  I did much better this week in moving my hand and fingers.  I was also able to schedule the sessions that were approved which will take me into January. Linda tested me and I am coming along, but when I pressed down with my left fingers (my dominant hand and injured) and could press 22 pounds. However, with my right hand, I could only press two pounds. So I really have to work on strength in addition to my flexibility.

I went to Helping One Woman in Visalia. The woman being honored was an LVN working at one of the prisons. She shared her experience and received a standing ovation. I felt she described what was helpful for her so well. I was selected to be honored at the next meeting in January.  I am very thankful and want to share what I have learned going through this experience and how I am coping with this. I hope I can share what this has all meant to me. I can assure you that I have grown a lot and believe that even though it has been traumatic it has also made me a better person.

This is Sara Becerra and her husband at the Helping One Woman dinner.  She is an
LVN at a prison and is currently battling cancer.  She spoke well and I identified with what she brought up,

Sara Becerra with her family

                                                        

Lydia, Susan, Martha, Me and Gracie at Helping One Woman.  They are my friends

I spent the night at Martha's home and then we saw the downtown of Woodlake. What a cute little town!  They have a mayor who has been applying for grants to be used to make their downtown area an enjoyable place to go. I believe he has excelled in his goal. 

Martha and I went to Susan's home in Exeter. Like Martha and her husband, Susan and her husband have done a great amount of work to make their homes homey and the grounds very special. Sue prepared a wonderful breakfast casserole with all the side dishes and finishing it off with a homemade cheesecake,  I feel so fortunate to have such great friends. 

My granddaughter-in-law Meagan asked if I would have the Reveal Party at my home. I agreed to this. Meagan and Billy were informed  of the gender of the new baby, male and shared the name they had selected for him Kason RoydelI.  I never heard about such an event but It was nice to involve family and friends.  It was a success. Meagan and Billy did not know if they were having a boy or girl. Her mom and a girlfriend are the  only ones who knew. No presents.  There were sandwiches, iced tea and lemonade. There were also blue and pink iced cupcakes, rice crispy treats, and candy in pink and blue. There were thirty adults here and a lot of kids. I'd say it was fun and was a success. 

Meagan and her mother Dainette setting up for the Reveal

There needed up to be 30 adults and I have no idea how many children, a lot!

So I went to the second and final session on Bounty of Pastels at the Art for Healing center. I worked further on the charcoal drawing and did a picture using water soluble graphite and pastels. 

Day Lilie lin Charcoal Revised

Containers drawn in Soluble Graphite

Vase in Soluble Graphite, Grapes in Pastels

These three are from a coloring book called Color Me Calm for Meditation and Relaxation.  Though it does help for this, I'm also doing it to work on coloring within the lines and to just experiment with various colors, what works with what.

Here is Conner , my great grandson in the car coming back from Texas in a very good mood. 

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Here are a couple of pictures of Conner. 

Connor Orion Lane

Grandma Dainette and Conner on the way to Texas

My friend Barbara and I will have a late lunch at Bill Lee's, a popular Chinese restaurant. Then we will see Mockingjay. Both of us have read the series and have seen the previous movies. 

My granddaughter Cassadie met her boyfriend Bogart in Prague. They will make a trip to Paris. They are a wonderful couple. Both are graduating from college this year.  Cassadie is at the University of Oregon and Bogart is at the Claremont Colleges in California.  They are both doing very well. This relationship started in early high school. I'm so impressed that they put their education front and center. I know they will both do well. 

Bogart Avila and Cassadie Jerdin

So Thanksgiving is at my home. I know Shelley will be here. I don't know for sure who is coming, but I make the same amount (a lot), and if it isn't eaten, it becomes wonderful leftovers for those of us here for the event. 

I have made my patio pleasant and have an outdoor heater which really helps. Of course we will be more mostly indoors, but this expands the area where people can be comfortable. 

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I always enjoy this holiday.   See you next Sunday.    Rachel