I'm Okay. It isn't My Time to Go Yet.

On my last post I wrote that I had something on one of my ribs.  I had a CAT scan and took my friend Janet when I saw Dr. Tun in case it was bad news. I think I shut down and don't remember very much when I'm given bad news. It wasn't cancer.  Phew!   It could be calcium build up.    To me, it still seems to be growing.  We're not sure what it is.  There was a spot that was deep. It is too small to do anything about that, so I will have a CAT scan every few months to monitor if there are changes. Anyway, I am relieved I don't have to deal with it now.

I visited my friends Mike and Marykay in Livermore. They have been through a lot with Mike having a stroke and their oldest daughter Libby had a girl while this was going on.  Mike was home. He had been in an acute care hospital and then a Rehabilitation hospital for a month. 

Michael had gotten out of the hospital over a week before.  He is very clear, but weak because he had  been primarily in bed.  His speech is affected by not having moisture in his mouth since he cannot eat or drink. However,  his wife Marykay made a mouth spray that Mike used to wet his mouth.  He also had a sponge on a stick to wipe his mouth. These help.  While I was there, Mike had speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. The cover to the lungs is always open, so he is endangered by anything going down that side when  he eats.   It is possible there is a surgery he might try, but he needs to go to a major hospital like Stanford to find out and get physically stronger. 

I worked on my art and Marykay took the role of Carol, my teacher.  I was so fortunate to have her help. That was a good experience. 

Libby, Marykay's daughter getting lunch for Ar

Marykay feeding Esha Katherine,

Marykay burping Esha.

Mike with his grandson Ari
He surrounded Mike with all his toys! So cute!

Marykay and Mike were going to a meeting one night. I sent a message to my sister to see if she could get together with me.   She was able to.  Marykay, Mike and I were watching the news seeing flooding all around the area and I worried that my sister would be in jeopardy.  I suggested it would be too dangerous for her to come, but she insisted we take the opportunity to see each other.  So we did.  We went to a restaurant for dessert. We had a wonderful talk. She thought I said my cancer was back when I thought I had put a qualifier on it saying "I think 

my cancer is back."  She did note that I have always found my cancers before the doctors did but hoped I was wrong this time.  I hoped I was wrong too!   And I was!   

I got an invitation online to join Omada through Kaiser to learn how to eat better, exercise and get adequate sleep.  This was because I was pre-diabetic.  They sent a scale that gives them my weight directly, but I can see too.  We are in a group online to encourage each other, we have a log to keep track of what we take in and what activity we do. Sunday March 5 it started. There is no cost to us. It is an active 16 week program. This program urged a healthy plate which would be 3 to 6 ounces of protein, depending what it is, one to three cups of vegetables, and healthy fat like avocado or olive oil. So i I would save grains, pasta or potato for a special meal.  It adds a task to change every week.  I lost 12 pounds in 8 weeks and they suggested I put another goal on, so I put down to lose 10 pounds in 16 weeks.

And, as I was going through papers to keep or throw away, I found a brochure from Kaiser for a program called Silver & Fit.  It is like Silver Sneakers.  I picked In-Shape where I will work out.  I had used them years ago.  There is no cost to me.  So I think I'll look different in 4 months.  I'm excited.  It is the same as Silver Sneakers. 

I also agreed to a half hour,  two times a month for nine months to have a trainer make sure I'm using the equipment correctly.  It is worth the cost to me. David is 21 years old, but he does understand how the machinery is to be used.

Then I got a call from Kaiser they would have conferences on healthy living and asked if I would attend something like this. I said yes and they will let me know when these start. By the way, I'm so impressed that Kaiser does this!  This is so positive!  I'm so glad I have Kaiser Permanente. So this conference is on line too.  It is based on having multiple chronic health issues.  I had been to the dentist and there was a new one there who told me to call her Dr. T.  I asked where the other ones were.  The one I like is still there but wasn't there at that time.  Anyway, she gave me this story that I had osteoporosis in my jaw and cavities where going down to the roots and that I would need at least 10 teeth worked on.  I was horrified because I had been going here for about 9 years and at least every 6 months.  How could everything just fall apart at one time?!  I asked my Facebook friends for advice and everyone felt a second opinion was needed here.  Those who have had great experiences with their dentists shared that information and their names.  I also called the dental insurance to find out about second opinions (they do cover) and how they pay.  I will follow through on this, but I have a lot going on in the near future, so I'm going to wait on it.

Shelley's boyfriend Don made a gourmet meal for me a week after I got back from my visit to MaryKay and Mike. He is a chef by training. Shelley helped him as they went to several stores and a farmer's market for the freshest ingredients. I had shown him my raised vegetable garden and a recipe from Blue Apron.  He said the key is the freshest ingredients. He's right!  And I think a great chef helps!  

Shelley and her boyfriend Don, a fabulous chef!

Shelley and me at Don's home

Cheese and Crackers

Sword Fish and Corn Reliish

Appetizer - Prosciutto and goat cheese

Sauteed Scallops 

Though, I really like my Blue Apron and even if I don't get it right all the time, it is still delicious!  However, I had to cancel it because Omada wants us to make meals that do not include starches.  I can tell you I found it painful to drop Blue Apron!  Very tasty meals!  Maybe what I have learned from Blue Apron will help me with my Omada meals. I was wanting to make a meal with Blue Apron when Evelyn comes for dinner, but I'm not going to be able to do that.  We had it planned for the end of the month but we need to reschedule it.  I'm not the only one with a busy schedule!

I went to see my friend Barbara who lives with in Seal Beach. Her caregiver needed to leave for a few days to take care of personal business so I agreed to stay with her during this time. She has dementia. I took my art to do there.

Her caregiver left notes about when to feed her dog and cat. Barbara took responsibility to do this. This was difficult because she wouldn't remember if she fed them or not, did she walk the dog or not. I wish I had been on top of this from the beginning because, I would have made a check list that needed to be marked off to show it was done. I would mark it because she wouldn't remember if she did or did not do something. So really, I have no idea if we overfed the animals or underfed. I do think the dog got lots  of walking. 

On the first day I was there, she thought she misplaced her car keys and her cell phone. It might have been lost before that day or on that day. I couldn't tell.  I think I'll get her a tag for these items so we can look up where it is.

Barbara had told me each time I visited about this soup kitchen on skid row in Downtown Los Angeles where she volunteered. The people who started it set up this outdoor garden with picnic tables, a fountain and many plants. I told Barbara we would go there.  She was excited. Though Barbara called to say we were coming, they had very little for us to do.  They had many volunteers on a Saturday. They probably need more volunteers on the two weekdays they have food, Tuesday and Thursday. It is run by the Catholic Workers of Los Angeles. There were two women from Upland who volunteered because one of them wanted this for her birthday.  There were also people who initially did this as their volunteer experience through high school and continued after high school.  There were also people from other countries who did this when they came to the United States. We wiped down tables and picked up trash, though most people eating there took care of their own trash. 

There were some people who were mentally ill who made loud outburst. People would go to them to calm them down. I saw lots of tents on the sidewalks clumped in areas.  It was a different experience, but I never felt threatened here.

Many homeless on skid row in Los Angeles had tents.  There were
streets all around this soup kitchen where people lived.

This soup kitchen was unique.  It was in a garden- trees, bushes, flowers
birds, water feature which added to the ambiance of this
setting.

Barbara and I went out to lunch one day on Main Street in Seal Beach. That was a nice experience. 

We also went to the Art Supply Warehouse  in Westminster. I needed a couple of items so I had an excuse to go. And for Barb, we got an adult coloring book, colored pencils and a pencil sharpener so she could try that out. I showed her my art books that I used at home.  I'm going to think about getting her one she could use as a guide.  She was excited about trying this.  I'll be seeing her shortly, so I am taking supplies to her.

Here are a few pictures I worked on:

Weathered painted wood

Parrot

Rooster

Gorilla

Our last Red Hat dinner was at  KC's Steakhouse.  We did not have a good experience there the time before, but they made up for it this time.

My daughter Shelley

Shelley and Judie

Marti and Claudia

Judie and Vicki

Pamela and Marti

Pamela and Stephanie

Me

Me, Claudia and Ethel

Claudia and Judie

Judie

I ended up getting a bug at Easter and did not get together with my kids.  I slept a lot and ate very little.  However, they did have a good time, and I'm glad for that.

I got together with my Stepmom Kate, the weekend before her birthday.  We want to the Huntington Garden and Museum and ate lunch there.  They have a cafeteria similar to what they have at the Getty Museum.  Lots of choices and I was able to eat according to my diet.  We also went to A Noise Within, a classical theatre in Pasadena.  We say King Lear.  Both Kate and I had difficulty hearing it all.  Most people were obviously responding to the dialogue, so I think it was us.  I read the play years ago, but I need to re-read it.  They tied the story into the problem of dementia.  I have people close to me dealing with this, so I'd like to get this a little better.  Before I left for home, we went to Green Street Restaurant.  It is like a very nice coffee shop.  We had breakfast before ending our visit.  Here is a selfie I took of Kate and me while we were at the Huntington Garden and Museum.

Kate and Me
I look like I have a swollen jaw, I don't.  I think it
is the angle I took this picture

I saw an article about three things you learn when your mother dies on Upworthy:

Three things you learn when your mother dies

This is a very good article about letting others know on sites such as Facebook about someone else's death. I couldn't state it better than this article. 

When not to share early on social networks.

There is a point where treatment really no longer makes sense!  Here is an article about that. 

When Treatment No Longer Makes Sense

That is what I have. It has been busy!  I hope you are doing well. I'll see you next month.     Rachel

I'm Back After A Few Weeks Off!

I took a several week hiatus and I am ready to restart my blog again. 

One of my friends, Mike had a stroke recently. He has had complications.  We are anxious that he have a positive outcome from all of this!  He is being weened off the oxygen and that is a plus and got moved out of the Intensive Care Unit.  It is anxiety provoking and I am 5 or 6 hours from there.  His wife Marykay was the first friendship I developed when I moved to Bakersfield.  We have known each other about 40 years. I contacted them a day or two before this happened to arrange when I should come up which we set up toward the end  of February.  I have been willing to come up sooner if she wants me, but she had Mike's daughter and granddaughter at the house.  We have been texting each other, but then we graduated to messaging but with a camera, so it is like we are visiting.  Mike has been improving and they are both hoping he will be home at the time of my scheduled visit,   We did discuss that and it is still a plan. He is a wonderful man and he urged me to start doing my blog again. He also worked on my family tree which added a lot of information I did not have.  Marykay is very special to me. Ours is a  very strong bond.  We have always been so busy and get together one time a year these days, but it always feels like we have been together all along.  These people are so important to me that how they do affects how I feel!

Last time I had written, I was contacted by my solar company that they would send someone out to repair what records my usage.   When that man came, he said the company needs to replace the unit. He also said the company he works with was going out of business.  I received a call from another man a month later stating when he would be out to replace the unit. Then I got another call from a different company saying that solar company went out of business and they were  arranging another date that someone from this company would be out next week. He insisted they are doing fine and not about to go out of business. So they did make it out. This took three months, but it was not something that affected my service.  I'm so glad it didn't affect getting to use my solar power!

My friend Annmarie did make her move to Nebraska.  She hired a Handiman to help her in getting repairs done on the house she bought in Omaha and to make it more livable.  She invited me to come visit when there will be a total eclipse of the sun.  We will drive 5 hours from her home to see it. She is going to arrange a stay at an Airbnb in that area so we will be fresh when we see it.  That will be a once in a lifetime experience and I'll be seeing her after her being many months away. 

I started having food delivered by a program called Blue Apron recommended by one of my sisters. It is delivered once a week three recipes with the food to prepare it, except olive oil, salt and pepper.   There are two servings per recipe, so I get six meals out of this.  But I sometimes have my daughter Shelley over or a friend. I rave about the food because it is tasty.  It is also healthy. They also make a weekly delivery,  that serves four for three meals for $10 more a week- $70.  The one I have is $60 a week. 

Here is a list of companies doing this on the mainland USA.  I say mainland because one of my friends lives in Hawaii and she does not know of this program.    I have no idea if other countries or Hawaii have something like this.  Some offer more variations in diet  and the prices are about the same.  So, I'm listing others I am aware of.  They may taste better or have more choices.  Like I said,  I am using Blue Apron.

MEAL DELIVERY PROGRAMS 

                             Hellofresh.com

                             BlueApron.com

                             SunBasket.com

                             Homechef.com

                             MagicKitchen.com

                             FitPantry.com

                             Chefd.com

                             Emeals.com

I still get a box every two weeks from Hopeful Harvest of organic fruits and vegetables. They include recipes, but the fruit I can eat daily and sometimes the veggies make a great addition to a hearty soup. 

Since I last wrote, two of my granddaughters, Alyssa and Meagan (granddaughter-in-law) have had babies. Surprisingly, they both named their sons Bentley. One was premature but did so well he was able to go home after a week!  That is five great-grandchildren.  They are both darling!

This Alyssa's son Bentley - Shelley is Grandma

This is Meagan and Billy's son Bentley.
He was premature, but doing very well,
born 6 days before Christmas, (Billy's birthday!)
Meagan's hand gives an idea how little he was!

In October my friend Janet and my daughter Shelley went to a barbecue held at Robby's Nursery and Calico Garden once a year. A chef showed us how to use fresh herbs with all the food prepared. It was wonderful. We got to enjoy wonderful food and we picked up some great ideas. You need to go there to pay and register for it before the event. A fabulous evening that is very reasonably priced.  

Thanksgiving and Christmas are always pleasant. I like that we have tasty food and gather together.  Thanksgiving is at my home and Christmas has been at Shelley's home.

My daughter Shelley, got her Real Estate License. I think this was a good move for her so she can be more independent. 

My daughter Ronda sent me homemade jams, lemon bars, Divinity and a butter cream with nuts in it.  Though one jar broke and the lemon bars were crumbs, it still was delicious!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are always pleasant. I like that we have tasty food and gather together. So after Christmas, I went to see my step-mom, Kate for a couple of days and then down to Seal Beach to see my friend Barbara. We met with two other friends from high school days, Linda and Toni for lunch. We graduated  almost 50 years ago!  Here is a picture of us. 

From Left to Right, Linda, Rachel, Barbara and Toni

My friend Barbara and I are going to go to the 50th reunion. Both Linda and Toni hedged on going to the reunion. I will pick Barbara up when we go. 

It is amazing that while I'm gone, I can keep myself going. As soon as I get home, I crash.  My friend Janet said that did seem to be my pattern. She said, "you need to plan not to do anything for at least 48 hours after you get home."   She is right. I forget this, so it helps for a friend to remind me of what is going on. 

The other thing I have done during this time is with my friend Barbara (I have several friends named Barbara and Linda), who is also a retired social worker and I got a room close to Universal Studios so we could go to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hollywood.  This area did look like areas that would be in Harry Potter. We ate lunch there and I had a frozen Butter Beer, which I really enjoyed.  It is non-alcoholic.  We also went on this ride that gave you the sense of playing Quidich with Harry Potter. I haven't been on a roller coaster since high school, since I was so dizzy and disoriented then.  I closed my eyes to get my bearings and would peek periodically to see what was happening. It was interesting and that was the only way for me to look without getting sick. 

So I have had Art Classes with Carol Bradshaw.  We have been using colored pencils which has been fun. I have a lot of the same problems, but I have enjoyed them. My step-mom Kate gave me a 36 pencil set of Faber-Castells. She said the professional artists use this brand. I'll try it to see if there is a difference.  So all of these are colored pencil drawings.

Coloring Flip-Flops

Heart Design 

Added more to Hearts, Framed for Alyssa

  

Pumpkin in Front of Spider Web
(My Step-Mom Kate thought it was Interesting
to have the Pumpkin in the Web.  I
Thought it was in Front of Web!)

Butterflies Settled on a Wood Fence

Bananas on a Counter.  My Friend Linda (another one) Gave
me a Palette of Eye Shadow to use in my art.  I used for Wall Paper Design.
Carol Bradshaw Our Teacher did not know if it Would Last
Life the Colored Pencils.

Two Pears

Leaf with Three Drops of Rain

Someone was calling me, but I was suspicious because it wasn't from in the United States. It was 3-175-067-3676. I looked it up on the internet and found that many people have been called by this number.  Some have answered and were told there was a problem with their computer. I responded to something like this, but it was a USA phone number and foolishly gave them my credit card info and access to my computer. I freaked when I realized what I had done. My bank helped me to untangle myself from them.  My computer was acting up even though I took it in to be cleaned up. I ended up buying MAC products to cut down on my vulnerability and I'm so glad I did!  I never answer the phone now unless a person I know is calling.  My feeling is that they can leave a message. It is much safer handling it that way. 

The last time our Red Hat group met, we talked about private issues. You normally would not discuss some of this, but if one of us gets brave enough to bring it up, we find that several of us have been dealing with it.  So I brought up piddling.  I mean, I used to have a good stream, but no longer!  Sometimes I think I should sit a while longer because more might come.  Ugh!  Though my daughter Shelley is not at that point yet, she hears about issues that will be hers when she becomes our age.  It does help to have other people around who know what you are talking about.

I read a list of what people have said to this young man, Ryan Hamner who has survived four bouts with cancer.  It is initially a stunner when you first hear it.  He started this site 2Survive, a site for cancer survivors in 2011. He is a singer and songwriter encouraging others to tell their stories.   His site is 2Surviveonline.com 2Surviveonline.com.   I had a similar experience of people saying very odd things to me.   I didn't feel people were trying to be cruel.  My thought is that they just didn't think. So this was Ryan's experience:

Some HILARIOUSLY Dumb Things People have Said to Me!

So I will do my blog once a month.  I felt like I had a full time job doing it weekly. It became particularly hard when I traveled. I did it, but I had to set aside time to do this.  I appreciate that you are curious, interested in what I write. Though I have breast cancer which became a stage IV in 2007, I'm still here and it is 17 years from my first diagnosis in January 2000, then a stage II. In April of 2007 is when my husband died of cancer and my cancer had spread to my neck. Comfort measures were the words used with me then, but I think it is more than comfort measures.  I take Herceptin now because they found I was also HER2 Positive then. I refused the other chemotherapy because they had really made me sick. Why do this if I have to do it for the rest of my life?  It doesn't make sense to me.  So I'm looking for ways to live my life fully until it is my time to go. Psychologically, I'm doing okay.  I had worked through a lot of issues before, so I'm taking it day to day now.  I have some great family members and friends which can make all the difference in the world!   I love going to art classes and I'm seeing how I can do better. I've given several of my pieces away, because I have no room to put more on my walls. I see it as I'll live on through the pieces I created. It is a good feeling!  If you want to understand a little more about my background, read my intro. I have done well over 100 issues of my blog which varied a lot depending on what was going on. So thank you for reading and I will see you next month. And, if you have any thoughts on what I share or what you would like to hear, I would appreciate hearing from you!

Rachel

A Break Until the New Year

I am taking off the holidays. After the first of the new year, I will do my blog once a month. That way I can do other things too!

Barbara and I Did a Road Trip to Yellowstone Park, Plus another one added to the Family!

Barbara and I planned to do this trip a few months ago. We went to the Auto Club to get  a room near Yellowstone. "Most people made their reservations a year ago."  Destiny, our agent was not optimistic about our making arrangements.  We insisted we wanted to check it out anyway. We did find a room for five nights in Jackson Village, about eight miles from Jackson Hole.  I was in this area with My husband Paul,and three of the children Scott, Jennifer and Jerry about 25 years ago.   This trip was 2 1/2 weeks and I didn't want to post it until I came back. We got home early Friday evening.  This has been an eventful time.

Outside of Jackson, we went through 2 tunnels under animal bridges. I've heard about them but haven't seen them until now.  If you are at least 62 years old pick up  a senior pass at one of the national parks.  You must have ID showing your age and it costs $10 for the rest of your life.  Since admission can be $30, you save a lot of money especially if you are going to several parks on a road trip, like we did.  Then show your card and ID at entry stations. We saw several signs of the Continental Divide, where water drains to the Atlantic or the Pacific Oceans. We missed every one of them the first day  in Yellowstone, with the stops being crowded, or, going too fast, it was like an afterthought. 

Around Jackson, they have speed signs with one stating 45 MPH, and another one below staying 35 MPH at night. They also had a lit up speed and then showed your speed, then if you were going faster, it was blinking in red, otherwise it was green below the speed limit or at the limit. It works.  Most drive much slower. 

We weren't going to make any other reservations, but as I was checking the route going east, many of the hotels were  filled or almost filled, so we did reserve the rooms going east. The weather was good and we took salads to start and fixings for sandwiches which was an excellent idea. Barbara is vegan, so this helped. Subway was another good option, as were delis where we could get salads and sandwiches. Every place was willing to modify their choices to meet Barbara's needs.  Jackson Hole was pleasant, but was modernized and expanded from my trip 25 years ago.  

We went to this wonderful restaurant called Gather, where the previous chef competed and won on the television program Iron Chef. The current chef had a tough position to fill, but he bowled them over. Barbara had gnocchi and I had trout. We shared roasted brussel sprouts and fried green tomatoes.  Delicious!  We made room for dessert, bignets with sides of custard, raspberry and chocolate.  Yum!  One serving was six bignets which was enough for both of us.   The pictures below are in Jackson Hole.

Wonderful Restaurant!

Me, Rachel

Barbara

Barbara

An Arch made of Elk Antlers in a park in Jackson Hole

We drove through The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone taking pictures along the way. It rained off and on, but the weather was mild.  The trees were in their Fall foliage, the colors gorgeous.  I'm sure the traffic was much lighter than summer. Also, some of the roads  were unpaved, perhaps a plan to replace.  We saw trees burned in recent fires.  When we passed Lewis Lake, it seemed very large until we came upon Yellowstone Lake. Now that lake was huge!

The Grand Tetons

The Grand Tetons

The Grand Tetons

Grand Tetons Earlier in the Day

Grand Tetons Earlier in the Day

Museum in one of the Visitor Centers in Yellowstone

Barbara Looking this Way

Beautiful Skies!

The Fall Colors had Started

Bison and Horses Feeding Together

We got there just as Old Faithful was Blowing!

Barbara in Front of Old Faithful

Me in Front of Old Faithful

Such wonderful forest and sky!

A Lovely Stream with mini-waterfalls

This is Lewis Lake.  I thought it was huge, (you aren't even seeing
all of it).  But, Yellowstone Lake was so beyond this that it would
be a little finger to a hand!

Having done this trip and many others to our National Parks, Monuments, etc,  I am awed by this beautiful land that is a part of the United States. Listening to politicians, there are people who want to privatize these lands.  What a mistake!  Teddy Roosevelt and others made sure that future generations would be able to behold the same scenes of nature. The problem of not being political can be that these lands may not be available for future generations. It would be selfish of us not to consider what their lives would be like.  So, though I don't expect everyone to have my politics, our environment affects all of us, and politics are used to affect our environments.  You are affected by the decisions made and if  you had no input, wouldn't it be disturbing that this was not there for all the people?   It is the numbers that make the difference. What is going on is being decided by a few people and is often not  what the majority would want. We need to preserve and protect these areas.  I have to tell you, people from all over the world are so impressed with our parks.  I don't think they have anything quite like this.  So they are coming here and spending their money to see it.  Let's keep this going!

I was struck by how modernized the area around Old Faithful was.  I think I liked the wood walkways there used to be. It had rained earlier in the day. The clouds were puffy and moved with the wind. Barbara had brought salads she picked up the day before - so tasty!  We stopped in Jackson Hole and ate at another wonderful restaurant called Figs. They were able to make Barbara's dishes vegan. Barbara thought it was the best restaurant. I loved them both. Heading back to our hotel room, the GPS was giving wrong directions!  Since it was very dark, it was even harder to determine. Ugh!  We were snapping at each other. When we finally got back, we could not find a parking spot after two loops through the parking lot. I went to the front desk which told us of an overflow parking lot behind the hotel, climbing the road then finding a place to park in the dirt. 

The following day we thought we would take the south entrance to go by the Grand Tetons again, but all those roads were closed until Thursday. Thank goodness we had seen this the previous day since we'd be leaving Thursday. On Tuesday we took Highway 89 getting in at the Moran Station. Just before that, we made a stop where there were horses and bison.  What a sight. All these animals were very relaxed.  We went to The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  Barbara walked further than I did on this and also when we saw the geysers,mud pots and calderons. When I think of the movie,  Journey to the Center of the Earth, I don't think that can be done by humans. The water/mud  on the surface was doing a hard boil or a soft boil.  There was lots of  steam and signs about danger- stay on the trail.  The sounds are unnerving.  I especially noted this at the Dragon's Mouth Spring.   There were also holes (sink holes?), even in the parking lot.  The Bison appeared to be ignoring us, but signs say they can move fast and have been known to kill people. I'll keep my distance.  We drove up to Canyon Village, but if you already ate, had your fill of groceries and memorabilia, there was not much more to see.  The road to Mammoth Hot Sorings was closed.  We also saw deer eating grass at the edge of the road. 

Driving Through Grand Tetons Park

Barbara in Fall Foliage

Lake Lewis

The Fall colors were brighter, on Tuesday, more orange in the mix. The Grant Village Dining and Lounge was quite good. We stopped for lunch. They had vegan and vegetarian choices and our waitress along wth the waitresses in the other restaurants were attentive and kind.  When we got back to Jackson, we had dinner at The Blue Lion, a very popular restaurant and another excellent choice for both of us! I don't think we expected to do that well eating and sightseeing.  But, we really were doing well. The skies were bright, the temperature was mild. We had little to complain about. 

Barbara and I went to the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, the largest of its kind in the United States. A great selection of paintings and sculptures from many countries and many, many decades. They display the art of over 550 artists in a 51,000 square foot museum. They even had sculptures outside. There was a cafe with sandwiches, salads and soups. They also had a children's area allowing them to put their hands on skins, furs, other items and books. This was a wonderful experience for both of us. 

Walkway with Art

Barbara doing the walk

I loved this one!

An African Elephant

This was the artists idea about how we treat other species!

This is a Painting!

I liked seeing a Cowgirl!

We also went to this store called Jackalope where they sell toys and art supplies. I couldn't get what I wanted, but they had these wonderful coloring books. They really were special enough that I bought several.  Barbara and I decided to do laundry before our last dinner in Jackson Hole at Nani's, a tasty Italian restaurant. 

The next day Thursday, we called to get a room in Salt Lake City Utah for two nights which gave me time to work on my blog and for Barbara to do her genealogy research. Many of the hotels were very expensive in Salt Lake City and Barb thought she could get an $89 rate at a particular hotel. We got it for $139 a night and we got one queen bed. We sleep on our own side, so neither of us would feel crowded.  It was about 280 miles to Salt Lake City going through Idaho.   Part of the drive was really rough!  It was raining so hard, we couldn't see past the car several times I was driving then, because Barb needed a break. We didn't realize that it would rain like that. I drove very little on this trip. I kept moving my head closer to the windshield, but it did not help in seeing more or better. 

We stopped in Blackfoot because we saw a sign advertising the Idaho Potato Museum and Gift Shop. There was more information than you probably knew, including on where it started - in Peru with the Incas.  They continue to harvest the way they always have. So, for a small price to enter this museum, there is a lot to learn. They also have a cafe where Barb and I each ordered a potato with toppings we'd like.  

While in Salt Lake City, Utah, Barbara did work on her genealogy and I worked on my blog. I sent an email to Linda Dial who went to school with my brother Ben. Her husband Tom and I were in the dance band in high school and at junior college. Tom played trombone and I played an upright bass. Good memories for all of us. I'm so glad we got together.  It is almost 50 years!

Linda Harris Dial and Tom Dial

Barbara, Tom, Linda and Me at a wonderful
Chinese restaurant where they treated us.

We left the following day for a three nights stay in Moab and to see the sights there.   When we got there, I was so exhausted and stressed, that I fell across the bed, falling immediately asleep. I think I slept eleven hours!   We went to Dead Horse State Park and Canyonland National Park. We saw a dead elk on the side of the road going up, probably hit by a car.  When we were at the visitor center in Dead Horse State Park, we saw a Kit Fox, but it moved too fast for me to get a picture of it. It went into a water drain under the walkway. I got a picture of it peaking out to see if it was clear.  Dead Horse got it's name because it was an area they could catch wild horses, but often they were penned in unable to reach the Colorado River to get a drink, so many died.  The sights were really beautiful.  

Picture in Canyonland

Picture  in Canyonland

Dead Horse State Park

Dead Horse State Park

So Rocky!

There is a Kit Fox on the right looking out of the drain
to see if it is clear!

Dead Horse State Park

Trees go to the greatest depths to get water!

This is actually how they do walls for cattle!
I think it is a good idea!

Canyonland State Park

Canyonland State Park

Canyonland State Park

The next day, we got up late, with the plan to go a rock store and run errands since we were leaving Moab the following day.  We got in the car and there was no sound when you turn the key. We were fortunate.  We called Auto Club and he checked it finding it needed a new battery.   This issue was solved within an hour.   Thank heavens for Auto Club!  We left early evening to Arches National Park. Our guide Carla was loaded with lots of facts that made the trip so much more interesting than if we had gone on our own; it would not have been nearly as interesting.  She was also very willing to take pictures of us. One at Balance Rock looks like we were holding it!

We are in Arches State Park

Barbara in her desert hat and I

Barbara and I

Barbara and I

These are often not as solid as people think.  Our
guide knocked on a big rock,  Some part sounded solid and
other parts sounded like there were air pockets.
Very Dangerous!

It still lives!

Balance Rock

Carla took pictures in such a way it looks
like we are holding up the rock!

Carla, Our Guide

She was soon good I'd ask for her again.  She
researches regularly to find interesting information
for her talks.  Perhaps the other guides are as
good.  I don't know.

Barbara

This spot is surrounded by rocks, but not at the
top.  It was at least 20 degrees cooler than it was
outside of this area.  Those who took off their shoes
said that the sand felt very icy!

Barbara

Me

Me

Like sand dunes, but they have solidified

Wonderful formations!

The tree will die in parts to let another part live

Don't know if it is alive or dead

Very cool here!

We took off for St. Georges going through another national  park called Capitol Reef per Carla's recommendation.  We stopped at some terrific sights - petroglyphs (I have not seen this before.  That was spectacular!), an adobe brick cabin, a one room school house, and fruit groves. We went to the visitor center.  Behind it was a ten mile scenic drive.  Since we added this to our trip, I didn't want to go past the Gifford House. It is a museum and shop. Carla told us to try their individual pies. We got a rhubarb and an apple. Since they weren't wrapped, we felt obliged to eat them both!  We split each one to try both. Delicious!

The walkway out to some petroglyphs

A large branch fell over the walkway and
they had a sign of  5 mph, where we walked
They had part of it cut off from going by it.

If you look carefully, you'll see petroglyphs

This one is more obvious.

Some here

Some here

Definitely here

Some here

The Gifford House in Capitol Reef National Park

A stream by the Gifford House

Trail by the Gifford House

Deer hoping to get tidbits from people, though
they do not want us to feed them.

When Barbara woke me up, I thought she said it was 5:30 and we needed to get going to get breakfast and head to Bryce National Park.  I asked why we had to get up at 5:30.  She was laughing saying it was 9:30.  Coffee was not good, so we picked up cups at Starbucks.  Bryce had some beautiful view points. They do have a shuttle you can take from the visitor center at the park entry that hits all the stops up and back.  We drove, but it is free and I think it would be faster getting around in the shuttle because there is a problem parking. 

We went through two of these before
getting to Bryce National Park

It looks like castles!

Beautiful scenes everywhere!

Barbara taking pictures

Beautiful!

Great Scenery

I think it looks like a castle!

So amazing!

Lovely!

There were people from all over the world visiting
all these parks.  So many languages!  I would say
everyone is awed by what they see!

More castles!

This little guy was hoping for scraps.  He gave up
and went to the next person!

And, this is Nature!

We had no hand in making this and it is in our
own backyard!

We were hearing about wild weather in Bakersfield with  thunderstorms, flooding,  dust storm and a tornado. Electricity was out for many people. We were glad to miss this. Then my daughter Shelley said there was a rainbow and felt it was a sign that her grandson Bentley was about to be born. I'm thinking of Bentley's mom Alyssa, my granddaughter. 

We parked in the town just outside of Springdale, but there was poor signage as to where we could park. I found that particularly anxiety provoking. From there you take a shuttle to the entrance to Zion National Park.  It made several stops but any trail would be at least one mile. I fear my doing this will increase my back pain.  I won't do this. We did get off at the first sight which was a museum, and one other spot which had a beautiful spot take pictures.  I did not want to hike which would start at each sight.    So these pictures are from Zion National Park.  Had I hiked, I could have gotten more.

                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                  

The day before heading home, we drove to Zion National Park. When the shuttle is running,you cannot drive through the whole park.  The shuttle in Springdale before getting in the park can get incredibly packed. It was also very confusing where you could park. They need better signage for parking in Springdale and perhaps add a couple of parking lots.  I agree with cutting the number of cars in the park, but they need to develop the infrastructure to accommodate this. The shuttle in the park was less crowded. There are speakers sharing what you are looking at and what is at the next stop if you desire to get off. There are hikes at each stop.  we didn't see as much here. My sense was that a hike (though not hard for most people) was required to see several of the sights. I wasn't feeling up to this, so I didn't participate in the hikes, though Barbara did do one of them.  We at lunch at the Brew Pub, which had dishes using vegetables in a creative and tasty manner. 

Back at our hotel room, I received a message from Shelley that she, Jennifer's family cleaned my home including washing my bedding so I would have a fresh bed to climb into upon getting home. Marvin, Jennifer's ex fixed a closet door in my bedroom.  Wow!  I am so fortunate!

The day we were heading home, we were gathering all our stuff to take to the car. When we opened the refrigerator, one bottle blew up with glass and the dark blue/red drink splattered everywhere and all the food frozen.  We stopped at Starbucks for strong coffee and we were on the road at 9 am. I checked my Facebook to see how Alyssa was coming along. There were a couple of false calls.  Saturday she went into active labor, which went all day. Around 5 pm, Bentley was born 6 pounds, 9 ounces.  Alyssa had a long labor!  She actually started labor Thursday night.  It was so slow, they kept sending her home.  They finally admitted her on Saturday.  I went by on Sunday to see her.

Shelley and her daughter Alyssa, the night
before Bentley was born.  My granddaughter-in-law Meagan
said her son who will be born January 21 will
also be named Bentley!  Wow!  This will take a while
keeping them straight!

Alyssa with Bentley the night he was born

Bentley, was 6 pounds, 9 ounces - So cute!

Alyssa and Bentley

Alyssa and her cousin Crystal (Nylah's mom)

Bentley and Grandma Shelley

Shelley holding Bentley and Great Grandma Sandy
who said she wants to be called G G, for Great Grandmother

Shelley and Bentley

Shelley, Grandmother and Chris Grandfather of Bentley
They have different partners now.

Bentley, opening his eyes

Bentley, who isn't happy!

Great Grandmother, Rachel holding Bentley who
is giving a big yawn!

GG and Bentley

Aunt Heather with Bentley

Aunt Heather changed his clothes!

My kitty Pepper came out to see me, but not Daisy.  I checked under the beds, in all the closets and the drawers in my room (since Daisy empties the two bottom drawers at least daily. Shelley came over to help me look and we set up the Havahart trap on the patio. We also went out for dinner and went to Alyssa's apartment to check on her. Later when I was in bed, I hear scratching at the drawer. I didn't see her until I pulled out the drawer completely . There was Daisy standing behind the drawer and hissing at me.  Both are wanting a lot of attention now.  I'm just so glad they are okay!

So we decided this trip went well, that we are looking into a trip north into Oregon, Washington and Oregon.  Another trip would be Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.  And, another is to Death Valley. So we have three trips, perhaps one a year.   We traveled well together. We each have our idiosyncrasies but we didn't find it that much of a problem.  We both really liked Arches National Park and Capitol Reef National Park (I had never heard of this before this time).  I am going to get this posted and then I think I will lie down.  I'm beat!  

See you next Sunday!  Hope your week was good and this next week is even better!        Rachel