Visiting Barbara in Seal Beach

I've slept a lot this week. It seems when I've done a lot (at least to me),  I find myself so exhausted!  Ugh. At least I'm not working. I sleep In between events and I regenerate my energy level. 

Dainette, Meagan's mom sent this to Billy (my grandson) on Facebook:

"Although you are Uncle Billy I want to thank you for stepping in to the parental role with us to raise these 4 other kids. AlyssaBeth, MeLeigha, Gavin and CoCo. You are here for them, you sacrifice your time for them, whether it be baseball, cheer or just hanging out with them in the yard. You've stepped in and I'm thankful for that. Happy Father's Day to you."

Meagan and Billy have two sons, Conner and Kason. They have another child on the way due in January. Billy has been very responsible, working full time and also going to school. I am so proud of him.  I don't think I could handle so much!

My friend Lynn responded about the ridiculous prices for seeing Hamilton in Los Angeles ($439). She said PBS is going to film it and show it on TV.  I think that is great. That charge for tickets leaves it out of reach for the majority of people. And I thought it was just Los Angeles, but tickets in New York are $845 each according to Lynn!  That is just incredible!

At art class with Carol Bradshaw this week, I brought in what I had done on a rhinoceros. I got the idea, but mine looked like a robot. I didn't work on it further this week and I'm not willing to show what I did. But I will next week. She wants me to have the two frogs I was working on and the rhino done when we have class in two weeks. 

There is a major fire going on the south side of Lake Isabella. My teacher Carol lives on the north-west side of the lake.  I feel bad for the people affected by this.  200 homes were destroyed by this fire and a lot of buildings were damaged.  It is not contained much, so there will likely be more destroyed and damaged. It is so early for this to happen. I think this summer will be bad. 

I went to Seal Beach to visit my high school friend Barbara. She lives in Leisure World. To get in, you must be approved (Barbara gave my name to the gate). It was so good to spend time with her. She has a wonderful caregiver Debbie who lives with her. Barbara has dementia. And as she says "that does not mean I am dumb."  She certainly is not.  She was one of the smartest students in high school and she became an RN working in hospice (I did too- working in hospice as a social worker) She reads around 4 books a week. We can have a conversation, but she forgets new facts I share with her. I wrote them down for her to look at.  I also loaned her my Imagaga, my senior yearbook from high school. She remembers people and their names from this period very well. She is much better than me from this time.  We went to Main Street in Seal Beach to have lunch and went to this very nice shell store she introduced me to. I drove and Barbara gave directions. We had no problems. She volunteers at a meal program done by a Catholic group in Los Angeles once a week.  I feel bad because we didn't go on Saturday, but it was the day I had to go home.  She has agreed to go to our 50th Reunion for our high school but she doesn't believe she will be alive then. Well, I also have problems and may not be able to go, but we are going to plan on it now and see what happens. If we go, we will share a room and I will stay by Barbara's side.   Here are a few pictures we took of each other or had taken.

This is from IFL Science and it is fascinating:

5 Laws about the Dead may Spook You 

http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/five-laws-about-the-dead-that-may-spook-you/all/

This Friday is Carol Bradshaw's student showing from 5 to 8 pm. I will have three framed pictures in it. I'm going to find this sheet I drew on about 4 weeks before I started these lessons believe me, I've improved so much. You might think I am kidding when you see it, but I'm not.  I don't think I was even kindergarten level.  So I have grown a lot doing this. So if you think you cannot learn, you are wrong.  I didn't think I could do so well.  It will be at the Bakersfield Art Center, 1607 19th Street. Please come. But this will be up for the month of July if you can't make it that night. 

That is it for my week. I hope you are doing well.  See you next Sunday.                   Rachel

Father's Day, Happy and Sad Memories

Carol liked my toad. Even though there was some work to do on it, she felt he had character. I agree.   I had done a couple other toads. It was so strange that I had used a green colored pencil for the dark areas on one of my drawings. I thought it was the darkest black graphite I had when I was drawing him!  So I was trying to think "did I draw in the dark?"  I don't think so, but I don't understand how I did part colored pencil.  So I tried to work on that one coloring black over the green, though it didn't seem to work.  I'm working on a rhinoceros now.  I'll have it done next week.

I seem to  like making them older!
Much more character!

Made the water going over splash more, worked on the
variation in shading

Worked on the shading more

Worked on more details.

Worked on features, though back front
leg isn't showing so well

My friend Jo and I had lunch at Jin Sushi. I've only been there  one other time.  I like sushi. Too much food. I made another meal out of it.  I enjoy Jo's company.  She is one of my Red Hat ladies.  She is a realtor and is willing to give my daughter Shelley some advice in going this direction.

I saw my oncologist this week before chemotherapy.  He told me the ejection fraction on the MUGA Scan was 80%.  He has not had anyone with that high a number. He ordered an echo cardiogram to see if I have a leak in my heart.  I have a bicuspid aortic valve. Normal is tricuspid. The doctor who diagnosed this years back said that this valve could wear out faster because it is working harder. I got a call the same day to schedule the echo cardiogram which will be in July.  We'll see.

My fellow Red Hat friend Pamela was willing to buy our tickets to see Hamilton in Los Angeles. We understood the prices to be about $120 to $180 per ticket, which was high, but we thought that was less expensive than flying to New York, until she responded to us when getting down to business:

"I am so sorry.  I know my eyes are getting bad again, but I didn't think they were that bad.  I totally missed the ea under the price and therefore thought the price was the total for four tickets.  It wasn't, it was $439.00 each ticket.  I haven't ordered them as I am not sure I am even willing to go that high.  That was directly from Pantages too.  Let me know what you think though."  I cancelled. I don't think I want to pay this much!

Janet and I met at Mexicali's for Margaritas and a Mexican dinner our favorite haunt because of the Margaritas. Janet gave me this clear stuff to put on my eyelashes which are very short now. It is supposed to allow eyelashes to grow out. Mine have become very short. Always enjoy getting together with Janet.  We are talking about going to the beach for the day sometime this summer.  I hope we do it.

I had forgotten to mention that last week Barbara and I got together about three weeks after she returned home from a three week vacation visiting Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. I wanted to do this trip, but I was feeling chronically tired and didn't want to go thinking I wouldn't enjoy myself.  Her birthday was the day she got back but we celebrated much later when we did this outing to Chef's Choice Noodle Bar and to the Maya Theater to see "Me Before You", a very unusual love story, but it was good.   When we were eating, I had lots of questions and she brought pictures she printed.  It was a wonderful trip for her.  I think she liked making contact with a cousin she found on the internet the most exciting, but she loved the whole trip. It was good to see her. I missed her after seven weeks!

Today is Fathers Day.  I miss my father. He was a wise and loving man.  When I needed to figure out things, I would call him.  After he died, I found myself picking up the phone to call him. It took quite a long time before I stopped that. Then I would think, "what would dad say?"  I could hear his voice and I think I accurately got what he would say. This helped me a lot.  

My husband Paul loved his children very much.  He was there for them when needed and when they needed to talk, he would listen and let them know what he thought. I miss him too and can think of what he would say when I imagine his voice.  His voice was very deep and sonorous. I loved it.  His voice really helped me too even when it was just in my head.

Paul and I when we married

I took this picture of Shelley with her
father at Shelley's wedding

One of my sisters' sons, Obie was murdered when he was seventeen. My sister was divorced at the time. My other sister sent me information on Obie's father. He became a minister and wrote a book about sin. I could imagine him doing this. Losing his only child was such a loss.  I think he was attempting to make sense of all this. I wonder if he remarried and had children. He would be a good father, because he was with his son Obie.    I ordered his book. 

My grandson Billy has 6 children he is responsible for. He works full time and is going to school to advance his career. I hear he is doing very well in school.  I don't know how he does it, but I think his wife Meagan is very encouraging to him. I'm so proud of Billy and wish him a Happy Fathers Day!

This is almost a year old, but a very good
picture of the children.

Billy, Meagan and Kason, the youngest

In less than two weeks is the Art Show at the Bakersfield Art Center. July 1, 2016 from 5-9 PM. I will have three of my drawings up then. If you are coming, the downtown restaurants need a reservation. First Friday is a very popular event. I tried to walk into Sandrini's on First Friday and was told  "Oh no, you must have a reservation."  I didn't expect that!  

So that is it for this week. I hope your week went well and your Fathers Day is good.  I hope this next week is good for you.   I have some nice events coming up. See you next Sunday.           Rachel

June Primary and the Proposition to get a Small Amount of Sales Tax to the Libraries Failed!!

I had lunch with my friends Valerie and Sherry at Lam's, a local Chinese Restaurant. My favorite dishes are scrambled eggs with shrimp, mixed vegetables that are stir fried.  We asked if it was possible with no extra fat or at least very little. It was delicious!  In addition, we got some lemon chicken. I then had lots of leftovers.  We haven't seen each other in months, so it was catch up.  We plan to get together in about three weeks. I missed these women. They have been a large part of my life. 

When I saw Carol, my art teacher, she had great ideas on how to "punch up" my drawings. She made a point of letting me know how far along I have come.  I agree. Even though there is much need for more work, she said that I have come along ways from where I was six months ago.  So I worked on three drawings I have already done and the fourth one is another toad.  

I added more shading and detail

I noticed on the first picture of Pepper that the right
eye was bigger than the left eye.  I made them as
even as I could get.

I added more detail and corrected the front leg.

I think he has a lot of character, but
I still need to work on him.
I like that he looks old.  That gives him character.

While at my art class I had this constant urge to urinate but unable to do much. Carol, my teacher is an RN and recommended Azo an over the counter medication for women with urinary tract infections (UTI's) and also said to drink cranberry juice and see a doctor. So I did, but took Azo before doing a home test to see if I had a UTI but taking Azo makes the urine red/orange won't show if I have an infection or not. So I went to Kaiser Urgent Care.. I was told to give sample urine, however, they couldn't tell if I had an infection because of the red/orange color.  From start to leaving after getting my medication was an hour and 20 minutes.  For urgent care, I thought it was pretty good!  I was given Cipro, an antibiotic which took care of the problem fast. Thank goodness!  I slept a lot this week.  I think recovering from all this.

California Primary Election  was this week. The 1/8 of one percent sales tax for our libraries did not pass. It requires a 2/3 majority vote.   It had a simple majority. Not enough.  I feel we are going back to the Stone Age with not getting this.  If they farm this out to a for profit business to run the libraries, our libraries will have even less monies to work with. It is a crisis!

That was my week.  I hope yours went well.  I will see you next Sunday.              Rachel

Memorial Weekend and Paul's Birthday

Pepper went immediately under my bed when I brought her in after catching her. She made it clear to Daisy and me to keep our distance. We did. What is interesting is that Daisy became more independent while Pepper was gone. First Daisy would wait until Pepper came out before she would come out. For the first 3 or 4 days after Pepper was gone, Daisy did not come out. Then she started coming out and then started coming out earlier and earlier than when Pepper was here.  Then Daisy started posing on the arm of my armchair like Pepper did. So funny. I had no idea that adult cats learn from each other.

Pepper gradually started coming out.  She leapt onto my bed Monday night, but upon meeting Daisy, she hissed at her and headed back under the  bed. The next day I saw her by the litter box.  So since I'm not  in there all day long, I think she was getting out more. At night there has been a cat outside which I think has been trying to contact Pepper. Maybe she did develop a relationship and she now missed this other cat.  Pepper jumped in my lap Tuesday night. She was still keeping her distance from Daisy. Daisy had been crying a lot feeling not accepted by Pepper.  Pepper is coming around because they each will get in their beds which are on my bed.  And Daisy isn't crying like she was.

Pepper sat on my hip when I was in bed

This was my husband Paul's birthday week. I had been thinking of him all week. I didn't get teary which I will give credit to Paxil and I appreciate it. I know that people would say that is not what an antidepressant is for, but really I so overreact to these situations without Paxil.  I'm sad but not devastated now.  He would have been 75 years. So much has happened in the world since he died. I wonder what he would have thought.  A very smart and caring man. I'm a Democrat and he was a Republican. As much we were different parties we felt similar about people. I still miss him, and probably always will.

My box of Hopeful Harvest came. I got broccoli, cabbage, cameo apples, strawberries and a cantaloupe. Recipes include Sautéed Cabbage, Broccoli Tomato Salad and Penne with Garlicky Broccoli. They all sound good!  I'm glad I'm getting this.

I called my step-mom Kate along with several others to let them know the good news  of Pepper being back in case they hadn't read my blog yet. And, while calling Kate,  I asked her what she thought of my pictures and she said "elephants have knees. You have the legs like there are no joints". I didn't notice that, so I watched videos per Kate's suggestion and many pictures. She also felt the back leg of the toad looked off. The problem was that the picture of the toad had the leg cut off, so I was imagining the foot was tucked under to push off.  I can imagine the leg tucked under. So I did work on the elephant.   I put in the knees/elbows and ankle/wrist joints.  I also put in more wrinkles and did more shading. I did not work on the toad.  When I see Carol Tuesday, she will probably have ideas on what to do.

More Detail on Mom and Baby

Memorial Day gathering was nice. Kayla helped me with some housekeeping and some food preparation which we kept simple. I wanted to go to the cemetery, but I was tuckered out. I will go later.  It has been in the 100's, so I think I will have to do this early

 My grandchildren - Heather, Alyssa, Christopher, and
Kevin.  I rarely see Christopher, so this was a treat.

Shelley, my daughter and me

Kevin with his Mom Shelley

Alyssa with Heather trying to feel her
baby.

I met my new neighbor Teddy, short for Theodora. They were doing major cutting in the backyard and wanted to pull the truck up in my driveway because it made it easier to get the cuttings they were doing. She told me that they will take three weeks working on their new home before moving in.  The previous owner, Celeste planted rose bushes and gave them loving care. Teddy and her husband cut them down.  I one time looked over the fence from an old neighbor I used to have to find everything I planted was removed.  You just have to let go and recognize we don't all have the same taste.

I read this fascinating book called The Violet Hour: Great Writers at the End by Katie Roiphe, who had a near death experience herself at age twelve. She had done research and interviewing of family, friends and others who had close contact with one of these five writers at the end of each of their lives. I found it fascinating in that they also struggled with mortality, death and dying as I and I would assume most people have or will, especially when our own lives or the lives of those we are close to are threatened. Since these people were accomplished writers and dealt with feelings, we get to read it from each of their perspectives.  The author of this book is also very accomplished and her style brings it all together quite well.  I did not have all the same reactions as these writers, but people do have different ways of looking at mortality (though we also have much in common) that I found it reassuring that we are all going to go through this. 

I also read a very short one, called Gratitude by Oliver Sacks, MD who shared how his life experiences colored how he dealt with death and dying.  He was an excellent writer, so I knew I would enjoy this one too.  His is a very positive approach.

A wonderful response from an online advice column. This particular question was on dealing with grief.  The initial question was, "My friend died and I don't know what to do."  It is a very touching response!

http://www.thatericalper.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/boatsh.jpg

The Red Hats met at Mama Roomba this week.  I love meeting these women!  They are strong, warm and supportive. Shelley likes this restaurant the best. I agree with her. Such great food and the sauces they put on dishes are delicious at this restaurant!  Yum!  Paul and I used to be a part of a dinner group which Stephanie, her husband John and three other couples were in. I broke away from them because my man husband and they still had theirs.   Well, I'm coming along and I would like to meet them again. Stephanie will see about the women getting together.  I would love that. 

From the closest on the left, doing a U shape  _
Judie, Shelley, Me, Julie (Stephanie's granddaughter), Stephanie
Evelyn, or queen, Pamela (got her in a bad position!) and Jo

My fiend Cheri Sperl had an open house at Dagney's Coffee Company on 20th and Eye Streets at the First Friday for June. We used to worked at Memorial Hospital years ago, she as a Dietitian and me as a Social Worker.  We made contact maybe a year ago at the Bakersfield Art Center.  She is an outstanding artist and her show last night was all cats. She plans to have a future show of all dogs.  What I found so striking is that she got the essence of cat. I'm mesmerized looking at them. I bought all her cards.  I can't afford a painting.  Her paintings will be up for the month of June if you would like to see them. It's a real treat!  Here are just four of them.  I love them!

I slept a lot this week.  I'm glad I had energy to get up today.  I don't think it is the heat, because I keep the temperature in a cool range.  Anyway, I don't mind sleeping.  It is just that I was going to do things around the house that I didn't do.  Still, it was a good week and I think next week will be too!.  I hope your week was good and this next one works for you.  I will see you next Sunday.                           Rachel

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