HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMIE (March 2nd)

Jamie, who writes Duward Discussion,

is celebrating a HUGE milestone birthday.
Can you guess which one?

Please stop by her place and wish her a Happy Day.

And, for Jamie,

I wish I could give you…

daily moments of pure joy relaxing

for 65 sunny days on a hill far away
(Glengarry Castle Hotel on Loch Oich)

and 65 of these to get you there and keep you flush...


Alas, the best I can do is to send you HUGE birthday wishes
on the 65th anniversary of the day of your birth.

May you be blessed in all you do… meet many people, influence many more and continue creating the legacy you have started. And let’s throw in a big wish for good health.
I am honored to know you and call you friend.

Looking At The Sky ~ Sunset in Sonora

Looking at the sky on Friday is hosted by Tish the Crazy Working Mom.

Please visit here to see more beautiful sky photos.

This picture was taken last Friday night from Mr. Moose's balcony in Sonora, CA.

R and I went to celebrate Moosie's 60th birthday with him.

Writing Muse is on Vacation

I have been trying to write but nothing is coming out right.

I will be back as soon as my writing muse gets to thinkin' agin.

News from around here

The WEATHER report for the next 5 to 7 days says that the Sierra Nevada Mountains can expect to get up to 7 feet of snow over the next week. That means we in Sacramento will probably have a lot of rain. I’m not complaining – although my arthritis is – because our water supplies are screaming for replenishing. Eight counties are under advisories, watches or severe weather warnings. Wind and rain are raging at the moment.

R and I are planning to head for Sonora, Ca in the Sierra foothills on Friday to celebrate Mr. Moose’s 60th birthday. Yesterday Moose awoke to 5 inches of snow on his deck. I will take my camera and get some pictures from his deck (wait til you see the view).

Moving on…
Apparently, our legislators were going to try to come to an agreement on a relief budget for California and the vote is scheduled for late Saturday because…

“SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Although there were no assurances that enough Republicans would vote for it, both houses of the state Legislature were scheduled to vote Saturday on a critical budget package to tackle California's $42 billion shortfall… Both houses were scheduled to meet Saturday morning. However, the Senate announced late Friday it will push back its session and vote at 5 p.m.” BECAUSE… “Tens of thousands of spectators were expected to crowd downtown to watch Lance Armstrong and other pro cyclers compete in the Amgen Tour of California. The race ends with a lap around Capitol Park, and many of the streets around the Capitol were to be closed.”

I won’t say it!! I JUST WON’T SAY IT!!! Yes, I will… they couldn’t do this Friday night?? They knew this event was scheduled – known it for MONTHS. As it was, they spent almost all Saturday night involved in this mess. This is the most unproductive group of people I have read about. Common Sense is DEAD.

It is wonderful that Sacramento hosted part of this cycling event. It brought much needed money into the city’s economy. Thank you Lance Armstrong. The bottom line would have been much less without him.

NOTE: As of this morning (Sunday), the voting is still stalled – ONE VOTE SHY (California still requires a 2/3’s vote to pass legislation). So, today there is no budget fix and I am still going to get an IOU for my state tax refund.

NEXT… Let’s fast forward to October 2009 and Desert Springs, CA and our Cal-Trans Department.

The California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) is scheduled to host a national convention in October for the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) National Conference. There is a consumer watch-dog group (Howard Jarvis Taxpayers) who says this is “government behaving business as usual in the face of this financial crunch.” And this conference is NOT high priority on the spending scale. There will be 125 Caltrans employees working to make this conference a success. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers said that we Californians, as tax payers, would be spending $255,000 for Cal Trans to host this convention – salaries for six days equals $125,000 and $130,000 spent on lodging, food and airfare. It was also said that several law makers were unaware of what Caltrans is planning for later this year. So there may be repercussions falling back on this spending.

OK… let me give MY take on this. Maybe I am not looking at the whole picture, but I have given you all the information that I have. First, the salaries… from what I understand, the people who will be working as hosts for this convention are Cal Trans employees. Wouldn’t we be paying their salaries anyway… even if they weren’t at the convention?? Second, even though it would cost a bit to ‘house’ the hosts, isn’t this event bringing in much needed income to the state (in the form of room tax, food tax, entertainment tax, gas tax… and on and on with the taxes). I don’t know as I can agree that this watchdog organization has used a logical thought process in this instance. To me, in this case, they are just out to ruffle feathers.

AND... TO ALL THIS I SAY:

Again, this is my California world, and these are just my opinions...
Thanks for stopping by...

Looking At the Sky ~ Panama Canal

Please visit the terrific Tish (Crazy Working Mom) for more mavelous skies

This Friday we will continue LOOKING AT THE SKY that we saw on our Panama Canal Cruise. This picture was taken by a camera at the Miraflores Locks. It was the first lock that the ship (and all us passengers) went through. It was about 9 a.m. and it was hot and very HUMID!! I was sitting in the pool area on the port side of the ship and Rich was video taping in the bow area on deck 11. We went through the Miraflores Locks then travelled along Gatun Lake to the Gatun Locks.

Those clouds eventually became one HUGE BLACK cloud and the heavens opened up as we completed our journey through the Gatun Locks and stopped at Crystobal Pier. And what a storm it was!!! Thunder, lightning and wind. We were told the ship was hit by lightning at least 3 times during the night. Friends of ours in the Royal Suite had a scare when there was an electrical fire the next night - reminents of the lightning strikes they were told.

Plop-Plop, Fizz-Fizz

OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS!!

Just a short update. We made it through our tax preparation with flying colors. With all our medical deductions, we managed to end up in the 0% (that's ZERO %) tax bracket. All the taxes that were taken out of the IRA distributions that we need to use monthly will be 'given' back to us -- eventually.

We are relieved... to say the least.

It's IOU Time

So… today we are having our taxes done. Yes, we use a “tax professional” and pay dearly for it. It has been a crazy year financially for us. I am and have been receiving Social Security Disability (not SSI) for 2 years now. Last February (2008) R started receiving SSD also. Then, when he had to retire from his job, we had to request to have his 401K moved into a traditional IRA. There should be no problem with that as we have all the documentation. Because our 2 incomes are now half of what they used to be, we had to start drawing a little money each month out of the IRA. We have taxes taken out of this. Every year I keep a spreadsheet of our tax-deductible expenses. The medical expenses alone for last year should get us a full refund of the money we have already paid in taxes. If that doesn’t do it, then we can add in our prescription co-pays… and interest payments on the mortgage, etc.

I am anxious to see what we have coming for a refund; because, if some of you haven’t heard, our state is in such a financial upheaval we are getting IOU’s instead of state tax refunds. Now doesn’t that just make you want to move to the beautiful state of California? Along with having to pay for OctoMom’s idiocy (oh there are so many more words I could use) adding to our financial woes, California is sure in good shape. According to the news last night our sales tax will be going up 1 cent on every dollar; the gasoline tax will be going up 12 cents; and our vehicle registration fees will be doubling (guess we get rid of 1 car). State employees MUST take off two UNPAID days during the month (the first and third Fridays to be exact).

I wish we could sell and move even if the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence - or state line. Maybe just next door to Nevada. We are getting the house ready… LOL. This week, we have been getting estimates on having our plumbing replaced (I wonder if this is tax deductible). Then I hope to do a little renovation to both bathrooms and finally will spice up the kitchen a bit. JUST IN CASE…

Manic Monday ~ WEAR

Another challenging adventure for me

from Marvelous Mo over at Manic Monday.

Check out the fun stuff here.

There is a program on TLC (The Learning Channel) called What Not To WEAR. It is a reality show with what they say is a simple premise. (If you have seen the show, it is usually anything BUT simple.) Friends and family members nominate a candidate whom they consider poorly dressed and ask the show to make over the "fashion victim." Fashion Police Stacy London and her partner, Clinton Kelly, ambush the candidate and make her/him an offer -- they are given a $5,000 budget for a new wardrobe, which they must purchase in New York City boutiques over the course of two days, but only on the condition that they allow Stacy & Clinton to critique and, in most cases throw out, their existing wardrobe.

So here are my 3 candidates for the category of What Not To WEAR…

I'm sure most men love it,

some women will wish to look like that,

but all in all very tacky.

NO... NO... NO... NO, NO and NO

Fun but... Need I say more?

Once again, thanks for stopping by...

Looking at the Sky on Friday ~ Guatemala

This picture was taken on the road to the Organic Macadamia Nut Farm near the ancient city of Antigua in Guatemala. It was a port stop on our cruise through the Panama Canal in October 2008. After passing many sugar cane fields, we started the climb into the forests. It had been raining earlier in the day. I just love the way the clouds circle the top of the volcano's crater. You can hardly tell that it is a volcano. There are as many as 30 volcanoes in Guatemala. I believe this one is called Fuego.

I was a bit leary of this port of call on the cruise... you know Guatemala has this reputation for revolution... LOL But this turned out to be one of the best tours we went on. The people who run the Macadamia Farm were originally from the U.S. so there was no language problem. The grounds of the Farm were lush and beautiful. Everything there is done using no electricity - just manpower. They served us a lovely lunch of macadamia nut pancakes, local fruit, and wonderful organic tea. We also saw a facial given using macadamia nut products. Facinating, just facinating.

Welcome Ms. Ramona...

As some of you know, R was forced into early retirement after he was diagnosed with Mutiple Myelome (cancer of the blood plasma). And he has been so bored. I thought, and his cancer doctor agreed, that rescuing a dog from the SPCA would be a great diversion (from the TV and computer) for him. R has owned dogs before. Personally, I am a cat person. And eventually, we will also have a cat. But R's diversion is more important at this time.

On Sunday, R adopted Ramona, a 3-year-old Border Collie/Aussie Shepherd mix, from the Sacramento SPCA. She came home with us today because she had to be spayed. We know very little about her history as she came from another shelter and was labelled a "stray".

Here are pictures of her home coming...

#1 son and R picking her up at the clinic.

Pretty lady

Running in her new yard...

Rolling in her new yard...

We are so very lucky. She is a very lovely lady.

So far we haven't even heard her bark.

She is eating and drinking.

She buried her rawhide treat in the back yard.

And when it was time for her to go out,

she brought #1 son his shoes.

They told us she is very smart... YUP, she is.

More Daffodils *smile*

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars

that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line

along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

in such a jocund company:

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought

what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Since I took up residence in Sacramento, I have been happily surprised with January daffodils. By February 1st, I have many of these happy flowers waving in the front garden bed and helping rid the spirit of the doldrums of winter. I know winter isn't over yet because we NEED MORE RAIN!!! But they are a happy reminder that spring is coming.

I hope you enjoy my daffodils too. Thanks for stopping by.

Manic Monday ~ On a Bus to St. Cloud

Manic Monday is brought to you by

Marvelous MO

for more information visit here

OH, how I searched for an inspiration for this Manic Monday!! I was not about to do any scientific explanation about those fluffy white puffs that float in the sky. I even found some Native American Lore about clouds. I looked for poetry – I even tried to write a poem. Nothing felt right until I found this. It is an obscure song that Trisha Yearwood put on one of her albums back in 1995.

On a bus to St. Cloud, Minnesota
I thought I saw you there
With the snow falling down around you
Like a silent prayer.
And once on a street in New York City
With the jazz and the sin in the air
And once on a cold L.A. freeway
Going nowhere.

And it's strange, but it's true
I was sure it was you
Just a face in the crowd
On a bus to St. Cloud

In a church in downtown New Orleans
I got down on my knees and prayed
And I wept in the arms of Jesus
For the choice you made.
We were just gettin' to the good part
Just gettin' past the mystery
Oh, and it's just like you, it's just like you
To disagree.

And it's strange but it's true
You just slipped out of view
Like a face in the crowd
On a bus to St. Cloud

And you chase me like a shadow
And you haunt me like a ghost
And I hate you some, and I love you some
But I miss you most...

On a bus to St. Cloud, Minnesota
I thought I saw you there
With the snow falling down around you
Like a silent prayer.

The song was written by Gretchen Peters. The melody is quite haunting. After choosing this song, I continued to search the web to see if I could find out what Gretchen Peters had in her brain when she wrote it. I was very surprised to find what she had intended in her lyrics.

• Maps are great for evoking images for a songwriter like Gretchen Peters, who wrote this song… "I can just get lost in a map, very easily," says Peters. "It's like a fresh new well, looking at a map." This song came about from a road trip she was planning out West or to the upper Midwest towards the West. "I was thinking about going up that way, and I saw the name St. Cloud, and I just thought, what an evocative name…” Peters envisioned the song as being about a person talking about someone who committed suicide, but in order to allow the listener more freedom for interpretation, she was deliberately vague with the lyrics. She says, "In order to get to the emotional space that you need to be, I don't think that necessarily means that you have to be explicit, or put every detail in. In fact, I think songs are better when they are a little bit more murky, or fuzzy around the edges. Let the listener participate, too, in other words. Let them put their story in.”

My personal interpretation is a bit less morose. Like Peters said in her interview, her lyrics give the listener flexibility to incorporate his/her own story into the lyrics. The picture story that ran through my imagination was that of someone running away from a failed relationship.

I suppose it all depends on how deeply you read into the lyrics. It’s that way with anything in life. What you get out of it, depends on how much effort you put into it.

Amen… and thanks for stopping by.

What Tarot Card Are You?

I got this link (see bottom of this post) from Jamie at Duward Discussion. I was quite surprised by my result. R does call me 'your royal highness' at times. Wonder if this is what he means?

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Looking at the Sky on Friday

Last week we had some really nice, sunny weather.

However, the Sierra Nevada Mountains managed to get some more snow.

From our back yard, looking east, this is the sky over the Sierra Nevadas.

Wordless Wednesday

MY FIRST

brings back so many memories...

It's Nice To Be Noticed

According to the rules of the award,

you must list your 5 addictions and

then pass it on to 5 deserving bloggers to do the same.

This award came from storyteller Shelly the writer of This Eclectic Life . She described me as a “delightful blogger, with a warm heart, who makes me feel as if we are having coffee together.” Shelly got her fabulous award from Mo at Inside Mo’s Mind.

I thank Shelly for the kind words. I find it difficult to easily accept compliments – no matter how well-deserved they are. I think I can pretty much see the good qualities in other people and I am able to tell people how fantastic I think they are; but, when it comes to me, I feel that I always fall short of the goals I set for myself. And, I don’t think that I have as yet even started to fine-tune my blog. I am just using it as a tool to stay in touch with the world out there.

And now to list my 5 – or, 7 -- addictions (I thought this would be difficult… HA):

• chocolate ~ no surprise there (in fact, I should just say most rich, sweet food. Although I am trying to change my eating habits, chocolate will still be on the list);
• an afternoon nap ~ to refresh my feistiness;
• playing on line video games ~ preferably ones that use some sort of logic or brain power and make me forget the pulls of the real world for a while;
• blogging ~ for all the connections I am developing with so many talented people (and learning a lot of neat stuff too);
• baseball ~ more specifically Boston Red Sox baseball. I even have R hooked. Last night he said that we really need to sign up for the baseball sports package on Comcast so we can watch all the games – he makes me so happy!!

And I am also adding: TV ~ good and bad but no soap operas (even if they are on, I’m napping… LOL. Actually, I like to take my naps during game shows; even if I don’t sleep, I don’t have to keep my eyes open to answer most questions. This is probably too much information, right?); and solitude (because of all the years I spent alone, I need to be able to catch a few precious moments of nothing but quiet and thought – sometimes I don’t find this until just before I fall asleep at night).

I chose not to pass this on to anyone specific; because I think that all the blogs I have read are fabulous and have received this award. However, if you have been overlooked, please take this award for your own... you deserve it.

Another Appeal ~ please help

Shelly the Storyteller who writes This Eclectic Life is running all over the web, looking for volunteers to help with her medicine bag project.

Just in case you didn't notice, I have placed a button for PROJECT MEDICINE BAG on my sidebar (LQQK TO YOUR LEFT, please). If you click on that button, it will take you to the posting done by Shelly.

Please consider helping with this project by either making these medicine bags, providing lucky charms or BOTH. I know most of you have been to her place, but please take a moment to visit her and consider helping with this project. There are far too many children who have to live with cancer... PLEASE HELP.

Look here to see some of the medicine bags and charms received.

Manic Monday ~ SNOW

Oh dear... better late than never, I suppose. Monday mornings irk me and I don't know why. I am retired and it's really no different than any other morning in my life. Anyway, I didn't get this written last night as I thought I would. I got involved in watching the mini-series on NBC about The Last Templar.

I lived in a SNOWed trapped environment for most of my life. I can subtract the 4 years I lived in San Diego and the 6 years I have lived in Sacramento. I don’t miss winter SNOW. However, if I ever do, I can drive 60 miles east of my home and be in the SNOW again. The SNOW-laden mountains of the Sierra Nevada Mountains are not only beautiful, but also provide this area with our main supply of water. And, for this reason, every winter we wish for SNOW… LOTS of SNOW. And although this is a very short post about SNOW, it's about all I want to think about that white stuff at the moment.

Thanks for stopping by again....

Mimosa Award

Mary the Teach at Work of the Poet created a MIMOSA AWARD for bloggers who epitomize hope and reassurance every day in their blogs and gave it to some of her sun shiney blogger friends.

• “The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation.”

My friend Jamie at Duward Discussion got one and then passed it on to me saying: “to Carol… for her years of friendship, support, and her ability to care for her family with grace and serenity.” I don’t necessarily believe that grace and serenity has been found in some of my family dealings… LOL. None-the-less I thank Jamie and would like to pass it back to her for just being the person she is. I am blessed to know this woman.

Recently, I have been following a blog created by Tish called CrAzY Working Mom. I find such pleasure in the joy she has discovered while creating a loving life with her family. I love her blog subtitle “The moment a child is born, the mother is born also.” I pass this bright Mimosa Award on to you. Thank you for sharing your family, Tish.

Another person I would like to pass this award on to is Melli who writes Prevailing Insanity. Plain and simple she is an inspiration to me and I thank her for sharing some very personal feelings and thought provoking ideas in her writing. She is a genuine down-to-earth woman who writes from her heart.

I may not post comments on these blogs all the time, but please know that I so appreciate Tish’s and Melli’s writings.

This morning I received an email in which I found this picture and a Sunday poem to share with you. Are those MIMOSA roses or what?! Well, at least it looks like it to me. Sometimes the way things happen just gives me goose bumps (and A LOT of food for thought).

He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'

A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.

'I've been to Bible School ,'
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'

'M'm very fine way,' the neighbor said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'

Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.'

A very Short Trip... down memory lane

One of my favorite lines from Obama’s Inaugural Speech states, “Your people will judge you on what you build, NOT what you destroy…” I am looking forward to what he is going to build.

Mimi at Bloggingham Castle has a photo of Martin Luther King on her blog and below it she asks: Wouldn’t you love to know what they are thinking today?

And that short question brought back this song…



It's really kind of neat... the result of a multimedia project at Milford High School (although I am not quite sure where Milford High is).

Last July I turned 60 and was feeling more mortal than I normally do. I looked up an old college friend who had been very involved in Freedom Marches. He even went to an unintegrated (until he got there) black college in South Carolina. I believe it was Claflin College. I was with him the night Martin Luther King was shot. He was devastated. He has gone on in his life and become very successful as a consultant who works for industry and education -- for the past six years he focused his attention on the k-12 school counseling profession for Rhode Island school systems.

And I traveled further down Memory Lane… The time of this song was a time of men going off to fight in a war that wasn’t a war (Vietnam). My first husband was one of those. He came back a changed man. He was an infantry Marine (a “grunt”). He trampled through the jungles of Vietnam. At that time they were using a chemical called Agent Orange (a defoliant) to more easily find the enemy. My ex-husband died almost 9 years ago at the age of 52… yes, we were still friends. And, although I cannot prove it, I believe that Agent Orange was at least a partial cause of his death.

I can't believe how long ago all that happened. I haven't changed (she says tongue-in-cheek), have you?

Commercial Interruption

Just thought I would interrupt

the non-ending coverage of the inauguration

to let all of you know...

MY DAFFODILS ARE BLOOMING!!!

NO, I am not kidding;

and I do apologize

to all of you still in the throes of winter.

But again I must say...

MY DAFFODILS ARE BLOOMING!!!

Manic Monday ~ OFFICE

To visit other Manic Monday participants,

go to Mo's Manic page

Thank you Mo.

Today is Richard’s (R’s) birthday. He is 61 years old.

On May 8th, he will celebrate another birthday also. It will be his first birthday after receiving his stem cell/bone marrow transplant.

To say the least, we have seen enough doctors’ OFFICES to last more than a life-time.

In July 2007, R was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. This is a cancer of the blood plasma that eats away the bone marrow and bones (from the inside). From August 2007 through January 2008, he was the patient of a doctor (let’s call him Dr X) who had the bedside manner of a clod. Dr X was ALWAYS late for the appointment; he could never remember who R was; he spent the first 15 minutes of the appointment reading R’s chart; and he treated me like a non-person. I asked to-the-point and somewhat intelligent questions, I thought. During these six months, R and I spent 2 days a week (3 to 5 hours each time) at this doctor’s OFFICE. That year, all 6 grandchildren got knit or crochet sweaters and/or hats, mittens and scarves for Christmas. R would get IV drugs to combat these little cancer cells. Dr X insisted it was NOT ‘chemo’. I guess he should know best. And, even though, R didn’t lose his hair from these meds, I say that any medicine given by IV to combat cancer IS ‘chemo’.

Because of all the meds he was receiving he was not allowed to work. For R, this was as difficult as having the disease. He was a mechanic then a truck driver for a produce company in Sacramento for close to 25 years. He was on the go from 2 a.m. (when his alarm went off) until he got home – usually about 4 p.m. His route was in the Lake Tahoe area, so many times during the winter, he got snowed in up there. Anyway, as much as I dislike the personality of this doctor, he provided good enough pre-transplant treatment for R so that he was fully ready to go onto the next step in the treatment of his cancer treatment. For that I say, “Thank you.”

When R’s blood work showed enough improvement, he was referred to Dr Carroll. I call it providence that this doctor’s last name and my first name are basically the same. Our visits to Dr C’s OFFICE began when we returned from our cruise to the Southern Caribbean in February 2008. The very first visit was an hour long… with Dr C explaining everything that we would be going through. And although we didn’t understand very much of it during that first visit, we became very familiar with the procedure. R was one of the first patients to go through the transplant process at Sutter General Hospital. They (Sutter) had brought (or bought) Dr C from his practice in Arizona. Anyway… now R was on the fast track to the bone marrow transplant which used his own stem cells. He had a catheter with 3 ports surgically placed in his right collarbone area. Every day we went to the infusion center (another medical OFFICE) for blood work, shots and IV’s. Finally the day comes when they tell us that they can harvest his stem cells. R is hooked up to a machine that reminds me of a dialysis machine. His blood is pumped through it for hours removing the stem cells to be used for the transplant. We are also told that he may have to go through it again the next day. Thankfully, that did not have to happen. The next day, R was given a hair losing dose of chemo and told the he will be admitted to the hospital on May 5th. The BMTU (Bone Marrow Transplant Unit) is an extremely sterile environment. It was R’s home for 20 days. He was admitted with a full head of hair and a full beard and moustache and came home hairless. In August he was declared to be in remission. Now he visits Dr C’s OFFICE every 3 months to see the doctor and every month he visits the Infusion Center to get an IV of ‘stuff’ to strengthen his bones.

I will just lightly mention that now we have been seeing the inside of an orthopedic surgeon’s OFFICE. I have to laugh… On Tuesday, Jan 13th, R had some arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He is doing well – only using 1 crutch today. Thank goodness #1 son is still here.

Whew… I need a vacation – ALONE!!

Sunday Scenery... St John's Church

My writing muse has been totally non-creative for at least a week now. I have been very frustrated. However, while 'dancing' through the blogs this morning, I landed on a "Sunday Scenes" meme on Linda's ARE WE THERE YET?? It actually originates at Tarheel Ramblings. I thank both Lee and Linda for prodding me into posting something again.

This picture is of St John's Church which is located in St John's Parrish on Barbados. Last February, "R" and I were fortunate enough to be on a 12-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Barbados was the fourth stop. St Maarten, Antigua and Dominica were visited before Barbados; and St Kitts, St Thomas and San Juan, PR were after.

On weekdays, there are vendors hawking their wears in the parking lot -- it was a rather small parking lot indeed. On Sunday, the church is still used for religious services. We toured the island in a Mercedes van. There were 5 couples from our ship who hired a very well-spoken and very tall man and his driver (and wouldn't you know, I cannot remember his name at all). It was a great tour and we saw most of the island in about 5 hours. The scenery was awesome.

And since it is still Sunday -- I do tend to rise late and it takes time to jump start the engine some days -- I thought the pictures of St John's Church would be appropriate.

Thank you for stopping by.

BBSL

Manic Monday ~ CELL

To visit other bloggers taking part in Manic Monday, take a trip to Mo's Manic Monday page

Sorry it has taken me a bit longer to post this morning. No excuses... just going VERY SLOWLY today.

“R” gave me a portable DVD player for Christmas. It was out of stock so was delivered a bit late; but, in this case, better late than never. I have a few movies that I haven’t watched as our DVD player is attached to R’s big TV in the living room. One of those movies is “Man of La Mancha” which I started watching on Wednesday. So the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the word CELL was this movie.

Miguel de Cervantes – failed author, soldier, actor and tax collector – (Peter O’Toole) and his manservant (James Coco) have been arrested by the Spanish Inquisition. They are accused of presenting a play in a public square offensive to the Inquisition. They have brought all their possessions with them to the dungeon CELL. Here, they are attacked by their fellow prisoners who want those possessions for themselves. The prisoners set up a mock-trial after which if Cervantes is found guilty he will have to hand over all his possessions – all except the for the manuscript he carries. He asks to be allowed to offer a defense, and the defense will be a play, acted out by him and all the prisoners.



And so begins the adventures of Don Quixote de la Mancha and his faithful “squire” Sancho Panza. He duels windmills (which he believes to be his mortal enemy The Enchanter) and defends his perfect lady Dulcinea (who is actually a downtrodden whore named Aldonza). From this CELL, Cervantes weaves a tale of a knight’s chivalry, promise and devotion – an Impossible Dream even in those times.

The Inquisition enters to take Cervantes to his trial. The prisoners, finding him not guilty, return his manuscript – it is, of course, his (as yet) unfinished novel “Don Quixote de la Mancha.” As Cervantes and his servant mount the drawbridge-like staircase to go to their impending trial yet gleaming with courage, the prisoners sing The Impossible Dream in chorus.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean

as we were leaving Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

aboard our cruise ship

October 2008

Medicine Bags, Projects and other stuff...

I wanted to post this last night but had problems downloading my photo. Things seem to have been corrected now.

Shelly (the story teller) Tucker who writes This Eclectic Life is doing a project for kids with cancer. She is asking anyone interested to make small medicine bags. She also needs small 'charms' to put in the bags (3 per bag). Check out her posting for Wednesday, January 07, 2009; it gives you a good idea of what to do. If you are a crafty person and would like to participate, let Shelly know. Last Friday, I sent off nine medicine bags that I made (some are pictured) and wouldn’t ya know it – the minute I got home for the post office, I had MORE ideas. I took an old pair of R’s jeans and cut out the back pockets. The pockets had Velcro closures which R considers a nuisance. All I need to do is add straps and they are done. And I have even more ideas for the rest of the jeans. That project is on hold for probably another day as I have started my “after the holidays” cleaning.

We took down and put away all the Christmas trimmings on Sunday. R was feeling pretty good and #1 son helped also. We put the tree up in our all-season room that we added to our home two years ago. Basically we use the room for my crafts and as a sitting area to enjoy the sun when it is too hot or cold to be outdoors. I LOVE this room. However, I have NOT been in love with the arrangement of things out there. So Tuesday, I went wild and had #1 son help me move things around in my craft area (while R was out). We moved most of my craft things 90 degrees to the right. In the process, I made a mess, but that is how I clean – I put everything in a HUGE pile and go through it. So that’s what I have been immersed in for the last couple of days. The sewing supplies are done and I just finished going through all my scrapbooking things. Then I will arrange and finish cataloging my baseball card collection; and finally, I shall tackle the yarn – how I love yarn!! I love to knit and crochet.

For the time being, my grandchildren have enough hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters. I have made many prayer shawls for friends also. So now I am making 6”x 9” crochet squares that will make afghans for our wounded service men and women. I think I have about 25 squares made now. I will mail out all I have made next week as there is a big afghan-making event in Maryland on February 1st.

So this is what has been keeping my days busy this week. Oh, I must also tell you that R ordered me a Christmas present that finally arrived Monday. It is a personal DVD player – I was ready to go out and buy one, remember? Well, now I can sit in the living room and watch MY movies while the boys watch their TRU-TV. Woooooo Hooooooo … I’m happy!

Have a great week… I’ll BBSL (be back sooner or later).

Manic Monday ~ SALE

The Worst (Best for the Yankees) Deal
in Baseball History

Harry Frazee Sells Babe Ruth to New York
written by Harvey Frommer

"On a cold January 5, 1920, Babe Ruth, 24, was sold by Red Sox owner Harry Frazee to the New York Yankees for $125,000. Frazee was also given a $350,000 mortgage on Fenway Park by Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert. In four years as a pitcher Ruth was 78-40. In 1919, he batted .322 with 29 home runs playing left field for the Red Sox...

When Frazee sold Ruth, Red Sox general manager (soon to be Yankee general manager) Ed Barrow had told Frazee: "You ought to know that you're making a mistake."

Oh, what a mistake! …

The dark age of Boston baseball can be traced directly to the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Beginning in 1919 the BoSox began a 15-year steak of losing campaigns, dropping at least 100 games in a season five times, and at least 90 games five more times. Last place finishers in that era nine times, they were a sad excuse for a baseball franchise.

The golden age of Yankee baseball can be traced directly to their acquisition of the George Herman Ruth. The Yankees have won 26 world titles since the Red Sox won their last …"

I am a card-carrying member of the Red Sox Nation. They finally broke the curse of 'The Babe' by winning the World Series in 2004 and again in 2007. One of our very best friends (you remember Mr. Moose from our Christmas Birthday Celebration) is a die-hard New York Yankee fan. From April until the end of the World Series, we plan our visits around when the two teams play against each other. I subscribe to pay-per-view baseball so I can watch all the games. And I get really annoyed when the games in California are blacked out. Don’t they know I paid dearly for those games and can’t possibly get to see them in person?? Lordy… where is the common sense!! Oh yes, I know it all centers on the almighty dollar.

Can you believe that Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees for ONLY $125,000? Not too many days ago, the Yankee Organization paid Mark Teixeira $180 MILLION for an 8 year contract!!! OY!!!!!!!!!!!! The Yankees have pockets lined deeply with green to pay for all their talent. They did pick up some big names on today’s baseball menu since the 2008 season ended (CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Teixeira); and they already have a bunch of talented big name players. In most cases, once you put those pinstripes on, you have a name in baseball. It will be interesting to see if the money spent pays off for them.

And then there are the Red Sox. The purchase power of their pockets is not quite as deep and their philosophy isn’t “the more you spend, the better you become.” I’m not saying that’s a bad philosophy to have. However, the American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia, worked his way up in the Red Sox farm club system. His second season playing for the Big Boys in Boston was 2008; and he played last year for about $800,000. Oh boy, did he ever play!!! Not only was he voted AL MVP, but he also won the Gold Glove Award at Second Base and a Silver Bat Award for 2008. In his rookie year (2007), he won a World Series Ring as well as being voted American League Rookie of the Year. So I am watching the Red Sox nurture and promote from within their own system.

And when all is said and done, all this doesn’t matter. If you’re a fan, you are a fan – in any sport. And you hope your team is successful.

Smokey's Visit and other things...

This is Smokey. He is a seven-year-old sheltie, and he has been our houseguest for the last few days while his ‘people’ went to Reno for a New Year get-away. When our next-door neighbors, George and Glada, need a short vacation (usually to Reno), Smokey comes here for a visit. For the first 24 hours, Smokey just mopes around feeling rejected, deserted and oh so sorry for himself (refer to above photo).

This time it was even more difficult for our furry – very furry – friend. You see, his people have had a visitor for the last few weeks (a relative who is going through a divorce, I heard from someone); and this visitor has a small dog also. When George dropped Smokey off on Tuesday morning, he told us that their visitor would be leaving the next morning. Well, Smokey was a tad bit upset that first night when there was another dog in HIS yard. He was not a happy pup to say the least… barking and running in circles and getting really anxious to go back home as he figured George and Glada were there without him.

We thought that everything would quiet down the next day when the visitor and his dog left. WRONG! We have spent the last four days living with a dog on the edge. The visitor guy, for some reason unknown to us, did not leave Wednesday morning. For the entire time his people have been gone, there has been another dog in Smokey’s house and playing in his yard. Can you imagine what was going through this poor pup’s mind? I don’t blame him for going ballistic over this whole situation. Had I been in the shoes of the visitor next door, I would gladly have volunteered to look after Smokey (knowing full well I would not be going anywhere before George and Glada got home). When George picked Smokey up this evening, "R" mentioned Smokey’s trauma over this whole incident. I guess George supplied a satisfactory explanation of what was going on. It really is none of my business, but I have a few words I would like to say to the visitor next door. Of course, I am a coward as there are far too many guns available to too many people these days. So I will keep my mouth shut for now. I just feel badly that it was such an unpleasant experience for our friend Smokey.

On the bright side, it was fun having the pup running through the house for a few days. "R" remarked how quiet it was this evening as we watched The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian. Now that was an excellent sequel to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. "R" is such a redneck, I am very surprised at his interest in these movies. I was surprised that he actually watched all three Shrek movies too. Come to think of it, Shrek is sort of a redneck himself – in a round about happily-ever-after way with a Mike Myers Scottish accent. I have managed to watch Mamma Mia three times through the holidays. My next purchase is going to be a portable DVD player so I don’t need the TV and the DVD player. I still have Man of LaMancha that I bought a year ago and haven’t watched because it’s a “chick flick” and I am the only chick in the house.

Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get up. Tonight it didn’t pay to go to bed. I’m tired enough when I climb in bed, but then the mind starts going – and forgets to stop so that I can fall asleep. I did accomplish something by getting up instead of tossing and turning. But, for now, I'll say "good night" and/or "good morning".

First of the Year 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! I have been absent from my blog for a few days... It’s not that I haven’t WANTED to write anything lately. Lots of topics have crossed my mind… like who ever coined the phrase “making love to (or hugging) the porcelain bowl” when your stomach rejects all that has (and has not) been put in it? Sorry guys, I have been under the weather a bit.

My poor city of Sacramento has been under the weather also. Sacramento has a FOG problem during the winter. Of course, the fog would NOT cooperate this morning when I wanted to take a piture of it... of course (grrrrrrrrrr... I hope this year gets better).

I mean a real FOG problem. The visibility at the Sacramento International Airport yesterday at noon was only about ¼ mile and the noon weather said that if you want to warm up and enjoy the sun, go to Lake Tahoe. Now that’s a change. There’s snow and ice and cold up there.

I remember the first time I saw THE FOG. We were driving back from Lake Tahoe – west down Highway 50 and BAM!!! There was this big ugly gray-black-brown mass blocking my view of the city – covering the valley like a dirty comforter over a bed. I looked at DH (dear hubby) and he said, “That’s THE FOG.” It looked like something really sinister!!

So, here’s our forecast for New Years Eve and Day:
After a foggy start to Wednesday with visibility less than a quarter of a mile in much of the valley, News10 Microcast meteorologist Monica Woods says skies will start to clear Wednesday afternoon but it will be cool with highs near 50. Fog will form again Wednesday night to ring in 2009 with a temperature near 44 degrees at midnight. Woods said areas of dense fog are possible again toward Thursday morning. Highs will be near 50 New Year's Day with mostly cloudy skies.

Quite often we don’t see the sun for days on end. Luckily our neighbor has orange trees that are full of fruit right now. We get our Vitamin C from fresh hand-squeezed oranges. What a delight! Thank goodness for those oranges.

What amazes me is that for THE FOG to form the difference between temperature and dewpoint is 5* F or less… and the relative humidity is near 100%. But the grass in my back yard looks like it’s dying – it’s all brown and yucky. But every morning, it looks like it has rained all night. DH says the grass is hibernating. Well, good, I won’t have to pay to have the yard work done until spring. [Maybe by then DH will have fixed the lawn mower? It takes an act of congress since he has been retired.]

And today, again HAPPY NEW YEAR, I am going out for a bit - if only to WalMart. I am getting cabin fever and tomorrow it's supposed to rain - that'll get rid of the fog.