Author: admin

Sunday, August 11 Starting photo was taken at sunrise today, but I didn’t have it yet when we published the blog tonight. This lovely photograph by Evie Schuetz was captured on Killmore Rd, to the southwest of the Kittitas Valley. Our Farrier lives on this road, so I imagine he has a beautiful view leaving or coming home. The road appears to be less than 2 miles, so if the field is in the first .93 mi, he’ll see it. Otherwise, he’d have to drive another ½ mile to see it.

After a lot of issues with the Internet this evening, we published the blog at 11:45 p.m. I turned over my draft to John at 2:11 p.m. today, but he had too many other pressing projects needing attention during daylight. Then we had problems with our transferring data to the Internet. Seems like it’s always something, but John has more problems with accessing the Internet from his computer than I do, for unknown reasons.

Monday, August 12

The picture for today was photographed by my friend in Michigan, whom I’ve known since meeting her in the 6th grade at Garden Hills Elementary School in Atlanta, GA.
I’ll put it in with her name and the clever caption she puts on most of her pictures (on Facebook). This seems appropriate for the week we were attending the Kittitas Audubon Annual Picnic.I knew her as Nancy Johnson and she knew me as Nancy Brannen. We sang duets all around town (mostly folksongs) with our guitars. People knew us as Nancy “J” and Nancy “B”. We also both played the violin in an orchestra through high school.

I paid and mailed the payment to Department of Ecology, Olympia, for our Water Rights Titling. Long time coming; cost $155.40, which included $50 to the Kittitas Auditor’s office.

Stayed home to rest foot and work with receipts, filling, and paying bills. My BP is high this morning, but I am not having any symptoms. John took his with the same wrist monitor. It was on the high side but his pulse was lower than usual. My pulse is fine. Will keep resting and check it through the day.
My only plan tomorrow is to go to a one-hour meeting (sitting) and will come home, by way of the vet to pick up some meds for Annie (dog) with arthritis pain.

This morning through midday my BP was way high for me for unknown reasons. It finally got down after 2:00 to 118/68 pulse 63 and later to 108/66 pulse 62. I’m okay now. No clue why.

I worked on filing and answering several emails. John did chores outside and then came in and fixed a supper of Chicken Stir-Fry with onions, mushrooms, red peppers, and I had cherry tomatoes with mine.

John cut me cubes of turkey and apple for my lunch salad tomorrow before I have to be at a meeting at the AAC at 1:00 o’clock. He went to bed before me because he is going to get up and go on a hike tomorrow.

Sent out the call for musicians for Thursday and Saturday; attendance is down for Thursday, but much worse on Saturday.

Tuesday, August 13

John left for hike at 6:25 a.m. & I went back to sleep until 8:40.

Remember I had ordered pills from Fred Meyer on 8/8, but they were not due to arrive until 8/18. I figured out the remaining pills and need to have 5 more pills to make the deadline. Early this morning, I called the vet and ordered what I needed to tide Annie through that gap. I was to pick up this afternoon on my way home, after checking my numbers at Bi-Mart.

10:24 Fixed my lettuce head in its bowl and loaded some dishes.
11:17 Took blood pressure before my Entresto: (med needed to lower BP): BP 146/77 pulse 64

I put in the rest of meds for the week, called Super 1 Pharmacy to refill one, talked to the pharmacist (Tuesday), who is my friend on duty today. My first concern was to refill my Amiodarone but change it from a 200 mg pill to a 100 mg pill so it can be halved to reach the needed dosage, and not quartered (which is a pita), with the smallness of the pill. That was her suggestion 3 months ago.
I spent much time with her, first about the Amiodarone. After her searching the price at 6 different suppliers for the 100mg, and finding it in the $ hundred dollar range, we decided to stick with a 3-month supply of 200 mg Amiodarone at $18.58. They are willing to do the quartering for me, and will continue (no cost). We have no clue why the price is so inflated (even after insurance).
While I was taking her time, I had her search for any of the drugs I’m on, negative interactions with a new probiotic I’m on, named SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII, by Klaire, the same manufacturer of the one I have been on successfully for several years. There are no conflicts with it. I thanked her for all the time spent dealing with me this morning.

Now waiting to eat my salad, clean up, and leave for AAC.

12:25 p.m., I got a call just as I was walking out the door to go to my meeting at the AAC to get there by 1:00 p.m. It was from Fred Meyer Pharmacy that it had been delivered early, today, and was there for our pick-up. I rapidly called Lila, at Ellensburg Animal Hospital to cancel my order for the 5 tablets.

I went by Bi-Mart and picked up a package of Blueberry Fig Newtons for the number “1” of our membership number’s ending. I gave them away to a friend who likes them, because while John and I eat original Fig Newtons, we prefer other types of cookies. I went by Safeway for a medical report summary for 2018, after attending the AAC Senior Advisory Commission as an observer.

Just home at 3:30 p.m., I took my BP 109/66 p 68 and called John as planned; however, his phone rang in the room I was calling from, so that means he doesn’t have it along and that is our only communication via Bluetooth in his car. I had to wait and fret for his return.

It’s now almost 5:00 p.m. and I have not seen him yet. Normally, he would be home by now.
At 6:00 p.m. I received a call from a phone number in Cle Elum. I answered it thinking it might be from someone else’s phone. It was and it was John. He’d pulled over to the side of the exit ramp at Elk Heights, to stretch out a cramp in his leg. A fellow from Roslyn, WA named Mason, stopped to ask if he needed assistance. John borrowed his cell phone to alert me to where he was and how he would be coming home off I-90 on the Thorp Prairie Rd.

It was good timing, because I had seriously been thinking of calling friends in Search & Rescue to ask how long I should wait to ask for assistance in finding him. He left me detailed topographic maps and distances of the trail he intended to hike today. The hike was longer and harder than he had expected from reading reports. He thinks, now, that only good fast hikers bother to write reports on-line. Not-so-good hikers need time to recover and move on to something else when they do.
He didn’t make it off the trail until 4:30 p.m., and made it home okay. I was happy to see him.

Once here, he only wanted to rest and keep from getting cramps. After he fed the horses, he sat down, and I told him I needed to drive to town before 9:00 p.m. to pick up Annie’s medication. I knew he didn’t feel like cooking supper, so I agreed to bring home something for dinner, and got his choices of what he wanted.

I drove back to town to pick up Annie’s prescription of Rimadyl from Fred Meyer. I went on Naneum, and Thomas, to Wilson Cr., but on the first leg (Naneum / Thomas), I saw 3 does, all three with a set of twins !! I figure that’s some sort of record achievement.

Went on down to Look Rd., and by the KELN (airport) weather station at 7:53 p.m. when the temperature gauge on my Subaru Forester registered 72°. When I got home, I checked and the temperature reported at the exact same time at KELN was 79°.

I made it to Fred Meyer in time to have a nice visit with Chadlyn, and I was able to thank her for all her hard work finding me the good price for a 2-month supply of Annie’s medication. I’ll return there again. I also was able to get John some of his Cola drinks for 79 ₵ each.

From there I went to Burger King for our supper, because John was in no shape to fix anything for us. His legs are still subject to cramping, and he hopes he can lie down without them cramping and get some much needed rest. He was on the trail from 7:40 a.m. to ~ 4:30 p.m.
John has pictures to share – I need to process them and put on a Google Photos link to share in the blog, next week.

Wednesday, August 14

I ran the clothes washer, mostly full of John’s WTA work clothes and one holder with my underpants. I got waylaid and forgot to package up my other nylon bag of socks to wash. I got the bag of underpants cleaned, and that is more important.

I filled 5 more months of records and organized them: Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec. Now need to start entering them into my computer.

Did the final mailing for tomorrow at Pacifica, and updated plans for Saturday at Briarwood. It’s looking to be low in number.
We had our brunch: eggs, sourdough toast (apricot jam for me), bacon, and smoked turkey.
I contacted Vikram Bisht about sending him links to the blog and google photos for WTA work at Manastash Ridge, where he took a lot of very nice photos.
We confirmed attendance at the annual picnic of the KAS, in EBRG’s Mountain View Park.

I’m staying home to rest my foot, making this the 3rd week home since hurting my foot there a month ago.
I wrote C M Bechard on Facebook messenger that I would not be there, but I have 2 more bags of empty bottles to give him when I see him next. I’m hoping for next week.

I looked up in my documents, the number and what to say to renew my Sirius XM Satellite Radio for a year, before 9/1. Otherwise, it renews for some exorbitant price / year of $232. I will not pay that but ask for the current promotion and if it doesn’t suit me, I will cancel my membership.

I took my BP at 2:55 p.m. today and it is much improved over the BP this morning (very high).
From last night (low) – 93/64 Pulse 66
Morning about 9:00 a.m. – 157/87 p 68
Later (no time recorded) – 135/80 p 65
Now at 2:55 p.m., Okay – 105/65 p 70
before at 122/69 p 76
BEFORE AT 135/80 p 65
MORN 157/87 p 68
LAST NIGHT 93/64 p 66 low, so I only took ½ pill Entresto

Thursday, August 15

I’ll start off today with tonight’s moon captured by our friend. Moon over the Kittitas Valley tonight (8/16 a.m.) by Evie Schuetz

We received an early a.m message from The Law Office that Jennifer won’t be back in until Monday. We knew her schedule normally did not include Thursdays, but just called to check in case she might have been there. John needed to go to town today for gasoline for his CrossTrek, and wanted to refill a bucket with onions to return to her, as thanks for her filling it with apricots she picked for us and our neighbor.

I went to Pacifica today; as did Charlotte, Sharon, Manord, Gerald, Joanie, Dean, Amy. Terri came to the door and took from my trunk, all my heavy weighted materials: violin in case, music for the audience, music books for two of the players. It’s quite a load. I pulled up to the front door, she unloaded, and then I drove and parked under a tree for shade. I took a beanie bag shaped as a pink, blue, & white fuzzy sheep to give to Haley, and she really appeared to enjoy toting it all over the big room.

At the end of our playing, Joanie called Ken over to take my car keys and retrieve my car to the front door. Then she loaded up my heaviest bag and took it out to meet him at the car. She came back in and retrieved the rest (my violin case and the audience music). I was most appreciative for their help, and for Terri’s earlier coming in.

I went by Super 1 Pharmacy and picked up my Amiodarone, which they had quartered for me. The price of 100mg was incredibly higher than the 200mg, $237! So we will stay with the quartering. I thought it would be easier to halve the 100.

Tonight we went to the Kittitas Audubon Annual Potluck Picnic, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Mountain View/Lions Park, first time here. We had good burgers grilled with fried onions. Burger, bun, and all the toppings paid for by the club. Members brought appetizers, salad, or dessert, and there were good choices.
We took Chocolate Chip Cookies with Almonds, our plates, utensils, beverages, and chairs. No wine allowed in a city park.

We arrived and greeted those there, and I took a few photos. I’ll have to share a few photos with the group later, and will put them into a Google Photos link, which I may include in next week’s blog.
Then we enjoyed our supper. The grilled burgers were nice, and I especially liked the fried onions to put on with my tomato slices, mustard, and avocado mayonnaise. Also, I had a little of some other dishes that people brought. All very good. I enjoyed the fruit salad and a couple other sides. There was a dessert table as well.
We stayed around until the end visiting with several people we have known from our past, and friends they brought.

Friday, August 16

John left at 6:45 for Denny Creek just west of the I-90 crest at Snoqualmie Summit. This is the first of 3 days.

Morning computer wake-up was this from my friend Evie.Sunrise at corner of No. 81 & Lyons Rd – by Evie Schuetz – her caption was Grassy Sunrise Buffet.

We have been talking about this corner for some time and wanting to know the history of the buildings (looks like an old homestead and an outbuilding). I went out today before 2:00 p.m. and took photos of the buildings, but all the cows were over in the shade beneath the faraway trees in the upper left.

Here are my photos, a little closer up on the buildings, but the afternoon lighting is not as nearly as good as morning sunrise. The two at the top are viewed from Lyons Road; bottom is the view from No 81 Road in Ellensburg, north of Kittitas WA. I hope to learn the history of the place.

Saturday, August 17

John left at 6:50 – he tries to get to the trail by 8:00 along with the other crew leaders. Other volunteers are supposed by arrive by 8:30.
I went back to bed, now up for coffee and starting the day.

At 9:15 I l let Czar out the front door, and Rascal out the back door. He came back in the doggie door with a dead critter, and I followed him down the hall. Annie was ahead of him. He went under the guest bed from by bathroom side, she went around the other, and I followed her to get her out of the room, because he was growling. Went back to front to give Czar food, but he wasn’t out there. So I sat down. Czar came into the den, got petted, and now is gone again. Haven’t checked; am trying to ignore it and hope they don’t find each other. They did, and were both under the bed, but now are both out (guess John will have to look for remains. Now Rascal is out back again and Czar is on the rug at the door. It’s now 10:00. They were actually back out 15 minutes ago. Within minutes, Czar was asleep on his blanket in the den. I assume Rascal will return to his house bed as well, but I haven’t checked. John found when he returned home that it was a rabbit, not a Douglas Squirrel as I had hoped.

I spent time on the phone with Jim Huckabay in South Africa where he is visiting friends. I had been trying to reach him regarding a book he is trying to publish. A former student has inquired. He wanted to get a copy of a book that is advertised on the publisher’s web site, but sadly, all of the information is not there to say it is not yet published, but pending. So, now everyone knows and the web designer will be instructed to put better information in the Titles section.

I have misplaced my cell phone. Maybe I left it on the front seat of my car when I packed up to bring stuff in yesterday. (I didn’t and still haven’t located it). I’m sorry I didn’t find it and call Jim earlier today so he wouldn’t have had to use his to call me. He pays $1.35/minute to call back, and would not have to pay if I had called him. His phone call came in as an international OUT OF AREA call which I normally do not answer but wait for a message. (Caller ID number was 011-xxx-xxxx). I was poised to block it, as I had one OUT OF AREA call yesterday that came multiple times, even after blocked. But, with a slight delay, understandable, Jim started talking, so I listened, and wrote down his number(s), and at his request, returned the phone call. We had a nice conversation (it was night time over there, nine hours ahead of us). It was 11:00 a.m. here.

We played at Briarwood today and afterwards, they fed us an array of salads (fruit, Caesar, pasta salad, herb muffins, and Calico Cowboy Cold Salad. I left my camera at home, so cannot check for other things offered. Desserts, Chocolate Chip cookies, sugar cookies, Rhubarb / strawberry cake with Cool Whip. I got home at 4:15; John had called at 3:38 from the Pass and was entering I-90 East. By the time I called from home (I had to wait because I have lost my cell phone and didn’t have it with me. I have not a clue where it is. I think I last had it with me yesterday, so I don’t know. I tried dialing and leaving a message but it likely won’t ding when it is turned off, which was the last thing I remember doing in my car (turning it off).

Just took off my walking shoes, turned on the a/c and will go load some dishes to soak. That’s all done.

Hope your week was fine.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan

Sunday, August 4

After a lot of issues with WordPress, we published the blog at 11:06 p.m. It was “ready to go we expected” by 10:20 p.m., but problems intervened.

Monday, August 5

I’m going to begin this week with a sunny smiling face photo. I took my own today on my trip to the garden as we left out the back patio door, and went by volunteer seeded Sunflowers from the adjacent bird feeder we have stocked all year with Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. We have the same plants around our front yard bird feeder setup.Imagine my surprise, when I saw a post on Facebook from our friend Evie of her trip at morning sunrise to a large field of sunflowers only 7 miles from our house.

She has given me permission to use any of her works of art in our blog, so this will cheer you further. It did me. The top photo show much of the field of sunflowers at the intersection of Brickmill and Lester Rds., only 7 miles SE of us. Photographed by Evie Schuetz.

This morning I got involved making a report of my ER visit to share with my foot doctor. The report has the history, and the X-Ray findings that yesterday finally made it into my KVH portal. They are written beyond my medical comprehension. I need his evaluation of the X-Ray analyst’s findings and impressions. It’s written in language only a medical doctor could completely decipher. He’s spoken with me before about an earlier injury, and regularly sees us every 3 months. I sent it to his private email and called his receptionist to let him know it was there. I have not heard back from him, sadly, so I shared with a couple of nurses and another medical doctor friend. My interpretation of the report was that I had fractured one of the bones, yet was discharged from ER, with the “conclusion” that it was likely not fractured.

No biggie really, because there is nothing that can be done, except wait for time to heal and to get the fluid from the bruises out of my system. Having patience, staying off my feet, and resting are the hardest parts of the healing process – which I already realized would be longer in my case because of my being on a blood thinner.

For example, this was the hard-to-decipher information:

Notes: (XR Foot Comp Min 3 Views Rt) Reason for Exam: pain and swelling REPORT EXAM: XR Foot Comp Min 3 Views Rt, 8/2/2019 11:16 AM

History: Pain and swelling with prior injury 2 weeks ago.
Technique: Frontal, lateral and oblique
Comparison: none

Findings: Small area of focal subcortical demineralization anteromedially of the first metatarsal head. There is question of a cortical disruption. No dislocation is identified. There is mild osteopenic bone density with second-fifth digit hammertoe deformities. Joint spaces reveal mild narrowing and periarticular eburnation changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Also degenerative change of the metatarsal head sesamoid bones. Mild hallux valgus changes present. Mild degenerative changes of the IP joints. Accumulation. Soft tissues are normal.

IMPRESSION: Question cortical fracture anterolateral (probably a miss-type); should be as above, anteromedially) of the first metatarsal head with bone reabsorption/healing change.
***** Final *****
Signed (Electronic Signature): Andersen, C. Zeno MD 08/02/19 11:38 a Technologist: WT

John invited me to visit his “newer” garden with our new camera to see the start of the onion harvest. On our way, we went out the back patio door and around by the Japanese plum tree, plus others, he planted for me. I walked (as gingerly as possible) to the garden for photos of flowers, veggies, fruits, onions, and filming the onion harvest. John will follow this with photos of his storage of his onions in the barn to dry, and plans to give me a link to Dixondale Farms where they originated, explaining the needed drying process.

Before the harvesting, here is a fast glance at the walk. Photo is of Damson Plums of Central and Eastern Europe. There is much fruit but it is small and flesh and seed cling tightly. Maybe that is why it seems to be mostly used for Slivovitz, Plum Brandy. The kernels are ground up along with the flesh. This one is from Serbia. We can do jelly a lot easier and just buy a bottle of the brandy.
Damson Purple plum views; we also have yellow ones (Shiro), especially for me. They are still hard.

Variegated (& not so) Dahlias, keeping with the purple theme.John displays the variegated one; Rt. View from a different angle.

Czar supervises – cherry tomatoes are in the mix as well

Finally, the onions story.Onions and Strawberries – Sour and Sweet –

The strawberries are missing in this garden, but doing all right in the other which has a better fence. The deer got into this one and ate most of the strawberries, including the leaves. So sad, after all John’s effort in building the beds. I’m not sure what his plans are, but he has given up on these. {Plants will be moved to a better place until I get a real fence built.}

Now for the videos of the onion harvest beginning, for white first, and then “purple” reds.

Harvesting Walla Walla Sweet Onions, 8-5-19

Harvesting Redwing Onions, 8-5-19

John’s out digging again; photos on Saturday.

I have to continue loading dishes, but most importantly put my meds in the container for the week, so I have something to take after I eat. We’re having leftovers (cold meat) from Saturday’s birthday party for friend Joy.

He returned and we had cold chicken, a tiny bit of smoked brisket, pistachios, and tomatoes.

I called the city’s executive assistant about the time expectations and procedure for the 7:00 meeting tonight. I must attend the City Commissioner’s meeting at City Hall, in order to give my statement of introduction for filling a vacancy on the Ellensburg Adult Activity Senior Advisory Commission. I knew about it because of a friend we have known since coming to town, who had been serving on the commission. She is leaving town for a new residence and vacating an open spot. It’s not a large time commitment, but the purpose is essential to the continued successful operation of our senior center.

The commissioner’s meeting was videotaped, and played back on Ellensburg Community TV, Channel 1. The link below is to the entire session. I’m putting this in primarily to show our local access to events in our town that are available for people to send in action (via a scheduled program for the day’s viewing), which includes current and previous events. It’s a nice opportunity.

Ellensburg Community TV, Channel 1

I got on there later this week, viewed the meeting, and captured the first part on my new camera (as a video). That’s the camera that I need to use Fiber Optic Cable at the University to upload to YouTube, but I wasn’t going to town that day, so used DSL that lengthened my time exceedingly. My 17-min version of the meeting’s start through our interviews is here, with timing of the two applicant’s statements. Each of us spoke ~ 7 minutes and then we were excused from the meeting. Here are the specifics: Start Dean’s at 3:23; end of Dean’s is 9:13 where my name is called and I’m asked to step forward to the podium and microphone.

County Commission’s Meeting, August 5, 2019

After the meeting, we visited the grocery store for some on-sale items and by the Courthouse to deposit our voter ballots** at the collection facility outside. All went well, and we came home and ate a late supper. [**Washington does voting by mail, but deposit boxes are common and saves the State the cost of mail.]

Tuesday, August 6

Called Ellensburg Animal Hospital about Rimadyl access and the cost for 30 tablets of 100 mg chewable tabs. At our last appointment, the vet gave us a bottle with 12 to try with Annie for her pain from arthritis. It appears to work. Their cost is quite high, 30 tablets for $69. I began looking for cheaper alternatives, realizing I needed a prescription to be sent to a pharmacy. I found the best price at Fred Meyer Pharmacy (more details in tomorrow’s report).

I went for my monthly blood draw, and the INR=2.4 (good, same as last month). I filled in other things on the calendar for the next standing order K test (used to be monthly, but has been changed to 4 times/year). While at the hospital, I spoke to the person to request a copy of the X-rays on my foot to be left for me in Imaging. Estimated pickup time was 8/9.

Wednesday, August 7

John left this morning at almost 6:45 a.m. for Snow Lake Trail, WTA Work crew. I stayed up – things to do. My first decision was that I could not participate in the Food Bank lunch music bunch, because my foot was still in too much pain. I must rest it. I contacted 2 people who would be there.

Now at 11:45, Annie has had her pill and settled down. I am sure she was in pain.

Lila at Ellensburg Animal Hospital sent Annie’s prescription for 30 tabs of 100 mg Rimadyl to Fred Meyer Pharmacy. They will let me know the actual price so Pharmacist Chadlyn can check, when they have the script in hand. She thought it would be around $47, from a previous purchase for another client’s dog. This is not sold as a human drug. We’ve been giving just ¼ tablet in morning and evening. For now that seems to work.

She found and will leave instructions for the Pharmacist tomorrow morning to put the order in, as she will not be back until next week. A bottle with 30 chewable tablets of 100mg will cost $26.99 + tax. I believe our tax here is 8.2%, so the cost will be $29.20. Humans are not charged tax on medications, but canines are. She returned my call and I needed to accept ordering 2-month supply because her Fred Meyer distributor has a minimum order she had to reach, and she added as much as she could but couldn’t find $27 more. I told her to go ahead and put in the order for 2 bottles for me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
RE: local temperature reports

Reading 94.8 at 2:24 home and 99 at KELN

Reading 94.6 at 2:53 home and 101 at KELN

John came by at 3:53, car gave a 92 when it was 98 at KELN

We cleaned and cut mushrooms, and cut an onion to sauté to put in crockpot beef he put on early this morning before he left.

Thursday, August 8

John left at 6:45 a.m. for Snow Lake Trail, WTA Work crew.

I checked the ECTV for an 8:00 a.m. show of Aug 5, 2019 commission meeting but it wasn’t being aired until Aug 11 & 13. However, I fiddled around and figured how to get to the copy and play it off air. Got my camera and tried to see if I could reset the resolution so as not to spend so much bandwidth recording.

I re-recorded the first part of the evening, starting with the lead in Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, agenda amendments, and then continued with the first applicant (alphabetically), Dean Allen for his introductory remarks. We were both vying for only vacant slot on the Ellensburg Adult Activity Center’s Senior Advisory Commission. Then I followed. It was a bit awkward having us only realize as we arrived that evening that we both had applied. Dean Allen and I are friends, and it was not fun to be in competition in public. Obviously, we both followed through, and it was obvious we were friends (we play music together two days/week).

While it downloads from my camera to my computer, so I can transfer to YouTube, I’m continuing with projects. It’s now almost time to fix my salad for lunch, and get ready to leave for music. Got my mic all charged up for today’s announcing at Meadows Place.

I got the call from Fred Meyer Pharmacist (guy) that he would send the order in if I still wanted it, if it took a while. Glad I got the call as I was walking out the door, or we’d been another day away from receiving the medication.

Tonight, John helped me by using his computer to take the 3 images of X-Rays off the CD I picked up this afternoon. His tower has slots; mine has to be done externally and is a lot more hassle.

These are the frontal, lateral, and oblique views taken.

I zoomed into each image individually, but I still am not completely sure what I’m seeing. I need someone to interpret the marks the technologist mentions, and I need to look at the image of the names of the bones in the foot again, while re-reading the report and viewing the X-Rays.

I have since studied it more, while looking at the bone parts and names in the foot, and receiving input from friends. If there are doctors or nurses in our viewing land, and you want to see the individual ones so you can enlarge them, I can email them to you, separately. I personally prefer analyzing the first X-Ray. Just let me know.

Called Janet Fulton-Perkins to sing Happy Birthday. She will call me back later. She’s visiting with her cousin.

Our music at the Meadows Place went fine, and I returned home, after a fairly long visit with a resident I have known for years, about her grandson’s traumatic accident.

John made it home eventually, and we finished off the evening, going to bed a little earlier than usual. My foot was bothering me. I actually left Meadows for the hospital imaging department to pick up my CD of the X-Ray scans and they were there a day before expected. Good, because I did not have to go to EBRG Fri.

Friday, August 9

Last night, going to sleep with the windows all opened trying to cool down the house, we heard all sorts of sounds. The coyotes were howling. Three o’clock brought the sound of 6 shots from our neighbor’s house. At 3:30 a.m. came thunder from the sky and bouncing off the hills.

John left 6:45 a.m. for Snow Lake Trail, WTA Work crew. I intended to do some stuff today, including driving out to check out the Sunflower field at Lester & Brickmill, but my foot is hurting too much. Even with the rest I did this week, I must have not rested it enough and walked on it too much. {John says, WTA friend George is resting his aches by working more at the Volunteer Vacations Logistics shed in North Bend – packing food and gear.} Last night and this morning it has been especially painful. I will do better today taking care of it and staying off as much as possible.

Am uploading the video I took yesterday on my new camera. It’s a much better copy of the Monday County Commissioner’s meeting than I received on my older camera (with less bandwidth to transfer). It will take a couple hours to upload, but no one will need to be on the Internet. I’m on to paperwork sorting and filing and John’s gone to the Cascades. He actually tossed my old hooded rain jacket in the car because they likely will have rain. If there is thunder they will get the work sites safe and leave the work. Normally, the time is 2:30 back to the parking lot, which might be a mile (20 minutes) by now. I’ll call him at 3:30 to reach him through Bluetooth in his car.

I reviewed the pictures sent for 3 different days of WTA work on that trail last week, but the most illustrative one is a before and after of a set of stairs some of the crew built. We shall present that story, with John’s help documenting. In addition, I picked other photos of John’s crew working to have him explain them to me. He has done this in 2 small posts that come before this one. You can go backwards, if you are interested, at the end of this post.

Or, the links are:

Snow Lake Trail – One

#One shows replacement of steps; not what John was doing.

#Two shows an improvement project about a mile up trail.

Snow Lake Trail – Two

I find it fascinating, and I believe you will too. It’s my only way of visiting the work the WTA crews do.

This morning, I changed from having the pressure on my foot’s top from bedroom shoes to two pairs of socks, using John’s hospital socks (given as slippers) with the “tread” on the outside bottom. I can walk flatfooted with no pressure for the few steps in the house I must take today. I’m staying home for a few days to rest it, completely. The walking shoes (leather) are okay for short periods required outside the house, but they hurt too after a while of use.  Any of my trips away to Ellensburg require 2-3 hours, 4 max, and that is too much usage.  

Update on breakfast and pills at 11:00 a.m. – took BP, and Entresto and had my warmed ¼ blueberry/pecan pancake. Gave Annie her ½ pill, and will give another when pain is evident. As necessary, I’ll up the dosage back to what it was – 50mg twice a day, up from 25mg twice, hoping I can get a few more tablets from the vet this coming week when I run out in 5 days, to tide her over until my order is returned to Fred Meyer Pharmacy in 10 days.

Another SSA Scam call 1:15 today: (they left this message)
“Hello, this is Officer Marie Gomez from the Social Security Administration. This is to inform you that your social security number has been suspended due to some reasons. We request you to call us back on 301-264-8279. I repeat it three zero one 264-8279. Thank you, and have a nice day.”

As I wait for the upload to finish, our electricity just blinked off and on at 1:26 p.m. Now the clocks will need reset. Glad my computer was on a battery, but my WiFi and Internet is not retrievable even with a restart of the “modem.” So I didn’t know how long I had to get it going again, without losing everything.

Finally, I contacted Consolidated Communication (CC), Technical Support, in Texas and with a lot of effort I was connected again and did not lose the information I had already uploaded.

After that scare, I called Customer Service to ask if they could connect us to a nearby Fiber Optic cable I thought was down the road. We watched it being buried last year, but it changed directions and turned off Naneum west onto Thomas Road. I have no clue what that cable supports. Consolidated Communication, our provider, claims there is “No fiber optic cable available out here by any provider; only DSL.” Further research needed.

Tonight I decided the idea of two pair of socks was not working as I thought. So, I went back to wearing a newer pair of bedroom shoes, and one pair of socks, but taking the slippers off when sitting.

Saturday, August 10

Primary plans today include three things: make progress on the blog, alternate with organizing and filing receipts where I left off yesterday, and take care of resting and caring for my foot.

We had a brunch consisting of two different assortments of food. Mine was leftover blueberry-pecan pancake, 2 eggs, orange slices, and pressed ham. John’s was toast, 2 eggs, French fries, ham & orange.

John finally left for outside chores. Companion Dog & Cat (Annie and Czar) accompanied him.

On his agenda is rearranging and moving the drying onions and taking photos. Left side: Redwings – Ringmaster.
Others are Walla Walla, Sterling, Red River, and Red Zeppelin. The copper ones are Walla Walla, and they are the shortest keepers.

From his adventure with the onions, he brought back a couple of each kind and then fixed beer-battered French fried Walla Walla onion rings to accompany the fried yellow baby summer squash he also grew, with Fried Chicken from the store. The onions were sweet and quite tasty. Great dinner we didn’t finish until 9:00 p.m. I did have a much-needed hour nap this afternoon.

After my nap I called Gerald in Thorp, and heard he had a big storm with ½ inch hail, much water, and his electricity went off for a bit. His satellite dish filled with hail and he had no TV reception. We had only sprinkles here, but east of us, a funnel cloud came into view in the valley with many captures of it published on the Facebook site: Community Connect Kittitas Valley.

John took the left-most photo of clouds over Thorp (west) from our hay shed; Funnel cloud east of us by two other photographers were published on Facebook. Photos by Patti-Haines-Christmann and Kim Corey-Hendrickson. The first two funnel clouds ones were taken from a place only ~5.5 miles from us to the SE.

Late tonight I had a WSDOT alert that a landslide had occurred in the Yakima Canyon south of Ellensburg, closing Hwy 821 both directions until cleaned up. It was finally opened Sunday morning.

Sunday, August 11

Blocked several phone calls I received the past 2 days from Robocallers.
For brunch we had the remaining beef stew/soup. John cut some weeds and cleaned a few other things up, but made an easy day of it. Supper consisted of chicken breast stir-fry with mixed veggies, plums & pears, and now for dessert a chocolate sundae with strawberries.

Hope your week was fine.

Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan

This is a ‘sad’ day, August 1, 2019 as I write this. I brought up my copy of the information meant for this week’s blog, with notes written throughout the week, and it had been replaced (without a backup) by information of only one contact I needed, and it apparently stored it in the wrong place, in place of my blog complete draft and reminders. I have no idea how that happened, and so now I will have very brief entries for the first part of this week. That will make John, my co-editor, happy.

One thing promised from last week, goes back to February, so I will finish that to start off this week. It was the presentation from the Ice Age Floods Institute on February 7, 2019, which happened at a time in my medical life, when I was not up to submitting weekly blogs. Here is the story everyone missed, and I will also send late to my email list for the IAF–Geology Lectures that I have collected there from folks in the audiences at CWU and from the downtown Nick Zentner lectures.

Our speaker for the evening was John Stimberis. He is the Avalanche Forecaster Supervisor, for the WA State Dept. of Transportation, in charge of avalanche projects on Interstate 90 and Chinook Pass. Here he is in the field:His lecture subject title was: Avalanches and the Annual Snowpack in a Maritime Snow Climate.

Karl Lillquist, CWU Geographer, introduced him in the first video. John’s talk, with PowerPoint illustration combined with videos is next. As a surprise, there are separate videos in the field of three different examples of avalanche control, turn up your volume so you can hear his commentary. It is a powerful display you won’t want to miss.
The ending video wrap-up of his talk is his Question and Answer (Q&A) session.

Video links for John Stimberis, Feb 7, 2019, IAF talk

Karl Lillquist Introduces John Stimberis, 2-7-19

John Stimberis, 2-7-19, Avalanche Control – PowerPoint

Before you open the next one, realize you need to click pause (two parallel bars) right away, and first read the description about timing. Until I correct it, it will say start at 17 second at the end of the blue screen. That should be 15 seconds or you’ll miss seeing the firing (in yellow). For the ending, when you get to 1:10 you will see a blue screen. Just stop there and go to the next video.

Bike Tram Release Device for Avalanche Control

The next one you need to do the same way… starting with a pause, turn the volume up on to be sure to hear John’s commentary, and also it you will have to move to 23 seconds to start viewing.

Stimberis-Chinook Pass Avalanche Control

Stimberis-Chinook Pass CA View Different Season

Questions & Answers after John Stimberis’ Presentation, 2-7-19

Sunday, July 28

We published the blog at 10:13 p.m.

Monday, July 29

I stayed home today because I’m still nursing my injured foot from 7/17, when the heavy metal folding chair was accidentally dropped on my right foot right above the toes. I had on fabric shoes and not my usual leather walkers which might have cushioned the impact some. Being on a blood thinner does not help with such hits. It immediately swelled and bruised and will be difficult to walk on for a couple more weeks.

John used the day to drive to Costco for items we needed badly, and I did not feel up to going along. I stayed home to alternately ice it for the swelling, and stay off it as much as possible, while elevating it as well.

Tuesday, July 30

Another day home for me in the morning, but we planned to go early evening for our reduced fare anniversary dinner at The Palace, because it has to used only during the month of July. John drove because driving a car actually aggravates my foot pain. On our way there, John went into Bi-Mart and checked our numbers and we won nothing. From there by the AAC to pick up two feed bags full of more feed bags. A local gal with much livestock recycles them to us for use as garbage bags to load and take to the transfer station (aka, dump). From there, to our dinner.

We had a nice meal. We took the option with our one allowed free entre, not to take the Chicken-fried Angus Steak platter John usually gets. I encouraged him to find something special he wanted to deduct the allowed $10 from.
He chose a special steak: Flat Iron Steak, with baked potato, and steamed vegetables. It’s a piece of very tender shoulder. I had a Santa Fe Salad with Bleu Cheese dressing, made with Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, avocado, nice slices of green and red bell peppers, marinated chicken breast, and corn tortilla strips. Might have been something else I don’t remember and now I cannot find it listed on their on-line menu anywhere. I had with it a bowl of Taco Soup. The soup came with extra sour cream, more olive pieces than I preferred, so I picked them out and shared some with John. The soup was quite tasty. I brought home ½ of each of my choices, along with a roll. We each had a roll with dinner there. Only drank water.

I made 2 more meals with the left overs, lunch of Taco Soup and supper of the salad with added lettuce, pistachio nuts, smoked turkey cubes, and blue cheese dressing.

Wednesday, July 31

I’ll begin today with a fantastic photograph taken by my star-gazing friend.Evie Schuetz captured this on the Thorp Highway at a friend’s house. The image is a time exposure to get the best rendition of the stars. The foreground illumination of the gazebo is the result of a light painting technique which involves a flashlight and a bit of trial and error. Meanwhile, we viewers get to enjoy a piece of artwork.

Today was another day I stayed home to rest my foot and did not go to the food bank music, or to the SAIL exercise class after. I still await the foot’s healing before I return to exercise.

Thursday, August 1

Well, this morning I started by sleeping in, and then getting up and washing a load of dishes. I intended to pay some bills and put them in the mailbox for pickup, but too much other stuff kept stealing my time. I managed to get all the music ready for playing today. And tried responding to the necessary emails on several accounts, not to mention private messages on Facebook.

One thing I saw early in the morning was a post of a photo taken of a favorite historic building of mine in Ellensburg, the Old Boise Cascade Lumber Company. I have driven by it many times, wishing I had my camera with me at the right time of day. This morning, Ken Lewis took this photo on his early morning walk, and it’s great, so I thought I would share.Old Boise Cascade Lumber Mill in Ellensburg, WA by Ken Lewis.
{Boise Cascade Corporation was formed in 1957 through the merger of Cascade Lumber Company of Yakima, Washington, and Boise Payette Lumber Company of Boise.}

I got dressed and went in earlier than usual, but the time disappeared fast. I had spent a lot of time this morning with ice on my sore foot.
I drove to the shadiest place in the west parking lot I could find, and had a little more of a walk than I wished on my sore foot, and carrying a lot of weight.

We had a good turnout of 9 folks, and played our new set of music very well. Some of it we had not done in a year. I was gone for 4 hours, and when I returned, my foot was very ready for rest and ice. It was pretty hot today; I was happy for the partial shade to park in at Rehab, and a/c for my trip in, around town, and home.

John surprised me and walked in at 4:30 p.m.

We had Cordon Bleu for supper with fries, our own cherry tomatoes (first this year) that John picked when he got home, and peaches from the freezer.

Tonight we’re heading to bed early.

Friday, August 2

The middle of the night was not good for me. Pain in my foot awakened me at 1:00 a.m. after 2+ hours sleep. I tried elevating my feet in a recliner with them on a large foam wedge, but it was stretching my quads too much and not helping. That lasted 1-½ hours before I ditched the wedge and returned to my normal heavy large sofa-type pillow beneath my legs. It does not elevate my feet above my heart, so I will have to use an alternate way my friend told me from a PT friend of hers to massage the leg while raised lying down to move the fluid out of the injured area. I did get back to sleep and get some rest, but it got my attention, so I decided to check on whether it might be a bone fracture on the top of my foot.

WARNING: this next section report on my time in ER is lengthy – Aug 2, 2019, Ellensburg, WA: Kittitas Valley Healthcare facility (Hospital)

I wrote this to share with concerned folks in our music group, but decided to put it in our weekly blog. John started this blog originally on Dec 4, 2009, when I was in ICU and he was juggling home issues and coming twice a day to Yakima Regional Hospital checking with the doctors on my deteriorating condition. He did not have time to talk with friends and relatives about me, so posted it all here on the then daily (not weekly) blog.

Several of you saw the photograph of my foot’s continued bruised and swelled condition in the past couple days. I finally took that photo on Tuesday, 7/30 almost 2 weeks after the original impact on the top of my right foot, by a heavy metal folding chair (date occurred: 7/17). It was totally an accidental drop that I didn’t see coming to be able to jump out of the way. Being on a blood thinner complicates and lengthens the healing time. Normally, our helpers (from the audience) bring the folded chairs from the opposite end of the room, down front where we play, and open them and set them on the rock floor. I then move them into the desired formation for the organization of instrumental players next to singers. That is in an adjacent carpeted area. I go to the opposite end of the room, behind the chairs, to pull down a rolling cart with small folding music stands and my music book.

I will not post the graphic photo here, however. I did share with a few folks, and many of them have been concerned that I had not been more proactive and gone in for an X-Ray. I had talked with my cardiologist’s nurse, this week, when he called about lab results taken 6/9, while my doctor was in the hospital himself with a torn muscle repair job. I also planned to visit my foot doctor this coming Monday, when he would be in Ellensburg from Yakima. He and I had had a conversation about another injury I had involving both feet June 1 (from wearing ill-fitting hiking boots) for two hours. He explained what happened, and because of the circulation in my feet and the connection with my heart issues, it would take longer to heal. Then, I quit going to exercise classes in any format. Those injuries took 5 weeks to heal. I was allowing this right foot more time.

At least one former nurse told me Thursday at Rehab I needed to have the imaging done. I certainly was ready after the overnight problems with the continued pain keeping me from sleeping. So, this morning, I first called my PCP’s nurse, who turned me over to the Triage nurse whom I know better from my many years of Coumadin clinic involvement. I had looked on line and found the location of the upper foot bones and their names, especially over the area the metal hit and from where the pain is still coming. Also, I learned that X-Rays don’t always “reveal” a fracture until a couple weeks into the injury, and for immediate detection a CT Scan is required. So, perhaps this timing was okay. Nurse John in the ER confirmed that is the case, and had just recently happened here when they didn’t see the fracture immediately but it showed up 2 weeks later. (Why they didn’t do a CT for the patient, I don’t know).

I knew my PCP’s office had X-Ray equipment, but not CT scanning. So, as I discussed this with the Triage nurse, and I suggested it would be better for me to visit the ER in EBRG. She agreed. I left this morning for KVH. The doctor in charge was Andrew Peet, a concerned and kind older gentleman, who examined the foot and listened to my story. He called a radiology technician (Wally), who wheeled me down to imaging. He took 3 views of the foot: Frontal, lateral, and oblique checking to be sure they were properly placed and imaged. He submitted them to the radiology analyst, while I was still in the filming room, resting on a “gurney.” It might take ½ hour or more to be reviewed here. After it is reviewed and analyzed within the hospital, it is sent to Yakima for a re-evaluation. I will have both reports returned to me, as well as to my PCP. I forgot to request its being sent to my cardiologist. I’ll do that after I see all the results have been posted on the KVH portal. They are now there 8/4. I’m seriously thinking about sending the description of the analyst with respect to the bones in my foot, to my foot doctor to interpret.

After I was approved for discharge, Dr. Peet came back and talked with me. He said he had reviewed the internal review, saw the X-Rays, and I did not have a fracture. He was comfortable with discharging me. He encouraged me to continue with heat for better healing now that the swelling is down. I thanked him again for his evaluation of my situation. Nurse John took me out (I was walking), and we stopped off at the front desk for my Medical Cards (Medicare and Kaiser Permanente). I had to sign a couple of the normal forms, when any procedure is done (even a blood draw requires signatures any more). The paperwork for medical care seems to be increasing. I guess the purpose is to prevent fraud. I’m very happy I went into ER for the examination.

John called about 3:00 but is in a traffic jam. Now closer home and should be here after getting gasoline at the lowest place in town where I stopped with my car this morning. He didn’t walk in the door until 5:00 p.m. Long day for him.

John started the FORD Pickup when he got home, and drove it up to the house to plug into the tender. The battery needs replacing.

Saturday, August 3

This morning’s Daily Record finally posted John’s Thumbs Down comment:We were headed this afternoon to a surprise 60th birthday party for Joy Rucker, put on by her husband, Manord, at his neighbor’s house on Hidden Valley Road in Cle Elum across Hwy 970 from the Swauk-Teanaway Grange (which is on Ballard Hill to the north). He had it catered by Smokey’s BBQ of S. Cle Elum. They have a restaurant in the Old Milwaukee Road Depot. We have experienced a smoked pig they roasted for a Scholarship Event at the Grange earlier this year. Smokey’s BBQ restaurant, in old Cle Elum Depot

We took chairs in the car, but they expect they will have enough. We can pull right up to the house and they plan to have a canopy for shade. This will be set up next door for an outside BD surprise party. We got there right at 1:00.

The honoree was off in the mountains hiking with her daughter, and they were scheduled back at 1:30 p.m. They did not return until almost 3:00 p.m. All the folks there visited. I met several people I knew from the Grange; others I knew from the Geology lectures in Ellensburg (this party was held in Cle Elum). Relatives were there from Moses Lake, the Tri Cities, and farther. Joy’s mom Babs was there and we visited briefly. I had a nice visit with her husband’s parents. Several of our music group were there. We had access to water and cold drinks, and a fair amount of increasingly available shade. I stayed in the shade the entire time. The meal was catered by Smokey’s BBQ. It was incredible with several courses: appetizers, grilled chicken, potatoes, salads, dips, and sides. The second course was smoked brisket, served with macaroni & cheese, and something else hot. At that point, we only had a small piece of the brisket, and brought home the rest of the piece. Lastly, we had various desserts, including a high-layered strawberry birthday cake. I’m not sure I have ever had such a cake before. We finally left ~ 4:30 pm.

Coming home by the airport at 5:15 p.m., the temperature was 83° directly north and 82° at the corner of Hungry Junction & Look roads, but the airport sensor said 87°. We know the sensors at the airport have been reporting elevated temperatures.

Sunday, August 4

Brunch today of a pancake with pecans, topped by strawberries, and 2 eggs for me.

Finally, we arranged our scheduled to go at 1:30 p.m. to pick up free planks of wood in town. Some of it is cedar, with other stuff thrown in.

I sat in the shade while John loaded the pickup. Here’s a photograph I took once we arrived home. That trip took about 2-½ hours out of our day.At 4:30 p.m., our home outside temperature is 77.2°; at KELN (airport), its sensor registered 92 at 3:53
Checking at 4:56 home it is 77.5 at KELN still 92 at 4:53

John made some soup for supper, and tonight we filled in our ballots for the Aug 6 election box I can deliver tomorrow when in town.

Hope your week was fine.

Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan

About the title: Several ‘electric’ items this week, and lightning caused a few fires.

Google Photo Collections from past dates are now entered on the correct day in the blog, for week names bolded below:

Independence Day Week

Two links from July 5 of the Kittitas Valley Fiddlers & Friends playing patriotic music and associated lunch.

From AAC camera 7-5-19 celebration of July 4

AAC July 5, 2019 on Nancy’s camera

Here was our Kittitas Valley Fiddler’s & Friends Thank you note with other photos taken 7/5/19. We had 11 players there.Thank you card beginning, Katrina (AAC Coordinator) with Haley (our 6 yr. old mascot) who sat in the empty front row chair and led the group with Take Me Out to the Ball Game.

I’m working on the addition of 4 videos from February this year about Avalanche Control on John Stimberis’ presentation at the local chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute, entitled, “Avalanches and the Seasonal Snowpack in a Maritime Snow Climate.” (February 7, 2019).
Sidetrip: this past winter, one of the explosives used for starting an avalanche did not go BOOM! A crew went and set it off on the day of John’s hike to Snow Lake. Hikers were warned at the trailhead.

I never published them at the time because it came at a bad time in my life with a serious infection of a tooth, which threatened my implanted heart valve until removed, 10 days later. My body reacted wrongly to the oral surgery and pain pills given afterward (? we really do not know the cause of my reaction), but the surgery team did extract the infected tooth and keep me alive, from acquiring endocarditis. I was out of commission and not completing blogs for a long period of time. I never caught up on the February Avalanche lecture, which was presented by one of my former students.

It was only this week that I realized his presentation had never been posted. It may make it into the blog by next week. I found the videos I sent to YouTube back then, with their links, but need to weave them into a small story about that evening so long ago.

Sunday, July 21

Published last week’s blog just after midnight.

Monday, July 22

I was up at 4:30 a.m. to feed Czar and put him out, put out the food for the other cats, take my Acetaminophen, and get more sleep.

John left at 7:30 a.m. for a hike to Snow Lake. I slept in another hour.

Don’t miss this link below this post to see a wonderful reflection of the mountains in Snow Lake which John photographed and published at the top of his Friday weekly column:

Not so Nasty News July 26

Meanwhile, here, I will pick my favorites from his set, taken on his Nikon camera.

My favorites are at the goal of his hike, Snow Lake, as far as he went, about ½-way around the lake to the log bridge over the out-flow.Top is a selfie (camera timer) of John on the log; bottom are the hikers ahead of him – a man and boy going over the log bridge.

I’ll pick a few earlier in his hike. Total distance was 8.6 miles. You’ll have a chance at the end to go to one link for all 35 of his photographs. I’m sorry I cannot videotape his explanation he gives me when he comes home and shows me.Top is part of the trail in through rocks and views of forests and crags, on the way to the lake and some beautiful images. On the way (when you look at the photos below), you will see interesting views along the trail of vegetation, a day-flying moth, wildlife area trail signs, scenic roots, unique trees, and wildflowers.

Here are all of his photos, in one link, below. Be sure to click on the (small i) in a circle to read the info about each photo. Particularly, look at the little black and white moth on a green leaf, and the description at the top of the INFO column about what it is and why he was out and about. Caitlin LaBar, my former student is a renowned Lepidopterist (since a very young age), and she provided the information when we couldn’t find a B&W butterfly to ID.

Link to John’s Snow Lake Trail photos

Tuesday, July 23

We were awakened in the early morning before dawn by thunder and lightning.Left photo was captured by Evie Schuetz on a walk around Kittitas, WA @ 5:49 a.m. at the New Life Assembly Church; right photo, clouds taken @ 5:40 a.m. at the Kittitas Community Church – amazing how fast the sky changes in stormy weather. Permission granted to use Evie’s photographs.

From 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. we had 46 mph gusts, and thunder.
We had an exciting audible evening, but morning and evening episodes were totally out of our view, because of trees and hills.Morning sunrise captures by Evie Schuetz; permission granted.

Late afternoon and evening we had more thunderstorms. Those were captured by Lia Simcox, a professional photographer from Ellensburg. Only this week did I learn of her work from a post on “You’re Probably from Ellensburg”, a Facebook site with extraordinary information about our town.

Lia’s Photography Facebook site is listed under the name: Inside Out Photo Artistry. Check there for her photography description.

She gave me permission to post her photographs below:Sunset before the 7-23-19 Thunderstorm activity, by Lia Simcox.

I’ll use this photograph to describe the clouds. [Mammatus,
meaning “mammary cloud”, is a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud, typically cumulonimbus rainclouds, although they may be attached to other classes of parent clouds. The name mammatus is derived from the Latin mamma (meaning “udder” or “breast”).] Wikipedia, click below.

Wikipedia – Mammatus Cloud Report

Two more of Lia’s strikingly awesome photographs follow. The last is an “epic” photo (in the words of my friend, Evie Schuetz).
Words cannot describe these images. Thanks, Lia for sharing.

We had planned to go to the far end of Badger Pocket to a potluck to meet a friend we knew from the 1990s who moved to Arizona 5 years ago. She was back for a visit. I was not feeling well enough to weather 90° temperatures, and limited shade.

Wednesday, July 24

I decided to spend another day at home, recuperating from not feeling well. I skipped music at the Food Bank Soup Kitchen, first time in many moons and also, I did not participate in the SAIL exercise class at the AAC.

Thursday, July 25

I went to Hearthstone today, with John driving, to let me off at the door. He proceeded on several errands, before coming back to pick me and my stuff up.

We had a nice set of players today at Hearthstone and a large and appreciative audience. Charlotte, Sharon, Manord, Gerald, Dean, Nancy​​, Tim, Minerva, ​Anne​. ​Sandy was in the audience happily singing and helping with the music.

New (to me; thanks to Evie Schuetz’s introduction) is a cool website on Facebook: YOU’RE PROBABLY FROM ELLENSBURG. You’ve heard about that above on Tuesday’s post above.

Friday, July 26

We left about 9:30 a.m. and went through Ellensburg, for gasoline, finding it for $2.959 at Circle K, but when John got out to pump gas, he realized he did not have his wallet (and so therefore not his driver’s license). I had to take the wheel and drive us over. It was his car, and I was planning on resting and relaxing on the way over, but had no option, because we didn’t have time to travel back home to retrieve it. My sore foot got a workout it didn’t deserve. Top is John’s Crosstrek beside their sign, Michael’s On the Lake (nice restaurant on the shore of Moses Lake). Bottom is a view of our table (left of center) beyond a short set of stairs.

We had a reservation for 11:30, and got there a few minutes early. They don’t open until 11:00, so we had the pick of the parking lot. I took a few photos once there. We haven’t been there in a few years, and in the lobby is a unique (unused) wine rack. It’s made of White Onyx – a huge slab. I wonder its origin & cost.Top: Both sides of Onyx wine rack, Michael’s entrance vestibule “waiting room” for seating with cushioned benches. Bottom:
Ann & I both had the walkway view, from different directions, but the same across the lake. Much activity on the walkway – even a covey of quail strutting down tracks; boats and ducks on the lake.

Great lunch and nice visit, catching up after missing last summer.Top: John had the Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad, & displays the cool lemon cozy. It kept the seeds off the food. Center: Ann and Fred both had Soup and Salad with Clam Chowder, and I had a BLT Lettuce wedge with blue crumbles, cherry tomatoes, and bacon. We all had ground pepper on our meals. Bottom: our share desserts. {Who knew? Lemon Wraps }

We shared desserts. John got his own plate with ½ the cheesecake piece and I had the other. Ann shared her Crème Brûlée with Fred.Parting shot: Nancy & John Hultquist, Ann & Fred Joyal (all the way from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in Marquette).

The end of a nice day with friends, for a long time, since we met in graduate school in Iowa so long ago. John and Fred went on hunting trips, built duck boats (aka, pram), and the four of us walked around many places, with our dogs, ours a Brittany and theirs a Black Lab. We have many fun memories, especially memorable was their help moving us from North Liberty, IA to Troy, ID. John and Fred were in the U-Haul truck, pulling a vehicle full of stuff; Ann and I were in a station wagon, pulling another car loaded. Inside our car were two dogs and two cats. That move was in 1974.

Saturday, July 27

We were rather tired from yesterday and the days before—and slept in a little longer than usual, awakened by a cat tussle in our living room.

We arose and I began cleaning up days of dirty dishes. John’s responding to a variety of emails, and I’m doing the same. He’s considering going to Costco today, but I’m not up to the walking on my foot. It’s still aching from yesterday’s usage. I have plenty to do here. My first has been the blog. John’s first has been a discussion with atmospheric folks about the problem with the local airport’s (KELN) elevated temperatures reported. It is an automated system that seems to have a sensor issue.

He’s also researching (with the help of old timers in the region) a photograph and the history of early electric power in the City almost 80 years ago. He’s working on writing it up with location photos included from Google Earth Pro. We’ll wait for another blog to post a shortened explanation in the blog to explain one of the photographs our friend Evie Schuetz took last week, which also will be posted later. The best thing might to be to give it its own web presence for others to enjoy and learn from. Currently, the local Kittitas County Historical Museum director, Sadie Thayer, is searching for some photos of the building when it was operational.

Sunday, July 21

John left at 7:00 a.m. for a hike to Annette Lake. This is a small lake called a tarn (20 acres) in a rocky hollow called a cirque, carved by a glacier. John has worked on the first 2 miles of the trail, but the lake is nearly 4 miles from the trailhead.Two views of Annette Lake, 7-28-19 He took a few dozen photos (the lake is not as impressive as Snow Lake was). I will put them on one link for you to enjoy.

John called me about 2:30 p.m., and just got home about 4:00 p.m. Folks going toward Seattle had to deal with a blocking accident and much traffic. Estimated delay was 2 hours or more.

The WA DOT camera in the area shows traffic at 8:02 pm. Left side is heading west, still 67.4 miles from Seattle. John was at this spot about 3 pm, but heading east.

Here is the link to John’s photos:

Link to John’s Annette Lake Trail photos

Hope your week was fine.

Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan