Sunday, Jun 9
Bad date in my memory. 4 years ago, during CWU Graduation ceremonies at the Geography Department, colleagues convinced me I looked and acted ill. I took myself to the local hospital and the admitting doctor sent me to the intensive care unit. Thank God, I’m still around to enjoy life. And play the fiddle, which I will be doing tonight. Today the wind is still blowing, and will be interesting for playing music outside tonight after 6:00 p.m. Morning was spent trying to put a tour together of our area for a friend from NJ, but it just won’t work with all the distance involved. We were hoping to go to Mt. Rainier, but the road to the best viewpoint, Sunrise (in good weather), is still winter-closed. Then we considered north and east of us, but that has the same problem in a different way (time), between all the important sites to share. There are few close-by. She would be driving up 4 hours from Oregon, where she is visiting, and then we’d have a whole day of driving with me after that. We were planning to stay in a motel and have her head back the next day, but it’s too much for both of us. As mentioned above, tonight we played outside on a porch in 41 mph gusts. Just three of us gals, clarinet playing first violin, me on fiddle, and another gal on guitar. They had us play before and after dinner as a gift of music to the man having his 80th birthday party with family and a few friends. Fiddle music is his favorite. They fed us a great BBQ pulled pork dish (I had mine without the bun), several salads, and fresh Bing and Rainier cherries. They were awesome. The whole meal was fantastic. The older contingent seemed to really enjoy our music and the b.d. boy really did. He stayed with us for every song, and sung along on many. We did about 16 songs. The only problem was the noise of the flapping tarp, and the 3 wind chimes in the wrong key. A funny comment we heard from our hostess on our way out — thanking us again. She said, “We really love the choices.” Had to laugh at the comment her grandson said, “Grandma, do you like that kind of music?”
Going to bed 2 hours sooner tonight than last night, when I only got 6 hrs of sleep. That’s no longer enough for me.
Monday, Jun 10
Appointment at podiatrist at 1:00 p.m. My time was spent with Dr. Cardon — at Cascade Foot & Ankle, in Ellensburg. I got there early to fill out paperwork, but they didn’t do anything until the starting time, inviting me in to prepare for the doctor. The assistant asked me a few questions, took my blood pressure (I thought it was way high, 152/82). Maybe I was anxious. It was done with one of the little wrist devices, not one with a wrap-around thing. She noticed my tee shirt (with mandolin, fiddle & guitar), and asked if I was a music teacher. Her father manages a music store in Yakima. Wasn’t too long until my Dr. arrived. Shook my hand and listened to my story, and looked at my feet (the right one is the one with the affected toenails). He said he would test it and send for a Dermatophyte test (I think that is the one). He mentioned that my condition could be one of at least 5 possibilities. He claims they will know within 2 weeks, and I am scheduled to come back to visit with him about the results. I asked him if he would be able to help me with trimming my nails. He told me he could do it before I left today. I got on the table and he clipped (for the sample to send to the lab), and then clipped the rest of the nails. On the right foot (the “infected” one), he used a fancy precise Dremel tool, to scrape the “stuff” off the tops of the nails. (It was much larger than the little one that had been used previously at the Adult Activity Center by the nurse there). It’s almost impossible not to hit the skin beside the nail (with a small one too), but he had a silver nitrate stick to stop the bleeding. He went ahead and did my left foot’s nails (they are normal). I was very appreciative. I asked him if he had an assistant to do the foot care and he said no, “I prefer to do it.” So, I said well I hope you will write my insurance company that it is necessary for me to come back every 3 months. He said he doubted it would be a problem and he would be happy to. (Since the office help in charge of Insurance, had a different opinion. Meanwhile, we await the story on what ails me. This type of “fungal like infection” is known in patients with Diabetes, but I am not diabetic. Just the fact of knowing I’m being looked after by someone who seems to know what he’s talking about and is easy to talk with, and professional, makes all the difference in my attitude today. I was truly a happy person when I left his examination room to go fill out my new patient paperwork. It didn’t take too long, and I still had time to go late to my SAIL exercise class. I was able to do a couple of the exercises that make us rock on our toes, and raise our foot up to “stand” on our toes. I had ceased doing those because it hurt my “fat” nails pressing on the shoes. No problem today.
I took my own blood pressure tonight, and it is way down from earlier. It was 113/63 in the evening, and 106/53, pulse 61 at 10:35 p.m. I spent over 2.5 hrs sorting through 3 boxes of stuff left over from the early years of my CWU teaching that I kept for some reason. Managed to recycle a box full of paper, take off paper clips, throw away old disks, and overhead transparencies, other obsolete things, and retrieve reusable file folders, organizers, pens, and another box with magazines I can recycle but not even take to the table at the Adult Activity Center. We are donating a lot there and to our dentist’s office. John fixed some good breaded fried cauliflower to go with beef burger (why is it called hamburger?) and some fresh grapes.
Tuesday, Jun 11
Morning meeting with the Geography Emeriti that lasted from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. Then we took off for Yakima and Costco. After lunch and a trip to Lowe’s to walk through and admire their trees (amazed at the prices, even of plants such as Oregon Grape that we cut out around our place), and then flowers, we went inside the store. I found a comfortable chair, put up my feet, and relaxed. One of our largest tomato plants had suffered wind damage so John stood it back up and piled dirt and straw around it. While I rested, John went looking for stakes. He found 50 lath stakes for 30 cents each; the first ones we found outside were 60 cents each with a small square cross section. Winds crested today at 46 mph, and for 8 hours were in the forties. We left there and drove to the Yakima Heart Center, and spent time with a cardiologist ‘assistant’ for my results of the Echocardiogram, from last week. It was very positive. My blood pressure was good, the lab blood tests were all within appropriate ranges, and the echocardiogram was evaluated at 35% efficiency. All signs point to increasing heart health. I was incredibly relieved because there was some concern by my Cardiologist 2 weeks ago, that if the echocardiogram showed less than 35%, it would be necessary to consider re-doing my implanted device to add another wire to stimulate the heart. I was NOT happy at all at the thought of another surgery. Those results reported today explain my happiness with the trip to Yakima.
In addition, after thinking I had figured out the Navigation system on my new car, I tried to show it to John. I’m not so smart, as I thought. On the drive home, I set it in the parking lot at the doctor’s office for my destination, our home address on Naneum. Main problem, I tried to change the route and go home on a street east of the hospital, when it wanted me to go to a main road 10 blocks west of where I was. I figured that was too much out of my way and the traffic wasn’t bad yet on the one I headed to instead. I told John it would work and it would just re-calculate the route (as it did with me yesterday on my trip home from Ellensburg, but nope– the guy could not catch up with my choice and wouldn’t shut up regarding his chosen route. We could not find any way to shut him up. Finally, I got to a traffic light, turned off my engine and restarted, and didn’t worry with him anymore that trip. I knew how to get home. I wanted to show John the cool summary once you get to a destination, that had shown the ETA before arrival, but then once at my destination, showed the total time, the miles, and even the top speed, as well as the mileage (which I know from another screen). I wonder if I could have said to Voice recognition, STOP, or RESTART, or if I have to have recorded commands to say to the system. More research needed with the manual. I have since found the way in the manual, and if it ever happens again, I will know how to fix it without stopping the car.
Wednesday, Jun 12
Whoopee — John got my new license tags put on my car. I fixed up the car records at CWU, for parking, and am ready to leave for the Food Bank, picking up my banjo player buddy at her work, because her car is in the shop. We didn’t have much either one of us could eat at the food bank soup kitchen today. Too much Vitamin K stuff for me. When I walked in, however, I saw two Heirloom tomato plants about 2′ high. I went and asked the fellow in charge if I could have them, and told him about the wind destroying ours yesterday when we were in Yakima buying stakes to stake them up. He told me I was welcome to them. After that, I went to SAIL exercise class and on home.
Thursday, Jun 13
Productive morning — harvested some Lavender for my friend and banjo player to deliver today when we go to the Rehab center for music. It turned out it is not Lavender, but some other plant with pretty purple flowers, which Evelyn identified Saturday as Salvia, of the mint family. John said the Arbor Day Foundation or some other group sent us two plants supposed to be Lavender. It has a very Lavender-like look but not the fragrance. An imposter. Here is my photo taken in the morning sun. Click on images for bigger photo.
Also, finally documented our new dental coverage on the retirement medical plan through CWU. It will cover a lot more things than the previous plan I was on for a year, and most preventative treatments at 100%, with no deductible. Other fixes are usually at 80%. I managed to get on the web and download my ID card, after talking with a woman in Seattle. I don’t know what a person without a computer and printer is supposed to do. They no longer issue cards for people. Actually, I got the .pdf of it, and emailed to my dentist’s office supervisor. Needed to get it set up for John’s teeth cleaning and evaluation coming up soon. Talked to a friend from our past who is coming to EBRG this Saturday, so we have arranged a meeting at the place where we provide music and they feed us (story below). Today is our regular weekly music gig and that went well. We had a good turnout, of 3 guitars, a banjo, a singer, 2 fiddles, and a Tembrel.
Sad news tonight received about 8:30 p.m. My 87 yr. old friend Lois died of a heart attack yesterday morning. She had macular degeneration and I often took her places (especially on the weekend, when she couldn’t ride the Hope Source bus). It was a total shock. I had just seen her Monday by my side in exercise class. Such a sweet lady. Last night I was calling her to remind her of picking her up tomorrow to go listen to music and eat at Briarwood. She always went along on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Loved going; it was sad today to not have her with us in exercise class and will be sadder tomorrow. It really hit me hard because unlike the rest of my friends I have recently lost, I wasn’t expecting this. At least she went fast.
Friday, Jun 14
John went with me to the AAC where they had quite a brunch spread for Father’s Day: Scrambled eggs, ham, fried potatoes, pancakes, toppings, and a ton of fresh fruit, along with orange juice. He drove separately to get gas in his car and to leave me there for garage sale-ing before going to my SAIL exercise class. I also took a 100-hikes in Colorado book to a gal who has been working in the center for a year. She is taking a job there helping homeless and almost homeless ones get assistance. This book will be a great introduction to the state, and give her something to remember us by.
My garage sale-ing escapades today. Only two, which I hit after dropping off my house insurance check a few blocks away. The first sale was exciting, and I didn’t even look at all the stuff there. I looked at a baseball hat with a flag (that lights up). With today being Flag Day, I wish I’d had it for our brunch, as there were several military people there with their Service hats on, and one lady with her red/white/blue flag shirt. The cap was brand new, but too expensive ($5.00) for my pocketbook for once or twice a year (today, 4 July, and Veterans’ Day). I was talking to the lady of the house and she asked if I wanted something special. I told her I want a set of small metal (aluminum) tongs like some we have misplaced. She didn’t have any. So, I said, do you have any pillowcases? She said, oh, I forgot to put those out; they are still in the house, come with me. She pulled out 25 individual cases, and said, well, I need to keep these dark purple and the black, and these for my RV, but you can have any of the rest. I asked her what she would charge if I took them all. She said $5.00. I didn’t try to bargain further. I knew I just priced a pair at Bi-Mart for $5.99. For 19 that makes 26 cents each with no tax due. I said okay. She was walking out of the house and her husband said, here put them in this bag. It is a nice carrying bag with a pretty design. It will be great for carrying my music and stand. I mentioned that, and thanked them. Coming on out she asked about my playing. I told her about our group and said to the man, I really liked your baseball hat with the flag, but it is more than I want to pay for wearing only a couple times a year. He went out and picked it up and brought it back to me and said – look, it has a battery that lights up the flag. I said, oh cool, it would be great for patriotic days such as today. After we talked, I told them we needed a fiddler to join our group, because I was the only one left now. She blurted out a name and I didn’t have anything to write with, but she did, so I asked her if the woman had email, and if she could call her and give her mine. I hope this works. We truly need more fiddlers. Meanwhile, the gentleman took the hat, put it down in my bag, and gave it to me. What a nice surprise. After leaving class, I drove by another garage sale, which I should have attended earlier. They apparently had good prices on a range of tools. But, while there, I saw some pillowcases, sheets, and nice clean pillows for a very good price. Now I don’t have to find the missing pillowcases around the house, and I can replace pillows the oldest dog chewed a hole in. Now she can no longer get on the bed, so blankets, sheets, pillows, and cases are safe :- )
Must go finish the letter of reference and fill out the form to get in the mail tomorrow. I didn’t make it today, with all that happened last night. Then I planned to tackle more boxes in this room. John is losing patience with my slow clean up, sorting, tossing, and recycling. I never got to them, but I did tackle a few things needing done. Neatest was strawberries. He picked a little less than a pint, because he saw robins in munching on them, and ants were going after the punctured ones. I took a photo, and then cleaned them up for our dessert last night. These are the June bearing Cavendish type. They didn’t need added sugar because they were so sweet and tasty. For your enjoyment:
Saturday, Jun 15
Morning was filled with cleaning up receipts, paying bills, washing some dishes, doing email, and getting ready to go to town for music and to meet a friend (Brittany times in the 1970s and 1980s). Still trying to get to the box clean up. Everything takes so much time. I drove us to Briarwood, by way of the Post Office, to be sure the letter got in today’s mail. I cannot depend on our carrier to always pick up stuff we leave turned up on its side, and the flag lifted. Then on to Briarwood, where we arrived the same time as our friend from Moses Lake. She brought a kennel for her dachshund and while she was here to enjoy the parade (city puts on a dressed parade each year), she bought a 7-week-old one. Cute. They had to sit in the crate while we were in there because food was served and that’s the health rules. She and John sat back on a comfy sofa while we played and sang with the group… for an hour. At the end, they fed us. Today was choice of chicken salad sandwich (excellent) or turkey-salami/cheese (John & Trudy said they were also good). Chips, grapes, a 5-bean salad that was sweet, not vinegary, a mandarin chiffon salad, and a Caesar salad. They go all out for us once a month. They fixed a punch of lemonade flavored with raspberry. Or, a person could have coffee if desired. There was a dessert table as well. I had a homemade blueberry muffin.
We had a nice turnout of folks for playing music. Our bass fiddler from Winlock, WA was in town, I was the only fiddler, and we had 3 guitars, a singer, a Tembrel, and a mandolin.
We got home and I was still trying to wind up some projects, and realized we still had minutes on our landline to use this month, so we called Peggy, John’s sister in Parma, OH. Heard all about the tornado that was coming down on them. She was ready to go to the basement at 11:00 p.m. one night this week, but it died out just as it was to hit Cleveland.
Now John is out mowing behind the back fence. The horses have been eating down the grass, but some things they don’t eat and he is mowing a space 20 feet wide to reduce the fuel for a fire. There’s very little space back there on our side of the creek to work with.
Sunday will be Happy Father’s Day.
Hope your week was great.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan