Sunday, April 9 
For Apr 8 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=1.01. Events: 1 CSR, 7 H, 10 RERA. Time on 6 hrs 56 min with (max = 17 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 89, 0 events <88% with overall avg., 94.4%. Pulse avg. 53.5, low 50.
The AAG (Association of American Geographers) finished today, and my friend Joseph Kerski, Geographer at ESRI, sent me some photos of his time there. I did not miss many conferences and giving a paper during my sojourn in WA and ID over 37 years. After retirement in 2010, I have only attended one AAG meeting (at my cost), when it was held in Seattle a few years ago. Previously, the university covered most of the costs. John and I even went to an AAG conference in Toronto, Canada in 1966, as students, before we were married. I drove my old ’35 Ford from Cincinnati and took Nancy “J”, my friend since 6th grade, with us. We had a blast. I am a lifetime member (awarded after 50 years of membership). I began while in Cincinnati, in 1965. 
Top left is a photo of the ESRI exhibitor’s booth, top right, Joseph in front of a huge globe that belongs to a Geography Department at Bridgewater State University in Connecticut, and bottom is the Boston skyline. The clouds above and under those conference photos are beautiful, but I could not fit them all on my screen to snag into the image.
John sent me an Excel file with a month’s recording of his blood pressure and pulse readings. Not only did he list the figures, but also he constructed a graphic time comparison. I sent this on through the medical portal for Dr. Paul Schmitt. The Lisinopril (to lower BP) seemed to have stalled out and Paul had said he would add another med if that happened. So, he prescribed 12.5 mg of Hydrochlorothiazide. This is the starting dose (and 3 days later there seems to be no effect: next?).
I transferred all my BP information from my monitor’s memory, to my book, and now I have to keep it up daily because the memory only stores 60 readings and then overwrites it, so I lost ~3 weeks of data by being busy and lazy. I do not have an appointment until May 5, with Dr. Kim, so I will have a lot of information to share, even with missing stuff for 18 days of March. I don’t think I will go to the effort John did, however. At the moment I am fine, and only have to check my BP to be sure the systolic measurement does not go over 140 or below 100. It has been fine since starting on the new heart medication, Entresto, back in January.
I registered for the $5,000 garden makeover (actually $250 worth of stuff), being given in June 2017. See NWF.org/Subaru to register (free). John found the information when we were at the Subaru dealer last week for maintenance on my Forester, and picked up a plantable seed packet that I gave to Amy for her to plant with Haley in their flower garden.
I mentioned to our neighbor, Louaine, that John planted the seeds from a pretty flowering Almond Tree she has (and gave us seeds from over a year ago). This was her response, when I told her he managed to cultivate 3 trees and planted them with a covering protective guard fence, near the end of our driveway. She said, “That’s interesting about the Hall’s Hardy almond babies.” Here is a collage of two of the three trees. 
Left is the largest tree, and right is the middle-sized one, which is planted on the opposite side of the driveway’s entrance from Naneum Road, seen traveling west – east in the left photo. Sand gives the light-gray color on the surface.
Monday, Apr 10
For Apr 9 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=1.66. Events: 1 CSR, 11 H, 2 PP, 1 OA, 21 RERA. Time on 7 hrs 14 min with (max = 16 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 87, 1 event <88% with overall avg., 93.0%. Pulse avg. 53.3, low 50.
A pruning day for John who left at 7:40 a.m. for White Heron. Temperature, 39°; snow on hill (pictured above, without snow).
I wrote a note about John’s blood pressure to our doctor, to let him know about the paperwork we sent in the postal mail on Saturday (supposedly picked up at our rural mailbox), with details about his continued high BP. He called us a couple days later because the mail never arrived. We sent him graphs on another email account because the patient portal (NEXTMD) would not take images.
I called my PCP nurse to ask about my blood vial (it was lost by the lab last Friday; never recovered), and I requested my Coumadin and Allopurinol prescriptions be sent to the SAFEWAY pharmacy, because of a better price by over 1/2, by using a coupon from GoodRX. I mentioned in the blog previously about the Coumadin cost for 2.5 mg, 90 tablets, going down from $34.22 to $15.58 (less by $18.64), and today, John brought my Allopurinol (180 tablets), that cost us $60.00. The cost at Safeway for that will be $32.59 (less by $27.41). Both of those were using my insurance co-pay. At Safeway, I pay cash, and can use my Amazon.com card and get 2% off my pharmacy cost. Therefore, it’s a win-win situation that saves me $46.05 + 92¢ rebate, for two 90-day prescriptions.
Some yellow apples are starting to get too soft for us, so John saw the 3 deer (not looking for handouts much now). He tossed a few apples in their direction and they did not refuse them.
I did some housework: dishes and two loads of clothes. On the clothes, I used both zipped nylon bags given to me, to keep underwear separated. Very handy.
I changed the key on Home on the Range from D to C so our harmonica player could join us playing. He only has a C and a G type harmonica (obtained by turning it over and blowing into the opposite side).
John called me from a traffic jam stop for road construction, about 12:30. He just dialed my number (on his phone) and it came up automatically on the Bluetooth through the dashboard car speakers, so we continued talking through the traffic diversion. Tomorrow he goes back for pruning again, but Wednesday it is supposed to rain, so he will help bottle Rose’ instead.
Tuesday, Apr 11
For Apr 10 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=2.51. Events: 1 CSR, 16 H, 1 PP, 17 RERA. Time on 6 hrs 23 min with (max = 19 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 87, 1 event <88% with overall avg., 93.3%. Pulse avg. 54.5, low 50.
John went pruning at White Heron.
I went to Jazzercise, by way of the Food Bank bread room, picking up some cupcakes for the AAC to go with coffee for the day, stopped by the Post Office to send a certified mail letter, and went to Safeway to deliver my prescription savings coupons to the pharmacy. On the way down the aisle, I noticed the Quick Response Code [ QR code ] price of a dozen eggs was $ .78, so I requested the price because I do not own a Smart phone. They gave it to me. A Japanese auto-parts supply giant, invented QR codes in 1994. We’ve been going downhill ever since. I went by Bi-Mart to check our number and after Jazzercise to Super 1 to pick up Lemon Pies, the last day for my rain check.
I fixed more music for the food bank tomorrow.
Wednesday, Apr 12
For Apr 11 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=1.25. Events: 2 CSR, 9H, 18 RERA. Time on 7 hrs 10 min with (max = 14 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 86, 2 events <88% with overall avg., 92.5%. Pulse avg. 53.9, low 49.
John stayed home because of rain and while he thought he would go to help bottle Rose’, he won’t, because they need more people than are available (some are unreturned snow-birds) to make the process work properly (5). He built another bird feeder – the new one is on the base of a Tamarack tree he cut off (leaning and too close to the house), cut about 7 feet up. The squirrel and the obnoxious Collared Doves were the first to find it, and the finches will not eat with the squirrel there. John left the platform in the Mountain Ash tree for when the squirrel takes over the other. We wonder what he’s doing with all the seeds.
This photo shows both feeders, left is in the Mountain Ash tree in our front yard, and the right is atop a sawed off Tamarack (Larch) tree.
New Larch feeder with birds – right with Douglas Tree squirrel
I decided to order with my discount from Haband something for us at a significant discount and free shipping, before I cancel my Haband VIP trial. I have heard awesome comments from two of our guitarists (Gerald and Maury) about their use of a Red Copper Ceramic no-stick pan, with NO oil required, and the ability to cook eggs in the same pan as other things. Gerald’s came from Fred Meyer (a Kroger Co.) here in town, where one can get a skillet for $19.95 for a 10 inch and $29.95 for a 12″, but, if bought in WA, we would have to add 8.2% sales tax to the total price.
I can get two 9-1/2″ ones at Haband for $29.98 total. That’s paying $19.95 for the first and the second for $9.99, with free shipping and a discount 10% (Haband VIP discount), plus another discount of 15% off a >$40 order, using my Haband credit card. So, $26.98 + $49.99 for a 9-1/2″ square deep dish one with 5 parts (acts as a baking dish, deep fryer, steamer, etc.). Total $79.97 minus both percents off = $59.97, so I ordered them. I don’t cook much, so I hope John likes them. He OK’d my purchase before I made it.
I printed some music copies for today where the key had been changed so the two harmonica players could play with us at the food bank. We played with a bunch of people, and to an appreciative and involved audience. The front table was filled with our fan club, all singing along, sharing books of lyrics.
Picked up John’s new med for blood pressure, and they also had my Entresto ready. I was surprised I didn’t have to wait a week for them to order it. I guess they must figure I’m good for it, and ordered an extra container last month. Supposedly, I am their only client using the medication. It is normally too expensive to have extras sitting around.
Crap – all my dental insurance allowance ($1,750) is spent up for the year, after having the two implants seated, for which just this year I had to pay $1,680 (more occurred from our out-of-pocket last year). I am afraid my monthly bill for dental insurance exceeds the amount of reimbursement. From now on, everything will be out of pocket – 4 cleanings, a build up, and hopefully nothing else. John’s is on a different tab, so his cleanings will be free and any work will probably be covered at 80%. Now we have to schedule eye exams and John is due for new glasses. Some of the expense will be covered.
John made a pork roast for supper and we had it with a baked potato and Yellow Delicious apples.
Thursday, Apr 13 Happy Birthday, Daisy Tre’
For Apr 12 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.73. Events: 6 H, 1 PP, 10 RERA. Time on 7 hrs 58 min with (max = 10 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 88, 0 events <88% with overall avg., 92.1%. Pulse avg. 53.5, low 49.
Unexpected trip to White Heron to prune. We thought it would rain, so John slept in, but Cameron called at 7:15 a.m. to say it was all right with no rain, and John left to prune; only 3 pruners worked today.
Today was my Brittany in California’s 4th birthday, and we received a photo from her trainer’s wife, Deanna, of Daisy on a “honor” of another dog’s point.
On the right “honoring” the find of the Brittany on the left. Our dog’s call name is Daisy – and her official AKC name is Cedaridge Kip’s Camelot Shay Tre’ JH – – The JH title at the end is for Junior Hunter. She is with her trainer, Scott Azevedo, still competing in AKC Field Trials and also will start on her MH (Master Hunter) title in AKC Hunt Tests. Photo by Deanna Beals-Azevedo.
I called Haband with the order for the red copper pans.
I also called Meadows Place (assisted living home) with a 10-count for chairs. We had 13 people participating, counting Haley (see her photo below).
I got my tripod hooked to my camera to take tonight to videotape the lecture. I packaged some other stuff to meet someone there to drop off, and met someone else to pick up another item.
Left today at 1:00 to go to the Meadows Place; before John arrived home. We had a large turnout and a good audience. This photo was taken by Joanne Moore, who was there from Roslyn with her husband, Lloyd. They are friends of our guitar & Dobro player, Maury Martin. Joanne took this photo on her phone, during the presentation of Cockles and Mussels, sung by Haley Davison (almost 4 yrs old the end of this month), and backed by us. She is holding sticks that she used on other songs to keep the beat of the song. What a cutie. She is our group’s mascot.
We are called the Kittitas Valley Fiddlers and Friends. The group began in the 1950s. Two members of the original group still play with us. Another, the accordionist from the 50s is a patient in one of the nursing homes where we play, and she joins us in the semicircle when we are there. She is only able now to keep time to the music, but her timing is still right on and her smile never ends. She gets much happiness from watching Haley dancing. Her dad started the group. He was a blind fiddler. Her husband is one of our guitarists. 
Haley was standing in the sun in front of the group; her mom, Amy, is to the right of the picture, and she is our flute player, who also plays the washboard and penny whistle. Top left is our fiddler Evie’s arms, and I’m sitting on a piano bench, beside one of our mandolin players, Joanie. Behind her was our bass guitarist, Sharon. All the guys on guitars (Maury, Gerald, Charlie) were to the left, along with Tim on bass mandolin, Kevin on banjo, and Dean on harmonica. Our tambourine player, Anne, was to the far right. Photo by Joanne Moore.
We went to a talk tonight at the Historical Museum by Kelsey Doncaster, formerly my student in the REM graduate program.
Kelsey Doncaster 4-13-17 Lecture Kittitas County Historical Museum
Kelsey Doncaster presented an excellent discussion, “Managing Water in the West – Dynamite, Draglines, and the Unexplained Cracking of a Pressure Tunnel: Building the Kittitas Division of the Yakima Project.” Kelsey has worked as an historian for the Bureau of Reclamation since 2008. He was my student at CWU in my graduate class (REM 515: GIS in Cultural & Natural Resource Mgt,) in the Cultural and Environmental Resource Management Program.
Description on YouTube video: His presentation goes for just over 45 minutes and is followed by a little over 20 minutes of questions & answers. Video by Nancy B. Hultquist (Emerita Prof, Geography), with permission to tape by Kelsey Doncaster. Introduction was by Sadie Thayer, Museum Director.
We came home for a late dinner.
I uploaded the videotape to You Tube that I took tonight, and it worked overnight for over 2 hours on the upload. I’m happy our DSL worked through the night.
Friday, Apr 14
For Apr 13 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=1.17. Events: 7 H, 9 RERA. Time on 5 hrs 58 min with (max = 10 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 85, 1 events <88% with overall avg., 93.3 %. Pulse avg. 54.1, low 50.
This was non-pruning day so John worked in the yard here. Lots to do in the garden and other things. He wants to spray weeds with Glyphosate (RoundUp®), but the temperature is supposed to be over 60°F. No such luck. He did use an old T-shirt and filtered rainwater (25 gallons) so that when he can spray he won’t have to use house water. Ditch water has too much junk in it and clogs the nozzle, and we think that water was the source of the Giardia infection he had, so not wise to be spraying that on a lot of things.
I need a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). I made it to the hospital for checking into the Cardio Pulmonary Lab a little before 10:45. I met Anne Engels there in the hospital lobby for some paperwork and wished her well on her upcoming 3-week trip to Peru with son, Glenn. I’m taking care of her mail and plants while she’s away, and her neighbor will look after the inside cat.
The PFT took longer than usual. WE did have to visit. Then equipment malfunctions and experienced staff consultations. I got a comparison of the past 3 test results (today included) for a trend analysis report. Also sent them to my cardiologist (for my May 5 appointment).
I was starving when the test was over, so I went by the Food Bank to see friends (from our horse riding days) who are the volunteer cooks on Friday. The menu today was a make what you want on it, Taco Salad. Very good, with a peach/plum cobbler (warm) for dessert. I sat with people I know from playing music there, and we had a nice visit, plus I met some new folks.
From there, I was off to Pet$ense for my order I made this morning for 3 cases of cat food, to buy with my $5.00 off a $35 purchase. It was already packaged at the front desk and one of the cashiers was kind enough to carry the load to my car. The price was about 46¢/can, less than any other place around, including Costco, and it only carries the Pâté .
I came home to finish getting the videotaping of last night’s talk to get off to the presenter and the director of the Kittitas County Historical Museum. This mentioned above in yesterday’s blog entry.
Then I worked on more paperwork, and some music for the Food Bank presentations, thrown together with the KV Fiddlers & Friends prep for the next two months, May/June. I’m using the same playlist as last year, but a few things have been changed on some of the songs, so I have to make a new master to send to the players (those who can print their own). By using the old list, I save time and printing costs by being able to use the same copies of lyrics for the audiences at 5 different places.
I came home to the sad news of the loss of Gil Kiesecker, a fiddler who passed across the rainbow bridge this afternoon at the age of 101. I heard him play in Kittitas at the WOTFA summer workshop in 2000. For 21 years, I was in a class there with his daughter, Jean K. Levold, but I never realized he was her father.
Below are some memories. The photos Jean sent to Roy & Shirley Calvert, asking them to pass the news to the rest of us in the WOTFA (WA Old Time Fiddlers Association). I have shared with a few who knew him and no longer are members.
. . . . Dance fiddler from the Blue Mountains
Gil Kiesecker
Above is just an introduction to his life.
Here is a video of his fiddle playing.
Gil was born in Anatone in southeastern Washington State in 1916 and was playing dances in that region when he was in grade school. Here he plays and sings the traditional closer for old-time dances in the Pacific Northwest. This closed the District 6, Washington Old Time Fiddlers show in Des Moines, WA, May, 2007. He has two CDs on Voyager, CD356, “Dance Fiddler from the Blue Mountain,” and CD360, “Blue Mountain Memories,” www.voyagerrecords.com. Video by Shirley Calvert.
Gil is backed up by Stuart Williams, guitar, on a tune he learned from a musician in Lewiston, Idaho, where the Clearwater River joins the Snake River near the Southeast corner of Washington State. This video was made at a workshop at the 2006 Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle, by Lew Holt.
Then, with an introduction to Gil Kiesecker is the following:
Clearwater Stomp by Vivian Williams (fiddle) and husband Phil Williams (guitar) -2011
Another musician near and dear to our hearts passed over the rainbow bridge, last month, Feb 16 at 80 – Phil Williams. He and his wife Vivian were excellent players and music historians. John and I attended some of their presentations in Ellensburg. Here is a link to a message about his death and the plans for a celebration of life this spring.
If you follow the Gil Kiesecker video on Clearwater Stomp, it is followed on You Tube by Phil Williams introducing Gil’s love and playing of the song, and a little bit of his history. Vivian plays the Clearwater Stomp backed by Phil. Link above.
Meanwhile, check this out regarding Phil Williams.
Link Re: Phil
Saturday, April 15
For Apr 14 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=1.88. Events: 1 CSR, 8 H, 1 PP, 1 OA, 11 RERA. Time on 4 hrs 48 min with (max = 11 L/min). Slept 4-1/2 more hrs off CPAP but on oximeter, AHI was 1.04 overnight. Oximetry: SpO2 low 85, 12 events <88% with overall avg., 92.0 %. Pulse avg. 53.2, low 49.
Morning sunshine!
John carried Sunflower seeds to the bird feeders and then worked in the garden, including doing 2 gallons of spraying there and elsewhere. He put cans over the Asparagus tips to protect them.
We took a walk around the yard today to see trees, flowers, and other things.
Little yellow bells are popping up in among some wild Cherry bushed (trees).
Yellow bells – yellow aging to orange but can have faint brown markings inside, often turning deep red when withered.
Link to Fritillaria pudica
Yellow is the color for the day. Next is a collage taken from the end of our driveway, across our neighbors’ Swedbergs’ barn to Bregg Hill, a basalt outcropping, and the yellow wildflowers or weeds (we don’t have the energy to walk over and up to find out what they are). 
Top photo is just the top of the hill showing over their barns; the bottom shows the yellow blooms continuing to the north, down the hill, with 4 deer in the foreground.
We continued our tour, ending in the garden, and leaving out the onion shoot planting. Not much to see there, and the result of the late planting will not be known for 2 weeks or so. Although spring is sprung, Sunday morning temperature dipped below freezing.
Replanting of strawberries: Before and after with walkway added, made from chipped trees left by last year’s FIREWISE activity.
Two of the larger pots of Hens & Chicks needing re-potting. Need to give away some and break apart and replant. We do have some singles and smaller multiples.
Sunday, April 16 Happy Easter !
For Apr 15 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.63. Events: 5 H, 25 RERA. Time on 7 hrs 59 min with (max = 13 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 87, 1 event <88% with overall avg., 93.1%. Pulse avg. 52.5, low 49.
Cold…between 4 am and 6 am the airport readings were down to 30°. When I got up our porch was at 34°, but nothing looks damaged outside.
Hope your week was fine.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan