Sunday, April 14
You’ve already heard in last week’s blog what we did today.
Most of our evening was spent working on the blog, or doing email correspondence. John read some more in his book, loaned by a friend, Tim, titled “Longitude.” He already knew most of the story, but enjoyed reading the details.
We published the blog at 11:55 p.m.
Monday, April 15
We left for town at 9:15 and didn’t get home until afternoon. Our original trip was to have our toenails trimmed by a foot doctor (Medicare covers the cost, after deductible paid). We were an hour late being seen, because of a busy morning and only one doctor being there. We also learning of a vascular test we should have once a year to check on the circulation in our legs to our feet. The test takes about 15 minutes, and a blood pressure cuff is wrapped around your thigh, and on down your leg to your ankle. We decided to go to the Yakima office for our tests because the only day they do it in Ellensburg is on Thursday (afternoons), and I cannot get out of music at assisted living homes until too late. So, we will combine our trip with going to Costco, which we need to do anyway. We are scheduled for 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, April 30th.
Once in we had a nice visit and found out he and his family were going to France in May & June. Once home, John turned on his computer while eating brunch, and saw the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris being destroyed by fire. So sad, but I have the memories of being inside there in 1965 on a Geography Field Trip to 17 European countries, which ended in Paris after 9 weeks.
The rest of our morning trip was to two grocery stores. We loaded up on drinks, chips, ground beef, bananas, and on BBQ sauce of which we now have a lot, on sale for $1. John splurged and bought a container of Maple Syrup, which was still expensive, but marked down $16.00. I told John that for me, I’m fine with the sugared water in regular Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup or something cheaper. I think I paid 99₵ last time I got a bottle. Then, off for Fred Meyer’s special on PowerAdeZero for me at 59₵ each, and some Colas for John, 77₵ – and two boxes with 24 Pepsi cans, each – $6/box. I dislike shopping there, but certainly don’t mind taking advantage of their tremendous mark-downs. I guess they are “loss leader” specials to get you in the store. I have always been intrigued by that concept pricing strategy.
I came home to some magnificent news. I had a phone call from Colleen Meyer at the Yakima Heart Center. She had delivered my report and request to Dr. Dave Krueger, and he has agreed to take me as his patient. What a huge relief! He is in charge now of all the cardiologists and was not taking any new patients. I wanted someone who was there at the time I had my open heart surgery and during the time building up to it in the fall of 2009. I’ll be scheduled to see him in 2 months and get another device check while there. The appointment has been made for June 24th.
Below is what he writes in his biography on their providers’ site, and I LIKE this, particularly his comment, “On Patients”:
On Patients: I strive for full patient involvement in their own care and their medical decisions. I love prevention and a healthy lifestyle is the best medicine.
On Cardiology: What an exciting time to help cardiovascular patients- new medicines and tools keep improving patient care.
On Yakima Heart Center: I am proud to be on Team YHC, where every individual is dedicated to “patients come first”.
You can see the whole statement and his photo at the link below, but you have to click on the bottom of his picture (Dave Krueger):
Dave Krueger, MD (my new cardiologist)
Returned to some more email requirements. Have to set up the attendance for two music events this week; one at Pacifica and one at Briarwood. I just finished that. It was more involved than usual.
I still have not figured out what it is that is on our kitchen calendar in John’s handwriting, that says we are out for dinner at 5:00 this coming Tuesday (23rd). We’re hoping it was accidentally put on the wrong day (maybe in the wrong month). 
John went out to work on the logs and house-number sign at the end of the driveway, which got knocked off their “podium” a couple months ago. Note the yellow marker added to the photo indicating our structure. Approaching our driveway from the north there is ½ mile of straight road, then a turn. In the photo, a driver has to make a sweeping left turn, and come toward the camera. Once every 3 years or so the vehicle (sometimes pulling a trailer) follows a more straight path and either comes out the neighbor’s drive, or makes contact with the fence support. Less frequently the vehicle turns onto its side.
John made a fabulous meatloaf tonight, cooked a little bowl of carrots, and cut us some Jarlsberg cheese slices.
I worked on the jobs list.
Tuesday, April 16
John left for White Heron and pruning today.
I have to go drop off size 18 pants and 2 blue medicine bottles to Karen at Briarwood; and look later for any 2X blouses. I’m sure I have some stashed around the house in stacks or containers. We need to have a serious purging of our house contents.
I first stopped by the Ellensburg Community Clothing Center with some things to donate and check out what’s there. Wow – a treasure trove! Stuff for John and for me and for others, if they don’t fit me. One thing is a leather coat for me with embroidery on the sleeves and back (but not the front). Very nice; made by Roper. I found a similar one on EBay that claims the original cost was $250.
Another item (for John) was a brand new Helly Hansen manufactured jacket with a logo of UniSea Renton, WA (Seafood company in Alaska), on the front left side, instead of their normal HH logo. We assume it was paid for by the company for their employees at their Renton, WA facility (cold storage, in the global market). Their company is involved in harvesting wild, seafood products in a sustainable manner, including: Alaskan Pollock, Alaskan King Crab, Snow Crab, Bairdi/Tanner Crab and Golden King Crab, Pacific Cod, Halibut and Sablefish. They are proud to describe these are sustainably harvested from the deep, pristine waters of the Bering Sea, according to Federal law and State of Alaska law. A visit to their web site (particularly to the Galleries tab for some videos), is worth your time.
The economic geographer in me and my past teaching made me provide the information above.
Another geography connection:
This appeared on Facebook today from Cameron Fries at White Heron Cellars with a glimpse at part of the Mariposa Vineyard, where John has been pruning wine grapevines since February. Cameron’s comment is below the photo.
“We lived in the wine making region of St. Saphorin in Switzerland for a while. The vineyards there are very steep and terraced with rock walls. Those walls have thousands of the same flowers that you can see flowering in this photo. When we had to terrace the hillside next to the winery we deliberately recreated a small part of that landscape, including training the vines into the traditional ‘Gobelet’ style. And thus we welcome spring to the Ancient Lakes Viticultural Area.”
On my timeline on Facebook, I shared this comment:
We hold a special place in our hearts for our friends, Phyllis & Cameron Fries, owners of the White Heron Cellars winery and Mariposa Vineyard. Starting in 1998, Cameron started coming to our class at CWU in summers to discuss the cultivation and history of wine grapes, and to provide a tasting of wines in the classroom. Our jointly taught class was held every summer through 2008, and hasn’t been taught since. It was called, Wine: A Geographical Appreciation.
We had field trips, and when Cameron & Phyllis moved to their current location, west of Quincy, WA, we continued his participation at the vineyard and winery. There, they arranged for a 6-course dinner with different wines for all the students at an incredibly reasonable price.
John and I drove CWU vans of students each year there for our first field trip of the year. With the view over the Columbia River, it provided a beautiful setting for learning and enjoyment. Below are some of our photographic memories of their vineyard, winery, and one view from their house on the hill above.
Mariposa vineyard – Summer, Fall, Winter by Nancy & John – Columbia River
If you want to see why the vineyard is named as it is, it is not because it’s Spanish for butterfly. In fact, it’s because of the Mariposa Lily found throughout the vineyard in grassy areas.
Check out their own web page and look at the first photo you see:
White Heron Cellars & Mariposa Vineyard
More memories at White Heron Cellars winery events:
Sept 2018 John, Phyllis (Altesse dog), Nancy, Cameron (tall guy) & Nancy
Memories inside the winery:
Cameron, Pétanque balls, Nancy, John, more White Heron wines for tasting
I have great memories of an event I attended alone for playing Pétanque, while John was volunteering as an Assistant Crew Leader for WTA (Washington Trails Association). My involvement on the winning team of 3 members brought back memories of my earlier life bowling skills. The Moscow, ID bowling lanes closed after I left the state and my high series record was never topped. It was a 679 series accomplished in sanctioned league bowling.
Wednesday, April 17
Finally got in touch with College Subscription Services to renew my Smithsonian and Discover magazines. I reached my old friend Shaku Ext 212 again, back after being gone from May to November last year, traveling around the world. I thought she had gotten another job. It’s nice to have a continuing contact at such places we do business.
Sent my chair count for KV F&F music for tomorrow at Pacifica.
Nick Zentner’s third “downtown” lecture is tonight. We got there just after 6:00 p.m. to get our seat up front for me to film. My videos are below. Following later will be a professional edited version on YouTube that will be distributed by Nick Zentner to the email addresses he has in his system. I have also subscribed to the CWU YouTube Channel so I’m aware when they are published.
Cougar Point Mattawa, WA Tuff from Idaho Supervolcano, Jarbidge-Bruneau (these photos from the Nick Zentner lead, IAF Field Trip November, 2018 (John was present on the trip).
Nick Zentner’s 4-17-19 lecture on Supervolcanoes in the PNW
Be sure to always check the beginning of the video to be at zero minutes… and move it back (as on the Visuals).
Audience for Nick at Morgan Performing Arts Center
Supervolcanos in the PNW (Part 1: Boards)
Supervolcanos in the PNW (Part 2: Visuals)
While we are on Geology, check this out. Joseph Kerski, my geographer friend in Colorado, sent this to me. You saw his photo in last week’s blog. I used to cover this technology in classes for years. I wish this local coverage existed at the time.
Geologists in Washington State use different bare-earth LiDAR products to map geology, landslides, and faults, to study volcanoes, glaciers and rivers, and to model tsunami inundation.
Give it plenty of time to load – much information is included. Yakima River in the canyon south of us in Ellensburg, WA is featured nicely, early in the presentation.
LiDAR exposes Geology and Natural Hazards in WA
Thursday, April 18
It was raining this morning, but turned into a nice day by the time we left for town at 12:50 p.m.
I used the time to finish loading and start the dishwasher so we had something to eat on and with.
John fixed us a nice breakfast: home fries, cut banana, fried bacon, and I fixed two eggs over easy for myself.
John had things to do outside after the rain stopped.
I charged the battery in my mic for music and called in the count of 11 to Pacifica Senior Living, where we played today. We had a large audience turnout and they were appreciative, with a couple of comments about how they wished we would come more often than once a month. We get that comment often, and have no control over it, with all the places we already are locked into from years past.
Tonight, I went back to town with John to attend this gala.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 30th Anniversary of the Kittitas Audubon Society ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
The meeting tonight was planned to be a silent auction of donated art work, books, statues & figurines, bird houses & feeders, and other paraphernalia associated with birders. It was a fundraiser for the scholarship fund to provide to college students to help with their research, given annually by the Kittitas Audubon Society (KAS).
I arrived early and took a tour of the tables set up with art and books. Each one below is a small amount of viewing time. The two videos of the speaker on snakes, Wendy Shaw, are longer (with 8 and 9-minute viewing times).
First, are the tables of materials:
(3) Silent Auction Bids (Jewelry priced)
(4) An auction item, Figurines priced, rest free things
(5) Many books, Matted Prints, & 2 birding vests
(6) High-priced books and framed prints
This was before the speaker program began:
Wendy Shaw Gopher Snake & Haley
In the above video, at 19 seconds in, Haley says, “I’m used to touching snakes at the STREAM events.” In case you’re wondering – What are these? They are educational meetings with youngsters.
STREAM educational events for kids – build on STEM events, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—into STEAM by adding the Arts, and now the accepted acronym is STREAM, by adding Reading (which includes writing).
I asked Amy (Haley’s mom) to describe the local program for me so I could educate myself and put in this blog for our readers. Here’s her helpful description:
Yes, there is a group called the Early Learning Coalition of Kittitas County that offers a free event for birth to 5 (kindergarten) to get parents and kids “playing with purpose” and talking to kids about the STREAM areas of education before they start school. The kids get lots of hand on activities and then get a bag with an age specific “learning tool” aka toy – things such as magnifying glasses, counting blocks, scissors, rulers, and a free book each event. I think there are like 16 events, 8 in Ellensburg – 8 in Kittitas. Each month is themed and so both towns get the same theme each month. This month was Farmers Market. There is also Science of the Night, Frozen, Helping Hands (police, firefighters, construction). I love these events.
The next two are of the program speaker (total time 17 mins):
KAS with Wendy Shaw, Rattlesnake Conservationist
KAS Discussion – Q&A with Wendy Shaw
We bid our adieus and drove home, only to view a beautiful almost full moon (not yet pink).
Our Moon View 4-18-19 Coming Home
Friday, April 19
We worked around the house, inside and outside. I mostly worked on the blog.
I finished the descriptions on Nick Zentner’s videos from Wednesday night, and now need to get them sent off to the folks for whom I have emails. DONE !!!
I have spent much time uploading videos to You Tube, from Wed & Thursday, and keeping the two inside-outside male cats who dislike each other, from tussling.
Saturday, April 20
John worked on loading a pickup with dried horse manure (destination, Mariposa Vineyard), and on cutting our backyard lawn. The soil of the vineyard is short of organic material, being mostly sand deposited in a temporary lake at the time of the Ice Age floods.
I left for Briarwood music at 12:50 p.m. to get there in time to carry all my stuff in, and also help set up. We had a good turnout considering so many people had conflicts with Easter being tomorrow and having family away or coming into Ellensburg. We ended up with a good bunch of players: Marilyn, Maury, Kevin, Gerald, me, Dean, and Amy. Also had our usual happily singing along audience.
We started a little early and finished an hour later, ready for the pretty tables of Easter-themed cookies and iced water (or coffee).
Colorful cookies shaped as bunnies, eggs, chicks, crosses, and others.
My morning was spent working on the blog. Afternoon was spent working on emails, after returning home from Briarwood’s music.
I still have a ton of emails to finish, but the first thing is to finish this blog draft, proofing, and additions.
After Briarwood, I took Amy by Jerrol’s to spend my $10 coupon and she got some pompoms (pea-sized) and a can of Masters Brush Cleaner for her paint brushes. She will use them to help teach her Gallery One art class with young children.
I picked up 4 pies at Grocery Outlet and a fistful of broccoli for John. The pies were Marie Callender’s Cookie Dough Cream pie with chocolate bits atop; already at a discount. One cost $4.99 and the other was free BOGO (buy one get one). So I bought two and got two free. $2.50 for a pie is not a bad deal! We didn’t have freezer space for any more. Amy found some Oreo cookie candy on sale that Haley likes.
I went from there to Mt. View Park to let her off at her car with all her stuff, and then she could go meet her family at the birthday party in the park pavilion. From there, I went to Super 1 to pick up my 3-month supply of Lasix. Now I’m all set to put my meds in for the whole week.
We enjoyed Lasagna for dinner tonight with Key Lime pie for dessert.
Sunday, April 21 ^.^.^.^ HAPPY EASTER !
Evelyn gave us and others fancy decorated eggs. We put mine in a salad. No photo. Some of her family came and they made more today. We did receive her photo that we now pass on as a Happy Easter good wishes. 
For a look at some fancy eggs do a search on the web with the phrase ‘decorated Easter eggs’ – use the Images tab. Wow!
Hope your week was fine.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan