Lovely Rain Thursday, Feb 6, 2025

The most rain I have seen in almost a year - I hear it drumming on the metal patio cover.   So welcome here, if not too heavy to create mud slides in the burn areas.

I went to the new Primary doctor today, Lila Kim.  She listened well, asked good questons, gave me some assurance that I can survive RSV, and sent me home to  rest-in-bed, drink plenty of (especially warm/hot) liquids, take my meds accurately,....and I'll  be well soon - maybe 3-4 days!  Although she didn't phrase it this way she seems to think I am doing  okay for an old widow lady.  We did not spend much time on all my other issues, but they aren't going away and we can get into those later.

I have such caring friends and neighbors.  Anna and her daughter Barb walked KoKo twice and brought me an slice of pizza for an afternoon snack. The boys in the cul-de-sac brought dinner prepared by their mother, Mariam:  chicken, couscous, plantain, and a yummy side of hot, grated beets.  

Sick I may be, but blessed.  

My timing is terrible! Wednesday, 02-05-25

 

KoKo and Froggy napping on my outstretched legs.

When I wrote on Monday morning I was feeling lousy, but had high hopes of improvement.   Wrong.  I had visited the Urgent Care where they diagnosed BSV and I went back on Monday afternoon  when they said  go  to  ER because I needed more care. Stubborn, as always, I didn't.  So, yesterday noonish I asked my friend Dick to take me to ER. The coughing was so severe I couldn't catch my breath. Great spasms, chest rattles, not much  fluid coming out.  Why am I describing this disgusting state?   GET THE VACCINES!  I kept putting it off. Probably picked up a particle at Road to California. I did enjoy the quilts, but not what I bought for about $7: BSV, a prograok six  hours m, and two styluses to use to type long texts on  my phone.    Yesterday after six hours, all the tests, x-ray, inhalation therapy, shots, and suggestions from the ER doc that he admit me to the hospital, I came home and coughed all night. I only slept about two hours, but the  patients in the hospital slept, not having to listen to me all the night long. 

The cough is less sever and shorter, my nose  is dripping, I slept a few hours  during the day, my friend Dick picked up more meds, friend Anna  walked KoKo twice, and the Boys mother, Mariam, brought me chicken/rice/veggies for dinner.  I am a fortunate gal.   But at my advance!d this or turn it into pneumonia.  need to be still, not talk much, rest, drinking plenty  of fluids, etc...

I  must learn my lesson:  GET THE VACCINES 

Here is one I really enjoyed at the Road to California:

 

I hope to be back for good, but no promises! 02-03-25

It is after midnight and I have an early morning to take the boys to school, leaving here at 6:45am!  But I am feeling guilty for not starting my blog up again, as promised. I am suffering from RSV respiratory syncytial virus}, probably because I didn't ever get the  vaccine. get the vaccine, this is not something you want to  experience.

I will restart with a quilt, since it is Sunday.

"Grid Interrupted"  Paula Kovarik  - Tennessee. 2024.  57" sq

When Paula is not pleased with a finished quilt, or if it doesn't sell, she cuts it up and sews the little  pieces into another arrangement. The pieces here are straight stitched or zigzagged together, so there are holes all around.  Lots of intricate quilting of shapes, doodling, motifs, all holding it together.

www.paulakovarik.com 

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We will be back soon. 01-23-25

I plan to re-start on Jan 28th.  Since my aged memory gives me pause, it may take a few tries to remember how to blog.  We are about 50 miles from any current fires, but the wind is still howling most of the time, day or night, so we are alert and watchful.  See you soon.

KoKo did visit Santa again - not a very authentic one, maybe age 17!!!

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Friday Food - Ice Cream 06-28-24

Anytime, any season ice cream appeals to many of us.  When I am on a road trip Diary Queen is always tempting.  Locally there are a number of local or chain ice cream shops.   The boys and I have tried quite a few, but after trying a new place we always go back to Rich Farm, which is the closest to our houses.

Julian likes the "candy" ice cream that always seem to be blue or green.

This may have been "cookie monster". 

Some Japanese restaurants have green tea ice cream.  This with chocolate  streams and powdered  sugar sprinkles was at my favorite in San Diego - Ikiru.

After a delicious salmon dinner at a Los Alamitos,CA, seafood place.

There is a chocolate fish propped on top.. 

The gelato case at Whole Foods.  Decision, Decisions.

At home I prefer Talenti's Coffee Chocolate Chip or Lactaid vanilla.   I don't  need a  "dairy relief" pill after the Lactaid, but I always carry some with me in case of a sudden, overwhelming urge to stop for ice cream!

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Ruth B. McDowell 06-24-24

I am very sad to tell  you that Ruth B. McDowell died on Saturday,June 22nd, she was just 79.  The cause was Multiple Myeloma.  She wasn't sick very long, but how would I know?  She was never one to complain.  When I learn more I will post any information.  

This  is a professional image used for some of her exhibits.

The best teacher I ever studied with, as she was for many of her students.  Here she shows the picture a student has decided to work with. 

The last class I had with her was her last session in Kalispell, Wyoming..  

Here she is talking about Susan Hillsenbeck's eggplant flower in progress. 

Ruth at the demo easel showing how to trace the sewing lines onto tracing paper.

Ruth and Pippi, her grand-daughter, take a walk.

"Conversation on the Porch"  Ruth B. McDowell   1993   37.5"L X 54"W

Cotton fabric, thread,and batting.  Machine pieced and quilted.

This is the first of Ruth's quilts I added to the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection in1994.  It is my favorite.

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Out to Space 06-24-24

Another Space X launch from Vandenberg last evening about 8:45pm.  They do have slight differences, but are always interesting to watch. 

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