Health matters

My BFF Cat, whom I mostly still call Cathy from the old days, had a health episode - a minor stroke. One that landed her overnight in the hospital, transferred from her local hospital to one here in town. Fortunately her husband was home when it occurred and he realized immediately that she was in trouble and called 911. Help was there in the blink of an eye and they quickly transported her to the hospital less than a mile from their place. She is going to be fine, but has no memory of the paramedics or how she got to the hospital, or why she "awoke" there. She had barrages of tests once she got to the Stockton hospital, and they think she will be fine. No residual effects. In fact, she looks more relaxed and rested than I've seen her for a long time. She needs to cut back on her activities. This will be hard on her, as she is the going-est person I know. Volunteers for everything that comes along, and takes charge with gusto. Her goal now is to mellow out more, take life easier, stop being Mother Teresa to the world at large. Reigning her in is not going to be easy, but she is going to try. This was a big wake up call. It could have been so much worse. All those prayers her friends have been saying must have helped her. Thanks everyone. It is so good to have friends...... Picture is of Cat on the left and Gin on the right. She was taking care of Gin after a medical procedure just prior to this incident, and it was the first thing she wanted to know - who would take care of Gin. Both gals are doing fine. Rest and recuperation is in order for both. Only a week ago we were all at the beach. Things can change very unexpectedly and quickly.

A trip to the beach

Some of my art pals and I took off for a few days at the beach. Bev had three gals stay at her place, and I had three staying with me and the dogs. We had a great time. The gals walked my dogs for miles on the beach. The longest walk they have ever taken. I stayed home and baked a big fruit crumble with apples, pears and cranberries. Then a bunch of baked potatos to take to Bev's for the evening pot luck. we had great food, everyone having contributed something delicious. Baked salmon was the hostess's contribution - so I had some seafood. The next day Rosemary and I had an art day with the gals at Bevs, while Cat and Gin went roaming around the county shopping and getting lost. Here are some pics. On one of our walks we peeked in the window at the community center and the gals waved us in to see Jane Amaral's talk on dividing perennials. Lots of my plants in my garden originally came from Jane. It was good to see her again, and Cindy, who has been chairing the summer and holiday art shows in this little town. This is the show that my aunt founded more than 30 years ago. Now Cindy is not well and cannot continue. We are concerned that another capable volunteer may be hard to find.

The sunset was taken from just outside the sliding doors at Bev's. The other beach scene is from the cliff overlooking La Selva's beach. The little store is the hub of the community. Fresh deli sandwiches, all kinds of fresh brewed coffees, free recycled books, groceries, wine, post office, all in one tiny little building.

It's always hard to leave La Selva. This time with the dogs along, I didn't have to worry about them. They loved it. All kinds of new smells, a whole back yard to explore, lots of people willing to walk them and plenty of laps to sit on. It was a good trip.

Life in Stockton

People tell me that Stockton again is rated as number one or two on the worst cities in America. Yet, I feel perfectly safe and secure here, and the economic crash has touched us but not knocked us down. Friday night Nathan's car was stolen. It was parked on the side of the street no more than 10 feet from the house. Matt and Nathan went cruising around to see if they could spot it and sure enough they found it parked in front of a house not more than a mile away, in a more dangerous neighborhood. It's the first place anyone looks for stolen things. Police said Nathan's car is one of the most stolen types of cars in the country. Stolen for parts. A few things had been removed, but it had not been stripped. Not yet. Good thing they looked and found it before it had been moved to a chop shop. Or these guys may just run their own little side business....... Or they wanted parts for the other similar car in their driveway. Yesterday a security/alarm system was added to the car so maybe it will be safe now. Good thing we live on a corner with more parking space.

Music for your ears.

This is my favorite piece from Brassed Off. And the theme song from The Vicar of Dibley. Don't you love You Tube? Many things I find there were never sold as recordings, but I can listen to them here.

Downton Abbey

Are you all watching the PBS Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey. Most of my friends and myself, are addicted to this series. I bought the DVDs from last season so reran them before the new series started. All kinds of English characters to study, stunning period costumes, and a script with many plot twists and turns. Romances unfulfilled, deaths, intrigue all set from a time before the beginning of WW1. Right now we are well into the war years. Still the intrigues continue as some of the characters are maturing and developing into their adult lives.

BTW I'm including links to trailers for each of the films mentioned.

A few of us have started a British Film Club that meets every few weeks to watch British films at one of the member's homes. We started with Peter's Friends. It was funny, and sad, and touching and wonderful. Also had a couple of my fav Brit stars in it. Check it out if you have not seen it.

I think we'll see the Waking Ned Devine next. Another really good film. Greenfingers is another good one for the future. And Brassed Off. And then there are the period pieces of Jane Austin. And the sitcoms. The Vicar of Dibley, The Fall and rise of Reginald Perrin, Mapp and Lucia, Jeeves and Wooster. There are so many good things to look forward to. Photo is of David Kelley of Greenfingers and Waking Ned Devine

We went to see "the Artist" in Elk Grove last week. Wonderful black and white, crisp and sharp. Silent. Well, there was music throughout! Hardly silent, but no one spoke until the end.
Good film. Cute dog, really well trained. Handsome actor in lead, great profile. Worth watching just for that.

Saturday the senior center showed "The Help". Have you ever sat for 2 hours on a straight char with your head in one position? Good gosh! I still have a sore neck. I'm not sure I"ll got to the next one, even though I want to see the film. Maybe we can have a break in the middle for a stretch.

I'll leave you this joke, the worst joke ever from the Vicar of Dibley. Remember, I warned you it's dreadful. LOL

Family history

Here is the link to an old family film taken circa 1940-42. My brother has this on his Panoramabob site. It was taken before WWII, so we were still living in Nevada at the time. My brother was an active lad. Dad called him Hipple Hopper. I was called Doodle Bug. The one that liked to snuggle. One of my fav scenes is my mom waving her western hat. Did your family have pet names for you? And sweet little saying that stick in your heart? Like being tucked into bed, "snug as a bug in a rug"?

Something to crow about

The good news is that my oldest son was released from the hospital yesterday. That was a long stay of three months for surgery and recovery period. He's doing okay, but it is a huge shock to reenter the world where you dont' have snack carts 3 times a day, and meals prepared, and all kinds of activities offered, plus the warm bed and all. The VA took really good care of him. Thanks to all of us tax payers. Now it's up to him to take care of himself, and hopefully this is the end of this rocky part of the road for him.