MotherLode and Dixieland Jazz Festival

  

                               

     We had a great time exploring the old west, including a private tour of the State Capitol.  Notice the personal welcome to the Senate Chamber.  

     The Sacramento Dixieland Jazz Festival was fantastic; about 60,000 people in lots of venues and on the streets, listening to great music.  One of the best things about car travel is experiencing the beauty of the California countryside; rolling hills, huge oak trees, cattle, horses, and all the things we forget about living in the big city.  It is very restorative.

"On The Road Again"

We are in Northern California on the trail of the Gold Rush in the 1850s.  Lots of charming old mining towns, with the historic main streets looking very much as they did, with the exception of little antique shops and boutiques housed in the storefronts.  The picture above is the Historic Murphys Hotel in the town of Murphys where we stayed.  There are a lot of wineries in Murphys, with tasting rooms.  It draws many tourists in the summer.  We are now in our state Capitol, Sacramento.  For the next few days we will be enjoying a Dixieland Jazz Festival...what fun!

THE DRAMA CONTINUES

Sunset Over a Blue Lagoon

The Dreaded Air Cast

  Why, you ask, is my last acrylic painting stuck in here with the cast and the nurse?  I don't really have an answer for that.  I just like the painting and don't have a good chance to look at it often since it is downstairs above the fireplace, and I am stuck upstairs most of the time.  The painting is much more light and joyful than it photographed.  

This evening my cousin's daughter will be getting married.  The family is very excited; we will all be gathering at an elegant hotel and will be having a great time.  I'm looking forward to it.
    
Yesterday I saw the doctor after my 3 month term was nearly over (1 week to go).  I expected the bone to be healed.  However, the ex-ray showed that it is BEGINNING to heal.  I have to come back in 6 weeks for another look.  I can put a tiny bit of weight on the foot from time to time, but no major difference in my activity.  Suffice it to say I am disappointed, angry, depressed, think the boredom will "do me in," and just want to cry.  If you are not well, getting older just sucks; but the alternative is suckier.

     Then there is the lovely Jennifer.  She is an RN, and comes 3 days a week.  I don't really need an RN, but we have known her for a long time, and she is like a member of our family.  It feels so comfortable with her here; she anticipates my needs and truly gives me a lot of care.  We also laugh a lot and she makes my days go faster.   I just love her and would hate to have to give her up.

     Howard, out of love and commitment does the other 4 days.  I am very grateful, it's really hard to do, but we are getting on each other's nerves. Our upcoming vacation will give us a well needed break in the routine.

Nurse Jennifer and Webber

TROUBLE IN A CURLY WHITE COAT

     This is Webber.  We think he is the biggest Bichon Frisee (without the fancy haircut) on earth.  He has the papers to prove his lineage, and he acts like a Bichon, but he weighs 25 lbs.
     We've had him for about 2 years, but he lived with a neighbor in a very loving home since his birth.  He was 5 when we adopted him from his home, where he could no longer be taken care of.  Now I know he was spoiled when we got him, but he has become very needy of late.  He has his own way of communicating with us.  He squeaks and whines.  He starts with one squeak, and if he doesn't get a response, he adds to the squeaks and gets louder and more insistent.  He reserves this behavior for begging at the table and standing at the side of the bed wanting to climb in with us.  He is a playful sort, loves his long legged stuffed dog toys.  He grabs one leg in his teeth and twirls it around, ending with a flip over his back; it's really cute.  He is also very loyal and protective; too much so.  He hates the UPS man; hears his truck coming up the block, and stands at the gate barking at him until he passes our house.  If I get a package, the man often just puts it in front of the gate and hurries into the truck.
     His loyalty is unparalleled; we go out for a few hours and find him sitting at the gate waiting for our return, and as happy as if we were gone for weeks.  I love the little guy; so does my husband, but he said when Webber goes up to doggie heaven, we are not getting another dog!  We'll see.

ARIAL OR TREBUCHET?

     This is ridiculous! I've been in search for the "perfect" blog layout; one that reflects my personality, preferences, talents, and so forth.  There "'ain't" no such thing.  I spent a good chunk of my time yesterday changing templates, colors, fonts, and formats, and nothing was good enough.  Finally, I settled on one.  I don't know how long it will last, because I love to change them around.  But at least this one looks like me.  I'll let you figure that one out!  Really, I think that what one puts into a blog is more important than the way it looks.....a good metaphor for building one's character as well.