Country Music and Cactus

This weekend we are going to a huge annual Country Music Festival in the desert. It features top country singers like Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson.. I'm not sure who will be there this year. They had scheduled Loretta Lynn for old times sake, but she had a knee injury and cancelled. In her place will be Kris Kristoferson. I am very excited, there will be a lot going on, like a 33 chef BBQ cook-off, and other activities. I hope the crowds and "festival seating" on the grass at the polo Grounds don't do me in.
Well, we finally put our home in the mountains up for sale. Kind of an end of an era, but we got 19 years of pleasure out of it. We have some decorating to do inside the "new"desert house, and we want to spruce up the yard with professional desert landscaping. We don't want to tackle landscape planning in the new environment by ourselves. So, bye until another day.

Sailing Home

I only have a few minutes, but I want to say that we have had a wonderful cruise.  We are on our last day, sailing for Florida.  Saw lots of interesting things and met some very nice folks.  Panama Canal was extraordinary!  Will write more, and include pictures when I get back to Los Angeles next week.

Ironing during the Tsunami

     So much laundry. I got it all washed, but the ironing isn't done yet. I have a lot of trouble consolidating my wardrobe so that I can take one major suitcase. I can do it, but not without considerable angst. I think I have to iron everything wrinkled that I might want to take, just in case. This being a cruise to the tropics, I anticipate the need for clean fresh things every day......forget that the ship Laundromat is down the hall from our room. Of course they have valet service as well; I'm just insecure. We will be staying with friends in Boca Raton, Florida for a few days at the end of the cruise.  I need fresh clothes for that, too. I know my musings sound shallow, they are all about appearance. Oh well, so what?
     Big news today is the earthquake in Japan and the Tsunami causing so much damage. It's a terrible disaster.  We live about six blocks from the pacific coast. There is a Tsunami warning sign ONE BLOCK from our house. It says, "End Tsunami Zone.". The other side of the sign says "Tsunami evacuation Zone." We only noticed it last year.....we better huddle together on the 2nd floor, just in case.

Old Folks Home?

     Hi, sorry for the absence from the blog...been very busy!  I spent the weekend by myself at our new home, just taking inventory, stocking shelves, etc.  I couldn't help but notice, what to me is a phenomena.  The home is in Palm Desert, California, an upscale retreat for the weekend and holidays, and ALSO a winter home for "snowbirds" from the frozen eastern US and from Canada.  The thing is, a large segment of the people seeking a retreat are over 60.  Well, maybe over 70.  I am discounting the young families with children who come down for Spring or Winter Break. 
     The older set eats early, very early, and they like to go out to eat.  I thought I would beat the crowd and get to the restaurant for a 5:00 dinner (I like to eat early, too).  I had to park two blocks away from several good eateries, even though they had valet parking.  The valets were mobbed.  The place I chose has great food, is casual, and is comfortable for a person alone.   I had to "wade" my way through the bar full of partying seniors to get to my tiny table.  It was surrounded by large parties of, you guessed it, older folks (around my age).  A friend told me that "Happy Hour" in the desert starts around 4:00, and by 6:30 or 7:00 PM the restaurants empty out.  WHAT DO YOU DO AT 6:30????  I guess your fun evening just begins.  Or, you go home and watch TV.
     I had the same problem with the crowds as I tried to get into several restaurants for breakfast (I hadn't bought food for the house yet).  I think we are going to eat at home a lot!!
     You know, Palm Desert is a good place to open a business selling canes and walkers!  

Ahhhh Vacation Time

Part of Casita guestroom

Office

Master Bedroom

Kitchen

I have had a request to post photos of our new vacation
home.  We aren't in there yet; these are the realtor's photos from the internet.

Pool and Spa

Happy New Year

     I've been gone from my blog for a while, but still here at home.  Holidays were busy, but now it is January, 2011, and I'm trying to clear my mind.  We are searching for a new vacation home in Palm Desert.  For those who don't know where it is, it is a lovely community south of Palm Springs, CA.  We plan to sell the home in the mountains, Lake Arrowhead, because we haven't been using it as much as we once did.  So I am very excited to be looking at houses, and planning our semi retirement.  Since it gets too hot in the desert in the summer, we will remain in our Marina condo, and use the desert home for part of the week, and probably seldom in the summer.  I know this isn't of much interest to you, but it is uppermost on my mind this week and I thought I would share!

RAINY DAY

I remember the poem- "Rain rain go away, come again some other day..."  It's pouring outside; cold and windy, too.  I like the rain.  Things smell fresh, the sound of raindrops on the roof and windows is relaxing, and when it ends everything is clean and watered.  But things go crazy in Los Angeles when it rains.  We have huge mudslides in hillside areas that were burned by fire.  Foolish people fall into the swollen LA river...usually just a concrete ravine.  And, of course, the normally wacky drivers become wackier. 
I don't know if being deluged by heavy rain is any better than being snowbound, with freezing cold outside.  People who are snowbound may be forced to stay home by the fire and read, or even work from home by computer, And let's face it, snow covered landscapes make for beautiful photos and cards at this time of year. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL , AND A HEALTHY, PEACEFUL NEW YEAR!

The Plato Society of UCLA

    I am very lucky to belong to a wonderful society comprised of retired and semi-retired people, who come together to learn about a myriad of subjects.  We call our meetings "Study/Discussion Groups," or SDGs.  I have been gone for 4 terms because of my orthopedic issues, but today I rejoined the group.  It was great to be back.
     Each study group – there are about 25 different ones each term – usually consists of 14 participants.  A volunteer Coordinator acts as the group leader, but everyone has the opportunity to lead, to learn and to participate in the discussions.

     The groups meet for two-hours during the day each week for 14 weeks.  Each member becomes the discussion leader for one meeting and is responsible for an in-depth investigation of some aspect of the course topic.  Reading materials are recommended or provided for each week so that all members are prepared to join in lively, well-informed, provocative meetings that make for a truly engaging learning experience.
     The topic for my SDG is "Taking to the Streets; American Social Movements and their Music."  I picked for my presentation, "Music of Oppression: Slavery, spirituals, blues, etc."  It should be very interesting studying (re-studying) the institution of slavery in America, and how the music of the slaves has worked it's way into all types of musical forms.

THE PLATO SOCIETY

Back to Normal

     Tomorrow will be three weeks since my surgery.  I am doing great.  I walk without a cane most of the time, and today I drove to the grocery store.  I navigated the market in their motorized cart.  It's kind of embarrassing to be scooting around folks, backing up, turning around, etc. but I really like it.  It gives me the freedom to do it on my own, and that's a lot better than giving my husband a list and hoping I get the right groceries.  I shouldn't malign him; before I broke my ankle he had rarely been to the supermarket, at least not alone.  He did all the shopping for months, and we were never near starvation!
     So things are getting back to normal...whatever that is.

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving.  In these times of national and personal stress, we can still take the time to give thanks for all our blessings.  I am grateful for all of the support I have received from Howard, my family, friends, "e-friends," doctors, and others who have given me strength to get through the past couple of years of orthopedic calamities.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I believe I would not have made it in such a good mental state if it had not been for you all.

Ahh, Royalty

     So Prince William and Kate Middleton are finally tying the knot.  The US media can't get enough of it.  We are so fickle.  We flit from Lindsay Lohan, to Mel Gibson, to Paris Hilton.  Finally we have two "genuine articles" to hear about daily from now on.  Their wedding plans, the wedding itself, the gown, the party, how much it cost, who paid for it, etc., etc.  Actually I love it.  The man who will be King (but when?) and his gorgeous commoner fiance.  What a story.  It's a real fairy tale.  But so were Princess Diana and Prince Charles.  Fairy tales often have sad endings, but this one sounds promising.  I will be hanging on every word, and watching all the goings-on.
     What about you in GB?  What's the story there?  Did she live anywhere near you? Is that all you hear and see on television?  Or are the Brits actually broadcasting news?  We seem to have abandoned news in favor of sensationalism.

Update Again

I am doing very well. Got up and walked with a walker and physical therapist for a little ways. Tomorrow will be more challenging. But if we keep the pain down,as it is now, I will do OK. Here is hoping I can sleep tonight...by the way, I have very good nursing so far.
Love, Myrna

Thoughts Before Surgery

Well, tomorrow is the day. I packed my tote bag, and am doing all the little things one does before leaving for a while; like washing clothes. Yesterday we marketed. Howard and I separated for the task,as we went to different markets and had different errands. If all goes well, I should only be in the hospital for a few days, but won't be getting around much for a few weeks.
I phoned the "kids" to let them know how important they are to me and how much I need their support. All in the hopes that they will check in often. I find I am nervous and a bit anxious. I don't like feeling vulnerable and needy, it goes against my "makeup." I am doing pretty well in not dwelling on the things that can go wrong. Every so often those thoughts creep in, but I have had this surgery before and came out fine.
So, I will write again while recovering, and hope to hear from you.

Update

It is 10 days before my knee replacement. I haven't written a post because I have been incredibly busy. Lots of different doctors to see, lunch with several friends, and lots of pre- planning.. My mood is "up" and I am looking forward to a successful outcome. I will write more as time goes on.

THIS TRIP WAS A VACATION.

Three Pastry Chefs in Training

We had a fabulous trip to Carmel, Pebble Beach and Monterey.  We had been there before, of course, but never with a group of 10 people with a penchant for eating and drinking.  There were some business meetings thrown in among golf at Pebble Beach.  We stayed at the gorgeous Inn at Spanish Bay, where the bagpiper plays on the beach every night at 6:15.  I can't seem to get my photos to line up where I want them; either in chronological order or any other kind of order.  All I can say, is that I had a massage and a facial, and was treated to Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in our room.  The beautiful room looked out over the ocean and part of the golf course, with stately cypress trees all around.

The Jellyfish were astounding, as you can see.

At the Monterey Bay Acquarium

Big Sur Coastline

Dessert Plate Painting Class

My flourless chocolate cake

The Ladies were treated to a PLATE decorating class given by the extraordinary Chief Pastry Chef of the Pebble Beach Corporation.  He has prepared for the academy awards, and received numerous awards.  WE DESERVED NO AWARDS.  It was hard to do, but we got to eat our paintings.

A good time was had by all our friends....it was great to laugh so much.

Here's to You!

Bit of our room at Inn at Spanish Bay

Doings

I feel "tapped out" when it comes to creative writing.  I guess I don't have to be creative, do I?  These are doldrum times for me.  I am not doing too much because of knee pain; just going to physical therapy and doing small errands.  However, we are going on a week's vacation before I have the surgery.  We will have a couple of days in Carmel and Monterey proper, then a few days at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach.  I think Howard will make an effort to play golf; it's Pebble Beach, after all.  I plan to go to the spa!!!!!!!  It will be a wonderful break.
I am also mulling over the idea of writing a book.  No concrete plans yet, but I have some thoughts floating around in my head.  So, until next post, "See Ya."

Whew! It's Hot!

On a day like today, when the temperatures will soar, I like to think of this cool rushing river in Wyoming that we visited a few years ago.  Today, I  may go out to the ocean or to the Marina and watch the boats sail out the main channel to the ocean.  It's a perfect place to reflect, and catch a cool breeze.

Use Sunscreen

Hi Everyone,
I haven't written in a while because I couldn't think of anything upbeat to write about.  I guess I was a little "down."  Yesterday I got good news.  After having a growth removed from my leg last month, and finding it was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma, I had a followup surgery yesterday that was examined by the pathologist on the spot, and it was clear.  So, aside from stitches that hurt like x#%Xz, I should be doing my thing, whatever that is, in a few weeks.  Just a reminder: USE SUNSCREEN!
 I am going for a knee replacement in November, so I won't be running around doing "that thing" in full speed until about Christmas time.  Oh well, so I didn't write an upbeat blog this time, but I never made any promises!

A Happy Heart!

     Well, my husband caved in at the last moment; after I spoke to the shelter lady.

    He said that he saw a very sad little dog sitting on the sidewalk, and he realized he just couldn't give Webber up, not knowing if he too, would be a "sad little dog."  Actually, I think he doesn't want to deal with a sad little wife!!!

    Don't you think that since he put me through months of complaining about the dog, and insisted that I come to terms with the reasonableness of giving him up for adoption , he has "waived" his right to complain?  I think that from now on he has to just "suck it up" and be the nice guy that I know he is inside!

    I am going to hire a dog trainer and a walker as soon as I can get around to it.  And therein lies the rub.  I promised that I would do that when we got him 3 years ago.  I guess I owe it to Howard and the dog to whip him into shape.  OH, not really whip.  Do I mean Howard or the dog?  Hmmmmmmmm.