On the Road Again......Can't wait to be on the road again!

May 16, 2013

10PM
Yup, after only two days at home I'm so anxious to start planning and preparing for my next adventure that I left this afternoon for the about 2 and a half-hour drive to Cottonwood.  I arrived at #1 son's house this evening - in a rain storm!  That's very unusual for mid-May here in hot, dry country.

 Heading North on I-5 I started to take note of not only the beauty of the clouds, but their color too.  Hmmm!

 I have to say I've become quite an aficionado of cloud types and formations; I find them fascinating.  Notice too that this country is flat but off in the distance North, East and West are ranges of mountains. Although not visible today, the drive in a northerly direction showcases beautiful Mount Shasta for miles and miles.  Also, to the East is Mount Lassen.  Often the temperature at highway level can be upwards of 100 degrees, but one can just take a glance at either Mt. Shasta or Lassen and see snow at any time of the year.

 The cloud formations were so interesting - notice the mountains in the background - this picture is towards the west

After turning off I-5 between Red Bluff and Redding, this is a photo of the road leading to Jeff's home. A little further along this road - Hooker Creek turnoff - there are a large number of bee-hives.  I understand that this particular honey is really delicious - I haven't tried it myself - yet!

Jeff and Alice followed the pack of Sherman immigrants to Tehama and Shasta Counties; they live on 5-acres with their daughters, Malia and Samantha.  Jeff actually left a very lucrative position with the United Postal Service data processing center in San Mateo to relocated here, believing that the culture is healthy for their children and their way of life.  

As one enters Tehama County on I-5 there's a sign (sorry I don't have a photo of it) identifying Tehama as the "Recreation Capital of California."  Jeff and Alice have lakes, rivers (like the Sacramento River that has its headwaters at Lake Shasta), wildlife preserves, fishing ... the list goes on.

I love visiting them and now that I can live in my own little house on wheels, I don't feel like I'm a burden on them.  I plan to work on Daphne Dolphin and spend some fun time with Jeff and his family - and my other relatives who live in this area.  There'll be more about the area and my family in blogs coming up.

Almost forgot to mention that it's only Lacy and me on this trip.  We left the kitties home with friends in the house as they're just now getting used to their new home - that doesn't move to a new yard every few days!

Second Morning at Home

May 16, 2013

9AM
I realized this morning when I awakened that each day for the last several months I've roused myself from slumber reminding myself of where I am.  This morning, first I came up with 'home in San Rafael,' then realized I haven't lived in San Rafael for 10 years!  But, I am HOME, in Roseville.  It's currently 59 degrees (15C) and will get up to about 88 this afternoon (31.1C).  This seems almost completely perfect; however, it will continue to get hotter and drier as the days move into June.

Yesterday, although the main intent was to relax, I really 'got a lot done' - laundry (US style with washer and dryer), developed an updated budget for going forward, did some iPhoto updating and a little house-cleaning.

I'm going to hang out with Kari for lunch and gabbing today; this is a real treat for me as she's so busy with her family and business www.epictri.com - I really appreciate any / all the time I can spend with her - she's one amazing lady.  This evening or tomorrow morning, I think I'll leave, in Daphne Dolphin once again, for Cottonwood (near Redding, CA - about 170 miles north of Roseville), home of Jeff (number 1 son), Alice and the 13-year old wins, Malia and Samantha.  I plan to hopefully set up a kind of 'base of operations' there.  My car is there and I'll spend lots of time and energy getting Daphne into tip-top shape for whatever the next adventure is.

I love spending time in Cottonwood, although it's much hotter there than it is here, and will plan on leaving Daphne there for rest, recuperation and storage.  It's not possible to keep Daphne here with me in Roseville; I'd have to store her away from home - at $100 / month.  At Jeff's, even though it's a 3-hour drive, I can live in Daphne while I'm there and still have my car for side trips, visits to other relatives, etc.

A little background:

In the late 80s my husband and I visited the weekend ranch of friends, Bobbi and Lou, who live in San Rafael - where we lived at the time - in Cottonwood, California.  John fell head over heels in love with their little ranch and the very next day called a realtor to start showing us properties for a 'ranch' of our own.

We bought 'the ranch' in the outskirts of Red Bluff, a lovely and comfortable house on 37 acres along the banks of the Sacramento River where it is wide, rapid and beautiful.  We 'stocked' it with a couple of horses, lots of dogs and cats, even two cows for a time and enjoyed, first, two-day weekends, then 3-day, then I finally decided to move there.  We kept the house in San Rafael for John to live in during the week and I started working for the small hospital in Red Bluff.

Soon, thereafter, members of our family - John's widowed dad, our nephew and his family, our sister-in-law and her boyfriend, etc. started relocating their families to the area.  It's situated at the very northern end of the great San Joaquin Valley of California.  And it's only minutes in any direction to wonderful lakes, mountains, recreation - Mt. Shasta and Lake Shasta (skiing, hiking, camping, boating, etc.).  It's a recreation wonderland.

Now, all these many years later, I'm a visitor - but I still love it and would contemplate relocating there if I truly decide that I want a base camp from which to foray far and wide in Daphne or another RV.  I intend to have a long conversation with my son, Jeff, about this very subject while I'm there this coming week.

Here are a couple of pictures - not too recent but fun to look at:

This photo was taken before we left on our RV adventure; it's the way the groomer intended Lacy should look.  She hasn't been bathed or clipped now for months and months - she'll visit my niece, who owns a grooming shop in Redding, next week.  I'm planning to learn how to clip her so we're not dependent on unknown groomers!  I took her to one in Sayulita, Mexico; she was almost bald at the end of that afternoon!

This is a photo I took in November 2012 of a neighbor's house - yes, those are wild turkeys - we have a huge 'flock' of wild turkeys that have been living in our neighborhood for over 25 years.  There are about 50 of them and they roost in several trees behind the houses (there's a creek and hiking trail right in the middle of Roseville).  Everybody loves seeing them, almost every day, as they make their way throughout the neighborhood.  Residents respect them and slow down or stop when they cross the streets.  They really have little fear and do let one get pretty close - it's wonderful in the Spring when they saunter throughout the area with their new chicks.

First morning home - Aaahhh! Mmmmm! Yes!

5/15/13

I thoroughly enjoyed the first night in six months in my own bed - aaahhh!  Once again, I have so little experience of being retired - at home - my brain was in full press ahead when I awoke.  Then I reminded myself, "Self," I said, "Slow down, there's no rush, let the newness and wonder of this experience settle in; the let's get stuff done will happen - or maybe it won't be necessary!"

There are so many ways to BE BUSY - I'm 'busy' today learning how to relax adequately!  Kari called and asked if I'd like to go out for dinner with her and the triplets late this afternoon.  I want to thoroughly enjoy this current gift of being able to see them frequently as I know I'll be out adventuring again soon and won't be seeing them.

For my readers, if you have suggestions for adventures please share them with me.  Maybe I should start planning that trip across the norther nUS and / or across Canada.  I've always wanted to LIVE in the Fall in New England and Eastern Canada - Nova Scotia, maybe even Newfoundland.  Ideas????

I have so much to think about .... Do I want to rent my house?  Sell it?  Where do I want to have a "base?"  Do I need a base?  Or storage only?  What does the house need in terms of fix-up to rent?  To sell?

What does Daphne Dolphin need for future travel, living, comfort?  What's the order of importance?

What personal goals do I have?

1)  Make a new monthly budget
2)  Stick to it
3)  Start actively investing money - take a little out of savings to 'play with' - that means be willing to make mistakes, i.e. lose capital, to learn new skills
4)  Add more fresh fruits and vegetables to my diet
5)  Find forms of exercise -  cardio, strength, flexibility, etc. - that are doable and enjoyable - and don't hurt
6)  Learn to groom Lacy - will save lots of money!
7)  Do my taxes - extension filed - now due July 15th
8)  Monitor health regularly - vitals, weight, energy
9)  Read and study more

Home Again! and Positive Thinking

May 14, 2013

Highway 99 N Stockton, California

I just drove up to my house about an hour ago after five months.  As I was nearing the turnoff to my home on I-80E my speedometer clinked over to 84,000 miles.  I'll need to check my journal but I think I was somewhere in the neighborhood of 78K when I started this adventure.

It'll take some time to assimilate all that's occurred during this, my first ever RV adventure; but I can say it's been a wonderful introduction to an experience of a lifetime.  I feel very happy and thankful for all the incredible things I've experienced and enjoyed.  I learned a lot about people, especially myself.

Yesterday I arrived at the home of Dee Medd and his wonderful girlfriend [of many years], Mary Jane Weir for what turned out to be a fantastic finale to a fantastic 5 month adventure.  Dee and Mary Jane have been traveling, up to 6 or 7 months a year, all over North and Central America, together since 1996 and Dee for up to 40 years or more now.  They know every nook and cranny of the US, Mexico and Central America.  It was a fitting finale for my personal adventure; we shared stories, experiences, characters, etc. for the afternoon and evening yesterday and the morning today.

Dee and Mary Jane live in Modesto - in the Central Valley of California - the fruit, nut and vegetable basket of the nation.  It is hot country, the sun shines almost every single day of the year, crops grow like crazy and the heat can get oppressive.  But, as they say, it's a great resting and planning atmosphere for the next travel adventure.  They're a few years older than I and definitely role models for how I want to enjoy my life.  They're always interested in trying new things, going new places, taking a few risks to benefit from the experience.  That's how I intend to live too.


Positive Living - One of the lessons I've been learning during my adventure is:  Life is Life.  I cannot change it.  It will happen as it's supposed to happen whether I have a positive or a negative attitude.  I'm learning to develop tools for developing a positive attitude no matter what.  No matter what life throws my way I can choose to accept what comes  -  positively.

1)  Shift my thoughts - it's easy for  me to feel positive when there are no threats.  It's when frustration, sorrow, low self-esteem, anger, etc. come into the picture that I have to develop strategies to shift my thoughts.  I can't change lots of the occurrences but I can encourage myself to think other more positive thoughts .... the sun is shining, I'm healthy, my pets love me, I have choices .....

2)  What's the lesson I'm supposed to learn from the experiences in my life?  Sometimes I make mistakes, don't think of others' feelings, etc.  When something happens that makes me uncomfortable, that 'brink in the stomach' feeling - what's the lesson for me?  If I can figure out what the concern really is, maybe I won't have to continue to make the same mistakes over and over.  Isn't that be a nice positive to add to my life?

3)  I can't be both angry and grateful at the same time.  I need to count my blessings every day.  I have so much to be grateful for.  I think 'anger' is a cover emotion for the more fundamental emotion of 'fear.'
I know it's impossible to love and fear the same thing at the same time.

4)  I have been accused of being tough on my family and friends, subordinates - but who am I toughest on?  Me.  I am reminding myself to consciously put together daily affirmations for myself.  I'm a good person.  I try to understand others' points of view.  I respect differences.  I intend to remind myself of my good qualities often.

5)  I'm keeping an inventory of good memories; times and experiences that make me happy just remembering them.  How I so loved my children, my parents, my husband, my girlhood bedroom, my pets, etc.  Good memories are positive making .... I've 'warned' my family and friends that I'm planning to start writing short biographical and auto-biographical stories.  They may not be as others remember them, but they'll be positive memories for me.  Readers can take what they like and leave the rest!

I am detoxing - I intend to continue to change my approach on life.  When I approach life  positively I know I'm guaranteed a more positive response.  I intend to stay in the mode of ....  "the glass is half full" rather than ..."the glass is half empty."  And, for those times when it becomes difficult to maintain a positive attitude I will pray for the willingness to think positively.

I'm grateful for the adventure I've just finished and I'm excited about what's coming next.

Monday in Bakersfield - Daphne and Paradigm Shifts

May 12, 2013

I left Dockweiler state Beach RV park yesterday and arrived in a very hot Bakersfield in the afternoon; it was over 100!  And, this part of California doesn't cool very much when the sun goes down so I had the air conditioner on almost all night.

I talked with Kari and Jeff during their families' exciting and fun-filled day at Disneyland; what a great way to spend Mother's Day while in So. CA.  Since I'd decided not to join them and just take a leisurely drive North for about 150 miles, I felt relaxed, if not a little warm!  I had had a few thoughts [concerns] about Daphne Dolphin and how the trip over the infamous Grapevine would go; she did well albeit a little slowly at times when the engine temperature gauge indicated she was struggling a bit.  I just slowed down and she readily cooled back down to a safe operating temperature.   Since I don't have any real deadlines I have to meet,  I don't mind slowing down to preserve her coolness!

All in all, I'm so happy with the performance of Daphne during this long adventure.  Before leaving California she had almost new tires and an oil change.  Early in the trip (Arizona) I had new Monroe shock absorbers installed as I was noticing that the ride was very bumpy - lots of cupboards and drawers spilling contents; the mechanic who installed the new absorbers showed me the completely-worn-out shocks that had been in place since the beginning (20 years!).  I have a very dear friend who is the retired Executive Vice President of Monroe, from whom I'd learned a lot about the company's  quality; so I felt confident they would be worth the price tag.  I do remember being 'shocked' at the price and called Jeff for his input before I gave the go-ahead.  I added one liter of oil about March in Mexico at a Pemex station - nothing else of a repair nature.  Then, in San Antonio I had the Jiffy Lube treatment once again (after 3005 miles).  And, that's it for the whole trip - so far.  She's run like a champ.

On to another train of thought.  I've been thinking a lot recently about 'paradigm shifts' in thought processes.  I'm going to try to put in writing that which is going on in my head.....

So many ideas, thoughts, feelings and actions in my life are simply in place because "that's the way it's always been" seems to be so prevalent.  When I refer to a 'paradigm shift,' I'm thinking that, occasionally, when something [often a very automatic action] gets changed, for whatever reason, I find that the 'new' thought or action is actually an improvement on the old.

The idea of the 'paradigm shift' was first presented to me in an hospital administration conference back in the early 90s.  The facilitator of the conference, a physician-business man, talked about the 'paradigm shift' needed in the arena of healthcare administration to encompass all the medical technology advances, increased and aging  populations and economic considerations in the US - as well as the rest of the World.  It would be incumbent on us (healthcare providers) to initiate the changes by making considerable 'paradigm shifts' in our own personal beliefs and practices.  An example that I can relate to personally as a professional Operating Room nurse ....  In the history of surgery, it had always been accepted that the surgeon was the 'captain of the ship;' all others in the operating suite (anesthesiologist, scrub nurse, circulating nurse, technicians, medical device and equipment reps, etc, etc. and the patient)  were  subservient  to him.  That is not the case in the modern world of healthcare.  Each entity has a specialized function.  Yes, all involved listen to the surgeon with respect for his / her 'captain of the ship' persona.  BUT, THE PATIENT IS THE 'OWNER OF THE SHIP.' What a concept.  How many of us recognized that fact 25 years ago?  It certainly was a paradigm shift in my thinking.  And, that understanding has molded so much of how I perceive the practice of healthcare administration can, should, must be administered!  And, believe me, I've used those words of wisdom in working with patients and families a lot.  Each of us is the OWNER of our own ship!

So, for my personal, practical life ..... I've been eating a container of yogurt, almost daily, for the last many years.  I particularly enjoy one brand's flavors and availability so I always have a supply on hand.   I've never liked to drink milk; I look for other sources of dietary calcium and find yogurt an appealing choice for it's taste, simplicity and calcium content.  Well, everyday I opened the foil pull-off lid on the container while holding the tab and opening it facing me; and, every time I did that there'd be a little squirt of yogurt that would burst out as the pressure inside the container was released.  I found it irritating that every single day I had to wash a spot of yogurt off my hand or clothing; so irritating that I'd considered writing to the company requesting that they solve this problem.  A couple of days ago, who knows why, I took the yogurt out of the refrigerator and opened it in the opposite direction.  Not only did the yogurt not spurt out on me but it didn't even spurt; it seems that the change in my action negated the necessity of the pressure release to the extent that there was no spurt!  Why hadn't I thought of that before?  I know why.  It's because I had automatically assumed (for all those years) that it had to be a manufacturer's problem - not mine.  So, with this revelation I've personally had two paradigm shifts:  one was to just try doing something a different way to see what the result would be; and two was not to assume that any problem must be the other person's fault!!!

Loyola Marymount University Class of 2013

May 11, 2013  9:30 AM  

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

CLASS OF 2013

Commencement Speaker:  Doris Kerns Goodwin


Doris Kearns Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American biographer, historian, and an oft-seen political commentator. 

Author:  Team of Rivals:  The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln from which Tony Kushner wrote 
the screenplay that  Steven Spielberg used for the filming of "LINCOLN."

A beautifully mild and sunny day in Southern California - a great day to honor ....

Addison Mae Duane

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology 

from The Bellermine College of Liberal Arts

 Taken from the drive leading up to the beautiful campus.  See the tower of Sacred Heart Student Chapel and the row of beautiful palm trees

 Lovely fountain at the back entrance to the campus

 About 4,000 Under graduates, Masters and Doctoral candidates - Probably 25,000 spectators 

 This is as close as I got to Doris Kerns Goodwin - her commencement address spoke of history and how these young men and women will shape the history of tomorrow

  

Addison and her four cottage mates hosted a post graduation party for their families and friends at their off-campus home.  It was a Mexican themed party catered by a gourmet taco catering company.  The tacos were excellent and very authentic too

 Addison's GrandDad John Sherman (my ex-husband and still friend) and his lovely wife, Gail.  John is recuperating from the devastation of a rare genetic condition that had had his doctors baffled for months and months.  He has recently regained some of the about 40 pounds he lost before they were able to diagnose and correctly treat the disorder.  We're all happy he's feeling so much better

 Proud Mom Kari getting a couple of moments of relaxation - organization of this family for trips like this one are very labor intensive for Kari and David

 And, here is the proud Dad, David.  He's a spectacular Dad and knows his parenting will be repaid many times over by Addison in her life endeavors

 Addison and GrandDad remembering so many good things about her childhood and young adulthood

 David's only brother, Sammy Duane from Tempe, Arizona - he's a very well-known high school basketball coach at Coronado High School.  He took over the position after his Dad, Sam Duane, retired from the same job.  It runs in the family

 Here is addison with two of her four sisters, Tate and Avery, and her cousins, Malia and Samantha.  check the difference in heights between Avery (on the far right) and her cousin, Sam (in the black strapless dress).  All four of Addison's girls are 13!

 And a shot with Mimi (the French diminutive for 'grandmother).  Addison and I both speak Spanish and seem to be the family members having most 'wanderlust.'  Addison leaves tomorrow for Europe:  Spain, Italy, France and England.  When she returns she will be at Arizona State University for an accelerated Teaching Credential program.  Then she's off to become a public school teacher for Teach For America in Denver, Colorado - a two year commitment

 Addison with her wonderful friend, Toni Richardson.  Toni and Addison were roommates in their first two years at LMU.  Toni will graduate next year and attends LMU on a full-ride scholarship - a very accomplished young lady

Addison and her four housemates addressing the party of families and friends

Addison's Family Dinner, LMU Mass and Reception / Party

Friday evening, May 10, 2013 

PICNIC Dinner

Duane and Sherman Families

 Twins and triplets haven't seen each other for a while - so they communicate by cell phone!

On the right is David's brother, Little Sam Duane

 Malia Sherman (one of Jeff's twins) and Tate Duane (Addison's sister and one of the triplets)

The triplets and twins are all 13!

 Triplet Spencer Duane with Twin Samantha Sherman

 Samantha with triplet Avery

 David's parents, Betsy and Sam Duane - happy grandparents too

 My oldest son, Jeff and his wife, Alice - parents of the twins,

Malia and Samantha

 The graduate, Addison and her mom, Kari

 Soon to be a high school graduate, Holland - She graduates on the 31st of May and will be going to school next year in Germany

In the background:  John's wife Gail (Gigi)

 Graduation Mass was celebrated in the Loyola Marymount Gym

 LMU President David W. Burcham

 Altar and Catholic Church - LMU style - music was incredible 

and incredibly modern

 Dressing of the altar to celebrate the 

Liturgy and Eucharist 

 Addison, Sam and Kari headed straight for the dessert table at the reception / party

 Magnificent lighting throughout the campus

 Sacred Heart Student Chapel

 Big Sam dancing with Betsy's purse - Spencer watching

Incredible edifice and landscape campus architecture

No photos of addison's Mimi or Granddad - maybe tomorrow!
Also, Quinn Duane, Kari and David's oldest daughter didn't get photographed - tomorrow for sure!
Also, no David!!!!  Yikes!

Here's a picture of David, Kari and Addison when all graduates and their parents were asked to stand and be recognized ...

Congratulations to Addison - and Mom and Dad!