Nothing so good as Home Grown!

Hi There Everyone!

Just had to share this bounty with you today. I dread winter coming as I'd love to pick these veggies everyday. Nothing like the flavors of home grown organic veggies. The first of the season we had to fight with the bugs and slugs for pretty foliage, but just kept adding compost and fertilizer until they got bored and moved on. :D

I hope next year is actually the year we add a green house to extend our growing season. That would be marvelous!!!!

Hope you're enjoying the first day of fall. I'm hoping for a long fall this year. In southern Oregon we sometimes go from the triple digit heat of summer straight to the frosty mornings of winter. I love the fall.............it's my favorite season. I'm getting the bikes out today and filling the tires, oiling and cleaning. Perfect time for bike rides. xoxoxox Moonie

My First Ride in an Ambulance - Eeeeeeee!

Well Lovies,

It's been a scary time for me, but much better than I thought it was going to be for a few hours there. I suppose there are millions of people out there who experience asthma attacks quite regularly and they've adapted if they have their meds with them at all times. But, at 64, I've never had asthma. I've had pneumonia, and that was bad, but asthma attacks? No and it came without warning, unless you call a runny nose a reason to run to the doctor. One minute you're swimming about, having a great time on a hot day, and the next you're on your knees gasping for air. You're screaming in your head for your lungs to please open up, but they feel filled with panko or sand.





About 2 weeks before this, our association management decided to coat the ladies shower room floor with a substance that would make it less slippery. Whatever it was, I'm positive it was toxic and never meant to be used in an enclosed area. My sweetie and I came skipping into the clubhouse, ready to take our pre-swim showers and go for a dip. We were met with toxic fumes that nearly knocked us out. We ran for the exit to the pool and fresh outdoor air. Other swimmers were quite peeved also. There was nothing to do but swim, as there's no way out except going back through the clubhouse. But it became quite obvious in a short time that the odors were invading the pool and we must leave. Complaints of headaches and nausea were shared. We ran for it, but had to take a couple gulps of the noxious fumes before making our way to the outdoor exit. That was enough to send me to my knees, gasping. Have never been so scared (well, until 2 days ago). We sat on a bench trying to breathe and take the short walk to our home, only 1/2 a block away. Sweetie recovered, but I didn't. He ran for our car to pick me up and asked which way we were going - hospital or home. I said home. I recovered in about 1/2 an hour, but had a headache and dry cough for almost 2 weeks. Others complained also.

Two days ago we decided all the fumes must be gone, so we would go for a swim. Fumes were gone, things seemed fine. Went for a swim, but noticed a high content of chlorine, so got out after about 1/2 an hour. Made it outside to that bench again and then my lungs closed up like they'd gone out of business for good. I fought panic like a seasoned phobic, trying desperately to slow my attempts to breath.........in through the nose, out through the mouth, etc., as I moved into the tripod position, expanding my lungs physically. Nothing. Things were starting to spin. R got me to a seat closer to the parking lot and propped me up against the building and ran for the car. He asked me again - which way? - I said home. But this was worse than before. MUCH! After 1/2 an hour I was still gasping, just slower. I walked the 30 steps to the bathroom to get rid of my dripping bathing suit and grabbed a fresh cotton camisole and panties without rips, because I knew where I was headed. I just threw a cotton caftan on as I climbed on the bed. I laid down and became overcome with panic. I could not breathe in that position and I was too weak to move. I called for R, who was on the phone trying to reach my doctor. I must have looked frantic. He hung up and called 911 for the ambulance.

Well, I wasn't so far gone I didn't notice how beautiful, young, tall and shiny clean and pressed the EMT's were. Wow! They were wonderful to me and made me feel more at ease. Put oxygen up my nose immediately to bring my stats up. They were considerably low. We got on the gurney and took Mr. Hare's Wild Ride to Rogue Valley Memorial in record time even with road construction. They gave me a "breathing treatment" albuterol in a Hooka-like machine from Alice and Wonderland. I'd surely gone down the rabbit hole, I was thinking. But hey - I could breathe better. I was calming down.
So, to make a short story longer, 6 hours later, at least 25 blood pressure checks, 7 viles of blood for many tests and chest xrays and more people getting a peak at my breasts than in my entire lifetime......I was informed I have bacterial pneumonia, undoubtedly caused by the toxic fumes from 2 weeks earlier. So, that's why my walks have been so tiring............ I was given an asthma puffer, anxiety and antibacterial meds and bills totalling a little more than $3000. Holy health insurance! Wish I had some. Wish I lived in England, Canada, France or Australia for that matter. Come on Obama - get that Universal health care going!!!!. The only way I could raise that much money would be to sell my car. But hey.........I now have asthma and cannot be walking everywhere in the frigid winter or pollen filled spring through fall.
Two weeks have now passed since this event. I used all the meds as instructed and saw my doctor at the clinic for a follow up. The antibiotics had done their job and now I would be living with two different kinds of asthma puffers in my purse. I think I'm in denial. I have only used one once. I think I just need to process this for awhile until I'm comfy with it. Walking has resumed, but on the small circle, not getting too far from home. And I haven't been anywhere alone for a month or more. So, a certain amount of fear is obviously controlling me. I sleep too much. I seem to have lost my creative zeal. So.......I have my work to do. All comments that might help would be appreciated.
I'll post some pretty pics soon. Getting ready for a yard sale and to clear out the clutter.
Wishing you easy breathing,
Moonie






Hugs to all,


Moonie Girl

Another Birthday

Tick Tock!

So, another year ticked by for me this month. Yes, I'm a double Gemini, which actually makes me 4 people rolled into one, and I'm beginning to look like it - every year getting a little wider! How does that happen? Well, actually, the truth is that I sit on my butt too much these days, causing it to spread, muscles weaken, and things settle. For all you in your 30's and 40's who think this just happens to someone else not as smart and firm as you - HA! I was a 100 lb athletic woman most of my life. You're not immune. Keep moving. Keep using those muscles or gravity will get you too!!!! Not being mean.....just stating a fact.

At 64 I've learned a few things and one of them is - get lazy and you will have to take pills and pills and more pills. Keeping on the move and pumping clean oxygen into your body regularly, daily, that's the secret to youth. I don't look bad at my age, but I don't feel great. Pretty sure it's because I didn't follow that rule.

So, here we are. My sweetie and me on my 64th in my favorite place on the planet; Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon. The place of my birth, my youth.

Calendars, Diaries & Journals

Days and Details

And 1/2 finished projects

Dad asked me yesterday what the date was the last time he was in the hospital. I drew a blank even though it was just a couple weeks ago. I had to come home and shuffle papers and then that didn't seem right either. So, I went to my blog to find out exactly the time line of his last two trips to the Hospital. Time really gets away from a person. Some people remember dates of everything so clearly, but my days seem to all melt into one another. I'm always promising myself I'll put everything down in my day timer, but that's not a physical thing anymore. It involves sitting at the computer, not opening a leather bound binder filled with sticky notes. I'm missing that, actually. I'm wanting the hand written word back. However..........I'm getting a vision of a perfectly ordered life on my computer, complete with pictures, dates, receipts. So incredibly orderly and perfect. My life in review. Kind of like a romantic movie. All scripted with lovely and perfect backgrounds, wardrobes. Sigh..........

WHO AM I KIDDING????? I would Just not get to it for days, weeks. There would be big blanks and there I'd be.....shuffling papers again, trying to figure out what the date was on the last hospital visit, just like today. Oh to be that orderly person I can be in brief segments.......ALL THE TIME! The person who ends the day with 15 minutes at the desk, stapling the notes and receipts to the "daily" page with a few scribbled highlights of the day in my own handwriting. some nice photos of the roses, my latest crochet creation, my loved ones, the sky, the sunset. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.. That's just my fantasy self/life.

However, today I will make more of an effort to be orderly and have information at my fingertips. And I'll finish that tote too! Now........where did I put that note to myself about the hospital dates??????????

Hoping you have an orderly, yet extraordinary day!

Moonlight

Graduation

One Giant Step

There are things you don't know whether to share with anyone or not. Windows into your personal life that aren't such a good view. But there are some things you need to get out anyway. So, I trust you won't judge too harshly. Here goes.........

My grandson graduated from high school last night. He's a great kid, almost a man. We differ in philosophies and politics, but who cares, I just adore him. I didn't receive my invitation to the ceremonies however. I did recieve an announcement the day after his graduation. I guess I should be grateful for that. My daughter and I haven't spoken in almost a year and only live about 3 miles from one another. My heart aches every day, but what can I say........ sometimes it's best to just release your children to find their own way.

Now Charlie will take his first steps in life to make all his own decisions, become the person he wants to be and what he can't have, hopefully he'll be gracious about it and be grateful for what he can have. I wish for him to find compassion, respect and appreciation for his elders and his peers. I wish him much love and little heartbreak and hope we become close again some day soon. All my love, good thoughts and wishes to him, his mom, dad and sister at this very special big step in his life. This is His time now....... let him use it wisely and fully, enjoying every possible moment.

With much love,

Grandmother Moon

A Memorial Day Weekend to Remember

What can I say? This was the worst weekend I can ever remember. I woke up early Saturday morning to the phone ringing. My mom was telling me dad was in the hospital and had a touch of pneumonia. Said he was OK and would be spending the night at least. Dad just had his pacemaker replaced two weeks ago, and I had been concerned because he wasn't getting his groove back very fast. This explained it.
Later in the day, my sweetie told me his back pain had gone beyond the point where any amount of Ibuprophen was going to help, and tearfully stated he'd had enough and we should go to emergency. So, dad on the 3rd floor, and Rayne on the 1st floor. They gave him a shot in each cheek and took an xray. The good news is, no cracks or breaks in his spine, but symptoms of nerve damage are real and must be followed up with an MRI in the near future. For now, it's medication to take down the swelling and give those nerves time to heal if they will. This is so difficult for a man who is always on the move......Mr. Fixit........a gardener......a furniture refinisher.....a home remodeler, to be in bed for months is very, very difficult. Whew! What a weekend.
Dad is home, with meds, with a no-salt diet, with hope to get better so he can tend his garden this summer. Speaking of which.......I'm on my way over there with dinner and to transplant the tomato plants. Here are some pics from the last few days.

Took a little chicken noodle casserole to mom and dad along with some jello salad, some ensure and straws to drink it down. Mom is looking too skinny! I told her how to mix some instant coffee in it and add ice. It'll taste like an iced Mocha!!!! :D

My roses! They are spectacular and abundant this spring. I have spent every available hour trimming, feeding, spraying, the past few evenings to calm down from the hectic days.

These intense Pinks are glorious and the yellows so sweet!

Is this the perfect pink rose, or what?!!!!!


And this coral.........arousing!!!!

So, now mom is not feeling well. She's very tired and woozy, she says. It could be stress. It could be more. If she's not better tomorrow when I do the plantings, we will be going to the hospital.......again! What did I do to deserve this?????? Guess I'd better speed up the crocheting. When I crochet a lot, things seem to go smoother. Let's see.........what shall I attempt now? Any ideas?

Until tomorrow,

Hug with your eyes like a puppy or kitty if you can't hug with your arms.

Moonie Girl

Stripy Totes

Forgot to add a couple more pics to the last blog.

Lucy.......this is for you!!!! I know how you love stripy anything! :D

So, I now have 3 stripy bags to hold my big projects. I could have crocheted big bags, but I want to use my precious yarn for the projects themselves.

And, here's a couple bonus pics to show my latest hats and bags.

YUM???

City Wide Yard Sales 2 Counties!!!

OMG! I have never seen so many yard/garage/estate sales in my life!!!! And I would have if they had happened. Sign of the times, I guess. People are getting rid of excess to fatten their wallets, or - in my case - to pay the utility bills, etc. Street after street of sales. We had planned to go to nearby towns also, but ran out of energy, time AND $$$. It was like a treasure hunt that paid off.

For my sweety, it's almost his birthday, so when I saw the high back black leather swivel office chair.......I bolted for it. Talked them down $5 to $20 and stuffed it in the trunk. Also found a brand new in box French Mandolin veggie slicer in stainless with all the goodies. He's always wanted one of those.....$5

Then, for me...........Oh my goodness..........I hit the mother lode!!!!!

These totes are absolutely fabulous!!!!! The blue stripy one is enormous. It will hold an afghan and have plenty of room to spare. Canvas, lined with waterproof nylon. Almost new - $2 Yummy! I was so excited. Then I found the pink stripy one with leather bottom, straps and lovely lining. NEW! $8. Plus a leather strappy bag I haven't taken a picture of as it's dark brown and doesn't show off well. It was $10 because it's a Tignanello!!!!!!!!! Made me palpitate!!! So many exclamation points here. Sigh.........it was just so much fun.

Oh...........the recipe cards and box......these are so cute with the most adoragle fairies on them. I'm usually not a fairy person, but these are really special. High Quality. $2. for the box full.

Now..........for those of you who know I'm crazy about making hats.........I found a beautiful hat box too plus photo box - both beautifully lined. $4 for both. Aaahhhhhh!

So, tonight I'm really wasted! Wore myself out having so much fun. So, when I discovered a puddle of water under the sink, it just didn't seem that traumatic. We both got on our hands and knees, removed the disposal, which was loose and the leaker, re-attached it tightly and didn't have a nervous breakdown over it.

I will stay home tomorrow. I will, I will. Surely all the good stuff is already gone. Right? Don't you think? Besides......need to vacuum, dust, clean out the closet. Oh dear......I'd better go look at all my neat new-to-me treasures again.

Have a happy weekend,

Moonie girl