Such Indulgence

Last nights dinner  -  down town  -  ended with sinful indulgence of a Brownie Sunday  (Belgian chocolate, hot fudge, vanilla bean ice cream and whipped heavy cream).  But, since we shared it, maybe it wasn't so bad!  Who am I trying to kid, anyway?
 
It is so nice living so close to main street in our little historic town that we can walk to dinner. I never dreamed that I could possibly have a special someone at this stage of my life to walk to town with, especially on a regular basis.

Yesterday was another busy day for me.  Since we are leaving Monday on our trip to Oregon,  I have a lot of last minute things to take care of in the garden. You never know, the weather could get warmer/hotter like what would be our seasonal norm which could get into the 100's.  I do not have automatic watering throughout the garden.  So, I have been setting up hoses with timers for different sections so that I do not have to have someone come every day to water.  It is something that I have wanted to do for quite some time because it would save me a lot of time on a daily basis.

Also, I had a few plants in pots from the nursery that really, really needed to be planted in the ground. I was able to get that accomplished also.  And, of course, there is the general garden, patio and garden paths that I like to have in order before leaving town. The garden is still looking quite lovely and I hope yours does to - especially, if you are a gardener and do the garden work.  It's garden work only when you don't want to do it or don't have time!

I hope you have a Very Sweet Day.

A Little White Goodness In The Garden

I am so happy that the White Dahlia named White Alva has started to open before I leave town next week.  I have been watching them daily to see if they will show some of their beauty. As you can see, they are just starting and they will open much wider. 

The White Dawn Climbing Rose on the fence is still continuing to bloom on a less profuse manner than earlier in the summer.

And, the White Mission Bells are also putting on a show.

 

That's about it for today. Sorry for the terrible photography. I've been kinda busy getting ready for our trip.

I hope you have a Wonderful Day.

I Love Planning Road Trips

It won't be long before we will be jumping in the vehicle and heading north for five days of vacation. Road travel will be very comfortable for my back (I have a bad one!) and nice for us both because we will be driving a SRX Crossover! It is not a car, not a SUV, but a crossover which offers the best of both worlds. It is made by Cadillac and it is the 2006 model. I had NO idea what a Crossover was before meeting MSM.

We plan to stay in Ashland, OR the first night. After kicking around the area we will head up to Roseburg and then east for about 38 miles on Highway 138 along the North Umpqua River to the area called Steamboat. I visited the  Steamboat Inn in 1989 when I took a road trip alone with my little Yorkshire Terrier Puppy , Pixie and  my Tabby Kitten, Puff to visit my oldest brother in Portland. I do not recall exactly how I heard about Steamboat Inn but I do know that I bought this great history/cookbook in the store at the Inn.

I loved the Inn and the surrounding area with the river and gardens. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be returning to Steamboat and spending a night in one of their cabins and also attending their Fisherman's Dinner where the guests gather around a long sugar pine table which was hewn from large logs in the 1930's.

The North Umpqua River has been fished by fly anglers for more than half a century. Perhaps, the most famous fisherman to fish these waters  is Zane Grey, who started fishing for salmon and steel head trout in the late 1920's.  Many fishing camps were set up along the banks of the river. The whole area is rich with history about fly fishing.

This visit will be of special interest to my MSM because he has enjoyed active membership in the local Fly Fisher's Club for years. He had never heard of Steamboat Inn but some of his fishing buddies have.

I have always been an adventurous person wanting to know what is around the next bend and over the next hill. So, in the past, I often found myself in some interesting locations when taking a little road trip to the California Coast wineries or wherever I could go for a few days.

Following our visit to Steamboat, we will drive to the Oregon coast and travel north stopping when the mood hits us. No special plans have been made about how far or where to find lodging.  It will be simply spontaneous travel for a couple days until we return home via Redding where we will visit the Sundial Bridge Turtle Bay Exploration park.  From what little I know about the bridge and surrounding area it is a sight not to be missed.

We expect this little trip to be VERY enjoyable since we have resolved many issues that rose their ugly heads during our trip to Germany. Our relationship and love for one another is stronger than ever! And, we feel so blessed to have one another in our lives. 

I hope you have a day filled with LOVE.

Rednesday - I Love Red

Please join us for Rednesday sponsored by It's A Very Cherry World.

Today is the first time I have joined in a Linky.  And, I would like to show you my current header that I have at the top of my blog showcasing some of the Red Things that I have around me. I have placed them in a mosiac for you and I call it -  I Love Red..

Please join us by clicking on the photo at the top of this post, Today is REDNESDAY.

I hope you have a Fabulous Day - maybe you could wear something RED.

Feeling In The Pink

Such a delicate rose. Her name is Elle'  by Jackson- Perkins. Her color is shell pink with yellow and she gives a lovely citrus and spice fragrance.  

Yes, I am feeling a lot better, kinda like in the pink. I no longer have any dizziness since my head injury and the swelling on the back of my head is minimal. There is still some tenderness at the area of impact. But, overall I am in the pink and feel extremely fortunate! 

 

I am able to enjoy this rose and a few others from my living room window. I enjoy them so much when I open the shades in the morning.

I want a new camera! No matter how hard I try to get nice clear and crisp photos, I always feel disappointed. I am considering the Olympus-e-450 camera with lens.  Any suggestions?

I hope you have a Fabulous Day.

Pretty Pods

At the entrance to my patio, the purple seed pods on my Anemone plants are very colorful at this time of the year. As you can see they sit on top of a purple base with irregular red shaped material around them.  Aren't they interesting?  These plants were on the property when I bought my house eighteen years ago.  I think they are Japanese Wind Flower (A japonica) from what I can tell with my research in The Royal Hortifultural Society Encyclopedia and the Sunset Western Garden Book.   

It looks like most of the purple seeds have already fallen from the pods.

I love, love, love these flowers!

I did a post on the White and Pink  Anemone  flower in May. http://everydaydelight09.blogspot.com/2010/04/birth-of-anemone.html.

And a post on the Red Anemone Flower, also. http://everydaydelight09.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-time-it-is-red-anemone.html.

I hope you have a Colorful and Fun Day.

Sad News From Germany

In June when we went on vacation to Germany, there were two people that showed us the sights of Berlin. They were so gracious in every way.  Prior to our visit, we met them through email exchange related to her interest and search regarding genealogy.

I mentioned them in a previous  post prior to our departure in June. http://everydaydelight09.blogspot.com/2010/05/lovely-thoughtful-people.html.  These photos are of the four of us on the Berlin Underground on our way to Alexandra Platz.

We had such a wonderful experience with them. She had two full days planned out for us to see many different places. He was with us the first half day. And, then he wrote a lovely note which she hand carried to us the second morning. He stated that he was sorry that he could not accompany us because of health issues.  

These two people were exceptional in so many ways. They were truly intellectuals. They were from East Berlin and had lived under the Russian regime.  She had a doctorate in Physics and he had a doctorate in Literature. She had worked in the government plus the University.

A couple days ago we received word via email from her that her husband had taken his own life and died on August 9. He was eighty-one and just could not carry on with his disabling health issues. She is about ten years younger and will miss him dearly.  Needless to say, we are shocked and very saddened with the loss of him.

"There are many people who come and go in our lives.  A few touch us in ways that change us just by knowing them." These two individuals certainly fall into that category. We will miss him and remember them always. 

Wishing you a Pleasant Day.

Evening Sky

Last evening the sky from the deck of the home of MSM was extraordinary in color and intensity. It almost looked like the beginning of a seasonal change. Further north toward Lake Tahoe, rain showers were forecast and it looked and felt like we may get a few raindrops, ourselves. But, we did not.

           

We spent a quiet day at home with the dogs. In all honesty, I slept most of the day following church services and going out to Brunch. I was and I still am a tired girl. A lot has been going on and I hope life calms down soon!

I hope you have a Great Day.

Neighbor Flower Envy

I love hollyhocks and so does my neighbor. I have tried growing them in the past without success. Last year when I learned that my wonderful neighbor also likes hollyhocks, I ordered some seeds for her. This is the first result. I think they are so delicate and pretty.

Last night when walking in the neighborhood I gathered some hollyhock seeds from some plants that had gone to seed. I am going to let them sit on the windowsill until they age some more and then I will put them in a paper envelop until the time comes to plant them. The seeds on the left are from a pink flower and the others are from white flowers.  I must try my luck at growing hollyhocks, again.

It would be so lovely to have a beautiful cottage garden, perhaps with some foxglove and hollyhocks!

Hans, the dog was seen by a very nice veterinarian and we will observe the dog and contact the vet if there are any further seizure issues. It may be a isolated case with no further problems. If anything occurs in the future, perhaps some testing will be ordered.

We, also, had an opportunity to go to the Boutique after having a very good Bar-b-que beef lunch at a newly reopened restaurant on our way.  I am feeling very tired but all is good and I hope it stays that way.

I hope you have a Wonderful Day.

All Is Well - Kinda

Life can get so complicated at times. Perhaps I could replace the word complicated with busy, challenging, unpredictable - - - you get the idea.  I continue to improve from my accident each day, but not fully recovered.  Now when I can't remember something or spell correctly or forget someones name, I just say "It's the head injury"!  I don't think I will be able to use that excuse much longer and that is a good thing.

Now, back to the title of this post. Unfortunately, yesterday, Hans, My Special Man's Schnauzer started having some weakness in his back legs. And, then last night at my house the dog had a full seizure. Oh, so very sad!  His whole behavior pattern changed afterwards with signs of confusion and bewilderment. It was Friday night after office hours for veterinary offices and his vet does not take emergency calls. Living in the country can present challenges that "city folk" don't experience. Every emergency referral for care was far out of the community. And, most regular veterinary offices are closed on Saturday. So, today MSM is working on finding a vet that can assess the situation and prescribe some medication if need.

We were planning on driving out, further in the country, to his daughter's house today in the afternoon because she is having a large Boutique of craft items. I hope I do not miss the opportunity to see all the fun things and visit with them. That's it for now.

I hope you have a Great Weekend.

The Chair

Embarrassing - to say the least. This is the story about the chair! I can not believe I am writing about this and telling exactly what happened. But, here goes.

See the arrows that I have marked on the photo. The iron rods on the base of the chair slips into the hollow rods under the seat of the chair seat/back section. And, then there is a hole at the end of the iron rod to place a screw , so the two chair sections are secure and do not come apart when the chair is moved or if you want to rock. See the circular iron on the chair base. It provides the flexibility for the rocking motion. Got all that?

Well, now I will try to tell you the bizarre part of the incident.  I had spray painted the two chairs and table which I purchased in 1974 (yes, that date is correct) a while back because they needed freshening up.  I had not replaced the screws because they were very rusty and I wanted to purchase new screws.  The chairs were assembled (like the next photo) and were very secure and very sturdy as long as you did not move the chair.  I cautioned My Special Man about the chair and then a proceeded to sit down in the second chair.  We were discussing the screws and that I needed to buy new screws.  During the discussion, I wanted to show him something about the matching table and I absentmindedly tried to move my chair back not realizing that I was slipping the seat back off of the base iron rod. Thus, I fell straight back hitting my head on the cement. What you can see in the photo above is the position of the chair/seat as I lay on the cement patio floor.  It was a forceful impact on my head!

This is what we bought yesterday and the chairs will be "fully assembled" ASAP. And, the knob for adjusting the height of the table will also be replaced with the new one.

I can not tell you how horrible I feel about the whole incident.  I am just very thankful that the injury did not happen to someone else.   That is such a blessing.  And, I am blessed that my recovery is progressing nicely!  It was such a reminder to SLOW DOWN AND THINK.

I hope you have a Safe and Health Day.

Taize'

Last night we went to A Meditation Service in the Tradition Of Taize' at our church. It is a gathering in the candlelit sanctuary for the simplicity of music and meditation, prayer and silence.

All too often we rush through our days and don't take the time to reflect on who and what is important to us in our lives.  

The history of the spirituality of Taize' goes like this. "In 1940 Brother Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche settled in the little village of Taize in the heart of Burgundy region of France to offer a safe haven for those in need of asylum, especially Jewish refugees.  From the start, this community was characterized by the search for peace and reconciliation in the human family.  And today, the ecumenical community that he founded includes Catholic and Protestant brothers from some 20 countries committed to expressing communion with those who are suffering throughout the world."

About eight months ago I attended a Taize' service and found it to be very comforting, spiritual and centering. The service is held the first Wednesday of each month. It seems as though each month for some reason I just did not attend.  But, last month we put it on our calender so we would attend when the date came around. This month we attended and once again I felt the "Simplicity in order to live intensely".   - - - - -There is a season for everything!

My medical appointment on Tuesday regarding my head injury went well. My symptoms are lessening each day. I am still dizzy but not as intensely.  I will be taking it easy  (which is not easy for me) so that I will be well enough in three weeks for a road trip along the Central Oregon Coast with My Special Man.  More on that later.

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Contented Day.

Look At These Beauties

These candlestick holders from Orrefors Crystal, Stockholm, Sweden (one of the highest quality glass designers and manufacturers in the world) are stunning. They measure 10 inches tall and the base is 5 inches across. And, they are heavy! These were bought in the 1980's when MSM was on a business trip to Stockholm. They will now grace my dining table or somewhere in my home. Yesterday, before returning home from the home of MSM after receiving TLC following my head injury accident, MSM asked if I would like to take these candlestick holders to my home. They are simply gorgeous. I with I could get a better photograph for you to see the beauty.

 

 

I will always cherish these candlestick holders. I have always loved pretty dishes and especially crystal as well as silver. I will take some photos of some of my treasures that I have had for a long time and post them in the future.

I am feeling a little better today and I am thankful. However, this afternoon I have a medical appointment at the local clinic to make sure my recovery is on course. My dizzines persists on a continual basis and any movement of my head increases the severity.  I really have not done a thing since I returned home other than play a little with my blog by posting.

Have a Beautiful Day.

Saturday afternoon AMBULANCE Ride

Yes, it was for me! About 3 PM on Saturday, we went out to the patio to sit for awhile and enjoy the beautiful weather with a soft breeze blowing.  I started to move my chair back and all of a sudden the chair collapsed and I fell straight back hitting my head on the cement. There is more detail about the patio chair, but I won't go into that now. Needless, to say, my physical condition is what is important here. I hit the back of my head very hard and instantly I had a huge bump on the back of my head. I felt very very dizzy. I did not loose consciousness but felt very startled and knew it could be more than a "bump on my head". When MSM (My Special Man) wanted to help me up, I said "don't touch me, let me just think for a minute".   The dread and horror that transformed his face was so difficult for me to see. He felt so helpless! I am a retired Registered Nurse and I guess my natural nurse instincts kicked in. I asked him to get me some ice for my head while I figured out what was the next best thing to do. Since putting ice in a bag can sometimes seem to take forever, I yelled "Bring the bag of frozen blueberries." and he did.  After using the " ice" for a short time I had him help me to the living room sofa. And, again I spent some time assessing what was best for me/us. I decided that I needed an ambulance to transport me to the hospital for professional care. Boy, oh, boy, I did not want to need an ambulance. But, it was best to be smart instead of sorry.

I called 911 and told them "my story" and asked for an ambulance without sirens! The Fire Department arrived in minutes and than the ambulance with an EMT and  paramedic. The medical emergency assessments were good except for a blood pressure of 200/110 which did not surprise me. Since age 29 I have dealt with fluctuating Hypertension and difficulty in finding a stable medication regime.

The medical teams were excellent in their professionalism and care and - - - - - - - they all were very good looking men! I bet you didn't expect me to say that. I really surprised myself and had the best time flirting with them as they carried me to the stretcher. You know, an old lady can get away with that! Even though I wasn't wearing purple it made me think of the poem "When I Am An Old Woman - I Shall Wear Purple" which was written in 1961 by Jenny Joseph and became popular in the 1980's. It speaks to growing old in a wonderfully outrageous style. Check it out -  http://www.inspirationline.com/EZINE/7MAR2005.htm.  Up until a few years ago, I was quite shy and reserved in my public persona.  So, perhaps you can imagine how surprised I was with myself! We all had a lot of fun even in a potentially serious situation.

Anyway, the ambulance crew took very good care of me on the way to the hospital and got me all settled before leaving. The EMT even went to get a warm blanket for me and wrapped it nicely around me making sure my feet were covered. An I.V. drip was started and a CT scan was performed which demonstrated  large soft tissue trauma (aka a concussion).  No brain swelling/damage was noted nor any fracture. It will take about three weeks for the soft tissue trauma/swelling to be absorbed. Just a note - outward swelling (bump) is always better than inward swelling, which causes pressure on the brain.

So, I was discharged and did not have to stay overnight even though I had profound continual dizziness, especially with any movement of my head. I stayed at the home of MSM until today. He has taken excellent care of me and I have stayed very quiet, some of it in bed because I do not want to interfere in any way with the recovery. I am still very dizzy but I notice improvement day by day.

So, that's my story!  I feel so blessed and thankful that my head injury is not more severe! I hope your weekend was less eventful. Now, I am going to lay down and rest.

Have a Great Day