Black Petunias And A Little More

The Black Petunias are still blooming after a little cutting back of the spent flowers . They must like the location and the soil because they have bloomed continually since I planted them the middle of May.  They almost look like velvet .  It has been a long time since I have been this enthused about a plant. The first two photos were taken today.

And, this next photo was taken in May 2018.

The Yellow Calibrachoa (Million Bells) make a nice accompaniment and contrast with the Black flowers .  I did not realize that Calibrachoas are related to Petunias.  Thus the same growing  requisite which explains why they enjoy living next to each other .  Calibrachoa (any color or mixed)  have been a favorite of mine, especially in a hanging basket !

And, this is the "Little More".     Look - Look - Look .

 The Figs are starting to ripen!

 And, there are a lot.

And, a lot of them are up very high.

The weather is changing and the garden is beginning to respond to the changes of nature .  There are still so many things I want/need to do in the garden before the gardening season is past .  But, I have to acknowledge that I am feeling ready to be finished with the garden until next Spring when I will probably be excited to return to nature's surprises.

I am so grateful and very delighted to have wonderful weather temperatures and blue sky's without smoke.

Hope all of you are Safe and Sound.

Mary

Is There A Yellow Flower I Don't Like - I Don't Think So

Some of the Yellow Flowers from my garden.

The color Yellow is often thought of as Sunshine and Happiness .  Like most colors, if you do any research, you will find many different emotions and thoughts related to many different colors.  For me, planting a yellow flowered plant in my garden has always felt like adding a little bit of  "look at me happiness".

Of all the lovely yellow flowers that are available, I think Forsythia  (top middle in the collage) is my favorite because it is the flower that I look forward to see blooming at the beginning of Spring time when I emotionally start to feel like gardening .  My shrub has grown very large since the photo and I also have another Forsythia in my garden that I can see from one of the windows .

Happiness to All of You.

Mary

National Dog Day

How could I not acknowledge this special day for one of our most loved fur babies ?

My Precious Lilith Ann
You are missed so Very Much !

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

11-2005 --- 7-2016

Having Afternoon Tea with Mom at Doris Day's Restaurant, Cypress Inn at Carmel by the Sea.  We were celebrating my 70th Birthday on a mini vacation in 2009 .  Just Me and My Dog !

And, this is a very special memory.  I have mentioned that in years past that my tomato bushes grew larger and produced more tomatoes because there was more direct sun .  Well, Lily had her own bush of petite tomatoes and she loved them .  The bush was so large that I had to support it with a trellis that I just happened to have .  Little did I know that my precious Lily would be thrilled because she could now fetch her own tomatoes .  I was so surprised when I saw this the first time !

Remember to HUG your fur babies .  And, if you can, Help With Animal Rescue.

Mary

Look The Other Way If You Are Counting Calories

I have gotten to the point where I can hardy bring myself to purchase (I mean eat) processed food in the form of microwave dinners.  The quality of food , flavor and  healthfulness is so lacking!!!  Unfortunately,  the convenience factor seems to draw me back and then I become very annoyed with myself .  There are so many days especially in the warmer weather that I push myself to my physical limit and the last thing I want (or can do) is to work in the kitchen at the end of the day. Through the years I have tried to makes meals "from scratch" and keep a good supply in the freezer .  But, I haven't been very diligent in this matter as of late.

So, it is time to get back to taking better care of myself which means some recipe reading.  Estelle's Southern Chicken and Rice Casserole grabbed my attention.  You can google the recipe.  But, prepare yourself for quite a lot of calories. Of course you can make some ingredient modification to bring the count down a little bit !

Doesn't this look yummy ?  Especially, if you are feeling hungry. This shows the dish following the baking and just after topping it with cheddar cheese and French fried onions.

And, the next shows the casserole after the topping is melted and browned a little.  It may not look like it - but it certainly has a lot of healthy ingredients. It has shredded chicken, long grain and wild rice, green beans, water chestnuts, sliced pimiento peppers, cream of celery soup. It's the cheese and miracle whip that hikes up the calories.  And, that is what makes it taste so good !  An added plus is that it is one of the easiest casseroles you will ever make!   Add a side of Iceberg Lettuce wedge and you will be all set for an easy little dinner.                
                      Remember, PORTION CONTROL!
Now, it is time to make another recipe (lower calories) for some more "make ahead freezer meals".  Cooking for ONE has it's pros and cons, like most things in life  !

Our weather in California is wonderful today and I feel grateful.  I hope all of you enjoy your weekend.

Mary

Something A Little More Cheerful

I enjoy reflecting on some of my past joys with my garden .  I would like to share some of the white flowers that are or have been in my White Garden .   The collage will enlarge if you click on it.

My garden has a way of soothing my soul and I can use a little of that today !  And, maybe these white flowers can soothe the soul of some of you if you are in need.

Wishing a Glorious Day to all of You.

Mary

Crazy Spinning Life

Do you ever feel like this ?

I am not sure why this seems to be my current state of mind !  But, it is .  I know I have a lot on my plate and I don't seem to be able to check  off very much from  my To Do list .

I have postponed the CAT scan again which was for today.  For some reason, I am not comfortable about going alone to the appointment and I need to find someone to go with me . Unfortunately,  my Family Practice doctor (the only doctor I could find after my favorite doctor left) is on staff at only one hospital in the area.  And, the hospital is one where I have had a couple very bad experiences .  The worst experience was when they RESISTED admitting me and I had to demand admission for what turned out to be an eight day admission with what was thought to be a MRSA  (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) infection that becomes resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.  Emergency surgery was done on a Sunday night for Wound Incision and Drainage.  Sadly, I was very ill for quite some time !  The delayed proper care added to the severity of the condition .  This was in 2007 .

I know this is a dreadful photo technically however the severity of the situation was also very dreadful.  I could have easily died especially prior to the Incision and Drainage surgery that required a general anesthesia

The current difficulty with working with the doctors associated with this particular hospital in regards to my current abdominal concerns has been troubling enough to give me pause .  And, I must step aside and give more thought to my plan of action .  The fact that I have not had any routine care (or even routine blood chemistry)  for two years in follow-up of my natural aging medical status is making me angry especially given the fact that I pay $351.00 a month in medical/pharmaceutical premiums.  And that does not include dental or vision care !

I will be diligent in finding a doctor at the other hospital that I used prior to the past two years.  I have been calling several medical offices regularly to see if they are taking new patients.  They don't keep a list of people waiting for a doctor.  It is becoming more and more difficult to find good doctors in Rural Areas.

Following the suggestion of a dear blogging friend,  I think it may be beneficial for me to have a little glass of wine .  It's five o'clock somewhere !!!  Right ?

I do not think I will be blogging for a week or two.  I'll be back.

Blessings to all.

Mary

Having A Great Day With Blue Sky

Today is the first day in a long time that the sky has had periods of blue sky with white billowy clouds .  The fires that have been contributing the most to the smoky skies are progressing to a higher percentage of containment which is wonderful .  However the temperatures are predicted to be higher again in the coming week to around 100 degrees .

I am still having to water the garden at least two times a day . But, I have been getting caught up on routine errands as well as the never ending task of paperwork that accompanies life and having a house .  Yesterday I  picked up a car trunk full of soil amendments and planting soil for the garden  .  I am hoping it will help with water retention for the dry cracking soil surface that has been visible everyday .  This is after watering the afternoon the day before .

 Delightful surprise in the garden when I saw the tomatoes turning red .

However, the figs have not shown any change (size or color) for weeks . Don't know what that is all about .

Yesterday when I took my household waste to the dump I saw the darkened burned hillside from one of the fires .  I was so surprised to see how close it burned to the disposal station - right up to the fence .  I didn't have my camera .  And, then I saw another area of burned hill side not far from the first site .  STARTLING !

This is what the hillsides and the whole area around here and throughout a lot of California looks like !  So much dry grass !   Cal-fire working to contain parameter of a fire .

My CAT scan is scheduled for August 22 but I have to have some blood drawn for lab work before that day  .

I have done a little more research on the Doctor and I learned something that I did not know in the past about the designation of M.D .   It does not only include what I have known in the past as a M.D, but now legally identifies Allopathics and Osteopathics trained individuals as a M.D.  I guess my knowledge base on the term of  D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) is a little archaic.  So anyway,  his background education is in the field of Osteopathic medicine .  Training in Italy and the US.  And, much to my surprise, his last eight years of medical practice has been in the field of Bariatric (weight loss) surgery .  Far different than what I expected after reading our local newspaper introduction of him as quoted by the hospital CEO saying that the doctor "specializes in breast surgery, wound care, colorectal surgery and advanced technology in hernia surgery" .  My research has resulted in finding a list of his area of expertise to be Cancer,  Obesity,  Gastric Bypass,  Stomach Stapling,  Laproscopic Surgery,  Hepatocellular Carcinoma,  Liver Removal,  Liver Transplantation,  Liver Cancer,  Weight Loss and  Surgery.  He is licensed to practice medicine in Alabama, New Mexico and Texas.  He comes to this area from a small rural community in New Mexico.   He has authored several books including  "Slim the Italian Way" (recipes),  "The business of Surgery",  "Professionalism and Ethics in a Surgical Practice"  and  "International Principles of Laparoscopic Surgery".  Strangely Interesting !

One of the many odd things he said to me at my medical appointment was that he could never be a doctor of Internal Medicine because he couldn't order a certain pill and have to wait a month to see if it worked.  He also was very emphatic in saying that he is a Scientist.  And, when he observed that I have a very small umbilical hernia (that I have had for years) he said he could do surgery on it for me.   When he filled out the requisition form for the CAT scan - under the area of symptoms he only wrote abdominal pain and umbilical hernia .  Not a mention of change in bowel habits, which I would think would be the most important symptom.  But then - what do I know ??  Just, a little SARCASM !    After receiving the results of the CAT scan I have NO intention of ever crossing the threshold of his office.  This certainly has been the most bizarre experience with trying to receive proper medical care.

Since I feel well and for the most part I am not suffering in any way. it would be easy to just forget about all of this  .  But, I know we should not ignore changes we experience or see in our bodies .  So, hopefully the CAT scan will not show anything and I can forget about all of this.  If not, I will find a way.

I hope your week is going well .  Take good care of yourself .

Mary

Today I AM CRANKY

For these reasons

• Medical Care system - can it get any worse
• California fires
• Computer issues

Where to start ?  The beginning - duh!   Is this an indicator of the mood around here ?

Medical Care.  I did not mention on my last post that I quickly got an appointment with the Referral Doctor  (new to the staff at our local hospital)  that I thought might be able to help me to determine if my abdominal symptoms are of any concern. The appointment was this past Wednesday.  Remember, an abdominal CAT scan with barium prep was ordered after I went to great length describing that I could not (unless emergency) do the barium prep because of my rectal incontinence!  All I wanted was to have someone listen and PAY ATTENTION to my short description of my symptoms and help me get some diagnostics if need be.

I thought the new to the area Doctor would be a good referral because two months ago when he came to the area his introduction and bio was in the local newspaper.  He is highly credentialed with a "fellowship in advanced gastroenterology in Pittsburgh, PA  and a colorectal fellowship in London, England".   He "believes wholeheartedly in the ability to treat the entire patient: mind, body and spirit".   Wow, sounds pretty good to me, for my needs.  Almost, to good to be true in this small community!

After providing my brief history of the issue he kept saying Biofeedback.  I asked what he meant and it seemed as though he was fixated for some reason on Biofeedback.  When I spoke of having a CAT scan without barium contrast he said that would not do any good .  By this time I was very annoyed and frustrated with what was beginning to sound like gibberish to me.  He was talking about only large teaching hospitals like Mayo Clinic do the surgery and the results track record is not good.   By this time I was ready to pull my hair out.  I don't think I have EVER been so outraged at a medical appointment. But, I kept the emotion to myself - inside !

Following more verbiage by him as well as myself I began to see that he thought I was seeing him for correction of rectal incontinence !!!   LISTENING would have gone a long way in expediting my medical care !   After all was said and done, I left with an order for a CAT scan with IV fluids only for the purpose of having "a baseline scan on file for comparison".  Those were his exact words and as long as I had the CAT scan order in my hand,     I WAS OUT OF THERE !!!    THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!    The scan is scheduled for next week.

NEXT - - - The fact that a LARGE fire in So. California by Lake Elsinore was started by a man that had a dispute with a neighbor is totally unfathomable to me !  Shear Madness.  Thank goodness he has been arrested!    So far 21,473 acres have burned and there is 29 percent containment .

There are so many fires throughout the state as well as other states and Canada, also .  It is so hard to believe .  It is difficult to comprehend the impact it has and will continue to have on lives for years to come.  How can enough appreciation be expressed for the aid of the thousands of people who are part of the humanitarian effort to take care of one another ?  Many, many HEROES out there.

The unhealthy smoke is traveling far and wide.  This is the city of San Francisco skyline !

Today's newspaper reported that some of the wonderful Historic Cabins and Cow Camps have been destroyed in the Donnell Fire. That is the fire that is not far from me and is the area that I had visited The Cabin with friends many times in the past.  So Sad.

NEXT - - - Computers !  If I was an irrational women, I would be throwing it out the window and enjoy the sound of crashing window glass .  Now, wouldn't that be stupid.  So, I won't do it.  OK.

I have been having more than usual issues relating to blogger comments ,  networks and passwords .It might have something to do with my state of mind - ya think !  I am writing this on Saturday and I am not sure of when it will post !   Wow, what would I do without my exclamation mark and capitol key ?  I guess I would have to start swearing  -  not really.

Maybe,  my brain is becoming smoke infiltrated and I should stop paying attention to all media  -  AND

That's all I have to say .

Mary

Is The Whole World Cranky

It sure seems that way.  Or is it just me.  I wouldn't say that I am cranky but I don't exactly feel like I usually do.

It's still hot, TOO HOT !  Even though the outside air was very smoky this morning I spent four hours outside in the garden,  mostly just cleanup and maintenance and of course, watering , always staying in the shade of the many trees.

There is a row of Prunus Carolina shrubs/trees along one of my property lines that have been neglected and looking like they are suffering from lack of care - especially WATER.  Just happened to find this website that really describes what I planted years ago.

 Twenty Prunus Caroliniana trees were planted .

And, my trees are at least 20 feet tall.  During our rare winter snow some of the top limbs have been broken.  But , it still makes a nice privacy screen between neighbors (good or bad neighbors).  At the present , I  have only GOOD neighbors.  I am a lucky gal.

Someday, I may blog about "The Neighbor From Hell" that tormented/stalked me for 10 years.  Yup, he's gone - - - he died!                      How's that for a succinct sentence ?

The White Crape Myrtle is in full bloom.  More blossoms than ever in the past !

The TOMATOES are less than impressive this year, just like last year.  Each of the four plants have tomatoes, but only a few.  And, they show no sign of turning red.

I remember so vividly the beautiful tomatoes that I was able to grow the first few years I lived here when there was more direct sun .  That was when the large canopy trees overhead were much smaller.  There has been over twenty years of tree growth !

 Did you know that yesterday was International Cat Day ?  Do I know what that means - not really.

But, I do know that the Catio is a very favorite place where Ivy likes to hang out.  It seems like the location is always shaded by the trees.  Frequently, there is a soft breeze even when the temperature is HIGH.

This afternoon, Ivy has been a very frisky cat, running about until she tired herself out and then snuck into the cookware box to take a Cat Nap.  When I say frisky - I think she was chasing her tail while in the box because the big box was bouncing all about .  It was the funniest sight !  So, later when I bent down to see if she was in the box I was prepared with camera in hand .

                                Can you see that cute little face? You can click the photo to enlarge.

                               And, then I was able to get a couple more photos of her in her HIDE AWAY !

That's it for today.  Take Special Care.

Mary

The Weekend Filled With Thoughts Of Fire

It feels like it is everywhere.  Within the past week there have been FIVE FIRES close enough to me to cause my brain to have difficulty focusing on anything else.  The air is filled with varied levels of smoke influenced by the direction of the wind, even the slightest wind.  And, yesterday there were embers in some parts of my little town !

These photos from the newspaper are of the fire closest to my home yesterday starting around 5 AM.  In fact it is off of the road that I take when I go shopping to larger stores than in my little town.

What a stunning photo of the helicopter !  Can you see it ?   But, TRAGIC nonetheless.  The fire is contained at 136 acres burned. But, still burning.  There were evacuation orders.  

During the later part of the week there were two fires on the road that I take to the Refuse Disposal Station (garbage dump) every week.  Less than 10 minute drive from my home !  No longer burning.  But, frightening .

In addition, there were two other fires relatively close by that were contained within a day.  Thankfully !

Further east from here is the Donnell Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest that has been burning since August 1.  Sunday evening the fire was reported at 6,000 acres with 2-percent  containment.  An update this morning at 8 AM put its size at 12,000 acres and containment at just 1 percent.  

And, now the fire has crossed a main throughway/highway. 

I am very familiar with this area and have spent quite a bit of time there in years past.

It is real wilderness in this area and this is the little Resort comprised of a store, restaurant, bar, seven cabins, four motel rooms and 35 RV spaces that suffered massive structural fire damage.  It is the only place for purchase of supplies for miles.  I have been in there many times years ago when it wasn't quite as expansive in amenities.

And, I have also stayed in a cabin that was built 95+ years ago by the parents of a friend of mine.  No electricity or plumbing. However, water was piped in nearby from a little waterfall by the owner.  During the visits with my friends we would sit around the outdoor fire made from wood we gathered at evening time playing Scrabble by the light of the fire. Cute trivia - baby footprints of my friend are in the cement entrance to the cabin.  I do not know if the fire has impacted the integrity of the cabin.  There was so much camaraderie and fun time spent there.  Fabulous memories.

And, very sadly the fire near Yosemite that started mid July continues to burn and the fire is around 91,500 acres and there is 38-percent containment this morning.

The whole area is closed down to tourists.

I can't go on.  This is more than enough.  My heart aches for ALL THE MANY people and ANIMALS and WILDLIFE that are affected by fires and disasters throughout the world.  There are so many  ! ! !

God Bless All Of  You.

Mary