DAY 4 IN YOSEMITE

The day started out so good. I got up extra early in order to get into Yosemite before the Saturday crowds. I went to Tunnel View where I thought I was supposed to be, then I saw a text with another location so I went to that location. Turns out I was supposed to be at  Tunnel View. Emily, my guide, and I finally connected. 

Since Tunnel View was fogged in we went to Glacier Point. It too was fogged in. To say it was foggy is an understatement. It was San Francisco foggy. We could not see any mountains. 

We hiked at Glacier Point. 

Then we hiked to Taft Point. We had some lunch on the hike. It started to sprinkle on and off. We climbed to the top of Taft Point and right when we go to the top, it began to rain heavily. We were scrambling to get down when the heavy rains came. I put one foot down and I slipped so I put my other foot down and I twisted both feet and fell down. I think I screamed. I got up and I could not put weight on my right foot. The guide and I slowly got off the rock because it started to snow!  It is too early for snow at Yosemite. Once off the rock the guide sat me down and took off my shoes. She bandaged it up and I tried to put weight on it but no go. I also fell on my camera, so I need to check it out and see if I broke it. 😫

Meanwhile these four college kids were hanging around. They came up and asked if I needed help. We said yes. They were college kids from Spain. There were three guys and one girl. The four of them, with the guide, helped me down the hill and to my car. Before you say big deal. The terrain was crazy. Rocks, puddles, inclines, and it was full on snowing. None of us were dressed for snow. 

It took about an hour to get me to the parking lot. We had to go down and then right back up to get to the parking lot. About half way, a couple from another country asked if we needed assistance. They ended up carrying everyone's pack. 

We finally go to the parking lot where the college kids parked. Our cars were farther away so the guide ran to get her car to transport me to my car or the hospital. I chose my car because I didn't know how much snow the park would get and I didn't want my car to get stuck. 

Before we all parted ways, we took a group photo of the rescuers. They have a story to tell their friends about the lady they rescued off a mountain in Yosemite. 

I could drive but my foot really hurt when I stepped on the brake. I them had to get from my car into my cabin. I did it but I am not going to get any dinner. I ate a bunch of stuff I brought with me. 

Here are some photos:

Until tomorrow...

DAY 3 IN YOSEMITE

This morning started early after a long day yesterday. The burning sensation went away. I'm pretty sure it was something in the soaking bath oils that gave me a bad reaction. 

I drove to Yosemite (it is an hours drive) through the one way bridge that cars going both ways travel across. I got in the Yosemite gate fairly quickly. I drove another 20 minutes to the meeting spot. I was early so I stopped to take some photos at some pull off spots. 

I met Katherine and we got in her car to go to the next spot. It was Tuolumne Grove to see the giant majestic sequoia trees. We hiking through the grove. 

Then we got in the car and drove to Olmsted Point where we hiked a bit, took photos and meditated for a short bit. The is a fire in the park so today the air was smokey. 

Then we went to Taneya Lake where we ate a packed lunch that she brought. It was nice sitting in her camp chairs to eat lunch by a gorgeous lake. One interesting fact: the boulders and trees all had rings around them. It was a mark left by the lake this year after the historic snowfall. That was how high the waters rose!

Then we went to Tuolumne Meadow to Soda Springs. It is a lovely hike to see water that is actually naturally carbonated. Scientists can not figure out why. I also used an outhouse for my first time in a looong time. 

We then went back to Olmsted Point because the smoke cleared and I could get a better photo. 

That was the end of my guided tour/hike for the day. I drove back to the room to shower and get ready for dinner. Tonight I decided to get takeout and eat on my porch. 

Now I need to get to bed because tomorrow will get here soon. It is supposed to rain so this hike will be interesting! 

By the way if you are interested in the dog, she was caught watch soccer with her friend.

Of course she is from Chihuahua Mexico....

Until tomorrow...

DAY 2 IN YOSEMITE

Early this morning and got ready to go to Yosemite Valley. I got in my car and drove along route 140 for miles and miles and that brought me to the entrance to Yosemite national Park. I was to meet my guide Paola at 9:00 a.m for a half day of hiking. We started out our day with going to a lovely riverbed and sat down and meditated. It was lovely right near the water looking up at granite mountains with trees. After our meditation we started to hike (isn't it just walking?) And I saw a waterfall, Half Dome, Sentinel, and walked through a meadow. The only animals I saw were a family of ducks swimming in water. I tested the water and it was very very cold. The meadow we walked through had grass as high as my hips with goldenrod and milkweed. It was a very lovely day. Paula was very patient taking me to many places to get the best photo.

After my drive back to the hotel, I had an appointment for a soaking bath. Fir the first 15 minutes it was great. Then I started to get a stinging in my lower back and my leg. I got out of the tub and the spots were red. Thinking I get bit by something, I came home and took a shower. Then I put some antiseptic on the spots. Turns out it might have been a reaction to the eucalyptus in the soaking tub. Three hours later and it is gone. 

I met up with my meditation group online and did a healing meditation. Then I went to the restaurant for dinner. I am so full. 

That was day 2. I checked in with Lucky and she has started to like watching soccer on TV. Never to late to start a new hobbies! 

Until tomorrow...

DAY 1 IN YOSEMITE

Today I went to Yosemite to hike. To get ready, the bird went to bird camp, the dog got dropped off at the dog sitters and I spent a day packing and getting the house ready. 

I drove to Yosemite this morning. It was a long drive with a stretch break and a stop at the grocery store to get water. 

I am staying at an ex- hostel. It is now a nice retreat with rooms with bathrooms, a cafe and a spa. When I arrived the room was not ready so I sat outside and ate some food I brought. I was given my room key and I moved my stuff in. I brought my portable fridge to keep things cold since there is no room refrigerator. I also brought my portable tea pot since there is no coffee maker. I brought my iPad since there is no TV. 

After unpacking I went for a walk in the forest. I didn't go too far because I do not have bear spray. 

After a short rest, I did my meditation group online meet up. Then I went to the cafe and had vegan Udon noodles with veggies and tofu. 

Now I am in bed watching TV on my iPad. 

Tomorrow is a 1/2 day with the guides I hired. 

Until tomorrow...

HELLO SINGAPORE!

 I am not sure what is going on but I like it!! 

My blog has been seen by 40,000 people this month. Last month it was seen by 9,000 people. I have been blown away when I opened my STATS tab and saw 4,000 people viewed my blog two days ago. I am not sure what has happened but thank you for viewing! I just checked my STATS again and it seems that the majority of viewers are from Singapore. Ni hao! Apa kabar! Alo! Those are "hello" in the three languages spoken in Singapore.

I have not heard back from the vet about Lucky's test results. I am sure she is fine. Here is a photo of her.

Until tomorrow...

WHAT A DAY!

What a day! I was so excited because the part to fix my standing desk arrived. I also had the new transformer for my landscaping lights. My handyman showed up and started with the desk. He took out the raising and lowering mechanism and put in the new mechanism. The desk went down lower but didn't raise up. Ugh! 

I called IKEA and told them the part they sent did not fix the problem. Ikea is going to send me a brand new desk. Which is wonderful but now I have to figure out how to get rid of the old desk.

Then the handyman went outside to install the new transformer for my lights. He installed it and the lights didn't work. So it was not the transformer that was the problem, it is the lights. I tried to keep my cool when I heard this because I thought we are going to have to rip up all the landscaping to fix the lights. Then the handyman and I dug up the wire closest to the transformer and found out that the person who installed it did not put the right thingy to tie the wires together. So when the handyman pulled on The wire it came right out of the ground in his hand without being attached to anything. That is why the lights did not work. The handyman pulled up a bunch of wires and fixed it. So we should not have any more problems with the lights.

So one thing got fixed today and one thing I have to wait to get a brand new desk.

Did I mention that this morning when I went to take the dog to the vet early in the morning, I found a little baggie filled with white powder on the ground? I assume it is drugs of some sort and I picked it up and put it in a bag in the trash can. I took Lucky early in the morning to the vet. The vet said she looked really good but she has lost easily another pound if not a little more since May. I was told that dogs like people get thinner as they get older. He told me I shouldn't worry about it. The vet sent blood and  urine test to see how she's actually doing. I'll find out the results tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN PEAR BREAD

 I just found out my neighbor had someone try to get into her house while she was in it. It sounded very scary. Turns out I have a video clip of the car the people drove on my security camera. 

Today was more cleaning up and getting ready for my future trip. I spent some time in the backyard reading my book club book. 

I made a Vegan Pear Bread. I used the pears I got from my neighbor's pear tree. The pears are as big as a grapefruit. The pear bread is awesome. 

It felt good to bake something again. I gave my neighbor a chunk of the bread.

Until tomorrow...

A DAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE

I feel much better today. I really felt much better after taking a hot shower. 

Today was a day of getting things done that have been on my to do list. Fixing an outdoor light, putting pads in my shoes (for my bad feet), doing laundry, fixing my movie viewer, return an item I bought online, and finish invoicing clients for August. I also found some clients never paid July invoices so I followed up on them. 

It was a satisfying day. The only thing that would have made it better is if the air would clear out. It has been between light red and dark red for days. As a refresher: the colors start at green - good air and go all the way through yellow-green, yellow, light orange, orange, red-orange, red, red-purple, purple, dark purple and finally, burgundy.  I guess black is next and we all die. It is currently yellow which is not too bad. When it is in the orange/ red range it is unhealthy to breathe with asthma. I have to wear masks again. 

I hope tomorrow the air will clear so I can go outside for awhile. 

I also dealt with a difficult situation. I am on a committee where I am a co-captain and the other new co-captain is a bit difficult to deal with. He is the kind of pushy person who likes to get his way. When usually confronted with that type of personality, I usually find a way to resign. But I am working on dealing with this personality type, so I met with him and told him I thought he was pushy and that is not conducive to working in cooperation. He took the feedback well. I think it will have to be reinforced many times but I am still a co-captain. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWO AFTER COVID VACCINE

I woke up today and my shoulder still hurt but not as much as yesterday. I went to tai chi but had to do it with one arm.  

I went to acupuncture and after 45 minutes laying with needles in me I felt so much better. I don't know if it was the little nap I took or the acupuncture but whatever, it made me feel better.

Until tomorrow...

DAY AFTER COVID VACCINE

Okay, the good news is that the COVID Vaccine was but as bad as previous vaccines in that I didn't have headache, fever and chills. I did wake up this morning and my shoulder felt like I was stabbed right through the bone. I couldn't lift my arm and anytime I moved I was in tremendous pain. It took until 7pm for the worst of the pain to stop. It still hurt but not as much.

Since I had this tremendous pain if I sneezed or laughed. I basically took a hot bath and said in my fairly new chair all day. 

I did attend a phone conference with my ex-foster kid. When we got off the call my ex-foster kid asked me if I wouldn't mind if he called me his foster mom. I had explained to him earlier that there are step- parents, bio parents, foster parents. I asked him if he was sure what he wanted to call me. He said foster mother. Okay then.

I am literally falling asleep while I am typing this.

Until tomorrow...

COVID VACCINE #8

I have now had eight COVID vaccines. They don't seem to get easier or better. It is only an hour since I had it and my arm is killing me. I am hoping it isn't bad going to be bad tonight but I was warning by the girl who gave it to me that the side effects are the same. With this vaccine, you do not have to wait the 15 minutes. 

I'm heading off to try and sleep. 

Until tomorrow...

MEETINGS, MEETINGS, MEETINGS

I started out my day with my handyman coming to finish fixing the leak in my shower. Last week he removed the silicone caulk that holds the shower door onto the shower. Then he cleaned it and put new caulking. I edited two days to shower and when I did, there was leak. It was around the brackets that hold it in place. He fixed it and left. 

An hour after he left, the transformer for the backyard lights shower up. Not sure if I mentioned it but the transformer I bought back in March, died. Well, partially died. It still turns the lights on if I flick the switch and will leave the lights on all the time but the timer died. Turns out I bought a transformer from a company that went out of business years ago and people on Amazon are still selling them like they are new. Turns out mine was probably at least 7 years old when I bought it. Normally this probably would not be a problem but there a non-removable battery inside and they die. Mine evidently died. I can't send it back because, you guessed it, the company went out of business.  This time around I bought it from a business that is still around. 

I did get a correspondence back from IKEA and they are sending a new motor to fix my standing desk (that is almost now a kneeling desk). That should arrive tomorrow so the handyman can fix them both at the same time. 

I had an Arthritis Facilitator meeting, then my meditation group and then my local Arthritis meeting. It was a busy evening. 

I'm going to bed. I have to be up early for Tai chi. 

Until tomorrow...

GOT MY CAR BACK

I had to take my car again this morning. I missed going to tai chi again. When I got the car back it drives really smooth. They replaced the linkage. Now I am ready to go on my next road trip. 

I went to online restorative yoga and this time I liked it. 

Last week my standing desk did go up and only went down. It is really far down. Today I heard from IKEA and they mailed me the electrical parts to fix the desk. 

I had meditation group in the evening. 

I am trying to give Lucky a bit of rest. She seems to be in pain. I think we overdid it this weekend. 

Short post today.

Until tomorrow...

THE MOVIES APPEARED AGAIN

After a long walk, I sat in the backyard and read my book club book. It was very pleasant in the backyard. 

Later in the evening, my brother called to help me fix a computer problem. I have digital movies and I was not able to access them on my TV or iPad. I haven't been able watch a movie in teo months. I updated something and the movies went poof! I can now see the movies. 

Until tomorrow...

SPICEY PEANUT BUTTER GRAIN BOWL

Today Lucky and I hung around home. We went for a long walk with Lucky in the doggie stroller for hslf the time. Then we went to the post office to get mail. Then we stopped by the neighbors house and got some fresh pears off their tree. We took some apples too! 

I can't think what else we did. 

Oh, I made an amazing dinner: Spicy Peanut Butter Grain Bowl with baked tofu, grilled green beans, carrots and Japanese sweet potatoes, rice and some lettuce from my garden. It was delicious. I have plenty of leftovers. 

Until tomorrow...

NO CAR

Yes, it is the bushings. It is part of the suspension. After waiting all day, at the end of the day, they told me they found the part and it will arrive on Monday. They put the car back together and I took it home for the weekend. 

Today I had to go to the dentist across town in a cab. I went to the dentist to get photographed for my retainers. Technically I am done with the Invisalign trays but I have to wait ten weeks until my retainers show up. Then I had to go to acupuncture once again, across town in a cab. Acupuncture is so great. I played one of my meditations this time and was so relaxed. 

Then I rushed over to get my car out of brokendown jail so I could make my flu vaccine appointment. I should not have bothered because they made me wait 15 minutes. 

Then I got home for the dog and my 6pm meditation group. 

It was a crazy busy day!! I would have cancelled things if I had known my car would be kept in brokendown jail. 

Until tomorrow...

IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE AIR?

Yesterday my standing desk stopped going up and down. Today the transformer that runs my backyard lights, stopped turning the lights on with the timer. The transformer works when it is turned on but it doesn't work with the timer. Weird, right? 

Today my handyman took the caulking out from around my glass shower walls and put new caulking in. I did not think he could do it without taking the walls off but he did. He replaced the strip of plastic that goes on the glass door. It really looks like a new shower! 

I took my car into the shop because the clutch (yes, I drive a manual transmission) was making a noise when I went from first to second gear. I thought it might need a new clutch. No, it does not. The shifter linkage is not lining up so I may need new bushings. Not sure what that means but I am glad I brought the car in to get fixed. With a 20 years old and with 93,000 miles things go wrong. I hope I will get it returned tomorrow. 

Until tomorrow...

MECHANICAL DESK

I had tai chi this morning. We practiced for an hour. I am getting better. 

This afternoon I thought I would stand up at my standing desk. The ^ button didn't work, so I pushed the \/ button and the desk went lower. Then I pushed the ^ and nothing happened. I checked all the cords and unplugged everything. No luck.  I checked and I had a 10 yr warranty. I called IKEA and made a claim.  We shall see what happens. 

Until tomorrow...

pHYSICAL THERAPY

I am still flaring and exhausted. I had physical therapy today and he stretched and twisted my shoulder. He did some sort of ultrasound. At first it felt good and then it hurt. He said my muscle was twisted or cramping. 

My shoulder really hurt after my trip. Carrying my backpack did not make my shoulder feel better. He put more RockTspe on my shoulder. 

Until tomorrow...

MY HANDS ARE SWOLLEN

What a long day!! I woke up early to go to tai chi. My hands were swollen and I had a hard time getting out of bed. That means a flare is either here or on it's way. 

When I got home, I ate breakfast and got ready for my first restorative yoga class. The class was okay but many of the movements I could not do. I can't lean on my knees or my hands. Every time I take a yoga class knees and hands are part of most of the movements. Everyone says to use my fists or elbows. They have no idea how much those hurt on me. I may try it again just to see if it is different. 

I am super fatigued so I am going to go to sleep.

Until tomorrow...

IS ZOOM NECESSARY?

I had a restful day today. I took a bath, went for a long walk, and watched some TV. Lucky and I walked 4,000 steps. Well, I walked and Lucky spent the bulk of it in a stroller. I am training for my next adventure. I will be hiking so I need to spend the next month getting in shape. Every day I will need to do some uphill walking. 

I had my arthritis group today. I am in two groups. One is national and the other is local. I am co-facilitator of the local group. The discussion about zoom came up. Is zoom giving us a feeling of community? There were mixed reviews. Some hate it (we were on a zoom) and others thought it was necessary. Of course the national group would not exist without zoom. We can't meet in person! 

Until tomorrow...

WHERE IS MY LUGGAGE?

This morning before I did anything, I looked at the tracker to see my luggage. It was still at the airport. Then I looked 30 minutes later and it was in WV. It seemed stiluck but later I realized the plane probably was too high to track it. I went to the eitline app and tracked it that way and it was on a flight. 

A couple hours later I saw it on the tracker map and it was almost to the West Coast. Once it landed it sat at the airport for hours. Then it moved about a mile away and sat there for about four hours. It finally was delivered at 8:15 pm. Not thing was stolen out of it and I don't think anyone went in it. 

I basically waited around all day waiting for the luggage to appear. I did go get the bird from the boarding place. 

I tested for COVID twice this week. Once on day three and today. All negative. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY FIVE OF EAST COAST VACATION

Today is the final day of my adventure. I woke up early so I could eat shower and pack the final items in my already overstuffed bags. I had no idea I would have do much to bring home. T-shirts, cookbooks, tea, and two items a relative gave me: a small fold up blanket and a bag for hiking. 

After all that, I drove to my relative's house. We had about an hour to chat until it was time for me to hit the road. I left extra early because of traffic, getting gas and my pension for getting lost. 

I arrived over 2.5 hours early. I settled down in a corner by myself (masked) and waited. Luckily I had my notebook that has the information for my trip in the spring. I did a bunch of internet research while j waited. 

The plane ride was uneventful. I was in the only row that only had two people in a three seater. The person on the aisle was quiet, just the way I like it. 

When we landed, I got an email that said my luggage was not on the plane and lost. What?!?!? I filled out a list luggage firm and when we landed I went to the lost luggage office. 

The best part was that a few months ago, I invested in Airtags. If you don't know, they are trackers you put in your luggage or attached to your keys so you can find them. I turned on my iPad and there was my luggage was at the airport I just left! I was promised my bag would be delivered tomorrow. 

I took a taxi home (I think he overcharged me) and said hi to Lucky. The dog sitter dropped her off a few hours before. We both went to sleep. It was a long day for me and she was happy I was home. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY FOUR OF EAST COAST VACATION

This morning I woke up with a tummy ache. The food we ate last night didn't agree with me. I slept in a bit and ate some oatmeal and tea. 

After a shower I went to my relatives home. We sat around and talked about our travels and shared photos. She helped me with my trip planning. 

I got a photo from the dog walker. Lucky has a new friend. 

Lucky made friends with a rabbit! 

I left my relatives house after dinner during a lightning storm.  I went back to my hotel to meditate and pack. Tomorrow I leave. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY THREE OF EAST COAST VACATION

Today was a travel day. I went to another relatives home. 

First, we went to the beach to sit for a very short time. It was very hot. We left to eat some lunch. After lunch I drove to my other relatives home.it wad a 3.5 hour trip. I got a little lost on my way. 

When I arrived we all eat dinner and after a bit I went to my hotel. It is a nice hotel but not as nice as the other one. I was going to meditate with the group but I was too late. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY TWO OF EAST COAST VACATION

Today was a trip down memory lane. I learned some things about my relatives that were interesting. I saw my grandmother's high school yearbook. I showed some family members some photos after having technical difficulties. 

Then we went for a drive and stopped at a fair. I bought a few t-shirts. One for me and others for people. I went to a tea and spice shop. Of course I bought more tea. 

We went out to dinner at a primarily seafood restaurant. I have spaghetti with vegetables. Then we drove around again. I got back to my hotel room just in time to meet the group and do a meditation. 

Until tomorrow...

DAY ONE OF EAST COAST VACATION

I got up at 3am so I could be ready at 4 am. I got dressed, took out the trash, and threw in my last items. 

The airport was more crowded than I thought it would be. I got through the lines quickly and sat down to eat my breakfast (I packed it) all with my mask on. There were about 20-25% with masks on. 

The plane was full. I had to upgrade my seat because the airline changed flights and didn't save my seat assignment. It all worked out because the extra leg room was great. I get restless legs and I had a bad case today for about 3 hours. I felt bad for the guy sitting next to me. I tried to sleep but my legs would not stop moving. 

I landed and got my luggage and rental car pretty fast. I had a 3 hour drive to my first destination. It is 93 degrees here today and I was sweltering in my jeans. 

I had a nice evening with relatives and then headed out to my hotel. I checked in before I got on the plane. When I got to the front desk, I got a card key. I went to the room, opened the door and there was someone else's luggage and clothing in the room. I did not wait around to see if a person was also in the room. I have seen to many CSI episodes where there is a dead body in the hotel room. I went down to the front desk and let the woman know. She was extremely confused because on the sheet prepared by her boss it says that that room number was my room. After a few phone calls to managers, I was given a new key to a different room which is wonderful. I could finally relax. 

Until tomorrow...

ANIMAL VACATION

Today was the day the animals get taken to their respective vacation spots. The bird, Sunny, went to the bird store to spend a week. The dog, Lucky, went to the dog walkers for the week. 

I then packed for my trip to the East Coast. I am going to visit some family. I had to close up my home, pack, clean up, water plants, do laundry and many other things. Plus two clients had last minute work I had to do. 

Now I need to get to sleep because my flight is at 6:30 am and I need to leave my house at 4am. 

Until tomorrow...

TRIP TO THE LAKE

 Lucky and I did some work around the house. When we had a break, I drove us to a lake and walked around. Lucky was a champ but I had to carry her a little uphill. We walked out on a dock and looked at birds. 

This is a bird we saw. After investigating all the ducks in my bird book, I think it is a Surf Scooter. It is all black with a bit of white on his head and a yellow beak.  If anyone knows anything different, please write in. 

Anyway, it was a good time. I am really trying to take her a bunch of places. I feel bad that a couple of her years were taken up with me taking care of my other dog, Happi. Happi was a three-legged dog and toward the end, she needed a lot of care. Then COVID hit and we could not go out too much. Now, Lucky loves going in the car. I think she enjoys going places with me. I try to take her to the post office and other places. It is funny that when I got her, she would get so car sick that we could not go three blocks before she cried and vomited. Now she spends hours in the car. 

Until tomorrow...

IT IS SEPTEMBER

 It is September! The summer went so fast. 

I had my ex-foster kid appointment. He is trying to figure out what to call me. I am not his mother or his aunt. I am someone special to him so he is trying to find a word. 

I went to the dentist today to hear about my invisilign. I am on the 12th and final tray. My bottom tooth needs to be turned a bit so the dentist adjusted my invisilign. I have to wear it two more weeks. My teeth look so good. 

No one showed up for meditation tonight. I did my own thing. 

Here is a doggie photo. She is super hot.

Until tomorrow...