j a n u a r y . 2 0 2 5

looking forward to a better year ahead

2 0 2 4 . i n . r e v i e w

 Highlights of 2024

JANUARY - Got to spend a long weekend with Joyce and her fiancé!  She worked in the bay area for a few days, then came home with me, and Tim met up with us when his work week ended.  We spent the weekend roaming around Old Sac and the Railroad Museum, and Craig and I each cooked a dinner for them.  **  The following week, after a work trip to the bay area, I came down with RSV and had to take the prescribed knock-out meds and work half-days until it worked itself out.  The residual breathing difficulty lasted for several weeks after that.  **  Our football team made it to the Super Bowl again, finally!   **  At the end of the month I cooked another truffle meal with our next level chef Tucker, the wonderful NOLA style Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo.

FEBRUARY – the kids were successful in buying a home in Eastern Wyoming. **   Just as I was starting to feel better from last month’s virus, on a trip into the office I fell down hard on both my knees in the cafeteria on the beautiful but sturdy granite floor.  That led to a trip to the site nurse, and then to their preference for occupational health facilities where I got checked out.  No breaks, but I will be on at least six weeks of PT for my knees and walking with a cane.  **   We prepared wonderful food for the Super Bowl but our team couldn’t win during the overtime.  So sad.  **  I auditioned for the play Hallelujah Girls but wasn’t selected.  But I did run into an old high school friend Dawn, and we had a lovely chat while waiting to be called!  **  it is the end of an era at work, as my official transfer to the local office as my home office went through.  While it’s good my commute is now only 15 minutes, I had to take a huge pay cut too.  Sigh.  So I drove down to the bay area “one last time” to grab some personal items and to meet up with Janet to get fabric from her to make a chef apron and jacket for her; and I made her a fluffy purple blanket.  **  Her cat Wilbur only had a couple days of enjoying that blanket before she had to put him down on Leap Day.  **  One bonus of now being on the Folsom Site team is they have a bi-weekly happy hour activity led by a local bartender who teaches us how to make two delicious cocktails.  Now this is the way to make it through a virtual meeting!

MARCH – I got a tune-up for my serger sewing machine in preparation for making Janet’s chef accessories.   I completed the apron and got halfway through the coat before I was sidelined again.  **  Cooked Spanish Paella with our truffle team.  I even bought a proper paella pan to make sure it turned out right.  **  we dined out for Craig’s birthday, enjoying his favorite seafood joint.  **  I completed another paint & sip painting titled “Bee Kind” of a fluffy bee among thistles.  **  In old town Folsom there is a cute little theater where I went to see a heartwarming production of Cotton Patch Gospel.  I was in tears and heartily laughing throughout.  **  my cancer journey – March 7 I was in my doctor’s office getting checked out for a lump I discovered.  The 12th I got a mammogram and ultrasound, and on the 14th a biopsy.   By the 19th I met with the surgeon and on March 27 I had bi-lateral mastectomy surgery.  No more hauling around 10.4 pounds of excess weight!

APRIL – while recovering from surgery I did meander out to the safety of our patio to experience the Great American Eclipse.  **  Chemo treatments started mid-month.  **  before I had gotten my diagnosis, I had signed up for a truffle class; I still completed it but did a lot of prep beforehand, so I could take rest breaks during the class.  I made a braised pork belly with garlic demi-glace and fricassee of spring vegetables.  **  Craig planted some new, perennial, climbing vines on the peacock trellis since the morning glories didn’t grow back.

MAY – I took six weeks of full disability from work for my surgery and recovery, but needed to get my brain active again, so asked my doctor and my manager if I could come back 20 hours a week; both said yes.  the team who had been covering for me were delighted I was back in any capacity!  **  my hair had started falling out after the first chemo session, so I had my hairdresser give me a really short cut this time, to make my clean-up from the fall-out a little easier.  Two weeks later most of my hair was gone, so I shaved off the rest.  I bought a wig and a few cheap turbans for when I need to go out in public.  **   watched the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.  **  for my chemo sessions I find a tee-shirt to match the theme of the audiobook I have downloaded (very limited wifi in the hospital).  My choices usually make the staff and volunteers smile.  my mission here is accomplished.  **  last month we had the eclipse and now this month we had several days of spectacular aurora borealis lights.  **  the winner of the Preakness Race was different from the Derby, so no Triple this year.  **  Craig went on his annual boys golf trip to Palm Springs right after my second chemo infusion, but luckily I’m excellent at planning so I made sure I had everything I needed to get along on my own.  Yup, the pain is crippling, but I’m a warrior!  **  I ordered a second, different wig, which looks like a cute Dame Judy or Dame Helen.   **  for my third chemo session Craig went out of town again on business, so again I had to suffer through without any support.  Each session has a longer agony period and recovery takes longer.  I can’t wait until I have had the last session.  **  when I was feeling better I went into work at the local office, to a remote recording booth, and did another narration for my colleague and his latest training video.  This audio tech even complimented me saying, “you could read audiobooks!”   That would be fun!

JUNE -  the historic Belmont Race was being run this year in Saratoga, as Belmont is getting a facelift before their next big anniversary.  **  my final chemo session fell on Juneteenth, so I wore an appropriate tee-shirt and selected a Dick Gregory audiobook.   **  I’ve started a beautiful pineapple filet crochet afghan to work on when I need to keep my mind and hands busy.  **  At work, my manager put my name in as a nominee for the company’s twice a year admin excellence award – not department or division level, but company level – and I won!  I was selected as one of eight winners.  While she mentioned many of my various business- related activities, it was my work making training videos using my theater background that got the mention in the internal bulletin write-up.  This semi-annual win also puts me in the running for Admin of the Year which is selected in January 2025.  **  Recovery from the final chemo session took twice as long as previous ones.  Luckily it is the last!  Next month I start working full time and will use my abundant sick time if I need to take time off during the day or week.

JULY – too hot to go outside – so says my body and my doctor.  Temps were over 110 over the holiday weekend.  **  I flew down to the bay area on the corporate jet to attend a goodbye lunch for one of our long-time colleagues.  It was wonderful seeing people again after so long.  I also met up with Janet to give her the finished apron and the chef jacket I had used as a model.  **   loved the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics!  Tremendous production and so rich in showing all that the city and country have to offer.  **  I ventured out to see a local production of Sunset Boulevard at the big round theater downtown.   This was my first outing to see a show since the weekend before surgery.

AUGUST -  this month was even hotter than last, with thunderstorms to mix things up a bit!  **  watched very few Olympic events but did enjoy the equestrian activities, and especially Snoop and Martha!  **  our garden this year is growing eggplants among the squash, so I made a big batch of my favorite Panda meal, spicy tofu eggplant!  **  at work they were offering an early enhanced retirement package but I missed eligibility by nine days.  Since Craig got laid off this month, I guess it’s good that I have to still work.  But the Enhanced package was really sweet!  <<sadness>>  **  the air shuttle was being permanently cancelled at the end of the month so I took two more trips to the bay area to try to bring more order to the chaos in the Lab where I work that went on while I was on leave.  **  at a fireside chat opportunity at my local office, I gathered with old colleagues who greeted me warmly; and the VP who was invited to the chat even made two opportunities to chat with me separately both before and after the session!  These are the people that give me reasons to stay working!  **  as if surgery and chemo weren’t enough, my general doctor requested that I endure a colonoscopy.  Such a “lovely” way to end the month.  **  Actually, we really did end the month in a lovely way … Joyce shared that she and Tim are expecting a baby!   We’re going to be Grand-Parents to a baby boy!!! 

SEPTEMBER – Joyce was laid off from her company.  I pray that both she and Craig get work soon.   In the meantime, Joyce and Tim moved up their wedding plans.  They got married in a simple ceremony, and now she can be included on his health insurance through work.   **  went to see one of my FB peeps in a local production of Titanic the Musical. It was tremendous!  **  I planned a multi-day trip for work to see off one of our colleagues who took a separation package, but I planned it slow and easy.  I drove down Sunday morning, caught the matinee of Waiting for Godot, worked from the office Monday, had the celebratory lunch, and stayed over one more night.  That gave me two dinner opportunities at two of my favorite locally owned eateries.  My drive home midday Tuesday was the shortest it’s ever taken to get home, only 2.5 hours! 

OCTOBER – had a very unsatisfactory visit with my oncologist who harangued me about my weight – which hadn’t changed even though her own instructions were to eat during chemo – and about my blood pressure – when it was her equipment and technician who were causing it to spike!  Boy do I need a vacation!!  **  the touring company of an international ballet company was in town, so I got to see my favorite ballet, Swan Lake, for my birthday!  **  I worked right up to the day before our birthday.  Joyce and Tim had gone to Florida to see his family and to hopefully go to Disney World, but Hurricane Milton changed their plans and made landfall ON OUR BIRTHDAY.  Luckily they made it through without a scratch!  And all I could do was worry from 3,000 miles away.  **  Craig and I had dinner at the new restaurant on the lake in Folsom, which was delightful!  **  I flew out to South Dakota the next day, to see bucket list sites and to see the kids once they got home. 

BIRTHDAY TRIP – Day 1 – the first morning I spent sightseeing around the town of Custer, then I went to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Museum.  **  Day 2 – I drove through the Wild Life Loop where I saw many animals along the drive, and ended by having a bison meander across the road, causing a traffic jam of sorts!  Then I went to Wall Drug, and finally ended the day in Chamberlain, and saw the Dignity of Earth and Sky statue, and the Lewis and Clark Museum, located along the Missouri River.  **  Day 3 – I started the day at the Atka Lakota Museum filled with lots of art and many historical displays.  Then I drove an hour east to Mitchell to see the famous Corn Palace.  After strolling through the many historical displays there, I was off to Huron to see the World’s Largest Pheasant.  Pheasant hunting is big business in this state.  **  Day 4 – this was Indigenous Peoples Day and many locations were closed for the holiday.  I strolled through the Veterans Park and saw another pheasant statue.  Then I headed west again, stopping at the Pioneer Auto Museum where I spent some time strolling through the many cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia.  I wanted to see the Minuteman Missile Museum, but it was closed for the Holiday.  Made it back to Hill City which was home base for the rest of the trip.  **  Day 5 – this was a morning of rest, with a quick trip for snack and milk supplies for my room.  Then I drove to the kids’ home in the afternoon, spent time with Joyce, and when Tim got home, we went out to dinner at their favorite pizza joint.  I got home very late (for me) - - driving these highways there are no street lights; you only have your headlights to see your way safely home again.  **  Day 6 – went to my long-time bucket list destination of Mount Rushmore.  That was followed up by a stop at the Presidential Wax Museum.  **  Day 7 – discovered there were segments of the Berlin Wall in Rap City, so I had to go see those.  These are the fifth sets of Wall I’ve seen in my lifetime.  The Wall fell when Joyce was only one month old.  It will always be memorable for me.  It was built when I was a child, and torn down when I had a child.   I dined at a restaurant we saw on our favorite “Diners” TV show.  Then I walked around several presidential statues in the downtown area.   Still trying to find open attractions but finding a lot of “closed for season” signs, I finally drove out to Sylvan Lake for a short rest at this lovely locale.  **  Day 8 – it was projected to snow, so I stayed in, rested and ate my leftovers from the day before.  It didn’t snow.  **  Day 9 – I packed my bags for the trip home, and then hit the road for Spearfish.  I drove up through Deadwood, and got to my destination with plenty of time to detour to Belle Fourche and the Geographic Center of the US, and the Tri-State Museum.  Then I met up with the kids and Tim’s mom, Mary, and grandma, Pat, where we had a lovely lunch.   Mary and I toured the Spearfish Fish Hatchery and had a lovely time getting to know one another.  Then I hit the road again, stopping at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, before finally getting to the final hotel in Rap City, near the airport.  **  Day 10 – after witnessing a spectacular SoDak sunrise, I got to the airport, boarded my flight and found myself sitting next to celebrity football player, movie maker Jim Warne.  We had a wonderful time and I was able to FB friend him and got his info to pass on to our event planners at work!  **  This was a truly wonderful and memorable Birthday Bucket List Vacation!!

Still October, and boy does getting old suck!  I went to get my eyes and glasses checked, and the optometrist saw something concerning, so she referred me to go to Kaiser’s Ophthalmologist, who then recommended I get a little laser repair done on my left eye.  That’s what I get to do in late December! 

NOVEMBER – saw a post on FB for a Fairy Trail and Goat Walk!  The location was an hour north of home, deep in the California forest.  I had such a delightful time being out of doors, carefully walking along the trails, and even met another Denali!   **  I had three severe episodes of violent vertigo over several days, and then mild dizziness following those, so I pretty much took it easy.  **  I did some light cooking but found that each time I did it would take twice as long to recover.  **  Passages – our dear friend Lisa whom we’ve known since elementary school passed away.  Since her birth day falls between mine and Janet’s – yes, she was far too young!  And our rabbi’s wife’s mom passed away at the age of 85.  Tell them you love them before you can’t any more.  **  For Thanksgiving, we played it simple and got a honey baked spiral ham, and Craig cooked yams.  I made raspberry and custard tarts for dessert.  

DECEMBER –  I auditioned for Book of Will, but wasn't cast.  after all the changes at work, we gathered for three days at headquarters for our group lunch and face to face meeting, and our division’s Summit.  I also made time to meet up with some of my theater lady friends / fellow board member/producers, and had a leisurely two and a half hour dinner.  they sent me away with presents for mama Joyce.  at the happy hour gathering at the summit, I finally won the ugly sweater contest!  I’ve managed to come in second in every previous years’ contests.  **  I had the laser surgery ordered by my optometrist in the previous month.  immediately after surgery my eye was swollen shut for several hours.  headaches and light sensitivity followed for a few days.   **  by the last Sunday of the year I worked up enough energy to participate in an online cooking class (Shuffle of course) and prepared Greek meatballs, herby tzatziki, pickled shallots, and a deluxe rice pilaf with dried fruits and nuts.  so much work but the food was delicious.  New Years Eve dinner was prime rib plus I got blush sparkling cider.  as it was finally available for streaming, we watched Wicked.  

We Wish all of our Loved Ones, a Safe, Restful and Happy New Year!

Find all these events plus pictures to boot on the blog at:   http://flamingeau.blogspot.com/2024/12/d-e-c-e-m-b-e-r-2-0-2-4.html 

d e c e m b e r . 2 0 2 4

the holidays are ahead

  

     Craig started the holiday decorating during the Thanksgiving weekend.  
 

     I thought the wreath needed a little extra, so we got a prime delivery of little lights! 

     started off the month trying to make yummy things in the kitchen.  I'd been craving a delicious calzone as prepared by one of my favorite restaurants in San Jose, which is no longer there.  so I found three recipes that I could modify - eliminating oregano - and made fresh dough with our garden's basil, fresh pizza sauce, and used some of the leftover ham to make a ham and cheese calzone!

     the next day I found another recipe from a lady pioneer - one of Craig's favorite cooks - and made meatball subs, making the meatballs from scratch and using the pizza sauce from the day before.  all of these recipes have passed the "make these again" test. 

     during the chemo recovery - my bald phase - I said, "all I want for Christmas is hair."  I've now got about one inch of wavy hair! 

 

     on the first Friday of the month I got a call from my old boss.  he was replying because I sent him email with a scan of some mail that had arrived for him - hey it gave me an excuse to reach out!  I usually would wish him "happy" on his birthday, but this year I had missed it, so this was a belated greeting call.  I caught him up on all my troubles and happies and he congratulated me on my upcoming grandparenthood.  we talked for about 30 minutes, and it was just wonderful to hear his voice and that they were all doing so well, some five years into his retirement. 

     found another audition opportunity, about an hour from home, but the role would have been cool!  the show was Book of Will and the role was Anne Shakespeare.  I didn't get warm fuzzies from the staff, and only one of the auditionees was friendly to me.  boy is it hard finding a new theatre family! 

     mid-month I spent the better part of four days in the bay area for work.  Tuesday we had a team meeting and team lunch; it was wonderful to see so many of my colleagues that I work with so well and miss so much!  I checked in at the hotel and found it was one that didn't have a restaurant, only a bar whose only food was pizza.  since it was happy hour, I ordered the pizza, and got two free glasses of wine to go with it - very happy!   Wednesday I started work early, knowing I wanted to end by 4pm to go to the my evening events.  I spent lunch hour writing holiday notes to be handed out at senior centers as part of our community outreach!  I enjoyed talking with the new intern managing the group now that my regular contact coordinator has retired.  I briefly attended the happy hour preceding our Summit event which was held at my hotel, and then I went to dinner with my fellow producers from our theater, Susan and Barbara.  we had a lovely dinner that lasted for two and a half hours, catching up on so much.  of course they gave me presents to pass along to Joyce.  the people in the hotel room upstairs must have had a small child because I had to endure the sound of thudding zoomies for about an hour before I finally drifted off to sleep. 

     Thursday was the Summit day, and I started early to get work done before I went to the big auditorium with hundreds of my colleagues.  sadly also in the auditorium were all their fragrances and I was a swollen mess within an hour.  I had to move to the perimeter and put on my mask to keep most of the scent-cloud at bay.  [besides fragrances I also had two coughers in front of and behind me, so my dear colleague next to me thought I was escaping for my immunity's sake too.]  during the breakout session I was allowed to be the reader, so I got to use my best audiobook voice.  for lunch I again stayed separate from the crowd but it also allowed me to catch up on the confidential work tasks that must be done throughout every day, despite a summit.  my manager Eva came over to make sure I was fine, and we had a laughing chat about something, so our CLO came over to take a pic of the two of us together.   back in the auditorium I got the word that I could possibly meet up with the tech who will be coordinating the Santa Clara side of the fax move back from Folsom.  I headed back to my desk, and watched the rest of the program's activities in the virtual room.   instead we set the meeting for Friday morning at 9:15, so I took a short snooze while the summit had a video break for another team building exercise.  that snooze was much needed!  the summit ended after 6pm and we all trooped downstairs to the Museum to have our wine and cheese gathering with some of our biggest law firm partners.  I also chatted with some of the security team that I work with regularly; they keep me safe and I let them know how much I appreciate it!  we also held an ugly sweater contest, and this year I was not the "bridesmaid" but finally "the bride!"  I won with my "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal" sweater, and twirling the pompom on my plaid and black faux fur holiday hat!  of course I had to utter - several times - the famous phrase in the voice of the character from the movie too!  it was a wonderful evening!!  Friday I worked in the office from 7 to 11, and had the meeting with the techs about the fax machine and the port setup in the room and their hub closet.  but before we could meet, we had to endure the site emergency evacuation drill, at 8:30 in the morning, in the cold!  at 11 I gassed up and hit the road to minimize travelling with too much snowbird traffic.  it still took over three hours to get home. 

     last month at my optometrist visit I was instructed to get my left eye checked for two retinal tears, and my ophthalmologist booked the surgery.  this month I finally had that laser surgery, where my eye was bombarded ~550 times by the beam.  can I just say it was excruciating!  then, for several hours after, my eye was swollen shut.  I also had a wicked headache and I was extremely sensitive to light.  I thought my eye looked like I had been in a fight, but Joyce said it looked like I had botox!   it reminded me of a FB "list" that was going around a few years ago among my friends, "how high-maintenance are you?"  besides having manicures and spending way to much on hair cuts, one category was: have you ever had anything lasered.  well now I can say I have, but I'm sure it's not quite in the same way as the List was contemplating!  given everything else I've had to deal with this year, hopefully this is my last medical visit for 2024!  

     since I'm not going anywhere and we're not doing anything special, I planned to work all week except for Christmas Day.  it's usually quiet and I get a lot of prep work done for the next year.  **  on the last Sunday of the month I enjoyed another shuffle class, with a new chef this time, Chef Angus, and made delicious Greek meatballs, tzatziki sauce, pickled shallots, and nut and fruit rice pilaf with pistachios, almonds, golden raisins and cranberries.  while I was doing the prep for the 3pm class, I heard that our longest living president had passed away at the age of 100! 

     for new years eve dinner we had leftover prime rib, green beans and yams, plus the last of the dutch apple pie I baked over the weekend.  since it was available for streaming, we watched Wicked, the new movie.

n o v e m b e r . 2 0 2 4

 getting ready

to give THANKS!

     so much turbulence but we need to be grateful for the serenity we can create for ourselves. 

     one of my FB groups offered a singular event that was only open two days this season.   a family opened their property, which they'd decorated with a fairy village along a winding path through their woods, and invited families with children especially to come enjoy the fantasy and be outdoors with God's creatures.  the owner's daughter's name is Denali (!!) and she was delighted to learn that I knew not one but two other Denali's!  they have taken in several rescue animals, so besides their goats, they have pigs and llamas, chickens, ducks and turkeys, fluffy rabbits, and burros and donkeys.  here are some of the adorable fairy dwellings and critters I saw on the sylvan trek.

      

     after several severe bouts with vertigo and dizziness, I worked up a little energy to cook something I was craving.  based on two meals I had in SoDak, I made an open face char siu bao taco and topped it with spicy peanut cole slaw from an internet recipe like the one I love from Armadillo Willy's. 

     two days later, as it was cold, rainy and windy outside I made rib-stickin' spicy boom boom shrimp with cheddar grits.  the pancetta and garden grilled scallions bumped it up to next level! 

     we had a ready-made pie crust in the fridge nearing expiration and some blueberries in the freezer, so I made a blueberry galette, which was incredibly tasty even though it didn't want to release from the tart plate. 

     we hosted this little girl over a weekend ... we think her owners may have been away or somehow left her outside by accident.  she was skittish and ran if we came near the patio door, but she meowed at us when she saw us.  that's a learned behavior!  so we fed her leftover chicken until we could buy a bag of healthy kibble, and I put a giant beach towel out for her to at least try to stay warm. 

     on another cold and rainy day, during my work lunch break I started making a "baked potato soup" using a recipe from my catering friend in Tracy.  by dinner it was done, and we "topped" it like we would any baked potato with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and instead of chives we used chopped scallions from the garden.  I also slivered some sun-dried tomatoes just to add a little punch!   it was delicious, and someone called it a keeper!  leftovers the next day were just as tasty. 

     Craig got some fresh raspberries during a shopping excursion, so I thawed some puff pastry baskets and whipped up some cream cheese custard, and made these delicious tarts!

 

     I used the very last of the garden's eggplants and made my fave spicy tofu eggplant for lunch one day.  we didn't have any red bell peppers, but I did chunk up a very large scallion from the garden too, and that made a nice substitute.  we both finished it in one sitting.  so good! 

     the week before Thanksgiving week I got the sad news that a woman Janet and I have known over 50 years, so much like a sister, had passed away.  she had been struggling with health issues for many years, but we never expected it was her time to go.  I was blessed to be able to make her wedding dress for her - she trusted me of all people to be able to make a dress fit for all of her - of course I could.  she also asked Joyce to be her flower girl!  and Joyce and I have very special memories of a crazy/wonderful trip to Disneyland too!  Lisa, alarms are off in memory of you, dear friend!  

     another loss I found out about on turkey day was the mom of our rabbi's wife.  she had lived to be 85, so certainly a long life.  but we've been away from our Congregation for so long that it was a shock and surprise to hear she had passed. 

     started the process of holiday decorating.  Craig found a live wreath when he was food shopping and couldn't leave the big box store without it.  We'll keep the forever wreath under wraps for a year, or find another place to hang it. 

     for dinner we had a honey-baked spiral ham and buttery yams.  and I made more of the raspberry custard tarts with buttery filo dough this time. I've now used up all the "leftover" pre-formed pastries that we had in the fridge and freezer.  

 

     wished happy T-Day to all the cousins and aunts and uncle on FB, and got a few replies back.  caught up with Aunt Denali on a 30 minute phone call before the Ducks game!  Janet has a leg injury so she was housebound this year, but was happily watching football when we texted. 

     the two days after T-Day, Craig made pomegranate short ribs - I demonstrated the easiest way to pick seeds - and then I made a mustard and brown sugar glazed salmon with steamed green beans drizzled in lime butter.  excellent ways to end the month, full of food and gratitude. 

o c t o b e r . 2 0 2 4

 birthday month! 

lots of reasons to celebrate

     wrapped up my work trip to the bay area.  got a good bit of organizing done while I was there, then I hit the road mid-day to beat traffic, and got home in record time with a quick stop to get lunch at the KFC in town.  

     I went for a check-up with my oncologist in her office.  not only was taking my blood pressure brutal - starting and restarting and squeezing unnecessarily harder causing my bp to rise too much - but the doctor then wanted to complain about my weight.  it was her own instructions that told me to continue eating during chemo; in fact my weight had stayed the same throughout chemo, so I didn't even "over-eat!"  then she lectured me - a professional dieter and the daughter of both my parents - about how bad carrying too much weight is and how I should write everything I eat down.  skinny little twig of a child telling me!  now that will raise my blood pressure!  one thing I did start doing however, was to jump back on the exer-cycle in the garage so I can build up my leg strength again.  I have a vacation coming up! 

     that evening, an international ballet company was performing in Folsom one of my most favorite ballets, Swan Lake, and I had to treat myself for my birthday!  it was glorious seeing it again.  I hadn't been to this ballet since I was pregnant with Joyce, so about 35 years!  it was an excellent way to end what had started as a horrible day. 

     my last day of work before vacation was the day before our birthday.  of course it was a flurry of making sure everyone had what they needed before I headed offline for two weeks.  luckily it is the same team who has supported my last two years' of vacations and medical leave, so I'm leaving all in great hands.

just a note ... this is my Beatle Birthday "When I'm 64!"

     in the meantime, Joyce and Tim had gone to visit his family in the Orlando area, just as Hurricane Milton was taking aim!  they of course survived with no damage to rental car, dwelling, or selves, but that didn't mean that mom wasn't 3,000 miles away praying and worrying until it was over!  she got to spend a little time at Hard Rock and Disney Springs, but didn't go into the parks because of the various ride shut-downs (due to weather).  why spend the money and not be able to do anything. 

     I spent our birthday-day packing and waiting to hear from her.  Milton was scheduled to hit late on our birthday.  Craig made reservations at Crawdads on the Lake, which was our re-wedding day dinner location of Cliff House all renovated.  while my birthday drink - a Boujie Bayou Sour - and my dessert - chocolate cake - were just what I ordered, my main course should have been a BLT with avocado, and instead I got a chicken cobb sandwich.  just a wee bit of a disappointment having a giant slab of chicken breast in the way of other good eats. 

  

     around 10:30 at night Joyce texted when they were inside the hurricane, saying she was doing fine, just her ears hurt a little.  she texted again early the next morning around 5:00 to say they were fine.  Craig drove me to the airport and I could take my flights knowing she would be meeting me in Wyoming when their vacation was over.  Craig had booked my tickets using his airline mileage and upgraded me to first class on all the flights.  it was so enjoyable being able to have such luxuries served up by delightful flight attendants. 

     I picked up a 4-Runner SUV, since Joyce and the weather app had mentioned there was a possibility of snow while I was there.  checked in at the delightful Bavarian Inn for two nights.  loved talking with the ladies who ran the front desk.  this place, like many others nearby, are open for "the season" which this year pretty much ended the day I flew home.  whew, I just made it!  

     Day 1 - my first full day in SoDak, I drove a mile into the town of Custer and took pictures of the giant Dino the Dinosaur statue, as well as several buffalo statues scattered all over downtown.  I had lunch at the Purple Pie Place, enjoying chicken pot pie and raspberry rhubarb pie for dessert!  

     after that I was off to see the giant monument of Crazy Horse.  Mama had wanted to see this memorial in her lifetime, but I don't believe she ever made it here.  so I was here on her behalf.  

     back at the Inn, they provide a late afternoon snack of milk and cookies, and I enjoyed those and a chat with two boys traveling with their mom from the midwest to Reno.  after that I had dinner at the Buglin' Bull Sports Bar, where I had Tatanka - bison steak - with green beans & carrots, roasted potato slices, and washed down with cider.

     Day 2 - checked out of the Inn (promising I would return) and headed to the highly recommended Wild Life Loop on my way east to Chamberlain.  the Loop is a slow curving drive through wide open spaces where the wild life roam right in front of you.  the donkeys were the orneriest, not letting me pass until I fed them (I didn't); and I managed not to get into a tussle with a "fluffy cow" or bison that meandered slowly across the roadway in front of me, causing multiple vehicles to stop and line up before he finally finished crossing to the other side.  

  

     hit the road again, stopping for lunch at Mickey D's, and then making another pit stop at Wall Drug.  if we've ever been here it was probably in 1975, on our cross-country road trip to NYC.  I had to get a souvenir John Deere outfit for the baby.  by mid-afternoon I was at Chamberlain, and stopped to see the Dignity of Earth & Sky statue next to the Lewis & Clark Museum, both located near the Missouri River.  

     the next morning, Day 3, I started my day at the town's locally owned coffee bar, The Purple Pigeon, where I had a true midwestern cinnamon roll with my morning joe.  then it was off to the Atka Lakota Museum where I wandered for some time through the hands-on exhibits and artwork telling the story of the indigenous people before, during and after the arrival of European immigrants.  

     I drove an hour east to see the famous Corn Palace!  started in the late 1800s, this building decorates some of its exterior walls with artwork made from corn!  inside you can wander through a timeline of the many events that have occurred during its long and storied history.  I had lunch there, enjoying - what else - a corn dog!  then it was off to find "the World's Largest Pheasant" in the town of Huron.  then it was back to Chamberlain and dinner at the Smoking Mule where I enjoyed ribs and fried pickles!

     On Day 4, I woke, made my coffee and grabbed some hotel buffet sausages, and then packed to head back to western SoDak - - but not before I saw a few more sites.  it was also Indigenous Peoples Day so many locations were closed.  I wanted to go to the SoDak Hall of Fame, but it was closed.  next to it is the Veterans Park, so I meandered through those displays for a bit.

     across the street from Veterans Park was another giant pheasant statue, this one made with railroad ties and other metal pieces.  pheasant hunting is big business in this part of the country. 

     back on the road again, I went looking for a round barn that was a slight detour off the highway, but when I got to a gravel road across farmlands, I decided to forego that adventure in a rental vehicle.  don't need to pay for rock damage!  the Pioneer Auto Museum was the next stop, which was a wonderful time of strolling through cars of all ages, old and odd gadgets and technology, and lots of interesting memorabilia.  you could spend a day and not see it all.  I found the cars Joyce and I loved most when we were both younger.  

     I had a stuffed Nipper before Joyce was born ... wonder if it's still in her bags of stuffed animals that I'm storing for her.  Nipper and Snoopy, two of my favorite pooches. 

     then there was one more destination to see before I landed in Hill City, but unfortunately the Minuteman Missile Historic Site was also closed for the government holiday.  too bad.  I definitely want to plan another trip here.  

     Day 5, I slept in, got some supplies for the week at the dollar store, namely milk for my coffee and some snacks for between meals.  then I drove over to Joyce and Tim's house, to spend the afternoon with Joyce, then have dinner with them at their local pizza joint after Tim got home from work.  these were some of their "neighbors" just wandering by in the late afternoon, when we were getting ready to drive to the pizza joint.  this picture of the kids is from their wedding day, but I neglected to take any pics any time I was with them so it has to do!  it was well after sundown when I finally headed back to Hill City.  Joyce was worried about me driving where there are no streetlights on the highways, but I made it back safely - didn't run off the road or hit any wild animals! 

     Day 6 was another bucket list destination day.  I finally made it to Mount Rushmore, a place I've wanted to visit practically my whole life.  also a feature in one of my favorite movies, North By Northwest!  kind people were happy to photograph me everywhere I went! 

  

     another museum about the sculptor of the mountain was closed, but the Presidential Wax Museum was open and waiting for me.  I couldn't resist another opportunity to stand at a presidential podium!  all 46 presidents were represented; these are just a few.

     back in Hill City, circling around to find an open restaurant, I saw this neat horse statue made of repurposed metal items ... too cool! 

     Day 7 - Joyce picked Hill City for me saying it was central to many places I'd want to go.  she was so right!  on this day I drove up to Rapid City and saw some more pieces of the Berlin Wall.  this is the fifth place I've seen segments that have made it to the US.  turns out there are a lot more places they rest ... I should plan a road trip, to see a few more of them!  Joyce wouldn't remember but the wall fell right around one month after her birth day.

     a few months before this trip we were watching our favorite diners and dives cooking show and it highlighted a restaurant in Rap City!  I knew I just had to check it out.  it did not disappoint.  it is called Bokujo Ramen, and I had an awesome open face Oko Bun and Bison Bone Ramen.

     with half my ramen in a bowl to go, I meandered around the nearby intersections taking pictures of these presidential statues.  there are many more around the downtown, but these were the few I saw.  they are Truman, Taft, van Buren, Kennedy, Jackson, Tyler and Harrison.

  

  

  

     I tried to find more museums along the route through Keystone, but so many are already closed for "the season."  one place many people mentioned which is open year-round is the beautiful Sylvan Lake.  it was only a slight detour off my route ... a long, windy, hairpin-turny, 10 MPH slow detour but well worth the effort to get there.  I charmed the delightful ranger guarding the gate who wanted to charge me for the entrance fee, but I told her I would literally drive in and take my pictures and come back out.  take a look at this view!

     it is encircled with a walking path, has canoes and a boat launch (just behind the reeds), a swimming beach on the far side, and just spectacular views for miles.  when I have/make more time I will definitely make this a primary destination. 

     I knew I wanted to try the local Asian fusion Lemongrass restaurant in Hill City, so I got there just as they opened.  I was the only customer for some time, which is always delightful.  it turned out my waitress shared our birthday with us!  we both wished each other belated greetings.  here I enjoyed Asian BBQ tacos and Chicken Satay Skewers.  I asked for my berry cheesecake to go, and found this lovely well-wish from my precious waitress when I got back to my room!  I definitely will be back to eat here again "next season."  they close for the season on the day I fly home.

     on Day 8 I decided to take it easy, sleep in, rest up - I had been charging pretty hard given all that my body has been through this year!  and the forecast was for it to snow at some point during the day, so I didn't really want to get caught out in unfamiliar terrain, vehicle, weather.  luckily I had my bison ramen leftovers and also one skewer and one taco from dinner, so I had plenty to eat without the need to go out.  by the way, it never snowed.  oh well, at least I was prepared for the possibility.  planning is everything! 

Day 9 was another transition day, as I was leaving Hill City and going to stay the night nearer the airport for an easy drive early the next morning.  plus, I was going to see the kids for lunch and meet Tim's mom Mary and Grandma Pat.  and there were other possibilities along the way.  I headed north toward Deadwood, and found myself on major highway construction, so bad that I drove a few miles on straight out gravel!  hope none of it damages that rental!  only spent a couple minutes pulled over in town to take a picture of the tour bus.  this town definitely has lots more to discover on a future trip! 

     I got to Belle Fourche, just north of where I'll meet the family, and saw the geographic center of the US.  there were also a number of war memorials scattered about the property, as well as the Tri State Museum where I saw several exhibits while passing the time until the lunch hour. 

  

  

     again I neglected to take any pictures of people and lunch - to much chatting! - but Mary and I took a scenic detour to the local fish hatchery where her dad worked and her family lived when she was a child.  we had a great time getting to know each other, and it's a beautiful park setting with lots of information about fish in Spearfish!

     Mary shooed me off, worried that I would be late getting into Rap City, but we did have a lovely time getting to know one another.  I took the route back to RC by way of Sturgis so I could go through the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.  

   

     I stopped at the quick stop to fill the SUV's tank, get me a hot dog and beer for dinner, and a cinnamon roll and chocolate milk for my coffee in the morning, and then settled in for a quiet restful night.

     Day 10 is one I could never have imagined!  I drove directly into my first SoDak sunrise on the way to the airport.  I pulled to the side of the highway to get the shot, and unlucky me a highway patrol passed me then pulled off the road a little further down.  I quickly snapped the picture, got back on the road, and just a half-mile further took the exit to the airport.  whew, no tickets in SD this trip!  I got checked in and had a lovely young man take me via wheelchair all the way to my gate.  he wanted to stick around and wheel me all the way on board, but I declined his generous offer.  he doesn't even do it for the tips, he just likes chatting people up!  he was in the service, and this is a much less strenuous job. 

     as I sat waiting for the gate to open, I noticed a very tall (handsome) native American man wearing an NFL Alumni shirt.  I tried not to stare, but I was trying to figure out if I knew him and what team he would have played on.  well lucky me we were seatmates in first class and he was a 49er for a minute during the Siefert era.   I was sitting next to football player, actor, documentary film producer - and really nice guy and grandpa - Jim Warne, "Jimmy" is what he told me to call him.  Oh My Gracious!!  we had such a wonderful conversation as we waited for the flight delay, caused by the late arrival of another flight that had weather issues.  Jim ordered a coffee and Baileys, which sounded amazing so I ordered one too.  man after my own heart!  eventually we were in the air, and we shared a few pics of our kids, his grandkids, and we landed.  he gave me a card talking about his film production company, and I'm going to try to connect him with our various employee resource groups as a motivational speaking opportunity next year!  he had to make the sprint to his plane home to San Diego, but my wheelchair was there waiting for me.  that wonderful young man wheeled me right to the dividing rope which they took down for me and he wheeled me right down the jetway to the door!  such service, I gave him a generous tip.  

  

I told Jim later in an email that I remembered
it was an ancient native American belief that 
someone taking your picture is stealing
your spirit.  I didn't want to ask him for
a selfie because I respected that tradition. 
he replied back later that evening (!!!)
that we could definitely take a selfie the
next time we meet!  such a generous 
kind soul.  he also accepted my FB friend
request, and this is a picture he had posted there. 
he's now on a tour showing his most recent
film which is up for several awards.  I couldn't
have dreamed of having a more interesting 
seatmate on this flight, on this trip,
to the land of his people in SoDak!

     the last flight was also a special experience.  as I sat in the front row of first class in seat 1F, my seatmate asked me if I'd be willing to swap to seat 2B so his daughter, who just got upgraded, could sit next to him.  he was so grateful.  as we walked off the plane she shyly thanked me and I told her "welcome" and that she should pay it forward.  hopefully her dad will teach her what a wonderful thing it is to do that!   my last wheelchair jockey was a dear sweet girl in a beautiful head covering who stayed with me all the way through baggage, collecting my giant suitcase off the carousel, and wheeling me to an excellent seat where I could wait for Craig to pick me up.  we had such a wonderful conversation and were "fast friends" when we parted - she with another generous tip.  pretty soon I was safely home with so many happy memories of an awesome birthday excursion!

     I needed the two days I still had off from work.  Craig wanted me to make the chard to go with the tri-tip and mushrooms he planned.  I was so stiff and sore from all my travels, dragging and lifting my heavy suitcase, and all that, that I took a long hot bath and tylenol pm to have a hopefully pain free night.  

     back at work and two days before Halloween I made an eye appointment to get my vision and glasses checked, since it's been since before the pandemic that I was last at the shop in Santa Clara.  we have vision centers in our buildings!  the doctor saw something troubling, so she dilated my eyes to make sure.  then she made me promise to contact Kaiser to get an ophthalmology appointment soon, as she thinks it's a horseshoe tear in my left eye.  well that explains a lot of the fatigue I've felt.  I thought my vision had just changed.  I was able to get that visit the following week, and that doctor scheduled me for laser surgery to repair it in mid-December!

     I don't know if it was related to all the stress they put on my eyes with dilation drops, etc., or if my allergies got so bad and affected my inner ear, but I had several days of bad vertigo.  the first episode was as I was getting into bed, and all of a sudden I felt like I was in another earthquake - I was literally being tossed around!  I was grabbing for things to stabilize myself until I got under the covers.  when I checked the earthquake website - nothing!  of course the usual earthquake sounds didn't happen either, so I had to realize it was the worst vertigo I've ever experienced.  I had a few more really severe episodes, and a lot more less severe ones over the next two weeks.

     and as if eye issues and vertigo aren't bad enough, my coworker who is the only other admin for our department called me in tears.  her mom had passed away over the weekend and she was asking me to cover for her while she was going through everything.  she knew I would understand since I had gone through it all with Mama six years ago, and then Daddy five years ago.  of course I was going to be supportive!  I ended up covering for over three weeks, until the short week of Thanksgiving.

     this was my costume for Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos.  I was too tired to stay up and hand out candy, but Craig was able to take care of the dozen or so kids who did come by during the one active hour just past sundown.  I was going to go see an all-female mariachi band for Dia de los Muertos, but I read the post wrong and also put it on my calendar wrong, and totally missed the event altogether.  but I did meet a nice retired man who helps with the Santa Village activity with the Rotary, and we chatted for half an hour while I rested and enjoyed the out of doors.  although my arm became tired from holding my hat on in the strong wind, so that's what eventually ended our conversation.  at least I'll have my costume for next year!