f e b r u a r y . 2 0 2 6

 lead-up to a one year birthday!

     wish we could see our little man in person, but Joyce keeps us well stocked in pictures.  as sick as I've been - turns out I got a wicked case of viral bronchitis - it's good that we aren't around him as regularly as Mama had been with Joyce.  this bronchitis has clung to me for three weeks so far!  finally got an appointment with my doctor to see what it really might be ...

     I didn't watch very much of the SBLX going on in the Sili-Valley.  I can watch the good commercials online before the event; and I was not invested in either team as a fan.  if anything, I would have loved if they both could lose.  but the simple fact that the NFC kept the cheat-riots from a record setting win was a WIN!  so there is that.  

     this also, was wonderful to see:

     I watched the half time show the next day after I read a couple of online descriptions of what the various scenarios were.  I must say, even without understanding the language I loved the awesome danceable music throughout.  I've got no complaints  :-)

     after my doctor visit - complete with chest x-ray and a covid shot - turns out I don't have walking pneumonia - which was a real concern.  I just have to tough it out until the virus is done. 

     while driving home I couldn't help but notice this beautiful tulip tree in full bloom!  I shared its purple loveliness with my sister. 

     and at home, or lovely Peace Lily has bloomed again. 

     I cooked shrimp scampi for Valentines dinner.  I also prepped ingredients to take to a support group potluck brunch the next day, but at some point I reached or leaned and somehow pinched a nerve that made moving any body part extremely painful.  I didn't get to the brunch, but here are pics of the scampi and the Pink Ribbon Lox Bagels, made with home made pink pickle ribbons on salmon cream cheese, capers, red onions, all on mini bagels.  

     instead of the brunch I did watch the annual race at the Daytona track.  it was nice to see someone new win, and in a crazy final with crashes and no yellow flag! 

     between the bronchitis and the pinched nerve issue, I missed several band practices.  I hope Ron doesn't kick me off the team!  

     mid-month, my manager broke the news that she would be leaving the company for a very good opportunity.  much sadness was expressed by everyone who works with her, as she really is just THE best!  I will still be supporting a VP, so my title is not in jeopardy, and our little team will learn to struggle along without her somehow.  

     even still grappling with pain from the pinched nerve, I pulled myself together to attend the celebration of life for our dear friends Stacia and Andrew, in Menlo Park at a country club that Craig is very familiar with!  each leg of the journey was three hours, but with heated seats in the Jeep rental, that was made so much more bearable.  the ceremony was scheduled for two hours, but with lingering and catching up, I was there for four hours as the cleaning crew was moving in to shut us down.  I saw so many beloved members of our theater families, and met a few more that I've never had the opportunity to run across.  **  the following day, I suppose they waited to make the announcement not to conflict, one of our favorite theater companies that had just celebrated their 60th anniversary, announced they would be closing.  the hits just keep coming.  the arts in the sili-valley are not as appreciated as they had been when the greedy buzzards weren't in charge.  

     I had made this reservation long before the events of yesterday, so I had no opportunity of changing to another date.  I went to a virtual reality showing called Titanic Experience.  one can see between these panels that the floor looks like a basketball court.  there are no impediments anywhere, everything is "seen" using the VR headsets.  

     for groups, they give you a boarding group so you can all "travel" together.  I was alone, so I had the various crew members all to myself.  here was my official boarding pass! 

     I dressed a little bit posh, knowing that it was a part of the experience.  I love this comfortable flowing dress which matches a shawl I crochet'd many years ago.  the images are of the sepia ship in harbor, and the undersea view of her slowly disintegrating undersea remains.  I even wore sparkly shoes that one of the tech crew who helped with fitting and adjusting the headsets commented about how lovely they were.  I said, "of course I dressed for the cruise!"  we had had a bit of a delay when I got there, as they were having technical issues.  I made sure to thank them for their hard work in getting everything back on line.   

     if you are having a virtual experience, you may as well get the AI photo as proof you were there.  here I am as Admiral Ana! 

     I'm not sure what purpose these serve but I assume it is part of the VR canvas that keeps everyone on track and not bumping into each other.  the "scariest" moment I had in the whole experience was the setting where we were walking down two flights of stairs - and I had to keep telling myself "I'm on a flat floor" so I wouldn't over-compensate and fall down!  I didn't have any of the motion sickness that I've had in the past on such rides as Star Tours. 

     toward the end of the month I had a volunteer opportunity through work to attend the final dress rehearsal preview with several of my co-workers.  we were asked to watch the show and attend the talk-back with the cast so they could have feedback before going into opening night and the rest of their performances.  it was at one of my favorite little theaters, in downtown old Folsom, and the play was Murder on the Orient Express.  it truly was quite enjoyable and I was blown away by the performances of Poirot and Bouque, the lead men.  and considering that all the actors have California accents and they all maintained another character accent throughout their performances - bravo everyone!  I've signed up to attend future preview/talk-backs through our volunteer portal.