joy and remembering and adventures
Today was one year since my Mom died. The last 24 hours have involved some comedy, some near misses for tragedy, some celebrations and some exhaustion.
Note: Risk of TMI for some.
I ate a wonderful roasted beet salad that I made. From fresh beets. Very red vibrant gorgeous beets. Which then made me think, a day or two later, that I was bleeding. Off to the doctor for a test, and the happy news that I was just passing the beet compounds. In their still very magenta form.So. Be forewarned, all you lovers of fresh beets. They can look scary in the toilet~ and cause consternation. And then relief that all is actually ok.
Next adventure involved our early morning hike to Pleasanton ridge. We encountered an attitudinal cow who actually shook her head at us, and charged ...we backed up quickly, and let her get herself off the trail, and we cautiously continued on. In past years the cows have been less numerous, calmer, on the trails less, and in the park for about 2 months. These guys have been there for four months, are getting very large, are all over the trails and are ...touchy in some cases. This may be in part from dopey people with off leash dogs, but in this case today...just bad bovine attitude. I called East Bay regional park district headquarters and had a long and interesting talk with the guy in charge of wildlife/range management. He was surprised to hear of the problems, and says he has not had any calls this year. I let him know of our past troubles at Sunol regional park with the protective mama cows, and of the number of people we have talked to at Pleasanton Ridge who have had run ins with these cows. I understand fire danger and the need for controlling the grass, but information even on the website about where the cows are, and when they arrive and leave each year would help. The mama cows are a winter problem since calves are dropped here in Nov/Dec.
In other news, we ended up waiting for the electrician or someone like him... our lights have been flickering occasionally. Our AC for the upstairs has not been needed this spring as it has been so mild. BUT the other night it was finally hot enough to warrent a little chilling...and it would not come on. So...called the repair guys, who came. Could not find the electrical source for the AC. Told me to call PG and E. Who came. And told me to call an electrician because we had some unsafe issues with our garage breaker box. Including (again possibly TMI here) mouse pee on the breakers. Ewww. So...electricians came today and determined that we need to do a whole new 'to code' breaker box. And will also redo/repair some ...casually done electrical work in the garage by previous owners. So we will be shelling out about 800 dollars but...a small price indeed compared to burning down the house.
( great song....bad reality)
Took Linda A and Linda R out to lunch today. We had a great visit...I learned a lot about each one's childhood, and husband's childhoods. Bonding over great Japanese food=heaven. Last year Linda A and I missed our usual birthday fete...so this was extra nice. Heard about planning Lauren's wedding and other fun things.
We all also discussed our weights...we all want to lose some ...and found that the stress of the last year had not been good for our eating habits. I do eat great food...fresh, well prepared stuff...just too much of it.
So...there you are. The cycle of a year...the joy of not having a scary diagnosis myself, the relief of discovering what the electrical problems are and how to fix them, the pleasure of the company of good friends.
So, Mom, I am thinking of you, and I will continue to try to be the best me that I can, and honor your memory.
Note: Risk of TMI for some.
I ate a wonderful roasted beet salad that I made. From fresh beets. Very red vibrant gorgeous beets. Which then made me think, a day or two later, that I was bleeding. Off to the doctor for a test, and the happy news that I was just passing the beet compounds. In their still very magenta form.So. Be forewarned, all you lovers of fresh beets. They can look scary in the toilet~ and cause consternation. And then relief that all is actually ok.
Next adventure involved our early morning hike to Pleasanton ridge. We encountered an attitudinal cow who actually shook her head at us, and charged ...we backed up quickly, and let her get herself off the trail, and we cautiously continued on. In past years the cows have been less numerous, calmer, on the trails less, and in the park for about 2 months. These guys have been there for four months, are getting very large, are all over the trails and are ...touchy in some cases. This may be in part from dopey people with off leash dogs, but in this case today...just bad bovine attitude. I called East Bay regional park district headquarters and had a long and interesting talk with the guy in charge of wildlife/range management. He was surprised to hear of the problems, and says he has not had any calls this year. I let him know of our past troubles at Sunol regional park with the protective mama cows, and of the number of people we have talked to at Pleasanton Ridge who have had run ins with these cows. I understand fire danger and the need for controlling the grass, but information even on the website about where the cows are, and when they arrive and leave each year would help. The mama cows are a winter problem since calves are dropped here in Nov/Dec.
In other news, we ended up waiting for the electrician or someone like him... our lights have been flickering occasionally. Our AC for the upstairs has not been needed this spring as it has been so mild. BUT the other night it was finally hot enough to warrent a little chilling...and it would not come on. So...called the repair guys, who came. Could not find the electrical source for the AC. Told me to call PG and E. Who came. And told me to call an electrician because we had some unsafe issues with our garage breaker box. Including (again possibly TMI here) mouse pee on the breakers. Ewww. So...electricians came today and determined that we need to do a whole new 'to code' breaker box. And will also redo/repair some ...casually done electrical work in the garage by previous owners. So we will be shelling out about 800 dollars but...a small price indeed compared to burning down the house.
( great song....bad reality)
Took Linda A and Linda R out to lunch today. We had a great visit...I learned a lot about each one's childhood, and husband's childhoods. Bonding over great Japanese food=heaven. Last year Linda A and I missed our usual birthday fete...so this was extra nice. Heard about planning Lauren's wedding and other fun things.
We all also discussed our weights...we all want to lose some ...and found that the stress of the last year had not been good for our eating habits. I do eat great food...fresh, well prepared stuff...just too much of it.
So...there you are. The cycle of a year...the joy of not having a scary diagnosis myself, the relief of discovering what the electrical problems are and how to fix them, the pleasure of the company of good friends.
So, Mom, I am thinking of you, and I will continue to try to be the best me that I can, and honor your memory.