Didn't blog last night because I had to watch "Project Runway" and was too sleepy afterwards . . .
I had heard about HEB markets but had never been to one until yesterday. Oh my gosh! It really did seem to have everything. I was delighted to see prepared falafel, a whole Pareve (Kosher) section, and by the fish counter a Japanese man in full sushi attire offering samples of tempura crusted sushi (I didn't like it). I wondered why he smiled at me with a special twinkle in his eye until I realized I was wearing my Japanese woman shirt. I should have said domo arigato. The produce section was spectacular - everything seemed just picked and not all trim and "pretty" - the cabbages were as big as basketballs with part of the stems attached. I cooked my first meal in the new house - chicken, sweet tender artichokes, yams and crunchy cole slaw. Yummy!
Walter was squirrelly last night, pacing, bugging me. Jane kitty was screaming to get out of John's room. So at bedtime I locked Audrey and myself in the bedroom and let Jane and Walter keep each other company. I wish Audrey & Jane would get along, then I wouldn't have to act like a warden.
I've been frustrated about email. I still get STI when I go online. But I can also pick up my Windstream account. But if I try to answer an STI email, it won't to out! Talked to a really nice tech in Detroit who said if I want Outlook w/Windstream I'll lose everything I've saved, including my address book. John (arriving in Fresno today) said just wait until he gets back (two weeks?) and he'll take care of it.
When I took Walter out this morning, Bobby's sheltie and another little dog were lose. Walter started to tangle with the sheltie, which scared me, but it was mostly posturing, so I made him cross Riverhill and we walked by the big rich houses, which I love - old trees, nice landscaping.
When I got back he was still antsy so I threw his ball down the hall and he retrieved it. I did this 5-6 times and now he's napping at my feet. I guess that'll be our new routine until I can find him a place to run free.
I called the local Yoga Space and plan to take a beginner class soon. I said I was 61 and Gwen said "that's young around here". She asked me what I like to do and when I told her she invited me to a AUW meeting tomorrow. Topic: Women in Islamic Society. This is something that has always interested me. I told her I never joined the Association of University Women because I was a free spirit in the old days and never got a degree. She said it didn't matter.
Today I'm off to Fredericksburg to see Deborah and check out the galleries. It's Art Walk tonight but I need to get home for the doggy and don't like to drive at night. Once John's back I hope he'll be my "date" to the monthly Art Walks!
Update on my mom: she's out of the hospital. Had cellulitis - skin infection in her leg - and needed to be on heavy duty antibiotics. My niece Lauren will be with her on the weekend. This is the only sad thing about being so far away, not being able to just drive down and see her.
<sigh>
Friday, October 1, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Walter’s Third Day in Kerrville
After I’ve brushed off the last of the Coarsegold burrs I take Walter for a walk. He’s a town dog now, must be respectable and wait while I remove his poop from the neighbor’s gravel yard.
This morning he shivered afraid of trucks sliding to work down Riverhill Drive . I didn’t realize Riverhill connects Bandera & Medina Highways so now I’ll stick to traipsing over vacant lots and sleepy cul-de-sacs where it looks like no one lives.
Tonight I kiss John goodbye at the door like a real suburban housewife. He’s off to San Antonio
The white Marquis limo pulls silently away as Walter and I begin our walk. Only one noisy, unidentifiable bird squawks at us.
Heading back two neighbors are leaving. It’s recently widowed Bobby and his daughter Jennifer. Walter lunges toward them and they let him lick their fingers - his weathered, her French nailed.
“I worked in obedience training eighteen years,” Bobby says, “they called me The Dog Whisperer”.
“Long before the one on TV,” Jennifer finishes and sure enough within seconds Bobby has the leash and Walter is sitting, basking in the attention.
“We’re dog people” Jennifer says. “My babies are inside.”
We chat for several minutes. Behind us in a grove of trees the herd of local deer graze. They’re so much smaller and more dainty than our California Mule Deer. Walter doesn’t give them a second look.
Walking the last four houses back home Walter remains calm, head high and I praise him, tell him what a good dog he’s been today, his third day in Texas.
Settling In
The last three days I've been running on adrenaline and wonder if today will be my crash day. No wait. I have to take John to San Antonio today to she can return to California for the rest of our things.
We left off in Van Horn. John got up before dawn and I followed about an hour later. The drive was gorgeous but of course I was driving so could no take pictures. I stopped at three rest stops and to get a bite to eat so that when I pulled off the freeway John was right in front of me! My heart swelled to see that big old U-Haul and the Caddie, dull but still elegant, on the trailer behind.
The house looks like it did in the photo. It's the smallest on the block. And this block has some of the smaller houses of the development. Up the hill are gorgeous big mansions with views of the golf course and hills. It appears that many of the homes are vacant, I see no life. John says there're vacation homes for people from Dallas or Houston.
So. We pull up, go in to pee, get the pets settled land the moving helpers arrive. The plan is to bring in beds, table, chairs etc. and finish the rest tomorrow. I still do not venture a peak into the U-Haul. I'm afraid to. Turns out that John did excellent packing. There was not one inch of free space. It was as if a giant vacuum sucked all our possessions into it and compressed. The result was that nothing was broken (except a knob off the washing machine). But as the guys unloaded - bringing first a mattress, then a chair, then bedding - I understood that things would not be in any sort of order.
After two hours we had my box springs and mattress but no sheets; the footboard but not the headboard or sides of the bed. We had no glasses or cups, plates or untensils. No lamps. We could not even offer the workers a drink of water!
Here's the thing about this neighborhood. It looks like a movie set - Stepford Wives, or the Truman Show. No one parks on the street, or even in their driveways. Cars are in garages. Lawns are mowed. Plants are trimmed. Many of the yards are white rock with drought tolerant plants. One yard down the block is ALL white rock, with a gnome like creature sitting on a bench. The house immediately next to us is uninhabited. Must be out of towners? Or people on vacation. I met a neighbor down the street, late seventies, I'd guess, who just returned from a 32 day trip to China, Mongolia, Cambodia. And this, after being home only two days from a road trip to California! "So you're crazy?" I asked.
The fellow across the street, Hilton Ferris, is a retired school superintendent. He said he was happy to see us moving in. The previous tenants had "kids" who parked cars all over the street.
The tenants, or the landlord, patched holes in the walls but did not repaint. The house is actually more my size that our Coarsegold home. I like the design because there are varied angles and it's wide open and bright. We can't see into anyone's windows. The houses seemed to have been designed for privacy. I like the open lot next door which is thick with green grass. It's wet with dew in the mornings. Right now it says 60 degrees outside, but I was perfectly comfortable walking in a long sleeve tee shirt.
But back to Sunday night: John went out and got me a salad from McDonalds. But I could barely eat. I used a curtain for a sheet and went to bed but laid awake, my mind racing. The bedroom has white blinds that let in the moonlight. Audrey thought this was just another hotel and cuddled up with me and Walter was disappointed that I made him sleep in the hall.
Monday we expected two more guys to come at 10 to finish the unloading. We went to Albertsons - a disappointment, the produced sucked and I'll try HEB next time which supposedly carries local produce. (Albertsons had moldy California strawberries. We grabbed some breakfast and headed back to the house.
The guys were darling, athletic college students from San Antonio. They brought in the rest of the furniture and stacked boxes in aisles in the garage.
Here's what John could not fit in the U-Haul: standing lamps, my recliner, my platform rocker, my printer, plants, the microwave, the big box with the print of Santa Monica Bay and other paintings . . . tools.
So here we are with only one old hammer, no screwdrivers or wrenches. I have a simple tool set - a little hammer, screwdrivers, and it's in a wicker basket along with my lotion, nail polish, soap. Do you think I can find it? I thought I remembered Marcus saying "Where to you want this?" and being glad it was found. But did I imagine this? Dream it? It's driving me crazy.
Sheets were found in an unmarked box containing two table lamps. So on Tuesday, after the phone man came and set up our phones and internet and the Dish Network guy set up the satellite, I was able to make my bed. I hung all my clothes - some must become rags, I can't wear them here! - and put away a lot of the kitchen and did a load of laundry (which I hung on racks because the dryer needs an adapter), and got my bathroom pretty well set up.
We bought a decent shower head and a wrench to install it and I took my first wonderful shower in soft water. "It's river water" John said, not the rusty, manganese rich well water we've been used to that stained everything orange and left my skin feeling parched. It dawned on me that more than the water was hard in Coarsegold - when trash day comes I can drag the can to the street. I can drink water directly from the tap instead of having it delivered. I can walk to the curb to pick up my mail, instead of driving 2 miles.
I'm starting to understand why John wanted to "get back to civilization".
The other thing is this: there's a feeling in the air that I have not experienced before. People seem to be happy.
After leaving three unanswered calls for my mother, I get a call from Lauren that Alice is in the hospital with an infection in her leg. The air is taken out of me. I try the hospital three times and finally talk to her just after she's given a sedative. The doctors want to keep her there until Friday.
Worried sick is what I am. But there's nothing I can do from here.
More later . . .
We left off in Van Horn. John got up before dawn and I followed about an hour later. The drive was gorgeous but of course I was driving so could no take pictures. I stopped at three rest stops and to get a bite to eat so that when I pulled off the freeway John was right in front of me! My heart swelled to see that big old U-Haul and the Caddie, dull but still elegant, on the trailer behind.
The house looks like it did in the photo. It's the smallest on the block. And this block has some of the smaller houses of the development. Up the hill are gorgeous big mansions with views of the golf course and hills. It appears that many of the homes are vacant, I see no life. John says there're vacation homes for people from Dallas or Houston.
So. We pull up, go in to pee, get the pets settled land the moving helpers arrive. The plan is to bring in beds, table, chairs etc. and finish the rest tomorrow. I still do not venture a peak into the U-Haul. I'm afraid to. Turns out that John did excellent packing. There was not one inch of free space. It was as if a giant vacuum sucked all our possessions into it and compressed. The result was that nothing was broken (except a knob off the washing machine). But as the guys unloaded - bringing first a mattress, then a chair, then bedding - I understood that things would not be in any sort of order.
After two hours we had my box springs and mattress but no sheets; the footboard but not the headboard or sides of the bed. We had no glasses or cups, plates or untensils. No lamps. We could not even offer the workers a drink of water!
Here's the thing about this neighborhood. It looks like a movie set - Stepford Wives, or the Truman Show. No one parks on the street, or even in their driveways. Cars are in garages. Lawns are mowed. Plants are trimmed. Many of the yards are white rock with drought tolerant plants. One yard down the block is ALL white rock, with a gnome like creature sitting on a bench. The house immediately next to us is uninhabited. Must be out of towners? Or people on vacation. I met a neighbor down the street, late seventies, I'd guess, who just returned from a 32 day trip to China, Mongolia, Cambodia. And this, after being home only two days from a road trip to California! "So you're crazy?" I asked.
The fellow across the street, Hilton Ferris, is a retired school superintendent. He said he was happy to see us moving in. The previous tenants had "kids" who parked cars all over the street.
The tenants, or the landlord, patched holes in the walls but did not repaint. The house is actually more my size that our Coarsegold home. I like the design because there are varied angles and it's wide open and bright. We can't see into anyone's windows. The houses seemed to have been designed for privacy. I like the open lot next door which is thick with green grass. It's wet with dew in the mornings. Right now it says 60 degrees outside, but I was perfectly comfortable walking in a long sleeve tee shirt.
But back to Sunday night: John went out and got me a salad from McDonalds. But I could barely eat. I used a curtain for a sheet and went to bed but laid awake, my mind racing. The bedroom has white blinds that let in the moonlight. Audrey thought this was just another hotel and cuddled up with me and Walter was disappointed that I made him sleep in the hall.
Monday we expected two more guys to come at 10 to finish the unloading. We went to Albertsons - a disappointment, the produced sucked and I'll try HEB next time which supposedly carries local produce. (Albertsons had moldy California strawberries. We grabbed some breakfast and headed back to the house.
The guys were darling, athletic college students from San Antonio. They brought in the rest of the furniture and stacked boxes in aisles in the garage.
Here's what John could not fit in the U-Haul: standing lamps, my recliner, my platform rocker, my printer, plants, the microwave, the big box with the print of Santa Monica Bay and other paintings . . . tools.
So here we are with only one old hammer, no screwdrivers or wrenches. I have a simple tool set - a little hammer, screwdrivers, and it's in a wicker basket along with my lotion, nail polish, soap. Do you think I can find it? I thought I remembered Marcus saying "Where to you want this?" and being glad it was found. But did I imagine this? Dream it? It's driving me crazy.
Sheets were found in an unmarked box containing two table lamps. So on Tuesday, after the phone man came and set up our phones and internet and the Dish Network guy set up the satellite, I was able to make my bed. I hung all my clothes - some must become rags, I can't wear them here! - and put away a lot of the kitchen and did a load of laundry (which I hung on racks because the dryer needs an adapter), and got my bathroom pretty well set up.
We bought a decent shower head and a wrench to install it and I took my first wonderful shower in soft water. "It's river water" John said, not the rusty, manganese rich well water we've been used to that stained everything orange and left my skin feeling parched. It dawned on me that more than the water was hard in Coarsegold - when trash day comes I can drag the can to the street. I can drink water directly from the tap instead of having it delivered. I can walk to the curb to pick up my mail, instead of driving 2 miles.
I'm starting to understand why John wanted to "get back to civilization".
The other thing is this: there's a feeling in the air that I have not experienced before. People seem to be happy.
After leaving three unanswered calls for my mother, I get a call from Lauren that Alice is in the hospital with an infection in her leg. The air is taken out of me. I try the hospital three times and finally talk to her just after she's given a sedative. The doctors want to keep her there until Friday.
Worried sick is what I am. But there's nothing I can do from here.
More later . . .
Saturday, September 25, 2010
It's True - Everything IS Bigger in Texas!
I though of Izabel, driving through southern Arizona - seeing the yellow flowers lining the highway - same as the ones she enjoys in Fresno. Arizona is spectacular - rock formations, sky, cacti. I loved it! New Mexico was more subdued in comparison. But Texas! Man oh man. I hated El Paso - a larger, more agressive LA. In my rearview mirror I saw a trucker in a blue trauck barreling down on the little cars in front of it. I gave him wide berth. Suddenly my windshild was being pummeled - what was it? Bugs? Rocks? No - rain! Gigantic loud splats that woke up the cat. I didn't like it either! Finally we got out of that crazy city into such wide open space I felt a wave of agoraphobia overcome me. The speed limit rose to 80 - EIGHTY! (70 for trucks and 65 for everyone "at night") and instuctions "left lane for passing only". I don't like to go 80! My car whistles and starts to shake and I shake too.
In the distance - and I mean DISTANCE, I don't think I've ever seen so far - were clouds that literally came out of the earth - like big white sea dragons. Bizarre.
I was discouraged to find our hotel was at Exit 138 - how far was that? Then noticed that often numbers were skipped. Maybe I would get in before dark. Suddenly, flashing lights - border security. All trucks must stop. What about me in my little red car?
I slowed to 55 and eventually stopped. A handsome light skinned black man asked, "Where you headed, ma'am?"
"I'm moving from California to Kerrville" I told him. Walter stood up and growled and started to bark at the German Shepherd sniffing the right side of the car. I gave the border patrol office a frightened grimace. Would I be searched?
"Kerrville. . . " he said knowingy. Was he thinking, that Kerrville was tolerant of Californians?
Finally he waved me on. I tried really hard to go 80 but my conscience - thinking of fuel efficiency - kept lifting my foot from the gas pedal.
Then bam! Sign says "Central Time" - and I lost two hours.
I found the hotel just as the sun was setting - a gorgeous cloudy sky - and when I got out of the car fierce wind blew. I walked Walter back and forth but felt like we would both be blown away! Too much wind!!
I hear John checking in. So will sign off. Must get up early tomorrow and head for our hew home. Movers will be there at 4 to unpack beds - oh, yes, turns out John could fit my mattress and box spring in the U-Haul but not the frame! Back to sleeping on the floor. . .he says' he'll bring it when he returns to CA to get the rest of our stuff.
In the distance - and I mean DISTANCE, I don't think I've ever seen so far - were clouds that literally came out of the earth - like big white sea dragons. Bizarre.
I was discouraged to find our hotel was at Exit 138 - how far was that? Then noticed that often numbers were skipped. Maybe I would get in before dark. Suddenly, flashing lights - border security. All trucks must stop. What about me in my little red car?
I slowed to 55 and eventually stopped. A handsome light skinned black man asked, "Where you headed, ma'am?"
"I'm moving from California to Kerrville" I told him. Walter stood up and growled and started to bark at the German Shepherd sniffing the right side of the car. I gave the border patrol office a frightened grimace. Would I be searched?
"Kerrville. . . " he said knowingy. Was he thinking, that Kerrville was tolerant of Californians?
Finally he waved me on. I tried really hard to go 80 but my conscience - thinking of fuel efficiency - kept lifting my foot from the gas pedal.
Then bam! Sign says "Central Time" - and I lost two hours.
I found the hotel just as the sun was setting - a gorgeous cloudy sky - and when I got out of the car fierce wind blew. I walked Walter back and forth but felt like we would both be blown away! Too much wind!!
I hear John checking in. So will sign off. Must get up early tomorrow and head for our hew home. Movers will be there at 4 to unpack beds - oh, yes, turns out John could fit my mattress and box spring in the U-Haul but not the frame! Back to sleeping on the floor. . .he says' he'll bring it when he returns to CA to get the rest of our stuff.
Tzatziki in Tucson
Yesterday was the worst torture day. I was told there were two rest stops between Barstow & Needles and there were but BOTH were closed for upgrades. Immediately after the second was an exit for a diner/gas station. The first pump out of order. Some women asked me how to get to Laughlin. I said I had no idea. I didn't even know where I was going! I went inside and gave my debit card but the man wanted ID and I didn't feel like going back to the car so I just peed (all the women were furious about the rest stops being closed) and left.
Needles was depressing. I bought a taco at Taco Bell but the smell made me nauseus so I tossed it and drank a little iced tea. Neither Walter or Audrey would eat. Audrey seemed comatose in her cage. What if she just died of fright? (Horrible thought: I'll get a kitten!)
John and I spoke - he'd gotten up at 4:30 and was folloing behind me - by about 5 hours. He advised that I "load up" on gas in Blythe. Blythe was a ghost town. Shop after shop closed. I couldn't even find a McDonalds but I saw an Albersons. No shade. 100 degrees. I dashed in and went to the deli. "Do you make sandwiches?" I asked. "There" the clerk pointed to pre-made sandwiches. Yuck. I bought a tuna croissant and got an iced latte at the Starbucks. At a gas station I ate the tuna, tossed the croissant and inhaled the coffee.
Then ARIZONA! - where I should have gotten food and gas. Nice wide highways and 75 mph speed limit. I flew through the desert. Taking the Phoenix Bypass, I thought John had said it was 3 miles to Gila Bend, but it was about 35. Then another 119 to Tucson.
Finally I arrived and instead of making many trips up to the room, I loaded the cart with everything, including my rocklike cat. This time, though, she came out of the carrier and was curious. Jumped up onto the sink where I gave her food and water. I took Walter for a pee-walk then returned to the room for my bathing suit.
AHHHH - I walked down into the empty, shady pool and completely surrendered to the water > floating > flying! Revived, I went back the room and ordered food from a local restaurant. A minute after I stepped out of the shower my gyro and tzatziki sauce, Greek salad & eggplant sandwich arrived (there was $15 minimum so I ordered enough for 2 meals). Food never tasted so good!!
I talked to John and he said he'd be in after 11, so I hope to see him this morning. I saw the U-Haul and the Caddie in the parking lot and my heart swelled. My things!! All crammed in there. And my husband and Jane kitty sleeping in one of these rooms down the hall from me. Audrey visited me in the night several times, purring & woke me by knocking my sunglasses on the floor; Walter woke me when he shook his head rattling his tags. But it was the best night's sleep I've had in months. The cat has forgiven me. The dog likes sniffing new places and tomorrow night we'll be in Kerrville. I'll get so sleep in my own bed in my new home.
Needles was depressing. I bought a taco at Taco Bell but the smell made me nauseus so I tossed it and drank a little iced tea. Neither Walter or Audrey would eat. Audrey seemed comatose in her cage. What if she just died of fright? (Horrible thought: I'll get a kitten!)
John and I spoke - he'd gotten up at 4:30 and was folloing behind me - by about 5 hours. He advised that I "load up" on gas in Blythe. Blythe was a ghost town. Shop after shop closed. I couldn't even find a McDonalds but I saw an Albersons. No shade. 100 degrees. I dashed in and went to the deli. "Do you make sandwiches?" I asked. "There" the clerk pointed to pre-made sandwiches. Yuck. I bought a tuna croissant and got an iced latte at the Starbucks. At a gas station I ate the tuna, tossed the croissant and inhaled the coffee.
Then ARIZONA! - where I should have gotten food and gas. Nice wide highways and 75 mph speed limit. I flew through the desert. Taking the Phoenix Bypass, I thought John had said it was 3 miles to Gila Bend, but it was about 35. Then another 119 to Tucson.
Finally I arrived and instead of making many trips up to the room, I loaded the cart with everything, including my rocklike cat. This time, though, she came out of the carrier and was curious. Jumped up onto the sink where I gave her food and water. I took Walter for a pee-walk then returned to the room for my bathing suit.
AHHHH - I walked down into the empty, shady pool and completely surrendered to the water > floating > flying! Revived, I went back the room and ordered food from a local restaurant. A minute after I stepped out of the shower my gyro and tzatziki sauce, Greek salad & eggplant sandwich arrived (there was $15 minimum so I ordered enough for 2 meals). Food never tasted so good!!
I talked to John and he said he'd be in after 11, so I hope to see him this morning. I saw the U-Haul and the Caddie in the parking lot and my heart swelled. My things!! All crammed in there. And my husband and Jane kitty sleeping in one of these rooms down the hall from me. Audrey visited me in the night several times, purring & woke me by knocking my sunglasses on the floor; Walter woke me when he shook his head rattling his tags. But it was the best night's sleep I've had in months. The cat has forgiven me. The dog likes sniffing new places and tomorrow night we'll be in Kerrville. I'll get so sleep in my own bed in my new home.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Bewildered in Barstow
Yesterday Mike arrived at 10 and he and John proceeded to load the rest of our furniture. I was sure it would not all fit, which angered John. He said I had no faith in him. Our plan was to leave between 1-2. By 1:00 we decided I'd head out and he would follow. Audrey freaked when she got in the carrier, first mewing plaintively then clawing and screaming. Walter took everything in stride. Audrey settled down after about an hour. I stopped in Bakersfield and Walter got to sniff and pee.
I loved seeing the windmills and thought, even on your worst day there is someting wonderful to notice.
Got to Barstow about 6:30 and it took a half hour to unload - set up the litter box, etc. Audrey at first would not come out of the carrier. I finally pulled her out and she hid as far as she could under the sink. Would not even eat tuna. Found that she'd peeded in the carrier.
Just then John called. He was still in Coarsegold!
The plan is for him to get up early and drive all the way to Tucson. It will take me about 8 hours - him 14? I have no idea.
This a.m. took Walter to wild open desert next to the hotel to sniff and do his business. Audrey finally visited me in the night several times, curiously sniffing. Hardly slept. The bank of air conditioners right outside my window.
Better eat and hit the road.
I loved seeing the windmills and thought, even on your worst day there is someting wonderful to notice.
Got to Barstow about 6:30 and it took a half hour to unload - set up the litter box, etc. Audrey at first would not come out of the carrier. I finally pulled her out and she hid as far as she could under the sink. Would not even eat tuna. Found that she'd peeded in the carrier.
Just then John called. He was still in Coarsegold!
The plan is for him to get up early and drive all the way to Tucson. It will take me about 8 hours - him 14? I have no idea.
This a.m. took Walter to wild open desert next to the hotel to sniff and do his business. Audrey finally visited me in the night several times, curiously sniffing. Hardly slept. The bank of air conditioners right outside my window.
Better eat and hit the road.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Last Day in Cali?
Advil PM didn't do it last night. Dog kept shaking his head, rattling his tags. Worried about how much still to do. Packed clothes this a.m. Now must get back to it!
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