Last nite I picked up a call, a sobbing voice on the other end of the line. The cast from the Seafair weekend accident had come off and now surgery is deemed necessary immediately. Taxes are due, and the bills from the emergency visit are demanding payment. While other of my daughters rich friends are plunking down money on their first house, this one is learning the insurance lesson the hard way. Suggestions that she ask me for help with our homeowners insurance liability come up. I try to stay level headed. I have just come out of another chemo treatment that morning. I want to reach over the line and just give her a big hug. This is Nothing! But to a 27old with no steady job, no insurance and bills with no end in sight, it is everything.
It's late, but I pick up the phone to ask my doctor friends their opinion on how to deal with hospital bills. I think I should have learned the lesson years ago when we had a wake board accident and a guest fractured his jaw. Those kids in their 20s think they are invincible, but I remember the simpler days when I was one of them and quite invisible myself.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Yoga Sunday
9;30-Hydrate, dress, get ready early because class fills up quickly. I run around the house collecting towel, drink, yoga mat-which have all chaotically migrated to all ends of the house-it's been a long time since I have done this for myself.
Our instructor starts the class out with child's pose, and a low monotone voice, gently taking us inward, focusing on our breathing. It is a good class for me. Lots of continuous movements, but plenty of time to meditate and stretch also.
I took Mo to the farmer's market after class. We both laughed as I said Erica and I had quite a view from our upward dog directly into the open crotch of exposed pantyless erotica. I commented on the instructor's views as he walked the class and touched sweaty bodies, moving them into more strenuous poses. Mo said "you know there isn't one person who doesn't have a crush on the instructor". I started to negate the comment. Don't we all need to be encouraged at the this state by an attentive touch and soothing words? "Does that feel OK-how is that for you now?.... Oh yeah! Yoga Bliss...
Our instructor starts the class out with child's pose, and a low monotone voice, gently taking us inward, focusing on our breathing. It is a good class for me. Lots of continuous movements, but plenty of time to meditate and stretch also.
I took Mo to the farmer's market after class. We both laughed as I said Erica and I had quite a view from our upward dog directly into the open crotch of exposed pantyless erotica. I commented on the instructor's views as he walked the class and touched sweaty bodies, moving them into more strenuous poses. Mo said "you know there isn't one person who doesn't have a crush on the instructor". I started to negate the comment. Don't we all need to be encouraged at the this state by an attentive touch and soothing words? "Does that feel OK-how is that for you now?.... Oh yeah! Yoga Bliss...
Seafair weekend
It's the weekend of the year the kids would not miss. They return home like Capistrano swallows to do their thing on Lake Washington. I pray harder each year for their safety over the drunken 3 day weekend. I remember calmer days as the activities were building and the Blue Angels started their flying shows; after all, they are the thunder in the air-the stars of the show.
This year we have a new dock and once again everyone is home-Dan and Erica (who is taking her turn as designated driver and responsibly refraining from drinking) too. Tyler and Tyler (he now has a 1 year-newborn baby at the wedding) have each moored their boats at the dock. Holsteads are at the Casa. They all head out...I get a calm call from Erica at 8PM not wanting to alert me or set me into panic mode. She and her girlfriend are on their way to emergency-her girlfriend sliped getting off the boat onto our new dock. Thank God the sign the kids posted did not produce resutls. "Boat moorage for Seafair $600". Erica's girlfriend ends up with (no insurance) a broken thumb, arm cast, cracked rib, and a what appears the next day when I get a look at it, to be a dozen stitches for a deep gash in her right leg-no insurance for pain pills. Ouch! We made it thru another year!
I participated this year-heading out from our awesome party at the Dierickx's house on Backes' boat before the final hydroplane laps. It's been years since I've been to the front line-log boom. We are bombarded with water balloons and water guns that nearly miss us-the day is in the 90's so the cool spray is welcomed. My back pains still alert me that the white cells are being manufactured up the spine marrow, but the pain is minimal and I can hop in the water and float around without worries. The chemo is working. I can feel results!
Yoga is in order SOON.
This year we have a new dock and once again everyone is home-Dan and Erica (who is taking her turn as designated driver and responsibly refraining from drinking) too. Tyler and Tyler (he now has a 1 year-newborn baby at the wedding) have each moored their boats at the dock. Holsteads are at the Casa. They all head out...I get a calm call from Erica at 8PM not wanting to alert me or set me into panic mode. She and her girlfriend are on their way to emergency-her girlfriend sliped getting off the boat onto our new dock. Thank God the sign the kids posted did not produce resutls. "Boat moorage for Seafair $600". Erica's girlfriend ends up with (no insurance) a broken thumb, arm cast, cracked rib, and a what appears the next day when I get a look at it, to be a dozen stitches for a deep gash in her right leg-no insurance for pain pills. Ouch! We made it thru another year!
I participated this year-heading out from our awesome party at the Dierickx's house on Backes' boat before the final hydroplane laps. It's been years since I've been to the front line-log boom. We are bombarded with water balloons and water guns that nearly miss us-the day is in the 90's so the cool spray is welcomed. My back pains still alert me that the white cells are being manufactured up the spine marrow, but the pain is minimal and I can hop in the water and float around without worries. The chemo is working. I can feel results!
Yoga is in order SOON.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Sailing
Part of going AWOL is getting away from the interruptions of the day-the cell phone, the computer, and people who demand your attention (they would even if you were in a yoga class)-so sailing is an amazing experience with new focus. Originally we talked of doing an overnight to Pt. Townsend (another great escape) but it seemed no one had the time-too many commitments...The list of those who were able to join us dwindled, and eventually there were 5 of us left including my brother, Robin and wife, Karen, Debbie, my friend from Japan (well that was nearly 40 yrs ago), Sue (our children grew up together (that was nearly 30 yrs ago-the kids are married now), and ME, and Deb's dog, Delila.
We arrived at the Everett marina after blueberry pancakes and a goodbye to Dad, and Hanna and Dean who leave from Bellingham today to fly home to San Diego. We packed combined picnic lunch of smoked salmon, pasta salad, special banana bread, sub sandwiches, chips and bottle of wine. Since the winds are always unpredictable, Rob suggested we eat while the boat was still flat, so we chowed before heading out into 16 knot winds. The weather had cooled from Seafair hot week to the 80's. I donned my sweatshirt but left the bald head exposed for a dose of vitamin D. The day did not disappoint us as we glided by the buoy we saw a lonely sea lion basking in the sun flanked by huge navy ships seemingly abandoned.
Each of us got a lesson on sailing the boat and careless abandon lead to serious concentration of the power of the wind. The expressions on the faces changed and we spoke of scary times in our past, death, and things that we fear. The music took us to the 70's and 80's and I noticed with some anticipation that individuals would isolate themselves and drift off into thought mesmerized by the waves, water, and sparkling sunshine reflection. The enormity of the world dissected into one small and beautiful segment for us to revel in and reflect on. Both the time out and learning moments were gifts to the beauty of the day. We laughed without abandon and headed into lighted breezes between Camano and Whidby Islands-Saratogo Passage.
Six hours passed quickly. Robin docked perfectly, backing his 47 foot sailboat into his slip surrounded by equally expensive boat and new dock at the marina. We headed to Skuttlebutt, the local brewery, for a great dinner of shrimp, fish and chips, and local beer.
We arrived at the Everett marina after blueberry pancakes and a goodbye to Dad, and Hanna and Dean who leave from Bellingham today to fly home to San Diego. We packed combined picnic lunch of smoked salmon, pasta salad, special banana bread, sub sandwiches, chips and bottle of wine. Since the winds are always unpredictable, Rob suggested we eat while the boat was still flat, so we chowed before heading out into 16 knot winds. The weather had cooled from Seafair hot week to the 80's. I donned my sweatshirt but left the bald head exposed for a dose of vitamin D. The day did not disappoint us as we glided by the buoy we saw a lonely sea lion basking in the sun flanked by huge navy ships seemingly abandoned.
Each of us got a lesson on sailing the boat and careless abandon lead to serious concentration of the power of the wind. The expressions on the faces changed and we spoke of scary times in our past, death, and things that we fear. The music took us to the 70's and 80's and I noticed with some anticipation that individuals would isolate themselves and drift off into thought mesmerized by the waves, water, and sparkling sunshine reflection. The enormity of the world dissected into one small and beautiful segment for us to revel in and reflect on. Both the time out and learning moments were gifts to the beauty of the day. We laughed without abandon and headed into lighted breezes between Camano and Whidby Islands-Saratogo Passage.
Six hours passed quickly. Robin docked perfectly, backing his 47 foot sailboat into his slip surrounded by equally expensive boat and new dock at the marina. We headed to Skuttlebutt, the local brewery, for a great dinner of shrimp, fish and chips, and local beer.
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