London, Day One

Seems a bit dorky as Day One starts at around 4pm London time.  For us this day started when we woke up on Thursday in Prescott.  Chores included changing the sheets so Dakota, the house/cat sitter, can sleep on clean sheets.  Toss the towels in the washer for the same reason.  Clean out the shower of our "stuff" and provide her with room and a fresh bar of soap (a pet peeve of mine because it was a pet peeve of my Mom's).

Calm down the cats.  When they see two large suitcases they know that we are both leaving and none of them are happy about it.  Tommy and Harvey were especially gloomy, extra scratches and loving didn't hurt.

Downstairs to ensure the cat's other bathroom was acceptable.  Vacuumed, shook out all the rugs, changed the litter.  Looks great.

Make a few more notes for the cat sitter and looked out the window to see Arizona Shuttle pull up to the stop sign and make a left -- wonder if he'll find our street or overshoot like most people.

We love the shuttle service.  You can park for free in their lot and the ride to/from Phoenix (PHX) is $37 each way.  For $15 more they will pick you up at your house.  Leaving my car in their lot for a few days is one thing, I didn't want to do that for three weeks.

So we're finally ready for our adventure to begin!

Get to the airport three hours ahead of our flight, get checked in and start wandering, grab a quick dinner and wait to board the plane. 

I always fly Premium Economy these days, I'm too old to go in steerage.  I've only been flying Air France so that is all I have to compare to ... British Airways doesn't hold a candle to Air France.  Chairs were small, TV was smaller, food was mediocre, cocktails were hosted, so that was nice.  I watched movies, one after the other because that's how I roll. 

Still unable to sleep on a plane, I just need to help the captain fly, manage the turbulence, line up for landing and ensure we get there, no time for sleep. 

Arrived, found our luggage, customs was a breeze (that was a nice experience) and found our driver (always a bit nerve-wracking) and headed to our hotel.  Never experienced a more convoluted entrance into the city, tiny roads, turn right, right, left, right, straight, left, left, etc.  Felt like we were driving in circles.  Finally arrived and got checked into the hotel, found our group and had the welcome chat and then a lovely dinner. 

Our hotel overlooks the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.  Funny, I always thought the Tower of London was one of the Towers on the bridge.  Not.  The Tower is not just a tower, it's an entire compound comprising 45 acres!  See that large building in the center?  That's where the armory is located.  Moving from the left corner of that building to the left corner of the next outter ring is the entrance to see the crown jewels.  If you EVER get an opportunity to visit London and have time to see the Crown Jewels, DO NOT PASS UP THAT OPPORTUNITY!  The swords, the vestments, the crowns, the orb, the spoon, the sceptre -- really, its all too much!

They didn't allow pictures -- which would not have done anything justice, but still, no pictures.  Bummer!

Got up this morning after an attempt at sleep to a nice breakfast and we were off on a bus tour of this interesting city. 

Our room overlooks the Thames River and the Hanvengore, the barge that took William Churchill's body to Waterloo for burial.  Doesn't look like much from the window, but it's pretty nice up close.

Hanvengore

There have been 5 different Tower Bridges over history -- remember the song, "London Bridge is falling down..."  Well, yes, it was.  It was torn down and aother put in its place,  And then another.  This is a pic of the 4th iteration of London Bridge.  It was purchased, dismantled and moved to Arizona, where I understand many very old things have chosen to move there to recover.

4th Tower Bridge, now spanning a portion of Lake Havasu

This is the current Tower Bridge.  Quite lovely and all lit up at night,

Current Tower Bridge

Still have much to say and share about today, but I didn't sleep well last night and it's catching up to me.  More details and many more pictures to come.

Epistaxis is the Medical Term for Nose Bleed

And I have had many, many since moving to Prescott.  Three have been truly epic until tonight.  What's a bigger word for epic?  Ginormous?  On-Beyond-Outrageous?  Behemoth?  I don't know.

About six months ago we visited Sharon in Southern Arizona (South of Tuscon) and had to cancel several planned side trips due to the infamous exploding nose.  Quite frustrating.  Each explosion lasted about an hour and I was exhausted with the loss of blood.  The big one in Prescott went on forever, it seemed at the time, another hour-long extravaganza. 

Today, the day before we leave for 19 days in the UK, I looked up and saw a bunch of cars parked down by Sue's house and wondered what that was about -- and then I remembered, she was having a tea for a potential politician she was supporting.  After she extended an invitation (and I accepted knowing it would be tight) I looked further into him and his politics and, yes Sue, I did vote for him on my absentee ballot; I failed to put it on my calendar and completely forgot about it.  Well, he got my vote and as far as Sue knows, I'm just a lousy no show.  My bad.

I was in the middle of last minute chaos and trying to organize my thoughts.  Acceptable earrings.  CRAP, I needed to put my diamond studs in the safe and grab my gold hoops and studs that I wear when traveling.  Off to the safe, grab what I need and march back into the kitchen.  I've been dealing with a drippy nose all day, such an aggravation.  Grab a Kleenex to wipe my nose and there is blood everywhere!  Oh good grief, I simply don't have time for that.

Sit down, head back, tissue crammed into both nostrils, try to relax, breath through the mouth, squeeze top of nose.  Last several bleeds lasted a few minutes and this should be no difference.

After about 15 minutes of heavy bleeding, I move to the sofa (because the bed is covered with my clothes) so that I could lay down.  Gary is concerned and grabs his phone.  He googles "How to Stop a Nosebleed".  He starts reading:  sit up and slightly forward (what?!)  Something to do with gravity.  I leaned over the trash can and simply bled directly into it while pinching the bridge of my nose, no slowing down.  After what felt like about 40 minutes I announced that I was ready to go to the Emergency Room. 

Mind you I had my physical YESTERDAY!  BP was 136/62 and A1C was a perfect 5.0, he took me off one of my meds.  Down 35 pounds since retirement and feeling great.  What the heck?  I need to be on a very long plane ride in just over 24 hours!

In the ER I looked at the clock:  it was 7:00 I had been bleeding for 2 hours, not 40 minutes.  And my BP was 179/92 (oops I forgot to take my BP med this morning).

This is my very first experience in an ER (and with luck it will be my last).  The place was jammed!  Gary had to go park the truck and the Security Guard brought me a wheelchair, he was very kind and gentle -- but I get unnerved around guns and he had a big one on his hip.  I sincerely appreciated his help and thanked him profusely, I no longer had to stand.  Someone from triage pulled me into a room and ask the thousand questions ... the first was my birth date which I thought was odd.  I gave her that info, then she asked my last name.  I answered and then said, I'm not in your system, I've never been here.  And she looked at me and said, "Sharon Beaumont?"  What the heck?  I LOVE EHR (Electronic Health Records).  My Primary Care Physician is somehow connected to Yavapai Medical Center and they could just grab his records.  The records were updated yesterday with a brand new allergy I've never had before and she asked me about it!  Wow, I was impressed.  She grabbed a nose closer and jammed it on my nose:

This little plastic charm clamps down HARD on your nose!  

After four of them committed suicide we finally got one to hang on.

Then she went on: is this from a trauma or did it simply explode?  Seriously?  Look at me!  No black eyes, no broken nose, just blood and its EVERYWHERE!  She was also kind and asked more questions about pain and illness and and and.  No, I'm fine or will be when we can make this stop!  She promptly put me into CC3 (critical care unit, room 3) and a very nice nurse, Brandon, asked me about 3,000 more questions.  And then we waited. 

The RN had helped me out of my shirt and into a gown.  It wasn't until we were leaving that I got a look at the front of my shirt -- COVERED in dried blood.  Gross, it's in the trash now.  (Sharon, it was my red super cute shirt from Jerome, now we need to go back!)

And it bled for another 30 minutes.  And then it slowed down.  And then it stopped.  I asked Gary for the Afrin from my purse.

I visited an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) doc about six months ago and he suggested Afrin which will cause all the swelling to release.  Turns out it's not worth a thing if you can't snort (I'm terribly afraid I've ventured into overshare-land, sorry, I need to get this out of my system).  One of the things that I do when I'm disturbed is write.  Really, there is some good stuff in this if you don't know much about Epistaxis.

No more bleeding.  Good.  But feeling rather gross.  And then BAM I start coughing and gagging and finally hacked up two ENORMOUS blood clots.  And the clouds parted and the angels sang.  The swelling didn't just go down, it disappeared!  "Gary, grab the Afrin!"  I snorted it and felt like a new person.

It took about another 30 minutes for the doc to come in.  She looked around and couldn't discern anything looking like something she could cauterize, so recommended I continue with the Aryn saline gel and have a very fine time in the UK.  Departing BP was 149/79.  Remember this is without my BP med today.  I was happy -- and thrilled to be going home at 9:00pm. 

Our shuttle picks us up at noon tomorrow.  I have much to do before then.  Thinking I'll remember to take my meds in the morning!  Afrin is your friend -- but no more than 3 days otherwise it causes all kinds of problems.  I meant to ask about the sitting up and leaning forward -- that sounded so counter intuitive -- but I'm not an MD. 

The doc gave me a lovely parting gift (loved that that is a quote from her!): my very own traveling noseclip...just in case!

Geeking Out

It was our turn to visit with Sharon at her house in Green Valley (about 40 minutes south of  Tucson).  Being the extraordinary hostess that she is, she arranged activities to keep us busy and on the go!  Being the challenging guest that I am, I spent most of the first day on my back with the worst nose bleed(s) I've ever had.  Completely blew off the historic Canoa Ranch visit AND the Titan Missile Museum (sorry Gary, next time for sure)!  I was well long enough for a short visit to Tubac for some very light weight shopping but the schnooz blew up again on our way to the Titan, so we turned around and went back home.  Will make appointment to have that looked at next week.

The next day I was full of cooperation and we made the trip to Tuscon.  We parked on the west side of town and picked up the new trolley car all the way to the University of Arizona.  Not only is it a beautiful campus but it is fascinating!

UA is home to the largest production of telescope mirrors in the world.  Located underneath the football stadium seating area (not the football field itself, the mirror production site is mighty impressive.  They are currently working on polishing the 5th mirror for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) in Chile.  This baby will hold seven mirrors, each 28 feet in diameter weighing 25 tons each.  This is number 5 being polished.  These mirrors are ground into a parabolic shape with about 18 inches difference from the uppermost sides to the center.

If you look closely at the first picture on the far side you can see the odd computer below.  This piece of equipment measures the exact pressure necessary to ensure the polishing is exactly given the required slope.  Each of the cylinders sends a message to the arm about the necessary pressure for its current location on the mirror.  The enormous 3 story room we are in is a constant 70-71 degrees with precise 70% humidity.  Our docent remarked that the guys who work in the room are proud to have the softest skin around!  (My nose was sure happy to be hydrated again.)

This picture shows the other mirror about to be "flipped over" so that they can work on the back of the mirror.  64 points of attachment aid in the lifting and flipping with no stress on any given point.

This crane can accommodate 45 TONS of lift and maneuvering.

Someone asked how thick was the foundation.  Most of the foundation is 12 feet thick and rests on 50 Kevlar air bags to mitigate any vibrations.  However look at the pylons holding up the flipping mechanism.  The floor under each of them (there are three) is 60 feet thick!

Once the mirrors are ready to be shipped to Chile they are loaded into a specially made box that is temperature and humidity controlled, wrapped in FIVE MILES of bubble wrap (the box costs $1.5 million but is reusable, I asked) and loaded onto an extra wide flat bed headed to Long Beach to be loaded onto a ship.  The flat bed leaves UA at 2:00 am and travels 2 miles an hour.  I believe he said it takes a week to get there.  Once it finally makes it to Chile it travels up the mountain at 1 mile an hour on another flat bed.  A giant earth mover pulls it up the mountain while the tractor of the flat bed truck is pushing (in reverse).  It takes two days to make the 23 mile trip.  The GMT is a product of a consortium of universities and the Smithsonian. 

My brain was hurting after our two hour tour but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Well done, Sharon!

Military Memories

Irish and her husband, Hank, came to visit for a few days this week.  They live in Virginia.  Irish and I have been friends since we were in the Army together in 1971.  Yes, for 47 years!  We promised each other that we would live next door to each other with a gate in the fence between our backyards.  Yea, that never happened.

Her visit brought about so many memories of those years.  And the years in between.

Vietnam years versus today.  It continues to amaze me that when someone learns that I'm a Veteran and they say "Thank you for your service" that it never fails to bring tears to my eyes.  I still shy away from that simple statement of gratitude.  Because I remember.

I remember being spit upon and being called a "baby killer."  I remember having to be bused to the Pentagon from Ft Myer because it was too dangerous to be in uniform.  I remember the nasty stares at the airport when we had to fly in uniform to get the military discount.  I remember being required to dress in civilian clothes when I working in downtown Washington DC -- it was too dangerous to be seen in uniform.  We were called horrific names.  It was such a horrible time.

I recently saw The Post at the theater and it brought back such profound memories.  Yes, I worked at the Pentagon Telecommunication Center when the Pentagon Paper came out.  And when the plane hit the Pentagon on 9-11 the first thing I did was Google the location of the hit to ensure that my area was still safe.

And I've been reflecting on those times, my memories of it all, the people that I knew, the experiences that I had.  Was it dark?  Was it a move into the light?

Then I began reflecting on 9-11.  The horror of it all, the sense of community that it brought about.  I visited Ground Zero a few years ago with a dear friend, Bea.  I found it profoundly moving.

Our fighting men and women today.  My memories of yesterday.  Trying to put it all together.

Obviously I'm babbling.  But I felt a strong need to put this out there.  Gary and I had lunch at a local restaurant today.  The couple across the isle from us were charming and we chatted a bit about what we had ordered.  He was wearing a hat that proclaimed VETERAN.  I chocked on the words, "thank you for your service."  Although I wanted to say that, I chocked -- because I don't think I could say all the words without tearing up -- which I didn't want to do.

When we moved to Arizona I immediately researched license plates.  I've had my personalized plate in California for many years:  SHON W  I was thrilled when I found out that it was available in Arizona.  And then I discovered that I could have that on a Women's Veteran plate -- which I immediately ordered. Then I discovered that I could have a diamond surround (thanks, Haley!)

Just so that you know:  I am proud to be a Vietnam Veteran.  I just don't talk about it much.

Oh, the things I obsess over.....

It has taken 2 1/2 months to find the elusive napkin holder.  From the photo it looks sort of thrashed, something that would need to be replaced because it's obviously been used.  While we have replaced several things that we couldn't find (and unearthed them exactly after we had used the replacements so they couldn't be returned), I was adamantly unwilling to purchase a replacement for my napkin holder.  It would simply be wrong and I put my foot down...hard.

My brother made this in high school wood shop.  Shortly after he gave it to my mother, he died in a terrible accident.  Chuck and I shared one class together that year, one of the few that had both juniors and seniors, Chemistry.  It was a difficult class for me and when I returned to school after the funeral I was terrified of going to Chemistry class because his seat would be empty and we had been lab partners.

Chuck and I had always been close; both of us were shy and didn't make friends easily.  This was a new school and neither of us were "joiners", most of the kids had grown up in the Claremont school system.  We were new.

I remember walking into the class and was surprised because Lorna was sitting in Chuck's seat.  She was one of the outcasts in the school, I didn't know her but I knew that she was an outcast.  She had been assigned to the other side of the room but moved her seat before I got to class.  I think she saved my sanity that year as I struggled to find my footing after loosing my best friend.  We had moved to Claremont during the summer of 1967; this was February 1968.  I never went to a HS reunion after graduation and have lost track of Lorna, but I have never forgotten her or her incredible kindness.  She taught me a valuable lesson that day.

At some point one of my other brothers made the same napkin holder and gave it to Mom.  I asked for Chuck's and have had it ever since.  It doesn't look like something I'd obsess over, but it is.  February 12th will be the 50th anniversary of his death.  I miss him still.

Remembering the past

Back in the early 1920's my Grandfather, Walter J, was attending Princeton to earn his Master's degree (he eventually earned his PhD and taught at George Washington University, but that was later).  While at Princeton he joined a fraternity (I don't know which one, my daughter probably does). 

At any rate, he and his frat brothers all had girlfriends.  Walter was in love with Marie.  He loved her deeply.  I happen to know this because he saved everything that he felt was important.  So did Marie.  I have all their love letters while they were courting.  They are so very proper and sweet.

We always referred to Walter as Granddaddy and Marie as Rea.  While still in college his close frat brothers all decided to purchase candlestick holders.  They kept one and gave the mate to their girlfriends.  After all had married, only Walter J had a pair of candlesticks.

My mother ended up with the pair.  She only ever displayed one so I didn't find out the story until just a few years before she passed.  I was cleaning out some closets upstairs and found the mate!  I remember bringing it downstairs to match it up with the one on display and asked Mom about the significance.  She told me the story.  She had never liked the pair but thought the single one was more interesting.  After she passed and my brothers and I were splitting up the estate, I took one and my brother took the mate.  I have loved having mine in the living room in a place of honor.  Makes me remember my grandparents and my Mom. 

A week ago my daughter, Lori, texted me this picture with the caption:  Look what I found!

While it's not a twin (there are slight differences), I was thrilled!  "How much?" I demanded.  "Buy it now!" when she replied.

It was nasty when she arrived, but a bit of brass polish and elbow grease and it looks great!  The new one will be displayed in the downstairs great room.  They are clearly from the same foundry with different cups and slightly different base, all else is identical. 

I love family history.  I wonder how the second one came to be in an antique shop in Eureka, CA.  My grandparents lived in New York, Washington DC and Maine. 

Gary is recovering from the plague which he got 5 days ago and Lori is coming down with it.  It will be a quiet Christmas tomorrow, but I'm happy to have my family close by -- but not too close :)  Merry Christmas!

Getting to Know Prescott

I've only ever lived in one small town (I'm not including the many Air Force Bases growing up because those are very transitory places, even though I loved it).  I've always thought of  small towns as straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  My one experience was Garberville, California.  It was such an interesting experience living there for 18 years (but I'm pretty certain that Mr. Rockwell would not have visited).  It was full of small town charm and drama, generosity and drugs, philanthropy and villainy.  If you were looking for it you could find it, it has a bit of everything.  It is also home to our many wonderful friends that we both dearly miss.

We left Garberville for Prescott at the end of October.  Other than facing the mountain of boxes we still have, we have been busy learning about our new home and community.  I think we are going to love living here regardless of how much we miss our friends in the redwoods.

Let me tell you just a tiny bit about Prescott (I'm only beginning to learn about this amazing community.  A week ago Friday (December 1st) was the lighting of the Courthouse Square.  The square is in the center of "old town", about two blocks square with the old Courthouse in the center, lots of trees, well kept lawn, seating, a bandstand near the front and completely surrounded by interesting shops, bars (one street is called Whiskey Row), a post office and City Hall.  It's a lovely piece of property, typically bustling with locals and tourists enjoying this beautiful square.  They are sitting on picnic blankets, walking dogs, chatting with friends and neighbors and generally enjoying the atmosphere. 

They usually have 5-6 thousand attendees, this year the paper estimates that 10,000 people came to watch.  We read about it the next day.  Gary and I haven't ventured out at night except once to attend a Welcome to the Neighborhood party in our neighborhood.  It was amazing and fun and friendly, but I'll get to that.  We will definitely try to get there next year.

Last Friday was Acker Night.  Now this is what I wanted to get to.  Again we didn't attend but will next year.  

Let me tell you about Acker Night:  THIS is what a small town should be all about!  It's an evening of music.  EVERY business is open and every business has some sort of live music going.  From a single guitar player to a band, to choirs, to bands of every size and style.  Why have they been enjoying this evening for 29 years?  To raise money for scholarships for music in the schools!  Seriously, the entire community (with with guests who visit annually over this specific weekend so that they can attend).  Many of the performers are giving back because they were lucky enough to be a recipient of scholarship funds when they were in school.  This is a hugely anticipated event, my chiropractors receptionist just bubbled as she was telling me how important this evening would be.

We are looking forward to next year when we feel a bit more comfortable.

We continue to tackle boxes, emptying one, filling another.  Why do we wait until we get here to decide what to get rid of?  We've taken two trucks full of "stuff" to the D.A.V. (Disabled American Vets) for donation.  

Still haven't found the napkin holder!  Gary said, "Oh, for heaven sake, buy a new one!"

No, my brother made it in high school in wood shop.  I want THAT one.

Well, it's time to get into the garage and help Gary deal with yet another set of racks.  We moved from a spectacular and enormous custom kitchen to a very small one that is awkwardly set up.  I have three gorilla racks in the garage full of kitchen stuff (including our small refrigerator and thank goodness for that as our Viking refrigerator blew up two weeks ago and the home warranty people have been slow getting the necessary parts).  Moving isn't for the faint of heart!  More later!

I love Prescott!