Another adventure with Bertha. I have already talked about the relative insanity of our trip out here with things breaking left and right. Really, other than the awning crashing down on I 70 in the middle of Kansas, none of the other stuff was really a big deal. I mean, who has hot running water and a flush toilet in a tent? And that is the only camping I have done for 20 some years. It was a combination of disappointment that all the stuff was breaking and that it was making my dream trip with Jonny a little more of a nightmare that made me nuts. I managed just fine without the amenities. But I did pay for them and for the inspection of them.
So, when the rapid response team of Camping World jumped right on the case after I posted my story on their forum I thought I was really going to get some help from them. After talking to a bunch of folks and taking a bunch of pics of the various parts that didn't work, and yada yada yada, I had an appt w/ the Camping World in Albuquerque this Saturday to fix things. At least I thought I did. After driving 2 1/2 hours on Friday night and paying to stay in a hotel so I could be there at 8 AM as requested, I showed up to the best imitation of a deer in the headlights I have ever seen. They had no idea I was coming, couldn't do what needed to be done, and were assholes on top of it. So I took my hot water/toiletless Bertha back to Old Town and had a margarita. I am so done with Camping World. I can get by without all the fancy pants amenities like hot water. As long as she runs okay and gets me where I need to go I am happy.
I did meet up with an old high school acquaintance in Albuquerque. At least we went to school at the same place. I don't think we hung out much. In fact, I'm not sure I remember her. But it was fun meeting up with someone from my home town and her hubbie. And I wandered the streets of Old Town for hours. Last time I was there was 1986. Not much has changed. Other than that I was able to check my email whilst waiting for dinner.
Today me and Otis hit up the Petsmart on our way out of town. Ooowee. A trip to Albuquerque and I come away with a bag of dog food (which I hope my boy with the sensitive stomach will tolerate) and a t- shirt for Jonny. It's a good one. A picture of the Santa Maria. The caption is: Illegal Immigration Started in 1942. Great for a history teacher! Oh, and he is now assigned to a HS in Tulsa, will teach social studies, and is going to try to get in on the baseball staff.
Oh, the title of this post..... Albuquerque has definitely been using the Breaking Bad connection to it's advantage. Everywhere is selling t-shirts w/references to the famous series. And I stopped in the candy shop that made the original rock candy that was the prop for the first 2 seasons, before it was blue. They even had a bald guy there that people were taking pics with. That was a bit much for me. Meth is not a joke folks.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
4 days without having to replace the blinds!!
I have made it through another week, and 4 days without surprises from the canine wonder. I think he is settling in. Of course it helps that I am now getting up at 6 to walk him to the dog park and let him run around before I go to work, and do the same after work. And I have been feeding him home made grub. I think of his problem was an upset tummy. So I went to Walmart and loaded up on chicken, lean ground beef, and rice to make for him. Suggested by some online site. What was sad was that what I had in my cart was far superior, nutritionally speaking, to the contents of any other cart in line. It seems that everyone lives on white bread, bologna, hot dogs, chips, twinkies and Coke, cuz that was what virtually every cart was filled with.
Another plus to the night time routine is that we have taken to walking from the park to the downtown area where they have Native dancing every night. Last night we saw some Zuni dancers performing the deer dance and the buffalo dance. Plus they usually perform some music. And I didn't realize it until I looked up the web site (nightlyindiandance.com) but the dancing area looks like a Papago basket from above.
I haven't hit it up yet, but when Rich comes to visit next week we are going to do a family outing to the dog park, then to the dances, and then to the food cart. Portland, eat your heart out. We are going to have mutton sandwiches on fry bread. Or maybe a Navajo burger (burger on fry bread). Or a Navajo taco(taco fixings on fry bread).
From the above paragraphs it should be obvious what kind of medical problems I have been treating. Diabetes and High blood pressure. Everyone has it. I really wish I knew where this diet came from. I mean, an occasional fry bread something is okay, but some of these guys have fry bread with every meal. I am relatively certain it was not a part of the ancestral food fare.
Until today I was seeing patients with chronic illnesses that were being followed at the clinic. I was amazed at how well spoken they were, how well dressed all were, most knew at least some of their meds, and were interested in learning about their disease processes and were willing to make some changes to get better. Today I started doing the walk in clinic. Now I am getting introduced to the seedier side of the res. All of a sudden I am seeing the consequences of fights under the influence of alcohol, drug seekers, and folks just wanting the magic pill. I think life is going to get more interesting. And sad.
Another plus to the night time routine is that we have taken to walking from the park to the downtown area where they have Native dancing every night. Last night we saw some Zuni dancers performing the deer dance and the buffalo dance. Plus they usually perform some music. And I didn't realize it until I looked up the web site (nightlyindiandance.com) but the dancing area looks like a Papago basket from above.
I haven't hit it up yet, but when Rich comes to visit next week we are going to do a family outing to the dog park, then to the dances, and then to the food cart. Portland, eat your heart out. We are going to have mutton sandwiches on fry bread. Or maybe a Navajo burger (burger on fry bread). Or a Navajo taco(taco fixings on fry bread).
From the above paragraphs it should be obvious what kind of medical problems I have been treating. Diabetes and High blood pressure. Everyone has it. I really wish I knew where this diet came from. I mean, an occasional fry bread something is okay, but some of these guys have fry bread with every meal. I am relatively certain it was not a part of the ancestral food fare.
Until today I was seeing patients with chronic illnesses that were being followed at the clinic. I was amazed at how well spoken they were, how well dressed all were, most knew at least some of their meds, and were interested in learning about their disease processes and were willing to make some changes to get better. Today I started doing the walk in clinic. Now I am getting introduced to the seedier side of the res. All of a sudden I am seeing the consequences of fights under the influence of alcohol, drug seekers, and folks just wanting the magic pill. I think life is going to get more interesting. And sad.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Otis......again
Yesterday I took Otis to Red Rock State Park to try a hike. About a 1/2 mile in, he sat down in the shade and refused to get up. I took the hint, let him cool down, and headed back to the car. Where I was greeted by one of my favorite animals of all time, a prairie dog. We were parked in the middle of a village! After spending some time "conversing" with the watch dog and taking some pictures, we headed up to McGuffy Lake......which is now dry. But I did find some hikes that me and the boy can do that involve shade and less heat. But then.....
Today, I came home to find not one, not two, not three, but all four blinds in the apartment laying in shreds on the floor. And while I was standing in the kitchen with my chin on my chest I realized there was a rancid smell in the apartment, and my foot was stuck in something. You guessed it. He really outdid himself this time. It is now 11 or so, and I just finished replacing the blinds (again) and cleaning up everything. I suspect he was frantically trying to get out to do his business, but I am ready to send him home. I am going to look into flying a dog alone or with Rich when he comes to visit next weekend. Enough.
Today, I came home to find not one, not two, not three, but all four blinds in the apartment laying in shreds on the floor. And while I was standing in the kitchen with my chin on my chest I realized there was a rancid smell in the apartment, and my foot was stuck in something. You guessed it. He really outdid himself this time. It is now 11 or so, and I just finished replacing the blinds (again) and cleaning up everything. I suspect he was frantically trying to get out to do his business, but I am ready to send him home. I am going to look into flying a dog alone or with Rich when he comes to visit next weekend. Enough.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
the flea market
Every Saturday there is a flea market here. Saturday market, eat your heart out. Booth upon booth of Indian jewelry for sale. Some good, some from China. And sandwiched in between are booths selling local baked goods and food booths selling mutton stew, mutton sandwiches, corn stew, and fry bread. And rabbits. Live. And used tires. Lots of CDs and VCR tapes. You can also get just the used printer you have been looking for. Or maybe some tools. Or a parakeet. Maybe some bread fresh from an outdoor Zuni oven. Or a new grill for your car. And across the street you can buy bales of hay off the back of a truck. And I thought parking lot scenes were only good for veggie burritos and grilled cheese.
Tonight was the big rodeo finale. Bull riding, bareback bronco riding, barrel racing, and mutton busting'. What, you ask, is mutton busting'? Little kids, in chaps and helmets, riding, you guessed it, sheep. Bucking sheep. Mean sheep. Cowboy clowns and all. And it's no joking around. The purse for the winner? $1900!! A new saddle, custom chaps, a bunch of other stuff, and $400 in cash. These kids are 7 yrs old!!
The setting was incredible. In Red Rock State Park. Surrounded by huge shear walls of red rocks. A small version of Denver. And I had my first, and last, Frito pie. When in Rome.....
Tonight was the big rodeo finale. Bull riding, bareback bronco riding, barrel racing, and mutton busting'. What, you ask, is mutton busting'? Little kids, in chaps and helmets, riding, you guessed it, sheep. Bucking sheep. Mean sheep. Cowboy clowns and all. And it's no joking around. The purse for the winner? $1900!! A new saddle, custom chaps, a bunch of other stuff, and $400 in cash. These kids are 7 yrs old!!
The setting was incredible. In Red Rock State Park. Surrounded by huge shear walls of red rocks. A small version of Denver. And I had my first, and last, Frito pie. When in Rome.....
Friday, June 20, 2014
Animals I have encountered
Today I had my first encounter with goats by the road. Earlier this week there was a cow in the road. And a horse yesterday. You see, this is open range country. And with the fires, I suspect animals are on the move. I wondered why a number of patients say they are afraid to drive in to the clinic sometimes. Apparently there are some pretty nasty bulls that have been known to charge cars out there. And I was worried about rattlesnakes and tarantulas!
The fire is about 20% contained now. Virtually all of the summer camps are destroyed and won't be able to be used for a number of years. These are not the summer camps we think of. They are areas where the Navajo families bring their livestock, mainly sheep, to graze during the summer, but also where they all get together to shear and immunize their animals. One family helps another and it all gets done. It is unknown what will happen now.
I have had my own first hand experience with a wild animal this week. In the form of one dog named Otis. I was consulting on a patient for another doc yesterday when my cell phone rang. I ignored it. Then I got a text. "I have Otis." The boy had destroyed the vinyl blinds over my living room window, nosed the window open, and escaped through the screen. Twice. Luckily they are doing some landscaping around the apartments, and the guys have gotten to know Otis, so when he went running by they were able to corral him, but had to carry him back in the apartment, as he was doing his usual play dead imitation. The next time they saw him he was coming back from the baseball field behind us, where he had apparently been frolicking in the sprinklers and rolling around the infield. He was a muddy mess and so was the apartment. ARGHHHHH!!!
The not so amusing animal stories are the daily dead animals, usually dogs, that I see as I drive north. There are soooo many stray dogs on the reservation. And they all have this kind of scary wild look about them. And everyday one more is gone. And no one comes to pick them up.
The fire is about 20% contained now. Virtually all of the summer camps are destroyed and won't be able to be used for a number of years. These are not the summer camps we think of. They are areas where the Navajo families bring their livestock, mainly sheep, to graze during the summer, but also where they all get together to shear and immunize their animals. One family helps another and it all gets done. It is unknown what will happen now.
I have had my own first hand experience with a wild animal this week. In the form of one dog named Otis. I was consulting on a patient for another doc yesterday when my cell phone rang. I ignored it. Then I got a text. "I have Otis." The boy had destroyed the vinyl blinds over my living room window, nosed the window open, and escaped through the screen. Twice. Luckily they are doing some landscaping around the apartments, and the guys have gotten to know Otis, so when he went running by they were able to corral him, but had to carry him back in the apartment, as he was doing his usual play dead imitation. The next time they saw him he was coming back from the baseball field behind us, where he had apparently been frolicking in the sprinklers and rolling around the infield. He was a muddy mess and so was the apartment. ARGHHHHH!!!
The not so amusing animal stories are the daily dead animals, usually dogs, that I see as I drive north. There are soooo many stray dogs on the reservation. And they all have this kind of scary wild look about them. And everyday one more is gone. And no one comes to pick them up.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
There's a fire in Indian country
Over the weekend I noticed a plume of smoke in the mountains. Didn't think much about it. Until Monday, when I arrived at the Clinic to the news of a wild fire in the mountains about 15-20 miles north of Tohatchi. In the sacred mountains where the Navajo have been taking their sheep to graze during the hot summer months for centuries. Sheep are very important to the Navajo. They use their wool in the fantastic rugs they weave and the meat is a staple of their diet.
We were expecting perhaps a run of patients that were worried about smoke inhalation. But on Monday it was business as usual. I saw one "grandma" (all elder women are grandmas and middle aged women are aunties) who had spent the entire day on Sunday evacuating herself and her sheep to Shiprock. Successfully. With the help of community members that drove trailers up the mountain and moved them with her. Oh yea, she had had an hour of chest pain after she was done, but she wasn't too worried. It went away.
The fire spread, with the help of very substantial wind gusts, up to 55 MPH, on Tuesday. We saw fewer patients than usual. I guess everyone was out helping their community members. It now encompasses 12,000 acres. We opened the Clinic this AM, when it is usually closed on Wednesdays, thinking maybe someone would need something extra. A few folks came in to get early refills on their meds since they had had to leave them behind when they were evacuated, but no one else. They are now cutting fences to let the livestock that remain out to escape on their own so tribal members will stop trying to get past fire lines to save them. A patient today told me she was up the mountain just last week taking pictures of flowers and wild horses. No drama. She is clearly upset, but accepting that these things happen. Of course, this fire was caused by a careless human throwing hot ashes into the woods. But I have yet to hear an accusatory voice.
I remember a time at LCC when there was a small amount of smoke or vapors in a building. We couldn't keep up with the hysterical folks running in to get checked. In this world, things happen, good and bad; some you can control and some you can't.
Google Assayii Lake fire if you are interested.
We were expecting perhaps a run of patients that were worried about smoke inhalation. But on Monday it was business as usual. I saw one "grandma" (all elder women are grandmas and middle aged women are aunties) who had spent the entire day on Sunday evacuating herself and her sheep to Shiprock. Successfully. With the help of community members that drove trailers up the mountain and moved them with her. Oh yea, she had had an hour of chest pain after she was done, but she wasn't too worried. It went away.
The fire spread, with the help of very substantial wind gusts, up to 55 MPH, on Tuesday. We saw fewer patients than usual. I guess everyone was out helping their community members. It now encompasses 12,000 acres. We opened the Clinic this AM, when it is usually closed on Wednesdays, thinking maybe someone would need something extra. A few folks came in to get early refills on their meds since they had had to leave them behind when they were evacuated, but no one else. They are now cutting fences to let the livestock that remain out to escape on their own so tribal members will stop trying to get past fire lines to save them. A patient today told me she was up the mountain just last week taking pictures of flowers and wild horses. No drama. She is clearly upset, but accepting that these things happen. Of course, this fire was caused by a careless human throwing hot ashes into the woods. But I have yet to hear an accusatory voice.
I remember a time at LCC when there was a small amount of smoke or vapors in a building. We couldn't keep up with the hysterical folks running in to get checked. In this world, things happen, good and bad; some you can control and some you can't.
Google Assayii Lake fire if you are interested.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Saturday night in Gallup
Start out the night walking into town for Arts Crawl and pass a Zuni man in full regalia dancing in the town square. Next to the square is a tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers and to American Indians that have fought in various wars. In town I watch a group of Indians, including one heavily tattooed man, dancing Zumba. Led by an obviously gay Navajo man. And on the way home I watch as 4 Indian men are picked up for public intoxication. Two of them with the telltale facies of fetal alcohol syndrome. I have a lot to learn here.
The windy city
As a Chicago girl I don't often let the wind push me inside, but here in Gallup when the wind blows this hard you get sand blasted. They even shut the Flea Market early today. Just as I was arriving, of course. I hope the Arts Walk still happens tonight. Been looking forward to it all week.
Me and Otis took a drive around today to revisit Gallup. This town has doubled in size since I was here 28 yrs ago. Lots of "trading posts" (the new age word for places to buy some good and some cheap replicas of traditional American Indian crafts). You used to see small mom and pop stands selling items they and their families made. No more. AND there are 3, yes 3, Sonic Drive Ins here. I just may have to experience that for the first time while I am here. Not too many real restaurants, though, which I find interesting, given that they are clearly marketing Gallup as the place to come for all things Indian.
This is interesting. When I was here last, the Navajo and other tribes we served at the hospital were referred to as Native Americans. Now it is clear the preference is for American Indian. Not sure when that happened.
So I spent 2 days in Tohatchi this week. The clinic is amazingly nice. Houses a full lab with real lab techs, dental, eye, medical, occasionally some PT, limited X-ray, and a pharmacy. The waiting area is designed to be like a hogan with beautiful paintings on the walls about the history of the Dine`(the accent mark is wrong but this is what the Navajo people call themselves). Everyone I have met has been very nice and helpful. I am so used to being independent (aka understaffed) that I feel totally spoiled, which is not what I was expecting. I have a "tech" to room my patients, and there are 2 RNs that help everyone. I don't have to draw my own blood, spin and prep it for transfer. If I ask for something it magically appears. The EHR is pretty intuitive and I was able to get pretty good with it in just one day.
The patients have been very nice overall. They are, unfortunately, used to waiting forever to be seen. Often times they just check in, have a seat in the beautiful lobby, and wait for hours to be seen. It is clear they are tired of seeing different doctors all the time. One patient, who had recently had a heart attack, was clearly upset that he was going to have to tell his story all over again, but after a while he settled down and we ended up having a real nice talk about his fears and anxiety regarding the likelihood this might happen again. We also talked about how his faith (or faiths) have helped him through this. Lots of folks here embrace a number of belief systems, traditional and Christian, as well as traditional vs modern medical care. A lot of the staff are locals that got training elsewhere and returned home to serve their community.
There are 3 family medicine docs in Tohatchi; me, a permanent doc (he has been there 2 yrs) and another locums doc from Puerto Rico. A pediatrician recently joined the clinic after spending 20 yrs in Gallup. The other locums leaves in 2 weeks, leaving just me and Greg unless we get someone else to help out. I have not had a chance to check out the "town" of Tohatchi but am going to try to do that this week.
Me and Otis took a drive around today to revisit Gallup. This town has doubled in size since I was here 28 yrs ago. Lots of "trading posts" (the new age word for places to buy some good and some cheap replicas of traditional American Indian crafts). You used to see small mom and pop stands selling items they and their families made. No more. AND there are 3, yes 3, Sonic Drive Ins here. I just may have to experience that for the first time while I am here. Not too many real restaurants, though, which I find interesting, given that they are clearly marketing Gallup as the place to come for all things Indian.
This is interesting. When I was here last, the Navajo and other tribes we served at the hospital were referred to as Native Americans. Now it is clear the preference is for American Indian. Not sure when that happened.
So I spent 2 days in Tohatchi this week. The clinic is amazingly nice. Houses a full lab with real lab techs, dental, eye, medical, occasionally some PT, limited X-ray, and a pharmacy. The waiting area is designed to be like a hogan with beautiful paintings on the walls about the history of the Dine`(the accent mark is wrong but this is what the Navajo people call themselves). Everyone I have met has been very nice and helpful. I am so used to being independent (aka understaffed) that I feel totally spoiled, which is not what I was expecting. I have a "tech" to room my patients, and there are 2 RNs that help everyone. I don't have to draw my own blood, spin and prep it for transfer. If I ask for something it magically appears. The EHR is pretty intuitive and I was able to get pretty good with it in just one day.
The patients have been very nice overall. They are, unfortunately, used to waiting forever to be seen. Often times they just check in, have a seat in the beautiful lobby, and wait for hours to be seen. It is clear they are tired of seeing different doctors all the time. One patient, who had recently had a heart attack, was clearly upset that he was going to have to tell his story all over again, but after a while he settled down and we ended up having a real nice talk about his fears and anxiety regarding the likelihood this might happen again. We also talked about how his faith (or faiths) have helped him through this. Lots of folks here embrace a number of belief systems, traditional and Christian, as well as traditional vs modern medical care. A lot of the staff are locals that got training elsewhere and returned home to serve their community.
There are 3 family medicine docs in Tohatchi; me, a permanent doc (he has been there 2 yrs) and another locums doc from Puerto Rico. A pediatrician recently joined the clinic after spending 20 yrs in Gallup. The other locums leaves in 2 weeks, leaving just me and Greg unless we get someone else to help out. I have not had a chance to check out the "town" of Tohatchi but am going to try to do that this week.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
I'm baaack
Spent the day today getting oriented to a hospital I worked at briefly when I was a resident. At the time, I was assigned to a dorm room in what they lovingly called the kennels across the street from the hospital, handed a call schedule (7 days followed by 7 nights, a day off and repeat), sent to L&D, handed a chart and delivered a baby, all within an hour of reporting for duty. Now, thanks to eletronicity, I spent an entire day, with a gazillion different people, getting assigned a bazillion user codes and passwords. Yep that ole electronic health record sure has improved health care and made it more efficient.
I met some really interesting people today. When I was here before it seemed like a lot, if not most, of the docs I met were here because they were paying back public health commitments or couldn't get a job anywhere else. All of the docs I met today seemed to be here because they felt a commitment to the people here. Went to a noontime conference regarding palliative care in this culture and realized I knew nothing about the various tribes' beliefs about death, afterlife, where death should occur, etc. I now have a 175 page "booklet" to read on the subject that one of the docs I met helped write. She is Navajo herself.
Poor Otis isn't quite sure what to do about all these people coming and going all the time. He has decided the entire apt complex needs his protection and barks whenever someone opens a door, or, even worse, drives up in a noisy truck. Which someone did last night at midnight and then there were more, and then there was screaming and shouting and get the f---outta here or I'm calling the cops. I was really wondering what kind of place I got stuck in and then this am saw that 2 other units are occupied by docs and tonight I met my next door neighbor who is an orthopedic surgeon also here for a temporary placement. So I guess I'm not alone and now I know some folks in the complex.
Tomorrow I head to Tohatchi. I think. Actually there was one little snafu today. I showed up as instructed to meet Dr. Mock at 8, but he never showed up and no one seemed to know I was coming. But they did a good job of working it out. But no one knows where I am supposed to go in the morning. Ah well, they will figure it out. See, I am learning already!!
I met some really interesting people today. When I was here before it seemed like a lot, if not most, of the docs I met were here because they were paying back public health commitments or couldn't get a job anywhere else. All of the docs I met today seemed to be here because they felt a commitment to the people here. Went to a noontime conference regarding palliative care in this culture and realized I knew nothing about the various tribes' beliefs about death, afterlife, where death should occur, etc. I now have a 175 page "booklet" to read on the subject that one of the docs I met helped write. She is Navajo herself.
Poor Otis isn't quite sure what to do about all these people coming and going all the time. He has decided the entire apt complex needs his protection and barks whenever someone opens a door, or, even worse, drives up in a noisy truck. Which someone did last night at midnight and then there were more, and then there was screaming and shouting and get the f---outta here or I'm calling the cops. I was really wondering what kind of place I got stuck in and then this am saw that 2 other units are occupied by docs and tonight I met my next door neighbor who is an orthopedic surgeon also here for a temporary placement. So I guess I'm not alone and now I know some folks in the complex.
Tomorrow I head to Tohatchi. I think. Actually there was one little snafu today. I showed up as instructed to meet Dr. Mock at 8, but he never showed up and no one seemed to know I was coming. But they did a good job of working it out. But no one knows where I am supposed to go in the morning. Ah well, they will figure it out. See, I am learning already!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Galloping into Gallup
Had to. I was going to toss my cookies in Bertha if I didn't get here quickly. Started to feel ill as I was fixing to leave the campground in Santa Fe. By the time I reached Albuquerque I was having shaking chills. Got into my apartment just in time to make my first visit to the bathroom. Welcome home! Spent the next 14 hours on the couch or in bed. Missed my first desert sunset. It's weird being all alone in a new town, knowing absolutely no one, and being sick. I was able to grab a bottle of ginger ale on the way into town and that got me through until I made it to the store today.
The apartment is, well, interesting. A lot like something I might have lived in 30 years ago. But filthy. Spent the day cleaning and organizing and personalizing it, so I feel a little more at home. CompHealth's idea of providing a furnished kitchen is a broken coffee pot, 2 plates, 2 bowls, and some disposable plastic cups. So it's a good thing I brought Bertha and all my supplies from home. I did splurge on some colorful glasses at Walmart however. Along with $100 in cleaning supplies. And Raid. 2 Cans. One for ants and roaches and one for spiders and scorpions. Scorpions!! What am I doing here?
One good thing about the apt is that there is a dog park just about 1/4 mile away. Otis met some new friends there today. And there is a baseball field next door. Got my baseball fix watching 7 yr olds "play baseball" tonight. The same old scene. Most of the kids not terribly interested, the ball going everywhere but where it should go, and the "coaches" telling all the batters to "keep that back elbow up." Hilarious.
Interesting experience at Walmart. As I was walking around I began to feel a little uneasy for unclear reasons. Then realized that for the first time in my life (except for when I was here 30 years ago and was oblivious) that I was in the distinct minority. It is really weird to be one of a very few folks with white skin here. Hmmmm. And the reception hasn't been all positive already. It will be interesting to see how I am received at the clinic.
Oh, and the other good thing about the apt is that is very close to a natural foods co-op. Given that the only other options are Walmart and Albertson's I anticipate doing most of my shopping there even if it is a bit more expensive. And guess what? I was not in the minority there. Same white folk talking about their naturopaths as in the Kiva at home!!
Tomorrow is the big day. I don't remember starting any other new position with such fear and trepidation. Wish me luck.
The apartment is, well, interesting. A lot like something I might have lived in 30 years ago. But filthy. Spent the day cleaning and organizing and personalizing it, so I feel a little more at home. CompHealth's idea of providing a furnished kitchen is a broken coffee pot, 2 plates, 2 bowls, and some disposable plastic cups. So it's a good thing I brought Bertha and all my supplies from home. I did splurge on some colorful glasses at Walmart however. Along with $100 in cleaning supplies. And Raid. 2 Cans. One for ants and roaches and one for spiders and scorpions. Scorpions!! What am I doing here?
One good thing about the apt is that there is a dog park just about 1/4 mile away. Otis met some new friends there today. And there is a baseball field next door. Got my baseball fix watching 7 yr olds "play baseball" tonight. The same old scene. Most of the kids not terribly interested, the ball going everywhere but where it should go, and the "coaches" telling all the batters to "keep that back elbow up." Hilarious.
Interesting experience at Walmart. As I was walking around I began to feel a little uneasy for unclear reasons. Then realized that for the first time in my life (except for when I was here 30 years ago and was oblivious) that I was in the distinct minority. It is really weird to be one of a very few folks with white skin here. Hmmmm. And the reception hasn't been all positive already. It will be interesting to see how I am received at the clinic.
Oh, and the other good thing about the apt is that is very close to a natural foods co-op. Given that the only other options are Walmart and Albertson's I anticipate doing most of my shopping there even if it is a bit more expensive. And guess what? I was not in the minority there. Same white folk talking about their naturopaths as in the Kiva at home!!
Tomorrow is the big day. I don't remember starting any other new position with such fear and trepidation. Wish me luck.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Do you know the way to Santa Fe
Originally had planned to go to albuquerque and stay in a hotel due to all the problems I have been having with the big B, but put on my big girl pants and decided to stay in her 2 more nights since I don't know when I will go out in her again. Headed towards Santa Fe, NM....after getting the final touches on the ceiling fan cover...just before it poured again.
Passed 2 bad accidents on the other side of the road, probably due to the high winds. Although the wind was nowhere near as bad as what we ran into in KS and OK. A semi truck had turned over on it's side, blocking both lanes of traffic heading east. Traffic was backed up 2 miles. Then saw one that made me real glad we didn't tow Jonny's car. Trailer on one side of highway, car on other, firemen using Jaws of Life to extricate victims. Yikes.
Got terribly lost trying to find the RV camp I was looking for. Probably partly because it looks nothing like the tree covered serene scene shown on the web site. Just a little misleading. But I can take the city bus into the main scene of Santa Fe and Otis can stay in our nice A/C'd Bertha.
All in all, one of the least problematic days of the trip. But there is still 2 1/2 hrs left......
Passed 2 bad accidents on the other side of the road, probably due to the high winds. Although the wind was nowhere near as bad as what we ran into in KS and OK. A semi truck had turned over on it's side, blocking both lanes of traffic heading east. Traffic was backed up 2 miles. Then saw one that made me real glad we didn't tow Jonny's car. Trailer on one side of highway, car on other, firemen using Jaws of Life to extricate victims. Yikes.
Got terribly lost trying to find the RV camp I was looking for. Probably partly because it looks nothing like the tree covered serene scene shown on the web site. Just a little misleading. But I can take the city bus into the main scene of Santa Fe and Otis can stay in our nice A/C'd Bertha.
All in all, one of the least problematic days of the trip. But there is still 2 1/2 hrs left......
Friday, June 6, 2014
And now for some fun in the weather
Arrived in Amarillo, wearing a cowboy hat as I did my last trip through here, thirty years ago. Just as I pull into the Fort Amarillo RV Park (yes, this is a real place, and it's really kind of cute) the skies turn dark and the wind starts up. The very nice proprietor tells me not to worry. There is a storm cellar on site. I get to sit through my first tornado warning in many years, whilst camping in a problematic Bertha. Wind, rain, thunder, lightening. But no hail...yet. Last night, he saws, they got some "little' hail. Only grape size. Sometimes they get golf ball size. He'd let us know if that was coming.
Weather clears and I decide to talk Otis for a walk. He is limping from some unknown injury. Just as we reach the "dog park" the lightening starts again. Back to Bertha we go. As the wind really starts to pick up and the lightening is really putting on a show, the cover to the ceiling fan blows off, leaving a 12 inch hole in the roof with heavy rain starting to fall. So, Spiderman like, I have to climb up the ladder, onto the slippery wet roof, with lightening coming down all around me and retrieve the cover, replace it over the hole as best I can and skeedaddle it back down the ladder, almost falling twice. Have to remove the inside cover of the fan and use a couple of bungee cords to attach the cover to various things inside, thus leaving only a drip of water coming through that I stand holding a cup to catch until this storm passes. They say this could go on all night. I sense a sleepless one is upon me.
Weather clears and I decide to talk Otis for a walk. He is limping from some unknown injury. Just as we reach the "dog park" the lightening starts again. Back to Bertha we go. As the wind really starts to pick up and the lightening is really putting on a show, the cover to the ceiling fan blows off, leaving a 12 inch hole in the roof with heavy rain starting to fall. So, Spiderman like, I have to climb up the ladder, onto the slippery wet roof, with lightening coming down all around me and retrieve the cover, replace it over the hole as best I can and skeedaddle it back down the ladder, almost falling twice. Have to remove the inside cover of the fan and use a couple of bungee cords to attach the cover to various things inside, thus leaving only a drip of water coming through that I stand holding a cup to catch until this storm passes. They say this could go on all night. I sense a sleepless one is upon me.
the last day in OKC
So over the past few days we have helped Jonny move into his apartment at OK City University, where he will complete his training for TFA. He has a cool roommate named Roy, from NJ, and has already begun making friends amongst his corps mates. No surprise. That guy is such a social character. He is going to do fine here, but I kind of hope he doesn't decide to stay here. OKC is so hot and humid, and the severe weather they get not infrequently is kind of scary. Well, very scary.
We said our good byes on Wednesday after a great meal at Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse. An appropriate place for the baseball guys for sure. I tried not to cry, but it didn't work. I know we will see him at least a few times a year, but that is such a change from the weekly dinners during baseball season, and the long visits over Christmas and the summers. I can't believe we are entering the phase of life that our parents have been in for so long. I now understand how important those parental visits are to the people that raised and nurtured you. And I get why Grama Lari always wanted to make birdies in the nest for Jonny when he was little. And I feel bad for how I responded when she would pull out the dishes that Rich used when he was a kid. Memories are all we have now and the opportunity to relive special things should not be treated as wrong or silly. I hope what goes around does not come around in this case, but who knows what our relationship with our adult son and his future family will look like.
I took Rich to the airport yesterday with the intention of hitting the road after returning to the hotel, but I was so physically and mentally exhausted that I decided to stay on in OKC for another day to get ready for the big adventure and get a little rest. Found a great dog park for Otis where he romped and played in this great pond. I did not tell Jonny I was staying on, as we had already done the good byes and he is really busy with his training. But I couldn't help saying one last good bye and telling him I loved him when I passed by the OKC University exit.
We have been contacted by the powers that be at Camping World and may actually get some help fixing some of the things that went wrong on the trip here. I am not holding by breath though.
So now it is time to put the leash on Otis and head to NM. I am so fortunate to have family and friends that will support me and Rich and Jonny as we head into this new phase of life.
We said our good byes on Wednesday after a great meal at Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse. An appropriate place for the baseball guys for sure. I tried not to cry, but it didn't work. I know we will see him at least a few times a year, but that is such a change from the weekly dinners during baseball season, and the long visits over Christmas and the summers. I can't believe we are entering the phase of life that our parents have been in for so long. I now understand how important those parental visits are to the people that raised and nurtured you. And I get why Grama Lari always wanted to make birdies in the nest for Jonny when he was little. And I feel bad for how I responded when she would pull out the dishes that Rich used when he was a kid. Memories are all we have now and the opportunity to relive special things should not be treated as wrong or silly. I hope what goes around does not come around in this case, but who knows what our relationship with our adult son and his future family will look like.
I took Rich to the airport yesterday with the intention of hitting the road after returning to the hotel, but I was so physically and mentally exhausted that I decided to stay on in OKC for another day to get ready for the big adventure and get a little rest. Found a great dog park for Otis where he romped and played in this great pond. I did not tell Jonny I was staying on, as we had already done the good byes and he is really busy with his training. But I couldn't help saying one last good bye and telling him I loved him when I passed by the OKC University exit.
We have been contacted by the powers that be at Camping World and may actually get some help fixing some of the things that went wrong on the trip here. I am not holding by breath though.
So now it is time to put the leash on Otis and head to NM. I am so fortunate to have family and friends that will support me and Rich and Jonny as we head into this new phase of life.
Monday, June 2, 2014
The Quiet
I sit in an incredibly quiet hotel room. Jonny has started his TFA training. Rich and I came back to the hotel wondering what we do now. I have been planning this trip for 4 months and it is over. Had some great times and some really tense times. That's the life of a parent. Sometimes you can't do anything wrong, but more often you can't do anything right. Brings back memories of me and my dad and I wonder how he put up with me. But parental love is greater than any love. You never give up loving your child. Tomorrow we will drive to Tulsa to put Jonny's things in storage. We drive back, have dinner, say good bye, and wait to see him again. And now it is his schedule that determines when that will happen. We can't hop in the car and drive a mere 6 hours to see him. Airplanes and teaching schedules are involved. He is so excited. I am excited for him, but really sad for myself. Life moves on and so must I. But I still wonder: Where does the time go?
Sunday, June 1, 2014
One more little thing.
Today started out great. We woke to find we were all alone in this cute little campground on a dried up river. Spent last night playing our traditional camping game, Phase 10. A light rain this am but we were bound and determined to have bacon and eggs so we did it anyway. No confrontational meetings of the mind. Got on the road just a little later than we planned.
As we were driving along I-70, with the boys playing another game of Stratomatic in back, we hear a loud bang outside of Bertha. After I pull off we see the awning in the middle of the road, having completely detached from the side of Bertha, and the metal supports were banging against her side. After about an hour we had managed to remove the remaining pieces of the awning from the side, while a nice KS state trooper looked on, and left it by the side of the road. Never even got to use it. I am afraid to ask what is next.
As we approached OK City today I came to the realization that after today our relationship with our son will be forever changed. He is heading out into the world to do great things. We have been so lucky to have been able to share so much time with him during his college years and before. But it ends tomorrow when we drop him off at OK City University for his Teach for America training which will lead to his teaching here for the next 2 years. And who knows what happens then. I feel certain he will excel in his career and only hope we can remain in touch and see him more often than either of us have seen of our own parents.
As we were driving along I-70, with the boys playing another game of Stratomatic in back, we hear a loud bang outside of Bertha. After I pull off we see the awning in the middle of the road, having completely detached from the side of Bertha, and the metal supports were banging against her side. After about an hour we had managed to remove the remaining pieces of the awning from the side, while a nice KS state trooper looked on, and left it by the side of the road. Never even got to use it. I am afraid to ask what is next.
As we approached OK City today I came to the realization that after today our relationship with our son will be forever changed. He is heading out into the world to do great things. We have been so lucky to have been able to share so much time with him during his college years and before. But it ends tomorrow when we drop him off at OK City University for his Teach for America training which will lead to his teaching here for the next 2 years. And who knows what happens then. I feel certain he will excel in his career and only hope we can remain in touch and see him more often than either of us have seen of our own parents.
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