Whadda Week

 

One morning this week, as I was watering, an unsettling sensation crept over me—a feeling as though I were being watched,  just out of the corner of my eye. Glancing over, I noticed a clever disguise camouflaging a hole in the fence. 

 Honestly, I’m starting to really like it!

🫧One and a Two and a Three...🫧

On Wednesday, I finally went to my long-awaited cardiologist appointment, which I had been looking forward to since my unsettling ER visit on May 9. Although I thought my issues were just GERD, the doctors stressed the importance of caution, especially for women.

yeah yeah yeah. 

To my surprise, they scheduled me for a nuclear stress test the very next morning. A couple of friends informed me about the radioactive substance they inject into the veins, which made me anxious. And of course, everything you read online is to scare you; however, I found the procedure and technology fascinating once the technician explained it. My fear of the unknown had caused my anxiety to get the best of me but the technician's kindness helped ease my nerves.

And the good news - I am not even glowing...

This morning, I had my third appointment to set up a heart monitor, which I’ll wear for 14 days. I can remove it for 90 minutes each day to charge it, making showering easier. I appreciate that I can communicate with the technician if I feel anything unusual. While the gadget might become irritating, I’m kinda- sorta enjoying the novelty of it.

Looking ahead, they scheduled an ECHO in August, followed by the moment of truth a few weeks after that. 

Apparently this morning, we had a 3.6 magnitude earthquake that struck at 3:57 a.m. We slept through it. It was described as a sudden jolt then a crashing sound. Foodie said it woke him up. The epicenter was west Redding near my church. I didn’t even know we had any fault lines here. I know any seismic activity is usually from the volcanic activity of Mt Lassen. 

Foodie and I started our Friday with my doctor’s visit, then went to the butcher, where the smell of grilled meat filled the air. They were getting ready for the lunch crowd - tri- tip steak sandwiches! After running some errands, including dropping off his rent, we headed to the grocery store. Prices are fluctuating, with cereal now over $5, but steady egg prices, finally. 

While I heard the news of dropping gas prices elsewhere, in the country we’re looking at an increase in California gas tax rising to nearly 0.65 per gallon starting July 1. So we’re looking at $6.00 a gallon and more when they close that second gas refinery in SoCal.  I’m grateful that we can still weather the times. We still have to watch it but we’re fine. 

I had initially planned to host Fourth of July celebrations at our home, but Navy and Sara offered to host instead, which I’m perfectly fine with. After all, it’s the time spent together that truly matters.

The Heat is on… 

Last weekend, a brisk cold front swept through, bringing a refreshing chill that was quite a contrast to our typical summer temperatures. However, this week, the sun is shining bright and our familiar summer weather is returning full force.

I found the ombre effect on the sun faded patio curtain to be attractive. 

This weekend, we’re likely going to keep things low-key. Maybe drive up to the snow in Lassen.  The thought of wearing this monitor in the sweltering heat just doesn’t sound appealing to me, unless it's early morning. 

That’s all I have for you, as I close up shop this Friday. Take care and have a beautiful weekend sharing it with those you love. 

Wow what a happening!

All I had planned for today 

was a trip to the dentist. 

Then as I stood at the front desk, chaos erupted around me. Devices blared a piercing alert, shattering the calm atmosphere. I quickly checked my phone, and an Emergency alert flashed across the screen, making me fear for a second, that it was an active shooter situation.

The alert blared, and moments later, the ground shook with an earthquake! 

The hanging plants swung wildly, and I felt the intense quaking beneath my feet. This was different—awesome and powerful. I instinctively knew it was a significant quake somewhere close.

7.0 off the coast - Cape Mendocino near Ferndale, Eureka, Petrolia - same area. 

Fake Photo - it's from a movie. 

A  few minutes later, a tsunami alert

As soon as I got home, I tuned into Pacifica's livestream. I watched anxiously, but as expected, the announcement came: it was officially canceled!

I flashed back to a time...

in 1964, when I was in the 4th or 5th grade, a massive 9.2 earthquake shook Anchorage, Alaska. There was a tsunami warning, creating a buzz of worry among neighborhood moms, while dads remained calm. I felt a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. My mom was panicking, but my dad reassured us everything would be alright as we headed to a high spot called Sweeny Ridge to wait it out. I recall sitting in the back of the truck, which turned into what seemed like a tailgate party.  Up the coast from us, a tsunami hit Crescent City, Northern California, reaching 150 feet, flooding the town, claiming 12 lives, and causing $15 million in damage.

This was on my mind 

Yesterday, a tragic incident unfolded in Butte County at a Christian school, where gunfire left a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old critically injured. That's why when I received the alert about the earthquake today,  my heart sank as I feared it might be an active shooter scenario. 

Elias is 5 years old - shot twice and has been transferred to a PICU - the bullet went through his lung, through his stomach and clipped a bit of his pancreas. No news on the 6 year old boy. The Sheriff says it was a planned shooting - so many Christian schools are aware. 

We never know

In the unpredictable times we find ourselves living in, uncertainty looms over our daily lives. Yet, one thing remains clear: the importance of staying close to God. It is essential to nurture our faith and cultivate a deep connection with Him, for we must be prepared for His return whenever that moment arrives.

That's it for me today. I hope the ground you stood on today was solid! 

Debby