WEDNESDAY ACTIVITY - May 28, 2008.
Today’s activity, for the Quail Creek residents, was a trip to San Francisco. Only five of us signed up for the trip. The excuse some had for not going was “I’ve been there before”. Such a response gives you a clue as to why they require “Assisted Living”. I have been there before, too - beaucoup times - too many to count - and yet I never tire of the beautiful city and it’s watery surrounding. I commuted from Vallejo to San Francisco for 13 and a half years via Greyhound bus. Yet, I never tired of the beauty and excitement of The City. I even looked forward to weekend visits. I would have liked to have lived on the Embarcadero, from where I could have walked to work. When I first started commuting in September 1969, the in- bound trip took about 30 minutes. The return-evening commute took about 45 minutes. When I retired on February 1, 1983, those times had doubled.
Tony drove our 20 passenger mini-bus, and Kelli our Activities Director, also escorted us . The bus is very luxurious - built on a Ford 350 chassis. A half hour uneventful ride to the Ferry building in Vallejo. A short wait, after we got our tickets ($12.50 round-trip for our Senior excursion rate, before we boarded.
The Baylink ferry backed out of it’s berth at - 10:05 - five minutes behind schedule. It is a cloudy-breezy day - about 55 degrees. We are cruising slowly on a Southern heading. The boat is restricted to 5 knots, to reduce the wash against the fragile easterly shoreline - containing many expensive homes. We clear the channel at 10:20, and the Captain pours the coal to the two large marine engines, and we hydroplane along at about 30 knots. This boat is one of the original ferries, and is about 20 years old. The newer ferries cruise along at about 35 knots and cut off about 10 minutes from the one way time.
The eastern portion of Mare Island is quiet. It is hard to believe that as many as 60,000 people worked at the Yard at peak employment during WWII. They built one battleship - the USS California. They built many submarines - many of them nuclear powered. One doesn’t realize how large the Island is (4500 acres) until they cruise along side. The former Sperry flour mill appears off to our left. It has been closed for a few years now. The property has been sold. The plans are to convert it into “pricey” housing.
We clear the channel at 10:20, and head out into the Bay for San Francisco. I can see the two Carrquinez bridges off the port side. Lots of kids om the ride. Either school’s out or “field trips”. Nothing like a lot of cell phones, ringing at the same time, as they text message back and forth.
It is a smooth ride as we cruise along - sitting only a few feet above the water line. I can see Mt. Tamalpaias straightt ahead. It is off to the starboard at 10:45. A short time later, we are passing beneath the Richmond-San Rafael bridge. The Larkspur Ferry is passing to our right - returning from the san Francisco Ferry Building. It is 10:55 and we are abreast of Angel Island. This is a resort spot today. On the Island are the remains of the old Immigration facility that was used to process primarily Chinese men, who were entering the U.S. to work on building the Western railroads.
Now, I can see the long- Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge at eleven o’clock, and the beautiful burnt- orange Golden Gate suspension bridge at two oclock. The famous San Francisco skyline is straight ahead. We tie up at the Ferry building - on time - at 11:05. We are there for about 10 minutes to off-load passengers, and to pick up new passengers headed back to Vallejo. Then, a 10 minute ride up to Pier 41, where we got off.
We walked South to the next pier #39. We awalked the length of the pier to the end, and had a nice lunch at Dumpa-Gumpa’s. Afterwards, we cheched out the beaucoup seals - lying, sparring, sleeping and barking! This attraction drew the most visitors. Some of us needed an ice cream
“fix”, so we stopped at Dreyer’s and got a cone. I never dreamed that I would live long enough to see a single dip cone priced at $3.50! Let alone - pay that much for one. During the Depression, I bought many larger scoops for 5 cents. If I felt wealthy and hungry, I would buy a triple-dipper (three different flavors) for 10 cents! While licking my cone fast, (because it was melting), a strange economic reality popped into my head! A gallon of regular gas is $3.50, and an ice cream cone is $3.50, which to choose? It depends on many factors.
By the time we walked back to Pier 41, it was time to line up to board our 3:10 departure - ferry. I rode back in the same front seating area, to get a good view of the opposite side of the Bay on the return trip.
Near the end of our return ride, I can see the Refinery of the California and Hawaiian Sugar Company, nestled below the Eastern span of the Carquinez bridge, off to our right. I spent seven years at the Refinery before transferring to the C and H Corporate office in San Francisco, where I spent another 14 years.
We arrived back at Quail Creek around 5:15 - tired but fulfilled.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Mothers' Day.
MOTHERS’ Day
Today is May 11, 2008 - Mothers’ Day. Happy Mothers’ Day, Mom! She died almost 16 years ago, on May 27, i992. She would have been 100 on September 6th. I think of her almost every day, and I still miss her very much. We were so close, it is a wonder that I ever married.
She was of Irish stock. You can say what you want about the Irish, but they are great people. Most have a good sense of humor, And all have that zest for life. The Irish can laugh at themselves and their misfortunes. They are a hardy breed. I try to emulate her. While I have done fairly well - I come up short.
The first thing that I would do after school is to go home and check on her - to make sure that she was home and O.K. Only then, did I feel that it was O.K. to go out and play.
My Mom and Dad were supportive of me even though they never attended to watch me play high school football. They were there for my graduation from bombardier school at Victorville, California on October 31, 1942.My Mother wrote once or twice a week during the seven months that I was overseas. She flew out from Michigan to attend all five of our daughters weddings. She was 90 when she came out for Beth’s and Jack’s wedding on December 4, 1982 (our fourth wedding).
After my brother Bob’s death, she was not able to live alone. Marie suggested that I bring her with me to California, from Michigan, to live. So, I did. She made this transition in 1985 when she was 93 years old. This gave me a chance to re-pay her. I saw her nearly every day - at first at the Camino Alto residence Club - an assisted living facility, and the at the Vallejo Convalescent Hospital until she died on May 27, 1992. I looked on this close companionship as pay back time.
Today is May 11, 2008 - Mothers’ Day. Happy Mothers’ Day, Mom! She died almost 16 years ago, on May 27, i992. She would have been 100 on September 6th. I think of her almost every day, and I still miss her very much. We were so close, it is a wonder that I ever married.
She was of Irish stock. You can say what you want about the Irish, but they are great people. Most have a good sense of humor, And all have that zest for life. The Irish can laugh at themselves and their misfortunes. They are a hardy breed. I try to emulate her. While I have done fairly well - I come up short.
The first thing that I would do after school is to go home and check on her - to make sure that she was home and O.K. Only then, did I feel that it was O.K. to go out and play.
My Mom and Dad were supportive of me even though they never attended to watch me play high school football. They were there for my graduation from bombardier school at Victorville, California on October 31, 1942.My Mother wrote once or twice a week during the seven months that I was overseas. She flew out from Michigan to attend all five of our daughters weddings. She was 90 when she came out for Beth’s and Jack’s wedding on December 4, 1982 (our fourth wedding).
After my brother Bob’s death, she was not able to live alone. Marie suggested that I bring her with me to California, from Michigan, to live. So, I did. She made this transition in 1985 when she was 93 years old. This gave me a chance to re-pay her. I saw her nearly every day - at first at the Camino Alto residence Club - an assisted living facility, and the at the Vallejo Convalescent Hospital until she died on May 27, 1992. I looked on this close companionship as pay back time.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Halleluiah!
Halleluiah!
It is Saturday morning, May 10, 2008. My spirit has been uplifted! It is a beautiful sunny morning in Fairfield, California. Marie and I are sitting at a table for two in the Quail Creek comfortable and cozy dining room. Four residents are playing a game of tennis-doubles outside the window. Glenn Miller and his great orchestra, of the thirties and forties, is playing on the P.A. system - his theme song (Moonlight Serenade); Pennsylvania 6-5000 and In the Mood. On the table, are cloth napkins and table cloth, and fresh flowers. I am waiting to be served my pancake, bacon, egg, orange juice and milk! What a way to go!
A great stress-load has been lifted from my shoulders. I am very thankful and feel great. While I am not relieved of my responsibility for Marie and myself, I can cope with that, with all the assistance the staff provides. I am in a good place spiritually. I have inner calm. No more multi-tasking. I am living in the moment, and enjoying every bit of the experience. I am nearing my ninth decade, and I am comfortable with the sunset of my life. I can still recall most of the good memories on the way to getting here.
After breakfast, I met a lady from the “Big House” across the street. It is an Independent Living facility. She told me that she moved here from Santa Maria. I asked her how she heard of the facility, She said that someone researched retirement facilities for her and concluded that Paradise Valley was the best and nicest facility in the U.S. And, here she is. While this is quite a statement, I have no reason to doubt it.
It is Saturday morning, May 10, 2008. My spirit has been uplifted! It is a beautiful sunny morning in Fairfield, California. Marie and I are sitting at a table for two in the Quail Creek comfortable and cozy dining room. Four residents are playing a game of tennis-doubles outside the window. Glenn Miller and his great orchestra, of the thirties and forties, is playing on the P.A. system - his theme song (Moonlight Serenade); Pennsylvania 6-5000 and In the Mood. On the table, are cloth napkins and table cloth, and fresh flowers. I am waiting to be served my pancake, bacon, egg, orange juice and milk! What a way to go!
A great stress-load has been lifted from my shoulders. I am very thankful and feel great. While I am not relieved of my responsibility for Marie and myself, I can cope with that, with all the assistance the staff provides. I am in a good place spiritually. I have inner calm. No more multi-tasking. I am living in the moment, and enjoying every bit of the experience. I am nearing my ninth decade, and I am comfortable with the sunset of my life. I can still recall most of the good memories on the way to getting here.
After breakfast, I met a lady from the “Big House” across the street. It is an Independent Living facility. She told me that she moved here from Santa Maria. I asked her how she heard of the facility, She said that someone researched retirement facilities for her and concluded that Paradise Valley was the best and nicest facility in the U.S. And, here she is. While this is quite a statement, I have no reason to doubt it.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Big Snow!
THE BIG SNOW!
Our long-time friend - Maggie Gibbens - called us today to remind us that today is the anniversary of the Big Blizzard of ‘47. I hadn’t forgotten about it - I knew that it occurred in May, but did forget the exact date, It happened during the night. When we woke up on Wednesday morning, May 7, 1947, the ground was covered with a heavy blanket of snow!
Maggie and Steve Gibbens, and Marie and I, were living in the student housing- complex in the Willow Run Village, between Wayne and Ypsilanti, in Southeast Michigan, These “temporary” structures were built to house the workers at the Willow-Run bomber plant. The plant was built to build B-24 heavy bombers - at a rate of one per hour - 24 per day! After World War II ended, the bomber plant was taken over by Kaiser-Frazer in a joint venture to build Kaiser and Frazer automobiles. Both Maggie and Marie worked in the office at the plant, to help support Steve and I, so that we could attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Steve, and I, rode the “ veterans school bus” from Willow Run to the campus, and back - a distance of about 13 miles each way. On this morning of May 7th, the snow was so deep that they cancelled the school bus. I don’t remember whether Pete was able to drive our 1941 Chevy convertible to work.
Before we were married, on December 23, 1944, Marie had never been out of California! She was born and raised in Tulare - a city of about 5,000 people - straddling Highway 99 - between Fresno and Bakersfield.
The next day, after the big blizzard, Marie gave me an ultimatum! “Ray, you have a decision to make - Michigan or me! Because I’m leaving! I’m going back to California” (What’s the old saying? “You can take the girl out of California, but you can’t take California out of the girl!”). I was tempted to respond with, “Can I get back to you on this?” But, I knew the timing wasn’t too great! I chose California, and I am glad that I did.
When the school year ended, we put everything, that we owned, in the back seat of the Chevy, and it was “California here we come”. That was 61 years ago! Except for four and a half years, that we spent living in Hawaii, we have lived in California ever since!
Our long-time friend - Maggie Gibbens - called us today to remind us that today is the anniversary of the Big Blizzard of ‘47. I hadn’t forgotten about it - I knew that it occurred in May, but did forget the exact date, It happened during the night. When we woke up on Wednesday morning, May 7, 1947, the ground was covered with a heavy blanket of snow!
Maggie and Steve Gibbens, and Marie and I, were living in the student housing- complex in the Willow Run Village, between Wayne and Ypsilanti, in Southeast Michigan, These “temporary” structures were built to house the workers at the Willow-Run bomber plant. The plant was built to build B-24 heavy bombers - at a rate of one per hour - 24 per day! After World War II ended, the bomber plant was taken over by Kaiser-Frazer in a joint venture to build Kaiser and Frazer automobiles. Both Maggie and Marie worked in the office at the plant, to help support Steve and I, so that we could attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Steve, and I, rode the “ veterans school bus” from Willow Run to the campus, and back - a distance of about 13 miles each way. On this morning of May 7th, the snow was so deep that they cancelled the school bus. I don’t remember whether Pete was able to drive our 1941 Chevy convertible to work.
Before we were married, on December 23, 1944, Marie had never been out of California! She was born and raised in Tulare - a city of about 5,000 people - straddling Highway 99 - between Fresno and Bakersfield.
The next day, after the big blizzard, Marie gave me an ultimatum! “Ray, you have a decision to make - Michigan or me! Because I’m leaving! I’m going back to California” (What’s the old saying? “You can take the girl out of California, but you can’t take California out of the girl!”). I was tempted to respond with, “Can I get back to you on this?” But, I knew the timing wasn’t too great! I chose California, and I am glad that I did.
When the school year ended, we put everything, that we owned, in the back seat of the Chevy, and it was “California here we come”. That was 61 years ago! Except for four and a half years, that we spent living in Hawaii, we have lived in California ever since!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Moving Day
THE BIG MOVE!
We have moved !- after living at 528 Brooke Drive in Vallejo, California for nearly 22 years! Our move wasn’t prompted by an employment transfer, loss of home - by eviction or foreclosure - or an act of God. It was elective - mostly on my part. Marie didn’t want to leave. It was her home and she wanted to die there. For me, If I didn’t get some care-giver help, I felt that I would die there - in the not too distant future! This wasn’t my wish. Resistance to change is not new to Marie! Back in 1957, I was interviewed at U.S. Steel in Pittsburg, for an industrial engineering job in Hawaii. I was offered the job, over many other qualified engineers. I was really excited by the good news - until Marie shot it down. She said the same thing in 1957 that she said in 2008: “I don’t want to move. I want to stay here.” I pleaded with her like a Dutch uncle. I told her that if I didn’t accept the job I would always be wondering - “What if? She finally agreed to go but she was never happy with the move and couldn’t wait to return to the mainland. Sometimes, when you are raised in a small town (5,000 people) you become quite provincial and are comfortable in the rut!
While I did have some help in Vallejo - Meals on Wheels (for me - Marie didn’t want them); a yardman; a housekeeper; a respite provider and a Caregiver Support Group, it still left a big workload for me - shopping - preparing Marie’s evening meal - managing all of our meds - operating the dishwasher, washer and dryer - handling all of the correspondence, bill paying, maintenance, and it seemed never ending. It appears that I am asking for sympathy, but I am telling it as it was - the basis for my needing help and seeking relief. Our three daughters - Mary, Joan and Sue were - and are - most supportive and helpful. It wasn’t fair to ask them to continue to drive the 35 mile round trip from Fairfield to Vallejo, and return, on that pot-holed and treacherous- traffic- impacted I-80. Something had to give! Damn the torpedoes! So, here we are - at an assisted living facility in Fairfield - Quail Creek, part of the Paradise Valley complex. (It is owned by are retired military officers organization) near our family support group.
Our new home is Quail Creek, at Paradise Valley Estates -
2350 Estates Drive; Apts. 207 & 208;
Fairfield, CA 94533.
707-399-7908
I suggested that we make the break a couple of years ago, but Marie wasn’t interested. So, I checked out Merrill Gardens in Vallejo. Then, Mary, Joan and Sue and I visited Loyalton, an assisted living facility, at Rancho Solano in Fairfield. I was ready to sign the entrance papers - with an 11 o’clock appointment. Earlier, Mary suggested that we look at Quail Creek in Fairfield, which we did. Marie wasn’t interested plus she wasn’t feeling up to going. I was very impressed, and that is all she wrote. And, here we are - for better or worse. I hope that we will be able to stay until our savings is depleted.
The service here is tremendous - above and beyond the call of duty! (Can you sense that the facilities are owned by Retired Military officers?)
The meals are five star quality and delicious! The nurse manages, and gives us, all of our meds. Housekeeping is done once a week. There are many local activities, as well as transportation to other things in the local area. I now have upgraded the location of my computer - from the garage to my living room I now have access to the facility’s Wife internet system. I can’t believe the increased speed over my former dial -up system. Plus, it’s not a case of using either the phone or the internet. I couldn’t ask for more amenities. While the two apartment units are expensive, it is worth it to me.
The movers arrived at 528 Brooke Drive, in Vallejo, about 9:30 A.M. on Friday April 18, 2008. Mary, Joan and Sue had been there for an hour or two. They did a great job - packing boxes and wardrobes - and tagging items to be moved, with “Post-it” notes as to where to locate them in the new apartments.
The movers had loaded the van in a couple of hours, and we were all on our way to Fairfield. While Marie and I were having lunch, the movers and girls, set up our new home to perfection. When we walked in it was instantaneous home! Thank you very much Mary, Joan and Sue. You all were great and we appreciate all you’ve done for us.
We have moved !- after living at 528 Brooke Drive in Vallejo, California for nearly 22 years! Our move wasn’t prompted by an employment transfer, loss of home - by eviction or foreclosure - or an act of God. It was elective - mostly on my part. Marie didn’t want to leave. It was her home and she wanted to die there. For me, If I didn’t get some care-giver help, I felt that I would die there - in the not too distant future! This wasn’t my wish. Resistance to change is not new to Marie! Back in 1957, I was interviewed at U.S. Steel in Pittsburg, for an industrial engineering job in Hawaii. I was offered the job, over many other qualified engineers. I was really excited by the good news - until Marie shot it down. She said the same thing in 1957 that she said in 2008: “I don’t want to move. I want to stay here.” I pleaded with her like a Dutch uncle. I told her that if I didn’t accept the job I would always be wondering - “What if? She finally agreed to go but she was never happy with the move and couldn’t wait to return to the mainland. Sometimes, when you are raised in a small town (5,000 people) you become quite provincial and are comfortable in the rut!
While I did have some help in Vallejo - Meals on Wheels (for me - Marie didn’t want them); a yardman; a housekeeper; a respite provider and a Caregiver Support Group, it still left a big workload for me - shopping - preparing Marie’s evening meal - managing all of our meds - operating the dishwasher, washer and dryer - handling all of the correspondence, bill paying, maintenance, and it seemed never ending. It appears that I am asking for sympathy, but I am telling it as it was - the basis for my needing help and seeking relief. Our three daughters - Mary, Joan and Sue were - and are - most supportive and helpful. It wasn’t fair to ask them to continue to drive the 35 mile round trip from Fairfield to Vallejo, and return, on that pot-holed and treacherous- traffic- impacted I-80. Something had to give! Damn the torpedoes! So, here we are - at an assisted living facility in Fairfield - Quail Creek, part of the Paradise Valley complex. (It is owned by are retired military officers organization) near our family support group.
Our new home is Quail Creek, at Paradise Valley Estates -
2350 Estates Drive; Apts. 207 & 208;
Fairfield, CA 94533.
707-399-7908
I suggested that we make the break a couple of years ago, but Marie wasn’t interested. So, I checked out Merrill Gardens in Vallejo. Then, Mary, Joan and Sue and I visited Loyalton, an assisted living facility, at Rancho Solano in Fairfield. I was ready to sign the entrance papers - with an 11 o’clock appointment. Earlier, Mary suggested that we look at Quail Creek in Fairfield, which we did. Marie wasn’t interested plus she wasn’t feeling up to going. I was very impressed, and that is all she wrote. And, here we are - for better or worse. I hope that we will be able to stay until our savings is depleted.
The service here is tremendous - above and beyond the call of duty! (Can you sense that the facilities are owned by Retired Military officers?)
The meals are five star quality and delicious! The nurse manages, and gives us, all of our meds. Housekeeping is done once a week. There are many local activities, as well as transportation to other things in the local area. I now have upgraded the location of my computer - from the garage to my living room I now have access to the facility’s Wife internet system. I can’t believe the increased speed over my former dial -up system. Plus, it’s not a case of using either the phone or the internet. I couldn’t ask for more amenities. While the two apartment units are expensive, it is worth it to me.
The movers arrived at 528 Brooke Drive, in Vallejo, about 9:30 A.M. on Friday April 18, 2008. Mary, Joan and Sue had been there for an hour or two. They did a great job - packing boxes and wardrobes - and tagging items to be moved, with “Post-it” notes as to where to locate them in the new apartments.
The movers had loaded the van in a couple of hours, and we were all on our way to Fairfield. While Marie and I were having lunch, the movers and girls, set up our new home to perfection. When we walked in it was instantaneous home! Thank you very much Mary, Joan and Sue. You all were great and we appreciate all you’ve done for us.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
May Day
MAY DAY!
Today is May Day - May 1st! - Happy May Day!
I have a flashback to 1928. I was 9 years old, and in the fourth grade at Central school in Hillsdale, Michigan. Today was as exciting as Valentine’s Day!
We made May Baskets on our dining room table. Our Mother would buy the materials, pop the corn and make the fudge. She was also the teacher, and supervisor, of our making the baskets. We would cut the construction paper into shapes, which would be the baskets. Then, we would form the material into small baskets, and paste the corners. Then, cut strips from heavy paper, for the handles. Then, attach the handles to the baskets with small brass clasps. Then, we would cover the baskets, and handles, with bright-spring-colored crepe paper. The multi-colored -finished baskets were a sight to behold. Then, we would fill them with pop corn and fudge, and a few spring flowers on top. I can still picture the array of different colors sitting on the dining room table. It would have made a great picture, but we didn’t have colored film back then. I didn’t even have a camera.
We loaded the 20, or 25, baskets into cardboard mens'- suit boxes, and loaded them on the back seat of the car. My Dad then drove us around to deliver them to our friends’ homes. We would place a basket on the front porch - by the door - ring the doorbell - and run back to the car. (We didn’t put our names in the baskets.). When we returned home, we looked forward to finding some May Baskets waiting for us.
Happy May Day!
Today is May Day - May 1st! - Happy May Day!
I have a flashback to 1928. I was 9 years old, and in the fourth grade at Central school in Hillsdale, Michigan. Today was as exciting as Valentine’s Day!
We made May Baskets on our dining room table. Our Mother would buy the materials, pop the corn and make the fudge. She was also the teacher, and supervisor, of our making the baskets. We would cut the construction paper into shapes, which would be the baskets. Then, we would form the material into small baskets, and paste the corners. Then, cut strips from heavy paper, for the handles. Then, attach the handles to the baskets with small brass clasps. Then, we would cover the baskets, and handles, with bright-spring-colored crepe paper. The multi-colored -finished baskets were a sight to behold. Then, we would fill them with pop corn and fudge, and a few spring flowers on top. I can still picture the array of different colors sitting on the dining room table. It would have made a great picture, but we didn’t have colored film back then. I didn’t even have a camera.
We loaded the 20, or 25, baskets into cardboard mens'- suit boxes, and loaded them on the back seat of the car. My Dad then drove us around to deliver them to our friends’ homes. We would place a basket on the front porch - by the door - ring the doorbell - and run back to the car. (We didn’t put our names in the baskets.). When we returned home, we looked forward to finding some May Baskets waiting for us.
Happy May Day!
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