Cigarette, anyone?

How far can government go?

First - I don't smoke. I never have. Ever. But, that does not mean that I believe in this so called "new" packaging to supposedly deter people from smoking. It just wasn't/isn't right.

But if I did smoke - I'd just remove the cigarettes from the disgusting package and place them in some pretty monogrammed case.

Last year (or whenever it was) when the law first passed that this would eventually happen - I had looked into this for a story. I didn't like it then and I still don't like it now.

So, when I heard -- a few hours ago -- that a judge had blocked the federal requirement that would have begun forcing U.S. tobacco companies to put large graphic images on the packages - I was relieved.

I just didn't think it was right. Where do you draw the line?

Should we place pictures of sick individuals on cookies - to prevent diabetes? Or of grotesquely obese people on fried foods - to prevent obesity?

Maybe we could add pictures of jaundiced individuals or of black livers on what once were beautiful Napa wine bottles?

Yeah, I thought so - frustrating. And wrong.

Father's behavior ghastly appalling

Chicago - News

Dad uses Facebook to teach daughter a lesson

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I ran across this while on facebook and was appalled by the father's behavior.

This man has some serious, horrible issues. His daughter has/had a right to write what she did. Ok, maybe it was not what a parent wants to hear - but she's a kid - and was doing what teens do (I'm guessing since my own kids are pretty much "perfect" kids - and I mean that seriously) I have never ran across anything like this with my own children -- but if I had, I know I would be mature enough to handle it.

This is America - that kid had her own dumb right to say whatever she wanted - ok, so she cursed a bit much - but she was rambling - she's a kid. That did not give this father the right to belittle her and do this to her -- or end by taking out his gun and doing what he did.

I feel for that kid. I'd hate to live with this man. Grow up - Mr Dad! You should be very ashamed of yourself. Yes, you could have grounded her. Yes, you could have taken her laptop away. But what you did is abuse - mental abuse - and using that gun of yours - sick! I don't know you but I can't stand you.

Sick - sick - sick bastard of a father - that's what you are! That kid deserves an apology from you. That kid deserves a real father.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU&feature=player_embedded#!

Where have all the Ronald Reagans gone?

Where have all the Ronald Reagans gone?

Wish things were simpler. Why, why, why - can't there just be a Ronald Reagan on the ballot - then everything would be so simple...... if only. For the second or third time in my voting history - I honestly am not sure which way I will vote. I am pretty conservative and have been looking at my options - trying to decide which is the lesser of two or three evils - figuratively speaking. But I'm not ready to commit to one candidate yet.

In the meantime, I've spent quite some time here - http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/

looking at how they differ on: abortion, Afghanistan, budget, business and labor, capital punishment, China, civil liberties, Cuba, deficit, economy, education, energy, Guantanamo, gun control, immigration, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Marijuana, North Korea, and Stem Cell research, etc.

Honestly - the more I read - the more worried I became. I wish I could pick and choose how they felt on certain issues and combine them into one "fantasy" presidential candidate.

http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Paul/

http://2012.republican-candidates.org/Santorum/

http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Gingrich/

http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Romney/

Twitter Tweet

I have been active on FaceBook (dual accounts - one page for work, one page for personal/family fun) but have stayed away from Twitter.

Recently, that changed. Work is requiring us to start "tweeting" while we work.
Needless to say, we've been getting immersed in social media workshops/requirements, etc.

I had to jump in - and am hoping to make a little bit of a splash with it.

Not totally sure about it - but I'm getting my feet wet. I'm on day 7 -- have made more than 15 tweets (that's more than two a day) - follow more than 100 people - and, interesting for me - have 26 followers.

So, I'm officially twitting. All professional tweets - writing, articles, and eventually - updates on my novel - called for now 'September Skies' - but I will change that when I finish my novel. I have a few titles in mind but want to keep that to myself for now.

If anyone wants to find me on twitter - you can do so at: avila_recorder

Change of dreams

It looks like I will not be making my little get-away room behind my home.

I was totally ready to invest in it and make it a precious writer's getaway but had to re-think things. Turns out my mom is getting weaker and I am now concentrating on another "get away" -- building a studio at her home so that I would have a place to stay when I care for her.
I could not afford to do both, so my little writers paradise will wait.

Of course, I'm still excited about the studio -- and I will incorporate a lot of what I had planned for the cottage -- white wrought iron bed, small wicker furniture sitting area - plants and flowers - and lots of book cases with all my favorite books.
What I want is a retreat - for myself - or whomever might be able to stay there on the days I can't. -- all a dream for now, of course.

But that's ok. I live on dreams.

Summer Cottage Dreams

When I first moved into my home 18 years ago, there was a small shack in the back yard that I converted into a playhouse for my three little girls. The room had a lot of shelves where tools and who knows what once were - I used it to display/hold dolls and toys. A small table and chairs, "kitchen" area and "sitting" area were added and the rustic little play house was created.

As the girls grew, the little playhouse turned into a very-rustic guestroom. With time, it eventually became a store room.
And now, it's filled with who knows what - everything from Christmas decorations to a lot of miscellaneous everything.

That will soon change. This summer, the girls promised to help me transform that little room into my own pretty little cottage. And with my beautiful 'Morning Glory' growing everywhere, I plan on helping the vine over to the "cottage" - that should make it really pretty.

I am very excited and have so many plans for it. I want to keep it rustic but do plan on adding simple white paneling that I can paint a very light color - mint or cream or kiss of yellow - to cover the dozens of pieces of sheetrock that cover that place.

The floor is not straight but I just plan on putting a large thick plywood and cover it with an indoor/outdoor carpet.

I've been collecting white wrought iron things - an antique bed, frames, candleholders, and bird cage to add to my little room. A wing-tip chair, floor lamp and desk armoire should finish my little vintage room.

I've seen it in my mind for years and now finally I am ready to do it. I plan on taking photos along the way. Here's a few so you can see what I'm working with. Notice the room full of boxes?

That's me. A dreamer - I do it a lot. It keeps me going.

I plan to read and write and dream out there - and add it to my other favorite things about my home - enjoying a cup of coffee on my front porch, hanging out in my tiny little back yard and playing with my doggies and enjoying my rose garden and waterfall pond.

The Morning Side of the Mountain

For years and years, my life has been lonely. Yes, I have my three girls - and they keep me very busy - and I have my momma and a handicapped sister - who also keep me busy -- and I have a job I love more than almost anything. Sometimes it seems overwhelming - juggling it all - 3 girls, including one who is Down Syndrome, my elderly mom, a handicapped sister, dozens of medical appointments, and work. But this is my life. This will always be my life.

Honestly, work - and reading books - keeps me going. I read a lot. I love books. If I am not working, with family, or sleeping, I am reading. And at work I talk to people - lots of people - and I laugh and love what I do. But every single day, I see couples and wonder about the love they appear to have for each other. It kind of fascinates me. I envy it a little - ok, I know it's wrong, sometimes I envy it a lot - but I have accepted that it will never happen to me. I am too busy. I do not have anything left to offer anyone. Still, I wonder.....

When I was younger, there was one Donny Osmond song I always hated. Maybe hate is too strong a word - but the song was a sad one and I didn't understand why they would sing about something that never happened. I did not like it. It made no sense to me. Now it does. Such a sad song......

There was a girl, there was a boy. 

If they had met they might have found a world of joy.

But he lived on the morning side of the mountain

And she lived on the twilight side of the hill.

They never met, they never kissed.

They will never know what happiness they've missed.

'Cause he lived on the morning side of the mountain,

And she lived on the twilight side of the hill.

What if my love is on the other side of the mountain? What if he is really out there? No. It doesn't matter. I will never love again. My life is preordained. This is my Cross to carry. I am to take care of my daughter, I am to take care of my mom, and I am to take care of my handicapped sister - forever. That's all I know. That's all I have. I have nothing to offer. I have nothing to give. Who wants that? It would not be fair to that person. So, I will just work and take care of my family. That is all.

And when I feel lonely, I will cry myself to sleep. By morning, things will always be better and I will always be busy - so I will forget about everything - until it is time to drive home - then it will hit me again. It's ok. I get 45 minutes to get it out of my system. Then I will put on my smile again, greet my girls, and do what I need to do until it is time for bed. 

One month later - I can smile!

It has been one month and one day since my Bells Palsy incident -- and I just want to report that my smile is about 90-percent back. I'm symmetrical, for the most part. Most people think it's completely back - but I can tell the difference -- and if I get tired or have a long day, you can especially tell.

So - let me catch you up.

I've spent the last week resting -- if you can call it that -- out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Cruise! Oh yeah! It was wonderful.

A whole week of fun and relaxing and sun! It was so warm - everyone wore shorts and swimming tops -- hard to believe it was December.

The rest was just what I needed to get completely better. I did a lot of "nothing" and had a lot of fun - dancing, comedy and other shows and excursions, and basically having fun with the girls.

I love to read and finished my book in a day and a half -- I had a margarita in Ensenada -- and basically, enjoyed time with my girls.

Food was good too. Not the buffets - the dinners. I am not a "buffet" person -- I don't care for places where a million hands have touched everything and I don't care for places where people can load up their plates -- but I did love the nice three to five-course dinners. Lobster, prime rib, mahi mahi -- Mmmmm.

I slept good too - which I think really helped. I was up at 6 a.m. each day, like normal, but I took short naps and relaxed a lot. Did a little bit of writing too - which I hadn't done in a while.

In Santa Catalina, I rented a golf cart and drove all around the island. In Ensenada, we went to see the beautiful Bufador - one of only three natural blow holes in the world (we've seen the one in Hawaii, the other is in Australia.)

By the last night of the cruise, I felt my lower lip quivering again -- and each time I feel that, I awaken with more of a smile -- and sure enough, my smile returned to almost 100-percent.

See me smiling in the photo above!

Thanksgiving - Day 8

I awoke with yet another surprise! I could actually open my mouth completely for the first time since the incident. May seem simple, but I really couldn't make an "O" with my mouth prior to today. And today I did. :) It was also the very first day I did not feel lightheaded or "odd" all day long. I really believe I am on my way to a total recovery.

Just in time for Thanksgiving.

Enjoyed two Thanksgiving meals. One at home with my immediate family at noon -- and another at night with extended family at my sister's house.

If there's a down side - it's that my left eye is still quite sensitive. It's watered all evening long. But that's about it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Moving forward

As I think about this thing that happened to me - I am very grateful for one thing..... that it happened to me and not someone I love.

What happened after the hospital....... I'll catch you up to date.


Friday - Day 2

Home to rest. Looking in the mirror was so odd. For someone who has always been known for her smile, it was strange to see someone else in the mirror -- someone who was not smiling back at me. But that was not my main problem. Ialso didn't feel right -- I was lightheaded, dizzy, and very weak. Just to walk from my bed to the kitchen took a lot of effort.

One obvious thing is that my left eye would not close whatsoever. No blinking, no shutting. Nada. This made the eye very uncomfortable - with light, dust, wind, heat, cold -- everything.
So I had to shut my eye manually with my finger every so often. (and use artificial tears drops)
I tried to watch a half hour television show and it took me more than an hour - I had to keep stopping it. Computer screen too - was hard on the eyes - or should I say, eye.

I noticed one other thing too. My left ear was super sensitive to noise. Not regular noise but "loud" noises. When my little dog, Dakota, barked -- I swear I had an amplifier next to my ear. It hurt so bad!! I had lost the fluid from my tympanic membrane -- therefore, there's nothing to muffle the sound.

I was also concerned about work -- being the workaholoic that I am, I wanted to get right back to work and planned on being there Monday. That was my plan.

Saturday/Sunday Day 3 and 4

It became clear that there was no way I could be at work Monday. Not only did the lightheadedness continued, but I soon realized I couldn't talk well, I couldn't eat well, and I was having a hard time drinking liquids. My eye continued to bother me - ALOT.
I also found that I was starting to hurt myself -- I would unconciously try to rub my eye and actually touch the eyeball itself. Happened a few times.
I worked on some physical therapy - facial exercises - but they were frustrating. No matter how hard I tried, nothing happened.
I spent much of the weekend in bed. I couldn't read but I did log onto FaceBook every so often - not too bad as long as I did not spend more than five minutes at a time on it.

I also did something stupid on Saturday night - I went to see Harry Potter. BIG MISTAKE.
Not only was the flashing light horrible for my eyesight, the noise was almost unbearable. But I did it for Marisa. And I ended up huddling my ear against the seat (which muffled the noise) and with one hand closed my left eye. Eventually I fell asleep and I missed most of the movie, so that wasn't so bad.
When I got home, I had to tape my eye down almost immediately - it was so tired.

Sunday - more of the same tiredness. I wanted to go out and test my driving ability - but there was no way - I couldn't even walk straight, let alone drive.
On the plus side, my drinking ability has improved. I can now successfully, with minimal spilling, drink from a cup like a big girl.

Monday - Day 5
I can close my eye! I can close my eye! With a bit of effort, anyway. But hey, I'll take it. Very exciting. I still can't blink but I can close my left eye. If I try several times, it gets harder.

I saw my doctor today - he was very happy with the eye progress.

He also doubled my medication, which was necessary to control my blood pressure, but suddenly I found myself double exhausted. It is so debilitating to be on them. I hate it.

The prednisone I was placed on makes me sick too. Yuk. Hate those pills. They are soooo bitter.

Tuesday - Day 6
I'm getting tired of soup. I've had nothing but soup for five days. I am craving a taco.
At work, Tuesday is Taco Tuesday. What I wouldn't give to bite down on a crunchy taco.
Eating remains difficult. My mouth does not open properly and I keep biting the top of my left lip. But I remain optimistic.
Also - my lower left lip started quivering today. Not sure what it meant but I took it as a good sign.

Wednesday - Day 7
Woohoo! I looked in the mirror this morning. I woke up with a tiny smile - small upturn to left lip visible - and possible! I was so excited. Dont almost effortless.
I still have my lopsided smile on the outside but inside, I feel as if it's a great, big, even smile!
I know I will get there.

Excuse me, am I in Las Vegas?

Note: If you want to read these stories in sequence, start with
1. A funny thing happened after work Wednesday
2. Emergency Room Visit - "There's an 8-percent chance you will die."
3. Exuse me, am I in Las Vegas?
Exuse me, am I in Las Vegas?3:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18
I decided not to write too much here about the transfer from the emergency room to my semi-private room in the cardiac/telemetry unit of the hospital. It was not pleasant -- nor were the next 16 hours that followed any better.

But I will say that you would have never guessed that I was in a hospital. Bright lights, loud noises, including a blaring television all night long, beepings from all directions, clanking, constant hitting of my bed, and freezing room!! And those were the more positive things I can say about the experience.

I'll leave it at that for now. Some things are just too horrible to mention -- and I experienced a couple of those not so nice things during those first few hours. (had to do with roommate care)

But I will share a couple of "funny" moments (if you can call it that) that happened during my stay. Not in any particular order.

Nurse walks in: "Would you like some reading material?"
Me: "Yes! Thank you." (I lOVE to read)
Nurse: hands me a booklet "After your stroke" and walks out.
What the ???? -- I mean, ok, but it just seemed weird.

My mirror on my bed table was broken.
me to nurse: "Oh no! My mirror is broken."
She looks at it, "It's not so bad."
(it was totally shattered in one section and had a huge crack all the way through it.)
me: "It doesn't seem very safe. This glass can get on the table and into my food. Can you please find me another bed table."
Nurse: "I don't think that's necessary. It's not like you need it."
WHAT the ??? -- come on now - just what every girl who just suffered through what I did, wants to hear.
Nurse: "I'll see if we have another table, otherwise I'll have to send someone from maintenance to pick it up."

Man walks in with clipboard and tells me his name, which I can't remember.
Man: "I need to look at your laptop."
(I honestly thought he was kidding.)
Me: "Are you from Maintenance?"
Man, looking annoyed: "Why do you say that?"
Me: "Are you here for my mirror? It's broken really bad. It's dangerous."
Man: "I'm here to look at your computer or you will have to put it away. It might be interfering with the equipment."
Me: "Oh, sorry. I thought you were kidding."
Man: "Why would I kid you?" (but he sounded so angry. Geesh.)
He then grabbed it off my lap and turned it around, put a blue sticker on it that said "Electrical Safety tested" and walked out. If it WAS interfering, he never checked it to know. He just slapped the sticker on. (of course, I had a new laptop)
Me: "What about my mirror?" (I thought he was rude but I wanted to joke)
Him: "I'll put an order in for it. It will take about 7 days to get it fixed."

Me: "Nurse, this IV is bleeding all over me" (as I wipe it up with a towellette.)
Nurse: "That's normal" (What the????)
Me: "Ok - if you want blood all over the place." (it was literally rolling down my arm!!)
Nurse: "Why didn't you tell me it was bleeding." (she tapes over it/pushes it in further.)
"There."
Me: "That's it? It's kind of messy. It's all over my gown and all over the sheets." (referring to blood)
Nurse: "We'll take care of it when we come freshen your bed and get you set up for a bath."

Well.....they never came. i spent the whole time in the hospital with a bloody gown in a bloody bed (literal) and no one ever changed it nor offered to give me a clean gown. I was really tempted to sign out AMA.

Lunch was late -- 1:30 p.m. (and since I never ate breakfast because the nurses decided to change the diaper of my roommate - who was a handicapped woman in diapers and the smell was absolutely horrific - I was starving.) Of course, when lunch arrived, the nurses came in and did their thing again -- diaper change -- (did they think I could not hear them - they were right next to me -- and they kept talking about how horrible the smell was, describing it too.) So, of course, I couldn't eat. Too disgusting.

When I went to get my MRI/MRA -- I was gone more than an hour -- we had to stop at the front desk to get disconnected from my wires. The nurse reached under my gown and then lifted my gown and in front of everyone "ripped" the stuff off me.

OK -- I was totally embarrassed!! There must have been at least eight people there -- all workers but some were male.

"STOP!" I yelled. "Can't we do this in the room?" (I really had no idea I was getting wheeled to the nurses' station to have that done to me.) The nurse mumbled an "all done." and they wheeled me away fast. I covered my face. I was so embarrassed and I cried silently all the way to the unit -- which was across a small plaza. Luckily the guy who picked me up gave me a sheet to cover up with and I literally draped it over my head. I didn't want anyone seeing me. We went down the elevator, through a lobby full of people, into the plaza, across a small street thing and into another building. It was probably one of the worst things to happen to me.

When I returned to my room -- my bed was still bloody. My lunch tray was still on the bedside table and the mirror was still broken. My gown was still bloody too. But by now, I didn't care. All I wanted to do was to get out of that hellish place they called a hospital.

When the physical therapist and his female assistant arrived -- which by the way, was the funnest part of the whole visit (and he made me laugh a lot and vice versa) -- I told him I was ready to go home. That I was signing out AMA.

Then neurologist came by with my results and said I did not have a stroke and I can be moved to another room. YAY!! I was so excited. I needed to get out of that room.

Nurse came in - hospital full. I would have to stay in the room through the night. I had not slept in more than 24 hours, I was in pain, exhausted and humiliated by then...... I couldn't stay. I said no. I wanted to go home.

My doctor came in on rounds, and said I could stay the night or go home if I preferred. I said I'd go home......

UPDATE: A month later, my bill for my one-day stay came in. That one night cost more than $44,000! And since I make less than $2k a month as a hometown news reporter, it would take me two years of work to pay it off! Thank God for health insurance - but still, after insurance - my part was $11,000 - and it still took me two years to pay it off. But I did. :)

Emergency Room visit - "There's an 8-percent chance you will die."

Note: First read prior post - "A funny thing happened after work Wednesday."


Emergency Room Visist - "There's an 8-percent chance you will die."
10:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17

When the experience first happened, my first thought was Bells Palsy. But, the blood pressure gave me a fright.... so my thought as I rushed to the E.R. was "stroke"

I got to the window....

"What are you being seen for?"

"I think I'm having a stroke. My blood pressure is 200/104, I'm having tingling and numbness to right arm and I have blurry vision -- plus I can't see at all out of my left eye.

"Fill these out and bring them back to this window when you're done."

"Are you serious? I just told you I can't see clearly." (I answered calmly and sweetly.)

"If you need help, return to the window and someone will assist you."

I took the closest seat and could not see the form anymore. I got as far as writing my name when James entered. I called him and he rushed over to meet me and get Marisa from me. He filled out the paperwork for me. I returned it to the window. Pretty weak by now. I really thought I would pass out.

Lucky for me, they took everything more serious after they saw my paperwork (or maybe me) and called me in instantly.

Suddenly I was a priority. It was not too busy that night but they still placed me in the trauma - or cardiac - unit and I was immediately clipped to a hundred wires.

They were very thorough. Within minutes, my vitals were taken, an ekg was done, a heparin lock installed in my arm, a chest xray had been done, lab work drawn, they told me I was scheduled for a Cat Scan and that the doctor would see me soon and the on-call neurologist would also see me.

Then they said a stroke consultant was coming in.

She walked in, looked around, walked out and said "where's the patient" -- they pointed to me and she said, "Oh. You're too young for a stroke."

Yeah, I know.

The "stroke consultant" - who looked all of 20 years of age, tested me on time, date, President, a simple little drawing I had to explain, etc. I passed with flying colors.

What I didn't pass was the sobriety test that followed -- put arms up, make circles, hold still.... left arm - no matter how hard I tried to keep it up -- my left arm kept pulling down with gravity.

Yikes - not a good sign.

Then - off to the CAT scan -- (I'll keep results of that to myself.)

The doctor came in, said the neurologist was not available until morning.

He explained my CAT scan result and then proceeded to poke me with a needle -- on the right face cheek, and left. I felt the right, not the left....and so he went down the body, arm, legs, to ankles......I could feel the right, but not the left.

He said I had an option to take a certain (very dangerous) medication. It can only be offered within three hours of stroke onset. AND - I was very lucky to be one of the few people who go straight in and do all the testing. I was having a stroke, apparently. He also said there is an 8-percent chance I could die from taking the medicine if it backfired. (mortal side effect)
I declined it. I told him I didn't think I had a stroke. He agreed with my declining - saying he personally did not recommend it because I was not "serious" enough but that he still had to offer it and he still thought I had more of a stroke than Bells Palsy onset because of my lack of feeling in arm and leg and because of the weakness and tingling to my left side.

I was told at 11:30 p.m. that I would be admitted for a stroke - I was scheduled for an MRI and an MRA of the brain and neck veins the next day, so fine -- I'll stay for observation. Afterall, something was definitely not right.

Well, that was about the last time I saw my nurse. (she had been there all along prior to this)
I sent Marisa home with James about 1 a.m.

I soon realized I was freezing. My left eye would not shut and I was staring up at what seemed like a 200-volt light. I tried calling out to the nurse, but nothing. I laid there in a little gown with nothing over me - not even a sheet. (Thank goodness I was wearing yoga exercise pants)

Finally a cleaning person came in and I kindly told her I was freezing and if she could please get me a sheet and turn off the bright lights. She got me the warmest blanket ever - heated - and then turned off the lights for me.

I couldn't rest - no pillow and I was so uncomfortable. I laid there till 3:30 a.m. when I was told my room was ready. I was going to the cardiac unit of the hospital.

That's when my nightmare really begin.......... more tomorrow.

A funny thing happened after work Wednesday.....

Wow - has it really been more than a year since I last blogged anything?

I guess you could say I have been quite busy between two households in two towns and work (since May) - and traveling to and from visiting my two girls in Santa Barbara. There was also a bit of travel involved prior to May.

But something has happened recently to me and I wanted to share it with you. If it ends up helping just one person - great. If not, well, I still want to share it - because it helps ME.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, I went to work like normal. I put in a full day as a news reporter -- loved it, as always. Making the day more special -- I got to cover a story about the Porterville College baseball players who took time out from their day to play ball with a lot of little preschoolers. It was such an awesome day/story.

I also covered a tragic car accident - all in a day's work -- again, not to sound cryptic -- but I love the adrenaline rush of hard news. The man did not survive the wreck and I learned later -- that he was a family friend from church.

Well..... to get to what happened to me.

I came home, had dinner, and relaxed with a cup of coffee. I was drinking it fine when suddenly my mouth felt funny. I didn't think much of it but soon found my left eye watering like crazy and my left nostril running. Then I started drooling.

I went to the rest room to get a tissue and that's when I saw it -- my face. It had totally "fallen" on one side. I tried to talk and couldn't talk right.

I still wasn't about to panic so I went and took my blood pressure (automatic thingie) and when it read 200/104 -- time to panic! Straight to the emergency room I went - lucky for me - that means a whole three blocks. I was there in less than two minutes. Normally, I have low blood pressure. It runs 100/70 and sometimes drops lower than that. I usually take it to make sure it's not too low.

But this is where it gets interesting..... follow me to my next post. (break first)

Losing to the summer wind......

I have a couple of Frank Sinatra cds I like to listen to again and again from time to time. There's so many wonderful songs on there. I love them all -- but some songs really get to me.

I had a long summer.....one that actually lasted a couple of years....but like all wonderful things....it ended.

So now I listen to this song and it gets me every time ..... has it made me stronger? I don't know. Numb might be a better word.

Why did summer have to end? At least it ended with heavenly notes....literally .... Gustav Holst's The Planets with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia - after having dinner at the original Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - unbelievable.

"The summer wind came blowin' in from across the sea.
It lingered there to touch your hair and walk with me.
All summer long we sang a song and then we strolled that golden sand.
Two sweethearts and the summer wind.
Like painted kites, those days and nights they went flying by.
The world was new beneath the blue umbrella sky.
Then softer than a piper man one day, it called to you...

I lost you. I lost you to the summer wind....

The autumn wind and the winter winds they have come and gone.
And still those days those lonely days, they go on and on.
And guess whose sigh`s his lullabies through nights that never end.
My fickled friend, the summer wind.
The summer wind warm summer wind
Mmm the summer wind."

Marine Band wows Porterville

Photo by Jennifer Servantes

Several members of The President’s Own, the United States Marine Band, line up across the stage as they played “Semper Fidelis” – the Marine Corps march – before a packed auditorium Wednesday night at the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theater. The band, under the direction of Col. Michael J. Colburn, received numerous standing ovations throughout their performance.
CLICK HERE for story

Way to go Granite Hills and Strathmore High School Bands

Photo by Esther Avila

Congratulations Granite Hills High and Strathmore High bands.

Here are some of the results of the 2009 Visalia "Music in Motion" Band Review - Saturday, October 17, 2009

Granite Hills High School:
Parade: First, majorette team ; Field competition: First, class D
Strathmore High:
Parade: Second, solo majorette, Third - military drum major
Parade: Second place, class E
Exeter High:
Parade: First, class C

Check out the full story: Friday, October 23, in the Southern Sierra Messenger

http://www.sosierramessenger.com/


I will post the story here later - so you may want to check back in a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, here are some of the results:

PARADE:
Majorette Team - Granite Hills High School, Porterville
Solo Majorette - Fowler High School, first place; Strathmore High Shool, second place
Percussion - Buchanan High, first; Tulare Western, Tulare, second; El Diamante, Visalia, third.
Drum Major - Military: Fowler, first; Sierra, second; Strathmore High, third.
Drum Major - Open: Tulare Western
Drum Major - Mace: Golden West, first; Hanford West, second; Edison, third.
Identification category: Buchanan, first; Fowler, second; Tulare West, third.
Flags: Fowler, first; Tulare Union, second; Mission Oak, third.

Parade - Bands:
Class E: Riverdale, 1; Strathmore, 2; Sierra High School, 3.
Class D: Mission Oaks, 1; Edison, 2; Orosi, 3.
Class C: Exeter, 1; Mt. Whitney, Visalia, 2.
Class B: Golden West, Visalia, 1; Tulare Western, 2; Tulare Union, 3.
Class A: Fowler, 1; El Diamante, Visalia, 2; Buchanan, 3.

Parade Music Sweepstakes: Hanford West
Grand Sweepstakes Parade: Hanford West

FIELD: Results below won first, second, and third respectively.
Field Auxilliary - Buchanan High School, El Diamante, Golden West.
Percussion - El Diamante, Buchanan, Tulare Western
Class D - Granite Hills, Orosi, Edison.
Class C - Exeter, Woodlake, Mt. Whitney.
Class B - Golden West, Tulare Western, Hanford West
Class A - Buchanan, Redwood

Field Music - El Diamante
Field Showmanship - Buchanan
Field Sweepstakes - El Diamante
Grand Sweepstakes - El Diamante

I will post middle school results in a couple of days.

Fabulous Studio Band - Seattle, WA - June 2009

Fabulous Studio Band plays for appreciative Seattle audience
June 15, 2009 9:44 PM

By ESTHER AVILA
FOR THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER
(Photos by Esther Avila)
SEATTLE — Porterville’s Fabulous Studio Band continued to entertain young and old alike Monday afternoon when they performed at the Seattle Center in Seattle during the seventh day of their three-state Pacific Northwest tour.
The band, under the direction of Jim Kusserow, left Porterville June 9.
“This band has performed all over the place. They’ve performed in just about every U.S. Air Force base you can think of, before the U.S. Senate, the White House and Hawaii,” Kusserow said to the crowd gathered at the food court of the Seattle Center House. “We travel a lot, always at no cost to the students.”
The audience responded favorably by cheering, whistling and clapping heartily as the band opened with “I Remember Basie” and continued with “Hello Dolly,” “Georgia on my Mind” — featuring Clark Keele on tenor sax — and “It’s Almost like being in Love,” a number which featured George Andrade on trombone and Kusserow on trumpet.
Ernie and Kathy Lassman of Seattle said they could not resist getting up to dance as the band played “Moonlight Serenade.”
“We have heard a lot of big-band music and we must say, this band is great,” Ernie Lassman said. “They are top notch. We have enjoyed listening to them.”
But big-band music was not all the band played. They also treated the audience to a few contemporary numbers from Chicago; K.C. and the Sunshine Band; and Earth, Wind and Fire.
Sitting in the audience was the McMaster family from Porterville.
“Today is my birthday,” Dawn McMaster said. “What a great way to spend my birthday. We flew into Seattle yesterday and met up with the band in Port Angeles.”
The tour is the family’s last opportunity to see her two sons, Kyle and Kory McMaster, perform with the band, she said. The boys, recent graduates of Porterville High and Porterville College, are heading to Azusa Pacific University in the fall.
Also in the audience was a young woman with two children. The three tapped their feet and danced in their seats as the band played.
“I’m their nanny,” said Shanda Gimbel of Seattle. “We were having lunch here and the music started and the children started dancing like crazy. This was great. I loved it. Big band is still a timeless sound and it is evident that it appeals to all ages. We all loved it.”
The Fabulous Studio Band continues its tour with a performance in Everett, Wash.
All photos by Esther Avila

Fabulous Studio Band - Everett, WA - June 2009

Fabulous Studio Band continues Pacific NW trip
Tour: Oregon, Washington residents treated to band sound.
June 18, 2009 10:05 AM

By ESTHER AVILA
FOR THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER

(photos by Esther Avila)

EVERETT, Wash. — Members of the Fabulous Studio Band are on their way home from their three-state, 2,869-mile Pacific Northwest tour. They are scheduled to return Friday evening.
The band left Porterville on June 9, and has played in numerous venues in Oregon and Washington.
Tuesday evening they kicked off a summer concert series for the city of Everett, Wash.
With the harbor as their backdrop, the band entertained a large crowd with their big-band and contemporary numbers.
“I was walking by and saw them setting up and I just had to stop,” said Larry Wold of Everett. “I enjoy the big band sound. This group sounds pretty good.”
Estelle and Charles Spaulding of Mill Creek, Ore., said they attended because they heard that big-band music was on the schedule.
“It is our first time here. We enjoy concerts like these — and being out here in front of the waterfront — you can’t beat that.”
It was a sentiment expressed by several in attendance. While some dined or enjoyed a drink from restaurant patios, others brought lawn chairs and blankets and sat on the lawn.
Jordan Donato, 2, could not sit still. The toddler hit the dance floor every time the band played.
“She has always liked to dance. I don’t think she can resist it,” said her mother, 23-year-old Alexandra Donato. “We come often — whenever my mom invites me. I’m enjoying this. It is different from what I usually listen to, but it’s lovely.”
As the band continued to play big-band hits, couples danced. Judging by the hearty applause, they loved it.
“We play all over the country,” said band leader Jim Kusserow. “And next June, some of these kids will be playing at Carnegie Hall when we take the band to New York.”
George Sandia, 62, of Everett, applauded and cheered as the band played “New York, New York.”
“They play so well,” Sandia said. “I can see them playing at big cities. But I’m glad they came here — and are playing for us.”
After its Everett performance, the band performed Wednesday evening in Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island.
“What we are trying to do, besides keeping the big band sound alive and let people across America know that there are still bands out there performing this music, is recreate what it was like for a traveling big band — letting the kids know what is like to be in a performing big band, whether just traveling up and down the state or across the country,” Kusserow said. “Some of these kids might have aspirations to perform. This gives them a little cross section of all it takes. They learn to work together. Everyone has a job and everything gets done.”
Pianist Jerika Hayes and Suzy Napieralski, who plays clarinet and saxophone, agreed. It was the first band tour for both.
“Setting up has been easy,” Hayes, a junior at Porterville High School, said. “It has been a real unique experience. I wouldn’t say it has been hectic though. Everything has worked out perfect — like a well-oiled machine. We have always had enough time for our performances.”
It was not all work, however. The band’s members had plenty of time for sightseeing.
Band members sand boarded at the sand dunes in Florence, Ore., toured a music and sci-fi museum, visited a rainforest in Olympic National Park, and toured through Forks, Ore. — home to the popular “Twilight” books.
“I was able to tour a lot with [former band director, the late] Buck Shaffer and I am merely trying to pass on the great experience I had,” Kusserow said. “It has been a great reward for me to do so. It has been a great trip.”

Music in Porterville - Fabulous Studio Band and Sierra Vocal Arts - June 2009

Music in Porterville

By Esther Avila
Southern Sierra Messenger

There is no doubt about it – Porterville is a musical town, not only during the school year but year round. The music is everywhere – with elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as community groups, local bands and individuals performing with choirs, orchestras and bands.

One does not have to look far to find it, either. It is as close as the center of town.
“Music on Main Street” – sponsored by the City of Porterville and the Porterville Chamber of Commerce – continues at 6:30 tonight with Duggin’s Citrus Express taking center stage at Centennial Park. The concerts, which run every Friday night through the end of June, are free and open to the public. Centennial Park is located directly in front of City Hall on Main Street.
I also find it heart-warming that local musicians, such as the Fabulous Studio Band and the Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble, are currently on tour – sharing their music with the world.

(photo by Esther Avila)
The Fabulous Studio Band, under the direction of Jim Kusserow, left Porterville Tuesday morning. The band is performing in Portland, Oregon tonight and Saturday night before continuing towards Seattle, and Whidbey Island in Washington. They will log more than 2,800 miles as they perform at numerous venues during their 10-day North West Pacific tour.
A small group gathered to see the musicians off. Among them was Dawn McMaster, mother of Kyle and Kory McMaster, recent graduates of Porterville College and Porterville High School.
“This is the last time they will be playing with the band,” McMaster said. “It has been an amazing experience for them. They have grown so much, in music, and as young men. They won’t be here next year. This is it. Both are attending Azusa Pacific next year. Both are majoring in music.”

The Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble is also on tour. The community choir, celebrating their 20th season, left Thursday and will be visiting and performing in some of the most beautiful and historic cathedrals and churches of the world – London, Salisbury, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cambridge. They will also participate in a workshop with English composer John Rutter.
“There will be something for everyone. There is so much history within the area where we will be traveling that one can’t see it all,” said Fred Knutson, the ensemble’s founding conductor. “I do know that for many of our singers, having the opportunity to have a choral workshop led by internationally renowned composer John Rutter, will be the highlight.”
This is the ensemble’s first extended tour, said Sara Guinn of Hanson Travel Ideas of Porterville. Other than performances in Modesto, the choir has performed only in the Porterville area.
Guinn has arranged for the ensemble to visit many historically important sites, including Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Winston Churchill’s burial site, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and numerous museums and historic churches.
“We will be performing in some of the most beautiful and historic venues in the world. Salisbury Cathedral was built within a period of 38 years beginning in 1220,” Knutson said. “Imagine something built in the 1200’s that is as beautiful and functional today as when it was built. So much of the music we perform was composed for beautiful buildings much like that cathedral, it brings a singer so close to the original performance sound, which we rarely get to experience in our modern church buildings. Probably the most exciting part will be experiencing so much that’s new with the great friends I have in the Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble. They are a dynamic group of people and I know that it will be fun to ‘ooo’ and ‘ahhh’ with them.”

Yes - I am still writing.

I started writing for Exeter Sun Gazette and for Southern Sierra Messenger - and I did freelance a couple of band stories for the Porterville Recorder.

Southern Sierra Messenger has been wonderful. I actually got my own column with them and my editor (not me) named my column "Esther Avila's Porterville."

My column has my memories about a Porterville moment and comments about a current situation, festival, or person from Porterville.

I've talked about meeting Buck Shaffer when I was 4-years old, the old kiddie wading pool at Murry Park, first day of school jitters, the fire pits at Taco Bell, ...... and other such memories.

I love having my own column.

I've also been writing all of the copy for a special publication for an upcoming apple festival. I've written a dozen stories and will spend most of the week as a photographer.

I love my job.