I belong to a group called International Living. If you’re planning on living abroad, it’s a great way to begin learning the ins and outs before the time comes. They have blogs from various expats who share their experiences. One such blog was on house/pet sitting abroad as a way to live rent free while seeing a region and immersing yourself in the culture. The author suggested using the website Trusted House Sitters. It’s similar to the format of Airbnb where there are profiles of the owners and sitters, where there are reviews for both sides and filters to narrow down searches depending on preferences.
I thought this might be a great way to travel in some of the more expensive places in the world and signed up. You must pay for a subscription to join. It includes a background check, insurance, access to a veterinarian, liability insurance and other perks.
Before utilizing this service abroad, we tried it close to our current home to see if it’s something viable for us. After nine sits over an eight-month period, here’s what we’ve learned:
Apply for sits that don’t have many applicants. Getting the first person to accept you is the hardest. We had personal references but not any from the Trusted House Sitters community. Our first sit had only two applicants, greatly improving our chances of being chosen. Once you have sits under your belt, you will begin to be invited to other sits. You’ll find that the most desirable ones will be very competitive and that the more positive reviews you have, the better your chances at being selected.
Before applying for a sit, read all the reviews for the owners and their pets. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a sit where the expectations are unrealistic, or the pet is super high maintenance. There was one sit for our favorite breed, a pug, but the owners wanted the dog fed at exact times each day, precise, homemade food each time, precise walks, plus you were never allowed to leave him alone. In addition, they wanted multiple photos sent throughout each day. Needless to say, we didn’t apply as much as we wanted to sit for a pug.
Match your expectations with that of the owner’s. If you want to be in an area for sightseeing, make sure that the owners are ok with you leaving the pet, or bringing the pet with you, during your excursions.
Once you’ve found a sit that appeals to you, apply for the sit. The owner will look at your profile and decide if they want to deny you, or, interview you. An interview can be in person if you live close by, or, over the phone or facetime. During the interview process, keep in mind that they are looking for a path to trusting you with two of their most prized possessions; their pet(s) and their home. Answers from you should consider what they’re most interested in knowing about you as it pertains to the sit.
Consider bringing your own sheets, pillows and towels. We find it easier to use our own linens rather than use the owner’s. It streamlines the exit process and the owners seem to like the gesture. Of course, if you’re flying in, this may be problematic, unless you purchase them once you’ve arrived.
Leave the home as you found it. Put yourself in the owner’s shoes; if you’ve been away, once you come home you want to relax and settle in. The less work they have to do to mitigate your sit, the easier for them, hence a better review for you.
Be sure to provide a good review of the pet and owners. Much hinges on the reviews for both the owners and the sitters. Be kind when rating your sit.
The beauty of pet sitting is not only the flexibility to travel on a budget, but also the opportunity to meet wonderful people and their pets. I am thankful that we tried this near our home before venturing further out. There is a bit of a learning curve, but we’ve determined that it is totally worth it as one avenue to meeting our goals.

My Mother was often called to Jury Duty.  She was a juror magnet, apparently.  Somehow, she was often chosen from the large pools of candidates.  When the trial of Louise Thoresen began with jury selection no one was surprised when she ended up as one of the twelve.  It was November of 1970 and the timing was terrible.  She was a school secretary.  She had been selected to be a member of the first staff who would open a brand-new school in the fall.  There were still many bugs to be worked out.  Her daughter (me) came down with the hard red measles.  Thankfully, my grandmother was able to take care of me.  Honestly I didn’t create much work, I could barely lift my head up and I didn’t want to eat.  And the jury had been sequestered, so she couldn’t even see me at night, or tend to other business. 

Mrs. Thoresen had written a book about her life with William Thoresen III entitled It Gave Everybody Something To Do.  The Thoresen Family was wealthy and relatively well known.  The notorious off-the-rails antics of Louise and William III often made front page news.  Louise admitted killing William but pleaded self-defense.

The courtroom was filled each day, the media was everywhere trying to get a unique angle on the event.

The trial ended on Thursday, November 19.  On Friday, November 20 at 3 am the jury announced their verdict.  Here is an excerpt from Louise’s book regarding that moment in time:

“It was three o’clock in the morning when even juries and justice might have been thought to sleep.  But I was told they had been out all night and were almost ready to come in and render their verdict.  I was led back to the courtroom. 

“The bailiff looked absurdly cheerful for so weary an hour and so solemn a moment.  Did he know something only the jury was supposed to know at that point?  Look at their faces, someone had said to me.  Find the hint in whether they look grim or happy.
“They didn’t look grim.  That I could be sure of, that they didn’t look grim. 

“I remember those most crucial words, though.  An ending and a beginning.

‘We find the defendant not guilty.’

“I felt nothing.  Only great emptiness.”

Forward to 2024 and I’m finally interested into what happened back then.  I read the book and found it to be remarkable.  Here is the synopsis on Amazon:

“It might have been a Cinderella story. On a hopeful New Year's morning in 1960 the daughter of a working-class Illinois family married a handsome heir -- and ten years later with (in retrospect) almost breathtaking inevitability, Louise Thoresen killed William in the bedroom of their Fresno, California, home, was tried and acquitted. It was an extraordinary meshing of madness, husband and wife reinforcing each other in shoplifting capers on a grand scale, gun buying sprees (a 1967 raid on their San Francisco mansion netted an estimated 500,000 dollars in munitions), the dynamiting of an Arizona radio station. There were hangers-on picked up and discarded, arrests (and hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees), sadistic wife-beatings, the Haight-Ashbury scene and debilitating doses of drugs, commitments to mental institutions and escapes.

“This is Mrs. Thoresen's very personal view of how it all went bad, and it raises more questions than it answers: did her husband attempt to murder his parents; arrange his brother's death, then in turn kill the hired killer; and then plot to murder his wife? Did he actually manipulate her into killing him? Horror overlays grotesqueness in a distasteful, involving and deeply disturbing -- the more so for lacking poignancy -- story of a very au courant American tragedy."

My first question for my mother was why they had deliberated until 3 am?  She said it was because there was a large convention in town and there were no available hotel rooms, so they fed them dinner at a restaurant and then brought them back to the courthouse.

Next question was how did the deliberations go?  She said eleven of the jurors found her not guilty immediately.  There was one who couldn’t get past the fact that she had committed murder, regardless of the reason why.  He was a nice, honest man (my mother actually already had known him before the trial) who couldn’t true-up murder being acceptable.  It took several hours of discussion before he could feel comfortable that self defense was a viable defense.

As the trial went on, the Judge and police officers would escort the jurors out of the courtroom.  When she could, my mother would go to the new school at 5 am and work until she had to appear in court.  No one ever asked her about the case until it was over.  The only question was ‘When will the trial be over?’  As a juror, they’re not allowed to read or watch in media coverage.  Because it was high profile there was much media coverage so my father cut out the daily Fresno Bee Newspaper articles for her to read once the verdict was entered.  She still has them. 
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She said that Mrs. Thoresen always presented herself as a lady.  This surprised me because the woman had been arrested and thrown in jail multiple times, ran arms back and forth across the country and assisted in the dynamiting of a radio station in Arizona.  I read somewhere that after the trial, she enjoyed a quiet life. I wonder if that’s true.

When they said Renn’s debut would be December 25, 2023, we began to make plans.  Tarrah & RJ live about eight hours north of us and we didn’t want them to be alone for the birth.  As it would turn out, and to continue until this day, Renn had a different plan.

Tarrah began having contractions on December 13 at about 5 am.  They continued to increase until she was admitted to Providence Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California at 9:30 am.  Little did she know that her contractions would last for a whopping 36 hours.
The delivery became complicated because of the length of time and because both Tarrah’s and Renn’s heart rates were intermittently decelerating.  The medical team experimented with placing Tarrah in various positions to elevate the discomfort both were having.  They tried placing Tarrah on her left side, then on her back, then on her right side and even on her hands and knees.  They thought perhaps the gravity for Renn would offset the pressure on both.

There were doctors coming in and out of the room.  The ultrasound found that Renn’s arms were up in a boxing position.  By now, the epidural had worn off.  Simply put, Renn was stuck in the birth canal and Tarrah was exhausted, fading in and out of consciousness.

As the situation became dire, more and more medical staff filed into the room.  Towards the end, there were about 12-15 staff, with about 8-10 of them being doctors, all crowded into the room.  The news of this birth had travelled throughout the hospital and it was ‘all hands on deck.’ Many of them were from the NICU department.

Because Renn was stuck, it was decided to attempt a specially designed vacuum, which they called a ‘baby plunger’ to gently pull Renn free.  The plunger is designed to be placed on the baby’s head and guide her out of the birth canal.  A pop-off is when the vacuum is fully suctioned to the baby’s head but pops-off.  It was explained that there can only be three pop-offs before the doctor stops the procedure for the safety of the baby.  The first attempt failed with a pop-off.  The second attempt failed, but the doctor announced that it didn’t count as a pop-off because it wasn’t fully suctioned.  Again it was attempted and now the second pop-off.  At this point RJ was reading the room.  Most non-participating staff were huddled around Tarrah and RJ.  They were looking intently at the situation, prepared to help if necessary.  RJ realized these signs were bad and he was trying to focus on Tarrah and her needs.  He was experiencing the horror of potentially losing them both.  The nurse that had been with them for much of the entire 36 hours made a face and shook her head twice.  RJ emotionally sunk further.

On the third and final attempt Renn made it to the outside world.  If she hadn’t been successful, they were prepared to do an emergency c-section.  The umbilical cord was wrapped twice around her neck, surprising the doctor.  It had not shown up on the ultrasounds, so the theory was that it had happened when they were experimenting with various positions for Tarrah.  The last two hours were natural, without the benefit of an epidural.

Renn was purple and limp, she was not breathing.  They placed her on Tarrah’s stomach, but she wasn’t breathing!  Tarrah began to freak out.  Renn was quickly taken off her belly and given to a respiration therapist (RT) from the NICU who had come into the room towards the end of the birthing process.  Then, a faint whimper.  Tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy as Renn took her first breaths.  The RT asked RJ if he wanted to go with Renn to the NICU or stay with Tarrah.  Tarrah wanted him to go with Renn.  As the RT, RJ and Renn were heading toward the NICU, the RT placed a tube in Renn’s throat and gently tapped it when he wanted her to breathe in.  RJ thanked him for saving his daughter’s life.  The bald man smiled and said, ‘No problem.’  RJ bent down toward Renn and whispered ‘Hi Renn, I’m here!’.  She opened her eyes and grabbed his finger.  The RT placed a tube in Renn’s belly to relieve air and a ventilator in her nose.  Renn was so tired that she fell into a peaceful sleep.

The hospital staff gave Renn a small felt heart to place on her chest.  Tarrah and Renn each got one so that they could have the scent of each other as they recuperated from the ordeal.  The little family now could catch up on their sleep; Renn in NICU, Tarrah in her surgical bed and RJ in a cot next to her.
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Renn was born on December 14, 2023, at 6:40 PM.  The family stayed in the hospital for two more days of recuperation.  As they prepared to leave, Tarrah and RJ asked for the names of everyone who had helped with the birth, they wanted to personally thank all.  Nobody, not one person, knew the name nor recognized the RT who was Renn’s primary savior in those first minutes and hours.  There was no information on who he was, where he was from or what he specifically does.  So, until we know otherwise, we are calling him Renn’s Angel and we cannot be more grateful for him.

Over a year ago, my husband and I were on one of our usual 10,000 step walks.  A man walking his dog stopped us.  He said he’d watched us walk by his house for years and felt it was time he knew our names.  This prompted a conversation that eventually led to us traveling with him and 37 others to Israel.

Many years ago, our church organized a trip to Israel, and we talked ourselves out of going.  It was too expensive, our boys were too active to burden anyone else, etc.  We have been remorseful ever since.  When the man, Steve, told us about the trip that he and his church were organizing we did not hesitate to commit.  Everything fell into place.  We ended up knowing quite a few of the other travelers.  Two pastors were going with us as guides, these two pastors held classes for us to prepare us for the trip.  There was a growing bond with the group and each of us had a story about how the trip had been set up in an individualized, spiritual way.  For us, we received an unexpected check in the mail that was only $17 short of what we needed to pay our balance.

At one of the classes, Pastor Ed explained that often travelers become overwhelmed in Israel because moving geographically through the area conflicts with the actual Biblical timeline.  To help us with the ability to understand what events happened in which places, he provided an inexact timeline:

2000 BC                                Abraham
1500 BC                                Moses
1000 BC                                David
500 BC                                  Daniel
0 AD                                      Jesus
1000 AD                                The Pope was established
1500 AD                                Martin Luther
20th Century AD                   Israel reestablished in 1948

The itinerary fell perfectly into place.  We were to take a charter bus from our hometown to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 16, 2023 where we would catch our direct, 14 hour flight to Tel Aviv.  We would begin our tour in Ezuz, then travel to Mount Karkom (the real Mount Sinai), the Wilderness of Paran, Eilat, cross into Jordan for Petra, the mountains of Edom, Mount Nebo and Amman.  From there, we would go to Yabok, the mountains of Moab, Beit Shean, Sussita and Galilee.  From Galilee we would travel to Mount of Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi, Mount Arbel, Mount Carmel and Jerusalem.  Then, Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Dead Sea, old Jericho Road, City of David, Western Wall, Kidron Valley, Mount of Olives, Bethlehem, Bethesda, Stations of the Cross, church of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount Zion, Garden Tomb, and back to Tel Aviv.  Yes, quite the itinerary, but an exceptional excitement for us.  For years, we’ve read the Bible daily and are familiar with the locations where many of the Bible stories occurred.
We were ready.  New walking shoes, weather expectations, passports in order, Known Traveler Numbers (KTN’s) procured, tour guide tip money secured, luggage and clothing strategy prepared, etc. 

On October 7, 2023, I received a text from my mother that simply said, ‘Israel attacked today by Palestine.’  I asked my husband if he had heard anything and there was very little news coverage at this point.  We assumed it was a skirmish that would blow over soon, not giving it much thought.  Then we received an email from Steve on October 13, 2023, that, after much reflection, it had been determined that our trip would be cancelled.  Up to that point, my husband and I had decided we would go regardless.  Much to the objection of our family, we explained that if we were going to die, what better place than the Holy Land.  But that choice had been taken from us, much to the relief of our family.  It was just so surreal.  Everything had fallen into place so easily – it was weeks before we could wrap our heads around this tour being cancelled.

Back in 2022 when we had committed to the trip, we were encouraged to obtain trip insurance.  At the time, Israel required that all travelers have the insurance.  We had never insured a trip, but it was a necessary hoop for this one and we paid $575 for the two of us.   As you might imagine, there was somewhat of a relief that, after learning our trip had been cancelled, remembering that we had insurance for such an event.  Or so we thought.  I pulled out the actual ½ inch agreement and, it only covers terrorist acts if they occur within 30 days of departure.  The attack began 40 days in advance.  I don’t know all of the headaches that went on behind the scene, but in the meantime, I developed a growth on the back side of my leg, about where the knee is located.  My doctor referred me to a dermatologist who saw me the next day.  Three days later I was in surgery to remove a growth of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  Due to the location of the growth, I would have very limited mobility for at least 3 weeks.  I was conscious during the procedure and told her about my Israel trip and the insurance.  A similar thing had happened to her years earlier when she was planning on travelling to Cairo and war had broken out just prior.  She too had trip insurance, but her claim was denied for similar reasons as ours.  My husband got to thinking, with my medical situation, perhaps my claim could be approved for this issue, regardless of the terrorist attack.  My dermatologist filled out the medical form and I submitted it.
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As is often the case in life, we are on one trajectory that looks solid, only to have the rug pulled out from us as we lay in bewilderment.  But as Christians, we know that as long as we’re prayerful, it will all make sense at some point in the future.  In the meantime, we’ll eagerly wait for the next door in our future to open.

​The minute we heard the iconic rock band U2 would be playing in Las Vegas, we prepared to purchase tickets.  The venue was something called ‘Sphere.’  Whatever.  We just wanted to see U2.  Once tickets were procured, we began researching hotel and restaurant options near Sphere.  The more we learned about the venue the more our interest piqued for the event.

According to www.thespherevegas.com, there were at least 24 formulas and mathematical laws used for the design coupled with current engineering and technology practices.  In the website’s FAQs it provides further detail: “Sphere is a next-generation entertainment medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment, allowing the foremost artists, creators, and technologists to create extraordinary experiences that take storytelling to a new level and transport audiences to places both real and imagined. The venue is powered by cutting-edge technologies that ignite the senses and enable audiences to share experiences at a never-before-seen scale.”  True that.

From the outside, it’s something to behold.  The graphics are top notch and changing constantly to reflect the seasons, special occasions, and anything else to surprise Las Vegas Goers.  Examples include a giant eyeball, a jack-o-lantern, jellyfish, fireworks, and a basketball.  All easily seen even from the land and air.

Once inside, there is futuristic music playing with the atmosphere bathed in blue.  It’s cool, but not extraordinary.  We walked inside the main arena and took our seats.  I remembered the warning we received via email prior to the concert:

Important Info
This event may include immersive elements such as seat haptics, movement sensations, flashing lights, intense lighting, visual effects, loud noises, and atmospheric simulations. Such elements may aggravate certain medical or physical conditions, and guests should take into consideration these elements, including if they have a history of discomfort or physical symptoms when experiencing them. Visit the Sphere FAQs here and the U2 event page on thespherevegas.com closer to your event date for the latest event information.

We were on the first tiered level, only feet away from the band.  There were several tiers, and I imagined the folks on the top would have a better view of Spere, but also be more prone to vertigo.  It looked pretty steep up there.  In my pictures embedded here you can see the top tier of the sold-out crowd had the optical illusions closest to their purview.  One of the first visuals, and my second favorite, was a series of colorful numbers and letters that filled the entire Sphere.  They turned into a box and the lid of the box began descending to the point where I felt the urge to duck so it didn’t hit my head.  As it was descending, the stage where U2 was performing looked like it was ascending to meet the numbers and letters.  At this point the warning email made perfect sense.  I felt dizzy and had to hold on to my arm rests to keep my balance.

At one point lead singer Bono whispered very quietly into the microphone, ‘Can you hear me?’  We could.  The acoustics were spot on.  His voice’s inflections, whether bold or subdued, resonated as if he was standing next to us.

My favorite display was toward the end of the performance.  Bono said we were going to ‘open up Sphere.’  Suddenly, we could see outside of the structure as if we were looking out of a window.  It showed the casinos, hotels, Ferris wheel,  the Strip, and cars driving on the streets.  Then, large cranes appeared and began dismantling the hotel/casinos and other structures until they were no longer there.  The cranes continued to dismantle structures until all that was left was sand and brush.  It felt like we were watching the concert in the middle of a desert.  The sun set in the west and the sky turned dark except for the multitude of stars.  All the time, U2 was performing.   My eyes were vacillating from the band to the scenery, back and forth.  The sun rose again in the east.  Off in the distance there was movement, as it came closer, rather quickly, it was realized that it was a large body of water, maybe an ocean.  It roared right up to the stage then settled so that it appeared the stage was floating on water, making it seem like the audience was also floating on the water.  Off in the distance we could see an object.  So far away that it was indistinguishable.  As it gradually came closer, it was discernable as a very large egg-shaped object.  It was taller than the stage and when it reached the stage it cracked open and inside was a kaleidoscope.  The audience was visually hurled inside the kaleidoscope being tossed around as if we were a part of it.  Vertigo set in again.

That’s all I’ll give away now.  As best as I can describe it, as good as video or photos are, there is nothing that can capture the experience more than actually being there.  Right now it’s expensive and tickets are hard to come by.  But keep trying.  You will not be disappointed.

If you go:
Sphere (notice it’s usually not called The Sphere) can be accessed through the Venetian. The Venetian is very expensive at this point.  We stayed next door at the Best Western to save quite a bit of money.  Best Western is nestled between the Venetian and Harrah’s.  Since we only slept in our room, it didn’t matter to us.  If you join their rewards club, you get an even better rate.

The Venetian has a U2 immersive merchandise store, called Zoo Station, where you can not only purchase merch, but also have three photo ops that are U2 related.   At Sphere, there were long lines for merch.  We had no line at the Zoo Station with the same selection.

We had two delicious dinners.  The first was Mott 32 in the Venetian.  Make reservations as far in advance as possible and preorder the Peking Duck.  For more details on the ambiance and cuisine, visit my  previous blog post.

The next evening we dined at Gordon Ramsay’s Ramsay’s Kitchen in Harrah’s.  We are Gordon Ramsay fans and enjoyed eating some of his signature dishes that we previously only saw on television.  We opted for the 5-Course tasting menu.  The risotto and beef wellington were excellent, but our favorite was the salmon crudo appetizer.

Inside Sphere, your cell phones are out of service, but unprofessional photos from cell phones are allowed.

There is seating that has limited visibility due to the tiers above them.  I suggest you purchase seats in the 3rd or 4th tier up for an optimal experience.  Regardless of what tier you end up in, try to get seats that are closest to the stage.  The ones that are further away from the stage are visually limited because of the overhead from the tier above them.

Sich amüsieren!

I don’t bother learning actors’ or singers’ names.  I can’t tell you the name of a song or the lyrics.  And yet why I was so intrigued with Lady Diana Spencer I have no idea.  I hear it said that ‘every girl wants to be a princess.’  Not me.  I didn’t identify with her at all, and yet she captured my attention and holds it till this day.  The 26th anniversary of her tragic death reminds me of where I was when I heard the news.  In 1997 my husband and I went to a nice restaurant and left our young son with my dad and his wife.  When we picked him up, they both came to the door and told us that Princess Diana had died.  It was that big of a deal to me and everyone knew it.  I stayed up to watch her funeral.  I even cried when they showed an envelope on her casket that was addressed to ‘Mummy.’

When she first came on the scene in 1981, she was so authentic and seemingly innocent.  I watched as the media too became enthralled with her every move.  We all witnessed the transformation of a young lady into a Princess who used her position to work on making the world a better place.  I was away in college when she married Prince Charles.  Back then, we didn’t have DVR’s so I stayed up all night to watch the wedding live.  The spectacle didn’t disappoint.  Her dress had a 25’ train and a tulle veil attached to her tiara that was 153 yards long.  It was epic.

When the Princess Diana doll in her wedding dress became available in 1987 by the Danbury Mint, my mother purchased one for me.  I still have it.  After she died, my husband mentioned that the doll would be more valuable now.  And it is, but not so much so that I would sell it.

When she gave birth to William in 1982, a friend from college who was from England said, ‘Another mouth to feed’ while rolling her eyes.   She was unimpressed with the Royals, not even Princess Diana could soften her heart.

As she matured, Di became more and more confident.  Even when she no longer was a Princess, the media still followed her and she continued to increasingly be more savvy with the world platform.

Relatively recently, her clothing was on display on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.  We happened to be there for a soccer tournament, so my husband drove me to the ship and stayed in the car while I walked through the display.  This is another instance where I’m deviating from my usual behavior because of her.  I’m often the one that opts out of museum-type excursions.  I was hoping the wedding dress would be there, but it wasn’t.  It was still fun to see many of her outfits.  She had a remarkable flare for style.
Side note.  I titled this blog ‘Let Di be a Lady’ because while at a bar someone told my friend to act like a lady.  Lady Di had just been introduced to the world and my friend retorted, ‘Let Di be a lady!’  That became an inside joke for years.
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I woke up this morning thinking that the paparazzi had taken pictures of her as she was dying.  Those have never been revealed, but someday surely they will be.  Not something I would want to see.  But it’s probably inevitable.  It is so sad that she left this world early, but as Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu rightly said, “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”

I’ve always had 20/20 vision, until I didn’t.  My eyes blurred everything up close and I ended up placing reading glasses in every room so that I could grab them if I needed to read.  I tolerated this for about ten years.  At my recent annual checkup, I asked the doctor about Lasik surgery.  She said that instead, I was a candidate for cataract surgery and could have corrected lenses inserted at that time under my insurance.  The caveat was that my left eye would see far and my right eye would see close up.  It would take my brain time to get used to this and about 60% of the people who had it done liked it.  Or, I could pay about $5,000 to have both eyes see the same.  Whichever procedure I chose, would be final.  I wouldn’t be able to undo the lenses.  I opted for the free insurance surgery.  There would be two surgery dates, first for the left eye, followed by surgery on the right eye three weeks later.

On the day of the surgery, I had to fast for eight hours.  Not even allowing for water.  At the office were several other people.  Each of us had a designated driver that had to stay in the waiting room for the entire three hours it would take to complete the procedure.  Oddly, they had televisions in the waiting area and the channel was set for an animal station where polar bears were chasing, killing and eating baby penguins.  Anyhow, when it was my turn, I was taken to a small room where I was asked a lot of questions and a purple X was placed on my skin above the left eye.  Then I was taken to a staging area where there were four gurneys lined up with curtains separating each one.  I laid down as was directed and I placed a hair cap on my head to keep the hair away from my face.  The doctor came by and confirmed that I wanted to do this, which I confirmed.  Then an anesthesiologist came in and inserted a substance into an IV that was in a vein in my left hand.  I was told that I would be awake but the substance would make me not care about anything.  After a few minutes I was wheeled into an operating room where they taped my eye open.  I saw two bright, small lights in the shape of squares.  But I felt nothing, and I didn’t have the urge to try to blink.  Just a few minutes later I was wheeled out into a recovery area and helped to get up from the gurney to a recliner-like chair.  I was offered crackers and water.  My husband was called and drove the car to a side door that led to me.  When I got up to leave, I was a little dizzy and held onto his arm for balance. I was given sunglasses that shielded light from all sides.   He asked where I would like to go for lunch and I selected Chili’s Grill & Bar as I was craving their chicken tortilla soup.  The lights were so bright that I had to keep my sunglasses on inside.

Everything looked very bright and blurry.  But amazingly, I could read the menu at Chili’s without my reading glasses!  At home, I looked in the mirror and realized the purple X was still on my forehead, it took a while to get it to come off.  The next day I was able to drive myself back to the doctor for a checkup.  He said everything was fine.

Three weeks later I went in to repeat the process for the right eye.  This time, I asked for rubbing alcohol to remove the purple X before going out to eat afterwards.  This time my husband took me to Westwood’s BBQ & Spice Co which is a delicious locally owned restaurant.

I was able to get rid of all my glasses and can now see clearly without them.  I would totally do it again knowing what I know now.  However, I would also have paid the $5,000 for 20/20 in both eyes because there are times when something (like the head of someone sitting in front of me) is blocking one eye and that’s the one I need to use at that moment. 
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At my follow-up appointment, she gave me a new prescription for glasses for times when I needed both eyes to behave the same.  The person who fitted me said that I should wear them all the time to protect my good eye.  She pointed out that if the good eye was damaged, I would only have the bad eye to see.  Hmmmm, that would have been good to know before I’d done all this.  But I don’t have any intention of using glasses all the time, that was not the point of this procedure.  It’s been over a month now and I still find myself reaching for glasses when I want to read something.  I had seven pairs of glasses placed in strategic places throughout the house.  Now, they’re in a bag tucked away in a closet.  I’m sure they’ll be donated to charity once I stop mindlessly reaching for them.  

​Our family explored the North Coast of California.  I started to write a blog about our experiences, but thought I’d see what the AI (artificial intelligence) ChatGPT would come up with.  Below are my instructions, the initial writing I gave it and finally, what the AI came up with in two minutes.  The only thing that wasn’t true was the cheese factory in Loleta.  I guess we’ll have to try that next time we’re up there!
This is the instruction I gave to ChatGPT:
Please add personalized fun or interesting details to this blog:
Exploring the North Coast, California
McKinleyville
Getting there and back is the hardest part.  Arcata has a small airport but there are no direct flights from Fresno to Arcata.  You have to fly into San Francisco to catch the Arcata flight.  By the time you’ve jumped through all the hoops, it’s just easier to take the 7 ½ to 9-hour drive, depending on traffic and the time of day.  We stayed at a VRBO in McKinleyville.  The house sits right on the Hammond Trail which was perfect for both the walkers and runners of the family.  It boasts wooded areas, beautiful vistas of the Mad River and Pacific Ocean and a variety of terrains along the 5.5-mile path.  On the trail, right in front of our house, we saw joggers, walkers, bicyclists and horseback riders.  We even caught a glimpse of a skunk, which thankfully ran the other way.
Arcata
We ate at Renata’s Creperie and Salt Fish House and shopped at the North Coast Co-op which a truly a super market.  A fabulous place to explore.  We found a vast selection of local hot sauces where the hardest decision was how to pick only seven bottles as we’re all hot sauce connoisseurs.
Hiked in the Arcata Community Forest, also nicknamed Fairy Forrest behind Cal Poly Humboldt.
On Saturday’s Arcata has the most wonderful Farmer’s Market.
Eureka
We ate at a variety of places in Eureka including Pile High Deli, Brick & Fire Bistro, Lost Coast Brewery, Smoke House Bar & Grill,
We visited the Sequoia Park Zoo & Redwood Sky Walk where we saw otters, spider monkeys, red pandas and, my favorite, the bird known as the Crested Screamer.  When the bird belts out its cry, the entire area can hear it.  Despite our efforts we couldn’t get the one at the zoo to scream for us.  Until my husband found them on You Tube.  When he played it the zoo bird went nuts and screamed at the top of its lungs.  Hilarious highlight of our day.
Humboldt Botanical Gardens
Old Town & Waterfront Eureka
Trinidad
We hiked the Trinidad Trail and frolicked at the Dry Lagoon Beach where the rocks are mostly flat and make for a perfect competition for how high can you build your rock tower but the water is too rough to swim or surf so there are fewer people here.
Loleta
Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge
 
This is what it provided me in less than two minutes:
 
Exploring the North Coast, California: A Personalized Adventure
 
McKinleyville: A Serene Retreat
 
Getting to McKinleyville can be quite an adventure in itself, especially if you're coming from Fresno. With no direct flights available, the journey involves a stopover in San Francisco before catching a flight to Arcata. However, for those seeking a more scenic route, the 7 ½ to 9-hour drive offers stunning coastal views, making it a worthwhile option. Our stay at a charming VRBO in McKinleyville provided the perfect base for our North Coast explorations.
 
The Hammond Trail, a Hidden Gem
 
Nestled right next to our McKinleyville abode was the Hammond Trail, a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. This 5.5-mile path meanders through wooded areas, offering breathtaking vistas of the Mad River and the vast Pacific Ocean. We were delighted to encounter a vibrant mix of walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and even horseback riders along the trail. Our most unexpected encounter was a skunk scurrying away, providing us with a memorable wildlife sighting.
 
Arcata: Culinary Delights and Enchanting Forests
 
Our culinary journey in Arcata was nothing short of delightful. Renata's Creperie and Salt Fish House satisfied our taste buds with their delectable offerings. However, our most exciting find was the North Coast Co-op, a supermarket paradise. As hot sauce connoisseurs, we were overwhelmed by the vast selection of local hot sauces, leaving us with the challenging task of narrowing down our choices to only seven bottles.
To immerse ourselves in nature's enchantment, we embarked on a hike through the Arcata Community Forest, fondly referred to as the Fairy Forest by locals. Its lush greenery and tranquil ambiance transported us to a fairy tale realm. On Saturdays, we indulged in the vibrant and diverse offerings of the Arcata Farmers Market, immersing ourselves in the local culture and flavors.
 
Eureka: Eclectic Dining and Unforgettable Zoo Moments
 
Eureka greeted us with a plethora of dining options. The Pile High Deli, Brick & Fire Bistro, Lost Coast Brewery, and Smoke House Bar & Grill catered to our varying culinary preferences, leaving us craving for more. However, our most unforgettable moment occurred at the Sequoia Park Zoo & Redwood Sky Walk. Amongst the otters, spider monkeys, and red pandas, the Crested Screamer stole the show. The bird's powerful cry echoed throughout the area, captivating everyone. Despite our failed attempts to make it scream, a hilarious discovery awaited us. After finding a YouTube video featuring the bird's call, we played it, causing the zoo's own Crested Screamer to join in, resulting in a chorus of laughter.
 
Trinidad: Hiking and Rock Tower Competitions
 
Trinidad beckoned us with its natural wonders. We embarked on the Trinidad Trail, immersing ourselves in its captivating beauty. Later, we found ourselves at Dry Lagoon Beach, a paradise for rock tower enthusiasts. With mostly flat rocks at our disposal, we competed to see who could build the tallest tower. Although the rough water prevented swimming or surfing, the absence of crowds allowed us to relish this serene coastal haven.
 
Loleta and Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge: Nature's Oasis
 
Our North Coast adventure continued in Loleta, where we marveled at the Loleta Cheese Factory, sampling an array of artisanal cheeses. The Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge provided a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a chance to observe various species in their natural habitat.
 
The North Coast of California has much to offer for adventurers seeking a blend of natural beauty, culinary delights, and unforgettable moments. From the tranquil trails of McKinleyville to the enchanting forests of Arcata, the eclectic dining scene of Eureka, and the serene havens of Trinidad, Loleta, and the Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge, this region promises an unforgettable journey for all who venture here.