Category: Misc

So much to report, so little time…Big Sur update

Had a great time on the coast today. Saw many, caught up on much, had a few adventures, and made it home … barely. 

Stories tomorrow, and possibly a photo or two, but tonight, a factual report about conditions. Kirk Creek Campground was full at 11 am, but had spaces again this evening. Limekiln is still closed, but rumor has it it will open as soon as possible, but no date. Every empty campsite at the Big Sur State Park had a “Reserved for Tonight” sign. Construction going on on Highway One in three different places: Rain Rocks, near Limekiln; Lucia; and the entrance for the State Park. Delays are minimal at all three places.

Stay tuned for a more detailed analysis tomorrow.

Tidbits on 5/27

Friday, Dakota has to go back to the vet. She has a gaping hole that is not closing up, and a few  stitches that have not been removed. *Sigh* This poor gal has not been outside off a leash in a month now. Poor, sweet Dakota.

Today, I have to go to the Big Sur Post Office to pick up a certified letter for work, so will get to explore the coast once again before it gets too crowded. I’ll report later, and hopefully have a Random Big Sur photo to share.

BigSurKate goes exotic

    

Cottage Flowers, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

Fire season will start in no time, and this blog could become very active for the summer. (If I am lucky, it won’t.) Come July, I will have been blogging for one year, almost every day, sometimes many times a day. It is time for a short break.

While I can, before the fire season starts, I am taking a vacation — the exotic locales of Morocco and Greece. I leave in a few days, and will be back Memorial Day weekend. I haven’t decided if I will take my laptop, or not, so unsure if I will be blogging. 

Look for a Big Sur update on Memorial Day weekend, when I’ll be stopping in our little village to meet friends on my way home. In the meantime, may you have a glorious May. (BTW, Dakota update below — #714.)

Dakota Update #714

Just kidding. I think I’ve only given about 6. It just seems like 714, huh?

She got the drain out — not two, but one long drain that went all the way through. She looks really good according to the vet’s assistant. She will go back on Friday, not Wednesday, for stitches removal. Weds. is too soon. No talk of a 3d surgery, which is great. I forgot to ask, but I’m sure if it was looking like that, someone would have told me. That is a major relief.

Tomorrow, Dakota and I move back into the regular place, so I can train her and the other dogs, and get her ready for my departure. I want her isolated one more day while the drain holes start to close up. It is easier to keep her and her bedding clean in here without the dog hair, dirty paws, and slobber of 3 other dogs around. (Actually, none of my dogs slobber, but you know what I mean.)

I have spent a lot of time training Dakota and the dog-sitter, and am feeling more comfortable about leaving. The ex will take her in to the vet on Friday, and bring her home afterwards. Isn’t he a great guy?? So, things seem to be shaping up nicely.

Dakota Update, 5/3

Dakota took a major leap forward this afternoon. She tried to chase a cat. While I don’t condone that behavior, and have consistently tried to break her of that habit, it is the first time in weeks, where she cared enough to even attempt it. Tomorrow, the vet.

A one-room cottage

   

Reminder of Grandma, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

I have been spending a lot of time in my cottage, alone with my injured dog, Dakota, nursing her back to health. I am hoping that in doing so, we can avoid yet a third surgery. It has been only 5 days since her second surgery, but she brightens a little more each day.

In my cottage is this print hanging on the wall. It is old and faded, in a cheap frame, and not worth much to anyone but me. It was my grandmother’s and hung in her living room. I love this print, and love this photo of it. 

During the last 5 days of confinement, I have come to appreciate this one-room cottage even more.

4 suspected Swine Flu cases in Monterey County

KSBW reported tonight (5/1) that there are 4 students in Monterey County who are suspected of having swine flu. One is from Salinas, and the other 3 are from South County. All are being confined at home. Test results will not be available for 3 days.

Story available here: http://www.ksbw.com/news/19346114/detail.html

And I thought this would be a slow news day. Three posts, albeit this is the only important one.

5/1 Updates

Quick report:

11:30 am – The much anticipated, and welcomed rain has begun, thankfully, very gentle drizzle. Hopefully, more to come.

Dakota continues to heal, but very slowly. She will get the drains removed Monday, but in the meantime, I try to keep them clean, keep her quiet and calm, and give her medications twice a day. Walk her carefully four times a day. Just about a full-time job taking care of her, right now, making sure she doesn’t lick or try to pull the drains out. She cannot wear a collar, it puts too much stress on her.

Rabbit Hole

Life on the Edge … We all spend time here, wondering if our balance will leave us … falling … into the rabbit hole. That is where I am, at the moment – balanced at the edge of the rabbit hole.

My water system collapsed. Not totally, as I had 600 gallons stored, so just rationing at the moment while we work to get it back up and running. Will take a week or two. Not a good thing at the beginning of fire season.

My dog was missing for 4 days, and returned in bad shape as you all know.

I leave for Morocco in one week on a trip that has been planned for a year.

I am behind in my work. This isn’t new, but with leaving, it is just a tad more added stress.

Oh, and the swine flu pandemic. Is this really a good time to be traveling? 

How deep is this rabbit hole, anyway?

The swine flu is on everybody’s mind. Big Sur is susceptible, as we have visitors from all over the world. It is the beginning of the tourist season. Monterey County has designated the Big Sur Health Clinic as a “sentinel” site. Which means close monitoring, although it has neither of the two treatment medicines available.

The WHO (World Health Organization) has just upgraded the level of the swine flu (H1N1 – wtf is this? We can’t call it swine flu anymore?) to one level below a full blown pandemic. A little boy in TX (visiting from Mexico) died yesterday. This is the first death in the US. My friend has been on a cruise from Florida through the Panama Canal. They stopped in Mexico, although canceled the Cabo stop due to the flu. I would imagine when it docks in San Diego tomorrow, the passengers will be checked for flu symptoms. My concern is for those people who serve the motoring public here, and have contact with literally hundreds of people a day.

As for me, my advice is: Wash your hands, often and  keep your hands away from your face.  If you can, join me in dancing around this rabbit hole we call life, and have fun … and encourage others  to do the same. What else can we do?