Meredith Kendall's Blog, page 92
August 10, 2012
motor vehicle maintenance
Called car mechanic for appointment; car is due for annual inspection. Mechanic is awesome: honest, hardworking, and cool - - retired race car driver. I reminded him about warning lights on dashboard.
"It won't pass inspection with those on," he told me. "You have to take it to the dealer for that."
Went to the dealer. Four guys were standing around. Well, they happened to have an opening, yes, they could take care of my car right now. Two hundred dollars later the lights are off, but they found rust.
Called car mechanic; asked about rust.
"It won't pass inspection with rust," he told me. "You have to take it to a body shop for that." He recommended a local shop.
Went to the auto body shop. They can work on it in 10 days, loan me a loaner, and it's going to cost about $1000. They do inspections.
"It won't pass inspection with those on," he told me. "You have to take it to the dealer for that."
Went to the dealer. Four guys were standing around. Well, they happened to have an opening, yes, they could take care of my car right now. Two hundred dollars later the lights are off, but they found rust.
Called car mechanic; asked about rust.
"It won't pass inspection with rust," he told me. "You have to take it to a body shop for that." He recommended a local shop.
Went to the auto body shop. They can work on it in 10 days, loan me a loaner, and it's going to cost about $1000. They do inspections.
August 9, 2012
Old Orchard Beach-2
We hear French everywhere we go. There are lots of French Canadians here, Quebecois mostly. I love hearing the cadence and syllables of the language.
I can speak a tiny bit of French, but I don't even try to understand as I eavesdrop. I listen to the sound and rhythm.
Here at the motel, the men grill, the women sit in the jacuzzi, and the children run around in swimsuits. There are big family groups here. They get up early and head to the beach, come back to the pool in the late afternoon, and stay up late eating steak and drinking beer. Laughing. All the time, talk talk talk in French. It's comforting. Happy sounds, no clue what they are saying. Just happy vacation sounds.
I can speak a tiny bit of French, but I don't even try to understand as I eavesdrop. I listen to the sound and rhythm.
Here at the motel, the men grill, the women sit in the jacuzzi, and the children run around in swimsuits. There are big family groups here. They get up early and head to the beach, come back to the pool in the late afternoon, and stay up late eating steak and drinking beer. Laughing. All the time, talk talk talk in French. It's comforting. Happy sounds, no clue what they are saying. Just happy vacation sounds.
knee Reiki
Got to share some Reiki here on our beachy vacation.
My cousin's knee is sore, torn meniscus. I gave her some Reiki this morning. I hope it helps.
My cousin's knee is sore, torn meniscus. I gave her some Reiki this morning. I hope it helps.
Old Orchard Beach
Vacationing at the beach.
We had perfect beach days: hot and sunny with 3 foot waves. We jumped and twirled in the waves, Amelia and I. We made up a song and sang it over and over, with synchronized dance moves and salty somersaults. We scoffed at the smaller waves and screamed "pineapple" at the larger ones.
Why "pineapple?" you ask.
"You shouldn't scream 'Help!' unless you really mean it," I told Amelia. So we screamed "pineapple!" and "avocado!"
Amelia and I went shopping. I bought her a High School Musical boogie board and a supercute top. She bought herself some feather earrings. She had her ears pierced last year, on her 8th birthday. She wanted a slushy for breakfast. "Maybe tomorrow," I said.
There are lots of Eastern Europeans working in the shops. I recognize the accent from staff at my teen camp. They come here to work because the exchange rate is good. They work hard and are able to work longer into the summer season, as their universities start later in September.
The young lady at the boogie board shop told us she was from Bulgaria. "Do you go to college?" I asked.
"University, yes. I study International Marketing."
We had perfect beach days: hot and sunny with 3 foot waves. We jumped and twirled in the waves, Amelia and I. We made up a song and sang it over and over, with synchronized dance moves and salty somersaults. We scoffed at the smaller waves and screamed "pineapple" at the larger ones.
Why "pineapple?" you ask.
"You shouldn't scream 'Help!' unless you really mean it," I told Amelia. So we screamed "pineapple!" and "avocado!"
Amelia and I went shopping. I bought her a High School Musical boogie board and a supercute top. She bought herself some feather earrings. She had her ears pierced last year, on her 8th birthday. She wanted a slushy for breakfast. "Maybe tomorrow," I said.
There are lots of Eastern Europeans working in the shops. I recognize the accent from staff at my teen camp. They come here to work because the exchange rate is good. They work hard and are able to work longer into the summer season, as their universities start later in September.
The young lady at the boogie board shop told us she was from Bulgaria. "Do you go to college?" I asked.
"University, yes. I study International Marketing."
August 7, 2012
turtles
Reiki class at the University has been wonderful.
The class is comprised of 17 nurses and nursing students. We talked about history, communication, ethics, and intuition. We shared Reiki with each other, and took field trips to two oncology centers and a hospital. They spoke with people with cancer who found relief with Reiki. Some students did presentations. They analyzed Reiki research and wrote reflective journals.
We did attunements outside. There's a pond in a sculpture garden, with long views of fields and trees. Trees shaded some sitting rocks at the edge of the pond. We gathered there. Sunlight and lily pads spotted the water. Turtles did the dead man's float, then dove, then bobbed up again. Koi made orange, black, and white patterns as they floated and darted. Dragonflies zipped above the lily pads. We sat in the quiet.
The attunements yesterday were a select group of three master students. They demonstrated excellence in knowledge, skill, and experience and wrote an extra paper. They studied the master symbols and the attunement process. I quizzed them and we discussed a few issues in greater depth: ethics, energy, and intuition.
I attuned them to Level 3, master/teacher/practitioner. Then each of them attuned another, helping each other to remember the steps. Three more Reiki masters in our world. Reiki light is shining brighter today.
The class is comprised of 17 nurses and nursing students. We talked about history, communication, ethics, and intuition. We shared Reiki with each other, and took field trips to two oncology centers and a hospital. They spoke with people with cancer who found relief with Reiki. Some students did presentations. They analyzed Reiki research and wrote reflective journals.
We did attunements outside. There's a pond in a sculpture garden, with long views of fields and trees. Trees shaded some sitting rocks at the edge of the pond. We gathered there. Sunlight and lily pads spotted the water. Turtles did the dead man's float, then dove, then bobbed up again. Koi made orange, black, and white patterns as they floated and darted. Dragonflies zipped above the lily pads. We sat in the quiet.
The attunements yesterday were a select group of three master students. They demonstrated excellence in knowledge, skill, and experience and wrote an extra paper. They studied the master symbols and the attunement process. I quizzed them and we discussed a few issues in greater depth: ethics, energy, and intuition.
I attuned them to Level 3, master/teacher/practitioner. Then each of them attuned another, helping each other to remember the steps. Three more Reiki masters in our world. Reiki light is shining brighter today.
July 25, 2012
good vibrations
Went to an awesome workshop this evening: vibration and healing.
First T walked us thru some asanas and breathing exercises: yoga.
I did a short meditation on energy fields: how big is it, what color? Is it glitter, bubbles, lightning bolts, or sparklers? Make it as big as the room, now as big as the city. I got the idea for this meditation in yoga class this morning.
But the best part, oh the fantastic superduper part? That was MM and his sounds. Thirty years ago, MM was a construction worker; he fell from a faulty scaffolding and was badly hurt. He had an out-of-body experience on the operating table. Ever since, he's been able to heal with his hands. Birds come to him, dogs, cats, & horses. People. He's so humble, his wife had to introduce him.
He brought a full set of crystal bowls: one for each chakra, gongs, bells, chimes, and CDs. He had 2 CD players going as he played his instruments.
I turned so my heart chakra got the full blast of sound. I meditated and went deep. He played for 40 minutes, but it went by in a flash. It felt like my whole body was cleared of.... stuff. I felt pure.
Gradually I noticed the sounds had stopped. Had they? Yes. Someone said, "That was great!"
Dreamily I thought, "Wow. She can speak." My eyes were still closed.
First T walked us thru some asanas and breathing exercises: yoga.
I did a short meditation on energy fields: how big is it, what color? Is it glitter, bubbles, lightning bolts, or sparklers? Make it as big as the room, now as big as the city. I got the idea for this meditation in yoga class this morning.
But the best part, oh the fantastic superduper part? That was MM and his sounds. Thirty years ago, MM was a construction worker; he fell from a faulty scaffolding and was badly hurt. He had an out-of-body experience on the operating table. Ever since, he's been able to heal with his hands. Birds come to him, dogs, cats, & horses. People. He's so humble, his wife had to introduce him.
He brought a full set of crystal bowls: one for each chakra, gongs, bells, chimes, and CDs. He had 2 CD players going as he played his instruments.
I turned so my heart chakra got the full blast of sound. I meditated and went deep. He played for 40 minutes, but it went by in a flash. It felt like my whole body was cleared of.... stuff. I felt pure.
Gradually I noticed the sounds had stopped. Had they? Yes. Someone said, "That was great!"
Dreamily I thought, "Wow. She can speak." My eyes were still closed.
July 24, 2012
combing out lice
Ever done that? I have.
It's not short hair, greasy hair, or kinky braids. No, usually it's fine blond hair down to the waist. Tiny bugs stroll the scalp. Nits nestle in the roots.
We apply poison and comb. Comb, comb, comb. It's a tedious process, can take hours. We instruct as we comb.
"Don't share combs, hats, scrunchies, helmets, or any type of hair apparatus."
We also assess. "What's your favorite music? Hobbies? Sisters & brothers?" You learn so much when they talk.
Meanwhile bedding is stripped, stuffed animals too; washed in hot water, dried, returned.
Recheck. Fingers crossed no nits. Algorithm: nits: redo whole process; no nits, recheck in 3 days.
It's not short hair, greasy hair, or kinky braids. No, usually it's fine blond hair down to the waist. Tiny bugs stroll the scalp. Nits nestle in the roots.
We apply poison and comb. Comb, comb, comb. It's a tedious process, can take hours. We instruct as we comb.
"Don't share combs, hats, scrunchies, helmets, or any type of hair apparatus."
We also assess. "What's your favorite music? Hobbies? Sisters & brothers?" You learn so much when they talk.
Meanwhile bedding is stripped, stuffed animals too; washed in hot water, dried, returned.
Recheck. Fingers crossed no nits. Algorithm: nits: redo whole process; no nits, recheck in 3 days.
adventures in nursing
He was a big guy, serious, a weight lifter. Big muscles. I wondered if he took anabolic steroids. He used to come in every day to get weighed; he was trying to gain weight. He had a dark complexion and straight black hair, a sweet smile, bright white sclera and teeth, and a beautiful British accent.
"My toe is coming off," he told me one day.
What? Panic. Was I going to have to sew his toe back on? Call an ambulance or arrange an appointment with a specialist? I never heard of this. I'm so ignorant! I call myself a nurse? Panic built.
"Let me see," I said, forcing myself to sound calm.
He showed me his toe. There was an open crease on the plantar surface of his right fourth toe. Pink against his dark skin. I nearly laughed with relief, but didn't. Patients don't like it when the nurse laughs.
"That's athlete's foot. You can get an ointment at the pharmacy." I explained the standard care and reassured him that this was a common ailment; he would not lose his toe.
"My toe is coming off," he told me one day.
What? Panic. Was I going to have to sew his toe back on? Call an ambulance or arrange an appointment with a specialist? I never heard of this. I'm so ignorant! I call myself a nurse? Panic built.
"Let me see," I said, forcing myself to sound calm.
He showed me his toe. There was an open crease on the plantar surface of his right fourth toe. Pink against his dark skin. I nearly laughed with relief, but didn't. Patients don't like it when the nurse laughs.
"That's athlete's foot. You can get an ointment at the pharmacy." I explained the standard care and reassured him that this was a common ailment; he would not lose his toe.
July 21, 2012
family
is the best.
Spent last weekend with my family. Went to my nephew's wedding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hot? Same temp as Maine, but all buildings there are super air-conditioned. Was breezy. Expected desert or prairie, but surrounding area was woody rolling hills.
Traveled with my younger son. He was kind and thoughtful every minute. Had an excellent trip. He even told me when the plane was about to land, so I wouldn't yelp. I don't care for flying.
Stayed in a hotel. I had my own room (heaven). Also in hotel: my two sons, a girlfriend, my sister and family, and my brother and family. That's: 2 sons, 1 girlfriend, 1 sister, 1 BIL, 1 niece, 1 brother, 1 SIL, 2 nephews, and 1 girlfriend. The rest of the family stayed in other hotels in the area.
The hotel had a pool and free breakfast. We spent a lot of time in the pool. And some time drinking and talking in my sons' suite. Honey whiskey?
There were 26 of us at dinner on Saturday night, and 16 on Sunday.
The wedding was in a mansion on the Arkansas River in Tulsa. The colors were turquoise and orange. The bouquets were origami flowers. The food was Indonesian. Oh, and it was a Jewish wedding, under the chuppah.
Lovely. The bride was sweet and generous, the groom was thrilled. They were in love. It was beautiful.
Last family reunion was five years ago, at my brother's wedding. So good to see my family.
Spent last weekend with my family. Went to my nephew's wedding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hot? Same temp as Maine, but all buildings there are super air-conditioned. Was breezy. Expected desert or prairie, but surrounding area was woody rolling hills.
Traveled with my younger son. He was kind and thoughtful every minute. Had an excellent trip. He even told me when the plane was about to land, so I wouldn't yelp. I don't care for flying.
Stayed in a hotel. I had my own room (heaven). Also in hotel: my two sons, a girlfriend, my sister and family, and my brother and family. That's: 2 sons, 1 girlfriend, 1 sister, 1 BIL, 1 niece, 1 brother, 1 SIL, 2 nephews, and 1 girlfriend. The rest of the family stayed in other hotels in the area.
The hotel had a pool and free breakfast. We spent a lot of time in the pool. And some time drinking and talking in my sons' suite. Honey whiskey?
There were 26 of us at dinner on Saturday night, and 16 on Sunday.
The wedding was in a mansion on the Arkansas River in Tulsa. The colors were turquoise and orange. The bouquets were origami flowers. The food was Indonesian. Oh, and it was a Jewish wedding, under the chuppah.
Lovely. The bride was sweet and generous, the groom was thrilled. They were in love. It was beautiful.
Last family reunion was five years ago, at my brother's wedding. So good to see my family.
just held the quarterly
bored meeting with my vacuum cleaner. Boring, but much tidier. Goodbye, dust bunnies. Was regular Watership Down around here. 
