September 30, 2009
Tsunami Advisory
Well, there was an 8.1 earthquake near the island of Samoa in the South Pacific this morning, Tuesday. Now our local Portland news channels are telling us that the Oregon Coast has a Tsunami Advisory in effect until midnight .
They are expecting just a wave increase of only 1-2 feet and strong currents and rip tides along the coast but there can be greater swells in the coves and bays. After the tsunami in Indonesia several years ago, Oregon instituted a method of warning it’s citizens if there was ever the possibility of a tsunami here.
The levels go from the lowest of an Advisory, then a Watch,to the highest and most sever of a Warning.
September 28, 2009
An Award for Portland Firefly
The other day Portland Firefly received notification that this website received an award! www.PDXFirefly.com was voted by its readers as one of the top 100 blogs in Portland. WOW!!!!
I now have my evening gown on and I am “all dolled up” so I can give my acceptance speech.
” I want to thank everyone who voted for me. This award means a lot to me on several levels. First of all, Portland Firerfly was nominated and balloted by my readers. What a complement that is! Second of all, the people at The Daily Reviewer Selection Committee had to agree with my readers that my blog was worthy to be included in the list of the Top 100. I didn’t even know that balloting was going on but I do strive to have an interesting website of quality articles. I strive to have proper grammar and correct punctuation as I think those are often missing in todays fast-paced world. I also strive to have a ‘clean’ website; there are no ads, no pop-ups and no bad language. Portland Firefly is in very good company because the blogs of two of the local televison station are also included. Portland Firefly is in the same class as the “big boys”!! Again, THANK YOU so much for recognizing my writing as something you enjoy reading. That means a tremendous amount to me. You can see my award at the top of this post. And again, thank you for reading my weblog and I hope you come back frequently.”
The following is a direct quote from The Daily Reviewer website home page.
“The Daily Reviewer selects only the world’s top blogs (and RSS feeds). We sift through thousands of blogs daily to present you the world’s best writers. The blogs that we include are authoritative on their respective niche topics and are widely read. To be included in The Daily Reviewer is a mark of excellence.”
September 27, 2009
A Healing Crane
Origami Crane by PDXFirefly
A few weeks ago I had another little problem and needed to go for a mammogram and a special sonogram . Everything turned out OK.
The sonogram technician felt compassion for me and made this healing origami crane for me while I was waiting for the results so I could go home. Wasn’t that sweet of her?! I just wanted to share it with you.
September 25, 2009
Swifts Picnic
Wednesday night, the first full day of Fall was THE perfect time to go and see the migrating Swifts as they flew into the chimney at Chapman School.
We packed up a delicious easy picnic dinner and took our blanket and went to the school in Northwest Portland. There were probably about 1,000 people there. It was a community picnic with blankets spread out everywhere and visitors talking and enjoying their friends and food.
The children were sliding down the very steep hill on cardboard pieces, laughing and interacting with each other in a loving careful way. Young Daddies were helping their little ones slide down the hill and have a good time with the other kids. Other timid or tiny ones just stood at the top of the hill and watched the action, learning how to do the cardboard sliding when they grew bigger!
We arrived early so we could enjoy visiting and dinner well before the swifts arrived to go to sleep in the chimney. About 7:00 pm the birds started arriving and kept flying around the area. One of the more dramatic events always is when “the predators” show up. It was closer to 7:15 when the hawks showed up and provided the crowd with thrilling moments as they flew into the flying flock finding their dinner! The crowd reacts as one person as oohs and ahs escape everyone lips at the same moment as we watch the un-choreographed show. Then all of a sudden the aerial acrobatics cease and the swifts make a last circle around the area and then they just DROP INTO the chimney as they fly over it. It is spectacular to watch and some in the audience even applaud the performance!
Soon it is 7:30, the sun has just set, the last of the birds have gone into their sleeping place and several of us turn our eyes toward the North West sky; you see, on Wednesday night, the International Space Station did a double flyover. The first one was at 7:35 pm and lasted 4 minutes. It only takes a few people to start looking and pointing and soon everyone else is looking skyward too. Another skyward event for the crowd to enjoy ! It was so totally cool.
It is the special moments in our lives that we remember.
This evening was one of those memorable moments for me.
All in all, it was a perfect Portland event on a perfect Portland evening.
http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch/swift-watch
September 24, 2009
Rice Cooker Risotto
Here is an original Portland Firefly Recipe for delicious Italian Risotto, but made in a rice cooker so you have a little more time away from the stove. I hope you enjoy it!!!
RICE COOKER RISOTTO
By
Portland Firefly
1 ½ C Arborio Rice
1 C White Wine
2 C Chicken Broth
1 C Water
3 TBS Unsalted Butter (cut up) (European Style is best)
½ to 1C Grated Parmesan Cheese
½ to 1 C additional Broth
METHOD:
Put 1 C chicken Broth and 1 C Water in Rice Cooker. Turn on rice cooker.
Take 1 ½ C of Arborio rice and heat it up in a large dry skillet. Do not brown the rice; just keep stirring to heat it up for a few minutes.
Heat up the White Wine in a cup in the microwave (do not boil).
Heat up 1 Cup Chicken Broth in microwave.
As soon as the rice gets warm in the skillet, slowly add the hot wine to the rice, stirring constantly over medium heat. After the rice soaks up the wine, slowly add the 1 cup of hot Chicken Broth stirring until the rice absorbs the liquid. I heat the broth in the microwave while I am stirring in the wine.
Then (after it has absorbed all the liquid) transfer the rice to the rice cooker where the remaining broth and water should be hot. Close the rice cooker lid and let it cook until the rice is done. This gives you time to do something else for 20 or 30 minutes.
When the rice is done, add the unsalted butter and most of the parmesan cheese a little at a time. Then you may have to add up to 1 C of additional Chicken Broth to the Risotto to make it creamier but not soupy. Be sure to add the butter, cheese and extra broth while the rice is still hot. I like to put a tiny pat of butter and sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on each portion when serving. I like a lot of parmesan cheese so I use a full cup when mixing, but add to your family’s taste.
I actually prefer my Risotto at room temperature after it sets for about 30 minutes. I think it gives the flavors time to ripen together.
This is still a little bit involved but you will have an excellent Risotto result without stirring and standing over a steaming hot stove for 30 minutes or more and without making a mess on your stove.
An Original Portland Firefly Recipe
September 23, 2009
Savory Salmon
Savory Salmon by PDXFirefly
I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe for salmon filet. It is quick and easy and uses fresh garden herbs. When the weather is hot, you can prepare it in the cool morning, refrigerate it, and eat it chilled for dinner with a nice salad.
SAVORY SALMON by Portland Firefly
Olive Oil — Extra Virgin
Lemon Juice
Garlic
Basil
Dill
Oregano
Wash and pat dry the salmon. Put it skin side down in an oiled pan (so it doesn’t stick). Pour a little Olive Oil over it. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon on it (no seeds!). Sprinkle a little garlic on to taste. Cover with fresh Dill . Lay a lot of Basil leaves inbetween the Dill. Sprinkle a little Oregano over the whole thing.
Bake for 15 – 20 minutes at 400 degrees. You can tell when it is done because the fish will flake easily with a fork.
An Original Portland Firefly Recipe
YUM!!!!
September 22, 2009
Farmer’s Bounty
Farmer's Bounty by PDXFirefly
Here is picture of the beautiful produce I acquired at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
September 21, 2009
Things to See in the Sky
With the upcoming warmer than usual temperatures this week, it might be a good time to get out in the eveing. One thing you can do from your front or back yard is watch the International Space Station on one of its fly overs. Go to this website for dates and times: http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States®ion=Oregon&city=Portland
There are double passes some evenings so take the little ones out for a cool look at our tax dollars at work in the sky!!!
The other event requires a little planning and a drive but is well worth the trip. It is watching the Vaux Swifts (who are migrating birds) do their aerial acrobatics before they fly into Chapman School chimney to sleep each night. Go to this website for the best information: http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch/swift-watch
Pack a picnic dinner, and be sure to pick up after yourself when you leave!
September 19, 2009
Waves
The waves that I’m writing about have nothing at all to do with the ocean. They have to do with Chemotherapy side-effects…. and not good ones.
Do you remember that I told you that you would have to wait until Thursday for me to let you know how the new Chemo protocol was going? Well, I was so toxic (read that as sick) that Saturday is the first day that I felt like writing.
On Monday, I had five drugs, the Carboplatin being the big cancer fighting drug. The other four support the Carboplatin and help alleviate some of that powerful drugs side effects.
Since I have been taking some strong Chemotherapy since March now, (6 months!) I am well aware of the side effects. The one thing that I don’t like however is the fact that the drugs toxicity becomes cumulative in my system. That means that every time I have chemotherapy, my body becomes more and more toxic. You can read that as ~ the side effects become more severe. This week hit me hard.
As I mentioned, I felt ok on Monday and Tuesday. But Wednesday about noon I started “going downhill” and feeling very “”unwell”. But I sucked it up and took a 20 minute walk hoping that would help. I don’t know if it did or not, because that is about the time the waves of nausea started.
I have three very good anti-nausea drugs to take. I took the “big-guns” Zofran first off about noon. After my walk and ginger ale, I still felt nauseated, so I took the second drug, compazine. Both drugs make me sleepy, but the compazine really knocks me out. So, after my 4 hour nap, it was time for dinner and a little TV and more anti-nausea drugs. I had a very good nights sleep Wednesday night as I ignored the waves of nausea.
Thursday, the same scenario, except I took two – two hour naps that day. Even with the anti-nausea pills, I was still fighting the waves of nausea off and on. This continued through Friday night. Saturday morning I decided that I should be able to stop taking the anti-nausea drugs and get by on just the ginger ale. As of Saturday evening, I still have some slight queasiness, but not enough to want to deal with the side effects of the anti-nausea drugs. You see the anti-nausea drugs have some strong side effects in addition to the sleepiness. And I am tired of dealing with those other side effects, too.
Along with the waves of nausea, I was experiencing waves of cold sweats and hot flashes. I would just about get cozy with my blanky and then I’d get all hot and clammy. I’d take off my scarf or hat, throw off my quilt, get up and get a drink of water, feel a little unsteady and then start to get chilled! I’d be all hot and cold at the same time. This continues even through Saturday night and I expect it will last for several more days.
In fact I made myself go to the Saturday Farmers Market and I had to sit down about five times during the short hour I was there because of the waves of hot flashes/ cold sweats /icky feeling I kept having. But the bounty of fresh produce I acquired was worth the outing!
Waves of nausea, waves of hot flashes, waves of clammy cold sweats, waves of feeling icky~~ these are not the waves I crave. The waves I crave are ocean waves!!!!!
September 16, 2009
New Chemo Protocol
As I indicated in one of my recent posts, Portland Firefly is getting tired of chemotherapy. I expressed this to my Doctor at Monday’s visit and she felt that it would be OK to revise my Chemo schedule.
On Monday, I received only one big Chemo Drug, the Carboplatin. She withheld the Taxol this time as that is the one that has the most undesirable side effects. She would not have changed the schedule if she felt it would compromise my winning this war. Monday night, I felt pretty good but we have to wait until Thursday, because that is the usually the worst day for me.
September 15, 2009
America’s Got Talent
With the fatigue from her Chemo treatments turning her into a “recliner” potato, Portland Firefly has been watching a lot of TV. One of my must watch programs has been America’s Got Talent. Wow! What a showcase of talented individuals! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the semi- finalists that have performed last night.
Tonight the ten finalists performed. And here is Portland Firefly’s take on some of the acts.
Barry Gordy or whomever is the head honcho at Motown records needs to sign Voices of Glory and Lawrence Beaman. Both have wonderful careers ahead of them. Beaman I can see on stage on Broadway or as a headliner for his own show. I bet Oprah will have him on as a guest and soon!
I think the three children who comprise the Voices of Glory do not belong in Las Vegas. But I do think they have a great career ahead of them if they get picked up by the right recording company and manager.
Hairo Torres from Oregon (!) created a new way of dancing and with his cute smile, he is also entertaining as well. I look for Cirque du Soleil to pick him up as a featured act. The only problem is that he is the act. It is a very physical performance and if he gets injured, then what happens to the act ?
Drew Stevyns. cute, good voice, likeable, plays the guitar, very marketable. Again another career in the making and a possible dark horse to win the competition.
The Fab Five, a group of five sisters from Utah with 17 children between them belong as headliners in Branson, MO. Branson is a destination town in the beautiful hills of Missouri renowned for its family atmosphere and talent-filled shows. Branson is a better choice for these five families than Vegas. Still, the are fun to watch and I loved their costumes for the finals.
The Texas Tenors have consistently given excellent performances and they are so handsome!!! I can’t decide which one I like the best !!! Oh, I forgot to mention that they are talented also. I can see them in Vegas or again in Branson. Missouri is closer to Texas than Vegas but I think they would prefer Vegas. They will be a success where ever they land with their talent and charisma.
Grandma Lee is a 76-year-old grandmother who is having her first chance as a stand-up comedienne. She writes her own material and is truly fresh and funny! She always makes me laugh out loud. She will land in Vegas one way or another. I bet she shows up on Jay Leno’s new show.
Then there is the Chicken Catcher, Kevin Skinner. He started out with a backward hat and sang from his heart. He has a beautiful voice and has managed to make himself marketable in a very short period of time. Look for him to be giving up his Chicken Catching days as he launches his music career.
Recycled Percussion closed the show and they always get rave reviews from the judges, but they are not my cup of tea. Innovative and entertaining, they are not something I’d pay money to go and see, but the younger crowds would.
And who is my pick for the winner? My favorite is the beautiful, talented, lovely young opera singer, Barbara Padilla. I could listen to her sing all night. I have never seen or heard anything so beautiful as she was the night she sang the Ave Maria in that golden gown. Tonight, she was a singing Audrey Hepburn dressed right out of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Look for the results on Wednesday night at 8:00 pm. Who will win the Million Dollars and the chance to headline a show in Vegas? I don’t know who will win, but I would pay to go see all of the finalists in a touring show. What a show that would be!!!
Be sure to watch 8:00 pm on Wednesday night to see who the winner of the 1 Million Dollars will be.
September 14, 2009
Living With Cancer
Today I have made a paradime shift in the way that I think about my cancer.
My former thought process was that of ” I have cancer. What am I going to do?”
Now I have shifted my thought process to that of ” I have cancer. I am living with cancer. I am not dying of cancer.”
It sounds so simple when one sees it written out like that –straight forward and to the point. But it is not so easy to arrive at that state of mind when you are the one fighting this dreaded disease. As I mentioned — it is a process to arrive at this place. Living with cancer is a journey. One that we have not chosen and with a known destination but at an unknown time. Now is the time to embrace the phrase “Getting there is half the fun!” and so now I will try to fully embrace this journey and try to have some fun on the way!
September 11, 2009
September 11
Tomorrow is September 11th. 9 / 11
Where were you that day? How was your world changed?
At the time, I was an active Flight Attendant for a major United States carrier. Yes, one of the ones that lost planes, crew members, and passengers. And no, I did not know anyone on board any of those historic flights and even though I lived in NYC for a number of years, I did not know anyone who was murdered in the attack on our country that day.
I was at home between flights thinking about packing for my regularly scheduled flight the following morning. My mother called and asked if I had the TV on. When I said, no, she told me to turn it on. I watched the attacks in unbelief trying to wrap my mind around what my eyes were seeing…. trying to process the visual information that just didn’t want to process mentally. To this day, when I watch the documentaries of the attacks, I still cannot totally comprehend the magnitude of the events of that day.
It reminds me of my reaction to the plane crash in Sioux City, Iowa years earlier. Over and over I watched the news reports trying to imagine the horror inside that plane as the plane tore apart while on fire . You will recall, many passengers survived finding themselves alive in the tall Iowa cornfield that graced the runway. The cool moisture of the tall cornstalks may have had a beneficial effect on the flames. Remember that whenever the fuselage of a plane ruptures you are provided another possible exit; take advantage of it. But believe me, no Flight Attendant will have to tell you that!
The attacks of 9/11 were very well planned . I know that they were in the planning for many years and a lot of money was spent in their careful planning. I am convinced that I had the terrorist/hijackers on at least two different flights of mine and that I personally spoke to at least 4 of them on separate occasions during their reconnaissance flights prior to 9/11. A chilling retrospective thought.
The first time was out of Florida. This small-in-stature middle eastern man was a passenger in coach sitting about seat 10a on our MD-80 aircraft. The flight was moderately light, about half full. At that time we were still serving drinks and meals in coach! After we finished the meal service, this man told me that he was in flight school in Florida and that he would like to go look around the cockpit.
When I inquired what type of aircraft he was training in he replied that he was going to be a Captain on a 767. I found that almost unbelievable knowing how much our Captains have to go through in order to become qualified on the wide-bodied aircraft. And the years of flying that were needed for them to become senior enough to hold a Captains bid with the major air carriers.
I politely told him that I would check with the Captain, but I knew the answer even before saying I would check with the Captain. I remember the conversation, because it was such an unusual request. Sometimes we would allow children to come to the cockpit during flight when there were none of the security cockpit restrictions that are now in place. After making the Captain aware of the request, I told the man that he was welcome to stop by the cockpit after the flight to visit with the pilots. He never did stop by the cockpit. I believe that he was Hani Hanjour from the photos I saw later of the terrorists.
The other incident occurred out of Newark. You will recall that one of the 9/11 flights departed from the Newark airport. There were five middle eastern men on my Newark-St. Louis-San Francisco flight; three in the rear of coach, one near the front of coach, Marwan al Shehhi, and one in First Class. Same type of airplane – an MD-80. I was working in coach and three of them had seats across from the back galley, but were very interested in the boarding process. They were standing up in and around the rear galley, blocking the aisle to the rear lavs and just generally “in our way”.
I recall that there was a lot of conversation between them and again, this is behavior out of the ordinary, so I remember it clearly, even several years later. All of them did not speak English and finally one of them asked me if there were still passengers coming on board. I remember replying very matter-of-factly, “We are always full, if not overbooked out of Newark.” He replied something like, “even on Tuesdays?” I said “Every single day, every flight I’ve ever worked out of Newark has been full.”
The rest of our conversation went like this: He (Mohammed Atta) asked me about other carriers out of Newark. I told him that I just didn’t have that information and that they would have to check another carrier. I can only hope that my comments to Mohammed Atta prevented the loss of one more American Airlines plane and crew. I am sorry though for the terrible loss of crew and pasengers of the United Flight 93 that the terrorists hijacked out of Newark. By the way, United Flight 93 was also scheduled to fly from Newark to San Francisco which is the same route that my flight took the day I had the terrorists on board for their recon flight.
You will recall that September 11, 2001 was a bright and beautiful Tuesday. This means that they had their plan in place MONTHS before the actual attacks. He actually asked about the loads on other air carriers and I told him he could check, but I had no way of knowing how full other carriers were on certain flights. One of the men I spoke to on this flight was Mohamed Atta, the terrorist pilot who flew American Airlines Flight 11 into the first World Trade Building Tower.
I never used to turn my TV on in the morning. Now, I turn it on most mornings, just to get the news.
I will fly my large US flag on 9/11. It is a day we need to honor our country and those who lost their lives.
Will you fly your flag, too?
September 10, 2009
1 Year Anniversary
Today, September 10, 2009 marks the 1 year anniversary of Portland Firefly’s weblog.
It has been a great year for me and during that year I have published 302 posts on this website. With my diagnosis of Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma my writings became decidedly more personal and directly cancer related. As I continued my Chemotherapy, I made the decision to author a book on Ovarian and Peritoneal Cancer. My weblogs will make up a portion of that book.
Also please remember to fly your flag tomorrow, September 11, 2009, the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorists attacks on our country. Be sure to read my post for tomorrow…. it tells of the times I had the terrorists onboard my flights prior to the 9/11 attacks.
Thank you for reading and I hope I can continue to present articles of value so you come back again and again.
September 9, 2009
ISS and Space Shuttle Sightings for Sept 9th
I just watched the ISS and Space Shuttle fly overhead Tuesday night. The shuttle left the ISS earlier today, Tuesday. Be sure to get outside on Wednesday night and see the ISS and the Space Shuttle in a Double Double fly-by. You will have two chances to see the lights from the two orbiting vehicles on Wednesday night. Actually the light you see is the sun reflecting off of the vehicles.
The two chances are at 8:08, 8:09 pm and 9:43, 9:44 pm. The first sightings at 8:08 and 8:09 will last the longest — 5 minutes. The second sightings will only last about 1 minute. Scroll down to my previous post to see which direction you should look in the Portland sky to see these remarkable man made heavenly bodies.
It is really remarkable to be able to see both the ISS and the Space Shuttle in the sky at the same time. Try to get outside if it is clear and take a look! The Shuttle is scheduled to land on Thursday morning so this your last chance for a double sighting.
I hope you will come back to my website www.pdxfirefly.com and read some of my other posts.
September 6, 2009
Vaux Swifts 2009
Have you heard of the Vaux swifts that gather each year in Portland on their annual migration from Alaska to Mexico?
Join the crowds on the lawn each evening in September at Chapman School for the spectacular display of Vaux Swifts gathering to roost in the school’s chimney. Portland Audubon volunteers will be present each night with information about the swifts, binoculars and a spotting scope for viewing. This page gives the most comprehensive info on going to the school for the watch! http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch/swifts Be sure to click on Frequently Asked Questions for more info.
You can take a blanket and your picnic dinner and your binoculars and watch the people and the birds!! What a great way to end the summer!!!
A local filmmaker, Dan Viens, produced a documentary about this Portland phenomenon which is available on DVD for about $18.00. His documentary, On The Wing, was shown on PBS last year and is scheduled for several showings around the Pacific NorthWest. There are two versions, the uncut version, and one for school age children.
September 5, 2009
International Space Station Sightings for September
Several times Portland Firefly has listed the times that we Portlanders can view the International Space Station with the Shuttle docked to it. Recently these times have been very early in the morning, but that will change on this Sunday, September 6th. Then we able to see the ISS in the evenings, which works out better for me, because I’m usually sleeping early in the morning!
Please note that on Wednesday(9/9), Saturday(9/12), and Sunday(9/13), you will be able to see the ISS twice each evening on two consecutive passes over our part of the world. On Wednesday you will also be able to see the Space Shuttle twice. How cool is that!!
Also please note that the times to view the Space Shuttle change on Tuesday, September 8th . I think it is because the Space Shuttle then leaves the ISS and you should be able to see two separate lights gliding across our sky very close to each other as far as time goes. Be sure to get outside with the kids and see what you can at least one evening this week. Please see my other posts at www.pdxfirefly.com about these sightings for some helpful hints.
| ISS | Mon Aug 31/04:45 AM | 2 | 38 | 22 above NW | 28 above ENE |
| ISS | Tue Sep 01/03:38 AM | < 1 | 12 | 12 above ENE | 10 above ENE |
| ISS | Tue Sep 01/05:10 AM | 5 | 85 | 20 above WNW | 10 above ESE |
| ISS | Wed Sep 02/04:03 AM | 1 | 20 | 20 above E | 11 above E |
| ISS | Wed Sep 02/05:34 AM | 4 | 32 | 15 above W | 11 above SSE |
| ISS | Thu Sep 03/04:28 AM | 1 | 20 | 20 above ESE | 10 above ESE |
| ISS | Thu Sep 03/06:00 AM | 2 | 12 | 10 above WSW | 10 above SSW |
| ISS | Fri Sep 04/04:53 AM | < 1 | 11 | 11 above SSE | 11 above SSE |
| ISS | Sun Sep 06/08:32 PM | 1 | 13 | 11 above SSE | 13 above SE |
| ISS | Mon Sep 07/08:55 PM | 3 | 38 | 10 above SSW | 37 above SE |
| ISS | Tue Sep 08/09:20 PM | 3 | 74 | 10 above WSW | 73 above NW |
| ISS | Wed Sep 09/08:09 PM | 5 | 40 | 10 above SW | 10 above ENE |
| ISS | Wed Sep 09/09:46 PM | 1 | 30 | 18 above WNW | 30 above NW |
| ISS | Thu Sep 10/08:34 PM | 5 | 71 | 10 above WSW | 15 above ENE |
| ISS | Fri Sep 11/09:01 PM | 2 | 34 | 29 above NW | 21 above NE |
| ISS | Sat Sep 12/07:52 PM | 1 | 30 | 30 above NE | 12 above ENE |
| ISS | Sat Sep 12/09:25 PM | 1 | 24 | 21 above NW | 24 above N |
| ISS | Sun Sep 13/08:15 PM | 3 | 33 | 29 above NW | 12 above NE |
| ISS | Sun Sep 13/09:50 PM | < 1 | 18 | 18 above NNW | 18 above NNW |
| ISS | Mon Sep 14/08:40 PM | 3 | 24 | 20 above NW | 13 above NE |
For more hints please go to www.PDXFirefly.com.
ONLY DAYS WITH SIGHTING OPPORTUNITIES ARE LISTED
THE FOLLOWING SHUTTLE SIGHTINGS ARE POSSIBLE FROM WED SEP 02 TO SUN SEP 13
| SATELLITE | LOCAL | DURATION | MAX ELEV | APPROACH | DEPARTURE |
| DATE/TIME | (MIN) | (DEG) | (DEG-DIR) | (DEG-DIR) | |
| SHUTTLE | Wed Sep 02/04:03 AM | 1 | 20 | 20 above E | 11 above E |
| SHUTTLE | Wed Sep 02/05:34 AM | 4 | 32 | 15 above W | 11 above SSE |
| SHUTTLE | Thu Sep 03/04:28 AM | 1 | 20 | 20 above ESE | 10 above ESE |
| SHUTTLE | Thu Sep 03/06:00 AM | 2 | 12 | 10 above WSW | 10 above SSW |
| SHUTTLE | Fri Sep 04/04:53 AM | < 1 | 11 | 11 above SSE | 11 above SSE |
| SHUTTLE | Sun Sep 06/08:32 PM | 1 | 13 | 11 above SSE | 13 above SE |
| SHUTTLE | Mon Sep 07/08:55 PM | 3 | 37 | 10 above SSW | 37 above SE |
| SHUTTLE | Tue Sep 08/09:19 PM | 3 | 75 | 10 above WSW | 74 above NW |
| SHUTTLE | Wed Sep 09/08:08 PM | 5 | 38 | 10 above SSW | 11 above ENE |
| SHUTTLE | Wed Sep 09/09:44 PM | 1 | 30 | 18 above WNW | 30 above NW |
| SHUTTLE | Thu Sep 10/08:31 PM | 5 | 74 | 10 above WSW | 12 above ENE |
| SHUTTLE | Fri Sep 11/08:57 PM | 2 | 35 | 30 above NW | 21 above NE |
| SHUTTLE | Sat Sep 12/09:21 PM | 1 | 24 | 21 above NW | 23 above N |
September 4, 2009
The Thunderbirds
USAF Thunderbird by PDXFirefly
Fly Your Flag
Be sure to fly your US Flag this Labor Day weekend.
Also please remember that next Friday is Sept 11th. September 11th is designated Patriot Day and is another wonderful opportunity to fly your flag again.
September 3, 2009
Chemo Reluctance
Monday was my third chemo in as many weeks. The first week I experience severe side effects. The second week, the side effects are lessened and usually the third week the side effects are negligible.
So why then was I so resistant to going to this Chemo session? I still haven’t figured it out.
Usually I leave home about 30 minutes prior to my appointment time. My appointment was at 12:30 for my blood labs with my Chemo to follow. Well at 12:30 I still had not started getting dressed for my appointment. I got ready, foregoing the usual make up for sun glasses, and carefully drove to the appointment, letting other drivers cut in front of me whenever they wanted. I was in no hurry to arrive at my destination that day.
I arrived and found a parking space with ease and walked into the first floor office. My blood draw went without a hitch –not surprising because of the excellence of the pretty technician– and I returned to the waiting room. Feeling a little weepy, I needed a little moral boost, so I called my Son for a few minutes. He always knows how to cheer me up in a subtle way and kept me on the phone until he knew I’d be OK.
The other nurse took me back to get my vitals ~ Weight, Blood Pressure, Temperature and Oxygen levels. I was then escorted back further into the bright sunny Chemo room. As I was on my way to my favorite recliner, I heard someone say something about leaving –I chirped in ” I’ll go home for you.” Most of the patients laughed as did the nurses. I thought “Maybe, I’m not alone in this feeling of not wanting to be here.”
I continued to my get settled into my recliner awaiting the Chemo nurse assigned to me today. They rotate the nurses with the patients so the nurses don’t get too attached to one patient over time. A good thing I think especially in the case of Ovarian/ Peritoneal cancer since the survival rate is so low.
I settle into my recliner and soon my Chemo nurse arrives with the first of the five drugs I will get that day. I think that maybe I am getting worn down from the entire process. My Chemo sessions will continue longer than the Chemo for Breast Cancer. I also think that I am getting more potent drugs. I still have at least two more sessions of Chemo and probably 4 more. Maybe that is the reason why I wasn’t in any hurry to arrive at my appointment today!
My nurse confirms the fact that this is a common feeling and many Chemo patients don’t want to come to Chemo. And I thought that I was different! Guess not! It is just another adjustment that I need to make to continue with my life.
September 2, 2009
Skin Care VI
Sixth Installment:
This one deals with vitamins. Remember, there is nothing so beautiful as healthy skin and healthy skin starts with what you eat and the nutrients you take into your beautiful body. Be sure to drink at least 8 8oz glasses of high quality water every day.
The following Vitamins are helpful for nourishing good skin health:
A, E, C , D, Alpha-lipoic Acid, Co Q-10 enzyme, and a good multi-vitamin.
Milk thistle will detoxify your liver – which will cleanse your system.
Note: Do not take any supplements unless you check with your health care provider first.
September 1, 2009
Stuff or Fluff
Recently I wrote a post about shredding my life. I commented about shredding all the papers that have accumulated over the years and the memories – some painful, some lovely–associated with those papers.
A dear reader commented on the Stuff and the Fluff associated with our lives suggesting that we should get rid of the Fluff and just deal with the Stuff in our lives. That got me to thinking about the Fluff. We all know about the Stuff in our lives and how it tends to be a time consuming bundle of necessities. Ah, but the Fluff is just that ~ Fluff ~ and not necessary, but enjoyable and I think that enjoyment is essential to living a complete well-rounded life.
And so dear reader, I must disagree with you on this point. I would rather dispense with the Stuff in my life and keep the enjoyable Fluff. For to me, the Fluff is the Stuff of life!!!!
