Keeping my promise!

Well, I did promise so many of you that I'd write when there was news regarding that poor little Rialta.

Art and I are now in Oklahoma City in hopes of picking up the vehicle and driving away along Route 66. That is still our hope, but a talk with the master rebuilder of German transmissions for Aamco in this area did not relay anything to foster my hopes of leaving soon. They are working on it at a different site now. Supposedly the new site is where the master was coming from each time he rebuilt the transmission in the last three weeks. I talked to a different man and he makes sense, but I'm transferring his number over to Steve since I wasn't able to adequately answer the questions Art put forth right after my talk with Aamco master. He talked of a possible hairline crack in one of the sealed compartments, causing fluid to decrease each time they took the re-installed unit out on the road. Even though it had performed beautifully each time they had it out on the bench, it would evidently leak somewhere and begin to make everything begin to heat up.  He is the first one to tell me that the worst case scenario involved moving on to a new rebuilt transmission and that in that case it would be ten days out. That, of course would involve my flying back home and then coming back by air one more time.

Is  this beginning to sound a bit like a nightmare? Yes. Simple as that. So, those of you who don't mind spending a bit more energy sending me your strongest "get well transmission vibes," please have a go at it one more time, OK?

We're having dinner with my Walmart parking lot karmic angel, Anne, tonight at the canal where the wonderful big bronze sculptures are, depicting the grand land grab in Oklahoma. They are in a project called Bricktown. See earlier blog for good pics of those works. They really are amazing. 

I'll try to keep holding a little hope for a positive resolution, but it's clear that it's not a sure bet. Art and I will explore Oklahoma City and have some fun out of it all and wait until late Monday for some news.

Love to all,   Jackie

Please Know How Much I Appreciate Your Encouragement and Good Wishes

Martha Fulton's baby, Curry

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your loving good wishes. Martha, you are the most prolific good wisher I know. You too, Carla, Laine and Elaine, JP and many others.  I really thought this time had a chance. But it wasn't meant to be and, again, it is much better to have caught the latest fault in the transmission here in Oklahoma City than for me to have experienced it in the desert.

I was at the Aamco shop, bags in hand when they took the Rialta out for one more test run after receiving the new gear cable from VW Huston and installing it. That was before I reached the shop. About 15 minutes into the test run the computer started kicking up a fuss and announcing that something was wrong with 4th gear among other things. Ugh! They won't let me take it until it has an absolutely clean slate for which I am obviously grateful. They also said they were going to take a look at possibly fixing the door latches while I'm gone. I know they are as sad about it as I am. I am flying back to SFO tomorrow after hustling to get a ticket for myself and one for Bobby to go in cargo. We leave at 6:00 am. and have to be there at 4:00. Poor Anne is delivering me.  Aamco will have to fix what's wrong, store my vehicle in a secure place because they don't have room to store it at the shop and then wait for me to fly back and retrieve it.

These people have been so careful and conscientious,  but stuff happens. The acting manager, Doug, spent about an hour helping me get Bobby a reservation in United cargo and then in a completely different department, a ticket for me. He was incredibly helpful in a situation that was frustrating enough to make anyone cry. I didn't, but sure felt like it. Mike is going to meet me at SFO and drive me to Fort Bragg. That means taking one night off from his job so he has one very appreciative mother. I'll at least have two days to get ready for the gang that is arriving Sunday night for the Kumihimo Festival. Again, a thousand thanks to all who wrote and those who sent emails with so many good hopes, wishes and encouragement. I am grateful beyond belief.

Love to you all,   Jackie

It's Just A Feeling

This bird at Anne's neighbor's

seems to hang out and observe everything 

Then he takes off for a while

Seems to me they're always smiling

We had a tasty brunch Sunday

Anne happily fed

One big grooming  project

Nobody knows better than I how this saga has drawn out to the point of wondering why I think it will ever change. Well, I just have a feeling. I was supposed to be on my way yesterday and then this morning for sure. But Robert from the Aamco shop called me this morning and informed me that while they were doing the test run prior to my going over there, the gear cable broke in two. That's about the last straw one would think. But both Anne and I have now decided that it was a good thing it happened on the test run here in Oklahoma City rather than between Amarillo and here or out in the desert of Arizona far from help. So, here I am, still all packed and ready to go. Robert talked with Mike this morning because Mike wanted to better understand what happened. At first Robert was defensive and thought Mike had called to criticize but he soon understood once Mike was able to get a word in edgewise.

So, back to my feeling. I took Bobby for a nice walk down to a lovely park with a stream wandering through it and when I came back I spent two hours reading Pinskey's wonderful anthology of poetry. My sense of depression started to fade away and a kind of conviction began to emerge. Robert ordered a new cable from VW in Huston and they promised that it would be here tomorrow at 8:00 am and that they would have the old one out and would be ready to install it the moment it arrived. He said I'd be on my way by 9:00.  Let's look at it this way. Either it will happen that way or it won't. I feel that it will for some reason, though recent experience should lead me to a different conclusion. If it doesn't arrive I get on the phone and reserve a ticket with United. One for me and one for Bobby. An expensive one for Bobby. More than twice what it cost to bring him up from Mexico.  ???????  I hope it doesn't happen that way but I'm resigned that it might. So, all of you who have checked in with me with your lovely supportive wishes — try just one more time, OK?

Whiling Away A Saturday

Regal Libby

They love to pose

They seem to like everything including coffee

I am so chomping at the bit to get going that any distraction is a welcome way to pass the hours. That doesn't sound like the usual Jackie who never feels there are enough hours in a day to accomplish what she'd like to do. I've done almost (one thing left) all the mending I could do with what I have carried away from the Rialta. And I walk Bobby at least three times a day.

Today Anne and I met three of her friends for a quickie lunch and then a movie titled, "Enough said." It starred a rather heavy set man who starred on the Sopranos and whose name I can't remember and certainly couldn't spell. He was superb and the movie is worth seeing. Very sweet. It helped fill the day. We went to do a little shopping on the way home after which I spent time in the back yard with Bobby while Anne made us a wonderful dinner with pork chops laced in the center with pesto. A baked sweet potato, caramelized onions and beautiful green beans completed the feast. Bobby has fallen in love with the wolfhounds' food. It's a brown rice and chicken kibble with all kinds of goodies added but no corn.  Anne looked up sources for me and found that Fort Bragg Feed carries it. So, Bob, as soon as we get home, the good stuff you shall have.

Anne's dogs continue to amuse me so I'm posting three of her pictures of them tonight for your enjoyment. A sister of Libby (the female) just won a big championship so we're living with royalty at this moment. Hope you enjoy the pictures of the new objects of my affection.

Never Over 'Til It's Over

Conner snuggling up to Mama

Look at those eyes

Is that adorable or what?

I've been busily planning on carrying out my departure from Oklahoma City tomorrow morning. Just an hour ago I received a call from Robert at Aamco telling me that two parts held them up and the putting back together is just finishing up. But, he says that getting it back in the Rialta is going to be more difficult than they had foreseen. Therefore, Monday most likely, or Tuesday  is what I am told will be the new ETA. Needless to say, this makes me nervous, sad, frustrated and anything else you want to insert. 

Poor Anne. She isn't home from work yet so doesn't know that she's going to have me two days more than she bargained for. And it looks like I might arrive home one day before the Kumihimo class begins. And I thought I had given myself two weeks wiggle room for this trip. So please join forces and send your most positive wishes and vibes this way for the next few days.

There's nothing to do but roll with it. Just please let that be the very end of the delays. I'm making calls to my credit card banks to pay my October bills by phone. So far so good in that department. I'm learning more than I ever wanted to know about doing things on the phone and on line. They say it's never too late to learn. I like learning as you all know. But some of this I could just as easily do without.

Had a great visit with Anne's handsome son who arrived at the door and was ever so careful not to frighten me by just walking in the house as I worked at the dining room table. Anne also had a short conversation on the phone after Mike called me this afternoon earlier. So our families are getting to know each other and I feel comfortable and as relaxed as possible in this lovely home away from home. 

Another thing that makes me feel so comfortable here is that this is a very dog friendly family and home. Bobby is feeling quite relaxed and began to give Anne's son the what for but soon stopped and began making his usual "let's make friends" moves before long. Anne has two adorable Irish wolfhounds. They are like small horses with huge, expressive eyes. I loved them from the get go. So picture me in a dog house of the best possible kind. And let's all send my gods and guardian angel the most positive messages and see where it takes us.

Out of confinement

Bobby enjoying the bed in Anne's inviting guest room

This was my salad today — Featuring salmon and breaded okra

Anne and Carla

Jackie and Bobby relaxing in Anne's lovely home

            Check out earlier posts. I have finally been able to add some new photos of the trip.

No wonder my children are practically ready to adopt Anne, my new Oklahoma City friend formerly referred to as "A." Kathy has invited her to come and stay in Trinidad any time. Thanks, Kath. There is no end of generosity to this busy lady.  She's off to court, them to the motel to pick up Bobby and me so that we can live with her for the next three nights. Then we're meeting a lovely colleague at a cafe with very tasty and nicely presented food. That was yummy and I owe thanks to Carla who insisted on treating us to lunch. What more can I say about this Oklahoma City hospitality. Yesterday Anne and Linda took me for Thai food and Linda treated. I'm having a hard time paying for anything since the first night at the Mexican restaurant where I was thankfully a little quicker on the draw.

Anne and I took one of her Irish wolf hounds and Bobby for a trial walk down the street together. I was amazed. It worked and the two of them spent time in their back yard while we were at lunch. Bobby somehow did one of his famous escapes and when we drove up onto the driveway, he cheerfully ran to us from the direction of the back yard. Little scamp. But he is smart enough to stay close bye. For sure a little worrisome, however. We haven't tried to bring Bobby and Anne's older male wolfhound together. I'm not so optimistic about what that outcome might be. As Anne says, Bobby just doesn't know when to roll over. Maybe we'll postpone that meeting.

The Aamco shop called with perhaps the final estimate for price and ETA. Price for the transmission rebuild and a lube job: About $5200. They seem very earnest about not letting me go until they are certain that I will have a safe and successful trip back to California. The ETA is currently some time Saturday, hopefully morning. This means that I have essentially lost another nine days. It's going to be a close one and there is nothing I can do about it. 

I also am beginning to try to psych myself into feeling some enthusiasm for getting back on that highway. Anne tells me I have seen the worst on the Tulsa/Oklahoma City turnpike. I hope she's right. Every day that goes by leaves me with less zeal for being on the road with those giants again. I'll definitely stick to the right lane for some time while I get my nerve back. As Anne says, It's a lot like needing to get back on the bike or the horse right away. But with my vehicle perched high up on that steel pillar, no chance. I'll just have to tough it out when it's ready.

Anne insisted that I leave the hotel today and come here to get away from the unfortunate Motel 6 situation. I couldn't be more grateful and hope she will show up on our coast one of these days soon so we can all show her the same hospitality and consideration she has showered on me. Kathy's right. She is an angel.

Low on endorphins

One of their original silos

These monumental bronzes commemorating the big land grab are amazing

Beautiful girl celebrating her coming of age

I hold tight when there are railings

We ate catfish here

One of the tour boats cruising the canal — Just like being in Venice

He was saying for his passengers not to frighten the horses

"A" took these pictures  for me during our visit to the canal because my  camera wasn't with us. Thanks so much, "A"

I'm not exactly gliding along, fueled by endorphins as I was for the trip up to and across Canada. When I got completely locked out of my car because of broken latches at Bar Harbor and then tried to get help from the high end VW dealer in Bangor, there began a slow descent. There were obvious exceptions while driving through New England and being wowed by all that delicious color, but somehow things were never the same as when I was on such a high while discovering the geologic and geographic wonders of coastal Oregon, Washington and Canada.

Only a few miles away, they are working on the complete rebuilding of my transmission. Steve says that will add value to the vehicle. Nice. Art has gone to Wikipedia and discovered all sorts of points of interest in this city where I am stranded. Very nice. My generous new Oklahoma City friend who prefers not to be named  (We'll call her "A"), took me on a marvelous tour of her city at dusk on Saturday. We finished with dinner along a winding canal that meandered through gardens, sculpture, foot bridges, restaurants and other points of interest. We both ate catfish prepared different ways and enjoyed breaded Okra which I've never had before.

"A" then drove me around the center of the city and passed all kinds of buildings with interesting architectural histories.  We drove right by what I think I remember her telling me was a pedestrian bridge featuring a spectacular rising structure which the locals affectionately call the Fly Catcher bridge. You'd have liked that, Art. And speaking of birds, there must have been 10 different kinds of ducks happily parading down the curving stretches of the canal where we walked and ate. There was also a black bird that looked like a raven but carried on an amazing song like conversation with another bird  that was perched way high in a tree. I must start learning some of those songs.

"A" is an attorney and she practices in the halls of justice downtown and has an office at a different location. It is so kind of her to take pity on me being stranded here but I don't want to become a burden to her even though she laughingly says I am her current "project." She is about the age of Mike and Steve and of course I relate to her very much like I do to Kathy. I hope some of you will have a chance to meet her on one of her trips to California. I may be her project but she is my current Angel.

Because of the effort to solve the "latch" problems I ended up rushing through a few places I wish I could have lingered. And now that I'm in a three storied kind of prison, I have a little too much time to ponder the various choices I felt I had to make. Don't misunderstand me. My room is large and perfectly adequate. There are rather pitiful lawns outside where I can walk Bobby. But it is not well cared for on the exterior or the interior halls so I do feel a little locked in. There is an OK neighborhood on the non-highway back side of the hotel, but their streets have no sidewalks. Not too inviting for a casual walk of your dog at sundown.

While trying to catch up with some paper work I have, as I said, I've been thinking of the places where I wish I could have lingered or driven to but felt I couldn't. First of all, I had to plan from the get go not to go to Vancouver Island and environs because I knew there wouldn't be time to visit everyone once I got there. That prevented me from visiting at least four good friends. I had really wanted to stop and see Archie and Susan's exhibit in Ottawa. I  went through after hours at dusk and horrific commuter traffic time. Really didn't have the courage to go back through those freeway interchanges again. So sorry Susan and Archie. I hope I can see those pieces somewhere on line. Possible?  Another thing I had hoped to do was to drive down south a little and visit Lynn Cosell at her new house. I'd love to have done that and definitely considered it until all that time was lost. The next stop I pondered was during my short cruise through Indiana. I hadn't identified where my friends from Oaxaca, Pat and Jim, had bought a new house just last year while we were all in Mexico. It looked like a charming, inviting and well designed home on the edge of a large pond or lake. As I drove around some dark streets (roads?) with names like North side, North lake, etc. looking in vein for a certain campground, I wished I felt I had the time to just pull out the map and their address and see if they revealed any possibilities. But I never did.  And amazingly, I just received an email from Pat telling me that they are going to be in California just as I get back (I hope) and that they'd like to come and visit. We talked on the phone yesterday and it sounds like a possibility. Oh, the emotional ups and downs you can experience when you are in confinement. Good thing I always like to write, eh? Who knows what there might be just down the road?