Birthday List

Wayne had asked in the blog comments for a list of family birth dates. I have my list that is still useable for the per 1988 CalcStar program.

Jan 25 1954 Leslie Elias nee Smith
Feb 7 1925 Leslie Elias
Feb 28 1965 Joan Elias
Mar 2 1923 Elizabeth Kesel nee Elias
Mar 2 2002 Amber Elias
Mar 5 2004 Aidan Elias
May 25 1936 Marianne Jackson nee Elias
May 25 1950 Jyoti (Janice) Elias nee Eisensen (?)
Jun 25 1925 Charles Elias
Jun 27 1957 Lisa Elias-Berg nee Elias
Jun 30 1990 Nicholas Elias
Jul 2 1986 Benjamin Elias
Jul 10 1958 Cynthia Elias nee Clay
Jul 11 1927 Jane Smith nee Bureau
Jul 12 1927 Anola Brown nee Elias
Jul 14 1979 Ryan Elias Berg
Jul 19 1919 Russell Elias
Jul 22 1953 Paul Elias
Aug 9 1965 Carl Elias
Sep 6 1991 Susan Elias
Sep 11 1985 Andrew Elias
Sep 15 2002 Dylan Elias-Berg
Sep 18 1981 Anjuli Elias
Sep 19 1988 Matthew Elias
Sep 28 1925 Norma Elias nee Bureau
Oct 21 Herbert Smith
Oct 22 1953 Gary Elias-Berg
Oct 30 1950 Steven Elias
Nov 4 1924 Bonnie Elias nee Suhr
Nov 21 1921 Virginia Elias nee Andrist
Nov 29 1981 Rachel Elias-Berg
Dec 17 1955 Wayne Elias

If there are any corrections or addition, let me know.

Book Reading +

I have started reading Frank Mc Court’s book “Tis”. His book “Angela’s Ashes” was enjoyable. Last Tuesday I picked up my
new pair of reading glasses and find that reading is comfortable. My thinking is that as long as the eye works well for reading I should enjoy books as long as possible.

Nicholas will be fifteen tomorrow, Benjamin nineteen on Saturday. Paul’s boys are growing up.

Boring

This should be a usual day and if I told all that might go on would take a lot of typing. I will spare you wasting your time.

Every improvement in communications makes the bore more terrible.

A Normal Day +

This should be a normal Monday.

A bit of philosophy.

I live with memories, recalls and associations of youth and
prime, but do not slumber oblivious of the present.

Star Wars

Last evening I went to the movies. Last evening was 1st time in along time that I had been to the movies. The movie was Star Wars III. I enjoyed the original Star Wars went it was 1st shown in San Francisco. Now it had too much action, too much wand fighting and not enough drama. Normal I do not like science fiction or much violence in movies or literature so it was not surprise with the new issue of Star Wars. My choice in movies is more for the dramatic type and with more dialogs. Looking at the movies top ten list, I may be in the minority.

Benjamin and UCLA

Benjamin was off to be with his two uncles north of San /Diego at about 11:00. We had a good time together. He needed the time spent here at a slower pace. He has been busy after finishing his 1st year at the university. We always seem to enjoy each other. He will do well this summer and with his university years.

My Pet Scan at UCLA may help them with their continuing studies with their memory study group, about 280 members. I am not taking any medicines, just following up on the physical and mental codnitions over a period of years. They my wish for me to help them with more of their follow up testing. There has been some break thoughts in memory troubles with the elderly and I am glad to be of help.

Later

Benjamin is visiting and we are about ready for breakfast. I will send details tomorrow about the happening of today.

Take care.

Later

Benjamin

Benjamin will be here this afternoon and will stay overnight. He is on his way from Grass Valley, San Bruno and Santa Barbara. On Friday he will be with his uncles for most of the summer doing some work with them. We will find something to do that is of interest and suitable dinning. I have a small area of the floor that will work for place to spend the night. I have lived along long enough so that I do not know how quietly I am when sleeping. It will be good visiting.

Birthdays

During the next part of this year there will be twelve people from my birthday list will get to be a year older. Why so many during these summer months?

A quote about birthdays, `The trouble with the future is that it is not what it used to be.`

Hints

There are a couple of thing that I do that might be helpful to some of you.
One is ordering drugs that are costing you more money thon you wish to can be ordered from Candadrugs Online by using www.canadadrugsonline.com or by calling 1 877 900 3784. A $90.00 supply from my USA supplier is $60.00 from the Canadian supplier and that is including $10.00 postage. The drugs are the same.

Another thing that I like is by using the Goggle search feature. You can type in the search bar, define: and then your word. It can be most anything. There is much more defining than from an encyclopedias or from dictionaries. You will be amazed at the definitions.

Saint Johns

I will soon be off for my day of volunteering at Saint Johns. All most all hospitals have been having serious financial problems. SJ have decreased the staff a couple of times during the last two years. Now they are in the process of changing the CEO. The new hospital construction is going forward in a streaked out schedule. My eyes are not improving my job ability but still okay. I enjoy the day of volunteering.

More Visiting

It was a great day with Steven. We spent time riding bikes along the Pacific, hot dogs at Big Deans at the beach, a massage, a short walk in Douglas Park, dinner at Le Petit and not so great DVD `Closer`. More things for enjoy together before he leaves on his flight early in the afternoon.

More Visiting

It was a great day with Steven. We spent time riding bikes along the Pacific, hot dogs at Big Deans at the beach, a massage, a short walk in Douglas Park, dinner at Le Petit and not so great DVD `Closer`. More things for enjoy together before he leaves on his flight early in the afternoon.

Steven's Visit

Steven arrived in Santa Monica late evening after his drive from San Diego. This morning we will have his usual breakfast of hot cakes here at the cottage. We will find some interesting things to do and some hanging out.

Domestic Day

It is planned that this day will be a domestic day, laundry, some cleaning and dusting. It is only a small area and the only regular cooking is breakfast and I keep thing pickup with not any extra stuff. It is not much of chore. I find dusting to be the task that is the least desirable.

Steven's Visit

Steven will be in Los Angles today and will then go on to his long time friend in San Diego. On Friday he will be in Santa Monica until Sunday. We will find some interesting things to do and enjoy. He has a room in Holliday Inn near the beach. The Ambrose was sold out.

Carnitas

I have a dinner at home only about once or twice a month. Yesterday I purchased a small amount of carnitas from Ralphs Supper Market. Carnitas is small pieces of seasoned pork slow cooked and then fried. It turns out to be succulent and tasty. That with some baked bean, a fresh ear of sweet corn and a fresh mango made a good dinner.

Glasses

The visit with the optometrist resulted in the following changes. It was found that no type of lens would be of help to the left eye with the ARMD. The pair for seeing distance will not be replaced as they are working fine. There was a slight change for the reading glasses. They needed to be changed due to having gotten scratched. The right eye is doing all the work and it is doing it well.

Band Concert

Yesterday the Santa Monica Concert Band preformed for a full house at the Concert Hall at Santa Monica City College. I have been to some of their pervious concerts and always am amazed by them. They have a concert band of at least 70 players on stage. Up to the end of my teen age the small town of Goodhue had their band concert every Wednesday evening during the summer months. I would guess that their were not more than seven or eight players. What progress I have seen. The Santa Monica Band has been in existence for 37 years. They give four free concerts a year. I do enjoy those Sunday afternoons.

Shirts

It has been decided to better job of protecting my arms from the sun. Since as long as I can remember short sleeves were worn in the swimmer. My arms have shown the effect from all the years of sun and so from now on I will wear long sleeves winter and summer. I am in the process of changing my wardrobe. Some of the new shirts have needed some tailoring. The sewing machine has come in handy for that. It is a little harder to see things but I am able to thread the needle and the tailoring goes along pretty good. My arms are not beautiful but do look better than they have for the last few years. Sunscreen works but it is not always compatible with my skin.

UCLA Study

UCLA called yesterday to ask if I would do a PET Scan on June 23rd. This is a follow up on the Memory Study Group that I participated in a few about five years ago. I dropped out of it because of the medicine’s side effect. It is continuation of that study group for follow up examination to add to their information. At that time of the original study the head of research team, Dr Small, let me know that I did not have any signs of Alzheimer disease. I am not sure what the results of the test at this time, but it could be useful for them now and to me in the future. After listening to Dr. Ringman from the Neurological Department of UCLA last Thursday, I have none of the apparent signs of the disease and I am sure that I am not affected. I am pleased to be of help in their research.

Cliftons

Today I go adventuring with a friend Vivian. We will start out by bus at 8 A.M. for Cliftons Cafeteria in downtown Los Angles. It has been there since 1935. I was then 16 so it has been there all my adult life. 1935 was during the depression years and customers were treated as guest and none ever were turned away hungry. It is reminiscent of a California redwood grove with waterfalls and brook and remains the largest public cafeteria in the world. You can go to www.cliftonscafeteria.com and learn all about it. While their click on Little Chapel l and enjoy listing.

Eye Institute

Today I will attend the June meeting of The Macular Degeneration Support Group of the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. Normally they spend time on MD but they sort of got tired of that topic and decided that they might discuss another once in a while. Today will be John Ringman, M.D. discussing Alzheimer Disease Studies.

Book On Tape

If you are looking for any books on tape, I will recommend `Small Wonders` by Barbara Kingsolver. The book considers hopeful prospects and what we might yet make of ourselves. It is on CD’s. It would be good for use during driving or commuting. It consists of essays so it can be enjoyed in segments. I am pleased that our library is such a good source of material.

This Body

During the visit with rheumatologist Dr. Liu yesterday it was agreed that I am doing well with the polymaligia rheumatica. He reduced the prednisone to 2.5 mgs a day. I feel a bit sore and have some stiffness not from the disease but related to age. A body have been around as long as this one has suffered from over use, under use and abuse. Looking around and knowing others I am pleased with the little discomfort that I have.

Gardening

There are plans that I will be giving up my Santa Moncia’s garden plot at the end of this month. There are mixed emotions. I enjoy having some dirt to work with growing plants but I find that a gardener that no longer enjoys bending and kneeling and do not get that much enjoyment, really more pain than pleasure. My place here on the ground floor has two camellias bushes, two hibiscus bushes, the gardenia bush and an other popular bush, the name cannot recall. There is also a strip of dirt that I have some planting in and some containers, so that I will not be without some gardening.

Plays

I am enjoying my continuing use of the CD, Tape Player and the wireless headset to listen to plays. The library has a good collection of them. The latest was `The Arabian Nights` based on the book `The Book of 1000 Nights and 1 One Night` adapted by Mary Zimmerman. They run for less than 120 minutes and so are good for an evening’s entertainment.

Normal Day

Nothing unseal or unexpected should happen today and I will just go with the ordinary flow of normal things.

Hammer Museum

The Hammer Museum exhibits were good. The most interesting were the cartoon on fashion from Paris newspapers from the 1850’s. The biggest thing then seemed to be
crinolines. Men were interested in getting a glimpses of the women’s bodies then as they are now with the mini-skirts and low hip hugging pants worn today. I hope that idea does not change. The other interest was the exhibits of Thing. The best, for me, was the sculptures Bread Faces andTooting Your Horn. You can see them by going to www.hammer.ucla.edu and clicking on Exhibitions, Current exhibitions, THING, and view selected works on pages 2 of 4 and pages 3 of 4. Clicking the item will enlarge it.

Museum

It has been awhile since I have visited the Hammer UCLA Museum and plan to spend some time there today.

Flowers

Today I am going to live the expression, take time to smell the flowers. Outside the door is an eight foot irregular shaped ball of a gardenia bush with its flowers in bloom and sending their fragrance into the area.