An Idea

 

I am, presently, bingeing all the episodes of this show.  I've seen them all before but they age well and warm my heart they way they did when I first encountered this British TV [BBC1 and BBC2] gem.  The premise is for ordinary folk to present a team of artisans, mechanics, repairmen and practioners of fading crafts, family heirlooms which have seen better days.  These craftspeople, the top of their fields, repair and restore family heirlooms for the owners who come from all over the UK.  The regular "team" consists of a furniture restorer, a wood expert, a horologist, a painting restorer, two seamtresses ["the teddybear ladies"], a leather worker, a metal worker and others who pop in and out as their expertise is required.  There is no charge for the work done which is remarkable as I watched a jeweler repair a ring which was missing a diamond.  The Repair Shop provided the replacent with no mention of cost.

I was thinking that it would be a wonderful adjunct to the Highschool curriculum [and beyond] to set up an extra curicular program peopled by volunteers who possess talents they would like to share as mentors to young people who would like to learn and revive crafts that are disappearing.  The program could include potters, carpenters, sculptors, painters, refinishers, jewelry makers, textile artists, various repairmen etc.

In my 30-odd years in Northern Sonoma County I have met so many clever and talented individuals who no longer practive their arts on a regular basis.  These talents are generally retired from alternative [lucrative] careers and have the time and fluidity to participate in such an endeavour.

Any ideas?

 

Medical update

As they say at the start of each episode of the TV mystery series I am addicted too, "Previously..."

Originally, the rituximad infusion was in a "% solution" that required a large jar dispencing 900 ml.  Initially, 12 years ago it took 2 days to administer.  As they recognozed that I was tolerating it well, they increased the rate and soon I was spending only one day in the clinic. 

This time around it was planned that I would again spend 2 days for the complete 900ml infusion.  They started at 50ml per hour "to be cautious."  I was convinced taht I could tolerate a faster rate and with my oncologist's blessing the rate would be increased according to how well I was reacting to it.  Every half-hour the attendant would check in with me and I insisted they amp it up.  By 3pm the last drop made its way down the tube and into my arm. I headed home having spent less than 6 hours I drove home.  Thatwas October 2.  October 30 I got hooked up for my second dose.  I insisted they start at 100ml and they complied.  It took 4 nhours after several increases. 26 November was dose number 3 and got a lovely surprise.  As the attendant was attaching a small bladder to the "tree" and was about to hook me up, I said with mild alarm "I don't think that is my infusion." Two other attendants conferenced and decided it was, indeed, mine.  Bless their hearts, they decided to alter the solution from that huge jar into this little clear pouch.  The same amount of the drug was theie but in considerably less solution.  I was overjoyed! I asked how long the this infusion would take. "We should be finished in about 90 minutes," Happy happy, joy joy... [Ren & Stimpy]...  I was on the road by noon.  

Indulgences

 Day 3 was all eating, drinking and pampering. I got a haircut and the best pedicure I have ever had.  We also visited Colectika Gallery which has become a pilgrimage on every trip.  It's a well-curated gallery of indigenous art and we never get out of there without buying something.  We also visited their second store in the ZR which was much smaller but equally well put together.  

On our walk we passed a "shots bar" where one could walk up to a tiny bar on the sidewalk have a shot of your favorite spirits and be on your way.  It was no bigger than your average walk-in closet.

Don Chava was our next stop for nachos and lemonade... the heat was oppressively exhausting. After a couple more hours we dined at Joe Jack's on excellent fish & chips.We closed the evening at Garbo Piano Bar deep in the ZR to enjoy the song-stylings of "Sargento.".