Crowded Skies

On Saturday, September 23rd, I flew home from Columbus, Ohio on Southwest Airlines via Chicago's O'Hare Airport where I changed planes arriving in Portland, Oregon around 11 a.m. I didn't experience any delays or problems on September 23rd, nor did I experience any delays or problems on September 11th flying out of PDX on Southwest Airlines to San Jose, California. I had an enjoyable flight both days.

Delays and problems with the air transportation system have been plaguing the news media in the last few months so when I turned on C-Span on September 28 to watch the Senate, my interest heightened when testimony was being given about this very issue. According to testimony, we seem to be at a crossroads in the aviation transportation industry.

First to give critical testimony was Patrick Forrey, the President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association speaking for only six minutes. My first concern is why was his time limited to only six minutes when this is a potential critical issue for air transportation and public safety? Why were other experts giving testimony limited to only a few minutes, especially when I often turn onto C-Span only to find classical music playing with no debate on the floor of the House or Senate?

Mr. Forrey gave important testimony stating that "controller fatigue rates are increasing at a frightening level as air traffic continues to grow." He said there are 1,100 fewer certified air traffic controllers than the infamous 9-11 and yet delays have increased 150% with identical traffic. Working record amounts of hours under high stress and under-staffed conditions, three air traffic controllers are leaving every day and 70% of the current work force will retire in five years.

Jim May, Air Transport Association President and CEO wants to increase low altitude and departure routes out of major hubs and says that the 72% delay rates that exist now are not acceptable. Listed across the bottom of the C-Span screen as Mr. May was speaking was the factoid that there has been a 20% increase in air traffic in 2006. He said that the air transportation industry will move a billion passengers a year in the next five years. There will be 760 million passengers that fly in 2007.

Air traffic controllers say that "demand exceeds capacity." Mr. Forrey said, "airline schedules are often out of line with reality." The example given was if 10 aircraft can leave in a fifteen minute period, why are more than 10 scheduled to leave in this time period causing backups and delays?

Steve Brown, the Senior Vice President of the National Business Aviation Association talked about JFK having enough capacity in the early morning hours for 44 departures but 57 are scheduled creating a "conga line" on the runways of aircraft waiting to depart causing a backup of jets in the air that are forced to circle the airspace until they are given the permission to land. Mr. Brown says the U.S. Department of Transportation lists weather and commercial airlines scheduling practice as responsible for delays. He said that most business travelers avoid major airport hubs so they aren't responsible for delays.

So I'm wondering as I listen to this testimony what is going to fill the need with 70% of the air traffic controllers retiring in five years and the critical need to expand service? Mr. Brown was the first to mention ADSB or the Automatic Dependent Surveillance System which is viewed as the "cornerstone of modernization" for the future. But can computers acequately handle emergencies? The ADSB can only work as a tool used by experienced air traffic controllers, in my opinion.

Patrick Forrey, the President of the NATCA mentioned the three hours of lost communications at the Memphis Traffic Control Center covering an eight state area recently with over 1,000 flights in the air space. The experienced air traffic controllers ignored the FAA ban to use cell phones and used them to safely direct air traffic during this critical three hour period.

I didn't experience any problems or delays on Southwest Airlines. I had a great time and enjoyed my flights.

I question whether smaller airports are being utilized to their potential after listening to this testimony and after my own experience this month. Salem, Oregon has only one airlines flying into the airport to provide needed service. In the past, it used to be a busy airport. Now only Delta flies into Salem. Why? Everyone in Oregon shouldn't have to be shuttled to Portland to fly out of Oregon. Why isn't the Corvallis airport utilized by regional and smaller commercial airlines? Why aren't there more flights out of Eugene and Salem? I wonder what airlines are flying out of Medford and Bend?

If the airlines are overscheduling for profit which threatens public air safety, why aren't they fined and held accountable?

These issues peak my interest but I trust solutions will continue to be found as air transportation continues to be the safest means of transportation.

Road Trip

I'm excited to travel this week. My youngest son, Daniel is flying me down to San Jose today out of PDX on Southwest to start the trip of a lifetime. I feel privileged to have been asked to spend the time with him driving to Ohio. I always say that spending time with my family is the most precious gift.

There isn't anyone better than Daniel. He starts a new job in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday morning at Battelle and will be working on his MBA at Ohio State University starting this fall. He has worked for 6 years with Battelle in Mountainview, California and Corvallis, Oregon. Daniel deserves the very best in life and I'm so proud of him. He's the BEST person I know.

I fly back to PDX on Southwest next Wednesday. It's going to be a great adventure.

Family

Here's a photo of the last time our family got together on the weekend of August 24 and 25. Let me introduce you--starting at the left is Chris--my son-in-law, Gretchen--my daughter holding LizzyBeth, my granddaughter. Then comes Benjamin, my son from Seattle and his wife, my daughter-in-law--Amanda who is holding Jack--my grandson. Then comes me and my husband--Leslie on the far right. In the background is Chris and Gretchen's new Jeep that is pulling their travel trailer that was in our driveway for the night. It sure is fun getting together and I look forward to the next time. Les is 200% better now.

Chris just lost over 80 pounds with LA Weight Loss. Gretchen dropped down to a size 6 and 8 by following the program too. I'm proud of both of them. It's not easy to lose weight. They look healthy and have added years to their life. Now they eat differently and look for opportunities to enjoy the outdoors together as a family.

It sure was fun seeing Ben and Amanda too from Seattle. Of course, I always love playing Canasta and winning but I didn't this time. A big loss to Ben. I'll have to wait for the next time.

BEST BUY

We bought a new computer at Best Buy in Salem and I'm sure happy with it. It's an emachine and the Geek Squad at Best Buy installed the Windows software and the virus protection. I'm impressed with my problem-free experience on the Internet so far.

Best Buy seems to have everything you could want and I saw many things that would be nice to buy someday. Expert friendly service...what more could you want?

Medical Update

Leslie went to the Lincoln Clinic yesterday. I thought he was doing much better. On Sunday he went outside to work out in the yard for a little bit. He looks better. He's moving around more. However, Dr. Williams told him the blood test came back with cause for concern with the elevated white count level. He said that no one has seemed to get to the bottom of what is wrong with Les for a very long time and he wants to find another doctor who might be able to help him. Les goes for a CT Scan at the end of the week.

I thought that it was interesting that when Les asked about his cardiogram taken several months ago that the test wasn't in his folder and Dr. Williams had never looked at it. Les had asked the nurse about it before and she said it wasn't in his folder either. Why?

I'm impressed with Dr. Williams because he doesn't pretend to know something he doesn't and he cares to find out the truth. He cares about his patients.

The whole health care system needs to be changed so that the best care is provided to all people in need for health care. This in and out system in 10 minutes with a hit or miss diagnosis just doesn't cut it.

Republican Party

My husband of 35 years, Leslie received in the mail a questionnaire for the Republican National Committee. I thought it interesting when he told me that health care wasn't even listed as a cause for concern. My husband wrote it in as his number one cause for concern during the election.

I think Lou Dobbs has it right when he says that neither the Republicans or Democrats seem to have the answers or solutions.

So You Think You Can Dance

One of my all time favorite shows and one of the most important shows on television to encourage the arts is SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. It's down to four young people and I'll be voting for Sabra or Danny or Neil.

I was so impressed when Nigel Lythgoe spoke briefly about the right to express an opinion. He said, "Art should be allowed to make statements and until we find a way of living with people we disagree with, we are never going to find peace. We've got to work at this." Nigel is a great man who has encouraged the love of dance in millions and now begins the great effort that should be rewarded with a Nobel Peace Prize of sharing dance with kids all over the United States by using the best choreographers to teach dance to the teachers who work with young people in inner city programs. He is working to change the world to make it a much better place by channeling energy into dance, instead of violence.

All the dancers who have participated and were chosen have been great and will go on to amazing careers in dance. My favorite was Hok and I was sad to see him leave. The dance of the hummingbird and the flower was nothing less than the highest art expressed through dance.

Israel

Daniel spent two weeks in Israel with the Taglit Birthrite Program. I asked him to put my name in a space in the Western Wailing Wall for a blessing and he did. He stayed with a group of young people his own age to explore and learn about being Jewish in Israel. He brought home a large bag of seven cosmetics from the Dead Sea for me, and a beautiful Star of David with a blessing on it for our home which reads, "May this home be a place of happiness and health, of concernment, generosity and hope, a home of creativity and kindness. May those who visit and those who live here know only blessing and peace."

I'm so proud of Daniel how he embrasses life and is beginning to have friends all over the world.
He's perfect in every way and he works hard to do his best at everything he does. He's a brilliant young man with a kind heart and has a keen ability to find solutions.

BLOOMBERG

In the Corvallis Gazette Times this morning in the religion section is the headline, "Bloomberg: America's first Jewish president?" Bloomberg is the only candidate smart enough to be president. It's important that he's Jewish, especially in a time when some around the world want to annihilate all Jews.

Hilliary? Why would I vote for Hilliary? I don't know what she stands for since she's so busy kissing up the last three years. When her husband was president, he gave her the project of putting together a national health care system and she failed so just why would I think she would do any better this time plus her husband gave away the store and couldn't control his personal life.

Edwards, the pretty boy? I don't know. I think he would be too busy looking in a mirror.

Romney? I would never vote for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after my experience in this church. Am I nice to members? Yes. Do I keep my distance? Yes.

Giuliani--maybe I'll vote for him, if Bloomberg doesn't run for president.

COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS

Coccidioidomycosis can be dangerous and life threatening. Imagine having fungal spores inside your body that multiply and shoot off like popcorn in the microwave and then continue to multiply in all parts of your body. It weakens the immune system, causes respiratory problems, can lead to meningitis when not stopped, and during the 1950's was actually considered by the U.S. Government to be a biological weapon. It isn't contagious. You must breath in the fungal spores. You aren't supposed to get it again but that obviously isn't true since my husband has a new full-blown case of Valley Fever. Was it caused by the residual disease that was dormant in his body or is this a new infection from spores that he breathed in when rototilling our garden? I don't know. I guess we would have to test the soil to know for sure. Interesting.

Since Coccidioidomycosis is endemic to the SW of Texas, California and Arizona, I can see that seniors should be careful when relocating to this area of the country. Stay inside when they excavate for new buildings and stir up the dirt.

LINCOLN HEALTH CLINIC

My husband visited the Lincoln Health Clinic yesterday and I'm pleased with his care. Dr. Williams searches for answers and asks for advice. When consulting with an expert at OSHU and was told that nothing should be done to control the Valley Fever, Dr. Williams didn't stop there but went on to talk to the medical professionals at the University of Washington Medical School. Les is now on fluconazole and is already seeing positive results.

Les is now taking Adviar, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Fluconazole, Hydroxy, and tapering off the Namenda.

Namenda has the potential of shutting down his immune system which could allow the Valley Fever to progress into meningitis again. Dr. Broskie, Les' doctor in Salem called to take him off the Namenda. She has been in constant touch to help him. She is another medical hero who has directed his care.

Susan, the nurse at Lincoln Clinic was amazing on Monday, July 2nd because Les was in the examining room for 2 1/2 hours. This is unusual in the time of a "one symptom and ten minute visit" medical era. By giving him a nebulizer treatment for his lungs, it helped him to breath better. The blood tests taken during this visit made a positive diagnosis of active coccidioidomycosis or Valley Fever.

It takes many people to heal a person which includes Thayne, the Pharmacist at Safeway who got the fluconazole started on Saturday.

Les is starting to get better. He hasn't been sleeping for the last month so I look forward to his getting better, sleeping, and starting to recover so he can enjoy life again. I'm grateful to everyone who has helped.

JOANN FABRICS

I enjoy working at Joann Fabrics and dreamed of how it could be even better.

I would sit with customers in a large sitting area with refreshments to encourage and answer questions with full access to all resources to give outstanding service with other team members. Computer software and a large screen monitor would allow us to take customers in virtual reality to find what they want in any part of the store. A map would be printed out so they could easily find all the items they want. Any questions about craft projects could be answered on the large screen with visual directions and then printouts with all instructions. Samples of all types of crafting would be available in notebooks to show as examples.

There would be classes in Corvallis, just like in the large Super Centers in the big cities.

Any person who has difficulty walking from one end of the store to the other would ride in carts.

There would be a play yard for the children so mothers could shop without worry or concern with plastic tunnels over the fabric near the ceiling with slides. There would be large tables with teachers and crafting supplies for all children.

After all the team members go home after helping customers, all the merchandise that is brought in the semitrucks would be put away by retail robots. All merchandise would have a microchip with directions of the exact spot in the store where it belongs and robots that scan the bar code would know the exact location of where to put the merchandise.

Maybe in the future something like this might be a reality in all retail stores to give excellent customer service.

ON THE LOT

I've been saving the FOX reality show ON THE LOT on my Tivo. They were backed up and I decided to skip ahead and watch tonight's show so I could vote.

This is my favorite show on television. If this show doesn't spark the imagination and light a fire under all screenwriters and filmmakers, I don't know what would. It's perfect. I love the format of this exciting show with executive producers, Mark Burnett from Survivor and Steven Spielberg, the BEST Director of all time. No wonder it's great!

The opportunity to see Carrie Fisher, Gary Marshall, and guest directors react and to see how they critique the films is invaluable to all screenwriters and filmmakers.

The short film, TIME UPON A ONCE directed by Zach Lipovsky was pure genius and magic. I love the way his mind works.

The charming fairy tale, THE LEGEND OF DONKEY-TAIL WILLIE directed by Hilary Graham was fun. I agree with Gary Marshall and was "engaged and involved with it."

SPAGHETTI directed by Will Bigham was my favorite of the first three. I've always loved westerns. When I was in grade school, I used to write my own scripts for Gunsmoke. I always included a commercial and a joke. I loved the story bringing the clash of the new with the old.

It makes me dream of a digital video camera, editing software, and a new computer.

FIRST SIGHT by Shalini Kantayya was an important film with a message. I wonder what kind of films with value and character Shalini will create in the future that will evoke thought and self-examination.

Of all the filmmakers, Adam Stein is my favorite. WORLDLY POSSESSION was clever, inventive, and amazing with the special effects.

Everyone's so gifted and amazing. ON THE LOT will inspire young and old filmmakers all over the world. Everyone will win because of the great films that will be created.

That's a wrap. Fade out.

Family Medicine

The Leslie is almost covered with the rash from Valley Fever or Coccidioidomycosis. He's in severe pain. He doesn't sleep. The Leslie has been directing his own care to get what he needs. The Benjamin researched medications with the least side effects for his Dad yesterday and came up with fluconazole. Ben has a degree in biomedical engineering and works for Zymo Genetics in Seatte as a manager. The Daniel looked up information on the internet, also researched medications, and found someone at Stanford doing research on Coccidioidomycosis. Dan is a research scientist with Battelle in Mountain View, CA. The Wendy diagnosed the coccidioidomycosis, supports and maintains to keep everything going. Now the trick is to get the care The Leslie needs so that he will get well.

Is The Wendy getting a little tired of always putting her dreams on the back burner? Yes!

Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis or Valley Fever or San Joaquin Valley Fever common in SW California, Texas, and Arizona in semi-arid climates now has an identified case in Alsea, Oregon. Yesterday my husband, Leslie was positively identified as having coccidioidomycosis from a blood test taken at the Lincoln Health Clinic in Corvallis.

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by inhaling fungus spores. My husband contracted Coccidioidomycosis or Valley Fever in Arroyo Grande, California in 1978 when he was cleaning up the yard of the house we bought on Tierra Street. He inhaled the spores. Even though this disease is common to the area, especially when there is major excavation, it went undiagnosed. It progressed up into the brain and arrested. He survived. He has had problems with his joints ever since and a CT brain scan showed major damage to the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain.

This time I suspected that it was Cocciodioidomycosis again, even though it was highly unlikely. This is why. After rototilling in the dry soil in our garden area, my husband got worse and started having similiar symptoms to the time he was so gravely ill in 1978. For some odd reason, I did not want him to rototill this year and I made the decision not to have a garden, even though it would not be to our advantage. He did so anyway, stubborn man that he is and who never listens to me. He rototilled a smaller area so he could plant tomatoes. I refused to have a garden this year and didn't want to encourage it.

Medical literature says that you aren't supposed to get Cocciodioidomycosis or Valley Fever a second time. Insurance companies sure don't want to discuss the liability issues of this disease. We don't have medical insurance.

Yes, The Wendy was right and accurately diagnosed it. I told several people what I suspected, including the nurse at the Immediate Care Clinic in Corvallis and the nurse yesterday at the Lincoln Health Clinic. This time it was diagnosed correctly and it will save his life.

Nancy Drew

I saw a great movie yesterday in Corvallis with my Safeway movie coupon. Nancy Drew was on the list of movies so that's what I decided to see. I went by myself since my husband is having problems with asthma and the expiration date on the coupon was almost up. Thank you, Safeway!

Growing up, I used to read Nancy Drew mysteries. I also read Trixie Belden and the Bobbsey Twins.

This is a great movie, full of action that centers around a gifted teen who loves to solve mysteries. The theater was full of parents bringing their children to enjoy the movie together. This was nice.

This should generate a lot of interest in reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Buy them from your local book seller or go to the library and read them all.

I sure had fun. I had the full movie experience with popcorn, a Diet Coke, and box of candy while enjoying a great movie.

What is most important?

To me, what is most important is: to constantly learn, work hard to become better each year in all areas of your life, family, and treating others with kindness.

I took a test last year and I learned that learning is my highest motivator over reaching goals and having friends. Friends was in last place out of the three and I find at this time in my life, I have no close friends.

I've always felt that it is important to progress in life and to be a better person next year as compared to the last year. In life, there are many levels of need for improvement so what may seem apparent to one may not be to someone else. I'm proud of the fact that I learned how to swim 2 1/2 years ago, which is quite a feat since I was so afraid of deep water.

Family is so important to me but I find that I don't have the opportunity to be near family as often as I would like. Everyone is scattered, busy, and involved in important projects. I think these days, family is not a priority in today's world. I've said I would love to live on the same street with my children so I could have a big dinner once a week, be helpful, bake bread, babysit, etc. but this isn't in the cards for me. I guess I'm stuck in the 50's of how I think things should be in life.

I feel it is important to be kind and respectful to others in life. This does not mean, however, that you continue to put yourself in the path of someone you know will cause you harm or continue to allow yourself to be used or hurt. It's important to protect yourself but it is important to forgive and treat everyone with respect and kindness no matter how you are treated by others. I guess this is my Miss Pollyana view of life.

Writing is essential, as important as breathing. To move my writing goals forward daily is important to me. Having computer problems stunts my progress. I recently lost family photos, my screenplay and writing on my computer. Frustrating!

To read to support my writing is equally important. Right now I'm reading the BEST library book. I need to buy it since it is one of the BEST books on writing that I've ever read. A WRITER'S COACH by Jack Hart. Jack Hart is a managing editor at the Oregonian and a former professor at the University of Oregon.

So what's important to me?.....moving my projects forward, being nice along the way, and seeing my family as often as possible.

2007 Maui Writers Conference

I got the conference brochure for the 2007 Maui Writers Conference in the mail and dream about going. Can you imagine learning from Ron Howard, Frank McCourt, Barbara Kingsolver, Mitch Albom, Carrie Fisher, Tony Hillerman, Robin Cook, Nicholas Sparks, and dozens of other writing heroes? I dream of it. I've always wanted to go. Maybe someday I can.

Lisa Nichols will be at the conference, who is known as Iyanla from Starting Over on television, another one of my heroes who dares to tell the truth and who cares about people.

The news in this brochure tells me that for only $20, you can sign up to attend the conference and never leave home. IF my computer keeps working without interference and IF I can get speakers for my computer, I'm going to be listening. I'm also dreaming of an Ipod so I can download these writing workshops--each one important and each one with great wisdom for anyone who takes writing seriously.

http://www.mauiwriters.com/

Doctors and Clinics

My husband went into the Lincoln Clinic in Corvallis. He waited the time period until there could be no doubt this wasn't a virus. He was given amoxicillin, flunisolide, and albuterol inhaler for an "alergic nose" or nasal alergy on June 11th.

During this time my husband was coughing and having a difficult time breathing. He would cough standing up, black out and fall on the floor. This happened several times.

Then on June 15, since he had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, he went to the Corvallis Immediate Care Clinic at Corvallis Clinic where he was given azithromycin, prednisone, spiriva handihaler and told to continue taking the albuterol inhaler and flunisolide, which is a nasal spray and throw away the amoxicillin. X-rays were taken to show it was a sinus infection. His lungs were clear.

He was coughing so badly and in so much pain that he was unable to sleep through this period of at least three weeks. I finally got him to start sleeping in the chair a little bit at a time.

On June 23, he returned to Corvallis Immediate Care Clinic because he wasn't getting better. The rash on his back was worse and it covered most of his body from the amoxicillin. He had difficulty breathing. When asked what his first complaint was, my husband said breathing. The doctor commented that the muscle on his back might have been torn from so much coughing but he didn't check it. He was given a new round of Predisone, Advair, Rhinocort nasal spray, and Avelox. He's finally getting better, I'm happy to report.

I took him to the doctor at the Immediate Care Clinic and to see the nurse at the Lincoln Clinic all three times. I've stayed home from work because he was in so much pain, having such a difficult time, and because he became confused. Hopefully I can return to work soon.

Sometimes I think we are in the Dark Ages of medical care and it's a miracle people get better after taking all this medication. It seems to be hit and miss. Why isn't there a hand held scanner that instantly diagnoses with complete accuracy and offers recommended treatment? Where are the little gifted kids who grew up to be doctors who take seriously the profession of medicine and who keep updating their knowledge?

I know from master gardening that it is possible to get a detailed soil analysis from a sample with a readout of exactly what nutrients and minerals are missing so why isn't this possible in medicine for human beings? Why don't you get a printout at the doctor's office when you are sick with a complete listing of what vitamins and minerals you need, what exercises would be best, what foods you should be eating to heal, and what recommended treatments should be given to make you well?

My Computer

My computer has been down for the last two weeks, which halted my progress to write a screenplay in a month for Script Frenzy at http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/. I like things to work, especially my computer.

I don't know what happened to it. This happened before to my last computer which is still unusable. I thought this would be the same but my husband finally got this one going again. It's frustrating! I feel like my progress is halted and stopped when this happens.

Sometimes I wonder whether it is worth being on the computer at all. I've been listening to Kim Commando on the radio in the car when I drive back and forth from Corvallis. It seems like you have to have so much specialized knowledge about protecting yourself on the computer these days.