Mike Glassow Updates

 Mike had another trip to the ER, and these events put us back -- still we were able to get 2 short walks in together, grateful to his returning strength.

 In Melbourne on the way to LAX...  to land at 7am and hoping to catch the 8AM airbus.. Mike takes his walks, fetches the mail, visits the botanic garden, and starts his physical therapy. He is doing well, struggles with the lifestyle, yet maintains a good attitude.   We are now excited for my return after almost 2 weeks in Perth and Darwin. I participated in the World Archaeological Congress in Darwin, where I met indigenous Australians, learned about women in Indian archaeology, listened to papers honoring Colin Renfrew, and participated in a session on plants and people. Saturday was a workshop where I was able to get Cynthia zoomed in, and she was a major contributor in how citizen science and indigenous participants can contribute to archaeological research.   Here I stand at the monitor with Cynthia in the upper left...  her voice came into the room on a speaker.  .  

 Lynn and Glenn visitted Mike bringing news and interesting  discussions that revolved around their work in California.   Mike holds forth from his reclining chair and enjoyes the company. Come for a visit!

 And I am across the world and date line at Darwin University for the World Archaeological Congress Mike continues to take walks, naps, and even shopping, and of course drinking water and taking naps. Hist days are getting back to the routine of at least 2 walks getting 8,000 to 11,000 steps a day!   The days are getting warmer, and we can see he is in his shirt sleeves, not a jacket!   At Sprouts for household goods Drinking water at the computer!

 Mike had been doing so well.  No ER for 2 months!   And then Thursday, the  cystoscopy.  This investigates the inside of the bladder and disturbs the internal situation so that Mike experiences significant pain thereafter.  Complications took us to emergency 2 times and ultimately into the hospital. We had been developing a routine and Mike was feeling pretty good.  I was able to spend a week in Belize and that went well.   I had been invited to Darwin in Australia, and was set when Mike's health changed dramatically.  With long talks with Dr. Baird, a wonderful, sensitive individual, she convinced me that nothing would benefit by my staying in California and encouraged me to have confidence in the hospital and that he was in the best place he could be.   After 5 days, he was walking on his own and Maria was able to bring him home.  Mike at the front door, e...

 We took Sunday afternoon up at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden walking up the hill and into the pollination area and my there were many beers!  And then we walked over to the Island section where there are so many of the wonderful plants!  Mike with Matilaja Poppies We were able to see the clearing of the sky as the afternoon sun burned off the fog --  but the islands were not visible -- we had hoped to see them and maybe our next visit we will catch them off in the horizon! The garden is such a beautiful place and it is a breath of fresh air.   A garden view.....

This week has flown by.  I made it to the La Cumbre Airbus stop around 5pm and Mike was here with Betty who had picked him up after his hyperbaric oxygen therapy and we came home together for a diner at 727.  Mike was hail and it was wonderful to see him out and about.   The days that followed took on the rhythm… up and breakfast around 8am with the newspaper. Maria arrives at 9:30 and that signals that Mike is off for a walk and I head to campus.  On the way back formthe walks, Mike checks the mail.  After lunch,  Maria drops him at 2pm to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy and I fetch him at 4pm.  Then home gathering in the day together,  and dinner around 6pm.  Sometimes we watch a documentary on PBS , that we support, and we are greatful that they have such a good selection .   For the weekend we thought we would go the open house of the Sta Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Rochin Adobe open house and go to the Casa...

J enn Perry , one of Mike's students now in the administration at California State University Channel Islands, was up to SB in coordination with CSUSI and the Santa Barbara Zoo.  Consequently she took the time to visit Mike and brought la simple lunch of chees, bread, cheery tomatoes and cheer. At the table, they had lively discussions of graduate school, teaching, and now admin.  Jenn also discussed the  Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,   NAGPRA , and the challenges that the entire academy is working with. Mike had a hard time stopping the discussions.  He could not be late to the HBOT and sadly departed and looks to the next visit.

Blair Gibson, an archaeologist whose career has focused on Irish Chiefdoms, and his wife Susie, were planning to be in Ventura for a dog show.  They were presenting their Irish Terrier in the morning breed competition --  They knew they were guaranteed to win because their entry doggie, Fergus, would be the only Irish terrier there!   Since they were close, Ventura is 25 miles south of Santa Barbara, they headed  up to 727 E Anapamu after the show to visit with Mike. Ireland was the theme... The Burren with ring castles and carins that speak to the deep  prehistory,  the attractive towns like Ennis, and their common appreciation for the world of the Irish.  

 The week is flying by! Mike has established a routine for his day. He is up around 8 AM. After his ablutions, he comes downstairs for breakfast. He reads the paper and enjoys his meal. He is drinking his water, hydration is important, and after all that, he takes his medicines.   He is then ready for a walk. Walksmay be around the neighborhood of to a local park or garden. He has begun to frequent the botanic garden.  There he walks to the meadow, here past the Matilija poppies.   He has walked down to the redwood and up to the Island section.   Some days have been fresh and sunny, while others have been cool and overcast. Every Thursday Mike knows the local weekly Independent comes out.  We all like to keep in touch with local news and events. Mike also walked around the SB Missions remainders of the I Mondonari    And even though things were a bit tattered after a week, it was a spectacle! Meanwhile, I am in Hot Hot Belize after 3 day...