Mike Glassow Updates

Archaeologist Blair Gibson announced that he and his wife, Bio Anthropologist Susie Saul, would be coming to Sta. Barbara for the weekend to show their Irish Terrier at Earl Warren Showgrounds.  THey have had several award-winning dogs and this was a special event of the Sta. Barbara Kennel Club. We had them over for dinner on Friday with Lynn and Glen -- Mike enjoyed the camaraderie, and all being in anthropology, there was a lot to share.  The weather was warm and we ate on the deck.  Blair works in Ireland and has joined me at El Pilar several times on the survey.  Lynn and Glenn were heading to Ireland hte next week, so that was a common theme of the evening.  Susie brought the agenda and I selected to come to the event she would show in. Saturday, I went out to the showgrounds and found them with their doggies.  They would be in the Owner Handled group sometime after 2pm.  I walked around with Blair and Susie got her dog gussied up. The events are...

We have been visiting the Eye Clinic to find that Mike needs to attend to his cataracts! Mike and Maria are leaving Dr. Wagner's office August 19th  is the day the ophthalmologist, Dr.Wagner  (I guess everyone is younger!), worked on Mike's right eye, and he walked out at 10AM for home.    He did not let that stop his walks. or checking the mail! You can see he has a protector on his right eye under the dark glasses he must wear outside for the duration. Post Op on the 20th, and they gave him drops he takes 3x a day.  He is doing well..

 The routine is the daily walks, 2x PT, and rest.  This is the anticipated day.  Looking to find some stability and no visits to ER ! He taks on long walk usually up Alta vista to Micheltorena and down one of the streets to Anapamuy and home.   The short walk takes him through the High School and around to Nopal and back. Of course, he drinks water on the way On Sunday, we walked down to State St to meet Marcia Burtt  for a delicious Ethiopian lunch ar Petie Valantien  -- this is a weekend special, and it is very good.  We also meet Marcia there for dinners that are in the French style.  The chef is excelent and we recommend this restaurant! The walk home was more tiring for Mike than I expected. I am going to check on the schedule of the city bus so we can have an alternative.

 We drove up to WW, leaving in the AM on the 8th and returning on the evening of the 10th.   Arriving at 1082 Lark after noon, our support, Dick Holmes, had the house opened up and hte fridge plugged in.  I had to haul everything in -- at that, it turns out to be not so easy for just one person.   The visit was great; it had been a year since we were there, and outside, we had lost lilacs, and some other vegetation was very shriveled. We hope for revival. Mike was extra tired; we suspect it was the altitude.  Santa Barbara is at the sea and WW is at 6,ooo feet.  Still, we enjoyed our stay.  It was quite warm, so Mike would not have to worry about feeling cold.   We joined his walker friends for dinner at Mexico Lindo on Friday night, and Mike negotiated the steep stairs for hte patio table setting.  Pat Trujillo, the original organizer and contact for Mike when he went on the WW hikes, and Shannon were there too.  No hiker group since CO...

 It was a busy week.   Brenda drove up with Jan Gasco and met with Andrea Gerstle to visit their old haunts and stay with Barbara Voorhies .  They all came over for a pizza dinner to see Mike and me on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, Brenda sought a one-on-one with Mike.  She brought a lunch from our fave Buena Onda and spent several lively hours with Mike.  Mike said they talked about everything... I am imagining from the "good old days"  (ha ha) to the challenges of today! And the visiting group all came to say adios! Anabel, Mike, Brenda, Jan, and Andrea All Anthropology/Archaeology PhDs from UCSB!

 New strides for Mike!  Past the Courthouse, up stairs at the High School, at the Alice Kekck Park Garden, and the streets of our neighborhood!  The courthouse is about a mile from our house! And so it the park! Into the High school. And up the stairs from Cannon Perdido.... Instead of the elevator, he took the stairs to the ophthalmologist who will be conducting the cataract surgery, first eye next week. John Johnson visited him and shared thoughts on California Archaeology.

 Regular exercise is the drill, and with that come better health and better capabilities!  Mike has a long walk and a short walk. And he is also on the rowing machine, he did 30 minutes! Also hydration!! Maria keeps on him -- Water Water Water!! At the desk! On the walk! at State Street... Along the sidewalk  .... Stopping at the wall! At the park!