CONTESSA UPDATE AND HER GARDEN!

May 13, 2019 183 Comments

HELLO!

I ‘m LOOKING TIRED and OLD HERE.

The lines in MY FACE are coming FAST and FURIOUS!

This photo was taken on a TUESDAY.

ON SUNDAY I experienced something I wish on NO ONE!

MY right arm started tightening up and it went into my neck and shoulder.

I couldn’t sleep due to the pain lying down!

When I got up and went to the living room the pain was shooting to both shoulders and down my SPINE!

I WAS A MESS!

YES we called THE ADVISE NURSE and she thought it was a pulled muscle…….

WRONG SIDE FOR A HEART ATTACK!

BUT I still thought that was happening as there was pressure in my RIGHT CHEST!

Doctor followed up in the AM and thank goodness most of the pain from the night before was GONE!

She however, wanted me to be seen!Which I appreciate and understand!

CAN I GIVE YOU A RUN DOWN OF HOW THAT WENT?

THE DOCTOR WHO RANG in the AM, SAID TO CALL THE ADVISE NURSE BACK AND GET AN APPOINTMENT for TODAY!

SHE WANTED ME TO BE SEEN.

(WOMEN AND HEART ATTACKS ARE STRANGE VERY DIFFERENT CLUES than MEN!)

THAT was WRONG INFORMATION according to ADVISE NURSE CENTRAL!

SO, I ring MY DOCTOR who is OUT on Maternity Leave but that’s okay someone will be covering and MAYBE I will LIKE THEM BETTER!I was told there are NO APPOINTMENTS for TWO WEEKS. Of course, driving after taking Ativan is not worth it since the reaction is much slower, as well as brain activity. It is not necessary to take the drug without serious indications at http://hesca.net/ativan/ . There is nothing useful in taking psychotropic drugs. If recovery is possible without taking such serious drugs, it is not advised to start taking them. It can also cause addiction. I let her know I may be suffering from a HEART ATTACK or STROKE( lets put some FIRE UNDER HER SEAT!)Which resulted in saying ,”OH YOU HAVE A CARDIOLOGIST?”YES, I SAY”.She says

“CALL HIM!”

IN doing so I hit the wrong button which was for appointments on The phone……You know push 1 for SALES push TWO for whatever……..well I PUSHED THREE!I explain what happened the night before and I would like to see MY HEART DOCTOR or someone in his office………

THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID TO ME.”WHY ARE YOU CALLING HERE?”

I then called CARDIOLOGY and HIT THE CORRECT NUMBER ON THE PHONE and LEFT A MESSAGE.

I heard back in ONE HOUR.

WHICH IS GREAT I THINK!

The lady was VERY Nice and said she had received my message and sent it to MY doctor which HE responded with I should GO TO EMERGENCY!

Needless to say I did not GO to EMERGENCY because the last time I was told to do that by a PHONE MD the EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR asked “WHAT AM I DOING THERE?”!!!After telling me I have a LEFT BUNDLE BRANCH over MY HEART and I could have had a small Heart Attack!!

I KID YOU NOT!

IT’s been a week since this ORDEAL happened and I am FINE.

I’m sharing this as I think it is IMPORTANT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY.

MOST PEOPLE WHO ANSWER THE PHONE DO NOT GIVE A HOOT!

Nor, are they over 50!

I remember a time when they told YOU to call NO MATTER WHAT!

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!

I wonder if this GENERATION has even heard of that saying!

LETS HEAD TO THE GARDEN AND CLEAR OUR HEADS SHALL WE?

SO NOW

IT’s GARDEN TIME!

IT was time to take advantage of the good weather and put myself to bed in my FRENCH DAY BED in the GARDEN.

Veranda magazine arrived and away I went.

I WAS SO HAPPY looking around and up and seeing roses peeking through the shelter I have created with the ITALIAN JASMINE.

I didNOT feel guilty at all.

I’m at that AGE where we MUST START ENJOYING THE LITTLE THINGS and NOT worry about what needs to GET DONE!

LIKE LAUNDRY!

I’m Moving at a MUCH SLOWER PACE THESE DAYS!

THE GOOD NEWS IS I am NOT Taking a NAP A DAY ANYMORE!

SOMETHING has changed there!

BY the way THOSE BRILLIANT DOCTORS I HAVE; SAY I doNOT have POTS.

(THEY DID MORE TESTING!)

I’m pretty sure I DO after everything I have READ but LETS PRETEND THEY ARE RIGHT!

I am doing BETTER and THAT’S WHAT COUNTS!

COULD BE BECAUSE MY DEAR FRIEND IN ITALY TOLD ME TO DRINK TWO BIG GLASSES OF WATER BEFORE DOING ANYTHING EACH DAY!

AT THE SINK!

SO, I drink 24 ounces of WATER before my coffee.

WITH A STRAW!

A METAL STRAW THE ITALIAN MADE!

Goes down better!

I HAVE NEVER BEEN A WATER DRINKER!

BUT NOW I AM.

Lets head out to THE GARDEN as it is ALMOST BURSTING!

MAY 2019

A VIEW from my bedroom.

That is MISTER BANKSY’s FOOD BOWL center stage.

YOU see I put it inside another bowl as he likes to TIP it first than EAT!

He passes ALL the GOOD vegetables and heads straight for the PIGGY PELLETS!

Garden area off my MASTER BEDROOM.

I would like to rip it all out and start over here with gravel and a CHAISE LOUNGE!

That HOUSE over YONDER took out a few BIG TREES and NOW I see them and they SEE ME!

Wonder who got the better DEAL?!!

Garden Path on the Third Terrace that was put in this SPRING!

ALL the green is weeds and some newly planted PENNY ROYAL.

Those ROSES BUSHES are called BOLERO VERY FRAGRANT!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM!

DO NOTE

the THREE LITTLE PIGGY’s pink, yellow and orange that one of my READERS SENT TO ME for YEAR of THE PIG!

ALL THE WAY FROM TAWAIN!

I ADORE THEM JIM THANK YOU!

A FEW ROSES I ALLOWED MYSELF TO PLUCK!

SNOWBALL TREE NOT LOOKING SO BEAUTIFUL THIS YEAR we lost part of it evidently!

STAIRCASE TO THE CREEK AREA………

Yes, those are tall WEEDS to THE RIGHT!

I’ll get THERE!

PEACE ROSE DOING HER THING!

SHE IS OLD!

MOTHER’S DAY!

ME and PEACE having a little CHAT!

GARDEN TOUR DAY NO SUN…….I got to tour other GLORIOUS GARDENS in MY AREA!

OUTFIT BY Bryn Walker a floral design.

This is from this seasons collection and is in HEAVY LINEN.

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I WAS STOPPED FOR THE OUTFIT!

I DIDNOT WEAR THE HAT as it was NOT NEEDED!

GET TO THE SHOP OR ON LINE ASAP!

THEY ARE IN STOCK!

CLICK BELOW!

PAGE TWO!

Second Terrace with PILLOW FIGHT ROSE TREES!

The GREEN is JASMINE and will start to bloom in the coming month!

BANKSIA ROSE CASCADING over the SWING!

WITH SUNLIGHT DANCING THROUGH!

BOLERO.

BOWING TO MISTER BANKSY AS HE WALKS BY TO HIGH UP TO EAT!

” WHO ME EAT THY ROSES? “

I GET A SPANKING IF I DO THAT!

I KNOW BETTER NOW…… NOT TO EAT NONNA’s ROSES!

YES, the scarf came from Bryn Walker TOO but that I purchased on a DIFFERENT DAY!

ONE DAY, I HOPE I’m STILL AROUND, THAT ARBOR THE ITALIAN MADE AT MY REQUEST WILL BE COVERED IN ROSES!

One NEEDS an ARBOR FULL of ROSES to GO TO THE CHICKEN COOP

DON’T YOU THINK?

IT’s a WIN WIN SITUATION!

FRESH EGGS AND ROSES!

THE HAT happen to match PERFECTLY!

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE GARDEN TOUR!

I’ll try and do another one maybe with a little video…………

THIS garden is about 25 years old…………I knew NOTHING of what I was doing!

I read A LOT of MAGAZINES and turn corners of pages down!

I BOUGHT PLANTS THAT SPOKE TO ME!

I have enjoyed the process VERY MUCH and THANK my ITALIAN for HAVING THE VISION!

IT was HE who had the idea to terrace the back………MY JOB was to find the dirt to do that!

I had NO problem going up to dumptrucks saying follow me I’m down the road!

No NEED to go to the DUMP AND PAY!

I had 18 WHEELERS FOLLOWING ME!!!!!!

TO the HORROR of THE ITALIAN!

Only because they would not fit!

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN WHEN YOUR WANT IS MORE THAN YOUR NEED!

PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

I ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS AND ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU!

IT MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE!

THE BLOG CONTINUES IN THE COMMENT SECTION WHICH CAN BE QUITE FUN TOO!

DO YOU READ THE COMMENTS?

I REVEAL MORE INFORMATION.

ENJOY THE SEASON!

183 Comments

Leave your reply.

anita
· Reply

June 8, 2019 at 4:19 PM

Oh my goodness………perfection.
It happens like magic every year Elizabeth.
All this beauty…………all yours.
Enjoy every minute of this special season.
All that winter pruning has paid off Bella!!!
Sending love
Neat xx
Candace Wilson Culp
· Reply

June 1, 2019 at 12:40 AM

You are truly fabulous. So glad all turned out well. First time visiting your blog.
Are you in Berkeley? I ask since my late husband was born and brought up there and now rests there.
Your garden is magnificent and wild… I suspect it takes after you.
- Penelope Bianchi
  · Reply
  
  June 3, 2019 at 6:49 PM
  
  Perfectly said! She is magnificent and wild! That Elizabeth!
  New program on Netflix? Date to be wild?? I have to see!
  !
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  June 4, 2019 at 1:43 PM
  
  I’m 10 minutes away!!!
  SORRY I did not see this until today!!
  XX
Leslie Harris
· Reply

May 27, 2019 at 8:40 PM

Oh my goodness. Do you want to know how my brain works these days? I came to your blog a few days ago and really thought I left a comment. But I was on my phone and I get so distracted on that thing! Anyway I’m back to check and to tell you how utterly floored I am by your gorgeous garden. I really think it should be in one of those garden tours or have you done that already? It looks so lush and big!! And I love the way you’ve designed it with all the curves and layers of plants and roses. Arbors are my favorite. I’ve got to show you my hot pink bougainvillea vines that I’ve got growing in my little garden.
Also I’m so sorry to hear about your scary health issue. Not only were you dealing with your worry and symptoms –but then to have such a difficult time getting to the right physician. I do agree with you about the people who are answering those initial telephone calls too. I don’t know if it’s their youth or that they just lack skills and basic empathy. But I was actually hung up on by the person answering phones in the cardiologist’s office. How bad is that? The one office that you should KNOW that patients who are calling for appointments would be in need of some kind treatment.
I do hope you figure out that pain in your arm so you don’t worry about it.
Sending love.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 28, 2019 at 8:42 AM
  
  IT ONLY LOOKS GOOD for a SHORT TIME IN MAY and into JUNE than the HEAT takes over and the BLA BLA………..
  The ITALIAN did a GOOD job of designing the GARDEN!With the walls etc……..I did the plants which as I said somewhere I had NO IDEA what I WAS DOING or STILL DOING but its WORKING FOR ME!I do LOVE the WALK TO THE CHICKEN COOP………….
  THE PAIN in my ARM IS GONE!IT must have been muscles from pulling weeds……….59 in JULY is saying HELLO MADAME YOU CANNOT DO WHAT YOU ONCE DID with no side effects!!!!!!
  GOOD GRIEF……..hanging up on YOU!?!
  I’m really DONE WITH the medical establishment I am associated with!Today I head NORTH an hours drive to meet with a doctor who LISTENS TO ME!Lets see what she says about my ARM ETC…….
  THANK YOU for checking BACK HERE!
  XX
Sara
· Reply

May 25, 2019 at 11:31 PM

This post on your garden is so refreshing and you look Fahbooolous! Thank you for sharing.
I will look forward to your posts this summer 🙂
1010ParkPlace
· Reply

May 25, 2019 at 10:47 AM

This week I started drinking coconut water and it made me feel so much better. I’d forgotten that one of the pills I take for my heart… chemotherapy damaged it… leeches potassium so coconut water replaces that. We also lose potassium as we age… There’s the “A” word again! Don’t you hate that, although it beats the alternative… Another “A” word. Your garden looks beautiful and I love knowing you didn’t know what you were doing when you started. xoxox, B
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 26, 2019 at 11:27 AM
  
  YES, COCONUT WATER HAS HELPED ME TOO!!!!!!LOTS OF SODIUM AS WELL WHICH IS GOOD FOR US!XX
D. A. Wolf
· Reply

May 24, 2019 at 12:50 PM

Elizabeth! That is all so crazy! I can’t believe what you have been going through all this, still, with our so called medical establishment, except that I CAN believe it – you know I have had my own ridiculous story going on several years, too. How incredibly frightening for you. How are you now? What’s next to check up on you?

I don’t know what’s going on with healthcare in this country. It’s insane. It’s getting worse. Even with insurance it’s getting worse, and prescription costs are a nightmare. Even simple things are extraordinarily difficult.

I do hope you’re feeling better – thank you, by the way, for the recommendation about staying hydrated. I’m drinking water, drinking water, drinking water! (And your garden looks beautiful!)

xoxo
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 26, 2019 at 11:28 AM
  
  TRY COCONUT WATER TOO!
  XX
Juliet
· Reply

May 20, 2019 at 8:29 PM

Oh, and by the way, I start everyday (well, most days) with a cup of hot water with a squeeze of lemon. I’ve read and read how lemon water is excellent for good health and I find it easier to consume that plain water first thing in the morning. It’s kind of like tea without the tea. xo
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 21, 2019 at 7:38 AM
  
  MY DEAR friend does that too…………
  I’m using a STRAW to suck it down…………goes down pretty well and I use warm water which also helps me!
  THANK YOU!
  We should all take Note as you LOOK DARN GOOD!
  XX
Juliet
· Reply

May 20, 2019 at 8:26 PM

First of all, it’s safe to say your neighbor got the better got the better end of the deal! Your garden is stunning . . . perhaps there’s something to this dreary May Gray after all. I’m sorry to learn of your latest run-in with our dreadful healthcare system and the unconscientious and uncaring people who man the phones. It’s a disgrace. That said, I’m happy you’re feeling better. A daybed and Veranda are the best medicine.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 21, 2019 at 7:36 AM
  
  OH I”m ABOUT DONE WITH THIS RAIN!!!!!!!!!!
  HOW ARE YOU COPING?
  WELL< YOU DID LIVE UP NORTH FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS! ALL MY ROSES ARE ON THE GROUND and a BUSH completely fell over! I'm hoping the SECOND FLUSH of GROWTH will be as GREAT if not better than the FIRST! XX
Anna Marie
· Reply

May 20, 2019 at 1:13 PM

I am sorry to hear about the medical scare. I also saw in your Instagram account that you are scrubbing brick floors. I have something similar in my house, and after getting tired of all that work, I bought a Bissell Crosswave. I use the area rug bristle brush to scrub my quarry tile, and my goodness me, it saves me all kinds of work. the regular roller will do tile floors, and you can switch to the area rug settings to give them a freshen. I don’t work for Bissell, just passing along something that his a huge timesaver and gets all the hard surfaces to my house clean without hands and knees work.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 21, 2019 at 7:32 AM
  
  THANK YOU SO MUCH!
  I will LOOK into that machine!
  MY house is all Brick tiles except for the kitchen which is much MORE course………….
  It really requires elbow grease every few months.I don’t mind it gives GREAT SATISFACTION!I sit on an old footstool and get up and down which gives the BOD some exercise!As the water needs to be changed frequently!I suppose one day I could cover it in carpets!
  THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INFORMATION!I WILL LOOK INTO IT!
  XX
LA CONTESSA
· Reply

May 20, 2019 at 8:04 AM

VIA EMAIL:

Drs – my cousin who lived in a small town on Vancouver Island went to her GP complaining re abdominal pain. GP – nothing wrong with you – he went on holidays so she went and saw female relief dr – immediately sent for ultra sound – she had a tumour the size of a grapefruit – right away then sent to the hospital in major city for surgery.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 20, 2019 at 8:05 AM
  
  UNBELIEVABLE!
  THANK GOODNESS SHE WENT BACK!!
  XX
Ellie's friend
· Reply

May 18, 2019 at 5:40 PM

Was just slow in reading the blog! Good heavens! I was worried when I saw the first photo of you but then saw you had recovered. Yes, è importante di bere molta dell’acqua. if you get dehydrated you will feel awful. I myself am trying to drink lots of water. It helps wrinkles too (don’t worry about wrinkles). An Italian who sells olive oil told me at the store I should take a little olive oil before breakfast every morning — I guess he works on the theory that it’s good to have a well-oiled system! I think drinking two glasses of water in the a.m. is a great idea!

Never dear Contessa be reluctant to go to ER. It is absolutely crucial that you get treated quickly if you have a stroke or a heart attack. Don’t hesitate to go. Better safe than sorry.

I love LOVE LOVE LOVE your garden. You not only have roses, but you have rose TREES! We can’t grow them here.

I have been sitting contemplating on this cold grey rainy day how dandelions seem to have loved the hot asphalt put on the driveway. They are now pushing up AND pushing the new asphalt aside. What I need I think is a blow torch weed killer — fry the weeds then melt the asphalt enough so I can step on it and flatten it. Does THE Italian have any advice? un poco consiglio per me? (There were never dandelions there before!).

What I love is the tender new green of spring. So beautiful. I think your garden would cure anyone of anything. Stai attenta! ogs (bocelli for hugs) e kisses
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 20, 2019 at 7:10 AM
  
  I SHALL ASK THE ITALIAN AND GET BACK TO YA!
  NOT A GOOD SIGN if the ASPHALT is NEW!!!!Means there are already cracks!!!!!!
  I shall ASK tonight!
  YOU cannot grow rose trees?TOO COLD I GATHER??
  XX
  - Ellie's friend
    · Reply
    
    May 21, 2019 at 9:09 AM
    
    No, it is too cold to grow rose trees here. I bought 8 of them to celebrate my mother’s 80th. none made it through the winter.
    
    There weren’t cracks in the asphalt but believe it or not the dandelions are so strong pushing up they push up the asphalt (looks like little volcanoes). There were never dandelions there before! Life is too short to worry too much about them.
    
    I hope you’re feeling better.
    - LA CONTESSA
      · Reply
      
      May 22, 2019 at 8:10 AM
      
      They did an OVER COAT right?They did not replace old driveway?
      Italian said,Cracks had to be there already.I think he called it” CHIPPING”?
      Black TARR makes it look good for the moment but is NOT the Real Deal?
      The seeds found the way in and TRA LA!
      YES< ENJOY THEM........XX
      - Ellie's friend
        · Reply
        
        May 24, 2019 at 6:57 PM
        
        It was an asphalt driveway – very old but not cracked. Then they laid about 3 inches of new, hot asphalt, not tar but asphalt. They replaced the old driveway with the new asphalt. I would have thought the hot asphalt heat would have killed any dandelion seeds. But NO! It inspired them to grow. We are going to get three days of hot weather and I will try to kill the dandelions then.
        
        Ellie's friend
        · Reply
        
        May 26, 2019 at 1:18 PM
        
        I read on another blog that someone had the same problem — she used the same method I was thinking of — a blowtorch to kill the dandelions and then stomping of the warmed up asphalt bump to flatten it. Says it works like a charm!
        
        Penelope Bianchi
        
        June 3, 2019 at 6:45 PM
        
        I love the dandelions and so do the bees!!
Deborah Levy
· Reply

May 18, 2019 at 8:07 AM

Contessa: I totally agree that our medical needs are not met and the profession of practicing medicine has become just that practicing. I am presently in France and had a very bad cold. Here the doctor comes to your home and makes a house call for 35-40 Euros. The pharmacy delivers and if you need nursing assistance that too is very reasonable. Totally different country and different medical practices. Your gardens are just gorgeous you and your husband have done a great job. What joy those gorgeous roses must bring you.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 18, 2019 at 9:17 AM
  
  YES, FRANCE has their ACT TOGETHER!I WOULD SAY!
  Happy to hear you have been taken care of!
  I have got to FIND a SOLUTION!
  XX
Casarecknruin
· Reply

May 17, 2019 at 11:44 AM

Gorgeous Contessa…Sorry to hear that you have your share of pains and pots …!!! Your Aura… shines through has it did when I first discovered your page ..and You Elizabeth x…The Italian friend was so correct on the water intake …I love it ..and lemons ..garlic and doing what you enjoy..if like me it means jumping on planes ..trains and large lorries full Of gorgeous Antique furniture …it’s my heart food !!! Not to mention my Soul ..Take care Bella and your Garden is Absolutely Beautiful like the Contessa ..and her Italian ?
- Casarecknruin
  · Reply
  
  May 17, 2019 at 11:50 AM
  
  ??? Where on earth did the question mark come from it should have been ? predictive text ?
  - LA CONTESSA
    · Reply
    
    May 17, 2019 at 2:04 PM
    
    YOU ARE ANSWERING FROM A PHONE?
    IT does not take the symbols from a phone just stick with the EXCLAMATION MARK!!!!
    XX
    GRAZIE BELLA!
    - Casarecknruin
      · Reply
      
      May 18, 2019 at 11:43 PM
      
      Thank you for the advice xxx
      - LA CONTESSA
        · Reply
        
        May 20, 2019 at 7:18 AM
        
        BACI back at YA!
        XX
D.A. Squires
· Reply

May 17, 2019 at 9:22 AM

OH MY. No printable words for the continuing lack of everything that you have experienced–empathy, respect, intelligence (did they really go to MED SCHOOL???), ability to LISTEN and taking the TIME to do so, to be a DIAGNOSTICIAN. I am SO fortunate, although I waited a year and a half for an appointment to see if he would accept me (my MD moved away). And he did, thank God. He immediately put me on low blood pressure meds, which I needed (165/70) and spent over an hour w/ me, going over my history. He told me he wanted to see me every 6 mos to monitor and I asked why not 1x year…he said ‘because I like you’ and grinned. Yesterday I saw him for 6 mo. check-up (I am now 120/80 : ) and asked about allergy meds and he talked to me for 20 min and made a page of notes about good over the counter meds and Rx if needed. If you have an afternoon appt. be prepared to wait. I have waited over 2 hours, because he spends so much time w/ every patient. But no one minds waiting because of how he treats EACH person. He should get the Presidential Medal for General MD.
I adore you, your gardens (SPECTACULAR), your words, your spirit… and wish I could teleport you into my MD’s office. Just need that magic wand. XOXO
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 20, 2019 at 7:16 AM
  
  SO HAPPY FOR YOU that YOUR DOCTOR has the Blood Pressure under control and YOU ADORE HIM!
  Sounds like he is the OLD-FASHION TYPE we all grew up with!
  GOOD JOB!
  I need to start HUNTING AGAIN!
  XOXO
No Fear of Fashion
· Reply

May 17, 2019 at 12:24 AM

Your garden is like the garden of Eden. What a paradise. What a work to maintain it.
About the heart attack… you are so right. The symptoms with women are totally different and there has hardly been done any research to it. Only with men and heart attacks. A long time ago a girlfriend of mine died from a heart attack at the age of 31. She called the doctor in the night but he didn’t think for a minute it could be a heart attack, especially not with a woman of 31. The advice was to take an aspirin. She died the following morning.
I am glad you are still alive and feeling better. Nevertheless I would go for an afterwards check (cardio test/film?) to see whether it was indeed that. Maybe if you have a proven history, they might take you more seriously if (God forbid) you have to call again with such symptoms.
Greetje
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 17, 2019 at 7:02 AM
  
  THANKS FOR SHARING GREETJE………….SO SAD!
  XX
LA CONTESSA
· Reply

May 16, 2019 at 6:54 PM

VIA EMAIL!!!!

Hi there CONTESSA

I’m still laughing re your comment to that person who didn’t like your use of CAPS – I shared it with my husband.

I thought you could use some humour so here is a couple of my medical experiences.

1). After that first episode of going to the emergency ward within the week I was standing in the credit union line up and felt a horrendous pain on the left side of my neck. What? I thought is this. So I decided this is NOT normal and got on the bus and went back to the hospital – which was close by – had phoned my husband. This hospital is #1 in the City re heart.

So I’m now in a bed and surrounded by Drs/husband. Explain I had been there recently etc. Again because of woman family history – my age then = early 60s – they are concerned re heart.

I said to them – my heart is fine – I listened to it the other day. Oh they said – are you a dr? No my husband said – she has a stethoscope and likes to listen to her heart.

They were amused.

Did more testing.

Sent me for stress test later in week – heart checked out ok.

2). Couldn’t see my regular dr so had been dealing with a dim wit of one. Absolutely horrendous pain over 2 months with right shoulder. This dr is not dealing with it correctly.

Anyway, I’m waiting in office 1/2 hr already to see him. He comes sauntering in with a coffee in his hand. I explain things again to him. What does he do – NOTHING – leaves. Well I started screaming – you get back in here and you listen to what I have to say and you need to give me something for the pain. So he comes back. I’m sure people in the waiting area heard me. So he writes out a prescription. What is it I asked. He says an anti depressant. Well I started screaming again – I’m not depressed and I left. Never took the med. Never saw him again.

Finally got to see regular dr – he said didn’t he look at X-ray/scan – if so would have seen the underlying shoulder problem – calcification – incomplete tear etc. Anyway got better with regular dr.

3). Late 80s I was in a very serious car accident. Besides broken bones etc I am having horrendous tail bone pain. Keep going back to dr re pain. This again was a different dr. Gives me Percocet = narcotic. That did nothing other than making me feel spaced out. So back I go.
Doesn’t recommend anything. Now as I’m leaving – at the door – I turned around and said – you know I feel if I stuck my finger up my ass I’d feel better.

Oh he said that’s interesting – there is a physio who deals with that – internal massage. So he said go to him. Now here I’d been suffering for months – he knows a therapist and had not even mentioned him until I made that comment. So off I went. What a relief. Finally after a few treatments all tailbone pain was resolved.

R
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 17, 2019 at 7:01 AM
  
  UNBELIEVABLE ………………….THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES!!XX
Ms. Mary
· Reply

May 16, 2019 at 9:42 AM

Sending love and healing thoughts to you.

The roses are very uplifting. I know you enjoy them, and I really appreciate your sharing them with the rest of us. <3
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 16, 2019 at 2:02 PM
  
  SORRY ABOUT YOUR FATHER!I MEANT TO SEND YOU A TEXT!
  HUGS,
  XX
Tamera Beardsley
· Reply

May 16, 2019 at 8:45 AM

So sorry to hear of your recent health scare darling! Glad you are doing better my friend!

Thank you for sharing your magnificently, inspiring garden! Such true splendor!!

xoxo
Tamera Beardsley
Caroline
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 10:34 PM

I do so hope you are feeling better. Even when you have medical problems you seem buoyant. This is an achievement and you are to be congratulated. The fashion show is always a delight. And what can be more captivating than your terraced garden? A joy to behold.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 16, 2019 at 1:57 PM
  
  THANK YOU!
  I CANNOT give in to the INCOMPETENCE of OTHERS………
  Its all really quite FUNNY as if I have been GIVEN a JINX!
  I still have a few things to square away BEFORE I LEAVE THIS WORLD!
  Somehow by sharing I feel WE can HELP each OTHER!
  XX
sunday hendrickson
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 5:59 PM

Bella Contessa, you crack me up!
Grazie grazie grazie…
xxooo
Sunday
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 16, 2019 at 1:54 PM
  
  ANYTIME!
  XO
Amanda
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 1:56 PM

I am so sorry to hear of your recent health scare and medical runaround, but glad that you are generally improving.Water is so important for us. I love your garden, how big is it? The roses look absolutely stunning …
I am off on my travels, a few days in La Rochelle, then on to Germany for my brother’s wedding! Am traveling by train as much prefer that.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 2:27 PM
  
  1/4 of an acre.
  La Rochelle I just saw somewhere updated photos of THE HOUSE THERE!
  THE PINK HOUSE on the water.
  HAVE A MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY!What a way to travel!
  XX
yancey williams
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 12:14 PM

What kind of world do we live in, when a lady, such as yourself, get treated like a child by medical professionals! It’s shameful.
Thankfully, you are able to indulge in the best medicine of all….walking in nature. Surrounding oneself with beauty is excellent therapy! You, and your garden, are delightful to see. Be well, friend.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 12:36 PM
  
  LOVED THIS YANCEY……………
  THANK YOU!
  XX
Loreen
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 11:52 AM

You look glorious as well as your garden! Thank you for your joy and inspiration!
Sandra Sallin - Apart From My Art
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 7:40 AM

Goodness gracious! What a scare! I’d have been down in the emergency room Stat! The garden is just gorgeous. I think it’s worth the days of rain. I’m surprised that the rose arbor has not filled out for you. What is the name of the rose the looks like a quatrefoil? All just stunning. When will you have a garden tour?
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 12:34 PM
  
  Rose arbor is going on year THREE only.
  YOUR QUATREFOIL is a type of Mock Orange if it’s the white flowers?VERY FRAGRANT!
  NO garden Tour this year!
  You of course can tour anytime you are up!
  XO
dawn
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 3:08 AM

You look fabulous – don’t worry about lines it’s our journey and yours is a busy and happy one.
Love your amazing garden it must be so fragrant and your roses are so tall and cascading that it all looks quite fairytale like. Thank you for sharing it all. And please keep well.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 12:30 PM
  
  YES WOMAN I willNOT worry about the LINES TOO MUCH!
  It is OUR MAP of LIFE!!!!!!!
  How about THAT!??
  BIG HUG!
  XX
elle
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 1:16 AM

Dear CONTESSA, you and your garden are a feast for the eye. I’m aghast at your medical treatment in America. Come stay with us in Cape Town, and you will find cardiologists and physicians that are world class ( not to mention good looking), and hospital care that is caring and compassionate. It will probably cost you a quarter of the price, too! You can sit in my garden and look at the mountain whilst you convalesce. I will get my friend’s pig, Hamlet to come visit so that you feel right at home. XXX
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 12:28 PM
  
  OH HAMLET I need to meet!
  I have been to Cape Town…….I think I have told you this before!It was a LONG LONG time ago but what a beautiful country!YOU DO HAVE GORGEOUS PEOPLE IN YOUR COUNTRY and I ADORE THE LIFESTYLE!I MAY SHOW UP ONE DAY!!!!!!!!
  THANK YOU,
  XX
Jill
· Reply

May 15, 2019 at 12:45 AM

So sorry to hear about your health scare, it certainly must have been rather frightening . Glad to hear you are seeing improvement. The health system sounds so incompetent, hope you do get some answers soon.
Your garden is truly magnificent in its Spring glory. I too am a fellow gardener and fully understand the joy a mature garden brings. It is late Autumn here , so my own garden is pretty bare. Soon time to buy bare root roses so I will keep an eye out for bolero , it looks so pretty.
Take care and enjoy your garden.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 12:20 PM
  
  SPRING IS THE SHOW……………it ALWAYS ASTOUNDS ME!YOU must be in AUSTRALIA!!?
  THANK YOU for your words!They keep me GOING!
  XX
Pam Coleman
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 10:03 PM

Hi Elizabeth I really enjoyed your garden tourWhen I was at your house a few years back it was early in the year and so I missed seeing the garden in bloom Sorry to hear your having medical problems Things are ever changing at the store We have a new landlady and a lease through June 2020 We have several new people but there are still quite a few faces you would know I’m glad you have the blog it really took off and I enjoy reading it Maybe we can get together for lunch this summer Take care of you
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  May 15, 2019 at 9:16 AM
  
  ABSOLUTELY PAM!
  I am SORRY I have NOT BEEN BACK TO VISIT!
  Bottom Line I cannot do THAT DRIVE ANYMORE!!
  I have to be able to pull over at a moments notice!I am ALWAYS in the SLOW LANE and only travel back roads…………CALL ME lets get a DATE on the CALENDAR!
  XX
Laurie
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 8:57 PM

First of all… I am so sorry about your health. That’s scary. Prayers.
Now the garden!!!!! The garden is incredible.
Love your posts always.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  May 15, 2019 at 12:18 PM
  
  THANK YOU on BOTH ACCOUNTS!
  BIG HUG,
  XX
KATHIE TRUITT
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 6:58 PM

Please take care of yourself, Elizabeth. You bring SO much joy to me and others. I love your blog, your instagram and your facebook. It truly is inspiring and beautiful. I do have a question – is your hat a ‘Louise Green’ by any chance? You look beautiful in hats.
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  May 15, 2019 at 9:13 AM
  
  NO!
  THE BURGANDY HAT is from a consignment shop………they were popular about 10 years ago!I still see them in retail stores!More in Two Toned than one color these days!I paid $19.00 for it…..The other hat I found in a shop and it was a bit More but the funny thing was I had seen it on a GAL in her cookbook in VENICE and was crazy about it!The following week the shop I walked into on a LARK had just ONE!HAD TO BUY IT!
  THANK YOU SO MUCH!
  XX
Pipistrello
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 6:37 PM

Ciao Bella!

So scary and frustrating for you all rolled into one. Thank goodness you are still around to tell the tale!!! Is it too late to have one of your boys train to be your personal physician?? It would be so reassuring to have a loved one on tap to take good care of you as the medical system in America is not covering itself with glory in your experience.

On a happier note, your garden is an incredible delight for the armchair viewer (me!!!) and even your weeds are looking bucolic! Can’t you get Banksy to mow them for you? Put those 4-legged kids to work!!

Baci xx
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  May 15, 2019 at 9:10 AM
  
  HE PREFERS THE FIORE TO THE WEEDS!
  GO BANKSY!!!!!!!
  NO DOC IN HOUSE FOR ME although that ITALIAN should have been one!HE KNOWS SO MUCH and is SO good with People!
  HUGS TO YOU and YOUR ITALIAN!
  XX
cindy hattersley
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 6:20 PM

We should have done our garden posts concurrently if we were organized! I am working on a garden post and will link to your gorgeous garden post. So incredibly gorgeous! Puts my garden to shame. I still need to get Bolero!
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  May 15, 2019 at 9:07 AM
  
  NO NO NO!
  ARE YOU KIDDING YOURS IS EXQUISITO!!!!!!!!
  Mine only LOOKS GOOD for a couple of weeks!YOURS has MORE STRUCTURE and VIEWS!
  Lets remember THAT IDEA of the LINKING BUSINESS for NEXT YEAR!
  THANK YOU!
  XX
lisa thomson
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 5:37 PM

First off, I’m so sorry about that health scare, Contessa. Sounds like you handled it like a Champ. So scary. I’m happy to hear you are feeling fine now. That medical run-around is really frustrating!

thank you so much for your lovely garden tour! This made my day. It is stunning and those Roses!! I swear I could smell them as I scrolled through your lovely photos. Have a great week. xx
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  May 15, 2019 at 9:05 AM
  
  THANK YOU LISA!
  APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORDS………XX
cl
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 5:29 PM

I’ve learned to enjoy your posts…so I save them for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine…like now. I use … like you use CAPS 🙂 Anyway you are a spring chicken compared to me and look like it too.
Mary Ann
- Mary Ann
  · Reply
  
  May 14, 2019 at 5:38 PM
  
  I meant that I don’t want to rush through them like my other emails !!!
  - LA CONTESSA
    · Reply
    
    Author
    
    May 15, 2019 at 9:02 AM
    
    THANK YOU!
    THAT MADE MY DAY!
    WILL CALL you later today……..to discuss!
    XX
Nancy Case
· Reply

May 14, 2019 at 5:23 PM

Contessa I am so sorry you went through that painful scare, and so thankful you got through it without other medical issues! So thankful too that you are feeling better! I love the two glasses of water advice from your Italian friend! Hydration is so key!
Your garden tour was gorgeous! I loved hearing every detail you shared! Giampy’s contributions were and are tremendous. And I always love how you collaborate on making your home pop with beauty. Such a perfect team! I love your outfit! I need that scarf ?!!!
- LA CONTESSA
  · Reply
  
  Author
  
  May 15, 2019 at 9:04 AM
  
  SCARF from Bryn Walker off of 4 th street in BERKELEY!
  THANK YOU SO MUCH……….its been a REAL LOVE AFFAIR!
  XX
  - Nancy Case
    · Reply
    
    May 15, 2019 at 4:02 PM
    
    Thanks for the address! I’ll go have some fun!!