Hi Everyone.  It is going to be another typical summer day here in South Carolina.  Yesterday there were storms all around us but we didn't get any of the rain.  However, one of the Churches in our county had its steeple blown off and a man was killed when he was struck by lightning.  An apartment house was also hit with lightning.  Apparently we may have a repeat of the pattern today.  I have a busy morning today as will meet with my friend at 10 am and then have to get over to Walmart to pick up a prescription and then go downtown to the other Walmart to pick up an online grocery order.

Sandy, thanks for explaining the limits you may experience in an emergency.  I certainly hope you would be able to reach your alert button.  I was glad to read that you do have people that stay in touch with you and hopefully they would follow up on you if they couldn't reach you.   What will be is not something we can predict so no sense in wasting time today worrying about something we have no control over, at least that is part of my philosophy of life. 

Carol, I don't know that there is a way to protect ourselves from robocalls.  Like you I see only a couple of checkout persons in the regular checkout lanes at our Walmart.  However, I don't mind using the self-checkout area especially since they now have the handheld scanners available for the customers to use as they seem to work better than the glass ones.  It is hard to get too many chocolate chips.  The chocolate chip cookies that we have gotten a few times from Costco actually have chocolate chunks and they are delicious. 

Jane, good idea to save your energy for your afternoon work shift.  I like to both write and talk with people. I did a lot of writing in my jobs over the years and fortunately I enjoy writing as must be obviously from the length of my postings. Interesting how you make your dog food as I have also wondered what you did.  I hadn't heard about the Earth Animal and will have to mention it to my son. Hope your doctor's appointment went well this morning. 

Gloria, Tornadoes are so unpredictable and do so much damage. Glad your grandson and family escaped damage.  Apparently tornadoes can hit about anywhere and at anytime of the year.  Missouri, where I grew up is in tornado alley and I remember going to our root cellar with my mother several times.  My dad was an insurance agent and got called out to deal with damages when one hit somewhere in our County.  So glad to read you may be getting some relief with the new salve. 

June, always good to see your postings and I hope your desktop will soon be returned to you.  Have you seen the three little ones yet?  Sure glad you are still able to read even when experiencing dizziness when you are up. 

Bubble, you are indeed a good writer.  I was never good at math and never took a chemistry class as our little high school of around 35 students could only have teachers for the basics.  It wasn't required in the course of study I had for my degree in college.   

Good morning everyone.
I put in a rough night. the devil messed with me a lot, but God took over and let me get a couple hours in one setting. we are currently getting a nice easy rain shower, was needed very much. we went and looked at and put a down payment on a class A motor home. plan on closing the deal next Wednesday. then doing some traveling.. Have a great day.

Lloyd

oh yes Gloria we went to the Amish store and bought a 1/2 bushel of peaches from you aria .hope the came from your son;s orchard. Have a great day.

Lloyd

My appointment this morning was with an Applied Kinesiologist/chiropractor and it was very successful.  She put a lot of things back that got out of line with my "stumble bum act" a couple of weeks ago.  I really like her because she doesn't work like most chiropractors and I don't go home with any sore spots.  Her process is very gentle and best of all...IT WORKS!

I've been doing a little research on Instant Pots but have not committed yet.  I appreciate all the insights. 

Now I have to go change my clothes and grate a zucchini!  I don't think I've ever grated one before.  I've chopped, sliced, baked, chunked and whatever but no grating.  Wish me luck!

I hope you are all enjoying your day whether you are staying in out of the heat of venturing out in it or maybe it's cool where you are.  Whatever this day brings your way, it will be special because it's YOURS!

Good afternoon, I guess the weather is just to hot. Maybe I forgot, but I  thought I had posted yesterday I had to go the long way around to get in here to day.

I will just say thanks Bubble for new page, the ladies remind me of a poem I read in Brookgreen gardens My grandmother Louise and my grandmother Lydia I liked it because it reminded me of my children grandmothers,My mother was from NY and Cyriels mother was from Ala.

Well, I grated the zucchini.  I cheated when I discovered that my new food processor does a pretty good job of grating.  And I have enough for one and a half of the recipes I want to make.  I made the bread and it's in the oven and oooh boy!  is it ever smelling goooood! 

I'm kind of ticked off with the recipe, though.  Don't you love it when it tells you all the steps and the last step is, "pour into a 12 and 3/7 by 4 and 2/20 by 6 and 1/14th pan!  I never seem to have the pans they want me to use.  Oh well!  I adapted!  I'll put a loaf in the Hidey Hole later!

Now I have to decide which of the other two recipes to make.  They're both dinner so one will have to wait.  Christy and Frankie are coming tonight and if I'm lucky, Christy will have another zucchini for me and I won't have to decide.

We just had far off rumblies that gradually moved in on us and dumped a lot of rain...just what we've been needing....NOT!  I guess Mother Nature is all mixed up about who it is who needs the rain and who it is who needs time to mow grass and pull weeds!  I wonder if a sign on the roof would help?

Bread is out of the oven, cooling and almost ready to be devoured!  Shall I put butter or jam in the Hidey Hole with it?

I think I try to find a couple of zzzs on the sofa.  I was up and attem pretty early this morning and I took a long drive!  Later, friends!  I wonder what everyone is doing?  Busy! Busy!

Jane, I think I did not comment on the new pictures of Emma before, but she is adorable and looks so alert.  She's at a nice age where she can respond.  My nephew's twins are 18 months old and starting to say words that we can understand.  Only one word at at time, but that's progress for two little girls who were born two months early.

I find that I write too much too and often end my posts with "Blabbermouth".  I write too many books as everyone knows.

Mary Ann

ANOTHER Attempt to gab attach...great start with the capitalization 0f letters..duh!  /astill dlizzy but not as severe very tired though  book and bed are my favorites.no desk top yet and gary has a houseful guests so i will not nag him. he will be here tomorrow for bible study.

Bubble,Can I just send you a picture foresting or what do i do?

I seem to have lost the first half of my post. How demoralizing.

MARY ANN, don't stop writing.  I always enjoy what you write.  You've had such an interesting life and you did it all on your own.  You can be very proud!  And you must have a great family feeling if your nephew lives with you when he doesn't have to.  You probably did a lot for your family as they were growing up and they remember that. 

JUNE, so good to see you!  Just keep trying!

Good Night my friends!  Sleep peacefully and wake refreshed!  Tomorrow is going to be the best day of your lives....mine too!

June, you can send me a mail with the photo, but please put in the subject line "for posting in S&F" so it does not land in my spam!

Jane, thank you.  Being single has allowed me to help my family (mostly Tom's) when they needed it.  I hope I haven't been guilty of over-helping!  By now, Tom might be able to have a place of his own, but at the time he came here, he was without a job and his brother (Terry) and wife were selling their home because of the wife's employment change, so he was going to be homeless too.  It has worked out well for both of us.  Tom lives in the lower level and I live in the upper level.  He does the cooking when he's here at a mealtime. 

June, don't worry about your computering because we just want to hear from you.  I appreciate your trying to BOLD your post because I can read them better.  I'm sorry you are still feeling dizzy; it must be kind of unnerving.

Mary Ann

Good Morning to Everyfriend!  I've been up for hours and got a lot done before my daughter got up.  Since then, we've been visiting and catching up.  Now I'm ready to take off for Wally World while they do what they came here to do.  It's going to be a short visit but a QUALITY one! 

Better get a move on.  I have a little visiting time left and I think they're not leaving until right after supper.  Enjoy your day Everyfriend!  It's yours to do what you want.  Fill it with love...for friends, family, activity, or just plain loafing!

Good Wednesday morning.

Pretty sunny morning and no breeze moving the pine trees out of my window.  Looks so calm and peaceful.

Nothing special going on. I did play cards last night, and, as usual,  my partner and I did not win.  It is getting to be a big joke........We both must just have unlucky chairs.  But, it is still fun and something to do.

I am still trying to get rid of things, but I have to take a break once in a while.  I already have a mix of things to go to the thrift store.  Hopefully, my son or DIL will be able to take it all this week end.

I have made my on-line Walmart grocery order and my DIL will pick it up on Friday evening.  Of course,  I have already added another item to it.  They do give you a certain amount of time to order extra things before the day it is to be picked up.

I am also going to try to get to our local farmer's market on Saturday morning.  This market is usually held on our Fire Dept. grounds, but they will be setting up for their annual carnival on Sat.  So, the market is held on the parking lot of a business in the area.  That is just about the only time that I get to go, because the ground at the Fire Dept. is just so uneven and rough to walk on.  I have a difficult time getting over it with my walker.  So, I sure hope I can get to go this week.  I am hungry for some good peaches and some other fruit.

I have been up a while, but still need to get some breakfast.

Have a pleasant day.

Joy

Hi Everyone.  It is another bright and sunny morning here in South Carolina but our weather pattern is to continue for at least several more days with with rain or storms developing in the late afternoon.  Finally yesterday afternoon we did get some nice rain.  Today the lawn people are applying fertilizer and weed control on our lawns. I have noticed several weeds popping up in my front yard so glad they are doing this.  I expect they will also be mowing since they didn't get most of the yards mowed last week due to the wet yards.  The calendar is clear today as have no where I need do go.  Hopefully Scott will come out this evening and spend a couple of hours with us.   

Lloyd, so happy for you that you are now going to do some traveling and in style. 

Jane, always good to read that a chiropractor treatment has brought relief when things are put back in line.  Pat and Stacey used chiropractors for many years.  Unfortunately the last chiropractor Pat used told her that he had done as much as he good to deal with her situation.  It sounds like you have found a really good one.  Pat is using the Instant Pot for quite a bit of cooking now and will fix the pork roast in it today.  She was going to cook it yesterday but decided that she just wasn't up to dealing with it so we just took two of the meat loaf dinners, with vegetables, she had fixed from the last meat loaf out of the freezer and they were quickly heated in the microwave for an easy supper.  She had put them out to thaw a couple of hours before we ate.  While she has only used the feature a couple of times you can go ahead and cook the dish and the Instant Pot will hold it at eating temperature for up to 8 hours.  Glad you were able to use the food processor for that grating job. Pat has made zucchini bread from time to time and I agree it is very good eating. 

Mary Ann, it probably won't be long before the twins are talking up a storm once they get started.  You certainly don't write too much in my opinion. It seems like the arrangement Tom and you have for him living with you has worked out very well.  It is obvious that he really loves you and I just bet he has appreciated all you have done for him and his family over the years.   

June, hope you had a good nights sleep and are feeling better today. 

Jo, while it is fun to win at cards or any game we play and we should play to do so but I have never been upset in not winning.  It is just a game and a chance to be in a social setting with friends.  We used to play cards or a domino game with friends fairly often but all of that is in the past and just fond memories.  When I picked up our online grocery order from Walmart yesterday I was talking with the young lady about the process they use to pick up the items.  She said they use 8 carts and have a list of items saying how many of each things they needed and then the items were sorted into the individual orders after they have been gathered.  She also told me that we have up to 24 hours from our designated time to pick up the order before it would be put back on the shelf.  I had to reschedule for an hour later yesterday due to a conflict in time I had forgotten about and she said that was no problem and I really had not needed to call and so advise.  Pat usually is able to add a few items after she makes the initial order before submitting it. 

Larry, that is interesting how Walmart fills customers' orders.  I wonder if my store does something similar.  Since Tom places the order and picks it up, I'll probably never know.  I do know they do a good job - too good sometimes.  I ordered some 15-grain bread last time and I got 12-grain - free.  There is almost always a free item in the order.  Some things taste better than others, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it!?

Mary Ann

Good morning everyone. The thermometer outside my window reads 82° but on my PC it says 72°. Then on TV it says 79°. Which does one believe? All I know is it is still humid and too warm for this time of morning.

LARRY  as far as I know the first tornado was the one that hit Worcester, Mass. more than 60 years and that shocked everyone. We do not usually have summers with so much hunidint and high temperatures for so long. I think that salve needs to be applied twice a day but I cannot reach the place on my back and I only hve CNAs 2 hours 4 days a week.

LLOYD  I wish  you many happy years  traveling with the motor home. After all those years of hard wordk you deserve some good years. My son had apples bu t he went into Conn. at a place he knows and picked some peaches, very  tasty ripening on the trees.

JANE  glad you found someone that really helps your back. A chiropractor is one I have not tried. I think I am afraid they could make it worse. My son bought a machine on amazon that will spiral zucchini, it comes out like long thin strands of spaghetti. He broght me some and he coo‪ked it in olive oil for 3 minutes rill it was almost transparent and then served it with spaghetti sauce with sausage that he made, very good. He has turned into quite a cook since he retired.

MARY ANN  don't think you write long books here. I know some days mine are much too long.

JUNE  hope you get your Mac back soon.

JOY  looks nice outside from my windows and I am comfortable in inside with the AC keeping me cool.

Gloria,  I, too, have  one of the spiral cutters and I have fixed the zucchini noodles both ways.  They are just as good cooked in the oil and a little bit of garlic. I have also used them with different kinds of spaghetti sauce. 

Mary Ann,  with the pick-up orders from Walmart, there is a place on the order form that you check off if you want them to substitute for something they are out of.  It has only happened to me several times, but it is always a bigger or better size than what you have ordered.  And, I think you are only charged the price of the one they are substituting for.  Larry might correct me on that.  ??   I only had one time where they forgot something and it wasn't a big deal.  It didn't cost that much, so I didn't bother to call about it.  I am very pleased with the way the whold system works.

Larry, that is interesting what the girl told you about the shopping part.  I guess that would be better than doing each order as it is written.  It sure is a big help for people that have trouble getting to the store.  I like the fact that you can get a list of all your favorite things that you order all the time.  Sure makes it easier than going through all the different categories.  I have even bought some non-food items.   I also order my toilet paper, laundry detergent and bigger  and heavier items and have them delivered right to my door.  Saves my DIL from having to lug those heavy things up to my place. 

We have another nice grocery store that has started the pick-up service, but it hasn't gotten to my area yet..  I probably will order from them when they start it down my way, as I prefer their produce to Walmart's.  Although  I ordered some of the beefsteak tomatoes, which came 2 to a package and they were really good.  Each slice was big enough to take up the whole slice of bread and had a good taste, also. 

Joy

Hello Everyfriend!  I'm home from work and I've had my lunch with 4 beggars watching me!  My daughter and gdaughter brought 2 dogs with them.  They are still out at  an appointment that is what brought them here in the first place.

JOY, those tomatoes that come 2 to a box are available year round and they taste just as good in January as they do now.  It's the only kind I'll buy in the off season.

I think our shopping service is about to open.  Today we had flyers to put in the bags as we check out customers.  Also, my favorite CSM was there today and I got the easier registers. 

Guess I better get moving.  I told my daughter that the service in this "hotel" stinks but I don't want it to be so bad she decides to use another hotel the next time she comes. 

It sounds like you've all been making good use of your time today.  Thanks for including me in your activities.  Come back and get me later.  I'll be lonely when the kids go home.  Enjoy your day...zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

Joy:  It sounds like you and your card partner just enjoy the visiting time.  Nice!

I have made 5 meals with the 6 quart Instant Pot and feel comfortable using it - now to look for some more challenging dishes. 

Yesterday was spent at the Justice Center - I had a summons for jury duty and Don drove me there because hailstorms have been pounding that area every afternoon.  It was a Criminal case involving children of a relative - closed to only jury.  There were 50 plus called and it took all that time to get to the 9 jurors with a couple of alternates. Thanking heaven that I was at the end of the group called - it would have been too much for me to handle. We all took an oath to not look at the news online, etc and never speak of it while trial is ongoing - Today, I still feel so glad that I did not have to listen to that case. 

My only highlight of yesterday was viewing the large wall with framed pictures of Police Dogs who have retired.  They are so smart and well trained.  We used to go to their Police gatherings just to see the super smart dogs.  These were all boys. 

Don drove me leaving at 6:15 AM to get there - heavy traffic plus every afternoon a storm pattern so we did not want car damage.  Two days ago, there was baseball sized hail.  Enough of that sad talk.

I am taking a break after spacing out the housework - the kitchen floor is laminate and I vacuum it then use a damp mop.  All the while listening to ALEXA playing music - today was Elvis and his early church songs - sometimes John Denver.  You know, the songs we know the words. 

I like my kitchen.  It is roomy and a desk is built in by the window so my laptop can sit here while I keep an eye on what is cooking.  The window to my left shows the ravine in back.

Jane:  Glad you are home again and how nice to have family visiting.  4 Furry Friends!  That is quite a group.  Enjoy the visit. 

Joy, the item in my grocery list that was substituted was bread and it was free, so no complaints.  It's that I prefer the 15-grain and received 12-grain. 

Two or three nights ago I slept only two hours and I've been catching up since.  Tom was willing to fix anything I might want to eat but food didn't appeal to me so I had him get some skim milk and Instant Breakfast and with that, we put a container of yogurt.  I've eaten/drank that for years and I know it would not give me any trouble - and it didn't.  It made enough for two meals so I finished it for my breakfast this morning.

Gloria, I'd believe the thermometer by your window.  I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer in my bedroom on the north side of the building and I rely on that for more accurate temperature as it's in the shade much of the day.  I really like it when we write books.  I think I get carried away sometimes and I try not to be negative in what I write because I really am rather optimistic. 

Carol, it is interesting how different areas have different things happen to them weatherwise.  We rarely have hail and when we do, it's pea sized, not enough to damage anything.  We've had tornadoes but not often, certainly not yearly or more often.  We have snow but rarely a blizzard.  We have floods, but so far nothing like other areas have had.  Knock on wood!!!

I received a card one year about jury duty and I think I had to send a card back with my age on it - I think I was 70 and I never heard another thing from them.

Mary Ann

Good Afternoon,

I see you've all been busy with your usual activities.

The last week has been "one thing after another" for me.  All good - but several times of too much coming at me at one time.   Can't remember what I've talked about....

Last Saturday,  niece from Amarillo and two daughters were in town to take advantage of "tax free shopping before school starts" weekend.   I puzzle as to how they figure it's saving money to make an 8 hour round trip for this but, then, OKC has more store choices. 
Whatever - it's always nice to see them.  This time, Dad couldn't get off work so it was Mom and the two girls.  I invited them to come for lunch on Saturday - and didn't invite anyone else because I have never had an opportunity to visit with any of them just by themselves.  We had a wonderful time.

Yesterday, the housecleaner was here at the same time the painters came to paint the front door.  This is part of an HOA project to paint outside trim of all the units.  While they were here, I had two business calls and one personal call that was very exciting....

Miss Ellen called to tell me she has finally gotten a "gig"!    It's a small role in a community theater production of "Cabaret" in Leonia, New Jersey - just 5 miles across the George Washington Bridge from where she lives.
Her character has a name, which usually means she has one or two lines in addition to the dancing.
Small step toward getting her foot in the door but will be good on her resume.  I know it's been hard for her to watch her friends get roles while she gets cut after one or two call-backs.

There was a big thunderstorm in the wee hours last night.  I put a small pillow over my ear and dozed off until a huge boomer got my attention.  Opened my eyes to find I was in pitch black darkness.  Electricity had gone off.   I went out to the recliner and my Tablet.  Decided to go back to bed an hour later and, just as I got to the bedroom, the lights came back on.  I went back to sleep until the phone awakened me.  Then had a short nap right after lunch.

However, I had lost the Wi-Fi connection to my Tablet some time over the weekend and family "gurus" only had time to try and help via text/ phone call.  Nothing worked and it's suspected there's something wrong with the router.  I don't understand enough about that to experiment.   I can play games on it but am missing reading my e-books.  Computer works fine but I don't like sitting in front of it to read.

Help may be available tomorrow night.  Family who are in town are coming for #1 son's birthday dinner.  Miss Emily's mom is in Kansas helping Em and roomie move to another apartment while they're studying for Finals, which start next Monday.

Son had found a recipe on Facebook for a Cherry Dr. Pepper cake and strongly hinted he would like to try it.  Well, of course, it's Mom To The Rescue. 
I baked it this afternoon and it not only looks pretty, it was very easy to make.  I haven't sampled but what could be bad about chocolate and cherry?

And that's what's going on in my corner of the world.
Wishing Everyfriend Everywhere an Enjoyable Day.

Callie, This coming weekend is "Tax Free Weekend" in Texas!!  Cathie has already done her back to school shopping.  She said it was well worth paying the extra $8.00 (8%) per $100 sales tax rather than brave the parking and crowds in the Mall and/or stores. 

Like Shirley always says, "Please send the rains and storms my way"!  We may get some of your rain starting tonight.  It's at the Red River now.  We haven't had any rain to speak of since the end of May and we're back in the extreme drought category. 

Mary

Callie, I am so exhausted from reading your post that I think I'll take a nap.  I never could be so busy as you and a few others are.

Mary Ann

a busier day but enjoyable. gary had a good bible lesson for us today and good hugs for his mom . i am so grateful. will try to send a message to bubble. now i

Carol, check out https://pressureluckcooking.com.  It has some good instant pot recipes. That is where I got the yogurt recipe I use.

Cathie belongs to a Facebook group called "Instant Pot Community".  She has found some really good recipes on it.

Mary

Late post once again!  I have been so busy with family, and have been just too tired to even post, I am sorry to admit.

Matthew spent the night Sunday, and early Monday morning we headed out for a full day of fishing.  What fun we had in spite of no luck with catching fish that were big enough to keep.  We went to two separate resivors.  Matt had a lot of fun and so did we. 

Tuesday afternoon Kurt came with the boys.  We met Dr. Dave and his Family at a pool in their community.  Dave was hosting a cook out/swim party for Matthew’s fellow Boy Scouts.  It was so nice to have all the grands together once again.  Kurt and the boys spent the night.  I got up early and fixed them sausage and pancake breakfast. Before they had to leave to go pick up their Mommy at the airport.  They boys were very excited to go get their mom as they have not seen her since they left Alaska.

Sadly we had a terrible hail storm in Colorado Springs at the famous Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Monday afternoon.  Four animals fell victims to the very large hail sized from to golf ball to softballs.  All cars had to be towed out of the parking lot due to totally smashed front windows.  15 people we taken to the hospital and many others were injured, as were some of the animals.  We have sure had a lot of sever hail storms this summer.  Seems the size of the hail are so much bigger now than we used to have, 

I am going to say goodnight and wish you all pleasant dreams. 

Jenny

Good Morning everyone. we missed the good rain here yesterday. am going looking fro a couple om light buggy horses again today. hope you all have a great day.

Lloyd

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I dearly love my family and when they come visit me, I'm in heaven.  However, when they leave, I realize how tired I am and I wish I didn't need to experience that.  Oh well, at least they still want to come visit their old Mom/Grandma. 

So far today, I was out of bed a little after 5:30, took the doggies out and then gave them their pill, set the boinger and conked out on the couch until the boinger went off.  I stopped and they let me have another 15 minutes before they told me, in no uncertain terms, that it was time for breakfast. 

I only have one major chore to do today and that's to get rid of the trash.  And I think I'll make up a casserole with the rest of the shredded zucchini.  It doesn't sound like a particularly busy day but there are some odds and ends that I might attend to if I've a mind!  Gonna take it as it goes.

I hope you all have a pleasant day...not too busy but lots of fun!  Take it as it comes!  It's yours, mine and ours to do as we wish! 

Good morning.

Jane,  have you ever made zucchini fritters with the grated zucchini.   I make them out of different kinds of the squash..  Just add an egg, some seasoning and some Panko bread crumbs and sauté lightly.  I have even eaten them cold sometimes.  You  can make a sauce for them also.  Little seasoned mayonnaise is good. 

If I get to the Farmer's market this week end, I plan on getting several different kinds of squash.  I made my DIL a loaf of the zucchini bread last week, and she said it was good.  She slices it and then freezes it and has that as her breakfast.  I like the little Patty  Pan squash, especially the real little ones,  They are so tender. 

Joy