Starting at the end and working forward - MarsGal, I heard in Chat that someone wondered if the two boats had really collided.  I could not tell when I went back on the screen.  But with all of the authorities, something must have happened.  It is fortunate that a freighter was not involved.

With my folks' china, I have five plates, three cups etc and I looked to fill in the set, but they were more than I wanted to pay just to have a complete set.  With what Norm sent from Germany (Rosenthal), I broke the handle off a cup and glued it back, but I would never use the cup again.  It's  funny how the older generations prize things from earlier generations but the younger ones now can't be bothered.  I had the advantage of growing up with family things, including a table and blanket chest that my dad made; they've got to keep those in the family.  Also a dresser/chest made by a great-grandfather. 

Sandy, it is over 70 degrees at 9 am and I think we're going to go into the mid 80s today.  I got along fine yesterday with the a/c and fan combination.  I let the cat on the deck and he liked it for a few minutes but when he saw I wasn't going to join him, he decided to come back in.  I did not watch the debates and I did not intend to.  Right now there are too many candidates. 

Jackie, what you are doing with your dishes etc is giving you great satisfaction, so keep the arrangement as long as you want.  I am not familiar with the porcelain you mention, but it sounds beautiful.

Jenny, if Heidi's plane arrived at 2:15 MDT it was 4:15 EDT for her and she must have been exhausted.  Makes a long day.  I am sure you were relieved after your physical - and Bob too.  But you wonder at an insurance company's reasoning to make it necessary for Michele to cancel her test.  We often say they have no heart and they've proved it now!  I know it makes you feel good to hear your dad's upbeat voice.

Beverly, since I'm not on Facebook, I would not be able to take advantage of the opportunity to have such a page.  I am on Ancestry and people/relatives can see my Tree and copy information.  I expanded my Tree to include in-law families so it is huge.  It's been fun, and while there is far to go, I think I've gone as far as I want to.  And no one else in the family is interested in genealogy.

I had to take time out to finish my coffee.  I usually don't begin my computing in S&F but I did today.  Usually I read other folders that don't require typing or reading such nice newsy info.  And what happens?  I wrote a book!

Mary Ann

Jackie - Dartington crystal, is beautiful!  Much nicer than Waterford, in my opinion.  There is so much Waterford here in the US, that it has become very affordable I recent years,  so not as desirable as it once was. Dartington is hard to find, and is very sought after. 
I'm glad that you're displaying yours, and I agree that Richard, would be pleased.  I haven't seen much Portmeirion, here, over the years.  What little I've seen is gorgeous!

Breakfast is ready, so I'll return soon and write more.  Lots of interesting messages here yesterday!

If you look on youtube...tap in Portmeirion, you will see it is a complete tourist attraction village designed and built by...Sir Clough Williams - Ellis...

Good morning! It's that type of day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4C1c4z8hTQ

https://explore.org/livecams

MARSGAL - Your sister won't make much money selling her china to Replacement's Ltd.  However, it may be the best she can hope to do in today's market.  Dinnerware and fine china, values have dropped considerably, in the past ten years.  They say it's because the Millennials and their adult children, do NOT want anything old, that once belonged to Grandma or Aunt Tillie.  They don't value antiques of any kind, and don't want "hand-me-down" furniture, or anything OLD, in their homes.  Everything must be NEW, and preferably PLAIN. 

JOY and BEVERLY - I'm truly pleased that you two both like and enjoy the lovely old dinnerware and china from the past.  It's such a pleasure to just look at those dishes and let the happy memories flow!

JOY - I think your Apple dishes, are from the Franciscan company, that manufactured dinnerware and fine china for the 1930's through the 1970's. Their  Apple, and Desert Rose, are two of the most popular patterns of all time, followed by Ivy.  I put together a full set of Franciscan Apple, for my granddaughter a number of years ago.  She picked that pattern as her favorite, of my oldies, and I managed to search and find every single piece, which I gave to her for a wedding gift.  She loves it, and uses it, and I have to say that it makes for a gorgeous table setting - especially at Christmas. 

MARY ANN-  Rosenthal china is very pretty, so I imagine that the set Norm sent from Germany is very nice.  However, I know from my own experience and everyone else, that hardly anyone uses fine china anymore.  Young people today don't do dinner parties any more, and if they host a large family meal for a holiday or party, many prefer to use paper plates, and plastic throw-a-way wine and water glasses.  Everything is strictly casual now. 

I have a full set of Franciscan fine china called Ballet.  I have never used it, but can't bear to get rid of it because I like it so much.  Sandy, said she wants it, if she ever gets a bigger place to live, so I'll will it to her.  However, the chances of her ever using it are extremely slim, because she isn't married, has no children, and I cannot imagine her hosting a formal dinner, ever. 

Older daughter, Shelly, has been married in the past, and has china, Depression glass, and Desert Rose dinnerware, that she has stored in our basement!!  Just what we need - more dishes! Ha ha

JENNY - I'm stunned that Michele's insurance, denied he her scan.  That is infuriating, after all she has gone through.  I hope they will relent, under the circumstances.  Good news on your Dad.  I hope he continues on with his determined, upbeat attitude, even though he won't have the nurse visits much longer.

JACKIE - I looked up Portmeirion, on line, and saw the Village in Wales.  What a charming place it is.  How I would love to visit there!  I know you're glad you got to go there with Richard.  Also I looked at some of the patterns, and recognize lots of them as being very popular here. I love those pitchers, with the flowers painted on the bottom. 

Enough for now - hope that you all keep the posts coming here on B&T.  I love reading all of your messages.

Mary Ann - I think I've caught up with you, as far as writing a "book" is concerned! 

I tried to get a posting done this morning but was so tired I just couldn't do it.  I wrote so much yesterday and I would invite you to look back if you didn't read about quite a day we had.  We had a call today that one of our dear friends, the lady who stayed with us as we awaited death, who now has Alzheimer's is in her final moments.  This on top of my best friend now being in a mental health facility and a low possibility he will come out of it has made this a very draining few days.  I am just too tired to write more today.  Hopefully will feel more rested tomorrow.

Larry, it's always good to hear from you, whether you've written a book or just checking in.  We want to know you are still around. 

Marilyn, my Rosenthal china from Germany is a pine needles pattern.  I wanted a rosebud pattern, but it came only in yellow china, not white, and I wanted white.  I'm trying to think of my parents' pattern  without getting up and looking and I think I'm going to lose that battle.  I think the pattern is Aida and it is the make that escapes me - BRB!  How about Royal Bayrueth (sp?).  My set is service for eight and when we would have the whole family here and would put the good dishes out, we'd need to go to the folks' set.  I think my silver is service for eight.  For someone who never married, I have enough stuff to serve many.

Patricia, there weren't quite as many bears on the web site (I think I saw two when I looked) but that view you showed would have been fun to see.  I hope I don't see any bears around here!

I had an appointment with the dermatologist this afternoon to look at something on my nose.  He took a biopsy and I'll hear in a few days whether it is another skin cancer or not; if so, we'll make an appointment for the surgery.  Since 2005, I've had two and this would be a third.  I came through the other two in fine fashion so I am not worried if this is cancer.  We stopped at Wendy's for eats, came home and Tom departed for the north country.  James, Alicia and the twins will meet him there.  James and family moved two weeks ago, not because they wanted to but because their rent was raised a lot.  They are happy with their new location because it is nearer downtown Holland and they can walk there.

Mary Ann

Just a note to make sure you don't toss my hat down the stairs. I always figure you don't need to hear, "cat #3 did such and such," but that's all the excitement I have to offer.

Marilyne - anyone...
...if you love English villages you will love Clovelly...Clovelly in Devon, is another well known tourist attraction...Me and Richard visited there  several years ago...The people who live there it is a working fishing village...There are trucks to get you back up if you wish...I remember us both sitting on the high wall at the bottom eating chips...


www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKnlvGybDrw


www.clovelly.co.uk/visiting-clovelly/faqs/

Jackie, I did enjoy the visit to Clovelly, my idea of an English village.  I like to think my ancestors lived in a place like that.  Some were from Bridport and I had ancestors from Devon and Somerset.  I loved the gardens and would love to have something similar here. 

Mary Ann

I just lost my whole post, and I am grumbling like crazy because it was about DONE.....GURRR

I must run but I will try to redo it when I get back........

SASHA - Nice to hear from you! Don't worry about whether you have something to say or not.  We're happy to know that you're looking in and that PITS, is running smoothly!  I love to hear anything about your cats.

JACKIE - My ancestors came from an area called Wiltshire.  Have you ever heard of it, and it so, what is it like?

MARY ANN - I hope your appointment at the dermatologist was okay, and that you don't have to have any more of the Mohs surgery?
I looked up Royal Bayrueth, on Replacements, LTD, and I see that there are many attractive patterns.  Take a look at this page, and maybe you will recognize your pattern.
https://www.replacements.com/china/rob.htm?rplSrc=KX&rplSubEvent=94330&dvc=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkaiVt-uM4wIVXiCtBh2MdAnzEAAYASAAEgKRYPD_BwE

Sasha, please check in more often, even if to just say "hello".  The more the merrier!

Marilyn, thanks for the link to Royal Bayrueth.  I think I found the pattern and there was another very similar.  The one I favor is ROB 378 on page 2.  I think the other one, ROB14 is also on that page.  The difference is the light band below the top band.  I grabbed a cream pitcher to find the name but a plate would have given me more info.  I am sure there is the name "Aida" on the plates, however, not indicated in the site.  I am not going to add to the set.  In fact, it says the pattern is discontinued and I can believe it if my folks received it as a wedding gift because they were married in 1922, 97 years ago.  I did not look at all of the patterns, but there are six pages.

The sun has gone down behind the buildings up the hill and I think Kendrick and I are going out on the deck.  The outside temp is 79 and I think we can stand that.

My appointment at the dermatologist went well.  He took a biopsy and I'll hear in about a week what they found.  If they find something, I'll make an appointment for surgery.  I have already had two Mohs surgeries, both in inconvenient places - over an eyebrow and under an eye.  This is on the side of my nose and I can't think of a more inconvenient place.  I had to make an appointment in six months for a body check, I suppose because this is my third checkup.  Supposedly these were caused by my being out in the sun.  I have not sunbathed in probably sixty years but I guess there is no end to them. 

Hi Jenny, I'm sorry you lost your post.  I think all of us have done it at one time or another.

Mary Ann

A Good Friday evening HELLO to ALL❣️

This is my attempt to remember what I posted before and managed to loose it😩 We had to run some errands and then decided to get a bite to eat out, so it has been a few hours now since I lost my post.  Also, just got a telephone call that one of my close first cousins passed away tonight.  It definitely is a blessing she passed, but it is never easy to accept no matter what.  I called my Dad and he pretty much did not comprehend what I told him.  Bless his heart, I heard he did not have the best day....very confused. He seemed well when I talked to him this morning😢 All of the stock info has arrived and Bob talked Diane's Daughter through it, but now when they told Dad he had to go to the bank now to sigh the paper work he got up set and said he does not understand what this is and why he is doing this....not the best thing to be saying when you are going to get the paperwork notarized to sell the stock.  😩😢

I really enjoyed reading all the comments about your China/crystal and the like.  I had two sets of Rosenthal that we purchased while living in Germany and have always admired my many different pieces of crystal and such that we bought in Europe. Dave and Michele did take one set of the China and have used it on occasion. Michele also has her late grandma's Royal Dolton.  The oldest son and wife have their own China and crystal that they do entertain with on occasions.  Our youngest son and DIL have a beautiful home with a butlers pantry that would allow them to display all of my beautiful stuff, but they so far are not ready to take it😢😢  Sadly, the younger generation is not at all interested in grandma's old what ever's.....they are not sentimental at all. 

MARY ANN, I do Hope the biopsy will come back clean and you will not need any more surgeries. 

AMY, how nice the inspection did not cost you as much as you thought.  Paying it forward is so very rewarding for all.  A good friend of mine sent me a Not and was telling me that she and her husband were in a restaurant yesterday and the waitress came up to them and asked if either of them happened to be a veteran?  Kathy said, yes, my husband is a vet.  She said that someone in the restaurant asked her to see if there was a vet in there, as he wanted to buy their dinner.  Now how sweet is this? 

We almost made it to the end of June before we had to turn on the A/C..... could have gotten by I suppose but sure wanted to make sure it would run🙀

Thank you all for the nice comments on our physicals and the like and for understanding the frustration regarding the insurance not paying for the scan for Michele.  The doctor is still fighting it as it is necessary to see if the treatment she is getting is doing it's job.....They wanted to know if the tumor has shrunk in the lung and if it has what the next line of treatment would be best.  Maybe a smaller dose of some meds, or even maybe radiation.  Dave has already paid for one scan awhile back that they refused to pay, to the tune of $2800.   I just found out today that they refused to pay any towards her wig that she bought also, even though it says in the booklet that a wig is covered.

JACKIE, I sure enjoyed reading about things you tell that you and Richard used to do, and it makes me smile that you are getting things out for flowers to be in as it must make you feel good knowing that it would make Richard happy.  I did enjoy looking at Covely..... very nice....thank you for sharing this.

I hope I did not forget to comment on some ones post......I sure enjoy reading them all!

MARK just called....the rental truck is all loaded up and they are sleeping their last night in Paso Robles before their drive tomorrow to their new home in the Sacramento area.  I ish we could have been there to help them, but Megan's parents are, so that helps me not to worry too much🤣🤣

SASHA, I would love to read anything you post about your kitties.....just coming in to say HELLO is just fine too! 

Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

 

Marilyne...
...Wiltshire is in our counties of South West of England, it borders the counties of Dorset ( where I am ) Somerset - Hampshire -  Gloucestershire - Oxfordshire and Berkshire..so says Wikipedia...my county is nearest to Somerset...Wiltshire is the home to our famous "Stonehenge" one of the Wonders of the World...Marilyne, I believe Wiltshire is a nice place to live in...

Mary Ann...
...I am glad we visited Clovelly when we did, we were both a tad younger and we both had our heath, I could not go down those cobbled steps now, by MS body would not let me do so...If I rightfully remember we took my dog - our dog number one with us, this was one of our very first holidays before we settled in our so called forever house together, then getting our dogs numbers two and three...I can still remember that day like it was yesterday, eating our bag of chips when we had gotten ourselves to the bottom before pondering our uphill walk back, we didn't take the trolley ride back up, like most we walked.....Oh if only we could start all over again, if only...it was as if we had our whole life ahead of us with not a care in the world...and I am only going back 20 years...

Looks like we may get thunderstorms today. I've got nothing on my agenda except to go feed George's cats. The lawn can wait another few days, and I did grocery shopping yesterday after lunch. I may clean some windows and do other general clean-up, maybe even find more stuff to get rid of.

It was a busy day on (and under) the St. Clair River yesterday. I watched five ships in close order going upriver at Marine City. There were a large number of small pleasure boats surrounding the very lovely St. Laurent and several others, all going in the same direction. Looked like a boat convention. When reading the posts on the Port Huron site, I discovered that there is a rail tunnel that goes under the river at Sarnia. A train derailed in the tunnel yesterday morning and one car, holding 93% sulfuric acid, lost its load. Apparently there is some kind of catch basin that most of it drained into, so the river was not affected. At the time I was reading the posts, it was afternoon and the tunnel was still closed. No word on injuries. One of the rail fans was keeping everyone updated on if and when the trains would be rerouted to other crossings. I haven't Googled the accident yet, but saw absolutely nothing about it here on the news.

Patricia, I have never seen pics of so many bears in one stop before.

The "kids" got a new toy yesterday. It is one of those crinkle toys. At first no one was interested, but later in the evening Shan took to tossing it around. He brought it upstairs a little while ago, and I see he has one of the feathers torn off it already. Amazingly, Lucy decided last night to stalk Shan, but he saw her coming. This is the first I've ever seen her interact like this with the others. Since the last shot the vet gave her to try and clear that ear infection, she has gradually perked up, first watching Shan and Oscar play, and now playing herself. Her hearing has not come back, though.

MarsGal, I think the train wreck under the St Clair River was not international or national news.  I went to Port Huron news online and got some information.  It is thought things might be cleared up in a few days and in the meantime, traffic is being routed through Detroit.  I know there was a little in our WOOD-TV online news. Found the story; here is the link.

 https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/train-derails-in-commercial-tunnel-between-michigan-canada/

Jackie, I'd have trouble with the cobblestones too, but they surely add to the interest of those old villages.  I think we have a couple of short unimportant streets here that people fight to preserve. 

Jenny, I'm glad you remembered much of what you lost in your post.  Your family does keep busy, whether it's "good" busy or not.  I'm sorry about your cousin, regardless of the circumstances, it is hard to lose family.  I have only one first cousin left and I had only six first cousins to begin with.

Patricia, I hope you can keep the fires from getting too close to you.  There is so much dry area in the country, yet the Great Lakes are setting record high levels.  It was only within the last five years that there were record low levels. 

I got up a bit early this morning and now it is time to get ready for the day - starting with a shower and shampoo.

Mary Ann

Thanks Mary Ann.

JENNY- Good to see your long newsy message this morning,  although some of the news is not so good. Your dad does sound confused about signing the papers.  AJ was executor for my dad, and I remember how difficult it was to get him to sign anything. We needed a lot of signatures regarding his house, and he was reluctant to sign anything.  The good news, is that it does work out eventually, even though it takes a long time to unravel the legal stuff.

I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. I remember you mentioning a while back, that she was very sick, and wasn't expected to live much longer.  I had only TWO first cousins.  Kay, who was the daughter of my mom's brother, and Claudia, who was the daughter of my dad's sister.  Kay and I were only two years apart in age, and were very close.  She was more like a sister to me than a cousin.  Claudia, was ten years younger.  My brother, and both cousins, passed away within one year. 

Oh dear, I've already started on one of my long "books", and haven't yet said hello to MarsGal, Maryann, Patricia and Jackie!  Much more to say, per usual, (too much!), so I'll return after breakfast.

​Hi everybody. I'm getting in early start today because I got so much sleep yesterday that I woke up this morning about midnight and felt like getting up for a while and it is now almost noon.  . I had napped often on all day yesterday and actually got about 4 to 5 hours of good sleep last night and will plan to get some more today is expect this to be a very restful day. We are supposed to have a partly cloudy day with a high  in the upper  90s and in preparation for later when it will be in the hundreds again next week. 

Not much to write about this morning since I didn't do anything yesterday and had written so much the day before so this will be fairly short.  I continue to think of a few new things that will make my Bedroom better organized and easier to get around in and think I am getting close to being ready for my wheelchair driving test.  Yesterday I discovered how to turn around in a circle without needing additional room. 

Pat is still has a long way to go to get to better  but is using the nebulizer and taking the medications that have been prescribed and she is feeling somewhat better. For the first time in several months I made her scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon bites and toast with Raspberry jam.  I can do almost all of it from the wheelchair.   

 I tried to call my good friend Rod yesterday twice. The first time he was with the doctors around 10 o'clock and then I called in the afternoon and he was at his dinner. I had a nice message from his daughter suggesting a very reasonable thing. Since he is very hard of hearing and can be hard to understand sometimes and it is very frustrating to him to try to think of something and not have the able to recall it. So his daughter suggested that I simply go to writing him via his daughters, which Is a super idea.  I can  utilize  the general information that I include in my postings here and on Seniors and Friends. . And I can customize it and what I want to in terms of personal comments, maybe with the humor, include a picture or some humor. I think this will work out so much better as he won't have a phone until one is brought to him and doing this sure takes some stress off of me. 

 I must have accidentally pushed my panic button without knowing and we had our first test of the system.  The alarm went off and my phone rang at the same time with someone on the line asking if all was OK.  I said yes and gave her the code and the safe word and the alarm went off.  I am glad it happened because it shows we are monitored.  Had I not answered the phone then Pat would have been called and if the right responses were not given the police and EMT's would have been called. 

Mary Ann, too bad James had to move his family so soon after moving to that house.  He must not have been on a lease. 

Sasha, I think we all like cats and we like you so if nothing else just say hi. We all have routine days and I just bet we would all be interested in your day or what you did the day before. 

Jackie, that sounds like a lovely place to visit and I  have put the link in a separate browser page  to check out  later today.  I am happy to see that you are recalling those happy memories of your visits to the shore.  I am doing a lot of that now and for me it brings a lot of joy as I recall something special on my journey here in Hospice. 

Jenny, sorry that your dad is dealing with confusion about the financial affairs and has to make a trip to the bank. Very nice of the person to want to pay for a veteran's meal.  I wonder how often that server has experienced that during his/her work. It must be a feeling of great power to be able to sit at a desk and decide to pay for something under the insurance or simply deny it.  I don't suppose it is that cut and dried but it sure seems arbitrary. 

MarsGal, washing windows sure sounds like a lot of work. It doesn't seem to take a cat long to begin to tear up that indestructible toy up.

Marilyne, every time I read about parents or others being difficult about signing papers related to assets I realize what a fine thing my dad did to put everything into a living trust and how perfectly it worked with my sister being able to basically settle the estate in about 30 days. 

Larry, I woke about 5 am and was going to get up then, but decided I'd wait until maybe 8 am, which I did.  I had help waking up when Kendrick jumped up on my bed. 

Going through Marine City this morning were two sailboats - Appledore IV and V.  They are not as large as the Denis Sullivan which went by last week.  I was interested in the sailboats because several years ago when I visited Tom and Sue, an Appledore sailboat was in Charlevoix and I had a ride on it.  That boat was larger than what I saw today.  Tom would have loved to see them but he is not home at present. 

It is a dreary day here, but I think no rain expected

I have to put Vaseline on my biopsy, then a bandaid.  The bandaid just fell off my nose.  The spot is barely visible and if you didn't know what I had go on, you would not see anything wrong.  I know they want it clean and healed, thus the Vaseline and bandaid. 

I may wait until tomorrow when Dot brings me home from church and eating to get my mail.  That way I don't have to walk across the street to get it.

Mary Ann

I don't often mention each post or each person, but I enjoy every post and think of each one of you.

Several years ago on a trip to Maryland to visit our son and family, we took a side trip to Greensboro, NC and toured Replacements Limited.  That is a huge place.  I didn't know the pattern name of my mother's Fostoria stemware, but an employee found it for me and I bought a missing piece.

Talking about dishes:  For everyday we had been using Corelle dishes a few years but the finish was beginning to wear.  We saw some Lenox everyday china on sale at Belk's Department store and decided to buy them.  I got the Butterfly Meadow pattern and we are very happy with them.  Mostly we use the luncheon plates for our meals.  My youngest daughter liked them so much that we got her an 8 place setting this past Christmas.  Then she bought some extra pieces to go with the set.  Until we saw these dishes at Belk's, I didn't realize that Lenox had everyday china.  My oldest daughter has a very nice set of china and silverware from her mother-in-law.  Our youngest daughter wants my china and the china closet.  The stemware is kept in the bottom of the china closet so I guess she will either keep that or sell it.

My mother had a very nice dark cherry china closet which we had given to our and son and daughter-in-law and Damaris has her own china, silver, etc.  I think my children are going to be mostly interested in pictures and ancestral records.  My oldest daughter, Kathy, is interested in the ancestry but all of them will want family pictures.

Jackie,  thanks for sharing the links to the beautiful little village of Clovelly.

I looked at all the different links on both sites. The video  and the other one telling all about the little town. Oh I wish I was younger and able to walk better, I think I would consider a trip to England just to visit there.  I would think even a younger person might have trouble on those cobblestones.  But, what a wonderful place to visit. I can't imagine how they even were able to build all those houses on that cliff. I read how far the village goes back.  And, I would not mind having to pay to visit there.  It would be such a neat place.  And, I did look at the links for then several eating places, and the food all sounded so good. I have bookmarked the link so I can back and look at it again. 

Thanks so much for sharing.  That is exactly what I picture an English village to look like.

Joy

Jean, at least your family wants SOMETHING! My family doesn't seem to be interested in anything, however, Annie has shown a slight interest in the family information.  Tom has said he'll hang on to what I have in case a future generation is interested.

Our Internet was out for a while.  A few months ago we changed from AT&T to Comcast for faster speed for Tom. I don't use the word "never" often, but I think I never had an outage with AT&T.  We don't have them often with Comcast, but two in three days is too often for me.  Tom isn't here right now so isn't affected, but I'm here and I was affected.  It seemed to be only the Internet because my TV was OK.  I don't know about the phone because I didn't have occasion to use it.

Mary Ann

Joy...
... your bubbly enthusiasm of Clovelly has made my day, thank you...I am so happy you loved the youtube video clip of Clovelly, yes it is a lovely and special place to visit, a place sadly I shall never have the pleasure of visiting again, for the same reasons as you, I would never be able to walk down those cobbles slopes...I may have been able to if I never had this MS...So thankful both me and Richard took this trip when we were both fit and healthy...we done it when we could...

Mary Ann - We've had good service from Comcast, for at least 20 years? I really can't complain about anything, except for the cost! They do have occasional times when they let you know that there will be a temporary outage, but it usually doesn't last long.  Also, high wind storms have sometimes caused our cable to go out. I hope that Comcast turns out to be satisfactory for both you and Tom?   
My two daughters do want some of my things that I consider to be of value or sentimental value.  My dil, wants my largest set of dishes, which is a beautiful floral dinnerware pattern called, May Flower, that originally belonged to my mother. I've added to it over the years, and now has everything that was ever made in that pattern.  I haven't mentioned it to her in a long time, so I hope she hasn't changed her mind? I'm thinking I'll give it to her now, as I rarely use it anymore.  Used to be my favorite for holidays, but since I don't cook big meals anymore, there is no point in keeping them. (except that they are in my china cabinet, and I like looking at them!)

Jean - Lucky you - getting to visit Replacements, LTD!  That would be a big thrill for me, as I know they have china/dinnerware patterns from every company that has ever existed. I've always wondered how they have things displayed there?  Being as they have thousands of patterns, they couldn't possibly have them all on display?   I know and like that Butterfly Meadow, pattern by Lenox!  I was tempted to buy a set, but somehow managed to control myself. ha ha!  It's one of the prettiest of the new patterns, I think.

Jackie - Thanks for all the information on Wiltshire.  I had looked it up online in the past, and of course the thing I remember is, Stonehenge!  How I would love to see that!  I don't know where my ancestors lived in that county, and don't know if any of my relatives are still there? The surname would be Gaby.  It's a name that is not seen much in the USA, but I understand that there are lots of Gaby's in New Zealand.  So I guess my ancestors emigrated there?

Mary Ann - I meant to mention your biopsy spot.  Sounds like it's small, so I'm hoping you don't have to have the Moh's.  AJ had one taken off his nose, and I remember how  difficult it was to keep that Bandaid on! However, the worst place/hardest place to keep a bandage on was the ear.

Marilyn, you're right about the nose being a difficult place to keep a bandaid.  I have the little round "spots".  I have to put Vaseline on the biopsy to keep it moist and I also have to keep the bandaid on.  I think I put too much Vaseline on first so tomorrow I will put a dab of Vaseline on the bandaid before I put the bandaid on.  I think I will see how large or small the biopsy is and if it isn't noticeable, I'll wait until after I get home from church before I doctor things. 

Our service from Comcast is OK.  I don't notice the difference in speed until it goes really slow but the faster speed benefits Tom and that is why we made the change.  I am getting a bargain price for probably a year then I have no idea what we will pay.  I probably will not like the new price, but it won't come until later this year.

The name of your mother's and your china sounds lovely -  May Flowers.  I'd love china in a rosebud pattern that I have in a service dish - MS or RS Austria.  I have an idea it came with my great-grandparents when they came to the US.  At any rate, my paternal grandmother brought it with her when she came to live with us.  I bought another plate at an antique show but it isn't as pretty. 

For our last grocery order, we got some coffee ice cream and tonight I'm going to have some.  I haven't had any in years; a former minister's wife was from the Boston area and used to get it at Howard Johnson.  She introduced me to it and I like it.

Mary Ann

PATRICIA - I just looked at the Bear Cam, and saw that same bear is still there in the same spot.  Or maybe not, as I realize they all look pretty much alike?  He/she, is the only one at the falls.  I don't remember ever seeing so many birds, right there, on the water and flying everywhere. I'm wondering what they are . . . they look like gulls?  I meant to comment on your humidity yesterday. No wonder you have fires break out all over the place.  Ours is low here, but rarely goes below 10 degrees, unless there is a East wind.   

Patricia, I don't blame the bears for waiting for cooler temps to go after the salmon.  We like it cool too.  I think the bird is some sort of gull.  We have them here in various sizes, we even have herring gulls on our pond and they are quite large.  But over by Lake Michigan there are scads of sea gulls, probably fed by all of the people on the beach.

Annie just left after we had supper together.  Tom is gone and asked her to look in on me.  Some times she has not made it but today she did.  She brought stir-fry, two kinds, and we both ate some of each.  One was teriyaki but I don't remember the other.  It tasted good anyway.

I noticed the absence of the ridge in the second picture.  That is scary to have such conditions.  I'm happy we have more moist conditions, but I don't brag because some day that could be Michigan.  Conditions do change.

Mary Ann

Good evening to all.
Big day here: what with one horrible thing after another, Helen's two nephews and her lawyer brother finally got the boys' father into a 30-day rehab place. He's wheelchair -bound from a stroke 2 years ago. That sort of stuff really takes the sand out of you, but I'm sitting here being so proud of Lukas (my godson!) for taking responsibility at last.
See? Not a word about the cats!