Sandy - HA!

Mary Ann

It was good to see Johann posting here. The hurricane is going so slow that it isn't expected to reach North Carolina till nearly Friday. The waiting and not knowing is hard.  My niece in Daytona is prepared for the flooding that is certain to happen due to the storm surge. You can see the water from her yard. I think I would move but she's stubborn and has dealt with this more than once.

Marilyne - No joke! Dorian has been moving 1 mph for much of it. That's why the devastation is so bad in the Bahamas. It was almost at a stand-still for many hours over the islands. I can't imagine how awful it must have been for the people there. I think it's up to 2 mph. now.

Mary Ann - I couldn't go to sleep last night so about an hour after I went to bed I leaned up to look at the time...........No light on the clock! Our power was out. It came back on about an hour later.  You DO have strange things happening! 

Good night all.

He may not have a clock, but Kendrick can tell time!  At night he comes to me about 10 pm which is the time I change his food.  If I don't react immediately, he is likely to walk back and forth, rubbing my shins until he realizes he has to wait.  Most mornings, if I am not already up, he will jump on my bed at 8 am and make himself comfortable.  This was one of those mornings.  I wanted to get up but thought I'd wait a few minutes before I disturbed him.  Then Tom came upstairs and coughed.  Kendrick does not like sounds like coughing and clearing ones throat, especially mine in the middle of the night.  He jumped off the bed and I got up about 8:15 am.  And here I am!

It looks as if we will have a nice day; the sun is shining and at 9:30 it is 62 degrees.  Even radar showed no rain in the vicinity.  I am still wearing shorts, but for how long?

I didn't know the speed, or lack of, for Dorian, but I did hear that it was moving very slowly.  At 1 mph, it is barely moving.  I have heard of other slow hurricanes, but I don't remember how slow.  Beverly, will Dorian reach you at all?  I wish Shirleyn would poke her nose in here to let us know what is going on in her area.  She and Danny live near where Norm and Dot had their place and we met at the Strawberry Farm more than once when I was visiting. 

Beverly, I hope it wasn't too long before your power was back on.  Was there a cause the power was off?

Mary Ann

Beverly - I DID think the newsperson was joking, when he said the hurricane was moving at one mile per hour!  I had no idea that they could ever move that slowly!    Now I understand why the Bahamas are totally flattened.  They showed photos taken from a helicopter on the news last night, and it was a shocking sight.

Mary Ann - I can understand Kendrick, exiting the room when a sudden cough or clearing of throat, breaks the silence.  Winnie, didn't like it at all when I would suddenly sneeze!  He would leave the room in a hurry, knowing that there were going to be more sneezes to follow.  I never sneeze only once . . . usually between five and ten in a row, which is annoying for any animal or human to have to listen to.

Marilyn, I sneeze several times in a row too - usually five times, maybe more.  I just thought that after being here for several years that Kendrick would be used to noises like coughing and sneezing and they would not bother him.  He's OK with thunder, thank goodness, and unless it is very loud and close, he doesn't bat an eyelash.  If it is close, he may look up, but probably will go back to sleep.  No panic there.

Shirleyn posted about a computer problem in the computer folder (she thinks the problem is solved) and I asked her to come here to let us know how things are with them.  I know she is quite far inland but Dorian has a mind of his own.

Mary Ann

Here I am Mary Ann.  Can you believe it, it has been so long since I have been here, that I forgot how to use the colors, etc.  Anyway, we are very safe from the storm.  It slid up the coast & I am far enough inland that all we got was a little rain and a little wind.  So sorry I stopped coming in here - just got all tired out from the Dreaded C.  I am now cancer free, though, but doctor said it would take a good 6 months or more to get rid of all the stuff they put into me.  It has now been 5 months since my last treatment.  I am starting to feel like my old self, but still get tired out and am unsteady on my feet.  Hoping that will go away.

Hello to all and hope all are doing well.

shirley

Shirley, I'm so glad you saw my message.  We were concerned about you.  I'm happy that your cancer has left and hope the rest of the stuff is gone soon.  From what you say, things look positive, so onward and upward!

We're doing fine in Michigan.  Norm is expecting another great grandchild, a boy this time, which would give him two gr-grandsons and three gr-granddaughters.  It's too bad he isn't around to enjoy them. 

I hope you've found out how to color your posts by now.  I have moments of "blank" myself as to "how do I do that?".

Please drop in occasionally to let us know how you are doing.  I'm happy that Dorian has not bothered you!

Mary Ann

Good morning from a cool but beautiful Interior! We see more and more yellows in trees and bushes but no other colors so far. The rivers are still running bankfull, but most are dropping as time passes and the high waters move on. There was a holiday potluck here yesterday, but I went out with Dora. Their son's divorce is not good. There is a lot of anger.

I am beginning to feel more like myself after that horrible last few months but am still on the last of my medications. I went to sleep last night at about ten but woke up around twelve nineteen. I was awake until just after four, so am just getting up. It's 9 AM, and I've only had my coffee and Farrah her breakfast.

Cats prefer routines and don't care for changes. I also will suddenly catch some dust and will have those rapid sneezes and Farrah will take off. She has only to see me pluck a kleenex and she's gone! On a wonderful note, yesterday Farrah ate a piece of meat out of my hand. Something she has never done before as normally you put food down and back away before she eats.

I worry about those caught under Dorian's destruction. These storms seem never-ending and the damages seem to worsen with each one.

Patricia, divorces are seldom good.  You seem to have recovered from yours.  Tom's and Sue's was messy because she kept changing the rules.  I hope Dora's son keeps a cool head. 

Fall seems to be coming here too, and I think early in September is too early.  Otherwise, I love fall with the nice temps and fall colors.

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better; you will feel more like doing something other than routine things. 

Good for Farrah, eating meat from your hand.  Poor Kendrick doesn't get meat.  I do vary his dry food.  He is so funny when there's food left in his bowl and it's time to give him fresh food; he rushes to the bowl and is anxious for me to put in the new food.  The new food is the same as the old food and he's like he's getting something new.

Then his routine is eating a few bites of the food, then coming into my bedroom where I am getting my bed ready for me and closing the blind.  We have the routine where I pet and/or scratch him and he's in seventh heaven.  I only do it for a few moments because i have things to do before I can get into bed.  By that time, Kendrick has departed.  He comes back a time or two in the night.  He's my boy!

Mary Ann

Shirleyn - So good to see you checking in!  I'm glad you're doing so well with your recovery from all the chemo and radiation treatments.  Also glad that Dorian, stayed far away from you!  Please return again, and keep us posted on what you've been doing?

Patricia - Glad you're returning back to normal once again. (That sentence sounds weird, but you know what I mean!)    Summer is the worst time to be sick, IMO.  During the Winter I take it in stride, because seems there are so many people complaining of not feeling well, so I have lots of company in my misery.  Not so in the Summertime!  I understand that your friend Dora, is upset over her son's divorce.  Been through it twice with my oldest daughter, and it's not a pleasant experience. 

Mary Ann - I didn't realize that one of your "Greats", is expecting a baby boy?  Which one is it, and when is the baby due?  Always fun to look forward to a new addition to the family. 

Marilyn, it was a complete surprise, even to the mother.  She is Paula, oldest nephew, Tim's daughter.  They have a 3 3/4 year old daughter and Paula had some trouble when she was born and said "never again".  She had had fertility treatments and really thought she would not get pregnant again.  She knew she was feeling bloated and was gaining around her middle.  She went to the doctor (for that or another reason, I don't know) and the doctor told her she is pregnant.  The baby is due in October and she says she is feeling good without the troubles she had before. 

Tim was my oldest nephew and he died 30 Dec 2014, a complete surprise to everyone.  He  had a heart attack after waking up in the morning.  We expected Terry's death (youngest nephew), but certainly not Tim.  Tim's first marriage ended in divorce and he was happily married the second time.  He is the one who lived in Livonia, near Detroit, so we did not see him often.  Sometimes, out of the blue, he'd call me and he called Norm every weekend.  I don't think Norm ever got over Tim's death.  Norm died the next November 2015.

 Mary Ann

My two divorces were over forty years ago, so I hope I've recovered. My first divorce was related to Vietnam and his violent PTSD, and my second was due to that one's alcoholism.

Dora's son has custody of the kids which was a mutual decision but his soon to be ex-wife now says he's trying to hide personal possessions that she should have. No one outside of the two of them saw this coming. They seemed your ordinary family with a young boy and girl.

Farrah gets an occasional piece of cooked hamburger as she is now interested in what I have which, as I said previously, is entirely new. It's not a usual event. She is finally showing trust in my behavior; before it was grudgingly.

Farrah is the same; each morning she gets a half cup of the same diet kibble. And even tho there are a few kibbles remaining in her dish, she acts like its all brand new! Kendrick sounds like he has you and his routine all set.

I'm glad I'm feeling more and more like my old self. I used to say up to about age 66 that I rarely got sick so when I did, it was a doozy. After  66, it seems more frequent but also age-related.

Patricia, it is so good to have you say you feel better and near normal. 

MarsGal, I found the Appledore IV in Lake Huron north of Port Austin tonight.  It is headed to Detroit Port Authority.  No mention of V but I'm sure it's right behind IV.

Mary Ann

It has been a very L O N G day......up early to get down to Dave and Michele's to help get the children off to school so Michele could go to get her LAST dose of chemo done!  It was a rough couple of hours as the doctor was ove an hour late, then her pic line decided it was DONE and would not let them use it!  In spite of it all, the last of 12 rounds of chemo are DONE!  As I have already told you, she still has the Gamma Knife procedure to do in a couple of weeks.  This will be what we are calling "lucky #3" and then the radiation to the tumor on her lung.  A PET scan in a couple of weeks for a baseline. Then we HOPE and PRAY that ALL will be clear.  She will continue on oral chemo for more than likely the rest of her life.....which is acceptable IF they can do the job and allow her to raise her children and see them grown and hopefully raising families of their own, God willing🙏🙏🙏

I thank you ALL for your unconditional support for me and for your prayers. 

SHIRLEY N, what a nice treat to see your post.  You certainly have been missed and we understand your not feeling like doing things while you were fighting the DA*N C..... Sure glad Dorian was not too mean to you and Danny Boy! 

PATRICIA.....how good it is to read that you are feeling much better......you have sure had a long spell of all kinds of things to make ones life miserable.  Keep up the good spirits

We picked Matthew up from school and got him to his football game.....Bob stayed with hm and I headed back to Dave's to be there to let the two little ones in after school.  I made a peach cobbler with fresh Palacade Peaches from the Western Slope......oh my, did it ever turn out delicious,  I have had two calls already about how good it was from two of the grands.....I sure hope Michele will feel like eating some tonight!  Oh, then I for got to say that a storm was brewing and the football game was cancelled.  Thank goodness Dave arrived in time to pick Bob and Matthew up so I did not have to go back and get them.

Pleasant dreams to all.....
Jenny

Mary Ann, I've been watching the progress of several of the tall ships down the St. Lawrence. Bluenose II is still moored at Montreal, while it looks like Picton Castle might be getting ready to sail home to Lunenburg, NS. Marine Traffic site is giving conflicting info at the moment. While the map show them still not moving, my mouse-over gives the Lunenburg destination and underway at less than one-half knot. If I click on the icon, it still shows Montreal. The Niagara is at home in Erie, US. NAO Santa Maria was last reported a little more than half way between Montreal and Quebec. Looks like I missed Appledore IV at Port Huron, so will have to do a rewind. It will be another half hour or more till it reached Marine City, if I calculated it right.

Once again, I must have bumped this blasted thumb-pad again because I lost the post I was typing in the Library Bookshelf. Or, I could blame it on my typing assistant who showed up about that time too. Yeah, blame it on poor little Shan.  Oh well, I'll try later.

After checking on George's critters, my sister and I met for lunch at Cracker Barrel. I was all set to order meat loaf, but changed my mind and had catfish instead. After Katrina, catfish prices at the grocery stores went way up and never really came back down, so I only have it when I am out now. It was a lovely morning, but it heated up fast.

This morning it is partly cloudy and at 60^o right now. It will be at least 10 degrees cooler this afternoon and the humidity is down a bit. The lawn will be ready to mow again soon.

It's Thursday and the mowers are here.  They work into November but our grass doesn't grow that fast.  With a little rain, we always look good.

MarsGal, I haven't been following ships as a group.  I look at the Marine Tracker to see if any ships are near the cam cities and it was just happenstance that I remembered the Appledore IV and to look for it.  I try to be alert to the tall ships when I see they are on the St Clair River.

I've never had catfish.  I suppose it has been on some menus but I have not noticed.  I understand it is a sweet-tasting fish.  While fish stores around here would have it, I think it probably is not that available in restaurants.

Kendrick does not help me type because he is not a lap cat and I have my computer on my lap.  He is an interrupter however and wants attention when he wants it.  I can't type and pet him at the same time.

I did not get up until 8:30 and I have to say I'm not awake yet, so I'll continue on my way and be back later.

Mary Ann

Good morning, Mary Ann and whoever is looking in this morning.  I've been out of bed for an hour or more and am still not dressed.  I like to get outside for my morning walk before it's unbearably hot, but have cleaned up the kitchen and will bathe after the walk as it is a scorcher out there already.

Not much else going on here today.  I have library books to read before Friday when my friend Eddie comes to take me to the library and to Kroger for grocery shopping.  So I need to get dressed, take my walk, and shower for the day.

Have a nice day, Every One.
Sue

Well, I know I have been absent for a couple days, but I am fine.

Hello to all the friends here in the "tackle box".

I did hear that all of the scans I had last week were good.  Nothing new that needed to be addressed.  The doctor was so pleased.

Still thinking about all the people in the path of the storm.  It sure  is taking it's good old time to figure out where it is going.  I think my area might only get a little bit of rain, although they are calling for a nice weekend.

Mary Ann, if you like fish, I think you would like catfish.  It is a nice meaty fish with a kind of sweet taste.  Doesn't have that " fishy " taste. I used to get  frozen catfish nuggets in a 5 lb. box at Wal-Mart, but they don't seem to have them anymore.  They were a little bigger than just bite size, and I used to flour them and fry them.  I think that fried fish has such a different taste from broiled or baked fish.  Now, sometimes I will just buy a couple catfish filets and cut them into small chunks and fry them.  I do like most fish.  Rockfish is the state fish of Maryland and after being  on the endangered list for a long time,  they are making a comeback.  They are a nice thick meaty fish, and I have fixed them before after stuffing them with crabmeat and I do bake them.  Haven't had any for a long time. My husband used to go fishing and several times had caught some really good sized ones.  We have a local produce stand down the road, whose owner is a fisherman and sometimes he will have the filets for sale at $20 a lb.   He is always sold out when I have inquired about getting some. A couple pieces of filet wouldn't weigh a pound, so I don't think they would be that expensive. There is another name for the rockfish and I am thinking maybe large mouth bass. Some people never heard of rockfish, so I do know they go by another name in other areas.  I will have to look that up.

Tine to go look for some lunch.  Hope everyone will have a great day.

Joy


EDIT:  another name for rockfish is "striped bass".    Googled  that real quick !

Mary Ann - I've never had catfish either?  I think it's available in the frozen fish section at the market, but I don't know much about it, so have never bought it.  I don't know it's a fresh water fish, or salt water?  Whichever it is, I don't think it's found in any of our lakes, rivers, or the Pacific Ocean?   good that Tim's daughter is having an easier pregnancy this time.   I hope everything works out well for her, and that you will soon be seeing the new baby boy!

Good morning Sue!  Good to see you here, and wish you would drop into this folder more often, so we can get to know you better! 

MarsGal - Valteran, posted a list of Science Fiction writers that he likes in  Library Bookshelf, this morning.  You must have been replying to him, when you lost your message.  Nothing is more frustrating that working hard on a post, and then having it suddenly disappear.  I've tried all the tricks, to bring it back again, but they never work for me!   

Sue, I may have you beat - it's 12:15 here and I just sat down from getting dressed, taking my pills etc.  Often I wait a while before I take the pills but decided to take them now, today.  In a person's 90s, we can do whatever we want.  Within reason!

You've been widowed a long time and coped.  You are fortunate to have a son living near and that is comparable to my having Tom living with me.  I try to do for myself what I can, but Tom is sometimes ahead of me and opens jars etc.  I drove for 65 years and seldom feel I want to go to a particular store.  Tom does a good job with my transportation needs.

I mentioned earlier that the mowers were here.  They still are here and I can tell by the freshly mown grass.  Years ago I had allergy shots because I was allergic to grass.  The shots were to increase my tolerance to several things, including grass.  The shots were a big help.

Tom just suggested going out for lunch so I'll get ready.

Mary Ann

Good Morning to all!  Wow!  Two days in a row with a message from me.  Well, not really a message, just showing up to see what is going on.

As you can see Mary Ann, I figured out the color, etc. for my message. 

Angelface, sorry to see you have not been well these past few months.  But glad to see you seem to be healing!!

Hey Marilyne, I will try to come in regularly, but cannot promise.  At least I think of you all.

And Jenny, sorry to hear your daughter-in-law is suffering from the same thing that hit me.  I sure hope she can fight it and will be able to raise her kiddies.

Marsgal, your mentioning Port Huron brought back memories to me.  That is my hometown.  I have that site on my computer & go there every once in a while, to remember.

And Sue, nice to see you are able to walk daily.  I used to, but am now too weak.  Hopefully I will be able to get back to walking soon.

Wondering how Larry is doing?  Hope he is okay.

See ya all later ~

shirleyn
(~_~)

Hello, Tackle Box friends (Joy, I like that better than "baiters and tacklers"; hope it's o.k. to borrow it  )

Hi, Shirleyn.  Great to see you!!!!

Mary Ann and others,  Catfish is/are? the state fish of Oklahoma!!!  Usually served fried with Hush Puppies (know what they are?)

They grow to humongous sizes in the lakes around the state and are a challenge to catch because they like to hide in holes under the water along the banks.  They also have sharp teeth.

"Noodling" contests are popular. The contestants dive (no scuba gear) and catch catfish with their bare hands.  Biggest size wins - and may be as large as 50 or 60 pounds.

I have no idea what anybody would do with that much fish!!!!! I'm not too fond of it because it has lots of bones.  One time, my son cut it into chunks and cooked them in shrimp boil.  That was delicious.

This has been "car care" week.  Was nearly blinded    after it had been washed and polished.  I'm careless about that.
Today, I went by the Kwik Kar place and was "inspired" to stop in and have the oil changed and everything else checked out.  I don't drive enough to reach the mileage for that in the time frame recommended. 

Have been invited to go to dinner with family tonight.  Hope I remember how to behave while "out for the evening". 

Wishing Everyfriend Everywhere an Enjoyable Day.

Good morning from another cool, but beautiful Interior day! Farrah and I are bathed fed and watered to the best we can. However, my water comes heavy on the coffee grounds. Farrah continues to be more verbal and more outgoing. This morning I was doing a crossword puzzle and ignoring her mews that plainly states, "Pay Attention!" So she came and dropped a toy on my toes. She must think I'm an awful trial!

As far as I know, catfish are a river dweller. Some like to stay under bank overhangs and are prevalent in the Southern states.

I've read about catfish being in the southern states, but we also have them in the Grand River here and lots of people fish along the river, even downtown.  I think they are a form of carp.  I just don't remember seeing them on the menus of restaurants.  Now, I do not go to fancy restaurants, but the fish are usually named and most often tilapia.

Kendrick does look like he's talking to me but all I see is the moving of his mouth.  It could be my hearing loss, but Tom has said nothing about hearing him, either.  Now, when I am away from home for any length of time, Kendrick does go to Tom and gets vocal, probably asking where I am.

I was planning to go to Indps soon but I have made the decision to not go.  It would have been my last trip down there, but with my age and the various ailments, I do not want to go.  I don't think anyone understands, but I'm the only one who is as old as I am and have those ailments.  Handling them at home is nothing, but being away with them is something else.  They're nothing I can't handle but I'd rather handle them at home.

Callie, I think someone else mentioned that catfish was their state fish.  I think our state fish is the perch.  I did not like fish at all for many years because all I had to go by was the panfish my dad caught.  The fish were delicious but had so many bones.  I order them in restaurants now and almost never get any bones.  Norm and I would go to a neighborhood restaurant where I'd order halibut and I loved it.  I haven't seen that on a menu in a long time.  I take what I can get now.

Shirley, it's good to see you here.  First of all, if you were referring to Larry Hanna, he died early last month.  He posted, then quit when he did not have the strength to post.  His son gave us a message that Larry's time was coming and it was a day or two later that the son wrote that Larry had died.  We all miss him terribly, both for his humor but also for his computer help.

Shirley, the Port Huron cam is my favorite because there is so much activity there.  I look at the Marine City and Algonac cams too.  It seems freighter traffic is always heavy or very light, no regularity about it.  Whenever I look at the Soo, it seems there is very little traffic, but to get from Duluth to the southern lakes, ships have to go by way of the Soo. 

With my long brunch today, the time has almost disappeared.

Mary Ann

Correction...the state fish of Oklahoma is the White Bass. It should be the catfish IMO.

Sleep well, Everyfriend and have pleasant dreams.

Here I am posting L A T E again, but I have quite a surprise to share with you all.  I just got off from a very delightful internet chat with Carolyn Sterling.  She called because she had see; a message that I posted on Face Book and she wanted to tell me that we are sharing so of the very same issues.  Her daughter-in-law, Raylene, is also going through chemo and she is also waiting to hear results of Nicky's husband as he has just had a bone marrow biopsy done and Nicky continues with Sjogens syndrome...sadly, I do not know what this is, so will look it up.  I did find out that the girls are at university.  Immediately their name have left my mind, but the oldest girl graduated this year, but is going on for continued education.  The younger girl, 3 1/2  years younger is trying to decide just what she wants to study.  So common for many young people today.  She is the artsy one and wants to do something that will allow her to do that also.  I so enjoyed our conversation.....here I am in Colorado and she in Auckland and we chatted just like she was next door!  I told her we had spoken of her in the Soda Shoppe and wished that she would come back and join in our group as she has been missed.  I do not know if any of you remember Carolyn or not, but thought I would post it here also as well as the SS.

I have always thought of catfish as being readily available just about every where, but I guess not after reading the posts.

MARY ANN, I am sad to read that you do not feel like you want to go to Indy, but you know your body best and it is your decision.

SHIRLEY, my heart sank when I read your question about Larry Hanna.  I am sorry you have to learn of his passing this way.  As you can imagine he is sorely missed. 

CALLIE, I hope you behaved yourself and enjoyed the meal out with your family tonight! 


Pleasant dreams to all of you.

Jenny

Much to my delight, I discovered this live webcam of a canal in the Netherlands. In ten minutes I saw a dozen barges pass by. One of them was a huge tug pushing three linked barges. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fegnalm7URQ Besides the numerous barges, there is some farmland, a bike path, a small marina with a ferry landing or excursion boats and a cafe.

I have not yet decided whether or not to go for groceries or wait until tomorrow. Other than that, I have nothing special planned today.

MarsGal, nothing was happening on the website when I checked but I'll bet it was interesting to see so much traffic.

Jenny, I'm glad you had such a nice conversation with Carolyn in NZ.  The older girl's name is Brooke and I don't remember the younger girl's name.  Both girls must be over 20   years of age now. 

I am rethinking Indy again as Tom H wants me to go down and I really want to see the quads and the rest of their family.  Tom has just gotten brother kitties, nearly three months old and I want to see them.  He had to put down his more recent cat at nearly 20 years and he has missed the company.  So, stay tuned, as a woman, it is my right to change my mind!

When I clicked on the Grand Haven site this morning, there were lots of people in the water and it puzzled me because it isn't swimming temperature.  One, I found the water temperature was between 65 and 70 degrees which is not bad for Lake Michigan.  Two, the people were surfing.  I also saw a kite, so the wind must be blowing there.

I've been up an hour and I'm just waking up.  Tom has gone out for breakfast and things should be normal when he returns.  Whatever normal is!

Mary Ann

Friday morning once again, with another weekend ahead of us.  I can't believe they roll around so quickly.  Nothing on our agenda per usual.

Mary Ann - I felt the same way Jenny did, when I read that you had decided not to go to Indy, as you had planned.  I know it's fun for you to have that short vacation every year, and you always look forward to seeing everyone.  It sounds like you're wavering now, so I hope you change your mind, if you feel up to taking the trip.  I remember that it involves a lot of car travel and switching of cars, but I also recall you saying it's always worth it, once you get there! 

Jenny - how nice that you had a long conversation with Carolyn. She was a Senior Net member that I didn't know on a personal level, but I remember her. Even though we posted in different folders, I enjoyed reading her posts, and remember them to always be interesting and informative.

MarsGal - I'll check the link to the canal in, The Netherlands, when I finish this post. I had not thought of it before, but I don't have any webcams on my desktop, from anywhere in Europe!  I would like to add a few of those to enjoy, along with the many I have here in the USA. (Mostly all in the Great Lakes area.)

We had a sad situation in the neighborhood yesterday, involving a cat, which I'll  tell you all about, when I return later.  Right now, time to eat some breakfast, take a shower, and get ready to face the day. 

Good morning from the Interior where the weather is again going into the lower seventies, and some red and orange have joined the yellow in the foliage. On the bus yesterday, everyone was talking about the color is a month early and none of the birds are migrating so its as unusual as the last couple of months.

We have no catfish in Alaska, but we do have a similar fish, burbot. "The burbot is the only gadiform freshwater fish. It is also known as burbot, mariah, freshwater ling, the lawyer, coney-fish, lingcod, freshwater cusk, and eelpout. The species is closely related to the marine common ling and the cusk. It is the only member of the genus Lota." 

Jenny, I was glad to hear about Carolyn. I remember the oldest was Brooke but not the youngest girl's name. I see MaryAnn, and I have the same recall. 

MarsGal, that's an interesting cam with several barges this morning.

Good morning Marilyne!