Concerning cancer, this is what little I've learned. Cancer's usual causes are either by DNA or chemicals in our lives and diets, two being benzocaine from smoking or second-hand smoke and polyurethane in fabrics and furnishings or for example those green mosquito coils we burn for bugs. If one person in your immediate family has had cancer, (that includes malignant polyps); you are down a 50/50 chance, two in your immediate family is practically a guaranty.

When my mother had breast cancer, and my father had colon cancer, we as daughters mistakenly believed we'd have breast cancer. Instead, from 1995 trough two thousand seven, all three had colon cancer. You know what they say about assumptions.

With my daughter, I learned after her death that while benign, her tumor has only a 36% survival rate. That percentage is improved by quick action. During her development as a fetus, a skin cell mistakenly migrated inside the brain. Since the brain is enclosed by the hard bone of the skull, that cell had nowhere to go. The brain reacted by walling the cell off. During puberty, where everything begins to grow and change, that skin cell started to grow, but there was nowhere to grow or change to. And those actions led to her death.

In her case, that was compounded by doctors who didn't understand what was happening and shrugged it off, blamed either her or my imagination and or suggested second opinions two or three months down the road. I remember one optometrist telling me that sometimes immature teenage girls will start something like this for attention!

Today is another fairly hot day, but the sun is shining.

Mary Ann I'm glad you had a safe and pleasant trip for your visit.  The weekend will be over so quickly,  but you will have good memories to look back on.

My husband, Larry, had two brothers die with colon cancer.  However, his other brother and he have been very fortunate, at least so far.  The doctor told Larry after his last colonoscopy that he was "clean as a whistle".  Kind of an odd saying but the meaning was obvious.  As far as I know, no one on my side has had colon cancer or breast cancer.  My oldest daughter just had two polyps removed but won't receive the results for a couple more weeks.  I just hope everything is OK.  I have a tendency towards cysts but so far they have always been benign.

Both my sisters died with blood cancers and since my last blood test was considered abnormal, my doctor has sent my records to a hematologist.  It's just been a few days, but I guess I'll hear from the hematologist's office in the near future.  I don't have a lot of faith in the Medical situation in this area.  They have different groups of doctors who deal with their own large hospitals in other cities.  The medical office I go to works with the local small hospital which I like and where I get all my blood work done.  But the oncology/hematologist office is in the county seat 15 miles away.  It is at times like this that I wish I was back in Ocala. ☹️

Oh well, what will be will be.  We all have our troubles, don't we.?  I hope everyone is having a good day.

It is good that not only the medics but general population is becoming more educated in medical matters, especially all forms of cancer.  To the best of my knowledge, no one in my family has had colon, breast or lung cancer.  Norm's first wife had lung cancer among other ailments but she smoked like a chimney.  Norm smoked a lot until he had his heart surgery then he stopped cold turkey.  My dad had strokes and Mother's sister died of a weak heart, but she was 86 when she died.  I take it back about no one having cancer; Dad's brother had prostate and bladder cancer when he died.  My mother and one sister were in auto accidents. 

I take a blood thinner to possibly prevent a stroke.  I've never smoked and almost never have a drink but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have cancer, even yet.  I have had three skin cancers.

This has been a lazy day since Tom H was gone much of the morning and is napping on the couch right now.  I just woke up from my nap about 45 minutes ago.  The cats are asleep upstairs.  Tom introduced them to his back porch today and they didn't know what to think.  It is a whole other world because since he's had them, they boys have been in the house. 

Boy, are those cats lively.  I wondered if they ever slowed down.  I brought down a toy that Kendrick ignored, but either or both of them have been at it much of the time.  I also brought two rings from milk bottles and they've had fun with those too.  They are warming up to me and often come to me and climb on my lap to be scratched. 

Tonight a friend of Tom's is taking me out to eat while Tom is occupied otherwise.

Mary Ann

A good Saturday HELLO 🦋🦋

We were up early this morning tending to the grand 🐕 needs😘. It allowed us to talk to Brian before they winged their way to San Francisco.  They are now 2 hours into their 12 hour flight to Seoul Korea.

I have a nice corned beef in the oven.  It is starting to really smell delicious!  I planned to have potatoes, cabbage and carrots with it, but we talked a decided we just want a sandwich so I will run out and get some rye bread and thousand island dressing and Bob can have him a Ruben and I will just have the corned beef!  I like it plain! 

PATRICIA, I learned more from your explanation that I ever knew before about how this awful cancer can start.  The one about your daughter is the MOST concerning one, and my heart aches for you.  So many have colon cancer these days and at younger and younger ages.  One can not stress enough the importance of colorectal cancer screening.  Sadly though, insurance will not pay if you are not over 50 years old and that is about 25 years too late.  Thank you for sharing the information with us. 

So good to see your post, MARY ANN.  LOL, YES, it is Brian that helped Bob, however Oliver likes to be involved in everything so echnically he helped to😍😍. The kitties sound like fun.....enjoy your dinner out with Tom's friend tonight. 

MARILYNE, sounds like the heat is continuing in your area!  I thought I heard it was going to be cooler...but not yet!  Mark and Family went to S. Lake Tahoe yesterday after noon and they are enjoying some time away.  Of course I have lots of pictures and the6 all have jackets on!  Love that lake.....Keep Tahoe Blue.....  Your family too have done your duty to ward off the darn colon cancer.  Dr. Dave is a trained surgeon and used to do many colonoscopies and he always stressed the importance of screenings as if left long enough any polyps WILL turn cancerous.  Little did he know how much he would have to know about this with his own wife😩 Michele immediately talked her brother into going for a screening, and thankfully he was fine. 

JEAN, I certainly hope your daughter will get a "clean as a whistle" story from her colonoscopy!  Although, I am certain your husbands was due to NO polyps and it sounds like your daughter awaits the biopsy report from her polyps that were taken out? 

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. 
Jenny

 

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Good morning to all!  It was interesting reading about the cancer.  Angelface, I knew about your daughter's death but not about the cancer she had.  How sad that was.  My cancer was lymphoma of the blood.  I noticed some spots on my leg that looked like blood blisters.  This was a week after I had taken Enbrel for my rheumatoid arthritis.  I have always thought that is what caused my cancer.  Doctor did not confirm this, though.  Of course it might have already been in my body.  My mother had Uterine cancer, which was removed successfully.  My brother had Thyroid cancer, which he died from.  My son had lung cancer, but he smoked heavily.  So none of those cancers were similar to mine.  I wish they could find the cause and cure.

Jenny, I can sure empathize with Michelle and the aftermath of the chemo threatments.  Those were the worst part of my cancer.  Of course without the chemo, I am sure I would have been a lot worse off.

Hoping you all have a wonderful Sunday.

shirleyn
(~_~)

shirleyn - Glad you're back with us, and I hope you return often to say hello and let us know how your doing.  I don't blame you for wondering whether it was the Enbrel, that was the reason for your lymphoma?  Those new drugs for the the autoimmune illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, haven't been around long enough to know what the unusual side effects are.  Are you still taking Enbrel, or did your oncologist take you off of it?

Patricia - that is such a sad story, about your daughter.  I thought she had a  brain tumor, but even more sad to have such a rare brain disorder that wasn't properly diagnosed.  It must have been unspeakably hard for you, being as you were divorced and alone at the time.

Jean - I hope your daughter will get good news this coming week, that the polyps they removed are benign.  Also I am hoping that your blood tests will be okay?  Under the circumstances of your two sisters, it's good that your doctor sent your test results to a hematologist to be double checked.  On another subject . . . I left you a message in the Television folder, on a movie you might like.

Jenny - The thing that is so puzzling, is that so many young people are getting these terrible cancers, that were unheard of when we were their age!  (I mean unheard of in our generation.)  Two couples our age that we have known since we were first married . . .  both have had daughters that have died from pancreatic cancer!  Both girls were in there mid to late 50's.  When we were in our 50's, we had never even heard of pancreatic cancer.  Now it's a common cancer in that age group.  My younger daughter Sandy, had a boyfriend, Robert, that she really liked, a few years ago.  AJ and I liked him too, and he joined us for Christmas dinner and other events, the year that they were together.  They broke up, but remained good friends.  This June, he died from Esophageal cancer.  He was only 51 years old. 

Well, time for me to start the day. Nothing planned, except a few small yard tasks before it gets too hot. 

Mary Ann - I have a feeling you probably posted a message while I was writing this one?  If so, I will see it when I post this.  I know you're having a good time, and seems like you said that you would be seeing the rest of the family today for dinner?   

"Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread to other parts of the body. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans. Wikipedia"

DNA often shows a shared propensity for certain physical or mental behaviors. My daughter's skin cell tumor is not unfortunately rare, and it does have a low survival rate as it is one that involves cells or other items ending in the brain, which is encased in bone. Skin cancers are cancers. We see more diseases precisely because we use or ingest more chemicals in our lifestyles. And that is unlikely to change as it is even one of the causes of climate change which is one of the major precursors to mass migrations of both human and animals.

It's 1:15 pm here and we just got home from church, breakfast, checking a couple houses that Tom owns and stopping at the store for refreshments for tonight.  At least, we'll have pizza and beer.  I don't know when family will arrive, but I'm going to take a nap after I check the computer.  One cat is wandering around, or maybe it is two cats, seen one at a time.

Last night Tom's friend and I went to a nearby restaurant where I had some meatloaf.  I have not touched the portion I brought home and maybe will not.  Afterward the friend and I came back here and talked and talked (we're both good at that) and I got to bed about midnight.  Seeing we had to be at church by 9am, it made a short night. 

My next message may come from home, so don't be concerned if I am not heard from.  I'd like to take the kitties with me, but they'd have to stay the same size, which I know they won't.  I don't think they will grow as big as Kendrick.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann ,have a safe trip home. I bet those kittens were a lot of fun. My sister has two cats and one loves to get in an empty box....she is packing to move so she has to be careful she doesn't pack Captain  Jack!!

Good afternoon 🦋

Good to see your post, MARY ANN.  Glad you are having a nice time in Indy.  I would love to play with the kitties also, but I, too, would like them to stay small.  Enjoy the rest of your time there with Tom.

AMY, is your sister moving far?  Captain Jack is a cute name, and I sure hope he does not get packed up🙀🙀

My Smokey Cat is not overly fond of the "doodles" but he puts up with them🤪

MARILYNE, all the cancers today sure makes one wonder just why they are all happening and at such young ages.  Makes me feel it is mostly environmental.  Sure is sad.  We aren't doing much today either....the Bronco Game started at 11AM here so I have already had more than my fill of 🏈🏈.   

We just talked to Brian on the phone and he said their flight went well and they got to their hotel safely and managed to get a decent amount of sleep over night.  He is starting to watch the Bronco Game at 5:15 AM. 

JACKIE, good to see your post but sorr6 you are in so much pain😩

SHIRLEY, I could not agree with you more in that I so wish they could find a cure for the awful cancers.  The drugs they fill you up with in chemo seem more than enough to GIVE one cancer🤬
I am just so happy you are doing well now

PATRICIA, how old was your daughter when her cancer presented?  Having this happen to a child has to be the worse pain to ever have to deal with.  I am so sorry for your loss😩

I have to tell you all that my corned beef that I cooked yesterday was just fantastic.....might be the best one I have ever fixed. 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. 

Jenny

 

Everyone has left and we all had a good time, especially me.  The quad boys and the single sister of Bob's family came and Erin, my great-niece, came.  Everyone was talking and there was a football game on and conversation was more to the Harton family, so I took Erin to the back porch so we could talk Tock.  There is/was nothing particular but we had a good conversation.  I did hear that her brother and his wife are expecting their second child.  Her brother, Geoff, married a Chinese woman and they have a cute boy, looks very Chinese, but I could see some of Jan in his face.  So, by the end of the year, we are expecting two more babies.  Everyone loved the cats and they got a lot of attention.  Tom bought three kinds of pizza tonight and I had two slices of vegetarian.  My Tom has been buying a vegetarian pizza from Papa Murphy that we cook ourselves and we like it very much.  The ones Tom H bought were already baked.  I think it is so nice that several came to see me because I doubt I'll come down again, however "never say never" and "never" usually is not in my vocabulary.  So we'll see. 

I managed to get a nap in before anyone came and it helped a lot but I need to go to sleep now, only I'll wait until closer to 10 pm; it is now near 9 pm. 

You wonder what causes the various types of cancer.  Norm's first wife died of lung cancer and we know (or think we do) what causes that.  But so many others seem to have no basis.  Is it what we put in the air and/or water?  Is it the fast foods we eat?  I have had two skin cancers and the doctor blamed sitting in the sun.  The first one was in 2005 and I was 91.  I had not sat out in the sun since I was 18-20 years old.  So it seems it takes a while for the cancer to take hold in some cases. 

I was disappointed that the senior minister was not in Indy today because I wanted to tell him what was going with my church; we've discussed it before.  Actually, it is our interim/transitional minister I wanted to tell about.  Sad for the minister, but nothing bad about him.  He's a nice man but is 77 and would like to fully retire, which he will do when we get a permanent senior minister.

Mary Ann

We arrived home late last night. We had a wonderful time and visited many people. The weather was beautiful during most of the two weeks. Donna was doing well while we were there so the four of us went out to dinner to celebrate her wedding anniversary. I know she enjoyed it as she seldom gets out now.

I was tired today (mostly from the stress of flying!) and haven't finished unpacking yet. It feels so good to be home.

I'll write more tomorrow. Going to bed now.

[b]Good Monday Morning on this first day of Fall !   it is more like a summer day.  I just love this weather.  It could stay like this all year.  I know a lot of you prefer the cooler weather, but I just hate the cold.  And, I sure am not looking forward to the winter.

I am only checking in as I have to get a move on.  I am getting my hair done around noon, and I still have to get myself together. 

Mary Ann, I am so glad that you are enjoying your visit with your extended family.  I am sure you will be sad to have to come home.  Glad you got to visit with your friends there.  Have a safe trip home.

I will try to get back later.  Have a great morning. !!!

Joy[/b]

It's about 9:30 and at 10 am I'm going to get my act together and get ready for the day. Tom H is away now, but will return shortly.  He and Tom Tock live similar lives, very busy!  We will head for Merrillville about noon; I think Tom H said it takes about two hours to get there via I-65.  Tom Tock had said he'd get there about three because he is going to the funeral of Annie's SO's father. 

It certainly was quiet after everyone left last night.  Erin stayed a while so she, Tom H and I could talk.  The cats raced around having fun, sometimes jumping on us, but mostly on each other.  I think they're not quite four months old yet.  They are similarly marked, but one is lighter than the other.  The darker one is Ricky and the lighter one is Ralphie.  What cat answers your call by name, anyway.  Kendrick comes to Kitty and these cats will too. 

It is to be cooler both in Indy and at home.  I was planning to wear shorts home, but I think I'll wear my capri pants.  I'm trying to not wear long pants/slacks until I must.

Mary Ann

BEVERLY - Glad you're back home, after what sounds like a wonderful vacation!   Good that Donna felt well enough to enjoy a meal at a restaurant. I'm hoping you took some pictures, and will post them soon on the Photos Old and New board.  I would love to see those grand kids, and the little gr-grands.

JOY - I didn't realize it was the first day of Fall, until you reminded us!  Feels more like mid summer here, with 100 degrees expected tomorrow.  I'm also glad you mentioned getting your hair done today - because it reminds me that I have to make an appointment for a cut, later this week. I was thinking of a perm, but doubt that I will follow through and actually get one.  Takes too long, and my hair is so brittle and breaking easily, so a perm would probably turn to frizz!   

MARY ANN - We're looking forward to having you back!  I hope the return trip runs smoothly, and that you feel rested and refreshed when you get home.  I know that Kendrick, will be happy to see you, although the scent from the two little kittens, will be lingering on your clothes.  I'm sure he will be curious about that!   Sorry to hear about Annie's SO's father.

JENNY - Looking forward to hearing from you today, as to how Michele is feeling, and news from the travelers in Korea!  I'm glad our California family enjoyed a vacation to South Lake Tahoe.  That's one of my favorite places, where we spent a part of every Summer, for many years.  Such a gorgeous and relaxing place to visit!   

JEAN - Keep us posted on the results of your blood work?  Also, hope everyone in your family is doing well - especially your son, and your grandson in Temple City?   I left you a message in the TV folder.

JACKIE - Sorry you had a bad day yesterday.  I hope today you'll be feeling a lot better.       

Good day everyone.

I haven't had much to report lately, not even on the webcams. Today, however, I see that Hollyhock is back at her mooring after traveling up to Mackinac Island and Cheboygan. She left two days ago on her first real spin around after her repairs. She was out for a few hours the day before that. Today I see the dredger, Moorish, is out doing its thing on the river at Port Huron. I just caught the tail end of a three-fer at Marine City, so I guess I will have to try to remember to check Port Huron in about an hours.

I vacuumed the whole downstairs yesterday and boy was I sorry. My back and hips were killing me the rest of the day. Not too bad today. Now I am doing laundry. Outside is at 82 degrees and humid. Not nice at all.

So sorry to hear about the ongoing problems not getting much or any better.

Huh! Down at Marine City the tug Manitou is taking a load of mud downriver, according to the  webcam monitor. I wonder if it is mud that was dredged up at Port Huron to be used as fill somewhere. I've seen Manitou busy on the river for several days now. In the meantime, around the bend comes the Atlantic Huron. Guess I am hooked at watching the ships today.

I've been watching a Chinese detective show set back in the Tang Dynasty. It doesn't have voice over in English but it is subtitled. It seems a little simple, but that could be the translation, or it could be it was a show for the younger set. I will probably get tired of it in the next episode or so. I am also exploring some of the other streaming stations I can get via Comcast too. Now that I don't have to rely on Sony's streaming via Wifi I don't get the interruptions and loading problems, it seems. Good.

Jackie.

Don't you have a doctor that you go to see ?i never read you mentioning it. Not understand as I have seen how the national health is in u.k  and have been coming over at least every 2 years as my family aged. Mom had thrombosis for years. Brother heart problem, aunts with angina. Lots of things that come along with aging. All were single and lived in own homes.
 none ever in nursing homes. Home help took care of lot of things.just lost last one at 95  Dr. Stopped by house once a week..I met him and was great with the 2 that had him. I even went to his surgery on last 2 trips over for sinus problem.
I would say the uk health service good. Wish I. Had a dr. That good here. Here they just write prescriptions to often. And insurance not cheap.  Free for you.
First you need to get out of where you are living. Sounds to out of reach. Get with the department of aging. Your dr. Should help you with that. You can't expect them to come knocking on your door.
You won't get help if they don't know your situation. People around are most probably older with own health problems .
Have 2 friends here with M S and there are good meds out there. Same in UK. Fact they are further advanced on MS treatment in UKThan her according to my friends dr.

Get ahold of the service where your sscheque comes from. I get a yearly letter from them explaining any service changes  always on my birthday.

MONDAY, MONDAY.......a little Mama's and the Papa's humming from me! 

Happy Fall to all!  Leaves are falling.......the falling leaves, slip by my window....now I can hum this one for a bit!

Laundry is going, although it took me awhile to decide I just had to get up and get it started. 

JOY, I know by the time you read this you will be feeling good.....a nice hair do always makes us feel better!

WELCOME HOME, BEVERLY.  Happy to read you enjoyed your visit and that Donna was feeling OK enough to even go out to eat.  That is wonderful.  Can't wait to hear more about your visit with the family.

MARILYNE, we have not heard from the travelers yet today, so not sure what all adventures they enjoyed yesterday.  Michele is seeing her PCP doctor today, just the yearly check up, I suppose.  Goodness, I hope and pray this doctor does not have ANY bad news for her!  Thank you for asking.  She still has not heard from the radiation oncologist about when she can start the treatments.....waiting for insurance to say when, ya know?  The Cali Family REALLY enjoyed Tahoe. 

MARY ANN, safe travels back home today.  When I spoke to my dad this morning, he went on and on about why my kiddos want to travel out of the country with so much strife going on?  I told him they are just as safe in other countries as the6 are here with all the nasty stuff that goes on.  As my kids always say..."if something happens to them at least we know that they were doing what they wanted to be doing, and not just caught up in some being in the wrong place at the wrong time" and I have to agree wit( them.  They have travel in their blood, as we love to travel and have been very blessed to see as many countries as we have.  Our Boston Son and DIL are leaving for Portugal on this coming Friday....I think that news is what sent my dad on his rampage! 😩😘

JACKIE, I am, once again, so sad for you, dealing with all you are going through!  It just makes me so sad that there is no one there to hold your hand and help you through this stressful life you are leading😩😘

Dryer is buzzing......off I go to get the. Lot he's out, hung and folded.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Jenn

 

Jenny
....thank you so much for caring...( i have now deleted the post..) Jenny do you know what, i dont even recognise myself now, where the h**ll did Jackie go, i wish i could get her back....

I bought a book from amazon that arrived yesterday and i started reading it in bed last night then again when i woke a few hours later in the middle of the night, the book is by Joni Eareckson Tada and called " Heaven, Your Real Home " From  a Higher perspective, she too cant wait to reach home and is looking forwards to it, as it is a far better place than it is here on this earth...a new home has been prepared for us and is waiting for us...i had also listened to her on youtube, what a lovely lady she is..she too is surprised she has lived so long being disabled as i now am, we are around the same age, our 60's...i too dont know why i am still here....

I'm back, I think.  It seems I was in a car all day, but I wasn't.  I'm tired and I know I'd go right to sleep, but I'd wake up about 4 am and that would be it for the night.  Tom H and I got to Merrillville shortly before Tom T showed up.  Tom H had wanted to leave at 2:30 and we got there after 2:30, closer to 3 pm.  He made a pit stop, then I did and after he brought in my luggage, Tom T showed up.  I offered to buy all three of us a piece of pie, but Tom H wanted to be on his way and declined.  But Tom T and I had a dessert. 

Tom H and I had gone to Speedway to eat lunch on the way north and I brought most of the sandwich home with me.  I started to eat it here and I just was not hungry.  I put it in a ziplock and will eat it later - tomorrow perhaps.  From Speedway we went to I-65 and headed for Merrillville.  Tratffic was a bit heavy and there was construction, but we were able to go right along.  The same thing coming home, traffic and construction, but nothing to slow us down.  We got home about 6 pm.

I opened the front door and hollered for Kendrick and he did not come.  Tom said the cat meowed yesterday as if to ask where I am.  I finally found him and he got up to greet me.  He's resting on his scratch pad now. 

I took a cat toy to Indy with me and the boys went right after it.  Kendrick could not be bothered; the difference between an adult cat and kittens.  I also took a couple rings from milk jugs and they had fun with those.  Their favorite toy, however, was a  piece of wadded up light cardboard. 

Terry and Jan's daughter, Erin, came Sunday night and it was good to see her.  Tom H said he enjoyed talking with her. 

I think this is enough to bore you with.  A man is coming early in the morning to look at my TV.  I'll have to get up before breakfast!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - Glad to see you are back. It sounds as if you had a good time. If you're like me, it feels great to be home. One of my cats used hide at first and then snub me when I first got home. I think she was mad at me for leaving!

I finished unpacking, put the luggage away and did the laundry. You'd never know I'd been away for two weeks. 

We spent time with all four children. We stayed several days each at youngest daughter Lisa's, our son Michael's, and my brother's. They all live quite a distance from each other. Daughter, Lauri, lives on the coast of Maine so she drove to Lisa's house and spent the day with us. Granddaughters Elise and Emilie and their families spent the first Sunday with us at Lisa's. The great-grands (Kae, Evan and Wesley) have grown so much since last year. Also saw granddaughter Erin (Donna's daughter) and her two boys, Trevor and Brody. Trevor is 16 (17 on Nov. 1) and I couldn't believe how much he's grown! He's 6' 2"!  We missed seeing five of our grands due to work, etc. Everyone is so spread out.

My brother still lives in our hometown and we always have such a good time reminiscing. Also love his wife! The town is very small and hasn't changed much. I always say that if it weren't for winter, I'd be living in Vermont. It truly is beautiful.

 I think I mentioned that my childhood best friend has Alzheimers and is in a nursing home. (She was also married to my cousin). Her birthday was the 18th so her daughter asked us to join them when they took her to a restaurant for an ice cream sundae. Dorothy still recognizes me and remembers past times. Sadly, she doesn't always recognize some of her own family. It was a busy two weeks as we also visited other friends and relatives.

Time for bed! Good night all.

Good morning, Beverly, and whoever might follow.  I'm up early (for me) because a man is coming to see why my TV won't work.  The TV went on the fritz a couple of days before I left for Indy.  Tom tried to get it to work and finally called Comcast who is our provider.  Nothing worked so they made arrangements for the man to come this morning.  I could have waited another day because I could have slept a bit longer.  But I'll be able to take a nap later.  I slept good except for the cat jumping on my bed a few times.  He ignored me the first half hour after I got home and after that, he almost clung to me.  He missed his attention!  His "mother" (Annie) was here Saturday or Sunday evening so he had her attention and she brushes him. 

Beverly, it sounds like you had a good visit with your family.  It's good to do that once a year.  I don't have as far to go as you do and I really feel this was a last trip down there.  But I don't say "never".  The drive/ride down there does not bother me and the visit doesn't either, but it is hard to get a nap and I do need one occasionally.  I eat differently too.  And many families are spread out today, as you said yours is.  Ours is too, from Michigan to Indiana to California.  How nice that your Alzheimer's friend still recognizes you because so often they don't recognize anyone.

Time for breakfast and to clear an area for the TV serviceman.  BBL

Mary Ann

Good morning, Mary Ann, and Welcome Home.  It's nice to visit relatives, but always good to get back home! 

I'm glad you had a nice visit and also glad you had a good trip home.  I hope you can rest up and get back to your usual activities ASAP!

I'm playing bridge and having lunch at the nearby retirement home at 11:00 and will play bridge after we eat lunch.  My friend Bonney will come by to pick me up at the retirement home as we are planning to go the Downtown Abbey movie this afternoon.

Have a nice day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Hi Sue, it's good to be home, but things have been hectic this morning because a man came to see why my TV wasn't working.  It was a "cable" thing and I don't know what was the trouble, but it works now.  It was in the system, not the TV itself.  He spent some time here and did not leave a bill. 

As I've mentioned before, I am not a bridge player.  I would try to duck out when my dad's bridge club came and usually could not because they needed the person.  We did not play the version popular today, but don't ask me what it was.  Contract?

Mary Ann

Glad to know you are back from a nice visit, Mary Ann.  Beverly, you sound like you also had a very nice visit with your family.  Vermont is beautiful but like you I wouldn't enjoy that cold weather.

I will be happy when we start to feel some fall in our area.  It is still pretty hot in the afternoons but there is a little change in the air in the evenings and mornings.

Marsgal, you are certainly an early riser.  Before I retired I was up 5:30 or 6 am every morning but my body never adjusted.  After all those years, I still am a night person and enjoy my late mornings.

Marilyne, I did see your message about the movie.

Hope everyone is having a nice day.

Hello to all.

Not much going on around here this fine Tuesday.  We are getting ready to go out and do a few errands. 

Last night we decided to go to one of our local craft breweries for dinner as they had a food truck with German Food.  It was OK.  I normally only get a schnitzel as I love it plain, but opted for the Yeager Schnitzel and it was a bit too much for me.  It came with fried potatoes, and I just was not in the market for them, so I brought them home.  I am a spatzel lover, and it just is not right without spatzel😩

JACKIE, I hope you enjoy your book and that it can give you some comfort. 

MARY ANN, your time in Indy sounded very nice and I am glad you got to see your niece while you were there.  I know you are happy to be home.  Now relax and take it easy.  Hope the TV is fixed.  You know Kendrick HAD to have missed you while you were gone!  I miss not having a playful kitten around....they are so fun to watch! 

SFSUE, nice to see your post.  Enjoy the lunch and bridge.

BEVERLY, I enjoyed reading details about your trip also.  How nice that your friend with Alzheimer's recognized you.  The time away goes so quickly and after you have looked forward to going for so long, it can be a let down after you return home.  My kitty never seems to be upset with me when we return but he sticks to me like glue for the first few days after we return and bugs me all night for the first couple of nights. 

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Jenny

MARY ANN - good to have you back with us again.  sounds like you had a nice short trip. Just long enough to see everyone, have two nights out for dinner, and then back home again.  I know you're glad you  made the decision to go.

BEVERLY - Glad you're back home, safe and sound.  How nice, that you could see your whole family . . .  your kids and grandkids, as well as your brother, in one trip.  I hope Donna is still doing well, and will soon be finished with her chemo treatments?

As I mentioned yesterday, we're getting our usual Fall weather . . .  hot dry N/E winds, that spark the wildfires.  I guess this is the new normal??   This year, our utility company has prepared better than in previous years, and will have planned power outages in the dangerous areas.  This is to turn off power in the overhead wires, which come down in the strong winds, and start the fast moving fires.  Also, the Forest Service, has spent all spring and Summer clearing brush, and plowing firebreaks.  We're all hoping it won't be as bad as last year.

Hi JENNY - I think we were posting at about the same time!   Also, Hi to SUE and JEAN!

Jean, the cats (most often Oscar) insist I rise and shine way before the sun does, usually somewhere between 4 and 4:30 am.

This afternoon I finally got around to installing the new flapper in my basement toilet. I puttered around doing a few other things including another load of laundry, but mostly I read. The cats have been quiet.