Good Morning Everyone from the Sunny and
pleasant rocky coast of Maine.

It is very nice here this Saturday
Morning..   

As I live in the city,  I really do not see
a whole lot of Foliage... The one little
tree that I can see out my window, is still
green and hasn't lost it leaves yet...   But
soon,  I  am sure.

New England has the most beautiful foliage
season ...Lot's of bright reds and oranges
show up before the Deciduous Trees start to
loose their leaves.

It is hard to believe that the beginning
of our Winter season is just around
the corner.

Have a good day,  Everyone.
Sandy

Congo has changed a lo and I would hate to live there today. Ebola is a big problem, as well as malaria and other mosquitoes plagues. Medicines are not always available and hygiene is not what it was/
No, I don't have any friends or relatives there any more. 

MARY ANN - I was fascinated by the video you posted yesterday of the iron ore, being loaded onto the Lee Tregurtha!  That is a most interesting video, and I immediately sent it on to AJ.  His uncle worked on the ore docks, for his entire life.  He worked out of Superior.  I know things were not so "high-tech" back then!

Also you mentioned Hibbing, MN?  I looked for your post to read again, but couldn't find it.  Anyway, AJ lived in Hibbing for a couple of years, between about the ages of four and six.  They lived in a big house, with his maternal grandparents, and his mom's brother and family.  His Dad, Grandpa and Uncle, all worked in the open pit iron ore mine.  As far as AJ can remember, they were there until the War started, when they all packed up and moved to Southern California to work in the defense plants.  None of them ever moved back to MN.   Other siblings and family members followed soon after, except for the aunt and uncle in Superior.  The Erickson side of the family, all stayed in MN, and are still there as far as we know?

I looked at the other video showing what's left of old Hibbing, with an explanation of how the entire town was moved to make room for the expanding mine.   So the Hibbing that AJ lived in all those many years ago, no longer exists.  Or maybe it does exist, but is just in another place?  I couldn't understand the narrator?

I don't think I have posted for a couple of days but not much has changed—including the weather.  It is still hot and our temps will get to the 90s for another week.

We had an interesting little event with the hummingbirds.  More hummingbirds have found the feeder but then also a BULLY arrived.  He found a perch on top of the feeder and constantly flew at any others trying to feed.  We made a trip to Lowe's and Larry put up a couple more feeders.  He also took off the top piece on the feeder that the bully was using as a lookout.  All now is peaceful with no more bully keeping the others from feeding. This morning around 6 am on a trip to the bathroom, Larry said there were many hummingbirds getting their fill around the feeders.  You know life must be pretty boring when you get this excited about hummingbirds.

Jackie, I remember Joni before she was even married.  I think many people, including me, was surprised when she got married after that horrible accident.  I don't believe I could ever be as brave as she has been and engaged in life as she has.  Amazing woman.

Mary Ann, I haven't looked at that video yet but will after I finish posting.  Sounds interesting.

Marilyne,  AJ sounds energetic and I know he must be a big help to you.  Larry and I walked all around the big Lowe's the other day shopping.  I was about to drop but Larry was like the energizer bunny.  He is also a big help to me now that our son in law does the outside work.

Beverly, I'm glad you had such a nice trip.  A beautiful time to be in Vermont.  Yes, we are still in summer here but sure looking forward to some fall weather.  Our neighbor lady from Wisconsin and her boyfriend love the beach and almost every day going out with their jet ski.  Her boyfriend said they were taking advantage of every day as the water will be cold before long.  I'm thinking "hurry up and get colder" and they're saying "no, we like the heat."  Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Have a good day everyone.

Marilyn, I watched a video of them loading coal into Paul but I couldn't get the right url.  I typed in Hibbing MN and the first thing that came up was the video.  It is 10 min long and interesting.  Try it and see what you get.  I was trying to get something about the town.

When Jim and I were at the Soo we toured a freighter, the Valley Camp.  There were hatches on top such as shown on Paul but it seemed where the coal went was one big hole in the ship.  On Paul, it looked as if they filled each section. 

Jean, I think we are having some fall weather now and it's delightful.  The sun is shining and my nearby thermometer reads 64 degrees.  I can take a lot of 60 and 70 degree temps. 

I finally got my suitcase emptied from my trip.  I had to because I was running out of underwear and it was in the suitcase.  Also some of my computer equipment was in there.  I still have to go through my makeup/toiletry/catchall bag.  I had been unable to find my eye drops and finally found them and anything else in there are duplicates.

Jean, I wish I'd see a hummingbird around here.  I know they're around but I don't have anything colorful for them.  One year I had a bougainvillea plant on the deck floor and I'd have the hummingbirds come to it. 

Jackie, I would not recommend you have a cat; you have enough to take care of right now.  Cats can be good company but you do have to feed them (and buy their food) but in your situation, I would not suggest it.  I have an only cat and he is much neglected - but he loves me anyway.  And I love him!  I would never have bought a cat, but I inherited him.  He's really Annie's cat.

Mary Ann

https://www.9and10news.com/weather/live-skycams/sault-st-marie-cam/

Marilyne, I use the above URL to get the Sou site

I did not hear from Pat or Scott from my PM - and I'm not surprised - so I sent an e-mail this afternoon and I already heard from Pat.  I pasted her message here.  If anyone wants her/his e-mail, let me know as i'm reluctant to put it out online.

Mary Ann

Good to hear from someone atSeniors & Friends. Sorry I missed your previous message and glad you wrote again. I'm doing well and continue looking for a new normal but that will come with time.

The folks at S&F held a special place in Larry's heart and I really appreciate  that. Do you go by Mary or Mary Ann?

Things are coming together here and yes Larry had things well organized. There was one snag - it took a month to get the death certificate but it was my doing not his.
Please tell everyone hello for me😊and l'll try to get online with S & F soon. Thanks for checking in with me.

Pat

Mary Ann...
....please relay back to Pat and Scott that we ALL loved Larry Hanna on Seniors & Friends, i also include Christian Photographers...he was such a valued and helpful friend to us all, a very special person indeed, even if 4,000 miles apart ( UK - US, ) sadly we dont come across too many Larry Hanna's during our life time, and a man i would have loved to have met in person..

                                         *************************************************************************************

MARILYNE, I forgot to mention before that we have Sprouts and Whole Foods here and I shop at both, but prefer the prices at Sprouts over WF. 

JACKIE, II am sorry that it did not work out for Vivienne to come for a visit.  Now I understand your concern bout anti-depressants after reading that V is taking them AND drinking, etc.  not a good combination.  I hope Daniel will consider watching over his mom, but I suppose he has litterly  had enough of her from the past.  I wish he would bring Charley over for you to meet.  I think this would be the shot in the arm that you need🥰

MARY ANN, so good to read the message from Pat Hanna.  Thank you for reaching out to her and for sharing her message with us.

Last night Bob and I took oldest Grandson Matthew and a friend to Colorado Springs to attend the Air Force vs San Jose State football game.  Dave has 5 season tickets and he was out of town on business and Michele could not go, so we stepped up to take Matt.  It was quite enjoyable and the flyover was fantastic, as they always are.  The walk in and out of the stadium nearly did me in and we parked as close as we could in the handicap area.  I am paying for it today, but that is just the way it is.

OK, I can no longer keep my eyes open, so I am off to bed.

Sweet dreams.

Jenny

Good Morning everyone!

The sun is shining and I am in a much better mood than I was last night. There was a little adventure with Comcast. I could not get on the internet, and I thought, I couldn't get on the cable TV section because the box remembers where you were last and goes back to it when you turn the TV back on. And then, I discovered I didn't have phone. So here I was frantically trying to fix what I thought was either Shan doing something with the wires (he was back there at the time) or my brandy new router was bad already. I finally walked out of the room for a minute to calm down, and lo and behold, there was the Comcast guy out at the pole. I wasn't the only one without service. They think lighting zapped something nearby. We did have a thunderstorm, but I did not see lightning or hear any nearby strikes. Well, they got it all fixed in about a half an hour after I noticed the problem. By that time, I was tired enough to go to bed.

A mystery, Mary Ann and Marilyne: I wanted to catch a US Coast Guard ship as it went up the St. Clair, but managed to miss it the whole way. Then I saw it was headed for Duluth/Superior Harbor, so I tried following it so I could try again at the Duluth webcams. Well, now it has disappeared from MarineTraffic. I figure it is already there, but the weird thing is that there is another traffic site I was looking at and it said it the ship was either decommissioned or lost and is no longer registered and the same time Marine Traffic was showing it as very much alive and in route. I can't remember the number of the ship. Our Coast Guard at work: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/12/741070978/watch-u-s-coast-guard-boards-suspected-narco-sub-in-high-speed-chase

Been awake and was up and about 4.am this morning, time now is coming up to 4.pm and i have not stopped crying, been an on and off for almost 12 hours...

Good morning from the rainy Interior. Nothing new here other than the increasingly colder temperatures as we are now into the lower fifties for highs and thirties and forties for lows. We continue to have dense morning fog with or without rain that clears about ten-thirty or so. This year has been unusual across the board.

I weighed Farrah the other day and was surprised to see her weight at thirteen pounds. It has only taken her eight months to lose 2.5 pounds! I don't know if this is normal or not. She has, since January, had one-half cup daily of Iams indoor diet. She gets no treats and no people food which is bad anyway with spices, seasoning, and food poisonous to animals.

I spent time with Alan and Dora yesterday afternoon, going to visit Tamra. She and her husband have a large acre of garden, and we all helped with the harvest and winterizing the space.

MaryAnn, it was good to hear from Pat, and it sounds as if Larry's planning paid off. It would be nice to see her more online but since Larry had said she was more into jigsaws and games, she may not.

I have been literally praying for the impossible, i am asking God - Jesus to make my Multiple Sclerosis go away...

MarsGal, I think sometimes they take the ships off the Marine Tracker when they're in the deep water.  I know I have seen that a ship was going to arrive in Duluth in a couple of hours and I can't find it in Lake Superior but eventually it shows up.

Pat Hanna said in her message that she would try to post in S&F sometimes, but in the meantime if anyone would like to send her a message and say "hi", I've got her/Larry's e-mail address.  I am sure she is familiar with all of our names.  I'll try to contact her periodically so she knows she is not forgotten.

Dot and I did our usual this morning.  Tom is home from his church and napping already and I am heading for a nap.

BBL

Mary Ann

A good Sunday HELLO to ALL.

TODAY, in our world it is all about our Grandson MATTHEW and his EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR ceremony.  It is at 4 PM and we are feeling so blessed and honored to be attending this wonderful achievement ceremony.  We are so very proud of Matt and his Dad Dave for the comments that they both put forward to accomplish this honor. 

I hope you ALL enjoy a wonderful day.

Jenny

Mary Ann - Good to hear that Pat Hanna, is doing reasonably well.  I know she has a strong faith, so she she must find much comfort and acceptance there.

Patricia - Does Farrah seem to be hungry, or has she adapted to that small amount of food?   Winnie, ate much more of the dry food, and one small can of wet food, every day.   The vet told me the wet was better for him as he grew older.  I know he had a problem with his teeth.    If you decide to go to Anchorage, with your friends, where will you stay while you're there?  Sounds like it would be a nice change of scene for you, before Winter sets in.

Nothing on tap here today.  Just a quick trip to the corner Walgreen's, to buy some necessities. Shelley and Claire, are coming on Friday, for the weekend, so I have to stock up on things like shampoo and hand lotion, that seem to get used up quickly when they're here.   I'll think about food later in the week.

Mars - I left you a message in the Library folder this morning.  Now can't remember what it was about? 

Jenny - How proud you must be of Matthew, to achieve the high honor of Eagle Scout!   Today's ceremony will be memorable for him, throughout his lifetime.  I hope that Michele, feels well enough to attend?     
AJ and I would have enjoyed your football game >> Air Force vs. San Jose State!!   Both of us graduated from SJSU, and that's where we met!   We always root for them, but they're really a second tier team, so they never do well when they play the "Big Guys", like Stanford, Cal, etc.  AJ watched the Oregon State/Stanford game last night, and Stanford got a TD at the last minute and won.  Although we're generally big Stanford fans, we always want Oregon State to win, no matter who they play, because it's our grandson's alma mater.  Same with LSU, because granddaughter is a graduate from there.   

Marilyne, the half-cup isn't too little as she often has kibble remaining in her dish in the mornings. Before she was getting many treats, tuna water and a cup or more of kibble daily. The vet told me last January that she should have been ten to twelve pounds for her size, not the fifteen and a half she was. The following two to three months were not easy as she wanted treats and would get into the closet looking for the bag. Or she would be excited when I came home with groceries. Then I felt bad.

She has gotten more vocal over the summer, but that's more her personality then missing treats. She has also become more affectionate. Yesterday she pulled a toy off the shelf to play with the hidden mouse. That's new for her. She gets a yearly checkup in the latter part of the year and a dental exam in the first part of each year.

Patricia, when I inherited Kendrick, I bought a cat set for eating - food and water.  Each night I empty out the food he hasn't eaten and and dump it back in the food bag.  It is in small pieces and ends up mixed with the new.  I dip the dish in the food and I would guess it is a little over a half cup of food.  He never eats all that is in the dish.  Sometimes he drinks more water than at other times and he has remained about the same weight for some time. 

I just woke up from a nap and Kendrick was there with me.

I was glad to hear from Pat Hanna; I knew we should not just drop her.  The were a nice couple and he was such a big part of Seniors & Friends so I was happy to hear from her.  I'll try to contact her occasionally until/unless she joins in with us.  I left a note in Soda Shoppe  that I had sent a message and heard from her.  I hope others will send her a note once in a while.  I had sent a PM but she did not see that so I sent an e-mail and she did see that.

Jenny, what an honor for your entire family; I'm so happy for Matthew.  I think every so often how you waited so long for grandchildren, now you have several and Matthew is old enough to be an Eagle Scout.  I know it takes a lot of work to become an Eagle Scout.

Mary Ann

Jenny,  Congratulations to Matthew and the family who helped and encouraged him to work for this Honor!

Good to know about Pat Hanna.  Thank you, Mary Ann for contacting her.

MarsGal,  our Cox service was out for quite a while recently - twice!  The first time, I saw the truck working along the main street outside the complex.  Fortunately, my phone is not with them so I wasn't completely without service.
Friend in Alabama said her t.v./internet/phone went out in the middle of the football games yesterday afternoon.  I had to keep her informed about our OU Sooners.  It came back on in time for her to watch the Alabama game.

I took Miss Ellen to an Intergenerational Elderhostel in St. Louis the summer after her ninth birthday. It was based at the St. Louis Zoo and the "classes" were fantastic.  We even learned how to "speak chimpanzee" and I have a darling picture of her crouched down on the opposite side of the glass from a young chimp trying to get it to make the hand signal for "hello".
We went to the San Diego zoo while on a trip there with our pre-teen sons (Miss E's Dad).
Our OKC zoo is really good, too....especially the elephants and the apes.  Haven't been in a long time - nobody young enough to take any more. 

Project du Jour has been paying bills.    When I opened the Visa bill,I discovered I had only been billed for my flight to/from Wisconsin at Christmas.  Contacted son and he discovered he had not confirmed tickets for anyone else    Fortunately, he was able to take care of that PDQ and got the same price (without the Senior discount, of course).  Whew!  I'm determined to go - but not badly enough to do it alone - particularly since it's a 3 hour drive from Chicago to The Dells.

Back to the desk work......

Thank you my kind and caring friends for all of the supportive comments about Matthew.  Yes, we are so proud of him and of our Son Dave for the unconditional support to not only Matthew but to his entire troop as the assistant scout master.  The ceremony was very impressive and of course mama could not keep the happy and proud tears from falling😘

CALLIE, glad you were able to take care of the issue with the airline tickets. 

MARY ANN, I remember well wondering IF we were ever going to get grandchildren, and now I can say it was well worth the wait🤪🤪

MARILYNE, we enjoyed watching SJSU at the academy.  We also watched them play the Falcons back in the late '80's when our Dr. Dave was a cadet at the AF Academy!  I understand how we have to cheer for particular teams for what ever reasons.  Dave's best friend in medical school used to be the team orthopedic doctor for Stanford, so we always pulled for Stanford, but now that doc has moved to Colorado and is involved with Colorado University.  We are also fond of Oregon because Dave and Michele lived in Lake Oswego and pulled for them.  I always pulled for the Ducks!  Yes, Michele was able to attend...she is feeling so much better now that the chemo has ended.  Matt qualified for Eagle Scout at the end of last year, but they wanted to wait until Michele was feeling better so she could be there for the Court of Honor. 

OK, I am ready to head off to bed.

Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Oh my!

Mary Ann

No my scheduled " Cruse " telephone counsellor didn't phone...she gives a day and a time..I have been sat by the phone awaiting her scheduled call but no, nothing...
...Oh and my Age UK volunteer adviser man phoned and said it wasn't worth his while coming to see me, would take 2 or 3 hours of his time.

Good Monday Morning.  A kind of cloudy unsettled morning.  We do need the rain, but I don't think it will amount to much, if it comes at all.

I had a busy weekend.  The Family/Friends party at my son's was wonderful.  I think there were about 200 people.... just my family alone, I counted about 65.  Lots of children, all ages. They always have a fun time....horse/pony rides, the hay rides, games and fun.  Lots of good food and whatever you wanted to drink.  It is always so nice to see family and friends who I don't get to see very often.  Some nephews from out of town came to surprise their grandmother, my sister-in-law.  She is 95 and was just overwhelmed when she saw her grandsons.  It was a wonderful day.

Mary Ann, so glad that you got in touch with Pat Hanna.  Hope we will get to hear from her sometime.

Jenny, congratulations on your grandson's achievement to become an Eagle Scout. A huge accomplishment.  Lots of hard work and perseverance to get that far.  My sons were all in Cub scouts and BOy scouts, but it didn't last too long.  My husband was a Cub Master and Boy Scout Leader for several years.  But, when the boys dropped out, he did too.

I have an appointment this afternoon with the urologist and hoping that will be the last one. I am taking a low-dose maintenance drug for the UTI's and it does seem to be working. 

Jackie, I just don't know what to say to you.  It really just makes me feel so helpless for you.  There just have to be somebody who can give you some good advice and to help you get your life back in order.  It is just heartbreaking to read you messages.  We all wish there was something we could do for you.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hope everyone is doing well and will enjoy today.  Tomorrow is Oct. 1 and it still feels like summertime here in the east. Wish it would stay like this all year long. 

JOY

I am crying again, telling Richard i just want us to go back home, then i remember he is back home, his ashes are scattered at his local crematory...I am constantly on the computer looking at properties, this is just breaking my heart...I just dont want to be stuck here all alone... I just want our old life back but i know that has gone...

Hello from the Interior with another morning with rain and dense fog. We've had snow up in the higher elevations,(1500 feet); for about 7 or 8 days but it may hold off in the valley for another couple of weeks or so.

Farrah has gotten bored enough to play with some of her older toys and has taken to following me about. The issue is that most summer birds have migrated and the larger winter flocks have formed and moved on into the woods. Other than the occasional owl or raven, her window on the world is pretty quiet.

We were just in time for Tamra's garden cleanup and winterization as they had heavy frost yesterday. She has about 15 green tomatoes, and more garden produce. She leaves October 17th for her yearly trip for a month to Odesa, Ukraine to see her mother and sons. Alan and Dora are still planning the October trip, but it is down quite a bit in numbers so they may simply fly out. I just don't see it happening for me right now, perhaps next summer.

I'll be going to a wedding on the third, a friend's grandson is getting married. He was one of Marie's first boyfriends, so this will be odd.

Jenny, congrats to Matt, what an accomplishment!  And Callie, Miss Ellen seems to be going places with her career. I have a friend in New York; I used to babysit him, who has spent several years in various soap operas. He makes a good living now, but he has been doing this since the eighties, it does take perseverance and time!

Jackie.

Now you need to get out of that park home . You may loose money on it as they never were a good investment. Made more for people who want to live quiet life when retired. They are cheaper living. Just get ahold of a realater and see if the can do vsome kind of a home exchange with someone in a town area . Also check with a senior housing place that usually need a amount deposited to ove in . Will use your deed on the park home as it. I take it you have a clear title to that home. Talk to a solicitor who is a finance advisor. Have him come to see you. You will not get anyplace waiting for help from strangers those days gone.it is now going to cost you money but better to have health. You will then be able to call on the social services for help. Your husband is gone now. You have to accept it. It happens all the time .
I know I sound cruel but I have been 50 years looking out for myself now and learned a lot.

Jeanne P...
...bless you and thank you...I think i might have a game plan fixed in my mind now...i just need to make this happen...
One negative on these parkhomes sales, 10% of the sale has to be paid to the parkhome owner which takes a large chunk out of our - my money... money i could be doing with...
I WILL make this move happen ( providing i am still alive, ) it is just not knowing when...of course i want it to happen now...

I have been a firm believer for years that people cant be relied on...Same as the Age Uk gave me a phone number of a voluntary gardener who i phoned the number, took my details yet haven't heard from anyone since....same as the man who came to clear out Richards shed, oh he was sent to take Richards golf bag - clubs and irons for their charity but i had to prompt him to clear out some of his stuff which he put in his car to take to the rubbish tip, but he hasn't been back since to clear out the rest of the stuff...he was sent supposedly to collect Richards golf bag, nothing more nothing less, i am not that daft to fathom that one out...

Merry Monday,

The "wind is blowing down the plain" in central Oklahoma.  The birds are having a challenge staying on the feeder long enough to pick up a seed.

Jenny,  I was trying to be "light-hearted" about the ticket situation.  Son and I were sitting at the same desk when we originally made the flight reservations. Because I'm getting a senior discount, mine had to be done separately.  He just forgot to tap "Confirm" for theirs.  All is well. 

Patricia,  Miss Ellen is what's known as a "Musical Theater Gypsy".  They audition to sing/dance in the ensemble of various shows but don't usually audition for a particular part.  Sometimes, they're given a "featured spot that may include a few lines of dialog.  She has occasionally read for a part but isn't really an actress.  Closest she's come is being an Extra on "The Amazing Mrs. Maisel" and then you could only see her if you knew where to look.  This is the 3rd show she's been in since moving to NYC 3 years ago and is, by far the best and biggest.

Jackie, I could suggest all sorts of things I'd do if the people I needed help from treated me the way you're being treated. However, I'm not familiar with British social services and I suspect your temperament is very different from mine  Wish I could help you use what my sons call "That Teacher Tone" but not sure that's a "teachable" trait.  Hope to read soon that you've taken the steps to Make Things Happen.

****

I'm about to finish all of the Projects du Jour I''ve needed to do since getting home from Amarillo.  Next one is using my newish shredder to get rid of stuff that will probably fill several garbage bags.  Would like to have those ready for the housekeeper to put out in the trash when she comes tomorrow.

"Get busy, Callie"!!!!




 

I understand that hating to feel out of control!!!!  Gentle    

It is much too late to be posting, but I just wanted to say a quick goodnight to ALL.

I do not want to cut Matt's time short on my avatar, but I just saw this picture of our Granddaughter Kate, taken last Saturday with her dancing group and I just had to share it with you all!

Kate is Dave and Michele's Daughter.  She is 9 years old, turning 10 in 2 months.  She has just matured so quickly.  She had braces and just got them off a couple of months ago, and since then she just gets prettier and prettier❣️  Of course I am not prejudice one bit❣️❣️

Today was Matthew's last football game, so we had to go and see them win another game.  They have one left on Wednesday but Matt will not be playing as they are putting the B string in. They will be in the,playoffs as they have won every game.  Since Matt will not be playing we are thinking about driving to Vail for a couple of days to check out the beautiful colors....they say it is a spectacular year for color and it is at the peak right now.
 

I must call it a day.....will try to get back in the morning to comment on today's posts. 

JOY, I do hope you got a good report from your doctors today. 

Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny