Marilyne, et al. I guess it's what you're used to; I grew up in the arctic. But I just about froze to death in Tennesee at forty above and rain. It's all in the humidity.

Patricia, when my son is in parts of  the States he will often wear shorts and others are wearing jackets.

I remember a big guy I used to work with. He told of going home and sitting out in a lawn chair in shorts while everyone was running around like it was Antarctica. His dad made him come in because he embarrassed him.

WHO IS?

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=789.msg192359#msg192359

Shirley, the StreamTime Live webcam is sitting atop the Blue Water Convention Center, just by the Blue Water Bridge. It shows the park along the shore. There are almost always at least a few cars parked there to see the view no matter what time of day or night not to mention those who are fishing, walking their dog or just walking/jogging along the shoreline. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0SRiyEJKH8

Prentiss Brown passed by before I got up, but I will catch it shortly at the Marine City cam on its way to Toledo. Algocanada is still out in Lake Huron heading for Sarnia. I caught a lovely clip of Lee A. Tregurtha coming into Duluth on the 14th for winter layup. What a lovely pink and blue sky backdrop, not to mention the work the tugs did to get her to berth through the ice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1svaGeM_6mo

It is at 32^oF here now and is to go up to 36^o today. I am not looking forward to going out to shovel the heavy, wet snow. I see the bit that my neighbor did yesterday got blown over during the night. It still looks a bit windy out. I am going to take my time.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Oh WOW thank you Marsgal, that is so beautiful.

shirleyn
(~_~)

Good morning ✍️

Thinking about you all and hoping none of you are having issues with the storms in your area! 

I am looking at the "guess who" picture and I am stumped!  She sure looks like a nice lady!  The more I look at it I am thinking maybe I will send you a guess, BUBBLE. 

PATRICIA, I totally understand and agree with you regarding being so much colder in higher humidity areas.  I, too, am used to a dry cold and it makes all the difference in the world.  🥶

Guess I better get myself busy and get something done. Have a good day.

Jenny

I got your guess, Denver.

Good morning from a "warmed up" Interior at minus eighteen. The winds came in last night but are due, hopefully, to leave early Wednesday morning. It's below sixty out there with the wind chill. I've seen mostly cars out there, but a few individuals in what looks to be those big green army parkas. I'm four stories up, and the street bordering the courthouse is a block over, so I have a bird's eye view.

Today will be a couch day other than a load of laundry as those chimes I've hung by the window will occasionally rattle. New weatherstripping has been on the list but apparently not an emergency with the pared-down maintenance staff.

Vaccinations for those over sixty-five started on the sixth, but I signed up on the eleventh—no word yet on my schedule other than a list confirmation. I'll be going to one of the health centers about six blocks from here. I admit to qualms as I'm not fond of needles and when I received my first and only flu shot in 1985, I ended up with two weeks of everything included flu. I wish they would come here, but this is neither a nursing home nor assisted living, so I'll go where they point me.

Thank you, Jenny, sometimes I feel no one understands my meaning!

MarsGal, thanks for the videos and links! However, they do make me miss MaryAnn!

MarsGal, you might like this time-lapsed view of warships departing Pearl Harbor on exercises.

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

MarsGal - I enjoyed looking at the two links you posted!  I especially liked watching the Lee Tregurtha, moving down the canal, under the bridge, and into dry dock.  The colors are beautiful in that one, and the camera was at a different angle from my Canal Cam, so I got to see some wonderful closeups that I've never seen before!

Patricia - You and I will both be getting our vaccinations next week.  Mine is Monday, Feb. 8, and you'll follow three days later.  According to what I've read, there have only been a handful of reactions to the shot, which were quickly taken care of, so nothing drastic.  Judging from my Next Door messages, as well as friends and relatives, no one has had worse than a sore arm. I've had some serious reactions to meds in the past, but this one is different, and I'm determined to face it with a positive attitude. (Famous last words! ha ha)

Jenny - I looked at the new "Guess Who", long and hard, but she doesn't look familiar to me?  I do have one possibility in mind, so will send it to Bubble.   I hope that Michele has received her Covid vaccine?  Even though she's still young, she has special circumstances, and should be way ahead of the rest of us.  I'm sure Dr. Dave, has probably had his shot . . . medical personel were first in line here.  There was something I've been wanting to tell you or mention to you, but now it's slipped my mind?  That's no surprise! LOL   Anyway, if I remember it, I'll post again.

Marilyne, I'm sorry you misunderstood. I signed up for the shot on January 11th. but so far have only confirmed that I'm on the list, no date as yet.

Finally caught up with the postings.  Enjoyed reading them so much.  It is bright and sunny here but COLD---about 45° out.

Monday Larry and I both got our driver's licenses renewed---good for 6 years.  Since I'll be 91 in 6 years, I don't think I'll have to worry about that again.😊

Larry doesn't drink coffee and I only drink a cup for breakfast so I have one of those Keurig coffee pots.  It is the same pretty aqua color as my tea kettle.  The Keurig is one of the cheaper ones so I bought another one the same color just in case it doesn't last long.

It has warmed up quite a bit since I started this post.  Now it is about 60° and only 20% humidity so not bad.

Marsgal, I don't envy you that snow.  Patricia, I don't think I could take that Alaska weather.  When we lived in Illinois many years ago, it got down to -20° a couple of times during the winter.  We lived in a fairly new apartment but it was not well insulated and so cold.  I imagine the buildings in Alaska are well insulated and you don't have to suffer the chilling cold.

Marilyne, I know you will be relieved to have the vaccination.  My neighbor said he and his wife were scheduled through his health provider to have their vaccinations, but our health provider so far hasn't received any info. In south Florida they are getting shots at the Publix supermarket pharmacy but so far not in our area.

Joy, I hope you are feeling better.

Have a good day everyone.

Sad news! Lily passed away this morning while I was preparing to take her to the Vet. She took a bad turn, was in doing okay yesterday. Dr. thinks she had heart failure, one of the complications of hyperthyroid. She was a cute little thing and was fitting in well here. I'll miss her.

The ice on the St. Clair River from Marine City down through "the flats", were mightily iced up today, and in some spots, pushed up over the banks. When I checked this morning, it was thick, but still flowing at Marine City. Algonac, however is another story. It was iced solid on the tributary. This yesterday and today Bristol Bay has been trying to keep a lane open there. CCG Griffon was busy on the flats below Algonac. This evening, CCG Samuel Risley has joined them. They are all three currently working the area between Algonac and just above the bend below Marine City.

That is it for now, I have to go return a phone call. Have a nice evening.

    

I see that USCG Neah Bay has joined the ice party on the lower St. Clair River. In the meantime, AlgoNova has just entered the Detroit River on her way up to Sarnia.

More snow/rain mix predicted for tonight. The sun is shining so I am going out to do some shoveling or snow removal from off my car, whichever stricks my fancy when I get out.

MarsGal - Sorry to read the bad news about Lily. You've done a great job, taking care of George's cats for so long, and deciding to keep Lily, was very kind of you.  I'm sure George would be glad that Lily passed while in your care, rather than in some strange shelter facility.

I've been checking through all my cams over the past few days, and enjoy seeing the ice flowing in some places, and solid in others. In my long lifetime, I've never actually seen a frozen lake, river, pond, etc., nor have I witnessed a snowstorm of any kind.   In past years, we used to drive up into the Sierra Mountains at least once during the Winter, so the kids could play in the snow.  Sometimes to Squaw Valley, where there was a huge ice skating rink, where they could skate.  The Winter Olympics were held there back in the 1960's so lots of facilities there for fun.   

MarsGal, I too am sorry to read of Lily's passing but do agree you did everything for her. You went above and beyond for her.

My friend has took their dog (old) to the vet twice in the past few days, thinking that it may be a one way trip. Vet comes out to the vehicles checks him all out and off they go home!! Friend said they are now calling him catdog as he seems to have 9 lives. He is a loveable old fellow and has been a therapy dog for the seniors.

Good morning from the Interior, where we've warmed up to minus nine, and that awful wind has sailed on with its windchill. Nothing going on other than a grocery and bill paying trip via bus and taxi.

MarsGal, I didn't see your post yesterday about Lily. I was sorry to hear of her passing. As Amy has said, you did so much for both Lily and George, above and beyond, and it could not have been easy for you by any means. At least she had you to care about her grieving George and her past home. Thank you for that.

Good Afternoon,

MarsGal, sad about Lily but comforting to know she was being cared for and loved at the end.

Marilyne,  I've been watching the ice coming off the lake into the river at Port Huron and the build-up at Marine City and Algonac.  There was a Coast Guard boat stuck in the ice at Algonac earlier this morning.

Have also discovered a "Safari Cam" at Djumba Private Game Preserve in Africa. It goes live at 10:00 p.m. (CST) and lasts until about midnight.  The video switches between four sites with drivers commenting on animals, plants and other features as they go through the area.  The jeep (?) has a camera mounted on it and the operator is able to zoom in on the tiniest insect.
Last night, we got to see a lion trying to join another pride (without much success), cheetahs catching a piglet and a "hovering fly" perching on the commentator's finger with the explanation that it was painlessly sucking moisture from his skin.
Fascinating.

Just finished some desk work -- now off to find something for lunch, finish the laundry and enjoy some reading time in my sunny south window.

Callie, that would have been USCG Bristol Bay. Her engines overheated according to local new reports posted on YouTube. She is back in business, but staying close to Algonac. Griffin and Neah Bay are in the flats and Samuel Risley is plowing ice between Marine City and the bend. AlgoNova stopped for a while on the Detroit River, but last i saw, she is the move again. Harson's Island, Algonac and Marine City all have some flooding. Too bad USCG Hollyhock is still down for repairs. She missed all the buoy change-outs and now she is missing out on helping with the ice.

I went out for a while and cleared most of the snow off my car, only the roof is left, and cleared behind the car up to the sidewalk. That will leave whatever comes down tonight and the snow across the front of the driveway courtesy of the snowplows.

Not much to say, but need to check in and see how you all are doing? 

Our number of participants is sadly dwindling and we can't seem to get many new ones to come in and join us. I sure wish I knew someone to invite in. 

Our storm kind of petered out on us.  Had a bit of snow over night, but it is long gone now and the sun was a nice surprise this morning. 

Over all I am hearing very few side effects if any from most of the folks that I know that have received their Covid Vaccine.

MARILYN, sadly, I do not think Michele has received her Covid Vaccination
yet, but I sure wish she had as she above all could sure use the protection.  Dave got his quite early on being in the medical profession. Glad you two will be getting yours soon.  We did chat about the Healdsburg Area, we you wondering about that? 

MARSGAL, I had a tear in my eyes after reading that Lily passed on. 
I agree with others that said you did such a good job of caring for the kitties and at least she did not pass in a strange place. 

Guess I had best get back to work....this day is passing much too quickly.

Have a good day.

Jenny

FlaJean, I noticed your comment about having a Keurig.  I have one too, same color as yours.  They are known to "clog up" and act like they are on their last legs.  I did a thorough cleaning, descaling and used a Qtip at the drip point, and it wasn't "dead yet".  My daughter had one, that did the same as mine, but it was not reviveable.  She got another, and just a few weeks ago, it quit, but someone told her just to turn it off, unplug it, and try again later.  It worked!  Mine is the original she gave me for Christmas about 3 1/2 four years ago.  I still love my Black & Decker 12 Cup, Programmable, which I bought as a replacement for an older Black & Decker.  It took several years before it quit, and I had the new one in the box to take its place.  I had bought the newer one, on a very good sale, I think at Target, to have "on call" when the old one bit the dust, BTW, it wasn't Programmable.  I love to be able to put the water, coffee and filter together, set it for 7:30, and the smell of coffee brewing usually wakes me before the alarm goes off.

MarsGal, sorry about the loss of Lily.  She seemed to be getting acclimated to being in your household.  How are your cats taking her loss?

You did such a great job taking care of George's house and cats, whenever he was away.  You are the epitome of a good neighbor.  Bless you.

Well, I'm back from groceries and bill paying, two of my most unfavored activities!

First, you have to walk four blocks to the bus station and wait outside in minus 16 for the bus that's going in your direction. It is a full-sized bus but only eight passengers due to social distancing. The bus was ten minutes late due to rear wheel issues, and they brought in a relief bus. While waiting to step down the curb to cross the street, Some idiot came by towing a skier who swung wide on the turn and almost broadsided me!

When I finally got into the store, I realized I had forgotten my friend's card passcode, so I had to call her and write it down. While wheeling thru the aisles, I noticed quite a few items were missing, and there were limits on certain items that weren't there before. Kitty litter was low and on limits; what's up with that? And coffee only came in decaffeinated and medium, no black or dark available! Rationing has come late to our city!

I had three separate sections, mine, my friend's food items, and her non-food items up at the register. I'm on the list for her, but it wasn't something I wanted to broadcast, and of course, the line behind me was crowded and long due to six feet of social distancing.  And yes, during that, I needed to use three separate cards and there were some loud grumbles in my line. After wheeling two full carts to a quiet corner, I waited just shy of twenty minutes to get thru to a taxi dispatcher and an hour's wait time for my cab.

The taxi driver was very nice, piled on my bags for me, assisted me up into the truck cab, and, upon arrival, helped me with the cart, piled the bags on the cart, and pushed it up the walk and into the building for me! The only bright spot in my day!

I went to my friend's, delivered her groceries, and discovered my toilet base leaking upon arriving home. I called their answering service and waited for someone to show up. While I was doing that while putting away groceries, a frozen package of butter fell out of the freezer door and landed on my right foot!

I certainly would like to know which entity I upset so I could make amends and have a brighter tomorrow!      

Finally went for my routine lab work today at the local hospital.  I didn't feel like going as I had a bad night.  Just couldn't sleep and was really tired but after fasting and not getting up and eating a snack during the night (as I have a habit of doing) my husband encouraged me to go and get it over with.  I wore two masks and gloves.

Marilyne, when you were mentioning never seeing a snow storm, it brought back to me a wonderful weekend at Bear Mountain.  When I was 18 and visiting my sister in Victorville, CA, I was invited to go on a weekend trip with the church youth group up to Bear Mountain to "Snow Camp".  There were two barracks --one for the girls and one for the boys.  We had such a great time---eight of us riding down a big hill on a toboggan, first and only time skiing, snowball fights. Then we got snowed in and got an extra day of fun.  A wonderful time I'll always remember.

People who have never had pets don't always understand how sad it is to lose a pet.  When I lost my last little miniature poodle, it was really hard.  No pets now but we do take care of Gigi's little doggies occasionally.  Her oldest dog is getting pretty old.  They are like her babies.

Hope all of you are doing well.  Another day of a terrible pandemic.

Patricia, after reading your post, I think your day was worse than mine.🥰

Jean, every once in a while, for some odd reason, I have trouble sleeping. No rhyme or reason to it. Then I invariably sleep in, and it takes a day or two to get back in rhythm. I wish I had an answer for both of us.

What a day of misadventures you had Patricia. Some days you just don't get a break. I do hope the plumber arrived in a reasonable amount of time.

Thank you all for your comments about Lily. She quickly gained some space in my heart. The other cats seemed to take her appearance and disappearance in stride, although I think Lucy had appreciated the extra protection from the marauding Shan that Lily provided at feeding time. Lucy and Shan go in for their annuals next week. They are a few weeks overdue.

Checking the St. Clair River this morning, I see that Griffon is back in Windsor leaving Neah Bay, Bristol Bay and Samuel Risley to break up the ice. AlgoNova made it up to Sarnia and is now standing off shore at Sarnia Anchorage. The river at Sarnia/Port Huron is fairly clear of ice this morning.

Good morning. It's minus 34 presently, and we are to remain in the minus thirties and minus twenties until the tenth or eleventh of next week. At least there is no longer any wind, which makes it bearable, and not actually needing to go out for some weeks makes it even more bearable!    The only reminder of yesterday is a slight bruising on my toes.

The maintenance man did show up and fixed something with the grout around the toilet base, so that's done. 

Jean, I've always had a hard time losing people and animals. I'm an introvert, usually quite happy on my own, but an animal seems to be unconditional love, living in the moment, and quite happy to give you full love, time, and support even if you don't always deserve it. I know each little extra Farrah gives even now, after six years since she was rescued, thrills because she now feels safe to do so.

MarsGal, Farrah was due for her appointment in early January (shots plus dental). Still, since I would have to take a taxi to have them come out, pick her up, take that taxi somewhere else, take one back to pick her up, and then back home again, it resembles a costly military maneuver! I'll wait until next month as taxis are the only transportation mode now and they won't give pickup times because they're slamed. The buses are running, but you cannot take a yowling cat on the bus, and you are constrained by their schedules and cold weather.

Speaking of the pandemic, we had a four or five-day period when things seemed to be going well, and then Sunday, the state had twenty-five deaths! since then, no more deaths, but the cases are up overall statewide. As usual, the action was in the Southeast, but no word on why.