Patricia, does Farrah like the flies plain or dipped in ketchup?  Jesse tries to snap at the bees and I hope he never catches one!

It's 1:30 here, and I'm just now getting in to say hello.  Had to have an adjustment to my new hearing aids this morning, and now they're much more natural and also more comfortable, so I hope that's the last I see of the Hearing Aid Center!
 
Jackie -  I'm sorry to read that an old friend of yours has passed.   It always comes as a shock when you haven't seen someone for a while, and then find out that you will never see them again!   It has happened to me a number of times, and it's always difficult to accept.   When you're as old as I am, you suddenly discover that NONE of your old friends are still living.   Then you can't help wondering . . . why are they all gone, and I'm still here?   A question that has no answer.

Now I must make a quick trip to Safeway, to get some supplies in before tomorrow.     I dread it, as the markets are always overwhelmed with shoppers, right before a holiday.   I'm happy to say, that so far, I haven't heard any fire crackers, or seen any sign of fireworks?   Last year it was quiet here in my little town, but very bad in San Jose and neighboring areas.  High fire danger this year, so I hope that folks use common sense. (Not likely, I know!) 

Marilyne...i last saw her the day i travelled the 140 miles from Dorset to view my last place of living just 10 months ago and she looked very bad then waiting for a home Doctor visit, she and daughter stood at the front door with friend in her dressing gown, i was so shocked at seeing her how much weight she had lost, i hardly recognised her, her voice also had changed, very croaky...before that date it had been 3 - 4 years since last seeing her, then 17 years before that...When i think back to how she used to look...We got to know each other because we went out cleaning, i cleaned offices after work, she cleaned and supervised cleaners at a local school in the evenings...we exchanged talk of cleaners we worked with that pulled their weight, or not, and various cleaning companies we had both worked for, such as the ones that paid better than the others, or the ones that had trouble getting and keeping their cleaners...Yes it is hard picturing how somebody used to be, fit, healthy, active and strong...the same as for me....

Amy, Farah isn't one for fancy dining. She prefers to catch her meals on the fly...  I can hear the groans from here!     

Marilyne, we have the same rents locally as you mentioned.

Wishing all of my fellow Americans and our friends from afar a 🇺🇸🇺🇸 HAPPY 4th of JULY 🇺🇸🇺🇸

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B2AEkfjc6-o&feature=youtu.be

Last night I watched the fireworks at Port Huron. I missed the Duluth fireworks as it was still too light for them when I turned the TV off.

This morning I watched on playback sad doings at Marine City. Someone drove a car into the St. Clair River right by the water plant where the webcam is located. I haven't checked new reports yet, but it looks like the car went in sometime around 1am. The camera didn't catch that. Watched the rescue boats do a search and rescue effort right up to when they towed the car away. They recovered one body. Though the cam didn't show them bring the body up, they did show a body covered with a tarp, etc. The tow truck was a big one. Since the car apparently drifted downriver a little, they had to drag it back up to where the truck was before raising it. Sorry to see that someone died. Glad there weren't more in the car.   

MarsGal, I was sorry to hear of the death at Marine City. We all need to be nicer to one another.

We only had one small group of firecrackers, and this was in the midst of smoke both visibly and by scent. Those I find it hard to feel sorry for or nicer to.

Good Morning everyone. 
Yesterday I posted a YouTube video in the folder,  "Just Plain Old Music",  of Patti Page singing her 1950's hit song, Mockingbird Hill.  I'm sure that most of you remember when that song was so popular?  Only the recording I posted was more recent, and  was made when she was in her 80's. She was singing at a gathering of friends, in a large comfortable looking room.  Most of the people at this gathering, were older retired Country/Western singers.  I didn't recognize any of the C/W singers, but some of you might? 

I suggested that it might be nice for those of us who remember,  or were/are interested in music from our youth, to post a favorite song in the "Just Plain Old Music" folder?  Doesn't have to be a YouTube link, but can just be the name  of an old favorite or favorites.  It may be special for a reason, or just music you like to listen to. 

RAMMEL/Rick - suggested that maybe leaving a message here in B&T, would remind people that the Music folder, is always open for posting.

Marilyne...if it wasn't for Michael ( Oldiemann ) posting his videos, i would probably forget the folder is there...so thank you Michel for keeping the " Just Plain Old Music " active...Good suggestion Rick and Marilyne for passing this on to our members....Who has fond memories of Eddie Calvert the man with the golden trumpet...

Monday evening.......wow, what a weekend. We spent yesterday with Dave and the children then again today adding our youngest son and his wife.  First time we have all been together in like 18 months‼️ We are all missing Our Michele, but we speak of her often and everyone seems comforted by doing so.  It was just so wonderful to be all together. 

JACKIE, I am saddened to read about your friends passing.  Happy you did get to see her on your trip to check out your new home, even though she did not sound too good even at that time😩.

We had numerous firework display all around us last night.  More than we have ever had around since we have lived here. (14 years)  It was loud, Smokey and stinky😩‼️ One was viewable from my recliner and I really enjoyed that one.....it went on until nearly mentally got😩 I was sure glad when the boomers ended‼️

Such sad news on the news tonight .....a PGA Golfer shot and killed on a golf course as he went to see if the man driving a pickup on the golf course was OK, and a hockey young man being killed by a misguided fireworks display.....and the ongoing search for those missing in the condo collapse😩😩😢

I will be checking out the "just plain old music" folder.....I will enjoy it, for sure

Pleasant dreams to all.....I have my first out patient physical therapy tomorrow..... I have to admit I am not looking forward to it, but I must!  I am just so fearful of falling again.

Jenny
 

We've had a fire warning all week. Today the smoke moved in, and you couldn't see the ridges or foothills. And it smelled like a campfire cookout. I posted a couple of pictures in photos.

Then while we were getting some evacuees and farm animals and pets were stabled at the fairgrounds, they promised various periods of rain and wind tonight with temperatures cooling.

Now we receive this, and the area mentioned is 75 to 50 miles east of us up to some of our outlying suburbs.

Evacuation Immediate

Monday, July 5, 4:56 PM AKDT

Tuesday, July 6, 8:00 AM AKDT

Source: U.S. National Weather Service


THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.

FNSB EMERGENCY ALERT: A LEVEL 3 EVACUATION IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS. CHENA HOT SPRINGS ROAD EAST OF MILEPOST 48. A LEVEL 3 EVACUATION MEANS "GO" EVACUATE NOW, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!

DANGER TO YOUR AREA IS CURRENT OR IMMINENT, AND YOU SHOULD EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CHOOSE TO IGNORE THIS ADVISEMENT, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT EMERGENCY SERVICES MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU FURTHER. DO NOT DELAY LEAVING TO GATHER ANY BELONGINGS OR MAKE EFFORTS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NOTICE YOU RECEIVE. RE-ENTRY TO EVACUATED AREAS MAY BE DENIED UNTIL CONDITIONS ARE SAFE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE ALASKA FIRE SERVICE ON THE STATUS OF THE MUNSON CREEK FIRE NEAR CHENA HOT SPRINGS OR THE BROCK ROAD FIRE IN THE NORTH POLE AREA, GO TO WWW.AKFIREINFO.COM

FNSB INFO: USE CAUTION DRIVING ON CHENA HOT SPRINGS ROAD. VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 1/10 OF A MILE NEAR FIRE ACTIVITY. VISIBILITY IS ANTICIPATED TO BE WORSE ON TUESDAY, 7/6. BE ALERT FOR PILOT CAR OPERATIONS AND ONE-WAY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.

Our weather is abysmal!

PATRICIA, I am sorry to read about your fires. IF only you could have a nice long rain to assist the firefighters. 

I went to my physical therapy today......they were not one bit happy to find that I can not lift my arm at all after this length of time after surgery.  They feel there is something wrong with either the location of the shoulder socket or some sever nerve issues caused from the trauma of them trying to get my shoulder back into the socket when I fell.  She was to contact my surgeon who I will see tomorrow morning.  Gurrrr.

Have a good evening.

Jenny

Jenny...quoting: they were not one bit happy...dont think you are too happy about this news either...

My local church is having its first day ( day i am booked in for ) garden party, cream teas...not sure it will be garden party weather....if i go it will be on my mobility scooter, told a gate at the side that my mobility scooter " should " fit through, his voice when he phoned to confirm sounded a tad doubtful as whether it would fit through, anyway the main event is only for an hour & a half...

Yesterday i had a visit from two lovely ladies from our " adult care service's " measuring up for my disabled grip - hand bars, one to be installed inside the shower, another two outside my front and kitchen doors, also they have booked for a ramp so i can get my mobility scooter in and out from the conservatory door onto the patio area...

Tomorow is church mobility scooter trip again ( my usual lift is on a holiday visit ) the usual knitting - jigsaws - cup of tea - chat and our stop for prayer...Then the following day another mobility scooter trip back to the same church, this time an appointment to see our local community nurse who i had met briefly there on my first visit when she took my phone number and she had noticed that i was a new member....So three separate mobility scooter trips over the next three days back and forth to my Baptist church... well at least it is getting me out for a brief change of scenery for the odd hour or two....

Jenny -  I'm hoping your shoulder will improve with time and with more therapy, and that you won't have to have surgery again?  I know you're busy with family now, and will be for the remainder of the Summer.  For now, I hope you are not in significant pain, and will be able to hold off on surgery until things settle down. 

Jackie -  Wonderful that your church has such nice social activities for you to attend!  The garden party sounds like it will be fun.  Hoping that the weather cooperates!    Also nice that you are getting so much good out of your mobility scooter now, and will be getting  ramp for easy access in and out of your house.

MarsGal -  Good to see that you're still following all the lake cams.  I've neglected them so far this summer, but will try to catch up over this coming weekend.  I haven't seen enough of my favorite . . . Paul! 

Hope to see a messages here today from Jean, Mary Page, and Callie?

Glad i did decide on going, i was umming and ahhing that i wasn't feeling up to it...Weather stayed dry, we sat outside under gazebos...sang prayers and ate sandwiches followed by a cream scone...There were helpers to chaperone ( grabbing hold of their arm ) to the loo...i needed to go twice...

Good Morning,

I'm here - sorta!  Wrenched my right knee and and using the RICE (Rest, ice, compress, elevate) method - sorta - because I don't have anything to "compress" it with.  I can hobble around with my walker but can't get in and out of a chair very well.

Jenny,  I'm so sorry about the diagnosis on your shoulder and, along with others, hope you don't have to have more surgery.

Jackie,  I'm so happy to read about your "outing" and know that you are able to do more at your church. Sounds like a wonderful experience.

Marilyne, the "Paul" just made its way through the cameras....I think yesterday.  I missed it.  They've added the Soo Locks to the Streamtime list and it's interesting to watch the process.  Just wish the camera could show the actual gates opening or closing - but they're behind buildings.

For you Country/ Western fans - or those who watch "The Voice" - - Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani were married over the weekend at his ranch in southeastern Oklahoma - not far from where I grew up.

And that's the "news" from this corner. 

Wishing Everyfriend Everywhere an Enjoyable Day.

Hey Everybody.

I've been busy trying to catch up with some reading.  Am feeling a bit, well, more than a bit, unsettled in my whole system.  I think it is because my dearest old friend is in a Hospice facility, too far away for me to visit her.  I feel cross with her, as she is almost 6 months younger than I, and was supposed to see ME off.  Well, that is just an excuse for my feeling cross with the universe for allowing this.

Her niece, who is in charge, calls to update me.  I've sent flowers and cards.  Am trying to remember various stupid, and now hilarious, things we did as children.  Back when we were eleven or twelve, this occurred.  We had no need for party lines, as so few in town were on the phone.  Our dear friend Shirley's mother had the switchboard in a small room in her home, with a cot in there for her to sleep on.  You would pick up the phone and Miss Caroline would say: "Number, please." and you would tell her.  Mart was 36W and I was 80J.  Our mothers used to play together as children, and our grandparents knew each other.

36W, Please: 36W.
Oh, Miss Rachel, I hate to trouble you:
Can Mart come out and play today
Here in Sunnyside, out of your way?
We can have a lot of fun
Up in the barn, out of the sun.
It would be such a great big laugh
If we see our cow have her calf.
To see a birth fills us with awe.
We'll watch her from a pile of straw.
Then well, of course, it only figures
We got a million bright red chiggers.
Do you remember, as do I
That day that we set out to spy?
I love you, Mart; and always have
And we never saw Betsy have her calf.
Signing off as 80J
Loved you then, and do today.
   

Mary Page -  What a sweet poem  you have written for your dear friend, Mart.  Oh,  the wonderful memories that come back to us, when we think about a specific friend or family member.  All of my friends are now gone too, as well as my brother and my cousin.

Last week you wrote a message about having lunch with your two daughters, and how the three of you laughed,  non-stop!  It brought back such good memories for me.   That's what I miss the most when  I think about old friends and family . . .  the laughter!  Those little things, that would send us into gales of uncontrollable laughing.  Such a good feeling it was.

Thank you, Marilyne. Truth be told, I do not think of that as a poem. I think a thing has to be of quality to be called a poem. I think of that as a story in rhyme or a memory retold in rhyme for the fun of it. Mart never had children, to her great heartache. Because I had more than enough to give some away, I flinched all through the years at speaking of them, but she relished my family news; she really did. Mart & I went over and over and over the same little insignificant stories of our childhood whenever we got together as adults, and now she lies in a Hospice bed with pneumonia and cancer and her niece reads my notes to her. So what, I figure, will make her smile and get some comfort so well as some of those old same old, same old stories.

We used, of a long summer's night, to go on Wednesday nights to the roller skating rink in a nearby town. The school bus would be parked in front of the post office, and take off right at seven o'clock.  Cost of trip there and back, twenty-five cents.  I have forgotten the cost of the skates and access to the rink, but I doubt it was much more than that.

We would just buzz with chatter on the way there, but on the way back, we'd sing. All the good old songs you never hear kids sing anymore. Songs that were popular long before we were even born.  "In the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, by the trail of the lonesome pine." Stuff like that. And sweethearts would smooch. Do kids still smooch? I remember the summer I was 15, and it occurred to me a couple of hours ago that I cannot say "the summer when WE were fifteen, because While I turned 15 in May, Shirley didn't until October and Mart in November, well, one night in the bus Mart's brother, older by one year, and there were just the two of them, leaned over and kissed me.  I was furious! Fascinated, but mad as a wet hen. You see, it was the very first time for me, and I'd wanted to be "Sweet Sixteen, never been kissed." Now that wasn't going to happen.

And so Ed walked Mart & me homeward when the bus pulled up in front of the post office again. And he peeled off with me when we got to my house, leaving Mart to walk down to the end of the block to their house on her own. I got another kiss outside of our front door. It is entirely possible that everyone in town knew about that by noon the next day, if not sooner.  And yes, we were sweethearts for a while, but I went to boarding school and traveled a lot, and rather enjoyed one or more beaus in every port, as it were. I was a good girl, but enjoyed being popular. And so I wound up with another Love.

A late Wednesday Night HELLO to all. I really appreciated all the kind comments regarding the issue with my shoulder.  I did see the surgeon today and the news was not what I wanted to hear.  Unfortunately my fracture has not healed well at all and I am going to have a total shoulder replacement😩. I was told I could try to live with it and it might get somewhat better but the odds are not good.  We did not have to think about it long.....I really have no choice I MUST get it done.  My quality of life the way it is unacceptable😩. It is estimated to be nearly a month out to be able to schedule but we have started the ball rolling.

JACKIE, I am so pleased to read about your getting grab bars and a ramp in your new home.  Happy you were able to get out to join others.  So nice that others will help you get to the lo.  Your ability to get around is a great improvement over your past locations.  I am smiling for you. Oh, BTW, you are totally correct I was not happy to hear this news either😘

MARY PAGE, I am so sorry to learn that your Friend Mart is not well and in Hospice.  I enjoyed every word you shared with us about your young years together as friends and how your friendship lasted all these years.

MARILYN, as always your kind words are comforting.  Thank you 😘

CALLIE, I am so sorry to read about your wrenched knee.   Please do take care of yourself and I hope it heals quickly for you.  Thank you for your sweet words also.

It has been a very long day and I am off to get some shut eye. 

Jenny

 

Good Morning,

Knee is better.  I'll ice it today and hope to get some "chores" done I couldn't do yesterday.

Prayers requested for #2 son who is having double fusion back surgery this afternoon.

Wishing Everyfriend Everywhere an Enjoyable Day.

"Super" news! The Spotted Lantern Fly has finally jumped the Susquehanna River. my pest control person and I spotted four of them this morning. She took a picture and has to notify her manager. It goes without saying, the things are to be destroyed on site. Scroll down to 1. in the article. I saw at least four of the late stage and one early stage. https://extension.psu.edu/how-you-can-comply-with-the-spotted-lanternfly-quarantine-regulations Just reported to the Penn State Extension.

Patricia, as a side note, I was just talking to my sister. She told me when she first made trips to Hawaii, planes were sprayed before they left CA and before they left Hawaii. They stopped doing that an now Hawaii has black flies and other insects they never had before.

I checked with Penn State Extension. They have a quarantine map and Cumberland County is on it. https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly Check out the instructions for management in the quarantine area. I guess I am a little behind the times because it looks like the things have made it the whole way across the state. Looks like Cumberland County has been on the list since before this year.

Now I  need to check out what insecticides kill the things. I tried to smash one, but they are too quick for me. Won't do much good, though. Part of the local nature reserve along the creek is just across the street. That will be a safe haven for them.

MARY PAGE -  I believe that Mart is loving your poetry, and the memories of when you both were young, happy, and carefree.  You're helping her to get through this final journey of her life.   In spite of the fact that she never had the children she longed for, I'm hoping she had good marriage and a warm relationship with her brother's children.  Her brother Ed, sounds like the ideal young man for your first boyfriend. Back then, in the 1940's and 50's, we were so innocent, and the boys were too.  It was a good time to grow up.   

CALLIE -  Your son's back surgery sounds serious, and I will be praying for it to be successful.   Keep us posted on how he is doing.  Sorry you wrenched your knee, and hoping it's better today?  Both AJ and I usually rely on that old standby - the Ace Bandage - for knee compression. It's not the most up-to-date solution, but seems to work for us.

MARSGAL -  The Spotted Lantern Fly, is an intriguing name, but it's probably no more than an evil pest.  Seems that the little insects, hitchhiking from other countries are constantly arriving here and causing us misery.    We had a long siege here in California,  of trying to control the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, that arrived here in the 1990's, was irradiated, and then returned in the 2000's.  Full scale war was waged against that tiny insect!   Helicopters were used to fly low over the orchards, and neighborhoods, in the middle of the night, and spray the deadly Malathion.   As you can imagine, LOTS of push-back from the citizens!    No matter - it was approved by Cal State Agriculture Assn. and the big brass in Sacramento, so we had to endure it.    I think Malathion, has been outlawed now, and is no longer used, but not sure?

I plan to return later to say Hello, to Jenny and Jackie.  I hope we hear from Jean (FlaJean) soon.   Also Joy, JeanneP, Tomereader and Patricia.

Thank you, Jenny!
Thank you, Marilyne!
Wishing all perfection in your son's surgery, Callie.  Will be thinking about him, and you, all day long.

https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/SpottedLanternflyAlert/Pages/default.aspx

The Spotted Lantern Fly is a fearsome addition to our ecosystem.  If you see one, try to kill it, is a great slogan.  These will kill your trees, your vines, your vegetables.  They have the ability to make us hungry.  We do not want them to multiply.  So take whatever anger you may harbor on these dreadful creatures.  Seriously.  Bop 'em, bap 'em, boop 'em.  We will all profit from your doing them in.

Mercy!  Hope those Spotted Lantern Flies don't migrate west!!!!  Love the Bop, Bap, Boop solution, MaryPage.

Son's surgery is over and took 2 1/2 hours instead of the 3 - 4 that was expected.  All went well.  Will be a slow recovery but he hopes to be ready to host a BBQ and pool party on August 27th, his 55th birthday.

My knee is so much better that I was able to do three errands this afternoon.  Since it was my right knee, I didn't know how long it would be until I could comfortably drive. 

It's been A Good Day!

Thank you CALLIE for the update on your son's surgery.  Continued thoughts and prayers for a quick and through recovery.

Malathion still used and obviously - still available.  Maybe banned in California, as many things are. The bad one was Parathion. Had the opportunity to work with a couple of these modern chemicals when on my first job out of school. They had nothing to do with the trade I studied, but it was a needed job.