Jenny - Glad you enjoyed the James Taylor concert.  Good for you and Bob to get out and forget, for a little while, all the sadness and pain you have lived with over the past year.    My two favorites of his hit songs, are "Fire and Rain", and "Handy Man".  I hope he sang both of them?    I do think I prefer the music of his ex-wife,  Carly Simon.   She's recorded a lot of my favorite standards, from the 1940's, over the past couple of years.

Beverly - Yes, the Redwood groves are spectacular!  Wish you could have seen the ancient Big Tree's, in Yosemite and Sequoia, or the many coastal Redwood forests in Northern California.  All are awe inspiring!

MarsGal - I have feeling that Shan or Oscar, will figure out a way to get into the kitchen!  Cats are curious animals, as you know, especially when something is going on in their territory!

Callie - I like those casual fun restaurants, like you describe The Texas Roadhouse.  We don't have that particular one in California, (yet), but we do have some that sound the same.  There is one in Southern Cal, that sounds similar called, The Northwoods Inn.  Whenever we visited my parents over the years, we would always go there one night for dinner.  Peanut shells all over the floor.  Great atmosphere for relaxing.
I haven't asked you about Miss Ellen, for a long time.  Hope all is well in NYC, and that she's getting some work on Broadway,  or surrounding areas?  Maybe a new "Mrs. Maisel" is in the works?

When David & I visited San Francisco back in 1969, we went to Muir Woods and saw those gigantic trees.  A forever memory.

Marilyne, the new Persuasion is great.  I prefer to read books written by authors who set them in their own time, but the fact that this script writer used OUR English makes this version Fun!  You may, as I have done, get a kick out of it.  Otherwise, you will suffer.  There is some truly splendid cinematography, as well.

Marilyne and Beverly, I haven't been to the Texas Road House closest to me in several years and I don't remember peanuts on the floor. 

Marilyne, you asked about Miss Ellen.  She isn't performing and has done very few auditions because most aren't in person and require a video with specified music and a specified routine.  That means she would have to rent a studio and find someone to work the camera. That's "cost prohibitive" unless she' pretty sure she might get a call-back. So far, she has not.
  Recently, her "nanny family" took the twins on vacation so Ellen called the person-in-charge-of-extras for "Mrs Maisel" to see if they needed anyone.  Reply was, "Can you be at the Streetcar Museum at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow?".   Of course, she could - and told her Mom she had been a college student and a lady dressed in a Jackie Kennedy outfit (pillbox hat) "riding" on the subway.  I don't know what episode(s) these were for.
Otherwise, she's working quite a few shifts at Loft, continuing her "Nannying" and enjoying fun times with her friends.

I really need to investigate "Persuasion" - as well as "Bridgerton". Does anyone see the comic strip "Zits"?  The current storyline is the main character (a teen-age boy) taking his girlfriend to a Bridgerton themed wedding.  The spoofs on the costumes - especially his - are really funny.


Thanks for asking. 

Quote from: Marilyne on July 22, 2022, 02:27:59 PMMarsGal -
I have feeling that Shan or Oscar, will figure out a way to get into the kitchen! 

If the contractor is going to open up any of the walls, be especially careful as to where the cats are. I've heard horror stories of cats getting in but having trouble getting out - especially if the contractor closes up an area.

Other than that --- Happy New Kitchen.

new game

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/village-clubhouse~place-for-fun!/trivia-quiz-and-more-games/msg221226/#msg221226

Kitchen news: It's darn hot in there. I put in a window fan to allow for some air flow, even though I can't plug the thing in. They went and took the screen out of the one window because it was not properly made. It is going to be replaced. The other window doesn't have the screen in yet. The walls are gutted in some places and the old plastic tiles on the rest have been removed. The flooring had to be taken out (there were at least two layers on it already) so I can't even let the cats in supervised (for all the good supervision does  ) There is a ceiling fan operational, but I am very skittish about flipping exposed switches at the moment. I feel bad for my poor refrigerator, but I can't leave the door open to let in the air conditioning from the other room. The wiring is mostly exposed. Ted found a mini-nightmare or two. One old wire he found was cut, but still attached to a live circuit. No one bothered to cap the ends. I am not interested in using any of switches until everything is fixed and double-checked.

I need to replace an air conditioner downstairs. So I need to get a portable unit. They are a lot easier to install than the window units which I can't handle anymore. 

The grass is more than deep enough to mow so I am going to try to get out and do a few swipes at the deepest spots. I will not be able to stay out long. I don't want to tackle foot high grass by next Tuesday which looks to be the first cooler day but comes with some rain, so maybe not until Wednesday, otherwise.

 

MarGal - Looks like you've run into few surprises in the kitchen, but overall everything seems to be moving along.  "Ted found a mini-nightmare or two. One old wire he found was cut, but still attached to a live circuit. No one bothered to cap the ends."  That sounds like a fire, just waiting to happen!     Glad he found it and took care of it.

Rick - YES, that happens a lot . . . a cat getting closed inside a wall during a building project.  My former neighbor's cat disappeared, and she finally gave up looking for him after many weeks.  One day the cat appeared back home, followed by the homeowner, who lived in the house behind hers. He had done a remodeling job on a bedroom, and the cat had been enclosed.   They heard the scratching behind the wall, and finally figured it out!  The cat was emaciated looking - nothing but skin and bones.  But he survived, and went on to live a normal cat life span.

Mary Page - Since I last mentioned the new version of "Persuasion", I've read a number of reviews online.  Mostly negative, and disappointing comments.   I'm not in a hurry to watch it now, but will probably take a look sometime in the future, just out of curiosity.  Lots of other shows available that I would rather see at this point in time.   Sounds like you enjoyed it, regardless of the changes, so I'll keep that in mind.  We usually like the same movies and TV shows.         

I loved it, Marilyne.  It was very well acted, stayed true to Jane's storyline, had some Outstanding photography, and was funny insofar as the modern-ish language was concerned.

We all know that Jane Austen was way ahead of her time insofar as feeling women should be valued more than they were and should be able to do things they could do just as well as, if not better than, men.  Most often, she did this with her well-developed sense of humor.  So, in honor of her, the present-day slang fits right in.  You will crack up when she says, or that is to say, her heroine Ann says: "He's a Ten!"

What great posts. Enjoyed everyone's. Persuasion is my favorite of Jane Austin's books.
Marsgal,  wow are you fortunate about finding that wiring. I am waiting to see the finished project. Sounds great!
Have a good day everyone. 

I adore Persuasion as well, but EMMA is my favorite.  The reason is based on which of her six heroines I would rather be, and Emma wins the medal for that.  But wanna be or not, I am not and never have been an Emma.  Sob!  I'm a FANNY.  Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Thinking of you, Jean.  Is Ann your favorite?  My guess is that she is!

Jean - Good to see your message here today!  Also good to see we have another Jane Austin fan!  I also like "Persuasion", but haven't seen the newest version yet.  If you have Netflix, you can watch it, and let us know what you think?

Mary Page - Now you've got me thinking, as to which of her six heroines I am most like . . . and which one I would rather be like?  That will give me an excuse to read through all the books again, before I come to a decision.     

I have so much fun when I reread one of those books.

Just ate a fortune cookie left over from Chinese take out Chip & I had a week or so ago.  The fortune brought me up short!  It said, "Time gives one wisdom.  Ask advice from someone older than you."

And so I thought & thought.  And you know what?

I no longer KNOW anyone older than I!

Quoting Mary Page..." Ask advice from someone older than you."And so I thought & thought.  And you know what? I no longer KNOW anyone older than I! "

..keep there must be someone..

Jackie, I have thought and thought and thought.  Family members have thought as well, and no one has come up with a name.  I will admit there are many people I have known, but lost touch with; and I have no idea whether they are dead or alive.

I finally thought of one, but he is not one I have kept in touch with.  When my best friend died last August, I was astonished to pick up my ringing phone and hear his voice.  No intro, no greeting.  Just took it for granted I would know his voice.  Which I did.  "What did Mart die of?" her brother asked me.  We lived each at one end of the same block growing up.  Our mothers played together.  Our grandparents knew one another well.  He was really bad about keeping up with folk, though Mart did see him infrequently.  Truth to tell, I am amazed he even had my phone number!  So I quite simply told him what caused his sister's death.  He said something immortal, like "Oh!", and possibly another word or two, and that was that.  Hearing of her death had jolted him into wondering what the cause was, and he knew I would know.  Well, he was the first boy who ever kissed me.  I was mad as hops because I was only 15, and had wanted to be "Sweet sixteen, never been kissed."  Long ago, and far away.

I'll be 94 next birthday.

So Ed is about a year and a bit older than I.  I cannot think of another name.  And you could not PAY me to ask his advice about anything.

This sounds as though I do not count him as a friend.  Oh, but  I do.  Just not a reliable one; yet a loyal one. 

Mary Page...
...you have done well...somebody " up above "  has been watching over you and taking care of you...

fun question :
https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/village-clubhouse~place-for-fun!/trivia-quiz-and-more-games/msg221403/#msg221403

A good Tuesday to ALL ‼️

I have just returned from my Physical Therapy session and since I need a bit of downtime, where better to go than I here to check on my friends🥰🥰

MARYPAGE, I have to chuckle at your thought of questioning not knowing of anyone whom might be older than you😘. What a wonderful accomplishment. I am missing my dear ol dad something fierce.  I am going to miss not being able to tell anyone that he is 98 years old and working his way to 99😩😢

CALLIE, MARILYN and BEVERLY.  Our Texas Roadhouse here in Denver definitely had peanuts in the shell 🥜, before Covid and they most certainly were on the floor, but they did keep them cleaned up as best they could so no one would fall or slip on them.  ALSO, MARILY, we used to have a Northwoods Inn several years ago that closed and there were always tons of shells n the floor to shuffle through when heading to or from your table.  That place was always a favorite and I still hear some folks comment about it and how sad they are that it closed. I did not realize it was a chain.... and were anywhere but here in Denver.  Their prices were so reasonable for the steaks they offered.  Every table got their own cauldron of soup and their famous cottage cheese.  That special recipe is still floating around the internet on occasion.

I went to another National Jewish doctor appointment again yesterday.
This was to see a Pulmonary Hypertension doc.  She was a delightful lady that is the section head and what a thorough doctor she is.  The good news is.....she cleared me of having Pulmonary Hypertension.  She wants me to still see a cardiologist to get another opinion of what might be causing my need for oxygen.  She asked me to see one of their diabetic specialists as well and to possibly consider a regimented$ Keto Diet as I have kind of plateaued on my current weight loss diet that I have dropped just over 40 ponds on.  I have never been one to try all the MANY weight loss programs, but this one she is recommending sounds intriguing to me. 

JACKIE, it appears the temps have cooled down some over your way? I sure hope so.  Our fires are awful here in the states from the extreme heat and awful drought.  So frightening 😩😩

My brother is on his way to AZ to pick up our dads cremains, death certificates, etc. I am anxious for his return so we can get on to scheduling a memorial😩

Anxious for updates, MARSGAL, on the remodel of your kitchen.  Hope the kitties are behaving.  I shivered of the thought of one being trapped in a wall‼️

Guess I better get this posted. My best to you all. Special HUGS to you, Jean🥰

Jenny

I did a pick up at TX Roadhouse on the west side of Wichita this week.... I order & go in to pick up so had the chance to ask "where's the peanuts".... was told they quit a couple years ago but had bags to take with. My fav meal is the Smokehouse burger but instead of the fries I got the house salad. Was good & they always give you 4 extra rolls & their honey/cinnamon butter... I couldn't eat it all but finished it today.

Long past my bedtime, didn't get quite 2 hours sleep last night but got an hour & half nap today... never enough.  It cooled down enough that the AC didn't run so I opened the sliding door in my bedroom and then Tiger wanted out, kept scratching at the screen until I got up to get the water/squirt bottle. So she goes & hides until I doze off & comes back to see if I'll give in & let her out. She growls at whatever critter is on the other side of the pool fence so don't want her getting into a fight. To say the least, I am dead on my feet, all 3 of my kids called since I started this & I am "goo-goo eyed" now. So that is the story about the peanuts.

Don't envy you the kitchen remodel, MarsGal.... Did that right after Cas died. I've decided this house will sell "as is" so the new owners can pick colors & live in the mess it makes tearing it apart.

Jenny, know how tense this time is... hugs.  Heading to bed, can't keep my eyes open.

Good evening everyone
I hope that you all are doing better
tonight (or shoould I have said
"Good Morning" Everyone.

One of my best friends has recently
passed away after suffering many years
with first Lymphoma where she had to
bone marrow transplant and while that was
in remission she came down with brain cancer,
which was not related to the lymphoma...

So she got hit twice with damn cqncer
and battled that with all the courage that
she could muster up. 

Before she died  she and her husband
gave me a monetary gift to cover
my final resting place and tombstone,
as well as cremation  costs.. 
which was a lot ... 

Sadly Bette recently lost her battle
with cancer,  but she gave it the fight
of her life. 

I miss her terribly ... 

Losing really close friends and
family members is the norm these
days. 

And with all the other crap going on
with our government and global warming,
it is hard to keep a positive mental
attitude. 

But I am certainly trying by
given more thought now to Buddhism,
which feels right to me at this stage
of my life. 

I am truly blessed to have  three out of
four of my children living close to me,
as well as my oldest  Kelly paying
close attention to me and my needs. 

Here I sit taking life "one day at a time"

Have a good week everyone!
love Sandy   

Sandy...
... you cant go wrong with living a " Buddhism " life  

Hi Jackie, sorry I read those entries wrongly but messages come through in very small writing on this iPad and I am out of practice.   Keep well, Junee

Junee...
...happy to see you in here...Yes i gathered you got Mary Page and me mixed up in age..It is Mary Page who is not far behind you...
...Please pop in here on the 10th...a very special occasion for you...

Kitchen remodel is stressful. However, I am told that they are a little ahead of schedule. The drywall is up and ready for the finisher to arrive this morning to tape and spackle. My contractor thinks very highly of this guy.

Shan was being pretty aggressive yesterday. I don't know if it is because of the remodel or if it is just him. He can be pretty demanding for attention and was harassing the other two as well as me. This is about the worst he's been.

My sister from NC will be visiting next week. She will be staying with Sue. By the time she gets here, I hope the flooring will be in. They are thinking of starting it tomorrow.

I need to pick out a new ceiling light with fan and order my dishwasher yet.

Think I'd better go get some breakfast before the "show" starts this morning.

MarsGal, - Would it be good, or help, to give the cat(s) some of that stuff they use to calm them during a storm or fireworks? (I forget the name of it.)

Junee  - So good to see you posting here!   Looks like you're doing well, and will be celebrating your birthday soon!   Please return and tell us about the Winter weather in Australia this year?   Looking forward to your Spring, I am sure?

Sandy  - How kind of your late friend Bette, to leave you such a generous gift!   Having the future cost of your cremation and headstone all paid for, is very comforting for you.    Yes, unfortunately, losing close friends and family members is the norm for all of us at our age.

MarsGal  - Sounds like the kitchen is progressing faster than expected.  Most remodels here go on and on for months.  Some homeowners even move out and into a temporary rental, while the work is being done.  Good that you'll be having a visit with your sister from NC next week.

Shirley and Jackie  - Good to see you both posting here the past couple of days.  Please return!

Mary Page - Love your story about Ed -  your friend's brother, and your  long time neighbor.  Sounds like he had a plan - so many years ago - to be #1.   Just ahead of your 16th birthday! 

Jenny. - all of your news is looking good . . . much better than usual!  Hope that Dave and the kids are doing well this summer?   Is Kate still dancing?

Jean  - Hope we hear from you again soon, and that you're feeling better?

Doing ok Marilyne.  I hope all is going good for others. I'm dragging my feet on watching the new Persuasion  don't want to be disappointed. 😊😩

I absolutely adored it, Jean.  And I am a Jane Austen fan who owns every movie ever made of her six books.

Frankly, I am NOT a fan of all these amazing manuscripts by famous authors that are being "found" lately.  Thus I only credit her with the six well known novels.

But this is the 5th film, to my knowledge, at least, made of Persuasion, and I do not agree with the critics.  I'll even go so far as to spoil the ending and tell you it winds up quite satisfactorily, as do the others.  The lovers are reunited!  Woo hoo!

QuoteThat's the kind of ending I love. MaryPage.

sometimes I get so mad at my iPhone!!  It keeps trying to tell me what to say.

Gigi is having some good days in Boston.  Her cancer MD insisted she go and put off the chemo for a week. I'm so glad.  Everyone except the family calls her Gwen but she will always be my little Gigi.

By the way, Jenny, I felt the hugs all the way from Denver. 

JEAN, glad you felt that (((HUG))), and know there are many more headed your way🥰🥰. Glad to hear Your GiGi is having some good days, and happy she is taking a week off from the chemo.  Concerning thoughts and prayers for GiGi and you🙏

SANDY, sadly I send my condolences to you after the passing of your dear friend, Bette.  Bless her and her husband for their gift to you that has now covered your needs after you are gone.  That is a true friend 🦋   It is hard to be without a special friend or loved one after they are gone.  At our age we are having to learn this first hand, and it really hurts 😩

My brother has finished all he had to do in AZ today and will be heading home tomorrow with Dads cremains. It still feels so surreal that dad is really gone😩

MARILYN, Dave and the children are doing well.  Kate has returned to dancing EVERYDAY after being off for one month.  School starts the 8th of August, so their summer break is nearly over. 

We had another doozie of a storm last night.  They say it was 2 inches worth 🥰🥰

Check out my new avatar picture of our new 8 week old Grandson, Leon.

Have a good evening.

Jenny