Soda Shoppe June 1 , 2025

Amy · June 03, 2025, 06:52:18 AM

Good morning..

Lots to do today after picking up a few things in town. Need an eavetrough flexible hose for the water tank and I can get it set up before the rain. Kids brought an electic tiller and said it will dig to China if I am not careful so after that Brussel sprouts can be planted.

We did get a nasty frost Mon night and I hope the tomaot and pepper plants survived.

Yesterday went well, our vet is our friend and she is amazing! Jesse now has his rabie shot and pedicure or should that be peticure. Girls love him and he also loves the attention they give!

Better get the day started lots to do!!!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

JaneS · June 03, 2025, 09:19:45 AM

Good Morning Everyfriend! So far, it's a nice day here but I think I heard Cindy say we're getting rain later. We always have to worry about the rain and there being too much or not enough for Ali's flowers. And heavy winds are not good either! She's doing ok so far this Summer. I sure hope it continues!

We don't have any plans for today except to take a walk is the weather holds out. If it doesn't, Cindy has an inside walker upstairs and I'll wait' till she's on the phone doing her job and then I'll go up there and use the "gym"!

I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way and let us know how you did that! We're the curious type!

OnLonelyMountain · June 03, 2025, 10:13:45 AM

Good morning all! The sun is up and shining. It's 40°F. Five degrees warmer than yesterday morning! I have finally caught up on my laundry! Well, I do need to strip the dog seat covers and put on clean ones, but I thought I'd celebrate in the moment. I got the rest of the roof underlayment calked yesterday. It was tons easier having the platform. The only dicey moments were climbing into and out of the 8ft high loft from the very top "this is not a step" of the 6ft ladder. There was not much to hold onto up there other than the trusses. Not that my arthritic hands would have been much help. I did tie the ladder off with a length of bailing twine incase I knocked it over. See, thinking! I didn't want to get stuck up there. In my younger healthier days I could have done a skin-the-cat off the edge and stuck the landing. We used to do those off our bunk beds, then the monkey bars, then off of rope swings, and finally in college the uneven parallels. Ha! I can't even do a cartwheel anymore. We have a pull down ladder for access. Its lying there ready to be installed. I have become a slave to watering my husbands reseeded grass patches. I forgot about how frequently they need watering! Ron did not buy me a new well generator battery. He brought me a lighter 12v battery, so I'm still using jumper cables. $:-\$ He took the original one home to see if it can be reconditioned. I have 1 sheet of 5/8ths plywood to seal and I'm continuing to "mow" with the wheeled string trimmer, or do more wood cutting. I do love my electric, cordless power tools. Quiet, not stinky, lots of power! I run out of go power before they do. Have a lovely day!

patricia19 · June 03, 2025, 02:42:52 PM

Whew, OLM, I'd run out of power before I'd done a third of what you listed!

Today is a market day, and then back to cleaning and decluttering. I do this every year pre annual inspections. Each time I say I won't, it's never dirty, but each time I cave and polish and declutter.

Then, when the time comes, they're in and out, three to five minutes with a "This is nice," on their way out the door.

OnLonelyMountain · June 03, 2025, 03:38:36 PM

Patricia,
Its not for them dear, it all for you!!! I love a clean decluttered house!

I am dancing about, breaking my arm to pat myself on the back! I tackled a large tree that had come down across one of the trails. It was "suspended" (laying horizontally, held up by branches a couple feet in the air) and 10" plus diameter: way above my comfort level and skill set. In 2 weekends We have Family Camp. My daughter, her husband and their kids come for a week. They all run cross country and 5-10Ks. The tree was down across part of their "running trail." I could tell Ron wasn't going to have time to clear it. I decided to go see if I could do anything to help the project along at all. I amazed myself. 😀 Still have that mowing to do. I am only 64. I can only hope I'm still going as strong as you ladies are, as I continue to age. Hugs.

patricia19 · June 03, 2025, 09:19:38 PM

I sometimes wish I was still 64, I'll be 74 in July.

I have always been busy and on the go, even handicapped I was never unemployed. I paid my college loans off a year early, and they actually tried to offer me another loan for more classes?!

My thesis was on the development and formation of city states, and I still have my copy somewhere.

Unfortunately, I ended up in middle management, retail and hospitality mainly, which I will never recommend as a career path. You are stuck in the middle between customers, staff and corporate and trust me no one is ever satisfied.

I just got back after shopping and using coupons, twofers and judicious lists, I saved $28.14. Unfortunately, that feeling of accomplishment faded at the end of my taxi ride home. Last time, the same ride was ten dollars. Today it was nineteen!!

OnLonelyMountain · June 03, 2025, 10:37:24 PM

Oh my! $19.00!!! Thats practically a crime! Lets get 'em! seriously, they need to have senior discounts for taxi services.

I'll be 65 in July. My degree is in education. I was a licensed teacher, but we moved so much I ended up becoming a full time substitute. When you're good they don't want to hire you for a regular position, not everyone can walk in and control a classroom full of juvenile gang members. Then when one person offered me a regular position, I got offers trying to entice me away from the commitment I just made! I ended up working for my husband. That was not what I wanted, it just helped the family more.

I'm still in shock over the taxi fare! SMH

patricia19 · June 03, 2025, 11:33:16 PM

Interesting, I'll be 74 at the end of July.

I was wrong, as I had time to think, I realized that I had gone to the store where the bus drops you off in front. I had chosen the bus because that way I wouldn't have to walk a half block to the nearest bus stop. My plan was to only pick up five items so I could take the bus back, which is free for seniors. But, as usual, I ended up filling my cart and had to call a taxi, not thinking of the further distance.

If I had gone to the closer store, with the further bus stop, I would have paid the amount, $10.00 per taxi, I was expecting. Both groceries are Kroger, just in different areas of the city.

BarbStAubrey · June 04, 2025, 02:25:24 AM

Ouch on the Taxi cost - I'm finding having groceries delivered is getting more and more expensive - I'm turning to Amazon for everything that is not fresh like lettuce or cheese and the likes... yes, I often have to order more than what seems reasonable however over time everything is used. Cutting down on my grocery order by using Amazon means I can cut a bit off the tip to the delivery driver - not much but it seems to be an expense for those of us elders who want to live in our own home.

Craziest thing - I still have my 2003 Bonneville in my Garage - I no longer drive however, even after paying to register, which means the additional cost of an inspection, by paying for a combined house and vehicle insurance it is still several hundred cheaper than if I sold the vehicle, which means no cost to maintain or register and just paid house insurance my house insurance would be more than this combined plan... unbelievable...

After all these years of being on my own I still don't have grocery shopping down for just one - I'm forever throwing out out-dated or food that has gone bad - I'm also finding I'm not only eating less but I am not able to stand and cook as I did so that my diet has changed - I'm throwing out a month $30 of food - also I should not kick myself so hard - often have best plans and my energy level is lower than usual or my allergies kick up and I'm down to soup and crackers which means planned meals go by the wayside - I'm also forgetting if I can't see what is in the refrigerator drawers - should make a list but I've said that for months now - I really need to get serious because I'm just throwing money away in the form of a cucumber or avocado I forgot I had...

OLM one of the herbal books that had become my Bible and still is How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist by Linda Rector Page N.D Ph.D organized by specific body areas and needs with the concept that other body systems come into play when repairing any specific issue - what I like is the list of herbal alternatives that affect a bodily system and symptom -

Since I'm allergic to just about all anti-biotics, from penicillin to the long list of mycins and many others - I've used successfully colloidal Silver - Insisting on using the colloidal silver drives most Doctors batty but rather take care of myself than try to argue and then using their treatment only to be sicker, and its not fun, then I was when I first visited -

I did have good experiences with Dentist and a couple of Doctors in Austin however, here there is not either a knowledge or something that keeps them stuck - One doctor would you believe in this day and age remarked I would turn blue... I must say the Center for Oriental Medicine is in Austin and that may have had an affect on American Doctors. All to say my cost for prescription drugs is not a monthly expense - Eye drops for glaucoma and that is it... learned to eat what works and track how foods etc affect my weak systems and daily use of herbs. Most herbs I use a capsule form and find the formulas from Dr. Christopher to have the best results - Notice for about a month now his book is half price on Amazon but it is still $75 which I cannot stretch to purchase just now...

I think what is happening is what I figured when the prices went sky high a few years back during the pandemic - the prices would never change - it would be more people getting raises and working so they can afford more easily the prices and those of us who no longer work are stuck -

My attitude has been aging is an adventure with one unexpected challenge after another - if ever we had to rely on our creativity it is after you are no longer working for an income.

My biggest challenge has been the loss of physical ability and energy - having been active all my life - worked full time till I was 85, hiked, climbed mountains, swam - have a collection of swimming medals from my teen years - drove half way across the country a couple of times a year till I was 80 to visit children and grands and was even slinging heavy boxes when I first moved in this house at age 90 but the last couple of years can't do it and it is driving my up a wall - little things like not being able to dust or vacuum and no one I've hired does it, in my estimation, thoroughly or trying to reach for things on higher shelves or walk up the street or garden - at least Emigdio does a great job but it means I'm now only able to maintain watering trees and bushes - no more growing veggies or flowers.

No sense complaining - it won't change anything and so all I can do is figure ways around some of these changes - thankful actually that these are my challenges and not having to learn how to live with strangers in one room in a retirement home. I can still learn new things and watch for instance a pair of Vireo's build their nest or the Gecko's scoot along the porch railing catching anything that flies in front of them, do some sewing and I would say knitting but I notice I'm not able to adjust to a tight knit however, I still practice the piano - the dulcimer is a bit harder to hold and play - since it is a mountain dulcimer the sound would be affected if I used a stand instead, I can always listen to and sing along with John Jacob Niles or Jean Ritchie.

That is another activity I decided I need to do - growing up we sang all the time and I feel better singing and so I need to get back to singing - I may even start washing my dishes in the sink which, along with doing laundry and making beds is when I sang the most - but it sure breaks the spell of being annoyed because I can't do something.

OH dear I do go on don't I - well lets toss it up to having had a good coffee klatch. One more OLM you are younger than my daughter and a year younger than my youngest Paul. And Patricia you are two years older than my daughter - had a son who was a year older than my daughter but he died 20 years ago now... that empty spot never leaves does it...

patricia19 · June 04, 2025, 03:38:47 AM

I had a daughter that died at age 18 from a cancerous brain pituitary tumor. The 34th anniversary was May 31st. She would have been 53, and I still miss her and think of her often.

You only get used to living with that empty spot.

Amy · June 04, 2025, 06:00:35 AM

Good morning...

Starting out at 54° and heading to fry° . Yesterday was productive, huge hosta planted, spout hooked up to the down spout of the eavetrough and into the tank and a dance with the electric tiller. Brussel sprouts and cucumbers planted. Ran out of steam so the wave petunias will be done today!

Our vet also believes in homeopathic medicine and when I mentioned Jesse's eye , she looked and said he has a sty, just flush his eye with cold steeped tea.

Busy day better get it started......tea is done.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

OnLonelyMountain · June 04, 2025, 09:18:46 AM

Good morning ladies,
First off Barb and Patricia, I'm so sorry for your loss. It literally brought me to tears.

I'm going through some painful things right now. One of the things counselors say is "Grief demands a witness." So Barb, I think sharing the frustrations and difficulties is also a kind of grieving process. When I was really bad, I lost nearly everything. I lost my 5 jobs (workaholic) my access to my farm, my horses, sheep and chickens, I lost great and small muscle control, cognitive ability, and was nearly a vegetable for a time. I was trapped in my body and unable to communicate. I'm younger, but I went through a kind of "accelerated aging process" and who I was "died." I felt like I had died. No one else grieved. Just me. Grief demands a witness. If you, or any others, feel a need to vent your grief or frustrations with your physical losses, I'll grieve with you. 💕 I know how that feels.

Thank you for the Herbal book recommendation. I'll check to see if Amazon has a digital version. I can't access print. Print toner is toxic. I can't take antibiotics either. "Only to make me sicker..." I use magnesium buffered oral C powder, Crow's oral iodine and an herbal infusion of "Heal-All" a.k.a. Prunella Vulgaris, and/or fir needle tea. Pesticide free sources, of course. You are an amazing woman! The things you have done and the drive you still have is so admirable! I love to sing too. I used to play the guitar, but my skin is too fragile now. I was teaching my self to play piano before the poisoning. Now every time I sit down to play I have to start over. Cognitive impairment. Sigh. But I still sing. I sing to the dogs, I sing to the forest. When the Gkids are here we go for rides in my UTV and take turns singing to each other. Sometimes they make them up, sometimes its a song they've learned. Its a hoot! I would have loved to hear you play your dulcimer.🙂

Amy, Did your homeopathic vet give Jesse Thuja? It helps prevent any adverse reactions to the adjuvants. You certainly had a productive day yesterday."...A dance with the electric tiller..." was that the Jitterbug? 😀

We were at 36°F this morning. Sunny.

RAMMEL · June 04, 2025, 09:25:43 AM

BarbStAubrey - That last post of yours could have been written by a few (there's just a few of us left) of us. Of course some changes would be needed. like knitting or maybe sewing. There are so many things I would like to do but are no longer possible. If I get down to do something I have a BIG problem getting back up - so I don't. But alas, I'm still here, and most, if not all, my past friends are gone.

JaneS · June 04, 2025, 11:24:03 AM

Good Morning Everyfriend! I think I might be the oldest one here who still posts! I just celebrated 90 years! And thank gooodness, I can still enjoy life and walk where I feel like walking and visit with my family. I can even enjoy playing with the 2, 4 and 7 year old kids down here! Life has been good to me and I'm grateful for that! I wish you all the best. However, among other thins, I don understand what RICK means about the difficulty of getting up when you get all the way down on the floor. I try to avoid that but if I have to get down, I make sure there's a chair of a cabinet near me to help me up!

And I just heard the dryer stop so I better go get my laundry out. I'm starting to pack for the trip back home. I think se said we're leaving the end of next week. You all have a great day! Do whatever pleases you most!

OnLonelyMountain · June 04, 2025, 11:36:23 AM

Good morning Rick, Condolences to you too! It is hard when those who were your friends are gone.

Vanilla-Jackie · June 04, 2025, 12:06:56 PM

I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis diagnosed age 64 i am now 74, and nine months of venous leg ulcers both legs and feet bandaged and been hospitalised four times totaling eight weeks, mainly due to falls and pseudomonus bacteria leg infections ( i cant get up and ambulance is called )...the joys of the aging process, now i am basically housebound apart from my local church group on my mobility scooter, weather permitting...

OnLonelyMountain · June 04, 2025, 12:26:41 PM

Jackie, Ow!!! $:-\$ [[hugs!!!]] Bless you!

RAMMEL · June 04, 2025, 01:08:08 PM

Quote from: JaneS on June 04, 2025, 11:24:03 AMI think I might be the oldest one here who still posts! I just celebrated 90 years! [/b][/size][/color]

Jane, I think there's a couple of us that have hit the 90 mark. I did it over a year ago.

Vanilla-Jackie · June 04, 2025, 02:06:17 PM

OnLonelyMountain, sending ((( hugs ))) right back to you, my philosophy is, " we get what we get " dont we? trouble is, we just dont see it coming...

OnLonelyMountain · June 04, 2025, 02:41:57 PM

Jackie, Very true!

patricia19 · June 04, 2025, 03:25:19 PM

Rick, speaking of aging, I took a health quiz at my doctor's office on personal longevity. I came out at 87.3.

I found it fascinating as my mother, father, and all four grandparents died at or about 87. I mentioned this to the nurse, and she basically said it was simply the law of averages. But it still is strange.

Amy · June 04, 2025, 06:09:37 PM

Another day has come and gone. Accomplished what I set out to do and then some. Flowers are all in plus zucchini seeds , now for rain to do its job. Laundry taken care of and fence talking with the neighbour.

OLM, no she didnt give him that. She is a well loved vet and busy! Thankfully she has great staff on hand to help out.

Patricia, I just heard of a 16 yr old that was taken off chemo as it was doing more harm than good. Her Grandfather just passed 2 years ago with cancer.

CallieOK · June 04, 2025, 06:15:42 PM

Good Afternoon from Central Oklahoma - which doesn't know whether to flood or sun to shine

Changing the subject to my post a month ago about wrens building a nest in the bag under the seat of my outside walker:

Son discovered 3 babies in a "cave" Mama Wren had built at the back of the nest. They all opened their mouths when he touched the bottom of the bag
Yesterday morning, I saw the parents perching on patio chairs and chirping continually. So, I carefully opened the lid of the walker. One "baby" had fledged, a second one flew out when I opened the lid. The third one remained in the nest.
The fledged one was apparently under the cabinet because the one that flew out scooted under to join it. Parents changed chirps to a single one - telling the babies to "stay put"; obviously, they didn't like me outside nor coming in and leaving the door open. I shut the door and positioned a chair so I could watch through the glass patio door. They changed back to original warble and two tiny birds came out from underneath the cabinet and tried to wobbly perch on chair.
They eventually flew away with one of the parents. I had other things to do so didn't check until lunch time. The third one was gone and the entire family was nowhere in sight. No wrens on feeders, fence or patio today - so I put the nest in the trash.

Changing back to Health Issues: My health issues are mainly my mobility (I have Auxillary Navicular Syndrome, which means I was born with an extra bone in each arch that tends to "saw through" the tendon - so I wear braces) and my extreme hearing loss (audiologist tells me she's done all she can with hearing aids). I do take 2 different blood pressure pills, a thyroid pill and a statin every day.

I don't really "fit" with today's world! Podiatrist told me years ago to do "limited walking and standing" and I asked him to define "limited". He said, "No more than 2 hours out of 8". I told him that's not even a good shopping trip to the Mall!!
Spent two days in January in the hospital because my Sodium was too low (when we're not supposed to eat salt) and the doctor wants me to gain 5 pounds because I'm at the low point on the BMI scale (when every tv ad is for weight loss!

Janie, my Aunt had two problems when she was 90: Her new girdle was too tight and she didn't know where to plant the petunias. I hope you don't have these problems but you don't have any more difficult ones.

Rammel, it is difficult when most of your long-time friends die! Most of my really close friends have gone and I miss conversations with them.
A couple of years ago I lost a friend who I met in the church nursery when we were 3 and 4 months old. We went through elementary/high school together and were sorority sisters in college. We didn't live in the same state as adults but, before cell phones, one of us would call and we'd talk for an hour. Then we'd hang up and the other one would place the call and we'd talk for another hour. I still think "Oh, I need to tell this to Barbara" and I sadly can't.

Sorry I rambled on. It's time to find out where the storms tonight will be. My area has missed out so far and I hope that continues.

OnLonelyMountain · June 04, 2025, 08:21:21 PM

Callie, Thanks for the wren update. I bet that was fun to watch them finally fledge.

Do you have a mobility device then?

patricia19 · June 04, 2025, 09:39:04 PM

I agree about watching the wrens. I can't get out like I used to and miss going to the sanctuary. Also, when they cut down all the birch and spruce in the back of this building, there went all the squirrels and songbirds.

They have them in the trees in front, but my apartment faces the back.

I'll have to look through my older sanctuary photos and post some of the geese, swans, cranes, loons and other birds. We're told that about 85% of the world's birds pass through or stop at the sanctuary each year.

Amy · June 05, 2025, 06:06:08 AM

Good morning

Woke to the sound of a welcomed gentle rain this along with warm weather should make the seeds sprout. Working outside yesterday the smell of lilacs and lilly of the valley tickled ones nose.

Indoor chores today may get some baking done, thinking lemon cake with lemon filling in between the layers.

Once the water tank has filled up will pick up a couple of goldfish to keep the the mosquito larvae at bay.

Crows need to check their alarm clocks it was 5:30 this morning when they asked for breakfast!!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

phyllis · June 05, 2025, 09:11:20 AM

Sorry to burst your bubble, Jane, but I have been a member here and in the old Seniornet for more than 35 years and I am 95...5 years older than you. I am not bragging about that. But, I do wish sometimes that somebody would remember me and that I am still around and still functioning, to some extent.

As Callie said I guess I don't fit in anywhere. I may be physically challenged but my brain and memory still work pretty well, thank you!

Take care, All. I remember all of you even if you don't remember me.

OnLonelyMountain · June 05, 2025, 09:41:44 AM

Good morning everyone,
My coffee is perking; the sun is shining. It's 44°F. I did finish sealing that sheet of plywood yesterday. I cleaned up more of that tree down across Huckleberry Hill Rd. I finished mowing the play field. I even took the power pole saw out on poo patrol and cleared a different trail from overhanging pine limbs. They get dead, dry and reach for the ground (water). One might think I have nothing else to do...

o.k, seriously though, I won't be power-pole sawing for awhile. Hurt my shoulder. I'm going to try to take it easier. I have been meaning to clean out my bug catchers. Yeah, kinda like dream catchers. In an RV the ducting system for the A/C is in the ceiling. There are these discs that screw in or out over the air exhaust holes. During previous year's ant invasions I noticed the ants would run and hide in the ducts. Then later they'd come out and drop on me. At night... So I devised a method of trapping the little varmits. I took 1/2" hook loop velcro and squares of fine netting and covered each cool air exhaust port and the intake. The ceiling is a short nap fabric so the velcro sticks to it. Now the bugs that are in the ceiling crawl out and are caught. I see them, I smash them. Every so often I vacuum their desicatted little bodies out. That will be a good chore for today's list. I need to come up with some other things. I did notice that a few of my fence sticks have broken. What's a fence stick? Its like a batten. When we bought this place in 2017 most of the fencing was falling down rusty barbed wire. It wasn't very tight or secure. Previously they ran cattle on it and as its open range here they didn't really care if the cattle got out. Also, most of the locals freely trespassed for various reasons, hunting/poaching, mushrooming including magic mushrooms (they grow in cow poop), a couple of meth lab locations. Since we had a long list of things to do and fence replacement was not at the top I came up with a method for tightening and strengthening the fence. I weave in stout sticks, which I have an unlimited supply, and wire them in. Its been very successful, other than the bears and elk herds bash through and a very determined trespasser was taking them out and flinging them for the first couple of years. I'd just pick them back up and stick them back in. So then he started taking them away with him. I'd just cut more. Its a forest, with tons of dead limbs... Thats when I started wiring them in. Anyway, I've got 6 broken ones on the west fence to replace. I think I can handle that.

Have a great day ya'll!

Addendum: Good morning Phyllis! I see your posts and think of you. I'm new so I don't know you. I didn't know how old you were but I always thought you looked like a woman with "a thousand stories." I'd love to hear them, if you're inclined to share. When Callie said she didn't fit in anywhere (in the real world) I could relate. I don't either. But we do have a place where we fit in: here. Please don't feel forgotten, I know that pain. Share with me. Sending caring thoughts your way.

Vanilla-Jackie · June 05, 2025, 09:42:32 AM

Phyllis...i certainly remember you...always have and always will...

phyllis · June 05, 2025, 09:45:22 AM

Just to add to the conversation about singing and playing a musical instrument, I sang in choir and chorus for many years before I was married and played many instruments, including cello, violin, hammered dulcimer, and studied and played classical piano for many years but because of stiffness in hands do not play them now. Even gave away my beautiful piano that my husband gave me and still miss it. That old cliché "Jack of all trades but master of none" applies to me but my curiosity and desire to learn has led me in many directions over the years and still leads me to wanting to learn more, I have been trying to learn more French. When that desire fades it will be time to bid adieu.

Thank you, Jackie and Lonely Mtn. Believe me, I remember both of you. Jackie, you as the long time friend and Lonely Mtn., as a new and interestng friend.

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Soda Shoppe June 1 , 2025

Amy

JaneS

OnLonelyMountain

patricia19

OnLonelyMountain

patricia19

OnLonelyMountain

patricia19

BarbStAubrey

patricia19

Amy

OnLonelyMountain

RAMMEL

JaneS

OnLonelyMountain

Vanilla-Jackie

OnLonelyMountain

RAMMEL

Vanilla-Jackie

OnLonelyMountain

patricia19

Amy

CallieOK

OnLonelyMountain

patricia19

Amy

phyllis

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