On a lovely day, we had a nice trip to Milroy.  We had lunch at the Takshemoke Restaurant, as far as I know, the only restaurant in town.  We had sandwiches.  A friend of Tom's went along as he had never been to Milroy.  Tom showed him some former family homes and we went to the cemetery.  I think we were gone about five hours. 

Tom has now gone to a meeting and when he returns either he or we will get supper ready. 

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  We have a blue sky this morning with a few puffy clouds.  Today will be a light day with only a 3:30 appointment for Pat at the business who services the CPAP machines.  She has switched her account over to the company where I have my CPAP account as it is in downtown North Augusta and much closer to us.  She was never really satisfied with the other company as they seemed to be so disorganized.  She needs a new head gear and hopefully one much less complicated than the one she now has. 

Yesterday turned out to be a very busy day.  I did attend my noon meeting and then stopped at COSTCO so it was around 2 pm before I got back home.  I rested for an hour and it was time to take Pat for her chiropractic appointment.  Then came home and finished up the washing and putting things away.  Shortly it was time to go to the church for the Men's Meeting.  I did not feel the program was one of the better ones but they all can't be great.  We did have a good meal and I was able to bring a steak home for Pat's late supper, which she enjoyed and still has half of it left for another meal as they are big steaks.  I went to bed around 9 pm and slept soundly until 7:30 this morning.

Hal, I have had a laptop or two that didn't have a function key to do that and a couple that have that key or setting to disable the touch pad.  The work around has served me well.

Patricia, hard to get my mind around the idea that you may already be experiencing the beginning of winter as we are just beginning our fall season here in the South. 

Mary Ann, glad you enjoyed your trip to Milroy.  The last time I went through the little town near where I grew up I found there wasn't any town left in terms of businesses although the homes still remain. 

Good morning from the Interior. I slept in today. My bones are achy in this fall weather, and I have a sore throat from sinus drainage, but I am up and at em as my dad always used to say!

Farrah scared a visitor yesterday. We were chatting about me joining her committee when Farrah tossed her mouse up past her on the couch and jumped towards my visitor. She jumped sideways out of the way while Farrah swung up and past her, grabbed the mouse on the sofa back and still growling, headed off again. She looked at me and said, "My word!" I had to explain that Farrah was just playing, intent on her mouse but I don't know if she believed me!

People who are not animal people do not understand why they don't spend the day lying quietly in the corner. Rather like trying to explain two-year-olds to the childless

Larry, we are in the Arctic and 4,247.2 miles from N. Carolina and 3,449 from N. Augusta, GA. So we are farther north and far closer to Siberia and the North Pole than the US in this part of Alaska.

I live in the town I was born and raised in, and it has grown, from about 22,000 inhabitants to over 100,000, due to the University, immigration, and military. I say with almost certainty that the majority of clerks and part-time workers are military, and their wives and we have always been a source of wives for the single military here. I know as I married two of them!

We are the major jumping off points to  the northern parts of the states, adventurers, and mountain climbers, (Denali, 20,320'); as well as oil and pipeline workers. So the town is still growing.

I'm back home.  Tom H and I started out about 10 am and got to Merrillville just after noon.  Tom Tock had just gotten there about 15 minutes earlier.  We ate, then put my things in Tom Tock's car and parted company.  We got home about 4 pm.  There was a lot of traffic and much construction but traffic moved along in good time.  I took a nap, but I could stand another one.  I will head for bed about 10 pm.  Oh, the weather was fine, blue sky with no clouds.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  I got up a lot earlier this morning than usual so have most of the household chores done.  I have even replanted the Mums plant I got at Aldi's the other day into one of our two porch planters.  It is loaded with buds so am hopeful of a lot of nice flowers shortly.  I am about ready to eliminate all of my back patio planting as they have about had it with many dead stems.  The pepper plant has a couple of small peppers so may try to keep it to see if we can get anymore peppers from it.  Pat is now up but I needed to rest a few minutes after doing the above before trying to get her breakfast fixed.  Today should be a quiet day until Pat's 4 pm appointment and then dinner at the church at 5:30 and later Scott coming to the house.  Pat did get a new type pillow mask for her CPAP machine but will have to work with it to get it at the right strap placement to keep the air from leaking out around it as it did last night.

I saw yesterday in the paper that our Ryan's Steakhouse was permanently closed on Monday.  So we have one less place to eat here in our little town.  However, there are some other restaurants soon to open. 

Patricia, it is a very long flight from South Carolina to Fairbanks.  In fact, it was a fair distance by air from Anchorage to Fairbanks and other parts of Alaska.  It is one huge State.  We have lived in many different States over these past 54 years and it has been quite an adventure.  On one trip I took to Fairbanks Mt. McKinley as clear and we have a wonderful view of it.  Your town when you were young is about the size our town is now  with around 22,000 people, which is a delightful size.  Of course, we have a much bigger town just a few miles from us. 

Mary Ann, glad you are safely home and can now rest up from a very busy weekend.  However, it sounded like you really enjoyed it.  Guess you were glad you were not doing the driving with the construction and traffic encountered on your trip home.

I have to say it has been 3 years since I have been to a restaurant.  Do not miss it at all.  Never was much for going out to eat.  Preferred my own cooking.  LOL  Now all I eat is diet food. 

My first husband answered a question of why he never took me or his family out to dinner "Why should I go to a restaurant?  I can get better at home and it costs less."  And he never left the supper table without a thank-you and saying it  was "a good dinner".

Jeanne Lee, one reason I go to a restaurant is the company I am with.  I do not like eating in restaurants to much that I would go alone.  When I was driving, I'd stop at a Mc D's and eat in the car as I drove along. 

Tom H has been subscribing to Blue Apron food service delivery.  Their food is more fancy that what I would like and they furnish three meals a week.  Tom thinks that is too much so he's going to try to get a less frequent delivery.  I am considering something like that for Tom T and me.  For what Tom H got, it cost about the same or less than groceries at the store.  Of course, we'd have to go to the store for basics.  We do not have a grocery store that delivers yet.

Mary Ann

Now, I am just the opposite.  Have always hated to cook.  Actually am a very good cook, probably because I love to eat.  But I have a little wooden sign attached to the kitchen cabinet door closest to my refrigerator that says:
COOK is a 4 letter word!
And that sums up my attitude! 
So I love to go out to eat.  Fortunately, Annapolis has a huge number of outstanding restaurants.

I hate to cook too, but I hate to eat as well.
I have always said that the day they will invent one pill to replace the whole meal I will be delighted.  Cooking and eating is a waste of precious time! (for me)

MaryAnn, I'm so glad you had such a good time, (Even with that lucky pain escape from the fall!); and also happy that you made good on your return trip, welcome home!

We do not have any food clubs or services operating in Alaska, and I'm sure it is expensive, or would be here!

Larry, when I left Kentucky for Fairbanks, it was 14 hours on the flights with a small baby and a dog. We drove, early morning, very early, from Skylar, KY. to Knoxville, Tennessee, flew to Seattle, WA.,three-hour wait there with dog mentioned above and baby, flew to Anchorage, one-hour layover, and then on to Fairbanks.

I was awake from 3: am eastern to 10" pm Alaskan time, and we are four hours behind Eastern time! Anchorage is 45 minutes air time and eight hours driving time from Fairbanks.

It seems as if many of you make a regular practice of eating out with friends or family, socializing and enjoying a good meal.  In my group, it is going to people's homes as much as it is going out. Or we go to events such as one of the concerts, quilt club affairs or one of the local art events.

Ha-ha about the cooking, MaryPage, Bubble! I typically spend a couple of days a month doing large amounts of preparing, cooking and freezing the food so at a mealtime; I reheat a portion of meat, rice or potatoes, and a vegetable. I have done it this way for years.

I'm in agreement with MaryPage . . . "Cook" is a four letter word!   I did it for most of my life, when I had to feed the family, and when we had lots of guests, ALL holidays, and then again when the adult kids cycled in and out over the years.  Now it's just the two of us, so most of our meals are deli take-out from various markets near us.  Also, Costco has some fresh, ready to cook dishes that we like, such as stuffed bell peppers, spaghetti and meat balls and pacific salmon with pesto butter!  Ummm good!  We don't go to restaurants as much as we used to, but there are dozens here, close to our house, if we feel like eating out. 

I do admire those who still cook, and can and freeze, and always have something on hand to prepare a nice lunch or dinner.  I was never any good at thinking ahead and cooking anything in advance, and never stored anything in my freezer. (except frozen veggies and ice cream.)  Somehow, I could never look any further ahead than one or two days at the most.  Fortunately, we live right in town, so we're within five minutes of many grocery stores, restaurants, Starbuck's, hamburgers, bakeries, Whole Foods, etc.     

"Cook"  is a four letter word to me also.    I  "cook"  as little as possible these days.    Instead I find ways to quickly make food that I can eat,  and will fit into  my  daily diet in order to maintain my on going quest to drop weight.   (Right now is is just a quest to maintain
the weight loss that I accomplished this past year.)

As long as I am not gaining,  I am happy. 

The weather here is still warm,  as our usual
Fall Temperatures have yet to come to the
this spot on the Rocky Coast of Maine.

All is well here,
Sandy

It is ironic for me to read so many thinking of two days a month cooking as heavy work. I see it as freeing. I do not have to cook for 28 or 29 days!

Sandy, I'm with you as far as maintaining my weight is concerned.  I am a bit heavy for my height (or lack of it) and if I lose a pound, I'm happy.  But I may gain back that pound and as long as I don't exceed a "top", it's OK.  I try to watch what I eat and the amount regardless if I eat at home or away.  I can manage better eating at home.  Now today, Tom, Terry and I ate at Pizza Hut.  I'm not a big pizza fan, but I like one occasionally.  I ate three small pieces (of a 9" pizza) and the rest is in the refrigerator to be eaten at a later date, maybe two later dates.  I often eat salads when eating out, in fact, had a delicious one at the Indy restaurant where I fell!

Mary Ann

Since I eat clean which means no fast, convenient, microwavable or canned foods, I have lost 52 pounds since last August 2015. Dinner last night was a petit steak, green beans, green salad and a glass of merlot.

I have to watch what I eat, but the pounds are coming off and the energy gained is worth it.

Imagine a plate divided in half. One-half is fruit and vegetables. The other half divided again is one-quarter, lean protein, and one-quarter whole grains. That is it, no pills, diets, scare tactics or injections. And all the US and International medical groups back the plan.

And yes, whole grain pizza is on the list.

Patricia, I could go for your supper.  I'm not sure about the wine, as I don't have a favorite, but I do have a glass when eating out - occasionally.  My usual beverage of choice is water with a lemon.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone on a cloudy morning here in South Carolina.  We had a very short rain shower yesterday afternoon but not enough to do any good.  Today is a full day as need to make a stop at the credit union as I pick up my friend for coffee.  Will then bring him home, and depending on how I am feeling (not very peppy at the moment) I may skip the Wisdom group today as need to get some medicine and other things at Walmart.  I will definitely utilize the electric cart there today.  If I feel up to going to the Wisdom Group will have to stop on the way home or go later in the afternoon.  However, Pat has her last Chiropractic appointment for the week at 4 pm so will just play things by ear today.  We enjoyed our time with Scott last evening.

I appreciate the postings but am going to beg off individual comments today. 

It's Thursday, I can tell by the lawn guys here today.  I'm up, but it's too early for me to be atem.  Tom made scrambled eggs and left some on the stove for me.  I think it will be about a half hour before I'm ready to eat.  We have an overcast sky so far, but I saw our temp is to be 83 degrees today.

People mention how few posts there are in all of the folders.  At 9:30 I opened my computer to S&F and there are only two folders that I read.  Not only that, but Larry's post above is the only one in this folder.  I hope everyone is OK and not still asleep!

I'll be back later.

Mary Ann

The Grand Haven site looks so strange to me without the catwalk.  And it will be a year before it is put back up while they work on the pier.

Mary Ann

Beautiful, sunshiny, cool day here on the bay.  We are supposed to go up to 84°, but I doubt we'll get out of the seventies.
Went off to an early morning appointment with my rheumatologist.  She says my left knee pain is from bursitis.  So it is not at all the same as was the right knee in 2009/2010.  Interesting all the different things that can cause us grief in our old age.
Then we did a good shopping at Safeway and came home.  I put the topical gel the doctor gave me on the painful knee; so far to no noticeable response.  Well, we will see what 4 times a day does.  Let's see: that's every 6 hours.  Something MORE for this failing brain to try to remember!  Hey, if I write it down, then I have to remember WHERE I wrote it down!  12/6/12/6.  Y'all remember that and tell me if I ask, okay?  That's noon, six, midnight, six!  Shoot!  Six o'clock in the morning is For The Birds!

12/7/12/7 is also 4 times a day!   

Good afternoon, beautiful confortable day. I am quite tired after my DIL's visit from the Cape, we had a lovely time.

MaryAnn, I had French toast and Jimmy Deam sausage for breakfast.  Then Linda  got ready to leave for the Orient ferry to take her over to New London Conn. its and hour and fourty min. if the weather is good.the three hours to Cape Cod.  that of course is how the traffic is moveing.

Mary Page, I understand what you are saying. I seem to have some differtnt pain, when I get up.  this morning was a pain in the neck. don"t laugh.  My thigh was hurting so have a patch on it, other wise just sad to see my DIL go home.  Love my doctor, he said so what ever you want, at 92 won't hurt.. If I did not have to breath  and walk, I am in good shape.

Good morning from the Interior.

I right clicked and highlighted Google search on the food delivery as I was curious. Two things irritated me, one when they stated they ship anywhere in the US, and then to find out that is the lower 48 states.

But that type of thinking is common as Alaska and Hawaii are not considered a real part of the country. The second was that Forbes, which was an interesting site, now shows only white unless you turn off your adblocker. However, I did find this comparison of the three most highly rated sites.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/07/food-delivery-service-review-blue-apron-plated.html

There is a petition going around that I agreed with and signed. We have services each Sunday in the common rooms of all five floors as well as Bible Studies in the first floor common room, the only one with a kitchen, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The first floor has coffee and some quick bread, donuts or cookies, 24/7. When they have Bible study for five people at most, for two hours, they lock the doors to the entire room and enjoy the coffee and food available for tenants. The petition asks that since it is a low gathering number, that they meet in a member's home and not the kitchen and common room.

For some folks, especially, many men, that is where they spend most of their days, socializing rather than alone in their apartments. I agree with the idea that five or six people can meet in someone's home or elsewhere instead of taking up a very large room. One of the individuals involved, found out about the petition and filed a complaint of religious discrimination, so things are a bit tense right now in this building.

Patricia, it's too bad they can't find a smaller room for the five people, then furnish them with some donuts and coffee and let the residents have their room. 

I enjoyed the article about the various food delivery companies as we are considering that in the future.  And Tom H who I stayed with in Indy has the Blue Apron service but is thinking of canceling because he doesn't need three big meals a week (he lives alone).

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, if it was a larger group, for an hour, fine. However, five or six people in a room bigger than my one bedroom apartment is wrong. The coffee and food prepared and paid for by the building's hospitality committee with funds allocated for that by the owners, is  for the residents.

It is not fair for them to lock the doors and if they wanted, they could set up in a corner or ask to use one of the other floor's common rooms.  Although I don't think people are going to want them on their floor after this.

It is not a mainstream religious group, but one very rigid. And this is for four hours a week besides when it is also closed for regular Sunday services.

We do have CNAs that work for various resident's doing chores such as shopping and cooking among other chores, but as they are considered, self-employed, contracting with a agency, they can be expensive

Patricia, I am surprised if the group is of non-residents that they are allowed to use that room at all.  It is too bad there isn't a smaller room available.

Mary Ann

Patricia, it sure is not fair that this small group is allowed to bar all other residents from the refreshments meant for their pleasure.  I do not see where religious prejudice comes into the problem.

Bubble!  Go stand in the corner!  Now I am attaching a sign to your back that says:

I AM A SMART ALECK KID!

Overnight we have Fall.  Will have to bring my Winter clothes down tomorrow.  Then get my Summer clothes ready to go up on the shelf.  Haven't had my window open for 2 days.  Too cold.