We've had light rain this morning but I think it will quit soon, at least radar shows it ending.  I went after the mail (not here yet) and when I came back, I saw my snowdrops in blossom.  It is about time for them anyway.  While I don't have snow in my front yard, usually I do and the little snowdrops come up through the snow.  Harbingers of Spring!

When I got ready for the day this morning, Kendrick was lying on my bed, just "south" of the pillow but on the portion of the bedspread that goes over the pillow.  I left it that way and let him sleep some more.  He has left now so next time I'm in my room, I'll finish the job.

Mary Ann

Good afternoon, sunny and a very pleasant day and no wind.

MaryAnn, I guess our furry friend rules the house, as I did the same thing this morning.  I did not finish pulling the spread up, as Taffy looked very comfortable. Lord, forgive I disturbed her.

rain here also.  Better than snow

Gloria de, I try hard to NOT let Kendrick rule the roost.  His wish is not always my command, but I do leave him alone on my bed.  His mother (Annie) put a cushion on my davenport, then put a throw of hers on top of it (wrong side out) and that is his own domain.  I would not want to sit on the throw because it is full of cat hair.  When Annie is here next time, I'll have her shake the throw and that should get loose of much of the hair. 

I said I'd buy car seats for the twins and the car seats came today.  We don't know when the girls will be able to go home, but we have to be ready.  Having three babies born in close order is hard on the pocketbook.  I gave Geoff and Charissa a bit more money than I would have otherwise because of buying the car seats for James and Alicia.  I'm not treating the families equally, but I do want to be fair about it.  I can afford it, so I am not shorting myself.

Mary Ann

Good morning from another warm Interior! I'm feeling so much better. However, my blood pressure is still iffy for now, and my nose hurts still. I did get five loads of laundry done yesterday, and I bless the cart I have as the ones downstairs are not always available. The new washer takes two more quarters and is almost the hour that the dryer takes. Since it is new, everyone from other floors seems to want to use it, so laundry was an all-day job!

Farrah thinks this is HER house and that I live to serve!  Since this is such a huge change from last May, I do indulge her.  She is just so amazing in her leaps and bounds, her intelligence in watching and seeing how things work and her verbalizing. Perhaps, all animals would be like this if we cared and neutered, spayed and cared for the ones we have or those in need.

Here, unless they have a collar or chip, they are euthanized in 48 hours. There are rescue groups, and the mushers often pick dogs from the pound but the animal laws are dreadful, and there are so many that never have a chance. The majority of litters or baby animals taken to the pound are euthanized immediately as they say there is no funds or personnel to care for them. Sorry, but that is a sore subject for me when they spend millions on the dog races.

Patricia - So sad, that unwanted animals are euthanized so quickly, in Fairbanks. Are there any rescue groups, who step in and take some of the homeless animals?  There are lots of groups like that here in CA for both cats and dogs. Some are specific to certain breeds, but others will take any dog or cat that they feel is likely to be adopted.  The ones who aren't chosen by rescue groups, eventually suffer the fate of being euthanized.   I think I mentioned before, that Chihuahua's are the breed that is abandoned most often in California.  I don't know why that is, or why there are so many of them?  The Chihuahua's I've been around are sweet and loving, and easily trained.  My brother and his wife have one, who was abandoned up where they live in Redwood/Russian River area.  He's a darling little guy - friendly and bright. 

Mary Ann, I thought of you today - also Dot and Norm.  Danny and I went to the Goodson Farms for strawberry shortcake.   MMMM, good.   

shirleyn

Marilyne, my sister, breeds Dalmations,(Not my favorite dog.); and she hated the movie as many got Dalmations and dumped them because they had no idea of the care needed. Also, I read that Paris Hilton and others like her are the cause for so many Chihuahuas being abandoned and probably for the same reasons.

There are rescue groups here for specific canine breeds, other animals,  and Pet Pride is there for cats, but everyone is severely overloaded and broke! People think it is mean to neuter a male and don't bother with their animals or believe like some that pets "yearn to breathe free," out where cars, humans, animals, and diseases can reach them. The American Veterinary Association, years ago, stated that an outdoor or indoor-outdoor cat lived an average of 5 to 8 years, and an indoor-only cat can live in excess of 20 years, but who believes them or cares?

There was an extreme case here three years ago concerning a hunting guide who abandoned in the winter,  three horses and a number of ponies. Concerned people hunted them down and brought them to a neighbor willing to take them and care for them. When they were healthy again, the guide sued for their return, and the judge said there was nothing in the law that "prevented him from regaining his property!"

They also recently closed a dumping site,( transfer station?); because folks were always leaving puppies, kittens, dogs and cats and one notable cage with a pair of lovebirds, in all seasons. Any stricter laws never make it out of committee as there is a specious "John Wayne," mentality here.

You can take your animals to a vet or to the pound. There is even places you can place them after hours. But I guess that is too much work or responsibility as well?

Shirley, you make my mouth water for a shake from the Strawberry Farm.  I'll have to remember to mention it to Dot. 

Patricia, it is hard to imagine people deserting their pets, but I know they do.

Mary Ann

Children and pets are sometimes too much work and not enough feedback for some folks.

I decided after my last cat died of old age that I was not going to have any more pets,   and lordy knows,  no more children.   

There is a commitment that I must make if I decided to get another pet,  and yes,  that takes work and money...   More work and money that I want on a daily basis from now on.   

I get to go see my Fe and Cliffy,  my Great Grand daughter and their new dog,  and that satisfies what ever need I have for Either.    All the work and all the costs of these wonderful additions,  are not mine.   And I am so grateful for that.

I saw them both today and even got to spend a lot of time with Madison and Fe....    What fun! 

Fe is growing up fast and has become a real person now..   (She will be a year in April) ...   I will miss baby Fe,  but "that is the way the cookie crumbles"...

These two little ones are such a joy! 
Sandy

Patricia - people abandoning pets is an ongoing problem everywhere.  Commonplace for people to move away from a house or apartment and leave a cat behind.  Sometimes a dog is just turned loose by the side of the road, or anywhere that's convenient to the owner.

Here's a story with a happy ending!  My daughter's friend took her two dogs to play at the dog park, and noticed a friendly but anxious Chihuahua, who was there alone. Went back the following day and he was still there.  She asked around, and other people at the park said they had seen the dog there for three or four days with no owner.  She took him home, fed him, and then went back to the park and put up signs with a photo of the dog, and her phone number so the owners could get in touch with her if they came looking. Even though it was obvious the dog had been dumped. So the happy ending is that my daughter's nice friend kept the little guy, and she now has three dogs.  Some people are decent human beings . . . others, not so much.

My big animal joys were when Norm and his first wife had two doxies, both named Fred, and they were fun.  Then when Tom was in Boyne City MI, they got a golden retriever, named Cadence but called Cadey.  She and I were great friends and when I was there and she wanted to go for a walk, she'd come to me and put her paw on my knee.  We'd go up or down the street and she loved it.  I did not want a pet but when Annie went to live with her boyfriend, I got the cat because her friend is very allergic to cats.  I feed and care for him, but he is HER cat and she buys his toys.  He does let her come close and pick him up, but to him, he's MY cat.  When I decided to get out of bed this morning, I discovered he was on the part of the bedspread that goes over the pillow and I just let him stay there.  Earlier he got on the bed and was beside me for nearly an hour.  He checks regularly to see that I am in the vicinity.

I've showered and washed my hair and I'm drying out now.  Today is the day Terry, Tom and I and anyone else go to lunch but I have no idea where or even if.

It is foggy and we have 51 degrees.  The fog will burn off and we probably will get up to 60 degrees. 

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  It looks like we had a little rain during the night.  When I went to the mailbox this morning I saw that my yard is beginning to green up a bit.  It will get into the low 70's again today.  Pat has her last PT appointment at eleven this morning.  This evening is our Wednesday night dinner at church. I don't think Scott will probably attend but Jennifer is planning to come and home dinner with me and the group. Scott apparently has some type of viral infection and went to see the doctor Monday.  He must have been feeling better last evening as he did go to work. We hope at least Jennifer will come on out to house after dinner.  That will be it for today. 

Mary Ann, I wouldn't drive to COSTCO just for the chicken if we didn't live so close.  It has now been two or three weeks since got got one so it is about time.  We get several meals from one of the chickens as they are large and very good.  Nice that Dot could join you and Tom for an evening meal.  Those first signs of spring are always encouraging. 

Joan, are you "singing in it rains"?  Glad you are getting rain rather than snow. 

Mary Ann, I am sure your gift of the car seats will be greatly appreciated. 

Patricia, so glad you are feeling much better.  Doing five loads of wash when you have to leave your apartment and go to the laundry room is a big job.  I did that a few times for Stacey.  Sometimes, before she became unable to come to the house, we would bring her dirty clothes with her and she could do them in our washer and dryer.  It is interesting what our priorities are in certain areas such as animal care.

Marilyne, interesting about Chihuahua's being the dogs that are most often abandoned. As far as I know we have a good animal shelter system here in this county as we did where we moved from.  Also our neighbor next door to where we used to live was very active in animal rescue and care. 

ShirleyN, nice to see your posting.  That strawberry shortcake sounds good. 

Patricia, I would think there would be some type of cruelty to animals law that would punish the man for abandoning here horses and ponies.  I guess he saved money all winter by having someone feed and care for them.  I have never understood how people can be mean and mistreat animals.

Sandy, we will have no more pets due to the work required to care for them.  I so enjoy seeing the little children when I am out and about or at Church.  You are so fortunate to live where you can see your children, grandchildren and the great grandchild.  The little ones don't stay little very long. 

Marilyne, we don't have any Safeway stores in our area and think it is likely there are none in the Eastern part of the US. 

deAngel, glad you and Mary Ann treat your cats so kindly.  Glad you had a nice day yesterday.

Larry, no singing in the rain today.  We have sunshine and and a smile on my face.  Love to see the sun.

Tom, Dot and I had lunch at a sports bar today and we three were "it" as far as family was concerned.  Terry was sleeping when Tom called him and I know Jan has not been feeling well.  We are so pleased with the weather; it is almost 60 degrees now, almost unbelievable for late February. 

It was foggy here this morning, but now the sun is shining.  I just looked at Grand Haven and they still are fogged in. 

Mary Ann

We are still on a warming rise as while the weather remains steady but not getting colder which is unusual for February. Farrah comes and goes on my bed, a new idea for her this month.

Larry, the animal laws here are draconian and any effort to change is voted down. That guy got free health care and food for the horses and he probably wrote them off on his taxes as well! 

I am feeling better but my sinuses are still sore as is my nose. Each floor here has a common room, elevator and laundry room in the center of each floor with ten one bedroom apartments on each side.

Marilyne, I am so glad that the little chihuahua found a decent home!

Larry, colds, flus and other sicknesses are all over the country it seems!

I'm shocked - my computer just said it is 65 degrees! 

Patricia, I find that Kendrick likes to lie on my bed even if I'm not in the room.

I didn't eat much of my lunch today because I have trouble holding a fork with arthritis and rotator cuff problem in my right shoulder when the food is on the table.  I am much more comfortable eating with the food on my lap, so I brought back a box with some of the food and I think I'll get it now.  The sandwich was OK to eat but the salad was hard to get on the fork.  A joy of age, especially with those  problems. 

Mary Ann

I hear you Mary Ann. I am fortunate not to have arthritis in my hands. Mine is osteoarthritis. Last year it began affecting my hips as well. I can only do about 1/2 hour of yardwork before my back gives out.

This year I am contracting out to get my yard cleaned up a little because I can no longer keep up with the trimming and downed branches (white pines are very messy). It is an expense I can ill afford what with some upcoming repairs and, hopefully, a few improvements that will help cut drafts and provide more cabinet space. The house is over 100yrs old.

Hi everyone on a bright and sunny morning.  I have a busy morning planned with my usual coffee with friends and then the Wisdom Group.  After that I will stop at Walmart to pick up an online grocery order and then a stop at Aldi's for some items.  That will be plenty for today.  Jennifer did join me for dinner at the church last evening and then came out to the house for awhile.  We had a nice visit.  Scott had gone to work to repay the lady who had worked for him on Monday night.

Mary Ann, I agree with you that salad is difficult to get on a fork and if it isn't speared it wants to fall off the fork. 

MarsGal, glad you found someone to help with your yard cleanup.  My son's home is well over 100 years old and apparently his former mother-in-law threw nothing away.  He is slowly trying to get rid of a lot of useless things.  Jennifer is lending a hand.   

Good morning from a still snowing, still warming Interior! Farrah is enjoying her breakfast and a treat while I have my coffee, a piece of baguette and some smoked Gouda.

MaryAnn, the bed is new for Farrah and she likes either down by my feet or on the pillow behind my head. She continues to evolve.

Marilyne, I also have osteoarthritis. Unfortunately it hasn't decided on a permanent home but likes to strike in different places according to the barometric pressure. My hands are bad enough that I have resorted to putting all capsules in sealed baggies. Yesterday I had to take my nasal inhalant downstairs in the hopes of finding someone who could take the cap off for me!

MaryAnn, I don't know what I would do with your shoulder issue, this prevailing overall weakness is enough of a burden for me. You are a strong woman.

I guess I'll have to say that what I have is also osteoarthritis.  And a woman at Orthopedics Associates tells me I have a touch of osteoporosis in my back because I can't straighten up the minute I stand up.  I try, but it doesn't work.

Patricia, since I am right handed, there isn't much I can do about that right shoulder.  I do try to do some things with my left hand, but I am not naturally left handed, it isn't easy.  I find I let Tom do more than I should.

Kendrick has a new toy, the round thing like Farrah has.  Annie put some catnip in the hole and he was much more interested in that than the ball that circles the toy.  He is so funny when he tries to bite his way into the hole and he has already got the top off.  I decreased the amount of catnip and he's lost some interest.  I haven't tried to put any food in it yet but I'll have to put it on a newspaper otherwise, I'd have cat food all over.

We're about five degrees less than we were yesterday at this time, but I won't find it necessary to wear a coat if I go outside.  Future weather reports are not good, however.

Almost all of the ice is gone from Grand Haven but I think we will have more freezing weather so more ice should form.  Our pond is completely free of ice and I know freezing temps will put an icy film on the pond.

Mary Ann

Hmmmm... Farrah's cylinder has some open slots on top and an open groove on the inside but no opening top. She is not interested in catnip at all unfortunately. What I did was take away her food dish and dribble the dry pieces into the slots. You might try that as they say it makes it more interesting to the cat to have to work for it, it appeals to the predatory instinct.

I'm another one with osteoarthritis in my hands.  My left hand is worse than my right, but both are twisted and very difficult to pick up or hold on to anything. No grip in either hand. I'm constantly dropping items that I just picked up.

Patricia - I can relate to how impossible it is to open certain medications.  As you said - Nose sprays are packaged in such a way as to be a total nightmare to open! If I didn't have AJ here to open all prescription bottles, I would have to have it done at the drugstore.
I have a couple of ACE bandage type hand wraps that give me some relief.  I also bought a pair of compression gloves that have little pieces of copper knitted in.  I'm not a big believer in copper to help with arthritis, but I have to say that those gloves feel really good on my hands.

Marilyne, I have some very tight gloves from the doctor that seems to help if I'm using my hands a lot. I also use a voice system, (Dragon); on the computer.

Good Morning Everyone from the sunny and warmer,  rocky coast of Maine.   

I just took a walk down the street to CVS and stopped at
the Thrift store down stairs.     It is a lovely day out,  and
it is beginning to feel spring like.    But the truth is,  it is still February and much to early to make any assumptions. 

Have a great day,  everyone... 
Sandy

Sandy, today we are at 48 degrees at 12:45 and I doubt we'll go much higher, although we could go to 50 degrees.  BUT!  By Saturday afternoon we are to have snow.  Maybe tonight or Friday, we will have rain that will turn into that Saturday snow.  We won't have a blizzard, but any snow will cause problems because we haven't had any for some time.

I think my osteoarthritis in my hands is not as bad as what others report.  My middle fingers curve a little, hardly noticeable.  I do have trouble picking things up, especially common pins.  Forget it!!! 

Patricia, the toy that Annie bought may not be quite the same as the one you have for Farrah.  The top has a perforated section and an open section, both of which fit over the place where you can put catnip.  The top snaps onto the bottom and Kendrick found if he put his weight on the edge of the top, the top comes off and that is why I removed most of the catnip.  He batted the ball around a couple of times, but he'd much rather go after the catnip.  I wonder how soon his claws will do damage to the top.  As long as it will still snap into place, I won't worry about it.  It's fun to watch him do something different for a change.

Mary Ann

My arthritis is mostly in the upper spine with a degenerative disc disease in my lower back. On occasion my knees get into the act My hips are the new addition since last year.

It is outrageously warm for this time of year. The temp is now 70F. Some of my Daffodils are about to bloom. 

MarsGal, what part of the country do you live in?  I am in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  We benefit a lot from Lake Michigan as storms coming across the lake dissipate, however, we do get some pretty good storms.  Our present temperature is in the vicinity of 50 degrees.

I wrote this before and posted it only to find a smiley waving at me.  I wonder what I did - or hit.

Mary Ann

Looks like those of you in the Midwest and East, are having a nice Winter Break from the cold weather.   Wish I could say the same, but our rains have now been replaced by a freezing north wind, that will be bringing icy rain on Saturday . . . straight from the Gulf of Alaska. They're predicting snow in our surrounding foothills and in the Santa Cruz Mountains. (The area that just had all the mudslides.)  As for the sun, we haven't seen it for a number of weeks, although today, it did peek out from behind the clouds a few times.

Patricia - I didn't realize that you used a voice program on your computer. Do you use it all the time, or only when necessary?   I'm still able to type okay, but I have to switch the mouse from the right, to the left side of the keyboard whenever one of my hands becomes painful or overworked.