Patricia, that is soooo lovely. The mom is showing a lot of love and trust to her human. Trust doesn't usually come easy to abused animals. It takes time, patience and love.

Look dark and dreary at the Grand Haven today. Few people in the water so it must be warm.. 91 deg. here  Was out in it and felt sort of sick so came home. Will wait until about 7pm to go out again.  I just can't take hot weather any more.

Patricia, the head of the pitbull looks similar to the part pit bull that great-niece Erin has, but her dog's body is mostly white with large spots.  That is a great video.

The bears seem to be in the fall because something mentioned when Spring came and we are already in Spring.

As far as the Lake Erie pictures are concerned, if someone would like to see them, may they contact you to get the pictures.  It probably explains why I could not copy them.  For anyone interested, they are worth the effort.

Patricia, you've done well with your weight loss.  I'd like to lose 10 pounds, maybe 20, but my more immediate goal is to not gain weight.

Tom and I went to Cheers tonight and both got sandwiches, mine was a Philly Cheese sandwich and I bought onion rings to share.  Then Tom also ordered rings and it ended up that we brought most of them home.  I also brought home half of my sandwich and that will be my lunch or supper tomorrow as Tom will be gone most of the day.

Jeanne, I'm glad I had the bird link you wanted.

Mary Ann

The Alaskan summer is short and intensive. The trees have bloomed but the flowers and crops are generally planted on or just past Memorial Day after hardening off in greenhouses or sheds. The older boars, male bears, come out around the end of April while the younger males and single females are out now.

The females with cubs will show up around the end of the month, JeanneP. The Katmai Preserve is in the Southeast of the state but I don't imagine their timetable is any different in 500 miles. So, I don't know why the cameras aren't up yet and they are still showing highlights from 2016. The bears are fascinating to watch and in a way, I wish I could afford to be out there and on the list, however, it is small and strictly regulated.

That pit bull was so sweet, bringing her babies to be admired! One guy here has one looking very similar to that one. The dog is a service dog, helps to pull his wheelchair, brings stuff to him and generally provides company and someone to care for.

I have been outside, enjoying the fresh air and company. It is so nice outside!

I know you all like to look at live cam of chicks and birds.
Here are some at various stages of development.  I find it fascinating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9S5un16rcU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOHp0wliA1A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRDgQqGMiGQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxAIEkYJCCQ

Hi everyone.  We are headed for a very hot 95 degrees this afternoon.  Fortunately Pat appointment with the pain doctor is this morning before it gets so hot.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.  Pat did enjoy her Circle luncheon yesterday.

Sandy, your typing is fine without the capitalization.  Glad you are recouping.

Mary Ann, this extreme exhaustion day after day is something I am not used to.  It seems after I get just a couple of things done I have had it.  I need to get some flowers for outside but the thought of having to care of them daily is almost too much to contemplate.  I may try to find something artificial for my front porch and just forget about the back porch.  I enjoyed the flowers so much the last couple of years but time marches on.  I had the same idea about the Korean man who won the tournament as he obviously understood English but doesn't feel comfortable trying to speak it.  The golf circuit is quite International anymore.  There are so many good golfers.  I thought I remembered that most birds mate for life so did a search and found that 90% of birds mate for life.
Here is a link that provides more information: http://www.answers.com/Q/Are_birds_monogamous

Patricia, you are to be commended on your weight loss as that is a real accomplishment.  It sounds like you are a person with a very strong will and determination. 

Marilyne, web cams and cameras on phones have really changed things and opened up the world. There are some really amazing videos of animals in the wild as well as other living things and plants on this planet.     


JeanneP, I am with you on the impact of hot weather.  So I try not to be in it too much.  Just this morning I remembered to put my sun shades in my cars for the windshield.  It doesn't stop the car from getting hot inside but usually keeps the sun off the steering wheel. I do hope you are feeling OK today. 

good morning every one from the sunny and much warmer rocky coast of maine..

i am sorry to hear larry, that you must limit your gardening,  which i understand you get great pleasure out of.   your summers in south Carolina must be hotter and dryer which requires a lot of watering to stay fresh and not burned out.    so limiting your live plants should make caring for them easier for you. 

all is well here, except of course, i want my arm to heal as fast as possible.

i am not very patient.

have a good day, everyone!

sandy
 

Bubble, the links you provided were interesting. 

Larry, I understand your wanting to limit your plants because of the exertion you have to expend.  I would love to have some flowers in front but I cannot bend over to care for them, so I will get hanging baskets to put among the foliage I have.  I used to have hanging baskets below the deck but steps and I do not get along, and Tom doesn't care, so I don't have anything down there now.  I know there are a couple of birds nests in the framework and I'd like to see them, but again, I don't go downstairs.  And hanging baskets will have to wait until Tom cam take me.  I may or may not take off the hangers because there is no place up above for them to hang.

I just spent a good half hour on the deck with the cat.  Yesterday I put out four of my inside plants and the cat wandered around them like in a jungle.  He does not eat the leaves so I feel free to let him wander.  He looks so cute when he looks out between the leaves. 

My agenda for today has been fulfilled because I had my hair cut, then we went to breakfast at the restaurant next door.  My former stylist retired after I had my hair cut last month so I have a different one now.  I've had her before as a sub so know what she can do.  Actually, all she has to do is cut my hair; not much styling.  At the restaurant both Tom and I had omelets only mine was a Jr omelet, just my size.

Today is to be cloudy in the morning, then the sun should shine but the sun has shone most of the morning.  It's supposed to get up to 80 degrees today and it already is in the 70s.

Mary Ann

Thanks Bubble for those.  Now I just need to copy them. 

Good morning everyone: (still morning here - 10:20 am)  I'm expecting company momentarily, so just looked in to say hello.  Our oldest daughter and granddaughter #3, will be arriving for a a short visit.  We haven't seen them since Christmas, so I'm really looking forward to it.  Always involves a lot of grocery shopping, cooking, bed making, etc., but it's worth it!

Yesterday I put in two of my four air conditioners. Today I had to remove a large branch that fell from one of my pines. I was able to cut down the smaller branches and then move the large branch to the side of the yard where there is no grass. I had someone come out about a month ago to prune my privots and get rid of an accumulation of downed branches. I was so pleased to see all that gone. Well, it was nice while it lasted.

My back didn't bother me much yesterday after putting in the air conditioners, but it didn't take long for it to start aching big time when I had to bend over to cut the small branches off. I can only do about a half-hours worth of yard work if I have to bend and such. It is a shame, because I used to like being out in the yard doing gardening. The thing I like the least, mowing, doesn't usually bother me as long as I split it up into at least two days.

Larry, our hot weather is coming tomorrow with it going into the 80's. Thursday and Friday, it will be 90, give or take a degree or two. My sister is fretting over Thursday because she and a friend are signed up to do a mile charity walk. She is not looking forward to walking in the heat, and I don't blame her.

I've spent a lot of time today, at least since noon, sitting on the deck with the cat.  He has enjoyed being out there, nosing around my plants, but also just lying on the deck, stretching and watching the birds.  He wouldn't know what to do with a bird if he caught one, but he has fun watching them.

We were well over 80 degrees today and I think our high tomorrow will be 87.  I did not turn on the air today because it was the first full day I could open the doors and I am not ready to be boxed in.  That time will come soon enough.

MarsGal, I used to like to work outside too but I also am unable to do any of that type of work.  My neighbor came over the other day and pulled a lot of weeds that had grown, some I had never seen.  I have an idea I may have lost some snowdrops, but we'll see next winter.  I also had a lot of volunteer violas and I am not sure they are still here, either.  I am so thankful for her help, I'm not going to worry about it.

My clock below has read 2:25 for several days but I thought the temperature was OK but now it says we are at 52 degrees - and don't you believe it!  It still is about 80 degrees.

Mary Ann

Good afternoon, 4:52 here so it is late afternoon. I spent the entire day either sitting out in the seventy-seven-degree sunshine and traveling via bus to various neighborhood shops and snacks with some ladies from here. We had barbecue and baked beans at a friend's so my earlier forbearance seems to have gone by the wayside.

The seven of us purchased everything from paint to couch cushions to lamps to candelabra bulbs to rubber cement. I really enjoyed today plus the visit of a friend's great granddaughter who now knows everything as she has just "graduated" from first grade!    We came home to little colored white sacks on our doors. One of the kindergarten classes had gifted all of us with samples of personal care products and a little card saying Happy Mayday! Evidently, someone's mother or teacher was late as today is the sixteenth.

I might have mentioned that Alan, who by the way, said he liked his apron!  ; is angling for a playmate for Duchess. Dora said she would be willing if Alan takes her on that German cruise next year. The one touring the Rhine and viewing all the hillside castles. It will be interesting to see what happens with that.

Farrah has been upset as she cannot see over the railing, yet hears so many birds now. She may only see them if they are directly over the balcony with the trees leafed out. The balcony's wooden rail is four feet high and she tried standing up with her front feet on the glass to sitting on a chair. She was still too short and her eyes fell on my kitchen island, which is fifteen heel to toe steps for my size sevens, away from my balcony doors. You could literally watch those wheels turning in her head. She dashed over, jumped up and found she was able to see and watch the birds.

I hope everyone has a good evening!

my only grandson  Matt has completed boot camp. 

He also ran 2 miles in 9 min and 12 seconds, so the army is sending him to a training camp in colorado for "team USA" in the next Summer Olympics.....   

Hurrah for Matthew!!!!!

With all that is going on in the World ...  training for the Olympics is the greatest of all places to land!!!
IMHO
Sandy

Hi everyone.  We have an overcast morning and it is suppose to be partly cloudy all day long.  The forecast is for it to get to 90 degrees this afternoon.  Our main activity this morning is to get Pat to her dental appointment over in Augusta.  They called yesterday and asked if she could come about 15 minutes sooner than scheduled so she will have to hurry around a little more than usual in the morning. 

At her pain doctor appointment yesterday he decided only to prescribe Gabafenion as she has been in much less pain the last three or four days.  She is to go back next week for x-rays on her neck area and then see the pain doctor in a month.  It was about noon when she got finished at the doctor's office and we decided to eat our main meal of the day out.  So we went to the next pizza place in downtown North Augusta.  It is called Your Pie.  When we went in there was a long line waiting and we knew Pat really couldn't stand in line that long so we decided to leave.  The owner saw us go out the door and before we got to the car he called to us to come on in and he would get take care of us and that he did.  In this place you pay one price for a 10 inch pizza, select the crust and sauce you want on it and the type of cheese and then what ever meat (s) you want and choose from many other items available.  He took our order away from the line and found us a place to sit.  It took quite awhile before we got our pizzas but we were in no hurry.  I didn't pay right after I gave my order as one would do in the line so after we had been served our pizza he came to the table to ask how we liked it (and it very good as was cooked in a fire oven) and at that time I said what do I owe you and he said nothing because he hadn't gotten our order in quickly enough.  I protested but not too hard and as we left I saw him again and offered to pay but he again refused.  So we had a free meal.  Between the coupon to have a free meal at the Chop House in the future and our pizza yesterday this was a real red letter week. Tonight will be our next to last dinner at the Church and then we expect Scott and Jennifer to come out for a little while.

Sandy, I have watered the yard twice a week during the hot season for 20 minutes each time.  The sprinkler system has four zones and only one runs at a time.  I will be turning the system on today and it will start watering around 5:30 tomorrow morning. 

Mary Ann, I am seriously considering an artificial plant for my front porch but just have to figure out how to keep it from blowing out of the ceramic container that sits on the little table in front of my window.  My neighbors just planted a Japanese Maple tree in their front yard and my view from my desk and computer see it each time I glance up.  It should be beautiful after it gets established. 

Marilyne, I hope you have a wonderful visit with your daughter and granddaughter.  These moments are precious to us even if we see them often. 

MarsGal, it seems yard work is never done.  I feel fortunate not to have any trees that will shed branches and leaves in my yard. I just have a couple of bushes that grow very quickly that have to be pruned and I ask my son to do that for me.  Bending over doesn't seem to hurt my back but the it does leave me a bit breathless and weary.  It sounds like you are getting your air conditioners in just at the right time. 

Mary Ann, it sounds like the battery in your computer that controls the clock and calendar function may have gone out.  I have never had to replace one but know they are there and can fail. 

Patricia, a one-time eating of BBQ and baked beans shouldn't give you a setback.  It sounds like you had a delightful day.  It sounds like Alan will be taking that German cruise with his wife and that would be a win-win as he can then get another cat.  Farrah is one smart cat.

Sandy, what an honor for your grandson Matt.  I bet he is excited and will be doing a lot of running as he trains over this next year.  I am sure you all are relieved that he won't be in harms way, at least for awhile and hopefully never. 

Patricia, once in a while you have to go off the wagon; you can't be perfect all of the time!  BBQ and baked beans sounds so good.

It is already 70 degrees at 9 am and I'm going to have to turn on the a/c today as I read we will get up to 87 degrees.  I think it was in the same vicinity yesterday but I didn't see the temp at its highest.  I just am not ready for HOT yet.

I think this is the day Tom is to pick up his friend from Phoenix, then drive him to Fremont MI where the friend will stay with his parents for a few days.  I didn't think I slept after I went back to bed, but evidently I did because I did not hear Tom leave.  I don't expect to see Tom until late tonight or maybe tomorrow morning.

Larry, you're doing well in the free meal department.  If the pizza was good, I imagine you'll return some day, even though the place is in Augusta.

I didn't know the time thing was controlled by a battery, but I'm not going to be concerned about it as I have clocks all over the place and also an indoor/outdoor thermometer. 

Sandy, what good news about and for your grandson.

Mary Ann

Sandy, what an honor for your grandson, Matt.  I'll bet you and his parents must be busting your buttons with pride.  Congratulations to Matt!

SCFSue

Today is going to be hot, so I put on shorts.  I have to laugh when I think about that because my paternal grandmother died at 92 in 1951 and I try to picture her in shorts - and it doesn't picture! 

Tom was at breakfast when I wondered if he was picking up his friend.  He came home with my breakfast and said he would pick up his friend this afternoon and then I would not see him until tomorrow. 

I will be turning on the air before the day is too old.

Mary Ann

Good morning from an already bright and sunny Interior. I slept soundly last night, a rarity for me and I was shocked to see the time when I awoke. I woke up hearing a bird scream and I thought it was a child at first if a child had been several feet in the air! It seems the hawks are back and the ravens, liking cooler climes, will be heading to the mountains, another sign of summer.

When you are focused on one goal. One you have been determined on for sixteen months, it becomes a single-minded purpose and while a single day of slack won't ultimately matter, it is just one day longer in the scheme of things, one day longer to wait. And that second final goal won't be done until sometime in 2018. There are other goals, of course. Other challenges, but the catalyst was when a doctor told me that healthwise I was nine years older than my physical years. That the weight, isolation, and inactivity was killing me slowly. I had the ability now to stop it but would I?

Larry and MaryAnn, you are very lucky to have a close family. I see folks here who do have local family and they rarely see or hear from them. Others have family that either comes grudgingly or only comes when they want something from that senior. Since we are disabled in some way or another and while we run the gamut of rich to poor, the usual place after this is one of future inclusive care. So, to have that family see you settled in and then feeling duty accomplished, and final is just one more sign that we are no longer needed or important.

Those of us either more independent or without family are actually the lucky ones. It reminds me of how indulgent and protective we all felt about small Samatha, swinging around that railing, showing off her tights, proclaiming to all who would listen, that she knew everything. She was after all a first-grade graduate.

The time and temperature avatars are still a mess, at least mine is. I need to check AccuWeather or whatever site controls them to see if they have a fix available. I also need to vacuum the living rooms, bedroom and hallways as well as mosey around the baseboards with a squirt bottle and cleaning rag, but the sunshine is bright and I already hear voices in the courtyard and Lynda's Baby barking at strangers walking by. I'm seriously thinking of hiring Andrew to do a serious once a month cleaning. He did such a great job before, but he isn't cheap. He's just more than capable and thorough.

Dora will probably get her cruise and Duchess her playmate. However, Alan isn't one to spend money. It's the same reason why his store was so successful. He is a very logical, steady person which is why we tease him about his baby Duchess. It was so unexpected. And you can blame Farrah for planting that seed, Dora does!    

MarsGal, I always rented, but I always had plants inside everywhere or multiple roses and spices on a balcony. Now, I know Farrah would get into them or eat them and so many are either poisonous or have been treated with pesticides so I no longer have them.

I will not have an outside plot either. I started one last year but it was a cool, rainy summer so that didn't work out as I wanted. The aches and pains and dizziness I have now precluded doing anything this year but that didn't stop me yesterday from oohing and ahhing at the plants along with the rest of my group at the garden center. Especially the tomato plants and the peonies.

Marilyne, enjoy this time with family. It is always nice to have family visit, especially when its warm out!

Sandy, you have a very accomplished family. I wish Matt all the luck in his Olympic training and share the hope that he always stays safe wherever the military sends him.

Mary Ann, your temps are higher than ours.  We are 58 right now and high is supposed to be 72 today.

Opened my bedroom window so we can have some fresh air today..  No plans for the day.

Joan, when I signed on to S&F, the screen said 84 degrees.  I haven't turned on the a/c yet but I will; it's kind of oppressive.

Patricia, I'm not going to worry about the inaccurate temperature and time readings below.  Larry said I needed a new battery but my laptop is plugged in all of the time so I don't think a battery is involved.

I have plants inside and out on the deck and I have never seen Kendrick going after them.  He does wander around those outside but the ones inside are higher and there is no place for him to land if he jumps up.  I know - there's always a first time.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn I only mentioned it in my earlier post because I was clarifying that it wasn't your laptop but an outside app. I was also thinking of deleting it if it wasn't fixable.

wjoan - Right now at 11:30, my outdoor temp is 65 degrees.  We are also expecting a high of 72 today.  Tomorrow it's supposed to be somewhere around 80. 

Mary Ann - Like you, I also can't imagine either of my grandmothers ever wearing shorts! We lived in Southern California when I was growing up, so it was certainly hot enough! My maternal grandma lived with us, and I only remember her wearing dresses, practical shoes and long stockings.  No AC back in those days either.

Patricia - it's great having daughter and granddaughter here for a few days.  Hard on my already stressed vocal cords, one of which has been paralyzed since November.  Difficult to have a decent conversation, but I'm determined to enjoy this visit.  If I rest my voice by not speaking for an hour, then it recovers for a while.  All three of us are on computers or iPads right now, so this is a good "voice break" for me.   

Bubble.  Such cute shot of the baby birds.  All those feather in the one of the Falcons. Unbelievable.  I bred parrots for a long time. Really miss doing it.

Still in the 80s here but very windy. Trying to put the house in order but took a break. I just watched the movie. "A Man Called OVE" what a great on. I am still on the library list for the book. It can't beat the movie.  I don't care much for Subtitles. )This Swedish. But after 10 min. you don't even notice. Yes. you do get a few tears every so often.  Now back to the sweeper.

Marilyne, like your grandmother, mine wore dresses, cotton stockings and sensible shoes.  My paternal grandmother was the only one I knew as the others died many years before I was born.  My mother also did not wear shorts; she was heavy and wore only dresses and sensible shoes, but I think she went without hose because my mother wore corsets and in hot weather they were HOT!  She had some dressy shoes for good. 

A funny thing - it was during the Depression and for Christmas my dad would give my mother a blank check and a picture of a corset.  I mentioned that to Tom's former wife and she said, "what's a corset?"   They're called something else now, but corsets look much like they did 80 years ago.  Not only that, the corsets had the garters attached; no panty hose back then.  And Mother wore bloomers, not little panties!

How much more comfort we have these days.

Mary Ann

Very warm to day, cover still on the AC, Need to get it moved off.

MaryAnn, my mother only wore cotton dresses, and see to have dressy
back dresses for when she sent to funerals.  I also remember the corset lady would come to the house about once a year and measure my mother for a corset, had a lot of stays.  Seem like the women came from a company by the name of Spencer. When I was growing up you always wore a girdle.  Much more comfortable.
My mother also wore and apron.  I still wear cobbler apron, I have ones with sleeves and in summer, I use sleeveless.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
           to
  W. JOAN!!

Hey Joan, I keep telling you that you just can't catch me - you are still a month behind me!   

shirleyn

Hi everyone.  It looks like we can expect another day like yesterday with some cloud and some sun and a high of 92 degrees.  This will likely be my typical Thursday as will pick up my friend for coffee, take him home afterwards and if I feel up to it go to the Church for the Wisdom group.  That will be plenty for today. 

We had a nice dinner at Church last evening and a very nice visit with Scott.  Jennifer didn't make it to the dinner and did not come out with Scott last night.  Pat's dental appointment went well and she had no new cavities.  When we finished at the dentist we went to a new meat market and got some meat.  It was fairly close to where the dentists office but quite away from our home so doubt we will be going back. 

Mary Ann, actually the pizza place is just across the parking lot from where I have coffee in North Augusta.  The Chop House is in Augusta. Nice of Tom to pick up his friend and take him where he needs to go.  Your time problem on your laptop may well be something other than a battery as one seldom hears of that problem. 

Marilyne, you also had a great temperature yesterday.  I can easily remember those growing up years and early married years without air conditioning.  Sure glad we don't have that situation anymore. It is now nice that you have trouble with your vocal chord especially when you want to have a nice chat with your visiting family. 

deAngel, I don't think my wife even owns and apron anymore.  My mother always wore one.

Patricia, glad you were able to sleep well.  It is sad that family don't support each other and particularly when they seem to forget about their parents or grandparents that are in a facility like where you live. It sounds like you have a bit of drama to watch for several months to see if Dora gets here trip and Alan a new cat as a playmate for Duchess.

Joan, Happy Birthday.  Your 72 degree day yesterday sounds about perfect.  Glad you can enjoy some fresh air.  The pollen is very heavy here so opening up the house wouldn't be a good thing. 

Shirley, thanks luv.  I will keep trying tho. 

Larry, Thanks.   We are supposed to be  75 today and our pollen has been heavy here also.  Have to double up on my  allergy pills.
Off to get my day going here.  Hugs all around,

Good morning, another clear sunny day in the making. We seem to have had a bit of rain here last night while I was sleeping as we were cooler, earlier this morning. Farrah has been quite active lately, watching birds and then playing field hockey or whack a mole, her way with her cylinder. She would certainly benefit with a playmate but we are allowed only the single pet here.

Larry, it isn't that Alan objects to the trip as it is that they recently went on a cruise. This offends his New Englander sensibilities as Dora explains it. Dora is of the mind that while one pet is nice, she doesn't really want a number of animals living in her house.

Older women locally seemed to wear a uniform when I was growing up. Black sensible shoes, brown hose, long flowered dresses with toledo style matching flowered tops with long sleeves. I'm sure girdles were worn. My father never wore jeans. He had one suit for special occasions and had work clothes or an over suit as he was a welder before he became part of management.

My mother, in the beginning, was usually someone's secretary and she was one of the few who worked, and who wanted to work. She wore colored pants or pedal pushers and boat neck shirts for casual wear. Later she became a librarian. She sewed, crafted, painted and took classes until Alzheimer's took all that away from her.

She would go in and study a store outfit before going home and sewing one for herself without a pattern. None of her children inherited that particular gene, unfortunately. Both she and her older sister modeled in California before WWII and worked in shipyards during that war. Both of my parents came from large farm families with my mom being one of twelve and my dad one of sixteen. Hard to believe that type of family was the norm not too long ago.