Larry, I read news on Windows 10.  Much of it is opinion and/or politics.  There also are other articles and one yesterday was about 12 things you don't know about Costco.  I don't remember anything in particular, but the entire article was very favorable to Costco.  So often those articles are negative, but this one was very positive.  I live kitty-corner in the county from Costco, so we don't go there often.  Tom does go occasionally with his lady friend, but not often.

We now are just under 70 degrees and it is very comfortable.  Our trash and recycle has just been picked up, today instead of Friday because of the Monday holiday.  I hope to go to Lowe's to get two or three hanging baskets today and that will be the extent of my gardening.  I do have some containers on the deck, but those are non-blooming house plants.  Tom had said he'd take me this morning so I should get dressed.

Being Saturday and a nice day, there should be some activity on Lake Michigan today, especially in the channel.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - You reminded me to take a look at Grand Haven.  Looks about like my weather here this morning.  Kind of still and calm,  and slightly overcast.  I saw two people near the edge of the lake - looked like a child playing and an adult watching.

We did get a lot of things yesterday at Costco.  Only bought one set of the $24 sheets.  I'll wash them and see what I think, and then maybe  buy a few more sets for gifts.  The special will run through the entire month of June.  Besides the sheets, we bought lots of food items: a large piece of salmon in a tray, all ready to cook with pesto butter on top, another large tray of mac and cheese, a loaf of freshly baked bread (still warm!), and a few bags of frozen items like salmon patties, enchiladas, mixed veggies.  I don't cook from scratch anymore, so I like to have ready-to-eat foods in the fridge or freezer.  We ate half of the salmon last night for dinner, and will use the rest for sandwiches and lunches. 

So that's my exciting life for yesterday.   Today looks dull by comparison.  I plan to drive to a nearby orchard that has a fruit stand, and see what they have for sale this early in the year.  Most likely just cherries. Apricots will be ripe soon, followed by peaches.  My two favorites!       

Mornin Larry and all.  Gonna be about 80 today.  No plans.  Farmer came by yesterday.  His retirement hone here in Richland is almost ready to move into.  Lots of updates had to be done and he put ramps  at all the entrances.  He is ready for whatever will be.  Smart man.

Good afternoon from a still sunny, (76 degrees & 2:21 PM); Interior! I spent the morning using my cart to carry people's food boxes from the social room to their apartments and then went out to sit in the sun and gossip. A group of us went down to one of the mini stores for ice cream, other snacks, and soda. Altogether a nice morning.

Farrah has morphed into a regular cat. She jumps over me every once in awhile, nightly to nap against the wall and when she hears me stirring in the morning, will jump up and walk around me several times as if to say, "It's morning, you dolt, feed me!" Up until quite recently, she would startle if I came up to pet her.  She would roll into a small ball and remain that way until I left. Just this week, she has been rolling over on her back so I will make sure to get her stomach.

This afternoon I opened the door to the balcony and had just the screen door closed. Instead of her usual practice of leaving the room until I closed both doors, she remained close to the screen door and with ears perked, listened and watched the birds in the trees. Baby steps.

I didn't feel she was feral because she was in a home for her first seven weeks and she had a first medical appointment with first vaccinations, chipped and neutering. I had thought the not meowing and not chittering at birds along without other feline traits was a learned survival response afterward. Then I read a veterinary article about feral cats and it described so much of Farrah's responses and behaviors. It was actually eye opening.

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Neither Tom nor I had anything to eat this morning until we went to Subway for a sub.  From there we went to the bank because I was low on money only they were working on the ATM and I did not get any money.  From there we went to Meijer where I bought two impatiens hanging baskets and another red flower that is supposed to bloom all summer; I put that plant in the urn I had at my parents' graves until a few years ago.  I watched golf for a while and never did get a nap.  Tom went for groceries around 5 pm, left and I put the perishables away.  The other stuff is on the kitchen counter and I put some away whenever I go to the kitchen. 

Dot got her glasses yesterday so we can go to church again.  I think other members will be surprised to see us.  I'll have to pay two month's pledge because of not being there. 

A while ago I let the cat out on the deck, then went out to join him.  Anything that moves interests him and he gawks at the birds flying overhead.  It still is close to 80 degrees here and very comfortable on the deck.  When I came in Kendrick was ready to come in.

This morning the window washer came and I had forgotten he was coming.  He brought a son and nephew to help him so they were done in short order.

And that was my day!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - Chape has his surgeon's and cardiologist's okay for the repair. When he had his back surgery a couple of years ago he healed much more quickly than they expected. He's 83. This isn't a replacement or anything, just a repair of the tendons/ligaments.  He can't take arthritis medicine or anything like ibuprofen because of his kidneys.

I love peanut butter spread thickly on a slice of bread and a glass of milk. Eat it almost every day.

Larry - Chape knows he's in for a lot of pain after the surgery. We have the post op instructions on how to deal with it!    He can take the prescription pain killers. You're probably right about the golf!

Sue - No, my daughter wasn't connected to the Navy. She lived in Brunswick in the 90s.  I really liked that area, too.

Shirleyn -  I'm so glad to see you posting again. Thank you for the anniversary wishes! Yesterday was our 60th wedding anniversary.  I'm still wondering where all those years went! We went out to dinner last night with some close friends. Had a very nice time. Heard from all four kids......They gave us a big party for our 50th so we didn't want another one. We'll be making a trip north later in the summer.

Angel - I'm happy to hear that Farrah has become acclimated to being your fur friend! Your patience paid off.

Good night all.

The online shopping sounds nice and convenient, but for now, I'll continue with going to the grocery store as long as I can manage.  It's a hassle, but if I don't go, I tend to get kind of stir crazy.  I really need to get out of the house for a change of scene. 

wjoan - your farmer friend sounds interesting.  What type of farming did he do, and where did he live?  I remember when we lived in the Tri-Cities . . . the land around there didn't look very good for farming.  Very dry and desert looking back then, but I'm sure it's changed a lot since I lived there in 1957-58.

Mary Ann - I'm glad Dot finally got her glasses! The congregation at church tomorrow will be happy to see the two of you. 

Larry - We've enjoyed the last two nights of our ready to eat dinners from Costco.  Those large casseroles are delicious, and the salmon was fresh and tasty. Give it a try the next time you're there, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Patricia - Sounds like Farrah is going to want that screen door open, now that the weather has warmed up. You probably wouldn't want her to go all the way out on the deck . . . too dangerous.  I think you said you were on the fourth floor??  I have a terrible fear of heights, (acrophobia), so I know I wouldn't be able to go out on an outside deck that is any higher than one story.  It makes me feel weak and shaky, to even think of a cat or dog on one of those high-rise decks!    

Marilyne, my farmer friend has many farms throughout the Eastern part of WA.  I have lost count now.  He grows Hops and grapes.  For the grapes he  is contracted with Welch's/

If anyone would like to see it, I've posted a picture of our wedding 60 yrs. ago. It's from an old color slide and not in the best condition. (But then, neither am I!) 

Marilyne, Farrah's a jumper and I know sooner or later she'd make an attempt at the top of the railing...so she's going to stay a house kitty. It is a straight drop, four stories,  to the ground but there is a concrete and wrought iron fence just a few feet between the building and the sidewalk for security, so, no.

Hi everyone.  We are in for another hot day in the 90's.  This will be Church day and getting something to eat either to bring home or eat out depending on how tired we are after church.  I will rest and listen to Don's program and then catch the end of the golf match.  Yesterday was  pretty quiet day.  I did go to my meeting yesterday and watch the golf match for about 3 hours. 

Mary Ann, I will have to look up that article on Costco.  They don't seem to sell anything that isn't top quality and while the quantity is usually large it is pretty well priced.  I should have gone yesterday and bought some flowers but didn't.  I have had that experience of going to an ATM and finding it wasn't in service.  That is very annoying.  Fortunately we have several branches close by with ATM'S.  Glad Dot got her glasses and now can resume her normal life. 

Beverly, a repair to tendons/ligaments is still major.  I am fortunate to not have any arthritis problems or problems with my shoulders, knees or hips.  Hopefully Chape won't need the pain medicine for too long as sure it also is not good for his kidneys. 

Marilyne, your trip to Costco sounds like it was very successful.  We haven't tried too many of their prepared foods as often there are ingredients that Pat is trying to stay away from.  However, we have had some of their frozen salmon filets and they were very good. I really like their French bread but am trying to not buy it as I eat too much of it.  We are fortunate to live in an age where there are many ready to cook and eat foods available to us. 

Joan, your farmer friend is wise to get his home handicapped equipped as one never knows when it will be needed.  He sounds like a very successful and busy farmer. 

Patricia, it sounds like you had a very nice morning yesterday.  Any morning you go to an ice cream store has to be good. 

Larry, being President of the Company I guess he is.

Our minister and some of the congregation were glad to see Dot and me at church this morning so it seems we were missed.  It was hard for some of them to accept that she needed special lenses after her cataract surgery and the second special lens is what held her up.  Dot is very happy with these glasses now that she can see only one of anything, not two.  After church we did our usual OTB at Mr Burger (aka The Cholesterol Pit).  We both had hamburgers and maybe next week we'll have tuna melt and split it.  We always have a sweet roll while waiting for the hamburger to be done.

I changed my clothes as soon as I got home today; it is hot - 80 degrees.  I sat on the deck for a few minutes and there was a nice breeze there.  I'll try to go out soon because when the sun hits where I sit, I am not interested in being on the deck and I don't think Kendrick is either.

As I've mentioned, my deck is elevated to the upper level of my condo.  Kendrick is now enjoying being there and I have to trust that he will not go between the rails to jump down.  He had to do it once and I think that was enough for him.  Marilyne, you would not like the ride in a gondola we took in the Canadian Rockies a few years ago.  We had taken a ski lift up the mountain, then took the gondola from one peak to the next.  I'm glad I am not afraid of heights. 

Larry, the article about Costco was in the Windows 10 news section and I saw it only once.  The articles usually are from a news source and I've discovered a lot of new sources by reading the news there.  Most of the articles are political, but many of them also are "good news".  I'll see how much golf I can watch this afternoon.  They are in Ohio and I'll bet it is warm there too.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - Good to hear that Dot's new glasses are working well for her.  I'm sure she's happy that she's been "set free", after a couple of weeks of being cooped up, and unable to drive or go anywhere. 
We have a place near us here in town called The Diner, that sounds a lot like your Cholesterol Pit.  The hamburgers are good and juicy, and they also have a delicious tuna melt.  We haven't been there in a long time, but now that I've been reminded of it, we maybe will go some evening this week.
You are correct - I would NOT be able to handle the gondola ride in the Canadian Rockies! Any carrier that's hanging from a cable, way up in the air, is not for me!

wjoan - Sounds like your friend, has turned from a farmer into a businessman!  That's wonderful, that his vineyards have done so well. Now that he's retiring near you, I hope you'll be seeing more of him.

Patricia  - makes me shudder to think of Farrah, on an outside deck, four stories up!  I'm glad she will be staying inside!

Larry - If you ever want to try something at Costco that's fresh, low carb, and ready to eat, get the tray of large stuffed bell peppers. At our store the tray consist of two green, two red and two yellow peppers, stuffed with a good mixture of ground beef and rice.  Very tasty! 
Now, I promise I won't mention Costco food again! LOL      

Marilyne, I hope so too. 

Marilyne and Joan, mentioning Costco doesn't bother me a bit because I live too far from ours.  If anything like that built in the north end, we might go there, but not now.  One thing in the article about Costco was the fact the food was fresh.  The whole article was positive and you know that usually such articles about a business are negative.

I went to make my bed this morning and got my sheet pulled up OK but the blanket did not want to come.  I looked up and there was a cat on the blanket and he wanted to sleep so I let him.  When he jumps up in the middle of the night, he usually lands hard enough that he wakes me - or maybe I'm not fully asleep.  There are times that he is so quiet that I don't know he's there, and this was one of those times.  At 9:35 he is still there but I know he'll move when Tom's friend comes to clean for us.  Then he'll head downstairs.  Then I can make my bed.  My bed being made is the neatest thing in my bedroom!

I imagine we'll have another warm day today and I'm dressing appropriately.

Mary Ann

No message from Larry this morning?  I hope he is feeling okay, and that we hear from him later today?

Mary Ann - I can relate to the bed being made, as the neatest thing in the bedroom.  I always make the bed before I even get dressed for the day. . . but the rest of the room doesn't look so great.  Reason being that my computer is in here, so I always have the mess of the computer desk to contend with.  For the past week, I've had both my old and my new computers set up here, so I can slowly transfer things from one to the other.  Needless to say, that has created a double mess.

This afternoon I have an appointment with my cardiologist, so that will most likely be all that I accomplish today.  Last I saw him, two months ago, he said my beta blocker medication was not right for me, so he prescribed something new.  I had a bad reaction to it right away, and called his office, where I was assured that the doctor would be told, and would get back to me if need be.  He never got back to me, so I've only been taking the diuretic for the past two months. Funny thing is, that being off all pills, has made no difference  . . . my BP is the same whether I'm taking the meds or not. I'd like a good explanation for that fact, but I doubt that I will get one.

Kind of scares me a bit when I do not see a msg. from Larry first thing in the morning.

I looked in Soda Shoppe and Larry has not posted there, either.  He also did not mention anything about being absent in either folder.  His last posts in both places were after 8 am yesterday.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  It has been a busy morning and just now having the opportunity to make a short post.  Pat had to get some blood tests before an appointment on Wednesday an I went to the Prompt Care doctor in our new medical facility in North Augusta. They could not do the testing needed there and sent me on to the ER where I have spend the rest of the morning.  After an ultrasound and another test they determined it was not something to be concerned about but have referred me to a Urologist.  Pat came on home after dropping me off at the hospital and the came an picked me up.  Needless to say that used my energy supply for today.  We did have a nice rain last evening and I was able to turn my sprinklers off so it didn't water this morning. 

Marilyne, Joan and Mary Ann,  I just didn't have a chance to post before now but thanks for missing me.  Please don't worry unless I am missing for more than one day.  Sometimes life interferes.  Marilyne, thanks for the tip on the stuffed peppers.  We like them along although Pat has been substituting crumbled up cauliflower for the rice and it is pretty good.   

Larry, glad all is well. 

Today was my long awaited appointment with the cardiologist.  It was kind of a letdown . . . hard to explain.  As I said yesterday - I had an immediate bad reaction to the last bp pill he prescribed. I called the office right away and was told he would get back to me, which he never did. Long story short, when I saw him today he asked how I was feeling, and then told me to continue on with the diuretic capsule, and that is all he wants me to take.  He said my potassium was too low, and that I should eat high potassium foods every day, and start walking every day.   Then he listened to my heart, and said he would see me in four months, and that was it. 

He didn't say the dreaded word, "pacemaker", and neither did I. 

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast morning and is suppose to be a lot cooler today than the last couple of day.  Not much to write about this morning.  Will have to leave in a little while to go to the podiatrist, who is about 30 minutes away.

Marilyne, it sounds like you got a pretty good report from your cardiologist.  Do you have a problem walking?  I do hope you can get your potassium count up with your diet and the walking is always good if you are up to doing it. 

Good morning all.  The sun is up and it is still cool enough to have windows open.  We are in the weather pattern of super duper mornings and storm clouds in the afternoon which cools the hot days.  I have a dental appointment this morning and these next two weeks are pretty full of other appointments.  Must remember to get a driver's license renewal as well.

Marilyne:  sorry about your feeling letdown on your appointment.  I wanted to step in and tell you that a gal here did have a pacemaker installed and she feels 100% good.  She was feeling weaker and weaker and now is so much more energetic.  That is one result from a pacemaker and if ever you need one, I would hope it would work as well for you. 

Hi wJoan!  One of my classmates is moving from the islands inland to the Wenatchee area - it has become too difficult for medical appointments as you can well imagine.  Stay cool. 

Hi Carol

We just returned from lunch with the family.  There were six of us, but Jan's sister and boyfriend came just as Tom, Dot and I were ready to leave.  We ate at the Score, a sports bar that has outside facilities with beach sand and palm trees for decor.  There was a breeze blowing and it made it a bit hard to hear, but it was very comfortable otherwise.

Mary Ann

Nothing of note happening here today.  I'm ready to make a quick trip to the store for a loaf of bread and some milk, and then I'll most likely spend the rest of the afternoon reading and watching some TV.  I've spent most of the morning doing stuff on the computer, and now I'm kinda burnt out on it, and need to take a long break!

Carol - good to see you here!  Please return again soon.

Good morning from a still sunny Interior, long may it reign! 

Farrah is the same. She has been very affectionate lately, treats anyone? Perhaps I'm being cynical as she is still changing and evolving, but I know that each time I come into the apartment carrying bags, she gets excited and jumps onto the bar to carefully watch me unload.

I have to go out again today and it is already 12:11 here. I no longer seem able, other than appointments to get myself ready before afternoon. I need an energy infusion or injection, but no one seems to have one for those aging. With all those old sci-fi ideas becoming now commonplace, even bionic limbs, you would think there was a market! 

Not much happening here. I want to get out to photograph a flowering bush for Bubble and do some more gathering so I'll leave you all with wishes for a lovely afternoon!

I think Kendrick is affectionate but he doesn't appear to be.  He does rub up against me often and besides marking me, I think that is his way of showing affection.

When we came back from lunch, he was at the door and scooted out.  He's so fast, it is hard to get the upper hand, but I told him to "get back in there" - and he did!  Earlier when I went to the mailbox, he wanted to go out and I kept shouting "NO" and it was maybe a minute before he got far enough away from the door so I could get in. 

When I get ready for the day or when I get ready for bed, he lies on my bed and wants attention.  I give him some.  The hard part is that he lies on the bedding and it is hard to pull it up to make the bed.  I managed today to get the sheet and blanket straight but the quilt stayed at the bottom of the bed.

For supper I finished the pulled pork sandwich I brought home from my lunch.  I wish these restaurants would offer sandwiches made of two slices of bread with a filling or two.  This sandwich was very good, but it was on a split sourdough bun with pulled pork and sauce on one half and cole slaw on the other half.  Besides, there was a generous serving of home made potato chips.  I brought home the chips and I'm not finished with them.  I rarely eat potato chips but these will last into tomorrow.

Mary Ann

Well, I can relax tonight. No surgery for Chape tomorrow. He cancelled the surgery as the treatment he's been doing has stopped most of the pain.

We had some welcome rain today but the sun was back out early this evening. We need a lot more rain as the ponds and lakes are low and we have water restrictions.

A friend stopped by with some local peaches. We have  "pick your own" orchards around here. Can't get much fresher than that!

Larry - I'm sure you get some very nice local peaches where you live.  The ones we have in the stores now are from California but I always look forward to the Georgia peaches. They'll be selling them from trucks along the roadsides here soon.

Mary Ann - Your pulled pork sandwich sounds so good. That's one of my favorites, along with coleslaw.