Norms Bait and Tackle

[Marilyne]

Callie - wishing Miss Ellen, a Happy Birthday, and good luck in the coming year in finding work in her chosen field - the theater!  Most especially, musical theater.  Things don't look as bleak, as they once did, so it won't be long till things open up again!     

Jenny - so sorry to hear that Michele had to endure disk surgery this week!   That poor woman, as been through so much this past year, and doesn't deserve anything more!  I hope her pain has subsided, and she will make a full recovery soon.  Also hope she gets the Covid vaccine. ASAP!

Joy - good to see you checking in with us, and glad that you're feeling much better than you were last time you were here.  I know you are hoping that this Pandemic will soon be over, so life can get back to what it should be.

Tome - I thought of you last night, when I was watching the news, and saw that horrendous wreck/pile up in Fort Worth.  It was hard to watch, when that big rig lost control and plowed into all those cars.    I hope your freezing weather, and icy roads will be gone!

We went to a large local grocery store this morning, and stocked up for many days ahead. We've been ordering grocery pickup at Safeway, for the past couple of weeks, so it felt like real treat to go to a different store, and pick out things that we can't get anywhere else!      The sun is shining brightly this morning, but a nippy North wind is keeping the temperatures too low for comfort.  Still, it felt good to get out, and move around, and mingle with all the masked shoppers!   

[CallieOK]

Joanne,  Power outages are common during the spring storm season. Thank goodness for rechargeable phones and tablets,etc.
We had an ice storm in October and some areas were without electricity for over a week. Fortunately my area never lost power although we did have some downed trees. OKC is just now finishing cleanup from that one.

 I'm originally from Oklahoma but had  lived in the Colorado mountains for 15 years before moving here. Was used to "dry" snow so coming back to the west sticky stuff was a shocker...and...  I'd forgotten about "black ice".  Have now been here 44 years and am very careful to test the surface before stepping on what looks like dry pavement.

I heard about the horrible accident while on a phone chat with a friend in Fort Worth yesterday. There were some multi-vehicle wrecks along I-35 north of here but nothing like that one.
Hope you stay warm and safe, also

Marilyne. Ellen says most auditions won't be for several months. Seems that theaters are starting with shows that were cancelled so were already cast.

[Tomereader1]

I seriously think that the black ice was the principal cause of that horrendous wreck. (Supposedly road crews were to have spread that de-icer stuff on all the bridges and overpasses...maybe they missed, or it was not strong enough)  At any rate, that big Fed Ex rig was simply flying down the road, I guess thinking that the surface was only wet (still too fast), and there were other vehicles in front of the other big rig, which really took a majority of that "after-shock".  Today, the news said 130+ vehicles.

[FlaJean]

We've been having a lot of rainy nights lately but usually sunny mornings.  Today some sun but a little overcast.

Life in our area is about the same.  The weather is unpredictable but on the whole has been warmer than usual, according to local residents who have lived here for years.

Jenny, I hope Michele is getting better.  She has sure had a hard time these last few years.

February is a busy month of birthdays and anniversaries in our family.  Four birthdays, including mine, and two anniversaries.  Our son has been married 41 years.  I'm really feeling old.

Joy, it's good to know you are feeling better.  Glad you posted as I was thinking about you and wondering if you had your medicine changed.

Tome, that terrible accident near Ft. Worth has been constantly in the news and each time it sounds worse.

Callie, here's hoping that you don't have a power outage!

Well, another day and another dollar as the saying goes.  hope everyone has a good day.

[Denver]

Greetings from cold and dreary Colorado!  BURRRR. I know many of you are having very bad storms and I hope you all can stay safe and warm.

Thank you all, AGAIN, for your kind words as well as thoughts and prayers for Michele.  She is feeling a bit better everyday, so we do hope and pray this treatment she got will ease her pain.

We were invited to Dave and Michele's for a Valentine dinner celebration but declined.....much to risky to be getting out in this weather. 

Prayers for all of you...especially those having the terrible cold weather and storms. 


Jenny

[Marilyne]

Happy Valentines Day, to everyone who looks in today.  I hope you can spend it with someone you love - but if not, you can remember the wonderful memories from the past!   

Jenny - A Valentine Dinner with Dave and Michele and the kids would have been fun, but I can understand why you decided against it.  Not safe to venture out in this scary blast of wintery weather!   Also, it's still too Covid risky, until we get our second vaccination!

Jean - Good to see that you and Larry are doing well, and staying healthy.  I've lost track of who has and who hasn't had their vaccination?  I'm sure it's hard for you to believe that your son and dil have been married for 41 years!  our oldest daughter and her husband were divorced after 20 years of marriage, so I think they would be at about 40 years for them, if they were still married.  Our son and his wife, celebrated 30 years, last September. 

Callie and Tome - I hope the extreme weather is easing off somewhat for both of you.  Every night we see pictures on the news, of Texas and Oklahoma, of frozen trees toppling over, cars stuck in ice and snow, and of course many, many traffic disasters.

Patricia - Hoping that you feel better today, and will continue to improve and get well, over this long Holiday weekend.

shirleyn  -  I haven't seen you looking in the past couple of days?   Drop by and say hello, and tell us what plans you have for today?   

Best Valentine wishes to everyone!  ❤️     

[CallieOK]

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyfriend! 

Our "weather" is just starting!  Predictions for the coming 10 days don't sound good.
However, morning t.v. weather reports from those "out in the field" sounded as if the main roads aren't too bad right now. I suspect that will change as the day goes on.

This area simply is not prepared for something like this!  There are 25 trucks available for salting/clearing streets in a metropolitan area of 110+ square miles!!!!!  There'll be "snow routes" but side streets and neighborhoods will not be cleared.  I don't know if suburbs even have their own trucks.

Temperature is hovering around 3 degrees with wind chill around -(whoknowshowlow?  ). 

We didn't have a lot of snow overnight and, as predicted, it was "fluffy" and newspaper was close enough to the garage door that I could use the pushbroom to "scoop" it toward me. 

#2 son/dil brought milk and yogurt from Braum's yesterday morning.  They "topped off" the bird feeders while they were here.
 DIL had gone to the Super Walmart on Friday and said the dairy, meat and bread aisles were completely empty.  Glad I had anticipated and had a large grocery order delivered earlier in the week.

#1 son popped in yesterday afternoon with a beautiful bouquet of roses. Wasn't expecting him and was happy for the visit.

Glad I had baked Applesauce muffins earlier in the day and sent some home with each visitor.

Had a text chat with Miss Ellen yesterday.  I think I mentioned that the Loft store where she'd been working had closed.  She said she expects to be transferred to another Loft next week but doesn't know how many hours they'll be able to give her. This one is near Rockefeller Center - looks like an interesting area (on Google maps).

Church services have been "virtual" on Facebook for quite a while.  This morning's service was broadcast from the homes of the two pastors with pre-recorded music by the usual pianist and soloist.  Worked well.

Patricia, hope things are improving for you. 

Jenny, also hoping that Michele is improving.

Stay safe and warm, Everyfriend.

[shirleyn]

Here I am Marilyne!  Thanks again for remembering me.  I have been peeking in here every so often, just nothing happening in my life to report on.  I have still been enjoying the Port Huron site and the Africa sites.  Better than playing solitaire and/or Mahjong.  Yesterday Danny got tied up with The Green Mile & I happened thru the room while it was on, and got interested and watched it to the end.  Strange movie, but it kept one on edge thru til the end.

We are not doing anything special for Valentines Day.  Going to Publix to pick up one of those roasted chickens for our dinner.

So, that is about as exciting as it gets here in our house.  I hope you all have more exciting things to tell about. 

shirleyn
(~_~)

[Denver]

HAPPY 💗 VALENTINES DAY

MARILYN, we are blessed to have our hubby's to spend our Valentines Day with, and even though we will not be doing anything special we WILL enjoy the day together.
   
Like many of you in this group we, too, are in the deep freeze and will be for a few more days.  Unfortunately we did not get very much snow and when the shoveler arrived they came with blowers and the snow blew off looking like dust!  No moisture in this round! 😩

How sweet, CALLIE.  Red roses for a pretty mama🌹🌹🌹🌹 Michele is feeling a bit better and we 🙏🙏 it is going to get better each day from now on.  Thank you.

SHIRLEY, always good to see you checking in.  Hope you and Danny enjoyed the roasted chicken you planned to pick up for dinner.  We had a couple of steaks in the freezer and my honey sous vide'd them for our dinner. 

Almost another holiday over and done.

Pleasant dreams to EVERYFRIEND🥱😴🥱😴

Jenny

[MarsGal]

Weather here is hovering around 32^o with off and on freezing rain. I am hoping for some better weather soon, but it doesn't look like we are getting any truly sunny weather in the next ten days.

Oscar is recovering from some kind of intestinal bug. He freaked me out on the weekend when he started throwing up everything he ate and not wanting to leave his favorite warm spot. Since it was the weekend, I took him up to the emergency vet. After tests and X-rays, costing almost $1,100, they said everything was in good order except for slight dehydration. They decided he most likely has gastritis, something similar to GERD because of his ongoing nasal drainage, or he picked up a virus. So, he got some fluids for the dehydration, an antibiotic shot and a shot to settle his stomach. Because he is so fat, it is difficult to know for sure if he has a intestinal blockage which is why I had them do an X-ray. It is really good to know that his internal plumbing is functioning well and shows not problems with his heart, lungs or liver. After just losing Lily, I was not about to take any chances with my best bud.

Shirley, the Tembe Watering hole sure looks lush with all the rain they have been getting lately. The watering hole is quite full. I have been missing most of the animals lately. I have seen nocturnal catlike critter which I finally identified as a civet.

USCGC Hollyhock is now out helping with the ice problem on the St. Clair River even though she is still listed as under repair. USCGC Katmai Bay is on its way to help out and Morro Bay is heading down towards Detroit. Several of the ice cutters have been meeting ships on the Detroit River and escorting the tankers heading for Sarnia. Some footage from Saturday on the ice jam at Algonac, Russell Island and surrounds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF9HqCIkbJA Yesterday I watched a live web cam showing a crowd of people out on the ice at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoayN7m-NtI, fishing and racing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2AlZaZfYBo

[shirleyn]

Marsgal, I have been watching the Africa site that Callie gave me, and do not know about the Tembe watering hole.  I see Port Huron is foggy and snowy this morning.

Jenny,  yes we did enjoy the roast chicken yesterday.  Danny does not like steak (or most any type of meat) so I have not had that in a long while.  Used to get it when we were cruising.  His birthday is this Tuesday and he has requested spaghetti.  So of course, being the dutiful wife that I am  , I will comply with his wishes.


shirleyn
(~_~)

[Marilyne]

Shirleyn - Spaghetti, sounds like a good idea!  I haven't made it in a long time!  AJ likes it with meatballs, but I've never been able to make a decent meatball, so I usually just do a simple meat sauce.  We eat a lot of those roasted chickens too.  The ones from Costco, are delicious, and still only $4.99!  In case MarsGal doesn't get back today, I'll post the cam for the Tembe Watering Hole.  I'm out of sync with the time lately - every time I look in, it seems to be the wee hours of the night there, so I haven't seen anything interesting in a long time.  Only once I saw a group of elephants arrive . . . it was an amazing sight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB4yZc2lI18&feature=emb_rel_err

Jenny - As you said, another Holiday went by without the usual fanfare!      Hard to believe that it's been almost a whole year, that we have had to learn to live a different way.  The ability to come and go as we please, travel, and spend time with our families will come again soon I hope?    I feel like we have missed so much - especially the grandkids, and those of our loved ones who live too far away to travel.    I know you miss your Dad, and hope you can see him soon?

It's 8:30 here already.  I got a late start this morning, so haven't had any breakfast yet.  I have a delicious looking muffin waiting for me, to enjoy with another cup of coffee!  I'll be back later to say hello to Jean, Callie, MarsGal, and anyone else who comes in!

[CallieOK]

Marilyne, it's night in Africa during our daylight hours so the Tembe Water Hole doesn't show daytime until about 10:00 p.m. CDT.
That's also when the "Safari" that ShirleyN mentioned comes on because they don't go out driving at night.

Recent comment on that site said they had had so much rain that the animals don't have to come for water as often as they do during a dry spell and don't have to roam so far looking for grazing.  That's probably why there aren't many around either place. 

I really miss Pete's Pond that, I think, was sponsored by National Geographic.  There was a cameraperson always on duty and it was possible to chat back and forth.  However, I haven't found it in a very long time.
EDIT:   I found a couple of sites that listed Pete's Pond but all said "unavailable".   Looked as if one had to Log In and I didn't try that.  Maybe later.....

Here's a link to the YouTube page that lists two other cams that go along with the Port Huron one.  Not many ships coming through right now because there's lots of ice piled up at Algonac (cam available).  Fun to follow ships as they go through the three areas.

https://www.youtube.com/streamtimelive

We had more snow yesterday than we usually get in an entire year!  Sun is shining today but temperatures are below zero and wind chill is even worse.  Haven't heard of any power outages but news reported some water pipes had burst - even though they're buried.

Onward and Upward....

[Sandy]

Good Afternoon everyone from
the cold  and soon to be very
stormy,  rocky coast of Maine. 

Today is a good Monday for me. 
My CBS Soaps are back up and
running since last week they
spent their days in the courtroom..

So now, I can spend my time playing
"catch up" on my soaps.    ( Yahoo!)

Today I am  also changing my
Weight watchers to reflect my
new  very low sodium life style. 

Otherwise all is well with me.  I am
taking my BP/ heart rate twice a day
and it is staying steady... 
Which is what my goal is. 

Hope everyone is happy and well and
staying off the roads during snow and ice
storm ... 

Cheers!!   

Sandy

[Tomereader1]

From Texas, where it's usually warm, even in Winter:  Temperature 8 Degrees; Wind Chill -13 degrees with lots of snow on the ground, highways, everywhere.  Area is subject to rolling power outages, or, right now, some power outages that are not "rolling".  Some folks been without for hours.  My neighbors and I have been blessed, as haven't experienced one yet.  I have on so many clothes, my hubby would have said "you are wrapped up like a Mummy".  I look like a Weeble...wobble but don't fall down (I hope)!

If you are in it, stay warm.  If you're warm, say a thank you Prayer.

Joanne

[FlaJean]

A miserable day here in Northwest Florida.  Had a nice quiet birthday yesterday with calls and messages from the children and grandchildren.  Gigi asked me if I wanted to do anything special but I said no.  I just don't feel safe going out to eat yet and I had made a pot of chili on Saturday.

Such a dreary day.  Our library digital system is going to mostly audio books it seems and earbuds hurt my ears so I'm trying out a book with just listening without earbuds as Larry says the sound doesn't bother him.  It is a British book (written by an American author) and has a very nice male British reader.  I'm just getting used to reading ebooks and I don't know how I'll like this new change.  I haven't gotten any "real" books from the library since this pandemic started.  Also the digital library is rather limited.  That is my biggest complaint of today (so far 😁).

Hope all of you are doing OK and surviving the weather.  Right now I can hear the thunder but it isn't close.  Have a good day.

[Amy]

    Jean Happy belated birthday to you...sounds like you spent it just the way you wanted to in times like this. Chili sounds perfect for this weather!

[MarsGal]

Tembe Watering Hole webcam changes out frequently. Sometimes they bother to put up "Highlights" for the old ones, sometimes not. Here is their most current site address on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQW_9DANIxM

We are getting rain here this morning. It is just 34^o, but promises of some sun a little later and at high of 47^o have me thinking about a foray out to the store.

[Denver]

🎭 Happy Mardi Gras!! 🎭
                                Let the good times roll!
       🙏Shrove Tuesday 🙏

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES
            🌹 JEAN  🌷

Sunshine here today and a bit of a warm up! 

Counting our blessings.....it has been 15 years since Bob's prostate cancer call😩

Keep safe and warm ⛄️

Jenn

[FlaJean]

It is freezing here!  Going down to 30° tonight.  I'm ready for spring!

Tome, Texas is sure having its problems with the weather this winter.  We've gotten warnings yesterday and today to use less electricity from 6 am to 9am in the mornings.  That must be high usage time for everyone going to work, etc.

Hope everyone is surviving this cold weather.

[MarsGal]

Good morning all.

Yesterday I did a little shopping just to get out of the house for a while in the relative warm.  Right now it is 21^o with a high of around 30^o. Looks like we will be getting gradually warmer (40^os) weather over the next seven days.

To my surprise, when the snow finally melted away from around the house, I discovered that my daffodils are up about four or five inches. Hardy little buggers. Just love them. Last year I didn't get a big showing from them; they are badly in need of thinning and resetting which didn't get done last fall. The same goes for the irises.

Little story about the irises. These are a hardy white which I acquired in sometime in 70s. They had a lovely scent back then. When I moved, I reluctantly had to leave them behind. The cheery news is that a friend had taken a batch with her when she moved to Colorado. They grew like gangbusters out there. When I bought this house, she brought some tubers back with her on a visit. So now I am inundated with them again. Somewhere along the line though, they lost their scent.

What a shame that the unusually cold weather is causing such a problem, particularly in Texas. The ordeal looks like it might end soon with warmer weather predicted in a few days, though unfortunately not soon enough for some. Meanwhile, my sister in North Carolina was surprised to discover that the tornado had hit not too far from her in the next county. Other than the wind causing the windows to "whistle", she neither saw nor heard anything unusual.

Today I need to do some vacuuming again. I am thinking about getting one of those vacuums that they advertise specially for households with pets. I wonder if they really work better than regular vacuums.

 

[MarsGal]

Mardi Gras already? Looks like they aren't getting much of a turnout this year. Even though the bars are closed and there weren't any parades, people still celebrated by decorating their homes. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1YXug5KXMw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_dBRhX7LPw

[shirleyn]

Good Morning everyone.  Another day in the life of Covid in the Winter.  We are very lucky here, temps staying in the 70's and sometimes hitting 80, and nighttime lows in the 60's.  But I read, and see on TV, the horrid weather in Texas and other places.  Also know of the weather Patricia has.  But then she says it is less humid there which makes it easier to handle.  So happy to be here where I now live.

Tis 8:30 in the AM and I have my morning chores all done, with a load of clothes in the washer.  So now what will I do the rest of the day?  Sigh!  More Africa views and Port Huron views, then on to card games, etc.  Geesh, what a life.

Marsgal, I see your temps are better than most around the country, what state do you live in?

Well, seeing as to how I have nothing elso to report, I will close for the day.  By the way, I finally found the kitchen in here and made a fresh pot of coffee for those who are interested.  Oh, also there is hot water over there on the stove, in case you would like to make a pot of tea.

shirleyn
(~_~)

[Marilyne]

Just got here in time to say "goodnight" to everyone!    Sorry I didn't check in earlier today, but lots of things going on around here, so I kept putting it off, and now its after 9:00 PM, and almost time for bed.

Shirleyn - I see you were the last one to post a message, and that was early this morning!  Thanks for making the coffee and leaving it for us, but I'm afraid it's gone cold after so many hours!    I'd love a fresh hot cup tomorrow morning, so I'll be looking forward to it.  Let us know how Danny, enjoyed his spaghetti birthday dinner?  Also, wish him a late Happy Birthday from me!

Joanne AKA Tome -  I'm worried about you, and anxious to hear how you're doing all by yourself in the freezing Texas snow and ice?  I hope you have NOT lost power, so that your house will stay warm and cozy?  The news tonight was all about Texas, and the footage shown of various actions of the State, looked bleak and grim.  I hope you can get word out to us tomorrow?

MarsGal - Too bad about Mardi Gras this year.  We did see some the decorated homes on the news, but none of the usual parades and parties. 
Our son and dil brought us a big container of delicious Jambalaya, on Monday afternoon, so that was a special Mardi Gras treat!  We had it for dinner three nights in a row! 

I'm running out of steam here, so will just say a quick HELLO and Goodnight, to . . . Jenny, Sandy, Jean, Callie, Shirleyn, Amy, Mars, and Tome.  Hope to see you all in the morning. 

[MarsGal]

Early morning and still now much in the way of precipitation. It was supposed to start snowing around 1AM this morning, but everything still seems dry. Weather service is still predicting 3-6 inches of snow and some freezing rain. At the moment, almost 6am, it is 27^o.

Shirley I am in Central Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg.

Yesterday I decided to let the housework go,for the most part, and spent a good bit of the day reading. I haven't sat down to read for very long in weeks. For dinner I roasted up a nice eye of round and had mashed potatoes and broccoli to go with it.

I have plenty left over so, roast beef sandwich for lunch today, and I will save some of the roast to cut up and make a beef noodle dish using a 18 oz. jar of gravy, sour cream and farfalle, mushrooms, and probably some more broccoli. The concoction is inspired by a Stroganoff recipe on the jar of gravy, but I am out of egg noodles. This should be interesting since I usually use a can of condensed mushroom soup for a base.

[shirleyn]

Good Morning everyone.  When Norm was still with us, I used to come in here in the mornings & get the coffee and tea set up for everyone.  Oh yes, and also would bring in some goodies.  He liked -  oops! Having a senior moment, can't remember the name of the goodies I used to bring, but he loved them.  And I guess there isn't anybody in here nowadays that came here in those days.  But I will try again to make the coffee and tea and set aside some coffeecake.  Maybe I can induce some people to stop by.  I just remembered, Jenny used to be here in those days.

Marilyne, I see you did get in, but kinda late for morning coffee.  But good to see ya anyway.

Marsgal, my son lives in or near Pittsburgh.  That is where his wife is from, so they moved up there last year, after he retired.  Just cannot imagine I have a son who is retired.  And he is my third child!!  Your beef dinner concoction sure does sound good!

And now I will get going on my morning chores.  Have an extra one this morning – yesterday the people came to do our lawn & they blow down the leaves and cut grass.  While doing this they blew a whole bunch of stuff into our screen room.  The door has a little crack on the bottom, which allows the grass to be blown in, besides allowing lizards and such to sneak in.  Sigh!

Anyway hoping you all have a great day ~

shirleyn
(~_~)

[Sandy]

I was here Shirley,  still am ....!

Good to see you around.. 

Sandy  (aka dapphne)

[CallieOK]

Shirley, I remember Norm very well.  Used to have fun "discussing" alligators in Oklahoma; don't think he ever believed we really have them....but we do.

#2 son took me to his house last Monday, anticipating the blizzard and possible rolling power blackouts the next few days.  They have a log fireplace and a generator so the 2-hour blackout on Tuesday morning didn't bother us.  Both of them are working from home and depend on wi-fi and computers so hoping they don't have another one. 

He brought me home late yesterday afternoon. I would have been comfortable driving on the city streets but definitely not on the side streets in either neighborhood.  No blackouts in my area...yet! 

Love being with him, dil and their two dogs (who think Lab is spelled L-A-P  ) but really glad to be back with my own things.

Snow depth in my yard would probably be half-way to my knees or farther.  Birds will just have to wait to have feeder filled.

Marilyne,  Miss Ellen reported that she has been transferred to the Loft near Rockefeller Center and will begin working this Saturday. 

Onward and Upward.

[shirleyn]

Hey Sandy (also known as Dapphne) – I knew I would forget some people – sorry bout that.  Good seeing you are still hanging in here.

And Callie, yes, I remember you also.  Just wasn't sure if you were from that long ago when we used to have coffee parties here.  That was nice of your son to come and pick you up for the storm.  It seems rather scary to be home alone during a bad storm.

shirleyn
(~_~)

[Marilyne]

Good Morning to all who are looking in this morning. I was planning to stop in last night to say hello, but got involved in the Sharks Hockey game, and  stuck with it until the very end.  They lost, but we all love them anyway, and never give up hope that they will someday go to the top and win The Stanley Cup.  Not this year, however.

shirleyn - Thanks for making a nice fresh pot of Mr. Coffee this morning!  I'm sitting here enjoying my second cup!   Also, I love something sweet in the morning, so I'm looking forward to a piece of your coffeecake!

Callie - good to see that Miss Ellen, will be working again at The Loft.  Now if only Broadway would open up again. . . . ?  Well, I guess it would look ridiculous to watch a musical or a play, where everyone onstage and off, is wearing a mask!  No, I think it will be a while yet before she will be able to audition for anything. 

I heard good news from Patricia, yesterday.   It was the day for her scheduled  Covid vaccination.  Because she was unable to make it to the vaccination site, they came to her apartment, gave her the shot, and stayed with her for the allotted time, to be sure she would not have a bad reaction.  They really care about  people in the State of Alaska!  Wish I could say the same for California, but I'm afraid not.  Too many people, and most of us get lost in the shuffle.