Hal, I just heard that Beaumont "is an island" now..... doesn't one of your daughters live there?  Hope you check in to let us know & just in case, will be praying the family is okay. 

Hope everyone is okay in here tonight, news sure is depressing, isn't it?  Wonder if anyone will ever come up with a plan to get our country back to what we had when we were young.  Maybe we should have a lifetime limit of welfare/ help during major disasters or just family crisis.... when we use up our allotted amount of help then it would be necessary to use State or Federal run institutions & hospitals.  No more individual housing, but food would be provided with the housing..... and each healthy person would have a job to do. Plenty of people need assistance for daily living, plenty ways for the healthy to help.  No more hand outs of food or money, if they haven't learned how to handle their lives and need tax payer assist, then at least the children would be getting the food, clothing and education they need.

After listening to one person that said "Katrina moved her to Houston & still funding and now where?"  Why is she still using tax payer money and not working?  She looked perfectly healthy.   So many older people that really can't work are being pushed back when every healthy person should be made to feel guilty for taking the aid deserved by the really ill or elderly. 

The other idea I had was how about being able to "earn" points for help when we get old..... do all kinds of civic duty that would be kept track of like our taxes.  My kids & grands have to earn credits during high school that count toward their graduation, why not continue during the working years with every individual putting in hours for hours of help when older?  Our generation needs to help the next generation figure how to solve the problems we helped create.  Quit the arguing and blaming, just offer solutions and ideas to help. So let's see if WE can come up with any suggestions that WE can agree on to take to our representatives.  Do something! 

It's 9 p.m. Eastern time and no one's been around the Soda Shoppe since 1:30 this afternoon.  I'm almost afraid to talk.   I'm afraid I'll hear an echo!  I brought home some coookies and I put some in the Hidey Hole.  Maybe that will draw out some people.  I hope you're all just busy and not ailing.

I'm kind of tired.  I had some strange people through my line tonight and that always makes me cautious and that makes me tired.  I think I'll retire early tonight and then see what's cooking tomorrow.  Sleep well Everyfriend!

Well!  There's JUNE!  Now I won't hear an echo!  Sounds like you had a good day, JUNE.  I wish you a good night, too!

And there's SHIRLEY, too!  I agree that healthy people should be working and building up points makes sense to me but I'm just one of those crazy old ladies who is still working to pay her own way.  Sometimes I wonder how much longer.....

Jane, I'm still working but don't get paid~~  I do not like yard work, but must, not really thrilled with house work, but must, and cooking used to be fun when it was appreciated, but just me eating there's not a lot of satisfaction in all that hard work.  I think I should be cooking meals for these cats like your do your pups... but Tiger is so picky she probably wouldn't even taste it.  Tom will eat about anything.  Callie is a pretty good eater, but strange none of them like KFC.  Old LaurenKat thought it was the best food in the world because Cas always saved some of his chicken breast for her. 

I'm kind of having a pity party tonight, we saved all these years & now that I have the means to travel, nobody to travel with & not sure it's wise to go too far from home (alone) at this age. The cats aren't a lot of help. Not many people did what we did, building a house from scratch, never took a real vacation (company trips were a pleasure for me but not Cas)... think we went to a movie one time shortly after moving to Wichita back in 1964..... we saved & saved for these golden years and still afraid to go a little crazy with nursing homes costing what they do.  I do love to camp but need a dog, these cats are so contrary about doing anything you tell them.

The neighbors that lived across the street when we bought this house back in 1988 are moving, he to a rehab hospital & she to a different retirement facility.  They've had around the clock help for some time & daytime before that for a few years, so didn't see them a lot but so sad.  I called her tonight to say I really would miss knowing they were there..... I'd have a coffee for her but she couldn't handle that.  Hate to see anyone give up freedom and this will be it for them, neither can take care of themselves.  I know my "problems" aren't really problems, just one of those downer days of feeling sorry for everyone else and knowing my time will come.  I have no doubt your job keeps you going, more than just the money!  Take care.  Shirley

Well, as they used to say: the old clock on the wall says it time to get ready for bed.  a friend sent me an email with a video attached and I wanted to post a link to it but couldn't find one.   But the audience brought to mind some ladies I could just imagine fitting right in with those shown.

I will keep looking, you really do need to see this.   I found it.  enjoy, it is
really a great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqN9aS2S3L0

If this joyful song and audience doesn't bring a big smile on your face, well pinch yourself cause you aren't conscious.  And can you name the folks we know.......I know one in particular who shall remain nameless but I kept looking for her walker......



 

Good evening.  I am here much earlier tonight. 

We are having a late dinner.  The guys are grilling steaks.  Normally only have steak on weekends but Brian said that he wanted a steak and off to the store he went to buy them.  Cathy is in New York this week on business.  They close on their home next Tuesday and are so anxious to get it done so they can move in to their new home.  They will have been here with us for 7 weeks and the Doodle dog was here two weeks befor that.  We are going to miss them, but it sure will be nice for them to get settled.  Cathy drives 45 minutes to one hour from here to work in heavy traffic and she will only be 15 minutes tops from the new home. 

JANE, it sure is good to read that your kids are still high and dry at their home, and I can well imagine they have cabin fever.  Do they have enough food to get by?  If they cannot get out, they sure can not go to a store. 

As everyone else, I am just ill over how terrible the situation is in the flooded areas.  So many are doing the best they can to help out, but this is going to take a very long time to get things back up and running.  A couple of the breweries here are canning water to send down rather than doing beer.  Many are gathering all the things they can to take there and fire and emergency services have already left.  I have donated money and that is all that we feel we can do.  A very good friend of mine in Lincoln Nebraska has her daughter with her from Houston, as her husband had surgery this past Monday.  She left Houston last week driving with the family pets rather than flying as planned as she knew the storm was headed that way.  She has a beautiful home that is definitely in the area that would have been flooded, but nothing she can do about it.  Her husband was on a business trip, and decided to go to an office in Dallas rather than returning to Houston. 

We have spent the last two days washing windows....Bob did the outside and the screens and I did the insides and the mini blinds. 

Dinner is over as well as some very nice visiting.  It sure has been nice to have this special time with our youngest son. 

SHIRLEY, I LIKE your suggestions and agree with all that you say, so yes, let us try to think of ways that we could offer to suggest to our representatives.  You are more than welcome to have a pity party any time.  I think I understand your thoughts about not being able to go do things now because you are alone and that you both saved for these later years.  Also understand that when your friends start having to move into senior care, it is sad. For some reason I was and still am feeling quite melancholy since before our 50th.   Overwhelmed with thoughts of how blessed we have been and yet knowing that we have not always had it easy...we worked hard together to get where we are now.  My neighbor with her health issues and a couple of my cousins that have sever health issues and can not do what we are now....and the like.  Just take it easy and know that you will do what is best for you..... Actually you getting a dog to travel with would be a very good thing.....a dog like Cheyenne would fit the description perfectly.  I know you are obligated to the kitties, but you should not let them keep you from doing what you can do now either. 

It might be a bit too early to turn the lights off, so I will pop back in later and see if all is quiet and will do it then.

Pleasant dreams to all. 

EDIT, it did bring a big smile to my face and a happiness in my heart, HAL.  Thank you for sharing this.

Jenny

Good morning everyone.

Managed to come to the end of the peaches yesterday, we have 21 jars of canned peaches and 7 jars of peach jam. Next is pears.

We are off to the city in the other direction for hubby to get his eyes checked, I like the colour they are but  checked it is.

Prayers going to all in need and oh my there are a lot needed for TX..

Need to get ready for the road.

Enjoy your day everyone.

I'm up and attem....well, that's half right.  I'm up.  The doggies have been out and Annie had her pill.  I waited out the hour on the sofa and then fed them and here I am.

Shirley, there's so much I would like to say to you.  You went down some paths last night that I've been travelling myself and I wish I lived nearer to you.  You travel like I love to travel.  I'd rather camp under the stars than in a motel and we could do that together.  I even have the dogs to bring along.  There's lots more that you said that I nodded at and agreed with.  Oh well!  I guess HE knows best and we'll "follow him wherever He may go!" 

HAL  I've seen that clip before and it always moves me.  I guess I won't need to pinch myself. 

The doggies go to the Grooming Geek today so they'll be gorgeous later today.  They'll also be dripping dollar bills.  She's not cheap!

Enjoy your day Everyfriend and you, Jenny, enjoy your son while you can!

Amy, have a safe trip and take a picture of those checked eyes.  I get mine checked occasionally but it doesn't last till I can find a mirror.

Good morning,  Jane and Amy and all who follow.

Pretty sunny morning out my window right now.  But, it is still so chilly.  I feel like turning the furnace on, but can't justify that this last day of August.  Just don't know where this summer has gone.  Seems like it was just getting started.  Hopefully, there will still be some nice warm days to enjoy before that dreaded "Mister Winter" shows his face.

I have a busy day ahead of me.  Trying to get all those last minute things together to go away.  But, I will do it!!

Just wanted to say "Hi" to everyone.  Have a wonderful day,'

Joy

HI, JOY 

Good Morning Everyone!

I was wondering how some friends in Alexandria Louisiana are doing.  They were in the path of Harvey, thankfully, the storm has been downgraded but they say that it is still dropping lots of rain.  Hopefully it is still moving at a good pace.

Gloria, they were saying the storm will end up in Long Island, but only as a low pressure area.

I have to get ready for bible study this morning.  Will enjoy it since we missed last week.  Always enjoy the fellowship.

I don't like going to eye doctor anymore.  Never have any good news it seems.  If the cataract surgery doesn't help, well guess I will be grounded after January when I have to go in for eye exam to renew my drivers license. 

See all of you later.

 Good morning everyone, did not make it yesterday. Goodness my quiet in not that this  week. Between people and phone calls I do not know what is going on. Mo time for myself yesterday at all till late in the day and  felt worn out.
Just saw a clip on local news about the worse hurricane to hit here since the 1939 one. This one was 8-31-54 and the name was Carol. It came this far inland that time and in the city of Woonsocket a cemetary in the north end of the city got flooded and coffins were washing down the river.  That was also the day my Mom died.

LARRY  we will be paying a lot more for fresh produce now. Makes me glad to have some local farms that have stands for their produce. We have had a couple of days that feel like fall, even had a sweater on to go outside.

SHIRLEY  seems like government handouts started with Katrina. Never heard of all the free things they got in that hurricane. We have had some bad ones here and this little state did the cleaning up. I know here in RI there are many getting everything they can and are not Americans and they need interpreters for them. At one time there was a illegal working at a state job.

HAL  that was sure a change of tempo. I can picture our friend dancing with her rolator to that.

JANE  working with the piublic like you do I bet you do see some weird customers.

I was awake early this morning and now I feel like going back to bed. I will not do that because I  know I would not sleep. Have a good day.

Hi everyone. We have a good chance for rain today and tomorrow and cooler temperatures.  Yesterday was a very nice weather day as well although we got only a little bit of rain.  This is coffee day with friends downtown and then I hope to go to the Wisdom Group at church.  Beyond that the day will be quiet.  Yesterday I went down and got Scott and he came out and then borrowed the Cruiser as his car needed a little repair on his brakes and the part wouldn't be available until this morning.  He will also need it in the middle of next week so told him to keep it at his house until after that as we seldom need it.  Later we met them and had our evening meal out. 

Jane, glad to see you are also doing the online crossword puzzles.  My grandfather was an avid crossword puzzle worker and then after he was gone my grandmother was finally able to get the puzzles in the newspaper.  She also worked a lot of crossword puzzle books.  I don't do any on paper. 

Hal, nice to read you were having a good day yesterday after all of the rain.  They named a new tropical storm Irma yesterday that it out in the Atlanta and as of this morning strengthening but said it was too soon to predict its path.  I can't imagine what the cleanup job is going to be.  That was a beautiful song but quite a switch in tempo in the middle.  Those ladies had some great voices. 

June, I also remember some very hot days in September in our little one room school house where I went to grade school in NW Missouri.  However, guess we didn't melt since we are still here.  It sounds like you had a busy day yesterday. 

Shirley, I fear that our country will never be like we remember it when we were growing up.  I can't remember when there seems to be such wide-spread hate among our population.  We have always had different opinions but didn't go out and kill each other or try to stifle what others said as is now occurring. Sure hope you are feeling less down today. 

Jenny, you will be like empty nesters after having Brian and his wife with you for 7 weeks.  That is quite a nice change in commute time that Cathy will have when they get settled.  Do you think they will now be able to stay in the Denver area for awhile?  Your friends daughter was wise to leave Houston with the pets when she did.  As of the weather reports this morning it sounds like the flooding won't get any worse and those dams that were in danger are now considered safe and the water levels are receding. 

Amy, it sounds like you really had a peachy time but what good eating you will have during the months ahead.  It has been years since I had any home canned peaches but can still remember how good they were along with many other foods. 

Joy, if I were uncomfortably chilly I wouldn't hesitate to turn on the heat to get the chill out of the air.  It probably wouldn't take long.  Hope your packing goes well.

Gloria, glad to see your posting today.   

Well,   I don't know much but I do know this:

We can not compare today to "our past years",
because so much has changed.   

The biggest thing is this 24 hour news,  7 days a week, 365 days
a year.... much of it "fake" news,  wrapped in the politics
of the parties in power.   

We grew up never knowing what was going on in the world,
even as close as a few miles up of down the road. 
Today,  "we know" everything,  even though much of
our acquired knowledge is not real or fake or
just damn lies.   

It is no fun not being able to trust what is going on in the
"news"...   

Shirley.      You have a huge load and not too many  people
these days to share it with.     

Perhaps now you should contemplate lessening
your load....  and getting rid of the responsibilities
that really require more then one person to
keep things going.         You have choices in life
still,  but keeping on adding responsibilities doesn't have
to be one of them. 

"Whole hog or nothing"  does not have to be your
passage the next few years.   Giving up some things
does not mean have to give up everything.   

Keeping my independence meant choosing to live
close to everything so that I still remained independent. 
Choosing not to care for animals any longer meant me
keeping my independence and freedom to come
and go on my own.     

Just because I can still do things,  does not mean that
I choose to do everything,  any longer.   Those days are
gone for ever,  and once the weight left my shoulders,
I felt so much better,  and able to remain independent
longer. 

I guess what I am "advising" is to let things
go that can be let go...   so that you are able to enjoy
the free moments that you have left. 

I try to keep in mind that I do not know what
is going on behind closed doors in other peoples
lives,  so I choose not to fret and worry about them. 

I try not to fret and worry about myself,  so my time
is really wasted if I concentrate on other people.     
(outside of my family and very close friends,  of course)

I choose to spend my time getting my own house in order
and letting the rest of the world  do the same for theirs. 
Because in theory,  I am the only one responsible for me,
and only me.    This is more then enough for this person
at this time in my life.    I lived through marriages,  divorces,
career moves,  with responsibilities far above what
I truly could handle,  for many more years then
necessary  (I had two family's  10 years apart),
so I deserve the freedom that I afford myself today. 

I was also bipolar for many years,  especially the
transitional years  (aging),  so I always knew that
I could handle anything that came my way. 
(Surprise,  surprise,  I couldn't,  nor should I have
been expected to)

So I am very cautious about accepting any new
resonsibilities that are going to ultimately make
my life more miserable than it might be now.
(Because aging takes up all  the energy that I have left.   
(Period!!!))

I hope that everyone has a good day,  week and coming
months.      Hugs to you all!!!

I   hope JoanFL  can come in soon to visit.
Sandy

Good Mid day everyone.
I left early this morning for a starve blood dray. I began to wounder if she wasn't going take all of my blood as many tubes of it she took. i went and got a candy bar and made it fine. have a great day everyone. prayers for all that are hurting ,

Lloyd

Sandy, you packed a lot of wisdom in your post this morning. 

Mary Ann

Sandy, I certainly agree with Mary Ann.  What a fine posting. 

I agree that what Sandy said makes a lot of sense.  However, some of us are not able to make the choices we'd like to because someone else made a major choice that affected us and we are now paying the price.  I'm not complaining.  God  allowed some things to be taken from me but he gave me some better things, including the ability to handle what was left.  I leave most of my problems with Him and He sees me through.

Well said, Sandy!

I think my biggest struggle is not getting snarky when someone treats me as if - since I can't do everything, I can't do anything.

IMO, there's a difference between "giving in" and "giving up".   "Giving up" = quitting altogether.  "Giving in" = accepting reality and finding ways to be content with that.  Amazing how good life can be with a positive attitude.  (And, NO, I do not mean being a perpetual Pollyanna.  No need to be a Grumpy Gussie or a Sad Sally, either.   Just state facts without apologizing or sighing and wishing things were "like they used to be".)

Thus endeth today's sermon. (And all the people said  "Amen.  Thank goodness she got that off her chest".   

AMEN!!!!  Callie!

After I clicked off, a thought crossed my mind about what Callie said.  She said,someone treats me as if - since I can't do everything, I can't do anything.  By the same token, I get frustrated by those who seem to think that because I can do SOME things, I can do EVERYTHING!

Sandy,  your comments were very well said.   I think having to depend on others for some things that you were used to doing probably is the hardest thing to accept as we grow older.  And, like you and others have said,  "giving up" is certainly not the same as "giving in".  I think when you really "Give up" is something that none of us really want to do.  "Giving in" means you just have to change your way of doing things or your way of thinking about things.

And I learned a long time ago, I don't have to agree with something to accept it.  And, that gets me through many different situations.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with the changes that come with getting older.  And, I like your way of thinking. 

Joy

Quote from: JaneS on August 31, 2017, 02:20:19 PM
By the same token, I get frustrated by those who seem to think that because I can do SOME things, I can do EVERYTHING!

LIKE     ('specially when the implication is "....if you just tried" - or followed one of the currently popular "anti-aging" theories   )

Well, seems some of us woke up today  ......

Wise words, Sandy, and I understand and agree.  My biggest problem is IF I wanted to leave this house & all it's problems, I would have to have Tom & Tiger put to sleep.  I swore I'd never force a feral cat to stay locked inside a house (or worse, a cage) after seeing what it did to poor LaurenKat.  It broke her spirit, she sat at the door after knowing we wouldn't let her out, would slump down, silent   crying, the most pitiful sight I ever saw & still brings tears to my eyes.  There really is a difference in feral & domestic cats (Google agrees). As long as I can take care of these I feel like I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing and am rewarded (even if I whine a lot).  We started letting her out in daytime after the babies adopted us.  My pets have always been little 4 legged people to me, or feathered people.

Now & then I throw myself a pity-party, spend a night giving myself a serious talking to & am ready to take on the world the next morning.  I have never given myself permission to do what I please, was old at 2 and then at 6 when WWII was an every day fear, my job was to try to make my parents smile.  I really thought that was MY job. 

I've always wanted to travel & enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature, seriously thought I would after Cas died.  Even after getting a big enough RV to haul cats it has been a struggle with Tom being "car sick" ... I still have hopes we can conquer that problem.  The last year I've realized I am not as strong, don't want to cause my kids trouble if I have a health issue when on the road, so while not ready to give up, I'm fighting "giving in".

You have changed so much, Sandy, from the "wild child" that outfitted her vehicle to see the USA & camped along the way.  Such neat ideas & your drawings, hope you saved some for your great grands to know the other you.   

Jane, I see where you are coming from as well.  I tried very hard to be the wife/mother Cas expected, as much as could be.  Helping put a wood roof on the house one afternoon & remodeling a dress to wear to a company dinner the next.  We survived, but now it's just me and I'm not as free as the breeze anymore.  You think it's being grown up & recognizing dangers?      We would have set the campgrounds aglow given the chance!   

Callie, after years of not going with the kids to grands programs because Cas didn't want to & then couldn't, etc., I am learning to go & leave an escape route. I keep remembering how little time we have left to do what WE please & find it hard to spend hours or days being part of an event I've seen a dozen times before.  Not that I don't care but time is rushing past. 

I just cooked a big cast iron Dutch oven full of minute steaks & new potatoes in gravy for my son & family.  They have had a rough time lately.  I have a theory that food can fix anything.  I can dream, can't I? 

Hal, that really did remind me of our lady that dances with the roller cart.... thanks for the link.

Good evening everyone.

I  sure hope I am not the one that caused all of the unrest I am reading this afternoon, hope the rest of the evening is great for you all. seams Like there are some good and some Bad. Like today we worked my bees and the biggest swarm is totally gone hive is empty and no signs of why. the small swarm tho is doing great have plenty of honey to feed them all winter. we left them in great shape only took two frames of honey from them. I am getting the honey out of them but am not going to strip them totally clean. will put them outside of the hive tomorrow,and let them clean the last of the honey out and then. then in a day or two put them back in the hive and let them re fill for them for the winter.

Lloyd

To all my Lady friends who posted today.

Janie, Sandy, Tissie and Callie, it seems I have known all of you all my life and I must say I am proud of you, and proud to call you friend. Y,es Sandy even you with all the fussing you and I have done over the years.  None of you have a thing to be sad or upset with yourself for how you have or have not conducted yourself with this forum or your family.  One thing for certain not a one of you are lazy or uncaring and your love for others shows through all the time.  I can say that for all on this forum, the love and compassion is always there.  Thank you for being you.

And where is June?  I hope she is feeling better today.

Thank you, HAL.  I also have strong feeling for everyone on this forum.  I don't always agree with everything you say and do but I respect your right to be YOU and to do things with your lives the way you see fit to do them.  Anything I say to you is NOT criticism but is said from love.  You are all my friends and I love you for who and what you are.  As they say in France VIVA LA DIFFERENCE! Please continue to share your differences with all of us!

And I will end all this mushy talk tonight with a flip answer to Hal..... I agree with most everything you say... hey, I voted for Trump.    

Seriously, it is good we are all different and good that we can talk without growling at each other.  If I didn't enjoy each & every one of you I would not be here & that's a fact!  I avoid discord/controversy/whatever you call it.  I want smiles and a happy heart, and I really have been a Pollyanna all my life but tried to tone it down to not appear a goody two shoes.  That I never was! 

But this isn't about me, it is ALL of us and how we learn from each other to be better.  I truly believe that you have made a difference in what I think and in my life.  I do have a life long habit of saying what I think, even it it makes people squirm, but as far as I know I have never said or done anything to insult or hurt anyone's feelings.  I can be tough, stand my ground for what I believe in, but never ever expect others to change their beliefs to please me.  I talk about y'all often, to my family & friends, we probably know more about each other than most face to face friends.  Pity-party is over but we still need to straighten up this country!  

Hey Shirley. we are started on getting the country straight, we got Trump for President.......

I really took the day off today. Didn't even make my bed as I kept going back to it. Hopefully it gave me some re-newed energy for tomorrow.
I did enjoy reading all your posts, you are the best !!!! Each and every one of you. I love you all so much. Thanks for being there. Time to go back to bed and book and look forward to a new day tomorrow.

God's very best blessing. Hugs Love and Prayers. June

Ditto JUNE'S last sentence!

Good night Everyfriend!