Good morning everyone.
A lovely cool morning here.....slept with the windows wide open last night.

Too many jobs to do today ..some will get done others will just have to take their turn.

Lloyd, please give Nancy a hug...not nice losing a furkid.

Jane, today could be the day I can the potatoes....maybe. There are pressing outside jobs to do so we shall see which one wins out.

Gloria,glad to read you just got winds and rain. That storm played havoc in a lot of places.

Best get moving....slept in again

Enjoy your day everyone .stay safe. [color]

Good Morning Everyfriend!

LLOYD, my heart aches for you and especially for NANCY.  What a hard thing to face.  Losing one fur friend is bad enough.  Give Nancy a hug from me!

AMY, don't know if I said it before but I've never canned potatoes.  Do you just do them plain or flavor them some way?  I guess I'll look that up.

I'm getting some kind of delivery from my Texas daughter today and she said I have to be home to receive it.  Wouldn't explain but said if I wasn't going to be home today, she make a change.  Hmmmmm?

I hope you all have a great day!  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to share it in the Soda Shoppe!

I'd like to thank everyone who played my last quiz and thanks to our winners, Amy, Marilyne, and Jenny!

I have another quiz, A Mythical Creatures Quiz-Name the creature by its description.

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?msg=182381

I haven't forgotten everyone - life is just much more  "work". 

Lloyd:  Gentle hug for Nancy - it can happen to anyone. 

We are obeying all the rules but there are so many out there who are do not care and there is a lot of anger.  I think of Europeans caught in WWII and how they had to obey orders from the Germans and Japanese and how strong our grandparents and parents were.....

Here, the VA hospital is still closed - Don can chat with his doctor sometimes and we did send a photo of his all over rash.  Still, nothing changed - he is in pain all the hours.  The whatever rash is a tiny bit better - his itchy feeling doesn't stop though.  Last night, he finally got 5 hours of sleep.

On the good news - grandson leaves for Slovakia soon - all about hockey.  Wish we could see a game.

The destructive racoon was caught in a trap by a pest company and taken to a rural wooded area.  We still do not know the amount of $$$ it will cost to fix the damage in the attic.  Also, the racoon looked young to me - cute little thing - so, we are concerned it is a family.  Three neighbors called me to warn me catching it was illegal - it made for a very bad day for me.  I should have brought the animal to their door - (only thought about it).   

Every afternoon now is in the pattern of a storm with hail and rain.  So far, the damaging storms have drifted north from our area.  I can't imagine the stress of getting ready for a hurricane.  We have been through tornadoes - a big one in Minnesota when the children were young and I was in several earthquakes while growing up in Seattle. They are all too scary. Here, the danger could come from a field fire.

Tomorrow, my sewing machine should be ready - a little part broke off and I hope they do a good job.   



Two grands visited with us this weekend - bringing chocolate candy and lunch.  We sat outdoors and it was just wonderful to talk for a few hours. 



 

Thursday afternoon.....not much going on here this afternoon.  We had a storm come through, but as always one could almost count the drops😩. We sure could use a nice rain. 

Marks job offer is finalize....so Jonah and his family will be moving back to California.  Boo hoo and darn this Covid 19 as it kept our family from ALL getting together when all four of the sons were here for nearly a couple of months😩😩😢😢. They will be going in a couple of weeks and the Boston Family will be headed back home this coming Saturday.  I am thankful for the time we did have together🦋

CAROL, excited to read that your grandson is going to Slovokia to play hockey.  Sad for you that he can not stay here and be on the AV's a team.  I have never heard that it is illegal to trap  a raccoon.  We have three HUGE ones that roam around our home every night.  So far, they have not caused any damage that we are aware of but have heard other neighbors complain and the golf course says they cause all kinds of damage to the course.  I am sorry to read that Don has been in so much pain with the itchy rash.  Hope that improves soon. 

JANE, I hope by now your surprise delivery has arrived from your daughter.....can't wait to hear what it is❣️❣️

AMY, I hope you got around to canning your potatoes today.  Kind of anxious to see your answer to Jane about how and what you do. 

I a: off to help hubby in the garage,

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Jenny

Hello, my friends! 

JENNY, my box did arrive from my daughter via Omaha Steaks.  It contained a box of steaks, one each of hamburgers, hotdogs and something I didn't recognize.  It's sounds like something to go with the meat to make a meal. And there was another box but I forget what it was and I'm too tired to go out there and check.  It'll take me forever to eat all this stuff!  And I might have to buy a little grill to cook them all.  I'm sure they'll taste better on a grill.

I finished a bunch of little odds and ends today and took two doggies for two walks each and the one that was left after my great granddog went home got another walk of her own.

For some reason, I'm beat!  Going to head off to bed because it'll be a busy weekend.  Daughter Christy is coming up for Maryland for the weekend and she keeps me moving.  She and Frankie and Cooperdog, too, will all stay here.  I love it but it cuts into my nap time.

CAROL, it sounds like the raccoon was in your house!  I can't imagine that it would be illegal to trap it and have it removed from the premises!  I'm glad you were able to do that and I hope he didn't have a family that he left behind!

JENNY, so sorry you didn't have a family visit while all your kids were in the area.  That would have been nice for everyone and of course, you'd have loved every minute of it!  Good luck to your son with his new job!  Give that little cutie a hug from me before he leaves.

Now, I'm off to Dreamland.  I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy, healthy tomorrow.  And may God bless us, every one!

we had another good day here today,we both had a good nap also. so good night and sweet dreams. see you all tomorrow.

Lloyd

good Morning everyone. well we both had restless night. so we are up and dressed but not at it yet, my back is aching, and both shoulders also. as bad as when I used to shoe horses all day long. hope you all had a good night and have a good day just as you like it.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone..

Love the cooler mornings now, don't think they will last as we are heading into warmer weather again.

Yesterday was a productive day. Once the mind was set the body followed..all the flowers have been moved  or cut down. Lilacs that were taking over that part of the garden were also cut down (we still have a lot more). Poplar trees that were sneaking  in the cedars were also cut down. Now I am not so sure the mind and or body are willing to follow today but more still needs to be done.at least my finger nails and eyelashes don't ache

Jane, what a wonderful gift!! That was very thoughtful of your daughter! I didn't tackle the taters  yesterday. Will let you know how it works out. 

Lloyd, hope you both  feel better today.

Jenny, know how much you enjoyed your family near by.
I had heard that those with diabetes could eat these potatoes as when you can them, most of the starch comes out of them.

Carol ,hope your sewing machine was fix right .Do you have any projects ahead? What about bathing in the tub and put baking soda in it ,would that help Bob's rash? Or Shirley's remedy of  Epsom salts on a warm cloths and wrap the area?? Shirley ,is better at telling you how to use it.

Patricia, thank you for the quiz games. I find them fun and it sure makes ones mind work.

Gloria, another lovely day here that will soon get hot. I was listening to the crows call,then a loon in the distance and then a rooster chimed in   Seems a near y neighbour now has chickens. I love the sounds in the morning.

Better git..
Enjoy your day everyone an stay safe..

Good morning.  Another hot and humid one here with storms expected.  In other words:  Just the normal summer day.

I really should do some scratching around the house but doubt that I will.  It is just too unpleasantly sticky, even with the AC going almost continually.  or is it continuously?  whatever!

I hope everyone has a good day.

Good Morning My Friends!  I hope everyone is enjoying this day!  So far, it's been cool and we had a nice gentle rainstorm over night.  Then this morning right after Mickie and I got back from our walk, it started to thunder and the rains came again.  It's supposed to rain off and on all day.  The grass is slurping it up again.  Unfortunately, so are the weeds!

Today is just to get ready for company.  I've done a load of laundry (bed sheets) and floor mats are next.  That's all I'm washing today.  And I have a meat loaf already made with potatoes for one meal. We only need to make a veggie to go with it. 

AMY, you did lots of outside stuff yesterday.  That's the kind of stuff Christy does for me when she's here.  I'm awful at knowing what needs doing outside.  When my sister and I had to help with the gardening, I was very good at doing exactly what was expected of me and no more.  She, my sister, learned the whys and wherefores of what she was doing and is still very good at it.  But she also had the good sense to marry a farmer who helped, did stuff she couldn't and taught her more stuff  I married a guy that could fix my washer, fridge, stove or any appliance in the house and if it wasn't repairable, there was a new one to take it's place.  He also did TVs.  I guess it was 6 of one and a half dozen of the other!

I hope you all have a great day!  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to come by the Soda Shoppe and share it with your good friends!

Jane, I married one that could do the yard and fix any appliance, car and even build a house. I'm basically lazy so was a struggle to keep up & keep him happy. I was worn out but discovered not as worn out as I am by having to take care of it all now!  Here it is another week end and I haven't had a day off all week!

Today I took the RV to Walmart to have that new tire put on, it was such a mess! When I saw what we drove down the mountain on, I asked them to check the others and have to order 2 more tomorrow! Put new on the front last year & had it aligned, but that doesn't help the back 4 tires. The mechanic said the belts in the tires start slipping & cause splits in the sides & wear the tread smooth. I've never seen a tire so completely shattered. NEVER! These are Michelin & gotta be heavy duty so cost just under $270. Double that in a couple days. 

I plan to make one more trip to MO but also plan to get a For Sale sign to put in the window when parked in the driveway. Actually sold 3 vehicles that way since living in this house. Priced right or they wouldn't have sold. Think it is time to quit being out on the highway since I can't count on auto club to help me (even though I'm still paying for it). I have no faith in their help now that calls go to a "call center" in some foreign country.

Seems all I do is gripe when I come here. Do enjoy reading about everyone else's lives. If I start going down the list of everyone I will be here for another hour & time to get to bed!  Wishing all sweet dreams and God Bless.

Good morning everyone. Sorry I did not get here yesterday, no sleep the night before and napped most of yesterday away. Slept good last night and awake this morning. Yvette went to 2 of my favorite markets yesterday good sales at both of them. She really stocked me up and she didn't have time to put everything away so if I have the energy later I will find room put the rest a way. My fridge and freezer are full now. All I have to do now is get an appetite to eat all or it. Of course she will do most  of the cooking. #1 son came over yesterday with a container of baked beans he made. Yummy. #2 son will be here later today. He will be bringing me some blueberries from the farm and they will go into the freezer, too, for a pie or muffins during the winter months. Always good on a cold winter day when it is snowing. Hope it is cold and we get snow to enjoy this winter, not like last year.
Finished my second cup of coffee so guess I bet ter go get my breakfast ready.

Have a good day and stay safe.

good Morning Gloria and all that follows today. I sure know what those  restless Nights are like any more. back when I was young and tough and driving a truck over the road I would go for 4 or 5 days with out sleep must be why I am so tired now days. it is 74º and light rain here now this morning and saying we are going to 92º amd turn to sunny today. we sure need the rain but I can do without the heat. cam't take it like i used to. that is what goes with joining the over the hill gang. Have a good day just how you like it.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone..

Another lovely day with cool temps. I didn't get all done that I would like yesterday and it is not going to get done today. I think I will can those potatoes and see how that goes. My friend just phoned an we talked about canning and said it will be fine....just read the directions and if it doesn't go well you will have mashed potatoes to eat all week....thoughtful of her..

Lloyd, we may be the over the hill gang but we are a dog gone good gang.

Gloria, wow you are all set for the fall/winter. Better stalk up while you can get the items. We finally found the fence boards for Kyle to make the trugs and while I was cutting down trees he was trugging.

Shirley, I married a man that could build anything out of wood, do plumbing and electrical work. I have to be careful in what I say because if I said I would like this or that built it is done!!


Phyllis, I dislike humidity with a passion.......zaps the energy right out of one.

Better scoot....neighbour is coming over with his trailer to take all the briush to the dump for us. Got caught in my night wear by our other neighbour last night!  Don't wish to be caught again.

Enjoy your day everyone, stay safe.

Good Morning my Friends!  Mickie and I are up and waiting for the boinger for breakfast.  Christy is still sleeping and I'm trying not to wake her.  She has too many mornings when she has to get up early. 

After breakfast, I'm going to take a shower and make a quick run to the other Farmer's market to see if there are still any beans left.  If I get some there, I won't be going to the one on Sunday but if they don't have any, I'm heading out on Sunday.  The ones I canned this week will make veggie soup in the fall and ham and beans whenever.  I still would like to have some pints to just eat when the mood strikes.

SHIRLEY, we had a guy that worked at the store who could build anything you wanted built and if he needed help, he brought his brother along.  That's how we got our house so early on in our marriage.  And that's how we managed to put an addition on it when the kids began to enter their teens.  And repairs were easy.  But Al used to say of my husband, "Phil can find out what wrong with a TV in seconds and fix it in minutes but put a hammer in his hand and he doesn't know which end to use."  He told someone that if one of us had to help him he'd rather it would be me than Phil.

I guess I better get moving.  It's almost time for the boinger.  I wish you all a good day!  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to stop by and share it with your friends in the Soda Shoppe!

Its time for another quiz, short and sweet with only nine questions, and two answers are given to fill in the blanks. https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?msg=182484   

I am so tired tonight my brain has already gone to sleep. BUT, still have quite a few things to do before shutting my eyes. Tried to nap today but phone kept ringing. Need to do laundry but after the "brown out" last week, I've been trying to use those extra "watts" later in the evening. I'm using more than my share with keeping that pool pump running day & night, never did that before.

Gloria, sure wish I could share my appetite with you. I spend half my time thinking of what to eat next (and the other half eating it). Between feeding the cats & me, not a lot gets done around here. Had some bananas that needed to be used so mixed up some vanilla pudding to put them in. Kept forgetting to get the graham cracker pie crust so will eat without it! Put some in bowls with lids to take to the kids when we go to church in the morning. We've been having breakfast at the park, I go thru McDonald's while they go save a picnic table. The park is right there on the way home for both of us. I haven't had coffee for several months now & sure miss it. Tried just once since I was so sick & figured it must be gall bladder & Dr agreed with me... early virus season so Dr's office already trying to keep people away. Not worth the tantrum my tummy threw to drink coffee anymore.

I need to water but the wind was blowing so hard all day there's no used putting the water in the air & watch it blow onto the street or neighbor's yard. The "katydids" (what we used to call them) cicadas ... are singing this week, sounds more like late August.

Oh, got to tell you what my daughter said, can't get it off my mind. She & her daughter took the kids (3 & 5) to the park where some youngsters were playing. Naturally the kids couldn't get together but little Ellie called to them with tears in her eyes, "I'm here, I'm over here"..... and Mom & Grammy had tears in their eyes as well. Since they just moved in the kids have not met any other kids so are starved for friends. At 3 they do not understand. The 5 year old was actually afraid of "the virus" to the point he was afraid to go outside. They worked through that.

Better get moving, want to wash one load of clothes & will shower while it is drying. Know better than shower when washer is running & both want hot water at the same time. Wonder if this house does that, long ago and can't even remember how long ago, if washer was running & filling with hot the shower would feel like ice or hail. Burrrr. I doubt if I've tried that in 50 years. hahaha... we are getting old, huh?

Sweet dreams & God Bless. Wishing all a Super Sunday. Love ya all.... Shirley

Washers here do NOT use hot water but take cold water and heat it to the desired temperature. So the shower  works normally.

Good morning everyone..
Gentle rain falling......saves me from watering the garden.   A day of rest here and I am going to use every minute of it. Yard looks nice now with all the limbs and brush taken away.

Janie, you would have had some good giggles with me yesterday! The house till stands although I wasn't sure it would. I had watched utube videos and I was waiting for the hula to start...........no hula....nothing....then it started .........a jitterbug!! Turned it down and then came the swaying of the hula!! Managed to get 11 pints of potatoes canned and will  do it again! Lot of work but but fun.........especially when I don't pop the lid to the ceiling.

Shirley, now there are temperature controlled faucets.......don't think you can buy the other ones now. When in shower and someone flushes  there is no difference in the temp. Saves one from being scalded or chilled.

Better move...

Enjoy your day everyone...stay safe.

Good Morning Friends!  First of all, I learned something about faucets and washers this morning!  So today is a good day!

Sorry I didn't get in to say "good night" last night.  We were going full tilt all day yesterday and I'm pretty sure today will be the same at least until Christy leaves for home late afternoon or early evening.  I'll be back when I can.

Mickie and I walked to the corner this morning and when we turned to come home, the fog was so dense I almost couldn't see my house and there are only two houses between mine and the corner.  Is it Fall already?

Gotta go.  Christy is coming back from walking Cooper and it's almost breakfast time.  I think maybe eggs this morning.  She brought a dozen from her free-range chickens when she came and they always taste better than regular ones. 

I wish you all a lovely day!  Make it your own in every way!  And don' forget to come bay the Soda Shoppe and share it!

Good morning everyone. Aother overcast morning but afternoons have been hot and sunny. Oh well we can do nothing about Mother Nature can we?

SHIRLEY  you make me glad I no longer  own a car. I know you need bigger tires for the RV than a car but last time I got  4 new tires they were no where near  the $270.- for one.

LLOYD  even as a teen I did not like summer and the heat and humidity.

AMY  I could eat mashed potatoes for every meal, love them. My younger  son has a feel for  working with wood.

JANE  your daughter is lucky you try to be quiet so as not to wake her. I try be ing quiet in here  so as not to bother the lady under me or the one next to me. A lady that lived down stairs once introduced me to her daughter as the one upstair s who roller  skated all day. With wood floor and the rollator it does make noise but I have to use it.

Still have some groceries to put away from Friday.  Better get them put away today or  Yve tte will wonder  what I did all week end.

Have a good day and stay safe.

good Morning everyone.I just got up and checked in, you all beat me here today.
we are already at 78º and sunny, going it says 92º for today. so I will be a couch jockey today. I do not reamber canning patoes, but do rember canning beef. mom would boil patoes and open a couple quarts of beef and peal some carets and make a good stew, and make a thickening with flower and put in them some salt and pepper. now that is finger licking good. Have a good day.

Lloyd

Well, we had a little excitement already this morning.  I was sitting here at the computer at 8:10 when things began to move and the house began to creak.  Earthquake!  It was a 5.2 at the epicenter but it happened over near the Blue Ridge so it wasn't very strong here but according to the Neighborhood Network everyone nearby felt it, too.  Apparently, there was also one at 2 a.m. but I wasn't aware of it.  It wasn't quite as strong so didn't wake me up. What else is going to happen, I wonder?  Good old North Carolina...we have it all.  Hurricanes, tornadoes, monsoons, floods, snowstorms (occasionally), ice storms, heat alerts, earthquakes.

Other than that, it is supposed to be the same sort of summer day.  Hot, humid, afternoon thunderstorms.  I yearn for the Fall.

I'm trying a new recipe for the Instant Pot this afternoon.  Country Sausage Boil.  I'm not putting shrimp in it so I can't call it Low Country Boil.  Everything else will be the same, though, with sausage, little potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, with Old Bay seasoning all done in the IP.  We'll see how it comes out.  I figure if we're going to be as hot and uncomfortable as it is in South Carolina we may as well eat like we are there, too. 

MAKE it a good day.

Well it has been a lazy day.....so far all I have done is relax sewing   Will get supper on the go then head back sewing.
Phyllis your meal sounds good. Glad you didn't have any damage done to your home.

Joy and Peter/Roley hello if you pop in..

well it has been a good day here we had a great meal with all the local family. Nicola fixed it  corn on the cob asparagus  patois ground up calamari to mashed and re baked and a salad,home made backed Peach pie and Icecream store bought.
well time to bid you all good night and sweet dreams. shot and evening meds. hope to see you all in good health and spirits tomorrow.

Lloyd

I'm heading for bed soon.  It's been another busy day.  while Frankie and Christy and I were having lunch, Frankie's half sister called her and wanted a visit with her so she invited her to come over to my house so we could all visit.  It's been years since I've seen her and she's all grown up and pretty much on her own now.  It was a nice visit.

The temps have been a little lower since the storm a couple days ago and that's a break we needed. 

Tomorrow I have more beans to can.  They are all cleaned and ready in the fridge so it shouldn't take long to get them done.  These will be in pint jars so they can be opened for a meal.  String beans are one thing I've always preferred canned over frozen. 

PHYLLIS, good you just got a little shake and not a big one!  I bet that was scary!

LLOYD, nice to have someone else do the cooking1  Sounds like a pretty good meal.

I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy, healthy tomorrow.  And may God bless us, every one!

Jenny:  So sorry your plan to be with all four boys did not work out this time.  Wish it will happen once again.  I have 3 sons and one petite daughter.  Guess who runs the show. 

Amy:  It was over $100 and they replaced some pieces that I had not heard of a recall.  So heavy to carry and I sew downstairs in the walkout part of the basement so there is a lot of light.  I can keep an iron and board plus a big table for cutting there and a rocking chair & more light.  Plus it has a walk-in closet for stuff.  This is the most space I have ever had anywhere.  LOL on being caught in jammies.  It happened to me once too. 

Jane - this racoon was in the attic over the garage and I need to find someone to crawl up there & fix the hole at the top of the roof area.  3 neighbors spent a lot of time chewing me out for having the racoon captured.  I mean, they pounded me with questions - why not leave the poor racoon alone. 

Of course, they have no damage.  That was an upsetting day to say the least.

Phyllis:  hot and humid - we lived in Texas for awhile - it was so hard to get used to air conditioning and there are tons of people who live without the air. 

Shirley:  I quite coffee about half a year ago and really miss it - even decaf was affecting me.  Hot water isn't the same. 

Another splendid evening sitting on the deck.  #2 son drove over in his old black jeep - he has worked so hard on redoing everything on it. It looks new.  Well, time to wrap this up.  I don't even want to watch the local Denver news - what a sorry bunch of people. 

 

I came by while ago to say good night & guess I forgot to post it.......duh....

The heat was unbearable today, humid and everyone I talked to seemed to feel the same. Had a birthday dinner at Andy's house for their son & son-in-law. Andy did the grilling, steak, chicken, variety of veggies & Pam made home made cheese cake with fresh strawberries. The whole bunch trying to eat healthy & lose weight & come up with good food.

Phyllis, thought about you with the news of the quake. I have a niece & family lives in the Raleigh, NC & good friend in Anderson, SC ... but sounds like no major damage so far?  My daughter is helping her daughter get settled in their new place in Fairfax, VA, but she didn't mention feeling it, maybe just forgot, we didn't talk long.

Hey, Carol, you slipped in. Kind of a let down when neighbors or friends don't seem to understand why we have to do something, isn't it? I do understand & think it was nice of you to relocate it instead of just putting poison out like some would have done. By the way, have you ever tried the coffee flavored Postum?  Not bad, not coffee but doesn't bother my tummy. I wonder if it would be better if I brewed a pot full to nip at like I did with coffee.... 

Sweet dreams & God Bless.  Shirley

Good morning everyone..

Foggy morning here and going to be hot , humid and t storms later today.

Had a lovely day yesterday..didn't do a thing other than sew and get meals.

Today ,may continue on with the brush cleaning, still have some left to do. Need to dig up a Mountain Ash for a lady
 also. If that goes by the wayside I will make salsa instead. Will see what the weather dictates.

Gloria, I also love potatoes..can eat them any way . Baked potato with butter and garlic is my favourite.

Carol, ouch, at lest you have your machine back and can sew again. Have you checked out Jordan Fabrics, they have lots of free patterns.

Jane, you had a full day yesterday..lots of fun with family and friends.

Phyllis, today I am picking up the red wine vinegar to make the soup .

Better get ready to met the day..

Enjoy your day everyone...stay safe.