Seniors & Friends

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Scottish love story!

A young Scottish lad and lassie were sitting on a low stone wall, holding hands, and just gazing out over the loch. For several minutes they sat silently, then finally the girl looked at the boy and said, "A penny for your thoughts, Angus."

"Well, uh, I was thinkin'. . .perhaps it's aboot time for a wee kiss."

The girl blushed, then leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze out over the loch. After a while the girl spoke again. "Another penny for your thoughts, Angus."

"Well, uh I was thinkin.......perhaps its noo aboot time for a wee cuddle."

The girl blushed, then leaned over and cuddled him for a few seconds.

Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze out over the loch. After a while the girl spoke again. "Another penny for your thoughts, Angus."

"Well, uh I was thinkin...perhaps its aboot time you let me poot ma hand on your leg."

The girl blushed, then took his hand and put it on her knee. Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze out over the loch. After a while the girl spoke again. "Another penny for your thoughts,Angus."

The young man knit his brow. "Well, now," he said, "My thoughts are a bit more serious this time."

"Really?" said the girl in a whisper, filled with anticipation.

"Aye," said the lad. The girl looked away in shyness, began to blush, and bit her lip in anticipation of the ultimate request.

"Din'na ye think it's aboot time ye paid me the first three pennies

   
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it's the courage to continue that counts."
- Winston Churchill

   
Earth now has a new race of men who know all about computers and who don't understand anything about souls, forgetting even what such a word meant in the past.
Christian Bobin

   
To get over the past you first have to accept that the past is over.  No matter how many times you revisit it, analyze it, regret it, or sweat it, it's over. It can hurt you no more.

Good morning..

I am not going to complain about the cool day  we are 43° at the moment and sure that fry days are ahead of us.

A day of rest and hopefully the kids will be here. Other than packaging the tarts up for delivery I am resting!!

Bubble, thank you for the  new start, you always come up with amazing stories!

OLM, watching wildlife is way better than tv.

MG,how is Oscar doing?

Jane,any word on Cooper?

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Phyllis,you are right memories are priceless!

Oscar is doing well, Amy. Thanks for asking. He doesn't seem to be gaining much weight, if any, though. He is definitely more alert and more comfortable.

We are in for some consecutively sunny days including reaching into the 80's later on this week. I am hoping that the humidity stays fairly low. Nothing special on the agenda so far for the coming week.

G00d Morning Everyfriend!  I'm up and attem and ready to watch my newest great grandson be baptized at his daddy's church this morning!  It's on line and I'm thankful for that because there's no way I could make it to south Texas today! 

AMY, the last I heard (yesterday) Cooper is doing well.  He finishes his meds today and granddaughter Frankie says "We'll see what happens"!  I have all my fingers and all my toes crossed!

BUBBLE, thanks for all you do for us!  I always enjoy your posts for a new month!  Sometimes I even have to go back and read them again just because I liked them so much!

I wish you all a great day!  And a great month!  Make it your own in every way!  And come by and tell us how you did that!  We're curious!

Good morning, good day, good month. Enjoy the coming good weather.
Me of few words.

:cup:  :hello:  :wave:

HI CALLIE!

Good morning. :D
Cooler today, 69°F, not quite as windy. Partly cloudy.

Good morning and almost afternoon. 
 
Thanks, Bubble, for using my graphic with your collected words of wisdom to start the new month.  Can not believe that it is almost halfway through 2025 already!

And, thanks, Amy, for commenting on the "priceless memories" graphic that I created so long ago.  I loved doing graphics and miss doing them now.

Sunny and cool here today with even more rain forecast for this afternoon.  David and I just finished Sunday brunch and will not eat dinner until evening.  We will have baked ziti tonight that came from the caterers so it is going to be a day of rest for both of us.  Hope it will  good day for everyone looking in here, too.🌻

Take care, All.

That's a difficult one Bubble - at first I thought she should get up and leave without even a word to Angus - then it dawned on me her expectations for Angus was greater then his - but still with higher expectations for Angus that could become the story of their life so better she does get up and leave.  ;)

Well once again the weather gave me higher expectations then reality - supposed to rain and it would have been welcomed however just a mucky day with nary a rain drop.

Hope y'all are having a good day...  :coolsmiley:

Good morning, everyone, and a special good morning to Phyllis and Callie!

Bubble, you have a gift for these monthly new beginnings! Thank you for doing this for us.

Amy, it sounds

My meet and greets, and morning routines went as usual, Everyone here has been fed and watered. I spent most of the morning finishing up the kitchen cleaning and rearranging, I started yesterday. It is amazing what I found stashed high in the upper cupboards. Some of it I had to figure out where and when it ended up there and why.

Today will be cleaning and rearranging the bathroom and hallway coat closet. If time allows, I'll clean and rearrange the hallway walk-in closet as well. Next week will be the bedroom, living room, and all the laundry once cleaning's done.

Inspection for my floor will be on the afternoon of June eighteenth by a team coming from Juneau. I always deep clean and getting everything ready only to have a three-minute walk through and a "This is nice," on their way out the door. Perhaps an annual clean is a good thing, it certainly keeps me exercised and everything is clean and tided.

Afterward the only item left will be in the latter part of June or July, the drain dismantle and replacement will be three to five days, with Farrah spending eight to five, locked in the bedroom and me either in one of the libraries or somewhere else for eight hours. I'm not looking forward to it. They're doing it in sections, from the fifth to the first, top to the bottom, and no water during that time.

Amy, Any new quilts on the horizon?

MG, I'm glad Oscar is doing better, and eating more. Farrah has slowed down quite a bit in the last couple of years, no longer jumping more than three feet and no more using her climbing tree. She has no interest in toys and has become finicky on what she'll eat.

On the plus side, she's more affectionate and doesn't hide from women, although she won't approach them. Men still cause an immediate disappearing act, and I don't think that will change.

Jane, I'm glad Cooper is on the mend, and you must be so happy to view your great-grandson's baptism.

A little Midnight excitement. I had been reading in bed, just put my book down and ready to sleep when all these flashing red lights appeared in my windows. Got dressed, went outside, saw a rescue truck, two engines and a bunch of smaller vehicles all lined up in the parking lots, front and back. They were occupying themselves about half way up my building. No one came around knocking on doors, but not wanting to take any chances, I crated the cats up for a fast get-away if need be. They were here for about 40 minutes and then they all packed up and left. Well, good practice. Not unsurprisingly, Shan was on alert and hard to tackle and stuff in his crate. Oscar was an easy catch once I located him.

While sticking my nose out the door, I tried to find any hint of aurora. Alas, no luck. Down this far it is just a maybe, and then on the horizon rather than overhead. Trees are obstructing the horizon. The last time I saw an aurora around here, I was on my way home from work around 2am. It was just a diffuse red glow, not sheets. Didn't realize it was aurora until I heard a news report.

Good morning

Up early to take Jesse to the vet for his needles and nails to be done.
Had an enjoyable visit with the kids Bri dug up some hostas for me to plant and on are they big!! A friend of David's stopped in with his 1971 Scamp.Bri and I offered to take it mudding but he was having no part of that! :2funny:

Grass got cut yesterday but no trimming done so that may get done today after we get home.

Patricia, no new projects till I get the one done I am working on. Itching to get at the Golden Retriever ones started.

MG, that would be cause for alarm, maybe today you will hear why all  the commotion.

Jane, good to read Cooper is on the mend.

better get this day started

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning everyone!

Coffee's on! BYO cup. It is my favorite, medium roasted, organic Ethiopian yrgachef. A bright, not acid, full bodied coffee with notes of caramel, lemons and raisins. At least thats what the description says. I don't taste any of that stuff, just good smoothe coffee.

Ooh Patricia, a treasure hunt! I so enjoy those. Back when I was really bad I could buy my self presents and hide them in my craft drawers. I'd forget they were there and what they were. Then when I opened a drawer I'd get I nice surprise! It was a real pick me up in those dark days. What did you find that was fun? ;D

Wow MG that was quite exciting. Hope you (we) find out what it was all about. "Crated up the cats..." you sound like an experienced woman. Glad you didn't have to evacuate. Well, there goes another of my misconceptions. I thought auroras were a regular (like almost nightly) thing.  ::) How long ago did you see that one?

Amy, my sympathies to Jessie. I still do my dogs toenails, with lots of burger ball rewards. I don't use vaccines. I use Homeopathic nosodes. I discovered that I was so sensitive that I react to anything toxic resolving out of other people's bodies. Vaccines contain adjuvants, i.e. toxic substances, to stimulate a more intense response from the immune system. I spoke with one of the top virologists at Merk when I was trying to find a safer Rabies vaccine for Rosie, my SD. I wanted to go to Texas to see my son. She told me the adjuvants and the rabies virus continue to resolve out of the body for 3 years. She said, based on my condition, they'd kill me if I vacc'd my critters. Rosie has never had the Rabies vacc, she's titer tested as immune to Distemper/Parvo. Her breeder gave her a puppy shot the day before we picked her up. Five days later she came down with virulent Parvo and Distemper in the middle of the night. I was taking her out every 2 hours. One trip she was fine, the next I found her unconscious, limp, cold in an inch deep sea of bloody diarrhea that had been so violent it was all over the walls and floor outside the kennel. I grabbed a rag, scooped her out and began emergency rehydration (with electrolytes) procedures. My vet said I saved her life. Anyway, Kato's breeder also decided she was going to vaccinate Kato against my wishes, and knowledge. This time it was the Rabies vacc. There's a reason the insert says 1 year old! Its too toxic for their immune system and it crosses the blood brain barrier. Kato got Rabies vaccinosis, or as the allopathic vets call it, "Canine Rage Syndrome." They kill dogs that get this. Homeopathic vets work with the owners to resolve it. Kato is almost there. We're still working on the last of the aluminum and mercury. Anyway, the late, Dr. Ron Schultz, who was the leading expert on vaccinations has a ton of research out there on pet vaccinations if you're interested. He was the head of the US Rabies vaccination program and prior to his death ran a trial that showed that 1 vaccine confered immunity for years and in most cases for the life of the dog. It was a real eye opening deep dive.

I finally got to my "trimming" yesterday. Its more for proactive fire protection than asthetics. Ron brought supplies. He was only able to stay 3 hours. I had him put the sheets of 5/8th ply in the loft so I could continue calking the roof underlayment seams in that section of the tiny house. They aren't fastened down but I can stand on them. Then he re-seeded some thin spots in the play field and covered them with peet moss, watered. And it was time for him to go.

I'm carding more rolags.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I'm up and attem this morning!  I'm dressed and ready to meet the kids!  Ali has some of her flowers growing in Cindy's greenhouse and in a box in her back yard and she comes to check them out regularly.  And now that school is out, she has all the kids with her.  And sometimes they stay here while she makes a quick trip to one of the close-by stores!  I love it when the kids are here!

The only plan I have for the day is to make a casserole for supper!  I think it's way past my turn! 

I wish you all a great day!  Make it your own in every way and don't forget to tell us how you did that!

Also, thanks for your interest in Cooper.  I didn't hear anything last night but today is his firs full day with no medication!  If my granddaughter doesn't let me know by late afternoon, I'll have to ask her!

This is a test.

Jane, I love it when the grandkids come, too! :smitten: What kind of casserole did you decide to make?

Good morning, I've taken a small, lie in this morning, but was soon back in business, one half of the kitchen finished, bathroom finished and trash emptied with container washed and dried. I took the bundled trash down the hall and dropped it down its slot. I will certainly have some serious laundry when I've finished the entire apartment.

Morning routines, meet and greets are done, everyone fed and watered although, I haven't made my coffee yet. Farrah is on a meat kick, last week it was seafood. I guess she decided it was time to switch it up again. I'm a mean chef. If she doesn't finish her teaspoon of wet, she doesn't get her two daily morning treats.

I've got maintenance due again, for some reason my range blower doesn't work, although I checked the fuses and the range light comes on.

Yesterday, I went with a friend for a quick grocery shop. I always get the muttered comments, along the lines of "wish I could afford that," or "probably has stamps," when I pick up a couple thirty dollar steaks. I no longer educate folks that the thirty or sixty dollar meat purchases will garner 12 to 15 or more meals.

 Unit pricing and menu planning works on a budget. That was something I picked up from my mom attempting to feed a family of five. She also taught us to put the newly cleaned silverware or china at the bottom of the stack. Otherwise, you were simply using and wearing down, the same plates or silver wear, neglecting the rest.

OLM, I like a good, rich, plain, no sugar or cream, coffee bean, and this time I'm going through some single origin, one pound bag from a local coffee house, Sumatra.  I start off with eight ounces of ice water when I wake up and then six cups of coffee before I end with 4–6 cups of more ice water. I have a special diet, that's part Mediterranean and part Dash, with approximately eight glasses of water daily.

I learned in 2013, after an emergency, expensive visit, that I'm allergic to a chemical additive to prolong shelf storage. What had tipped the scales was a lunch of Hormel microwavable spaghetti lunch. It's like a bee allergy that builds up over time. I now carry an EpiPen and never touch fast food, convenience food, condensed food or microwavable foods. It also means rare restaurant meals or home cooked meals with friends.

Good morning (just barely) Patricia,

My wake up call came while out for pizza. It was a very expensive and scary ER visit. Its scary when the medical personnel are scared because nothing's working and they don't know what to do to stop the reaction. I don't do the ice water, and don't know what you mean by "dash". I had to eat organic, from scratch, no food additives. Mostly meat and veggies, only certain starches (no wheat). Later exposures gave me achalasia and dysphagia, so way more limited now. Mostly liquid. I'm doing all I can to get back to being able to eat meat and veggies again. I'm also required to drink 4-7 C of coffee every day. Its the methyls. I however like mine with organic 1/2n1/2, turbinado and cacao. Chocolate is the second highest vegetable source of methyl donors. That way its typically only 4 C of "coffee." :D I can't use an epi-pen. I react to the preservatives in them. But, no fear! Homeopathy has a remedy for my reactions. I use those. :thumbup: It is a bummer not to partake in meals with friends or go out to eat though. Its such a big part of social activity. 

While both the Mediterranean and Dash, are considered diets, they're more accurately a lifestyle.

The DASH diet, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a healthy eating plan designed to help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting salt, added sugars, and saturated fats.

My allergy doctor and nutritionist, a husband and wife team, use a modified combo of the two and I haven't ended up in the emergency sine 2014.

The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that emphasizes plant-based foods, healthy fats, and moderate consumption of fish, poultry, and dairy, while limiting red meat and processed foods. It is associated with numerous health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and improved overall health.

I can go to dinner with friends who now understand why I need to follow basic guidelines and one has begun following my plan and feels her health has totally benefited.

QuoteMy allergy doctor and nutritionist, a husband and wife team, use a modified combo of the two and I haven't ended up in the emergency sine 2014.

Thats excellent! Thanks for explaining Dash diet to me :)

Hello All of You All!

OLM I didn't get to do my casserole.  It was going to be tuna/noodle but Jim beat me to the job.  Ali was here with the kids and I spent a lot of time playing.  He got dinner ready while Cindy and I were seeing her off.  We had baked fish, macaroni and cheese, and fresh corn!  He already had things started! 

Now I'm going to go out and take a short walk down to the pond and see if the ducks are out!  I didn't get to do that earlier and I'm pretty sure I missed them today.  Yesterday, there were 8 of them on the pond.  I love watching them swim back and forth!

Have a peaceful night's sleep and a great day tomorrow!  I be back tomorrow!  I enjoyed all the posts!  You all do so much!!

Jane, playing with the kids is so much fun! There'll be another chance to make your yummy Tuna noodle casserole. What kinds of things did you play? Be sure to let us know if you caught up with the ducks. What kind are they? We have several small ponds. Typically I have a mallard pair visiting. The dogs and I see them every day.

I saw this and immediately thought, this was for Rick;

https://www.marthastewart.com/what-is-a-smash-burger-8668823?tag=recipes&hid=ec559d4368a509a028f3b3bb6ee96374d8eb3142&did=17889594-20250602&lctg=ec559d4368a509a028f3b3bb6ee96374d8eb3142&lr_input=433b84681aa104396021118429afe62c3339115c85d5a32cdf6327363a69f487

I would definitely try one of those (As pictured). Just looking at it makes my mouth water.

8 Ways to use those fruit scraps from jam and pickles to kombucha;

https://www.marthastewart.com/ways-to-use-fruit-scraps-11731530?tag=recipes&hid=ec559d4368a509a028f3b3bb6ee96374d8eb3142&did=17889594-20250602&lctg=ec559d4368a509a028f3b3bb6ee96374d8eb3142&lr_input=433b84681aa104396021118429afe62c3339115c85d5a32cdf6327363a69f487

Good morning..

Lots to do today after picking up a few things in town. Need an eavetrough flexible hose for the water tank and I can get it set up before the rain. Kids brought an electic tiller and said it will dig to China if I am not careful  so after that Brussel sprouts can be planted.

We did get a nasty frost Mon night and I hope the tomaot and pepper plants survived.

Yesterday went well, our vet is our friend and she is amazing! Jesse now has his rabie shot and pedicure or should that be peticure. :) Girls love him and he also loves the attention they give!

Better get the day started lots to do!!!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  So far, it's a nice day here but I think I heard Cindy say we're getting rain later.  We always have to worry about the rain and there being too much or not enough for Ali's flowers.  And heavy winds are not good either!  She's doing ok so far this Summer.  I sure hope it continues!

We don't have any plans for today except to take a walk is the weather holds out.  If it doesn't, Cindy has an inside walker upstairs and I'll wait' till she's on the phone doing her job and then I'll go up there and use the "gym"!

I wish you all a great day!  Make it your own in every way and let us know how you did that!  We're the curious type!

Good morning all! The sun is up and shining. It's 40°F. Five degrees warmer than yesterday morning! I have finally caught up on my laundry! Well, I do need to strip the dog seat covers and put on clean ones, but I thought I'd celebrate in the moment. I got the rest of the roof underlayment calked yesterday. It was tons easier having the platform. The only dicey moments were climbing into and out of the 8ft high loft from the very top "this is not a step" of the 6ft ladder. There was not much to hold onto up there other than the trusses. Not that my arthritic hands would have been much help. I did tie the ladder off with a length of bailing twine incase I knocked it over. See, thinking! I didn't want to get stuck up there. In my younger healthier days I could have done a skin-the-cat off the edge and stuck the landing. We used to do those off our bunk beds, then the monkey bars, then off of rope swings, and finally in college the uneven parallels. Ha! I can't even do a cartwheel anymore.  ??? We have a pull down ladder for access. Its lying there ready to be installed. I have become a slave to watering my husbands reseeded grass patches. I forgot about how frequently they need watering! Ron did not buy me a new well generator battery. He brought me a lighter 12v battery, so I'm still using jumper cables.  :-\ He took the original one home to see if it can be reconditioned. I have 1 sheet of 5/8ths plywood to seal and I'm continuing to "mow" with the wheeled string trimmer, or do more wood cutting. I do love my electric, cordless power tools. Quiet, not stinky, lots of power! I run out of go power before they do. Have a lovely day!

Whew, OLM, I'd run out of power before I'd done a third of what you listed!

Today is a market day, and then back to cleaning and decluttering. I do this every year pre annual inspections. Each time I say I won't, it's never dirty, but each time I cave and polish and declutter.

Then, when the time comes, they're in and out, three to five minutes with a "This is nice," on their way out the door.

Patricia,  :2funny: 
Its not for them dear, it all for you!!! :D I love a clean decluttered house!

I am dancing about, breaking my arm to pat myself on the back! I tackled a large tree that had come down across one of the trails. It was "suspended" (laying horizontally, held up by branches a couple feet in the air) and 10" plus diameter: way above my comfort level and skill set. In 2 weekends We have Family Camp. My daughter, her husband and their kids come for a week. They all run cross country and 5-10Ks. The tree was down across part of their "running trail." I could tell Ron wasn't going to have time to clear it. I decided to go see if I could do anything to help the project along at all. I amazed myself. 😀 Still have that mowing to do. I am only 64. I can only hope I'm still going as strong as you ladies are, as I continue to age. Hugs. 

I sometimes wish I was still 64, I'll be 74 in July.

I have always been busy and on the go, even handicapped I was never unemployed.  I paid my college loans off a year early, and they actually tried to offer me another loan for more classes?!

My thesis was on the development and formation of city states, and I still have my copy somewhere.

Unfortunately, I ended up in middle management, retail and hospitality mainly, which I will never recommend as a career path. You are stuck in the middle between customers, staff and corporate and trust me no one is ever satisfied.

I just got back after shopping and using coupons, twofers and judicious lists, I saved $28.14. Unfortunately, that feeling of accomplishment faded at the end of my taxi ride home. Last time, the same ride was ten dollars. Today it was nineteen!!

Oh my! $19.00!!! Thats practically a crime!  :'( Lets get 'em! :knuppel2:  seriously, they need to have senior discounts for taxi services.

I'll be 65 in July. My degree is in education. I was a licensed teacher, but we moved so much I ended up becoming a full time substitute. When you're good they don't want to hire you for a regular position, not everyone can walk in and control a classroom full of juvenile gang members. Then when one person offered me a regular position, I got offers trying to entice me away from the commitment I just made! I ended up working for my husband. That was not what I wanted, it just helped the family more. 

I'm still in shock over the taxi fare! SMH

Interesting, I'll be 74 at the end of July.

I was wrong, as I had time to think, I realized that I had gone to the store where the bus drops you off in front. I had chosen the bus because that way I wouldn't have to walk a half block to the nearest bus stop. My plan was to only pick up five items so I could take the bus back, which is free for seniors. But, as usual, I ended up filling my cart and had to call a taxi, not thinking of the further distance.

If I had gone to the closer store, with the further bus stop, I would have paid the amount, $10.00 per taxi, I was expecting. Both groceries are Kroger, just in different areas of the city.

Ouch on the Taxi cost - I'm finding having groceries delivered is getting more and more expensive - I'm turning to Amazon for everything that is not fresh like lettuce or cheese and the likes... yes, I often have to order more than what seems reasonable however over time everything is used. Cutting down on my grocery order by using Amazon means I can cut a bit off the tip to the delivery driver - not much but it seems to be an expense for those of us elders who want to live in our own home.

Craziest thing - I still have my 2003 Bonneville in my Garage - I no longer drive however, even after paying to register, which means the additional cost of an inspection, by paying for a combined house and vehicle insurance it is still several hundred cheaper than if I sold the vehicle, which means no cost to maintain or register and just paid house insurance my house insurance would be more than this combined plan... unbelievable... 

After all these years of being on my own I still don't have grocery shopping down for just one - I'm forever throwing out out-dated or food that has gone bad - I'm also finding I'm not only eating less but I am not able to stand and cook as I did so that my diet has changed - I'm throwing out a month $30 of food - also I should not kick myself so hard - often have best plans and my energy level is lower than usual or my allergies kick up and I'm down to soup and crackers which means planned meals go by the wayside - I'm also forgetting if I can't see what is in the refrigerator drawers - should make a list but I've said that for months now - I really need to get serious because I'm just throwing money away in the form of a cucumber or avocado I forgot I had...

OLM one of the herbal books that had become my Bible and still is How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist by Linda Rector Page N.D Ph.D organized by specific body areas and needs with the concept that other body systems come into play when repairing any specific issue - what I like is the list of herbal alternatives that affect a bodily system and symptom -

Since I'm allergic to just about all anti-biotics, from penicillin to the long list of mycins and many others - I've used successfully colloidal Silver - Insisting on using the colloidal silver drives most Doctors batty but rather take care of myself than try to argue and then using their treatment only to be sicker, and its not fun, then I was when I first visited -

I did have good experiences with Dentist and a couple of Doctors in Austin however, here there is not either a knowledge or something that keeps them stuck - One doctor would you believe in this day and age remarked I would turn blue... I must say the Center for Oriental Medicine is in Austin and that may have had an affect on American Doctors.  All to say my cost for prescription drugs is not a monthly expense - Eye drops for glaucoma and that is it... learned to eat what works and track how foods etc affect my weak systems and daily use of herbs. Most herbs I use a capsule form and find the formulas from Dr. Christopher to have the best results - Notice for about a month now his book is half price on Amazon but it is still $75 which I cannot stretch to purchase just now...

I think what is happening is what I figured when the prices went sky high a few years back during the pandemic - the prices would never change - it would be more people getting raises and working so they can afford more easily the prices and those of us who no longer work are stuck -

My attitude has been aging is an adventure with one unexpected challenge after another - if ever we had to rely on our creativity it is after you are no longer working for an income.

My biggest challenge has been the loss of physical ability and energy - having been active all my life - worked full time till I was 85, hiked, climbed mountains, swam - have a collection of swimming medals from my teen years - drove half way across the country a couple of times a year till I was 80 to visit children and grands and was even slinging heavy boxes when I first moved in this house at age 90 but the last couple of years can't do it and it is driving my up a wall - little things like not being able to dust or vacuum and no one I've hired does it, in my estimation, thoroughly or trying to reach for things on higher shelves or walk up the street or garden - at least Emigdio does a great job but it means I'm now only able to maintain watering trees and bushes - no more growing veggies or flowers.

No sense complaining - it won't change anything and so all I can do is figure ways around some of these changes - thankful actually that these are my challenges and not having to learn how to live with strangers in one room in a retirement home. I can still learn new things and watch for instance a pair of Vireo's build their nest or the Gecko's scoot along the porch railing catching anything that flies in front of them, do some sewing and I would say knitting but I notice I'm not able to adjust to a tight knit however, I still practice the piano - the dulcimer is a bit harder to hold and play - since it is a mountain dulcimer the sound would be affected if I used a stand instead, I can always listen to and sing along with John Jacob Niles or Jean Ritchie.

That is another activity I decided I need to do - growing up we sang all the time and I feel better singing and so I need to get back to singing - I may even start washing my dishes in the sink which, along with doing laundry and making beds is when I sang the most - but it sure breaks the spell of being annoyed because I can't do something.

OH dear I do go on don't I - well lets toss it up to having had a good coffee klatch. One more OLM you are younger than my daughter and a year younger than my youngest Paul. And Patricia you are two years older than my daughter - had a son who was a year older than my daughter but he died 20 years ago now... that empty spot never leaves does it...

I had a daughter that died at age 18 from a cancerous brain pituitary tumor. The 34th anniversary was May 31st. She would have been 53, and I still miss her and think of her often.

You only get used to living with that empty spot.

Good morning...

Starting out at 54° and heading to fry° . Yesterday was productive, huge hosta planted, spout hooked up to the down spout of the eavetrough and into the tank and a dance with the electric tiller. Brussel sprouts and cucumbers planted. Ran out of steam so the wave petunias will be done today!

Our vet also believes in homeopathic medicine and when I mentioned Jesse's eye , she looked and  said he has a sty, just flush his eye with cold steeped tea.

Busy day better get it started......tea is done. :thumbup:

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning ladies,
First off Barb and Patricia, I'm so sorry for your loss. It literally brought me to tears. :'(

I'm going through some painful things right now. One of the things counselors say is "Grief demands a witness." So Barb, I think sharing the frustrations and difficulties is also a kind of grieving process. When I was really bad, I lost nearly everything. I lost my 5 jobs (workaholic) my access to my farm, my horses, sheep and chickens, I lost great and small muscle control, cognitive ability, and was nearly a vegetable for a time. I was trapped in my body and unable to communicate. I'm younger, but I went through a kind of "accelerated aging process" and who I was "died." I felt like I had died. No one else grieved. Just me. Grief demands a witness. If you, or any others, feel a need to vent your grief or frustrations with your physical losses, I'll grieve with you. 💕 I know how that feels.

Thank you for the Herbal book recommendation. I'll check to see if Amazon has a digital version. I can't access print. Print toner is toxic. I can't take antibiotics either. "Only to make me sicker..." :thumbup:  I use magnesium buffered oral C powder, Crow's oral iodine and an herbal infusion of "Heal-All" a.k.a. Prunella Vulgaris, and/or fir needle tea. Pesticide free sources, of course. You are an amazing woman! The things you have done and the drive you still have is so admirable! I love to sing too. I used to play the guitar, but my skin is too fragile now. I was teaching my self to play piano before the poisoning. Now every time I sit down to play I have to start over. Cognitive impairment. Sigh. But I still sing. I sing to the dogs, I sing to the forest. When the Gkids are here we go for rides in my UTV and take turns singing to each other. Sometimes they make them up, sometimes its a song they've learned. Its a hoot! I would have loved to hear you play your dulcimer.🙂

Amy, Did your homeopathic vet give Jesse Thuja? It helps prevent any adverse reactions to the adjuvants. You certainly had a productive day yesterday."...A dance with the electric tiller..." was that the Jitterbug? 😀

We were at 36°F this morning. Sunny. 

BarbStAubrey - That last post of yours could have been written by a few (there's just a few of us left) of us. Of course some changes would be needed. like knitting or maybe sewing.  There are so many things I would like to do but are no longer possible. If I get down to do something I have a BIG problem getting back up - so I don't. But alas, I'm still here, and most, if not all, my past friends are gone.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I think I might be the oldest one here who still posts!  I just celebrated 90 years!  And thank gooodness, I can still enjoy life and walk where I feel like walking and visit with my family.  I can even enjoy playing with the 2, 4 and 7 year old kids down here!  Life has been good to me and I'm grateful for that!  I wish you all the best.  However, among other thins, I don understand what RICK means about the difficulty of getting up when you get all the way down on the floor.  I try to avoid that but if I have to get down, I make sure there's a chair of a cabinet near me to help me up!

And I just heard the dryer stop so I better go get my laundry out.  I'm starting to pack for the trip back home.  I think se said we're leaving the end of next week.  You all have a great day!  Do whatever pleases you most!

Good morning Rick, Condolences to you too! It is hard when those who were your friends are gone.

I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis diagnosed age 64 i am now 74, and nine months of venous leg ulcers both legs and feet bandaged and been hospitalised four times totaling eight weeks, mainly due to falls and pseudomonus bacteria leg infections ( i cant get up and ambulance is called )...the joys of the aging process, now i am basically housebound apart from my local church group on my mobility scooter, weather permitting...

Jackie,  Ow!!! :-\  :'(  [[hugs!!!]] Bless you!

Quote from: JaneS on June 04, 2025, 11:24:03 AMI think I might be the oldest one here who still posts!  I just celebrated 90 years! [/b][/size][/color]

Jane, I think there's a couple of us that have hit the 90 mark. I did it over a year ago.

OnLonelyMountain, sending ((( hugs ))) right back to you, my philosophy is, " we get what we get " dont we? trouble is, we just dont see it coming...

Jackie, Very true! :thumbup:

Rick, speaking of aging, I took a health quiz at my doctor's office on personal longevity. I came out at 87.3.

I found it fascinating as my mother, father, and all four grandparents died at or about 87. I mentioned this to the nurse, and she basically said it was simply the law of averages. But it still is strange.

Another day has come and gone. Accomplished what I set out to do and then some. Flowers are all in plus zucchini  seeds , now for rain to do its job. Laundry taken care of and fence talking with the neighbour.  :)

OLM, no she didnt  give him that.  She is a well loved vet  and busy! Thankfully she has great staff on hand to help out.

Patricia, I just heard of a 16 yr old that was taken off chemo as it was doing more harm than good. Her Grandfather  just passed 2 years ago with cancer.

Good Afternoon from Central Oklahoma - which doesn't know whether to flood or sun to shine ::)

Changing the subject to my post a month ago about wrens building a nest in the bag under the seat of my outside walker:

    Son discovered 3 babies in a "cave" Mama Wren had built at the back of the nest. They all opened their mouths when he touched the bottom of the bag
    Yesterday morning, I saw the parents perching on patio chairs and chirping continually. So, I carefully opened the lid of the walker.  One "baby" had fledged, a second one flew out when I opened the lid. The third one remained in the nest.
    The fledged one was apparently under the cabinet because the one that flew out scooted under to join it. Parents changed chirps to a single one - telling the babies to "stay put"; obviously, they didn't like me outside nor coming in and leaving the door open. I shut the door and positioned a chair so I could watch through the glass patio door.  They changed back to original warble and two tiny birds came out from underneath the cabinet and tried to wobbly perch on chair.
  They eventually flew away with one of the parents.  I had other things to do so didn't check until lunch time. The third one was gone and the entire family was nowhere in sight. No wrens on feeders, fence or patio today - so I put the nest in the trash.

Changing back to Health Issues: My health issues are mainly my mobility (I have Auxillary Navicular Syndrome, which means I was born with an extra bone in each arch that tends to "saw through" the tendon - so I wear braces) and my extreme hearing loss (audiologist tells me she's done all she can with hearing aids).  I do take 2 different blood pressure pills, a thyroid pill and a statin every day.

I don't really "fit" with today's world!  Podiatrist told me years ago to do "limited walking and standing" and I asked him to define "limited". He said, "No more than 2 hours out of 8".  I told him that's not even a good shopping trip to the Mall!!  ;)
  Spent two days in January in the hospital because my Sodium was too low (when we're not supposed to eat salt) and the doctor wants me to gain 5 pounds because I'm at the low point on the BMI scale (when every tv ad is for weight loss!

Janie, my Aunt had two problems when she was 90:  Her new girdle was too tight and she didn't know where to plant the petunias.  I hope you don't have these problems but you don't have any more difficult ones.

Rammel, it is difficult when most of your long-time friends die!  Most of my really close friends have gone and I miss conversations with them.
 A couple of years ago I lost a friend who I met in the church nursery when we were 3 and 4 months old.  We went through elementary/high school together and were sorority sisters in college. We didn't live in the same state as adults but, before cell phones, one of us would call and we'd talk for an hour. Then we'd hang up and the other one would place the call and we'd talk for another hour.  I still think "Oh, I need to tell this to Barbara" and I sadly can't.

Sorry I rambled on.  It's time to find out where the storms tonight will be. My area has missed out so far and I hope that continues.
 :hugs:



 

Callie, Thanks for the wren update. I bet that was fun to watch them finally fledge.

Do you have a mobility device then?

I agree about watching the wrens. I can't get out like I used to and miss going to the sanctuary. Also, when they cut down all the birch and spruce in the back of this building, there went all the squirrels and songbirds.

They have them in the trees in front, but my apartment faces the back.

I'll have to look through my older sanctuary photos and post some of the geese, swans, cranes, loons and other birds. We're told that about 85% of the world's birds pass through or stop at the sanctuary each year.

Good morning

Woke to the sound of a welcomed gentle rain this along with warm weather should make the seeds sprout. Working outside yesterday the smell of lilacs  and lilly of the valley tickled ones nose. :smitten:

Indoor chores today :thumbup: may get some baking done, thinking lemon cake with lemon filling in between the layers.

Once the water tank has filled up  will pick up a couple of goldfish to keep the the mosquito larvae at bay.

Crows need to check their alarm clocks it was 5:30 this morning when they asked for breakfast!!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Sorry to burst your bubble, Jane, but I have been a member here and in the old Seniornet for more than 35 years and I am 95...5 years older than you.  I am not bragging about that.  But, I do  wish sometimes that somebody would remember me and that I am still around and still functioning, to some extent.

As Callie said I guess I don't fit in anywhere. I may be  physically challenged but my brain and memory still work pretty well, thank you!

Take care, All.  I remember all of you even if you don't remember me.

Good morning everyone,
My coffee is perking; the sun is shining. It's 44°F. I did finish sealing that sheet of plywood yesterday. I cleaned up more of that tree down across Huckleberry Hill Rd. I finished mowing the play field. I even took the power pole saw out on poo patrol and cleared a different trail from overhanging pine limbs. They get dead, dry and reach for the ground (water). One might think I have nothing else to do... :2funny:

o.k, seriously though, I won't be power-pole sawing for awhile. Hurt my shoulder. I'm going to try to take it easier. I have been meaning to clean out my bug catchers. Yeah, kinda like dream catchers. In an RV the ducting system for the A/C is in the ceiling. There are these discs that screw in or out over the air exhaust holes. During previous year's ant invasions I noticed the ants would run and hide in the ducts. Then later they'd come out and drop on me. At night... So I devised a method of trapping the little varmits. I took 1/2" hook loop velcro and squares of fine netting and covered each cool air exhaust port and the intake. The ceiling is a short nap fabric so the velcro sticks to it. Now the bugs that are in the ceiling crawl out and are caught. I see them, I smash them. Every so often I vacuum their desicatted little bodies out. That will be a good chore for today's list. I need to come up with some other things. I did notice that a few of my fence sticks have broken. What's a fence stick? Its like a batten. When we bought this place in 2017 most of the fencing was falling down rusty barbed wire. It wasn't very tight or secure. Previously they ran cattle on it and as its open range here they didn't really care if the cattle got out. Also, most of the locals freely trespassed for various reasons, hunting/poaching, mushrooming including magic mushrooms (they grow in cow poop), a couple of meth lab locations. Since we had a long list of things to do and fence replacement was not at the top I came up with a method for tightening and strengthening the fence. I weave in stout sticks, which I have an unlimited supply, and wire them in. Its been very successful, other than the bears and elk herds bash through and a very determined trespasser was taking them out and flinging them for the first couple of years. I'd just pick them back up and stick them back in. So then he started taking them away with him. I'd just cut more. Its a forest, with tons of dead limbs... Thats when I started wiring them in. Anyway, I've got 6 broken ones on the west fence to replace. I think I can handle that.

Have a great day ya'll!

Addendum: Good morning Phyllis! I see your posts and think of you. I'm new so I don't know you. I didn't know how old you were but I always thought you looked like a woman with "a thousand stories." I'd love to hear them, if you're inclined to share. When Callie said she didn't fit in anywhere (in the real world) I could relate. I don't either. But we do have a place where we fit in: here. Please don't feel forgotten, I know that pain. Share with me. Sending caring thoughts your way. :smitten:

Phyllis...i certainly remember you...always have and always will...

Just to add to the conversation about singing and playing a musical instrument, I sang in choir and chorus for many years before I was married and played many instruments,  including cello, violin, hammered dulcimer, and studied and played classical piano for many years but because of stiffness in hands do not play them now.  Even gave away my beautiful piano that my husband gave me and still miss it.  That old cliché "Jack of all trades but master of none" applies to me but my curiosity and desire to learn has led me in many directions  over the years and still leads me to wanting to learn more, I have been trying to learn more French.  When that desire fades it will be time to bid adieu.

Thank you, Jackie and Lonely Mtn.  Believe me, I remember both of you.  Jackie, you as the  long time friend and Lonely Mtn.,  as a new and interestng friend.

I Lost my post!

PHYLLIS, my first note was to you!  I do remember that you are here and that you are oder than me and I do consider you a FRIEND!  I talk about you to my family all the time and I think of you often.  I was just wondering if anyone else was in our age bracket.  You do write some interesting notes in here and I'm always glad to see a post from you.  I've quoted you often!

I forgot the rest of what I wrote.  I might try to come back later and make sure this one posts!  I wish you all a great day.

Phyllis...
...i grew up living with my parents and my grandma in grandmas house, and as a young child " she passed away when i was eleven " and i do remember a Steinway upright dark brown piano in which  music sheets were inside the stool which i proudly got out and placed in front of me, and of course i banged away with pride but looking back it was just a racket of noise as i never learnt to play the piano...Sadly i dont recollect anyone else ever playing it

We did learn to read and white music when at secondary school but by then, the piano had disappeared...

The rain was short lived but some is bettter than none. Crow must be feeding babies as they have been 3 times now hollering for food!
Stopped for tea and treat and soon to start up again...think I am going to shock the sewing machine and get more blocks done.

OLM, don't know if you can use this but Epsomgel is what I use. At first ,didn't think it would work but 1/2 hour later no pain!! Knew a farmer that made his fences out of tree limbs,tight together and his pathways were made of small stones pounded down into the ground.

Break done..

I'm back in for breakfast after mending fence and exercising the dogs.

What lovely stories Phyllis and Jackie! Phyllis you are truly a musician! Even if your hands won't let you play anymore, your soul still vibrates with music. I too am a "Jack of all trades, master of none." I love learning new things. I tried to teach myself the banjo, however my skin had become so fragile that even bumping it against the counter would cause it to split open. I didn't put it together with the original pesticide poisoning at the time. I did take 7 years of Spanish, 4 in high school, 3 in college. Then when we had an opportunity to go to Italy, I taught myself Italian. Alas, I really crashed that spring and we did not go. I still enjoyed the learning though, and will, like you, continue seeking new things to learn. I think we are kindred spirits😀 (like in Anne of Green Gables) Thank you both again for sharing these fascinating glimpses into who you are, and parts of what makes you you.

Amy, thank you for the recommendation. I'll look into it. I have some arnica salve I've made from the arnica that grows wild here. I used that and its not very painful now. It just needs a rest. I always wait to use it until after I've fed the dogs as it isn't good to ingest. If its on my hands, it will transfer to their food.

Try to creep up on that sewing machine so you don't spook her. I've heard they're skittery when they haven't been used in a while.🤣

Good mid-morning on a cloudy, partly rainy day in the fifties. I don't know when, if ever, Spring will give over to Summer. Memorial Day is usually seeding time, but that one was wet, cold and windy! Our two outdoor farmer's markets are, however, up and running.

My morning routine, meet and greets and feeding and watering Farrah are long done. As well as the Kitchen and bathroom finishing touches this morning. I only have the two walk in closets and living room general cleaning, then the bedroom, before total carpet vacuuming. A friend stopped by yesterday and her husband asked why my apartment smelled like vinegar before Ruthie hushed him. 🥸 ☺️

I've had the management deliver a fire suppression blanket, as well as replacing the fan on my stove hood and adding two fire suppressant cans to said hood, and now all that's left is the annual inspection on June eighteenth and the drain dismantle and replacement in the latter part of June. Then I can breathe until the next plan management comes up with. 😕

I had an Amazon order delivered yesterday for my neighbor and mine is in town but not out for delivery so far.

And I need to get in and make my coffee, and sit and breathe for a spell.

Amy, your lemon cake sound delicious and I made blueberry muffins yesterday and now wish I'd made something similar to your lemon cake. What happens to the goldfish come winter?

We don't have crows here, and our ravens leave in the spring for the cooler mountains and return each fall when it cools again.

Phyllis, not so! I always watch for your posts and Callie's too. I feel an affinity between you and me as I'm becoming housebound too, and it makes me antisocial and put upon as my neighbors expect me to be their dogsbody when they're out. So, many of my friends have come and gone, most recently Claire as her son took her away to Arizona.

My mother was very musical, she played piano, organ, accordion and alto sax. My father played a mean mouth harp. None of us kids, inherited any musical genes. 🥺

Barb, I'm also using Amazon for more and more items rather than the groceries. In 2013, I retired and moved into this building, coming off the long waiting list. It's a five-story building for disabled seniors that are still independent but need some help.

I'm not ready for the various senior care homes nor the wildly expensive senior apartments available for those no longer wanting to live on their own. When the State purchased it from private ownership in 2016, we came under the umbrella of their maintenance and rules and regulations of other state building management.

Unfortunately, this city's older historic district, where my building is, and the older business district is bound by two rivers, four bridges, and the newer, areas nineteen sixties through two thousands is on the other sides of those two rivers, including the seven groceries and malls. So, the newer suburbs are circling those areas and I have to factor in those transportation costs.

Up until 2019, I walked or biked everywhere, I even walked seven miles in minus sixties to and from work to keep fit and save on transportation costs. I used to love to roam the sanctuary and watch and or photograph all the animals in the public areas. In the two main public viewing areas they would spread grain each spring and fall for the migrating birds. Plus there were bears, moose, lynx, hares and other animals about, so care was needed in some of the wooded areas open to the public.

I keep a running, simple list making app, syncing on my laptop, cell, and kindle, for groceries, non groceries and health items. Google puts it out, it's called Keep; and has no unnecessary parts and is simply for list making. It's very helpful for me.

OLM, the only learning, besides life's lessons, I do now is through books and computer commentary. I used to write poems and short stories, hook rugs, basic sewing, knit and chrochet but that's no longer possible. Now my information comes from the computer and all the books I've read and contuine to read. My friends and I have a daily chat, refered to as meet and greets, and sometimes we debate issues and ideas. Politics, we learned long ago, is never part of any of our discussions.

When I joined SeniorNet, one of Norm's friends, I can't remember her name, other than it started with P; called me a baby senior, because I was at that time, the youngest. Now I seem to be somewhere in the lower middle.

I took Spanish in seventh grade, but only remember bits and pieces. In middle school, I was really into self-help books. I certainly read a lot. That and I discovered boys, protesting, and the sixties. I was your average teenager.

In college, I went four years for a history degree, discovered that didn't pay well enough and took a two-year course in office management. I, then, discovered offices and retail paid more in aggravation than ready cash, but I persevered in between traveling the country, 46 states, Canada and once in Mexico with two military husbands, not at the same time, raised and lost a child and discovered I had lost my youth along the way.

Good afternoon Patricia,
Very nice post. I laughed out right about Ruthie shushing her husband for asking about the vinegar! I'm still giggling about it.

I'm continually impressed and amazed by the things you all share here. Rick said you all were "... a great bunch of people here." He is spot on. Thank you all for sharing your lives with me. We are so very divergent. To me its far more interesting than TV ('cause you all are real). It helps me deal with my loneliness too.

Thanks, OLM. To use an old expression, I find that the further I age, the more I find we are alike even in our differences.

I remembered the name of the senior netter who dubbed me the baby senior, P.Roe, had I believe six sons, and was quite a character. She didn't like people using avatars and said we should just use our first names. I never quite got the courage to ask why she didn't.

There were so many welcoming people at SeniorNet and then in Seniors and Friends, and so many I miss. It used to take an hour or two simply to read the discussions I was into. Plus the various controversies and dustups enlivening the site.

Dustups? Were there trolls? :crazy2:

There are always trolls. But I was speaking of rifts, tiffs and disagreements among members.

Rifts! Tiffs! And disagreements! Oh my!  :o   ;)

Good morning..

We have a haze in the air from the smoke from the fires out west. Can't imagine what it is like for those living closer to it.

Gathering up items to take to the dump this morning then home to finish up domestic duties.

Patricia, in my (much) younger years I went with a lad that played sax in the school band but let him listen to a new song and give him a piano and he could play it right off! We both worked on farms in the summer  he on the dairy farm down the road and I on a mixed farming. The people I worked for the nephew would visit and Jackson and him would pound out many songs together on the piano..boogie woogie being one of them. Gold fish will go to friends with a backyard pond.

Better shake a leg..

Enjoy your day and stay safe..