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 write 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..

Good morning Amy and all!
(She says as she waves to Amy hustling out the door) Nice sax story. I wanted to comment to you, Patricia, about your mother's musical abilities. I got distracted. She was quite talented. That she played the sax was particularly interesting to me. I always wanted to learn to play the sax. Sigh. Amy's story reminded me of my brother. He was one of those who could pick up, or sit down at, any instrument (as in ones he'd never played before, and be playing it in minutes. He never had much formal training. My parents bought him a upright concert grand piano (without even recognizing its value) at a garage sale for $30.00 so he could take lessons. He did not take to lessons, or finger drills. I assume they were too slow. But he could make that piano resound! I once played in a marimba band in college. 😄 It was fun. In addition to your mom playing the sax, This comment, " ... That and I discovered boys, protesting, and the sixties." made me grin. You wild thing, you! 🤣

Good Morning!

Good Morning Everyfriend!  It Thudered and poured all night last night.  I even heard it without my hearing aids!  But today the sun is shining and I've had my morning walk!  I'm 2/3 of the way to my steps that I try to do every day!  Some days I make it and some days I don't!  But at this age, just trying is an accomplishment!  I'm sorry, I can't see what I'm typing.  Cindy did some work on my computer this morning and I didn't notice that the print was smaller.  Right now, she's on line with a customer so I guess I'll try to come by later when she can fix this.  If I made mistakes, I apologize.  Please forgive me!

Good Morning Patricia! Cute kitty! I've finished my outside chores. Along with the grass seed watering it included stuffing dog poo into gopher holes. A professional yard maintenance guy online said that putting dog or cat poos in gopher holes was more effective than anything else he's ever used! Since the gopher holes are bugging Ron, and I have plenty of spare dog poo, that I remove anyway, I thought, "eh, worth a shot." It seems to be working. And working faster than most product reviews online said commercial non toxic products took.  :o

Jane, kudos on both your steps and your typing! No typos that I saw.😀

Good morning..

 Starting out at 56° and no sign of rain.Watered the garden last evening but I am sure rain water would have been more appreciated than well water..

Picking up a few things from town then home to weed a side garden (if sketters will let me), wash the van and trim back some lilacs.

Patricia, are you getting any of the smoke from Man? Some areas to the south of here were bad .

Jane, how is the canning going? Just Kyle's dill pickles and pickled beets to do this year here as we have enough from last year to use up.

OLM, we had groundhogs bigger than a gopher but also hated! The other day while in a garden centre my friend said to come and look at some plants....groundhog had topped them off!! He said he was just going to see up his trail cam to see what was doing the damage when out came Mr Groundhog!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  My computer expert, Cindy, has been working on my prining size, my typing size and a bunch of other stuff that I forgot!  So I'm back in business.

OLM, thanks for the kudos!  I keep trying!

AMY, Ali wants to make and can Salsa today so when Cindy and I go to the Farmers' Market today I have a list and we'll be heading over to her house this afternoon.  It's gonna be a busy day!  At the Farmers Market there's a young lady who makes all kinds of butter and that's my pickup for today!  I always get some to take home.  I really love the Jalapeno flavor one and my plan is to get 3 o those and three other flavors too.

We had bad storms overnight and I was afraid the Farmers Market wouldn't be open today but Cindy checked it out and they're opening but 2 hours later than usual.  I guess they have to dry stuff off!  We're leaving to go back to Pennsylvania next Saturday at 6AM-ish....Cindy's words.  So we wouldn't be able to go next week.  I'm glad they didn't decide to close this week!  All the storms around here seem to be overnight!  That's OK by me!

I guess I better close so I can jump up from here when Cindy says "time to go"!  I wish you all a great day.  Make it your own in every way!  And don't forget to share it with us.  We're curious (I mean "nosy")

Good morning Amy! Good morning Jane! Good morning all!

I'm nominating you both, Amy and Jane, for the "Go-getter Prize." You are both going to have lovely, busy days. Sound a little sweaty too.🤭 "Glowing," for Jane, in the kitchen. But Amy: weeding, trimming the shrubbery and van washing! And it was nearly 60° when you wrote... That sounds like sweaty work. Take it in manageable bites, with lots of ice water. Maybe stand close to the van during rinsing for the back spray. 😁 I, like yesterday, don't anticipate getting much done. Something got me. I could hear timber company equipment up wind all day. I don't know if/what but I had trouble all day and night. My gout is back to "C hands." All I got accomplished was a little weed whacking around the tiny house, watering the grass seed and carding wool. And my internet was terrible! I'm anticipating Ron coming with supplies today, and maybe he'll work on the tiny house a bit. I think he over did it yesterday. He finished shearing the last 6 sheep. Then our last surviving llama, Ebony, went down. She's quite old. He spent several hours getting her in, making her comfortable and trying to help her. She perked up for awhile. When he checked her before bed she couldn't raise her head again. He also has a 5k to run this morning. He was so tired yesterday he said he may just walk it with our granddaughter and her dad. So I'll mostly be puttering. But I'll be mentally cheering you ladies on in admiration!

Jane, 🤣 I made a typo in that short little message, missed it (I'm a horrible proof reader), posted, then had a terrible time with the internet trying to correct it. LOL

Amy, we have "ground hogs" here. They're the size of beavers and are called Rock Chucks. Boy do they make a mess! I wonder if poo works for them? 🤔 

Good morning

Cooler this morning 38° with an air quality advisory warning.  A day of rest here but the grass may get cut later on as we are to have two days of needed rain to come.

Not all got done yesterday but 4 loads of laundry did and some hung out on the solar dryer! :thumbup: Crows cried and held their tummies  ending up getting fed four times during the day. Seems they hide in the trees and when they see me they holler for more food!

Jane, how did the salsa turn out?

OLM ,not sure about that but I know a 22 stops them. THey build highrise homes in the hay fields ,not good for machinery, one really had to keep an eye out for them.

Rick,this is for you.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

I can relate to the Snoopy clip, too, Amy.

Not much has been going on around here lately. It does look like things will liven up a little beginning Monday. Parked in the back car-park are a dump truck, a detached blade for the truck, a portable generator and two pieces of equipment I can't identify because they are folded down on themselves along with a relatively small pile of gravel. Since I saw a guy measuring the lane a few days ago, I surmise that they are getting ready to repair and repave the rest of the lane. They only did half the lane last year.

A neighbors' cat, sporting a collar with tags, has been making the rounds lately. It has discovered my cats, so has been stopping by to enjoy a staring contest with them through the patio door.

Other than that, I have nothing of note to report so far today.
 

Snoopy knows his stuff.  How right he is.

Quote from: Amy on June 08, 2025, 06:01:20 AMCrows cried and held their tummies  ending up getting fed four times during the day. Seems they hide in the trees and when they see me they holler for more food!

I have some Mocking Birds that do the same. I think they've been taking food back to the nest so expect to see, and hear, more of them.

[/b]Good Morning Everyfriend!  I'm dressed and ready for church whenever Cindy is ready to take me there. 

AMY, the salsa turned out great and the the left-over, we ate but we didn't finish it!  It was really good!  However, we had a bit of a problem.  She had to do it in Quart jars because we didn't have any lids to fit the smaller jars.  She said that's OK with her.  It won't limit what she and DAN can eat and bothe Emma and Mikey like it so it won't take long for them to down a quart!  And the best part of the day (for me) was when we were leaving and ALI said "I think I feel OK about doing the canning by myself after you leave to go home".  So that job paid off for the future!

Sometime this week I'm going to go get her some pine jars and some extra lids to fit them!  Then she'll be off and running!  I told her to text me pictures of what she does in the future and she promised!  Now I know where all my jars are going when I go!

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.  I love reading everything everyone writes! 

Good morning everyone!No big news here, yet. I'm on my 2nd coffee. Kato is outside. He couldn't wait for me to drink my coffee because "Poppa's here. Ron arrived yesterday after 5:30 p.m. He unloaded the truck: doors for the tree fort, insulation for the tiny house, then he re-mowed the play field. He took the Rhino's to the nearest dump station (in town). It was full dark when he returned. He smoker grilled himself a slab of salmon. I could smell it coming through my ceiling vents. He is a night owl. I don't expect to see him for at least 3 hours.

MG hopefully the road crew does a good job!

Amy, re: rock chucks, a .22 works if you have the time. True on the damage to machinery. The holes break livestock legs.😣

Jane, yum, salsa! You made my mouth water when you mentioned it yesterday. So glad the next generation of canners in your family had you to teach them.

Good morning Rick🙂 We don't have mockingbirds up here. I don't feed any of the birds. They are fat and sassy and holding their tummies from gorging themselves. I have been known to throw up a grasshopper or 6 later in the summer for the bats at twilight.

Quote from: OnLonelyMountain on June 08, 2025, 10:08:20 AMI don't feed any of the birds. They are fat and sassy and holding their tummies from gorging themselves.

No grain, or grazing fields, around here, though there was as I grew up. Pretty much just a City area now. So most of our wild life are thieves (from peoples gardens) of fed by suckers like me. But I enjoy watching them come to eat. Even a chipmunk now and then.

Good morning, 48 and mostly cloudy here, but more rain expected in the afternoon and overnight. This has been the coldest spring and summer in quite a while, not since 1967 according to those in the know.

Morning routines, meet and greets and all decluttering and heavy cleaning finished. Now I only have to keep from making a mess before the inspection. My floor is scheduled for the afternoon of June 18th, and it all depends on which end they start from.

Amy, I heard from Claire's son. She is still having anxiety and depression, but the care home has a counselor who visits her twice a week and is working on trying to find her an emotional support dog. It's hard to believe this is the same woman who ran a small farm and market stall at the farmer's market. When she lost her husband, and then her land, she simply spiraled. I miss my friend.

Hey Rick, the birds in my area don't get "grain." We don't have grass seed yet, other than what my husband put down. They aren't eating it. I think the birds are eating bugs. The ants, beetles and other crawlies are hatching in waves and the birds flock in and pounce. I have mostly robins, junkos, bluebirds, and tanagers. The crows and ravens eat carrion from coyote and other predator's kills. The hummingbirds eat pine sap! I put out a feeder but they don't like it. Too sweet. The water fowl eat bugs, frogs, snakes and leeches.

They are fun to watch no matter where you are. Back on our farm my husband puts out bird feed. Not that they need it, just that he likes to watch them near the house.

Bluebirds are the NY State Bird, and I have never seen one (knowingly). But I'll settle for the Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Doves, Bluejays, and endless Sparrows, and an occasional Woodpecker.

Good morning..

Starting out overcast with a temp of 56° I did see spots of rain on the deck but we sure need more than that! Managed to do lawn care yesterday ,one job out of the way.

Working inside today,some cupboards need cleaning and rearranging.

Jane, does Ali put sour cream in a dish then salsa over top to tip nachos or crackers in? That will make a quart of salsa disappear.

OLM, the groundhogs mainly dwelled in the hay fields, better eating I guess. We rode the pasture field and didn't see too many groundhog dens.

Patricia, I am sorry about Claire not easy getting old. A dog just might do the trick, gives her a purpose to get up and look after him/her. Good company too !

MG and Rick, I look around to see what else I can do while down  there,usually a dust bunny comes into view.

Quote from: RAMMEL on June 08, 2025, 10:31:44 AMBut I enjoy watching them come to eat. Even a chipmunk now and then.

Me too!! The antics the birds go through is hilarious.

Quote from: MarsGal on June 08, 2025, 08:55:44 AMA neighbors' cat, sporting a collar with tags, has been making the rounds lately. It has discovered my cats, so has been stopping by to enjoy a staring contest with them through the patio door.

Now that would be more fun than watching tv! Does your cat get vocal?

 Enjoy your day and stay safe.

 




[/b][/size]

I may have to revise my roadwork theory. All of a sudden the park parking area is full of cars. They may be doing the upper apartment parking area. Well, going to do. The Microsoft weather gadget says no rain today. Could have fooled me. It has been drizzling.

Amy, Shan twitters some, but he hasn't gone into teeth chattering mode. Oscar just watches.

MG , this is the sound I listened to at 1:15 am..........not impressed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPFTEuT3d4I

For Rick and Barb, some fix'em and forgett'em meals.

https://momtivational.com/crockpot-dump-dinners/

I'd be a little alarmed at that sound, Amy. My first though is that it is in distress or something needs urgent attention. The sound that had my teeth on edge a few times was that of a terrified rabbit.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  When I finish here, I'm off to take a walk before it get HOT!  I chose not to go out and walk yesterday but I don't like Cindy's walking machine as much as I like walking with Mother Nature!

I'm not sure what's up today but I think I heard Cindy say ALI and the kids aren't coming over today!  Maybe she can take a bit of time off and we can go shopping.  I want to leave ALI with box of new pint jars and some of the lids she needs for my jars that I brought.  I managed the rings but I was short on the lid!

I read all the entries and I feel like I'm getting to know you all!  Please keep posting!  I miss you when you don't come by!  And this coming weekend I'll be on my way home to Pennsylvania.  I'll sure miss the kids and family here!  I hope you all have a great day!  Do whatever pleases you most and don't forget to tell us about it.  We need to know because we're interested....or is that word "nosy"?

Good morning, 44 and cloudy out but, this coming Wednesday we're to ease into seventies and on the following Saturday, into the mid-eighties.

We have red, black, and arctic foxes, and I've seen several but have only heard their cries electronically. We have many types of hares, Snowshoe, a black hare, and Alaskan Hare. Likewise, we do have rabbits, a growing population from escaped or dumped pets.

I'm here with my first cup of coffee, waiting on my hair to dry before I leave for town to pick up some things from Lowes and probably a few groceries. Meet and greets and morning routines are finished, and I've started a list of chores for today.

Amy, Claire, is one of those unexpected crises. She has always been the strong, stable woman who was always there for everyone else. To see her breakdown has been shocking, leaving many questions and guilt that we weren't there for her as we expected her to be for us. Covid and 2020 upended several people in our small group, most of whom I've known for forty or more years.

MG, Farrah has never, in the time I've had her, interacted with other animals other than securely enclosed in her carrier at the vets. She has basically ignored them, even a husky mix who was sniffing around her carrier.

We've had pigeons, ravens, small birds, and even once, an immature Golden eagle briefly perch on my balcony railing, with no response from her. I admit with the eagle, I picked her up, pointed her head at the slides, excitingly saying look, look, but all she wanted was down. I also admit to having her eyes checked at the following vet visit. They were fine. I believe she'd left it all behind when she came inside and has no further interest.

I used to spend most of my off time, camera in hand, at the wildlife sanctuary, now I rarely go to more than a mall, market or store with more and more Amazon ordering.

Good morning Jane, Patricia and all,
It's about 80° here. The sun is shining full on the face of the thermometer, so its reading 92°F. Thats the forecasted high and the pattern indicates its pretty accurate. We started around 60°F this morning. I've completed all the outside chores: dog patrol, watering grass seed, filling the laundry water, treating gopher holes, finishing calking the underlayment. Now I have cleaning and organizing to do inside. I have an electric mouse trap I call the "Electricutioner 5000" that needs new batteries. A bit of a chore but the trap is very effective, so worth it.

My last llama did pass away this weekend. Her name was Ebony. She was 23-28 years old. I can't remember exactly which year she was born. The records are at the farm. I had so much fun with my llamas back before I got injured. I had them trained to cush (lay down), do obstical courses and hauled them around to participate in parades, children's events and living Nativities. I even brought them in my house. I was thankful Ron made her as comfortable as possible.

MG, it made me sit up in bed but when I realized what it was from went back to sleep.....about 1/2 hour after the call stopped. I agree on the rabbit and  another one is the porcupine cry, souds just like a baby!!!

OLG,  Sorry,not nice losing an animal that is part of the family..

Amy, - Thanks for that link for the meals.

Now I have never heard any rabbit sounds, there is a correlation between snowshoe hares and our lynx, "It was a hard winter to be a snowshoe hare — and an even harder one to be a lynx.

Across large swaths of Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) populations have crashed, causing extreme hardship for the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), which relies almost exclusively on the hare for sustenance.

The two species exist in a complex "boom-bust" cycle, with the success of lynx populations dependent on the availability of hare, says Yukon Department of Environment biologist Tom Jung.

When there are lots of hare, lynx are better fed and have greater reproductive success, meaning more lynx kittens survive into adulthood and breed themselves, driving up lynx populations, which in turn demands more hare to sustain itself. Every nine to 11 years, however, the number of hare crashes precipitously, leaving the peaked lynx population with little to survive on — not unlike the way a downward turn in the stock market can leave humans out of work and struggling to make ends meet.

Good morning..

Looks as though we had rain during the night. Off to the city to the pain clinic this morning, then picking a few items up for the neighbour and us.  Just have to put the wheelchair and cooler in the van and we are good to go. Neighbour is looking after Jesse for us.

Patricia,this is what I found on rabbit population.
Rabbit populations generally experience a boom-and-bust cycle, meaning they fluctuate in numbers. These cycles typically peak and then crash every 7 to 10 years. Factors like food availability, environmental conditions, predation, and disease all play a role in these fluctuations.

Rick, I saw a bluebird yesterday! He was having a bath in a puddle in the driveway. We don't often see them here and it was a nice treat.

Better get my city duds on..

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning everyone,
Its supposed to be a little cooler today. Whew!🥵 and there's supposed to be a breeze. I'm still working on laundry. I think I got the last of the processing fragrance out of the new shirt I've been washing. I always feel like I've washed the "new" right out of them. I have glass blocks for a window and a hopper vent window for the tiny house bathroom coming this week. The glass blocks will go in the tiny hallway. I don't like dark halls. The one in the RV is so short you'd think it wouldn't matter. It does. The armoire is there and I can't see to find what I want without a flashlight. So, 3 glass blocks should take care of that nicely.

Not much new on my list of to dos. Just the usual: watering the grass seed (there is new grass), cleaning, maybe some wood cutting. It depends on how hot it gets and if there is a cooling breeze. Have a great day everyone.

Mocking bird is still carrying raisins back to the nest. Looks like we'll have a few mocking birds this year. Fun to listen too when they get going.

Good morning, 43 and cloudy at 6:32 in the morning. We're supposed to have a warming trend soon. "Warm Temperatures Expected Across The Interior This Week.

High pressure builds across the Interior as we experience a large scale pattern change. Temperatures in Interior valleys warm rapidly through the week with highs rising to the mid to upper 60s Tuesday, the upper 60s to lower 70s Wednesday, the mid 70s Thursday, and upper 70s Friday. Temperatures this weekend may reach into the lower 80s."

Amy, the rabbits we have now are not native, but the descendants of pets released. I've seen only a few but would like to know more about them. The hares we have here are mainly snowshoe hares that are larger.

Every once in a while, I think it is every ten to eleven years, the hares have a die off, and you will see reports telling people to leave them alone and don't let the dogs eat them, and get sick.

I've sometimes seen lynx, but they're not fans of people, so it's become a rarity. I've seen more river otters, especially by the rivers as winters and summers, they love sliding over and over from the banks to the waters. They, the rabbits, sound more like the hares in their lifestyle.

Rick, I looked up bluebirds as I've never seen one. Even the jays aren't blue but gray. Turns out that we have six Interior blue types according to my search, barn swallows in the southeast, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows, Belted King Fisher, Mountain Bluebird, and last Stellar's Jay.

 I'm not sure if I've seen any of them but would like to. I've learned so much I didn't know from the sanctuary's site, and it's in my own backyard. I wonder if the swans have arrived, they're usual late arrivals. Do mocking birds copy the sounds of other birds?

The ones I'm familiar with are thrushes, wrens, woodpeckers, juncos, chickadees, starlings and pine siskins. And of course Willow Ptarmigan, our state bird. There is a Black-Billed Magpie, which surprised me, on the list.

 And of course the migrating population in the refuge, which either stops there for a rest on the way elsewhere or settles in to nest and have their summer nesting young. Yesterday while out, I noticed and heard more bird sounds and unfortunately saw and felt lots of baby mosquitoes.

OLM, You're always doing so much, you remind me of my sister when she was homesteading back in the seventies. Everything and everyone went in and out via Cessna.

Today, I have to go back to Lowes. The replacement stove coil I purchased yesterday doesn't fit my brand.

Quote from: patricia19 on June 10, 2025, 11:12:41 AMDo mocking birds copy the sounds of other birds?

This from a StartPage search- "Mockingbirds are a group of New World passerine birds from the family Mimidae. They are best known for the habit of some species mimicking the songs of other birds and the sounds of insects and amphibians, often loudly and in rapid succession and for being extremely territorial when raising hatchlings. Studies have shown the ability of some species to identify individual humans and treat them differently based on learned threat assessments."
They seem to live up to that description. I have one that comes to my back porch window and does what I call a "fly by" to get my attention and put out some raisins. Last year I had a robin who almost took food out of my hand.  As I put a raisin down, the robin would pick it up.  The mocking bird, so far, is not that brave,

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I've been upa and attem for some time!  I took my walk outside early today so I could beat the heat.  It's supposed to get into the 90s today and I did my walk at 78 and that felt HOT!!

I read all the posts and you all know so much about the wild life around you that it makes me feel dumb!  I know some of them that my Dad identified to me when I was growing up but there are so many kinds of birds and ground life that it's hard to keep up.  Whin I'm around my granddaughter, ALI who is an outside gardener, I learn new things every day!  Maybe that's part of the reason I'm still hanging around "down here"!  (And that means "down below the sky"  when I've reache this ripe old age!

I'm hoping the kids show up sometime today.  I need to see them as much as I can before we take off for Pennsylvania on Saturday!  Also, I have those jars for ALI!

I wish you all a good day!  Don't sweat it!  Take it easy!  I'm going to do just that!

Rick, thanks. I'm going to do more of a search on mocking birds. I've never been able to get birds accustomed to me. But, I have to admit, I haven't actually worked at it. Except for ravens and pigeons that are very opportunistic. There was a very large owl at the train station once who kept a very close eye on me as he perched on the station's roof. He was a great gray owl, according to image identification.

Good afternoon! Thank you Patricia, but honestly I don't feel like I'm doing much at all. I read everyone else's posts and everyone, in their own life style is pretty darn busy! I try to do as much stuff as I can every day because it helps with the isolation or will improve my living conditions (i.e. the tiny house). There's also those years when I couldn't do anything and I feel like I wasted them. I'm behind😬

Great bird thread! We have the grey pine jays and the Stellar s jays. Our blue birds are the Mountain Blue Birds. Thank you Rick and Patricia! We have the great grey owls here. They look like backwards flying bullets to me.😄 They often accompany us on our patrols starting a little later in the summer. I'm seeing them already. I don't know why. The hummingbirds have shown behavior indicating they recognize me, and are comfortable with me as opposed to when anyone else comes around. They zoom up and stare in the window to see what I'm doing.

Jane, I'm hoping the kids show up for you too! Have a lovely day!

Good Afternoon,

I enjoy watching birds! I have windows across the back of my living room and a set of bird feeders in the yard that I enjoy watching.     
  Four pairs of cardinals and a pair of finches come regularly. Have also seen titmouse (titmice? titmouses? ;D), chickadees, a flock of sparrows, robins, hummingbirds and other birds wandering through.  Complex has a pond and we see ducks and Canada geese there.                   
  Once, I opened the blinds and saw ten wild turkeys on my lawn and perched on the fence! Learned that they were up and down the creek that runs through town at the edge of the complex.

  I think birds have "personalities"! 
 Neighbor and I have "patio time" in the summer and we swear that three crows who regularly perch in the cottonwoods behind our fence are talking about us!
  Watched a female finch perched in the middle of the sunflower feeder with a male on each side. She would give a seed to the one on the left - then one to the right, etc. I thought she was having herself a lot of fun. ;)
  When I lived on the other side of town, I heard an owl and the dog next door having a "conversation".  Dog would bark and owl would imitate the number of barks - and vice versa.
   
  I think I posted about the wren that built a nest in the bag under my walker seat.  The three babies fledged and the family flew away.  Yesterday, I saw Papa Wren on the suet feeder. So I guess they're still around.

 We had Stellar Jays when we lived in Leadville, Colorado. Gorgeous birds!  We have plain old blue jays here; they're noisy and chase smaller birds away.
  Also have mockingbirds here.  They do imitate other birds and are aggressive.

And that's my Bird Story!  ;) 

Hope Everyfriend is having an Enjoyable Day.

Good morning..

Another appointment but it is here in town then home to work.

Yesterday went well, this Dr is amazing in and out before our appointed time!Shopped  at Costco ,then scooted home after we had lunch at DQ.

Callie, yes birds have individual personalities and a pecking order in some. Great entertainment to watch, soon the crows will bring their young to eat and it always fun to watch them train the young. Young still want to be fed by Mom and Dad ,they will show the young the food then step back.

Janie, enjoy your time there but Cooper will love the fact your home!

Better get this day started.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.
 

[/b]Good Morning Everyfriend!  We had the kids and Ali for most of the afternoon.  I think she left when it was time for Dan to be coming home from work and for her to get supper on the table!  The kids were here for about ah hour or so without her.  She made a trip to the stores and bot some stuff she needed and lunh for the kids!  I got a lot of hugs!  When they were getting hooked up in the car seats and ready for the trip home, Mikey undid his, jumped out and threw his arms around me and said "I forgot to say bye, GG!"  That made my day!

I took my walk this morning I said in my mind "before it gets hot".  It didn't work!  It was already hot at 8:30 a.m.!  I guess I'll have to get up in the middle of the night and go for a walk!

I'm about half way packed for the trip home.  Cindy said she's doing laundry tomorrow so I'll throw what I have dirty in her laundry room.  There's not much because she did laundry on Thursday last week.

I hope you all have a great day!  Do whatever suits your fancy!  And be sure to tell us what that was!  We're very interested!

Good morning, I hope everyone is doing well. Coffee's finished as is meet and greets, morning routine, feeding everyone and I even finished two crossword puzzles.

I went back to Lowes, yesterday, exchanged types of coils and wandered around, looking at flowers and plants at Lowes and neighboring Fred Meyers. I was looking at cut up fruit and the mixed ones were absurdly priced.

Finally, chose one apiece of strawberries and one of blueberries, 16 ounces and $5.99. Next week, the home-grown and farmers markets will be available. By July with accompanying dogs there will be wild ones to pick.

I've known that animals, think, reason, play, and learn. After all, humans sometimes do, and we're all animal species.

Jane, did you take plenty of photos?

Amy, I don't care for doctors, at least the ones locally. They're mostly retired military, kept that mindset, and drawn to the higher wages here. And can't seem to go beyond average diagnoses.

Hello everybody, I've enjoyed your news. Today has been a rain day. We did get one big crack of thunder and the cell didn't cut loose again for another hour or better. Then It really got with it, but it was a good distance away.

Callie, I've never seen a cardinal. They aren't in my area. I always wanted to, they are such beautiful birds. As far as "birds have personalities," Oh yes! I used to have chickens. I loved those hennies. There were always one or two that would get particularly friendly. They would come when I went out and stand between my feet, scratching, clucking and "purring." They would tell me all about their day. Some breeds were less friendly, some more so. I liked the Americaunas, the Osterlops, the silver lace wing wyandots, or the gold lace wing wyandots.

Jane, that little Mikey is precious! :smitten:   

Good morning..

Starting off sunny with a temp of 55°. Better get outside work done first then see what happens.  The weather man keeps promising rain but we have had very little.

Putting together a battery operated lawn mower today,should be interesting! Our other push mower is over 30 yrs old and parts are difficult to get parts for.

Patrica, my GP was an army Dr..no bedside manners at all! His son was my vet and the most amazing young man with animals.

Better get this day started.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning to you too Amy😃 Good morning all of you!

What brand of electric mower did you get? I love my Greenworks tools. I've been eyeing their mowers. We have so many large rocks I went with the string trimmer. If/when Ron ever gets to working on the play yard and removing them I hope to get one. Was your old one electric?

Today I'm expecting a new pair of shoes and a glass block installation part. I've been looking for shoes for 2-3 years. It takes me so long because they have to be non-toxic, leather, and x-wide. Tough to find.  I sure hope these work!

More laundry today. Thinking I might try to get a downed tree cut up.

Have a good day everyone!

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I hope to get some pictures when we go over to Ali's tomorrow for supper.  It's the last time I'll bee seeing them for a long time and at this point in life, who knows if it will ever happen again!  We just have to enjoy things when they come and be glad we did!  If I get a good picture of me with the kids, I'll post it after I get home and Cindy leaves to return to OKLA>  Don't hold your breath because at this point in life, my memory is only partly there!  I already told Cindy that I need pictures before we leave and tomorrow is the day!

Today is laundry day!  I brought down everything that's dirty and Cindy is washing hers, Jims and mine today!  I don't think Ali and the kids are coming over today unless she needs some flowers from here for sales!  So tomorrow will be my last visit with them.  I'm really going to miss these kids~

In the next couple of days there will be lots of hugs and kisses!  And I wish you all a great day coming up.  I'll be taking my computer down tomorrow and packing it for the trip home so don't expect me on line after tomorrow until I have time to get organized at home.  And that takes me longer than usual!  Enjoy your time!                                                             

Good morning..

Starting at 41° and they say some rain today. That could be iffy so the sprinkle is on in the garden now.

Work around home after picking up a few things in town.

Has anyone seen Barb?

Jane, safe trip home and I am sure they will miss you as well.

OLM. the lawnmower is so easy to put together it is a Yardworks 17" brushless.  After the battery was charged out we went to see just how it worked and I am pleased with it. I do like how quiet it is compared to a gas lawnmower.

Patricia, how are you doing? Farrah have you busy?

Better get the day on the go.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

[/b]/Good Morning Everyfriend!  When I finish here and check my emails, I'll be packing up the computer for the trip home.  I'm not looking forward to not seeing the kids and Ali and Dan but we are going over there for supper tonight.  My last visit with the kids!  I don't think they have a clue....well, Emma does!  She's 7 but the little guys don't put it all together.  I'm really going to miss this part of my family!

I wish you all a great day!  Make it your own in every way!

AMY, it's supposed to be raining in Lewisburg, PA when we get there!

Good morning, It's sixty degrees and clear, we were in the early eighties last night and expecting similar highs for today. It has been clear skies in the morning, with afternoon's bringing dark clouds rapidly moving to the west.

We're seeing a dramatic temperature increase instead of the usual graduated May through June increases. Yesterday's weather advisory,  "Temperatures Rising Into the 80s This Weekend Across The Interior...

High pressure builds across the Interior this week as we experience a dramatic shift in the pattern. Temperatures rapidly increase in Interior valleys and by this weekend, widespread 80+ degree readings are expected and may continue into next week."

Jane, I'm sure you'll miss that side of the family but will be glad to see home and Frankie and Cooper as they will be glad to see you.

Amy, earlier I'd kept busy with cleaning and decluttering. These past few days have been simply morning routines and keeping any messes seen to. Farrah has been following me around until yesterday, when she must have thought I'd gone crazy.

We've had some small birds, but mostly pigeons walking along our balcony rail.

After she'd shown no interest, even with me pointing them out to the extent of picking her up and bringing her to the windows, I began testing her hearing and sight. Obviously no problems, so perhaps, with readily available dished food, birds no longer tempt. And she must have thought I'd gone mad.

Quote from: Amy on June 13, 2025, 06:39:10 AMOLM. the lawnmower is so easy to put together it is a Yardworks 17" brushless.  After the battery was charged out we went to see just how it worked and I am pleased with it. I do like how quiet it is compared to a gas lawnmower.

"A new broom sweeps clean".

Good morning everyone!

Amy, I love the quiet operation, too!😊 I am also wondering about Barb?

Patricia, Farrah achieved her goal: personal attention.😸

Jane, I second what Patricia said.👍

Rick, pithy and true!

I did get a downed tree cut up yesterday, and more clean up on that massive gnarly tree on the drive both yesterday and today. Pushing the usual chores, plus preparations for Family Camp, which starts tomorrow.

Now, to be fair, I'm aware that Alaskan freight costs are 38% higher than the lower 48 and that Hawaii's freight costs aren't significantly lower. However, in an earlier post, I had mentioned a purchase of a 16 ounce flat of blueberries and a 16 ounce of strawberries for $5.99 each.

Then a friend from Washington D.C. mentioned she purchased a 16 ounce tray of strawberries for $1.99!

I can't wait for the farmer's markets to open!!

Good morning

Starting off at 47° and sunny. We did get a light rain last evening though.

Baking today, laundry and if any energy leftover grass cutting. That should put the day in.

Rick, this mower is so easy to push and I am so pleased with it. Makes my job a lot easier to do. :thumbup:

Patricia, blueberries here are 7.99  for not much more than a pint. They stay right there on the shelf!

OLM. my sons friend bought a Ego and has it for 6+ years with no problems .....it even has headlights!.

Enjoy your day and stay safe!

Good Morning Amy, Patricia and all!😊
Its 42°F here with clear skies. We had rain and a T-storm yesterday afternoon. Settled the dust nicely.

Somehow I managed to get a low tire on my UTV. My new tire inflator (looks like a drill) came out of its bag. The manual claimed the battery was fully charged before packaging. Mine was not. I put it on the charger overnight. It has a nice digital pressure display so I won't have to 'guess and check' any more.

My glass blocks came yesterday. The new shoes the day before. I found the description had not been entirely accurate. The are leather and didn't stink.👍 They were, unfortunately, lined with synthetic fabric over cheap foam. The "leather insole" was a very thin leather over dense foam. All that material had to come out. I reserved the leather insole, trashed the synthetics and foams. I still have a little clean up and sealing the inside to do. They bonded some gauze to the inside of the leather by coating it with a white rubber or EPDM like substance to give it structure. That I'll have to seal. I didn't pay a lot for them. I figured I'd have to do this. I just couldn't find a better match even paying more.

Ron showed up yesterday evening with groceries, blg mtrls and 4 wheelers. He'll be back about mid-day, I think. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandkids will arrive in the late afternoon.

Amy, headlights! I was at first perplexed... so he can mow after work? Then I realized that maybe some places its so hot mowing after dark is preferred. Being an early bird I never thought of it. Come to think of it, now that my husband mows he does end up mowing in the dark. He has a blinding headlamp.🫣

Patricia, How much will they be at the farmer's market? You've reminded me I need to go check the huckleberry patch. There might be enough for pancakes in the morning with the Gkids. I have thimbleberries also, but they're better just to eat from the bush. Too squishy for much else besides jam.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Happy FLAG DAY to everyone.

                                                    THINK ABOUT IT.

Good morning everyone, it's 65 presently and will be in the mid-eighties this afternoon. Meet and greets, morning routines and everyone's fed with my first coffee at hand.

Farmer's markets began in May and operate through September. However, fresh fruits and vegetables are sparse due to the earlier cold, wet and rainy weather. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and others are cheap because they grow wild and plentiful in the interior.

Most fruits and vegetables grow large here and flowers, especially peonies, are a major export. The soil locally is a rich black glacial soil and items such as cabbages and other root vegetables can grow quite large.

 A 138-pound cabbage, 65-pound cantaloupe and 35-pound broccoli are just a few grown in our short, only 105 days, on average, growing season. For comparison, California's growing season lasts nearly 300 days. The Interior has a midnight sun, almost 24 hours daylight due to solstice and from the filtering of harmful sun rays from our location, this far north.

Patricia,that is fascinating! Thank you, I love learning these kinds of things.😃

Good morning...
 Nice sunny day with a temp of 47° and we still need rain. Most of the work got done yesterday all but one load of laundry.
We are off to Kyle's sister's 90th birthday party later on. Just the two of them left now.

Patricia,  did you think of all the cabbage rolls that could be made from that 138 lb cabbage?

Rick, while sitting out on the veranda  a bluebird came by ,perched in the tree then picked something off the ground. We don't often see them and  enjoy when they are here.

OLM, my thought was dew on grass but apparently no dew that night.

Better get the day started.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning, it's sixty and clear outside, although, one site says 56 and the other 60, but they agree on the clear skies.

Meet and greets, a call with Claire's son, morning routines, everyone fed and coffee is in hand so here I am, and how are all of you?

Barb's last post was on the fourth, has anyone heard from her?

Amy, no cabbage rolls came to mind, but I remembered reading that last year and thinking of all the coleslaw that would make.

Kyle's sister, Phyllis, MaryPage, Jane, and others in their nineties, that's quite an achievement. No one in my family, that I'm aware, both sides, have lived past their late eighties. Although most have come from hardscrabble farming lines. Ironically, I recently took a quiz from a health site that I'm in line at 87.3.

I have a question for all you that are houseplant savvy. I have grown spider plants for years, however this variegated one I have now is three years old, quite large and has never had flowers or small plantlets that can be rooted.  Last year I tried fertilizing and the previous year I used spray due to gnats that had snuck in on a new plant. I haven't had the gnats or any bugs since but no plantlets.

I haven't seen any smaller birds other than the occasional wren since they cut down the trees on this back side. However, this past week when the weather warmed and tiny mosquitoes made their debut, I have pigeons being very amorous on my balcony rail. Farrah wasn't impressed beyond watching them quietly, a time or two.

Patricia, Barb is around somewhere. She posted on SeniorLearn this morning.

Good Morning!!  Or I should say good afternoon!!  I don't know if this will go and I'm still not hooked up!  So I'll try to see you tomorrow. I had a great time with the kids and I miss them already??  Enjoy the rest of your day!!

Come to think of it Patricia, Jenny hasn't posted since the 2nd. I've been checking to see if she posted for the last few days.

Oh, here is my sister calling to let me know she is back from the casino. Most Sunday afternoons she goes for a few hours and I get to here how the smokers bother her, again.

Aside for a few normal chores, I spent the day reading. Weather is still cloudy, humid and off and on drizzly. Temp stayed in the low 60s.

Thanks for letting me know, MG.

Jenny hasn't been posting regularly for the past year. She last posted on May 26th but was briefly on site on June 2nd.

I know that she recently returned to Denver from Arizona and may just be busy with settling in again.

Good morning

Another chilly start to the day at 40° but nice and sunny.  We had a great time at the birthday yesterday, was nice catching up with the nephews too!

Need to pick up paint this morning after coffe with friends then home to catch up on work inside and hopefully brushing along the fence.

Jane, how was the trip home? Nice to sleep in your own bed , am sure you will miss them as much as everyone misses you! Ali has some wonderful memories  of canning with you .


MG, thank you for letting us know about Barb.

Patricia,Jenny is fine, just been busy.

Ok, better get busy.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I don't know how this well be because I can only see half the screen.  It's doing a checkup and I just don't have time for that today.  I really miss the kids already but Cooper and I have had 2 walks together.

Yes, I think Ali will become a canner.  She's already looking at Pressure Canners!

AMY  The trip home was LONG and BORING and we're both glad it's over.  The unfortunate part of that is Cindy has to do it again.  The nice part of that is that her sister Christy is traveling back with her and will have a week's visit then fly home!

Now I'm going back to work getting stuff done around here!I hope you all

When I saw the size of that cabbage I also thought of Cole Slaw like PATRICIA did!  If I had to deal with that, it would take me all summer to get it canned!

Now I'm going back to housework!  Not my favorite occupation but I'm glas I can still do it!  I wish you all a great day Do whatever suits your fancy!

Good morning, 69 and smokey from some small fires in the area. We can never have heat in the forests without fires, not one anytime without the other. A concerning one is in the sanctuary. We'll have highs in the mids to high eighties or higher through at least Tuesday.

Morning routines, meet and greets, and some tidying up finished and coffee in hand.

I do have a couple of errands today, back to Lowes and to a paperwork issue. Then that inspection finally on Wednesday. It never ends, does it?

Amy, thanks for letting me know about Jenny.

Jane, I'm sure Cooper was glad to see you and to have those two walks, getting reacquainted with the neighborhood.

The ones that have dogs here, have a narrow fenced corridor, the length of the building for their dogs with bags available. But many prefer taking their dogs to one of the city dog parks to let them run and play with other dogs.

The larger crops due to the midnight sun and black glacial soils have turned into quite an intense competition not only locally but at fairs around the state and between various growers. Besides the various berries that grow wild, or brought to the farmers markets and fairs around the state, there is also piling and piles of rhubarb and zucchini in yards with signs saying free to a good home.

This is why, FDR, in the thirties, sent so many of the dust bowl farmers here and why the Mennonites arrived in Big Delta. Big Delta also has a communion of Russian Old Believers, an offshoot of their Orthodox church around the same time the Amish split from theirs and for similar reasons. Old Believers, similarly to the Amish, wear the older styles of clothes, similar church services, but they do drive.

Good morning..

Pea soup of a day out there, glad we don't have to travel and pity those that do!
Not a lot on the agenda other than continue on with the brushing out.

Jane, Cooper must be happy to get you home and out for his walks!

Patricia,our temps are to soar and I am not looking forward to that!

Phyllis,how are you doing? Making your baked custard for dessert tonight.

Rick, do you have killdeers' there? We heard one the other day,first one in a long time.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Quote from: Amy on June 17, 2025, 07:03:47 AMRick, do you have killdeers' there? We heard one the other day,first one in a long time.

I don't think so, but over time I have heard many "calls" that I don't know. I went to a site that had bird calls and played it and I could hardly hear it. My higher frequency hearing is not what it was a few years back.

Good morning all,
52°F currently. Expecting a high of 80°. It was a beautiful day yesterday. Lots of fun with the family. My daughter and SIL trained for a 3k. I took the Gkids to a couple ponds for mor polliwog, frog and newt hunting. Toby collected an extra: a leech on his ankle. Toby and I painted trim boards. My husband and daughter worked on the outside shower with unlimited hot water. The cramped RV shower with 10 gal hot water capacity does not cut it for her. The outside, on demand water heater wouldn't work, so Ron ordered a new one.

Justin smoker grilled corn on the cob and dutch ovened, over the campfire, a delicious sausage and rice casserole. He also made herbed green beans. Ron smoker grilled salmon. They had s'mores for dessert. Ari (7 yrs) is getting the hang of toasting a nearly perfect golden brown marshmallow. The night before ladt night we had scary stories around the campfire. Last night we sang. Apparently I'm the only one who knows actual campfire songs. The kids just made stuff up.😄 Ron was just as bad.

Good morning, 67 presently, with smoky skies due to some small fires, one in the sanctuary, and a promise of two afternoon thundershowers. Our high is supposed to be 85.

Wednesday afternoon is my floor's inspection schedule, and they're taking down the hallway handrails in preparation for the drain dismantles and replacements. The company has reached the elevators in their vertical sections, fifth floor down to first floor, and I'm at the other end of the further hallway so they're to reach me by the end of June or first part of July.

OLM, you posted at 5:25AM my time, so you're four hours ahead, and into afternoon by now, and probably very busy.

The only things I've gotten done is meet and greets, morning routine and feeding Farrah and me. I haven't started my coffee yet. Yesterday, I spent time returning items to Lowes, visiting Walmart and having lunch at Fred Meyers. In the evening, Farrah and I watched the two pigeons that are having a romance on my balcony. Lots of sex on the fly, which seems interesting, but it's one of those blink and miss it sort of liaisons.

Amy, I hadn't heard of Killdeers, but looked them up, recognized the pictures and checked. Yes, we have them here, but they're called Plovers.

Evidently, our heat is on its way to you. I'm told it will start into the seventies by the 24th.

Ron, Alex, Justin and the Gkids headed for town to go swimming at the public pool. Ron will dump the Rhinos, Justin will get the grocery shopping done, then they'll join Alex and the Gkids at the pool. The dogs and I have 2 hours of quiet time. :)

Its 76°F currently. Mostly sunny. Breezy. We have killdeer in Oregon; none on the mountain.

Patricia, One more day before inspection. 😐 I bet you're looking forward to that being checked off! Still 2 more weeks for the drains, sigh.

Ron mounted hardware to doors this morning after a much needed sleeping in. Justin scrambled eggs with left over smoker grilled salmon for breakfast. The only thing I made was the coffee.😁 He and Ron will be smoking a leg of veal for supper when they return from the pool. We've never had veal before but a 2 year old steer spooked and slammed into a 2 month old calf. He knocked her flying into a heavy gate post and broke her back. She had to be put down; Ron went ahead and butchered her. Sad. 

:cup:  :hello:  :walking2:  bbl

Good morning everyone!
Last night was my favorite campfire night. The kids sang and danced! They actually sang real songs. We started out with Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, with Joey, then moved to Row, Row, Row your boat for Ari. Which turned into a Cannon. Justin chose a song from his plalist and Joey started singing along. They listen to classic rock with their dad and didn't realize they know them! So Justin played the songs on itunes and they sang along.  :smitten:  It was great! I even managed to get my daughter to sing a camp song with the hand motions.  ;D We even had some deep discussion about covid, started by Toby (age 9). They did not have leg of veal, it wasn't thawed yet. Justin made spaghetti over the fire instead. All the kids declared spaghetti their favorite food. There's plenty of leftovers. They were talking about spaghetti for breakfast.

They enjoyed their swim. Kato wanted to be in with Rosie and I. He thought they all went home and got sad and lonely. I actually ended up taking a short nap.

Thinking of Bubble today. I hope, through all of this, that she and her family remain well and out of harms way, insofar as that is possible just now.

🥱☕🍳🐱🧹 :smiley6600:  🙋

I just had my inspection, two men, three women, 3 to 5 minutes, and instead of the usual "This is nice," I got "Yours is always nice." They don't know the time, effort and worry I always put into it. But then that's good, and yes I know I'm obsessing.

Now all that's left is the drain dismantle and replacement, which I'm told, should reach me, mid-July.

They've been doing a few upgrades around here too. First they painted a spot right in front of the rental office for the exclusive use of the partly disabled and put up a sign with a push button to boot. I think the button is for those who have trouble with the step. Being the perfectly coordinated people that manage these things, the parking lot (including the newly painted spot) got repaved. This morning the maintenance guy and helper were around to install a GFI outlet in one of the kitchen outlets.Also, Anthony was kind enough to take the porch rocker out to my car and put it in the back. It will be going to either Community Aid or Goodwill soon.

Good morning..

Starting temp is 64°, we did have some rain and I hope it starts up again.
Took the van in for repairs on A/C and it is still there and then the fun began. Spent hours on the phone with our phone company that is also tv and internet.Not sure who one but I cam away with more mbps for internet at a less price.

Just working around home today, one doesn't have to look for it as you can alsways see something that needs to be done.

OLM, sounds like you are having a great family time!

Patrica, bnow you can relax a bit till they work on the drains. Killdeers would make a nest in the ground and I would cultivate around it, then get off the tractor and put a stick up so I knew where to avoid. They would feign a broken wing to draw you away from the nest.

Jane, are you back into routine?

MG, must admit it really annoys me when an able bodied and not just young ones use the handicap parking. One friend told me that she even had an able bodied person park in between two handicapped spaces  making in impossible for her to get in her vehicle.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning everyone!Its 46°F and calm. Last night the winds were so high I couldn't keep a signal to post.
Patricia, I'd have loved a tenant as conscientious as you! Definitely not "obsessive!" I was a landlord for several years! I was so naive going in! Oh the stuff some tenants did! Congratulations on another superior inspection.😃

MG, the parking over 2 spaces to save their paint job...😤 Those with invisible disabilities also get a bum rap sometimes over using the handicap spaces, even with a handicap placard. Some people think they're only for people with wheelchairs. People with respiratory disabilities that are worsened by parking lot fumes (among other disabilities) need them too. My daughter once got after me about it. SMH

Thank you Amy, I'm really enjoying their visit. 🥰 We did similar things on the farm for the killdeer their. 

Good Mornine Everyfriend!  I forgot who asked but I'm not back to normal yet!!  Cindy is still here and she has a work seetup on my dining room table.  She puts in at least 5 hours a day and sometimes more.  She's also doing a lot of visiting with old friends.  Living In OKLA had now changed some of her growin-up friendships!

Today I have a Dr. appt at 3 and I have to leave  a bit pase 2:30 for that!

Also, Cindy and I stopped for bird see yesterday and she went out to fill the bird feeder and discovered tons of tiny little aunts making their home on my front porch, the steps and the walkway!  So she took of for WM, got some spray and came back from that area and told me not to let Cooper out there for a couple of days!  As you might notice, I'm not back to normal yet!

PATRICIA, congratulations on you good report and also for the great compliment from the inspector!

I wish you all a great day!  Make it your own in every way!

Clearing things up? The apartment management had a handicapped space painted where it was just a space before. Then the pavers came in and repaved the whole lot which means the whole lot spaces had to be repainted. I haven't checked to see if they painted the handicapped sign on the space, but at least the sign is still planted in front of it. I thought the push button was a nice touch for those who might have trouble navigating the several small steps up to the rental office. Earlier this year an environmental testing and remediation outfit was through here sticking monitors on the wall to check for radon. State mandated no doubt, so this is something new in this area. Because I live on the first floor, my apartment was one of the testees. I am not sure what precipitated the GFI in the kitchen or repaving the parking area.

Yesterday and today, I have been checking out bed frames, mattresses, and furniture again. Almost all of those I like are mail order only, and I would have to put it all together. I have been trying to avoid that because I don't think my back can handle the twisting, turning and bending to put same together any longer. Unfortunately, there are only two real furniture stores in the area and they sell just about the same things. There is a discount furniture store  or two, but not really near by and they don't have very good ratings. Also, there seem to be several high end furniture stores, including Gish's (Amish made) which are out of my league. The furniture I like from the local Raymour and Flanigan is nice but is way too dark for my taste (only one color). It looks like Wayfair contracts with Angie's, but I don't know for sure if they use her list for around here, and I have heard varying opinions on the quality of service from Angie's list of contractors. As you can see, I manage to tie my brain in knots overthinking things sometimes. Well, it is not like I need to be in a super hurry.     

Good morning, I slept in as I couldn't seem to settle last night. Morning routines, meet and greets, and other odds and ends finished, and I'm just brewing my coffee.

The skies were very smoky yesterday, partly cloudy now, with a number of small local fires. However, there's less today and only a few over ten acres. The heat will decrease with a rainy Monday and thus a return to the seventies.

The fire at the wildlife sanctuary had been a prescribed burn and is holding at 36 acres.

Amy, that's the same bird we call a plover.

We have the same like-minded people here, no one is more important to them other than themselves. My first couple of hospitalizations were due to people believing I was lying. Then they were angry when they had to pay for my hospitalizations. We have the line breakers and the parking lot creeps too. Arrogant people who think the world revolves solely around them.

They've already taken down the hallway handrails and the next step is to tear away the hallway walls, both sides, in a six-foot width by length to expose the pipes, and then inside the apartments. They do a vertical section, fifth down to first, each time.

Jane, I don't envy trying to keep ants out. The only ant species we have here are carpenter ants, which are very destructive as they eat wood.
 

And now I here we are home to another foreign stinging ant. I don't remember if it is African or Asian. They are small and thin like a needle, which is why they are nicknamed needle ants.

Forgot that Juneteenth is celebrated today. So,  :balloons: Happy Juneteenth everyone! :balloons:

Good morning..
 We finally had a nice rain almost heard the garden sigh..

Still no vehicle and I hope we get it back today. Yesterday morning a knock on the door at 7:30  found our neighbour there with two hot drinks and a dog cookie for Jesse!! Nice to have thoughtful neighbours.

Jane, those little stinkers get into everything!!!

Patricia, there is a wee bit of a difference between the plover and Killdeer. I found this.
Killdeer and plovers are both shorebirds, but Killdeer are easily distinguished by their two black breast bands and a rusty-orange rump visible in flight, whereas most other plovers, like Piping Plovers, have only one breast band. Killdeer also tend to be larger than many other plover species and are often found in more open, human-altered environments, like parking lots and sports fields, rather than just beaches.
How to ID Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover and Wilson's Plover
Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Killdeer:
Size: Larger than many other plover species.
Breast Bands: Distinctive double black breast bands.
Rump: Rusty-orange rump visible in flight.
Habitat: Common in a variety of open habitats, including agricultural fields, lawns, and even urban areas.
Voice: Known for their loud, distinctive "kill-deer" call.
Other Plovers (e.g., Piping Plover, Semipalmated Plover):
Size: Generally smaller than Killdeer.
Breast Bands: Usually have only one breast band, or none at all.
Rump: Not typically rusty-orange.
Habitat: Often found on beaches and shorelines.
Voice: Vocalizations vary by species, but generally not as loud or repetitive as the Killdeer's call.
In essence, if you see a bird with two black breast bands in a less traditional shorebird habitat, it's most likely a Killdeer.

MG, not east picking out furniture , maybe someone will help you put together the ones from a mail order?

OLM, we have friend that park in the handicap parking and they do have a placard. They walk hand in hand into the coffee shop, if you didn't know you would say they are fine....but he is almost blind.

Time to get busy.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

I see MaryPage posted a short note on Shout Box last evening.

Today, I am going to attempt to take my porch rocker to Community Aid and stop in at the furniture store. We are having a couple of days in the 80s. The next seven days after that the weather wizards are predicting mid to high 90s. Right at this very moment, they say it is 64^o. 

We've had a few days in the 90's already, and more predicted this coming week --- and it isn't even summer yet.

MG - Thanks for letting us know Mary Page posted. I don't usually look there.

Good morning everyone! Its 51°F, cloudy and forecasted to be 15° colder than yesterday.

Yesterday was a fun day for the guys. Ron, Justin and Joey did woodcutting and Justin got to run the Kubota hoe and forks. Joey got to take the 4 wheeler. They cleared 6 huge blow downs from the road on the 80. Then they returned for lunch. While they were over there they had left the front gate open and we had a hot dogging teenager on a 4 wheeler come flying down the driveway into camp. He claimed he was lost and not "hot dogging." He thought our driveway was a road...🤨 Granted, Ron's earthwork/road building looks far better than the county road, but one would have thought the multiple, blaring "No Trespassing" signs would have clued him in. Alex and I routed him out, no shots fired and I refrained from releasing Kato onto him. My daughter was seriously worried about that, though just as worried about him poisoning me with fumes. I told her I'd discussed with the game warden my strategy to make them think I was a little crazy and dangerous, and word would get around so they'd stop coming. My game warden thought it was a great strategy and has even promoted it.😁 Its been working. This kid (17) was using a GPS locator to get somewhere and saw the drive, and figured even if it was posted he could go so fast no one could stop him. The trouble for him was, it ends at camp. It does not "go through" like he assumed. He lucked out. God was watching out for me. The wind was behind me so his fumes didn't get me. He could have been in a whole lot more trouble. As it was I just put "the fear" into him, and let my daughter play "good cop." She believed everyone of his lies. He told quite a few. He saw us and didn't stop, he intended to speed on past. Only he wasn't sure which way to go and stopped only to read his GPS locator. He tried to bluff me saying he had permission to be here. He was out collecting soil samples for someone. They all say they have permission to be here. 😂 Bad choice! Anyway, my daughter and I went back up and closed the gate behind him. After lunch the boys all had target practice.

Kato is telling me I'm out of time, and need to put him out so the kids will come over. I wanted to respond to everyone else and will later if I have the signal strength. I didn't last night.

Just one thing, Carpenter ants do not eat wood. They chew it up and spit it out. You can see piles of flour looking sawdust outside their nests. I think its called floss. Something like that. They are tunneling to build nests.

Good afternoon,  All.  Just checking in after not having much to talk about for a few days.  It's hot here, too,  and supposed to be even hotter next week with the temperature forecast to hit 100 deg on 2 or 3 days.  Just hope the AC doesn't fail.

Take care, All.

Good morning all, it's going to be hot again today, however, starting Monday, we'll have the rain back and temperatures back in the seventies.

All morning activities are finished and Farrah is back on her tree watching the two pigeons cohabit on our balcony. And the company is busy outside my door, tearing into the wall to expose the pipes.

Amy, we have two types of Plovers, Semipalmated and the Killdeer.

I'm also allowed to park in handicapped spaces, however, with my eyes, hypotension, and general unsteadiness, it's not something I could use. I was somewhat surprised when they mentioned it...

MG, thanks for letting me know about MaryPage's post.

OLM, the problem occurs when they tunnel into someone's home or business, as happens.

We had that dangerous arrogance often when we had a cabin on the Salcha river, people would break in to spend a night or two, often leaving us their empties. Once, they broke in and cleaned their catch, leaving all the feathers and gore for us to clean up. This was also with all the no trespassing signs.

Phyllis, how nice to see your post, right now with all the back and forth of building repairs, inspections, and whatnot, I would love to spend time elsewhere, but with the Solstice parties and events gearing up, it wouldn't be much difference unless I could fly out.

I've often noticed different posts about summer beginning at different times, depending on who posts. I found something that clears it up.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/meteorological-summer-vs-astronomical-summer-explained/1780019

Hi everyone!
I have a few minutes while they are all in the camper eating, its 55° Very windy with gusts to 25 m.p.h., threatening rain.

Hi Phyllis👋🏼 Good to see you! I hope your A/C doesn't give out also!

Today is their last full day. Ron and Justin went down to town and emptied Rhinos again. While they were gone the Gkids started a game of pushing over smaller dead trees. They were having a bast. I needed to eventually cut them down and thin the forest so I didn't mind. They carried everything they could manage to the slash pile. 👍 After lunch Ron took the boys on the 4wheelers back to the 80 to continue mending fences. Alex has started packing and loading for when they leave tomorrow. They'll all be headed to Ron's family reunion, then home.

Patricia, carpenter ants wreck horrific structural damage with their tunneling!

About your cabin, there are a bunch of youtube guys that make videos about how they help themselves to other people's wilderness cabins. Makes me so angry! They always claim the cabin's "abandoned" or the owners "like strangers to use it in their absence." Not bloody likely?😤🤯🤬

Good morning..

Starting out at 48° and heading to a T-storm later on. We are heading into fry weather in the next few days.

Going to take a lot of brush that was cleaned up (more to do ) to the dump. Thinking all too soon they will stop taking it due to fires. Then home to cut the grass before the rain.

Picked the vehicle up yesterday and got good news ,the bill was way less than I thought it would be and a friend has  6 months in clear of cancer :thumbup: Certainly made my day!

Jane,how are you?

Better get going, time flies faster than I work!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning, 9:00 here and 68 for a present low and heading to a high of 88.  Last night, I would have kept the windows open, but I live close to the center of the city and everyone was out until very late celebrating the solstice with competing microphones and crowd noises. At least I'm not on ground level, with people going hither and yon!

Morning routines, meet and greets, everyone fed and seemingly awake. I've got one food box pickup for a neighbor and then plan to perhaps meet Ruthie for lunch and some light browsing. Neither of us have quite decided if we want to see what's leftover from all the solstice sales or keep our money, ourselves.

OLM, I'm acquainted with carpenter ants, it's the only type of ant we have and there are several homes on the historical register with a constant battle with said ants.

You would think the people destroying cabins would be well known to police if they're filming themselves and faces.

Amy, I'm glad you got your van back and with a lesser bill!

Our fry time ends Monday, with a possible thunder shower, and rainy Tuesday and Wednesday.

On a different subject, Bald Eagles mate for life. But, first they have to test a potential suitor with a death spiral...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EU6BPZAUhOo?feature=share

Patricia, They don't show themselves "destroying" the cabins. They show an "abandoned cabin" in the "wilderness" somewhere. Typically in mid winter. They narrate how people like them to use their wilderness cabin, or they welcome it, and they typically omit disclosing how they enter. I've heard them say they're left unlocked. They never show that. They cut to a scene, later where they're making themselves at home inside and using the owners provisions. Its the really nice cabins that I think "Yeah right, the owner wants random strangers in there!" I'm not on my property during the winter. People have assumed "Its abandoned" and absconded with stuff, even stuff locked down! The second part is that LEOs don't have time/resources to monitor internet videos. They'll do something if the property owner brings it to their attention. But will most property owners think to scour the online videos to hunt down the vandals?

Perhaps, they should. The duck hunters, who cleaned their game in my folk's cabin, were caught by fingerprints lifted by a police friend of my dad's. My dad was, at the time, foreman of the city garage which handles all city maintenance, garbage pickups and street work and repairs.

The cabin on the Salcha river was isolated. To reach it, at that time, you drove 65 miles to the bridge and then 45 miles by riverboat to the cabin.

About eight months later, one of their prints showed up, and the guy, when arrested, couldn't wait to give up his two buddies upon discovering the charges he alone would face. One of them had just joined the air force, so that career went down the drain.

They had not only dressed the birds, in the living area, but also stabbed the island my mother had stuffed and cover sewn, as well as gouging the floors.

Good morning.

Lot of rain last night along with sheet lightening. Starting off at 71° at the moment heading into oh my gosh weather!

A day of welcomed rest here. :thumbup:


Patricia, any word on Claire?

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Our weather start off seems similar to Amy's. Very dark and rainy as I got up, but supposed to clear and go up to 95 later. Right now I have my night time lighting on here.

ok I'm trying this again!

I'm having computer problems.  I can't get o to do anything right now so I don't know if this will work. Cathy will be over today and maybe she can fix it. If this works I'll be back after I walk Cooper and try again. I wish you all a special day!!!

Good morning, we've cooled down a bit, 54 for a low and 84 for a high today, with smoke from the area fires. Air quality is low. However, temperatures on Monday will begin cooling down into the seventies with some expected showers.

"In the past two days alone, 65 new, lightening caused fires have been reported following a week of widespread thunderstorms and persistent hot, dry conditions. As of 8 p.m. Saturday, 276 wildfires have burned approximately 78,500 acres."

I've been watching the war news on TV with some trepidation, I have no idea what will come next.

Amy, no real news other than she seems to be shutting down, very anxious at times. Nothing like the strong, steady woman we knew before. They think they have a dog for her to provide emotional support.

Jane, I hope Cathy will be able to fix your computer.

No one here since 11 O'clock this morning. Anyone must be busy. Gonna be a hot one tomorrow.

Good morning...

Anyone feel like bacon? Time to flip over and let the heat do the other side. Starting off at 67° here and all I can say is thank goodness for a/c!

Outside work can wait till it behaves, lots to do inside. A nip into town to drop off dead batteries and inquire about a requisition. Getting all my ducks in a row before another appointment for hubby.

I know one shouldn't want to hurry time but Wed can't come soon enough. Our phone/internet company is coming to change the internet service. I hope it is better than what we have now. Told the rep that Icould likely hand deliver a message sooner than what I could sent on the net so we shall see.

Meals in this hot weather are light ones, salads, sandwich or soup. I think a crockpot meal is in order for supper tonight.

Jane, did you get your computer fixed the way you like?

Enjoy your day ,stay safe and stay cool.

Same here, Amy.  Heat advisory already this morning and that will last through tomorrow, at least, and probably most of this week.  It is supposed to go to 98 degrees today and 100+ tomorrow. I am pulling out the crockpot, too.  I feel sorry for people who have to be out in it.  The city has set up cooling stations for those people who don't have access to AC.

9:00 O'clock here and it's already 88°.  Lots of water out for the wild life. In here the A/C is already cranking away.

Good morning!
It's 40°F and sunny here. Definitely not a "bacon day" here Amy.🙃 I read about the heat wave hitting the plains through the mid-west. I hope you all stay cool.

Terrible about the fires Patricia! 😨

Good to see you Phyllis, Rick and Jane. I hope Cathy gets your computer fixed soon Jane.

Saturday evening after their Reunion Ron came back. Yesterday we worked on the tiny house. We finished the wiring in the bed room, and the east wall in the loft. We pulled the wire for the north wall. Ron installed the final rafter for the loft, and began the collar ties for the dropped ceiling over the great room. Then he cleaned up his tools and left. It was a busy week. I came in and rested. Today I begin cutting up all the dead saplings the Gkids toppled. I need to fill waters and start laundry. 

Good morning, after reading all earlier posts, I feel like a slacker. Morning routines, meet and greets and everyone's washed fed and watered. No coffee as yet.

Yesterday, it got to 88 and the smoke, as it is today, hung heavy over town and two of the close areas reached GO on evacuation orders. We do have a gun range on the south side, just outside city limits that has a small fire burning so the only clear side is northwest. Today, the heat wave is cooling, with needed rain due through Friday. The weather folks say rain is due in two hours.

I'm sorry that the lower 48 is beginning a heat wave, but glad ours is ending. When you live in a boreal forest, in the arctic, summer fires are becoming the norm. However, in the past, everyone came to us. Where do we go?

Good evening everyone!

I hope you had a cool, lovely day! The sun is on its downward journey to meet the ridge to the west. The sky is still hazy from a weekend fire (also west of me). I did get a good start on cutting up wood. I did get laundry started and waters filled. I finally cut the blobbed out expanded foam around the windows. Ron brought the tool. Then swept the tiny house. There was a column of brown dust or smoke rising a couple miles west of me in the early afternoon. I called it in. It disappeared not too long after. If it was dust from equipment, I'd rather be safe than sorry. That sums up my day. I hope you are all well.

Good morning..

Well this is a pleasant surprise,lost internet last night and thought it would still be out!

Working around home today,if weather permits may do some outside work. Just looked at the temp and it is 74° so forget the outside work.

OLM, I miss my P38 but now have an electric chainsaw to do what little needs to be done. Son gave us an electric log splitter for blocks that need trimming.Makes work so easy now.

Patricia, we cry for warmer weather here and now that it is here wish it to be cooler.

Jane, how are you doing?

Better get going, I slept in and now need to catch up!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Quote from: Amy on June 24, 2025, 08:01:22 AMPatricia, we cry for warmer weather here and now that it is here wish it to be cooler.

Warmer does NOT mean HOT. We started at 78° at 7:00 O'clock.

Good morning Amy, Rick and all!

It was 45°F at 6:00 a.m. this morning. Its up to 49° and supposed to reach 78° as a high, where some of you are starting. :o

Amy, My chainsaw is a 40v battery powered, 16" bar, from Greenworks. Love it! I've been wanting an electric log splitter for a couple of years. What brand is yours?

Rick, 😂 so true!

Not much to report this morning. I just finished checking the news, my mail and drinking my coffee. Need to get started on dog chores and wood cutting.

Good morning, sixty degrees at 10:06 am. We've dropped over twenty degrees and the skies are still smokey, and we're still surrounded by fires both large and small, plus bustling with refugees.

The closest large fire is the Gilmore Trail fire, which has prompted the most level one and level two evacuations. The cooler weather will help and while we only had one rain instead of the expected thundershower, we're expecting more rain tomorrow. It's safe to say the heat has broken, and we're back in the mid-seventies.

And, it's safe to say, we cannot have hotter temperatures in an old growth, boreal forest, without consequences.

Morning routines, meet and greets and feeding and watering everyone has been done and coffee's in hand, so it's time to see how everyone here and on the wider web has been up to.

Good morning..

Sunny with a temp of 64° heading towards the 80's, then tomorrow rain :thumbup: .
The technician is to come today to put the new modem in, now I can retire the turtle that was delivering my messages. I hoppe the new package now with unlimited internet works out. They are precise on the time he will be here.....between 8 -5 :2funny:  That's ok lots to do here .

Rick , it seems we have two temps, freeze and fry. Hope your area is a little cooler today.

OLM, the log splitter is a Yardworks, son put it up on a stand that you can move about and he installed a foot pedal leaving your hands free when you are splitting the block. It has a two way splitter or you can chnge to a 4 way. Sure beats the ax!

Better get dressed, don't wish to be caught in pj's!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Quote from: Amy on June 25, 2025, 07:00:41 AMRick , it seems we have two temps, freeze and fry. Hope your area is a little cooler today.

We're starting at 7:00 O;clock at 82°, but it's not supposed to reach the 100 we had the prior two days. I dread my electric bill this month - with the A/C's running

Just talked with Jane, her computer is misbehaving but she will be back as soon as she can.

Rick, small price to pay for your comfort. Ours will be high also but I am enjoying the cool and so is everyone else.

Quote from: Amy on June 25, 2025, 09:47:52 AMRick, small price to pay for your comfort. Ours will be high also but I am enjoying the cool and so is everyone else.

Good morning Amy, Rick and all!
I'm joining you after my morning's wood cutting. I wanted to get it done while it was cooler. Our high today is 76°F, not hot, if I'm not doing manual labor. I over heat myself🥵. It will be 90°F next week. I'm not looking forward to it. Glad you all have A/C! I have A/C, on solars. In the RV, its loud!!! I've been looking at a mini split for the tiny house. They're supposed to be quieter.

Amy, thank you for the make of your splitter. I looked it up. Nice model; looks just the right size!

Good morning, Last night the rains came and will occur off and on until July first. It's 61 presently with an expected high of 70.

Many of the larger fires, such as the Gilmore Trail one on the edge of town, have stopped their forward movement, but we'll need more of the steady rain to demobilize it.

The people cutting into the wall, exposing pipes, have been at it since eight, and it looks as if my apartment will be up in the second week of July.

Good Afternoon;

Nothing to lose my head over.

I was thinking of, but couldn't recall, a saying about your head in a basket and that's what inspired me to make that graphic.

As Bubble is unfortunately occupied, I'm stepping back in for some PSP graphics.

Here goes....

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?msg=264162

Good morning.
We get a bit of reprieve today..with the possibilities of rain. Temp is 61 0176 can live with that! :thumbup:

A trip into town to pick up a few things then home to finish making chicken soup. Not sure what else I will get into????

Patricia, I was trying to get a head but now see where it went. Love your work that you posted in Card Shoppe....don't stop!

better scoot.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning!
Its 53°F, sunny, with clouds on the horizon.

I want to follow up on my indoor bug zapper. It rarely makes any noise, or obviously zaps anything like the outside ones do, however I have not had a night time mosquito plaguing me yet. We have had mosquito hatches, and they hound me through the screens in the evening. Occasionally I hear a whining wind up, then it quits. I'm assuming thats when its incinerating a bug. It glows purple and is an effective night light. I'm quite pleased with it.

Today, like yesterday, more wood cutting. More laundry.

I am back!
Finally there is a ceasefire - We all hope it will hold - and I had my first uninterrupted sleep for a long time. I managed to sleep for 16 hours with just 'nature calls' that barely disturbed that sleep.
It is astonishing to realize how the body was stressed while I thought I was taking things quietly.

Our town did not suffer any damage but our phones kept blaring alerts day and night, to make us run to shelters.

This building has an underground shelter, but the lift stop at the lobby and not lower down.  These steps cannot be managed in my wheel chair, so that I was sheltering in the staircase with my transistor and my cellphone.

All is well now, we are back to normal! I am going to read all the post I have missed. 

ok. Here we go again. This is a try!!  I miss being here every day but I still can't get there on line. Daughter Cathy might be here later and maybe she can figure it out.

I read everything so I'm all caught up with you all!  I miss my on line time with all of you and I wish you well and I hope this posts!!

Bubble and Jane so good to see you both! :smitten:

Bubble, Jane, I'm echoing Amy; Good to see you both!

Rick, I remembered the saying, although it doesn't quite fit the graphic I turned it into, It was hell in a handbasket.

Bubble it was so nice to see your posts, and not being able to rest, and worrying can really do a number on one's system!

OLM, do you ever sit back with a cup of soothing tea and a good book, even for a moment?

Amy, I really need to do a Shepard slash basket graphic for you!

Jane, small steps, but we're glad to see each one.

It's presently 57 and still raining from last night, another high of only 70 so the heat has moved on, and I hope the cooler temperatures and rain will have an effect on the fires.

Last night, the closest one was only eight miles from the city, but it was alarming to see one in the suburbs with evacuations. We have five fires out according to the Alaska Wildfires current info page, but the one at the city limits gun range is still staffed.

Unfortunately, now they're saying the eighties will return on the first.

Hey Patricia,
8 miles, Yikes! Very stressful!

Yes, I do. I just finished 2 Agatha Christie collections a couple of weeks ago. I devour research papers. I don't drink tea, but do drink herbal decoctions, commonly called "herbal teas." I have limited energy due to fibromyalgia. So I work until I can't, then rest. While I rest my body I feed my mind, and often do handwork.

I get lonely and/or bored living in solitary confinement. I've been living in isolation for 14 years. Doing stuff helps my mental health. The winter before this one, before I could get up to the mountain, and while I was forced to stay inside the RV (except for pottying the dogs 2x/day) I turned the dead space under my refrigerator into a pan cupboard with 2 pull out shelves and horizontal tambour doors. The project kept me from going stir crazy, as well as increasing storage.😁 I usually spend 2 months "incarcerated" there, with very little cell or internet access. Sometimes none. With that much forced inactivity when I get the chance to do things, I take advantage of it.

Well, it looks like I might have found my way in tonight.  I'm not quite sure how I did it or if it will really work, but here goes!  Cooper has been here daily while Frankie works and my body has been taking it's time switching the time from Central  to Eastern.  I have to hit the haystack early tonight because I have to take care of Cooper and then get myself ready for a trip to the Dr first thing in the morning!

I hope you all have a good night's sleep and a great day tomorrow.  If this works, I'll try to be back tomorrow.  I miss being there daily!  Night night!

OLM, sounds good to me. Besides the expected, age related, osteoarthritis, food allergies, I also have hypotension which is the opposite of high blood pressure. My range is 90 over 60, and sometimes it will dip lower and your brain doesn't like losing oxygenated blood, so it will make you lose consciousness, for a minute to get the blood back. Of course, you're usually not expecting this, so you may fall and damage parts. In 2020, I got dizzy and fell, getting off the couch and wrenched my left hip and sprained my left foot.

I went to the emergency room, was told no bones broken, two to four weeks off my feet. She might as well have yelled NEXT!, the way I was dismissed. 😠

And those two to four weeks turned into 18.

Hi Jane!

Hey Patricia,
That is low! Sounds anxiety causing. I can believe the callus treatment you received in the ER. SMH. I have a girlfriend who's son-in-law manages an ER in the Portland metro area. She's told me his mantra is "move them out!" What happened that you were down 18 weeks?

Yay Jane! Its lovely and green! Very easy to read.😃

I was unable to stand with my loaned walker, for more than literally a few seconds, with my wrenched hip and sprained foot, and the pain on my left side.

It was a painful-extensive process to move off my bed to use the facilities or go to the kitchen. I could only eat what I could grab because cooking was out of the question. Her, "No bones broke, 2 to 4 weeks," turned into 66 pounds lost and 18 weeks recovery.

One of my issues is that most medications react the opposite with me. For example, I once was up for three days after taking an OTC sleeping pill. I will wake up during operations because the anesthesia doesn't work long term. So, they keep putting me back under. I avoid most meds and doctors won't prescribe them because of this.

"Paradoxical reaction A paradoxical reaction (or paradoxical effect) is an effect of a chemical substance, such as a medical drug, that is opposite to what would usually be expected. An example of a paradoxical reaction is pain caused by a pain relief medication."

Oh my! That's terrible! 66 lbs in that time frame is dangerous! I speak from experience. Following a deliberate pesticide assault I lost 150+ lbs. I don't remember the time frame. I looked like an Auschwitz survivor. Luckily for me I was fat previous to the assault 😂 I had plenty to lose. I can't take pharmaceuticals either. I get ALL the side effects. Other weird things happen too that aren't even listed. They gave me morphine once for a massive kidney stone; I was high for 3 days. My last dental anesthesia caused sheets of burning pain on my nerves from my crown to the bottom of my scapulas like a net of blue fire. I couldn't turn my head or lift my right arm for 2 months. I don't go to the dentist anymore. The damage is too great.

Good morning..
Yesterday was a blessing,much cooler and easy to exist in. Starting off at 58°  with the threat of rain later on today.

Under brushing today until the weather puts me in.

Patricia and OLM seems you both have to be your own medical team!!!

Jane,good to see you back in. We miss you when your not here!!

Phyllis,how are you doing?

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning Amy and all,
What is "Uder brushing?" As a rampant typo-ist The possibilities are hilarious🤣. "Udder brushing" on cows with furry udders comes to mind? 😄 The most logical is "under brushing," though I'm intrigued by what that means.  ::)

I had a medical team once. The mainstream medical establishment targets them and tries to force them out of practice. My EI was an MD with tons of specialty degrees and certifications. He had Asperger's and was brilliant. He always had a huge pile of new research he was reading. Because he practiced integrative medicine they persecuted him into retirement. The new guys have too much debt to cross them, and are useless to me. They can't afford to step out of line or think outside the box. Their focus is drug pushing. I can't take them. So I had to become my own care provider.

Its 53°F this morning. Sunny with a huge bank of dark clouds off to the west. Ron intends to come this afternoon. He plans on cutting the rest of the collar ties and getting them all installed, building and placing the beam under the loft joists and cutting/fitting/screwing down the 5/8ths decking he laid up there so I could finish the calking. Thats a lot. I'll be pleased with whatever forward progress we accomplish.

I'm out of organic canola oil, so no chainsawing until Ron comes. He brought me some but left it in his camper, where I can't get it. I can't use petroleum products. Canola is a gm lower uric acid rape seed oil. Rape seed oil was used on marine vessels during the war. It has superior penetration and lubrication properties. So I use organic canola oil to lube my equipment. In this case "bar oil." I have a few limb piles I can pick up. I guess its a mending, darning, remedy making day. I do have to check the huckleberries.

Have a great day everyone!

OLM , yes in a hurry and had a type o. I did correct it , but I have washed udders, milked udders, medicated udder but no brushing.  :2funny:  Tried to beat the mob grocery shopping and nope..they are out in full swing. With school out, a holiday weekend and cottagers up from the city it was not fun shopping.

Amy - Looks like your  correction didn't "take".  Still says Uder.

Rick, thank you. A lot cooler today here, how about your way?

It is almost lunchtime and I am only just now checking in. My bedroom is all tore apart and scattered between the other bedroom and the living room area until Sunday, when my new furniture arrives. The guys came and took the old bed out to the trash bin earlier today. Poor Shan, when they came, he made haste and planted himself under the bed. Little did he know. There are a few more things to remove from the room in prep for the new furniture. Between moving stuff around, and taking some trash out, my back is giving me a real fit. I plan on not doing any more moving stuff around until tomorrow to give my back a rest.

It is 11:40am and the weather app claims it is only 66^oF out. We were to get thunderstorms with a threat of flooding overnight, but nothing happened that I know of around here. Sue said the same on her side of the river. Still, it has been heavily cloudy and a bit breezy today. So, maybe we will see some action later.

Critter news: A female catbird has been hanging out under my yew bushes lately. I am absolutely delighted to see her (so are the cats). She has been a bit stressed by all the commotion with the roadwork the last few days. Also, one of the local cats has been coming by to see what is up with mine. Yesterday he got brave and started meowing and striking at the patio window. Shan, who was napping on the pet bed, just stared back at him and proceeded to knead the pet bed in response.

Amy, I wasn't criticizing the typo, I probably make more typos than anyone else here. I just got a giggle out of the mental image. I too have washed, milked, medicated and massaged the impactions out of many udders - poor girls. I haven't brushed any either but I was considering Scots Highlander cattle. They're very hairy. It could be a thing. Most udders I've dealt with were with sheep, so I've shorn a lot. We raised Angus x Hereford cattle, their udders didn't need brushing. ;D My husband is currently raising Wagu x. It is my hope to be able to get a barn up here and raise a couple of dairy sheep. Not a near future thing.

MG, only a couple more days! Changes are so upsetting for pets. Kato has not readjusted to the family leaving yet. I don't know what Shan's kneading indicated. Its been awhile since I've had cats. Does that mean she likes that other kitty? That maybe, eventually, they could be friends?

Quote from: Amy on June 27, 2025, 11:46:42 AMA lot cooler today here, how about your way?

Much better. 70ish now, but a bit overcast, which I'll take.

Good morning, 60 presently with clear skies. No overnight rain after it stopping in yesterday's early evening. Cooler weather and sporadic rains have helped with fire prevention.

As of the 25th, "Firefighters across the Final Frontier are working to contain dozens of blazes that have forced evacuations and occasionally sent plumes of smoke drifting into the Lower 48.

According to the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center, nearly 200 wildfires are currently being monitored, with most burning in the interior region of the state.

Two of the larger blazes are the Bear Creek Fire and the Saint George Creek Fire, which are both burning outside Denali National Park, and together have scorched nearly 40,000 acres.

The Bear Creek Fire, the state's largest blaze of the year, is burning along Alaska State Highway 3 and has forced the temporary closure of the roadway about an hour southwest of Fairbanks.

Fire officials say cabins, power lines and cell towers in the region are among the infrastructure that has been threatened since its start on June 19 from a suspected lightning strike.

The Saint George Creek Fire, burning about 50 miles east of Bear Creek, has prompted structure protection efforts as crews work to safeguard buildings and other infrastructure."

The American Red Cross is staffing a shelter at a high school in Fairbanks for people displaced by the wildfire activity in Alaska."

OLM, I always thought it was strictly an expression of affection, but when I looked it up, it turns out to be more than that and softening up a placer to nap, it is also a mode of scent marking. I knew, like other animals, cats will scent mark, but what I didn't know is that they have scent glands in between their toes. So, marking their territory, and in cat moms, the scent released that has a calming effect on the kittens.

I spent most of the afternoon napping and reading to give my back a break. I'll probably spend the evening with more reading and/or watching some TV. Tomorrow a trip to the drug store and move the last of what I need to get out of the way for the new furniture installation.

MG, interesting!😺 The napping sounds good. I did mending and remedy replenishing. Pretty quiet today. Kato was on alert yesterday afternoon and evening. Whatever it was has moved on.

This is an older puzzle graphic, the more you look, the more you see...

Good morning..

Went to sleep with the music of rain falling and woke up with the same music onyl this time there was drumming (thunder). Much needed and now I don't have to water the garden. :thumbup:


Not sure what is on the agenda today, rain may put a damper on what I was going to do.Lots that need doing now to get the gumption to do it.

OLM, I would lean more to goats for milk plus they would help clear the area.

Patricia, hope the fires are far from you!! I see that man has a running nose.  :2funny:

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good Morning Amy and all!
 :2funny: Good one!

Congrats on the rain!

Why goats over sheep? Sheep are good "mowers" too. I prefer the smell/taste of sheep to goat. While its not common in the US, many other cultures drink sheep's milk and eat sheep's milk cheese. Goats are harder to contain. I'm genuinely interested, what am I missing?

Its 51°F this morning. Sun to the east; dark threatening clouds to the west, moving east.

Having coffee.😊

Good morning.

Starting off at 60°, think the a/c will be put on later to get the humidity out.
Got the lawn mowed last evening and just have trimming to do plus take the garbage away to the dump. Then it is a lazy day.. :thumbup:

OLM, if you have the pasture sheep are ok if it is rugged bush country then goats. I agree on the taste as we raised sheep. Now having said that I was offered goat cheese at the friends house and have to admit it was good!! Same with goats milk although I would have preferred it cold and not straight from the goat. Goats have an easier canteen to get at too!

Jane, still having probelms with your computer?

Patricia,you should have seen the looks I got yesterday asking for snow fence in the lumber store!! Then I explained why. :2funny:

Best get this day started.

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Quote from: Amy on June 29, 2025, 08:04:07 AMyou should have seen the looks I got yesterday asking for snow fence in the lumber store!! Then I explained why.

Do you know something we don't?

 [/quote]
  Rick...Do you know something we don't?

Yes, I know with this snow fence in place the pup aka Jesse won't be able to bring a stick of wood from the woodpile in the house. I don't mind him bringing the wood in but it is when he drops it in the snow and I find it, with the snowblower!! I have broke more shear pins due to this so if it is off limits we will have less shear pin breakage. :thumbup:  Just getting it all in place before we need it.  :) 

Good morning. We've had partly cloudy days and rain overnight, so I hope that's helping. At least there are no smoky skies and people needing refresh rooms. We're at 63 presently with an expected high of 75 and on the first we'll be back in the eighties, with expected thunderstorms mid-week.

Nothing new to report, yesterday was a day of errands and today one of rest. Meet and greets, morning routines as usual and nothing really pressing until the second week in July, with the drain work.

Amy, I wonder what method Jesse will find next to help out? 🤔

We have lots of goat farms here, providing multiple soaps, lotions, and other personal care items and income for various enterprises. We also have alpacas, llamas and other farm animals plus horses of every style, size and use from mini ponies to draft. But no sheep hereabouts that I know of.

Likewise, we also have reindeer and musk ox in plenty. Fun fact, reindeer are the tame version of Caribou, same animal. Often people will lose some of their reindeer to the caribou passing through if they don't take precautions.

Good Afternoon!
Ron is on his way home. We've worked hard but did not get through the entire list. I now have a new lock set that includes an arthritic hand friendly lever as opposed to a knob. That is moving to the tree fort. He forgot the hole saw, so not this weekend. Yesterday started early with building a custom beam to support the loft. Ron is a craftsman, so it took 1/2 a day. Then he built the access port for the pull down stairs and installed it. The ladder's too long. He'll bring the metal saw next week and cut it for correct length. And finally he began the work of cutting, fitting and securing the 5/8ths plywood to the loft stringers. He does great work, so I smile, nod and ask what I can do to help. Which means, fetching, carrying, holding, handing, marking, sealing cuts, cleaning and admiring. Lifting up and taking those 4x8' plywood sheets is no easy task. I couldn't even get one off the floor. He got 6 out of the 8 done Saturday. The ones around the pull down stairs that had to be put up and taken down multiple times. This morning he did the final 2, while I mowed, mended hose and watered. I popped over to the tiny house to seal trimmed edges and carry lumber or tools in or out as needed. When he took a break for lunch I brought out my craft bin and macramé-d a pull down cord while he held the end for tension. Then he helped me install it. It was a bit thicker than the hole. It needed strength to pull it through. He went on to cutting collar ties. He ran out of screws on the loft floor so he couldn't install the collar ties. Next weekend...

Very interesting Patricia!

Hey Amy, I like goat cheese. I can't stand goat's milk. My mother was raised on the stuff and loves  :smitten: it. She was a 5 lb preemie sent home from the hospital in a shoe box and her mother was told she would die. Being an obstinate, cantankerous woman, she said, "like hell!" And raised her on goat's milk. My mom kept trying to get us to drink it. Tastes to me like the back end of a goat smells! 😣 I've milked many a sheep (I have a milking stand) and tasted sheep's milk. I like it. I make cheese, so I'm looking forward to that too. Up here I'd lose any critters, goat or sheep, unless they're fenced in with LGDs. That was part of the reason I got Kato. I have wolves, bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and coyotes.

Its currently 80°F in the shade with a nice breeze. 

Good morning Everyfriend. I'm still talking from my phone so I hope this works!!

My daughter and her little doggie are still here and we're going shopping later. Right now she's having breakfast and we already took the doggies for a walk.

I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way. And share with us how you did that. We're very interested!

Good morning..

 Weather is livable ,starting off at 56°. Work around home today will toss a coin and see if it is inside or outside work that gets done. Maybe outside till is gets too hot then inside. :2funny:

Patricia, who knows what he will do I just know I don't like playing hide and seek with the pieces of wood!

Jane, so good to see you here. Hope you can get your computer fixed and soon. We miss you when you're not here!

OLM, then sheep it is .

Rick,any cooler there?

Better get to it..

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good morning everyone!
Its currently 52°F, heading for 87°F and sunny. Looks like mowing the solar yard is on the menu before it gets hot. Then we'll see. There's always plenty to do. Its just choosing.  I got the mending done. I do have some darning. Of course there's always watering and laundry. I might move stick piles to the slash pile. I've got plenty of those.😒 I did get 2 huckleberries last week, there could be more!

Jane, your phone seems to be working great on this end for messaging.

Have a great day everyone!

Quote from: Amy on June 30, 2025, 07:00:50 AMRick,any cooler there?

Much better the last couple of days. I'm in an older house with plaster walls, so all the heat they absorbed is now being "given back". Meaning still using A/c.

Is that why my old house heated up after dark in the summer, plaster? Didn't know that. That and not much of anything in the way of effective insulation in the walls, either. When I had the bathroom redone, I had them remove the plaster, put insulation in between the exterior wall studs, and hang drywall. Then, when I had the kitchen redone less than two years before I sold the house, it got the same treatment.

Last night I had a good night's sleep in my brand new bed. So, far I am very pleased with the mattress, and the furniture works very nicely in the spice. Just one slight problem. When the guys placed the dresser where I want it, I forgot about the outlet behind it. They have the thing pushed up too close to the walls for me to get to the outlet. I tried to push/pull it away from the wall enough, but it is massive and way more heavy than the one it replaced. The good news is, the new arrangement exposed an outlet the old bed blocked. Now I have 8 to 10 inches of space between the bed and wall so I can make the bed.

One of the things I ordered today is an 8inch wide small shelf to put in the corner. I can use that for my alarm/clock nightlight. All I will need then is to get a length of cord covering to run along the wall from the outlet to the shelf. I had used some of that at the house to keep Oscar from chewing on the wires.

The sun is shining, it is a toasty 85^o with a "real feel" of 98^o because of the high humidity. Never fear, though, the weather report promises more rain late this afternoon and evening, and more  of same tomorrow.

Well, back to laundry and re-organizing stuff.

Good morning MG and Rick!

Still morning as I begin writing this. Wonderful that your new mattress was comfy and you can now get behind it to make the bed! That is so important. I don't have that in my RV and its frustrating. They do make "flat" rotating male ended extension cords that, should you get a muscly visitor to help you, you could get in behind the dresser. Just a thought. I got some of that cord covering for when Kato was a puppy as well. Kept me from tripping over the cord too.

I had no idea about the plaster returning heat, guys. Did it keep the humidity higher also?

The humidity is certainly not as much as outside. Because I turn on my A/C it's hard to tell much about the inside humidity. Many years ago, when the kids were small, I took the plaster off their north facing bedroom, insulated, and sheetrocked it - just as you did. Also insulated the bathroom when it was redone.

    Let's make a new start  HERE  (https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/soda-shoppe/soda-shoppe-july-1-2025/msg264625/#msg264625)