Soda Shoppe
for May 1, 2025
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A Scottish mother visits her son in his New York City apartment and asks, "How do you find the Americans, Donald?"
"Mother," says Donald, "they're such noisy people. One neighbor won't stop banging his head against the wall, while the other screams and screams all night long."
"Oh, Donald! How do you manage to put up with them?"
"What can I do? I just lie in bed quietly, playing my bagpipes."
Noah Jorgensen
Always Remember
by Albashir Adam Alhassan
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day
When I'm An Old Lady
by Joanne Bailey Baxter
When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids...)
I'll write on the walls with reds, whites, and blues,
And bounce on the furniture.....wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids...)
When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
And when that is done, I'll hide under the bed.
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids...)
When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat.
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run....if I'm able!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids...)
I'll sit close to the TV., through the channels I'll click
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids...)
And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"
The world
We know that all pains will pass one day.
All photographs turn yellow.
Wounds scab over and close.
One morning you want fresh bread for breakfast again.
A cup of black coffee.
A strong tea in the evening.
You notice the season in the mirror on the street.
At first imperceptibly, then you laugh until your dimples.
You hum songs, you look for your colored pencils in the drawers.
Birds come and land on your branches.
You blossom from where you were broken.
All pains will pass one day.
Or you will get used to it...!
*Frida KAHLO
:sleep:
Good morning.
Gosh, I missed you!! Again we lost power, plus internet and phone. Phone is still out and a tech is coming today to see why and hopefully fix it. We got off easy here where others have a mess to clean up from fallen trees. Do you know how much work you get done when you have no internet. :2funny:
Bubble, thank you for the new start,copied the one When I Am An Old Lady to send on.
Better get the day started, will go back and read older posts later.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Morning Everyfriend! BUBBLE, thank you for the start of a new month! I loved everything!
AMY, nice to see you back! We had a storm here too. I think it lasted about 5 minutes!
I'm off to get ready for another dr. appt. Have a great day, Everyfriend!
🌷🌹 HAPPY MAY DAY 🌹🌷
Good morning!
Good morning..
Rain during the night and more today..don't have to shovel that! :thumbup:
Taking van in to see what is wrong with the a/c and then home to work. Nice worker from the phone company came and the problem was the line outside the house and in no time he had it fixed and phone working. NOW it is the sound on my computer.MERCY!!
Our generator is over 25 yrs old so we bought another one yesterday. Neighbour came over to help get it out of the van and help put the wheels on it for us. After a belly full of gas it started right up, hope it lives as long as the old one.
Went back and read old posts,thank you Rick and Phyllis. I hope that is the last of the crazy weather but I think not. We are ok here with a generator and we have a wood cookstove for heat and eat. I can't imagine how the young ones are dealing with it though.
Jane,how nice that you can put your Christmas light away and use that one!!
Crow is calling for breakfast better go feed him.
Better get the day started.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
This week sorta Sunny - Rain - Thunder storms - overcast - sprinkle - brief pale Sun - heavy Fog - Rain and more Thunder storms which about matched my physical life with both congestion and Montezuma's revenge.
I thought when I woke this morning it would finally be sunny but nope - neither the weather nor my body - whatever is going on the only thing I can think of is I had fresh lettuce on Tuesday that I may not have washed thoroughly enough and whatever they spray on it to keep it looking fresh longer could be something that does not agree with me. Finger's crossed today is the end of it...
Well with all these wet days at lest the new Jasmin Vine and Texas Sage I planted last week is getting all the water they need for startups.
Patricia love your Blursday poster - And Bubble your poems to start us off were great - love the humor in the Scottish bagpipe story and When I'm an Old Lady is a hoot...
Good Morning Everyfriend! Cindy is working at her computer just like she does at home. Yesterday, she ran around the country with two of her school friends that she's stayed in touch with. They always look her up when she comes home from Oklahoma!
Today is a dya off for me! I don't have any plans outside the house. Cooper is here and he'll take some of my time. We'll get a couple of walks in and some sitting around petting and loving! Other than that, Cindy and I will visit on ther time off and Cathy will be by for a visit this afternoon.
I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way! And tell us how you did that. We're very interested!
Good morning, another busy day here with an Amazon order due in today and one for a neighbor, a newly discovered leak under the kitchen sink and the kitchen walk-in closet's doors are partially off their tracks. Hopefully, with an outside company working on replacing the entire building's drains this summer, maintenance will want to keep up on their work as well.
Morning routines are finished, meet and greets didn't have much to say, and the only other item on the agenda is plant watering. Farrah's fed and angling for a treat, sadly, we're out, but she doesn't know that. I need to make coffee and get dressed.
Jane, another busy day for you. Is Cooper getting along better with the other doggy houseguest?
We're having an odd weather pattern today. It started overnight with heavy rain moving from the gulf, north into the Interior. Our weather usually moves from Siberia to us, and we pass it to Canada. I've never heard of this pattern before.
However, it seems to jibe with what the rest of the continent, indeed the world, is experiencing.
A strong front moves north from the Gulf of Alaska bringing rain and snow to the Interior Friday through Saturday. Rain/snow showers develop during the late morning around the Fortymile and moves north/west to Fairbanks by early afternoon. Fairbanks may mix with snow Friday night between 10PM and 8AM but snow accumulations are not expected in the valley. Locations above 1500ft will be mostly snow, but may briefly mix with rain Friday afternoon/evening. Snow accumulations are expected to be 2-5 inches in elevations above 1500 ft.
Rainfall amounts for the Interior valleys below 1500ft will be around 0.25" with some locally higher amounts up to 0.5" in heavier rain bands.
Most of the precipitation will end by late Saturday night across the area leaving Sunday much drier with some sunshine.
Hurray for Sunday and it sounds like thank you Saturday... :coolsmiley:
Good morning
Off and running this morning. Kyle wants his hair cut and it is first come first serve.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Morning Everyfriend! I'm staying out of Cindy's way! She's doing her office work on line and today id payday! I think when she finishes that she's off for the rest of the day! She's really been having some good visits with family and friends since she's been home from Oklahoma! But I think the kids there are missing her.
Not sure what's on the agenda today! But whatever it is, I'll enjoy it! You all have a great day, too!
Day seems to have wings! I thought that going early to the barber at 7:15 am would work but found one in chair and two waiting! Told the barber (friend) he was up before the rooster!
Picked up needed items in town and headed home.
Barb, hope you are feeling better today.
Patricia, please keep your snow there!
/b]
Amy, no snow here, we're in the midst of heavy rain, however. There may be snow in the mountains above 1500 feet, haven't heard. This storm, coming out of nowhere, is following an unusual, never before seen journey from Alaska's Gulf, northward to the pole.
This is the time I would normally feed the plants, but they're grown humongous, and I'd be afraid of them being fertilized. They already need larger pots than I can afford and since that would entail them being put at ground level, within Farrah's reach, it's not going to happen. People are telling me to donate to the library plants as they have huge concrete planters, but, I'm not ready for that.
Hello Everyfriend! It's been a busy day! Tonight is the Spring Dance at the high School and Cindy and I went over to my son's house to see granddaughter Kiran in her formal and get some pictures before she left for the dance. She sure did look gorgeous all dressed up!
Now Cindy is out with some of her old school friends. We came home and had supper together and then she left to mee her old school buddies! They've stayed friends long distance and I'm sure will be friends for the rest of their lives!
I'm going to get ready for bed and wait on the sofa till she gets home. I'll probably be asleep when she gets here!I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a great day tomorrow!
Good morning
Starting off with a temp of 31 and rain for the next 3 days!
A welcomed day of rest here, just maybe it will be a sew sew day :thumbup:
Have scalloped potatoes that will keep a ham company in the oven for supper.
Enjoy your day and stay safe
Patricia could you separate some of the plants into a few smaller pots or hanging baskets - probably easier said then done - I have actually a fairly new philodendron that is humongous - don't like those long skinny vines hanging but the basket is so full of plant I do not even know where to start to think about separating it without cutting through so much I could easily ruin the entire plant... And so your plants may be in the same conditon but sounds like bigger pots - just thought what about a trip to Goodwill and even an old soup pot with stones in the bottom and spray paint it could be a solution. Whatever you decide good luck - looks like plants thrive under your hand.
Jane in your lifetime how many teens have you seen go to their first formal dance - so exciting and for most, except for their wedding it is their only formal dance making it even more special. And how satisfying it feels to know your kids have lifetime friends - my kids did not but it appears one of my grandsons does - a couple of friends since 4th grade and they are now in their early 30s - its almost like they are part of the family which from your sharing in an earlier post it appears Cindy's friends are in your life as well... how special...
Ahh Amy a day for sewing - I'm thinking I should follow your example and use these rainy, foggy, stormy days to do more than reading - I love reading especially a book that has me looking up words and other books to expand what I'm reading but in the end I've nothing to show for it where as sewing or even practicing the piano I'd have something that makes me feel I've accomplished something... At 31 degrees in May I keep wondering when does it warm up in your part of Alaska
And thanks Amy I am feeling better - I think I have so much pepto bismol in me I'll have the opposite problem for a few days however, a good size baked potato does wonders - whatever hit me, except for blaming it on fresh lettuce that I did not wash well, I can't imagine a reaction to that would last from Tuesday night till yesterday evening when I woke from what had become a second nap - and so whatever, some kind of bug - planning on a new approach to ease in before I do the heavy veggie diet that is my usual - I've a couple of thin breakfast steaks in the freezer and add a potato with no leaf or other fresh fruit or veggies for today and see how that works but I can tell I feel better...
I think it is tonight and tomorrow night that the sky is full of falling meteorites - it would be nice if the rain and clouds would let up long enough to see some of the show...
A big plus with all the rain we've had the last few weeks the bushes and trees I planted last year are really taking off - all but two of the Crepe Myrtles that don't look great and so I'm going to try something I've never tried which is stick whole bananas in the soil around them - Banana's especially the over ripe skins are supposed to do wonders - we shall see what we shall see...
Good morning, fifty degrees, blue skies and sunny this morning. Morning routines, meet and greets, feeding everyone and coffee made so it's a good day.
Barb, My plants are in ten inch pots and are six feet up on iron shelves because my cat has a thing for fresh greens. My spider plant alone is three feet presently and my tree, I forget the name, is also three feet in only two years. Golden Pothos, Tradescantia Zebrina, philodendrons, two types, are even longer.
They are watered monthly, with leaves washed, and the plant lights are on a twelve-hour timer, so I'm not doing much of anything. And now they're coming out of dormancy, so I'll have to make other arrangements.
Our spring this year, as with many places has been late, cold wet and rainy, so, I'm ready for some long overdue heat and sunshine!
Amy, I can't sew, quilt or cross stitch anymore, but I love hearing about and seeing what you can do with some fabric!
Good morning
Looks nice out, sunny,few whispy clouds and no sign of rain.
Yesterday didn't go as planned but we did get a top from one trug moved to one that a lady is getting on Wed.
Today is whatever :)) Not going to "make" plans but IF things get done so be it!!
Barb, I think we had more snow than Patricia who lives in Alaska last winter. I did offer to share with her but she declined. :2funny: I live in Ontario,Canada.
Patricia,I have two Golden Retriever panels that I am also anxious to get at. One has 3 generations of dogs and the other has a sedate ol fella laying down.
Better get moving.
Enjoy your day and stay say.
Cooper is her Clndy ps on the computer working and I\m loafing until its time to head for the doc for my Covid update. sheesh! im not ready for that!! have a good day Everyfriend!!
Good late morning, today is a lazy day, the first this month so far, and I'm taking full advantage.
Amy, I've noticed that you, my Idaho sister and I all had the same weather range and temperatures this past winter. Although she's got us beat this coming Saturday when her area will break eighty-one.
Your panels sound lovely. I can't wait to see what you do with them. Didn't you have a golden at one time, or has it always been shepards?
To everyone looking in or stopping by later, I wish a good day, and as Lloyd has said, as you like it.
Good morning..
Light rain overnight with more to come.
A light day of chores here today. Noticed the leaves are starting to poke out and a friend north of us said he had a hummingbird stop in!! We have a lot of song birds around and the swallows are back in the bird house. Grass is starting to grow so I had better get the lawnmower runnig and hope no problems with it. Garden can be put in once the soil warms up :thumbup: Love playing in the dirt.
Patricia, mycomfortable temp is in the low seventies. Great working weather too. Yes, we have had a Golden, she loved everyone.They have such a wonderful temperment.
Jane, hope all went well at the Dr.
Better get the day started.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Ah so Canada - missed that Amy :thumbup: - hope your shot did not leave you under the weather Jane :-* - Patricia hope your day yesterday was as lazy as you could make it :D - more rain today - this is getting tiresome however the trees and bushes love it...
Good morning
Delivering a trug and setting it up for the new owner today then home to work around home.
Miss Jane where are you???
Not much else going on.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Overcast although the weather prediction for yesterday was severe thunderstorms they must have gone around us...and today just overcast but no rain - w'ell see...
So proud of myself - for a desert I like an individual size container of yogurt with fruit and the real treat, a bit more expensive, is Qui - they say French but probably made here and only uses the French names and labels - special is inside the sealed aluminum lid is a short quippy saying in both French and English - anyhow it comes in these cute jars and found to my surprise a product on Amazon that are plastic lids to fit specifically the Oui brand jars - a hot water wash and the label is easily removed.
I finally used my first jar with its plastic lid and it contains another idea - had purchased prepared tarragon chicken pecan chunky salad - I like sandwiches and trying to get protein in me when I first wake up is a challenge since I've become allergic to eggs - I can eat hardboiled if I take a tablet to digest protein but even they don't keep the bloat away that lasts a couple of hours - anyhow tired of cheese and so...
I've a small Cuisinart like chopper made by Krups that only does max a cup - and so, I peeled a shallot and a small carrot - chopped them for a bit and then added equally as much of the chicken salad - when finished I added a tablespoon of Sesame Honey syrup and a tablespoon of mayo - put it on my slice of toast along with one lettuce leaf and oh so good but best of all I have enough for probably another sandwich and a half and yep, it is the frig in my empty Oui jar with the plastic lid - tra la
Sally's sister Sue is visiting for the week - up from San Antonio - they both have labs. Sally's lab is off white but not quite yellow and Sue's is light brown - well Monday they put white sheets around the dogs and over the sheet they each had placed a colorful Mexican Sarape and put a Mexican wide brim straw hat on each dog taking their photo sitting next to each other for Cinco de Mayo - a riot - the dogs are such proper looking animals to begin with and both are sweet sweet dogs - Sally and Sue were like kids playing dress up with their dogs.
Well hope the sun peeks out where you live and you have a fun day...
Twas a busy day out of the house today. First of all, Cooper Doggie spent the night with me so I had to take him for a walk firsrst thing this morning. Then I had to get a shower and get ready for a Dr. checkup. (all's well, there). Then I came home, had lunch with Cindy and Cathy and then got ready for a trip to the foot Fr. This included another walk with Cooper!
Now greanddaughter Frankie has picked up Cooper Doggie and the rest of the day is mine. Tomorrow is a day off and then I have another Dr. Appointment. I'm trying to get them all in before I take off for Oklahoma with Cindy. and down there, I'll be involved with the kids and I'm also teaching Granddaughter Ali to become a canner. I'm taking my extra supply of jars for her to use and keep! I think her plan is spaghetti sauce and barbecue! I'm also carting along my pressure canner and, depending on how things go, I might leave that with her and order a new one for me....or order a new one for her as her Christmas present and take mine home! We shall see!
We've had lots of rainy days here but I've been able to walk Cooper in the interims between the storms! So far, that's working! I wish you all Spring and nice weather and happy days! Do as you darn well please. Time is yours!
Jane you really should think about getting a family member to film your canning project and then after it is edited the film would be wonderful to make available for others who do not have a family member who can teach them how to can
Good morning..
Plans got changed yesterday with the threat of a weather warning, delivery of the has been put off till Sat. Have a Dr appointment.this morning and the home to stir up dirt if weather permits.
Jane, copy your recipes also for Ali.
Barb, I like those plastic lids makes it much easier to remove.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Moring Everyfriend! Today is "another trip to the dr.". I think there might be one more before I leave for my visit in Oklahoma.
BARB, If ALI's husband is off work when we're canning, he's busily filming the process so that if I'm not around, he can help Ali through the process. I don't think I'm at a point where I can film my procedure but I pretty sure Ali will be filming as she learns. And I don't think she'll need me at some point!
I have to get a shower and get ready for my dr. appt. So this is a shorty! I just wanted to make an appearance. I hope upi a;; jave a great dau/ Dp wjatever [;eases upi!
The end of that message should say I hope you have a great day! Do whatever pleases you!
;) We Got it Jane :thumbup: :buck2:
:sleep: :kitten: :study: :cup: :eat: :music: :computer: :thinking: :rolleyes: :sleepy:
hahah love it Patricia
Good morning..
We had a frost overnight and starting temp is 35°. Noticed the trilliums were in blossom on our way to the Drs. We have yet to have any flower in our area, wild leeks are out but no trilliums. Mowed the lawn with my winter coat on yesterday!
Today we will pick up PT lumber to lay the firewood on, plus a few things at the farm supply.Then home after having coffee with friends to work.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Morning Everyfriend! We'll be off this morning for granddaughter Courtney's graduation ceremony. She's getting her Doctor's Degree from Westchester University and I'm so proud of her I'll probably burst! We won't be back until tomorrrow night so don't look for me on here until sometime after that! Now I have to go finish my breakfast and get ready to go. I wish you all a good day!
Good morning, well morning anyway. It is raining again and the temp is at 48o predicted to get only to 53o today after having weather in the mid-seventies. This past week some areas have had wind damage and the day before yesterday we had a round of hail. Somewhere in Mechanicsburg, a large maple tree fell one a house. Fortunately, no one was in the bedroom at the time.
After a week of feeling much better and eating well, Oscar decided to get picky about eating again. Otherwise he seems to be doing okay. This morning I discovered I did not order enough of Shan's special diet food, so now I have to scramble to get some sent early. Meanwhile, there is an extra case of food Oscar just loved until he didn't sitting on the shelf. Sigh!
Yesterday I finally got my hair cut. When I got back home to make lunch for us, I discovered the ants have finally begun exploring for the summer. The cats got chased out of the kitchen while I ran the vacuum around, sprayed around the baseboard where they come in, and set out a bait trap. I decided to put the water dish in this room and the cats wet meals are relocated to other areas as well. I only ever see the teeny-tiny ants in the kitchen. They have yet to find their way to other parts of the apartment.
Today I will continue my online hunt for small display cases for my mineral and small carving collections and check out bedroom furniture. Next week I expect to visit at least one of the furniture stores nearby to get an in person look at a couple of pieces I like so far.
This year, PA is finally hitting electric car owners with an extra fee to compensate for the gas tax money they have been losing as many drivers switch from gas to electric. I will be curious to see what their latest calculations for hybrids are. Also, the proposal several years back was for a set fee, not calculated on how much you drive the car. I don't drive much. There is probably something posted on the PA motor vehicle site; I haven't looked at it yet.
Quote from: MarsGal on May 09, 2025, 07:22:40 AMan extra fee to compensate for the gas tax money they have been losing
If you stop driving completely have they come up with a way to recover the tax money from you? Sort of a tax for not driving a non-polluting vehicle.
Anyone read the book - Titled something like Pay no Income Tax - sent a copy to my son-in-law for his birthday this weekend - saw an interview with the author and it sounded like he has some solid ideas.
MarsGal you have ants while we've started with the mosquitoes - one under my sheets last night that woke me with bites itching away on my arm and my fingers. Hate mosquito repellent on me while in bed and even purchased a couple of those electronic devises that are supposed to kill bugs including mosquitoes but Houston area mosquitoes are not having it, they will do what they darn well please -
Then on top, for over a month every bird in the neighborhood has been crashing onto my one bedroom window wanting in - thought at first they too found ants crawling up the side of the house but they kept coming and coming - by pulling up the blind thought they would be scared off seeing me and a room full of furniture but nope they just tried harder and longer starting at 6:30 in the morning till about 9: then the black bird and the pigeon pick up again after 4: in the afternoon. Well yesterday Sally and I put these mirror like disks together in a long chain and after Paul suggested any wind and they would drive me bats tapping the window worse then the birds so we hung the string of disks on the inside - Voila - this morning one bird came did two window taps and flew off then a couple of tiny starlings stopped by and did the same with two taps each and they flew off - then nothing - absolutely nothing - the disks are on the inside of the window between the blind and the window tra la...
Now Paul and Sally are thinking they may get a set of these disks because they have a bluebird trying to be an inside member of their family for months now.
Good morning, Amy and I are sharing weather again today, yet the weather folks are talking about the state being on a warming trend with climate change. I'd liked to see their information because to me, we are about twenty to thirty degrees cooler than what's normal for this time of year.
MarsGal,
"Household items like citrus fruits, black pepper, peppermint oil, cayenne, thyme, and lavender can create natural ant repellents. Great for avoiding pesticides or conventional ant traps!
Mixing parts of these substances with water in a bottle and spraying the solution around the house can keep ants at bay.
Sprinkling them in raw form around entry points and ant traffic areas disrupts the ants' navigation and prevents them from infesting your home."
Barb, Some people say mosquitoes are our state bird and tourist shops sell tiny leg hold traps. But all kidding aside, they and the noseeums are bad here in the summer. Even worse if you're in the woods. At one time the city would spray, but now that's no longer allowed.
People try various remedies and try to avoid any puddles of standing water, or piles of brush and put up birdhouses for black capped chickadees, or starlings who eat more than their weight in mosquitoes daily.
was not familiar with noseeums bugs - looked it up and the disease they carry is no fun is it... you too with no city or state spraying - don't know which is worse - having a reaction to the spray or getting bit - I need to pull out my citronella candles - they did the trick in my bedroom last year and hope they do the same this year.
Tried whole cloves on the front porch for the mosquitoes and nope - might just as well have saved my money - I'm thinking though of replacing the ceiling lights on the front porch with those screw in fans - the cheapest is only $29 and I notice where ever the fans are turning, I guess it is the breeze being too much for them but no mosquitoes and if I could get them away from the front door they wouldn't pour into the house everytime I open the door although, I think they find other ways to get in... grrrr
Patricia what is your secret mosquito chaser.
I tried one of those home remedies to get rid of the ants at the house. It didn't work at all. My sister, on the other hand, had great luck with it. My ants were small at the house and even tinier here at the apartment. The ant traps do not work well on the tiny ants. They don't even try to climb in for the bait. These ants here are about as tiny as the ones I found years and years ago when I opened a new bag of cat food. Needless to say, I disappeared the bag and the ants in a hurry.
Rick don't give them any ideas. PA comes in third on the chart of the highest gas taxes in the country, just after California and Illinois. It looks like about 60% goes to road and bridge repair, while the rest is divvied out to the State Police, the state's Motor Vehicle Services, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. That last sounds a little off because the Turnpike makes money on tolls, and I remember my Ex telling me once that the Turnpike Commission pays for a state Police unit to patrol the pike. Might be interesting to find out what the Commission does with the money they get from the state. Probably help with road repair and such.
I forgot to mention that the other day I saw a pair of mockingbirds. I was delighted. I don't recall seeing any for at least 40 years. I would love to see the titmice, chickadees, and catbirds I used to have visit my yard when I lived in York County. Oh, and all the different sparrows. My house was in just the right spot for the birds I guess. We even had an oriole visit a few times one year. We were also on the flyway for the migrating swans; they would gather at the lake at Gifford Pinchot State Park for a rest before moving on north.
I have Mockingbird that comes to my back window - for raisins. They move to attract attention, then go to the roof and wait till I put food out for them. The Robin from last season didn't come back. It would almost grab raisins from my fingers.
How to keep mosquitoes away;
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-keep-mosquitoes-away-8621811
Good morning
Frost again this morning with a temp of 29° We are delivering the trug today and then home to do?? Got the trimming done yesterday so that is one less joband checked oil in lawnmower all is ok.
MG, I tried Irish Spring as they said mice don't like it. Well they don't, not without a bath towel because it didn't stop them. So the traps smeared with peanut butter are set. Crow doesn't mind the taste of pb either. :))
Enjoy your day and stay safe
One particular mockingbird I will never forget would show up on the back deck banister and holler until I let Sammy Katz out, then it would play the broken wing game with him. What always amazed me is that it was able to distinguish between Sammy and a neighbor's cat (suspected father of Sammy) and bombard that cat mercilessly when he went through the backyards. Dingy never wasted time crossing open ground. Sammy and Dingy looked almost alike. Other times the mockingbird would make a swooping low pass over me when I was hanging laundry or over at a neighbor's, he would holler down their chimney pipe. It took them a while for them to figure out what the racket was. That bird was with us for about three summers.
Oscar and Shan got a treat yesterday. They had freshly cooked pork roast for dinner.
We will be back up into the sunny 70s today after a rainy, chilly day yesterday. Aside from some light cleaning, I will be rearranging my shelving a bit to finally get some of my mineral collection out where I can see and enjoy them again.
MarsGal by any chance are your itsy bitsy tiny ants fire ants - in one of the backyard mounds the fire ants were tinier and they did get into the house having traveled a bit underground and came up next to the shower in a small bath that is in the center or the house - if they are fire ants the only thing that I found that will work is Spectracide fire ant mound killer or something of that title and used it on the ones that got into the house with equal success - one of these where the ant brings the grain back to the nest kind of thing.
As to the suggestion you found Patricia for mosquitoes - we have a problem - first Houston is pretty much built on a boyue and along the front of all our property is a ditch - sometimes a bar ditch but never the less an open at least 8 feet deep ditch on either side of the road to take the rainwater and in Spring the ditch pretty much fills up but the water evaporates within a day or a couple of days according to the amount of rain and so the concept of emptying open water sources is for other areas - even Austin did not have this issue however, Austin is at the beginning of the Hill Country and the mesa that brought Austin up from the clay Gulf bottom runs along the west side of town - when I lived there all those years the house was up on the Mesa however I could look out my front door and it dropped just past my house so the Jr. High was at the bottom.
Tried a few of the plants recommended but then even those who post on the neighborhood web page decry no luck with plants and I've not experienced much luck with putting cloves and cinnamon sticks out either.
Now one trick has helped keep the Gecko's from scratching up the plants just under the soil in my flowerpots and hanging baskets - I find if I put a couple of tablespoons of crystal camphor or crush a few camphor balls and put that on the soil the Gecko's leave the plants alone.
About the best so far on the mosquitoes has been to have a fan at about mid speed works - I have them on the back porch and the back screened in porch but not on the front porch and that I think would behoove me to add a few in those light bulb sockets replacing the porch lights.
Sun yesterday and now this morning - so maybe the rain rain rain has moved on.
Has anyone heard anything about the Sputnik that is supposed to drop back to earth today?
No, not fire ants. Thank goodness they have not reached this far north yet.
ah ha learn something everyday - looks like years, if ever will Fire Ants hit your area MarsGal - found this... "Fire ants are active as far north as the northern borders of states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, with some also found in coastal Virginia and Maryland. They generally spread north and west about 120 miles per year, but their northern limit is determined by their need for warmth, water, and suitable soil"
Lots of stuff to think about but my mind is still filled with my granddaughter, Courtney's graduation with her Doctor's Degree and you're not interested in that. /so I'll just talk with her mother, my daughter, about that. I wish you all a good day! Do what pleases you most!
Good morning..
Nice sunny day with a temp of 30°. We delivered the trug yesterday and oh boy the blackflies are out and so far just scouting the prospects. Home to do some laundry and wash floors and our vehicle.
Today is a day of rest!
Jane, yes we are interested! This is quite an accomplishment!! Everyone should be so proud of her hard work. What field has Courtney choosen to work in?
Time to get the day started.....just remembered need to pick up gas for the lawnmower.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Wow Jane that is quite an accomplishment - I bet y'all are so proud - where will your grand do her internship?
Well sputnik or whatever it was called came down in the Indian Ocean - sorta anti-climactic
Seems strange to be celebrating Mother's Day at our time in life but it sure brings back memories of when our children were young and all the milestones we experienced with them... Happy Mother's Day...
🌷🌹 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 🌹🌷
https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/card-shoppe/holidays-birthdays-etc/msg262034/#msg262034 (https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/card-shoppe/holidays-birthdays-etc/msg262034/#msg262034)
Hello! Courtney already did her internship in Indiana and will be moving to Omaha, Nebraska soon. She will be working in a Children's Hospital and dealing with children (I think she said 12 and under) who are in need of Clinical help! I'm so proud of her I could burst with pride! She will be so good at this job because she loves kids! And helping them to find their way in life will be so rewarding!
Now I have to go get a shower and get dressed for dinner at my Son's house. He's going to be the cook so none of the ladies have to do it. But I did hear that Cindy volunteered to make scalloped potatoes!
I hope you are all having a great day! Keep on keeping on!
Good mid-morning everyone! It's 48 presently with partly sunny or partly cloudy skies. Morning routines, meet and greet, coffee made and Farrah fed with only two nagging chores to be done today.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone, and have you seen Bubble's Mother's Day cards?
Jane, that is quite an accomplishment, a lot of hard work, discipline and determination went into that doctor's title!
And how nice of your son to provide dinner for the ladies!
Amy, good morning and will you be doing any quilting amidst the laundry, gas pick up and vehicle washing?
Good morning..
Another chilly start to the day 33° but heading to 75°
.
Off to the city to do a pants return ,hopefully get Kyles hearing aid fixed and home. Neighbours are looking after Jesse, that really shoud read spoiling Jesse. :) Hope to say hello to Dairy Queen too!!!
No, Patricia I did'nt get any sewing done. After gassing up the lawnmower topping up the snowblower I washed the lawnmower. and ran out of steam to do anything else.Did you manage to get your two nagging chore done?
Better get my city duds on.
Enjoy your day and stay safe
Goodness whatever happened - we were told the next week was going to be hot hot - reachng 95 and then yesterday went to my son's for dinner just after 4: and quite warm along with the usual humidity and the warm lasted the hour before we ate while walking through Sally's garden but then when I left about 8: we walked out the door and it was chilly to cold - been chilly all morning with a projection to get maybe to 74 and then instead of all this heat for the week it will be in the 60s during the day - for us that is winter time weather - have not listened to hear what happened but a shock to say the least.
Paul fixed the best meal on his grill - chicken, peppers, pineapple shish kabobs with roasted corn on the cob and he even had a pan with tiny potatoes and topped it of with large slices of grill toasted french bread. Sally had planned strawberry short cake but we were so full we ended up skipping desert.
When they brought me home Paul brought in from the Garage the bookcase I painted and so that is today's project to get it set up - I had a small basket like those old fashioned vegetable baskets that was red rather than the traditional creamy white and it had green straps going around the middle and around the top - I painted the basket a light blue and used a rose color to cover the green straps - the rose leaked under the masking tape in a few areas so I need to dab some of the light blue to cover the misbehaving rose paint and I still have a wooden box that I keep back pillows in near a wicker chair that I want to paint and so I'm off to my projects...
Good Afternoon to Everyfriend! This might be my last post for a bit. We're leaving for Oklahoma tomorrow and it will take us the best of two days. And when we get there, no telling how long it will take to get me hooked up and loafing on the computer. I'll be back when I can.
Supper last night was great! Son Phil did it on his grill and we all ated outside! Loved it! And I got hugs and kisses from Everyone!There were 7 of us there! And we all talked a blue streak!
Now I have to go put some clothes in the dryer and some more in the washer! And I still have some packing to do! I musten't forget to take my pressure canner. Lots of jars and lids and info are on their way to my granddaughter in OK! She just moved into her new house and she's looking forward to learning the canning methods! That will be my job while I'm there! Then I can start to quit! Of course, my kids around here say, "Oh Yeah! I bet you'll quit!"
The washer just stopped so that's my next job. You all take care and I'll be back when I get set up in OK! I'll miss you all!
Quote from: JaneS on May 12, 2025, 02:07:35 PMWe're leaving for Oklahoma tomorrow
Happy Trip ---
Good morning..
Beautiful sunny morning with a temp of 41°. Grass cutting is on the schedule
after the dew is off. Hokey teddy bear, sitting here in the quiet and geese flew by honking! They are that low one could tickle their tummy!
Trip to the city went well and lunch at DQ was so good. While Kyle will just get a plain sundae, I will get a Dixie Bell, ice cream,chocolate sauce,butterscotch sauce loaded with pecans.
Jane, safe trip. I know you will have fun passing on the tradition of canning . I agree with the family, quitting is not in your vocabulary!
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good afternoon, I just returned from finishing a few pesky overdue errands and getting one last shot. I learned some bad news while at the nurse's office. Anyone 65 and over needs to get a covid booster every six months. I already feel like a pin cushion from March to today, of this year. :tissue:
Now, I need to do a quick bathroom tidy and a fingerprint wipe of the kitchen, clean both floors, water the plants and take out some cardboard to downstairs recycling, but that can wait.
Good morning.
Starting off at 54° ,we did ask for warmer weather but to go from freeze to fry is not nice! We even had the a/c going yesterday!
Managed to get the grass cut not to do the trimming and some baking today..
Jane hope your trip went well.
Patricia, yes, you do need the booster but a small price to pay instead of getting covid.
Phyllis, how are you doing? We are starting to see the leaves come out but no lilacs blooming yet.
Crow, three of them this morning has been feed ,so on with the day.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good morning, 37 presently with sunny skies and supposedly headed back into the sixties. Meet & greets, morning routines, showered, Farrah fed, coffee's on and here I am.
Amy, I've had two covid shots and five boosters, and now they're telling me since I'm over sixty-five, I will need a hew booster every six months. Everyone, 65 and older, will need another one every six months as the virus continues to mutate.
We heard from Claire's son. She's not doing so well, seems to have given up, and we all think it was just too many changes happening for her to process.
My second shingles shot has been so much better than my first, no bruising, no inflammation, no goose egg on site or redness. Simply mild soreness, when they warned me the second was usually worse. Now I've had all four, shingles, covid, RSV and flu.
The greening happened overnight, grass, trees and bushes have blossomed, and the ravens have returned to cooler mountain weather. I haven't seen the smaller birds, other than pigeons, in town, but I'm sure they're in the woods and at the sanctuary.
Good morning..
Gentle rain during the night..now the leaves and flowers will burst open!
Need to pick up flowers for the planters this morning then home to carry on.
Patricia, I am sorry to read about Claire, wish someone where she is now living gives her a reason to keep on living.
Enjoy your day and stay safe
Feeling Catawampus this morning - can't put my finger on it - for one thing my last living cousin is being buried today - Jackie was a year younger and of all the cousins we had shared more childhood memories however, Jackie had her family in NC and not near enough to my daughter who lives in NC for me to drop in very often and so our adult life we did not especially keep up with each other - she had 6 children and I only keep up with 2 of them - feel sad but not really.
Yes, a loss but more a loss of childhood memories than actual loss of our relationship today - maybe feeling like the last one in a dance hall - What is really weird is my two sisters and I are the last of our generation and then we live so spread out that we don't get to see each other either although, we were buzzing up the phone lines the last few days - I'm the oldest and my next younger, a nun, lives near her last official work as Dean of the Philosophy department in a small Catholic College in NY state, and my youngest sister by 15 years lives on the Otter Banks of NC and because of a bad accident a couple of years ago she seldom travels - One of her son's lives in Austin but now I'm here in Magnolia and so I'm not a regular in his life ether.
Maybe that is it - growing up it was all about family - Our parents were close and we cousins saw each other regularly. My one aunt and uncle only lived down the street and now we are spread out over long distances and Jackie's passing reminds me of that loss of a close knit family.
Well onward - my son will be here this afternoon to help me wire the vines along the fence and a few other tasks - need to get going with a few things so I can get a nap in before he comes if I'm going to be any help at all...
Good Morning Amy - miss Joan's faithful 'Good Morning' - seems to me she will be on the road all day today - No sun here and it is going for 8: - hope everyone has a good day...
Travel has become so easy and common. Sad how it shotguns our families all over the place. My son and I are the last of our tribe to be here.
Good morning, It's fairly warm and sunny out there today, and I'm still facing a few needed chores that I can't seem to get to.
Yesterday, I went out browsing the stores and had lunch with some friends. We were all brainstorming ideas for our friend but couldn't come up with any good ideas. Amy, look at it this way, you have a husband, family, pets, land, and then suddenly, alone, you're restricted to a room in a place where everything is handled for you. You no longer have any autonomy. She lost all of that in eight years, other than her one son.
Barb, I'm sure Jane is having a wonderful family time and hopefully will return with some photos to share. One daughter, or granddaughter, sells beautiful flowers during the summer that she shared photos of before.
My family is spread out in the Midwest and, up to my generation, were all farmers. My parents met up here and both worked to raise my sisters and I, up until Alaska became a state in 1959. We grew up working hard while our parents worked and also hunted and had an acre put to garden. We went outside two or three times visiting relatives during my childhood and then the three of us girls went south and worldwide during the sixties, and only I returned home in the eighties with my daughter.
Good Afternoon, Everyfriend! We had a loooooong trip with one overnight stop and we're here safe and sound! I'm ready to sleep but we have to have supper first and then let the doggies have some attention! Cindy has me all set up to work this thing and she's on her computer doing some catch-up work with her people. I was ready to take a walk when we got here but unloading the car and carrying stuff upstairs helped solve that.
It sounds like you've all been busy while I was gone. You got lots of things done and I'm proud to be friends with all of you! My eyes are bothering me right now so I'll try to come back and chat tomorrow. I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy tomorrow. Be sure to share it with us! I'll be back to check on you all!
Its overcast, but warmer this afternoon. I got one out of 3 pkgs today. The other 2 were delayed by weather. The pkg I got contained organic, raw cocao and 2 organic hazelnut butter chocolate bars. I kinda wanted to start a thread about the best organic chocolate if anyone else was interested... only I don't know how to start a topic. ;D anybody else a chocola-holic?
Most of the to do's are done. Delivered some buttertarts to the lads at the lumber store and one more container to our mechanic tomorrow.
I went early to get a few groceries betore the tourist came up for the long weekend and half the town thought the same thing! :2funny:
I need to take the tarps off the wood pile ,that will be a job for tomorrow. Jesse doesn't bring the wood in when the good weather is here.
Jane, happy to hear you are all set up, now we also want to hear how the lessons are going! Memories for all of you to tuck into your hearts.
Barb,what kind of vines? Do they flower?
OnLonelyMountain, welcome ! We lost one of our chocolate factoriesthat my husband and I would help lower their supply. You do realize that chocolate is made from a bean and beans are a vegetable and vegetables are good for ýou! Works for me!
Patricia, I do understand, she just needs a purpose to go on. Does she knit, sew, any skill that she can pass on? What about reading to those that have trouble holding a book or seeing?
Callie, everything OK your way?
Quote from: OnLonelyMountain on May 15, 2025, 06:37:48 PMI kinda wanted to start a thread about the best organic chocolate if anyone else was interested... only I don't know how to start a topic. ;D anybody else a chocola-holic?
In order to keep a little control and organization here we don't start new threads. We try to use the setup as is (set up as a Village). BUT - If you think a new one is necessary, run it past Bubble. She kind of oversees us and keeps us in line and going.
I love chocolate - but dietary concerns now limit me :'(
Amy, LOL, thank you for the welcome. Cocoa beans are actually a fruit. My 7 year old grand daughter schooled me. The are inside a gourd like fruit and the spongey flesh is actually a S. American delicacy! Both the flesh and the beans are rich sources of vitamins and minerals. It is one of the highest sources of iron other than dark green leafies like spinach. Its also, in the organic form, one of the 2 highest sources of plant based methyl donors. We need those for our immune system and its methylation cycle. Sorry if I missed any typos; I'm out on the trail and forgot my glasses.
Thanks RAMMEL. Will do if there's any interest. :thumbup:
Back inside my RV, with glasses: missed you could no longer eat chocolate! Gasp! Clutch!😵�💫 So sorry to hear that! Sending tons of sympathy your way!
Amy the one by the driveway fence is Trumpet Vine, prolific and yes a wonderful red flower - two in the back - one is a Confederate Jasmin and the other a Honeysuckle and yep both bloom - on the west fence the Jasmin is a sea of yellow and on the east fence that gets hot sun all day but planted under the late afternoon shade of an oak is the Honeysuckle in shades of pink to red with a yellow stamen - I've already purchased, just waiting for Emigdio next lawn day for him or one of his workers to plant on that long east fence a Yellow Lady Banks thornless climbing rose.
Really blew it - did not read properly - thought I ordered a 3 gallon Wax Myrtle and instead it was 3 one gallon Wax Myrtles - hope I can coax them into a decent height before I die sheesh... however, they do well here - they don't interfere with the septic system which mine renews the contents and becomes water that sprinkles the yard each day and so I have to be careful planting trees with evasive roots.
Best of all the Wax Myrtles only grow 20 feet in height so they don't interfere with Center Point's electric wires that runs along the utility easement adjacent to my acre and here they are pretty much an evergreen unless below freezing then the leaves turn brown and yes, for the past two winters we've had 2 or 3 days in January of below freezing temps - but they recover, just have to cut the dead leaves off and they will look awful for a couple of months...
Lonely Mountain I like chocolate but not my first choice as part of my snacking habits - best I loved chocolate covered raisins however not chocolate covered pecans - prefer praline covered pecans or cinnamon brown sugar covered pecans - in fact favorite are cinnamon sugar covered pan de polvo those tiny Mexican cookies and I love lemon bars.
I love it Rammel- dietary concerns hehe nice way of saying an aging digestive system - the adventures of aging - never know what body part will change next...
Jane fabulous to see your post - so you made it and it sounds like without a hitch - and so it begins - lots of excitement for you and your family for a bit between babies, dogs, walks and canning - what a treat...
Patricia your family is also spread out all over the map - interesting in one way and yet, we are not as close as we had been growing up are we... that was a big change for you from the midwest farming life to Alaska - my oh my you were and still are adventurous - thanks for filling in that Jane's family grows and sells flowers - amazing amount of work but the rewards are so lovely.
Full day but can't go to bed yet, decided to wash my quilt late and it is still not dry - need it since in order to cut some of the humidity I need to lower the AC and so I need the quilt - let's hope I can stay awake without falling asleep on the sofa - better get my jammies on now just in case. Good night...
OnlonelyMountain, this is an area of the site that may give you some ideas. If your idea doesn't fit in any of the prescribed categories, you will need to see Bubble, re-starting a new heading within the home areas.
https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/homemaking-food-gardening/
I know what you mean about severe allergies. In 2013, I had a severe reaction to a Hormel's brand spaghetti microwavable meal. I ended up in the hospital once with that, and twice by eating two other chemically laden foods. It's similar to a bee allergy in that it builds over time. I'm allergic to a chemical that prolongs shelf storage.
What that means is no microwavable, convenience or fast food. Many dairy products are verboten because they're laden with chemicals. It also means I'm never without my EpiPen. I deal with a nutritionist and an allergy doctor monitering my diet, or more accurately, lifestyles. At this time, most of the old junk, no longer temps me and my hair, skin, and nails have never been better. Plus, that each time four thousand and more hospital costs stays in my wallet and not theirs.
Amy, right now, she's in emergent care but those ideas will probably help once she's dealing more rationally.
Barb, my two sisters and I were born and raised in Alaska until the sixties when we went out on our own. It's my relatives that farmed in the Midwest, Washington state, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
My grandparents generation were the last to be small farmers. WWII changed most of that forever. My dad was one of eight among six brothers, my mom was one of three with one brother in the army and a brotherinlaw in the army air corp. My mother and my aunt both moved to San Francison to build ships and both of my husbands were in Vietnamn.
My problem with sleep is when I was younger, I was always cold and now that I'm older, I stay over heated at night. Now, I sleep best on my side with a flannal throw against my back and side.
Good morning...
Woke at 3 am listening to a sound I hadn't heard in years, an owl!! THen the geese started and a bit later crow just before 6 started.
Seems we are in for a dandy storm later on today. Not sure how Jesse is going to do on his own without Babe.
Work around home, may get one trug planted but we shall see how the weather behaves.
Barb, I hope you post photos of the vines in bloom!! My friend had a trumpet vine but couldn't get it to blossom.
OLM, I don't think that mountain would be lonely. I am imagining all the sounds from birds singing, partridge drumming and just wind in the trees. Sounds like heaven to me! Fruits and vegetables are good for you so chocolate is a healthy treat. ;D
MG, how is Oscar doing? Is he back eating?
Better get ready to meet the day.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Yes, he is. Amy. He is eating better, breathing better, less tired, and not curling up in a tight ball all day, and spends less time in the potty box. Unfortunately. he is still not gaining weight. A special treat and Shan have been helping me eat a rather large pork loin that I cooked in the slow cooker. Because the cats were going to get some of it, I did not add anything to it.
It is raining again this morning, but the weather app says we will see sunshine this afternoon. I am trying to get the last of my book read before it goes back to the library. I don't think I will make it which means a second renewal to finish it up. Meanwhile, I had to put a sci-fi back on the hold list for a couple of weeks.
I still need to schedule my DEXA and mammogram. My sister just had her DEXA two weeks ago. For the first time ever, she was told her results would take about two weeks. She is still waiting for the results. That has never happened before; they have always had results in a day or three. This does not bode well. This just adds to the growing shortage of medical personnel. Even the veterinarians are getting hit with a shortage. My vet is splitting his time between two offices now to help cover. Fortunately, he does not skimp on time with the cats' visits.
Good Morning Everyfriend! I'm up and dressed and Cindy is on her computer doing her job. I heard her talking to one of the people she works for...interesting! Before I went up to shower and get dressed, she mentioned going to the store for some things we nedd. I've discovered aa couple things I forgot and maybe I'll pick them up. They're not big things but they;re useful!
I read all the entries and I sympathize with you problems with pets and weather. we just do what we can to make the pets comfortable and we put up with the weather whatever it brings!
Now I'm going out in the yard with the doggies. They love being out and I love sitting on the porch and watching them. Don't know when I'll see the kids yet! I can't wait for that!! I wish you all a great day! Come by and share it with us! We miss you when you don't!
Well it is after 9: and the sun is still trying to come through the overcast and fog -
Daughter-in-law helped me yesterday get both quilts separately into the washing machine and after all that the one still is shaking out baking soda that I had sprinkled all over the bed trying to bring about the demise of any hidden spiders or mosquitoes - not my most brilliant move - never again no matter who says using baking soda is magic
End of the week already - and ONLY one more week of school - Memorial Day on the 26th - the coming week will probably be the toughest for teachers.
Wishing y'all the best day full of all the people and things you love...
Good morning Barb, Your vines sound like they will be beautiful and amazing!!! I've never had polvo, but I also love lemon bars.😋
Will you be posting pics of your latest quilts?
Mint repels mosquitos best. Mix a couple of drops organic EO of mint in a small pump spray bottle w/1 part alcohol:4 parts water. I keep it by the bed during mosquito season, then spray me if I hear one. I recently bought an indoor plug-in mosquito zapper off amazon. Still outgassing it. I'm hoping it will eliminate that problem.
Its 40°F here, grey, drizzling with a cold blustering wind.
Good morning Amy,
Yes the orchestra of wilderness sounds are beautiful. I do love them. But one still needs human companionship. At least I do.I enjoy the wildlife, flora and fauna. But after 20+ years in solitary confinement I miss people.💔
Lonely Mountain you probably have had Pan de polvo called by a different name - here is a nice link showing photos of the cookies that yes, were originally for the Posadas but are now available through out the year https://sweetlifebake.com/pan-de-polvo/ - I always have a sack of them available for the young men who cut my lawn - they work hard and I think they need a pick-me-up before they go on to their next.
I too tried those electronic plug-in mosquito repellents from Amazon and if they are doing anything it is only a few feet from the plug in - I've 3 plugged in my bedroom and it is still mosquito hotel.
Yes, I've tried mint drops - a cinnamon clove concoction - citronella drops and sachets although I must say I did have success with burning citronella candles however I'm not comfortable having candles, even in tin containers burning at night while I'm sleeping - the overhead fan is some help but for it to be a real help the fan would have to put out more breeze than my sinuses can tolerate - they seem to be worse this year but then where we did not have the rain to choke a frog we have had consistent rain so that the front bar ditches are not empty which I'm assuming is the birth home of most of these mosquitos - ah so and such is life...
Long sleeve cotton shirts and long pants help but my hands and face are all bitten up and they work themselves up my sleeve so my lower arm and my elbow which is most inconvenient - I have a stick itch something or other in my pocket all the time and that takes away the initial but if it was one of those itsy bitsy spiders then the itch continues for a few weeks.
Haha gives me something to grind on about doesn't it - ::) :buck2:
Hey Barb, I've never had them. Sound tasty!
Wow, you do have mosquito trials! Yikes. My zappers aren't repellent, though. They attract (w/ blue or purple light) and fry the little buggers. Don't know if we're talking the same thing. They're like a mini porch bug zapper. Sorry to hear about how much you're being bitten😥. That's miserable.
Oh, another thought: I don't know if you can get out to your front ditches/mosquito breeding ponds, but a squirt of dishsoap will disrupt the water's surface tension. The little buggers can't lay their eggs and the larvae can't float and breathe. Here's a link. https://bugbattler.com/can-mosquitoes-breed-in-soapy-water/
Oh this to me is a riot and too precious not to share - Cooked up some hard-boiled eggs that after they have sufficiently boiled I pour out the hot water in the sink and immediately add cold water from the refrigerator dispenser followed by filling the pot with ice cubes also from the dispenser - Well guess what came out of the cold water - yep mosquitoes - can you believe :2funny:
Oh no not ponds Lonely Mountain - nice thought - thanks - but it would take gallons of soap - these ditches run along all our property that are about 8 feet deep and 10 to 12 feet wide so that our driveways go to the road across a cement covered culvert - every street has them on both sides of the road and some are bar ditches where the soil makes a bar between the ditch and the road.
In Austin they did not use this ditch system but then they are built on higher ground and the soil is not the constant wet of this Bayou land and so they have a large sewer like system that is under the roads that takes the run off rain which I think is typical of many cities.
My son tells me the county used to have a vehicle drive around and spray each Spring but like many services it was cut a few years back.
:o oh my!
I find all this "buzz" about mosquitoes interesting.
First, we also had, for several years, a truck that would go around spraying until it was discontinued due to chemical poisoning.
Second, we are surrounded by three or four sets of foothills, surrounded by mountains second only to Everest in size.
This valley and surrounding hills are full of birch, cottonwood, spruce, and Balsam, intercut by five major rivers.
I mention this because inside those forests are millions of mosquitos, and you need to be prepared to be lunch if not covered up and sprayed well.
Except, that within the city, there are no mosquitoes as in the past. And three of those five rivers also cut through the city, with various trees, ornamental and native, here and there. So, while I never thought about it, why aren't the hordes from the bush, also in town...hmmmm.
Maybe there's too much good eating for them in the Bush. Then. what is their range?
Probably because they spray for them. Its real easy to call up vector control and ask. Typically they don't have a problem telling citizens how they manage mosquitos.
Patricia I've decided they have a mind of their own and all these scientific type people, as good as they are at tracking cannot read the minds of bugs - my bet is the mosquitos adapt to what suits them and they don't go around advertising their plan or filling us in on their activities, leaving us to guess, to questions just as you question... they must eat something that satisfies more than the blood of humans or they would in mass descend on the interiors of building full of those working, eating, playing, sleeping within these buildings in town.
All I know is, unless we end up with an extended spring rainy season, we have till mid June when by then we will have experienced at least 2 weeks of typical summer temps of mid to mostly high 90s and low 100s which dries everything out and mosquitoes decrease so that humans and mosquitoes can co-exist - granted with assistance but the overhead fans will be on full speed to handle the heat, the earth will be dried out and ditches will be growing grass without a trickle of water to be seen therefore, the mosquito propagating nursery will be gone.
Now what happens to the mosquito population in woods and forests during the summer season I've no knowledge - that would be interesting to hear about.
And yes Rammel, that would be interesting to learn - what is the range and do mosquitoes travel in packs and how long is their life span - are there different types of mosquitoes I wonder and if so, do they live side by side or do various parts of the world foster different types of mosquitoes... hmm a book on mosquitoes would be great to read - I wonder if the children's library has such a book...
Barb, yes there are different types of mosquitos in different parts of the world. I did a bunch of reading on it when they were going to introduce GM mosquitos. Turmed out the GM mosquitos that they were bringing in to "eradicate Zika virus, were vectors of dengue fever! :uglystupid2: Different varieties have different ranges. They feed on the blood of any warm blooded animal. They are attracted to exhaled carbon dioxide. Since humans are less hairy, they're more accessible for feeding on. Humans use a lot of insecticide over urban areas.
My daughter is a PhD Entomologist... Bug Dr.
hmm I wonder then if it is different types of mosquitoes that carry different diseases - or if a disease is carried by a colony and their breeding grounds are more limited therefore same mosquito but limiting fly range limits the infectious disease - here the risk is West Nile, Dengue, Encephalitis or Meningitis
Hmm interesting the article I read indicated Dallas Fort Worth is the worst city in Texas for mosquitoes however and a big however in my mind - the measure is using information from pest control companies, in particular Terminix - Dallas especially but Fort Worth is not far behind is a more affluent area. Although Austin is affluent the population size is much smaller where as Dallas Fort Worth is competitive with Houston however, Houston does not have the overall wealth =there are sections like any city but as a whole it is more a blue collar type income bracket { The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has a median household income of $76,916, while the median household income in Houston is $62,894} and therefore, homeowners are not as likely to call on a pest control company but rather use the old solutions that have been around for over 100 years.
I did find out a lot from this article, for example we have thirty-five
https://alaskatrekker.com/planning-trip/alaska-mosquitoes/
different mosquito varieties, but much of the personal information was antidotal.
It is different types of mosquitos that carry different types of diseases. They were bringing in a different type that didn't carry Zika and sterilizing them so that when they bred with the zika carrying ones there wouldn't be any.. or something stupid like that. They were claiming they were sexting all the mosquitoes and only bringing in one sex. Do you know how hard it is to sext mosquitoes? The fail rate is high! Anyway, everywhere they had a trial both Zika and Dengue went up. SMH
Sorry I left y'all last night but was dozing sitting in the chair to the computer and barely could shut down the house till I piled into bed clothes and all - Patricia I'll read the article you found later today - just making coffee and not able to go back to bed but a bit early for me since it is only 10 after 6: and pitch black outside...
Good morning..
Sounds like this topic has been bugged! ;D To which those little buggars followed me last evening when I was cutting the grass. They, the mosquitoes weren't bad but they were there. I do have a bug jacket but not a fan of being enclosed in the netting, if need be I will give in and wear it.
Need to pick up blister packs this morning then home to bake, delivered all the tarts but came up short. While sitting talking with friends one friend gave us a conatiner of chocolate chip cookies,she went home with a container of buttertarts. Will make some for the mechanics now.
Kyle and I played hide and go seek yesterday...he lost one of his hearing aids and the game was on! Eventually we did find it hidden under the workbeanch in the garage. Who says getting old gets boring?
MG, so happy to read the good news! :thumbup: We worry when our furkids aren't up to par. You cook like I do. I leave the onions out of some dishes that we share with Jesse.
OLM, my friend lived in a dry cabin with solar and back up generator for times when no sun. Although they did have tv she said the one she enjoyed most ws looking out the window at her bird tv. Mrs Grouse would visit and bring her family when hatched. She said you could set your clock by them.
Better get the day started....nice rain over night without the thunder and lightening.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Of course I have to get my two cents in about mosquitos. Last year I found out that native populations of malaria carrying mosquitos are spreading in the US and as of 2023 have reached Maryland. I imagine South-Central PA will be next. Penn State usually has some good presentations online, and mosquitoes are not exception. https://extension.psu.edu/mosquitoes-and-mosquito-borne-diseases The PA Department of Health also has a fact sheet, issued in 2023, regarding Malaria. https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/diseases-and-conditions/Malaria.pdf
It is still cloudy and humid here and slow to dry out. Tomorrow mostly sunny and in afternoon it is supposed to be windy.
Oy! Beware of Malaria!
I remember as a kid being dosed daily with Quinine then later with Paludrine. I learned later that it affected the liver and could lay dormant for years in the body.
Those bouts of high fever, terrible sweating were very debiliting.
Keep away from anopheles!
Adult Anopheles can be identified by their typical resting position: males and females rest with their abdomens sticking up in the air rather than parallel to the surface on which they are resting.
Good Morning Evryfriend! We spend last evening with granddaughter Ali and family. That was fun! They just moved into a new house and the first thing each one of the three kids did was show me their rooms! Then I saw Ali's new greenhouse. Boy! does she have flowers growing there and in the field too!!
I have to listen for Cindy. She's doing some of the work she does from home and when she's finished, we'll be leaving! I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way! And don't forget to let us know how you did that! We're the nosy type!
Good Morning Ladies, Again!
I wrote a long post starting at 5:20 a.m., only to try to post it: lost my internet connection, and my post. I need to remember to save them locally before I attempt to post them. So, I'll start by saying that logging on and seeing all of your replies feels like getting presents to me!
Barb, so glad you didn't fall out of the chair last night when you were nodding off. At 4:48 this morning light was already edging around the window blankets. Curious. I wondered if it was the ambient urban lights, street lamps, porch lights etc that made it seem pitch black at 6:00 to you. It actually gets light enough by 5:00 for me to feel comfortable with having to change an empty LP tank, if I run out. I wait until then to get up. I so hate juggling a flashlight in the cold and dark.
Amy, enjoyed the "Hide and Seek" story! Funny😄 Your friend was very blessed to have her grouse family. The grouse here are too shy. I rarely see them. I think its because they were hunted so heavily before we bought this property. The first couple of years I only ever heard one, sad, desperate, lonely male thrumming in the woods. It sounds like someone trying to start an ATV thats out of gas. I do have wild turkeys. They aren't as regular or punctual as your friends feathered visitors. Its different groups that wander through 2-3 times a day. My favorite is a big black fellow who does a titsy toed, hop, hop, pounce dance and gobbles up bugs. I'm imagining its ticks. :smitten:
Oops, out of time! I'll resume later.
MarsGal, I get a smile every time I see your name. I see a mental image of the Martian Girl from the Loonytoons cartoon, Marvin the Martian.😄
Thank you for the link, I'll read it ASAP. Today is a busy day. My husband is here with supplies and we're expecting our daughter and her family sometime this morning. My son-in-law proclaimed they were coming to hunt morels, he can't wait any longer! So we're getting camp ready. While my husband, a night owl, was still sleeping I fished the swings out of the storage container and hung them up. When Ron got up he transfer tools and supplies then went to take his meds and eat. I started assembly of the Weboost. He's currently mowing the play area so they don't get as soggy. My signal booster project is on hold. I can't be outside while he's mowing:fumes.It is currently overcast, sprinkling randomly and 44°F. No frigid wind so nicer than its been all last week.
Bubble, Yikes! Thanks for the warning! Its so cold here I don't thinkwe have that kind of mosquito. But I'll look into it.
Good Morning Jane :) it sounds like you're having fun!
OLN, my cousin nicknamed me Marvin way back when I was 16. My one and only Marvin the Martian glow-in-the=dark tee shirt is just about ready for the rag bin. It has gotten pretty holey, but I refuse to give it up till the last minute. It is 25 or so years old. I don't remember the girl, but I do remember the dog.
OLM it is dark because the sun doesn't peak over the horizon here till 6:30 with little to no affect for another 15 to 20 minutes because of all the monster size loblolly Pine - I'm north of Houston in the southern side of W.G. Jones State Forest which is essentially the southern extension of Sam Houston National Forest - I've 9 of these monster pines in the front yard, one in the back along with a couple of Oak and a couple of Ash and so I do not get to see the sunrises or magnificent sunsets that was my daily in Austin. As well there are no long evenings or dawns - it is sun then dark or dark then sun - none of this long light before the red, orange, yellow sun rises or sets.
Awake so early for me I've had two breakfasts and just finished lunch - full to the gills now -
Interesting hearing of your experience with pest chemicals and finding a safe zone to live in - sounds like something to reach out and alert RFK Jr. - can't hurt regardless your politics - he currently is the one in charge and you can at least test the waters to see if there is a response.
Appears the overcast is staying with us all day today - it is at least shielding the work Sally and Paul did on Thursday to reroute the Trumpet Vine which did involve some cutting that needs to heal - my son talked with Emigdio so that he is prepared to plant my new climbing rose and the three Wax Myrtals - I notice H-E-B (our wonderful Texas grocery chain that is so much more) has some fig trees available and I may have one delivered before Thursday so Emigdio can plant it as well. They grow quickly and where I'm past the ability to make fig preserves the birds will love them and they are a great screening tree that grows wider then tall.
Been tender hooks watching the Astros this year - they are rebuilding and have not got it down yet - loosing as many or actually more than winning which is not easy to watch - great win yesterday against our Texas rival the Rangers although, we lost by one to them the day before and so the game this evening is anxiety time - decided no knitting watching the game tonight in case I get as we would say, as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs scrambling my knitting tension to the pits. However, I do need something going that I can hide in if they do badly.
Reminds me of when a Kid listening to the game on the radio and I had - what were they called - a wooden object with a hole inside the middle and these metal hooks surrounding the hole on top - we used anything from string to maybe wool and had a hook that you would slip the wool wrapped around each hook so that out the end of the wooden object was this long tail of knitted looking tube that we sewed into circles - that was just enough hand work to keep my hands busy during any game excitement that did not affect the tension - what were they called - need to see if I can find one online - whatever they were called that is what I need this year to keep my hands busy which settles me with the team being so iffy.
tra la found it... https://pieceworkmagazine.com/knitting-spools/
Barb, we called it corking. We would get an empty thread spool and Dad would put 4 small nails in it for us. Used to do long strands then sew them together in a circle.
https://own-two-hands.com/tag/corking/
Baking done, laundry done.....me done...early but pj time is about now!
Anyone heard from Callie or Phyllis?
Just had a dandy hard pelting rain along with high winds and a bit of noise and lightening. We have two tall pines that swayed in the wind and I love listening to the wind in them at night but...
Amy your right we have not heard from either Callie or Phyllis in a bit - hope they are just busy and having fun
corking - interesting but you too did that actually monotonous hand work but heck you could stick it in your pocket and pull it out waiting for anything or even while walking.
All the talk about skeeters reminded me of a funny story. Shortly after I got out of school jobs were hard to find. I managed to get one as a Lab Assistant in a research place. In our particular lab we had a fish tank (just for our entertainment). Every Friday afternoon a guy from a different lab would bring us some mosquito Larvae to feed the fish, and hold them for the weekend. One week we left early, but the mosquito Larvae was still dropped off. Unfortunately the flask with the Larvae was not stoppered. When we got to work on Monday morning the whole room was a haze of flying mosquitos. We ended up going to another lab and getting a spray can of fying insect killer. After the room cleared it was good for a laugh.
Barb, I'll have to look up loblolly pines. They must be more dense than the Ponerosa that we have here. The sun comes up behind the mountain and the whole sky gets light that early. My camp is in a kind of bowl. Probably an old caldera. I don't know much about Texas geography. This is fascinating. Is the landscape flat? I'm so exhausted I'd look it up but I'm clear out of go power tonight. If you don't want to tell me more, I'll probably look it up tomorrow. I'm intrigued.
My daughter and her family found 2.5 gallons of morel mushrooms. My SIL wants to come back next weekend and hunt for more. Its like a giant Easter egg hunt. I have 240 acres of forest and meadows to search. They dry a bunch and use them all year.
I used to spool knit when I was a kid too. :)
I follow RFK Jr. closely. He is aware.
No whole sky lite here before sunrise - land... according to where in Texas - there is flat - there is hilly - there is forest - there is seacoast - there are mesa's - there are canyons - there are mountains - there are long and large underground caves - there are many rivers with thick cypress - there are the high plains - there are a variety of geographic centers.
The area I live in, north of Houston, is on the southern edge of east Texas forest but within the Bayous of Houston - (Buffalo, White Oak, Brays and Sims) - As many areas in the south, dawn and dusk is short unlike northern areas. Where I live I see very little sky, which I miss having lived in Austin for 55 years on the edge of a Mesa and saw the sun crack the surface each morning where as here I don't actually see the sun till well after 9: and never see it set and only see the moon when it is high in the sky and at that between the tree tops.
My experience is that every area and forest land is different - My daughter lives in western North Carolina in the area of the Blue Ridge Mountains and she also is surrounded by trees yet, visiting I notice she sees more sky than I do and yes, her sky is light before the sun rises which from what you are saying is your experience in Oregon where as, my morning experience is similar to the northwest Mountainous area of Mexico where I used to hike and where there is no electricity - people still have fires in the corner of their hut 365 days of the year for light and for cooking - we would bring mirrors with us so they could be left to be used behind a candle throwing more light into the huts. Few huge size trees and more sky but again hardly any dawn or dusk.
As I understand it, the closer to the equator the less twilight there is because the sun's path is nearly vertical near the equator, causing the sun to rise and set more directly, resulting in a quick transition between daylight and darkness.
Hope that helps to understand my morning's experience waking about 6:10 to 6:20 seeing out my window pitch black that did not lighten up till going for 7:
Shoot lost again - still tomorrow - the game starts around noon... Kept going to the kitchen to heat up my coffee - can't keep doing that all season - have to get something that will keep my hands busy and help settle me down. Sunday or not I think I'll do laundry tomorrow - then I can at least fold while watching.
Good morning..
Another nice long soaker of a rain during the night! No fireworks last night and I hope it will b the same tonight.
A day of rest here, just have to pick up a few thigs at the grocery store and home to play in the sewing room. :thumbup:
Rick, were the fish holding their tummies when you came in Monday morning?
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Thank you Barb! That was very informative! I had no idea Texas had that kind of variety. Most of what I thought I knew about Texas landscapes I absorbed from "Walker Texas Ranger" and old westerns. Bayous even, how cool is that! My son actually lives in Texas.He lived south of Houston for awhile, but now lives in West Texas. I've asked him many times, but he never mentioned those things. I do know about the equitorial dropping and popping of the sun. I spent a month in the Bahamas when I was 17. Its the time part. I'd never thought about it being later when the sun came up nearer the equator. I guess I assumed it popped up when it started getting light farther away from it. Thank you for sharing that. I love learning things "new to me." Oregon is very similar to Texas in that it has a way more diverse landscape that most people assume.
Good morning all,
Its 38°F, soggy from overnight rains and windy. Gusts to 29 m.p.h. expected. I feared I'd be barely moving this morning, but I'm doing pretty good. While my family went out morel hunting yesterday, my gout and RA kept me from tramping about. Instead I worked on my signal booster. The assembly directions and videos were not that helpful. I guess my reading of their directions was not that helpful either. I repositioned the antennae and booster components dozens of times before I found a configuration that did not create oscillation feedback. The readout finally gave me the literal green light. Then I moved on to positioning and directing the outside antennae to find the strongest signal. Still working on that. :-\ It involved a lot of climbing up and down ladders, and raising and lowering telescoping sections of the rod. Muscle groups I haven't used in awhile.
Ron went mushrooming with the family, then apparently diverted to hike the most rugged section of our property. He inspected the fence and just about every copse and hollow of that mountainous forest. He reported a bear den and a number of needed fence repairs. He kept up a good front until the kids left, then went in and took a nap. I went to bed, wiped out, at 8:00; he was back up and working in the tiny house.
Quote from: Amy on May 18, 2025, 07:16:36 AMRick, were the fish holding their tummies when you came in Monday morning?
Unfortunately for us I don't think the fish got many of them. They were busy flying about a lab with the door closed.
Good morning, 48 and cloudy today, with rain late afternoon and overnight. Meet and greets, such as they are with our smaller group finished, morning routines are done, coffee's on and here I am.
The pigeons and smaller birds are back, I got a kick out of Farrah sitting by the window as some of them discovered my balcony and explored the railing and seemed impervious to Farrah watching behind the glass.
Bubble posted some cute photos of Lynn picking mulberries, she's always engrossed in whatever tasks she sets herself.
Where I live in Alaska's interior, on a large plain surrounded by a number of foothills and mountain ranges, the city is on the plain and halfway up the foothills on the North and Northeast sides. The sunrises and sunsets are very short and dramatic in the winter. In the summer, they're not as noticeable as we have close to 24/7 daylight, this close to the North Arctic. The University proper on a foothill with a better view and they post some amazing photos of the sun and the Aurora.
I put a fire on!! They say to the north west of us they did get some snow! Only when the soil warms up will I plant the seeds and tomato and pepper plants.
Patricia, thank you for the heads up on the photos. I have never tasted mulberry's, will have to look into that.
OLM, we have morels here but to me they have too many hidey holes for bugs! Prefer the puffballs, they are good even raw, cut two slices and spread with mayo, tasty! My husband has RA so I know what you are going through....not nice!
Better go see if Jesse can out play me at ball..... :)
Amy, a fire sounds lovely! I soak my morels in a mild salt solution and the bugs evacuate. Then I rinse them thoroughly.
I played ball with my grandsons yesterday. LOL :D My 9 year old has been competing in shot put and javelin. Grandma got schooled!
OLM, we have a wood cookstove and should power go out we still have heat and I cook off of it.
That would shock your muscles! Are they sore today?
Amy, how lovely! I have never cooked with a wood cookstove, though I have cooked on the top of a woodstove and over an open fire. I have a wood cookstove for my tiny house and am looking forward to learning to use it! Any and all advice, experiences, etc, gladly accepted!
I was surprise that my muscles were not as sore as I expected. ;D
Good Sunday afternoon. :) I can't believe how long it's been since I posted.
Before I start what's being going on in my world, I want to greet OLM and welcome Janie to Oklahoma. Sorry the first days are/will be stormy; it IS May in Oklahoma!!!
Also want to comment on the size of Texas. We lived for 14 years in Leadville, Colorado and were going to spend a few days visiting family/friends in Amarillo, Texas (located in the Texas panhandle). A friend asked if we were going to an Event in Houston. We told her it was 700 miles from Amarillo to Houston and we didn't think we'd make it this time. ;D
Now - my "Tale":
I've read posts on my tablet but I'm a touch-typist and usually come to the computer to post. The past month has been a conglomeration of legal business to take care of, medical appointments, repair on my house, etc., etc. etc.
Two weeks ago, I fell in my kitchen. I usually make up a package of slider buns into ham/turkey/cheese sandwiches, wrap them in foil and have several days' lunches. I heat the oven to 300 degrees and, when the sandwiches are done and topping brushed on, I turn off the oven and put the unwrapped sliders in for about 10 minutes and let them cool before wrapping.
Since I'm a "night owl", I decided to make them about 9:00 p.m. and wrap them after the 10:00 news. Got to the point where I was putting the cookie sheet with the sliders in the oven and - next thing I knew, I felt my head hit the kitchen floor!
I was able to sit up but needed help to stand and the kitchen table chairs swivel so I couldn't scoot on my rear end and use them. Scooted over to my cell phone on my walker, texted my son and told him I'd fallen, couldn't get up and he needed to come.
While I was waiting - and :tickedoff: about a dozen slider sandwiches being all over the floor, 6 young men dressed in black filed in my kitchen!!!!! :o Of course, they were EMT. Son had called 911 and I hadn't seen his text telling me. Son/dil arrived while they were checking me out and he had notified his brother.
I was coherent but they were concerned about my "closed head injury" so took me to the ER on a stretcher in an ambulance (first experience I'd had with those!). Had a CAT scan, which revealed NO concussion, NO broken bones and I was able to make conversation - so they let me come home.
It was in the wee hours and I felt steady - so I sent family home and went to bed. Slept well, head didn't hurt unless I pushed on spot, had no problems getting to bathroom but, of course, I was stiff and sore the next morning.
As of today, I'm still "achy" but bump has gone down and hairdresser (yes I kept my appointments ;) ) said bruise looked better. had workers and family almost every day last week.
Great-grandson Cooper was one on Saturday and we all went to the party. He's fascinated with my walker and loves to ride while I push. He's walking but uses his little walker some of the time and we went for a stroll with our walkers.
Miss Ellen flew in (OLM, she lives in NYC) for the party. We're supposed to have "one-on-one" time tomorrow but :tickedoff: weather may interrupt her driving the 40 minutes' drive from her parents' house. It's up to her.
And that's what's going on my world! I'm more than ready for it to settle down!
Wishing All Good Things for Everyfriend :smitten:
Hello CallieOK, thank you for the welcome. My, you've had a time! Glad it wasn't worse and you're recovering.
Quotewe went for a stroll with our walkers.
Cute!!!
Callie, I'm so sorry you fell and happy that you're better now with little to no serious injuries. Please be careful, you were very lucky this time!
Wow Callie - sounds like quite a fall - thank goodness you have family living nearby - good to hear you are on the mend and can even enjoy walking with your young great... I must say though when you think on it - you and your sliders took a slide???
Good morning..
No sign of sun today ,starting with a temp of 36°.
Little jobs need to be eliminated, ones that have been bugging me.
Roads will be a sea of cars heading back to the city from their cottages today.
Callie, good to read that you are ok after your incident. I wonder if a life line/fall button would be something to look into.You were lucky and did manage to get to your phone....this time.
OLM, I love the wood heat,now having said that I have managed to help heat the outside when it gets a tad too hot in here., :2funny:. I would say the main thing on heating with wood is use dry wood, one that has been cut for a year to dry. What would be your main sourse of wood. Here we burn maple,ash,oak.beech and elm. We get our chimney cleaned Spring and Fall too .
Ok Miss Jane, we know you are having fun with family but pop in and say :hello:
Time to get the day started.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Callie, I am so glad to hear you weren't badly injured by your fall.
Was Miss Ellen able to visit before she had to go back to NYC? I hope so.
It looks like Oscar is not feeling well this morning. He didn't eat his breakfast, which means he hasn't had his prednisone yet, and he is looking a bit uncomfortable.
Cloudy this morning with some sun later on. It is 60o just now and may get to 70o or close to it this afternoon.
Good morning, Amy.
Good Morning Everyfriend! We did a lot of running around yesterday and today SIL Jim and I are keeping house. Cindy had to make a trip to Texas and she'll be back in time for supper today so it's on us to plan and do. I just filled up the dishwasher and Jim started it. We have to work together because he has a breathing problem and I have a "how does this work" problem! Neither one of us is as good at it as Cindy is even when she spends a large part of her day doing bookkeeping work for other people all over this state and other states.
CALLIE, please be careful! We don't want to hear of any more falls and I'm with everyone else....glad this one wasn't as bad as it might have been!
I'm going ot and take a walk later this morning. They have a perfect place for it and I can get a lot of my steps in while I'm walking! I've also made some doggie friends that I have to stop and greet on the way! And I raise a hand to some young runners along the way!
I wish you all a great day! Make it better than yesterday!
Good Morning Amy, I use Ponderosa Pine, Douglas and White Fir. Its what gets blown down. I cut them up and stack the green separate from the dry. I could use a little of that extra heat you said you were sending outside here this morning. It started at 30°F🥶 They burn hot and fast, not as good as your hard woods, but its what I have.
MarsGal, sorry to hear Oscars a little under the weather.
Good morning, 51 presently and today and the rest of the week and weekend will bring cloudy skies and scattered showers. Morning routines, meet and greets, feeding Farrah and myself and sitting with my second cup of morning coffee, so here I am.
June is going to be a horrible month, They've scheduled the yearly building structural inspection as well as the ongoing drain replacement that started on the fifth floor on its way down. The structural inspection will be on my floor on June 18th and the drain replacement team, per apartment hallway, will be a start to finish ten-day period.
Some work will require unit entry and others will just require work in the hallway. No showers or toilet use between 8:30 and 5pm, during the section being worked on. They have brought porta potties and the staff bathrooms are opened for use. We will have 5 days notice and again 24 hours before they enter our unit. I plan on filling several water bottles and also to be away during the time my apartment is scheduled. I will have to lock Farrah in the bedroom and move in her food and litter box during that time.
Each work crew will include a building security and or maintenance man with the drain repair company while in apartments.
If I had the time and ability to move, I would have done so the year they replaced all the windows and balconies.
Oh my goodness Patricia19! This is very invasive! I had no idea that was part of apartment living! Glad you have a plan. Will they call or text you when they finish with your apt?
OLM will slow firing the Pines and Firs make charcoal? I'm jumping ahead to dead winter and don't like to think of a cold cabin that cannot be warmed till a fire gets going where as I would think charcoal would take off quicker and bring faster heat... at least to quickly get some water hot for a cuppa ???
OH Patricia how disruptive - and yes, moving is a challenge - is there anyone who could help you - it sure forces you to get rid of what you finally accept you will never use or get to - I found the unpacking is the challenge more than the packing and moving - many movers will pack up for you and the cost I did not find to be absorbent - It was my books that took me forever to sort, cull and pack - well over a year. I think that is it why it is taking me longer than I expected - the unpacking is also culling more of my stuff which is time consuming and also, where to make a home for everything takes time but it is doable just it is also taking more time because I've no longer the energy and strength to do in a day what I used to be able to accomplish. However with the loss of your balcony I'd still give more thought to moving. With summer approaching you may be able to find an older teen or collage age who wants to pick up a few dollars that you could hire to help you. As to finding a new place I'd hire a leasing agent - costs you nothing it is the apartment owner who pays and that way the agent can narrow down to a few that would meet your idea of how you would like to live. Well you know best what is best for you... just anxious you can smile through your days ahead.
OLM, Barb, I live in a state owned building for independent handicapped seniors. It is an older, block long, five storied, locked apartment building with an outside smoking area, thankfully, away from the building, dog park, free garden plots, 24/7 security and or maintenance, key fob accessible, utilities included, and allowing one small pet per apartment. Cameras on all public areas and free laundries on each of the five floors.
There are also, on each floor, a library area with numerous large plants, TVs, and printers. There is an intercom, inside mail services with all packages delivered and picked up at the security office. There are many scheduled indoors and out activities.
All the building's windows and balconies were replaced about two/three years ago, and now I suppose it's the drains turn, but it is highly disruptive.
The state purchased this building and six others in 2016 after the foreign owners sold out. Other senior handicap accessible apartments with even less amenities do not allow pets, and rent or purchase costs are extremely expensive.
Patricia it actually sounds great- I did not know the balconies were replaced I thought they were removed - sounds like the disruption for a week or so is worth it for all the amenities you have listed - sounds like you made a great choice finding this apartment when you did... :smitten:
A week to ten days out of your apartment from 8-5:0 Mon-Fridays, with access to porta potties for that week to ten days.
When I moved in 2013, right before retirement, it was coming off of a 5 to 7 year list as it is only one of two in the state. There have been many, many perks having gone by the wayside since 2016, and after Covid and simply weren't replaced. For example, strict rules such as noise after hours not enforced and some repairs taking months.
But as I said, many senior rentals are two thousand and up monthly, with no pets allowed.
Sibling rivalry;
https://youtu.be/YTnIUMxE6n4
Barb, the charcoal is a good idea. Thank you.🙂
Patricia, that does sound like a very nice apt despite the maintenance disruptions.
Good morning
Sun is out with a temp of 31°. I do hope that these colder,maybe frost temps have killed the blackflies and skeeters but unlikely.
Loons were calling back and forth in the night....haunting calls echoing across the lakes.
I have a date today with fridge, cleaning out what may be hidden in the back of it.
OLM, good that you know your wood is fast and hot! Is there any coal in your area? Some cookstoves can also come wiht a coal grate.
Patricia, loved the video!! You have weathered past inspections ,you will get through this one.
Jane, good that you and Jim can work together, more hands make light work!!
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good morning Amy and everyone else :)
No coal is not big here. We get our power predominantly from hydro electric: The mighty Columbia River. There are few coal fire plants, but the coal is shipped in by rail from far away. We have a couple of steam generators as a side cash crop to vegetable processing. Barb's idea for slow firing my own as starter has merit. It would be less toxic than mined coal. I'll look into it more. I saw a video about it once. Not when here. Not enough internet to run videos. The sun is supposed to come out today. I'm hoping to get out and finish my signal booster project. Then I can watch Patricia's mysterious video... Who are the siblings? What have they done?! The suspense is killing me!!! ;D
I was delighted to get a notice on RFK Jr.'s latest health target. I couldn't open it either. Not much p.m. signal. But I was able to this morning.I'm so pleased!
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/bc-rfk-jr-next-target-common-weedkiller-glyphosate/?utm_source=luminate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=defender&utm_id=20250519
I've been priveledged to have spoken and emailed with the brilliant researcher that is the #1 expert on the harms of glyphosate and all Roundup like products. She's one of his advisors on this. Great news for America's health!
I love the calls of the loons! We have sandhill cranes that are awesome, and unnerving to people that don't know what it is.
Good morning everyone!
OLM, I've been following a family of eagles from Big Bear, California and the eaglets are getting ready to fledge, flapping their wings and hopping all over the nest. The male, has a habit of bugging mom and dad and sister, by pecking at them and especially loves nipping at toes. I'm surprised both parents allow this behavior without retribution. The entire family has a huge following, some have been following the parents and their various offspring for years.
Amy, we're having the same weather, 46 and cloudy presently, with bouts of rain through the weekend.
Patricia, maybe we should grow water lilies!! Our rain barrel is full to the brim and the soil is moist in the trugs! They certainly could use the rain out your way in Manitoba for the fires. Took some rhubarb over to the neighbour and I will freeze some for later on.
OLM, do you have solar power you can rely on in the winter?
Hi Amy, I have a solar array. Its great when the sun shines! If I had the woodstove for heat the batteries would run the fridge and lights just fine. :)
:D Patricia, that is awesome! Sorry its taken me so long to respond. Poor cell signal.
Amy, it's definitely going to be a locally soggy one! It looks to be bad for the entire Midwest, Southern US and the East coast, again, this week. I suppose we're lucky up here with our scattered showers and rain clouds.
OLM, we had something similar in our cabin on the Salcha river. When I was a child, we drove fifty miles from the city to the bridge and then by jet boat sixty miles to our cabin. Dad would return to town during the week, and we would stay out there while he'd return on the weekends. Now, they have roads out there to drive to that cabin.
The eagles are so fun and fascinating to watch. Some of their behavior is so like our human families, that we forget we're so interconnected.
Hello Everyfriend! This has been a busy day! Every time I tried to get on here, something interrupted! First it was Cindy returning from a late homecoming! The weather held her up overnight. Then Ali and her two boys stopped by. Some of her flowers are planted in a greenhouse in Cindy's back yard and she comes over to take care of them. She also has an outside flower box with a lot of flowers planted there. I had a great visit with the 2 and 4 year old Great Grandsons while she got things done!
Now I'm beat right down to my sox and that's bad because I'm not wearing any sox!
I read all the entries and I noticed that Callie wasn't there. I sure hope she's all recovered!
It's so nice to read what all of you are busy doing! Keep on keeping on!
Barb, I sent you a PM.
That was quite the journey to get there Patricia. The roads make it easier to get to, but easier for other people to show up too. I have trespasser troubles. >:( Can you tell?
Wow yes, Patricia got it - sent back to you a reply - my first message how much fun...
Little by little today getting caught up with projects started and not finished -
Next I need to cull my knitting books - no way will I be knitting as I once did - have wool for several sweaters but no way - hate giving this good wool to Goodwill but don't know who else - so few knit this far south - the many years ago when I lived in Kentucky everyone always had a project going
Bed in a bit - sweat dreams everyone...
A very good, wet morning to you all.
Oscar report: Oscar has some new cat food which is mostly chicken that includes things he has never had before, like duck, quail's eggs, lamb, and beef (which he hasn't had since he was a youngster). He ate them all and demanded more. I read an article by a vet that the way lymphoma works in cats is that it feeds on carbs, so low-carb or no carb food with high protein and fat. Starve the cancer to at least slow it down, assuming it is in fact cancer. I am happy that he is eating and not barfing it up every few days.
If I haven't mentioned it already, I have finally settled on a bedroom set. Now all I have to do is get rid of stuff, including the old bed, to make room for it. My current plan is to keep the old dresser, which was my Moms', and put in this room. That involves getting rid of a heavy metal shelving unit and my huge porch rocking chair. The chair needs to be put into the back of my vehicle so I can take it over to Goodwill. It is in very good shape, spending most of its life so far, inside. Unfortunately, I can't use it outside because the way the apartment building is oriented it seems to act like a wind tunnel between the building and the yew bushes causing the rocker to get blown over and knocked about. That surprised me because the rocker is not particularly light. The maintenance man, who I haven't seen hide nor hair of in the last two days, is willing to remove the mattress and furniture.
Time to get my day started.
Barb, when I moved I got rid of "tons" of crafting books, but kept most of my knitting, crochet and needlework books. What remains still takes up a shelf and a half. My knitting and needlework supplies are packed in one big box and several smaller boxes. Last winter I was going to finish a knitting project, but never got around to it. Those round-to-its are incredibly elusive.
Rain today and tomorrow with temps staying in the 50s. :cloud:
ah MarsGal you also with the textiles - ah so - we had such dreams that evidently young women do not share today...
Well I'm bushed and the day has barely started - got a dozen empty Banker Boxes to the curb using my walker and the way I had them stacked on the seat it only took 3 trips to the curb but that is quite a walk since I have a circular drive and a good size front yard - let's hope someone needs boxes and they are gone but in case not the garbage men come tomorrow - not sure if they will take them or not since I had not alerted the company to an extra load - we shall see what we shall see...
Then last night I tried a new spider spray and sprayed down the keyboard and area around my computer - If I'm on the computer for any length of time (which is where I read my kindle books) my hands are full of itchy welts all bitten by I'm assuming spiders - don't see anything flying and so can only assume it is those itsy spiders - Lordy what a mess this morning - spray is called STEM and it leaves a wet oil almost puddle behind - trying to clean up and used more paper towels then if I had a spill in the kitchen - this may be effective and it may not used the chemicals of 'Raid' but oh oh oh what a mess...
Well today my get up and go came back and so I need to keep going - have laundry to do and books to cull and some garage organizing to do - hope y'all have a great day
Good Morning Everyfriend! I'm up, had my breakfast and I'm checking you all out before I head back upstairs to get dressed! I wish you all a great day. I read all your entries and I hope the good stays with you and the bad leaves! I'll be going out for a walk after I'm dressed and ready! The bad weather seems to have left us! I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way. I'll be back later!
Good morning..
Temp is 50° overcast and drizzly. Good day to stay in and...I am sure I will find something that I don't want to do... :2funny: Maybe go sew.. :thumbup:
OLM my friend had solar with backup generator.The highlight for her was when they bought a generator that was hooked up to the house and could be started by a fob from inside her home.
Jane, we are in for 3 days of rain here..aka makes grass grow and bugs mulitply .
MG, that is good news!! So happy to read that Oscar is eating..
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
MarsGal, good to hear Oscar is doing better. Cats are obligate carnivores. They were never designed to eat carbs. Here's to him being much healther! :thumbup:
Its is a sunny, warmer day today. I've been hardat getting all the things done that I've been holding off due to raining, freezing, windy weather.i've done the dump and fill, started laundry and started moving last yea'rs green wood into the dry pile. Yesterday I spent hours trying to get the signal booster working. Everywhere I could put the outside antennae was either looking into heavy forest, directly at a tree, or into the side of the tree fort. I have an app thatbtells you where the strongest signal is. You lineup te antenae with its arrow. Thats how I know it always was aligned with the aforementioned obstacles. There was some benefit. I'm getting lots of practice rectifying oscillations.
Good morning Amy, my LP generator has a fob for remote stop and start. I do love that feature. When the solar batteries are down and I'm on the generator I can get in bed and stop it. In the morning I can start it from bed and let the room warm up before getting up and putting on my clothes. Much nicer than the old generator where I had to get up in the frigid RV, get dressed, then go out and start it. 😀
Good late morning, I had my coffee, fed everyone, finished my morning routine and participated in meet and greets. I was up early on this cloudy 53 degree morning, finished several elusive tasks, and wrote up a list of those I've been attempting to ignore.
Everyone has been so busy that I feel a bit ashamed that I'm not. However, with all the disruptions due next month, I'll need to begin getting an early start, so I don't end up doing my annual cleaning blitzkrieg.
Good evening Patricia, Putting my feet up; I'm done for the day. It was sunny and 60°😀 Loved it. Another day of rain expected tomorrow. I got a good share of my list done plus clipped 1/2 a poodle.😄
What do you mean by "meet and greets?"
Good morning..
Weather dog came in and said it is light drizzle outside. Rain now through to Sat. Everyone is itching to get their garden in butweather and soil is not co-operating.
Work around home after having our morning coffee/tea with friends.
OLM, to me the remote start generators are the only way to go . We now have a new one but not remote start, electic start which works better than pull start.
Jane, how is the canning going?
Better get the day started.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good morning Amy and weather dog,
Grey here, light rain in the night. Projected to rain most of the day. Currently 45°F. Tomorrow through Sunday expected mostly clear - sunny, 60-70°. Finally!
I never could pull start one since I got sick. My husband got me an electric start one right off. Then, even better, an LP one, less toxic. And that's when I found out about the remote start feature and insisted on it. To use the electric start one I had to have a long (like 7' or better) stick and stand as far away as I could and poke it. Fumes :buck2:
I'm hoping the rain will not be as bad in my neck of the woods. Our weather forecast covers a large region. Not Canadain Province size but the eastern half of Oregon and Washington, a sliver of Canada and Idaho ajacently. Sometimes I get lucky and the bad stuff misses me entirely (like T-storms during fire season). Maybe I'll be able to get out.
Good morning! Haven't been here for awhile but occasionally I have popped in to read about what is going on with all of you. I am still with you but I don't do much these days.
I am sleeping a lot but did manage to make a meatloaf for dinner last night, with David's help. He fetches ingredients and mixing bowls, etc for me and I manage to put things together and then he puts it into the oven. Not perfect but we manage and it makes me feel like I am still doing something and it is a break from catered food though what I order from the catering company is always very good. Once in a while we miss the home cooking that I used to do.
Our weather in this part of NC is beautiful this morning but a little cool so I have a sweater on. It's supposed to go to the mid-80s this afternoon.
Thanks for thinking about me, Amy. I'm hanging in there. As I have said before, some good days, some not so good. Hope you and Kyle are doing OK.
Good morning Barb, I looked up your spider spray this morning. How's it working for you?
[/b]Good Morning Everyfriend! Today is going to be another busy one. Yesterday we had Granddaughter Ali and her whole family for the afternoon and for supper. That was fun! I got lots of hugs from the kids and the little guy (barely 2) has started to talk to me and hug me again. I love it! Emma, just finished first grade and she a real little smart cookie! Mikey is just downfirgh friendly at 4. I love them all and I glad I'm able to enjoy them! They wear me out but I'll take that, too!
Not sure what we're up to today but I know i'll like it. Just being here with my daughter and her family is special for me!
Now I'm going to go see if I can help Cindy get some laundry done! I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way!
Good morning, partly cloudy with a rain shower here or there, again today.
Morning routine, meet and greets and getting everyone and everything done for the morning, so, with coffee in hand, here I am.
OLM, Meet and Greets is what a group of us started during Covid, to keep in touch, stopped for a short time and then the group started up again after realizing we missed and needed that morning round of check-ins by text, cell phone, or email. Originally, there were twenty of us, evolving from years of friends from work, getting together and bringing in new friends from work or school or marriages, beginning in the sixties.
By Covid, we were down to perhaps twelve, and then more and more were lost or moved away. Now, unfortunately, we're down to eight, as age whittles us away.
Amy, we had a heavy snow up in the mountains and on the Dalton Highway and are only now in the sixties regularly. We are about twenty degrees cooler than normal this year, but without the spring floods from breakup, so there is that.
You and I and my Idahoan sister seem to be sharing the same weather, although she's on a warmer track.
Good morning Jane, You sound in heaven with all the littles about, enjoy!
Phyllis, it is always nice when you pop in. I know what you mean about no longer doing everything as much and in the way you liked to.
And good morning to Rick and to any others stopping by or looking in.
Patricia, sorry to hear you lost so many of your friends. Its a lovely thing that you have that close group. Thanks for enlightening me.
My weather is better than forecasted. Partly sunny. Were at 60°, with a stiff cold wind. I've been outside moving firewood, doing laundry and I finished the other half of Rosie's poodle trim. She's much happier, though its a little chilly out with that wind and the dramatic change in her coat length. We have enough sun to keep the solar batteries charged while running heat. She and I are inside warming up. Kato prefers being outside and doesn't feel the cold: double coat.
Good morning.
Liquid sunshine again....temp is 44° at the moment.A few things to do in town then home to clean ....or as Callie would say domestic duties. I take with me a box and if this or that isn't being used into the box it goes!
Watched crow as he hid some of the bread I threw out yesterday...in the neighbours trug!!
Patricia, we have had snow to the north of us and I hope it doesn't visit here!
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Jane, forgot to mention I gave friends some butter tarts and in return they gave us Girl Guide cookies!!! We haven't had them in years and still good dunked into a cold glass of milk!!!
Good morning everyone,
Its 34°F, frosty in the meadows, and clear skies. Still working on laundry, wood cutting and stacking,I have some business I have to do online which means a trip up Cell Hill. It will be warm enough that I'm hoping to make yogurt.
Have a lovely day all!
Good Morning Everyfriend! Daylight is here but it's dull today. We're supposed to have a rainy day later. I might be doing my walking on the walker that Cindy uses inside her house! That's ok but I prefer being outside!
I read everything you all wrote....twice! I love sharing life with all of you. It's interesting knowing what's happening in different parts of the United States, Canada and the rest of the world when it comes on here! I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way and don't forget to let us know how you did that! We're very interested! O should I say, "we're very nosy!"
Good morning, all the usual routines were done and everyone has been fed, washed, coffee-ed, and watered. My over ten years old blender broke yesterday and I remembered I had purchased a hand held immersion blender from Amazon and found it today, but no instructions, so I looked it up. I purchased in 2023 and this is my first time using it! I'm sure at the time, I imagined plenty of uses that ended up in the blender instead.
Jane, I too find others lives different and interesting and only about half of that is being noisy, I swear! :-\ ??? ::)
Amy, I wish I saw as much wildlife as you. Here it's pigeons in the summer and ravens in the winter. Since they cut down all the trees in back, we no longer have the songbirds that those in front see. They also have the sun, we have the shade...
OLM, you certainly have an adventurous life, on your mountain. It reminds me of when my sister was homesteading and all communication and supplies were via the radio and a Cessna.
Here's hoping a good day is had for all, those posting and those looking in!
Patricia, I do have it way easier than your sister did. I'm grateful for that! I can't begin to express my admiration for those stalwart homesteaders! They were and are still inspirational!
There is always something with a house - heard this sound off and on yesterday and the day before that was new to me - had no clue but my Son came by yesterday afternoon and heard it as well - ah oh it was coming from the septic system - so this morning the guy comes around having called Paul first who was also here and as soon as he got here without even looking he knew what it was - seems there are two tanks and the first one has a pump - the pump had had it - it was not a very good pump but regardless it has to be replaced - it is the one that sends air into the tank that then decomposes everything -
Well as Paul predicted just how accommodating, the guy said we could save over half the cost if we order one from Amazon that he showed to Paul and then explained how Paul could easily install it for less than $300. Where as, he would have to up charge for the pump taken out of their stock and charge for his travel and his installing it next week which would be the earliest - this way the pump will be delivered this evening and Paul installs it first thing in the morning...
I was doing laundry and wondered but was told it was OK - plus it would take a week or two before the neighbors and me would have noticed a problem
While in the yard I attempted to cut the suckers growing around several of the small trees - unfortunately I flagged before even finishing one tree - this is the one aspect of being old that drives me up the wall not being physically capable of doing simple tasks that looking around I can see need attention. Everything needs to be noted and then I have to decide who or what service is best to use - I feel like the father of a spoiled teenage daughter that all he does is write checks. I often wondered how those spoiled girls handled life as an adult but it must have worked out - you never hear of adult women spending and spending and spending - if so I guess it is why some have a high balance on their credit cards.
Probably tomorrow but I recently purchased a sort of wagon with these two huge wheels and you can either push or pull it - can't handle a wheelbarrow any longer and so this will be my new wheelbarrow - plan on making a mixture of all the soil from last year's hanging baskets that did not make it through the winter plus just about everything I have on that one garage shelf - Epsom Salts, some kind of little pearls that hold water in soil, Lime, huge can of Coffee, small sack of Sugar, on and on - I may even add a sack of soil and then after mixing it well spread it on all the plants and what is left I'll spread on the grass. With the high heat of summer around the corner I really need to pile some peat moss around the plants - probably get Emigdio and crew to do that the next time they are here.
Second year and my Vitex is blooming up a storm - it has tripled in size however where the Crepe Myrtles have doubled in size two of them are not robust - one of the pink ones near the fence outside my bedroom and the other way in back what should be a beauty, a Natchez that is supposed to become like a giant umbrella rather than straight up - They'll bloom through the summer into the fall - I'd love to get an evergreen back there as a foil to all of this but the evergreens have roots that will interfere with the septic system so that is out.
With the rain being plentiful and nice polite showers it is a joy to walk out among all this that I just had to share...
And then I was so proud of myself - I've had banker boxes filling up the garage and driving me nuts - and so using my wheelie that has a seat I got a dozen banker boxes out to the curb in 3 trips and best of all did that yesterday morning and while I napped someone, thanks goodness without my having to put something in the neighborhood news, all the boxes were gone - tra la - feel so accomplished.
Next I need to lighten up and go ahead and cull my knitting and probably my needlework books - such a big part of my life - I taught needlework back in the 70s and saved up the earnings to spend time one Spring in England, Wales and France studying needlework - the history around needlework is amazing and only recently learned during the middle ages, before banks were thought of textiles was an investment and used as we use dollars today to make large purchases or show our wealth as wall decoration was the thing - some pieces made by the 'family' and other pieces made by professionals - it seems kings invested huge sums in textiles that matched or outdid their investment in guns and implements of war. Knowing all this makes it difficult to let go... but let go either I do it or family who does not share my knowledge and interest will probably just toss the books since few do needlework other than quilting and decorating shirts and jeans.
Well hope y'alls day is full of satisfying tasks that keep us going - that seems to be the challenge as we age... rain or shine have a good one...
Way to go, Barb! I think you out worked me by quite some distance! I'm done in and its not even 3:30. My list is not even close to that impressive. I "mowed", moved the rest of the green pile and did laundry. I soent most of my time on the phone with SSA. :crazy2: I did finally get the answer I was looking for.
Lovely post about textiles. I was a tad envious of your UK trip, sigh! :smitten: I spin, weave, knit, crochet, french silk embroider, bead, x-stitch, quilt, sew and I've even done a little trapunto. Anything and everything with fiber, fabric, thread, yarn, chord or string. Oh, yeah, I've done macrame, rope making, fishing rod and fly tying, too. :thumbup:
Good morning.
Another wet one outside but temp is 45° slowly crawling up there. Put the wagon of flowers, tomato plants and everbearing strawberries out in the rain yesterday. Can't use the solar dryer for the laundry today.
Crows have been fed now they can be quiet..
Patricia, love seeing ravens....or Gronk as my friends named them. We do have a lot of wildlife here,some you like to see and others not so much. When the bear was in my neighbours garage we didn't mind that bear moving on. ;D
Better get the day started.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good morning Amy and all,
48°F and sunny. Ron's supposed to come today but his youngest sister ended up in the hospital some hours away, and he may need to divert to there. I I love hearing about everyone's gardening projects. Getting to a place I can have that again is on my wishlist. So far I've noticed the following spring wildflowers: violets, ranunculus, blue camas, arnica, vetch, golden pea, wild iris, wikd strawberry, death camas, Indian paintbrush and lupine. Those crows sure have an amazing variety of calls don't they. My favorite is the one that sounds like submarine radar from the old black and white movies.
I still have wood cutting to do, more laundry (stuff that got toxed and stuff that is new that I've been holding in isolation) and some calking in the tiny house now that its finally warmed up and dried out.
I hope everyone has a lovely day.🙂
Amy, long ago, in the fifties through sixties, we used to see all types of animals in town. Perhaps we still do, as I'm no longer out and about daily. There were moose, lynx and bears on the outskirts, river otters and porcupines. The city has grown so much larger in the past decades and then shrunk a little after Covid. Time passes and nothing remains the same.
Found a stash of book I purchased for my grands back when they were 10, 11, and 12 that at the time I forgot to give them - saw the young family across the street are back home and the two girls were riding their starter bikes round my driveway which is safer then riding on the road - we have no sidewalks - called them over - the older one is going into 5th grade - gave them the books with one especially for the younger sister that I asked Baily, the older girl if she would read it to her sister - it is an alphabet book with a short story or poem about an animal for each letter of the alphabet - felt so much better knowing the books are going to someone I sorta know rather than to Goodwill.
Also delightful - watched all morning out my kitchen window a male and female vireo building a nest in my hanging pot of philodendron - it is thick and lush this year - now I don't know if or how to water it without dosing the birds that I bet are nesting to lay eggs and hatch.
High high humidity all morning - storm yesterday evening and an email notice from the county there was supposed to be more but no, storms passed us by however, 89% humidity with temps raging between 92 and 94 and here Paul is replacing the Septic pump - obviously a couple of Tshirt changing day and my AC was going full on - by mid-afternoon the humidity let up to a reasonable 55% - Sun had broken through and dried us up.
Looks like we are in that time of the year when all outdoor activity needs to be completed by 9:/9:30 and not started up again till after 6: Once the temps are at least mid to high 90s consistently it will dry things up and life will be easier - yes, the temps will continue to soar but life is very doable without the high humidity.
For some reason it does not feel like Saturday - Good watching the Astros - it would be nice if they took the 4 game series but 3 is nice and tomorrow's game will be the story - I bet the Seattle Mariners are pleased that Daikin Park, the Astros stadium here in Houston, is air conditioned
hope y'all had a good day and even a better tomorrow...
Good morning..
WOW, the sun is making an appearance. :thumbup: Temp is 39° with more rain later on today.
A day of rest here but IF the grass dries it will get cut!
Barb, 90° + would make me into a puddle!!
Patricia, I do like to see the wildlife around.On one of my walks a wolf came out of a field ahead of me,then off he went on his hunt for food. All the while we were farming we never had any problems with them and there was lots to chose from. Calves, colts, lambs but they never touched any.
Jane, miss your posts! Hope you are making so many memories to leave there in their hearts and bring some home to share.
Phyllis, sorry I forgot to answer you. Kyle starts on more pain meds today so I hope they work! Otherwise we are doig fine here, thank you for asking.
Better put an egg in my boot and beat it.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Morning Everyfriend! This morning has already been busy and yesterday was even busier! I thought it was going to be slow around here because Ali and Dan and the kids when to the laked shore with Dan's parents but Cindy was in charge of looking in on Ali's flowers and we had a bad storm that blew some of the covers over so she made a quick trip back and Cindy and Jim went over to help her put it back in place. The did a "sort of" job on it but decided it has to be replaced. Darn it!! I guess that's on this week's agenda. No fun there!
Cindy and I are ready for church. The service is at 11 so we're a bit early! Bless you all!
I read all the entries and you all are having a busy time with neighbors, animals, weather, birdies, etc. Life is good!
Hello to you all. It's been a while since I posted. I've been almost 6 years in my present retirement home and I'm enjoying it very much. You often hear such terrible things about these places but I am perfectly content. The staff are kind and helpful and I will be sorry if I ever have to leave. It's cloudy and cool today so I will postpone my walk for today.
Hi Don! Great to see you. Nice to hear you are enjoying your stay there.We did see the sun earlier but now overcast and cool.
Good morning..
Sun is making an appearance,let's hope it decides to stay out! Busy day ahead with blood work,bill paying,trip to the dump and hopefully cut the grass!
Jane and Callie, heard on the news OK was getting bad weather ,are you ok in OK?
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Morning!
I hope you've been having a good Memorial Day weekend. Ron was here Saturday and Sunday. We worked on the Tiny house and the kids tree fort. We finally got the windows in the fort installed. One of them could only be done from a platform on the forks of the kubota (backhoe/front end loader). The dogs and I had to stay inside during that one: fumes. Ron intends to get the doors for it this week. The Gkids will be so pleased. While Ron ran more wiring in the tiny house I sealed 5/8ths plywood for the loft subfloor. We'd tried sealed OSB, but it was still outgassing toxins, especially when it got warm. It was 80° yesterday. I was finally able to go in without getting sick when we took out the last 2 sheets of OSB yesterday. Ron was working off of them. We brought in the 5/8ths ply when it dried and I didn't have a problem, even in the hottest part of the day. Ron went home yesterday late afternoon to spend today with our daughter and her family. Today will be a recovery day for me...and cleaning. There are big dog nosey smudges all over the window behind the RV sofa. LOL.
Hope your errands and blood work go well Amy. I too heard heavy storm damage from the south central plains states, and around the Gulf. Praying our friends and their loved ones are safe.
Good Morning Everyfriend! It's rainy in our part of Oklahoma and some things are blowing away but it's not damaging any buildings yet. We're watching the news and keeping our eyes on the weather! Ali and Dan and the kids are at a lke about an hour's drive from here and so far, we haven't heard any bad news. Cindy and I have been to her house to check the flower covers twice and Cindy and Jim have been there once to work on the flower covers. We're expecting rainy weather all week!
I also heard from Frankie and Cooper was on the mend last time. I'm waiting to hear how he's doing today! Daughter Cathy and DIL Sarah have been helping to keep an eye on him when she has to go to work! I think that's great for thme to do that.
I hope all of you have good weather, and healthy days. AMY, your hubby is in my prayers daily. I hope he doesn't get worse. It sounds like he's doing whatever he can to fight it!
Now I'm going to see what I can do to help Cindy around here! I already emptied the dishwasher and stripped my bed! She "sort of" has today off because most of the business she deals with on line are closed for the holiday! But if I know her, she'll find something to do to help them out. She's one of the bes accountants they could ever hope to have on their side!
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! We're the curious type!
GREAT TO SEE YOU DON! COME BACK OFTEN!
Good morning, busy day and busy month. Somewhere in the middle of June, they will be replacing all drains, Maintenance in today or tomorrow to fix things ahead of the annual inspection on the 18th and Tuesday or Wednesday, they will be inspecting stove hoods and vents by maintenance and fire personnel.
I'm sure this is all related to the guy on the second floor on the last of April, who smoked the entire building by overcooking something and then, for some unknown reason, sprayed the fire alarm sensor with water!?
Poor Farrah will be locked in the bedroom and I will have to be in the lobby, recreation room or elsewhere during the drain replacement, which depending on events may be five to seven days, eight to five.
Anyway, this entire coming month will be busy and if I could, I'd go on vacation somewhere.
Good Morning,
Oklahoma generally has had flooding rains the past few days. The floods have all been south and east of Oklahoma City. My area has had several inches and the rivers/lakes are full. The area where Jane is has had more and south of there has had damaging winds. Good that she hasn't experienced that.
I keep a walker on the patio because I don't want to bring grass, etc. inside when I go out in the yard. I usually put my phone in the bag under the seat but haven't lately because there were people with me outside.
This weekend, I went out alone and, when I lifted the seat to put my phone in the bag, I discovered a nest with a tiny blue speckled egg in there!! I had noticed a tiny bird flying off the patio when I had used the walker but I thought the nest might be behind the cabinet there. Never dreamed it was IN my walker!!!!!
This morning, I saw a wren fly onto my walker and make its way into the side of the bag. Google says it takes about two weeks for a wren's egg(s) to hatch. Since I don't know when she laid the egg...or has laid more...I don't know when it may hatch.
The weather and rain have watered the flower pots and grass so I think I'll just wait and see what happens.
Have a blessed Memorial Day, Everyfriend.
Callie, that's amazing and even after they or it hatches, I wonder how long the hatchlings will stay in the nest? I've thought they would need open access at some point?
Patricia, Google says wren fledgings fly in about 2 week after hatching. It will be interesting to see how parents get them out of the little bulge in the side of the pouch that they use.
True, and also room to maneuver during feeding/
Wow Callie - now that is interesting - in your walker - looks like anything on our porches is fair game - I wonder if birds seeking the shelter of a porch is alerting us to a lot more weather and to stay safe under cover is better.
I have a pair of vireo's nesting in my hanging Philodendron also on the porch - actually hanging from the ceiling at the edge of the porch - according to Google Vireo's incubate their eggs for 11 to 17 days. After hatching, the young vireos will usually fledge 9 to 11 days later. I sure wish I had one of those tiny nature cameras - regardless it should be fun watching what happens in about 2-3 weeks from now...
That's great Callie! How cool!!!
I'm patting myself on the back this afternoon. I used the 12' ladder and calked 2 seams, each side, of the roof underlayment in the main room of the tiny house. Its to keep out carpenter ants. There are 3 more seams at the crown, but they're out of my reach. I'm not stable enough for that kind of gymnastics. I felt as daring as skydiving. Something I'd always wanted to do before I became disabled. Now I have to find my thrills where I can. ;D
And I made yogurt, finally.
What had stayed east of us, finally came for us! Suddenly, the partially sunny skies turned black and lightening bursts and sounds of thunder ripped continuously through the skies. Then came the sheets of rain and hail. It's been 53 minutes and what I thought was a cloudburst has settled in to stay for a while.
I know there are many, disgusted and discouraged picnic and party goers, including those here prepping for a huge block wide, bring a dish barbecue They should have known, those storms wouldn't hang around east.
Thunderstorms Again Possible This Afternoon and Early Evening Across Parts of the Eastern and Southern Interior...
More thunderstorms are expected today, but they will be potentially stronger and more widespread than Sunday, with additional instability. This means storms may produce locally heavy downpours with frequent lightning and small hail. Winds aloft will be from the east- northeast, so storms will likely form over the higher elevations of the White Mtns, Yukon-Tanana Uplands, and the Upper Chena Basin then drift southwest into lower elevation valleys. As they fall apart, also expect the potential for brief strong and gusty, erratic winds.
In addition, locally heavy rain amounts are possible over the Western and Central AK Range with a northeast steering wind pushing storms into the AK Range slopes. Streams in steep terrain may see very rapid rises.
Recreators should be alert for areas of heavy rainfall, lightning, and for rapidly rising creeks and streams..
Yikes! :-\
Sounds like Oklahoma ::)
Hello Everyfriend! We've been having a lot of rain off and on. Cindy says there have been thunderstorms the last 2 nights but I don't hear them. I wear hearing aids all day and when I take them off and pull the bed covers up over my head, I can't hear what's outside! And everywhere that we chose to walk the last two days, it wasn't raining on us. Sometimes it rained on the car but it stopped when we parked and got out. It's supposed to rain most of the coming week and we're hoping it does the same all week!
The kids will be home tonight so I'm guessing we'll see them tomorrow. School is over and Ali has a lot of work to do on her flowers so I'm guessing the kids will be here. If you don't hear from me, it will be because I'm playing with the kids!
We were down by the lake and fed the ducks this morning and when we went down late afternoon, they were in the pond swimming toward where we were standing. When they saw us, the turned around and swam to the other side so we didn't have a close look tonight!
I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a happy day tomorrow. Do what suits your fancy! And do it again if you have time! The day is yours!
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYFRIEND 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Yep, and we are also in this rain rain rain - since I had bushes, small trees and climbing roses planted last week and the rain, even though heavy none of it has been a frog strangler and so, all the planting is thriving...
I should listen to the weather forecast because I cannot looking at the radar map figure out what all this rain is about - no big storm showing up northwest of us or up from Mexico our usual storm centers - the storms seem to be just springing up
Just setup one of those large DampRid contraptions to see if I can make at least the bedroom more tolerable. My AC bill is going to be as big as all get out as I keep the AC lower than usual, wearing a long sleeve shirt in the house however, anything to lower this humidity.
More rain tonight - hope to sleep through it... wishing y'all a sound sleep tonight... sweet dreams...
Quote from: BarbStAubrey on May 26, 2025, 10:16:05 PMJust setup one of those large DampRid contraptions to see if I can make at least the bedroom more tolerable. My AC bill is going to be as big as all get out as I keep the AC lower than usual, wearing a long sleeve shirt in the house however, anything to lower this humidity.
How about a dehumidifier? Check Amazon.
Good morning .
Another nice sunny day, we shall take that as more rain is coming tomorrow!
We are off to the city to pick up a device that hooks up to the tv that Kyle can watch with a volume turned off but it goes through his hearing aids!! :thumbup:
Neighbour is checking (spoiling) Jesse while we are away.
Callie, how cute!! You have a front row seat watching these little ones grow up and then take flight!
Jane, was Cooper sick or did he hurt himself? He is going to be all over you when you get back home.
Better get my city duds on.....best part of that is getting out of them as soon as we get home!
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Barb saw your post in the Gardening game listing Uña de Gato. I got curious. The first article I looked at said it is a South American plant, but then went on to say there are other plants that are commonly called Uña de Gato. That led me to an article with an extensive list of plants from all over that are part of the "tribe", including the Gardenia and Coffee. I ran across the designation "tribe" not too long ago. It seems they've modified Linus' classification system. Now I am going to have to acquaint (or re-acquaint) myself with what constitutes a tribe in the plant world.
Good morning Amy and everyone who shows up today.
After a mostly cloudy few days, we are to expect more rain starting tonight and going on through Wednesday. I don't think the cloudy weekend sky was the best for the Blue Angels at the airshow at Harrisburg International Airport. From the only one or two very short clips that made it to YouTube, it looks like they had to confine themselves to lower level flight stunts and fly-byes. I had no idea there was an airshow scheduled, let alone that the Blue Angles were going to be there.
I have a few things planned for this week which include a trip to get my annual blood-work done and maybe to take another foray to the local furniture store to check out mattresses. Otherwise, I will continue to pick through my stuff to see what I can pitch or reorganize to better advantage, arrange to get a few pieces of furniture removed to make room for the new bedroom furniture I want to order, pick-up meds for Oscar, and of course, the never ending routine housework.
Someone, just yesterday, posted a fix for a common Keurig coffee machine problem. It turns out most the plastic cover parts snap out, but you do need to use a small screw driver or other tool to pop one or two of the bits so you can lift or slide them off. Inside, tucked away in the middle of all the tubing and element there is a little fuse that commonly trips if the heating element overheats. You can reset the fuse, snap the parts all back together again, and go back to making your favorite brew. That is, of course, assuming the fuse doesn't trip again. Then, you would have to go through the process all over again. My sister and I have/had Keurigs, and they only seem to last maybe two years before they start acting up. The guy in the video clip wonders why, if it is that "easy" to correct a known/common problem, doesn't the company have a way to conveniently reset the fuse without taking the thing all apart? I would have to ask why the element is overheating in the first place, if in fact that is the reason for the fuse to trip. I think I would rather buy a new machine than take it apart and worry about faulty wiring or element that could possibly start a fire if the fuse fails to trip. My newest machine is a Ninja, and guess what, the exterior looks an awful lot like the Keurig in the YouTube video.
Good Morning Everyfriend! The kids will be here around 11 this morning. One of them has a dr. appt so we'll have the other 2 for a while and I'm guessing the third one while Ali goes home to work on the flowers.
AMY, Cooper picked up something somewhere. I'm not sure what or where but he's been throwing up and other stuff for a while. He was starting to feel bad right before I left and it's only now that he's feeling better! Frankie lets me know every day how he is and I can tell by her attitude that he's feeling lots better right now. They have him on a special diet so we shall see!
AMY, that TV hearing device that you got for KYLE...what is it called. I think I might like to check it out. Maybe I wouldn't have to turn the TV up so loud that they can hear it across the strre or up at the corner!
CALLIE, I love your birdie story! But it sure does take away your walking help. Maybe you should just sit there and watch the birdies! That way there's no chance of you falling and watching them could be fun!
I wish you all a great day! Mak it your own in every way...and tell us how you did that! Maybe we'll do it too!
Quote from: MarsGal on May 27, 2025, 07:45:52 AMSomeone, just yesterday, posted a fix for a common Keurig coffee machine problem.
MarsGal, - If you can find that link again would you PLEASE post it.
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=%20common%20Keurig%20coffee%20machine%20problem&atb=v481-5&ia=web
Those coffeepots seem to be like the stick vacuums and the Bissell Little Green multipurpose vacuum. None of them pass three to five years without breaking down.
I finally talked to some local repair folks and looked online. What I came up with was the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee maker, series DCC-3200. I have had absolutely no issues with it, and you change the water filter every two months, and it has a very good decalcifing cleaning cycle.
A red light comes on whenever you need to do both. I don't like the included reusable filter and buy my own paper ones for the filter basket. I bought a large box of the filters from Amazon, and use vinegar and tap water to clean, with a good rinse.
I bought mine in one of the local malls, but here is an online link, https://tinyurl.com/2ehsdrn6
Quote from: patricia19 on May 27, 2025, 10:43:36 AMhttps://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=%20common%20Keurig%20coffee%20machine%20problem&atb=v481-5&ia=web
That gets a lot of choices.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Keurig+repair
Hah! There seem to be several videos, Rick. The one I watched is "KEUROG doesn't work, here's why" posted by Mr. Carlson's Lab. Thought you might want to check out the others too. It isn't the exact model my Keurig is but the innards should still be the same or close to it. My NINJA looks more like the one he opened up. Have fun. Too bad I don't have an ohm/amp meter or diddle stick any more. Thanks for posting your results Patricia. I am going to take a look at them.
No electricity since last night about 10: - and then where I have the generator the WiFi went out - did not think the storm was all that bad but evidently...
Yes, MarsGal Uña de Gato grows wild all over the South Plains on rangeland - not in towns or further east.
Rammel rational for my madness on using a DampRid contraptions - humidifiers on Amazon, even the least expensive are more expensive and then require electricity $$ also, dumping is either hoses trailing across the floor or a larger full container to carry without sloshing to a sink or out a door where as, the DumpRid with 4 large tablets takes care of a room for 8 to 9 months and the container, about a quart is easier to manage without tumping it on the way to a drain.
Jane leaving knowing Cooper wasn't up to par must have been difficult - thank goodness you have Frankie to care for Cooper -
Amy you also with the alternating rain and sun - seems we are all experiencing whatever this weather cycle is all about - Callie and Jane are you finished with alternating rain and sun or is that still your weather pattern as well...
Well a nap is in order - the generator keeps the house cool but sure makes a racket and so where I did some sleeping a few times, I think when the AC comes on the generator sounds like a B-29 coming through the front door.
Rick, I did some checking for actual repair parts other than the external bits; they are hard to find. The only thing that I came up with is EBay which actually lists interior repair parts, like the mini-pump and the heater unit, etc. I am not a fan of EBay. Keurig doesn't even list the interior bits, just the exterior things. The life span of a Keurig coffee maker is five years. I forget when I bought mine, but I don't think it was a whole five years ago.
BARB, Cooper is Frankie's pet! I watch him for her while she works.
Ah so... thanks for clarifying
My Keurig is a one cup at a time - pour a cup of water in the top, and get a cup of coffee. I had one that died, and I could not find a way to get it apart without breaking something. That last piece, wherever it is, must snap in, So you must know where it is in order to open it.
I'm one of those people who can't just throw it away and get a new one. I HAVE to take it apart to see why it failed, and hopefully fix it.
"Too bad I don't have an ohm/amp meter or diddle stick any more. " - I have those, and most of my old electric/electronic stuff.
I just have to get the damn thing apart :2funny:
My current Keurig is getting on, but I have a standby waiting up in the attic.
I believe the routine cleaning is important. Keeps minerals from the water from building up and causing problems.
A day without coffee is a day without-------.
MarsGal - Thanks for those Keurig links. Very interesting, and I'm not done yet. There was a similar setup to get my sons shaver cleaner apart.
Good morning..
Rain ahead of us today, temp is a nice 41°. We have a truck load of wood coming this morning at 7am. Now I have my work cut out for me. :2funny: If weather permits some of the garden will be put in and then that job is in the rear view mirror.
Yesterday went well, young lady explained how to hook up the new hearing system to the tv and we did it without a hitch! :thumbup:
Jane, will send you the information via email of phone. I do understand about the loud tv too!
Barb hope you have your power back on.
Better get things in order for the wood.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good Morning Everyfriend! I'm up and attem this morning! I just got back from my morning walk (3500 steps). This afternoon we will have Cam, that's the little guy. Ali is taking the other two kids to a movie. I forget what Cindy said it was but when she told me I knew it was something they would love and Cam would be too young to sit still!
Now I'm on my own for a bit. Cindy is at her daily job on line and Jim is in the yard!
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. We're the curious type!
Good morning, we had another thunderstorm late yesterday and last night, with thick, dark low-hanging clouds this morning at forty-nine. Sunday is to be warmer, but the sixth through the fourteenth will be back to rain again.
Meet and greets, morning routines and such are finished, and I've yet to start my coffee. Today, maintenance will be here on our floor to install fire blankets and fire suppression cans under stove vent hoods between 8 and five and sometime in the next two months they will be back in to dismantle and put in new drains.
We're to have five days notice before they reach us. And June eighteenth, people from the capital will be doing apartment inspections with my floor, scheduled between two thirty and four thirty. We might, possibly, have July on to enjoy summer.
Well I'll be... just looked at the National Weather Radar Map and most of the nation is dry there are 4 storm centers in the lower 48 and one in Alaska - it appears those of us who post about rain just happen to live within these storm centers while the rest of the nation is just fine...
Jane could not help notice there is as much rain in Pa as you are experiencing in Ok - Had heavy rain here this morning - we did get our Electricity and finally the Wifi back yesterday - rain the remainder of the week - no sense waxing the furniture and probably should call ABC and postpone the outside treatment till early next week.
I should be delighted in that the rain is coming in controlled storm after storm rather than all at once washing the entire city away flooding everything - notice there is flooding in the Hill Country which is unusual - Austin is at the edge but no flooding however big time flooding in Fredericksburg about an hour and a half west of Austin and I'm hearing there is some flooding in the Dallas area. Thanks goodness no flooding here... small mercies...
Good morning..
Liquid sunshine out there this morning with a temp of 55° . Our wood came yesterday and he said I may have to spil a few......hmmm I don't think so! They are a husband and wife team and do an awesome job!! Mainly maple and beech, and now need to pile it.
Garden is all in but zuchinnis and cucmbers an now this rain is helping it along the way. Since no work outside ,buttertarts and date squares and laundry to be done. Wonder if anyone ever has a day when nothing needs to be done???
Better get the day started.
Enjoy your day and stay safe
Good Morning Everyfriend! I've been up and attem for a while. Have some laundry going and had my breakfast. Cindy is at work at her desk and has had conversations with two of the people she works for. I'm always amazed at how much she knows about accounting and businesses. She also does the paper work for her brother who owns a business back in PA where I live. This is great!
I have a load of laundy going. I running short of PJs and jeans. It's almost too cold for most of the clothes I brought with me and I'm making use of some of Cindy's sweaters.
I've been checking the weather back home in PA and it's almost the same as here. That's very unusual! It's usually a lot warmer here that it is there!
I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way! Hey...it's yours to do whatever suits your fancy!
Good morning, 50, cloudy skies and scattered showers, Memorial Day is when many local gardens are planted, but I'm not sure whether that will be the case this year. Last year at this time we were close to the nineties, for reference.
Frost Potential for the Southern Interior Saturday Morning...
Near or below freezing temperatures are expected to impact much of the Southern Interior late Friday into early Saturday. Areas of frost are expected by Saturday morning. It might be best to wait until after the weekend to plant your garden or cover/protect sensitive vegetation that was already planted, since winter isn't quite over yet.
We had an overly hot, record-breaking summer last year, a rainy winter, and it looks as if that trend is to continue through most of June.
We had our fire controls installed yesterday, they were interesting items, fire suppresent can mount under the stove hood, and a fire blanket mounted next to the fire extinguishers. The guy that smoked up the entire building last month, trying to cook, was the catalyst for all these improvements. The smoke alarms here are very sensitive. Now the drains and annual inspections are next.
I normally run about getting everything extremely clean and resorted, rearranged for these inspections, but with all my under the counter items from kitchen and bath, grouped on my living room office furniture, it really depends on who shows up first. Either the drain dismantle and new installs or the inspectors. Usually, the inspections, all of three to five minutes, quick run through and a "This is nice", on the way to the next.
It was 80°F again yesterday, and is supposed to be 70°F today. I'm more comfortable with 70° as it was just a week ago our day time high was mid 40°s. Too quick a transition. I'm doing more mowing and laundry today. The only thing I can do in the tiny house is sweep, and it only took me 6 minutes. I did get my hearth tile last weekend but I didn't even open it as the pallet is plastic wrapped and that will protect it if it rains. Its sitting outside for now.
for Patricia
https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/photos-and-more/photos-old-and-new/msg263632/#msg263632 (https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/photos-and-more/photos-old-and-new/msg263632/#msg263632)
Good morning...
Starting off cloudy but we may see sun later on today.....temp is 53° at the moment.
Busy day ahead ,to town to pick up meds the home to play in the wood pile.
Made two batches of pastry yesterday, one will go into making tarts and the other???
Jane, I don't mind the cooler weather for working outside,but warmer would help the garden.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Thanks, Bubble, for posting those photos of our latest evening steady rainstorm.
Well two maintenance visits down, fire equipment installed inside the stove hood and the following maintenance finished for requested building tasks before the inspection in June. Next is the yearly inspection in June by folks from the capitol, and then the dismantling and replacement of all building drains. Since they are going top to bottom by sections, they probably won't reach me until late June or later.
So, I'm doing a thorough clean and putting back, for now, all that I pulled out from under the cabinets, since I thought the drain dismantle would take place earlier. This is, evidently, the next phase of renovations starting three years ago.
In 2022, new windows, new balconies, exterior windows and patio doors, screens and railings were installed throughout the apartment complex. Patio deck drainage was improved. Siding on the outside of the building was repaired or replaced. The exterior was painted in key areas to improve the overall appearance. Finally, additional upgrades were made to improve functionality to the building.
Good Morning Everyfriend! I've been up and attem for a long time now. Cindy and I went to the store to buy what Ali would need to make her jam when we start tomorrow. And I bought her a canning book of her own to keep and some other things that I thought she might need! When we finish this, I'll also have her birthday taken care of. She decided that her first choice is apricot jam so that's what we'll be doing tomorrow. I think we got everything she needed this morning. We shall see!!
I wish you all a great day! Take it and make it! Do whatever suits your fancy! PATRICIA, it looks like you'll be busy today and for the next several days...maybe weeks. Good luck to you!
Good afternoon all,
Its another beautiful day, 78°F. I set out to accomplish all sorts of things and didn't get near as far as I wanted. It was a Dump and Fill day so I fired up the well generator, and the sprinklers, after setting out the drinking water jars, the safe hoses and the filter. Of course I'm still using the RV house battery to jump the well generators battery until Ron brings the replacement. I had all kinds of sprinklers going, scrubbed the laundry water jugs, rinsed those and moved to fill the onboard 40 gal fresh water tank. Only it wouldn't. I futzed around with that trying to figure out why it wouldn't fill for 20-30 minutes before stripping back the fittings to the bare minimum and by passing whatever the problem was. Got that filled, then filled the drinking water jars. I was tired but after a bit of a rest I dumped the black and grey into the Rhino and hauled it to the landing area. And that was about all the go power I had. So I'm puttering about cleaning and doing laundry. I dug out my hand spinning and am doing that. Thats about it. Hope you all are having a lovely day.
OnLonelyMountain - I'm assuming "OnLonelyMountain" indicates you are high on the hill. How high are you? Did you ever get that signal booster working?
Rick, will a signal booster even help much with all the fresnel obstructions. Well, I suppose it would if OLM has a sweet spot with and line-of-sight, which I think she does, but it is minimal. But I am thinking 2mtr and cell phones. Does anyone know how effective StarLink is in dense woods situations? I haven't seen much about it lately, other than all those rockets going up.
Speaking of, pretty soon we will be looking at just twinkling satellites but no stars since China and a few other countries are putting or planning on putting up their own equivalent of StarLink. Just think what a mess that would become once space-worthy vehicles become routine from just about everywhere, going to and coming from the rest of the solar system. I expect communications will have evolved by then, too. I expect I will find out in another life. Well, I have plans for my future life; I will be in Space Fleet in Communications or Logistics assuming I don't come back as a worm or flea or some-such since I won't have any say in the matter. ::)
Hi Rick,
I'm at 3500'. Its not the highest mountain in this range, but it is a mountain. Well there are 3 tops; I suspect its part of a caldera.
A little bit- I got the outside antennae communicating with the inside booster with no oscillation feed back. I've got the inside antennae communicating with the booster with no oscillation feedback from either the booster or outside antennae... in several different locations. I lashed the 20' telescoping outside antennae's pole to the RV, fore and aft, and to 3 different trees, and checked several more. Every time I moved the outside antennae I had to reconfigure the booster and inside antennae for oscillation. Sigh. The problem is that when Ron built the grandkids a tree fort, he put it right on the only viable signal pathway. I ran around with my ipad and signal direction finding app and checked every possible location I could reach with the coaxel cable I have. It either pointed to the treehouse or the deep woods. Sigh. The good news is I have a clear line of sight from the location where we intend to permanently mount it on the tiny house. And I've had lots of practice at setting up to prevent signal oscillation😀. I just got frustrated with 1 shaky bar and having to go up to the top of the hill to suck in anything but small text files. Thats why I decided to try to set it up from the RV.
MarsGal
I checked Starlink out thoroughly. They don't do cell yet, just internet, so I'd have to have both. The cost would be horrific.
Good morning..
Wet one out there with a temp of 43°. Wood pile is getting smaller and if the day permits it just may disappear today! The kids are coming up today for a short visit so after they leave the job may get done.
Neighbour said a bear was crossing the road and heading this way yesterday and it stayed deep in the woods after that.
Jane, I went to a store that sells car parts etc and pick up a telescopic magnet to get the canning lids out of the hot water,works like a charm!
Better get on with the day.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
Good morning Amy and all,
Yay! On the kids coming to visit, and on the pile almost stacked! Nice new kitchen gadget you've got there. :D
Was it a black bear or Grizzley? We just have black/brown bears here. The adults avoid people. I've had a few cubs in camp. They're very cute and lots of trouble, so I run them off.
Good Morning Everyfriend! This morning has been a busy one! Ali and Emma showed up with breakfast in hand. They ate and then we piled in the car and took off for the Farmer's Market. It was enormous! I bought 3 things and Cindy and Ali each bought a bagful! I picked up something on a stand and said to the young lady behind the table, "If I don't open this, how long will it keep?" She answered "FOREVER" and she made a sale. It's Cinnamon Honey to take home and enjoy>
Now we're getting ready to head over to Ali's after lunch and make jam to can. And you just reminded me that I forgot to buy here a lid grabber and I didn't bring mine along. I'm thinking along these lines and I think I did get her one the last time we made jam down here. I'll have to check that out!
Now I better get some things done before Ali calls to say they finished lunch and she's ready to can! Emma hung out here!
I wish you all a great day! Make it your own in every way! And tell us how you did that! We're interested! Or do I mean "we're nosy"?
Good late morning, it's 51 presently, but the expected unusual frost stayed above 1500 feet in the foothills. Tomorrow is expected to warm again.
Morning routines, meet and greets, finished and coffee perked earlier, and I've been doing some cleaning, measuring, and reclaiming inside and underneath cupboards. While I plan, declutter, and discover long forgotten items packed away in sterilite boxes.
This floor's annual inspection isn't until June 18th, and I'm hoping to get what I want accomplished long before that time.
Amy, OLM, we have enough bears in this area, often in the edges of the suburbs. Black bears, Grizzlies, Kodiak bears, all share this plain and foothills with us. Actually, unless they're food conditioned, most will avoid you. There have actually been reports of tourists, throwing rocks at bears to get a better photo.
QuoteThere have actually been reports of tourists, throwing rocks at bears to get a better photo.
:uglystupid2:
:tickedoff: :-X
:idiot2: :knuppel2: :uglystupid2: And people wonder who let them in!!
They get to leave, but what about the next unexpecting person?
Exactly!!!
Its a windy day here. 22-30 mph gusts. Mostly sunny. Aprx 80°F in the shade. The breeze makes it tolerable. The wildlife is laying low. Stuff comes down. Yesterday we had the babies thru the jr elk playing in the meadow. They were bucking and kicking while chasing each other. Pretty cute. :smitten:
Well the day didnt go as planned but it was a good day. Kids are coming tomorrow as their plans were changed. Managed to get all the wood piles , two loads of laundry abd 4 doz buttertarts done. I am not doing anythingbother than meals tomorrow....I hope!
OLM we just have black bears here in this area. Did you get any photos of the elk?
Patricia, should the animal retaliate then it is shot! When it comes to people like that you cant fix stupid.
Off to put my feet up for a bit.
Hi Amy, not this time. They were too far away for pictures. The lenses on cell phones, etc make them look so far away, kinda like car door mirrors. One year, before I got Kato, I got video of a herd of 30+ sneaking up to the RV to see if we were dangerous. Rosie and I just sat quietly and watched. It was awesome. When they got pretty close one cow would come forward and turn her rump t'wards us then limp away like she was injured! Then they'd all trot off a bit and wait to seen if a predator would come after the "injured one."
Let's start a new Soda Shoppe HERE (https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/soda-shoppe/soda-shoppe-june-1-2025/)