Janie--Like you, I was the one who picked up friends and did most of the driving.  I was glad to be able to do it.  I don't drive anymore at night either, so on the rare occasion that I go out after dark, I have to ask someone to pick me up.  Glad you got such a good nap.

Hi Kids, I think I have acquired a new enemy..sore throat and slight cough. I don't feel good. So changed back to nightgown and stayed home after the meeting this morning. I have cough syrup, cough drops, thermometer, which registers as normal. The tea, brandy and honey did help, and I ate a hearty lunch, but things always seem more bleak at night fall, so I think I'll do another tea drink, have a light supper, take the rest of the daily meds, remove the nitro patch for the night hours and just relax, and let go. I know I should avoid the public, as it is too easy to pass things along to the other elderlies. If I don't feel better by morning I will call down to the clinic and arrange to have meals sent up.

Take care dear hearts, be well and happy. I love you much. June

I'm home from my meeting and, thanks to Suzanne, I don't have to drive there at night.  It was a good meeting and I learned some things. 

I think I'll do like JUNE and opt for an early bedtime tonight.  I have to work tomorrow and then I have Kiran on Thursday so early to bed makes sense tonight. 

I wish you all a peaceful night's rest and a good day tomorrow.  May God bless us, every one!

Jane, yes, I saw your message over in the "What's for dinner" board.

Now, I have to wait until I can get some beets.  I don't remember seeing beets at our grocery store, but might have missed them, since I really wasn't looking for them.  I wont' be going to a Farmer's Market until probably after Thanksgiving.  We have an indoor market/craft show after Thanksgiving up to right before Christmas. There are several produce people there.  Unless, I can get to the Amish market up in Shrewsbury, Pa.  Where in Maryland does your daughter live? 

Have a good evening.

Joy

Good evening.....running behind again, but did get all the posts read and know what you all are up to. 

We went to Dr. Dave's for Halloween.  Enjoyed our Michele's special home made mac and cheese for dinner. It has been the tradition for many years, and it sure was delicious.  We stay at their home to pass out the candy so they can all go out as a family and have fun.  All the kiddos we had at the door were the most polite ones we have had in years.  They were all delightful.  Older kids on an average...think little ones are doing more organized trick or treating these days. 

Today was the community bus to Black Hawk, our gambling town.  We had a fun chat session on the way up....pulled a few one arm bandits arms and enjoyed a nice lunch.  It was a beautiful day.  On the way home, my dad called to tell me had a fall when he got out of bed very early this morning.  He ended up going to the ER but was released after several hours.  He is extremely bruised and has a very large blood thing pooling just in front of his arm pit.....they just want him to keep ice on it and watch it....so I am breathing easier now.  So hard to have him so far away when issues arise like this. 

GLORIA, Bob and I use no extra salt at all, so we, too, find many prepared meals much too salty.  Hope you enjoy the next one you try more. 

We have a family friend's funeral tomorrow.  It is in MN so we will not attend but sure will be there in spirit.  Sorry about your loss, JANE. 

JUNE, I am sorry you have managed to pick up a cold...I hope you can rest well tonight and hope you are feeling better tomorrow.  Hugs. 

I have been on the telephone making calls, so time has slipped away.  Will say good night for now.

Jenny

JENNY...
...Sorry to hear of your fathers fall, times like this one feels so helpless, as you say, re, the travelling difference....

Jenny, I hope this time round you got the better of that one armed bandit...
..............................

Been another restless night for me, we both got up around 3.am...then I managed to grab another hours sleep in bed, 30 or 45 mins later..... Its now 5.15am...been up half hour already, and I am now up and about drinking my first cup of tea of the day...and pondering on which way today will go...been a " swings and roundabouts..." last couple of weeks.....

Good Wednesday morning, Everyfriend.  There's a breakfast buffet to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!




Diet Additive

During one of our weekly weight-loss classes, the group leader was extolling the merits of the program's prepared-food products.

She raved about the rich, delicious flavor of the imitation chocolate fudge and the nondairy pops, assuring us that we could eat them without the least fear of ruining our diets.

The woman next to me nodded her head emphatically and then whispered, "They're even better when you spread peanut butter on them!"



Crops and Weeds

By Joel Vande Werken
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
Matthew 13:26
In farming, weed control is a common process, and it takes a lot of work. Today herbicides and other products are often used to control the growth of destructive, unwanted plants.
In Jesus’ day, however, no such products were available. Undetected weeds would grow along with a crop, crowding out growing plants and competing for valuable sunlight and for nutrients in the soil.
In our growth and development as followers of Christ, we learn that the devil works to choke out a possible harvest. He can’t uproot the good seed sown by God’s Word, but he can try to crowd out its growth. Perhaps you’ve seen this in your own life. Broken family relationships and friendships, selfishness, greed, immorality, and turning back to old habits seem to overtake the growth of God’s good seed, and we wonder if there will be a harvest.
Jesus’ story makes clear that God is not the author of evil: “An enemy did this.” And yet the story also shows God’s ability to produce a harvest despite the presence of evil. While we should not embrace anything that works against God’s will, we need not worry that evil can choke out the growth of the good seed God sows.
This is good news! Though we can’t protect ourselves from every evil influence, we can be sure that God will protect his harvest in us.
So many weeds grow among the good seed of our lives, Lord. By your Spirit, work within us, guard our hearts, and keep our hope of the harvest alive. Amen.



“Who you are is what you settle for, you know?

~ Janis Joplin

Good Morning everyone. I wish each and everyone a great day just as you desire. I am off to KC V A today by Va shuttle , straight to the operating room and have a growth in my rt cheek removed as a out paint. they say think it is non cancerous. Have a great day.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone..

Another nice day in the making here..no snow 

I need to deliver some quilt kits to a lady plus take a quilt top to another lady that will take it to the long arm for me. Think I had better get hubby out of the house for a bit before he goes stir crazy..

Lloyd, good luck on the surgery..

Joan ,thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  And a special good morning to you, Joanie.  And thanks for your extra work in making this a good experience for all of us.  I know I don't show my appreciation as often as I should but I feel it every day.

Lloyd, prayers go with you today.  I trust that all will go well and recovery will be speedy.

Joy, my daughter lives in Frederick, MD.  I don't know how far that is from where you live but it's about 2 and 1/2 hours from here.  Since my granddaughter now lives with her, I don't see her as much as I used to.  I miss that contact but I know that the two of them are enjoying being together again.

Amy, you sneaked in while I was typing.  "No Snow" isn't quite the forecast that I look for.  Although it's definitely a good one.  What I'd rather hear is, sunshine and temps in the 70.  I guess we won't hear that one around her for a while!  Darn!

It's getting on toward time to feed the doggies and start getting ready for work.  I've had my first cup of coffee and I'm ready for breakfast.  I wish you all a good day full of whatever pleases you the most.

Good morning, Lloyd.  I hope all goes well for you at the VA today.

Amy--Good morning.  No snow there means no dances with snow removal equipment.  I imagine your husband will be very glad to get out of the house.

Good morning, Janie.  Your kind words are appreciated!!  Up that way it'd be a miracle to have a winter without snow.  I wish you all smiles in your line at WM today.

It's errand day for me--and maybe breakfast out.

Good MOrning Everyone!

Joanie, thanks for breakfast for the tummy and soul.  I think we all have had a few weeds in our life.

Lloyd I hope things go well with you and everything heals up quickly and nicely.  No fun being cut on.

Janie, I hope your day goes well.  Give the pups a hug for me.

Jackie, hopefully your sleep returns to normal soon.  It makes a long day when you get up so early.

Amy, enjoy the day out with your hubby.  Maybe you can find a nice cafe to have a noon meal in.

I have to go pickup my med for my injection next week.  I still haven't figured out why they don't have the med on hand at the hospital.  Oh, well, hopefully this is the last one for awhile.  I will have to see how my blood test comes out and if my PSA has gone to zero.  If not, I will have another series of three shots.

Everyone have a good day.

Good morning everyone, no frost this morning and is warm 48°. Crazy weather still going on.

JOAN  a squash pie looks like a pumpkin pie but the taste is milder. May be a Yankee thing.

LARRY  I had a SIL who was a good cook and baker but when she got older and she had company she would take bought pastry and store it in the oven, then she would tell her guests that she just took it out of the oven. She did not lie. The graham cracker pie crusts are good for some pies but would never use one for a fruit pie.

AMY  at least there are 2 things I will order from Schwans again. Still have more to have. Come opn over, still have a lot of those shrimp. Only had 4 of them and I did not count how many there are in that bag.

MARY ANN  I had a lot of cake recipes and I also made the 7 minute frosting. It was not hard to make, just took more time. I did even bake bread, so tasty compared to what we buy. All those things I can no longer do. I always thought pumpkin pie was darker with the spices used. 

JOAN  if my Mom had extra piecrust she would roll it out and spread some sugar and cinnamon on it and roll it up. Make tuts about every inch and bake it. I did the same thing only I would add some nuts and of course my 3 always looked forward to that.

AMY  I would love to find a good old fashioned doctor who would take care of every thing, now you get an Internist and they send you to all kind of specialists.

JUNE  hopr today finds you with more of your energy.

GLORIA de  I saw one little one here, her Mom brought her to see her Grandma and she was dressed like Super Woman,. That was the only one I saw but AI know one lady's great grand would have been here. Yesterday at this time every thing was covered in a heavy frost and now from what I see on the TV it is 50°

JEANNE LEE  I am glad my hearing is still good. I would never be able to afford hearing aids.

HAL  I am with you about having one doctor who gets to know the patient and not a lot of specialists who give you 15 minutes if you are lucky.

JANE  I know that time when driving at night gets to be hazardous. Last time I did it I was shaking by the time I pulled into the driveway. Now I do not drive at all and I sure miss that independence.

JENNY  sorry about your Dad's fall. That is the one thing that scares me. I did enjoy the coconut shrimp. I have 3 more of those chicken pot pies and do not think I will try them.

JACKIE  no fun when we do not get the sleep we need.

JOAN  a buffet this morning will be great. Getting tired of oatmeal every morning. Chuckles, don't like artificial food so would not  want what that group leader was trying to sell. Another Food for Thought copied. Thank you for all today's goodies.

LLOYD  my thought and prayers are with you today.

AMY  have a nice day taking your hubby out for a drive.

JOAN  enjoy you time out for errands and don't rush home.

HAL  hopefully that shot will do what it is supposed to.

Hi everyone.  We have sun today after a day yesterday when it stayed overcast all day and the temperature went no higher than 75.  Today we expect to get to 80 degrees.  Yesterday I saw my Cardiologist for a followup appointment and don't need to see her again for 6 months.  I was shocked as was finished and on my way home within 30 minutes of my appointment.  That was most unusual.  Later I took Pat  to the chiropractor.  Today should also be quiet and I will fix the sausage muffins for Pat and I don't know what else.  I will eat tonight at the church with Scott and then he plans on coming out to spend a few hours with us.

Joan, so far so good with the new Gateway.  Pat used her computer all day without having to reboot it or lose the wi-fi connection.  Glad I tumbled onto the fact the router was going bad before I spent a lot of money trying to get her computer repaired.  My Dad always wanted pie crust with his strawberries and cream.  It had to be very thin and crispy. 

deAngel, that was a great thing for the high school Key Club to do.  I am sure my wife is going to have to get hearing aids one of these days.  I am having to raise my voice for her to understand what she is saying and she is speaking more softly and I am having to ask her to repeat herself a lot.  My hearing may be weakening but certainly isn't bad.  Hearing aids are certainly expensive but glad they have them to help people hear. 

June, hope you have been able to ward off the head cold and that today finds you feeling a bit more peppy. 

JaneS, like Joan said she felt when she was able to drive a friend somewhere, I too find it satisfying to do something like that. 

Jenny, sorry to see that your Dad had fallen and I bet he will be very sore for awhile.  Sure glad he didn't break a bone. 

Jackie, you sure are having short nights. 

Lloyd, I sure hope you get the non-cancerous report that you are expecting. 

Mary Ann, I haven't had a 7-minute cake frosting for years.  My mother used to make it and Pat made some in the past.  It sure was better than what we get in the cans now. 

Amy, I can understand your hubby needing to get out of the house for awhile.  Pat feels the same way as other than go to the chiropractor and a few times out to eat she hasn't left the house. 

Hal, are you taking the Lupone shots?  I hope your PSA has also gone to zero. 

Gloria, I like what your SIL's did with her pies.  It is like buying potato salad or something at the store and bringing it home, adding something to it, and putting it in your own dish to take to a potluck or to serve at home.  My mother also would use the left over pie crust and make strips with sugar and cinnamon on it.  It sure was good and crisp and a real treat.  Good memories. 

Good Wednesday morning.

Joan, the buffet breakfast was very good this morning.  I hope you get to have breakfast out today.  I will add my thanks for all you do here to keep us all up to date and fed.  LOL

Jane, I am not quite an hour from Frederick.  That is a very nice town with a lot of history.  I haven't been up there for a good while.  A few years ago, I had read that they had created an area they were calling the river walk.  My DIL and I went up to see what all was there.  It was a nice little promenade along a little stream, I guess you would call it.   Several restaurants and other shops.  Nothing like the River Walk in San Antonio, tho.   We had lunch and looked around.  We also went to a farmers market that was in the area.  I would like to go to a restaurant up there called Dutch's  Daughter, I think it is.   Looks like such a nice place.  There is also a wonderful, huge Joann Fabric's Store in one of the shopping centers. 

Gloria, I am getting an order from Schwan's today.   A bag of corn dogs and a pumpkin pie.  All the talk here lately about pumpkin pie was making me hungry.  Schwan's had a special on the pumpkin pie.  I won't have room in my freezer, so I will bake it when it comes.
I will have to try the coconut shrimp.  I am not a big "hotdog" person, but I do like their corn dogs.  Nice thick coating of the corn meal coating. A quick lunch or dinner.

When I make up my pie dough, I always make a double batch, as I only make a one-crust pie.....so I will use the rest of the dough and make the little cinnamon and sugar "things".  I roll it out and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, roll it up and slice it into little circles and bake them.  A nice little homemade pastry for breakfast.  Also, lots of time instead of making an apple pie, as such,  I roll out the dough into a large circle and put it in a deep dish, letting the extra dough fall over the sides of the dish,  fill it will apples and just fold all the extra crust over the apple mixture.  Makes like a tart, I guess.  A lot easier than making a regular apple pie. 

Hope everyone who is not feeling up to par this morning, will feel better and have a good day.   Our weather today is supposed to be up in the 70's.  I know that cold weather is on it's way,  so I will enjoy these special warm days as long as I can.

Joy

Gloria, I'm looking into Schwan's too, along with several others.  I had Tom look at their site and told him to take note of the quantities.  Tom has a habit of grabbing something regardless of size and I end up throwing half away often.  With Schwan some things serve 12, others four.  Tom often is gone around suppertime and I am left to fend for myself, which is no problem, but other than Mrs C's pot pies (esp Chicken Mushroom) I usually am not too fond of what we have.  It isn't that I am too picky, it is that there is a sameness with the taste.  I think pumpkin pies may be darker, especially if cloves are used as a spice.  It's been so long since I made a pumpkin pie that I forget about the spices:  ginger, cloves and cinnamon?  What my mother did with extra pie crust was similar to yours, Gloria, but there wouldn't be enough for big pieces and she'd just take what was there, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on the pieces and bake them.  I've done it for myself too.

We didn't have any trick or treaters Monday and I have two bags of bite-sized candies.  If I open a bag, I'll eat the contents, so I'll let someone else open one.  Quantities again.  I didn't tell Tom we usually don't have any kids and I like to be prepared just in case, so one bag would have been enough.  Oh well, Tom helps me in so many ways, I won't say anything.

Joy, I'm not sure we'll get up to 70 today, but we are at 61 degrees now.  Several in our family get together for lunch each week and today is the day.  There will be only Tom, Terry, Dot and me so we're going to a sports bar where the food is good and the place is noisy!!!

Mary Ann

I didn't expect to be gone so long, but you know how the time sometimes flies when you do errands and then have breakfast and chat with a friend.  I've read all the posts and now must do my nebulizer treatment.

I'm home from work but I have to scoot back to the store before 4:30.  One of my special working friends is retiring and today is her last day.  I want to take a little gift and a not to her before she leaves.  I'm giving her a jar of homemade black raspberry jam and a dishcloth that I knitted so she can remember me every time she does the dishes.  We've laughed together, griped together, had lunch together and compared notes on lots os subjects and I'll certainly miss seeing her!

After that, I have NOTHING planned for the rest of the day and that's exactly what I think I'll do!

If you check out our HOME PAGE you'll see a lovely graphic made by GinnyAnn!

Janie--How thoughtful to take a note and a jar of jam to your friend from work.  I am sure you will miss seeing one another.

Jeanne Lee--Thanks for the link--lovely work by Ginny Ann.

Well I am home.tired. the worst pain so far was the shots the put in my face to deaden it. they covered my whole face except where they were working. a male senior doctor and a female doctor  and a nurse.
I told them they needed to put a mirror up so I could watch and see they were doing it correct. they just chuckled. I could here every word they said . the senior doctor was mainly guiding her and she was mostly doing the cutting. they put in a small bottle in salutation to send off for testing. said did not think it is can-curos though. they showed it to me it is about the size of a marble (medium size) have a great day .I am off to the couch for a nap.

Lloyd

Loyd--I know you are glad to have that procedure over.  I hope you can get a good nap.

Hi, all, another not so good day, so I am staying in, doing what I have to do. Taking the meds, eating enough to keep the body going, and just reading and resting. A scratchy throat, a tickle in the chest that keeps me coughing. So that is my story for today. Keep well, be happy, my Love to you all. June

Good Afternoon Everyone...
I was fortunate today to spend time with
my daughter Kelly,  her daughter Madison and Madison's daughter Fi.     

We went "Good Will hunting"  (thrift shop),
then went out to lunch and on to get me
some groceries.    It was a good time had by
all.   

Fi was great and we had a good laugh
about some believing that she was
naked  in that pumpkin..   (giggle)

She had her diaper on and
the whole pumpkin was covered
so that she did not get any
pumpkin on her  skin.   

Except she did try to eat the pumpkin
(around the rim)  before they rescued
her.      She just loves to eat food.   

All the time that we were  eating
lunch today,  Fi was sitting there getting
her share served up from her Mom.     

Even though she has been
nursing for six months,  she love eat
real food.      Funny and cute.   

So we had a great day  ...  All four
generations!!! 

Have a good day,  Everyone ...
And June,  I hope that  you are
feeling better soon.
Sandy

June--I am sorry you still are not feeling well.  Be sure to eat and keep yourself hydrated.

Sandy--I am sure Fi was just adorable.  How nice it is you get to spend time with family on Wednesdays.

June, get well soon.  Otherwise, well, just, otherwise.......

Hello Friends!  Today was one of those days that renews one's faith in the goodness of people.

One of my customers was an elderly (about my age) gentleman pushing his favorite lady in a wheel chair.  I spoke to her as I always do to those in wheelchairs.  She didn't respond and he told me that she doesn't speak and she has the beginning stages of Altzheimers.  They had quite a lot of stuff so I suggested that I might get a cart to put it in to take to the car, thinking that I'd get a stock person to help them out with it.  When it was all loaded, he said that he thought he could handle both the chair and the cart.  The people behind them in line was a lady and her grown daughter.  I heard them discussing something and the younger lady took off after the couple.  I looked at her mother and said, "She's going to help them, isn't she?"  Her mother nodded.  She checked out and her daughter wasn't back yet.  I said, "when you see your daughter, give her a hug for me and tell her she made my day special."  And she really did. 

A few customers later, an older lady forgot a package and the next customer in line, grabbed it and ran after her to give it to her.  Two good people in less than half an hour and both of them in my line.  It's been a good day!

I forgot to say that the elderly gentleman told me his mother is still living, is 101 and lives alone and takes care of herself.  He said she tells everyone that she has to stick around to take care of her "little boy".

A sign of our times?
I went to a mall here in London where I had worked about 12 years ago as a Santa and where I hope to gain employment this year. 
I was informed that they have not had a Santa for the past three years and when I asked why I was informed "political correctness." There were many complaints from the new arrivals in the neighbourhood about Christmas adornments---including Santa----so they discontinued it.  I pressed him further and asked, do you mean Muslims? He reluctantly said yes and added that the mall Christmas decorations will be at an absolute minimum this year.

I wonder if in a few years Christmas will be against the law. 

June , Please get well soon your missives are being missed here

Mycheal

it's my opinion (for what it's worth) that we are bending over backward to accommodate those whose beliefs are different than those on which our two countries were founded.  If there is to be equality, we deserve to have our beliefs respected also.  That's my soapbox and I'm standing on it!