Patricia, You may be thinking of Ginnie B in connection with Helona and me. We all lived in the OKC area and frequently got together..  She moved back to Tennessee when her daughter accepted a teaching position at a college there.  Helona died about 4 years ago.
The three of us were at the Calgary Bash and the Montreal Bash.  Helona and I were at the one in Tucson

GinnieB was a typical Southern Lady.  She went to Australia to visit Junee and told this story about a dinner party she had attended (wish I could write her deep south accent!):.

" Now when you go to a dinner here and the hostess asks if you'd like some pie, we say sweetly, "Oh, thank you but I just don't think I could eat another bite".  Then the hostess says,  "Just a small piece?" and you say, "Well...if you insist.  It does look wonderful".....and then you get your pie.
In Australia, when the hostess asks if you'd like some pie and you say, "Oh, thank you, I just don't think....."
(in a horrified tone)  You Don't Get Any Pie!!!! " (

I'll need to send pictures to someone for posting because I don't know how to do that.  To whom should I send them?

LOL Callie! Actually I see that here a lot.

Yes, it was GinnyB., thank you. My memory isn't what it used to be.

I would normally say send any photos to Bubble, but you can send them to me with S&F photos in the subject line.

Marilyn, shipping for the most part is down between January 15 and March 15.  Lake Superior is known to freeze over about 90% although it varies from year to year.  Sometimes a ship will be stuck in ice and an ice breaker will have to get into the act.

I don't know what the temperature is in Duluth, but here it is 50 degrees.  It is snowing at both Duluth and the Soo.  Rain doesn't stop them, but ice on the lake does.

All's quiet here at present.  Tom just returned from his Bible study and I know he'll take a nap.  I might go back myself, but only for a half hour.

Mary Ann

Hi Everyone.  It is a cloudy morning but very warm as it is already 67 and headed up to 70 degrees.  The chance of rain this morning is 20% but this afternoon it goes up to as high as 90%. I have no plans on leaving the house today so will stay in.  The housekeeper will be here this morning.  Yesterday we got this big box of fruit from our good friends up in Maryland.  There are 6 oranges, 6 pears (two different types) and 6 apples.  They need to ripen up a little.  I was looking at the coding above the similes and hovered over the next to the last one and it said Maximize.  I click it and it made the posting box go clear across the screen.  To return it to the smaller box and where the Post box is just click on it again.  I guess I need to explore a little more.

I have spent at least an hour preparing a posting here but wanted to check how to post to the Gallery and when I tried to use the back arrow I found my posting was gone.  I am not going to try to rewrite it.  However, Callie, just go to the Gallery link at the top of the page (but not while you are writing a post) and click on it you will see the Add Photo link.  Just click on it and follow the screen instructions.  It will let you find your photo on your computer and upload it. 

I will leave this board for today saying I enjoyed all of the postings and the memories that have been discussed.

Larry, if you use the Gallery, does it resize and compress the photo to the correct numbers for posting? If so, this is a new feature.

For posting in S&F;  Hit BIG Reply in BLUE
Attachments and other options
Drag and drop your files here
Upload,
Upload
Insert
Post

Larry, I used to be able to go elsewhere to check on something (radar, for instance), then come back to my post.  The first and only time I tried it with the new format, I lost my post, just as you did.  I haven't done that since, but if I wanted to find something important that should be included in my post, I'd copy it first so I'd have it.  It's one of those things we learn by trial and error.

Mary Ann

Patricia,  thanks.  Will try to get to this project today or tonight.  "All of a sudden",  other things to do have become necessary.
Re:  memory not being what it used to be.....
Two fellas meet in the hallway of the Assisted Living center.  One says, "You look familiar but my memory isn't what it used to be.  Please remind me of your name."  The other one hesitates for a minute and then replies, "Do you need to know today?" 
I can relate...... 

Larry, thanks for the info on posting pictures.  I'll try it - but it's good to have another source for doing so "just in case".

I usually highlight and "cut" a post I've written if I want to go to another page or whatever.  Then I "paste" it in the posting box when I come back.

Off to get busy with those OTTD........

Larry, I've been meaning to ask you——-did you get your Apple Watch?  My husband (also named Larry) is thinking of buying one and I wondered if you like yours?

Mary Ann, was on the Sault Ste Marie sight a while ago and saw a ship leaving.  Couldn't make out the name as the weather is overcast there.  This is the first time I have seen a ship there.

It is raining here, a dreary day but good for reading a book.

Mary Ann - I see that Paul did not depart in the middle of the night, as scheduled, but will leave this afternoon at 4:30, Duluth time.   That will be a good one for me to watch, since it will be 2:30 here. I did some grocery shopping yesterday, and do not plan to leave the house at all today, so I hope I don't miss his departure . . . the last time he will be in Duluth, this year.

Oh Larry, how I envy you your 70 degree day!  We will be lucky to get to the low 50's today, with this strong, cold North wind, coming down from Canada. It was very unpleasant yesterday, and will be more of the same today.

I also have the problem of clicking on the back arrow, and then returning to find an empty reply box, where my message used to be.  It's so frustrating, because I can never recreate a new message, quite the same as the one I lost.

Marilyne,  according to the schedule, Paul is departing at 3:30  central time, your time 1:30.

The Duluth schedule changes at the drop of a hat.  What puzzles me is a ship will arrive and almost immediately the schedule will show a departure.  I guess I thought it would take longer to fill the ship with whatever than two or three hours.

Marilyn, the ship you missed may have been the Algoma Strongfeld.  I saw that go through and just a few minutes ago the Algoma Buffalo.  If you have the map on your computer, the names show up by putting the cursor over the ship. 

Callie, I find I am having trouble with names - I can either remember the first name or the last but eventually they both come to me.

It has been a rainy day here.  Earlier I watched at the Soo and you could tell it was snowing, but now it is raining. 

I want to do some sorting if I feel like it.  I've asked Tom to bring up a bookcase from the hallway by his bedroom.  I have an end table beside my chair and I'll send that downstairs. 

Time for lunch and to see what's available.

Mary Ann

Ever wonder what to call your neighbors? for example, people living north of NYC call themselves Upstaters rather than New Yorkers.

I notice we are called Michiganders for the entire state.  At one time someone tried to change it to Michiganian but the people kept calling us Michigander and while I don't think it official, that's the way we refer to ourselves.  I think the change was requested because Michigander is not PC!  To a lower peninsula Michigander the UP people are Yoopers (and I guess to them, too) and they refer to us in the lower peninsula as Trolls.

I wonder if other states have names for different parts of their own state.

Mary Ann

The map is interesting.  Most sound okay when you say them, but a few don't sound right.  I think that Utahn, looks and sounds wrong. Utah-ite would be better.  I wonder if they would take my advice?   Ha ha  Interesting that Indiana is the only one that is totally different, and uses its nickname.

I was all ready to watch Paul's departure today at 3:30 . . . 1:30 my time.  Of course the time has been moved back twice since then, and I think the latest is now 5:00 Duluth time.  So I'll be waiting here at 3:00.

Marilyne,  I just watched "the Paul" go through the canal and it was about 5:20 ET.  I was watching on one of the other camera's from the Bayfront side, I think, and it took it an very long time to get up to that point from where it started out.  It sure is an impressive ship.

Joy

Joy - I was watching Paul also!  I had the Canal Cam on full screen, so I got a nice clear look at the ship itself, plus a few people on board, as well as all the people watching along the canal. I tried to count the number of people standing in the snow, and it was approximately thirty. Many of them were taking pictures. This will likely be the last time we see Paul, in 2018, but I'm sure he will be returning, shortly after the New Year begins.

Marilyn, I'm glad you got to see Paul leave. I saw the ship, too, Joy, and I know it did not leave when it was scheduled. 

About 5:30 Dot called to see if Tom and/or I would like to join her for a supper of sauerkraut, sausage and potatoes.  We would, so went up there.  I knew Tom would like to have a meal he did not have to cook and, as usual, it was delicious.  We sat and talked and talked and talked afterward, coming home shortly after 7 pm. 

Our temperature has gone down to 34 degrees from 50 degrees this morning and we will be in the 30s for the next week. 

It's funny - when I left, Kendrick was on my bed and he was still there when I returned.  He's moved off by now, though.

Dot is two streets north of us and we could see down the side streets and there are some pretty decorations.  I have never had outside decorations, but I have tried to have some inside to make it look festive.  This year I asked Tom to bring up some stuffed bears for decoration.  They went from the dining room table to the couch and that is where they stayed.  Now it is time to put them away. 

Mary Ann

Hope you all had a delightful Christmas where you are!  I really haven't posted since the format changed so hope this turns out well!  Windell is almost blind and almost deaf these days and I spend a lot more time helping him now.  He lets me write the checks for the bills but he looks at them before he signs them himself.  Had a brain MRI recently because doctor was concerned that he might have had a small stroke but it didn't show one.  I think most of his confusion is from mis-seeing and mishearing what is happening around him. 

Am fascinated with the rememberances here!  They bring back so many memories.  I got involved in Senior Net about 1995-96 when it still consisted mostly of forums on a network that was dominant at the time, but I can't remember the name of it now.  In 1997 Senior Net had a national conference in Wilmington, NC, and I drove up for it every day for three days.  Met Pat Halbach who was Pat Scott then and she encouraged me to register for the new Senior Net that was moving to the larger Internet.  There was an Aardvarks forum at that time.  Also went to a SrNet gathering in Atlanta in 1999 and met a lot of the original folks involved in the forums. Then attended the bash in Calgary in 2003 and met many others.  Sort of sobering how many of those are no longer with us. We spent two weeks in Alaska before that bash when I met Patricia in Fairbanks.

I'm really sorry that I fail to get here more but my time is pretty well taken up these days with looking out for Windell.  We go out to eat frequently and get to see other people we know. I find it very tiring to spend a lot of time on my feet in the kitchen cooking.  I do all the driving these days and fortunately have very good eyesight and reflexes.  We are both rather mobility challenged and use canes to help us walk. It helps if we don't have to walk too far!

We had Christmas dinner with our son and his family who live here.  His oldest daughter just graduated from nursing school in Charleston Magna cum Laude and has a job in a hospital delivery unit here.  Our son from Pensacola is here for the weekend and we are so delighted to have him. Our daughter and her husband have been caring for her husband's  step-grandchild (a stepson's child) since July of 2017 and were able to officially adopt him the middle of November.  The step-son and the baby's mother were on drugs and the baby was flown from Spartanburg to Charleston, SC, in June 2017 with shaken-baby syndrome and failure to thrive. He had blood on his brain and behind the retinas of his eyes. They both surrendered their parental rights this fall and are on probation.  A positive drug test by either one will send him/her to prison for several years.

He is a precious child and has had a lot of medical care from MUSC in Charleston.  Latest MRI indicates his brain is normal now and he seems to be keeping up developmentally with other children his age, thank goodness!

Thinking of all of you at this special time of year and hoping that 2019 brings you much happiness, health, and unexpected blessings! And I sincerely hope I can get here more often!  Love you all!   

The sky this morning (5am) was mostly clear enough to do some star gazing again. At 42^oF it is warm enough for me to stand out in the front yard for quite a while with just a light jacket on. To the west, with Orion mostly down into the trees, Castor and Pollux and Capella took center stage. In front of me, to the South, I newly identified the Sickle constellation of which Regulus is anchoring the bottom. Between the Big Dipper and the half-moon, I tried to locate any faint smudges that might be visible to the eye (none were, of course) in the Virgo Galactic Cluster, Coma Berenices and Canes venatici. To the East, Spica, Arcturus and the spectacularly bright Venus (looked huge this morning) are shining. I might have seen more if not for the street lights and the moon.

I looked up Coma Bernices (Bernice's Hair), and discovered it is named after Queen Bernice II of Egypt who was the queen consort of Ptolemy III Euergetes who ruled between 246 and 222 BC. The constellation was named after she vowed to cut her hair as an offering if her husband came back the Third Syrian War safe and sound.

Okay, enough with the astronomy and history. It looks like we are done with the rain for a few days. I've got nothing spectacular on my schedule this coming week. George had to make a quick trip back up to Mansfield yesterday, so I am going over to check on and feed his cats this morning. He will be back tomorrow and plans on coming over New Year's day for pizza.

I am enjoying the trip down memory lane with Senior Net et. al. I believe I joined it in 2003. Someone mentioned Eloise. When Senior Net imploded, she became quite active over on SeniorLearn, especially in the Non-fiction discussion group. When she passed, she left a big hole there that never really got filled. Like Seniors and Friends, SeniorLearn has suffered from a number member losses and a dwindling membership. My special thoughts and good wishes go out, at the end of this year, to those of us who are now no longer able to post or to post often.

Just a quick "HELLO" to let you know I've read up on everything and I'm overwhelmed!

I, too, am enjoying the reminisces.  Johann mentioned the Aardvarks.  I think that was active at the time I joined, but I was not part of it.  I really was not part of any group officially, I just butted in. 

MarsGal, I'm envious of all of the stars you can see from your yard.  I doubt I've seen a star since I've been here, but when it is in a certain spot, I can see the moon.  Lights don't seem to bother it. 

Johann, it is good to see your post.  I am sorry to see that Windell is going downhill, but aren't we all.  It's nice that your eyesight is still good so you can do the driving.  I'm lucky that I have Tom here because my eyesight is not good.  I can see OK, but I can't read, even on  the computer.  That's why I appreciate the larger and/or bold print that I can read.  What a challenge your daughter and her husband have with the shaken child and I'm glad to hear the MRI shows his brain is normal.  I hope he continues to improve.

Mary Ann

Hi Everyone.  We have a much brighter morning than yesterday with only a very small chance of rain today.  We got plenty of rain yesterday and it was dark and dreary all day long. This morning I need to pick up some prescriptions at Walmart and I also plan on attending my Saturday meeting.  Then this afternoon and evening the top college football games will be played to determine the two teams that will play for the national championship.

I am going to have to make my comments short today as I got up late but wanted to post this morning.  I have read everyone's postings but will limit my comments.

Patricia, I have to guess that it does resize our photos when we post to the Gallery but I don't know that for a fact. 

Mary Ann, I see I am not the only one who wasn't able to return to a posting.  All I had to do was open a new tab and check out about the Gallery but had failed to do so.  I also could have used the Save feature before I left the posting, but my could haves didn't get put into use. Pat had the housekeeper take the poinsettias back up stairs and there are only a few small decorations for Christmas still out.  

Jean, I have not purchased the iWatch yet but still plan to do so.  I told my wife that would be my birthday present although I might get it before my birthday.  I will have to go on a day I have the energy to the Apple store as I want a demonstration before I make the final decision.

Johann, it sounds like you have your hands full helping Windell.  Certainly glad the MRI didn't show a stroke.

Good morning.

I am here just to mark my place and wish you all a good morning.

Jane, nice to see you here this  morning. 

I, too,  am enjoying reading all about all  former Seniors and Friends from long ago.  I think I  started with the SeniorNet group not very long after it got started.  I had seen an article about it in the Sunday Magazine,  and at that time I didn't have a computer.  Our grandchildren lived with us at the time, and the oldest one's other grandfather had gotten him one .  And,  we all played around with it and it wasn't long before I got my own. So, I go back a long time with SeniorNet and then when it dissolved,  I got into this Senior and Friends group, thanks to Pat Scott, at that time.  I had a friend who had Fibromyalgia and I saw where there was a message board about that and I got friendly with Sylvia Tribe,  who was the moderator of that group.  Even tho I didn't have Fibro,  she kept encouraging me to keep coming back and she and I became very good friends over the years.  Sadly, she passed away a few years ago. I miss our frequent phone calls.  So many of the ones from that time are gone.

But, we still have a wonderful group here and I am grateful for everyone.  You all were just so kind to me a few months ago when I was in the hospital and made me feel so special.  I will never forget your kindness.

I need to get moving and see what I can get into.   It is  a pretty morning, but very cold.

Have a good week end.

Joy

Joy, I was a friend of Sylvia Tribe, too, and we corresponded by e-mail for a long time.  I was so sorry to hear of her last years when she was ill and also alone.  She was a dear person.
I think we met on Third Age--as did Jane Deneve(spelling?) and GinnyAnn (can't remember her last name--but she is no longer posting here).
Sue

I am back! My computer was on strike for two weeks but has been revived thankfully and I am now back in business.
I had 573 mails waiting for me... It will take time to go through all that, so if there was any request, please send again.

I can now post pictures for anyone who needs  it, just mail, with the mention in the subject line: to post in S&F so it will not land in spam.

And I missed wishing you all Merry Christmas

Bubble, it's good to have you back.  If you missed wishing us a Merry Christmas, we also missed wishing you a Happy Hanukkah (I think) but we all can wish each other a Happy New Year Monday night.

Mary Ann

Johann McCracken - I read your message last night, and I thought about it for a long time, and then after I went to bed last night. I feel so sad for that poor baby, and what he must have suffered in the first months of his life.  I'm thankful that your daughter and her husband have adopted him, and are taking such loving care of him.  Situations like that are hard for me to even think about, but thank God, there are people who step in and rescue these abused children.

Joy - I didn't belong to the Fibromyalgia group either, but I used to read it all the time.  I liked to read what Sylvia had to say, and remember when she was taking care of her mother and someone else in her house.  She worked hard to keep them comfortable, and always maintained her sense of humor.  When Facebook opened, I sent her a "friend request", and we did become friends during her last years. 

MarsGal - You are very knowledgeable when it comes to astronomy, and knowing where to find the many constellations, etc.  My daughter would love to spend an evening, stargazing with you!  She has a surprising amount of knowledge on the subject, in spite of the fact that she has never taken a course.  I know she watches lots of the shows on The Science Channel, that have to do with astronomy.   George is sure lucky to have you there to feed his cats when he is gone.  How many does he have?  I know I asked you once before, but I can't remember?

Mary Ann - Your home cooked dinner with Dot, sounds delicious! Now you can look forward to your late Christmas dinner, tomorrow. (Or is it today?). I was so glad that I saw Paul, yesterday, as I think it might be the last time before the big ships go into "dry-dock" for the Winter?  I'm sure he will be returning in a couple of days, along with all the other ships that spend the Winter in Duluth or Superior. Or do they all go somewhere else? 

Bubble - Good to see you back with us!   

Good Morning....almost afternoon in central Oklahoma!

"The best laid plans of mice and men (and Callie!) often go astray" 

I had just gotten home from doing errands yesterday morning when #2 son arrived.  He had taken this week off and was working on some "estate" things with which he needed information and help.  Three hours later  ... he went home and I was finally able to eat lunch. 
By that time, I had had enough "mental exercise" and retired to the recliner instead of looking up Bash pictures.

Slept very late this morning and really need to get Christmas decorations collected and put away.

Hope the reminiscing thread stays until I can get the Bash pictures in.

Welcome back, Bubble.

Great to see you Johann.  I remember meeting you and Wendell at the Calgary Bash; may even have a picture to share.

Ship Watchers,  I've caught a few going through the Locks but couldn't see the names.  Have missed most of the ones coming/going at Duluth and Two Harbors  just see the icons on the map as they're in the middle of the lake.

I hear the test siren.  Must be straight up noon.  Off I go..... 

MaryAnn.
Don't know how it happened but I can no longer get in the Shipping site or anything to look at on the Deluth site. Just had to clik on the Icon on my desktop. Had it on for years. No idea now how I first got it started. Do you have the way to set it up...

http://www.duluthharborcam.com/p/canal-park-cams.html

https://harborlookout.com/ships#0

Jeanne, these two links should get you to Duluth OK.  The first one is the Duluth canal and the second one is the one with the schedules of the ships.  From the canal, you can access all of the other sites.  I hope they work for you.  Now if I can get rid of the first post!  (I did!)

Callie, I haven't asked for any Bash pictures because I didn't attend any.  I know many others here did go to Bashes all of the country and they will appreciate the pictures.  Do you have the Duluth canal site on your computer.  That way you can visit Two Harbors and Superior.  I don't bother with Sister Bay; I can get up there, but I've never seen any activity there.  I like the Two Harbors Boat Launch in the summer because you see many people leave from there to go fishing. 

Marilyn, I won't say you won't see the big ships any more, but there are two weeks before they shut down and I think if the weather is not too bad, they might continue.  It's a  time to bring ships up to date and if a ship is in good shape, it might keep going.  When and if the lake freezes over - and it does - there won't be any shipping.  I think ships pull into the nearest port to where they are, as I am sure most ports are equipped to make repairs.  It could be they go back to the builder, but I don't know.

 Mary Ann