Callie...
...maybe there was a reason to it, calling her La Diva from little, maybe everyone knew Miss Ellen was going somewhere, that some day she is going to be making it big time...

Here is the post that brings sad news to the passing of member Liz by her granddaughter Amanda...Most of you who posted in response to my post stated they were not aware of a member named Liz, well here are some photos of Liz by Amanda which may spring to mind someones memory if indeed anyone recognises her as a member we once had...

Link..from Christian Photographers site...

https://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13768.60#bot

Hi Everyone.  Our cloudy days continue with only a small chance of rain.  We expect to get to about 60 degrees today.  Yesterday was really a down day as when I got up yesterday morning I was exhausted and couldn't hold my head upright.  So I spent most of the day either sitting in my easy chair or in bed with my eyes closed.  At least today I can hold my head upright.  On Thursday, when Scott and Pat were at Costco, I had asked Scott to see what they had in the way of Tablets.  He called me and said they had just put on sale the Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet.  So Pat got it for me.  I got it somewhat setup Thursday evening but yesterday I didn't even turn it on.  That will be my main project for today.

Marilyne, I had good news from my kidney doctor as he said my numbers are not enough to be very concerned now.  He has scheduled me for an ultrasound and another test towards the end of April and then I have another appointment with him in early May.  He also told me he thinks my cardiologist is the finest in the area. 

Jean, like you I am having to force myself to eat much due to lack of appetite and the effort it takes to eat.  It is generally been late in the morning when I finally get around to eating my breakfast so for several days I have only been eating two meals a day.  Each day I drink a nutritional drink and a nutrition bar as the main part of my breakfast.  We also use a one-cup Keurig coffee maker and it is great for making a cup of tea. 

Callie, it is nice to read about what Miss Ellen is doing and it sounds like she loves what she is doing. Nice you can play bridge in the restaurant as sure it takes the stress off the hosting responsibility. 

Patricia, while it is a bit of work to reset a computer and get the apps back on it like you want it but it sure makes the computer run like it did when it was new. 

Mary Ann, just yesterday Pat fixed 5 pounds of chicken in her Instant Pot and prepared it for future meals.  She ended up with almost a quart of chicken stock. Recently Pat and I both have been eating our evening meal from trays. 

Jackie, I don't remember Liz posting in any other folder but the Christian Photographers one, which is separate from these S&F's discussion.  She has not been in good health for a long time.

Larry Hanna...I guess you are right as no members here seem to remember her... but I am aware that our Christian site was very active with members at one time...thought it may have been with some from our Seniors & Friends...

Larry,  how nice to see a long message from you.  I know it doesn't mean you are healed but it does indicate you felt better at the time you wrote it.  I'll have to see what I can do with the Instant Pot.  Ours is only a 3-qt but it is big enough for two people.  Annie has a 6-qt and when she fixes something in that, she invites her dad for a meal. 

I too think that Liz posted only in the Christian Photographers because I do not recall any postings by her in folders I've read.  We hate to lose any members.  With Jackwv leaving, our numbers go down.  Even seeing names of people who have joined S&F, I seldom see their names where I post. 

Dot called yesterday to suggest we go to the Cholesterol Pit today because our weather forecast for tomorrow does not sound good at all.  Then if the weather is decent after church, we can go again!  Today is dry, but cloudy and we are at 34 degrees.  If we do get bad weather, it should start late afternoon, early evening.

When I think of the weather, I know I drove 15 miles to and from work on the X-way daily; I can't say I didn't think anything of it because I did, but I made it there and back for 13 winters - in snow, sleet, rain or slush!

Larry, Tom has a tablet that he takes everywhere.  I bought one for me to take on the plane in December 2014 when we flew to California.  Tom has that one but doesn't use it as much as the one he bought for himself.  That one may be a MAC because he is a MAC fan.  I know he likes that tablet.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, Jack WV still posts daily in the photography forum.  Didn't your family once live in West Virginia?  I was born there in a small suburb of Charleston (St. Albans) and attended school there  until I graduated from high school when I went to South Carolina to attend the U. of South Carolina.  That is where I met my husband and we married the day after our graduation--and left immediately for his first duty at Norfolk, Virginia.  He was assigned to flight school at Pensacola, FL, but had to wait until September for us to move there as Naval Academy grads get first choice at all the top spots.

Sue

Larry,  really good to see your long post this morning.  Glad for the report about your kidneys and validation of your heart doctor.
Ellen's dream was to live in New York City and she has done so for the past 2 1/2 years.  She has a degree in musical theatre and her hope is to perform - although she is realistic enough to accept that she may never earn her living that way.  However, she manages to support herself and take full advantage of living in a huge city.



I have a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and like it very much.  I've put some - but not all - of the bookmarks I have on the pc on the Tablet, as well as access to my e-mail accounts and several games.  However, I don't have a separate keyboard for it and don't really like trying to "type" on the built-in one.

Got the sliders made yesterday.  Cookies are on the To Do list for today.

Off to the kitchen....

Mary Ann - I saw Jack's message in Photos, that he has dropped out of Seniors & Friends.  So sad that he has made up his mind to leave, but I hope that he will return some day. I don't often post in Photos, but I look at it every day, and have especially enjoyed see his pictures of Mimi, and all the other Golden's that he's had in the past. 

Larry - It's good to see your long message this morning. Looks like you're feeling a little better, and that you got encouraging news from your kidney doctor.  I hope you continue to improve, and will soon be able to return to some of your activities. 

Callie - I'm so impressed with Ellen, in that she has worked so hard to get to "Broadway", and now her dreams are slowly coming true.  She has a realistic attitude toward her show biz career, which is very admirable.  I remember way back when she was in high school, and was in The Music Man.  You said then, that she wanted to eventually move to NYC and do musical theater, and that's exactly what she did!

We're having a 70 degree overcast day—quite foggy this morning.  But every now and then a little sunshine peeks through the clouds.

Larry, So good to see your post today.  Good news from the kidney specialist.  It is a good thing you moved close to your son when you did.  I'm glad our daughter suggested to us to move while we were still active and well.  She found us the house and helped us in so many ways.  Buying long distant and then selling long distant was definitely a new experience and she was so good at guiding us thru the whole experience.

Marilyne, my oldest grandson who lives in Temple City is doing well.  He did have a scare a month ago but everything turned out OK.  Without Jack in the Photo Folders they will probably cease, but the changes in the updates have caused a drop off and also age takes its toll.

Mary Ann, you keep us going.  Always good to see your posts.

Jean, I try to post each day at least once to keep it going, however, I did not take Norm's place; I'm just one of the posters here.  Thank you.

I sent Jackwv a separate note to his e-mail address and haven't heard from him - and if I don't that is OK.  I have an idea the photo folders will be less frequented now with his absence. 

Sue, Jack posted in one of the photo folders that he had left S&F.  I was born in WVa and lived in Wellsburg about 1 1/2 years before my parents moved to Michigan where I have lived ever since.  I think when I posted in the WVa folder in SN that you, Jack and I were the only people posting there!  I'm sorry he has left here, but he had other reasons to stop.

Dot and I did our usual Sunday lunch/brunch today because the forecast for Sunday is not good.  Since Dot does the driving, if she doesn't go, I don't go.  We had our usual.  If the weather is OK tomorrow, we'll go to church and if the weather is still OK, we'll go to the Cholesterol Pit again. 

Mary Ann

I received an e-mail reply from Jack saying "  Really wonder how long they can keep going, but my involvement was limited."
I agree, it was mainly Jack who kept that photo folder and photo slide shows going, his loss will be a big loss to Seniors..another big loss is Sachiko, how I wish she would come back and post some more of her Japan slides...I do hope she is keeping well, she is such a lovely person. Been 16 plus months since she last looked in. Of course  Sato is another photo slide - photo poster, he still posts now and again but nothing like he used to do.

The mystery thickens, I do remember a couple of Liz, Lizi or Lizzy names ( various spellings ) on our member list before our forum crashed.

Jean - Good to hear that your grandson is doing well. I don't know if I told you that I lived in San Gabriel, the town adjacent to Temple City?  They were both lovely small communities back then,  and I'm sure they are still nice, but both have probably changed a lot since I was there last. I haven't been to that part of Southern Cal, since my father died, in 1992.   
I left you a message/question in Library~bookshelf, about the Tony Hillerman books.   

Mary Ann - I also try to post here in B&T, at least once a day or more.  I plan to continue here in Seniors/Friends, as long as it stays open. So sorry that Jack has dropped out, and others as well. The busiest folders seem to be B&T, Soda Shoppe, and Bosom Buddies.

Everyone must be in church or in bed.  I got up about 7:30 because we've had a bad forecast and I wanted to see what we had at that time.  Our temperature was 45 degrees.  At 10:30 we are at 35 degrees.  I think we are not into much snow and no sleet, but the wind is picking up.  I haven't heard the wind speed, but there are a lot of whitecaps on Lake Michigan and our flag is pointing straight out from the west.  If you go to the Grand Haven site, turn on the sound.

Dot called me at 8:30 that we were not going to church so I went back to bed at 9 am and had some sleep between 9 and 10 am when I got up for good.  We will have nothing like what Columbus MS got - a tornado.  While Dot figured we could get to church OK, she did not feel it would be good driving at 11 am.  Dot is a good driver, but she's 88 and I think she used good judgment. 

Tom left for his church before 9 am and said if it was windy enough afterward, which is about 12:30, he wants to drive to Grand Haven to see the waves.  He will not be the only person there!  Norm  used to drive to Lake Michigan and got some good pictures of the wave action.

I had a good breakfast of my Eggless Benedict and that will hold me until late afternoon. 

Mary Ann
 

Mary Ann - I just looked at Grand Haven, and was surprised to see two people and a dog, walking way out, almost to where the frozen water stops!  It looks really scary to me, but I guess people who live there know what they're doing?  I'm sure Tom will get some good pictures if he goes there, plus lots of fresh air!   

Hi Everyone. Just checking in today.  Pat did take me to get a haircut yesterday, which I really needed.  I took my shower this morning and that really wore me out so will not make any individual comments today.  Thank you all for posting.

Larry, while I don't have the same health problems that you have, I have to stop and sit down after I put my clothes on in the morning.  I don't know what there is that causes that, maybe the motions of our arms, and I can empathize with you being tired after a shower.

It is good to see your post this morning.  Hang in there.

If you get a chance, look in on Grand Haven for energy that you don't have to exert!  And have your sound on.  The wind has kicked up and there is a lot of spray from the waves hitting something solid.  Marilyn, I could not tell if there were people on the ice or not.  If I'd see something, a wave would hit and cover everything up.  If we get the winds we are told will be around, there should be some spectacular scenery.

Going back to the Grand Haven site, I saw several spots out on the ice that could have been people.  It was hard to see even with a magnifying glass.  If the spots are people, they are playing with danger.  It is not unusual to read about rescues around the pier area.

Mary Ann

We are having a pleasant sunny day.  A lot of rain coming in from the Gulf to the east of us and I hope it stays east!  Our high will be 70 degrees.

Good to see your post this morning, Larry.  Mary Ann, Sorry you weren't able to get to church and your usual visit with Dot.

Marilyne, I Left a message for you in the Library folder.

Good morning from the Interior with no weather change from the past few days, very wet and humid out there! I remember in 2017, we were a shoo-in for the driest, snowless winter until March. March in 2017 had enough snow to set the Interior up for the fourth snowiest winter in records!

Farrah surprised me yesterday. She's been watching the multi flocks outside, and while I've had her, she's never chittered or more than watched birds steadily. Yesterday, a group massed on the two birches in front of my balcony, and a few perched on the railing and some flew down to investigate the balcony interior. Then she chittered once and seemed to abruptly stop as if fearful the small birds would hear.

For some lucky reason, this area is where the smaller flocks come to mass from their single-species flocks into the enormous multi flocks for winter. Then, usually in March, (They're early this year!); they arrive to break up the larger flocks back into the summer single-species flocks. Experts say its done for protection against predators as it's harder to pick out a single small bird when together in sequence, hundreds are on the move.

My arthritis has been worse with this fluctuation of barometric pressure. I've been almost bedridden with back and hip spasms, but it seems better today with just my knees sore. Friday, in the morning or after sitting it was painful just attempting to move! It happens mainly in the spring and fall with their rapid weather changes.

I'm sorry your arthritis is acting up, Patricia.  I haven't talked to Dot since she called me this morning to say we would not be going to church, but I'll bet her arthritis is bad today too.  She has her good days and bad days. 

I wish we had a good viewing place for Kendrick, however, we do not have flocks of birds around here, at least none that land on our railing.  I do know he sits on a table in Tom's bedroom downstairs and watches birds in the pyracantha bush.  Right now he is in his bed in the living room.  I took a nap, but he did not join me.

I saw one thing on TV that our wind was blowing at 33 mph, not the 50-75 mph some of the state is getting - more like at the shore of Lake Michigan.  Tom said he hoped to go to Grand Haven and I am sure he did.  He has friends in the area and probably will stop for a visit.

I hope you feel better soon.

Mary Ann

Patricia  -  Sorry you were suffering so much arthritis pain. Do you have meds to take when you have a full body attack like that?  I am fortunate in that my arthritis is mainly in my hands - especially bad during the Winter when it's extremely cold . . . which it was, all last week.  Lately I've been wearing compression gloves during the day, which seems to help a little bit.  These are the kind with copper studs on the fingers, thumb and palm. The copper is supposed to help with arthritis, but I've never taken that theory seriously.

When I get the spasms in my hips, I have a muscle relaxant that the doctor prescribed.  I've only used it a couple of times when I've been desperate, because it really knocks me out, and makes me feel spacey. I hope you're feeling better today.

Mary Ann  -  I've been checking on Grand Haven off and on today.  It sure is wild, and beautiful to see.  As I said in my earlier post, I'm surprised when I see people walking out there on the frozen waves!

MaryAnn, it is closely associated with the prevailing barometric pressure. Right now only my knees are sore, and when I rise, I feel a tug or pulling between my left side ribs and hip. Luckily the spasms seem to have stopped. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and I'm certainly not unique as millions share the same issues.

Marilyne, I'm not a good candidate for muscle relaxants because medicine often acts on me the opposite of it's intended purpose. Doctors have suggested Tylenol or aspirin and I do take two of the 600 Milgram daily of Tylenol which mostly helps.

I found this on Euronews and found it fascinating as I'm sure we're all aware of Charles Dickens and his books on London's poor and disenfranchised.

http://tinyurl.com/y2tf9vqh


 

Patricia, interesting piece about Dickens.  Goes along with my thoughts that many artists/artistes are eccentric.  And maybe that's why they are artists!  My thought only!

I take the Arthritis650 version of Tylenol for my arthritic shoulder. 

Dot said she has had arthritis almost all her life, since she had rheumatic fever when young.  She said she is in almost constant pain but doesn't say much about it after all these years.  The latest pain in her hip has settled in one hip and as I understand it, there is nothing more the doctor can do.  It seems once we reach a certain point, that's it and things happen that can't be improved.  My arthritis is in my right shoulder, knees and hands.  The shoulder bothers me the most.

I've been fascinated by Grand Haven and have watched it a lot today.  Tom sent me a video of water rushing down a road near Lake Michigan.  I don't know if it's in Grand Haven or Holland. 

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, the cam seems more violent than it did this morning with more "white horses" as Kelly used to say. It was your suggestion some time ago that started me using the Arthritis650 but sometimes I can't find it and just look for Tylenol's regular 6oo version.

Patricia, actually what I use is TopCare650 (store brand) but you can see by the packaging that it is Tylenol. 

The wind is strong enough that it is affecting the TV.  The golf tour just finished in Mexico and there is a lot of interference in the reception.  I haven't been on other channels today so I don't know how/if affects others. 

Mary Ann

Hi Everyone. Taking a pass today and just checking in.

It's interesting to see that I made the last post here last night at 6:07 pm.  I checked earlier and there were only two posts for all of S&F and I don't remember which ones they were.  Usually there are a dozen folders showing in the morning.

We didn't blow away but I think we still have windy conditions.  They called the storm the "bomb cyclone" and I wonder where they get those names.  Yesterday I noticed the cover for one of our deck chairs was not in place, so I asked Tom to fix it, which he did.  He noticed this morning before I did that the chair was on its back and the cover was beside it; he'll fix it when he gets back from coffee.  (Tom just returned and brought a cranberry muffin for me.)  We were lucky because we did not lose power and I think our underground wiring played a large part in that.  Dot's daughter lives just north of us and they lost power.  The Mackinac Bridge was closed twice yesterday; once when ice fell on a car and a second time when conditions were not good for crossing the Strait, especially for semis and high profile trucks. 

Tom was going to teach today, I think at Cedar Springs, but many schools are closed as side roads are not drivable. Tom has other things he can do, but he'd like to make some money.

In case anyone cares, it is 15 degrees here.  Brr.

Hi Larry, it's good to see your post this morning.

I wonder if there will be any other folders shown when I post this!

Mary Ann

Seemed to be easier getting onto SF today. Sun is out but cold. We had 57 miles a hr. Winds yesterday. Now calmed down but lots of damage around tour, specially trees. Surprised to see my garbage can still there . It is packed to top so pretty heavy.
I need to go onto desktop and take a look at the lake site. Only one I have on right now.

Jeanne, what was open on the lake yesterday is now covered with snow.  It would not be safe to walk on, but it did freeze.  Our present temp here is 16 degrees and is quite a change from the 46 degrees yesterday morning. 

Mary Ann

Good morning from the Interior where the weather is wet and humid with periods of cloudiness. My back or I should say, the left side is spasming again, and the barometric pressure is all over the place.  I had this last year but didn't remember it lasting longer than a week, so I'll get through it of the weather and Tylenol cooperates!

Farrah gives me the side eye if I make a sound when it occurs. She reacts as if I'm mad at her or something as it's rather abrupt. She's doesn't trust whatever I'm up to!

Hi to everyone and MaryAnn, I see that the view from the cam is totally frozen again.

It is very pleasant here today——a sunny 62 degrees with just 20% humidity, which is very low for us.  Our azaleas in the front garden are blooming—-bright red and so pretty.

A quiet day of reading planned.  The bluebirds were in for some mealworms.  We still have lots of goldfinches but they should be leaving before too long.  I can hear the bombs dropping on the bombing range a few miles away.  Practice makes perfect, I guess.

Mary Ann, your cranberry muffin sounds delicious.  Patricia, I hope you are feeling better.  Good to see Larry Hanna checking in.  I did get a nice note from JackWV.  We will sure miss him in the photos folder.  I hear from Sato occasionally in a text message on my iPad.  I'll take some photos of my azaleas for the photo folder.

Hope GloriaDe is doing OK in cold New York.  Well, think I will go finish my interesting book I've been reading.