The Critter Room reno is finished!

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?msg=161715

I know I put in a reply to Patricia's post about the Critter Room being finished; it must have been in the Pet folder.

Is anyone home this morning?  No posts since Patricia's of last night (for me).  Different time zones for different people.

I was able to sleep in this morning and it felt good.  The cat slept with me.  It usually takes me a couple of days to regain my strength after a trip.  I didn't do anything strenuous, but being away from home is different than being at home.  I still am tired and I will take a nap later.

We are having a slight rain and I think we need it.  Grand Haven is quite choppy.

I'll be back later.

Mary Ann

Good morning, Mary Ann and whoever else is looking in.  I played bridge yesterday at the nearby retirement home.  I had some good cards and some not so good, so didn't win any money, but the lunch was tasty (at least the fish!) and I met some new to me residents who were playing yesterday.

I will be playing bridge again this afternoon at Ruth's house which is on the west side of town.  Libba who lives on the street behind me will pick me up and take me out to Ruth's.  Libba is not a member of this group, but often subs as she will today.  My friend Olyne has gone down to Gulf Shores for a few days with her son's family who live down there.  I hope Olyne will be back by Sunday or I'll be looking for another ride to SS and church!

Have a nice day all you Bait and Tacklers!
Sue

Mary Ann and Sue - Good morning to you both!  I'm always happy to see a few posts here to greet me when I arrive . . . three hours later than everyone else.  (Not yet 8:00 AM here). 

Sue - I saw your message in the Television folder, that you went to the theater to see the new Downton Abbey movie?  Others here in S&F have mentioned that they have also been to see it, or will be going soon.  So far, everyone who's seen it, has enjoyed it.  I'm looking forward to it, but will probably wait until it appears On Demand on my Comcast TV.

Mary Ann - I looked at the new Critter Room, also, but I don't think I commented yet?  I'll be glad when it gets all fixed up like before, and the new litter has arrived.    Speaking of critters, looks like Kendrick is sticking close to you since you arrived home?  Good that Annie came over and visited with him while you were gone, but I think you're his mother now!   

Good morning from the Interior where we again have dense fog. It's that period when most of the leaves are down, and it's almost too cold for rain but not enough yet for snow.

Farrah has been fed, watered, and brushed. And here I sit with my morning coffee and avoiding chores for a little longer. Farrah is not a lap sitter or cuddler. But, she does follow me from room to room and likes to be close.

Marilyne, I've seen reports on the new Downtown Abbey movie and saw Dame Maggie and Hugh Bonneville discussing it on the Graham Norton show. It's said that it's terrific if you're a fan but confusing if you're not familiar with the cast and plots.

I've never mastered bridge, hearts or cribbage. I've stuck with gin rummy or poker but haven't played in a while. Perhaps someone will have a game or two this winter. Many of my friends' golf at one of the local spots, ranges, fields? I was more into swimming, badminton, or softball. I went with a friend to a demolition derby which she and her husband were really into, but I was so bored, cold and had to find and use the facilities. I guess I'm not a sportsperson.

The pool for the October trip is shrinking as the costs are increasing. We looked into renting a motorhome, in addition to people's cars but the deposit while refundable was $2200.00! Now we're expected to have $350.00, which adds to pet boarding costs and other expenses is becoming way too expensive for many at this time of year with auto and home winterization and additional seasonal costs.

FDJ has yet to move in the kitten enclosure, which is large. Nor anything else. He has a business trip in New York for a week and other stuff happening so he will have his first fostered litter around October seventeenth.

[size=4]Plans change - Tom had left for two meetings so I felt free to go back to bed for a snooze and got up about 11 am.  I had a handful of clothes and Tom came in.  One meeting had been canceled so he was home for the afternoon but will leave later.  I still will take another nap because I have not recovered from my weekend.  Kendrick kept me company again but at 11 am I made a noise and he got up.  I am not fully awake yet. 

Mary Ann [/size]

Hmmmm...from the Calendar;

 Upcoming Birthdays: rutumi (90), Chocky (978), TucsonPat1 (83)

Good Afternoon,

I've missed quite a few things for the past several days.  Sister-in-law in Amarillo died in the wee hours last Thursday and I went with sons/dils to the funeral. Got home late yesterday afternoon and am "leisurely" catching up on computer sites because I could not get the wi-fi to work on my Tablet from the hotel room.

Several relatives commented on how a funeral can often bring give a family more time to interact than even a reunion can do.  Such was the case for this one. Four generations of SIL's family/extended family really enjoyed the opportunities for conversation and "getting to know you better" time.

Exciting news is that granddaughter Miss Ellen has signed a contract to be in the cast of the Christmas Show at the Palace Theater in The Dells, Wisconsin.  She will fly there from her home in NYC late October to begin rehearsals for 31 performances between Nov. 1 and Dec. 29. 
There are no performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day but she won't have time to come home. So....we are all going to Wisconsin!!!  Her Dad and I have gotten our flights and show tickets confirmed for the performance on December 23 (which is my birthday).  He/Miss Emily are looking at vacation rentals for the 5 nights we'll be there.

I was so pleased I had no 'issues" on the trip to Amarillo and am looking forward to the best birthday ever watching this beloved granddaughter in her first major "gig" as a professional.

Mary Ann, I slept almost most of the 250 mile trip home from Amarillo and added to that last night.  I've been able to get some Domestic Duties done today but can tell I'll probably sleep in again tomorrow.

Marilyne,  I've read the same thing about the Downton Abbey movie and those who did not watch the series.  However, I've also read that those who have not can still enjoy the story line - as long as they don't try to compare the two.  Some newspaper critic wasn't impressed and commented he guessed it would be a nice way to spend 2 hours "if you didn't have anything else to do".  Grouch!!!!

Sue, my Auburn friend at "the home" is having major health issues and I suspect she won't be playing Bridge for a long time. 

Patricia,  LOL at Chockie's "age".  My late Aunt used to say she was born in 1492 and that is the date written on the back of a picture I have of her taken when she was 2 years old.

Hello to all those I missed commenting to. 

Callie - Sorry to hear that your sister-in-law has died. As you said, the only good thing about a funeral, is that you have a chance to see and talk with lots of relatives that you haven't seen in a long time.  With four generations represented, there must have been lots of family for you to visit with. 

I'm so happy for Miss Ellen!  Sounds like a wonderful "gig"!  All the live Christmas shows that I've ever seen, have been beautiful and exciting. It's a great time of year, when everyone is feeling happy and festive. I'm glad you're all going to be there together to celebrate your birthday,  Christmas, and Ellen, being in a Holiday production!!     

I came in here earlier and had a sudden attack of drowsiness, so visited my pillow for a short nap. 

Callie - Wonderful news about your family/birthday/Christmas trip to see Ellen in the performance. Congratulations to Ellen! I've seen pictures of The Dells in Washington and it reminds me a lot of Vermont. The perfect place to spend Christmas! Our next door neighbors are from that area.

My daughter, Donna, has been binge-watching the Downton Abbey Series on television on the days she doesn't feel well because of chemo. I seldom go to the movies so will probably not see the film for awhile.

Mary Ann - Traveling takes more energy than we realize, even when we're having a good time. I love naps! 

Jean - Are you still as warm as we are? We had a couple of cooler days but today it was back to 90 again and tonight (8:30) it's still 83.

Marilyne - Hopefully the preparations they've made will cut down on the fires. Last year was terrible.

Jenny - You travel often so maybe your cat is more forgiving! He's probably learned that you WILL return.

Patricia - I hope the trip isn't cancelled. I know expenses increase with winter. In Vermont everyone is buying fuel oil or wood pellets, stacking the wood piles, winterizing homes, etc. To say nothing of making sure you have warm clothes, boots, etc. ready!

Hello to Sue and MarsGal.

I got my afternoon nap in and I hope I'll be more wide awake tomorrow.  I still am not unpacked but I'd better do some of that because I am needed some of the things in that suitcase. 

Callie, congratulations to Miss Ellen with her contract for the Christmas Show.  I'm sorry to hear about your SIL.  You're right about funerals bringing people together.  I remember when a neighbor died and my dad and I went to visitation.  There wasn't one moment that a member of the family was not with us.  My dad died six months later and we did the same thing.  We had been neighbors for 40 years. 

Patricia, Chocky will rival Methusalah at 978.  I assume she will be 78.  She was not well the last I heard. 

I think I will go to bed early and I may be back to normal tomorrow. 

I did not watch Downton Abbey so the movie doesn't interest me.  I hope Donna perks up. 

Mary Ann

Jenny...
...i took delivery of one of her other books yesterday not sure it is going to give me what i want, what i need, as i am losing faith in God - Jesus, no one is sending me any sign, and yet i beg and beg for a sign also from my Richard that he is hearing me opening up my heart to him, but so far nothing, yet i have always been a believer in this as i had a sign from two of my fur-babies, just not getting any feelings nor sign from my Richard like i am hearing other bereaved members are from a UK bereavement site i look in on, have posted on now and then...My health is not good, my MS, plus i am still slowly losing weight, plus almost half a year has gone since i lost Richard and i still have not had one day of not crying...we have all heard of that song...." cry me a river..." by the late Ella Fitzgerald...

The book i have taken in is also by Joni Eareckson Tada...Finding God In Hidden Places...once i get into reading this book i will let you know whether He has been in any places and i just didn't notice at the time...I have always classed myself as being observant and I would have picked up a sign that He is-was there or not...and so far nothing out of the ordinary..I am fighting to still keep faith...as faith and believing in this better to come after-life world at present is all i have left to look forwards to, so i have to keep believing, i must fight to keep faith, just dont know why it is taking so long for a sign from Richard, as would you believe it is coming up to half a year Richard had left this world, no i cant believe it either as to me it is just like yesterday...

Oh,  i have been to bed but now up and about typing this at 3.50 am, UK time, been up already an hour so you see my sleep pattern is now all over the place since i lost my Richard, everything has so changed now....how can ones life change so drastically overnight going from one extreme to the other...my life now as i call it has become one complete mess...so alone-lonely, so frightened...

Good morning. I am just checking in.

Looks like it is a slow start here this morning.  I seem to be the first one. 

Jackie,  It just makes me feel so bad that you are going through so much heartbreak. I, like so many of your friends here, sure do wish we could snap our fingers and make life a lot better for you.  But, you have to just keep putting one foot in front of you and keep going.  Have you been able to talk to your doctor and see if she doesn't know of any agency that could help you.  I would think there would be some kind of a service to assist with older people.  In my area, we have a Department of Aging that offers so many services.  I would think your doctor would be aware of some kind of help for you.  But, you have to ask.  If she doesn't know what you are going through,  she can't help.  Maybe your could schedule an appointment with her just to "talk".  We all care about you !!!

I am not sure what I will get into today, but I need to get myself moving. 

Have a good day.

Joy

Joy...
....my female GP is aware of my situation and her answer to everything is ant-depressants, " our miracle cure all.."

Welcome home, Mary Ann.  It sounds as if your trip was nice although tiring.  I hope you'll be able to rest and relax for a few days.  I'm a big believer in "there's no place like home!". 

Jackie, I hope today is a better one for you.  Thoughts and prayers for you from here in Auburn, Alabama.

My oldest grandson called me yesterday afternoon.  He graduated from college in May and is now up for a job which requires investigation by the FBI.  I hope he gets it and he'll be sure to let me know.  So far the FBI hasn't let him know what the results, if any so far, are.  I'm concerned about his younger brother who has dropped out of LSU--and am thinking about having him come up here and stay with me for a bit.

I hope every one looking in has a nice day.  It's really HOT here already this morning and expected to reach 100* by mid-day!  So I need to get my walking duds on and get out for my morning walk ASAP!

Sue

I followed all of Dowton Abbey on TV but did just read that the movie starts after they ended. I may go today or tomorrow and see the Film. It is short. Only one hour and forty minutes. I thought they would make it longer. Looks like they are planning on a follow up to it as they changed some of the endings of people. Looks like Tom and Daughter are gone. Was going to kill Off Thomas but now he stays. I think it would be hard figuring the story line had you not watched the TV shows. They are still running on Saturday nights here but I think this last one is the end.

Taking a break from the St. Clair Rivier webcams and watching StreamTime Live's webcam at the Lake Hood Sea Plane base in Anchorage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi3fDDNZ95I I am not sure if they relocated their webcam or are just panning a different area, but it seems more interesting than the view from when they started.

Jackie, I understand your hesitation over anti-depressants, but they do help smooth out the bumps and troughs, which in turn helps you to get a better handle on things. Then you can have a better chance of gaining more confidence in yourself in dealing with the people and problems you are currently facing. They should not be a long term solution though. A psychologist or grief counselor, or some of the self-help books (since you don't have a good way to get to appointments regularly) can help to show you how to stop the kind of circular thinking that keeps dragging you down and to look forward, not backwards. Try to look at what you have and what you can do. Eventually you will find you can do more than you thought. Don't expect your distress to improve all at once. You may not notice it at first, but it will improve. I hope the books you got are a help.

I just sent a message to Larry's site, hoping someone will see it and get back to us.  I said several of us were wondering how they were getting along and we missed him and his wisdom.

Mary Ann

I went shopping today at the grocery store called Sprouts, which is not here in town, so I have to drive to San Jose if I want to shop there. I don't know if it's a nationwide chain store, or just here in California?  Anyway, it's a "health food" supermarket, kind of like Whole Foods, only not nearly as pricey, but also not nearly as high quality and healthy.  It was interesting to shop somewhere a bit different, but I doubt that I will make the effort to go again.

Mary Ann - When you said you sent a message to  "Larry's site", did you mean The Christian Photographers?  I do look in there occasionally, but don't recognize any names of people who also post here?  Like all other message boards online, it also seems to be losing members, and the messages seem to be few and far between.

Mars Gal - I agree with what you said about anti-depressants. They are to help people who are having a hard time coping with their lives, no matter what the cause may be. They are not the same thing as tranquilizers.

JeanneP -Let us know how you like Downton Abbey?   I read that it made more money in theaters last weekend, than any other movies playing right now. I would love to see it, but will most likely wait until it plays on my TV movies.

Marilyn, I've heard others mention Sprouts but I know there is none close.  We also do not have Whole Foods, but the "other one".

To send the message to Larry's site, I went to the member list and clicked on his name that let me send a personal message.  If they don't look at the site, we may never hear back, but if they do respond, I'll post it.  Maybe I should have sent an e-mail because I have his e-mail and what I sent will generate a personal message and they could miss that.   

I have to tell a "funny" on Dot and I'm sure many of us have had the same thing happen.  She came to deliver some cookies she received at the condo picnic Saturday and said she wanted to hear about my trip.  I told her I had a very good time, then she started in on something with her family and that was what she talked about.  I never got a chance to say anything about my weekend.  It wasn't that anything important happened, but she did not get a chance to hear what we did.

It's been a quiet afternoon and cool.  But I'm comfortable inside.

Mary Ann

It is late again, but not as late as it was last night when I posted🤪🤪

We decided to take the morning off and went to the Zoo.  The weather was perfect and we had a delightful time.  We have several new babies there, but the bet one is a 2 month old lion cub.  He is so cute and I could have stayed there and watched him for ever!

We normally go out to eat when we are "downtown" but today we had to stop at a dealership and pick up our oldest sons car that was in for the airbag recall.  The car was there for over a month.....it got lost in the shuffle and we finally pinned them down and got it completed this week.  Then of course we had to get home for Bob to walk Oliver Doodle! 

JACKIE, I hope as you read on in the book it will be of more comfort for you.

MARY ANN, I have experienced that very thing where one story goes to another....never to return🤪. Thank you for reaching out to Larry's Family to see how they are getting on.  I do hope you hear back from them.

MARSGAL AND MARILYNE, I agree with you both about the anti-depressant being such a help to many to get them through the rough times and they definitely are not tranquilizers.  They just take the top off of anxiety and can make a world of difference in how one can cope.  I know many people that have found this to be true.

I guess I had best get this posted.


Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMc7nsrpt0

This link may be of interest to those who enjoy the ships on the Great Lakes and the St Clair River.  It shows the transfer of iron ore from railroad cars to the Lee A Treburtha. 

I'll be back later.

Mary Ann

MARY ANN - I'll check your links, when I finish this short post.  I'm always interested in everything that's happening on the Great Lakes.  That reminds me - I haven't seen anything on The Soo cam, for a couple of weeks now?  I keep meaning to ask if it's been down for everyone, or just me? 

JENNY - What fun for you and Bob to go to the zoo! None in San Jose, except for a children's zoo called Happy Hollow, that I saw plenty of, when my kids were growing up, and then the grandkids.   The nearest real zoo, is the one in San Francisco,  which is big and wonderful!  It's just too far and too much traffic for us to go there now, but we did enjoy going for many years. There is also one in Oakland, which I hear is very nice, but just as far away and hard to get to as SF. 

Sounds like your travelers, are having a great time seeing different Asian countries. Are they also going to Japan?  I've always wanted to visit Tokyo. 

I hope that Michele is feeling reasonably well and strong this weekend, and can enjoy time with the family.

I hope we see lots of people posting here today?  Seems to be extra slow every week, as we approach the weekend.

Marilyn, I don't know what to say about the Soo Locks, but I know a ship starting at Duluth must go through the Soo to get to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and parts beyond.  It seems some days there are not too many ships on the St Clair River, even the chatters mention it.

I haven't been to the Grand Rapids zoo in years and the ones who are able are too old to go and be thrilled as small youngsters.  A few years ago in Indy I did go to the Children's Museum and enjoyed it, however we were all adults.  We have a nice zoo in GR but it is just not something I want to make a point of seeing.

We are having a so-so day.  I think it will not rain, but I haven't see any sun.

Mary Ann

Many years ago I went to the SF zoo.  I had a picture of me in front of the elephant - because we were from the same country!

MaryAnn, I enjoyed the video you posted as I wondered how they could load the freight and also the mechanics involved.

I've been to two zoos, Anchorage's small one and the one in San Antonio, Texas. I've also stopped at a few wild animal rescue places while a military dependent on outings.

This morning was the third in a row that I awoke to dense fog. However, by ten AM, it had burnt off. The fog we're seeing this past summer and now is unusual for us but probably part of the new normal.

Patricia, I enjoyed that video too.  I have been in Minnesota in the iron country where they have Open Pit mining but nothing was being done and that was years ago.  Hibbing is one city where they do that. 

Bubble, was it an African elephant?  Congo? 

It's kind of choppy on Lake Michigan, big whitecaps.

Mary Ann

Yes Mary Ann, African elephant; we had plenty of them in Congo, but not as many as monkeys lol

Bubbles
 Like all other places I  wonder how things have changed living in the Congo. Do you still know anyone living there?

I now see such a difference here in the USA from when I come over. Even the people. I suppose it looks like they have more and don't have to work hard. Got in a lot more debts for it. People seemed more content years ago. Same all over i suppose. Can't think of where I would like to live now.

Is everyone still asleep?  No posts since Bubble  posted at 3 am my time.  I have been back to see if there were any posts, there were none, so I didn't post either. 

It's a quiet day here in GR too.  It rained overnight, very quietly so I don't have to water my plants outside.  It won't be long before I must bring them in.  I usually figure on sometime in October.  Kendrick's grass is inside because we have not been sitting on the deck recently.

A friend of Tom's is moving and James is helping her - they're in Holland - so Tom is babysitting today and will probably be home after 3 pm.  I could have gone with him, but I felt it was too long a day for me.  Tom loves to be with the girls and it's a good chance for them to get to know him better.  His other grand parents are in Wisconsin and Sue is up north in the lower peninsula of Michigan.  So Tom is the only grandparent they see whenever!  Norm and I had only one grandparent as the others had died before I was born.  She was our Grandmother Tock and all of our friends knew when we mentioned our grandmother who we meant.  Ones who came to the house all called her Grandmother and she loved it.  She was 85 when she came to live with us.

It's nearly noon and I am not dressed yet.  It is shower and shampoo day and I like to get dried off from top to bottom before I dress and top takes the longest.

Jeanne, I know you've been in the US many years but I don't know how many.  But I think years ago it was a much nicer world, let alone country.  I think it was a smaller world, we didn't have access to so many other customs, some of which are good, some bad.  On the whole, we were a nicer people.  I won't be around to see what happens 50-100 years from now but my nieces and nephews will and I fear for them.  I'm not a negative thinking or pessimistic person, but that's the way I see it.

Mary Ann