I have been miserable since mid-January with this terrible head cold and deafness. So, today there was a cancellation/opening at one-thirty, and in I went.

I went in at one-thirty and got out at 4:45 PM. I went in first for the ear exam, and they immediately sent me to get the congestion cleared out first. Think of a mini version of a post hole digger, and you have an idea of how that went. I also had a shot that, unfortunately, wasn't in the arm!

Then I had the hearing test, and we did discuss hearing aids. Then back to the doctor who said I did still have a mild head cold, but my ears were now clear. When I was back home, I was able to turn the computer volume from 77 back to a more reasonable 12 on the dial.

I also learned that yes, its going around locally with others having it going into their ears. So the moral of my story is don't self medicate-go to the doctor!

A quick late night HELLO.

SORRY I have not been in to post.....no excuse!  Shame on me! Thank you, MARILYNE for missing me.

Michele had her 3rd round of chemo today.  He blood work was much better this time, but she is still at a very high risk for getting anything, and with the Corona Virus being ramped she really is having to be careful where she goes. 

We are all very concerned about this virus and are making sure we are washing our hands good and trying to stay away from large crowds.  The COSTCO TP issue is alive and well here also AMY.  One son was there before the store opened.....this is his norm, and he said he was nearly run over by the folks there to get the TP!  Why they are not limiting one package 3 or 4 huge packages per shopper is beyond me.  There is no need to hoard it that much! 

PATRICIA, so glad you got in to see the doctor today.....I sure hope you are now on your way to a full recovery! 

I wish you all a pleasant night of rest. 

Jenny

Thanks Jenny, now it's just a case of using ear drops and the pills prescribed for drainage.

Michelle has also been on my mind with this virus. So far no cases in this state, and people are being reminded to stay away from crowds, wash hands, keep hands away from eyes and face and keep counters and surfaces disinfected after use. The stores have limits on purchases so no runs that I've seen or heard about.

It was in the news today that actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, contacted the corona virus in Australia and are in treatment.

We are having cases of things being cancelled and I think there is a sporting event that will be played with no spectators.

I am wheezing strange sounds this morning.  I have taken my pills and if people would not tell me how they take pills (the therapists) I'd get along a lot better.  Only one pill bothers me and it did a bit this morning, but I manage to get it down.  My first therapist will be here around noon and another mid-afternoon.  The first one is a nurse and is concerned about my weeping leg, as am I.  The other is an occupational therapist and is more concerned that I can dress myself and take care of my personal needs.  I have told her I can do those things and she is concentrating on other areas.  I doubt I will be dressed for the first one as she will come around noon.

That's the only report on me for the morning.

It won't be long before ships come down the St Clair River.  I can  hardly wait!

Mary Ann

Patricia - Hope you will now be feeling better! Sometimes self-medicating just doesn't work!   

Jenny - I know Michele has to be really careful while on chemo. I'm sure the family is taking lots of precautions. The new avatar of Jonah is cute.

Mary Ann - You have a busy afternoon ahead. I'd take a good nap after they leave!

Chape's favorite pastime is watching basketball games, especially the Brooklyn Nets. They've suspended the games indefinitely so he'll have to be satisfied with his western movies!

We are having such nice weather.  We planted a couple of large pots of red begonias and two white agapanthus (some people call them African lilies).  I fertilized all the azaleas and dwarf rhododendrons and then Larry watered them well.  It hasn't rained for several days.

Marilyne and Beverly, I also have thin hair and bangs.  I keep my hair short and just cut it myself.  It has a tiny bit of curl so I never have to curl it 'tho I do rarely put a couple of curlers in it to give it a little body.  It could probably use a perm but I don't have the patience or will to sit thru the process. 😊

Mary Ann, I'm glad that Robin has come and is helping out.  Hope you can find something good to eat that will encourage your appetite.

A woman in a local baptist church tested positive for coronavirus and everyone she was in contact with had to go into self quarantine and the church has called off all meetings except for a Sunday morning service.  So it is hitting our small town.  Larry and I are being careful and staying at home except for a needed grocery store visit.

Jackie, hope everything is going ok in your part of the world.  Think of you often.

Patricia, I'm glad you were able to see the doctor and get some help with those ears.  Maybe you will start feeling better.  I sure hope so.

Have a good day everyone.  Joy, I hope you are improving.  Am sending you some positive thoughts!

We have 11 days of being nervous in this house. Our daughter, Lauri, and granddaughters Brynn and Shea are on their way to Thailand. They debated till boarding time and the final decision was GO! Brynn texted me awhile ago that all was well and they landed in Doha, Qatar. Tonight they continue on to Bangkok. They flew on Qatar Airlines. Lauri has done this before and said they get royal treatment on the plane, including restaurant quality meals. I'm not too worried about them getting sick (they're all healthy) but I worry about them being allowed back into the U.S.!

I posted a picture over in Photos Then and Now of them right after they boarded the plane in Boston.

Mary Ann - you sound a bit better this morning, but I'm sure that every day is a challenge for you.  I've been meaning to ask you about Annie?  You mentioned she was there last week, and again yesterday.  She must be traveling a lot with her new job?  I'm also looking forward to the ships, returning to the lakes and rivers!  It will be good for all of us, to sit back and watch the boats and the bridges and the Soo.  Very relaxing for me.

Jenny - Great that Michele's blood work was looking good this week. That's a good sign, but bad that she is so vulnerable to the coronavirus.  All those with compromised immune systems, like Michele, are advised to stay home, and away from other people.  Easier said than done, I know.  In her case, she has three children and a husband, who could easily catch this virus, and bring it home.  It wouldn't be serious for them, but would be a bad thing for her. 
I had to laugh at your TP story! The same thing is happening here, and you have to wonder about people!    A picture was in our paper, of people in line at Costco, with those flat palette type carts, stacked high with those huge packs of TP!  Also stacks of bottled water??  There is nothing wrong with our water, and water has nothing to do with CV.  Why are people hoarding it?  I guess they think the apocalypse is here!!

Patricia - Good the you finally went to the doctor and got your problem treated.  I'm also one who won't go to the doc, unless I'm absolutely desperate.  I know I'm going to have to change my mindset, if I hope to survive this latest epidemic.  My county, has the highest number of cases in California. Most are being told to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days.  Would be great if they actually follow directions, but human nature doesn't work that way.  Most will be out exposing the rest of us, within a few day of feeling better.

Beverly - I'm going to take your advice, and plan on getting a permanent, as soon as this epidemic eases up.  My hairdresser thinks my hair is too dry and brittle for a perm, and didn't think it was a good idea.  However, I'm tired of struggling with the curling iron.  I even went to the beauty supply store and bought some curlers, but they slid right out after only a few minutes.  So frustrating.  I wonder if those hot rollers are still available,  that we used back in the last century? LOL!   
I just saw your message about your daughter and granddaughter taking a trip to Thailand!     It sounds like they are okay with it, and healthy, so they will be okay.  I've heard that Qatar Airlines, is a wonderful experience, and that everyone is treated like Royalty!
   

Once upon a time I had wavy thick hair and I put it up after I washed it.  I haven't put it up for years and only combed it out and  let it dry.  I have blamed it on the fact i slept on my left side that I lost all wave on that side.  Anyway, I could do very little with my hair,  When I went to the PA the other day, she mentioned my skin is 95 years old and I suspect my hair follicles are too which is why I have lost the wave in my hair.  I still have thicker hair and  have not had a permanent since I was 13 and I'll keep it that way!

Tom thought I might like to have Jan help me with a shower.  It was nice to have someone wash and dry my back, but I feel I do better alone.  Jan is willing to come back to help and I'll let her but I think I do well alone.  As I've said, old age isn't for sissies!
 
I'm going to quit while I'm ahead.

Mary Ann

Tom thought I'd like to have Jan help me with shower and shampoo so she came this afternoon.  Right now I am capable of doing it myself so did not appreciate it as I should  have.  Of course, no two people shower the same and we were no  exception. 

I had a therapist this morning, then one this afternoon about the same time Jan and her mother arrived, but they waited until the therapist was finished. 

Friday should be quiet, but I won't bet on it. 

Annie bought some pillows for me and right now they are on the bed but I'll wait until she comes to arrange them.  One was a king-size that will either be used alone or will rest on other pillows to give me elevation for my legs.  I do think the weeping is not as great as it was.

I found out today that one of our retiree group has cancer and is not in good condition.  She is five months younger than I am, so is also 95.  The others in our group were born in the 30s so are about 10 years  younger.

I see I wrote about Jan and my shower earlier but I'll leave both in.  Both feelings are true.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann,  I still have a nurse to take me to the shower room and it is a huge space..   She  is aso nice and I am  very comfortable with her.  Nice hot water.
Beverly,  I have a great nephew,  who married a girl from Qatar and he was picked to start a a school for special kids.  They get just about everything free.   His mom and dad have been over there several times and are very comfortable going there.  Said  it is a beautiful country.  Richest country in the world.  I am feeling so much better,  but still need to gain more strength.    Very quiet here with no activity and visitors.  I did get PT yesterday . 
Have a good.

Joy, I had help with each shower, even just before I left Rehab.  I had been taking showers only once a week at home for a while.  After all, I am not active and see almost no one so I did not feel I needed them often, but Tom thought Jan could help me, so I had one yesterday with her help.  She has offered to come once a week and I said I'd like to continue my Saturday shower alone and she could help me one other day a week.  I think I will not take a shower tomorrow because of taking one yesterday.  When others help me, I must be on their schedule because their help is at their convenience.  I have always been quite adaptable.

I've gotten a slow start this morning.  I was always a "morning" person but I find I am changing to an afternoon person.  Tom had Bible study this morning and said there are three or four other studies at the same time.  In his group, the oldest is 78, most are probably Tom's age - 62.  I am sure they must have to be separated in order to hear the others.  There are two rooms and Tom's group is near the front door, seated at a round table for eight. 

Tom just fixed me a cup of my coffee and it feels good to have something hot.  I wish it would pep me up enough to do something but it doesn't.  Mostly I am at this computer or I will lie down on my bed.  I may try to lie down on the davenport so I can put my leg up on the back, but it is cooler in the living room and I am very comfortable in bed, but trying to put pillows under the covers is not easy.  I am not used to having help at every turn. 

I would like to have seen one of the Far East countries like Qatar.  What you see in pictures is mostly sand or these tall buildings.  I feel there is beauty in every country and we don't see it because of seeing only pictures of commercial places.  It is interesting to me that the man chose to go to Qatar instead of the woman coming to the US.  What a world we live in!

I finished my coffee (hazelnut) while it was still warm  !   Because of the virus, Michigan's governor has ordered all Michigan schools closed until early April.  I am sure we are not the only ones.  Tom just told me the PGA golf tour was cancelled entirely.  Yesterday the spectators who were there were allowed but there would be no fans but now they have cancelled the rest - it is a big, important tour - The Players. 

I'm going to have to quit as the sun is wending its way to my computer screen.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - Taking a shower becomes a big hassle for us, as we grow older.  I used to get up every morning and take a shower and wash my hair.  That was the way I started my day, whether I was going to work, or staying home.  In recent years it has became more and more difficult for me to manage - especially washing my hair and getting it dried and looking halfway decent.  Now, I try to do every other day, but that is getting harder and harder to accomplish!   It's more like every third day now!

Joy - That's very interesting about Qatar. I've heard that it's one of the richest countries in the Middle East, along with Kuwait.  Everyone who lives in those countries shares in the wealth, which 'I think comes from oil?   Did your nephew meet his wife here in the US, or in Qatar?

It's a little before 10:00 here, so I'd better sign out, and start doing some housework.   I'll come back in a few hours, to see if more members have dropped in to say hello.  Friday through Sunday, has become the slow time, here in S&F.   

Marilyn, I'm down to once a week with my hair.  I wash it and make sure it is free of soap and I sit under the spray to be sure, then I towel it as best I can to be dry, comb it in the direction I want it to go and sit in the (now) den until it is dry.  One side looks OK and the other does not.  I think over all, I look like I just "got off the boat"!

I have been up a while and now I'm ready to lie down again.  I was going to have my breakfast when Tom fixed my coffee and it was good to have a hot beverage so I have not had my breakfast, which will be Endure for a while.

Mary Ann

Today is a very pleasant 73°F today.  Had to go to the store for a few items and both Walmart and the Publix grocery store were fairly busy for so early in the day.  Niceville has a Facebook page and city posted from the local newspaper that Florida has 17 more coronavirus cases, most in south Florida and it included several people in their 20s.  I see where Gov. Cuomo of N.Y. has arranged drive by testing.  Florida is still trying to hide as much info as possible.

Grandson Jason has had a set back.  Son Joey called last night.  My daughter-in-law, Damaris, is watching the children so Jason's wife can be with him at the hospital.  All the rooms at this particular hospital are private and there is an easy chair where she can rest or sleep.

Joy, It is so good to hear from you and know that you are doing well.

Mary Ann, as you say, getting old isn't for sissies.

Marilyne, Florida has a lot of elderly people.  If there was more testing, we would probably have many more covid-19 cases than we know about,  but in the latest info has people in their 20s affected.  We are just being as careful as we can be.  I'm glad we used up most of our restaurant gift card before we knew about this virus.  Now we are definitely not going out to eat.

Hope everyone is feeling well and enjoying the day.

MaryAnn.

I think when summer gets here ou will get more energy Bach and able to move around more. I seem to put things off more this year. Never did . take naps now and never did ,but now seem to need one. Also ,unless  I have appt. I skip the shower shampoo daily. My dermatologist said we all bath to much anyway. My hair seems to look better aft couple days.
Now you never mention books you have read. Do you read lot? I do. If it good I can take the whole day just reading. Can let housework go bye. Other than  bed,bathroom and kitchen.
Sun out today so aim to take a good walk. All schools closed down here for 2 weeks at least. No churches will be open. All sports cancelled until April . Tents outside clinics and no face to face with doctors if for flu type systems. Will check in tents.  All nursing homes closed to visiting.and can't leave or visit any senior resident housing. Have to leave supplies at main office.  I am going to just stay home unless I run out of something.  Always have lots of food in fridge and freezer and did fill up me car tank yesterday. Just get a walk outside daily

MaryAnn.

I think when summer gets here ou will get more energy Bach and able to move around more. I seem to put things off more this year. Never did . take naps now and never did ,but now seem to need one. Also ,unless  I have appt. I skip the shower shampoo daily. My dermatologist said we all bath to much anyway. My hair seems to look better aft couple days.
Now you never mention books you have read. Do you read lot? I do. If it good I can take the whole day just reading. Can let housework go bye. Other than  bed,bathroom and kitchen.
Sun out today so aim to take a good walk. All schools closed down here for 2 weeks at least. No churches will be open. All sports cancelled until April . Tents outside clinics and no face to face with doctors if for flu type systems. Will check in tents.  All nursing homes closed to visiting.and can't leave or visit any senior resident housing. Have to leave supplies at main office.  I am going to just stay home unless I run out of something.  Always have lots of food in fridge and freezer and did fill up me car tank yesterday. Just get a walk outside daily

It just took me 29 min. To figure out how to now copy and paste from copy and paste to another forum like the message above to Mary Ann

I have to many things one that I can't figure how to do one from another. 3 different phones. iPad. Amazon Fire and another tablet.and w10 desktop.
I need to get rid of some of them . Start out with just 2 and learn over again. My google and apple so messed up on passwords it's crazy.technology got ahead of me.

Good mid-morning from the Interior. They've said this had been Alaska's coldest winter in 44 years, and it's continuing. Instead of slowly warming March temperatures, we are remaining with pluses and minuses right around zero.

 I hear now but still have a stuffy nose and mild cold. I'm using a prescription for the infection, but it will take time. Farrah is the same, she has a dental on the seventeenth, and I'm dreading it for the transport costs and scheduling early to avoid long waits for a taxi.

We had our first virus case yesterday in Anchorage. A cargo crew member is quarantined while they wait for a positive test confirmation. "The person who tested positive is a foreign national who developed a fever and respiratory symptoms shortly after arriving in Anchorage on March 11, according to a release from the governor's office.

"This is a travel-associated case of COVID-19, not a case of community-acquired infection," the release reads.

During the conference, officials said the patient came in via flight to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Jeff Turner, deputy communications director for the governor's office, confirmed via email late Thursday that the individual arrived on a cargo flight owned by a private company.

The state Department of Transportation & Public Facilities stated in a release late Thursday night that cargo flights are completely separate from any passenger flights at the airport.

"Cargo crewmembers never come into contact with general passengers, and they do not access the main terminal. Cargo crewmembers are cleared through U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at [the airport's North Terminal," the statement reads."

We haven't had the panicked shelf emptying here as state officials set up rules earlier for stores on purchase limits. So that's one good thing. However, I'm sure some idiots are looking for ways around those new rules.

Beverly, I was sorry to hear about Jason, and he has been in my thoughts along with Jenny's Michelle. I know how hard it is to live day by day and the toll it can take on a family. I'm hoping for better times for both.

I've always had a redhead's super pale, super dry skin and would get migraines from bright sunlight if I didn't have super dark sunglasses even as a child. My mother was told to have me bathe only twice a week and to be careful of soaps and clothes detergents.

As an adult, I have to use Cetaphil's super moisture body creme after each shower or bath or even after doing dishes or house cleaning or my skin feels like a bad sunburn. It's a nuisance, especially when I was still working.

From a friend who doesn't panic easily so I'm forwarding this.

FYI

The new Coronavirus may not show sign of infection for many days. How can one know if he/she is infected? By the time they have fever and/or cough and go to the hospital, the lung is usually 50% Fibrosis and it's too late.
Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning. Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicates no infection. In critical time, please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air.
 Serious excellent advice by Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases: Everyone should ensure your mouth & throat are moist, never dry. Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus. If you don't drink enough water more regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and into the lungs. That's very dangerous.
Please send and share this with family and friends. Take care everyone and may the world recover from this Coronavirus soon. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT -
 CORONAVIRUS  1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold 2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose. 3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun. 4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne. 5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap. 6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. normal laundry detergent will kill it. 7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice. 8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on. 9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice. 10. Can't emphasis enough - drink plenty of water!
 THE SYMPTOMS 1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days 2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further. 3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing. 4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention.

Jean - I'm sorry to hear that Jason is not doing well.  I  hope this setback is only temporary, and is a result of the serious surgery he had only a week ago.  Prayers continuing, and virtual candles burning, in hopes of a miracle remission.

Mary Ann - I know you enjoy going out for lunch or dinner, but probably just as well that you are having to stay home for a while longer.  Most restaurants have closed here in my town, and also throughout San Jose and the rest of the Valley. Nobody going out for dinner, or anything else during this coronavirus epidemic.    It probably isn't as bad in GR, but still it's a good thing to stay away from crowds until you are stronger, and the virus subsides.

Hi gang! I'm Baaack! Got mighty irritated that both my computers crapped out on me in the last two weeks. The Linux machine needs a new hard drive. I have a couple of external drives so I will, hopefully, load one of those with Kbuntu this time and go from there. The ASUS laptop that annoys me so much got hung up on the monthly Windows earlier this week. This is the second time. Once again, I couldn't get to safe mode or setup.  Got fed up and ordered another HP desktop to replace it. I may or may not take up to the local computer store and have them wipe the drive and install Linux in that too. The new HP is using Windows 10.

To top it all off, yesterday afternoon Comcast went down -- all of it. It was actually back up and running at least two and a half hours before they estimated. Didn't hear what happened. Good thing I had my books, tablets, and the cell phone. I don't figure I missed much.

Big  to everyone dealing with illnesses and injuries this week. Fingers crossed that things will improve very soon.

Sue and I went to the local Welsh Society St. David's Day luncheon last Saturday. They tried lite fare this time and at a different senior retirement facility this time. I especially liked the Potato and Leek Soup and the Broccoli Salad (I brought some of that home). This is the first time I've eaten Broccoli Salad. A local harpist was playing, but for some reason, I didn't hear much.

My daffodils are blooming. 

 

Marilyn, I really don't care that I cannot get out; for some reason I don't get "cabin fever".  As long as I can sit her using the computer, get up to go to the bathroom and bedroom and living areas, I don't mind it.  When the weather gets better, the cat and I will go out on the deck and laze and I will enjoy that. 

Patricia, you might be fortunate that Alaska is staying cool because I think the cooler temps will kill some of the virus germs (what do I know?).  Those were good instructions for everyone to follow to stay safer during the epidemic and I'll try to print them and follow them.  Oddly enough, I drink very little ice water, but straight out of the tap and I want my water wet and cool, not hot, not iced.  I cough up phlegm often enough, but not like some people do.  I'm as elderly as any on the computer and I take things a day at a time.  And I'm not going anywhere.

Jean, I'm sorry about your grandson and I hope for a remission for him.  I know it is hard on his family.  I learned about a friend yesterday who has cancer; she is five months younger than I am. 

Tom brought in the mail and there was only one bill and that was not a bill from my recent illness.  I have had some, but I think they will have to go through Medicare and Aetna first.  I did have a duplicate but when I called, they had received my payment the previous day so I did not have to pay the second one.  I pay most of my bills through the bank and some are electronic and others are not; those first, I pay closer to the due date.  Gotta hang on to my money as long as I can.

MarsGal, I have never had potato leek soup and it sounds good.  I'm not fond of potato soup but do eat it.  I have had several versions of broccoli salad and I like some of them, especially those with raisins.  Some have been almost tasteless.  A friend gave me her recipe and I'll have to see if I can find it to have Tom make it. 

I'm sorry you are having so much computer problems.  I have a HP, but with nothing special on it - just Windows 10. 

Things are quiet around here with everything seeming to be closed.  It even seems there is less traffic!

Mary Ann

Patricia, this is the info we've (including my dentist) been searching for. Super thanks!

Marsgal  .. 

It is good to see other using Linux
open source operating systems.   
I used to a few years ago and I
bet that they are still good today. 

My Windows computer is doing very well
these days...  as long as I
stick with AVG™ Ultimate Antivirus... 

It is important to keep up with
the help available for me .... 
I wouldn't hesitate to go back
to Linex if things started going
wrong...   But so far I am doing ok

Sandy

Good Saturday morning.  I'm feeling so-so and I guess I have for a few days.  I would not run any races, but I can walk to and from my walker and sit to read S&F.  I don't think I would be good company, but it was nice to have a call from a lady at church to see how I am feeling.  I know her, but we are not close friends, so I appreciated the call.  She is a very nice lady.

Tom is at the store and will bring back some Ensure for my breakfast  I have settled on that for my breakfast for the time being, although Tom bought milk the other day that I will have to use up.  I can just about handle a quart in a week.  I'll have cereal with the milk and they both go down well. 

I haven't looked at news but I know many places have closed or have discontinued meetings for a couple of weeks.  Maybe I am fortunate that I am housebound so I don't connect with others.  That doesn't mean I don't have the contact because Tom does go out, then comes back home.  He lives and works downstairs so I am not with him constantly.  I wish we were together a bit more, but he does have to work and he does make contact with me a lot.  Tom's health isn't that good and I worry about him.

I have heard of the Linux but have not used it so I can't comment on it.  I have Windows 10 and I'm getting along OK with it.

Lake Michigan is almost calm this morning - unusual.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I'll join you this morning with a glass of Ensure.  That should give us a little energy to start the day.  I also have some Hot-Cross buns, that I bought a couple of days ago, so I'll have one of those as well.  I always buy them this time of year, and have them all to myself, since no one else in the family likes them.  I do tend to enjoy seasonal foods, as they come around every year.  Next week it will be St. Patrick's Day, and we'll have corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. 

Patricia - Thanks for posting all that information on the Coronavirus.  I copied and pasted it on a desktop Post-it note, so I can refer to it, when the time comes.  So many cases here in Santa Clara country, and the local news sources are telling us that there are no testing kits for the masses!   Even us oldsters.  They are only testing those who have been to a foreign country.   So we are hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

There are some incredible signs of greed and selfishness, going on here, and the general public is edgy and angry.  Long lines at all the retail stores, and shelves stripped of every possible necessity.  News bulletins telling us to "Stay Home"!  Do not go shopping, and if you feel sick, do not go to the ER . . . you will not be allowed to enter.  So it's looking pretty bleak for the immediate future.

One thing that was on the news last night that made us laugh, and wonder what the world is coming to . . . showed hundreds of people pushing loaded carts outside of Costco.  Caught on camera, was a man walking up to someones cart and snatching a bundle of toilet paper, and running away with it!            

Sandy, my 10 year-old is an HP Pavilion. I should be able to configure it so that it will boot to the external drive where I plan on installing Kbuntu to see what that is like. I have been using Ubuntu, which I like, but then, I liked Mint too. So many choices! The Kbuntu has a Wine emulator that installs with it, so I can use my favorite financial software through it.

I just plugged in an old set of speakers to the new HP machine and they seem to work fine. I also broke down and installed Google Chrome so I can do a few things I'd like that I can only do if I have a Google account, like subscribe to YouTube and a few other favorites. I am still trying to figure it out. Right now I am still using MS Edge as my default browser. That will change eventually. I really do prefer Firefox. Also, I am using the keyboard and mouse that came with the old HP. I can tell you right away, without even trying it, that I will not get along with that tiny (4inches wide, front to back) keyboard that came with the machine. One thing I don't like about the machine is that it came installed with McAfee Security. I have tried McAfee two times over the years and both times it screwed up my machine. I did get a free download (haven't yet) of the Trend Micro Anti-Virus software, but am afraid to try to remove McAfee mess things up when it uninstalls. In fact I may not have bought the machine had I known it was preinstalled. I passed up another machine for just that reason. I distrust McAfee that much.

If I can get the ASUS laptop working I will definitely install a Linux system. This is the second time it hung up on me to the point of not being able to fix it without taking it to the local computer shop. I am not particularly fond of the machine because, I think, the keyboard, the thumbpad, and I do not get along. 

I have an HP "all in one" computer.  I don't mind the wireless keyboard and mouse but don't like having the really small on/off "thing" (not a button) on the side of the screen or the plug-ins on the back of the screen. Had to get a separate CD player so I can continue some projects of transferring pictures from CD to flash drive.

Doing okay with Windows 10/Edge/Webroot Security but don't like some of the writing programs available.  Ones I had on old HP are no longer available.

Son got groceries for me while he as at the "big" grocery store the other day.  He showed me pictures of empty shelves on the aisles for soup, canned veggies/fruit and cereal - as well as the aisles for paper products and cleaners.  He said he saw 2 women who each had 2 cases of canned veggies in her cart.
Other son said he found paper products (including toilet paper) at one of the dollar stores near their house.

My normal activities have continued.  A club meeting on Wednesday had to change locations at the last minute; we were supposed to meet at a large retirement home where several members live - but would have had to have our temperature checked as we went in and sign a paper that we hadn't been anywhere dangerous. 

Two Bridge Clubs met as usual at a local restaurant on Thursday.  The 8 in mine are always at one end of a long side room and the other club are at the other end. The only person the 16 "ladies-in-their-80's" were in contact with was the waitress who took care of both groups.  Sounded as if there were quite a few customers in the main part of the restaurant during usual lunch hours but there was no one there when we went in at 11 and came out about 3:15.

I have plenty to do here at home and the weather is wet and gloomy so won't be doing any socializing for a while.

Jean,  your grandson is in my prayers. 

Mary Ann, sounds as if your recovery is coming along pretty well.  Keep on keeping on.

Wishing Everyfriend Everywhere an "Elbow Bump" (no hugs!) and an Enjoyable Day.