I talked to Dot a few minutes ago and she is doing fine.  She tries to stay put but she has no one to run errands for her so she does have to get out.  She did go to Meijer, our major supermarket here, and got a few things.  Both she and Tom remarked about the empty shelves where TP would be.  Ironically, both Tom and I had run out before the run and both of us ordered a 12-pack so we are set for a while.

Today I feel so-so and haven't moved much.  I took a nap and I have not dressed.  Jan will be here tomorrow to help me with a shower so I did not take one today.  Tom had thought I would want some help so asked Jan.  I'm not sure I want help but as it is available, I am taking.  With so many churches closed, Jan is available. 

I mentioned my HP Windows 10 computer.  I can't tell you the make because I can't see any name except B&O which is a railroad to me.  I do know it is HP.  It is old and sometimes things change but I go along with the changes.

Mary Ann

A nice warm sunshiny day.  I had a problem sleeping last night and I was up and down all night.  This morning I fixed breakfast and after cleaning up I made some spaghetti sauce for later in the day.  I left the pans for Larry to wash and I went back to bed and had several good hours of sleeping.

The dwarf azaleas were disappointing this year but the three dwarf rhododendrons are still full of white blooms. 

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts for my grandson.  In spite of everything he is going thru, my son says he still has such a good attitude.  When we went to Walmart's yesterday the shelves with toilet tissue were pretty bare but they were restocking right away.  I didn't notice anyone buying large quantities. 

Patricia, I never heard about the 10 second test but I had no trouble passing it!😊

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Tom has gone to supper with a young girl he and Robin have friended.  It is funny because she is taking him to Long John Silver's and Tom does not like fish.  I asked him to bring back a piece for me and if he does, that will be my supper because I do like fish. 

The PA we went to earlier this week suggested a salve for my thin 95-year-old skin and Tom was able to get it at Meijer.  I just applied some and we'll see how long it is before the sores go from my chest. I have more and will try to put it on in other places if it works.  The sores do not hurt but the scabs are very obvious when I rub the areas and I try to peel off the scab.  If I were more disciplined, I could quit doing that, but  I keep going after the scabs.  You'd think I'd learn.

Dot told me today that the man at church who had the plug pulled was still alive.  With  others, Dot and I all assumed he'd died.   

When I was a child, Saturday and Sunday nights were big radio nights - all the commedians and good shows.  I do not have anything special on TV either nights; I only listen to my Music Choice channel.  I know humor has changed, but I guess I have too. 

Mary Ann

I lost my post.....went to get clothes out of the dryer, but did a copy before I did.  Came back and the post is gone and the "paste" did not work😩😩🤬🤬

I tried to reconstruct it the best I could and would you believe when I tried to post it something happened and the page did a reset and away my second post went! 

I mostly wanted you to know, PATRICIA, that I like what you shared about thoughts and suggestions on the Corona Virus.  I, too, saw this and shared it with family and friends.  One friend shared it and had someone come back and quiz her about the source of this message, even though it was stated right at the start of the message.  I feel we all read things and can take from them what we want.  In this particular article, I did not feel there was anything to question about it at all.  It was logical and full of good information for us to use.  Thank you for sharing it!  I hope your antibiotics have kicked in good and you will soon start to feel much better! 

JEAN, I, too, am sorry that your grandson has endured another set back.  I am sure glad that his wife can stay with him and not have to worry about anything at home.  Michele also has the most positive attitude and I think this is what it takes to get by each and every day....so glad your grandson does as well.  I continue to keep him and your family in my thoughts and prayers as I know how much I appreciate you all for doing this for my family.  Take care 🥰

I am so scared I might loose this post too, so I am going to post it NOW.

I hope you ALL are doing well.  Stay safe and healthy.

Jenny

Mary Ann - I hope Tom brought you some fish from, Long John Silver's, for your dinner tonight?  That sounds good to me too, and would be nice for a change.  Good that Jan, will be coming over tomorrow, and helping you with your shower.  Sounds like things are slowly getting back to normal for you.  Nice that the lady from your church, gave you a call to wish you well.  Personal telephone calls don't happen much anymore, and I miss them.  Everyone only wants to text!   

Jean - I'm glad that Jason, is staying in good spirits, in spite of his circumstances and probably lots of pain.  It's a good thing that your son and dil came out here to California.  I'm sure Jason is very happy that they're there, and also a big help to his wife. 

Jenny - I know how you feel, when you spend time and effort writing a message, and then you accidently do something that causes it to vanish!        I've had that happen so many times, and I'm always very upset.  It's so difficult to start from scratch, and try to remember, and put it all back together again.  Usually I have to take a long computer break, and then return much later and try again!

Marilyne, our one and only local Long John Silver's closed up shop at least five years ago. A shame. We've lost some restaurants and such recently, but we've gained about the same number back. We now have, for example, a Mission Barbeque on our side of the river and a Jersey Mike's at the same location. I intend on visiting both eventually.

Fortunately I made several grocery runs last week before everyone decided to go on a hoarding trip. I should be good for a while.

I was just scouting to see what the "experts" recommend this year for antivirus programs. What I got was that the Avast I did not renew this last time is way down on the list owning, I expect, to the two recent security breaches they had. The word at either CNet or PCmag, I forget which already, said they (whoever they are) suspect the last breach was aimed at CCleaner. What a bummer, I have and like that program. I didn't know it was part of the Avast bunch. It looks like Kaspersky is at or near the top again, and McAfee gets top ratings at PCmag (a little suspect due to all the advertising). Anyway, CNet, which I give more weight to, says that the Windows Security that comes with Windows nowadays is very good and, for the most part, that is all you really need. They did acknowledge that many folks like to separate their security from the operating system. Also, mentioned was Malwarebytes being an excellent addition.

It turns out that the McAfee pre-installed is only a month free trial, the Trend Micro, which also didn't get particularly good ratings, is only a six month free trial. No wonder they were giving that away free with the new computer. Well, I have a few weeks to make up my mind whether or not I want to just trust Microsoft's security or go with an outsider.

Just this minute listening to our UK news about the coronavirus...21 deaths -1,140 confirmed cases - 37,746 people have been tested....now the health secretary will be asking us elderly over the age of 70 and with certain health conditions to stay at home to protect ourselves, i will be 69 next week...we maybe told to stay away from other people for months, not formal yet, saying this is a big ask...also talking of engineers to make - produce ventilators to help with breathing problems...plus the talk of if our NHS comes under too much pressure to take over private hospital beds...I took a long return journey ( business trip ) taxi ride last week, also stopped off at my fathers cemetery as it was or would have been his birthday that day to say a few words before the long 140 mile or so trip back home...I felt so emotional at being back home after so many years away...and to think my Richards ashes were only in the next county 23 miles 35 minutes away but i was paying an extortionate taxi fare..

I have been using exclusively the Window Security that came with the Win10 and have been very satisfied that way. No problems.

I'm not sure what security I have, if any, other than Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.  I am happy with them.  They seem to take pretty good care of me.

Last night, I felt the best I've felt since I came home from Rehab.  That was until I got up to go to bed then I had trouble walking.  My right leg seems weak at the knee, which has been arthritic for many years.  I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday and will see about it then. 

I have no idea when Jan will be here for my shower and I wonder if I can get into the tub to take the shower as the leg is quite painful.  The left leg does not seem to weep so much, but the right one does continue. If it isn't on thing, it's another.

Mary Ann

Good morning from the Interior, where it has warmed up into the late twenties for lows and early thirties for highs. We have snow today, but it's not staying, just adding humidity.

I like Bitdefender, and I don't care for Microsoft's products altho I've heard that their Windows Defender has gotten better. As for free products, some are good, but I always remember the axiom about getting what you pay for. I had McAfee on my desktop back in October when it said there was something on my computer during one of their scans. Right before it died, the paid antivirus said it couldn't remove whatever it was. So, I doubt if I'll be using McAfee ever again.

I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about taking care of my computer. I kept downloads to a minimum and didn't go past the halfway mark on available memory. I kept up on my antivirus, and computer updates and never went to a site that sounded sketchy, or the https wasn't secured. And I still picked up something bad. I'm tired of not having the memory to do what I want or the stuff ending up on my machine no matter how careful I think I've been.

Patricia, my screen locked up on my yesterday with all kinds of messages that there was an intruder trying to get in. It told me not to close out (couldn't do that anyway) or shut off the machine, but call for support. I shut it off anyway, and when I brought it back up everything was working fine. I checked on the McAfee app, but it didn't have a word to say about any problems in its history. Everything was just peachy fine. McAfee is not staying on my machine.

Bubble, I tried Bit Defender's master pass key program, but it was confusing so I uninstalled it. I never tried their antivirus program.

I just finished my census online a little bit ago. Was a surprise, they asked practically nothing. Remember the old census where they asked about your house and how many toilets were in it among lots of other things. This new on seems hardly worth all the paperwork (I just got a second notice, not a week after the first one arrived).

The urge to nap is upon me, but maybe I will try and vacuum a little first. 

MarsGal, I tried that, but even unplugging and control-alt-delete and nothing brought it back. After McAfee said during its scan, that it couldn't delete, my computer shut off. I tried turning it on to no avail.

When I got it back from repair, it turned on and froze, so it is now back on its way to repair. Which basically means they wipe it and put in a new operating system. In my case, they sent back a different model, but it still didn't work. I honestly believe that they sent me a supposedly "repaired" machine from someone else. We shall see when I get it back again.

You Can Virtually Tour These 500+ Museums and Galleries From Your Couch

https://tinyurl.com/t44wzjk

We have had our first MP who has recently contracted the coronavirus and she is the MP for mid Bedfordshire where we had lived before our move 4 years ago, the place i am wanting to get back to...She is active within our local villages, even i have seen her speaking in the past at our village hall meetings.....Health minister Nadine Dorries..link..

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/10/health-minister-nadine-dorries-diagnosed-with-coronavirus

A good Sunday Afternoon HELLO to ALL!

Our kiddos are asking us, actually demanding us, to stay home and they will get us what ever we need!  We need nothing..... We do like to eat out and we do it a LOT, so this staying in is getting old already and we have just begun! 

Our friends that are on a world wide cruise have just been told their ship, The Queen Mary 2 is not going any further and they have been told to disembark in Fremantle WA.  Everything seemed just fine and overnight it all changed.  They were able to make airplane reservations to fly to Melbourne, then to LA and on to Denver.  They just do not know if they are going to be able to do this or will they be quarantined along the way?  I do not think there will be international flights or domestic flights for much longer.  All ski resorts in Colorado are shut down and there are a lot of unhappy people out there.  I know it has to be a shock to many that had planned to be here all week skiing, as it is spring break in many places.  I feel bad for EVERYONE.....the monetary hit is bad for all! 

I truthfully expect to see all food establishments shut down....many are trying drive through only already, but I think it is just a matter of time before we will be just like Italy...
and sadly, I think that is the only way we are going to slow this virus down.  The worse part of this is we are just going to extend the time that this virus is going to be an issue...but at least it will help the medical situation a bit of a chance to be able to handle it all. 

I know there are many different thoughts on this subject.....and to be honest, I think if I had my way I would just go on with my life and just be vigilant in washing my hands, etc.... but that being said, honestly ... we MUST be shuttered 🙀🙀😩

JACKIE, I knew we had not heard from you in a bit, but I did not even begin think that you might be away.  It must have been something very important that you had to go tend to to make it cause you to have to rent a taxi🙀🙀 I can not even begin to imagine how much that must have cost you 🙀🙀🙀. I do hope you accomplished what ever you needed to do and I hope that you were able to enjoy yourself  getting out on the roads and getting to SEE stuff along the way💕.

I hope you all are doing well and no one gets Covid-19!

Jenny

Jan came today to help me shower but we got involved in my pills and no shower.  She will come again in the middle of the week.  She bought me four nightgowns so I didn't have to wear my two so long while waiting for Tom to do laundry.  One is so old, I have an idea it is at least 40-50 years old as it belonged to my cousin, Joan, before Jim gave it to me.

I now have my pills in an order where I can take only four or five at a time.  Jan also wrote down their purpose.  She had to go to work.  About a half hour ago (5 pm) her sister and boyfriend came to witness my signature on my wishes at the end of life (can't remember the title right now).  Everyone says I look very good and I have felt better since last night. 

The only thing is my right leg and that hurts a lot.  I can't even lift it to the hassock without the help of the left leg.  I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday and I hope I can find out something.  I don't need any more problems.  Tom is in Holland with James and Alicia and the twins.  The cat is wandering around, wanting attention.

Mary Ann

JENNY - We are in the same boat with you and Bob.     Confined to quarters, until the Covid 19 epidemic is over!   Well, that sounds good, and we plan to stick it out as long as possible, but it could go on for months yet?   Today our dil Jackie, brought us THREE bags of food, along with two homemade casseroles . . .  one is enchilada, and the other is chicken.  Jackie has been preparing dinners for her parents for the past month or so, because her Mom is sick with a debilitating illness, and can no longer walk without help.  So she made two more dinners for AJ and me!   Wow, we sure do appreciate it!  the grocery bags were filled with frozen and canned items, plus staples like bread, milk, and juice.  We have enough food here now to last us for a week.
Everything is closed here also - all city offices, library and schools, plus most restaurants.  It's going to be a difficult time for everyone.

MARY ANN - Even though you didn't get your shower, I'm glad that Jan came, and helped you organize your pills.  I'm sorry your leg is still painful, but maybe the doc can take care of that for you on Tuesday.   
I had to laugh about your 40 to 50 year old nightgowns!  I have some that are at least 35+ years old, and still looking good.  I highly recommend Shadowline nightgowns!   They last forever, and remain very comfortable.  They aren't sold in stores anymore, (not around here anyway?), but you can still buy them online at Shadowline.com/   

Marilyn, you know my cousin had died by the time I hooked up with Jim, her husband.  I had visited them yearly for years and we really knew and liked each other by that time.  The first time, Jim handed me two nightgowns and one of them was a t-shirt which I did not care for and rarely wore.  The other was this pretty yellow with rosebud print.  I told Jim I had a couple gowns that I liked so he said he'd throw them away.  They were in fairly good shape so I changed my mind and said I'd take them.  This was in 2004, 15 years ago.  Joan had bought it at a yard sale and who knows how long she had it, maybe also 15 years ago?  And how about the original owner?  Maybe another 15+ years she had it.  I still have the t-shirt and I'll give that to Robin for the thrift shop where she works occasionally.  Since Jan bought four more and I'm keeping all of them, I doubt I will shop Shadowline.  I'll look  them up on the computer, however.

I have felt quite good today, but I'm tired from Jan's pill sorting and her work on my papers.  Her sister and boyfriend came to sign the papers and that is taken care of - or will be when Tom makes and distributes copies.

Mary Ann         

Mary Ann - that website would be http://www.shadowlinelingerie.com/   Not that I expect you to look it up, but I can't stand it when I give a wrong website or name of anything, so I have to correct myself.     

Marilyn, I looked at Shadowline and liked what I saw.  Jan bought four gowns for me and I kept them all so I don't need more.  Jan said she had "stickershock" because all of them were $34 but she paid $25.  It had been so long since I bought any gowns that I did not know a good price.  I do remember last summer I bought one from Amazon that I did not like and it probably cost more like $15.  I don't wear it either.  I want and need a stretchy material but not flimsy t-shirt material. 

Mary Ann

MARILYNE, how sweet of your DIL, Jackie to not only bring fresh food to you but two casseroles❣️ I know you and AJ appreciate her for doing this.  I love Shadowline jammies!  I have some that I still wear from years ago, but in the last few months I ordered some new ones.  I found them to be a bit smaller for the same size as I have always ordered, so guess I just have to loose some weight so they will fit better!  🤣🤣 I wear long sleeve jammies in the winter and they are hard to come by.

MARY ANN, I am sorry you did not get your shower, but the new gowns will sure help you, out.  I am sorry to read your leg is causing you so much pain.  I hope the doctor has a answer for you.  I hope both legs stop weeping! I am shocked how my clothes from years ago have lasted so well through washing after washing....clothes today hardly last well at all. 

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Jenny

Jenny..
..i was only away for a few hours...seven or eight at the most..

It was nice to click on S&F and have it come up rather than the Gateway message.

Now is the time of the year for so many organizations to plan their year-end programs before summer and I keep getting DAR messages about scholarship programs or other programs that honor students and those are being cancelled or put on hold.  Most eating places are closing now. 

Jan's sister brought over a pillow that I can use to elevate my legs. It is an odd shape and I will try it tonight.  I am getting a lot of help from a lot of people and I'll never be able to repay any of them.  It makes me wonder if I helped any of them.

Mary Ann

Patricia, I know my weepy leg is serious and I am keeping tabs on it, in fact, I have a couple of therapists keeping track of it,  It came on very suddenly. 

I have always had thick hair and now it does not seem so thick.  Several people have told me how good I look since my attack, yet when I  look in the mirror, it is not me that I see.  I still have hair and it is still white but seems to have no body. 

We are at 38 degrees with the rain in the Detroit area.

Mary Ann 

It's good to be back!  It's hard to face the day without checking into Seniors & Friends, so glad to get back to normal.

We had an emergency bulletin here in the San Francisco Bay Area this afternoon, that a mandatory shut down of all businesses will take effect by Midnight.  This includes every business, large and small, except for hospitals and health care services, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, banks and police and fire departments.  Everything else must close.  All schools are already closed, as are all huge Silicon Valley companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, and hundreds more.

Daughter Sandy works for a firm in downtown San Jose, that does personal and business taxes, so you can imagine how busy they are this time of year.  She went to work today, and emailed me that the place was a madhouse!  The three CPA's who own the business, plus other accountants, are overwhelmed with work, so of course the worker bees like Sandy, are extremely busy too.  She works on the front desk, so unfortunately, comes in contact with everyone who comes in to drop off tax forms or for an appointment with a CPA. Close quarters!

I'm hoping that the mandatory shut down will include this business, since it's not one listed as necessary.  I'm thinking the IRS will have to put an extension on tax day, way past April 15th?

So that's what's on my mind this afternoon.  I hope others will come in with better news?

Marilyn, it is frustrating to not be able to get into S&F and I tried all day.  I did look for other things, such as the puzzle.  I lost my ship column but I was able to get each city cam anyway but I'll have to see if Tom can restore it.  It disappeared when I was in the hospital and I don't know if it was automatic or what.  I'll look for YouTube to see if I can get it working again.  I would rather have them all together instead of being scattered as they are now.  I also want Boatnerd which I cannot find.

It is near 9 pm and I will be going to bed soon.

Mary Ann

I was a bit panicky when I could not get in here this morning......so happy to be back up running again.

We went out for a little walk today......the sun was out and it did feel good to get some fresh air.  We saw 3 people at a good distance away and only 5 cars...... it definitely means folks are staying in.  All restaurants, bars and casinos are closed.  Some places will still do drive through and some restaurants are doing delivery, but we are not sure we want to even risk that.  This shut down is real🙀

SADLY, I think all know what this current situation is going to do to our country.....it will bankrupt more than just little family businesses.  Many businesses will try to continue to pay their employees but more w8ll not than will.  The ski areas have pretty much closed down for the season now as they can not afford to keep the employees on.  It is so sad.  Many will loose their jobs.....  I totally expect the airlines to all be grounded......including domestic.  😢😢😢
 
We have been threatened with in a inch of our life by our children, if we go out to stores or the like....they want to come do it for us, but Bob is hoping to head out for a quick trip tomorrow morning.....🙀🙀🙀

JACKIE, I KNOW you were only gone for "hours" but we did not even know you were out and about, let alone just not in here!  You did not say if you enjoyed the drive?  I do hope you did! 

MARILYNE, I know you are concerned about your family having to be out on the job.....two of my kiddos are working each day, and we are hopeful they will soon be let go....(not forever, of course).  Dr. Dave is on vacation this week, as they planned to be in Vail as the children are on spring break, but the ski area closed so they are all at home self quarantining like everyone else! 

MARY ANN, I know you are being looked after by your family and medical people, so you are going to be alright.....even if it seems it is taking a bit longer than you would like it to. 

I wish you all a good evening.

Jenny

Our Libraries will be closed until April 14 they say. What we ordered on line will stay of the shelf.
Town is so quiet. Don't even hear a car of bus. All bars,Restaurants had to close down at 5pm prompt. I think the Fast food places can hand out through the drive up but that will not work . One person working it and traffic would be running into the main roads. Same with the restaurants until the food they have is gone. Call and pick up  at door. All will now bother as cost to much to do that. I suppose the Pizza cars will deliver until run out.
I tried reaching the Drivers place as I need to renew my License and take the road test. Planned on thursday. Thought maybe see if the would extend. Couldn't reach them but on 6pm news they told us that all State offics like that will be closed down and such as Test. New Reg. will add 30 days onto the time due. So I can relax a little.
The now say that the Emergency Dept at the Big hospital got people with the virus in today and so will use Tents on the outside. Now entering hospital. They will give medicine to anyone with it but has to go home. Such as Heart attaches etc will be tested in tent and put through to hospital. Same for baby Delivery. We may loose a few people this way. So sad. They say that the madness is far worse than if a Flooding or Tornado. Fires etc. Way people are reacting. Specially the food problems
Wan't every one to stay in house for a time and this is what should be done. At least we have homes to stay in.

MaryAnn,

https://www.youtube.com/user/boatnerd

From FDJ and the Critter Room

"Fostering Update

It'll be a little bit longer still. How long? I don't know. I still have every intention of fostering again but right now, we're working out personality issues with our merged cat house between Beatrice from my clowder and Ruthie from Jessica's clowder. These are two strong-willed girls who are currently switching between trying to play with each other and trying for dominance. Sometimes, that switch happens faster than a cat laying on its back asking you to rub its belly and not rubbing its belly - you know what I mean.

One example was Beatrice chirping at Ruthie to chase her and then running up the stairs with Ruthie quickly following. However, Beatrice stopped at the top and when Ruthie came running up, screamed and started swatting and chasing Ruthie back down. Another time it was reversed, Ruthie instigating and chasing Beatrice up the stairs, pouncing like a lioness at every step in case Bea was on that step, then looking around at the top before going to hunt for her. All of the other cats (4 of mine - including Mercury who recently passed - & 3 of Jess's) get along great.

Basically, we need to take care of our own clowder before we can take care of other fosters. Having webcams broadcasting makes things a bit more complicated.

We've started Bea on "Kitty Prozac" and so far the results have been promising. We're still evaluating her behavior changes because we don't want to lose Bea's identity to get a calmer cat. We've also noticed that she's stopped a lot of her behaviors that are typically related to insecurities such as nursing on her belly.

Both Nakia & Penny will be Kitty Ambassadors to all future fosters taking over the job that Uncle Kougra started. Both girls are very open to other cats and just want to make friends with everyone. Their jobs will be to help kittens get used to seeing other cats than their mother which will help them adjust to their adopted homes if they will have fur siblings."