Amy, besides the farms, many guide businesses use alpacas for carrying supplies. I know they're not all the same genus, but they both, alpaca and lamas, remind me of camels.

Actually Icelandic ponies are good for traveling in our type of bush/tundra & very hardy animals more so than standard horses, so they're also a possibility for those companies.

Patricia, one year while in Alberta we had camped at a fair ground and in one of the buildings they had an alpaca auction. We walked about looking at all that were for sale and I could have filled the camper with all those cute alpacas.

This is another breed that is used for  a packhorse.

https://www.horsebreedspictures.com/fjord-horse.asp#:~:text=%20Interesting%20Facts%20%201%20Because%20the%20breeding,red%20dun%20fjords%20can%20have%20white%20More%20

Good morning everyone.  It's about 8:15 here, so still early.  Heavy frost this morning, but no rain in sight through Christmas.   We'll have to be satisfied with our yearly total (so far) of one half inch! 

Amy - I looked at Soda Shoppe earlier this morning, and  really enjoyed looking at the video you posted of the parade of decorated trucks!  Loved the cement mixer truck.   I plan to send it on to AJ, as well as to my son.   I would love a spoonful of your clementine marmalade.   We have lots of clementines in all of our markets this time of year, but even more of the Satsuma Mandarins.   They are sold with a short stem of green leaves on each mandarin, so they look very festive in those large display bins.  Bright orange and bright green.  I'm glad your son got home safe and sound, for Christmas.

Jenny - I also saw on SS, that your Boston son tested NEGATIVE for Covid! YAY!  That must be a relief to him, and to you as well!  I hope your entire family, including your Dad, stays healthy over the holidays, and beyond!

MarsGal - Hope the big storm is over for now, so you can enjoy Christmas?  Also, let us know how George is doing, and if he decided to get a Covid test?   Also, hope your three cats are over their "colds", so you don't have to drive to the Vet.

Jean - Drop in and let us know how you and Larry are doing?  I hope we hear from some of our other missing Bait and Tacklers today?  We still don't know how Beverly is feeling since her short stay in the hospital?  Also I haven't seen JeanneP, posting anywhere in the forum for a long time.  She lives alone, so I hope she is doing okay?

Good morning; this is the third day of this but supposedly the last day. We will remain cold until this coming Tuesday, when plus 21 is expected. Welcome to the Arctic.

Fairbanks, AK

Wind Chill - Advisory from 12/18/2020 3:38:00 AM to 12/18/2020 3:00:00 PM
Wind Chill Advisory issued December 18 at 3:38AM AKST until December 18 at 3:00PM AKST by NWS Fairbanks
Middle Tanana Valley
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM AKST THIS
AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills expected. Expect wind chills to
range from 40 below zero to 45 below zero.
* WHERE...Fairbanks and the surrounding hills, with the coldest
wind chills over the hills.
* WHEN...9 PM this evening to 3 PM Friday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Cold wind chills will cause frostbite in
as little as 10 minutes to exposed skin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and sustained wind
speeds of 15 mph or more will create low wind chills. Frost bite
and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken.

Good morning from the Interior, which has been reminding us why it's not the rest of the country or even the rest of the state!

Amy, I loved that trucking light show and remembered I had seen similar ones before. I bookmarked it to send to friends. I'm happy to hear of David's being home and safe for the holidays. As Mycheal said in the Soda Shop, the loving hugs can come later if we're sensible now.

FDR sent several Dust Bowl farmers here and to the Anchorage area in the thirties, so many local farms and farm families date back to those times. You see several different types of animals here at the summer fair and the agricultural fair and sales. The university also has Musk Oxen, but only Alaskan Natives can own them otherwise. The Wood Bison farming is fairly new, as are the Peonies that are now big business or were before COVID.


I saw a video from the Young Turks on a couple of men trying to muscle their way into a Denny's without the required masks. They were claiming it was "against their religious convictions." The manager had to step in and make them leave as the waitress, who had obviously had it up to here, tossed her apron and quit, saying they couldn't pay her enough to keep dealing with stupid! And I saw another earlier video of a woman having to be escorted off a flight for refusing to wear a mask, or leave, having taken it off once she was in her seat.

I've had a fail so far, commercial peanut butter, and let's say it wasn't pretty. I had eaten homemade peanut and other nut butter during restrictions, so I wasn't expecting this. I really don't want to try other things. Perhaps I'll stay healthy and sane without all these chemical stabilizers and preservatives. The dietician keeps pushing this for medical reasons.

I had never heard of that fjord horse breed. I had thought that the Icelandic breed originated in Norway but perhaps as another type or from somewhere else? Both seem hardy with stocky builds and sure feet in hardy terrain.

Marilyne, I'd love clementines; we always had them in our Christmas stockings as children, and so did my daughter, but I'm not attempting any more outings until after New Years'! Tomorrow, everyone here will receive a special gift and Christmas food box from a sorority that does this each year and Saturday gifts from the local Catholic high school classes. These are always looked forward to even by the more ahem, cynical among us as they carol thru the hallways. I wonder if they'll carol with masks this year or forgo that pleasure?

I finished all my gifts this year and gave the church food box committee a box of stuffed animals and fruit for their Christmas boxes. I also purchased a gift for a 14-year-old boy on their list. And I thought girls were hard to shop for!

I gave food gifts or gift cards to everyone locally and paid a friend to crochet a sunny yellow hat and top for another friend's first grandbaby due any time now. And thus ends my Christmas rush! Hallulah! 

Good afternoon everyone.

I am almost dug out now, just a little more to go on the driveway and I need to finish cleaning off and around the car. The snow seems to be melting fairly quickly even though it hasn't been terribly warm.

George has been checking in with me twice a day. This morning he wanted me to go pick up a prescription for him, but since I am not entirely dug out, I couldn't. My sister, who must always have her computer on, looked up Sam's Club and found that they will deliver to members, so I called him back before he could make other arrangements to let him know. I plan on calling him in a little bit to see if they came through for him.

I have been missing all the action, the last two days, on the St. Clair River, including seeing CG Bristol Bay and her buoy laying barge which has been up and down the river for several days now. It seems CG Hollyhock is still out of commission even after repairs when they were down in Florida. I've also been missing the critters at the Tembe Elephant Park. I did get to see some Geminid meteor shower footage, the most spectacular of which included an Aurora display.

Well, I guess I'll go plunk myself down on the recliner and "veg" in front the TV set a while. Last night I watched all three episodes of Season 5 of The Expanse that have been posted on Amazon so far.

Patricia, thank you,I am more than happy when he is off the highways. Granddaughter works security and has dealt with people not abiding by the rules. Sad to say it is not just the young ones either. In times like this we have to work together to get through this.Glad you enjoyed the video,  My son drives a Mack ,if not feeling well I used to say I feel like I was hit by a Mack truck., not anymore.

Marilyn, I am glad you also e joyed the video .If you were closer you could have a jar.

AMY - Happy to know of someone who actually drives a Mack truck!!  My mother also used to say when she was having a bad day . . . "I feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck"!  Or she would look at herself in the mirror and say, "I look like something the cat dragged in".   I repeat that one a lot lately, when I look at myself in the mirror!

MarsGal and Patricia - Hoping the weather has  warmed up for both of you. In spite of how I complain about our extremely dry sunny weather, I know I'm fortunate that I don't have to deal with the freezing cold.   For me, an unbearably cold Winter day, is highs in the low 50's, and nights in the low 30's.  We pay the price when Summer rolls around and the wildfires start in once again.   

Speaking of The Golden State . . . this morning's paper has some frightening statistic on Covid-19.   Main headline story says:  "On Friday, California continued shattering records, topping 50,000 new cases for the third consecutive day"!   Fifty thousand a day for three days . . . that is pretty darned shocking!  Needless to say, we are staying home, and have been all week.   

Marilyne, my gosh that number is scary!!!  I can't imagine it slowing down unless there is a lockdown and we know that won't go over with the people.

Said I ws going to make some loaves cherry and gumdrop ones  but need to get off my duff to do it.

Loved hearing the discussion about "Marmalade".  Many years ago, since I love orange marmalade, I got it into my head that I would make some.  Don't remember where I found the recipe, but it must have been in a very, very old cookbook, aimed at people who had large families.  Anyway, off I went and following the recipe, it made what seemed to me to be gallons of the stuff.  In reality, it was about 4 quart jars of it.  I gave two away, after a long time I ate my way through one jar.  What must have been years later, I found a quart jar of it way in the back of my refrigerator, all turned to sugar.  Sure hated to throw it out, but making that recipe was certainly a teaching moment as they say today!
Just as an FYI, today I am making Crockpot Beef and Broccoli.  It is a fairly simple recipe, but it was for 6, so I cut everything in half.  The beef cooks for 5 hours on slow, then you add the broccoli last for a few minutes. Serve over rice.  I can already smell the soy sauce/sesame oil/brown sugar/garlic cooking liquid, and it's making me so hungry.  I look forward to supper!

Good morning from an Interior on the way up. It was minus ten at eight AM, and right now at 10:16, it is plus fifteen. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be in the mid-thirties.  Tome, I love the sound of your dinner! Have you thought of posting it in our recipe forum?    https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=782.msg189436#new 

I've made marmalade, but always in small amounts, I want to try Amy's recipe soon, and a friend is emailing me one for her peach jam.

Amy, our weather has been crazy this entire year with no rhyme or reason from last spring and on to today!  I used to have confidence in reeling out my state's statistics but not anymore!

Joy, I understand how you feel. We are apparently in the expected wave from Thanksgiving. People were clearing out the guy who died, apartment and foolishly to my thoughts, dumped all his refrigerator and cupboards' goods on the donations table in the mailroom.  One, who's going to take the milk and other items when you don't know the time lag? And two, during a pandemic? I don't normally use the donation table for squeamish reasons. However, many people do and might get sick.


Marilyne, California's been in the news lately, and I've worried about you. Of course, California's had issues for a while now by climate and by illness. Locally highs in the fifties and lows in the thirties are thought of as nice Spring days.    Of course, you see people in hoodies and jeans at 20 below as well.   

I was talking to a friend at Pet Pride, and I was agitated that we're only allowed one pet, altho my friend suggested I say Farrah is an emotional support animal and then take another as a "pet."  We discussed a longhaired black cat, probably just a year old, who had part of his tail amputated due to frostbite.

He practically jumped into the rescuer's car when they stopped to pick him up off the highway. It's been a month with no collar, tags, or lost cat reports. I have never understood why people feel the need to let their cats out, especially in cold climates.

Amy, my first ex, worked in security on his off-duty days. He was a first sergeant in the Army and didn't take any gruff, and I always thought that type of old-time masculinity is what did him in after Vietnam.

I have several gifts not to be opened until Christmas but accompanied by small notes saying, please keep me in the refrigerator. I can't say I'm not sorely tempted...only a week to go.


Please, everyone, stay safe, we need you!

Have caught up with the posts.  I wonder if anyone has heard from Beverly or Jackie lately?  Beverly had mentioned that she had not been feeling well.

I did read in the Post that England is going on lockdown again because the pandemic has worsened.

We had a nice sunny day today---a high of 60°.  Our Walmart was out of birdseed and so were we, so we drove over to Lowe's in Ft Walton Beach and Larry stocked up on the various kinds he says the birds like.  The birds have been flying in and out during this cold weather.  We've been having some cold nights and cool days.

Marsgal, when we retired my husband insisted we locate somewhere he wouldn't have to shovel any more snow.  So that's how we ended up in Florida.  It is a little cooler here in Northwest Florida than in south Florida but no snow.  I used to enjoy the snow when it was first falling and so pretty and white.  Lots of fun when you are young with sledding and snowball fights.

The last several years for Christmas our oldest grandson always sent us such a beautiful arrangement of pears (my favorite fruit), apples and some candy.  Christmas was his favorite time of the year.  He died in October and we still miss him so much.  But a couple of days ago we were surprised by a lovely arrangement of fruit---pears, apples and candy from his wife, our granddaughter-in-law, for Christmas.  So sweet of her and we really didn't expect it.

Amy, In years past my mother and I enjoyed making "freezer jam".  We started when Larry found wild black raspberry patches when we first moved to Maryland.  Then we made other flavors, but since I am the only one in my family who likes orange marmalade we never tried that.  It's a shame I didn't have that recipe when we lived in Ocala and had both an orange tree and a lemon tree right in our backyard.  We used to get loads of oranges and lemons right about this time of year.  We use to take oranges and lemons to the Salvation Army kitchen every year and they were glad to get them.

Marilyne, I hope you are over your sinus problem (if I remember correctly) and AJ's hands are improving.

I sure hope Dr. Fauci is right when he says everything should be back to normal next Christmas.  We'll be going to Gigi's for ham this Christmas---just the four of us.  I sure do miss those years when we were younger and had those big family feasts.  Oh, well, must be thankful for what we have.

Have a good day everyone.

Jean - good to see a nice long message from you tonight.  I've been thinking about you, and hoped we would hear from you.   Christmas will be a sad time for you and Larry  this year, as well as for your son and dil.  It was very thoughtful of Jason's wife, to send you the Christmas present of fruit and Candy, that he had sent you in past years. 

Yes, I did see a message on Facebook, from Beverly!!  I had been checking every day for weeks, and was so glad to finally find out that she is okay. 
She posted a beautiful photo of their house, all decorated for Christmas.  I hope she also posts it here in the photo folder.

Okay gang, I am officially very stressed. George's sinus infection is now officially COVID-19. He had an accident yesterday on his way to get tested and is now in hospital. He says the only think injured is his ego. Guess who must go feed the cats, and contact some people for him since he has lost his cell phone too. I am terrified to step into his house now, so wish me all kinds of luck and prayers that I don't pick this thing up.

I finally got the car and drive all cleared off yesterday, but we are expecting more snow showers today. Super!

MarsGal, take Lysol wipes with you or the equivalent of them and use them wo wipe down everything you touch there. You can get a spray also
 and use it.

Jean, that was so thoughtful of Jason's wife to do that. She hasn't forgotten the tradition that was started.

Patricia, the weather for last weekend and now this was not one we wanted to have. They said snow and lots of it. I do not mind the 2 " we got overnight but the day is not over yet.

Well good morning to all my old, and new, friends.  I have been lurking for a few days and decided I would jump in to wish everyone a  MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now Marilyne, do not faint when you see me posting. 

shirleyn
(~_~)

MarsGal - Oh No!  What a dilemma!  You'll have to go into George's house with mask, gloves, and as Amy said, a container of Lysol/Clorox wipes or spray!  I just hope that George will have a light case of Covid, and that maybe the worst is over for him?  I'll be thinking about you and George too!

shirleyn - Well, it's about time! LOL!  I did see your recent post on Facebook - the anniversary picture of you and Danny.  A nice photo of both of you, and you look so young and pretty!   Those were the days, right?  Please return, and keep us posted on everything.

Jean - So nice to see your post last night. I left you a message, and have been thinking about you ever since.  I hope we hear from you again before Christmas.

I mentioned in my message last night to Jean, that I saw a post from  Beverly on Facebook.  She didn't say much about her health problem, but I'm hoping she is okay.  She left a cheerful photo of their house, that Chape decorated for Christmas.  I hope we hear from her when she feels like posting. 

Marilyne, according to the person at the duty station I talked to this morning George is breathing well and he doesn't have a fever. If his "runs" subside he may be allowed to go home, but she couldn't give an estimate. Then it will be a 10 day self-quarantine. I will have to take him home, or he can call an Uber. Apparently there are a few brave souls willing to drive COVID patients home. I'll be driving over to check on his cats tomorrow when it will be a little sunnier and warmer. I also need to make some phone calls I couldn't do today because it is still the weekend.

Not much else to say right now. Hope everyone stays well that are well and all that are less so, feel better soon.

I wanted to step in and say hi! I'm reading everything and have little of anything to report from here. I hope everyone stays safe and those ill get better!

I wish you joy. And baby lion cubs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Srgabf692U

MARILYN, it took a couple of days but yes, finally heard that our son does not have Covid, but some kind of bug that sure takes one down.  I have heard of several people now that have the same thing and they all think they have Covid.  I hope the pills worked and you are feeling better?  Hope AJ's hand is doing better also. 

JEAN, I enjoyed reading your post and was very happy to read that Jason's wife continued the tradition of the fruit and candy gift that Jason would send to you.  The holidays are so difficult after a loved one passes on.  My brothers wife has been gone 6 months tomorrow and these Covid times have sure not been good for him as he is very lonely. 


I am going to say goodnight and pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Good morning again.  Surprise!?!!  I had a nice note written up & it suddenly disappeared.  Sigh! 

Anyway was glad to see Marilyn and MarsGal and Patricia (enjoyed those cute little lion cubs) and Jenny with the picture of that cute little grandson!

We are staying healthy - just go grocery shopping with masks but do go out to eat once a week to our local restaurants.  They seat us apart from other people and they all wear masks.  About as safe as anyone can be in these times.

And that is my story for today.  Good seeing old friends again.

shirleyn
(~_~)

MarsGal - No message from you yet today?  Hope we hear soon that you and George are both okay?  I know George would prefer to have you take him home from the hospital, but for your sake,  I hope he goes home in the Uber?   Please keep us posted on how you're both doing?

shirleyn - So nice to see your message this morning.  Glad you haven't forgotten us here in Seniors and Friends!  Pleased come back ASAP, and post that cute photo of you and Danny, in the Photo section. 

Jenny - Glad to hear that your son, and everyone else in your family is still Covid free!  I'm hoping it stays that way for you, and for everyone else who posts here.   Looks like the vaccine will be here sooner, rather than later!     We have a shipment of the Moderna vaccine, arriving in California today.  Not sure now much or how far it will go, but at least it's coming. 

Patricia - with all of your allergies, do you plan to get the Covid vaccine?  I was hesitant, because I did have the anaphylactic shock reaction once, to Penicillin.  I've also had bd reactions to most other antibiotics.   However, the Covid vaccine, isn't an antibiotic, so I plan to get it.  I expect to have a reaction, of some sort, but from what I have heard, it is not bad, and only lasts 24 hours or so.  Yes, any of us could get anaphylaxis from it, but I'm willing to take the chance.  I figure at my age, my time is short anyway - vaccine or no vaccine.       

Today is bright and sunny--63°F.  Nothing new here.  Sure hope the coming year is better than this year.  Normal and boring would be good in my opinion.

Marsgal, sure hope you don't get covid-19 and George has only a slight case.

Marilyne, will your youngest daughter be with you for Christmas?  If not, I hope she has a couple of friends who can safely share the holiday.

I saw on the news that the EU is stopping all flights from England and Gov. Cuomo wants to do the same in New York because of the covid-19 variant that in England.  Thinking of Jackie and wondering how she is doing.

I cooked a really good pot roast yesterday so today we will have leftovers.  Guess I'll get back to my book.  Have a good day everyone.

Good morning, nice to "see you again" Shirleyn! I enjoyed the lion cubs too. I've been watching several big cat videos, and there is such love shown from female to male and both especially to cubs. Lions especially seem to form tight bonds within their group.

Marilyne, I've unfortunately had an analeptic shock a few times, once in 1985, to my only flu shot that gave me a severe case of flu to enhance the experience and three or four times to processed foods, hence my past restrictions. I also have needle anxiety, so I'm ambivalent. The three known cases of severe reactions have, to my knowledge, all happened in Alaska. Two in the capital, Juneau, and one here. However, all three had possibilities that the majority won't have, so the injections are important.

Jenny, I've lost my posts before, so I usually use another tab to see any videos or in-post suggestions. I'm sorry you lost yours.

Hi Jean! I think we're all coming down with cabin fever after months of lockdowns. I wish that the ones who flout the rules and cause these continuing runs of new cases could be made to understand what they and not some ambiguous other has and is causing!.

Other than washing dishes I don't plan on anything else today except a nap. I just spent another high stress morning talking to George, George's ins. company, the police and the towing co. to make sure they get what they all need. I was so stressed this morning that when I gathered my mask, gloves, Lysol and what not, I totally forgot my purse. The neighbor called the lock smith and he ended up taking my air conditioner out, then crawled in to open the door for me.

I have to get some groceries tomorrow. Chicken breast on the menu tonight. There will be plenty left over for sandwiches the next few days.

It is nice to see some of our "missing" people are posting again. Still no Jackie. That is worrisome.

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. Home Free, Oak Ridge Boys, and Jeffery East

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQCoh1PJjOk

I don't want to sound repetitive or else, but Jackie is on the site multiple times a day. She hasn't posted since she got in a tiff with someone in the Soda Shop. Her email is in her profile.

From Euronews and Ethical Hackers on new hacking scams

"World-renowned cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker, author and former U.S. Marine, Bryan Seely also spoke at GITEX. Seely became recognised in the hacking world in 2014 when he became the only person to ever wiretap the United States Secret Service and FBI to expose hidden criminal activity.

Seely told Euronews that since the world went into lockdown hackers have created new and more effective ways to scam people and corporations. One way that many people have fallen victim to hackers is clicking on a phishing email link that has been coordinated with home deliveries. Seely said it is almost impossible to tell the difference from the hackers' email and the companies they are impersonating.

When asked how to be safe online, he stressed 'never click on a link from someone you do not know'. Other points he advised were to never reuse passwords and to always activate two-factor authentication. Highlighting the importance of being safe online, he said: "if you don't, you deserve what's going to happen to you"'.

https://tinyurl.com/y75g5k8r

Patricia. I really enjoy the Oak Ridge Boys..thank you for posting it.

MarsGal, please stay safe when going over to Georges' wear your mask and take the sanitizer  with you. We are now in lock down  on the 26th for 28 days..