Thanks, Jeanne, I will get out my road atlas to see if I can find it.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone. It looks like we should have a delightful day with it only getting into the mid-80's today.  I have nothing on the calendar for today so will use it as a slow and restful day. I am feeling pretty weary today and guess I need a day or recovery from our busy Sunday morning.

I enjoyed watching the golf yesterday and it turned out to be a very close finish requiring the extra hole to be played.  The news is showing the incredible damage that the storm is causing in Houston and other areas.  So many lives impacted and the economic loss is unbelievable and still the rain is falling. I know there are many others communities in Texas and Louisiana that also have devastating damage.

Joy, being around people who only want to complain is really a downer.  Our attitudes do so much with our enjoyment of each day we have been allowed.  Isn't it a bit unusual to be chilly in August?  I will welcome some chilly days after this Spring and Summer. 

Mary Ann, I checked the PSB site and see the Queen's Gardens program was not new  but had been shown in 2015. I rather expected Spieth to pull out the win but Dustin Johnson is also a superb golfer and think this puts him back as the number one golfer in the world. That seemed to be a very tough golf course. 

Jean, having a supportive spouse is so important when someone has a serious health problem and a hopeful attitude never hurts.

JeanneP, it sounds like your daughter must have a beautiful setting for her home.  Sure hope the flooding stays away from her property.     

Larry, I alternated between golf and the hurricane yesterday.  I did watch at the end when Spieth and Johnson went into the playoff.  At one time Spieth had a five shot advantage, then lost it with a couple of bogeys.  You're right, Dustin Johnson is a very good golfer and I think he deserved to win.  I am not sure he is married to her, but his wife is Paulina Gretsky, daughter of Wayne Gretsky of hockey fame.  I think some people do not realize the golf courses are not all flat surfaces but have ridges and rises so it is not easy hitting a ball to the hole.  That is why we see the players surveying the grounds where they are about it hit. 

We finally are getting some rain, not hard, but wet.  I have had my inside plants on the deck for several days, waiting for the rain.  I notice our humidity has gone up to 90% and it has been in the 40s and 50s.  It is interesting to see how Harvey has gone from Texas and Louisiana over to the east coast.  It is so long lasting.

Mary Ann

Good Afternoon, now.   Too late to say Good Morning, so hope everyone had a "good morning".

I had a couple phone calls to make and straighten up a bit, and a couple little chores to get done this morning.

I am going away over the Labor Day week end to see my grand daughter and grandson,  who live in Connecticut.  My grand daughter has a new little girl, who is now 8 months old and I am so anxious to see her.  My grandson has a littlel girl who will be 2 in October. I haven't seen her since she was just a couple months old.  My son is taking me and we are both looking forward to enjoying a few days with his children,  my grandchildren and great-grands.   Hoping the weather will be cooperative.

I am planning on taking some good Maryland crab cakes for our dinner on Friday evening.  Plus, I am looking forward to having a good lobster roll, once I get to Connecticut.  I am also taking a few other special Maryland food  items that they can't get up there. 

Need to get myself moving after taking a little rest.  I need to do some laundry later today.  And, then spend most of the rest of the week, getting things together and packed.  Hope to leave around 8:30 on Friday and will be back Tuesday evening. 

In between all that, I hope to be able to get to the funeral of an old friend.  He was the husband of one of my childhood friends ,  We have been friends for almost 70 years.  Not too many people can say they have had friends for that long.  Hard to lose the old friends. 

Just wanted to stop by and say "Hi" !!!

Have a good Monday.

Joy

JOy.

You have a good trip to Connecticut. Wish I was going there. Grandaughter lives in New Canaan. Ct.  Love that village.  She has a 10 year old son and 5 year old Twins . Boy and Girl.  I sure miss seeing them. Usually she come home for 3 weeks in August. Has every year but I suppose busier now as they get older and into School.
I am going to try and take a Train up soon.  Not into flying anymore. To much trouble. Last time up I drove.  it is about 700 miles from me.

JeanneP,  interesting that you mentioned your grand daughter living in New Canaan.  We will probably go right through New Canaan on Rt. 15  on our way to Meriden.  Meriden  is a little south of Hartford,  where my grandson lives.  So, will get to spend time with both of them.  I will have to check out  the village of New Canaan that you mentioned. 

We are driving and it should take us about 6 1/2 hours with a couple stops. I  will have to stretch my legs a little bit.  And, I get so stiff when I sit for a long time.  And, my ankles swell, also .  I plan to wear my support stockings to help with that.

I am looking forward to getting away for a few days.  And, especially, anxious to see my "little girls".

Joy

Have a good visit, Joy.  I am sure you won't be doing the driving and I hope there is more than one driver.  When I used to drive to Indps, it took me about five to five and a half hours.  I did not drive on the Interstate when I didn't have to, but when I did take I-69, it was 50 miles further and the same amount of time.  I did enjoy the ride even though I was alone and really could not enjoy the scenery. 

My ancestors lived in Connecticut - Windsor and Hartford and probably some others - but no recent ancestors. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann,  my son will be driving .  It won't be a bad drive as we are going up through Pa. and not even getting close to New York City area.  He doesn't mind driving.  And, he has a pretty nice car.  it is only a little over 300 miles, so that isn't that far.  We used to drive straight through to the Outer Banks, but that was when we were a lot younger.  And that was close to 12 -14 hours.   My son is still young enough and doesn't mind.  He drives quite a bit during the day, so he is used to it. 

And. we don't think it will be bad traffic going in that direction.  Not like it is a big tourist area.

Joy

Hi everyone. It looks like we are in for a mostly cloudy day and nice temperatures not getting above the mid-80's later this afternoon.  After a very restful and unproductive day yesterday, I awoke this morning feeling ready to take on the world.  I have the morning chores in the kitchen done.  In a little while I will leave to go to have my teeth cleaned and then pick up a couple of prescriptions for Pat at Walmart.  Scott is bribing over some clothes around noon to dry as he dryer died and the new one he purchased won't be delivered until Friday.

Mary Ann, golf can be a very unforgiving game.  I thought sure that Spieth would be able to hold in and win starting the day with that big lead but a couple of bad shots and some trouble reading the greens really cost him.  You are right that Dustin Johnson was the better player on Sunday.  Not too many more weeks of golf left.  At the level these pro's play the courses need to be tough and the pin locations in difficult places.  It amazes me how they can read the greens and all the slopes and ridges.

Joy, it sounds like you are in for an enjoyable trip with your son and getting to see your grand and great grandchildren.  I hope the trip isn't too hard on you.  I have heard that we should stop about every hour and stand and stretch our legs.  We try to do it at least every 90 minutes.  Fortunately, our travels in the last few years have been between Atlanta and where we now live and that takes on 2 1/2 hours and we always stop about half way for a little rest and walking around. Those crab cakes sound delicious.  One of the banes of being older is that we lose our long time friends.

JeanneP, can you get to Canaan, CT. on the train?  I agree with you on flying.  We would like to get Pat's sister here at least one more time to visit but she hates to fly and certainly isn't able to make the long trip by car.  I don't know whether she will make it or not and it isn't an easy trip to make by plane either due to layovers and changing planes.  You will certainly be driving through some beautiful country.

Good morning to all!  I certainly must apologize for ignoring you all.  I really started out with good intentions.  I just don't seem to be able to do this daily. But my thoughts are with you all.  I have been doing the same old thing, day in & day out.  Haven't even gone out of the house since Saturday.

Mary Ann, I was concerned about your kitty & so happy to see he came back.

Joan, glad to see you are finally reunited with your daughter.  Sure look forward to a visit from mine this fall.

Marilyne, I remember when my brother had the cancer & said he wasn't going to let it get to him.  He was very determined, but of course, cancer won.  Nasty disease. I can empathize with you.

Larry, when we go to visit my son in the Ft. Lauderdale area, which takes about four hours, we plan on stopping after two hours.  Which coincides with a lovely ice cream store.   

And to everybody else I send greetings and love.  Just do not have the time and/or patience to keep typing.  Sorry.  Wishing all a great day ~

shirleyn.

Today we did my errands and I told Tom the rest of the day is his (to work!).  I had my hair cut first thing.  I have one section of my hair that doesn't respond to anything.  I sleep on my left side and it is as if I have ironed it and the rest of my hair waves a bit, as it should.  I can do very little with the "flat" section.  After my haircut, we had breakfast next door, which we always do after my haircut.  When we finished breakfast we went to have my blood drawn because I take a blood thinner and every six months I have to have it tested.  When finished with that, we came home and my errands are finished for the day.

The sun is trying to shine after a light fog this morning. 

Shirley, it is good to see a post from you this morning.  I think I won't panic about the cat if he gets out in the future, however, I'm going to try my darndest to keep him inside!

I still am watching the TV from Houston.  I know we will have remnants for quite a whilte.

Mary Ann

shirleyn - It's good to see a message from you, whenever you feel like saying hello!   Thank you for your thoughts about my brother.  Yes, cancer is an evil invader!  Great progress has been made in treating and curing many of the cancers, but others are still as bad as ever. 

Joy - Sounds like you'll be spending a nice Labor Day weekend with your son, grandchildren and great grands!  Eight months is my favorite baby age.  They are so smiley and learning so fast at that age.  I love to see a baby when they first discover they can get up on their hands and knees and creep around the house.

Mary Ann - I need to get my hair cut too, but will probably wait until Saturday.  Today I have an appointment with the eye doctor, which always takes a long time. This is that once a year time, when he dilates the pupils, and does the thorough exam. I expect to be there a couple of hours, because you always have to wait and wait, and it's hard to read anything with the dilated pupils!  Oh well, I have nothing else of to do, so I'll try to relax and "go with the flow", and the saying goes.

Larry - Speaking of appointments, I admire you for keeping up with your dental cleanings.  That is something that I've neglected for a long time.  My dentist retired a couple of years ago, and I haven't found a new one.  I do have a couple of recommendations, so I'll make an effort to call, and get back on some sort of schedule.

Joy, I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip.  When we made a trip to the northeast several years ago, one of my best memories is Connecticut.  We visited the Mystic Seaport in Mystic CN and loved it.  Have a safe trip and make some good memories.

Supposed to be 102  here today.

Thanks  for all your good wishes for my trip.  It has been a good while since I have been able to go anywhere, so I am really looking forward to it.  I know it won't be for as long as I would like, but just seeing something different will be a treat.

It is a very dreary and cloudy and misty day her in Central Maryland.  And, it was really chilly earlier.  I had even thought about turning the furnace on, but just bundled up a little bit more.  Way to soon for the furnace to be put to use.

I had read "somewhere" that we were going to have a nice warm Fall season.  Sure hope that will happen.  I am surely not looking forward to the cold weather. I don't like to even think about that "white stuff".  LOL

I am slowly getting things together and writing a list for things I don't want to forget.  Been a long time since I have planned a trip.

The pictures from Houston are just devastating.  We lived through the hurricanes, Agnes and David, back in the late 70's.  We had 5 ft. of water in our basement.  As stressful as it was,  it was nothing compared to what is going on in Texas.  And, I just read where it is supposed to turn around and hit inland, once again.  Those poor people's lives will never be the same.  I haven't heard how many lives have been lost yet.  Saw some pictures of some animals that were just left behind.  As sad as that is, I am sure some people just couldn't take them with them.   It is so easy for people to say they should have done this or that, but nobody knows what  people are going through at a time like that.  If there is a fire, that can be put out, but when you see water rising, there is nothing you can do.  In my case, we were very fortunate that we only had minimal damage..........mostly just a big, muddy, smelly mess to clean up.   And, things could be replaced.  Lost a lot of clothes and books  that I had stored in the basement.   Thinking of all those involved.

Mary Ann, I have the same kind of problems with my hair, as you do.  One side always wants to go the wrong way. 

Larry, so glad that you seem to be feeling better.  Most of my days are spent not doing much, and I get so tired .  When I have things to do, I am not nearly as tired.  Unfortunately, or not, I sit around doing nothing and now this week, everything is happening at once.  Plus I have a busy September coming up, with a baby shower and a wedding shower, a doctor's appointment,  blood work to get done, plus a big family party that my son has once a year.  And, in October, I have 2 wedding invitations, but not sure if I will get to go to one of them.  It never rains, but when it pours, as the old saying goes..

I am still making use of the online Walmart grocery shopping and it sure is a god-send for me.  I did go to Walmart the other day, but didn't have to walk the whole store.  Just had to pick up a few things that weren't in the grocery part.  My daughter-in-law did some shopping for herself, and she did pick me up some bread and a couple other things.  We were in and out in a little over an hour.  Nothing like when I had to do all my shopping and usually wound up being there over 2 hours.  I think the grocery pick-up service is very popular at the store where I order from.  I know several people who use it.  And, they are a lot younger than I am, but just like the convenience of it. Plus, I still order most of my paper goods from Amazon.  With the Prime membership, I get them in 2 days. 

Need to get some lunch and then get back to my list of things that I need to get done.

Have a good afternoon.

Joy

Good afternoon, WJean,  cool day, We are expecting rain from the tropical storm that is coming up the coast.  I cannot even imagine 102, it is not going to get out of the 60's to day, and it is still Aug. which is always hot.

Larry, glad you are feeling better.   They say golf makes you humble.  some days,  I could not put 3ft. and other days I could do not wrong, I even won a trophy in my late 80's for hitting closest to the pin. Now I am even tooting my own horn

Joy, I join with the others saying have safe trip.  Beautiful time of years.  I live on eastern Long Island, and when we use to go to Mass. we took the ferry across the L.I. Sound 1 hour 40 min ride. then the TPK.

Shirleyn, glad to see you posting.

MaryAnn, I have the same problem with my hair but I sleep on my right side. Have a nice wave on the left side.

Of all the flood stories and pictures, this one made me smile. http://kxan.com/2017/08/29/dog-who-carried-his-own-food-during-harvey-reunited-with-family/

Harvey is certainly a hurricane of epic proportions. There is a local volunteer group that specializes in coming after disaster to help with cleanup and rebuilding. They will be heading down to TX in the next few days. Some of our PA Air National Guard, local firefighters, and Red Cross volunteers are already there.

MarsGal, I loved the story about Otis; he's my kind of dog!  I just saw the rescue of a couple on a truck.  She had an umbrella and when she got in the boat, she didn't get the umbrella down and then you saw the upside-down umbrella going with the wind on top of the water. 

I've been watching the hurricane coverage on the Weather Channel for several days now.  I have read articles in the computer news that tell that Houston does not have zoning laws which allows people to build as they want to.  I have been to Houston only once when I changed planes there on the way to someplace or other.

Gloria, it's interesting that the rain in your area is, or will be, connected to Harvey.  I know if I put up my hair nightly, I would not have the problem I have, it would curl in whatever direction I made the curl.  I'm not going to change now and attribute my problem to "old" hair!

Joy, I don't know if our WalMart delivers or not, but I do know of one local supermarket chain that has pickup and the store is near here.  We haven't taken advantage of it yet but who knows, we might.  Tom doesn't mind doing the shopping and he even goes to the store I prefer.

Mary Ann

No this storm has nothing to do with Harvey, it is a coast tropical that made up over S. Carolina during the weekend. We are lucky as it is going to pass 200 miles from Long Island, but we will get some effect of it. The ocean looks wild, and the rip current is very bad he surfers love it

We are having rain all this week off and on, but it doesn't have anything to do with Harvey.  Larry has two nieces in Houston but fortunately their houses have not flooded--at least so far.  Now that the dams are being overrun some people are being flooded from that and not directly from the rain.  I feel so bad for those people.  In 2005 we lost power from a hurricane for over a week and also some shingles but nothing like those poor people.  I just hope and pray we don't get a hurricane here.  We are only 10 or 12 miles from the Gulf.

Hi everyone. It looks like it will be another cloudy day and have a fairly good chance of rain but it is suppose to stay in the high 70's today. 

Pat and I will make a quick stop at Walmart this evening so she can get a pair of the Sholl's shoe inserts where you stand on a machine and it tells you what pair to get.  Our son has used these for several months and raves about what they have done for his feet.  He used to come home with his feet hurting very badly but the inserts have stopped that and he is on his feet for many hours at a time.  We will be in the Walmart outer ring this  evening as we are going out to eat with our son and granddaughter at the new Dairy Queen. 

I had a good dental cleaning yesterday and no new dental work needed.  This is the third good report from cleaning I have had. 

It seems the situation in Texas just gets worse by the day with new cities being flooded and more in the path of that terrible storm. There is a tropical storm off the coast of Georgia and the Carolina's that may bring problems to the coast.  Then this morning I heard there is another storm forming out in the ocean that may turn into a hurricane that could affect some of the Atlanta Coast states.  It looks like this may be a very bad year for hurricanes.

ShirleyN, it sounds like you have a good stopping off point when you travel to visit your son.  Having a little ice cream is always a good idea and makes a nice break.  Glad to read your postings whenever you are able to post.  I have been doing this so long it is just a part of my daily routine although some days I don't have as much time as others.  I guess it gives me a feeling of at least accomplishing something during the day as often I don't get a lot of other things done.

Mary Ann, it is always a lift to get a haircut.  Hope your blood tests turn out well.  As long as Tom is able walking through the supermarket aisles shopping is good exercise for him.  If the time comes he can't do it there is at least an alternative.

Marilyne, my family has been fortunate not to have many with a cancer problem but certainly understand how devastating it can be.  We have so many battling it on our Church prayer list. When I am around little ones I find that my attention is usually directed to them as they are so cute.  I love to see the little ones go forward in Church each Sunday for the children's sermon and the minister never knows what they are going to say in response to a question he may ask or sometimes when there has been no question.  In years past I have neglected good dental care and later paid the price with the need for a lot of dental work.  I don't intend to go down that path again as I found I could either pay the dentist now or pay more later. 

Joan, what happened to your cooler pre-fall weather.  That is mighty hot out your way. 

Joy, just hope your trip is most enjoyable and leaves you with many good memories to ponder during the winter days.  I expect it will be many days before an accurate count of the lives lost in the hurricane can be determined.  It sounds like you have some busy days ahead.  I am sure we are going to continue to use the Walmart online grocery shopping service.  We also usually order our paper products from Amazon or from Costco.  Costco has a lot of items they will ship without added shipping and handling fees.

deAngel, the few times I played golf many years ago I ran up really big scores as when I hit the ball it just skimmed along on the ground and didn't go very far.  I remember your writing about how much you were enjoying playing for a long time. I am hoping these new storms won't turn into terrible disasters along the coast of the Atlanta. 

Jean, glad to see that Larry's two nieces homes are still OK.  I hope the over spill and release of water from the dams don't affect them. 

MarsGal, thanks for the link about the brave dog who was being self-sufficient.  It sort of made my day. My niece's husband is on his way to Houston with a tanker full of gasoline.  I expect there will be many such truck loads of gas headed that way.  Our gas prices have already climbed about twenty cents a gallon since the Hurricane hit. 

Larry, I have an e-mail that my test results are available, however, the program is not working right now and that is very unusual.  I'll try again shortly.  The results give the numbers for whatever they check for and they also put the norms in. 

I can't imagine what it is like to be in an area such as Houston right now.  I have watched a lot of the coverage.  And now another storm is headed toward this way.  While Dot always wanted to leave Florida before Mother's Day, she was also very concerned about a hurricane and would have insisted leaving if one had headed their way that early in the season.  She was lucky because they never had a hurricane in the years they were there - and Norm insisted on leaving in late September, well within the late hurricane season.

Mary Ann

Larry, Mother Nature is confused is all I can think .

Mary Ann - I couldn't. sleep last night, so got up and watched a lot of the coverage from Houston.  It's so shocking, and like you, I wonder what is going to happen to those thousands of families whose homes and businesses have been destroyed?  They reported last night, that only very few people have flood insurance, and even if you are lucky enough to have it, it takes years to get paid.  I'm wondering if much of the city will have to be abandoned, and then slowly rebuilt over the coming years?  I noticed that the TV cameras never showed any pictures of the downtown or metropolitan part of the city?  I mean the tall buildings, hotels, theaters, etc.?  That area must be higher, and is still intact?  They say it's the fourth largest city in the US, so there must be lots of sections that are still okay? 

Marilyn, I'm not sure the downtown area of Houston is high and dry.  There are a lot of bayous that empty into rivers in the area and I understand the area is relatively flat.  Downtown seems to be much concrete that doesn't drain, so there is a lot of water.  I think there may be more activity in the outskirts of the city because can you imagine those meteorologists standing in the water, trying to tell what is going on and little activity?  I don't mean that nothing is going on in the downtown, but there is more activity in the suburbs and neighborhoods.  Another thing - the water may be higher downtown than what the reporters' waders can handle.

I have no special activity going on today.  I finally was able to access my blood test and all is within the normal limits except glucose and I try to keep that down, but I do like a cookie for dessert and cookies are sugar!

We're headed for a high 70s day, no rain expected and the rain we had recently was not heavy enough to do much good.

Almost time for lunch.  I brought home half of my breakfast omelet yesterday and I may have that but I think I'll wait to hear what Tom suggests - if he does suggest anything.

Mary Ann

One of my high school classmates from West Virginia has retired in Houston.  She has e-mailed our class president that she has left her flooded first floor condominium and has moved up to the third floor.  I imagine her furniture is ruined, but hopefully she got most of it upstairs before her condo flooded.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the flood.

SCFSue

Sue, your friend could have been the person I saw interviewed, but I didn't see the first part.  This woman had a third floor apartment, it even sounded as if her car was on the third floor too.  She just hoped the water wouldn't get that high. 

Mary Ann

Hi everyone. We have a good chance for rain today and tomorrow and cooler temperatures.  Yesterday was a very nice weather day as well although we got only a little bit of rain.  This is coffee day with friends downtown and then I hope to go to the Wisdom Group at church.  Beyond that the day will be quiet.  Yesterday I went down and got Scott and he came out and then borrowed the Cruiser as his car needed a little repair on his brakes and the part wouldn't be available until this morning.  He will also need it in the middle of next week so told him to keep it at his house until after that as we seldom need it.  Later we met them and had our evening meal out. 

Mary Ann, always nice to get normal results on blood tests.  It seems the news from Houston and other surrounding areas and in Louisiana just keeps getting worse. 

Marilyne, I guess the taxpayers will be picking up the tab for much of the restoration. I think it is hard to get perspective of how much of Houston is flooded as it is such a huge area.   However, I just heard that 395,000 people have registered with FEMA for relief.  It is interesting that they really haven't talked about the downtown area.  Of course many other areas of Texas,  Louisiana and some other States have also flooded or will be flooded in the next few days.

Sue, having a one story house in a flood turns out not to be a very good thing.  Glad the lady had a third floor to go to but she will still have a lot of damage in her first floor.   

Good morning all - It's only 9:30 here, but I can tell already that it's going to be a slow day for me.  The temperature is predicted to hit 100 degrees today, and then will go even higher over the long weekend.  This has been the hottest summer I can remember. 

wjoan - The summer we spent in the Tri-Cities WAS hotter, but that was so long ago, that I can hardly remember.  I was so young then, that the heat didn't bother me much at all.

Larry - I'd like to know how Pat likes the Dr. Scholls orthotic inserts??  I have looked at that machine in Walgreen's, but didn't want to take a chance without some sort of endorsement from someone.  I looked into getting the inserts from a good shoe store, but I didn't want to pay $300!! 

Mary Ann - I'm still watching the storm damage in Texas, and I continue to be shocked by all the devastation!  I just can't imagine where all the people are going to go, and how they can ever recover financially from losing everything.  Having to start from the very beginning again on everything, is something I can't imagine.  I just saw that a chemical plant has exploded in Texas, because of leaks caused by the flooding.  One disaster leads to another.

Marilyne,

I am so surprised that most of the rest of this country
is having very high temperatures.   

I only have to use my AC these days to "freshen up"
the cooler air that we are having cool weather (74 deg/F)
and predicted to have the same conditions for the next 10
days  (which takes us well into Sept. )

September can be very hot and humid,  but none such heat
predicted  for us....   
I love it.  Some  people complain that it is too cool
here...    I bask in it. 

Good luck  to everyone,  everywhere..
and especially in TExas, Louisana etc where
hurricane Harvey  and another one   in the Atlantic building up to
strike the USA.     

Sandy