Patricia, if male cats are mature at five months, Kendrick was mature when we got him because he was five months old December 2013 and will be five years old in July 2018.  I'd suggest a party, but he'd go downstairs and hide out if any strangers were here! 

You say August is a rainy month in Alaska - Jim and I were there in August 2006 and it rained every day of our trip.  Fortunately, it did not rain hard and we did not miss anything except we could not see Denali.  Even taking a helicopter ride, Jim did not see it.  I never did find out the name of the glacier that is west of Valdez.  I named it, but it was the wrong name.  Others I had right.  I still remember the huge flowers that grew where we were and they were large because of the amount of sunlight at that time.  I'd go again if I were younger.

Joy, I "talked" to you elsewhere, but welcome back.

Mary Ann

Joy - Good to see you again.  I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well, but I hope all is cleared up by now?  I know what it's like to take an antibiotic, and have a bad reaction to it.  Very scary, and you have to wait a few days before it's completely out of your system. 

Mary Ann - Maybe you can have a party for Kendrick, with just you and Tom and Annie?  Five years is a milestone.  Winnie would have turned 20 years old this August. Just think, he was nearly 15, around the time that Kendrick was born! 

Patricia - I hope that all those adorable kittens get adopted into loving homes, as soon as they are ready.  Is there any chance the Gamora will be adopted, or will she be returned to the feral colony?   

Driver’s license in Florida can be renewed online and last for 8 years UNTIL age 80.  Beginning at age 80 you have to take a vision test and the license lasts for 6 years.  I don’t have to worry about it until 2021, thank goodness.  But the way the time flies, it will be here too soon.

It is 88 here but the weather says it “feels like” 97.  We were just back from grocery shopping and it is hot, but I don’t think it felt that hot.  But I plan on staying in where it is comfortable.

MaryAnn,  Siamese cats are an anomaly in that they are mature at four months. The males are usually adult, (mature as an adolescent); a month or so before female cats. "According to popular legend, one human year is the equivalent of seven 'cat years,' but in reality, a one-year-old cat is much more mature than a seven-year-old child."

Marilyne, after hundreds send a preadoption questionnaire and a cover letter to Perfect Pals and then spend around two hundred per cat or kitten, I would hope its to a good home. The cat or kitten comes with blankets made by volunteers that carry the siblings and mother's scent, (You've seen them draped around the room); to make the cat feel more comfortable in a new home; several toys, a certified clean bill of health and neutered certificate, youtube videos of the litter in action and other items provided. The adoptions of Gamora and her kittens along with those from other Perfect Pals foster homes are televised.

Gamora will also be adopted. I don't know if I said, but Gamora was surrendered and not direct from a colony although she was initially from a colony of ferals. Both Mama and kittens have been socialized.

Jean, Alaskan drivers over the age of seventy-five must take an in-house vision test.
 

Angel, I like your “ A Thought for Today”

Good afternoon, very pleasant weather the last few day, sunny and stays in the low 70's

Larry, Ifind I am more grouchy in hot humid weather. I also like those veggies in the steam bags, I tried the  rice cauliflower, but I think I like my real rice better.

Marilyne I can still send for my drivers license, it is up this year, I am 94 and it is good for and other 4 years!!!!?? The best part the photo on it was taken when I was working 28 years ago, and they're still use using  it for my photo ID  I just passed my eye exam

MarsGal, glad Lucy seems better.  One of our cats that roams in the park looking for hand outs started limping a couple of months ago, we try to look, but I do not see any marks on him

Patricia, in to days paper under pets, it said some cat just like to play with crumpled up grocery receipts

My drivers license was up for renewal in 2016 when I was 92.  I was surprised when I saw I could renew by e-mail, so I renewed that way.  I think the picture was taken about eight years previous, or at least four years before.  It will be my choice in 2020 to get an ID card - assuming I am still here in 2020.

Patricia, from the contact I've had with Siamese cats, I don't care when the males mature, I don't want one. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, my husband only liked Siamese, so we have had 4 the first one Toy Wong we got from  and AF man who brought  the mother from S. Korea. Never had any trouble with them Like I have heard. Ming Chin was a Blue Point, and so gentle, the boys could play with her and carry her all over she would just hang in their arms. When Dennis was about someone gave him a kink tail one, again a loveable cat.
My next door neighbor is a cat lover and one of her cats is siamese, her other cqt still does not get along with it all the time,. She got it  at work, was only a few weeks old and got into someones motor in the parking lot, no one wanted it so Rima bought the kitten home
work, that was 6 months ago
Patricia once again I have to say Farrah, is such a lucky cat to have you

Gloria de, FlaJean, and Mary Ann - You three are fortunate that you can renew your license online.  Jean, just going in for the eye test, isn't bad at all.  I suppose I should be grateful that I don't have to take the driving test!  Some states have a requirement that you must pass a "behind the wheel" test, from age 80 on up.  I remember that JeanneP, had to take that driving test about a year ago.  She lives in Illinois. 

Speaking of JeanneP, I haven't seen her posting any messages in S&F, in a long time time?  I hope she is okay?  I'll send her an email today. 

Patricia - your description of the DMV in Fairbanks, makes it sound exactly like the one here!  I think there is probably a standard design that's used in many States.  I remember when this one was built . . . around the mid 1960's.  I don't recall if it's been enlarged or "improved" over the years, or if it always looked exactly like this?  The parking lot surrounding it is HUGE, and is always filled with cars, five days a week.   

Gloria, I can't say I had any unpleasant experience with a Siamese, but the first I remember was at my cottage and my neighbors had a very pregnant Siamese cat.  They had her on a leash but if she got close to anyone other than family, she hissed.  One day she got loose and ended up by my back door.  I managed to get hold of the leash and put it on a post on the railing.  She was very unhappy and I was afraid to go out my door until the family came to get her.  I realize the cat being pregnant was a main reason for her not being friendly but I steered clear of her whenever I was near her.  I think I have been around other Siamese and maybe they were just as unfriendly as Kendrick, not knowing the person.  I much prefer kitties and I know kitties grow up to be CATS!  (Kendrick doesn't hiss, he disappears).

Did anyone ever have the red light on their sound button burn out?  I usually have the sound off, but occasionally turn it on when I want to hear something.  This just happened last week.  I don't plan to do anything about it.

Mary Ann

Thanks, Jean, when I saw it in Wordsmith, a daily vocabulary email that Bubble turned me on to, I thought it was so spot on!

Gloria, hot weather here is roasting, no humidity and it just does that, makes you feel baked! One year it was 104 degrees, and everyone was carrying these enormous bottles of water on the street.

MaryAnn, we have two usually but not always rainy months, April and August while, again often the following months are either fresh or warmer but were still bright and beautiful. It seems to be a type of season changer. My sound shows as a small icon on my taskbar. If the sound is off, a line is drawn through it.

I have had Siamese before. They, in my understanding, are more vocal, enjoy fetching, like water and are highly intelligent. They seem to imprint on one person rather than several. But any cat will also be changed good or bad by its environment.

Thank you, Gloria, Farrah has come such a long way from hiding under the bed for six months. It's cats and other animals like these that we need better laws for. Alaska is not a right place regarding animals being abused or having non-kill shelters. The local one only keeps an animal for 48 hours without a tag or chip. There are however good animal groups.

Alaskan drivers licenses, vision tests, fees, are all done in that same cavernous room, Marilyne, so there must be some standardized blueprint somewhere? And yes, the parking lots while large, always have cars circling.

"The minimum age to begin each step towards your driver's license are as follows: Learner's permit: 14 years old. Provisional driver's license: 16 years old. Full, unrestricted driver's license: 18 years old OR after holding a provisional driver's license for six months with no violations."

"Alaska drivers who are 69 years of age or older at the time their current driver license expires are generally required to renew their license in person at a local DMV office by paying the required fee. In addition to taking a vision test (see below), you may in certain situations be asked to take a written knowledge test as well. In preparation for this, you can review the Alaska Drivers Handbook and take practice tests before going for your license renewal."

Wrote a letter to the CEO of Enterprise Rent A Car today.  Told him of Candy's problems with the local  Enterprise.  I doubt I will hear back, but if I do, will let you know. LOL

Hi Everyone.  It is a cloudy morning and about 75 degrees but only headed up to about 90 this afternoon.  We had another popup storm last evening and it looks like we had about 1/2 inch of rain.  There must have been significant wind as my artificial flowers were blown out of their ceramic vase on the front porch clear over to the side of the house and halfway back between the houses.  I was able to get them and they don't seem to be any worse for wear.  We have a chance for more rain today.  I have a light schedule today and the only thing planned is to meet Jennifer and Elizabeth at IHOB for our evening meal and then they will come out to the house for a little while.  Scott is working tonight as had traded his day off with one of the other employees and then he will have Sunday off.  While yesterday was another down day for me I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. 

Mary Ann, Pat isn't yet at the point of needing hearing aids but I can foresee it sometime in the future.  I see her using the headphones for the TV more and more.  This is good because then I don't have to hear the noise from the TV or I use mine and she doesn't have to listen to something she isn't interested in and can listen to her audio books. 

Marilyne, I know how aggravating it is to wake up early and not be able to go back to sleep.  Sure glad to read that the wildfires are 200 miles away from your area.  I think I heard on the news last night that the Lake County fire was only about 5% controlled so they have a long ways to go.  Getting a driver's license here in North Augusta isn't bad as you take a number and sit and wait for your number to appear on the board and be announced.  I haven't had to renew mine yet and won't until early in 2020.  I will do the online renewal if that is available to me. 

Joy, glad to see you back and posting and hopefully feeling better today even more so than yesterday.  It is bad when the medicine we take makes us sick as something is wrong with the picture.  It sounds like you are due for a nice weekend. 

Patricia, thanks for that additional information on cats and when they mature.  No wonder there are so many of them.  I haven't looked at the cat cam for a couple of days and will do so this morning before they are adopted.  It sounds like July is a big month for your town with lots going on.

Jean, your driver's license are good for a long time.  I think ours are good for only 5 years and as far as I know I won't have to take any tests other than perhaps an eye test, which would be no problem for me now. 

deAngel, I am sure Pat will be getting those vegetables in the steamer bags more often in the future as they are so easy to prepare and you don't have to thaw them out in advance. 

Marilyne, I also sure hope JeanneP is OK as it has been quite awhile since she posted here.  Time goes so quickly that it is easy to sort of lose track when someone hasn't posted recently. 

Mary Ann, I have never had a red light button for sound on any of the computers I have had.  I did have the wireless mouse that I have been using on my desktop die yesterday so I gave it an appropriate burial in my wastebasket.  I am using a wired one but will probably order another wireless one before long. 

Joan, I would be surprised if you didn't get some type of response from Enterprise. 

Larry, I don't know, Candy was reading their reviews and the U.S. citizens are not happy with them right now.

Good morning from another beautiful day in the Interior! Let's hope these days last for the rest of the summer! Farrah has had her "meal in a tube," and is now taking a morning nap, and I'm on my first cup of coffee.

We received a somewhat lousy piece of news yesterday in that the building owners are selling their US businesses and the State is optioning among other buyers for the property here. I'm not sure that's a good thing. The Canadian company, like many others, now is pulling out of the US.

Larry, domestic dogs, are similar to cats in having their first heat around five to six months. The need to trap, neuter and release for cats is critical in so many states, and people do not realize how many homeless dogs there are. It is a huge issue when a nation cannot care for large homeless urban populations of humans let alone dogs and cats.

Marilyne, I also find myself having periods of sleeplessness. I tend to sleep for about two and a half hours between breaks even when I go to bed on a set schedule.

I am no longer delivering boxes on Saturdays as one of my three died, and one is in hospice while the third has moved into a care home. So I don't know if I'm going to be volunteering in a new way or committee or not. So much is presently in flux.

I did finish my classes and am presently on summer break, so I will have to see what else I can get into.

Here's to hoping everyone is having a good day!

Joan - You didn't mention Candy's Gyn appointment, so I'm thinking it was probably okay?  I hope so.  Also, I hope that you're feeling well? 

Larry - Looks like you'll be the first to tell us about the "new" IHOB?  I'm wondering how the menu has changed?  The closest one to us is about 10 miles, so I don't think we'll be going there any time soon.  It's the same here, at DMV, in that you sit and wait for your number to light up on the board.  Problem is, the chairs are all taken, with a line, waiting to get the next chair.  So I have to expect to spend a lot of time standing, which is not a good thing!  AJ laughs and says that's DMV's way of weeding out the old folks like us.  If you can't stand, then they hope you might get tired and leave . . . making room for the young! Everything is about youth, here in Silicon Valley.

Mary Ann - I see from reading Soda Shoppe, that you and Tom will be going to Holland today to take care of the girls.  I'll be looking forward to hearing about how they're doing?  Have Tom take take some pictures, so we can enjoy the day with you.

Kendrick is behaving himself today.  Last night he pushed a claw at me, he did not break any skin, but I could tell where he hit.  I shook a finger at him and scolded him and left to get ready for bed.  When we left for lunch, he was lying on a mattress pad that I have dedicated to him and I think he was there when we got back, but I didn't go in to see and it wasn't long before he came to where I was.

Tom and I ate at the New Beginnings Restaurant and we both had Reubens.  We eat there quite often as we usually can find a table or booth, however, the restaurant is nicely crowded.

Marilyn, I found out we are baby sitting to enable Alicia to get some packing done without the help of two little girls.  James and Alicia have the neatest guard rails to keep the girls in the living room.  The rail is wrought iron, like a fence, and has two gates for adults to open but the girls cannot.  They also have some seats for the girls that they take to restaurants and put on regular chairs and they do not need to use the kid seats in the restaurant.  They use the seats at home too.  We will be going tomorrow, not tonight.

Long ago, James planned a vacation with buddies to go to Ely MN, about as far away as you can get in MN, so his timing was not good.  He probably will be back this weekend, if not before.

Tonight is our annual condo association meeting.  I am not going but Tom may.  Tom is not an owner but will take my proxy and can vote for me.  I am sure Dot and her good friend neighbor will also be there. 

We've had about an inch of rain so far today and while the sun was trying to come out, radar still shows rain in the area.  It's been hazy at Grand Haven all day.

Mary Ann

Marilyne, sorry about that.  Seems the Ultra Sound did not show anything.  The Gyn Dr. gave her two prescriptions tho for the sores that will not heal.  Seems that one of these Dr's would want to know what is causing them tho.  I must admit that Dr's nowadays are not as thorough as when I was going to see them.  Why is that I wonder?

Joan, I think it because corp. are taking over the hospitals and doctors. I wrote this befor my doctor of 20 years said he would retire, but he cannot afford it.  He had to go with another group, which tells him what he can do and not do  All my bills that come in fromMEDICARe this week,.  Was from all the doctors I have seen since March and they all had how long the doctor spent with me. either 15 or 20 min.The doctor in the ER WE have 4 hospitals out here, and each one is a different corp. So my family doctor ( I still call him that) cannot come in to see me, He is associated with Winthrop which is 45 miles from here Sorry this is morethen you asked.

I forgot to mention in my last message, that I wrote to JeanneP, and I heard back from her.  She is well, but has cut back on her posting in S&F.  However, she will be back.  I did see that she posted a message in one of the folders today.

Gloria - We have the same thing happening here, as to our doctors and hospitals.  Major corporations have taken over, and now the doctors have to go with one, in order to practice at a hospital. They cannot remain independent any longer!  We have two hospitals near us, Stanford or El Camino,  Most have chosen to join Stanford.   I prefer El Camino Hospital, but all my doctors have joined Stanford, so I have no choice.  Lots of people have Kaiser, which is in San Jose, and is very good.  At this late date, it would be hard to switch to Kaiser.

I meant to look at an arriving boat this morning, but forgot all about it. Last night, there was a boat that was arriving, named RIKE.  The schedule showed a flag that I had never seen before.  I looked it up and found that it was from, Antigua and Barbuda.  I think that would be somewhere in the Caribbean?

Marilyn, if you watch Wheel of Fortune, you would find that occasionally a prize is a trip to Antigua, which Pat Sajak had a hard time learning to pronounce at first.  I saw that ship too and didn't recognize the flag but read lower down that it was from Antigua and/or Barbuda.  And they are in the Caribbean and quite often hit by a hurricane. 

I just watched the American Mariner leave from Duluth, followed by the Vista Star!

I just took a nap and I haven't woke up yet!

Mary Ann

Many ships are owned by investor group shares and are registered in a nation with the cheapest fees and taxes, and not necessarily the area that the particular ship operates in or from.

I am so glad that Alaska made such hospital and health, doctor plans illegal here. Not that we don't have issues, we certainly do. However, corporations and insurance companies try to get around that obstacle by promoting different bonuses and cheaper rates if you follow their plan or program. They cannot deny you coverage if you go our own way as its illegal here.

Hi Everyone.  For the 4th night in a row we had a pretty good storm last evening.  My rain gauge shows over 1/2 inch more of rain.  It is only suppose to get to 90 this afternoon and we have more possibilities of thunderstorms today.  I will go to coffee a little later this morning and run by the Community Thrift Store and food bank to drop off three bags of clothing.  I think that will be it for today.

Joan, it sounds like Enterprise Car Rentals may have dropped the ball and that is never good for business.  I haven't used them for several years but always had a good experience with them. 

Patricia, it sounds like you make Farrah really work for her meal.    Sure hope the sale of your building doesn't effect the quality of your living conditions.  My former neighbor, who lived across the fence from us, was and I expect still is very active in the organization to protect animals.  I think she still has three cats and know she helped raise funds to support their organizations mission.  I bet you find something to keep you busy during the summer.

Marilyne, I think the main change in the IHOB menu is that they have more hamburger selections.  The hamburgers were fine but really no better than Ruby Tuesday's or some other places we eat.  One time when I needed to renew my license I waited until near the end of the day and there was no waiting.

Mary Ann, I have seen parents bring a padded cloth covering for the child chairs in restaurants so that none of the chair surface is exposed to the small child.  That seems like such a good idea.  It must be like moving for them to go to a restaurant with the babies, the chairs and the other things needed for infants.  Are James and Alicia moving as you mention Alicia packing?

deAngel, it must be very frustrating for doctors these days with all the restrictions on them.  These corporations get bigger and bigger and that is happening with the hospitals as well.  I know the doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are very careful to check for authorization before doing much of anything. 

Marilyne, thanks for checking on JeanneP.  Sure glad she is well and look forward to her return to S&Fs.  We belonged to Kaiser for probably 30 years or more and they were very good.  I sure miss them here but they don't have the facilities here in this small area. 

Larry, James and family have been living in student housing (a 2-bedroom townhouse) since before the babies came.  James is no longer a student, but the college let them stay as long as there were no requests for housing from students.  There was a request, so James was asked to leave and he found a larger house to rent which is a couple miles from where they are.  Eventually, they'd like to buy in Hamilton MI which is kind of between Holland and Grand Rapids because Alicia works in the Hamilton school system as an athletic trainer.  They will move around July 4.

I don't know how to explain the seats James and Alicia have for the girls.  The seats fold flat for storage and transportation, but a back and two sides come up to form the chair, then there are seat belts to hold the girls in.  I'll see if I can find a picture and send it to Bubble for display.  I'm not sure the reason is to keep the girls from having to use restaurant chairs as to make it easier on everyone.  They use the same seats at home. 

I can tell it is Thursday because the lawn guys are here.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, my friend has these for their grandkids.  They tie onto the back of a regular chair and eliminate the use of a high chair.  She has twin 2 year olds and a 1 year old, and often cares for all three at the same time and they eliminate having high chairs sitting around.  Her daughters received them as shower gifts and bought her some to keep at her house. The girls use them at home and love them. 

They would be great to use in a restaurant as tables are so crowded together and having to make room for high chairs.

Mary

MaryTX, thank you, I'm glad someone else knows what I'm talking about.  I was able to send a picture to Bubble taken at the twins' first birthday in February.  I had all sorts of trouble getting started, but then realized I was doing everything wrong.  I did it right - at least I hope so - so Bubble should be able to post them soon.  I send so few pictures, I forget the correct method.  Age has its limitations!!!

Mary Ann

Larry, back when I was working I used them quite a bit and never had a problem  with then.  Like I said , gotta blame Management.

I decided that herding cats is not my forte. When Lucy and I got back from her appointment at the vet, Oscar and Shan were right there at the door waiting to investigate. First I tried to put Lucy back out on the porch, where I retrieved her this morning. Shan jumped the carrier and follow her about. When I tried to catch him, Lucy heading into the kitchen where Oscar started to follow her. She headed for the basement stairs. While she waited at the top of the stairs, I got the guys closed out of the kitchen area. By the time I did that Lucy headed down the basement. So now the basement door is closed for a while and Lucy has a dish of water and food down there with her. I'll be going down soon to do some laundry and will check on her then. I don't know why I didn't think to remove the guys before I let her out of her carrier.

The vet, BTW, said she seems to have a soft tissue injury to her elbow, not the shoulder, which is what the emergency center vet thought.

Posting for MaryAnn

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/photos-and-more/photos-old-and-new/msg133106/#msg133106

These are seats owned by James and Alicia and they take them with them to restaurants and they also use them at home. 

Both of these pictures were taken in February for the twins' first birthday.  They now are almost 15 months old.

MarsGal - you made me smile, with your description of Shan and Oscar, and their determination to find out what was happening with Lucy! They know she's been coming and going somewhere, and they are curious as to what its all about?  I hope she's feeling better, and will be back upstairs with her family ASAP. 

Mary Ann - Right now, I guess you and Tom are in Holland, taking care of Eleanor and Johanna.  It's still only about 10:00 here, so I would guess that the girls may be taking a nap, about now, as it would be 1:00 in MI.

Larry - I made an appointment for my license renewal, but September 14, was the earliest I could get one!  This would be more than a month after my birthday in August, so my current license will be expired.  The DMV, is only about four blocks from me, on the main street here in town.  I'm planning to walk in, and hope to be there at a time that I won't have to wait so long?  I was thinking that next week . . .  the day before, and the day after the 4th of July, might not be too busy?  I'll have to start studying the handbook.