Hi Everyone.  After a wonderful rainy day yesterday we now have bright sunshine and will be in the mid-60's this afternoon.  Yesterday I thought we would not be going to meet friends tomorrow but Pat decided she would be able to make the trip if she takes a pain pill early enough so it is back on. 

I had a really good day yesterday and got all of the errands I planned to do done.  Today I plan on staying home.  Pat has been having a problem with her computer trying to update to a newer version of Windows 10.  It was get to about 90% and go no further.  Yesterday I found a link to a direct download of the current Windows 10 and was able to get it installed last night. I just completed another tweak on it.  Hopefully this will eliminate another source of aggravation for her.

Mary Ann, I have and have had in the past black and white laser printers and use them for most of my printing.  However, Pat prints out a lot of things that relate to quilting and wants the illustrations in color.  Glad your eye check went well. My vision is changing by the day.  Yesterday I discovered I can now see better without my glasses than with them as long as it isn't really near me.  I am thinking I may be able to use OTC glasses for reading in the future rather than prescription. 

Marilyne, I can't imagine surfing in very cold water.  The suits they wear must keep them pretty warm. I agree with you on the need for protection at our Church services. 

Joy, there seem to be so many groups fostering hate among our people.  I saw one of the Congressmen on on TV this morning saying the Congress would vote on impeaching our President before Christmas.  I guess if we don't agree with something anymore then it has to be destroyed.  It is sad. 

Mary Ann, your mention of lard makes me think of how many things we have been told aren't good for us only to later be told that information wasn't correct. 

Joan, nice to see that Candy is recovering nicely from that train trip and overnight at the train station.  She will likely enliven your days while she is with you.

FlaJean, nice to see your picture as always good to have an idea of a face with a name.  Right now my seeing is a little strange as my brain is having to reconcile by fixed eye with the one with the remaining cataract. 

Patricia, that is a cute toy.  Cats love to play with something that is moving and it gives them a chance to jump.  I hope the Siberian storm isn't as bad as they predict.

Larry, I have a HP color printer but the cartridges are no longer good.  The cartridges are quite expensive and Tom always discourages me from getting any because we can get color prints from Walgreen’s for pennies.  Tom has an account there (Walgreen’s is only a mile or two from here) but he often procrastinates and I end up with no pictures.  We plan to take a 4-generation picture on Thanksgiving Day at James’ home and I think Tom will be more attentive to getting the pictures.  If we act soon, we won’t run into too many others with the same idea.  This is a downfall of my no longer driving because I did lose my independence in that respect â€" however, I’m not going to start again now!

Larry, I thing being PC is now being overdone.  I’m not very political but I don’t think Trump has done anything impeachable â€" but I don’t like him.  And that’s all I’ll say because I’m in the wrong folder.

Kendrick likes to go after anything moving.  The toilet paper holder is over the register and the paper sometimes flutters in the breeze.  It is not unusual to find the end of the roll in tatters.  He also investigates the Kleenex beside my chair in this room, however, I usually am sitting beside it and can shoo him away.  The Kleenex does not flutter.

We had 21 degrees this morning at 7:30 am and I see one thermometer is all the way up to 24 degrees at nearly noon.   There was snow on the ground this morning, but nothing to be concerned about.

I’ve been trying to read a magazine this morning with my regular glasses and I may see what I can do with my computer glasses.  I hold a magazine about the same distance from my eyes as the computer.  It was hard with the regular glasses.  Distance is no problem.  The joys of being older!

Mary Ann

Another Friday has rolled around once again.  I can't believe how quickly the weeks fly by . . . almost the middle of November already!  That means Thanksgiving, and then Christmas!  I have some ideas for gifts that involve ordering online, but I'd better get to it today, or I'm afraid nothing will arrive on time.  I can always count on Amazon, because they deliver in two days, but other companies can be extremely slow.

I agree with everyone, in that there is so much hate in the world now, I don't see how it will ever be resolved?  You can't just get rid of something because you don't like it, or it doesn't fit your political agenda.  I'm thinking of the statues and monuments that are being removed or defaced and destroyed, but it applies to people too. 

Within the past month here in California, statues of Father Junipero Serra, have been ruined/defaced/destroyed.  He was the Catholic priest who is responsible for building the 21 Missions, that are spaced along the CA coastal cities, from San Diego to San Rafael.  Recently someone tried to destroy a statue of Father Serra at the San Gabriel Mission, by sawing the head off!  That didn't work as planned, so they poured red paint all over the statue.  Then went on to Santa Barbara, and poured red paint on the statue there.

Why?  Because Father Serra used Indians as "slaves", to build the missions. This was in the 1700's, and that's the way things were back then!!  That's history whether people like it or not.  I don't know, but I would guess that Father Serra was a decent God fearing person, who thought that what he was doing was a good thing.  The beautiful missions are standing monuments to him, and to the American Indians who built them. 

Okay, off my soapbox! 

I won't say anything more or less than if an independent special prosecutor was assigned, then a need was felt. The fact that hard evidence was found and indictments are going out speaks for itself. I don't remember this type of speech when Nixon or Clinton were being investigated. If nothing comes of it or if it does we will have had hard legal evidence rather than speculation. Enough said.

Marilyn and Patricia, I agree with you.  As to removing and/or defacing the statues, that does not erase history - which can't be erased.  What happened, happened.  We should learn from our history rather than ignoring it and hoping it will go away.

As I've said many times, I'm glad my future is behind me. 

Mary Ann

I don’t care for Trump either and I get upset to see some of those TV people trash Mr. Mueller when he is such an honorable man.  By their fruits you shall know them   Matthew 7:15-20.

Jean, I don't watch TV news on any channel so I didn't know they were trashing Mueller.  I like him but really know nothing about him.  Only what I read on the computer.

Mary Ann

I think you all misread my last post.  I was not referring to Trump, or whether or not he should be impeached, or anything about Mueller?  I was talking about the destruction of our national monuments and historical statues, and the fact that people feel entitled to get rid of anything that doesn't fit their political agenda. That was why I gave the recent defacing of the Father Junipero Serra statues, as an example. 

Mary Ann - like you, I'm glad my future is behind me!  I just hope my children's and grandchildren's generations, can work together to put this country back together again.

End of subject!  

I guess I'll get my two cents in regarding the destruction of statues, and ignoring, removing, or changing historical facts to fit current political and moral sensibilities. One of my favorite quotes from George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Another similar statement by Edmund Burke: "People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors."

I would hope that teachers and historians don't just revise history to fit current sensibilities. Taking historical events taken out of context of morals, attitudes, etc. is always dicey.

Destruction of historical and religious monuments seems to be a common way people try to erase or deny history. Recent examples include the willful destruction of such physical history as the giant Buddhist statues at Bamiyan, and the Roman and Assyrian ruins.

Hah! Interesting. Wikipedia has a list of destroyed artifacts and buildings and the reasons for the destruction. I doubt this is complete, and it includes destruction from natural causes and collateral damage from wars. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_destroyed_heritage

Hi Everyone.  Our day started out at 39 degrees and we are to get into the mid-50's by late afternoon.  Our trip to Greensboro is definitely on today.  Yesterday evening as Pat got up to come to the dinner table she found the spasms had stopped. She had a good nights sleep and this morning wasn't crying out in pain as she got up.  So I am hopeful that with a pain pill before we start that this will be a good outing for her.  It is only about and hour and fifteen minutes from where we live to where we are going and often it took that long for us to get to to Atlanta when we made the many trips to see Stacey.  After we get home our son and granddaughter are coming out to spend the late afternoon and evening with us as he has today off from work.  So it should be an enjoyable day.  We had a very unexpected surprise yesterday when our great granddaughter, Shelby, called us for the first time ever.  We also got to speak briefly with our oldest great grandson, although he wasn't very in to talking very much.  It has been about 10 years since we last saw them. 

Marilyn, our children and grandchildren will have a big job to try to bring the country back together.  However, I do remember the turbulence of the 60's and 70's.  Also as I read a bit of our history there has always been division.

MarsGal, that was a good reminder about history and what a true statement. 

Marilyn, I think Jean's post was in answer to a post I wrote before your post.  And my later post agreed with you about the destruction or defacing of historic things.  I like and remember both sayings by MarsGal.  I think we are too PC today.

Larry, our day started out at 19 degrees when I first got up at 6:15 am.  We are now all the way up to 22 degrees - heat wave. 

I have no particular plans today.  I have showered and washed my hair and now I am drying.  Tom had gone driving earlier this morning and picked up the mail that I had forgotten yesterday.  There will be no mail today because of Veteran's Day. 

An article in the Grand Rapids computer news told of a veteran who will be 100 next month and I went to school with his brother and I wonder if the brother is still living as I had heard many years ago that he was in poor health. They lived a couple blocks north of us.

Lake Michigan is a bit choppy today but nothing like it was earlier this week.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann,  I just looked at the lake and it sure does look cold and rough.  I was really surprised to see some people walking out almost as far as the lighthouse.  I would think it must be brutal that far out with the wind blowing.  I would be afraid of being blown into the water. BRRR !!!

Joy

I have to walk out on the deck every morning to pull down an outside bamboo blind on my kitchen window.  The sun is so low in the sky this time of year, that it shines right on my white sink, and the glare is hard on the eyes.  I was surprised to see a cute little dove gray cottontail rabbit sitting on the walkway that leads to the deck.  Of course he hopped away the minute I appeared.  I knew there were rabbits living in the junipers in my front yard, but they rarely ventured into the back.  I guess they sense that Winnie is gone now, so it's safe.

Mary Ann - I looked at Grand Haven, and I enlarged the picture, but didn't see anything moving near the lighthouse. It surely does look cold and windy out there.  I don't think we'll see any more surfers until Spring! 

Larry - I hope you enjoy your trip to Greensboro today, and glad that Pat is feeling up to going. I know about those back spasms, and how painful they are!  After a prolonged siege of dealing with them, they suddenly go away . . . only to return again at some time the future.   I hope hers don't come back anytime soon. 

Today is Veterans Day, which means our cars will get washed!   Every year the local car wash business, invites veterans to bring their cars in for a free wash, and enjoy some free coffee while they wait.  AJ takes my car in, and then returns with his car.  They do a great job, complete with vacuuming the interior.   Other than that, we won't be doing anything much on this holiday.  AJ will watch college football this afternoon, and I'll go grocery shopping. 

Wishing you all a nice relaxing Veterans Day.

Marilyn, there was a 2 1/2 hour gap between Joy's post and yours so I am sure the surfer has left.  They wear wet suits which, I guess, offers protection from the cold as well as water.  I have never been up close to a surfer so I really don't know.  They're braver than I am what with surfing, however, I can barely swim, let alone surf.  I haven't been near the water at Grand Haven in many years, maybe since my childhood.

Marilyn, it sounds as if you have nearly the same trouble with your kitchen window as I do with the window in this room, only my sun trouble is more at noon.  I have a louvered curtain at the window and I sit right by the window.  The cord is behind me and not convenient to close the blind, so when I sun shines in, I find it hard to see.  So I rarely compute at that time. 

Joy, the pier is quite wide and I am sure people walking out on it are dressed properly. You will find people walking along the shore, also on the pier, in the dead of winter.  I guess we Michiganders are a hardy lot.  If I could walk far and the conditions were right (dry under foot) and if I were properly dressed, I'd go out on the pier.  Since I can't walk that far, I don't have to worry about it.  I think there are more whitecaps than what I noticed earlier.

Mary Ann

Lots of white caps.  Looks cold but such a pretty scene.  I never noticed the black and white light house in the far distance.  My brother-in-law was from a little town called East Jordan.  We visited Michigan when I was 11 or 12.  We visited Charlevoix ( which we all loved) and Petoskey.  I wish my dad had thought of traveling to Mackinac Island, but we were mostly in Michigan to meet my sister’s in laws.  She was 13 years older than I was and had recently gotten married.  His parents gave a wedding shower and it seemed like everyone in town was thereâ€"â€"so many people and so much food.  It was a lot of fun with games.  People were so nice.  Many years have passed since then but I think it is still a small town.

Good morning from the Interior! It's snowing lightly still from yesterday with no real accumulation, but Siberian based storms are again predicted to arrive here this afternoon and Sunday. There is a possibility of downed trees and isolated power lines downed, but I hope it doesn't come to that as so far the weather hasn't cooperated with the predictions! I do know the various highways and summits are already a challenge, but that is expected in our city.

Farrah really gets into her new toy. It is similar to a chid's fishing pole with the button, adjustable frame and an assortment of feathers lures.

I too agree that vandalism is always wrong, it is better to go through legal means. That being said, I don't think the majority of history was wrong as it was whitewashed previously or if you like, the PC was in the past.

I have one of my classes going into a Thanksgiving break which surprises me as while I'm accustomed to Christmas class breaks, taking a two week one for Thanksgiving is new to me. We have worked with using filters to change the look and feel of a graphic, and it is impressive what a snippet of code can do!

Jean, you're right, East Jordan is still a small town.  I think the largest city in the area is Petoskey.  Tom and his family lived in Boyne City, not far from East Jordan.  Tom worked in Charlevoix for a few years.  Two winters I spent four months in Boyne City at a condo on Lake Charlevoix.  I kidded that most people went south for the winter, but I went north.  The reason was that Norm and Dot were in Florida and I was alone here, so I rented a condo up there so I could be with family.  We all loved it. I spent time at their place, but they also spent time at my condo.  Sometimes I picked James and/or Annie up from school.  I had a lovely fireplace and we'd sit by it and talk.  One year Jamie was skiing and broke his leg.  I'd do it again, but James is now married with babies and Annie lives with her friend, Tom lives with me and Sue lives with her friend in Northport MI.  How things change. 

Tom and I ate at Bud and Stanley's today.  I've probably mentioned that Bud and Stanley are the names of the owner's dogs.  No matter, the food is good. They had a huge TV screen in the room and were showing the Ohio State/Michigan State game.  MSU was getting trounced.  It was cold enough that I wore my winter coat for the first time.  I love the coat, but I hate to start wearing it.  Soon I will have to put on my stocking cap that I knit many years ago.

Patricia, I hope your weather forecast does not come to pass.  I notice spots of snow on our ground, but nothing to worry about.  I can remember entire winters where I did not have to wear boots.  My exercise usually consists of crossing the street to get the mail, but if we have any accumulation of snow - or ice - I will wait for Tom to get it.  I can think of three times I've fallen in the past with no injuries, but I'm not going to trust my luck. 

Mary Ann

Good afternoon again, I just lost a long post.

Marilyne and MaryAnn, i was writing about some groups wanting us to forget our history.  It started with one Capital having to put the 10 comments out sight. now statues,(which we go to Europe to see) By the way I heard they even want Stonewall Jackson destroyed, and according to my g.mother he is one of my  ancestors.  She was a Jackson

Gloria, For those people who want the historic statues removed, I wonder who they would like to have honored, if anyone.  As a rule those historic people were operating under the laws and mores of the day.  We've come a long way since then and we have a long way to go, but we have changed.  I hope we continue to change and not go backward.

Gloria, I am watching golf from Phoenix and it is on until 7 pm on the Golf Channel.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, I am watching while trying to keep warm, and they all look toasty. I should we should be there. You and I have so much going on the same, my toilet paper is over a register, and Taffy tear it ups once in a while  My nephew is still with me and he drive for Uber in Calif. we are so lucky.  WE are the same age and still able to get around.  We are so lucky.

Gloria, you are right, we are so lucky.  I never expected to live this long, however, many years ago my long-time doctor told me I'd live into my 90s - and I have done that.  Norm was nearly 86 and I know he was surprised he lived that long.  I am also fortunate that Tom lives with me.  We help each other.  When he came here, he had no place to go; he had been living with his brother and wife but with her job change, they decided to sell the house.  Tom came here in Sept 2013 and we both tell each other that we are glad things happened as they did.  Tom works from my family room and his bedroom is down there so we are not in each others way.  I would not be able to stay here if Tom was not with me; he allows me to be almost independent.  I don't have the types of neighbors you have.  And I sold my car almost two years ago so I no longer drive.  I'm getting along fine and I know you are too.

Mary Ann

Hi Everyone.  We have another overcast morning and will only get up into the high 50's today.  We had a nice trip to Greensboro yesterday and met with 5 of our friends.  Greensboro is an old town and the Yesterday Restaurant where we ate was also in an old building but was clean and well maintained and the food was very good.  We had no problems on the drive over or back.  The only problems Pat encountered was getting from where we parked to where we entered the restaurant and back to the car.  However, we both really enjoyed the outing.  Pat will not be going to Church with me today as the pews are very uncomfortable with her back problems.  About 5 yesterday afternoon Scott and Jennifer came over and we had one of the Costco Lasagna's for our dinner.  We had a good visit and they shared about their trip to New York and getting to see our great grandchildren.

Mary Ann, I hope that heat wave yesterday wasn't too much for you.    As you said you Michiganders are a hardy lot.  We who have lived in the South for a long time adjust to the heat of summer but don't do very well with the cold weather. 

Joy, I am glad it is them and not me walking out at the lake. 

Marilyne,  it sounds like you may be making a new pet with the little bunny rabbit.  We did have a very enjoyable trip yesterday but was glad when we got back home and I could lay down and rest for a couple of hours.  Pat is having the same experience with her back as you described.  However, this is one of those returned times although certainly not as bad as it was a couple of days ago.  What a nice gesture your local car wash does for the Veterans. 

Jean, you have some nice memories of your time in Michigan.  We visited my first cousin and his wife a few years ago and they took us on a long day's ride from Ann Arbor up into the upper area of Michigan and over to the coast line of Lake Michigan, including a stop at a lighthouse. 


Patricia, from the previous weather forecasts you have shared it sounds like you all have been fortunate that the actual weather didn't agree with the forecasts.  Can the feather lures be destroyed if Farrah gets them in her mouth?

deAngel, glad to see your nephew is still staying with you.  Both you and Mary Ann are fortunate to still be able to live independently.

Larry, you probably stopped at the Point Betsie lighthouse at Frankfort MI when you drove on the shore of Lake Michigan.  Ann Arbor is an interesting city as it is a university city (U of MI).

I'm waiting for Dot to pick me up to go to church and my timer just went off.  See everyone later.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I'm waiting to hear what you and Dot had for lunch? Probably not a tuna melt, (my favorite), because I think you had that last week?

Nothing of interest here today.  #2 daughter is coming over later to do her laundry, and will probably stay for dinner.  I don't feel at all like preparing a meal, so I think I'll give her some money to go to the deli at Whole Foods, and get whatever looks good, for the three of us.

Marilyn, believe it or not, we did have Tuna Melt again today.  Dot asked me what sounded good to me and I told her since she was buying she should pick.  She said the Tuna Melt tasted so good last week and she'd just as soon have another one, so that is what we had.  We also split a Coconut Cream pie.  A delicious brunch!

Our temperature is in the low 30s and we are having a combination rain and snow mix.  I'm not looking forward to the winter, but what comes will come and I can stay inside - except for Wednesday morning when I have a dentist appointment.  Fortunately, it is just up the road and Tom can come back here to wait until I call.  I just have to remember to take my phone with me (which I did not do at the eye doctor the other day).  This is a routine appointment for cleaning.

I get a kick out of Kendrick.  Yesterday I had not hung up my robe but left it at the foot of my bed.  At one time I went in the bedroom and there was Kendrick on my bed, one paw on my robe.  This morning I had put some anklets on the bed, prior to maybe wearing them today and when I came back from church, there was Kendrick on my bed, a foot on the socks.  Do you think he misses me when I'm gone?

Mary Ann

Kendrick is such a sweet boy.

Mary Ann - Kendrick has definitely become your cat!   Winnie used to like to sleep on, or be close to any clothing of mine.  If I left a sweater or robe on a chair or bed, he was right there on top of it.  As you said, even small things like socks or a canvas sun hat or gloves.  I use quilted cotton print purses/handbags year round now, because they are soft and light weight.  He loved to lie down on my purse, or even just the shoulder strap,  if I left it on a chair or any flat surface.

Kendrick stayed in my bedroom, on the bed, for some time.  I try to take time to be with him sometime during each day.  I usually go in the living room and sit down on the couch, then motion for him to get on the pad beside me (this is a pad for him to sit on).  I just looked and he is on the pad.  It puzzles me that if he is on my bed during the night and I cough or sneeze, he leaves.  But I can cough in the living room and it doesn't faze him. 

Jean, in a way, he is my cat, but I have always called him Annie's cat because she does come here to take care of such things - such as the litter.  And she buys him things.  I know if she could have a cat where she lives, she'd take him.  I'd miss him but I expect him to outlive me and Tom would not want to care for him.  Kendrick is four years old and I am not!

Mary Ann

Hi Everyone.  Our day starts out with a fog advisory until about 10 am this morning.  Yesterday was a quiet day.  I came home after church and we ate what we had on hand rather than me bringing something home.  We did have a police car prominently parked in our parking lot and a policeman standing guard at the doors of our Worship services.  I introduced myself to him, shook his hand and told him I was glad to see him there.

Today I have a 2 pm appointment with the podiatrist, hopefully the last I will need on my toenail removal as they are healing well and no problems.  I had this appointment mixed up with dentist appointments and they had called to remind me but I called to tell them to cancel the appointment.  I left a message on the recording as the office was closed when I called to cancel.  I just called back this morning my appointment had not been cancelled.  I will also stop at Costco to get some HP ink cartridges refilled and hope they will work.  I haven't tried this before but these are HP cartridges so I would think they will work. 

Mary Ann, by the time we got to the lighthouse I was worn out.  We had driven all the day before to get to Ann Arbor and then we got in a van the next day and made a 13 hour trip around Michigan.  I don't remember too much about it other than it was a long day but we appreciated my cousin and his wife planning the trip for us. The tuna melt sounds very good.  I don't mind having a repeat item often.  When I find what I like I often reorder it on the next visit.  It sounds like Kendrick likes to stay in touch with you by holding on to a piece of your clothing.  When I read your comment I thought you were going to say he was laying on top of the clothes items. 

Marilyne, when our son and granddaughter came out to visit us Saturday night and had dinner we asked them to prepare it.  However, this involved putting in one of the Costco lasagna's and fixing a lettuce salad so it wasn't too much work for them.  We are going to buy the food for our Thanksgiving meal and they will prepare at least most of it.  Isn't it great that so many already prepared foods are available to us such as the Whole Foods and deli's at supermarkets.  Our cat used to lay on our clothes or climb into our suit case if we were packing or unpacking.  I see Winnie liked to do the same thing.

Larry, I meant to mention that when we lived in Ocala we got the Thanksgiving prepared meals from Cracker Barrell.  Even tho it was just the two of us we got the “thanksgiving Meal for six”.  We had plenty for several days.  The turkey comes in slices in gravy.  We would pick the box up around ten thirty and it was still hot when we ate at noon.  But if we had eaten later in the day it was easier to warm up.  Very reasonably priced.