What a scorcher we are going to go up to here today. High 90s they say. Doubt I go outside until after 6pm.   So much needs doing outside to my yard. Lots of trees are loosing their bark. Such a mess. all over the Rock garden. Can be mowed on the grass part. Worse than when leaves fall. Will have to stay until it cools down.

MaryAnn. You are not going to do you drive to Indy in this hot weather are you? Seems awhile since you came down.

Jeanne, when/if I go to Indy, it will be in September, certainly not now.  I know both cars have a/c and Tom H has air, as does his brother, which are the two places I'd be the most.  Or restaurants.

Dot and I were at Terry and Jan's for lunch today.  Jan made a quiche (first time for her) and it was good.  She also made a chocolate pecan pie which was delicious.  She had to leave early to go back to work.  Since I don't do stairs well, she said someone would help me up the bank beside their house when it came time to leave (we were on the patio on the lower level.  When it was time to leave, Terry showed up with a wheel chair (Jan's father needs one occasionally) and I was fearful that Terry wouldn't make it, but he did; it was a struggle.

We had a good time and I was able to show Dot how to get home.

It's warm, one thermometer says 101 degrees, now 99 degrees.  I'll have to post this to see what the computer says.

Computer says 89 degrees, hot in any way.

Mary Ann

That is me MaryAnn. I have told everyone No traveling for me in this hot weather. End of September I will plan on doing it.I had to be on the Interstate to Indy last weekend. Just bumper to bumper traffic. Monday the same. Truck after Truck.

What a day I had today, very unusual for me.  Jan had invited Dot to their house for lunch, then she invited Tom and me.  Tom couldn't make it, but Terry picked me up and took me to their house.  Terry and Jan share a house with her parents, both of whom are ailing.  The parents have the main floor and Terry and Jan have the lower level.   There is a nice deck off the dining room.  The deck is wobbly and will be enlarged.  We sat on the patio which is outside the living area of the lower level and even though the temperature was in the high 80s, we were very comfortable.  Jan had made a quiche and a chocolate pecan pie, both of which were very good.  Dot drove home but I had to tell her how to get from Point A to Point B.  Norm did all of their driving and Dot really hasn't learned about the Grand Rapids area which is OK because I have lived here most all my life and know the north end, at least.

Then Tom took me to supper tonight.  We went to Denny's and I had a turkey sandwich; Tom had a kabob.  I brought home half of my sandwich and will have it for lunch tomorrow.  I haven't been so busy in ages.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone on what is expected to be a cloudy day with the temperature staying in the high 80's. 

I have an appointment with my cardiologist at 10 am to learn the results of the recent tests I had done.  Then will rush home as get Pat to take her back to the chiropractor for her first real treatment.  Yesterday was the initial visit and he didn't want to begin treating her until there were x-rays available.  So he sent us to an Urgent Care facility where she had the x-rays done.  I have taken care of the outside watering and fixed our breakfasts.  I did get the washing caught up yesterday and managed to get us an easy supper.  Today we will pick up a big lunch while we are out and then will just have a light dinner tonight so no more cooking.

I have read all the posting since yesterday and don't see anything needing my comments this morning. 

Good Morning Everyone, from the
warm with low humidity, rocky coast of Maine.
Highs in the high 70's, low 80's.   
Very pleasant.

I see that many have Dr.s appointments to keep.
I hope that everything goes as well as can be
expected. 

When I have issues with providers,  like they
are not taking good care of me,   my first
inclination is to do some research and find
a new one.   
   
I do know that when ever I have to make major
changes to my providers that it always seems
to be a hassle and not necessarily a smooth
transition.   Which requires a lot of patience
and perseverance on my part.

(Fits right in with the philosophy that
"growing older is not for sissies")

I hope that everyone has a good day,
with  positive prognosis's   !

Certainly, we all deserve that!!!

Sandy

Well, the group left for Sturgis last night and spent the night in Idaho.  Next stop is Mt  Someone sent a pic of Deadwood and there are already many bikes there.   Should be some great pics comimg and will share with those of you who have Facebook..

Joan I am on Facebook and would love to see the photos!

Everything is as usual here but, everyone have a great day!

I went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned this morning.  I had asked for help in getting up the steps but Tom was available to help so I got there a bit early.  The ladies were ready but I got there earlier than they expected.  The hygienist found nothing wrong, thank goodness.  I have no trouble going down and was waiting for Tom to pick me up.  I think I'll have a late lunch so my teeth stay cleaner longer.

In the mail I received an invitation to a celebration of a friend's 90th birthday in September.  We've known each other since she was one and I was three.  I will plan on going, with Tom's help.

We're already in the upper 80s.

Mary Ann

Angel, do not think you are on my friends list.  How do I find you?

MaryAnn. You are on the go more than anyone I know. You must really love eating out. My Eldest Daughter and husband never eat at home either. She has had 2 new kitchens installed last 5 year and never cooks in them. Look like in a magazine. She copies her kitchens from House Beautiful. Mine gets good use. Love cooking in it.

Joan, I found you and sent you a friend request. You were on Soda Shoppe Joan's list of friends.

Jeanne, I still do most of my prep work but it is getting harder to do much of what I have done in the past and upon recommendations, of friends and the doctor, have applied for a CNA.

Angel, I have only been in Soda Shoppe about twice ever.  Anyway, you are confirmed.  Shared a pic of Deadwood.  Son is not there yet but others are and they are sending pics already.  LOL

Joan, he has a really nice bike!

Jeanne, I don't know if you've noticed, but when I eat out, it is usually with family.  Wednesdays started with Tom and Terry having breakfast out, then they invited me to join them.  Later we thought it would be nice if Terry's wife, Jan, would join us when she could and we also asked Dot.  When Jan came, her folks came (they live together) and we changed from morning to Wednesday lunch.  Tom and I try to eat out once a week to relieve him of cooking so that was last night.  Dot and I go to church together and we go OTB after that.  It is an outing we both look forward to.  Gab time.  I was unable to meet with my retiree group last month, but we meet once a month in warm weather.  If the entire retiree group has a meeting we sometimes go to that but I know we skipped that last one.  They meet about four times a year and one is a Christmas party.

Mary Ann

Angel, yes and thanks to his Mom    it is brand new.   He is like a baby with a new toy.  Has been driving all over WA state for the last two weeks.  LOL

Well, you know what they say about men and their toys! 

I still remember my 6'4" husband driving around in a little car with his head sticking out of the sunroof he was so proud of! 

Hi everyone.  It is a bright and sunny morning and headed to 93 degrees. 

We watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics last evening and it was quite spectacular. We are now watching the first contests of the Skulls Rowing and the Bicycle racing.  I have quite a few tasks to accomplish today but am going to have to take them in little segments with some resting in between.  I did fix Pat's breakfast.  She wants me to make some sausage muffins that she likes and will get our dinner in the crock pot as we are having roast beef and vegetables. 

I had a really long morning yesterday.  My appointment with the cardiologist was at 10 am.  I wasn't called to an exam room until 11 am and then spent another hour or more waiting for the doctor.  I should have rescheduled the appointment as Pat needed to get to the Chiropractor.  I thought there would be plenty of time to get home and get her to her 11:30 appointment.  Now she won't see the Chiropractor until Monday afternoon.  I had some good news and some not so good news from the tests I had a few days ago.  The Carotid arteries are fine and the Echo was OK.  However, the PET showed their was an abnormality with the blood vessels feeding the left side of the heart.  The doctor took me off of the ACE Inhibitor medicine and prescribed a new medicine called Entresto, which is to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in people with certain types of long-lasting (chronic) heart failure.  I have to be off the ACE Inhibitor for 36 hours before starting the new medicine, so will start is twice a day on Monday.  I stopped on my way home and bought chicken meals for our main meal of the day and that was about it. 

Sandy, I agree with you on what it hassle it can be to change doctor's and insurance. 

Joan, nice that your son can share his trip with you.  I hope he has a great time.  Do they wear earplugs when they are in a large group of motorcycles?

JeanneP, I want my home to be clean and neat but certainly want it to be homey for us and that guests can see they don't have to walk on eggshells.  However, it sounds like your daughter has a beautiful home.  I like eating out but get tired of the same places and it is always a hassle to decide where to eat.

Patricia, we may not be two long before we are going to need a little more help. However, when Pat gets back where she will be able to handle the cooking it will help a lot.   

Quote from: larryhanna on August 06, 2016, 09:36:37 AM
The doctor took me off of the ACE Inhibitor medicine and prescribed a new medicine called Entresto, which is to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in people with certain types of long-lasting (chronic) heart failure.

Sandy, I agree with you on what it hassle it can be to change doctor's and insurance. 

Larry,  I have heard about Entresto and
hope that it helps you.  Again,  changing meds can be
nerve wracking.  Best wishes to you.

Moving is very complicated especially for people
who are under  a doctors care.
In some countries "medical information" stays
with you from birth  on...   so making changes
in location is not affected that much.     

But here in the USA,  of course "privacy concerns"
sometimes do not allow the sharing of information. 
(as some people do not want it shared)..  so
consequently,  much can get lost in the move...

Each and every time I see a doctor,  they go over
my medical information,  especially the prescription
drugs and supplements that I take,  in order
for them to  be more informed  about what is going
on with me.     

Slowly all my health information is accruing at the
hospital that I use.    On one of my life alert buttons,
it states the hospital that I need to go to  (as
we have two major hospitals with in a mile of
me.

Someday perhaps,  the health care system here in
the USA will catch up to the other,  ofter better
health care systems around the world like:

The top 10 health care systems in the world:
http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/lifestyle/top-10-best-health-care-systems-in-the-world/

  (USA not there yet!)
Sandy

Larry, not that I know of. 

My a/c failed on Tuesday, and I have been 5 days and 4 nights in the heat.  BGE HOME just left, having installed a brand new fan, which had to be ordered after their visit here on Wednesday and is under warranty.  Everything appears to be working and the apartment is cooling down as I write.  Another gorgeous day here on the bay, and I am one Cool Lady!
I have managed to keep fairly comfortable when in my easy chair, as I have a large floor fan turned right towards where I sit.
I thought Brazil did a great job with the opening ceremonies of the Olympics last night.  My one and only complaint is the usual one: WHY are we forced to miss so many nations entrances because of interruptions for commercials?  I feel it is unfair for me to grade the outfits the various teams wore when I actually missed so many of them, but inasfar as the ones I DID see, I thought the Cook Islands had the best.  I thought the ones our own USA team wore this year were great, but not in the top two or three.  I like pretty.  Our team looked young, healthy, exuberant and raring to go.  I thought the lighting of the Olympic Flame the most original and beautiful EVer!  How 'bout your thoughts?

Larry, I thought it was just me and my wife that had a hard time where to go to eat.  I too, and my wife, sometimes have a dickens of a time try to figure out where to go.  There is a small Mexican restaurant just down the street from us but the wife absolutely refuses to go there.  She just doesn't like how it looks, the food is really great, IMO.  But the wife is not a great lover of Mexican food.  The place she will go is on the pricey side and most times food is cool when you get it.


Sandy, I think doctors can just about tell your physical ailments from the meds you take.  And with a few questions just about figure out your condition.  I utilize some military facilities for some of my problems and they use a computer system that all their facilities can access and read the doctors notes and orders.
I think they system is worldwide, not real sure though.  We can also email or doctor about problems and ask questions and they are prompt on their replies.
Wish all my doctors used a similar system.

I think we have a pretty good medical system here.  I belong to MyHealth and I can contact my doctors through that to make an appointment or to ask a question.  My doctors have computers that give all the information from my various visits; I like the system.

I watched some of the Opening Ceremonies last night, missed the first part because I forgot about it; actually at 7:30 I was watching Jeopardy then Washington Week came on.  Then I remembered and I watched until the US contingent was in.  I enjoyed watching the various dress of the countries. 

It will be another warm one today and I am waiting for my a/c to come on.  I've showered and washed my hair, had breakfast.  Soon it will be time for lunch.  I'll look in the refrigerator to see what is available.

Mary Ann

Quote from: MaryPage on August 06, 2016, 11:28:52 AM
My a/c failed on Tuesday, and I have been 5 days and 4 nights in the heat.  BGE HOME just left, having installed a brand new fan, which had to be ordered after their visit here on Wednesday and is under warranty.  Everything appears to be working and the apartment is cooling down as I write.  Another gorgeous day here on the bay, and I am one Cool Lady!
I have managed to keep fairly comfortable when in my easy chair, as I have a large floor fan turned right towards where I sit.
I thought Brazil did a great job with the opening ceremonies of the Olympics last night.  My one and only complaint is the usual one: WHY are we forced to miss so many nations entrances because of interruptions for commercials?  I feel it is unfair for me to grade the outfits the various teams wore when I actually missed so many of them, but inasfar as the ones I DID see, I thought the Cook Islands had the best.  I thought the ones our own USA team wore this year were great, but not in the top two or three.  I like pretty.  Our team looked young, healthy, exuberant and raring to go.  I thought the lighting of the Olympic Flame the most original and beautiful EVer!  How 'bout your thoughts?

Some of the headlines on "Drudge Report"  http://www.drudgereport.com/

If you want to read the article go to Drudge and click on article headline.

AMERICAN SHOOTER WINS FIRST GOLD OF GAMES!
'Medals just for surviving'...
Huge lines and angry fans mar start...
Man shot dead outside stadium...
A plane debate, and Gisele, at opening ceremony...
Cash Crunch on Display...
'Looks Like Giant Vagina'...
Poor Watch From Slum Rooftops...
Viewers revolt over constant commercials during NBC broadcast; 6 BREAKS IN 39 MINUTES!
RATINGS WIPEOUT: Down 25% from London...
REVIEW: Brazil Boring...
Global Warming, African Slaves, Poverty...

Oh, Drudge is not to my taste.  He is always down on EVerything, plus which he is too vulgar for words.  I was raised in a different era, I know, but his rants are not meant for the ears of polite society.

Good morning from a startlingly sunny day in the Interior! I wonder how long it will last.

Farrah is getting bored as after one of her naps she will come to me, touch a leg and say "er-wa." I wish I was allowed a second cat as she would then have company. I am just too old and unwieldy to play as rough with her as she probably needs or wants.

Whenever I speak directly to her, she will answer in a questioning tone. I've seen this in other cats, but it is always fun to attempt a conversation with her!

Larry, that was June in the Soda Shoppe that was concerned about your needing help. I think it is none of my business unless you opened the question to debate. And even then I wouldn't have an answer for you and Pat seem to have a system that works well for the two of you and Scott.

I didn't watch the Olympics as I do not have a television and have loads of paperwork to get through. I went through the tennis match last week with the doctor regarding medical information, tests and scheduling more details gathering in the future. Not something I'm looking forward to but hopefully the result will be worth it. I have to say after my father and my daughter, I am not as trusting with doctors as perhaps I should be.

I was asked about several committees here and a couple of building board offices, but I have declined as I have so much other occupying my time these days. I filled out paperwork applications for a new medic alert that will be through my phone, one for a CNA although I'm not sure why on that one and one for a housekeeper that I know I need assistance. I am fine cleaning the middle of the apartment, just need someone to catch the top and bottoms!

One new thing I've noticed besides the shaking  I have when attempting simple jobs such as filling the water in the coffeepot is a lack of strength in my fingers. For example, pushing buttons or typing requires remembering to thump the key or button rather than tapping it. My childhood spinal meningitis aftereffects are meeting up with my arthritis and eagerly joining forces!

They are debating doing an arthroscope of my left leg to see if it is a root cause of my balance issues, but that is still up the road a piece. It would be nice to have my childhood medical records but they disappeared in the flood of 1967, and the Seattle Children's hospital doesn't have records going back to the early fifties or so they've said.

In regards to medical ranking, the US lags far behind many other countries in medical care and infant mortality which is a national disgrace. We are in the top; numbers wise for maternal deaths in pregnancy as well. The United States health care system is the most expensive in the world, yet we rank somewhere below Lebanon in world rankings. The US has the highest maternal death rate compared to other developed countries and rank 47th in infant mortality.

U.S. women are more likely to die during childbirth than women in any other developed country, leading the U.S. to be ranked 33rd among 179 countries on the health and well-being of women and children. And those numbers, (deaths); are rising.

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked the health systems of its 191 member states in its World Health Report 2000. It provided a framework and measurement approach to examine and compare aspects of health systems around the world.

It developed a series of performance indicators to assess the overall level and distribution of health in the populations, and the responsiveness and financing of health care service. It was the organization's first-ever analysis of the world's health systems. The US ranked 33rd. behind many Western and Arab countries. France, then Italy ranked numbers one and two. It's not something to be proud of. I plagiarized Who and others to find those statistics, but a simple Google search will bring those up and mich more.


Hal, I believe we are lucky here to have so many ethnic restaurants, and groceries and less of the fast food places as it enlivens going out for a meal or just following the summer food trucks.  We have those restaurants where the waiters carry a towel over the forearm and prices to match, and they are quite good but the smaller ethnic ones seem to try harder, and the food is always excellent!

The Unversity crowd appears to love the Asian noodle houses and dinners in a bowl they also do quite well, and the military gravitates to the steak houses or Mexican. I prefer India Rose and the scent of saffron, but some folks like the diners and their, (to me); greasy food. With that, I think it is the company and prices rather than the food.

There are those that want us to have theme restaurants such as Red Lobster and others, but I am in the camp that says, why be like everyone else?

MaryPage, I'm glad you were able to get the AC working again and your house cooled. I am on the opposite and just received my space heater I ordered from Amazon. I should have done it much earlier as now the skies seem to be clearing, and the heat is again rising!   
I agree with you about some swearing, but it is something I've noticed I tend to do more of when I am alone and working on something frustrating.

I just watch things that I am interested in when the Olympics are one. Just Can't stand the commercials. Silly to watch the bicycles racing. Just catch the begining  and the end. Same with swimming. Love to watch Gymnastics. Will watch the Horse riding. (Is this new.? Never saw it before but thought I saw it listed.)  Did watch a Travel show yesterday showing Brazil and Rio. Had to show mostly the poor areas. Beaches and the Fancy Hotels. Not the middle clase at all.
Some of my Family in UK like taking their holidays in Rio. Fact they named their youngest Son Rio.

Going to have to tell Molly. Just got a E-M from them and next week they are leaving on the Holidays with the 4 youngest and going to Egypt for 2 weeks.  See not having any problems as one of their sons as been twice last 2 years.  Molly should take a trip and see her husbands family.

Quote from: MaryPage on August 06, 2016, 01:57:14 PM
Oh, Drudge is not to my taste.  He is always down on EVerything, plus which he is too vulgar for words.  I was raised in a different era, I know, but his rants are not meant for the ears of polite society.

Since Drudge doesn't write the stores I fail to understand your statement, as an example the first eight stories I gave headlines to came from:
1. Yahoo News
2. The Sun (UK Newspaper)
3. Yahoo News
4. The Sydney Morning Herald (Aus)
5. Yahoo
6. Bloomberg
7. Independent (UK)
8. ABC News

So your statement: "his rants are not meant for the ears of polite society." doesn't seem to fit your description.

I have no idea who or what Drudge is, but I found this interesting.
   
Hampton Creek Ran Undercover Project to Buy Up Its Own Vegan Mayo
Olivia Zaleski,   Bloomberg

Expense reports reviewed by Bloomberg show contractors bought back jars of Just Mayo from Safeway stores. Former workers say Hampton Creek also purchased its own products at Kroger, Costco, Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods locations across the country.

In late 2014, fledgling entrepreneur Josh Tetrick persuaded investors to plow $90 million into his vegan food startup Hampton Creek Inc. Tetrick had impressed leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms by getting his eggless Just Mayo product into Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and other top U.S. supermarkets within about three years of starting his company.


What Tetrick and his team neglected to mention is that the startup undertook a large-scale operation to buy back its own mayo, which made the product appear more popular than it really was. At least eight months before the funding round closed, Hampton Creek executives quietly launched a campaign to purchase mass quantities of Just Mayo from stores, according to five former workers and more than 250 receipts, expense reports, cash advances and e-mails reviewed by Bloomberg.

In addition to buying up hundreds of jars of the product across the U.S., contractors were told to call store managers pretending they were customers and ask about Just Mayo. Strong demand for a product typically prompts retailers to order more and stock it in additional stores.

The new face of marketing....

And this, I read and immediately thought of you, MaryPage and no I don't publicly swear unles I stub my toe. 

http://qz.com/749454/why-you-should-teach-your-children-profanity/?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

And this last one isn't original, but it is scary or at least to me!

"Forget telephoto lenses and fake mustaches: The most important tools for America’s 35,000 private investigators are database subscription services. For more than a decade, professional snoops have been able to search troves of public and nonpublic recordsâ€"known addresses, DMV records, photographs of a person’s carâ€"and condense them into comprehensive reports costing as little as $10. Now they can combine that information with the kinds of things marketers know about you, such as which politicians you donate to, what you spend on groceries, and whether it’s weird that you ate in last night, to create a portrait of your life and predict your behavior."

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-05/this-company-has-built-a-profile-on-every-american-adult?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits