Larry, he is very active with other combat vets in the area with Community Affairs.  They all get together at various times and do something for their community.  Makes me proud. 

Another blistering day ahead

Good afternoon, it is a very in and out day.  Coudy, then sunshine.

MaryAnn, seems not ending of doctors.

Larry. Sorry Pat is still not feeling well.
My mother taught me a little about the piano, I play for my own enjoyment, I can read music, also play the organ. Which I just gave away. It was a Thomas.
When I was a teenager, I would have my friends over on Friday nights, my mother would play the piano and we would sing. Sometime rool up the rug and dance to the Victrola. Winter nights she made hot chocolate
Also when growing up we seem to either have bread or rice pudding Sometime Junket, remember that?

Gloria D, in a weak moment years ago, I traded in our piano for a Wurlitzer organ.  I immediately had "buyers remorse".  I got the piano back and let my dad finish paying for the organ.  After a while, Dad traded in the organ on a Conn organ which we had until he died.  Norm took the organ and traded it in on a Hammond organ.  The organ is still at Dot's and she will give it to Tom's son, James, when/if he ever picks it up.  Having seen his house I wonder where he will put it, but I think it would go in the basement - and I'm not going in the basement to see how things are. 

I have music going all day on our NPR station.  It is classical music and Tom isn't fond of it but it isn't on loud enough to bother anyone elsewhere in my condo.  Recently Tom took a friend of his to Blue Lake to the NPR station.  The friend's son is going to summer music camp there so Tom at least knows where my music comes from.

Mary Ann

I remember Junket very well, and I loved it.  We had a lot of puddings for dessert.  In addition to bread pudding and rice pudding, we had tapioca pudding and floating island pudding and, of course, chocolate pudding and prune whip, among many others.  These were all made fresh from scratch, and were still warm when we ate them.  Oh, and remember Apple Brown Betty?  We had a lot of baked custard, too, and it is still a great favorite of mine.
Do you remember eating a cereal called Ralston for breakfast?  It was a hot cereal, brown and grainy.  Very tasty, and I loved that, too. Oh, and Wheatina!

MaryPage, now you mention it I remember my mother making prunwhip, with a custard scauce.  Yes I remebmber Ralston, was't the what Tom Mix liked. Seem like he had somthing to do with that.  In the winter also my mother had a pot of hot cereal on the back of the coal stove. She also would make me and orange eggnog, it had a raw egg in it.  to think I lived to be 92 eating a raw egg!?

I remember seeing old women suck eggs.  I never did it myself, but I seem to remember there was some trick to it.  Anyway, they seemed to relish them.  Me, I shudder!

MaryPage, I remember many of those desserts you mention.  We often had bread pudding, prune whip, floating island, chocolate pudding.  Also Apple Brown Betty.  I did not care for Ralston or other hot cereals, just cold ones.  I used to make all of my cakes from scratch until I finally gave in to box mixes.  Now I don't make those, either, because they make such large cakes.  I have been known to buy Jiffy cake mixes because they make only an 8" single layer cake.  They don't have much variety, however.

Gloria D, I know I had egg nogs made with raw eggs and I've lived those 92 years too.  MaryPage, sucking raw eggs from the shell?  Yuck!  No!

Mary Ann

I've been absent for so long but have read in here every day. Sometimes by the time I get done checking e-mail, the messages on S &F, etc. time gets away from me and I have to get back to real-world stuff. There's sure been a lot of that lately!

Great memories of "comfort food". I still love rice pudding but the one I make isn't creamy, more like a thick custard. I remember Ralston and Wheatena, but living in New England we also had Maltex. I always liked Cream of Wheat best, with a little maple syrup on it. Like the rest of you, I survived eggnog made with raw eggs. I don't think salmonella was so much of a problem then. (Difference in handling of eggs?)

My mother was a good cook, but it's not one of my talents. She used to make a wonderful spaghetti sauce, simmered all day on the wood kitchen stove. I tried making it after we were married and it didn't even compare! With the advent of spaghetti sauce in a jar, I gave up on making my own.

MaryPage - You are the first one I've known who knew someone who sucked eggs. I never saw him do it because he died before I was born, but I was told my grandfather did that regularly! Turns my stomach.  Someone once talked me into swallowing a raw oyster. In my opinion, that's right up there with sucking eggs!

Our oldest daughter has always worked on projects with tools (including power tools). A few weeks ago she was using a circular saw and made a careless mistake.......badly cut her four fingers on her right hand. Part of the bone of her ring finger was so mangled they had to remove some of it. I haven't seen it yet but she said it's about the length of her pinky! To top it off, less than a week later she was stepping over the trailer hitch of their camper, caught her foot in the wires, and fell, badly breaking the two toes next to the big one. Still undecided if she should have pin put in one of them. 

Hope you all have a good night.....

I've been watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics and they're very colorful.  I only watched the men's golf games as far as any games are concerned and saw the end of the women's game and the awarding of the medals to the winners.  I'm ready to call it a day.

Mary Ann   

Cooler weather this week, only in the 80's.  YAY

Hi everyone.  When I checked the weather forecast earlier this morning it said we had 96% humidity and no chance of rain today or for the next several days. It is not suppose to be as hot today as over the weekend. This will be our usual Monday with my noon meeting and then Pat's 4 pm appointment with the chiropractor.  I plan on doing some cooking today as we have eaten up all of the leftovers.

Mary Ann, I had a Hammond Organ and then traded it in for a nicer Conn organ.  However, when I moved back from Maryland into the large home I put it upstairs in a bonus room, which wasn't the right thing to do.  I kept the piano downstairs in the living room.  When we moved to our last home I sold it and really haven't missed it.  I had a Yahama Electric Organ that I gave to our son but I don't think he ever plays it. 

Sandy, I have a good coach in my wife who is available to me as I try to cook and answers my questions.  I can read a recipe and follow instructions on a box but have trouble knowing whether something is done or not.  So far so good.  We won't starve and if we get to the place where we can't get a meal together we will be going to an independent living facility where meals are provided. Glad you are having nice weather up your way.  It seems that you have had a very nice summer.

Joan, an organization of any kind with a purpose will usually be a strong one such as the combat vets that Dan participates in.  I remember reading that the Masonic Shrine started out as just a fun group but about fell apart until they adopted the mission of supporting the Children's hospitals and other worthwhile projects. 

deAngel, when I was growing up we had an old upright piano and that is what I learned to play on.  It has a wonderful touch.  For many years now I have had the Mason & Hamblin piano, which not too long ago I researched and found it was rated right under the Steinway for quality and desirability.  I need to have it refurbished as its resale value would be greatly increased.

MaryPage, if I had to eat a raw egg I wouldn't breath while doing so.  However, I never have and never intend to do that.  It also makes me shudder. I ahve never cared for custard unless it was used in making ice cream. 

Beverly, so sorry for your daughter with the saw cut and then the bone breaks.  Good to see your posting.

Oh, Beverly, that is dreadful about your daughter's accidents!  Ai! Yi! Yi!  Hope that is the end of them.  When two bad things in a row bunch up on me like that, I tend to look around nervously for the third.

I am not sure whether they use needles, or what;  but I know the egg sucking also yields a perfect eggshell, which would be put aside for decorating for Easter eggs.  As I say, I have never done it myself, nor do I intend to start!

I had a note from Patricia/Angelface that her monitor had broke and it would be Wednesday before she'd have a new one.  So don't be alarmed by her absence.

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone,  from the
warm and sunny,  rocky coast of Maine. 

I  was up very late last night ordering me a    Nexus 5X Smart Phone,
from Google Project Fi ... 
Fortunately for me my daughter Erin has one and
she absolutely loves it.   

I had to get rid of my
smart phone about 3 years ago
(after I came off the road)
and I really miss it ...
   
So I am very excited about getting me
a new one.    And very lucky to have
Erin here to help me get acclimated to
using one again.     

I was up very late,  so I suppose today I
will need a nap... 

So sorry to hear that your daughter cut her
hand badly,  and hurt her foot, too..   
("When it rains, it pours"! )

I would be frantic if my monitor broke.. 
So Pat good luck in getting a replacement!

I hope that everyone has a good day.
Sandy   (YAWN)
 

Mary Ann, thanks for the update on Angel. 

MaryAnn. Looks like the use to give people xaralto for blood thinning. But no longer.  I just heard from my friend in UK. He is now bleeding from 3 different area bad. Going to have to see what he is using.
It does seem to be that they are always changing what drugs to take.  It is that people do not like to go through the having to get blood test all the time on the original drug. So trying to stop having to do that.
I say it only takes a few minutes to do the blood test. Stay with it and be O.K. I know 2 people who insisted Dr. find a drug so that they did not have to do that.. That is all that Drug companies have to hear. More money for them.

Jeanne, I now have the latest pack out of my nose.  I have been told a few times that Eliquis is the safest of the blood thinners and my dose of two a day (one am, one pm) is the lowest dose.  I kind of guess my PCP thinks there could be a test of a lesser dose, but he is not the doctor who prescribed it and I'm not going to urge him to make a decision.  I expect to see my cardiologist in September and I now have an appointment with an ENT doctor in October.  My doctor and I think that's a long time and I think he will consult with the other doctor, but that's the way with specialists.  Stay tuned, because I will be keeping everyone advised.  I wouldn't like these troubles at any time of life, but especially after I have turned 90+!

Mary Ann

Beverly, I too like rice pudding, but even more I like tapioca pudding, it seems more creamy to me. And cream of wheat is still my favorite hot cereal. My husband did not like a tart spaghetti sauce, So I used diluted tomato soup in my recipe, plus all the essential Italian spices.

I'm sorry that Patricia is without a monitor. She is such an interesting contributor here and other spots. Hope she will return soon.

Mary Ann, I would be willing to wager big bucks on the fact that never before in history have we been using so many, so often, various medications. I take eight different medications each day and some of them more that once a day. No wonder I feel dizzy and weak and breathless at times. I would like to try  a week without any of them to just see what happens.

I had Cream of Wheat for breakfast just this morning.  I cut up a big, juicy, fresh off the tree peach in it and ate it with half & half poured over it.  No sugar added.  Heaven!

The pharmaceutical companies have invented a bazillion meds to keep the population alive up into very old and useless age (I'm 87, and can get away with saying this!), and then, very cannily, have made hundreds of times their original investment by selling us the meds to keep us going from day to day.  Yes, I am of no earthly use to anyone, but I do admit to enjoying keeping up with the goings on of my descendants.  I love them to bits and marvel and the unexpected twists and turns their lives take.  So please don't feel my truthful statement indicates I am depressed and possibly suicidal.  Nothing could be further from the truth!

MaryPage and June, I agree with you about meds.  We have so many meds today that weren't even thought of years ago.  I take four prescription meds, but also take other OTC, especially vitamins.  I had the packing taken from my nose today and told my doctor that I thought my other doctor should try a lesser dosage of my Eliquis.  I think he kind of agrees with me, but he is not the doctor who prescribed Eliquis so can do nothing.  He didn't really agree with me, just nodded his head.  He gave me some antibiotic salve samples to put in my nostrils to keep them moist. 

Other than that, I have nothing to report.

Mary Ann

Ahhhh, MaryPage, I would not call you useless. Your posts about women's rights, suffrage, and women's histories have been enlightening and informative. I also enjoy your posts about the Annapolis area, a place not too far away from me, but never visited.

Hi everyone.  We are in for another nice mostly cloudy day with it getting up to only around 91 degrees this afternoon.  In a little bit I will leave for a dental appointment to have my teeth cleaned.  Pat was suppose to go as well but a few days ago realized she wouldn't be able to make the appointment and cancelled it for now.  The rest of the day I will do some cooking, making some more sausage muffins for Pat, some macaroni salad for me and some other things for supper.  We are going to put some chicken in the crock pot.  I will stop at Aldi's on the way home from the dentist to pick up some fresh vegetables as they go quickly. 

Microsoft did an automatic major update on Pat's laptop and it has really messed things up.  The keyboard doesn't want to work and it is putting in a notification message about every second saying the security is turned on and yet when I look at that in the control panel it assures me everything i fine.  I haven't a clue about what to do and so will wait until Scott is here tomorrow evening and see if he has any ideas.  I saw something yesterday that millions of computers have been adversely impacted by this update.  Not good.

Mary Ann, thanks for letting us know of the monitor problem that Patricia is having. 

Sandy, I bet you will really enjoy having the smart phone and won't have any problem acclimating to it. 

JeanneP, I am having problems with the mail order drug department for my insurance with the new medicine the cardiologist prescribed yesterday.  I saw yesterday they had the prescription on hold waiting some type of authorization and then last night got another message from them saying the prescription had been cancelled.  I just called my doctor's nurse with the information and asking what needs to be done.  I don't know whether not taking the ACE Inhibitor is dangerous for me or not. 

June, I have never liked tapioca pudding.  My mother used to make it as my dad really liked it.  I think your bet would be safe on the medications. 

MaryPage, what do you mean you are no earthly use to anyone?  I certainly agree with the comments from MarsGal.   You are someone we would miss as you bring joy into our lives with your vivid writing about your area and past history as well as being a very nice person.  It is also obvious that your large family needs you.

MaryPage,  I totally agree with MarsGal and Larry.   Your articles and imput that you provide here would certainly be missed.   

NEVER feel like you are not of any earthly use to anyone.   You know your family certainly doesn't feel that way

Since I am very familiar with lots of places you describe in your area,  I can always just picture what you are talking about and it is a very pleasurable feeling.

Joy

MaryPage, I do understand what you are saying. In 6 months I will be 93. I do not think I am depressed, but my mind is still going strong, so everyone tells me.  My body is just giving out.  I still belong to 3 clubs, thats what keep the mind active, but then I depend on friends to get  me there.  I have the best neighbors in the world, as they watch out for me.  My DIL from Mass. I see twice a year. I love all my cyber friends in here.  You all keep me going and going, just like THAT bunny

MaryAnn, I take 2 BP pill, 2 heart pills plus blood thinner (Plavix) The rest is over the counter. My doctor did call the cardiologist to see if I need the B.asprin, and he said yes.  I do go to the Hematologist once a month for my shot to keep my blood count up.

My e-mail has been hacked and at least two S&F people plus a distant cousin in Germany have received messages from me with an address including "quixnet.net" and a link.  I did not send the message so please don't open the message, let alone the link. 

Mary Ann

Gloria D, because I take Eliquis, I cannot take aspirin (I had been taking 325 mg a day) but I can take Tylenol, which I do take for the pain in my shoulder.

I too can sympathize what MaryPage is saying.  Other than Gloria D, Junee and June D, none of you are close in age to MaryPage and/or me.  We all have pretty good memories and remember things, but as we have aged, it is harder and harder to do things, to get around.  It isn't that we wish we were dead, but we would not be missed that much if we were not here.  I have mentioned that I have no death wish (as some people do), but I can sympathize with older folks who have painful ailments and wish they were dead.  I deal with my ailments but I do not wish I were dead - it is just that I can see where they're coming from.  I do want to stick around to see what goes on in my family as new ones join us.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, no need to panic on your hacked email.  Just change your password and you will be shed of the hacker.  It happens to most of us. 

MaryAnn, thanks for letting us know about your email

Yes. i knew you June and anyone who has made it this far, as I said I am still enjoying life, even if a little tired. I still find a reason to put my face on and get dressed for the day.  Makes the cat happy to see me move around If a little slow. 

Marsgal, Larry and Joy, I appreciate your sweet comments.  But truly, on the whole, I am pretty useless these days.  A lot of what makes me say that is a comparison with what I used to accomplish, and the good works I did.  Now, I am basically a drag on the economy, excepting, perhaps, those blankety blank blank blank pharmaceuticals.  Sorry 'bout the swearing.

Mary Ann and LinDancer, I am grateful for your understanding.  Me, I am surprised when I wake up each morning, and believe me, that is NOT just an expression, but the real truth.  And it is an immense drag on my scant energy supply just to go through the motions of taking care of this old crone.  I am determined not to "let go of things" the way some of the old folks did back in my home town in the old days.  Not all, but quite a few;  especially those who had no kin or help nearby.  I would go to see them, once they weren't going out anymore, and many would not have gotten dressed for the day, but would be in clothing they had slept in for ages, and they would smell bad.  I determined way back then that that would never be me, and so I drag an unwilling and protesting body through a daily shower and shampoo, put on freshly clean clothing each day, make sure my linens are changed and laundered once a week, and brush my teeth after every meal.  I take a walk in the neighborhood and, with the help of my cleaning ladies, keep everything neat and tidy and pretty clean, albeit not totally up to my standards.
Wears me out, it does!  Wears me plumb OUT!
On a brighter note, this has been a spectacularly beautiful day here on the bay.  Granddaughter Angela out in Oklahoma City sent me a whole week's worth of pictures of Emma from her first week at Pre-Kindergarten.  She says she is paying a huge fee for a top notch school, but it is worth every penny.  The staff there take a photo of each child every day, at various projects and games, and then put together and send the parents a week's worth.  The pictures tickled me to bits, and it is from this I charge up my personal batteries and keep going.  Emma just turned 4 last month, and I could eat her with a spoon!
Today is great granddaughter Bella's 14th birthday.  She lives here in Maryland, Easton to be precise, and will start a new book of her life this coming Saturday titled "Annabelle Goes to Boarding School."  Her school is over 2 hours away from her home, and just north of Baltimore, and her mother and her Aunt Paige graduated from there, as well;  so Our Bella is one very excited gal.
Emily sent me an email thanking me for her stipend, and telling me it was the first piece of mail she has received at her new apartment and that she is very excited over this, her 5th and last year of Architectural School.  Emily will be 23 in October, and is the oldest of my 26 great grands.  She goes to KSU in Manhattan, Kansas, but her hometown is Kansas City, Missouri.
Yes, I get a daily fix, as it were, from hearing from various family each day.  Such is the stuff of Life.

MaryPage, I do enjoy reading about your activities.  I am not nearly as ambitious.  I used to get up at 5 am so I could go back to bed at 7 am to get up for the day at 8 am.  Recently, I decided I did not have to do that so I am more likely to stay in bed until 8 am, then get up and dress and do the rest of my morning routine.  Tom goes out for breakfast often and bring back something for me.  Therefore, I often do not have breakfast until 9 or 9:30 and sometimes I don't get dressed until after my breakfast.  I feel at my age, I can get dressed whenever I feel like it.  I do know, however, that I must get dressed each day or I could slip into a bad habit.  One reason I changed my habit is that there are fewer people posting in S&F, at least in the folders I read, and there are no TV programs I want to watch so I still spend the same amount of time in bed but I do things other than computer and TV.

Mary Ann