Don, I knew Bubble had come down with a cold, but didn't realize she was ill with it. Tell her I am thinking about her and her recent heath issues, and I hope she has a quick recovery!

I am what is referred to in some quarters as a "river rat." I grew up spending my weekends traveling by river and then jet boat up and down many rivers, lakes and hot springs in the Interior. So, I find the Great Lakes and Oceans fascinating.

I have seen Lake Michigan, (Thank you, Marilyne!); because I knew I'd seen one when I was seven visiting relatives in Chicago but never knew which one. I have traveled on ferries and cruises along the Inland Straits, and the Gulf of Alaska, rode along California's coastal highways and spent some early pregnant months in Jacks Beach, Florida when my husband was with the USS Saratoga. We then traveled to San Antonio, where we made trips to the Gulf before he returned to Vietnam.

But I have never for several reasons, actually got close enough to step foot in either ocean and I always wondered what it must be like?

MaryAnn, I enjoyed seeing the video and the different perspective from the cam, thank you! The ice buildup made me shiver, and I didn't realize the distance and the size between the walkways. I wonder why he had never seen a train; he must not have spent that much time there.

Cats have a way of getting close to us especially when we don't expect it! Farrah has never willingly been on my lap or held by me and she has never gotten on my bed. The couch is another story as we each claim an end. Yet we've formed a deep bond and she regularly comes up and nuzzles my leg or arms affectionately.

Trains are something we see lots of here, see, hear and feel the rumbles of the wheels along the tracks. We are a major train, barge, and plane hub for much of the state and beyond. Fairbanks is very much a blue collar city.

I spent years with cats. I grew up with horses, dogs, and cats along with the childhood hamsters, gerbils, and mice, we collected. I had parakeets and love birds for a time in the seventies & eighties when we managed the Schwantes Apartments in Anchorage and could not have a dog or cat. So I have grown up with and loved animals. My parents and one sister were always "dog people," my one sister loved and raised horses, and I loved all, (except the horses); but especially cats. So animals have always been a part of my life.

The story with horses is that I've never trusted them. When I was five in Colorado, they put me on a pony just before a hornet stung it. It ran for some time, knocking me against trees until I fell off, hit my head and was unconscious. I didn't ride again until I was fifteen and then they were always short jaunts.

I'm glad you people enjoyed the video of Lake Michigan and the lighthouses.  Patricia, a reason the man might not have seen a train on those tracks before is that they are freight trains and maybe not on a regular schedule as passenger trains might be.  Michigan is not on the way to anywhere as far as trains are concerned.  Even a train from Chicago to Detroit uses the lower part of our state.  We have a train to Chicago from Grand Rapids but I think if one wants to take a train to Detroit, they have to go to Kalamazoo and change there.  Obviously, I have not taken a train in years.

When I would visit Norm and Dot in Florida, we'd always go over to the Gulf of Mexico to a restaurant there, so that is one more large body of water I've seen.  I've been in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior but only viewed the other Great Lakes.  In the West, I've seen the Great Salt Lake.  Anything like that or other attractions were usually incidental; we'd see them while headed elsewhere.  I tell myself that I have seen little of the US but when I look back, I've seen quite a few places.  I have not seen much of the deep south, however, exept for Florida.  Other places, I was just "passing through".

Mary Ann

Looks like it is about to snow 
MaryAnn, I just came in to say I enjoyed your video, I will write more later when I feel up to it. Been in the hospital for a week, had pneumonia, then another heart attack.

I just came in here to read. Thank goodness for the PC, I can contact the outer world and read about my friends

Welcome back Gloria! I answered you in the Soda Shoppe, but I am so glad you are home and back with us!

MaryAnn, often we think we haven't been too far or done too much, and then we stop and recount and are often surprised at what we've done!

Gloria, I too answered you in the Soda Shoppe and I'm glad to see you back.  Take it easy on yourself.  I am glad a nurse will be seeing your three times a week. 

Patricia, I don't recall the number now, and it isn't 50, but I've been in a lot of the states.  I have not been to Hawaii, but I'm glad to have been in Alaska, especially Fairbanks.  The number may be 44 states I have visited; besides Hawaii, I have missed Oregon, Mississippi and Louisiana.  I'm not sure about Idaho and Nevada.

My dad's brother and family lived in Minnesota (Dad was born in MN) and we'd visit them every three or four years.  My mother told me it was something to have crossed the Mississippi River and by that time, I'd crossed it many time, always by car.  Now, people fly over it daily.  It did take me until 2014 to get to California.

Mary Ann

An old friend of mine from TA and also Facebook recently posted this on Pinterest.

"To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide."

MaryAnn, all my travels have been due to relatives, Colorado, California, Kansas and Missouri and the ways to and from, plus the two husbands involvement with the Army, Navy, and Airforce. The Coast Guard is the only one I missed.

I have traveled through Canada, some day trips to Mexico and have missed Hawaii; a bad story there as we were offered a free trip by the Schwantes, who we managed several apartments for and my husband, (without asking me!); turned it down as he was ex-Navy! It would have been two weeks free in their condo in Kaua'i! I have also missed New York, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. I thought I had been to 46 states but upon reflection, I have not.

Gloria de - So sorry you have been sick and in the hospital.  I missed you in the television forum.  You and I are the only ones who watch all the "home" shows on HGTV.  I hope you will be feeling better each day, and soon will be able to do your Red Hats and all the other activities you do.  I can imagine how happy Taffy was, to have you home again!

That is a good video. Looks good from a plane but would not want to be driving on the roads.  Ours are really bad today so it is staying in the house for me. Suppose to last until Tuesday and then 50 deg days .Crazy weather this year.

Jeanne, I think I read the video was taken by a drone - one more level of technology that is over my head in more ways than one!

Patricia, my trip to Alaska was because Jim had been in 49 states but not North Dakota.  I had been in ND on one of the trips west with my dad.  I told Jim I'd go to North Dakota with him if he'd go to Alaska with me.  He said he'd already been to Alaska (inside passage with my cousin, his wife).  Shortly after that he saw an ad from a travel company with a branch in Indy and he had done things through that company and the ad was for the Interior of Alaska.  So he got to ND and I got to Alaska. 

Mary Ann

Hi everyone. I decided to read the postings and write tonight rather than in the morning as I never have much time on Sunday morning.  Pat said tonight she plans on going to church with me tomorrow so I will go to Sunday School and then come home and get her for church.  It has been several weeks again since she attended.  I had another busy day.  I did get the meals delivered at noon for the Project Warm folks and then went on to Walmart to return the printer that would not work with my wi-fi.  I came home and had lunch and napped for awhile.  Then I went to Office Depot and got an Epson printer for Pat.  I will install it in the morning.  I don't think I have ever had an Epson printer.  This afternoon I watched the Atlanta Falcons beat the Seattle Seahawks and am now watching the Houston/New England game.

deAngel, glad you are back home.  Having pneumonia would have been more than enough and having a heart attack certainly added new complexities.  Sure glad you are now home and didn't have to go to rehab.  Take things easy for awhile as a week in the hospital certainly depletes ones energy. 

Marilyne, I also enjoy watching the shows on the HG channel.  I can't believe the prices on some of the homes on the shows with the people seeking homes.   

Greetings from Israel. It's a balmy 17c here and the sun is shining. Bubble is feeling much better but still has some recovery to make up.

Mary Ann,  I just looked at the webcam for Grand Haven at about 11 a.m. and I could see several people walking out near the first lighthouse.   Could not tell whether they were walking on the pier or on the ice.  That was pretty far out for people to be.  Awful cold-looking there. 

Joy

Joy, in just a few moments since your post, people have walked beyond the first lighthouse.  They seem to be on different levels so maybe a couple could be on the ice buildup and others on bare pavement, although I don't believe there is bare pavement there.  The pier is wide enough that people do not have to walk close to the edge, but it still could be slippery.  The sun is shining and the temp has risen from 11 F above to about 30 F now.  The ice on the lake is not hard enough to walk on.

I just returned from Dot and me having burgers at Mr Burger, aka The Cholesterol Pit.  Then we talk.  We get there about 9:45 and leave about 10:45.

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone... 

I am suffering through a nasty head cold...
one that won't go away.   In just two days I
go  start the proces of getting my dentures
replace.     

So,  for the first day,  with this cold,  we will
probably just talk about what is to be done and
when we can do it.       Darned old head colds,
anyway.   I have spent  most of the last few hours
in bed...  (suffering!) 

Poor me!

Sandy, I have finally gotten over my cold, thank goodness, and feel for you.  Get well soon.  Dentist may throw you out of his office.  The colds going around now aren't the colds of old.  These make you weak as a kitten and the cough doesn't want to go away.  And lung complications are very common.

I notice that people are walking onto the lake and also seen them over walking on the Bridge to the building.  Not for me. Can never tell on frozen water. Does look pretty though.
Our streets are frozen but seem to be melting. My Garbage can lid is frozen on. Better get it thawed before the come to collect. Don't know if the get MLK day off.

Good morning from a cold Alaskan Interior! It happened, temperatures dropped and we are now at minus 27 and will have lows of minus 35 to minus 44 until about January 24th. Since I really do not have to go anywhere until the 25th, this will hopefully work out. One of the many sometimes that being retired is a good thing! 

Farrah is lying in the middle of the floor on her back with all four feet curled and resting on her stomach, out like a light.

it is 10:32 AM, my time and since I am four hours behind the midwest and east coast, I was not surprised to see more open water from the cam at Grand Rapids. I shouldn't be surprised at all the folks exploring both the walkways and several parts of ice along the shore. I can see where the ice is thin from the cam. Isn't there a saying about when fools rush in....?

Everyone enjoy your day!

Sandy, the dentist might not want to work on you if you are not feeling well.  You should call him/her to see if you should even go in.

Patricia, in other years when the ice buildup has been great, many people walk out onto and into the ice formations.  Not for me, but they're fun to look at. 

Mary Ann

This is my first visit and mostly we are going to talk about what needs to be done.   

No actual work will be done ...   This is just
a get together to plan our attack.   

Hi everyone on what is to be another beautiful day and get into the mid-70's. When I got up this morning I decided to fix Pat some sausage muffins for her breakfast.  I got everything out and then went to get the sausage out of the meat tray so I could fry it up and I couldn't find it.  I searched for the package in the freezer and the refrigerator without success.  So I decided I would fix her scrambled eggs with bacon bits, cheese, green onions and yellow peppers.  I got everything in the skillet for it would be ready to cook when she arose.  I had to go back to the refrigerator and in a little container I found the sausage that Pat had fried up and crumbled last night after I went to bed.  So I quickly put together the muffins and baked them.  When she got up I did fix the scrambled eggs for her breakfast and she can have the sausage muffins for her breakfast tomorrow. 

I am not sure I will try to attend my Monday noon meeting as am feeling pretty tired.  However, maybe by noon I will feel refreshed.  I do plan on attending the monthly men's dinner at the Church this evening.  Pat did feel up to attending Church with me yesterday.  I went to Sunday School and came home and got her for Church.  We went out for lunch following Church.

Don, I hope by today Bubble is feeling much better. 

Sandy, I thought you were feeling better and I sure hope that is the case today. 

Patricia,  what type of heating do you have in your apartment?  When we lived in Anchorage we had baseboard heating which was very good as I remember as the heat started at the floor and went up and the whole room would stay warm.  That is a long period of cold weather.  BRRR!!

I hope everyone will have an enjoyable day.

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

I am feeling much better today....  But yesterday was awful... it reminded me or what I calll "the old fashion head and chest cold " combined to make one feel really really bad.   

I thought that I was going to have a terrible nights sleep,  but as it turned out,  I did OK.       Thank Goodness,  because yesterday was awful .....   

Thanks Larry...  I am feeling better today.
 

Sandy

Larry, I smiled when I read about your nice sunny weather because we are on the edge of getting rain, snow and mix all at the same time.  I told Tom I hoped he did not have to go out today and he said he was planning to take Annie to lunch - she is 21 today.  When I turned 21, I became a legal adult.  Annie has been there for three years.  The key word is "legal" because in many ways, she is not mature.  But, who knows, maybe I wasn't mature at 21 - a long time ago.  She's a good kid, very loving.

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my Qoicken because I haven't worked on it in a long time since that computer started shutting off when it got hot.  I have 2016 on that computer and the only disk I could find was for 2014.  I think I will check my bank statements to see the last reconcile and go from there on either 2014 or 2016, and if I use 2014, put it on a flash drive and copy to 2016.  I have a 2017 disk but it won't go on my oldest computer because I don't use that one often.  It sounds confusing, but not in my mind!!!

Onward and upward!

Mary Ann

Happy 21st Birthday to Annie, and wishing her success and happiness in the coming years! 

Mary Ann - We seemed so mature at 21, compared to the young people of today . . . but maybe that was the concept we had of ourselves, and everyone else thought we were kids?  One thing we all did, that doesn't seem to be the case today, was that we quickly learned a skill of some kind (college or not), that would help us to become self supporting as soon as possible.  The young people of today seem so carefree and unconcerned about the future, whereas, we were maybe too serious??  I guess that's what comes from being born during the Great Depression? 

Good afternoon, blue sky, sunny and no wind.

Maryilyne and Maryann I was married when I was 21 and a baby on the way. I have 3 grand children, and none are married get they are 30. 34 and 35. Luke said he cannot get married till he pays off his college loan

Taffy is sticking to me like glue, I woke this morning, and she was sleeping on my legs.

Happy birthday to
Annie

Marilyne, sadly many of the skills we learned at 21 years are no longer useful.   We did not require a college education to start a job (I did not go to college) and I know if I were to apply where I worked for nearly 44 years, I would not qualify for even "entry level' jobs.  I also think jobs are more scarce than they were when we were 21.  I had taken shorthand and typing in high school to help me take notes when I went to college.  My shorthand mostly left me by the time I was in an office and what I had was either short longhand or long shorthand.  My boss and I either wrote the letters together or I did it myself.  My typing improved as I went along and I honestly think my typing now is far superior to what I did while working.  One thing I was good at was arrangement of reports on a piece of paper I'd make sure there were the same number of spaces between the columns and pages would have a decent border.  For a short time, I was head of Word Processing and it was hard to teach one girl in particular how to type reports. 

I was going to go to college to become a math teacher and I'm glad that never happened.  I really liked what I did all of my working years.

Mary Ann

Good morning from a cold, minus thirty-five Interior! Larry, it is cold, primarily because we have forgotten, it has been so long! We are still snowing which is odd because to snow; you need humidity. And that is very rare in a dry, cold, climate. In the fifties into the late sixties, minus thirty to minus sixty could run the gambit from two to four weeks; with February, the worst offender!

I remember walking ten miles to work twice daily for a week at minus sixty-eight and for a summer month when the city was bursting with evacuations and the air was cigarette yellow around you and the visibility due to smoke from the fires was measured in inches. There were breathing rooms every few blocks, publicly available. This area has vast forests and is a fire driven ecology.

When I was twenty-one, I was pregnant and had gone from a Navy wife with a husband in Vietnam to an Army wife with a husband in Vietnam. After my daughter was born and grew a bit, I went to a new husband and went from a Navy wife to an Air Force wife with a spouse wishing with three brothers dead, that they would let him get back to Vietnam! So with two husbands battered and set adrift by war, by twenty-seven, my daughter and I were living on our own in Anchorage.

I was married at eighteen only because of a promise to my parents to at least graduate high school. And I worked from fifteen on along with school and labor. From 1971, while still working,  I attended college and earned one degree in history and two associate degrees, one in business accounting, (pre disc-based); and one in small business. I'm still taking classes of one sort or the other, both paid and non-paid, but none since are for more than satisfaction and or a certificate.

So, I can look back and say I was wholly innocent, ignorant and at the same time, knowing I could only depend on myself for my daughter and me.

A strange tidbit of those years was the perceptions associated with that time. I was in counseling with a group of other bereaved parents after my daughter's death when I spoke about odd dreams where I met everyone from my daughter to my Midwestern Grandparents, all those dead and gone. The strange part was we were all in what I perceived to be a Vietmenese village, complete with those conical hats I assumed everyone wore. I populated that village with all my dead and the consensus of both group and counselor was that I associated Vietnam with death.

Must be so nice to be enjoying 70 deg weather.  I waited today for the fog to lift until 2pm . Still hasn't but I had to go to the closest store which is for me a Walgreen's. 3 blocks.  In the fog could see with car lights on just about 30 ft. Traffic bumper to bumper. bye me you get onto the Interstate and I can see cars all backed up bumper to bumper. Be some accidents tonight. Reminds me of trying to get home from work in the UK.  Such fogs we would have.
It is suppose to warm up and stop raining tomorrow.

Patricia, there is no comparison between our young years and you have done much more than I did between then and now.  So, I have a dumb question -

You mention it is snowing and you have no or low humidity.  What kind of snow do you get?  I would think it would be a fine, dry (is there such a thing?) snow as opposed to wet snows that we usually get.  I think we are getting ice or some form of mix right now.  I'm in for the night - I hope.  Tom may want to celebrate Annie's birthday with a movie and I don't care for movies any more. 

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, there is a standard joke here that you don't have to dry off after a shower, you just twirl a couple of times, and you are dry! Also, it is a powdery snow with little moisture, no humidity to hold the grains together. You can brush or sweep the powder off. It glistens and glints like sugar until it's dirty.

It is so dry here that you need to have an anti-static touch pad for your electronics due to static electricity. I can tell the genuine beginning of fall when my arms began to feel sunburned, and my hands flake due to increased dryness in the air.

The majority of cold places are dry rather than wet. Antarctica is dry. You need cloud cover, warming temperatures to bring out humidity so it may snow. Although we have the cloud cover and the skies, have been wholly white since the onset of December. So, it is possible, and the snow is welcomed if it stops the drought so that the ecology and animals may recover until the next time.

I have not been to a movie since the first Shrek. I don't enjoy the noise, yelling at the screen by idiots and the sticky crud on the floors. I also have trouble hearing and the loud volumes set are painful. The sugary, buttery, oversalted and overpriced food offered leaves everything to be desired!

As to my twenties and thirties, I am only one out of thousands, probably millions who have similar backgrounds. I was offered a college grant sought by my high school Criminal Justice Instructor and my marrying angered both my instructor and my  folks. The instructor never forgave me. But this at the time, my first husband was my one true love and the only one I dated since I was fifteen.  I didn't understand then that you can have several "one true loves," throughout your lifespan!