They do eat up your time, don't they, Jeanne!  Glad you got some rain but too bad about the fair.

We haven't gotten any rain to speak of for the past week, maybe some the latter part of next week.

John pulled the heavy hose around in back for me, so I was able to clean out the bird bath really well. It was so gross!  I even used pure bleach and a scrubber on it. The basin is cement with some grooves in it, so it is hard to clean. Anyway, I got it all cleaned out and filled with clean water. I also put some mosquito beads in to keep them from hatching in it. I try to keep it cleaned out, but my light fabric hose bit the dust and the big rubber one is just too hard for me to deal with. I also filled my sunflower seed feeder. They have really been hitting it hard.

Now, I have to eat lunch and then read my SS lesson and then read the 2 after that that I may have to teach, so I can start thinking about them.

I hope Joy and her girls haven't been impacted by the flooding in BR. It looks awful.

Hi to everyone. Stay cool and dry!  Sharon

Weather is nice here, too, but I'm a slug today....very bad night with joint pain everywhere.  Pain med did no good, so I'm lazy today.  We had to take vacuum for some servicing...but that's been it for me. 

Watching the Olympics now.

Glad Mary is nearing home and had a good cruise.

jane

Hi Buddies - I'm home!  I got up about 3:15 this morning, left the ship about 4, for a flight out of Portland at 6 a.m.  It was a bit late leaving, but made up some time on the way back to Atlanta.  I got in, got the shuttle, and got to my apartment about 12:30.  By 1:30, I'd had a bit of lunch, unpacked, and was in my chair, reading the paper and watching some Olympic diving.

It was a great trip.  I loved being able to travel again with Ann & Al.  Plus it was a fun trip.  The stops were in neat little towns - each with its own personality.  Unfortunately for me, I found out I had more limitations than I was expecting, so didn't get to explore the towns at all.  But it was a great experience. We met some wonderful people, and the food was incredible. American Cruise Lines is a well run organization and will do anything possible to make your experience a good one.  I signed up for a trip with them next August in Alaska to do with Margaret.

An interesting observation about the other passengers - there were a lot of handicapped people on the trip.  I was concerned about my lack of mobility, but in the event, I was probably in about the middle of the 95 passengers.  There were two folks on scooters, and a lot using walkers. One lady even came with her caregiver. There were also several groups - families of 50-60-year-olds accompanying one or two parents.  They all seemed to be having a good time. In any case, it's always good to get home.

Re pickle ball - I'd never heard of it, but Sue had started taking some lessons and playing.   BTW, has anybody heard from Sue?  I had hoped she'd be back with us by now.

Our temps here are predicted to be in the low 90s.  And we had almost 3" of rain while I was gone.  That's a good thing!  Lots of wash to do tomorrow, and I'll still be resting up to get back into the routine on Monday.

Welcome home, Mary!  So glad you had a good time even if you couldn't explore as much as you wanted.  Sounded like a diverse group.  Where exactly will you be going in AK?  We did the inland passage but none of the land mass. We enjoyed it a lot but wished we had taken a land tour also.

Jane, I'm sorry you have been hurting so much. I saw that there was a big storm system coming through your area.  Rest and relax.  I can only do things by fits and starts.  Do something, then sit for a while, then do something else till I hurt too much and then go sit again. 

Sharon, this starts 6 August - one week.  It starts and ends in Juneau, and includes the train trip.  You can check the American Cruise Line web site for the whole itinerary.

Let's hope for less pain for all of us!

MaryZ.  I got a brochure on the Alaska one the other day.  The one you just took sounds so relaxing. and trip home easy also. Like it when it works that way. No sleeping in the Airport.
Delta really had some bad ones last week. Some people it took days. about 1800 flights cancelled . I use to be able to handle hold up at airlines but not anymore.  I am thinking of going back to trains in the US.

Good luck with the trains, Jeanne.  I like them, too, but I understand it's tough to find places where they go.  And they are very expensive.  Tough no matter what.

Hi guys I've been trying to get somethings working right on my computer, It upgraded to the Windows 10 Anniversary verion and I am very unhappy, the upgrade said it is mandatory. but It knocked out on thing that I really need to send my stationery out that I make. Very frustrating to say the least.

Welcome home, Mary!  I've heard nothing from Sue.  My last email from her DIL said she was home and using a walker but had some sort of computer problems.  That's the last I've heard.

Jeanne...the trains here in the US are not like the European ones.  We took the passenger train, City of New Orleans from Chicago to NO several years ago, and once south of Champaign, the rails were very bad and the train has to wait for any passing freight trains, etc.  We never did make it to the dining room...and the waits were incredibly long. If you decide to do train, take some food with you or find out where the "snack" bar is quickly.  The trains are also often late, due to those waits for other trains to pass.  I think the trains in the East are probably much better, since the politicians use those.   

Marilyn...I understand all "updates" are mandatory with Win10.  I'm not going there until I buy a computer with it on. 

jane

Janeyes I have picked up the train to NO from here in CU. about 6:30 pm got a sleeper and gets to NO at 9am. Was good then. Suppose service not as good now. Lots of Afro Am. From Chicago use it . No sleeper coming back not. Good.

Will see what will get me to NY and also to Houston TX. I am spoiled by trains in the U.K still great there. And good discounts on a senior pass bought in US.

Jeanne....It wasn't the other passengers who were the problem.  It was the staff...who told people the dining room opened at 5:30pm or something like that and then they had to wait until 8:30 pm and were told then that the dining room was closing.  I won't wait in line for 3 hours to be told it's now closing.  Nope...so we made sure we had muffalettas from Central Grocery and other snacks with us and ate in our reclining seats.  We had a car for our travel group, and that was fine, but I won't travel that way again. Expensive and late. 

At least when you fly and the plane is late, you can find places to eat and walk around. The airports are clean, if crowded.  Memphis at 6:00 am and nothing open to get out.  We got out to stretch, but couldn't even buy a cup of coffee or get a pastry.

Spent the day trying to find an Olympics I was interested in.  Once swimming is done, it's not very exciting for me.  I'm watching volleyball now, but that's about it.

jane

I am just Itching to know what muffulettas are!

OK, I looked them up.  Dying to find the rolls and try them, but I would not like the traditional sandwich, as I cannot and do not eat processed meats, cold cuts and such like.  Well, that is not entirely true.  About once a year I buy a package of small rounds of liverwurst and feast away.  Still, as a routine thing, no processed meats in this house. 
But the Seafood one, as served in New Orleans, sounds wonderful.
I love a day in which I learn something new.  And a gorgeous day it is, here on the bay.  My cleaning ladies will be here at any moment.  I am not having them clean the decks off, as it is just too hot.  According to the weather experts, we are in for another week, at least, of dangerous heat.  My a/c is working away, and I am One Cool Lady!
love and hugs to each dear Buddy

Hot and humid here, too, and the joints are howling.  I've been out to get the errands and groceries, and I'm in for the day until we have to take Ray's truck over to the guy for servicing first thing in the morning.  It's much easier to take it this afternoon than try to get up and moving and get it there by 8:00 am!

I never had or saw a seafood muffaletta, just the original which is, as you say, salami, ham, olive spread, etc.  Delicious!  Only place other place I've ever seen them is Jason's Deli, and there are none near us, so I enjoy them when we go to Brownsville, Tx.


I hope all the Olympians get out of Brazil safely. It looks beautiful, but I wouldn't want to be there.

jane

Our church went up the river yesterday to do some baptisms and have a picnic. While I was standing on the bank taking pictures, I began to feel light headed and like I was going to pass out. I walked over to a shady place where I could sit down and it kept getting worse. Debbie Withers, gave me water and another youg man came to help. they said there was an EMT present so called him over, Kevin was so efficient at taking care of me, talking to me, taking my pulse etc. Some one gave me water, Debbie poured water on my neck and head, eventually I was able to scoot over to the waters edge and put me feet in the water.
mean while Bill Saltmarsh laid hand on me and prayed. Once I was able to get to my feet and walk I was given some Gatorade for my lost electrolytes. I was helped up the stairs by that same young man and taken to my chair. Thank you Jesus for Kevin, Debbie, Bil and the young man. I feel like they saved my life and I surelly felt like I was a gonner. What a scary situation.

Jane. Did you have the news on today about all the attacks  that are happening to the ones that are going down into the City. 5 more got stopped in a car and held up. Got their money and phones etc but not hurt. Mostly from other countries. US ones have been warned that they stay with their Security and they have plenty of them. My family in UK. Love going to Rio for holidays. (their  last son born was named Rio). But they do say lot of crime and really have to watch yourself.  Sort of like Europe now.

Marilyn...hope you're feeling better now. 

Jeanne...yes, I saw that about the swimmers.  They've all been warned, but I'm sure they thought they were safe by going by Taxi...guess not.  And who knows if the Taxi Driver was in on it.  He knew they were Olympic athletes when they told him they were headed for the Village.

jane

Marilyn, that was scary - hope all is okay now.  We have to watch getting overheated and dehydrated.

I've been lots creakier than usual.  I've never associated any of my problems with weather before, but maybe that's changing.  Back into my routine today - swimming, coffee, hanging out at the library, and bridge.  My cards were really awful at bridge, but at least we quit a little early today.  LOL  The rest of the week is pretty easy.  I did get a massage appointment set up, but unfortunately, not until Friday. 

Stay cool, Buddies!

Mary..glad u made it home and had good time..Marlyin hope you are feeling better....my B/p has been going up some....may have to get on a med for it.  Why I try to walk everyday.   Candy

Another beautiful day here in Chesapeake Country, but still hot.  It promises to be slightly less hot today than yesterday.  We have had an urgent message from management (these are condominiums) to check on the air conditioning and clear the condensate line so as to not have the drain clog and cause major water damage to our unit or the unit below.  There have been a few reports of this happening already and it gets to be quite expensive to have a plumber come out to clear the drain not to mention the damage it could do to our own and other units.  It seems that fungus grows in that pipe from all the moisture unless bleach is poured in twice a year.  I have only been doing this once a year for the past 13 years, but then again, it just gets hotter and hotter every year, and these a/cs are working much harder than they were originally meant to.  I have double checked, and all is well with mine at present, but I think I'll do an extra bleach job on it today!  Can't hurt!
Other than that, this is just going to be a lazy summer day.  Best love to each of you.  Do you think Sue will ever come back, or has she learned she can do quite well without us?  I miss her.  I am sure we all do.  Any one of us gone leaves a hole.  Take care, Y'all!

Marilyn, that was really scary. Was it becoming overheated or dehydrated or a combination. Please take care in the future. You might not always have all those helpful people around.

Mary, I have become used to the weather aggravated pains and creaks. Can't say I like them, but realize they're there.  Sorry about the cards.  Nice that you have a massage scheduled.

Jane, I, too, will be glad to get all our Olympic people home safely. Lochte and group were lucky to only have their wallets taken.

I took Bunny to the vet for a past-due annual checkup. They drew blood and did the urine & fecal test. I should hear back this afternoon with the results. The vet said that from an external exam, he would say she was  completely normal. So anxious to hear the test results.

Not much going on here.  We had a bad rain night before last, but needed it. More predicted. Still hot and humid and the same predicted all week.

MP, I also am wondering whether our Sue will ever return. It's been so long.  She has been on SeniorNet and then Seniors & Friends for years and years. Longer, perhaps than I have, so would think she would be anxious to get back on.   Good thinking on going ahead and treating the AC again.

Hi to anyone I haven't mentioned or to those who pop in.  Sharon

Nothing much happening around here.  I was virtuous and went to Silver Sneakers this morning, but was pretty slow.  It'll get better - I hope.

I have an appointment tomorrow with the attorney to, I hope, finalize John's estate.  The lawyer's bill is substantial, but not unexpected.  It'll come out of the estate account.  This guy has been okay, but nothing spectacular.  I'll be having my will and other documents rewritten, but I'll get another attorney for that - probably someone recommended by my financial advisor.

Stay cool, Buddies!

I've not done much this morning...did a bit of weeding in the new area and cut off the deadheads on my geraniums.  That about does it for me...the heat and humidity are just too much.

I hope our Joy and her family are safe in all this flooding.

Take care, Buddies, and stay cool and safe.

I think we are going to have a cooler day today. Maybe a little more rain. got plenty yesterday. I got caught in it at the grocery store. got wet but didn't care. Felt good.
June.  You sound more chipper today. Good. Just watch your feeling and get checked up on least little thing. Prevention beats the cure they say.

Think will do a few things around the house today.  Still no ironing done.I think we are going to have a cooler day today. Maybe a little more rain. got plenty yesterday. I got caught in it at the grocery store. got wet but didn't care. Felt good.
June.  You sound more chipper today. Good. Just watch your feeling and get checked up on least little thing. Prevention beats the cure they say.

Think will do a few things around the house today.  Still no ironing done.

I think that Sue will be back one day. I can just think how hard it must be for her at the moment. she was so use to being active. On the go all the time. It will get better. Maybe people should still sort of talk to her in here. She may be keeping up with the reading. Just not in the mood to talk yet.

I have wonderful news on Bunny! I took her back to the vet for the first time since Feb. when they diagnosed her with terminal liver cancer. Since that time she has been on prednisone till recently. The blood tests showed the liver enzymes down near normal now and the only thing wrong is a UTI which will be treated with antibiotics. Apparently, it was a false diagnosis although something was obviously wrong with the liver to cause the ultra high liver enzymes and the bad ultrasound, but the prednisone has apparently cleared it up, at least for now. Thank you God for this blessing!
I know there are much more important problems in the world and people suffering from awful diseases, but for us right now, this ranks way up there on my priority list! Sharon

Great news, Sharon!

Wonderful, warm fuzzy news, Sharon, and I am happy for you.

I have had the unpleasant hyper alarm of the water heater suddenly springing a leak and water, water everywhere.  Well, Chip turned the water off and I called our landlord and a plumber will come sometime tomorrow, calling in the a.m. to confirm the time.  In the meanwhile, I missed most of the news while mopping up water by continually putting down paper towels on the wall to wall carpet.  Bummer.

Daughter Becky tells me that she and Jenny and young Sam went to see the new Meryl Streep movie, Florence Foster Jenkins last night, and they laughed until the tears were streaming down their cheeks.

Great news, Sharon - I know it's a great weight lifted.

So sorry, MaryPage.  Just when you things the rain has stopped, the water starts rising.  (Sorry)

Morning, Glories!!

I'm getting ready to go to the golf club for lunch and some bridge.  It's to be hot and humid, so Ray decided to skip golf and work in the basement weeding things out.  We have way too much "stuff."

Have a good Wed. in your part of the world.


jane

Almost noon, and no word from the plumber.  Had to cancel my noon appointment with Meg to get my hair cut.
Becky emails she is substituting for a High School Journalism teacher this afternoon.  A just retired a year ago Elementary School teacher, this will be fun for Becky, who was Editor of her High School newspaper.
Great grandson Sam, who is 15, is composing a symphony.  Becky says it is really good.  Sam plays cello with the Kansas City Youth Symphony and wants to make a career of music.
Great granddaughter Emma, age 3, goes forth to her first day of Pre-Kindergarten this morning out in Oklahoma City.  Angela sent me 4 great photos of Emma going forth.
Granddaughter Deborah sent a photo of herself looking amazing in a very bright, neon green short pageboy wig.  Plus a video of her singing karaoke.  At the top of her lungs.  With her sisters Kim and Angela.  They stink, but oh my, they were having fun and made me hug myself with delight.