I did not know NG had catalogues!  Unfortunately I can no longer subscribes, I have other priorities

Jane, that seems a better price.  Now the double domino cannot be found in our shops anymore. Mine date from the early 60's and many tiles are missing, because my son used them to build roads for his toy cars

Look for Mexican Train sets, Bubble.  You cannot play with Just a set of dominoes.  You need the whole set up and instructions.  Probably someone you know owns a set and can show you.

https://shop.nationalgeographic.com/search;jsessionid=Wz6-ZboEuxsr7dp7f0jBSCzWJRxQYvc4yBN_tlMgBPhIb4G7n7te!2021553814?_dyncharset=UTF-8&Dy=1&Nty=1&siteScope=ok&_D%3AsiteScope=+&siteIds=ngstore&_D%3AsiteIds=+&Ntt=Mexican+Train&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchall&Nr=OR%28product.isSearchable%3A1%29&search=Search&_DARGS=%2Fcartridges%2FSearchBox%2FSearchBox.jsp

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dominoes+set+mexican+train&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=111005602120&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15003638433384985987&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007939&hvtargid=kwd-28972852077&ref=pd_sl_8427c9boe6_b

jane, Your friends will probably see some color along the Cumberland River.  We didn't see all that much when we took the St. Louis/Minneapolis trip in 2014.  Tell them if the ship stops at Paducah, KY, (where the Tennessee River empties into the Ohio) to be sure to go to the Quilt Museum - it's fabulous!  It's always the case, river trips are governed by the state of the water.  We always wanted to do a trip from the Great Lakes to NO, but it was always offered in August - and WAY too hot.  Oh, well.....

Forgot to tell you about the HORRIBLE thing I saw on Tuesday.  I went to Walmart, and they had Christmas stuff out on the shelves.  AAAAARRRGGGHHH!!!

I've been to Silver Sneakers, and my afternoon is dedicated to a mani/pedi and a visit with the Financial Advisor.  I've got to get the polish off my nails and get them set up for surgery, then go sign some more stuff at the financial office.  Lots of stuff to get arranged.

And, Mary...they can drive up the Mississippi and see the colors and stop at any of those towns they've somehow missed. They're both originally from MN, so it's not foreign territory to them.  A drive up to Red Wing is easy from here. She said she also wanted to go through the locks. AND, they knew what had happened to mutual friends for the same reason.

MP...I've got my wide whale cords on you told me about and we're about to leave for CR and look for a front porch light.

You go gal!

Funny you should mention those.  I took my wide wale cords out of their plastic boxes yesterday afternoon and laid them out on my bed with the slacks hangers for each pair.  These days, my arthritic fingers just cannot pinch those grabber things that attach the slacks to the hanger, so I lay them out on my bed after washing and Chip comes along and "does my pants," which means he pinches the grabbers and attaches them for me.  Then I hang them in my closet myself.  I guess it has been at least 2 years now that I've had to do it this way.  I can, of course, release a pair of slacks from a hanger by myself.

Being very traditional of habit, and more than a mite old fashioned, I put all of my white summer slacks away in their plastic boxes right after Labor Day.  This old crone only wears white between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and never before or after.  I figure I am entitled to be set in my ways, and I only do it because I always have, and not because I think for a second that it makes a mite of difference to the Universe!

MaryPage, LOL - and, of course, your hat and gloves always match - as do your purse and your shoes.  And NO patent leather until Easter.  We know those rules.

Glad to hear it, Mary.  Relieved you know all the dos and don'ts, as my great grandmother would be horrified if she thought I socialized with just Anyone!

And never out of the house without hat and gloves!   

You've got that right, Jeanne Lee!  (except I do.  all the time!) Now what's all this about you being IN HOSPITAL?

I am getting an education here!   

I just saw JeanneLee posting at 11am today. I also read in one forum that she was back in the Hospital.  Hope all is well with her.
Not yet learned how to play the "Mexican Train" No one around me plays games. I played the regular dominoes years ago and also brought back from UK last trip the "Tri-ominoes. My family use those. Maybe take a set of Mexican train over next time if they don't have them there.  Shame that people don't play games anymore like they use to. Not even children.

I remember coming to the US and had one trunk that had nothing but hats and gloves and purses. Always matched to clothes when buying. Even a simple dress.  I still have 4 hats but never, other than weddings do I wear one. Just the sun hats. Only own one pair of white gloves.  I miss seeing men in their Trilby hats also.  How they use to remove them when you met or got into a lift . Hate seeing them in the Ball cap hats. Never take them off even in restaurants. No wonder so many men bald. Air never gets to their heads.

Only 60 deg. here today. Saying will be in the 80s over the weekend. Some trees turning but not many. This weather can stay for me. They do say will have a cold winter. Not heavy snows though. Time will tell.

Good Afternoon, Buddies.  I went to the grocery this morning with my "volunteer" driver who sat at the new in store Starbucks at Kroger while I shopped.  When I was finished I checked out and took my basket to where she was sitting.  She then drove to the front of the store and we put the groceries in the car.  She helped me bring them inside and saw one of the books I have which was written by Wayne Flynt about his family growing up and the poor (which he was for a while) until he got his Phd in History, taught for a while at Samford U. and also Florida State, then was head of AU's History Department for many years.  I've been searching since eating my lunch for his book about the political corruption of the AU Board of directors for many years.  However, couldn't find that one which is the most fascinating.  I've probably loaned it to someone who didn't return it.
She was interested because he is her SS teacher and I'm sure a good one. 

I have partially cleaned out a chest in my den by pulling out one section of paperback books (45) but didn't find the book I was looking for.  I've left them on the floor of the den in case she'd like to choose something else.  She is making soup this afternoon and will bring me a bowl, so I hope she finds something she'd like to read.  I still have about 100 more paperbacks in this particular chest.  I hate to get rid of any book I like--I reread them when I need "old friends".

Mary, remind me when you are having the surgery.  Good luck on getting your nails cleaned up.  This is the first summer I haven't painted my toe nails since I was about 20!  I have to wear sneakers with a very uncomfortable brace on my right leg whenever I'm not sleeping.  I'm sending you hugs and good thoughts for great results of the surgery.

Jane, I'm wearing jeans and a sweat shirt inside today.  So far we have chilly mornings--no frost yet--and sunny warmer afternoons.  It'll be a while before I get out my corduroy pants!

MaryPage, I'm also a traditionalist mostly only wearing white pants during summer months.  I do have a cream colored pair which I have on very rare occasions worn in September.  (they are at least 15 years old!)

Hi So_P!  It's always nice to learn how other people live.  I'm glad to see you posting here.

Jeanne, my grandmother never went to town (about a half mile from our house) without wearing her hat and her lace up shoes with small heels, her stockings, and her much loved cameo (and most important--her corset!).  I think my grandfather gave the cameo to her as a wedding gift.  And she always walked to town and did her grocery shopping last so that Mr. Miller's son, George, could bring her and the groceries home in his truck.

I'm going to lie down and rest until my new friend returns this afternoon. 
Sue

Puts me in mind of the many years I drove my Old Darlings around.  Took them to the bank, grocery store, drug store, doctor's appointments, and so forth.  Oh, and Bingo!  I mustn't forget how much they loved Bingo at the Knights of Columbus hall!  Well, Emma passed on when she was 94, and her older sister Mina when she was 103.  I am the old one now!  But Chip is my principal driver.  The others help out in one way or another, from time to time.

Those gals dressed to the nines every single time they went out their door!  I swear!  And everything matched!  They never married and had no family here.

I have a pair of cream colored wide wale corduroy slacks I wear in the wintertime.  Cream doesn't count, and besides, they look snazzy with my pink sweater.  Not so much on my bloopy old body, but in and of themselves, they look snazzy.  Says this old Jitterbugger!

High today was 55, so the cords...grey with a light blue sweater...felt just right!  Yep, white slacks are in the spare room closet...awaiting Memorial Day!!  

I just shudder when I see the ripped and torn jeans...and the $$$ these young women pay for the privilege of looking as if they're destitute....with 5-6" stilettos (sp?)..."spike heels" in my day.

We found a porch light and so now to call the electrician and see if he can fit us in before 2020~!!

Hi everyone...Sue I read....a lot and re..read my books...I have a box full...Mary...hope your surgery goes well....I spoke too soon on our col weather...it's very warm today ...like summer...I'm trying to let my grey hair grow out...not color it...but wondering if I shouldn't have some high lights put in...those of you that do this.....what color highlites do you use?  I would guess blonde?   Well time to get out of my recliner and do something....Darlene

Sue, my surgery is next Thursday, 10-20.  I never have my toenails painted - my feet and toes are so awful that they are always in shoes and socks, so it's not worth doing.  I've gotten pedicures for years, just because I haven't been able to get at my feet to care for them properly (and because it feels good).  I've been getting my nails done (and painted) for several years now.  But they have to be naked for surgery, so they'll get a breather for a while. 

Darlene, several of my friends have stopped putting any color on their hair.  They just got tired of messing with the process.  They all look great, IMO, with their natural, ranging over all shades of salt-and-pepper to full white.  Give it a try - you can always do something later if you don't like it.  LOL

I've almost gotten all the financial stuff transferred and under one umbrella.  Just one more thing to deal with and get a medallion signature verification.  With any luck, that should get all the estate in my name/control.  A little bridge after supper this evening - hope I get some good cards.

Sue.  I now can remember that I was born early enough to remember when my mother still wore a Corset . I watched as she held on to the bedrail and her sister pulled on the lace up back.  She always wore one. Sister was 7 years younger and they were gone by then. Thank goodness.
Although I hurt my back about 15 years ago and was fitted for something just like my mothers. Worked the same. Only had it on one time. Still have it if ever needed. Back got O.K.
Are you seeing improvement in your leg everyday.?  I know I was glad to get my leg brace off after 7 months. Now its perfect. Thank goodness they have these things.  Still have it also for if further use needed.  They cost so much now.

Is it just me, being a fussy old "the ways of my time were better" ancient crone?  When I was a teenager and in my twenties and thirties, all females dressed to look "pretty."  We wore flattering wide skirts that made us look as though we had smaller waistlines than we actually perhaps had.  The colors and styles we wore made us really looking charming.  We did not feature our belly buttons or our cleavage.  In fact I, living a sheltered adolescence in an all girls school, was always careful not to show ANYthing controversial!  I can remember being shocked to the very core of my being the first time I saw a bikini.  Do you remember these started in Europe, on the beaches of France and Italy?  I get the feeling that young girls today dress to flaunt sexiness, whereas we truly were trying to look sweet and pretty.  I do remember thinking of lipstick as being worn to look sexy.
Sigh!  I miss those really pretty styles.  Remember when the "New Look" came in in 1947?  The war was over, we were returning to pre-war manufacturing, and hems could come down and skirts be much fuller, as we could use more material in them.

Yes, MaryPage!  Belly buttons were well hidden - I hate styles today with them flaunted, men or women.

And remember when hair was styled -  maybe with a curling iron, then to pin curls, or clips, metal curlers or those green rubber Shirley Temple curlers?  You got used to sleeping with them. 

And you could tell even from the back whether that was a boy or girl in the next car. 

i often, probably as often as every day, while watching all the women on the news shows, etc., wonder why women no longer fix their hair to look pretty, also.  Back in the day, women wore a myriad of different hairstyles, according the the contures of their faces, etc.  Whatever was most flattering to themselves is what they wore.  So we had long styles and short styles.  Hair done up prettily in the back, page boys, feather cuts, and on and on.  Most of us wore hair curlers most nights.  Now all hair is long, even if you're older than God, and it costs a lot of time and/or money to make it look like a rat's nest that has never been combed!

They are probably too busy, 
taking care of  their family,  and their homes 
while giving one hundred per cent to their
professions  or working two or three minimum
wage jobs,  to survive.   

Opps.... that sounds very negative...   but
the times have changed now that  spending
hours  fussing over  ones appearance has given
way to more practical wash and wear haircuts,
and wrinkle free clothes tailored clothes.

As Bob Dylan said:

          The times they are a changing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7qQ6_RV4VQ

And speaking of Bob Dylan ... 
          Look what he just won:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/bob-dylan-becomes-first-musician-214632799.html

Bob Dylan Becomes the First Musician to Win the Nobel Prize In Literature

Hugs
Sandy

I am going to share something I have never shared with you before. I have shared this with some  people but not in an open forum. Maybe you will get to know me a little bit better.
I never mentioned the PTSD before  because I was very private about all the years of Domestic abuse and didn't want anyone to feel sorry for me, or think very bad of me. It is something I have had to deal with  on my own. Jesus has helped me more than I can say, after I got saved and came to know Jesus in 1998 it was a hard road. living alone with just my dogs and dealing with the PTSD, I didn't want to answer my phone because I was afraid it would be my abuser. And He wasn't the only abuser it started with my first marriage in 1956. I seem to pick abusers every time ( Alcoholics or Druggies) for quite a few years. I really got a lot better  better when I moved to McKinleyville in 2003 where I was far far away from anyone who could hurt me. Every now and then I have nightmares taking me back to those awful times. Or I see someone who resembles one of the abusers or hear a certain phrase.  That is one of the many reasons that I can't stand Trump. i get anxious just at the sight of him  I do watch the debates but with Freckles on my lap holding tightly to her and snuggling my face into her fur. I will not vote for either of the two top candidates, for myself they are both evil. That is just me and my own inner feelings that I can't put aside I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I am so blessed to even be alive as I have been so close to death at the hands of another so many times.

Thank you for trusting us enough to share some of your story, Marilyn.  I cannot even begin to imagine what all you've gone through, but my heart goes out to you.  It seems you have some good place in your life,  and I hope it continues for you.  We're always here for you.  Hugs!

Understanding and sympathy, Marilyn. 

Once you have suffered from raging misogyny, you know it when you see or hear it.  And, at the same time, you shiver and cringe at the sudden hordes of men and male-run institutions whose immediate reflexes cause them to engage in total denial of the possibility there might be truth in accusations from women against ANY man or men.  And while we can appreciate the incredulity of women who have been fortunate to have never suffered the humility and mortification and lack of control over their own lives that such degradation at the hands of a man or men infuses in those abused, we, at the same time, flinch at the ease with which they dismiss even sworn testaments about such mistreatment and instead follow the lead of their menfolk in rejecting the value of the women or the validity of their stories. 

One day there will be discovered an infallible method to separate truth telling from geysers of lies.  Until then, the female of our species will continue to suffer under the thousands of years old tradition that everything about them is less, including their sworn words.

You give much more than you take in this life, Marilyn.  You are an amazing woman.  Hold your head high and stride Forward.

Marilyn, I am sorry for the emotional pain you have had in your past.  I thank God that you are in a good situation now and have survived the bad times.  Thanks for sharing your pain with us.  We care!  Big Hugs to you for getting out of the past and into a happy present. 

I'm off to bed soon, Buddies.  I have my annual eye check up at 8:40 tomorrow morning.  I think my driver (a volunteer) will pick me up about 8:20.  Everything in Auburn is close by!

Sleep well, Buddies and have a good Friday.  (the 14th--so phew!  No Friday the 13th in October!)
Sue

Thank you all for your empathy and wondfully kind words. I am a survivor, my mother always told me I was a survivor and I continue to be. It is all in the past now. but  it is still indie of my very being.

Hugs ....   

Marilyn, sending hugs and prayers as you continue to fight the PTSD. I know how debilitating it can be from watching my own daughter fight it.  It seems though that you are conquering it with all of your therapy visits and other good works. Keep on keeping on and rely on your faith to strengthen you.

I posted yesterday but it disappeared.  I commented on all the posts too, but won't this time. 

I, too, remember the corsets my mom wore, the hats and gloves,, etc.  I always had to change into "decent" clothes to go into town to the store. That meant I couldn't wear my play clothes.  Even in college, we weren't allowed to wear slacks to class.  I still love those styles from the 50's and early 60's before things got so scruffy.  I agree on the holey jeans too.  When I went back to teaching (after getting my kids all in school) in 73, my students all wore teeshirts, sweatshirts, and jeans--both boys and girls and the boys' hair was as long as the girls.  I actually had one student that I wasn't sure whether she was a girl or a boy. The name was indeterminate. Later discovered she was a girl.  I hated that time.  The principal looked at me like I was nuts when I asked if pantsuits were acceptable for teachers.  Oh well, things change. I do appreciate the fact that I can wear pants most of the time now.  A lot more comfortable.   I hate all the baggy, layered tops that are out now though.

Darlene, my hair is still mostly darkish blonde with gray mixed in. I have lighter blond highlights put in. It pretty much camoflages the gray.  If your hair is all gray, I think I might try letting it grow out and see how you like it, particularly if it is a pretty gray. I always thought my mother was more beautiful after she went completely gray or white.

Sue, I'm glad you've found a new friend as well as driver.  I seldom reread books, so I donate them either to our honor library at the clubhouse or to the Friends of the Library for resale.  But, if I reread them, I would definitely keep them. Hope your eyes are okay. I get my toenails painted in the summer but usually don't bother in the winter. However, I'm finding it very difficult to cut my toenails now, so may continue it in the winter.  I don't paint my nails with color, just with a strengthener and a natural polish.

Mary, what is a medallion signature verification?  Hope you have good cards today.

Mary Page, I'm in total agreement with all your posts!   

Today is John's 78th birthday so we are going out to dinner tonight with neighbors. The man has the same birthday, so we celebrate every year.    Sharon

Sharon, a medallion signature was explained to me as sort of a "super notary".  A notary just guarantees that the signature was made by a specific individual.  The medallion has something to do with verifying that the signer has a certain amount of money - or something like that.  Anyhow, whereas regular notaries are easy to find, someone who can verify a medallion signature is not everywhere - not even in any bank.  And, most banks will only do them for depositors in that particular bank.  This is the fourth one I've had to get on some of the papers involved in transferring our assets into just my name - even though I was either the inheritor or a co-owner.  Seems stupid to me - but what do I know.  Fortunately my small banking institution (a local credit union) has someone who can do medallion signatures, so it's been relatively convenient.  I do hope this was the last one.

Sue, you've mentioned that your driver is a volunteer.  So, do I understand correctly that you don't pay her anything?  A lady here at the Terrace has two people who "drive" her, and she pays them $25.00/trip plus gas.  I know this because she needs a special trip and asked me if I could take her to the store tomorrow.  I'll gladly do that, and she says she is going to insist on paying me the $25.00.  I'll argue with her, of course, although I don't want to make a habit of driving her.  Anyhow, I just wondered.  If it's all free to you, that's a great organization that does that in Auburn.

My partner and I had great cards last night at bridge here. I was hoping for good ones at duplicate today, too, but when I went, the building was locked up tight.  Then I checked, and there was some sort of regional tournament going on, so no regular games.  Oh, well.....  Now, no duplicate until I'm able to drive again.