Oh, Janie.....sometimes my fingers type before I realize the  smile on my face and caring tone in my voice won't come through in print. 

I read about the homemaking activities, and fur babies and caregiving and various living/health/family challenges and am grateful there's a place where those can be shared with friends who have experienced similar situations.

I'm with you all in heart and spirit every day.
 

CALLIE, for me it's an outlet.  I know I can say anything to my friends here and it's not going to get back to my kids.  If I thought my daughter who lives here in town would read this, it would certainly limit what I say. 

I so enjoy LEARNING from all of you.  Everyone's life is different.  We may do some of the same things or think some of the same things but our locations and our life experiences make them all different.  I always wish I could meet all of you!

For explanation... it's just my daughter's reaction to some things that is different.  She seems to think she has to "take care of mom" and that's nice but sometimes unnecessary.  So I don't tell her "everything".

Janie, Some of my happiest memories are of meeting SeniorFriends from all over the world... sometimes at Senior Net  Bashes...sometimes as they travelled through or visited Oklahoma and especially....like you....when they came to my home.

Okay....time to move on.... What's going on in ny world?

 Well, this week, I've done errands, begun getting acquainted with my new computer,joined a dozen or so friends for a Book Club meeting followed by lunch served by the hostess, fed Miss Emily when she stopped by to change clothes and do her makeup before going to a wedding and had my toenails trimmed at the podiatrist's.

Today I watered the patio pots, changed the sheets, did three loads of laundry, baked Basic Meatballs while kitchen was still cool and put them in the freezer for future fixing with gravy, BbQ sauce or ?? and caught up with The Grands by chatting with Miss Emily as she was on her way back to KC.

Have also enjoyed evenings  with neighbor on her patio which is cooler because it isn't surrounded by 3 brick walls like mine is.

Nothing very useful but I'm enjoying it. 

Me, either, Jane, sons & daughter....    

Callie, WE are supposed to get a cool down by Sunday, 80 sounds a lot better than this 100+ & then heat index... Miserable. My grass looks like late August today, winds sucking the last of the moisture out & would only be watering the neighbor's yard if I ran the sprinkler system!

Have a question for all.... my claim's person is starting to rub me the wrong way & I'm not sure if I should "take it personally" or let it go. They wanted proof that this roof is what I told them so scanned & sent the paper that Cas & I signed in 2006 saying we would agree to the price offered to put on new shake shingles or, for a few thousand less, put on this asphalt which is "50 year to life". We chose to go with the asphalt & insurance saved a few thousand. NOW the lady in charge insists the scanned papers from the roofer & MY copy are not proof enough, that the roofer has to take off a shingle & send to a place that will verify what it is... before the insurance agrees. This is an insult to me & the roofer, I think....  I even told the lady that I am not looking at the carpet & wood part of the fence & paint damage (that was repaired or replaced in 2006), "because I don't want to bother fixing those things!"  I have to have the roof replaced on the RV & that is a different insurance, no problem with them. Anyway, am I being upset over nothing or is this lady playing the power game?  The roofer says there is no problem, that they HAVE to replace what I have, but I still think it is an insult when they have their own files (I'm sure of this)... to know what they paid for in 2006. My BP is really throwing fits, not afraid they won't pay, but embarrassed at their acting like I would lie about it!  Anyway, maybe I am being too touchy (don't think so....    )

I'm with YOU, SHIRLEY.  She's playing the power game and it's "see through".  But sometimes we don't have a choice!

Good Night and sweet dreams. except for My great wife and you great friends here Life is no fun any More.Hope see you all tomorrow.

Lloyd

Morning everyone, not to good here. At 5:30 am already 78°. By noon it will be 90°.  Looks like this will be a day when I shut all doors to keep the cool in this room and the kitchen. Hope I don't get claustrophobia from it. My son called last night and said he will be here early this morning before it gets hot. He told me that the pond next to his home has closed the beach because the water is polluted. He is having trouble keeping his pool clear between the rain and the hot sun.

JANE  hope your fur babies made out OK yesterday. One home alone and one at the Vet.

MARY ANN  hot all around the country right now. Oh I really hate summer heat.

AMY  I drink 2 Ensure high protein containers every day, doctor's orders. My CNA has been making me milk shakes every day with ice cream and an Ensure. She is determined to get some pounds on me. Of course she is over weight and would like t see me get that way. Told her if she does she will have to buy me new clothes. She said would be worth it. When I got married I weighed 90 pounds. Went up to 110 with my first baby.

CAROL  I have seen people with a full carriage go to the quick check outs and they get dirty looks and comments from everyone, they just think it does not apply to them. With only 2 items over that clerk must have been having a rough day.

JANE  that lady in the wheelchair thought she would fool you by putting that floss on the counter after the first check out and thought they would be rung up as one item?

CALLIE  if I didn't make comments on everyone's posts I would have nothing to say.

JANE  I am with you, would love to meet everyone but I never could travel and have no room here to gather.

SHIRLEY  that insurance woman you talked to pulling a power play? Like the time a car ran a stopped sign and hit my car. It was her fault-other driver and the cop said she had been drinking, he could smell it- and my insurance jumped high. I called insurance company and a man kept telling me it was because I had an accident. I called when I got home from work several times and got that man. Finally I was so upset I took a day off work and called in the morning, got a woman and talked to her, she said it was not my fault and I had that ins. company for years with never a claim, that was the one and only accident I was ever in. My insurance did not go up.

LLOYD  like you, this place is where good friends are and I would be lost without all of you.

Keep cool if possible during this heat wave, Have a good day.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I've been up since about5:30 or so and trying to get some things done before the heat sets in. 

CALLIE, today is laundry day for me.  Since I don't intend to go out in this heat (95º for the high) I'm doing laundry and putting things away.  I would really enjoy a book club and there are several in this small college town.  Since my eyes have become so bad, reading is one of the things I miss most in my life.  Like you, I love it when one of my grandchildren shows up.  I also love it when one of my grandnieces shows up. They have both attended or are attending a college nearby and I'm thankful that they remember good times at my house and want to keep that going.

GLORIA, you beat me here this morning.  That's happening more and more lately.  Either you're getting up earlier or I'm not coming in as early as I did.

I suppose when I go to post this, AMY will have beat me here and I'll have to try again.  Anyway, here goes.  Have a lovely day, Everyfriend, and try to stay cool!

Good morning everyone..

Today is going to be hotter than tomorrow.....ughh.

We are to go to make an appearance in at a 90 yr old gentleman that Kyle knows today. Then home to stay out  of the heat.

Shirley, that lady is not nice in my books, she is making a power play. I would be tempted to tell her maybe my layer should be taking care of this and if so maybe I will be bothered to get the other things repaired also.

Gloria, tell your CNA to do what I did with my friend, he wouldn't drink Boost but a nurse said to do this. She made him a shake, with Boost, CREAM not milk and ice cream to get it good and cold and he loved it!!
We need rain here the grass is getting crispy!

Lloyd, I hope you have a wonderful day today, stay cool and safe please.

I think the best response I have heard when a person with a heaped up buggies got is the 12 or less checkout when the cashier asked her. "Which 12 items would you like checked out"

Better get a move on here need to put laundry out.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Ha ha Janie, you beat me and I had to try again!! Have a wonderful day...

If I'm the only one coming up to the check out the checker in the Express lane will call me over and take me no matter how many items I have.  But, if it is busy I always go to the unlimited  check-out.  I'm in no hurry and don't have to be any where soon.  I enjoy talking to the checkout person when they are not busy.  Rules generally have a reason to be in place so why not abide by them?

I'm sipping on coffee and watching the British Open Golf from northern Ireland.  Beautiful country there and it is a gorgeous day.

I realize that sometimes I probably talk too much here about my interest in food and cooking but since I lead a pretty uneventful life (thank goodness for that!) that is about all I have to talk about.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have a whole lot to say, at all.

I hope it will be a comfortable day for everyone...wherever you are.

PHYLLIS, if I'm on the express lane and we're not busy, I call people in, too.  I'd rather have a customer with a cartload than none at all.

Phyllis and Jane, I've had that happen to me - being called to the non-busy Express lane.  In the instance I cited, I was so excited to find the lane empty and the cashier was one I had often and wanted to show off my great-nephew.  I never noticed which lane it was and she knew she could tell me I was in the wrong lane without offending me.  I don't have that problem now since we shop online and Tom picks up the groceries.

It's on its way to being hot.  I have just finished my shower and shampoo and I'm waiting for the a/c to start up.  I have a door open, but will close it when the a/c kicks in.  Tom has left for the morning, maybe afternoon. 

I think I'll turn on the British Open.  I can watch ships on my computer and those will keep me busy for a while.

Mary Ann

Good morning.  Just checking in to say Good Morning.

It is to be a hot day here, also.  Luckily, I don't have to go out anywhere.  My son had asked if I wanted to go out for dinner, but I declined.  I am feeling better, but still not back to feeling like going out to eat.

I did not have a good night again, and it is always so nice to see the sun beginning to show up on the trees outside my window.  The nights can be very long.

I have been very lazy and not feeling like doing too much, but I think I might try to do something with some apples that are starting to get old.  I am thinking about some kind of a kind of apple pie. I have some Jiffy Pie crust mix and I like to just make up the dough and roll out a big circle and put it in a dish and pile the apples in it and just fold the edges over the apples. Must easier than making a regular pie.  I haven't had anything sweet for a while now.

Phyllis, I always enjoy anything you write about the meals and food that you fix.  Everything always sounds so good. I still have not used my IP yet.  One of these days, hopefully, I will get the urge to use it.  It is still sitting on my counter.  I need to do the water test, first, and then, maybe that will give me some incentive. 

I have not been making a whole lot of "anything", since I have just not felt like eating or even fixing anything. I have plenty in the freezer, tho.

Like Gloria, I just don't have much of an appetite.  Although the other night, I did call out for carry-out.  I had ordered a basket of pop-corn shrimp and fries and breaded onion rings.  It was really hot when it got here and the shrimp were the biggest pop-corn shrimp I have ever seen.  And it all tasted so good. Had enough fries left for another meal the next night.  I fixed a hot dog and had that with the fries and a dish of cucumbers.  Didn't take long to fix that at all.  I am thinking I just might order more of the shrimp one night soon again.

I hope everyone will have a good weekend. AND SAY COOL !!!

Joy

I should have taken notes and not answered the phone twice before replying.

The store is in Highlands Ranch.

Here, in Colorado' it is always dry and rare to be humid. Slathering lotion helps but I must say the heat is more comfortable. We are now going  into the period of afternoon storms so that will cool things a lot after 3 PM. 

Joy:  I am forcing myself to use the iPot.  So far, it has been really nice to me.

Mary Ann:  Where do you watch ships on your computer?   I grew up in Seattle and my bedroom had a view of the Navy Base & downtown port.  Now, the old house is gone  along with two cherry trees and an apple tree - with Blackberries growing the the alley and it is a condo.  Downtown is filthy and smelly too - so my children say and some of them go there for business trips. I am not going to attend the high school reunion this year.

Carol, the ships are mostly on St Clair River, the dividing line between Michigan and Ontario Canada.  The river connects Lake Huron with Lake St Clair and is about 50 miles north of Detroit.  We also watch ships in Duluth MN and Superior WI.  I watch the Soo in northern Michigan with the Soo Canada across the St Mary's River and locks.  All of the ships that go from Duluth and Superior to points east of Michigan must go through the Soo locks (Sault Ste Marie, MI and ON).  The ships are mostly freighters carrying iron ore or iron products, but some foreign ships carry grain. 

I have been in Seattle once or twice on tours.  I think when my dad made the decision to come to Grand Rapids MI that a second choice was Seattle.  I think GR won because both parents had families in MN and WI, closer to MI.  I think Dad made a good choice.

If you are interested (or anyone else) in any of the links, I'll be glad to send them to you.  I am not aware of any for Seattle, but I haven't tried. 

I grew up in a house that had a cherry tree in the back yard and my mother often made cherry pies.  Our area was part of a former fruit farm.  Eventually, the tree rotted and Dad cut it down.  I still love cherry pie.

Tom uses the IPot occasionally and things have turned out good.  I love pot roast with onions, carrots and potatoes. 

Mary Ann

It is Saturday afternoon already and I just do not know where the time goes, but it passes much too quickly. 

We were up early yesterday to go to Dr. Dave's.  He had a colonoscopy and we took the 3 grands to breakfast and to a few other entertaining things, and Michele drove him. We returned home just in time to jump in the shower to dress for dinner. Youngest Son Brian and DIL, Cathy took us downtown for a wonderful meal.  We ate at a place on the top story of a building with a spectacular view of downtown Denver.  We ate out side and it was delightful in spite of it being 100• here in Denver.  It was in the shade and there was a nice breeze. 

JANE, I am sorry you did not find the Peppers that you needed, but it appears you found a lot of other yummy things! 

SHIRLEY, I am sorry the insurance adjuster is causing you so much stress....I certainly understand why you feel she is over questioning you.  I hope you are able to get this taken care of soon...no one needs this kind of stress....especially when it is so dar; HOT outside.  HUGS.

AMY, my dad seems to be doing very well....his voice is strong and he kids with me a lot.  He went to the cardiologist yesterday and the doc did not seem too concerned about anything in particular.  He wants him to stay on the new Angina pill he was prescribed and to come back in 6months.  Of course my thought was that my dear grandpa went to his cardio doc in the morning and was told all was fine and he dropped dead that afternoon! 🙀😩  None of us ever know, but at least right now he seems to be doing well.  He is very confused about things, and he is concerned about it.  I just tell him that we too have that issue and not to worry about it....just do your best🥰🥰. I hope your doctor gave you a permanent excuse for jury duty, and the chiropractor did a good treatment on you.

JOY, I am sorry you still are not feeling that well and had to decline the offer from your son to go to dinner.  Feel better💞

We are in the middle of a bad thunderstorm....warnings are coming in like crazy.  So far it has been only wind and rain, but hail is falling everywhere.

I think I best get off of here as the lightening is really bad right now, AND I am only about half way done with my packing for the Boston trip.....I must get busy!

Enjoy the rest of your day, EVERYFRIEND. 

Jenny

My son came over in this extreme heat to mow my grass and it's all done.  Kiran came with him and we had a nice visit while the grass was being mowed.  She's still swimming on a team and she loves it!  They're using the Bucknell University pool and their instructors are students who swim on the college team.  I got 3 hugs from her 2 kisses from my son (he said he's too sweaty for hugs.  I said I wouldn't mind) but the kisses were nice too.  And he took a container of ham and beans home with him for his supper.  Kiran didn't want any!

Forgot to mention that one of my things when I'm on an express register and I see someone counting is to motion them in.  Sometimes, they say "I think I might be over."  I tell them, "that's OK. I can only count to 19".  It puts them at ease.

I did all the laundry today and ran the dishwasher, too so I have clean clothes, a clean bed, clean towels and dishes in the cupboard and spoons in the drawer.  I'm ready to go!

I also pulled some weeds while Kiran and my son were here so I could throw them in the truck with the grass.  He takes it to the recycling center and they make mulch out of it.  See, I "pay" for my free mulch!

Now I'm going to become a couch potato.  I've been busy all day and I'm going to rest on my laurels!

CALLIE, I agree with you that a visit with a granddaughter is a special treat.  And it's especially so if it's unexpected!

Fight the urge to go out in this heat!  Stay in where it's air conditioned and do nothing if you feel like it!

Our extreme heat has disappeared for the time being.  That doesn't mean we won't get more, but I noticed the forecast for the week is in the 80s rather than in the 90s.  I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer that registers the outside temp between this building and the garage.  I feel heat is trapped in that area so it may register more than it is.  Anyway, earlier today the temperature was 96 degrees.  That was with the sun shining in the area.  We had a good storm about 5 pm and now, at 8:45 pm, the temperature in the area is 74 degrees.  Quite a comedown.  We went after sandwiches for supper and saw the sky was blue in some areas and clear. 

I watched the water on the Port Huron cam and it was a charcoal grey color.  Then I saw the sky and that was almost black.  They had a good storm and I think things will clear up there too.  They had a sailboat race from Port Huron to Mackinac Island today and I'll bet those sailors got wet and probably blown around too.

Mary Ann

I had a long (and you know I am bad about that) post typed this morning & expected to scroll back to that (that is how I know when I've reached the last posts I've read)....only I didn't find that post so thought back over the day. My son knocked on the door just as I started to put in size & color & instead of posting, I got out of the internet. duh...... He was here early to put the whole new insides in that commode that was causing trouble last week & decided to get contrary again. This time he even put in a new line from the shut off valve to the inside connect (I don't know the proper names).. & it is behaving ever since!  I do have a whole load of towels that caught the clean water that dripped from that outside hose so must get with the program so I can take my Sat.night shower & wash hair. This is my growing season for hair, look like a shaggy dog & just did a short cut a week ago. 

Took some bread down to the river while ago & was happy to see some big catfish & carp back waiting to be fed. The catfish do a flip as the grab a bite & send water splashing everywhere. The carp just coast along with their mouth open to let the bread float in. All 3 cats went down with me & came back up, now laying around the pool relaxing. Tom & Tiger took a nap with me this afternoon, felt like we were in the RV. Tom laying along the back of my legs & Tiger sleeping on my arm.

Thank you all for understanding my stress & concern with attitude of the lady at the insurance company. To put another doubt in my mind, had a message from the roofing guy that was here when the claim's agent was on top of the roof. He really did appear to point out the dings & need for a new roof, and I would have gone with his company until the first quiz about the type of shingles we had. My brain is now considering all reasons for this lady to act suspicious... I thought there would be no question about what we have because of all the paperwork from that previous installation. But when I dug out the papers I found the card & phone numbers to call for that company & the guy that owns that company was "near" by & at my door in 20 minutes. He remembered all the details & also put the roof on the house next door, so I thought it would be simpler to just have his company handle everything. I've had a couple calls from the guy that was on the roof with the insurance man, today he left a message wondering if "everything was going okay, no problem with insurance, etc"... so this nagging brain wonders if HE may have put a doubt into my insurance company about either me, my roof or the roofing company. I'm doubting everyone including myself! I know what we were told went on, what we signed a contract to use... but I have no clue if we got what was paid for. Isn't this crazy? Of course we got the good stuff... I saw it go on in the next block so called that lady & asked what it was & would she mind if we chose the same thing. There is no doubt the insurance will pay for the new roof & that we do have the heavier type. The son of the owner that put this roof on stopped by every day after college classes & said he would see what the problem is, he called yesterday looking for his father...said he is certified with GAF & from what I read online, that means I really can get the certified lifetime roof when this is all done. I'm going to quit thinking about it, too many other things to take care of. But thank you all for the pep talks!  I hate the feeling that I can't trust anyone other than family! 

Jenny, glad to hear your father is happier... you do have a busy schedule! Talk about stress, don't know how you manage. I know everyone is holding their breath for the results of the latest test of Michele's ... good that she can drive. I have not been to Denver since meeting my friends back in '84. Both of them are dead now. What a trip that was!

Joy, Phyllis & Amy, hope you are all feeling better. I cut the rest of that chicken up that I baked this week, some went into Zataran's gumbo & Zataran's jambalaya yesterday, along with smoked turkey sausage. Today I used the rest for chicken & noodles. The broth was delicious but I did add a couple cans of Swanson's chicken broth since those frozen Ream's egg noodles can soak up a lot of moisture! I even added a few more spices to the pot (I use what my herb & spice book calls for pheasant under glass). The house smelled wonderful. I have tubs to freeze that will taste good when I don't know what I'm hungry for... especially when camping in MO with just me & the cats. I do appreciate having a freezer in this RV & not have to keep buying ice every other day!

Gloria, sure wish we were all in the same neighborhood... I know I am not a natural cook (like my sister) but have a few dishes that everyone seems to enjoy. My neighbor that died this past year & I would trade food now & then, when we came up with something that hit the spot or knew the other needed comfort food. Her husband was crazy about my coleslaw... & would beg me to make it for him. The last year he was having stomach problems so his wife would let me know when he couldn't have any. I have not made it since she died, he moved to a retirement place & was gone in less than a year. I do miss them.

Jane, aren't our kids the best?      Still doesn't mean we can tell them everything, right? 

Mary Ann, I have the outdoor thermometers stuck to my kitchen window & one in the bedroom. Tonight before I walked down to the river I checked... the one by the sink showed 100°  and was NOT in the sun. It is much cooler down by the river. We've had 100+ for several days & it is bone dry. Supposed to cool down with a storm Sunday night.

Been sitting here thinking... I agree with Lloyd, y'all are the best & would not know what to do without each of you.."Everyone is special, in your own way"...song in there. Sweet dreams & God Bless.  Shirley

Just poppin' in to say nighty-night Everyfriend!  It's been a busy and productive day and I'm ready to sleep.  I took my melatonin and I'm waiting out my half hour.  The doggies have been out and are ready to go to bed.  I think they're getting used to this half hour wait time. 

Sleep peacefully and wake happy!  And may God bless us, every one!

Well, here I am talking to myself again.  I gue that's what happens when one stays late and gets up early!

I wish you all a good morning and a good day.  I'll be off to church at 8 and, if the heat isn't overwhelming, the Farmers Market after church.  I also need a couple of things from WM and that's on he way home from the FM. 

Enjoy your day!  Stay cool  Stay happy!

Good morning everyone..

Another hot one in the making and again they are calling for rain. Sure hope we get an all day soak here.

Laundry was out on the line and back in and folded before we went to the 90th birthday party. Enjoyed our time there and came home. I headed for the basement and sewed the rest of the afternoon. After supper the weeds and I had a date so out they came.Still need more work done but a little at a time in this heat.
Shirley ,how I would love to walk to the river with you and see this.I fed crows plus two doves and their three babies. Feeling a lot better now thank you and don't wish that again!

Jane, I am sure you will be cooking up a storm with all your goodies. Pumpkin is coming along  so far so good. They haven't flowered yet but then again neither has the zucchini.

Jenny, happy to read your Dad is doing good. Prayers for good results for Michele.

Gloria, hope today is a cooler day for you. I can't imagine being in the 100° weather like Shirley,that is way too hot!!

Joy, your take out meals sounds delicious but then again so does your hot dog. We cut up tomato and onion in small pieces and put it on the hot dog....yummy!!

Phyllis, I enjoy reading your posts , learning different recipes plus new ways to cook something. I know I am having fun with the IP and need to make yogurt soon. Maybe today just might be that soon day.

Mary Ann I don't like this heat and humidity. Can't wait till the cooler weather gets here.To work outside for a short length is difficult. I can't imagine workers that have to be out in it working. Years ago I was one of them when we had our carpenter business but so thankful we are retired now.

Better get moving here.

Enjoy your day everyone..

 

Bubble is MIA???

Good Morning everyone. well it is raining light Now and 71º . it started late in the evening and has rained on and off very hard all Night. we have 4.3 now in the rain gauge.but all around us has gotten up to 8" 9" and higher. flooding in low arias. Have a great day.

Lloyd

Good Morning Everyone from the very
hot but not so humid, rocky coast
of Maine.

I have had the AC on all night and
it seems to be working great.   I hope
that my AC makes it through this Summer
as I spent my saved "AC money" and
bought me a new laptop Computer... 

I may have to go down and spend some time
with my sister in law as she is in
the hospital now with an adrenal gland tumor
(very rare) and will be in the hospital
for a couple of week until they
can operate.  Otherwise she is a
very healthy 82 year old.  So we are
all hoping for the very best. 

I might go down and spend some time
with her while she is recuperating.
As she should not be alone when she
gets home from the hospital. 

I am able to be there for her and
call  911 if the need be and generally
help her out  inside her home.

So I want a good computer to take
with me. So a brand spanky new
one is on order.   

I am watching the British Open and
loving it.    So it is going to be
a good indoor cool day for me
here in Portland Maine. 

Sandy 

Good morning everyone. Already 85°, going to be worse than yesterday and that was too hot for me. I ended up finally sleeping on the couch during the night. With the heat index will be at least 110 just after noon time according the the local forecasters. If I didn't have the AC I would have had to spent the day and night down in the lobby where the AC's down there keep is nice and cool.

JANE  yes I have not been sleeping well and wake between 4- 5 often.  fell asleep about that time this morning.

AMY  I do not like the taste of Boost and the cream either. We are in for thunder storms tonight and should cool things off a bit.

PHYLLIS  you can still cook and I envy you that because about al I can cook is my morning oatmeal. Glad my CNA is a good cook.

JOY  I love shrimp but have no had it in a long time, cannot cook them anymore.

SHIRLEY  I know some of the things you cook sound so good to me.

AMY  already too hot this morning for me. I start longing for late September on the first too warm day in the spring. I had an email from Bubble last week and it has been terribly hot there and was doing a number on her.

Have a good day and try to keep cool.

Middle son walked over to fix the hallway overhead fan - we use it to draw in cooler air at night and it has been loud.

Mary Ann:  Thanks for your newsy note.  Don's family is from Duluth.  Yes, your dad made the best choice - I believe Duluth has set many coldest places at time.  Amazingly friendly people.

I have looked at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle - I used to ride my bike from Queen Anne (all downhill from there) to Ballard and had to go over the bridge.  We had boats moored in the area and would take them out to Puget Sound.  Now, it wouldn't be safe to take a bike - heavy traffic.  I will try to find a web cam for the locks.  Don's sister lived north of Duluth in Silver Bay for many years as her husband worked at a Taconite plant - then, he was transferred to Houston.  What a shock to the family.  My favorite story of them is when his sister heard a noise at the door, thinking her husband was arriving (late at night), it was a big bear looking right at her through the window.  Luckily, the bear backed away. 

Carol, you've probably seen it, but in the Duluth sites is one of the Sister Bay marina and the location is one of the prettiest I've seen.  The whole area looks to be much nicer than the marina where Norm kept his boat for several years.  I'm very partial to MN, WI and MI because I have (or had) relatives from those states.  I really believe every state has its scenic highlight if we can only recognize it.

I did not see enough of Washington State myself  but I have seen pictures so I know it is a beautiful state.  Jim's sister lived in Sooke, BC until last year when she moved to Victoria after her husband died. 

Knowing I was going to be near the Pacific and I had never seen the Pacific, on my first visit to Sooke, they took us to the Juan del Fugo Bay (too lazy to look it up).  Jim's BIL told me that was as close as I was going to get to see the Pacific, that we were many miles from the Pacific.  I finally saw the Pacific, but that was five years ago when I was in CA for the first time in my life.

Mary Ann