Thoughts for the Month~August

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. Today will be more of the same weather wise getting into the high 90's by late afternoon.  Pat had a not so good day yesterday and last night.  She is feeling better so far this morning but I just want her to take it very easy today. I feel she did too much in the kitchen yesterday.  I will go to Sunday School and Church and bring home our main meal as usual. Then I plan on listening to Don Reid's last classical music program as he is leaving radio after today.  Finally I will enjoy the end of the golf tournament.

Carol, did the coffee table get made yesterday using the hockey sticks?

[Carol]

Larry:  I think I was able to send you a picture of the top of the table.  The metal you see for the top is hollow so that may be an issue.  A glass top will be put on last.   Anyway, I took the picture on the Kindle Fire and this is the first time I could see how to send a picture.  The Kindle is attached to my old laptop - why it works, I will never know.  Now, I am trying to figure out how to store pictures from the Kindle Fire to somewhere -

  Such a lovely morning here.  Thankful for sunshine and cooler evenings. 

Be glad you are nowhere near the eclipse.  there is road rage out there.     

[Janet]

We have been ever so thankful for Beth doing better for a few weeks.  But that seems to be over now.  John has been sick for four days and hasn't been to see her; I went yesterday and again today.  She isn't doing well at all now; the awful, thick mucus is again pouring out her mouth and she can barely swallow anything; says her left arm is hurting.  Her color is bad again, no sparkle in her eyes.     God knows; and Jesus is our help and hope.  I called John for her, he said he's feeling a bit better and will try to come see her tomorrow.  Sigh....   Sorry, TMI.

I took the last box of Colorado peaches out of the refrigerator and plan to get them into the freezer tomorrow.

I'm glad we aren't trying to go anywhere in the path of totality to see the eclipse tomorrow.  The 85-90% is just fine for me, that's more than I have seen to date!  I'm wondering how many will travel and spend money to go, then have clouds obscuring their view?!

I'm feeling so tired suddenly and know it's because of the disappointment I feel at seeing Beth so down again.  Prayers for all of us appreciated!

Carol, I would have no idea how to send photos from my Kindle Fire!  Of course, I don't know (or remember) how to do lots of technical things.) 

I'm going to read for a while, maybe take a little nap! 

[Jacqueline]

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. The eclipse day has finally arrived and according to the our local weather report it is to be partly cloudy here this afternoon when the full eclipse hits us around 2:40.  It looks like we will only get to 90 this afternoon, which will be better than what we have experienced the last few days. 

I have to get a haircut this morning and find the right type of filters for my heat pump.  That is all that is on my schedule for today.

Carol, First of all Happy Birthday.  I did get the picture you sent and I thought it looked like maybe a number of hockey sticks had been put together to form the top but see I was wrong. If you don't have a lot of pictures on your Kindle to send to your computer the easiest way would probably be to email them to yourself and then save them on your computer from your emails.  Since neither Pat nor I use Kindle Fire I can't be of much help but know that Pat's sister send us pictures that way all the time. I don't anticipate any road rage in our area but there are suppose to be a lot of people coming to the Aiken and Columbia area and on down to the Charleston area. 

Janet, certainly not good news regarding Beth and it sounds like you have reason for great concern and understand your lose of energy. I hope John will be able to be with her tomorrow as that will probably give her a lift of her spirits.

Jackie, another very pretty card you made for Carol.  Were you able to get to Church yesterday?

[Jeanne Lee]

OH JOY!  I lost a cap from a tooth and it looks like it too the top of the tooth with it.     I suppose the fact that it must be about 40 years  since I got it have anything to do with it.

I'll watch the eclipse strictly on TV.  There won't be much to see here anyway, plus the talking heads will tell me exactly how excited I get - probably about 30 times.   

[Carol]

We had a wonderful visit with grandson.  He put the sawed off hockey sticks to use - Larry, they are colorful and all names on them.  It will be unusual for sure and probably all of his game friends will want a table just like it. 

Jackie:  You are so talented - love the picture.  Thank you very much. 

Janet:  My prayers for you - Beth and all. 

It is a quiet and cool morning with the sun rising.  I have been thinking over and over of a song that they play at church (loud).  It is "The sun goes down and the stars rise up".  Unless you have been in a mega church, you cannot believe how strong that message comes across with a huge number of choir on stage.  It is almost overwhelming and I love it.  Having come from quiet and medium sized Lutheran churches - I do love the peaceful setting as well.   

Larry: Thanks for your photo tip.  Stay safe.  We are going out for breakfast for a treat and staying home - praying for safety of all on the roads to view the eclipse - it is close to total here and around noon time.   

[Janet]

Well, we got to see the the eclipse; it started around 11:30 max was just about 1:00 (we had about 90% here) and was over by 2:00.  We were processing peaches for the freezer, so we kept grabbing the glasses and running out to look!  And listened to and watched some on tv as well. It was quite a day!  I am satisfied to have seen a 90% partial eclipse. 

I did go check on Beth this morning.  They had put a new patch behind her ear, to help with the awful mucus problem last night, and she was much improved.  John wasn't there yet, and I didn't make it back to town, but I hope he came today.  They were just bringing her out of the shower when I was there. ( I meant they put the new patch on her last night.)

  Carol!!  And many more!  A hockey stick table  sounds very unique!

Hello, Larry!

Pretty birthday card for Carol, Jackie!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. This morning is starting out sunny but by afternoon we have a 60% chance of rain with a high in the low 90's.  This is going to be a busy morning as Pat has a 9 am appointment with the podiatrist and his office is about 30 minutes away.  Then later this morning I have to go downtown and pick up a grocery online order at Walmart. 

We watched the eclipse on TV as they tracked it in our area.  It got darker, but not dark here with a weak light outside.  As far as I know people here were able to view a total eclipse or almost total eclipse.  They showed many students at Clemson out watching the total eclipse up there.

Carol, were those hockey sticks I saw on top of the table? 

Janet, glad to see your posting that Beth was doing better yesterday.

[Carol]

Larry:  Reid cut the bottoms and tops of many hockey sticks and put all together tightly to make the top.  Then, he used the bottoms (curved) for the legs and other pieces to stabilize all.  He has more work.  He has friends from Finland, Slovakia, Sweden and even plays with Russians.  It is really interesting.  Of course, he plays with Canadians and they all visit - a regular United Nations.

It is windy and possible rain.  We sat on our deck yesterday and did not look up - a big tree shades the deck - we watched a shadow.  That was enough for us.  Our neighbors drove to Nebraska most likely their son wanted to see the bigger eclipse.  Just hearing about traffic was enough for us to stay home.  I am staying home from quilting tonight as my project is now laying on the floor and about 1/4 finished in total - taking many breaks at this point.  One break turned into a little nap.   



Jackie:  the flowers look like orchids - is that right?  Oh, so talented!  Thank you. 

[Jacqueline]

I am not as talented as you all think... I hunt for these cards, then use my Coral PaintShop Pro to play around with them, which usually is not much playing around....Carol...yes I think they are orchids...
Edited: I am proud of myself, just looked the name up...it is called " Pink Phalaenopsis  Orchid..." ( majestic Queen of Orchids ) which have to admit, is much prettier than it is on your card..

https://www.brissi.com//pink-phalaenopsis-stem.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyJ3FuODs1QIVzb3tCh3b5Q2DEAQYAyABEgIXHfD_BwE

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. We are in for another very hot day.  We got no rain yesterday and none expected today.  I plan on staying in until later this afternoon.  I did fix Pat's breakfast and emptied the dishwasher.  In a little bit I need to grind up another pound of cheddar cheese and fill my medicine boxes for the next two weeks. I think that will be about all the work I will do today.  Late this afternoon we will go to Texas Roadhouse for our dinner.  I think I will have to get a takeout to bring home for Pat as her back is giving her fits again and she doubts she will want to get out this afternoon. We might just order take out meals for us all and then share them at home.

Carol, I thought those must be hockey sticks I was seeing in the picture.  He will certainly have a unique piece of furniture.  It is nice that he has friends from all over the world that play hockey.  I like the way you take breaks as a good nap is always welcome and your quilt will get done when it is suppose get done.

Jackie, don't you wonder how all of those plant Latin names were arrived at and then remembered.  I have often wondered about that.  Guess I need to get something important to think about!  Orchards are certainly beautiful flowers. 

[Marilyn]

The wedding was so wonderful. There was a lot of smoke in the air from the forest fires, but the day of the wedding it seemed to be above where we were. We watched the eclipse in the morning after our brunch. The air sure got cold when the moon covered the sun. Freckles was such a good girl and got lots of pets. I danced while holding her leash and Keith stood on the sidelines with his brother-in-law and watched while holding my purse. Some of us danced without a partner but it was so much fun.
I will come back to read all the posts later.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. It is another bright and sunny morning and headed into the lower 90's by mid-afternoon.  I did have to leave the sprinklers on so the yard could be watered this morning.  It has been several days since we had rain.  I do plan on picking up my friend from the care facility and we will go downtown to coffee this morning.  That will be about it for the day as the Wisdom group was cancelled again this week. 

Our plans did change yesterday.  Neither Pat nor I felt up to going out to eat last evening so I asked Scott to stop at Wifesavers and get us all takeout dinners.  The food from Wifesavers is very much like home-made and we all had delicious dinners.  I spent most of the day resting and a lot of that time just laying down with my eyes shut and listening to an audio book.

Marilyn, glad the wedding went well and the smoke wasn't a bother.  Were there a lot of guests at the wedding.  I do hope the trip wasn't too hard on you and Keith.  I bet Freckles ate up all the added attention. 

[Janet]

Larry, I really hope you are feeling stronger today.  You are wise to listen to your body and heed it, so as not to overdo.

I kept trying last night to post, but our internet was going off every few seconds, so I finally just gave up.
We were away from home most of the day yesterday.  I messed up my right hearing aid so we went to Liberal to get it fixed.  We got to meet our son=in-law Jeff for lunch and catch up on his life a bit.  We don't have enough time with them to stay up on things.  Then we stopped in Hugoton at Yardmaster so we could visit with Diane a little, too.  Nice!

Time to go to the Senior Center for lunch--chili and cinnamon rolls today!   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. It looks like we are in for a mostly cloudy day today and temperatures in the low 90's.  The housekeeper will be here in a couple of hours and I may try to make a quick trip over to Costco for just a few items.  Other than that expect a nice quiet day. 

Yesterday I did pick up my friend and go to coffee and later helped fix the salad supper we had.  After supper we decided to go to Dairy Queen to take advantage of their special offer of buy one blizzard at regular price and get one for $1 more.  Pat had the Triple Truffle and I had the Heath small blizzards.  Health has always been my favorite. 

Janet, I did have a much better day yesterday as my eyes wanted to stay open.  Nice that you could have lunch with your SIL Jeff and then see Diane as well.  Were those homemade cinnamon rolls.  Do they have good cooks at your Senior Center and do they prepare meals for the Meals on Wheels program in your area? 

[Janet]

Yes, Larry, they were homemade cinnamon rolls, and would be perfect if they would realize there is a reason to call them CINNAMON rolls!  The put such tiny amounts of cinnamon on them you have to look for it, and can barely taste it.  Cinnamon is not that costly!!  The cooks they have are pretty good on most things, but are all Hispanic, so some things they cook don't taste so good to a lot of us, or we don't even recognize what it is!    They are interviewing for an assistant cook next week, she said today.

It's always good to have a visit with any of the kids or grandkids.

I'm going out tonight!!  Or I should say this evening.  The Main Artery, our local gallery, is having their annual Rendezvous with the Arts from 6 to 8, and will have door prizes, specials, refreshments, and lots of opportunities to connect with artists and friends.  I want to go, and since it isn't dark yet at 8:00, I should be able to drive home before it does get dark.  I told Darrel if he prefers, he can take me, then come back and get me.  It really isn't his "cup of tea".

We had a good hamburger with homemade buns and all the fixings, baked beans, baby carrots and for dessert, strawberries today at the Senior Center.

John is still sick.  He hasn't been to see Beth in two weeks!!    When I call, he says he's better and will be there tomorrow, but tomorrow hasn't come.  She is getting depressed because she misses him.
He wants to have a birthday party for her, so today I told him we need to be planning, because her birthday is Monday!!  He said no, it's the 28th, and I said, John, Monday IS the 28th!  Hoo boy!! 

[Carol]

Janet:  John has been sick for two weeks?  That sounds serious enough to visit a doctor.  I have to wish Beth an early Happy Birthday because we will be ... on the road again ---.  If you ever have a chance to shop at a COSTCO, I buy the large bottle of ground cinnamon.  It is strong enough for a lot of baking and toppings.  Enjoy your evening of art.

We did visit our friend in rehab - I should say he is in a wound rehab separate room.  Lovely view on the 1st. floor of an inner court yard loaded with flowers and trees.  Such a serene and colorful view.  He was strong in voice and manner, we were so thankful.  So strong in faith.  We had some good laughs and left with happy praises. 

Prayers for all in the path of Hurricane Harvey! 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. We are seeing the sun this morning but will be partly cloudy throughout the day with a high in the low 90's. 

I stayed home all day yesterday but this morning will definitely go to Costco for about 9 different items.  Pat is going to the Church this morning as the ladies are doing the pillow ministry this morning.  This is a project they each year to make pillows for people fighting cancer.  Last year they made well over 200 in about 90 minutes and will do the same this morning.  They have a good group of women and they have it set up so it is very efficient. 

I am looking forward to watching the golf this afternoon as it is a close match and Jordan Spieth and several others are tied for the lead.  Next Saturday the College football season starts.   

Janet, cinnamon rolls without enough cinnamon are not very tasty.  That must not be a spice in wide use in the Hispanic community.  I hope you enjoyed your evening out.  Sorry to read that John is still sick.  He certainly should be seeing the doctor but that has to be his decision. 

Carol, I guess you will be busy packing the car so you are ready to hit the road.  Pat gets the large bags of cinnamon from Pensy's Spices.  She has a been a good customer of their's for a long time. Glad you found your friend in rehab improved and were able to have a nice visit with him. 

[Jacqueline]

How easy and quickly one can forget they are the offspring from a tough breed of family...I seemed to have forgotten that...Well I am pushing my MS body over its limits, I have to stand on my own two feet ( excuse the pun, ) even further than it should be pushed...if I dont want to see any more four cornered brick walls..To say MS is a B of an illness is an understatement...
If we never try, we will never know....and if we suffer afterwards, so be it...oh and I have gone past that stage of what I look like to the outsiders, the residents who spot me on my struggling journey...

Giving a  and a blessing to all who are dealing with tough day to day challenges...

[Carol]

I was feeling a little sorry for myself while tackling the upkeep of this house - until, I realized that it is good that I can still do this stuff.  We may have relatives of our friends staying here if their dad (friend to us) isn't well.  So, everything is ready just in case they come when we are away and one of our sons will take care of hot water, etc. 

Larry:  there is a good spice store in Tucson - it may be the name you mentioned.  Expensive but I don't buy much.  Their garlic is strong enough to just use a little. 

We are having no luck emailing a note to one of Don's relatives and also calling. 

Just looking at the hurricane damage - it reminds us of when we volunteered at Port Arthur, Texas after hurricane Rita damage.  It must have been 2 or 3 years after that storm and still many houses with black bags flying in the breeze on the roofs.  They are in the range of hurricane Harvey as well.  Those poor people.  Praying

[Janet]

Hello!  At the Farmers' Market today I bought a whole pound of fresh spinach, clean, as it was raised in a greenhouse (I will wash as I use it) for $1, a nice frozen casserole that will be two meals for us, for $10, and another loaf of bread from my friend Anita, $2.75. 

Then I went to see Beth.  She is really missing John.  I called him and he said he would be there after a while, "I have some things to do first," he said.  I asked him to call so we can plan for Beth's birthday, but that was hours ago, and I haven't heard a word.  I'm really concerned about his health, but feel my hands are tied until he agrees to accept help from a doctor!   

Darrel made more ice cream today.  Well, at least he carried it out to the garage and plugged the freezer in!     So we will have that ready for Beth's birthday.  I told her I will make her a chocolate cake.  John told me a month ago that he had ordered a fancy candle, one that when you light it,
unfolds like a flower and rotates.

Jackie, I was going to ask about you today.  Yes, MS is horrible!  I'm watching it steal my daughter's last abilities.  Good for you for keeping on trying!  Don't let it get you down!

Carol, where are you and Don off to this time?  Wherever it is, I wish you good and safe travels and health at all times.  We will be leaving on the 16th for Kentucky, to visit Noah's Ark and the Creation Museum.  This is another bus trip.  I'm excited to have my sister and niece going along!

Larry, enjoy the golf!

[Janice]

Hello, friends,
I have been absent several days, haven't felt up to commenting here.  I don't know what is causing me to feel so weak.
I fell earlier this week trying to catch my little dog.  First time I ever fell, and I hope it's the last! My right knee is still sore, and it is the one that has been replaced twice.
None of my relatives are in town this weekend, so I am trying to stay safe.  Daughter went to El Paso Thursday to visit her younger dtr and family. You might remember that Patty and family lived in South Korea for 2 years, or was it 3She has to come home tonight because she is the organist at our church. And my other Gr-dtr and friends went to Ute Lake to camp out in a tent! 
Janet, about the quilt tops, that is all they are: tops.  When I want to give one to someone, I buy a 2 yard of fleece and sew it on for a backing.  I checked to see how many of those I still have . Close to 10 I think.  I have given away a lot of the quilts. Both to my family and to my late husbands family..

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. It is another beautiful morning in the mid-70's and headed to the upper 80's this afternoon.  Today will be our usual Sunday schedule with Sunday School, Church, out to lunch, rest and then watching Golf later this afternoon. 

Yesterday morning I took Pat to the Pillow Ministry sewing session and then went on to Costco.  I came home and put everything away and got the hamburger wrapped in small packages and into the freezer.  At noon I went back to the Church and picked her up.  After resting I caught the last three hours of the 3rd round of the golf tournament.  Nothing exciting but it turned out to be an enjoyable day.  Yesterday evening we watched a most interesting program on PBS called the Queen's Garden.  It was all about the gardens at Buckingham Palace that have been there for well over 100 years and how interested the Queen is in it.  The time lapse photography of the beautiful flowers and the commentary was so interesting.

Jackie, good to see your posting.  When the day seems bleak just keep in the back of your mind what the Bible tells us that God will see us through our trials.  I do think we have to find our limits and then try to stay within them or we pay a higher price than necessary.  However, these are things that we each must determine for ourselves. 

Carol, nice of you to be willing to make our home available, if needed while you are away, for the relatives of friends. Several members of our church have worked in the last couple of years on homes basically destroyed by South Carolina floods.  It is obviously hard work but from what they have said is very rewarding.  Our Church actually has a disaster relief trailer equipped to respond when needed. 

Janet, it sounds like there were some real bargains at the Farmers' Market.  A pound of spinach is a lot of spinach.  I like it uncooked in salads but not cooked.  I sure hope John made it to see Beth as he told you he would.  A birthday party with homemade ice cream sure sounds nice.  I can't remember the last time I had homemade ice cream.

Janice, sorry to hear that you have been feeling weak and falls are never good and especially for people in our age category.  I bet your quilts given to family or friends are greatly appreciated.   

[Jacqueline]

Well to prevent myself going crazy from not speaking to anyone from one day to the next ( yes I live with someone, ) I pushed myself once again to do another downslope-upslope walk...glad I did as I had a lengthy chat with the wife of another onsite MS sufferer, told he has now progressed from the one he was in to Progressive, the same as I have, as he has deteriorated since the last time we spoke...he was inside the home with the curtains closed..we are going through a Bank Holiday of heat, and although I ventured out, heat does not go hand in hand with MS..

[Carol]

Good Sunday to all!  Sending prayers to anyone affected by this massive storm.  It has to be heart wrenching just to look at the damage and for those who have so much work ahead and no financial means to fix things.  It always affects the poorest people.  May they keep faith. 

Janet:  That trip to Kentucky sounds like an interesting get-away for you two.  You certainly deserve any break you can get.  We are going to 4 separate areas in Minnesota and the farthest place is Duluth on Lake Superior.  Fantastic view.   You would never believe how cold it can be and really no one misses work because of the cold.  That would not be an excuse.  Our first stop is in Spicer (which is 100 miles west of the cities).  My mother's relatives and tons of my cousins live there - a beautiful deep lake is right in the town.  Deep enough that a WWII plane went down and wasn't found for years.  My grandfather used to cut ice in the winter for ice boxes and the ice was stored covered with hay near the lake.  Enough history.  Last stop for us will be to see Gustavus Adolphus college where grandson is studying math. 

Janice:  So sorry to hear you had a fall.  Something like that can make you feel so vulnerable.  I have never sewn fleece on quilts but have made flannel quilts.  It can be theraputic or agonizing depending on how the sewing day goes.  Take care. 

Larry:  Nice thought of making pillow cases.  If Pat did that sewing, her back must have better that particular day.  I do hope she finds something for total relief. 

Last night, we heard the loudest and longest singing from coyotes - they were gathered in the ravine and up to something.  No, I am not going out there to take a picture just to prove they are so near. 

[Janet]

Janice, so sorry to hear that you took a fall!  Not good, but so glad you didn't break anything.  About the quilt tops, if you would like to email me, just click on my name and my email address will come up.  I tried to email you, but think I must need your last name, which, sorry to say, I cannot remember at this moment.  Nor when I was trying a week or so ago to remember!  I will be so happy to pay you for a couple of the tops, and if you sew fleece onto them, that will be great.  Just let me know how much I owe you.  It's nice to have something like that, made by someone you care about. 

I am going to start painting on Wednesdays at the gallery downtown.  They have Open Studio days then, and it will be fun to paint with others, besides keeping me going so I don't get rusty.  I'm going to start with watercolors, as they are so much more portable and cleanup so much easier than oils.  And I want to get better with them.

Carol, I have a niece and family in Minnesota, Benson is the name of the town.  She hosted family reunion some years back and I was so excited to go, but then we had a big crisis with Beth and were in Wichita with her for eight weeks, so of course we didn't get to go.  I'd still like to see that part of the country, though.  And maybe I will!  You and Don drive safe and watch out for those who don't!  And have a wonderful time.

Larry, I never seem to find such interesting programs to watch on TV.  Probably because Darrel is always watching something I'm not interested in seeing.  But it's okay.  I always have a good book or three--or five--to read!

Jackie, good to see you got out and had a nice chat with a neighbor.  We shared a table at a restaurant today after church with some young neighbors.  He grew up out here as neighbors, when my girls were growing up.  Then five years ago, he came back here where his parents were, and married a girl who was teaching art in the Jr. High School.  Now they are expecting a baby boy in about three weeks or so, and are so happy and excited!  He is in his 50s, and she in her late 30s, so they are older than the average first time parents.  I always enjoy visiting with them.

Oh, how my heart aches for the poor people in Houston and elsewhere impacted by Hurricane Harvey!
I cannot even imagine having every item I own soaked with flood water--every piece of paper, every cloth item, all furniture, the drywall, literally everything you own would be ruined!  Well, I guess you could salvage the dishes and other things like that, but......

John showed up at my door this morning, bringing my framed photo from LifeTouch.  He still looks terrible, and like he's lost even more weight, which he cannot afford to lose.  He brought Beth to church, so I got to talk to him a little about her birthday.  I'm going to bake her a cake this afternoon,
and we can use some of the ice cream we made yesterday.  I told him to let me know how many people he invites.  I will go up and ask about a room in which to have it at the Home, in the morning.

I think a short nap is in order before I go to buy some sour cream or buttermilk for the cake!

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...I worry so much over John and your Beth...I truly wish he would ask for help, and accept help...but at the end of the day....it is down to him, guess he will when he feels he cannot cope no more...it is all in the hands of his-our God.... tut, tut, why are men so stubborn? ok, before I get lynched, not all men...

[Jacqueline]

One really has to push one self...again I done two walks, just back from my second...I know on this parkhome site I am aware men out and about walking their dog or dogs tend to talk to men, I feel it is very men orientated...yet today I struck lucky on my second walk, I have had a lengthy chat with not one but two ladies who I have not even met before...First lady her small dog came to me which got us talking, a very friendly lady who moved to our site just a few months after we moved here...walking a tad further on, the other lady I found out flits between our site and Spain, and is back there this Sunday, again both ladies were outside tending their front garden, second lady clearing dead leaves, her small dog was also making the most of our hot weather, the other dog looking on through the window from inside, but came out to see what was going on....Our sun is shining and this is a hot Bank Holiday weekend which if lucky and timed right I may or may not see someone pottering to their front or side of home...As for my first walk, it was 8.am, but I never saw anyone...although the time the menfolk could be out, possibly they walk the opposite direction, upslope, our private road, there is grass up high on the hills for the dogs to do their business, as many homes dont have grassed gardens and most people here do have small breed dogs.....although downslope there is a small woodland walk onsite...

[Carol]

We were invited for cheese and crackers last night a few doors up the street.  We all chatted for three hours.  These neighbors have stayed with us on trips to Arizona and I think they are coming our way again - when we finally get down there.  Don is so happy we are going to his beautiful Minnesota.

Janet:  I do know Benson and have been on farms there.  Also, visits to a little white Lutheran church - (what else in the area?)  My mother's village is not far but her place is known for the mile wide Green Lake.  My cousin who is hosting us this week will be gone but the door is always open.  Yep, they still do that -

The news from Houston is so sad.  I am so glad that Don's sister and family moved away years ago.  Our nieces are in Fort Worth.