Christian Photographers Community

Janet, on the way home, I was thinking of I-80 in Nebraska.  Thought you sometimes went up there to see your sister?

We'll be travelling all along the Platte River through Nebraska and Idaho.



Nice photo, Marilyn!!!

Hello from sunny Vancouver Island.

Yes, we are finally having summer weather!  Not the super hot kind that is going around the US ... but the kind that is just about right.

I come to read fairly often but not much to talk about, so do a 'Jane' and stay quiet.  Do a little prayer when someone asks and hope it gets heard...

Still having eye problems despite the surgery and new glasses, and being a serious reader of books, am considering buying an E Reader, whatever that means.  Could do with some advise about what works best with wireless and how can I get books after buying the little thing?  Seems what works in US is not always available in Canada??  All help appreciated.
It is not easy to get to a library to pickup and drop off books, and am weary from holding a magnifying glass and a book at the same time.  But they do offer EBooks....if I can figure out how to load them....

My daughter is still in lots of pain and nothing is better in that dept.  Granddaughter still battling severe Vertigo as well as constant Asthma attacks....Me, I simply accept that not much works well at this stage of the journey.   

Happy that my TV is getting some relief from the endless political problems about money and hope the election stuff won't start for a little while.  Not that things are really that much better on this side of the border. 

I am reading an interesting (to me) book called A Snow Day.  It is written by a Christian named Billy Coffey.  He is a simple, practical man, from a rural background in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Simple, profound and quite a beautiful read.

God Bless and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Liz   

I'm glad to hear that it's sunny up that way, Liz.  Hope you truly enjoy it while it's there.  Say hello to the Empress for me - we loved to go to high tea there.  Also enjoyed Butchart Gardens in the evening.
Well, we'll be going to the fitness center for our treadmilling this morning.  I sleep better when I've done that.  It's right next door to a veterinary outfit that cares for horses, so I hope they don't ,make any mistakes  thinking we are horses.

The A/C is fixed.  A technician error in my thinking.  There are two wires on the outside unit, one of which was off its terminal due to vibration or such.  When it was put back on the A/C worked fine.  Power wires.  Someone didn't tighten it in the last 8 visits someone was here to work on the unit!  I hope I am not charged for their error!

And I am waiting now.  The phone rang at 9am.  It was DirecTv reminding me that a technician is to be here between 8am and noon.  Yes.  I am waiting. 

It felt good to sleep in a cool house last night even though the night before wasn't bad.  But I am not used to outside noise since my windows are never open.  They were that night.  I know I live in the country and not ever afraid of someone entering my home un-announced.  But with just the window screens between me and the outside, I was a little leery.  The windows lower to the ground, I set the slides that do not allow the windows to be opened more than 4".  Higher up windows, I kept open all the way.  But that is over.  At least, the business was prompt!

Looks like another H³ day here today.  Yesterday a record was tied with the most consecutive days 90 degrees or above for central Indiana...Local channel 6 says...

QuoteThe record stretch of 90-degree warmth was set at 19 days during the dust bowl in 1936.

It is predicted today that the high will be in the high 80's!  A reprieve!!

Also the month of July 2011 was the driest since weather records have been kept for Indiana.  Seems like this past year each season has been to the extreme!

Hi everyone.  We had a much more pleasant day yesterday and it didn't get nearly as hot as had previously been predicted.  They actually removed the heat advisory for the day.  Last evening we went to iHop for dinner and then to the AT&T store to try to get help with a bluetooth ear piece for Pat's phone.  It was pleasant to be outside.  It was humid but not overbearing.

It looks like our planned visit with our son and DIL is going to be postponed for 2 or 3 weeks as something has come up with them that isn't going to make it convenient to meet tomorrow.  There was no urgency so that is fine and we will continue to look forward to seeing them. 

Just back from going to the senior center for the Friday men's coffee.  Later, I may make a quick trip to Walmart for a couple of items and our local Kaiser office to do a test. 

Pat, you certainly have much more energy than either Pat or I have to make such a long trip.  Several years ago when the SN Bash was held in Alberta (think that is where it was) we seriously thought about going and driving until I thought about how much driving was involved and decided we just weren't up to it. 

Marilyn, great picture of Happy. 

Janet, your trip sounds so interesting.  I had never heard of the Salt Museum.  Glad Kerri is seeking prayer.

Liz, nice to see your post.  I expect you would love an e-book reader.  I sure do like reading books on mine.  I am actually now reading my ebooks with the ebook applications on my smart phone.  I hold it in the palm of my hand and just tap the side of the screen to turn the page.  I have a larger e-book reader but have come to prefer the phone for the reading.  I am sure your library can give you good recommendations as to the ebook reader that might be right for you. Sorry to hear that your daughter is still suffering so. 

Etta Sue, glad to see you are cool again.

Marilyn:  Happy looks so sweet - very much like a dog a friend just got for the two of them. 

Pat:  I-80 - that goes through Cheyenne, Wyoming.  If the timing of your drive and our open dates would work - maybe we could meet too. We are over 100 miles south of Cheyenne.   

Grateful to be feeling a little better today.  We want to help our son move tomorrow so will just have to wait and see if we can help. 

Carol, we're spending the night in Lander, WY.  Not sure where that is but a good view of the Tetons from the house.  Then down to I-80. 

Paul will be here in the morning and I'll mention it.  I'd sure like to meet you.  Maybe there's a place for coffee close by.  We'll exchange telephone numbers.

Pat:  You will be driving south from Lander at an angle and it will take almost five hours to get to Cheyenne.  Be sure to fill your gas tank in Cheyenne as WY usually has the best gas prices.  That is where you will catch I-80.  It would be nice if this could happen.  We lived off base in Cheyenne our first year and there are several places we could meet. 

Wow!  Sounds good.  We'll be in touch.

Pat, I really would LOVE to meet you--AND Carol!  I have a sister near North Platte, NE. but that is about 350 miles from here.  A little too far at the price gas is now for just a coffee visit. 

Larry, the Underground Salt Museum was very interesting.  Hard to imagine a vein of pure salt 350 feet thick, extending across most of four states!  And it is pretty!  Lots of it is clear as glass, and different facets reflect light like mica in rocks.  Then where there are other minerals, it is pretty colors.  This mine is still active, they are not mining for human consumption, though they have in the past.  They are mining for rock salt, ice melting salt, and salt for animal consumption--feed additives, block salt, etc.  When they mine for table use, they force water underground at high pressure, then allow the brine to evaporate, adding iodine, etc.

We visited a salt farm in Thailand.  There, they pump ocean water into shallow terraced places on the land, and when the water has evaporated, scrape up the salt into big piles and harvest it that way.  I hadn't even thought much about how we get salt!

I walked this morning, came home and showered and dressed, did the laundry, went and got my hair done, mailed something that Kerri needs, went by to see Beth, home again, then to the home to eat with Beth.  Had planned to go to Hugoton today, but when I got home after lunch, I felt so tired I decided to rest a little bit, but fell asleep and slept like a rock for nearly two hours!  I guess I needed that!  So the trip to Hugoton will wait for tomorrow.

We took the puppy with us, but they do not allow any animals underground, so we took her to a nearby vet clinic where they boarded her for us for the time we needed for the museum visit.  And they didn't even charge us anything!  Nice! 

Pat if you go off the highwat at Chyenne there is a Little America exit 358 E bound  There is a Pilot exit 367 S of the interstate.... One John and I frequented.  At North Platt there is a FlyingJ at 179 N....   Grand Island has a Bossleman's with a supper restaurant we've eaten there......exit 312  Anyone near Omaha?  FlyingJ at exit 432.  FlyingJ are all Denny's restaurants now.  Can you tell we have travelled this route?  Oh Pat you drive Wyoming.....and watch the wind off the mountains, it can be bad.

Be sure to stop on top of Doner Pass.  Spectacular view.

Hi everyone.  Yesterday when I posted I thought our plans for today (Saturday) had been changed and we wouldn't be seeing our son and DIL.  Our son called last evening to say it was back on the schedule.  He was having trouble with his car overheating but took it by the mechanics yesterday and the mechanic immediately diagnosed the problem as a small leak in the radiator.  So he said he bought three gallon of antifreeze and feels they will be OK to meet us today as planned.  We just have to stay flexible.  That will be the big activity of the day.

Carol, hope you all can get together with Pat and Paul.  They are delightful folks to be with. 

Janet, the information on the salt museum is certainly interesting.  Like you I never thought about how the salt gets into those little round boxes.  I remember us having salt blocks for our cattle on the farm.  How was your puppy to travel with?  I don't think I would have thought of finding a vet clinic to leave a pet like you did. 

Judy, sounds like you might have been in charge of truck stop planning.    Do you miss being on the road?  Did you drive your own truck or just trade off with John as you went together?  I bet you saw some beautiful scenery on the routes you drove.

Well, after  phone & internet were down yesterday, they're back up  now.  I used my cell phone more yestereday than ever before.  That's not  a good  feeling  to have those both down.

Just finished cleaning the kitchen after yet another coffee maker disaster - apparently, the little top gets plugged with coffee grounds.  So, I have a little French Press which is never used & made coffee in it after checking google for instructions.  Oh, how we rely on our instant information.  It is a neat thing & scary to be so reliant. 

Al:  We are just so used to everything working.  Glad you have your power back. 

We are going to go to son's house this afternoon & help but mostly to bring food - moving day and we are to stay out of the way until noon.  That is OK with me. 

Janet:  I am hoping you can dream up another excuse to make the trip besides having coffee - maybe there is a rare bird you need to see?  Our neighbors will take off at the drop of a hat to see a sighted rare bird - well?  Just an idea.  Gone are the days of freedom to just run and go. 

Judy B:  You know that corner well.  I have stayed at Little America place for quilting retreats - huge rooms & friendly people. 

Larry:  Nice that you will be gathering with your son & family once again.  We cherish those visits.
Today is our daughter's birthday and we will take her out for lunch tomorrow.  We are trying to get our granddaughter here for a short visit as well - I hope to have her clean my kitchen cabinets for pay and then have a little sewing session.  Yes, our whole lives must have been the motto "Be Flexible"  and that is because sometimes you cannot change things written in stone. .......

Yes I do miss driving. John and I drove team for about 3 1/2 years. We do know the route across I80 very well, we travelled it 2 times a week for about 2 years. I have never been so tired or so happy or had so many wonderful experiences as we did during those years.  On the flip side I have never encountered such rough weather as we did through Nebraska and Wyoming.  The winds off Elk Mountain could throw a truck over on its side and climbing Sherman could be just horrendous.  Wonderful days.  I stopped driving when I fell and broke my wrist when getting out of the truck in Salt Lake City.  The step was icy and down I went.  In the following summer I did some solo driving but it was never the same.  In Idaho one November I was driving in a fog and didn't know why the antennas were whipping in the wind....I decided to grab a drink and bight to eat at McDonald's.  Got out of the truck and fell on my bottom.  Everything on the truck except the windshield was covered with ice.  I got my food went back to the truck and climbed into bed (after eating).  I had lost my nerve to continue driving.  John stayed in the bunk till the sun came up and the roads were salted.  Fun!!!

I will continue reminiscing with John. Bye for now....

Hey, coming home from your trip are you going to Guelph or Virginia?  If Virginia, I could meet you somewhere for a spot of coffee!!

The first time I saw snow in July was crossing Wyoming.  We gassed up at Sheridan and everyone had winter jackets on...here I was in shorts and a halter top!  So cold.  The gas attendant said there was a 6 inch snow fall the night before on the Big Horns.  We didn't know it but we were headed that way.  Once we got into the snow, Bud and I had a snowball fight!!  Both of us in shorts!  The snow had melted off the highway but the scenery was beautiful...snow falling off the pine trees!  Beautiful.  And it snowed on us going into Yellowstone.  Spent the night at West Yellowstone and had to scrape the windshield the next morning for frost!  Two days later it was 106° going into Las Vegas!!

DirecTv is fixed.  I got three calls saying that the technician is running late but would be here by 1pm.  That was different.  Never had that happen before.  Usually they just leave you hanging. 

Anyway, Larry may understand what this all means but the remote I had and the new one was for IF.  They were trying to set my remote to my receiver with RF setting.  But to do that I needed an RF remote and a thingy on the back of the receiver.  He got the two and Voila!  It works.  And I didn't have to reprogram all my show to record!  I think IF means infrared but I don't have a clue what RF means.  Just know that it works now. He said the infrared signal must have went out on the receiver.

So now I am back in business. 

Ivalou came over with a beautiful orange print dress and jacket yesterday.  She wanted to know if it looked okay for a wedding she is attending August 20th.  The color looked so pretty on her pale skin and white hair.  Loved it.  Almost made me cry to see how pretty she is.  But she didn't have any earrings to wear.  So I found her a pair to wear.  Now she is all set! 

It looked like rain all day yesterday but it never rained. I think it only got to 88°.  Today is another H³ day.  I haven't heard how hot it is to get.  Nice breeze though. 

I slept so good last night.  It was cool and I will confess, I didn't get out of bed until after 10am!  Wow!  That's the latest I have slept for a long time!! 

Yup You do get snow in Wyoming in July/August........and it is beautiful.  Wonderful memories Eh Etta Sue!

Etta Sue, I believe RF stands for radio frequency, something I learned from Darrel.  Glad you got your equipment all back in order.

Carol, I will have to go back to Pat's posting and see what the date is.  We could always go see Sis and Vernon, if they are home...still a long old drive, though.  And I will need to have computer contact all the time when production starts on my book next month!!  I do so want to meet you, and see Pat again and meet Paul....Well, we will see what God says about it!

I had a nice little visit with my Diane this morning, then took her to lunch before I came home.  Now I need to go cut the mats for something I have to frame, then first thing Monday get the frame ordered for it.

Shirley brought me some very nice souvenirs from Malawi.  All made locally.  One is a wooden globe about one foot in diameter, which opens in half, very nice.  Also handmade paper card, bookmarks, and several pieces of jewelry...oh!  And a smaller wood box with lid, and a wooden giraffe about 7 inches tall.  I told her one thing was enough, but she insisted I take more, saying, "YOU paid for them all!"  She wanted me to pick a necklace for each of my 3 girls, so I did.  I took Diane hers and she thought it so nice of Shirley to think of her.

Carol, I am still using the cold process coffee maker Al told us about.  No working parts, so nothing to go wrong with it!  And once I got used to the coffee (took about 2 or 3 days) I love it.  I only have to make coffee about every two weeks or so, since I am the only one in our house who drinks it.

Larry, I hope you had a great visit with your son and daughter-in-law.

Our weather is much more tolerable the past few days, for which we are very thankful!

Larry, I must admit, I didn't think of the vet clinic for the puppy!  I asked when I called for reservations if we could bring her into the museum, and the girl on the phone said no animals are allowed underground, then she suggested the clinic and told us the name, number and where to find it.  One big reason for the no animals rule is same as for no drinks of any kind:  The floors are made of saltcrete.  That is like concrete, except they used salt instead of gravel to mix the concrete, and if any water is spilled, it could cause the salt to dissolve, leaving potholes on the floors!  They do have an Event Center down in the museum where they have dinner theatres, etc.  The floor of that area is concrete!  Another interesting bit of information, I thought.  Darrel bought me a salt pendant, a necklace made of a salt piece.  The instructions say to avoid moisture, even though it has been sprayed with an acrylic sealant, it could eventually dissolve.  It is quite pretty.  And we each were allowed to gather up a little bag full of salt pieces in a certain are where they have a big pile of salt.  Plus--when we paid for the pendant, the girl gave me a small handful of clear salt pieces I can use to make additional jewelry pieces (If I ever get around to doing that!)

I've been absent all afternoon!     My son and daughter-in-law from New Jersey are spending the weekend near Schenectady and visited the Saratoga Historical Park this morning, then picked me up for lunch.  After that we came back to the house and just sat and talked and talked all afternoon.  This is the daughter-in-law who had the aggressive, fast growing cancer last winter and is now in remission.  She looks (and says she feels) wonderful.  We had a really lovely afternoon.

I went all the way back to page one to find the date Pat will be going through Nebraska.  She says August 29, they will head that way.  Now, Pat, if you will give me the day you think you will be in the area of North Platte, I will see if something can be worked out.  Carol, would that area work for you, or is it even farther than what you thought?  Sure would be nice to see you both, and Paul.

I thought this would be appropriate to sing today.... One of my favourites.

Yes, indeed, a favorite, Judy.  And so fitting for our group here.   

Especially after the devotional this week.   

 Another Sunday morning in Georgia.  It is overcast and still fairly dark outside.  We had thunder again yesterday afternoon for no rain in our area.  It did rain in parts of Atlanta.  We enjoyed a nice visit with our son and his wife at the Cracker Barrel.  These visits are relatively short but it is good to see them.  They have both lost a lot of weight and looked very good.  We had a good trip back and forth to Madsion, GA.  This morning we will go to Atlanta and attend church with our daughter.  I think I mentioned yesterday she is participating in a hand chime choir this morning, which is a first for her and they are redidcating their church as they have remodeled their santuary.  We will try to find a place to have lunch with her.  This is a bit difficult as she has to ride the bus and subway in her wheelchair. 

Carol, I know what you mean about relying now on the Internet for instant information.  I heard on the news this morning that the Internet turns 20 today.  It has certainly changed the world.  Carol, when I think about it I am glad I don't know what each day will bring as that keeps life exciting.  I always have some plans but they are just that and can easily be changed. 

Judy, it is good to see you have many good memories of the driving experiences and that you and John could do it together.  I have been watching the Ice Road Truckers series where they are driving in India on the very high and dangerous mountain roads.  One of the truckers, who has drivent the ice roads for many years, quit after one day.  The other three drivers they have featured driving in the mountains have all expressed great fear.  They have a spotter ride with them so they don't drive off the cliffs as the roads and bridges are so narrow and have dangers of rock slides.  The truck bodies are made of wood also, not metal.  It is very intense.

Etta Sue, I haven't looked it up but I think RF stands for radio frequency (I see Janet has already said the same so we must be right  .  Glad Direct TV got you fixed up and you didn't lose anything or have to reprogram. 

Janet, that was nice of the museum person to suggest the vet to board the puppy.  It sounds like you could be wearing your pendant out sometime and it could just melt away while you are wearing it.    Your gifts from Shirley sound very nice.

Jeanne, special time when we can sit and talk with our family.  Glad your DIL is doing so well.

We completely missed church this morning as we go to the earliest service to miss the mob - tired and aching from just a little work yesterday helping son move - I cleaned cabinets & a few other duties & aching all over.  Mainly, I brought food & ice cream bars.  It was hot & I realize now that we take great care not to work in heat but had to yesterday.  Ugh. 

29th of August:  The date looks free so far.

Janet:  It would be 288 miles to North Platte vs. about 100 miles to Cheyenne.  Not looking good for us to meet there.  It is actually shorter for you to drive to N P than here - I thought of that too.  Darn gas prices.
You must be on pins and needles thinking about your book. 

Jeanne:  How wonderful you all must be feeling about your daughter-in-law being healthy. 

I am waiting for news any time as a quilting buddy is in the last hours of cancer.  She opted to not fight the cancer this time and that was a shock to everyone.  I have not known her very long and found that we have a mutual friend from where I used to live.  Almost dread opening email. 

Speaking of snow/ice trips - all along the downside of the Rockies we have driven in the awful weather.  The wind very often hits hurricane strength & we have seen hundreds of vehicles in the ditch.  Starting soon, we will carry the emergency bag that has a candle, flares, emergency radio.  We figure we are too old to be out there when it gets iffy, really.   

Maybe looking at this kitty will help us cool off....maybe not!

Well, I am ready for a nap.  I was half asleep/half awake this morning when all went quiet.  I opened my eyes and the night lights came back on...then off again...then on...then off again and stayed off.  I don't think I really went back to sleep again.  But I did get up and got my cell phone and set the alarm on it for 7:30am.  It was 3:17am when the lights went out.  I got up at 7:21am. 

First I went to the garage to make sure I could disengage the garage door from the garage door opener and got my car out.  Then I walked to Ivalou's.  Just as I was ready to knock on the door my cell phone rang.  Ivalou.  She wanted to know if my lights were out, too. 

So we decided to go to church and then go out to eat since we didn't know when the lights would be back on.  I came home and called the Electric company and was told (by a recording) that they didn't know when service would be back on! 

So we went to church, Sunday School and to a restaurant in Anderson for lunch.  I took another lady back to church and Ivalou home.  Then I stopped at Kaye Don's to see if he could help me engage the garage door back to the garage door opener.  The top of my garage door (metal) has been reinforced with angle iron and it bows when the garage door isn't engaged with the opener.  This morning I was pulling the cord to the east.  Kaye Don pulled it to the west and it engaged!  So all is back to order. 

Oh...Kaye Don says a woman hit a power pole about 1 and a half miles from us and broke the pole!  It took 7 hours to fix/replace or whatever it took to restore power to us.

Then to the inside and set 4 electric clocks.

Now for a nap! 

Time to start a new week HERE
May God's richest ssings be yours!

Hi, friends, it's been a quiet Sunday. Now, I'm going to see the lady who lives next door to my house. I certainly hope my son gets home from the UK soon to finish the work over there and to live in it.

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann