Christian Photographers Community

Hi Everyone.  It looks like we will have a bit cooler day today with the chance of afternoon and evening showers.  The only think I have planned for today is a trip to Costco.  I am going to get a rotisserie chicken and we are going to eat out main meal today at noon while the chicken is still hot.  The rest of the day will be quiet and restful. 

Janet, nice to read that Darrel felt up to going to Church yesterday.  I saw the picture you painted of the pink bird on your Facebook page and it is beautiful. Is this one of the painting you are doing for Abby?  I hope you have good luck in re-establishing your framing business.  We also eat a lot of chicken.  I will start watching football this coming Saturday.  I just can't get into watching the pros before the regular season.     

Thankful and blessed - I had a hard fall yesterday in the church parking lot when walking to the car after the 7:30 AM chapel service.  I was looking for my car and did not see a wooden sign that usually stands up but had folded flat.  It is always a shock to fall.  Nothing broken - bruising marks and I look a mess.  So very thankful. 

We were planning to drive to Montana to visit a couple of days but that son told us the smoke from British Columbia fires is so heavy that they are staying indoors with A/C and air filters running.  This morning, it sure looks terrible in the west here as well. 

Larry:  We get three meals from one of the fat roasted chickens and always a soup.  Now, we can get delivery free if we order over $35 and since we get some OTC meds & such, that would be nice not to go through the store & push a big cart. 

One grandson and our daughter came for a visit yesterday - bringing a pizza and a chocolate cake.  Our other two grands started school. in Fort Collins.  This grandson will drive to Minnesota at the end of the week for his senior year.

Janet:  Wishing you the best as you make decisions in your life.  Listen to your heart. Prayers for you. 

Prayers for all who have lost homes, work and more in these fires. 

. 

Larry, Abby liked the free-looking flowers, so am making larger ones than card size for her.  She certainly has her own tastes and ideas!  Wish we had a Costco!  We do have a new Casey's General Store--famous for Pizza, is what all their ads proclaim.  I bought one, and we didn't like it at all; not nearly as good as Puffy's!  We got out of church a bit after 10:30, came home until around one and then decided to go out and eat.
We went to Garcia's and had Mexican food.

I painted more flowers yesterday, don't like this one at all, so will paint something else on the other side of the paper!

Oh, Carol!  I'm so sorry about your fall!  That is such a shock and insult to your whole body!  But I'm very thankful nothing was broken.  I know you will likely be stiff and sore for a few days at least, but oh, it could have been so much worse!  Thank You God, for protecting Carol!

Darrel is still in bed!  I went in at 8:30 and asked if he plans to sleep all day, and he said he was thinking about it, or until noon, anyway!  So I left him alone.  Guess he's trying to make up the sleep he lost, but I've read that isn't possible to do.

I managed to get my Facebook password changed, but it took me an hour!   Hope the darn hackers leave me alone now!

I need to make a couple calls regarding my book.  This company isn't nearly as easy to work with as Tate was, back in the good days. 

Carol, were there people who saw you fall, and came to help?

Good Morning. I know I haven't been posting voery regularly but I do read the posts every day. The Furry friends annual picnic was yesterday. I tookn Keith along and he  had a good time. everyone came over to him and shared a few words and told him who they were. I had email some of them ans asked them to do that so he would feel comfortable. I didn't sit with him to say but two of the men did and one of their wives. I sat down with him when It ook him dessert and wehen we  started to play the Cornhole game. We came home by 3pm.

Janet I'm glad you got yourpasswordf changed on FB. I too wish we had a Costco here. The closest one is 75 miles away.

Carol sorry about your fall. Glad thefe was not serious damage.

larry you are so faithful to post here every single day. If I didn't see a post from  you each day I would  wonder if you were not well.

Hi Everyone.  it is another overcast morning but we will be only in the high 80's late this afternoon and a less than 50% chance of rain.  I guess the highlight of my day yesterday was the quick trip to Costco yesterday morning and then yesterday afternoon I purchased a small 7 cubic feet freezer.  It is to be delivered sometime today between 8 am and 12 pm.  We will put it in our garage now that we are down to one car.  It will take awhile to get it stocked up.  We have to let it set for 48 hours before turning it on as it lets the gases resettle from having been moved. 

I did enjoy watching a special Antiques Road Show program that took pieces from program back several years ago and at the end of the segment it showed the appraised value then and then again in 2014.  It was a special for the South Carolina Public Television Station's fund raising evening. 

Today should be a pretty quiet day. We plan to have a salad supper tonight.  It is easy to do and healthy and Pat made a super dessert Sunday evening that will really top off the meal.   

Carol, so sorry that you fell but so thankful you didn't break anything.  I expect you will be feeling more of the impact today.  The bruises will heal and the aches shouldn't last too long.  Too bad you have had to cancel your plans to go to Montana.  Our chicken yesterday wasn't up to the quality of most from Costco as it wasn't completely cooked.  They had obviously cut the cooking time short although it looked cooked as was nice and brown on the skin.  Pat felt it wasn't cooked all the way and put it in the oven.  She took the rest off the bone and will use it for enchiladas, which will be cooked so it should be fine.  We had an email about the one and two day delivery from Costco but Pat checked and it isn't yet offered by our local store.  But I expect it soon will be and that gives us more options, especially with the freezer available.  It is nice when the company brings the meal as your grandson did.  Is he still playing ice hockey for his school?

Janet, it sounds like you have your painting set out for you as you do the larger pictures for Abby.  We were very happy to see the Costco was located so close to us when we moved as it hadn't been close where we were living.  It sounds like you and Darrel were able to enjoy a pleasant day yesterday. I expect Darrel is going to need extra rest as he continues to recovery from his surgery. 

Marilyn, good to see your posting.  I am sure you have a full schedule caring for Keith as well as you volunteer activities.  Nice that Keith enjoyed his time out at the picnic and that folks came and spoke to him and sat with him.  I enjoy posting here but please don't worry about me if you don't see an early posting.  Sometimes I have things I need to do before having time to post. 

Still aching but the bones feel better this morning.  I did get on the treadmill, and read devotions. 

Thank you for caring - I know everyone has gone through some kind of missteps along their lives - it comes as a shock.  I called church and left a message that the wooden tent like signs should never be placed flat in the parking lot - but added that it was totally my fault for looking up to find my car.  It is a huge parking lot.  I only go to the smaller chapel and that seats several hundred for sure. 

Marilyn:  That was thoughtful of you and the men too for making sure Keith felt comfortable.

Janet:  You are right - muscles are sore & I can barely sit or stand up from a chair but it will get better.  I would love to soak in a tub but feel sure it would be impossible to get out of the tub.

We had a record low in the 40's barely yesterday morning - here comes the cooling.  Not fast enough.  Aspen trees are way early this year - the gold in the hills, I mean. 

Larry:  I have heard that before about undercooked chicken and they really need to know your concerns.  Have never experienced it myself.  Grandson will stay overnight here this Friday and then he heads for Minnesota.  He plays hockey and coaches (in summer) younger boys.  They asked for him to be their coach.  He is a senior this year and takes every math class he can .  Other grandson is going to school full time and is hanging windows - there has been so much hail damage, there will always be work & that is in a little city north of here.  Granddaughter is back from summer school in London - Economics classes and a lot of side country trips.  Back to reality now.  You will like the freezer outside - we keep a small one there plus a full fridge.  It saves trips to the stores plus I like to fix food for the freezer to keep on hand. 

Marilyn!!  Good to have you back again!  I'm sure there will be many things you need to help Keith with as time goes by, but making him feel a part of your activities and feel comfortable with others is a wonderful thing.  I know, from our experience with my Dad, that dealing with this condition is challenging, but I'm confident you are strong and can handle it.  May God bless you and give you comfort as you proceed.

Carol, sorry you're sore and stiff, but so, so glad there are no broken bones. You will probably need to see a good chiropractor when you are feeling better, to make sure everything's in alignment.  At least, that's what I would need.  I jut realized, I'm sounding rather 'preachy' and that isn't my intention at all!!

We have two big freezers in the garage, the side-by-side in the kitchen and another refrigerator with top freezer in the back!  Too many to keep track of what is where!  One refrigerator and one freezer were Beth's.

It's unseasonably cool here, too!  But sure feels nice!

I'm doing laundry again, and will start laying out clothes for the Alaska trip. This time of year, I'm not sure what to take, so am thinking layers is the way to go.  Will probably be pretty cool early and late, nice in between.

I should have the first edit review back on my book next week!

Blessings to you all!  And Jackie, please come back and talk to us!

Hi Everyone.  It is a beautiful morning here in South Carolina but we are headed up to 90 degrees this afternoon.  I am getting the morning off to a slow start but don't have anywhere to go today.  Scott will be out this evening to have dinner with us.  We did get the deep freeze delivered yesterday and it is just the right size for the two of us. 

Yesterday evening I noticed there was a special on Betty White on our PBS station at 8 pm.  We watched that and really enjoyed it as I have watched Betty White I guess since we first had television in about 1957.  That was followed by wonderful concert by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra with a marvelous violinist named Zolt?n M?ga who I had never heard of before.  This was a special Christmas Concert with 16,000 people in attendance and was a program made especially for PBS, which they were using for their fund raising efforts this week.  I only got through about half of it and will watch the remainder of it today.  I just wish I had been recording the whole program and not the last half as it was so enjoyable and such beautiful music.  I found some of his recordings on Spotify.com and am listening to them now.

Carol, glad to see you were feeling better yesterday morning and hope today see more easing of the aches.  You don't slowly work into things out your way in terms of weather.  The 40 degree morning must have been a bit of a shock.  The last time we were in Denver it was the end of October and the Aspen trees were all golden colored and the leaves were beginning to fall.  Thanks for the info on your grandson.  It sounds like you have very accomplished grandchildren.  Nice to read that your granddaughter has safely returned from her summer in England. 

Janet, we can't remember what is in our refrigerator freezer and sure would have problems with your setup.  With the little freezer we have we won't have to keep the refrigerator freezer so packed that it is difficult to find anything.  We will be stocking it with meal portions of things that Pat fixes from leftovers plus things like Pot Pies and Marie Callendar frozen dinners.  Will you be sailing from Seattle to Alaska on your trip or are you flying up there? 

Thankful for an overcast cool morning.  We need cleaner air - I haven't heard anything about the fires in Canada but the smoke is still affecting Montana and several states. 

Janet:  I imagine this is a boat trip - you will want to bring a hooded waterproof jacket and if it is thin enough, it can fit over a sweater or sweatshirt.  Some people bring very fancy dresses - but we travel light.  Wishing you a fantastic trip!

Larry:  Spotify sounds interesting.  We like to ask ALEXA to play our music and Don likes to ask it questions.  Finally, now it will play some Christian music as previously, it would not recognize any I asked.       You will use the new little freezer a lot - it saves trips to the store.  We are expecting hot weather again in a few days.  Our g-daughter is a senior this year and she is renting a room in a 5 bedroom house.  Each bedroom has its own bath.  It sounds like these were built especially for students - it is a college town.  I don't know how the kitchen works - she likes to cook and bake - especially chocolate.  The bus is free and usually set up close to the student living quarters. 

Hi from the island.

BC has been declared a state of emergency.  There are around 566. Forest fires burning in the province and over 30 here on the island. Have not seen a
blue sky in what seems forever and the smoke is hanging in the air and visible to the eye. Many people evacuated all over the province and air quality is terrible. I stay inside rather than go out in the smoke and heat.  We have not had rain for a long time other than a light shower days ago.  Alberta is also getting very severe smoke. What terrible times we are living in now.

Teddy the cat is doing well and is a constant joy in my life now. He is very loving and quick to learn things.  The smoke is also bothering him.
Carol expressed interest in the fires, so I decided to stop in and give the data. It is also a problem in US and many folks are going thru terrible times.  Prayer is certainly needed...

God Bless,
Liz

Liz...
...I think something strange this year has happened globally...We in UK experienced one of our hottest and driest summers since 1976, and it was on our tv news that Spain and Portugal's heatwave temperatures had reached 47 c - 48 c...breaking an all-time Europe record....thankfully UK doesn't suffer the forest type fires other countries suffer...I so worry about our wildlife...
Liz, stay safe and do keep your cat with you in doors....unless you are told differently to follow another safe procedure..
 

Hi Everyone.  We are expecting another beautiful partly cloudy morning and then sunny afternoon with no expectation of rain and a temperature high of about 86.  I have a full morning planned and have already been pretty busy with kitchen chores.  I still will need to fix Pat's breakfast and fold a basket of clothes.  Then I will make a quick stop at the Walmart Pharmacy to pick up a couple of prescriptions and then pick up my friend to go downtown to have coffee with the guys.  I anticipate that we will be having one of our homemade frozen dinners this evening as our main meal. 

Carol, It sounds like you have an adequate source of the music by asking ALEXA.  However, do you have to repeat the request process after every son plays or it will continue to play the same type of music as the song you requested?  We are looking forward to using the little freezer as it opens up a lot of possibilities that we havene't had before.  It sounds like your granddaughter will have a nice setup for her living arrangements and transportation for her senior year.  Does she plan to continue on to graduate school?

Liz, so sorry to read of all of the fires up your way as well as all the fires in the Western parts of the USA.  It sure is a good idea to stay inside as much as possible.  Glad you have a new cat in the family to bring you joy.  It is always good to see your postings. 

Jackie, I saw reports of the heat wave in Spain that broke previous records.  I am sure glad your country doesn't have the forest fires that are being experienced other places.  Does being close to the sea help moderate your temperatures both summer and winter?

Larry Hanna...
...where I now live I often forget I am near the sea.. there are hills, valleys, pastures and farmlands separating, as I have mentioned I am situated way down in the valleys...One could almost believe one is surrounded by country and wildlife, with such a lot of greenery and trees surrounding us...So I would say living here is a lot healthier and one can breathe in cleaner air...

Good morning from a finally cooler day.  This is more like normal but still there is a lot of smoke in the air.  We are at a higher altitude than Denver so that always helps our air. 

Liz:  I spoke with one of my brothers in Chelan, Washington.  He is almost on the Columbia River and they have so much smoke that they could not see the bridge that is less than 3 miles away.  He is a volunteer fireman - the guys (including him) had to run and leave a hose at one fire.  I think it is nice that you have a fun cat especially when you are better off indoors than outside now.  Yes, keep the prayers and I will pray for Canada.  Seattle (my old home town) is just awful too. 

Larry:  ALEXA will play similar music often.  I like it because it is the only "thing" I can order around anymore    Really, it is kind of creepy to have something "listening" and I know some corporations will not allow staff to own these eavesdropping machines.  Our g-daughter isn't talking grad school yet.  When you mention going downtown for coffee, how large is your town?  It sounds like it is convenient.  We have too many people moving here and traffic is congested but everything we need is convenient except the new VA hospital where Don has his appointments. 

My volunteer fireman brother says he has a mask that contains charcoal and it is supposed to be better than the usual mask.  I am going to look for it online - it could go in the emergency kit.   

Hi Everyone.  It is a beautiful morning and when I went out to the mailbox it actually felt a bit chilly.  Yesterday was a beautiful day and it appears today will be the same.  I have an appointment with my cardiologist this morning and on the way back will stop at our Community Ministries Thrift Store to drop off a couple of bags of clothes from Pat and then stop at Aldi's for a couple of items as it is on the path home.  The housekeeper will be here this morning and I think we will be staying in the rest of the day.  We have leftovers in our refrigerator for a good meal this evening and then we plan on eating out tomorrow afternoon. 

Jackie, it sounds like you live in an beautiful area and one where you are surrounded by the natural beauty of nature. 

Carol, I hadn't thought about the "ordering around" aspect of ALEXA.  I can actually do the same thing with SIRI on the iPhone or the Google app but just haven't needed to do so.  It sounds like your brother was not in a good spot if they had to run to escape the fire and leave the fire hose.  Our town is about 26,000 people and is right across the bridge from downtown Augusta and surrounding area which is much bigger.  I am glad I live on this side of the river although at the time I go through downtown Augusta it never seems to have too much traffic.  It is a straight shot from our downtown area to the hospital and the doctor's offices where most of my doctors are located. 

I was here to read yesterday, but didn't post.
I had gotten my first manuscript review for the book and they wanted some changes, so I got busy working on that, and the day flew by!  Please pray with me that I can make the book what the Lord told me to do with it--glorify God, honor Beth's life, and encourage people.  After some reflection, and talking it over with Darrel, I can see that what they said is right, and believe I can make it better.

The fires and resulting smoke are terrible.  Even out here, I hear people complaining about the smoke bothering them, stirring up allergies, etc.
I do hope they get the fires out soon, that no more fire fighters will be hurt, and no more homes and businesses lost.

Tonight is the yearly Rendevouz The With the Arts at the Main ARTery where my paintings are on display.  Their theme is "Tie one on!" and those who wear something that has to be tied on are entered into a special drawing.  I'm wearing one of my logis I bought in Burma (Myanmar) as the skirt wraps around and has to be tied on, plus the scarf is also tied on!  That ought to work, huh?  One of the gals spent days making a pattern and constructing an apron from men's neckties to wear.  Not me!

Liz, it's always good to see a post from you!  I'm so glad you have Teddy kitty now to enjoy.  I really hope the fires and smoke dissipate in your area as well.  Hugs to you, dear one!

Carol, thanks for the tip on clothing for the cruise.  I am mainly concerned about things to wear for dinner in the evenings, as I've heard they really dress up for that.  I don't want to take a lot of things as the extra luggage on planes is costly, plus I don't want to lug it around.  Darrel doesn't, either, and isn't really up to it yet.  I pray your fire fighter brother stays safe!!

Darrel took so much pain killers that he messed up his sensitive stomach, and was nearly ready to go back to the hospital, but I told him they couldn't do anything about it.  He started burping and I told him that was what he needed to do, and to stop taking the pain killers, that the surgeon told him it will take his body 2 to 3 months to heal from the "manipulation" of the surgery.  He just doesn't handle pain well at all!  Poor guy.

Jackie, good to hear from you.  I'd love to see the area where you live, it sounds lovely!  You would not be impressed to see where I live!    But it does make us appreciate other areas of the world.

Larry, I haven't given up on visiting you and Pat.  It won't be this year, but in 2019 we won't plan so many trips.  I think we will slow down on traveling now.  Unless we both get to feeling really good again!

I need to check the bacon Darrel put in the little Foreman grill!

Larry Hanna - Janet...
... yes idyllic scenery but I dont get out and about to see very much of it...I do enjoy what I can see from my windows and back door...

...although I left behind nicer and friendlier neighbours than I have here...I am very appreciative of my now surroundings but also starting to remember those we knew and left behind before our move...It was only the other day various names were springing up and I got to wondering how those " back home " ( it will always be back home to me )...have been keeping...more so the elderly friends we once knew...even if they are still alive...I had a letter not long back from one friend who sadly told me that soon after we moved she lost not only her hubby but also her mother who lived just a road away...

Hi Everyone. This is going to be another beautiful day here in South Carolina with the sun and a few clouds but will be dry and less humid.  It is suppose to get up to around 90 late this afternoon.  I did have my appointment yesterday with the cardiologist and had a very long wait to see him.  It was two hours from the time of my appointment until I was in the car headed back toward home.  He did increase my Entresto medication and I will see him again in four months.  On the way home I make a breif stop to drop off the clothes at the thrift shop, picked up Chick-Fil-A sandwiches for our lunch and made a quick stop at Aldi's on the way home.  I was glad we had decided to wait until today to go out to eat as I was pretty tired and still feeling the effects of it this morning.  I plan on staying home until we go out to eat later this afternoon and taking things easy.  I plan on watching some golf later this afternoon. 

Janet, it sounds like your book project is moving right along and glad you feel the recommended edits are worthwhile.  I hope you had a great time at the ARTery event last night and won a prize.  Sorry to see that Darrell continues to struggle with the effects from his surgery and the medications.  I do hope you will be able to come to visit with us.

Jackie, I am emphasize with you on the losing touch with friends of long standing.  This has also happened to Pat and I as we had a large number of friends and acquaintances where we had lived for about 20 years before moving here.  Some of them have now passed on or moved away from the area and age is impacting the health of many of them.  However, that is life and something we have experienced again and again over the years as we have moved all over the country in the last 50 plus years.   

I am really hoping September is a better month for us than July and August have been!  Yesterday, Darrel went out into the garage and came back to ask me to help him dump the big trash can, as he said it was stinking.  We did that, then I noticed that the farther back in the garage I went, the stronger the stink.  I knew it was too much to just be a mouse or bird the cat had brought in......then I opened the door of the back refrigerator!  PHEW!!!! It had quit cooling, and everything inside was rotten!! What a ghastly mess!  Darrel helped a little bit, but was feeling bad, so most of it was up to me.  I worked so hard, and got it cleaned up and hauled out, then had only a bit over an hour before time to go to the Main Artery for the big deal there.  I can shower and get ready in record time, when I need to!  I was so tired and hurting, too, so I took a couple of Tylenol to help me through the evening. 

I had a nice time, heard lots of nice comments on my paintings, ate some good food, and was even told that I looked pretty--and even elegant!! Wow! I surely wasn't expecting that!    But it did make me feel better.

Today I want to get more cleaning done in the garage, put the peaches we have left in the freezer and work on my manuscript.  Nothing much to do.

I hope you are all enjoying a pleasant day, with only GOOD surprises, if you have surprises!

A grandson called and asked to visit overnight - along with the new family dog.  Sure!  It was great.  He and Don along with one son went out for a meal, returned to chat for hours.  I took the dog (Lola) for a really long walk both last night and this morning.  It brings reality to the fact we cannot take on a dog anymore.  No matter how well-mannered, it is too much work with all our stairs and the yard has an open fence.  That is not allowed to be changed.   

All the bedding is being washed and everything will be ready for another son & wife & dog to visit in mid-September for a week. 

Larry:  That sounds like a nice size area for you plus good access to the big hospitals if needed. 

Jackie:  We have moved too often for new jobs that we have lost touch with some good friends.  This last move, I have found three new terrific friends through church.  Still keep in touch with old friends and do love it when we can ever get together.  You live in a beautiful area - away from London and from what I have read about the changes in that large city and its new problems, it is good you are far from it. 

Janet:  Prayers for a better month for you two!  It sounds like you can make the little changes they want on your latest book.  Best to you.  Sorry for your fridge problem - that is a disappointment.  How nice a compliment - accept it and enjoy! 

We have commitments here but should be heading for the lower altitude - Don says he may feel better getting away from our mile-high area. 

Larry Hanna - Janet - Carol...
...of course the friends I am mainly talking of are the ones I would regularly stop for a chat when I was out and about the village dog walking...as you are all aware, nothing ever stays the same... as those were not only the days I HAD dogs to walk, they were also the days that I COULD walk around the streets too....I have fond memories of Joan who ran our Soda Shoppe ( S & Fs ) that whenever I got back after my daily morning walks, Joan took enjoyment when I posted of the people I stopped to have a chat with, the people I met along the way...some days more than others but, she so enjoyed my postings, it seemed to light up her day....I often wish I could relive those happy days again...

Ha ha, there was one elderly white bearded man, never really knew his name but whenever out with the dogs and we passed each other going in opposite directions, ( he was out doing his health walk, this was what his Dr had ordered, re, his medical condition )...he would always laugh and say " where is he this morning, is he out playing golf.." meaning the person I live with, I would always laugh and say yes, of course he was referring to the fact it was me doing the early morning dog walk and not him...

Hi everyone. I hope you are all doing better than you have been. The sxmoke from the fires kept the sun from breaking trhough all week until late afternoon. However, today it is shining brightly all day, but the wind is blowing. If it isn't one thing it is another as the old saying goes.

Jackie, do you not have at least 1 dog left? I thought you still had one dog.

I had a wonderful conversation  with obne of my foster sons whom I hadn't talked to for a long time =, many years, except on Facebook. He was able to call for free by using Google Talk on his computer. to call my cell phone.

On my Facebook page a memory came up of a photo of Jane , pat and Paul when they were here in Oregon some 7 or so years back. What a fun day that was.

Marilyn...
...yes, there is Toby the Cocker Spaniel but I dont tend to exist in his life, he totally ignores me from the minute I get up in the morning, I would never see him wag a happy tail nor come give me a morning kiss...he is totally Rs dog, they tend to stick together like glue...Toby even moves away from me as I walk anywhere near him, towards him, have no clues as to why...Oh if I go to the kitchen and he hears me opening the cupboard to the dog treats jar, he will come of course...or if and when I get his dinner and I feed him on occasion..only then do I have my uses for him...he is very much an R's dog...( Richards..) it is Richards bed where he snuggles up on...never comes to my bedroom...
This is nothing to do with my MS condition, Toby has always been like this with me...he is aware I am sitting in the chair if I go in to see him when i get up 5 or 6.am, he maybe looking out the patio window into the back garden, totally ignoring I am sitting there, even if I do call his name...then when he does move, he will walk straight past me...sometimes to go straight into R's bedroom or looking for me to give him a treat so he goes out for a morning wee...

Hi Everyone.  It is going to be another moderate day temperature wise with no rain.  I will be going to Sunday School shortly as it is my day to give the devotional.  Then I will come home and pick up Pat and we will go to Church and then out to eat somewhere.  I think this will be the first time Pat has been out of the house for a week.  I plan to watch the end of the golf tournament later this afternoon.  We did not go out to eat yesterday as we had planned as neither of us really felt up to it. 

Janet, I can imagine the mess you had with the refrigerator based on what a time we had trying to get the smell out of the car and garage from the package of cooked beef that got lose from the groceries and was in the truck for several days.  I hope your refrigerator wasn't terribly full of food.  It does sound like you had a nice time at the art event. 

Carol, we enjoy the family visits but they are a bit tiring but well worthwhile as we can rest up.  Nice that Don had some could go out to a mean with your son and grandson as sure that is special time.  This is an ideal to place to live as the University of Georgia Medical and Dental Schools are located here as well as the University Hospital and a Doctor's Hospital.  The VA Hospital is also here in Augusta. 

Jackie, I guess because we can't relive any day past that is why we have memories to keep the pleasant things in mind. I also remember how much you enjoyed your walks with your dogs.  Joan was a special person who made each person who posted on S&F's feel special. 

Marilyn, I expect that sun and wind were welcome if they helped clear the smoke from the air.   Glad you were able to speak with your foster son.  We have many tools available for free communication with the computers and smart devices. 

Happy Sunday afternoon!  We went to church, came home and Darrel took a short nap, then we went to Hugoton and had lunch with our kids, Diane and Jeff.  I took along the peach pie I made yesterday, and it was good, but the steaks they fixed were excellent!  So good to spend a little while with them, before Darrel started feeling sick and wanted to come back home.  He even wanted me to drive both ways.  I'm wondering how in the world he thinks he's up to going on a trip, when he isn't feeling better than he is, but I hope he will be much better by Saturday!

I have a couple things to swap around in my manuscript, then think I am done.  Will see what they think.

It was quite cool this morning, but it sure heated up.  It got downright hot out there!

See you tomorrow!

Hi Everyone. It is a bright and sunny morning and no rain in the forecast.  We expect to get into the low 90's this afternoon.  As usual on a Monday morning I don't feel very peppy and didn't get up until after 8 am, which is really late for me.  However, there is nothing pressing today and so will just take things easy and rest.  The tech will be here sometime after 11 this morning to check out my oxygen concentrator, which takes about 10 minutes.  I have no plans to go anywhere today. 

We had a very nice Church service yesterday.  Our Church is having a three day adult Bible Sschool conducted by a retired minister named Ed Killbourne, who is a wonderful story teller and song writer.  He did the adult Bible School about this time last year with around 40 adults in attendance and it was really enjoyed so he was book to come back this year.  I elected not to attend as going for a three hour session three days in a row is just too much for me anymore.  Yesterday he did the children's time and then preached the sermon and then did a special concert last night. 

Janet, it has been a long time since I had a piece of peach pie with some vanilla ice cream on top.  It sounds like you all had a nice lunch with Diane and Jeff.  Sorry that Darrel was once again feeling sick and know that is troublesome to you both especially with your trip time soon to be here.  Hopefully he will see big improvement this week and will be able to enjoy the trip.  I saw on your Facebook page this morning that you finished up your manuscript and I do hope, for your sake, that it is now acceptable to your publisher. 

Thanks, Larry!  I took a printout of the book to my good friend who is the Episcopal Priest here, and also a painting buddy.  She is really intelligent, and she also told me she's a compulsive editor!  I told her that's just an added blessing, as I have likely missed some errors, even though I have combed it with a fine-toothed comb, several times.  She was delighted to read it and give me her honest opinion, which I really want before submitting it again.  She also gave me a tour of her garden and we shared a cup of coffee.  Delightful to have a visit with a friend today!

Darrel said this morning that if we had purchased the trip insurance, he would just cancel.  I asked him if he would feel any worse sitting on a bus, a train or a ship than he feels sitting here in his chair--he said "Probably not."
So it seems we will go.  Got out the suitcases and ready to pack!  Leaving on Saturday, if all goes according to plan.

I need to go check the garden to see if anything needs to be picked.  We're having to pick the tomatoes early, as the grasshoppers eat them as soon as they turn red, not fully ripe.   

Well, I need to get busy and this is the time!!

I have been to church & met with friends - it is the early service at 7:30 AM and a serious job to drive out of the parking lots as the 2nd. service and Sunday School are arriving about 8:30 AM.  I have to stay alert to children going to their SS and all of the traffic. 

Marilyn: 
We can see the mountains today - it is still hot weather though.  I can hardly believe it has been 7 years since Pat came through here.  They were late eating at about 10 at night so it was such a quick visit for them. 

Don had to go back to bed this morning - I don't know why he is so tired.  He can't wait to get to lower altitude. 

Our grandson brought the latest dog and they stayed Friday through Saturday.  This is a sweet Golden Retriever - a small one rescued with a plane load from Turkey.  Seems very smart and so gentle and alert.  I took Lola out for two long walks and was so tired - everyone we met wanted to look at the dog and talk. 

Watched a lot of John Glenn yesterday.  I wonder just how many people could withstand 5 1/2 years of torture from the Viet's.  I know one who didn't make it and his name is on the wall.  My brother had two childhood friends lost too.  We were so glad he was sent to Germany. 

Larry:  We are happy to see an end to the 90's temperatures but this is still too hot - the house has a lot of windows to the east and south so it heats up indoors.  If I stay in the basement and sew - it is much cooler.  It sure looks like you and Pat have made the best decision to move to be near your son and all of the attractions you two can experience. 

We have a free salad to pick up today at Panera coffee shop - we drove there and found the place closed for a power outage so I will check out another store tomorrow.  I have a letter from a local church here we have attended and will be joining.  The form only has room for the names of three children.  I have four - not so little ones but they need to know all the phone numbers.  The church I mean. 


While we were out and looking towards the mountains, the smoke is still showing but it looks a little better.  Don's charcoal face masks arrived and that will be a good thing for smokey days. 

I started this note ages ago.  Janet:  Best wishes for a safe trip - Don wants to go go go too and I  have some reservations about being away. 

I did not know grasshoppers would touch the actual tomato - thought it was only the leaves which isn't good either. 

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Carol, a very Belated Happy Birthday...I hope your Special day all went to plan...

Hi Everyone. It is another sunny morning but will become partly cloudy later today with a high in the mid-90's.  There isn't a too likely chance of rain until perhaps this evening.  I have nothing to write about yesterday as we just stayed home and rested, which seems to be  the norm on Mondays for me.  I hope today Pat will want to go for a haircut and then I will suggest to her that we stop and have our main meal out.  We finished the last of the homemade TV type dinners we had in the freezer last night.  I do have an appointment with a friend who will be here around 10 am this morning and he is very punctual.  All of that will be plenty for today.

Janet, I misunderstood as thought you had submitted your book after your final edit.  It is always good to have other eyes look at our work since it is hard sometimes to see our own errors as we see what we think it should be.  Nice of your Episcopal Priest friend to read your manuscript and offer her advice.  I do hope that Darrel can get some enjoyment from your trip although I expect it will be somewhat difficult for him.  You may have to help him get around with a wheelchair to save his energy.  I don't remember seeing any grasshoppers since we have lived here but I sure remember them from the farm where we had some really big ones.  They can be very destructive.

Carol, does your Church have folks out directing traffic and indicating where people should park?  We never know where those little ones are going to dart.  I sure hope that when Don gets to Arizona he will feel better.  I sure do understand dealing with that very tired feeling where one has to force themselves to do anything.  I also watched a lot of the tributes to John McCain yesterday.  I was glad to see that the White House put the flag back at half mast.  He sure had an interesting and full life and was his own man.  Happy to see you have found a Church you will be joining and I bet they won't mind having a name written in the margin. 

Jackie, I loved the vibrant blue of the birthday card you posted for Carol this morning.