Remains of Hurricane Alberto

Over the last few days, we had had about 1.34" of rain (in my gauge).  Then last night, we had a couple of lines of strong thunderstorms roar through - lots of lightning and thunder.  When I could check the gauge this morning, we had gotten nearly another 2", so over 3.5" total for this event so far.  And it's still cloudy all day today.  Well, at least my plants are very happy.

Sunday Stealing

1 - Do you ever wish you were someone else? No

2 - How old are you? 82
3 - Age you get mistaken for: Probably about that.
4 - Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality: Pisces, but I have no idea what that means.
5 - What did you do on your last birthday? My swimming buddies took me to coffee after our class at the Y.
6 - What is one thing you would like to accomplish before your next birthday? Survive.
7 - What is your hair color? Gray/white.
8 - Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, many years ago.
9 - What is your eye color? Brown.
10 - If you could change your eye color, would you? I can't imagine why I would want to.
11 - Do you wear contacts/glasses? Glasses, plus lens implants after cataract surgery.
12 - Your opinion about your body and how comfortable you are with it: I'd like to weigh less, but I'm comfortable with what I've got.
13 - Have you ever considered plastic surgery? What would you alter about your body? I've never considered plastic surgery.  I'd alter having arthritis.
14 - Do you have any tattoos? Only the little dots from radiation therapy.
15 - Do you have any piercings? One in each ear lobe.
16 - Left or right handed? Very right handed.
17 - Do you drink? Only water and coffee.
18 - Do you smoke? Not any more.
19 - Do you have any pets? Just the birds at the feeders and the squirrels I wish I could get rid of.
20 - Do you have any “rules” about food? I'm on the "see food diet" - if I see food, I eat it.

PS - Thanks to Anne B. for the preceding post.

"Life is too short to drink bad wine and warm beer."

Many of us are between 65 and death, i.e. old. My friend sent me this excellent list for aging . . . and I have to agree it's good advice to follow.  I've highlighted a few.

1. It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

 

2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don’t feel bad spending your money on yourself. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

 

3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you’re feeling well. Stay informed.

 

4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together

 

5. Don’t stress over the little things. Like paying a little extra on price quotes. You’ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don’t let the past drag you down and don’t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

 

6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: “A (wo)man is not old as long as (s)he has intelligence and affection.”

 

7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.

 

8. Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There’s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you – keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.

 

9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You’ll be surprised what old friends you’ll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.

 

10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

 

11. Never use the phrase: “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun enjoying your life.

 

12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it’ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.

 

13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you’ve lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.

 

14. Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.

 

15. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.

 

16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That’s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.

 

17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.

 

18. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone - apologize. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.

 

19. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.

 

20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.

 

21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!

 

REMEMBER: “Life is too short to drink bad wine and warm beer.”

Monday Miscellany

We got some thunder and a couple of brief showers over the weekend, but no really good rain.  Maybe this weekend.

After skipping Friday, I went to swimming this morning.  We still have no teacher and are beginning to wonder if they're hoping we'll quit coming so they don't have to worry about that any more.  No chance of that - at least not yet.

I am so enjoying watching the bluebirds.  They are very territorial about the feeder - running off cardinals and dive-bombing the squirrel.  The larger mockingbirds have discovered the feeder, though, and I have to deal with that one.

I got to see one of the newly fledged babies fluttering around the feeder.  He was fly-jumping from perch to perch, not getting too far from somewhere he could rest.  Funny!

We came in next-to-last at duplicate tonight.

Mother's Day Weekend

Margaret came over Thursday night, and we left early Friday morning.  We had lunch in Aiken, SC (near Augusta, GA), with an old friend we knew in Hendersonville.  We got to Sarah & Carson's house in Bluffton, SC, in time for supper.  They have a nice new house in one of those new developments with cul-de-sacs and about 30+ houses.  They seem to be settling in well.  We watched a lot of golf - rather it was always on the TV while we were talking.  Carson is caddy manager at a huge (23,000! acres), very posh, golf resort. Damned if I can pull up the name right now.  Lots of big houses, 2 very discrete, high-dollar shopping areas, stables, a shooting club, very manicured.  Both seem to be very happy with their jobs.  Sue came so she could spend some Mother's Day with her kids.  They took us to Savannah to see the wedding venue - it's in an old building, repurposed as an event center, in the historic part of town.  We have two VBROs for family members who come - don't know how many to expect at this point.  And we went out for a fabulous Italian dinner at a little place in a strip mall.

We drove to Charleston Sunday morning, to visit with Paul & Katherine.  Their hew house is quite a contrast - actually the neighborhood is.  The house is newly built, two stories over an empty space (louver-covered).  It's wedged into an area of pretty run-down houses. And it's almost right under an interstate.  The area is really in a soon-to-explode development area, so they should be sitting pretty when it does.  In any case, they love it, it's a gorgeous house, and they're happy with their jobs and in their new house.  They took us on a driving tour of Charleston, and to eat at a little shack-y eatery on Shem Creek for shrimp/scallops/oysters.  Yum!

We drove home on Monday (stopped to eat with Matt in Atlanta in both directions) and got here in time for Margaret to get out of town before the afternoon traffic.  Then I took TWO naps on Tuesday.  But I'm always ready to go.

Up next?  I hope to get to see Kate and Jean in the next week or so.

Super weekend

We had a fantastic weekend.  First Margaret told me that Jesse had proposed to his girlfriend and she had said "Yes"!  They haven't been dating a terribly long time, but she's a really nice gal, and we like her a lot.  Wedding will probably be sometime next year - late spring/early summer.

I spent the night at Margaret's and we went to Nashville to meet up with John's great-nephew and his lady.  I don't think I had seen him since he was 14, but we recognized each other immediately.  It was such a treat to see him again and meet his lady - and get all caught up on their travels.  They're doing a long-term odyssey around the US and Canada, staying for several weeks in various places, and looking for a place to settle.  They both are entrepreneurs and work on the computer, so they can live anywhere.  They fly from place to place, staying in AirB&Bs and using Uber for transport.  Our group was Matt and Barbra, Margaret, Kate, Jean, and me - just a great meal and visiting session.

Then we went to Hendersonville (where we lived before moving here) and spent the evening, afternoon, and overnight with old and dear friends there - again, getting caught up on family doings and just generally talking the night away.

Margaret brought me home this afternoon and I'm just trying to get caught up now.  My plan is to go to swimming in the morning.

Sunday Stealing

1. What Are Three Things You Need To Buy?  Eye drops, plants for the deck, coffee pods.
2. My Biggest Hope Is________.  Survival until January 2021.
3. What Was The Last New Thing You Tried? Learning to walk without toes on one foot.
4. What Mood Were You In Today? Good, lazy (as usual).
5. What would be a better name for the color of goldenrod-colored paper? How about "yellow"?
6. Where did you get your silverware? The sterling flatware I had was my mother's; the stainless I still use was a wedding present.
7. What artifact from this past week would you have bronzed as a keepsake and heirloom? Not a thing.
8. What was the most recent ceremony you attended? Andy and Erica's wedding.
9. What east Asian cuisine is good for your Seoul? I haven't found an East Asian cuisine I didn't like.
10. What life lesson did you learn the hard way?  To delegate.     
11. What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago? Talking to John.
12. What gets you excited about life? Living, moving, not hurting.
13. Have you done anything lately worth remembering? Just knitting.
14. What does your joy look like today? Lovely spring sunshine.
15. When you are 80-years-old, what will matter to you the most? Since I'm 82, I'll say surviving and still plugging along.

The future is coming

The March for our Lives was today in Washington, DC, and in many cities and towns across the nation and around the world.  The young people from Parkland, FL, were speaking not just for those affected by their tragedy, but for those of Sandy Hook, Columbine, Virginia Tech, the Pulse nightclub, Las Vegas, Southerland, Chicago, Charleston, and all the other victims of gun violence.

If you didn't see it live this afternoon, spend 7 minutes listening to Emma Gonzales speech.  It will be obvious that this young woman and her peers are the future ... and it is coming!

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Do you tend to have a guilty conscience? No.
2. Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Nope - they were all removed when I was a teenager.
3. Peanut Butter - creamy or crunchy? Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate peanut butter.
4. Get up off your butt. Take 5 steps. Which leg did you start out on? I don't have to get up - I start on the right leg.
5. What color is your favorite kitchen utensil? I don't have a favorite - but they're all stainless steel.

6. Did you watch the Michael Jackson memorial/funeral? No - not my generation.

7. Do you know anyone who graduated from high school this year?Were you invited to their graduation party? Did you go? No.

8. White with black stripes or black with white stripes? Zebras? Referees?  Prison uniforms?

9. If we were to call your 6th grade teacher, what would they say about you? It'd be an interesting call, since I'm sure she's long dead.

10. Can you draw a perfect circle? Only with a compass or by tracing around a template.
11. What was your favorite scratch & sniff sticker scent? Hate them all.  I've cancelled magazine subscriptions because I couldn't get rid of the smell.
12. What does your sibling do for a living? She was a psychiatric social worker.
 13. How many light switches and electrical outlets are in the room that you are in right now? Two light switches and four outlets.
14. Do you know sign language? No.
15. Do you step on cracks in the sidewalk? If that's where my foot lands.
16. And the sheets on your bed look like....? Blue.

Simple pleasures

I saw the orthopedist this morning.  They took the stitches out.  Everything looks great.  They said they couldn't believe it had been only three weeks since surgery - said it looked more like six weeks out.  So I've been dismissed, unless I develop some other problem.  I can wear whatever shoes are comfortable, and basically do anything I want (and am able to do).  I can get a pedicure and get back in the pool in three weeks.  I know it'll take me a while to get used to walking, so I plan to wean myself from the walker to a cane.  Just around the apartment at first, but hopefully outside, and then with no assistance.  We'll see what happens.

And the big test this evening - I did my laundry!!  (Such simple pleasures)

Birthday Week

Happy Birthday to Alison!

Happy Birthday to Sarah!

Happy Birthday to Foster!

Happy Birthday to Roger!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Two weeks later

Margaret came over last night so we could get an early start to the surgeon's office this morning.  Traffic was fairly light, then a wait getting a wheelchair at the medical mall to get to the doc's office.  But it was worth it!  The tech had to work extra hard, but finally got the cast and bandages off.  They got x-rays made.  All looks great!  They did NOT put a new cast on, just a light wrap on the left foot, and wear the hard-soled shoe that I'd had before on the right foot.  I can wear a regular shoe on the right foot. She (the PA) took the steri-strips off, but didn't take the stitches out.  I'm to go back next week, probably for that.  The foot looks pretty odd with no toes, and walking is going to take some getting used to, but still no pain.  And just having all the dressings off and being able to move my feet around is fabulous!   Then when we got home, Margaret stayed for a while.  She wanted to be there when I took a SHOWER!!! and washed my hair!!!  She also wanted to check me out driving the car, so I drove out so she could go in and pick up some lunch for us, and she okayed me for that, too.  Needless to say, I'm a happy camper.

This afternoon, the estate lawyer came to the apartment with a notary to get some papers signed to get those last couple of financial things transferred into my name.  I thought all that had been done, but then I found a couple of other things that needed done.  Margaret stayed until they left, so she's up to date with that stuff, too.

By 4, I'm got to finally finish working the puzzles in the paper and online, and getting to the computer stuff.  Whew! Tomorrow, I'm going to meet my swimming buddies for coffee - Hooray!

All in all - a pretty good day.

Probably TMI...

I mentioned earlier about having some surgery.  Well, that's been and done.  Over the years, my bad feet and toes have continued to worsen.  It just got to the time where something needed to be done. It was not only the pain and deformities, but I was starting to get pressure sores and there were places where there was almost bone coming through.

I finally saw the local orthopedic who specializes in feet and ankles.  After examining my feet, he said, "How aggessive do you want me to be?"  I said, "Not at all - just do do something."  He said, "OK.  Let's donate the toes to science."  And, on the other foot, with all the dislocated toes, he was just going to work on toes 4 and 5.  So the plan was, for the right foot, to fuse toes 4 and 5.  On the left foot, since the toes were beyond repair, he was just going to amputate them all.  I questioned him about needing the toes for balance, and he said I currently wasn't walking on those toes anyway.

Then the event.  Kate arrived on Tuesday to babysit with me. We were told to report to the hospital at 9 a.m. for surgery scheduled at 11-11:30.  By 10 a.m., we were told his first surgery of the day was going much longer than planned.  Obviously!  As it happened, I didn't get taken in to surgery until about 3:30.  We finally got home about 8:30!

My left foot is in a walking cast, the left in a pressure bandage/shoe.  I'm walking around the apartment, fairly steadily, using a wheeled walker, getting to the bed, bathroom, and chair without difficulty. I have huge foam wedges to put under my feet/legs at night, and keep my feet propped up fairly high when in the recliner. The pain has been manageable with a minimum of medication.  I go back to the doctor on 8 March, and (I assume) will get the cast and bandages off, and see what happens next.  Kate will be going home in a few days.  I'm planning on getting the Terrace to bring my meals to me until after I see the doc, and I have arranged for the transport here to take me for that appointment.

That about brings it up to date, and we'll have to wait to see what the next adventure brings.

Three on Thursday

1.  Cloudy and drizzly again.  When will the sun shine again?  But it got up to 70* today!
2. Today was laundry day - isn't that exciting?!
3. Surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday to do something about my toes - hopefully a permanent fix.  Kate is coming to baby sit with me.

Sunday Stealing

In honor of the Olympics starting, here are some winter-related questions stolen from Bogglesworld
1. Do you prefer winter or summer? Why? Actually I prefer spring or fall, but if I have to choose, I'll take winter.  I can always get warm with more clothes, but dealing with the heat is harder (such a "first world" problem).
2. What are your favorite winter activities? Knitting, bridge, reading, computer, TV - something indoors - pretty much the same as any other time of the year.
3. Can you tell me about a time you went skiing or skating? Never.
4. Have you ever made a snow angel? Yes
5. Is your house cold? Nope, keep it set on about 68F.
6. Do you have a fireplace in your house? Not now.  The house had one, but it had been years since John had built a fire in it.
7. What do you usually do to keep warm in the winter? Stay inside and wear sweats.
8. Have you ever gone hiking in the snow? Of course not!
9. Tell me about a snowball fight you had. I grew up in Houston, TX - nothing like that there.
10. Have you ever looked at a snowflake carefully? Only in pictures.
11. Do you have a sled? Have you been sledding? Nope.
12. What do you usually do after a big snowfall? A "big snowfall" around here is 2".  We wait until it melts and then go on about our business.
13. What’s the best thing about winter? No bugs, no pollen, no sweaty heat.
14. What’s the worst thing about winter? Ice, snow, no flowers or plants on my deck.
15. Have you ever been in a blizzard? Once - the "Blizzard of '93", when we had 23" of snow and it took a week to get even remotely near normal.
16. Can you describe ice for me? Good to put in your glass.
17. Have you ever slipped on ice and hurt yourself? I've slipped on a snow patch, but just landed on my backside and only hurt my dignity (of which I have very little).
18.Have you ever had to shovel snow? Certainly not.
19. Will you be watching the Olympics? Yes.
20. If yes, what are your favorite events? I like curling, speed skating, figure skating, downhill skiing, bobsled.

Five for Friday

1. Today was lovely - for any day - but especially for February.  The high was 68F, and I had my sliding glass door open all afternoon.
2. It's supposed to rain hard all weekend.
3. I finished knitting the current baby sweater.  Now to put it together.
4. I played hooky from swimming today.  I can't let this become another bad habit.  Back on Monday.
5. The broadcast of the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Olympics is tonight.

Amazing!

Amazing! Came in
FIRST at duplicate today!
Wonders never cease!

Super blue blood moon

I probably won't see the lunar eclipse in the morning (I should be in the pool at the Y at the time it's visible here).  But tonight, the "Super Blue Blood Moon" is shining brightly on me through my sliding glass doors.

Life is good!

It's been an unusual and busy week.  Tina arrived Tuesday evening.  It was so great to see her - it'd been two years since she moved from Chattanooga.  She stayed with me, and just left this morning. Before she left, she had put a lot of stuff in a storage unit, and other than visiting friends, emptying the unit was her primary goal.  There was a lot more than she had remembered, and things that she wanted to keep.  So then the problem was figuring out how to get it to her home.  After much investigation, she found that UPS has a deal where they will put stuff on a pallet to deliver to a destination - and for a reasonable price.  She got her boxes delivered to UPS for delivery to her home - so a successful solution to the problem.

In the meantime, we/she visited with friends, ate great meals at some favorite places, and even got her to the Sculpture Fields to see John's tree.  The icing on the cake was yesterday when Sue and Margaret came for the day.  I love any chance to see the girls, but it was great that they got to visit with Tina, too.  And we had some great carry-out barbecue for dinner.

All are safely back in their homes.  Life is good!

"First World Problem"

It's been a crazy day for me - unlike my usual do-nothing days.  I went to swimming and coffee.  Then to the doctor for my 6-month check.  I got the second pneumonia shot, concern about my blood pressure (may have to increase the strength of my Rx), and appointment for July.  Then about 45 minutes with my financial counselor.  I'm working on getting that last investment John had that we thought had been tended to.  We got it mostly done, and there are some papers and signatures I need to gather to send in with the filled-out forms.  Then the phone trails started.

First I called the company with the investment.  One of the documents says it has to be generated within 90 days prior to filing with them.  I have a copy of the document, but it is dated in 2015, so...  I played the "little old lady card", saying I was 82 (well, almost) and it would be extremely difficult for me to have to go to the courthouse to get a new document.  The nice gal who was helping me put me on hold and called the courthouse and got me a local number to call.  OK, did that.  But that didn't work either.  The file is closed, so they can't issue me a new document - call the lawyer who handled the probate.  So I called the lawyer's office and, of course, had to leave a message.  So I'm currently waiting for that return call.  Sighhhhhh!

And then I got another thing in the mail addressed to John that says "he" still owns one share of stock, and I need to send the original certificate in.  Well, of course, we haven't had anything like that for years.  And the fee to get the share transferred to my name is almost as much as the share itself is worth.  So I need to call them to see what to do about that.

I know this is all a "first world" problem, and I shouldn't complain.  But I do hate being wrapped up in all this red tape.  The moral to this story is put any and all financial things into joint accounts or "pay on death to" status.

Don't leave your heir(s) with all this stuff to deal with.

Sunday Stealing

1. Have you ever tried to learn (or re-learn) a foreign language as an adult? Which one? What worked for you? I took Latin and French in high school, French in college.  When we started with the Venezuelan teenage exchange program in the 1970s, I took a course in Spanish at the local community college.  I can mostly read a French or Spanish menu, and come up with some words, but certainly not carry on a conversation.

2. Do you donate blood? Do you know your blood type? I've never donated blood, but John did regularly.  I'm A+.

3. Have you ever been in a play or musical? I was in the revues some of the organizations did in college, and participated backstage in some community theater in the 1960s, but nothing since.

4. Do you use certain text or ring tones for specific people? Who gets their own? Or do you just use the default on your phone? I've never set special rings for different people.  I did set my own ring for the phone, though.  I just picked one from the choices given with the phone.

5. When did you get your first digital camera? Do you still shoot on actual film, or all digital now? Probably around 2000.  I don't remember exactly why I changed, but I haven't used film since.  Since I broke my arm in 2012, I have used only my phone, and picked my current phone because it had the best camera.

6. What do you think someone else would say the most daring thing you’ve done is? Probably travel to Antarctica.

7. Do you talk with your hands? Of course

8. Do you have a lucky number? What is it, and what is the story behind it? No.

9. What kind of milk did you drink, growing up? And now? When I was a child, during WW2, we were given reconstituted evaporated milk to drink.  I don't remember drinking milk after that, just putting it on cereal.  That's all I use milk for now, and I use 2% milk.

10. What is your favorite kind of pie? Mincemeat, lemon meringue, chess pie.

11. Are you a note taker? Not so much a "taker" as a "maker".

12. Do you have an eclectic mug collection, or is your stuff all matchy matchy? It's electic, but my favorites now are my thermal mug (from Randy) that keeps my coffee hot like a thermos, and my hand-made mug (from Jean) to drink it out of.

13. Do you have a junk drawer in your house/garage/at work/wherever? My whole house is a junk drawer.

14. What is the longest amount of time you’ve worked at one job – and what was/is it? I worked for the group of surgeons and orthopedic surgeons for about 10 years.

15. How old were you when you took your first commercial flight? To where did you fly? I was in my late 20s and flew from Nashville (where we were living at the time) to Lexington, KY, to visit my sister.

Friday Five

• We spent most the last week below freezing, frequently below 20*F.  Not good in the Sunny South.
• Today, the temperature finally got into the 40s, much warmer.
• Except in the lap pool at the Y.  The usual temperature is 84* - it was 79*.  We had our class in the therapy pool.
• I'm using my yarn stash to make baby and toddler things.  They're fun, and don't take long.  Thanks, Sue, for suggesting it.
• Next week is going to be busy.  Lots of things on my calendar.

Sandhill Cranes

It was in the teens this morning when Margaret and Jesse picked me up to go on a trip on the Tennessee Aquarium boat, but we were either in the car or the boat, so it wasn't too bad.  It was a lovely sunny morning.  We found the dock and the boat easily.  Getting anywhere over rough ground is always a challenge for me, but it wasn't a long way.  Plus I had a cane and Margaret to hold onto.  Jesse let us out as close as possible, and then went to park the car.  I stayed inside the bost the whole trip, but Margaret and Jesse were able to get out on the observation deck for part of the time.  The sandhill cranes are magnificent animals, and there are hundreds of them stopping over on their migration at the Hiwassee Refuge area.  We also saw a few tundra swans, ospreys, hawks, bald eagles, plus our local great blue herons, gulls, and white pelicans.  Kate was supposed to go with us, but her long, uphill driveway (in NW Kentucky) was iced over and she couldn't get out.  That's why Jesse got to go with us.

This is the end of an era for the Aquarium boat.  It's been a fixture on the Chattanooga waterfront for the last ten years, but this was the last weekend.  The boat has been sold back to its builder and will be moving it to Washington State.  The trips on the Tennessee River will be sorely missed.

Sunday Stealing

Here are some conversation starters, stolen from Conversation Starters

1. What are some small things that make your day better? sunshine, family, knitting, coffee.
2. What shows are you into? TV shows?  NCIS, This is Us, The Crown, Longmire, Victoria, others
3. What TV channel doesn’t exist but really should? There are zillions of channels now that I don't watch.  I don't know what else there could be.
4. Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished? My grandchildren (and their parents, of course).
5. What age do you wish you could permanently be? I don't know that I'd want to be stuck in one age, but maybe in my late 50s/early 60s.
6. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch? Any "reality" show.
7. What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without? I could make do without a lot of things, but I'd hate to be without a computer of some sort.
8. What’s your claim to fame? My great daughters.
9. What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way? I'm usually up to try some new things, but sometimes I have to be convinced.
10. What’s your favorite genre of book or movie? I like mysteries and nonfiction.
11. How often do you people watch? Every time I get the chance.  Airports are the greatest place.
12. What have you only recently formed an opinion about? Over the past couple of years, I have learned to love my smart phone.
13. What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of? I'm always surprised at how many people don't really know what knitting is.
14. What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? I've been on 6 of the 7 continents (missing Africa) - so a long way.
15. What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen? I never stop getting choked up when they show the films of coming-home military parents surprising their children.

16. What is the most annoying question that people ask you? How much do you weigh (in the doctor's office)?
17. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? Knitting; playing bridge.
18. If you were dictator of a small island nation, what crazy dictator stuff would you do? Institute free education for everybody, and leave the governing to someone else.
19. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Try new things, get out of your comfort zone, and be open to new ideas.

It's all about the weather!

As it is everywhere in the country, I guess, every conversation revolves around the weather.

Today, our temperature dropped from 60*F to 30*F in six hours!

Sunday Stealing

End of Year Questions

1. What did you do last year that you had not done before? Not much.
2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for the year and will you make/set more for next year?  What are they? What are your new ones? I don't make New Year's resolutions.
3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or become pregnant?  Or adopt? No.  But my granddaughter and grandson-in-law are fostering two young brothers.
4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness/injury? Not well - several residents of The Terrace have died in the past few months.
5. What places have you visited? Kentucky (twice), Alaska.
6. Any new pets? Lost a pet? No.  Just the birds at the feeders.
7. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year (doesn't have to be a physical thing i.e. love, job security, peace of mind...)?  Better health, more activity.
8. What date from last year will remain etched in your memory and why? 21January - Inauguration Day.  For obvious reasons.
9. What was your biggest achievement last year? Survival.
10. Did you get sick or injured? No.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Lodging for family at get-togethers.
12. Where did most of your disposable income go (money leftover after you pay for food, medical care, basic clothing, transportation and shelter)? Travel.
13. What song will always remind you of last year?  Doesn't have to be a song released last year. Can't think of anything.
14. What do you wish you would have done more of? Can't think of anything.
15. What do you wish you would have done less of? Can't think of anything here, either.  Not a bad balance.
16. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie?Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to? Any recommendations? This is Us.
17. What was the best book you read this year?  How many did you read? The only one I remember by title is Unbelievable by Katy Tur.  I have read more books this year than I have in previous year.
18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? Did you feel differently? I was 81 on my birthday.  Family gathered here to put the last of John's ashes in the Tennessee River from the boathouse where he spent so much time.  And to dedicate the rowing shell the Lookout Rowing Club bought with donations and named in his honor.
19. What political or social issue stirred you the most? The last election and the occupation of the White House by #45.
20. Who was the most interesting new person you met? I don't know that I've met anyone new this year.
21. Describe how a relationship changed. Nothing here, either.
22. Do you think you are still the same person that you were at the beginning of the year?  How so? Probably so - not much change going on at this time of life.
23. Summarize the year in three words or less. Bonus points for doing it in one word. Explain. Interesting.
24. How have people around you changed? Kate has retired.
25. What have you learned throughout the year? (Other than crafts) I installed a new "box" sent to me by Comcast.  I don't know that changing plugs constitutes learning something new.
26. Did you learn any new crafts or techniques? What was your favorite thing you made? Just lots more knitting.
27. What changed about your physical appearance? (Hair? Wrinkles? New makeup style? Etc) My nail tech has been putting more bling on my fingernails.
28. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year?  (Some suggestions-family, travel, work, lifestyle, hobbies, pets, appearance) Good, stable health; time with family; travel; survival for another year.

Friday Five

1. It was 13*F on my deck this morning.
2. It got up above freezing (barely) for a high today.
3. It's supposed to be in the mid60s by the end of next week.
4. I had to order a new land-line phone.  It came this morning, and I got it hooked up (I think).
5. Maintenance installed a new door handle on my hall door and I got new keys.

My life is SO exciting!

Nothing but cold!

The low on my deck was 19*F this morning, and the high was 28*F.  It's supposed to be more of the same tomorrow.  It's been good that we haven't had the precipitation.  So far.  Now they're talking about it being warmer Monday morning, but with mixed precipitation.  They're not willing to commit to anything yet.  I've skipped swimming all week - didn't want to get out in below-20*F temps.  So what will happen on Monday?

But at least we're not getting what the Northeast is getting.