Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The "Doing Questions Like It's 2003" Meme

Tell us about your pets. If you don’t have one, share why you don’t. I don't have one and don't want one.  I don't want to have to take of anything except myself right now.

Name three things that are close to you. Phone, TV remote, laptop.

How was the weather for your summer? Awful.  Record setting over 100 days of temperatures over 90*, almost drought conditions.

What was the last film you saw? Did you like it? I saw The King and I  in a local theater.  Just as good this time, and great to see it on a big screen.

Tell us about the last trip that you took. A lovely boat trip along the coast of Maine, with Ann & Al.

Where do you buy groceries? Why? At Walmart.  Because I hate to shop for groceries (or anything else) and I can get almost anything I need there - so only have to go to one store.

Tell us something that you did today. Or will do if you haven’t had your morning coffee yet. Laundry

Have you pulled an all-nighter? I'm sure I have, but it's been so long ago, I don't remember why.

Can you taste the difference between Pepsi & Coke? I rarely drink any soft drink, and no, I can't tell the difference.

Tell us about your siblings. How many and what do they do? I had one older sister, who died 20 years ago.  She was a psychiatric social worker.

What’s the oldest thing that you own? I have some very old family photographs, and right now, that's the oldest thing I can think of.

Good and bad on Saturday

It was a gorgeous morning here - cool-ish, with low humidity.  I got the whole paper read on the deck.  Plus I slept until nearly 8 this morning - amazing for me!!  I did very little today - watched a lot of the NCIS marathon.  I have a tendency to sit on my whatever all day and just knit, read, or be on the computer.  I'm trying to get into the habit of getting up at least every hour and taking a short walk.  While we've got this lovely weather, I'm going outside  to walk on the walkway behind the building.  I hope I'll stick with it - I know I need to do it.

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I've been here at The Terrace just a week under one year.  And the decline in food quality, permanent staff/service/etc. is distressing.  Granted, there's been a lot of turnover in management (new owners, new management company, new director, new marketing, etc.) and it takes time for things to settle out.  And although I don't use it, I've heard tales about the turnover and decline in the nursing staff.  Since this is primarily an assisted living facility, that's even more distressing.  My next-door neighbors added on to their apartment at their own expense (not recoverable) and are even thinking about moving.  Some residents are calling an ombudsman. Those of us in independent living have the option of getting out-and-about, but most of the other folks aren't able to do that. Plus I'm already paying for three meals a day, but am eating out or at home more and more often. It'll be interesting to see if my monthly fee goes up at the end of my year. I like my apartment and the people here, and I don't want to move.  But at least I know I have that option.

Sorry - addendum

Sorry - I should have put the presidential debate site on PBS in as a link.. Click here.

Debates

You know what a politics junky I am.  And the first debate will be next Monday night (just in case you've missed this piece of news).  I have a couple of recommendations.  First is that you watch the debate and post-debate post-mortem on your local PBS station.  Their nonpartisan commentary is excellent.  PBS is also offering some great things on their web site.  Gwen Ifill has a piece on "How to Moderate a Debate".  And there is an interactive section with film of all the past presidential debates - back to 1960.  Enjoy!

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/watch-interact-every-presidential-debate-since-1960/

First day of fall

A lovely day here  in the SE corner of Tennessee.  I finished the whole newspaper (including the puzzles) out on the deck, watching the hummingbird (only one now) at the feeder.  Low humidity and not too hot, although it reached 93 this afternoon.  Silver Sneakers, and just computer time before lunch.  The rest of the day was almost as exciting - ending with some bridge after supper.

Usual Wednesday

Usual Wednesday - swimming and coffee.  We had a good lunch here today.  We got a new chef about 2 weeks ago, pulled out of retirement.  The food has definitely improved, overall.  Now if the quality is consistent, and they could get the server shortage fixed.  Somehow many of the regular servers seem to have disappeared, and members of the staff are doing a lot of it - nursing, maintenance, management.  It's good they're getting a chance to see how the dining room actually functions (good AND bad), but I know we'll all be glad when they get a full complement of regular servers working again.

New Tuesday

Nothing going on today - just went to Silver Sneakers and lunch.  Even though the high today is to be around 90, it was a lovely morning in the high 60s, and I sat out on the deck for my coffee and newspaper.  I'm planning to get my supper "to go" tonight and eat at home.  They have a gospel singer schedule for during the supper hour.  It's not my favorite genre of music and he is way too loud for the room - so I skip the dining room tonight.

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And it's Tuesday night, and the beginning of the new TV season - new NCIS!!!

Sunday Stealing

Meme Martial Arts The :Sunday Stealing

Who was the last person that you held hands with? John

Are you loud, outgoing or shy? Somewhere between outgoing and shy.

Who are you looking forward to see? Family and friends at Andy and Erica's wedding.

Are you easy to get along with? I think so.

Have you ever given up on someone, only to let them back into your lives? Why? I can only think of one given up on. I'd let back in to make life easier for others.

If you were ill, which TV doctor or nurse would you want to take care of you? Dr. Joel Fleischmann, because I'd love to meet all the crazy folks in Cicely, AK.

Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? Not one of my favorite topics.

Who was the last person that you had serious conversation with? Daughters via e-mail.

What was the last text message you received about? That Margaret got home safely last night.

Do you believe in luck and/or miracles? Miracles, no. I think mostly you make your own luck.

What good thing happened this summer? Matt and Claire's wedding, beach time, time with Ann & Al.

Convince us why we should or should not believe in life on other planets? Not anything I really think about it.  It seems likely, though, although maybe not "life" as we know it.

Who was your first crush on? I really don't remember.

Favorite part of daily routine? Swimming class on M/W/F.

Do you like your neighbors? Very much - both when we were in the house, and now at my apartment.

What’s your worst feature? My size.

Have you ever had trust issues? I don't think so.

Saturday

Today was looking to be a really nothing day.  But then Margaret texted that she was at the Vols football game, and would stop on her way home to go to dinner.  Yea! That's always a good thing.

We went for Mexican (so good) and I got caught up on all the news.  Jesse will finish moving to Tennessee tomorrow, and he starts his new job on Monday. It'll be good to see him in a couple of weeks.

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BookTV is wonderful.  This is broadcast on CSpan2 on weekends.  It's devoted to nonfiction books and authors. Tonight it was sheer pleasure to listen to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg talk.  This program was recorded on 14 September 2016.  She has a book coming out next month (My Own Words), but it was a wide-ranging talk with lots of questions and answers.  Such a delight (and I'm sure you could find it on line).

FB

This was on FB, but I thought I'd rather post it here.

Been Married--Yes
Been divorced--no
Fell in love--Yes
Gone on a blind date--No
Skipped school--No
Watched someone give birth--No
Watched someone die--Yes
Been to Canada--Yes
Ridden in an ambulance--Yes
Been to Hawaii-Yes
Been to Europe--Yes
Been to Washington D.C.--Y
Been to Nashville--Yes
Visited Florida--Yes
Visited Mexico--Yes
Seen Grand Canyon in person--Yes
Flown in a helicopter--Yes
Been on a cruise--Yes
Been in a movie--No
Danced in the rain-No
Been to Los Angeles--Yes
Served on a jury--No
Been to New York City--Yes
Played/Sang in a band--No
Sang karaoke--no sang in a nightclub--No
Caught a snowflake on your tongue--Yes
Had children--Yes
Had a pet(s)--Yes
Been sledding on a big hill--No

Been downhill skiing--No
Been water skiing--No (tried, but couldn't)
Rode on a motorcycle--No
Traveled to all 50 states--Yes
Jumped out of a plane--No
Been to a drive-in movie--Yes
Rode a camel-No
Rode a Horse--Yes
Been on TV--Yes
Been in the newspaper--Yes
Stayed in the Hospital--yes
Donated blood--No
Gotten a piercing--Yes
Gotten a tattoo--Yes (only dots for radiation markers)
Driven a stick shift vehicle--Yes
Been scuba diving--Yes
Been snorkeling--Yes
Rode in the back of a police car--No
Got a speeding ticket--Yes
Broken a bone--Yes
Gotten stitches--Yes
Traveled Alone--Yes

Together - maybe

Life is starting to come together.  Almost all the financial stuff has been transferred to me and to my financial advisor.  And I have an appointment with an attorney to update my will and various other legal documents. I'll have to make a few more decisions, and then maybe I can coast for a while.

Quiet...

Such a quiet week.

I'll just see money folks to

Sign some papers.  Yawn!

Quiet time

Mornings here have been lovely, even with the daily highs around 90.  Today was a usual Monday - including a haircut.  I had fair cards, but probably didn't get into the top four finishers.  No money is involved in any case - just bragging rights.  Nothing much scheduled the rest of the week.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Alice Through the Looking Glass Meme

If your life was a book, what would be its title? "Who would've thought?"

Who is/was the weirdest person in your life? FJ or EJ or (more likely) me.

What is a special thing that someone once did for you? My family holding me last year.

If you could erase someone off the planet, who would it be? Current - Donald Trump, Dick Cheney; historical, Hitler, etc.

What’s a big goal that you have? Moving along, one day at a time.

If you could time travel and meet yourself at 16, what would you tell yourself? Hold on - it's going to be a fun ride.

If it were the last day of your life, how would you spend it? With my loved ones.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why? I'm not much into "celebrity" - maybe President and Mrs. Obama.

What is one romance depicted in film that you’d love to experience? Not the whole romance, but I love the final scene from the original "Sabrina".

Describe yourself in just one sentence. I am what I am.

Who is the most beautiful person on earth? Beauty comes from inside - and one of the most beautiful people I've known is my Aunt Betsy.

What was the best experience in your life? The travels we were able to take.

If you could rule the world, what would you change? There would be no war or poverty or illiteracy or hate or prejudice.

Where were you when you heard the news of 9/11? In a water exercise class at the YMCA.

Friday Five

1. Another hot, low humidity day.
2. I went back to the optometrist for dilation and other tests. There are a few other anomalies, but nothing serious.
3. Secondary cataracts are not as pronounced as first thought.
4. Played duplicate.
5. I'm not sure I know how to read the results, but I think we came in first again in the north/south pairs. 

Patch, patch, patch!

I saw the optometrist this morning (regular appointment) - mostly just a few little age-related problems, but nothing significant.  Except for the development of a secondary cataract in one eye.  That'll require a laser treatment sometime soon.  I've had that before, and it's no big deal.  I go back tomorrow for the second part of the exam (they can't do these at the same time - insurance stuff), but then I'm through for another six months.  Patch, patch, patch!

"Commander in Chief Forum"

I haven't said much about the campaign and upcoming election.  However, tonight I watched the "Commander in Chief" program on NBC and MSNBC and the followup program with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.  The forum was put on by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and questions were put to the candidates by veterans. It was excellent to compare the two people.  And in Maddow's program coming a second hour, again the audience was comprised of veterans.  Some of the veterans who had asked questions of the candidates were asked their reactions to the responses to their questions.

In all honesty, my mind is made up and it's not likely to change.  But this was a fascinating look at the candidates and the followup from the questioners.  As the organizers said, they hope this is the first of what will become a constant part of presidential campaigns.  I wholeheartedly agree.

See if you can find it on line and watch both programs.  It's well worth the two hours.

Monday/Tuesday Seven

1. Back pain woke me up Monday morning, and stayed with me all day.  Since it was a holiday, I took one.  I had stuff to eat, so didn't even go up for meals.
2. I spent a good part of the morning, sitting on the deck, reading the paper and enjoying some sunshine, low humidity, breezes, and hummingbirds.
3. This morning, the back was better.
4. I got to read the paper outside again.  Lovely.
5. The orthopedist and I agreed on getting my left knee replaced in midOctober.
6. The right knee might get done, too - decision not made on that yet.
7. I got to have lunch with Missy on a stopover as she went from Atlanta to Norris.  It'd been too long since we'd gotten together, and it was special.

Lagniappe (that little something extra)

A story on Sunday Morning today brought back one of my best memories.  The story was about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival.  About 10 years ago, John did a hiking Elderhostel near Cortez, CO, and I went along just to enjoy the area and so we could do some stuff afterward.  After the program, we went to spend the night at a tiny motel in Mexican Hat, Utah, so we could do a drive through one of our favorite places - The Valley of the Gods Road, and take pictures.

We got to the motel early enough that we drove the loop, taking sunset photos.  When we got back to the motel, there were folks in the parking lot unloading paraphernalia for hot air balloons.  John asked where they were going to launch.  It turned out to be the Phoenix ballooning club and they were there for their annual launch the next morning at the Valley of the Gods. OMG!

We were up before sunrise to get into the area for our early morning photos over the rock formations. It was to be a glorious, clear morning. As the balloonists arrived (they usually launch soon after sunrise), we were able to drive around, watch the launches, and get photos.  To have the iconic rock formations, the wonderful early morning light would have been a photographer's dream in any case.  But then to have the colorful  balloons floating in and around the rocks made the experience a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The slides from that day are gone now, but the memories are still as bright and colorful as they were then.

Not the usual

Back pain woke me up in the middle of the night last night.  Some pain med got me back to sleep, but I skipped swimming this morning (and just went to coffee - LOL).  A trip to WalMart finished my trip out.  Then it got interesting.

As I was unloading the stuff from my car, I got stung by a bee.  It got up into my loose sleeve, and I was out of my shirt right there in the parking lot until I was sure it was gone.  I thought it was just one of those "sweat bees", but after I got the stuff in and got up to lunch, I started to feel  light-headed.  I went right for one of the nurses, who went looking for some Benadryl.  They didn't find any, but I got to feeling better, so they let me come on home.  I think they were ready with an epipen, though, in case it looked necessary (although they didn't pull one out right away and scare me with it).  One of the CNAs came down to check on me later this afternoon.  I did take a Claritin as soon as I got back to my apartment.  Then, of course, I found some Benadryl way back in a cabinet.  The little sucker-bee surely did get me though - it hurts, too.  Management sent somebody out to spray the area after I reported it.  I guess I can't let things get too ordinary for long. 8^)

I've put out a third hummingbird feeder, and the birds are going crazy with them.  There are probably 12 or more swirling around - who can count them? - they move so fast.  I can tell that's going to be my entertainment for some time. I'm going to miss them when they head south for the winter.

I hear some folks are getting some fall-like weather.  Temps are still in the 90s or high 80s around here.  We're not expected to get any of the rain from "Hermine", so we're still pretty dry.

Today was Jesse's last day at his old job.  He starts his new job in Tennessee in two weeks. After the holiday weekend, he'll be doing some driving back and forth getting his "toys" moved - two trucks, motorcycle, boat, etc. It's going to be good having him back in TN.

Sunday Stealing came on Thursday this week.

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part Two

23. Have you ever gone to the “dark side”? I have no idea what this means.

24. What shirt are you wearing right now? Pajama top

25. What’s important about a bed to you? Like type of sheets, size or whatever. Comfort, clean - I'm  not picky.

 26. Can you sing? I used to be able to, but never very well.

27. What is something about you that would surprise? I don't think I have any surprises left.

28. Have you been a pirate, Renaissance Fair, or other costumed event? If not, would you for the right event or say cause? I definitely do not do costume parties.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Don't sing in the shower.

30. Favorite girl's name? SueMargaretKateJean

31. Favorite boy's name? No favorites

32. What’s in your pocket or purse right now? No pockets now, nothing unusual in my purse - card case, keys, tissues (I hate purses, and try not to carry one.)

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Watching the hummingbirds outside my door.

34. Best toy as a child? I don't remember any favorites.  I did like to cut out paper dolls and make new clothes for them.

35. Worst injury you have ever had? Most recent one I guess - broken humerus, requiring three surgeries.

36. Where would you love to live? On the water somewhere.

37. What type of TV do you have? Would you’d like an upgrade? Flat-screen, HD, don't need to upgrade.

39. How many dogs do you have? None

 40. Do most folks trust you? I think so.

41. What book are you reading? The Ladies of the Club by Marilyn Celeste Morris.

42. What’s your favorite classic TV show? The West Wing

43. What’s your favorite sports team? The UTC Lady Mocs and the TN Lady Vols.

44. Favorite month and why? None really - I do like autumn and spring seasons.

The first day of a new year

Today has been better, of course - swimming  and coffee.  I saw the rheumatologist, and got my bone density scan.  I'm at the point (osteopenia) where he's going to start me on Foxamax - we'll see how THAT goes.  I don't usually have problems with medications, but time will tell.  I asked him about knee replacements - maybe having both done.  He said having both knees done at the same time is usually done with "younger folks", but to check with the surgeon (that appointment is next week). Nothing else this afternoon except for a nap.  I put out a second hummingbird feeder, hanging off the deck.  It's been fun watching them (about 6 of them) swirling around the two feeders. And for a while, there was a lovely little yellow butterfly sitting on the feeder, enjoying a snack. I capped my day by listening (for the first time) to DT's speech from Arizona.  Scary!

I miss you

I miss you, my love.

Things aren't as much fun without

You. But life goes on.

30 August 2015

I've certainly been aware that August 30 was coming.  And I keep remembering what my friend Beth said as the first anniversary of her husband's death approached - "I'm not going to miss him any more that day than the day before and the day after."  And I've been holding on to that.  On the one hand, I've dreaded the date, but on the other hand, I just want to get past it.

And, in the spooky department, this was the quote to be solved in an online crostic I worked this evening...

"I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone - you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence."

Such fun!

Jean told me that The King and I would be showing on the big screen at a local theater this afternoon.  How could I pass up this chance???  I almost backed out at the ticket window when the ticket was $13.50 - but I'd driven across town to see the movie, so...
It was super - nothing cut - and full screen. The dance scene is, of course, terrific - to say nothing of Yul Brynner in his prime.

I don't know how Jean found out about this.  I didn't see anything about it publicized locally.  Obviously it's something special that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) does from time to time. (Hint:  Jean, keep me posted.)

Then, on the way home, just as I got on the interstate, I drove into one of those frog-drowner rain showers and couldn't see a thing.  I turned the flashers on, and then got off at the next exit to drive the rest of the way home on surface roads.  Of course, when I got home, we'd had only a few drops here.

But, all-in-all, a great Sunday afternoon!

Sleepy Saturday

I had the pizza (from Crust) for lunch today, and it was delicious.  I'll definitely get some from there again!  I hope everybody slept as good as I did last night - woke up about 7:45.  And that's amazing for me!  Nothing much else doing today.  Tomorrow afternoon, one of the local multi-screen theaters is showing The King and I.  I just might go.  It'll be fun to see it without cuts on a big screen.

Friday surprise

I'm excited for me!  The gal I've been playing duplicate forgot and didn't show up this afternoon.  There was another gal without a partner.  We'd never played together - but we were hot! And came in FIRST!!! (out of 7 tables). 

Special Thursday

Thursdays are usually quiet days, but with a special treat today.  I had a massage here at home.  A resident who moved in about 6 weeks after I did asked her massage therapist if she would start coming to the Terrace.  They worked out a schedule and the therapist has been coming here.  I just now got around to setting up an appointment and that was today.  She's a lovely young woman, has a massage school in the area, and also does a lot of "out" appointments.  Anyway today was a treat - and for just a bit more than I was paying before.  And I'll undoubtedly have her come again.

A Joyous Occasion!

We have a new family member.  My wonderful Aunt Betsy's first great-granddaughter and cousin Ken's first granddaughter was born on 8-22-2016 (her "first cousin twice-removed", my sister Carol's birthday).  The proud parents are Kelli and Chris Quin.

Welcome, Ryan Kaye Quin!

Monday Monotony

Monotonous day.

Even down to bad cards and

Butt/back painful chairs.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part One

1. Do you like blue cheese? Love it! One of my favorites.

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how did you quit? Yes - quit about 35 years ago - hypnosis did the trick.

3. Do you own a gun? How are your feelings about gun control/2nd amendment rights? No. Limiting the types of guns that can be owned by individuals has no bearing on the 2nd amendment.

4. What is your favorite flavor of water or liquor flavors? I like tap water, iced, no flavor, no carbonation.  I don't drink alcohol anymore.

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit? Why? No.

6. How do you like your hot dogs? Mustard, onions, sometimes kraut, sometimes chili.

7. Although it’s been asked a lot, tell us about a favorite movie that you haven’t shared before. Mostly the old movie musicals.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, water, tomato juice.

9. In a dating situation, have you ever misrepresented yourself to seem cooler or hipper? (Yes we know for most of you it was long ago…) It was a REALLY long time ago, and "cool" and "hip" meant totally different things then.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Why? My wedding ring, for obvious reasons.  The only other jewelry I wear are earrings.

11. Favorite hobby? Tell us about it so we understand it. What could be hard to understand about computer stuff, knitting, reading?

12. Do you have A.D.D., or have you suspected it? No

13. What’s a thing you dislike or would change about yourself? My weight

14. Middle name? Like it or not? I wasn't given a middle name at birth, so my "middle name" now is my maiden name. No likes or dislikes.

15. Name three random thoughts you might have on this week: Friday, massage; Monday, haircut; Wednesday, mani/pedi.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Tell us a bit about them. Nothing interesting - coffee, water, tomato juice.

17. Current worry: My knees.

18. Current annoyance: My knees.

19. Favorite place to be in the summer? Give us a wee bit more than “the beach”. How about "the beach" at Fort Morgan with family and friends.

20. How do you usually ring in the new year? If forced  to do something new, what would it be? I usually ring in the New Year doing what I do every other night.  I could be spending time with family if the opportunity presented itself.

21. What have you done this summer that’s special? Pictures please. Other than the beach, the small ship cruise along with coast of Maine with Ann & Al.  No photos to post.

News Bulletin!

Jesse has accepted a job with Bridgestone in Morrison, TN (between Manchester and McMinnville).  It is plant maintenance - electrical, mechanical, electronics.  He starts September 19.

Welcome home!

Friday Five

1. Swimming, as usual, with a really good teacher.
2. Coffee with the buds.
3. Massage - doesn't get much better than that.  And it'd been too long.
4. Trip to bank and close estate account.
5. Maintenance guy here checked out rattle in my a/c.  He figured out it was actually a spring in the bedroom window casing that was vibrating.  And he fixed it with a folded up piece of paper.  Love it!

Wednesday half-and-half

It started off as a normal Wednesday - swimming and coffee.  I left early, though, and headed downtown for an appointment with the attorney.  After sharing some receipts, signing a paper that was notarized, writing a check for $14.00 to the court, and a substantial check (not unexpected) for the attorney's fees, the estate was officially closed. Now it's time to meet with the financial advisor to decide what to do next.  On the way home, I stopped at Walmart for an infrequent stop to stock up on important things like yogurt and coffee.  Then home and lunch. 

I finished the newspaper and computer stuff, watched some Olympics, and complained about aches and pains.  By midafternoon, I decided to pack it in for the day, change into soft clothes, and eat supper at home (I had picked up a salad at WM).  I finished off my day with some more Olympics, news, and a recorded Rizzoli and Iles.  How exciting can it get!

Back to Monday

I've been lots creakier than usual.  I've never associated any of my problems with weather before, but maybe that's changing.  Back into my routine today - swimming, coffee, hanging out at the library, and bridge.  My cards were really awful at bridge, but at least we quit a little early today.  LOL  The rest of the week is pretty easy.  I did get a massage appointment set up, but unfortunately, not until Friday.

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The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park - where some of John's ashes are buried in a tree planting - was featured in a local TV stations news recently.  If you can get to it, his tree shows up at 1:47 minutes and 3:15 minutes.  The tree has our ribbons tied on it.  I'll try to post a link.

http://newschannel9.com/this-n-that/sideroads/sideroads-visits-the-sculpture-fields

Working on the routine

I was sound asleep before 10 last night, and slept until 6:30.  Not that I needed it.  Two loads of laundry was exciting to start the morning.  It was a good night's sleep, but it didn't keep me from an hour nap before lunch. Singing in the Rain and Brigadoon used up the afternoon - the Olympics for the evening.  It's back into the real routine tomorrow.

Home again!

 I'm home!  I got up about 3:15 this morning, left the ship about 4, for a flight out of Portland at 6 a.m.  It was a bit late leaving, but made up some time on the way back to Atlanta.  I got in, got the shuttle, and got to my apartment about 12:30.  By 1:30, I'd had a bit of lunch, unpacked, and was in my chair, reading the paper and watching some Olympic diving. 

It was a great trip.  I loved being able to travel again with Ann & Al.  Plus it was a fun trip.  The stops were in neat little Maine towns - each with its own personality.  Unfortunately for me, I found out I had more limitations than I was expecting, so didn't get to explore the towns at all.  But it was a great experience and lovely scenery. We met some wonderful people, and the food was incredible. American Cruise Lines is a well run organization and will do anything possible to make your experience a good one.  I signed up for a trip with them next August in Alaska with Margaret. 

An interesting observation about the other passengers - there were a lot of handicapped people on the trip.  I was concerned about my lack of mobility, but in the event, I was probably in about the middle of the 95 passengers.  There were two folks on scooters, and a lot using walkers. One lady even came with her caregiver. There were also several groups - families of 50-60-year-olds accompanying one or two parents.  They all seemed to be having a good time. In any case, it's always good to get home. 

Our temps here are predicted to be in the low 90s and high 80s next week.  And we had almost 3" of rain while I was gone.  That's a good thing!  Lots of wash to do tomorrow, and I'll still be resting up to get back into the routine on Monday.

Rockland, Maine

Rockland is a place of good memories. Schooner trips on the Isaac H. Evans with Anne and Nick in 1990, and on the Stephen Taber with Andy and Sarah in about 2004. Didn't see the schooners this time, but did recognize some places, even with all the changes. It's been a good trip. Stops in Bath, Castine, Belfast, Camden, trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Great trip and food all around. Even made reservations for Alaska next year. Home on Saturday.

From Portland

Our various modes of travel went without a hitch. Car, shuttle van, wheelchair, airplane, wheelchair, and taxi. And tomorrow onto the boat.

Another good day

We went to the museum (the Hunter Museum of American Art) today, and spent most of the morning there.  The traveling exhibit and the permanent collection are very nice, and we enjoyed it. Next we went across the street to a very nice art gallery (fortunately we didn't find anything we couldn't live without).  And we had a nice light lunch at the nearby coffee shop.  After driving by the sculpture garden, we came back to my apartment to hang out for the afternoon.  We talked about the various excursions offered and make some tentative decisions as to which ones we want to do.  Fortunately, as traveling companions, we've never felt that we were "joined at the hip" and had to do everything together.  I know I won't be doing any of the guided walking tours, but will probably do some by myself - and do a couple of the museums and bus trips.  Time will tell.

And a new wrinkle in travel, devices, technology, and old folks. I got an e-mail from Delta that I could check in.  I followed the trail through the different instructions, and got to the place where it asked if I wanted them to send the boarding pass to my mobile device, send me an e-mail, or send me something to print.  Since neither Margaret or Al could get my computer to talk to my printer yesterday, I said send it to my mobile device and gave them my cell number, and clicked "next".  My phone promptly told me I had a text, and there was a square code thing-y that I assume will work for my boarding pass.  'Twill be interesting.

A busy day

I do enjoy being with Ann & Al - they're really special folks and family.  I picked them up this morning and brought them back here to see my place and just visit a bit.  Then we drove over to the Sculpture Fields so they could see John's tree and the sculpture in the park.  They enjoy that kind of thing, so even with the heat, they walked around a little more than I did (while I got the a/c going to cool down the car.  We had a nice lunch at a nearby local bakery/sandwich shop.  We all got salads - Ann & I got the daily special - fresh local greens,  fresh peaches, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds - delicious!  Then back home for a while.

Margaret came over and we went downtown to take a late afternoon ride on the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer (hydrofoil catamaran).  It goes downriver from the downtown dock, into part of the Tennessee River Gorge - a really neat trip.  We saw a number of ospreys and great blue herons, but not a lot of other wildlife.  Probably too hot for them, too.  We finished off the evening with a nice dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant, and then called it a day.  No specific plans for tomorrow.  We leave on Friday for Portland, and board the boat Saturday morning.

Getting ready

Getting ready to

get ready to travel. Ann

and Al tomorrow.

Sunday Stealing

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course) I definitely would NOT build a house, but if I had to have one, I want it to come with no responsibilities for upkeep, staffing, food, or anything else.

2. What is your dream car? I hope the car I have is my last one, but if I did have to get a new one, along with the usual stuff, I'd want a back-up camera.

3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog. I regularly check out SeniorLearn, Seniors & Friends, Facebook, and some puzzles.

4. iPhone or Droid, which do you want/have? I'm happy with my Android Galaxy 6.

5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up? Usually work puzzles, listen to music, watch TV.

6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate. I don't do much as "love/hate".  I like some foods that others hate.  I like having time to myself.  I still like to travel.  I like going to my 7:30 am swimming class.

7. What did you want to be when you grew up? I don't remember having any burning ambitions.

8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance? Absolutely not!

9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up? (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.) I liked Mrs. Earl, my French teacher, but wasn't really close with any of them.

10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do? At 80, I think I'm past all that stuff.

11. What were you doing 10 years ago? 2006 - recently over breast cancer. Probably getting ready to go on another trip.

12. By this time next year, I ... Hope I'm still around, doing things I enjoy doing.

13. What is something that you need to do but you've procrastinated on? I still have a couple of boxes that I haven't emptied since I moved.

14. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime? Again, definitely not my thing.

15. What is your greatest pet peeve? On a large scale, intolerance and hate; currently, Donald Trump; on a small scale, bad grammar.

16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles? To the beach and back last month.

17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? The dictionary - on Google.

18. Do you have a nickname? What is it? Mostly Mom or Grandma.

19. What are you dreading at the moment? Not dreading, but concerned about traveling by myself for the first time.

20. Do you have a meme you think we should steal?  (Yes, an old trick. But c'mon now. I gotta give it a shot. It's a lot harder to find memes now. But it's ok to answer "You're lazy" an all it a day.) Sunday Stealing is the only meme I check.

Birds and Reruns

I love watching the birds.  Gold finches picking seeds directly out of the zinnias.  Black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, and titmouses (titmice?) on the bird feeder. Hummingbirds on the crepe myrtles and on their feeder.
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My TV watching today was recorded or Netflix programs - and I did a bunch of crying with them.  This afternoon, I watched my recording of DiNozzo's last show on NCIS. That pretty much did in my afternoon.  And this evening, I watched a couple of episodes of The West Wing.  The second one I watched was one of my favorites and is just a heartbreaker.  If you were a fan, you'll know the Christmas show in the first season.  It's called "In Excelsis Deo", the one when Toby deals with the death of the homeless Korean War veteran.  All in all, a cathartic evening.

Friday Five

1. Good Friday swim class and coffee.
2. Overdue haircut accomplished.
3. My partner and I came in second at duplicate!  After coming in last a week ago.
4. Got my lab values from Monday's doctor appointment.  All good.
5. Got a wheelchair ordered for the upcoming flights.

This and that

Well, they've finished the constructing work on the deck.  One of the guys came by this morning to sand down any rough edges, and to help me put the hangers back up and replace my hanging baskets, bird feeder, wind chimes, and wind catchers.  They'll come back sometime to repaint - and we'll put it up all over again. We got a very nice rain shower this afternoon, too. --------------------- One political note (I'm being SO good)…I've watched the Democratic Convention (and even some of the Republican Convention) on PBS.  It has been fabulous coverage with Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff.  It has been totally nonpartisan coverage, calm, and with the only drama coming from the convention participants themselves.  No one who knows me has any questions about my feelings on this election, but the PBS coverage has been outstanding.

Almost finished

The guys are almost finished with the deck.  They didn't get permission to replace the entire thing, but the base was (and is) really very sturdy.  The worst parts have been replaced.  There are new steps and handrail.  The new boards will have to be painted, and then the guys will help me put my hangers and plants and windchimes and windcatchers back up. It's nice to finally get something done - quickly, once they got started.

Finallly!

They started work on my deck this afternoon.  I'd been nagging since I moved in.  But it took the broken step about a month ago and Margaret's getting involved to finally get something done.  They did some partial dismantling, and have started replacing some of the decking floor boards.  And I have some lovely "crime scene yellow tape" across my sliding glass door to remind me not to go out there.

They had stopped for the day when we got a really hard rain shower - about 30 minutes worth.   Not nearly enough, but we'll certainly appreciate whatever we get.  And now the sun is out again.

Good Monday

Still hot here, of course.  On my way home from the Civic Center/bridge this afternoon - a drive of about 15 minutes - I drove through TWO frog-drowner showers, with the wipers going full blast.  And then nothing at all here at home.  Crazy stuff.

I had some good cards today.  We play five 30-minute rounds, changing partners at each break.  A pretty good round would be 600-800 points, standard contract bridge scoring.  I have over 1000 points in each round.  It felt good!

Sunday Miscellany

• The hummingbirds have started coming up on the deck and looking in my doors to check on me.  8^)
• I was blown away by the murals in Philadelphia, as profiled on CBS Sunday Morning today.  Wow!  I'd love to see this done in every city.
• Carol told me today that she had just finished binge-watching The West Wing - all 156 episodes.  She had never watched any of it before.  What a treat to see TWW for the first time!
• The Caine Mutiny is going to be on TCM beginning Monday night midnight Eastern Time.  Set your recording.

The West Wing

I been watching The West Wing on Netflix - starting with Season 1, episode 1.  Damn, but that's a great show!

Five Things Friday

1. Swimming and coffee - good as always.
2. Went to duplicate.  I think we came in last.  I don't think we bid or played very well.  Hopefully better next time.
3. Miserably hot again, but with a quick cool-down shower about 5 p.m.  Only about 0.2", but we'll take whatever we can get.
4. We're having a "meet and greet" next week to meet the new Executive Director of the Terrace.
5. Another tragic shooting in Munich.  I hope we never get to the point where we are not horrified any time a multiple shooting happens.

Wednesday haiku

No sleep last night.  Yuck!

Mani/pedi always helps.

Small nap; early bedtime.

The day after Arthur

I guess I treated Arthur in the most efficacious way.  I took pain medicine, and slept until 8:30 this morning - something I only done once or twice in my life.  I blew off exercise class and the writers' workshop and didn't even get dressed until it was time to go to lunch.  And today's been much better.

Now, if there were only something to watch besides the convention. Well, actually there is an NCIS rerun and an NCIS-NO rerun.  And the Music Channel is getting a workout.

Back to the routine

Back into the routine for me today.  I went to swimming and coffee, then some errands.  Early voting for our state-wide party primaries and county general elections started last week.  I cast my ballot this morning.   At bridge I had a few good hands, but mostly just routine stuff.

For some reason, Uncle Arthur really decided to act up on me this afternoon.  Just about all the parts were achy and stiff.  I didn't even go up to dinner when I got home.  I made some egg salad, and just ate that on crackers - along with some pain medicine.  I'm heading to bed early, too.  Hope tomorrow is better.

Sunday Stealing

The Story-Teller's Meme

1. What are your current obsessions? I don't really have one

2. What are you listening to? TV

3. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? Jeans

4. What are you reading? A Nevada Barr novel

5. What’s for dinner? Tonight it was ravioli.

6. What was the last thing you bought? Gasoline on the way home yesterday

7. Guilty pleasure? Double crostics

8. What training did you get and how do you make a living? OJT, I guess.  I worked as a medical secretary/transcriptionist/office manager

9. If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now, and choose a different career path, what would you train to do? I have no idea

10. What’s your best time of day? I've always been a morning person

11. Do you like being on a team or are you a solo player?  I can work either way

12. What’s your favorite way to create art? Painting, knitting

13. Name three items in your refrigerator: orange juice, yogurt, blueberries

14. Tell us about your first crush: I don't remember

15. The first time that I became a boyfriend/girlfriend was with who, when? Edward, in high school

16. Do you remember what you did on your first date? No - at my age, it was probably going to a movie or a football game.

17. How did you meet your current (or most recent) girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife? In the student center in college.

18. How did your first romantic relationship end? We parted friends.

19. Do you remember your first kiss? No

20. What do we still not know about you? Lots and lots.

Home from a special beach week

We're home.  It was a great week.  We didn't have as many people as in years past, but a good group nonetheless.  We all shared in putting some of John's ashes in the Gulf in an area he loved.  We even got a send-off this morning with a rainbow.

Margaret and I were the last to leave.  The trip home was different - mostly  not on the interstate. We were on, then off, then on, then off, our regular route. There were lots of problems with wrecks and torrential rain pockets, and we kept trying to avoid them.  It was a challenge for Margaret (who did most of the driving), but our Google GPS Gal (our "3-G") had a real workout and got us through.

Now to get back to what we laughingly call "normal" (at least for a little while).

Thunderstorms on Tuesday

We had a lovely sunrise, and then a line of heavy thunderstorms roared through.  Lots of thunder and lightning and rain, flickering power (but no outage).  And then it turned off into a beautiful afternoon.  So life at the beach goes on.

Special Monday

Today was the only day we'd have this year's full complement of family and friends, so this was the day we would leave some of John in one of his favorite places.

It was special.

We're here!

We made it!  The Gulf is still here.  Sue says the water is cold, but the breeze is wonderful.  We had shrimp and blue crabs for dinner.  Just a couple more yet to come.  Now to relax.

A quote on this week's events

My friend, Jennifer, said it better than I could…

In other news, watching the news and seeing what is happening makes me feel physically ill. Anyone who can question the rampant racism across this country, or that there is a systemic problem with those who are currently in power, is not paying attention. And people need to stop with the hashtag all lives matter. It's offensive. White privilege is real, and we need to stop acting like it is equal to the problems imposed on others. Instead, let's fix what really does matter. 

Love more, people. It's not that damn hard. 

From <http://www.jensconsin.com/2016/07/tgif.html>

It must be time

It must be time to go to the beach.

I woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.  I got up for about an hour, then went back to bed.  I wound up sleeping until 8:30 a.m.  It must be time to go to the beach.

I blew off going to Silver Sneakers at 9:30 - just wasn't going to move quickly enough to do that.  I had lunch, and then took a short nap.  It must be time to go to the beach.

Bridge got called off tonight.  I went through some clothes to about taking for give-away, and what to take to wear.  It must be time to go to the beach.

Margaret called to let me know her schedule for tomorrow.

We are SO ready to go to the beach!

Wonky Wednesday

I started writing this, and then did something that made it vanish. So maybe it was a pretty wonky day after all.

The weather was all over the lot.  Clouds, sunshine, hot and humid, thunder, lightning, severe thunderstorm warnings, even some rain.  At least it wasn't as bad as what happened in Nashville and Western Kentucky (sorry, Kate and Jean).

It was a busy day.  Swimming, coffee, haircut, library (pick up a DVD), bank, lunch at Merv's with Vicki.  Of course, I managed to leave my key in the room when I went out for lunch (@#$$#@), so I had to call to get someone to let me in the building and into my apartment.  There was a residents' council meeting this afternoon, which seemed to go well.  These folks are not shy about voicing opinions, and we just hope they're listened to.

I finished the day by watching the movie I picked up today, Steve Jobs.  I didn't  know anything about the history or Apple or Macs, so that was all new to me.  But the acting is superb, and the two hours really flew by.  I'll recommend this one.

I'm definitely getting into beach mode.

Tuesday Haiku

Rain, glorious rain!

Not enough, but good. Dealing

With my deck again.

Monday Miscellany

One of the steps off my deck finally broke last night, but it was just as I was stepping off of it, so I didn't fall.  I've reported it and hope somebody can get to it tomorrow - at least with a temporary fix.  I've been trying to get something done since I moved in, but nothing so far.  Maybe this will get them off their duffs.

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TCM is wonderful!  I watched That's Entertainment, the tribute to the old MGM musicals the other night.  And tonight, I watched all of The Music Man.  What great music and great movies!

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The possums are back.  They got into the hummingbird feeder the other night.  And I ran them off the deck tonight, too.

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Happy Fourth of July!

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Controversial Questions Meme 

1. Would you do drugs if all were legalized? (Not a “for or against” question…) I don't think so.

2. Are you happy that the U.S. Supreme Court once again upheld a woman’s right to abortion? Absolutely yes!

3. Would our country cope any differently with a woman president? I don't know.

4. Do you believe in the death penalty? Not really - although I can see there would be times it would be appropriate.

5. Do you wish marijuana would be legalized already? Yes.  I'm not interested personally, but if alcohol is legal and regulated, it's stupid that marijuana isn't.

6. Do you believe in God? No

7. How do you feel now that same-sex marriage is legalized? It's about time.

8. Do you think it’s wrong that so many Hispanics are moving to the USA? No - they just want a better life.  But they should do so legally.

9. A 12-year-old girl has a baby… should she keep it? No, and she shouldn't have had to have it in the first place.

10. Should the alcohol age be lowered to 18? If a person is old enough to die for his/her country, he/she should certainly be able to drink.

11. Should the wars in Middle East be called off? It's not in our hands.  Those tribes have been fighting each other for centuries, and nothing we can say or do will have any effect on it.

13. Do you believe in spanking your children? Spanking, maybe - beating, not.

14. A mother is declared innocent after murdering her 5 children in a temporary insanity case… what do you think? Tragic.  She should be sterilized and institutionalized.

15. Would you want to prosecute someone for burning their country’s flag as a method of protest? Ostracize and ignore maybe, but not prosecute.

16. It’s between you and a person who is being kept alive (with NO hope) by life support machines… one has to die? Who? If I were the person on the machines, I'd want to be the one who dies.

17. Are you afraid others will judge you from reading some of your answers? I would like to think not, but I have no control over what others think.

Special

I watched all of That's Entertainment on TCM tonight.  It's MGM's 1974 celebration of the old MGM musicals.  It's a fabulous movie, if you're at all a fan of the old musicals.  And I got to see all of my favorite dance number - Donald O'Connor in Singin' in the Rain doing "Make 'Em Laugh".  And I laugh every time I see it.

A special evening!