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.

Happy New Year!

May you leave behind all the bad things of 2017, and take the good things with you into 2018.  May 2018 bring you  more good things than bad, and the bad things only irritations.

I wish you all peace, love, and understanding.

Words to live by - for 2018 and always

"Life goes on amidst chaos and everyone doing their best to stay well and sane." (thanks to JMcC)

Five Days of Christmas

Friday - Margaret picked me up about noon.  We stopped at Macalister's Deli for lunch, and then headed for Hillsboro.  It's always fun to reconnect with Margaret's menagerie.  Squeaky (the cat) and Ferg (Jesse's dog) are sweet critters, very loving.  The weather was cold and damp and grey.

Saturday - We started getting ready for our first Christmas dinner - with Matt & Claire (and their "babies" Barley and Hops) and Jesse & Darby. I finished one baby sweater I was working on, and started another. It wasn't a huge meal, but wonderful turkey and country ham, pinto beans, green beans, corn, and (for Margaret and me) dressing left-over from Thanksgiving.  After dinner, we had our present-opening.  There were some lovely choices and some funny choices - but the highlight was Claire's gift to Jesse - a box of "Beard-a-ments".  These are tiny ornament balls on clips to put in a beard.  Jesse did not think it was quite as funny as the rest of us did, but he was a good sport about it.

Sunday - Jesse had had to work overnight.  He and Matt met at the Waffle House for breakfast, and brought waffles back to the rest of us. Margaret went to church, and the rest of us talked and stayed out of serious trouble.  The cold nasty weather continued, but at least we weren't getting the horrendous snow and bitterly cold of the upper midWest.  Matt, Claire and their doodles left in early afternoon, and we just knitted/read/napped away the rest of the afternoon.  Margaret went to midnight mass and I headed off to bed.

Monday - We left Margaret's about 7, ate at Waffle House before getting on I-24 to drive to Nashville to pick up Jean and her friend, Kay.  We headed to Kate's in western Kentucky, getting there about 11.  Lots of good visiting.  It had been a while since I'd been to Kate's, so it was good for all of us. We had a nice dinner of lasagna, artichoke-heart casserole, home-made French bread, and even some mincemeat pie tarts for desert - an unusual, but delicious Christmas dinner. We got back to Margaret's about 7.  It never got warmer than about the mid30s, but we did at least get to see some good sunshine - first in about 5 days. It made for a nice Christmas present.

Tuesday - We had a surprise visit this morning from a farrier, looking for the folks who needed some horses shoed (shod?).  Jesse and Darby weren't there, but once found, got to the house to get the process started.  Obviously, as I told Margaret, my lack of knowledge about horses is vast.  Guess I'll be picking up more info if Jesse keeps up the horse ownership.  Margaret and I left about 11 to bring me back home.  Because of heavy traffic, we spent most of the trip on US 41, even driving into Chattanooga on surface roads - a very pleasant drive.  And the welcome sunshine made it even better.  We ate a nice Mexican lunch on the way home, Margaret got me back in the apartment, and returned home safely.

It was nice to see lots of family, and I hope to see the rest of them before too much longer.  It was a good holiday.  I hope everybody else had a good one, too.

Slothful!

Sorry to have not written much.  Not busy, just slothful.

An old friend, Missy, spent the night with me last night. She slept on the new sofa bed in the living room, which is open to the kitchen.  She lives near Knoxville now, and her mother-in-law lives here at the Terrace.  The MIL is dying, and with Hospice.  Missy's husband is out of town on business, so she is checking in for a couple of days.  I offered to have her stay here last night, and she was glad to have the chance to get away for a few hours. We went out to our favorite Mexican place for dinner, and she's staying again tonight.

Our swim group had it's Xmas after-class brunch yesterday - all sorts of good food, and a chance to see each other in "real" clothes and to chat.  It's always a fun time.  One of the gals super-decorates her lovely home and always has us come there.

I got to play duplicate last night - I didn't think we did too poorly, but we came in last again.  Oh, well - it's always good to get out.

Happy Holidays to all - whatever holiday you may celebrate!

Chilly Wednesday

Pretty cold here - in the 20s this morning when I headed out to swimming.  I took my car in for the annual inspection.  I've learned to go midweek in the middle of the month, and rarely have to wait.  Today I was the only one there when I drove up, and it took all of 5 minutes.  I came home, filled out the online application, and should get my renewal stickers in the mail tomorrow.  They're good!  That was pretty much all for today - and about the same for tomorrow.  I'll just stay in and stay warm (basking in the glow from Doug Jones' victory in Alabama).

Brrrr!

Nothing going on around here, and that's a good thing.  We had snow showers here yesterday afternoon, but up to 10" in the higher elevations in our TV viewing area.  The high today was only in the low 40s, with 20s predicted for overnight.  This is about 10* colder than our usual temps for this time of year.  At least we don't have any precipitation in the forecast.

It's a good time for knitting and binge-watching.

Visit to the Spine Clinic

The good news is that there is no imminent surgery on my back, and no MRI scheduled yet.

The bad news is that I have really bad scoliosis and no discs at all in the disc spaces.  Basically, there is probably some major back surgery in my future, if I live long enough, and the timing will be at my discretion.  But as long as I'm not having symptoms in my legs and pain no more than it usually is, I can wait.  I'm to go back in three months.  And, they will schedule an MRI and potential surgery anytime I think I'm ready.

As long as I don't have pain like I did last Sunday/Monday, I'm willing to wait.  But it wouldn't take many days like that to have me ready to schedule surgery.

Update

It's 41* here now, and supposed to get near freezing tonight. I hope I don't have to scrape the windshield in the morning. My appointment with the spine clinic is at 9 tomorrow morning.  I haven't been to this location before, so will be leaving the house between 8 and 8:15, to be sure to get there on time.  I'm feeling better than a couple of days ago - more like the usual level of pain.  I don't know what happened to cause the severe pain (up to an 8 or 9 on the scale) of Sunday and Monday, but it wasn't there when I got up on Tuesday.  For this, I'm very grateful! I had an optometry checkup last week, and have new glasses ordered.  I'll pick them up on Friday.

The monthly residents' meeting was this afternoon.  I guess there's always drama in any senior living facility, and this place is no exception.  Our Executive Director is leaving as of this week.  At least he wasn't fired, it was a personal decision (he's moving back to Texas where his wife is in a long-time job).  In any case, he's been quite good, and everybody pretty  much likes him.  So now corporate has to find somebody new, and we have to "break him/her in".  In the two years I've lived here, this will be the 4th ED, along with the second corporate owner.  Oh, well...

In the technology department, Comcast/Xfinity sent me a new piece of equipment, saying that it's is "easy to install", and I should be able to do it myself.  Yeah, right!  With great trepidation, I set out to do this chore - along with mental plans for what to do when I couldn't make it work.  To my great amazement, all I had to do was unplug three plugs from the old one, and plug them into the new one, then get on my devices and re-log in to my network.  The whole process took about 30 minutes.  And, what I'm proudest of, I remembered to get the serial number of the equipment and put it in the listing where I keep all my passwords, etc.

Friday Five

I've been AWOL - sorry.

1. This week has been buffeted by family health issues.  No specifics to share at this time.
2. I got to play bridge twice this week.  No master points, but at least today we got some good hands that we played well.
3. The hot water was off in the dressing room I use at the YMCA all week.  I didn't go to the pool Wednesday (bad me!), but did go today.  I just used another dressing room. 
4. I figured out how to borrow an e-book from my library (thanks, Kate!), and checked out Unbelievable, by Katy Tur.  She was the NBC/MSNBC reporter who covered Trump from the day he announced in 2015.  It's a good read.
5. I've gotten a couple of hats knitted out of left-over yarn.  Now to get to work on the socks I've been delaying working on.