Good afternoon everyone. I watched several Zoom meetings today. One was the history of the water works and the director did a good job of going into excruciating detail of every project and expansion since 1919. I feel he would have preferred to talk about the problems of the water works in removing nitrates and agricultural runoff from the water. It is costly and they filed a lawsuit against upstream folks and the farmers were very upset. The suit was eventually dismissed. The problem remains.

An earlier Zoom call was for the continuing series of card making techniques but this week was not cards at all but a couple of coasters which is not something I wanted to do. They used several additional products that I have used and will use again so it was nice to see how they applied and utilized them.

It is sunny and hot again today. No rain expected anytime soon. The heat INDEX is forecast to increase to around 105 to 110 later this week. I think my container plants have have little hope. They will cook in their pots. In addition to the usual buzzing insect crew this morning, a male Cardinal showed up and hopped down into one of my tomato cages to peck at the little tomatoes. We disagreed about that.

Jackie, I was thinking of you and your detailed painting job when I ran across this picture taken by some folks who have been painting their condo. I hope Betty lets you get some rest. I cannot sleep during thunderstorms either though. I hope all is well.



Sandy, on the road. Hopefully with several adults, a comfortable vehicle, snacks, and videos, time passes more quickly. Home soon!

Patsy, you need assistance with the toenail trimming. I would be beyond frustrated and ill-tempered at this point. I hope you make it through this periodic trial. Not a happy day for you or for Katie.

The air conditioner is humming away. Thankfully.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Wow! Sandy, I am still amazed at a car trip with three youngsters. It must be a worry with the variants and Covid showing up in young kids. As you can tell I would have to fight the urge to keep them in a big isolated bubble. Not a good idea, I know!

It is very cool this morning. The sun is out and I know this afternoon will be warm. To morrow is trash day so I will be cleaning out the fridge. Antique food!! Yucky….

I think I will try some kind Chinese food tonight. I have a lot of frozen and fresh veggies. Good for our old Johnny to eat veggies but I will include chicken in the dish just fo keep him from fussing.

Our senior center is still closed. I keep wondering why, when everything else seems to be up and running. We still have a serious lack of willing workers. Every business has a “now hiring” sign hanging in the window. I have never seen anything like this. I don’t know how I feel about it. I am just shocked but at the same time I understand. People are adopting the idea that things and stuff do not make for a quality life. A quality life begins within. Heavy ideas so early in the day……

I have put off my exercises and I know that i need to get cracking on them before I do anything else. They are soooooo easy to put last on my list. I need to follow Jackie and Anne’s good example.
Early walk and/or exercises.
Hello to all you sneakers! Travel safe, dear Sandy.
Patsy☘️

Poor Betty couldn’t settle last night as it was so warm in the bedroom. Panting, fidgety, jumping off and on my bed so at one point I sent her downstairs to drink water and cool off. That lasted less than five minutes so we both woke up grumpy and tired. George slept through!
This morning I spent an hour filling tiny holes in the outside back wall with a decorators waterproof acrylic that will get painted next week.
Another very hot day as our amber warning continues but tomorrow we are expecting rain so at 6pm I pulled my lawnmower out of the shed and tidied up the lawn.
George hasn’t eaten much this week except too many treats so developed an upset stomach. I popped into town to buy his frozen meat blocks and cut off a section of minced turkey that he enjoyed tonight.
My paint has arrived so I can begin to decorate my dining room over the weekend when thunderstorms are forecast.

Lin, the first thing I noticed in the picture you posted was no masking tape! A nice green though and it’s good to know I’m not the only decorator! I like the shape of the teapot too. Unusual. Tapioca hasn’t passed my lips since I was at school but I do remember the huge metal caldron it was served from using a ladle that was pushed through a thick skin. Your recipe sounds far more appetising!

Patsy, I saw this and thought of you playing with Katie


I love Chinese stir fries and sorting through my spices to place on the new shelves I was reminded I used to be far more creative when cooking. I’ve lived on salads this week but will give more thought to meals from now on.

I’m watching a documentary about the 13th century Black Death and have learnt they were also coping with climate change that created food shortages after months of rain. Interesting but maybe too close to home because human nature hasn’t changed and the survivors behaved much as we do today dealing with COVID.

Sandy, your stamina is amazing p. After such a long car ride I’d want to sleep for a week! Hopefully Lisa will feel better once she gets home.

A choc ice before bed I think! Ooh, a full moon that’s a golden colour. Perhaps it is made of cheese!
Jackie

Morning all. I've got Michael already on his way. Much cooler this morning so I've just baked a chicken pot pie to have cold with a salad for lunch.

SANDY you are one marvellous daughter in law! When I was pregnant with Mike my mother said "if you want kid Anne, YOU look after them" and she never did help me out! Not even with the two new borns. My mother in law was always ailing and never did either so I think you are absolutely marvellous.

The Black Death JACKIE. We lived fairly close to the village in Derbyshire where the victims lived and are buried. The cottages have plaques with the names of the once poor residents.
Well I better get moving, the Bean is already sitting by the back door hopefully. How does she know? Maybe I don't wear old jeans on Michaels visits?

have a good day friends,
Anne.

Good afternoon. I am lining things up for tomorrow’s 3 hour card class. I have managed to finish one sample of each design. I am hoping for tips and tricks and shortcuts. They actually sent out a PDF with a box for each card and it is to write down tips garnered from each section of the presentation. Looking forward to that. Also received an email with various news items including an increase in the cost of card stock effective Monday. Each sheet will increase from 30 cents to 40 cents which doesn’t sound like a lot but is a 33% increase and you must purchase in lots of 10 sheets. So a dollar a pack. I of course ordered some paper at the lower price. 🤓 all paper products will increase but the increases for other items was not published. I don’t buy color coordinated envelopes, vellum, or acetate from them so we will see what happens on the other items I do purchase from time to time.

I spent a good portion of the morning on the phone with a friend. She and another lady were in court yesterday appearing on behalf of the lady whose son caused her so much grief. I don’t know exactly what it is called but he wanted the results of an earlier action where the lady who was mistreated won a court award for the money the son took from her. He was also assessed court costs and was ordered to pay her legal fees. He has not paid a penny and is long overdue on the deadline but he wanted court fees and legal costs to be removed from that judgment. He also made a claim that some of his personal property had been taken. Anyway, apparently they brought this guy from the jail with a deputy in tow and spent the day ranting and raving about what has been done to him and how he is going to sue his mother’s church and a number of the members for their actions against him.

Anyway, she is upset and wishes the son would just go away. She and her husband are in this guy’s crosshairs. Meanwhile the judge will rule on this matter at his discretion. Also making her nervous.

Patsy, I know it is Friday as it is cauliflower crust pizza day. Lucky Katie to get a tiny smidge of the crust. Making her happy by giving her a little something. I am sorry about your toe and I do understand the angst about needing a doctor but bleeding is one of those things that does need tending to right? Happy for John as it is a great feeling to take care of something yourself. I am not able to do that often but I do remember the satisfaction.

Anne, lucky Jilly, one of her favorite humans visiting today. Yipes, the Black Death. I guess things could be so much worse. I was looking at some photos of cabins of prospectors in the Nome Alaska area in the early 1900’s I believe. How they survived the winter in such a frail looking structure is beyond me. He did have a huge stack of wood chopped up. Friends, I would not have lived long in such circumstances.

Sandy, good of you to take one of the kiddos to the doctor. Some type of routine appointment? Or an illness? Darn. Hope she is not very ill. Take care of yourself my friend.

Jackie, you are right, no masking tape was visible but they had the floor covered well I thought. Thinking of you filling tiny holes in the wall. What detail! Did you finish that chore? What are you harvesting from the allotment these days? My pot of potatoes is starting very slowly to die back which seems very early. I wonder if there are any potatoes in in there anywhere? It is a small container. I started some more lettuce indoors but it seems too darn hot to put it out right now. Tiny plants may not survive long enough to make it outdoors. I will just start some more!

I found an interesting post in the teapot group with some detail accompanying the photo.

“ This exquisite teapot, sucrier and handled plate, in the “Adelaide Shape”, were manufactured by John Rose Coalport c.1830, see A Directory of British Teapots by Michael Berthoud and Richard Maskell, page 285, plate 1706. They are heavily molded and lavishly gilded in pattern no. 3/124. The teapot has a small “duck’s head” spout, a squat finial and a divided handle with a short, high handle spur. There are no makers’ marks, but all three pieces bear the pattern number.”



Be safe my friends.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

The day is nearly over! Cooler with the occasional threat of rain but nothing serious so my garden plants are struggling. We should get a thunder storm around 3 am in which case I will be up making myself a mug of tea!
It’s been busy with me visiting friends, gardening as well as a few hours at the allotment so falling asleep as I try to type. I’ll post properly tomorrow.
Jackie 🥱😴

Morning Sneakers. No thunderstorm, in fact very little rain although I just heard on the news a 70 year old woman survived a lightening strike on her house that was badly damaged about 150 miles away so someone got it! I wonder if her age would have been mentioned if she was 30 or 40!
What a shock to my system when I got out of my car on the moors to walk the dogs… COLD! Luckily I had a raincoat on that kept that out but grabbed a warm hat from my car boot and was glad I did. Back home with a coffee watching team GB ladies football team playing against Japan when I should be painting!

Patsy, I’m no expert but am guessing you will need to apply pressure to your cut toe, not easy I know but I hope your ‘evil’ doc comes up with a solution. One thing I learned when working in the community was that those who were happy to sit in a chair and do little rapidly deteriorated whereas battling on regardless gave people a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. Like John, we all tinker at something and then there’s superwoman Sandy!!

I’m still filling holes Lin. It’s one of those jobs where I worked my way along the wall, thought I’d found them all, then walking back saw more from a different angle. They are tiny and some just sit on the surface but Dave the builder suggested it worth doing because it’s a north facing wall so doesn’t see the sun. I hope to finish tomorrow. At the allotment we have French beans, lots of potatoes, onions, sweet corn, rhubarb and for later in the season, Chinese cabbage, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, chard, parsnips and Pak Choi. We do our best to plan a long season but similar to your experience, the weather plays a big part and not always in a friendly way! That Coalport set is beautiful. A few years ago I visited their museum in a place called Ironbridge. Those Victorians were amazing engineers and china producers as well as loving the tradition of afternoon tea!
https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/explore/
Your friend’s son sounds extremely unpleasant putting his mother through so much angst.

Are you rested Sandy or still on the go? Hopefully you will have some pool weather.

Anne, I imagine you are already up and walking. Wonderful that your neighbours are turning out to be pleasant and I imagine you will hear some fascinating stories overtime.

Fabulous photos Bob. Yes, you have been busy haven’t you and it’s obvious you and Jean are making the most of your ‘freedom’. We’ve all been missing those opportunities to meet and greet haven’t we. I know I loved visiting friends yesterday morning to sit over coffee and catch up but also see what improvements they have made to their home. Sounds like your Melanie is taking after granddad!

England ladies have scored, in fact have won… whoopee!

Lunch, then painting!

Stay safe everyone. That virus is still with us!
Jackie 🥰

It is going to get real toasty here! But right now there is a nice breeze and the house is comfy without fans etc. to keep us cool. I read the bootleg fire is about 40% contained…subject to change of course.

Our son is sailing this week end. We are sort of tottering on. Both of us are up to our eyelashes in chores. After I “poop out” I will hole up in my dungeon with my new order of paints and supplies. Mainly interesting new acrylic inks. Wow! Now what can I do with that? I want to get into a different kind of expression. Experimentation will be required.

Sandy: one thing we have all said…change is our only constant. Of course, life always presents us with opportunities. You have always been so philosophical about life. Your “one day at a time” says it all. I have great confidence that there will be interesting choices for you. We will be right here with you no matter where you are.

Jackie: here in Oregon, we have a wonderful growing season and we can grow most everything. We do not take full advantage of that. We have a farmers market on sundays but it is planned so that it is uncomfortable to shop at the produce booths. You must climb up a very steep hill, no cars are allowed, then if you bought a weeks worth of produce, you must bring your own bags, and lug then up and down some very treacherous sidewalks and broken stairs. My point being, we could provide some wonderful home grown options, if more thought was put into the farmers market.

Bob: lovely family event with lovely family! I also really enjoyed seeing the flowers. I assume they were grown by your Jean. This year for various reasons, mainly my creaky uncooperative knees etc, we didn’t plant any flowers. I miss them so much. I think I will find a way to have a little area to grow my flowers next year. I am not a very good gardener but I know some things that I can grow successfully. Also! I am a wicked card player. If I can’t win….well let’s just say, I always win! Brawhahahahaha!

Anne: your son, Micheal is a great guy. I know why you make such great treats for him when he visits. He is one of those nice guys that grabs your heart.
Patsy☘️

Good morning sneakers. I must start with a recommendation as we begin our day. Listen to Frank Sinatra’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin because you won’t be able to resist dancing!

An early walk before breakfast while it was cool so we walked a couple of miles. Strange light in the sky created by a haze and wonderful to occasionally pause to take in the view.


At one point I lost sight of George but then saw his tail swishing in the air behind bracken as he rolled in fox poo! Back home and straight into the shower but as I washed him I could hear my hens shouting. Neighbour Debs heard them too and thinking I was still out walking, popped round to make sure there wasn’t a fox in my garden. When we were at the allotment on Friday there was a lot of noise from hens in an adjoining field and when we went to the perimeter fence we noticed a young fox creeping behind a shed. No amount of our shouting at it made it run away but the farmer keeps a couple of Alpacas in that field as protectors and they only had to look towards the fox and off it ran! My hens were fine!

That’s an adorable teapot Lin and so unusual. Another I would happily live with.

Patsy, I didn’t grow my usual array of colourful flowers this year either. I do have perennial geraniums and a fuscia in pots and recently bought a couple of Hibiscus shrubs still to flower that I’ll do my best to overwinter but am relying on the roses to cheer me at the moment. Our lockdowns meant shortages in garden centres at the start of the season then what did arrive was extortionate.

I’m going to have to love you and leave you all since I’ve a long list of jobs.
Everyone have an enjoyable Sunday.
Jackie 🥰

Good morning all –

Think I hit a brick wall… haven’t been to gym yet as didn’t open til 7am and was off getting car washed and then it was breakfast and relaxing time on deck with the sun. Not sure if I will make it later as they close at 7pm vs 10pm during week. Have lunch at sisters today celebrating great-nephew’s birthday. A sweet boy with a big heart.

Daughter and grandkids return today from one of the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts – photos they texted clearly indicate a great time by everyone between waterslides, wagon rides, and themed events including Christmas tree lighting by Yogi! LOL

Anne – Hope all went well with Mike and I can certainly relate to getting tied up with family, friends and emails.

Jackie – Good ole’ Frank to start the day… he is on my car flash drive along with Dean, Rolling Stones, Rod, Bruno, Glenn Campbell and a mix you wouldn’t believe. The only music not on my flas drive is – rap. The photo you posted is beautiful and thought-provoking. It’s the kind that normally goes along with some type of inspirational quote. Leave it to Alpacas to save the day! Good luck with all your Sunday “jobs.” Thanks on the photos and yes we are enjoying “freedom”. We also know that in a blink of an eye summer will be gone and winters can drag for months. Jean is already looking forward to the free music at the NYS Fair next month. She is a “Fair-nut” and would go every day. I worked the Fair as a young adult and have been more times than I care to count…she did not go as a child. So we’ll be taking in The Mavericks, Herman’s Hermits, Three Dog Night, The Spinners etc --- for sure those 1st 2. No doubt we will end up going at least 4 or 5 days.

Lin – My granddaughter Melanie would go nuts over the penguin teapot – her favorite animal. She has penguin shirts, sweatshirts, earrings etc. If anything says I would not do well in your card class it’s the required attributes of good eyes, strong fingers, and excellent dexterity – not in my wheelhouse. LOL. Glad you liked the pics…yes Zinnias and a variety of others – but we love the bright colors of Zinnias. Our tomatoes are coming in nicely – can’t wait for them to turn red. Nothing like homegrown veggies vs. grocery story.

Patsy – Going to be a warm one here as well….mid-80’s and sunny. It rained last night and next rain not forecasted until Tuesday. Yes, the flowers are Jean’s handiwork … she seems to get more into gardening each year. She has a group of friends that each decided to grow a sunflower and they exchange photos on various plants. Here is a cartoon I sent Jean earlier in the week, as she often arrives home with a plant she found “discounted” and can save. LOL –



You definitely sound like a great card player. My brother-in-law was a big card player (I stopped playing with him as it was like making a donation to him each time) he always won too.

Sandy – Glad you were able to balance the check book. In my case, I only write a couple checks a year and pretty much track online. Even when it comes to Communion, birthday gifts etc. I will give a gift card, bank check etc. as I always hated when people would hold onto a check for weeks without cashing. Just my own quirkiness. You certainly have your hands full between doctors, babysitting and birthdays! I am sure you’ll make the right decision on moving and glad you have some time to think. So many times, I wish I had moved when I was younger. Actually had a job lined up in Az decades ago. I would likely move to a slightly warmer climate, if not for the kids. We do enjoy the school plays, dance recitals and music events that would be missed greatly.

Good luck with the yearly wellness exam. We still laugh at Jean’s last one when they gave her the cognitive testing, clock drawing etc. It was sprung on her. She told me I was going to have to take it and I reminded her that all my doctors are specialists and I inly see the GP when I am sick and need an antibiotic etc. – so I guess I am safe for a while even if I don’t know what day it is. LOL

Oh my – it’s almost noon and I need to get a move on. Have an awesome day! Bob

Hello, I fussed with my plants this morning. I do this twice a day, watering in the evening. I put out a bit of water trying to stop the Cardinal from attacking my ripening tomatoes. I seem to have provided a watering hole for the wasps and other stinging beasties. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I listened to online church, corresponded with a friend online, and cleaned some veggies.

Also, I am back to coloring and will make some more cards. I have ideas!

Started some everyday cards but ran out of a pattern paper that works well with my little ideas. Found some to order and ran to the mailbox yesterday afternoon when it said my package was delivered. Well, it wasn’t at the mailboxes and not on my porch. I am gutted. That was the last of the design available anywhere in the U.S, as far as I could ascertain. I filled out a USPS request to try to find the package. My fingers are 🤞🏻 but I have little hope. Darn post office. I had another package yesterday which was delivered with my mail at the regular time. The lost package was delivered by some other carrier, not the guy who knows all the tiny cul-de-sacs out here. Rats.

Sandy, enjoy your afternoon. Sorry about the ants. I hope one of the treatments repels them.

Bob, if you do not get to the gym today, I know you will be unhappy but it will be okay. I saw that cartoon recently and I thought it was great. I did know it applied to Jean. Giggle. Zinnias are great flowers. Wow, a penguin lover. I wish I had that teapot, I would send it to her although a teapot is probably not something she would care for even with the penguins. Our State Fair is supposed to go on this year and each year there is a Rock ‘n Roll reunion with various groups who were headliners years ago. It is a popular show.

Jackie, that was a moody photo. Good Betty staying in view. George, oh my, a real dog, rolling in poo. Maybe he likes taking a bath. 🤣🤣 nope, probably not. Busy day. I hope something is pleasant I’m all that you do.

Anne, enjoy your time with Michael. What did you cook today? Or did you get that pizza denied a while ago?

Back to coloring. I will be making more cards, simpler perhaps, but I will prevail. Haaaaa.

Be safe.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

And sorry to Anne as well SANDY! Everyone here has ants this year. Big and small. I find if I put some water melon rind etc on the grass outside they confine the winter storage food foraging to the great outdoors.

Also its a good idea to pick up any uneaten pet food.
Sweep crumbs up after eating and vacuum regularly.
Confine food to fridge or in storage jars with screw tops in the pantry.
Either wash dishes or place in the dish washer immediately after eating.

This makes ones home very unattractive to insects who are stocking up for the lean winter months in their hibernation nests
By the way they also eat and carry off dead wasps and other insects which are even more unlovable to humans.

I avoid all poisons like the plague especially if children visit!

Just having a coffee break whilst I drink the mid morning coffee. Very busy day yesterday and lots to do today. so all for now,
Weather in the nineties again.
Anne.

Hi! I hope everyone is doing well today.

Sandy is very busy as is Anne.

I have been doing laundry, corresponding with a friend regarding her loss of two friends with both funerals scheduled today. She was debating about attending them when she received a call that our Mah Jongg friend, the one with the not-at-all-nice son is unwell today snd needs a doctor’s appointment. It sounds as if my friend may have to take her to the appointment as everyone else is too busy today or is frightened of the son.

I got an automated reply from USPS saying they will investigate my claim. Yep. I have little faith in the outcome.

I put an order in for some items with Walmart and will pick them up in the morning. Spots for today are filled. I guess people are still using curbside pickup. I thought there would be openings today. I am not in a hurry so tomorrow is fine.

Must get all the trash gathered and boxes crushed for Tuesday trash day. At least the boxes are in the garage.

Distractions abound and I started coloring images for cards hoping to finish a pile of stamped images I made for the Saturday card class. I should have waited until I made a trip to the library but when the spirit moves you, follow. Making headway!

Nothing extremely or moderately interesting.

Be safe.

Lin 🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Wooo, pink teapot, Sadler I think

Yeah, ants are a pain in the butt but in 6 weeks we can all relax and go back to normal as the industrious ants [you have to admire them] settle down at home in their own quarters.
When they really get you down remember Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his words:

He liveth best who loveth best
all creatures great and small
For the dear God who loveth us
He made and loveth all.

Annsie.

PS. Thousands flee wild fires in Ontario North.

Ooops, teapot.