Partly Cloudy and cool. Very PNW weather. Comfortingly normal. But next week we will heat up again. Not quite as bad as our killer heat bubble earlier in the summer. But I still feel like this might be an early fall. Wrong?

Today I will make John a meatless Sunday dinner. He will not fuss if it sort of feels like a regular Sunday dinner. Tossed Salad and pasta with black olives, sweet onions, and artichoke hearts. Breaking him out of the meat thing is hard going.

I am doing a new exercise regimen that is supposed to target areas that help from falling. Of course that is a big worry at my age. I am also (with doctors okay) ditching my statin pills. Not sure any of you take these but the side effects were miserable. Why was this prescribed for me? I don’t have high cholesterol? I fear it is one of those prescriptions that is just automatically given to people at a certain age. We must be our own best advisers. Look up drugs and side effects online and from many different websites. I should have done this right at the beginning.

Still need to finish my fairy houses and fish rocks. That project got stalled. That happens to me. I have a disturbing urge to just keep starting things without finishing them. New rule in the dungeon… I will not allow myself to start anything new until I finish at least one thing. We will see if this rule can stick.

Lin: oh yes, my friend. I know the problem of fingers not cooperating. I have ruined and dropped more than you will ever know. Elegant teapot shape.

Anne: I’ve said this before…Mike is a good person. I hope his dad can appreciate the sacrifice Mike made for his benefit. Of course, I know Mike would not be doing all that expecting great thanks or appreciation. Still it would help take the sting out of all the work, travel, and restless nights. We do love our kids and hate to see them suffer. Even if they are no longer kids.

Have a lovely remainder of this Sunday.
Stay safe, stay well, and stay in touch!
Patsy☘️

Happy Monday Sneakers… Life is still running at full-speed, but no complaints. I went 5 days without even checking email. Hope everyone has been well.

This update, might be all over the map… had a wonderful evening of board games, treats etc. with daughter and kids last week – re-connecting after their trip to Outer Banks. Gave us a couple small souvenir gifts.

Last week also had my cardiologist appt. for f/u to ascending aortic aneurysm, carotid stenosis, perm Afib, Atherosclerosis yada yada … he referred to sleep specialist for review to see if I can stop CPAP because of weight loss etc (as not waking with gasp as B4). See rheumatologist this Friday re: arthritis, blood work & methotrexate. Other than that – I have the physical fitness of a 20 yr old LOL.

Jean is thrilled her sun flowers are coming up and we were able to pick some of her garden tomatoes this weekend. Delicious. We had a fantastic 90th Birthday buffet for Uncle Jack. I took a composite photo I had made of him from when he was a 17 yr old Navy man in Cuba – and made it into a card and T-shirt. You would think we had given him a million dollars. Love seeing him happy and his new dog “Roscoe” has brought him back to life more than ever. (pic)





Won’t waste your time with other blow-by-blow past events. This week we will be going to the NYS Fair. Attendance has been SUPER LOW – roughly 39,000 a day and the normal on a weekend is about 127,000. Bad for businesses, but all things considered I am happy with the lower numbers. They changed the opening until 11am which is late for us. Normally we went early morning to “take-in” all the animals starting their day etc. and then left as most people were coming.

It seems the world is insane right now (from COVID to Afghanistan) and I seem to spend the wee-hours catching up on everything…always from multiple perspectives checking sources in Europe, Australia, Italy, France and various USA. The Biden withdrawal disaster and extensive unnecessary suffering makes me sick.

Colonel Kemp, the former commander of British military forces in Afghanistan, calling for him to be court-martialed. In London they watched with incredulity with one saying Biden “looked gaga” and described his press conference as “completely mad” as the president as “doolally.” I understand their thoughts and most people know he has been in cognitive decline for some time. Sadly – I can’t believe the on-the-ground unfiltered reporting I have heard today… and the continued mess. We still don’t even have the numbers on the number of Americans. I’ll stop here.


Anne – I don’t even know where to begin with next door and the realtors assessing the house. Having been in finance and also sold real estate – a home inspection was always a must for me. Glad the son appeared to “translate” the situation. I don’t envy you and hope it all works out with a huge family, language barrier etc. We are very fortunate with our neighbors in all aspects.

Sandy – glad you liked the Catholic grade school photos. I had to chuckle when you wrote that you “wanted to be a nun” in your younger years. Cough, cough – I wanted to be a priest! I actually spent a couple weeks at a seminary in Massachusetts when I was in Jr high. In the end, a love of “girls” won out. If priests could have married – I may have made a different choice. It’s all so different today.

Still have to get around to buying some salmon. I almost bought some “King salmon” but if I recall talked myself out of it as I knew Jean wouldn’t eat any. Regardless, it is always in the back of my head, so some day…

Lin – Those are some “purple potatoes” and it loks like you have had some nice weather. Hope you are enjoying those library books and TV! Very interesting Melbourne Australia teapot! As for Welcome back Kotter – it was an entertaining show. LOVE the photos you posted of the Fair…also love the Beach Boys!

Patsy – Hope the weather is holding up. We have been very warm, but whenever the NYS Fair arrives I know early fall and cooler temps are around the corner. I actually love all seasons (and even 30 days of winter LOL). Wishing John well with his cataracts. You mention putting exercises to the top of your list and the humidity in your joints – I hope the discomfort becomes more bearable.

Jackie – Funny how the days can fly by. I bet those tomatoes and cucumbers from the greenhouse were great. Hope George received a clean bill of health. I think we are the same when it comes to plans – you were going to paint and then 2 phone calls from friends and it was lunch. For me, cleaning always does the same thing…I find old photos and the next thing I know 2 hours have gone by.

Time for me to make a mile! Hope it is a great day for everyone. Bob

Ps –Saw this pic w/ caption of Winston & Clementine this morning – made me smile

Good for Clementine BOB. but boy, we could do with the old lad today!
Total disaster in Afghanistan and I read today the British who do security checks on would be refugees are finding one or two very bad men trying to join the throng to Britain.

Long post from Bob to make up for my very short post. This is because I am wilting in 31 degree temperatures feeling like 40 for the past 4 days, AND it continues for another 3 until Friday.

Bean is sleeping near the window a\c and I'm about to join her. Everyone talking of nuns and priests makes me hope I don't go to hell one day.

Anne

Well its still horribly hot up here, but regardless Jilly decided to become a puppy again and dragged at my my wash cloth as I walked past her, AND she got it. It was so good to see her hiding behind the coffee table and grinning at me. Honest I swear she grins. Of course I couldn't let the moment pass so I grabbed the cloth back trailing it low so she could reach and we had about 10 minutes of chase and retrieve meaning I ended up with a face as red as PATSYs and she ended up panting.

She's made friends with a little brown chihuahua named Bella. Sweet little thing. They rub noses being about the same height.

They are asking 1 million and 398 thousand for the house next door. My DIL thinks they intended selling immediately again when they bought it. Their agent phoned me to ask If I intended leaving my old house, "only in a coffin" said I at which point he took off no doubt to phone someone else close by.

Knowing virtually nothing about statins. or anything about all the other health problems I will abstain from any comments. Just wish everyone long, healthy and happy lives.

Thinking of you all as I sit holed up with my 23 year old A/C and hoping it lasts another 3 days!


Hugs from Anne.

Sunny day here. Not too bad so far on temperature. Which is good because I want to sweep the deck and clean spider webs off the deck chairs. This is another reason I suspect fall is on the way. Our very busy Oregon spiders have been hard at work building amazing web constructions everywhere. I get very annoyed when I walk into a long floating strand that appeared instantly. Good grief!

My list today is humanly impossible. For someone Ike me, easily distracted, every important task requires immense dedication. So far only started the laundry which includes Katie’s bed blanket. She is so nutty. She licks her blanket when she crawls into her bed at night. Soggy and messy!

Our whole state is a dreadful hot spot for the virus. Partly because we have a lot of truly nut case people who are stubbornly refusing the vaccination, and wearing masks! Makes me want to go to each one and shout in their face…face up to it! You need to pull on your big boy pants and get a shot like a responsible adult. But John says I would be adding to the problem. There would blood shed and tears.

Here is another of life’s puzzling issues. The widow of our musician friend is angry at me. Why? Who knows? When I last made contact to check on her well-being, she was very hostile to me. I know grief and loneliness can cause unstable reactions. I am not sure what to do now. Do I keep trying to communicate with her? Does my personality upset her? Do I let her alone and hope she is okay? Our friendship with her husband is the only reason I feel the need to help her, if it is wanted or needed. One of life’s conundrums.

Lin: lovely delicate teapot. Reminds me of another of my grans teapots. Never used but always on display.

Sandy: sitting again. I am sure those grandchildren are confused. You are another mom to them. They are so lucky, they have Mom one and Mom two who sleeps somewhere else.

Anne: it is so true about our doggie children. They laugh, smile and cry and also act out when they are unhappy or angry. I swear Katie has temper tantrums! You know that old saying…invest in land, they aren’t making any more it! That is more true than ever. Our little acreage is precious to us and others keep an eye on buying it. No way!

Hello to all sneakers! Stay well and safe!
Patsy☘️

Glitch is starting to get quite interesting. Its set in the Australian countryside which is quite beautiful. You can imagine I am looking at the trees etc with great interest knowing my cousin over there will be looking at the real thing.
Quite a lot of sessions and I'm rationing viewing.
Anne.

Good morning! A beautiful day and lovely breeze so we’ve enjoyed our morning walk where we bumped into one of our dog walking friends with her young Labrador Brody. We were early enough to miss the crowds of tourists as they spread Covid across the county! Of course if I was younger, lived in a city and couldn’t fly to many holiday destinations I would probably visit this area too but it’s incredibly frustrating after 18 months of all being so careful. Now as I sit in my garden I’m listening to police and ambulance sirens so am guessing someone who doesn’t know how to drive safely on our narrow lanes has had an accident. I’ve had a couple of close calls recently with people driving too fast round blind, narrow bends!

Lin, our government has been experimenting with allowing certain events to take place and probably thought a surfing event on a beach relatively safe but didn’t allow for the crowds to be wanting food and accommodation. Some of the kids not bothering to get vaccinated are becoming extremely unwell but there’s still resistance. Here’s today’s news from Cornwall. I gather the vaccines are showing signs of waning protection so I’ll continue to be unsociable wherever possible! 😠
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-58318695

I’ve finished my coffee as a huge cloud blocked the sun so will take that as a sign to get on with painting walls.

Keep safe everyone.
Jackie 🥰

Hot, and sticky, and humid yet again. so I finished off Glitch. Yes, it is in English JOHN with a little bit of Chinese sub titles in the second part. It comes in two series, the second named Mum. At first I almost gave up on the second part but didn't, and glad I didn't because the ending was good. Best of all though for me was the scenery and the plants, especially the trees which are quite different to the trees growing in Canada and Great Britain.

The son's Dad is let out of hospital on Friday which is Marks birthday. This is good because he doesn't have air conditioning and its just as bad temperature wise in Quebec as here and in SANDYs Chicago.

I wouldn't get on a plane right now because we are warned that the fall is going to be very dire indeed as far as the virus is concerned. The evening news gives out the daily figures and they are steadily rising.

So you can see mateys [bit of Aussie slang] that my day has been utterly boring news wise.

The streets are deserted presumably because of the heat and not some disaster I'm not aware of. No one visiting next door either, very quiet and peaceful.

So I'll away and get my tea [supper to you American gals],

Anne.

Ive got my old mattress to put out for our garbage tomorrow. It's already inside a plastic cover as required but its so darned hot I've asked Mark to wait until the next big pick up in 2 weeks time.

I was expecting the grocery delivery between 10 and 12 but the driver asked if he could drop the groceries off at 8 am. Dodging the heat I expect but it was a bit of a shock because I'd just washed my hair in the shower. Everything changes next month when Grocery Gateway combines with Longo the store. I'm sort of dreading this because it will be different on the laptop and you all know my luck with change! Mark says he will help if I get stuck. The old drivers, Dorio etc. are now no more but the new lot are just as helpful. I think the groceries now come from the actual local store although it's the same old vans with the same name on the outside so far.

Other than that not much going on, but I did manage to clean the house before it got too hot.
Bean thinks its siesta time {she's a wee bit Chihuahua} and she's stretched out fast asleep on the sofa, and talking of Mexico my once tiny poinsettia is very bushy and up to my waist in growth. Should look nice at Christmas but after that, .......HELP !!!!!!

Hope everyone is much cooler than us, but I believe tomorrow will be better. but after tomorrow watch out again! If this keeps up we will be growing bananas outside!

Anne. 🥰🐶

Yuck! Kind of warm and muggy today. It is like wading in warm mud trying to do almost anything. But! There are things that need to be done. Including making Katie’s chicken and veggies.

John has officially put us in lockdown. So I am busy planning meals, entertainment options, need some physical fitness and mental fitness plans AND creative outlets. I did read about new emerging vaccines to really finally deal with this virus. We just need to stay safe until it is available. COMING SOON!

In order to combat a feeling of being in jail, I think I will try to initiate a plan of the after dinner walk.just stroll around our acreage picking flowers, clearing a vicious blackberry vine or two with clippers. Damon is totally against this idea. “Mom! You or dad are likely to fall clomping around out there in the bushes! Stay in the yard, carry your phone, don’t go climbing into the woods, stepping over fallen logs etc.”. Maybe we will just stay on our road like always but then again…..

We ordered the last season of Better Call Saul. We have watched all seasons and it was great fun to watch. Sort of funny, yet addresses some not so funny issues. I will be reading the new Bernstein book on the last days of the Trump administration. It is called Peril. We live in an on going soap opera. “Got ta love it!” Also ordered the new Gresham book. I think it would be great to offer our novels etc to library but they are not accepting donated books now. Senior center?

I think because it takes me forever to do anything, John is the same way, we are rarely ever bored. We are always feeling behind on one thing or another. We laughed that it is a major benefit to being slow and disorganized.

Hang in there, darling sneakers,
Patsy☘️

Hi. Rushing around because its Marks Birthday and Michaels coming over but just wanted to say PATSY don't go tripping [literally] through the wild woods! I did a few years back and broke my ankle. Wasn't easy on my own clumping around in one of those moon boots and I'm sure Damon would want to take care of you thus giving up his sailing days. Hard on John as well. Be a good girl. I am told to carry my phone everywhere, sigh, but our children mean well.
Love the cornflowers on the teapot LIN Actually I love poppies and all meadow flowers when I think about it.
Mike is starting to feel like me, feeling guilty when he eats a pork chop. He loves animals as do I. So little does he know it but we are having Indian Mattar Paneer which is made with tofu, and rice etc. for lunch. I think its delicious but it will be interesting to see Michael's face when I plunk his dish in front of him! I bought a vegetarian cookbook a few years back and every dish I've tried so far is very tasty. I should try and find a copy for him. Mark eats meat, but also isn't big on it.
Well must fly.
Anne.