Saturday, July 31, 2010

Birds



Here are the 2 pictures I took yesterday morning of the birds. According my Field Guide, they look to me like Peregrine Falcons. I am thinking this because of the markings on the one bird. My neighbor said she saw one of these a few days ago. What do you think?

189 comments:

jan said...

The birds are in 2 trees. The 1st one is in a tree in my next door neighbor's front yard. The 2nd bird is in my "sick" tree.

jan said...

Oops! I have it reversed. The 1st bird is in my sick tree -

Carol said...

Sorry Jan, I didn't expect anyone else to be up. I shoulda hit refresh to see if anyone was around. Can't always bank on being alone in the wee hours of the morning. I didn't stay up long. I was typing thru foggy eyes.

Carol said...

Jan, I think I'll yield to Ivy on that bird identification, she knows her raptors. Is a Falcon a raptor? Anyway, she knows her birds.

As far a that tree goes, if it ain't Winter there....I'd be worried.

Y'all have a nice trip and I hope you can stay connected while you're traveling. I just love Arkansas. Ya know that big sis lived up there years ago and I spent a lot of time visiting. In Arkansas, you are never far from a hiking, camping or canoeing trip. I left my DNA all over that state. From north to south. From the Buffalo River to the Caney Creek back country. Good adventure memories all over that place.

Big sis lived in Little Rock and that was our base camp.

Carol said...

I have a lot of adventure memories that had big sis in them. I'm trying to think if there are any that didn't have a little "hair raising" event in them. I think most of them did, even if it was just a little.

A lot of my life has been one good yarn after another. I'm sure I planned it that way. I wouldn't have had it any other way. Jan, you were in a few of those yarns, more than a few. I wouldn't have traded any of them either, even if we did almost fall to our death, off that mountain in Colorado.

Carol said...

I got some good news yesterday and I'm a little ashamed. When I went to get SF yesterday, his sitter told me that Meals on Wheels called to say they would start bringing a lunch on Monday. Wow, a miracle! I'm kinda afraid to even mention it. It coulda been that prayer.

Why am I ashamed? Well, last week I ran into one of the guys, at work, who helps out with MOWs. He's the one who gave me the name of the head knocker to call. I told him that SF was not likely get any help, that is what some of the people I talked to indicated. I was kinda bitchy about it cuz it seems I never get to see any personal benefit from something I donate to, even though it is not the reason I donate. Hey, it's only human to want to be able to see something good come back. Mary tried to get some help for mom but nada.

When I got bitchy, he got bitchy back. I hugged him and apoligized to him if it came off that I was blaming him. He apologized back. We were both having a rotten day. We left on good terms.

Well, I now I need to put MOWs back on my donation list!

Carol said...

Ya know, SF, as a family farmer all his life, worked his fingers to the bone to help provide the rest of us food. Most of the time, he lost lots of money doing it. I can't remember, except a couple of years, that he made any money. And those years, the banks talked farmers into buying more land, and they spent the rest of their lives trying to pay that off. Some couldn't and lost it.

At age 81, he finally just did pay off his land this year, with the help of that oil lease money.

I kept asking him why he did it. He said that it was all he knew to do. He did love working the land. That's why he is so depressed now. He can't work the land anymore and never learned how to relax and enjoy himself. Never had a hobby. Never took a day off. He had his gallbladder out once, had that laprascopic surgery. He took a day off for that, only a day. He also had heart surgery. I think he took a week off. He was still out there. I think I took over for some of his work then. I had to make him sit down.

If it weren't for some government farm assistance, he couldn't have done it. It's the only thing that kept him outta the poorhouse.

jan said...

Hi Carol, I finally went back to sleep. I am glad John is driving. I can nap today. Yes, most of my hair raising adventure memories are with you. Good times! I lived in Little Rock for 9 years and Siloam Springs (NW Ark) for 4 years. We will be staying one night in Springdale and 2 in LR. Steve lives in Arkadelphia (close to TX) and we will spend one night there. I love Ark. It is a beautiful state.

Glad you got the MOW's issue worked out for SF.

My sis and her husb get those meals too. MY BIL had surgery for lung CA 3 years ago - had parts of his lung removed and then had chemo and radiation 1 year ago. He had a pet scan a few weeks ago and it came back with "no signs of CA. What do you think about that. I think the reason he has done so well with the CA is that he is obese. He also has brittle Type II diabetes. My sis has had Crohns for 35 years. She hooks herself up to TPN 5 nights a week to keep her wt up to 95 lbs. They are a funny looking pair - he is 6-5 and weighs about 350 and she is 5 ft and 90 lbs. they both keep on going. They don't let their diseases get them down.

jan said...

John just looked at my pic of the bird and the Field Guide and he agrees that it is a peregrine falcon. I am waiting to hear what Ivy says. Talk to you all tonight from beautiful Weatherford, OK That is where the beautiful sunset is from.

jan said...

Yes Carol, that tree is in trouble. The tree in my neighbors yard has no leaves. My tree has some leaves. I am having all the dead branches removed this fall. After that all I can do is pray.

Carol said...

I have a sad thing to report. Ya know I do often share my pain here. Sorry.

On my way to my house to put a load of clothes in the wash, I came across the last 4 teenager ducks that were left. They looked to have been run over. With all the river out here, they insisted on playing in a little water puddle on the side of the road.

But you also know that I don't see death as a bad thing, except for those of us left behind. Those ducks probably heard it was going to be hot as hell here today and opted for something better. Happy Trails little ducks!

Mary said...

Good Morning Everyone,

Jan, Your tree looks better than your neighbors. It still must be alive if it has leaves. Also, Carol must have forgot that I lived in Little Rock for 2 yrs. too. I loved it there and always thought I would go back some day. That was 41 yrs. ago.

I had a wonderful visit in Chicago with my family and new grandchild. She is a little doll. I even got to babysit one night so they could get out by themselves for a little while. I also did alot of walking while I was up there. So far Jeremy has lived in really safe places downtown so I don't get scared at all walking around by myself. He used to live right across from Lake Michigan, about 2 blocks from Michigan Ave. (the magnificent mile). Best shopping ever. Now he lives in the Presidential Towers. Solar would know where that is. It's also in downtown Chicago. They plan on moving to the suburbs before December. I'm going to miss the downtown area.

Solar, I'm supposed to be going back in Sept. around Labor Day. Jeremy is going to fly me back up there so I can babysit while they go to a wedding. Maybe we can meet for some coffee or something then.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Carol said...

Jan, you may want to get an arborist out there to examine that tree. I wouldn't put much money in it unless it can be saved. Check with you agricultural extention service there. Does your university have a program there? Call them if they do.

Carol said...

Daily Word has another good one today.

"Right Attitude
I overcome difficulty through the power of right attitude.

Children get excited by the challenge of swimming in the deep end of a pool or climbing to the top of a playground tower. They expect to overcome any difficulties they may encounter. Their faith in a successful outcome--their right attitude--empowers them to reach their goal.

Today I look upon any challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate God at work in my life. Through the power of faith, I am already well on my way to success. I maintain a divine expectation. Because I am one with God, I am capable of great feats and accomplishments. I overcome any difficulty through the power of right attitude and see success as a stepping-stone to my highest good.

Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.--Revelation 21:7"

I will get my donation in the mail today!

Carol said...

Check's in the envelope folkes. Now to get it in the mail. They said that Sept 9, 2010 is a world day of prayer. I put us all on the list for prayers. Put you on there twice Mary, a double dose. You ought to all start feeling the love any minute now!

Carol said...

Just so ya know, I didn't have to pay to get the prayers but since I've been enjoying their free prayers, I want to help support their efforts to get them out to us.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
You got to see the bird, so you have a better bird's-eye view than me...is he a biggie, say more than 16 inches? If so, he could be a peregrine or a prairie falcon which are both that size and in your range and season.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
As to the bear in Estes Park, you must have read my note to Colorado Bob on TM. I had just had a chat with an old friend of his, Hank, at the Twisted Pine. I commented about the bear encounter 'cuz Bob was sayin something about bears...seemed like a coincidence. The bear has been spotted in town recently more than once. If you google Bear in Estes Park you might get a newspaper link with photos of him. We could see him easily though the wildlife folks were not letting anyone get too near. The bear needed more protection than the people. Some idiot reportedly had thrown a pine cone at him.

This morning there are bear tracks around our lodge, so it's safe to say we had a nocturnal visitor ourselves.

Ivy Green said...

Sorry to hear your baby duck news, Carol. You seem to have more than a fair share of idiots around your vicinity who don't care much about critters.

Ivy Green said...

They're not saying much about it, but today is the anniversary of the horrible flash floods that ran down the mountain from Estes Park to Loveland on July 31, 1976. C-Bob survived that. I read on wiki that some guy who had been among the presumed dead was discovered to be alive and well in 2008. He didn't know he was supposed to be dead.

Carol said...

The Daily Word can be read at Unity:

The Daily Word

I love Unity. I went to a little group here years ago. That night I learned something I use often at the joint. It's C+B=A. What you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.

Carol said...

Hi, Ivy. Don't feed the bears now.

Carol said...

Last night that Tony Robbins guy was on Larry King. He's one of those inspirational leaders. He was explaining why some people who have such bad luck can't change their situation.

He said: One thing it that you have to really have a burning desire for the change. A serious burning desire. Another is that we become comfortable with our misery. It has served some purpose in our lives. We are afraid of CHANGE, and to make improvements, change is necessary. The change could be in our goals or our location, etc. These aren't easy changes to make. He did make a lot of good sense.

Coreen said...

Not sure but maybe your good feelings this a.m.
are already on their way...

it is one of those absolutely sensational days...was out early doing errands...the sky is blue with just a few wispy clouds, but as clear as can be...& it is 73 with a fresh breeze...BUT...it is only going to last today....but I'll take what I can get...

hope everyone gets to enjoy the rest of the weekend...

Carol said...

Robbins has a website. If you need motivation:

NBC is having 6 one hour specials

Tony Robbins

Carol said...

Tony says: "Success is not an accident in any environment. Those who consistently succeed aren’t just lucky."

Carol said...

And many who consistently find themselves knee deep in poop are standing under the pony's ass.

This wasn't from Tony. It's from me. I bet you knew that.

Carol said...

And Ivy, I don't think around around here would purposely kill those duckies. They kept playing in a little hole along the narrow road out here. I knew it was coming. Everyone did try to avoid them. When it's dark, it's really dark out here. No street lights. Their young bodies were scattered in the road. They were probably crossing the road after dark. Someone has already cleaned them off the road. Might have even had a service, but I wasn't invited.

Carol said...

Sure, brag Coreen. I did see your weather but couldn't bring myself to mention how good it was going to be. I'm OK though. Got the AC cranked up. Conserving energy. Might be inviting some squirrels in later.

Solar said...

Carol,

You seen to want to get something out of people that tells common sense ( which you have to spare) solutions to everyday problems...and they make a lot of $ doing it.!

I will give U one thing that I used to do..and the reason that I like going to the lake and watching the sun come up:

As soon as you get up....go outside and face East, watch the sun come up, or if it -is day light already just face the east for 20 minutes...this lets the solar ( ME ) energy into your body and your good to go for the rest of the day...

Oh and send that Coreen, Coreen the dancing machine over in her GTO, she wants to dance a little......

Maria, glad that you had a good time...as for Sept...I will not make any promises...since the only work that I have been getting is in Indiana...I stay for the duration of the job so It can get done on time...

Chloe, that pic of Emma is nice..thanks...been reading your post and agree with what you have been saying....with out too much to say about it....

Carol,

Once again...Karma is just a word that relates what you work for...the more that we do for our selves and for other, is what we get back....remember the golden rule...that is all.....about Cheney....there is no Karma that could get him at this time...

He has abused the system, the tax payers the whole world in order to fulfill his greed, and power lust...he has won...he worked very hard for what he reaped....the thing is that he used people, and his positivism to get it...had the ability to use his knowledge of how government works etc, etc...had big $ behind him....
and he made his own Karma....he is a big Winner in his mind, his wives, and daughters minds, as well as his pals that want to run the world ( big banks..corps)....

In reality, you are the richest...you have true Karma..you worked to see the world as it really is...it is in your river and life all around you...you are the true winner/.! Cheney is now getting old...so he will not get his bad Karma...he is just a vampire the his time will finally be up soon.....he should have had a steak thru his heart a long, long t ime ago.!!

You have opened up your mind to many things lately, and that is a good thing...but don't get it over crowded..keep it simple like you always have....and Karma is there all of the time...it's like Side Saddle Sally says...." baby steps"

This is what your SF is missing...the ability to see the rest of the world....I get to see it with the computer when I want to ....get the news from all over the world...really like LINK TV for this...and thru all of the pinks here at the swamp.....

later going to mow some lawns.....

Solar said...

If you go and face the east withing the first 10-15 minuets of getting up..you will have a lot of energy during the day.....

Carol said...

Buddy Solar, you are right! I wake up to face East everyday. My camp faces east and I can walk from one end to the other and see outside. I see the sun come up every day. If I'm really lucky, I catch that short moment, in the morning, when the sky is red and purple. It's an extra gift. I am very blessed. And for many years, I conceived it and I believed it and I finally achieved it.

I used to spend my going to sleep time dreaming about what I wanted in life. It's called creative visualization. It was entertaining. I don't do that anymore because now, I got it.

Carol said...

And nothing I have is fancy or frilly but it's homey and comfy.

jan said...

Ivy, I saw the 2 birds in the trees from a distance. They were bigger than any birds I have seen in our area. We have lots of doves and I have never seen a dove that big. After I downloaded the pics from my camera to my computer, I blew up the picture and based my thoughts on comparing the markings with the birds in my Field Guide..." Also on the fact that my across the street neighbor had told me a few days ago that she had seen a Peregrine Falcon just that morning. She is a med student. I have not seen her since I saw the birds.

jan said...

We are in Weatherford, OK now. I bet it is 100 or close. This is western OK so that is probably right.

jan said...

Mary, glad to hear about little Lauren. Your trip sounds wonderful. I have been in Chicage twice in recent years. How exciting to be right there on Michigan ave. and close to the Lake too.

jan said...

" am very blessed. And for many years, I conceived it and I believed it and I finally achieved it. "

Carol, you are rich. when you live in a place you love and can enjoy the things you love to do, life is good.

jan said...

Carol, so sorry about the little ducks. Life is hard when they are out in the elements like that.

jan said...

I guess you all can tell, I love movies and like to go out to see movies too. Last night John and I went to see "The Kids are All Right" I liked it.

I would love to hear what you all think about it.

jan said...

Carol, I am going to get the tree trimmed. New Mexico STate Univ. has an extension service there and I may call them to check out the tree. Even if it can't be saved, I want to have it trimmed - but not ready to cut it down yet. We see so many birds that visit the tree - even without leaves that I can't part with it yet.

Solar said...

Jan,

I forgot to say hello to you....I think that you are doing the best also...traveling and enjoying the country....and staying fit, both mentally, and philosophically....

Carol said...

I understand about the tree Jan. I had a dead one, right up against the front of my camp. I had it cut down. Only problem was that some of my owls did like sitting up in it. The hurricane took the other trees in my front yard. When an owl came to visit one day, it had to sit on the top of a telephone pole in the front yard. That was sad. I would have left it but it hung right over the roof and was dropping big limbs on the roof. One punched a hole in the roof.

There are still millions of trees out here so one dead, dangerous one, had to go.

Carol said...

Jan, I found your Weatherford star on our map. I got a beam on ya. Wave and I look for ya.

Carol said...

My RR friends are coming out tonight. I gonna head over that way. I do take y'all with me. You're always with me. Portable friends y'all are.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone. It's nice to read all the posts, and see everyone has been here.

Jan, I just love your photos, and think it's so cool that you left us such a gift before you left on your trip. I hope your hives are better, and that you enjoy your stay in Arkansas.

I know I've mentioned here several times how much I love tree's -- but I don't know if I've ever made it clear just how much. I have such a strong feeling for them, love them so much, that it's almost weird. I love them during all seasons, even when they drop their leaves in the winter, or even dying - to me they're still beautiful, in a different way maybe, but just as beautiful. So, as you can see, I think your sick tree is just as gorgeous as all the rest.

I enlarged your pics to full screen size and they are truly breath taking, Jan. That unbelievably blue sky behind them (we have those here too, but they were never that blue in California) made the perfect canvas.

Did you know, that you can take your memory card to Target, put it in their machine, and enlarge those pics as huge as you want (even poster size)? Then frame them and hang them on your wall. You'll be surprised to find out what works of art your pics are. I know you'll have people commenting on them. They even have some nice frames for the larger pictures at Target. What you do is go over and see what sizes they offer, so when you enlarge them, you'll know what size to make them. The guys at the picture counter will come over to show you how to enlarge the pictures -- or they'll even do them for you, depending on what you want. Works well with grand kids pictures too (and the prices are reasonable). I've blown up some of Emma's to a huge size, then framed and hung them. Kids have the most beautiful faces, and it's great fun and a pleasure to see them that big.

Your pics would even make wonderful personalized Christmas gifts to your family (both pictures of them, and others that you particularly like, or find meaningful for them).

Anonymous said...

... I got an error that my URI (?) was to large, but then it posted my comment anyway. Hmmm.

Anyway, I did use up a lot of space there, but want to also tell you how good it is to hear your SF got his meals on wheels too, Carol.

Also, what you said about taking us with you when you go places, I do the same thing. You guys are always with me.

Carol said...

Home again....I told my friends about what happened to our young duck friends and two of them said that last week when they left, way late, the ducks were in the road. One said he had to slam on his breaks to keep from hitting them. Their young numbers were up. You just can't tell those teenagers anything. They sometimes insist on high risk behavior.

Carol said...

Chloe, I don't think your comment was too long. Hey, that's for our Leo to determine anyway. He's got the rule book.

jan said...

Chloe, thank you so much for your very kind words about the 2 bird/tree pictures. I had not noticed the blueness of the sky. It was very early in the morning, just a short while after day break. I guess that is why the sky looks so blue. The sun has not even come over the mountains in the east as yet. I will have the pictures blown up. I told John what you said about blowing them up pretty big and framing them and he thought I should do that. I too love trees so much. We have many mature trees in our neighborhood because it is an old neighborhood. That is one of the reasons I like where we live.

jan said...

I am thinking about our tree in front. I am rethinking having the dead limbs trimmed. The birds love that tree. We have so many birds visit us and sit in that tree in the mornings, robins, hummers, doves, sparrows and now the big birds that are either falcons or hawks.

jan said...

We had a huge storm here in Weatherford tonight. About 6:30 as we were getting ready to go next door to eat, the wind and rain were blowing so hard, the rain was flowing sideways. I went to the motel window in our room and it started vibrating. I moved away from it . I thought for a few seconds that it might be a tornado. We went out to the lobby. The wind and rain were so strong in the lobby that the staff had fixed the front doors so they would not slide open. One staff person said he thought we were having a tornado also.

jan said...

It rained for about an hour. It is quiet now.

jan said...

I see the Weatherford star. I am waving at you all.

jan said...

Hi Solar, I didn't stop to think we are "traveling the country" when we drive back and forth from NM to OK and ARK - We do it so often it does not feel much like traveling to me LOL. I am sorry you and Mary could not get together and say hello in person.

Carol said...

Good traveling Jan and John. Be safe. Did you ever get to eat last night? You were moving over a time zone, I hope everything was still open when you finally got to eat.

When you guys change times zones, and that's both you, Jan and Ivy, do you try to stay on your home time schedule or switch to the current time zone? Ivy moved over a couple of zones, didn't she?

Carol said...

OK, another test question, now that we have our ponder blog....do you ponder more, ponder less or ponder about the same?

I really think I ponder more. I always did a lot of pondering. I can't even turn that damn ponderer off when it's time for bed. That's why I have to listen to TV or C2C, so my ponderer doesn't keep me awake. Often, at night, my ponderer is pondering where I don't want it to go.

Did you follow that? If you did, you might also be just a tad nuts.

Carol said...

Today, the Dish people are bringing me the Network setup so I can watch local channels without an antennae. Last night I was reminded about why I needed it so much. I told you I have an antennae, the best I could find and I've been thru about 4 or 5 of them. I was watching that 48 hour mystery. It got to an interesting part and my reception for CBS went out. The picture went into that, separate into hundreds out of alignment squares, and the sound stopped.

I went over to my antennae, balanced on about 25 books, on a TV tray and sitting in front of the windows. When I got close, the pic and sound came back in but when I moved away it went away again. I screwed with this for 10 minutes before I gave up. I refused to stand by the TV tray with one arm up in the air to hear the end of the program. What ended up happening continues to be a mystery to me.

Carol said...

You might remember that for about a year, I left my satelitte over at my house for the roaches to watch. I fought with this damn antennae. Why? That's another ponder. For one, I was trying to wean myself from cable news. It worked. And maybe I wanted a little suffering. Who knows, but today it will all be over.

Now if you think I'm nuts, I want you to ponder something. Our lovely government has taken away our TV, made us all buy new stuff, moved our jobs to other countries, stolen our money, wrecked our environment, and done too many other things to mention here, and there is no mutany on the bounty. We take a lickin and keep on tickin. Why? I don't know. Maybe they want us to suffer in order for us to evolve. Are we evolving people????

Carol said...

Our government didn't give it a name but it should have been called, "the evolvement stimulus program". The EVP. We better all get there before they figure out something else to do to us.

Carol said...

On the plus side, they did also provide us with assundry of colorful antidepressants, antipsychotics to help us swallow all of the above.

Carol said...

And another ponder....do our politicians all start out stinkin rich or do they just get that way after robbing us for years??

Anonymous said...

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky wedding


"When you guys change times zones, and that's both you, Jan and Ivy, do you try to stay on your home time schedule or switch to the current time zone?"

Carol, I, for one, always keep track of the time at home, when I change times zones. I even 'try' to stay on the same schedule that I'm always on, even though the clocks says something different.

"Did you follow that? If you did, you might also be just a tad nuts"

I get what you said here too. I'm the same, my mind keeps racing even when I need to slow it down. That's why I have to read at night. It's what relaxes me and allows me to sleep.

... oh, and I haven't forgotten about you not wanting cable at your camp. I asked you once back then why you didn't bring your cable over to where you're living, and you said one of the things you like about being there by the water, was not having cable and distractions - that was what you were trying to get away from.

I think back then you had some pretty sore, open wounds that you were healing -- and now they don't hurt quite so much. You're doing all the right things Carol. Always remember that. Give yourself a pat on the back as often as possible.

(and remember, you don't have any control over what the government does. Concentrate on the things you can control. You'll get a lot more satisfaction (and less frustration) that way. I think with all this new technology, we have waayyyyy more information than we need. :)

Anonymous said...

... oops. Forgot to mention that link I just had at the beginning of my last comment: it's some beautiful photo's of Chelsea's wedding, and Bill and Hillary look GREAT too. There's one photo of Bill waking his daughter, very proudly, down the aisle.

Not to leave out the groom either, who also is great looking. They look very much in love -- all four of them!!

Carol said...

Chloe, when I get too happy with all that is happening....you will know that I have been finally replaced by my pod....It is waiting for me, but it can't catch me off guard....yet.

Anonymous said...

Ha, know what you mean Carol. I'm just blabbering about ideals again. Nothing in my world is ever perfect enough.

Carol said...

I saw this movie when I was just a kid...but it did leave a lasting impression. You may want to find it and rent it.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Anonymous said...

Jan, sounds like you had some pretty exciting weather - glad it didn't get dangerous. Seems like you run into rain every time you travel lately.

Carol said...

The Dish guy is here and all of my trees are going to provide a particular challenge for him and on the hottest day of the year so far...

Carol said...

If you have to come home from a trip and immediately get back on to a tight schedule, it's better to try to keep on your home time zone. That was a real problem when I visited my sis in Seattle. No one was up at 3am there.

Carol said...

Hey, I'm going fishing this afternoon. No, not in this heat. I'm going to Samsclub to get more frozen, spicy salmon. There, I'm assured of a good catch.

Anonymous said...

We had the same problem with our dish Carol. It's about 200' away from the house, because he needed clear sky. It's a long run, and more apt to damage.

Enjoy your fishing excursion. I like going to Sam's Club (as well as Costco). I got used to Costco long before we moved here - there was no Sam's in Ca. until right before we left Both have some really good cream cake in the bakery too.

Carol said...

Coreen, after you mentioned it, I bought some seeded rye bread at Walmart yesterday. I do love rye bread but I'm picky about it. Mom just loved rye bread but she would only eat the stuff from Three Brother's Bakery in Houston. Three Brothers Bakery of Houston When she went over there, she picked up a half dozen loaves and froze them. You can't find any rye bread better than that.

Carol said...

Chloe, have you ever been to that Three Brother's Bakery. It's a Jewish bakery and very good.

Carol said...

The guys doing my work is one of my boys...took care of him. Ya know what I mean??

Carol said...

And he liked me...thank God.

Carol said...

Just heard from a friend that there are three contract disputes in our Saint's lineup. Three excellent players. Without them, we won't be worth a poop.

Ivy Green said...

I'm sorry to bring sad news to the blog this morning, but we got a call that Meg passed away a short time ago. It appears she suffered a stroke. I don't know if it was complications from the change-over in insulin from vetsulin to human. We thought she had made that transition okay. She went off her food last evening, and our vet had taken her to his home to care for her, so we have the comfort of knowing she was not alone in a cold kennel. She had all the care and concern we would have given her at home.

There will be a void to face when we get home.

Coreen said...

Ivy, I am so very sorry for you...knowing she
was in good & loving hands may ease a bit of
your pain...as most of us here know, only time
seems to dull the pain at the loss of a beloved
fur family member...

Anonymous said...

Ivy, I am so sorry about Meg. I know I can't possibly say anything to make you feel better, but I do know how you feel, how devastated you are. There's no worse feeling.

If you feel up to it, look at this article. It lists some helpful techniques for coping. It also has some interesting facts about just how much we love our pets as a part of our family.
The loss of a pet or farm animal can be devastating. Cope with the grief by memorializing your pet’s life. Coping with Pet Loss - Cope with the grief by memorializing your pet’s life.

Carol said...

A lady always knows when it is time to leave....

I'm so sorry Ivy. I felt that the time was coming soon. And Meg needed you to leave so she could go home. She was ready and you guys gave her so much and she will not forget it. She is watching over you right now.

Carol said...

Coreen, my friend, tomato lady, who hates your Yankees, just called to tell me they were playing on TBS, high definition now.

Carol said...

With the deal, I get 3 free months of HBO and Showtime.

Carol said...

Coreen, y'all just got Lance Berkman, first baseman, from the Astros. Why do y'all need another first baseman when you have the best in the business in Mark Pexiera?

Carol said...

Don't be too impressed with my question. That one came from Tomato woman.

Coreen said...

DH...& backup 1st base....Nick Johnson was supposed to be the backup & DH, but he was & is always hurt....so hence Lance Berkman who
I have no idea about since he was in the NL...
hopefully he will get some ribbies, he is supposed to have some power, but so far
he has not shown anything, though its just 2 games since he got here.

We also picked up Kerry Wood from Cleveland, a reliever, who again was injured over the years...but hopefully he can shore up the bullpen before Mariano is needed in the 9th...

So far no happy dance..they are behind 3-0...Last night was agony...though Robbie saved the day...

No matter what...we will leave Tampa in 1st place...but hopefully with a win...remains to
be seen...

Carol said...

Ivy,

I don't think it was the change in insulin. Diabetes is difficult to manage in humans and so much more difficult with a pup. You guys did such a good job and she had a good long life for a pup with her health problems. She was ready to start taking care of you for a change.

jan said...

Hi all, I have been trying to get on the blog for over an hour - finally did it. We are in Springdale, AR now. We are having dinner tonight with John's bro and daughter plus family. They have a 4 month old baby. I am looking forward to seeing all of them, especially the baby, Ethan.

Carol, we always change time when going through a time zone. I really don't care if we do or not, but John is really aware of time issues. So I do what he does.

We did get to eat last night. Funny thing though - the first place we went to eat after the rain slowed down a little was behind the motel. We were both wet - John more than me- since he dropped me off in front of restaurant and then made a run for it. The restaurant was cold so we left. We got into an argument - both got our feelings hurt- went back to the motel. Later I walked over to a convenience store and bought us sandwiches - they made them while I waited. Later, we both were ok. No harm done. Just too much excitement for this aging couple.

jan said...

Chloe, very true, it rained the entire last trip we took. It is not raining today. Very hot (108 in Tulsa I read) and about 99 here - so humid. We like the humidity but too hot and humid now.

jan said...

Ivy, I am so sorry to hear about Meg. I know you are feeling sad now. Please know I am feeling that sadness with you. You gave her such love and caring.

jan said...

Carol, John loves old horror movies. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is one of his favs. Just before we left home he was watching "The Shining" That is one scary movie.

jan said...

Ivy, John and I just drove through the town where we got Lobie. We went out by the house where we lived. She had come out of the woods behind that house. We both got teary talking about it. The sadness is not as bad now, but still feel it some.

I am just remembering the times you have talked about Meg here. She was very special to you.

After Lobie died, I went through all our pictures and found the ones of her from the time she first adopted us and put a little album together of her at different times in her life. That helped me a lot.

jan said...

Chloe, the link you posted about grieving the loss of a pet is good. Thanks.

Ivy Green said...

Thanks, guys, for your sympathy for Meg. We got hugs from the innkeepers before we left the B&B...they are dog-people too. Now we are at Mom's, sharing the news with our family and getting lots of support. Mom said she'd thought Meg was appearing sluggish when she saw her in May. For us, the changes were more gradual, maybe not as immediately apparent. Even so, I can't say I wasn't expecting this.

I do feel badly for MGS who is holding the fort for us at home...I told her to give the other two pups some extra hugs tonight. We were discussing whether we should cut our trip short and come home. For the moment, we're leaving it one-day-at-a-time.

jan said...

Carol, I think you will enjoy your dish.

We enjoyed our time with John's bro and 2 nieces and their babies last night. Ate way too much yesterday. Could not get the AC right in motel last night. Too cold for John and too hot for me. Did not realize it and John turned it off. I am awake - it is 4 am - so humid in here. I turned it back on. I am going to stay here in the motel today until time to leave. I want to walk and swim in their pool. I need my exercise badly - didn't get any yesterday - exercise that is!

I am thinking about you this morning Ivy.

jan said...

Carol, I miss HBO. We have it here in motel. Looks like HBO has some interesting ongoing program.

Carol said...

Jan, There wasn't much new that I got yesterday. I just wanted my local networks on my Dish instead of fighting with that antenna. And I wanted to check out the HD that was available and I didn't find that made that big a difference. Just when high definition has come to TV, my eyes have become low definition.

I did get the three months of free HBO and Showtime again and if it is like all the kazillion times I've had that before....I will still find nothing I want to watch.

When those satelitte dishes you can take down and use for a swimming pool first came available, I got one. I'm thinking it was around 1981. I still have the second one, that replaced the first one, planted in the front yard at the house. I have a large yard so I hardly notice it. They were hot off the press when I bought it, and I was into new technology back then. I paid for that.

When those big dishes first came out you didn't have to pay for programming. Everything was free back then. I got everything from dirty to Disney channels. If it was up there in the sky, ya got it. That didn't last for long. I couldn't find anything to watch back then either. Just like now, most of my time was spent flipping channels. Aerobics for the thumb.

Carol said...

Ya know Jan, y'all do remind me why it's not so bad to live alone. Don't have to fight over what to watch, or what temperature it is or what I'm gonna do or what's for dinner or....

Being alone does have it's draw backs though. If you need help with something, you have to pay for it, wait for it or do it yourself. Of course that can often be the case if you aren't alone. But then there is noone to rub your back....I guess you can buy that also. Well there are some other things you might miss out on....nope, you can hide that under the bed. Well I'm sure there are some benefits...

Carol said...

And yes Ivy, we are here for you. It does help to talk about your little girl. We are here to share your pain. We all do understand and will cry with you. When you get home, it will be very difficult. When you are ready, we would love to have you share a little tribute to Ms Meg. If and when you are ready.

Carol said...

Just heard on the local news that La is going to study why we have almost twice as many people in jail/prison than the National avg. I'm dying to hear the answer to that. Really, it's killing me.

Carol said...

I just heard one of those BP guys saying that he would be very comfortable eating, and feeding his entire family, seafood out of the Gulf. I think that would be very easy to arrange. I would like to see that on TV. Hey Anderson Cooper, I have an idea.

Carol said...

Hey Doug Suttles, BP's chief operating officer, how about sucking down a nice East La raw oyster?? We'll let you dip it in some of our La red hot sauce. That ought to kill anything that might be a problem, well at least it will kill the taste. Yum.

Solar said...

Ivy,

I am also sorry about Meg.!

Solar said...

Chloe,

Just got all caught up. As a concrete contractor, not too much is going on. There are many concrete, home building contractors that are/have been bankrupt.!

Im still hanging in there because I know how to do other construction work. Some of these other contractors don't.

Right now im doing a few foundation leaks that were caused by our last hard rains....it is kinda hot working out side but just like the cold...I take it as it comes...

My worries are helping my son Tom right now....he has savings, and was working as a bartender.

Finally talked him into quitting that...I have been around them enough to know that it is a dead end job...unless he can work downtown.

I talked him into going back to school and starting a whole new career.....we talked about him being a lawyer, or something in the medical field.

As it turned out, he has a friend that is in physical therapy. We found out all the why's and hows about getting signed up for this...it is recession proof, and plus the fact, that a lot of his college credits could be transferred over, he decided on this.

He will be starting classes at a school nearby in a short time from now. Just researching what is available now to help from the government....he was one of those that workers comp ins ran out...

Im going to give my company a little more time to get back on tract...there are still some things that im pursuing that might come through.

If not, then im going to go very small and go under the radar...one worker and myself..lots of residential repairs etc...

Thanks for asking...I don't like talking about things...I don't like to whine about what can't be changed...

If I decide to do this next year...then im going to look into retiring at 62...in reality tho, I could never retire...like Carols SF, I love to work at what I know.

Before I became a contractor..I was a :three piece suit" was always good at what i did...but construction..building homes and other structures that will be around for manny years made me want to go to work every day.

Coreen asked to see a roof top restaurant that I built by the Cubs baseball field( I lost all of th ose pics, but will take a few more when I get around to the North side of Chicago...

There are contractors from all over the state, and from other countries that bid on them....I was on of the few that have done one...I can retire feeling good about this, and other projects that I have done.

Just letting you know what is going on...im around, but mostly out looking for work. This is one of the reasons that I couln't get together with Mary....I don't know what im go ing to be doing from one day to another sometimes....

Carol....looks like Cheney is still getting good Karma: They said that he is doing well after his 5th heart attack.....vampires are easier killed then he is.

Coreen, thanks for the dance....

Jan, it's like traveling with you, keep your lap top with you.....hey what is called if you are on John's lap with the lap top???

Ivy, will be thinking about you...keep in mind that you did share in Megs life...and you were always there to make her life as happy as you could....

Solar said...

Just had a call from Indiana. There is 4 lots that are side by side that we have been talking with the owner to let us build homes there....he wants to meet tomorrow with my friend for 25 years ( a Mortgage lender). Im hoping to turn over these properties, or to arrange for the transfer of them....

Coreen said...

Solar,

Please don't ever lose your optimism...whatever
karma may be, I sure hope that some good comes
your way & soon...Hope Indiana wants you!!...

I know some people that took early retirement
too...& will work at what they know to pick up some supplement...& pretty sure that this year
you can earn about $14,000 before it would
affect social security (& that is net after
deducting expenses if you are self-employed as
are the guys I know that decided to go early
retirement)....

The idea of a 'husband for hire' comes to mind...since I know you are capable of doing so many different things...I would guess that there just like here there are lots of us who can't get someone to do work (that you can trust) & can not do the work ourselves & are
willing to pay for the work...

Carol said...

Solar, put up a
flyer in local groceries...rent a
handy man. You might be
surprised how many people
need one. Might even be easy jobs.

Carol said...

Husbands aren't
always handy.

Carol said...

This is worth keeping you ears open for:

"Ian Reid of the University of Auckland in New Zealand and colleagues pooled the results of 11 clinical trials in which 12,000 people over 40 were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or at least 500 milligrams of calcium a day for an average of 3 1/2 years. After considering age, smoking, high blood pressure, and other risk factors for heart disease, the researchers found that people who took calcium supplements were 30 percent more likely to have a heart attack than people who took placebos.

Previous research has shown no increased risk of heart disease in people whose diets contain high amounts of calcium, leading the authors to conclude that calcium supplements should be looked at more closely."

http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/08/02/calcium_supplements_linked_to_heart_attacks/

Carol said...

Besides dairy products, other good sources of calcium.

•Salmon
•Tofu
•Rhubarb
•Sardines
•Collard greens
•Spinach
•Turnip greens
•Okra
•White beans
•Baked beans
•Broccoli
•Peas
•Brussel sprouts
•Sesame seeds
•Bok choy
•Almonds

Anonymous said...

Thanks for linking that article Carol. A very weird finding....

What do you think of this sentence from the article? "The researchers did not examine supplements that combine calcium and vitamin D".

Do you think the vitamin D would make any difference? I know that many people (most?) that take calcium, often take higher doses of vitamin D too. How meaningful do you find all of this?

Anonymous said...

Also, that's a good list you just posted. The article was only talking about supplements, right? It rules out having problems with high calcium foods?

Probably a stupid question, I know -- I mean, there is a big difference in eating healthy foods and taking a supplement. The foods also contain all the rest of the nutrients that the calcium needs to help it digest properly.

... back to the whole food being the healthiest for of nutrients.

Anonymous said...

Solar, Best wishes to you and your son. And thanks so much for sharing all that info. with us about what's going on in your life. When one of us takes the time to do that, we can all learn something from it.

I hope that everything works out well for you, with the new possibilities that you mentioned. I think you'd be smart to take your SS at 62 - it makes a lot of sense, in my opinion. If you have years that you make 'too much' money, they just lower the amount of your SS payments that year, but the following year, if you make less again, they go back to normal. So you can't lose unless you make a fortune, and then you won't care!

If you end up doing the handy man type of work, a lot of people will pay you in cash. There's a lot of money to be made in keeping your business small like that. You can even do it alone, then just get help on the jobs that are bigger than you can handle by yourself. You know a lot of people (including having your son possibly available to help now and then).

That kind of work always leads to more too, and to new things also. Start out small, and see what happens. Often, small is better. Less headaches, less over head. You can come out a lot better that way in the long run. I've seen people do well by just putting easy to read signs on the side of their truck - a very good way to advertise.

Carol said...

Chloe, did you notice they didn't say that calcium with vit D was safer but that they didn't examine it. Of course, you can't generalize research to things you didn't study. I don't think Vit D would necessarily protect the calcium supplement.

I do think there is too much good stuff on Vit D. I'm taking it.

There was research done years back that beta carotines in supplements didn't protect like the real thing did. Had almost the opposite effect.

I am a strong believer that eating the real thing is the best way to go! I still don't trust man-made stuff especially when no one watches it that close. And we've seen what has happened to things that they are suppose to be watching, ie Wallstreet and BP.

Carol said...

And Chloe it probably doesn't negate the fact that taking Calcium supplements protect bones from fracture. I guess we might need to chose between broken bones or heart attack???? Jeees, I'm not sure which to chose.

Carol said...

What is also weird Chloe is that...how did they find a calcium supplement that didn't have Vit D in it? I've never seen one.

I went to find this study because yesterday I heard it reported on several different places, one being C2C. Their nutrition/supplement expert said he wasn't sure what to think about it yet. We'll just have to keep a watch on it. I do hate taking those huge calcium pills and usually forget to take them.

I also take a calcium channel blocker for Bp control and I think the supplements might not be too good if you take that med. The supplements can also lead to kidney stones in those prone to getting calcium stones.

Carol said...

I see that Amanpour's Sunday debut on ABC "This Week" got mixed reviews. I couldn't watch it because the Dish guy was putting in my new dish. I was looking forward to watching her. Anyone here see her?

Ivy, Racheal on MSNBC was talking about recording a bird song on her Blackberry or Iphone and emailing it to someone who might be able to help her identify it. She was actually making some kind of point about freedom to record, what we want to record, in this country but she did give me a good idea for if I ever come across a bird song I can't identify. Next time I come across a weird bird song...you may have mail.

Carol said...

One thing I am excited about with my new, only cost me 5 more bucks a month, Dish stuff is that now I can pause the local news to go fix dinner, or record it if I want to or record something on Network like "The View" if I want to. Yes, it is pretty neat even if there's still nothing to watch on TV.

Carol said...

And Solar, if Cheney had "good karma, he might have already beamed up instead of having to get a new appliance for his heart. Those VADs might be a really cool concept but I'd rather not have to live with a fuel pump implanted in my chest. Could be that the Big Guy doesn't want him upstairs.

Carol said...

Might be he's waiting for the elevator to go down. If that be the case, then he best wait for someone to invent an air condition for his chest also.

jan said...

Solar, good to hear from you and what you are doing. I hope that wherever your son is going to school that he will talk with an academic advisor. If he is interested in something in the health care field, he would want to be sure and take the courses required in that area.

I have always been leery of supplements. I don't know who said it here (too lazy to go back and look) but eating a variety of healthy foods should give us the right vits and minerals we need.

Carol said...

I agree with Jan, Solar. I had many guys in nursing who went back to school later in life. More than one, I remember, came from the construction field. They turned out to be great nurses. One, I remember, started his own business doing something and is probably doing very well.

Health care will continue to be a good field and if he would chose nursing, there are many different areas to move into after undergrad school. He can also look into grants. There might be a good many available. Have him go to a financial advisor at the school he wants to attend. There are often many scholarships available, some that look at things other than grades or ACT scores.

Hospitals will often hire students while they are going to school.

Carol said...

Physical therapy is 4 years of college and a couple more for physical therapy school. I think.

Massage therapy is another option. That program does not take long and can be pretty lucrative. The guy I used to use, named Spider, was in a MVA and injured one of his legs. He could no longer preform his job at work as an operator at one of the Industries here. Now he does massage therapy. He works at a couple of spas and makes home visits.

Carol said...

There's a little tropical system in the Atlantic. It's now projected to head up the Atlantic and maybe not threaten any part of the US. We can start our meditation program to keep it from harming anyone.

Carol said...

And I want to add an item to that meditation/prayer list. BP is suppose to be trying to plug that well. They certainly need our help. Actually, we, down here, need your help.

Anonymous said...

"I don't think Vit D would necessarily protect the calcium supplement."

Thanks Carol. I thought that it was somewhat misleading for them toeven mention that. Also, thanks for the list of high calcium foods (then there all the dairy products too).

Carol, I just looked at our bottle of calcium (with magnesium and zinc) and there is no vitamin D in it (wouldn't you know I would have found one that didn't have D). It's Spring Valley, which I normally trust. But I do take a high dose D every day separately.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan.
That was Carol that mentioned that it's better to eat the healthy foods, than to take the supplements. I agree with both of you on that one, especially after reading that article. That finding connecting calcium supplements to heart attacks threw me for a loop.

Anonymous said...

"I guess we might need to chose between broken bones or heart attack???? Jeees, I'm not sure which to chose."

I missed this one Carol. I was thinking of just taking a smaller, less consistent dose of calcium. I'm sure more opinions will come out on the subject. I also trusted Dr. Gupta' (on CNN) opinion quite a bit. He's always very reasonable.

jan said...

Hi everyone, We spent the night in Arkadelphia last night with my youngest son, Steve, and his family. It is very hot and humid in this part of the country now. Yesterday at this time, we were driving on the 4 lane in Ark and there was a MVA ahead of us. It slowed traffic on the 4 lane to a snail's pace. It took 35 min to go 4 miles. We turned off AC. The temp registered 108. I was so relieved when we got out of that.

We are now in Little Rock and spending time with John's son, Bill. He just returned from Thailand. He plans to return there soon. We will see John's sis and bro tonight and then head back to NM tomorrow.

Carol said...

I did some digging to find the original article or at least the research that started that calcium and heart attacks relationship. It was in the British Medical Journal.

If you want to analyze the data, here it is:

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39440.525752.BEv1

And they are referring to older women, age 55 and older.

Carol said...

Oh Jan, I don't think I could have turned off the AC. I can barely step foot outside right now. I run out, do something, and run back in. It's a good thing I can see outside while staying cool inside.

jan said...

I will not complain about our temps in NM again. The temp has been 108 here today. I am ready to go home.

Solar said...

Thanks,

No im not ever going to lose my optimism...just stalled a little by what the Bush, and Obama people did to us...but i always adapt....

The school that Tom will be going to has accepted his credits, bringing down the time that he has to go..for two yrs instead of four..he almost has to wait another six months before the start up of the class that is a must to take first....I told Tom to tell his story to them...and they are also going to advise him on how to go about getting loans...

Told Tom to look at what they government is offering got those that were on works mans-comp...thanks, as for me...Ive be there before....I know how to get residential work..

I have kept one of those telephone, calender books that I get at office depot for the last twenty years...I have already made a lot of phone calls to those home owners, that were wondering were i went too...

I won't put an ad in the paper or flyers...there is way too many people doing this....the home owner gets confused b/c they drive down the price to do work just to get it...and it gets to be a circus......

I have all of my past clients...architects, other contractors, that i know can't do certain things....looking out...but I will develop new contacts thru my old customers...I ask them to forward my telephone # on to their family and friends...

It's like starting all over again....so I will be looking at retiring at 62...80% of SS and what I make on the side will be just fine.....

If one or some of the things come through that Im planning to do....all the better...but for the time being I will be looking for small work...

I don't think that thing will get any better, just the opposite..they will get worse...not being pessimistic, just realistic.....doesn't look like the Dems are going to help get JOBS, many more are due to lose their homes, and they don't have anywhere to go for getting back to work...

Thats too bad...cos it is getting tribal, and will be survival of the fittest....all for the wars....

Did you see that Mass sent about 700 national guard soldiers to the war zones?.....they out smarted them selves, this time...the national guards are just as much involved in the war..

Carol said...

If that "static kill" works, it will be because of our prayers and not anything BP has done. God, et al, please watch over us.

Carol said...

Jan, you were in the hot spot for this area. STAND AWAY FROM THE DOOR.

Makes me nervous just thinking of you guys on the road. Wouldn't take long for anyone that broke down on the road to be in serious trouble. Y'all be careful driving and don't take any, out of the way, scenic routes, OK. Bring lots of water and an ice chest.

Carol said...

Our temps are suppose to be getting a little better and our chance of rain is coming back. I really look forward to those afternoon TS cool offs, nature's AC.

Back at home Jan, at least you can look forward to the mornings for a little cool off.

Carol said...

Had something crazy happen at work. It was a first and I hope a last.

If an inmate needs to be seen in medical, he/she turns in a sick call slip to the nurse, when she makes her pass in the morning to give meds. Each inmate must turn in their own slip. We don't accept mail ins or someone else turning it in.

I got someone in the office and asked him to explain his problem. The slip stated he had a penile discharge. He denied he had a problem. I said, well that is what is written on your slip with your signiture. He said "I didn't write that". I asked if he turned it in and called the nurse who he gave it to. She said he did and he agreed he did but he said some other inmate gave him that slip to turn in. I asked him if he even looked at the slip he was asked to turn in. He said "no". It's hard to believe he wouldn't have noticed that someone had put his name, and signature and he wouldn't have noticed that???

I was steamed because we don't have the time to deal with practical jokes. It delayed the entire sick call, making it much longer for all involved. The guys were late getting their lunch. This isn't a fraterity at college, it's a correctional institution. When I tried to get some help, from someone who should have cared, all I got was laughter. I did later get to someone who said they would take care of it. I'm not really sure that will happen but I will check.

It was only Tuesday and I was already ready to take another vacation day but it is too hot to fish, too hot for golf and NOT cold enough at home.....

Carol said...

For all that ails ya:

A Life With Tea

Anonymous said...

It's the personal stories that make tragedies like that shooting in Ct. all the more sad. If only we could set back the clock, and do something to change the circumstances, when things like this happen.

"Another victim was Doug Scruton, 56, who had worked at the warehouse for nearly 30 years, said his wife, Mikal O'Brien. Anticipating his upcoming retirement, the couple had recently moved to a retirement home in Middleton, N.H., where he loved to visit the White Mountains and beaches. He stayed with a friend in Connecticut during the week....

"It was part of our plan for him to be able to retire in the place that he loved. But he's never going to be able to enjoy that now," she said. "He was just the sweetest, gentlest, kind soul."" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100804/ap_on_re_us/us_beer_distributor_shootings

Anonymous said...

I scanned through that last article you found on that calcium study Carol. The most important thing in my opinion was toward the end of it:

"What this study adds
-- Healthy older women randomized to calcium supplementation showed increased rates of myocardial infarction
-- This effect could outweigh any benefits on bone from calcium supplements"

... this alone says enough for me to lay off the supplements, at least long enough to find out what happens in the future regarding this study. The U.K. always seems to be on the cutting edge of what's going on.

Carol said...

Chloe, maybe not as many people
paid off??

Solar said...

U know all of that stuff that I keep saying about the weather..all that go with the flow....yesterday was one of those rare times that i complain about the weather...it was hot, and very humid....I think that I developed hyperhidrosis....

Lot of little short white uniforms (pics please) around here....any medicine for this??

Coreen said...

Amen, amen, thank god almighty...the wait is over... Alex just hit a 2-run homer in the 1st inning this afternoon...I am at my office...so I did not see it...just heard it!!!....

But not a happy camper still, since Yankees
losing the last 3 games allowed Tampa to take
over 1st place...but we still have to play them like 7 times & Red Sox like 10....so lots
of baseball to go....

Coreen said...

In case you forgot that was Alex's 600th...

Coreen said...

Looks like that very very humid hot weather landed here today...it is offensive outside, but since Carol has been having this awful stuff non-stop, I will not even complain a little...

Carol said...

Hey hey hey Coreen and we missed it, and after all our work at not missing it. What a dog that A-Rod is!

Tomato woman just called to tell me. She didn't know I had already read it on the blog. She also told me that I misspelled that first baseman's name I mentioned the other day. I told her she is the one who spelled that for me. Hey, so it was a T and not a P. Those letters both sound alike.

Carol said...

And roomie said my house is haunted. I told her she must have brought her own ghosts because I didn't leave any of mine there.

She said she locked herself out of the house and the door popped open. I told her, well, I might have had that same ghost over here, but I wouldn't bitch about that one.

Then she heard someone in the pool and turned on the outside light and the water was moving but no one there. Then she balled up the bathroom rugs to wash them and they were laid out again. I did ask if they washed the rugs first, because if they did, I want that one back.

She heard the toilet flush. That one was easy, it does have a little trickle leak and will make a sound like flushing. And then the dishwasher came on. Hmmmmm.

I told her to get out her camera and take some pics. They can be quite photogenic. I'll let you know if she catches any pics.

Carol said...

Chloe, thanks for your analysis of the research. I'm with you. I now have a good excuse to forget taking those chokers. It's weird but for some reason, besides the fact that I choked on them, I felt uneasy when I went to take those calcium supplements. Hmmmm. I do fill my diet with foods high in calcium.

I did suck down some green tea this AM and will get another glass tonight. And those little Vit Ds, they go down real easy!

Carol said...

I didn't mean to indicate that the green tea has calcium but it is healthy.

Anonymous said...

... yes it is healthy. It has lots of antioxidants.

I'm glad you linked that green tea article by Dr. Weil . It's funny you should mention it just now too, because I just walked into the kitchen to refill my glass of green tea (I had the bag soaking). I've been drinking it for the last few days (not sure what got me going on it) and then you left that link, and it's reinforced the idea that I want to make a daily habit of it. In the winter I can drink it hot throughout the day. I only drink one cup of coffee, first thing in the morning, and I very much enjoy that first cup - but I switched to decaf over a year ago.

Anonymous said...

We can get our calcium through those foods that you listed the other day - and from dairy products. A glass of skim milk is loaded with it, although I'd probably never drink milk on a regular basis. I do love the low fat yogurt too, although I'm not much of a cheese eater.

Anonymous said...

"I wouldn't bitch about that one."

... maybe those ghosts are carpet baggers.

Coreen said...

Finally just saw this pic of the Clinton women in their gowns at Chelsea's wedding...Mom, gram
& daughter...

I like Hillary's Oscar fuschia creation & her hair looked good too...

And apparently there are already knockoffs of
Chelsea's gown...forgot the guy who does all
the celeb knockoffs...but you have probably
seen his labels in the past...


Hillary, Chelsea & Hillary's
mom

Coreen said...

Being a tea drinker, rarely have coffee...I have yet to get used to the taste of green tea...I do have some green tea pills...does that count...

I'm guessing that the green tea you are drinking is cold...are you brewing it or buying it ready-made...

I drink tea every day at breakfast, when it gets cooler at night another cup maybe...think I already said I like Bigelow teas....earl gray is a fav...but in the a.m. its usually salada or red rose black tea, never lipton...

Carol said...

Coreen, sis found and introduced me to Twinings of London, Cold Brewed green tea with mint. She found it at Walmart here. This site lists where you can find it in your area.

Twinings Tea

Carol said...

Let me try again.

http://www.twiningsusa.com/

Coreen said...

Carol, thanks for the info...Twinings is sold
at both Big Y & Stop & Shop (both grocery stores I go to regularly)& even Target (where I go very infrequently) & I looked up Bigelow
Tea & they have a variety of green tea bags
some with lemon, etc. even an earl gray green tea...I really like Bigelow teas(they are a local company based right down the road, next town over Fairfield, CT) & I'll bet they have the green tea varieties in both stores I shop at....

By the way, got to see Alex's 600th on yankee
encore a little bit ago...& guess what it was
hit into monument park so no fan could catch it...& a yankee staffguy went out & brought it
back to the dugout for Alex...All the guys were
on the field to greet him as he came home...a
big relief for everyone...& oh they finally
won 5 to 1...

Carol said...

Coreen, if a fan would have caught that ball, would they have been able to keep it??

Carol said...

I wanted to cook my salmon but I didn't want to heat up the place so I put one of my older little convection ovens on the front porch and I'm cooking it outside. Can't heat up that place anymore than it already is. I did that last summer.

Coreen said...

If a fan caught the ball, the Yankees/Alex
would have had to offer the fan $$$ $/or other things (other signed items etc.) to get it back...it could have been costly, but I am reasonably sure that in the end they would have gotten it
back...

Carol said...

In case you don't remember:

"August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. This year's shower should peak on the night of August 12 and the morning of the 13th, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. The thin, crescent moon will be out of the way early, setting the stage for a potentially spectacular show. For best viewing, look to the northeast after midnight."

http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy_calendar_2010.html

Coreen said...

Have never actually seen the perseids, no matter how I try...

Huffpo has a better, enlarged pic of the Clinton women I posted above...
Clinton women

Carol said...

Tomato woman told me they wouldn't have let anyone keep that ball. I can't see how they could have stopped them without some negotiating.

Carol said...

I'll look at the second one. The first one was very nice.

Carol said...

Do you think Chelsea will eventually get involved with politics? She certainly hasn't been as passionate as her mom is/was. I think Hillary was dreaming about public service since she was in utero.

Carol said...

Chelsea does seem disciplined. Any kid who becomes a vegan as a child, has to be disciplined. When I was a kid, I was just eating whatever mom put on my plate. I might have hidden the liver though. Can't stand liver, even drowning in ketchup.

Carol said...

I think Jan is back in Weatherford tonight.

Coreen said...

If a fan had caught the ball, pretty sure they
could not force him/her to give it back...but
they would try really hard to pay for it....

Remember the kid who caught barry bonds 750 something home run ball kept it & auctioned it off for big bucks...

As for Chelsea she must have lots of discipline
to have thrived during the white house years &
the turmoil that surrounded them...

My question would be why do politics...its a no
win proposition...& she is in a pretty good
position now w/o the grief....

Carol said...

Well, it has to be in her DNA Coreen. You can't fight biology.

jan said...

I just came onto the blog and saw your comment Carol. Yes, I am in Weatherford again. I am watching Modern Family and LOL. I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow.

jan said...

Carol, is your roomie gtting spooked by the "ghosts" Could she be wanting to move?

Carol said...

It will be cooler at home Jan but as hot as it was in Little Rock, the heat index was 10 degrees cooler than it was here.

jan said...

I too wonder if Chelsea will get involved in politics. Caroline Kennedy does not seem to be good at politics. There is one pic of Chelsea that looks like she has a "death" grip on Bill. For some reason, I don't think Chelsea is comfortable in politics like mom and dad.

jan said...

Wow Carol, I feel for you.

John was comfortable in the high heat but I was not at all. I can handle cold better than him but the heat gets to me.

jan said...

Coreen, I agree. I wonder why anyone goes into politics.

Carol said...

"Could she be wanting to move?"

I don't think so Jan. She seemed a little amused by it.

Carol said...

I told her to take pics and we could look at them. If there are ghosts, they're her ghosts.

Carol said...

Another advantage of putting my little oven outside to cook....no need to preheat it.

Coreen said...

Hi Jan, Hope the rest of your drive home is uneventful & with less heat....

To go along with your ghost stories tonite, (I have no idea if there are ghosts or not)here are some amazing pics of the Northern Lights display some fortunate people are seeing
because of the sun's activity....
The Northern Lights on display

jan said...

Carol, I am glad roomie is not wanting to move. I have a friend who has a house in New Orleans. She has ghosts in her house. She has seen and heard them and so have her friends. She says it is a friendly ghost.

Carol said...

With all the windows here and very poor insulation, it's difficult to get it below 80 during the day. I can't keep any ice in a drink for more than a few minutes. It's faster to defrost something on the counter than in the microwave.

Yesterday, I found a solution for my fast melting ice in my soda. I found a couple of those insulated mugs with water you can freeze. I keep two in the freeze. I keep my drink in the frig and then fill my iced mug with ice and my drink. Now I can keep the ice alive for several hours. I'm so excited. Doesn't take much to excite us down here.

jan said...

Coreen, thanks. It is supposed to be in the hi 80's at home. The pics of the Northern Lights are fabulous. I saw something about it on TV tonight. Can you see any of this from where you live?

Carol said...

Coreen, I though everyone up north might be able to see those lights if you were able to see the northern horizon.

jan said...

Carol, I love those insulated mugs. I have 2 and keep in the freezer for milk. They make the milk cold and frosty. Soooo good.

I hope you get some relief soon. This is the hottest weather I can remember.

Carol said...

I wonder if Solar went to look for them??

Coreen said...

Not as far as I am aware...there was mention of it by the local weatherman on the news, but no one has said where the phenom can be seen...

jan said...

I have tried several times to take calcium supplements. I buy a box or package of those choc or caramel candy things with CA and I wind up throwing almost all of it away a year or so later. I am just not good at taking supplements. I forget to do it. I have always known I would not be good at taking BCP's. I do take all of my antibiotics when prescribed but have to make myself a little schedule.

jan said...

Excuse my random trains of thought. I have been reading through comments trying to catch up.

Getting tired. I need to go to bed.

Nite Carol and Coreen.

I will write from home tomorrow.

Stay safe and cool.

jan said...

Chloe, Ivy, Solar, If you are hangin out there, good night.

Coreen said...

New Post is up....