At times it isn't easy keeping up with two blogs. Especially when the interesting stuff can apply to both. So if you are a reader of this one and not the magnolia one you may want to check it out. www.magnolianews.blogspot.com
Things are winding down here with many people leaving. The pace slows and we start looking to Spring cleaning and other chores we have been too busy to tackle the past 5 months. We are leaving here April 9th and headed for Sattler (Canyon Lake) Texas for a one night stay before making our way to Llano TX for a week. Then we will be making our way north with one night on the road and Peculiar MO being the next destination on Friday April 18th. Right now it looks like we will be in Jefferson on the 21st. Circumstances can change things but that is the story for now.
The weather has moderated. We are usually putting up with 90's by now but this year it is 80's and that is a good thing. Actually it is the sort of weather we usually enjoy most of the season. So once again weather is a non-issue. I like it when weather is a non-issue.
Today Butch plans to tackle washing the remainder of the motorhome. He did the roof yesterday. I am his gofer and lookout when he does this while at the same time getting some inside work done too. Windows may be my feature of interest.
My last computer class was yesterday and we had a good time. I received many Thank You's of which I am grateful. I will miss them but know we will be doing it again next fall. The beginner class has come a long way and may choose to join the advanced class next season. I think they have learned enough to feel comfortable there.
Saturday, March 22
Thursday, March 20
The Best I Can
If you are a regular reader of this blog you are already aware of my friend Colleen. For me, reading one of her columns is like going on one of our walks. We do this at 7:00 AM each summer morning in Jefferson Iowa. Our walks are not only exercise for our bodies but also for our minds and our conversations feed a need in each of us. As I read her latest column below, I am thinking about this park and the people who are in it and the fact "We are all doing the best we can."
‘It’s important to assume positive intent on the part of others regardless of their behaviors. They are doing the best they can at the moment.’
~a column by Colleen O’Brien
This quote above has been floating through my life for a year or two. I wrote it down without attributing its owner, which I regret. I searched Google, but even the Great G herself could not come up with the person who said it.
(Obviously, Google does not know all. This was disappointing as well as satisfying; I found it refreshing to learn that she, if only in one instance, could know as little as I. G was doing the best she could.)
In a book group discussing The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeanette Walls, I defended Jeanette’s mother, who was flakey, self-centered, troubled. She seldom served meals or cleaned house because she hardly ever left her art studio. She had inherited land but refused to sell it to make her family’s life tolerable. When I said to the book group, “She was doing the best she could,” three women took umbrage and attacked me for giving the benefit of the doubt to a bad mother.
At the time I came across this quote I was not thinking of other people, I was thinking of myself. I needed to at least hope I was doing the best I could and wanted others to think likewise. In other words, no judgment, folks. If I could do better, believe me, I would.
I soon assimilated the controversial quote into my dealings with the lives of friends and strangers alike – assuming positive intent on the part of others regardless of their behaviors. Yes. A good point of view to maintain. Most of us are doing the best we can. And if I doubt it or am uncomfortable with how the person is doing the best he can, I don’t have to hang out with him.
Perhaps there are born sociopaths; I know there are people who learn to be vile because they’ve been treated vilely. But I do believe that the general run-of-the-mill human is struggling with finances or kids or health, befuddled by relationships, always preoccupied with one inconsequential thing or another. In this broad spectrum of non-sociopaths, people are doing the best they can.
When my husband and I first traveled around the country with a trailer, meeting all kinds of people from everywhere in the U.S. and Canada, I was struck by how people were friendly one day and, often, unfriendly the next. It soon dawned on me that I didn’t have to feel ignored or shunned because I could pigeonhole them as mostly old, which meant they couldn’t see, couldn’t remember or had hemorrhoids.
When I found the quote about humans doing the best they can at the moment, I could smile, say hi whether they said hi or not, and keep walking. I no longer had to make up stories about hemorrhoids because I was no longer hurt that they didn’t say hi.
Sometimes I myself can’t even smile. That I’m walking and acknowledging at the same time is a feat in itself.
Like you, I’m doing the best I can.
Tuesday, March 18
Ethan plays
Ethan plays a video game for the first time. His Mom says it did not last long.
Just the other day one of my friends asked why I didn't have a picture of Ethan lately so I was happy to see this one. He is growing up very quickly!
Just the other day one of my friends asked why I didn't have a picture of Ethan lately so I was happy to see this one. He is growing up very quickly!
Marlene's Lemon Meringue Pie
Butch's sister, Marlene, makes the world's best Lemon Meringue Pie and I am not the only one who thinks so. My friend Peggy says it makes her mouth water just thinking about it. Yesterday at crafts we were discussing her pie and I said she most likely has the recipe in her head and wouldn't be able to tell us. But I emailed her and asked and she shared her meringue recipe with us this morning. So here is Marlene's Meringue.
From Marlene:
From Marlene:
It’s a strange recipe, but works for me –
Blend cornstarch and cold water in a saucepan
Add boiling water and cook, stirring until clear and thickened,
Let stand until COMPLETELY COLD.
With electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites until frothy.
Gradually add sugar, and beat until stiff but not dry.
Turn mixer to low speed, add salt and flavoring
Gradually beat in cold cornstarch mixture. Turn mixer
Again to high and beat well. Spread meringue over
Cooled pie filling. Bake at 350 degrees about 10 minutes.
Mother Earth News
I subscribed to Mother Earth News 30 years ago. I still have a bread recipe from that publication.
Today I found this site of the day. Good old Mother Earth News is still around.
Directory of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs. "Discover the exceptional flavors and gentle healing capabilities of more than 40 of the plant kingdom’s finest. This is your one-stop shop for reliable information on cultivating, cooking and healing with these special plants." From Mother Earth News.
motherearthnews.com
Today I found this site of the day. Good old Mother Earth News is still around.
Directory of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs. "Discover the exceptional flavors and gentle healing capabilities of more than 40 of the plant kingdom’s finest. This is your one-stop shop for reliable information on cultivating, cooking and healing with these special plants." From Mother Earth News.
motherearthnews.com
Sunday, March 16
Considering a Chromebook?
Where I get much of my info: http://thundercloud.net/infoave/new/255-2/
Considering a Chromebook? I agree with the assessment below. I love the chromebook but for some things I will still need a Microsoft computer and will purchase one after they come to their senses and offer one that is old timer friendly. Apple is for those who like to spend money more than I do. I am taking very good care of what I have...and waiting.
Considering a Chromebook? I agree with the assessment below. I love the chromebook but for some things I will still need a Microsoft computer and will purchase one after they come to their senses and offer one that is old timer friendly. Apple is for those who like to spend money more than I do. I am taking very good care of what I have...and waiting.
Terry is considering buying a Chromebook
i have many questions about my XP--and decided i am too old and set in my ways to learn 8--or 7 for that matter-(had it once but took it off and had XP put back in)--(so very many of my purchased software would NOT work with 7)-can i still use my email (earthlink.net) on a chrome book?
With EarthLink can I use their web based mail box or download it INTO my PC--i am considering your suggestion for a chrome book---i could keep all 3 of my computers , all running XP , off of the internet-- -hopefully i could then transfer info between the PCs and chrome book--using one of those stick things---or with the external hard drives---do the chrome books accept the use of the externals and sticks?--(do they have USB ports ?)-considering having you do your "thing" with moving IE to chrome OS--and adding new virus---your price for that service?---sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book?
Like most folks---my life is in my computers---and all running XP with IE---!!!!!--crochet-craft patterns saved for years--plus thousands of links saved in favorites and thousands as icons on my desktop--does the google chrome book run PDF files? -PS--am trying to use google chrome instead of IE---truth be told am having an awful time---thank you for your time and answers---Terry.
Our answer
Hi Terry, As an owner of a Chromebook and an Android tablet, I will first admit that I'm not an expert on either. I use both quite often but rarely for business.
First, right at the start, I'll tell you that we don't move things from Windows to Chromebooks with our service -- there really is nothing to move. I'll explain as we go along.
First, you can check any web mail account, including EarthLink, on a Chromebook. You sign in just like you do now. However, it would be super convenient for you to have a Gmail account and set up Gmail to check your EarthLink Mail. To learn how to do this see our article here http://goo.gl/Bd4U8T . It's very easy to do, then you can login to your Gmail account and your EarthLink mail will be there.
The reason why I'm suggesting a Gmail account for Chromebook users isn't because I'm a big fan of Gmail (and I am), but because it just makes sense if you're using a Chromebook to have a Gmail account. Why? Because when you have a Gmail account you also have all other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Chrome Store etc. When you have all the Google services your Chromebook becomes even more useful. For instance, you can create and read Microsoft Office documents like Excel, Word, etc. Chromebooks (at least mine ) come with 100gb of storage space on Google Drive -- this is important because, since Chromebooks are Web-oriented, they have very small storage drives. So you aren't going to have a lot of hard drive space to store files, documents, etc. But with 100gb of Google Drive space, you have plenty of room to store your favorite files.
Chromebooks have USB ports just like Windows computer, they also have HDMI ports so you can connect it to a high definition TV and watch YouTube videos, Netflix, etc. on your TV via your Chromebooks.
You cannot run Windows software on a Chromebook, so you can't move IE to a Chromebook nor any other Windows program. Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system, not Windows, so if you're planning on moving a bunch of your favorite programs to a Chromebook, it's not going to happen. That being said, the Chrome store has a lot of free apps you can use, some of them actually better than their Windows counterparts. You can browse the Chrome store by clicking the Chrome store shortcut on your Chromebook.
I am really not sure what you mean by "sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book..." You can't have anything in IE but your Favorites (bookmarks) and these are easily exported into Chrome. In fact, if you have Chrome on your Windows XP computer you can import all your IE bookmarks (Favorites), settings, etc. into Chrome. If you have a Gmail account you can save them and use them on your Chromebook on the Chrome browser.
You ask about cross stitch patterns and icons on your desktop. Desktop shortcuts are mostly shortcuts to the programs you installed, since these are all Windows programs, you can't move them to Chromebook. As far as cross stitch patterns, if they're in a format such as PDF, yes you can read them in Chromebook; Google docs can open PDF files. But if those patterns are for a specific program and can only be opened by that program, you're not going to be able to use the cross stitch program on a Chromebook, because, again, it's a Windows program.
Google Chrome is actually much easier to use than IE. IE has senseless warnings about scripting errors, add-ons, and, probably the worst of all, the stupid Smart Screen filter. Once you learn that all Google Settings can be accessed by clicking the rectangular icon (with 3 horizontal bars) in the top-right hand corner, you'll see how much simpler it is than IE which is actually very difficult to configure due to its arcane "Internet Options" dialog.
But frankly, Terry, I don't think you'll be happy with a Chromebook. It seems to me you're a Windows guy and there's nothing wrong with that. And a good 15" or 17"Chromebook is only going to save you about $50 to $100 over the cost of a Windows 7 computer (yes, you can still buy Windows 7 laptops and desktops). Windows 7 is not a huge leap for Windows XP users. And if you choose, you can get a really great deal on Windows 8 computers (less than $400) and we can make it work just like Windows 7 for you. All you need to do is buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key and we'll set up your Windows 8.x computer to look and work just like Windows 7.
We recommended Chromebooks for people who typically use their computers for checking email, updating their social networking sites, playing games, browsing the Web and looking at and working with digital photos. It's really not going to be something a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user, like you seem to be, is going to be very happy with.
Most of the programs (90%) you have installed on XP will work on Windows 7 (and Windows 8x). And you'll have IE too if that's what you like.
I hope we've answered all of your questions and we've helped you make a decision as to what your next computer will be.
i have many questions about my XP--and decided i am too old and set in my ways to learn 8--or 7 for that matter-(had it once but took it off and had XP put back in)--(so very many of my purchased software would NOT work with 7)-can i still use my email (earthlink.net) on a chrome book?
With EarthLink can I use their web based mail box or download it INTO my PC--i am considering your suggestion for a chrome book---i could keep all 3 of my computers , all running XP , off of the internet-- -hopefully i could then transfer info between the PCs and chrome book--using one of those stick things---or with the external hard drives---do the chrome books accept the use of the externals and sticks?--(do they have USB ports ?)-considering having you do your "thing" with moving IE to chrome OS--and adding new virus---your price for that service?---sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book?
Like most folks---my life is in my computers---and all running XP with IE---!!!!!--crochet-craft patterns saved for years--plus thousands of links saved in favorites and thousands as icons on my desktop--does the google chrome book run PDF files? -PS--am trying to use google chrome instead of IE---truth be told am having an awful time---thank you for your time and answers---Terry.
Our answer
Hi Terry, As an owner of a Chromebook and an Android tablet, I will first admit that I'm not an expert on either. I use both quite often but rarely for business.
First, right at the start, I'll tell you that we don't move things from Windows to Chromebooks with our service -- there really is nothing to move. I'll explain as we go along.
First, you can check any web mail account, including EarthLink, on a Chromebook. You sign in just like you do now. However, it would be super convenient for you to have a Gmail account and set up Gmail to check your EarthLink Mail. To learn how to do this see our article here http://goo.gl/Bd4U8T . It's very easy to do, then you can login to your Gmail account and your EarthLink mail will be there.
The reason why I'm suggesting a Gmail account for Chromebook users isn't because I'm a big fan of Gmail (and I am), but because it just makes sense if you're using a Chromebook to have a Gmail account. Why? Because when you have a Gmail account you also have all other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Chrome Store etc. When you have all the Google services your Chromebook becomes even more useful. For instance, you can create and read Microsoft Office documents like Excel, Word, etc. Chromebooks (at least mine ) come with 100gb of storage space on Google Drive -- this is important because, since Chromebooks are Web-oriented, they have very small storage drives. So you aren't going to have a lot of hard drive space to store files, documents, etc. But with 100gb of Google Drive space, you have plenty of room to store your favorite files.
Chromebooks have USB ports just like Windows computer, they also have HDMI ports so you can connect it to a high definition TV and watch YouTube videos, Netflix, etc. on your TV via your Chromebooks.
You cannot run Windows software on a Chromebook, so you can't move IE to a Chromebook nor any other Windows program. Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system, not Windows, so if you're planning on moving a bunch of your favorite programs to a Chromebook, it's not going to happen. That being said, the Chrome store has a lot of free apps you can use, some of them actually better than their Windows counterparts. You can browse the Chrome store by clicking the Chrome store shortcut on your Chromebook.
I am really not sure what you mean by "sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book..." You can't have anything in IE but your Favorites (bookmarks) and these are easily exported into Chrome. In fact, if you have Chrome on your Windows XP computer you can import all your IE bookmarks (Favorites), settings, etc. into Chrome. If you have a Gmail account you can save them and use them on your Chromebook on the Chrome browser.
You ask about cross stitch patterns and icons on your desktop. Desktop shortcuts are mostly shortcuts to the programs you installed, since these are all Windows programs, you can't move them to Chromebook. As far as cross stitch patterns, if they're in a format such as PDF, yes you can read them in Chromebook; Google docs can open PDF files. But if those patterns are for a specific program and can only be opened by that program, you're not going to be able to use the cross stitch program on a Chromebook, because, again, it's a Windows program.
Google Chrome is actually much easier to use than IE. IE has senseless warnings about scripting errors, add-ons, and, probably the worst of all, the stupid Smart Screen filter. Once you learn that all Google Settings can be accessed by clicking the rectangular icon (with 3 horizontal bars) in the top-right hand corner, you'll see how much simpler it is than IE which is actually very difficult to configure due to its arcane "Internet Options" dialog.
But frankly, Terry, I don't think you'll be happy with a Chromebook. It seems to me you're a Windows guy and there's nothing wrong with that. And a good 15" or 17"Chromebook is only going to save you about $50 to $100 over the cost of a Windows 7 computer (yes, you can still buy Windows 7 laptops and desktops). Windows 7 is not a huge leap for Windows XP users. And if you choose, you can get a really great deal on Windows 8 computers (less than $400) and we can make it work just like Windows 7 for you. All you need to do is buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key and we'll set up your Windows 8.x computer to look and work just like Windows 7.
We recommended Chromebooks for people who typically use their computers for checking email, updating their social networking sites, playing games, browsing the Web and looking at and working with digital photos. It's really not going to be something a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user, like you seem to be, is going to be very happy with.
Most of the programs (90%) you have installed on XP will work on Windows 7 (and Windows 8x). And you'll have IE too if that's what you like.
I hope we've answered all of your questions and we've helped you make a decision as to what your next computer will be.
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