Snapshots

 I have always had an interest in photography. In my early years, I was held back by taking rolls of film to the drugstore; it cost money, no chance to make changes. It was still fun, but I didn't have the money to get into it too deeply. Then came the Internet and everything changed! I started a blog (journal) in 2002 and tried to write in it every day.  I am still trying, but as you age, everything slows down. One of the advantages of taking pictures is that it lessens the need to be chatty. So when I was way behind, I would load up with photos. I still do that today. By the way, all of those photos and writings are still available for viewing. If you look to the left when viewing the blog, you will see the years listed. Pick any year, and you will see all the entries there; then pick any entry and start losing track of time!

This morning's deer. Taken at 6:30 AM on the west side of the hospital

Jason's squirrel. Taken in Boone Iowa.

His underside is all black, so Jason calls him (Neh-gro). Spanish word for black.

AI at work: I like it and will keep it. Cheaper than plastic surgery.

This is a different squirrel that is hanging out at Jason's house. Trying to find a cool spot.

Till next time!

Trivial Pursuit!!

 I am not going to say that word. You know what I mean. It goes without saying! When I returned from South Texas, I had so many plans.  I was sure I could take care of many of them quickly and easily. Actually, things are starting to get wrapped up and settled, and it feels so good!

The sale of the house should be settled this week, and that is the last of a biggy thing.

Trivia is welcomed here. I wish there were more participants, and I am hoping over time there will be. It is not about the questions or the answers. It is about the laughter, Keri's treats, and old and new camaraderie. After every session, I have people come to me and mention how great it was to hear the laughter on Thursday nights. I am hoping they will hear it at a closer distance and be a part of that laughter the following week. Oh, and by the way, it is open to people outside of Evergreen Ridge. The people who used to come to the pool hall Butch and I built to play trivia now come to my new location, and I so appreciate them. So dive right in and come to listen. Make your own assumption about it. 

I am happy with my life and hope I have another ten or so years to say that. 

Poem-unknown author

As president of the organization in the first park we were in in South Texas, I accumulated little bits and pieces of sayings, jokes, and other stuff. I ran across that folder in my search for something else; you all know how that goes! Well, I ran across this poem from the past and decided to share it with you.

 Back Home

If I had the power to turn back the clock,

Go back to that house at the end of the block…

The house that was “home” when I was a kid,

I know I would love it more now than I did.

If I could be back there at my Mother's knee,

And hear once again all the things she told me,

I’d listen as I never listened before,

For she knew so well what life had in store.

And all the advice that Dad had to give…

His voice I will remember as long as I live;

But it didn’t seem really important then,

What I’d give to live it all over again.

And what I would give for the chance I once had

To do so much more for my Mother and Dad,

To give them more joy and a little less pain;

A little more sunshine, a little less rain.

But the years roll on and we cannot go back

Whether we were born in a mansion or shack,

But we can start right now, in the hour that’s here,

To do something more for the ones we hold dear.

And since time in its flight is traveling so fast,

Let’s not spend it regretting that which is past;

But let’s make tomorrow a happier day

By doing our “good unto others”...today!

Keep your eggs fluffy

 Why Chefs put vinegar in scrambled eggs. A few drops — approximately 1 teaspoon for every two to four eggs — of apple cider vinegar or a mild wine vinegar helps loosen the proteins as you whisk, making the cooked eggs fluffier and softer on your palate. (If you hate rubbery scrambled eggs, this is the tip you’ve been waiting for.) Vinegar gives the finished eggs a creamy texture, but without the added calories and saturated fat that come from cream. Any acidic ingredient will do the trick, including lemon or lime juice, or a smidge of buttermilk or plain yogurt.

A look back

I am trying to find the year we were workcamping in Michigan. To be more precise, I was looking at old blog entries and came upon the one below. I found it interesting and wondered if you would too.

Found it! We workamped at Thunder Bay Golf and RV Resort in the summer of 2010. This video was a wonderful nostalgic event for us.

http://youtu.be/c74Q_KkwKEU

Monday Mourning

Moodiness mixed with raindrops,
Makes for a soup that is blue.
I need a walk in the sunshine,
And find something productive to do.

I have found myself to be fractured and distracted today. We need to get some work done, but it is outside work, and we are having a rainy day here in northeast Michigan.
I broke Butch's chair yesterday. It was on its way to being broken anyway; I just finished it off. I was cleaning it. It needed it. I forgot about its delicate condition and jerked it around, and whoops- broken. He can no longer recline. Angel is not going to like this. So then, as always happens, he decides he is going to fix it. Butch's mind is locked in the 50's where you could go downtown to the hardware store or blacksmith shop and find parts for anything that had parts. So far, no luck. We have contacted the chair manufacturer (Flexsteel) by email, and we will see what that brings. Our hopes are none too high. So for you women whose men are none too handy- at times it is not all it is cracked up to be. A quest for something unattainable is not pretty to watch.
I mailed off two bracelets today, or rather Butch did while he was off on his quest for parts. These two are going to Missouri. I counted up the other day, and I think I have done 7 so far. They are fun to do because they are finished quickly and then off to the next idea. Also, they are easier to do in warm weather than an afghan, and we are always in warm weather, or at least we try to be. I still plan to do Swedish weaving.

Some pics of my latest move.

 I recently moved from one apartment to another. It was painless. I took a few photos of my new digs. This is my front door, and now I have my nameplate added. It is under 122. The white thing with the hole in it is what I am supposed to turn over if I leave. It is a way to tell if you are in or out. The out side is red. I remember sometimes!

Living room

My bedroom

I love being reacquainted with my Nikon. I almost had myself convinced my phone was just as good. It isn't.

This is how I do it...

 ...as often as I can!❤

Writers Block

 It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. It's usually when there are so many good things to write about at the same time that I have trouble sorting it all out. So if this entry sounds discombobulated, you now know why. 

Throughout my life, I have used "words of many colors," so to speak. It isn't something I am aware of. It is something I get reminded of. My son Jason has the same thing happen to him, and we assume he picked it up from me.

Enough, already! 

My house is sold! The 30 days that are a part of house sales will be up on July 23rd. That is when we must have it finalized. It will take place sooner than that. The auction is finalized, and I will get the check sometime after July 15th. I know it will not be a large check. I didn't have that much to sell. Butch and I lived small. I called the buyer to find out how he would feel about me leaving the parts that didn't sell for him, and he graciously said, "Yes". There are things there that, had I lived in a larger place, I would have kept. I figured he would feel less put upon if he found a few jewels among what was left. 

My pool game gets better with each of the things I have had on my list taken care of. Jason was here on Sunday, and I played pool better than I have for quite some time. It is all about focus, actually. Hanging on to that focus is the hard part.

Yesterday I gave my camera a thorough cleaning. I have always liked it better than the phone camera, and once again I have been reminded of the differences. So here are some random photos I have worked with in the past few weeks.

This is a photo of a classmate of mine taken at the reunion a while back. This was taken at Pat's place as she was hosting it. Pat Limburg Rusnak was born 2 days before I was in the same hospital. I like this photo of her.

One of the advantages of a good camera is being able to manipulate the photos to my liking.

I happened to see this Amazon bag, and the saying in the middle caught my eye!

This is my great-granddaughter Nina Grace, who was in Iowa with her grandparents, Rich and Donna. The girls got hooked on Diamond Art. 

I've been hooked lately on watching hummingbirds. It is so much easier to get good shots with a good camera! Look at those tiny little feet!

This is a new view from my new location.

The best moon photos are with a good camera.

Class of '61 reunion.

Taken at the house on Cedar when I was waiting on someone!

View from my window.

That is enough for today. Thanks to all who are still checking in on me.

Hope you Enjoyed the 4th!

 I walked 2 miles this morning. The holiday makes it so much easier. The hospital parking lots are nearly empty, and therefore I can add some walking areas.

I have very interesting views from my windows as well. When lifeflight comes in, I have a front row seat. 

 

And this is liftoff!

Depends on the time of day and the shot I get. I have the best shot of the comings and goings of the hospital 'copter when I am sitting in my TV chair. Pictured below:

There are squirrels, rabbits, cowbirds, and loads of other things to set my eyes on.

The jungle look of my previous apartment held all kinds of things. It was a more active area, but there is plenty yet to see just a few feet further east.

 I had to change the title of this entry because I was late getting the pics settled into the post.

'nother subject. Every day it seems like I hear of the passing of another of my peers. I know at age 83 this is the natural progression of things. It still holds a level of shock.

I remember asking my grandmother if she felt old, and she said she did not. She said on the inside she felt the same as when she was sixteen. I had a hard time visualising my Grandmother as a sixteen-year-old.  I now know what she meant!

I am settled into my new apartment. It didn't take long. The worst of it is remembering where I put things. Now that I have moved things twice, it is twice the challenge. Time takes care of all things, and this is no exception. 

Random Photos

 We have an abundant supply of rabbits. Some of us like rabbits. 😉𝨝😉

The 402 N. Cedar home this Spring.

Graffiti on the railroad

More Bunny's

You did what?

 Pictures from the last few days. Rich and Donna brought their granddaughters to Iowa for a vacation. Gary, Susan, and Jason came for a gathering, too. Laura had to stay home with back pain.

From L. to R.: Skyler, Scarlet, Nina, Jason, Barb, Gary, Rich, Susan, and Donna.

We visited a few places around the square with the Bell Tower first. 

There is much to see so high in the air. There are buildings that have been "blessed" with art in many places around the town square.  This photo is showing some of the west side. Imagination Alley is on the south side of this photo.

Imagination Alley

This was a south side shot and features The Peony, a popular Chinese restaurant. The owner of the restaurant painted these two.

Barbie Museum came next. It is possible to be overwhelmed with Barbies! 

 Nina is in the foreground, and Gary is in the background

The Barbie museum in Jefferson came about when a lady donated her entire collection to the museum. There are so many Barbies there are too many to count. Come see for yourself!

Scarlet and Skyler stopped to see what Thomas Jefferson was reading.

The three girls and their Grandma, Donna, did some Diamond Art when we were at my new apartment. They took some keyrings home to decorate their rooms.

We all enjoyed the visit. It is always a good time when family gets together.

Jefferson has become somewhat of a center for art, and every year artists are chosen to show their work on the Courthouse Square. These were chosen this year.

This one is sold!

This one takes more than one photo to see all of it. I took two! 

Other words for "busy"

I am aware that I have slowed with age, but geez, I didn't know it was going to get this bad! I am way behind on photos, but I will take a stab at getting that caught up after this post. I know it is like a broken record when I use "busy"! 

My friend Colleen is here for the summer, and you would think we would be able to walk like we have in the past, but neither one of us can seem to get a move on together.

This past weekend, the Missouri kids, Gary and Susan, were here, and we walked in the mornings. I do not have a way to measure how far I walk. I have tried to measure by time. In the past, I could walk to the bike trail mile marker and back in one hour. I have yet to walk where I knew how far and how long. Gary and Susan keep track of steps, and they tell me that 2000 steps is a mile. If that is true, I have been walking far more than I thought. For now, I will say it is accurate! I do not walk as often as I should, but any is better than none. This morning I had to shorten it up because of thunder. Which brings up the fact that I can walk inside. I prefer the outside.

 10 alternative expressions for "busy"

1. Tied up 

2. Occupied 

3. Overstretched 

4. Over-extended 

5. Overloaded 

6. Swamped 

7. Snowed under 

8. To have enough/rather a lot/too much on one’s plate at the moment

9. To have other/bigger fish to fry 

10. To have other priorities today/this week /this month 

Human traits of Crows

Happy Hour Discussion

 Crows display a remarkable array of complex, human-like traits, boasting an intelligence comparable to that of a seven-year-old human child. Their behaviors range from complex tool-making and facial recognition to highly developed social structures.

These uncanny avian intellects share several specific behaviors with us:

Tool Use and Modification: Crows don't just use tools; they fashion them. They will strip twigs, bend wire to make hooks, and even drop nuts into busy intersections for cars to crack open.

Face Recognition and Grudges: They never forget a face. Research shows they can identify individual humans, remember threats for years, and even pass this information down to their offspring through vocal warnings and group behavior.

Social Learning and Teaching: Crows have tight-knit family units. They teach their young complex survival skills, such as which humans to avoid and where to find food.

Complex Communication: Crows have a vast, localized vocabulary and can even imitate human words and sounds."Funerals" and Grieving: When a crow dies, the flock often gathers around the body in what researchers describe as a silent vigil. This behavior is likely a way to assess danger and learn to avoid the area.

Gift-Giving: Crows that have formed a bond of trust with a human (such as someone who regularly feeds them) have been documented leaving shiny objects, buttons, jewelry, and coins as "gifts".

Class of '61 Reunion 2026

 Class of '61, Jefferson Iowa

Back Row L to R: Mike Brady, Don Egan, Ellie Brown, Jayne Owen, Mike Vincent, Charlene King, Bill Flgenshaw, Keith Conroy, Toni Roberts, Steve Melson, Dee Lindsey, Darrel Millard

Front Row L to R: Pat Rusnak, Janet "Granny" Smith, Carol Zwicky, Barb Brooker, Donna Lawson

Dee Van

Dee is the glue that keeps us all together. Currently, she has to take care of her husband and can only stop to see us for a short time. You do a great job, Dee

And we appreciate all you do..

Pat Rusnak was our host on Friday night. She, too, did a great job, other than scaring us all that she was getting too close to the edge of her deck. We all worry about getting too close to the edge these days!

Our host for Saturday night was Keith Conroy, shown here sharing some "guy talk" with Darrel Millard. Keith has hosted us many times. Our class reunion is very much like a family reunion.

Donna Lawson

We topped off the evening with a beautiful rainbow. Keith's place is out in the country, the best place to get good photos of rainbows!

A very cool song about Trophy!

A very talented lady from Trophy put this song together, and I am very impressed! We now have permission to share it!

https://youtu.be/d7sFjVtiZDY?si=gmURo_wZni4HSHlL

Hummers

 I started feeding some hummingbirds. I have a one-cup feeder. As a result, I have many opportunities for photos. Yesterday's bird laid claim to the whole works, and he dominated the entire day. I was able to get loads of pictures. At 9:00 PM, he/she was still performing!  I was working with those photos, and somehow I lost them! It ruined my whole day! Today I was able to get more, low and behold, there were my pics from yesterday! They magically reappeared.

Here are a few of my treasures!

He/she has a tongue sticking out just bit.

This is a different bird...

 I would get pics of them at the feeder, but their wings are moving so fast it doesn't make a good shot. As it is, they rest in a bank of bushes that is perfect! I love looking nature in the face every day!

Today would have been Butch's 85th birthday.

Slow down

 ...we're movin' too fast! Okay, trivia people, what song is that?   I went to ER yesterday. Truth be known, I panicked a bit, feeling like I was having an allergic reaction. I had eaten two slices of cinnamon toast. If I had stayed home and taken a couple of Benydril, I would have been alright. I just didn't think of it!

I am okay now. I will be glad when my calendar is empty. It is a ways off yet.

We had our first trivia session on Thursday night. A total of eleven players. Not bad for a first time. As usual, there were lots of laughs, and the people here are not used to that but thought it a good thing.  It will grow in time.

I heard from Tangerine Zebra, an auction house in Ames. They are going to do a tag sale (in the house) on June 26 and 27th. Once that is done, I can officially list with the realtor. That should get the ball rolling.

I will be able to move into my bigger unit l later next week. It won't take long to move. I could do most of it myself, as it is just a few feet down the hall. I have two helpers lined up for the larger items. There isn't much: a bed, a dresser, a desk, two recliner chairs, a kitchen table, and 4 kitchen chairs. I live small, and I like it that way.😀

Here is the answer: Feelin' Groovy by Paul Simon.

I have an idea...

 That won't fly. I walk 7 times around the inside of the apartments, and that equals one mile. Today I mixed it up a bit by walking outdoors, adding a parking lot, the hospital driveway, and a few other things.  I have no idea of the mileage yet, but I hope it has kicked it up. I did 3 rounds inside and 3 rounds outside. If some sidewalk was added outdoors in a few places, it would be enhanced a bunch.  I don't expect it to ever get done. We all live on dreams and hope!

I have not yet moved to my bigger apartment. The maintenance people are very busy, and there is no reason for me to be pushy. Many can tell you, I know how to be pushy if needed. Wink!

I am starting trivia here on June 4th. Some are excited, some are scared, some have no interest, and some are my friends!

When I first arrived here, I was exhausted. I slept a lot and at times took 3 naps a day. The last few days, I haven't napped at all. I am sleeping well at night and feeling good overall.

My biggest issue in dealing with widowhood is food. All aspects of it! Cooking for one is an adjustment I haven't fully conquered. The third day on leftovers holds no appeal. People told me the hospital food was good here. I do not share that opinion. There have been some good meals. It is so hit or miss that, mostly, I have given up on it. Maybe one of these days, I will get on a cooking spree and share. I have done it a couple of times, and it was received well.

I found this photo appealing, but ordering things on a whim must stop!

Till next time!

Centenarians Follow-up

 Billie says her longevity is because of her genes. Her parents were well into their eighties when they passed, and that was in a time in history that was unusual. She had 10 siblings, and she is the last. In their youth, they all worked on the farm. It sounded like her upbringing was pleasant. She is still walking a mile a day and feels the importance of that. She does have a walker and uses it wisely. To see her, you would never guess her age. Maybe I can get a pic of her and her walking partner today. Here she is! Take note of her nails, ladies.

Centenarians

 We have a Centenarian where I am now living. Her name is Billie, and she is 101. I remember Billie from my youth. She was a clerk at a dime store for many years, and then, when that facility closed, she worked as a clerk at a pharmacy. I see Billie every day as she is making her walking route the same as I am, same route, same distance. The only difference is that she breaks hers up more than I do. I am sure there are more differences than I know.

I might also remind you that I live in an INDEPENDENT Senior facility. When the opportunity presents itself, I plan to ask her what she attributes her longevity to. 

The article below was borrowed from the internet:

Living to 100 is a rare feat. You can follow all the traditional medical advice and best diet recommendations, but the odds of reaching the century mark are still quite slim.

However, when someone is lucky enough to celebrate their 100th birthday, it’s worth listening to the wisdom they have to offer. Centenarians are a special breed of people who have experienced long and fruitful lives, so it’s a good idea to listen and take note of how they achieved such an impressive milestone.

Many centenarians attribute their longevity to daily routines that may seem surprising, such as eating fatty foods and drinking alcohol. Others credit their lengthy lifespans to maintaining an optimistic outlook and enjoying plenty of laughter.

The only thing we can know for sure is that nothing is certain when it comes to living a full 100 years. Every centenarian reaches that mark by different means, and each one is likely to have their own unique advice to impart.

 We can let their wise and humorous words guide us on our own personal journeys, as each day may bring us closer to our own 100th birthday.

I look back on my life like a good day’s work — it was done and I am satisfied with it … life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. ~ Grandma Moses

Happiness lies in moments, and while you have it, you’re not even aware; only afterwards do you know you were happy. ~Olivia Dehaviland

A good idea is to behave well to other people, show them respect, and help them as much as you possibly can, and it will be repaid a hundredfold.

~Emilia Harper

Remember, plenty of laughter, but no shouting.

~Yvonne Old

Wear Depends. Don’t let it stop you from going out and doing things.

~Mildred Kirschenbaum

For Sale