Monday, August 15, 2022

Good morning! How wonderful to see posts from so many people. Glad to know things are going okay, and folks have been busy saving birds and teaching children.

The Irish Fair had superb bands. What a treat! We stayed until the last performance was done.

Today is packing for Charleston. The weather forecast is a mixed bag. Temperatures are not insane, no 90s, and some mid 80s even. But possibility of rain pretty much everyday. Is it all day rain, I wonder, or is it like Florida summers where it rains and then clears again. One thing for sure, it will be humid.

I need a dress for a wedding in October. If I have time while in Charleston, I'll swing by Dillards. We don't have Dillards in the Bold North. We do have some nicer upscale stores like Nordstroms, but I never seem to have much luck there. More than I want to pay. And Macys is becoming worthless.

Have an awesome start to a precious week of summer!

Good morning! I am exhausted!

Everything went stupendously yesterday. It was a beautiful day: warm but not hot so the doors to the deck were open and people were both inside and out. The food was fantastic. And it was so heart-warming to have family and friends from both sides there, many of whom are from my former marriage. It meant a lot to both of us. DS did go - Mike's DS was missing because he is on assignment overseas but he sent a really touching note. The only other missing people either had COVID or 1 made a last minute excuse which PO'd me but did not surprise me. She never really intended to come but waited until last minute. But her husband, the one who suffered the heart attack last year, did come and is staying at my home tonight. I will put some pictures on TT.

We are at the beach regrouping now before we go home to entertain again tonight. We leave in the morning for Saratoga Springs/Lake George for 3 days, stopping on the way to have lunch with the grandchildren tomorrow.

Have a munificent Monday!

I think Charleston is like Florida, showers but not all the time (higher chance in late afternoons). I guess I have to pack too for our trip ;)

I'm watching a cute show on Netflix. It has subtitles (It's Korean), but it's sweet. It's called Extraordinary Attorney Woo about a young female Korean attorney with autism. She's got a perfect memory a very creative way of seeing legal issues, and an obsession with whales, but struggles with the social cue side of law and life while winning people over.

Yesterday I took a drive east to a town called Payson. The drive was beautiful! Storms all around in the distance with rain and lightning (and some on me), and beautiful pine forests. I really didn't understand what AZ was really like. In my head, I think deserty Phoenix or Tucson or Havasu. Northern AZ is so different and gorgeous and green.

I'm off to make phone calls... take care all!

Sounds like you like the terrain more than you expected?

I do! I'm not a huge fan of semi-barren desert. The plant life even in the south of AZ is still more interesting than a lot of Nevada or eastern CA for example. But the north is much more interesting than I thought it would be with a lot more in the way of forests.

I've never really been to the South West. Minnesota snowbirds tend to go 2 places, Florida or Arizona. I think its clear which one I am :) I really want to see it! I have visited Salt Lake City, which I thought was going to be a flat dry area (why did I think that?) and it was so stunning, it took my breath away. Sounds like you're having the same experience with your part of Arizona.

176.4 Weight jumping around - but to be expected as food choices are likewise hither thither and yonder.

Liz, you party animal, you! Family, friends, fun; can't be a better combination!

In fact, most everyone seems to be out and about enjoying the end of the summer. I say, carry on till the last possible moment.

The corn has been harvested (pitiful as it is this year) and Swann and I have been places not seen since springtime- Refreshing. We were able to make it about a mile down a totally dry creek bed that runs deep into the woods. I have made day trips miles away to hike trails not nearly as nice as what is in our back 80. CC, I can just imagine your pure delight as you discover daily the amazing landscape that is right in your back yard- and all the miles and miles beyond.

Devon, sending good first day vibes your way-new subject, new students- you and your team are pioneers- doing education a new way. Big challenge, obstacles ahead, but think of the creative potential in front of you. You may have been cosmically created for just this time and purpose. I do know you will touch those children in a special way. God surely created you for such as this; having provided all necessary experiences, talents and gifts needed.

DD- I'mmma' talking to you, too. That's how real educators role, and I just know how well you role- Role on, teachergirl!

Good Morning Again,

Second morning in a row and Ive snuck in quickly. The team are on their way to daily jobs and my director has just gone to drop his work vehicle off to get new tyres.

Busy night last night. I got DS new dress pants, shoes and shirt for his graduation. He hates shopping so it was a challenge but we got there. I then picked up the autistic guy and meet my best friend for dinner. It was very pleasant and I think he enjoyed being out.

Today will be another busy one but I get to pick up my precious grandbabies from childcare this afternoon so thats something to look forward too

Liz - the photos were just so beautiful. You could see how happy you both are. It made my morning :)

Peps - you sound so busy but this kids are lucky yo have such a dedicated teacher and role model. Good luck with the Goat 2 upgrade

Cec - Makes me smile to think of you out exploring your new areas. Such a big landscape change to CA !

DD - Good luck with the dress shopping and Happy Birthday to your DS

Miss150 - Sorry the corn harvest is disappointing - always frustrating.

I had best run - have a wonderful evening all

S

Greetings all

The sun finally came out at 4 pm. Just in time for me when I went up to the gallery in Trinidad and went by the bay for the fabulous view. Visibility was miles. And I took some new art that came out today so my display is not so skimpy.

DD an Irish fair! Hope they had all that fun fiddle music. Did they have potatoes? Thats all I can think of for Irish food. Glad it was fun. And yes, Dillards is the best store for nice stuff. In my pre vsg days it was my go-to store for work wardrobe because they had truly nice stuff and it was not all size 6. Enjoy trip to Charleston.

Bonnie 150 glad you got some walks in. Bad year for corn? Sorry to hear it. Being from Nebraska I so remember the miles and miles of corn fields. And the attorneys from Washington DC who thought all those miles of corn fields were for the Jolly Green Giant to make canned niblets. LOL

Peps glad you are getting rid of the Goat. Sounds like a lot of trouble. An RV is supposed to make things easier. Has school started yet or just prep? Looking forward to hearing the music stories.

DH made a costco run today which means no cooking tonight. Yay. But he also brought home chocolate covered almonds. Delicious but not needed. I asked him to get hamburger for the dogs. We now have about a 6 month supply in the freezer. Oh well. Who knew "Kirkland" was a breed of cow?

CC I remember many years ago driving from Scottsdale to Sedona. Somewhere there is kind of a divide and the landscape was starkly different on one side vs the other. One side had zillions of big cactus and the other side had none. But its all beautiful and fascinating. I like the trees too. I remember as a kid we went to the petrified forrest and I was disappointed that it was just a bunch of rocks on the ground!

Shirley that bird is so beautiful. What a joy to have those flying around. Speaking of birds, a few California condors have recently been released into the wild here recently. I doubt I will ever see one.

Well time to cook some ground "Kirkland" for the dogs. Cheers. Diane S