Say Bye Bye To May

May 31, 2019

Good morning.  Have you noticed the date?  Today is the last day of the month of May.  Now where did all of that month go?  I do believe that I'm getting older so fast because the months are flying by so fast. 

This morning the sun is shining brightly and the temperature is at 60F degrees and working towards close to eighty degrees.  Oh boy, Pogo and I just might get to sit out on the porch today.  My Pogo wants so badly to get back out there.  Actually, me too!

I need to do some shopping but I don't dare go alone just yet.  My breathing seems to be getting better some times, but then other times it's not.  If it keeps up I'll have to make an appointment with my doctor.  I don't want to have to do that because he will refer me to a lung specialist who is going  to make me take some stress tests.  And, I'm not doing the stress tests.  The last time I had one with a breathing specialist I didn't think I was going to make it out of the room.

Somehow I think that today's doctors and the insurance companies get a lot of pleasure out of torturing us.  I know that there are non life-threatening stress tests out there, but they are not the ones that the doctors use.  Instead, they like to use the physical stress tests that push your heart or your lungs to the limit.  I'm not finding any enjoyment in this. (or necessity)

However, on to the fun stuff.  I've been taking it very easy these past few days, and that means watching a lot of fabulous bargains on TV.  Especially SHOP LC.  I've already ordered a few Christmas gifts to be put away as soon as they arrive here.  Folks, they don't just sell jewelry on this program.  They have some clothing items, and a lot of household items too.  Obviously, I can't say which bargains I got.

Today is Under $10 Day at SHOP LC but I haven't bought anything.  I also stumbled across a couple of terrific bargain on Amazon and ordered them too to be put away for Christmas.  I'm having some thoughts lately about what to save for Christmas and what not to save.  My Dad got to a certain age and decided to give things to folks that he normally would have left to them in his will.  His reasoning for this was so that he could enjoy watching folks enjoy his gifts. 

I'm thinking that I'd like to do this too.  So maybe I'll just give a lot of these gifts to the folks they were bought for, and just give them one gift at Christmas.  Normally, I go overboard at Christmas, but then I don't get to watch folks enjoy these things.  Hmmm, yup, I think this is what I'll probably do starting this year. 

DIL Janet has been going to the gym to exercise three nights a week, plus dieting, and has lost twenty pounds.  Woo Hoo!  Congratulations to Janet!  I've been doing pretty good too with the dieting.  I found this image on the web, and yup!  it's me in a nutshell! 

My kids are all great cooks so I ordered a new magazine for them.  It's called The Food Network Magazine.  Here is one of the recipes that is in the newest issue that just came.   It's called Pineapple Soft Serve, and oh my it sounds delicious!  I hope you can read these instructions.  If not, let me know and I'll be glad to send you a copy via text message.

Deanne will be stopping by in a while, so I'd best get busy and do a couple chores so that we can sit and enjoy our time together.  Before I go, I have another new quick page for you.  This one is called Rusted Liberty.  It's something different from me, that's for sure.  Have fun with it.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/et8d4lo8bsra700/EB_-_QP_2019_-_31.zip/file

Now I'm off.  I want to do a bit of blog reading before I get started on my chores.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Tis The "Graysoon" Season

May 30, 2019

Good morning.  Tis another gray day here.  The temperature is 50F degrees, but will soon work its way up into the seventies.  The rain is supposed to start up again this afternoon.  I guess this is called the "graysoon" season.  (like monsoon?)  However, now the forecast calls for sunshine by Monday. 

There's not much news from yesterday.  It was not a good breathing day for me so I mostly rested all day and evening.  The temps outside were too cool and damp for sitting out on the porch.  Today will be more of the same, but my breathing seems to be a speck better today.  Woo Hoo!

I've been trying to make my newest blog book, but there seems to be a problem with getting into the site.  I can email them, but cannot get them on the phone.  This is unusual too.  I'm hoping to get this problem cleared up soon. 

I recently took a short survey with the cable company.  When asked if I would recommend them to all my friends and family,  I said "No, it is too expensive."  I guess they weren't happy with this  because they called me to see if I would change my mind.  I said no.  They were still too expensive.  The agent's response was that I could manage my account on line from my laptop or my phone.  I'm not always the brightest bulb in the basket, but what does this have to do with them being so expensive?

Sometime around 3:30 this morning, the picture went out on my cable.  I could now listen, just not watch.  I called the company a little while ago, and they confirmed that there was a problem with the picture on my cable.  It took about fifteen minutes for them to refresh my cable and fix the problem.

Yesterday, there was an item on the news that I thought I would share with all of you who may have an I-phone or an I-tablet.  I don't, but lots of folks do.  It had to do with people being able to get into your device and follow everything you do on it.  It is through your background aps.  To fix this, go to your settings>then general>then background aps>then refresh button - turn off.  You may have to turn it back on to use some of your aps, but then turn it off when you are done.  I hope this helps.

Gosh, I just went out to the kitchen to get my coffee and made it all the way back without my breathing getting wonky.  That's definitely good!  Breathing better certainly helps to get around.

Today I want to share a couple images that I borrowed from the web.  It's all about us taking care of our animals.  They need our voices, so please pass these on.  Our animals are precious.

Now I think I'm going to finish my coffee and rest a while before going to read some morning blogs.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Rain, Rain, Go Away, Pogo And I Want To Play

May 29, 2019

Good morning.  Tis very gray outside today.  We're expecting rain by this evening, and according to my phone app it will rain every day through next Monday.  That's as far as my weather forecast goes.  Now I ask you, where is all this rain coming from?  Doesn't Mother Nature know that it is almost June?  And how are the new plants supposed to grow with all this rain?

I guess I foresee a big increase in food prices by next year (if it takes that long).  The country has been inundated with so much rain all year that it must be difficult to grow food crops, both for us and for the animals.  Thank goodness I like peanut butter.  And Jello, I love Jello.

Folks, I'm only kidding.  Pogo and I will not go hungry.  I keep my freezer stocked with Pogo's burgers, and I really do like the simple foods. Especially pasta.  I would just have to eat smaller portions of it so that I didn't get overly plump.  (Who am I kidding?} hahaha!

Speaking of food, my Pogo loves his Chinese food.  Mostly just the Pork Lo Mein and the Pork Fried Rice.  Last week when DIL Janet was here, we ordered Chinese food for our supper.  I took this photo of Pogo enjoying his meal.

I do have a photo of the pink afghan to share.  I was going to wait until I had more rows on it, but at least this photo shows all three colors of yarn that I'm using. 

The pink is a very light pink, the variegated is "Melon Berry." and the third color is "Salmon."  In person, it really is quite lovely. 

My grandson Bobby is supposed to be coming by to do more garden work for me, but with all this rain, it just isn't feasible.  Maybe next week?  I did take a photo of him while he was helping his Dad take down the porch screen covers.  Here he is folks.  This is Bobby, my very first (and very handsome) grandchild. 

As I look out my door, it almost looks as if the sun is trying to peek down on us.  Hmmm, there are some rain drops on my car, so I guess we'll be getting a few drops intermittingly before it gets heavier this evening. 

Now I'm going to take my leave and do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day. 

Hugs, Edna B.

Making My "To Do" Project List For The Year

May 28, 2019

Good morning.  It's overcast today with temps in the high fifties.  Every now and then, the sun peeks in on us for a few minutes.  According to the weather app on my phone, it should start raining soon, and rain the next four days.

So far, it's been a busy morning.  I had to pay a batch of bills and have them ready for mailing before the mail carrier gets here.  Now that it's done, I can rest easy till the next batch of bills is due. 

Pogo and I enjoyed a lazy day yesterday.  It was warm enough to sit out on the porch, and we did for a while, but the air was not good for breathing so we spent most of the day indoors.  Some days my breathing is not as good as others.  Yesterday was one of those days. 

I did walk around the yard the other day to see what was blooming or getting ready to bloom.  My roses bushes are just beginning to bud.  Here are a few of the photos that I took.

I love taking photos of the raindrops on the plants and leaves.  It rained the other night, so I took these photos the next morning.  I just think it is amazing how all these little rain drops can sit on the leaves and not roll off.  They glisten like diamonds.

Today I guess I'll work on the pink afghan.  Later I'll take a photo of it to share.  It really is pretty.  This year, I'd like to make a couple of the great grandchildren's afghans.  This should keep my hands pretty busy for the rest of the year.  In between, I'm hoping to work on a couple new projects. 

You say "How is Windows 10 coming along?"  Slowly, very slowly.  I'm taking my time with it, as long as I'm able to use my old laptop.  However, I know that I need to learn it, so I will.  Meanwhile, I'm getting my photos ready for next year's calendar while my old lap top is still working.  I'll start working on my next Christmas card too.  Just in case. 

That's about all my news for this morning.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Memorial Day, 2019

May 27, 2019

Good morning.  The sun is shining and the temperature is 66F degrees, headed for the upper seventies.  It's going to be another beautiful day here in New England.  Today is Memorial Day here in the U.S.  Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Let us always remember the price that was paid for our freedom.

So many of my family served in the Armed Forces, and today I'll share three of them with you.  First, meet William Jacob Loud.  He was born March 4, 1829 in Randolph, Massachusetts. on a small farm where he became a Hostler.  (caretaker of horses)  He enlisted in the Civil War July 29, 1862 in Co. E 35 MA. INF, and was discharged at Alexandria, VA June 29, 1865.  He died October 28, 1902.

This is General George Byron Loud.   He was born September 17, 1845 in Pittston, Maine.  At age sixteen at Lynn, MA. on August 25, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. F 41st. MA. VOLS. (3rd Cavalry).  During the siege of Port Hudson, LA., he was wounded and was off duty for three months.  He was honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, LA. with the rank of Lieutenant on February 22, 1867.

After the war, he was active in LA, MS, and NY. state militias attaining the rank of Brigadier General.  At the age of eighteen, he was a commissioned officer of the Civil War, probably the youngest of that war.  After the war he was one of the first to organize the state troops of Louisiana and was prominent among those who instituted the public school system of LA.  He was an eloquent speaker, and sustained the reputation of being the "Silver tongued orator of New York City."  He died July 31, 1922.

This is Charles Flagg Loud.  He was born in Randolph, Maine on January 14, 1877.  In the summer of 1907, he moved to Rockland, MA.  In his early life, Charles F. Loud was a shoemaker.  He was a Private in Co. D First Regiment of Maine Infantry in the Spanish American War.  He was a great ham operator, a hobby that he enjoyed until just before he died at Boston V.A. Hospital on March 27, 1965.  He is shown here with his wife Maude.

I think that's enough history for today.  There's a lot of interesting stuff in my Family Book, so I'll have to dig out some more to share another day.  Right now, I'm trying to decide what I should do today.  Should I do household chores?  Or should I sit out on the porch and crochet?   Of course, I already wore myself out just thinking of the chores that I could be doing, so it's probably best if I sit on the porch and rest up.  hahaha. 

Today I have another new quick page for you.  This one features Rosie Raccoon as she is strolling through the park looking for food for her family.  Enjoy!

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/xup1f9hu357cf8d/EB_-_QP_2019_-_30.zip/file

Now I'm off to do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A BIt Of History

May 26, 2019

Good morning.  The sun is shining, temps are at 60F degrees, but headed for the eighties in a few hours.  We had wicked thunder during the night and the rain came down so heavy that I thought it must have destroyed all my plants.  But it did not!  I looked this morning, and they are okay.

Friday, my grandson Bobby was here working in my gardens, and Deanne and Eddie were here for a while too.  Pogo and I spent most of the day on the porch.  Yesterday was another lovely day, so again, Pogo and I were on the porch almost all day.  I got a lot of crocheting done, while Pogo was busy watching the yard critters. 

This is a holiday weekend, so families and friends everywhere are getting together for barbeques and parades.  Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and I'll post about that tomorrow. 

Today I thought I'd write about one of my ancestors, Mr. John Jacob Loud.  He was born in Weymouth, MA. on November 2, 1844.  He prepared for college at the Weymouth High School (me too) and was graduated from Harvard College in 1866.  Here is a photo of him taken when he graduated from Harvard.

John Jacob Loud was a well respected, and involved, member of the community.  He was one of the founders, and for many years, president of the Weymouth Historical Society.  He was always interested in music and mechanical invention, and was the inventor of the Ball Point Pen, which he patented October 30, 1888.  He also invented and patented December 27, 1887, the Home Guard Safety Cannon for firecrackers. 

It is a note of interest that another John Loud (Piano Maker's Branch) invented the Fountain Pen.  He was from Philadelphia.

John Jacob Loud was a famous musician, and noted speaker.  At the launching of the Torpedo Boat Destroyer "Lawrence". the first war vessel built by the Fore River Ship and Engine Company, Nov. 7, 1900, he made a stirring and much appreciated address, designating this vessel as the "Kit Carson of the Ocean."  (My Dad worked at the Fore River Ship Yard for many years.)

Here is a photo taken in 1910 of John Jacob Loud holding his grandson, Frederick Vickery Loud.

John Jacob Loud died August 10, 1916.  He and his wife Emily are buried at Weymouth, MA. 

Folks, I grew up in Weymouth, not knowing anything about all of my ancestors who came before me.  However, I always felt safe and at home in that town.  The cemeteries there are filled with the graves of so many of my ancestors.  I wish I'd learned of all this history back then when I was younger. 

I will have to post about my ancestors more often.  There are so many wonderful stories in my big family book that I want to share with all my grandchildren and great grandchildren.  And who knows, before it's my time to go, maybe there will be some great greats too.  They should all know about those wonderful folks who made it all possible for us to be here.

Today I have a new quick page for you.  This one is celebrating this lovely Spring weather.  Have fun with it.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/z99tfl6asdd5wj3/EB_-_QP_2019_-_29.zip/file

I was planning on doing a few chores in the house today, but I think instead Pogo and I will be spending most of the day on the porch.  It's too nice a day to miss.  We have many rainy days coming up when we can stay inside and do household chores.  On that note, I'm off.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs. Edna B.

Tis Another Beautiful Day

May 24, 2019

Good morning.  Tis looking rather nice outside my door.  It's sunny and temps will get up to the low seventies.  This morning Pogo and I are enjoying left over Chinese food for our breakfast.  Wonky, huh?  I'll probably have my Cheerios with a banana for lunch.

Well, yesterday was a busy day for me.  I swept and mopped floors, did two loads of laundry, and I'm not sure whatever else.  However, it took me all day to do this because it was not a great breathing day for me.  My oxygen does have long tubing so that I can move around with it, but with me that is an accident waiting to happen.  So I don't walk around with it on me.  I stop and sit a lot. 

I can use the portable oxygen to walk around, but then I'm carrying an extra five pounds on my arm.  It's easier to do small chores at a time and not fall.  See?  I compromise.  If I get it done, I get it done.  If not, then so be it.

Today I'm hoping to sit out on the porch for a while and do a bit of crocheting.  I'm enjoying working on this new pink afghan and can't wait to take some photos of it.  I'm using three colors, and I have one more row to go of color #2 before I begin the third color.  After that, I'll take photos. 

Eddie and Bobby are supposed to be coming by this morning.  I'm hoping to have Bobby plant a couple new plants that I bought while shopping the other day.  They are simply gorgeous.  They are Asiatic Lilies called "Tiny Double You."  And they are orange, of course!

While I was in Florida back in March, I bought two pairs of the most comfortable pink flip flops.  Yesterday, I gave both pairs a bath and hung them up to dry.  So now I'm wearing my doggie flip flogs that I bought from "The Greater Good shop."

This company does a lot to protect and feed our precious animals.  (people too!)  So every now and then I like to buy something from them.  I live in flip flops whenever possible.  I find them very comfortable.  Please don't tell my orthopedic doctor.  I'm supposed to be wearing high top sneakers, or at least my ankle braces, to keep from falling.  I'm not wearing high top sneakers, and I do wear the braces when my ankles are feeling particularly weak.

I am going to ask the doctor for a new walker when I go for my next visit.  I'd like one with a seat and a basket.  At the moment, I'm using my hubby's walker, but the seat is so tiny I can't sit on it.  However, I'm very grateful to have it. 

Enough of my babble.  Now I need to get dressed before Bobby and Eddie get here.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have  fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Lots Of Good ZZZ's

May 23, 2019

Good morning.  Today is a bit cloudy with a nice breeze.  The temperature is at 62F degrees, and will rise to around 71F degrees by this afternoon.  A pretty nice day.  We should be getting a little rain by this evening.  At least according to the app on my phone.

Well, this morning I woke very late.  It was around 9:45 a.m.  Last evening I fell asleep very early because it had been a long busy day.  I had been up since 4 a.m. and did not fall asleep until around 10 p.m.  I haven't got this much sleep all at once in a long time.  It felt really good.

Yesterday, Cliff came by to overhaul the lawn tractor, and this morning he came by early to finish up the job.  It sounds pretty good now.  Shortly after I got up, the mailman came with the mail.  Wow!  things are happening pretty fast today.  Before I got to make myself a cup of coffee, I decided to sweep and mop the floors.  Hmmm, I should have made my coffee first. 

Today I thought I would share some cute photos I took a couple days ago of a little robin who was taking a bath in a small puddle in the driveway. 

I tried to take a video, but I was having trouble finding the video button on the camera.  I didn't even know if I got a video at all until I had a look at the photos.  Here's my video.  It gets a little wonky at the end (I was trying to find the button to shut it off) but at least you can watch this cute little robin splashing around in the puddle.

As you can see, I love watching the birds and the little critters around here.  I even enjoy our visits from the turkeys.  There is one turkey who is here most days all by himself.  I guess he likes it here. 

I can see that today is going to be another busy day for me.  I have a couple loads of laundry to do and I need to make a pie.  I promised DIL Janet that I would make her favorite, Strawberry, for tonight.  She changed our Wednesday nights to Thursday because she took up boxing on Wednesday evenings. 

But first, I'm going to make myself a cup of coffee.  And, I'll have my breakfast for lunch.  Now I just have to decide what to make for our supper.  I won't get to work on my pink afghan until after supper.  It is looking really pretty.  I'm on to the second color now, and I've decided to use a third color because I'm not sure if I'll have enough of the light pink yarn to finish.  I bought the pink yarn at a sale and I can't get more of it. 

Now I'm off to put in a load of laundry and get that cup of coffee.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Spring Is Beginning To Bloom Here

May 22, 2019

Good morning.  Tis wicked early.  I woke up at 4 a.m. and decided to stay up.  After finding something interesting to watch on TV, I did a bit of crocheting on the new pink Granny Ripple afghan.  Plus, Pogo and I had a bit of breakfast. 

The sun is shining and today's temps should probably reach 70F degrees by this afternoon.  I was going to wait until later this morning to type this post because I wanted to go grocery shopping first thing this morning.  However, it's still too early to go shopping so here I am. 

Yesterday my grandson Bobby was here working wonders in one of my little gardens.  It's looking really nice now, without all the weeds.  He's coming back Friday to do more work.  First, he will power clean all the green off the  two sheds.  Then it's back to working in the gardens.  There's a lot of weeding to be done.  He is temporarily laid off from work, so I'm enjoying having him here to help me. 

I took a walk around the yard to see what was growing so far.  Wow, there's lots of plants coming up.  My beautiful lilacs are finally coming into their own.  Now they look like lilacs. 

There's also lots of Irises budding.  These are all yellow (when they bloom).  Sad to say, they don't last very long, but oh my they are really beautiful.

On the other side of the house, all the lilies are getting quite tall.  I imagine they will be next to start getting buds on them.  Some of them have really thick stems.  Hmmm, interesting!  My poor gardens have been badly neglected these past couple of years, so there's lots of work to keep Bobby busy for a while. 

While we were talking, I realized that he's never had a chance to go watch his sister perform on stage.  So, I'm going to check on the dates of the summer show at the Cabaret, and I think I'll take Bobby and Amber to one of the shows.  Gosh, I hope it works out because I'll really enjoy this. 

This morning, Cliff is coming by to tune up the lawn tractor and make sure it is in good working order.  I know it need one or two tire tubes, so he will take a photo of the make and size of the tires and text it to me.  Then I shall order the new tubes and the tractor will be good as new again. 

Today I have another new quick page for you.  This one is a bit of a take on all the rain we've been having.  Even the small critters are having to take shelter.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/ldikdu0j4dep7ej/EB_-_QP_2019_-_28.zip/file

Now I want to start getting ready to go grocery shopping.  By going this early, the store shouldn't be very crowded.  After everything is put away, Pogo and I can enjoy some porch time.  I'm off now.  So till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's National Adopt A Pet Week

May 21, 2019

Good morning.  Tis looking sunny and gorgeous outside my door.  It's 55F degrees, and will be getting up into the mid to upper sixties for the rest of the day.  It won't be as hot as yesterday, but it will definitely be a beautiful day. 

Well, yesterday I never left to go shopping.  Nope, Pogo and I spent quite a bit of the afternoon sitting out on the porch.  Even though it was a bit warm, there was a lovely breeze.  Let me tell you, it felt soooooo good! 

Today my grandson Bobby is coming by to help me with some gardening and a few other things.  He was our very first grandchild, and the apple of Papa's eye.  (The grandkids called my hubby Papa, and I'm Meema.)  I will see about cleaning things off the porch today, and then shop tomorrow morning.

Yesterday's blog reading kicked up some old memories about children and pets dying.  When I was a little girl, I had a pet snake.  I think he was a garter snake, and I named him Zeke.  I had a long variegated ribbon that I would tie onto him to take him for a walk.  Well, one day he got loose and got run over by a car.  Poor Zeke. 

I was heartbroken, so my little friends and my brother and I decided to bury him and give him a little funeral.  My mom gave me a pink toothbrush case and a piece of pink shiny material for Zeke's coffin.  My friend's father gave us a small granite cross for the grave.  (They lived next door and had a granite monument company.)  During the little ceremony, passing cars would stop by to see what was going on.  One lady told my mother that this was so sweet.  Then my mother told her that this was not a funeral for a dog or a cat, it was for a snake.  Priceless!

By the way, this is National Adopt A Shelter Pet Week.  Shelter pets are awesome!  Folks, if you can't adopt a pet, can you maybe spend a little time visiting the beautiful animals at your local shelter or maybe donate some food or treats or bedding, etc.?  Every little thing we do to help the pets at the shelters is appreciated oh so much!

I have a photo I want to share that I took in the middle of the night (around 3:45 a.m.) of my new flamingo wind chime.  I didn't realize when I bought the wind chime, but it has a solar panel on it.  Isn't this pretty?

Recently, I had dug out some pretty pink yarn that I wanted to do something with.  So last night, I dug out a pattern for a Granny Ripple Afghan, and decided to give it a try.  It took me a while to get it right, but so far it is looking pretty nice.  When I have enough rows done, I'll take a photo of it.  Meanwhile, I have the picture that came with the pattern.

 Late yesterday afternoon,. the clouds rolled over our little town and brought a lot of rain with thunder and lightning.  It's a good thing I had already brought my two tomato plants back up on the porch so they wouldn't get water logged.  A lot of my other new plants have already gone on to better pastures.  Between the rains water logging them and critters helping themselves to them, they just didn't stand a chance.  But I'm doing my best to keep these last two tomato plants alive.  Maybe, just maybe, this year I might get some tomatoes.  We'll see.

Our resident turkey is really funny.  (Yes, we have one turkey that seems to hang around in my yard a lot.  He might even be living in the brush in the back of the property.)  Well, anyway, shortly after Joe gets home from work, one can hear a gobble, gobble, gobble aimed to the front door of the house.  That's Tom turkey's way of letting Joe know that he would like some more food. 

The squirrels and some of the birds sit right by the bird feeder and wait for Joe to bring out the food.  It's really comical to watch.  It's good to be able to get along with Nature. 

I'm watching out my front door, and every now and then a really brisk wind comes along and has my flag and the trees out front dancing up a storm.  In between these brief spells of wind, all is fairly calm.  Hmmm, strange. 

Ah well, that's enough of my babble for today.  I want to do a bit of blog reading before heading out to the porch.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Solar Thingies

May 20, 2019

Good morning.  Although in four more minutes I shall be saying good afternoon.  Boy, did I sleep late today!  My Pogo is such a good little guy.  He waits until he sees me waking up before asking for his food.  So, that's the first thing I do when I get up.

Today is such a gorgeous day.  Temps are in the seventies, with sunshine in between a few clouds.  You know Pogo and I will be spending time out on the porch today!  Halleluja!  I'm going to fill my carafe with nice cold water and grab my crochet bag on my way out there. 

Yesterday, I took a tiny video of just a few of my solar thingies as they were dancing.  They are such happy little things.

Once I finish cleaning off the porch, I'll take photos of all the little solar thingies.  They are on all my railings.

Sometime today, I really must go out to the Post Office and to the market to pick up some groceries.  If not, I'll have to do it tomorrow.  Maybe I'll go later this afternoon after Pogo has his turkey treat.  My grandson Bobby is supposed to be coming by tomorrow and I don't want to be running out to be doing errands then. 

Today I have a couple photos that Deanne sent me a couple nights ago when she and Eddie went to the Red Sox baseball game.  It was cold that evening, but it was a fun night.

This morning, I watched a little robin taking a bath in a tiny puddle in the driveway.  I took a couple photos, and as soon as I have a chance to crop them I'll share one here.  Once the robins are back here in my yard, I know that Spring has officially arrived. 

Sadly, in only one month, it will be Summer already.  I'll have to see about getting a fan set up on the porch so that when it starts getting really hot Pogo and I will be able to stay out there.  Eddie offered to put up a ceiling fan, but that would only blow down on me.  I do have a nice tall floor fan that I can put out there. 

Now I'm off to start enjoying this awesome day.  Pogo is already at the door waiting to get out on the porch.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day. 

Hugs, Edna B.

Today's Hunger Problem

May 19, 2019

Good morning.  It's a little after seven a.m. and the sun is already shining here.  And guess what??  Yesterday, Deanne, Eddie and Bobby (their eldest son) came over and while the guys were taking down my screen covers, Deanne was cleaning and setting up my porch for me.  She even cleaned all my little solar thingies and set them all out on the porch railings.  Eddie and Bobby even put in an electric outlet out there for me.

Their is still some planting stuff (pots and dirt, etc.) on the porch to be put away in the shed, but I can take my time now and get it all put away.  It is so nice to be able to be out on the porch and now I can see my whole yard.  (The screen covers are not see through) 

I have been asked where I live.  Pogo and I live in Randolph, MA.  We are about thirty minutes south of Boston.  (that's by car)  It's a pretty town, especially on a day like today.  We have no big stores, just supermarkets, businesses and some small shops.  But we're not very far from the big stores.

Today I thought I'd like to comment on an article in yesterday's newspaper.  It says that too many of our kids are going hungry, and it tells how the schools are helping.  The newspaper article lists all the towns that it covers and gives the percentages of how many children in each city and town are going hungry.  It says that many of these children can't wait to get to school so that they can have a meal.

This disturbs me.  First, no children should be going hungry.  Low income families get food stamps, and free food from food pantries.  The towns with the highest percentages are the towns with the higher influx of immigrants.  This is not listed in the article.  Also not listed in the article is the lifestyles of a lot of the population in these towns.  A lot of them live rather well.  They drive nice cars, dress fashionably and almost all of them have expensive cell phones.

 
Here's a sentence from the article:  "Just the other day (assistant principal speaking) I had a student who was acting out in class and I asked him "Are you hungry?"  I took him to my office and he took the Power Bar that I had, an apple and a few other things.  He took everything that I offered, and he was wearing $200 shoes.  It's an undeniable problem."

Towns are trying to make it so that all children, no matter the income, get free lunches at school.  Some schools even send all the left over food from meals home with the neediest children to make sure that they eat at home.

The part that bothers me is the "why" of it.  If so many of these families can afford expensive shoes and cell phones for their kids, why don't they have food in the house for them?   WalMart sells much cheaper shoes and phones, (that look really nice) and that would leave more money for food.  Right? 

Folks, when I was younger, raising my children, I never got out of the poverty level, even though I worked two or three jobs, whatever it took, to keep a roof over heads and food and clothes for my family.  Granted, we did not have the latest or the best of everything, but we had everything we needed, and we made it through just fine.  My kids grew up to be awesome adults and parents.  (and now, grandparents)

Okay, enough of my little rant.  Today is a gorgeous day and I don't want to spoil it.   Today I want to spend some time out on my beautiful little porch.  It's so nice to be able to sit out there and listen to all the birds in the trees and watch the squirrels and chipmunks scurrying around the yard. 

I have two new quick pages for you today.  I'll try to do this every week for a while to make up for all the QP's that I did not get to post.  This first one is a bit whimsical.  Have fun with it.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/t2ix6b8g35tot1s/EB_-_QP_2019_-_25.zip/file

The next one is a fun page that might be nice for the kiddo's photos.  Enjoy.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/mb5nxbt9ho79o91/EB_-_QP_2019_-_27.zip/file

I enjoy making these pages, and I have fun with a lot of them.  Can you tell?  Some times I really try hard to make them much plainer, but then they are not as much fun.  My personality comes through with a lot of these whimsical pages.  I hope you like them.

Now I'm going to make a fresh cup of coffee and do a bit of blog reading.  Then I'm going to watch Jewel School on JTV.   So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

I Think That I Shall Never See A Poem As Lovely As A Tree

May 17, 2019

Good morning.  Temps are beginning to warm up here, but we're getting a lot of rain.  I'm not complaining though, other parts of the country are being flooded with the rain.  Every now and then we have a day of sunshine. 

I do have to say though, that the rain is hurting my plants.  There's just too much of it.  This morning, I brought two of the pots back up on the porch (after I dumped the water out of them.)  I don't think they will make it. 

Remember the days when a user manual came with most products?  For some reason, the manufacturers decided that we did not need the paper manual, and instead put one online.  You can usually download it as a PDF file. 

I don't know about you, but it's very difficult for me to try to look things up on my laptop when I'm outdoors trying to take photographs.  The cameras (at least the Canon ones) do come with a little user manual.  The booklet is small with tiny print, and only a third or fourth of the manual is in English.  I don't find this user friendly. 

I found a company on the web that will print any PDF manual for you.  Their name is PDF-2-PRINT LTD.  Their web address is: www.pdf-2-print.co.uk.  I had the manual for my PowerShot printed, and it is really nice.  The cost was reasonable.  I think it was around $17.  Just thought you might be interested.

Today I thought I would share some photos that I took of a really interesting tree that is on the grounds of my timeshare resort.  The tree was just stunning, from the ground all the way up to the top of it. 

This is the base of the tree.

This is the mid section of the tree.  Years of different types and size of philodendron plants have been growing up and around the tree.

Trees

By Joyce Kilmer 

                                            

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

 Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

I haven't made any special plans for today because somehow my plans keep getting changed.  Not that it matters.  My new outlook is "if I get to it, I'll get to it.  If not, there's tomorrow."  This seems to work.  I am going to set aside some time to play on my laptop.  I need to make some more quick pages. 

We were supposed to have sunshine today, but I'm looking out my door and it is looking pretty gray.  A breeze is picking up and the clouds seem to be getting darker.  At least the trees have all filled out with beautiful green leaves.  The two big trees at the end of my driveway sort of make an arch over the entrance to my yard.  It's really a pretty sight.

Now I'm off.  I'll do a bit of blog reading first, then I'll see about making some new quick pages.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous weekend. 

Hugs, Edna B.

Some Turkeys Are Absolutely Adorable!

May 16, 2019

Good morning.  Tis sixty degrees and sunny.  We're supposed to be getting rain for the afternoon, and then back to a bit of sunshine.  Temps seem to be warming up a bit. 

Has anyone seen the newest Chantix ad?  I love that turkey.  This one is camping in the woods, and is oh so cute!  Gosh, I can't wait to see what the next turkey commercial will be like. 

The mailman is here with a handful of bills for me.  One bill is for a maintenance contract that I have with the fuel company.  I haven't decided whether or nor I want to keep this contract so I called them on the phone to ask what exactly is covered.  It did not cover any of the work that was done on the furnace replacement.  I'll have to think about this before paying for it.

I haven't had my fingernails done in a long time, and they look it.  A while ago, I ordered some nail polish that is supposed to make them unbreakable. The package came today.  I doubt it will make them unbreakable, bit I'll be happy if the polish makes them stronger.

Have you watched the thirty second "Calm" app ad on TV?  It's a good ad.  You just sit and do nothing for thirty seconds while you listen to rain.  Very effective.  Nope, I have not downloaded the app to my phone.  I would think that listening to stuff like this would drain the phone's battery.  Besides, I have CD's like this.  I just have to find what I did with my CD player. 

I still have tons of music cassettes.  One of these days I'll have to take the time to convert them over to CD or DVD.  Sadly, all the fun stuff that us old folks have is also getting very old.  Some of it doesn't work anymore. 

Before I get started on my blog reading, let me share a couple things that I borrowed from the web.

Now I'm off.  I'm going outside for a bit to see if the sun will give me some energy.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Such Changeable Weather

May 15, 2019

Good morning.  Tis cloudy with temps in the forties.  According to the weather app on my phone, we should have some sunshine today with temps climbing to the mid to upper fifties.  There's a lot of rain in our future, but Saturday is supposed to be nice.  It changes frequently, so we'll see.

All this rain is really not so good for my plants.  All the first tomato plants that we planted are looking very water logged.  The new tomato plants that are still on the porch waiting to be potted and put out are looking much better.  If I don't get tomatoes this year, I doubt if I'll be planting them again. 

Yesterday was a rather lazy day for Pogo and me.   Today I'm hoping to be a bit more energetic.  I have a couple things that I want to look up on the web (how to's)  and I really should wash some of Pogo's blankets.  I also want to work on some quick pages too. 

A couple days ago, I took photos of some tiny purple flowers that are growing all through the grass on the porch side of my house.  I have no clue what they are, so if you do, please let me know.

It seems to me that I used to have a lot of this plant growing elsewhere in my yard.  The plants had orange and yellow flowers and they grew to two or three feet tall.  Hmmm, I think they are rather pretty. 

I also took a photo of my lilacs.  They are so different from regular lilacs. 

As pretty as these get, I think I'd like to get some of the old fashioned lilacs to plant in the yard.  These flowers just don't have the same heavenly scent that the old fashioned ones do. 

Today I want to call my cousin.  It's been a while since we've chatted on the phone, and I don't want to lose contact with her.   There aren't very many of us oldies left in my family.  Sadly, none of use gets around so good anymore, but between the phone, email and regular mail, I've been able to keep contact with a couple of them. 

I have a new quick page for you today.  This one could be fun for some of your travel photos.  Enjoy.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/1o8o4u94067d8kd/EB_-_QP_2019_-_22.zip/file

There's really not a lot of news this morning, so I think I'll take my leave here and go do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.