Welcome to GameBoomers Break Room #6

Come one, come all, share your daily thoughts, conversational chit-chat, maybe a joke or two and all the little things that really don't need its own thread.

There are plenty of seats available, so don't be shy and come chat!

View the previous thread here and we can start where we left off!

Happy chatting!

I've pulled the seat by the fire with room for the doggies. Great to see you Ana.

sports and chores.

And for those who observe it, Happy Easter!

For those that are on FaceBook (I think anyone can see it anyways) GameBoomers has our Easter Greeting Here.


Ana

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Good Morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. The BBQ went well, we all had a lot of fun and good food. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today, meeting at the Eagles tonight.

Another cold, rainy, dreary day and down to below freezing tonight. I'm so OVER this weather! I have things I need to do outside!!!

We're having a major windstorm, with ferries from the Mainland cancelled. We did have a friend coming over to visit from Vancouver today, but now he can't get here. We would have had to cancel anyway because on Saturday we had a couple of our friends over and one of them called me last night to say he'd just tested positive for COVID. We'll wait until tonight and then use our rapid tests, but I have tto say I'm very worried about John.

Rain and cold here. BOO

Oh, dear. Fingers crossed your rapid tests are both negative.

Will keep you and John in my prayers hagatha

G'night all

Hoping all will stay well for you both, hagatha

Good Morning everyone. It's a rainy windy morning here. Enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee....and waiting for Connie's delicious breakfast goodies. Hagatha hope your tests are negative for Covid. Ana hope all is well with you. Soot I've put on some dark Sumartra coffee to enjoy.

Wishing everyone a Happy Day!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Hagaha, prayers you and John don't test positive.

Thanks Gerry!

Good morning all ... have an awesome day!

So far, so good on the tests, but we aren't out of the incubation period yet, so I'll wait for another day or two before using another one.

same thing.

Good news so far, hagatha! Fingers crossed for you.

same thing.

Hagatha

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

We've been indulging in our newest addiction -- dark chocolate and sea-salt covered medjool dates. Unfairly yummy!

Good afternoon Boomers.

same thing.

I'd TRY one of those dates, hagatha!

The dates are WICKED! And they're very large dates so two is actually a great snack, or dessert for that matter.

Still no symptoms. Still, it can be up to ten days, I hear.

Yup, 5 to 10 days... You're probably OK, but it has got to be so worrying for you and John.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

We're trying out a new special roast tryptich from our favourite Victoria roastery -- it arrived yesterday, and I have to say the first one we've tried is absolutely delicious. It's got some strong cherry notes and maybe some vanilla and dark chocolate. It's a new yearly enterprise, where they select an indigenous roaster to highlght and support. Anyway, absolutely wonderful coffee and I can't wait to try the other two.

We're still fine.

That sounds good hagatha.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight.

I finally ventured out to get John a prescription. Our pharmacy has a pass-though window, which is handy.

Otherwise, it's sunny and warm and I'll start tackling the green sludge on our decks.

I continued tackling the weeds in the perennial beds. I can only work for an hour or two at a time, so it's slow going, but I'm getting it done! Over half way there now. I have found a young 17 year-old entrepreneur - with a good back! - who is mowing lawns and doing yard work to earn money for college. He is going to lay down mulch for me this year and I'm so excited! I can do a lot yet, but that one is beyond me the last few years. Dave even took our big dump trailer to the nearby town and brought home 3 huge loads of mulch. He will use our big tractor with a bucket to take it around to where ever it's needed.

sports and chores.

Mowing the lawn and grocery shopping on my list today.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping is on the agenda today. Dinner and karaoke at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Hagatha, wonderful news that y'all are doing well!! The new "special roast tryptic" coffee sounds wonderful ... do they advertise/market on-line? I'd love to try it

I'm with you Space Quest Fan ... mowing the lawn is on my chore list for the day ... with the rest of my normal Saturday projects and chores

That's most excellent news Drac ... many hands make light work

Have an awesome Saturday everyone

Heading down to the Horse Rescue Ranch for our annual Spring Fling. Should be fun... 30+ mph wind gusts, 83°, 80 - 90 horses spooked by the wind and 700+ people!

Drac ... take care and stay safe

Soot, the roastery is in Victoria. It's called Discovery Coffee. I don't know if they would ship internationally so I've sent them an email. I'll let you know -- they usually get back to me pretty quickly.

sports and chores.

Good Morning everyone. Hope the day finds you all well. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are hot and ready for all you early birds. Spring has sprung here and we have a pair of owls nesting in a hollow of a maple tree right outside our living room window....the babies should be popping there heads out soon.
Father owl sits in a pine tree nearby on guard. There is a squirrel that has tried more then once to climb up to the nesting spot but father owl has swooped over and chased him away. One of these days that squirrel will be his dinner!

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! I'm off to enjoy my morning coffee and watch the sunrise.

Have a great Sunday Boomers.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning. Going to the plant nursery this afternoon.

Good Sunday morning everyone

Thanks Hagatha, what was the name of that new roast coffee you liked? That's so cool you have that coffee brewery in your area.

Gerry ... thanks for putting the coffee and tea on today. Little Soot and I enjoy the sunrise every morning ... sometimes having the park all to ourselves. Yes, that little squirrel better mind his p's & q's for sure.

You too Space Quest Fan!

Have fun Connie!

Have a magnificent Sunday everyone

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Soot, The roastery is Discovery Coffee. They will deliver to the US. I love their coffee because it's all a light or light-medium, expertly roasted . It's especially good for espresso drinks but I haven't mastered its use in other brewing types like French Press or Aero Press.

So, my back and I survived the massive event at Longmeadow yesterday! The director said 1,000 people, but I don't know if that's correct. In any case, we had way more than the 700 we had in 2019. It was 87° and very windy, so was a bit of a challenge at times. But people were thoroughly enjoying their time with the animals and the tours. We only had one horse, Clueless Too, a Thoroughbred who was freaked out by the wind and all the people. I was hot, tired and dirty from the wind blowing dust everywhere, but a shower and a cold frosty adult beverage fixed that! Great day.

Today I did the mowing. Hubby is out of commission with his back. It takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hours to mow the 3 acres around the house and it's pretty rough because of all the mole activity. But my back is better than his, so it works out. Then I took a long walk down in the wood looking for morel mushrooms. Found a deer trail that I followed down the hill for a long time. I didn't find any morels, but Bella the Bloodhound and I enjoyed our excursion anyway!

Draclvr, that sounds like a great time. We're still mostly stuck at home, of course, but my last 2 rapid tests were negative so I think we're out of the woods.

Good Morning Connie, Soot, family, hagathe, Draclvr and everyone. It's nice to see you all keep the GB Break Room going. Covid has changed our lives in so many ways. Coffee and tea are ready.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Gerry

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

same thing.

Good evening everyone ... I hope everyone had a wonderful day ... it's time to unwind and call it a day

Sleep well

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Sounds like good news on the tests, hagatha

Folgers Breakfast Blend, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Have an awesome Tootin Toosday everybody!

same thing.

It would be an understatement to say it rained today. It would even be an understatement to say it poured.

Oh well. We do live in a rain forest, even if a lot of the trees are gone.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Just a little shower, eh, hagatha!

Got a major weeding job done yesterday. Whew! Working on getting everything done before the young man I hired to spread mulch for me arrives next Wednesday afternoon. So glad my back is holding up! That nerve block I got a month or so ago has really helped.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Mani/Pedi and lunch out with a friend today.

Tours, walking tours, more walking tours! We get dozens of end-of-the-year school field trips at Longmeadow. Hoping to get the very big tour today - about 125 kids - in before it rains! Then league bowling tonight.

same thing.

Going morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Spending time with friends at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone and Happy TGIF day 😀

Dark roast Sumatra coffee, bottled Fiji water and Scottish Breakfast Tea in the Break Room.

Getting my 2nd COVID booster this morning. Yay! I'm hoping to get some shrubs and an arborvitae I bought Wednesday planted this afternoon.

Have a happy Friday, everyone!

Hoping everyone has a good week-end with a great temp.

Take care.

The weekend has arrived!
Hope you got your shrubs and arborvitae planted Drac ... is the arborvitae stand-alone or added to others?
You too Chief ... Happy Friday!

sports and chores.

Soot, it's added to others. I had one die a couple of years ago. Got three holes dug and shrub planted and then my back told me to save the rest of tomorrow!

Drac, I wish my back gave me advance warning: it seems that roughly every ten years I do something fairly minor and the back completely gives out, forcing me to take it very easy for several weeks (hence my obsession with back rests etc)...

Good morning, Danish, Donuts,and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping today, working the kitchen at the Eagles for our dinner tonight.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

I've got a full plate this weekend with home projects and chores

I understand completely Drac & Lex been there, done that and own that t-shirt on 'backs'

Have an awesome Saturday everyone

My back pain in pretty much constant - three bulging discs and arthritis/stenosis. I had a nerve block a month ago and it's helped, but when my back starts speaking to me, then I quit!

I got a third of the way through my deck cleaning and had to quit, too. I was scrubbing it with soap and water, so it was hard hard on the back. I'll have to finish using a chemical cleaner, after all. I don't like to use those, but the job won't get done otherwise.

What about some vinegar in with the soap and water? That might make it easier? Spray it on and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then scrubbing?

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Storms have hit, including tornado sirens. Time to shut down I guess.

I've been watching your weather up there, oldbroad. Hope it all passes and you are back on line ASAP!

I hope you stay safe, oldbroad.

Not much of anything here where I am. Hopefully, not by Ana either. Looks like it might have been worse near her.

oldbroad, tornado sirens were going off by me and lots of thunder and lightning but we are fine. Went to the lake by me at sunset and we had quite the fantastic cloud show and a rainbow! Glad you are safe too oldbroad!

Hi everyone!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning.

Good morning everyone 🏝

Quadruple Espresso, Orion Turtle chips, Aha Pomegranate Blueberry Sparkling Water in the Break Room.

We'll wrap weekend chores and projects today and get ready for the work week 🙃

That Quadruple Espresso sounds like a sure fire way to get a jump on that chore list soot! Hope it gets done quickly so you can relax too!

connie, enjoy your breakfast out! Yummy!

Have a great day all! I wish we would get sunshine and dry out here. We have had nothing but gloom and rain all of March and April. They said at least 2 more weeks of it. Ugh!

Ugh, indeed, Ana. We've had a lot of it, but not as much as you. What I am so OVER is all the wind! I was working outside all afternoon and felt more wind-burned than anything. Heading out to do 3 hours of mowing as hubby is not chancing it with his back. It's better, but far from good.

After an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday, we're back to Ugh, too.

On the other hand, this is the time of year when the Humpbacks return, so we're looking forward to that.

It looks as though we'll need a third person to come boating with us to help John getting in and out of the boat. One of our friends is now taking the mandatory boating course, so we'll be able to get out there soon.

Yes to the wind here too, Drac! Our ground is either flooded or total mush like a sponge. You walk and the water comes up around your foot. Not to mention the below normal temps. It's just exhausting. Glad your hubbys back is improving and your shot is working!

hagatha, I'm so glad you have a friend that will help you and John. I'm jealous of the humpbacks! On the bright side my Orioles returned today. I'm so happy they are at my feeders!

Ana

The humpbacks really are special. We love the Orca, but the Humpbacks seem to bring summer with them. They are such friendly, gentle creatures, too. I often wonder about the little one that mugged us, whether we've seen him as an adult.

The first two years we were here, two young males stayed all winter instead of going south, named Kelp Creature and Ariel. They hung out in the bay across from our house and were so tame the tourists got to see them up pretty close. We still see Kelp Creature around from time to time because he has a distinctive mark on his fin, but we've never heard about Ariel since he first went south as an adult.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvHBGKUSxpo

How cool is that!

That video clip was taken in Saltery Bay, which is across the channel from us on the Mainland, a bit south of here. We can buzz over there in our boat in about an hour and a half if the weather is fine. Typically, though, we go north up the Passage to Johnstone Straight and then in and around the islands up there, where the Orca, dolphin and porpoise tend to hang out. The Humpbacks we see tend to stay near the south end of Quadra because the feeding is good, but we do see them north a bit.

There's another population that lives near Telegraph Cove, farther along the Johnstone Straight. The first humpbacks that returned in these waters reappeared in Telegraph Cove, much to everyone's surprise. The last one was murdered in the 60's, so it took them about 4 decades to come back. Now they're much-loved by everyone and of great value to the local economy. Telegraph Cove is a very cool place with an interesting history.

https://www.travelingislanders.com/visit-telegraph-cove-vancouver-island/

My wife Linda and I are green with envy!

Beautiful hagatha, I'm jealous. Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Meeting at the Eagles tonight.

That information about Telegraph Cove makes me want to visit there! Never knew about it.

Weeds and a trip to the plant nursery today! Yay! I need hanging baskets for the hummingbird porch as they are back! I put up 4 one-quart feeders with hanging baskets in between to reduce the arguing over the feeders! I also stuff 7 huge pots with annuals on the pool deck and the grape arbor. Fun!

We do live in paradise. This area has been a mecca for tourists from all over the world for decades. The big draw used to be the hiking and salmon fishing, but now we have the added attraction of the eco-tours for whales and grizzly bears. In the 30's, 40's and 50's a lot of the big-name stars would come here to fish. The lodges all have photos of their famous patrons from the past.

It's a treatment week, so we're off to the doctor this afternoon.

Wow, totally cool Hagatha ... paradise indeed ... what a site to see!

Have a great evening everyone

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have an awesome Toosday!

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch out with a friend today.

Good morning everyone

Maple Bacon medium roast, English Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have an awesome Wednesday!

May the 4th be with you...

Thanks for the goodies, connie and soot! I'll just have some black coffee before I bundle up to stay warm and go out to finish my weeding today!

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Blech! Three more inches of rain last night. JUST STOP!!! My mulch young man has rescheduled for Saturday. We couldn't get the big tractor in the yard to move mulch around anyway. Grrr...!!!

I'll just sit here and drink my coffee and do my daily Wordle.

same thing.

sports and chores.

Good morning everyone

Folgers Light Breakfast roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have an awesome T.G.I.F. day today!

The weekend is just around the corner

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight.

sports and chores.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. A BJ's trip is on today's agenda. Kentucky Derby Party, dinner, and Trivia at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone and welcome to the weekend!

I've brought the Espresso machine this morning for Quadruple shots to kick start your day and then Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water for the rest of the day in the Break Room.

It's time for weekend chores and projects.

Young man here laying down mulch for me. I'm excited to get it done! We've had around 5" of rain here the last couple of days, so he is having to fill a wheelbarrow from our big trailer and walk it around the yard to all the beds. Which means a day off for ME! Will be having a video chat with our German family at noon. Guenter and Petra are usually here for a month every summer, but haven't been able to come for 2 years because of COVID. They have flights for this summer, but Guenter is having some health issues so they are not sure if they will be able to make it this year too.

Hey hagatha, where were the whales????

My husband and I went to the Nanaimo Model Train Show last weekend, our friends always seem to see whales from the ferry, I had my eyes glued to the water all the way, coming and going, but as normal for me, not a whale in sight!!!

Stayed on the Island for nearly a week checking out inlets and sea views, I think the whales were hiding from us....

What a wonderful place you live in for the wild life and views, we saw lots of deer, we don't need to see bears, one walks through our front garden every few days or so!

Hi, copper! Nice to see you here!

It's nice to be here, that is back at the old computer, no matter how nice it is to get away for a while, it's even better to return home.

Copper, we live right on the water, so our living room looks out into an area where we potentially see anything going north up the Passage, including whales and cruise ships. You can see Orca almost anywhere up the coast, but it's a matter of luck for most people and they can be hard to spot unless you know what to look for -- or the whale pops up close by. Often you'll hear a whale before you see it, especially in the case of Humpbacks.

The Humpbacks come back in May, and we see them very frequently in the waters between Quadra Island, Cortez Island, nd Mittlenatch Island. There must be a good feeding ground there because we've often seen mothers and small calves in that area -- small meaning the size of a school bus.

Mostly what we see in these waters are the Transient pods, which are mammal-eaters that are more nomadic than the Resident pods. The Transients have a healthier population because they aren't dependent on salmon stock for food.

Basically unless you live in the area you might not see a whale. But there are many excellent whale watching tours in the mid-Island area, so if your heart is set on whales, just book yourself in. It's absolutely worth it.

I have been on two whale watching tours, one from Victoria many years ago now, and one from Maui, both were wonderful with lots of whales popping up.

It's just that my friends are always going to Vancouver Island by ferry and appear to see whales every time, I've never been that lucky.

I agree it's absolutely worth going on a tour, but I still envy you being able to look out of your living room window at such a wonderful view.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning, Dinner out this evening for Mother's Day. Happy Mothers Day to all our mothers.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

same thing. yesterday we made shrimp fettuccine, i did not want to get rusty.

Mmmm. Shrimp fettuccine. Sounds delicious!

Just lost my little girl.

Is this one of your kitties, oldbroad?

Yes. The little girl who used to poke me in the eye but she had finally stopped doing that. The only other cat left here is the one who won't talk to me at all. My house feels utterly empty and so does my heart. She was the mother cat and the smartest cat I ever had. She drove me crazy being pesty which is what's really going to be hard - going to total nothing at all.

Oldbroad, my heart goes out to you.

We have had up to five cats at any one time and are now down to one little pedigree blue-point Persian aged 18: naturally she is spoiled rotten and I know that when she crosses the rainbow bridge it will be very upsetting indeed.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today. Oldbroad Big Hugs.

So very sorry to hear of your loss, oldbroad. I know that pain of a loss of our furry friends and my heart is broken for you. :hugs:

Have a great day everyone! We went from 48 days of gloom, chilly temps and rain ( So. Much. Rain!) to temps in the 90's. Things are finally blooming and getting green!

oldbroad

Oldbroad, I am so sorry to hear this. It's going to be way too quiet now.

same thing. oldvroad, i am sorry about that.

So very sorry to hear that sad news, oldbroad, and I send special

Thank you all for your kind words and hugs. They mean a lot coming from people who know the feeling as all of you do.

As Ana said about our weather, it went from cold to hot - too hot for me. I did open some windows yesterday but today the air got turned on.

Yeah, I turned the AC on today too. I hate to turn it on so early, but it was really hot and we were working in the gardens all day.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Just time for coffee this morning. I'm off to do end-of-the-school-year tours at Longmeadow this morning. And tommorow and Friday and an all-day Wagon Day Saturday! Got 52 tomato plants and 34 pepper plants in yesterday and plan on getting in another 57 tomato plants today. HOT out there again!

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Repotting Orchids in the greenhouse today.

I'm excited! The Longmeadow Education Director messaged me and I am off the hook for the tours today! I did get another 57 tomatoes planted yesterday in this 92° heat. I'm slow and take a lot of breaks, but I got it done! So, that leaves me with today to go shopping for plants for my big pots - I LOVE plant shopping!!

Have a good day, everyone!

I'm not planting anything this year and have given the use of our greenhouse to our neighbours for the summer. I'm doing enough caregiving right now that I can't cope with the garden.

The SU is in the hospital right now having his pain meds tweaked because they weren't giving him enough relief. It's frustrating, because the chemo has worked to stop the cancer growth, but for some reason the pain persists. There's no homecoming date set yet, so I've had time to do a few things around the house, making piles of stuff we haven't used for years and getting it to one of the charities here in town.

I'm just finishing up a nice coffee and then I'll cruise on over to the hospital, with a pit stop for jelly doughnuts along the way.

My hubby has hit a wall with pain management. He has applied for a medical marijuana card. He's tried some of the gummies and they are doing more for his pain and insomnia that any of the other oral opioid type meds.

Drac, I'm glad he has found some relief! Wish Tennessee would legalize it. It also helps with seizers many have families have left here to help their kids...

I've read those stories, Winfrey. Also military people who are unable to get it for PTSD are leaving. Missouri is as backwards a state as you can get, but we did at least get medical marijuana passed. A very good friend's son has such severe PTSD after being captured by ISIS when he was in the service that he is considering moving back here to be able to access medical marujuana.

same thing. yesterday we made spaghetti.

Good evening everyone ... work has kept me hopping

Have a wonderful evening

John's doctors determined that the Fentanyl patches and Gabapentin were doing nothing, so they've been trying some other medications. At one point this week he was in so much pain it was hard to watch. They've switched him over to morphine, added a weekly infusion of lidocaine and upped his hydromorphone and methadone, and when I walked in today he was like a whole new man, still very weak but no longer in severe pain. I was going to suggest large doses of cannabis oil, which they do have at the hospital, but it looks like that would be overkill now, and at any rate we have lots at home.

The doctor and one of John's chemo nurses, who has been with us all along, are really going to bat for John. He's already lived so much longer than anyone expected -- he was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer almost 7 years ago -- that he is a bit of a legend around here, so I think everyone is interested to see just how long they can keep him going. I have to say, though, that at one point this week I wasn't sure he'd be coming home again, it was that bad.

I find CBN to be the most effective for insomnia. I hadn't heard of it before, but our local government dispensary just started to stock it. It's high in THC, but instead of a THC/CBD combo, it has THC/CBN instead, which is a different compound made from old, very dry cannabis. You take it two hours before going to bed. I find it to be really helpful for sleep, so if you can find it your area it's worth a try. I also use CBD for my joint pain and it works wonders. A friend of ours works for one of the growers here in BC. He uses their high-dose THC oil for his severe foot arthritis and he finds it more effective than opioids.

Ya gotta love Canada. We're a bit strange, but we do some things right.

That's sounds good, family! Hope everyone liked it! Did you serve garlic bread with it?

I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for John especially... his cancer is in check, but not the pain. I'm sure they will find the right "cocktail" to help him. I have never heard of the CBN. I will ask his dispensary about it.

Seven years is an incredibly long time after a diagnosis like that! I'm sure his medical team is going to go to bat for him!

It' a very slow-growing cancer and never showed up anywhere else. It just sort of grumbles along. He must have had cancer for the last 15 years, at the rate this is going. There's one nurse in our Chemo Care here who has treated John all along and she takes special care of him, comes up to see him, does all his bloodwork and goes to bat for him when necessary, so he's always got someone familiar treating him.

Do see if CBN is a thing in your area. I'm really happy with it. I get one that has a lot of THC in it -- I dislike being high, but it doesn't kick in until I'm sleepy and ready for bed. You can get CBN with very low THC, too.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight. I got all but 30 of the Orchids repotted, ran out of Bark.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have an awesome Friday!

sports and chores.

Thank you, hagatha! He got his medical marijuana card today and I'll tell him to look into it when he goes to the dispensary next week.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping today, dinner and karaoke at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone

Folgers Breakfast Blend coffee, English Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Happy Saturday and have a wonderful weekend!

Just time for a cup of coffee and piece of bacon and then I'm off to the Ranch to work a Wagon Day. At least it's not 93° like it was yesterday. School tour was 1st graders - love them, but it's like herding cats!

sports and chores.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning.

Good morning

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Happy Sunday ... have a wonderful day.

Happy Sunday! FINALLY, it won't be over 90°F today! Working 4 hours in the heat at the Ranch yesterday was brutal, but I survived. Today is my 3 hours of mowing and planting the last few of my tomatoes - 109 total! Have several people coming over today to get leftover plants.

Hmmm... now what to put on the grill tonight!!

Bah! It might as well be November. Rain, rain, rain, rain and cold.

As I was drinking my coffee I noticed two whale tour boats cruising along very slowly, which means whales. A small pod of Orca milled around for a few minutes and then headed north up the channel. The humpbacks should be here in numbers by now. I guess they're busy feeding somewhere.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Enjoy your Sunday evening everyone.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Meeting at the Eagles tonight.

A fun day ahead for a change! Beautiful cool sunny morning. Coffee first, listening to the hundreds of hummingbirds outside my window and then potting up a ton of plants in my big pots on the pool deck and under the grape arbor.

same thing.

Good evening everyone ... hope you all had a good day

Hagatha, send some of your rain and cold down here please

Today was homecoming for John after two weeks in the hospital. I'm not sure any real progress was made on the pain front, just different medications. There is talk of an experimental pain treatment where they actually burn the nerves causing the pain, but our doctor needs to find out if John is eligible for it. That would mean a trip to Victoria, which is always nice because my sister lives there and we'd be able to have a good visit.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

hagatha, I'm so happy to hear that John is home, sorry he is still in pain though. I hope that he can try the new treatment.

connie, sounds like a good day!

Have a great day everyone!

I sure hope John will be eligible for this treatment. My husband has gotten several nerve blocks for his back. They determine the location on the nerve that is transmitting the pain signal to the brain and go in and burn it - they call it radio frequency ablation. They have been a miracle for him. I actually had one on my back about 2 months ago and it has really helped. The procedure sounds much worse than it really is! They are burning sensory nerves, not motor nerves. I had mine done without anything except the lidocaine they shoot you up with to deaden everything. They gave hubby "goofy pills" for his first couple, but he decided he'd rather go without rather than feel that way!

Good afternoon, had a busy day. Sitting for about 20 minutes and then going to cook dinner. I hope you all have a wonderful night

same thing.

Sure hope John is eligible for the procedure Hagatha ... it sounds promising

Busy day today ... will be like this until end of June

have a wonderful evening everyone

Drac, that is exactly the treatment they're using here, so I guess it may not be as experimental as we were told. Perhaps it's experimental for the BC Cancer agency. At any rate, I'll push for more information about it and ask my doctor if they can make it happen.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Heading down to the Ranch for another school tour. At least it's nice and cool and not 95° like the last one I did!

Good afternoon Boomers.

same thing.

15 minutes left of the afternoon ... Good afternoon everyone

Have a wonderful evening!

Good morning

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Happy Thursday ... have a wonderful day.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Whew, that was some day yesterday. We have severe thunderstorms move through in the morning with strong wind. I was trapped in one of the barns at Longmeadow with 25 4th graders! One little boy was just terrified, trembling and crying. I told the teacher she could take him into the kitchen where it wasn't so loud. A sprinkle sounds like a downpour on the roof of this huge barn! Then another one rolled through in the afternoon while we were sitting in the garage having a couple of beers with friends. All our phones went off to seek shelter immediately... I guess a tornado briefly touched down about 5 miles away!

First thing I did was head out to the garden to see if all the children (AKA tomatoes) survived. I believe all 109 are OK, with 4 being questionable. I was so relieved!

Sunny today and deciding if I should try getting my 3 hours of mowing in later this afternoon or wait until tomorrow.

We've had some pretty awful weather this week, but nothing like that!

sports and chores.

T.G.I.F. Good day to one and all

I made it to Friday!!

Glad to hear y'all did just fine yesterday Drac!

Wishing you all a quiet evening

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

same thing.

Good morning everyone

Maple Bacon coffee, English Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Happy Saturday ... have a wonderful day.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Working the kitchen for our dinner at the Eagles tonight, Trivia to follow.

Thanks for the goodies! Oh, joy. Severe thunderstorms with lots of lightning and rain. It's so dark at almost 10 am the dusk to dawn light on the barn came on!

Drac, just saw your post in glitches.... hope the storm is past... and that you didn't have any damage. Storm is just hitting us now....

No damage, but no power for almost 8 hours! The electric utility was at the site down by the river where a tree had fallen over a line for several hours, but they couldn't do anything because they cannot climb when there is lightning and thunder - and it never stopped ALL DAY. My poor smelly Bloodhound was inside next to me all day.

Good morning 😊
Glad you're doing well Drac
Three Sisters, Kicking Horse Coffee, Medium Roast, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.
Have a wonderful Sunday

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Grocery shopping is on the agenda today.

And I'm outta here for a few days. Heading to Colorado for my grandson's high school graduation!

Good morning Boomers. Have fun Draclvr.

Had to look that coffee up, soot. I'll try some, thanks.

Safe and pleasant travels to you Drac.

same thing. will not be on thunderstorm is coming, and can not turn on computer during it.

Oldbroad, Kicking Horse coffee is big here in BC, too. It's good coffee, well worth trying. Our favourite was Smart Ass, a medium roast that worked really well in a French Press.

Good Monday morning one and all!

I see that Drac (aka the Human Dynamo) is taking a well-earned break: hope you enjoy the trip and the ceremony.

Our old Cuisinart bean to cup filter coffee machine finally gave up the ghost after over 10 years, and as prices have tumbled we have just bought an entry level Philips coffee machine which does a brilliant job https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEyAlhaRY9w

Overcast but dry here today, so hedge trimming and other garden tidying tasks will be on the agenda.

Wow Lex that's awesome...enjoy!

Folgers Breakfast Blend mild roast coffee, Irish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Have a great Monday everyone.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Enjoy your day everyone.

Looks like a great machine you got there, Lex 👍👍👍

Looks interesting Lex. I hope you enjoy it. Much to complex for me though. I just have a Mr. Coffee Jr.

We used to have a little espresso machine, back when they were first available for homes. It made decent coffee. I've often thought about investing in a new one.


EDIT: Aha! I just saw the first Humpbacks of the year just offshore. They're just lolling around, not really headed anywhere. It's slack tide, so they may have found a pocket of food.

same thing. made, https://thecookinchicks.com/chicken-and-dumpling-casserole/, for cooking class, small thunderstorm.

sports and chores.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Have a good day.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room.

Another gloomy, grey day. We've had almost no good weather this spring. A few medical things to attend to today, then back to my Mass Effect marathon.

Similar day here hagatha. Rained earlier and more expected later. Fits my mood though.

Hello everyone ... it's hump day ... and it's raining here too ... but I'm totally OK with it as the rain is refilling the underground wells, springs and aquifers ... have a wonderful afternoon!

Earl Grey, Ceylon Black and Sri Lankan Black Tea in the Break Room.

Mine, too.

Things are bad on the health front here. I seem to have hit the wall in terms of my own energy dealing with John's medical situation. We've got some Home Care now, which is easing some of it, but even so I'm just exhausted.

You have to take care of yourself or you'll be no help to him at all, and you'll end up needing help yourself.

Hagatha, I'm glad you have some help coming in. Gentle hugs to you

Tornado sirens are blaring but the weather seems to be west and north of me.

Oldbroad, I hope your area remains safe.

Sending hagatha

oldbroad, the funnel cloud came over by me before heading your way. I got drenched in the storm.

hagatha, sending positive thoughts your way.

What oldbroad said... you must take care of yourself or you will not be able to help John if he needs you. I let myself get so run-down when I was caring for my 2nd husband that I was a zombie. My step-daughters finally did an "intervention." So glad you have some help coming in - make good use of it.

Just got home this afternoon from 3 days in Colorado for my grandson's high school graduation. Cold with snow still on the ground when we got there! 650+ graduates plus cold plus bleachers which are NOT good for bad backs meant hubby and I watched the ceremony on Youtube from the comfort of my son's home!

The Cancer Care doctor working with us is a lovely woman who genuinely cares about her patients. She's trying to see if he can have his infusions at home instead of me having to take him to the hospital. I don't mind the driving, but it's very, very hard on him and I think the extended effort and pain in getting there negates any positive benefits he gets from it. I suspect that one of the Cancer Care nurses who have attended John since this all began will volunteer. One of them in particular loves John dearly and we've developed an easy friendship over the years. She's often suggested that she's willing to come here to help in any way she can, so we might have a solution there.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good morning everyone

Welcome Home Drac

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers hagatha

Starbucks dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Have a good day.

Hagatha, that is so sweet that his nurse will go above and beyond the call of duty. There are so many caring, unselfish nurses out there. Especially during the worst of the pandemic, they gave their all. They are the best. I hope it works out for you.

We have a new hospital here, and I think they hired the brightest and best. The Cancer Care team, though, was already fantastic, even when we saw them at the horrible old hospital. It's nice that there's been continuity all the way through.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Getting ready for the BBQ we are having Sunday with family and friends.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Have an awesome T.G.I.F. Day everyone

It's chore day today, mostly taking bags of clothing and other donations to the three charities I support here in town. I saw a couple of clothes moths yesterday so I'll bundle up all my sweaters and get them cleaned and bagged and put away.

It's yet another gloomy, rainy day. No summer yet! I did see another lone humpback and a small pod of Orca this week. I guess we won't be out in the boat at all this year, though, so no more close encounters.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Dinner and karaoke at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone 😃

Laughing Man Hugh's Blend, English Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

I'm off to BBQ ribs today 😋

Have an awesome Saturday

More Humpbacks! It's always so nice to see them after their long absence.

sports and chores.

Hagatha, I'll bet the humpbacks are a wonderful sight!

It's time to get grilling... 🥩

A good Sunday morning everyone!

Cool and damp but calm weather here: not too helpful for the start of TT practice week but probably easier for me in my efforts to clear part of our lawn to create a wildflower meadow area.

Hagatha, glad you are getting to see the humpbacks even if getting out on the boat may be off the agenda, and I hope things improve on the medical front.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out, then getting everything set up for our BBQ with family and friends. There will be about 18, I sure hope it doesn't rain my house is small.

Good morning, Folger's Black Silk coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room. I sure hope it doesn't rain either Connie!! Lex, the wildflower meadow area sounds marvelous...best wishes on that front! Work is keeping me busy until the end of June...I have miles to go before I sleep. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

Heading out to mow for 3 hours, so hoping for no rain here either! I still have a lot to do inside to prepare for our German family who are arriving Wednesday afternoon. They will be here for about 6 weeks. Hubby opened the pool, but the water is still SO cold, he is dreading jumping in to get the steps set up! It's not very warm here yet and he filled it with well water!

I post this every year.

Armed Forces Day: Honoring those who are serving in active military.

Veterans Day: Honoring all those who served in the military in the past.

Memorial Day: Honoring those who gave their lives while serving in the military.

Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend! But also remember what it is really about.

Just got my mowing finished. Good afternoon Boomers.

I love having someone else to mow my grass, but there is plenty else in the garden to keep me occupied.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Are you doing anything special for Memorial Day, family?

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. The BBQ was a big success, no rain. A good time was had by all.

Good morning everyone ... Happy Memorial Day ... home of the free because of the brave

Dark roast Sumatra, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

It looks as though two humpbacks have taken up temporary residence in the water right offshore. They're on the other side of the channel, mostly, but we've seen them every day this week.

It's a very rich environment here, with cold, fast-moving water, and so the marine life is plentiful. There's almost always a dive boat out there. One of the things divers come here to see is the Giant Octopus, which are truly enormous. There's also lots of krill here for the humpbacks.

We're finally getting some decent weather.

same thing.

Good morning all, TT practice getting under way here, and of course we have a four day public holiday coming up for the Royal Platinum Jubilee: it remains to be seen whether that pushes up Covid figures again and/or brings Monkey Pox as a bonus...

Hagatha, your posts make us sorely tempted to take a holiday on Vancouver Island when/if we pluck up the courage to do any more travelling!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room.

Lex, Vancouver Island is a great place to visit. Actually, all of BC is worth visiting. There's the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver Island north to Squamish and Whistler, and on to Pemberton and beyond. If you like wilderness, BC is the place to be.

What is "TT practice" Lex?

I was wondering the same thing, oldbroad!

I believe that Lex is referring to this.

Thanks Marian. I had to look up what the "TT" stands for.

same thing.

TT stands for Tourist Trophy and is a fortnight each year when the Island is overrun by motorcyclists: probably the ultimate biker experience and paradise if you are a fan, but otherwise a real pain!

And which part of that applies to you Lex, fan or ...

Good afternoon Boomers.

Is this the same bike race that's been held on the Isle for many decades? John's mother used to talk about it all the time.

The one and only: here's how it looks on a bike, crazy speeds on country roads with no safety margin and usually several fatalities every year (mainly bike tourists rather than competitors, attracted by the lack of speed limits outside towns which lets them push their luck)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W78cETEHcmg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPCPtA02HuA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUeSboXJGqE

... and no, we are not fans although it does bring a carnival atmosphere to the Island!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room.

Bagel with chunky peanut butter sounds about right, accompanied by a gallon of coffee. I picked up a new one yesterday, a single-origin from Peru. It's very fruity, lots of cherry notes. Maybe a bit too fruity.

So I'm back to the hospital every day. John was re-admitted because he wasn't keeping anything down. The doctors were all very serious this time and we thought it might be curtains, but it turned out to be much less serious than anyone thought, and only tangentially related to the cancer. A change of diet will keep the problem at bay.

Now if we could just have some nice weather we could spend the summer on the deck with the cats, who are now best frenemies and very funny to watch.

I hope the change of diet will be agreeable with John, meaning, it seems like you've said he eats whatever he likes, so I hope it includes stuff he likes and that it helps him.

What a relief that only a change in diet might help him feel better. I say "only" with tongue-in-cheek because I know that can be very hard.

We are waiting to head into St. Louis to the airport to pick up the Germans. Their flight from Frankfurt was delayed by over and hour, so not sure they will be able to make their connecting flight in Detroit. They were supposed to have a 2 hour layover which is enough to get through Customs and to the next gate. Now they will only have a bit less than one hour. They should be landing in Detroit in about an hour and 45 minutes.

Well, we've been told that for the next couple of weeks it's clear liquids.

Beer is a clear liquid.

Absolutely!!

Lex, my grandmother was raised in England and they had a summer home on the Isle of Man. She always talked about those summers she spent there as one of her fondest memories.

Hagatha, I hope you can get a good food program going for John when the clear liquid situation is over.

Have a safe trip to the airport, Drac.

same thing.

As long as it includes ice cream he'll be happy.

Seriously, though, the situation may have resolved itself. Nobody really knows what caused the problem and now it's mostly gone. Also, we were told that his kidney function was so low that we might be looking at dialysis, but today things are almost back to normal.

Some people are to ornery to go before they're ready.

Ice cream and amusing cats ??

Sounds pretty good, hagatha !!

All the best to you both

Hagatha, I am delighted to hear that the outlook for John is looking better!

Marian, interesting to hear of your IOM heritage. The Island was once a bustling holiday centre for people from the north of England before the arrival of cheap holidays in Europe, but that is long gone and now the economy often struggles: offshore finance was a big shot in the arm in the 70s but that has waned over the last 20 years or so. The local housing market rocketed for a year or so after Covid hit as the Island was seen as a safe haven, but that did not last and for a while we had proportionately more Covid cases than anywhere else in Britain.
This video gives some idea of the contrast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmzg8ml3-q0

Good morning, Danish, Bagels and Donuts in the Break Room. Manicure and lunch out with a friend today. Hagatha, I hope the new diet works for John.

The fog is so thick this morning I can't see anything out my windows. And it's raining, to boot. Typical June weather.

We are supposed to be having a very hot summer again, so the heat pump will be most welcome, but right now I'm turning on the fireplace.

Very interesting video, Lex! Thank you.

Interesting video Lex.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Robert, is taking me to Tampa to see the Doobie Brothers tonight.

T.G.I.F. good morning everyone

Dark roast Sumatra coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Wow, sounds like fun Connie ... enjoy!

Have a great day!

Went out with some friends last night to a new Italian place and ate about three day's worth of calories -- Lobster Risotto. Yum. Good food, which is hard to find in this town, but the blaring bass made it tough to talk. It was good to get out and socialize a bit.

Good for you, hagatha. Some self-care is appropriate right now.

sports and chores.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping is on the agenda today. Working the kitchen for our dinner at the Eagles tonight, Trivia to follow.

The Germans are finally here! We are enjoying some nice weather, but still too cool for me to get in the pool! They were in early this morning after a walk. I'm doing the mowing today and probably some weeding.

Good morning, Lifeboost Dark Roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Office work is keeping me busy this weekend ...

Have an awesome day everyone!

sports and chores.

Good morning, Sumatra Mandheling Reserve coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have a wonderful Sunday 😊

Good morning Boomers.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning.

Another beautiful day today. Slept late - the Germans pretty much take care of themselves and fix their own breakfast. Plans are for lazing around the pool reading for them and mowing for three hours for me!

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Vet appointment for Becky's shots today, meeting at the Eagles tonight.

same thing.

same thing.

Hello all.

Connie, you never let us know how The Doobie Brothers concert was. Did you enjoy it?

same thing.

Three negative rapid COVID tests in 24 hours and I have to conclude that somehow even with all my precautions I've managed to contract a head cold, of all things. Apparently there's one going around. I suppose that's what happens when you hang around a crowded hospital for weeks and weeks. Something is bound to get through. I have one of those annoying tickle-coughs and a bit of congestion, and I'm very tired, but otherwise I'm not overly sick.

At least it gives me an excuse to be a couch potato for a few days. I was feeling like I needed a break.

Hope you feel better very soon, hagatha

Thanks, Mad. I don't really feel sick, just a bit off. Being a couch potato for a few days feels like a holiday. And thankfully it isn't COVID.

I agree !! No Covid is good !! 👍

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. The Doobie Brothers Concert was rescheduled for July, someone on the tour got Covid.

Oh, that's a shame connie. Will you still be able to go?

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Yes oldbroad, we will still be going. Robert got the new tickets on his phone yesterday. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

That's good Connie.

I hope everyone is having a good week.

I spent several hours resetting edge landscaping stones in sand because the *&$%# moles have mounds of dirt on top and tunnels underneath. I work sitting down on a garden bench so it isn't so hard on my back. Then I reset a stone walkway I built several years ago for the same reasons. Grrr...!! Tomorrow I will power wash everything and then spread new mulch. Hope to get my tomatoes fertilized tomorrow too.

Sheesh! I'm WAY too old and fat to work this hard!!!

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch out with a friend today. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight.

Hi everybody. The break room has sure been quiet this week. I hope everyone is well and has a nice weekend.

I've been working outside all week while we have this beautiful weather. Weeding, rebuilding stone walkway, resetting edging stones... Next week it's supposed to be pushing 100° all week and I won't be doing ANYTHING outside except sitting in my pool!

sports and chores.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping is on the agenda today, dinner and karaoke at the Eagles tonight.

sports and chores.

Good morning Boomers.

A good Sunday morning everyone!

Trying Taylors latte beans in the coffee machine this week: strong enough with a very smooth taste.

I was wondering how much trouble Drac's husband would be in if he voiced agreement about her above self-assessment...

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning. I will be going to Tampa for the Eagles state conference next weekend. I will not be taking my laptop, as we will be busy with meetings and partying.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good morning. Still no soot or hagatha. I think soot mentioned work would be keeping him busy but I'm starting to worry about hagatha. Anyone heard from her? Draclvr, do the Germans like this hot weather?

same thing.

Yes, oldbroad, I'm a bit concerned about hagatha too. She messaged me 7 days ago saying her mouse wouldn't scroll and that it might actually be the screen. But she didn't say whether it was her laptop or the ancient computer she was borrowing a monitor for to do taxes. I haven't heard anything since. I'm holding on to the issue hopefully being computer-related. I believe soot is gone for work. The Germans just spend most of their day in the pool or in an air conditioned shopping mall!

Good morning everyone. Its been a while since I've stopped in. Hope all is well with hagatha and you all. Coffee and tea are ready to go with Connie's breakfast.

Have a Happy Day everyone!

Gerry

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. It's good to see you Gerry. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

same thing.

Hey, Boomers.

I'm actually semi-living in the hospital with John, who is now palliative. I keep being told he's on his way out, with pneumonia and kidney failure but he keeps confounding all predictions. He's not coming home from this, though. That is clear. But he is stubborn, as always.

Life in a hospital is very strange when you aren't the patient.

I'm okay, though. It's not as though this is a surprise.

OMG, you're back. I've been so worried and hoped it wasn't this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for checking in. Lots of us have been so concerned. Love and peace to you and John while you get through this.

I've been wondering about you too hagatha, as you were sick yourself last time you posted. I know this isn't a surprise to you but I know you were hoping for some more boating time this year. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks, guys.

He's outrun stage 4 cancer for almost 8 years, so we feel it wasn't an altogether awful deal. But lately his pain has become uncontrollable and I finally had to concede that I could no longer take care of him. Because he's been using pain medication for so long nothing administered by mouth really did much good any more. And he's exhausted . The main focus now is comfort. Our city has a new hospital where every room is a huge, quiet single with enough room for a foldout bed for me, so I'm reasonably comfortable. I go home every couple of days to see my cats and have a shower. It's okay.

Hagatha I'm so sorry for what you and John are going thru. I hope it can give you some comfort knowing you are both in our thoughts and prayers.

Love and Hugs,

Gerry

Hagatha, really sorry to hear that John has finally run out of steam, but glad to hear that at least the hospital has facilities for you to stay with him. Linda and I are holding both of you in our thoughts.

Hagatha, My thoughts and prayers for you and John. I know how hard this is, as I went through it with my hubby 8 years ago. Love and Hugs.

Thank you so much for checking in, hagatha. I too have been worried about the two of you. Much love to you both and am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

My heart goes out to both you and your husband, hagatha. So sorry you both have to go thru this... again my heart is with you two.

same thing.

hagatha, I'm so very sorry to hear your news. I was hoping it was computer issues keeping you away. Sending hugs and prayers your way!

Hagatha, I'm so sorry to hear your news, my thoughts and prayers are with you both.

After spending over a week living in a hotel and visiting my husband every day in Chilliwack hospital, which seems very old, cramped and way over crowded, John's hospital room seems like a small blessing at least.

Stay strong.

I am thinking about you both, hagatha, and send much love

Thank you.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. I will be leaving for the Eagles state conference in Tampa shortly. I will be home sometime Sunday. Meetings and partying is on the agenda, going with Robert and friends.

Have fun connie!

Have a good weekend all!

Finishing up final prep and cooking for an open house tomorrow for the Germans. Italian roast beef in the oven outside, my mother's Calico Beans in the oven in the house, a broccoli salad and a pasta salad made and Petra made a Bowl Cake. It's a heavenly refrigerated concoction made with angel food cake, sour cherries, whipped cream, sour cream, sugar and cinnamon.

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. A Good time was had by all, but it's good to be home. Now to recuperate from the partying.

Glad you had a good time, connie!

Have a splendid week everybody!

same thing.

Welcome home, Connie! Sounds like a good time was had by all. Our open house for the Germans went beautifully too. Weather was heavenly after the 95 - 100°F weather we'd been having up to the day before. Food was mostly gone, so I guess it was good! Now it's back to being lazy. Well, maybe not lazy - still got lots to do outside!

Drac, what do you mean by "open house"? Like a big party or something?

We call an open house an invitation to come by between certain times - we did 2 and 6 - as you please. No set times for arrivals and just come when you can. Several people had other functions to go to later and came early, stayed a couple of hours and then left. I had food available at 3. Come and go as you please! We had about 25 people at different times of the afternoon.

Thanks for the explanation. When I see "open house" I think of a house for sale.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

Yup, oldbroad... same concept as the house for sale open house.

same thing.

Good morning all!

Drac, I am intrigued by your German visitors: do you run some sort of holiday accommodation, or is this something else?

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

same thing.

Good afternoon Boomers.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

same thing.

Good Morning everyone..coffee and tea are ready and a waiting Connie's danish, donuts and bagels to arrive.

Hope you all have a great start to your weekend!

Gerry

Goodnight /Goodmorning Everyone enjoy your coffees/Teas & yummy bakery....Happy Gaming Boomers

Good morning, the Danish, Donuts, and Bagels have arrived to go with Gerry's coffee and tea. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight.

sports and chores.

Good Morning and Happy Saturday...coffee and tea are ready and waiting for all you early risers! Enjoy your day.

Gerry

Goodmorning/Night Boomers

Raining just about everyday here down under in Australia, very miserable weather...hope everyone has a terrific day/night and enjoy whatever game your playing
Happy gaming

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping today, dinner and karaoke at the Eagles tonight.

A good week-end to you all.

It will be hot in the province of Québec today and tomorrow: around 90F.

Take care.

Taintedfury, you are welcome to sent some of that rain our way in the central US! I have the house to myself for a few hours! The Germans are out shopping and hubby is picking up some stuff he ordered. Woot! But, what am I going to do? Mop my kitchen floor, of course! The Bloodhound slobber and general mess of 4 people in the house has gotten epic!

Good Saturday everyone! It's raining here a bit. Don't know how much we're supposed to get or how long it will stick around. Hopefully, it will just stay slow and not get stormy.

Drac, that doesn't sound like a particularly enjoyable way to spend your alone time. I hope you have a minute to sit back with your feet up and enjoy an adult beverage or two!

Oldbroad, Guenter is cooking tonight, so I'm off! We cook and eat together a couple of times a week. Otherwise they are out and about or laying around the pool in hammocks- easy guests to have!

sports and chores.

Draclvr I'll try and do the best i can in sending you some rain hehe i've currently got my washing on clothes stands/racks around the house trying to dry them

Happy gaming Boomers

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Hello Boomers, long time no see! Hope you are all well!

Hagatha, so sorry to read about John. Prayers and much love to you both.

I've been in a dark place for a while and just couldn't handle life.

Hubby had been doing well apart from mobility problems, which haven't improved at all. Now his pain has returned and it's waking him up at night. He's back to having to take morphine a lot more than he would like. He has an upcoming appointment with his oncologist soon so we'll hopefully get to the bottom of things. My head's all over the place at the moment.

Take care guys, much love to you all!

Mary

Good morning everyone, arrived home last night from a lengthy and very busy business trip...good trip and it's just wonderful to be home. Mary, it's so good to hear from you but saddened by your news--we will keep you and hubby in our prayers. Dark roast Sumatra coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room. Whew, it'll take me a few days to catch up ... in the mean time, stay safe and keep smiling.

Lex, I just saw your question from a few days ago! Sorry I missed it. No holiday accommodations, just our house! I have 3 bedrooms, so there is plenty of room. My husband met his first wife while he was stationed in Germany in early 1960 while in the Army. She passed away in 1999 and we got together a year or so later. Her family from Germany usually came for a visit every summer and I told them they should keep coming, so they do! They are Hanna's nephew and his wife. They do a LOT of shopping and spend a LOT of time around our pool when it's hot. We cook and eat together a couple of times a week, but otherwise they pretty much take care of themselves. Very easy guests to have.

Prayers heading up Mary.

Hello MsMercury

Sending my very best to you both

Love, Mad

Mary,

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. It's devastating to know that someone you love deeply is suffering and you can't make it stop. But even when things got very bad, John always took comfort in knowing that I loved him and would take care of him for as long as I could. We shared some of the closest moment of our lives together over the past year. Nothing remained unsaid.

I do hope that your oncologist is able to adjust his pain medication so that he has some measure of physical comfort. Ask about a change in medications or an addition to what he is already taking, because after a time the body gets habituated and medications are no longer effective.

Make sure that you can take care of yourself, too. I know that sounds like a cliché but I found that even just going for a walk or getting my hair done or going out for a coffee with a friend made life bearable -- just a bit of normal life to take my focus away from John's illness.

Sending you my love.

MsMercury, Soot, hagatha - nice to see you all!

Soot, welcome back. Sending to MsMercury and hagatha.

Welcome back, soot! We missed you.

Mary and hagatha, you remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Drac, I think that is terrific of you that you told the German family to keep coming over for visits even after the death of their relative. Very good of you, and it sounds like it works out very well.

Mary, Hugs and Prayers on the way.

same thing.

MsMercury, I am so glad to hear from you. I know you and your husband have had a hard go of it and have been thinking of you and wondering how it was going. Especially when your head is all over the place, come here for some support. There are others of us who have been through some of things you have and we feel your pain. I've buried two husbands. Hagatha has good thoughts for you... #1 is take care of yourself. You will be better able to support your husband if you do. Hugs to you.

I agree, Mary. When you feel like you have to vent about something or just talk a bit, come here. I know how overwhelming and exhausting being a caregiver to a gravely ill loved one can be. I've found that being here and just chatting about silly things, just a little slice of normal life, has helped me immeasurably through this journey.

My own travails through cancer with my beloved John ended last week, mercifully, so I get it, I understand, and honestly if you want to talk, just send me a private message. Being able to talk to other people has helped me so much.

Hagatha, so sorry to hear that John has now left the building, however much you may have been expecting it, and very best wishes for the next phase of your own ongoing journey through life (with Willow and Dude, of course!).

And Mary, wishing you the strength you need to cope with your struggle: as Drac says, it is important take care of yourself in such a situation.

Mary & hagatha, Sending You both healing Prayers

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

My thoughts are with you, hagatha

same thing.

hagatha, my sincere and warmest sympathies. Even if it's expected, it's still a terrible feeling combined with relief for John. Learning to live such a different life will be challenging at times, so you know where we are!

Lex, Willow and Dude are a great comfort and they make me laugh in spite of myself. This phase of my life would be much more difficult without them. Also, they give me a reason to get up in the morning, although that's mostly about food and not some higher purpose.

Who says that food is not a higher purpose?

My thoughts are with you. Our pets can be a real comfort and I'm glad you have those kitties.

Marian, the kitties really are helping me. Dude never really got to know John so he's oblivious, which means he's just his goofy little self. Willow knows, though, and she's sad a lot of the time. She misses her Dad and is clingy but that's good for me right now. There's a lot of lap-sitting and purring and general closeness.

Hagatha and Mary, thinking of you both.

That's good for both of you, hagatha

I remember being so grateful for someone glad to see me when I came home to that empty house. Two dogs too excited for words made things so much easier! Glad you have your kitties for company and entertainment, hagatha!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today. We are watching the Umbrella Society. Hagatha and Mary, my thoughts and prayers continue for both of you.

Hagatha, Mary, big hugs

hagatha, I am so very sorry. I know that even when expected it is still such an extreme loss. My heart hurts for you.

Mary, sorry that hubby is in pain again. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for you all.

Life has been crazy this year with so many ups and downs and I'm sorry I'm not here as often chatting.
I do have one good news though! I don't think I mentioned that I have a new grand daughter. She's 5 weeks old and her name is Emera Jade. She's already stolen my heart.

Congratulations on the new granddaughter, Ana! Nothing better!

Congratulations Ana!!! Is this a sister to James or a cousin?

Goodmorning/Night Boomers

Mary and Hagatha Prayers too you both , Congrats Ana on the new addition to your family very cute

Take care Boomers and happy gaming

A new baby in the family, BrownEyedTigre. How absolutely lovely !! Congratulations and good wishes to you all

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Ana, Congrats on the new granddaughter.

Congratulations Ana!

I've been out attempting to get a tire fixed and am waiting on the fridge repair man to come exorcise our possessed Whirlpool

same thing.

I'm about to go start my pizza dough. Home made pizza with the Germans tonight! Guenter is making one of his famous salads.

Oh yum, homemade pizza

And I want to know what Guenter puts in his famous salads!

I was wondering that too Marian. I'm not a big salad person but usually have to follow a recipe because I can never really think what to put in one.

Here in the US, most of our salad dressings have a vinegar base of some sort. In Germany, they use fresh squeezed lemon juice. He minces a sweet onion nearly to a paste on my mandolin, then adds olive oil, the fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt, pepper and sugar. He does it all to taste. Tonight he added 3 hard boiled eggs and some deli ham. He prefers Romaine lettuce too. Combined with the pizza, we were all stuffed! Petra and I polished off a bottle of red wine too!

Sounds good Draclvr! I prefer Green Leaf lettuce or Romaine over Iceberg, but I'll usually just get a Spring Mix package. Since I don't eat a salad with all or most of my meals, I have trouble eating all the greens before they rot. I sometimes just have lettuce with dressing as a side dish or sometimes I make a main meal salad.

Good morning everyone ... Sumatra Dark Roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Have a wonderful Thursday

This talk is making me hungry - Pizza is one of my favorite foods yummy....have a fun morning/day/night Boomers

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. I love Pizza and Salad, Romaine lettuce.

L4L has a possessed appliance... love it!

That salad sounds delicious, Drac! I am a big salad lover.

Wishing all of you a peaceful Thursday.

I have a tour down at the horse rescue at 10. The Germans are starting the job of packing and repacking to comply with weight and Customs. They still have 10 days here though.

same thing.

Lex, sadly, it's still possessed. Jimmy is working on the exorcism.

Busy busy day so far, but should soon calm down. Been a good one, just busy.

Drac, I eat a lot of salads. I use spinach an oak lettuce. When I'm ready to eat, I add strawberries and baby heritage tomatoes, a little yogurt and red wine vinegar mixed. Almost always add spicy baked chicken but will use other proteins if I have extra on hand. I spin a Lot of greens to get them clean.

How many horses at your horse rescue?

Family, my days are mostly the same too. I love it.

Marian, peaceful is my favorite thing.

Connie,

Oldbroad, I find I have to buy my greens in small batches too or it goes bad in spite of the fact I eat so many.

Hope you all have a most wonderful day!

L4L, we have about 75 horses right now, which is really low. I hesitate to even say it because as soon as I do, we'll get a 50 horse rescue in! But we have around 260 total animals counting all the chickens, geese, goats, sheep and donkeys. We are one of the top facilities like this in the US.

Looney, I also like spinach in salads, and chicken and strawberries too. I'm not a big tomato or cucumber person though, and mostly I like vinaigrette type dressing over a creamy type. I have a salad spinner but haven't used it in years. I don't particularly feel that salad and pizza go together. Pizza should just be enjoyed on it's own.

I hope you all enjoy a pleasant day!

I'm the same with with pizza, oldbroad. But in Germany, an Italian salad is always served with pizza.

My youngest Daughter makes totally fantastic pizzas so it's an extra special treat when I'm invited round to join in with the eating of them !!

And we usually have a small salad too - but as a starter.

My favourite salad (as an actual meal at home) is made up of lettuce, celery, tomatoes, spring onions, cucumber, hard boiled egg and some thinly sliced meat of whatever kind I have cooked and put in the fridge.
And I top it with potato crisps and a creamy mayonaisse type dressing which I whip up fresh just for that meal.
[Very "ordinary" compared to some of the recipes I've seen in this thread ]

we love making up our own pizza's at home followed by a good movie to snuggle up too.

TGIF good morning 😎

Folgers Breakfast Blend, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have a wonderful day

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Cable guy coming this morning to replace my router and modem. They claim mine is to old, wish me luck. I'm a firm believer in if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I hear that connie!

Good afternoon, boomers

I have been on a dead run this morning. Now resting for a bit then going back at it. Hope you all have a wonderful day

sports and chores.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping is on the agenda today. Working the kitchen for our dinner at the Eagles tonight, Trivia to follow. The cable guy was here for 2 hours, then I was on the phone for an hour with Amazon. All is now up and working.

Connie, welcome back to the internet

Good morning everyone ... Dark Sumatra Mandheling - Roasted Coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room. Projects and chores to chip away at with plenty of rest and recuperation liberally intermixed.

Have a great Saturday everyone

Rain! We finally have rain! Not much to speak of so far, but the front out west in Kansas looks promising! Fixed breakfast for hubby and the Germans and then am canning pickled beets this afternoon. Putting a meatloaf on the pellet grill later.

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow.

UFC and popcorn tonight.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning, hosting a BBQ for family and friends this afternoon. We will be hoping the rain holds off, fingers and toes crossed.

Good morning everyone 🏝

A pot of Community coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Fridge repairman came by this morning... fridge is still possessed ... needs a new Defrost heater ... will find out tomorrow if he can order one

We're hoping the rain hits after dinner too and then pours all night 🌙

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. The BBQ was held on a very crowded porch, but a good time was had by all. Going to a 4th of July celebration at Central Winds Park with friends this evening.

Good morning everyone

Cooper's Cask Dark Roast Sumatra coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottle Fiji water in the Break Room.
Happy 4th of July everyone ... stay safe!

same thing.

Blistering hot day today. Had a couple of friends out to see the Germans before they leave next Monday. Hubby made BBQ pork steaks and I did a couple of cucumber salads with cukes from the garden and a potato salad with potatoes we dug up this morning. Petra made one of her heavenly bowl cakes and we were all stuffed.

Supposed to be over 100° tomorrow and of course, I have a tour and Longmeadow Rescue Ranch scheduled for 10 tomorrow morning! Hopefully they call and cancel, but probably not.

BBQ pork. Yummy!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good morning everyone Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Only supposed to be a "mere" 93°F here today. Guess that's better than the 100°F yesterday!

Good afternoon everybody!

Did you do your tour yesterday Draclvr? It was very hot here also.

same thing.

Oldbroad, I put on my barn boots and headed down at 9:45. I logged in and went over to Linda's office to see what kind of tour I had. She was literally just hanging up the phone - they cancelled 10 minutes before the tour was supposed to start! I told Linda, thank heavens I wasn't one of the volunteers who drive an hour to get out there! I just have one MINUTE to go back home! It really wasn't that bad in the barns, so I was a little disappointed. But the rest of the day was brutal. Today is no better. The Germans went shopping in a nice air conditioned mall in St. Louis!

Did laundry today and put the sheets out on the clothesline. They will smell good tonight!

same thing.

Good afternoon Boomers.

Hi, SQF! Just sitting here trying to avoid going outside. It just hit 100°F out here in the country which means it's at least 105°F in the city.

We had one lovely week , followed by what is now several days of gloom and rain.

I'm now dealing with legal paperwork and, in the case of SFU (Simon Fraser University) on one issue, wrangling with faceless bureaucrats. John always said he put the FU into SFU; I think I might just carry on for one last kick at them in his honour.

Fortunately everything was set up years ago so I'm not having too rough a time of it.

Thanks for stopping in to update us hagatha. I've been thinking about you. One of the sentences you wrote made me laugh. I think you can figure out which one.

Hagatha, I hope it all gets settled quickly. Definitely give SFU one last FU in John's honor!

John was a major PITA to the administration because they never, ever wanted to do the right thing on issues like research confidentiality, and he never backed down. He was an agent of change. Administrations don't like change.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Manicure and lunch out with a friend today.

"Administrations don't like change."

So true, hagatha !!

And good luck with whatever you decide to do

We are with most of the rest of the country in the heat advisory! I went out to walk at 7 this morning and it was already 80. Had a good walk but it was warm!

Doing "house stuff" (washing, cooking, paying bills, etc) and making plans to perhaps get a new dog.

Ya'll have a wonderful day

A new dog?! How exciting! Don't know what it's like down there, but in our area Rescues are full to the brim and overflowing with dogs desperately needing homes.

same thing.

sports and chores.

Getting ready to watch Alone.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight. L4L, a new dog, we are thinking of doing the same thing.

T.G.I.F. Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Take care and stay safe

I've just made my first really good cappuccino in my new automatic espresso machine. There's been a bit of a learning curve, I must say. I still wouldn't say it's as good as my favourite coffee shop but I'm getting there. The best thing is that it automatically saves your settings in separate profiles so once you've got it perfected, that's what you get every time.

Progress! I live for that perfect cup of coffee.

What machine do you have, hagatha? As you say, being able to save settings (as we can on ours, too) means that you can work out the ideal hit and then repeat it!

It's a Phillips 4300 Automatic. I bought it from a Canadian retailer, but you can actually buy it on Amazon.

I'm not at the perfect cup yet, but I'm closing in on it. I find that most of the drinks need an extra shot of espresso or ristretto. I'm playing with the ratio of coffee to water, the amount of coffee and the fineness of the grind.

I bought it because I was becoming too unreliable with my stovetop espresso pot lately, and kept boiling it dry. The day I put it on the stove with no water in it was the day I decided it was time to get a foolproof machine. My life is already stressful enough without burning down the house.

That's a good idea hagatha.

One night last week there was a loud bang here, sort of like fireworks but not quite. My brother ran upstairs looking at all the windows and then went outside looking at them. He thought somebody broke one. Three seconds after he came back in he was yelling up the stairs that he knew what it was. He had a can of cat food heating up on the stove and forgot about it, and the water burned away and the lid blew off - and the food flew. (He got in the habit of heating the food a little because in the winter it is quite cold downstairs and the food gels.)

That's a classy machine hagatha. We only have the 2200 series (with lattego) but love the fact that you can set the milk/coffee ratio to suit yourself and make a pretty large mug (unlike some other machines): my wife Linda likes a weak milky coffee, but like you I add an espresso shot to my latte or cappucino.

We have found that the choice of beans makes a huge difference, and our favourite so far are latte beans from Taylors of Harrogate: a smooth flavour but quite a dark roast (strength 4). We have also had good results with a mixture of very dark roast (strength 5) with a regular roast (strength 3), and we have not even started to try a different grinder setting yet...

Oldbroad that was a great cat food story: quite a shock for all of you including the cat, and quite a mess to clear up!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Fish Fry, karaoke to follow at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone ... welcome to the weekend

Maple Bacon coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Yes it's time for chores, projects and relaxation when possible

Have an awesome day!

Lex, I'm really enjoying this machine. This morning I think I've hit upon the perfect combo -- a Latte Macchiato with the grind set to the finest, the amount of beans set to the highest, the milk set to the highest, plus a shot of ristretto. Strong coffee, but not bitter.

I buy beans from a Victoria roastery. All of their beans are what most people would consider a light roast, so for me they really are only good for espresso type drinks. Used in other ways they taste thin and pallid, but in a concentrated drink like espresso the flavours really come out.

I guess a machine like this would not be for me. I REALLY dislike any addition of milk to my coffee. I like it fairly strong and black.

Cloudy day with temps in the 80's. A nice change from days on end of 96°F - 100°F. Heading out to work in the tomatoes. The heat has been hard on them and they are not blooming like they should. I have lots of large green ones, so hopefully that will be enough!

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Draclvr, This machine makes any kind of coffee, including regular coffee and espresso/ristretto without milk. I haven't tried it yet, but there is also an Americano setting, which is what I used to drink before I switched to cappuccino.


Roger's Telecom Has been down for two days now, and I have no phone, which is really frustrating. I use a different carrier for my internet and cable, so I'm able to communicate with the outside world, but I have an important conference call on Monday with my financial people, and I's starting to worry. If I can't make that call, there's a domino effect al down the line.

same thing.

same thing.

In a coffee shop I always go for a latte with an extra shot, so that is pretty much what I make with our machine, although technically it is a milky cappuccino with an extra espresso shot.

I had not heard of ristretto and had to google it...

Drac if you absolutely never use milk you could go for the basic Philips without the lattego attachment (and therefore cheaper): espresso shots or a longer black coffee both with size and strength adjustment to suit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npukTzXxQ0E
There is a milk frother, but that is just an attachment to what otherwise produces hot water (hot enough to make tea).

I haven't tried making just a regular cup of coffee in it. I might venture out tomorrow and buy some cream.

I like a long white coffee, not always frothy, and my large mug fits under the spout so I often just microwave the milk and then use the ordinary coffee choice on an adjusted highest setting, still adding an extra shot of espresso of course!

Encouraged by you, I have also ventured to slightly adjust the grinder...

Looks like being quite hot here today, but I must finish weeding the paving.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. District meeting in Lockhart for the Eagles today.

Lex, once I adjusted the grinder the coffee strength became more like I would expect a shot of espresso to be. Also, the pucks look like pucks, not slush.

Now that the learning curve is over I'm really enjoying this machine. Apart from the coffee itself, my counter is no longer cluttered with a grinder and a scale, there aren't any coffee grounds to clean up every morning, and I don't have to worry about explosions! The machine itself is pretty stylish and looks good on the counter.

I was going to weed the walkway down the side of the house today but once again it's pouring, so I'll continue de-cluttering the house and getting rid of things we haven't looked at for years, small appliances and so on.

Just been watching the Wimbledon tennis final, and it may now have cooled off enough outside to clear those weeds...

Good afternoon Boomers.

I see Djokovic won. He and Nadal will be interesting to follow over the next little while. I'm afraid Federer is done.

Hagatha, as you say Federer has probably had his day, but there were a few interesting new talents on display including Sinner and Norrie. Linda is the great tennis fan in this household, but I am more than content to watch Wimbledon on TV with her: one of my daughters lives in London and went on Thursday of the first week this year as her husband's aunt is a member and therefore has a permanent good seat which she shares from time to time.

The weeding was finished, but I still have to finish brushing salt into the gaps to try to inhibit regrowth...

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Goodmorning/Night Everyone
Enjoy your yummy breakfast and have a top day...take care all...

Happy gaming Boomers

Finally we're having some sunny weather. I'm going to start going for drives up and down the coast and going for walks with my local friends so I don't become a complete hermit.

Good for you, hagatha Sounds like a plan

Hello Boomers, hope you are all well!

I've been on a high since this afternoon! I can't quite believe the news from the hospital. I guess our prayers were heard! Thank you all so much.

Much love,

Mary

same thing.

I'm sure you're on Cloud 9, Mary! Hope things just keep getting better from now on!

Wonderful news Mary ... keeping you and family in my thoughts and prayers!

Terrific to hear will keep the prayers going...

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today. Mary, Wonderful news continued prayers.

Good morning everyone 🏝

Starbucks Dark Roast Sumatra coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

We're having a glorious morning. I cleaned the green gunk off our water side balcony yesterday and sat out there with the cats while I drank my coffee this morning. There's just enough breeze for it to be cool.

I've never encountered cats who talk to each other all the time the way these two do. They have the usual cat repertoire, plus a spoken language consisting of long and short trills and churrs and short meows that almost sound like barks. It's pretty funny.



I've decided I'm going to try to keep our boat. I've been agonizing over it for years, whether to keep it or not. I can drive it, but I'm not confident enough to do a whole trip on my own, I don't know the navigating equipment and radio well enough, and I can't back into our tiny little slip in the marina. Our Marina is tidal, too, and sometimes the water is very shallow, as in three feet deep.

The main issue here is that the water is very fast and almost all of the Salish Sea runs through a very narrow channel north of here that gets terrifyingly rough when the tide runs, including 20-foot whirlpools. The water is basically going in many different directions at once. In fact, it took Captain Cook a week to work out how to get through, back in the day. But the water around here is all somewhat dangerous and rough and for that reason there are no boat rentals around here anywhere. I know where most of the hazards are, so I'm not worried about that.

There is a woman here who will give me lessons, and I've decided to go for it, change up my life a bit, go out of my comfort zone a little. If at the end of summer I decide I won't use the boat, then I'll sell it next Spring.

I say go for it! Learn a new skill!

Took the Germans to the airport yesterday. It's very quiet here today! But after 6 weeks, it's a good quiet. We enjoyed their visit immensely, but it's time to go back to just us.

Wow !! Well done you, hagatha !!

I hope all goes well and that you enjoy the lessons

Best of luck hagatha. It sounds like an adventure.

Sounds like an adventure is headed your way Hagatha ... have fun!

Good for you, hagatha: I was going to ask what you planned to do about the boat.

Once you've cracked it (as I am sure you will), perhaps you can start charging for trips to see the whales...

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Way to go hagatha!

Woo Hoo Hoo! It's hump day! 🐫
Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water for the Break Room.
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone

Good afternoon Boomers.

Good Morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good afternoon everyone

Lapsang Souchong tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Happy Thursday

Good afternoon all!

I'll have a cup of that Lapsang Souchong tea please, and thank you!

Creeping up on the weekend.

Taking a break with a glass of ginger peach iced tea. Ahhh...!!!

I don't normally go for fruit flavoured teas, but iced ginger peach sounds tempting...

Saw this and thought of a few Boomers: 5 signs I'm probably a dragon https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B082QGH445?ref=em_1p_1_ti&ref_=pe_19525151_706505411

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Pedicure and lunch out with a friend today.

Best T-shirt EVER!! I am definitely a dragon!

I'm normally not a fan of fruit flavored teas either, but this one is an exception! I'm trying to watch calories and last winter it was like a dessert for me. I tried it iced and it's really refreshing after I come in from working out in this heat.

Oh yes, definitely a dragon

And yes, definitely a fan of Ginger Peach tea

Good morning and T.G.I.F. to each and everyone

Starbucks Sumatra Dark Roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

My naturopath prescribed licorice tea four times a day for adrenal issues. Who knows if it helps, but it tastes great, and is my favourite. The Stash Liquorice Spice is delicious!

Just FYI, my John:

Don't know how long the link will work.

https://vancouversunandprovince.remembering.ca/obituary/john-lowman-1085691765

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I really appreciate it. John was obviously a remarkable human being - and what an interesting and worthwhile life he had.

The same goes for me, hagatha. What a worthy person your John was

Wow, what a wonderful tribute Hagatha ... thank you so much for sharing with us ... he was an awesome guy and touched the lives of many!

Thank you so much for sharing this, hagatha. From some of the things you have said, John was a remarkable human being and this makes his life all the more amazing! The obituary - and especially the accompanying photo! - gives his life and accomplishments true meaning.

Lex, you know us too well!

Thank you so much for sharing, hagatha! Very interesting person!

Thanks, everyone. John was a one-off.

sports and chores.

What an awesome tribute, hagatha!

Thanks for that link hagatha (Laura): your John was clearly quite a guy, but I notice that Dude failed to get a mention!

I'll be looking out for that photography book next year.

Thanks hagatha, what a Wonderful man your husband was. Danish, donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Working the kitchen for our dinner at the Eagles tonight, trivia to follow.

Lex, Dude and John never really had time to bond with John. He's mostly oblivious. Willow was glued to John for most of her life and really misses him. She mopes and follows me around. The text was a collaboration between me and three of his academic friends and in typical academic fashion the editing and rewriting would have gone on forever if I hadn't just put my foot down and said it was time to publish.

The text was awesome Hagatha.

A bold Sumatra Dark Roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.
Happy Saturday everyone

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

same thing.

Hagatha, so sorry for your loss. I was able to go to the link...your John was quite a caring and principled human being. A beautiful tribute.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love & Hugs,
Gerry

Good morning Boomers. Have a great day.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. hagatha, Birthday Cupcakes in the Break Room.

Good morning everyone and yes indeed, Hagatha!!

Dark Roast Sumatra coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room with the cupcakes

Have a wonderful Sunday all

Hello Boomers, hope you are all well!

Dear Hagatha, so sorry to read about John. What a beautiful tribute. Sounds like he was an exceptional man. My deepest condolences.

Not much happening here today! Our granddaughter's graduation happened on Friday, she studied Visual Communications and Design and gained BA (Hons). She also managed to grab a great job a few weeks ago where she gets to use her design skills! It's been four long years of study but it has paid off. We are so proud of her! Unfortunately we couldn't make it to see her graduating as tickets were limited to two only but our son took plenty of pics.

Wishing you all a great day,

Mary

Brilliant !! And all the best for her new position

same thing.

Have a good week everybody! I am off to .

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. I'm finely going to see the Doobie Brothers in Tampa Wed. , we will spend the night after the concert. In the morning we will go to the zoo, then back home.

Have fun at the concert and zoo Connie!

Folgers Breakfast Blend, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.
Happy Monday everyone

Goodmorning/Night Everyone May you all have a cheerful pleasant day and be safe Boomers

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Dang air conditioning decided to break down yesterday. Upper 80's with high humidity this week. Repairman supposed to come this afternoon but something tells me we're going to need a new unit. I am dripping and sticking to everything. Ugh!!!!

How awful, oldbroad. We're having 95°F today with 102°F forecast for the weekend. Blech...

I see that the UK is sweltering with record-breaking heat.

Naturally, now that I have air-conditioning, our weather is cold and gloomy.

We are indeed enduring cruel heat here in the U.K.
Worst in the SE but pretty horrendous everywhere else too 😱

Heat makes me quite ill and so many years ago I had a small air con unit installed on the landing.
I close all windows and curtains and open all internal doors - and that helps a lot during heat waves.
(Air con is not common in the U.K. We wouldn't normally need it !!)

But the temperatures this week have been some of the highest if not THE highest ever recorded here.
And I am SO looking forward to a return to normal 🙄

I read about that Mad, and have been thinking about you!

We have had temperatures in the high 90s to 100 for over a week now, and this is looking to continue indefinitely.

However, it is a dry heat and not humid - and that makes all the difference. Having lived in New York City, I understand such things. I remember stepping out on the balcony of our 16th floor apartment and in less than a minute we were dripping.

I am sure glad you have that air con unit, Mad.

I hope your A/C issue is resolved soon, ob.

Take care, everyone.

Marian, I do not like high temperatures even if they are dry. Those just parch your throat and eyes and whatever. I used to really prefer winter but I can't take the real cold anymore either. I'm expecting the guy shortly.

Oh, I don't like high temperatures that are dry either, oldbroad - I should have made that more clear - just saying that dry heat for me is the lesser of two evils.

Let us know how it goes with the A/C guy.

Marian, I lived in Toronto during my youth. Toronto weather is similar to NY weather. I remember those appalling 95-degree days with awful humidity. When I moved out to B I told my Ontario relatives that I'd only ever visit in October, which is the nicest month.

Well, the fan motor or something isn't working and the cost to replace that is around $1,300 and then there may be other stuff wrong with it that they supposedly can't tell until they replace that. The unit is about 20 years old so we're having it replaced tomorrow.

Marian and oldbroad ....

Sorry, I didn't read far enough back in this thread on my last flying visit - but I hope you are both managing in the heat AND that you have fully working air con very soon, oldbroad

We are supposed to get possible thunder storms and lots of rain next, here, which should lower the temperature and would suit me just fine

same thing.

Hagatha, you certainly know whereof I speak, then. I drove through Ontario years ago.

Oldbroad, sorry about the expense, but hopefully you will be back up and running tomorrow!

The rain sounds lovely, Mad - I hope it happens. I can't believe what I am seeing for the temperatures in London. Years ago I was in London in May and it was certainly nothing even remotely like this.

Marian, just to be clear, that $1,300 is if we fixed it + maybe additional charges. We're having the whole unit replaced at $6,300, which is supposedly a discount. We have pretty low income here but that is still worth it to me anyway! According to my thermostat it's 90 degrees in here right now.

That is a very large expense, oldbroad, but I understand that it really isn't optional but more like a dire necessity. You can always economize somewhere else. And hopefully it will last another twenty years.

I think you've got your priorities right, oldbroad. A health asset like air conditioning could be vital !!

High temperatures are a health hazard, especially for us older people. Air conditioning is essential.

I agree. And I think we all might as well get used to this as our new "normal" with less hot summers being the exception rather than the other way around. The more I read about the rising temps, the scarier it gets.

Definitely. In decades gone by we'd come up here to our little holiday condo on the water, and it was never so hot that we felt we needed air conditioning. Even our old house in North Burnaby was relatively cool until about 12 years ago, when we installed a one-room heat pump so we'd have one place in the house that was comfortable for us an d our long-haired Rachel. Now that old house must be unbearable.

When mainland UK has a heatwave, we revel in the fact that generally the Isle of Man is about 10 degrees colder at this time of year, and very rarely without a good breeze, although of course there is plenty of grey wet weather at various times of year to offset that advantage...

We have been here over 25 years, but there has only been one year when it was hot and still enough for us to want a fan in a room!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. It is in the upper 90's and humid here, won't get better until mid to late Oct. Leaving for Tampa later today, Doobie Brothers here we come.

Good morning everyone

Sumatra Dark Roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

same thing.

"We are supposed to get possible thunder storms and lots of rain next, here, which should lower the temperature and would suit me just fine ]

It didn't happen !!!! Not a speck of rain or sound or sight of a storm. And rain is not now predicted until Friday

And it's only been very slightly cooler.

Really need lots of rain very soon and much cooler weather

Yes, I hear on the news a number of records are falling to the wayside with the hot temperatures ... hope you get both rain and cooler temps Mad

Yes Mad, I also hope you get your rain and cooler temps.

Today was a disaster here. The window for the A/C install was 8-11. They made it here by 11 and didn't leave until about 6:30. There was some problem. The same problem as with the old unit. They kept saying it was the wiring in our thermostat or something. Eventually, they found a different thermostat in their truck and installed it but I don't know how to work it and my brother is not very helpful to me with this type of thing. The air is on now but I don't know if it will cycle on and off correctly or not, so that is what I am waiting to see before I decide if I'm happy or not. My brother and I were both getting crabby and frustrated which is why we never maintain anything in this house. Today's experience didn't help for future things and I have a LOT of things that need fixing (electrical and plumbing especially). My brother always just tells me to adapt.

His poor cat was hiding under a bed in the basement until she needed to use her litter box but couldn't get there because of the workers going in and out. She pooped on the floor and has been MIA since then. He doesn't know where she is.

Oh, what a trial, oldbroad. I'm so sorry.

But I do hope the installation IS good and works how you want it to 🤞

(And thank you and soot for he good wishes.)

Thanks Mad!

Poor little cat just finally came out of hiding.

Glad the cat is safe OldBroad ...hope all settles down for you

Sumatra dark roast coffee and Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Happy Thursday everyone

This morning I went out with a friend to a new coffee/croissant shop in town. It's part of a chain, Freyja, which originated in Europe. Excellent coffee, and the croissants are huge -- easily enough calories for a whole day and a half, and a huge variety, too. Plus it's a very nice, modern room, which our grimy little city really needs.

sports and chores.

Good afternoon Boomers!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. The concert was Great, it was their 50 year Anniversary tour. The music spanned the 50 years, they played for 3 hours. The zoo the next day was also Super, hot but enjoyable.

That is good connie! Glad you enjoyed it!

Have a nice day everyone!

So, oldbroad, the new AC is working OK??? Supposed to be 100° and over the next three days, so I'm glad mine is working! We get ours serviced every year to make sure it stays in tip-top shape.

Yes, I guess I've cooled down now, both in body heat and frame of mind . Part of my frustration was hearing one of the workers say "it's not our fault" to the other worker (not to us) and I started thinking I was going to be in for a big fight, having to pay for something they couldn't get working. I know they were getting quite frustrated themselves.

Getting it serviced every year does not mean it won't break down.

No, it doesn't guarantee anything. But it sure does mean that it's in the best working condition possible and that if anything WAS wrong, it was fixed before we turned it on. Gives me a lot of peace of mind with my older unit.

So pleased for you if you now have a fully working installation, oldbroad

[I've always had my unit serviced every 12 months. It's not cheap but worth every penny.]

Welcome to the weekend Boomers.

sports and chores.

I'm going to have a great weekend! My son arrived from Denver earlier after a 14 hour drive with my 20 year old granddaughter, my 15 year old granddaughter and my 18 year old grandson! Mom stayed home to work on her doctoral dissertation. I'm sure she's going to love the peace and quiet and I'm going to love all the noise! Let the cooking begin!

Sounds real good Draclvr. Enjoy your time with them!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Dinner and Karaoke at the Eagles tonight.

Good morning everyone 🏝

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Have fun Drac.

Sounds like you had fun Connie.

Weekend

I'm having a nothing day today, just watching TV, hanging with the cats and maybe ordering a pizza. I can't really cook these days and I'm not able to go out for meals yet -- it's too weird. So, home it is.

Home is a good place to be. With two more days of 100°F plus temps here, I would prefer an inside home day myself!

We're headed for some very hot weather here, too. It makes me awfully glad we got the heat pump.

One thing I did do this week was order one of the those convection/toaster ovens so that I can cook a chicken without heating up the whole house. That's about the extent of my cooking ambitions.

I was going to get one of those when I was by myself for a few years, but just never got around to it. I think you'll like it for lots of other things too!

I've never owned a "convection/toaster oven" but I do always buy big "double oven" cookers (would that be stoves in the US ?) and my favourite one had a spit-roast facility I could just lift into the top oven.
I could skewer a small chicken or several chops or steaks onto it and the reults were always totally delicious
[Sadly that model is no longer available.]

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Going to a friend's house this afternoon to read a few chapters of a book he is writing.

Good morning everyone 😎

Black Tie coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Now that sounds interesting Connie...what type of book is he writing ✍️

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend! My boarders got picked up this morning and I have 3 days with no extra pups to breathe before I have a full house again.

It's been so hot and humid and we had a ton of rain the last few days. You go from drought to floods.

Have a happy day all!

Good morning everyone

Sumatra dark roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. It's a love story written from a guys point of view.

We could use a little of that heavy rain, Ana! Send it south!

And does that book seem like it will be good connie?

same thing.

Yes, the book actually looked quite good. The characters are interesting,and the plot is developing.

That's good. I was once asked to read someone's fantasy novel and it was abysmal. I gave him what I hoped was some constructive criticism as gently as I could. It's not a nice situation to be in, but he did ask.

Sounds like a great match for you Connie

Oh my Hagatha, I'll bet that was awkward ... however, as you note "he did ask"

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend, watching the new season of Virgin River.

Hello my friends,

I don't know where the time went. Hagatha, my condolences on the lost of your husband. I read the tribute and appreciate what a great man he was. I hope your fond memories bring you joy.

My dog, Huey, was adopted by a nice family that lives about 45 minutes from me. They have an almost 3 yr old daughter and 2 cats, so I can only imagine what life is like for him over there. I called to talk to them about visiting to see him. It just so happened that they were in the ER with their daughter, so I said I understood and ended the conversation. Nothing has happened since then. I've be involved in so many self-care things that I haven't contact them again. Plan to do so soon.

Vertigo hasn't completely gone but I'm learning to deal with. I just have to watch what I do and how I turn. If I lay flat down for any reason, I need to sit and relax for a minute before moving around again. Trying to find some place for low impact yoga or sitting exercises. Thought I found it, but the person running it does it too fast for me. My friend, who has been to similar classes, agrees with me, so I know it's not just me. Plus its an hour and after 35 minutes, I keep looking at the clock.

I finally found a handyman who knows what he is doing. I called him in for a few projects that have mushroomed to twice as many cause he can do it all. He used to own/manager several apartment buildings and I can tell he knows his stuff. After mentioning to him that my ex rehabed our house and my dad was an electritian, he realized I'm no dummy.

I'm getting a new bed that raises the head and knees, so that I can get more air into my lungs. My age and the severity of the sleep apnea are scaring me a bit. After 7 hrs of sleep, I still feel tired; not too tired to function but too tired to do much else. So, I'm hoping it does the trick.

So good to hear from you, butterflybabe! I'm glad Huey has a nice family, but I'm sure you miss him. Have you given the C-Pap a try for your sleep apnea? They have devices now that are not nearly as intrusive as the old ones. My friend Andy resisted for years and finally gave in. Said he wishes he would have done it years ago.

Drac, did you get any of that flooding rain I've just been reading about? I know you told Ana to send some down south a couple nights ago.

Do try a CPAP machine butterflybabe if you don't use one already.

I was sent for a sleep study at a hospital last year and was told I have severe sleep apnea.

Got my CPAP machine last september, and soon realized I had not slept as well as I do now for many years.

A good nights sleep makes a world of difference to how we feel and how it affects other health problems.

Exactly, copper. My friend had a couple of other issues improve greatly after he started getting decent sleep.

No, we didn't get that flooding, oldbroad. Although it was only about 45 miles away from us. We got a lousy four tenths of an inch of rain, so I'm back watering my tomatoes. It was just enough rain to make it steamy when the sun came out. Blech.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

We're heading into a hot spell here. I'm glad of the heat pump, but it doesn't do a very good job of keeping the second floor -- the main living area -- cool. I'll have to get some blinds for the skylights and even look at the possibility of a small heat pump on the second floor balcony, to cut the heat in the upstairs bedroom.

Saw this item and thought of hagatha and a few others here

Drinking coffee before shopping could lead to more items being purchased and increased spending, a study suggests.
Researchers assessed whether customers become more prone to impulsive purchases after drinking coffee, tea or fizzy drinks.
The study, published in the Journal of Marketing, found drinking a caffeinated beverage before shopping led to a greater spend.
The effect was found to be stronger for "high hedonic" products such as scented candles, fragrances, décor items and massagers. It was weaker for "low hedonic" products such as notebooks, kitchen utensils and storage baskets.
Researchers suspect caffeine has this effect because it increases arousal, which enhances the perception of product features and in turn increases purchase intentions for hedonic products such as buttery, salty popcorn, chocolate candy and luxury holidays.
"We found that the caffeine group spent significantly more money and bought a higher number of items than those who drank decaf or water," the researchers said.
They warned consumers there can be negative financial consequences of caffeine: "Hence, consumers trying to control impulsive spending should avoid consuming caffeinated beverages before shopping."

Hm. But the stuff I just bought was for my kitchen and office.

However I'll be wary of any strong impulses to book a luxury holiday when I go out this afternoon.

Maybe I should drink some coffee. I don't like shopping but I can use some things.

Good evening Boomers.

same thing.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good morning everyone Dark roast Sumatra coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room. Have a great Thursday! Lex, interesting read you posted on drinking coffee ... I wonder about some of the studies that are conducted.

Darn. I need to buy a new coffee maker as mine decided to conk out this morning but don't have any coffee to drink to help me out with the shopping.

(It really did conk out.) Fortunately, I was able to steal a cup from my brothers pot. And even more fortunately, my brother will do the shopping for me tomorrow.

I'm certainly with you about some studies/research soot!

Good afternoon Boomers.

sports and chores.

sports and chores.

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Finally! We had our first BLT's yesterday - always worth waiting for. The chickens got into the garden and destroyed a whole bunch of tomatoes, so the little dears (NOT what I called them!) will have to stay locked up for the forseeable future. I did cook down all the damaged tomatoes and put them through my electric Italian tomato press and canned 8 quarts of juice.

Chicks just want to have fun!

Oh, they had fun all right, oldbroad!!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping is on today's agenda. Dinner at the club, then making a schedule of events and final prep for the benefit tomorrow.

Hello Boomers, hope you are all well!

Temps aren't all that high here but the humidity certainly is. We actually broke the heat record a couple of weeks ago. Highest temp in Scotland reached 95.18f while south of the country saw temps of over 106f. That sparked a lot of wildfires in the south with many properties destroyed. It was heartbreaking to see.

My sister is doing really well, she has all her speech back so no need for any more therapy. I managed to get in to see her last Sunday and will go in again tomorrow. Nurses have had her up on her feet but she isn't doing very well at walking as yet. It will all take time so she will just have to be patient! I can't believe how well she is considering we almost lost her.

Hubby has had several bad days. He will see his oncologist in a couple of weeks and will have a list with him of things to discuss. I don't want to put my thoughts in to words right now, we will just have to wait and see what the oncologist says. There's been no improvement whatsoever regarding his ability to walk despite the measures we have taken ourselves to try to improve things. His doctor did say that the chemo had damaged some nerves.

Well, nothing else to report and not much on the agenda today except for some online grocery shopping....always a joy!

Enjoy your Saturday guys!

Much love,

Mary

And a happy Saturday to you, Mary! Such an amazing turn around for your sister. Wishing you good luck with hubby's oncologist. I'm off to the tomato forest!

Hey Ho Everyone and Happy Saturday to one and all

Lifeboost Dark Roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast Tea and bottled Fiji water for the Break Room.

So good to see you Ms Mary and the news of your sister is a wonderful turnabout! Keeping you, hubby and sister in our prayers.

Chores and projects on the docket for me given it is the weekend

I'm off and wishing you all a wonderful day!

Mary, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. It's so hard to watch someone you love struggle.

Good morning everyone

I've got a pot of Organic Dark Brazil Nossa Senhora de Fatima from Brazil this morning with Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Grilling ribs this afternoon and basically chillin the rest of the time

Have an awesome Sunday one and all.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. We raised over $5000 at our fund raiser for Kirstin. We almost lost her twice when she was in ICU for many weeks, then many more weeks still in the hospital. She is home and doing good now. Mary, prayers for your hubby, and for your sister's recovery.

Drac and friends, yes I have a C-pap. Have had one for 20 years. Set as high as it will go. I also use an oral appliance. That becoming more common place now too. My sleep apnea doc said the next step would be to put me on another kind of pap machine that could go higher but I asked him to wait until I see how the new bed works out for me. I'm hoping that raising my head and neck when I sleep will allow more air to get in easier. My problem is that the surgery done when I was little to seal off where my soft palate would be (I don't have a soft palate) caused a lot of scar tissue to form. At the time the surgery was done, no one knew that I am prone to scar tissue, which has formed and obstructed my esophagus a bit. Many people born with clefts during that time have the same problem. Now they use another surgical method to correct the problem. They transfer skin from other part of the body.

I also have scar tissue in the balls of my feel from all the neuroma surgeries I have many years ago. Right now a acupuncturist is working to increase the blood flow to my feel so she can ease my discomfort. I have a ball of scar tissue in the area just beneath my toes, It can be quite painful at times. I have to be careful what kind of shoes I buy.

Thankfully I have good docs to have me thru all this.

same thing.

butterflybabe, I didn't see your original post about this, but is the bed you're getting a lifting bed?

I've has awful chronic sinus issues since my 30's and sleep was often impossible because of it. I've used Breathe Rite strips since then and they help a bit, but not enough to keep me sleeping. Three years ago I invested in a lifting base to go with a new mattress, and it's made a lot of difference to my breathing. I just tip it up a couple of inches and it keeps my sinuses draining through the night. It's not a cure-all by any means, but it helps a lot when my sinuses are acting up. I also find having my head and shoulders raised a bit to be very comfortable.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

same thing.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good evening everyone

Chamomile tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room for a good night's sleep.

Sleep well

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Manicure and lunch out with a friend today.

MORE bad storms moved through here yesterday and last night. We have tree limbs, branches and leaves all over the yard and in the pool. Lines were down in front of the neighbor's driveway about 1/4 mile west of here, so we were without power for about 3 hours. Lightning and thunder were epic. The lightning and thunder continued all night long all around us. Don't know how much rain we got, but I'm going to guess at least 2 - 3 inches. Unfortunately St. Louis got hit again. They have had record flooding there for the past couple of weeks. So far this morning, it appears they had flash flooding again and about 10,000 homes and businesses without power this morning. Also reports of multiple water rescues.

Yes, this weather has gotten so very weird. I am so thankful (and hope I am not jinxing myself right now) that we have not been hit too hard with the rain or wind this year. We've had some smaller branches come down but nothing serious. Yesterday afternoon we had a small amount of rain with thunder but east of us, further into the city (I am at the west edge of the city), a young girl was struck by lightning and a couple of trees (not branches) came down and power was lost. That has been happening in that area a lot this year (not the lightning strike), but the wind and trees.

Goodmorning /Night Connie, Draclvr and oldbroad... Wish i could send you all some much nicer weather but unfortunately we've been getting wild weird weather here to...

Enjoy your coffee /Tea and breakfast/dinner Happy Gaming Boomers

Good evening everyone

Chamomile tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room for a good night's sleep.

Wishing you all a good night's sleep

Our heat wave has passed, thankfully. I've been trying to do one thing every day so I don't just sit around the house. Today was a trip to the recycling dump for accumulated cardboard boxes and glass jars, clearing some much-needed space in the garage.

My little toaster oven/dehydrator/air-fryer/grill arrived yesterday and I used it tonight to make a boneless chicken breast. It grilled up beautifully in about 12 minutes. The appliance looks a bit flimsy, but it was "free" given that I had a store credit at Home Depot. I didn't realize that it was one of those late-night TV-ad brands. Reviews for it seem to be either 5/5 or 1/5 with not much in between, so we'll see how it lasts.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Snacks and karaoke tonight with friends.

Taking the day off today. Hubby and I canned 42 quarts of home-made sauerkraut yesterday. He put it on to ferment two weeks ago and it was ready.

42 quarts of home-made sauerkraut would be enough for ANYONE to need a day off, Draclvr !!!!

court shows and even perry mason, and chores, starting with perry mason, america court with judge kevin ross, the people court, judge greg mathis, justice with judge mablean ,the verdict with judge hatchett, judge judy. and chore. for tomorrow

Good morning and welcome to the weekend!

We feed quite a few small wild birds in our garden, with a constant battle to restrict access for some of the larger ones, especially rooks/crows (successful by putting feeders inside cages) and seagulls (less successful with a small drone and a Nerf gun ). However some larger birds are welcome, in particular a male Peacock, a few Pheasants and an occasional wild duck. The most recent challenge was the arrival of 12 rather tame young wild ducks, probably about a year old: whilst we would like to feed them, we know that it would be inviting trouble in terms of creating quite a mess, not to mention noisy squabbling, and they are already perplexing some of the other larger visitors in terms of access to any food put down...

Drac's recent mention of chickens among the tomatoes therefore resonated with me!

Hi Everyone Goodmorning/Night
It's been freezing here down under in Australia l, wish I could send some over to you..
Keep cool & Happy Gaming Boomer's ☕

Good morning, Danish, Donuts and Bagels in the Break Room. Shopping is on the agenda today. Working the kitchen for our dinner at the Eagles tonight, Trivia to follow. Robert is taking me to see Rod Steward in Tampa next month, I have Wonderful sons.

Lex, needless to say John's family have always been birders and his brother has carried on the tradition of doing daily counts in their Southampton garden. Their home sits along a green belt that is still home to, and pathway for, birds and foxes and Mike feeds both. The fox mothers become quite tame and bring their young into the garden for their dog food sandwiches.

I'm trying to get myself back into working out in the garden. While John was sick our neighbours did all the work and we paid for their monthly condo maintenance fee, but now I'm starting to feel as though I need something to do.

Good afternoon everyone We have squirrels, occasional racoons, hummingbirds and all kinds of other birds we feed out front and back ... it's a constant skirmish for the sunflower seeds

French roast coffee, Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Good to hear that you are getting going in the garden again hagatha.

Do you mean Southampton in southern England? That was part of my old stamping ground, as my parents retired to the New Forest and later I was a partner in a law firm in Romsey (a small town near Southampton) for several years.

Sadly, the Isle of Man has no squirrels, and hummingbirds are not part of British or European fauna.

Many years ago I recall some great videos of squirrels outwitting attempts to keep them off bird feeders in British gardens, and we recently saw a good TV item on the intelligence and versatility of squirrels https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p069v1q0/p069v1gh
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2002975013069378
and here is a clip from youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Breakfast out this morning.

same thing.

Good morning everyone

I brought an Espresso machine to the Break Room this morning with Scottish Breakfast tea and bottled Fiji water.

What's your fancy

Cappuccino
Americano
Espresso
Doppio
Cortado
Ristretto
Macchiato
Galao
Lungo
Mocha
Red Eye
Flat White
Affogato
Cafe au Lait
or
an Irish coffee with whiskey, sugar and cream

I'll have a double Cappuccino made with long shots.

I don't even know what any of that stuff is so I'll just have an Irish Coffee with whiskey, sugar, and cream please.

Cute squirrel stuff Lex!

I just like strong black coffee with a sizeable dose of cream fresh from the milkman

is that called anything ??

[I'm so old fashioned ]

I remember the days when coffee was just coffee. Then along came Starbucks's, and then I outgrew that, and then came the indie coffee shops and the little Italian cafes along Commercial Drive and the freshly roasted beans form all over the world, and coffee got a whole lot more complicated.

My coffee machine will actually make plain old coffee, though I tend to enjoy an Americano instead.

The only time I have coffee "out" is if I'm visiting friends/family or am out for a restaurant meal - but I stay with my usual then as well.

Guess I'm just a plain ol' stick in the mud 🤡

Good Morning/Night all Boomers I like to start off with a good cup of Tea then afterwards a frothy Cappuccino..Lovely

Happy Gaming Boomers enjoy your Beverages...

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good afternoon everyone

Maxwell House coffee, Darjeeling tea and bottled Fiji water in the Break Room.

Maxwell House - that brings back memories!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Lunch and Netflix with a friend today.

Today I'm taking stock of what's in the garage . There are tools and bags of "stuff" that we moved with twice and yet haven't looked at in at least ten years. Yesterday I found a pup tent that has to be 45 years old.

sports and chores.

Sounds like a whole new adventure hagatha, and perhaps the cue for a garage sale!

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room.

Good morning, Danish, Donuts, and Bagels in the Break Room. Pedicure and lunch out with a friend today. Snacks and karaoke with friends tonight.

Heading down to the horse rescue ranch to do a tour at 12:30 today. Absolutely beautiful day - about 82°F!

Smoked a bunch of ripe jalapenos yesterday and put in the dehydrator to make chipotles. Hope to grind them later today. Also put on a huge pot of sweet pickles - the process takes about 5 - 8 days. Yesterday, I sliced and covered with boiling water. Today is drain and cover with boiling salt solution. Tomorrow is drain and cover with boiling alum solution and then it's cover with cider vinegar and pickling spices for 3 days. After that it, put in jars with sugar and seal in a boiling water bath.

Seems as though everyone is busy these days. I'm about to take my coffee outside on the balcony since it's a beautiful morning. The cats both think that's the best thing ever and will join me out there.