Antenna on the way.....Getting closer to Kitty !

     We tried to get the antenna at Best Buy, they did have some but alas not the one we wanted.  The guy there was very helpful and showed us some on the internet at the store but we realized where we were looking on line they were a lot cheaper.   So we thanked him very much and left the store.  It cost $58. I believe and is on the way.  You know how that goes.  It could be here tomorrow or in two weeks so I just have to sit back and wait.  I will let you know how it works for us when we get it up and going.  Jim has already put the pole up and it will extend up another 10 feet once he puts it on the end.  We still are getting several channels just with our rabbit ears inside.  The guy from Best Buy was shocked that we even got any so he said we shouldn't have any trouble receiving more with an outside antenna.
     Yes, Jim is getting closer and closer to the Kitty.  I tell you he really puts on a show in the morning.  Jim and I go out in front and have our coffee in the morning, here is Kitty sitting on top of a trailer that has a tarp over it (it's full of garbage from the yard and needs to go to the dump but we won't talk about that right now).  Now keep in mind the Kitty is black and the tarp is medium blue, she shows up real plain ( I say she but we really don't know yet if it's a girl or a boy.  It does come out and greet Jim then scampers back in it's hiding place.  What's really cute is when it gets up on it's hind legs and prances forward with his front legs up in the air.  What a show we get to watch. I know Bella ( most of the time we call her puppers) our black little dog would love to play with it.  Maybe, we'll see, hopefully soon.
     Did I mention Jim has won a night at the Hotel Diamond in Chico and dinner at Johnny's, which is located in the Hotel.  Well......we are going Aug. the 4th.  I am very excited about it.  First, of course, we will go to the gym as the 4th is on a wed. then we will probably just walk around down town Chico as that is where the Hotel is.  Chico really does have some nice stores and they have really tried to keep there downtown going.  It's not easy in these times but they do have a beautiful park right across the street so we plan on doing some walking.  It will just be fun to try something different.  I will tell you all about it.  I'll try and take pictures.
     I spent about 3 hours on line this morning looking for a bathing suit.  I got so frustrated I wanted to cry, scream, yell or something.  You see I have been looking for a new suit as the one I bought about a month and half ago is really showing signs of wear (I am not Kidding)  I couldn't believe it.  Well I have wasted enough time and the suit will be falling off of me shortly and believe me we do not want that.  So I finally threw my hands up in the air and said we are going to town and I can't come back home without one.  The only place that had durable suits (yea right, look how long mine lasted) is Big Five.  I already tried JCPenney's and that was a joke as all your other regular stores would be so back to Big Five I went.  Thank God they were again on sale but I learned something that I hope will help...........Before you wear your suit you soak it in 1 Tablespoon of vinegar in 1 quart of water for 30 min. (I am doing that right now).  Then before you go in the pool you are to get under the shower and get it wet, it's suppose to stop it from soaking up so much chlorine and last but not least rinse the suit in cool water after you take it off.  You can even use a gentle soap and then rinse it.  Roll it up in a towel (do not use the ringers in the locker room, I always did as I thought that was a good thing, so much for what I know).  When you get home lay it over a chair on a towel to dry, do not hang in sun.  My Word, can you believe all that !  Believe me I will do all of that but I just wonder how my suits lasted all summer when I was in Junior High.  Let me tell you it was one suit a summer, period. 
     I've been reading some of the older published books that we get for free.  What a kick they are.  Some of them were written 1850 to 1870.  They really had a different way of telling a story.  Then I switched and now am reading  "The Goddess of Fried Okra," by Jean Brashear.  Check it out, it's funny.  I keep thinking what the readers in 1850 would think of the writing style now.  It does give you pause.   Tootles

Middle of the Week

Hello, Hello, and Hello !  I feel great today had a very good workout, good food and good company.  Now who could ask for anything more.
     We started out the day by getting up early and heading to the gym.  When you look in the frig. and there is one egg (our chickens have decided to lay their eggs all around the big front yard instead of in there pen, they all seem to only like the same nest for laying and Patty the big black chicken will not get off of it, so the other 6 chickens are protesting by scattering their eggs, we even found them in the goat pen) and no bread, no almond milk for what little cereal is left, the answer is, Eat At the Gym. The Cabana Cafe is great as the food is very healthy for you besides being delicious.  All the employee's there are super nice and the manager is our Aqua instructor.  I am so happy as besides doing my regular workout I think I told you I am also doing the rower.  Wow, what a heart pumper.  I feel this all over and I am telling you, no kidding, it is strengthening my bottom, stomach, and thighs a lot.  I do not want to fall so it's important that I keep my body in the best shape I can.  After our swim we stopped in at the Cafe again and split a sandwich before heading home.  I have such a good time visiting with everyone along with working out.  We are all a little concerned about one terrific lady, Barbara.  She is having some problems walking and wasn't able to come today.  Her husband did come but as he was about to go in the pool, Barbara called the gym and ask for him to come home as she was not doing well.  He said he was going to get her in to the Dr. and see what was going on.  We will find out Friday.  I already told you about Edie falling and fracturing her hip so as you might expect we are all concerned.  Please say a little pray for each of them.  They both have medical issues, as we all do, that is why I thank God we are all going to the gym.  It keeps illness, weakness, depression, and pain at bay.  We are all a close group and care very much about each other so, (Oh, no, she's going to lecture again)  have you gone to the gym in your area yet or started up a bunch of friends or neighborhood get together.  I don't care how you do it, Just Do It.  It's so important to your health and happiness to exercise, exercise, exercise.  Ride a bike, dance, like no one is watching, play basket ball, jog, run, skip, jump.......get the picture go, go now.
     I have to say I had joined a gym in another town (I think I have told you this before) and they were awful.  No doubt about it, just down right rude.  That is why I stress check it out first.  Take the tour and ask the people there how they like it and why.  I think it's important the gym have a Senior Wellness program, that way you are covered.  Once a month we have some kind of a social. O.K. enough.  I just want everyone to not miss out on the rest of your loooonnnnggg life.
     On a different note something I forgot to add last time about TV with no cable and only using antenna for digital ( I must stress this is for newer TV's, the older ones will also need to have a converter box along with the antenna).  Go to Titantv.com.  It's like the old TV guides and shows you what channels you will get and the programs.  I'm excited about the pbs channels as they have travel, cooking, painting, and lots more.  So check it out and save yourself some money
The also have the regular line up of evening shows.
     I'm sure you have already look at the new free books, if not.......I just picked up, "Goddess of Fried Okra," by Jean Brashear,   "Face of Betrayal," (Triple Threat #1) by Lis Wiehl and April Henry,   last but not least....."A Flower Blooms on Charlotte Street," by Milan McGraw Porpst.
     I'm sure you have noticed some of the books that are for free one day will cost you the next week.  They don't stay on the free list very long.  Some even only last a few hours so make sure you check it daily.  I would not want anyone to miss out on a good free book.  Good Health, Healthy Food, Tootles

Yard Ornaments

These are my Three Little Pigs.  I have them amongst my mint.  I made them in ceramics class years ago.  No, I did not form them myself, they came out of a mold.  When I reveal that, it's' funny how some people react.... Oh well, I thought you designed them.  So somehow there value has just dropped way down.  I did paint them and that was fun, anywho just wanted to give a little history on my pigs.  Ha!  They were originally presents that I gave away, to family.  Well you know how that goes, they don't know what to do with them and they can't just throw them away so here they come back to you and I certainly don't know what to do with them, so here they are in my herb garden.  Don't think I mentioned they are piggy banks, guess they just didn't have any change to put in them ,what with the bank and atm cards now, who has change anymore.  The little lamb on the side is one half of a cake pan my Mom use to bake my birthday cakes in.  I don't know what happened to the other half.  Did I ever feel special when she made that.  Oh, the good old days !
     I think I mentioned before we no longer have cable or any other company
 to watch all those thousands of channels.  What we do have right now is nothing.  That is we turn our tv on and  right now we get about 6 channels, 5 very good and one snowy (the older crowd will get the snowy) This friday we are getting the antenna for digital and should get several more channels.  Not that I think we need so many.  Let's face it with the thousands of channels how many times did you say....." Honey, there is nothing on".  At least this way we are saving ourselves 80. plus every month.  Hey, that's a lot of moola. I'll let you know how many more channels we get and the quality.
     This morning it is down right cold.  I am not kidding.  Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, just surprised and a nice one at that. 
     I'm fixing up a new area outside for reading or just sitting quietly and drinking tea.  Right now Jim is clearing it and we are putting in a box planter.  Will take a picture of it when it's done.
     We have a new kitty !  Well, we don't actually have it yet.  It just showed up at the far corner of the outside yard.  We have another cat there, that is not very social and seems happy to be fed and just left alone.  This new kitty, is all black, I think, as I nor Jim has been able to get very close before is skitters away and hides amongst the bushes and we are unable to see it.  Jim is feeding it of course so hopefully in time it will become more friendly.  Jim just came in and said Elviria our black cat is rolling around in the grass a few feet away from the kitty, and the kitty is inching up.  Well see !   Tootles

Adeline watches over my herbs.

She has been with me for a long time.  I love to dress her up in different costumes.  I once had her dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Then of course I took two sticks painted them red and white strips added some old shoes, that I had painted bright red with glitter on them, stuck them on the end of the sticks put them half under some shrubs in my yard and WaaLaa!  The Witch of the West or was it East, I can't remember but you get the picture.  I really have fun just putting her everywhere.  My kids think I'm a little crazy but I think it's fun.  Wish I had several more.  I'm always looking.
      Hey, I'm excited about going to the gym tomorrow, not only for the exercise and the swim class but we (seniors) are having a cooking class.  It seems a chef , I believe from Chico, is going to show us healthy cooking.  I believe he is going to demonstrate how to and what ingredients.  I don't think we are going to do anything other then try out what he makes. (I think).  It should be interesting and different.  I'm all for trying new things.
     I've been swimming off and on today.  Taking advantage of our pool.  It sure cools you off fast and I get in some of my exercises. 
     We watched the movie "Gran Torino", with Clint Eastwood.  I know, I know it has a lot of bad language and racial slurs but and that is a big but, the movie itself has such a good lesson.  Especially about American family life today, what with cell phones, texting, and the disconnection with each other even in the same room. Somewhere along the line respect and manners have lost there way.  It also shows you to have a more open mind, what you assume isn't always what really is going on.  I have to say I liked the Movie very much even with the language and such as that was the only way to tell the story.  If you haven't seen it, Do so.  I think it's something we all should see. Tootles

Thank God, it's only 95' and An Angel in my Garden !

Yes, that's right, only 95' And we have the delta breeze.  Yea, for Delta !  I swear it's such a relief to not have the air on and all the windows are open.  We have one fan going and it's very pleasant.  Who could ask for more ?

We had a mishap at the gym the other day.  A gentleman was in the shower and apparently had a heart attack.  Just so happen in the next shower was a paramedic who heard him fall.  He was able to work on him until the ambulance arrived which saved his life.  Our prayers go out to him and his family.  Then one of our members in our swim class had fallen at home and broke her hip.  From what I understand it was a small break maybe even a fracture.  She is in the hospital and will be transfered to the rehabilitation center in the next day or two.  She is 89 and always has a smile on her face.  She is missed and I'm sure she will be back soon.

More pictures of my yard.  Are you able to see Tasha, my dog on the porch.  She is a very sweet dog and I love her to pieces.  Then as you can see I have an Angel in my yard.  She keeps us safe and protected.  I put bird seed in the dish it makes for great bird watching.  Under the Angel is our wild berries.  They are becoming ripe and I have already been nibbling. Yum,Yum. 
Our week is almost over, my, how time flies.  I know we say it all the time but it's true it does go way too fast.  I guess because we have experienced life a little longer we do notice these things.  I remember when I had 3 little ones under 5 and I thought I would never get away from diapers or bottles.  Now I realize that time was so short and I know I did not enjoy that time as much as I should have.  Oh, the voice of regret, how it appears out of no where and shadows you for a time until you have to shake it off and tell yourself if you knew then what you know now, you know you would enjoy every second.  Then you must go on and forgive yourself your many faults and pray there won't be any major regrets in your future.  Hang in there !  Life has so many wonderful blessings and I'm proud to say I have many in my life.  Good Health, Healthy Food.  Tootles

Eleanor and Elviria

Are you able to make out my two cats?  They think I put the chairs there just for them, after all they just fit. Ha!  See how good my hydrangea is doing,
how I do love this plant.  Trying to find everything I have that is white and adding it to my little porch.  It's always in the shade and I love it.  There is a large walnut tree opposite the chairs and they are yummy.  This year the tree is full of walnuts so we should get a good crop.

I might try a another picture but sorry about yesterday those of you on the kindle it did not come up right.  You think you have it all figured out and then it's not.  This is Elviria she is the one who cleans all the other's faces (I'm not kidding).  We have two goats, Rose and Alice, our dogs, Tasha, Bella and Olivia, she manages to go around and cleans all there faces.  What a little Mother.


Hey, I have been tuning into a unique radio station.  I think I have talked about it before as my friend, Kathryn  substitutes in StoryTime, Tues. at 7:00.  (Kathryn should have the job as she is so good).  Anyone may have their own show, I'm sure they have to get approval by soneone but from what I understand it's generally a go.  I have listened to fabulous jazz, and I'm not really a jazz fan, but this I really like.  There have been American Indian songs, Hmong songs as well as storytime.  If you want the real news, not the scripted movie star version, this is the place you should be.  You get the real story.  I haven't even listened to everything yet but I plan on it.  The     address is     www.kzfr2.org      try it.   Tootles

Hello and Welcome !

Trying to not focus on the heat.  I know it's the end of July and we still have August to go and let's face it Sept. and Oct. can be pretty hot also.  So I just as well get over it.  Triple digits are here to stay for a while.

These are our tomatoes and squash.  Hope the tomatoes start doing better.  We did have them in a topsy turvy, where they were upside down growing from our porch.  It just was not working out so we moved them over to the garden where our squash is growing.  I don't know about you but it just was not right.  A comment my Granddaughter said, " Aren't plants suppose to grow up towards the sun"?  I rest my case.

Our Gym is doing fine.  I can't express enough how just going there has changed my life.  It's opened up a whole new world for us.  We have met the nicest people and on top of that we are getting into shape.  Have you started yet?  Check out the gym's in your neighborhood or get together with friends and start your own workout but please just do it.  You don't want to meet your friends in the Dr. office.

I'm now reading "Hidden Hand" by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth  1819-1899  It's written a little different than I'm use to but I really am enjoy the story. It will be interesting to get to the end.  I also have the new update for my kindle and have been happily organizing all my books.  Boy, you just don't realize how much time it takes to do this.  I've been working on it for almost a week off and on.  It really will make a difference as I have found so many titles I have wanted to read and forgot about so of course they are now up front.  Happy Reading, Good Health and Health Eating.  Tootles