Teal's Modest Adventures

Charley hurricane, that I referenced, was in 2003. We have had four more since then. We stayed for all of them except the latest, a year ago. We did evacuate for that, although, as it turned out, we needn't have because we had no damage and did not lose power.

We lost power for a week during the Hurricane Charley aftermath. We had flashlights and candles, slept with windows open for whatever breeze we could get. Everyone helped. Our neighbors had a generator and took our freezer food to put in their refrigerator. The stores gave out free water. We flushed with pool water. If you have a pool, you don't have to stockpile water for the bathroom. Sanibel, the large (vacation destination) island below our tiny one, was without power for weeks. I figure we were lucky.

How lovely to have a wonderful family and they are all so achieving. Also, I too foomfed my way through my early life -- no goals just hangin'. I caught up later. Being married to my first husband, the genius, helped. Had to play catch up.

Can a relative take your kids to Wisconsin to enjoy family and Christmas cheer, while you go to visit Steve? I'd be inclined to honor Steve, since he might not be around for future events. And if you were in Steve's shoes, would you want to see family make the effort? Or would you feel abandoned and resigned to your fate? I lost my first husband who was ill for years. I spent every available minute with him. I am not sorry I did that.

Had meniscus in both knees repaired in later life, got physical therapy designed for dancers, went back to ballet class. Sorry about the bone thing. That would really bother me. But I wouldn't have waited till a distant appointment to have it checked. Now I have spinal stenosis and without meds experience debilitating back spasms. Looking for another solution because the med doesn't always work.

I find that gargling with Listerine at the first sign of a cold usually stops it overnight. Hugs to you and Jose, super dog.

I think oversight of elections has to be federally done. It is obvious from the interference in North Dakota, Georgia, etc., that a lot can be done to prevent voting by minorities when the party in power in that state has total control.

I didn't watch House of Cards but I liked Kevin Spacey and admired his work. I'm sorry about his problem.

Glad you got needed rain. I love to watch lightning storms (as long as I am safe).

Sounds like a nightmare. We too have a lot of stuff Ed is not dealing with and won't let me just get rid of it. Anyway, I have places I can take things to, like the cat shelter that always takes bedding, or the charity re-sale shop that will take clothes I o longer use. But just gathering it and taking it is a chore so I put it off.

I have had interactions with Karen on Facebook ... we agree about a lot. I hope she joins us. I won't take baby aspirin as a blood thinner because i get huge bruises and I am afraid of a blood clot. Instead I take turmeric capsules -- same result, no bruising. But I will look into the watchman. I won't get flu or pneumonia shots because my mom, whom I take after biologically, would always get really sick when she had a flu shot. When she stopped getting them, she didn't get sick any more.

Holocaust stories are always riveting and tragic. It is extremely troubling to encounter deniers who say it never happened.

Lovely to have a large family. I had one sister and she's gone now. I have first cousins and we talk but they don't travel. Sounds like you had a lovely time. we had a palm rat who was hard to get rid of. He chewed through our dishwasher hose. We'd replace it, a critter person would plug up holes, but he always missed something. This happened about 5 times and the cost was mounting up. Finally, he got the kitchen access totally protected. And I have a normal kitchen again.

so far a decent amount of rain, some heavy wind fallouts from northern hurricanes, but nothing serious. Last year was enough, and the hurricane season won't be over till Nov. 1. Sorry you have to suffer all that flooding.

In my older years two younger friends have adopted me as their surrogate mother. Perfect. I didn't have to raise them and worry myself to pieces. Glad to see you posting again.