Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

(What a) Wonderful World
Song by Louis Armstrong
I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin', 'How do you do?'
They're really sayin', 'I love you.'
I hear babies cryin'. I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Hi, Everyone! It's good to be able to get into the site. There have been a few days this week when I was unable to enter.

Heidi, I hope the horses enjoyed their 'spa day!' Was there a good turn-out for your friend Debbie's aunt's funeral?

Thanks for the great TOPP, Heidi! I have always liked that song. It was the father-daughter dance at D2's wedding, so she obviously likes it as well.

Sending lots of positive happy thoughts, prayers, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and !

Heidi, when we did our tour of Canada and Alaska our tour guide started every morning with that song.
We are now in Puno and the sun has just come up. I am sitting at the window of our hotel looking out over Lake Titicaca. It is going to be a beautiful day and we go out on the lake at 8 am.

Today is parking day, and in addition to clothing and normal things, I am taking some of the harder to find items from my eating plan. AND of course, medications and comfort items. I am not sure I have ever packed to be away for over 2 weeks, and in changeable weather, too. We can have summer to fall and almost a touch of winter at nights at that elevation. I packed for a week and we can wash and wear again hehehe.

Next I must go water plants, might not be able to tomorrow. I have found 2 people who will take over my watering when I am gone. I need to take one of them out today to show what and how, where the faucet is, how to turn on the hose to fill watering cans, where cans are located.

Tomorrow is my hip injection, I am really hoping this works. Tanya and I did turn my mattress yesterday, and I did sleep better last night, cause and effect? I am not sure. Tanya will pack up the grocery items tomorrow while babysitting me after procedure, except for anything cold, (I must have usual items for my coffee and cereal first morning). Then Friday morning we leave. I hope to get back tomorrow for a last post, if I can.

June, your morning view of the lake sounds wonderful. Hope you enjoyed your day on the lake.

Julie, I too am glad you were able to get to the site. I seem to have missed the problem. I have been able to get on when I had time to drop in.

Heidi, I like that song also, 'heard' it as I read it, now cannot get it off my mind.

the only thing that sounds really strange with my hearing aids is typing. I did not know this keyboard made that much noise. OH, one other problem. Twice when on phone with me, Tanya was moving her medication bottles about, looking for something. It sounded as if I was in a huge metal drum, being tumbled with rocks! Asked her to let me know before she was going to do that, so I could hold phone away or something, but she forgot. I think there is a way to turn off the aides without taking them out of ear, for such situations, but the audiologist turned that function off till my follow up visit, so I would not have so much to deal with until I got accustomed to them. Of course with this trip, I will be 4 weeks till follow up visit instead of the usual 2 weeks. If that is the only problem I have, I can manage.

Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.

I get a day to myself tomorrow. IH will be gone all day (with my truck) and won't be home until late at night. Yes, he's still using my truck. A while ago, I told him that the problem that he's having with his truck felt exactly like the problem I had with mine. I told him that my problem was a broken piston coil. Since I'm not male, and not a mechanic, he ignored me. He has taken it to SEVERAL cheap mechanics, each of which diagnosed a different problem, did ''repairs'', and didn't fix the problem. This evening, he finally promised me that he'll have the piston coils checked. I'm getting tired of him using MY truck.

Good luck with the hip injection, MizT. I hope it's a good one.

Just a quick hello, as it's much later than I thought.

June, your trip sounds wonderful!

MizT, you accomplished a lot today in preparation for your trip. In case I don't get here tomorrow before you head to bed or before you leave on Friday, have a safe trip and enjoy your time away. Hoping for excellent weather!

Heidi, hopefully IH's truck will finally be repaired and you can once again have yours at your disposal.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, prayers, healing energy, and for everyone!

At least I have my RV for transportation. Gil has FINALLY agreed that it was a smart purchase. It took over 3 years for him to admit it.

Greetings to All!

Heidi, one small step for man, one GIANT step for Gil. He admitted you made a smart purchase. Put that on the calendar! (Of course, you and we all knew it right from the start.)

Safe travels, MizT and Tanya!

Sending positive thoughts, , healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers for everyone!

Next weekend is Gil's family's annual golf tournament. It's only about 3 hours drive away, so I'll be taking the RV for an overnighter. It should be fun. Debbie will dog sit.

I hope MizT's shot was a lulu.

Hi, Everyone!

Heidi, I agree! Hoping MizT's shot was a 'humdinger!'

Heidi, I hope you have fun at Gil's family's annual golf tournament next weekend!

It's time to head to bed. Good Night! Sending positive thoughts, prayers, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and !

Too tiddly to read, but thought I'd share an anecdote:

Many years ago I was riding my motorbike with a pillion passenger. A big bunch of kids were playing ball on the road. I slowed right down and they separated to let us go through. Just as we reached the group a ball came out across the road, immediately followed by a little boy. There was no time to stop. I hit the brakes, went down the gears.. My passenger stood up and got off the bike. But I couldn't stop. I hit him. He was thrown into the gutter. I was heart broken. He got up and went home. The families in that area were all bike families who had known my father. They told me it was very important that I got back on the bike and ride home. I did. I cried and cried and cried. The police came. The little boys grandmother had called them and told them I'd aimed for him rather than the other children because he was aboriginal. I was interviewed/interrogated and warned that I should have called the police when it happened. I wasn't charged with anything so the police believed my version. It was horrible. The poor little boy probably grew up believing his grandmother. She probably died believing that her grandson had been targeted by an evil white person who got away with it. I will always feel horrible that a little boy got thrown into the gutter.

Hello everyone.
I hope everyone is really well.
June..having a wonderful time of course.
Heidi..the RV must be so much fun to stay in. Have a great family gathering!
Suzy...that is an awful experience to live with. Did you find out if he was OK.Be thankful that he was able to walk away and try not to dwell on it. The Police believed you and you know the truth.

Greg has just returned from his Fathers place in Taree. It is nice to have him home again.
Paul has had the flu. Unable to work the past week with all the typical symptoms. He is prone to chest infections and I think that is what it has developed into now.
Catch you all next time.

We are now in Rio. If I go onto our balcony I can look over the road to Copacabana Beach. It is Saturday night so lots of loud music. This morning we were getting wet with the spray from the Iguazu Falls, then a plane to Rio. This afternoon we went up Sugar loaf by cable cars and tomorrow it is to the famous Christ The Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain.at least today did not involve a lot of walking and steps. Yesterday at Iguaza Falls we went down so many steps to have a speed boat ride into the falling water I thought I would never climb out again. Found out from the guide that there was a short cut and when we got up the steps to where it was just a steep walk she got a golf cart for two of us who were having a few problems. The boat ride was like being under a fire hose! The falls consist of about 200 individual falls and are very spectacular.

Hello Everyone,...I've been missing in action, but all is well. Suzy...very bad memories...you know however that the Grandmother was wrong and accidents do happen...try to let it go...easier said than done I'm sure or you would have done so already.
June, wishing I was there with you enjoying the sights and sounds..glad you are enjoying everything...except all of that darn walking. Glad the lady did get you a ride after the boat ride though that was welcomed I 'm sure.
Heidi, thanks for thinking I might enjoy having a bird since I'm at loose ends after losing Jazz. My brother also thought it would be good to have either some birds or fish to help me work through my grief, but I have had all kinds of pets as a kid and adult when my kids were little and none ever really filled the bill for me other than dogs, even though I admired them all...so, in answer to your question, yes, I've thought about it, but decided against it for now, but do appreciate your thoughts. Enjoy your trip next week and may the drive be clear sailing and safe...we'll be stuck in a traffic nightmare here since the Pope will be in Philly then and many of the roads are closing already. I will watch the parade from home..I had hoped to go, but since my accident, I don't need to try it and getting around is more difficult than I had expected. Nola, hope Paul is feeling a little better by now...give him my best. I know you had to have missed Greg...he was gone for quite some time...glad he's back now. How' s his Dad doing? It's so hard to live so far from each other today...we want to be near our loved ones in times like this, but it's hard to do for many.Hope things stay stable for a while. Okay folks..take care...I care. Peace.

Just a quick hello! No time to read. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and

Hi All.
Oh June, your trip sounds just beautiful. I haven't heard of some of the places you have been to, but what an experience for you.
Julie....how do you cope being so busy.
Mama..lovely to hear from you. I will pass on your well wishes to Paul. He is still not good but no temp now and a little more energy.
Enjoy your trips Heidi and MizT

Mama.... I was thinking of something like a cockatiel, which are extremely friendly, more like a dog than a bird. They love cuddling and attention, and will return all affection in spades. I can give you a very friendly one, if you'd like. My population is growing quickly.

Heidi,
Paul has ordered you an Australian parrot or bird calendar for when we visit the US in January.
You probably know more about our birds than I do but maybe you would still enjoy one.
Judy loved and had a few pet galahs, and also a cockatiel which she gave away just before she died. The cockatiels are less destructive than some of our parrots. Growing up, we has about 2 white cockatoos, great talkers, but would chew the furniture or perches.
The more popular ones here are the peach faces, less destructive and many coloured varieties, as you already know.
Please let me know if there is something I can bring, that you would like.

Hope you have an enjoyable birthday Viv,

WOW, things are improving when I don't get logged out after 5 minutes.

Heidi...I didn't know that...Would love to learn more and then possibly enjoy a bird from you if I can care for it properly. Please tell me more.
Nola, sorry that Paul is still under the weather but do hope things change for the better soon. At least the temp has gone. Glad you were having better luck on the computer too. Over and out folks. Peace.

Hi, Everyone!

Suzy, so sorry to hear about such a traumatic experience. As others have said, you know the truth of the matter. It was an unavoidable accident. The grandmother must have felt a need to place blame on someone other than her grandson for running out into the street. It's time to forgive yourself We care! {{{HUGS}}}.

Nola, how nice that Greg is back home. Hopefully his father is doing well. it seems Paul is seeing some improvement from the flu. Prayers for that improvement to continue and that he'll soon be 100%. Have you started counting the weeks until your trip?

June, your trip sounds wonderful! I didn't realize you'd be climbing down to the base of Iguazu Falls. I admire you for your endurance! I'm so glad the guide thought to make your return trip a bit easier with the short cut and the golf cart. Hopefully you will have time to rest and recuperate between days when you have a lot of walking!

Mama, I hope you're doing well and your health is good. It's too bad you won't be able to see the Pope in person, though the TV coverage might actually make it easier to see him than if you were actually nearby.

Nola, I'm glad your computer is being more cooperative.

Heidi, how thoughtful of you to suggest a bird for Mama. It's not something I usually think of as a pet, but your description sounds like it might be a good possibility (and no need to take it for walks).

Today was a platelet donation day, so I spent a lot of time in a reclined chair. It's one of the few times I can watch a movie. I had a backlog of mail and bills to go through when I got home, so I worked on that and gave myself a day off from practicing the cello. (Yesterday I practiced for almost 3 hours. I wonder if it would be more productive with less time each day, rather than giving myself a day off.)

Time for bed, so I'll sign off with the usual supply of prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, , and healing energy! Good Night from here.

I don't know what I did to my right arm, but I can't straighten it out or lift anything with it. I've got it in a sling right now so I can avoid shooting pain by accidentally moving it. It's ALWAYS something!

Greetings!

Heidi, please be very careful! Try to get IH to do all the packing f the RV (under your view and supervision, of course) before your trip to the Golf Tournament/Family Reunion.

Sending lots of healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, positive thoughts, and to be shared by everyone!

I hope all's well with everyone! Sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, happy thoughts, wishes for good health, , and prayers for all!

June, I am loving your trip updates. You are making places that I have only seen on TV seem more real.

Nola, loved reading all of your posts, I'm very glad your computer was behaving.

Hello to everyone else. I'm on my iPad and it's hard to scroll up and down and write comments at the same time.

Thank you for your kind thoughts about my accident, I should have remembered to say that the boy was okay. Probably some bruising and gravel rash, though at the time I was told he only had a black eye. The person who told me laughed about it being hard to see. He thought he was lightening things up to make me feel better but all I could see was how racist he was. Which was fairly common back then, it's more subtle now. It's really not surprising that his grandmother thought I aimed for him.

No news. Slowly getting ready for the weekend trip.

Time for a night-time Hello!

I hope everyone is well! Heidi, is your arm better? If not, have you at least consulted with a doctor? Take care and make IH do most of the preparations for your trip.

Suzy, at one time I would have said that racism had become more subtle here. Unfortunately, it really seems to be rearing its ugly head on far too many occasions. Hopefully one day the young boy's grandmother came to her senses and realized that it was, indeed, an accident!

Time for bed, with an early alarm and much to do tomorrow. Please feel free to share the healing energy, , prayers, positive thoughts, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}} coming your way!

The arm is ~75% better. It's out of the sling, but I still cannot straighten it out. If it's still painful on Monday, I'll call my doctor.

Gekko my Friends,
Hope you are all well and happy.
Heidi, hope you arm improves quickly.
Zusy, between the bike accident and the car crash you are definitely a survivor, extra Hugs for you.
June, good to hear you are enjoying yourself albeit with some discomfort.
Julie, you are a trooper.
MizT, enjoy your house sitting.
Mama, you seem more upbeat.
Nola, great to see you around.
Love to all I have missed mentioning.

Greetings, Things are very quiet here as we have left the summer and moved into fall. All of the exciting stuff seems to be put away for next summer and routine stuff is now in place...wonder why it seems that way....Lol.
Heidi, it's good to know that the arm is a little better as you head out for a fun weekend. I do hope it continues to feel less painful and you are able to enjoy your time away. Safe travels. Yes, Broni...it's wonderful how not hurting can make a person be more open to all of the good things going on around them and everyone can see the changes in that person...Julie, I was glad to read of you having given yourself a day off...we all need to slow down and recharge from time to time. Hope your cello practice afterwards went well and you may repeat rest more often...but then again, some folks enjoy being busy so enjoy whatever rocks your boat. SusyI was surprised to learn of the racial issue being thought of as subdued there now. It seems as if more exposure is being given and I thought it was resurging as it seems to be in the U.S by leaps and bounds. The election of President Obama, as historic as it was, was accomplished by many factors, and the high white vote was one of the reasons he was elected. However, that seems to be the catalyst of increased fear and hated coming to the fore in too many areas of life here today...Such a sad state of affairs. I Have more that bothers me along those lines but no need to air them here among friends who do not harbor the unwanted, unkind attitudes that turn many off.
Well, I think I'd better stop running off at the fingers before the post is lost. Peace.

The arm is better today than yesterday. It should be back to normal in a coule of days. I must have strained it, or gotten a pinched nerve, without noticing. The sling was the right treatment.

I'm nearly ready to leave tomorrow. I just need to load up a couple more pieces of clothing for hot weather. The high is supposed to be 90°F (32°C), and the low may hit 47°F! (8.3°C). That's a huge temperature range for a trip that'll only last 30 hours at most.

Hi, Everyone!

Mama, I hope the house-sitting is going well!

Heidi, it's so good to hear that your arm is better, and continuing to improve!I hope you enjoy your quick trip and the golf tournament.

Broni, it's so good to read your posts. Are you still enjoying your travels and the freedom to travel in a leisurely manner! I hope Bella is doing well! Have a wonderful time!

Mama, it's wonderful to see you feeling better. I hope the cooler and beautiful days of autumn bring much pleasure to you!

Thinking of everyone and sending beautiful and positive thoughts, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, and !

We are now in Santiago in Chile. There is a lot of snow on the Andes which are easily seen for here. Our room is on the wrong side to see them. Walked around the city to day and to morrow we go to Valparaiso. I am looking forward to seeing the port as my GG grandfather sailed into that port with a damaged ship back in 1855. The ship had been caught in a storm and had to be sold in Valparaiso as it could not be returned to England. he was the ships captain. Two more days and we will be on our way home.

Hi, Friends!

June, how interesting that your GG grandfather was the captain of a ship that 'limped' into Valparaiso and could not be sailed back to England. Has visiting Valparaiso been on your 'bucket list' for a long time? Enjoy the last few days of your trip! Safe travels!

Sending prayers, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, and positive thoughts for each of you!

Julie, always thought it would be nice to visit Valparaiso but never thought I would get there. it just happens to be part of the itinerary of our trip. Felt our bed shake last night. probably an aftershock of the earthquake a week ago. This place has regular earthquakes. not something we are used to and not comfortable being on the fifth floor of a tall building.

Change of plans, I am back home after only one week away. Just trying to recover from my trip now. I had the hip injection the day before we left, so hip behaved, but oh, the let down when the steroids wore off. Even though localized, some gets into blood stream, I am so sensitive to it that first I cannot sleep, but feel wonderful, then a crash and I am tired, weepy, yuck. BUT if it can reduce that hip pain, and I can sleep better, it will be worth it. Since I got home, I have just ate, slept and watched TV or read, it has helped. Now to unpack.

My sister Edna went to her rheumatologist, had not seen him in years, but her PCP was prescribing meds to his old protocol. She found that he has been involved in the off label use of a drug, an opium antagonist, given at very low doses, and says he and the other docs he is conferring with on this are seeing tremendous results in pain relief and clear thinking for fibromyalgia patients. It is very low dose, has to be compounded, and of course not paid for by insurance, but doc said it costs about $30-45 a month. Sister is going to try it. doc said because she takes such low dose of pain medications, she should be OK to continue to take them while on this. I hope she has very good results, and if she does, I will talk to my rheumatologist doc about this next appointment. Since I take stronger dose of pain meds, because I cannot have Tylenol with it (in Tylenol and opioid medication combination, Tylenol acts as a potentiator, and pain relief effect is much greater than the combined effect of those two alone, Tylenol makes it much stronger) it might not be a choice for me.

Weather up there was fantastic. So wonderful to have windows and doors open except for about 5 hours a day, 1 pm till 6 pm, when we needed AC. And to sit and watch the deer from the back deck. My sister has named their place Treetop, because on the mail floor, they are up in the trees, overlooking a valley that slopes quickly downward away from them. A friend of ours, while up there visiting last year, added a sighting to her lifetime bird list, a bird rarely seen from ground level, it's habitat is tree tops. Her hubby was so jealous, at first he did not believe she had seen it, till she sent photograph she got on her phone.

I had lunch with my middle sister Friday, boy seeing both of them in the same week is a treat. I had found her a little unusual humming bird, dome in silver with some colored stones hanging in cut outs of the silver. About 5 inches high, on it's own self stand, gave it to her yesterday. She collects bird statues, and hummers are her favorite. They are off to the coast for bird watching, yes, another bird watching sister. I am so happy for those two, being able to travel so much in their retirement. they will be back for a week, then another trip for a cavers meeting. BIL is active in the state organization, and even national, they attend all the nearby meetings and 'camp-ins' They get as much if not more

They get as much if not more use from their travel trailer than Heidi. so many people buy those and they sit in a shed 50 out of 52 weeks.

I thought I had missed flue shots here at EP, but they will be given next week, yeah, I do not have to go to doc and pay a co pay. Just motor down to our kitchen area at the appointed time, show my insurance card, get stuck and sigh a paper. Done and dusted.

Way to long, and I have not commented on posts yet. I will come back later and try that. Hugs to each of you, with extras, till later.