Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

People who have what they want are fond of telling people who haven't what they want that they really don't want it.

Ogden Nash

It's been pouring down rain all day today. The mud is now deeper than anyone in the neighborhood has ever remembered seeing.

Hi, Everyone!

Hi, Plum! So glad you stopped by. I hope it will work out for you to visit MizT. I haven't met her, but feel as if I know her. Suzy has a couple of good ideas - like helping with any gardening projects she might have. At this point, it would most likely be cleaning up, preparing pots for spring planting, etc. Shopping is another good suggestion, as it can be draining to drive or take the bus, shop, get purchases in and put away, etc. I think she's doing better since she was able to get the correct BP medication made by the correct company. She had previously found that the same medication made by different companies didn't work the same for her. She loves to read, does some indoor gardening, etc.

Heidi, do you have any suggestions for Plum? You probably know MizT better than the rest of us.

Suzy, I'm sorry to hear about the decrease in bat population. It's awful that the heat affects them so severely, but better that it isn't some disease. In the midwest, at least in my hometown, there was a very large multi-acre park with lots of hills, cliffs, rock formations, etc., where there was a 'Bat Cave.' It was actually called that and was reported to be quite large. When I was a kid, there were metal grates across the entrance to keep humans out.

Great TOPP, Heidi!

Yikes, so sorry to hear that you're getting more rain and even worse mud. I hope the rain soon stops and you have a bit of a dry spell!

I watched some TV with hubby this evening, so it's later than I thought. I'm off to bed, but first, here is the daily supply of healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, and

Thanks.

I'm sorry to hear about the mud, Heidi!
Meanwhile, Australia is cooking.
It seems that these weather extremes are not to moving the powers that be or the climate change deniers into action. It has been 45-48C in South Australia, and then many people in Adelaide lost power because the system could not keep up with demand. I fear for the elderly, sick and babies - in either extreme.

Sorry about the gloomy post!
Big hello and hugs to everyone.
Have a nice day!

Plum, I hope you'll be able to visit MizT on your trip!. We're glad you stopped by!

CynB, unfortunately there is plenty of reason for being gloomy. I often wonder what it will take to wake people up. I use that term, because I have heard and read some 'experts' who suggest it really isn't likely that we'll be able to convince the deniers that climate change is a real thing. It's truly scary how a few people with their heads up their ___ can influence so many others.

I hope you and Col and family have a great day and a relaxing weekend!

I need to get back to practicing. There's a recital in 2 weeks. My teacher has given me the option to choose if I will play or not. I'm conflicted and need to make a decision soon, as I would need to rehearse with a piano accompanist if I decide to play.

Sending lots of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , healing energy, positive thoughts, and prayers for everyone. Wishing I could also send the predicted below zero temperatures long enough to cool many of you down!

I can't begin to imagine temperatures like that, CynB. I have heard some horror stories of large numbers of animals and birds dying from the heat and lack of rain. Soon it will be people. You're right there. The drain on the power infrastructure will become too much. Maybe people need to build homes or even whole towns uderground to take advantage of the natural cooling deep down and have solar panels on top to supply power for lights and other electrical needs. Even make livestock and wildlife shelters underground to save their lives, too.

Heidi, Coober Pedy have been doing it for years, but the rest of the country hasn't really taken it on yet...

https://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/coober-pedy-australia.html

I had a one-night stopover in Coober Pedy 30-odd years ago, but unfortunately I didn't have time to stop and explore the town. I have to say with so much of the town being underground you really could miss it if you weren't looking out for it.

Heidi, yes, bats, wild horses and camels. Not just the heat, but the lack of water. It’s heart breaking

Heidi, your idea of building homes underground seems sensible. Years ago when hubby and I were younger, we thought of building an underground home. The problem was finding an appropriate building site and local government officials willing to allow it.

saltie, thank you so much for sharing the link to information about Coober Pedy. It really sounds interesting - and worth a visit if I ever find a way to get to Australia.

Suzy, how awful that the heat and lack of water are taking such a large toll on wild life. If only we could send some of our cold and snow to you!

I hope everyone is well! Sending {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, and

I don't know much about the habits of bats and camels, but I do know that horses are not very good at seeking alternative water supplies. I have seen wild horses cling to (and die around) dwindling waterholes when there was another more substantial supply within two or three miles, and no fences to hinder their access. I can only think that perhaps territory has something to do with it. It's quite common to have to remove dead/dying horses and kangaroos from a drying waterhole long after the cattle have moved on.

A farmer counted
196 cows
in the field.

But when he rounded
them up,
he had 200.

saltie, that's interesting about horses not seeking another source of water.

There was a sad story regarding an 18-year-old horse about 40 or so miles away from here. It was in a corral when some people on snowmobiles rode by very fast (and very loud). The horse was frightened/spooked and started running in circles around the corral. It didn't slow down, then tried to jump the fence. It apparently landed on its neck. A vet was called, and he administered something (possibly a muscle relaxant, but I can't remember). The horse calmed down, and he thought the horse would be all right. Unfortunately, the horse wasn't able to support himself on his legs and died today.

DOrA, that reminds me of some of my grandfather's stories/logic puzzles/jokes. Thanks for sharing.

Heidi, I hope the rain has stopped!

MizT, I hope you are feeling better and can get around your apartment better!

We have a busy couple of days coming up, so I may not be able to pop in to say hello. Here's an extra supply good wishes for everyone! Sending lots of healing energy, , {{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}, positive thought, and prayers!

We're supposed to get MORE rain today... with a high temperature of 51˚F / 10.5˚C. But tomorrow the temps will plummet; High 29˚F / -1.7˚C low 16˚F / -8.9˚C The next few days will be lower still, down to 6˚F / -13.3˚C both nights! I've heard rumors that it's supposed to get below 0˚F / -17.8˚C!!!! I really wish I could send some of the cold down to OZ.... but not all of it.

Sorry to hear there is still more rain coming for you Heidi. While most of Australia is hot and dry, far North Queensland is having more rain than any previous records and it keeps coming and coming. Meanwhile we have had the dryest January ever on record here in SE Qld.

Just saw on FB that MizT is still dealing with mobility and pain issues so I don't know whether she'll get here any time soon.

School is back today, I'm off to do some shopping for things I need for the cruise. less than 8 weeks to go.
Hugs to all.

Heidi, I hope the rain has abated and cooler/colder temperatures are at least freezing the mud.

Heidi, I agree with you. I would gladly send some of our colder temperatures to Oz! Actual and real-feel temperatures are predicted below zero F for the next few days. (Zero degrees F is -17.8 degrees C.)

CynB, thanks for the update on MizT!.

Wow, less than 6 weeks until your cruise! The time has flown by (at least for me).

Sending warmer (or cooler) thoughts, as needed to everyone, as well as dryer (or wetter) weather, as needed. Also including , healing energy, prayers, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to all!

Looks like we may get a little bit of your weather Heidi - thunderstorms due this afternoon - a welcome relief from the heat. We lost my Truman last Friday and had to bury him in 46 degree heat - an absolutely horrible experience.
How is the ear infection going?
Hope MizT is on the improve - miss her chatty posts.
here are you off to CynB? Seem to remember New Zealand - is that right?
Best wishes for the recital Julie - I am sure you will be the usual nervous but sound wonderful.
Will come back again when I have caught up with the news - been out of it a bit lately. Cheers to everyone,

Tasmania is on fire. As far as I can tell, no sudoku people are in danger, though one’s son can’t get home because the main road to his area is closed. Apparently his house is fine though. So we have freezing weather, ridiculously hot weather, abnormally high rainfalls, drought killing animals, and fires. I feel very lucky to be in an area where things are warm but, touch wood, safe. We had a very loud and bright storm last evening, but not much wet stuff fell.

Midge, so sorry about Truman. Hope you are doing okay after your surgery.

Midge, I'm so sorry to hear about Truman. Sending gentle {{HUGS}} your way!

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Midge. I've had an unusual chain of events since last Friday. One of the fine tuners on my cello broke on Friday evening. By the time we could take it in for repair on Saturday, we couldn't get to the shop before closing time. Since then, we have had a day and a half of grandie-sitting, and today returning the key and fob to SIL, then to major airport to meet niece returning from a class abroad, then having to drive her half-way to Iowa to meet her Mom. Now we have below zero actual temperatures for the next few days - very dangerous to take a wooden musical instrument out in that. So I will miss my lesson this week - and about a week of practicing. It looks like the current situation may have decided for me that I shouldn't play on this recital.

It's very late - all that driving of niece has taken its toll. (Hubby feel asleep in the chair and I haven't been able to get him to bed, so time to try again.)

Sending healing energy, positive thoughts, , prayers, and {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

You have my sympathy, Midge, over losing Truman. ((( HUGS )))

The temp is in the single digits ˚F and falling. Bitterly cold. And it snowed last night. And we're nowhere as bad as they are north of us, like Julie is. Fortunately, after tonight it's supposed to warm up steadily. Tomorrow will be the last day with highs below freezing. By next Monday it's supposed to hit 65˚F / 18.3˚C!!!! We are expecting rain again, though.

Midge, sorry to hear about Truman. Yes, it is NZ we are cruising to in March.
I'll be thinking of my US friends during this spell of bitter cold. It's something that's hard to imagine for me, as Suzy posted, things are quite the opposite here in Australia but not too bad where I am. We are escaping the extremes - for now.
Stay safe everyone.

I just heard (on the BBC radio) that Alabama, where MizT lives, is under a state of emergency due to the cold. A lot of northern states are too, but that is expected. I hope MizT is staying warm.

Greetings friends. I scanned the last page, but cannot manage up in computer chair long enough for reading. Still have not managed to get here on my smarter than I am phone .

I am now waiting for an appointment with a neurosurgeon. My primary doc suggested this, see if there is something that can be causing my problem that surgery can help. Back/leg are slowly getting better, as the other one did, with rest, limiting time standing and walking, and when I spend time up in power chair or here in computer chair, then take a big rest in recliner with my leg elevated. I am seeing more pain tolerable time now, mixed with big ouchies when I try to stand. Learning to say NO, and 'I need to get back home' even if I am enjoying being with friends. An hour or two and no pain beats a 4 hour stent of Canasta any day, although I do so enjoy playing.

Plum (Valerie) the one thing you might do for me now would help me make a big pot of my 'What ya got soup' ! If I have my soup, I have a healthy meal.

I understand how the road problems would interfere with what would have been an easy trip . I hear it is a nightmare now, trying to take that freeway. Would love to meet you and your daughters, but understand if it is not possible.

Birmingham is now the laughing stock of the country. We had a 'NO SNOW' day yesterday and everything was closed, schools, businesses, government offices. A few flurries overnight (while Heidi had snow and ice), melted and leaving roads damp by daylight here. A few scattered problems with ice on roads, it could have been worse. It all depended on where the rain and the cold front met, hard to predict. Just glad we missed the snow and ice. temps today were up to 40F and sunny, after about 24 hours of below freezing temps with lower wind chill. and warming as the week goes by.

About bats and white nose disease: My sister's husband lead a group of non caver scientists into several caves to do a survey, trying to find just how many bats had it, how it was affecting populations. My BIL got access to some caves usually off limits to humans for his trouble

Huge hugs to all of you, I miss being here.

Heidi, I guess a few days of below freezing will save you from some of the mud. Sorry it won't last long enough for a true reprieve, especially since you said it looks like rain will be returning in a few days when the weather warms.

CynB, are you and Col getting excited and looking forward to the cruise? Have you been on a cruise before? I hope it will be a lot of fun! Will you have time off the ship to explore port cities?

Heidi, MizT posted shortly after you did. They were luck to be on the warmer side of the fronts, so didn't get all that was predicted.

MizT, it's so nice to see your post here! I hope when you have your visit to the neurosurgeon that he or she will be helpful and have a non-invasive way to get you some relief!

MizT, is your BIL a scientist or knowledgeable about bats and/or caves? It's great that he was able to lead a group of scientists into some caves for them to study/research about white nose disease.

MizT, I hope your leg and knee continue to improve!

I'm about to head to bed - fully clothed and with an extra sweatshirt. Last night I tossed and turned until about 5:30, when I finally gave up and put on more clothes before returning to bed, then finally got some sleep.

Sending temperature-appropriate thoughts, whether warm or cool or wet or dry, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}, and

Yesterday it was 103, today it is 62. I’m loving it! Julie, I hope the extra clothes meant you got a good, comfortable sleep.

Well, I haven't done it for a while, but I just lost my post, so this will be quick.

Hi, Suzy! Wow, what a wide temperature fluctuation! It went from so hot you would want to wear very little to cool enough (maybe) for a jumper or sweater.

Yes, Suzy, the additional clothes kept me warm enough to be able to sleep. Too bad I had to get up early to go to a dentist appointment.

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

It’s 2.20 am. The power is out so I’m using my phone as a hotspot so I can still scroll around the internet. I checked online, (isn’t it awesome you can do that now?), and crews have been dispatched to fix the power.

Monday I have a doctors appointment and will hopefully get the prescription I need so I can sleep again

One of my worst nightmares happened last night. Smokey jumped the fence, ignoring the shock collar, and me, and attacked my cow herd. I ended up with one dead calf and 3 maulled cows. Two of the cows should be OK, but one is down and the Vet is trying to save her. Smokey finally returned ti the house after 2 hours (I tried to catch him out in the field and couldn't) covered in blood. Smokey is leaving here in a few hours, going to a rescue facility. They know he's a livestock killer and IF they place him it'll be a place where he's never off leash. The only other option was to put him down. I discussed that with the Malinois Rescue people and they agreed that that was a last option only. But he can't remain here.

How awful Heidi! Not only to have your livestock attacked and killed or injured but for it to be from a dog you were trying to assimilate into your menagerie. What can you do about natural instincts? I'm glad he won't be put down.
MizT - nice to see you post and nice to hear that your weather has not been as severe as in many parts of America.
Julie, I hope you are coping with the cold. This seems to be a weather event above and beyond anything we have heard of before.

This is the itinerary for the cruise we are doing. We are in an ocean view cabin, missed a balcony room, on Deck 7
https://www.ozcruising.com.au/cruise/rd23mar19

Suzy, I hope you won't without power for very long! I'm so glad you have a doctor appointment on Monday and will hopefully get the prescription that will help you sleep.

Heidi, I'm so sorry about last night's chain of events! How awful that Smokey attacked your cows, killing a calf and severely injuring 3 cows. Here's hoping the most severely injured cow can be saved by the vet. I hope the rescue facility will be able to place him where he won't ever have the opportunity to do such damage again. You have a big heart to make the effort to save him. I hope for his sake that an appropriate spot can be found for him. I hope there's no chance that Heidi could do something similar!

CynB, the cruise looks wonderful! Have you been to New Zealand before? I hope you'll have enough time to experience the various ports. Do they offer specific experience in each port, or will you be on your own?

We've had another long day, so I'm going to say Good Night and hope to get to sleep earlier than usual. Sending positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and

Heidi, I'm so disappointed for you. It is always devastating to turn hard-line where a pet is concerned.

Some years ago I was working for my brother on a cattle station. One day a dog just turned up there, clearly not a wild dog, so we asked around for its owner. Nobody called to claim him, so I ended up adopting him. All was going well, until one day he broke his lead while I was out. I came home to find several of my brother's chooks dead and the rest hiding out. Re-homing was not an option, so the dog got a lead pill later that afternoon.

Hard as it was, there was one positive consequence of this incident. One of the other workers had recently got a pup, and he kept encouraging it to attack the chooks, mostly to upset me, I suspect. That behaviour ceased abruptly! I think the fact that a woman was tough enough not just to make the call but to act on it was quite a surprise to him. It probably surprised him, too, to learn that my brother would have expected no less of me.

I am sorry for your losses and hope you may eventually find some positive outcome from it.

Saltie, what an a-hole that guy was. Not only for his behaviour with the chickens, but under estimating you and your brother.

Heidi, I hope the third cow makes it! I’m sorry about the calf

Well, Smokey is gone. They think they may have a home for him already. The man understands about the cattle killing and has no livestock anywhere near him. He wants a dog that can go everywhere with him and will be a house dog when they're home. They were very happy that I'd already had him neutered. Heidi seems OK without him.

Our northern sudoku friend has had 500mm of rain. That’s 20 inches! I hope she’s okay. She’s used to flooding because of where she lives, so is probably fine, but probably not happy