Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Cheers to New Year and another chance for us to get it right.

Oprah Winfrey

A big bright sunny avatar to celebrate Australian summer, we are having more rain than normal thanks to La Nina so hopefully less bushfires. Other than Fraser Island, largest sand island in the world, off the Queensland coast which was 60% burnt recently in a bushfire started by 4 irresponsible campers who have been charged, we haven't (touch wood) had any major fires so far. This time last lear they were evacuating people Dunkirk style from coastal towns near the border of NSW and Victoria. We started the year with that and then went straight into Covid! 2020 - worst year ever.

I just sold Pandora. I went to the feed store and was approached by someone begging me to sell him one of my Gypsy Vanners.... again. Everytime I see him, he tries to buy one or both. I can't ride or drive Pandora... she's too stupid and unpredictable... and is only fit for being a brood mare. This guy wanted them as brood mares. So I decided to sell Pandora. I will NOT sell Whimsey.

May 2021 end up being a LOT better than 2020. I don't think ot can be much worse.

New year, new diagnosis - Lumbago with a side of Sciatica. Damn! Getting old isn't for wusses......

I picked up a new rescue dog today. I was told she was a Lab/Golden/Boxer cross. Not even close. She's got a lot of breeds in her, but I'd say she's mostly Beagle and Sheltie. She was found running loose with no ID, starving, terrified and smelling of skunk. She looks to be under a year old. After trying a bunch of names on her, none of which she liked, I decided to try the name ''Dawn'', in honor of the actress and animal activist Dawn Wells who passed away from Covid-19 yesterday. She loves the name and wags her tail furiously every time I use it. She figured out my dog door less than 5 minutes after arriving here, just by watching the other dogs. And she's discovered that my bed is the perfect place to sleep already. She gets along really well with the rest of the dogs, too. She's starting the new year with a forever home.

Just got another big male Opossum in the trap I keep set in the small Alpaca pen. I'm realizing what a serious problem I've had with them. Even Mike the Vet is astounded at how many I've caught in the one spot. This wouldn't bother me if it was skunks because they're no threat to my animals other than their smell. But 'possums are a major danger to horses. I'm going to keep resetting that trap until I no longer catch any Opossums for several months.

This is 'Possum #1 for 2021, and #18 since the middle of July.

DorA, sorry about the New Year diagnosis. And you're right, getting older is NO fun, at all.
I'm just starting to be able to walk again with only a little pain in my back, hip and knee. I have to be so careful because one stumble could bring it all back again.
Heidi, those opossums are a real problem, I'm glad you're eliminating them.
And I love the story of Dawn. Glad she's settled in and I love that you named her after Mary-Ann/Dawn Wells.

Colin is back to work tomorrow after being off since before Christmas. The company closes down over that period. He has done so much around our house and garden. It had all got out of control over the last 3 years with his eye and the cancer but we now have a tidy garden, all the junk has been taken to the tip and all the little jobs around the house have been done.
I will get him to get the Christmas boxes out of storage so that I can put it all away for next year. This year I didn't put up the lights. I wonder what I won't bother with next year. It's getting too hard these days, the grandies have grown up and are not available to help and it knocks me out to do it all myself. But I do love them, they make me feel joyful.

It's probably obvious but I was talking about Christmas decorations there! Doh!

Yep... it was obvious.
I need to take down my decorations. Tomorrow will be a good day for that. Maybe next year we can have visitors to share our enjoyment of all the decorations. Wouldn't that be nice?

Dawn is doing really well here. I took her into the Vet Clinic today, and she got all her shots. She appears to be in excellent health, despite being so skinny, and is even worm free. Mike says she's about 9 months old. And she surprised us by weighing 26 lbs / 11.8 kg. We thought she'd be under 20 lbs. I rewarded her for being so well behaved at the clinic by buying her some duck sausages on the way home.

Just popping in. I should be in bed, but determined to finish writing Christmas cards. About 5 to go, but I'm not able to stay awake. At least they'll be done tomorrow and mailed Monday!

Thinking of Everyone and sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and all the usual! Happy New Year, Everyone!

Dawn has really bonded with me. I'm not allowed to go anywhere without her. She loves car riding, and going out to the barn. She's a smart little dog and has figured out that this is her forever home.

I'm so glad to hear that Dawn is doing so well there with you, Heidi.
Hello Julie, you are always so busy! Still writing out Christmas cards, wow!

My back is still being difficult, I put off going out for some necessary shopping until this morning. I was only there 45 minutes but found it so painful by the time I headed back to the car to come home. Fortunately I had got a good park close by. But the Christmas decorations won't be down before or even on the 6th. I'd ask a grandie for help but they won't do it the way I like. OCD can be a pain at times.

Happy New Year to everyone - hoping this year will be better for all (although I have that sinking feeling of deja vu). Seems like most are suffering from the rigors of old age (or misspent youth in my case) - i had the cortisone injection in my hip a few days before Christmas, which made me able to get up the stairs to my bedroom until 2 nights ago when hubby twisted a chair just as I was sitting down - so back to the walking stick!! My mother had sciatica DorA so I sympathise as it was very debilitating at times.
Your little Dawn sounds lovely - beagles and 'x's' are fantastic dogs. Would love to see a photo of her.
CynB your back problem sounds awful - just leave the decorations - at least you can enjoy them a bit longer. I actually have my favorite ones out all year - I figure I may not make it to the next one so why not enjoy them now?
Hope you can get a break from your busy schedule Julie - a shame your children live so far away and you were not together for Christmas.
My family are camping for a couple of days and I hope to join them tomorrow for a day (maybe night) if I am mobile enough to walk the hundred yards to the amenities block - at the moment it seems too daunting. Didn't make it last year because of hospital and looking forward to seeing old friends that camp at the same place. Have been going there for over 40 years as it is only an hour's drive from home and i was able to take the boys there and come back to work during the day when needed. Our kids have grown up with friends from there and they like going back each year to catch up.
I hope everyone stays safe.

I posted a picture of Dawn on my page yesterday. It was taken a week before I got her, by the people who found her running scared in their field, and she was still really skinny. She's gained a few pounds since then. She's just a mutt, not much bigger than a Beagle, but SO sweet. From her behavior, I think she has some terrier in her, too.

Darn! (Yes, I really typed d-a-r-n, but it sure looks like I'm swearing the way the letters are spaced.} You'd think after all these years that I'd realized if I go to someone's page to look at a picture, I'd lose all comments that haven't been saved or submitted!

DOrA, I'm so sorry to hear about your new diagnosis. Lumbago and sciatica are troublesome enough without combining them. I hope you'll soon feel better!

Heidi, I'm so glad Dawn has found such a welcoming home! She's obviously very intelligent to choose her name, learn how to use the doggie door, realize that your bed is a great place to sleep, and most of all to find you to provide her with a forever home! What a good girl!

Heidi, I know you have put a lot of time and effort into training Pandora. I'm glad her new owner doesn't have excessive expectations for her.

CynB, just keep taking care of yourself and not overdoing. You sure don't want to aggravate your back! I hope it continues to improve!

Happy New Year, Midge! I join you in wishing Everyone a much improved year that we can all enjoy! I'm glad you were able to get some relief from the cortisones shot! How unfortunate that the chair was moved at such an inopportune time!

How nice that your family are camping now, Midge! Being able to return to a familiar area and friends from many years ago must be quite rewarding! I hope you will be able to join them, even if for only a day, to see old friend and enjoy the day! Forty years is quite a record for returning to the same place and being able to see established friends! If you are able to go, please stay safe!

I went to your page to see the picture of Dawn, Heidi! Perhaps you can share another photo when she has had a chance to fully acclimate and put on a bit of weight!

Thinking of Everyone and sending positive thoughts, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and ! Take care and stay well!

Julie, depending on your browser, you may be able to “right click” on a link to another page, and be presented with the option to open the link in a new Tab or Window. Works for me as long as I remember to right click instead of normal left click. (sometimes I forget)

My lumbago and sciatica are in early stages and the pain level is seldom intense. Hoping against hope that it doesn't get worse for a while. I still have 'things to do'...

What's happening in the USA right now is appalling! Trump incited his followers to attempt a violent takeover of the US Capitol, and several State Capitols, to overturn the election results. A lot of damage has been done and at least 1 woman killed by them. Trump has been suspended from all social media, and they're thinking of permanent bans.

What a terrible and frightening day! There is absolutely NO reason for the craziness in Washington to have happened. It could have been avoided completely if DJT were an adult and graciously accepted the outcome of the election and the wishes of the majority of U.S. citizens who voted. He actively incited the actions we saw and should take the responsibility. It's a very sad day!

The death toll from Trump's instigated assault on Democracy is now 4 people dead.
At least Jow Biden has been confirmed as the next President and Democrats finally have control of the Senate. I hope Trump is forcable removed from office via the 25th Amendment, so he can do no more damage in his last 2 weeks.

Oops. That's Joe and forcably.

I just bought myself a flock of 20 chickens. The breeds are Salmon Faverolles, Americaunas, Golden Laced Wyandottes and Buckeyes. There's one cockerel of each breed and the rest are pullets, about to start laying within the month.

I watched events in the US yesterday with my jaw dropped. I could not believe what I was seeing.
As George W Bush said later, this is what happens in a banana republic not in the USA!

I should have added that my heart goes out to all of our US friends while authorities get this under control.

A police officer in Washington DC has just died from injuries caused by Trump's rioting supporters yesterday. That's 5 dead now.

Thanks so much for the understanding and support from those who understand how yesterday's actions impacted us!

Heading to bed, as it's later than I thought. Sending ; {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, prayers, and positive thoughts to everyone!

Another late night, so I'll just say Good Night, Take Care, Stay Healthy! {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and positive thoughts coming your way!

Got some repairs done to the chicken pen today (I hadn't noticed them when I put the chickens out there 2 days ago). A few side panels had come loose (leaving gaps big enough for a raccoon to squeeze in) and there was a large tear in the netting on top. Then I unloaded 400 lbs of feed for the alpacas, horses and chickens. Then I put food out for everybody, including calves. Right now I'm taking a short break inside while water tanks fill up. It's still below freezing outside.
Tomorrow I'm going back and getting a few more Buckeye pullets. The more I read about them, the more fascinated I am with them. They're VERY winter hardy, and almost as good mousers as barn cats! While they're not as flashy as the Salmon Faverolles, Golden Laced Wyandottes and Ameraucanas, they are a nice solid dark red with a pea comb.

We, in SE Queensland, are in 3 days hard lockdown at the moment because a case of the newer UK strain of Covid was found in a cleaner who works at a quarantine hotel. All the borders are closed again. They review it tomorrow. I'm quite happy for it to continue for longer to be sure of our safety.
It just goes to show how insidious this disease is. In a country that had it under control, had no locally acquired cases for weeks, suddenly gets cases again. Anyone who chooses to fly into the country goes into 14 days quarantine at their own expense. But people have to guard them, feed them, and clean for them. They are the most vulnerable ones now.
No vaccines here for a few months. Our PM announced maybe February but I think that was just to appease us all.

Uh Oh. This year may be even worse in the USA than 2020. Those right wing Trump supporters have been announcing on social media that they're planning on gathering again in Washington DC, in bigger numbers, on January 20th, for Joe Biden's innauguration. They plan on trying to kill as many people as they can to prevent Joe Biden from becoming President.These Trump supporters are criminally insane, like their leader who told them to march to the Capitol and attack. They actually want a Civil War!!!!

Of course, they also insist that their fellow rioters NOT wear masks. They are causing MASSIVE super spreader events. These treasonous morons are spreading the Covid virus like never before. This past week, in the USA, people were dying of Covid-19 at the rate of OVER 4,100 PER DAY! And there are 2 new variations spreading throughout the USA now that are more contagious. These Trump supporters are spreading the viruses all over the country faster than ever now. I just hope they keep it to themselves.

Heidi, congratulations on the flock of 20 chickens! How very exciting! When will they arrive?

Heidi, you had another very productive day! I'm so glad you discovered the needed repairs on the chicken coop before there were any problems! From what you said, it's rather obvious that you must have bought the chickens locally and didn't need to wait for them to be sent. I will go to our friend, Mr. Google, to see what each of the breeds looks like, but will wait until after I post this comment, so I don't lose it. It's interesting that the Buckeye Pullets are winter hardy and are also good mousers!!

CynB, it's a shame that SE Queensland is in 3 days hard lockdown because a case of the newer UK strain of Covid was found in a cleaner who works at a quarantine hotel. All the borders are closed again. They review it tomorrow. I'm quite happy for it to continue for longer to be ensure of your safety. Stay safe until and after you can receive the vaccine!

Heidi, I can't believe that so many of the insurrectionists from Wednesday are planning further illegal activities on Jan. 20. I hope their actions can be blocked! The possibilities are extremely frightening! It would be bad enough if we only had to worry about the spread of covid and not all of the other bad stuff1

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

My chicken flock is now up to 31. I added 10 more Buckeye pullets, and they threw in a free White Cornish/ Rock pullet. I had only purchased 2 Buckeyes before, one cockerel and one pullet originally. Then I read more about the breed and HAD to get more. They're actually excellent mousers! Almost as good as a determined barn cat!

Congress will be starting proceedings against Trump tomorrow morning.
For our non-US friends, this is the basic story:

Trump told his supporters to come to DC for a 'wild' rally. At the rally, he relentlessly urged supporters to 'fight' while Rudy Giuliani called for 'trial by combat.' Trump then incited rioters to march on the Capitol to block certification of America's election.

5 people died, Confederate flags waived, and pipe bombs and materials to take people hostage were discovered.

If Trump is not held accountable, these traitors will try a coup again and again until successful.

If Trump is impeached and removed, he'll be banned from holding federal office again! He also will not get a $200,000/year salary and $1,000,000/year travel allowance.

Congratulations on your growing chicken flock, Heidi! I remembered to search for images BEFORE starting to type my comment tonight. I forgot to check for images of each breed's eggs.

Thanks for the explanation, Heidi. Apparently Nancy Pelosi has asked or will ask Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment (indicating that the President is unfit to fulfill the duties of the office of President. I think Mike Pence would replace him until the inauguration of Joe Biden, if that's the decision. If he won't do that, they will proceed with another impeachment trial. (I might very well be confused on this.)

Thinking of Everyone and sending much ; positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and healing energy for all!

They will formally charge the President with 'incitement of insurrection' at 11 a.m. EST today, for his role in the Capitol siege. That's 18 minutesfrom now.

It seems that political views are OK on the page, now, so here is mine. (I've been biting my tongue long enough.) Of course, we could all sit in a big circle and sing ''Kumbayah''...

Kristallnacht, the 'Night of Broken Glass' from 1938 Nazi Germany is being compared to the January 6 Trump Rally, that we all now know was hijacked by the Antifa and BLM activists. Are you serious? This is Hollywood gaslighting in its most egregious form.
Where the hell was this Hollywood RINO for the MONTHS of riots, broken glass, burned businesses, assaults, murders and general mayhem caused by BLM and Antifa? Why no personal video denouncing those MONTHS of Kristallnacht, including the attack on his beloved Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills?

Mr. 'I'll be back' will never be back or supported again by me. This duplicitous arschloch's movie career is essentially 'terminated.'