Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

''If you hook up a politician to a lie detector machine, the shrapnel could kill everyone in the room.''

~ Argus Hamilton

Good one, Heidi!

This morning I woke up to....

https://sudoku.com.au/PhotosBig.aspx?PID=16318&UID=30407&Go=I25-6-1990

I dropped Thunder off this morning to get the transmission solenoid replaced. It'll be so nice to be able to drive her again without getting whiplash when she changes gear. I'll get her back late afternoon.

I just heard that Colin Powell, a great man and the first ''black'' Secretary of State for the US, has just died of COVID. I admired him so much for his courage, intelligence and open mind. The news actually made me cry.

Sad news about Colin Powell, Heidi. An awful way to go.
And now the anti-vaxxers will have an example of a fully vaccinated person who died from Covid which they will use to 'prove' their opinions. Even though as we get older our immune systems do not work as well or as quickly as they used to, hence older people are still vulnerable, vaxxed or not. That's just the way it is.
Our country is opening up in the next weeks and months, with the goal of being fully open by Christmas. I am happy for everyone that this is happening and families will at last be together, BUT for myself, at nearly 74, with weak lungs from childhood pneumonia and bronchitis, to adult asthma and a 50 year smoking habit until 2014, I don't mind admitting to being scared. My intention is to stay masked in public and away from crowds.

Yes, General Powell was fully vaccinated, but he also had other health issues that interfered with the vaccine being able to protect him. In this case, he was dealing with cancer.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/18/health/colin-powell-multiple-myeloma-covid-19-wellness/index .html

That's weird. Somehow, I was signed out of the site. Luckily I remembered my password.

DOrA, that is an absolutely GORGEOUS sunrise photo! Thanks for sharing it!

Heidi, I'm glad Thunder will be back and running properly!

Rest in peace, General Colin Powell! What a shame that his underlying condition (multiple myeloma) prevented him from getting his COVID boosters which allowed him to get COVID! He was a man of integrity and high morals. We could use many more like him!

CynB, we are of the same mind as you regarding the coming holidays. It would be nice to see our daughter's family who we haven't seen since Christmas 2019, but at our age and compromised health, traveling across country would not re reasonable, even double masked.

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

Got eggs delivered to the food pantry today... only 7 dozen, since the hens are moulting and aren't laying many eggs...and got a post hole dug and a wooden post installed to replace a metal post that the bulls knocked over. Not much done, but it's something.

I just caught the same skunk in the trap in the barn. It's acting very lively right now, so I'm gonna give it a few hours to relax and fall asleep (they're nocturnal) before repeating the trick with the dark navy sheet to release it. I can tell it's the same skunk because it's not quite full grown and it has unusual markings. It's more than half white. Very pretty, really. Just very dangerous. A walking stink bomb.

I wasn't able to release the skunk safelt. I carried the sheet in front of me, walked slowly up to the trap and dropped it on the trap.... and a gust of wind blew it off. The skunk saw me and got aggitated, so I retreated fast. Once the skunk fell asleep, I snuck up carrying a long pole and was able to lift up the sheet and drop in on the trap again. I waited another hour for the skunk to calm down again, snuck up to the covered trap, reaached over it to lift up the door and latch it open, and my cell phone went off, waking up the skunk. By then, it was getting late enough that once the skunk settled down, it would be approaching it's normal time for getting up. So I'm going to try again in the morning. I may have to try to figure out how to safely drag the trap with skunk out of the barn and away from it, so I can shoot the skunk without getting the barn sprayed. This skunk has gotten too comfortable in there.

Ah, the saga (Heidi & the skunk) continues.....

Heidi, maybe it was only 7 dozen eggs, but what a blessing for some families!

Wishing you success, Heidi, as you attempt to safely (for you) eliminate the skunk. He/she is certainly getting too comfortable visiting the barn. I hope the saga will end soon.

Thinking of Everyone and sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , healing energy, positive thoughts, and prsyers. Take care, Everyone!

The skunk is still in the trap in the back of the barn. It shredded the sheet I had covering the trap, and is highly aggitated if I try to approach. I'll try to get it covered and moved tomorrow when it's weaker from thirst and hunger. If I can get the trap moved into the pasture, I'll just shoot it there. I do NOT want it to die in the barn, because of the stench. I can't let this skunk loose again because it'll just wander into the trap again.... and the trap is kept set for oppossums and raccoons, which are a threat to my animals.

Heidi, I hope it works next time with the skunk. I can't imagine what they must smell like when they release it. I'm usually all for catch and release but can see that with this skunk you have no choice.

Julie, we are not being offered boosters yet but will be before Christmas, Vaccine supply has always been a problem here in Qld because we have been virtually covid free for most of the year, little outbreaks, controlled by home quarantine. short lockdowns and closed borders. But the decision has been made and is understandable that once we reach 80% fully vaccinated the borders will open. They estimate that will be by mid December but will be opening borders to the fully-vaccinated then anyway. People have to be able to see family for Christmas. But we will get cases, more than we've ever seen up here and we just have to suck it up and stay safe, hopefully our vaccinations will protect us. Fingers crossed.

Heidi, I hope all goes well with the skunk removal!

CynB, is it scary to think of boundaries being opened up? I know how much we miss D#1 and her family! It will be 2 years at Christmas time. So many people have suffered because of COVID! Fingers crossed for you and family!

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

I FINALLY got that skunk out of the barn and into the middle of a pasture. I used a queen sized blanket, and dropped it gently over the trap while the skunk slept. But when I picked up the trap, it woke up in a frenzy. Fortunately, it couldn't see me, and skunks won't spray if they can't see their victim. (They have only one big shot every 24 hours, and if they empty themselves, they're easy pray for owls, coyotes or foxes.) So I carefully carried the trap and skunk about 200 feet from the barn, set it down, grabbed the corner of the blanket and ran. The skunk is furious! I'm going to wait about half an hour for it to settle down, then go back out with my gun and dispatch it. Fortunately, I'm a good enough shot that I can get it from about 50 feet away. It's NOT a big target. But I will be shooting while it's in a metal trap, which can interfere with my aim. At least there's no danger of filling the barn with skunk spray, or having alpacas sprayed.

The skunk has been dispatched. Once it died, though, the sphincters relaxed, and it let loose. The area behind the barn stinks, and I can smell it from some distance away. I'm going to have to figure out how to get that corpse out of the trap so scavengers can remove it. I don't really want to get that close. I wish I had a gas mask. That skunk had a full load. YUCK!

Another Aging Gracefully Barbie

Post-Menopausal Barbie –
This Barbie wets her pants when she sneezes, forgets where she puts things, and cries a lot. She is sick and tired of Ken sitting on the couch watching the tube, clicking through the channels. Comes with Depends and Kleenex. As a bonus this year, the book 'Getting In Touch with Your Inner Self' is included.

DorA - she needs anti-depressants!!

By the end of next week, my whole family of 10 will be fully vaccinated, just a few stragglers have to have their second jab. I was quite worried about one of my granddaughters who was holding out because chat on social media made her believe that the vaccine could cause fertility problems. Between her mother, her doctor and I, we persuaded her to listen to science and not social media. Grrr! But all 5 of my grandies have partners, 2 of which have been vaxxed but I don't know yet about the others, Once the borders are open I am only allowing vaxxed people into my home.

This afternoon, when the hound and I walked the line, we saw a black bear. Not big, Not small. Probably a yearling. It watched until we closed to about 150 meters, then disappeared into the woods. I started talking and singing to let it know where we were. No surprises, we hope...

Wow DorA, a black bear. Although there's always these stories about how dangerous Australia is, it doesn't worry me at all, but the thought of being near a bear is so scary to me. Is that the thing to do? Talk and be heard by the bear? Does that make them keep their distance? Take care anyway.

The bears, in my neck o the woods, seem to have, if not a fear of humans, at least a ''healthy respect;''. Talking just insures they know you are there. The last thing you want to do is get between mama bear and her cubs... Running and climbing a tree aren't options, either.

Definition of Service?
I became confused when I heard the word 'Service' being used with these agencies:
1. Internal Revenue 'Service'.
2. U.S. Postal 'Service'.
3. Telephone 'Service'.
4. Cable T.V. 'Service'.
5. Civil ”Service'.
6. State, City, County & Public 'Service'.
7. Customer 'Service'.

This is not what I thought 'Service' meant.
But today I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to 'Service' a few cows.

BAM !!! It all came into focus.
Now I understand what all those agencies are doing!

Thanks DorA for clarifying the bear situation.
And for the definition of 'service'.

It's interesting about the bear. DOrA, I'd like to know what you sing to a bear. Do they have a favorite genre? Or do you just sing the first song that comes to mind? (I remember a priest telling my class once that he had been in a car accident, and the only prayer that came to mind was the grace before meals.)

Good one about service, DOrA.

Heidi, I hope the remains of the skunk have been taken care of and the remaining evidence of his presence is lessening with the passage of time!

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

She: Now that we are married,
I guess you can sell
that old boat now.

He: You're starting to
sound like
my ex-wife.

She:. Oh my god, I had
no idea you were
married before!

He: I wasn't..............

The vultures have been feasting, and the aroma has disipated fast. I'm sure glad I didn't shoot the skunk in the barn.

LOVE the definition of ''service'', too, DOrA.

You are right. Never run from a bear (they are MUCH faster, and if you run, you're prey). And they can climb trees better than you can, too. Just walk away from them obliquely, without staring at them, and let them know you aren't a threat. And the bigger you look, the better. Most wild animals don't want a confrontation and will avoid one if allowed to do so.

Just popping in to say Good Night! Sending , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, positive thoughts, and prayers for all!

Speaking of prayers, if you are so inclined, please say a few for my middle brother who was informed today that he has cancer on one tonsil. Thank you. Further tests and doctor consultations will be scheduled in the next few days.

Julie, I'm not much on praying but I will keep your brother in my thoughts. I never knew a person could get cancer of the tonsil. I hope that there is a treatment for it, Surely removing it? After all many of us have had their tonsils removed as children, I didn't but both of my siblings did. Please keep us updated.
Heidi, I have a mental picture of the vultures looming over their prey, the dead skunk.
Ex-wife? Haha, another good one DorA!

Thanks, CynB!W Positive thoughts are certainly appreciated. Apparently a PET scan is next on the agenda for my brother.

Sending positive thoughts for Everyone!

Getting ready for 3 or 4 days of rain. The temps have finally dropped to nice, cool Fall weather, although the leaves have barely started changing color. Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons. I love the scents in the air and the moderate temperatures.

Heidi, it sounds wonderful! Faill is my favorite, as well!

I'm dragging tonight, so it's off to bed for me. Thinking of Everyone and sending positive thoughts, healing energy, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, prayers, and ! Good Night & sleep tight!

Wet day. I decided to take today off from all but the most essential tasks (feeding and watering critters), and lazed around listening to an audiobook (On The Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith). I love days like this.

Sounds like a great day, Heidi! You deserve days like this!

Night time temperatures in the 39's expected in the coming week with a couple of those nights dropping below freezing (32*F). It's cooler in the house & my fingers are aching. Must be time to retire to a warm bedd!W

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

Another rainy, cool day today. Robert called me just after 10 am, and asked me to drive him to Louisville for his stepmother's birthday party. It seems his daughter was supposed to drive him and she changed her mind last minute. Since I wasn't doing much else, I took him. His father drove him back home. He's very fond of his stepmother and never misses her party.

Heidi, I'm glad the weather is mostly agreeable. I'm assuming Robert's stepmother's birthday party was inside. I'm glad you were able to take him and his father could bring him home!

The surgery to remove the cancer on my brother's left tonsil is currently scheduled for Tuesday. He had a PET scan today.

Tomorrow is Halloween. I wonder how many trick-or-treaters we'll get. I imagine it will be more than last year.

Thinking of Everyone and sending good wishes, healing energy, positive thoughts, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and to All! Take care and stay healthy!

Opportunity is missed by most people
because it is dressed in overalls
and looks like work...
~Thomas A. Edison