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Good morning. Another day with showers around. Looks like April will give us May flowers. The warm weather has us almost a month ahead of schedule. Jonquils are blooming, grass is green, wild cherry trees are blooming here and there and trees are sprouting leaves already. The upcoming weather is going back to normal temps in though, so that will slow things up. Rain/snow is on the forecast for mid week. So, O’Sharon, you know what that means out your way

Nothing really new here. Eye Doc appt. tomorrow to get fitted for prescription lens in my glasses and shopping today. Otherwise nothing on schedule this week. Am expecting call from countertop installer though. Shirl, I was like you on Saturday, bunch of possible scenerios. Wound up going to Hartwick Pines Stste Park with the dogs and walking the trails through the old growth forest, the logging camp museum area and around.

Judy, to answer your question, yes I have my shots. Have one more week before I am fully vaccinated. The issue with MI having so many cases is the younger generation, 10-19 year olds who are the majority of this recent outbreak. They haven’t been vaccinated yet, but we are now doing shots for everyone, 16 and older. In person learning, school, contact sports, plus that age groups penchant for getting together is the driving force. . The majority of cases are the downstate region. The a governor has suggested that schools cease in person learning and sports for two weeks. It is voluntary. She has also suggested same of restaurants. Some schools up here have gone back to doing that as They have sickness among students and staff and even if they remain open, no subs available. The British variant is the culprit this time. Fortunately, here in northern Michigan, we are in the off season, so not many people around. From what I saw in answer to someone’s post on FB yesterday, Canadian border is still closed and Ontario is now in lockdown with Stay at home orders. It was also mentioned that travel between provinces is not allowed either, so Canada is having their issues too.

Beth, sorry your plans for today are getting messed up. Maybe it will be a short meeting. Shelia, safe travels as you journey north. Tina, glad you are able to do some things slow but sure. I’m sure you would love to be running around the dog rings, but it will come. Great that you have a backup. Best of luck at the show.

So that’s the latest news from northern Michigan, this 12th day of April, 2021. Have a great day and stay safe.

Morning Sue and All, rainy, gloomy day. Have a Walmart pickup order for today. Hope their system problems are resolved. I did visit my daughter on Saturday, sat on her pretty sun porch and it was wonderful. Planning a trip to see Edith this week weather permitting. Carry out lunch, sit in her garden and smile. I feel like I have more freedom but I’m looking over my shoulder if that makes any sense. Sheila, following you north. Tina, encouraging news. Beth, naps are good. Is there any news on Facebook from our southern gals? Be safe

Colliemom wrote:Good morning. Another day with showers around. Looks like April will give us May flowers. The warm weather has us almost a month ahead of schedule. Jonquils are blooming, grass is green, wild cherry trees are blooming here and there and trees are sprouting leaves already. The upcoming weather is going back to normal temps in though, so that will slow things up. Rain/snow is on the forecast for mid week.

Sue, I always enjoy reading your "morning update", makes a happy note at the beginning of my day.

Glad to hear you are having showers there. Things here are incredibly bad in the rain department. My area of California is listed as being in "severe drought".

The headline here:

"Western U. S. May Be Entering It's Most Severe Drought In Modern History".

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drought-western-united-states-modern-history/

I have lived in Northern California for more than 40 years, there has never been so little rain as there has been for the (mostly non-existent) rainy season for this year. Our rain period generally lasts from October/November to March/April. April is nearly half gone, and there is not a drop in sight, and hot temps are coming - it was 85 here yesterday.

Likely there will be little or no rain now here until the end of October. And our reservoirs - our only source of water during the dry season - are only half full, when at this time of year they should be brimming. Water allocations to farmers here have been severely cut back or cancelled altogether (and remember - California crops feed the nation - no water allocation, no crops. Watch for budget-busting increases in food prices.).

With the lack of rain we are already beginning to enter our fire season.

I had made some tentative camping plans (predicated on what the pandemic is doing) but now with such a lack of rain - I am having second thoughts. The places I had hoped to visit are in mountain forest in remote areas, with winding, narrow,two-lane access roads.

These campgrounds are just as dried-out and rain-free as the rest of the west. I'm put in mind of the campers here - I think there were a hundred or so - in California last year that were trapped by fires at a major campground, and needed to be helicoptered out my military helicopters to save their lives as their campground became surrounded by wildfire.

Not sure I want to put myself and my Big Joe in that kind of situation. . . At one time this story would have sounded like movie fiction foolishness.

Now it sounds like a definite risk begging careful evaluation.

Anne

Anne, southern Utah and the county I'm in now are also in a serious drought. It helps that it's more a desert atmosphere in the sense of vegetation, but it's not a good situation. They say this area is known for gorgeous rainbows all around, but the drought last year meant none, and they are afraid this year could be worse.

My morning meeting lasted about an hour. The owners leave today and won't be back until around Memorial weekend. And it is cold out! The sun is out and warming things up now but wow, it felt like winter waking Ty so early.

I need to go to the post office and mail something. And I heard a gas station in Hatch has propane, so I'm going to check if they fill RV's and if there's certain times. It would be closer and the owners would like us to use any businesses in Hatch when we can. There aren't a lot but I'll look to see. I understand wanting to help the small towns businesses and will try to do my share.

Happy Monday.

Just a note from Northern Florida...rainy and storms over the weekend. Beautiful sunny today. Will be digging holes for plants in the nice loosened soil. Has been a different kind of winter down here with there being cold off and on until the week before Easter and that week we had a 34* day. Lost some plants to the cold, but that is expected. I have my laptop out and writing on it. Has been so long I have about forgotten how to do this. Think I will post this and maybe edit if I have any bright ideas to share. Take care, be safe and have a great day.

I got back from the lake yesterday afternoon. I was pooped after I unloaded. Camping is a lot of work. Load and unload, load and unload. I got all the washing done too. I wish the lake was 100 miles closer. That is my happy place but it's just so far. I had more incentive to go that way when my parents lived up there.

Friday night the worst storms passed just North of the campground. We could see the lightening across the lake. Then about 2:30 am a line of storms came through. It was moving fast so didn't last long. Those were the storms that caused tornadoes North of Lafayette and killed one man. Saturday it cooled off and it got cold Saturday night. Sugar decided she should sleep with me. The fishing was terrible. I don't remember it ever being that bad. It was windy most of the time and when it wasn't the fish weren't bitting. CC got left in the house over the weekend and he's a little s&#t. When I unlocked the door all the cats wanted out. Possie is still hiding.

I have already been to town this morning. A late 1099 came in and I took it to the CPA's office. We have an extension to May 15 because of the hurricanes that hit this area. I need to go mow because it's suppose to start raining tomorrow and rain for a week. I want to wash the camper but don't know if I have that much steam. I have already taken something because my back and knees were hurting. I wish we could send some of this rain out West. It's been a few years since we have even had a burn ban.

Martha

Good afternoon ladies!

Sue, I, too, always enjoy your posts. Shirl, so glad you were able to spend time with your daughter and will be able to meet your friend. Anne, I hope this summer won't be a carbon copy of last summer for you and the folks in your area of the country. Like Martha said, I wish we could send you some of our rains. Beth, sorry your walk was cold this morning and hope you're able to buy propane from the local business. Birdie, it's so good seeing you post! The winter and spring here in Webster was much cooler than I liked but it still beats being in MD. Martha, you snuck in just as I was going to post. I agree that camping is a lot of work. When friends want us to go somewhere with them, if we can't stay for at least a week, it's just not worth the trouble, as much as we enjoy it.

We have a busy week ahead of us. We just came from the bank and grocery store in Wildwood, mostly to prepare a meal for friends that are coming Thursday. Tomorrow we're having the windows tinted in our casita. Wednesday I have a dentist appointment in Lakeland. As I just said, friends are coming Thursday and I'll prepare a seafood & pork jambalaya with a mandarin salad and garlic bread as sides. And we get to show them our almost completed casita. The last time they were here, the walls had been painted white, which was the wrong color and now they are light green and nothing had been installed.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Almost noon here now and I am still in bed.

I worked yesterday with my new manager. We always have such good conversations. Had another case of lice yesterday. Luckily I found it before I started cutting. I think it is happening more now due to schools being open again. Will have to keep an eye out now for it on all the kids.

After work we headed to the restaurant where our whole group was meeting for dinner. I had one drink which was one too many for me! I was being very social and funny for about an hour and then got very tired and quiet the rest of the evening. Gone are the days of partying all night!

We had a nice dinner and fun, hilarious conversations! Later, they all decided to go bowling at the casino across the street from me. I was reluctant since I can't bowl anyways due to my shoulder issues but finally decided to at least go and watch. When we got there, it was too late to bowl since they were closing it up soon. The group decided to go outside to the outdoor concert area where there was a couple of Mexican bands playing. I knew I was gonna regret that. It was SO packed and only about half the people were wearing masks and everyone was dancing and singing. I was very uncomfortable and only stayed for about 10 minutes before deciding to head home.

I am supposed to go do a haircut on an elderly woman here in the park tomorrow but now am concerned about doing that. I had my first shot just 10 days ago and even tho, I could still be a carrier. I can't get a test for at least 4 days after possible exposure for it to be accurate. I am thinking I should postpone that haircut until next weekend to be sure.

Need to get some stuff done today around here that I didn't finish last week.

I thought I heard that the tax deadline was delayed until May 15th for everyone now due to Covid. Is that right? Otherwise I need to get really busy on mine today!

Cooling off here a bit this week into the mid 80's. Not much wind today so maybe a good day to paint the trim around my slider on the deck. Will take a little time to mask off the area with paper for overspray but only about 5 minutes to actually spray paint it. At least that way, the front of the house will be done. Still want to get the small piece of trim on the front painted but will have Dave do that for me. Got the small can of paint for it now.

Martha and Birdy, glad you are safe from the storms. I assume then that Liz is too. Beth, hope you are able to get out and explore some today.

Have a good day!

Nice thing about full-timing is no loading in and out! Also, never have winterized or de-winterized, and do not have to worry about my things while my rig is in storage!

It is very dry here, but amazingly, the creosote bushes are in bloom, as are a few of the yuccas. And the mesquite, which have looked dead all winter, now have beautiful green leaves. The other most common plant here are prickly pear and they do have lots of buds. so I would guess maybe another week or two before they bloom. I also have seen a couple of other desert plants in bloom, but they are scarce because it is early.

I have met and been chatting with a few older couples here and in the last campground--ages 60-70 something. All had both vaccine shots. Campsites are really spread out here, so I do not wear a mask outdoors if I go for a walk, but I do keep one in my pocket, just in case. New Mexico is probably one of the safest states in the country. Not only is the state sparsely populated, at least where I have been, but they have done an excellent job of vaccinating people, having the highest percentage in the US other than tiny islands.

One problem is that showers are still closed in state parks here, so I have chatted with a couple of couples where they have not been able to shower because they are in small Bs. One couple has been on the road in a B without a shower for over a year. Me? I have to have a toilet and a shower!

Got a list of phone calls I need to make today. Just got an annual physical for July, but also need a dentist cleaning, so that is next on my list.

Good morning barely here. I have been busy around here this morning, got back from Medford after being gone for 5 days. Stayed with my friend down there and we had a good time. Finally got everything out of my storage unit so I am officially done with everything down there, except of course my eye doc appts and rheumatologist. There is no good retina specialists here in this town, or rheumatologist so I will continue to travel down there to get things done. My friend has an open invitation for me to stay any time I need to so I appreciate that. She is coming up here for a couple of days the end of the month as we planned this when I was down there last time. I had kind of forgotten LOL She is anxious to see my house and where I am living. She found a great place down there but for double the money that I paid and still did quite a bit of renovations also. But her place is lovely. Makes a great bed and breakfast for me LOL

Housekeeping chores and laundry around here this morning, then when it warmed up I had to water my flowers and plants. Hasn't been hot but figured they were in pots so probably thirsty. I need to get my Lilac plants in the ground, hopefully this week.

We need more rain but alas, I do not think it will happen. Maybe a shower or two but that is not enough. We rely on the snowpack and so far it is not great. Strange weather all over. But we are not in global warming, yeah right.

Barbie here is the deadline

May 17, 2021
If you typically file Form 1040, an individual federal tax return, you now have until May 17, 2021, to file your tax return and pay outstanding income taxes. Typically, this includes individual tax filers and self-employed people who report income and expenses on a Schedule C form.4 days ago

Barbie, anytime someone mentions lice I think about the meeting the elementary school my son attended had with the state board of health. The more they talked about lice the more I wanted to scratch. Thank goodness my son didn't catch any. I have enough problems with fleas. Sugar was scratching and I realized that I forgot to give her the flea pill 2 weeks ago.

Judy, I would not be a happy camper if I couldn't take a shower. I can't imagine not taking a shower for a year.

My brother said Ontario is going into another lockdown. He and his wife got the first Pfizer shot. Their second shot is not until July. He doesn't know why it's three weeks between shots in USA and 3 months in Canada.

I got the yard mowed and I'm waiting for the motorhome to cool off. The carwash says the vehicle should be cool. It has gotten cloudy so maybe the sun won't come back out.

Martha

Thanks Karen for the information. I feel better now.

Went outside to water plants, and cleaned up my little table and chairs I want to sell, so that I can get the bigger table put in it's place on the front patio with the umbrella. It was really hot out and I finally had to come in and take a break in the AC. Was sweating like a pig! I think I am still a bit dehydrated from my bathroom episodes. Need to keep drinking a lot of water.

I also put up my new shower curtain which looks very nice! Am still waiting to get the matching window curtain. Then will take pics. It already looks much brighter in there. Still want to find some light yellow towels to put in there.

Just finished watching the church service from yesterday. Now I need to eat and then get back to something productive around here.

hard to believe that a few days ago I had A/C on tonight the furnace is on... it's as loud as the A/C still not very efficient. I took the truck over to the shop so it will be there for them in the AM and I not have to get up to do it and then not have them have to drive me back a win-win for me..... forgot to take out the propane tank for the buddy might call and have them bring it to me as my nephew is suppose to drive it as part of it's check up... which means I might have to sorta wake up maybe...
Thankfully I had an uneventful trip north... to me the worse is off course city traffic even if one doesn't get off the freeway there is still rush hour traffic...starts in Provo and doesn't much end till almost to Ogden and then the worse road construction but we made it .... I should have called ahead and made a reservation as I ended up in the tent areas I can move over tomorrow if I want but it's level have power and water oops hose is in truck oh well have water in tank...
so glad that you all were safe didn't know where the tornadoes were and when we didn't hear from you all started worrying...
Bridie good to hear from you...
Irmi your casita is so pretty your friends will be really impressed
the drought is far spread the inter mountain area really didn't get the snow's that they needed either... coming up just outside of Fillmore saw a "cloud" thought it looked lonely and weird got closer to town and realized that it looked more like smoke was going to ask when I was at the gas station but forgot and still haven't goggled it...
so very tired need to finish and go to bed yea right you all say and I totally agree with you
it's good to try and support the local business... I try while in Q to get meat in town depends upon what I need when I get it as I go to Walmart twice a month bird seed and of course my books while there will pick up fresh produce and usually milk but I really do feel like I should be more supportive ....
need to go and finish up
don't think I will crochet tonight it's already 11:30
sheila