Monday 8/20

[Colliemom]

Morning all. Back home here, after two weeks of fun in the U.P. Hated to leave, but few things to do here. Had a great week last week between two music concerts at the park, trip to Marquette, Fayette Stste Park’s Heritage Day, the U.P. State Fair etc. and of course few trips for yummy ice cream Been very fortunate this year with not one problem with my trailer, knock on wood. Hope I didn’t just jinx it making that remark

Off to town on business and an appt. this morning, then to mow what grass is out there. Been no rain here. supposed to tomorrow though. Keeping fingers, toes, what not crossed.

Martha, sounds like you had a fun trip too and are getting used to your new “house on wheels”. You will be figuring out new storage ideas for sure. Barbie, things moving along at your place. Hope flea situation is under control before your new renter moves in. Wish those out west could get some rain and dampen those fires, those out east get some dry weather. Beth, won’t be long and you will bid the “heads” farewell. Are you working this winter or taking it off? Got any ideas where you might go next spring/summer. Maybe WI?

Want to wish you all a nice day. Stay safe if on roadcetc., and prayers to all those needing them.

[Shirlv]

Good Morning All,
A cool overcast morning from Eastern Shore. The family reunion in Western Maryland was a huge success. Us flatlanders from the shore like to see mountains now and then. The reunion was on a beautiful family horse farm. Sat in a rocker on a hill looking down at children taking pony rides in the field. Watched a two week old calf get fed with a bottle. Little fellow was transported from the shore along with family because he had to be fed every two hours. Only way cousin could come to the reunion. There were a couple of air conditioned porta potties with running water, mints and piped in music. Was a far cry from the 1940’s when we just found a big bush. Only 3 of us old timers left so glad I went. No one ask for advice and I was wise enough not to offer any. Good time and another good memory. Treasure life’s simple pleasures. Safe travels.

[BarbaraRose]

Sue, that was a quick 2 weeks! Seems like you just left for there! Glad you had such a good time and no issues with your trailer.

Shirl, you too sound like you had a great time with your family. That farm sounds wonderful! I never heard of luxury porta-potties before! Most are small, hot and stinky!

Last night I did a third coat of white on the bedroom and bathroom paneling. Paneling is really hard to cover! Then I did a coat of yellow in the bathroom over the old dingy yellow so only needed one coat there. Took out two layers of old, ugly shelf liner in all the drawers and shelves. Today I will clean up the bathroom and all the used paint supplies and work on the new shelf liner I bought (yellow print). Then off to work this afternoon. Tomorrow I will paint the teal in the bedroom.

There are a couple of homeless people living along the creek by the abandoned orange grove behind my house. They have two dogs and I can hear them at night talking and the little dog barks alot. This morning, I heard one of the men and one of the dogs walking thru the brush right along side my house. I called the police and reported it but like I figured, no response. I already mentioned it to the manager here but will talk to him again. It makes me nervous with them coming so close to my house now. The police out here don't respond to anything unless there has been a serious crime committed.

Now I hear him digging with a shovel. I called the police again and was told I am "on the list"...

[Acadianmom]

The grass needs mowing and it has already rained again this morning. The TV station says rain until after Wednesday.

Shirl, your family traveling with a calf reminds me of some trips I have made. My sister mentioned this weekend all the trips we have made over the years with sick cats that needed to be doctored or kittens I was feeding with a bottle. That's usually how cats got to be house cats. It was easier to see about them if they were in the house and not the barn. Annie was a sick kitten, Frosty was an abandoned kitten and Possie we found when we were evacuating for a hurricane. CC was found in a parking lot and my "friend" talked me into taking him. I'm sure the old lady cats get enough of CC when they are shut up for 3 days. If I make him come in early at night he is bouncing off the walls.

Sue, sounds like you had a good trip with the music and the side trips. One of the ladies I camped with was with her husband and he cooked for us twice. Too much great food. I will be on water this week, not even bread and water.

I'm not moving very fast today. As usual I feel like there is something I am forgetting about. I didn't stop at the post office when I came through town so probably need to go check the mail.

Martha

[BirdbyBird]

Slow, easy, uninspiring sort of day. I research up coming dates for dogs shows between now and the end of the year. Cindy and I are planning of heading down to Orlando in December again and I have a few other shows that I am pretty sure I will attend and then there are the maybe weekends. I remind myself that I could have spent that time researching international trip possibilities but then figure that my actions are already demonstrating my decision for the immediate future anyway. Josef won't be out there showing forever and I perhaps I should enjoy the ride while I can....

The balance of the day has been cleaning out cluttered drawers and boxes with outdate grooming products, and some equipment which are either unnecessary duplicates or triplicates or items that have been replaced by better performing equipment. Grooming dogs for 30 years now....there are several things that need to be history. Uncluttered spaces always makes me feel so good. And the more I practice letting go of "good stuff" that I no longer use or need the easier it is to do so in the future.

Josef and Lark continue to practice their long sits and long downs. So far Audrey is skating. Her time will come!

A novel sits on the desk and awaits me if I get to tired of sorting.

Take care and explore today's possibilities.

[JudyJB]

Tina, I am making plans for next summer already. Been watching the zoo programs on the Columbus Zoo, so want to go out there for at least a day. Might have to do two because I get tired after a few hours. Anyway, was looking at Alum Creek Park as a place to stay for a few days, which I don't think is far from you.

My big dilemma for next summer is that I want to visit friends and relatives in Michigan and Ohio, especially grandkids, but I am worried about mosquitoes and hot/humid weather. Also summer crowds at campgrounds. Hmmmm. Do I head there mid-summer or early summer? Or when? Actually, I do need to get to Ohio before June 1 because I need to get an ophthalmologist appointment to retain my drivers license--long story you do not want to hear. I was originally thinking of circling Lake Superior, but I think that will be too much. So, I want to spend some time in the UP of Michigan where it will be cool, but could be horribly buggy. (I react badly to mosquito bites.)

I want to spend some time near Santa Fe, NM on the way there, but I also would like to do the northern route through North Dakota again, but minus the kidney stone attack and emergency room visit. There are some really nice COE campgrounds up there and in Wisconsin--Beaver Creek is one I remember in particular. But in the fall, I will probably head to Florida for that winter. See my problem with zigzagging???

[Colliemom]

Judy, Late May into June is usually the worst time for mosquitos up here where I am. As is in the U.P. Lot depends on weather. Since I started camping at end of June I have had no bug issues. I can even leave my trailer door open and maybe have an ocassional fly. As to crowded campgrounds, yes they will be, but here again, you pick a park, look at pictures and site dimensions. Book the larger sites in advance, then you have plenty of room to spread out. I love Indian Lake near Manistique for it’s large sites. Not all are, but the majority of it. Aloha Stste Park near Cheboygan is another, but lot of non shaded sites there. As to hot, muggy weather, each year is different, so you just have to chance it. The parks have been exceptionally busy all over MI this year, especially up north. If you don’t have reservations, you had better be at that campground office before they open at 8 a.m. and hope there are walk in sites available. Gotta keep tabs on the online reservation system to see what’s going on. It’s been crazy. You can bet come January, I will be starting to reserve sites.





P

[BarbaraRose]

The police eventually showed up. I showed them where the transients were hanging out so he walked over to that area and was back in the trees for awhile so he must have found something/someone back there. He said he would contact some transient agency that deals with this sort of problem. His biggest concern was if they were to try to make a campfire back there and light the whole woods/creek area on fire. We'll see what happens but so far it is quiet out there tonight.

I got the large bathroom mirror I ordered today. It is beautiful but the frame is not the color I thought it would be. It looked like antique brass online but is actually a deep copper. It is a beautiful color but won't match the rest of the brass color in the bathroom. Since it really isn't realistic to ship it back, I bought some brass colored paint and will paint the frame tomorrow.

I was able to finish lining all the drawers and shelves with the contact paper before heading to work today. Will be another busy day here tomorrow. But making a lot of progress!

Haven't seen any fleas since I bombed the house but will bomb the house again this week to catch any eggs or other ones that might have gotten missed the first time.

[BirdbyBird]

Judy, the Cincinnati Zoo is well known for both its animals and it flowers. And there is walking involved! Weather in Ohio in the summer can be anything. Even within the same week. Hot and "stay inside" humid or warm and pleasant! Bugs. Yes we have bugs but usually not the swarms of bugs that are famous to the ADK and MI in the late spring and early summer. With for thought and some bug spray you should do fine!