Rainy Wednesday

[Colliemom]

Good morning on this wet Wednesday morning in northern Michigan. It’s been raining since last night and it hasn’t stopped. It’s supposed to rain all day. We might get as much is 2 inches which is good because it will help take the fire danger down and also get the morale mushrooms going.

I’m taking a bit of a break here before I fix myself some lunch as I am working on getting the closet ready to paint but need to wait for some spackling to dry first. So thought I would check in here and see that nobody has started any coffee this morning so it’s ready to go now.

Barb, if your paint is peeling off like you say it is then you need to scrape those windows down and put some primer on first, or maybe you did I don’t remember. Also, use a good quality exterior paint. Don’t buy that stuff at Walmart or those big box stores because that is a cheaper brand and those pants are more watered down. Get a better quality like Valspar or Behr. There are different levels of pain within each brand and the cheaper the paint the more watery it will be and the more coats you need to cover. Valspar also has a paint called Storm Coat which is a good exterior paint. I’ve had very good results with it on my dick and that’s in the sun all day mostly. A lot of painters favorite Sherwin William too.And I know people use oil base paint outdoors too because it holds up better. I prefer I latex myself.

Annie, have you ever thought about looking to see if there might be a holistic vet around somewhere. They have different methods for treating dogs with conditions like you have, than a regular vet does. Like a holistic practitioner does for people. My guy retired too and one of the other vets bought out his office. They do a good job but I’m not overly thrilled with it either. There’s no atmosphere in the place. When the other vet was there it was really nice because people were always talking and the receptionist knew a lot of people, because we were all local and so we were always talking about stuff. Don’t get me wrong the vets are friendly and I do like them, but I just don’t like the atmosphere.I think the problem is the receptionistS are younger girls and they’re not all that friendly.

Judy I hope those storms all missed you last night.

Looks I got somebody coming this afternoon to buy a glass patio table that I am selling, so that will be out of here. I sold a window from the house over the weekend. I got two new windows for the house last summer,and the contractor ordered the wrong interior vinyl on the window so had to order again. Was a custom order, he couldn’t return it so I wound up with an extra window that I didn’t need and I couldn’t use. I think I am done selling stuff now. Course there’s always the trailer.......

Time to get some lunch go ahead so I can get to the painting. Hope you all have a good day and stay safe.

[MandysMom]

I wish it was raining here! It's 73 at 10:30 and headed to at least high 80's! Summer has dropped in to stay. So, I'll add a big pitcher of iced herb tea to the table , for those who dont want coffee!
I posted on yesterday's post by Anne, that there is a wholistic vet about half way between her area and mine in Lincoln CA. Don't know anything except my friends at the small pet food store I go to told me about them. Allergies are tough on people but doubly so for critters who can't tell us what they are feeling. My first reaction is check diet for unrecognized allergens/inflammatory ingredients.
I like Behr paint! Mel researched extensively before insisting our painter use it when painting the outside of our house. Eight years or so later, the paint is holding up excellent on our stucco in Ca valley summer sun. Got it at Home Depot. Our painter had not used it before and has made several trips back to check it saying its the best he has used, though not all his customers are willing to pay extra for it, he now offers the option. I agree with Sue, something was missed in prep if paint is peeling. It could be you painted latex over oil based or simply surface needed more prep-light sanding, primer?
Stormy is eating better by the day. She was up to her usual night prowl through the house, checking out her usual window views during the night. And ate some other chicken leg.
I think I'll go to Costco tomorrow to see what I can get. Friend says lines move quickly.
I'm off to shower and see what I can get done here.
Have a good rest of your day.
Velda

[Cudedog]

Annie, have you ever thought about looking to see if there might be a holistic vet around somewhere. They have different methods for treating dogs with conditions like you have, than a regular vet does. Like a holistic practitioner does for people. My guy retired too and one of the other vets bought out his office. They do a good job but I’m not overly thrilled with it either. There’s no atmosphere in the place. When the other vet was there it was really nice because people were always talking and the receptionist knew a lot of people, because we were all local and so we were always talking about stuff. Don’t get me wrong the vets are friendly and I do like them, but I just don’t like the atmosphere.I think the problem is the receptionistS are younger girls and they’re not all that friendly.

Sue, thanks for the suggestion on a holistic vet. It is a good one. Velda suggested it too, thanks Velda! I will be following up on this holistic vet to see what I can find out.

I was blessed to have a semi-holistic vet many years ago that suggested things I had never heard of (goldenseal for wounds is something I remember maybe?). I really liked her, she was an exceptional, caring vet, and young - probably in her mid-30's. And, best of all, her treatments and suggestions worked - and worked very well. I figured that I had found a vet that would last me for many years to come, if not for life. Unfortunately, she passed away unexpectedly from an asthma attack. It was pretty devastating for all concerned, to say the least. She also had a very young child.

For myself, a friendly vet is certainly nice - but a vet that is friendly as well as knowledgeable is certainly a plus - and what I want to go for.

For example, when my favorite vet retired, he sold his practice to a group of three young women vets.

I don't know if this is true where you live, but here in California there is a new corporate entity - VCA - that buys vet practices, or maybe just helps finance them (not sure which):

https://vcahospitals.com/about-vca

When VCA is involved, the practice will be named maybe something like "VCA Joe's Veterinary Hospital".

When you go into one of these places the vibe is definitely, "Get 'em in - get 'em out - suggest every procedure/remedy under the sun - charge the client as much as the client can bear".

Anyway, my old vet sold to these women vets that were affiliated with VCA. After the change-over, I took my dog in for a foot problem - he has (and continues to have) raw fissures between his toes that come and go (probably allergy related).

I brought in Joe to see what might be done to help his feet. Her first suggestion was that he needed stitches (you know, prep, blood work, anesthesia, surgery to put in the stitches, antibiotics, follow-up, etc. etc. etc.: $$$$$). These fissures are obviously uncomfortable for him - but are very shallow. To fit in any stitches, the fissures would have to have been significantly deepened. With all that entails.

I declined.

She then suggested putting Bag Balm on his feet, and getting him some 'dog shoes'. This was my opportunity to ask a couple of questions that I already knew the answers to:

1. Where can I find Bag Balm? (I already knew I could order it from Amazon)
2. Is Bag Balm toxic if he should lick it off his feet? (Having used Bag Balm in the past, I knew that it would probably be fine)
3. Where can I find 'dog shoes'? (I already knew I could order them from Amazon)
4. About how much should they cost? (I already knew they were about $40 for a set of four from Amazon)

Her answers:

1. "I don't know"
2. "I don't know"
3. "I don't know"
4. "I don't know"

So, here we have a vet that is recommending a treatment that she doesn't know whether - or not - it will harm my dog (the Bag Balm) she is also making recommendations for items she doesn't know how or where to source.

Not helpful. At all.

This visit with this "I don't know" vet cost me a fast $150.00. I would have definitely been better off if I had just stayed home.

This is illustrative of the level of competency of the local vets in my area that I have dealt with.

But, ever the optimist (LOL - well, maybe) I will continue the search. And I thank you very much, Sue, for your response and your suggestions.

My best wishes to you.

Anne

[Acadianmom]

About 5:30 this morning the line of storms came through with hail. I don't know how big the hail was but it sounded like boulders on the metal roof. By the time it got light outside the hail had melted because it was still raining. We got 2 1/2 inches of rain. The wind blew the rubber runners I have on the old carport all over and blew a heavy metal chair across the carport. It blew one of the roof panels on the dog kennel sideways. The rain should help settle the drive way I had made.

I probably need to make Annie an appointment with the vet. She has spells where she scratches and licks herself raw. I have to put a flea treatment on her every 3 weeks but that doesn't seem to help. There is a shot the vet can give her but he doesn't like to give it to her very often. I put a cone on her but she managed to get out of it last night and got out the door when I was trying to get the dog out. It will take me all day to catch her.

Another boring day.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

Ann, I agree! VCA vet hospitals are a big ripoff! I brought Lola to one awhile back on a weekend when my vet was closed, just to get subQ fluids. By the time I got out of there, they had done a blood panel and prescribed 6 different meds and some other things they talked me into (I turned down several other things they wanted to do), I had paid over $1000. I was flabbergasted! I never even gave 4 of the meds to Lola. Anyone with cats knows it is hard enough to give a cat even one med, let alone 6! None of it helped her anyways and I still had a dehydrated cat. Never again!! I don't know how they stay in business because no one I know will go to them.

I had a vet once back in MN who was awesome, did a great job, had a great sense of humor and loved to see his animal patients. He used to call the ferrets, the "little pointy things"! Anyways, he hired a young vet named Dr. Doolittle (yes, that really was his name!!) and this guy was very matter of fact, no personality, no sense of humor, zilch! He lasted there about 4 months and was gone. I saw him a couple times and he never lightened up the whole time. Maybe he just became a vet because of his name but his heart really wasn't into it.

Anyways, I was visiting with a friend earlier today out on her deck. Had a nice chat but it was SO dang hot and it is humid today so that feels even worse! I was probably out too long because now I have a headache and feel lousy. Gonna just take it easy the rest of the day. Haven't got much else done today but there is always tomorrow!

Here is the table I put on the deck for that little wasted nook area between the steps and the porch. It fits that space perfect!

[snowball]

I accomplished the have to's and the rest will be there tomorrow perhaps I will get them done
was going to make some phone calls but forgot... guess that will wait until tomorrow as well
try to call my mom every other day or so so will call her tomorrow as well
did get my shepherd's hook with the hummingbird up... I use a big big spike to make the hole but when I would pull it out it would fill in.. not sure what I did the last time but was able to put it in and down far enough it looks pretty solid until the winds tomorrow birds keep hitting my window had put something hanging on it last year remembered to take it down and put it up but forgot to take it down so now I need to find something so they won't hit the window and they hit it hard have several dead birds that I need to pick up.. and my brother stopped by to visit for a moment... was a surprise as he doesn't usually but we had a good visit... there is about 18 months between us and I am the eldest... first born in the family...
I watched this video the other day of this women who had had it with her hair...so she preceded to cut it off and it wasn't even very long... it's almost been a year since I've had mine cut keep it up most of the time now...
so that is my day now I need to go to my bank on line and see if I can remember the password better it kept saying it's wrong and I know from experience that it will only allow about 3 visits before it won't let you until you re do a password.. safety I guess that way if it's someone else trying to figure it out oh well... but it's me folks maybe I won't even look tonight
oh in case any of you are keeping an eye out for the yarn.... my niece found it and sending me some a cousin found it up in AK WA is closer so no need for Blue Mint yarn
sheila

[JudyJB]

Sheila, if you have some old ribbon or heavy yarn, you can tape it to your window on the outside. I did that with ribbon a couple of years ago when the dumb female cardinals were bashing themselves into my motorhome windows. I also had to tape some on my wheel covers because when they got tired of bashing against the windows, the would peck on the shiny wheel covers trying to attack the other birds they could see in their reflections!

None of them killed themselves, but I was trying to grade papers with all the action and noise going on, so i had to do something. Luckily, it was a windy day, so the ribbons blew around and discouraged the dumb birds from attacking the other birds in the windows!!

I am in Tennessee now, and planning on staying here for another week. I am trying not to go to a store, but my computer mouse fell off the table and the back cover disappeared somewhere and i cannot find it. Also need to get a replacement for my mobile hotspot. I usually have two so I have enough gigs available, but again, one disappeared about three months ago and I am paying for it and not getting any benefits. There is a Verizon office nearby, so maybe I can wait until i leave next week to stop there. And maybe tape the batteries in my mouse??? Frustrating.

[MandysMom]

Barbara, the table looks really nice!

[MandysMom]

Barbara, the table looks really nice!

[BarbaraRose]

Another thing that works is to take a CD disc and hang it up by the window. It spins in the wind and scares the birds and keeps them away.

[snowball]

that is a thought... thank you both... hadn't thought of either...I have a whirly gig thing that I need to see how to replace the thing to hang it with... my brother suggested a fishing thing can't think of the term which I would bet that sil has in the storage room... will have to ask him but he is working now and our hours don't merge unless he happens to come to ask me something while he is home for supper..
but now I have more options
sheila