Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[PollyannaMom]

I've been up super early (not unusual but unusual to be actually showered and dressed by 6am!).

The girls are coming today for their Mon-Tues Camp Gammie. So wanted to be organized and ready to go if DD is running late and calls to have me meet her somewhere.

Plan for the day included a trip to Merkle wildlife Sanctuary, but I now see the visitor center is closed. There are a few trails to follow, but one princess is not enamored by the outdoors as much as the other. There isn't too much inside the visitor center, but when visiting before, the park employee gave 100% attention to the kids, as there were no other visitors until we were departing. Plus younger DD was enamored by a huge white snake and actually held it. Yucch.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/merkle.aspx

Maybe if they ever have to come on a Sunday, I'll do the Critical Area Driving Tour with them. I've enjoyed it in the past and that's the only day you can access that road as it is a protected ecological area. Check out the website above for any interest in this type of thing.

So on to plan b, which hasn't been determined yet. Some shopping for at least bread and milk must be done, and I'll drop by our friends house for fresh eggs. I may try to pick up a slip/slide type thing or a very small pool. Just to splash around. The bigger ones always end up being a nuisance to dispose of and manage. I hate storing or tossing them end of season.

There's always a box of chalk and a driveway!

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Beautiful morning out there,,was 58 and nice and cool when I got up. Going to be in the 90's for at least the first 3 days of the week. No rain in sight, again, so I just watered, fed cats, filled feeders and birdbaths. Going to close up the windows soon while it's still cool and turn the ac on. Then I am going out to weedwack the bank and around bushes, edge of driveway etc. Then all yardwork will be done for the day.

Nothing else new or exciting going on here, not that there ever is, lol

Have a nice morning

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Beautiful out. DH went for a bike ride. I need another new seat or seat cover or something for my bike. The seat I had been using deteriorated so it make marks on my pants. I got a new seat from the local Trek store but it was uncomfortable so I returned. Then I ordered one from Amazon. It tilts too far forward so makes my wrists and hands hurt. There is no way to adjust the tilt and it’s too late to return. So, until I do something, I can’t ride my bike.

I hit post too soon so can’t use my quotes in an edit. See next post.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Next try.

German restaurant = Old Stein Inn? I haven't gone there in ages!

Yes! We all enjoyed it. Only DDIL had been there before.


We had been at Mayo Beach Park, which is also where DS and DDIL were married.

QOTD: What are you reading lately?

Just started The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand, after finishing Citizen K-9 by David Rosenfelt.

Merkle wildlife Sanctuary,

I’ll have to ask DS if he’s been there. He and DDIL are bird watchers. They took us to Jug Bay Wetlands in March 2020.

There's always a box of chalk and a driveway!

Or a sprinkler. My grands love that.

 

[easyas123]

Good morning everyone, hope you all had a good weekend.

Not a whole lot going on, gotta wash the dogs this evening I think. Venison tenderloin, salad & baked potato for dinner this evening.

Squash almost ready

My husband has been pulling the patty pans off for a good week now, and the spag squash are almost ready...it's his first year to grow either of them.

German restaurant = Old Stein Inn?

I just looked that place up, wasn't familiar with it. Looks like a cool place and worth a drive one day, maybe after Sept. when shore traffic isn't quite as bad over the bridge!

QOTD: What are you reading lately?

Nothing at the moment, but I have two books waiting for me. One is a fluff book, a Nora Roberts book but the name of it escapes me at the moment, a travel guide to Vienna, a dog training book called When Pigs Fly, a Holocaust memoir called The Nazi's Knew My Name.

I may try to pick up a slip/slide type thing

Are you a Costco member? Our Costco had a nice slip & slide in store yesterday when we were in there.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning,

I also woke up a little early this morning and just enjoyed being restful and spending some extra quiet time with God and also reading.

QOTD: What are you reading lately? I'm currently reading a Love Inspired Romance series by Mia Ross that takes place in the fictional southern small-town of Barrett's Mill, VA. Love the Barrett family and their small-town closeness and faith centered lives. Great QOTD, PollyannaMom. I am always up for new book suggestions I've come to enjoy using the Kindle to read bigger, thicker, or hardcover books, too. So handy. Of course, i do still prefer an old-fashioned physical book to hold. I did add Pure Imagination to my library hold list. Reminds me of how years ago at church, the musical theater camp kids did a candy-based show and one of the songs I am pretty sure was pure imagination.

Chicken Soup book will be given to a friend of mine from church who has a daughter about to turn 18. God did put in my heart to ask Deborah whether she thought her daughter might enjoy this book. I'm so glad to have listened to His call to ask her. I will always let all of you know should I have other books to share.

Happy Monday friends.

 

[Canadisney Fly]

Hello lovely people - ELEVEN pages that I've missed while I've been away - wow!

I had a highly successful week with my team - they're all at least 20 years younger than me, save one, so it does at times hint at how time wears down the body (I have some bruises from this trip that make me think it's time to get my clotting factor checked...).

Unfortunately, I received some devastating news on Day 2 that put me in a really horrible headspace. My DexH texted me that his best friend was found dead on the jobsite (DexH is a builder, best friend is a plumber/tiler), so I called him right away. DexH had reached the jobsite by the time I called and I managed to get part of the conversation before the police arrived (I told him NOT to go up to the apartment). His BF was a lovely, sweet, generous and talented man who had a small demon that would call him away to the dark side every once in a while (very occasional cocaine use, and would go months and months without issue, but then would disappear for a weekend). I always felt he was ashamed of it, as he would slip away alone for a day or two, never really say anything about it, but over the years, we learned of it.

We have a horrible opioid crisis here in Vancouver, where fentanyl and carfentanil have entered into all of the streams. These are highly addictive drugs that are being laced into less-addictive drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine (which increases your dopamine response, not targets your opioid receptors). The dealers do this to create more addicts but there are many, many accidental deaths. I don't even know what words to use - it will likely be termed an accidental overdose, but I'd consider it to be more of a poisoning. So it looks like he went to one of the jobsites on a Sunday to have a private space to use, and although the autopsy results aren't back yet, I'm sure it will come back as a fentanyl death. This is not a man who wanted or deserved to die - at 50 years old, he had so much life left to live.

My DexH had called his BF's brother, and by the time they brought his body down, his BF's wife, brother, sister, and my DexH were all standing outside the apartment entrance. He also has a son just a few years older than mine. My heart breaks for them all - I can't imagine how intensely painful that must have been to stand there and see someone you love, strapped to a gurney and coming down in a body bag.

My DexH is a sensitive introvert and has made few close friends since he first came to Canada in 2000 - I am (selfishly) worried that this may be the tipping point and he'll move back to Brazil. I know our marriage is over, but I still love him dearly, and want him to continue to be a part of our lives. He and DS get along famously, but don't see each other often - I'm hoping that will change a bit, once my son gets his drivers license and I can nudge him out the door to meet his father for lunch or a movie.

So - I wasn't exactly the best mentor this week and snapped at one of my new team members - it took me a couple of days to apologise, because I would well up with tears if I tried to verbalize what had put me in this state. I was finally able to say that I was so sorry and that I had just been notified of a tragic death and was deeply affected by it, but it will take a while for him to see me in a different light.

So - prayers for the family and I hope I can be some comfort to my DexH.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Huge hugCanadisney Fly and so very much prayer for you, your Ex husband and his friend's family. Thank you for extending your kind compassion onto someone in need. God Bless You!

 

[lynxstch]

@Canadisney Fly So sorry to read of the loss of your ex's friend. You are right,,that's a terrible thing to have to see. Our little city also has a big issue with drug use, especially fentanyl. I have heard that there are actually test strips that drug users can use, to check and see if there is any in the drugs they are using. No idea why some of the sites I checked say they are illegal, while others day aren't, (as evidenced by the fact that you can buy them on Amazon). I hope that your ex doesn't go over the edge and go back to Brazil, since it sounds like you have remained at least somewhat friendly with him. Prayers sent for all involved.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wow, how tragic @Canadisney Fly. Very sorry for your loss.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

So sad always to hear of drugs ravaging lives

Carol, how I loved yesterday's sermon. to all, it was based on the parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 NKJV The minister related it to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and more importantly Jesus' daily call to each of us.

Edited out earlier comments to protect Ralph's privacy.

 

[Kirby]

@Canadisney.

I finished The Witness by Dee Henderson yesterday and have started One Plus One by JoJo Moyes this morning.

 

[easyas123]

My heart breaks for them all

Oh how terrible for his family, your ex-husband and you are in my thoughts.

 

[lynxstch]

I just put a post on the tech board. Just added it to the thread that was already going on about the problem a lot of us are having. A lot of us are getting 'server not available' or "Http/1.1 Service Unavailable". This has been happening to me for the last week and a half or so. I tagged 2 of the mods on there. They need to contact their server and find out what the issue is. I haven't been able to get on here for the last 2 hours
Its hot and sunny out. I weedwacked, then called it a day on outside activities. Baked a lemon glazed pound cake to have with fresh blueberries (per Mr L's request.
Stay cool everyone

 

[Snowysmom]

@Canadisney Fly. It is so tragic what is happening now with drugs. It is so tragic for his family and friends.

I am reading Theresa Caputo books as well as other books in the same genre. It brings me comfort sometimes. I have just gotten back to reading a bit. Previous to Chris passing I read all the time and would read historical fiction, nonfiction medical books, and contemporary fiction for light reading.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I just put a post on the tech board. Just added it to the thread that was already going on about the problem a lot of us are having. A lot of us are getting 'server not available' or "Http/1.1 Service Unavailable". This has been happening to me for the last week and a half or so. I tagged 2 of the mods on there. They need to contact their server and find out what the issue is. I haven't been able to get on here for the last 2 hours
Its hot and sunny out. I weedwacked, then called it a day on outside activities. Baked a lemon glazed pound cake to have with fresh blueberries (per Mr L's request.
Stay cool everyone

Thanks for taking the time to let them know!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you from me, too, Lynn

Snowysmom, last year I did enjoy parts of a small-town beach series written by Carly Grant To me these were, bigger books (not heavy at all just bib and a bit awkward to hold. Look them up and if you (or anyone would like to read them) let me know

 

[Judique]

I may have mentioned that my Yorkie has anxiety and it manifests itself occasionally in aggresiveness. So I keep him away from most people.

Today was the day he decided to go nuts. I'd been outside with the girls and he was crated. We had come inside and the girls were having snacks and I put him outside to go potty as it had been a couple of hours.

DGD was still sitting at my tiny kitchen table. Yorkie gets to the door and turns around and runs back in and under her chair, snatching a paper napkin that had fallen to the floor. He's been around them many times and loves them but....now he's trying to sort of protect her from me.

This means he doesn't want to go outside, and doesn't want to go in the crate, plus is confused and doesn't know what he wants so he gets aggressive - to me! I'm barefooted and he's snarling near my feet. I tell my DGD to get on top of the table, because I don't want to take any chances. She climbs up there and is out of reach.

Meanwhile he's snarling at me and I'm trying to calm him. Usually he will react and then switch gears within a minute, but, this time he didn't get a chance.

My big orange male 13 year old cat appeared quickly and jumped on him and attacked him. I was able to grab a closed umbrella which I extended and poked at both of them with it. Let me make it clear I didn't strike or hit them, just pushed the soft part of the umbrella between them to try to separate them. Yorkie had enough and ran to his crate. I quickly closed and latched it. Big Orange Cat runs to the crate, and stared at him, sort of like, dog, you better learn who is in charge around here! This whole incident was perhaps two minutes.

After Dog settled down, BOC comes over to say, 'Are you okay?' I gave him some treats.

Meanwhile Yorkie will have to be leashed when going out, when the girls are here. It's been easy to just let him roam free in the kitchen area and go in and out on demand, but looks like back to square one for him.

 

[lynxstch]

I have tried to get on here since the last post I put on. Got the Http/1.1 Service Unavailable" error again till just now. It's getting very annoying. All it is is a blank page..what the written in tiny little letters at the top left.
Dinner was spaghetti with meatballs, sauce and garlic bread. Just finished today's General Hospital, and tonite's Jeopardy. Mr L is watching NCIS (for the zillion'th time) and I am going to watch The Bachelorette premiere. Have a nice nite all

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Judique!

Lynn, , I "liked" your post for the TV and dinner shares. I'm sorry you are still having trouble logging in

Wishing everyone a good night's rest.