What positive can you list today?

[KayC]

Unfortunately the yellow jackets are out too. Even the birds don't want their food.

[RichS]

We have been swarmed with cicadas for the past month. If you live in an area with lots of trees, it sounds like someone is running a motor non-stop.

[widower2]

3 hours ago, KayC said:

Unfortunately the yellow jackets are out too. Even the birds don't want their food.

Kay there is this bug spray I got for them, it's like a powerful jet stream/foam, to get them from a distance, FWIW. ugh I hate those things!

 

2 hours ago, RichS said:

We have been swarmed with cicadas for the past month. If you live in an area with lots of trees, it sounds like someone is running a motor non-stop.

They are supposed to be much worse this year than usual. I haven't noticed their sound though. Probably because the tree frogs are so obnoxiously loud   

[Gail 8588]

Did anybody see the Northern Lights this past weekend?  It was reportedly quite extraordinary.  Some folks even saw them in Florida.  No me. I didn't  have the good sense to go outside and look.  

Still I'm  glad to know so many people, worldwide, had a chance to see them due to a big solar flare. 

[widower2]

No, it wasn't visible here. Heck I was even in Alaska once and didn't seem them. Rude ass lights. pfft. 

[Adriennelc]

We had wonderful display here in the north of Scotland and I missed them!!!  '

[KayC]

We have pictures all over FB of the Northern lights locally...me, I had a cougar in the neighborhood so was not going to go down the middle of the road in the wee hours to take pictures!  Do not have the view from my place because of the trees.  Perhaps if I'd cared to stand out in the middle of my backyard unprotected...too many wild animals out.

6 hours ago, widower2 said:

Kay there is this bug spray I got for them, it's like a powerful jet stream/foam, to get them from a distance,

I have some too just outside my back door.  It kills them but when you have a ton of them flying around you can go through the cans pretty fast and not make a dent.  Even the poor birds don't want to come feed!

[Gail 8588]

Well, my positive for today is that I have electricity  and have been freezing blocks of ice, so I am prepared.

I cleaned out the fridge after my 60 hours of no power over the weekend and I have replenished some perishables, but in small quantities.  

The concern is that we are back in rain and under a tornado watch again.  Fingers crossed. 

[Roxeanne]

11 hours ago, KayC said:

I had a cougar in the neighborhood 

OMG Kay i love big cats but i wouldn't be comfortable with a free wild guy around...he can attack Panther ?

Please be careful!

[widower2]

All you need is a Jack Russel Terrier: https://www.fosters.com/story/lifestyle/pets/2010/11/12/jack-russell-trees-mountain-lion/51379689007/

[KayC]

Cougars can attack anyone, this one is big. They botched it and should have called the expert imo. 

Contractor came by today, wants to save the carport but I don't have thousands laying around. He is supposed to get a bid which I asked for weeks ago. And it would require more from me. I don't have the strength, still healing from what I did before.

[DWS]

This feels like a positive. I put the plastic patio chair that Tom accidently broke four years ago out to the curb and the garbage workers just picked it up. The chair had some meaning...a reminder of the good time we had when his niece and her husband were here for a fun backyard dinner. In the midst of that, Tom leaned back on his chair and the plastic snapped. Of course, lots of laughter and comments ensued.

Me being me was determined that I could fix it but in the meantime, I found it made a good place to set the large heavy bag of peat moss. That chair and the peat moss sat in the same place at the back of the shed over the past three years. I would dig out some of it for potting plants but a few days ago, I made the effort to repair the chair's back. I was going to feel so valiant to be able to sit in it again and keep it but...I couldn't fix the damn thing. I tried a Youtuber's DIY fix by using two zip ties but not a solution. Today was garbage day. I said goodbye to the chair (it was just a cheap plastic one). The memory still remains. 

[KayC]

9 minutes ago, DWS said:

The memory still remains.

Yes, and it will always remain.  Such is our life continuing...we hear the echoes of those memories in our heads, where no one but us gets it.

[DMB]

I fixed a 12x12 pane of glass that fell out of my kitchen window.  All the gunk that holds the glass in place has been chipping away for years.  I didn't get angry this time.  After I let it set a day, last night I cleaned the entire window.  I also went back on my anti-depressant.  My eye lid was twitching, and now it has finally stopped. I suppose I still need it.

[KayC]

Proud of you!

[Sparky1]

A big positive for me today. I have been having so many health issues lately and even went to the hospital over a month ago. Hospital results were all good so I followed up with the family doctor and he gave me the works in tests. Including a treadmill stress test. So today I went to see the family doctor and he spent a good amount of time with me. Everything is good, heart, lungs, blood, circulation x-rays, EKG, etc. I do have some tingling in the feet and shins but he said it's just old age and most likely from sitting too long. I will now try compression stockings and see if that helps. Last time I went to the doctor, his other doctor partner told me it could be stress or anxiety. Yea I wonder where that comes from, missing my wife for almost four years now. Otherwise I am glad it wasn't something physically wrong, that is a relief. How can I work on the emotional stress? Not easy.

[KayC]

I'm so glad with you, Sparky!

[DWS]

26 minutes ago, Sparky1 said:

 I do have some tingling in the feet and shins but he said it's just old age and most likely from sitting too long. I will now try compression stockings and see if that helps. 

Wondering if one of those spiky massage balls for feet would help. Tom used one all of the time to massage and keep the tissues and muscles limber because he was a runner but I could see them being useful for everyone. Got me thinking now that I should get one because I miss seeing that spiky ball sitting on the coffee table. 

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2d/04/c9/2d04c97b6ff232d77e05471a37720530.jpg

[Sparky1]

1 hour ago, DWS said:

Wondering if one of those spiky massage balls for feet would help. Tom used one all of the time to massage and keep the tissues and muscles limber because he was a runner but I could see them being useful for everyone. Got me thinking now that I should get one because I miss seeing that spiky ball sitting on the coffee table. 

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2d/04/c9/2d04c97b6ff232d77e05471a37720530.jpg

I did get one a while back, it's very small about the size of a golf ball. I also got the foot roller, it has like rolling pins that you rub your foot on it back and forth. But of course, as with all the novelties I acquire, I forget about them and haven't used them in a while. Thanks for the reminder, I will try them both and see if they will help. It is a very frustrating sensation, almost like the feet are on fire or frozen. Doctor checked my feet manually and the pulse on both feet is very strong. I'm sure he knows what he is doing, he used to be a heart surgeon. I hope I can find something that will give me some relief. Sure being retired is not easy, but I don't sit all day in front of the television.  Me having degenerative disc disease and sciatica most likely is a cause too.

[KayC]

I just had an offer from someone in my church (a couple) for helping clear out the carport Friday!  I am beyond ecstatic!

[shawnt]

Held my granddaughter for the first time. It was lovely, and a little sad that my Suzy wasn't here to make a fuss.

The positive is life continues and love endures.

Ps: seen the northern lights and they were spectacular and later for hours.

[KayC]

I am so happy for you! ❤️ 

[Gail 8588]

My very happy positive for today is that we did not have any severe weather today.  Schools were closed today anticipating another series of strong storms with tornadoes,  but it didn't  materialize.  Yeah. 

Many homes and businesses are still without power from the storms last Friday.  My son's  office (a large state office building housing hundreds of workers) is without power and he was told today that it will be Monday at the earliest that the building will be open. 

It was a lovely day for the 400 utility workers that are here in town to continue rebuilding our electrical grid. 

[KayC]

Gail, so good to hear!

[Gail 8588]

My positive for today is that I am being relatively productive today.  Paid some bills, did some laundry, cleaned  up the kitchen (cleaned the refrigerator and freezer while they  are relatively empty due to throwing out a lot of stuff after the power outage).  

It's nothing major, but I have been in such a funk for the past several months, I have not been motivated to do much of anything.  Today I am behaving like a more normal person, taking care of things that need to get done.  It feels good to get some things done. 

[Adriennelc]

Been quite unwell for this last week and a bit emotional.  However today I decided it was time to get my banking app sorted out as face recognition wasn't working and I couldn't get access to money.  Phoned the bank and the girl at the other end guided me completely through everything so I am up and running again. Phew!  Also did my first home insurance in 15 years as Ken used to do all that stuff.  Not rocket science I know but another tick in the positive box.
 

[Cath61]

13 minutes ago, Adriennelc said:

Not rocket science I know but another tick in the positive box.

That's a big deal!! Good for you! I am trying to get our boat in the water.  New boat,  he only got one season on it but he loved it. Something with the fuses or batteries or something and it would not start...sent me over the edge.  It's hard enough knowing how much he loved fishing,  boating and the lake....Cried all night....This has to ease at some point. I  just miss him so much.

[RichS]

54 minutes ago, Gail 8588 said:

I have not been motivated to do much of anything. 

I get days like that (the thought of having to complete a chore makes me tired). Then, I'll start moving around a little on it, and I get some energy from the movement. It happened this afternoon. I promised my son to put together an outdoor lawn wagon for him.

[Gail 8588]

2 hours ago, Cath61 said:

...This has to ease at some point. I  just miss him so much.

Cath61,

That thought often sustained me.  It is not possible that all the people who have lost their soulmates felt this terrible for the rest of their lives.  It must have eased for them at some point.  Therefore, it will ease for me at some point too. 

And it did ease for me.

It will ease for you.  

I'm  so sorry that you are in this terrible time of early grief.  Just do your best to get through today. It won't  always be like this. 

 

[widower2]

My positive is getting my tax rebate (yeah I filed late). Nothing that's going to make a major change in my lifestyle, but I'll take whatever I can get.

[Rey Dominguez Jr]

Small positive movement.  Did a quick vacuum of the house to pick up cat hair and dust.  In the process I had to move my dress shoes around.  Had not put them away since last July for Veronica’s memorial.  Opened my closet and saw I had to make room.  Pulled out some old athletic shoes and boat shoes and sandals I had not worn in years and tossed them.  Cleaned up some stuff and tossed some stuff from my closet only.  Not ready to do anything with Veronica’s just yet, but it’s coming, I think.  Found a plastic basket with lots of pictures from the late 70’s of Veronica and I starting life in Sandy Eggo.  I’ll go through those later.  

[KayC]

I went to the dermatologist, MUCH EASIER than seeing my previous one in location and facility.

No skin cancer although one spot we're watching, been watching it 2-3 years now. Next appt in a year which is an improvement over six months!

[LMR]

I got an appointment for counseling today. 😊

Then later another organization contacted me to set up an assessment. Feast or famine!

[KayC]

Joseph showed up to mow my lawn, his price keeps going up ($30 then $40 now $45, still a steal).  A lot of weedwhacking and pretty sizeable property.

[widower2]

Kay you should buy a rider mower - more expensive initially, but think of the money you'll save in the long run. Plus you get to ride around the yard once a week, think of it as getting out of the house   

[Rey Dominguez Jr]

Mowed the lawn in our back yard this afternoon.  Mowed, edged, whacked, trimmed, raked, swept, blew down and hosed off the patio.  Took about 2-1/2 hours.  Not as difficult as after the rains a couple of months ago when the grass remained damp.  It’s all drying out.  I put my cell phone in my back pocket while I was doing all that just to see if it would register any physical activity.  Don’t know what parameters or other data the health app uses but I registered 1.5 miles of walking, just in the back yard.  Sure felt like it when I was done.  

[RichS]

3 hours ago, Rey Dominguez Jr said:

Mowed the lawn in our back yard this afternoon.  Mowed, edged, whacked, trimmed, raked, swept, blew down and hosed off the patio.  Took about 2-1/2 hours.

Sounds like me 35 years ago, doing most of what you've done, in the Florida heat and humidity. Great way to lose a pound or two in those days.

[KayC]

And with a riding lawnmower comes maintenance and breakdowns, no thankyou.  Had one when George died, couldn't get anyone to work on it.  And how do I get it to them with my loss of strength and no truck?  This is a big property, what he did was worth it.  I spent an hour out there last night getting up more stickery bushes and lilac starts.  Now to find the vine and stump remover...

Today will be spent working on the garage, ugh.  Still don't know what I'll do with my son's bullet casings...

[Boggled]

Yesterday I shot the nerf gun a bunch of times, at some boxes.  I need a big target!  ... so the nerf "bullets" don't overshoot (hard to find) ... then I got out the yoyo and yeah, I can still do it.     Also went out on the back deck and shot my battery-operated squirt gun at various targets;  it's supposed to be able to shoot 39 feet ... farther than the average squirt gun!!!  😁    Read a bit about "disassociation" and don't think I'm quite at that yet!  but playing with toys seems to be re-engaging with the world in a positive way, for me.  

The grass here is getting long (and there's a LOT of grass!) BUT it keeps raining, so I don't HAVE TO mow yet, according to my "good self" who pushes me into "just do it!"  

AND I ordered a toy battery-operated car, and my tongue drum should be coming in soon!   ... just playing around ... looking forward to something!   

I've got three 275 gallon water tanks on the side of the house with a tarp that has mostly disintegrated over them.  Playing around seems to have engaged me in figuring out preventive measures ... there are some paints you can use on plastic that are UV-protective ... thinking about this stuff;  

Amazon.com: GEAR AID UV Protectant and Conditioner Spray, Apply to Outdoor Gear Made of Plastic, Vinyl, Neoprene such as Tents, Boat Covers, Kayaks and More to Prevent Cracking, Discoloration and Fading, 16.9 oz : Everything Else

or, I THINK we still have some leftover pieces of metal roofing stashed away;  I could get our carpenter to build a frame to shade the water tanks ... but expensive!  but, all this THINKING and SEARCHING is sort of positive, I think.

 

[DWS]

1 hour ago, Boggled said:

or, I THINK we still have some leftover pieces of metal roofing stashed away;  I could get our carpenter to build a frame to shade the water tanks ... but expensive!  but, all this THINKING and SEARCHING is sort of positive, I think.

I think so too. Yesterday, I felt that I'm putting more love and attention into my gardens again. The last two years were spent doing what needed to be done with them. Earlier in the day, I went and collected more free wood chips from the city site where they pile the wood from downed trees and branches. This was my third trip so far this spring filling plastic bags and bins. Yesterday, I did the garden along the side of my front lawn. It's mostly shrubs and a hosta which I usually just let be but yesterday, I took some time digging the soil, gave it some compost, watered, covered it in wood chips and made it look like it matters to me. 

[KayC]

2 hours ago, KayC said:

I spent an hour out there last night getting up more stickery bushes and lilac starts.

I found another area where my dog does his pooping that hadn't been weedwhacked so I started pulling the grass there, discovered a ton of stickery buses starting there so started pulling them out too.  Amazed I didn't get stickers in my hands!

[KayC]

Well, we got the carport cleaned out, things I'm saving for my son are in a neat pile in the center and the shelves are torn down and all of the wood is on a huge burn pile, waiting for Jack to get back from his cruise that he leaves on tomorrow.  A truck load to the dump, I paid the good man that helped and his wife, I am amazed at what we accomplished!  My kids have never seen it look this good and they will be stunned when they see it next!

[KayC]

Our new pastor is moving in today, want to help, waiting for them to let us know when.  It's 5:40 am so it'll be a while!

32 here, cold in the house, they predicted 40 last night so didn't have the heater plugged in.  Wish I'd known it'd get this cold!

[RichS]

SOMETIMES IT PAYS TO GO OUT OF YOUR WAY...............................

I've been having swelling in both legs (Edema is what they found) the past two months. Set up an appointment for an ultrasound. Problem was, I had to wait until June 6th to get it done, BUT...............if I was willing to drive another 12-13 miles to another location, I could get it done on May 17th, which I did. They found a small blood clot in my left leg and prescribed me Eloquis for it. Glad that I didn't wait another three weeks to do this. Sometimes being inconvenienced pays off...........................Want to get this stuff out of the way before my back surgery on June 25th.

[KayC]

A friend of mine is on Eloquis, he gets it through the VA but it took over a month to get approved, a neighbor gave him some and it tided him over.  His is for a heart condition, very spendy Rx!  So glad you could get something done right away!  Yay!  Pays to check around!

Another positive today: I got some new yellowjacket nests down from my patio, didn't get stung, that's a good thing!  They have other areas they can be!

Also, house is up to 70 now!  It was 62 when I woke up, way too cold for me, I prefer 75!

[Adriennelc]

It's 'No mow May' in UK to allow flowers and insects the chance to get established.  My garden and driveway looks like a jungle but the flowers/weeds in the grass look fab.  
As we're not cutting grass we've got stuck into painting the outside of the house.  Also still painting the inside and on room no 6.  My hands and arms are currently sporting grey, blue and white paint.  Very attractive - NOT!
The weather here is 24 degrees so the holiday makers are here in their droves.  Best to stay at home when it's like that and shop at 8am before they surface for the day.

[KayC]

That's 75 F for those in the US!  I'm envious, that sounds perfect!

[Adriennelc]

2 minutes ago, KayC said:

That's 75 F for those in the US!  I'm envious, that sounds perfect!

I was going to convert it for the USA but alas forgot!! 😂

[KayC]

Found out what happened to the horse I feed every day, she hasn't been there for a few days and I was worried someone bought her, no, they loaned her to a neighbor with lots of grass and no horse!  I'm sure she misses her people but eating to her heart's content!

[Gail 8588]

My positive is still focused on good weather.  That big storm 9 days ago has everyone in Tallahassee a little PTSD wary.  

There was another forecast for violent thunderstorms for our area today. It didn't  materialize.  Yeah. 

We had some rain and some lightening,  but no tornadoes.  It feels like something to celebrate. 

I was sad to see Houston got hit with a big storm like we had.  They have so many more people, that it is many times worse for them.  (We had 90,000 without power, Houston has 900,000 without power. 

Hoping the storms quiet down for awhile.  We have been having one front after another come through the southeast US.