just funny

It looks like Greg is unavailable.

Tom's tests

Tom had a bone density scan and a abdominal scan. A week later he gets the results. He shows signs of aging -- bone loss due to age. Other than than he appears to be doing fine.

What a great bit of good news, right?!

summer shots

small deer perhaps

wasp holds onto grass

one of many types of grasshoppers

Diane's case of Mondays

In the afternoon, Diane called. Jessica's car pooped out at Walgreens. Diane lent her car to Jim because his truck crapped out in the morning. He went to South Bend and returned in the evening. I picked up Diane, Jessica, Joe. I dropped off Joe, dropped at Diane's house, then Jenny called me and nicely dropped off a cable to me. I helped Diane with computer issues, clean out a smelly freezer that sat dormant for two years after a nasty accident with it shutting off for a few days. They didn't immediately catch it and the freezer smelt badly of rotted food -- primarily not of meat but of home-grown tomatoes.

It smelled of cleaner now, so I dropped in fruit rind (tangerine) to improve the smell. Jim suggested it be mixed with cloves (potpourri). Anyway, that was that mess.

Diane's still-puppy (Lilly) has apparently a longer-than-normal cycle. She was in day ten of her bleeding. She was sad being relegated to the kitchen only, no carpet, no furniture. Little drops here and there and the sporadic dragging of the butt. I did notice that the blood was thinner, perhaps mixed a bit with urine, but unclear.

Diane also planned on the contingency of having to arrange a person's burial whom she did not personally know. The person, body, was Jim's first cousin's wife's mother. "What does that make you and me? Absolutely nothing."+ Summarized: the daughter was injured and in hospital on weekend of mother's death and is still in hospital. She can't plan much from there, but is executor for the estate. Her husband is, well, not a good man. The brother is in jail. Diane has helped that family some, so -- is in good with them, but the task may befall her. She is wisely trying to plan now, rather than being given the task ten seconds 'til doomsday.

With this, she found MS Word 2007 to be a major pain in the butt, which it is. Whoever was in charge of the interface should be flogged for days on end. It is the worst and most illogical arrangement for an interface. I refused to install it on my computer. With luck and time I got it to do what she wanted. She didn't have any older version of Word, so we had to use 2007. I pitched in and helped with my idea for quick sorting of pictures.

-- The pictures were from a Mike's (Jim's brother) daughter's wedding. Sad to say, none of the wedding party really looked happy including the bride and groom. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Unhappy!

+ Spaceballs

card sick

Well, Lois and Tom played cards with friends. They generally play girls vs boys. The girls have a 90 something win percentage. This weekend was no exception. Later, Lois got ill and continued to be such.

Tom and Lois were due to do tests today, but Tom left alone for his "battery" of tests as they were.

mash of photos

Marcus took some notable photos

cicada molt in web. No, the spider didn't catch a cicada.

The doors made it clear that they wanted through the gate.

picnic table with bite

shot under trampoline

twisted and scratching

slow speed showing movement ... seemingly headless

You found old axe heads.

parasites from bird poop

This weekend's big splash!

Doing a search, I wonder . . .

Who is this knocking, knocking on my door?+

+ Raven, Edgar Allen Poe

From Bethy

She got me "brownies".
Apparently some brownies drink. Do you notice the empty glasses?

Then the world opened up to Bethy and she found that the bulk of the world was, sadly, bigger than her. When in defense she can "pull a Flossy"+ and win every time.

+ So named for Grandma "Flossy" who spoke her mind well when angered, if not confusing, in loud angry German.

Tweet!

Tom and Lois have another nest near the front door. This little bird is weary of passersby, but stays. No one has yet seen chicks or eggs, but undoubtedly they are there.

It is very important that puppy, Cinnamon the golden retriever, be included.
This was obviously from Bellefield.

Cinnamon made it about 2.2 years before disease took her. She was great around the kids.

Marcus' secondary work

no sooner

No sooner do I post the note for Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jack when I read through the mail and viola! I get a letter.

You are welcome, but first ...

THANK YOU!

grandmas'

I found lots of old cards. This collection is dedicated to Grandmas who are not with us anymore.
I am sad to write that I cannot hug them now. I cannot thank them, while looking into their eyes. I am, as are we all, left with memories. I only hope I was a "smidgen" as positive of a force for them as they were for me.

names and cards

I do not want anyone to feel slighted in the least here. I kept lots of cards, not every single one. I have to note that the folks left me with many cards, sisters (and families) too. By far the most consistent closing was this.

I am thankful, so thankful that I can share this with you. I love you Jack and Dorothy. I never really expressed it very powerfully or meaningfully to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Scrape?

While it might look like a fight scene or CSI shot, this is rather a "work in progress" or "regress". Jenny moved out leaving a few things and Jessica wanted to remove the wallpaper before painting. Hence, you get scraps of paper around other items. I saw a bit of a mess through the door from the hallway. I remarked, Dr. Seuss' Grinch Who Stole Christmas and the crumbs that were left too small for the mouses.

Don't ask me why, no one quite knows the reason. I wouldn't have a guess on the colors.

Diane's friendly rooms

It is important that you feel at ease at school. These are two of Diane's rooms.
She has a few other rooms.