Just need to talk to my friends (212)

McClain was Ouiser Boudreaux (the one with the dog)

Wow, Beth, you got some great shots too!!! I'm so glad you were able to see them. I saw my first one just last year, and it was almost overwhelming. Intellectually I knew they moved, but it's different seeing them move across the sky in real life. I also wasn't prepared for the aurora to be everywhere in the sky, including up above.

Apparently last night's geomagnetic storm was huge. People saw lights as far south as Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and even Florida.

There's a chance of another big storm tonight. My s.o. was checking his aurora app (it's called Glendale, if anyone is interested). The CME (coronal mass ejection) just hit Earth, so in awhile we'll know the strength, angle, etc. I know for us in Washington state, we'll see nothing no matter how strong - we're socked in with clouds and rain. But for some of you others, keep your eyes peeled!

If I get any other good info, I'll post it - hopefully in time for some of you to be able to use it.

The sky is overcast here, so cannot see the northern lights, also we are far south. The pictures are great.

Judith, it sounds like you get good preparation for being a docent. It sounds like fun!

I had to take Adam back to the vet to complete his sanitary shave. He got his hind parts shaved to make his litter box runs easier, because older cats stop grooming themselves as thoroughly as they did in their younger days.

He also has to take prednisone and a probiotic for inflammatory bowel problems. I hope he does better soon.

I'm trying to hold onto my brain too!

Iris

This picture is from Ms C. Stinson of Mentone, AL; the town is minutes from our campsite.

I confess I didn’t see this as I had been up since 3 am yesterday and fell out dead before 9 pm 🙄.

We’re eating good on this trip. Breakfast was biscuits made in the electric skillet, eggs, bacon, country ham, oatmeal, homemade raisin cinnamon bread and fruit. Lunch was Brunswick stew with homemade sourdough bread, assorted sandwiches, cinnamon rolls from a local bakery and more fruit. I feel fat🤣

Good morning. I fell asleep at 11 pm, woke up at 3 am for about an hour, then woke up again at 10 am. I do feel rested now. But I still would like to wake up regularly around 7 am. I'm going to keep working on that time.

When I worked I was an early riser, no problems with that. Now my sleep is so disrupted. My cousin says that comes with age, because her sleep is like mine, too.

I will give Adam his prednisone this morning, with some food. I hope it doesn't have a bad taste for him.

The second sanitary shave got more fur, but not as much as I would have liked. I might have to attempt to shave him myself with my leg shaver.

Now to feed the cats. People think cats don't need as much attention as dogs, but they do. It's just not the same type of attention. In fact, I think they might need more attention. At least mine do.

Iris

Now that I've recovered from the excitement of the northern lights ….

Iris, Lorita, and Carl - the facility where my mom-in-law is very nice, very southern. She loves it there, and I can see why. It's the main reason why we hesitate to move her to the west coast. She's still stage 4, progressing slowly, and still doing well in independent living. We're all still thinking that if/when she's ready for assisted living, that may be when we move her out here. She's 89 and still pretty healthy.

HB - It was incredibly lucky that we got to see the northern lights. I'm still thrilled by it. We were socked in last night so we saw nothing.

JeriLynn - that's a great pic. The red in that image is so vivid! Homemade bread - yum.

Judith - Shirley McLaine is always good, plus, that movie has an amazing cast.

Carl - so true about cats. 🙂 We don't have cats right now (but will in the future), and every time we have them, we know our place in the pecking order - last!

Iris - you're absolutely right about cats. They need a lot of attention, it's just a different kind than dogs. Cats like to play with you, hang out with you, and they'll talk to you. Our Balinese cats were downright chatty. I'm feeling for Adam.

I just got back from the gym a bit ago - hard workout. It was mostly cardio, stick fighting (escrima) and kickboxing. I definitely felt worked over (in a good way) when I walked out the door.

Right now I'm catching up on everything and listening to the Alan Parsons Project in the background - I, Robot. It's old, probably late '70s, kind of ambient prog rock.

Lorita - She lives in a facility that is considered "continuing care." She has independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing care, should she need it. The big benefit is that she can stay there even though her care needs may change. I think the main difference from where she is to where most others are is that there are nursing care facilities on campus (I think of it as a campus - it kind of looks like one). I like her facility — if they had one in Washington or California, I'd move in!!

I saw this article on NPR this morning about foot exercises. They all seem like a good idea, but I confess, I've only done the calf raises, none of the others.

6 feel-good exercises to alleviate sore, achy feet

My cousin was in a luxury independent living facility in Northern CA (Walnut Creek), not a continuing care facility. She had a two bedroom unit with a full kitchen, two bathrooms, in-unit washing machine and balcony. Amenities included two dining rooms for meals (sit-down service (not buffet) and weekly housekeeping.

There were four community centers with fitness rooms and arts and crafts and library, also indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, golf course, and a shuttle bus to go around the campus and to the shopping center off campus. All of this for $1800 per month in 2015, although she did have to buy her unit. I would love to live in a place like that myself.

Lorita, I only use an alarm when I have to get up for an appointment. Otherwise I sleep until my body says it's time to get up. Sometimes very early, sometimes very late. My circadian clock is not consistent, and I am very FRUSTRATED by this!

I'm getting ready for bed now. I don't seem to be able to keep a consistent bedtime either. That's why my awakening times are so erratic.

Good night.

Iris

Good morning

Happy Birthday Carl! Sorry if I’m late!!

Ron

Happy birthday, Carl!!!

Thank you! Today is my 79th birthday, and my SIL and niece are taking me and my son to lunch tomorrow to celebrate. I'll have Lorita's cake today and another tomorrow.

I received a birthday card that says there is now a pill that reverses aging. However, side effects include hair loss, hypertension, fatigue . . .

I will bring ice cream and gin!