Just need to talk to my friends (221)

BethL · August 19

It's pretty nice here today, 81 degrees. I was at the fair for about 3 hours and got in 10,000 steps and was tired out so left. Let me take you along to the Iowa State Fair.

Cheers! I had a craft beer ($12) and a wine deemed best of show at the fair ($10). It was a blackberry mead. Mmm

Celebrating America 250

I ate a peppermint ice cream bar ($10). Had a corn dog too - $7 and not pictured.

Lots of animals and lots of people too. Lorita, please note the "Big Bull." Not sure of his breed.

Pioneer Hall and the Sky Glider

This small plane was flying over continuously. The banner said "So and so politician sold out Iowa to China." Truth.

It was a fun day!

Lorita · August 19

Thanks for taking us to the Iowa State.Fair. You're as cute as a bug's ear Beth. Sounds IIke you ate and drank well and had a good time and had nice weather.

That is a big.bull. Jasper weighed 2200 lbs. and he was big.That bull could be a Red Angus but there are so many breeds now so not sure. There are quite a few of them around here and he looks like them. The Fair in Tulsa isn't until late September but we haven't been for years -used to go to the Ice Capades. Seems IIke

I remember we rode something IIke the Sky.Glider at a fair some where. Scarey!

Goodlife2025 · August 19

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/280355#Comment_280355

Iris, that must be why I have been craving mash potatoes and gravy. I made old fashion fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy last night. 😀

Goodlife2025 · August 19

Beth thanks for the fair pics really enjoyed.

ronald71111 · August 20

Good morning,

Beth, looking good, eating and drinking good and having fun. That’s what life should be about!

Ron

harshedbuzz · August 20

Good morning, all. It's lovely here at the moment but we're due for heavy rain later. We do need the rain.

Lorita— Neutering a male cat once behaviors like aggression are part of the personality may not make a big difference. DS and I get a kick out of My Cat From Hell; it's amazing the changes he's able to make happen for families. I wonder if they need to film a dozen cats to get one who learns to behave.

Beth— That looks like the perfect summer outing. The ice cream looks amazing— mom would loves peppermint and is frustrated creameries here only make it around Christmas. Last January she bought out Uncle Dave's (DelVal University Creamery) at Wegman's; all 8 quarts were gone by Valentine's Day.

Did you enjoy the craft beer? What did you order? It looks like it might be an ale of some kind. I like an IPA myself but usually stick to the hazier NE styles lately.

You are really cute. I love your bangs— they're what folks asked for but so rarely get.

Iris— How does one observe National Potato Day?

Goodlife— Fried chicken and mashed potatoes are always good. Now I want some for dinner.
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DH had an excellent consult with the surgeon. He feels DH is stable for the moment and has turfed him to the Bicuspid Aortic Valve Clinic for monitoring. He's thinking maybe 2-3 years before surgery. After we went to my favorite cafe for happy hour— olives, oysters and a dry Riesling for him and mushroom toast and Chardonnay for me.

We left on an earlier train than was absolutely necessary based on schedules, but our train was late, it broke down 2 stations before ours, so we had to change when the next came in and then the return train was on-time but 3 cars instead of the usual 5 so crowded.

I probably need to do some hemming this weekend. Mom has a pair of knit athleisure pants that need hemming (tricky with scoliosis) and DS's scrub pants are a hair too long and will drag. He needs them Wednesday and she's leaving on Friday. I hope I have some navy thread in my stash. Since Joann closed it's not easy to find thread locally. I should just order some from Wawak I know I'm missing other basic colors.

HB

Lorita · August 20

Morning, we had thunder this morning and a little shower, enough that the girls went to the barn. Also got some in the bottom of the buckets I use to water plants. I wish it would rain all day but it's gone. Had groceries delivered and everything put away except canned dogfood. The delivery man said it was raining when he left town.

Having trouble this morning getting.Stormy's pain pill down him. It is about the size of a dime but thicker. Tried a powdered donut which he loves but he ate it and left the two pill halves.

Iris, I love potatoes any way they're fixed. Lots of times I have just a baked sweet potato with butter for Supper.

Enjoy the day. HB, wish we could get some of your rain.

jfkoc · August 20

Beth…thank for the outing…that is one big cow!!!

Lorita · August 20

Judith, look again. You're thinking of.going in the cattle business- you need to look twice and be sure.

Iris L. · August 20

Good morning.

Beth, what a wonderful day you had at the State Fair! I enjoyed the pictures.

HB, your mom has a lot of nice options.

GG, I'm glad you and your friend are enjoying yourselves. I remember Night of the Living Dead. I had nightmares after I first saw it.

Lorita, why is Sammy not yet neutered? My neutered Sammie will pounce on Adam but I think it's just cats nature to pounce and attack.

The big tabby is my cat Sammie. The white and grey kitten is one of the many feral cats that my HOA has allowed to live here. So far she has been impregnated twice, but I never saw any kittens. Sammie used to seem to be afraid of the ferals. This is the first time I have seen him and a feral close together. The feral was licking Sammie. Now they're buddies.

I saw this truck in my neighborhood. It is Ford's attempt at robotic driving. I couldn't tell if there was a driver in the truck or not.

Yesterday was my turn to host for our monthly Bunco game. We used to just provide snacks but now we provide a meal. I offered lower sodium ham and turkey and tuna sandwiches, also broccoli salad and potato salad. I also offered grapes and watermelon, and brownie bites and Italian ices for dessert. For beverages I offered Dasani water, flavored water, and peach iced tea and strawberry-kiwi lemonade from Snapple. Everyone seemed to enjoy the luncheon. I was pleased, because as a single woman, I was not used to hosting a large group of people. I'm happy people were satisfied.

Iris

Lorita · August 20

Sounds great, Iris. I bet they did enjoy it.. I don't know -just .never got him neutered. Mike said it might help.

Lorita · August 20

It's 103 and feels like 112. Guess the little shower really caused high humidity. Having trouble getting Stormy' s pain med down him. Haven't even attempted the glucosamine. I wrap it in food but somehow he detects it.. I used to wrap it in cheese but that doesn't seem to work much now.

BethL · August 20

HB, "Ruthie" is a lager. I chose it because I'm not adventurous - I knew I liked it! Here is a little bit about the woman the beer is named after. "Ruthie Fontanini (who later went by Ruthie Bisignano, among a handful of other names) was one of very few women—if not the only woman—that owned and operated a bar in Des Moines in the early 1950s. She became famous for that bar trick of balancing two pint glasses on her bosom, filling them, and serving them perched on her chest without ever touching them with her hands.

From politicians to traveling salesmen, everyone making their way through Iowa wanted to stop by and see Ruthie in action. And she knew it. Ruthie was a consummate businesswoman and charged 50 cents a pint when every other pub in town could only fetch 17 cents."

HB, my stepdad also loved peppermint ice cream and would stockpile it too!

More later - having some internet issues this afternoon.

Beth

jfkoc · August 20

OOPS!

harshedbuzz · August 20

@BethL OMG, I have heard of Ruthie and her namesake beer.

Heavy rain tonight and wind. The roof leak is doing its thing. Hopefully the roofers will be back to complete the repair soon.

I mended the armhole seams in 5 of DS's tees— 2 college alma mater and 3 railroads. Five different colors which meant swapping out thread and bobbin 5 times. I'll tackle pants on Saturday.

Thunder seems over so I'm headed up to soak in a warm bath.

HB

Lorita · August 20

Just kidding Judith. My cousin Patty called calves 'little cows'. Around here I know several Ranchers who call their cattle 'girls'.Charles got me started calling ours.girls. Still 102 here. I think it has been 20 days with temps of 100 and above..

BethL · August 20

GoodLife and Iris, I'm a day late for National potato day! But I did airfry some potatoes today with s/p, garlic powder and Parmesan. Did you make your mashed potatoes and gravy, GoodLife?

HB, hope you enjoyed the story about Ruthie the bar owner who balanced the beer glasses on her bosom. Ruthie's heirs actually sued the brewing company for using her likeness/name on their beer. It was settled out of court, confidentially, and the brewing company still uses her name and likeness. Speaking of beer, we have a brewery in our town - there are many in the Des Moines area - the one in our town specializes in "Blood Orange." So good!

I'm so glad your DH had an excellent visit with the CV surgeon. That's good news and worthy of celebrating at Happy Hour with tapas and good wine!

Hope all goes well with the search for a new living arrangement for your mom. Cross your fingers that this will make your life and her life easier. I'm sorry her vision is so poor.

Lorita, a baked sweet potato sounds so good! My son likes "Thanksgiving sweet potatoes" - with brown sugar and marshmallows.

GG, I hope you are enjoying your friend's visit. Does she go to the gym too?

Iris, your Sammie is a beautiful cat! I loved hearing about what you served at the Bunco party. It sounds really delicious!

Carl, hoping you get your roofing taken care of and that the insurance company does right by you.

Photos of Ruthie Bisignano

Carl46 · August 20

Beth, I've heard of the Iowa state fair all my life, thanks to the novel "State Fair" and the three movies based on the novel. I don't recall Ruthie being featured in them 🙄

I saw a poem in the July 27 New Yorker called "Mice." The last two lines are " . . . holy shit, they've stripped the soy-oil insulation from the wiring of your Toyota Highlander." I can't believe carmakers use edible parts, but they do.

ladyzetta · August 21

Hello Front Porch Rockers.

Lorita. Does Stormy like peanut butter? My DD puts her dogs meds in peanut butter, and pill pockets Fiona, then gobbles them right down.

Beth. I enjoyed your fair pictures. Those horses are beautiful. Do you ware a watch that counts your steps? I ware one that counts my steps and my sleeping times. You are a cutie and look so young. 😍 I'm glad you had a fun day at the fair.

HB. Sorry to hear your roof is still leaking, I hope its not a bigger problem then you think. That's good news from your DH, doctor. It's really nice your DM will have options. Im with you on the Chardonnays im enjoying a glass right now. Enjoy your Chardonnay while taking your warm bath.

GG. Relax and enjoy your friends visit.

Iris. Sounds like you overdid yourself hosting the Bonco Group, everything sounds so good. How many is in the group? Your Sammie kitty is so pretty. Looks like 3 of us has a cat named the same. Your Sammie, Loritas Sammy and my Sammy. Here is my Sammy, he just turned 5.

Not much happening on my end of the porch. It's been warm and smokey here so I have been staying in most of the time.

Take care all. Hugs Zetta

Lorita · August 21

Tell me about it, Carl. Talked with the service manager today about wrapping the wiring with the capsician tape.. I told her they're using GM parts so using the pepper tape should work. They may use the soy stuff because it's cheaper or molds better. I can't figure out how they get inside the car. I'm going to spray as much wiring I can see which isn't too much, with pepper mint oil mixed with tobasco.

Iris and Zetta, both your Sammy cats are beautiful. All three of our Sammys look different. I'll try peànut butter. I bought some pill pockets but they're the same texture as his glucosamine and he will have nothing to do with them.

Going to watch Lawrence and then go to sleep. Good night, sleep tight!

Goodlife2025 · August 21

HB - I miss Joann's so much - around here I am now stuck with Walmart or Hobby Lobby for any sewing notions. Just sad really sad. Also recently heard school systems are considering home economics course again. Most others in my life haven't a clue how to fix or sew anything.

Lorita - I have the same problem with my lab taking her meds. She can shuck them from just about anything I wrap them in.

Beth - I do make them both mashed potatoes and gravy from scratch. I have tried a package gravy before when in a pinch but I really don't care for them. Last evening our daughter was out of town and I was cooking for our son-in-law and one grand son. He was very surprised when I made the gravy from scratch. Yummy and hit the spot if I do say so.

Love the Ruthie story. She must have had one of those stiff bras from the 50's that helped that trick. 🤔 Blood Orange beer - sounds good.

Iris L. · August 21

Zetta, your orange Sammy is so handsome! Isn't it interesting that Sammie/Sammy is such a popular name for cats?

Lorita, I crush my cat Adam's three medications in order to add to his food. I'm not about to wrestle with a cat to get meds down his throat.

Good night.

ronald71111 · August 21

Good morning

Ron

Lorita · August 21

We had a heavy thunderstorm this morning and lots of people in three counties are out of power. Thank goodness for our generator. Went out to check the water tank and it's still sprinkling. We have had 1.5" of rain yesterday and this morning. So, no watering this morning.

Lorita · August 21

News said a little town about nine miles east of us had quite a lot of wind damage this morning. Mike just called to see if we had any damage. I can't see any but I didn't notice high wind. He said he was about four miles east of us about 6:15 this morning and it was blowing and raining so hard he stopped his truck and sat for a few minutes until it got better.. About a mile down the road from him it blew the roof off a MH and overturned an RV. Guess we lucked out. D. Just called to say his power is back on. He got 3" of rain one mile from me. So the farther east the worse it was, or better with more rain.

Goodlife, I got Stormy's pain med down him. Wrapped the two halves in cheese and gave him a little bite of cheese first then a doughnut. Will try to get the glucosamine later. Those are soft crews about 2/3rds the size of a marshmallow. Found one half of the pill but at least he got half. Also trimmed his nails.

Lorita · August 21

I just came back from the mailbox and was able to see the north end of the barn. It has two really big sliding doors that are open. Somehow the wind picked up the one on the east and flipped it up on top of the barn with one roller still attached to the railing. The other door is fine. Wind does odd things. I was worried that the sheet iron on the roof was damaged but looks ok. Forgot to look at the shutters. I have one maple whose leaves look like it does in the fall and the yard is covered in leaves..

jfkoc · August 21

Just rain here. Wish it would rain all day for several days.

Iris L. · August 21