Better now

And now it would seem that I have my administrator function on both machines.  Hooray!

Half back

This morning when I was complaining about my computer problems to David we suddenly realized that by setting up the gmail account I had screwed up my Shaw e-mail, so maybe Shaw tech support might be able to help.  It took most of the morning but I can now get into the blogs.  But only on the desk top, the laptop still has some sort of problem, which may just be that I don't have my administrator privileges there, but can post  as usual.  That would be fine with me, I'm sick of the whole thing.  However, this means that my fndlmous e-mail will be out under the "contact us" section of the website for the next few weeks.  I just hope no body sees it.  So from your point of view, it is business as usual.

So what have I been doing?  Spending far too much time sorting out e-mail.  I didn't even get to play poker last night.  But I have been reading a lot.  Last Thursday we brought home four books, from the library, that had to be returned within a week, or great penalties.  Thick hard cover books.  Finished the last one this morning.  One was a new author--Lee Child.  I think I'll have to look for more by him.  And one was from the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson.  I've been enjoying that series..

I now have my splint off during the day.  There is deformity.  It almost looks as though the first inter-phalangeal joint is dislocated a bit.  This is a surprize as it's the other joint that now has a  more or less permanent bend.  Not complaining though, and I see the doctor in a week, and can ask then.  At least |I can now wash my hands thoroughly.  And for that I am grateful.

The big $1.00 sale

I forgot to tell you about the big $1.00 sale at No Frills. The only thing I actually bought was bottled water for my trip. I haven't used bottled water for almost two years now since all that propaganda came out about health issues and since we were perfectly able to use our own well water in metal drinking jugs. But, the bottle water will be needed for my trip and I have been watching the prices waiting for a lower than usual deal. Well, I found it ....15 bottles (500 ml) of water for the price of $1.00 - so I bought two cases! I am tired tonight but the first game of the Stanley Cup starts tonight and I have to ask myself "do you really need to watch this?" I often think that I watch only for something to do to wind down in the evenings and even then I usually don't last much longer than the end of the second period. My life is so exciting, eh?  I received the latest edition of the Canadian Quilting Association Journal today in mail, so maybe I'll just cuddle up with it tonight and forego the hockey!  There is an article on FAN and I quickly turned to that page hoping to see a work of art by Pat Findlay, but alas, not so. Take care

Spectacular display

The "light show" last night that ran for about four or five hours, was spectacular but frightening. I have never seen the night sky lite up so brightly for such a sustained period of time. The frequent brilliant shots of fork lightening and subsequent thunder blasts were a stark reminder of the dangerous situation it could turn into. The rain was torrential, and the sump pump was just not able to keep up with the huge amount of water coming down, so I just gave up and let it accumulate. I certainly was not going to step outside to clear the pump - not with the lightening as it was. The winds never amounted to anything stronger than a stiff breeze so for that I was thankful. This morning there was little damage to observe around the yard, and the garden and plants were well watered.
We spent some time at Mike's place in North Bay today although he was at work and we did not see him. Harry planted his window boxes and hanging baskets, and I did up his sink and counter full of dirty dishes. He called us when he got home from work and was very appreciative of what we did for him -that always makes it worth while. Tomorrow is another busy day which includes a trip to Mothers place to plant more, and water, and check the house, and take some tomato plants to the neighbour that has always for years done the grass cutting and snow blowing there. Also when Mother was alive, he  went over to her place if we called him eg if the phone was off the hook, he would walk over and fix it. He always kept an eye on her place for us which was a comfort. For example, he would always look over in the morning to see if the dining room light was on, and if so, then he knew she was up and having breakfast and thus OK. Time for bed as I didn't get much sleep last night - too much time sitting at the window watching the rain and lightening. Take care

Watches and warnings

We wait in dreaded anticipation as the weather warning for tonight calls for severe thunderstorms, torrential rains and possibility of a tornado. I have set up the sump pump outside, and closed up the greenhouses hiding some bedding plants in there for protection although if a tornado comes through I'm not sure the plants will be safe anywhere! On a bright note though, it won't freeze tonight so I need not fear frost and no need to cover up haha  Glad to see you sent Patty the recipe Cathy - now we can all make salmon balls. But you are right as well - that we have to wait until it goes on sale. Tomorrow we go to North Bay (if we are not blown away tonight) and No Frills ( where we mostly shop) has a Big $1.00 sale - lots of articles on for only $1.00 including salmon so maybe I'll be able to stock up.
I took my second water sample (from the well) into the Health Unit this morning and hoping to get back another positive report. I have also completed my application for OAS and shall mail it tomorrow - not that I can get any money until I am eligible next year but it is another one of those "life moments" that  has an impact on me so is worth noting. My hair is driving me crazy because it is getting too long and because it is straight, tends to flop, and hang all over my face - I have to clip it back and then I look stupid ( I claim it is the clips that makes me look stupid but you can make up your own opinion haha) I may have to make an appt earlier than I wished for a cut and perm - I was hoping to put it off longer so it will be closer to my departure. I watched a movie on TV last night - I guess all regular programming has come to a seasons end and they fill in with movies but for me it was great fun. It was called It's Complicated with Merle Strepp, Alex Baldwin and Steve Martin. I quite enjoyed watching it and helped to settle me down after a busy day. Speaking of which, I had to go into the Pharmacy this morning and so I sat in the help yourself Blood pressure machine as I do periodically, and was pleasantly surprised to see a lower, more normal BP rather than my usual high BP - wonder why? Could have anything to do with my pending trip? Well, better go and get ready for bed - another busy day awaits me if I can get through the night with the severe weather warnings looming! Take care

Salmon Ball Casserole

2 - 7 3/4 ox cans salmon
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 egg
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 - 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup water

Put salmon in casserole.  Add rice, carrot, onion, egg, salt & pepper
Mix together well
Shape into balls and leave in casserole (16 balls fit into 9x9 dish)
Mix soup and water together
Pour over salmon balls
Bake at 350 for 1 hour

makes 5 -6 servings  ( I think they are servings for anorexics)

It is really good.  It is just that Jim loves salmon loaf  ( and it was good)  I was going to make hamburger soup today, but I took the hamburger out and all I could think of was goulash and mashed potatoes.  Guess what we had for supper!?!  Tomorrow I wll roast a chicken since I have to go back to work on Monday.  I had to go in on Friday to help with the accounting program and I saw all the work that will be waiting for me on Monday.. I think I will be tired by the end of the day... Leftovers will be good

Squirrels

for the past couple of years, we have had a grey squirrel, with white ears, visit our feeder.  We figured that the ears had been frozen, like you sometimes see on cats. This spring the squirrel was engaging in flirtatous behaviour  the scruffiest thing you've ever seen, and we realized that it was a female.  Over the past couple of years, she has been just about the only grey we've seen, as the red squirrels are much more aggressive and chase away the greys, but this year there seem to be very few red squirrels ( although I've seen a tail hanging down out of the garage roof across the back, where there is usually a nest).  There has been a lot of grey squirrel action around the feeder, and the the other day I saw White Ears at the feeder with two smaller ones, and realized that  there had been babies. Then yesterday, she was there again and I called David to take a look, and she had four little ones with her!  They are so cute! And they all have white on their ears--so it must be genetic, not accidental.  I think they relax in our yard as the rhubarb is right beside the feeder and they have shelter from the crows.

Yes, there was a frost warning last night, accompanied with chances of ice pellets or rain.  Quite cold , so the furnace is on again.  The basement was cold, as well, and we needed the heat for the rhubarb wine that David has in the primary.  Most of our chemicals were quite old, so he bought everything new for this batch.  All I can say, Beth is that it's been cold and wet here for over a week.  Some of it is sure to head your way soon.

Right now there are two men in the yard next door creating topiary out of the cedar trees.  I'm dying to know what it's going to look like when they finish. We got out on our bicycles this morning.  Having decided that we can't afford to eat breakfast at Tim's anymore, we had to find a new route to cycle.  So we went with trying to stay with a cross wind, which, this morning meant choosing east/west routes.  Worked quite well.