Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Cooler this week and that is so welcome for so much of what we will be having to do. Storms seemed to have moved out and that is good. I can get busy with a lot of projects that are just un-pleasant to do in hot, humid weather.

Extra work yesterday but only a couple of hours so not bad. Still getting the over-abundance of my cousin's garden with tomatoes. Our yard, despite having lost some trees the past few yrs. remains way too shady for a garden. Glad to still have tomatoes that are fresh and home grown.

Still laboring under the need to get a walking program and regular exercise going again. It is starting into 'have too' territory. My clothes while still fitting are doing so a whole lot differently then they were two or three months ago so I can't put it off any long. Figuring the cooler weather will allow me to get out and get walking which is one of the best all round exercises for older young people to do. I have one of those stretchy bands as well --- and that works great when you are sitting watching t.v.

Anyway, off and running for the day. See you all later.

It's a lovely cool, sunny day in east central Illinois today. There is a nice breeze and it's near to perfect! I bowled this morning and then had to make a grocery run so I missed quite a bit of the day but I'm enjoying it now.

Carole, travel safely back to the south! We won't be heading south until January 1st.

Jackie, my yard is alot like your yard....to shady to grow much of anything. One of my friends gave me a lovely purple aster plant for my birthday. I have watered it faithfully and have tried it in all different spots in the yard but it is nearly dead. My neighbor tells me that I don't have enough sun anywhere in the yard to sustain an aster so.......

I'm off to enjoy the outdoors for a bit. I hope everyone is having a great day.

You cannot fail at being yourself.A cat doesn't try to be a tiger, and you shouldn't try to be something you aren't.You are a process, not a product.Your job is to discover what you are and to create that creature. You still won't be perfect, but success isn't about perfection--it is about authenticity.You are a success if you are being your real, authentic self.

I'm envious of the cool temps you have Jackie. We're still pretty warm here, around 100, and hot dry winds have been fueling the fires here in CA. It's not unusual, but I'm so very ready for cooler temps. It's heartbreaking when we see all the fires all over the state. My DSIL is a firefighter, and even if he's not out on a fire, he gets forced with overtime to cover for those who are out on the lines. with the heather here, allergies are rampant. I started taking mine again this morning. You had me drooling yesterday talking about those homegrown tomatoes. We don't have the room for a garden here so I really miss the flavors of real tomatoes!

Hope you all have a good day also.

Sandra, hope your DH continues to gain strength. Take care.

Hi everyone,

My cousin just emailed to tell me her husband is terminal- do they still use that word? He has amyloidosis. He has been sick for almost a year now, and has gone steadily downhill, regardless of any treatments. But they have never hinted that he might not recover from this. They just went to the Mayo Clinic and after a general check-up, the Dr asked how he has felt since he stopped chemo. Marshall said pretty much the same, and that's when the Dr said there is nothing else to do. He also mentioned that Marshall has melanoma as well as the amyloidosis. My cousin has asked me to ask if any of you have ever known anyone with this, and most of all wants to know if anyone has any ideas of other methods of healing this, besides conventional medicine.

I am working on trying to find grants and scholarships for my grandson. His parents can't afford to pay for college, and I can't help. It is extremely frustrating. I have had a lot of trouble getting on the sites, and now that I am on, I click on the apply button, and nothing happens.

I have also had to call back the cleaning service I had for the wedding. My house is not getting cleaned well by my daughter- she does a top cleaning, which includes vacuuming and mopping the floors, cleaning the countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, and swiping the toilets. In her defense, she does work full time, but I did a better job when I was working and raising 5 kids.

I "picked-up" today before they came. It was a great awakening to me. The three grandchildren that have rooms here- the one that lives here and the other two that are here every afternoon have no idea what "clean your room" means. I know that my DD has no organization skills- it is part of her learning disabilities, but I guess their dad isn't interested in helping them learn how either. Cleaning up to them means take it off the floor and put it on top of any furniture, or shove it into the closet or a corner. Doug's problem is mainly not bringing his dishes, cups and wrappers out of his room.

The worst of it is that every where I tried to put something away was a total mess. I cleaned out the pantry, and Victoria, Kayden, and Alexandria's clothes, but everywhere I look, I find things that need to be cleaned, like under the sink, or a drawer in the kitchen. I guess with all the traveling, I just haven't noticed. Guess I won't be complaining about being bored for awhil

Anne

Anne, I am sorry to hear that your cousin's Dh is terminal. I think the word is still used. I am un-aware of anything else that can be done but it never hurts to look at and research ( quickly ) anything that might present. We never know when the time will come for new discoveries. I do not see it as a high possibility here as you probably don't either, but I don't believe in giving up hope because we never know which soul will be the one who comes by a miracle.

I hope you are able to figure out some way to help your grandson. Since I don't get along most of the time well at all with computers I can feel the frustration big time. Do you think it is not working because maybe they are out of funds right now?

Frustrating too that things can't get cleaned up. At least the kids rooms, but it takes a lot of energy to "keep" on checking and having the kids do their rooms. I've certainly that feat that kids have of hanging things on the floor in the corner on in the middle of an un-made beg. The young ones don't make it easy. Sounds like a case of having to clean before the cleaning lady comes. Hope it all gets better and you don't have to fret over it so much.

Woke up to rain beginning shortly after I got up. Looks calm now. I have something of a sore throat. Been fighting my sinuses and it simply could be that as I feel just fine. So, keeping my fingers crossed.

Hope you all have a good and if possible non-rainy day though we are getting those cooler temps. so I can't complain. It is easy to be outside as of late.

Getting caught up on posts, Sandra, so happy to read your good news!

I just got back from 6 days in South Carolina, went on a birding trip with Roadscholar (formerly Elderhostel). There were 13 participants and the 2 guides. Migrant birds hadn't arrived yet so less birds than I was expecting, but did see my first ever Clapper Rail. Very interesting evening programs. A woman brought some of her injured birds that are being used for education since they can't be returned to the wild - a Turkey Vulture, 2 screech owls, a Barred Owl and an American Kestrel. Another evening 2 men came who sew sweet grass baskets.

So now I'm catching up on everything.

Sandy, this is my third Roadscholar trip and I've enjoyed each one. The first one was in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, an island in Lake Erie. That had the least amount of walking and hiking, had a variety of educational things besides the birding, excellent food and we stayed in B&B's. Second one was in SE Arizona, more hiking but it was labeled as moderately active so I expected it, more for hard core birders, we birded from breakfast to supper, stopping only for lunch and potty breaks. Excellent guides, I got 3 new birds and was thrilled with the experience. Food was good and we stayed at a nice motel. This last one had some hiking involved but all on level ground, it was more the heat and humidity that made the hikes a little harder but certainly do-able. This last one had a chef that cooked just for our group, overall healthy (except for the sinfully good desserts), and lodging was excellent, individual cabins with private baths for the single and double rooms. What I like about the Roadscholar trips is all expenses are covered, once you get there all programs, transportation (even the boat trip across Lake Erie to Canada), no tipping, all meals and lodging - are included in the price and so far I've felt the prices are reasonable. These were all small groups, 12 or 13 people plus the 2 guides. There's also a wide range of activities and interests offered in the programs - golfing, hiking, biking, sailing, museums, touring wineries, cruises, etc.

The second trip had more free time throughout the week, and they made sure we knew we could do our own thing at any time but just to let the leader know if we were going off on our own for the afternoon so they wouldn't be waiting for us.

Anne, ( Puffin ), if you were a travel agent, I think you could sell a lot of 'birding' trips. Your descriptions make it sound like something great all wrapped up together. Good times, good food, just the right amt. of challenge and variety. You almost couldn't ask for more.

Coolish day today. We had showers ( not totally expected ) yesterday and the gray is getting tiresome. We do get a bit of sun between the storms which has helped me but overall I'm definitely not at my best when the there is not enough color and sun in the day. We will see about today. Even if cloudy hopefully we won't have rain. Fingers crossed.

Had to think about the above quote and wasn't even sure I should put it in ---- but then I really saw how you can use the adverse times in your life in a way that helps you to stay at a good functioning level. The negative moments do help us learn to FIND our strength, and worthiness and ability. Realism at its best.

Hoping our rain issues are truly behind us for now. Coolness will still be the order though a temperature spike one day maybe. I mainly rely on the weatherman ( and not too heavily often ) for an idea of expectations knowing how quick weather patterns can go awry here. Years ago, and not sure how it is not, when we lived in California --- you pretty much always got what your local weatherman said you would. It has never been that way here but the last few yrs. have really magnified that. So --- I think we will be fine. Hopefully weather ( though I'll wait a day or two yet ) will soon be just right to give my car another GOOD car wash. Soon, it will be too cool outside to 'hose' down much of anything.

Hope you all have a fantastic day.

Jackie

Seed Sally --- yes I have heard something very similar. I think the one saying that did say the same thing but just with less time. I really think the global warming patterns have changed things so much here. For instance, this time of yr. is usually starting to back off from really high heat to quite tolerable. The difference this yr. was all the rain. We just don't get near as much as we have this yr. When we first came we didn't turn our a/c till last week of July and maybe first weeks of August. A couple of years we have had to turn it on in June. So we will see how it goes -- they say a hard winter this yr., but they said it last yr. and it never came. Sigh !!!!! I've come to expect anything and do my best to tolerate what comes.

Our highest predicted temperature for the next 10 days is 62. I'm going to pack up my summer shirts except for the layering ones.

You are a child of the universe, "fearfully and wonderfully made."
In the history of creation, there has never been anyone like you.
Accept this reality about yourself—that you are a special, unique
human being who has a place on this earth that no one else can fill. Acknowledge yourself as a glorious expression of your loving Creator.
This healthy self-love will form the foundation of a joyful and
satisfying life. Then, as you love and accept yourself, your inner
light will shine outward to bless and heal your fellow human beings.

Douglas Bloch

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I'd read your posts about the dentist and then had a friend post this on FaceBook so thought it might give you a chuckle! I used to HATE my dentist until I found the right one and the BEST hygienist. Good luck Anne!

Bonnets, I'm doing the same with my clothes. The high for this week is supposed to be 65. Lows are 49-51. It smells like fall and the leaves agree.

I don't like the dentist, but I show up for regular cleanings. It seems to keep the rest of it at bay.