Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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I'm not normally a worrier, but having a friend in the path of the Jolly Mountain Fire in WA, family too close to the Eagle Creek Fire in OR and my nephew's father refusing to evacuate Key West, is testing my resolve to only worry about things I can change.
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Sorry to hear that you know/care about many ( though we care for all ) that are in line for having to undergo the great possibility of fire. Sending prayers and positive energies and holding mental pictures of safety for all. A lot of things can get to me and fire is frightening -- not only the fire but all the damages that can take place from too much smoke. Fires really last too long as well.
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We restore the holiness of the world through our loving-kindness and compassion. Everyone
participates. It is a collective task. Every act of
loving-kindness, no matter how great or small, repairs
the world. All those ever born have shared this
collective work since the beginning of time.
Rachel Naomi Remen0 -
Thanks for all the good wishes. Irma is so overwhelming, I forget the rest of the world is life as usual. We have watched the Weather station 24/7 and the news just keeps getting worse.
My brother and my son's MIL left at 6:30am yesterday. What a nightmare their trip was! It took them over 9 hrs to get out of Fl- normally a 5 1/2 hr trip at most. They called my son to meet with them so he could grab his MIL, without adding extra time to my brother's trip. My son drove 2 hrs to the pickup spot, only to find out they were still 2 hrs south, and that was if traffic moved at a normal pace. My brother told my son to go back home and they would go to his house, mainly because it would get them off 95- the main highway. They got to my son's house at 1:30am. Took them 19 hrs to make a 10 hr trip. Two people who didn't know each other are now best friends.
The daughter on the "farm" has decided to go to her MIL in Boynton Beach. Not because it's safer, but because she is in her 70's and lives alone. Problem is every time they go, they swear they will never go again. She is very controlling and constantly yelling at the kids. Both her older children have begged their parents to not send them there alone.
My son is still set on staying in his third floor apartment, but he brought one of his in-law's car to my house and managed to get it into my garage, along with mine.
Middle daughter decided to go to oldest daughter's in-laws, because she couldn't find anyone to drive out of Fl with her- thank goodness she didn't end up in that traffic fiasco. Nancy's in-laws live in Naples. If you've been watching the hurricane updates, you may have heard that Naples is one of the worst places to be because of the storm surges. They keep saying that you can hide from the wind, but you can't survive drowning. Real encouraging. So they shuttered their house this morning, and are now on their way to Alabama- with my daughter, grandson and our 2 dogs. Tracy was smart enough to bring some air mattresses with her.
Survivors of Hurricane Andrew tend to not really pay attention to the warnings until a guy named Brian Norcross comes on the air. He was on the air all the way through Hurricane Andrew, keeping people whose homes were blowing apart calm. His voice was very calming and he kept assuring people who could reach him by phone that they were not alone and help would be on the way asap. He has since moved from a network newscaster to working at the Hurricane Center. Didn't see him until probably Tues, and that was a short pre-taped message. He is alive and well and on TV again. Each day he is on a little more and we all know he will be on the air 24/7 once Irma hits. I and I think most people know he is just a man and can't make the storm go away, but he is like a candle in the darkness, reminding us that this too shall pass.
Prayers for all Floridians and any one else in the path. We are keeping a close watc on Atlanta's forecast and will head west if needed
Anne
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Stay safe, all of you—the projected track has Irma reaching middle TN while still a tropical depression before it breaks up over northwestern KY or even southern IL.
Meanwhile, I’m worried about my octogenarian cousins in Aventura—FB-messaged them that if they can escape, they’re welcome to stay with us. One of their daughters from Delray is vacationing in Seattle (good timing); another from Hollywood hasn’t checked in yet; and their son, a Daytona Beach cop, has to stay put in case he is needed as a first responder. Latest projections have Irma making landfall at Naples-Ft. Myers and heading up the Gulf coast, with the Atlantic coast getting the eastern edge. By the time it poops out it might have reached all the way up to southern IL.
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When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother
would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people
who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember
my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there
are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world.
Fred Rogers0 -
Well, I'm sending a lot of thought, prayers, and a pleas to the Universe to bring everyone through safely. Anne, I'm so glad that your family all made plans to vacate and find safer places. Sandy, thinking of all those on your list as well.
I'm making some plans to animal sit again ( two different households--different times ) so am staying occupied while listening to nothing but storm news on t.v. and radio. So glad that I have a radio in my little office, but have turned it off for a while. The non-stop reports sometimes just gets to me as I tend to be thinking of people, animals, property -- it starts to get so hard to think of such total upheaval on all fronts.
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I decided to 'catch' some spider webs in the corners in our bathroom. Took down the curtains because I noticed they were dusty; vacuumed the window corners & the blind; moved into the bedroom & did the same with the two windows there (except the curtains..they looked good); got the corners in that room & my closet; went into the hall & moved the bookcase to clean corners & baseboards and finally stopped with the front entry. I think I have started a late spring or early fall cleaning!
Tired now...going to read until dinner!
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Anne....been keeping close tabs on Irma and thinking of you and your family. Thanks so much for your updates and hope you'll be able to continue informing all of us of how y'all are doing as this horrible storm gets closer.
You were so right when you said it's difficult to imagine normal life is going on elsewhere while the possibility of devastation of life and property is all around you. Please stay safe and I'll continue having positive thoughts that all will be well for you and your family after Irma passes.
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Yep. I have started some kind of big clean! All curtains & drapes are down and now the windows need to be cleaned. H is hiding; so is S!
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We were at the beach today and the waves were stacked in fours rolling in with long wavelengths. I cannot be sure it is effects of Irma (we usually get surf when storms are about 700 miles south), or if it is the other weather pattern that is moving north and pulling Irma to turn north.
It was so peaceful there, even with the big waves and limited swimming. I found it hard to believe that elsewhere people were undergoing so much stress and disaster. We have had our share of hurricanes here on Long Island and we've always been fine. I have always had a gas stove and hot water heater, which allowed us to cook and take showers. After Gloria, I had a line of friends over for showers. We also have a small generator that could run the fridge.
Ann you have a lot to think about with your kids spread out and the storm about to make its power known.
I am praying and expecting to hear that everyone is safe and able to go home to a sound structure.
I made blueberry pancakes today and had them for breakfast. I have been tired every since!
Falling asleep....will try to check in more often.
Wren, I also am concerned about my friend I just visited in Montana. She is in Flathead Lake valley and the smoke just sits low every day. There are multiple fires, including the Glacier NP fire. Another friend from BCO has her vacation home in the Cascades and fires there were 8 miles away. Scary...0 -
Grace has been defined as the outward expression
of the inward harmony of the soul.
- William Hazlitt0 -
Thinking of all as the storm bears down on Fla. Some of the pictures are hard to watch in that most are at the stage where it is no longer safe to summon help. I'm thinking of an earlier broadcast where the newsperson talked about a homeless person she could see in the street. It is said the winds and water will be an all day affair.
Got my car ( as well as some smaller items ) done yesterday. Nice to have some things out of the way for a bit. They are all of the nature that always starts needing a repeat performance shortly after they are done. Anyway, will get back to some of my regular things today. Hope you are all well and that those in the storm are safe and will stay so.
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I lived in Key West for two years back in the early 70s. I loved it there; so pretty and fun. I walked to work every day. I also lived in the Tampa area in the late 70s. I met my husband when he was stationed at MacDill AFB. I still have friends there, as well as in Orlando and Gainesville. This is so hard to watch.
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Hi everyone,
I got a text from my son (still in Fl)that our neighbor texted him that our shed was gone. We had cleaned out about half of it this summer, but our Christmas tree and some decorations, were in there, as well as my granddaughter's bike. I really don't know what else was in there, but whatever was there is gone .
Then my daughter who is in Alabama got a text from the same neighbors. Sami had gone on our front porch to get out of the wind, and have a cigarette. Her son was with her, and heard banging, so he looked thru the front windows and saw the vertical blinds blowing. Sami got the key we left with her and realized the sliding glass door in our family room had come off the track. She said there is quite a bit of damage, but they were able to get the door back on the track, and cleaned up as much of the flooding as possible. I've been trying to call my insurance company since then, with no luck. Then I tried the website. At the top of the page it has a box "Report Hurricane Irma here" and next to that "Report Hurricane Harvey here". I can't get thru that way either. While I don't know the extent of the damage yet, I want to get a claim started. Sami can't get any pictures thru, or phone calls- all she can do is text. My son is going to go over tomorrow to see what's going on. I told him not to go until they say it is safe. I texted Sami to thank her, and said, "Okay, everyone is safe, the shed is gone, the family room damaged, but is my new kitchen okay?" Haven't gotten an answer yet.
Will keep you updated
Anne
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At least you're OK, that's what counts! Been watching most of the da on the weather channel.
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Anne, I am sorry to hear about the damage to your home. I hope the interior is not damaged and that your family and friends are safe.
Today at our Sunday Service, we had a missionary family from Barbuda and Antigua. They are back here for 10 months then they go back. They showed a beautiful video of the local people there. Such poverty, but such beautiful smiles. There is little doubt that those homes are no longer standing. And another hurricane right behind Irma.
It was such a beautiful week end here, so calm and clear. We truly appreciated what we have and enjoyed the beach and a boat ride on the bay. We all experience trials along our life journeys; but I have never experienced loss or suffering like the people in Houston, the Caribbean, and now Florida. Our country is so large and it is hard to help out. I have some contacts who may be able to direct me to where I can send some needed clothing or donations.
Just thinking out loud...and appreciating each day.
Back to work tomorrow...I am feeling very challenged as I recently had major oral surgery. I have two classes to teach and it is still difficult for me to say certain sounds...and it is worse when I talk a lot or get tired. I don't know how it will go, but I will try my best.
JoanSeptember 11th...May we treasure our freedom.
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My relatives are fine: my octogenarian cousins were with their oldest daughter in her home in Davie; their middle daughter’s in Seattle; and their son the cop in Daytona is fine, waiting to hear if he’ll be needed elsewhere. Not sure whether my sis & BIL have their fishing cottage on Big Pine Key—saw video of damage in Islamorada and it’s pretty extensive. But it made it through both Andrew & Wilma, so you never can tell. (And they literally can’t—no power down there, the neighbors are also seasonal & transient, no phone, no way to get there as bridges are washed out). My sis never goes there—it’s pretty primitive—and my BIL goes down a couple of times a year to unwind and fish like crazy. He still has his hunting cabin in WV.
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Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
- Mary Anne Radmacher0 -
Anne, sorry about the damage but thankful it wasn’t worse.
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Anne, count me in as well being happy that you had good neighbors to stand in for you with your patio door. Whew!!!! Hoping that it will turn out not difficult to manage and repair. Prayers for all of your family for their safety and well being continue as well as for you.
Sandy, glad to get your news as well. I think it is going to be a long haul for those in Texas as well as Fla. and I am concerned that there is further hurricane activity going on so thoughts and prayers will be on the tip of my pen for some time to come I think.
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It is a relief that for now the storms are past - although I know that some rains are still spreading across the region.
I am glad to hear that damages among our friends here are manageable.I worked from 8am to 9:45pm today and am still up...trying to unwind. But I have to get up soon and start again - shorter day on Tuesday.
Have a good tomorrow, everyone.
Joan
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Being retired doesn't mean not working! I cleaned one bathroom mini-blind (took it outside to scrub, rinse & hang to dry) and the window. Also just finished hanging several freshly washed throw rugs. I guess I will do one window everyday until I finish..except my bedroom, living room & kitchen (2 windows each).
I got a bit of a scare this morning. I was here on the computer, doing some paperwork for an upcoming oncology appointment, when I heard movement in the kitchen. I thought it was odd because I was alone in the house; H was at the dentist and then had to go to the DMV to renew his license. I looked at the clock -10:24-too soon for him to be back. I thought :Okay, you're alone in the house; someone is in the kitchen; so are the knives, the landline and your cellphone; what are you going to do? I couldn't get to the front door without being seen, so I looked around the room I was in...a curtain rod! Well, it was sturdy enough to give a good wallop to the head & then I could get to the backyard & out the gate or the curved part was sharp enough to do some serious damage to a face. I moved quietly to the kitchen ready for whatever (& scared at the same time).
My son is in the kitchen, going through the desk, looking for something.
Why aren't you at work?
I'm on lunch.
At 10:30 in the morning?
Tuesday is crazy, I'm on a desk from 11-1, then on call from 1-3. This is the only available lunch time.
What are you doing here?
I need an envelope & stamp to give to Don (his supervisor) so he can mail my practicum waiver application, after he signs it.
This couldn't wait until tomorrow?
No, it was due last week, but the school extended the deadline because of the storm. I need to get this in by next week.
That's when he spotted the curtain rod.
Were you going to hit me with that?
Yep.
I imagine I was a topic of conversation when he got back to the library and it will trickle down to former co-workers that I 'attacked' my only child with a curtain rod!
Should make for a few laughs. 0 -
Our lives are to be used and thus to be lived as fully as possible,
and truly it seems that we are never so alive as when
we concern ourselves with other people.
- Harry Chapin0 -
Poppy, that is just too funny. I hear noises too, but since we have household furries around here, I'm usually convinced they are up to something. Worked last night and then went to an in-service lesson, came home to do my morning chores. Had a small bit to eat and then slept for about an hr. and a half. I'll do a bit of baking and make something for supper ( a little early ). Then try for another doze. Back to work tonight at 7 p.m. I will also work on the week-end.
Hope I'm up to all this.
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~IllinoisLady~
I remember shifts like that. They weren't too bad when I was younger, but they got harder to do as I got older. My usual schedule ran something like this: I worked 8a-5p Mon.,Tue.,Thur., & Fri.; 12p-9p Wed.; every 3rd Sat. (8a-5p) & every 6th Sun.(12p-5p). If I worked a weekend day, I would get all-day Friday off for Saturday & Friday afternoon off for Sunday; if I worked the whole weekend I got Thursday afternoon off for Sunday & all day Friday for Saturday. Every six weeks, I would work 10 1/2 days straight. That late night changed with each department I worked in & with each manager/supervisor I had, but the weekend schedule didn't.
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Happy Birthday, Jackie
Hope your day goes exactly the way you want it to!
You deserve only the best. You are the glue that keeps all us crazy peopletogether!
Thank you for being you and always, always encouraging and supportive.
You have walked with me through some of my darkest moment during my tx, and you have also helped me thru all the craziness that is in my life.
Anne
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Happy Birthday, Jackie. Celebrate for a week at least.
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Thank you --- so far a fantastic birthday. I'm grateful to be alive and continue having the opportunity ( hope the ability can make a match ) to do things that help the world at large and those I love in particular. Work is hectic at the moment with three jobs coming all at once, but nothing is static so it is for now just a busy interlude.
Anne and Wren,your words bring a spring to my heart and a tear to the eye, but then again -- one of the biggest reasons to be alive and on Earth is to help one another along the way. Every day of my life someone has helped me in some way and no other way to show my appreciation than to try in whatever way I can to help back.
Hoping the sun shines for all today. Prayers still for Texas and Fla.
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Thank you Joyce -- life is a good thing. Where would I be without it, huh !!! I'm 72 today -- or as of about 10 a.m. this morning and it is about 12:30 p. m. here right now. Dh gets off work a bit earlier today -- about 3:30 -- so a little time to spend with him before I go to work at 7 tonight. He has been putting in some crazy hours too.
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