The Friday Five ~ October 10th

1000_F_211914291_Qs09VKAaEx15YWyQu8MYNEGTTffPyDeEAnother week has flown by. In a month, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, and after that, Christmas. The older I get, the faster time goes by. So, here is this week’s Friday Five.

  1. Well, here we are, October 10th. Today was the day I woke up to freezing temperatures, so I had to turn on the heat. I hated to.89452363-5c6c-4779-9d63-9a4097da9eeaI try every year to put it off. However, when Heidi is in a sweater and I’m wearing a turtleneck with a polar fleece jacket, it is time to flip the switch and take the chill out of the air.
  2. My Medicare Plus package arrived. For the first time in many years, the cost has remained the same. I have to say, this plan covered me quite well. After all the difficulties with my eye, the issue has been covered.
  3.   Heidi has a date with the groomer on Sunday. Madison has been a God-send for Heidi. My Vet prescribed a special shampoo to help soothe Heidi’s allergy. She is also getting her nails clipped because they cause more harm when the itchiness gets her going.
  4. I like to sleep in a cool room. I love to sleep under warm blankets and comforters. Nothing I had fit the bill. I saw a winter-weight comforter. I wasn’t paying too much attention, but I just ordered one. A friend told me it was also weighted and might be hard to move under. Last night I used it for the first time. I loved it! I snuggled right down and slept better than I had in a long time.
  5. And lastly, this weekend is the Sandwich, NH Fair. I have always loved going, but have missed it for a while.Oct 12 024

    But this weekend I will break out my coat, hat, and gloves, and off I will go. As you can see, I get along with old goats pretty well!

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And Just Like That…

…Covid has come to call again!

It started last week. I felt icky—a slight cough, a little congestion, no appetite, and no taste for food. By Friday, I was running a fever and spent the day in my pajamas.

I took a COVID-19 test, and the first one was negative. But I kept feeling worse, and on Saturday, I took another test, and that was positive.

For whatever reason, COVID-19 has returned.

I ordered my groceries, drinks, and food that was easy to get down, and Heidi and I prepared for long naps.

My fever broke on Monday, and I have a bit more energy today, Wednesday. I still plan naps with Heidi, but I may actually be able to get a few things done.

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The Friday Five ~ September 26th

Aug 1 002

I was looking for a theme for this week’s Friday Five, but really couldn’t find one. So here is a mishmash of thoughts from my week.

  1. My gutters were in bad shape. In fact, I had portions of my field growing in them. Since we had decided I no longer climb ladders, I called several leaf/gutter companies.  I got quotes, and last week they were installed.
  2. On Wednesday, we had torrential rain. It was a dark night, and suddenly I began to hear unfamiliar sounds. I did not sleep well after that. As the day dawned, I could see where the noise was coming from. The new gutters!
  3. I have binge-watched an enjoyable show. “Leanne” on Netflix. I have always loved Leanne Morgan, and her TV show does not disappoint!
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  4. Last week, the Class of 1975 from my high school held its 50th Reunion. As I looked through their pictures, I thought about where I will be next year when I have my 50th Reunion. I plan to go back to Cape Cod, rent a small cottage, and reminisce. See my classmates, walk the beaches near my childhood home, and lay flowers on the graves of many of my loved ones.
  5. I’ve decided that before attending the reunion, I will have my hair and makeup done professionally.  Life has not been kind to my body or my face.  I will also shop for a cute outfit.

Well, that wraps it up for the last Friday of September 2025. I think 2025 has raced by.

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Have a great weekend!

The Friday Five ~Sept 19th

Aug 1 002

This week was full, full, full. I even had to set the alarm so I was up and dressed when crews arrived.  So here goes, on what happened.

    1. A representative from Leaf Filter came by and provided me with a quote. I liked their product, and my gutters were in dire need of repair.
    2. The quote was good, and they could start the job on Thursday. All this was perfect!
    3. On Wednesday, I took Heidi to the Veterinarian.  She has an eye infection, and I am concerned about her rear legs. She seems to rock her legs, not moving normally, more like a cowboy who has been too long in the saddle.
    4. She has Luxating Patellae. At least there is a fix for this. Surgical. But dogs usually handle it all well.
    5. And lastly, today is my mammogram day. Oh, joy!

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September 11, 2001

I think we can all recall where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day in September.

September 11, 2001

It was a beautiful day here in New Hampshire. Sunny, bright, clear with blue skies. I was taking a shower and getting ready for a dental appointment, while Jack was working on shingling the house. It was a day like any other here.

Jack had the TV in our bedroom pointed out the window so he could listen to the morning news.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm, and Jack told me I had to get out of the shower now; something was happening. I was a little dazed and confused. I shut the water in the shower off and grabbed my towel.

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Jack and I sat in our family room watching Fox News, ABC, and CNN. A plane had hit one of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in downtown New York City. Jack, as a former Airline Pilot, knew immediately that it was no accident.

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While we watched, suddenly another plane came in and hit the other Tower!
We were both in shock. We listened to reports. No one was saying terrorism, not at first. But both Jack and I knew.

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I look at this picture, and I know that none of those innocent people got out alive. That thought brings me to tears each time I see it.

We watched the Towers come down, one and then the other. We knew people had died. We didn’t know how many.

At 12:30, I drove to my dental appointment. There was no other car on the road. Not one. I arrived at my dental appointment to find that I was the only patient who hadn’t canceled that day.

When I got home, we watched TV all day. I called my family and my close friends. To hear their voices.

It doesn’t matter your political affiliations or how you feel about war. What matters is that on September 11, 2001, innocent people died in New York City, in Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, PA.

People like you and me. Just because. That was the day I realized we were no longer safe at home.

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I also learned that when our country is attacked in such a manner, we pull together and unify.

God Bless all who lost their lives that day, to their families, who will never be the same, and all who serve this country every day to protect and defend us.

September 11, 2001: Basic Facts

Chronology
8:46 AM: A plane crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 AM: A plane crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
9:17 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York City area airports.
9:21 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halts all flights at U.S. airports. It is the first
time in history that air traffic has been halted nationwide.
9:38 AM: A plane crashes into the Pentagon. Evacuation begins immediately.
9:45 AM The White House evacuates.
10:05 AM The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:10 AM A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 AM A plane crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
10:22 AM The State and Justice Departments, as well as the World Bank, are evacuated.
10:28 AM The World Trade Center’s north tower collapses.
10:45 AM All federal office buildings in Washington, D.C. are evacuated.
1:44 PM Five warships and two aircraft carriers are ordered to leave the U.S. Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia, to protect the East Coast.
4:10 PM Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapses.

The Flights
American Airlines Flight 11
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 92 people on board
Crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 AM

United Airlines Flight 175
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 65 people on board
Crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 AM

American Airlines Flight 77
From: Washington, D.C. (Dulles Airport)
To: Los Angeles, CA
Lives: 64 people on board
Crashed into the Pentagon at 9:38 AM

United Airlines Flight 93
From: Newark, New Jersey
To: San Francisco, California
Lives: 44 people on board
Crashed into rural Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh)

Victims
Victims came from more than 90 countries around the world.
The following are the numbers of people who died at each site:

World Trade Center 2,823 (includes airline passengers)
Pentagon 125 (not including plane victims)
Flight 11 – 92 people on board
Flight 175 – 64 people on board
Flight 77 – 64 people on board
Flight 93 – 44 people on board

The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m., the times the Towers were hit. The time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes—the time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

That day, these first responders also died, as they raced to the scene trying to save anyone they could.

343 Firefighters (including a chaplain and two paramedics) of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
37 Police Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD)
23 Police Officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and 8 Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics from private emergency medical services.
1 Patrolman from the New York Fire Patrol

Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
August 15, 2002

I Can See

Today I was my doctor’s star patient. I actually drove myself, which was a real surprise. Anyone who has been down and out for a while will tell you that their skills do not stay as sharp. So, I’ve made small trips around town to regain my skills. Today was the big trip, 75 miles each way!

I made it just fine, but I admit to feeling a wee bit tired on my way home.

I digress.

I was the star patient because the pressure in my left eye had gone down from 34 to 18! When they checked my vision, although it is not 20/20 in that eye, I could pass the Eye test to renew my license.

So I made it home, and I am making up a six-week chart, as I work to wean myself off all my pills and drops!

Back at the beginning of July, I was terrified that I would not get my vision back. Here I am. My vision is back, and I am one happy and fortunate girl!

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The Friday Five ~ Sept. 5th

Aug 1 002

Well, here we are, the first week of September. The last few days have been a bit gloomy, with no appreciable rain.

  1. The lawns are crunchy and brown, which reminds me of our trip through San Diego.  Poor Max (Our White German Shepherd at the time) had lapped up some ocean water, and on our way to the campsite, Max became ill. We pulled into a parking lot, and there was no grass to be found. Alas, Max had to use the crunchy brown stuff to be sick on.
  2. Tuesday, I go back to see my doctor. I sure hope the pressure in my left eye has gone down. Anything under 34 would be fantastic. Even though my vision is good, the pressure will be the next thing to conquer!
  3. My car was detailed, and it once again looks brand new. It’s a 2023 Highlander with 6949 miles on it.20250903_164215

    My Toyota Dealer says he knows I will not be a frequent buyer. True. Unless something goes wrong, DACKEL and I will be riding together for a long time.

  4. Miss Heidi is happy that I can drive short distances. She’s a real beauty, and she is so good to her mommy.20250901_174723

    I want to get her a safety car seat so I can get her in securely and booster her up a bit to look outside.

  5. In the last week, I have had many people drop in. They all say the same thing. “Your driveway is beautiful!”

20250620_151640Have a great weekend!

The Friday Five ~ Aug ~ 29th

Aug 1 002

Some weeks drag along, and you wonder if you will get through them. This was not the case for me this week. It was happily exciting. Here’s what’s happening.

1. We have not had measurable rain since early June. Most of the rain was in May.  My lawn is brown tumbleweeds, with barely a green patch. And since Autumn isn’t usually full of rain, we are more likely to see snow before our next significant rain.

2. I woke on Tuesday and sat up in my bed, allowing my feet to dangle over the edge. I stretched and opened my eyes, and I could see! Now it isn’t perfect, but it was close to clear, and once I jumped out of bed and turned on the TV, I could see the Closed Captioning.

3. I was so happy, and I alerted everyone close by. I knew I would need time to make sure it was real.

4. It’s funny because after a long period of time with little to no vision in that eye, I was skeptical about my eye magically healing.

5. I have been out alone. I drove to George’s Diner to have breakfast and to pick up my mail. Today, I plan to take a trip to the farm to pick up corn and collect the mail.

So, my gentle readers, this is all the good news happening here in New Hampshire. I am so happy and so thankful!

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The Friday Five ~ August 22nd

1000_F_211914291_Qs09VKAaEx15YWyQu8MYNEGTTffPyDeETo say it’s been a busy week would be an understatement. Here goes.

  1. I started the week anticipating news about my eye. Would I need more surgery? Should we wait a little longer? Would I always be like this? The good news is that a few days before my appointment, my vision had started to clear. It is not perfect, but I am beginning to see some things again.
  2. Tuesday dawned, and I got ready for my trip to Salem. I had made a reservation with Uber, leaving an extra half an hour for traffic. To sum it up, they did not arrive. I was standing in my driveway, and my friend Amy drove in. “Where do you think you’re going?” I told her what was happening, and she told me I was not driving and to get into her car.
  3. She drove me all the way to Salem. I cannot tell you how appreciative I am. Not being able to drive is a real pain. But Amy got me there!  I think it was all the craziness that kept me from losing my mind.
  4. They did several scans on my left eye and then tested the pressure and vision. I can see some of the things on the eye chart, but I’m still legally blind in my left eye.
  5. The news is mostly good. They’ve seen such improvement that they want to wait. I will go back in three weeks, and I hope that things will have continued to improve. I swear to God I will never take my vision for granted.

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The Friday Five ~ Aug. 8th

This week flew by for me. Here are the happenings in my wild and crazy life.

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  1. While listening to the TV, It had it turned itself off. I got up, changed the batteries in the remote control, and tried again. Nothing. I completely unplugged the TV, hoping that rebooting the machine would resolve the issue. It did not. I remembered that we’d gotten this Vizio TV nineteen years ago in January. Nineteen years! Well, so much has changed in nineteen years. I’m not sure where to start. Meanwhile, a good friend took the TV to see if he could repair it. I use a small flat-screen TV in my bedroom.
  2. I went to see my Eye Surgeon on Tuesday. I was not at all surprised that he told me my eye is still full of debris. The good news is that the lens that he adjusted is in good shape and the removal of the debris should restore my vision. This makes me feel hopeful. My tentative surgical date is the 25th.
  3. My sister and her husband, Ron, along with their daughter, Jin, and granddaughter, April, will arrive on Monday. I am so excited.
  4. I’ve been thinking about the things I miss right now. Dropping and going when I feel like it. You know, just grabbing my car keys and driving out to the farm stand. Also in this category is peripheral vision. At first, I was fine, and then I started hitting walls. Talk about frustrating.
  5. Does anyone have a feature on their TVs that they look for? I don’t want a super large TV, around 50 inches. My last TV (19 years old) was a big deal because it was an HD TV. Yes, I was genuinely impressed.

Update: After consulting with a good friend, I have ordered a new TV, which is expected to arrive tomorrow. After 19 years, the loss of the other TV made me sad, but now, I am so excited about the new one! Fun, fun!!!

So life goes on, and I’m right in the middle of most things.

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