September Heat

Fall Red Roof

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fall-red-roof-by-m-donna/

It is certainly feeling like fall and it is just around the corner. Right now the western states are burning up. Smoke fills the air. We are supposed to break a heat record for this day. I know we need rain but I sure hate to see it start. Even during this beautiful hot weather my fingers are starting to turn white. I just can't handle the cold! And our daughter can't take the heat!

Have you tried Firefox for Android? I have tried it several times and to be honest I don't especially like it. Maybe I just don't know how to use it correctly, but I keep trying.

We still aren't going out. My husband did go grouse hunting one day but he wasn't around anyone so he was safe. We did get our yearly check ups and flu shots. Our daughter does most of our grocery shopping for us...that and on line ordering from Costco, etc.

Some of our great grandkids are physically back at school and the others are remote schooling. It is sad that our oldest great grandson is a Freshman and can't get the experience of high school. But I worry about the ones that are actually back at school. I don't see how they can be perfectly safe...knowing children...

I have actually used Zoom and Teladoc this summer. I couldn't have done either if I hadn't gotten a new laptop since the camera on my old one had quit working for some reason. I had tried to figure out what was wrong with it by googling fixes, but was never successful. 

I am sad about the rioting in some cities. I believe that the protesters are actually hurting their cause right now. The average citizen is getting tired of the rioting and burning, even if they feel strongly about the cause. I will be glad when/if our election is over. I won't say who I will be voting for but I feel very strongly about who I want to be leading our country! So, if you are in the USA make sure you are registered to vote, check if you are registered and be sure you vote as soon as you get your ballot and get it either mailed or dropped in a ballot box. Make sure it is signed with the exact signature you registered with. If you used a middle initial or name. If you have to vote in person, wear a mask and take a bottle of water with you if you have to wait in line. This is one of our most important elections in the history of our country. 

Into the Mist

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/into-the-mist-by-madonna/

💥 Falling for Fall 💥

Autumn Morning Light

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/autumn-orning-light-by-m-donna/ 

I know, I start every posting with how fast the time goes! Sorry about that but it seems that way. 

Fall is a beautiful season with all the bright colors, BUT it has the downfall with the coming of winter. Winter I do not like at all. I don't like the cold. But I get to use the beautiful fall colors to make themes so that part is good.

We are still managing on the Covid watch. One grandson had to get tested because his room mate had a fever, but it wasn't Covid so we were blessed. I worry about our great grandkids and the school "thing". So far they are all going to be learning remotely because our governor is smart enough to recommend that. There is no way I would send a child to school during this epidemic. I would be a horrible home schooler but I would try anyway. I lack the patience for one thing.

I had to break down and buy a new laptop. My old one just refused to work and I got tired of the little hourglass going round and round. So I had a few things that were have-to's on my list. My grandson put a Solid State hard drive in my desktop, the one he built and has updated several times. And it was so much faster than the old one, so that was a necessity. And I kind of wanted a Lenova because I had heard such good things about them so that was what I decided on. So I helped the economy out some there. So far so good. I had put Classic Shell in my desktop because I didn't think I would like Windows 10 but kind of wondered if that was causing the problems in my old laptop. It wasn't. So after I got the Lenova I kind of tried out the Windows 10 and the things I hadn't liked when it first came out...I could control and now like it fine. Still using CS on my desktop, though. 

We are starting the "getting ready for winter" list. 

I have gotten such nice comments in reviews for some of my themes. I really appreciate each and every one of them. One comment actually made me make a wallpaper! He liked my Northern Lake theme so well and wanted the image I had used to make the theme. Well, I hadn't used an image...I made it in my Photoshop Elements brushes, so worked half the afternoon on it and got it posted.

Northern Lake

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/northern-lake-by-madonna/ 

I would like to add one thing before I sign off for the day. Please wear a mask and try self distancing. This is the only way we are going to ever get back to normal until after we have an approved reliable vaccine. I feel for business owners but if they keep the bars and eating places open there won't be anyone left to eat and drink in their establishments. Even if you get the virus and don't really feel bad, you can have long lasting effects later. So, please use common sense and be careful and safe.

Have a great week.

Saying goodbye to July

Perfect F_Fox

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/perfect-f_fox-by-m-donna/ 

I just checked to see when I last posted and it has been almost a month! Even if we are pretty well shut down the time is going fast. Almost too fast. We really haven't had much of a summer yet. A few hot days but we kept fleece sheets on our bed until after the 4th of July! Went for  my walk today and had to put on a hoodie and pull my hands up into the sleeves.The breeze off the bay was quite chilly. Had to cut my walks down from 2 1/2 miles to 1 1/2. Started that today so hope I don't hurt as much. That darn PMR that I was diagnosed with is not much fun.It seems to be hereditary. I remember my Mom had it and was on cortisone for 2 years. I hope my daughter doesn't get it! I tried to cut mine back to 6 months by lowering the mg. but I guess I went too fast. So had to start the lower dosage for a bit longer. Enough about me.

What to do you think of sending kids back to school? I am very afraid if they try to send them back normally...we will be losing a lot more people. I don't want my great grand kids  going back and I really don't think they will. I feel really bad for our oldest great grand son. He is 15 1/2 and he will be missing out on so much. He is a super lacrosse player and has played in several different states. He was chosen to be on a special team that would have been playing all over our country this summer. We were hoping this would be a way for him to get into college...but this darn virus has sure made a lot of things difficult. I feel for the caretakers that are getting so tired and frustrated. People need to stay away from each other and wear a mask. We have only been out a few times and only to get to a Dr. appt.I was at my eye Dr. this past Monday and I have to say I felt uncomfortable. But we are getting a chance to wear some of the masks I made earlier this summer.

I am still working on updates. I think that is a never ending process. 

Must start dinner so will sign off for now. Have a great week end and please stay safe. 

Amazing Lion

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/amazing-lion-by-m-donna/ 

Happy Independence Day!

Painted by the Sun

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/painted-by-the-sun/

Hi....everyone...summer is here...well not so much in the Pacific Northwest! But hopefully we will get a week of nice, warm weather sometime during the month of July.

I hope everyone is wearing a mask when they go out. It DOES help prevent the virus. I knew when they started opening things back up, especially bars and restaurants that things were going to start getting bad again. There is no way you can keep a mask on in one of those...I hope you all were smart enough to not go into one. Do your eating and drinking at home.

My husband has a cardiology appointment on Friday and I called to find out the protocol. I am hoping he will get a good report and be safe. I usually always go in with him but am not going to this time. I will stay in the car and read.  We haven't been anywhere since March and we are still alive and well. You can do it. Most the time it doesn't bother me...week ends a bit. We call week days...work days, get up at regular time and keep to our regular pattern...exercise and work! Meals on time, etc. I do miss shopping and seeing grand kids, and great grand kids hugs...but keep in contact.

I was remembering some of my old school days. Have you heard someone say, "I had to walk a mile to school every day?" Well, I can honestly say that. When we lived in Iowa and moved from a farm we were renting to a farm my folks bought, I was in the 8th grade. The school I had been going to from the age of 10 was a big building with grades 1 through 12. The school I went to after we moved was called Frog Pond #6! No kidding. And it was a 1 room school house with grades 1 through 8! Me and my brother had to walk to and from school and it was at least a mile. From spring, a cold Iowa winter and to summer....we walked. I don't remember our parents ever taking us since they were busy on the farm. But that teacher was the best teacher I ever had. We called her by her first name...Norma Jean. If we had to use the bathroom, we had to put our coats and boots on and go to the outhouse! Now, see how much fun all you younger people missed? I wouldn't give up those memories for anything. At Christmas time all of the farm families put on a big Christmas party for everyone...with tons of food and gifts. I only went there for about 6 months because I graduated from 8th grade! (The County put on a graduation ceremony for all of the 8th graders that went to the country schools!) So I got my first pair of high heels that we ordered from the Sears catalog! They were red and at least one size too big! But I felt so grown up!

Time to fix lunch! I hope you all have a great, safe 4th of July if you live in the USA. 

Northern Lake

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/northern-lake-by-madonna/ 

🕰🕰Time🕰🕰

Beach Chairs
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/beach-chairs-by-madonna/

Time is going way too fast. We didn't get to enjoy summer at all last year with my husband's health problems so we were really looking forward to this summer. Our weather is our usual Pacific Northwest weather, Junuary! Plus we really don't get to do anything because we are still not going out or having much contact with anyone. Our daughter brings our groceries out every Sunday and so far we have been able to sit outside on the deck when she comes over in the afternoon. We seem to get a halo affect at our house. We can see clouds all around us but the sun is shining right in our area.

Wow...the news has been quite exciting lately. I am hoping some things can change so our grandchildren won't have to see the things we have seen. And go back to boring news!

Firefox had an update this morning so I hope you are all keeping your Firefox up to date. Some new features. One I like is the picture in picture where you can watch a video while you are open on another page. Pretty cool, especially if you are trying to change something on your computer with instructions from a video.

Have been able to do my 2 mile walk almost everyday. If it rains, I don't walk! I used to be a die hard runner and walker and weather didn't matter. I am too old and get too stiff to do that anymore.

Hope you all have a good week and are staying safe. The virus is NOT over no matter what some people are saying, 

Birds of Many Colors
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/birds-of-many-colors-m-donna/ 

Kinda getting to me!

Sakura Blossoms & Birds

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/sakura-blossoms-birds/ 

Today is the first day I kind of got restless! I am busy but I actually got a bit restless this morning. Had the house all cleaned and worked on some updates, etc. I have been taking a 2 mile walk every afternoon but decided to take off this morning instead. Have to bundle up because we are having cold, windy weather so it's not a lot of fun BUT it is good for me...so I do it. Couldn't find my husband before I started down the road so when our daughter stopped by with some donuts they couldn't figure out where I was until they saw my shoes in the middle of the kitchen floor! He was in the barn when I left and I figured no one would even miss me. So next time I will hunt him down first.

The country seems to be opening up, a little too fast if you ask me. I don't understand why anyone would take their life (and their family's life) at stake to go to a bar or out to dinner. It isn't very smart! 

I have been keeping UPS and our mail delivery lady busy by placing orders for everything we need. I hate depending on other people, even our kids for stuff. So I am helping keep the USPS and UPS ion business.

I think our world is going to be like this for awhile so I have been making some masks. Hope we never have to use them but if my old lady intuition is any good...I think we will need them.

I feel so badly for the Navajo Nation. They have been harder hit with this virus than any state, even New York. They have been treated badly from the time the first white man landed on our shores and they are not getting  enough help from Washington DC. Which doesn't surprise me but all the same....

Memorial Day is around the corner, virtually around the corner. We used to be loading the truck up and heading off with dirt bikes or ORV's, camping stuff and lots of food and family. Oh, well...

I wish you all have a wonderful week end and get to relax a bit. But please stay safe. And have a wonderful Memorial Day and remember the ones we have lost to make our country free. Also remember the ones we have lost from this horrible virus and the ones that are taking care of the sick. They are hero's too.

♥♥ STAY SAFE ♥♥

Into May

Fox in Light by M♥Donna

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fox-in-light-by-m-donna/ 

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted anything here. Being busy makes time fly.

We are still under pretty much lockdown, but if we want to get rid of this virus that is what we must do. Last Sunday we did go out to Costco, though. There were just too many things we needed...mostly supplements, etc. that I can't order on line from them. I have to admit I was very nervous. I had my mask on, ball cap, hood up, surgical gloves on and stood in line for almost 20 minutes. I didn't think my husband should go in so he gassed up the truck and got gas in cans for lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. They only let so many in at a time and after I got in it wasn't bad. Less time standing in line to check out. So we made it there and back. First time out since March 7th! Luckily the kids keep us stocked with groceries. 

I have had to order a lot of stuff from Amazon, Costco and Wal Mart though. Have to wipe the boxes down and everything in the boxes so it is a lot of work. But you have to stay safe.

The weather this week has been good and is going to get lots better through Sunday. My husband has been getting a lot of outside work done. The wood from the trees that were blown down last year is finally getting dry enough to put into the woodshed.

I have gotten three sweatshirts made for my husband and a bunch of masks made for us if/when we get out. I really enjoyed sewing again. Got me away from the computer, etc. My neck is very sore from the PMR I was diagnosed with late last year. And being on the computer makes it worse....looking up and down, etc. I have had to cut back on the prednisone to get weaned off of it and I can really tell it. But the prednisone is not good for you, even if it helps the pain...so they have to wean you off of it slowly. I am down to 5 from 20 and next week will go down to 2 1/2 mg. this week.

I fear for the people in the states that are opening everything up. It doesn't take a genius to realize that more people are going to get sick and the hospitals will start filling up again.You have to appreciate the Doctors and nurses that go to work everyday...putting their lives and their families at stake.

I really miss being able to be with the kids, grandkids and great grandkids, though.No more hugs, etc. That is hard.  

I am going to miss our big Mothers Day celebrations we used to have. When my Mom was alive we had everyone, sister, brother and all of our kids, etc. to our house.The lilacs were always in bloom at that time and the food...what is better than family, flowers and food? Not much!

  I may be 81 years old but I still miss my Mom! There is always something coming up where I need to ask her a question about something. 

I have mentioned before about our big rhubarb crop! We used to sell it to a company in town that made mead for his bar, but he doesn't need it now since he can raise his own now. So I figured I better start doing something with it. I went through a bunch of recipes that my Mom had when she passed away and we gave them to our daughter in law because she is the "cook" in our family. And I found our old rhubarb jam recipe so have made 6 batches of that and keeping rhubarb sauce in the refrigerator. We have given a lot of it away, too. And I am going to make a rhubarb crisp for our daughter & surprise her with it when she brings our groceries out this week end.

I hope you all have a wonderful Mothers Day and if you can't be with your Mom, call her! Send her a virtual hug.

Stay home when you can and stay safe.

Spring Quince

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/quince-bydonna/