Coffee and...Part 24...! :-D

Aria and McCool, how nice of you to stop by for awhile. Come back soon.

Blooms, who are these people in the walled communities trying to keep out? Or in? Ha ha on the tumbleweeds. I have seen those piled up in gullys with a barbed wire fence running in one end and out the other but nowhere to be seen under all the tumbleweeds in the low spots. Still makes an effective fence for cows. We have them here but not that much. They are kind of pretty when they start to turn from green to purple in the fall. We have puncture vine too, do you have that? The county sprays the roadsides for the p vine and thistles and other noxious weeds and this year they also have a mower followed by a big watertruck in case the mower makes a spark and starts a fire.

This morning it's sunny and gonna get into the mid 90's by late afternoon. I've been irrigating the vegie garden with the runoff from the spring in the horse pasture, got enough of it done for now and am inside for a sandwich and ice cream, and then when I'm still feeling cool I will saddle a horse and go riding for a couple of hours. This time of year I stay out of the sagebrush and keep a keen eye out for rattlers as I ride the jeep roads. In the spring before the snakes come out I follow a lot of cow trails that wind over the hills between the jeep roads but the chances of getting into a snake are higher in the summer. They'd either be stretched across the trail in the sun or in the shade behind the bush when they got too hot. The visability is a bit better on the jeep roads. Tomorrow I'm taking a different horse and going to ride with a friend on the mountain behind her place. She is also an endurance rider and comes here to ride with me sometimes.

See you later, stay cool.



The long awaited summer squash are producing now to the point where it's getting hard to keep up with them. I'm watching a couple of cucumbers which about double in size every day so it won't be long before I will be standing in the garden eating one that was growing a few seconds ago.

Rehoboth is one of the oldest towns in the US, has always been a farming community but now the lands have been sold for those who built huge mansions. We hardly have any stores to speak of nor very much business of any kind. It is a fairly peaceful place, it is yankie land, many of our neighbors ancestors go back to the 1600 hundreds and it still feels rural in many places. When I first lived here the town counted 5000 inhabitants now there are twice as many.
Maria

Wow, Lots of comments here and I could never articulate so well.

It's 86 here today. We started work at 10 and quit at 3. Sun is brutal. We need to go get some junk food with some salt in it to replenish. Drinking water out there today did not quench. I know a heat stroke coming on when I feel it. So we finished for the day.

My weed wacker broker yesterday and I need to go to Lowe's to turn it in for repairs and then to HD to get some LP gas for the grill. Can't cook a steak anywhere else.

Need to get my shower and back out in the heat. How I wish I had a pool and the fish pond would over flow if my big behind got in there and displaced all the water.
And ya know, I could have a pool if I wasn't so addicted to gardening. I can't free up ground space for a pool.

oh well,
Molly
:^)))

LOL, Molly!

I'm back downstairs from starting the molding installation upstairs. We didn't even finish one window because I cut the last piece at the wrong angle, so it was too short. Man, am I out of practice!! Now he needs 2 more 12' pieces for the other window.

We did get in 2 pcs. of the crown up. No true 90º angles in the corners, so it took some finesse. He's not ready to put up the rest yet. Wine rack, doors and some cabinets first.

Julie- no rain here- just a few measley sprinkles and now the sun is out and it is 90 with stinkin humidity. Phew... W ent and cleaned my stroke cousin's house - narry a window open - about croaked!! DGS went with me and he was grossed out by the house. I told him he could help clean, then we could leave sooner - he insisted on wearing rubber gloves! It was funny!!

All the neighborhood kids are over with DGS in the pool. It was fun for awhile, but I forgot how much kids bicker. The teacher in me wants to boot the naughty ones out!! Oh well - keeps them busy...

Yikes- climbing on a roof - no thanks!! I keep my feet on terra firma... Even climbing a ladder is looking like too much work for me. We do need to install some more gutter guard stuff this fall. We did a 12 foot section with two different kinds to see what worked best. Now I just need to get more of the kind the worked and get it up there.

I have no plans for August and need to think up something fun to do =

Julie - no colors that I notice here???

Hot and windy here today. Oskar went through his dental treatment fine, so far, and I'll pick him up around five at the vet's.

Okus, I sent you a Dmail with pedigree info on Frankie and Mulder, didn't think anyone else would want it. It's all Greek to me.

Sick of the heat. Gonna go do a little rain dance and hope we get some showers tonight.

Feeling cranky, leaving before I start b****ing about something inconsequential.

Thanks M5 :>)

Howdy all, lots of news from everybody. Not much new here - did have a very fascinating storm last night - lots of lightning and dark clouds but not a lot of rain. No tornado watches either, thankfully. Some areas got hailed out, not good - last week Centerville, SD, ('bout 45 miles SW of us) had baseball sized hail - I can't even imagine that!

Blloms - ur tumbleweeds make me smile - a town in SD got hit by a freak wind storm a number of years ago and the whole town (very small, couple hundred folks) was buried 5 ft deep in tumbleweeds. They had to call in help to clear out the town! I thought it was funny - but I wasn't living there.... Have u read about a couple of companies in the west that sell tumbleweeds for a living? Now there's an interesting job description... ...years ago I researched tumbleweeds because I couldn't get a straight answer when I moved here - are tumbleweeds the name of the plant or a generic term for anything that breaks off and blows in the frequent winds of the prairies? Turns out its a generic term - bet u guys already knew that - and the majority of tumbleweeds are 3 different kinds of plants, amaranths, Canada thistle and I forget the last one. lol Now that is not gospel truth - just what I remember reading 20+ years ago!

Been weeks since I pulled any weeds and the place looks like that - a mess! Supposed to be cooler again for a few days so I'm going to try do some of that ucky job.

Was happy to see the first Lisianthus blooming - one of the dark purples is not tho, it's lavender, rats! I bought 2 each of Malibu, lavender, purple and blue picotee. So far just lavender and Malibu are blooming. Just a few lilies still blooming - most were disappointing this year - that late frost we had really made the blooms misshapen. Next year I'll try to cover them, I think, if we get late frost again.

Two DSs left today for Iowa Falls. They'll be there for 3 weeks putting up a grain bin. They're 21 and 16. First prolonged trip away from home for the 16 yr old so I really gave the 'take care of ur little bro' speech to the older. So we are empty nesters till school starts in 3 weeks. Strange feeling!!

Thanks for the goodies on the counter, all! I need to bake some banana bread - they're too far gone for eating. :)

Hi Folks, McCool and Aria, glad to have you in the forum! Been busy today, canned green beans and tomato juice, plus have been experimenting with V-8 juice, and Bloody Mary Mix. Molly, you will be glad to know that my first attempt at the BM mix, turned out well. Made a small batch (4 quarts) so will bring some to RU for a taste test. Am going to make another batch by a different recipe too so we can compare.

The arm pain I have been experienceing is Carpel Tunnel. I'm going this afternoon to be fitted for a brace. The Dr. is going to try this first, then other treatments before recommending surgery. So glad that he is conservative.

Slow day here today, cannot seem to get motivated. Mother continues to progress a bit but they want to do a feeding tube, which I against. If she's choosing not to eat, and maybe hasten death (with NO quality of Life anymore), why should I have them force-feed her?

Do not do it, Daties. it only will prolong her life for a very short period, I had to decide the same thing feeding tube amd perhaps one or two month to live or only two more weeks and to the day he died just as they predicted, he died peacefully without having to go through more pain, but of course the final decision will be up to you.
Maria

Our tumble weeds are mostly russian thistle
[ local name, probably same as canadian thistle ] I think the story is it came to cCanada from Russia in some grain feed and "the rest is history"

I just dug out one about 4 and a half feet in diameter. From a friends yard. She didn't know what it was. LOL. It wasn't done growing yet either, I'm hoping I got it for her before the seeds started flinging themselves about.

Darius, I had talked with my Dad before hand and it was still difficult to tell them no tubes. But I had a feeling dad would yank whatever tubes he could reach even from his almost coma doze state.
He wasn't refusing food, just couldn't swallow any more. Like one of his mini-strokes [ T I A s?] did away with his swallow reflex. I didn't want to think of tying his hands so he couldn't reach tubes he hadn't wanted in the first place.

He died here in his own room. But the county health nursing services were ready to provide the setup for any i-v tubes or other life prolonging gestures.

Hi everyone..."Nowt" more to say.

~julie~

I think if someone doesn't want to eat and there is no prospect of recovery, it is better to leave them some dignity and not force the issue. Its not easy when its someone very close, and you have to make the decisions. I've been there and just felt pulled in so many directions at once, so I sympathise with what you are going through Darius. Only you know what the other party, in this case your Mum, would want, and all you can do is try to make it happen that way.
Sometimes I think modern medicine prolongs things too much. I am minded of a suggested amendment to the 'hypocratic oath' taken by UK doctors that I read somewhere. 'I will not kill but shall not strive, officiously to keep alive' . When all quality of life has gone, it is surely unkind to prolong the end?
I have been reminising a lot lately - sign of old age d'ya think? Probably just because I've been working on restoring some very old photos I inherited when Dad died 4 years ago. It takes ages to do each one properly and I didn't have the time before I retired.
I found one that is of my great grandmothers brother and family (Mums side) - 15 children!!, taken in Canada to celebrate the turn of the year 1900. I'm now trying to trace there decendants - they might just like that photo. Anyone Know a Batchelor family, they moved from Manitoba to Seattle and then to Renton WA. I think there is also a California connection.
Family history is another of my hobbies!
Carol

Darius, sorry about your mother. I know the decision is yours, but arriving at it is the hard part. Do what your heart tells you.

Okus, I have done geneology for both mine and DH's family. It is interesting, and time consuming. It's good to know the history surrounding a family, even when you find a skeleton in the closet!!

Hi All,

I was up and commuted next door to start painting the walls at 8 this morning. I had a plan, paint the south and west sides of the house first to beat the sun. We took it all the way to the north side then went back and rolled second coat. Normally, that's plenty of time for paint to dry, talking about 4 hours. Needed to make a paint run and get lunch so we cleaned up and headed out. It looked like the normal afternoon showers were on their way. Figured it would last an hour and go away and we could get back to work.

While we were gone, we ran smack into a thunderstorm and there was "HAIL" beating down on the top and windshield of the van. 85 degrees outside and there's a hailstorm!!! Well, I drove really slow and by the time we got back to the job, 2 hours later, 1 coat of paint had washed off and in some places both coats.

Some days ya gotta wonder.....why bother getting out of bed?

We shall try it again tomorrow. Need to finish, have another job scheduled to start on Monday.

On the brighter side, when I wandered out in the garden, I find coneflowers, rudbeckias, obedients, turks caps are all blooming and of course everything in the butterfly bed is abloom.

There's always tomorrow. and Darius, keep your chin up dear.

Molly

defoecat
I think the skeletons in mine are having a party there are so many of them - you should be able to hear the racket from there!

We;ve already talked about the "feeding tube" issue and have decided that there will be none for my mom who is 81, but when the time comes, I fear that will be another matter!! It is always easy to say what you 'would' do until the time comes. Think quality of life Darius and what you would like done.

I have eaten myself silly all week and man does the scale show it - it is up almost at my high limit. Starting next week when DGS is not with us, I will get back on the wagon.

Caught a woodchuck in the live trap today. DGS was fascinated by it. Neighbor came over and put in in a barrel of water - I couldn't watch. I hate killing anything, altho don't have a problem with those darn rabbits! Gave the gardens all drinks and a spray of fish emulsion/kelp. I am not sure it does anything, but the stink is enough to make me turn green!! LOL

I am getting some yellowing of leaves and spots on impatients. Anybody got any idea what is happening? We get it every year in the same area of the garden.

Did I tell ya that I slept great last night?? I went to bed at 10pm, got up at my usual 1am, took an allergy tab and slept until 7:30 = almost unheard of for me. I am going to try it again tonight.

I feel a funk coming on and need to do something fun, but can't decide what to do!! Wish we lived closer and I could drop over for a garden tour. I visit my neighbors daily, but would like something new!! Take care all!!

Feeding tubes: Thanks for the kind words. Yes, it was NOT an easy decision. On one hand, I hate to see my mother starve. On the other hand, I don't want to force-feed her past her will to live.

i HATE this!

Darius, I think I mentioned this in an earlier edition, my dear stepmother had refused food, and they wanted to do the tube. She had already struck a nurse who was trying to give her meds, so I had awful visions of what would happen with tube feeding. She wasn't really with us anymore, lost all sense of time and location, and had lost a tremendous amount of weight, ignoring my suggestion that she be evaluated for depression. By the time they got around to wanting to tube feed, I was frantic but gathered my frayed wits long enough to make the decision not to force feed. I'm still not happy about having to make that choice, but the logical side of my brain says it was the best for her in order to have a peaceful death.

Thanks, M5 and all who have commented. No, it is NOT an easy decision.

Okus, maybe our skeletons can get together and form a band! LOL

Gosh, Molly, what an awful thing to happen. I agree some days it just ain't worth getting up.

Had to go to Dr this afternoon, about 15 miles away, on the way home big black clouds in my area, wind blowing, leaves falling, got home and into the house and it rained about 1/10 inch, just enough to settle the dust. We need rain so bad, we have officially been declared a drought area. DH is still watering the garden, and if it hadn't been for that I wouldn't have any garden stuff at all. Canned 7 quarts green beans, 4 quarts v-8 juice and 4 quarts tomato juice today. Had an acquaintance call this afternoon, wanting green beans, I told her that she had better make a trip to the farmer's market, as we didn't have enough for ourselves. In an average year, we give away enough for the whole community, but the nerve of this woman, who I hardly know to call and ask for beans. I love to share, but on my terms. Maybe I'm a control freak.

Don't let them 'guilt' you into okaying that feeding tube, darius. At this point, everything is slowing down, preparing to stop at some time, most likely in the not too distant future. My mom went close to a month from the last food eaten. She did drink fluids up till the day before she died. Dad drank up until the evening before he died. A side note: they both died on a Tuesday morning, around 7:30 am in November, 4 years and 2 weeks apart.

A word of wisdom from my Dad - there is no dignity in death! Death is the final indignity! At that point, Satan has won our bodies but our souls belong to Christ forever. After watching my Mom and Dad leave us, I must agree, there is no dignity in death. It tears your heart from you to see them so. On the other hand, at the same time, the love in your heart just about explodes. (My apologies if I have offended anyone, it's not intentional, just reliving my parents' passing with thoughts of darius' mom and my thoughts and prayers for them. LMK if you feel I need to edit, please.)

Kooger, I watched my husband die, but I do think he died with dignity, peacefully and calm instead of more suffering that would have been allowed if he were to be fed by tubes through his stomach , this would have given him perhaps a few more weeks to die, as it was he fell asleep forever after only two weeks as the doctors predicted. A living will was to our advantage for this decision. Of course I was not dignified by this disaster, it broke my heart forever.
Maria

Kooger, no need to edit, it's your telling of a heartfelt decision that was hard but necessary to make. We must all realize that life on this earth is short in the light of eternity. Often, we children are entrusted with making these decisions when parents do not put anything about their last days on earth in writing, and so they put the responsiblilty for it in our hands whether we are prepared or not (and we never are). Living wills are very important, but most folks do not make any kind of will thinking that if they do it means they are going to die. Strange how these folklore kinds of notions make life difficult for the children who have to decide about these things. We all hope to just die peacefully in our sleep but it usually doesn't happen that way. And as for the soul, I believe God has the last word. Satan can have the body, we don't need it anymore. Our pastor said years ago about a church member who had passed away "he left behind the part that was causing him all the trouble".

Hang in there Darius. ((((you)))) It isn't easy but we are here for you.

Molly, I know it has to be disappointing when you work so hard only to see your work washed away in just a few minutes. I hope tomorrow is better.

Today was hot enough, near 100. I left here fairly early to go ride with my friend. It got very hot before we got back to her place. Thankfully all the climbing happened on the early part of our ride with the downhill part at the end. We discovered a little road leading off in a direction we had not been before and followed it for a while along the top of a ridge with a beautiful view down into the valley and the farmlands below looking like a patchwork quilt with a stream lined with trees meandering through it. When we got back to her place we unsaddled the horses, gave them a bath with the hose, let them eat some grass and get a good drink of water, then we went into the house and had some slushy thing she made in the blender with strawberries and bananas, ahhhh, so refreshing! When I left to start home about 5pm it was 97 and my hubby said it was 99 in town when he started home. He was glad to have a shady place to park the car most of the day, although his job requires him to drive here and there during the day and sometimes he can't find shade for a while. I bought one of those folding reflective shade things for the windshield that helps the truck stay cooler, but there is just no cool place anywhere when it is that hot. I ran the AC all the way home and the truck never got cool.

My friend has a nice vegie garden and gave me some green beans and a brocolli head for dinner. We ate the green beans along with fresh tomatoes and fried chicken, will have the brocolli tomorrow. Last fall I gave her some produce from my garden when she did not have one and I will give her some raspberry starts this fall so she can start a patch at her new place. She has some flowers I want to get starts from so this fall or next spring we will be doing some trading. I saw some lilies blooming when I was there a few weeks ago that I want, and a daylily today that is yellow with a brassy center, it looks prettier than it sounds. She also has some columbines that I would like to bring home.

After dinner hubby and I sat out on the porch with a breeze blowing on us, watching that same forest fire that we've been watching all week flare up going up a mountain, away from us thankfully. We looked with the binocculars and counted 12 hot spots. They sure have their hands full with that one, and I think it won't be out until we have a good rain. That probably isn't coming any time soon.It usually doesn't rain until about November, and by then it might be snow. This fire might run out of fuel before that if they can just keep it fenced in..

Time for me to go to bed. Yawn.

Darius, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have no doubt that you will make the right decision.

Kooger, you most certainly did not offend me with your post. I hope you don't edit it out...but if you do, I still won't forget what your dad said.

Mary, you said "he left behind the part that was causing him all the trouble". That's exactly what I was thinking before I read your post.

I wish everyone had the choice as to how they would slip from this world into the next. I, for one, would like the peaceful, fall asleep, and not know about my last breath. It isn't the next world that bothers me in the least...it's the process of 'getting there' that I'm afraid of. ;-)

Well...yesterday we had a rather "nice" day. Temps in the low 80's and a lower humidity level. At least you could breath outdoors. I got a few plants into the ground that could no longer manage in their containers. I broke down a few other containers that were overgrown and gave those plants room to grow too. But most of the day I was thinking and planning how to get out of *this* much work work for next year! :-)

I'm still having trouble trying to dig with my right arm and the left one just isn't coordinated well enough to do more than scoot the trowel under the soil. So it looks like I'll have to wait to move certain larger plants until my DH is willing to help out in the muscle department.

Hope eveyone is doing well...and each of you have a *good* day.

Later
~julie~

Darius, reading through this thread has been an emotional journey that I haven't traveled in a while. Having walked this path before, my heart goes out to you.

I was so fortunate to have Hospice with me as I spent the last few months with my father, mother and husband. Their function is not to prolong life, but to help life pass without pain and anxiety. They also do great service in teaching a family that this is natural, and that grief is understandable. Please let me share this as they taught me:

"FOOD:
Food is the way we energize our body. It is the means by which we keep our body going, moving, alive. We eat to live. When a body is preparing to die, it is perfectly natural that eating should stop. This is one of the hardest concepts for a family to accept.

It is okay not to eat. A different kind of energy is needed now. A spiritual energy, not a physical one, will sustain from here on."

Dear Darius, I don't know anyone who understands how food has an impact on our bodies like you do (Flax, etc) I'm sure this is one of the reasons you are having such a problem with your mother not eating. But perhaps the time has come to let the body take second place, and give the Soul a chance to lead the way.

With all love and affection,
Pati

This message was edited Aug 6, 2005 10:55 AM

Pati, Thank you so much. The last few days have been quite a turmoil for me, and I wrestle with it every day. The questioning if I'm making the right decisions.

I know I need to let her go... I just don't want her to be alone when she does... and it's a 5-1/2 hour drive for me.

Darius...I wish there was something we could do to make this easier for you. (((~hugs~)))
~julie~

Well...today is the last day of the 50's. (Not the temps! My age! LOL) And I thought turning *40* was rough...I'm not sure whether to be depressed or thankful I've made it this far. :-D

I think I'll just go outside while it's still cool enough to breath and take inventory of what needs to be moved, watered, removed, moved again, etc.

HI to EVERYONE (Especially Darius)

~julie~

Happy BD Julie, I'm not looking forward to creeping into that next decade either. What was it that Mickey Mantle said, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself". Yeah, me too.

Been under the weather since Thursday, chills, fever, weak all over. A little better today, hope this is the end of it . After the summer cold, my resistance must have been down, 'cuz this sure knocked me down. Good that I made it through my DS's visit, that would have been a bummer. The silver lining? Lost about 5 lbs. LOL

My DIL is in the middle of a bad situation too. Her aunt who is 71 had been taking antidepressants for about a month. She didn't realize that the aunt was also drinking, and the manager at her apartment (elderly housing) grew concerned and found the aunt in the bathtub Saturday morning, where she had been since Friday evening.

They are having an 'intervention" this morning, to try to get her detoxed, and into a different phase of the complex, where she will have more people observing her. She told them, when they found her, that she was all right because her mother was coming in periodically to care for her. DIL has power of attorney for health care, and we are hoping all will turn out well.

Oh, Please, when my time comes, please let me just drop dead!!

Have a very happy birthdae, Julie, would not mind still being your age, what followed was the best time of my life, it will be your stoo, just take care of your health.
Maria

I too just want to drop dead, but with my hair done, make up on and clean undies!!! I've told my kids,DH, sister and mom that when I go, I want to be creamated and my ashes scattered in my flower gardens. I want no service - no nuthin... Came into this world quietly and wanna leave the same way. Wonder if they will respect my wishes?


Picked up the honeymooners at the airport last night - good to see them and happy for a safe arrival back home. They went to Cancun and said it was nice, but they don't care to return. It seems they hopped on a bus - going to a mall, but when they got there it didn't look good, so they decided to return to the resort. They didn't know that they had to ride the bus to the end, sit in a hot parking lot with no one that spoke english - they both were scared stiff!! Said the poverty there was terrible - two lives - resort stuff and poverty.

I told myself that I was gonna reform my terrible eating habits, but already I have had three peanut granola bars to the tune of 170 calories each!! That plus a huge breakfast =- I think I have eaten my quota of calories and it isn't even lunch yet!!

Yet another 90 deg week coming up. And no rain. Things are as dry as dust here. My beans and peppers haven't produced worth diddily, but the tomatoes are growing gang busters - go figure.

M5- hope your are feeling better. Summer junk is the worst of all I think! However the 5 lbs loss sounds delightful!

Julie- Happy Birthday - just think only 2 more yrs and you can get SS. Hooray!

Ended up taking a relafen for my sore arm. My joints have been soo soo sore lately - toes, fingers, arm. I'm hoping its the weather and that I don't have this to look forward to the rest of my life. I can understand people abusing drugs when you are in constant pain.

Well, still in my pj's and it is almost noon - shame on me.

Happy B-Day fellow Leo Julie! You're young yet.

Sarv - my Mom said if they couldn't come visit her while she was alive - she didn't want to be put anywhere they could visit after shes was dead. She had the same wish to be cremated - and for some reason she wanted me and DH to have the ashes - which we have. Plus - she wanted no service and no flowers - she said flowers won't do her any good - she can't enjoy them. So - we honored her wishes - but DS still wants us to put the ashes in the ground some pladce. That's something my and DB fight with her over. My suggestion is to put it in your will or in writing in someway. Since I lived near my parents and saw them all the time and brother came often - but sister didn't - she thinks we made it up.....so it's caused some problems....which wouldn't have happened had she put it in writing. Just a suggestion. I'm sure your children would appreciate that too.

Darius - I've been thinking of you and hoping you know that I'm with you - I think you're doing the right thing as far as your Mom goes. It is hard but I can't believe that prolonging a life that as you say has no quality is the thing to do. I wouldn't do that to my pets - I'm sure not going to let them do it to my loved ones. I'm praying that it's quick and peaceful - and PLEASE don't feel bad about not being there. What possible good is it gonna do for you to do a death watch - when she doesn't know you're there most of the time anyway. I spent many years feeling guilty about not being with Mom - but finally found peace when I realized that being there wouldn't have made any difference - and she knew I loved her. But - I know how you feel - believe me. Just know you're in my thoughts.

Okay - now something fun....take a look at the photos forum - I posted some gourd pics there this morning....got quite a crop!

DH and I are having a lazy morning - just reading, computin', watching old movies....and playing with cats. Rained really well last night - so no watering needed today. Have to get going in a bit and try to get some house cleaning done....and get ready for the work week.

Everyone take care.

M. ;->

M5, I want to go quickly too. Unlike Sarv, I don't care if my hair is done!

I really wish the same for my mother rather than the long, drawn-out thing she's doing. I think she was fortunate that her last husband died almost instantly. They didn't do an autopsy but it sounded like he blew out his aorta, and died slumped over the seat in the van he was loading.

With my father, we (family) had to agree to turn off the ventilator. A very long and drawn-out process since he was in a military hospital. He lasted about 2 minutes after the machine was turned off.

M5. also sorry to hear the circumstances about your DIL's aunt. I have some experience with alcholics in my family and it's never easy.

Either my internet service or the modem in my computer is acting up. If you don't hear from me for a couple of days, please do not worry. Also, I plan to drive to Boone to see mother Wed and Thurs. so I'll be offline then.

On a brighter note: Julie, Happy Birthday!!

Happy birthday Julie. Age is just a number.
Well we are getting a little shower here right now. We really need it.
Went to church this morning then had lunch. This afernoon is just a lazy one.
We went to a birthday party last night, held outside. While I was looking at the landscaping, I snatched some daylily seeds. Since my pants had only 4 pockets, got 4 varieties, but had to mentally remind myself what was in what pocket. Anyway got home with them, and put them in labeled cups. Going to do some expermenting with them.
Meezer, sorry that you've been under the weather, summer things are worse I think.
Sarv, hope your soreness is helped by the relafin. Did your Dr. tell you to take it daily? I found that it is more beneficial if it stays in your system. When I was on it, I would think I really don't need this stuff, would go off it and in days would have the horrible aching in the joints, so back on it I would go.
Darius, stay strong, chin up. You've made the decision, the hardest part, so don't feel guilty about that or not being able to be there. When you go this week, I am praying that your mother will be alert, and that you are able to tell her good bye, and know that she's alright with the decision that was made.
Rain has stopped, it is cooler, now going to the garden to pick some lima beans.

Happy birthday Julie - you ar now joining the grown ups. It isn't that bad this side of the big 60, once you get used to it!!
Darius I feel for you - I drove the length of the UK (5 hour trip each way) about 10 times to be with Dad because they thought the end was close. Everytime he perked up while I was there, then as soon as I got back to work he slipped back again. It is such a strain. Of course when the end finally did came I wasn't home when they called to say he was very close. By the time I got in, it was too late, I didn't get back up North in time.The Nurse at the care home had sat with him from the time he called until the end - he would have stayed until I arrived - so Dad was not alone. I felt bad about that for ages, but he knew he was loved, and I had done my best, you have to forgive yourself for being human sometimes. We are all feeling for you ((((hugs))))
I have told my nearest and dearest too - no fuss and please cremate whats left and scatter it on the wind. Its in my will too - just hope they take some notice. I'm not bothered about the make up and hairdo - would like to have clean 'draws ' on though when I meet my maker!! Would hate him to have to move upwind, so it better not happen while I'm sweating in the yard.
We had a real storm yesterday - must have had 2" rain in as many hours. Now I hear thunder again - too much at once is not really a good thing!
Carol

Happy Birthday, Julie! Your just a few months ahead of me - Dec. lol

So many things to think of here - if I miss u, pls don't be upset, I'm sorry - sarv's arm, m5's DIL's aunt, darius, safety on the roads, a working 'puter and a good visit with ur mom.

Maria - so glad for u that Richard's passing was so peaceful. Dh's aunt died last night and I was told it also was quite peaceful, altho she struggled the last few weeks. Have to make cinnamon bread and get grapes and get Mon. pm off for serving the family dinner and lunch after visitation. Aunt Sarah was 94 - I really don't want to live that long and I guess I'm not particular what I look like at that moment but really would like it fast also. Who doesn't?

Mary - what's the latest on the fires?

((((HUGS)))) Darius...prayers are on the way..

Hap



Happy BD--Julie....many more..too.

Good news from DIL, intervention went very well and much progress made. I'm very glad, she was really stressed out about it.

Here's trusting the fires will stay away from Mary,and rain falls on the drought areas, and not where they already have too much. Sweet dreams, all.