My problem with Blogger, illustrated

I'm sure nobody realized what I was trying to say in that entry entitled I'm so confused, so I made a very short video so you could see what happens when I click on the "sign in" on my blog.  Ignore the commercial going on; Cliff was watching the news. 

As you can tell, it takes me to the place where I can do a blog entry, which means I AM signed in.  But when I go back to look at my finished entry, I am NOT signed in.  So if I answer someone's comment, I am anonymous.  That's how it is on Google and also Safari.  For some reason, Chrome lets me sign in and STAY signed in.  I'm going to keep using Chrome unless I am blogging or reading the blogs of others.  Of course, I have no problem reading Wordpress or other platforms, since I don't have to sign in with Google.  

As you can see here on Opera, there is no sign in because I'm already signed in when I arrive there, and I stay signed in unless I have some reason to sign out.

I hope that makes it clearer, but it doesn't really matter whether it does or not, because there's nothing I can do about it.  

When my husband got his GED

In 1993, Cliff wanted to get a job where our neighbor worked, but he couldn't work there unless he got his GED.  We found there was a class eight miles away in Lexington and he signed up.  His biggest problem was always math; early in our marriage I tried to show him how to add and divide and carry numbers, but I'm just no teacher, so I didn't know how to get him to understand it. 

The funny thing was that once he started the class, he had no trouble understanding it.  Most of his work there was done on a computer, but there was a teacher there to help, too.  On his first trip to class, he filled out some questions so the teacher would know where to place him.  When he looked over that assessment, he said, "You won't be here long."  

That encouraged Cliff, and he looked forward to going to school.  I think he went two nights each week until it was over.  He learned more math in that short time than I ever learned in my life, although he says he doesn't remember as much as he used to.  But he can still do the basic math just fine.  

He took the GED test down in Warrensburg, but wasn't confident about how he did.  We waited and waited, probably for three or four weeks; finally one day when I went to the mailbox, there it was.

Cliff was behind the barn working on a pen for my pregnant sow when I handed him the envelope, and he found out he had passed with flying colors.  My mother, who'd buy anything at a garage sale if she could get it for a nickle, happened to have an appropriate book for a graduating senior; we had lots of fun with it.  I was looking at old pictures all day and found that book.  Cliff didn't even remember he had a party... he didn't even recall the book.  I took some pictures of various pages, starting with the picture I took of him with the GED in hand the day it came.

From my daughter and family

From one of my cousins, no longer with us

My mother and some of my aunts and uncles were still living and sent cards.  Cliff's parents were no longer living.  Our daughter had a party for him.  It was all great fun, and I was so proud of him.  Several friends sent cards too.

I've been looking at old pictures all day, some of which are faded so badly it's hard to tell who the people are.  It had me depressed, thinking about  where "does" the good times go?  I certainly hope this is not the start of my winter depression; even if it is, I'm not going back to the pills I took in 2020.  But looking at this happy little time and then seeing Cliff smiling while he paged through it cheered me up a little. 

I'm so confused

Google has a new trick it likes to play on me when I go to my blog.  It tells me to sign in, but when I click on "sign in", it takes me to the place where I do a new entry.  I can get to the editing part of my blog, but when I go to the actual blog to see it as my readers do, it doesn't recognize me.  I know this, because I replied to some comments yesterday and was anonymous... ON MY OWN BLOG!  I am also anonymous when I comment on any Google blog.

I do have a workaround, but I shouldn't have to do it.  I can go to another browser (Safari or Opera), sign in properly and see my blog as you  readers do; in fact those browsers don't make me sign in, because they  recognize me already.  I can comment on any blog and show up as myself, rather than anonymous.  Bu all I can do on Google Chrome is edit my blog and do new entries, even though Google is also the owner of Blogger!  I would think that would be the one be the one browser that knows who I am.

By the way, after I had been using Opera yesterday so I could comment and be recognized on other blogs, I went back to Google and I was signed in.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen this morning.

If this keeps on, I'll just make Opera my permanent browser.  It's just that all my passwords and websites are on the Chrome.  I wonder if my passwords would carry over automatically to a new default browser.  I'd hate to have to copy and paste all those passwords.  But wait...

I just googled the answer to my question RIGHT HERE.

By the way, I didn't know browsers kept my passwords for me until the last two or three years.  I was one of those people who wrote every password down and then lost the notebook I had written them in.  Imagine my surprise when I found out those passwords had been on my browser all the time.

Got Medicare?

I've been with Medicare since 2009.  Cliff enrolled the next year.

Once you reach your fifties, you start getting mail from all the insurance companies you've ever heard of.  Before I'd signed up for Medicare, I got a piece of mail from United Health Care, wanting to tell me about a plan they had called Medicare Advantage, contacted them, and set a date for someone to come and talk to me.

It was almost too good to be true.  Without me having to pay them a penny, they were going to give me cheaper doctor visits.  Oh, and he told me not to choose Part D on my medicare because I didn't need it with this plan; most of the common meds were $5.    

I stayed with United Health Care Medicare Advantage for two years, then found out other insurance companies had Medicare Advantage.  I could call a man who would come each year in the fall and show me which company would work best for me the next year.  Each year, it got better, with this man helping us get the best deal.

Currently Cliff and I have Humana Medicare Advantage.  They are now paying for new glasses and, for me, new teeth, since my partial denture doesn't work.  I've had three teeth pulled and will soon be getting a new partial... FREE!  Doctor visits are free.

But there's something you need to know before you sign up for Medicare, something I've just learned in the last few months.  Doctors and hospitals are starting to refuse patients who have Medicare Advantage because they, the doctors, are losing money.  You can, if you want to, go back to regular Medicare, but you'll have to pay to add Part D.  Over half of the people on Medicare are now using Medicare Advantage plans, and it looks like it could all fall apart.  I'm taking it as it comes, because what else can you do?  One day at a time is my motto.  And I don't want to worry anybody, I just want people to know what could happen before they sign up.  Click below and see for yourself:

Two Large Medical Groups Shun Medicare Advantage Plans

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

Thanks to Bev Sykes for helping us steal memes.

1. What you did you do today?  My usual Sunday:  I went to the Methodist Church in town, which goes from 9 to 10.  Then I walked to the Baptist Church, which goes from 10:30 to 11:30.  I came home and warmed up leftovers from yesterday, and now watching football.  My team, the Kansas City Chiefs, play at 3:30, and they are really the only team I care about.

 2.  What are the must-sees in your area?  I'm 25 miles away from the greater Kansas City area, so I'd recommend the National World War I Museum and Memorial.  Also, in Independence, the recently remodeled Harry Truman Library. 

 3. What is your favourite quote?  Right now, it's this:  Luke 12:15 NKJV - And He (Jesus) said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

 4. What was the last thing you cooked or ate?  I made my husband and myself milk shakes.  He's been losing weight, so this was a treat he won't be getting again for awhile. 

 5. What is something you learned from your

 grandparents?   I really didn't know my paternal grandfather very well, but I spent lots of time with my maternal grandma.  She kept a diary, which led me to keep a diary (now a blog) throughout my life; also to read the Bible every day, and to love chickens and cows.

 6. What makes you happy?   I love the early morning hours.  The sun coming up makes me happy.  Pets make me happy, and my husband makes me happy... we have some funny conversations that make me laugh.  

 7. What is your best travel memory?  Several Colorado memories.  I really enjoyed a trip we took to Memphis, too.  Oh, and we took a train trip to the Grand Canyon for our 50th anniversary.  Then there were all the motorcycle trips we took to south Missouri and Arkansas.  Fun times.

 8. What’s the weather like today?  It's a lovely autumn day in the 70's.  Perfect!

 9. Share an interesting fact that you’ve learned.  I've learned that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, and there doesn't seem to be any cure for it.

 10. What is your favourite book, movie or band!  I can't choose a favorite book, there are so many good ones.  Right now I'm reading Lessons in Chemistry and enjoying it.  My favorite movies are Stand by Me and Little Big Man, as well as Casablanca.  Any band playing Henry Mancini songs is great by me.

 11.  Write your favorite poem or haiku?  This makes me wonder if I'm supposed to share a poem  I wrote.  I've written hundreds, but it's easier to copy and paste somebody else's. 

Leisure by William Henry Davies

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

 12. What is a local festival or tradition from your area?  There's not much big going on in my little town, population 870 or so.

 13. What was the best thing you learned in school?  I learned how to be invisible and became a complete loner.

Surprises in the garden

I got tired of watering my next-to-the-last planting of green beans, and left them to die; I had a another small crop of green beans coming on, but decided not to water that planting either.  A couple of days ago I noticed there were some green beans on those last-planted ones that were about ready to pick; I examined them closely, figuring there wouldn't be any actual beans in the pods; but there were, so I decided to pick the beans that were ready and save them in the refrigerator for a couple of days in a baggie, until more beans got big enough to pick.  Then I walked over to the older rows and noticed they, too, had some decent-looking green beans on them.  I don't know how, with no rain, but there they were.  I now have enough green beans to cook, with some left over for a couple more days.  We never get tired of green beans, and they're good for my husband in his effort to lose weight.  He has some clothes now that definitely fit looser.  

He was trying not to eat anything after our mid-day meal, and succeeded.  But he mentioned that his stomach was burning a little when he went to bed.  I told him that's because the only thing in his stomach was acid when he ate nothing in the evening.  I suggested he just choose something not too caloric in the evening, like one slice of bread with a little peanut butter, or maybe half a cup of cottage cheese.  That fixed his stomach problem.  I would have told him to eat a banana or apple, but those things bother his stomach at night.  He really is doing much better about eating, and I hope I can keep cooking more healthy foods and less desserts so he won't be tempted. 

I also found two ugly, small tomatoes to add to the ones I already had in the house.  I'm making our healthy diet version of chicken gumbo, which calls for two cups of chopped tomatoes.  I had enough, with one tomato to spare.

As for the gumbo ingredients, the okra plants aren't contributing a lot, but I got enough in two days to give me the two cups of okra the recipe calls for.

There was a chance of rain yesterday.  People 75 miles south of us got six inches.  We got barely 2/10 of an inch, as always.  There's another chance of rain for today.  I won't hold my breath, although right now it looks and feels as if it could happen.  

There's always hope.

A poinsettia story

When Christmas was over last year, on the way out of the Baptist Church the preacher's wife asked me if I wanted a poinsettia plant.  She doesn't even remember doing that, by the way.  I think she just wanted it gone, since it had served its seasonal purpose.  For some reason I accepted it, knowing I'd just toss it out when I got it home.

I sat it down on the side of the kitchen table closest to a northern-facing window and pretty much forgot about it.  That's why I don't have  house plants; once something sits in the same place for a couple of days, it becomes invisible.  I didn't bother to water it for a long time; the sad plant just sat there turning browner.  I did notice it when I wiped off the table, and wondered why I hadn't gotten rid of it.  At some point, for whatever reason, I gave it some water; it was refusing to completely die, so why  not?  Sometime in February, Cliff said, "Is that plant dead?"

"Pretty much," I answered, and gave it another drink of water.  In the back of my mind I began wondering what would happen if it had enough life in it for me to put it in the garden come spring, where it wouldn't be bothering me and making me feel guilty.

I believe it was mid-April when I dug a hole and put it in its new home; we had a hard freeze or two, and some frost once or twice; but since I was covering up my first two tomato plants, I went ahead and covered the poinsettia too.  In May I put some zucchini seeds right beside it.  By July, the zucchini plant had practically covered up the poinsettia, and I honestly forgot all about it.  It's been a dry summer, but I did water my zucchinis from time to time, so I suppose the poinsettia got some water too.

In August the squash bugs arrived and the zucchini plant died.  There was the Christmas plant, looking quite healthy!

   

It was so pretty, I shared it on Facebook.  There were many  admirers, and one couple told me to bring it in the house, give it 12 hours of total darkness every day, and it would turn red by Christmas.

I don't even have a flower pot to put it in, and I do NOT intend to be nursemaid for a silly plant that you can buy in December for a very reasonable price.  It can sit out there until the cold weather kills it and I'll know it had a happy life.

However, I did go to Google out of curiosity:  I found out I did nothing right when I put the silly thing in the garden and forgot it.  They are only supposed to have four or five hours of direct sun each day, so maybe being in the shade of the zucchini plant saved it.  They are supposed to be fertilized once a month: Ha!  I don't even fertilize my  tomatoes!  Before I put it in the garden, I should have cut the plant back to almost nothing; I even left all the brown, dead leaves on it.  

Everything I did to the plant was wrong!

But a seed has been planted in my mind, even knowing that if I bring it inside, it will never live to see another year... because that's how I roll. 

Another Cochlear Miracle

Cliff got his second cochlear implant May 27.  He hasn't really felt as though it helped him much, and thought he'd made a mistake getting it... until yesterday.

There are a lot of appointments involved after you get these implants.  Most of them are not with the surgeon, but with an audiologist.  They do all sorts of things at different visits that involve testing and "tuning up" the implant.  Yesterday's tuneup took away all my husbands doubts about having the second implant.

He had been told at his previous appointment to go home and listen to tv with the left-ear implant sometimes, without the right one being turned on.  He tried it once and couldn't make anything out, so that was that.  Yesterday he told the audiologist about it, and she said, "But you are supposed to practice listening to different things; that's how it works to make you understand things better."  

She put him through several tests that involve a computer being hooked up to his processor, told him to let her know which sound was louder or softer, and then changed things on the computer.  She did this several times.  Cliff mentioned to her that when I'm washing pots and pans at the sink, it sounds horribly loud to him.  She changed something on the computer that she thought would help that, and sure enough:  at home later I was washing dishes, and he said it wasn't a problem at all.

When that lady was done, Cliff could actually hear with the left ear, even with the the right ear turned off!  At home he found out he could hear the foil being unwrapped off my Lindor chocolates; I guess I'll have to go outside to sneak candy now.  He went to the shop, listened to his country music on Willie's Place, and found it sounding much better.

There is one negative thing that happened with the last implant.  About a week after he got that surgery, he started having severe vertigo.  It was so bad that the grandson got him to the hospital.  They gave him a pill that immediately helped the dizziness and sent him home with a prescription for 20 more pills, but he has taken most of them because he keeps getting dizzy; in fact, he's a little bit dizzy all the time.  So he's been carrying them with him every time we go someplace, just in case.  

Yesterday I told him we'd better take those pills with us to the appointment, because he doesn't have many left.  The audiologist looked at them and asked Cliff if he told the doctor he was having trouble with vertigo.  He hadn't.  That's sort of my fault, because I should have known that would be the right thing to do.  All I did was google it, which is never the right thing to do.  She said the pills he's been taking only mask the dizziness; the doctor can do things to help get rid of it, including therapy; she said she'd inform the doctor, and that he's have someone call and set up an appointment.  

So, I can now talk to my husband from another room, which I couldn't before; but I'm also going to have to be more careful when I try to sneak candy when he's around.

We're pretty excited about this new change.

Various things

After three or four days of very little working in the garden, I woke up yesterday and realized my knee pain was much less.  So that's nice, although it wouldn't stop me from working in the garden if there was more of a chance I'd get something for my work.  At this stage of the game I'll just hand-water the strawberry plants and the tiny radishes that have come up, and maybe do a bit of weeding where it's needed.  The skies sprinkled rain most of the day yesterday, which amounted to less than a quarter-inch of rain; the only thing that small amount will do is make the weeds grow, and the strawberry plants, I imagine:  They think they are weeds anyhow.

I have to confess, when Cliff's pulmonologist told him he didn't actually have asthma and sent him to an ear, nose, and throat doctor, I thought that doctor was crazy.  My husband was wheezing constantly, and several times a night I'd wake up to him coughing and clearing his throat.  He even moved to the other bedroom so he wouldn't be waking me up.

Guess what?  After following the new doctor's orders, he hasn't wheezed or coughed for three or four days, not even once.  So here I am, Miss Know-it-all, telling the world not to come to me for medical advice.  Last night, he was back beside me, and my sleep was undisturbed by any noises from his side of the bed.

He is still short of breath; he thinks that's because he's overweight, and that may be.  I'm working with him to try and lose some weight; that's very difficult for a man who is limited by arthritis, and can't do much exercise except pedaling on the recumbent bicycle for thirty minutes a day.  

Believe me, it's hard for me to help him, because I have to watch what I eat too, and I hate that.  But he can't live in the same house with me and be smelling cookies, cakes, or pie baking in the oven.  I can't sneak around by baking and hiding it, because he's always here.  Oh, he usually goes to the shop to piddle around most afternoons, but the smells of baking would give me away when he came back in.  So wish us luck.  I realize it's for my own good too, but it's hard.  

Poor me; won't somebody please give me a little pat on my head for being a good girl?     

It's definitely Autumn in Missouri, so I'm reading through my books faster.  I finished Judgement Prey.  I hadn't read any Lucas and Virgil books for a long time, so I enjoyed it.  Now I've started a book that isn't such an easy read...  Wager:  a Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder.  It's non-fiction, and pretty sad, which I don't need at this time of year, but it was on hold for a long time, so I'm reading it while I can.  Cliff will like it, since he always prefers books that tell stories that really happened.  

It's time to start his coffee, so I wish you all a good day.

The twilight years are a challenge

I've learned that growing old is the process of slowly giving up things in your life that you care about.  I've also learned that if you dwell on that, you will ruin what little bit of life you have left.  I'm not saying you shouldn't fix things that can be fixed, but many things in life are unavoidable.

You get to the place where you've lost your parents, aunts, uncles; there's nothing that you could do to prevent that, because dying is a natural part of life.  But it's still a loss to you.

I walked at least three miles daily for forty years, often with my husband by my side.  When my knees gradually decided to quit and gave me too much pain, I walked slower, and not as far as I used to.  That worked for ten or twelve years, until I couldn't do it anymore.  I did get a knee replacement and was able to take my walks for about two years after that; then it got to painful again, and my right knee hurt too... but I wasn't about to get another knee replacement when the one I already had was hurting just as much.  I still miss my long walks, but I don't dwell on it.  I do get tired of the pain at times.

I always used to have at least one Jersey cow on the place... not because we needed five gallons of milk a day, but because I love Jersey cows.  When the cow had her calf and was giving lots of milk, I'd buy three or four baby Holstein calves and bottle feed them the extra milk.  Oh, how I loved those times, watching the calves buck and jump and play; but I finally admitted to myself that I had no business doing it any more.  For one thing, my knees would hardly let me squat down practically underneath the cow to milk her.  Now the only livestock we have consists two cats and a dog.  Thank God for pets!

My husband lost his hearing and now has cochlear implants, and we are so thankful for that, but the implants are not like the hearing he was born with by a long shot.  He really misses his country music, and he tells me people don't sound like themselves.  

Both of us have lost a lot of strength in our bodies.  I used to be able to pick up a fifty pound bag of cattle feed and pour it into a barrel.  And my husband, in his twenties, was one of the strongest men I have ever known.  I never saw him lose an arm-wrestling match except one time when he lost deliberately as he winked at me so I'd know what was happening, and let the muscled-up inlaw win, because he didn't want to make him feel bad.  

We used to attend lots of tractor shows, hauling one or another of the classic tractors Cliff had painted so we could ride in the Parade of Power.  We're not much for travel any more; Cliff says it's all he can do to keep the car on the road.  He really has to pay close attention, especially on the freeway and in large cities.  

What got me started on this subject was something that happened to me this morning.  I was on the computer reading my usual morning surfing when I realized that there was something like a sparkling halo on the left side of my left eye, blurring my vision something awful.  It stayed like that for at least an hour, making it difficult to read.  I mentioned it to Cliff, and we discussed it.  Then I googled it (I know, I know... never do that) and found it could be a detached retina.  I thought, Oh no!  I need to be able to read!  It's the only thing I do that doesn't hurt!

But that was two hours ago, and now I'm fine.  For now, at least.  And I just now realized I could always listen to audiobooks if I went blind.  

Now?  Right this instant I'm thinking how silly it was to worry about reading, when I'd be unable to see where I was going.  I couldn't have my garden.  I wouldn't know if I was about to step in the grandson's dogs' poop; I couldn't watch the Chiefs play football (although if they played like they did last night, that might be a blessing). 

Sad but true:  Old age is not for sissies. 

The high cost of living these days

Yesterday I posed this question on Facebook:

I hopefully enter the grocery store each week. Then I see the prices, mark several things off my list, and go home angry and depressed. Is it just me?

There were 42 comments on my question; here are some of them:

I don't blame you, the price of some items is ridiculous. I either get the store brand or get something else if what I want is too expensive.

No! The other day when my son went to Wal Mart prices had gone up again.

No. This happens to me every shopping trip.

It's crazy.  It's nearly $7 for a jar of name brand mayo! I've even quit putting as much on the table for supper any more... especially during summer. We eat a lot of what we've grown and little else other than meat. Snack stuff is getting astronomical.

I always start out grocery shopping with our meal plans and needed items on the list...by the end of it, half of the meals have changed and we are making due with a different substituted meal in it's place. I too leave angry and disappointed at how much more we are spending on everything. Especially when you see the price has nearly doubled from one week to the next!

Nope, it pisses us off also. But our SS check next year won't have nearly enough increase to offset it.

Not only have prices went up, there is less product along with a higher price. 14 and 12 ounces of bacon instead of a pound. Hamburger buns are smaller.

Nope - me too especially since I am on Long Term Disability insurance and I am getting only 55% of my salary - but I guess 55% of something is better than 55% of nothing.

Nope not just you! Between the price of gas and food, no one can afford to live anymore. We are in a silent depression. 

It's not just you! FOOD PRICES ARE OUTRAGEOUS, GAS IS OUTRAGEOUS, INS, TAXES AND UTILITIES KEEP GOING UP TOO.

It seems for us that in just the last two weeks our groceries went up almost $100. We didn’t even get that much.

Food is our second highest bill currently, after medical crap. Then college expenses. 

I can’t believe how much everything has gone up. I sound like the grouchy old Nana every weekend at the lake, or when my grandson’s come to my house with friend’s.(They always take friend’s to the lake too.) I find half full bottles of water, soda, Gatorade… and waisted food. It is nothing to spend $3-400.00 a weekend on food. We just can’t do it anymore! These are teenagers!

There was one comment telling me to blame the Democrats, but I told that fellow I often unfriend people who try to force me into talking politics on Facebook.  My opinions are in in the minority compared with the social media crowd, and I'm not getting into that mess.  

Also, those of us on fixed incomes have this to think about.  The cost of living increase for our Social Security direct deposit account is supposed to be around 3% this year... unless a lot of hurricanes show up in the coming months.  If so, we may get a little more.  Shall I start praying for more hurricanes?  Anyone who goes shopping or drives a car knows the inflation rate has been more than three per cent.

Labor Day

I mentioned the other day that I found some podcasts that are supposed to help folks sleep, and I found one that works pretty well for me, although I really haven't tried it enough to know for sure.  It's called Nothing Much Happens.  It's very soothing.  You can listen to one of them on the website if you're curious.

I've been moving soaker hoses all day long.  The extended forecast has tomorrow being the last of temperatures in the 90's, and there are some possibilities of rain far ahead; I won't hold my breath, but it sure would be nice.  I actually have quite a few peas coming up, which is what got me out there dragging hoses onto every row.  I also tried a new way to get spinach to grow.  It seems ridiculous to me, but you know, what else am I doing around here?  So I tried it; I just planted them yesterday.  You can find the article HERE if you're interested.  I'll let you know whether it works.

Speaking of things that sound very strange, I found a recipe for butternut squash macaroni and cheese... not only one recipe, but several.  Even Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond has one, although that isn't the one I used.  I settled for one on the website of a Kansas City lady.  Her blog is called Cookie and Kate, and she features vegetarian food.  I'm no vegetarian, but the mac and cheese was good.

Other than moving soaker hoses today, we also had a visit from our daughter and her husband.  The grandson is here visiting with us now; he usually checks in on us before his work week, as well as coming over in the evening a couple times during the week. 

That's about it for Labor Day.  It's just another day for us tired old retirees, but we did enjoy our company.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday  Stealing with Bev Sykes

1. Did you ever have a commercial you really liked?  Any of the Budweiser commercials with the big horses

    

2. How did you learn to ride a bicycle?  As a child, I never had a bike.  However, when I was in fourth or fifth grade our preacher's three kids had one bike between them, and helped me learn to ride on it.  I think I recall their last name was Halcomb or Holcomb.

 

3.How did you celebrate your 21st birthday?  I don't know that I did.

4. What fascinated you as a child?  Horses.  I cried for a pony many times, but I didn't get one until after I was married.

5. What was one of your favorite playground games?  I wasn't much at games; I was always the last one chosen.

6. What things matter most to you in life?  Having enough.  Not too much, not too little... just enough for a peaceful and happy life.

7. If you had to go back in time and start a brand new career, what would it be?  I have no desire to go back in time.  Besides, do I seem like a career person to you?

8. What do people get wrong about you?  I don't know; I don't worry much about what people think about me.

9. Do you believe that people can change?  Yes.  Why or why not?  Because I've changed multiple times, and I've seen others change greatly, too.

 

10. What is some of the best advice your mother ever gave you?  I was never very good at following advice.

11. If you could see into the future, what would you want to find out?  I've never wanted to know the future.  I'd rather take one day at a time.

12. How has your life turned out differently than you imagined it would?  Long term it's been pretty much like I wanted, mainly because we have always lived in the country.

13. What is the longest project you have ever worked on?

I don't have the patience for projects

    

14. What have been some of your favorite restaurants through the years?  I used to think Olive Garden was the best place ever.  I've always liked Golden Corral, but my favorite one closed a while back.  I absolutely love KFC, but the ones in our area are not very clean.  Being near Kansas City, I like good barbecue places.  We seldom eat out these days because of the expense.

15. What is one of the best shows you've ever been to?  I'm a fan of country music, but I really enjoyed the energy of Green Day when I went with the grandkids.  Went to Warped Tour with them, too.  I've been to lots of country music shows and enjoyed them all.  The ones I remember most fondly are ones in the early 70's when we could hardly afford it.  We saw Jerry Lee Lewis pounding the piano.  What a character he was!  Another great show was with  Dolly Parton, when she was still working with Porter Wagoner.  I always thought she looked cheap on Porter's television show, but in person, she was absolutely beautiful... makeup, legs, wig, bosom and all.  My husband agreed.