What's outside of your picture window today?

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Nov 25, 2020

As we get ready for the real winter to show up and COVID-19 still playing a major part in our lives I like to spend moments of my day de-stressing about what's going on in the world today. All I have to do is look out the window and observe some of natures beautiful creatures, how they interact and ponder how small it makes my troubles seem. Sometimes I may even get the opportunity to take a photo or two. How about you? Anything going on outside of your window(s) that you want to share?

For those members that have the ability to size your photos before you upload them to the discussion, may I suggest using the following sizes:
– 500 x 335 pixels (landscape)
– 210 x 210 pixels (square)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@merpreb

Good morning Elizabeth- Sometimes we just have to put our feet down- different doesn't always better.

I'm worried, since you live alone, how do you take care of your hygeine and food when you are ill, or not?

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Thanks, Merry. Food I keep snacks and drinks and some real food upstairs in an empty bedroom I set up as a little kitchen w/small fridge, coffee, microwave, etc. It works well, but I have to keep stuff in it, get it upstairs after I have groceries delivered. I take one thing at a time as I go upstairs. Works so far. Don't do much preparing of food. Can't. So buy from grocery deli and warm up, have it delivered. Costs more but gets it done.

Hygiene....take fewer showers, but do fine.

I'm alone, very much so, but i'm doing fine. Days I am weak or not stair worthy I stay upstairs. Works for now with laptop, tv, recliner, bed, bath/shower....
Very tired now and late getting to bed.
be safe and well.
Bless you, elizabeth

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@ess77

Thanks, Merry. Food I keep snacks and drinks and some real food upstairs in an empty bedroom I set up as a little kitchen w/small fridge, coffee, microwave, etc. It works well, but I have to keep stuff in it, get it upstairs after I have groceries delivered. I take one thing at a time as I go upstairs. Works so far. Don't do much preparing of food. Can't. So buy from grocery deli and warm up, have it delivered. Costs more but gets it done.

Hygiene....take fewer showers, but do fine.

I'm alone, very much so, but i'm doing fine. Days I am weak or not stair worthy I stay upstairs. Works for now with laptop, tv, recliner, bed, bath/shower....
Very tired now and late getting to bed.
be safe and well.
Bless you, elizabeth

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@ess77
Hi lizzy,
Hope you keep some candy upstairs too. It would be a tragedy of the worst kind if you didn’t feel like going down stairs. You might benefit from a stair lift. I had bad news today. What other type news do plumbers give. My sink has been plugged up and if it’s halfway for it takes 3 to 4 days for it to empty so I need new pipes under my house add a cost of at least $10,000. The joys of having an old house never stop. My house is 75 years old.
Jake

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@merpreb

Good morning Elizabeth- Sometimes we just have to put our feet down- different doesn't always better.

I'm worried, since you live alone, how do you take care of your hygeine and food when you are ill, or not?

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Hello Elizabeth, I too live alone, in Houston Texas, in a not so friendly neighborhood. I am from France, when I first came to Texas, everywhere it stated "the friendly state" I finally said to someone "good thing they say that because I would not have known from the attitude of its people". I am not bitter, I simply expected the friendly state to act friendly. I wanted to organize a progressive dinner whereby everyone would make something from their own country of origin (this is an oil and gas area) but no one wanted to do it... "Anna you cook too well, we could not compete" I did not want to compete... I have yet to have a true Texas hamburger... hugs to everyone!

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@artscaping

That my friend depends on when the TKR might be. It is at the top of my list when we get back from Texas. We'll figure it out. We have 3 extra bedrooms so that makes it easy to enjoy the sunset and the morning sunrise. Feeding the chipees......, riding down on Stanley......and swinging in the swing are must-dos. Where do we have to go to get moss?

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As you might guess, life is "on hold" here for a bit, though our daughter is doing remarkably well. When do you return from Texas?
The moss place I am thinking of is near Virginia, MN...
Sue

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@ess77

Thanks, Merry. Food I keep snacks and drinks and some real food upstairs in an empty bedroom I set up as a little kitchen w/small fridge, coffee, microwave, etc. It works well, but I have to keep stuff in it, get it upstairs after I have groceries delivered. I take one thing at a time as I go upstairs. Works so far. Don't do much preparing of food. Can't. So buy from grocery deli and warm up, have it delivered. Costs more but gets it done.

Hygiene....take fewer showers, but do fine.

I'm alone, very much so, but i'm doing fine. Days I am weak or not stair worthy I stay upstairs. Works for now with laptop, tv, recliner, bed, bath/shower....
Very tired now and late getting to bed.
be safe and well.
Bless you, elizabeth

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@ess77- Have you asked your doctors about Palliative care? This is NOT hospice. It's caring for all of you and getting help into the house that you need so that you aren't so taxed and so that you feel less lonely. If you belong (ed) to a religious group perhaps they could help too? Or are you preferring to be alone?

Palliative Care and Hospice Care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/palliative-care-and-hospice-care/

Virtual Hospice's website http://www.virtualhospice.ca

What Is Palliative Care? http://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics

What+Is+Palliative+Care_/10+Myths+about+Palliative+Care.aspx

10 Myths about Palliative Care http://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/What+Is+Palliative+Care_/What+Is+Palliative+Care_.aspx

I have palliative care at my hospital and my Oncologist has begun several programs for it. But you have to make your doctors aware that you have needs that are a struggle for you.

I know that you say have things under control but what do you really need? What would you like help with?

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@jakedduck1

@ess77
Hi lizzy,
Hope you keep some candy upstairs too. It would be a tragedy of the worst kind if you didn’t feel like going down stairs. You might benefit from a stair lift. I had bad news today. What other type news do plumbers give. My sink has been plugged up and if it’s halfway for it takes 3 to 4 days for it to empty so I need new pipes under my house add a cost of at least $10,000. The joys of having an old house never stop. My house is 75 years old.
Jake

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Well, Jake, ain't it fun! I do love old houses, with such character and well made woodwork, etc. I'm sorry for the new expense....boy, do I understand the feeling. Still waiting to give the plumber $3000 for 1 cast iron pipe repair, then pay wall man to replace ceiling and walls, then pay someone to paint, and replace everything else that's damaged. Has to wait now for my health to pick back up. Get stronger and breath! Good for symbicort!

Ck'd outside the window upstairs this morning, from a spare bedroom, to see my feeders and patio. The squirrels were trying soooooo hard to get to the feeders I moved a couple days ago. I keep looking for the best place, best limb far enough away from the trunk or extended limb for the pesky boys/girls to not reach the seed. They keep growing!!! And, stretching...they can stretch to reach seed a remarkably long way! Amazing-holding on with only a few tiny toenails I'm impressed!

Last evening the birds went crazy. It was like folks in New York...running to the newly open bars to be with people, get drinks, have fun. They did have fun. I love what's happening out there, with birdbath, fountain, seed cakes, suet, and different kinds of seeds, solar lights that don''t work because the electric light is too bright. Now, just want to get the little pavers and wall and repot stuff and it'll be another little sanctuary for them and for me.

Be well, Jake, You can make it through the re-piping. I did. years ago. It's a mess to do and deal but we are strong. We are blessed. Enjoy your day, my friend. Blessings. elizabeth

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@sueinmn

As you might guess, life is "on hold" here for a bit, though our daughter is doing remarkably well. When do you return from Texas?
The moss place I am thinking of is near Virginia, MN...
Sue

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Hello, Sue, my traveling naturalist friend. I've missed you. I also missed that your daughter isn't doing well.....can you fill me in a tiny bit? Hope she's improving....same daughter who helped you so much with your MN gardening while you were in your 'tiny Texas home'? Did you wear her out??????

You enjoy those flowers and pond and visitors. And, stay well and safe yourself. I'm still having challenges breathing, but nothing like what you experience. I feel blessed and amazed at what you and others with your lung issues do to breath!

Just ck'd my patio from upstairs bedroom window and it's active. Seems to have lots of visitors most of the time, until dark. Gets so busy after 4ish every afternoon. Loving every minute as I meet new feathered friends, learn their ways and personalities, and add to their goodies to better their lives. What fun! Having trouble finding help for plants and paving, etc. I'll get the right person, but want it now!!!!

be well. be safe. Blessings, my friend. elizabeth

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@sueinmn

As you might guess, life is "on hold" here for a bit, though our daughter is doing remarkably well. When do you return from Texas?
The moss place I am thinking of is near Virginia, MN...
Sue

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I can imagine......you do seem to handle trauma very well. We return next Monday.....and I will begin a discussion about surgery. The flight was difficult, the airline was wonderful. Resting today and playing with "stretchies" characters. Quite heavenly. The water is close and we have great views. I am very happy.

Can't imagine hunting "moss" in the mine country without surgery first. We'll see how it goes. Haven't taken any pictures yet.....been too busy playing. Sending compassion meditations to you and your daughter.
Chris

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@loribmt

Owl pellets are fascinating to dissect. Your grands will love it! When my daughter was younger I’d collect the pellets to do a little search and discovery session in her (and other) science classes in elementary school. Each student got a face mask, small magnifying glass and toothpicks or wooden swizzle sticks to separate the pellets and discover the little bones as well as insects and other oddities. They’d try to assemble the bones and identify the parts. 😊 We also raised monarchs for years which was so cool! Nature is truly amazing.
Today we’re in another flurry of dragonflies hatching. My daughter had about 20 on her back and arms. There are literally thousands in the air, hanging on the trees and grass...all sparkling in the sun! Simple pleasures.

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Hello, Lori. I'm re-reading your posts to try to find out what's happening with Sue. While re-reading your amazing dragonfly posts, I have to mention to you how marvelous that must be.....I can't imagine having thousands of dragonflies around, nor having them cover my arms and back. Amazing. You must be a major dragonfly hatching ground. What a time you have in your area and oh, so special.

I can't believe disecting owl pooh! Bet that was fun with the grands. You do make the most of each and every day. I love it!

Be well. Enjoy your family and dragonflies, with blessings. elizabeth

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@ess77

Hello, Lori. I'm re-reading your posts to try to find out what's happening with Sue. While re-reading your amazing dragonfly posts, I have to mention to you how marvelous that must be.....I can't imagine having thousands of dragonflies around, nor having them cover my arms and back. Amazing. You must be a major dragonfly hatching ground. What a time you have in your area and oh, so special.

I can't believe disecting owl pooh! Bet that was fun with the grands. You do make the most of each and every day. I love it!

Be well. Enjoy your family and dragonflies, with blessings. elizabeth

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@ess77 Hi Elizabeth, No worries about Sue! She’s up to her bum in alligators right now with projects and filling in the gaps for her daughter who recently broke her arm! Sorry I just saw this or I’d written sooner so you wouldn’t be concerned all day. I hope your health is improving, dear heart. Nighty night.

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