I was thinking of Terry's warning of the car needing major work on it sometime, and even if it is not imminent I thought it would be prudent not to take it on a 1000 mile drive down to Texas, I will in future just nurse it around Shawnee.
So I went to Hertz and have got a rental car for my trip. I meant to take a photo of it, but it is dark now, I'll do it in the morning.
I haven't got the car he intended me to have, the one that was all dusted down ready for me to drive off. I was making sure everything I needed was there, and in doing so found there wasn't a place for my old fashioned GPS. Nowadays apparently they slot into a USB port, whereas mine goes into what used to be a cigar lighter. So he had to give me another one, and it is a Mazda.
I shall take my laptop with me, so hope to keep in touch, but if I don't I'll be back next week.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
30 July
We had very, very, heavy drenching rain last night. As I lay in bed and listened to it I realised why the lilies haven't dried up yet, why Oklahoma is so green.
Took the car for an oil change, and to be checked over for the trip. Terry informed me of a potential problem, I think he said it was something to do with the engine mount. He said I don't need worry just yet, he thought he'd just let me know so I could start saving. I suppose it is as well to be forewarned, the car has done over 250,000 miles, which is quite something.
Apart from one or two errands round town I have mostly been busy in the house, conscious of the fact that someone is coming in to feed Bubbles while I am away, so I need to clean up a bit.
I seem to have writers block, perhaps I will have more to write about tomorrow.
Took the car for an oil change, and to be checked over for the trip. Terry informed me of a potential problem, I think he said it was something to do with the engine mount. He said I don't need worry just yet, he thought he'd just let me know so I could start saving. I suppose it is as well to be forewarned, the car has done over 250,000 miles, which is quite something.
Apart from one or two errands round town I have mostly been busy in the house, conscious of the fact that someone is coming in to feed Bubbles while I am away, so I need to clean up a bit.
I seem to have writers block, perhaps I will have more to write about tomorrow.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday 29th July
I have been running around today, sorting out computers and picking up the pieces of the missing wallet.
I filed a police report, mainly because of the driving licence, I wanted a defence for not having one if I'm pulled over (not that I think I will be pulled over, I am going to be sooooooo inside the speed limit). The officer who interviewed me was so kind, so nice. I was saying it will take a little while to get a replacement for my UK driving licence and he asked what I was doing here. I could see where this was heading; visitors are allowed to drive around with foreign driving licences, but people who live here are supposed to have an Oklahoma licence. I told him I sort of live here, I have a residence permit, I just don't feel I live here. He laughed and passed it off.
I did tell him that I sometimes think of getting an Oklahoma licence, and I practice all the questions on the computer, but then I get busy and lose my focus.
Also had to call at my bank. When I rang the central place to stop the debit card on Sunday I was curtly told a new one would be with me in 7 - 10 business days. That is just so not on, I needed to talk to someone kind who would understand I need it before Thursday. I think it will come tomorrow, or Wednesday.
And the computers. I had to have a full diagnostic test on the laptop, the free tune up didn't cut it. At first I couldn't get my mail and one or two other web sites, then I was unable to get any internet connection at all, I couldn't even move past the networking thingy. I was told it was the fault of the Kaspersky antivirus filter which is very aggressive at blocking web sites, so Staples disabled the filter.
I am thinking ahead for my trip, sorting out what I have to take, it is a big deal if I go away anywhere. Terry was giving the car a mini service today, but he didn't finish what he was working on, and will do it in the morning.
And Bubbles. At this time of year she likes sitting out on the front porch and I have been concerned that she is going to have to be shut up while I'm away, so I rang Mark and asked if he would fit a cat flap (in the front door, I don't think the racoons will come in the front, they're running around the back garden) but although he was sympathetic to the idea, he can't because it is a metal door.
Hmmmmmm. This won't enlarge. I was going to show that the lilies have still not dried up, even in this heat.
Still hot here....
I filed a police report, mainly because of the driving licence, I wanted a defence for not having one if I'm pulled over (not that I think I will be pulled over, I am going to be sooooooo inside the speed limit). The officer who interviewed me was so kind, so nice. I was saying it will take a little while to get a replacement for my UK driving licence and he asked what I was doing here. I could see where this was heading; visitors are allowed to drive around with foreign driving licences, but people who live here are supposed to have an Oklahoma licence. I told him I sort of live here, I have a residence permit, I just don't feel I live here. He laughed and passed it off.
I did tell him that I sometimes think of getting an Oklahoma licence, and I practice all the questions on the computer, but then I get busy and lose my focus.
Also had to call at my bank. When I rang the central place to stop the debit card on Sunday I was curtly told a new one would be with me in 7 - 10 business days. That is just so not on, I needed to talk to someone kind who would understand I need it before Thursday. I think it will come tomorrow, or Wednesday.
And the computers. I had to have a full diagnostic test on the laptop, the free tune up didn't cut it. At first I couldn't get my mail and one or two other web sites, then I was unable to get any internet connection at all, I couldn't even move past the networking thingy. I was told it was the fault of the Kaspersky antivirus filter which is very aggressive at blocking web sites, so Staples disabled the filter.
I am thinking ahead for my trip, sorting out what I have to take, it is a big deal if I go away anywhere. Terry was giving the car a mini service today, but he didn't finish what he was working on, and will do it in the morning.
And Bubbles. At this time of year she likes sitting out on the front porch and I have been concerned that she is going to have to be shut up while I'm away, so I rang Mark and asked if he would fit a cat flap (in the front door, I don't think the racoons will come in the front, they're running around the back garden) but although he was sympathetic to the idea, he can't because it is a metal door.
Hmmmmmm. This won't enlarge. I was going to show that the lilies have still not dried up, even in this heat.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Sunday 28th July
I am not having a very happy time lately, I think it will be good when I get away, down to the Retreat at Navasota on Friday.
My latest misadventure was losing my wallet last night at Walmart. It didn't have any money in it, it was a flat metal case that just held cards, I first missed it this morning. I didn't put it down at the checkout because there isn't any room, I have to hold it in one hand and swipe my card with the other. I must have either dropped it putting it back in my bag, or it must somehow have fallen out of my bag.
I stopped the two debit cards for Lloyds and the local bank, the biggest nuisance is not having my driving licence, especially driving into another state, I will have to be very ultra careful not to do anything to be pulled over. I was telling Kevin about it this morning when he came to cut my grass, he suggested I go to the Tag Agency, which issues licence plates, it is owned by someone in our church (!!) he said they will look after me. I am not sure what they can do, but I'll try them.
I am going to need another excursion to Staples in the morning. The free tune up on my lap top wasn't entirely successful, I can't access my e-mail.
Anyway, enough of my woes. I went to Emmanuel this morning, Fr Bill is back from his holidays. Next week we shall be back to normal with two Sunday services.
Afterwards Pattisue and I had lunch at a new Mexican restaurant which just opened last week, I like Mexican food but I am not sure we needed another restaurant in Shawnee, a different ethnicity might have been nice. I wish I had taken my camera, but I was too distracted at my missing wallet, I didn't think of it. I had shrimps which are served sizzling in an iron skillet with peppers and onions; and a side dish, which is even better, of refried beans and rice with guacamole and sour cream.
Pattisue was hoping to start back at the hospital, but she has broken her wrist. A side effect of chemo is that it makes the bones brittle. I hope she doesn't break anything else.
My latest misadventure was losing my wallet last night at Walmart. It didn't have any money in it, it was a flat metal case that just held cards, I first missed it this morning. I didn't put it down at the checkout because there isn't any room, I have to hold it in one hand and swipe my card with the other. I must have either dropped it putting it back in my bag, or it must somehow have fallen out of my bag.
I stopped the two debit cards for Lloyds and the local bank, the biggest nuisance is not having my driving licence, especially driving into another state, I will have to be very ultra careful not to do anything to be pulled over. I was telling Kevin about it this morning when he came to cut my grass, he suggested I go to the Tag Agency, which issues licence plates, it is owned by someone in our church (!!) he said they will look after me. I am not sure what they can do, but I'll try them.
I am going to need another excursion to Staples in the morning. The free tune up on my lap top wasn't entirely successful, I can't access my e-mail.
Anyway, enough of my woes. I went to Emmanuel this morning, Fr Bill is back from his holidays. Next week we shall be back to normal with two Sunday services.
Afterwards Pattisue and I had lunch at a new Mexican restaurant which just opened last week, I like Mexican food but I am not sure we needed another restaurant in Shawnee, a different ethnicity might have been nice. I wish I had taken my camera, but I was too distracted at my missing wallet, I didn't think of it. I had shrimps which are served sizzling in an iron skillet with peppers and onions; and a side dish, which is even better, of refried beans and rice with guacamole and sour cream.
Pattisue was hoping to start back at the hospital, but she has broken her wrist. A side effect of chemo is that it makes the bones brittle. I hope she doesn't break anything else.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Last few days
It has been a funny week, I've been a bit down, and have also had computer problems. Those on the desk top pc which had registry issues have been sorted. I took the laptop for a free tune up today, but I'm having internet connection problems with certain programmes. I don't see how it can be the internet connection itself when the Mail opens, and Its your Turn, they obviously both need internet connections to open.
Last Tuesday morning I was hanging out in the chaplain's office where Larry was giving us an impromptu advisory/training session. I was a bit pushed to get to the Senior Centre for my afternoon stint on the front desk, and decided it was time to call it a day on this job, I will look around for some other way to help out there. I broke the news to Kate when I got there and told her I needed to leave a little bit early, I had booked up for an ipad class at the local technical college.
Rosalyn and I both went to the ipad class and it was very good indeed. The young lady leading it was friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable , there were only six of us in the class so she was able to deal with our individual queries. At the moment I am transferring all my address book information to the contacts, and making all my reminders and 'to do' lists on it. I like that it will take a SIM card, but as most places these days have wireless connection I am not sure yet about signing up for the monthly subscription. The next thing to do is explore further its camera and photo storing abilities.
The class was held over two evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Thursday morning I collected the Kiwanis donuts for the last time for a little while as another member has just retired and stepped up to take a turn.
The Kiwanis speaker was someone I know from Sustainable Shawnee, and we were pleased to see each other. She gave an interesting talk on recycling - not a subject I would have thought would be interesting, but she engaged us all. She told us how she and another tree hugging friend from California started Sustainable Shawnee. She is very hopeful that we will soon have our recycling picked up at the kerbside, it is something Sustainable Shawnee have been fighting the City for, for some time. I did make the point that it is not easy for little old ladies, like myself, to push our wheelie bins down to the kerb for collection, I wasn't sure I'd welcome a second bin. It was suggested I ask a neighbour, or if I really can't do it, the guys will always come and get it.
I've liked watching all the celebrations for the Royal baby, the scenes from Trafalgar Square and outside the Palace. I read somewhere that Prince Harry said he was going to show the prince how to have fun. My first reaction was "God forbid, do we really need another member of the Royal Family cavorting naked around Las Vegas". The second reaction was to wonder why he didn't think the child's parents weren't perfectly capable of showing him how to have fun. And it would be a lot more wholesome.
I was never a fan of Princess Diana but I think in the past week I felt more compassion for her than I ever had in the past. Seeing the happy young couple, leaving hospital with their baby to spend time with Kate's stable, supportive family, one couldn't help thinking of Diana who never had any of that.
Last Tuesday morning I was hanging out in the chaplain's office where Larry was giving us an impromptu advisory/training session. I was a bit pushed to get to the Senior Centre for my afternoon stint on the front desk, and decided it was time to call it a day on this job, I will look around for some other way to help out there. I broke the news to Kate when I got there and told her I needed to leave a little bit early, I had booked up for an ipad class at the local technical college.
Rosalyn and I both went to the ipad class and it was very good indeed. The young lady leading it was friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable , there were only six of us in the class so she was able to deal with our individual queries. At the moment I am transferring all my address book information to the contacts, and making all my reminders and 'to do' lists on it. I like that it will take a SIM card, but as most places these days have wireless connection I am not sure yet about signing up for the monthly subscription. The next thing to do is explore further its camera and photo storing abilities.
The class was held over two evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Thursday morning I collected the Kiwanis donuts for the last time for a little while as another member has just retired and stepped up to take a turn.
The Kiwanis speaker was someone I know from Sustainable Shawnee, and we were pleased to see each other. She gave an interesting talk on recycling - not a subject I would have thought would be interesting, but she engaged us all. She told us how she and another tree hugging friend from California started Sustainable Shawnee. She is very hopeful that we will soon have our recycling picked up at the kerbside, it is something Sustainable Shawnee have been fighting the City for, for some time. I did make the point that it is not easy for little old ladies, like myself, to push our wheelie bins down to the kerb for collection, I wasn't sure I'd welcome a second bin. It was suggested I ask a neighbour, or if I really can't do it, the guys will always come and get it.
I've liked watching all the celebrations for the Royal baby, the scenes from Trafalgar Square and outside the Palace. I read somewhere that Prince Harry said he was going to show the prince how to have fun. My first reaction was "God forbid, do we really need another member of the Royal Family cavorting naked around Las Vegas". The second reaction was to wonder why he didn't think the child's parents weren't perfectly capable of showing him how to have fun. And it would be a lot more wholesome.
I was never a fan of Princess Diana but I think in the past week I felt more compassion for her than I ever had in the past. Seeing the happy young couple, leaving hospital with their baby to spend time with Kate's stable, supportive family, one couldn't help thinking of Diana who never had any of that.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Monday 22 July
Every day the company which supplies electricity in Shawnee e-mails me as to what the charge is going to be, per kw hour, the next day. As a rule, at the moment, it is usually 0.5cents, then it goes to 20 cents per kw hr between 2 and 7 pm - when they don't want us to use much.
But today I got this little message from them in my inbox:-
..
This is a special OG&E pricing message. OG&E has called a critical price event for Tuesday, 07/23/2013. The electricity price for your home will be 44 cents per kilowatt hour for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow. This price overrides any price message you already received for tomorrow and does not include any applicable taxes, fees or charges.
With a 102 temperature they are expecting a big demand, but I'll be at the desk at the Senior Centre, so won't have the air conditioning going full steam in the house.
I had some errands to run in town, then settled down to watch for the announcement of the birth of the Royal baby.
I believe it was born about 4.30pm over there, but not announced until about 4 hours later because the parents wanted time to 'bond with their baby' before the media got hold of the story. The Fox News commentator over there was becoming anxious as it was getting late, she said 10.30 BST is their cut off time, because the Queen has to be told first, and she goes to bed at 10.30!!! So if it wasn't born before the Queen went to bed they wouldn't know until the morning.
It all looked very exciting over there, with the crowds jumping around and champagne corks popping everywhere.
I spent the rest of the day trying to get to grips with my Power Point presentation package, which I am showing to the Kiwanis group. I finally got the hang of getting the pictures in place. I just need now to transfer it all to my laptop. That's the next hurdle.
I am calling the presentation 'An English Village', and it is all about Alfriston with its interesting history, and a sort of tour round the church - what to look for in a church - and Alfriston church has a lot of features which would be found in most churches. Not churches over here of course, but quite a few of our members travel. And they're educated, I think they will be interested. My friend Nancy, who helped me last time with the projecting, said she will do so again.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Sunday 21 July
I went to Emmanuel this morning. Although the choir are still on holiday Rosalyn was playing the organ, which she does fortnightly in the summer when they have their - I believe it is 1979 Prayer Book - service. I know the Sunday without music is the 1552 Prayer Book.
This afternoon I went to a concert, and the reason the programme is so dishevelled is because - for some totally inexplicable reason - I tripped and fell coming out of the church, and I was carrying the programme. I just don't know why I tripped, but will stop wearing the shoes I had on. Sent up a prayer of thanksgiving that it wasn't my worst nightmare, a broken hip, I just scraped my knee and was a bit shaken, but a sea-salt caramel ice cream calmed me down when I got home.
There were several organists performing but Sandra is my friend. She is a member at Emmanuel although she plays the organ at First Christian Church.
Dr Peter Purin, a professor at OBU, had gone to London to present an academic paper, then he took a cycling holiday in Surrey, and had a very bad accident breaking, among other injuries, his collar bone. His wife had to fly out to England and the benefit concert was to help with his medical and travel expenses.
I asked him afterwards if our Health Service looked after him, he said they were very good, but when his wife arrived they arranged for his transportation back here - in an ambulance to the aircraft - where he had the surgery he needed.
On the subject of the benefit concert. People, specifically Republicans, have told me they don't want my socialism over here, their way is better, they tell me, where people, churches and communities help each other. I believe Americans are the most generous people in the world, this church wasn't packed but they raised over $2000 (the money was collected shortly after the beginning of the concert, then presented at the end, and Dr Purin thanked everyone) However....what happens to the people who don't belong to a church, who aren't part of a community because they keep themselves to themselves, what do they do when a crisis hits them. No, give me my socialism any day, I say, our welfare state, healthcare and social security benefits, I really don't think I would want my church and community rallying round with financial support, generous though they would be,
This afternoon I went to a concert, and the reason the programme is so dishevelled is because - for some totally inexplicable reason - I tripped and fell coming out of the church, and I was carrying the programme. I just don't know why I tripped, but will stop wearing the shoes I had on. Sent up a prayer of thanksgiving that it wasn't my worst nightmare, a broken hip, I just scraped my knee and was a bit shaken, but a sea-salt caramel ice cream calmed me down when I got home.
I asked him afterwards if our Health Service looked after him, he said they were very good, but when his wife arrived they arranged for his transportation back here - in an ambulance to the aircraft - where he had the surgery he needed.
On the subject of the benefit concert. People, specifically Republicans, have told me they don't want my socialism over here, their way is better, they tell me, where people, churches and communities help each other. I believe Americans are the most generous people in the world, this church wasn't packed but they raised over $2000 (the money was collected shortly after the beginning of the concert, then presented at the end, and Dr Purin thanked everyone) However....what happens to the people who don't belong to a church, who aren't part of a community because they keep themselves to themselves, what do they do when a crisis hits them. No, give me my socialism any day, I say, our welfare state, healthcare and social security benefits, I really don't think I would want my church and community rallying round with financial support, generous though they would be,
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Saturday 20th July
Although it is the 3rd Saturday I didn't go to the AARP meeting this morning, I'll ring Phyllis tomorrow to see how it went. I joined Cecil and Louise, and the Kiwanis district governor, and three others for a Kiwani's district meeting at a restaurant in Shawnee. I was surprised there were so few of us, but I expect people have lots of other things to do on Saturday mornings.
After lunch I conceived the lunatic idea of going to a supermarket where they had melons on special offer. The heat had fried my brains before I got there, and I got out of car without making any mental note of where it was parked. I nearly DIED of heat exhaustion walking up and down the lines of cars. And when I got home Kevin was cutting my grass. He said he didn't mind the heat, he likes it.
I went home to recover before venturing out to Staples this evening for a new cartridge for my printer. I find every time I need a new cartridge it is harder and harder to find, and I was totally unable to today. I just hope I have better luck online. I can't believe my perfectly good printer, which isn't even old, has become obsolete.
I went from Staples to Walmart, and they didn't have any either.
But while I was in Walmart I photographed this rubbish....I wondered when it would be coming.
I took this picture because I think it illustrates just how much grilling and bbq'ing is part of the culture here. I wouldn't even know where to go to buy one at home.
And the week ahead............
After lunch I conceived the lunatic idea of going to a supermarket where they had melons on special offer. The heat had fried my brains before I got there, and I got out of car without making any mental note of where it was parked. I nearly DIED of heat exhaustion walking up and down the lines of cars. And when I got home Kevin was cutting my grass. He said he didn't mind the heat, he likes it.
I went home to recover before venturing out to Staples this evening for a new cartridge for my printer. I find every time I need a new cartridge it is harder and harder to find, and I was totally unable to today. I just hope I have better luck online. I can't believe my perfectly good printer, which isn't even old, has become obsolete.
I went from Staples to Walmart, and they didn't have any either.
But while I was in Walmart I photographed this rubbish....I wondered when it would be coming.
And the week ahead............
Friday, July 19, 2013
Friday - I think you'd call this my random thoughts
Well, I am back in saddle. Did my chaplaincy round at the hospital, both floors were pretty busy. I went round one of them and ICU. I am glad to be able to walk without worrying that I might be damaging my foot further, but wore my clunky shoes for maximum support.
I tell you, American names are something else. It is confusing enough for me identifying patients, with men called Tracey and Lola, but when women in bed look just like men, it is a whole new curve ball.
Looking forward to my Retreat weekend. My cat sitter of choice, Jay, is going away that weekend, so had to go to plan B, my neighbour Dale across the road. I like Dale and am more than happy for her to be cat sitting Bubbles, but I can't stand her husband and think he feels I shouldn't be bothering them.
Bubbles herself relates to no other human than me, so her choice of cat sitter is irrelevant.
Has the Royal baby been born between my going to bed and you reading this? By the uncontrolled excitement of the Fox News commentator in London this morning, I thought it was practically on its way and Kate had reached the second stage of labour. I settled down to wait for it. She had informed us that the Duchess had left her parents' home in BURKshire. Now, there are plenty of places in the US I would mispronounce, I didn't know 'Tecumseh' when I first saw it, so I wouldn't blame an average American for mispronunciations, but wouldn't you think a professional commentator could get our home counties right.
And I roll my eyes when they start guessing names. I heard 'John' being bandied about this morning. I should be there commentating, I could be far more informative. We haven't had a King John since 1215, and since the youngest son of George V, named John, was an epileptic, and a severe embarrassment, it has been considered unlucky in the Royal Family. I believe Princess Diana wanted William to be called John after her father, and that didn't fly.
Well, I'll wrap these ramblings up, you've probably read all you want to.
I tell you, American names are something else. It is confusing enough for me identifying patients, with men called Tracey and Lola, but when women in bed look just like men, it is a whole new curve ball.
Looking forward to my Retreat weekend. My cat sitter of choice, Jay, is going away that weekend, so had to go to plan B, my neighbour Dale across the road. I like Dale and am more than happy for her to be cat sitting Bubbles, but I can't stand her husband and think he feels I shouldn't be bothering them.
Bubbles herself relates to no other human than me, so her choice of cat sitter is irrelevant.
Has the Royal baby been born between my going to bed and you reading this? By the uncontrolled excitement of the Fox News commentator in London this morning, I thought it was practically on its way and Kate had reached the second stage of labour. I settled down to wait for it. She had informed us that the Duchess had left her parents' home in BURKshire. Now, there are plenty of places in the US I would mispronounce, I didn't know 'Tecumseh' when I first saw it, so I wouldn't blame an average American for mispronunciations, but wouldn't you think a professional commentator could get our home counties right.
And I roll my eyes when they start guessing names. I heard 'John' being bandied about this morning. I should be there commentating, I could be far more informative. We haven't had a King John since 1215, and since the youngest son of George V, named John, was an epileptic, and a severe embarrassment, it has been considered unlucky in the Royal Family. I believe Princess Diana wanted William to be called John after her father, and that didn't fly.
Well, I'll wrap these ramblings up, you've probably read all you want to.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Thursday 18th July
Managed to remember the donuts this morning. Usually if I have to remember something in the fairly early morning I set the alarm, it is an aide memoire, when it goes off I ask myself what I am supposed to be doing.
The Kiwanis speaker, or speakers, were not all that interesting, at least not to me, they were talking about Medicare and Medicaid which are health care programmes for seniors, people - or at least Americans - over 65.
I was going to say that no sooner does one trial finish than another one starts, but actually they haven't really finished with the last one. The tv channels are still interviewing key people in the case of the neighbourhood watchman, and teenage victim. I was actually watching the Food Network, and just caught them while I was channel hopping in the adverts, which come on every 90 seconds.
The current big trial started on June 12, a crime boss who was on the FBI's Most Wanted List for the last 16 years, wanted for the murder of 19 people, as well as all the other things these people get up to, extortion, money laundering, drugs trafficking, torture, etc. The case really appeared in the news today because the body of a leading witness, who was going to testify against him, was found by a jogger. We are not told yet how he died, toxicology reports take several weeks, but it is said to be suspicious. On the other hand he might have had heat stroke.
I don't think we are seeing the trial on television because the state it is in doesn't allow tv cameras in the court room. Shame.
It has been hot again today.
The Kiwanis speaker, or speakers, were not all that interesting, at least not to me, they were talking about Medicare and Medicaid which are health care programmes for seniors, people - or at least Americans - over 65.
I was going to say that no sooner does one trial finish than another one starts, but actually they haven't really finished with the last one. The tv channels are still interviewing key people in the case of the neighbourhood watchman, and teenage victim. I was actually watching the Food Network, and just caught them while I was channel hopping in the adverts, which come on every 90 seconds.
The current big trial started on June 12, a crime boss who was on the FBI's Most Wanted List for the last 16 years, wanted for the murder of 19 people, as well as all the other things these people get up to, extortion, money laundering, drugs trafficking, torture, etc. The case really appeared in the news today because the body of a leading witness, who was going to testify against him, was found by a jogger. We are not told yet how he died, toxicology reports take several weeks, but it is said to be suspicious. On the other hand he might have had heat stroke.
I don't think we are seeing the trial on television because the state it is in doesn't allow tv cameras in the court room. Shame.
It has been hot again today.
Wednesday 17th July
I was thinking of renting a car for my Retreat at Camp Allen in Texas, in a couple of weeks. Because mine has done nearly 300,000 miles I feel I shouldn't push it, just gently use it to get around Shawnee, - I've never had, or heard of, an English car that has done that amount of mileage - so I went to Hertz this morning. The guy was busy, and while I was sitting there waiting for him I thought that as I am just pottering down there on the highways, not tearing along the interstate, my car ought to be alright for the journey. So I jumped up and left.
I spent quite a while hanging out at Terry's. The car didn't feel cold enough (I was later told it was 55) I thought the air conditioning might need a little more freon. I thought freon was like oil, it just needed topping up. But actually it has to be drained, recycled and dried, then the exact amount - in pounds - has to go back in. If there is even slightly too much it is disastrous. So that took some time. I made an appointment for it all to be checked over before I leave in a couple of weeks.
The news people are all positioning themselves in London to report on the birth of the Royal baby. The Queen was walking around somewhere and was asked if she wanted it to be a boy or a girl (as if she'd dare express a preference, even if she had one) she said she didn't mind, she hoped it would be soon, she is going on holiday.
Is it just me, or does anyone else think she looks very old fashioned? I think it is that wretched handbag.
I had better go to bed, or I am not going to be up for the donuts in the morning.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Monday 15th July
After the trial comes the fall out. TV anchors interviewing all the relatives, friends, neighbours, acquaintances of everyone involved in the case. Demonstrations all over the country by everyone who wants to play the race card. I don't think though that anyone who watched the trial every day, or was connected with it, seriously thinks George Zimmerman was rascist. Yes, he profiled the victim, but not because he was black but because he was a teenager, wearing a hoodie, and looked 'up to no good'.
The jury - who are normally signed up for all the talk shows as soon as a trial is over - refused to give any interviews or wanted their names released. One juror though, astonishingly, had her literary agent obviously on stand by, and has just signed up for her 'tell all' book, which is probably why the other five jurors are keeping quiet. The cynic in me wondered how she bought their silence, are they getting a 'cut' from the proceeds.
And how long will it be, I wonder, before juries in Britain realise that there is money to be made from it. I can't see it happening though.
We have had some very heavy drenching rain. Because it was coming down literally in sheets I tried to photograph it, but it doesn't really show it.
You know how, when we have a bright sunny day, we smile at each other and say what a nice day it is. Here, warm, sunny days and cloudless blue skies go unnoticed, but heavy torrential rain - that's when people smile at each other and say how nice to see the rain.
Although it brightened up later it was cooler than it has been.
Except in Phoenix AZ though, 109.
In the north east though they are "suffering" from a heatwave.
They think that's hot. The wimps. They should come here, we'll show them hot. I have to say though in fairness, that I don't think they have air conditioning in their houses there, whereas we couldn't live without it.
I've been running around today. I saw the doctor about my headaches, but she couldn't say what the cause could be, she prescribed something for the pain. I had to take the car to Terry, a windscreen wiper blade packed up. I also called at the Senior Centre as a friend had attached my latest needlework project to a cushion cover back. Unfortunately though she smokes, so I've had to 'air' it before sending it to its recipient. It is called 'Follow that Boat'.
But in spite of my unexpected expenditures with doctors, prescriptions and windscreen wipers, I booked a little weekend break, a Retreat with Episcopal Women in Navasota, Texas, from the 2 - 4 August. It is about 200 miles west of Beaumont. I think I will potter down there on the highways, instead of the interstate, and stop overnight somewhere, like I do going to Beaumont.
The jury - who are normally signed up for all the talk shows as soon as a trial is over - refused to give any interviews or wanted their names released. One juror though, astonishingly, had her literary agent obviously on stand by, and has just signed up for her 'tell all' book, which is probably why the other five jurors are keeping quiet. The cynic in me wondered how she bought their silence, are they getting a 'cut' from the proceeds.
And how long will it be, I wonder, before juries in Britain realise that there is money to be made from it. I can't see it happening though.
We have had some very heavy drenching rain. Because it was coming down literally in sheets I tried to photograph it, but it doesn't really show it.
Although it brightened up later it was cooler than it has been.
In the north east though they are "suffering" from a heatwave.
I've been running around today. I saw the doctor about my headaches, but she couldn't say what the cause could be, she prescribed something for the pain. I had to take the car to Terry, a windscreen wiper blade packed up. I also called at the Senior Centre as a friend had attached my latest needlework project to a cushion cover back. Unfortunately though she smokes, so I've had to 'air' it before sending it to its recipient. It is called 'Follow that Boat'.
But in spite of my unexpected expenditures with doctors, prescriptions and windscreen wipers, I booked a little weekend break, a Retreat with Episcopal Women in Navasota, Texas, from the 2 - 4 August. It is about 200 miles west of Beaumont. I think I will potter down there on the highways, instead of the interstate, and stop overnight somewhere, like I do going to Beaumont.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Saturday 13th July
The trial has wrapped up, the jury has reached a verdict, and the defendant was found not guilty.
I think it was probably the right verdict, I did not think he should have gone to prison - but the whole case is overwhelmingly sad. My heart breaks for the victim's family, and I feel for them in their disappointment at the verdict, but I also feel that the fault - and all the blame - lies in this country's crazy Bill of Rights which gives carte blanche to the population to walk around with hand guns.
I get it that the Bill of Rights might have been relevant in 1791 (or whenever) when the population felt the need to defend themselves, but it has no more relevance here in the 21st century than the Magna Carta of 1215 has in present day Britain.
After the verdict, attorneys were strutting about declaring "Our Justice System might not be perfect, but it is still the best system in the world" (cough, choke, splutter).
Back to me, and my day. I didn't make it to the Democrats meeting this morning, I set off to go but forgot my GPS, and the sketch map and directions didn't take me there. Also my headache at the base of my skull has come back (SIGH) so I didn't mind too much turning back home. Spent the rest of the day riveted to the television (my current needlepoint project will forever be associated with this trial) waiting for the jury's verdict which came about 10 o'clock this evening central time.
I will go and see my doctor on Monday about the headaches.
I think it was probably the right verdict, I did not think he should have gone to prison - but the whole case is overwhelmingly sad. My heart breaks for the victim's family, and I feel for them in their disappointment at the verdict, but I also feel that the fault - and all the blame - lies in this country's crazy Bill of Rights which gives carte blanche to the population to walk around with hand guns.
I get it that the Bill of Rights might have been relevant in 1791 (or whenever) when the population felt the need to defend themselves, but it has no more relevance here in the 21st century than the Magna Carta of 1215 has in present day Britain.
After the verdict, attorneys were strutting about declaring "Our Justice System might not be perfect, but it is still the best system in the world" (cough, choke, splutter).
Back to me, and my day. I didn't make it to the Democrats meeting this morning, I set off to go but forgot my GPS, and the sketch map and directions didn't take me there. Also my headache at the base of my skull has come back (SIGH) so I didn't mind too much turning back home. Spent the rest of the day riveted to the television (my current needlepoint project will forever be associated with this trial) waiting for the jury's verdict which came about 10 o'clock this evening central time.
I will go and see my doctor on Monday about the headaches.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Thursday (posted Friday)
I arrived at Kiwanis this morning, and shock, dismay, I had totally forgotten I was picking up the donuts this month. I am concerned at my failing memory, but I think it was because last Thursday was the 4th July, and I just hadn't got my mindset into donut collecting responsibilities.
The speaker was one of our members, an Iranian called Fred, telling our 80 and 90 year olds how to live long and healthy lives (!) I have an inbuilt resistance to the Food Police, so my frame of mind anyway was in "nothing Fred is going to tell me will change my eating habits" mode.
However, he did manage to impinge on my consciousness with a little diagram of the Ph (power of hydrogen) levels in our body which control the activity of every metabolic function in our bodies (bear with me, dear readers, this isn't going to be a biochemistry lecture).
When a child is born its Ph is 7.3 - so that is the ideal to aim for. Acid is bad and alkaline is good.
1-7 is acidic (BAD) 7 is neutral 7-14 is alkaline (GOOD) because cancer will not grow in an alkaline environment
So........if we have coffee for breakfast (acid) burgers for lunch (acid) wash it down with colas (acid) and pizza for dinner (acid) that is BAD and this is a typically American diet.
So....bottom line is....if I pick up a steak from the Golden Corrall I will follow it with plenty of fresh grapefruit, which Fred introduced us to by passing round a box of freshly chopped grapefruit, which ended up with me - being at the end of the line - and which I munched on to the end of his talk. And generally we should eat lots of vegetables and fruit, which I do anyway.
I was up on the computer all night sorting my photographs for the power point presentation, but was relieved when I got to Kiwanis and found I was not on the list to do it next week, Louise has speakers booked until September. So I've got time to load Microsoft Power Point on to my laptop, and hopefully gets to grips with it.
Having been up all night I fell asleep almost as soon as I got home, and later in the afternoon called on Rosalyn who was going to scan and e-mail the disclaimer form for Mastercard. Then they kindly invited me out to supper, and we went to the new Italian restaurant in Shawnee, and it was very nice.
Today, Friday, I was doing errands round town, then watched the final stages of the murder trial, the jury of six women are now out. They must have all become great buddies over the last three weeks.
There is just no knowing at the moment what the verdict is going to be, but I think it is leaning towards an acquittal. It is a murder 2 case, but the judge is going to allow a verdict of manslaughter. There was also some discussion of it being a murder 3 conviction which has something to do with child abuse because the victim was 17, and they are not adults until they are 18 (unless a 12 year kills someone, then he is sentenced to prison for the rest of his life without parole, but I digress) Anyway, the defence counsel and the judge had a heated slanging match over that, counsel arguing that they will need a lot of time to prepare for that, but the judge is very conscious of the sequestered jury who haven't seen their families for three weeks, so it is murder 2, manslaughter or acquittal.
But he could get 20-30 years for manslaughter, it is not the 10 that it usually is in Britain.
The city where the trial is held is bracing itself for riots if the defendant is acquitted, so the Police Chief and District Attorney held a press conference when the jury left the courtroom, saying basically - in effect - don't even think about it.
The speaker was one of our members, an Iranian called Fred, telling our 80 and 90 year olds how to live long and healthy lives (!) I have an inbuilt resistance to the Food Police, so my frame of mind anyway was in "nothing Fred is going to tell me will change my eating habits" mode.
However, he did manage to impinge on my consciousness with a little diagram of the Ph (power of hydrogen) levels in our body which control the activity of every metabolic function in our bodies (bear with me, dear readers, this isn't going to be a biochemistry lecture).
When a child is born its Ph is 7.3 - so that is the ideal to aim for. Acid is bad and alkaline is good.
1-7 is acidic (BAD) 7 is neutral 7-14 is alkaline (GOOD) because cancer will not grow in an alkaline environment
So........if we have coffee for breakfast (acid) burgers for lunch (acid) wash it down with colas (acid) and pizza for dinner (acid) that is BAD and this is a typically American diet.
So....bottom line is....if I pick up a steak from the Golden Corrall I will follow it with plenty of fresh grapefruit, which Fred introduced us to by passing round a box of freshly chopped grapefruit, which ended up with me - being at the end of the line - and which I munched on to the end of his talk. And generally we should eat lots of vegetables and fruit, which I do anyway.
I was up on the computer all night sorting my photographs for the power point presentation, but was relieved when I got to Kiwanis and found I was not on the list to do it next week, Louise has speakers booked until September. So I've got time to load Microsoft Power Point on to my laptop, and hopefully gets to grips with it.
Having been up all night I fell asleep almost as soon as I got home, and later in the afternoon called on Rosalyn who was going to scan and e-mail the disclaimer form for Mastercard. Then they kindly invited me out to supper, and we went to the new Italian restaurant in Shawnee, and it was very nice.
Today, Friday, I was doing errands round town, then watched the final stages of the murder trial, the jury of six women are now out. They must have all become great buddies over the last three weeks.
There is just no knowing at the moment what the verdict is going to be, but I think it is leaning towards an acquittal. It is a murder 2 case, but the judge is going to allow a verdict of manslaughter. There was also some discussion of it being a murder 3 conviction which has something to do with child abuse because the victim was 17, and they are not adults until they are 18 (unless a 12 year kills someone, then he is sentenced to prison for the rest of his life without parole, but I digress) Anyway, the defence counsel and the judge had a heated slanging match over that, counsel arguing that they will need a lot of time to prepare for that, but the judge is very conscious of the sequestered jury who haven't seen their families for three weeks, so it is murder 2, manslaughter or acquittal.
But he could get 20-30 years for manslaughter, it is not the 10 that it usually is in Britain.
The city where the trial is held is bracing itself for riots if the defendant is acquitted, so the Police Chief and District Attorney held a press conference when the jury left the courtroom, saying basically - in effect - don't even think about it.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Wednesday 10th July
I told you a couple of weeks ago about the call I had from Visa Fraud because my local debit card was compromised - anyway, yesterday I was doing the monthly paperwork, bills, statements etc. and there were two entries on my M&S credit card statement (it's a Mastercard) which is odd, because I tend to use a debit rather than a credit card, and M&S is the least used anyway, neither did I recognise these entries. So I rang them in Chester, they're all very helpful and kind, they stopped the card, and said the appropriate person would ring me this morning, which she did.
The two fraudulent entries were only $33.45 and $34.16 (but converted to £ sterling on the statement) and both transactions were in Stockton, California. Michelle, who I was talking to (these Visa and Mastercard fraud investigators are becoming my new best friends) said one of them was a pizza takeaway. I wondered if Stockton CA was where the bandits were operating from, hacking into my card details, and they decided to send out for a pizza while they were at it. You couldn't make this stuff up could you.
I afterwards wondered if Mastercard could tie up the pizza address with my credit card, and catch the perpetrators. I certainly think that in the case of my Visa card being used to pay a NY City parking fine, they should be able to find the address and the bandits.
I am expecting these calla lilies in my garden to shrivel up any day soon, so took a picture of how high they've grown so far.
I have mostly been resting my foot today. I just went out this morning to the monthly meeting at Emmanuel of the Shawnee Peace Fellowship. I will write more about it another time because we are beginning to pull things together.
While I was there someone I've known, practically since I've been here and who I run into from time to time, asked if I would like to go to the local Democrats meeting on Saturday morning, in Tecumseh, I am always up for going out and meeting people but I did say to her though, that generally I support the Democrat viewpoint, except that I am very pro life and anti abortion, which I think I've mentioned is a Republican standpoint. Somewhat to my surprise she said she was too.
The rest of the day I have been on the computer sorting photographs. I am supposed to be giving my little power point presentation at next week's Kiwanis, of my trip home, and I don't really know how to do it. Last time I showed my holiday pictures Tim Sean, the former assistant minister at Emmanuel, helped me, but he is no longer there. I think I might ask Louise if we can, at least, delay it a bit while I get to grips with it.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Tuesday 9th July
I was at the hospital this morning, we were expecting Pattisue at the chaplaincy, and at one point she rang to say she was on her way, but a little later she rang again to say she couldn't make it, so I went round ICU, which she was going to do. I think I probably walked a bit too much on the broken foot, and will take it easy for the next couple of days. I had lunch at the hospital, which was nice, with Larry and three or four others. I'm getting more and more conscious that Larry is leaving soon, on August 10th, and will miss him. The chaplaincy just won't be the same.
I've been reading a novel, a real one with pages, not on my C-Nook. It was very thick, practically the size of War and Peace, and it was based on the life of Laura Bush. As soon as I finished it I downloaded a 'proper' biography to the C-Nook, so I could discover, and separate, which was truth and fiction. Some of the truth - which I thought belonged to the novel - surprised me. The fact that Laura herself, and her family were staunch Democrats, and she actually voted for the other candidate when George was running for President. Another surprise was that when she was 17 she ran a stop sign and the motorist she killed, who ran into her, was her boyfriend. A little while after that, the brother of the boyfriend made her pregnant and her grandmother quietly, without anyone else in the family knowing, whisked her off for an abortion.
One thing I find hard getting my head round in this country is the fact that every single issue in life has political overtones.
Even abortion. Republicans are dead against it, and are pro-life. Democrats are all in favour and are pro-choice. So when Republican George runs for President, Laura's staunch Democrat grandmother - who hated the Republicans - informed the Press of the abortion. Grandmother by then was 104 years old, obviously a very alert 104 year old. I've had to lend the novel to Pattisue so she can fill me in - as a non American - on the background of what I don't know.
The murder trial is wrapping up, and increasingly it looks like an acquittal. And after the acquittal will be the race riots as the shot teenager was black, and the defendant - although Hispanic - is regarded as white.
I've been reading a novel, a real one with pages, not on my C-Nook. It was very thick, practically the size of War and Peace, and it was based on the life of Laura Bush. As soon as I finished it I downloaded a 'proper' biography to the C-Nook, so I could discover, and separate, which was truth and fiction. Some of the truth - which I thought belonged to the novel - surprised me. The fact that Laura herself, and her family were staunch Democrats, and she actually voted for the other candidate when George was running for President. Another surprise was that when she was 17 she ran a stop sign and the motorist she killed, who ran into her, was her boyfriend. A little while after that, the brother of the boyfriend made her pregnant and her grandmother quietly, without anyone else in the family knowing, whisked her off for an abortion.
One thing I find hard getting my head round in this country is the fact that every single issue in life has political overtones.
Even abortion. Republicans are dead against it, and are pro-life. Democrats are all in favour and are pro-choice. So when Republican George runs for President, Laura's staunch Democrat grandmother - who hated the Republicans - informed the Press of the abortion. Grandmother by then was 104 years old, obviously a very alert 104 year old. I've had to lend the novel to Pattisue so she can fill me in - as a non American - on the background of what I don't know.
The murder trial is wrapping up, and increasingly it looks like an acquittal. And after the acquittal will be the race riots as the shot teenager was black, and the defendant - although Hispanic - is regarded as white.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Monday 8th July
I took these pictures yesterday, but still very hot.
As soon as I open the front door I lose any inclination to go anywhere, so for the last couple of days I have just been ostensibly resting my broken foot. I went to Carla's church on Sunday morning, in Meeker, which I think I've said is about 14 miles along the road out of Shawnee. The rest of the time I have just stayed indoors, reading, and working on my needlework project during the times I have watched television.
The murder trial of the wannabe cop/neighbourhood watch guy, who shot an unarmed, 17 year old teenager looks like wrapping up this week, and the defence seems to be winning. The case all hinges on who confronted whom first. Also, during the 911 call to the police by neighbours there is a 3 second segment of someone in the background shouting for help, and that has been played over and over. The teenager's mother testified that it was her son, but a lot of credible witnesses for the defence have come forward today and said it was the defendant.
The defendant has been turning up every day very smartly dressed in different suits, and apparently it emerged today that someone bought these suits for him for his court appearances. People in this country don't normally wear suits, they only wear them to go to court. So he has obviously got some friends.
The other major news item is the plane crash in San Francisco which has been discussed at great length. The major points seem to be the efficiency of the crew who managed to get so many people out of the aircraft; and that a survivor of the crash was run over and killed by a rescue vehicle, and the pilot only had 44 hours experience of flying a Boeing 777.
Another big item is that there have been major demonstrations outside the state capital building in Texas because the Legislature want to ban abortions after 20 weeks. Abortions within the first twelve weeks is bad enough because scientific evidence has proved that DNA is present at the time of conception, but after 20 weeks when the foetus has formed, and is capable of feeling pain, I find abortion so repugnant that any debate is difficult to listen to. The pro choice people in favour of abortions are all jumping around with placards saying STOP THIS WAR ON WOMEN. I don't know what they mean, I wish someone would tell them that it is the Taliban who wage war on women.
I will be out and about tomorrow. Although I told Larry I would resume my chaplaincy round after I have seen the doctor next week, Pattisue feels she is well enough to start back tomorrow. I have my doubts, because I have seen how difficult it is for her walking from the parking lot to the movies, so I am going to see how she gets on, and if she can't manage it all I can finish what she doesn't do.
The murder trial of the wannabe cop/neighbourhood watch guy, who shot an unarmed, 17 year old teenager looks like wrapping up this week, and the defence seems to be winning. The case all hinges on who confronted whom first. Also, during the 911 call to the police by neighbours there is a 3 second segment of someone in the background shouting for help, and that has been played over and over. The teenager's mother testified that it was her son, but a lot of credible witnesses for the defence have come forward today and said it was the defendant.
The defendant has been turning up every day very smartly dressed in different suits, and apparently it emerged today that someone bought these suits for him for his court appearances. People in this country don't normally wear suits, they only wear them to go to court. So he has obviously got some friends.
The other major news item is the plane crash in San Francisco which has been discussed at great length. The major points seem to be the efficiency of the crew who managed to get so many people out of the aircraft; and that a survivor of the crash was run over and killed by a rescue vehicle, and the pilot only had 44 hours experience of flying a Boeing 777.
Another big item is that there have been major demonstrations outside the state capital building in Texas because the Legislature want to ban abortions after 20 weeks. Abortions within the first twelve weeks is bad enough because scientific evidence has proved that DNA is present at the time of conception, but after 20 weeks when the foetus has formed, and is capable of feeling pain, I find abortion so repugnant that any debate is difficult to listen to. The pro choice people in favour of abortions are all jumping around with placards saying STOP THIS WAR ON WOMEN. I don't know what they mean, I wish someone would tell them that it is the Taliban who wage war on women.
I will be out and about tomorrow. Although I told Larry I would resume my chaplaincy round after I have seen the doctor next week, Pattisue feels she is well enough to start back tomorrow. I have my doubts, because I have seen how difficult it is for her walking from the parking lot to the movies, so I am going to see how she gets on, and if she can't manage it all I can finish what she doesn't do.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Saturday 6th July
I had to go to Barnes & Noble in Norman today. My C-Nook reader wasn't charging, I didn't know if it was the device or the charger at fault so I took both, and I had stupidly put the cable for the C-Nook into the wrong plug. That's what comes of having all these gizmos - cell phones, i-Pads, C-Nooks, laptops - one has to make sure of having not only the right cable in the right device, but the right plug at the end of it.
It was a long way to go to discover in two minutes I'd made a silly mistake, but I didn't mind too much, Barnes & Noble is a huge, huge bookshop with a Starbucks in the middle of it, so I browsed the bookshelves, bought a book on Oklahoma, and sat down in Starbucks.
I think I might take some trips off the beaten paths. Although I know that Oklahoma is south of the Mason Dixon line, one doesn't, or I didn't, think of it as a "southern" state, but according to the Introduction there is biscuits and gravy on the breakfast table (retch, vomit) fried chicken at supper, and they talk slow, all of which makes it southern.
On the subject of trips. I had one of those robot telephone calls this morning informing me I was the LUCKY WINNER of a cruise to the western Caribbean. Actually, I was also a lucky winner last year and I enquired then as to what the 'catch' was. The catch is that they want to fill the ship with people they hope will spend money in the bars etc., so they give away the cabins they haven't sold. And the cruise is only three days. Now, if I lived in Miami where one embarks I would probably take advantage of it. A free cruise, albeit three days, around the western Caribbean might be quite nice. And I wouldn't HAVE to spend money in the bars, I could drink water, but it certainly isn't worth it if I have to fly from here to Miami.
I'll stick to my dream of a trip to Tennessee, to the Smoky Mountain National Park, which is more feasible. It's only (gulp) 600 and something, miles from here to Memphis on the Arkansas/Tennessee state line, and another 600 odd miles from Memphis to the Smoky Mountains. It is more do-able than the same distance in Britain,
not that one can drive 600 miles without falling into the sea.
An illustration of the extremes of weather here -
You know how we measure rainfall in inches...here it is all in FEET.
And in Shawnee.........
Perhaps I'll stay in on Tuesday. Anything in triple digits is too hot for me.
It was a long way to go to discover in two minutes I'd made a silly mistake, but I didn't mind too much, Barnes & Noble is a huge, huge bookshop with a Starbucks in the middle of it, so I browsed the bookshelves, bought a book on Oklahoma, and sat down in Starbucks.
On the subject of trips. I had one of those robot telephone calls this morning informing me I was the LUCKY WINNER of a cruise to the western Caribbean. Actually, I was also a lucky winner last year and I enquired then as to what the 'catch' was. The catch is that they want to fill the ship with people they hope will spend money in the bars etc., so they give away the cabins they haven't sold. And the cruise is only three days. Now, if I lived in Miami where one embarks I would probably take advantage of it. A free cruise, albeit three days, around the western Caribbean might be quite nice. And I wouldn't HAVE to spend money in the bars, I could drink water, but it certainly isn't worth it if I have to fly from here to Miami.
I'll stick to my dream of a trip to Tennessee, to the Smoky Mountain National Park, which is more feasible. It's only (gulp) 600 and something, miles from here to Memphis on the Arkansas/Tennessee state line, and another 600 odd miles from Memphis to the Smoky Mountains. It is more do-able than the same distance in Britain,
not that one can drive 600 miles without falling into the sea.
An illustration of the extremes of weather here -
And in Shawnee.........
Thursday, July 4, 2013
4th July
I was out and about this morning with Americans, celebrating their Independence from the tyranny of poor, daft, George III. I suggested to Fr Clark - and being Anglo-American he is the only person I would say this to, and he agrees with me - that it might have been better if they had stuck with us a bit longer. They would have won their independence anyway eventually, and in the meantime they might have learned a better way to govern, and developed a better taxation system because it is not as fair as ours, there are lots of complaints that the very wealthy don't pay their fair share.
I told Cecil I would ride in the parade with them, but I wasn't up and doing in time, so I went straight to the Veterans' Park where they had a little service.
I got to the park just as the parade was going past.
This picture mystifies me. Four of them have rifles. One is saluting, and I can't fathom the body language of the guy in the middle, just standing there. Perhaps he was supposed to have a rifle, and didn't bring it, or something.
Cecil. Louise was there somewhere but she usually tucks herself away when he is holding court. He is on the committee responsible for the Veterans Memorial in the park.
You can see how they respect and honour their veterans, and I do admire that.
The rest of the day I spent at home, and started my new needlework project. Bubbles has gone AWOL this evening. I stepped out on the porch when the fireworks first began, and she followed me out but didn't come back in with me, I'm berating myself for not picking her up and taking her back in, because the fireworks later became very noisy, and close to us, the house opposite were letting them off. I think she must have freaked out, and run off somewhere, because it is now well past midnight and there is no sign of her.
It doesn't look as if it is getting cooler any time soon.
I told Cecil I would ride in the parade with them, but I wasn't up and doing in time, so I went straight to the Veterans' Park where they had a little service.
You can see how they respect and honour their veterans, and I do admire that.
The rest of the day I spent at home, and started my new needlework project. Bubbles has gone AWOL this evening. I stepped out on the porch when the fireworks first began, and she followed me out but didn't come back in with me, I'm berating myself for not picking her up and taking her back in, because the fireworks later became very noisy, and close to us, the house opposite were letting them off. I think she must have freaked out, and run off somewhere, because it is now well past midnight and there is no sign of her.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
3rd July
I am feeling a bit better today, the headache at the base of my skull seems to have eased off . I needed to go to the bank so have been out and about in town today, but it is so hot outside I just wanted to get back to my cold house.
It has been said the heatwave is breaking all records.
I took this picture a couple of days ago. Death Valley is said to be the hottest place on the planet, and there have been deaths in Arizona from people dying in their homes which don't have air conditioning.
I know you have heard in your news the tragic deaths of 19 elite firemen in Arizona. Most of them were found inside their protective tents, which failed to protect them.
The green things are the protective tents, which basically were like a foil lined sleeping bag. They went into the fire thinking the wind was behind them, and they'd be alright, but the wind changed direction very suddenly, trapping them. They were nearly all young men, leaving behind young families. It is very sad.
These are the most affected states.
Death Valley, as I've said, is the hottest place on the planet.
And this is currently Shawnee
Bubbles has been by my side all the time I was lying ill, but as I was up and about today she probably thought she could have a respite from her mummy sitting duties, and found a comfy spot in the living room.
It has been said the heatwave is breaking all records.
I took this picture a couple of days ago. Death Valley is said to be the hottest place on the planet, and there have been deaths in Arizona from people dying in their homes which don't have air conditioning.
I know you have heard in your news the tragic deaths of 19 elite firemen in Arizona. Most of them were found inside their protective tents, which failed to protect them.
The green things are the protective tents, which basically were like a foil lined sleeping bag. They went into the fire thinking the wind was behind them, and they'd be alright, but the wind changed direction very suddenly, trapping them. They were nearly all young men, leaving behind young families. It is very sad.
And this is currently Shawnee
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