durangoscots

Whoops!!! Just got kicked off. OK... late today and have only read about 1/2 of the list.... will read the rest later. It is chilly today, some frost on the north facing roofs. But the sun is shinning. I took the dogs in early this morning to the vet for dental checks and cleaning. I am going to be broke. @JazzyVHappy Birthday!! @Cruzin TerriHappy Anniversary!!! All of you know I will celebrate anything to do with the happiness of animals. On the other hand, my dogs are probably not celebrating. Back later after I have finished reading, get some lunch and probably after I pick up some very groggy dogs who will less than happy with me. Susan

I have a neighbor pick it up. Susan

Thanks. Will try. Susan

Good afternoon to all. Coolish here with current temp at 56F. It is supposed to warm up a bit the rest of the week. Little news from here except that I got 2 of 3 recommended shots this morning.... covid vax not available here at this time. They expect more in sometime in the next week.... just have to keep watching. Will keep working on finding it. At least I have a start. So far no reaction but plan to be in most of the afternoon just slowly working on clearing out "stuff". A trip to the Humane Society Thrift store is in my immediate future. They are limiting what they take, so I have to plan it out carefully. Bon Voyage to all getting read to board ships or on their way to do so. I envy you. Hopefully my time is coming. Have allowed time to get from Durango to San Diego in the winter.... at least I think I have. Susan

@Quartzsite CruiserJust got back on the computer. Lenda, I am sorry to hear that Steve is back in hospital. Positive thoughts and prayers on the way. It finally has gotten around to raining. Fortunately dogs went out about 10 minutes ago and it does not look like it will last long. Back to cleaning out the area below the sink in my 2nd bathroom. Lots to be tossed there. Susan

Good morning. A little late as I slept in a bit this morning and then took the dogs for a longer walk than usual as we are supposed to have thunder storms during the day. Right now it is dark and gloomy looking. I love mac and cheese but don't eat it often but I am going to try some of those various ways of making it. And I appreciate the pictures of Brisbane.... looking forward to that stop on the GA. I probably will visit the koalas. I tend to hang out with the furry ones. My car has a bumper sticker that says "My friends are real animals... support wildlife rehab"... and of course I also have my local Humane Society decal. I can always find my car. It is getting really dark.... better run the dogs out again. More later. Take care all. @lindalerThanks for the great picture of the Volendam. Susan

Prayers for Scott. I am so glad that Steve is seeing such improvement in a short time. Weather here is weird. Right now the sun is shinning and hail stones are falling. Temps are taking a real drop. Fortunately dogs and I came in just a few minutes ago so they will not have to go out for awhile. Susan

Good morning!!!! Cool here with high predicted up to 71 this afternoon then then temps are due to drop and the next 10 days highs will be in the low to mid-60's and it looks like a hard freeze is on the way. What we need is some rain. Will probably come mid-October (see below). @sailingdutchyThanks for the pictures of Fiji. Hopefully I will get there on the Grand Australia. The big thing on my agenda in the immediate future falls mid-October when Sepp Kuss will be coming home and the town is planning to throw a really big party. @Quartzsite CruiserGlad you were both able to get more rest last night. Being home really makes a difference. I hope things begin to improve for those with health and weather issues.... and happy sailing to those who are lucky enough to be cruising. So far my preparations for January are pretty limited. I have got to get my lists compiled and then, even more importantly, some things crossed off of them. I am just not organized. Susan

Prayers and best wishes are on the way. It sounds like he is getting good care. Susan

I second this, Lenda. I am sure it has been a very long day. Susan

Since both Australia and New Zealand have sent me emails welcoming me I think I am all set. Susan

I got my visa for the cruise using my cell phone without any of that. I think those rules are for people planning to stay for a period of time - or permanently. The eta (electronic travel authorization) is not easy to do with the photo requirement, but if I can do it - anyone can. Susan

@Quartzsite CruiserMy most positive thoughts are with you both today. I know you both will be relieved when this is over. Good morning to all. As usual we are chilly, sunny and dry. There is a suggestion of rain by the weekend. Our trees are turning rapidly. Otherwise things here are very quiet which is a good thing. I continue to plod along with the house clearing at a very, very slow pace. A sloth could keep up easily. I need to arrange for pickup for luggage for the Grand Australia and am thinking about clothes. I don't have many choices. Need to sort, try on, sort and then mix and match. Not my favorite occupation. Here in Durango you just select your jeans and top. Hope those who have been feeling under the weather are feeling better.... there seems to be a lot of "its" going around. The covid shot is not available here yet but I have scheduled my flu shot and will talk with the pharmacist when I go in for that. I am not in a real rush but will try to get it done this month. Susan

@aliaschiefI can identify with the bear issues. I don't have to worry much about the garbage since our dumpster has a "bear bar" on it.... which means I have trouble putting trash in. But I get to "pooper scooper" bear leavings out of the yard most mornings in the Fall. I think they had a party the other night. As long as I don't meet them face to face, I am good.

Taking a few minutes off from laundry to sit so I thought I would check in again. @cruising sisterI am sorry to hear the news of little Murphy. What a terrible thing for her and her family to be going through. @CruiserclI am very over whelmed with GA activity but it should sort itself out if I can stay calm and not try to rush things. I think I am just overthinking what I have to do. And the realization that I can't control the weather when it is time to get to San Diego is intimidating .... I have had the same problem with other winter cruises, but for some reason it is stressing me more this year. Maybe that is because I am older. Back to work. And maybe I will treat myself to a short nap. Susan

Good morning. It certainly feels like autumn here. Cool and cloudy this morning. Yesterday when I ventured out I could spot lots of color in some of the trees. Temp right now is 55 with a high predicted at 67. I am not sure if the sprinkler system was turned off yesterday since I was gone part of the afternoon. Hope so. I think in another day or so I may be ready to make today's meal. It is good to see and follow along with others cruising. I am putting together my "to do" list and it is getting pretty long. Today is tackling the spare bathroom and its associated cabinets which seem to have been accumulating odds and ends (often outdated) over the past year. And I need to try to continue the clothes culling. The back of the walk-in closet seems to hold some real surprises. I hate trying on clothes to see if they still fit. Take care all and my best wishes to all. Susan

Also, get wait listed. I missed out on an excursion I really wanted but went on the wait list and it popped up about 2 weeks later. You can always not accept it if you have made other plans.

Yes the dogs get treats at the bank although often she does not see the Chihuahua since he is such a little guy. I break the treat in half (HORRORS!!!). Susan

Good morning from sunny, dry and chilly Durango. Temp was 37 when dogs and I walked this morning and I could see some light frost on the roof of the building next to me. High today expected in the low 70's. The sprinkler system is due to be turned off and of course it looks like we will go into a long dry spell, but the grass is too long anyway. Days are falling into the same daily routine. I am getting things out of here. Today I will take some pictures of some items and post them to family to ask if anyone wants them before I send them off to thrift store. A couple are "family heirlooms" but are pretty awful....at least I think so. And dogs and I have to make a run to the bank. The dogs will love the car ride - they don't get to go during the summer. Take care all and best wishes to all. Susan

Good afternoon!!! I am late and no real reason. Just have the slows today and there is no reason to hustle. Weather is sunny.... lows are starting to dip into the high 30's and the highs are in the low 70's. Nice Fall weather. I am continuing to try to work on downsizing and also beginning to organize for the GA in that I am culling some clothes. Also got some info today on shipping of luggage. Will deal with that later in October. And I am reading and trying to get some books out of here so that a couple of book cases can follow them out the door. I will probably start to panic in late November. Off to pick up dog food (critical) and check laptops at a couple of stores. Not sure what communication devices will make the trip with me. My phone for sure.... but then?????? Take care all and positive thoughts and prayers to all. Susan

I was thinking the same thing.

Mad Bones Silver here. I am sure the students I had in physical anthropology would agree with the mad bones part. Off to give the dogs one final outing for the night.... I had to wait for bear to finish trying to open our dumpster (the bear bar really works). He tipped it over but the bar held and he has wandered on. Hopefully someone from one of the other units will put it upright but if not several of us will wrestle it up tomorrow morning. Susan

Roy, I hope you can make the cruise. As to what happens if you can't... I had a friend whose luggage did an Mediterranean cruise without her after she had to cancel the day of departure. She said it had a wonderful time. Susan

For me the trip itself up the Amazon was amazing....spent a lot of time during the day just watching the shore slip by. Susan

Good morning. Crisp and clear this morning. Current temp is 47F.... high today will be mid-70's. We may or may not get some showers later. I am fine with that. I love cheeseburgers but tonight's meal will be left over meatloaf. Guess I could add cheese. Have not been to today's destination and will skip the drinks simply because I rarely drink. I am feeling better. The "whatever that was" seems to have passed although I am a bit tired. But I slept well last night and the dogs were cooperative about allowing me a few minutes more this morning. I think today I will spend sorting through my clothes closet and looking at some things I may take with me on the GA in January. Mix and match time. I have to be sure I have what I think I have since I discarded a bunch of clothes when I lost weight. And of course, need to be things still fit. @smitty34877Your sad message just came through while I was writing this. I am so very sorry to hear that Lou has passed but am glad he could be at home and that he got a last visit with family. My condolences to you all. Susan