More experiences, thoughts,and musings…

💭 I kind of like this format, so thought I’d run with it once again.

💭 Ha – run! Not doing any of that these days! Lately, I’m lucky if I can walk and breath at the same time thanks to COPD flare-up after having the flu. Finally had such a difficult time breathing that I went to the doctor yesterday and got some Prednisone, which seems to be helping quite a bit. This was the first time I’ve experienced a COPD flare-up and I hope to avoid another if at all possible – very scary, to say the least.

💭 Our trip to Seattle and the Alaskan cruise last month were fantastic! We enjoyed traveling with my sister and brother-in-law. Enjoyed the view from the Space Needle, enjoyed walking around the city and ate some good food. Also enjoyed spending some time with our cousin in Juneau. Highly recommend the Amalga Distillery in Juneau – had some good gin there! Also enjoyed some craft beer and delicious food at Forbidden Peak Brewery in Auke Bay.

💭 Was interesting to see I had better cell phone reception in Juneau than I do at home in Rhode Island!

💭 Was kind of sad to see how much the cruise ship industry has changed things in Sitka, where we lived in the early 1980s. Tons of big buses toting people from the cruise ships to the visitor center downtown. All the touristy stores. Hopefully all the changes are helping the local economy and providing jobs without making life too unbearable for the locals!

💭 Sitka also now has several traffic lights and a rotary! More than 1 grocery store also. The bank I worked for 40 years ago is still in business, but has moved to a new building across the street. Oh! McDonald’s was not successful in Sitka – it closed

💭 I would really like to return to Ketchikan, AK and be able to drive beyond the cruise ship related waterfront area. Everything we saw was spotless in the touristy area, but as we approached and as we departed I saw areas where the locals are and it really looked so nice! I would love to explore those areas.

💭 Hearing aids have been interesting this year! It was time to replace my 6 year old hearing aids. I was absolutely wowed by the Oticon hearing aids when I got them. I wrote on Facebook: “Finally got new hearing aids today!! I feel just like I did years ago when I first got hearing aids – amazed at what I can hear now. It was so nice riding in the car being able to listen to music (and actually hear it!) as well as being able to carry on a conversation with Dave at the same time. Also really nice to be able to listen to music, books, and tv through these hearing aids at whatever level works for ME! I’m not sure who is happier: Me or Dave. LOL”. Those hearing aids had a tiny tip that fit into my ear which was the key. Unfortunately, I was apparently allergic to whatever materials where used to make the tubing that connects the hearing aid and the tip so I had to return those. The new ones I have are ok, better than the 6 year old ones, but not nearly as good as the Oticon. I really think it comes down to that tip that went into my ear – that made all the difference. These new ones have a bigger tip and kind of just sit at the opening. (BIG SIGH) But better than the old ones and it is nice to listen to music and books through my hearing aids. I still sometimes consider whether it might be worth it to stock up on the cream that got rid of the eczema I developed and go back to the hearing aids that caused it. LOL

💭 We got up this morning (bright and early) planning to head to the beach! But an air quality alert cancelled those plans, sadly. Need to stay inside on days like this so I can breathe.

💭 Celebrated Dave’s birthday last Sunday with a evening at Foxwood’s. Dinner at Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar, then a bit of gambling. Some of us won, some of us didn’t. But we all had a fun time! So nice to spend time with family 🥰

💭 I love other peoples dogs! And I thoroughly enjoy the time spent taking care of our grand-dogs… and then I love that we go home. Guess the same could be said for the time spent hanging out with our adult children! 🤩 🤭🥰 And I think that’s pretty normal – it’s definitely nice to spend time together, but it’s nice that we all get to go back to our own homes. It sure is nice to be close to both our adult children again though!!

💭 I’m heading back to Seattle (and the surrounding area) next week for a wedding. I am so excited and so looking forward to spending time with one of my sisters, my brother-in-law, and many cousins!!!! Oh, and my uncle and aunts too. It has been a long time!

💭 Friendship. It’s a wonderful thing. Last week we had lunch with friends we made in Sitka, AK over 40 years ago. We haven’t seen them in 10 years or more, but it felt like yesterday. Next month we’ve made plans to take a drive down to Virginia to visit folks we’ve been friends with for even longer, but we haven’t visited since we moved to Rhode Island. It will be the same – like it was yesterday. That’s how you know good friends!! So looking forward to spending time at the lake with good friends!

💭 A trip to Maryland to visit my sisters and family is also in the plans next month! Looking forward to that AND to meeting the new puppy, Jenny. Hopefully Storm and Samson will peacefully coexist.

💭 Fun and games: Mexican Train dominoes is still our game of choice most days, but Phase 10 is the game of choice when Laura plays with us. Oh boy, does that get lively!

Guess we’re not the only ones that happens to either. When Ellen, Dave and I were playing on the cruise ship a man commented that it was the calmest game of Phase 10 he’d ever seen. 😂

Ok, that’s it for now. Wishing you all peace, love and much joy in your lives.

Kathi