Changes - Not Just The Weather

I have always considered myself computer savvy - not an expert by any means, but I can get around pretty well as an operator and can do some light trouble shooting.  About a month ago, my power source started to go out.  How did I know it was the power source - I don't know I just did.  And how did I know it was about a month ago - I did a backup on the day the trouble started.  Okay, that was the only smart thing I did.  I did not back the computer up and run it down to Bestech and get a new power source installed  - no I just went right on piddling with my system until last Sunday when I could piddle no more!  The computer wouldn't even blink an eye at me - no grinding of gears, or whistling of motors - just nothing.  I believe we can get too comfortable with our routine and God just shakes the limb a little to either make us grip the limb or change our position.

Hubby has been talking of getting a laptop, so he says we'll just go get a laptop.  Oh!  Just go get a laptop.  Husband are so definitive in their thinking.  We did and I have now spent the last 8 days getting the printer drivers (the  printer is out of date and it took me forever to find the drivers for the Windows 7) installed, looking for files I had saved to the thumb drive and trying to restore a backup from an old WindowsXP to a new Windows 7 - it don't work.  Luckily, once the power source is replaced in the old computer, I should be good to go on the files. 

Not much is different with the Windows 7 but the design and I am sure the inner workings are a bit undated.  I enjoy it a great deal.  The laptop itself takes some getting use to since the mouse pad is super touchy and I zoom in and out with knowing how I did it or why or I end up way up the page and really mess up my spreadsheets.  I attached my other mouse for ease of use, but I really want to learn to operate this baby like it was built to operate.

If you add on and take away, something gets loss.  That is like disconnecting all the bells and whistles on a new car rather than getting to know the car and why those extras are so special.  BUT, I am learning and rather enjoying the process.  The thing I miss most are all my little bookmarks of my favorites on the Internet.  I have a routine every morning of cranking the "puter" up and checking all the local papers on line and then I hit the obits of the local funeral homes.  I know that sounds rather morbid, but I have to make sure I made it through the night!

So many changes and important events are developing right now and nosy old me has to read up on everything.  Then on to Face Book so I can catch all my friends and their doings for the day and then I try to write a little every day  don't always make it but, I try.  Everything I write doesn't make it to the Blog though, so don't be judging by what is on here - some of that stuff is old and I really need to do some rewrites!

Friday was a most enjoyable day with my youngest grandchildren - special lunch and then to the park.  I will miss them this week as they are on fall break and I won't get to see them everyday, but it will give me some catchup time.  I have certainly neglected my major housecleaning this summer as I played with the girls all summer. 

As the trees have started shedding their coats, we covered the pool this weekend until the leaves are gone.  It looks so desolate when it is covered.  Hubby said he would take the cover off later in the year, but I couldn't keep up with all the leaves - I dip - they fall, I dip - they fall.  After Thanksgiving I will mulch most of them for the shrubbery and the rest will go on the garden for next spring's planting.  I have to burn that garden spot off first - did that last year and it took care of most of the pests this year.  Since we plant an early garden, we miss the pests that like the hot days of mid to late summer.  I fair better also as I can not work in the heat.

My maternal first cousins get together every three months to keep in touch.  For one reason or another, I have missed the first two get togethers so I am so looking forward to seeing the crew in November.  The first of us died a year ago and her husband wanted to get to know her cousins better and suggested this as a way of keeping in touch and his asking questions and learning our personalities.  I liked the man when I first met him and I like him even more for caring enough to make an effort.  I have two cousins who are a great distance from us and we don't get to visit so often, but then there are cousins just up the road that we don't see so often either. 

I told a good friend the other day - we are just trying to live.  I know that isn't quite right, but it pretty much describes our comings, goings, or just staying home.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Winds

Winds,  hard, fast, destructive, have become a dangerous part of our summer storms.  As a little girl, I remember sitting on the couch with our Nannie, a Bible on her lap, waiting for the afternoon thunderstorms to pass.  The stove was cut off as was the television and the iron was unplugged.  I remember the continuous lightening strikes and the rumbling thunder, but not the wind.  Yes, the lightening was frightening and sometimes we lost power, but somehow that was expected of a summer storm.

The strong winds are something new and very frightening.  They come from nowhere and disappear just as fast into nothingness.  The leave trees down, limbs broken and a real mess everywhere.  Yesterday, amidst the thanks to God for the afternoon shower, I received a call that a very large tree had blown over onto my nephew' house.  It is something we all dread and look to happen, but don't really expect.  It was a huge tree but when it broke, it fell on the front corner of the house and did little structural damage.  A few pieces of decking will have to be replaced and some moulding, but overall the problem would be getting the huge tree down - off the house.  I am just grateful his wife and child were not injured, but they were scared to death!

About two months ago a tornado ripped through our county west to east leaving a path of destruction we have not seen to date.  Houses, brick and stick, were literally blown away in the winds and in its place death and destruction were left.  It takes a little time to recuperate and realize that every wind storm will not leave the same death and destruction the tornado left. 

We are looking for more storms this afternoon and while we need the rain, how I long for those afternoon thunderstorms of the past with lots of rumbling thunder, but no gusting, harsh winds.  I am thankful for whatever we get at this point as far as precipitation goes.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle
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Pears, Spiders and other anomalies of my life

I have an abundance of pears this year which due to the weight of the little gems has led to the loss of many limbs out of my three trees.  Now the squirrels have started devouring them so I don't look to have many left to ripen.  They love pear seeds and don't mind one bit chopping down to the core of the pears to get to the seeds.  Strange though, once they eat the seeds the rest of the pear goes on the ground to rot.  Finicky little eaters, but I will sure have some fat squirrels to make dumplings with this fall!

The spiders are out again also.  I found the largest milk/writing spider I have seen to date guarding the handle to the barn faucet.  I hate to disturb a web in the wild as they catch so many insects. but this fierce looking spider was not about to get a chance of tasting my skin.  I broke part of the web so I good but on the faucet and left the other alone.  I don't think he/she was happy, but this morning the break was repaired so maybe I am somewhat forgiven.  I hope it understands when I have to break it loose again this afternoon. 

It will be a busy week outside with all the wonderful rain we received the past four days.  The temps are set to rise but I think I can get it all done before it gets too hot.  Work is calling so until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle