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I'm so sorry to hear that! Healing thoughts sent your way.

Good morning, everyone! It is a chilly 39F here in mid-Michigan this morning. The high is supposed to be 54F. We gave in and turned on the heat last night. No rain in the forecast unlike yesterday when it was spitting at us. @HAL Sailer Melisa, that is great news about your DH. I hope the improvement keeps on coming! Today's meal sounds like it has interesting flavors. I must confess, I would probably shred up a rotisserie chicken and add it to the mix. Ahead of Thyme has a nice recipe to get us started. https://www.aheadofthyme.com/creamy-vegetarian-peanut-miso-ramen/ Garnishes can be changed to fit your taste as we see in this next recipe. https://twoplaidaprons.com/creamy-peanut-butter-miso-ramen/ This one is for those who want to step up the spice in their lives. https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/vegan-spicy-thai-peanut-ramen/ Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Good morning, everyone! This is going to have to be a post and run today as I have a meeting at 9 and then the rest of the day is full of family stuff. The last few days have been busy. Today's meal is Lasagna Variations. We've had all kinds of lasagna recipes lately from soup to roll ups. So, is there anything left we can do with lasagna? How about this Greek style lasagna from Better Homes and Gardens? https://www.bhg.com/recipe/lamb/greek-style-lasagna/ Or Chicken Ceasar Lasagna? https://www.bhg.com/recipe/pasta/chicken-caesar-lasagna/ And it is the season for Pumpkin Lasagna! https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pumpkin-lasagna-ricotta-and-swiss-chard If we can have Italian lasagna and Greek lasagna, how about Mexican lasagna? https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/mexican-lasagna/ Last in the list is White Chicken Asparagus Lasagna. What can you come up with? https://www.thespruceeats.com/white-chicken-asparagus-lasagna-recipe-1808379 Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Vanessa, I had one of those on the joint of my pointer finger and it really hurt! They are tough and that is why they are called Bible thumpers. People used to beat on them with their Bibles or any big books to make them burst. I poked mine with my lancet for testing blood sugar and squeezed out some fluid. It resolved by itself after that. I think lancing it and relieving some of the pressure helped a lot.

Good morning, everyone! It is going to be a nice sunny morning here in mid-Michigan with a projected high of 63F. Then the temps drop and we'll have highs in the mid 50s. Sweatshirt weather is my favorite season! Not much on the agenda today. This weekend we have the new car show out at Northwood University and the Parade of Homes. Both are fun to walk through. Today's meal sounds interesting to me. I'd like to give it a try. As the first site says, you can play around with the spices to get the mixture that suits you best. https://shreddedsprout.com/2020/03/03/poached-cod-in-tomato-curry/ This one is slightly different and I like the addition of the lime before serving. https://gfchow.com/2022/06/16/poached-cod-in-tomato-curry/ This one is way different and has no coconut cream. Just for you, Carolyn @Cruising-along! I'm not sure I'd like the chick peas in it, though. https://onthebias.nyc/poached-cod-in-tomato-curry/ Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Wow! No, it isn't perfect. In some states SS is deducted. In 1987 they started deducting for Medicare. What irks me is that for the last 10 years I was considered an independent contractor and I paid the employer and employee share. Grrrr.

My teaching salary was not taxed for Social Security, but I always worked other jobs that were. After retirement I worked and paid into Social Security. They were jobs that didn't pay much, so that is why my benefit is so low, but I still think it is wrong to take 2/3 away. But, it doesn't matter what I think. It is what it is.

I think the original idea was to curb those who were getting two large government pensions. For example, an attorney who gets a large social security benefit but who also served as a judge or elected official and gets either a large state or federal pension. By large, I mean bigger than your average worker. That was seen as double dipping. But, when your social security is less than $500 a month it is hardly a windfall. On the other hand, the argument is that if you contributed enough to earn those benefits, you should get them. Mine will almost pay my Medicare premium, but not quite. Oh well, every little bit helps.

Good morning, everyone! It is a rainy day here in mid-Michigan. Temperatures will be falling to a more fall like level. That's ok, I love sweatshirt weather! Yesterday we got up all the leaves in the back and side yards. We filled 6 leaf bags. Today it looks like we didn't do a thing. We decided we wanted to get a start on the leaves. Last year the previous owners never raked a leaf and left them all for us. We moved in on a Saturday and the leaves had to be at the curb on Monday for city pickup. Today I have an appointment with Social Security. I will get retroactive benefits to April, but from here out, I get almost enough to cover my Medicare premium. I should be getting more, but because I have a pension from the State Teachers Retirement System, I am considered a double dipper and they reduce my social security by 2/3rds. Oh, well. Today's meal sounds really good, but the squash is a starchy one and with the rice puts it over the top on carbs for me. This first one is great for the vegetarians and you can leave out the cheese for the vegans. https://www.aheadofthyme.com/stuffed-butternut-squash-with-wild-rice/ We had a stuffed butternut squash a while back so this recipe might look familiar. Today's meal is specific to stuffing it with wild rice. This next recipe includes chicken sausage with mushrooms and cranberries along with the rice. https://www.skinnytaste.com/stuffed-butternut-squash/ This next one cooks the squash, scoops it out and mixes it with the rice, goat cheese, pecans, and cranberries. Then, the mixture is stuffed back in the squash shells. https://inspiralized.com/wild-rice-stuffed-butternut-squash/ Wishing you all a wonderful day!

I forgot that one! It is good. It was hard to get into cooking when I was just cooking for one, but I did make some more complicated dishes and then ate them for the next two weeks. I remember making the famous Tomato Pie. Aspercreme is my #1. I use a licocaine patch or Salonpas for my back if I'm going to be doing active things. Congrats on your new cane! Looks like you really started something with your mention of a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Who knew?

Great news, Tina! Now, sit back, enjoy the flight, and have a wonderful cruise! @RMLincoln Congratulations, Maureen on getting all the legal paperwork done. Now it is full steam ahead for your move! @Seasick Sailor Joy, I second the suggestions for Aspercreme, lidocaine patches, and Salonpas. I've used all three and they are pretty effective. In fact, I used some Aspercreme today after working on the leaves all morning.

Good morning, everyone! It will be another warm day here with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 84F. We are going to start on the leaves today. There are plenty of them to take care of on the ground and we want to get a head start on them. @0106 Delta should also be able to rebook you on another flight since they cancelled you. I had that happen once a few years ago, but I was at the airport, so they took care of everything. Today's meal is a nice soup for fall. And, it will be fall here in mid-Michigan tomorrow. So, perhaps I should stock up on ingredients when we hit the grocery store today. We like to go on Wednesdays to one particular grocery store because seniors get a 15% discount. There have to be some perks to being old. This first recipe is not for dieters and is rather high in carbs, but if you can handle them, go for it. https://therecipecritic.com/creamy-sausage-tortellini-soup/ It sure looks good, doesn't it? This next one is lower in calories and carbs and doesn't call for tomatoes. https://thecozycook.com/sausage-tortellini-soup/ This last one does call for tomato sauce but uses half and half to cut the calories. Seasonings are a bit different. https://www.aheadofthyme.com/creamy-tortellini-soup-with-sausage/ Safe travels to all who are traveling. Wishing you all a wonderful day!

@JazzyV @Cruzin Terri Welcome aboard!

I love the name of your car! I hope you post more often. Welcome!

It's only wrong if it doesn't suit you. If you're happy with it, it doesn't matter what we think.

@0106 Tina, I hope you have a wonderful cruise! You earned it doing such a great job as my sub.

Good morning, everyone! It is going to be sunny and warm today in mid-Michigan with temperatures in the mid 80s. Sue and I have hair appointments this morning. I am getting rather shaggy, so this is a blessing. Next week we do pedicures getting ready to be all prettied up for niece Emily's wedding at the end of the month. Not much else on the agenda. @Quartzsite Cruiser I'm glad all is ok with Steve. What a scare that was! But, you are both home safe and sound. Let the healing continue! @Seasick Sailor Joy, I hope your back is better. Good advice on calling EMS if it happens again. @marshhawk I bet you are totally excited about the cruise coming up. I sure would be. @kazu Safe travels today! Many thanks to @richwmn for his help on today's meal. Originally it was Mac and Cheese. I thought we exhausted Mac and Cheese yesterday and should give it a rest at least until next year. Rich put up with me changing it a couple times until I landed on Turkey Tetrazzini. I was delighted to find something we hadn't had in the last six months! My first alternative choice was something we had had. So, save this recipe for the day after Thanksgiving. Until then, you can make it with chicken. I think many would enjoy the cognac in this recipe. https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3088/turkey-porcini-tetrazzini-recipe/ You can really use any type of mushrooms in this recipe. A shredded rotisserie chicken would work well. https://www.wellplated.com/turkey-tetrazzini/ This one is pretty easy to follow. It uses sherry instead of cognac. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mushroom-turkey-tetrazzini/ This last one uses white wine and adds in spinach so you have a meal complete with vegetables. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/turkey-tetrazzini-with-spinach-and-mushrooms-3568181 @57redbird I think your diagnosis is on target. I had proclaimed no more surgeries, but I'll let them fix this. Wishing you all a wonderful day!

That's what John thought. I'm glad I have an appointment next week.

Oh, it is more than a lump! It pushes my shirt out quite a ways. And it has gotten bigger in the past week. Oh, my. When I push on mine I can feel a popping. Kind of like it is going back where it belongs?

Oh, my gosh, Joy! I think you need a trip to at least Urgent Care. Is Allen ok? Wow! I'm glad they have the BG under control. Kidney stones are the worst! I have something growing in my belly. As I told my friend John the doctor, if I'm going to have a fat belly, I want it nice and round. But, I've got a mountain peak growing and to make matters worse, it is off center. John seems to think it could be a stich that came undone from my surgery in May or a hernia. I did not have this mountain peak when I was on the cruise. I do have an appointment with my doctor next week. I'll let him earn his fee and figure it out.

When I was in France and went to the ER they did not ask for payment. I never got a bill from them. Their hospitals have a global budget and no one gets charged in the ER. In Spain I took a student to Urgencias and they did not ask for payment. It was explained to us that the hospital is not set up to accept payment. I think there was a small charge and that was billed to the student at home. Her parents told me the insurance paid it with no problem.

Thanks, Vanessa! There is a street light in front of the neighbor's house, but that is the only one on the street. We all have lamp posts in the front yard. @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, I am sending you healing thoughts and tons of hugs. Fingers and toes are all crossed as well. I hope things get straightened out quickly.

Good morning, everyone! It is going to be a lovely day here in mid-Michigan with sunny skies and temps in the mid 80s. A flashback to summer! That's ok. We can get some more work done around the yard. Yesterday I painted the lamp post and now it looks brand new. It is amazing what a little paint can do. Sue gave the mailbox the first part of a make over as well. Sorry, Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser, but I don't have a picture of the old, ugly light on the lamp post. IT was a big plastic ball that was dirty and had bugs crawling all over inside it. It was nice to be treated to pictures of Elliot Rose. We always enjoy seeing the Daily babies as they grow. We did have some cars with names. We had an old, white station wagon that we referred to as The Old White Ghost. It was about 12 years old when Dad finally got rid of it. He couldn't trade it in when he bought the new car as they were going to charge him to take it to the junk yard. Then we had The Bonny - a Pontiac Bonneville sedan. And The Toy - a Toyota Carolla. Today's meal is Mac and Cheese, a lovely comfort food for many. But, we're going to have Mac and Cheese Outside the Box. We'll start with Caprese Mac and Cheese. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/4-cheese-caprese-mac-and-cheese/ There are a lot of things you can do with mac and cheese to liven it up a bit. It doesn't have to be just mac and cheese. Here's one with caramelized onions and everyone's favorite, bacon. https://juliasalbum.com/macaroni-and-cheese-with-bacon-and-caramelized-onions-recipe/ Or how about mac and cheese stuffed peppers? These also have mini Italian meatballs included in the stuffing. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/mini-italian-meatball-mac-cheese-stuffed-peppers/ Bet you never thought of this - shrimp scampi mac and cheese. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/shrimp-scampi-mac-and-cheese-3581376 I bet you can come up with even more ideas! Here's some to get you started. https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/collections/gallery/10-new-takes-on-mac-n-cheese/k1a49rhf?page=5 Wishing you all a wonderful day!

I laughed at elderly because in the paper Police Blotter anyone over 60 is described as elderly. Jimmy Carter is officially elderly. We are not.

I think the correct term for those of us with more turns around the sun is experienced. Scratch elderly.