That sounds quite lovely, JZ. The last time I went to mass was earlier this summer. The local church, St. Mary's of the Snows, had their 100 year anniversary. Since I am apparently the tech wiz of Otter Lake they asked me to make a slide show for the celebration. I had a scanner and everything required so I was happy to do so. The Bishop and some former priests came for the hoopla. Nice to see the people and celebrate such a big anniversary, but the mass itself was just 100% rote. That part was a disappointment. Probably the previous mass was my mother's funeral 5 years ago. I figure I have a buffer of masses built up from all those years of Catholic School!

My father's parents came from Germany and Austria... sometime before 1900, IIRC. (My father was born in 1917!) So my claim on EU citizenship is probably pretty specious.

Timelies all!

Some more health news from my family. My mom has pneumonia and is back in the hospital.(Not the same hospital as before, but one near the rehab facility) Gary's dad has been in a rehab center in Florida for his back/legs, and has tested positive for COVID so he's in an isolation ward. Sigh, can we get a break please?

Oh, man, Sheryl! Continuing health~ma

Oh No Sheryl! much health~ma to your mom and Gary's dad.

Matilda's birthday seems like an awesome one for turning 15.

My grandmother isn't doing well. She's 101. this is expected but she's sleeping a lot and not eating. It's looking more and more likely that the next time I'm in Florida will be for her funeral not for a visit. I'm sad but I also know I'm incredibly lucky to have a grandparent in my life for 48 years. The last time I saw her she could remember me but not much else.

I don't know what will happen about her funeral with Covid, I know that lots of people will want to come. Growing up it could feel difficult sometimes having a last name that means you are related to everyone else with the same last name. I would hear "oh are you related to" and brace for it being my dad or one of my uncles. But there were plenty more people who would say "are you related to Mrs E? she was my 3rd grade teacher/Sunday School teacher/dear friend of my mother/we went to church together. Your grandmother is a wonderful lady (or some variation)".

I want to see her again and hug her. But I really want to have a chance to visit with who she was not who she is now.

My big vacation to Florida is Oct 15 but I don't know what will happen between then and now, I briefly talked to the HR manager about this and she said not to worry about it the scheduling and things would be figured out. I don't have anything nice to wear that fits well. I need to call my aunt tomorrow.

I'm sorry about all the ailing elders, and wishing them well.

I have no clue about my geneology but it would be a good bet on Scots-Irish, since that's what nearly all the hill folk are where I'm from. No other country eager to take me in. And at past-prime work age, they don't want me anyway. H has a straight line to Ukraine, but he'd rather tough it out here than go there. And, really, we'll probably be gone before the real cataclysm gets going.

Yikes Sheryl! Best of luck.

Askye, when we visited my grandma in her tiny town people would look at us kids if we were alone and say “oh you must be (my last name)s!” Because we do all look alike.

Went to a soccer game, it rained a lot. I think I need a bigger rain coat, which is depressing/disturbing since I bought this one when I got too big for my last one!!

JZ I haven’t been to mass in years but that sounds awesome. I miss singing.

Cashmere, I had a delightful conversation yesterday with a good friend who moved to Soajo, in the north of Portugal last January. He and his wife are retired and they are loving it.

I will never retire and I'm not much of an outdoors person, but J & K are overjoyed with the hiking and gorgeous national parks nearby.

Their biggest problem is a herd of wild horses that routinely break into their garage. So far, no damage to the car, but a few sanitation issues. If you know what I mean.

They had looked into Ireland because J has direct family ties, but the peacefulness and cost of living are far more attractive in Portugal. I could not agree more.

In fact, J thinks my biggest problem is going to be a need for patience with slow pace of things. Trust me. I will adapt.

That's a lot, Sheryl. Sending healing thoughts all round.

I'm sorry, askye. It's hard when you know your loved one is ready, but you aren't ever going to be ready.

Portugal sounds lovely. I can't see DH choosing to live permanently far from family despite his globe trotting youth. Maybe I could talk him into extended visits elsewhere but that is about it.