So I understand there was a soccer match today. Wow. I imagine that everyone who watched it got their aerobic exercise today, even while sitting in a chair!
What else is going on today? It’s super quiet here.
This post is in: Open Threads
So I understand there was a soccer match today. Wow. I imagine that everyone who watched it got their aerobic exercise today, even while sitting in a chair!
What else is going on today? It’s super quiet here.
by WaterGirl| 77 Comments
This post is in: Open Threads, Pet Calendar, Something Good Open Thread
For all the cat lovers on Balloon Juice, I will share the screen capture my niece sent of the Australian Firefighters Calendar for 2023. Adorable kittens!
It seems only fair to share this calendar since our Pets of Balloon Juice calendar is stalled, waiting for the calendar stock paper to arrive.
Open thread.
Open Thread: For All The Cat Lovers Out TherePost + Comments (77)
by WaterGirl| 66 Comments
This post is in: Open Threads
So I spent half the day without my computer (in the shop) and the other half working.
What did I miss?
Open thread.
Open Thread: It’s Friday, What Did I Miss?Post + Comments (66)
by WaterGirl| 16 Comments
This post is in: Grand Junction, On The Road, Photo Blogging
Hey you *slackers :-) where are your holiday pics? Holidays when you were little, Christmas lights, decorations?
* cope, jeffery, SkyBluePink, one more mystery person and the person who lost all their childhood pictures in a fire … not included in the (pretend) name calling.
In July of 2022, my grandson and I flew out to visit my family in Grand Junction, Colorado. Born and raised in Florida, he had never been out West. At the time, his family was preparing to sell their Florida home and move to Vermont, a task they completed this past November. During this visit, I decided that my wife and I should sell our Florida home too, and move back to Colorado after 33 years of Florida life.
I tried to make sure we did something different every day so my grandson could share some fun memories with his grandpa. I think that mission was accomplished.
On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part IPost + Comments (16)
To save money, our flights there and back were at odd hours and each involved a lengthy layover in Denver. This is the dawn view as we left Orlando in a drizzle.
This post is in: Absent Friends, Open Threads
First published on Wednesday at 3:11 pm, but it was off the front page this morning, so reposting for anyone who didn’t see this yesterday.
Hey everybody,
Most of you probably know that John lost his best friend (and soulmate) Tammy last Tuesday. In case you missed it, here’s the post where John shared his sad news.
We created a GoFundMe to cover funeral-related expenses for Tammy, and John asked me if I would share it with all of you.
On 6 December 2022, one of the most wonderful people to ever grace the planet, Tammy Whitacre, was found unresponsive at home and subsequently pronounced dead.
My name is John Cole, and Tammy was my best friend in the world.
Tammy’s sudden loss, with no warning, is an absolute shock to her husband, family, and friends. Unrelated medical expenses this past year had already wreaked havoc on their finances.
Please consider a donation to help cover the unexpected funeral costs and to make things just a tiny bit easier for her surviving family.
If you are inclined to contribute, here’s a link to the GoFundMe.
I cry every time I see a photo of Tammy – even in photos, she has a light about her that shines through, and it always seems impossible when someone like that is gone.
One way we can help John is to help him help Brian. What a terrible loss.
Tammy with sweet Lily, and what I presume are Cole’s legs.
John asked me to figure out what amount would cover funeral expenses, which is a little tricky because Brian is struggling, as you can imagine, so we can’t really ask him for details. I did some research and came up with an estimate of $15,000, but when I mentioned the amount to my good friend who recently lost her mom in Kentucky, she thought that would likely only cover the bare minimum, so I have set the goal at $20,000. So if that amount seems wrong to anyone, point your fingers at me.
Covering Funeral Expenses for Tammy (John Cole’s Best Friend)Post + Comments (140)
by WaterGirl| 19 Comments
This post is in: French Basque Country, On The Road, Photo Blogging
There are seven Basque provinces, four in Spain and three in France. St. Jean Pied de Port is the center of the three French ones arrayed along the Spanish border in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques mountains. It was classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France in 2016.
On The Road – Steve from Mendocino – French Basque Country #3Post + Comments (19)
These first three photos are of the main street, rue de la Citadelle, which runs down hill and over the river Nive.
by WaterGirl| 31 Comments
This post is in: On The Road, Photo Blogging
I’m pretty much a lurker on the site, but thought I could contribute a couple of On The Road items since you’re running short!
This is of a visit that a friend and I made to St Davids the smallest city in the UK in May 2019. My friend had recently bought an electric car and this was the first long drive she’d attempted (long as in 230 miles) and I think I was invited for moral support during range anxiety.
On The Road – knally – St Davids, WalesPost + Comments (31)
This is the view from where we stayed, Tower Hill – a Landmark Trust property. That’s St Davids Cathedral which gives the small town its city status. It was a popular place of pilgrimage in the middle ages. Pope Calixtus II decreed that “Two pilgrimages to St Davids is equal to one to Rome, and three pilgrimages to one to Jerusalem”