Friday, July 29, 2022 Cloudy Slight Breeze Humid 81 Degrees 5:12 p.m.

A great two days exploring Chattanooga Tennessee. We sound it a very interesting city, filled with history, quaint buildings, fascinating shops, and very nice people. Our primary reason for going there was to visit the aquarium. I have found that each aquarium is different and very fascinating. This one was no exception.

The aquarium is divided into two buildings. One is the River Aquarium and the other is the Ocean aquarium. Both are on a definite appointment start time. Ours was at 1:00 p.m. and we were there about twenty minutes early.

They are both well thought out, easy to navigate and very informative. Once inside, the starting point is on the 4th floor. The River Aquarium has individual areas for certain types of fish, some being small and some being large. You can see some of them from all four levels but I think most were seen only from the level you are on. The river fish, as a rule, aren’t very colorful, but they are very interesting.

We learned that some of the rivers around here have stingrays in them. That was very shocking as we thought that they are found only in the ocean. They are such interesting creatures, so soft to the touch, and harmless unless you come in contact with their tail which is their main defense. I guess they can bite but I do not know that for a fact. They also come in two or three colors and some even have a pattern.

The cat fish are humongous! The person telling about some of the fish said that they can get to be 8 feet long. I believe it after seeing some of them. They aren’t the prettiest of fish but very necessary to the rivers as they are one of the “housekeepers” of the rivers and lakes.

There are the trout and perch and many other fish as well as frogs and turtles, snails and snakes and eels. I didn’t like the snakes but know that they have their reason for being there. I just can’t imagine what it is. I sort of bypassed that exhibit.

There are several species of turtles. The spotted ones are cute and the snapping turtles are dangerous as they can really do damage if they happen to get a finger or toe. As with anything some of the turtles are prettier then others, but all are interesting.

Of course the otters are the most adorable, cutest and entertaining of them all. They had two of them entertaining each other and all the onlookers. they were playing, wrestling and chasing one another. the children that were there loved the otters and tried to “play” with them from the front of the glass en closer. Sometime the otters would play chase from one end of the glass to the other, then go back to their own entertainment.

There were alligators and crocodiles, All looking lazy but ready to take a bite given something to bite. they are rally big and not at all pretty. they had some babies that looked harmless but the attendant said that their bite was just a strong and painful as their parents. There was a fish that was fairly big and had a long snout that looked like it had a shovel on the end. There was a nursery for turtle eggs that will hatch and be cared for until being put in whatever pond or aquarium that they are meant for. Some will be turned back to the lakes or rivers from which they came.

After going through the River Aquarium, we came out at the gift shop. Of course we toured that. Neither of us was very happy with the gift shop. they were expensive. the items that they had were: 1. Made in China, 2. very cheap looking, not attractive for the most part and way overpriced.

Monday I will tell about the Ocean aquarium.

Quote of the day: Stop and smell the roses, the coffee, the fresh air. Take time to meditate, to appreciate all the true blessings given us each day. Even the not so pleasant can turn into something wonderful.

Have a great rest of your Friday and a super fantastic weekend. Make all safe, healthy, adventurous, relaxing and fun.

Blessings

Tuesday, July 27, 2022 Cloudy Thunder Storms 87 Degrees 4:33 p.m.

Today we have had some strong thunder storms and heavy rain. Right now it is just cloudy with the sun peeking out. However, everything is dripping from the last downpour. There is a slight breeze and it is very humid. This is the weather menu for the week. I sure hope tomorrow is dryer weather.

We are finishing up the preparations for tomorrow’s trip to the aquarium. The car is ready, cleaned and looking as good as a 12 year old car can look. The laundry is nearly done and the house looks to be in good shape for the shape it is in. Sierra and Milo are relaxing , one upstairs on Tina’s bed and the other on the windowsill looking for any excitement outside. So far she is not in luck. Not even a bee buzzing around. The dogs have hurriedly walked their people between thunderstorms. They don’t like getting their feet wet and hate the thunder worse. So, all is quiet on the home front.

Now to gather the necessities to take with us tomorrow and get dinner done and over with. Bed fairly early as we need to get up and get going in the morning. Max will be eager to see his cousins and they will be awaiting his arrival with cheerful yelps, woofs and arfs of joy. Four tails a-wagging is quite a site to see.

There will be no Sandy’s Daily until Friday. Then I will report on the aquarium and our trip. It should be fun and interesting.

Quote of the day: Don’t quite dreaming. Just keep sleeping. From the Nail Salon this afternoon.

Have a great rest of you day and the rest of the week. Make it a safe, special, happy, positive,, purposeful, and fun few days.

Blessings

Monday, July 25, 2022 Cloudy Wet Very Slight breeze 87 Degrees 4:28 p.m.

The 4th Monday of the month, and the 205th day of the year. Time sure flies when one is having fun. I can’t believe that July is nearly gone. This week will be busy as Tina is on vacation and we are going to Chattanooga on Wednesday to visit the aquarium and also the museum. More about that when we return.

While on vacation we plan on getting some things done around the house that take time and two people to accomplish. We managed to get the new buffet wiped down and shelf paper put in the shelves and drawers and even got the cook books moved on there. We can now reach them without having to climb on a stool to do so. It is nice to have storage places one can reach. Here, I think the people were really tall as shelves are placed higher then normal. Of course, I believe we are shorter then we use to be.

This morning we took the car in for an oil change and tire rotation and checkup, preparing for out trip. I understand that it takes two to three hours to get to Chattanooga from here. We will stop at Jerry’s and drop Max off. He will have a sleep over and visit with his Doggie cousins. Dottie will be here at 8:00 a.m. and then we will take off. We both love aquariums so are looking forward to visiting this one.

Saturday Dottie and I helped Tammy snap beans. I believe there were two bushels of them. They were in xerox type boxes. One had regular green beans and the other had rattle snake green beans. Those beans had a zigzag type stripe on each side. I think she canned 24 quarts of green beans. That is a lot, I think. It has been years since I canned veggies, or even froze any. I think it might be time to think about returning to doing things like that again.

The rest of the weekend was quiet and uneventful around here. With Tina working 8 hours on Saturdays and Sundays now we don’t really have time to do anything exciting. We get up very early and then go to bed early. It makes meals and sleep sort of Topsy Turfy. There is something healthy to be said for having a regular schedule.

Time to think about dinner. We are having shrimp something or other. Tina is doing that part and I am doing the salad and such.

Quote of the day: I can’t cook, hate to clean, and loathe ironing. The only thing domestic about me is that I was born in this country. Phyllis Diller.

Have a great rest of your Monday. Make it healthy, prosperous, pleasant, enjoyable and fun.

Blessings

Friday, July 22, 2022 HOT HUMID SUNNY SLIGHT BREEZE 91 DEGREES 3:53 P.M.

We got up and went out and did our errands early this morning, before it got so hot. The heat isn’t that bad but the humidity is what kills you. The breeze just started up and I am sure that helps a little. It is to be a very hot and humid weekend with no rain until next week, like maybe Monday. I guess I wil water early in the morning both Saturday and Sunday.

Jerry came over and hooked up out new garden hose. It is metal and should not spring a leak or break or get damaged. I have the guarantee and I will use it if it does. It is plenty long and will reach anyplace I need to water so that is good. He also got my BLINK working and that is awesome. I did miss seeing the animals who wonder by, especially at night. He also worked on my camera/ computer so I can get more of my pictures. I don’t know what I would do without him. We appreciate his help so much.

Tomorrow Tina works from 5:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. so Tammy is coming to get me and her mom so we can help her snap (break) beans. She bought a bushel of green beans and she is going to can them. The heat has made the veggies grow faster then normal and also many have burned because of the heat. Tina lost all of her squash. The cantaloupe are growing and doing well so far. Also the lettuce and the carrots. And the tomatoes are really growing and are good.

Quote of the day: Veni, Vedi, Visa Translation: I came, I saw, I did a little shopping. My calendar

Have a great rest of you Friday and a spectacular weekend. Make both restful, adventurous, relaxing, enjoyable, safe, healthy and Fun.

Blessings