Sandy's Daily Updates

Tuesday, August 2, 2022 Partly Cloudy Windy Humid 90 Degrees 5:28 p.m.

It has been a busy day around here, just doing the household chores. Tina has a back ache and I contribute that to moving things and also carrying Sierra in the cat carrier yesterday. Sierra weighs 13 pounds so being in the cat carrier it is cumbersome to carry as her weight isn’t distributed evenly. And she isn’t a willing passenger.

The above picture is of the normal sized sea horses. they are very interesting creatures. They seem to cling to the plant and not move around much. I would of liked to see them swim or something. They moved a little but not much. Maybe they take afternoon siestas. There is so much to see in that aquarium and so much to read but that part is harder to do as so many people trying to do the same thing. The writing is on the narrow frame of the glass en closer so it make it hard to see with people watching the fish.

We have had mostly sunshine today and it has been nice. I understand the rain will be back in the forecast tomorrow, and for the rest of the week. Also the high temperatures. So we will enjoy the sunshine while we have it. The rain is welcome in most areas but not the flooding that Kentucky and other areas of the south and north east have experienced. It is sad so many are missing in Kentucky. From what we see on TV, the place mostly affected is like a canyon area.

The kids here are back in school so once again we see the school buses picking the kids up and bringing them home. It seems that the cats enjoy watching them as they both sit in the windows and watch. I guess that is more fun then watching the birds and lizards. The backpacks look heavy and the kids look tired as they leave the bus stop and head home. It sure makes me happy that I am not in school.

Quote of the day: CHURCH BULLETIN BLUNDERS: “The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind; and they may be seen in the church basement on Friday.”

Have a great rest of your Tuesday. Make it a successful, substantial, adventurous and fun day.

Blessings

Monday, August 1, 2022 Cloudy Windy Rained 79 degrees 3:30 p.m.

Another rainy, windy, cloudy summer day here in Oak Ridge. The temperature is wonderful and the humidity isn’t all that bad. Or I am getting use to it. All in all, not a bad day at all.

The above picture is of one type of sea horse that was at the aquarium. I can’t figure out how to make the picture smaller so will have to work on that. but he is one interesting creature for sure. They have other seahorses that are of normal size and look like the ones that one usually see in an aquarium. I wish I had been able to get the names of all the fish and other creatures that are living at the Chattanooga Aquarium. They have some fascinating fish and other creatures. Be sure to fix your computer or notebook or whatever you receive this blog so that you can see the picture.

With all the rain we have had the gutter drains from the roofs are clogging up. It has created some problems with minor flooding, especially for Julie and Jason. He has been outside working on that most of the day. It is a mystery that his outdoor spick-et, with one hose, makes the water back up out of one of our gutter drains. So weird. Another secret of Oak Ridge Tennessee. So far there is no answer as to why that happens.

Quote of the day: PRICELESS GIFTS TO GIVE FOR FREE The gift of a favor; Every day go out of your way to do something kind for someone.

Have a great rest of you Monday, the first day of August! this year is flying by quickly. Make the day profitable, pleasurable, positive, pleasant and fun.

Blessings

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