Alecki62

Yes, we go to Amherst. Have been since we stopped going to Providence. I liked Providence. Only a 45 minute ride. Amherst is a 3 hr. drive. I am quite sure there are plenty of us that can say the same about Prov. Our C/A is also held in Natick.

We both were perfectly well when we had the flu shot. No chance of preinfection It has happened before.. in 2006. I have been taking it since it was invented, & have never had situations like these before.

We have always been a "Cat Family." We love cats. There was a time when each of our households included a cat. In due time they lived out their years, and we shed many tears when they were gone. Right now, the focus of our attention is our "grand-cat," Miss Tia. She is 17 yrs old now, and contending with the usual problems of an aged cat, & lives with my daughter. When we still had our house she would come and spend several months with us. We live in senior housing now, no pets alowed. Her time was divided between our place, and my daughters.She has had her from infancy. She is a beautiful white brown and black calico. She looks forward to my visits, knows my voice on the phone. She knows that I am the one who would give her the white albacore tuna, little bits of ice cream, and anything else she wanted. Now she is a diabetic, and on a special diet, so no more treats. She also takes medication for a thyroid condition. Still her same old active self though, very vocal, & has the amazing ability to rout you out of bed at her bidding, in the wee hrs. of the morning. All of our cats were great. Very funny, and smart. Looking forward to a menagerie of them in the New World.

Hello Lisa, I heartily sympathize with you. My husband and I both had flu shots in Oct. & Nov. of 2012. Get them every year. We also both had the flu in Dec. 2012, which also spilled over into this year. I understand how you felt. The coughing sneezing, fever, aches and pains all over. My husband's turned into pneumonia, a mild heart attack, and kidney failure.. My temp. stayed around 100-101.6. His went up to 103. I got my stethoscope and listened to his chest. It was loaded, all 5 lobes. I called an ambulance, & sent him to the hospital. He got there just in time. If he had stayed at home he would have died. I thought I was going to. Fortunately we recovered from the initial stage, but we are both still quite weak. Our daughter & son - in - law came down with it too. They caught it from us, when they came here to help out. She has not recovered yet. I do hope you have succeeded in your recovery, & continually are progressing. I feel very badly for those who have lost loved ones, esp. those who lost babies & children, not to mention their mates. I can't help but think of the horsemen of Rev. riding and spreading their destruction. But, that brings us closer to the New World, where such things will not be, All thanks to Jehovah, and his Son. Our job right now is to preach and endure, which we are all striving to do. I send my love to all, Carol J.

Migratory Locust

Long - Eared Owl

Sand-Lizard

Raven

I loved your music. Have you heard the fairly new trio called Il Volo ? They are very good also. They have been on the PBS stations here recently. There is also a Scottish trio called Caledon. I have a tape of them singing with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. I don't have anything by Il Volo yet, But will soon.

Well then you must like the Fantasie Impromptu, Rustle of Spring, [not a concerto, but a beautiful piece of music], and the Rhondo A La Turka. I also like the Polonaise Militaire.

Hello Christopher, I love Poe. I read "The Fall of the House of Usher" so many times ! Didn't know it was made into an opera. I also love his poetry. "Leonore," about the death of his sister, is very sad, I don't get out very much, & haven't gotten to hear any of the modern composers, except for A. L. Webber, Copeland, & Bernstein. Musicians I also like are David Garrett, Joshua Bell, Andre' Rieu,Andrea Boccelli. Also like Tosca,,& The Barber of Seville. "Barber" was one of my mother's favorites too. She was very instrumental in introducing us to good literature, & music.

Hello Gabe, In listing the music I liked, How could I ever have forgotten ELVIS ! I could watch "Blue Hawaii" almost forever. I also like The Ride of the Valkyries. It is the 3rd section of 4 operas by Wagner. All 4 together, it is called "The Ring." It is very long. When done by "The Met.," takes 3-4 nites to see it all, at 2hrs. each. The Valkyrie are a set of sisters one called Brunhilde who ride up from the underground, & take the dead wariors down to Valhalla, [warrior heaven]. It also includes "Lohengrin," which we always hear as a wedding march, & "The Priests March," we always hear at graduations. Does anyone like Aida ? I love the "Grand March." Turandot is still my favorite though.

Hi Nancy, Well, I have several favorites. In opera, my favorite is "Turandot." Symphonies, the favorite for many many yrs. haven't found one that will replace it, it is the Brahms #1 in C Minor Next to that is Itzak Perlman's rendition of Mendelsohn Concerto in E Minor, and most of Gilbert & Sullivan. I say most because I do not like "Cox & Box," or "The Gondoliers." "Yeoman of the Guard" has a very sad ending. Of course I can't leave out Andre' Rieu, & the Johann Strauss Orchestra, the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra., or Caledon. Let's not forget Celtic Thunder, the Irish Tenors, or Il Volo. All beautiful music, & clean.

Thanx for the news bulletin, & Oh yes, the W.B. will soon get tired of this meddling.

I like daffodils also. I used to grow the large King Alfreds. [along with Hyacinths & Tulips] I also love that poem. Esp. the last verse. It is in a couple of my poetry books. [ I also love poetry] Here on Nantucket every year they have what is called the Daffodil Festival. They grow all over the island,and are beautiful. I went to it once, several yrs. ago. It was fun ! There is a daffodil parade, then touring & sightseeing.