If you're 60 or older, come join me. Let's talk, hang out, tease and support each other.

[iamkeri1]

Stone-Butch,
I probably noticed before that you live in Canada, but it didn't get in to my brain until tonight. My Mom was Canadian, from Petrolia Ontario. A few weeks ago, when it was (horribly) looking like Trump might win the election, I was laying plans to move to Canada. My mother's family - my family - is very large. Recently I counted 50 cousins in London alone, with more in Toronto, so I would have a rather large support group upon arrival. No queerfolk though. In a family of that size, how could I be the only purple sheep of the family? There are however, many LGBTQ+ organizations/groups in the London Area.

Currently I have hope that Dems will win out. I really love FLorida and I'm mot dying to go back to the type of cold weather I lived with in my previous home of Michigan. My passport app is filled out and sitting on my desk. I still need to fill it out, since I cant go to Canada without it. I let my previous passport expire. My cousin, our family historian, has my mother's birth certificate, and I need that to be able to establish my own Canadian citizenship. Freedom is more important to me than warm weather, but I live in hope that the Dems will be successful and I will not be forced to leave my Florida Sunshine. Sorry, a very disjointed post. I'm tired and should be sleeping.
Smooches,
Keri

[Stone-Butch]

Keri, all of Church St in TO has moved half to Young St. and there are tons of gays of all ages down around there. It is the place to be. I was in Florida when I was driving truck once and it was in summer also. I would not move there if they gave me a free home to live it. It is ok for those who love and can take the heat but I like it up here sitting by my fire in winter and do not freeze. Last winter was almost like spring all winter, mild and few snow falls which we needed for the fires out in BC and Manitoba. If you have folks here you can come to visit and see how you like being partially out of the heat lol. It is hot as the devil here too. Almost all summer was in the 80s and 90s area with the humidity. Temps were 70-75 but felt much hotter and they had announcements often for older folks to stay in if possible so who needs it hotter than that I ask you. Anyway, Canada is here lol.

[iamkeri1]

It really is super hot here in Florida. I've been here 22 years and it is much hotter now than it was then. I do a lot of yard work, and I find that if I acclimatize myself to the heat in the spring as it is starting to get hotter, then I can tolerate it pretty well. Huge live oak trees provide a lot of shade and I mainly work in the evening when its cooler.

I do miss the cool Michigan evenings.

We were in Canada all the time when I was a kid. It's stupid that we have to have a passport to cross the border. We spent every new years eve with my Aunt in London. She would buy everyone in the family Lotto Canada tickets and we would all gather around the television to hear the numbers called.
None of us ever won, lol. Thirty or forty Irish people in a room and not a drop of luck among us.
Smooches,

Keri

[Stone-Butch]

Well, I am certainly glad you like it where you are and so do I. I live quite near the Scarborough Bluffs and spending time in the park is super nice if I might say so. It is good you have adjusted to living hot but I could never as I have trouble here on hot days. Air conditioning is ok but I prefer out in nature when it is cool and breezy. It is 66F here today and a nice breeze so I will be off to the park shortly. If you come up this way I would be happy to show you the park. We want to get rid of Trudeau as much as you do with the big T. Both are criminals and should not be in politics supposidly helping the people. All we can do is vote and hope our fellow neighbours feel the same. Take care....

[iamkeri1]

I enjoyed so much reading your post. I love talking to happy people and bathing in their positivity. The cool weather you are experiencing sounds wonderful. When I am out working in the yard it is usually in the high 70's to low 80's fahrenheit. Outdoors, 80 is my favorite temperature, and a breeze makes it even better. Florida is not a very breezy place though, at least not inland where I live. I would love to augment my household electrical system with a windmill which is a lot cheaper than solar. But there's just not enough wind to make it at all practical.


Tomorrow is our primary election for state positions. There is a primary in the early spring for the president. Like so many other things in politics, it makes no sense, to me at any rate. I would love to see our Senator, Rick Scott be displaced, but that won't happen till November. I don't have any particular favorites. I want to elect as many Democrats as possible. No LGBTQ+ folk are running that I know of. I am extremely liberal with social issues, but I would love to see the deficit lowered or eliminated. I would like us to stop being the cops of the world and significantly reduce the size of the military.


Sorry, I did not intend to turn this into politics. Thanks again for your happy post. It made me smile.


Smooches,
Keri

[Stone-Butch]

It is 65F here today and I could not be happier. We were suppose to get tons of rain but I have seen only normal amounts and welcome them to keep fire under control. Changing weather, hot and humid to cooler is hard on the old bones lol. I think as we age we learn to adjust but looking to winter is another story. Snow is nice but not overdone. A serious fall can be a real life changer. I will be glad when little boy T is out of office. He is useless and a crook but trying to get the younger generation to stop looking up to him can be a challenge. I must go and enjoy this beautiful day, time for the park. Always nice to chat. Take care and mind the weather lol.

[Bèsame*]

Came across this article, it's a great read. Let's look at life like they are. An interesting interview with Al Roker and Oprah Winfrey. Its a rainy relaxing day here..I'm in enjoying the company of my Texas bestie this week .

https://www.today.com/life/al-roker-...day-rcna167195

[iamkeri1]

I was a good girl and completed all the tasks my health care company wanted me to do, so they are sending me a gift card. For $50! And I got to pick where it was coming from. There were a few restaurants I could pick from; Applebee's, Chili's and I can't remember the third one, but it wasn't Ruby Tuesday, which is my favorite. Their salad bar is out of sight, and they have a lot of choices on their menu. You can sit there for hours talking to friends and they don't pressure you to leave. But they were not on the list, so I just picked Walmart so I'll have extra money to buy nuts and other baking supplies for the upcoming winter holidays.


The "good girl" was said tongue in cheek. Years ago I had good strong feminist boss. She used to always say "good girl" if we got all the unreasonable stuff done that she asked us to do. My standard response was "Good Girl" is what you say to your dog when you come home after a full days work, and she has not pooped on your carpet. LOL


SO now I'm a good OLD girl, and that has some status in the South. I'd like to give a shout out to to all y'all good old girls. You're awesome.


Let me hear you make some noise!
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Ruminations on a Monday afternoon . .

It been raining here in my neighborhood for most of the afternoon. First the wind whipped up, then we had a couple bouts of driving rain. No big storm or anything, but now I'm listening to soft thunder in the distance. Peaceful.

I cooked fresh beets yesterday. They came with a decent amount of greens. I love beet greens. I had them for dinner yesterday with a bunch of other veggies and fruit, and radishes. I adore radishes. So Summer-y. Today I hope to make a soup I "invented" about six months ago that I have come to love. Beet and cauliflower soup. Its a beautiful color with bite sized bites of flavor throughout. I enjoy soup and I'm a pretty good soup maker.

About ten years ago there was a commercial for some kind of soup base. The tag line was "because I make the best chicken soup in the world." A friend was living with me at the time and we would both spontaneously shout "No I make the best chicken soup in the world!" Then we would quibble among ourselves about who made the better soup, LOL. Our approach to soup making was very different from each other. She was talking bone soup which she cooked for days in a slow cooker. I favor chicken soup bursting with 10 or 12 different kinds of veggies. Mostly it doesn't matter what the veggies are, but two I consider "musts" are cabbage, and then at the last moment just before serving, I add one finely chopped Roma tomato. It adds such a bright, fresh flavor.

Well my friends, I hope you all enjoyed a thoughtful time today, and I wish you well.

Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Clay, this is for you. I know years ago I frequently posted visitor messages on people's user page, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to do it now. Anyway I am responding to your rep, and thank you. I live in Dundee, a little town about 40 miles South of Orlando. I too am looking for friends both off and on-line. Good to hear from you.
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Hi Everyone, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?

I think I'll be hosting at my house. Broke my leg getting ready for Hurricane Milton and I'm not driving yet. I've got a turkey and all that other stuff, but I hope the rest of the fam will do a lot of the cooking. I am fully functional in the kitchen, but haven't had much interest in cooking for a while now.

Do you have any special traditions or ethnic foods that you cook instead of the standard fare? Do y'all eat around the TV watching football? Share with us, please.
Smooches,
Keri

[Gráinne]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Hi Everyone, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?

I think I'll be hosting at my house. Broke my leg getting ready for Hurricane Milton and I'm not driving yet. I've got a turkey and all that other stuff, but I hope the rest of the fam will do a lot of the cooking. I am fully functional in the kitchen, but haven't had much interest in cooking for a while now.

Do you have any special traditions or ethnic foods that you cook instead of the standard fare? Do y'all eat around the TV watching football? Share with us, please.
Smooches,
Keri

Oh! I hope you're doing OK, both leg-wise and hurricane-wise.

I think it's pretty much tradition; a half ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, and crescent rolls (which I can't make into crescents, so they look like little blobs). I also make my mom's lime Jell-O with Mandarin Oranges, which exactly no one likes but me! And of course, it's not Thanksgiving without Gherkin pickles and olives.

Also in the grand tradition, I spend all day cooking and setting up, for a mad dash at halftime and phoom! right back to the game .

[Stone-Butch]

Thanksgiving was quite a meal around our house when all six of us and probably more family members showed up. Mom made a turkey and either a ham or roast beef (I could never stomach turkey), mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, greens, lots of gravy. Custard and Jello or her special muffins for desert. Our meals always opened with tomato juice or V8. Since the family is gone except for me and my brother and my general knowledge of Thanksgiving I do not celebrate. It was a good time had by all and wonderful to look back on. Good if you don't have a broken leg or two.

[iamkeri1]

We did have Thanksgiving at my house. My daughter and her family were there and, happily she made most of the food. We had turkey, ham with pineapples, Cheesy hash brown casserole, collard greens, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, home made cranberry sauce and a cranberry jello salad with walnuts. For the first time in many years I did not make my own pies, but the store bought pumpkin and pecan were very good, nonetheless.

After dinner we played "Sorry." My 10 year old grandson, wiped the floor with us all winning both games.


I believe in teaching kids how to cook and bake and do food prep early on. My daughter, like her Dad, prefers to do everything herself, so it is hard for her to watch the freedom/responsibilities her kids have at my house. They all know their jobs and with a few reminders, it is very efficient. The 14 year old boy gets down a basket, puts napkins in it and then counts out the silverware we'll use for the meal. He gets out the paper plates and napkins and puts them on the table and fills a bowl with ice for the drinks. Age 11 girl does the pickle tray - I always have a bunch of different pickles on hand - and she does not want to be interfered with. She wants to do it herself! Ten year old boy loves making the garlic bread or cheesy bread. We cut the french loaf in half and he can handle it after that. Baby girl, age almost 6 knows where everything is in my fridge. She brings us condiments when asked or puts them on the table. She also helps big brother put ice in the glasses. They are awesome.

Every year we make cookies, brownies, chocolate dipped pretzels and different chocolate candies together. They are so proud of their work. Each of them get to mix up a batch of cookies and put them on cookie sheets. We all work on them when they are done and we have a lot of fun Last year I also recruited them to help me make Stuffed Cabbage which I find tedious on my own. We made a big batch and they got to take a bunch home. They always love showing off their cooking to Mom and Dad.

They fight like all siblings do. Lately I've been having a little talk with them before we start about how much we all love each other and how to say positive things to each other. One time it worked beautifully, one time they still fought constantly. Its a work in process as they say.

Woops! Long post!

Thanks for sharing.
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Well, today is super bowl Sunday. Traditionally I have made a big "snack buffet" to munch on throughout the game. My daughter and I, averse to football, would hang out in my bedroom and watch a movie, while the football lovers monopolized the front room. No company this year. That means no football and, sadly, no buffet. I'll probably watch a movie like in years past, and if I can time it right, watch the super bowl halftime show.
Maybe I'll order some wings from Domino's pizza. Their plain wings are awesome. I can never figure out how they make them so flavorful when there are no detectable spices, breading or sauces involved.

Happy day, Everyone.
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Love to talk to y'all. Are you hibernating for the winter?
Smooches,

Keri

[Orema]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Love to talk to y'all. Are you hibernating for the winter?
Smooches,

Keri

Yes, I'm hibernating and am enjoying every single minute of it. It's what I need and surprisingly, it's what I want.

We've been swamped with snow and arctic temperatures in my neck of the woods. The weather people on the news were excited this morning because we're finally in the 20s. Thank goodness I'm retired and don't have to drive much in this weather.

I'm also still mending my wounds from the election. I'm quiet when I'm not well and I'm chatty when I'm good. I haven't checked out, but I shut down when I'm not good and become over-protective of my thoughts, feelings, actions. Not sure how I (we) will recover, so for now I'm going with my inner voice that tells me to be quiet and still. I think a lot of us are feeling/thinking the same.

It's good to see you postiing and I hope you're well, Keri.

[Orema]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Love to talk to y'all. Are you hibernating for the winter?
Smooches,

Keri

Do you travel, Keri?

I like to travel, but haven't been anywhere in ages.

I was hoping to go to Africa (Ghana, Kenya, ?) this year for the first time, but that's not gon' happen anytime soon. That dream will just have to stay on my bucket list for now.

I also want to see the comedian and actress Lunell when she appears in Detroit, but my Ex will be there and I don't want to run into her.

I can always find a jazz festival to attend, but I wanna do something different. So, I've decided to go to a WNBA game nearby in the Illinois/Indiana area. They know how to hoop, they look good, and I'd have a swell time. Gives me a reason to support a sport I love and reason to stretch my traveling legs. I just have to decide what game, where and when. The more I think about it, the more I like it.

As you can see, traveling is on my mind. I don't get to do it much, but I get a bug every now and then.

What about y'all? Anyone going anywhere anytime this year or the next? Anyone been anywhere they can recommend?

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Hi Everyone,

I have been quietly lurking on this thread for years, waiting until I turn 60 to join. I am now 59 3/4 (I will be 60 on May 13). Are y'all really going to make me wait 3 more months to join, or can I get a pass? Y'all are an interesting group and I want to play. Please!

[Kätzchen]

Hi to Keri, Orema, and GM

Happy almost 60th birthday to you, GeorgiaMa’am!

I turn 66 over Memorial Weekend.

Orema? It sounds like you have a plan to enjoy a few outings, soon! I’m glad you can do something special just for you.

I don’t have plans to travel… I don’t trust our airlines transportation system. I don’t have much faith in trains either. If I go anywhere, I stay locally, within a five mile radius. I’m not interested in contributing to the overload of pollution Mother Earth is enduring. But that’s just my values and boundary system.

There’s lots to do and enjoy in my area, so staying home is worth it (in my mind). And with so much of our country under attack by the sinister people ruining our country, it’s better if I stay local in case something happens that causes a fuck ton of heartbreak.💔

Enjoy your day and stay strong, friends.

— K.