daily 2008 october page

Kay's Daily Journal
October 2008

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2008 Old Farmer's Almanac Predictions for the Mid-Atlantic Region

October 2008

Temp. 59° (3° above avg)
Precip. 3" (1.5" below avg. north, 0.5" above south).
1-8: Showers, then sunny, cool.
9-21: Sunny, warm.
22-31: Periods of rain, cool.

Historic Records For This Month

Historic Record High Temp: 95° Date - October 7, 2007 & October 9, 2007
Historic Record Low Temp: 30° Date - October 30, 2007
Historic Record Rainfall: 0.0" Date -

Note: The Record Temperatures are for my area in Virginia over the period 1996 - 2008.
I will add more inclusive records over a larger geographic area at a later date as well as my own records at my own house started during this year, 2008.

Important October Dates

Holidays Etc:	Anniversaries:	Birthdays:	Miscellaneous:
October 13- Columbus Day	October 22 - Kevin & Penny	October 11 - Jessica	Birthstone - Opal
October 31- Halloween		October 22 - Carman	Flower - Calendula, Cosmos
		October 25 - Jim	Color - Variegated
		October 27 - JoAnna	October's Full Moon - Hunter's Moon - October 14
			Meteor Showers - Draconid - October 8-9
			Meteor Showers - Orionid - October 20-21

October 31, 2008 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 65° Lo - 33° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):51

Actually did some town errands today. Got about 7 of the children's programs copied and made numerous stops around town, ending up with a couple stops for actual groceries. So I'm achy and tired tonight. But it's the end of the month and I will at least get the accomplishments listed.

Accomplishments for October 2008:

Bible Read (NIV-New International Version - 1675 pages):
     Galatians
     Ephesians
     Philippians
     Colossians
     1st Thessalonians
     2nd Thessalonians
     1st Timothy
     2nd Timothy
     Titus
     Philemon
     Hebrews
     James
     1st Peter
     2nd Peter
     1st John
     2nd John
     3rd John
     Jude
     Revelation

Home Studies:
     Online SS Lessons: 2008 - 4th Quarter:
          10/03 - 01. God's Nature: The Basis of Atonement
          10/10 - 02. Cosmic Crisis: The Disruption of God's Established Order
          10/17 - 03. The Fall Into Sin
          10/24 - 04. Atonement and the Divine Initiative
          10/31 - 05. Atonement Announced

Note: Online SS Lessons are available at: Current SS Lessons

Daily & Continual Readings:
     Patriarchs and Prophets by E.G. White, Chapters 14-19, pages 153-214
     Chancellor Church Daily Devotional - October 1 - October 31

Books Read - Non-fiction:
     Joy of Painting, Volume 22 - Bob Ross (art instruction book)
     Joy of Painting, Volume 24 - Bob Ross (art instruction book)

TV Specials:
     1st Vice President's Debate
     2nd Presidential Debate

TV Movies:
     10.5: Apocalypse
     What Happens in Vegas
     New York Tornado
     Volcano in New York

Bright Ideas:
     Always

Contests Entries:
     Total Contest Entries for the Month: 565

Weather Projects:
     logged

Skywarn/NWS/KG:
     Reports: 10-16-08, rainfall, trace
     Reports: 10-17-08, rainfall, trace
     Reports: 10-25-08, rainfall, 0.1"
     Reports: 10-27-08, rainfall, 0.2"

     Monthly High Temp: 83°
     Monthly Low Temp: 32°
    Monthly Total Rainfall: 0.3" + Trace x 2

Disaster Reports:
     Total Earthquakes: 991

Classes/Training:
     Bob Ross Oil Painting - class #2

Webpage Updates - kayurie.com
     Daily Journals (dailies)
     News Archives (end of month standard)
     Index (end of month standard)
     Oils: 1
     Individual Pages: worked on November & December 2008 journal pages; also January 2009 journal page;

Household Projects:
     Room by Rooms: work in progress
     Routine housework: yes

Medical & Health Related:
     Doctor's Visits: 9 (ugh!) but no more for several months!!!!

     Miscellaneous - Xrays & Ultrasounds: 8 + 2
          Blood tests: several
          Biopsies: 1 (negative - yes!)

Holidays:
     Holiday Projects - October 8 - Columbus Day: Restful day!
     Holiday Projects - October 31 - Halloween: Quiet Day

Places Visited & Things Done:
     Family

Art:
     Artwork Projects - Oil paintings: 1; Snowscape Mountains, 18 x 24, 10-19-08

Note:
If you are interested in reading or listening or watching any of the listed items above, please check with your local library. Most of these books, audiobooks, CD's, cassettes or DVD's can be found on their shelves. The household, craft and hobby projects are mostly my own and many can be found on these webpages under the same category. If not my original ideas, then credit is given, if known, where due. For instructions, corrections, criticisms, additions or comments, please email me at the address listed at the bottom of this webpage. Hope you have enjoyed my entries.

October 30, 2008 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 53° Lo - 32° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):51

Little higher number on smaller earthquakes today. Quite a few in the southern California area but not centered in any one location but scattered over hundreds of miles, mostly under 3.0 on the Richter Scale.

Actually got a little housework accomplished today! That's an improvement! Is the house clean yet? No. But I'm working on it. Seems like I'm always playing "catch-up"!

Jim & I had a little soup, salad & garlic bread "lupper". Yes, I said, "Lupper". That's a combination of Lunch and Supper. I think that Lupper sounds better than Sunch, don't you?

Hey, the whole world uses "brunch" don't they????

October 29, 2008 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 53° Lo - 38° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):28

43 Years ago today - Mom died

It's the time of year, the day of the year, a day of sadness and loss. The day my Mom died. I won't go into the details, it's just too hard even now after all this time. Though I love the fall season, the cooler temperatures, the leaves turning all different colors and finally swirling to the ground, the excitement of family get-togethers over the coming holidays, I still remember Mom.

Pakistan is continuing to "rock n' roll" with the earthquake aftershocks. They had a 4.0, 4.6 then another 6.4 on the Richter Scale and then another 4.1. I dread to hear about the loss of life that may be occuring. This is definitely a rough time for Pakistan.

October 28, 2008 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 54° Lo - 39° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):45

Two large earthquakes today. A 6.0 NEAR NORTH COAST OF NEW GUINEA, P.N.G. and a 6.4 in PAKISTAN. The Pakistan will most definitely make the news, I'm sure! They are probably going to have some big after-shocks also.

Had my checkup with the surgeon this morning. Since my biopsies were benign, I'm officially released for six months. They will rerun the tests again then and see if there are any new cysts or any more changes. I feel like the captive has been set free! No more doctor appointments until January!!! I was starting to get a little tired of it, though I know others have worse to deal with.

The rest of the stuff that I was diagnosed with is now left to medications and changes in my own lifestyle, what I eat, weight and all that good stuff. So I will need to make some changes and I will. A lot of stuff will be repeated in one year too, so I'll know if I'm on the right track.

The rain stopped during the night and the sun is out. The low along the coast has become an early nor'easter for the New England states and we are getting wind today on the southern backside of the system as it moves northeast. So it's a blustery fall day with leaves blowing all over the yard. Absolutely LOVE this weather!!!!

October 27, 2008 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 53° Lo - 40° Rainfall Amounts: 0.2"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):32

Happy Birthday JoAnna !!!!!

Today started out just cloudy and for some reason, I didn't want to get up out of bed today. I think because I needed to iron, and it's not my favorite job.... But I bit the bullet, got out of bed, took my shower and the day seemed to be better. Then I ran a couple loads of laundry and ironed 7 shirts and the day, even though it was now raining outside, just seemed brighter! Hm-m-m-m-m, think that maybe when I accomplish something that I don't really want to do might give me a sense of satisfaction?

Well, it worked anyway, prayer helps and truth be known, that and only that is probably what gets me moving and being happy. I really think if you think about "me" too much, well, that could be depressing for anyone. So I try to think of things I want to accomplish, household projects to complete, hobbies to work on, and best of all, other people. That also really helps.

So if the Rainy Mondays always get you down (huh, showing your age if you hum the tune to those words - you know, "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down"!), try these things that I've listed and it will help, I promise. As one man at our church always says, "Any day above ground is a good day!" I REALLY like that attitude!

I found out today that one of my brothers has been in the hospital. I called him and he was waiting for the doctor to release him today. But he might be facing some possible surgery in the near future, so keep him in your prayers. I also heard that I have another cousin who is ill and fighting a battle of her own, so another person to add to the prayer list.

October 26, 2008 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 64° Lo - 44° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):30

I actually worked in the dreaded basement for a couple hours today! I've been putting it off, since I fear accidentally finding one of those dreaded little eight-legged creatures. But Jim is good about keeping the little critters under control, so I shouldn't fear the job so much. Anyway I digress..... I was searching for some items that have been packed since we moved here in 1996 (this house) and I found them and brought them upstairs. What are they? Well, they are my old Sabbath School programs and files from when I led the Cradle Roll, then Primary divisions at Westminster Church up in Maryland back in the mid 80's to early 90's! Actually, I dug them out for a friend and I was surprised at how much stuff I still had! I left all the stuff we had made at the church, just kept my written programs (originals) and patterns of the stuff we made. So a 10" thick pile of typed papers and two file drawers full of various patterns! It will take awhile to sort out but it's fun going back thru them. I have my attendance records that I kept of all the children that came each week, who are now grown with families of their own. Where did the time go?

Worked on some other projects around the house too but all in all a quiet day for the most part. Tired tonight.

October 25, 2008 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 67° Lo - 54° Rainfall Amounts: 0.1"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):34

Happy Birthday Jim !!!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear husband, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!

Small amount of rain today, but it actually started out this morning with a little sunshine. But we had little waves of moderate rain come through off and on all afternoon. The air felt almost tropical and got up to 67° today.

Next week we will get the truck back from the repair shop and it will be nice to have my car back too. We were really lucky that the insurance is paying for the damages to the truck and didn't call it totalled!!!! (Not that the damages were so bad, just that the truck is getting older and they weigh the cost of repair vs the cost of replacement.) Fortunately, we get to keep our pretty red truck! And when Jim gets the truck back, I, in turn, get my car back!

And I'm feeling better too. The soreness and bruising from the biopsies last week are slowly fading and I'm about 100% now. And I told you yesterday that the good news was that the pathologies were benign! Hallelujah. They will rerun some of the stuff again in six months to make sure nothing has changed, but I feel like we're home free!!!!

Now. What's next? Well, I'm hoping to get back to my routines of normal housework, hobbies and computer time! Yea! I want to finish building my little drying box that I had started before this past weeks events. And I want to practice some more trees and clouds, you know, painting! And the Holidays are coming faster than you can realize! So I've got to be thinking and doing something about all that too! Busy, busy, busy!!! But I'm happy to be facing busy and not be facing surgeries and the like! So I'll not complain for awhile!!!

October 24, 2008 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 57° Lo - 40° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):33

Friday at last. I like Monday's the best, kindof a fresh start to the week, but if you're working then Monday's are not the favorite day. Friday's are good, like a wrap-up on a successful week, if it's been a good week. If not, Friday's are still good, since the week is now over. Make sense?

Weekends are probably the best, Jim is home from work and years ago the boys were home from school. But it was always the busiest time of the week in some ways too. But I loved it regardless. Now that the boys are grown and no longer living at home, well, we do things that need to be done around the house, sometimes catch a TV movie or watch some DVD's, especially in the winter. I'm a curl up with a blanket type person in the winter, love to watch it snow outside and be "snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug" at home, working on some quiet hobby or reading or watching TV. Course it doesn't snow much in Virginia. And my eyes can't see as good to read or do needlework type things anymore. OK, I just watch TV. Happy?

All kidding aside, I like to draw and paint and in deep winter, after the Christmas holidays, I like to do a little Cross-stitch or even pretend to do some quilting. I read some, not as much as I used to, but more non-fiction these days. Lots of craft books and religious books mostly, compared to all the fiction and romance that I used to read. I will occasionally pick up one of my favorite authors to read, but I really am into reading all the religious books, craft books and especially "how-to" art books right now.

And for those of you who know about my Bible reading, well, I will finish Revelation tonight! Last year I read the New King James Version (NKJV) and this past year I've read the New International Version (NIV)! I will finish out November and December on a couple of religious books that I started earlier last year and didn't finish. Then in January (perhaps sooner) I have picked the Clear Word (CW) version of the Bible to read. This is a Seventh-day Adventist version of the Bible which is not an official translation but I thought it would be an interesting read for comparison sake. The NIV had some things in the notes that I couldn't quite agree with about the rapture and the millenium and the events surrounding the 2nd Coming of Jesus. Anyway, my goal is to read a different version each year. And I also have a small daily devotional from church that I read every evening. It is usually just a paragraph or two but it's amazing how many times it directly applies to me and my current circumstances! I also have a couple other devotionals that I read, maybe not daily as much, but planning to be more faithful about reading them each day also.

Another note on the daily devotionals, even if they are from a previous year, I find that my memory is not that good, so I can re-read them in a year or two and it's like new reading material. You don't have to purchase a new devotional each year, unless you want to. I actually have about 4 - 6 from previous years that I am going to "recyle" (re-read), this coming year. Well, not all of them in one year, but I'll pick one. So whatever works for you.

BTW, I had some good news today but since I didn't post any of the bad news this past week, I won't go into detail about the good news. Just know that there is good news and that all is well for now!!!! And thanks to all who keep us in your prayers. You may not realize it, but Jim & I have both been protected and blessed this week and I know it's because of family and friends that have been praying for us. So thank you for remembering us and know that we are praying for all of you each day too!

October 23, 2008 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 57° Lo - 37° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):24

I've updated the daily temperature Hi's and Lo's as promised, so if you want to see them just scroll down to the day in question. I will try to keep them up to date a little better. I keep the log in the living room with my indoor-outdoor thermometer and that's why I keep forgetting to add them to this journal.

There was a 6.2 on the Richter Scale in ADMIRALTY ISLANDS REG., PAPUA NEW GUINEA. It wasn't a real deep one, only 10 km or about 6.2 miles deep, again, in the ocean.

Feeling a little better today, not quite as sore as yesterday and will be hopefully back up to speed by tomorrow, at least partially. I need to do a little catch up around the house but I'll just do what I feel like doing and the rest will just have to wait. One thing about housework, it is always there.

October 22, 2008 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 57° Lo - 41° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):21

Happy Birthday Carman !!!!!

Happy Anniversary to Kevin & Penny !!!!!

I do love the cooler weather. Busy day again today. Some overflow from yesterday, some new stuff today. Can't go into much detail, but I'll be glad to have the opportunity to just stay put and rest for the next week. And maybe even catch up on some of that dreaded housework!!!!

There was a 6.4 earthquake in TONGA today. That's a bit further north on the same Pacific-Australian Ridge,out in the ocean. Since it was well into the ocean and quite deep, don't know what kind of effect that has on surrounding islands and such.

I know I've been negligent on posting the Hi's and Lo's for the local temperatures and I apologize for that. I will try to catch these up the next couple of days.

Well, I'm tired and stressed out for tonight, so will say G'Nite to all!

October 21, 2008 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 70° Lo - 41° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):23

Lot going on today that I won't write in the journal. But those who need to know will be told what they need to know for now. Needless to say, a busy day.

I've added my newest painting in this journal under Sunday's log below (scroll down just a little to see it) and also onto my Art-Oils webpage. I think I'm showing a little improvement, but I need to practice more and more! I really am enjoying the classes!

I also had a doctor's appointment today and guess what? One of the diseases that the nurse told me that I had was wrong. I don't have that one, hallelujah. It wasn't life threatening but was going to be a pain to deal with. So thankful for that break at least. More stuff coming, more tests still scheduled for another thing. Won't know on the more serious stuff for another couple weeks.

October 20, 2008 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 62° Lo - 35° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):28

Today was your typical Monday. Laundry and ironing and general housework. Typical, but glad to be home and able to do such tasks. Believe it or not, there is a sense of satisfaction in little tasks like that. So I'll not complain today.

We lost another little kitten that had been hanging around, the one I called "Perplexed". They get under the vehicles and normally we chase them out. But apparently, Perplexed rode the vehicle for some distance. I retracked our travels over the last couple days, but I haven't found her, so perhaps she survived the ride and got off when we made a stop somewhere. She was really a cutey and I'm gonna miss her, but at least, hopefully she is still alive....

October 19, 2008 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 59° Lo - 42° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):30

Wow. A 6.9 on the Richter Scale in TONGA. That is about 325 miles ESE of Fiji Islands out in the Pacific Ocean. It was at a depth of 13.5 miles so don't know if it was the type to generate tsunami's or be felt anywhere nearby. And of course, we'll never hear about it on the news. If Obama was in the vicinity, that's all we would hear about.

I took my second Bob Ross oil painting class today! I really am enjoying this! Today we painted a mountain and snow scene and I think mine came out pretty good! I feel like I'm actually learning things and I really am having a blast! The instructor is really good and she is very patient with me because I keep trying to "fix" things that I don't like and she tells me to step away from it and then come back to it. And she's right! When I do that, I see it better and actually see what I'm doing! Anyway, it's hard to explain but just know that I am enjoying it thoroughly!!!!!!

Next month we're going to do a fall type scene with lots of orange trees and a small waterfall in the woods. That will be a good one to do this time of year too. I'm also anxious to do some seascapes which she has planned for later on this year. She has several that she has done with lighthouses in them. And you-all know how I LOVE lighthouses!!!! So I can't wait!!!!! This is SO-O-O-O Cool!!!!!!

October 18, 2008 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 60° Lo - 46° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):28

Really a nice day, cool, breezy and the sun peeked out late in the afternoon. Not much else happening and I'm just plain lazy today, so that's all....

October 17, 2008 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 63° Lo - 53° Rainfall Amounts: 0.T"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):15

Got a phone message today saying the blood results from Tuesday were received. What they said was that the blood results were within "expected" boundaries. What does that mean? Is that normal? Or normal for all the things that are known wrong with me? Of course the office is closed for the weekend, so guess I'll survive until next week to ask them what they meant. Obviously, not too serious if they were in the expected boundaries, right?.....

Rainy day, not hard, just misting and drizzly. Did a little grocery shopping today and I'm tired! I vacuumed upstairs before I went to town and downstairs when I got back from town. Not bang-up jobs, just enought to remove a layer of dust!

October 16, 2008 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 83° Lo - 62° Rainfall Amounts: 0.T"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):15

We've had a 6.7 earthquake on the Richter scale OFFSHORE CHIAPAS, MEXICO at a depth of 24 miles. That location is in the Pacific Ocean just offshore of Guatemala. That's a pretty good "shake" and I suspect it was felt in the area. Haven't heard anything in the news about it however.

Finally, a day home! Did a couple loads of laundry and folded a couple others that needed to be done. Also worked on some paperwork on the kitchen table and got a pile of filing ready to be filed. Can't get too far away from the news, and it will probably stay that way until after the election.

October 15, 2008 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 82° Lo - 60° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):29

Again, another busy day. Another doctor's appointment over with, still more to come but done for awhile now. So that's the good news. Waiting on test results and a few more tests to go. But soon, we'll know where I stand and what the next steps will be. No worries.

Didn't do much else today after I got home, just kicked back. Plan on catching up some housework the next few days now that I goofed off half the week!

October 14, 2008 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 81° Lo - 51° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):37

Busy day today. My doctor called me last night and added two new medications to my growing pile, so I had to pick those up today at the pharmacy. Also had a sonogram today and some additional bloodwork done. Like I said, busy day.

I really love this time of year, though it does bring back some sad memories. But the days are cooler, drier and the evenings are even cooler! Soon, oh, blessed soon, we will have cold and crisp days and nights. How I love that time of year. Soups cooking, turkey dinners cooking, family visits and get-togethers. Absolutely the best.

October 13, 2008 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 76° Lo - 50° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):49

Happy Columbus Day !!!!!

What is Columbus Day about? The first Columbus Day celebration was held in 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of his landing in the New World. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison called upon the people of the United States to celebrate Columbus Day on the 400th anniversary of the event. Since 1971, the holiday has been commemorated in the U.S. on the second Monday in October. And some states have their own individualized version of the holiday. The following is from Wikipedia.

California
The city of Berkeley celebrates Indigenous People's Day instead of Columbus Day every year with a pow wow and Native American market.

Colorado
The Columbus Day parade in Denver has been protested by Native American groups and their supporters for nearly two decades. Denver has the longest-running parade in the United States.

Hawaii
Discoverer's Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Hawaii; it honors Captain James Cook as the first European to document Hawaiian society. Hawaii does not officially honor Columbus day and instead celebrates Discoverer's Day on the same day, i.e., on the second Monday of each October. While many in Hawaii still celebrate the life of Columbus on Columbus Day, the alternative holiday also honors James Cook, the British navigator that became the first person to record the coordinates of the Hawaiian Islands and share with the world the existence of the ancient Hawaiian people and society. Some people interpret the holiday as a celebration of all discoveries relative to the ancient and modern societies of Hawaii. Neither Columbus Day nor Discoverer's Day is regarded as a holiday by State government; state, city and county government offices and schools are open for business on Columbus Day, while Federal government offices are closed.

Many Native Hawaiians decry the celebration of both Columbus and Cook, known to have committed acts of violent subjugation of native people. Discoverer's Day is a day of protest for some advocacy groups. A popular protest site is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and the Chancery building of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu. Such advocacy groups have been commemorating the Discoverer's Day holiday as their own alternative, Indigenous Peoples Day. The week is called Indigenous Peoples Week.

Massachusetts
The city of Boston, which has a large Italian population, marks the occasion on the Sunday before Columbus Day with a parade through the city that alternates each year between East Boston and the North End.

New York
In New York State, Columbus Day is a holiday, as government offices and public schools are closed. However, the stock markets remain open.

Nevada

Columbus Day is not a legal holiday in Nevada, but it is a day of observance. Schools and state, city and county government offices are open for business on Columbus Day.

South Dakota
In the state of South Dakota, the day is officially a state holiday known as "Native American Day", not Columbus Day.

Virginia
The second Monday in October is a legal holiday in Virginia: Columbus Day and Yorktown Victory Day, honoring Christopher Columbus, and the final victory at Yorktown in the Revolutionary War.

Just to keep you informed. See? Aren't you glad you read my journals every day?????

October 12, 2008 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 74° Lo - 51° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):61

Another good sized earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale at CHUQUISACA, BOLIVIA, but 356 miles deep into the earth. Did they feel it? I don't know, never heard anything on the news about it.

Jim worked on the seats today, but unfortunately they weren't quite right. However, he is going to use them for parts and he thinks he can fix what needs to be done with what we have! So that's a good thing. We needed a couple small tools and a few groceries, so we hauled a load of garbage to the dump and ran into town to pick-up the items. I just wanted some milk, tomatoes, lettuce and stuff like that for salad or tacos or bean dish type meals. So we're good.

I had some more medical paperwork to fill out for some upcoming tests, so I got that done today. Also worked on some contesting, and some miscellaneous stuff around the house. Still have tons to do, but there's always tomorrow. Jim has off tomorrow also, so we'll get a couple more things done outside that have been waiting for us all summer. Now that it's abit cooler, I don't mind it as much!

October 11, 2008 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 74° Lo - 52° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):57

Happy Birthday Jessica !!!!!

There was a 6.1 on the Richter scale (earthquake, of course) in the VIRGIN ISLANDS REGION, about 25 miles deep. It was Northeast of San Juan in the ocean. There were a 16 additional lesser quakes centered in the same region today, ranging from 2.6 to 3.5 in intensity and at depths ranging from 5.3 miles to over 86 miles deep. Interesting.

More restful day today, I'm still tired but doing better. I'm just going to do a few things around the house this weekend, nothing too strenuous and rest up for another busy week. Yep, life can get busy and sometimes kinda messy, but you deal with it and move forward. Sometimes it's baby steps, other times only inch by inch. But keep on movin' and you'll make it through. OK, enough of the medafores....

Just ignore me. Sometimes when I'm worrying about things, I wax poetic.... I'll get over it. If I can find some spare time this week, I want to get in some painting practice on those pesky pine trees. For some reason I'm having difficulty with them. So practice is what I need and hopefully will get chance to do. Also could use practice on clouds too. Well, we'll see how this week shapes up.

October 10, 2008 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 78° Lo - 58° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):26

We went over to pickup the part for the truck today. It was a beautiful day for the drive, it took us about 3 hours to get over into Delaware where we needed to go. Then we stopped to visit Jim's parents and mine briefly before heading back to Virginia. It's always so good to see our families, even if it is only for a short visit!

We stopped down the highway and tied on the seats, as my parent's had suggested we do, just for peace of mind. We made it home just fine, unloaded and relaxed. Actually we're pretty tired and going to call it a night right now!

October 9, 2008 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 78° Lo - 61° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):22

Well, the little kittens are back again, and cute as ever. They are getting playful and 2 have learned how to climb up onto the deck. The 3rd does not bother. He sits on the ground and meow's. So I go to the back door and open it. He charges inside and runs to the glass doors to be let out on the deck. He knows that I'm a softy and won't let them starve. But he thinks he owns the place..... It's really funny.

More doctor's appointments today, more bloodwork and some other films done. More in the next two weeks before getting all the answers. I have still to go another sonigram, more bloodwork and a 2-3 more doctors to see, but after all that, we'll know everything that I'm dealing with. I'll keep those who need to know posted.

Nothing too dramatic today to deal with, but I feel drained, none-the-less. So I'm callin' it a night.

October 8, 2008 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 70° Lo - 46° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):35

Had to get some work done on Jim's truck. Unbelievable how much these places charge you! Jim's truck was at a dealership, and they are notorious for being high priced. But I'll probably rant about this another day on another webpage.

October 7, 2008 - Tuesday

Temperatures: Hi - 66° Lo - 46° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):22

I still have several things I want to accomplish and I still want to do some practicing of painting clouds and trees and shrubs before my next art class.... Hopefully, one of these days I'll feel up to doing it. I watch the Bob Ross program on TV everyday and just love to see him paint. He makes it look so easy. It's not, but he makes it look like it is. However, they say that anyone, even those of us with no talent, can paint using his methods. Well, I hope I have a little artistic talent. But it's just like anything else you do in life, practice, practice, practice!!!! A jewelry maker doesn't create a masterpiece without creating many pieces first. A writer doesn't write a best-seller without many pages of other written ideas.... well, maybe with the exception of Margaret Mitchell who wrote "Gone With The Wind" as her first and only novel. But, well, there are exceptions to every rule. But for the most part, it takes many tries to have a success. You can't just sing a song without some practice before hand, or play a musical instrument without hours of practice. The same is true with art and that's something I never realized. You practice painting just like anything else and you will succeed. Cool, huh.

October 6, 2008 - Monday

Temperatures: Hi - 72° Lo - 52° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):39

There was a 6.4 on the Richter Scale in EASTERN XIZANG, which is kinda Northeast of India in Asia somewhere. There have been a series of earthquakes in that area, a 5.1, a 4.9 and a 5.4 all today in the same general locale, and all of them at the depth of 10 miles.

We are having a couple weeks of really nice weather. Low humidity, bright and sunny, medium temperatures. Very pleasant. Course, I still prefer cold weather, even though it makes my joints ache more, I can breathe so much better. The cold is a blessing for my allergies and asthma, but it does play havoc on my arthritis. Another benefit of the cold is no bees and no spiders. Well, for the most part anyway.

While Jim was out in the desert of AZ he saw unusual spiders as well as tarantulas. He also saw desert foxes, donkeys, coyotes, roadrunners and desert mice. They were careful not to leave food crumbs around, because it attracts the desert mice, which attracts the snakes. So fortunately, they didn't see any of those. He did encounter a killer bee and was told not to move because if it stung him, the chemical would attract other killer bees to attack him. So that was an interesting experience!

I'm glad he is done with the traveling for now. I always plan alot of projects when he's on travel, which normally I don't get accomplished. Actually, I plan lots of projects ALL the time, which normally don't get accomplished. Hm-m-m-m, sounds like a pattern to me......

The hummingbirds left after the heavy rainy days in September. Normally they leave towards the end of August or the first week of September, but this year they stayed later for some reason. So we finally took down the hummingbird feeder. We normally feed other birds all year round but this year I haven't done as much during the summer and so it seems like I don't have many birds around lately. Could also be due to the stray cats that have been hanging around. I miss my birds.....

October 5, 2008 - Sunday

Temperatures: Hi - 75° Lo - 55° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):22

Two different earthquakes today in the "red" zone. First a 6.5 on the Richter Scale in KERMADEC ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND. Then a little while later there was a 6.6 in KYRGYZSTAN.

Did a little grocery shopping today and without my medications (Naproxen), my legs and knees are really hurting. I'm taking the Tylenol Arthritis OTC (over-the-counter) but it really doesn't make it on shopping days. But I'm trying something new tonight that Dorothy told me about, called "Stop Pain". She said it works pretty good but takes a few days to build up. So I got some today and I'm starting it tonight.

I also got some beautiful dark red mums for the little table on the deck. They were only $5 and were so beautiful, I just couldn't resist!!! I love the fall flowers as much as the spring flowers! And of course, I got my few little pieces of wood, balsa wood, to be exact, to hot glue in the 16 x 20 box (the one I'm making as a drying rack). So another good project to work on when I have some spare time.

Jim got back from his Arizona trip around 12:45 am tonight and it's good to have him back home again!!! And I'm very, very tired tonight so will call it a night. Actually it's early Monday morning already. Man, I'm REALLY tired now!

October 4, 2008 - Sabbath

Temperatures: Hi - 74° Lo - 51° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):32

A very much needed quiet day today. Peaceful, quiet, time to reflect and think on things. Watched 3ABN most of the afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed the programing. Did a little reading online and actually fell asleep at the computer. Guess I was just plain worn out.

After sundown, I turned on regular TV and watched several sci-fi's and they were all disaster flicks. The first one was already half over, 10.5 Apocalypse. I thought it was the regular 10.5 but no, this was a newer one, a sequel so to speak. In the first one a large section of California breaks off the coast and becomes a huge island. In this one the fault lines cause the United States to split in half right through the Heartland. It was SO COOL!!! I need to see the beginning of it, since I only saw the last 2 hours. (it is a 4 hour mini-series). I do love the old sci-fi's.

Now I'm tired, though I shouldn't be, but none-the-less, I'm going to call it a night.

October 3, 2008 - Friday

Temperatures: Hi - 73° Lo - 46° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):23

Really a super day outside today. Very low humidity, slight breeze, bright sunny with almost a crisp feeling in the air. Well, not quite crisp, but definitely alot cooler! Love it, love it, love it. Now, if it were only about 40 degrees cooler, well, then it would be perfect!!!!

Finally heard from the doctor. Got the diagnosis on the biopsies and those who need to know have been told. Now I have a few more tests to go through and they'll have a better idea of where I stand and what I need to do, what treatments are available and all that good stuff. Don't worry, no cancer was found so far, and that's the good news!

I had a hard time concentrating on anything today. I did some research on the internet on what I was told and spent alot of the day just sitting at the computer and reading. I did manage to run the vacuum cleaner and a couple things like that. I made a slow-cooker full of vegetable beef soup from the leftovers of my pot roast yesterday. So that was a delicious supper! And will be a delicious lunch & supper tomorrow and again on Sunday. I think by then I'll be tired of whatever's left. But Ms. Raccoon will certainly enjoy anything I decide to toss her way, I'm sure!

She comes up onto the deck at night and I tap on the glass down low at her level and she comes over and puts her front paws up on the glass where my hands are and then drops down to see what food I've put out for her. So cute... I think she's getting used to us!

I'm really not sure why I'm so tired tonight, but I am, so I'll call it a night. Nite-nite everyone.....

October 2, 2008 - Thursday

Temperatures: Hi - 66° Lo - 47° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):24

There was a 6.1 earthquake on the Richter Scale today in SOUTHEAST OF THE LOYALTY ISLANDS. That's East of Australia along that same plate I spoke about in the September Daily Journal.

So I got the first two pieces of wood cut and just sitting in the box. I used a ¾ wooden dowel (which was 36" long) and just cut two pieces of 16". Then I just pushed them into the "bottom" of the box (which will be the back of it when it is completed as I intend to set it on top of a file cabinet). The two pieces of wooden dowel are basically only for support, to keep the box from collapsing or folding down as I add strips of wood or styrofoam as little edges of a rack to slide the paintings in to dry. I'm thinking now that the styrofoam, while it may be easier to cut and glue to the box, may not be exactly what I want.... I guess I'll figure it out sometime. Meanwhile, I can't paint anymore until I do somthing!

I just don't know where this week has gone. It's true that I felt bad a couple days and that probably made the week seem shorter, as I didn't accomplish much on those days. And I had a doctor's appointment which shot another day. I was totally exhausted after the doctor's appointment. I didn't do anything except come home and sleep for several hours afterwards. So, regardless, I haven't gotten done what I had wanted to this week. But, like Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, there's always tomorrow, or in this case, next week.....

To top it off, I had been looking forward to "treating" myself with a Chinese supper after my doctor's appointment. So on the way home I stopped and got an order of the vegetable spring rolls and some chicken broccoli. Know what? I guess I can't tolerate chinese food anymore.... That's when I got sick. Jim will be so thrilled! Every time he asks me if I want to go out for supper, my answer, besides being yes, is always "chinese". Well, I think it may be awhile before I can say that again... It just doesn't appeal to me right now. (It was probably the deep-fried spring rolls, since the grease seems to be something I can't tolerate anymore...).

Anyway, think I'll stick to home-cooked food for awhile. Cheaper too. So now, last night I cooked a pot roast in the slow cooker and nuked a couple potatoes. Yum. Good supper. And very filling! Leftovers will become vegetable soup with a little bit of beef in it which I'll eat for several days. Mr./Ms. Raccoon really likes these leftovers too!

The other projects I had planned this week were some more recordings of me singing and playing the keyboard and cleaning in the basement. The basement job is not one that will be completed in a day, or a week, or even a month. However, I'd like to have it under control before the holidays! But I guess I really need to concentrate on the rest of the house first. And I'm slowly, S-L-O-W-L-Y, working on it. Also need to get set up on eBay to sell some of these extra books and stuff that I don't use and don't want to just throw away. So much to do, so little time. I know, please, no Cheese with my Whine.....

October 1, 2008 - Wednesday

Temperatures: Hi - 73° Lo - 53° Rainfall Amounts: 0.0"(inches)
Daily Worldwide Earthquakes (greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale):25

It's the first of the month and I decided not to list all the month's "Awareness" or "National Month of's" for awhile. That was getting very, VERY tedious. There were 72 listed for this month. Seems like it's growing more each month! So I'll set up separate web pages for each month, listing ALL the cool info for each one. I'll post here with a link when it's ready.

I've added a couple of new items to the "Miscellaneous" Dates section above. First, I've added the name of the Full moon for the current month and second, I've added the names & dates of the Meteor Showers. One of the things you might want to know is the actual time of the day or night to see the full moon. There is a website that has the time's listed for each month up through 2010. They also have the full moon's listed back through 1940. The times are listed in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) which you need to convert to your own Time Zone. And if you are on Daylight Savings Time you would also need to add one hour to the time. The website is: Full Moon Times. Be sure to click your "Back" button to return to my webpages. So I hope you enjoy all this information. If you want more information on any of this data, just do a search in "Google" and you will find more stuff than you can read. Ever.

I found a box yesterday of the right size for making a homemade drying rack for the 16 x 20 panel paintings. I have them currently stacked all over the place and one mis-Q and I'll have oil paint to Kazoo. So that's my project for today. I'm going to stabilize the box with a couple pieces of wood, then glue in pieces of styrofoam which will act as the edge on each side of the box for each painting, so that they won't fall against each other and ruin the paint.

I read that oils only take 12 days to dry......MY FOOT. The last batch I did took about 6 months and even then, there were wet spots where the paint was the thickest. I certainly don't know where they came up with a drying time of 12 days. It was an advertisement for some stuff that you can mix in the oils which will shorten the drying time from 12 days to 6 days. Maybe it was a write-up meant for acrylics, except they said the acrylics dry in 30 minutes. Again, here's my foot. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

I'm really bustin' to paint some more paintings but I've got to build the drying rack first so I have a place to put them.... What a dilemna....

If the drying rack turns out, I'll take a photo of it and post it here. If not, well, I'm sure you'll get the gist of it...... And if it doesn't turn out, I'll just have to wait before painting for awhile, until I can save up and purchase a "commercial" one. They are available but cost money and shipping. But they're cool, plastic coated wire shelves, spring-loaded so you can lift each shelf up to a 45° angle for adding paintings in. (The smart way, obviously, is to add paintings from the bottom to the top... Ya think?

And of course, if you missed the end of my September Daily Journals, you can click on the link at the top of the page for the Archives and get back to see all my last month's or previous year's entries. Don't want you to miss anything!

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