Watcha' Doing - 2023

[Odette]

Janice wrote: "The fires continue. The reports are that 30,000 people in Northern Alberta have been evacuated.

My son is still in alert stage and he said that as long as the winds don't turn and the fires don't..."

Very understanable as it must be a very stressful time for you. Hope the situation with the fires and weather improves.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "The fires continue. The reports are that 30,000 people in Northern Alberta have been evacuated.

My son is still in alert stage and he said that as long as the winds don't turn and the fires don't..."

Well all the rain dances are working here as well but that's not unusual LOL

I hope things go OK for your son Janice. It's a big worry. I'm sure we'll all be happy to moderate our own threads if that helps? Okay, okay, calm down, it was just a thought!!!

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: " I'm sure we'll all be happy to moderate our own threads if that helps?..."

I'm considering doing something different for next year. Stay tuned.

[Margo]

Cool, always on board for something new 😊

[Jenn]

OMG 😳 she’s already dropping hints 😳 lol

[Kristie, Moderator]

Jenn wrote: "OMG 😳 she’s already dropping hints 😳 lol"

Hahaha Oh boy, now she's done it. The questions will be starting before the midway point of the year. lol

[Janice, Moderator]

No hints - just thinking out loud. Tracking has become odious and sharing the joy somehow would be beneficial.

[Jenn]

Very interesting . . .

[Fiona]

Now I won’t stop thinking about this until the new challenge will be posted haha

[Jenn]

Right there with you Fiona 🤦‍♀️

[Christine]

I want everyone to keep my uncle in your thoughts and prayers because he has cancer

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm sorry to hear that, Christine. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family.

[Fiona]

Keeping your uncle in my prayers, Christine. Sending love your way!

I just fell into my shower and now my foot hurts like hell 🙁

[Christine]

Thanks Sandra and thanks Sandra and thanks Fiona and thanks Fiona and oh that stinks Fiona

[Fiona]

Today I came home from work and roughly 15 mins later someone was at my door. I thought maybe it’s something I ordered online but suddenly my parents were standing in front of me. They live at the other end of the country and surprised me 🤩

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh! That's so wonderful, Fiona!

[Jayme, Moderator]

What a fabulous surprise, Fiona!

[Esther]

We had snow and hail today. Weather is insane. Went for warmer than usual for May to frost.

Whish I could send that snow and rain we are having to you Janice.

[Janice, Moderator]

That was a nice surprise Fiona.

Thanks for the thought Esther. I'm beginning I should run through the sprinkler and do a rain dance.

[Peggy]

All that weather stuff sounds scary! I didn't see any of it on the news here, but I have tried to take a bit of a break from news lately.

I've been awol for a bit, but I feel like I'm slowly climbing out of a year-long reading slump. Not trying challenges yet as I worry I'll relapse when I put any pressure or demands on my reading ;-)

But I do feel like reading and chatting in this thread again!

[Jayme, Moderator]

It's good to see you Peggy. I know how that goes. I made the decision last week to stop all challenges with other groups except for our group. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and decided I want to read for pleasure not to meet a challenge.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Good see you, Peggy! I can also relate. I've been backing off some of my reading obligations as well. It's been a long time since I haven't felt like I'm behind with reading something and it can become stressful, which is just the opposite of why I read.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Hi, Peggy! After a long, long slump last year I did the same thing. I still do not fully participate in challenge and monthly reads, but I am joining more often. No need to rush the process.

[Peggy]

Thanks ladies! Seems like we're all in the same boat!

[Jenn]

Nice to see you Peggy 🥰

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Great to see you, Peggy! Hope your holiday was amazing.
I understand, sometimes challenges need to go out the window. I'm in the meandering part of the year of mine...

[Marnie]

Hi Peggy!!!! So good to see you. I either read a ton or not at all. I can’t find the moderation button. It’s very frustrating but I continue to try. Cheers to slow and steady.

[Dawn]

I'm constantly on an ebb and flow with reading, as witnessed by my intermittent participation here.
But what I love about this group is that it is always here when you're ready to start up again. :)

[Peggy]

So true Dawn! :)

And thanks all!

[Janice, Moderator]

Good to see you posting Peggy. I dumped a book yesterday right after starting it because it was making me feel anxious. So I've decided that it's only books that bring enjoyment for me.

[Peggy]

Good choice Janice! I've been doing light reading and listening too.

[Christine]

Oh that’s cool Fiona and it’s great to see you Peggy

[Christine]

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

[Christine]

HAPPY JUNE EVERYONE!

[Sandra, Moderator]

The smoke from the wildfires in Canada finally reached us today. Not so badly here in center PA, though. How are things going in your areas, Janice, Jenn, Esther? I hope everyone is safe.

[Janice, Moderator]

The smoke had died down, but it smells strongly of smoke today. Apparently, a new fire has broken out near by.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I hope the new fire dies down quickly and does not expand, Janice.

[Janice, Moderator]

Me too. We were expecting rain over the weekend, but nothing. It's glorious weather and I never thought I'd be hoping for rain.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm so sorry to see this, Janice. I can't imagine how bad the smoke has been up there. We have a small bit of it all the way down here in Virginia and we have an "air quality alert." It is listed as a code red, so we are supposed to avoid outdoor exertion. I hope they get the new fire under control quickly.

[Peggy]

So sorry you're still suffering from this Janice. And for the smoke to reach as far as Sandra! I never see anything about it on the news here.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

The smoke has been making the news over here. Thinking of everyone who is experiencing it. It sucks and is horrible, I completely understand and I hope it passes as quick as it can for you all.

Sorry to hear the bushfires are still raging in Canada. I saw we sent a whole heap of firies to Canada from Canberra yesterday to help. I understand the disconnect Janice when the weather is gorgeous but you wish for rain. Hope it all gets under control soon.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm also praying for rain. You guys have been dealing with wildfires for many weeks now. I really hope you have a break soon.

[Peggy]

It made the headlines here now too, probably because the smoke has reached Norway. That's insane..

[Janice, Moderator]

It's hazy out today. I haven't opened any windows or doors to see if it's smelly, but I'm starting to get that irritated throat clearing again.

[Jayme, Moderator]

We were in a code red warning today in Virginia Beach. Luckily the rain is here now and crossing fingers it washes some of it away. My mom who lives in Minnesota was told not to leave her house. She said she couldn't see the other side of the lake - it was like a heavy fog.
If it's bad here, I can't imagine what you are experiencing, Janice. Stay safe.

[Jenn]

We are all safe here in Fort McMurray, but the native community just North of us has been evacuated into Fort McMurray for nearly a week so far. The smoke has been coming and going as the wind shifts. It was really bad last weekend (which of course is when we had to finish staining our deck) which my throat has only mostly recovered from 😞 it’s a good time to stay inside and read, unless you’re like me running behind trying to get the last of my garden in 🤦‍♀️ lol
Stay safe everybody, and happy reading 📚

[Janice, Moderator]

It's actually been worse. The smoke we're seeing and smelling now, is less that what we had.

A town west of us by about 100 miles is currently being evacuated. I hope those people and their homes will be safe.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I'm glad to hear you are ok, Jenn.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "It's hazy out today. I haven't opened any windows or doors to see if it's smelly, but I'm starting to get that irritated throat clearing again."

Jeez Janice, it's hard to believe what you all have gone through recently ❤️

Scary times

[Margo]

The smoke made the news here too buy TBH I get more news here, I wouldn't even have known the fires were if not for this thread. It's increadible that with all the news headlines I'm bombarded with every time I turn around, that I haven't heard more about this.

Stay safe everyone.