Reaching Out

I find this statement to be so true. I mean here we are, empty nesters, and yet life somehow gets too busy to stay connected with friends. It's such a travesty, especially when many of us live in the same town. And some of us in the same neighborhood.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a bad friend that way. Not sure where the time goes and suddenly I wonder how people are doing. It's worse when you learn too late they've been dealing with challenges and heartbreak that you knew nothing about. Because you weren't paying attention!

That's one reason I'm grateful for my Girls Night Out group. I can't recall when or how I got in it, but it's great. They make a point of getting together to go out to eat somewhere once a month. Sometimes there's 6 and nights like tonight, we had 11. I don't always make it, but I've started to be more diligent in trying. 

We all need friendship. Whether it's other couples or girls nights without our hubbies or our sisters. 

If I were to actually make a New Year's resolution with some meaning behind it, it would be to be a better friend. To reach out more. To make and take the time to connect – either virtually or physically. 

I've had enough unexpected losses in my life that I really don't want to have regrets. 

But know that even if you don't hear from me, I really do think of you. And hope God is smiling on you with all the blessings you deserve. He's way better at keeping in touch and in tune to your needs. I will try to follow His lead!

It's Only a Day Away

I'm Rockin' Robyn and I approve this message:

Every 4 years, most of us look forward to exercising our right to vote. And really, really look forward to the end of campaigning. 

Every election, it reaches a whole new level. I have no idea who sold a phone list with my number on it, but I have gotten countless phone calls AND texts. Even from this guy...

I must be a very important voter! Side note: The polls open in like 12 hours. There's not much that will sway me at the last minute. But as a former news hound, I know there's the tiniest percentage of chance that something could. 

Unlikely, but you never know. 

My only advice for tomorrow is: Bring your I.D., follow your heart, and if you live in the town of Grand Rapids like me, vote between 11-7.

Cast your vote then grab lunch or dinner! And meet some cool folks protect our lives. No matter who you vote for!

P.S. Our mail box will be feeling pretty empty now too. Feel free to send a card or letter or check! God, bless America! 

CSI A.I.

All this artificial intelligence talk shouldn't be ignored. I mean, "they" (the A.I. folks) know things. Look at this "automated" response on my name test today. This is so 100% accurate for unfiltered Robyn!

But it is a bit unnerving sometimes, isn't it?

Whether it's autocorrect in your Word document or in your texting app, "they" know things. Like when I tried texting hubby the name of a town starting with an S and "it" automatically thought I was typing "sensual." H-m-m. One, where did that come from? And two, keep my secrets, smartphone!

But a side note, this A.I. business is a threat to my career. For real. Who needs reporters and writers of any kind when you can just plug in a few key words to your A.I. app and you're in business? Kinda crazy.

By the time I retire (not soon enough) I will have survived the daily desire for paper newspapers and magazines (hello, online publishing) and the need for human writers. Pretty unnerving.

But obviously, as a woman who won't be remembered for keeping her mouth shut, I'll keep you posted.

Stay safe out there – and keep command of your own voice. In any form!

LOL SOS

This just in... As of today, half of the 8 R's are now in their 60s! Say what?

My sister RoAnn (aka Annie Ro) crossed the threshold today as the 4th SOS (aka Sister Over Sixty). Seriously, they do call themselves that. Well, until my bro gets there. Then it's Siblings Over Sixty.

It is my duty as one of the babies to point this out. As I have so diligently done with each milestone. Now, of course, it's catching up with us twins and we'll never hear the end of it when we finally reach the big one... at some point in the way off future.

These senior texting codes just cracked me up. And, since Annie Ro enjoyed a delicious carrot cake on her birthday, I have some freedom to poke fun. She is riding high on frosting. Plus she's my fellow Purple Princess and loves me best. Plus she's the "baby" of the SOS Club so she can still point out these apply to HER older sisters!

LOL SSOS.

Lots of love, Skol Sister over Sixty!

Trust Issues

When my cell phone rang at work this afternoon, the first thing I noticed was that I forgot to change my "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" ring tone. The second thing I noticed was that the call was coming from Washington, D.C.

Allegedly.

When I don't recognize a number, I always let it go to voicemail. I figure if it is someone I know, they'll leave a message. If it's a telemarketer, scammer or automated call of some sort, there won't be a message. 9 times out of 10, make that 9.75 times out of 10, there is no message because they fall into one of those categories.

Today, though, that D.C. caller left a voicemail. And, if I hadn't been on top of my Anti-Trust High Alert game, I might have been freaked out. Apparently the IRS is suing me and if I don't call back they'll let the local authorities know so they can arrest me. Whoa.

It just happened that I recently heard or read a news story about this scam so I was free of guilt when I deleted the message. Not this time, scammers!

These guys are persistent, though, and sent a follow-up text. I had to screen shot it to share.

It is kind of scary how official-sounding they attempt to be. It's just downright sad that these are the times we live in. We don't know whom to trust. Who is truly official, who is being helpful, who is out to get us or whatever they can from us.

Years ago when we gave hubby's parents a computer, my mother-in-law staunchly declared that they were not getting the Internet. "We don't want that in our house," she said, as if the virtual hand of evil was going to reach through the monitor and grab their morals, their soul, maybe their wallet. 

She might have been onto something. Our security gets threatened through cell phones, land lines, emails and the Internet. I even worry about my blog sometimes. There's probably some thugs out there who could use it to turn my life upside down. Do I quit and let them win? Or do I take the risk?

Frankly, I am not going to quit using my phone, television or any of my electronic devices. Then there's the fact that once something is on the Internet, it's there forever. Crap. What was I thinking starting a DAILY blog nearly 10 years ago?

Other than my IRS lawsuit, I hope there is nothing incriminating to warrant getting my assets frozen.

With these below-zero temperatures, my assets already frozen!

Be careful out there.

Laboring Day

Even though most people think of Labor Day as the end of summer, I like to hang onto summer as long as I can. And technically, I have at least 17 more days of it!

So today, in honor of Labor Day and a paid holiday, we grabbed the nearest Union member we could find and went kayaking. Well, it's kind of just coincidence that Mike is a Union member but do sincerely thank all union members and hard-working folk who made this day possible!

The fearsome finless foursome took a new route today. We put in at Galecke Park between Rapids and Plover, then labored our way up the Wisconsin River over to Rusty's Backwater Saloon. All totaled, it was a 5.55-mile paddle.

Had a mix of sun and clouds (mostly clouds) but no rain. Yay.

Due to a very high amount of boat traffic, there was not much in the way of wildlife today. Tried to get close to my little winged friend here but he took off.

Saw some lily pads but got my fill of them last time so only slowed down when I saw this busy bee. Of course, he took off before I could snap another photo. Probably good since we don't need bees around my allergic hubby.

We got to paddle into a little inlet for lunch. I thought it was cool that we crossed through what used to be a bridge.

Wasn't really a shoreline at Rusty's so we all ungracefully stepped out of our kayaks onto a dock and pulled the vessels ashore. The bar and grill was packed but we all enjoyed a tasty lunch! Were just as graceful getting back into the water after, but still managed to stay dry!

Cindy and I decided summer ain't over 'til we say it's over. And it ain't over. There is still more 'yaking to do. Just gotta find the time and daylight!

The view of the old bridge as we leave the cove.

Between the boats and the wind, the water was crazy wavy today. So there was some laboring going on! We just hit a pocket of calm near this island so I had to record it. You can see how cloudy it was at this point.

Hubby heading home and back to the work week. Sad face.

On a happy note, we connected with college boy via text tonight. He had a busy and fun weekend and met lots of people. He even picked up his textbooks today. So he just has to set his alarm tonight and tomorrow the adventure begins!

Auto-Incorrect

Smart phones are so smart these days they can finish your thoughts for you!

For example, you can send a text and it will assume the word you are trying to type and fill in the blanks. It's called "auto correct" so you trust it to be correct. And sometimes you are in a hurry so you don't even glance at the words, you just assume it's correct and hit send.

Never assume.

When you discover the auto correct was incorrect, it takes twice as long to send your message because you are explaining the mistake!

Sometimes, though, it is hilarious. Confusing but amusing.

Last week I was telling a friend about kickboxing class and meant to say something about not showing until 5:20 because there is a class until then. But my "because" was replaced with "nevus." So my friend thought the instructor's name was Nevus. Ha.

What the heck IS nevus? Well, according to my online dictionary: a birthmark or a mole on the skin, esp. a birthmark in the form of a raised red patch.

At least we know the smart phone has an in-depth dictionary!

Tonight, though, was the funniest. A friend, who shall remain anonymous (see how I protect her identity in the photo below?) had an appointment so we knew she would be late to Book Club. About the time we were going to get going on the discussion, I thought I'd check on her status.

This was our brief conversation...

Ohmigosh. I laughed so hard I couldn't even read it out loud to the group!

Granted, she did just have her eyes dilated. But I suspect she just thought she was typing ShopKo and hit send without looking. We got a good chuckle out of that and gave her some grief when she did finally arrive.

With no bail money required.

It'll make me look twice before I hit SEND. Probably should proof my blogs better before I hit SAVE as well. Unless it's funny, then I meant it on purpose. :)