quote:

---

"Boldly going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse"?

It's from an old Star Trek parody. Kinda fits the situation. [Biased]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
I was hoping this treads new title would be Trumpton.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
I was hoping this treads new title would be Trumpton.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
USA? More like DST (Disgruntled States of Trumperica), no?

Seriously, your good ship is in the prayers of many peeps, aliens etc., right across the multiverse...

IJ

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Moo:
My son-in-law's parents sent me this as a Christmas gift.

I love it.

Moo

---

Oh,hot dog!

 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Excellent thread title, Kelly and GK.

Wishing all my chums to the south all the best for 2017, and know that up here in the frozen north we're rooting for you.
 

---

Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
I asked Golden Key. Her reply:

quote:

---

"Boldly going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse"?

It's from an old Star Trek parody...

---

---

quote:

---

Star Trekking,
across the universe.
We keep on going forward,
'cause we can't find reverse!

We come in peace...
Shoot to kill!
Shoot to kill!
Shoot to kill!

---

I learned it in high school, but I think I might have also heard it on the Dr. Demento show.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Dr. Demento! Pancho, you are my brother!

[ 02. January 2017, 17:24: Message edited by: Kelly Alves ]
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
That's where I heard it. Interestingly somebody used the "It's XX, Jim, but not as we know it" on a different thread. Surely Star Drek's time has come.
 

---

Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
We taught that song (with actions) at our church holiday club last summer.

Altogether now There's klingons on the starboard bow....
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 
Nooo! I'm going to be humming this all year now
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by North East Quine:
We taught that song (with actions) at our church holiday club last summer.

Altogether now There's klingons on the starboard bow....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by neandergirl:
That's beyond brilliant!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
You know what I've got the wrong song. I was thinking of Star Drek, and we're talking about Star Trekkin'. Got 'em mixed up. The former is good too but it's more of a mini radio drama than a song.

Sorry about that.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:

quote:

---

Originally posted by neandergirl:
That's beyond brilliant!

---

We saw lots of them in 2015 in Morocco.

---

Yes, I've seen the real life version too, but never thought to make a calendar. Ordered one for me and one for the boss.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Dr. Demento fan here, too. He helped get me through high school.

 

---

Posted by Robert Armin (# 182) on :
 
Did that song come out in 88? I used to have it as a vinyl single.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
You know what I've got the wrong song. I was thinking of Star Drek, and we're talking about Star Trekkin'. Got 'em mixed up. The former is good too but it's more of a mini radio drama than a song.

Sorry about that.

---

Wasn't it also one of the seemingly endess Mad Magazine parodies?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Robert Armin:
Did that song come out in 88? I used to have it as a vinyl single.

---

I've just Googled it, and it was 1987, by a band called The Firm. I remember hearing it on the radio, and if I'd been asked to date it I'd have probably said early/mid 80s.

Ah, my lost youth ...
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Here's a ink to the original claymation video I mentioned. Star Trekkin'
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Hmmm. Thought it was from the '70s, but it's not. Probably because that's when I listened to the Doc the most.

Here's the Wikipedia entry for "Star Trekkin'". Has a little info about the claymation film.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
You know what I've got the wrong song. I was thinking of Star Drek, and we're talking about Star Trekkin'. Got 'em mixed up. The former is good too but it's more of a mini radio drama than a song.

Sorry about that.

---

Wasn't it also one of the seemingly endess Mad Magazine parodies?

---

I remember a Mad Magazine parody musical version of Star Trek with songs to tunes from Hair. Sing this to the tune of the chorus of "Aquarius" (this is the dawning...)

And we can do it with a crew that's dispensable
Crew that's dispensable
dispen-sa-ble!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Here's a ink to the original claymation video I mentioned. Star Trekkin'

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Here's a ink to the original claymation video I mentioned. Star Trekkin'

---

Oh thank you!
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Miss Amanda is going to take a nap now. Wake her up, someone, will you, there's a sweet lamb, when you're all done paying homage to Star Trek parodies?
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Well, if it's beauty sleep you are after, we'll be happy to continue on into Next Gen parodies on your behalf.

 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Or perhaps Dr. Demento's entire playlist, decades long?

 

---

Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 
Did anyone watch the Rose Parade this year? I missed it. Did any of the floats stand out for you?

I went to it one year and camped out on the sidewalk the night before. It was a crazier night than I expected. I hardly slept at all.

(Also, YouTube is throwing an ad for KFC in front of King's College Choir singing O Holy Night. I need to get AdBlock.)
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pancho:
... YouTube is throwing an ad for KFC in front of King's College Choir singing O Holy Night. I need to get AdBlock.

---

I'd be happy to have anything coming between me and O holy night. Even King's couldn't make me like it.

Is there such a thing as "O holy night-Block"?
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pancho:
... YouTube is throwing an ad for KFC in front of King's College Choir singing O Holy Night. I need to get AdBlock.

---

I'd be happy to have anything coming between me and O holy night. Even King's couldn't make me like it.

Is there such a thing as "O holy night-Block"?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pancho:
... YouTube is throwing an ad for KFC in front of King's College Choir singing O Holy Night. I need to get AdBlock.

---

I'd be happy to have anything coming between me and O holy night. Even King's couldn't make me like it.

Is there such a thing as "O holy night-Block"?

---

I'll join you in a block for that piece Piglet. Have sung it and hated it. Horrible alto part, weird timing, odd intervals to jump. And yet it almost seems to be the favourite Christmas song in USA. When I sang in choir at church Christmas function it was chosen by conductor fro California who was down here. He was surprised at depth of feeling from Aussies.

Perhaps we should start a subscription fund for Oxford Book of Carols?
 

---

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
Anyone here going on the women's march in Washington on the 21st? My Dear Wife and her friend are going on a bus trip organised by Democrats Abroad, and I wish they weren't. I have an uncomfortable vision of the town being swarmed by rabid fascist thugs in red ball caps looking for hate targets.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Stercus Tauri, I'm not going to the one in DC, I'm going to the one here in NYC instead. Good luck to your wife and friend, I hope it goes peacefully in DC.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I'm going, my husband is going, and a large number of friends as well. Also a surprising number of friends are coming in from out of town.
 

---

Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
I'm going to the Women's March in Chicago. Solidarity!
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
I think Brenda Clough is planning to go to the DC march. She's mentioned it a couple of times on the current US election thread in Purg.
 

---

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
And two posts up, too!

I'm going to the march in LA. There's a rally here in Long Beach the evening of the 20th as well which I'll probably attend.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I live in the DC suburbs. If you are coming and need crash space, pm me.
 

---

Posted by sabine (# 3861) on :
 
I can't go to the DC match, but we have a local one (mostly to oppose our former governor, Mike Pence, I think)
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
The temperature this morning is 6°F, and my car has four inches of snow on it. I'm not going to try making it to church. It would take at least ten minutes to clear the snow from my car, and breathing that cold air for that length of time would be too much for me.

I don't have to go anywhere until Tuesday. Tomorrow afternoon the temperature is supposed to be in the high 20s, and I will clear the car then.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Wise words, Moo - if you don't have to be anywhere, then don't be. Stay indoors, keep warm and make some soup - best way to beat the winter blues.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Although I've been in Arizona for 10 years now, I can't get the Eastern mentality out of my system -- the long, cold winters.

After I put away the Christmas ornaments and take the poinsettia off the porch (which I do on New Years Day, not waiting until Epiphany), my porch will remain empty of flowers until the beginning of spring. If I do put something out, it will be pussy willow and forsythia cuttings -- again, the harbingers of spring back east.

Meanwhile, my neighbors are beginning to put out carnations, which I never had any luck with.
 

---

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Stercus Tauri, I'm not going to the one in DC, I'm going to the one here in NYC instead. Good luck to your wife and friend, I hope it goes peacefully in DC.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pancho:
... YouTube is throwing an ad for KFC in front of King's College Choir singing O Holy Night. I need to get AdBlock.

---

I'd be happy to have anything coming between me and O holy night. Even King's couldn't make me like it.

Is there such a thing as "O holy night-Block"?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pancho:
... the match up between Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kings College Cambridge was so ridiculous it reminded me that I should get AdBlock.

---

Fair enough - when you put it like that, it is a rather ludicrous combination.
 

---

Posted by Pancho (# 13533) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pancho:
... the match up between Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kings College Cambridge was so ridiculous it reminded me that I should get AdBlock.

---

Fair enough - when you put it like that, it is a rather ludicrous combination.

---

Yeah, nothing says English choral music like the Colonel's 11 herbs and spices.

In other news, it's been raining this week in the Golden State and I hope it keeps coming and puts an end to our drought. *crosses fingers*
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You've been featuring regularly on the Canadian Weather Channel - I hope you get as much as you need.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
OK, I've finally read all the way through the Brahms Intermezzo Op. 111 No. 1.

It's not a difficult piece from a technical point of view, but it's written in an odd key and has lots of odd chords and odd modulations in it, with lots of accidentals. For that reason, it's hard to read and therefore hard to learn.

But I've gotten through it. And now comes the polish.

It's just so, so, so beautiful! I think Brahms was every bit aware of the emotional response it would raise in pianists who tackled it.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Miss Amanda! You rock!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You do indeed. Is it for a public performance, or just for your own enjoyment?

eta: Why do composers write things in silly keys? A few years ago D. decided to learn Healey Willan's organ passacaglia, which is in something daft like E♭ minor, possibly the most awkward key imaginable for a keyboard player. Even as a singer (where you'd think it wouldn't matter) I find more than four sharps or flats a bit discombobulating - it can be so difficult to read.

[ 17. January 2017, 17:52: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I can sight sing but not really confidently now as I am well out of practice. Four flats make my eyes go round in circles sometimes.

Out of practice? Hearing aids are not good for those wanting to sing in choirs. I listen carefully to choristers around me but the aids distort the true sound to a degree. Then I get a glare from accompanist which means I am singing sharp. I eventually gave it up.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Is it for a public performance, or just for your own enjoyment? Why do composers write things in silly keys? A few years ago D. decided to learn Healey Willan's organ passacaglia, which is in something daft like E♭ minor, possibly the most awkward key imaginable for a keyboard player.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Is it for a public performance, or just for your own enjoyment? Why do composers write things in silly keys? A few years ago D. decided to learn Healey Willan's organ passacaglia, which is in something daft like E♭ minor, possibly the most awkward key imaginable for a keyboard player.

---

I'll probably play it as my recital piece for the piano class I'm taking.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
The recitals are open to the public. I'll keep you posted.

---

Thanks!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
The Washington POST has lowered the paywall, and is free to read through Saturday. So you can keep up with the inauguration and the March.
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
My wife is heading out to a local anti-Trump march on Saturday. Ideas for signs would be appreciated, either here or by PM.

There's a lot to be said, but difficult to condense it down to a single readable sign.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Just. No.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I have created a number of signs which are posted here. She should feel free to copy them -- they're photographed, and so not really downloadable, but perhaps she's cleverer than I am with it. I need to add the one that says "Yes We Still Can".

[ 19. January 2017, 19:08: Message edited by: Brenda Clough ]
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Just dropping in to say you're all in my thoughts and prayers today - you need all the help you can get.

All the best to those of you who are/will be marching.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Thanks, Piglet.
 

---

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Carex:
There's a lot to be said, but difficult to condense it down to a single readable sign.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
In my own mini protest today, I wore black. I also stood watch with My President as he and his lovely wife spent the last moments of his administration. When (former) President Obama climbed into the helicopter and waved at us (me), I waved back and started crying. There has been a huge lump in my throat all day.

Maybe there's just a spark of hope in my heart that the orange one might not destroy the world, but there's a huge, blazing forest fire of fear that the destroying has already started.

---

Black from me too in solidarity from downunder.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
I could not march or go out wearing black or anything else so I spent the day making phone calls and writing cards to women I knew were having a hard time just now for a number of reasons. I can not fix things for them but I can let them know someone is thinking of them and they are not alone in their hard times.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
To anyone marching, protesting, etc.--

Be wise, stay safe, have some emergency plans, and take care of yourself.

 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Graven Image:
I could not march or go out wearing black or anything else so I spent the day making phone calls and writing cards to women I knew were having a hard time just now for a number of reasons. I can not fix things for them but I can let them know someone is thinking of them and they are not alone in their hard times.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
... The single person who yelled "vote Republican" out his car window was greeted with a group peace sign flash.

---

I can't help thinking that if the roles had been reversed it wouldn't have been a peace sign he'd have been greeted with.

Glad to hear it went off without a hitch.
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
Local walk report from a small county seat (population 30,000) in a Republican county:

"March extended all the way out both ends of downtown. And back, 3 to 4 abreast. Lots of men and children." At least 1000 marchers.

One shop owner on the main street was in tears: she had been part of the community for many years, and this was the first time she had witnessed anything like it.

Final sign choice: "We can do better than this."


I was doing some other work in our Capitol City today and the other man said his wife was marching there "because it was important". He's a Mormon.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Back from the New York City march which was AMAZING! And as far as I saw, totally peaceful. Saw lots of the pink pussy hats.

There is going to be another march on March 11th in NYC, I will try to go to that one too.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
... The single person who yelled "vote Republican" out his car window was greeted with a group peace sign flash.

---

I can't help thinking that if the roles had been reversed it wouldn't have been a peace sign he'd have been greeted with.

---

Just half of a peace sign perhaps?
 

---

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
Younger daughter and 3 year old grandson marched in NY and had a great day - said it was a happy event. What a relief! Older daughter and grandchildren in Vermont said the same. Now I need to hear from my Dear Wife, who I hope is in an overnight charter bus on her way back from DC right now. They had some grief at the border heading down, but it should be OK coming back. Some Canadians from Montreal were turned back by US border guards yesterday when they admitted to not supporting donald fart.

Younger daughter met a 5th grade school teacher who said she had to deal with children crying all day on Friday. People are drawing comparisons with 9/11, and I think they are right, but given the show of power today, perhaps it is a reversible catastrophe.
 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
I didn't march, but I did attend the local rally at our county seat. Large, cheerful crowd at the courthouse. I don't do well in crowds, but the feel of this one was such that I didn't feel my usual disease.

Lots of local politicians and clergy spoke.

And we had words and song from Joan Baez.

A memorable day.
 

---

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
Well, you are all doing the wrong thing, because the rules of democracy mean that you have to accept the result and not protest it.

So said some idiot on the the radio who seems to have accepted the logic of the Russian Revolution in which the smaller party called themselves the majority, and disparaged the actual larger group b labelling them the minority.

Wasn't alive in the 60s, then.
 

---

Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
Just wanting to say how amazing it was to get back from a reasonably well-attended and lively Sister March (in solidarity) in Cape Town, switch on the TV and see those aerial shots of Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Denver etc, the sheer massed numbers filling and overflowing streets, bridges and parks. One of the sights I'll remember all my life.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Given the inability of the Pussygrabber to believe that there weren't gaps in the crowds at his coronation (despite the photographic evidence - oh, wait a mo, obviously doctored by the Disloyals), no doubt he will tell the world of which he is now Lord that no-one marched in opposition.....



Well done, all of you who did march...



IJ
 

---

Posted by Miffy (# 1438) on :
 
Yes, well done indeed! We're waiting to hear from Ms M, who was due to be at the NY march.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
(((Miffy and Ms M)))
So nice to see you!!!

[need to mind my letters!]

[ 22. January 2017, 15:54: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
 

---

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
They are back, but they didn't march! So many people showed up that the entire route was plugged solid with good natured people milling around. At the end of it all they dumped their signs in a pile outside the new trump hotel, to the annoyance of the security people. Now we hear from trump that it was a failure, as nobody came. Ye gods - four years of this.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I marched in DC. It was Yuge, Bigly. Here is a short blog post with pictures. We didn't exactly March, since the crowd was so great, but we sort of shuffled along for six hours or so. They had originally planned to march on Independence Avenue, but the crowd overflowed onto the Mall, and the Constitution Avenue, and 14th, E, F, and G Streets. Essentially the entire core of downtown DC was a pedestrian mall, because the streets were cramjammed with people.
The police were very wise and clever about this, and probably averted a number of accidents by giving people the room to spread out a little. And the Metro staff did yeoman work, closing platforms and even stations when things became dangerously thronged. There were no casualties and no incidents, not even shouted comments (that I know of).
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
But, as I've said elsewhere, The Lord Of The World reckons you weren't there .....



IJ
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
One of his diehard supporters, upon learning that there are scientists who make a study of crowd size estimating, assured me that no science should be believed and it was all lies. (sigh) Never say that to a science fiction writer. I urged her to look down, at her hands. Were they resting on a keyboard? Who invented that piece of tech?
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
One of his diehard supporters, upon learning that there are scientists who make a study of crowd size estimating, assured me that no science should be believed and it was all lies. (sigh) Never say that to a science fiction writer. I urged her to look down, at her hands. Were they resting on a keyboard? Who invented that piece of tech?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
... we got a single day-long break in the rain ...

---

Unlike the inauguration day? No prizes for guessing whose side the Almighty is on, then.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
... we got a single day-long break in the rain ...

---

Unlike the inauguration day? No prizes for guessing whose side the Almighty is on, then.

---

In Phoenix also, Saturday was lovely and sunny -- in the middle of a very wet January.

 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I just got home from my weekend escape from the shameful spectacle taking place in Our Nation's Capital. The weather was abominable coming and going, but there was a break on Saturday, and Sunday morning wasn't all that bad.

But coming and going? Oy veh! In all the times I've flown into San Diego, the plane approaches the airport from the east, such are the prevailing winds that blown in over the Pacific. But this time the pilot had to fly out over the ocean, turn around, and approach from the west.

Coming home, we hit a pocket of air turbulence so bad that one of the flight attendants was thrown up to the ceiling, where she hit her head and was knocked unconscious for a brief moment.

I am certain that God is punishing our nation for electing you-know-who.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
I am so sick of hearing the news about what crazy haired one is doing. I get more and more upset but I can not look away it is everywhere. I am writing letters, making calls but feel not much is helping. I know I need a break but not sure how to get one.

Ah yes I know my great escape read cook books they always have good endings.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I am going to knit a few pussy hats. I'm a late adopter; didn't become a Beatlemaniac until the 1970s.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
A fellow singer in my choral group who has heretofore been active in political causes told me he's giving up and joining the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Sounds like a wonderful idea to me.

As for me, I can't bear to turn on the news anymore. It was bad enough that we had nothing but Trump, Trump, Trump for two years while the campaign was on, but now it's Trump, Trump, Trump with a vengeance. I can't stand looking at his face or listening to his voice.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
There's an app you can get, which swaps out every picture of Dishonest Don for a picture of a kitten.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Ah, probably a variant of "Kitten Block" for Firefox, by which Daily Mail links take you to a kitten site.

 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I do hope they're pink kittens, and not orange ones!

IJ
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Miss Amanda--

Re Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence:

They do good work. If your friend is a Christian, of any flavor, he should know that the good sisters sometimes like to push Christians' buttons. It's part of their schtick.

NOT suggesting that he shouldn't join. As I said, they do good work. But he should be aware, going in.

FWIW.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
... I can't stand looking at his face or listening to his voice.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Re Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: They do good work. If your friend is a Christian, of any flavor, he should know that the good sisters sometimes like to push Christians' buttons.

---

More so than we do here on the Ship?

I think he knows.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Miss Amanda--

Fair enough. If either of you want to know a little more, go to the "Sistory" page of their site. They tend to name things in a way that pokes at Christians, and do them on Christian holy days. On that page, look at the first line of the "2000" section. That will give you an idea. And further items in that paragraph.

LGBT folks have good reason to be angry with institutional Christianity. I just think a Christian going into that situation should know ahead of time.


Best of luck to him!

[ 27. January 2017, 05:39: Message edited by: Golden Key ]
 

---

Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
What Brenda said. Milk-curdling is the exact term for it. A Queens New York accent (not that I'm an expert on regional American accents) that's squawky and screechy. But it's what he says, that word salad of threats and boasts and the ad hoc, that gets me more than how he says it.

Here he is on Fox News with an upper-class English accent superimposed by comedian Peter Sarafinowicz.

Trump in a different voice

[ 27. January 2017, 09:30: Message edited by: MaryLouise ]
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by MaryLouise:
Here he is on Fox News with an upper-class English accent superimposed by comedian Peter Sarafinowicz.

Trump in a different voice

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by MaryLouise:

Trump in a different voice

---

That's unfair to honest, decent toffs.
 

---

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
Hearing Theresa May followed by Donald Fart on the news this afternoon would have induced the vomit reflex if I hadn't extinguished the radio in time. She seems like a programmable automaton, and he is... I don't know if there's a word for it yet. Good thing I had just been to the Scottish bakery for some comfort food.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Even the POST reports that the PM was run over by Dishonest Donald and his motor mouth. You weren't surely expecting him to be a gentleman and let her get a word in edgewise.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
As an exiled Brit, I'm rather disappointed (possibly even ashamed) that she was so quick to go and visit him.

Ugh.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Maybe she drew the short straw?
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I suspect that when you're the Prime Minister, you decide what length the straws are.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I was imagining the world wide group of leaders arguing who had to make an official state visit to the orange one first. In my little scenario, there is much debate, some weeping, and quite a lot of shouting. Finland makes the reasonable suggestion that they should draw straws, and as the leaders draw the longer ones, they breathe audible sighs of relief. Mrs. May draws her visibly shorter straw and slumps while everyone else cheers.

They totally ignore the fact that they have to do this again to determine visitor number two. The Muslim members are secretly relieved that they don't have to worry about it, while enjoying the outrage of the world on their behalf.

[ETA words]

[ 29. January 2017, 11:27: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
NB just to explain that the above is my weird imagination, and does not resemble the real world.

Or does it?
 

---

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
What else were they doing at Davos? (And why wasn't he concerned about what they were talking about behind his back? Or is he one of those people who don't realise that other people exist and do things when he can't see them?)
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Ah. To continue my scenario, the orange one has a handicap. His narcissism doesn't allow him to recognize others as actual beings, so they don't matter. Except possibly his children. But there's no guarantee.

The proper southern response is, Bless his little heart. In the true Southern understanding of that phrase.

Dear All Saints Hosts, please forgive me! I should probably have posted these types of writings in Purg. Or maybe even, Hell.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
He does understand crowds, however. Ratings. Numbers. Hence the need for protest; there is no other way to communicate with him. I'm knitting pussy hats as fast as I can. The number of people who have requested them is getting beyond me.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Is there some online source of pink pussy hats? One that is ethical/Fair Trade or whatever, with all profits to the employees or a recognised charity?

Serious question, BTW.

IJ
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Here in the US it is a crowd-run volunteer effort. People knit them, they are gathered and then handed out. Or (as I am doing) it's completely ad-hoc and if you want one you tell me about it. I have about half a dozen I need to knit, by request, and then I may do a few more for when there is need. Here is a video about the project.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
He does understand crowds, however. Ratings. Numbers. Hence the need for protest; there is no other way to communicate with him.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
He does understand crowds, however. Ratings. Numbers. Hence the need for protest; there is no other way to communicate with him.

---

He may understand crowds, but he doesn't believe the official sizes of them. If they're for him, they're HUGE; if they're opposed to him, they're insignificant (and probably all people who were paid to be there).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
It would be nice to have a Trump-free space.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
It would be nice to have a Trump-free space.

---

Space is welcome to him. I'd prefer a Trump-free Earth.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Now, for a happy change of subject...
Daughter-Unit is coming to spend the day with me! I know. This is not earth shattering information, but I am so pleased that we can spend some time together!

She works for a CPA, and tax season starts the middle of January, so she is inundated with tons of work. It makes me so happy that she would carve out time from her heavy schedule to be with me. We're also going to see my parents, and they are very excited to be able to see her.

D-U is an amazing woman, and, as you can probably tell, her heart is enormous and loving, and I'm a very blessed Mama!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Hope you and D-U have a wonderful time, JJ.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
We did, Piglet! Spent a good while with my parents and went to our favorite local restaurant for lunch. And talked, talked, and talked some more. We took the Yankee way home (north of the river ) and stopped to see the eagles!! One of the parents was on the nest, and the other was soaring way above us; no doubt on patrol.

We went back to my home and sat and talked some more.

Here sits a very happy Mama! <3
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
JJ, I can't help thinking that there sits a Mama who is reaping the results of giving her daughter a loving upbringing.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Today in the paper I see that a local church (a Methodist one in Virginia) is offering drive-by ashes for Ash Wednesday.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm not sure whether I'm more surprised at the idea of drive-by ashes ( ) or that it's the Methodists that are doing it - I didn't imagine it was their sort of thing.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I suppose it is not different from any other use of technology, like live-streaming sermons.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Our Cathedral offers "Ashes to Go" at the Light Rail station which is right next to them, and other churches in the diocese offer them at various locations.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
I'm not sure whether I'm more surprised at the idea of drive-by ashes ( ) or that it's the Methodists that are doing it - I didn't imagine it was their sort of thing.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Perhaps the pray-ers praying with the prayer-seekers are given a certain amount of privacy by the way the thing's set up?

---

I confess to having availed myself of it on one or two occasions. Even if there were a line of cars whose occupants were waiting to be prayed for, it is unlikely that people in the car behind would hear what the person in the car in front of them was saying, or what the volunteer under the canopy was saying either, for that matter.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
So what are you guys doing lurking at the top of page 2?

Just popped in to say NZ has been invaded - by US Coastguards, a long way from home. They are helping staff the cordon around the Port Hills fire.

I think they were on an official visit anyway and offered to help. Much appreciated

Huia
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
The Coast Guard is pretty cool. I've always been a fan.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
I dearly wanted to go to the Coast Guard Academy but they turned me down. How different my life would have been!
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
My brother graduated from college and then entered the Coast Guard Officer Training Program. He served on a buoy tender out of Galveston.

His most noteworthy experience came one night when he was Officer of the Deck. A shrimp boat with no lights showing was dragging a net. The cutter ran over the net and capsized the shrimp boat. (My brother believes there was no one on the deck of the shrimp boat at the time of the accident.) Naturally the cutter came to the rescue of the shrimp boat. There was a Court of Inquiry which exonerated my brother. He also ended up getting credit for assisting the rescue of the shrimp boat!

Moo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
The Coast Guard (or Knee-Deep Navy as they are otherwise known) do good work! I'm glad they were in the right place at the right time to help y'all, Huia!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Spring seems to have sprung. But Winter flowers are blooming. It's Sprinter! Or maybe Winting!

On the way home from church, I saw a jacaranda blooming (which is normally in April and May), and dozens and dozens of amaryllis! Which is pretty much on time.

Well, whenever they bloom, it is lovely to see them!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
It's been pouring rain in the Phoenix area all weekend, but should end tomorrow. So everything that isn't already blooming will go crazy in a few days. Unfortunately, that means lots of pollen in the air.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Thirteen of my eighteen hyacinths are sending up shoots. I planted a new color last fall, and I'm eager to see it.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Hyacinths are one of my favourites, Moo. I planted several bulbs on my balcony when I moved here nearly six years ago.

I was very annoyed to find one morning that the cockatoos had pulled them all up and had gnawed the bulbs, one being almost completely eaten. As the bulbs are poisonous , I guess there were a few sick birds around. Or perhaps dead.
 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
We're due to get smacked by another rainstorm here in NoCal. I just saw a forecast for 2.5"/64mm tomorrow. There will be some flooding, no doubt. If I didn't have to go out, I think I'd be hunkering down.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
You do seem to have been catching it - California seems to have featured on the "wild weather from round the world" slots on the Weather Channel here for the last few days. Is there any way the water can be channelled for future use, as that level of rain seems to be something of a rarity round your way?
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
We are promised rain tomorrow!!
My gutters are being cleared right now (didn't know about the coming rain when I made arrangements) so hopefully things will move along perfectly! The leaves finished falling last month. The only coming gutter fillers will be the elm buds that are puffed out all over the tree in the front.

The rain will probably fill the gutters with the bud detritus. Should have thought this through a bit more.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
How are things basso, and other northern California residents? My friends in San Jose have been telling me about the floods there.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
Flooding all around us but we are high and dry. Feel so bad for those who lost their homes to fire two years ago and are renting near the lake only to now be flooded out.

One good thing is people got out early rather then later. Red Cross and local churches again on hand. The speed of the creeks filling and overflowing was very remarkable to watch.

Did find one good idea. Wrap a head flashlight facing in around a 1/2 gallon of water when the lights go out and you have a fairly bright emergency light. Would work well for camping also I think. Other then that wood stove and canned soup kept us warm and full.
 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
Hi, Ian. Thanks for asking. And good to see you here again!

Here in my corner of the north state things are going well. It's wet here but no real difficulties. We didn't get much flooding. San Jose, which you visited, got smacked when Coyote Creek flooded. About 14,000 people were evacuated. (Lots of links at Google News.) Despite a long history of flood problems there, the local authorities seem to have been caught completely unprepared.


We're now looking at billions of dollars to repair damage to roads, bridges, and dams. California is going to pay for many years of ignoring the obvious. I'm going to stop typing now before I start ranting.
 

---

Posted by Prester John (# 5502) on :
 
Just slight flooding in my garage but I live in a hilly section so was able to avoid the worst. Some wind damage to my fence but all in all very fortunate.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I found it interesting that today, the International Day Without A Woman (on which women were supposed, among other things, to absent themselves from their jobs), any TV news broadcast that I watched announcing the event was read by a woman anchor and reported on by a woman reporter.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I noticed that too, Miss Amanda. There are some woman jobs that just can't be dismissed! (I'm thinking especially the job called 'Mom'!)

We haven't really had winter this year. One of the things that encourages us during the oppressive heat and humidity of July and August is the knowledge that winter is coming. We normally have one or two days that actually get to freezing or a bit below. I think our coolest this year was in the high 30s and low 40s. We feel cheated!!!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Apparently most of my fellow Americans will be losing an hour of sleep Saturday night, while I'll be snoozing away without messing about with my alarm clock.


So here's a friendly reminder for you.

 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I make the adjustment to Daylight Savings Time a bit at a time. Tuesday evening I set my bedside clock fifteen minutes ahead. I did the same last night. I will do the same tonight and tomorrow night. Saturday morning I will get up a full hour early. I will probably be slightly sleepy during the day. By Sunday I will be fully adjusted.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... We haven't really had winter this year ...

---

You only needed to ask - you could have had some of ours.

Pigwidgeon - thanks for the reminder.

I'm generally OK with the time-change, even though I accept that at our latitude we probably don't need it. Having been used to it in some form or other* all my life, I rather think I'd miss it (especially the extra hour in bed in late October) if it weren't there.

I may well feel in need of a snoozette by Sunday afternoon though ...

* there was a period in the late 60s when the UK was on GMT + 1 hour all year, which IIRC didn't do Orkney any favours - I was in primary school at the time and we were issued with fluorescent arm-bands so that we wouldn't get run over on our way to school.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
So here's a friendly reminder for you.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
I do wish we would just pick one and stick with it.

---

You could move to Arizona.

 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I have dear friends who summer in Flagstaff. They have invited me to spend time with them, and I hope to do so!

If I could just convince the PTB of Florida to become as sensible as those of Arizona! Back in the time of the dinosaurs, my family would drive to FL from PA to visit Mom's family. I remember that we had to change our watches because Florida was on Standard Time all year long. When did the insanity start?
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
I have dear friends who summer in Flagstaff. They have invited me to spend time with them, and I hope to do so!

---

Shipmeet!!!

 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
I am on the last day of a three-day conference in Wenatchee, WA, and although the conference has been blisteringly disappointing, I an finding the city quite lovely. To the west a sweeping "C" of mountains, shining with snow, comes almost down to the city gates. To the east is the mighty Columbia River, and a high bluff that opens onto the vast wheat fields of Eastern Washington. The oldest buildings downtown seem to date from the 1910s. Wish I'd had time to see more of it, but I need to get back over the mountains before the passes close.

[ 11. March 2017, 16:27: Message edited by: mousethief ]
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I've just googled Wenatchee, Mousethief, and it looks really pretty.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
I've just googled Wenatchee, Mousethief, and it looks really pretty.

---

It is! Sadly it's deep in the heart of Trump country so I doubt I could stand living there or indeed staying there for any length of time. But physically it's a gem.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
We are promised some rain! Yay!
Thursday at almost the end of winter, we will finally have some cool weather. Low in the 40s and the high temp will only be 70. A relief after such a hot winter.

This morning I had planned to stay in bed until at least 7:00, since yesterday was long and I was tired. My brain betrayed me. It was before 6:00 when my feet hit the floor and I didn't even understand what time it was for another few minutes when I was doing my morning routine. Bad brain! Go to your room!!
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
The Phoenix area has been enjoying daytime temperatures in the low 90s -- a bit warm for this time of year, but lovely. I've started sleeping with the bedroom window open about one-quarter of the way.

But the pine tree in front of my condo is "in heat" and shedding its dusty yellow-green pollen all over the place. I have to hose the porch off every morning so I can sit outside.

And the white wing doves are back! They haven't yet begun their obnoxious mating and territorial fighting behavior, but it's only a matter of time.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
This morning I was in San Francisco, which was of a crystalline-blue sky and a forecasted high of 80 degrees. Got on the last plane out of town and arrived in Washington DC where it is 36 degrees and chilling rapidly; the snow is just starting to fall.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear you god home safely, BC.

I have a feeling you're going to be sending what's left of your sn*w our way once you've finished with it. Couldn't someone just nudge it out into the Atlantic where it won't be such a bl**dy nuisance?


 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
It's snowing hard here now, but not sticking overly much. Yet.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Here in New York City we're battening down before the snow. Schools are cancelled, my work is cancelled, the above-ground trains have been cancelled overnight.

I am looking forward to a snow day!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I guess most of you in other parts of the U.S. (especially in the northeast) don't want to hear about our record-breaking 92º here in the Phoenix area today.


Seriously, prayers for all of you facing dangerous conditions from the blizzard.

 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
We've had about 3 inches so far and it is very windy. There is more on the way but probably not as much. The plows have done our street but my son is still asleep, and when he wakes up I will feed him and send him out with a shovel.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Saturday we broke a high temp record (90 degrees) and we might break a low temp record later this week! It might be 40 degrees!

That's what we get for complaining about all the heat.
 

---

Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
We have about 6" here, 15 miles north of Chicago. Snow falling gently now; I don't expect we'll get more than another inch or two. Really, it's just a basic winter day in Chicago. Except that it's the first actual winter day we've had in 2017.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
You all realize, of course, that God is showing his displeasure at the rise of you-know-who to power.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
We got about an inch of snow last night, and we'll probably get another inch.

I was worried about what the snow would do to my hyacinths, which are blooming. So far, so good.

I am also concerned about one of my peonies which has started to send up shoots. I don't know what effect the cold and snow will have on it.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
My daffodils, in full bloom, were bowed down by the snow. I am hoping they are OK.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
My daffodils, in full bloom, were bowed down by the snow. I am hoping they are OK.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
It's going down into the 20s tonight. The trees are going to take a big hi; all the local magnolia trees have lost their blossoms already.

---

Our magnolia was hit by a late deep frost last year, but somehow it recovered and we hope it will repeat that trick this year. Keep hoping!
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
It's not at all easy to kill a magnolia tree. We have one right by the house foundation (within 1 foot) and no amount of abuse takes it out, even a fullscale chopdown. Certainly it gets no freeze protection.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
The trees are tough but the blossoms tend to come out early and then get nipped by a late freeze. I am also sad about my fig tree, from which I was hoping for fruit at long last after a mild winter. Alas, it will probably die right down to the ground again. It always comes back, but I never get any fruit.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I have a small fig tree that I planted because they are so pretty, but I really doubt I'll ever get fruit, and that's o.k. I doubt that I would ever get to eat them before the insects and birds got to them. It's one of the few plants I have here in Arizona that I can check on every day to look for new growth and new leaves and see that spring has indeed sprung.

 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
If I had a fig-tree, the birds and bees would be welcome to its fruit.


 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
If I had a fig-tree, the birds and bees would be welcome to its fruit.

---

I've never been a big fan of the fruit, but I was amazed to find myself ordering a pizza that had figs on it a few years ago (don't tell the President of Iceland!) and really liking it. I'm assuming they're an acquired taste, that I'm just now slowly acquiring. But I'll buy mine at a store or restaurant, rather than fight off the birds and bugs. The trees are so pretty, especially the leaves.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I have quoted the relevant Scripture at least twice to my fig tree, without result. If I don't get some fruit soon I will have to act.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Fig season here, but like cherries it will be over almost before it started. I love them.

Two of my sons make a wonderful chutney or whatever, from the soft semi dried figs. Lots of chilli, figs, , some sugar and a bottle of port simmered very slowly for some hours. Wonderful with practically any form of cold meat. A wonderful aroma for that time. I must ask what else goes in it. It is some years since I had any.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Figs are amazing! D-U didn't eat very many fruits or veggies when she was really little, but figs (or 'pigs', as she called them) were a huge favorite! I should get a fig plant for Mom and Dad's new home! Thanks for reminding me about them!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Easy to grow , JJ, but they like a fair bit of water.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I always assumed they liked arid climates -- they do well in Arizona, and they're obviously around the Middle East. I remember seeing some in Jordan. I was surprised to see a very healthy-looking fig tree in Canterbury -- so they seem happy in cold and wet as well as hot and dry. I assume they are different varieties.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
I have quoted the relevant Scripture at least twice to my fig tree, without result. If I don't get some fruit soon I will have to act.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
we did occasionally have Fig Newtons.

---

quote:

---

Yer dern tootin'
We love Fig Newtons!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Remember the TV jingle?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
Horrors - I forgot the "here comes the tricky part" part.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
I don't remember ever eating figs (or syrup of figs) as a child, but we did occasionally have Fig Newtons.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
Horrors - I forgot the "here comes the tricky part" part.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
I rarely buy fig newtons now, but they were a childhood favorite. Great for constipation, though Mother never told me THAT.

---

Now I'm wondering if that's why we had them as an occasional treat.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Thanks, Thunderbunk! 'Fig rolls' it is......now, I wonder if my local Co-Op still sells them?



IJ
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Moo:
I was worried about what the snow would do to my hyacinths, which are blooming. So far, so good.

---

All my hyacinth flowers are now flat on the ground.

I'm not sure whether it was the cold or the snow that got them.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Must be something about hyacinths. I have not bought any more bulbs since losing what I had in pots to cockatoos. They ripped the plants out and ate the bulbs.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That's sad - hyacinths are so pretty.
 

---

Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Thanks, Thunderbunk! 'Fig rolls' it is......now, I wonder if my local Co-Op still sells them?



IJ

---

Sainsbury's do at 50p for eleven. They are strangely popular at work i.e. limited evidence suggested that given the choice between a chocolate digestive or a fig roll the majority choose a fig roll.

Jengie
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Perhaps they've given up chocolate for L**t?

Thanks for the tip re Sainsbury's (the Co-Op sprang to mind, as it's my nearest 'corner shop').

IJ
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
The next door neighbors had a party with several families last night. The children were laughing and playing and it was such a happy sound! Reminds me of us children playing and having such a great time when we would all get together at my Grandma and Grandpa's house. Good memories.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Has anyone ever heard of these people? A Christian Lefty group seems to fill a long-felt need....
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Has anyone had the opportunity to see the Tallis Scholars in concert? I went to see them last night at the old Crystal Cathedral now Christ Cathedral (Catholic). They were fabulous! They did a beautiful program of settings of the Magnificat, the Nunc Dimittis, and the Lord's Prayer, a capella, both Renaissance and contemporary. Man, o man!

[ 01. April 2017, 14:57: Message edited by: Lyda*Rose ]
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I've seen them in the UK. (Them, the BBC Singers and The Sixteen mean I am spoiled for amateur choirs)
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Has anyone ever heard of these people? A Christian Lefty group seems to fill a long-felt need....

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I've seen them in the UK. (Them, the BBC Singers and The Sixteen mean I am spoiled for amateur choirs)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack the Lass:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Has anyone ever heard of these people? A Christian Lefty group seems to fill a long-felt need....

---

I don't know this particular group, but when I saw your post I had initially assumed you were referring to Christians on the Left (formerly CSM or the Christian Socialist Movement) which are a Christian group in the UK affiliated with the Labour Party. I have a number of friends who are members of that group. I wonder if the group you mention there is connected with Jim Wallis's crowd (Sojourners? Red Letter Christians?).

---

quote:

---

What do you feel about the phrase ‘Christian Socialism’ today?
I am a Christian Socialist without being a Christian. I used to say Tony Blair was a Christian Socialist without being a socialist. Christian Socialism is a view of society. It means more than a belief in Christianity. It means believing in a concept of society – a society in which we live together and we accept that we do better in a community than as individuals and that, I suppose, has its basis in the Sermon on the Mount. So the precepts of Christian Socialism I support entirely. I have no beliefs. I am an atheist. It is as simple as that.

---

The article is here: The Friend interviews Roy Hattersley
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I heard frogs singing last night! I love frogs!

Along with the frogs came heat. It was 94 degrees yesterday! Shattered the old high temp record. It's like we skipped right to July and August.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
In central Arizona we gave July a try a couple of weeks ago, but decided it was too soon so we went back to April. Our days are now warm and sunny, but we're still enjoying cool mornings and evenings. Just for fun, we had an unscheduled wind and rain storm last night.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Bumping to wish everyone a Blessed Holy Saturday!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
A cloudy cool day, ideal for being outdoors. I am just about to depart to spend Saturday marching from the Capitol in Washington DC to the White House. It's Tax Day in the US, and somebody promised us his tax returns. My sign says "Putin Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" and the reverse side says "Where CZAR Your Taxes?"
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Wish I could be at the Tax March but I have to work today. *sigh*
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
I'll be out and about today proudly wearing my March for Science shirt, though I'm not sure whether my schedule will permit me to attend the local event.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
A bird has been attacking its reflection in the glass of my patio doors. It's been going on for several days.

I assume it's planning to nest and wants to drive away intruders.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Bleah. IMHO those are usually males trying to scare away intruders. Ha.

I had luck taping paper streamers (very short, meant to flutter) in a couple of the most-hit places when I worked in a mirrored glass building.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
The same thing happened when I lived in New Hampshire. In that case the attacking bird was a female cardinal. I'm not very good at identifying birds, but I do recognize a female cardinal. The male stayed perched nearby with what appeared to be a resigned expression.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
White winged doves do it too, in addition to all their other obnoxious behaviors.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
And speaking of white winged doves . . .

It can get very windy in Arizona this time of year. Yesterday evening we had quite a windstorm. This morning the ground was littered with twigs and small branches. The birds, including the dreaded white winged doves, were having a field day picking up materials for their nests.

My neighbors have an olive tree outside their bedroom window. I was treated to the spectacle of a dove bearing an olive branch in its beak.

Now, if only they'd stop fighting over who gets the better branch . . . .
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Miss Amanda, sometimes doves (and people) have to be hit over the head with a Symbolism Stick, don't they?

The birds around here are marking their territories, and claiming their brides. Some already have babies squealing in their nests. I saw two male boat tailed grackles dusting it up in front of a lady grackle. She got bored and flew off. The males stopped fighting, looked at each other, and flew off in opposite directions.

Those birds are something else.

A great crested flycatcher male sat on my grapevine post, yelling wheeeet as loudly as he could, and his poor wife was hauling building materials to the oak tree as fast as she could. Poor thing!

At least there's entertainment in the back yard!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Phoenix officially hit 100F this afternoon at 4:30. We expect about the same tomorrow (maybe 104?), but then expect cooler weather and maybe even some rain. (Rain? What's that?)
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
The local Blue Jays which I feed all winter have built a nest in my front yard plum tree. All very fine with me, but now it seems they are afraid someone is going to wake up the eggs. The poor neighbor cat can not walk on his down porch with out being dived upon. This afternoon I was in my back yard which is a goodly distance from the front. My house is in the middle of 1/2 acre but apparently even this was to close and I was scolded loudly by both parents, Mom from the tree and dad hoping back and forth on the back lawn. . Something tells me it is going to be a long month for me and the neighbor's cat.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Several years ago a tiny hummingbird took over my backyard when she had a nest and eggs. She was o.k. with my dog, but would fly in my face and tell me to get out of her yard!
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I have a friend who insists that hummingbirds have taken on the mantle of the tyrannosaurus rex. The can be tiny terrors!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
There was a year when my cat must have killed a blue jay. Because when he went out a huge hullaballoo was set up, all the birds cussing him out good. He slunk off into the bushes looking very ashamed.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I took the Amandamobile to the car wash yesterday. Perched on top of the arch that supports the blowers that blow-dry the car after the last rinse was . . . a pigeon! You just **know** what that pigeon was fixin' to do! Fortunately he didn't do it on the Amandamobile.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Graven Image:
The local Blue Jays which I feed all winter...

---

I was imagining a couple of large picnic tables where you would feed a baseball team all winter long! That would be expensive!!

Miss Amanda, I was always told that when birds put a deposit on a car, it's a sign that they would like to buy it!!! Glad that pigeon didn't do that to your nice, clean Amandamobile!
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
Happy Star Wars day!


This week the magic temperature appears to be 58F (14C). For the early part of the week it was the daily high, with lows down to the high 30's (3C), while yesterday and today it was the low, with highs in the low- to mid-80's (28C). Tomorrow it is forecast to go back to being the high again...
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
The scary news: I received a letter from the Arizona Department of Revenue and Taxation, Compliance Division.

The good news: It said I had overpaid my state income tax and that a refund would be sent under separate cover.

The bad news: It was only $13.00. But at least I treated myself to a nice lunch.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Miss Amanda, I'm glad it was a refund rather than a demand for payment!

We've had some rain this week! Yay! Altogether, almost an inch of rain! After being at high risk for fire most of the winter and spring, this has been a blessing!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
The scary news: I received a letter from the Arizona Department of Revenue and Taxation, Compliance Division.

The good news: It said I had overpaid my state income tax and that a refund would be sent under separate cover.

The bad news: It was only $13.00. But at least I treated myself to a nice lunch.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... We've had some rain this week! Yay!

---

We've got a rainfall warning; the river is running really high and they're forecasting up to 100 mm (nearly 4 inches) by Sunday.

I'm glad Château Piglet is well up from the riverside.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
jedijudy--

Belated Happy Star Wars Day! .

Came across something you might like:

"Adam Scott's Reaction to Finally Meeting His Hero, Mark Hamill, Is So Freakin' Cute" (PopSugar).

Adam Scott was on the Jimmy Kimmel show, talking with guest host Kristen Bell about his love for Star Wars, and how he'd invited Mark Hamill to his second birthday party, but MH didn't come...

And then...

It's really fun.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Download sadly not available in India.


 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Golden Key, that was amazing!!!! And Fun!!! Thank you!!! A belated very happy Star Wars Day to you, too!

Adam Scott's hand was shaking! What an awesome surprise!

Love it!
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
WW--

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Download sadly not available in India.

---

I don't know how that works, so this may not help...but try checking some of these hits for "adam scott hamill kimmel video unrestricted" at Duckduckgo.

It says there are few hits that include "unrestricted". But there are many hits for the rest of it, including on YouTube. Maybe one of them will be viewable?

FWIW. YMMV.
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Goldie's link above seemed slightly mashed up, here's the one that works.

You're welcome.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Wes--

Thanks. But it did work for me. When I search, I generally put just the most important words.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I eventually found one that worked - thanks folks.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Yay!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 


Blooper by the Host there!



The link I used was this one!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
If it's any comfort, WW, when I clicked on GK's original link, it gave a whole load of stills and news articles from something called Pop Sugar, but not the video, and I just assumed it was one of those "not available in your country" things.

Things may not have been helped by the fact that I wouldn't have known Adam Scott if he'd come up in my soup ...

not very with-it piglet
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Piglet--

I wasn't sure who Adam Scott is, either! Evidently, an actor.

PopSugar is an online magazine geared for young women. (Maybe late teens to 30s.) I originally found it because other sites were linking to it for news-related articles. Generally, it comments on and analyzes news from news sites. They also have the usual stuff that you'd expect a young women's magazine to contain: celebrities, fashion, love, cute videos, self-help, home decorating, etc. And things like this Mark Hamill-related video.

The ABC network did restrict it. But I'm glad someone managed to provide it in a way that people outside the US can view it. (See WW's link.)
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Wheeee, it's quiet here. (Must all be over on the Trump thread.)

My kid is caught up in the fidget spinner and daubing crazes. I laugh at the second one, as it looks very much like somebody wiping his nose on his sleeve, and how can that be cool?

And there are ... not screams ... but minor roars of protest from other parents in the media who think both of these things are horrid™ and must be put a stop to.

Me, I'm sitting here trying to think which of the fads in my youth were ever this harmless.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
Me, I'm sitting here trying to think which of the fads in my youth were ever this harmless.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
Me, I'm sitting here trying to think which of the fads in my youth were ever this harmless.

---

Cootie catchers?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by basso:
I think we called them fortune tellers. Different words of 'wisdom' under each flap.

---

Fortune tellers down here, usually with something very trite under the flap.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Also knew them as "fortune-tellers". They were for girls, and generally had boys' names at the final level. I think the first two levels were numbers and colors.

Interestingly, a variation on the folding makes a lotus.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I always knew them as fortune tellers, but locally they are called chatterboxes. I found a printed one to teach the Guide Law this week.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I think we just called them "paper snappers".

We were in a dollar-store the other day that had a sign by the checkout saying "NO FIDGET SPINNERS". We had to ask the nice girl on the checkout desk what the heck a fidget spinner was ...


Piglet, feeling elderly and out of touch with Modern Culture™
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
You're not alone. I've seen them around, but I didn't know what they were called until I just googled them.
 

---

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Whereas I'd heard of them, but didn't know what they look like....

M.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Lots of fidget spinners at work and brought along to Guides. I've also seen fidget cubes at Guides. Mostly because she'd wrapped string around I and needed help to clear it.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer in the US.

Here in Arizona, it marks the beginning of nonstop 100 degree plus (Fahrenheit) heat (although we've had a string of such days already this month).

Windows are permanently closed and locked; A/C is permanently on.

It will be like this until Columbus Day in October.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Whereas here in NYC I won't be putting my AC in for some time yet, or so I gather by looking at the weather forecast. It's been grey and dreary, and rainy most of the time We get a couple of nice days (and we actually had two hot days when the AC would have been helpful) and then back to the grey and rain.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Well do I remember how cold and dreary it could be in NY even in late May!

I remember too, as a young thing, that by the time school let out for the summer in late June, it was usually so hot that the teacher would take the class outside under a tree on the playground.

Memories, memories!
 

---

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Whereas here in NYC I won't be putting my AC in for some time yet, or so I gather by looking at the weather forecast. It's been grey and dreary, and rainy most of the time We get a couple of nice days (and we actually had two hot days when the AC would have been helpful) and then back to the grey and rain.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
... we actually had two hot days when the AC would have been helpful, and then back to the grey and rain ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
Hey, you...rainy season! It's time to crank up!

---

We have had rain four days in a row! Altogether about two and a half inches of water on my parched yard. That's a pretty good start.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
In my never-ending quest to keep the dreaded white winged doves off my porch, I put a toy cat out there. Looks very realistic -- even fooled me once or twice.

So far the doves are terrified of coming anywhere near it.

Other birds, though -- don't know what they are, maybe swallows or sparrows -- were quick to catch on. The other day one landed directly in front of it, stared it straight in the eye for a few seconds, and then flew off. Yesterday one landed behind it and pecked at its tail until I shooed it away. Today one snuggled up in its front paws -- again until I shooed it away.

Those birds don't bother me, though. They seldom if ever come on the porch. In fact, the cat may be attracting them.

The doves, on the other hand, as I've said upthread, are noisy, dirty and aggressive. They love to roost in the ceiling fan on my porch, and always look surprised when I turn the fan on. (Yes, they always manage to escape unharmed.)
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
In my never-ending quest to keep the dreaded white winged doves off my porch, I put a toy cat out there. Looks very realistic -- even fooled me once or twice.

---

Move it around a bit every couple of days so the doves don't accept it as just another inanimate object.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I do -- every morning. Right now it looks like it's ready to pounce. The sparrows love it.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
OK, I have had a couple of fun, funny and delightful experiences recently!

Daughter-Unit took me to Blue Man Group, which we have both wanted to see for a long time. The whole show (including waiting for the actual show to begin) was amazing! Oh, yes. If I have a chance, I'll go see them again! D-U is taking her dear hubby to see them soon, too!

Last night, I was with seven other women at the local dinner theater to see Clue. And I helped! I got to pick out the murderer!!! It was hysterical! I laughed so much, my face and jaws still hurt!

So, if any of y'all haven't seen these performances, and you have a chance, just go! They are seriously funny and fun!
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
jedijudy--

Cool! When you identified the murderer, did you get to do it in true Clue style--e.g., "Col. Mustard, in the library, with the lead pipe"?
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Actually, I went onstage and Mr. Body fanned out the upside-down cards with the suspects, and I had to pick one and hold it to my chest so I couldn't see it, nor could the audience. The other two who picked out the weapon and the room were each less than half my age! Growing up is entirely optional!

My table cheered and hollered and were immediately designated as my fan club. We older ladies just like to have fun!
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I was having breakfast on the porch this morning and what should come trotting through the courtyard but . . . a coyote! First one I've seen in a long time.

He glanced at me briefly and paused a moment, and then kept trotting on. I'm sure he realized that the rabbit that had just gone scampering through would make a tastier breakfast than I would.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
That's very cool!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Was he carrying a sandwich board for Acme Products?
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
No, but ever since our condo association began a concerted effort to drive the coyotes away, there have been very few road runners around also. I haven't spotted one in a long time, and I used to see them occasionally.

Another corollary of fewer coyotes is an overabundance of rabbits. Perhaps that will bring the coyotes back. Maybe the one I saw yesterday is a harbinger of things to come.

And if coyotes come, can road runners be far behind?
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
A shortage of roadrunners usually means there's a shortage of snakes and lizards. (Come to think of it, I haven't seen a roadrunner on my side of town in several years.)
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I've never seen a snake in our community, but we have lots of those little lizards.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
... a shortage of snakes ...

---

I don't think such a thing exists - one snake is one too many.

Some blithering idiot introduced coyotes to Newfoundland a while back with the idea that they'd keep down the moose population - which they didn't - all that happened was that they ate the few sheep that were farmed on the island.
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
I was having breakfast on the porch this morning and what should come trotting through the courtyard but . . . a coyote! First one I've seen in a long time.

He glanced at me briefly and paused a moment, and then kept trotting on. I'm sure he realized that the rabbit that had just gone scampering through would make a tastier breakfast than I would.

---

He was probably eyeballing your breakfast. Easier prey.

 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
If I thought he were partial to an onion-pepper-Swiss omelet with bacon, I would gladly have shared it with him. However, it was pretty much all gone by the time he trotted through, and I really do think he would have preferred the rabbit.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
The coyote was there again this morning! This time he took one look at me and turned and ran. Miss Amanda has been known to have that effect on men first thing in the morning. (Sigh)
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Miss Amanda! You are such a (handsome) card!

I'm the lizard whisperer around here. They are rescued and put back into places where they can actually find food, hopefully mosquitoes and such. I'm very proud to share that Daughter-Unit has the lizard catching gene, too. When co-workers scream, she goes to the rescue.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Happy Fourth, everyone!

We had quite a neighborhood fireworks display last night. The rockets were almost professional quality, and the show went on for almost an hour!

I bet that cost some folks a goodly amount of moolah.

Stay safe, and have fun!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Happy Birthday USA!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Wishing youse all a jolly Fourth of July!
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Thank you, pray for us!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I do, quite often.
 

---

Posted by JB (# 1776) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
We had quite a neighborhood fireworks display last night.

---

So did we. The dog hid in the house.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Belated happy 4th, everyone! And Piglet, thanks for the prayers--we sure need 'em!

I watched some of "A Capitol Fourth" last night on PBS--fireworks, music, etc. Host John Stamos commented about something that "the only thing more patriotic would be to shoot apple pie out of a t-shirt cannon"!

 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
The first National Anthem of the United States. (Personally I find it a lot more singable.)
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
This is such a great, cheery story. God, I miss him. And surely that's one of the cutest babies going!
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I'm just so pleased. My son tried to show mehow to dab (dance move) and then winced and said, "I dunno, when you do it it makes me feel cringe-y." RESULT!!!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
BC, that is indeed a lovely story - and what cracking pictures for Mrs. Jackinsky to show to her little girl when she's older.


 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Did anyone happen to watch "The First 48" yesterday? I'm rather addicted to that show, and I enjoy it as a true documentary of police work. But what caught my eye last night were the fashion statements of the homicide department of Atlanta Police. Yowzah! Two male detectives wore suits with dress coats and very sharp fedoras (fedoras?!). One other male detective wore no fedora but wore a satin bow tie with his suit and a little matching bow on his lapel. And back in the office yet another male detective wore a woolen flat hat that matched his suit. A female detective also wore a fedora with her pant suit. And the lead detective wore an attractive pant suit with a short quilted jacket. She also happened to be beautiful enough to be the actress lead on a police procedural.

Seasons and seasons of this show watched and I have never noticed much what any cop has worn except for the poor things that wore suits and ties in the blazing summer. What's in the water cooler in Atlanta?
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Well, google is my friend. Those hats are an Atlanta tradition in homicide. When a detective solves their first homicide, their colleagues present them with a fedora and it's a sign of their esprit d'corps.
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Anyone 'clipsing today? I got skyped from a Shippe in PA, where it's already started!

Have fun!

(I'm sure it must be the biggest, the best, the hugest American ecplipse ever, an eclipse so great, so formidable, like none other, making America dark again!)
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Outch! I must have been misinformed! Fake News!

Another Shippie is telling me it's only on 21 August. My apologies to all!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Wesley J, I thought your Skype was maybe a very special version!

Last week, I took my Granddaughter to visit my sister and brother-in-law. She was able to do something she's never done before in her eleven and a half years; she caught lightning bugs!! She had hoped to see them for the first time, and was thrilled to find out that they don't hurt us at all, and that she was encouraged to catch some!

What a great way for us adults to feel like kids again.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Wesley--

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wesley J:
Anyone 'clipsing today? I got skyped from a Shippe in PA, where it's already started

---

Does your friend happen to wear a long, striped scarf? And travel in a noisy, blue box that has a light on top? That would explain the confusion.

And it would also mean that the Doctor--particularly the 4th--is a Shipmate!

 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Today the arborists started taking down my beautiful old maple tree, which is dying. It was planted in 1948 as a Girl Scout project by a girl living in the house at the time. The trunk is more than three feet in diameter.

Aside from being a beautiful tree, my deck is built around it with benches. It has provided shade as well as beauty. The arborist proposes to cut the trunk about four feet above the level of the benches, which means the benches won't surround a hole.

I couldn't stand to watch the whole process, but I looked out every now and then. It was like a slow-motion funeral. They cut down and took away all but the trunk and the biggest branches. Tomorrow they will bring in a crane to deal with the really heavy stuff. They will turn off my electricity and lower the wire to the ground so they can work.

I feel like I am losing an old friend.

Moo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Moo, that is so sad. Trees seem to be such forever type blessings. I hope that after your old friend is gone, you'll see something otherwise hidden that will bring you joy.
 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
A friend of mine asked me to join her for a rally for health care, so yesterday we stood on the side of El Camino Real and waved signs and shouted.
Some guy with a cameraman in tow asked if he could talk to me, and I agreed.
I told him why I was there -- that my life basically depends on the health care my employer wouldn't be offering without the Obamacare requirement. That I was showing up for friends and relatives who are rowing similar boats.

This morning somebody told me that he thought I'd done a good job. He caught me on the local news.

That's my 30 seconds of local fame for the decade, then.
 

---

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
I'm a little bummed I didn't hear about the August 21 eclipse in time to make plans to see it. But there will be another one in the US on April 8, 2024 -- nowhere near me, but I've marked my calendar and I'm going to go see it.
 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to see a total eclipse of the sun.

Sadly, there's no way for me to afford to get there. It's probably an entry that will have to remain inscribed on my bucket list.
 

---

Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :
 
We were able to get tickets and reservations by booking just a short drive outside of the totality. We'll have what would normally be only about a 30 min drive in our rental car to get to totality, but of course we're expecting far more due to traffic. My big concern is parking-- we're going to a relatively small town-- have they anticipated enough parking for all who will show up?
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
What town are you going to? We actually live IN totality, though just inside it. I didn't think we were going to have quite such an influx of people, given the huge path across the US!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Yowzers! I don't think I've ever seen this much rain fall at once, preceded by fierce wind. Apparently several storm systems just blew in and collided. Power outages are being reported throughout the Phoenix area, so I'm keeping fingers crossed. It's as if all the rain we didn't get in the first seven months of 2017 is being dumped on us right now.

I pray for those who are caught in this trying to drive home from work, since this started just about 5:00 (varying in different parts of the metro area). Some roads have been closed due to flooding, and driving has to be hellish.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I hope the weather is better today, Pigwidgeon. My dad and I were talking just yesterday about areas getting heavy rain that don't usually have that problem.

Once in Colorado Springs, my BFF and I were driving around town and there was a sudden rainstorm. The streets were raging rivers!!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
The storm (in my area, anyway) calmed down after about an hour. The only "damage" at my house was a plastic lawn chair that was blown halfway across my yard along with several cushions. My yard is surrounded by a wall, which I'm sure saved me from more things being blown around.

Other areas had it far worse. Thousands of people lost power. I've just seen a report of a tornado just south of Phoenix. And I had an email from the Zoo that they're closed today -- all the animals are fine, but a lot of trees were knocked over, and there was some damage to buildings. When I venture out later this morning, I'm curious to see what's out there.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Yes, your side of town was hit especially hard, Pigwidgeon. I'm glad you're safe.

Here on the west side we barely had a sprinkle. Some wind, but nothing devastating. Just as well -- there are two very large pine trees in our courtyard, one of which leans precipitously. The homeowners' association intended to cut it down but decided it was too big even to try. They'll be sorrier if it falls on our roofs.

It does serve as a daytime roosting place for our owls, though, who come out at night and keep our courtyard rabbit-free. At least I hope it's rabbits they're eating -- I'd hate to think we have mice.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Someone mailed a fake bomb to our denominational seminary here in town--Mr Lamb's alma mater. At least I suppose they mailed it--could have been carried in. Evacuation, bomb squad, hovering helicopter, the whole works.

Who hates Lutherans that much???
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I just read a news article that the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia has hatched a Little Brown Kiwi egg, their 6th since 2012.

Well done! Little browns are not our most endangered kiwi, but they are seriously endangered. When it grows up it will be part of an international programme for endangered species.

I am so glad there is international co-operation, kiwi are such bad parents that it endangers their survival. Someone told me that one of the theories that Kiwi eggs are so big was to provide extra nourishment for the chicks, but I don't know whether that is accurate.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
Someone mailed a fake bomb to our denominational seminary here in town--Mr Lamb's alma mater. At least I suppose they mailed it--could have been carried in. Evacuation, bomb squad, hovering helicopter, the whole works.

Who hates Lutherans that much???

---

Earlier this year there was always a policeman at our Sunday services. He didn't come in, just hung out in front in full uniform, his gun on his hip, clearly on duty. He hasn't been there this month. I assume that our church received some threat or another (which they are not telling us about), credible enough that the local police decided it called for a little show of force.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
for safety in time of threats, extreme rain, and all circumstances.

Intruding here sorry to express amazement at this. How could I not know about these Puebloans structures? [well, quite easily it appears].

My friend in the US may have me dropping by one day soon. They look amazing.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I highly recommend that you explore these amazing structures, Ian Climacus! I was privileged to see some Anasazi dwellings in New Mexico with MoBo and JB and my BFF a few years ago. They are truly awe inspiring! How many of our typical homes will still be in existence seven or eight centuries from now?
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
And if you're going to the American Southwest, do visit the Meteor Crater. It's just amazing.

If you have the foresight and time to plan ahead, you can book one of the park cabins on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. These are snapped up in a heartbeat, and the online registrations open the first business day in January. I was prompt enough (the year we were driving across the US) to nip in and grab the very nearest cabin. You could stand on the front porch and spit over the rail, one mile down into the Grand Canyon. Just amazing, and very cheap because it's run by the Park Service.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Also, if you visit Arizona, please let us know so that we can plan a Shipmeet!

(But please don't spit in our Grand Canyon )
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Thank you all. This sort of history just amazes me.

I actually did stay in the Grand Canyon in December 2007...though I was not in the nearest-to-the-edge cabin and could not spit over the side. But it was magical all the same. Stupid me had no idea before I booked that it would have snow...I'd just pictured hot desert. It was stunning.

I'd love to come back. I'll let you all know should it work out.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
In view of all the tsouris that is overwhelming the US this summer, this is cheering in a schaudenfrreud-y way. You will recall that entrepreneur Martin Shkreli is being tried for price fixing, in this case the jacking up of the prices of essential drugs. So they are trying to empanel a jury, and it's difficult when you're so despicable. But Americans really are fans of fairness.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Thank you all. This sort of history just amazes me.

I actually did stay in the Grand Canyon in December 2007...though I was not in the nearest-to-the-edge cabin and could not spit over the side. But it was magical all the same. Stupid me had no idea before I booked that it would have snow...I'd just pictured hot desert. It was stunning.

I'd love to come back. I'll let you all know should it work out.

---

When we visited the Grand Canyon we went on a horseback ride, along the edge. It was amazing!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
We took the mule ride, which goes halfway-down and then back up to the North Rim. Quite professionally run, and the mules are smarter than we are. But on my trip the mule ahead of me stumbled slightly, and its rider fell off. =Luckily= he fell inwards, and not over the cliff, which was a straight drop of many hundreds of feet! But he hit his head on the rock and there was much turmoil and excitement (on a trail 24 inches wide) until everything could be properly organized to get him back to civilization.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
.... Okaaaaay, translation needed: ... I've sort of worked out "doubling down", and "push back" I think is straightforward, but what is "lighting into"? As in " the opponents of Sen. Luther Strange are lighting into Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell"?

I read WaPo voraciously these days, but holy chrysanthemum some of it is a foreign language! And that's after I've stopped bitching about the US journalese "Soandso said Thursday" which my mind these days automatically translates into English but which still riles.

Love y'all though. After all you produced His Bobness and The Dixie Chicks.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
'Lighting into' might translate as 'making an attack upon'. I believe Mark Twain uses it: Aunt Polly lit into Tom and tanned his jacket for him.
 

---

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 
In case a little more clarity would help, doubling down in blackjack is when you look at your initial hand, double your original bet, and then have just one card dealt to you. So metaphorically you are strongly renewing your investment in your position when you double down - when Trump came back with support for white supremacists on Tuesday he was doubling down.

To light into someone is to attack them, usually verbally. It's from "light" in the sense of "land" or "alight," so to light into someone is to come down hard on them.

"Soandso said Thursday" bugs me too. It used to be "Soandso said on Thursday" but I guess someone in charge of a stylebook somewhere decided it was wordy.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Ah! Ta!
 

---

Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 
Eclipse watching plans, anyone?

We live three hours drive from the zone of totality, and from what we have heard, a total eclipse is worth making the effort. So we are headed out before dawn, in hopes of being in the small town of Arthur, Nebraska (Pop. 117) with a few hours to spare. Bringing our camp chairs, a sun shade, books, snacks, lots of water, and eclipse glasses.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
I think I'll watch online. Saw an eclipse or two when I was growing up, and I don't really want to go through all the fuss of improvising a pinhole camera, aligning it *away* from the sun, then turning *towards* the sun while looking only at the ground. (Per instructions I read, but PLEASE look up instructions for yourself!!! I'm neither a doctor nor an astronomer.)

*Not* to put anyone else off! The one cool metod I saw on TV was to use a colander (metal strainer with holes all over, like you might use for pasta). Because of all those holes, you get lots of little suns on the ground!


BTW, the front page of NPR.org currently has several links about the eclipse, including theme music and how to safely watch the eclipse.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
I read that you can use a binoculars -- just aim the eyepiece side at the paper, and the sun will be projected on the paper at whatever shape it is at the mo. That's what I'm giong to try. If that doesn't work, I'll use the colander.

Back in the mid 90s there was a very partial eclipse. I was working in an office with the 1" blinds that had all the little holes in it. There were a hundred(ish) little suns on my desk, each one with a little bite taken out of it!
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
That sounds amazing mousethief.

Very envious of those experiencing total, or partial, eclipse. I'm always tempted to book an eclipse trip, but like the Northern Lights I think it's probably not wise to set one's sights too much on one phenomenon in case inclement weather intervenes.
 

---

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
I would say that the Northern Lights are probably worth the effort. I had one trip shared with our total eclipse (which we saw, but might not have done), and another with Hurtigruten, who run with a guarantee, promising a free voyage if you don't get to see the Aurora. There were two land based opportunities on the eclipse voyage, one good, one not, but several very good nights on the Hurtigruten run, from on board.
Not advertising, but I intend to go again.
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
We were at our local Chinese buffet yesterday and one of our waitresses told us excitedly about the eclipse coming and my husband just thought to say, "You know you shouldn't look straight at it don't you?" and she was completely surprised to hear that!

We tend to think everyone knows, but our friends who don't watch TV because it's not their first language might not have heard. Now, I think we might have to go to our Mexican restaurant for lunch just to make sure they know.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
"Never stare at the sun, even during an eclipse" was drilled into us at school.

This will date me, but who remembers the very early TV sitcom "Mr. Peepers," starring Wally Cox as a nerdy sort of schoolteacher? I remember an episode where the science teacher is preparing smoked glass for use in looking at the sun during an upcoming eclipse.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Yep, had to explain to a Vietnamese family that ordinary sunglasses wouldn't work, let alone the "look quick and hope you didn't look too long."
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Weirdly -to me- CNN has posted that when the eclipse is in totality, with no part of the sun's disk showing, it is safe to look. When I was in school we were told that the radiation of the corona was just as dangerous as the disk's. Now the drill is to track the progress with a pin-hole device. When the sun completely disappears, look. The moment a bit reappears, stop looking.
 

---

Posted by Leorning Cniht (# 17564) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
I read that you can use a binoculars -- just aim the eyepiece side at the paper, and the sun will be projected on the paper at whatever shape it is at the mo. That's what I'm giong to try. If that doesn't work, I'll use the colander.

---

Yes, binoculars will work, but please be careful:

1. Don't leave them unguarded on a tripod. Some small child will come over and look at the sun through them.

2. Don't leave the binoculars pointing at the sun all the time - they will heat up inside, and you may well melt plastic lens mounts or something. Doing a few minutes at a time should be fine.
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Since I'm not in an area of totality and I didn't get off my rear to get eclipse glasses, I'm looking forward to seeing a variation on the pinhole which I saw forty years ago. I'll get under a leafy tree and look at the dappled sunlight on the sidewalk. I hope to see multitudes of little eclipses between the leaf shadows. Awesome!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
One of my astronomer friends gave some of us some eclipse viewing glasses, so I'm going to watch the progress of the event off and on this afternoon! I think we have 78% coverage of the sun here. Some of my friends have traveled to the PoT, which was the plan I had made over two years ago...but sometimes God laughs at my plans!!

Enjoy, everyone! But be safe! Protect your eyes! (I am such a Mama.)
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Since I'm not in an area of totality and I didn't get off my rear to get eclipse glasses, I'm looking forward to seeing a variation on the pinhole which I saw forty years ago. I'll get under a leafy tree and look at the dappled sunlight on the sidewalk. I hope to see multitudes of little eclipses between the leaf shadows. Awesome!

---

Did it! Got some modest photos.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I also hear that a local drive-through coffee chain called Dutch Bros. recalled the glasses they had distributed to customers as being not the genuine article and hence unsafe. It was bound to happen.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
I also hear that a local drive-through coffee chain called Dutch Bros. recalled the glasses they had distributed to customers as being not the genuine article and hence unsafe. It was bound to happen.

---

Capitalism. Fucking up people's bodies since the 16th century.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Partly cloudy here -- we are darting outside every now and then in the clear moments, to see how the dragon is getting on with eating the sun.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I recall the total eclipse we had in the UK some years ago, especially the weirdly 'thin' quality of the light, and the complete cessation of birdsong (they knew about the dragon, I'm sure).

Is it the same with you, O Americans?

IJ
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
Yes, Bishop's Finger, we just had our partial eclipse in southern Ohio and the cessation of birdsong was the main thing I noticed.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
I wonder if the eerie quality of the light is a feature only of a total eclipse? I found it quite disturbing, as did many of my colleagues at the time.



IJ
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
In my area we are at about 80% totality. It is like a cloudy day, only there are no clouds. Alas, in this office park there aren't many birds. I was unable to persuade my cell phone to take good pictures, but if you look at the shadows of the leaves on the ground every circle is now a crescent, a charming effect.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
I wonder if the eerie quality of the light is a feature only of a total eclipse? I found it quite disturbing, as did many of my colleagues at the time.

---

I've always noted that even during partial eclipses.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
BBC reports that your Presiding Genius looked directly at the Sun with unprotected eyes.

I hope no other Americans were so foolish.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-41003929/solar-eclipse-2017-donald-trump-looks-directly-at-the-sun

IJ
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It could hardly make him any blinder than he is, could it?
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Well, we've had ours. I wrote this up when we came back inside.

The eclipse began a bit before 11, but there was no change in the brightness of the day or the way the sun looked to the naked eye. I went to go buy lunch from the Bread Co. and used my glasses in line. The sun was about a quarter covered. I told the guy at the window so, and he stretched his head out the window and tried to look (no glasses). Fortunately for him, he couldn’t see.
With the eclipse glasses I could see the sun’s reflection the glass and chrome of the cars in line. They showed the sun’s reflection—like a cookie with a bite out of it in the upper right quadrant.

I came back to work, parked, and got my chair out. The tree by the front door was casting leaf shadows on the parking-lot—every one a crescent. Several people remarked on it.

We settled on the front lawn, waiting for totality. A lot of people were taking selfies and chattering. On the highway we began to see cars and trucks with their lights turned on, though it was still no darker than a day with a chance of rain.

The sun still looked normal to the naked eye. But through the eclipse glasses, I could see it was down to 90% eaten, with the red-orange glowing crescent to the lefthand side. I settled in my chair, ate my ice bomb pop, and watched. It was hot, about 90 degrees.

The crescent grew thinner. It was barely there. The cicadas began humming like crazy. Perhaps they thought it was sunset? Then they began to shut down. Totality began.

The sun disappeared behind the moon with a lovely diamond ring effect, the diamong glowing in the exact center of the left-pointing crescent no longer there. A quick glimpse with naked eye—the sun resembled a lovely thin firework, silvery and fountaining. I looked away for a second, and it was totality.

At totality the sky was a deep lovely blue, not black, and reminded me of a Christmas star’s background. The light of the sun flared out around the black disk, and we could see it without eclipse glasses. It looked to me like an ornament shining from a dark blue ceiling, a Christmas star, a white light hidden behind a black metal holder.

It was over in seconds. The diamond appeared again, this time glowing from the upper right hand quadrant of the black covering disk, and quickly we had a tiny crescent again (only to be seen through the eclipse glasses). There were scattered cries of “Yay, God.” It was hot and muggy, and we began packing up to go back inside. On the way we noticed the tree leaf shadows were all in the form of crescents again. They were upside down from the direction the sun’s crescent appeared to be.

Addendum:

Some doofus called me just at totality from California and insisted on nattering away even though I told him what was going on. Got rid of him a quickly as possible. No, I don't want to yak yak now, goofball. IT'S TOTALITY!
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Beautifully portrayed, Lamb Chopped. Yes indeed, quite a spectacle...



I really can't describe the thinness, or perhaps dilution, of the light when I saw our eclipse (can't recall how many years ago), but it was spooky.

IJ
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
The eclipse here was 90% total. I could have gone with my daughter and her family to South Carolina to experience totality, but I decided the heat would be too much for me.

I saw a total eclipse in Canada in 1964. We didn't have special viewing glasses; we had camera film that had been exposed to direct sunlight for five minutes and then developed.

At the time of totality it is safe to look without protection; if there are any sunbeams at all, it's dangerous. (If it weren't safe to look at the sun during totality, I would have suffered eye damage, and I didn't.)

In Canada we were in a large field with no one else nearby except some Boy Scouts who were more than fifty yards away. The lack of other people meant we could hear the insects and birds getting quieter. The warmth of the sun was reduced. It was as if nature were staging a production.

This is the only time I can recall seeing Mercury.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Indeed. Definitely a theatrical feel to the event.

Good to hear the eclipse was enjoyed so much across the US of A. Y'all deserve a treat!

IJ
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Here is assuredly one of the best photographs taken today. From the height in the sky and the spiky trees I should judge this was taken in Oregon.
 

---

Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 
Left the house at 3 this morning, drove through thick fog for the last hour to Ogallala. Quick breakfast, then up a state highway past Arthur, until we found a random rest area with a picnic table and rustic wooden outhouse (complete with old phone book for when the TP runs out). Still overcast at 8:00. Spent the next three hours reading, making friends with the other folks there, and hoping that the clouds would clear.

Indeed, they started to clear 15 minutes before the event. Long build up before the light started to fade, the wind started to blow, and the temperature noticibly dropped. The closest thing I could compare it to would be a sudden severe storm- my Midwestern instincts told me to watch out for hail or a tornado.

Totallity lasted 2 & 1/2 minutes. Amazing. Wonderous. Almost like night, except for a pink ring all across the horizon. A few bats came out. And then, it was bright again.

Traffic on the return was expected to be horrible, but we were fine. Lots of cars, but we still averaged 80MPH before getting closer to Denver.

Honestly, this was one of the coolest things I have ever witnessed. Absolutely worth the early morning and 8+ hours in the car.
 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
BBC reports that your Presiding Genius looked directly at the Sun with unprotected eyes.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RuthW:
One way or another, I want to travel to the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse. I'm old enough that it will be my last good chance.

---

This sounds like a great idea for a Shipmeet.


(I was on my way to, and then inside, the airport, so I missed the whole thing except seeing images on the internet last night.)
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Does anyone know the path of the 2024 eclipse? I'm not sure whether I'll be around then.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
The astronomy people already are distributing info: Here's the 2024 map.
Also, they're collecting your old eclipse glasses. The next eclipse is in Africa somewhere, and they're going to give them to kids there. So don't throw them away!
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Had a pair of eclipse glasses, sat with a friend in a park and watched. Shared the glasses with a few people who came by, all in all a good time was had. About 70% here, pretty impressive at the max.
 

---

Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Also, they're collecting your old eclipse glasses. The next eclipse is in Africa somewhere, and they're going to give them to kids there. So don't throw them away!

---

Don't these things degrade over time? Are the paper ones designed for multiple uses and long-distance shipment? Wouldn't it be less expensive to just make new ones in South America rather than collect, store, and ship old ones from North America for the event?

This just sounds like a "great idea" that someone came up with yesterday morning, and which got posted to the internet and shared all over before anyone could really think about the logistics.

Don't get me wrong, it's coming from a great place. But I'll probably be pealing the plastic off of my paper specs, putting it in the trash, and then throwing the paper bits in the recycling.
 

---

Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 
I hope no one objects to a random comment from across the Pond. But, the combination of recent news and this thread title was irresistible.

The U.S.S. USA - boldly going nowhere, 'cause it hit an oil tanker.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Don't know, I have an Astronomer friend who's collecting them. I'll ask her.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Brenda, thanks for the 2024 map. It looks like Fredericton will be in the totality zone!


 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Start preparing your guest room now!
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Thanks for the wonderful descriptions and links; a treat and joy to read.

I will travel for the next one.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Here's a twitter post from the people who are collecting old eclipse glasses for re-use. Posted by my friend the astronomy professor.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
I hope no one objects to a random comment from across the Pond. But, the combination of recent news and this thread title was irresistible.

The U.S.S. USA - boldly going nowhere, 'cause it hit an oil tanker.

---

Hahaha! So that's what that orange person is!
 

---

Posted by Og, King of Bashan (# 9562) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Here's a twitter post from the people who are collecting old eclipse glasses for re-use. Posted by my friend the astronomy professor.

---

Our local science museum is apparently accepting donations, so maybe there's more to the idea than I am giving them credit for.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Harvey looks rather worrying.

Stay safe, any shipmates in his path.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Amen. iGeek is hoping his power doesn't go out. I know there will be other Shipmates affected by the storm. Praying for the millions of folks who are watching that monster bear down on them.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Because of the storm the Washington POST is free for the duration.
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Praying for those in the path of Harvey.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Harvey looks rather worrying.

Stay safe, any shipmates in his path.

---

Ditto.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
rugasaw and PataLeBon lived in Houston (and may well still do so). They used to be active on the Ship. Does anyone keep in touch with them?

Prayers for everyone there.


 

---

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
Hope they and their families are safe. Also Belle Ringer.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for anyone in the path of the hurricane - it seems to have been a real humdinger.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
...it seems to have been a real humdinger.

---

Unfortunately, it still is. It will likely still be causing problems until perhaps Wednesday.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
This is the latest update, as of Sunday evening. They're not looking for the rain to stop until much later in the week.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
My daughter and her family live in Hutto, which is northeast of Austin. Their house is on high ground, so they're probably okay.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
The news updates are terrible. So much water in Houston, and I read of a town South whose water supply is out.


 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
A friend of mine, an ex-military fellow, has created the ultimate packing lists for emergency kits. There are different flavors for your possible need. But if you have a chance to prepare such a bag for yourself, you're in a strong position when the water begins to rise.
 

---

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
My friend is visiting her friend in Houston, who lives near the centre of town. They saw the forecast and left on Saturday to stay with a cousin in Huntsville, about 70 miles away. She was meant to be there for three weeks but I don't think she'll be going back to Houston, I imagine she'll have to fly home from elsewhere.

I hope her friend took all her valuables with her, luckily her house, tho a bungalow and very likely to be flooded, is rented.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
This is a free click and a fascinating set of images: Before and after photos of Houston. Some of these have a sliding feature so you can toggle back and forth between two images of the same location.

[ 28. August 2017, 23:59: Message edited by: Brenda Clough ]
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Oops, sorry: the Washington Post put its paywall back up.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, I still got access to the images - thanks for the link, Brenda.

What can one say? Horrific, indeed, and the effect on the lives of many ordinary people must be absolutely awful.



IJ
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I checked the weather site for Austin. They had over five inches on Saturday and two and a half on Sunday. That's an unusual amount of rain, but nothing to worry about unless you live on a flood plain, which my daughter doesn't

Moo
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
The New York Times has all of its flood coverage outside the paywall, so you can read it for free. Some truly heartrending accounts there, plus a piece about where to (safely) donate for the victims.

[ 31. August 2017, 13:53: Message edited by: Brenda Clough ]
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
Ash on the car this morning from the Eagle Creek fire burning through the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. Interstate 84 is closed, and the fire even managed to jump the Columbia River into Washington State.

We'll see how long the high tech facilities in the Silicon Forest can hold out before air filters get plugged with ash. At least it isn't volcanic ash that we have to deal with...
 

---

Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
The largest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded, Irma, is tearing through the Caribbean this morning on its way to Florida.

Jedijudy (and other FL shipmates), batten down the hatches and stay safe!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Mamacita, could you post some names of Shipmates from there, please? I was trying to think of some last night. I know jedijudy. Is Janine there too?

I imagine they may be caught up in preparations so would not expect them to be posting themselves.

Thanks.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
AFAIK Janine is in Louisiana. I remember her posts about Katrina.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks. I was not sure.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
These are the Floridians I know about:
Grammatica in about the center of the state,
ChastMastr and Quaker Cub on the middle west coast,
MaryFL near the same as CM and QC,
and Siegfried in north Florida.

The other south FL girls, Zandolit and Flausa, have gone to homes with far fewer chances of hurricanes!

Of course, Erin would have been giving us a colorful blow by blow of this storm. I really miss her, as so many of us do.

If there are other Floridians, I hope they'll post so we can keep track of each other!!!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I really appreciate your concern for us here. I have friends and family all over the state, and we're trying to stay in touch with each other.

I have friends and family and four cats coming to my home Saturday. Daughter-Unit and her hubby, and two friends who are closer to the river. (One lives in a fifty year old trailer.) I have a generator and fifteen gallons of gas, a gas grill with 1 3/4 tanks of LP, over nine gallons of water, canned food and other non-perishables, and cleaning stuff. Dad and my BFF are putting my plywood on the windows Saturday morning. (I can't, as I just had surgery and can't lift more than 8 pounds.)

I am trying to convince Mom and Dad to stay the night with me Saturday. They live less than a mile from me, but are closer to the river. Mom has nine cats she doesn't want to leave.

Some folks from here have already bugged out. Most of us are hunkering down, partly because we want to be able to clean up as soon as possible, and partly because parts of I-75 and I-95 are backed up and there's not a lot of gas available anywhere.

I started getting my water on Saturday, and gas on Tuesday, so there were still available supplies. Now, it's not as easy. Most of the water has been gone from shelves since Tuesday.

This is not going to be fun for any of us. The storm is bigger than the state of Florida, so it doesn't matter where it makes landfall, we all have a storm to some degree.

[ETA kitties]

[ 07. September 2017, 18:33: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It does look scary - prayers continuing to ascend for JJ and all the other Floridian Shippies.

Couldn't it just hit Trump's mansion and leave the rest of you alone?
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks for the list of Shipmates, judy.

Medications if needed are another thing to be checked.


 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
{{{{{all affected}}}}}

{{{{{Irma, please calm down!}}}}}


Heard on the news that some folks are still down in the Keys, because they're afraid that, if they leave, they'll wind up right in the middle of the storm. (Evidently, just one road in and out. I'm guessing it's that one that's raised over the water.)
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
That's correct, Golden Key. One fender bender on that highway can cause massive problems. I believe it's 120 miles long.

This evening, I had the nicest phone call from one of my cousins in PA. She said she would pay for airline tickets for my family to go up to stay with her! I know the airports will only have flights for a few hours tomorrow. I'll talk to my parents and Daughter-Unit, but I'm pretty sure I know what they'll say.

But isn't that sweet of my cuz?
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
ms. jedi--

Wow, re road (/highway?). I've occasionally seen it on TV; and the thought of riding down that thing, 1 lane each direction, only water on either side, and nowhere to stop or turn around...

I every time I see it. And that's without a hurricane.



And yes, your cousin sounds awesome. Wishing you whatever's best re deciding to take her up on her offer.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Keep safe all. Reading about Irma and her expected impact on the US now. Shocking.


 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I have heard that the highest point of land in the Keys is lower than the expected height of the storm surge. If that is true, the situation looks dire for anyone who stays there.

Moo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I'm pretty sure almost everyone has left, or is leaving the keys. We also have mandatory evacuations for the barrier islands and low-lying areas here and around Lake Okeechobee. There are also mandatory evacuations for folks living in mobile homes and houses not built on concrete slabs.

I called Daughter-Unit about my cousin's offer last night, and as we talked, she looked up the flight possibilities. There are none.

I'm feeling pretty confident in my preparations, but do have a go bag ready if we end up being evacuated. I still have some things to do, mostly in order to make my co-hunkerers feel as comfortable as possible! Tomorrow, I'm making a pot of black bean soup and rice (mmmm, good!) so nobody has to worry about bringing something to eat.

The good news this morning was that Irma is down to a Cat 4!! Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That's interesting, Judy. Another big pond difference. Down here the saying is Better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.

In all seriousness however, I hope all goes well for you and the impact on all.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
I just came across a first-person account by someone who despatched help to the stranded during Harvey.

Moo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Here's the latest info from my deck of the Ship; Irma may become a cat 5 again. It's just under a 5 right now.

It sounds like Sunday will be pretty rough. Wind will be sustained about 85 mph, with gusts up to 135. Storm surge is looking worse. The county south of me may have storm surge of more than nine feet. I may have three+ feet on the street. Hoping that my elevation will keep it out of the house.

The gov. said that anyone who wants to evacuate needs to do so by midnight. After that you run into the problem of winds closing bridges and making unsafe traveling conditions. Bridges close and emergency personnel take shelter when the wind gets to 40 mph.

Yes, I'm a bit worried.
 

---

Posted by Salicional (# 16461) on :
 
I'll be sending up prayers for all those in the path of this monster storm. I hope those of you down south are able to keep us updated.
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 

 

---

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
And from me.

M.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Here's the Saturday update. We are in our 'cave'. The plywood is up. My daughter and s-i-l and two friends (and four cats) are here with me. We have lots of food and water, and the neighbor who bugged out this morning gave us a case of water bottles...very nice of them!

*sigh*

We've already had a tornado warning. Winds are picking up. Our storm surge possibilities have increased, and in fact, we just were placed under a mandatory evacuation. The bad thing is that there aren't a lot of shelters. My friend who lives in an old mobile home and her neighbors were told to go to the local high school, which is not actually opened as a shelter. For those that want to head north, there still isn't very much gas available, plus the bridges will all close when the wind gets to 40 mph, which won't be much later today. So, calling for evacuation so late in the game is not helpful.

Please pray for my parents. They won't come here, and they have no protection on their windows. We have offered very strongly to help them become more secure, and have repeatedly begged them to come to my home. They won't even consider blocking the windows on the inside until tomorrow morning. I almost feel like they want to die.

Please keep praying. We all need them.
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
Judy, you have my prayers for all concerned. (How could they wait so long to put you under mandatory evacuation?)
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
fo all affected by Irma but especially for Judy and her parents.
 

---

Posted by daisydaisy (# 12167) on :
 
for everyone affected, especially jj and family
 

---

Posted by Jay-Emm (# 11411) on :
 
ditto
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Was the change to mandatory evacuation because Irma has changed course slightly? Definitely praying for you all.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Checking in to check on Judy. Good God.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
This was in our news feed this morning. It is mind boggling to have to think about being in the fall out from three weather disasters in a row.

May y'all have angels at your elbows when you most need them.
Sigh.

BL.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
for JJ and all others bracing themselves, and an extra for JJ's mum and dad.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I have been unable to get in touch with my friend who lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I last spoke with him a week ago, when he said he was thus far completely unprepared for the storm. Tuesday night he left me voice mail saying that we'd probably speak again in the next life. I've called him every night since then -- his phone rings, voice mail picks up, but he hasn't called back. I'll keey trying -- it's all I can do.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Ah, the power of posting. No sooner did I post when the phone rang. He's fine. In fact, he quoted Shakespeare: "Much Ado About Nothing."
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Ah, the power of posting. No sooner did I post when the phone rang. He's fine. In fact, he quoted Shakespeare: "Much Ado About Nothing."

---

Well, that's a relief.

I hope Judy will have electrical power and connections to post!
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
Sunday morning and it's not looking at all good for Florida's west coast or south Georgia. Where exactly is Judy?

 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Twilight:
Sunday morning and it's not looking at all good for Florida's west coast or south Georgia. Where exactly is Judy?

---

West coast of Florida.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I live in Fort Myers.
Thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and concern!

I want to write before we lose our power.

It's getting pretty gusty here. I've lost some big limbs from my elm tree in front of my house. We've had some good amounts of rain, the swale in front of my house has about nine or ten inches deep...which isn't as much as I get in a regular summer storm.

The problem is the storm surge, which I've probably mentioned about fifteen times already! Sorry!

Some folks have lost their power already, including my son-in-law's step dad. I'll try to put some video and photos on my Flickr and share with you. Just hoping for continued electricity and water!!
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 

 

---

Posted by JB (# 1776) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
I live in Fort Myers.
,,,
The problem is the storm surge, which I've probably mentioned about fifteen times already! Sorry!
,,,

---

Weather Channel is providing good coverage. It looks like 3 or 4 hours before the surge starts at Fort Myers,
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Our power is flickering!!!
Here's a link to a video I put on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/joZe1ANmrfA

Remember, this is not our hurricane. Yet.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Our power is out. Ttyl. Keep praying!!!!
 

---

Posted by LutheranChik (# 9826) on :
 
Stay safe, Southerners. Our kids and the in- lalws hlave battened down the hatches inMinneola. Our son daid, " Don't listen to the weathepeople -- they're ginning up drama," but when he checked in with us an hour ago tbere were all sorts of disturbing noises in the background, and he didn't sound quite as blase'.
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
It's interesting how reality gets in the way of the people who think that science is Fake News. I just hope that everyone is safe.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Yes. AIUI, even Rush Limbaugh stopped saying it is fake/over-dramatized, and evacuated.

for everyone/everything affected.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
The news reports say that it may be weeks before everyone in Florida gets their power back. This means jj may not be posting for awhile.

Moo
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Here I am! We had a direct hit and were in the eye for 30 or 40 minutes. Very eerie after having blinding sideways rain and cat2 winds with gusts to 135.

My house doesn't have too much damage! Lots of trees and huge limbs down. About a third of my elm tree came down and the 4X4 wooden post holding my mailbox splintered spectacularly. Mine isn't the only one either.

I'm grateful for all your prayers. It was an actual, 100% miracle that things were as as good as they were. If I were in charge, I'd say let's not do this again.

I'm writing on my cell in my car. Grateful for AC in the car!!!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
We're not planning on having electricity for quite a while. Keep praying!! Let's have another miracle!!
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Next time you get here, please let us know how your parents are. And add my prayers for a return of power.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear from you, JJ. Hope things get back to normal as soon as possible.


 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Next time you get here, please let us know how your parents are.

---

Yes, I've been praying for them as well as you.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
I just say "For JJ and family." It saves time.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
for sensible and swift help in the aftermath. And that the donations and services go where they are most needed. Hope the old folks are ok, JJ.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Thank you! All of you! My cell is letting me write to you now. Cell and data are very iffy. We have another miracle! Power just came on!!

Mom and Dad are doing well. Working too hard for eighty-somethings. I can't remember if I told you that the house across the street from my parents lost the whole back side. There are so very many people suffering right now, but we are all helping each other.

Most folks don't know that just as Texas was waiting for Harvey, we had a tropical wave sitting on top of us for several days. We had massive amounts of flooding here, and some folks had just gotten back into their houses and are now completely flooded again.

My dear son-in-law's step dad, W, was going to try to drive here yesterday but his roads are several feet underwater. He has a smaller sized SUV, but he saw a lifted truck in the street with water up to the middle of the doors. The driver had to wade chest deep to get out of there. W decided he shouldn't risk his life and turned around to get to the house, which is an island now.
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
JJ, you don't know how good it feels to come aboard and see a new post from you. Prayers answered!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Absolutely, Rossweisse, and prayers continuing.
 

---

Posted by Ohher (# 18607) on :
 
Thanks for posting, jedijudy. I have been checking this board regularly, hoping to find good news, and here you are.
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I'm very relieved that Judy's okay, too. She and the eagles she turned me onto last January are the only ones I know in Florida.

I feel silly to admit how many times I've thought of those eagles and their young ones in the middle of all this.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Not silly in the least, Twilight - I'm now feeling rather ashamed that I hadn't thought about them.

We get so wrapped up in damage to property, loss of electricity and the more immediate human issues, it's easy to forget that bad weather can have disastrous effects on our furred and feathered friends.
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
That's why I make donations to both Episcopal Relief & Development and to the Humane Society of the United States. Between them, they pretty much cover all the bases.


 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
Good news for Piglet and Judy and all eagle watchers. I asked on YouTube yesterday and Lady Hawk says Harriet and M15 and the nest are fine. How the nest made it, I'll never know.


E-9 video
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Twilight:
Good news for Piglet and Judy and all eagle watchers. I asked on YouTube yesterday and Lady Hawk says Harriet and M15 and the nest are fine. How the nest made it, I'll never know.

---

I suspect that their ancestors built their nests in the best possible way. Those eagles who didn't build their nests in the best possible way didn't survive to pass along their genes.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, perhaps Gaia looks after Her own....given that humans can't.

But for all those affected by violent weather, earthquakes, or whatever. Maybe it's not God who is punishing us for being Girlz, Gayz, Librulz, Tranz, Brown, Bad Hombres etc., but the planet Herself registering Her displeasure, sadly, rather randomly...

IJ
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Thanks for passing that on, Twilight - good to know!
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Some other animal-related good news from Irma, despite being right on Key West, the Hemingway house and museum, along with it's director, staff, and company of 52 polydactyl cats, are fine after riding out the hurricane in place.
 

---

Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
That's fabulous, all those cats, I would love to go there sometime.
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Some other animal-related good news from Irma, despite being right on Key West, the Hemingway house and museum, along with it's director, staff, and company of 52 polydactyl cats, are fine after riding out the hurricane in place.

---

I confess that I was following their situation anxiously. And I don't even like Hemingway.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
You all are the best! Thanks for all your concern and care!

We are all zombies here. We are exhausted, so I'm probably going to write some incomprehensible stuff, so please forgive me!

My parents are fine, mostly because we kidnapped them. Yes, indeed. My beloved Daughter-Unit, her husband, and my BFF all drove in the hurricane to forcefully get my parents, risking their lives for my parents. Dad was running the generator in the garage and mom had a candle lit in the kitchen instead of using battery powered lights. Both things could have caused death. I declare. It's hard to raise your parents sometimes. They brought two of their nine cats. They were sopping wet when they got here, so I gave them some of my dry clothes to wear.

If anyone wants to see the vlog my s-i-l made of the peak of the hurricane, let me know and I'll send a link. It was pretty intense, and I'm so glad it had downgraded to a Cat 2. I'm horrified thinking of what the folks in the islands and Keys had to deal with in a Cat 5. Unbelievable destruction.

We have gigantic trees down all over the place. Palm trees, which are supposed to survive this kind of weather, are uprooted all over the place. A lot of palms are snapped in half. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. There are still impassible, flooded roads here. My s-i-l's step father couldn't get out to buy gas until Thursday. He finally got his power back today. Yay!

Debris is piled up along almost all the roads. Some folks who bugged out are having a hard time getting home. Gas is getting a little easier to find, but about half the gas stations here are closed with no fuel available. And the heat and humidity are miserable. I have offered my home to people who just want to sleep in AC, wash clothes or take a shower. Or who just need to chill and watch TV. My BFF is staying with me until her power comes on. Another friend was so miserable, she took me up on my offer of a shower and sleep. I've been trying to lend my generator to whoever can use it.

People are wonderful...mostly! Everyone around here is checking on their neighbors and strangers ask each other how they are and if they need anything. People have come from all over the US and Canada to help us! The people working on getting us electricity are heroes! I'm so, so grateful for the many blessings, and so sad for the folks who are still suffering.

Again, I'm blessed to have you all in my corner! Thank you, from all of us!
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
Oh, JJ, it's so good to see you back. Bless your crew for kidnapping the parental units, and bless you for all you're doing.


 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedi-judy
People have come from all over the US and Canada to help us! The people working on getting us electricity are heroes!

---

I remember when we lost power for several days in New Hampshire after a snowstorm, the trucks that brought electricians from Canada were wildly applauded.

Some people invited the electricians to come back later for a visit.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Glad to hear things are heading in the right direction, JJ, and that you and your neighbours are being so ... neighbourly.

Maybe the old human race isn't so bad after all ...
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Neighborly neighbors! Who would have guessed!

A lot of our time at church today was spent in thanksgiving for miracles, and for wonderful people helping other people.

Just a little tidbit from Wikipedia:

quote:

---

The name days for Irma are February 19 (Germany), March 31 (Finland), April 7 (Sweden), May 3 (Hungary), September 10 (Czech Republic), September 18 (Poland), October 13 (Latvia), October 25 (USA), and November 14 (Slovakia).

---

 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
I wouldn't name a child Irma - nor Harvey, come to that.
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
Having been through our town disaster 2 years ago (fire) I found it really brings out the best in people for the most part. I never appreciated our line repair, fire and law enforcement folks so much before as I now will forever. All friends and neighbors remain closer then before the shared disaster, and that is a wonderful thing.

So all those just starting the mucking up, be patient, take care, and pace yourself. It is going to take a long time.

In the meantime know our hearts are with you even though our hands are not near by to help.

[ 18. September 2017, 00:20: Message edited by: Graven Image ]
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I remember that after 9/11, New Yorkers surprised everyone (including themselves) by becoming...friendlier. Whodah thunk?

I'm so glad that things are starting to come together for you and yours, Judy. Good job on the parental rescue mission.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rossweisse:
I wouldn't name a child Irma - nor Harvey, come to that.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Someone in Texas who had a baby boy during the hurricane did name him "Harvey". Poor kid.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rossweisse:
I wouldn't name a child Irma - nor Harvey, come to that.

---

Someone in Texas who had a baby boy during the hurricane did name him "Harvey". Poor kid.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by basso:
... "Your parents named you after a rabbit?"

---

Let's just hope his surname isn't Wallbanger ...
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
At least they followed the Christian tradition of naming him after a saint.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
basso--

quote:

---

Originally posted by basso:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Someone in Texas who had a baby boy during the hurricane did name him "Harvey". Poor kid.

---

By the time he's old enough to have to deal with that, the storm will be mostly forgotten, and he'll have to answer the question "Your parents named you after a rabbit?"

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
I remember in Dorothy Sayers' THE NINE TAILORS, the family who wanted to name the baby 'Van Leyden Flood.' The Rector persuaded them to name the boy Christopher (the flood saint) instead.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
{{{{{all of us}}}}}

How's everyone doing in windy, fiery, shaky, or flooding areas?

---

We are making progress every day! My BFF just got her power back late last night, and she'll be leaving my home soon. It's been nice having her here! I can't lift heavy limbs, or do too much clean up outside, but I'm happy to have a haven for those who need it!

We have folks with destroyed homes, or unlivable homes because of flood damage and toxic mold. Please continue to pray for them. I feel so blessed that my damage is so slight. Hoping to get mine taken care of soon.

Oh, here are some pictures. You may enjoy the expert fix my BFF and I made on the mailbox post!
Irma pictures.

Oh, the pics are labeled underneath so you can understand what you're looking at!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... You may enjoy the expert fix my BFF and I made on the mailbox post ...

---

Duck tape - are you sure you're not Canadian???

Seriously though - glad to hear you're recovering, and prayers continuing to ascend.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Duck tape

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Duck tape

---

Do you mean duct tape?

---

Duck is a brand of duct tape that has become pretty generic in its use.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
And it comes in all kinds of funky colors and patterns.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Autumn has arrived in central Arizona! It's currently 79º and not expected to go over 86º today. I can hear lots of yard work being done around my neighborhood as people are taking advantage of the first pleasant Saturday in several months.


Unfortunately, they're predicting 100º again the beginning of October.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... You may enjoy the expert fix my BFF and I made on the mailbox post ...

---

Duck tape - are you sure you're not Canadian???

---

We refer to the process as 'redneck engineering'. I would guess the name of the substance used to repair things that move, and shouldn't, is split 50/50 between Duct and Duck tape. Of course we have another substance used for things that don't move and should.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... we have another substance used for things that don't move and should.

---

You mean as per this flowchart?
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
Piglet, you dastardly tempteress! I've just spent HOURS going through loadsalinks on that metapic site from your link. Curse you!

...

On the other hand, some of the stuff was rather interesting, and I have no one but myself to blame on this lazy Sunday morning. Really. No one. That's the truth.


 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Exactly, Piglet!

People seem amazed that I can immediately lay my hands on either duct tape as needed or WD-40. Well, of course! I am woman!

Once when the pastor and head of the trustees committee, both men, and I were inspecting some carpet threads that were loose and a danger to the older folks who would walk there, they were wishing they had brought their pocket knives to cut them off. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my (dainty) pocket knife and handed it to them. They looked at each other in amazement, then started a funny dialogue about their knitting needles and crochet hooks!
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
You should have insisted that they crochet the loose fibers back into place.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... I can immediately lay my hands on either duct tape as needed or WD-40 ...

---

So can I, but whether I'd know what to do with them might be another matter ...

quote:

---

Originally posted by Miss Amanda:
You should have insisted that they crochet the loose fibers back into place.

---

Right on!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Miss Amanda, you are correct! Where were you when I had that golden opportunity?
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Carving her initials into the back pew with her pocket knife, of course.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
... I can immediately lay my hands on either duct tape as needed or WD-40 ...

---

So can I, but whether I'd know what to do with them might be another matter ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
If it moves when it shouldn't, apply duct tape. If it doesn't move when it should, use WD-40.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rossweisse:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
If it moves when it shouldn't, apply duct tape. If it doesn't move when it should, use WD-40.

---

Words to live by.

---

Sometimes a bit more than wise words are needed.

Over my sink is a wind out hopper window which opens onto walkway ouside. It does not open far as people could walk into it but it provides a wonderful ventilation breeze when balcony door is open. It has been shut over winter because it was just unpleasant to have it open.

However, spring has well and truly sprung here . I tried to open it. That means leaning over sink, reaching up and turning window handle. I am short so there is problem #1. Yesterday the thumb on my right hand was badly swollen with arthritis which comes and goes. I could not shift the handle. I tried WD40 but no help as it was too high tfor me to spray the cable.

Then I had my grocery delivery from Colesworths. Their drivers are helpful, pleasant and efficient. 30 seconds after my asking, window was open.

[ 26. September 2017, 22:05: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Now that sounds like service above and beyond the call of duty!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Hurricane Irma update.

Daughter-Unit drove me south to near where Irma came ashore. There are still people with water in their homes. Lots of destruction still around here. I felt pretty secure that my metal roof was safe. However, I saw some metal roofs that were peeled up from the eaves and curled up toward the peaks. Huge metal road signs on the interstate knocked down and bent in half. Trees snapped in two and completely de-leafed.

The good news, a lot of trees (including my elm) are shooting out new leaves! It's like Springtime again!

Yet, we have food, water and gas. The folks in Puerto Rico do not.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Gaia repairs herself...

for the poor people of Puerto Rico, though - has President Barking Dog managed to find it yet?



and for all those on the other islands, and mainland US of A, still suffering.

IJ
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
It's not easy to find Puerto Rico. It's an island, in big water, ocean water.

Besides, he says they should take care of it themselves.


 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Maybe he'll get lost on his way there. Lost . . . permanently.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
People are starting to notice that Crooked Don is golfing every weekend while Puerto Ricans starve and die. The insistence that everything is going great there is starting to crumble against the testimony of the actual sufferers.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
People are starting to notice that Crooked Don is golfing every weekend while Puerto Ricans starve and die.

---

quote:

---

Can you believe that, with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U.S., President Obama spent the day playing golf?

---

quote:

---

I would rarely leave the White House because there’s so much work to be done. I would not be a president who took vacations. I would not be a president that takes time off.

---

 

---

Posted by basso (# 4228) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Maybe he'll get lost on his way there. Lost . . . permanently.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Maybe he'll get lost on his way there ...

---

quote:

---

"The loss of life — it's always tragic — but it's been incredible the results that we've had with respect to loss of life," Trump said. "People can't believe how successful that has been relatively speaking."

---

What did you do to deserve this idiot?

[ 30. September 2017, 20:58: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
What did you do to deserve this idiot?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
What did you do to deserve this idiot?

---

Talk to Putin. And to whatever peeps saw and knew how horribly damaged T is, but funded and powerfully supported him, thinking they could control him.
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
"Oh, he'll grow into the job." No, he's a narcissistic sociopath with skin so thin it rips when subjected to a sideways glance, and he's not growing into anything but a larger pants size.

The people who voted for him have quite a lot for which to answer.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I am hearing from several conservatives who voted for the orange one (including my dad) are regretting their decisions.

But, I have good news! Not about him. My sister and brother-in-law have sent me a check, which is to be cashed and distributed to those in need! So, I will be driving to areas of need to find people who could use a little good news and help!
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
What a lovely Job to have to do! Drive safely, and distribute wisely....

IJ
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Good on you (and your sister and brother-in-law), JJ!
 

---

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :
 
Most excellent, JJ.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by basso:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Maybe he'll get lost on his way there. Lost . . . permanently.

---

Australia lost a Prime Minister in the ocean. Are you suggesting something similar?

(I know that 45 is unlikely to go for a swim.)

---

No, he was picked up by a Chinese submarine.
(/conspiracy)

Sorry to read of shootings in Las Vegas.


Good news jedijudy!

[ 02. October 2017, 08:00: Message edited by: Ian Climacus ]
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Thanks, Ian, re Vegas. Latest estimate: 20 dead, 100 injured. Still very chaotic.


 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Thanks, Ian, re Vegas. Latest estimate: 20 dead, 100 injured. Still very chaotic.

---

It's now up to 50 dead.


 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
BBC's latest report - 58 dead and 515 injured!

Lord, have mercy.

IJ
 

---

Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
And the Russians are being ever so helpful, in their ow inimitable way.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
So, I will be driving to areas of need to find people who could use a little good news and help!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
So, I will be driving to areas of need to find people who could use a little good news and help!

---

Time for some good news. I made my first delivery today to a mother of two who lost everything in the home she rented (without renter's insurance) and was living in her car with her children. When I gave her the message of prayers and hope from my sister and brother-in-law she cried. I'll be praying for her! She's moving into another rental place this weekend, so won't be homeless anymore. The money wasn't a huge amount, but maybe she can find some good used beds and things so they have a comfy place to sleep!

---

 

---

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :
 
Anyone here going to the Women's Convention in Detroit at the end of October? My Dear Wife and her childhood friend will be there. I am not sure what it will achieve, but they are brave women.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
The Weather People are promising that we will have a couple of cool mornings next week! Like upper 50's and lower 60's cool!

It's hard to believe, as we haven't had temps that low for many, many months.

Actually, I'll believe it when I see it. Weather People have been known to be wrong from time to time.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
We have had unusually warm weather for October, until the last few days. Now the overnight lows are in the mid-thirties. The daytime temperatures still reach the sixties or seventies.

Moo
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Sigh. TV weather is predicting 105F in my town Monday and Tuesday. That'll break some records.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Sigh. TV weather is predicting 105F in my town Monday and Tuesday. That'll break some records.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Logic. You can't beat it.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
I expect the climate change deniers will claim that this shows that only in places where there is a majority not denying climate change, will it actually get warmer.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
How can you explain that solid red Arizona is getting hotter?

---

The Almighty making a point?
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
WooHoo! It's a little after noon, and the temperature is only 67 degrees!!! We're promised tomorrow will be even cooler, then another cool front is coming down later in the week!

Thank you, all you Northerners, for sharing the cool, dryer air!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Our 100º days have ended, and tomorrow is supposed to be the last day that we go over 90º!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
WooHoo! It's a little after noon, and the temperature is only 67 degrees ...

---

That's about what it was here today as well: very warm for these parts in late October!

Mind you, it was also absolutely p*ssing with rain, which my gardening friends say is a Good Thing.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
A week before Halloween, and it is warm enough to cycle in shorts and sandals.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Blame The Great Debaser* - he is obviously in league with Satan.

In any case, global warming is clearly Fake News put about by the dastardly Chinese, China being a large country surrounded entirely by a small ocean. Somewhere not the Atlantic.

(*i.e. your 'president').

IJ
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
(*i.e. your 'president').

IJ

---

Earlier today I heard him called The Great Pumpkin. The GP was a big disappointment to Linus, never showing up in the pumpkin patch with the expected gifts. I like the comparison.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Yes, poor Linus - even though he always waited for the GP in the sincerest pumpkin patch he could find.

Such unquestioning faith....



IJ
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 
Got maps, etc for my driving trip from Ottawa, Ontario to Phoenix, AZ. Leaving in two weeks.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Goodness, Sharkshooter, that's quite a trip!

Safe travels!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
It's good to do that before the winter sets in -- it's no fun driving in a blizz. If you need crash space near Washington DC pm me.
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
It's good to do that before the winter sets in -- it's no fun driving in a blizz. If you need crash space near Washington DC pm me.

---

Thanks, but not going near DC this time. If I did, I'd stay at my wife's place.
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Goodness, Sharkshooter, that's quite a trip!

Safe travels!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by sharkshooter:
Got maps, etc for my driving trip from Ottawa, Ontario to Phoenix, AZ. Leaving in two weeks.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by sharkshooter:
... Won't be back to the Great White North until after the snow is gone!

---

Sensible bloke!
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:

quote:

---

Originally posted by sharkshooter:
Got maps, etc for my driving trip from Ottawa, Ontario to Phoenix, AZ. Leaving in two weeks.

---

When do you plan to arrive in Phoenix? We'll have to plan a Shipmeet!

(I believe you said you would be south of the city -- the rest of the Phoenix-area Shipmates are to the northwest, north, and southeast.)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
{Pictures Ship atop car atop road.}

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
{Pictures Ship atop car atop road.}

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
Will you be on the Ship while on the road?

---

No. But will log in when I arrive. I will be staying spring.

PM sent with my email.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Sorry to read of the ute terror attack...

for all in Manhattan, and all affected.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Indeed.
 

---

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
Also from me.

M.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Autumn has finally arrived in Phoenix. I slept with the windows closed last night and will probably put the blanket on the bed this weekend.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Autumn has finally arrived in Phoenix. I slept with the windows closed last night and will probably put the blanket on the bed this weekend.

---

I wore a lightweight jacket the other day to go outside!
 

---

Posted by Salicional (# 16461) on :
 
Could you southern shipmates please send some warmth this way? It's been in the 30s all week, mostly overcast and drizzle. So naturally, the heat pump that warms our sanctuary decided to give up the ghost -- it could be two weeks until the replacement part arrives
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Got an old lady with no money in an apartment she owns where the boiler has given up the ghost. Trying to scout out help. 3 cats make it hard to find alternative housing, if it comes to that...
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Autumn has finally arrived in Phoenix. I slept with the windows closed last night and will probably put the blanket on the bed this weekend.

---

I wore a lightweight jacket the other day to go outside!

---

I wore my winter coat yesterday.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
As the temperature outside has dipped into single figures Centigrade I've just (reluctantly) turned the thermostats on for the base-board heaters and donned a pair of socks for the first time since early May.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Being an ex-pat New Yorker, I am always mindful of the fact that October 15 is the date when landlords in New York City are legally required to begin supplying their tenants with heat.

I'm mindful of that as I lounge by poolside, of course.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Being an ex-pat New Yorker, I am always mindful of the fact that October 15 is the date when landlords in New York City are legally required to begin supplying their tenants with heat.

---

And there always seemed to be a spell of almost-freezing weather a week or two before October 15.

 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
I may be visiting your fair land, going on a whistle-stop tour of various university campuses.

So far I have:

Georgia State
Indian River, Florida
Maryland, Baltimore County
Michigan State
Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor

Given I have 2 weeks I hope not more are added; I have a symposium to attend [in Austin] and may visit friends in San Jose too.

So start filling your diaries between Jan 30 and Feb 15 now so you have an excuse not to meet me.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by sharkshooter:
I plan to arrive in Maricopa around Nov. 16 and I will have a car, so can go to where you are.

---

<<Bump>> The 16th is fast approaching. What plans have we laid?
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 
Wind chill is -20C this morning, as I pack the car for my drive.

Other than a couple side trips, I will be in Arizona until mid-April. I won't miss the cold and the snow.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
It's too bad we can't blend the cold and hot air together to make all the temperatures perfect!

My laurel oak lost a lot of its leaves in the hurricane (two months ago today!) and put out new, spring green leaves. It looks funny now, seeing the remaining older leaves falling while the bright green leaves are still on the tree. If all goes according to the regular schedule, the oak will bloom again next month!
 

---

Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
I became a believer yesterday, flannel sheets on the bed, short sleeve and light weight clothes put away, and fuzzy PJ's worn.

I am happy to say all of Holiday shopping done. I like to avoid the rush and spend my Advent days in quiet baking. My favorite time of the year. I love Winter.
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 
Arizona weather - Love IT.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by sharkshooter:
Arizona weather - Love IT.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Let's all plan on getting together after Thanksgiving, shall we?

Sharkshooter, you may want to know about the choral group I sing with. I believe Pigwidgeon is planning on attending the upcoming concert at Dayspring UMC. If you'd like to join us there, you can buy tickets on-line. They're more expensive at the door.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
The concert is at 7:30 which means I'll have a call time of 6:00. I'm not adverse to having an early dinner somewhere in the area provided you "get me to the church on time."

---

The church isn't all that far from where we all met a few months ago...
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
That would be Rigatony's, yes? We'd have to meet at 4:30 to ensure I make the call on time. The date is Tuesday, December 12. Sharkshooter, what say you?
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 
Sounds good to me! See you there.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
 

---

Posted by sabine (# 3861) on :
 
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

sabine

Haha. I had to edit for the spelling of my in screen name

[ 23. November 2017, 14:18: Message edited by: sabine ]
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everybody finds plenty to be grateful for.
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, only three years more of The Great Orange Ozymandias' presidency is something positive, yes?

Yes?

IJ
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Well, only three years more of The Great Orange Ozymandias' presidency is something positive, yes?

Yes?

IJ

---

Yes, but there will be so much permanent damage.


(There's also the horrible possibility that he could be re-elected for another four-year term.

 

---

Posted by Salicional (# 16461) on :
 
Certainly something to be grateful for here: the sun is finally peeking out after a string of gloomy grey days.

Also thankful we didn`t have to travel yesterday. I hope none of you ended up stuck in airports for hours, or in that awful LA gridlock they were showing on the news
 

---

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Salicional:
... in that awful LA gridlock they were showing on the news

---

It started Tuesday evening! I have never been more grateful that I work close to home.

And at 10:30 am, it is already 85 degrees here at the beach. So I am also grateful that I'm not cooking today.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I've been invited to friends' house later this afternoon. Will bring a nice Chianti Classico.

Tomorrow, Black Friday, I will stay at home all day except for a quick excursion to the supermarket for groceries. Not my regular, though -- a different one just two blocks from home. I wouldn't entrust the Amandamobile to the highways on Black Friday for any reason.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope your day is full of good food, friends and family. For those who don't have those blessings (like my brother working half-way around the world from his home), I hope you find many things to be thankful for, anyhow.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Just dropping in to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving - don't overdo the turkey!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
We hit 87º this afternoon -- the third Thanksgiving that has done so. Our Thanksgiving Day record high of 87º degrees was set in 1950 and then tied in 2014.

Tomorrow they're predicting a high of 89º, possibly reaching 90º.

Our last rain was three months ago today.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Goodness, Pigwidgeon, that's warm! Do you actually get winter where you are - and are you expected to eat turkey-and-all-the-trimmings in that heat?


 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Yes, we do the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Many people eat it outdoors.

"Winter" means that we might hit freezing briefly a few nights. I've seen a few flakes of snow in the 30+ years I've lived here, and once I even had to turn on my windshield wipers to brush a bit of the white stuff off.

This time of year we may reach the high 80's in the mid-afternoon, but the evenings and mornings are quite chilly (well, "chilly" for Arizona).
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Belated Happy T-day to everyone, and thanks for other people's wishes--especially those from non-US folks.

I had a quiet day at home, yesterday, and another today. Decided shopping on Black Friday wasn't worth the noise and hassle.

Currently watching a Tom Baker "Dr. Who" episode.
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Daughter-Unit and I have a long-standing tradition of going Black Friday shopping in a place where very few people go. Oh, it's a shopping center, but most folks go to the big mall. We usually have the store practically to ourselves (B&BW) to stock up on our year's supply of soaps. Normally we then go to eat, then maybe to a movie.

Yesterday was a bit different, however. After buying our soaps, and D-U getting a marvelous buy on a Roomba, I took her to the eye surgery place. She can now see without wearing her glasses! It's all still a bit blurry, but that should clear up within a week! Son-in-Law will have his done next week, and should have perfect vision the next day! Modern medical miracles if you ask me!

D-U saw her face in the mirror without wearing glasses. It's the first time ever in her life!
 

---

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Alleluia! Praise Jesus! And praise the modern-day medics!



IJ
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Yay, Daughter-Unit!
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Wow, Judy. What good news.
 

---

Posted by LutheranChik (# 9826) on :
 
For the first time ever, we were passive recipients of Thanksgiving dinner -- Dear Spouse had just gotten home from the hospital after being stricken with pneumonia, and neither one of us was in fit shape to make the three- hour drive to the Ann Arbor area to rendezvous with our California kids and grandkids and the in-laws...and to cook their dinner. We were feeling quite sorry For ourselves when friends dropped by with heapingplatters of turkey and sides, plus a pumpkin pie. That was so sweet of them. Then the kids altered their schedule ( which, if you knew them, you'd know is something that almost never happens in their highly structured lives) and came up to visit us for half a day yesterday...we did a very non- seasonal pizza and ice cream sundae meal, and a good time was had by all. (Actual text from son, "We should be there at 10:43." And they were.)
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by LutheranChik:
... Actual text from son, "We should be there at 10:43." And they were.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
That would be Rigatony's, yes? We'd have to meet at 4:30 to ensure I make the call on time. The date is Tuesday, December 12. Sharkshooter, what say you?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by sharkshooter:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
That would be Rigatony's, yes? We'd have to meet at 4:30 to ensure I make the call on time. The date is Tuesday, December 12. Sharkshooter, what say you?

---

Bought my ticket today.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
Please let good sense and moral whatnot prevail.

---

Hallelujah! Good sense did prevail!

I understand a lot of Republicans (including some of my family members) chose not to vote, which probably helped the numbers. However, I wish those who didn't vote (including my family) would have dared to vote contrary to their party affiliation in order to express their strong beliefs about the horribleness of Moore's actions of the past.

Here endeth the Purgatorial reading!
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Turnout is key. We have seen what happens when people don't vote, from laziness or passivity or just believing that their vote doesn't matter. It always matters, and it is vitally important for each and every of us (as the past year amply proves) to vote in every election, always, from now until they shovel us under. Alabama had a 40% turnout, mindboggling for an off-year election with only one contest, but that's what did it.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Well done Alabama

As a matter of interest, because I'm confused, are Bannon and Thwump buddies agasin?


On a more important question, shaking the foundations of the universe et cetera, and because I'm doing some work on Bob Dylan (oh what a surprise ) ... but hosts I promise this is a mere generalized inquiry not homework ... I not in 1964 he wrote "and landed fully blast." I would say "landed full blast." As in "all cylinders firing and ready to go."

Do y'all (!) think it was a Dylanism (it looks to me like a somewhat extempore setting despite being in print) or a US usage?
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Well done Alabama

As a matter of interest, because I'm confused, are Bannon and Thwump buddies agasin?

---

quote:

---

On a more important question, shaking the foundations of the universe et cetera, and because I'm doing some work on Bob Dylan (oh what a surprise ) ... but hosts I promise this is a mere generalized inquiry not homework ... I not in 1964 he wrote "and landed fully blast." I would say "landed full blast." As in "all cylinders firing and ready to go."

Do y'all (!) think it was a Dylanism (it looks to me like a somewhat extempore setting despite being in print) or a US usage?

---

I personally would say it is a typo. If you are unwilling to accept that, then yes I guess it's a Dylanism. "Fully blast" is not an American usage. There's also a problem with =landing= full blast. In theory, as with airplanes, when you land you want to power down, slow down the engines, etc. You blast -off-, to get up off the ground into the air. You do not land full blast unless you are honing to explode on contact. But I would be fully willing to assume that Mr. Dylan is not so picky.

[ 13. December 2017, 19:36: Message edited by: Brenda Clough ]
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Congratulations, Alabama!

Good sense and moral whatnot did indeed prevail*.

How many more by-elections like this do you need for the Moron-in-Chief to be in really deep doggie-doo?

* although I could worry about the 48% who did vote for the racist bigot.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Well done Alabama

As a matter of interest, because I'm confused, are Bannon and Thwump buddies agasin?

---

I would doubt it. Lyin' Don hates losers, because he's always futilely hoping to be a winner. And he loathes being made to look foolish, or look like a loser. And now he is and does! All Bannon's fault, and Crooked Don is not one to forgive or forget.

quote:

---

On a more important question, shaking the foundations of the universe et cetera, and because I'm doing some work on Bob Dylan (oh what a surprise ) ... but hosts I promise this is a mere generalized inquiry not homework ... I not in 1964 he wrote "and landed fully blast." I would say "landed full blast." As in "all cylinders firing and ready to go."

Do y'all (!) think it was a Dylanism (it looks to me like a somewhat extempore setting despite being in print) or a US usage?

---

I personally would say it is a typo. If you are unwilling to accept that, then yes I guess it's a Dylanism. "Fully blast" is not an American usage. There's also a problem with =landing= full blast. In theory, as with airplanes, when you Yeah and you want to power down, slow down the engines, etc. You blast -off-, to get up off the ground into the air. You do not land full blast unless you are honing to explode on contact. But I would be fully willing to assume that Mr. Dylan is not so picky.

---

It's from his collected lyrics, but very much back in his ad hoc days (this from 1964), so I suspect its a transcript of an ad lib ... and yes, I got the incongruity of landing full blast!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I'm going to see Star Wars today!!
Yes, I know. It opens tomorrow. Daughter-Unit got our tickets about three months ago, and we just want to be among the first in My Fair City to see it. Besides, we have waited long enough!!!
 

---

Posted by sharkshooter (# 1589) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
I'm going to see Star Wars today!!
...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
You do not land full blast unless you are honing to explode on contact.

---

I imagine if you made as fast a descent as you possibly could, then fired thrusters at max in order to decelerate and had the thrusters railed until the moment you touched down, you could describe it as "landing full blast".

You've just got to be very precise about the moment you cut thrust.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I'm a little surprised at the local Spanish language cinema, which is the only one left that still has auditorium-style seating (I loathe stadium seating). They're showing Star Wars dubbed in Spanish beginning at noon. There's only one showing in English with Spanish subtitles, and only one showing in 3D dubbed in Spanish.

I may go to one of the dubbed-in-Spanish showings if there's not too much of a crowd.

La Fuerza sea con ustedes. (Need I translate?)
 

---

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
"La Fuerza" looks a lot less aggressive than "The Force" which I was never entirely happy about. But does it carry the same echoes in Spanish, anyway?
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
The ad blurb in Spanish uses the phrase El despertar de la fuerza . . . (The awakening of the force . . .)
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Here in the Phoenix (Arizona) area, we just broke our four-month dryspell. A thunderstorm which started around 4:00 a.m. was the first rain we've had since August.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Is that usual? 4 months without rain? I don't like it after 2 weeks of no rain.

Can I ask for some local knowledge? I'm headed to Austin, Texas for a conference in early February. I will probably visit universities in Florida [near Orlando] and Atlanta in the week-and-a-half I have afterwards.

I was also thinking of visiting the Kennedy Space Centre while in Florida, and visiting Savannah and New Orleans. Does this sound reasonable? Would you recommend them, or somewhere else? I have a few offers to visit unis up north but I'd like to stay, relatively, south and enjoy some time off too. What do I like? History. Walking. Food. Water (staring at ).

My thanks. Gracias is the limit of my Spanish. Could definitely not see and comprehend La guerra de las galaxias, unlike Amanda.
 

---

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Yes, the Space Center is worth seeing. Find out if/when there's going to be a launch; if you can be anywhere near at that moment it's spectacular. Be warned however that there's not much else in that area of Florida. Space vehicles are always launched from in the middle of a nearly uninhabited wilderness.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Is that usual? 4 months without rain? I don't like it after 2 weeks of no rain.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Is that usual? 4 months without rain? I don't like it after 2 weeks of no rain.

Can I ask for some local knowledge? I'm headed to Austin, Texas for a conference in early February. I will probably visit universities in Florida [near Orlando] and Atlanta in the week-and-a-half I have afterwards.

I was also thinking of visiting the Kennedy Space Centre while in Florida, and visiting Savannah and New Orleans. Does this sound reasonable? Would you recommend them, or somewhere else? I have a few offers to visit unis up north but I'd like to stay, relatively, south and enjoy some time off too. What do I like? History. Walking. Food. Water (staring at ).

My thanks. Gracias is the limit of my Spanish. Could definitely not see and comprehend La guerra de las galaxias, unlike Amanda.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
I was also thinking of visiting the Kennedy Space Centre while in Florida, and visiting Savannah and New Orleans. Does this sound reasonable? Would you recommend them, or somewhere else?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by jedijudy:
If you like being in the outdoors, while you're in Orlando, you may want to go canoeing in one of the springs. Canoeing from Rock Springs to Wekiva is a real treat, and something I miss from when I lived in the Orlando area! And there are many more springs to visit!

---

quote:

---

Wildlife include alligators...

---

I'm still tempted.

Thank you all for the great suggestions. Looking forward to it. Never been east of Denver in the US. Sounds like lots to do.

Thanks for the geography lesson too, Pigwidgeon!
 

---

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Honestly, gators aren't a big deal. We respect their territory and they pretty much ignore us.

Gator hints...

• Don't feed them.
• Don't try to pet a gator.
• Don't pick up baby gators, no matter how cute they are. Mama is nearby.
• And, as my mom learned the hard way, don't try to whack a gator with a broom when it's lying on your canal bank. They can jump high and fast.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Wow: brave woman, your mum!

---

We loudly used a different term for her action.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
jedijudy--

Then *you* are wise and brave!
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
...comfortably watching the "King Family Singers" on Get TV retro network. (Broadcast, but should be online, too.)

Anyone else remember them? Huge family (listing said 39 people--that's multiple generations). Singing and dancing and playing instruments. This is a Christmas special--from the 60s, I think. They were a big deal, back then. I think some of them might still be performing.

Anyway, I loved them and their TV specials as a kid, and I'm thrilled they're on tonight.

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to all!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
I don't remember the "King Family Singers" (though I do remember the 60s -- no, really I do).

However I love the "King's Singers." One of our classical stations interviewed them and had them perform in their studio (I was lucky enough to hear the broadcast twice). I've been even luckier to hear and see them perform twice in person.

[ 25. December 2017, 15:27: Message edited by: Pigwidgeon ]
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
[claim-to-fame alert ON]

Claim to fame no. 1:
When we lived in Orkney, we had the King's Singers at the St. Magnus Festival one year, and I was doing front-of-house at the Festival Club after their concert. One of the committee members said they wanted Festival sweatshirts and gave me the (not at all unpleasant) task of fitting them for them.

Claim to fame no. 2:
I was at the wedding of the parents of one of the current King's Singers - his father was organist of the church round the corner from the Cathedral when we were in Belfast. In fact, D. may well have played the organ on that occasion.

[/claim-to-fame alert OFF]
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
GK, this one?

Christmas with the King Family
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
mt--

Yes.

Piglet--

Cool! But not the group I'm talking about.

[ 25. December 2017, 23:55: Message edited by: Golden Key ]
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Official King Family site.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Pigwidgeon--

Sorry, didn't see your post first time through. Cool! I remember the 60s, too. I was too young to get involved in anything, for which I'm truly grateful.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Piglet--

Cool! But not the group I'm talking about.

---

Sorry - I thought they were who Pigwidgeon was talking about in the post above mine.

[ 26. December 2017, 01:20: Message edited by: Piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
No problem. I inadvertently caused the confusion, because I originally only saw your post, and not Pigwidgeon's.

Apologies!
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Salicional (# 16461) on :
 
The folks along the southern shore of Lake Erie who wished for a white Christmas have a lot more than they bargained for! Erie, PA broke a record with 53 inches of snow in 30 hours, and I imagine the snowbelt in western NY has similar totals. I'm about 40 miles south of the lake itself, and we've only had about 6 inches since Christmas Eve. At least schools, etc. aren't in session at the moment, but the people up along that lake are going to have quite a headache digging themselves out from this.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
I was in PA for Christmas at my daughter's, with my brothers. Fortunately we were not in that part of the state and escaped with a dusting, and no problems.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Salicional:
... 53 inches of snow in 30 hours ...

---

And I thought we were badly hit, getting about a foot on Christmas Day.
 

---

Posted by Salicional (# 16461) on :
 
The NWS is now pegging Erie's snowfall total at 60 inches since Christmas Eve. Five feet! I mean, it's not like people who live in a snowbelt are unprepared for big dumps, but plowing the roads clear of that much snow is a herculean task. City crews and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation are working around the clock with every piece of snow-removal equipment they have, but people are still being warned to stay off the roads. Most every business in town is closed. Fortunately the snow is expected to taper off today.
 

---

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
Meanwhile in Phoenix we're enjoying 70°F days and 40°F nights -- about right for this time of year. The spell of no rain is back, though -- we can sure use some (as could the Ventura, California area -- are you listening, God?).
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That sounds like quite a civilised temperature, ABR, although I really wouldn't want it that warm at this time of year.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Gosh. That's a lot of snow. How far south on the east does it snow? The Carolinas? I'm finalising my little jaunt around there and pondering hiring a car as per Augustine's post. As I have no snow/ice experience, I'm wary of doing so too far north. Tough enough to drive on the wrong side of the road.

In good news I found a hiking club in NC that has walks on when I am there - hope I can catch a lift and walk with them.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
How far south on the east does it snow?

---

© Ship of Fools 2016


UBB.classic^TM 6.5.0