Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Lisa418722]

36 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

Has anyone here read "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan? I just finished it for Book Club and I'm leading the discussion tomorrow. It's very good!

I read it a few years ago and what I can remember, I really enjoyed it.  

 

[AstridM]

21 minutes ago, sagittarius sue said:

And if Mayim Bialik's hosting, she'll correct them on their pronunication.  It's one of the reasons I dislike her as host

Ha! Alex always did that, too. I actually love them for it. I’d certainly want to know if I was mispronouncing a word. How else do I learn?

[Dehumidifier]

In the second Poldark I thought the Demelza character became unrealistically refined and ladylike. The original Demelza portrayal stayed closer to her rough and tumble roots, both in behavior and appearance.

 

[Zella]

1 hour ago, AstridM said:

Ha! Alex always did that, too. I actually love them for it. I’d certainly want to know if I was mispronouncing a word. How else do I learn?

Alex Trebek always reminded me of a headmaster with really high standards. I loved his vibe and never have really been able to watch the show since he died. 

45 minutes ago, Dehumidifier said:

In the second Poldark I thought the Demelza character became unrealistically refined and ladylike. The original Demelza portrayal stayed closer to her rough and tumble roots, both in behavior and appearance.

 

Yes they also did a lot of bad Hollywood styling for her. I like Eleanor Tomlinson, but I rolled my eyes so hard when she talked about how her character wore her hair down to symbolize her free spirit. No, lady, in real life, you'd wear your hair up like everyone else if you wanted to not be scorned by polite society. 

[Dehumidifier]

6 minutes ago, Zella said:

Yes they also did a lot of bad Hollywood styling for her. I like Eleanor Tomlinson, but I rolled my eyes so hard when she talked about how her character wore her hair down to symbolize her free spirit. No, lady, in real life, you'd wear your hair up like everyone else if you wanted to not be scorned by polite society. 

Ross too -- he would have his hair in a ponytail as I recall Robin Ellis wearing it, not all wild and free as Poldark 2 wore it.

Edited August 8, 2023 by Dehumidifier
Need new glasses!

[Zella]

Just now, Dehumidifier said:

Ross too -- he would have his hair in a ponytail as i recall Robin Ellis wearing it, not all wild and free as Poldark 2 wore it.

Yes! He has very pretty hair (as does Eleanor Tomlinson), so I get the impulse, but the actual costuming/hair was quite poor for a BBC production, IMO. Their historical drama looks are usually more solid than that. 

[CalicoKitty]

Angharad Rees was the best Demelza.  She and Robin Ellis we so great together. 

[libgirl2]

On 7/8/2023 at 10:26 AM, oliviabenson said:

It’s really depressing how fast appliances die since they cost a pretty penny!

My parents had a standing freezer that belonged to my grandparents. The thing had to be about 40 years old. Things used to last, now they are disposable. 

[CalicoKitty]

I just received an email stating that Medicare Part D will now cover shingles vaccines.  If you have not had the vaccine, you might consider it now.  I have had shingles, and, believe me, it is no fun.  I had to pay for my vaccine a couple of years ago, and they were not cheap.

They are now also covering tetanus, Tdap, RSV and hepatitis A and B.

[Jeeves]

On 8/9/2023 at 2:25 PM, CalicoKitty said:

I just received an email stating that Medicare Part D will now cover shingles vaccines.  If you have not had the vaccine, you might consider it now.  I have had shingles, and, believe me, it is no fun.  I had to pay for my vaccine a couple of years ago, and they were not cheap.

They are now also covering tetanus, Tdap, RSV and hepatitis A and B.

Thanks for the information. I got the shingles vaccine last year. I haven't had shingles, but after seeing how hard it can be on people, I'm hoping to avoid it!

I swear, sometimes my mind is out to get me. I needed to buy a new pair of plain black trousers. The ones I had, and liked, and wore until they had to be tossed, I'd bought at Kohl's but they aren't available anywhere anymore. I was dreading try-on sessions in fitting rooms because I can be hard to fit. But although I have some nice black jeans that will usually do, there are times - including a memorial service I'll attend tomorrow - when that's just not gonna cut it.

Then my brain for once was my friend, not just the source of anxiety. Heh. I remembered that I've bought some tops from Dillards, that are one of their house brands, that I've really liked. I vaguely remembered seeing trousers with that brand name. So after a few minutes online, I went to a local Dillards store yesterday - and, success! The first pair I tried on, were exactly the style and fit I wanted, well within my price range. Easy peasey, after all that dread!

A small thing, I suppose, but the older I get the less I enjoy clothes shopping. 

[BetyBee]

@Jeeves, I hear ya on the shopping. I pick up a lot of my clothes from the tables at Costco, figuring if they don't fit, I'll return them. I hate trying clothes on in fitting rooms. A couple of weeks ago, I bought some clearance tshirts at Walmart for my walks. I accidentally bought one that was an XXX. I'm a size 14, but boy, did I like the way that roomy tshirt fit! And drying it was no problem as I didn't care if it shrunk. It's so comfy and soft that I went back to buy a couple more. Unfortunately by then, they mostly had long sleeved Ts out. But I found 2 more of the XXX and they're perfect for getting all stinky on a walk, or for sleeping in. I am super easy to please. I dress for comfort!

[oliviabenson]

My snoring wakes me up! Lol. Good lord I must snore loudly.

[Jeeves]

17 hours ago, BetyBee said:

@Jeeves, I hear ya on the shopping. I pick up a lot of my clothes from the tables at Costco, figuring if they don't fit, I'll return them. I hate trying clothes on in fitting rooms. A couple of weeks ago, I bought some clearance tshirts at Walmart for my walks. I accidentally bought one that was an XXX. I'm a size 14, but boy, did I like the way that roomy tshirt fit! And drying it was no problem as I didn't care if it shrunk. It's so comfy and soft that I went back to buy a couple more. Unfortunately by then, they mostly had long sleeved Ts out. But I found 2 more of the XXX and they're perfect for getting all stinky on a walk, or for sleeping in. I am super easy to please. I dress for comfort!

I also do that thing with Costco clothes. It often means returning the items after trying them on at home. But just this summer I scored two pairs of crop pants that are the bomb, from a Costco table. My favorite hoodies came to me that way as well. (My only problem with the hoodies: drying them. In the UK. I took one on my trip in May and wore it a lot. When I had a chance to do laundry - it was a 3 week trip and I had to - the hoodie was a bear to dry. Came out of the dryer still very very damp although all the other clothes were dry. I wondered if I'd be wearing it home still a bit damp. LOL. It dries just fine here at home.)

Congrats on the t-shirt find at Walmart. I love it when things like that happen.

[Scarlett45]

Do you guys ever eat something that is delicious, but sits heavily in your stomach? Not as in your stomach hurts, but it feels HEAVY?

I had my sister for the long weekend (Friday-Sunday) so I told my Mom we could have pizza and crumbl cookies Saturday (I had been craving both for a while- walking into a Crumbl cookies smells so good!) I deep dish pizza for the first time in forever yesterday, although it was so delicious it was so heavy. It didn’t stuff myself (I had a piece and a half with salad, a usual amount for me).

All I wanted to eat today was my veggie omelete w/avocado, an iced coffee, Greek yogurt & berries, air popped popcorn and my Crumbl cookie left over from yesterday. I’m still full! Not being hungry is nice but I feel funny. 
 

Im taking a cue and sticking to thin crust from now on😉. 

[Absolom]

I did something similar last week.  I hadn't had fast food in months, but I was so hungry I stopped and got a cheeseburger and fries on my way home.  It sat in my system for hours and felt so very heavy.  

[SunnyBeBe]

I walked by a lady out today shopping and she smelled heavenly. I asked her the name of her fragrance, since it’s rare that I love one. Often, I’m allergic.  But, this was very clean…..she said it was Egyptian Musk.  I’d never heard of it.  She said stores no longer sell it, so she gets hers from Amazon.  Trouble is, there are so many versions. Does anyone have any experience with this fragrance?  I want to order some.  

Edited August 15, 2023 by SunnyBeBe

[Jeeves]

So this afternoon I pimped my ride. Sort of. If anybody remembers that phrase! I'm cracking myself up using it in connection with my - minivan. A complete grandma car. 🤣

I installed AWS Ventvisors to the front and rear doors. Those are good to have especially if you're camping in your car. You can roll the windows down an inch or two and the vents keep rain out. Well, unless it's a wind-driven deluge or something, in which case I assume you wouldn't have the windows down at all. The vents also let you have the windows open just that little bit for ventilation without it being obvious from outside the vehicle.

I also put on the (removable) seat covers I ordered on the front seats. Well, I suppose they're more like slipcovers? Because they fit over the existing seats and are removable. They're a retro-looking fabric, and I like how they look. They remind me of my late dad's old Ford pickup (from the 1960's). They fit the seats and fastened down as intended but the fabric around the sides of the seats at the bottom looks a bit lumpy. Fingers crossed they'll relax and straighten out. I'd rather not go through the exercise of taking them off. Putting them on was enough of an adventure. At least it's been a mild day and I had the car parked in the shade. There's nothing wrong with the seats, but I'm not nuts about the factory/permanent seat covers, and anyway these slipover covers will protect them from wear and tear and misadventures. 

In other news, my boxed set of Upstairs, Downstairs DVDs was just delivered. Not a bad deal for twenty bucks. I may watch some episodes tonight!

Edited August 15, 2023 by Jeeves

[skatelady]

Random thought: this forum is dated 2014. I've been reading here for almost 10 years (and TWOP before that)!!!

How did y'all stumble on this crazy family (and then this forum)? My kids were graduating high school in the early 2000s, and all of a sudden, after years of exhausting parenting, I was about to be an empty nester. I'm not much of a tv person, but I did watch the news while making dinner and sometimes the tv would just stay on as background noise - and I heard a commercial for some big-family show. It wasn't the Duggars, it was a series on various large families. One of the families was featured while shopping for their oldest son's college supplies, and the son was going to the same college as one of my daughters, so it caught my attention. I watched that show, and then segued into Jon&Kate, and then the Duggars - because I just couldn't fathom how families of that size functioned. I mean, I myself was EXHAUSTED - finally taking a breath after 20 years of parenting. 

And here I am, years later, still obsessing over these lunatics. 

(I even incorporated the Duggars into one of my lessons [I'm a now-retired math teacher] in the unit on binomial probability. I always began each class with some tangentially-related wacky story, so I told the kids about the crazy family with 14 children and then asked "what's the probability that if you have 14 children, that they will all be girls? That there will be at least one girl? That there will be 7 girls and 7 boys?" And then the lecture would be about how to answer those questions. By the time I retired, there were 19 children!)

[BetyBee]

I honestly don't remember how long I've followed the Duggars - definitely includes the TWoP days. Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time following these people. I don't really care for their "values" at all and I'm skeptical of the "influencer" status of the Duggar "kids" and their Bates counterparts. OTOH, it may be worthwhile to keep an eye on these hypocrites as their numbers grow!

[SMama]

18 hours ago, skatelady said:

(I even incorporated the Duggars into one of my lessons [I'm a now-retired math teacher] in the unit on binomial probability. I always began each class with some tangentially-related wacky story, so I told the kids about the crazy family with 14 children and then asked "what's the probability that if you have 14 children, that they will all be girls? That there will be at least one girl? That there will be 7 girls and 7 boys?" And then the lecture would be about how to answer those questions. By the time I retired, there were 19 children!)

This is the first time I’ve read or heard about the Duggars being useful for something. 

[Scarlett45]

I started following the Duggars after I saw their first TLC special in 2004. (I was in college) Michelle’s obstetrical record FASCINATED me, and I’ve always been into learning about various cultural groups and got sucked into the fundy world. 
 

I joined TwoP because someone on a Duggar Blog mentioned it, which lead me here (same screen name ) when it went defunct 9yrs ago. 

[sixlets]

I was never on TwoP and joined here in the summer of 2017.  I'm glad I found y'all!!  This is where I come when I can't post things elsewhere.  And speaking of which, (like that segue?), has anyone had a punch biopsy, specifically on the legs?  It took 10 months of waiting, but I finally had my POTS specialist appointment at Hopkins.  One aspect of treatment is a punch biopsy to test for small fiber neuropathy.  I never had a procedure like this, and I'm seeing conflicting reports online.  I will eventually get it done, but it will be a chore of scheduling since Mr. Six will come with me, and I have to go to Bayview, which is in the city...hello, parking nightmare.  Thanks so much!

[SunnyBeBe]

2 hours ago, sixlets said:

I was never on TwoP and joined here in the summer of 2017.  I'm glad I found y'all!!  This is where I come when I can't post things elsewhere.  And speaking of which, (like that segue?), has anyone had a punch biopsy, specifically on the legs?  It took 10 months of waiting, but I finally had my POTS specialist appointment at Hopkins.  One aspect of treatment is a punch biopsy to test for small fiber neuropathy.  I never had a procedure like this, and I'm seeing conflicting reports online.  I will eventually get it done, but it will be a chore of scheduling since Mr. Six will come with me, and I have to go to Bayview, which is in the city...hello, parking nightmare.  Thanks so much!

I had a punch biopsy on my side near my ribs some years ago.  It was fast and don’t recall any pain.  I am very interested in how things go.  As a Type 1 diabetic these conditions get my attention.  I’ve had a few symptoms of concern, but for now I’m waiting to see if my vitamin deficiencies are the cause.  If not, I’ll proceed with further tests.  

Edited August 18, 2023 by SunnyBeBe

[Scarlett45]

I mentioned in the Josh thread I was hanging with my friend (let’s call her Mary) this morning who’s mom is an “Anna”. 
 

She wanted my feedback on two things- her mom is ill with cancer and will be going on dialysis soon and she wants to help her, but doesn’t want her father to benefit. Mary asked her husband what he thought and he said he supported her, so whatever she felt was right regarding money etc. I suggested if she wanted to help her mom but didn’t want her father to have access to money, to pay one of their bills (like if her mom enjoys tv etc pay the bill to the company directly, or pay the person to come clean the house directly) and that’s a way she can help out but she know her mom will actually get use of the help. 
 

Mary has three typical sisters (she’s the oldest) and a brother with a mental disability (he was born cognitively typical but the side effects of his epilepsy medications have disabled him since childhood). She says she felt comfortable asking me what I think because of my sister- although I’m in a completely different situation, her brother is capable of his daily self care, has a job stocking shelves at a grocery store and complex language skills- but he isn’t capable of living alone or taking care of his finances. Her brother knows how sick the Mom is and says he does not want to stay with the father when she dies please don’t make him. (He’s mid 40s)
 

I said that I understood how she felt and supported her, and she and her husband (they are childfree) need to be on the same page, and the sisters need to have a REAL discussion about who is willing and capable of doing what. The only consensus is that none of them want to be anywhere near the father. But yes her brother needs to be in a safe place, and they don’t need to wait until their mother is deceased to figure that out. 
 

When Mary said the years her father was in prison were the best years for her family I can believe it. Although they were ostracized from certain extended family for what their father did, when he got out and her mother took him back, although they love their mom it makes it hard to be close to her because of it. The Mom is in deep denial and all she’s ever said to Mary (who was personally sexually assaulted by the man) is that “you need to be more forgiving.” 🤬

 

Add in the brother’s needs and it’s a lot. 
 

Made me think of the M kids growing up now. 

[BetyBee]

@Scarlett45- you are a good friend with good suggestions. What a terrible problem for all of the adult children! I hope the sisters can find a safe place for the brother. I can certainly understand wanting to help their sick Mom, but not wanting to benefit their sicko Dad! 

[Scarlett45]

2 hours ago, BetyBee said:

@Scarlett45- you are a good friend with good suggestions. What a terrible problem for all of the adult children! I hope the sisters can find a safe place for the brother. I can certainly understand wanting to help their sick Mom, but not wanting to benefit their sicko Dad! 

I know what a horrid situation to be in. Their Mom is really sick, but their mom made the choice to take the father back and live with him- so I don’t think anyone should feel obligated because they don’t want to help that man. It’s hard when you love someone and they are attached to someone you despise (for good reason). 
 

I told Mary whatever she wants to do, get with the same page with her husband (which is the most important thing) and do what SHE thinks is morally right at the end of the day. But of course she doesn’t owe the father anything. And no “guilt trips” from the Mom about not helping, don’t burden yourself with that. 

[Jeeves]

@Scarlett45 - just want to add that I also think you're a good friend to Mary. Such a difficult situation for her.  I'm glad she has you and her husband among others, for support.

Last week, I think it was, a discussion of the Poldark series here in the Prayer Closet, reminded me that I enjoyed the original Upstairs Downstairs series. I'd seen a couple of episodes randomly uploaded to YouTube not long ago, and wanted to see more. I found a boxed set of the DVDs cheap on ebay and bought them. They were delivered early this week - and I've had a very pleasant time diving back into that show. I haven't watched every episode, but have worked my way at this time into the start of the last season (series 5). It's been fun because the show is still enjoyable after all these decades (!). 

The box set came with extras, including a few hours of key cast and production crew discussing the making of the series in some detail, season by season. It was a well-conceived and well-written series, and despite what today would be considered a laughably small production budget, there was much attention to detail as to props, clothes, etc. 

One tidbit that has stayed with me concerns the writers' resources for the series. Rosemary Anne Sisson wrote several of the scripts. She mentioned that a memoir by Barbara Cartland, "We Danced All Night," contained marvelous detail about Brit high society life in the 1920's, things that the writers in the 1970's probably wouldn't have even thought about. 

All told, I've had my money's worth from the purchase of the box set, which came to just over twenty bucks. And, I just have to say, Simon Williams, who I thought was heart-stoppingly handsome in the series back in the day? Has aged quite nicely. Still not at all hard on the eyes. Just saying.

[Scarlett45]

@Jeeves Simon Williams has a strong bone structure! Yes I agree he is handsome. 

[oliviabenson]

Thought of greedy Jill!

(Jillpm Rodrigues)

[Scarlett45]

Replying to @BetyBee from the SweetFellowship thread. 
 

I am sure there are many evolutionary and cultural reasons for this. Of course people are individuals with their own experiences, so I’m speaking purely in general trends ONLY. 
 

Even in places with the most developed medicine, women on average live longer than men (yes there are outliers, my grandfather died at 89, but there were 8 female peers for every one of him and he outlived all his friends, male and female, including my grandmother by 28yrs and his long term girlfriend I remember from when I was little), so if a wife dies first, assuming they were around the same age, a husband dying soon after isn’t odd.
 

Although there are great improvements in this arena, I think main stream North American culture (if there is such a thing) does a piss poor job attending to the emotional needs of men and boys- they are taught to earn money and the only emotion that is manly is “anger” and rely on women to fill in the gaps. Queer male communities aren’t as bound by gender roles (duh) and don’t have a tradition of relying on women to fill these gaps so they do a better job, but they have to unlearn many of the harmful stereotypes from heteronormative culture about emotions, caregiving, gender roles etc.

Women are given a lot more room for emotional fulfillment and expression than men are- if a woman doesn’t have a romantic partner (no matter her sexuality) it’s likely she has a variety of close relationships (friends, siblings, extended family, adult children etc). Women tend to put in the emotional work to build a community and on average that community does play out in the end if she becomes sick or disabled and needs care (not just financial but emotional). 
 

They say the hidden killer of men is loneliness, not smoking, heart disease or obesity- I can believe it. Article Here. I’ve only lived life as a black person (duh) so the black male experience is the one I have the most first hand knowledge of, and from what I have seen of my grandfather, great uncles and older male cousins, the men that showed up and contributed to the family generally are looked after (emotionally and physically when they are sick)- but it’s usually by other women (daughters, nieces, sisters, female cousins) and a few men that have that same nurturing spirit they had. If as a man you didn’t show up, you’re shit out of luck when you’re the most vulnerable. Women tend to be willing to care for the men that did their part regarding child raising and providing, but if you didn’t do that for them (as in you met them later in life or were not present for that part of the life experience) they may think you’re great but as women spend most of their youth taking care of others you are shit out of luck in your elder years. 
 

So I can see why so many older men suffer from depression and increased illnesses and loneliness after their spouses passes away if that was the only relationship they really nurtured or statistically they were just unfortunate. 
 

IMO one of the big missteps of second wave feminism (not that it was bad, but that every moment has missteps) was that the narrative was “Women and girls can be and do anything they want.”(not a bad thing) but the flip side of that is “Because women can and will do it all, men don’t have to do much.” And if you’re a woman of color that flip side is 50x worse (which is another discussion for another day)

 

This is why I personally will not mow the lawn or shovel the snow unless it’s an emergency. Yes of course I am abled bodied and physically capable of doing that, but I’m not going to work a high paying job (a “male” role) take care of the elderly/disabled (baths, toileting, cooking- “female role”), manage the caregiver so I can have a moments peace, AND shovel the snow.
 

Fuck that my manicure is precious. I will outsource. (And I am a big ass baby who hates the cold)

If I was a man no one would expect me to do half the things I do for others- my free time is my free time. I’m not saying there aren’t men that don’t take care of their loved ones and give a lot to their communities (of course they exist!!) I am saying there’s a different expectation and standard between the genders, while this expectation puts a lot of work on women through most of their life, it also means they have a stronger social network than most similarly situated men. 
 

[Scarlett45]

On 8/12/2023 at 7:24 AM, Jeeves said:

I also do that thing with Costco clothes. It often means returning the items after trying them on at home. But just this summer I scored two pairs of crop pants that are the bomb, from a Costco table. My favorite hoodies came to me that way as well. (My only problem with the hoodies: drying them. In the UK. I took one on my trip in May and wore it a lot. When I had a chance to do laundry - it was a 3 week trip and I had to - the hoodie was a bear to dry. Came out of the dryer still very very damp although all the other clothes were dry. I wondered if I'd be wearing it home still a bit damp. LOL. It dries just fine here at home.)

Congrats on the t-shirt find at Walmart. I love it when things like that happen.

I wanted to tell you I found some amazing gloves and two pairs of winter leggings at Costco last week. They will be great as I tossed my heavy winter gloves in March (they had a literal hole) and I needed some new leggings that were a bit thicker for winter. 

[BetyBee]

13 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

They say the hidden killer of men is loneliness, not smoking, heart disease or obesity- I can believe it. Article Here. I’ve only lived life as a black person (duh) so the black male experience is the one I have the most first hand knowledge of, and from what I have seen of my grandfather, great uncles and older male cousins, the men that showed up and contributed to the family generally are looked after (emotionally and physically when they are sick)- but it’s usually by other women (daughters, nieces, sisters, female cousins) and a few men that have that same nurturing spirit they had. If as a man you didn’t show up, you’re shit out of luck when you’re the most vulnerable. Women tend to be willing to care for the men that did their part regarding child raising and providing, but if you didn’t do that for them (as in you met them later in life or were not present for that part of the life experience) they may think you’re great but as women spend most of their youth taking care of others you are shit out of luck in your elder years. 
 

I do know so many men, my husband included, who don't work to maintain friend relationships. When we moved after I retired, I worked to find women friends. I'm a homebody, but I need the outlet of friends. I think of how my husband would fare if I were gone and I worry! He keeps his troubles to himself. It's the American way, it seems. 😢

[Scarlett45]

3 hours ago, BetyBee said:

I do know so many men, my husband included, who don't work to maintain friend relationships. When we moved after I retired, I worked to find women friends. I'm a homebody, but I need the outlet of friends. I think of how my husband would fare if I were gone and I worry! He keeps his troubles to himself. It's the American way, it seems. 😢

Your husband is lucky to have a wife that cares so much for his emotional well-being. 

[Scarlett45]

I just got word that my cousin M is back in the hospital, he had another stroke. I have mentioned my Cousin M before- he was the one taking care of everyone, always putting walkers and wheelchairs in vehicles when I was growing up (he’s 63, this is his third stroke). His father was my Great Uncle S, who was one of the sweetest, kindest men you’d ever meet, but had a lot of demons and couldn’t conquer his alcohol addiction. M has a lot of his spirit without the addiction struggles. 
 

 

My first thought is “fucking shit not again.” I’m on the phone with his elder sister (also my cousin) who he lives with and his primary caregiver (she’s 73). Shit shit shit. 
 

I pulled out my lawyer hat and not just my cousin hat. If he’s still in the hospital on the other side of town next week I will stop by and visit him as I’m headed that way for a first bday. 

[BetyBee]

@Scarlett45I'm so sorry for the trouble your cousin is facing. I'm glad you are in his corner with both of your hats! ♥️

[Love2dance]

I hope your cousin is doing better, @Scarlett45. 

[Scarlett45]

20 hours ago, BetyBee said:

@Scarlett45I'm so sorry for the trouble your cousin is facing. I'm glad you are in his corner with both of your hats! ♥️

Thank you, you’re so kind. 

 

7 hours ago, Love2dance said:

I hope your cousin is doing better, @Scarlett45. 

I was able to text with him last night, his cognition is still functioning well but his speech is very slurred he says. They’ve increased his dialysis frequency. Being in the hospital sucks. 

[SunnyBeBe]

So sorry about your cousin.  Best wishes for his recovery.  I hope they can figure out how to prevent the strokes.  
 

[zoomama]

hello friends, i am 9 days post-op from shoulder replacement and doing great...of course havent started PT yet. havent needed rx meds for about 3-4 days so i am thankful for that.  checking in today finally. i literally turned off my phone and rested for all these days. well cant hold my phone and type for long anyway -- too heavy still. currently at desktop one-finger pecking. binge-watching forensic files, netflix (currently the lincoln lawyer) and news. that cooks corner shooting was in my childhood stomping ground area, so felt very close to home emotionally. very sad. any way, just wanted to say hi.....

 

[SunnyBeBe]

2 hours ago, zoomama said:

hello friends, i am 9 days post-op from shoulder replacement and doing great...of course havent started PT yet. havent needed rx meds for about 3-4 days so i am thankful for that.  checking in today finally. i literally turned off my phone and rested for all these days. well cant hold my phone and type for long anyway -- too heavy still. currently at desktop one-finger pecking. binge-watching forensic files, netflix (currently the lincoln lawyer) and news. that cooks corner shooting was in my childhood stomping ground area, so felt very close to home emotionally. very sad. any way, just wanted to say hi.....

 

Hey there.  Thanks for the update. So glad you’re up to posting a little.  Having little need for pain meds sounds very promising.  Hope your healing continues.  

[BetyBee]

@zoomama - sounds like you are practicing good self-care! I'm so glad you're healing so well!

[Scarlett45]

6 hours ago, zoomama said:

hello friends, i am 9 days post-op from shoulder replacement and doing great...of course havent started PT yet. havent needed rx meds for about 3-4 days so i am thankful for that.  checking in today finally. i literally turned off my phone and rested for all these days. well cant hold my phone and type for long anyway -- too heavy still. currently at desktop one-finger pecking. binge-watching forensic files, netflix (currently the lincoln lawyer) and news. that cooks corner shooting was in my childhood stomping ground area, so felt very close to home emotionally. very sad. any way, just wanted to say hi.....

 

Feel better!

These shootings always leave a scar on my heart. So many innocent people hurt or dead over a bunch of nothing. 

[Jeeves]

@zoomama - thanks for checking in with us. And you had to do it one-handed. You rock! I hope your recovery continues to go well. 

[Jeeves]

4 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

All this talk about Jill and Jinger's books is leaving me with all kinds of questions. I assume since the advent of ebooks library use has increased. Do authors get royalties of sorts from library 'reads'? Can and do publishers limit the amount of copies sold to libraries?

I know plenty of folks still like to read and own actual books, but I'm guessing books from D list celebrities isn't high on that list.

It makes be think of all the hoopla back in the day of, uhm, can't remember, maybe Limewire or Napster in regard to music.

Obviously libraries and sharing books have been around forever, but I never thought much about this in regard to an author's profit.

Brought this over here from another topic. This article is IMO informative and sheds light on what IMO is a very complicated subject: What Do Authors Earn from Digital Lending at Libraries? | Jane Friedman

It helped me understand how e-books come and go from my public library's Overdrive collections. I also had heard that libraries pay a lot for e-book titles, and at this time I have holds on a few that are in demand. The hold system discloses how many "copies" the library owns, as it does with hard copies. IIRC for ebooks when I look at a title the system will say something like there are X number of holds on Y number of copies, approximately a Z number of week wait. When I place a hold, my holds list will show that I'm #M of #N holds, obviously a dynamic number over time. 

The linked article shows some examples of author royalties under different models/levels of purchases by libraries. 

[GeeGolly]

Thank you @Jeeves. How very complicated.

[Scarlett45]

The wheel is acting funny on my robot vacuum AGAIN. I can tell it's not jammed, I tried doing everything I did last time but nothing. If it's not working tomorrow I will take it to a repair shop and see what's what. 

I just love that thing so much, it changed my life. 

[CalicoKitty]

If anyone has Britbox, "The Ex Wife" is a good psychological drama.  Lots of gaslighting and unexpected turns.

 

[ehall1052]

20 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

The wheel is acting funny on my robot vacuum AGAIN. I can tell it's not jammed, I tried doing everything I did last time but nothing. If it's not working tomorrow I will take it to a repair shop and see what's what. 

I just love that thing so much, it changed my life. 

I just bought my second robot. Not to replace the one I already own, but so I can have two roaming around at the same time (different areas of the house). I’m really not indulgent, actually quite a miser, but vacuuming hurts my back so much and I think I’m worth it.

[Scarlett45]

17 minutes ago, ehall1052 said:

I just bought my second robot. Not to replace the one I already own, but so I can have two roaming around at the same time (different areas of the house). I’m really not indulgent, actually quite a miser, but vacuuming hurts my back so much and I think I’m worth it.

That sounds like a great idea. But I only have a single floor unit, about 1300sq so one has been serving me well if it works!

 

I am hunting down a repair shop nearby that can fix it for me. I sent off a few inquiry forms. The wheel is still acting funny. 

[Scarlett45]

So in happy news, my sister’s caregiver M is taking a much deserved vacation for her bday in November. 
 

She has NEVER been on an airplane before, and she asked for my help. I sent her a preliminary email about flights and hotels, and am putting together a YouTube play list to explain how security works, TSA liquid rules etc. 

I am so excited for her! Even more so because she is going to NOLA (which is a very easy flight from Chicago). I went to Loyola New Orleans for undergrad, so that’s extra special.

I want her to have an amazing experience and enjoy her time off. I know we had a pandemic, and she took care of her Dad (as well as working) before she came to us- if M can’t be happy that means my sister isn’t happy and then NO ONE is happy🤣.