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I still hate cleaning!
Ditto! lol
Just spent 15 minutes watching a web cam of Blackwater refuge in Easton MD of the osprey feeding 2 babies a cardinal that the mate had delivered...Last year the ospreys had 2 hatchling die from youthful ignorance of the parent birds it was stated. Seems it does happen with first broods and ospreys. Made me smile that they are successful this year.
That's so nice. When we would walk our dogs at the beach in South Carolina, there was an osprey nest right there in the parking lot and you could see everything. So cool.
We have been enjoying the "wildlife" at the park pond down the street. Goslings, ducklings - one sees the many traits that give rise to their characteristics - ducks in a row, odd duck, etc...The great blue heron pair swoop in majestically several times a day looking for fish.
rosarugosa
6-10-25, 6:24am
Our library hosted an event where a farmer brought in baby goats that we could pet and hang out with. The event was targeted for little (human) kids, but me, DH and Sis were far from the only adults enjoying the little (goat) kids.
iris lilies
6-10-25, 9:59am
Our library hosted an event where a farmer brought in baby goats that we could pet and hang out with. The event was targeted for little (human) kids, but me, DH and Sis were far from the only adults enjoying the little (goat) kids.
Baby goats are completely, unarguably adorable! They rate right up there with kittens.
happystuff
6-10-25, 2:27pm
Baby goats are completely, unarguably adorable! They rate right up there with kittens.
I so agree!
Baby goats are completely, unarguably adorable! They rate right up there with kittens.
Baby goats in PJs!
iris lilies
6-10-25, 11:37pm
Baby goats in PJs!
oh no, that would be unbearably cute
Most baby animals are cute, aren't they? My rave is that my 2 sisters and good friend -honorary sister-came over to my house for lunch, carry out fish tacos, soft shell crabs and scallops wrappped in bacon. Lots of conversation. Restorative!
rosarugosa
6-12-25, 6:44am
I almost talked myself out of going to a native plant sale this past Sunday. They had published a spreadsheet of what they would have for sale, and they had very few specimens of the things I really wanted, e.g. only two red trilliums! DH said if I went, maybe I would get at least some of what I wanted, but if I didn't go, I had zero chance of getting any of the plants. So we went and I scored ALL the plants I wanted, even one of the red trilliums! I also got bloodroot, mayapple, jewelweed, culver's root, wild strawberry, and white wood aster. DH even carried all my plants for me. He is the best. <3
rosarugosa
6-12-25, 6:45am
Most baby animals are cute, aren't they? My rave is that my 2 sisters and good friend -honorary sister-came over to my house for lunch, carry out fish tacos, soft shell crabs and scallops wrappped in bacon. Lots of conversation. Restorative!
That sounds really delicious!
happystuff
6-12-25, 8:51am
Love those kinds of get-togethers, nswef. Glad you all had a great time.
Nice score, rr! Sometimes it just takes showing up.
early morning
6-12-25, 2:42pm
Love wildflowers, especially trillium and violets. I have a few red and large white trillium - they are slow spreaders for me. I have lots of bloodroot. Started with one clump, and it's now everywhere. I have a lot of shade, so woodland spring-bloomers work well here. We also have Dutchmen's britches, columbine, violets in purple, white, white/purple specked, and yellow, wood poppies, and (non-blooming!!) dog-tooth violets, along with some stuff I don't remember the names of at the moment. In many places, the yard is violets. Happy planting, rr! Enjoy!
Yay for wildflowers!
Love wildflowers, especially trillium and violets. I have a few red and large white trillium - they are slow spreaders for me. I have lots of bloodroot. Started with one clump, and it's now everywhere. I have a lot of shade, so woodland spring-bloomers work well here. We also have Dutchmen's britches, columbine, violets in purple, white, white/purple specked, and yellow, wood poppies, and (non-blooming!!) dog-tooth violets, along with some stuff I don't remember the names of at the moment. In many places, the yard is violets. Happy planting, rr! Enjoy!
Yay for wildflowers!
I'm with you on the trillium and violets!! I have some common violets that I brought up here from my son's yard and they're adorable. As for trillium, I read something on FB that said that you should never pick trillium if you see in the wild because it takes 7 years to bloom! Do you know if that's true?
Not that I needed any 4th of July decor, but I was looking on the Kirkland's website for what they have knowing full well that that store is pretty expensive. Found something I really wanted. Original price was $49.99 but it was on sale for $37.49. But with tax and shipping, it came to over $50. I didn't like/need it that much. I did a Google photo search of the item and it said Michael's had the same thing for only $28.99 so I got it. With tax and shipping, it was still under $40.
First, I didn’t have to bring any work home this weekend. I was thinking about bringing a few things home to get a start on next week, but I really don’t have a ton next week, so I said, NO! I’ve had my 2024 Crosstrek for 11 months. I keep the dash and such wiped down, but I eat in my car daily and those little crumbs get in all the nooks and crannies. I regularly run it through the car wash on my corner (I have a monthly plan so often multiple times a week - lots of trees where I park at home, so bird poo!), but I’ve never had the inside detailed. Went tonight after work as this is the least busy time. $27, but I got 3 for the price of 2. About 30 minutes later the Scubaru is so nice and fresh on the inside. Mats clean (I have the Subaru all weather ones). Crumbs all gone! Yay! Then I ran it through the car wash myself and got gas. That was literally my chore for the weekend. I got a big delivery of groceries via Walmart last weekend so I need nothing right now. I’m just going to veg and read. I just want to relax. I run all week at work.
HappyHiker
6-13-25, 9:21pm
Happy chilling, Tradd. So nice to have a clean car and a full frig of food. And no take-home work.
early morning
6-14-25, 1:31pm
As for trillium, I read something on FB that said that you should never pick trillium if you see in the wild because it takes 7 years to bloom! Do you know if that's true? I don't know about picked trillium, as I don't know if that substantially harms the rhizome. I do know that planted from seed, it can take years for a bloom - 5-10 from what I've been told, but I've never tried to grow from seed. They replicate via rhizome mass, so if you have a clump, you can cautiously dig them up and tease out the divisions, and replant. So far, I've only done that once, as they grow slowly and I don't want to bring the wrath of the wildflower goddess down on my head, lol.
I had the delightful experience at the end of an extremely stressful week of proving a customs trade atty WRONG. Very. VERY wrong. Customer of mine imports steel items from China. These items became subject to 25% steel duty in March, which increased to 50% earlier this week. Said items are also subject to the 20% China fentanyl duty from March. Customer is desperate to pay less duty. He hired a customs trade atty to help. Said trade atty insisted he got another customer in the same position to NOT pay the 20% China duty from March because they were also subject to the 50% steel duty.
I was gobsmacked when customer told me this over the phone yesterday. I told him it wasn’t possible. And it’s REALLY not possible. At customer’s request, I attempted to file a customs clearance FOUR times today without the HS code that triggers the 20% China duty, in various ways (there are lots of tariff numbers required these days and in a certain order). Couldn’t get it through and sent customer screen shots of the rejection from my system (the message CBP sends to our system). Customs system help desk confirmed the clearance rejected because of the lack of the tariff number for the 20% China duty from March.
Customer also talked to Customs and was told the same thing. Customer finally admitted the trade atty was WRONG. I sent him plenty of proof yesterday that this atty was barking up the wrong tree, but oh, no, atty was right. I did a happy Snoopy dance in my cube when I saw the email from the customer admitting the atty was WRONG. What made this even trickier is the customer is the son of one of the owners of where i work.
I love being on top of my game and proving a lawyer WRONG!
Wow, what a satisfying outcome to that story, Tradd! But, honestly, those tariffs are ridiculous! Have you seen any difference in steel imports from China since they went into effect?
Wow, what a satisfying outcome to that story, Tradd! But, honestly, those tariffs are ridiculous! Have you seen any difference in steel imports from China since they went into effect?
There were 25% steel/aluminum tariffs effective in Orange Man’s first term. What happened in March is that they were extended to a lot of “derivatives” aka stuff made out of steel/aluminum. So a lot of stuff from nuts and bolts, to kitchenware is now getting hit with the steel/aluminum. Beginning Monday, appliances will be subject to 50% steel duty for the value of the steel in them. A lot of companies import parts that go in other things. They will still have to import these things.
I haven’t heard if steel/aluminum imports are down. Saw a NYT article yesterday that the cost of food and beverage containers is probably going to increase.
I guess now isn't the time to buy stainless steel cookware as much of it is made in China.
happystuff
6-21-25, 8:34am
Nice to be validated, Tradd - congrats.
I guess consumers are going to start being hit harder on these tariffs really soon, if they aren't already on some things.
iris lilies
6-22-25, 8:43pm
This Morning I thought it was Monday. I have an infection in my ankle so I needed to call my doctor for drugs. I called the office and got their “We are closed, call… “Message. I didn’t want to bother them further, I did not leave a message.
I went to one of those Doc in a Box places and got an appropriate antibiotic.
This evening my doctor texted me to ask “are you all right? “So I told her what’s going on and she said to be sure and come to her office if I have further problems.
Now that is service! Probably I could’ve called her office and left a message and she would’ve answered earlier today because she told me to do that in the future. This is a direct care physician.
happystuff
6-23-25, 7:54am
Nice service, IL. Hope the infection clears up quickly.
frugal-one
6-23-25, 2:42pm
Went to doc today and asked if I had a problem how to get in contact with him (he is extremely busy). He gave me his personal phone number. :0! !!!
happystuff
6-23-25, 5:31pm
Went to doc today and asked if I had a problem how to get in contact with him (he is extremely busy). He gave me his personal phone number. :0! !!!
Wow! Nice!
iris lilies
6-24-25, 9:06am
I am more and more appreciating my little toaster oven. I didn’t have a toaster oven until some months ago. Rather than baking something simple being a “big deal “ in the big oven, it is just a little deal with 10 minutes in the toaster oven
early morning
6-24-25, 9:46am
I'd be in sorry shape w/o my toaster oven! I use it way more than my big one. toaster oven, coffee pot, washing machine, fans. stovetop - those are my ranked bottom line really want to always have appliances! *the furnace is important also, but it's easy to forget that in this weather.
We just replaced our toaster oven. The newer ones are larger...have convection, air fryers..all we wanted was a plain toaster oven and were able to find one at the local departmant store- area- Boscov's Maryland and PA, don't know where else. But it is simple. We use it every day!
frugal-one
6-24-25, 2:39pm
I only use the toaster oven when I have multiple things to go in the oven. It is stored in a box in the “garage”. What do you use it for every day? It seems too small to bake much?
happystuff
6-24-25, 4:00pm
Love my toaster oven, too. I will reheat pizza and other things in it - don't like how they turn out in the microwave. I also make toast in it - LOL.
iris lilies
6-24-25, 8:56pm
I only use the toaster oven when I have multiple things to go in the oven. It is stored in a box in the “garage”. What do you use it for every day? It seems too small to bake much?
yesterday I made a Small egg casserole for one person. That was not worth heating up my big oven.
Today I baked a small chicken breast. That would’ve been too small to heat up the kitchen and my big oven.
I think we’ll be eating small pizzas and flatbreads more often with this new device.
iris lilies
6-25-25, 10:00am
DH is bringing in from the garden huge heads of perfect broccoli. They are beautiful! He does not eat cooked broccoli so I’m limited in what I can do with it. With one head I made a broccoli salad. But I froze the rest.
I will use it in soup, but I would like to find a broccoli soup recipe that does not include cheese or cream. Perhaps I can make a potato soup with a chicken stock base and add broccoli.
If DH would eat it in cooked form we would use it up quickly in stirfry, but he will not eat it cooked.
we have a refrigerator full of plums and I suppose I will have to cut them up and put them in the freezer because I can’t use them all at once. We’ve already harvested quite a lot of peaches, and DH took a batch to the food bank.
early morning
6-25-25, 11:23am
I only use the toaster oven when I have multiple things to go in the oven. It is stored in a box in the “garage”. What do you use it for every day? It seems too small to bake much?
Mine isn't huge, but it will make 9 largish muffins in the pan DH cut down for me. It makes a good size pizza, and holds my 9x12 casserole. I can bake a small layer cake or brownie, biscuits, rolls, etc. I have a 9x12 baking sheet, which works great for all sorts. And of course it makes lovely toast! And it produces so much less heat in the kitchen!
IL, I envy your broccoli and peaches! (not so much your plums lol) AND your DH - mine is more of a stationary type and gardens are not something he is willing to contemplate. *sigh*
We have toast, bagesl, chicken (curry added to shake and bake)
iris lilies
6-26-25, 10:31pm
Today I found a set of vintage or even antique dining chairs for $60, the entire set of 4.
I have been looking for six months on Facebook marketplace and had seen several sets come and go, the good ones going very fast and we couldn’t get to St. Louis on time because we were busy with other things. But today I saw a new listing on Facebook, we ran into St. Louis and picked them up. I want a nice set and will be reupholstering them, but these came with upholstery that I actually like I will keep them for a while with this upholstery.
I didn’t necessarily want vintage chairs, and I would’ve paid a whole lot more, but I looked into these and they fit in nicely.
It is great to have a husband and a truck to haul this stuff.
ToomuchStuff
6-27-25, 5:58am
Do you already have the table?
iris lilies
6-27-25, 8:19am
Do you already have the table? Yes, these chairs replace ones we already had. They are nicer, but not as comfortable.
It is great to have a husband and a truck to haul this stuff.
I can't count the number of used items we have tried to figure out how to stuff into the back of our little SUV. Most recently a very heavy LazyBoy loveseat. DH doesn't want to spend the money on a truck but it sure would make things easier.
iris lilies
6-27-25, 10:08am
I can't count the number of used items we have tried to figure out how to stuff into the back of our little SUV. Most recently a very heavy LazyBoy loveseat. DH doesn't want to spend the money on a truck but it sure would make things easier.
We probably could have fit these four smallish chairs into our SUV but I didn’t want to risk it so that’s why I had DH go along with me.
but in the past, there have been some fine scores due to having a DH, a furniture dolly, and a truck.
and I will mention that he moved every bleeding thing we own from the city of St. Louis to Hermann over several years, using the furniture dolly, his little truck, and a little trailer. This includes not only the normal household stuff but crap tons of tools and etc.
Oh, yes, he felt compelled to move hundreds of bricks and hundreds of pieces of limestone here, too. It’s true we have used much of the brick and some of the limestone already.
happystuff
6-27-25, 3:52pm
I can't count the number of used items we have tried to figure out how to stuff into the back of our little SUV. Most recently a very heavy LazyBoy loveseat. DH doesn't want to spend the money on a truck but it sure would make things easier.
If you have a Lowes near you, you can rent a truck from them and it's not too awfully bad price-wise. Not sure, but I imagine Home Depot does as well. Just a thought.
Bought a new MacBool Air yesteryear on sale for $150 at Best Buy. My previous MacBook Air was a 2015 model that died around 2022, and then I got a Windows laptop. The difference between the new MacBook and the 2015 one is amazing. Bigger screen, display quality, etc. it was a splurge, but the sale helped.
Oldest lost his wallet two weeks ago. Got a call yesterday from someone saying they found it. Money was still there and debit card not used. Glad to know there are good honest people still in this world.
Oldest lost his wallet two weeks ago. Got a call yesterday from someone saying they found it. Money was still there and debit card not used. Glad to know there are good honest people still in this world.
Tell oldest to put a bluetooth tracker in his wallet. AirTag for iPhone, Tile for Android.
Sis and I went to a local farm yesterday to pick lavender. They have a field of it and for $12, you get a small vase that you can fill. It was a pleasant thing to do on a beautiful summer afternoon. Here's my little sister, beaming with happiness over her newly-retired status, and spending quality time with her big sis, lol.
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iris lilies
7-6-25, 8:28am
Oh, that’s nice Rosa about your sister and the lavender farm. We have a lavender farm in Hermann as well.
happystuff
7-6-25, 12:15pm
What fun, rr! Glad you and your sister are spending enjoyable time together!
This is not a thing to "Rave" about but I'm posting in conjection to Klunick's post. K. lost his wallet while we were watching our village's 4th of July parade on Friday. He stupidly put it in the pocket of the gym shorts he was wearing, the very shorts whose pockets are known to not be very secure. It was less than an hour before he noticed it was missing. We've retraced our steps and put everyone in town on alert for it but to no avail so far. Gahhh, the one day where there are many other random people in this tourist town.
I made him run home and cancel his credit and bank cards. Stupidly, he carries his Social Security card in his wallet too. I've told him several times prior that that was a really dumb thing to do but he says, "I've never lost my wallet! I have a system of patting myself down when I go out to make sure I have my wallet, keys, and phone." Well, it only takes that one time. I chalk it up to him being distracted by being suddenly laid off from his job and having our lives upended.
But now this: we'll be running around replacing his driver's license and the other cards, and now there is this very real fear of having one's identity stolen. I'm trying to get him to do the fraud alert stuff at the credit reporting sites. So not what we need right now, and then to top it all off, I am in the middle of a pretty bad sciatica attack and can hardly walk! Neither of us has health insurance quite set up either, as we are still working on the particulars.
I would really love to have something to RAVE about here, like someone turning his wallet in but I am kind of giving up on that idea since it's been two days already...
Man, that stinks, SiouzQ. I'm hoping it does show up somehow.
I'm sorry, SiouzQ. You definitely didn't need this right now.
So sorry, SiouzQ. I hope it shows up or someone turns it in soon.
early morning
7-7-25, 11:58am
Oh man, that totally sucks! I am so sorry, SiouzQ.
Putting my dive gear together. Picked up regulators and tanks from servicing last weekend. Diving Saturday as long as the weather cooperates.
Friday is a country fair nearby so I get to go watch the saddle horse show and buy some local yarn for winter projects. It's also senior day where you get in for $4!
Friday is a country fair nearby so I get to go watch the saddle horse show and buy some local yarn for winter projects. It's also senior day where you get in for $4!
Sounds like a lot of fun! Related, yesterday I got my $2 lifetime Senior pass to all of Vermont's state parks!
Sounds like a lot of fun! Related, yesterday I got my $2 lifetime Senior pass to all of Vermont's state parks!
That's so cool! My husband got the lifetime National Park pass super cheap and it's great.
You inspired me to go get one for myself in case I was ever driving to SC alone. His was 25, I think, and mine was 90, but it's still a good deal.
happystuff
7-17-25, 4:33pm
I got my state lifetime pass a while ago. Keep going online to get my national parks one and they as, as a veteran, it's best to wait until you go and do it at the gate. Not sure about that, but....
We were offered a National Park pass about 20 years ago during a visit to Mammoth Caves with our two grandsons. The older grandson has special needs and a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center gave us one, no questions asked. We've used it extensively since then, our original National Parks Passport is completely filled with stamps. We also use the pass at Corps Of Engineers campsites during our annual 2-3 month wanderabouts, it gives us a 50% discount on camping fees.
We were offered a National Park pass about 20 years ago during a visit to Mammoth Caves with our two grandsons. The older grandson has special needs and a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center gave us one, no questions asked. We've used it extensively since then, our original National Parks Passport is completely filled with stamps. We also use the pass at Corps Of Engineers campsites during our annual 2-3 month wanderabouts, it gives us a 50% discount on camping fees.
Alan, can you give us a list of your top 5 National parks, and tell us why you rated them? I have a limited experience with them--there are a few in the Northeast, but nothing like the big ones--Yellowstone, etc. I've been to the Delaware Water Gap in NJ, and I've vacationed close to the Appalacian Trail in a couple of states, but never walked it. I'd love to hear the ones you would recommend. (Anyone can chime in here, but Alan's the one with the RV and a ton of stamps in his passport)
My vote goes to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Miss it so much!
Alan, can you give us a list of your top 5 National parks, and tell us why you rated them?
That's a hard question to answer since I don't think there's a bad National Park anywhere and each of the ones we've visited have been pretty spectacular. I guess I'd start with one of the newer ones that we actually haven't visited since it became a national park but spent 6 or 7 years white water rafting on it's two Class 3,4 & 5 rivers before it received its designation. That would be the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia where we rafted the New and Gauley rivers right up until the time we realized we were getting a little too old to be thrown out of the raft amid the boulders which create the rapids. In the picture below that's me in the back of the raft with the brown shirt and blue helmet, my wife is across from me in the yellow helmet and my youngest grandson is just in front of her in another yellow helmet.
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After that I'd go with Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado which contains some of the best preserved Puebloan Ancestral sites in the country. We've been there twice and was a little disappointed during our second visit (during Covid times) when they wouldn't let us go into the dwellings but exploring everything up close on the first visit was spectacular.
My third choice would probably be the combination of Arches National Park and Canyonland National Park in Utah. Utah has an abundance of great parks besides those two such as Zion and Bryce Canyon, but Arches and Canyonland are the cream of the crop in my opinion.
For #4 I'd go with the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, specifically the southern rim. The terrain is simply magnificent.
#5 would be Yellowstone National Park which covers parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. We've been there 3 times and still haven't seen it all but its natural beauty and abundance of wildlife is breathtaking.
You'll notice that 4 of my top 5 pics are out west and I think that's probably because the landscape there is just so different from the eastern US and we find it a treat to marvel at all its wonders. We've been to just about all the western National Parks and the only remaining one on our bucket list is Glacier National Park which we hope to visit in the next couple of years.
We've also visited many state parks and if anyone is interested in visiting the most magnificent state park I've ever seen, at least in my opinion, don't miss Custer State Park in South Dakota. It strikes me as a smaller version of Yellowstone, with all the best features.
catherine
7-17-25, 10:30pm
Great picture, Alan!
Thanks for the list. I haven't been to many states west of Minnesota, but I'd love to do a road trip out there! I'll keep your reviews in mind when I do.
iris lilies
7-17-25, 11:31pm
Catherine when you say park, you probably mean nature in the great outdoors. But I like the historic sites run by the national Park service. We have some in Missouri that are not especially interesting to me, but I love the Lincoln Home National Historic site in Springfield, Illinois. It’s not just a house, it’s an entire block of Victorian era houses that would’ve existed at the time Abraham Lincoln lived there.
rosarugosa
7-18-25, 6:11am
Somewhat of a digression, but we live within shouting distance of the Saugus Ironworks National Historical site. Back around early covid times, they made a decision to keep the grounds open 24/7/365, although the tours and museum are on a limited seasonal schedule. This was great for us, giving us another lovely destination for walks. I often walk to the library at the center of town and circle home through the Ironworks. They have a little nature trail and a lot of native plants and river wildlife, and a group of Adirondack chairs that are always empty, just waiting for me to sit and watch the river. The second picture is the view from "my" chair.
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ETA: This to me is a perfect example of a Simple Living pleasure, sitting and looking at the river with a new haul of library books on a beautiful day, all free!
happystuff
7-18-25, 8:59am
Have been to one or two National parks, but just recently got my passport book. I'm excited to start collecting stamps!
I LOVE Sleeping Bear Dunes in my home state! I LOVE all of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula as well.
Ditto on Arches (but not during the high season) and Canyonlands. One of my favorite local places close to where I live now in New Mexico is Tent Rocks (Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument) in the Cochiti Peublo.
I don't know how to turn them right-side up...
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One of our favorite national parks in Colorado is the Black Canyon on the western slope side of the state. Unfortunately, dry lightening started some fires recently and it has been devastated.
One of our favorite national parks in Colorado is the Black Canyon on the western slope side of the state. Unfortunately, dry lightening started some fires recently and it has been devastated.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison? We were there 8 or 9 years ago, very nice!
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frugal-one
7-18-25, 6:15pm
We’ve been to many national parks too. Very few compare to Glacier National Park IMO.
I wasn't sure if I was going to put this in the Rave or Rant thread but I am going to give myself "the win" for resisting the temptation. I spent the past two weeks decluttering seasonal and holiday decor. I decorate for every season and holiday and while I don't have a lot for each season/holiday, it ended up being a lot collectively. Now I find myself looking online for things to replace what is gone. Telling myself things like I don't have much for the mantle now. But... the whole point of decluttering the decor was because I had TOO MUCH before on the mantle. That was truly the catalyst for doing the declutter. But I keep telling myself that less is better. I knew I had a seasonal decor addiction but I see that it is worse than I thought. I almost feel like I am now going through withdrawals and I got rid of too much. I know I didn't because I literally got rid of only the excess. Those things that made a space look overwhelming. I am proud of myself for not buying new stuff. I am glad I got rid of so much and am looking forward to the calmness of the upcoming seasons and holidays without so much stuff on display.
Good for you, Klunick! I need to do the same. Since we've moved to a smaller home, much of the Christmas and holiday decor I used at the old place came with us, and I really don't have room to display it. So come fall I will post it on Freecycle, or I'll take it to Value Village. Someone will want it.
happystuff
7-20-25, 7:17am
Good for you, Klunick!
Klunick that's inspiring--maybe I will go through my Christmas boxes and think about jettisoning some of the stuff. Maybe. It's so tempting to just leave it in the attic, but I like your method of looking at it as a whole.
Klunick that's inspiring--maybe I will go through my Christmas boxes and think about jettisoning some of the stuff. Maybe. It's so tempting to just leave it in the attic, but I like your method of looking at it as a whole.
I am very thankful for taking pictures each month of how my living room looked decorated for that season or holiday. While I did declutter some that I used in the kitchen, most was used in the living room. Seeing it as an outsider gave me a different perspective. I saw the trouble areas and it was easier than I thought to decide what needed to go.
I finally have the health insurance stuff figured out after many weeks of going 'round and 'round with the state Medicaid office and the ACA Health Insurance exchange in New Mexico. The crux of the issue was that when I applied for health insurance earlier in the month right after K. got laid off, our income was very low because it took a few weeks for him to get his unemployment benefits. So they put me on the Family Planning Medicaid which literally didn't help me at all but then they said I was eligible for regular Medicaid on August 1st. But I kept telling them that when K. started getting his benefits our income would be too high for me to get Medicaid. I was finally able to report his income last week which did get me kicked me off the regular Medicaid before I even had the chance to use. I got the final denial letter yesterday which I needed in order to be eligible to apply for BeWell New Mexico (my state's version of the ACA). I was also able to get a $775 per month subsidy so my final monthly cost will be $368.62 for a BCBS plan.
I'm just glad this debacle is finally over and that I have coverage once again. Another good thing is that I was waiting on a possbile bill for the EMG test that I got on the same day he got laid off (our insurance ended two days later). It looks like our former BCBS plan actually did pay for that test and that I will not get a bill for it which is HUGE because I just looked up how much that test would have cost out of pocket and it was over $2500!
However, I am keenly aware that healthcare subsidies will probably get reduced and monthly payments will go up next year due to the Trump administration's strangling of healthcare. I think I will be eligible to get on early Medicare due to being on SSDI; I need to go to our local SSA office and find out more about that. So all of this is sort of a temporary situation to get through until I can get my Medicare. I'll be 64 in October so I am getting pretty close.
catherine
7-24-25, 10:06pm
I'm glad things are working out for you! Your monthly cost seems very reasonable. DH and I each pay about the same amount for Medicare. Hopefully you won't have to jump through hoops to keep it.
I think we are each paying $449 for regular medicare part B and a supplement, Plan G.
happystuff
7-25-25, 7:35am
Glad it has worked out, SiouzQ
iris lilies
7-25-25, 11:31am
I think we are each paying $449 for regular medicare part B and a supplement, Plan G.
I pay a total of $584 monthly for all of this health insurance stuff, not including the fee to my direct care physician.
breaks down as:
Medicare gap coverage G plan $235
Medicare A, B, D: $349
Our part B coverage is higher than usual in 2024 due to a big cash payout of a stock, so that raised our income to a level where they charge more. I expect it to come down a bit later.
sorry, I added mine wrong, it is 185 for part b and 269 for my supplement which totals 454, plus another 49 for drugs so that is 503 per month. That does not count my doctor that I pay each month, as well.
iris lilies
7-25-25, 12:25pm
sorry, I added mine wrong, it is 185 for part b and 269 for my supplement which totals 454, plus another 49 for drugs so that is 503 per month. That does not count my doctor that I pay each month, as well.
This was a useful exercise for me. It forced me to re-create an account with Social Security and review what is coming out of those SS payments before the check hits my account.
I once had a Social Security Admin account but it is no longer there. I have some vague recollection of them closing accounts some years ago if they were inactive. To open a new one I took photos of my drivers license, a photo of me, and they matched the two. Also confirmed SS number.
iris lilies
7-27-25, 9:21pm
I do a lot of stirfry type cooking and I’m tired of the grease floating around my kitchen even though I have a pretty good exhaust system. So in the past couple of months, I’ve been taking our electric frying pan out to the deck and cooking. Since that works so well I bought a much smaller electric frying pan that is easily portable
so may I present my “outdoor kitchen “which cost about 20 bucks rather than the $18,000 other people spend on their outdoor kitchens. We also have the typical gas grill, but we never use it
6466
...so may I present my “outdoor kitchen “which cost about 20 bucks rather than the $18,000 other people spend on their outdoor kitchens. We also have the typical gas grill, but we never use it
My outdoor cooking area consists of a gas griddle, an electric pellet smoker and a typical charcoal grill. I haven't used the griddle in over a year, the smoker gets used 4 or 5 times a year and so far the charcoal grill has been used once. They all look nice on the deck though.
When we go to Texas, DH loads up the back of the car with post oak and mesquite since he only cooks outdoors with wood. He is smoking some Hatch chilies tomorrow for making green chile sauce.
iris lilies
7-28-25, 8:03am
In my little town there are several old houses with tiny brick buildings behind them. I think I’ve been told these tiny ones are smokehouses from 130 years ago. I never saw these in the city so it must be a country thing.
early morning
7-28-25, 10:26am
My grandparent's farm had a spring house, a smokehouse, a chicken house, hog barn, butcher shed, large hay barn, tobacco shed, corn cribs (wooden, they never got one of the "new fangled" metal ones), and a wagon shed. (oops, forgot the milking shed, for some reason referred to as "the milking parlor") OH - and a summer kitchen. And of course a privy. This was pretty typical, from what I've gleaned. Most of the buildings were wooden structures and fell into decay as practices changed. Most farms today, even in Amish country, don't have all of these little buildings cluttering up the place, lol. Country living/farming required a lot of specialized buildings back in the day!
catherine
7-28-25, 10:43am
I do a lot of stirfry type cooking and I’m tired of the grease floating around my kitchen even though I have a pretty good exhaust system. So in the past couple of months, I’ve been taking our electric frying pan out to the deck and cooking. Since that works so well I bought a much smaller electric frying pan that is easily portable
so may I present my “outdoor kitchen “which cost about 20 bucks rather than the $18,000 other people spend on their outdoor kitchens. We also have the typical gas grill, but we never use it
6466
Wow, what a great idea--at least for the summer! DH is a stovetop cook, and he loves sauteeing in a lot of fat. Our house probably reeks of grease. We don't have an exhaust system, although I did just recently purchase a portable one.
Regarding early morning's outbuilding post, our little quarter-acre is starting to fill up. When we bought the place, it was a house, two storage sheds and one "workshop" shed. We also have three lean-to's for wood and garbage cans. We added the camper two years ago for DD/DSIL. DS#3 and DDIL have just purchased a shed kit that will be assembled in the footprint of a fallow garden bed in a couple of weeks. They come up here so often (nearly every weekend), they didn't want to keep imposing by sleeping in my office. I'm a little nervous about what the neighbors will say, but we don't need a permit if it's 100 sq.ft or under, so it's really none of their business. But still. This is it. No more adding ANYTHING to our yard. Really.
Wow, what a great idea--at least for the summer! DH is a stovetop cook, and he loves sauteeing in a lot of fat. Our house probably reeks of grease. We don't have an exhaust system, although I did just recently purchase a portable one.
Regarding early morning's outbuilding post, our little quarter-acre is starting to fill up. When we bought the place, it was a house, two storage sheds and one "workshop" shed. We also have three lean-to's for wood and garbage cans. We added the camper two years ago for DD/DSIL. DS#3 and DDIL have just purchased a shed kit that will be assembled in the footprint of a fallow garden bed in a couple of weeks. They come up here so often (nearly every weekend), they didn't want to keep imposing by sleeping in my office. I'm a little nervous about what the neighbors will say, but we don't need a permit if it's 100 sq.ft or under, so it's really none of their business. But still. This is it. No more adding ANYTHING to our yard. Really.
Think of it as a mini Hyannisport!
catherine
7-28-25, 12:35pm
Think of it as a mini Hyannisport!
Haha! DH always wanted a family compound--this is a "compact compound." At least it's cheaper than adding on or building up our house.
iris lilies
7-28-25, 1:20pm
Haha! DH always wanted a family compound--this is a "compact compound." At least it's cheaper than adding on or building up our house.
I think the shed solution is great for a lil’ guest house.
happystuff
7-29-25, 10:19am
I agree about the shed! If/when we downsize, dh will get a "he shed" for his office.
Rave for other people with magic sidewalks!!! Took dh to is dentist appointment and, along the way, saw a decent-size rolling barrel composter. Dropped dh off and went back. Free sign, so it is now in our backyard!
catherine
7-29-25, 11:28am
I agree about the shed! If/when we downsize, dh will get a "he shed" for his office.
Rave for other people with magic sidewalks!!! Took dh to is dentist appointment and, along the way, saw a decent-size rolling barrel composter. Dropped dh off and went back. Free sign, so it is now in our backyard!
Yeah, a new composter is in our future, because we will have to relocate our composter, we might get a different one.
Had to get my driver's license renewed which meant I had to get an eye exam. I only go when it's required to get a new license. First time seeing this particular optometrist. She was great. Very personable and chatty which I like. I think if she hadn't chit chatted som much, my exam would have gone a lot faster but I didn't mind. I was still home at my usual time had I stayed at work all day. She filed my results online so all I had to do was go home and do the rest online for my part and pay. The worst part was picking out frames even though I never wear them except when driving at night in the rain. I never like the ones I end up picking. Haha!! But total cost was covered by insurance so no loss on my end. Hopefully I remember the optometrist's name in eight years when I have to renew my driver's license again. I want to go back and see her for sure.
Had to get my driver's license renewed which meant I had to get an eye exam. I only go when it's required to get a new license. First time seeing this particular optometrist. She was great. Very personable and chatty which I like. I think if she hadn't chit chatted som much, my exam would have gone a lot faster but I didn't mind. I was still home at my usual time had I stayed at work all day. She filed my results online so all I had to do was go home and do the rest online for my part and pay. The worst part was picking out frames even though I never wear them except when driving at night in the rain. I never like the ones I end up picking. Haha!! But total cost was covered by insurance so no loss on my end. Hopefully I remember the optometrist's name in eight years when I have to renew my driver's license again. I want to go back and see her for sure.
A complete stranger and I helped each other pick out frames at Costco last year. It just happened kind of spontaneously. She was very nice and truly helpful. DH always tells me I look pretty in all of them, which is very sweet, but not the least bit helpful.
iris lilies
8-2-25, 8:29am
Once DH came home with eyeglass frames one of the optician assistants picked for him. He looked the best he had ever looked in glasses.
I am due for new sunglasses and I may have one of the ladies in the shop give advice.
We built a kit greenhouse this year and I've been slowly moving garden equipment into it.
My "rave" is that I'm keeping myself to what will store there and discarding any excess. The yard will be MUCH tidier without the piles of bamboo poles, garden stakes, terra cotta pots, etc. And because of the "space budget" I'm making myself stick to, I've culled down what's being stored quite a bit. Not only is the yard tidier, but the collections are much more managable.
Win!
Our cabinet installer purchased a Rev-a-Shelf Lazy Susan insert for us. I was moving the shelves and noticed that a plastic clip which covers the ends of the metal band was missing from one. A very small thing. I sent an email to the company to ask where I could get one. Within just a couple of hours, a customer service rep contacted me for more info. I sent photos and they immediately responded that they would get the part and mail to me.
Amazing customer service. Very nice interaction over email also. Will miss it when it is only AI. I figured I would just try this instead of complaining to the installer which could cause delay, etc.
We also had countertops installed yesterday and it went smoothly with very professional installers. They talked with me and explained what they were doing. Great interaction.
This is the year that the garden and yard have overwhelmed me and are forcing some decisions about how to proceed. What has been an enjoyable hobby after retiring is turning into a full-time endeavor. I have never lived in a location where weeds are so prolific. We went away for a week in which they completely took over so we have spent hours pulling weeds. Even the sedum in the rock garden has me pulling it out by the handfuls since it has taken over. I am trying to think of ways to simplify all of it. Or maybe just adding it to the reasons to find a different house.
iris lilies
8-4-25, 11:25am
My big iris club had a sale over the weekend. We made—get this—$20,000 over a day and a half. We had hundreds of varieties and thousands of rhizomes.
This is the most money we have ever made. And here is the marvelous thing: it was perfectly organized by a young, newer member of our group. She is working with newer people to complete the hours and hours it takes to dig, clean, identify, and sort these things.
I HAD TO DO NOTHING to make this happen. NOT ONE THING.
sure, I showed up to work the first day of the sale, but that is all. Praise god and hallelujah.
My big iris club had a sale over the weekend. We made—get this—$20,000 over a day and a half. We had hundreds of varieties and thousands of rhizomes.
This is the most money we have ever made. And here is the marvelous thing: it was perfectly organized by a young, newer member of our group. She is working with newer people to complete the hours and hours it takes to dig, clean, identify, and sort these things.
I HAD TO DO NOTHING to make this happen. NOT ONE THING.
sure, I showed up to work the first day of the sale, but that is all. Praise god and hallelujah.
What great news on both fronts!! It's so great that your "new blood" is taking charge. I look at my Master Gardener group and we're all old (well, one is younger and still working, but she lives out of the area).
That's great, IL! Our Lynn Woods Rose Garden group is going to need to do some fund-raising at some point, and I find that whole prospect very daunting. Fortunately there are other members with greater experience/comfort in that area, so hopefully I can just be a little worker bee.
Most people hate dealing with the DMV but I have to give a shout out. I had to get my driver's license renewed and did it online last Thursday afternoon. I got my new license yesterday. That was fast!!
iris lilies
8-5-25, 9:52am
Most people hate dealing with the DMV but I have to give a shout out. I had to get my driver's license renewed and did it online last Thursday afternoon. I got my new license yesterday. That was fast!!
My tiny town hosts a DMV and we love that place! Nice ladies who know us run it. There is never a line, there MIGHT be one person ahead of us.
here is a difference of night and day between our office and the dirty, crowded rude place in the city of St. Louis.
My tiny town hosts a DMV and we love that place! Nice ladies who know us run it. There is never a line, there MIGHT be one person ahead of us.
here is a difference of night and day between our office and the dirty, crowded rude place in the city of St. Louis.
We only have one near us and it services multiple Counties so it's crowded. I do everything online so haven't actually gone there in years.
Wow, $20,000! I had no idea that a garden club could rake that amount in! And so good to know the younger generation is taking over. We have that starting to happen in our little village as well, slowly but surely. The oldsters are retiring from volunteer positions (me included).
iris lilies
8-5-25, 1:08pm
Wow, $20,000! I had no idea that a garden club could rake that amount in! And so good to know the younger generation is taking over. We have that starting to happen in our little village as well, slowly but surely. The oldsters are retiring from volunteer positions (me included).
Our Iris Society takes care of the big Iris garden at Missouri botanical gardens in St. Louis. We use their volunteers in addition to our own members to dig and process these iris every year. MOBOT supports the effort by giving us free space for the sale, storage space for a few supplies, some publicity, and a little printing.
We donate the majority of this $20,000 back to MOBOT so it’s of value to them, plus we keep the iris garden healthy by dividing plants each year. We will probably donate around $15,000 of this $20,000
Our Iris Society takes care of the big Iris garden at Missouri botanical gardens in St. Louis. Their volunteers in addition to our own members to dig and process these iris every year. They support the effort by giving us free space, storage of a few supplies, some publicity, and a little printing.
we donate the majority of this $20,000 back to MOBOT so it’s a value to them, plus we keep the iris garden healthy by dividing plants each year. we will probably donate around $15,000 of this $.20,000
That is so awesome! And they are so lucky to have the volunteers for that considerable amount of work!
littlebittybobby
8-6-25, 2:22am
okay---as an elderly person, i enjoy a trip to the DOR to get licenses. Yup. You hafta take a number, n'-sit-n-wait(they have chairs). But yeah---it's air-conditioned, and there's usually a sammich shop nearby, so you can go there or just people-watch, until your number comes up. the social securrity office is good, too. better'n sitting on an airliner, hoping it don't crash. Hope that helps you some.
The National Park senior lifetime pass I ordered arrived, and I had been feeling concerned that I overbought, because my husband has his already, but I looked at the details and each of us can get three adults in our car in for free, as well. So that means if I sit with my son in his car, if we go to a park together, they will also get in for free, so I think it was a good buy.
frugal-one
8-20-25, 1:41pm
Costco pharmacy rocks! Never thought I would pay a fee to shop but Costco’s pharmacy prices more than pay for the membership. Went today and asked to check Costco discount vs my insurance. Would have cost double using insurance. It ALWAYS pays to ask!
rosarugosa
8-24-25, 6:19am
Sister and I did a fun thing yesterday that we've been meaning to do for many years, and which has been on our "bucket list." We visited Wolf Hollow in Ipswich, which is a wolf sanctuary with a mission of advocacy and education. It was super-interesting, and so cool to see these beautiful wolves up close. The animals are obviously loved and well cared for, and it is a pretty special place. The presenter/owner is a middle-school teacher, and he was an effective and engaging speaker. I love people who are passionate about their niche specialties! We've driven by the place for years, but you need to purchase tickets in advance, and they are only open on the weekends. So yesterday was our sisters' day out to celebrate her retirement, just the two of us. We saw the wolves, visited a beloved shop where the owner is retiring, went to a farm store for some expensive produce, and went out for a late lunch. There was nothing frugal about the day, but we had a really good time!
frugal-one
8-24-25, 7:29am
Rosa… Sound like a great day! Always fun to do something different and spice things up IMO!
Sounds fascinating, rosa!! And a great time with your sister!
happystuff
8-24-25, 7:49am
What a wonderful day you both had! And happy retirement to your sister!
iris lilies
8-24-25, 10:52am
okay---as an elderly person, i enjoy a trip to the DOR to get licenses. Yup. You hafta take a number, n'-sit-n-wait(they have chairs). But yeah---it's air-conditioned, and there's usually a sammich shop nearby, so you can go there or just people-watch, until your number comes up. the social securrity office is good, too. better'n sitting on an airliner, hoping it don't crash. Hope that helps you some.
Bobby you should drive to Hermann where our county DMV is located. Never a line. Sometimes there’s one person ahead of me. The ladies who wait on us are pleasant and knowledgeable. It’s a whole different experience than in the big dirty city.
littlebittybobby
8-25-25, 10:30am
Bobby you should drive to Hermann where our county DMV is located. Never a line. Sometimes there’s one person ahead of me. The ladies who wait on us are pleasant and knowledgeable. It’s a whole different experience than in the big dirty city.okay---IL/ Faux; You really should get your licenses in the dirty, filthy crime-ridden citty, here. You have your choice of bureaus, so if you have made enemies at one, you can opt for another. Like---in a teeny, tiny town in the middle o' nowhere, you are stuck with the same clod that you dealt with last time, because they never quit, or get fired. See? But yeah---like I said before, it's an entertaining event, where the price of admission also goes toward license fees, thereby cutting redundant costs, and simplifying. See? Hope that helps you some.
iris lilies
8-25-25, 10:48am
okay---IL/ Faux; You really should get your licenses in the dirty, filthy crime-ridden citty, here. You have your choice of bureaus, so if you have made enemies at one, you can opt for another. Like---in a teeny, tiny town in the middle o' nowhere, you are stuck with the same clod that you dealt with last time, because they never quit, or get fired. See? But yeah---like I said before, it's an entertaining event, where the price of admission also goes toward license fees, thereby cutting redundant costs, and simplifying. See? Hope that helps you some.
I was never entertained by the patrons of the DMV in the city of St. Louis. It was a place of dread.
iris lilies
9-1-25, 10:12am
We bought pastries at the Alpha Gal friendly bakery in a nearby town. The owner has Alpha Gal. She is great! She has had the acupuncture treatment DH is now undergoing. She said it helped her immensely.
Her baked goods are very high quality so it is wonderful we found this bakery. Missouri is Ground Zero for this tick disease, Alpha Gal, so there are a number of restaurants and eateries that cater to it.
We bought pastries at the Alpha Gal friendly bakery in a nearby town. The owner has Alpha Gal. She is great! She has had the acupuncture treatment DH is now undergoing. She said it helped her immensely.
Her baked goods are very high quality so it is wonderful we found this bakery. Missouri is Ground Zero for this tick disease, Alpha Gal, so there are a number of restaurants and eateries that cater to it.
Wow! That is amazing that there is a bakery that caters to Alpha-Gal needs!! Interesting that alternative therapies are also found to be helpful for it!
The ticks are so bad here. A friend went walking at the local arboretum and came home with ticks on her she couldn't see. Tested positive, but got the medicine right away, within 24 hours.
I'm hoping for a cold winter to kill off the nasties.
iris lilies
9-1-25, 2:35pm
The ticks are so bad here. A friend went walking at the local arboretum and came home with ticks on her she couldn't see. Tested positive, but got the medicine right away, within 24 hours.
I'm hoping for a cold winter to kill off the nasties.
she tested positive for what? Lyme?
ToomuchStuff
9-7-25, 9:15pm
Faberge!
iris lilies
9-7-25, 9:17pm
Faberge!
yeah not quite! I deleted this post because it really belongs in the thread about our artistic endeavors.
Husband and oldest knocked out a big project that needed to get done. They disassembled the large wooden playset and sand box that has been in our backyard for about 25 years. No one has played on either in a long time except for the stray cats who live in our woods. They would jump up into the fort or try to run up the slide. Caught them several times asleep for hours inside the fort. Unfortunately, they used the sandbox as a litter box so that's nasty. Our backyard looks so empty now but also really nice with a clear view of the woods now. Will make mowing and blowing leaves a lot easier too!
That's great, Klunick. I'm starting to want more open spaces in my yards. Already started working on taking a small (and pretty useless) garden box out. Neighbor will probably want the wood, although there isn't much to it. Your post is motivation - thanks!
I signed up for the extra year of Windows 10 support. It was easy, went to settings, security, back up and there was the box to check if I wanted to enroll in the free Windows 10 security updates until October of 26! I have been fretting about it for months, bought a new laptop that I now have plenty of time to get set up the way I want.
I’ve been asked to be the editor of the journal put out several times a year by the WI shipwreck group. The current editor will trade with me and become secretary. Editor is much more my speed.
iris lilies
9-10-25, 10:23am
I’ve been asked to be the editor of the journal put out several times a year by the WI shipwreck group. The current editor will trade with me and become secretary. Editor is much more my speed.
Tradd, this is a wonderful use of your skills as they intersect with your interests.
Oh Tradd, That sounds like fun!
County fair day-- going to catch the farmer's horse classes, not the pulling so excited to see something new. There are two more after this one, with the largest and closest being the last of the season. The next two have harness racing, so saving my coins to bet, very exciting.
Our county fair has jousting!
iris lilies
9-11-25, 1:35pm
Our county fair has jousting!ah, that would be fun to watch!
The county fairs can be great. At a recent garden club training event I sat with people who organize the horticultural division of the Clay county fair up in northern Iowa. That sounds like a HUGE production way beyond my own state fair’s Hort display. For instance, they regularly have over 200 dahlias. That’s JUST dahlias!
oy
happystuff
9-12-25, 8:10am
Love county fairs! Always go to ours.
sorry posted it twice! 65046504
The first time I saw a Percheron horse was at the fair...I was about 40! I didn't know they got so big. They are amazing creatures.What kind is the one you posted Tybee?
Sounds like so much fun, Tybee!
That is a Haflinger, an Austrian breed that is much smaller than a Percheron or Belgian, around 14 or 15 hands. Very versatile, can drive or ride.
There was a Belgian in the same class and then a team of Haflingers against a team of a Belgian and a Percheron.
The Halfingers were better at the nimble stuff--smaller turning radius so went faster going through the obstacle course pulling the log.
The bigger horses were pull more weight, and cover more ground--so it's fun to see the different sizes doing the same things. Having seen the Haflingers with the logs, I think I'd be inclined to something smaller like that or a Morgan.
I'm editing this about the temperament as what I heard about them is from about 25 years ago and they are way more common now and it seems they are being lauded for having a good temperament. They are definitely more hot blooded than the bigger drafts. Sorry I could go on about horses all day long.
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OSK.HEROLixwWw8DH6kG__K_MBrlEWqujHd6MxHbl_A0C_3ZYy U?w=472&h=280&c=1&rs=2&o=6&cb=thwsc5&pid=SANGAM
iris lilies
9-12-25, 7:52pm
Those horse are lovely.
happystuff
9-13-25, 8:51am
Great picture and nice description. Never heard of a Haflinger before! Thanks.
Thank you, tybee. I love the pictures and information.
iris lilies
9-17-25, 12:39pm
The verdict is in. After watching random videos of Bulldogs that crossed my social media feed, this one is the winner. Don’t bother to watch if you don’t find Bulldogs ridiculously amusing. But yeah, this is how they are in real life.
https://youtube.com/shorts/SVINPxbtYTw?si=LtZ9v7XretuIbtAz
Do they really make this noise???
iris lilies
9-17-25, 7:05pm
Do they really make this noise???
Yes. While this is an especially Prolonged and loud version, the bulldog whine is well known among bulldog owners. In my house it has been more of a grumpy complaining vocalization that’s much softer. They don’t all make this vocalization but enough of them do it that it’s a known Bulldog Thang.
I suppose the decibel level and frequency has to do with how strongly the bulldog feels he’s been wronged. The sense of entitlement is strong with them
rosarugosa
9-18-25, 6:31am
OK, one of the things I like best about cats is how quiet they are. We are surrounded by yappy little dogs who bark out the window at anything that moves, while our boys just look outside and judge silently. I'm so glad they don't bark!
happystuff
9-18-25, 7:45am
While this could also go into gardening, I'm putting it here as I'm still "raving" about it! LOL
Rave for trying something new - this summer's "new" was planting potatoes! Just harvested them yesterday and laughed the whole time. Running hands through the dirt and pulling up a potato was great fun! Again, while some of you are veteran veggie gardeners, I am not - so this was really a thrill. And, it was followed closely by eating a watermelon we grew as well! (only three have survived, so will probably open the 2nd one today.)
Years ago, we did a whole renovation of our kitchen, bathrooms, and living room. New paint, carpet, vanities/sinks, furniture, etc. Not until this year has the color of the outlet and light switch wall plates been bothering me. They are a beige color. I started noticing how the crisp white baseboards looked so nice against the paint colors and how "off" the beige wall plates looked. I have been slowly replacing the wall plates with new white ones. It looks so much nicer now. I am really loving it. Funny how small changes to a room can make it feel like new.
Drove across a covered bridge yesterday in New Hampshire, wooden, one car only. It was to get to the White Mountain Puzzle store, so it was a two for one rave.
early morning
9-18-25, 10:27am
That's cool, Tybee! my sister loves covered bridges and wants to drive thru or visit all of them. We've not got to all of those in Vermont or New Hampshire but hope to make a big dent in the list next spring. We also love puzzles, but so do the cats, so we seldom finish one, lol.
That's neat, to have that goal with the bridges. I guess there are currently 58 in NH used for actual driving; not sure how many more there are--I see one near where we go shopping, but it has been converted to a part of a walking trail/park, with picnic tables.
This is the one we went over:
Jackson Covered Bridge in Jackson NH NH - Covered Bridges (https://nhtourguide.com/wp/places/jackson/jackson-covered-bridge/)
iris lilies
9-18-25, 11:04am
While this could also go into gardening, I'm putting it here as I'm still "raving" about it! LOL
Rave for trying something new - this summer's "new" was planting potatoes! Just harvested them yesterday and laughed the whole time. Running hands through the dirt and pulling up a potato was great fun! Again, while some of you are veteran veggie gardeners, I am not - so this was really a thrill. And, it was followed closely by eating a watermelon we grew as well! (only three have survived, so will probably open the 2nd one today.)
I just skinned and cooked a bunch of garden potatoes yesterday. They are very dirty when they come out of the ground. I ask DH to do an initial washing of them but they still are full of dirt by the time they come up to the kitchen.
Speaking of raving about our gardens, we are finally harvesting some of the best tomatos I have ever tasted. They are Carbons and the taste/color is sublime. Sliced and drizzled with an olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil and garlic (from the garden) dressing.
No covered bridges, but today the hubs and I went out to a U-pick dahlia farm, coming home with a nice variety of colors in a bouquet. It was really nice just strolling through marvelling at all the varieties. We each chose our favorite.
rosarugosa
9-19-25, 6:02am
Happy: That does sound like fun - buried treasure! I love potatoes.
Tybee: I've been on that very bridge, many, many moons ago.
We decided on our recent vacation that it would be fun to visit cute little libraries, so we visited one in Shelburne and another in Shelburne Falls. We skipped Greenfield because it's a big ugly modern building, but the two we visited were adorable, and the librarians were very pleasant and welcoming.
rosarugosa
9-19-25, 6:06am
Shelburne Falls:
6515
Shelburne:
6516
iris lilies
9-19-25, 5:50pm
No covered bridges, but today the hubs and I went out to a U-pick dahlia farm, coming home with a nice variety of colors in a bouquet. It was really nice just strolling through marvelling at all the varieties. We each chose our favorite.
Dahlia shows were a riot of color when we had them here in St. Louis. It’s like walking into a circus tent – oranges and yellows and reds mix with some whites, just explosion of color.
I judged a flower show today with 291 horticultural entries and a dahlia was first runner up to Best in show.
Glad we went yesterday. The smoke from the Bear Gulch Fire is so bad today you can hardly stand to be outside. :(
A while ago I dug up two axeheads on my property, which was built in the early 1800's. My husband just put a handle on the hewing axe head and it looks awesome:
6517
happystuff
9-20-25, 8:07am
That looks great, Tybee!
Made the executive decision that I am taking off tomorrow for my birthday. Have nothing planned but a boring day at home is always better than any kind of day at work.
A while ago I dug up two axeheads on my property, which was built in the early 1800's. My husband just put a handle on the hewing axe head and it looks awesome:
6517
Wow, that is beautiful!
Wow, that is beautiful!
It is definitely the coolest thing I have found on the property! I like to imagine it is what they used for framing the barn.
Made the executive decision that I am taking off tomorrow for my birthday. Have nothing planned but a boring day at home is always better than any kind of day at work.
When I was working I always took my birthday off and did whatever the heck I wanted. It was the best gift ...from me to myself!
When I was working I always took my birthday off and did whatever the heck I wanted. It was the best gift ...from me to myself!
I have become very disenfranchised at work so taking my birthday off seems like self care for my mental health.
rosarugosa
9-24-25, 6:50am
The axe is very cool, Tybee. You guys are good custodians of history.
I'm another one who always took my birthday off. Sometime it fell on Patriot's Day, and I used to enjoy telling my employees that they all got my birthday off as a paid holiday!
For the first time in weeks, I didn't have to bring any work home for the weekend. No air freight. No files to do to get ahead for Monday. Lovely. Making spaghetti now and going to read and veg.
rosarugosa
9-28-25, 7:51am
Here's a rave to balance my rants: Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). This is our second year with this plant blooming in our garden, and it is such a pollinator magnet! Yesterday, I counted approximately 40 bumblebees on our one plant! I say "approximately" because the bees kept moving around, making it hard to get a precise headcount. It's such a wonderful plant.
Here's a rave to balance my rants: Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). This is our second year with this plant blooming in our garden, and it is such a pollinator magnet! Yesterday, I counted approximately 40 bumblebees on our one plant! I say "approximately" because the bees kept moving around, making it hard to get a precise headcount. It's such a wonderful plant.
That is awesome!! I love watching the bees on the pollinator plants! My fall pollinator plants are a New England Aster and a Montauk daisy (it's huge--I really need to cut it back). They are both nice to have when all the other summer flowers are fading and wilting.
Here is my rave--related to gardening. I hand-screened my compost yesterday because we had to migrate my bin from one side of the yard to the other. So bagged the finished stuff and put the rest back in the relocated bin. That compost is beautiful stuff. I think composting is pure magic.
6536
rosarugosa
9-28-25, 2:04pm
Very nice, Catherine! We are pretty lazy composters.
iris lilies
9-28-25, 4:17pm
That is awesome!! I love watching the bees on the pollinator plants! My fall pollinator plants are a New England Aster and a Montauk daisy (it's huge--I really need to cut it back). They are both nice to have when all the other summer flowers are fading and wilting.
Here is my rave--related to gardening. I hand-screened my compost yesterday because we had to migrate my bin from one side of the yard to the other. So bagged the finished stuff and put the rest back in the relocated bin. That compost is beautiful stuff. I think composting is pure magic.
6536
i love compost. Smells heavenly.
in our current place we have to buy it although certainly DH has his own composting operation, but I don’t pay attention to it. I want fully rotted compost and his stuff was always not quite composing enough for me. It was slimy.
but oh man, I miss the days of living in the city of St. Louis, where I could go to the city’s composite and load up my truck with as much compost as I want for free.
catherine
9-29-25, 12:04pm
A long time ago when I was still driving beater cars to work, I got in my car to go home at 5pm, and my crappy Nissan Sentra didn't start. The battery was dead. So I went back to the office, where I knew a couple of my colleagues were still working, and I asked Bart if he could help me jump my car. He declined, saying he didn't know how. This was amazing to me, because all the men in my life could jump a car as easily as brush their teeth.
Today my neighbor across the road is here. Three ash trees on the land between us need to come down due to the emerald ash borer. We've been talking about it for a couple of years. They own the property, and I figured they'd have a tree company come out. But no, my neighbor brought a friend and a cherry picker today, and they're at it themselves right now, felling three trees.
In the book I'm reading, the author talks about how the culture is leaving behind the multi-skilled people that usually live in more rural areas and villages. Since I've moved here I've marveled at the ingenuity and know-how of my rural neighbors. I guess there are people who are raised to be multi-skilled so that they don't have to pay people to do these things and they can remain self-reliant. In my more cosmopolitan neck of the woods where I grew up, parents were more likely to teach their kids how to make money so that they could afford to pay people like my neighbor.
In this regard, I have so much greater respect for my Vermonter neighbors than people like Bart and many of the people I have worked with my whole life. And I'm not just thinking about the "manly" skills--the same holds true for traditionally female skills. I wish that "home arts" was more of a thing these days. I think we've lost something when we're all "specialists" in one thing.
So my rave is basically just a shout out to the generalists, the multi-skilled, and the resourceful.
Agree with you Catherine. A friend taught all his sons to cook and now they all are familiar with the kitchen and equal partners with working wives. (something I learned from my mom and Home Ec). Another man we knew taught his daughter's all about cars and household repair. Gave them more independence.
Habitat for Humanity makes each homeowner take a class in home maintenance (as well as home finance) so they are able to handle many home issues.
Back when (Dark Ages) when my husband was hired by a Fortune 100 company, they hired for a lifetime. He spent no more than 3 years in any department learning all about their unique needs and with each move became more generalized. He ended up in a corporate planning and strategy group. Of course, it did not help with layoffs since his whole group was dismantled. Management did not want any input from strategy groups. Now they hire for specific positions and the general education is gone. Same thing happened in the scientific groups.
iris lilies
9-29-25, 1:56pm
A long time ago when I was still driving beater cars to work, I got in my car to go home at 5pm, and my crappy Nissan Sentra didn't start. The battery was dead. So I went back to the office, where I knew a couple of my colleagues were still working, and I asked Bart if he could help me jump my car. He declined, saying he didn't know how. This was amazing to me, because all the men in my life could jump a car as easily as brush their teeth.
Today my neighbor across the road is here. Three ash trees on the land between us need to come down due to the emerald ash borer. We've been talking about it for a couple of years. They own the property, and I figured they'd have a tree company come out. But no, my neighbor brought a friend and a cherry picker today, and they're at it themselves right now, felling three trees.
In the book I'm reading, the author talks about how the culture is leaving behind the multi-skilled people that usually live in more rural areas and villages. Since I've moved here I've marveled at the ingenuity and know-how of my rural neighbors. I guess there are people who are raised to be multi-skilled so that they don't have to pay people to do these things and they can remain self-reliant. In my more cosmopolitan neck of the woods where I grew up, parents were more likely to teach their kids how to make money so that they could afford to pay people like my neighbor.
In this regard, I have so much greater respect for my Vermonter neighbors than people like Bart and many of the people I have worked with my whole life. And I'm not just thinking about the "manly" skills--the same holds true for traditionally female skills. I wish that "home arts" was more of a thing these days. I think we've lost something when we're all "specialists" in one thing.
So my rave is basically just a shout out to the generalists, the multi-skilled, and the resourceful.
Real men know how to fell trees. Just sayin’
DH took down the small grove behind our Hermann house with no heavy equipment, using physics.
I purposely stayed away the day he felled the 40’ tree, it scared the Bejesus outta me.
But yeah, the country boys who know how to do things are invaluable.
Real men know how to fell trees. Just sayin’
Well, then there's precious few real men in NJ, as far as I know.
But, yeah, Vermont men (and women) know a lot about trees.
iris lilies
9-29-25, 2:06pm
Agree with you Catherine. A friend taught all his sons to cook and now they all are familiar with the kitchen and equal partners with working wives. (something I learned from my mom and Home Ec). Another man we knew taught his daughter's all about cars and household repair. Gave them more independence.
Habitat for Humanity makes each homeowner take a class in home maintenance (as well as home finance) so they are able to handle many home issues.
Back when (Dark Ages) when my husband was hired by a Fortune 100 company, they hired for a lifetime. He spent no more than 3 years in any department learning all about their unique needs and with each move became more generalized. He ended up in a corporate planning and strategy group. Of course, it did not help with layoffs since his whole group was dismantled. Management did not want any input from strategy groups. Now they hire for specific positions and the general education is gone. Same thing happened in the scientific groups.
Yes, compartmentalization is the thing these days.
House building skills was a BIG social divide in my old neighborhood of
Victorian houses. Some of it was generational, some not. We unkindly called the other tribe “checkbook rehabbers” but of course they were strong employers of DH so…good for us!
There were several men in our age group who could build and repair anything in their house, tho perhaps their carpentry skills weren’t up to par. But we had a number of GREAT carpenters as well.
I have to say these were generally heterosexual men. The gay men of which we had many weren’t so great as a group with old house fixit skills with one exception I can think of. Of course with home decor they were steller, so shoot me if I am generalizing but I’m confident gay friends would agree with me.
And then our neighborhood became more posh and the youngsters with big jobs moved in and they can’t fix anything. They are accustomed to a compartmentalized world. They are the Big Check rehabbers.
I still shake my head at the lack of confidence I ran into with a few of these folks when gardening. They needed instruction, handholding.
for God’s sake, scratch up some dirt, throw in some seeds and water them It’s not that difficult.
For the last several weeks I have been getting bombarded with ads for Halloween decor. I had resisted every one. I decorated for Halloween on Saturday and was happy with what was left after the big declutter back in July.
Last night my husband and oldest commented on how little decor there was on the mantle. They said I needed more. Today I caved and ordered some stuff from Amazon. I then decided to cancel it and go to Michael's and get some stuff in person.
In the end, I didn't stop at Michael's and won't be buying any decor. I am going to resist.
Good for you, Klunick!
I ended up putting my Fall garland back on the mantle to fill in the gaps. Of course, my husband never even noticed the change. Grrr!!
It sounds really pretty, Klunick! This morning I awoke to find a 14 foot Christmas tree in the barn. Husband had cut off the top of a taller tree while working in the woods. I said it would not last until christmas, we have 10 foot ceilings, and it was blocking the door to the woodyard. So he is feeling grumpy with me this morning.
frugal-one
9-30-25, 9:52am
Lost Hoopla when moved to TX. On recent trip a person at the airport told me how to get it from a large library not in my area. I LOVE Hoopla! I am psyched! The previous time at the airport I was told how to get a free gym membership. Flying tomorrow (hopefully)… would be unbelievable if I learned another cost saving measure!
Lost Hoopla when moved to TX. On recent trip a person at the airport told me how to get it from a large library not in my area. I LOVE Hoopla! I am psyched! The previous time at the airport I was told how to get a free gym membership. Flying tomorrow (hopefully)… would be unbelievable if I learned another cost saving measure!
Free gym membership?? Do tell.
For the last several weeks I have been getting bombarded with ads for Halloween decor. I had resisted every one. I decorated for Halloween on Saturday and was happy with what was left after the big declutter back in July.
Last night my husband and oldest commented on how little decor there was on the mantle. They said I needed more. Today I caved and ordered some stuff from Amazon. I then decided to cancel it and go to Michael's and get some stuff in person.
In the end, I didn't stop at Michael's and won't be buying any decor. I am going to resist.
I did end up getting two things from Michael's yesterday. Everything was 50% off. Spent $20 instead of the $50 I was planning on spending on Amazon a couple days ago. Got two ceramic ghosts which will last for years so I am ok with the purchase.
frugal-one
10-1-25, 8:17am
Free gym membership?? Do tell.
Senior community center/medical charity foundation sponsoring free workout center (fitness instructors, classes and numerous workout machines). It is open to every senior even if they do not belong to the medical facility next door. I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere.
sweetana3
10-11-25, 7:55pm
Kroger had a 2 day sale that included our favorite ground coffee. Instead of regular price of $8.49 it was $3.99 with no limit. We added 20 to our stash over two stores. The price recently was raised so we expected a sale. Thankfully, our flavor was well stocked.
At the same time there was a Key Lime Pie marked down 50%. We are going to try to freeze 2 pieces.
And, if we spent $100 we got $10 off. So husband found a pair of pants he had his eye on for awhile and knew they were a good price. Receipt said we saved 40% on our total bill.
Next Kroger we hit we got a 46% off all our carefully chosen purchases.
I guess Covid turned us into grocery store treasure hunters. Note: we are still very, very careful with our selections and do not buy much processed food.
That is so cool, Sweetana. Very inspiring, we need to get into the swing of grocery frugality because we sure haven't been.
Coffee has gone up due to weather causing smaller harvests the last two years. I've stocked up on my tea.
Coffee has gone up due to weather causing smaller harvests the last two years. I've stocked up on my tea.
I picked up a favorite chocolate treat from the bulk bins while shopping today and the price per pound was rather steep from what I can recall. On the way home, NR had a feature on the coco bean shortages due to weather issues. They mentioned some things about Halloween chocolate shortages that I didn't catch. First coffee, then chocolate, what next! The small amount of silver in my safety deposit box could be useful some day for bartering.
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