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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 21 2025, 4:17pm
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*runs in late without a handkercheif* It's Fiesta!
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Well, well. As sometimes happens when one is (mostly) retired. I forgot it was Friday!  If I had a good excuse like being utterly busy with other things, it would be one thing. But, I can't even claim that. Just the usual weekend of errands and movies for us.
How about all of you who *did* remember it's Friday? Have you been utterly busy? Have a busy weekend planned? Please let us know! The buffet looks especially decadent today, and the blenders *and* coffee makers have been fired up at the bar, so grab your favorite and let us know how life is treating you.
Happiest, funnest of weekends, everyone!!  
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 21 2025, 5:08pm
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She can't get an extension because it needs to be out in September, but she gratefully accepted my offer to impose order on what she's written. I let her know yesterday that it's going very well and she was so relieved!
I'm pushing because I expect another job to come in end of next week, so I'll probably work most of the weekend. Have an equinox gathering Sunday am with mythie friends on Zoom; we do one every equinox & solstice just to catch up.
Saw skunk cabbage on our walk this morning--first sign of spring in the forest--but it's not warm, so I'll take an Angel Mist please Altaira!
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
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NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Meneldor
Doriath
Mar 21 2025, 6:12pm
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... and some things that never will be.
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They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 21 2025, 6:26pm
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As you said, she's paying you for it, but it's still good of you to offer, especially since it will mean working part of the weekend, and also seeing as you're going to be busy again very soon. That's how you get repeat clients and good word of mouth though. Are you sure you don't have a business degree too? 
What perfect days to catch up with mythie friends. Enjoy!!
*slides Angel Mist deftly down the bar* Enjoy x 2!
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 21 2025, 6:28pm
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Dodged a bullet there. How lucky we were! 
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noWizardme
Gondolin
Mar 21 2025, 8:48pm
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I hope everyone enjoyed the Equinox.
Spring in England. I've been planting my first early poe-tay-toes. And a hike planned for tomorrow.
Is the Juke box fired up? Let's have some Bob Marley: you kow "Equinox, movement of Jah People"
Or some Jean Michel Jarre if your spelling is better than mine
Now, spring equinox drinks might be a problem. Cider for autumn obviously. But can one brew something out of birch sap maybe? Should one? I tried the unfermented stuff once and it was boring.
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"I am not made for querulous pests." Frodo 'Spooner' Baggins.
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Kimi
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Mar 21 2025, 9:06pm
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to what's been one of our best-ever kayaking seasons. We're past the autumn equinox, and these fine, 25 C (77F) days are coming to an end. So yesterday we packed up the kayak and a picnic lunch and went north for a glorious day at Kai Iwi, precious dune lakes about two hours from here. They're rain-fed, kept clean and free of weeds by serious vigilance, with clear water ranging in colour from deepest sapphire to light turquoise.
We paddled across the largest of them, a short and easy paddle to one of the white sandy beaches that fringe the lake (we had this beach to ourselves), swam and picnicked and rejoiced in the beauty of the place. It gets very busy over school holidays and summer weekends, but this late in the season there were only two small boats which kept politely well away from us.
A magical day, topped off by stopping in at a wonderful Middle-eastern cafe on the way back for a late afternoon tea.
I'm making tabbouleh salad, using some of our tomatoes and cucumbers and spring onions (scallions to some, I believe). Tonight we're having aubergines with tamarind and other things [she said, waving an arm vaguely]. Mr Kimi's making Eton Mess with blackberries, and I'm making strawberry icecream. Doing our best to make the most of the season!
Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
(This post was edited by Kimi on Mar 22 2025, 12:40am)
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 21 2025, 10:46pm
Post #8 of 64
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Bruce Willis as Boromir. I wasn't as outraged as one ex-regular was by the notion of Ethan Hawke as Faramir and Uma Thurman as Galadriel, but very happy with the ones we got!
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
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NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 21 2025, 10:47pm
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our Cape Cod has ponds like that, and whenever I find myself "back east" I try very hard to get in a swim in one.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 21 2025, 10:56pm
Post #10 of 64
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actually my first master's included an intensive minor in business
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but really, my approach is simple: I have been editing for a very long time, the training I got was excellent, and I know what I'm doing. And along the way, I've figured out how to work with clients. It also helps that I have a solid background in psychology. And I suppose, my fair share of empathy that lets me understand when a client is stressed and help them with that. This client is more stressed than most! Putting your work in front of someone else for criticism, especially for the first time, is a very brave thing to do (one man told me "being edited is like being told your baby is ugly"), and I'm very gentle in my approach, stressing the positive as much as I can.
And also, come to think of it, TORn has helped me in my career because it taught me that I can have difficult conversations with people if we start with what we have in common, what we both love--a shared connection. This woman is my age and her interests overlap many of mine. Also, I'm trying out my French on her and she gets to correct me.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
(This post was edited by Annael on Mar 21 2025, 10:57pm)
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CuriousG
Gondolin
Mar 21 2025, 10:59pm
Post #11 of 64
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Retiring really does wipe out one's sense of weekdays, which we're conditioned from childhood to adhere to. Why don't people warn us? Probably they would, if they could sort out which day it is.
Eating, walking, and catching up with some friends this weekend. I hope everyone else has a great time too!
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CuriousG
Gondolin
Mar 21 2025, 11:01pm
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No on Aragorn; Sean C would have made a good Gandalf
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Hard to erase Ian McKellan from my mind, but still, I think other people could have made it a great role.
I like to think Sean Bean could have made a good Aragorn, and a few other people, but sorry, no young 'uns.
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Kimi
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Mar 21 2025, 11:03pm
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There's very little development around them, just two fairly basic and modestly priced campsites owned by the local council (who do great work keeping the lakes in a good state), which take up little of the lake front and make it more accessible for people who live further away.
It's such a treat, isn't it, to explore special places like that?
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 22 2025, 1:58am
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Sounds like you have appropriately 'Spring-y' things planned and on the go.
I googled Spring drinks and got recipes with things like berries, which aren't ripe yet, so what do they know? Early Spring flower-infused? Nah. How's about everything *but* cider and winter-y drinks goes? Now we're talkin!
I hope you have a very excellent weekend!
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 22 2025, 2:02am
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Those kayaks have gotten a good bit of use, and it does sound like an ultra-perfect way to signal the end of the season. It's a good thing you both get so much exercise given all the yummy meals you have. I gain 2-3 pounds every time you describe your lunches and dinners!
Enjoy!
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 22 2025, 2:04am
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Too true!
I hope you enjoy your most excellent plans!
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 22 2025, 2:35am
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*checks clock* Oh yeah! I'm late! ;)
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Oh yeah... I noticed it was Friday, but we were off doing appointments all day. Poor daughter discovered that pain in her side was a broken rib from coughing so hard :( We didn't even know that could happen! She's such a trooper!!
We've got plans over the weekend to do some deep cleaning in her townhouse. She points and I haul while she follows the doctor's orders to limit lifting and such for the next week as she puts her bandage-wraps from last year back to work. THEN I think we need some pizza and ice cream!!!
Here in Michigan, we had 70 degrees on Tuesday and 2 inches of snow on Thursday. Go figure! This coming week is back to cold weather... but Spring will get here soon!
Thanks for taking such great care of us Altaira! Have a great weekend everyone!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 22 2025, 3:01am
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.. for your daughter. Ouch! Broken ribs are no fun. I've heard it can happen from coughing, but yes, that's about the last thing you'd suspect.
Oooh, yes, pizza and ice cream sound like just the thing after hard work and hard supervising. You're both amazing, and deserve all the pampering you can get.
Hang in there and have a good, productive weekend!
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Kimi
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Mar 22 2025, 4:01am
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I'm glad they've found the problem, though. Yes, pizza and icecream definitely sound just the thing!
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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dernwyn
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Mar 22 2025, 11:28am
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I've been visiting with old friends here. We've had Springtime Snow - the day after the Equinox, we awoke to a centimeter of icy snow on the ground (and on the car), but it all melted by noon.
It never ceases to amaze me how we can just sit or take walks and chat away for hours. But these are friends from high school and college days, and it seems like there's always something that hasn't been mentioned yet, or something to catch up on. Fortunately the restaurants at this season don't mind folks hanging around for 2 or 3 hours!
So I'll grab a coffee and head off to the motel's breakfast room, we meet up for a final farewell before receiving gifts (one gal brought everyone homemade chicken soup (she has a huge garden, and "harvested" some hefty roosters) and jam from her own berries) and heading off homewards.
Happy Spring/Autumn, everyone!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Mar 22 2025, 11:31am
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is very fortunate to have someone with your expertise AND patience editing her work! You're keeping yourself quite busy - what kind of material is the forthcoming job?
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Mar 22 2025, 11:37am
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Another perfect day for more perfect memories!
Some people give their boats names; do you have a name for your faithful kayak?
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Mar 22 2025, 11:39am
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You mean, the week doesn't have six Saturdays?
My brother calls it "being on Island time", referring to taking nice tropical vacations and losing track of the "real world".
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Mar 22 2025, 11:48am
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So that's where our snow came from!
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Your storm decided to drop its last bits on us!
I feel so badly for your daughter, wish there were ways to hurry up the healing of broken ribs. Yes, I've heard that severe coughing can do that, it can be very harsh on the lung cage. A deep cleaning of her surroundings will give you a workout, the pizza and ice cream will be necessary afterwards!
*hugs* to you, and gentle *hugs* for her!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 22 2025, 2:48pm
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is apparently a book written by and aimed at therapists on how to avoid burnout. Coming to me this next week.
Still waiting on two other projects that people said they'd be sending last fall, but are still working on. But right now I'm too busy for them! Grateful to have the work. Social Security is not enough for me to live on.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
(This post was edited by Annael on Mar 22 2025, 2:49pm)
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Kimi
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Mar 22 2025, 8:53pm
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It sounds like your skills are an amazingly good fit for this particular project. It's so good that she was led to you.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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Kimi
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Mar 22 2025, 8:58pm
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we never have! It's just referred to as "the kayak". Might have to think on that...
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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CuriousG
Gondolin
Mar 22 2025, 9:05pm
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Even reversing the name doesn't work, lol //
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Kimi
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Mar 22 2025, 9:55pm
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It's a New Zealand-made one with the brand name Viking, so that, coupled with my Swedish heritage, might suggest a Scandinavian name. Or we could just go for Te Waka, Maori for "the boat" (originally meaning traditional canoes, but now used more widely for vessels and vehicles of all sorts).
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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cats16
Gondolin
Mar 23 2025, 4:11am
Post #30 of 64
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Work was a bit of a blur this week, with Thursday and Friday being unnecessarily stressful. But it's Saturday night, phew!
I've had March Madness on for the most part since Thursday. The good teams look to be especially good this year, which makes a Cinderella story tougher than usual but not impossible. My gut thinks Duke or Florida win it all. Next weekend we're going to Las Vegas, and I'm sure I will get sucked into some bets on the games to make it more entertaining for myself.
I managed to tweak my back again a couple of days ago, quite out of nowhere. Thankfully it's not the worst case version of it, though it's still quite painful. I'm pledging to actually find a physical therapist soon, to try to work through why this happens and what I can do to prevent it moving forward.
Tomorrow we're going to a spin class for a friend's birthday, which I hope will loosen my muscles and be helpful, as long as I take it easy.
Happy Spring to those on our side of the globe, and wishing everyone a happy weekend!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
(This post was edited by cats16 on Mar 23 2025, 4:12am)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 23 2025, 2:39pm
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I love how well your French Client and you are able to work together on resolving her project... especially that she's so receptive about your guidance and encouragement. She will never forget this. She could have shied away from any future projects; but this collaboration will absolutely make a difference and give her empowerment for giving it a go. :) It would have been nice to see what you two could come up with if they had granted the extension. *sigh* FATE TAKES A HAND!
Spring is very fickle when it comes to deciding what weather to throw at us. Then again... that's part of the fun ;)
Have a GREAT weekend and week!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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DwellerInDale
Nargothrond
Mar 23 2025, 3:18pm
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Friday and Saturday were devoted to several unique odd domestic jobs. More than a year ago, a large large branch cracked off the maple tree, but it didn't fall to the ground; other branches prevented this, and so it had hung there suspended until the high winds we had last week brought it down. After it finally crashed to earth, it was my job to cut up a 15-foot tree branch into pieces small enough to take to the recycling center. As I don't own a chainsaw, this was done using a branch trimmer, a hand saw, and bare hands. Not the way I'd envisioned spending the first day of spring.
Thursday night there is a shriek from the kitchen area. I am called to the kitchen to witness a horrifying sight: there is a cockroach inside the clear plastic data panel of Dweller's spouse's state-of-the-art rice cooker. Can I do anything about it? Yeesh, why me? The apparatus is held together by three Phillips screws and one Torx safety screw, the type designed to prevent people like me from opening the casing. After trying to locate a Torx screwdriver with a hole in the end, and finding that even Lowe's only has a set costing $20, I finally make do with a $1.95 flathead screwdriver and get the case opened. I'm greeted by not one but four little roaches. I won't tell her if you won't. This is definitely a "Yes dear, I fixed it" situation.
Don't mess with my favorite female elves.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 23 2025, 4:50pm
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This time of year (Feb-March) the Maple trees are busy being very sappy! So I checked to see what kind of drinks are being built with Maple Syrup and found some treasures! As a non-drinker, a lot of this is over my head; but they say Maple Syrup tends to be paired with whiskey and often rum in Old Fashioned, sour-style cocktails, and combines with white spirits. ENJOY!
 Miskey = Maple Syrup is distilled into 80-proof spirit aged in barrels for a year. Because it's not produced from "starchy grains" that need to be milled and mashed, the syrup is converted directly into "a wort" that is fermented by yeast in that barrel to produce alcohol.
 Maple Old Fashioned = Bourbon Whiskey, Maple Syrup, Orange Bitters
 Toronto Cocktail = Canadian Whiskey, Fernet Liqueur, Maple Syrup, Aromatic Bitters
 Thyme Will Tell = Fresh Thyme, Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Lemon Juice
 The Tootsie Roll = Aged Rum, Maple Syrup, Chocolate Bitters
**From "Difford's Guide: 20 Best Maple Syrup Cocktails"
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Mar 23 2025, 4:54pm)
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 23 2025, 5:55pm
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Sounds like such a great visit. It's so nice to lose track of time talking to old friends, and lingering for just one more cup of coffee.
Mmmm. Chicken soup and jam! Did you bring something to give away or were these more 'host-to-friends' gifts?
Enjoy the ride home and the rest of the weekend!
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 23 2025, 5:59pm
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of course, you know the rest of the quote.
Sorry to hear about your back. Been there for sure. Definitely invest in some physical therapy sessions. Mine had me work on strengthening my core (mostly tummy muscles) which take on a lot of the work so your back doesn't have to. The cycling sounds good, just mind your posture (said Aunt Altaira, lol).
Happy rest of your weekend!
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 23 2025, 6:08pm
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Thankfully, we don't have roaches in our homes in Colorado, only the occasional spider. But your story reminds me of the good old days living in Texas when one would open a kitchen cabinet only to have a palmetto bug (i.e. huge flying roach) fly out at you. Shrieks were definitely heard!
The tree branch sounds like quite the project too. You definitely had to be inventive so far this week. Here's wishing you an uneventful weekend full of easy-to-fix (or better yet - no) issues!
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dernwyn
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Mar 23 2025, 7:36pm
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She has a small farm in Virginia and does canning, and brought several jars. She was also visiting other old friends - we didn't realize that a former teacher of hers and hubby's was living in the same elderly housing as hubby's aunt, so we all visited with them, and they got soup and jam too, and they gave us hibiscus seedlings (he'd planted dozens in plastic cups).
They soup is delicious, by the way!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Mar 23 2025, 7:43pm
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about Florida - they just squeezed past the UConn men, who IMHO snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. 
Could the work stress be affecting your back? A physical therapist should be able to discern what's going on and get your back, back on track, I hope you find one soon! What a pain, though.
Have fun with the cycling!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Mar 23 2025, 7:50pm
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How in the world did they get in there!
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Nope, I won't tell her either! I'm glad you got that casing off with some ingenuity, and hopefully the creatures didn't get very far once released.
These winds have been bringing lots of loose branches down (and causing more power outages in our area). Maybe you should have put up a sign "free firewood, haul away yourself"!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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cats16
Gondolin
Mar 24 2025, 6:24am
Post #41 of 64
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The spin class was more than I bargained for, but thankfully it didn't cause any additional back pain. If anything, I think it loosened things up a bit. My legs were on fire though!
Thanks, hope you had a good one too!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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cats16
Gondolin
Mar 24 2025, 6:28am
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A tough way to lose.
Funnily enough, I was quite stress-free from work when the pain first hit on Wednesday. I remember even saying "it can't be work, I'm not hating it today!"  Naturally the work stress came on once the pain was there, go figure. Thanks! I don't believe my insurance covers PT, so I'll just have to find a place that doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
Thank you! (he says half-limping from exhausted legs) 
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Mar 24 2025, 1:30pm
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No excuses, I was just distracted by various spring things! We've had some much-needed rain, which helped to freshen everything up. I'd planted 24 sweet pea seeds and only 2 germinated, so I bought a pot of little 'uns fromteh garden centre yesterday and have potted them up to grow on before planting out. I've potted up 20 tomato seedlings too - not all for me! - and other things have taken their place in the windowsill propagator. My first cucumber seedling is through, and lots of mesembryanthemums, most of which I give to my daughter because they thrive in her sandy soil. The hawthorns are in soft, fresh new leaf now, and some of the trees are waking too; it's an exciting time of year.Enjoy all the seasonal things happening in your neighbourhood, folks - cheers!
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 1:57pm
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Now that's how you honour the season!
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Oh what a glorious day :) I'm so glad the weather and the people cooperated and gave you two this perfect moment you can warm yourself with when the cold weather sets in.
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 2:03pm
Post #45 of 64
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Misplacing yourself is in the retiree rulebook, imho ;)
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I maybe set my alarm once a month IF THAT! Another rule is to sugar-up the g'kids before sending them home if you're babysitting. AND to give them loud toys on b'days :D
The only things that (sort of) keep me in the "now" are my daughters appointments (now dwindling) and my daily TIME/BS posts ;)
Have a GREAT WEEK... no matter how it rolls out ;)
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 2:32pm
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How very cool that you all can get together and just pick up where you left off :) Did you notice as you get older, there's more conversation around ailments... or were you able to be free of those concerns and just have some wholesome conversations?! ;)
What a great way to welcome the "promise" of gooder weather!
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 2:37pm
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Work is beating you up at the same time your back is letting you down? NASTY BUSINESS, THAT! Yeah... a little PT will help work that out whilst you put in a plan of exercises to help.
I hope you had fun at the spin class... and that your work week is less stressful! That's probably part of the back attack! Tightened muscles and nerves ;) Hang in there!
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 2:46pm
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Yikes! The sky is falling and then there's crawling!
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Wow on the 15' branch surgery. That was a very long day! I had my chainsaw out last week and was VERY grateful to have it. I'll bet if you set that wood out by the road it would disappear pretty fast. At least it WOOD in my area. Good job!
Nasty job on the roaches. We lived in Florida for several years, and those roaches/Palmetto bugs were EVERYWHERE! So weird yours would take up residence in the rice cooker. *seals lips* I promise not to tell ;) I hope this week has a tad bit less excitement!
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 2:50pm
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They grow wild along my dirt roads and really welcome the great weather with a flourish!
Hey, TORnsibs are NEVER LATE! You know the spiel ;) Have a great week... and I hope you have more green pop out of your plantings.
We have been there and back again.
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DwellerInDale
Nargothrond
Mar 24 2025, 3:32pm
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Thanks for the wish, but (fortunately or unfortunately) the excitement hasn't quite stopped. Yesterday I went out to replenish the bird feeder, and there was a female House Finch that simply stayed on the feeder and didn't fly away, even when I was close enough to touch her. I looked at her and immediately knew why: her eyes were very red and swollen; this conjunctivitis is caused by Mycoplasma gallosepticum, a disease that decimated the House Finch population in the 1990s. The bird population subsequently recovered due to Darwinian natural selection on their immune systems. This poor female apparently was among the 5-10% of birds still susceptible. After she had flown away I hoped that perhaps she could recover. Sadly, however, when she flew back to the feeder several hours later, quick as a flash, one of the neighborhood cats leapt to the feeder and took her. Ah well, Darwinian natural selection works both ways. This way at least the disease will have less chance of being spread to the other House Finches in the area.
I hope this week has a tad bit less excitement!
Don't mess with my favorite female elves.
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Ethel Duath
Gondolin
Mar 24 2025, 5:25pm
Post #52 of 64
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I really, really (really) hate to tell you this, but
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I lived with roaches in various cheap apartments for about 10 years, and unless you have found and destroyed all the egg cases before they hatched, they could be back. It takes about 4 weeks before you see the babies, and then it starts again. You might want expert advice from a top-rated pest control place. The critters may have laid eggs elsewhere in the kitchen, or in the depths, or in nooks and crannies, in the cooker. 
Sending good thoughts your way that this is just a diabolical one-off!
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DwellerInDale
Nargothrond
Mar 24 2025, 6:34pm
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Thanks for the reply, but no worries, I knew all this already-- once upon a time, before becoming a mathematical biologist, I was an invertebrate biology/entomology major at university. I still remember Insect Physiology Lab class, where we did all sorts of mean & nasty things with cockroaches; the class was also a prerequisite for Pre-Veterinary majors. I've never forgotten the looks on the faces of the young Pre-Vet gals (who wanted to be vets because of their love for their cat or dog) when the lab began with the instruction to obtain several live roaches from the culture tub.
Don't mess with my favorite female elves.
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Ethel Duath
Gondolin
Mar 24 2025, 7:54pm
Post #54 of 64
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TANKS! for those memories . . .
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I'd prefer that my supply of roaches had stayed safely in tubs or tanks, rather than turning my living quarters into a biohazard survival experiment (for both them, and me! The apartment super tended to over spray when he got going). I probably have some shrieks still imprinted in the wallboard, along with a lot of shoe prints--I'm not that fast, and my aim is lousy.
Well, you certainly know all they're capable of! There must be some sort of mathematical reason why their speed when you're trying to swat them is faster than the eye. And the reason why they always inhabit the plate you're taking off a tall shelf so they can unexpectedly plop right down in front of you.
My goodness, those poor pre-vet students! Why on earth would someone need to study roaches to take care of animals. Fleas I can understand, although dissecting one without an electron microscope might be pretty difficult.
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Ethel Duath
Gondolin
Mar 24 2025, 10:17pm
Post #56 of 64
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To sort of paraphrase the Elves'
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advice meme, I'm both grateful and not.
At least I know why I kept missing them.
(This post was edited by Ethel Duath on Mar 24 2025, 10:17pm)
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 24 2025, 10:47pm
Post #57 of 64
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both interesting and TMI.
Can't help but think of Queen Cersei, who wasn't a pleasant character either.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Mar 25 2025, 2:00pm
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Our friends are dealing with everything from knee replacements to cancer surgeries. Hubby's done a LOT of looong phone calls with them.
And...grandchildren! We're all following one talented mid-teen grandson who wants to get into ballet, like his older sister - and finding out how rare these guys are, and how many schools (US and Europe) want them! 
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Mar 25 2025, 2:05pm
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...but that was probably all for the best, for that poor bird.
That's not something the cat could catch from eating it, is it?
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Mar 25 2025, 2:08pm
Post #60 of 64
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And your yard must be smelling wonderful, with all the new green growth!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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DwellerInDale
Nargothrond
Mar 25 2025, 4:51pm
Post #61 of 64
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To my knowledge, Mycoplasma gallisepticum only affects birds; cats (and humans) aren't susceptible. Note that "birds" includes chickens, and this disease causes significant losses to the poultry industry, including about $120 million annually in egg production (the disease is not bird flu, which is a viral disease). No wonder eggs are so expensive.
That's not something the cat could catch from eating it, is it?
Don't mess with my favorite female elves.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Mar 26 2025, 1:41am
Post #62 of 64
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A g'son in the arts is wonderful! Especially in a role that is in high demand. SO many opportunities! *applause*
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Altaira
Superuser
Mar 28 2025, 1:24am
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Gosh, I knew this knowledge would come in handy some day; I just never thought it would be on a J.R.R. Tolkien message board!
Next you'll be telling us how neeker-breekers avoided being swatted by tortured Hobbits. Well....?
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