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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Aug 2, 4:03pm
Post #1 of 26
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*gets keys, unlocks doors* It's Friday - and time for an Olympics Fiesta!
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Greetings, all and sundry! Our esteemed barmistress, Altaira, is at a special event, so I shall be your hostess. What a week it has been - has everyone else been watching the Olympics? What an opening, and what amazing athletes! And I know of one country which now has its first-ever gold medal (Guatemala).
I've got the blender ready for cool drinks, and the kettle on for hot ones, and the buffet is loaded with cheeses and meats and veggies and condiments for make-your-own sandwiches. What kinds of chips/crisps would you like with those?
So come on in, let us know what you've been up to and who you've been watching, and what your plans are for the weekend!
*puts quarter in juke box* Ah, here it is - John William's Olympic Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCqUESCoB1w
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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cats16
Half-elven
Aug 2, 4:47pm
Post #2 of 26
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that Altaira is in Paris at the Olympics, until it's confirmed otherwise. 
I'm back home with my family for another week, and given the sudden access to cable TV, I've had the Olympics on in the background constantly. I've always been a sucker for the summer games and love the feeling that there are quite literally too many events going on at once to be able to watch them all. I stayed up late last night watching what I believe was a replay of the U.S. women's badminton player fighting valiantly (she lost, unfortunately) against a previous Gold medal winner.
Ooh hm, I'll have a pink lemonade with a sandwich, and waffle fries on the side, please!
I'm home for another week, so trying to enjoy the family time while I have it. I was able to hangout last night with an older cousin I don't see much for several hours, which was really nice. There has been a bit of bubbling drama with some older family members in declining health, so it was nice to have a long conversation about some of that.
Happy August (somehow!) 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!
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Annael
Immortal
Aug 2, 5:11pm
Post #3 of 26
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really enjoying these Olympics
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and it's always nice to see someone win a medal for a country that never has had one before. They instantly become the new national hero(ine).
my favorite Olympics-related tune:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a-HfNE3EIo
Well, my friend had to cancel her trip, alas. We're going to see what happens with her house sale and then plan something when she's no longer overwhelmed. Turned out for the best as the condo association scheduled the carpet cleaners for Wednesday, which meant I had move most of my furniture into the garage that morning and then move it all back in the evening (yes, I feel my muscles today).
Harvested my first cherry tomatoes!
Thinking I'll go see the new Deadpool movie this afternoon. Saturday we're going for a hike along the bay and then to the annual Arts Fair in Anacortes.
*assembles a BLAT (bacon lettuce avocado tomato) with jalapenos and lots of mayo* . . . I like plain old Lays chips, none of your kettle-style chips for me thanks. Can I get a tall fresh-squeezed lemonade please?
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
Immortal
Aug 2, 5:19pm
Post #4 of 26
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I remember when suddenly all my friends and I seemed to bel talking about "what to do about [aged relative]." Luckily in my family we were able to keep the parents in their own homes until the end, but not everyone has that option. It's not an easy time. I don't say this out loud to those who've lost someone without warning, but the quick and unexpected exit can be a blessing.
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
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Aug 2, 5:55pm
Post #5 of 26
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Pink lemonade coming right up!
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Would you like ketchup for those waffle fries?
No, Altaira is at a high-school reunion! 
Have you seen any of the gymnastics? I've no idea how in the world those gals can do what they do!
I'm glad you're having a good amount of time to re-connect with family and catch up on everything. I hope all can go well as they deal with the inevitable ageing of those we love 
Stay cool!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Aug 2, 6:11pm
Post #6 of 26
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That was a great movie, as well!
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I'll need to re-watch my Chariots of Fire DVD once the Games are over.
One tall fresh-squeezed lemonade, and we should have the Lay's back here - those are classics, as well! Cherry tomatoes will go well with everything.
That's too bad about your friend's visiting, but it did turn out for the best, although it would have been nice to have an extra pair of hands for moving the furniture! What did Charlie think of that activity?
Son has seen the Deadpool movie, it was great and funny, and as usual I'll wait 'til it's on the tv screen to watch it! 
I hope your weather stays nice for the walk and the Arts Fair. Are you experiencing any of the smoke from the fires?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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cats16
Half-elven
Aug 2, 6:31pm
Post #7 of 26
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That particular cousin actually lost her dad to cancer (relatively) fast, so the conversation touched on that idea of watching a death in slow motion over years vs. fast and sudden.
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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cats16
Half-elven
Aug 2, 6:35pm
Post #8 of 26
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And yes please for the ketchup!
Yeah, the gymnastics is incredible, isn't it? I've been explaining to relatives that Simone Biles is on such a level that she can make quite a few small errors and it barely makes a dent in her score, given how difficult her routines are.
Thank you! Definitely a challenge with our family as I would say many folks have not aged particularly gracefully on top of the health issues that are there, if that makes sense.  Can't be helpful, though!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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Kimi
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Aug 2, 9:20pm
Post #9 of 26
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We got home last weekend, too late for Fiesta, from a really nice week away, visiting our cool little capital, Wellington. It's quite a few years since we've been there, and many more since we've gone by road rather than flying, and the journey was a large part of the fun.
The main motivation was to have a holiday, but of course book research is never far from my mind, and I wanted to follow as closely as possible a route taken by the main character in my work-in-progress.
On the way down we were following the route of what's known as the North Island Main Trunk (rail) line, which meant lots of interesting detours off the direct road route. I did look into actually going by train, but I couldn't make that work, but in the event going by road worked out well, as we could stop for as long as we liked to check out viaducts and old stations and the like. The Main Trunk took decades to complete, with the section through the King Country (almost certainly not the king you're thinking of) by far the most challenging section, with its dramatic landscapes. That section is now seen as a heritage engineering area, with good reason - to see what they achieved with pickaxes and wheelbarrows and the like is truly impressive.
A couple of engineering highlights:
The https://www.engineeringnz.org/...ster/raurimu-spiral/
and my favourite viaduct:
https://www.heritage.org.nz/...apuawhenua%20Viaduct
Curved viaducts are fairly unusual, and this one is really quite lovely, set in lush forest. I think I particularly appreciated this one because I had to put in some work! It's a fair walk through the bush to get there.
The weather forecast for Wellington was a bit dire up till a few days before we left, but then it all changed, and we had the most glorious run of fine days, cold and bright and with hardly any wind (which is noteworthy of itself). The saying goes that "You can't beat Wellington on a good day", and we had very good days indeed. We wandered along the waterfront, ate at lots of little cafes (and had some unexpected street theatre at one, when road workers dug through a water main), explored old haunts and new. A bonus was that there was a Doctor Who exhibition on, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
https://www.takina.co.nz/...who-worlds-of-wonder
In the Parliament Quarter, just around the corner from where we were staying, we visited the lovely Old Government Buildings https://visitheritage.co.nz/...overnment-buildings/, with which I have a family connection: family lore says my gt-gt-grandfather (a carpenter) helped build them, and I know with more certainty that my grandfather painted them. Also one of the loveliest churches in Aotearoa, Old St Paul's https://visitheritage.co.nz/...ion-to-old-st-pauls/, where Mr Kimi's mother was baptised. We also wandered around areas relevant to what will (hopefully) be my next book, a much-delayed non-fiction one, and other places with family history for us both. We've never lived in Wellington, but we both have strong links to it.
Among the outdoors outings: Zealandia https://www.visitzealandia.com/, where we saw lots of native birds, and Otari https://www.owbt.nz/. Also the classic cable car trip up to the Botanical Gardens and ambling back down.
We even fitted in some live theatre, for the first time in far too long: front-row seats to a version of "Sense and Sensibility", adapted by local writer Penny Ashton. All the parts were performed by women - six actors playing all 24 parts, and as the two playing Elinor and Marianne did only those roles, the remaining 22 were done by *four* actors. A hugely fun romp of an evening, with the bursting-with-masculinity Willoughby, arriving to "Holding Out For a Hero", having the audience absolutely roaring.
On the way down we'd broken the journey in the town of Ohakune, in the shadow of the mountains, and on the way back (no longer following the rail line), after admiring a lovely view of the mountains from the other side, we stayed in Taupo, overlooking the lake. Then home again, rested and refreshed.
Now it's cold and damp and windy, but with memories of sunshine.
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 Aug 3, 2:37am)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Aug 2, 10:14pm
Post #10 of 26
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Thank you for the travelogue, that was marvelous, and that "spiral" track is awe-inspiring!
And I can imagine what a hoot that play must have been!
I hope you now have a notebook or two filled with material for the book? 
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Aug 3, 12:10am
Post #11 of 26
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It used to be I couldn't wait for Friday as the last day of the work week (except when I was waitressing!!). Now I try real hard to come hang out at FIESTA! Thanks for grabbing the keys to front door, dernwyn, and for taking such great care of us!
I've been watching the recorded highlights of the Olympics and enjoying the gymnastics and swimming A LOT! I also stayed up way too late last night (Thurs) to watch the special flight from overseas that landed at about 11pm est for a wonderful homecoming! Happy Landings always make me get the sniffles :D
This summer is flying by with most days filled with getting people to appointments; but it is all paying off with very good progress on all fronts! I'm actually beginning to make plans for a couple of fall adventures once my daughter can drive again. One is to visit my Baltimore daughter and her family for a few days. The other is to make it to Charlevoix on Lake Michigan (up north) for my mental-health escape. I find I do very well when I get a visit to the Lake up there in April and again in October-ish when all the tourists are gone. I even enjoy the 3-hr drive there and 3-hrs back again to play some great music and enjoy the trees waking up (in the Spring) or the colour show (in the Fall).
So if there's still some Pink Lemonade in the cooler, I'll grab a glass-full on ice with a HUGE thank you! Have a great weekend everyone!
We have been there and back again.
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Aug 3, 12:54am
Post #12 of 26
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all those appointments bring nothing but good news, they're well worth the trips!
Yeah, I'm trying to not watch TOO much TV, but it's so hard - ooh, look, there's soccer! There's gymnastics! There's swimming! There's - omigosh, the men's 10,000 meter with a nail-biting finish!
Will this do? I'll get out extra ice cubes for as you need them, gramma! It's grand that you're getting some cooler-weather trips planned. And we all need special places that put our minds at ease. I imagine your daughter can hardly wait to be able to "take the wheel" again!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Aug 3, 1:41am
Post #13 of 26
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Thank you! This is perfect!
Yeah... once she's off the serious meds, I'll hand over the keys except for the longer distance appts (10+ miles) She hasn't been doing those for a few years due to her other ailments. But 90% of her appts are within 5 miles of her townhouse :)
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Aug 3, 1:44am
Post #14 of 26
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It's so great you're able to spend time with them... especially those who have seen many summers. I love it when they start telling stories of the old days :)
I hope you have a fantastic time with all of them! *high five*
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Aug 3, 1:52am
Post #15 of 26
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Now that sounds GREAT! I avoid the kettle chips, too. I've been munching the baked Lays the past year or two; but like the old ads used to say about the original Lays... Betcha can't eat just one! SO TRUE!
Isn't it strange how the fickle finger of fate can be such a nuisance; but ends up really being a big part of a successful scenario?
I hope the new plans end up being even better... and doesn't include any furniture! Have a GREAT weekend!!
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Aug 3, 2:04am
Post #16 of 26
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I'm SO GLAD you had such a memorable time in Wellington and following the North Island Main Trunk! I took that ride from Wellington to Hamilton, then a 2-hr bus ride to Matamata for a 2-day stay and a stop at Hobbiton. The Spiral is so incredible... especially when you look out the window and see the end of the train nearly straight over beside you. An engineering feat, fersher!
Wellington is my favourite city, though I must be fair and say I haven't had a chance to stay in many others.
What a glorious time you two had! I'm still homesick for NZ, so coming along with you for a bit was a real treat! *huggles*
We have been there and back again.
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Kimi
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Aug 3, 3:49am
Post #17 of 26
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on our travels! I remembered that you'd done that journey by rail (and your love of Wellington). I'm glad you enjoyed being an armchair traveller on our wee trip :)
While it suited us to go by road this time, I'd love to do that middle section by rail, especially the spiral. My ideal: they come up with a day trip, maybe between Taumarunui and Waiouru or Taihape, ideally with a vintage train and encouragement to dress in period style. We'd be down there like a shot!
Wellington truly does have many charms, and it's delightfully compact. Dunedin's my favourite Aotearoa city these days, but Wellington would be a fairly solid second.
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 Aug 3, 3:49am)
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Aug 3, 12:19pm
Post #18 of 26
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A busy week for many, for sure!
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The choice of things to watch in the Olympics is dizzying, so I tend to wait for the round-ups on the BBC news bulletins, not being a follower of any particular sport. I've been looking after the family dog for a week - handed him back last night - so this morning the place has been de-dog-haired, floor mopped, dog blankets in the wash etc.
Chariots of Fire, that was a classic! Parts of it were filmed on Wirral, my neck of the woods, at Bebington Oval sports centre, which had some excellent period features.
Mmm, crisps! I do have to watch myself with those... my favourite is the old-school ready-salted, with an occasional flurry of cheese and onion. The fancier flavours don't really appeal to me these days; I find they taste very synthetic. The best crisps, for me, just contain potatoes, sunflower oil and salt. Simple but effective! I think we rely far too much on chemicals in our food these days.
Enjoy your weekends, folks - cheers!
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dernwyn
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Aug 3, 12:43pm
Post #19 of 26
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Parts of that movie were filmed near you?
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That sports centre has a Claim to Fame!
Being the dog-sitter for a week can be fun, and it gets you a bit of extra exercise - and oh, yes, the cleanup afterwards can be a chore. But he must love staying at his "gram's" house!
There's been an issue over here with some kind of chips being way too spicy and causing actual injuries! No, plain and simple are the tastiest and best. I like the locally-produced chips.
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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cats16
Half-elven
Aug 3, 4:06pm
Post #20 of 26
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And thank you! Glad to hear you'll get to go on your mental health escape soon.
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
Valinor
Aug 3, 8:12pm
Post #21 of 26
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Hah - any chips/crisps labelled
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'the hot one' or 'so spicy, dare you try it?' are an automatic no-no for me! I want to enjoy snacking, I don't want to suffer.
Here's an excerpt from a local news article a whileago:
'While some scenes were shot in Kent, Cambridge and St Andrews in Scotland, Merseyside played a big part in Chariots of Fire. Liverpool Town Hall was used as the British Embassy in Paris and the city's Royal Court Theatre was selected for the filming of the scene depicting a performance of The Mikado.
Meanwhile, over the water in Wirral, Woodside ferry terminal represented Dover and The Oval doubled up as the Colombes Olympic Stadium in Paris. The latter was arguably the most important location in Chariots of Fire, as it's where the all-important running took place.'
It always amazes me how film-makers manage to put all the pieces together in a jigsaw of locations, to make it all work.
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dernwyn
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Aug 5, 5:11pm
Post #22 of 26
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Location scouting must be quite an art, especially when they need to find places that "fit" the time period.
Over here the village of Mystic (which is made up of the shoreline areas of two towns) is used for a lot of things like Hallmark romance movies due to its 1800's character.
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Aug 7, 2:21am
Post #23 of 26
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I've only got to watch about 1% of all that has happened in these Olympics. But what I have seen is some fierce competition and incredible talent... not to mention the inspirational Teams!
Reading you talking about crisps makes me smile as I remember the battle over crisps in the film, "Yesterday". Such a GREAT homage to The Beatles and their music.
Isn't it amazing how much pups and kitties leave behind when they leave? Now back to peace and simplicity again :)
We have been there and back again.
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Greenwood Hobbit
Valinor
Aug 7, 11:18am
Post #25 of 26
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I'll have a doggy visitor over the bank holiday weekend
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again while daughter, family and friends go to the Krankenhaus festival. Check out their website for a flavour of the event and surroundings! https://krankenhausfestival.com/
(This post was edited by dernwyn on Aug 7, 11:05pm)
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