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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Oct 1 2022, 5:22am
Post #26 of 46
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"Loveliest of trees, the cherries now
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Are hung with blooms along the bough ..."
A. E. Housman
Please take life very, very easy. Lay a good foundation for the new term. Are there energy-saving strategies you can adopt once back?
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Oct 1 2022, 5:27am
Post #27 of 46
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Laughing at the recording of its courting song
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complete with ambulance in the background.
I loved my trip to Iona and hope the wee bairn will be just as bonnie.
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Oct 1 2022, 5:35am
Post #28 of 46
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I live in an area with new voter suppressions. Having mail-in ballots and drop-off boxes would be a luxury.
Thanks to Starling and all for supporting local democracy.
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Oct 1 2022, 5:52am
Post #29 of 46
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My BIL's siblings on the FL coast
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lost everything -- houses, cars, possessions, power, running water. Their county waited too long before issuing an evacuation notice. At least the families survived and have each other.
Selfishly, I'm glad the construction on my house is nearly complete, before resources get diverted to Florida.
Positive thoughts requested.
And thanks for the news of the Silneldors; just this week I was showing someone the lovely handmade wooden spoon he sent me.
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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Altaira
Superuser
Oct 1 2022, 6:13am
Post #30 of 46
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CO allows voting by mail or even online for those often out of the state (like me) or those who can't make it to the polls. I checked, and Texas has similar accommodations to vote by mail if you're disabled, you just need to apply. I PMd you the link. 
(This post was edited by Altaira on Oct 1 2022, 6:18am)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 1 2022, 1:22pm
Post #31 of 46
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Some long-expected happier pics!
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I am so sorry for your BIL's family, and for the sad reconstruction job they have ahead of them! Praying they're already in the hands of agencies who can get them the help they need!
No, it's not selfish to have your own construction nearly complete, it's been months for you since your own flood. I'm glad it's now nearly done.
Here's something for a smile. I keep forgetting to post these! Silneldor has been making Tolkien-themed arbors. This one is the first you encounter when walking down his backyard, it has stars over the entrance.
Yes, their backyard is that steep! And this is the sitting-area arbor you can see through the first one. The writing above the entrance is "Evenstar Arbor".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Oct 1 2022, 3:11pm
Post #32 of 46
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They need to do it in the country park, then!
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My small garden would not stand even one horse chestnut tree...
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Oct 1 2022, 3:23pm
Post #33 of 46
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now that is way too scary to contemplate! The blankets we make are in 6" squares, 36 to a blanket, so are 3' square - more lap blankets than whole-bed blankets, but they're very well received whether we give them direct to charity or sell them in aid of. The colours vary wildly, sometimes themed, sometimes random. I enjoy arranging them to get the best combination. This winter in particular, with the fuel prices going crazy,more people will be resorting to tucking themselves up in a comfy chair and keeping the heating turned down, I think. Thanks for the link! I'm sure I've picked that song before; I must try to be more original next time.
Just out of interest, I wonder how our fuel prices compare with elsewhere? There are loads of different suppliers in the UK, but mine charges as follows, split into fuel cost and standing charge. Even if you don't use any fuel you still pay the standing charge, which covers getting the power to you - all the infrastructure etc - it also takes money to compensate for firms that have gone bust with the rise in prices, which is VERY annoying! We are all paying for other people's bad planning and risk-taking, basically.
Gas 10.32p per kWh, standing charge 28.48p per dayElectricity 35.97 per kWh, standing charge 48.59 per day.
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Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 1 2022, 8:02pm
Post #34 of 46
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I just got a notification of price changes yesterday, so I happen to have the price right in front of me:
Daily Fixed Charge 30 cents; per kWH .2747 cents. The pound is currently around NZ$2, so divide those figures in half to get pence, near enough. It does vary by supplier and area: our apartment in the city has double the daily charge (it just went up), and a slightly higher kWH charge. Most of our electricity is hydroelectric.
We don't have gas connected to our house (and remember that our American friends may read what we call gas as oil). I checked the current figures from a city supplier: 9.18 cents/kWH (daily charge varies a lot).
No squirrels in New Zealand, but the wood pigeons do a good job of spreading large tree seeds!
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
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 1 2022, 8:05pm
Post #35 of 46
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Thanks for sharing those, Dernwyn. It's lovely to picture the Silneldors in such a haven.
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
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 1 2022, 8:08pm
Post #36 of 46
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is such a magical place - one of those places where past and present seem to flow in and out of each other. Sometimes that can be unsettling, but at Iona I felt profound warmth and peace. A special memory from many years ago, and I was delighted that they've chosen its name for the wee lass.
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 Oct 1 2022, 8:09pm)
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Oct 1 2022, 8:59pm
Post #37 of 46
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Oops, forgot about the gas thing!
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I hope they realise what I'm talking about. Quite a lot of homes in this country don't have mains gas, especially in rural areas; they rely on lpg or oil heating. I envy you your hydro! Scotland and Wales manage that better than we do - not enough big hills here. We're big on wind around here; from my local coast I can see three wind farms. About half an hour's drive from home, on the border with Wales, there's a huge pv array in the fields. Surprisingly, tidal power is still at the experimental stage. The tides are supremely reliable, unlike sun and wind. There must be economic/environmental reasons for the slow progress.
We have wood pigeons locally too; not good, when the elderberries are ripe! Yuk.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Oct 3 2022, 3:12pm
Post #38 of 46
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ICE CREAM!?! Is it melted yet!?
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OMG! It figures I'd be on the road when there's ICE CREAM!! *whimper* It's all good, though. It don't matter none! :D
I'm visiting family out East and thankfully missed the wet weather working its way up from the South. HORRIBLE HURRICANE(S) and weathers hammering so many places! It's always great fun hanging out with the kiddies/g'kiddies. They're super-duper people!
I did get to watch that meteor get punched by our little rocket. SO IMPRESSIVE! And I was dazed by the detailed surfaces that were shown! What amazing times we do live in!
Thanks for taking such great care of us, Altaira! *waves to one and all* TAKE CARE!
PS! I paid off the mortgage on my house last Monday (Mom's b'day)!!! It's mine!!! ALL MINE!!! *muaahahaaaaa!*
We have been there and back again.
Join the "Tolkien Fandom Oral History Project"
TIME Google Calendar
(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Oct 3 2022, 3:27pm)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Oct 3 2022, 3:26pm
Post #39 of 46
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It's the perfect time of the year
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to be making quilts :D And you're right about more people snuggling under some quilts/blankets during these colder months. But that's one of the reasons I love this time of the year. I love the comforting feel of a comforter :D
My heat utility isn't too bad. I live pretty remotely and use propane gas for my heating/hot water heater. I've paid a flat $50 a month for the past buhzillion years and it's covered the cost with much left over... but I'm going to up it to $60 just to keep ahead of any issues. I like having my balance in the black rather than the red ;)
Hang in there... and stay warm!!!
We have been there and back again.
Join the "Tolkien Fandom Oral History Project"
TIME Google Calendar
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 3 2022, 4:32pm
Post #40 of 46
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Heh, congratulations, gramma, that's one less payment to have to worry about! Is it enough spare cash now to think of saving up for another trip to Middle-earth? 
So what fun things are you and the grandkiddies up to?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 3 2022, 7:12pm
Post #41 of 46
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Congrats on knocking the mortgage off!
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I remember when I realised my full repayment was within reach and *really* focused on paying it off. Putting in that final payment was soooo satisfying.
Have you celebrated yet? Chocolate? A special meal? Running around the back garden like a crazy lady?
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Altaira
Superuser
Oct 4 2022, 5:28am
Post #42 of 46
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Doesn't that last mortgage payment feel oh so GOOD!!?? Good on you for getting there!
May the rest of your visit be full of happy times! 
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Oct 4 2022, 8:06pm
Post #43 of 46
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Congratulations on becoming mortgage-free!
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It's a long time coming, but oh, the relief!
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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Oct 6 2022, 5:31am
Post #44 of 46
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Are your planning a ceremonial mortgage burning?
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Maybe throw it into the Christmas fire?
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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Annael
Elvenhome
Oct 6 2022, 4:15pm
Post #45 of 46
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I've owned three houses but never managed to pay off the mortgage without selling. What a great feeling that must be!
(Aside: DO NOT get a reverse mortgage in future. My dad did that, and the company was HORRIBLE to us after he died. Threatening letters taped to the doors of all the heirs sort of thing, but impossible for me, our attorney, or the escrow company to actually have a conversation with a person - they'd leave us on hold for 30 minutes, then be very rude. Our attorney had to write a "cease and desist" letter threatening THEM with harassment! If you need $$ take out a home equity loan.)
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Hopefull Harfoot
Ossiriand
Oct 6 2022, 4:56pm
Post #46 of 46
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Now if this was a B-grade Sci-Fi, the test would have been successful in altering it's course... to now hit earth!!! (Cheesy Dramatic Music moment).
50th year anniversary since I first read The Lord of the Rings
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