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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 31 2025, 5:06pm
Post #1 of 34
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Friday already? Let's Fiesta!
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Greetings, and a warm welcome to Fiesta Friday!
We're finally out of our cold snap here. It will be a pleasant 57 f today (14 C) and in a few days our high will be all of 67 f (19 C). The 67 won't last but it will be nice while it's here! All the snow is melting which makes the trees and bushes happy, and makes me happy that I don't have to water them all. Other than that is was an uneventful week for us mostly full of running errands, watching our shows, and a little client work for me.
What about you? Was your week eventful (in a good way hopefully), or uneventful (also in a good way)? We'd love to know! So, grab a plate and pile it high at the buffet, grab a glass and get it filled at the bar, and let us know!
*puts quarters on juke box* a tune would be lovely!!
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!!   
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jan 31 2025, 5:30pm
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Well, for anyone who considers 40F/5C to be "warm"!  The small piles of snow are gradually disappearing. But the birds and turkeys are still active at the feeders.
Might I have a mug of mocha java, please, Altaira, with a generous dollop of Bailey's? And a plateful of chicken and cheese quesadillas! My youngest and her boyfriend will be here on Monday to visit for a few days, so I've been cleaning her room - well, actually it's my study now, but I've got to get it set up to be occupied full-time until Saturday.
She's already sent the list of where they'd like to wander around: our mile-long Boardwalk along the bay, the Book Barn (multi-shop used book store complex), the current anything-goes art festival, the local Arboretum, etc. The most notable? Dinner at a Friendly's! There's none beyond the confines of New England, and even here the restaurants have become few and far between. But if you crave a Forbidden Chocolate sundae following your Honey Barbecue Chicken burger, this is the place!
A tune, a tune, how about a fun one from some of my favorite songsters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3-G16d7K0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jan 31 2025, 5:31pm
Post #3 of 34
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we're heading into even more cold weather
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It's been cold for us with temps dipping below freezing every night, but clear skies. Yesterday the clouds moved in, and it's raining today, but the temperature is going to drop even more to low 20s F (-5 C) at night next week and barely above freezing during the day. Which means we're expecting snow this weekend, although not much more than a couple of inches, and then back to the clear skies. Looks like this pattern will repeat well into February. Probably going to lose some of my perennials. I have a heater under the hummingbird feeder and every morning as they flock to it I imagine them enjoying the relative warmth of their morning beverage, while I drink my coffee and watch them.
Hit a milestone in my hamstring recovery this week - I made it all the way up a rather steep logging road we like to walk to get to a waterfall, without a single note of complaint from my leg! I've got one more PT appointment and I expect I'll be released on my own recognizance. I've been working out so diligently that I am stronger than I have been in many a year, which feels pretty awesome when one is 73 (or any age), and I'm determined to keep it up!
Been having a fun time editing a book for a Franco-American professor. She's a native English speaker but has been living in France for 50 years so some of her constructions are not quite right to my ears, and sometimes she forgets how to say something in English altogether. I've been making tiny forays into communicating in French with her, just the occasional phrase. One of these days I WILL plump for Pimsleur and get cracking on my French again. And buy the full package which means I could work on my Italian and even venture into learning Scottish Gaelic.
I'd like a tall mocha with a healthy slug of Bailey's please! And a scone . . ..
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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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 31 2025, 5:59pm
Post #4 of 34
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All of those to-dos sound like fun. Is this the first time the boyfriend has been there, and she wants to give him a sampling? Friendly's sounds like my kind of restaurant. I know I couldn't keep B.G. away for sure.
Your study? Nice! Is that where you keep your computer now? I move from the kitchen table (where my work laptop and docking station are) to the living room couch (where our super-light 'travel' laptop serves more as my personal computer).
Hoping the rain stops and you have a lovely semi-warm weekend!
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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 31 2025, 6:22pm
Post #5 of 34
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Good thing we stocked up on mocha and Baileys!
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It's quite popular today so far.
Brava to you for persevering and healing your hamstring! They can be slow to heal. You must have had quite the sense of accomplishment climbing that hill.
Editing for the French professor does sound like a nice change of pace. What have you been using so far to brush up on your French?
Have a fun weekend watching those hummingbirds!
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Jan 31 2025, 6:28pm
Post #6 of 34
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So she's taking him to her favorite places! And he specifically asked to go to Friendly's.
I've actually got my iMac in the living room, next to a heavily-filled bookcase, with my Tolkien collection within easy reach. But I have a standard multi-drawer desk in that bedroom, it's great for spreading papers out on and keeping binders, folders, and other things related to my various activities sorted and out of the way.
Enjoy your warm weather too, but those poor boys with their shoveling enterprise must be disappointed!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 31 2025, 6:41pm
Post #7 of 34
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There's a break in the cold :D
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We've finally gotten to a calm spot in the winter at just about freezing... which is wonderful! :D
What I appreciate the most is the roads are clear and safe. My dirt roads get quite potted and rough so I'm forced to slow down (about 5 mph!) It makes me *twitch*; but it saves hobbity's suspension ;) I actually had to stop about 1/2 mile from my house for some congestion while one of the bald eagles was standing in the road doing what big birds do when some mammal doesn't look both ways before crossing. *sigh* I wish I had gotten out my phone/camera quicker; but wow that was so awesome to see it spread those wings and lift leisurely up on the wind :D I love where I live!!!
My only real plan this weekend is to see if our Michigan groundhog sees its shadow on Sunday! *chants NO SUN! NO SUN! NO SUN!*
Have a wonderful week everyone! And thanks for taking such great care of us, Altaira!
We have been there and back again.
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dernwyn
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Jan 31 2025, 6:49pm
Post #8 of 34
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You still have hummingbirds coming!
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Yes, I can well imagine them appreciating having the warm drink, especially now.
Good for you, for keeping up with the PT/exercises. And how's the shoulder been doing?
You're the perfect person to be editing that book, and the author must greatly appreciate working with you!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 31 2025, 6:54pm
Post #9 of 34
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What a privilege to see such a magnificent animal up close! Probably the last thing you expected to see *on* the road. The route I drive to my remaining client has large electrical towers alongside which the bald eagles love to sit upon. All the better to see all the critters running around below. Once, when B.G. was driving to work that way, he saw a bald eagle circling low over the road. He passed over some roadkill and when he looked in the rear view mirror he saw the eagle swoop down, pick it up, and fly away gracefully. They're so awesome!
Stay warm and dry, continue to drive carefully, and have a wonderful weekend, my dear!!
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Annael
Elvenhome
Jan 31 2025, 9:01pm
Post #10 of 34
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but I found it a bit limited, and I was to the point where I'd have to pay to continue. My nephew recommended Pimsleur and for the same price you can do lots of languages not just one, so . . .
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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dernwyn
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Jan 31 2025, 9:52pm
Post #11 of 34
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What a sight, to watch that magnificent bird "up close" in action! 
LOL, I think every state has its groundhog nowadays! Ours is "Chuckles", who resides in a children's museum near the middle of the state. It's supposed to be cloudy here...fingers crossed.
How much snow is left on your yard, gramma?
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Meneldor
Doriath
Jan 31 2025, 11:11pm
Post #12 of 34
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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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dernwyn
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Feb 1 2025, 2:25am
Post #15 of 34
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Those headlights are blinding, especially when encountered on narrow side roads! 
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Feb 1 2025, 12:18pm
Post #16 of 34
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Those things are SUCH a pain, especially when the roads are wet or it's misty. Grrr...
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Feb 1 2025, 12:35pm
Post #17 of 34
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It's chilly but not icy on this first day of February, which is good, and the snowdrops are appearing all over the place. A good friend lost her husband to cancer a couple of weeks ago and we're in the awkward space between his death and the funeral, so I'm giving her a lot of support. Otherwise, life is good. Tomorrow is Imbolc/Candlemas, so -with apologies to those in the southern hemisphere, for whom it will seem very late, here's a little something to celebrate the return of the strength in the Sun! Remember, 'It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness'.Cheers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQetemT1sWc
(This post was edited by dernwyn on Feb 1 2025, 2:14pm)
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dernwyn
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Feb 1 2025, 2:27pm
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There's a saying amongst the old farmers here: "Half your wood and half your hay should remain on Candlemas Day".
Apparently this day is also the precursor to our Groundhog Day, with an ancient rhyme associated with it: "If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, winter will have another fight. If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, winter won't come again”.
And it's also St. Brigid's Day!
My sympathies for your friend, it's so difficult losing one you love, this is indeed the time when friends are necessary for helping sort out what to do. Please give her a gentle hug from me.
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Greenwood Hobbit
Doriath
Feb 1 2025, 10:24pm
Post #19 of 34
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Hmm, the local forecast is cloudy and dry for tomorrow -
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not quite sure where that leaves us! Changeable as usual, I guess. My friend married quite late, had lived as a single professional woman for quite some time before they got together, so I suppose that experience will stand her in good stead as she finds her feet again as a single; it's obviously still a huge loss for her, though.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 2 2025, 4:03pm
Post #20 of 34
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I love it when the kids come home for a visit pumped up about what they'd like to do. It's fun to see what they enjoy about "home". And I figure there's fersher going to be some board games with table munchies in the mix, too :D
I truly hope the weather cooperates for the travel and the list action! I'm sure it will be perfect!
Have fun cleaning *kaff* ;)
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 2 2025, 4:36pm
Post #21 of 34
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One of my top 5 pet peeves! It's bad enough when someone (points at myself) forgets to hit the dimmer switch for approaching cars; but these lights are dangerous and obnoxious! At times I've literally had to pull over in a panic until my vision cleared enough to move on!
*high five* on this one, fersher!!
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 2 2025, 4:48pm
Post #22 of 34
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Well done on the hummingbird feeder :)
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I hope you get a bit more snow in the next couple of months to over the summer heat and fire hazard.
What great news on your successful walk! You've really kept at it! There's so much freedom to have the ability to go where you want, when you want, how you want :)
Multi-language learning? Awesome! Now if I tried to learn several languages over a year or two, I'd probably jumble them up into one very unique and all my own ;)
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
We have been there and back again.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 2 2025, 5:02pm
Post #23 of 34
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I am so sorry about your friend's loss. How much it must mean to her for you to help... even if it's just for the companionship and distraction from what she's facing.
And I'd love to celebrate Sunshine with you and John Denver: Sunshine On My Shoulders
Have a wonderful weekend :)
We have been there and back again.
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Kimi
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Feb 3 2025, 12:35am
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An uneventful week, and the weekend slid by even more quickly than usual! For the first time this year we had two warm, fine days in a row, and we got quite a few things done outside.
On Saturday we had barbecued salmon flavoured with lemon and fennel from the garden, with a salad of barbecued aubergine and tomatoes, followed by Eton mess with strawberries; vegetables, herbs and fruit were all homegrown.
It's such a pleasure to be (literally) reaping the fruits of our labour. Still lots of berries coming on. Our basil's been doing really well, but currently has an infestation of sap-suckers. Sunday afternoon we went to visit a friend, and came home so laden with his excess basil that I think I'll be making pesto soon. We also scored a nice lot of passionfruit, while he scored some of our blueberries, so everyone's happy.
Fingers crossed for a warm day without too much wind, and we might even manage to go kayaking this week.
Wishing calm weather and peaceful days for all.
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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Feb 3 2025, 1:48am
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What a tasty meal that was! And what a great trade you made with some of those excess blueberries.
Yes, fingers crossed for a fine kayaking day! Where would you like to go for that?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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