Norms Bait and Tackle

MaryPage · January 28, 2025, 05:02:35 PM

LET THERE BE SPRING!

This is a non-political message meant for consumption by all!

Marilyne · January 28, 2025, 10:54:57 PM

Looks like we're all going to appreciate the arrival of SPRING this year! December was cold and rainy here in NorthernCal, and January has been dry and cold, with not even a drop of rain. Poor SouthernCal has had the devastating fires, with no rain at all, until last week. Too little too late.

Ciaobella, sorry you've been sick with a stomach flu. Hope you feel better soon.

MaryPage, good to see a message from you today.

Rick, please keep track of the Spring Countdown for us?

Hoping that tomorrow we'll hear from Callie, Mars, Patricia, Barb, Jackie, and anyone else who is looking in. Goodnight everyone, and pleasant dreams about an early Spring!

RAMMEL · January 28, 2025, 11:01:10 PM

Quote from: Marilyne on January 28, 2025, 10:54:57 PMRick, please keep track of the Spring Countdown for us?

Probably not. Short attention span recently. But I think we all will know when it shows.

MarsGal · January 29, 2025, 06:57:06 AM

How about that! The temp is above freezing this morning. It is to get up to almost 50^o today.

Not much going on lately. Later today, I am meeting my sister for lunch at the Lin Buffet for the first day of Chinese New Year (besides, we haven't been there for more than a month).

Shan has discovered that he can get up on the window perch I got for Oscar. It took him long enough! Oscar is a bit miffed at that development. He and Shan almost got into an argument over it. The first time Oscar found Shan on "his" perch, he just stared at me. Yesterday, he tried to nudge Shan off which resulted in Shan attempting to bite him. Oscar is now spending time between the sofa or the padded desk chair in the living room (right above the warm air vent) and the bed. My lap is always an immediate attraction when I am sitting on the sofa.

patricia19 · January 29, 2025, 01:13:52 PM

I'm here, looking in...

BarbStAubrey · January 29, 2025, 02:39:52 PM

Just a quick popping in - left note in the other chat space - MarsGal your temp is not much different than ours - we are at 67 - supposed to be 69 and rain tomorrow -

Marilyne · January 29, 2025, 10:52:39 PM

Barb . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY, one day late. Hope you ordered yourself a cake, or at least a piece of cake?

Mars . . . I'm sure you enjoyed your lunch at the Chinese restaurant? I didn't realize that today was the first day of the Chinese New Year. Usually a huge parade in Chinatown, San Francisco. I didn't see a mention of it on the news tonight, so maybe it will happen over the weekend? Sounds like Shan and Oscar are having a territorial dispute? I know Shan is the younger of the two, so he'll probably be the winner.

Patricia . . . On Friday or Saturday another one of those cold rain storms from The Gulf of Alaska, will be here. I recall you telling me that the Gulf is over by Anchorage, so it's a diagonal line straight to the California coast. I don't think we'll be seeing any signs of Spring, for at least another week.

patricia19 · January 29, 2025, 11:23:47 PM

Marilyne, that's correct. Anchorage, and the Southeast, is part of the same wet climate system as Washington and Oregon.

Anchorage is backed up directly to the Alaska Range, on a narrow strip of land sitting on gravel with a clay bottom.

This is why the area has so many earthquakes, plus the area's volcanoes.

The Interior is on the North side of the Alaska Range and is part of a dry climate. Our weather moves East into Canada's Yukon Territory.

MarsGal · January 30, 2025, 06:29:59 AM

That's right Marilyne. Yesterday was day one. I believe the celebration goes on through the weekend. There were not as many people as I expected in the restaurant, but then we are there just about after the door opens. The meal was yummy as usual. As far as celebrations, I couldn't find anything in the Harrisburg area. The most interesting is the celebration scheduled in Landisville, which is close to Lancaster, and includes traditional music, dance, and food. Lancaster proper has several restaurants listed for Lunar New Year celebration specials. York and Hanover have several events planned that are more for youth. I noticed that when I did a Google for Chinese New Year local events, it came back with Lunar New Year events.

patricia19 · January 30, 2025, 12:18:19 PM

I have only seen a few events scheduled here. The local Asian population is more Vietnamese, Korean And East Indian, and during the various holiday and religious events, most are geared through the Alaskan Asian Cultural Center, AACC. The Alaskan Chinese Association is smaller and more centered around the University and surrounds. It, the ACA, has larger numbers in the Anchorage and Southeastern areas.

There is also a day in the fall or early or mid-winter, I cannot remember the particulars, where the University and the AACC, host a large indoor event showcasing various international foods, skills, and art, of various ethnic communities, separate from the local various Indian, and Eskimo, ethnic groups. Is there an International Day in that time period?

BarbStAubrey · January 30, 2025, 12:29:47 PM

Big parade downtown Houston over the weekend - have not found anything particular about the year of the snake as I have other year's animals - anyone know or have a link?

Thanks Marilyne and yes, my son came by - Sally has gone from Covid to Bronchial and now to pneumonia and so he did not want to stay but he did bring me an individual size Bundt cake with a unique icing - cannot tell what it is, white but looser than a normal white sugar icing.

thick thick fog today - can hardly see across the street. Have the AC on trying to clear the house of the heavy humidity. Not too bad the house is at 71.

MarsGal · January 30, 2025, 05:45:12 PM

Happy Belated B'day Barb. Hope you have enjoyed your cake by now. Sorry to hear that Sally had developed pneumonia. I sincerely hope she recovers quickly.

CallieOK · February 01, 2025, 12:45:43 PM

I've posted this explanation of why I haven't posted in The Soda Shop. Am copying it here. Please forgive me

I had no energy or appetite for quite a while. Two weeks ago on Thursday, I was fixing dinner while son #2 was working on my new printer. I suddenly felt weak, turned to grab my walker - and collapsed! Fortunately, son was here.

He took me to the emergency room and they determined my sodium level was way too low. So they sent me to the hospital.
I spent the next two days having a saline drip into an I.V. The staff was wonderful, and I was well taken care of. Both sons spent time with me and son#1 spent the night - because son#2 is too tall to fit in the recliner chair provided
On Saturday (2 weeks ago today), sodium level was back to normal (barely) and I was sent home. After seeing my regular physician, I went to son#1's home and spent three nights. (a big plus was that I was able to spend time with Great Grandson because they keep him during his mama's morning work hours)
Since then, I have been at home by myself and feeling pretty close to normal. "Normal" is changing.
I have reluctantly agreed to having a home care helper two afternoons a week. She starts next week and I'm not sure I have enough for her to do for the required 4 hours. I have plenty of help with housekeeping and ordering groceries delivered - and neighbor is willing to take my trash bin out and bring it back in. I still fix my meals - although I do use prepared foods a lot and have found two local places which delivers prepared meals that I can order from.
I have to have blood tested regularly to see if sodium level stays within normal range. Ugh! My arm is constantly bruised!

I don't fit with current trends because I need to eat more salt (almost everyone tries to avoid that) and doctors want me to gain about 5-6 pounds (when ads are constantly for weight loss!)

Not sure I have enough to post regularly but will read and check in once in a while.
Enjoy your day, Everyfriend

CallieOK · February 01, 2025, 12:53:12 PM

Happy Belated Birthday, Barb!

So sorry about Sally and hope she improves very soon. #2 son is working at home because so many in his office have the flu. Quite a few schools have gone virtual or closed mid-week because of flu.

Our weather bounces back and forth between below freezing and 70 degrees! Zero visibly because of fog on several mornings. I've had a flock of robins in my yard several times.

Marilyne · February 01, 2025, 01:02:00 PM

Callie - so good to hear from you! I mentioned you in a post last week, when I noticed you were MIA! I'm sorry to see that you've had some serious health issues going on. Having salt levels that are too low, is something I hadn't heard of until now? Hoping you get back to normal quickly, and let us know how you're doing whenever you feel like writing.

Yesterday afternoon, the "Gulf of Alaska" storm arrived and lasted overnight. Not as ice cold as some in the past, but cold enough! I felt chilled all day and had a hard time staying warm until I ate a large bowl of Costco chicken noodle soup for dinner. (Made fresh every day) So good, with the flat noodles that look home made, and the big chunks of chicken. This morning the winds have shifted and are now coming from the South - in the direction of Hawaii which will bring us a different storm. An Atmospheric River/Pineapple Express storm. Much warmer, and much wilder! Hoping we don't lose power, so we can watch TV, cook dinner, use the computer, and stay warm!

RAMMEL · February 01, 2025, 01:22:05 PM

Quote from: CallieOK on February 01, 2025, 12:53:12 PM#2 son is working at home because so many in his office have the flu. Quite a few schools have gone virtual or closed mid-week because of flu.

While talking with my doctor yesterday he mentioned that Flu and RSV are the biggies now, and not so much Covid.

patricia19 · February 01, 2025, 01:44:39 PM

Good morning, minus three here, much better than the overnight low of minus thirty-four, today starts another warming trend.

Barb, here are some "Year of the Snake, links."

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=All%20about%20the%20year%20of%20the%20snake

Callie, It sounded like dehydration to me because doesn't salt help with maintaining the body's fluid balance?

Rick, we also have a lot of flu, bronchial and pneumonia and colds locally with the weather's erratic swings.

BarbStAubrey · February 01, 2025, 06:11:01 PM

Wow thanks Patricia - that was really thoughtful and you found a link to great sites. Looks like I'm a rooster...

Marilyne · February 01, 2025, 06:58:14 PM

Patricia and Barb - I enjoyed looking at those sites also. Some really fun things to read about the Chinese Horoscope. I found out that I'm a Dog! Predictions look pretty good for me this year, compared to 2024, which was not a good year for Dogs.

RAMMEL · February 01, 2025, 07:15:58 PM

Arf, Arf - Your sun will come out tomorrow.

Marilyne · February 01, 2025, 07:52:48 PM

Rick - Be very, very careful with what you say - I may be a PIT BULL!

patricia19 · February 01, 2025, 08:17:20 PM

I've gone from Leo the lion to the rabbit or hare.

"Chinese Zodiac - Rabbit (Hare)

Rabbit (Hare) represents longevity, discretion and good luck. It has the fourth position in the Chinese Zodiac. People born under the sign of the Rabbit are kind-hearted, friendly, intelligent, cautious, skillful, gentle, quick and live long. They dislike fighting and like to find solutions through compromise and negotiation. On the negative side, Rabbit people have the potential to be superficial, stubborn, melancholy and overly-discreet."

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MarsGal · February 02, 2025, 09:47:38 AM

I next to nothing in common with Pigs. Nor do I much appreciate being one. I more closely resemble traits listed for the Zodiac traits for Libra.

It is 23^o at 9:19am and I am feeling quite chilly this morning. I plan on doing some cleaning today. Been spending way too much time on YouTube watching the recent plane crashes as well as the continuing cleanup efforts in the Los Angeles area.

patricia19 · February 02, 2025, 02:36:58 PM

Chinese Year of the pig,

The Pig is the twelfth and final animal in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing prosperity, kindness, and determination. People born in the Year of the Pig are known for their warm-hearted nature, generosity, and strong work ethic. In Chinese culture, the Pig represents wealth, abundance, and good fortune, making it one of the most auspicious and easygoing zodiac signs.

Personality Traits of the Pig

The Pig is known for its kind, optimistic, and determined nature. People born under this sign are often hardworking and sincere, but they also enjoy life's pleasures and value relaxation.

Positive Traits

Pigs are generous and compassionate, always willing to help others. They have strong perseverance, working hard to achieve their goals. Their optimistic and easygoing nature allows them to handle stress well. Pigs are also known for their sincerity and honesty, making them trustworthy and dependable.

Negative Traits

Despite their kindness, Pigs can sometimes be too trusting, which may lead to being taken advantage of. They also have a love for luxury and indulgence, which can sometimes lead to overspending or unhealthy habits. Their laid-back attitude can sometimes come across as laziness or a lack of urgency.

Scientifically, the pig is one of the smartest and most emphatic, it's intelligence rivals a human three-year-old.

CallieOK · February 02, 2025, 04:00:19 PM

Callie, It sounded like dehydration to me because doesn't salt help with maintaining the body's fluid balance?
Patricia, it was not dehydration, although I was to stop taking my pill which was apparently a water pill. I'm supposed to eat/drink more sodium foods/drinks.
I like canned chicken broth so I've been drinking about 8 oz. of that as a "snack". Will have yet another blood test in a couple of weeks. (My arm is beginning to feel like a pin cushion! )

-30-

The journalist's signal for The End (my signal for I'll Talk About Something Else )

How do you find out what year is called? Am interested in 1935-1936.

It's supposed to be 72 degrees this afternoon. Heat Wave!

patricia19 · February 02, 2025, 07:09:53 PM

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=chinese%20new%20years%202025

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=chinese%20new%20years%202025%201935%201936&ia=web

https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/zodiac/years-chart.htm

1935 = Feb. 04, 1935 - Jan. 23, 1936 Year of the Pig

1936 = Jan. 24, 1936 - Feb. 10, 1937 Year of the Rat

CallieOK · February 02, 2025, 08:43:27 PM

I was born December 23 in 1935. Guess I'm a pig for a month...then changed to a rat

Marilyne · February 02, 2025, 11:37:54 PM

Callie, yes it is confusing if you have a December or January birthday. The Chinese New Year doesn't happen for about two weeks to a month after regular New Year. My birthday isn't until August, so I didn't have to do any special figuring.

Patricia, my Astrological Zodiac sign is also Leo, the lion. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the personality characteristics that are always attributed to Leo's . . . Assertive, confident, a leader! No . . . not even close.

patricia19 · February 02, 2025, 11:50:54 PM

I'm also a Leo. But I'm told I tend to be both that type and possibly some Virgo traits.

However, I'm more practical and believe we are shaped by both our birth order and also by the circumstances in our lives.

The Chinese Lunar year doesn't follow the same as the Georgian calendar, which is primarily used in the west.

12 Months of Varying Length

The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar based on a 365-day common year divided into 12 months of different lengths.

Eleven months have either 30 or 31 days, while the second month, February, has only 28 days during the common year.

However, almost every four years a leap year occurs, during which an extra day—February 29—is added, extending the Gregorian calendar year to 366 days.

This extra day is also called an intercalary day.

How Does the Chinese Lunar Calendar Work

Each time the moon moves into a line with the earth and the sun, a new month begins and this is called 'Chu Yi' or 'Shuo Ri', meaning the first day of a lunar month. When the full moon appears, it is the middle of the month. The time of a full moon circle is a little more than 29 days, so one month has 29 days or 30 days.

There are 12 – 13months in a lunar year. The month with its first day nearest the Beginning of Spring (the first solar term) is the first lunar month, and on that day the Spring Festival is held and this varies between January 20th and February 20th.

Leap Month

Just as the Gregorian calendar has a leap year in order to compensate for the fact that the earth does not travel around the sun in exactly 365 days, the Chinese calendar is adjusted so as to ensure that it bears a proper relationship with the apparent movement of the sun between the northern and southern tropics. People in ancient times concluded that there is a 19 year cycle. And within this cycle, certain days will equate with the lunar day. For example, in 1963, 1982, and 2001, May 28th coincided with the sixth day of the fourth month in lunar year.

MarsGal · February 03, 2025, 08:29:17 AM

Okay, so I take it back, Patricia. I could squeeze about half and half. I was thinking more of me now than when I was working. Your list of expanded traits sound a lot more like me.

I've been looking at a few new cars to replace my Prius because I would like something a little smaller. Also, my Prius is 20 years old. Right now, I have my eye on a Corolla, but all those newfangled instruments have me a little apprehensive. The main question, though, is buy or lease. My sister has leased for years and loves it. I don't drive much, so leasing might be best. I think I saw that there are some leasing arrangements that are less expensive for lower mileage usage.

Overnight, somebody peed outside the boxes again, right beside, but not in. I could have sworn I scooped out the boxes yesterday morning. The pee pads with extra cardboard and mats underneath in front of the boxes are working to keep anything off the apartment carpet so far.

At almost 9am, it is still only 27^o outside with solid clouds overhead. Weatherman says it will get to 50^o.

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