Norms Bait and Tackle

BarbStAubrey · December 17, 2024, 06:59:34 PM

Nice article thanks MarsGal - there are so many additives added to food that it takes a bit to sort them out - frankly I haven't - it is only since I moved without the farmer's markets available a couple of days a week as they were in Austin my way of eating has changed. I'm surprised since there are many close-by farmers but then this area grew so fast and my thinking is many who moved here were not from areas that had good Farmer's Markets and so they were not in the habit of shopping regularly at a farmer's market- the other is since driving here is taking your life and the life of others on the road with you I'm not driving at all. Delivery is nice but the cost prevents me making fresh food choices that have to be replaced in less than 8 or 9 days - this new national focus on food products can't come soon enough for me... All to say the reason I think I feel bad on so many days is simply because of the food I've been eating for the last 2 years.

Marilyne · December 17, 2024, 07:55:06 PM

Barb, I just looked at a can of my Open Water that I bought from Whole Foods. Lots of information on one little 12 ounce can. The writing is tiny, and is printed white on a silver can, so I'm not sure if I got everything right. Really hard on these old eyes! The ingredients listed are, Purified water and Electrolytes for taste, Potassium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride.
If you're interested in seeing pictures and learning a little more go to this website:
https://drinkopenwater.com/?
I just replaced the original link, which didn't work, with the new one above.

Mars, I haven't yet read your article on Silica, but will do that next. Sounds interesting.

BarbStAubrey · December 17, 2024, 09:34:31 PM

ouuwww Calcium - that's a winner - I daily do Magnesium and Potassium since they help arthritis and other aches and pains. I also do calcium however, over and over I hear that in pill form the body has a difficult time and does not do a good job of absorbing Calcium where as, naturally as in food I bet in water the body better accepts it.

Marilyne · December 19, 2024, 10:24:22 AM

JACKIE! I just saw your post in Association this morning. So good to have you back with us. Hope everything is running smoothly for you at the care home, and that you like it so far? It will probably take you a while to get used to a new way of life.

Ciaobella · December 19, 2024, 02:22:49 PM

So, it appears the consensus is that the beautiful tradition of written Christmas cards is/has fallen to a thing of the past. I sent our 40 cards and so far, have received only 10. I can't help but feel a bit melancholy as I think of the song White Christmas with the lyrics, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write... It seems more and more this new generation with the internet has become a means for less and less physical contact with breaking so many traditions our past generations found brought family closer. "che sarà sarà" what will be will be.

I'm very interested in the discussion on water. I remember reading on Facebook that drinking water before going to bed can prevent a heart attack, so I googled it and found this link that says don't drink water 1-2 hrs. before going to bed. The Cleveland Clinic is in agreement with this article.

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/drinking-water-bed-heart-attack-stroke-verify/275-4379ffa0-09bf-40f7-8d75-a3e04071acd2

I do know that since I have begun drinking more water, I feel better in general. I never considered reading the ingredients in bottled water and that made me look at the label of the brand we drink. Ingredients: Purified water, less than 0.5% of calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, and the water source is from Greenwood, Indiana. Hmmm...

Well, I have all my Christmas shopping done, and hubby wrapped them all!! He is a gem, and I don't know what I would do without him. We baked cookies with two of the grandkids this past weekend and I almost have completed the crocheted Christmas bulb covers, and the transfer business tee shirts, now I just have to print family pics for the tree ornament frames and I will officially be done. I can't even believe Christmas is only a week away. In case I don't find time in the next few days I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for accepting me into this group chat.

RAMMEL · December 19, 2024, 07:53:57 PM

Ciaobella - I think, among other things, the rising cost of postage is one of the reasons for fewer Christmas Cards. For sure the current trend to do everything on the net is a factor.

Regardless of economics, have a nice Christmas. You're very welcome here - to chat with us.

Vanilla-Jackie · December 20, 2024, 10:11:33 AM

Marilyne...
...i am back home, spent 13 days in that carehome...
waving back at you...

A warm welcome to you Ciaobella

RAMMEL · December 20, 2024, 11:14:38 AM

Jackie, - Stay upright now. No more scaring us - and you. --- Merry Christmas

BarbStAubrey · December 20, 2024, 02:09:04 PM

Jackie Glad you are back home 'where you belong' as the song goes - but nothing beats being home living on your own terms - so pleased for you that you improved enough to handle your life independently just in time for Christmas

Ciaobella good to hear from you and bring us some update on your life as you prepare for Christmas.

Marilyne · December 21, 2024, 12:41:54 PM

Ciaobella, be happy that you've received 10 Christmas cards. The only card here so far is from our "paper boy", (who is really our Paper Man.) He delivers the daily newspaper from his car, every morning at around 5:00 AM. Very reliable! His card has a return address, which I know is in hopes of getting a Christmas tip, which I plan to send him today. Other than that, all of our old friends, neighbors and relatives, are no longer with us. The younger generation, (nieces, nephews, and children of close friends), doesn't believe in carrying on traditions or sending cards, so unfortunately we'll lose track of them.

Jackie - As Dorothy said in, The Wizard of Oz . . . "There's No Place Like Home"! So glad you're back where you're the happiest, and I'm hoping very much that you feel well enough to carry on.

Vanilla-Jackie · December 21, 2024, 12:56:21 PM

Venous leg ulcer infection is back, back to penicillin and leg dressings...can't even wear my suppression stockings..

Going to my church annual Blue Christmas, have to go out on my mobility scooter 6.30 pm in the pitch darkness, this short service is where we write the name of our parted beloved, light a candle, and they call out their names one by one in remembrance

MaryPage · December 21, 2024, 02:53:30 PM

Every generation has its own traditions. I am currently studying The Great Courses "HUMAN PREHISTORY and the FIRST CIVILIZATIONS", & you'd better believe, we've had millions of years of changes. All will be well.

First, Jackie, I am deeply pained at hearing of your dire discomfort & distress. Hoping that even as I write this, things have improved for you. Don't want you suffering at Christmas or ANY time!

Rammel, I do not agree. I think greeting cards are going by the wayside because the eyes of the new generations are glued to their telephones. Who among us could ever have predicted this!?! I remember with fondness picking up our telephone back home & hearing those immortal words: "Number, please." Hi, Miss Caroline, I would reply. 36W, please. Oh, Marypage! Mart isn't home; she & Miss Rachel went up to Lemley's Store. Oh, okay. I'll call her later!

As I say: to the different generations, different stuff. Me, I dearly loved picking out my favorite card & buying boxes of 'em. Come nightime & the dishes done, I'd spread cards & address books & stamps & pens on the dining room table & find Christmas music on the radio & set to it. Happy times, those were.

patricia19 · December 21, 2024, 03:42:04 PM

MaryPage, you might be interested in knowing that at one time, in our distant past, that having twins was the norm instead of unique. But as time went on, bodies changed and single births became the norm, https://theconversation.com/twins-were-the-norm-for-our-ancient-primate-ancestors-one-baby-at-a-time-had-evolutionary-advantages-237420

I agree with you both, I believe three reasons for not sending Christmas cards are the internet, cellphones and the ability to make or purchase an automatic greeting and having it sent to a recipient immediately.

CallieOK · December 21, 2024, 05:36:03 PM

I've received 5 Christmas cards. It will be interesting to see how many more I receive in reaction to receiving mine. Majority were to "next-generation" relatives. Most of my friends have either died or "dropped off the radar screen" and no longer keep in touch.

I've given gift cards ever since I couldn't walk through stores and have had good luck ordering them on-line and having the actual cards sent to me. This year - most have been "sent" through e-mail or text and give a web site for recipient to click or scan. Not the same - and I'm still waiting for a few that will be sent directly to me. I may have to give IOUs.

Miss Ellen arrived home yesterday and didn't feel well. Today, she tested positive for the flu. So - my birthday family dinner for tomorrow (bday is Monday) has been cancelled and family Christmas is "on hold".

Some days are better than others - and this is NOT one of them!

MaryPage · December 21, 2024, 09:40:29 PM

PATRICIA, way back when, you were considered an adult when you attained the age of twelve, & you were usually dead by age 25.

Right from my lecture series.

BarbStAubrey · December 22, 2024, 12:52:04 AM

ah Callie disappointment - I remember so often as a kid being sick this time of year and disrupting family Holiday plans - its a bummer - at least you know your not alone that the others in the family will pull through and make it work.

MaryPage I had heard that people started adult life much younger and they died early but I did not know that they died at that young age - wow - we sure have many through out history to thank for finding ways to prolong life

Well I too have had my unexpected Christmas surprise - sure I've been handling the aspects of local construction but, the pitfall is more dust and speckles of construction clogged up my furnace system and without enough air the furnace box, less than 3 years old, cracked - also, my thermostat had been affected - and so yep, a new furnace, an additional air return, now total 3, installed in the hall ceiling and a new thermostat - wrote a big check that was unexpected.

Thankfully they did the entire job this morning, on a Saturday since it was unsafe for me to heat without risk of fire - They worked quickly and cleaned up very well after themselves - When they left I ran every fan in the house with doors open while I took a nap to stay warm in order to get the odor of new machinery out of the house -

Can't even get angry at anyone in particular since I have no clue if it is two nearby small companies that added shipping container storage on their property which means dropping them causing a dust storm followed by welding for a couple of days (smell like you would not believe) or the road being built one street over with huge concrete slabs dropped or the highway being built 6 streets to the north of my property - it is probably all of them - all of a sudden this area north of Houston is bustling with new growth - I may just notify the local county rep - not that he can do anything but at least they can know plans have consequences.

Trying to find a benefit and yes, now I have a Lenox system which is far better than the unknown make that was in the house when I purchased it two years ago. Also had only invested in large 16X8 feet plastic curtains usually used to create an outdoor winter protected sunroom. They were on the Black Friday Amazon sale and Paul hung them covering the north facing outside wall with windows and a door to both my bedroom and the living room - huge difference - had those doors opened but now covered by hanging plastic so that leaving the doors opened was tolerable - I was shocked at how cold when I pushed aside the plastic to the cold beyond and so now I not only have extra protection from weather but most of all some protection from further construction dust getting into the house. Not possible but what I really need is a monster plastic dome over my roof - ah so and such is living in a growing community.

Vanilla-Jackie · December 22, 2024, 01:45:40 AM

Our postal service is becoming very expensive in buying stamps to post Christmas cards...

Mary Page...
Thank you for your kind words...

MarsGal · December 22, 2024, 06:59:29 AM

Silly question, Barb. What about the furnace filters?

I am making sure, here, that the furnace filters are changed out regularly. Not only that, I am trying a MERV 8 rating. The apartment people only replace the filters once a year, and they were only a MERV 2 (I was told 3, but no its a 2). The higher the MERV rating. the tinier the particles the filters catch, including micro-organisms and smoke, or so they claim. You should have seen the one he changed out this summer. It was so absolutely clogged, it is a wonder the system was getting any air to it at all. The down side of higher rated filters is that it may make the furnace work harder.

Right now, it is a balmy 17^oF. I am glad I don't have to go anywhere today. The weatherman is promising temps the whole way up to 23^oF

Marilyne · December 22, 2024, 09:31:41 AM

Good morning to all who posted here yesterday, and to everyone else as well. Looks like we'll be visited by the Pineapple Express today. Now called by the new meteorological term, "Atmospheric River". Refers to a warm heavy storm coming from the direction of Hawaii. Right now at 5:30 AM, it's 55 degrees, expected to hit 65 degrees by this afternoon, with lots of tropical rain.

It will be a little hard to get out to finish up my Christmas shopping, but I intend to do it anyway. Having to rely on Gift Cards, this late in the game. I do plan to go to Barnes & Noble, for some cards, and maybe a book or two. I have nothing in mind, so it will be a pleasant browsing trip.

Callie, So sorry to see that Miss Ellen came home from NYC with a case of the flu! Even if she got the yearly flu vaccine, it doesn't protect against all the active strains out there. Younger daughter Sandy, just got over a bout of Type A Flu, which was not included in this years vaccine. She was quite sick, and missed a week of work.
Sorry your birthday will have to be set aside until everyone is feeling well.

Barb, sorry you had the expense and the hassle of getting a new furnace this time of year! Sounds like it was a quick job, and lucky that you didn't have to wait until after Christmas.

Jackie, sounds like you're feeling better, except for the ongoing leg ulcer. With all the fancy new antibiotics out there now, I hope you get one soon, that will cure that problem once and for all!

MaryPage, I love reading your posts about the old days in your home town. Too bad the simplicity of life back then, will never return again. Seems like we were all much happier in those days, but we tend to remember the good times and forget the bad. That's the way it's meant to be as we grow old.

Ciaobella, Hoping you received lots more Christmas cards, and that they were all about good news from the year 2024. after the Holidays I plan to continue on, talking about the new trends in water! As I mentioned I bought a carton of Open Water, and will be giving a couple of cans to each family member this year. I'll try to dispense with the lecture on eliminating plastic from our lives. I'm trying, but it does look like a hopeless endeavor.

Patricia, Good to see you posting here, and hoping you join us more often in the upcoming year 2025!

BarbStAubrey · December 22, 2024, 02:21:35 PM

MarsGal furnace filters were being changed minimum once a week and sometimes 2 or 3 times a week - costing me $$$ between then 2 whole house Marv 11 or 13 filters and the 4 small room air flow filters. Been using those wax wipes from Pledge on furniture, window sills and cabinet trim - go through a pack a week - finally found a wipe for brass to help several of my lamps and picture frames - oh don't get me started on listing all the cleanup and damage - trying to clean the books is going to be a major task and the outside white doors and porch rails etc will have to be painted plus having someone come in and clean the upholstery - it goes on and on -

At this point my concern is not so much how things look but rather breathing without having to take so much of the herbs I use for my lungs that end up pushing higher my blood pressure - it all reminds me of that game where you take hold of the end of a string and keep winding till you have a giant ball. At this point all I can do is try and look at the positives or at least attempt to find them.

I did learn that I cannot just ask my Doctor to prescribe oxygen paid for by medicare - seems medicare requires they give you a 6 minute walking test first and if you pass it no paid for oxygen. And so I'm assisting myself with cans of oxygen that runners use during a long distance run. I'm also seeing without the constant wiping and dusting and - and - and I would probably be 'sitting' reading, knitting or sewing and so this is keeping me moving.

Once the two roads are completed I'm hoping most of this will be gone - although I now realize there will be more traffic which kicks up dirt and dust - what is mind boggling is how some of the houses near me are not having this same experience - this house must just be less protected - we shall see what the future holds - the biggie to me is finally family believes me and realizes I am not just a complaining old lady - that is huge.

MarsGal · December 23, 2024, 07:48:39 AM

Wow, Barb. That is an H of a lot of dust. Now I am worried for your health. My Dad had interstitial lung disease which he thought may have been precipitated from breathing in sand dust and such. He lived in Florida where they also got treated to particulates wind-blown in the whole way from Africa on occasion. I'm surprised they never blamed it on all the smoking he did before he quit. Also, I had a nasty bout of bronchitis once, so I have a very great appreciation of being able to breath well. Just how long is the construction mess supposed to last?

It is an even more lovely morning today. 10^oF. The sun is about to show its face, but it isn't going to help much. The weather forecast estimates 27^o tops.

I've got another dental appointment today, other than that nothing special going on.

Marilyne · December 23, 2024, 10:46:08 AM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLIE
Wishing you a nice day today, and hoping that Miss Ellen is feeling much better, and can start enjoying her Christmas vacation.

MARS, about the furnace filters: Interesting about the MERV ratings for furnace filters. I didn't know about that, but I've always felt that our furnace filters are not doing the job. When it's time to change them, they never look any different than when they were put in? Is the MERV rating written on the filter?
Hoping this is your last dentist appointment for a long time! I'm thinking this is about the new crown that you've had so many problems with?

BARB, Hoping you get some rain to settle all that dust? We have a lot of trouble with polluted dirty air. Lots of year around allergies here, because we rarely ever get enough rain. Still waiting for the "Pineapple Express", that was supposed to arrive last night. Now they're saying the big one won't be here until tomorrow. (Christmas Eve)

MarsGal · December 23, 2024, 03:34:41 PM

Should be, Marilyne. the one I replaced just had a two printed on the cardboard frame. The one I put in has the whole MERV rating list and a checkbox next to them to indicate which one was inserted into the frame. Most of the filter companies have a web page with good information about the MERV ratings their advantages and disadvantages, what they filter out, and how they affect furnace efficiency.

One more appointment at the dentist and I will be done. At my last appointment I will get the crown placed. Today was for replacing the temporary thing with the anchor and making the mold for the crown.

BarbStAubrey · December 23, 2024, 04:43:28 PM

I order my filters from Amazon and take advantage everytime they are on sale - Amazon sells them from 2 to 4 or even more in a box based on Marv number - I got to the point where when I'm having to change them more frequently I use an 11 or even an 8 but I can see the dust clinging to the 'yellow' pleated insert - the higher number Marv is usually impregnated with charcoal and so seeing the dust is not as easy.

If I'm sneezing up a storm with eyes and nose watering I know that the filter is full

MaryPage · December 25, 2024, 03:25:54 PM

I got a new walker that is like taking a step up from a model T Ford to a Rolls Royce! Look out World! Ready or Not, Here I come!

patricia19 · December 25, 2024, 04:50:29 PM

Hey MaryPage! I hope your Christmas is full of good food and drink and happy family times that continue throughout the year!

MaryPage · December 26, 2024, 11:27:53 AM

Thank you, Patricia, & right back 'atcha!

patricia19 · December 26, 2024, 12:10:22 PM

Marilyne · December 27, 2024, 01:55:17 PM

Good morning Mary Page, Patricia and any others who have posted in the past couple of days. I think most of us are still recuperating from Christmas, and I'm one of them. It was busy around my house for two straight days, and now time to clean up the accumulated trash, and see what's left in the fridge for dinner tonight?

Mary Page - sounds like you received a useful gift . . . a new Rolls Royce! Of course I mean your walker, which sounds like a good excuse to get outside on a nice sunny day.

Hope we hear from others today?

patricia19 · December 28, 2024, 01:55:01 PM

"Ask yourself about the kind of life you want: What would you do day to day, and with whom, and where? Consider the life you have. Do one thing today, however small, to close the gap between the two."

- Dame Maggie Smith

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