Norms B & T is like waiting for a bus, if you wait long enough, it is guaranteed 3 come along one after the other...No one had posted in here for some time. i made a brief posting then along comes Marilyne - Denver and Mary Page...

Jenny...
... good news, they have brought your procedure forward a few hours...You are counting the days, soon you will be counting the hours..

I do remember that line of thinking popping up and disappearing, Marilyne.

There is no one thing, no one religion or cultural attitude toward having children, that bears the blame for our overpopulation.  I do believe there is one attitude that dominates, however.  First, let me state unequivocally that I am a feminist.  You may or may not choose to say "oh well, of course she feels that way."  Be my guest; the fact is, I think my conviction is valid.  I will not be offended if you say it is not.  Here it is:

I feel the thousands of years in which homo sapiens has been building up a culture have been dominated by men.  The men were the physically stronger sex, and given the job of protecting the weaker females, especially when they had just given birth.  This they were willing to do because of the tradeoff, as it were, that they, the men, did not have to look after those mewling little creatures: the results of their sex sport.

Grateful for the protection, the women let the men have their jolly/mean attitudes regarding theirs, the women's, abilities.  When some of the clever, more apt men of the small clans of humans who clung together invented themselves as the shamans of their group, they quickly learned to be con men who could tell the whole bunch to believe whatever tales they spun.  And they did.  Believe the storytellers.

And so women became lesser beings.  God was, of course, a male; no matter what sort or kind of god he was, you could be sure that in Most cultures, he would be male.  And women were an afterthought created to be the servants of men. Eventually, the religious leaders, historically came to realize the very old "keep 'em barefoot and pregnant" line of thinking could keep the female, who tended to be feisty at times, in her place.  How do you do that?  Simple: make it a law that there can be no interruption of a pregnancy.  Put the product in the womb before the woman the womb is a physical part of.  Give her no say in the matter.

These were the forefathers, as it were, by many thousands of years and generations of individual cultures, of the founders of the leading religions prevalent today.  Male dominance is a given in most of these.  And one senses the reluctance with which some have admitted women have good brains, actually, and are capable of learning a thing or three.  All of this has, so far, changed little.  And we have a huge problem, as a result of all of this, of overpopulation.  It is just one of the many serious matters that threaten our extinction as a species, and too many of us prefer to keep our heads averted and live on the Happy Side, refusing to even so much as glance in the direction of the ominous portents oncoming.

Well the highlight of my day will be a home visiting vampire nurse to take blood, that is if they can find someone available to send..

**********************************

Overpoulation, acts of God takes care of this by bringing the overcrowding down...natural disasters - flooding's - earthquakes - forest fires - tsunamis - erupting volcanos, plus us humans who dont have rights to tampering with space ( there are things, debri floating in space, our atmosphere, that shouldn't be there ) and tampering under our seas...and my biggest bug bare the cutting down and loss of our trees, they give us oxygen...Perhaps one day us humans too will become extinct...just a thought..

Morning all,

Jackie, I think COVID is doing some of the work to reduce population too. Speaking of cutting down trees, I saw last week that some orchardists, in California I think, are now cutting down their almond trees. Very sad about that. New trees (and vines) take years to grow enough to produce. I haven't heard how the vineyards are taking all this dry, but I can imagine they are not fairing well either.

Is it my imagination or have some of the formatting boxes above the reply box changed?

Marilyne, I've been watching the warships going in and out of San Diego the last few days. It has gotten so hazy that it is impossible to see the whole way across the bay in some spots and even very far out into the ocean. Is that all smoke or is it mostly fog?

It remains terribly humid and hot here; it is somewhat debilitating. Staying in and allergy meds help. I really must attempt to cut some grass this morning though. I doubt I will last very long. The bugs are out in exceptionally full force lately so I will need to wear a long shirt, and my wide brimmed hat.

I actually watched a movie last night, one of the rare times I don't choose something shorter. The Messenger was only so, so, but I watched the whole thing anyway.

I've been terribly sad and embarrassed for our country over the way the Afghanistan withdrawal has been handled by our just so wonderful (being facetious) politicians. Our "boots on the ground" there are doing their best with what they were stuck with. I was also very disturbed to hear that we are leaving lots of helicopters and gunships as well as ammunition and other things to the Taliban. Why? What idiot does that? If you can't take it with you, blow it up! Can you tell I am angry?

So far, there are about thirteen countries, besides us, who offered to take in, at least temporarily, Afghan refugees: Albania, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Ukraine and Uganda. Last night, I heard that Germany has given the US the okay to use Ramstein AFB as a way-point for evacuees.

There are a lot of "I"'s in this post this morning. There really hasn't been much to report locally other than the weather.

MarsGal...yes of course, pandemics - epidemics have done and still are wiping out thousands...all things we dont see coming...Oh trees, there are many trees that have been around for years and years...well thousands to be precise...Not long ago i watched a documentary on tv, Dame Judy Dench, my Passion for Trees...i too share her passion...

These figures are concerning...Link..

https://www.dgb.earth/blog/countries-highest-deforestation-rates

No, no one wants my blood, i seem to have had a reprieve today, yet a community nurse was due to visit, i can only assume they had no one available...

Yea! We are supposed to get some rain today, but the tropical storm/hurricane Henry stayed off coast enough for us to miss it. I haven't checked yet to see how NY and New England fared. It is 73 now and only getting to 83 according to the local weather report.

My battle with gnats continues, but my new arsenal of bug deterrents has reduced them significantly.

I see this morning that the number of countries willing to help with the Afghan refugees has risen to 25. India has been able to rescue more Indian nationals, Afghan Sikhs, and an MP or two.

The only thing I definitely have on my agenda for the upcoming week is a trip to the motor vehicle center to complete my driver's license renewal. Although the one in Harrisburg is close and easy to get to, there is a new one on this side of the river which is even closer, and it doesn't entail me getting onto I83 to get there. Hurray.

Oscar has taken over my chair. I only got up for a few minutes. So now I am hanging onto the very edge of it. Even so, he is feeling a little crowded, but still unwilling to get down. Far be it from me to evict his royal spoiledness. I just got up and he repositioned himself slightly to give me a little extra fanny room. Mighty nice of him. Cats rule!
 

Good morning everyone!  So many very interesting messages here in Bait & Tackle, since I was last here on Friday!  I am in total agreement with all of the comments, and would love to have a face to face discussion with those who have commented on the state of our world -  Mary Page, Mars Gal, and Jackie.    As disturbing as our world is right now, it certainly does open our eyes, and force us to take a hard look at a this planet, its people, and the future.

Those of us who post here, won't be around to see the long term results of what is happening today, and how it all will effect our children, grands and greats, in the future.  Right now it is NOT a pretty sight, and I'm hoping that I live to see some positive change. 

One simple thing would make a difference.  The media needs to change. They are our main/only source of information. They have to stop scaring us.  They have to stop slanting the news stories to the left or to the right.  Stop telling us what to think and make us think for ourselves.  Just give us the facts of what's happening and the results thereof.  Look back at news broadcast from the past.  Huntley/Brinkley, Walter Cronkite, et al, and take note!  Get these Generals and military "big wigs" off the news shows.  They don't belong on NBC, CNN, Fox, etc. etc. They belong in the so called War Rooms, or sitting at desk at the Pentagon, giving orders and making decisions. 

Enough said.  Time for me to calm down enjoy some breakfast, and another cup of coffee.     

Looks like Henri has been hanging ( stalled ?  ) over us for a while.  Been raining since last night but haven't noticed and hard winds. Won't have to water the grass for at least a couple of days.

We have the stormy LOOKING day, but no rain so far.  No wind to speak of.  And sadly, no one out on the water having fun.  Sunday afternoons in summer are usually full of sailboats and power boats of every possible type.  Don't see a one of them.

Are you in the path of the hurricane, Rammel?

Marilyne, I agree about the military.  I am an Army Brat, and my Dad and his contemporaries NEVER discussed politics and never got behind a microphone.  They listened to what was going on, mind you.  I listened to untold hours of both parties picking the candidates they wanted to run, and those old radio conventions were MUCH more fun than the way they pick'um today; I swear!  But Army people did not yell for their favorites, even in the safe privacy of their homes.  And we listened to the noon news broadcasts at lunch time and good old Lowell Thomas and H.V. Kaltenborne and Walter Winchell and their contemporaries at dinner time.  Quietly, without comments.  The separation of the military and politics was bred right into them all, back in the day.  I don't know what happened.  Television?  Lax interpretation of the rules?  I dunno.  But I cringe.

Quote from: MaryPage on August 22, 2021, 02:02:28 PMAre you in the path of the hurricane, Rammel?

We are not "in the path" but on one edge of it.  About 20 minutes ago we got a "Flooding Warning" from one of those Warning services (onsolve.com).  Both phone and email warnings.  I think those services are great.
We are just north of NYC.  The eye appears to be north east of us around the border of Connecticut and Rhode Island..

8.30 am phone-call, i have been given another day of reprieve, told no community nurses available for a home visit to take my blood, they will try again tomorrow she said...I've got blood ready to be given away and no one seems too eager to want it...

Hello from sunny (for the moment) Florida. I don't know how my days can be so busy when I don't even leave the house. Most of my time lately is keeping up with the progress of the twins and communicating with my children, both on the phone and with texting.

 Lauri has been quite sick. She had a short term Covid test that was negative, but because she works in the hospital they did one of the 48/72 hour tests and just this morning received word that it's positive. She said she's feeling a little better today. She went through a bad time of fever, chills and body aches. So far no respiratory problems. It's probably the Delta variant. She's had the vaccine but that was back in December. I don't know when she'll be able to see Brynn and the twins.  Brynn is keeping us supplied with lots of pictures and little videos.

I've kept up with the daily posts and was a little worried when no-one showed up for a couple of days! 

I'll try to get back later. Right now I need to get ready for an appointment.

Beverly - Oh No!  So sorry to see that Lauri has tested positive for Covid!    It seems to be happening a lot everywhere, to those who have been fully vaccinated.  Thankfully, most cases have been mild, but still, it makes you wonder if this pandemic will ever be completely over? 

She must be so upset, that she can't see Brynn or the babies for a while yet.  I hope she will be feeling better soon, and back to normal ASAP.  Keep us posted on how she is doing, and also how the babies are progressing. 

Beverly, this is a trying time for all of you!! Prayers for a quick recovery for Lauri. Hop you can posts photos of the twins. Take care and stay safe!

Beverly...worrying that the vaccine did not protect her fully ( unsure of the vaccines life - span ) but, thankful she did take the vaccine 8 months ago, otherwise things could have been a whole lot worse...hoping Lauri makes a full recovery..

Here we are advised to take the 3rd vaccine after 5 months of the 2nd one. About half the population has done that, since it can be given from 40Y old up.

Another 8.50am phonecall to tell me yet again, no nurse available to do a home visit to take my blood sample, will phone again tomorrow, told her i will be at church Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and like most of us prefer the mornings to get it over with..

Got a female coming to do some mowing, bush and hedge trimming in an hours time, she is not a gardener ( she will bring her own equipment ) but, advertised she is available for gardening work to our female church vicar, of course i took her phone contacting number and booked her...She did come across when she visited as fit, conscientious and eager to please with whatever i needed doing..

Bubble...
...have no idea when UK will start our third vaccine call-ups, haven't heard anything about it...

Good Day, to all looking in here this morning.  Hoping we hear from Beverly again, as to how Lauri is feeling today?   Also we haven't heard from some of our regular posters in a long time??

Callie - It's been a while since we've heard from you?  Hoping all is well in OK, and in the NYC branch of your family?   Every time I hear or see any mention of Broadway, or new plays and musicals opening, I think about Miss Ellen, and hope that she will get a part in an upcoming production?   Be sure to let us know what to look for in the "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" episode that she will be appearing in?

Joanne/Tomereader - I haven't seen a message from you in a while, so keep us posted on what's going on in Texas?

Jean/FlaJean - It's been such a long time since you've posted.  I think about you often, and hope that both you and Larry are doing well?  Also wondering how your son is doing, as well as your grandson's wife and the two children. 

RAMMEL/Rick - I hope you weathered the storm okay?  We didn't read or see much here, about the areas or towns around NYC?  There is so much going on in the USA right now, as well as the whole world, that it's hard follow all the many catastrophes!

Patricia - you haven't posted here in a long time, so hope we start hearing from you again soon?

Jackie - Sounds good, that you hired a young woman, to help keep you yard trimmed and mowed.   Hope you hear from the nurse soon, that your blood draw has been scheduled!   

MarsGal, Mary Page, Sandy and Jenny  - Hope we hear from you today?

Good Afternoon, Baiters and Tacklers,

Marilyne, the past few weeks have been mostly "maintenance" medical appointments, a few Domestic Projects and reading e-books.  Calendar looks as if things will be the same for quite a while.
 #2 son's birthday is Friday and he requested a "Mississippi Mud" cake. Been ages since I've made a cake "from scratch" but I found my recipe and have all the ingredients.  That's the only "project" on the To Do list.

Thanks for asking about Miss Ellen.  I talked to her Sunday afternoon for the first time in weeks.  Community theaters around the country aren't coming into NY for auditions right now. She's sent in a few video auditions but no luck. She's a long way from trying for anything in Broadway shows, which are pretty much "reserved" for Actors' Union members. She's about half-way to having enough performing points to qualify for that.
She's working at Loft and for an Event Staffing company. That's been mostly "walk=in" movies in various parks this summer. She said she and her friends have been "socializing".  She'd posted a Facebook picture recently of three of them playing miniature golf.
. 
She worked an event in Brooklyn on Saturday night but the heavy rain began before they'd finished setting up so it was cancelled.  She said she waded through water almost up to her knees on the way to the subway stop but got to her apartment in the far northern part of Manhattan okay. Then she heard part of the line she'd been on had flooded.
Sounds as if the area where she lives had the same kind of rain as Rammel's.

Beverly,  so sorry to learn about the Covid striking in your family.  Hope Lauri is okay and the twins are doing well.

Jackie,  Well, piffle that the blood work got cancelled again!  Hope your lawn care gal worked out well.

Time to go see if there's anything in my mail box.
TTYL

Quote from: Marilyne on August 24, 2021, 02:12:24 PMI hope you weathered the storm okay?  We didn't read or see much here, about the areas or towns around NYC?

We got lots of rain and some local flooding. Very little wind. Heidi was well East of us so we just got results from the back side of it.  Today the temperature is right back up - just below 90 and the humidity feels about the same.  I hate this hot, humid, weather. Hopefully September will bring some more pleasant weather.  North & East of us they had three tornadoes. Unusual for this area.

Oh my, goodness gracious: it's been years & years since I heard anyone say "piffle."  Thank you, Callie!

Visit to my cardiologist today.  Lots of yakking on the phone.  The heat and humidity too high for a walk.  Ate a lot of watermelon.  Cools the innards, it does; and it isn't ice cream.  Ice cream is my favorite fruit, but I'm not supposed to go there.  Bummer.

Hey to each and all.

Another 8.45 am phone call, no community nurses available for a home visit to take my blood, told this is not just me, i wonder how many others are in the same boat, waiting on a home visit...

Gardeners, it doesn't pay trying to " cut corners " for the sake of saving money, and desperation for somebody to do some work on your " rented " property, as I will be expected to keep the garden to the standard it was in when i took it over...Word must have gone round to my next door neighbour but one, ( experienced gardener and owns his own gardening company ) as he finally got back to my several messages to him i left on his phone as to my garden is now ready for him to work on, he is coming this Friday hopefully to rectify the state it is now left in...

Getting ready for morning church, one of two local churches i now go to...

Morning everyone.

The heat and humidity here is still going strong. We've got another day or two of over 90^oF weather ahead before we get a slight cool down, but will still be in the 80s.

Yesterday I went to get a prescription filled and did my grocery shopping. Other than that, lots of YouTube watching and reading.

The gnat battle has been largely successful what with the extra cat litter box policing, extra sticky tapes, and the homemade gnat traps.

I have pretty much decided to get a new set of tires for the car. There is one tire that has been very slowly deflating. I finally figured out which one it is. The tires are around 12 years old, but the tread is still looking okay. I think I would rather get new ones, but I'll take them over to the tire dealer to see what they say, but if I have to replace one, may as well replace them all at that age.

I just checked my email. Medicare sent me a recall notice for Phillips Respironics Sleep and Respiratory Care devices. Here is the link they sent with the notice: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep/communications/src-update?utm_campaign=20210825_gmd_res_gal&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Here is the Medicare site info. They may cover part of the replacement cost. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/continuous-positive-airway-pressure-devices?utm_campaign=20210825_gmd_res_gal&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Just taken a phone call from a community nurse who said she tried calling me this morning, i told her i told the woman who has been phoning 8.30am each day in trying to get a visiting nurse that i would be at my church this morning, somewhere communications are lacking, anyway nurse is coming to take my blood tomorrow morning sometime...at last they have found someone available to do a home visit..

Jackie - Finally someone will come! Communication in medical offices is often not what it should be.  Do you ever think the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing? 

MarsGal and Rammel - My family in New England is still complaining about the heat. One of the problems is the humidity and lack of central air conditioning.

MaryPage - Nice cold watermelon is good, but you're right......it doesn't compare with ice cream! I have lactose intolerance but now they have Lactaid ice cream and it's very good.

Callie - Facebook has a Vermont page and someone today mentioned their petunias re-seeding over the winter. When I lived in Oklahoma friends used to call re-seeded plants "volunteers" It took me awhile to figure it out. 
 
I do hope that all is okay with Fla/Jean.

Lauri is slowly improving. Some days are better than others. She has lost all sense of smell and taste. She said sweet things taste like plain sugar and salty things, like cheddar cheese, just taste like salt. I've heard this can go on for months! The twins are doing well after some digestive problems and are beginning to gain weight again. Brynn returned home with empty arms, but she spends most of each day with the twins in NICU.

Did I mention that our son turned 60 on the 18th and he and Jennifer celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on the 8th?
That leaves only one child under 60. Lisa is 55.

Quote from: Beverly on August 26, 2021, 08:40:50 PMMarsGal and Rammel - My family in New England is still complaining about the heat. One of the problems is the humidity and lack of central air conditioning.

Looks like one more day of it, then the temps are supposed to drop.  I hope these are not empty promises 
Bring on September and moderating weather

Good morning ‼️
The clock is ticking down! Tomorrow, Friday, the 27th is the BIG day I have been waiting for so long😻 By this time tomorrow it should be over and done👍.  I check in at Sky Ridge Hospital at 6:30 for my surgery. The time has been changed 4 times, so I hope this will be the last time.
I would be kidding myself if I did not admit that I am feeling a bit anxious....who likes going under the knife‼️ or just going UNDER at all? I know I will be fine🙏 AND I GOTTA GET 'ER DONE🥰🥰

My best to you all❣️
Jenny

Jenny -  Best of luck with the shoulder job. I am very interested in the outcome as I may have one in the future.  So far had three shoulder surgeries, the last one left me so I can't raise one arm all the way up. Looks like they trimmed the Acromion a bit too much and didn't reset the tendon or ligament (always mix them up)to adjust for the shorter distance it had to function.(Clear as mud, right?). Anyway, the Ortho Doc said we can always put in a new shoulder joint. Starting to feel like an old car.