# Keep a happy thought in the MMP! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [February 15, 2021, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950 "2021-02-15T10:44:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/81 "2021-02-16T22:26:33Z")
There is a large ball of flaming gas in the sky. Should I be scared? > [@Paintcharge](#): > > I feel like Marvin the Paranoid Android with an incredible pain down my right side. Hard to get my socks on. Have your doc swap out a few diodes. > [@gotpasswords](#): > > Roomba-proofing is a thing, though I have an original model. It tends to eat cats. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/82 "2021-02-16T22:43:51Z")
Hey all - Happy Toesday. We made risotto a few days ago. It was our first adventure with that and it was easier than I expected. We got a new training collar for Miss Akiko. The neighbors (uphill) can be annoying, and she would occasionally forget her ladylike manners and bark her little head off. When she barks, it echoes up and down the entire street. I donā€™t think everyone should suffer for the actions of a few, so weā€™re trying to stop it. The collar can beep or vibrate. So far, just the beep has been working. I hope everyone is staying safe during the snow-blitz. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/83 "2021-02-16T23:26:25Z")
I tried the collar, since the dogs favorite thing to do is run around the yard and yell at things squirrels, cats, neighbors, rain, the wind The beep collar helped for a while with Cin. Then he seemed to get used to it. I havenā€™t switched to vibration mode yet. Kinda donā€™t want to. Heā€™s an old man. The diodes on my right side have improved with some good stretching. Now mostly my right buttock is the primary point of pain. Time for dinner. Thinking a big ol salad and some tater tots. Stay safe all. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/84 "2021-02-17T00:07:32Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > The diodes on my right side have improved with some good stretching. Now mostly my right buttock is the primary point of pain. Soooā€¦a big pain in the ass?? Take care. **Sunny** , hope the collar worksā€“probably would be better if you could put it on the neighborsā€¦ **doggio** , donā€™t worry, itā€™ll be gone soonā€¦ **gotti** , take care and best wishes. **hipple** , like many here, I was raised a good Catholic but like you, I grew out of it in my 30ā€™s. But for those that still practice, a most happy Lenten season. **Dicey** , sounds like some of the Swiss take their celebrations seriously. **BBBoo** , glad you and Hattie are having fun. Still have power up here in N. Ali-bama. Dinner has been consumed and I actually was a responsible homeowner and cleaned and polished the tile in the kitchen and library. Tomorrow if the urge strikes, Iā€™ll have a go at the bathrooms. Snow flurries are falling again, so activities tomorrow are still in doubt. All yā€™all have a good night (or for our European Mumpers, a good morning). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/85 "2021-02-17T00:19:09Z")
Huzzah! Our power has been out since Sunday night and just now came back on! No more shivering in our beds, no more having the cat glued to me all night. We used the snow and ice to pack coolers to save our food, and I ran the RV generator and ran extension cords to the basement to make sure the freezer down there didnā€™t turn into a morgue. This was the worst ice storm in Oregonā€™s recorded history: lots of trees down, some 350,000 people lost power, 7 substations crashed. Hats off to PGE for jumping on this, getting linemen from other states to come help, etc. Am I happy? Oh, hells yeah. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/86 "2021-02-17T00:24:19Z")
**wordy** , Iā€™ve not seen drive thru ashes either, but then again, I left the church years ago and live in the land of Baptists and Churches of Christ who donā€™t do that sort of thing. **nellie** , where I went to Catholic school, it was a fairly small town that took in a lot of the rural parts of the county. We had mostly kids of German, Polish, Czech, Hungarian and Irish ancestry and were taught by mostly Irish and Italian nuns. šŸ˜› And as someone above wondered, sometimes lunch swaps were interesting, but as tail-end boomers, we tended to carry a lot of highly processed foods. Our school didnā€™t have a cafeteria until I was in fourth grade. Count me among those who havenā€™t seen _Babe_. Now Iā€™ll have to look for it to stream. Itā€™s looking like it might get above freezing tomorrow, then weā€™re in for round 2 (or is it 3?). Jeez, this is why I left the midwest. Nelson is still being weird when I take hime out. Today, he got to play with his little buddy Charlie from the next building for a few minutes. Since heā€™s not been to the sitter or the dog park for a couple of weeks, he needed some socialization. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/87 "2021-02-17T00:36:33Z")
I donā€™t know how I chopped off part of my post two posts back. Good thing I wasnā€™t a Civil War surgeon: perfectly healthy noses, ears, and various other appendages would have been flying in all directions. **Dice** , that looks like fun! Lots of funny masks, I see, and I assume those are drunken hordes at the parade. As for your post, whatā€™s with all the shriek-of-dawn 'plosions? Were I awakened that way, I could scare off winter all by myself. **VanGo** , my reply to you was also chopped. Your pain sure sounds like sciatica. Iā€™ve never had it, but my now-ex did. I hope the stretches continue to help. Also, a big salad and tater tots sounds good. I had a student once who wrote in perfect seriousness: ā€œI eat a balanced diet, some junk food, and some healthy food.ā€ Iā€™m planning a big salad for dinner. Alas, I lack tater tots, but I shall have a cookie or three in honor of Fat Tuesday, whoever HE is. I only walked about 2 miles today. The sidewalks werenā€™t too bad, but the chill wind cut right through my coat. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/88 "2021-02-17T00:54:50Z")
OMG - the bread was amazing!! Only 4 slices left out of a large loaf! Nasty, nasty weather is threatened for Thursday, starting tomorrow night. Luckily, we donā€™t have any place to go, so as long as we donā€™t lose power, we should be fine. Maybe we should test our generator just in case. Iā€™ll discuss with **FCD**. Later. Now Iā€™m going to chill. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/89 "2021-02-17T00:59:53Z")
Howdy Yā€™all! We had an excursion today! We decided to get ourselves shorn and decided to go to Great Clips (never been to one before) which is in the same shoppinā€™ center as the Pubic Stoā€™ and Pizza Slut. We had a coupon for a haircut (well, two coupons, one for each of us) which was cheaper than the geezer discount even. The shop was nice and spacious. Stylists and customers are all required to wear masks. The stylist who cut my hair was a hoot! We laughed and carried on sumpā€™n fierce! OYKW seemed to have almost as good a time with the person workinā€™ his do. We have agreed we will go there on a regular basis. So, since we were right there at the Pubic Stoā€™ we laid in provisions which we usually do on Hump Day. Whilst in the Stoā€™ I ordered a pepperoni lovers pizza from Pizza Slut via my phone (look at me beinā€™ all tech savvy!) and we picked that up after we loaded up the groceries in his vehicle. Speakinā€™ of shrimpies 'n grits, we got some shrimpies so we can have that for tomorrowā€™s sup. Pizza got consumed for N.O,L. and we had pancakes 'n bacon for sup. Happy tummies at da cave! The three Whiskypalian churches here do Ashes to Go. This year, as I understand it, ashes will be proffered to individuals as they drive up and each person will impose their own ashes rather than the Priest, Deacon, or whoever (Lay persons can impose ashes as thereā€™s no rule that says otherwise) imposinā€™ them. We have some ashes (they were mailed out to Parishoners last week) and a worship leaflet to follow along tomorrow morninā€™ as we watch an Ash Wednesday service on line. We have decided to do that in lieu of doinā€™ the Ashes to Go (where we would have brought the ashes) thing and will impose Ashes upon each others forehaid. OK, that was rambly and probably made little to no sense. **gotti** good luck. Appropriate/in appropriate appendages crossed re the colonectomy. **MOOOOOOM** eek! Thatā€™s some scary stuff with your FIL! Everyone else, stay safe and warm! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/90 "2021-02-17T01:35:32Z")
Pancakes for dinner at home this year. **Mrs Magill** made the Swedish ones while I did the regular pancakes. Four blueberry pancakes and one Swedish pancake later, and I have officially had too many carbs. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/91 "2021-02-17T02:09:47Z")
Itā€™s now late Tue. We had rain off and on and a hefty thunderstorm shortly after dark. This is April weather = early rainy season for us. Weird. I was off to the dentist at dawn, got the car washed before the rain, and a crazy busy day with projects since. One of my upper-70s neighbors with significant chronic health issues is now in the hospital w COVID, so that triggered a red alert for the condo association. Of course theyā€™d spent the last week socializing with the other people whoā€™ve gotten used to the idea COVID is no big deal. Iā€™m hoping we donā€™t have our own little community super-spreader event on our hands. Weā€™ll know soon enough. The various financial outfits all released their 1099s a day or two ago when I was enjoying the electricity-free hospitality in Dallas, so today Iā€™ve been killing income taxes for the various families Iā€™m responsible for. So far so easy, and no adverse surprises. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/92 "2021-02-17T02:14:34Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > One of my "meant to do"s was to simmer some chicken broth today, because 1.) my freezer is filling up with chicken bones, and 2.) homemade soup! > > Forgot till now (around 3:30 local) and since the meat is frozen solid I donā€™t expect a boil for another good half-hour. I could actually smell it outside my house (which doesnā€™t speak well of insulation ā€¦ or possibly the aroma was venting out?) and I am so excited. Meanwhile, Nikki is curled up into her signature ā€œbaked potatoā€ and is snoring ā€¦ in my chair ā€¦ so what am I to do, but sit on the floor (on a cushion) in front of my own papasan chair, so I can catch up with my Mumper friends. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/93 "2021-02-17T02:35:07Z")
Something positiveā€¦the furnace is able to keep 70 F when it is 12F outside. Spawning six of the neon gobies is waiting to hatch. I have six of spawn five still alive and beginning to eat brine shrimp rather than rotifers. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/94 "2021-02-17T03:34:03Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **Nettie** , I have another idea for a new Mumper name. Youā€™re working a regular shift, itā€™s a fairly dysfunctional place, and itā€™s frustrating for you, much like Dolly Parton in the movie 9-to-5, so how about **Dolly** as your MMP name? I am rather deficient in the area of Ms. Partonā€™s most renowned physical attributes (Iā€™m only a B). Irk was nutso today. The TX and TN locations were down, presumably due to weather, and I had several long web assists. STILL took damn near 100 calls. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/95 "2021-02-17T05:44:09Z")
> [@missred](#): > > Count me among those who havenā€™t seen _Babe_ . Add me to the train. Just added it to the queue on Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/96 "2021-02-17T05:52:29Z")
Too long between edits. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Lots of funny masks, I see, and I assume those are drunken hordes at the parade. I think there are some people who have alcohol in their blood from Wednesday to Wednesday, but those are the hard core. There is a lot of tea sold during this time. Mostly rose hip with plum schnapps ([Holdrio](https://www.lcbo.com/lcbo/recipe/holdrio-hot-toddy/201506075#.YCyupBNKjMI)) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/97 "2021-02-17T07:53:35Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I am rather deficient in the area of Ms. Partonā€™s most renowned physical attributes (Iā€™m only a B). Sheā€™s freely admitted that she had help. And when I read this, my initial thought was **DollyB**. (And now Discourse is complaining about multiple posts in a row. I cannot edit the previous reply, so stop complaining Discourse!) ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/98 "2021-02-17T11:28:59Z")
Good Morninā€™ Yā€™all! Up and caffeinatinā€™. _YAWN_ ā€˜Tis 29 Amurrkin out and clear, with a predicted high of 58 and mostly N.O.S. for the day. Today is Ash Wednesday so we shall ummā€¦ be penitent all day. Yeah. Thatā€™s it. Weā€™ll be penitent all day. I suppose we should figure out what that means exactly. Part of it will be watchinā€™ the online Ash Wednesday Liturgy and imposinā€™ ashes on each other. Oh, who am I kiddinā€™, we will revert to our usual slothful ways. Since we laid in provisions yestiddy, no real need to leave da cave. Sup shall be shrimpies 'n grits and steamed spareguts. **Dice** sometimes I think Discourse is a grumpy old man shakinā€™ its fist and yellinā€™ ā€œGet offā€™n mah lawn ya whippersnappers!ā€ Now I need more caffeine and rumbly tummy demands sustenance. Then, onward into the day! Rah. Happy Hump Day Yā€™all! For those who observe, have a Blessed Ash Wednesday and a Holy Lent. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/99 "2021-02-17T11:53:06Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Meanwhile, Nikki is curled up into her signature ā€œbaked potatoā€ and is snoring ā€¦ in my chair ā€¦ so what am I to do, but sit on the floor (on a cushion) in front of my own papasan chair, so I can catch up with my Mumper friends. When Taz pulls that stunt, Iā€™ll lift him in his lumpy posture and either deposit him on **FCD** ā€™s recliner (whereupon heā€™ll immediately jump down and stalk off all indignant-like) or Iā€™ll sit then deposit him in my lap (whereupon heā€™ll immediately jump down and stalk off all indignant-like.) And eventually, he winds up sitting on me in my recliner. Altho these days he has 2 extra laps to choose from. He seems especially fond of FIL. Today is supposed to be cold and generally unpleasant outside in anticipation of the snow and ice storms set to invade tomorrow. I have no plans to go anywhere, altho Food Lion has ice cream on sale and FIL lurves him some ice cream, so I may make a quick run there. Supper will be the smoked turkey breast that has been living in the freezer since Thanksgiving, twice-baked russets, and baked cauliflower parm, with punkinā€™ pie for dessert. The only real cooking I have to do will be the pieā€¦ and putting the parm on the cauliflower. So, easy supper tonight. And being the lapsed Catholic that I am, I donā€™t bother with the meatless stuff of Lent any more. Apart from emptying the dishwasher, I donā€™t have any chores today. I canā€™t even take MIL for a sightseeing drive because she canā€™t see much. Even if her eyes were perfect, sheā€™s so short, she can barely see out the car windows anyway! She has a cushion in their car at home to raise her to window level. _\< paging Randy Newman \>_ šŸ¤£ Thus beginneth another day at FairyChatEstates. Happy Wednesday!! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950/100 "2021-02-17T13:49:03Z")
Ash Wednesday. No caffeine. Tired. Is it Easter yet? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-happy-thought-in-the-mmp/932950.md?page=6)