# (Old) A spot of good news in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [October 26, 2026, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165 "2026-10-26T08:41:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/221 "2026-10-30T15:49:08Z")
And a good, albeit late morning greeting to y’all. Got my Firday shopping done, the larder is full and my pockets are empty, so normal Monthly shopping day. Also have candy for tomorrow, now need to resist ‘sampling’ it until then. Another fine day, 72F now heading to 82F later, but looks like rain may show up Saturday afternoon and into Sunday and that will start a cooling trend. Nothing much else on the agenda, should be a quiet day (and we all know I’ve probably jinx’ed myself) so will do some gym stuff and otherwise relax. And catching up with the morning news is now on the table… **Cat Glove** , hope Hubs hand and your arm are feeling better. **Shoe** , how often is it the things we don’t expect that gets us? I haven’t broken anything recently, but have fallen unexpectedly several times while also negotiating some tough places without trouble. > [@dogbutler](#): > > The late Lucretia D. Hellcatt loved to set herself on fire, and also enjoyed napping on barely cooled stove eyes. Well, that explains the name quite soundly. **Sticky Buns** , I think pup needs a few more lessons… **boo fae** , enjoy the night out, from the sounds of it you’ve really earned it this week. **FCM** , happy bulbing! My breakfast-out places are Eggs Up and a local place called Sunny Street Cafe (but today was pecan sticky-bun day–had Two!, so will be fasting some). Hope the scamsters were foiled in time, I check mine 2-3 times a week just to be certain. **Lucky** , any bets you get out of Costco with just the things you mentioned(and I see **Shoe** beat me to it)? Happy chipping. **Knots** , I was trying to think of a good rapscalliion joke, but yours is spot on. **JtC** , enjoy the leaf changing. And six loads in a day is pretty good, at least you won’t have to worry about that chore for awhile. **Mollie** , good on being supportive, I imagine she may not hear nice things all to often. **red** , sorry you had such a disturbance this morning, but at least he did clear out (at least for now) and not letting him use your phone was a smart move–hope he doesn’t return for a second percussion chorus. And finally caught up (for the moment). See y’all later. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/222 "2026-10-30T16:21:56Z")
After the boat (the new cabinet looks great - wish I’d taken a pic) we went to the Mart of Wal for some generic meds. On the way we passed the new breakfast place - [First Watch](https://firstwatch.com/?version=core). So one of these days… First load in the washer. At least 3 more hours of laundry-ing. Lucky me!! ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/223 "2026-10-30T16:38:57Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > [@Seanette](#): > > > > He had his chance, and hasn’t given you any reason to think he’s learned anything, or that it wouldn’t just wind up “second verse, same as the first”. > > { _looks down, shuffles dirt_ } > > Ummmm, that’d be “third verse, same as the second” which isn’t nearly as snappy. OK, giving someone a _second_ chance is not unreasonable, depending on the offense. Third chance would for me require significant evidence of growth and change in a good direction. You haven’t mentioned any such evidence, so… > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > > Are you one of those people who stick tightly to the list, > > Wait - is this even _possible_? Theoretically, or so I hear. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/224 "2026-10-30T16:57:52Z")
It’s been a week! Things are finally settling down. Currently we sit at 47Ferrets with a forecast high today of 54F. It’s supposed to be sunny later. Right now, it’s drizzling. No hope of catching up with you all, but a few quick mentions: > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Anyone wanna help me come up with something? **shoe** , I believe in the direct approach: “FGC, we’ve had some fun, but I’m over it now. We can stay friends if you like. But that’s as far as it goes.” I’m sorry for your cracked rib – I remain in the “never broke a bone in my life,” club, but as someone once pointed out to me, “You just ain’t been hit hard enough.” Fair point. **doggio** , I am genuinely relieved and happy that you found Spot and got him safely home. I wonder what possessed him to flee? So scary when they go for an excursion. **Sticky buns** , I guess you were **Sticky front** this morning, and not in a good way. I hope the cleanup wasn’t too onerous! Have fun tonight at the Giffard, **BooFae**! You’ve really made some progress with Muffin, haven’t you? I’m in awe. Wish you didn’t have to work so hard today, **swampy**. 😉 Enjoy the RDOS when you get to that part of the day’s proceedings. > [@AskNott](#): > > If some of them start beatboxing and spouting angry doggerel, those are rap scallions. You are very bad. 😃 **Taters** , glad your hubs is on the mend. Enjoy Costco! **JtC** , I’m enjoying the fall color changes on my side of the country, too. There are some stretches that are so heartbreakingly beautiful, they belong in a keeper calendar. If we ever get a little stretch of sun, I may go take a few photographs, too. Glad your laundry is caught up! **Mollie** , I’m sure the young transwoman appreciated your acknowledgement of her bravery. It’s a tough thing to do, I’m sure, and hearing that someone notices can only lift her spirits. Well done to you. **red** , I’m so glad you didn’t let the clueless guy use your phone! I once stupidly acquiesced to such a request in the middle of the night (long story), and nearly got myself raped as a result. You just never know. Hope getting your appointment goes smoothly and the results are favorable when the lab work is returned. **metal mouse** , enjoy a quiet day. You’ve certainly earned it! * * * So the computer with its dead battery finally went for repair on Tuesday. My computer guru was swamped, though, so he asked me to leave it overnight with him. That put me back a bit with paying work and other things I needed to do online. When I got the computer back, it all works fine except there’s a notification over my speaker icon that says, “No audio device is installed.” Hmm, well, there was one before repairs were made! The bottom cover on the lapper is brittle and falling apart, so we ordered a new one. When it comes in, I’ll have the guru look into the speaker problem at the same time. I usually have speakers turned off, so it’s not a huge concern. Today’s drama will be contacting my Medicare Part D (drug) insurance provider to find out how they will treat some changes my doc wants to make to my maintenance prescriptions for 2027. I tried contacting SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program) last week for help – and received an email that said all their appointments through the end of the Open Enrollment period were taken, so there is no more SHIBA help available this year. (!!!) I’ve used them every year since I went on Medicare and have never had a problem speaking with them. Pretty shocking, but I guess everyone needs help with figuring this stuff out this year. Next year, I’m calling on the first day. Ollie is doing fine, although he wishes I would drop more tidbits around the kitchen when I’m cooking. Yesterday morning, a quarter of an apple core fell off the butcher block, and he swooped in to bolt it down before I had even begun to bend over to retrieve it. Jerk. Favorite cereal when I was a kid, but rarely allowed: Sugar Smacks, now Honey Smacks. The only cold cereal on my shelf now is plain Cheerios. They do for dinner sometimes. I never did get the Twinkies/Ho Hos/Ding Dongs love. Tried 'em all and none caught my interest. I did enjoy the Coconut Raspberry Zingers back in the day, though. Haven’t had them in years. Off now to tackle the drug insurance provider. Please keep good thoughts, and big hugs all around! ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/225 "2026-10-30T17:07:16Z")
**Shoe** - Cracked ribs suck. I was thrown from my bike several years ago, and cracked one. **Mrs Magill** needed a break this morning, so I sent her for strombolis. She took Chloé and swung by our friend’s (former) café, so Chloé got her pup cup, and now I’ve got a stromboli. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/226 "2026-10-30T17:12:07Z")
On the menu regularly for childhood breakfast was oatmeal or Cream of Wheat. Cold cereal included Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, Cheerios. My brother had Wheaties or Shredded Wheat cuz he was the favorite and got what he wanted. Occasionally we would have Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, or Sugar Smacks. It’s a dreary day. Temp around 50 ish and no sun. Rain tonight and tomorrow. I have Kit Kats, Snickers, and Smarties for the T or T kids. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/227 "2026-10-30T17:53:09Z")
Well, my ID badge has been handed in… I will now need to go 🥺 at people through the windows to be let in, or, you know, actually contact someone to arrange it. While I was there I bumped into someone who was also handing in his badge after his contract expired and is a bit ahead of me in job hunting. Not reassuring; he’s better qualified and has better experience than me and he said he’s basically gonna be looking at retail because everything sciencey is getting 100+ applications right now. Anyway, nearly pub time. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/228 "2026-10-30T18:04:22Z")
A very smooth sort today. Way too smooth. But tomorrow’s guaranteed to be..I can’t say a “shitshow”, because “show” indicates some form of planning and foresight. Anyways. My cow orkers did manage to wreck a door. _And armored door_. I’m not sure to be horrified or impressed. I am crossing Home Despot off my list of places to buy armored doors. I was out by 9:45, so I stopped and bought 2 cans of black beans. I also did early voting, there were actual lines, and I was voter #9996 in my precinct. Where were these people 2 years ago? I’m showered and had a bowl of oatmeal(apple and cinnamon) for brunch. And in honnor of Halloween, I am making [Ghost](https://www.kroger.com/p/ro-tel-xtra-hot-diced-tomatoes-with-ghost-peppers/0006414428064) .Pepper chili. > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > And then… it’s clean up time for both of you! ☹ Eww. Sorry. > [@teelabrown](#): > > a block of parmesan cheese, [Homer]Mmmmmmm…Costco sized block of cheese…[/Homer] > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the office party went well… i guess my costume was too close to my regular office wear. i didn’t win. [![](https://media1.tenor.com/m/_4CJAAyvcuYAAAAd/this-is-my-costume-im-a-homicidal-maniac.gif) ](https://media1.tenor.com/m/_4CJAAyvcuYAAAAd/this-is-my-costume-im-a-homicidal-maniac.gif) > [@Taters](#): > > Frosted Mini-Wheats, I like those now. Especially the Aldi ones, since I think the wheat froster used to frost Zebra Cakes for Little Debbie. > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > then hit the liquor store to pick up more gin Probably a tuxedo cat. They have a James Bond appetite for gin. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > I wonder what possessed him to flee? So scary when they go for an excursion. Considering he pretty much stayed in the building, it was The Call of The Mild. > [@Filbert](#): > > he said he’s basically gonna be looking at retail because everything sciencey is getting 100+ applications right now. Do you want [Callianthe roseangelae](https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/botany/news/plant-press/smithsonian-botanists-discovered-nine-new-plant-species-2025) with that? But seriously, fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/229 "2026-10-30T18:06:52Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > I am crossing Home Despot off my list of places to buy armored doors. Then how will you have the fun of having your own shipping box disintegrate on the belt at Brown? * * * I, too, will get to go to CostCo later today or tomorrow morning to gas, carwash, and pick up a scrip. And maybe an 'uge block of cheese. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/230 "2026-10-30T18:44:13Z")
Spent most of the week throwing things away from the warehouse. Filled one of those dumpsters that looks like a D-Day landing craft. Plus one half its size with recycling. A couple of months ago I took recycling from 4 file cabinets, and just for shits and giggles got weighed on the way in and out. 700lbs of files. Many from when I worked with this museum 20+ years ago. Pack-rats. There’s still an enormous pile of cardboard boxes of the “oh that might be useful some day” style. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/mJov8yD.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/mJov8yD) Weird stuff in a museum’s warehouse. > [@peedin](#): > > Cold cereal included Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, Cheerios Same in my house, except Dad got Life, that was his, the kids weren’t allowed to have it. As to pets on fire, I haven’t had to break out the oil lamps since Ms Peach moved in, and I suspect they should go on high shelves. Cinnamon (previous dog) never cared about them, in fact I think he kind of liked the soft light. **Metal mouse** Ugh, thanks for reminding me about the candy thing. I’ll get some for just in case, but will also be with most of the lights off. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/231 "2026-10-30T18:54:53Z")
Halloween: Children are not allowed to trick or treat in this facility, which suits me just fine. The activities person tries her best to get residents to dress up in costumes, etc., but I don’t participate in that sort of nonsense. I made a pepper beef stir-fry last evening. It badly scorched the Crueset pot, but I boiled some baking soda and water and scraped much of it off. I’ll try again later today. Moderate temps in the 50s today. Only had exercise on the agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/232 "2026-10-30T19:05:32Z")
**shoe** shoulda put a bounty out on that squirrel. **boo fae** it appears TM doesn’t understand that you are her supervisor, that she isn’t high up on the totem pole and that she should accept that the higher ups have approved the assessment tracker that has been put in place. Sometimes it seems that her attitude borders on insubordination. Felt like I needed the exercise so I walked to work at 7:25. Had 2 layers on my legs, 4 layers on my arms, a knit headband and ballcap on top. Work should have only taken me 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hrs but because of the ongoing issues with the software and the credit card processor, it took me 2 hrs to complete my work. On the walk home I found my spot of happy. The sky was a beautiful blue, saw about 1/2 of a moon left (at 9:55) and most of the trees are in the process of changing colors, some just very jewel colored. When I got home, first I threw in a load of linens to wash then I set about checking digital and paper coupons and our 2 grocery lists; one for today and one for Sunday. Reason: we were at 1,826 points. To get to 2,000 pts, meaning 2 fillups at $1/gallon off, I needed to buy $43.52 worth of groceries. I didn’t want to buy any more than I needed as I did that last month and we’re going to end up wasting 287 unusable pts. Hubs was not ready; he didn’t sleep well last night basically due to his hand continuing to hurt from the cortisone shot. Apparently it takes some time before it’s fully effective. I told him he could hang up the laundry after he sheveled and ate breakfast. So, off I went by myself. Bought a couple things off the 11/1 list and 5 things off today’s list. Didn’t get 3 of the things on today’s list; they can wait until Sunday because I checked the used meat area and there was a nice package of stew meat so I picked that up. I didn’t know exactly how much the produce would cost, I estimated. After I picked up my last item, I added up the amounts/estimated amounts and I came up with 44.17. Yay, that would do nicely so off I went to the checkout register. However, when I rang everything up, it came to $42.78. Partly because I hadn’t taken into account the 25% off on the mums I picked up to take to the cemetery for the space between Mom & Dad and overestimating the produce a tad. Well, I had picked up an extra package of white chocolate chips just in case, so rang them up and the total was $46.21 so earned 184 pts bringing the October total to 2,010 pts. While I was waiting in line for an open register, I happened to be next to a Hostess stand and saw some Ding Dong packages. Well, it was a case of “Honey I shrunk the Ding Dongs”! They look about 1/2 the size of the ones I ate in college. They were smaller in both diameter and height. I passed. My sister closest in age to me had her birthday the first week of October. I said I’d take her to lunch for her birthday. She finally got back to me today and we settled on next Thursday at a middle eastern restaurant of her choosing about halfway between our homes. Might take a quick nap. BF and her daughter and I are going to a movie theater to watch a Live BTS performance from Sao Paolo this evening. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > My mom and **Red** ’s mom were sisters or something. No pricey sugary cereals or snack cakes for us either. My Mom too. We ate cheerios. For our birthdays we could pick out a box of sugary cereal; IMS I picked Trix. Now I like Life; I get it probably 2-3 times a year, the rest of the time I eat Post Great Grains Cranberry Almond Crunch or make oatmeal. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/233 "2026-10-30T19:34:05Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Shame on you, **shoe** for not feeding Monkey while he was on walkabout earlier. 🤪 I left a handful of kibble by the door, which was gone by the time I got home … whether to His Highness, a possum, squirrel, etc. Who knows? ETA oh, yeah, and I have a glow-in-the-dark shirt to wear to work today & tomorrow. (Today over a rainbow tie-dye hoodie, tomorrow … well, I have a tiger ear head band, and if I get ambitious enough, plenty of eyeliner to do a nose & whiskers.) ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/234 "2026-10-30T19:44:17Z")
At the gym taking a break from sweating, about halfway to the day’s goal for calories, two more sets on the treadmill ought to do it. Bladder is being a pain today, had me up at 2:30am and every 2-3 hours it starts pestering me again. So far no ‘uh-ohs’ but keeping it closely monitored. Will catch up with y’all when I get home, but need to stop at Kroger for something worth about $8 to get to the next savings. (And yes, it is an obsession, but it saves me a little money–at least that is what I tell myself). Back to walking to nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/235 "2026-10-30T19:44:57Z")
Weird stuff in a museum’s warehouse. [/quote] Excellent photo! I’ve been disappointed by packaged goodies as an adult. I am spoiled by actual bakeries and the means to procure a decent treat. Also, as a child I wasn’t weighing whether the calories in a Hostess cupcake were spongeworthy. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/236 "2026-10-30T20:01:32Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > (But, uh, you don’t have any emergency backup candles? Not even cutesy decorative gifty-things that can be pressed into service?) Not a single one. We finally figured out that hubby’s quite sensitive to scented candles (Yankee) and doesn’t do well with plain ones, so we only have LED votives now. Sort of like [these](https://www.galaxus.ch/en/s14/product/james-wood-tea-light-with-led-6x-led-candles-54849734). After charging, if I use the remote or the switch, they last for a couple of weeks. If I just turn them on and let the timer run (6 hours on, 18 hours off), they last for about 5-6 days. They have a flicker mode, but we prefer the non-flicker mode. We might buy some more tomorrow. Or maybe some bigger ones. > [@Seanette](#): > > Can’t speak for @Die_Capacitrix, but I don’t have anything involving open flame in the house for pet safety (especially since my current cat population are both orange, and I’m never quite sure if either has any clue where the brain cell is). No pets, but we both have long hair, and have been lucky so far. I guess we’re getting old - we look at tv shows with lots of candles and tend to focus on the smoke and the fire risk. Worked from home today, so I got to save the commuting time. Got the raspberry canes cut back and mowed the grass, which is growing quite well for October. Also did a load of towels, which hubby put away. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/237 "2026-10-30T21:52:06Z")
I do better with unscented soy and beeswax candles. As you stock up, don’t forget about other solar-charged devices. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/238 "2026-10-30T22:35:21Z")
I just bought a set of 4 small LED flashlights that are spread around the house. We’ve also got a few plugged-in night light/emergency lights. And, of course, the flashlight function on our phones. I used to have lots of pillar candles, but no more. Oh well… Our internet has gone out a couple of times for short stretches - I do so hate our provider, but the alternative is Musk’s satellites (NOPE) or T-Mobile’s wireless (a lesser nope.) No fiber optic in our area. First world problems. We’re going out to breakfast in the morning, and we’ll figure out the rest of the day when it happens. Laundry did get done by 4 today and **FCD** helped by folding his clothes, so that was easy. Usually he’s in his shop doing something grubby when I’m laundering, so today was a bonus for me! 😃 Time for some TV I think. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/239 "2026-10-30T23:53:39Z")
CT scan didn’t take long at all today, but I got caught in several school zones on the way home. Now, I’m just chilling. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165/240 "2026-10-31T00:19:48Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I got home, ate some dinner, and read a bit of _The King in Yellow_ James left me his well-thumbed copy. It will be a while before I can read it, the letters keep blurring now. > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > And then… it’s clean up time for both of you! ☹ Not the best start of the day. Poor you and poor Annie. We’ve never had any close calls with cats and fire, but that could be because we do not have open flames in the house. Cats are jerks, I don’t need one to burn our house down to remind me. The new battery operated candles are pretty realistic, you can get them with flickering flames and a wax coating. I have a note on my calendar to check the batteries and charges when the time changes so that’s coming up soon. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > What gets me is the entry gate has a basic self-service screen and the tap-to-pay thingie, so one really shouldn’t need an attendant. But, I know, some people… The car wash we used to use in AZ was fully automated but still had an attendant at the front to help people reach the card slot on the machine. And watch the tip jar, of course. All of the car washes around here are no contact and I rarely see anyone there at all. I’d rather have the car washes with the brushes, I think they do a better job. I do like the option to have the undercarriage power washed, though. The roads get salted and that’s not great for sheet metal. **Lucky,** how’s your Dahlia doing? I still have one flower and a couple of buds, but it has been warm still. And how do you pronounce dahlia? They didn’t grow in AZ, so I never had the opportunity to talk to people about them. I know a whole lot more words than I can pronounce (or spell), so I have been saying da-li-la, like the song. Hubs told me today that it is pronounced dA-la. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Anyone wanna help me come up with something? First you have to figure out what you really want out of this. If you want him to go away, be blunt. If you want a FWB, be blunt about that too. Scheduled whoopy times only, no just dropping by. I know you used to maybe hope for something different, but sometimes you just want a warm body in bed with you. > [@AskNott](#): > > If some of them start beatboxing and spouting angry doggerel, those are rap scallions. 🗞 🤣 > [@AskNott](#): > > It’s actually cake batter ice cream with a lot of extra dye to make it black. Hubs and I shared a taste spoon and just that little bit turned our lips black for the rest of the day, I can’t imagine what eating a whole cup would do. > [@missred](#): > > one of my noisy neighbor’s While I hate to think of people ending up homeless, I do hope management is able to do something about all the noise. You pay good money to sleep undisturbed, its not right that someone is taking your peace away from you. I hope you get some good news from the scan. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > And six loads in a day is pretty good Thanks for being nice about it, but that’s a whole lot of dirty laundry to have piled up for just two people. My twice yearly tradition of washing all of the bedding including pads and blankets is only three loads. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Also have candy for tomorrow, now need to resist ‘sampling’ it until then. What will you do with the leftovers? We didn’t get trick or treaters in AZ but I would always buy a few bags and then take everything to work the next day. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > we went to the Mart of Wal for some generic meds. Hubs went to Walgreens yesterday and it was closed! They had a sign saying that the systems were down and no idea when they would open again. I didn’t see anything about a cyberattack, but it could have gotten missed in the daily avalanche. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > There are some stretches that are so heartbreakingly beautiful, they belong in a keeper calendar. That’s how I felt at times today. It was so beautiful that it seemed almost unreal. AZ falls were beautiful as well, but it was a quiet, subtle sort of change. WV is loud and in your face and I just love it. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > Today’s drama will be contacting my Medicare Part D (drug) insurance provider I do wish we lived in a first world country with first world concepts like universal health care. The idea that you have to beg for doctor ordered medications just isn’t right. Best of luck to you, I really hope you don’t have to keep calling. > [@Filbert](#): > > Not reassuring; he’s better qualified and has better experience than me and he said he’s basically gonna be looking at retail because everything sciencey is getting 100+ applications right now. I’ve heard that even the retail job market is in the dumps right now. I really hope you find something soon, your pointy nosed cats need their treats! > [@dogbutler](#): > > Considering he pretty much stayed in the building, it was The Call of The Mild. 🤣 > [@Paintcharge](#): > > Weird stuff in a museum’s warehouse. NOOO! Don’t put the dino head in the dumpster, take it to a corner across from a high school and leave it there instead. I promise it will be gone by morning. So as mentioned earlier, we went out to look at leaves today. We went south and holy cow, the colors were amazing. We ended up driving around in Kentucky for an hour before stopping for a late lunch and then coming home a different way. Back when I was growing up in S. CA, Disneyland was new and fairly inexpensive, so mom would take the four of us kids four or five times a year. The roads through the fall forest seems so much like an E-ticket ride, amazing colors with twisty-turns to open up to new beauty. While we were going through the towns, some of the decorated houses had so many Halloween decorations that they must have had a storage shed just for the season. There were a lot of those blow up things and giant skeletons but mothman was pretty popular as well. We also noticed that they had started putting up the lights at the state park. They have to start early, it is 7 miles of lights and done totally by volunteers. > [@missred](#): > > I got caught in several school zones on the way home. Ugh. I never paid attention to school hours before we moved here. Before we could avoid the buses by taking a different route, here there are no different routes so unless we want to spend an hour backtracking, we follow the bus and whine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-a-spot-of-good-news-in-the-mmp/1034165.md?page=13)