# (Old) Dark Skies in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 24, 2026, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523 "2026-08-24T08:43:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/141 "2026-08-27T11:56:44Z")
A question for all youse who have hearing aids - is there significant difference between those from an audiologist and those you can buy on line for lots cheaper? The price difference is really significant. I don’t need any (yet) so this is merely idle curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/142 "2026-08-27T12:20:31Z")
Good morning. It’s 60F, dark, and cloudy. The day will remain partly to mostly cloudy, with a daytime high of 73F, and a 3% chance of rain. **Red,** yay for getting sprung! **Sticky** , I saw the pics on FB, too. Very nice. **Bright Tree** , yay for the pond being fixed, and good visits with friends! I left the house before 9:00 a.m. yesterday to go to Costco. I picked up the dogs’ prescriptions and just a couple of other items. I was back home by 10:00, but didn’t leave the house again. More garden/plant maintenance occurred, with some sporadic tidying, and that’s about it. I’ll be leaving the house in approximately an hour for the eye zapping. I hope this works, because I’m sick of messing around with eye appointments. I’m NOT wearing makeup just in case they really are going to zap my eyes. I didn’t receive a notification NOT to wear makeup, so I hope this isn’t just a consult with yet another trip up there. **VanGo** , wishing the best of luck with insurance reimbursement. **Shoe** , I’m sure you looked fabulous, and I’m glad the old big boss was easy to work with. I need to go wake my husband so he can shower and get ready to go. He insists on driving me up there, so I guess I’ll let him. Please take care of yourselves. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/143 "2026-08-27T13:20:56Z")
Happy Thursday! Up, caffeinating and breakfasted. There are a few chores that need to be done before Sis, Nelson and I head to the north side. She’s going to bathe the dogs and I’m going to shevel and we’ll go. She’s going to do a grocery run for me while she’s there, so I made a list. Y’all have a great day! ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/144 "2026-08-27T13:41:54Z")
Morning all. In bed until 7:45am today, finally got up after a weird dream (like **scudsucker** ) that I was traveling somewhere and kept packing things wrong and finally had to walk a distance to the car and my brother yelled at me and I almost punched him when I woke up. No idea where that came from, but I’ll forget it in a bit. Rain has departed the area and it’s 68F outside so I’ll leave the AC off for a while, but it’s due to reach 86F today so it won’t be for long. Except for coaching the 6 year olds, nothing much on the agenda so will try and keep busy one way or another. **Mollie** , I don’t frequent bars but have met some (non-lethal) oddballs in my day. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > ’m so used to “GF” as standing for “girlfriend” that I had to blink & re-read. Thee and me both. **FCM** , your snake-oil salesmen reports make me remember I need to schedule my flu and COVID update shots. Score two for science! Can he just prep a bowl of ice in the freezer pre-bedtime so he doesn’t wake you up? As for the hearing aid question, I get a 6-month checkup and an annual re-check at my ENT, but Medicare paid about 40% of the costs so I think that is where this comes from, as I have never been asked for payment. **Knots** , good luck with the audiolgist; I see mine next week and have a question about one of mine that works most of the time but misbehaves if it is shut off and then turned back on. **Taters** , appendages crossed that the eye-zapping has gone well. And that’s the morning report. Off I go into another fun-filled day. Have a good Thorsday all. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/145 "2026-08-27T13:52:13Z")
Good morning! I hit snooze once on the walking alarm, then got up. Good thing I hit snooze, otherwise I would have missed this: [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55491400843_19dc41cb1e_b.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55491400843_19dc41cb1e_b.jpg) As Chloé and I approached the house at the end of our walk, we saw what I thought was a huge bun digging up my neighbor’s yard. It turned out to be an armadillo. It noped on outta there when it saw us, leaving quite a torn up patch on my neighbor’s lawn. Meanwhile: > [@Chloé](#): > > Oh. My. God! That’s my new best friend!!! **Mrs Magill** had her OurPath online support group meeting last night. It had taken the summer off. She said it went well. Since it’s a support group, AA type rules apply, so I won’t pry. Our anniversary is next week. I had been trying to get us a table at [Bastion](https://www.bastionnashville.com/), but no such luck, and the only available tables at [Chateau West](https://chateauwestrestaurant.com/) were at inconvenient times. I did find a table at a good time for next Saturday. Now, to figure out what to eat and how to pronounce it. **Sticky Buns** That is a fabulous color for your house. The painters did a fabulous job. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Anyway, I decided if I gotta work a longer shift AND try to impress **Mr. Former Big Kahuna** why not purple eyeliner and sparkly green mascara? > > What a combo! > > Maybe I looked ridiculous; maybe I looked gorgeous. My money is on the latter. I’m beginning to think I need to befriend some folks on the FB. **Mollie Magill** (And “Maus”) is in the Straight Doper group, but since I don’t know any real names, I have befriended anyone. Anyhow, if anyone feels so inclined, **Mollie Magill** is out there. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/146 "2026-08-27T14:18:48Z")
Its a beautiful morning and I’m just drinking coffee and watching the birds. The popular hummer feeder wasn’t getting any action so I just swapped it out with the other one and realized that a full feeder was probably over my weight limit. I am SO done with this. I’ve been very patient and compliant but I’m starting to get seriously tired of it and want it to be over. I filled out three post cards last night and really hope that they are legible enough to be delivered. I’ll be bitching about that to my PT person in an hour as well. > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > It turned out to be an armadillo. How very cool! I’ve never seen one in the wild, do they look all prehistoric and shit? The ones I saw at the zoo were rather boring looking but it was during the afternoon and they were all sleeping. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > As for the hearing aid question, I haz an associated hearing aid question. How do you folks carry your spare batteries? Hubs carries spare batteries in a made-for-battery container on his key ring, but we’ve noticed that the batteries don’t seem to keep well that way. What do you folks use? > [@Taters](#): > > so I hope this isn’t just a consult with yet another trip up there. Fingers crossed that it gets resolved today. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > He’s awesome! Oh, that’s great! I’m sure he was impressed with your fabulous make-up, if he had time to notice that is! Well, I’d better get my shoes on and head off for another torture session. Hopefully they’ll let me increase my weight limit again. I’ll catch you all laters! ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/147 "2026-08-27T14:59:34Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I am SO done with this. I’ve been very patient and compliant but I’m starting to get seriously tired of it and want it to be over. You’re a good girl. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/148 "2026-08-27T15:08:19Z")
A bright, sunny Thursday in MSP and 68F at 1000. Bagel with avocado and scrambled eggs with cheese. The niece is coming over around midday. We were supposed to meet her at an orchard to pick apples today, but the wife came to the realization that we can’t possibly eat all of those, and the drive out there is fairly long. So Ms Niece is bringing us apples, which will be way too many for us, as she is a very generous person. I’ll likely give a large portion of them to the building staff and perhaps do some baking with the rest. We’ll likely go out for lunch at a nearby joint we haven’t tried yet. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/149 "2026-08-27T15:25:31Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > How do you folks carry your spare batteries? My hearing aids now have a rechargeable battery that charges overnight in a charging case. My previous ones had batteries, tiny little suckers. The batteries had tiny little stickers on one side occluding air from reaching it, you peeled the sticker off just when you put it in the aid to activate it. They last years with the sticker on. Do his have a sticker or perhaps are sold in an airtight package and his key ring case is not airtight? ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/150 "2026-08-27T15:27:36Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > since I don’t know any real names, I know a few names/usernames but there are some folks on my friends list that I just can’t place. But as they are pleasant I’m not worried. I’ve unfriended a few jerks in the past, mostly for political reasons, i.e. they were exceedingly jerkish in their politics. But I’ll befriend anyone who is identifiable. No random weirdo, tho. Just identifiable weirdos. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Hopefully they’ll let me increase my weight limit again. I have to wonder if they set low limits assuming most people will ignore them and try to do more. I’m guessing not everyone is as obedient as you are. I personally know several folks who, um, made their own rules… I’m close to having this computer all set up. I hope. I figured out what I did wrong when I copied my old calendar so it’s now been transferred and updated. I’ve got to get used to the new look, especially the “ribbon” in place of the toolbar. And once we’re confident that we no longer need anything on the old machine, we’ll do a purge before it’s repurposed. And I just saw that Daughter posted [this](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10164871500752427&set=a.82722847426) on her FB page, so I stole it to mine. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/151 "2026-08-27T15:29:20Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Anyhow, if anyone feels so inclined, **Mollie Magill** is out there. When I search for **mollie magill** I get a young college student in my hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. She’s cute but I don’t think that is you. FCMom knows all things Facebook. Maybe she can help us connect. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/152 "2026-08-27T15:35:23Z")
I was trying to connect, but there was no Friend Request button and it wouldn’t let me send a message. But the pic I posted goes to my page, so we’ll see if **Mollie** is brave enough to befriend me… 😉 ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/153 "2026-08-27T15:50:48Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > It turned out to be an armadillo Tank bun! Another day of pacing and trying to think. Progress is s…l…o…w… I spent most of today trying to figure out to fix an error in a downloaded database. It’s in a specific format integrates into the stats package I’m using. Works great when it works, but it’s not designed to be editable, because there shouldn’t _be_ errors like that. It looks like my friend got scammed by amateurs; the flat was being renovated and the key appears to have been cloned by a workman doing the renovation, and the property management thinks they have them doing the flat showing on CCTV. It honestly sounds like they didn’t really have a plan for what happened after the ‘free money’ part of the scam. If it was happening to someone who wasn’t obviously cursed, I’d say it looked reasonably hopeful for at least catching the scammers if not squeezing the money back of of 'em. In other news, my bathroom light has not only broken, but now trips the circuit switch if it’s turned on. I think it’s just the cheap light fitting combined with the dampness as I can see the cover is cracked, but I’m gonna get someone to come and check it’s not an issue with the wiring as well once I’ve ordered a replacement. Lucky it’s not dark until pretty late and I have candles… ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/154 "2026-08-27T16:04:22Z")
I found you. no way to send a friend request. Check your PMs ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/155 "2026-08-27T16:08:28Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > When I search for **mollie magill** I get a young college student in my hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. She’s cute but I don’t think that is you. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I was trying to connect, but there was no Friend Request > [@LH75](#): > > I found you. no way to send a friend request. Check your PMs Try again. I have my **Mollie** account locked down pretty tightly. I was getting a lot of DMs from creeps for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/156 "2026-08-27T16:35:15Z")
Well, as I suspected, it is much too soon for laser surgery. I needed to be eight to twelve weeks out from the cataract surgery. My eyes are otherwise okay, just the cloudiness. But, ugh, I’m just sick of this dragging on and on and on and on. Apparently, 50% of people who undergo cataract surgery experience clouding. Mine was just one of the cases where it happened almost immediately. For some people, it takes years. I wish I could have been one of those. **Nuts** , I’m really sorry your friend got screwed over like that. Since I’m all dressed anyway, I want to get out and run around some, but I need to wait for my eyes to adjust first. They dilated my eyes, so it’s bright out there, and I don’t have sunglasses. I’ll give it another hour, and then I’ll head out. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/157 "2026-08-27T16:54:17Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Try again. Just sent a Friend Request… **FCD** , impatient soul that he is, did the cetol on the new woodwork. I emptied the dishwasher and have nothing much else to do. I’m still messing with some setup stuff. But mostly not doing anything. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/158 "2026-08-27T16:57:12Z")
Got it. I returned my settings to Friends of Friends, so if you’re friends with **fcm** , **Hippy** , or **Coppertone** , I can get a friend request from you. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/159 "2026-08-27T17:08:33Z")
Happy Noontime. Just had the 3-apple snack (small applesauce pod, apple pie, and an apple) and will head off to the gym here in a short while for a modest calorie burn before getting ready for the U7 soccer practice. Temperature outside is up to 79F but still haven’t turned on the AC, but probably will when I leave. **Mollie** , I think I requested you as a friend, look for initials DH in my name. **JtC** , just be patient a little longer…and once you have finished the necessary time and exercises, you can get one of these T-shirts: [Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?num=10&client=firefox-b-1-d&hs=tBrV&sca_esv=5a74a5209dccff75&sxsrf=APpeQnti0xIM1MrscHWELUWbBMOxTRWcvg:1787850007865&udm=2&fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_-G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832SMIiTl3t-JZ4hGJOxPbHYQR84vEJkyW62ul7Q3Bkhu9lnQJN2b4NlD2btUk2oQl-kovYfDA0m3BksMG5pr7u-F84zjaHjcXuXnPdmPSCZ4k1m8r1_RrnWlnc5k2SXYFy2e5QxhWT7FgcvQ1DFBW8tegTZrfIvaL2SpHOPeUZY2A1yQ6Dg&q=patience+my+ass&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMpoWlpMGWAxWAvokEHY4NJRYQtKgLegQIFxAB&biw=1633&bih=919&dpr=1#sv=CAMSURoyKhBlLUtlTWQyZHEtalVKaXhNMg5LZU1kMmRxLWpVSml4TToOZGhJdUVSZXFHbnBVME0gBCoXCgFzEhBlLUtlTWQyZHEtalVKaXhNGAEwARgHIJCMjvAGSggQARgBIAEoAQ) > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I haz an associated hearing aid question. How do you folks carry your spare batteries? Hubs carries spare batteries in a made-for-battery container on his key ring, but we’ve noticed that the batteries don’t seem to keep well that way. > > What do you folks use? Like **BBBoo** , I have a rechargeable battery and a little case I put them in each evening, seems to work just fine. Never had to deal with the battery type. **Cookie** , enjoy all the apples that you can and the staff will enjoy the rest, I am sure. **FCM** , great picture and you’re looking good! **Nut** , good luck to friend anyways. Hope the wiring is good, electrical repair is not a cheap thing these days. **Taters** , guess you’ll need some of **JtC’s** patience (and the t-shirt that comes with it). And time to go sweat some. Have a good afternoon all. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523/160 "2026-08-27T17:12:05Z")
His batteries have those little stickers. He takes the stickers off and waits a few minutes for them to wake up then puts them in. His case has a rubber sealing ring as well. It isn’t a real big deal, but it is very annoying. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I personally know several folks who, um, made their own rules… My surgeon scared me into compliance. He completely detached all of the muscles holding my arm bone into the socket, cleaned up the frayed edges and reattached everything. The bone, muscles and tendons have only been growing back together for 9 weeks (yes, I know it does seem much longer) and the repair is still very fragile and could be badly damaged if I don’t pay attention to what I’m doing. > [@susan](#): > > You’re a good girl. Thank you, I appreciate the understanding. Today I took my PT guy a flyer from the Flatwood museum because he said he’d not heard of it before. I gave it to him before we started, hoping that he would be a little nicer to me today. HA! All kindness and understanding in his soul must have left the building this morning because he made me sweat and stuff. He also changed up my home routine because he doesn’t like me getting too happy over the weekend. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-dark-skies-in-the-mmp/1032523.md?page=9)