# (Old) Going bats in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [October 23, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945 "2023-10-23T05:52:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 23, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/21 "2023-10-23T16:24:08Z")
Looks like we’re headed out to the Arboretum today to look at the purty leaves. It beats the wife’s first suggestion to go see “Killers of the Flower Moon” in a theater. She keeps forgetting that I can’t sit that long without straightening my knee, and that neither of us can sit for over three hours in a theater without a bathroom break. I counseled patience, as it will be out on Apple+ before too much longer. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/22 "2023-10-23T16:33:24Z")
My only experience with bats was going to Carlsbad Caverns and sitting out at dusk to see the huge flock of bats exit the cave mouth for their nightly foragings. It looked like a big swirling tornado, and the flock trailed out over the desert, disappearing into the dusk. Pretty neat. Just got done with the despised task of cleaning the stove top. I remove the grates into a basin of hot water laced with Krud Kutter, remove and dispose of the aluminum foil I use to cover the stove top, then use pure Krud Kutter to dissolve cooked-on stove top grease. Then I replace the foil with clean new foil, scrub the grates (that’s the worst part), and replace them. Knobs get a scrubbing, too, but if you scrub too hard, you remove the red paint that marks the upright position of the knob. Cheap crap. Phew. Glad that’s done. It has to be done about once a quarter. Now to try to cook without messing up the nice clean stove. Yeah, right. ---
**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 23, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/23 "2023-10-23T17:54:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Good lord, I slept for eleven hours! Haven’t done that since. . .ever. MIL went to bed at 9 last night and got up about 9:30 this morning. She didn’t believe me when I told her what time it was! I’m guessing she was pretty tahred… You, too, huh? I’ve been productive. I made a big pot of navy bean and ham soup, and I’ve got 2 containers of it packaged for MIL. I’ve got 2 quiches in the oven - when they come out and cool, I’ll wrap up 4 pieces for MIL, and the rest will be ours. I took MIL grocery shopping, then to her bank (_PNC SUXXXX!!!)_ before taking her home. And the dishwasher is now sloshing away. MIL called to tell me her suitcase is still in **FCD** ’s car - I’ll take it when I go back to take her to the hospital. Meanwhile, I have some time to myself - crochet time!!! The two days of eating junk really messed me up - I’m craving all kinds of junk food now. It’ll probably take a week to purge my system of the sweets and such that I ingested. Dammit. But for now, I’ll crochet. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/24 "2023-10-23T18:04:15Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I also wonder how high bats fly after mosquitoes. Never been a bat fan but, if they feed on mosquitoes, that is a big plus in their favor. LOL ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/25 "2023-10-23T18:30:49Z")
**Chefguy** when you sleep 11 hours it’s a really wonderful feeling. Happens to me a couple times per year and always after a month-ish of short sleep. You’ll probably be feeling great soon. Cornmeal pancakes. Hmm. Pure cornmeal, or just a lot of cornmeal added to ordinary batter? Either sounds pretty awesome. Her Ladyship went to see _Killers of the Flower Moon_ with a lady friend a few days ago. Good but very, _very_ long was her verdict. {{{ **Nellie** }}}: Yaay! For your triumphant return that is. Seeing well is easy to take for granted until you can’t. happy you’re seeing well again. Good luck w housesitting & leg bending. One day at a time. > [@dogbutler](#): > > “A Bella Lugosi of bats”? 🦇 🧛‍♂️ I propose a “Lugosi of bats”. It’s shorter and punchier. A “Bella of bats” is more fun to say, but the reference might be a tad too obscure. Especially right now when half the 6yo girls in the USA are named “Bella” after some Disney movie character of a few years ago. Great idea though; you get all the credit in any case. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > As for your friends dad, it’s something I think about too, I’m on my own and 71, still in good shape but I know the day is coming…my plan (such as it is) is to evaluate how I’m doing at 75-76 and maybe look for an apartment (independent or not) and start ‘downsizing’. We’ll see in a few years. From my time as condo prez the thing I really saw is that the last chance to easily make the move occurs a lot earlier than one’s wishful thinking typically pegs it. As one gets slower and less ambitious, the job goes from readily do-able to difficult to not at all do-able at an ever-increasing rate. It sneaks up on folks, even those who don’t have a sudden sharp adverse health event. For those who do have one … **ThelmaLou** had a good thread about her recent move that was forced by outside circumstances earlier than she expected. She was initially devastated, but it seems that by the time it was done she was happy for the outside impetus to do the right thing at a still do-able time. **FCM** yeah, eating properly on the road is hard work, and doubly so along the interstates. “Hamburger pickle as only veggie of the week” is too true. BTDT. But boy does real home food & real veggies taste good when you get back. So there’s that. 😁 :yumm: As to me: Awoke with swollen jaw glands and a raging sore throat. Thought the throat might have been from stomach acid, but after a bit it was obvious I’d been infected with something. Damn. Took a 3 hour nap as soon as Her Ladyship emerged in the morning. Slept under the covers in my tracksuit and still wasn’t quite warm enough. Now midafternoon the COVID test is negative and the trip is still on, but has a big question mark over it. I’m still short of sleep and may do the nap thing again here in a few minutes. Gaah! ---
**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 23, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/26 "2023-10-23T18:30:52Z")
Swampy’s gay??? I don’t know anything about bats and never had any dealings with them. The hay mow in my previous barn had lots of them but I never went up there. Current barn just has pigeons. I hate pigeons. Not much new here. Went to the chiro, the gym, the fuds store, the bank. Came home and roll sucked. Currently having a PBJ then I’m going to read. ---
**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 23, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/27 "2023-10-23T18:41:35Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Cornmeal pancakes. Hmm. Pure cornmeal, or just a lot of cornmeal added to ordinary batter? Either sounds pretty awesome. **Cornmeal Pancakes (Johnnycakes)** Ingredients • 1 cup Water (250 mL) • 3/4 cup Medium Grind Cornmeal (120 g) (I use Bob’s medium grind cornmeal) • 1 1/4 cups Buttermilk (310 g) • 2 Eggs (100 g) • 1 1/2 cups Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour (210 g) or cake flour • 1 Tbsp Baking Powder (14 g) • 1 tsp Sea Salt • 1/4 tsp Baking Soda (1 g) • 2 TBSP sugar • 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil (60 mL) Tsp of vanilla Instructions 1. Bring 1 cup water to a boil. In a large bowl, pour boiling water over cornmeal and stir until thick. Let stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly. 2. Add in buttermilk and eggs and stir until thoroughly combined. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. 4. Fold the flour, vanilla and oil into the cornmeal mixture and stir to combine. 5. Preheat a griddle to medium heat. Once hot, portion batter onto griddle using a 1/4 measuring cup. (I like to put a generous dollop of butter in the pan to brown things up nicely). Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges begin to set, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook on the other side for 2-3 more minutes. Enjoy warm with your favorite toppings. ---
**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 23, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/28 "2023-10-23T19:04:02Z")
> [@I hate when I do that in the MMP! - old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-when-i-do-that-in-the-mmp-old/991640/318): > > **[Granite Dells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granite_Dells)** is a really popular rock climbing destination and we can tell when the eagles are nesting because that’s when the Dells become female (no nuts hanging off them). Took me way too long to get that one. > [@Baker](#): > > First! Finally!!! > [@dogbutler](#): > > Second! W00T! Tell me **swampy** is still under the weather, without telling me **swampy** is still under the weather. > [@nightshadea](#): > > the look on her face was "they fly now? No fair! " The mental image is hilarious. > [@Wheelz](#): > > Still not used to getting up this early! The hardest part, for a lot of people, is not throwing a mental temper tantrum about getting sent to bed early. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > use the pre-made rolled-up crusts, so mock away. I know how to make a crust from scratch, but I choose not to. Same, and same. The frozen crusts are IME utter crap. But the refrigerated ones made by a company that starts with “P” and rhymes with “Illsbury” got a thumbs up from the snooty Cook’s Illustrated folks, and that’s plenty good enough for me. I’ve had homemade, and I’ve had ^^ and the only difference, to me, is the labor, both in the actual making, and the 🤬 cleanup. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I know she’s torn - despite his mental problems, he is capable of dealing with many aspects of his life, but he doesn’t want to. I think it’s largely because most of his life, his parents have done for him. But MIL is old and tired and it’s just too much for her. What’s the old adage? “Chickens always come home to roost.” I’m sorry, this is gonna be harsh, but she created this problem, and now it’s falling into someone else’s lap to deal. That sucks. For you, the designated lap. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > But if he doesn’t keep up with his psych meds, this will keep happening, and short of putting him in a home where they’ll dose him regularly, I just don’t know. You already know the answer. It’s right there ^^ and that IS the only sustainable solution. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Some of the stuff I’ll try to sell: They’re like kittens; I wanna take 'em ALL home! (The jellyfish, especially.) How’d the fundraiser go? > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Guess I should get out of my jammies and into clothes. Eventually, anyway. It’s nearly 2 p.m. I’m considering it. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > No conversation about bats would be complete without mention of downtown Austin’s famous bat bridge: I lived there, for seven glorious years. (Hook 'em! \nn/ ) I knew a long time ago that the bats would be one of the top things I’d miss. Hell, I used to work at the Austin American-Statesman (best job I ever had) so I got to park in the employee lot to watch. Their employee car stickers had a bat - kept that sucker on my windshield for years after moving back to Dallas. The “bat show” really is something. People absolutely coat the grassy banks near the river, so there’s lots of dogs, toddlers, etc. while everyone jostles for space. Plenty of mosquitoes, too. … for a while. Once it gets close to dusk, everyone kinda quiets. Looking towards the river. You’ll eventually see one. Maybe two. The brave ones (or extra hungry) scouting it out. Then a few more. Then it’s like a living river, absolutely _pouring_ out from under the bridge. It’s fascinating to try to focus on a single individual - picture rush-hour traffic on a 4-highway grid, but in 3 D - nobody ever hits another, but _damn_ they come close. I never understood the old nature documentaries about zebra and wildabeest (“There are so many, it’s difficult for predators to track individual prey…”) until I watched the bats. It really is challenging. Late summer is best - the pups have started to fly, so the “river” doubles in population. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > (and smelled) the sleeping colony gently sort of chirping at one another. Yeah. They stinky. But that was a good description of the daytime sound. The area under the bridge is redolent, but the auditory outweighs the olfactory, for me. High pitched, you can _barely_ hear it … but when several thousand individuals are making the same (to us) sound, trust me, it registers. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > there was a redtail who lived in or near our building. We’d often spot it perched on someone’s balcony railing. Very few pigeons about and we always credited the hawk with that. Absolutely credit where credit is due. I can picture the fierce stare now! > [@LSLGuy](#): > > all his wheels fall off at once. Besides rapidly fading ambition & memory, the acute problem is severe arthritic hip pain that the docs are badly under-medicating due to the opioid DEA scare. That is just a giant ball of suckitude, and also, one of my biggest fears. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’ve known Dad a long time, but we’ve not talked in about 3 years; back then he was still a force of Nature. Oh, give the ol’ guy a call. It’ll give him some break in the sucky routine of his life. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > In bed at 1am and up at 5:45 and a bit bedraggled. Four hours. Just like me.🙂 The solution is NOT caffeinating. Go pee (that _is_ why you woke up, isn’t it?) and have a snack, smoke - oh, right, not you, that’s me - and then toddle on back to bed. The ocean will still be there when you wake back up again. > [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Hi!! How has everyone been? We’ve been fine. FINE! But { _sniff_ } you never called, we’ve been so _worried_ ! (Sorry, that was my mother poking into the chat. I called her last week on Wednesday, I think, and she was all, “You didn’t call Monday!” - my usual day off - and I had to explain, yet again, that telephones are a 2-way technology. “I wanted to talk to you!” “So why the fuck didn’t you call? Or better, text?”) > [@nelliebly](#): > > nobody’s going to jail. Damn. And here I was, waitin’ for a good story. (I am genuinely, truly, sorry for whatever it is that happened. I joke, as my coping mechanism for awkwardness.) > [@nelliebly](#): > > She left a sparkling clean house, a welcome note, and a lovely panettone. Sometimes, when I think there’s no hope for humanity anymore … > [@nelliebly](#): > > Knee Watch 2023: The Nellie Files **Netflix:** “Are you still watching?” I always think of that screen as a little kid poking a dead critter with a stick. “Hey. You dead yet?” > [@nelliebly](#): > > I betcha I can see 20/30 or better. That must be AMAZE-BALLS. > [@nelliebly](#): > > realize with gratitude that I was seeing it for 3 people, myself and the two cornea donors I can’t even imagine how that must feel. I saw a video of a woman listening to her dead son’s heart beating in the donor girl’s body, and even my shriveled soul teared up. > [@nelliebly](#): > > We used to have night hawks at our place in Wyoming I’ve seen pictures of nightjars, are they the same? Weird lookin’ things. I’d love to see one in person. > [@dogbutler](#): > > to unscrew up the load the 12 year old looking Blueberry made(Jebus, did they cancel puberty or something?) Coupla weeks ago, a customer pulled up to my drive-thru window who _I swear_ was thirteen. > [@dogbutler](#): > > Luckily, there was an empty package car in the 223 slot, because we completely filled that with the one bulk stop. Mind you that first package car had 3 other bulk stops, and 60 regular stops still on it. { _tilts head sideways, confused expression on face_ } > [@dogbutler](#): > > > [@Wheelz](#): > > > > flock”? Is that right? > > “A Bella Lugosi of bats”? 🦇 🧛‍♂️ This is now the acceptable term. Thus I have written, and thus shall it be. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Another great place for bats is Singapore’s “Night Zoo” (open late in the evenings for nocturnal animal displays). You can walk through a large enclosure of BIG Malaysian bats, and it’s so dark that you can be inches away before you notice them. One of my few bucket list items is to see one of the big fruit bats in person. Preferably, to hold it and snuggle it, and then try to steal it for my very own. Okay, not the last part - my brain is too pragmatic to even let me enjoy my own silly fantasies! But to experience one hanging off my forearm, even for a moment .. ? I could die happy. That, and seeing the aurora borealis (“Northern Lights”) in person. > [@Paintcharge](#): > > Ah the joys of having a pick-up truck. My late beloved **Other Shoe** had a pickup. He’s been dead ten years, and I could still hear him laughing at your post. > [@teelabrown](#): > > It looked like a big swirling tornado, and the flock trailed out over the desert, disappearing into the dusk. Swap “high rise cityscape” for “desert” and you have Austin. Very good description. “Swirling tornado.” Apt. > [@teelabrown](#): > > Just got done with the despised task of cleaning the stove top. Me, too! (My way is easier: close eyes, go to other room.) Also, I don’t cook as much as I used to - it’s _amazing_ how much more 🤬 cooking and cleaning I did while living with men. > [@teelabrown](#): > > if you scrub too hard, you remove the red paint that marks the upright position of the knob This is why God gave us nail polish. Hell, screw boring red .. go sparkly lavender for the knob dials! > [@peedin](#): > > Current barn just has pigeons. I hate pigeons. Put up a welcome wagon for barn owls. Sweet heart-shaped faces; talons primed for pigeon murder. ---
**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 23, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/29 "2023-10-23T19:29:29Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > How’d the fundraiser go? It’s coming up on Saturday, so we’ll know that evening. **FCD** has said he’ll take his mom to the hospital, so I get a reprieve. I just need to pack up the food to go to her. Waiting for the quiches to cool so I can cut ans wrap them. ---
**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 23, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/30 "2023-10-23T21:19:01Z")
Afternoon all. Swimming and Sauna are done and the gym scale says I am at 239.8 lbs, so yeah! for finally getting below 240. Of course I came home and celebrated with a Snickers bar, so that shot it all to heck, but still trending in the right direction. Leaving for soccer practice in about an hour, it’s 77f and beautiful outside. Then an evening of sloth is in the cards. **Nellie** , nice touch by the Washington folks. **Cookie** , enjoy the leaves. **Lucky** , I’ve got a glass-top stove, which is supposedly easier to clean but it simply won’t get all the stuff off of it, no matter how much I wipe. Still, probably better than what you face. **FCM** , Monday is my Junk Food day (tonight it’s Jack’s, a local hamburger place with good crinkle-cut fries). I can resist it (mostly) the rest of the week. Did a little research and a group of bats is called a “Colony” or, if flying, a “Cloud”. Some folks use the term “A Cauldron of Bats” which is my favorite. **Pilot** , feel better soon. **Shoe** , much thanks for the description of the Austin bat show…now dammit, I have another addition to my Bucket list… OK, nearly time for some TV watching and then dress for chasing 10-11 year old boys around the soccer field for an hour. Take care all. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/31 "2023-10-23T21:37:53Z")
_Started Typing: 3:37 PM ET_ _Clicked Reply: 5:37 PM ET_ 🎶 Monday, Monday… 🎶 It has taken way longer to be able to start this post than I expected, because I have some Definitely Not Genius colleagues – and, unfortunately, one of them works for me. \*sigh\* In happy work-related news, though, I got a surprise “thank you” for my efforts on a recent document that was submitted to our customer! It required more than the usual amount of editing/formatting: I didn’t think twice about it at the time (just doin’ my job, yadda yadda), but that team nominated me for one of our program’s quarterly awards…which come with $100 bonuses, which I received this morning…and which I have already converted to an Amazon gift card _and_ spent. 😁 A little recognition and some unexpected 💰 are always nice! I’m ambivalent about bats: I don’t particulary _like_ them, but I don’t mind them. In my late teens/early 20s I was part of a group of friends who always hung out together (ingeniously, we called ourselves The Group), and one of us had a bunch of bats on her family’s property. Whenever we’d hang out around her pool at night, we’d always be dive-bombed by several bats. Slightly disconcerting and scary at the time, but a fond memory now (and my only experience with them). I am so glad I have no plans/meetings this evening. For the past week or so I’ve been feeling randomly…not _bad_, exactly, but kind of sinus-y and sometimes a touch congested (i.e., blowing my nose more than usual). No cause that I can figure out so far, but today is one of the randomly sinus-y days. I’m looking forward to logging off work soon and then doing a mess o’ nothing. I actually thought about dinner early and have already preheated the oven (!), and am planning on [chicken cordon bleu](https://www.barberfoods.com/our-products/raw/cordon-bleu/) for dinner; I’ll nuke some frozen corn as a side. I just have to decide what I feel like watching. I’m a member of the [Project Management Institute](https://www.pmi.org/) (PMI): my local chapter is starting a “Women in Leadership” community of interest (COI), and there’s a kickoff happy hour tomorrow. I’ve been meaning to start attending PMI events, and the COI could be interesting, so last week I registered for the happy hour. But I also have long-standing plans to go hear some live jazz in DC tomorrow night: I’ve had a ticket for the 7pm set for three months, and when I decided to go to the happy hour I also bought a ticket for the 9pm set. Tomorrow I’ll decide whether I’m actually up for the PMI event – they tend to not be as good/interesting as they seem, but I _could_ use some professional networking – and therefore which set I’ll go to (there are pros and cons to each). I already cancelled tomorrow’s personal training session, and I’ll also be skipping a volunteer-related Zoom meeting. When did Tuesday evenings get so busy?! 🙂 > [@I hate when I do that in the MMP! - old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-when-i-do-that-in-the-mmp-old/991640/305): > > I’m a jazz fan and amateur guitar player who hates almost all jazz guitar I used to not care for jazz guitar at all, but my appreciation of it has definitely increased over the past 14 years (since I started singing/listening to [more] jazz). In fact, these days I think I’d rather listen to jazz guitar than jazz saxophone. > [@I hate when I do that in the MMP! - old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-when-i-do-that-in-the-mmp-old/991640/313): > > You don’t have to be an old fart to order off the senior part of the menu. The portion sizes are smaller, but the food is more adult than the kids meals. McD’s has a senior menu?! I had no idea! I honestly don’t even recall seeing senior menus at other places I go; just kids’ menus (and not everywhere even has those). I have no compunction about ordering off the kids’ menu when it strikes my fancy to do so: in addition to smaller portions the food is often “simpler,” which usually appeals to me. Most times, though, there’s an appetizer that will do the trick…or an entree that will reheat nicely. 🙂 > [@Wheelz](#): > > (“flock”? Is that right?) As **MetalMouse** beat me to, online sources seem to favor “colony” but there are several votes for both “cauldron” and “flock.” That said, henceforth I shall refer to a “Lugosi” of bats! 🦇 > [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Hi!! Welcome back! 👋 > [@nelliebly](#): > > I’m baaaack. Yaaaay! 😃 > [@nelliebly](#): > > Good vision makes me a better person. 🙂 My recently widowed 82-year-old aunt has, on top of some dementia and limited mobility due to bone-on-bone knees, really terrible vision. Understandably, she gets angry – and, frankly, a little mean – when she gets confused/frustrated. I feel like the other issues wouldn’t overwhelm her nearly as quickly/easily if she could just _see_. (My cousins have taken her to various eye docs, but she’s had lifelong issues with the medical establishment and nothing can be done that she’ll allow.) At least her hearing is still good. > [@nelliebly](#): > > This year, we got a sticker in our ballot envelopes! That was so smart of someone! The first time I worked as an election officer was in November 2020: because of COVID the county didn’t give out stickers that election, and I swear that was the only reason some folks voted in person! They were _not_ happy! LOL! > [@LSLGuy](#): > > the COVID test is negative and the trip is still on, but has a big question mark over it Keepin’ a few appendages crossed for ya… 🤞 ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/32 "2023-10-23T22:02:34Z")
My latest update. Another 3 hour nap, a dose of Dayquil and at the moment I’m 99% normal. Her Ladyship has departed for a long evening out, so I shall consider showering, then go get simple dinner someplace nearby. Like **Metalmouse** this may be my day for a local burger-n-fries. **Cookie** those pancakes / johnnycakes sound wonderful. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Four hours. Just like me.🙂 > > The solution is NOT caffeinating. Go pee (that _is_ why you woke up, isn’t it?) Nope. I awaken between 5:30 & 6:30 because that’s the time my body likes to do it. No peeing involved. It takes serious sleep deprivation for me to still be asleep at 7am. It’s weird. It’s not even tied to sunrise, since at that hour it’s still fully dark outside almost all year. Her Ladyship does bake, and the refrigerated ones the lovely and talented **Shoe** favors are Her Ladyship’s favorite too. Very evocative description of the bats; thank you. I’d like to see fruit bats and northern lights too. **Oopsie** congrats on an award & some free money. And on a fairly sane day. I did PMI for awhile and yeah, the events weren’t too exciting. They were however less cringeworthy than the networking events for software developers; PM’s have at least a semblance of a social personality. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/33 "2023-10-23T22:09:42Z")
Howdy Y’all! As promised, sloth has ruled the day. The major productivity was sup gettin’ fixed and et, then the kitchen cleanded up. Day drinkin’ was bourbon on.the rocks while in the N.O. rockin’ chairs on the back porch. We even talked in our “southern gentlemen” accents whilst doin’ so. Think [Foghorn Leghorn](https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=foghorn+leghorn+youtube&&mid=6905D42E805EDA80CE5C6905D42E805EDA80CE5C&&FORM=VRDGAR), but with a deeper voice and you get the general idea. **Pilot and Oopsie** feel better soonest. Sounds like how I felt last week. **WetOne** SHHH! They don’t know I’m gay. **Nellie** welcome back! Yay for improved eyesight. Have fun house sittin’. Also yay for the sticker. I lurve gettin’ my I’m A Georgia Voter sticker with the little peach on it. **lucky** ICK! Better thee than me. **Taters** hope the flight was uneventful. I gather you are now in Missouri. And now this… even though it’s probably not the bday anymore. \< AHEM \> CLEARIN’ THROAT \< AHEM \> **HAAAPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!** **HAAAPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!** **HAAAPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY DEEEAAARRR SSSEEENNNSSSEEEIII!!!** **HAAAPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!** ---
**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 23, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/34 "2023-10-23T23:30:48Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > And, speaking of pie crusts from the last MMP, I use the pre-made rolled-up crusts, so mock away. I know how to make a crust from scratch, but I choose not to. I have nothing to prove and I HATE doing it. So I won’t. 😛 The rolled ones are fine. I’m not crust snob! 😛 I’m with you here. If I had enough table / counter space to properly roll it out, it might not be so bad, but I don’t and haven’t for years, so my skills are rusting away. I really like the gnomes **Mooooom**. Happy birthday **sensai**! Yay for better sight **nellie**! Good to have you back. Irked, came home, walked Nelson, et and talked to Sis on the phone. She’s supposed to come up Friday. I also have a doctor’s appointment Friday morning, so I took Thursday off to get other stuff done to enjoy a couple of days with her before she heads north to see Dad. Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**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:** [October 23, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/35 "2023-10-23T23:34:06Z")
I just got the following text from my son: “Hi, Mom! Just a reminder to engage the deadbolt on the back door. The raccoons have learned how to open it.” He’s not kidding. If I don’t report in tomorrow, it’s because I forgot the deadbolt and was hauled to the Secret Empire of the Trash Panda. I’d like to think they’d make me their queen, but odds are, they’d make me their lunch. **Cookie** , does the theatre have those fancy reclining chairs? Just wondering if those would help. **shoe** , I had to look up nightjars. I like that name! I did a quick skim and learned two things: Night jars have longer bills and softer plumage than nighthawks. The Latin term for nightjar means “goatsucker.” At that point, I decided I didn’t want to know any more. Seeing better feels like coming home. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > { _tilts head sideways, confused expression on face_ } That’s a state I know all too well. When I was a teen, I knew a guy who was a carnie. He’d call me once a month, and when he was in town, we’d go out. Actually, he was a hippie who sold tee shirts at carnivals and state fairs, but he picked up so much carnie slang, I couldn’t understand most of what he was saying. (The only term I remember is that cowboys were “goat ropers.”) I did that head tilt/furrowed brow constantly. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > That, and seeing the aurora borealis (“Northern Lights”) in person. Oh, so gorgeous! I hope you get to see them! > [@Misnomer](#): > > I feel like the other issues wouldn’t overwhelm her nearly as quickly/easily if she could just _see_. I think you’re onto something. I swear my mind is clearer when I can see better. Even though she gets cranky, I feel so sorry for your aunt. It’s a tough road. And congrats on the award! **MetalMouse** , congrats on achieving the next goal! It seems you can continue losing even while allowing yourself the occasional treat, which is wonderful and must make it easier to stick to your plan. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/36 "2023-10-24T00:08:44Z")
Glad to see you back @nelliebly . Watch out for those night visitors! ---
**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 24, 2023, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/37 "2023-10-24T00:08:56Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > cat was confused the whole as the look on her face was "they fly now? No fair! " LOL! > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > Last year when it was evident there were babies, the clock’s bells were stopped so that the young 'uns weren’t disturbed too much by it. People can be pretty cool sometimes 🙂 Stay warm and dry! > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’ll keep an eye on here. But she is approaching old-lady-hood - I think she’s about 15. Dammit. Darn it Ziva, stop worrying Mom, she’s got enough on her plate right now. You make VERY cute stuff, I hope you do very well for the school. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Bats: We used to have them pretty routinely when I lived on the lake in MO. There used to be water in our lakes and hubs and I loved to go out on bright nights and watch the nightly ballet over the water as they feasted on the night insects. 30 years ago, hubs could hear them ping if he listened carefully but that’s gone now. I can hear them but cannot tell where the sound is coming from, it is a rather odd sound. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > I know you were hoping to not have a window facing your way, but replacing that firetrap is sure to result in better tenants. Absolutely, plus if there is a window on that end, it will probably be the second bedroom and will have a wonderful view of our fence. People tend to close their bedroom blinds at night and kids tend to go to bed fairly early, so it’s all good. It has to be because I have no say in the matter. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > The correct term for those little ones is “LBTBs” = Little Brown Tweety Birds. Pronounced “elBee-TEEbeez” 😉 Oh thank you, I love knowing the technical terms for things 🙂 Your trip sounds like fun, take pics for us. Welcome back **sensei** , and happy birthday! > [@nelliebly](#): > > Hello, dear Mumpers. I’m baaaack. HURRAY!!! I’m so glad you can see again. I agree that appreciating what you have is the secret to a happy life. > [@dogbutler](#): > > “A Bella Lugosi of bats”? 🦇 It’s a colony, but I agree will also be using Lugosi of bats from here on. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > park near the cave entrance and watch several hundred thousand (not an exaggeration) bats flying out to do their nocturnal feeding…it’s quite a show. I have also been to Carlsbad Caverns and yes, watching the bats billow out of the cave at night is pretty amazing! > [@Paintcharge](#): > > The night walk to the outhouse was perilous. There’s always a gray lining in every silver cloud. Back when I was growing weed, I paid big bucks for small cans of bat poop, that stuff is magic for plants. > [@Taters](#): > > Currently winging my way to the Show Me state. Have a very safe and fun trip! > [@nelliebly](#): > > I haven’t finished voting, but I’m awfully excited about that sticker! 🙂 Wear it with pride! That silly sticker was the only reason I voted in person (it was a bother because I couldn’t vote where I was working so had to rush off to a different poling place when ours was slow enough). Once they started sending them out with mail-in ballets, voting in person went away. > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > bats were the theme for the box this month. Oh neat, I need to check with Mom and see what she thought. I know she enjoys getting and opening the boxes, but I think that she forgets about them afterwards. > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > i do like bats. good exterminators. Bats can eat up to 1200 mosquitoes an hour. Love them so much just for that! > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Awoke with swollen jaw glands and a raging sore throat. Thought the throat might have been from stomach acid, but after a bit it was obvious I’d been infected with something. Damn. Well, dang. Get better soon! > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Took me way too long to get that one. You’re slowing down, girlfriend 🤪 > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > > > use the pre-made rolled-up crusts, so mock away. I know how to make a crust from scratch, but I choose not to. > > Same, and same. Ain’t no shame in using store bought crusts. I would _like_ to be able to make pie crusts like they do on that British baking show, but kinda figure that as long as the filling is good and the crusts aren’t soggy…nobody is really paying attention to the crust anyhow. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > It’s fascinating to try to focus on a single individual - picture rush-hour traffic on a 4-highway grid, but in 3 D - nobody ever hits another, but _damn_ they come close. What a beautiful and loving description, thank you for sharing. > [@nelliebly](#): > > I’d like to think they’d make me their queen, but odds are, they’d make me their lunch. Be very careful, the raccoons got three more of chicken man’s birds a few days ago. He only has one left and says he can tell that she’s really lonesome. We’ve been seeing raccoons here, usually drinking out of the deep birdbath (the shallow one is really tippy). Someone local advised putting onions around the fence line to keep them out, but I have my doubts. ---
**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 24, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/38 "2023-10-24T01:38:59Z")
Evening all. Soccer has been practiced and dinner consumed, so just chilling on the MMP until later into the evening. down to 57F already but with my space heater at 2/3 power I’m nice and toasty. **Oopsie** , $100 is always a nice surprise, glad someone recognizes you. And I usually have those ‘not sick but not entirely well’ days in Jan/Feb, so far this year I’ve been doing good. And networking with professionals versus some live jazz…I know what I would choose, but then again, I’m retired… **Sensei** , a happy Hippo-Birdie Two Ewe. **nellie** , please don’t get eaten by raccoons. We’d really miss you in the MMP…As for occasional treats, hit the Halloween candy bag again, glad they are such small sizes… **Pilot** , hope you’re feeling better. OK. need to finish the evening internettin’ and be thinking about bed-time. Take care all. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/39 "2023-10-24T01:41:54Z")
When I was a child, discovered we had bats roosting between the old cabin wall and the new addition. I loved waiting for nightfall to watch them come flying out. But in the morning they would wake us up with their reentry boasts and fighting. Eventually, my dad sealed the gap and no more bats for us. I have successfully rescued bats at the office but the first time, I didn’t know not to place it on the ground outside so I doubt it survived. Now I know to place it in a tree or bush instead. Twas a good weekend but my body still protested the alarm telling me it was time to get up and go to irk. Next week, that alarm is going to start buzzing two hours earlier. but only 4 days instead of 5. And then of course, we’ll revert to standard time right after. I hope my body doesn’t go on strike over all the alterations. > [@I hate when I do that in the MMP! - old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-when-i-do-that-in-the-mmp-old/991640/316): > > If you haven’t yet, you should look up what big cities (think NYC) are doing with - and for - peregrine falcons. St. Paul has been hosting peregrines for years. We all cheer on the successful fledging of more pigeon hunters. **Mooooom** , those critters and trolls are so very cute. I want the crab! Or maybe a troll. Or the jelly… I’m sorry the BIL situation is ongoing but glad you are able to support MIL as well as share your soup with her. **Cookie** , sounds like maybe you went to Mayslacks. When Stan Mayslack ran the joint, nothing was better than his beef sandwich. The bun usually disintegrated from the juice. Congratulations on all that sleep. I am just a touch green with envy. **Nellie** , your not going to jail? You need to try harder. Sorry to hear the knee is still swollen. But very glad that your vision has improved so much. Keep focusing. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > it was obvious I’d been infected with something. Damn. Oh dear, I hope is is a short infection. Lots of water, and maybe a tequila sunrise for the throat. ---
**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 24, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945/40 "2023-10-24T01:44:17Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > “Hi, Mom! Just a reminder to engage the deadbolt on the back door. The raccoons have learned how to open it.” > > He’s not kidding. If you missed it, I had a possum in my kitchen a coupla weeks back. (I’d left the side door open for my own furry buddy to wander in & out. Wasn’t expecting a BOGO sale.) Possums are hissy, look like rabid rats from the gates of hell, and fall over fake-dead (“play possum”) when you attempt to shoo them back outside with a broom. Raccoons are smart, have insanely dexterous hands, and know full well that they’re cute enough to (mostly) get away with their bullshit. If one is gonna wander into my kitchen again, I want the dumb one who isn’t gonna open all my cabinets before I notice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-going-bats-in-the-mmp/991945.md?page=3)