# (Old) Writing Letters - A Stationery MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [October 2, 2023, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993 "2023-10-02T08:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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 6, 2023, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/181 "2023-10-06T06:34:16Z")
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave. At least till they need me to put out a fire in another department. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I’ve known this for years but still chuckle over it. One would think that considering the money the distillery is generating for the county that the county would encourage consumption. _Jews don’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah, Protestants don’t recognize the pope as head of the church, and Baptists don’t recognize one another at the liquor store_ - Will Herberg And JD does actually have tasting now, if you pay extra. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I have no problem with possums, or critters in general. Just, yanno, maybe not indoors uninvited. And where was Mr. Monkey during all this? 🤔 > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Y’all, I don’t call 911 unless I _really_ hafta do so (I prefer to stay the fuck away from LEO esp with current ID situation) What, just because of a house full of rats, weed, and illegal immigrants? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/182 "2023-10-06T07:36:27Z")
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 14c/57f with a predicted high of 19c/66f, and mostly cloudy. Weather app is all “meh” about it…“It’s merely fucking average outside. Sort of like all of the Michael fucking Bay movies.” It is indeed average and cloudy out there, but it’s not precipitatin’ which is always a good thing when you have to be out and about amongst the commuting masses. I was up stupidly early and on a train about half an hour before the one I would normally be on. Got to the Big City station at 20 past the hour and found that the half-past the hour connecting train has been axed from the timetable and replaced with one at 20 past, and another that I could have caught at 23 past. I didn’t have time to scoot from platform 4 all the way up the stairs, over to platform 12, and down the stairs for the 23 past, so had to wait 20 minutes for the 43 past…which was then moved from P12 to P11, necessitating more stairs. Definitely getting my steps in this morning! **shoe** hurrah for your new Sir Sticky Foot! **flyboy** glad to hear you got the bike bits ordered, I was going to look at whether we could help but you got yourself sorted! **red** sounds like Nelson had a Grand Day Out with a run around and a pup cup too. He’s such a lucky boy. Oh well, I suppose I’d better go and delve into the joys of the inbox and see what fresh hell awaits… ---
**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 6, 2023, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/183 "2023-10-06T10:02:41Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. _YAWN_ ‘Tis 66 Amurrkin out and cloudy with a predicted high of 86 and partly N.O.S. for the day. We also have a fire weather watch in effect. Not too surprisin’ as we haven’t had any significant rain in a few weeks, plus October is usually pretty dry around these parts. The big plan of the day is to go over to the church house to deal with some stuff. Then we shall go to the hog trough GC for today’s main feed. The need for fried chikin is strong with both of us and GC has pretty good fried chikin. I shall also practice readin’ the sermon I found for Sunday. We are doin’ Morning Prayer and I get to be Officiant. The other Verger does not want to lead Morning Prayer services as it is just not her thing, so we made a deal that I would do those and she would handle most of the Sundays when we do have a supply Priest. However if for some reason I could not, then she would lead Morning Prayer. Also, if she for some reason could not be there when we have a supply Priest I would step in. It’s the nature of what we do. Never fear as the usual sloth and general overall uselessness will be worked into today’s schedule. Wouldn’t want to be accused of slackin’ on sloth after all! **shoe** glad you got possum convinced to leave. However, if in the future possum decides to visit again and won’t leave, I suggest you do [this.](https://www.food.com/recipe/possum-and-sweet-potatoes-13589) Yes, indeed, I have eaten this and it ain’t too bad. Someone else did the cookin’ however. Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, alas and bother, I suppose I must purtify and don attire acceptable for bein’ amongst the great unwashed. Difficult life can so be! Happy Firday Y’all! ---
**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:** [October 6, 2023, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/184 "2023-10-06T11:05:52Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I have no problem with possums, My only issue with possums is that they look like giant, ugly rats. ugh. We’ve never had any come to the house, tho when we lived in FL, we had one sitting on our deck railing - damned thing hissed at me!!! The very idea!!! We’ve got a cold front due tomorrow - a stretch of days with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s - I may have to lower a window or two! Meanwhile, there’s a weird reddish/goldish light this morning - supposedly rain is on the way. Forgot to mention this tidbit that firewood guy shared yesterday. During the remnants of the hurricane/tropical storm, a tree fell into the road about half a mile from here, crushing a vehicle and, alas, killing the driver. Had this happened near DC, it would have made the evening news, but out here in the boonies, it apparently goes unnoticed. Nobody cares about the boonies. I’ll be running some errands today and **FCD** will be working in his shop. Then I’ll crochet some more. Maybe rollsuck the living room. Whatever - I’ll do whatever, whenever. Happy Firday!! ---
**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 6, 2023, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/185 "2023-10-06T12:17:16Z")
Knee pain woke me up, and then I couldn’t get back to sleep, so here I am. I think my phone is pretty much set up now. It took a long time at the Xfinity store. Alll told, I probably spent 2.5 hours on this whole project, not counting walking 3.8 miles round trip. (I know that’s over my limit, but I didn’t want to take an Uber, and going by bus would have taken me even longer. I hope this phone lasts me a good long while. About my sister-in-law…It’s not that she’s a drama queen. She really _is_ a nervous You-Know-Who. I think part of the issue is that she lacks self-awareness. She had a terrible, traumatic childhood, and I think she coped by shutting off the self-awareness switch and stuffing all the horror into a big box with an ill-fitting lid. Whatever the root cause is, she’s become more anxious as she’s aged, and it’s worrisome. **JtC** , that was a beautiful and vivid description of your evening on the porch. **red** , I loved reading about Nelson’s day and the little cutie who brought pup cups for Nelson and herself. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **nellie**. the number of hands you have to hold sometimes might make you feel like an Octopus…hope it goes well for sis-in-law. Thank you so much. OK, I may try to sleep some more. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2023, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/186 "2023-10-06T12:55:38Z")
Good morning. It’s 53F and foggy outside. The expected high is 77F with sunny skies. **shoe** , I’m so glad you finally have your papers! The biggest hurdle has been jumped and now you can step over those tiny little bumps to get your driver’s license, insurance, etc. Also yay to getting rid of unwanted visitors. Possums stopped coming to my yard. Polar killed three of them, and they were all very large. Not a scratch or bite on him, but the poor possums ended up DAID! He didn’t kill them all at once; just over the course of a couple of years. He used to also be able to leap up into the air and catch birds. I can’t tell you how many squirrels he cornered. Some survived, some did not. As he aged, the hunting stopped, but it used to be very eerie to watch him hunting at night. He would stealthily stalk the fence line looking for prey. **nellie** , I’m sorry the knee pain is still bothering you. I hope you have a better day and night. JtC, I spend hours on Zillow, mumbling to myself how I would _never_ buy this or that house because the layout is dumb, or it requires too much work, or it’s just plain overpriced. Once years ago, when my Dad and stepmother lived in Beaverton, I went down there for a weekend. For shits and grins, my stepmother and I went to an open house at a very fancy neighborhood. It was a lovely home, and the real estate agent honed right in on us. She asked if my stepmother was in the market, and she told the agent that I was down in Oregon looking to buy a home. The real estate agent looked me up and down, obviously surprised that I could afford such a home, but I played right along and added to the story. We received a very grand tour, and business cards were pushed into our hands. Looking back, that was probably mean, but we sure did laugh our heads off once we got back into the car. So, today is supposed to be my RDO, but I will have to log in to my work computer to attend a Western States meeting concerning the budget. Although our initial allotment was tiny (for us), some states received way less than us. I set to work putting together a request to ask for an advance on our spend plan, had my SD write justifications, stuck everything on a spreadsheet arrayed so it showed the five Ws; who, what, when, where, why; and sent it off to higher headquarters. Late in the afternoon, we found out that everyone will be allotted more money next week, and I’m sure it’s because the screams must have been heard in outer space. One state received UNDER three grand for operations. Three grand!!! I can spend a grand in a month on postage. It was just asinine. At any rate, I’m still glad I put the work in because now National is aware of our needs, and I am hopeful we’ll get what I asked for. I had my SD write the justifications because, one, she needs to be included, and two, a small part of me wanted her to feel some of the pain associated with decisions I asked her to reconsider, but she didn’t. I am hopeful she’ll remember this next year, but time will tell. The cynic in me feels that she’ll remember, but also remember that we got the money, so it’s not that bad. I don’t know how much we’ll get, but the amount I asked for was not insignificant, and all it covers is travel from now through 16 November. The SDs still want that meeting because they are wary and suspicious. I was also asked to share my template for advance funds with the rest of the Western states. It’s not my best work, it was just a quick down-and-dirty spreadsheet, but hey, whatever. It’s clean and provides one-stop shopping without the dollars getting lost in a wall of text. Okily, dokily, I need to get on with my day. I don’t need to run right up to my computer, but I do need to take care of some morning chores. You all take care now! ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/187 "2023-10-06T13:12:03Z")
aw, look at that cutie. ---
**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 6, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/188 "2023-10-06T13:17:17Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > If it’s all reassuring _l’m_ an election officer. It is, **BBBoo** , it is. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > The more precautions you take, the less you need them. Words to live by. Glad Ol’Possum finally saw the errors of his ways. **boo fae** , hope they get the train situation sorted soon and not make your commute such an adventure. **FCM** , like the old sailing poem, “red sky at morning, sailors take warning”. We’re getting a little rain this morning here (finally) but it’s due to dry up again this afternoon. Never have had the urge to tour an open house, doing the home visits in 1997 before I bought mine apparently satisfied my interest in browsing residences, but it is fascinating to hear your stories, like **Taters**. Probably the next time I have to look will be in about 7-10 years when I go looking for some type of retirement community, ala **Cookie**. **Taters** , your stories of the bureaucracy never fail to entertain, since I belonged to the Great Order of Paper-Pushers for 33 years. And yeah, sometimes the ‘quick and dirty’ spreadsheets turn out to be the most valuable thing you produce. OK, need to do the Firday internetting and then break my fast and see what else there is to do today. Take care all. ---
**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 6, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/189 "2023-10-06T13:23:18Z")
It is 49 degrees outside, 67 inside. YES. This is what I’m talkin about. Ursala Kitteh said it’s too cold to sit by the patio door. Not much going on today. My cell phone has had no phone service since yesterday. Everything else is fine. This is why I still have a landline. “Ken” from TMobile told me yesterday it is due to “overlap” and should be working today. Well, Ken, ding dong you’re wrong. I will be stopping at the phone sto later. ---
**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 6, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/190 "2023-10-06T14:28:14Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > _Jews don’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah, Protestants don’t recognize the pope as head of the church, and Baptists don’t recognize one another at the liquor store_ - Will Herberg > And JD does actually have tasting now, if you pay extra. Ahhhh…I haven’t taken the tour for a couple of years. Good to know. 🙂 That possum was cute **shoe** , but, like you, I wouldn’t want him in my kitchen. I’m sorry about your knee pain **nellie**. I’m hoping that it’s the last time it wakes you up. As far as the little cutie goes, I wonder how often she gets away with a pup cup for the pup and one for herself. 😛 Up, caffeinating, breakfasted, bed stripped, sheets / towels in the dryer, jeans in the wash and everything else on deck. Other than houseirk and grocery shopping, not much slated for the day. It’s still a little wet to take Nelson to the dog park, but we may make a trip to the flea market. Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**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 6, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/191 "2023-10-06T14:37:31Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Knee pain woke me up, and then I couldn’t get back to sleep, so here I am. Sorry to hear that. I’ve also had nights like that, especially early on. I’m guessing you overdid things with that walk. Nowadays it’s usually hip ache that wakes me up, as all this inactivity has resulted in bursitis flaring up. It will get better, if that’s any consolation. I think we’re finally going to get out to Costco today, but the ambition could fade later on. Possums are really a nuisance. They’re seemingly fearless around humans. We had them in Portland, along with other urban wildlife like skunks, racoons and coyotes. It seemed like every summer there would be one squished on the pavement near our house. ---
**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:** [October 6, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/192 "2023-10-06T14:58:34Z")
Back from erranding. First stop was to drop off Tobias’ backpack lest he melt down. I pulled up right in the line of cars behind Roxy’s bus, and SIL and Tobias were still standing there. He saw my car and when I could I turned into their street, opened the window, and passed him the backpack. Then I headed to WalMart to get **FCD** some socks, plus I bought a few other things. Then to Aldi. Then to WaWa to cash in my $4 lottery winnings on 2 tickets for tomorrow’s drawing. Last stop was the veggie stand where I got 2 cukes and 3 'maters all for a buck!! Since being back home, I’ve stowed my purchases and emptied the dishwasher. I also opened and stirred up a new jar of peanut butter. I buy the kind that’s just peanuts and salt, so it separates. After I stir it up, into the fridge it goes, and it doesn’t separate any more. And yum!! In a few minutes, I’ll have some lunch since it’s almost 11 and almost 5 hours since breakfast. I’m thinking rollsuck will come next, then more crocheting. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/193 "2023-10-06T15:14:34Z")
Morning everyone, finally cooled off here (low 60s). Temps to be cooler all week, but sadly no rain predicted. My boat is about 8 inches above the lakebed, and if trends continue, will be resting on its keel by Halloween. Hoping more rain, if not on my yard, at least in our lake’s watershed. > [@nelliebly](#): > > She’s going to have eye surgery, and as is to be expected, she’s very nervous about it, but in her case, she’s so anxious that they’re going to knock her out. I’ve already told her that they give you something IV to relax you and that due to drops and goop they use, you can’t see what they’re doing, but she’s very jumpy about it and kept asking what happens if the surgeon sneezes or gets the hiccups or gets startled or… Having spent the last 5 months trying to get vision restored after an operating table “oopsie”, I’m very sympathetic so your SIL. It was me, not the surgeon, who seized somehow probably due to my weird reactions to anesthesia (a whole 'nuther subject, too weird for here). Next week is my Pre-op visit for an attempt to “vaccum” out the debris and damage from around my torn lens. FTR: The phone buzzed while I was typing this asking me to confirm with “YES” if I’m gonna be there. Apparently it is confused by “Hell Yes!” though. I’ve spent a lot of the intervening time trying to accustom to using my non-dominant eye (it’s become my “good one” now). After a small incident while backing up our camper, I decided more practice was needed. I practiced parking the truck over and over (in empty parking lots), and I’ve been trying to use binoculars, and other “scopes” to estimate things, and see how close I can guess. Recently I’ve been practicing at the gun range, which is actually a good way to train since only one eye can peer through a scope. Yesterday’s session was almost as good as before the accident, so I’m calling it good for now. Other boring stuff this week include getting the camper inspected. That required shoehorning it into a small space at the inspection place and waiting for a technician to verify all the lights work. That’s it. In the past, I had to take the tech on a short ride, and verify the brakes worked each time he called “Stop!”. I wonder what incident prompted the state to drop this? IIRC, Texas is dropping all inspections starting next year. Not sure how that will work out, but it’ll be less of a hassle at least. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@pullin](#): > > > > a stellar performance of redneck lawn theater > > Another awesome turn of phrase. And good thinking about getting some additional cover just in case. Thank you (bows). Interestingly, there has been total silence from that house ever since, which is very unusual. I was beginning to worry, but noticed one occupant quietly working in the garden yesterday. > [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Bar exam results are in, and… I kicked the shit out of it Congratulations! Well done! While you’re here, I’ve got a question about what the cop said to me when I got that speeding ticket last week and … [I kid, I kid]. I wonder if this will start happening to you though? > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > As precaution, I put on my thick leather gloves, a long sleeve shirt, and on top of that, my heaviest leather jacket. Even given your earlier disdain for pants, I hope that wasn’t the entire ensemble. I think I’d have found my thickest jeans and boots before tackling it. I found a possum in our backyard a few years ago, and after some confused stares, our dogs remembered what species they were and ran toward it barking. Once they reached it and its snarling teeth, they remembered what breed they were (Chihuahua) and fled back into the house. I snagged it with a Have-a-Heart trap and relocated it in some wooded areas around the lake. Hope all have a good rest-o-week! ---
**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 6, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/194 "2023-10-06T15:49:35Z")
So Panamanian Vince and Big Mark called out, which left me with…shaggy and the Blueberry. So of course things went sideways, till they sent Shaggy to the Sort Aisle, and replaced him with somebody who had never done Smalls before, _and things got epically better_. That boy actually has negitive productivity. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > [https://imgur.com/gallery/mhwbe0Y](https://imgur.com/gallery/mhwbe0Y) Good looking little dude. > [@pullin](#): > > I found a possum in our backyard a few years ago, We had a possum at the pool a couple of years ago. Gordie wanted to be friends with the “big gray cat”. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Knee pain woke me up, and then I couldn’t get back to sleep, so here I am. {{{{ **nellie** }}}} > [@swampbear](#): > > there when we have a supply Priest “supply Priest”? Like some person with a whole bunch of missals, candles, and hostsstashed in their cassock? > [@swampbear](#): > > However, if in the future possum decides to visit again and won’t leave, I suggest you do [this](https://www.food.com/recipe/possum-and-sweet-potatoes-13589) I would suggest putting him is some stock, since he is a mar-soup-ial. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/195 "2023-10-06T16:14:41Z")
> [@scareyfaerie](#): > > **flyboy** glad to hear you got the bike bits ordered, I was going to look at whether we could help but you got yourself sorted! I appreciate it! 🙂 As I said, I ordered a battery, an oil filter (the air filter was fine), and four quarts of Yamalube. Fingers crossed that acquisition of the fuel tank goes smoothly. It’s been assigned a tracking number, but hasn’t shipped yet. I hate being away when it’s supposed to arrive. Fingers _double_-crossed that the engine is OK. Last I heard, the guy had cleaned the fuel pump and was going to hook it to a battery to make sure it works. ---
**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 6, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/196 "2023-10-06T16:22:37Z")
Mornin’ all. Although it’s darn near noon on a bright sunshiny day. NWS says 85/29 on the way to 90/32. Stayed up a bit too late last night and slept in the requisite 8 hours, not leaving bed until just post-sunrise. So no balcontin’ this morning, although caffinatin’ has long been done. Been lazily reading ever since. Shevelment and feedin’ (or vice versa) shall be soon, really, this time for sure. Her Ladyship will library volunteer in the afternoon and I shall beach. Turns out last night the library ladies did not go out to eat after the lecture, so Her Ladyship returned unfed and we decamped to the outdoor fish place across the street. Where she had a guacamole and chips appetizer with a mound of crabmeat on/in the guac and I had a Greek salad. So kinda fish-like sorta … a little. ;). And now for the important stuff … > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > You’ve mentioned having an overhang and also that the sun is now in the wrong place for you. Can you have some rolling bamboo shades hung? Unfortunately not. External mods are verboten. The upside to the east-west layout of this facility with units facing either north or south, and me being on the south side is that the pool area is on the north side. So whether I want sun or shade, they’re both available any time of day as long as I’m willing to go downstairs to get whichever is not on offer on the balcony. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > During our conversation, we learned that we both use the same local septic tank company and we laughed at living in such a small world. It’s funny how that goes. The one time I had a septic system in edge-of-suburbia everybody used the same guy, despite the fact his shop was 20 miles away. Turned out he had worked with the tract’s builder to install all the systems, so had the inside track on maintaining them. The fact they were all incompetently built in a non-standard way and no other septic contractor would touch them _might_ have been another cause of our unanimity with Fred. Or “Fucking Fred” as we all called him. Tanks for the memories. (sic). Shilling for realtors now? Have you no decency, ma’am? 🙂 Although I agree nosy is fun. In sorry septic-ville doing the rounds of the open houses as a way of spying on your soon-to-be former neighbors was high sport. We all did it. “Getting ideas for decorating” we called it. Yeah, riiiight. Sure. **Shoe** great possum story and glad it ended well. Though per **doggio** you could have made soup. **Boofae** it’s amazing how often starting a multi-stage commute extra early doesn’t result in getting there extra early. That sure happened to me often enough. Apparently the Universe hates commuters. Well **Swampie** , it sounds like you’ll soon be a highly experienced preacher if you’re not already. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Knee pain woke me up, and then I couldn’t get back to sleep, so here I am. I’m sorry to hear that. Don’t forget naps are good. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Whatever the root cause is, she’s become more anxious as she’s aged, and it’s worrisome. Good luck with that. As we all know that can lead to a paranoid and crippled elderhood. Hope she can avoid that and if not, at least you can avoid the worst of the fallout. > [@peedin](#): > > It is 49 degrees outside, 67 inside. YES. This is what I’m talkin about. To each their own, but I’d be moving out that very day. 67F is for hanging meat, not storing living humans. Here’s hoping the phone problem proves easy. > [@Chefguy](#): > > I think we’re finally going to get out to Costco today, but the ambition could fade later on. For darn sure it needs to be today or Monday. As we’ve all talked about, weekends and Costco are a bad mix, and doubly so for somebody w mobility issues. **FCM** Smucker’s Natural Crunchy FTW! Best there is by far. FYI, if you take the lid off, then microwave the jar for about 3 minutes at about 50% power, you will find the jar is not too hot to handle with bare hands and the stirring process is vastly easier and more complete. 3m @ 50% works for a small (16oz) jar for me; YMMV (your microwave may vary). If you do use this technique, put the lid on gently afterwards so the gasket just barely engages. Once refrigerated it’ll make a nice tight seal that’s not too hard to get open. If you really crank the lid down tight on the hot PB, you will have a real struggle on your hands to get it open next time. Voice of experience here. > [@pullin](#): > > My boat is about 8 inches above the lakebed, and if trends continue, will be resting on its keel by Halloween. Hoping more rain, if not on my yard, at least in our lake’s watershed. Ouch. Back in 2014 I was choosing between Miami & Dallas for my job transfer and hence my residence. Having lived directly on a lake in MO with the boat on a lift in back I wanted the same in Dallas. As you well know lakefront, or reservoir-front, housing is in rather sort supply. That happened to be a very droughtful couple of years and I looked at several houses with elaborate docks and boat lifts sitting forlornly 100 yards from the nearest water. Failing to find suitable lakefront housing was not the only reason I finally settled on/in Miami, but it was a big part of it. Had I bought in Dallas in a flush water year I’d have been mightily pissed when the “tide” went out and stayed out, perhaps for good. Best of luck w all that. I fear you may need it. > [@pullin](#): > > Interestingly, there has been total silence from that house ever since, which is very unusual. I was beginning to worry, but noticed one occupant quietly working in the garden yes Can you say “Restraining order”? I can. 😉 > [@dogbutler](#): > > till they sent Shaggy to the Sort Aisle, and replaced him with somebody who had never done Smalls before, _and things got epically better_. That boy actually has negitive productivity. If you know that, it’s a decent chance the supervisors know that. Why is he still there? Union maybe? Some time I’d love to hear the (short?) version of how “the Blueberry” got its name. > [@dogbutler](#): > > I would suggest putting him is some stock, since he is a mar-soup-ial. You should be beaten with a wet thesaurus. That was horrid. Very clever, but very horrid. I slipped my breakfast in somewhere upthread, Her Ladyship has departed for the Library and I shall first launch this missivus magnumus at y’all, then commence to call-centerin’ followed by beachin’. Cheers all! Happy Firdayin’ ---
**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 6, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/197 "2023-10-06T16:44:20Z")
Good morning, all. Couldn’t sleep; read half the book for one of my Zoom clubs. The shape of the day is yet unknown, but undoubtedly includes House Thangs since my lovely wife worked on the garage all of yesterday. I did haul a carpet remnant roll and a carpet pad remnant roll from the garage to Habitat for Humanity, so I wasn’t completely uninvolved. ---
**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 6, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/198 "2023-10-06T17:07:08Z")
I did snooze long enough that I won’t be miserable all day. I’m not a napper. I wake up feeling groggy and as though my clothes shrunk and then can’t sleep at night, even if I only nap a short while. My sister is a champion napper. She falls asleep mere moments after laying her head on the pillow and wakes up 20 minutes later refreshed and in full possession of her faculties. Dad was like that. I take after Mom. My old vacuum cleaner bit the dust (heh, heh), and the new one arrived today, so I need to put that together and do laundry, plus of course, three rounds of PT exercises. > [@dogbutler](#): > > I would suggest putting him is some stock, since he is a mar-soup-ial. You just stay in that corner and think about what you did. > [@pullin](#): > > Having spent the last 5 months trying to get vision restored after an operating table “oopsie”, I’m very sympathetic so your SIL. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all this. Yikes. > [@pullin](#): > > I’ve spent a lot of the intervening time trying to accustom to using my non-dominant eye (it’s become my “good one” now). Been there, my friend, and can empathize. My depth perception was not good for awhile, but it’s amazing how the brain adapts, though. > [@Chefguy](#): > > I’m guessing you overdid things with that walk. I think so, too. There’s a shorter way to get there, but it involves crossing busy streets without 4-way stop signs and walking in the entrances to big parking lots. The latter is dicey because many cars don’t look for pedestrians when turning into/out of parking lots. I’ve had some close shaves, and I can’t move fast yet. Ugh. Why do stores and malls assume everyone arrives by car? > [@Chefguy](#): > > Nowadays it’s usually hip ache that wakes me up, as all this inactivity has resulted in bursitis flaring up. Ugh. The knee is doing better, and the incision has stayed closed and dry, though? ] > [@missred](#): > > As far as the little cutie goes, I wonder how often she gets away with a pup cup for the pup and one for herself. 😛 Oo! I hope it’s often! Ingenuity deserves rewards! ---
**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 6, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/199 "2023-10-06T17:09:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > For darn sure it needs to be today or Monday. As we’ve all talked about, weekends and Costco are a bad mix, and doubly so for somebody w mobility issues. The best part of being retired is being able to avoid crowds of irritated shoppers/diners/sightseers, etc. Well, that and the absence of workplace stress, of course. My wife’s niece’s husband was just let go after his company was bought by another. He’s in his 50s, and while he’s good at what he does (in tech), nobody hires 50+ year-olds for tech work. ---
**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 6, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993/200 "2023-10-06T17:40:10Z")
Ouch, there **cookie**. I hope the guy has a good network outside of his now-former employer. Given that he has a good chance of landing a fresh position. If not … Ouch! Tech is very much a young man’s game. Tech manangement less so, but still. I was 52 when I last left tech for airlining. I was solidly management by then, but as that job was winding down and the flying thing was still looking poor I could sure feel every gray hair on my head as I surveyed the other outfits in town and who they hired for which roles. A nervous spot for sure. Best of luck to him. I hope he’s in a big city. Well, semi-success for me and call-centering. AT&T provides my internet. I need some of the wiring in the walls & patch panel fixed so I can move the wifi router from the back corner of a closet out into the living room so I have better signal throughout the apartment and especially out on the balcony. I’ve needed this since I moved in, but I’ve been lazy, and setting future appointments where I have to be there was problematic as long as I was working. Oddly, the apartment maintenance doesn’t work on that wiring; call AT&T sez they. Color me surprised, but OK. So today I call AT&T tech support / customer service. “Peggy” in India answers again, although not the same one as yesterday. “Hi, I need a technician to visit my apartment to repair some of the ethernet cabling.” It takes 20 minutes (!) for him to wade through the idea of what I want, type a novel into his computer, etc. Finally he gets to the “OK, we can do a service call. It’ll be $99+tax & fees.” Sigh, OK. I could have bought the tools and parts myself for less a year ago and almost did. I certainly have the (rusty) skills to install and troubleshoot ethernets. Two minutes later he’s scheduled the house call. For this afternoon, 12 to 4. It being 1:30 as he’s telling me this, I have a funny feeling they’ll be late, or no-show. We shall see. But now they really are scheduled and along the way I learn they also work on Saturdays. So if today falls through it’ll probably be done tomorrow. I was on the phone 25 minutes yesterday working the same issue and had not yet led that “Peggy” through her process to the point of “we can send out a tech for $99” when the phone disconnected. And despite her taking my call-back number at the outset, no she did not call back. So almost 45 minutes of their staffers’ time that was utterly unnecessary. At $99 per house call, AT&T would make far more money just sending the tech out directly when asked, rather than trying at length to persuade the customer they don’t need a house call. Of course now today’s beaching is off; I need to stay here to babysit the tech’s arrival. I just dug out enough of the overstuffed closet that they will have direct access to the point where the work is needed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993.md?page=11)