56F and wet, again. Like the world, the weather is mostly the same but slightly worse from day to day.
If you haven’t met anyone new in the last month, get out of the house and DO something. We’re all busy, but I’m beginning to see the importance of moving around, and meeting new people. Not just chatting with a server at the restaurant, but meeting people to have an ongoing relationship with.
Check out your local ham group, see who meets at your local range, go have coffee with the folks down at the diner, meet with some people who share one of your hobbies, or take a class in something. Go to your town hall meeting, local school board, PTA, or your local cop-citizen ‘airing of the grievances’.
It’s gonna be important who knows you and who you know.
n
So empty I forgot to hit “publish” before going to make breakfast….
n
FLu is still killing more people than drunk driving…
“His death comes as health officials warn that we are seeing the emergence of a second, more deadly flu strain this season.
Until now, the dominant strain has been H1N1, which is much more mild than last year’s H3N2, which killed 80,000 Americans.”
That’s a lot-almost as many as medical malpractice, more than drunk driving.
n
I had my flu shot at the beginning of the season. Who knew there was a different dose for people over the age of 60 (or was it 65?). Supposed to be a stronger dose. So far no flu. I did get a minor bout of something that only lasted a couple of days. Definitely not the flu. I don’t know if I am covered against this new strain.
I am also on the list for shingles vaccination. There is a shortage of the vaccine. Medicare does cover the cost.
When a new strain of flu comes out, the current vaccine is usually too late.
I had this year’s flu shot last fall and the shingles several years ago.
WRT to the IM(not so)HO fraud about mental health solutions, what vaccine prevents Schizophrenia, Paranoia, et.al.?
“vaccine prevents Schizophrenia, Paranoia, et.al.? ”
avoid the cat parasite, avoid cats, avoid cat ladies.
n
Paranoia is a survival trait in the Security profession.
They ARE out to get us and those we protect.
avoid the cat parasite, avoid cats, avoid cat ladies.
There is such a thing as crazy dog ladies too. They are, for the most part, the individuals who are being a**hats about the fake therapy animals. Pit bull owners compound the stupidity.
If this was my kid, I’d want the dog put down and wouldn’t stop insisting the euthanasia happen until the pooch went nighty-night. The story is vague on wether or not the animal is still breathing. Of course, being WA/OR, chances are the critter has not assumed room temperature.
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/02/emotional-support-animal-mauls-5-year-old-girl-at-portland-airport-11-million-lawsuit-says.html
Blame on both sides, as the kid “went to pet” the animal. Teach your kids not to approach animals without permission, and in the right ways. Even when our kids were toddlers, we controlled their access and taught them how to approach animals.
On the other hand, the fake therapy sh!t has to stop.
And if you have a nervous or aggressive dog in public, where you can reasonably expect people to come in contact with it, you should have at least a soft muzzle on it.
n
But the crazy and cats comes from a parasite in their brains and urine. Avoid, especially if you are going to have kids.
n
According to the story I read the kid had permission from the animal owner.
That may have been the problem. Kid probably stuck their face in the dog’s face. The dog was probably nervous in the airport situation. Did not take much to set the dog off and feel threatened.
Blame on both sides, as the kid “went to pet” the animal. Teach your kids not to approach animals without permission, and in the right ways. Even when our kids were toddlers, we controlled their access and taught them how to approach animals.
Oh, sure, the parents have the responsibility, but I speak from experience that disciplining your children in that part of the country, even raising your voice, is something you only do behind closed doors. I never stopped being on the receiving end of a lot of disapproving looks, especially from oldsters, and CPS has a hair trigger.
The fake therapy animals still need to go away. Contrary to what the airlines claim regarding ADA tying their hands, they have full discretion about the animals getting on the plane.
We took our new dogs to “dog training” sessions. They were really “people/owner” training. We were taught how to approach in a non-threatening manner and then pet.
You forgot one important thing. People suck. 🙂
My siblings and I were talking the other day and we think we’re genetically immune to influenza. I went age 0 to 19 without ever having the flu. At 19 I started getting flu shots in the USAF (they were required) and have kept them up because why not. My sister has never had a flu shot and is in her late 30s and has never had the flu. My brother is in his 40s and rarely gets flu shots and has never had the flu. I suppose we can be carriers, of course, but we’re asymptomatic. I have no memory of my mother or father ever having the flu.
The weather liars blew it. It is 22 F and lightly snowing outside here on Norman, OK. My truck has limited slip and they have salted all the roads so I am leaving at noon. The Davis hills will be interesting. Also, my abs brakes work well on ice.
The weather liars blew it. It is 22 F and lightly snowing outside here on Norman, OK. My truck has limited slip and they have salted all the roads so I am leaving at noon. The Davis hills will be interesting. Also, my abs brakes work well on ice.
Hopefully you have lots of luggage in the back of the truck. The one time you don’t want to pack light. 🙂
Take the truck through the carwash, preferably one with undercarriage rinse, when you get back to Houston. Even when the state and local agencies claim they aren’t using “salt” on the roads, they’re still using salt in a different form.
“You forgot one important thing. People suck. ”
–yes, of course they do! and at least 80% of everything is shite…. but I’ve got the feeling that too many of us are essentially digital shut-ins. Work, home, interwebs…
Time to get out there and SMELL the real life. 🙂
and I’ve got to do some pickups, and possibly some work for my toy store friends.
n
Real life SMELLS; STINKS and SUCKS too.
Yes, @Dad is in a bad and sad mood today.
Our newspaper delivery person found one of our managed (TNR’d) feral cats lying in a snow drift in our driveway this morning. He (Hank) was barely alive. Hypothermia, his temperature was 90-degrees (10-degrees below the definition for hypothermia, so prognosis was poor at best). I worked on Hank for almost 2-hours to try a revive him to no avail. Hank was special, so close to becoming a graduate to home-life.
I’m with Chad – I’m too much of an introvert to do much in meat space. I socialize a bit with members of my tennis club, and even less with the people I work with. My wife fakes it better, but likes people no better than I do.
There’s a reason we plan to move to tiny town up in the mountains 🙂
Roger that. Took my DVR down to Spectrum store this AM to cancel cable TV service, $190/mo to $130 for LL and WiFi internet. Signing up for Sling in a few minutes, $15/mo.
Then, on 3/29, signing up for Spectrum LL, TV and WiFi bundle, $99.97/mo.; cancel Sling.
Had to take the time today in light misty drizzle, to prune back the grape vines. They are starting to bud, so I had to prune before the sap was wasted filling all those long canes. I’ve been waiting for a good time for about 3 days.
I hope I did it right. Stunning lack of definitive info and DIAGRAMS of how to do it. All the sources said “aggressive” was the word o the day though, so I was aggressive. I guess we’ll see this summer. At least they survived the catty pillar attack late in the fall.
n
Sorry DadCooks, not many people have any concern for ferals, rehabbing them is admirable, and way better than letting them beget the next dozens of ferals.
It always sucks to lose an animal you’ve put effort and emotion into.
n
Thanks @Nick
I received a job lead from a headhunter today for an automated car system being built by their client located here in Austin. I assume the client is GM who has a bunch of H1Bs stashed at a research facility on Parmer east of I35 doing … God only knows, but I now have an idea.
We’re not getting autonomous cars in the near future, folks, but *automated* cars are within reach of current tech. Of course, I’m still not sure I would trust GM’s H1B pinheads to do automated cars properly either.
Nick “Stunning lack of definitive info and DIAGRAMS of how to do it. ” I’ve run into that myself and discovered that part of the problem is that different varieties respond best to different pruning approaches. Maybe search for your specific variety(ies).
Thanks Paul, I have a bit of time now to look at refining the prune, but I wanted to get most of it off before the sap rose, so to speak, and the buds were getting further and further up the vine…
n
added- I had no idea that grapes were so fussy. They grow wild where I grew up in the Dunes around Lake Michigan in Indiana, I figured, “How hard can it be?” Like most things, to do it right is harder than you think.
Added more- and what I do find is for vines trellised as for wine grapes. I have an arbor over one of my raised beds, and don’t have the vines in their traditional shape.
Had to take the time today in light misty drizzle, to prune back the grape vines. They are starting to bud, so I had to prune before the sap was wasted filling all those long canes. I’ve been waiting for a good time for about 3 days.
Grapes in Houston would be a challenge.
The roads south of Norman have been clear and heavy traffic. No major icing at all. I’ve been running 72+ mph. I am in Lewisville, TX now.
@DadCooks, sorry for your loss, especially since cats can be so resilient. But there are always limits.
We had to euthanize our 16 YO cat in January. He had pancreatic cancer. He started life feral, and was the best cat I have ever known. His former family could not tame him after five months trying, and his prospects were slim to none in a shelter. We agreed to try. All he needed was a different home. I have never seen such a loyal and well behaved cat. Didn’t like strangers, however. Really miss him.
I have been around cats and dogs all my life, and like both. We have sometimes had both, and they can get along. That pit bull story is tragic-for the dog. I’d better stop before I write something unkind.
Oh, I once wrote here that I (also) like snakes, and wanted to meet George and Martha if I ever visited Bob. Heh.
I didn’t do anything special for the last 2 years, except nuke the caterpillars when they attacked, and I had a couple of scrawny bunches last summer. I’m hoping that if I actually try, I’ll get at least a couple of bunches. I have one red and one green plant, both table varieties.
n
Thanks @JimB
Hmmm,
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-28/did-amazon-hire-gm-executive-help-build-self-driving-car
Although it begs the question, why would you hire ANYONE from failing GM?
n
Costco run. Found a new FLASHLIGHT. Duracell, 4 LEDs, 1,500 lumens, 4 C batteries included, cost was $14.99. Batteries alone are half the cost. It is a really bright flood light, good even illumination with long throw. I have no idea what I am going to do with the FLASHLIGHT. It was hard to pass up.
Also got some new solar powered LED lights for the yard. Several of the old ones have the solar panel glazed over and will not fully charge. A couple others just flat out won’t charge. I have come to realize that those lights need to be replaced every couple of years.
@ray, tear one open. The batteries in them are probably the cheapest ones ever….
i looked at that $15 FLASHLIGHT, but it’s bigger than I like.
n
Duracell batteries. Duracell flashlight. Must not be the same light.
Although it begs the question, why would you hire ANYONE from failing GM?
When you are hiring to notch an affirmative action category, does talent *really* matter?
Nope, I meant the solar walk lights.
n
Maybe that’s why GM is in trouble and amazon is crushing the world?
n
Huh, Bakelite ™ is 100 years old. It has that smell, you’ll never forget it if you smell it when heated….
copied and pasted from the ARRL newsletter.
n
Maybe that’s why GM is in trouble and amazon is crushing the world?
Just wait. Taking Federal money means that Amazon had to agree to the same hiring quotas.
Although his weapon of choice was the Ma Deuce, this post made me think of OFD.
Run of the mill nicad batteries. Generally the cheap solar panel covering glazes over first. Then without being able to get a full charge after multiple complete discharges the batteries fail to charge at all.
Temperature dropped! currently 45F and wet. My knees have been hurting all day, and my hands were stiff as boards.
I’m off to my warm bed, giving thanks for central heat, hot water on demand, electricity, and the security to sleep without posting a guard.
n
Although his weapon of choice was the Ma Deuce, this post made me think of OFD.
IIRC, OFD’s favorite weapon was the pig, the M60.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M60_machine_gun
My former USMC son’s favorite weapon is the M-2. It only weighs 110 lbs without ammo so, you better be ready to drop on the ground to fire it.
Stopped in Lewisville, TX and saw the father-in-law in his nursing home. We may be on the final stage of his disease as he is having trouble keeping food and liquids down.
Also stopped in The Colony, TX and saw the SIL and BIL. BIL had the T2-T3-T4 vertebra fused last summer and is starting to do better. He has finally been put on permanent disability by UPS as he cannot walk without a walker. Hard to load trucks using a walker.
Ah, home sweet home ! ! ! Yes, there is no place like home.
Also stopped in The Colony, TX and saw the SIL and BIL. BIL had the T2-T3-T4 vertebra fused last summer and is starting to do better. He has finally been put on permanent disability by UPS as he cannot walk without a walker. Hard to load trucks using a walker.
That place has changed a lot in the last 18 years or so that we’ve been visiting Dallas regularly. The property taxes must be through the roof. Have they thought about relocating now that your BIL is on dsability.
The Colony looks just like Irvine to me, right down to In-n-Out at the major offramps.
We always stop at Nebraska Furniture Mart if we’re in the area. I look at how the store is doing (BRK-B research) while the wife camps in the massage chair section.
The benchmark is always how long it takes me to buy a bottled drink or something else simple at NFM. You would be surprised at how poorly they manage that kind of thing.
That place has changed a lot in the last 18 years or so that we’ve been visiting Dallas regularly. The property taxes must be through the roof. Have they thought about relocating now that your BIL is on dsability.
The Colony looks just like Irvine to me, right down to In-n-Out at the major offramps.
SIL is so busy taking BIL to doctors that she has no time for anything else. She would like to move somewhere cheaper, like Groesbeck, TX, but there are not many competent doctors. BIL only sleeps an hour or two each night, is a disaster.
And 121 tollroad at entrances to The Colony is totally overwhelmed by traffic also. Not good.
Irvine, Ca or Irving, TX ?
NFM looks like a total zoo to me. And they are building an 2 ? 3 ? million square foot extension to it.
Irvine, Ca or Irving, TX ?
NFM looks like a total zoo to me. And they are building an 2 ? 3 ? million square foot extension to it.
Irvine, CA, near Anaheim.
NFM in The Colony was expected to be a $1 billion/year store, but it hasn’t quite worked out that way.