Saturday 9: We Got Each Other

Saturday 9: As Long as We Got Each Other (Theme from Growing Pains)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This is the theme from the 1980s sitcom, Growing Pains. Alan Thicke played Dr. Jason Seaver, one of TVs popular dads. Who is your favorite TV dad?

A. Pa (Charles Ingalls) on Little House on the Prairie, played by Michael Landon.

2) Joanna Kearns, who played Jason's wife, reports that she teased her costar by calling him, "Al," a nickname he hated. Is there someone in your life that you enjoy needling?

A. I am not really much on teasing, but for some reason my husband calls my nephew Elmo. His name is Chris. And I do tease my husband about various things occasionally.

3) For most of the series, the Seaver children each represented a "type." The oldest, Mike, was the trouble maker. The daughter, Carol, was the brainiac. Young Ben could be very high maintenance. Which of the Seaver kids were you most like when you were growing up?

A. I guess I would be most like Carol with a pinch of Mike thrown in for good measure.

4) In the song, BJ Thomas sings about being "the luckiest dreamer who never quit dreaming." If you could have any dream come true this Saturday, what would you wish for?

A. Good health.

5) When he mans the grill, Sam's father proudly wears the "Kiss the Chef" she gave him for Father's Day years ago. Tell us about a gift you gave someone that was a hit.

A. I gave my brother a copper chef cooking thingy that he seemed to like. He enjoys cooking. I, however, do not.

6) Sam's dad takes his grilling very seriously and jealously guards his special marinade recipe. Do you have a secret you haven't even shared with family members?

A. No. At least, not in the cooking department. Because of that not liking to cook thing I don't exactly do recipes well.

7) He recommends using a grill basket when barbecuing vegetables so you don't have to worry about them falling through the grill. Share one of your culinary tips with us.

A. Turn on the eye on the stove when you want the water in the pot to boil.

8) Sam's father hates it when she swears. What's the last curse word you used?

A. Just pick one. I can swear with the best of them and I'm sure the words have been dropping like flies around spilled ketchup lately.

9) Sam's father satisfies his afternoon sugar craving with an almost endless stream of Butter Rum Lifesavers. When you crave a snack, do you usually want something sweet or salty?

A. Sweet. And chocolate. But you knew that.


_____________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.

Get Off Your Butts, Liberals

This is a mini-rant, I suppose.

I keep hearing whispers about the U.S. Senate's version of the new healthcare plan. Most of what I hear is about how secretive it is. How the Republicans have shut out the Democrats, and thus no one knows what is really in the plan.

Someone fussed about how it is being put together by a bunch of white men who don't know what women need to do to keep their hoo-has in good shape.

Or that certain races of people have genetic disorders unique to them.

That contraception can't be covered but erectile dysfunction can (but that has always been the case).

That pre-existing conditions won't be part of the process.

That old people will pay 75 percent more than young people.

Or whatever.

I hear they will hold no public hearings, that they will toss their plan out on the table and say vote or not, expecting the Republican majority to march in lock-step, arms joined as they sing "No Health Care For You" and vote for the thing.

What I do not hear is that the Democrats are doing anything. Oh, they are asking questions in committees that really don't have anything to do with health care sometimes. They wonder aloud to some higher-up senator if the public will get to know what the health care bill says.

Is there some rule that says a bunch of Democrats can't get together, take the House's piece of crap AHCA, and make up their own version of what they want, and toss it out on the floor at the same time as the Republicans throw theirs out?

Can they do nothing more than rail against a process that they themselves set up?

Can't the Democrats create their version of what we really need, which is a single payer health care plan (Medicare for all), and then take it, now, to the American people? Can't they call their constituents with their little phone bots that work overtime during elections and actually offer up real information?

And while we're at it, can't the Democrats actually be Democrats, instead of Republican lite? Because there isn't a real left in this country, you know. Not a real one. Not one that advocates for everybody. Not one that believes in the power of you and me. Mostly they just believe in the power of "I" and there isn't an "I" in TEAM. But a team requires you and me, and maybe tea, meat, mate, tame and whatever other anagrams one can make from the word. But it doesn't require an "I" and it doesn't require corporate noses stuck in the business of the public or the Republic, for that matter.

Also, please stop with the memes and photos and other stuff about how stupid President Trump looks. When you demean him, you demean the office, and thus you become part of the process that has turned the United States into nothing more than King Kong with a banana in his hand, thrashing about in search of something he will never find again. So stop it already. You don't have to do anything. The man is going to do what he is going to do, and all you are doing is antagonizing "the other side," whatever that is.

Next, find some courtesy and morality. I say this to all sides, because the discourse in this country has reached the pitch of a high screech and absolutely no one is listening because all they hear is "AHHHHHHHHH" at decibels that mean nothing to anyone at all, not even an insect with super powered hearing.

And another thing, all of you, everyone of you, go read the U.S. Constitution. The Republicans or the Tea Party some years ago made a big deal about doing that on the congressional floor - so now, Democrats, you do it. I don't care if you have some junior member read it at the dead of midnight while C-Span films it, just do it. Contemplate it, discuss it, maybe even create a pamphlet that you send out to every single voter in your district that explains how government actually works. Something that says we have executive power, congressional powers, and judicial powers - the three legs of government - and that we are not a dictatorship and neither of the three parts of government is higher than the other.

Because obviously many people in this country have no idea how government works. Since that is the case, explain it to them. Enlighten. Offer free civics courses all over the country.

Be the good you say you want to be and actually do something besides kowtow to a lobbyist.

I am looking for adults to run the country. Should I put out an ad?

Thursday Thirteen

Summer Lovin' in the Country

 

Not Quite a Couch Potato

I bought a Fitbit, the Flex 2, about two months ago. First I bought the latest Fitbit that had the heart rate check and all of that, but, to no one's surprise, I reacted to both the band and the device. The electronic pulse from the device made my entire arm go numb, and the band caused a rash.

So I returned that.

I had given up on such devices when I ran across the Flex 2 for a very low price at Walmart. It bothers me to wear it on my wrist but I purchased a doohickey that allows me to slip into my sock. So long as I rotate legs every day, I am doing fine with this. It does not have as many bells and whistles, and I can't use the sleep mode with the doohickey in my sock (plus I don't wear socks to bed), but it counts steps and that was all I wanted anyway.

This is because I have never been able to get a pedometer to work.

Long story short, I expected to find that I walked 1,000 steps or less a day, because I am not a great exerciser and I have health issues.

Imagine my surprise to find that I average about 5,000 steps a day, just wandering around the house. Two miles back and forth from my office to the kitchen to the bathroom and the laundry room. No wonder the hall carpet needs to be replaced.

My best day so far has been 8,000 steps, and considering my health issues my physical therapist was ecstatic about that. Lately, with more physical therapy taking its toll on my pain levels, my best days have been around 6,000 steps, but still not bad for someone who frequently resorts to a cane and who cannot climb steps or hills at all.

Basically I need to increase my activity, and the only way to do this is with doubled-down effort at using the treadmill. I would love to take walks outside but uneven ground is hard on me physically, plus I'm allergic to practically everything in my environment. Achoo!

So far this Fitbit has provided good information but no weight loss. However, I am starting to understand the relationship between calories and activity. Before I have read diet books and none of it made sense - it was like a bad trig class without my wonderful high school teacher guiding me toward the X value. They made no sense to me.

Now if I can just figure out how the calories and activities compute with the junk I shove in my face, I'll make progress.

Turkey Chicks Soon?

This turkey hen has been hanging around the front of the house in the little glen. I asked my husband not to run the bush hog or other vehicles through there because I suspect she has a nest.

I hoping one day soon to see a bunch of little turkey chicks following after mom.

Sunday Stealing: High School

Sunday Stealing: The High School Questions
 
1. Did you date someone from your school?

A. I did and my husband also attended my high school. However, he graduated four years before I did, so we did not date during our school years.

2. Did you marry someone from your high school?

A. See above. I did.

3. Did you car pool to school?

A. I either rode the bus or I drove. We live in a rural area (I'm not far from where I grew up) and the kids all drove as soon as they obtained their license (which back then was 16. It is 16 and 3 months now, like 3 months is going to make a difference.). I don't think they allow that now like they did when I was young.


4. What kind of car did you have?

A. I drove a Datsun B210. My father picked up somewhere cheap. It was a hideous burnt orange color and had a hatchback. I drove the crap out of it, and then it was passed on to my brother.


5. What kind of car do you have now?

A. I have a Toyota Camry.

6. It's Friday night. Where are you now?

A. At home in bed.

7. It is Friday night. Where were you then?

A. Out at the football game or out with friends.

Me with my guitar.

8. What kind of job did you have in high school?

A. I played music in a Top 40 band, I babysat, and as I aged I worked occasionally in my father's office.

9. What kind of job do you do now?

A. I'm a writer. A lone wolf.


10. Were you a party animal?

A. No, though I did occasionally turn up at them.

11. Were you considered a flirt?

A. I don't think so, no.

Me with my flute.

12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?

A. I was in band. I played the flute, the piccolo, the clarinet, and the saxophone. I was also in jazz band for a little while, where I played guitar.

13. Were you a nerd?

A. Yes. I was a nerd before I knew what nerds were. I was a straight A student almost always; I graduated 5th in my class with credits from the community college.

14. Did you get suspended from school?

A. I received what they called "in school" suspension once because I kept skipping band class. I had that class last and sometimes I would just go home. Back then you didn't have to check out and go through security and all the crap the kids do now. You could walk out the door and leave, and the only way anybody knew you were missing was if you didn't show up for the class roll call. And then they thought you were absent unless they checked to see if you missed other classes. Unfortunately, the band director checked. "In school" suspension basically meant you were sent to spend time with the bad kids during your free period or after school, I can't remember which.

15. Can you sing the fight song?

A. We're Cavalier born and Cavalier bred and when we die we'll be Cavaliers yet! So rah rah for Cavaliers, rah rah for Cavaliers, rah rah for Cavaliers.  Very creative, eh?

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher?

A. I had many favorite teacher. One was Tina Flippen, who now goes by Tina W. because she remarried. She taught math. Another favorite was Dee Jones, now Dee S., who taught English. I still see both of them from time to time. Actually, I had lunch with Tina about a month ago.

17. Where did you sit during lunch?

A. At a table. Seriously, that was 40 years ago. I have no idea.

18. What was your school's full name?

A. Lord Botetourt High School

19. Where did you party the most?

A. I don't think there was any particular spot.

20. What was your school mascot?

A. A Cavalier. Some dude in a mustache with a hat and a rapier.

21. Would you do it again?

A. What, go back to high school? Heck no. I ain't no beauty school dropout.

22. Did you have fun at Prom?

A. I think so. I only went once, when I was a sophomore. My most cherished memory from my prom was when my date and I went by my grandmother's house so she could see me all dressed up. She cried.

23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?

A. No. I don't even know where he is.

24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?

A. I went to our 30th reunion and I think that was enough for me. I don't expect to go to any others. I'm not sure we will even have another. Our class is not very cohesive.

25. Do you still talk to people from school?

A. There are a few here and there. My husband's cousin, who lives across the street (which in rural parlance means about a mile away), graduated the same year I did, as did another of his cousins. I am Facebook friends with many of the people from high school.

26. What are/were your school's colors?

A. They were red, gray and white.

Saturday 9: Cookie!

Saturday 9: C Is for Cookie

Don't blame Sam. Harriet requested Cookie Monster.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's featured artist, Cookie Monster says his favorite TV show is Monsterpiece Theater. What show do you try never to miss?

A. Lately I have been watching Supergirl, so I made sure to always watch that until the season ended. I also confess that in the last 15 years I have probably missed maybe 5 episodes of Survivor. Every year I ask myself why I keep watching that show, and every year I watch it. I am also a fan of Game of Thrones.

2) Though he goes by Cookie Monster professionally, he is still called Sid by his family. When will you next get together with your relatives?

A. I don't know. Christmas, I guess.

3) Now for the cookie questions! Where do you weigh in on this age-old controversy: Is a brownie a cookie or a cake?

A. A brownie is its own thing. It is neither cake nor cookie.

4) Fig Newtons contain no cholesterol. Do you read nutrition labels before eating snacks? Or does knowing the truth about your favorite sweets ruin your enjoyment?

A. I read the nutrition labels and eat it anyway.

5) Biscotti are designed for dipping into drinks. Do you like to dunk your cookies?

A. Cookies should only be dunked in milk, and I cannot drink milk, so I do not dunk cookies.

6) Do you prefer cookies made with milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips? Or are you a rebel who prefers butterscotch chips?

A. I like them either with milk chocolate or semi-sweet but it must be the Nestle Tollhouse Cookie recipe if homemade.

7) Bill Murray once said, "Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues." Do you like raisin cookies?

A. I don't mind them.

8) Nabisco still sells animal-shaped cookies in a red box that looks like a train car labeled, "Barnum's Animals." However Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus gave their last-ever performance on May 21, 2017. Have you ever been to the circus?

A. When I was very young. I vaguely remember it.

9) Have you ever received a memorable fortune in a fortune cookie?

A. Nothing I can recall, no. And no winning lottery numbers, either!

_____________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.

 

Moving the Honey Bees

We recently discovered a nest of honey bees in one of the trees in the yard. They have created a space for themselves in a knot in a tree.

I don't know what this means for the tree - hopefully it isn't dying, but obviously it must have some rotten hollow spaces in it.

Honey bees are important to not just our farm but the world, so obviously we don't want to kill them. However, my husband and I are allergic to bees and he will disturb them every time he mows the yard. They need to be moved.

We called a friend who keeps bees and he has placed a queen bee with honeycomb inside a bee catching device. The hope is the bees will be lured to the new queen.

So far it isn't happening.

The tree with the bee catcher hanging down near the bee hive.

A little closer shot of the scene.

The bees have made themselves at home in this crack in the tree.

There seem to be a lot of them.

Not sure what the next step is if they don't go into the bee trap.

Thursday Thirteen

Today is my birthday. Happy birthday to me! To celebrate, here are some depressing facts about growing old. Enjoy!


1. Approximately 92% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. Four chronic diseases—heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes—cause almost two-thirds of all deaths each year.

2. Chronic diseases account for 75% of the money our nation spends on health care, yet only 1% of health dollars are spent on public efforts to improve overall health.

3. Diabetes affects 12.2 million Americans aged 60+, or 23% of the older population. An additional 57 million Americans aged 20+ have pre-diabetes, which increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program for people at high risk for developing diabetes, lifestyle intervention reduced risk by 71% among those aged 60+.

4. 90% of Americans aged 55+ are at risk for hypertension, or high blood pressure. Women are more likely than men to develop hypertension, with half of women aged 60+ and 77% of women aged 75+ having this condition. Hypertension affects 64% of men aged 75+.

5. Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall.

6. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, and injury deaths. Falls are also the most common cause of older adult traumatic brain injuries, accounting for over 46% of fatal falls.

7. The nation spends $30 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls. If we cannot stem the rate of falls, it’s projected that direct treatment costs will reach $59.6 billion by 2020. A quarter of hip fracture patients will be in a nursing home for at least a year, further adding to Medicaid costs.

8. One in four older adults experiences some mental disorder including depression and anxiety disorders, and dementia. This number is expected to double to 15 million by 2030.

9. Depression affects seven million older Americans, and many do not receive treatment.

10. The number of older adults with substance abuse problems is expected to double to five million by 2020.

11. Two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not receive the treatment they need. Current preventative services for this population are extremely limited.

12. Untreated substance abuse and mental health problems among older adults are associated with poor health outcomes, higher health care utilization, increased complexity of the course and prognosis of many illnesses, increased disability and impairment, compromised quality of life, increased caregiver stress, increased mortality, and higher risk of suicide.

13. People aged 85+ have the highest suicide rate of any age group. Older white men have a suicide rate almost six times that of the general population.
Source: https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/
__________

 

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 503rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.