Among Friends

[geezerette]

@just bee 

Well, it's starting.

Been nice knowin' ya, 🐝.

[just bee]

@geezerette 

Protection from pesticides?  Nay, from the stench of hypocrisy!

[just bee]

@geezerette 

[just bee]

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@just bee wrote:

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@just bee 

Okay, is this a trick or a test?

Find the differences in the two pictures?  What is wrong with this photo?  Your new glasses finally made you see double?

I give up.🤨

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@geezerette 

Just an illustration of "if you repeat something long enough..."

[geezerette]

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@just bee wrote:

@geezerette 

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@just bee 

[KaySD]

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@just bee wrote:

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@KaySD wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

Anyone get vaccinated?

Most of my coworkers have received their first injection and some have had their second.  First one was a breeze; second one... not so much.

They recommend that you schedule the second shot on a day when you aren't planning on going to work for a couple days.

Like I said, I haven't received the vaccine and I don't plan to get it.  I'd rather see someone who wants it have mine.

That could change if it becomes mandatory.  Hope that's not the case and I'll still have a choice in the matter.

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@just bee 

Yep, I'm all for trying it.

I'm the very last one to use any kind of meds--my little bottles of aspirin even expire long before I use them. But it's the only thing we have to get us past all this, and it's been almost a year now since I saw any family or friends in person. I'd like to do so before I die.

As far as I can estimate, it'll be a several months before I'm offered it, and unless something changes, I'm going to be right there lining up.

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@KaySD 

This is a problem.  For almost a year, we have been told that saving lives is a priority.  We've been told to wear masks and avoid other people.  Businesses, schools and churches have been closed.  Holidays and events have been canceled.  A vibrant economy has been crushed.

None of this, however, is important.  What's important is that by complying with the new normal, we are saving lives.

We don't know much about the virus and if we do we're not saying.  But we do seem to know who in our society are the most vulnerable and where they are.

We have a vaccine and yet it is not being distributed to those who should be first in line to receive it.  Those of a "certain age."

So clearly this is not really the priority, is it?

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@just bee 

Heaven knows I have no answers. I'm not even sure I understand the questions.

Those who make the logistic and other decisions about making and giving the vaccine are probably doing the best they can, and they haven't asked for my opinions! And we have (collectively) chosen to allow masks, etc, to be personal choices.

So if I can only choose for myself, I'm choosing to stay home unless I absolutely must go out, and to do the masks and so forth. The vaccine is the only other thing I can do as far as I can see, so I'll do it.

There are many people more at risk in line ahead of me, and I'm okay with that. The process isn't perfect, but my clinic and insurance provider are keeping me posted. I can wait. 

[KaySD]

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@geezerette 

Is this afternoon proof that we have no social life?  Or is this our social life?

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@just bee @geezerette 

I think it may be! I just don't have anything to say about NM weather or dogs. Like dogs okay, but nver lived with one. Like the banter and the memes, just have nothing to offer in return. Meanwhile, my cats are alternately zooming around like little guided missiles, or burrowed under ALL the blankets trying to pretend it's not cold. Just because I don't want to turn on my furnace. Big babies. 

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@KaySD 

Pshaw -- you have plenty to offer.

I used to be a cat person.  A cat magnet.  Strays would find me and follow me down the street.  Always had cats -- until I moved to New Mexico.

It's definitely different here.  In California, it seemed like every home had at least one cat.  I don't know if that was an effort to address the roof rat population or if Californians just liked cats.  Less commitment than a dog, I guess.

I know someone who was a friend until she decided to distance herself from me because we have very different political views.  I never believed that was a sufficient reason to end a relationship, so I have remained cordial and I send her cards and an occasional email.  Just received an e-card from her.  It sounds like she misses our friendship.

Her husband has told her than she is not "Leslie" without a cat.  I feel that I am not me without a dog.  The two years we were dogless after our previous dogs died was agony.

That's another reason I dread losing WGD.  We don't plan to get another dog and the idea of life without one is dismal.

We would love to hear about your cats.  I may not have one (although the neighbor's cat has always been a fixture in our yard) but I still like them.

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@just bee 

Thanks! I just meant, I don't have anything much to say about dogs. I don't know about cats and dogs and Californians, but I will take your word for it.  

I've only known a few dogs well enough to comment about. I think they are fine "people." However, for a non-dog-owner, I must say there's a big diff between a well-trained dog and a not-so-much. I'm thinking of jumping on me, slobbering, smelling my crotch, leaving poop at my house--you know the kind of stuff. I don't blame the dogs, but I still don't like it. I get it how some people feel the same about litter boxes, furballs, etc. At least those things affect those who live with them.

I have almost always had a cat or two; they are dear and beautiful, and I delight in living with them. I'm still myself when I don't have them, but especially this past year, heving them to hug has been more important than I can calculate.

They're getting on in life. Well, so am I. Assuming they go before me, it probably won't be wise for me to start again, so I'm appreciating them even more. Sounds like you are in the same place with your furry friend. I do understand.

I hope you and your friend find a way to build a bridge between you. Shoot, I hope our whole country finds a way to refocus on our commonality. Anger and fear are tough nuts to crack, though, and everyone has to do it for themselves. All I can do is try to keep my own heart calm and balanced.

[KaySD]

@geezerette @just bee @aprilskies 

What you are saying about the yongsters growing up in these times is so true. And I guess the same could be said about everyone...

I have a lot of confidence in the young people. Yes, damage has been done. Yes, they will be affected by the times they are living in, and by their parents' generation, and increasingly, by what's going on all over the world. Plus, it's harder to see, but I believe there is a great deal of goodness and creativity going on along with the damage and pain.

And childhood isn't destiny. We have a million examples to show that. The younger ones will grow up and they are their own people, with their own choices to make. I think they have a great deal of knowledge and experience and wisdom to draw on. Probably more than I'm even capable of perceiving. What they choose might not be my choice, but that hardly matters--it doesn't need to be.

Am I a cockeyed optimist? Could be. I do choose to have faith that everything is in divine order. Maybe those two things are the same. 

[KaySD]

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@just bee 

In some ways, I think I am becoming my mother.

I can't watch a two-hour movie anymore because I can't stay awake that long or follow the plot line.  I also am delightfully satisfied to have old reruns on all day long.

And the other day I found myself on top of a 12' ladder leaning over to try and prune a 3" diameter branch.  At one point things got a wee bit precarious and I could envision the ladder heading one way and me trying to fling myself the other direction on the way down to meet the ground.  Wondering how many and which bones would be shattered.  I figured that wasn't a real good scenario and decided to forget the higher branches.

Now, if I could only emulate my mother's finer qualities, I'd be a happy camper.

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@geezerette, I am having a hard time keeping interested in any movie or even any series. I feel it is the same plot, different actors, over and over.  I put something on and at the end couldnt even tell you what it is about or who the characters were.  Just know enough of the storyline and watch how it wraps up. And if a movie starts off too slowly or with way too much narrative and movement, I am out. 

Lately, I really would just like to even see a show where there is some chemistry in the love interests. I feel for the most part, there is none and it is not believable. And one thing that I am so happy I can fast forwarded through are crying scenes.  Only a very few actors can really carry that off for me without making me cringe.

Maybe it is just Netflix that ruins a series for me since I can watch it quickly and you can see where the series just starts to fall. I will admit with any series, I am good for maybe a few seasons and then I just lose interest.  

I think I am starting to feel my age. My patience is almost nil on most things and I use to be super patient. Maybe that is the problem and it caught up to me.

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@aprilskies 

I was told by an ER tech, when I was sitting in the ER with my mother, that I was the most patient person he'd seen in his 30 years on the job.

At the time I thought that might be a compliment but now I'm not so sure.

There is much to be impatient about.  I used to think patience was a virtue, but then I was told a lot of things when I was growing up that turned out to be untrue.

And that p___es me off.

As for TV, I defended it for decades but now I realize that most of it is pure cr@p.

I can't get involved in any new series and I avoid network TV like the plague.

Haven't canceled Comcast yet but I think about it an awful lot.  Why do I need all these channels when there is so little worth watching?

Maybe @KaySD has the right idea.  Bid it a fond adieu.

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@just bee 

@aprilskies 

I mostly keep the tv on now as background.  People talking and a visual to peek at every once in a while.  And to fall asleep to. It's company for me.  If I wasn't so isolated I probably would get rid of it altogether.

It's funny, but when the OG was around he had the TV on all day (while he was reading) and it drove me crazy.  Now, I hate having it off.

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@geezerette @just bee 

As usual, interesting thoughts. I know what you mean about the background voices thing, though. My whole life, I've had quiet in my house almost all the time. I only had music or talk or TV on when I specifically wanted to pay attention. Now i'm home almost all the time, I have taken to having audio on a lot, even when I'm not really listening. I listen to streaming radio stations, podcasts, and audiobooks. I also found an app that has "coffee shop" sounds on it--clattering cups, murmurs of conversations, miscellaneous other soounds. 

I will never get to the end of the streaming video I have access to, and I don't miss TV and all that deluge of advertising, not even a tiny little bit. I can hear live news when I want to, and everything else can be from last week, or last season, or last decade, or more.

As for feeling patient or impatient, which feels better at any given time? Choose that!!! Who says you have to pick only one? Or that you have to do what someone else thinks? Amiright? Yes? Yes? No?

[just bee]

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@KaySD wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@KaySD wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

@geezerette 

Is this afternoon proof that we have no social life?  Or is this our social life?

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@just bee @geezerette 

I think it may be! I just don't have anything to say about NM weather or dogs. Like dogs okay, but nver lived with one. Like the banter and the memes, just have nothing to offer in return. Meanwhile, my cats are alternately zooming around like little guided missiles, or burrowed under ALL the blankets trying to pretend it's not cold. Just because I don't want to turn on my furnace. Big babies. 

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@KaySD 

Pshaw -- you have plenty to offer.

I used to be a cat person.  A cat magnet.  Strays would find me and follow me down the street.  Always had cats -- until I moved to New Mexico.

It's definitely different here.  In California, it seemed like every home had at least one cat.  I don't know if that was an effort to address the roof rat population or if Californians just liked cats.  Less commitment than a dog, I guess.

I know someone who was a friend until she decided to distance herself from me because we have very different political views.  I never believed that was a sufficient reason to end a relationship, so I have remained cordial and I send her cards and an occasional email.  Just received an e-card from her.  It sounds like she misses our friendship.

Her husband has told her than she is not "Leslie" without a cat.  I feel that I am not me without a dog.  The two years we were dogless after our previous dogs died was agony.

That's another reason I dread losing WGD.  We don't plan to get another dog and the idea of life without one is dismal.

We would love to hear about your cats.  I may not have one (although the neighbor's cat has always been a fixture in our yard) but I still like them.

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@just bee 

Thanks! I just meant, I don't have anything much to say about dogs. I don't know about cats and dogs and Californians, but I will take your word for it.  

I've only known a few dogs well enough to comment about. I think they are fine "people." However, for a non-dog-owner, I must say there's a big diff between a well-trained dog and a not-so-much. I'm thinking of jumping on me, slobbering, smelling my crotch, leaving poop at my house--you know the kind of stuff. I don't blame the dogs, but I still don't like it. I get it how some people feel the same about litter boxes, furballs, etc. At least those things affect those who live with them.

I have almost always had a cat or two; they are dear and beautiful, and I delight in living with them. I'm still myself when I don't have them, but especially this past year, heving them to hug has been more important than I can calculate.

They're getting on in life. Well, so am I. Assuming they go before me, it probably won't be wise for me to start again, so I'm appreciating them even more. Sounds like you are in the same place with your furry friend. I do understand.

I hope you and your friend find a way to build a bridge between you. Shoot, I hope our whole country finds a way to refocus on our commonality. Anger and fear are tough nuts to crack, though, and everyone has to do it for themselves. All I can do is try to keep my own heart calm and balanced.

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@KaySD 

Yes, that would be a fine idea, but that has not been our focus.  We have been told to focus on our differences.  

That has been pushed for some time now and I just want to know: Is it working?