Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
-
Happy birthday, Cindy! Glad you were able to have an outdoor party.
Petite, the dust cloud is causing major breathing issues all the way up to southern IL. Up here, all it did was give us an awesome sunset.
0 -
Here we go again...after last night's downpours, Bob wasn't able to get the garage door opener to work this morning (he came home around 7 pm yesterday in a torrential rain but the door did open for him). He couldn't find the reset button on the new GFCI, so I have no idea how he was able to raise the door and keep it up long enough to get his car out. He didn't tell me, of course, till tonight (!!!). Had he told me right away this morning, I could have thrown on some shoes and shown him how to reset the GFCI and re-engage the opener on its track. The electrician is flabbergasted: new wiring, with no breaks; new conduits sealed with copious amounts of "pipe dope;" new breaker in the basement and new GFCI in the garage (both buttons are white, which is why Bob couldn't figure out how to reset it, as the old button was red for reset and black for test). He will come out tomorrow to try to figure out what happened--but if it's dried out he will have to wait for more rain. He will remedy the problem free of charge, of course. And more rain we will get, starting perhaps tomorrow night, Mon. for sure. And starting Mon. night they're predicting another torrential storm with high winds, time and again all week...as the weatherman put it "like 'Groundhog Day." We got a little bit of water in the basement right under the sump pump (which means I have to call the plumber too--unless there's just so much a sump pump can do, and at some point flooding is inevitable).
As of 10pm tonight, Bob was still working and expects tomorrow will be the same--so it looks like this weekend will have been a bad one at Little Company of Mary (even though the city & state's infection & death metrics are going down, that ghetto-centric hospital is the canary in a coal mine because so many of its patients are minority people in essential jobs whose dwellings are too small for social distancing).
And once again, morons are setting off large firecrackers (M-80s, cherry bombs, etc.) well into the night. It's happening all over the city and in NYC too. I understand people are bored and frustrated, but this is insane. At least my cats are sound sleepers and I have earplugs. (Hate to get socio-political here, but I guess one mark of white privilege is that we know it's pyrotechnics and not gunfire--though last week a barista/college student was shot to death while walking home in decidedly middle-class West Rogers Park).
0 -
Happy Birthday, Cindy and Happy Anniversary, Sandy.
I was thinking just today about folks who have to work outside (prompted by watching roofers as I was golfing). Generally been above 80 even when Ken walks Mutz at 6:00. 110 by this afternoon. The desert joke is that's a "dry heat" but 110 is hot no matter how you cut it.
AZ should go back to phase 1, let alone think about 3. Hospitalization and infection rates are soaring - so much for the heat killing the virus out. Our brave governor finally allowed cities and counties to impose their own restrictions. For the first time, we saw a "checker" at the door of the grocery store yesterday. Don't know if he really turned any unmasked person away though. Called two friends for a "check in" today. One said one of the workers at her independent living complex had Covid and the other only talked for a few minutes because "her chest hurt." Sorry I'm being a downer tonight. Heat, Covid, and I aren't a good mix.
0 -
Happy belated birthday, Cindy.
Good morning, ladies. It reached 100 degrees, yesterday. I did not having any difficulty breathing, so it think it was the dust. Husband took me out for a little date. We had hot wings and a beer. Everything one was separated and I felt safe, but with number cases soaring in Florida one can't be too sure. I thought heat was suppose to destroy the virus.
Hope you all have a pleasant Sunday.
0 -
As yesterday is history, and tomorrow may never come, I have resolved from this day on, I will do all the business I can honestly, have all the fun I can reasonably, do all the good I can willingly, and save my digestion by thinking pleasantly.
Robert Louis Stevenson0 -
Happy belated Birthday to Cindy and happy belated anniversary to ChiSandy. Rainy here today, with flood warnings in certain areas (not ours). Temps over 80 and I do not agree. Those of you in the "heat", take care of yourselves. News reports about COVID soaring in AZ, FL, TX and elsewhere are pretty scary. Stay safe.
As to morons setting off various firecrackers, we are dreading the upcoming 4th July weekend. Several neighbors on our street blow off firecrackers, shoot bottle rockets, etc., not only on the 4th, but for other "celebratory" occasions as well. With many public firework displays cancelled due to COVID, we expect neighborhood fireworks to be ramped up this year. Kentucky defines all consumer fireworks as suitable for use by the public, but provides that bottle rockets, sky rockets, RomanN candles and firecrackers are allowed only with a permit. HIghly doubt anyone has a permit.
0 -
Had a good overnight rain here but later ( showers could come on and off ) it will be hot and muggy. Not looking forward to being outdoors. Well, we needed some rain so I guess I'll have to put up with the other effects. Every once in awhile the sun attempts to come out and that does make it feel " sultry" as all get-out. Glad Dh did the mowing yesterday.
Nothing much planned for day other than my little job of caring for the kitties over in the next town. They are so delightful, but the three kittens are growing up so fast. I'm betting the mother cat is already pregnant again. Hoping when the daughter comes back she will have a plan for what to do with all these cute kitties. They are use to me, but definitely feral.
I hope you all have a fine day.
0 -
Check to see if there's a group trapping ferals, neutering and spaying them and returning them to where they were trapped. Our group here puts kittens young enough into foster care to be socialized to humans. Cats considered to be truly feral are released back to the same area. They also look for factory and barn jobs for them. One brewing company took 5 males and hasn't seen a rodent since.
0 -
Petite, heat >160F kills the virus. The heat of summer is not hot enough--as countries near & south of the Equator can attest from Feb. through Apr., which was the height of their summer. Do not accept medical advice from reckless politicians (those who care more about businesses than health), and certainly not from social media or a certain "news" channel founded expressly--from day one--to further a political party's agenda.
When I lived in Seattle, my law school (which was in Tacoma then, and is in Seattle now) wasn't too far from the Puyallup Indian Reservation. WA allowed the sale of "safe & sane" fireworks (basically, anything that stayed put and didn't explode). But because the Puyallup Nation had sovereignty (which is also why people used to buy cigarettes & booze there), we would go there to buy our "unsafe & insane ones." We would make bottle rockets out of (legal) "Whistling (aka 'Piccolo') Petes"--tying a mini-firecracker (illegal) to the wooden stick used to insert the "safe" one into the ground, and go to Gasworks Park to shoot them off into the sky above Lake Union. Yes, we were young & stupid. By contrast, even sparklers are illegal in NYC & Chicago because they burn at 2000F.
IL had about 100 fewer new cases yesterday than Fri., and fewer deaths as well--but we are still at a 3% rolling positivity rate. The lion's share of new reported infections is among Gen Z & Millennials (25% of all new cases this past week are in the 18-29 age group). Personally, I think we went to Phase 4 way too soon--we should go back to Phase 3 (no outdoor dining, theaters, bars, clubs or gatherings--indoor or outdoor--of >10 people). I know U of C epidemiologist Dr. Emily Landon said that this was a good time to move forward because of summer weather (including storms that make outdoor dining dicey), but young people think they're invulnerable. They don't think that they can get sick nor realize that they don't have to have symptoms to sicken (and kill) others.
I can't recall a time during my life when there was so much selfishness and ignorance as there is now.
0 -
Wren - my daughter fosters kittens for a local shelter - most from feral moms but they get them early. The 4 she has now had barely been weaned. She is amazing with them. I wouldn't have the patience as many are sick. She has sterile procedures down pat and has a separate large room, fortunately with a half bath and her washer/dryer adjoining on her lower level where they live first. One of her own two cats loves having the fosters and has been a great "Mom" for several. When we were there at Thanksgiving she had two pairs plus her own. They all had the run of the house except for feeding and night time. I think she has about 20 in the past 3 years. She gets to pick their forever homes. It's been a fantastic experience for her. We can only manage one shelter dog at a time but have adopted some great ones.
Stay safe everyone. I never believed that the virus would go away when it got hotter. In fact, right now I don't believe it will ever be gone. Can't believe the numbers won't jump everywhere from all the marchers and the loosening of restrictions. Of course the young think they are invincible. I worked for years on teen-age sexuality issues during the time of rising HIV and teen pregnancy rates.
0 -
The marchers had no effect on IL--almost all (at least in Chicago) were masked and trying to social-distance, The young'uns who are seeing the spike are those who decided to "fight for the(ir) right to party" in their yards, parks, alleys, beaches, boats and houses (and a few bars that got busted for opening up prematurely at capacity--we saw the cops cite our local old-guy dive-bar the other day). Our numbers today were 657 new cases (100 fewer than yesterday) and 15 deaths (lowest in months). Bob said he had only one COVID patient all weekend--and it was a remote consult (by computer from a different floor).
The GFCI problem turned out (the electrician & I think) to have been "downstream." He ran a "fish-tape" all the way down the conduit to the house, and it was bone-dry. Since a GFCI trips when it senses water in or on something plugged into it or on its circuit, we decided to look at the outdoor motion-sensor coach lamp mounted by the side door--voilà! One of the five glass panes on the surround appeared to be missing, but it was simply moved aside by the last person to change the bulb--who apparently never tried to put it back. The interior of it is dry now but there appears to be some algae residue along the ceramic sensor socket base. The electrician wiped it out, put the pane back where it belongs, and put the lid back on tightly. If the GFCI trips again in the next storm, we'll know that's the culprit (likely water getting into the garage wall where it's mounted), I will buy a new fixture, and the electrician will install it.
0 -
As to people's behavior during covid, Dh and I stopped our way back from Sandoval to run into Walmart for supplies we were out of for breakfast tomorrow. There is a sign as plain as day saying you must have a mask on to enter the store. There were very few people wearing masks. Well, the truth is some people have never bothered I don't think. It is true that we live in a VERY small town and while we have had some cases they have been contained/quarantined very quickly. Still, I can't believe anyone can really feel safe and I certainly think all must be highly aware that it is STILL out there and just because some of their risky behavior hasn't resulted in an outbreak, doesn't mean it won't happen. I was amazed at this couple with their 4 small children -- no masks on anyone and they were making no attempt to ( most of the kids were playing around ) avoid anyone else at all.
We have seen this so often there. I have been wondering if the fact that we have basically ( up to now fingers, toes and anything else you can cross ) remained safe has made many people complacent. I hope we stay safe here but when I watch what some people do it causes me to feel some mild panic. Dh and I won't go anywhere w/o our masks on.
I'm sure this is going to be with us well into '21 and maybe later. Here's hoping for everyone.
0 -
We just had a lovely hour-long visit with DD. We sat in the livingroom with masks and talked. She brought over Father's Dad gifts for DH and some yeast.
0 -
Jackie, no matter how small your town, people from elsewhere pass through. All it takes is one asymptomatic-spreader person traveling from a hotspot using a public toilet that lacks a lid--the "plume" caused by flushing can rise >12', scattering viral particles which can not only be breathed for at least 1-2 minutes but also settle on walls, handles, and receptacles in the stall. (Paper seat covers are no protection). Here in Chicago & Evanston, security guards at supermarkets, pharmacies, Target, and Walmart are refusing to let anyone in the door without a mask. Aisles are one-way, there are social-distancing markers on the floor, plexiglas barriers at the checkstands, and "you touch it, you've bought it."
0 -
New set up of this forum, usually takes me to where I left off. Tonight it took me to the end and I had to read back over to where I last was.
COVID is running rampant in FL. When we left 5/16 things were open, people let their guard down. A gov who won't buck his president. Same in Texas. In NY, as anywhere, some complain about our gov. But I believe he did what had to be done. I think NY has made it through the first wave. I think alot of states jumped the gun, stayed true to their party line, and their constituants will suffer as they have a first wave spike.
On a good note, baby reveal via ZOOM on 7/4! Step son and family are in Texas and have been self quarantining for months now. They're excited we'll all get to find out the gender and remain safe.
I'm having issues w this site tonight. On my mind electrician, kitties, heat or should I say HEAT (110!), roof, safety - be safe.
0 -
The heat and humidity have invaded us. We're having to use the a/c during the afternoon and left it on overnight. It was 70 degrees when I got up at 6:30. DH will be playing golf with a men's league and I plan to to go the gym and do some shopping afterwards. I will be wearing a mask when I go into stores. I'll have my mask in my pocket in the gym so that I can put it on if I feel concern about social distancing.
Happy Monday to all.
0 -
To honor and respect means to think of the land and water and plants and animals who live here as having a right equal to our own to be here. We are not the supreme and all-knowing beings, living at the top of the pinnacle of evolution, but in fact we are members of the sacred hoop of life, along with the trees and rocks, the coyotes and the eagles and fish and toads, that each fulfills its purpose. They each perform their given task in the sacred hoop, and we have one, too. -Wolf Song
0 -
We are having heat and humidity here as well. There is threat of rain for at least the next week. I try to stay upbeat but their is no denying it is just not going to be very pleasant -- heat, humidity, rain and then more of the first two.
On a high note for me, I will hear from the Dr. ( phone consultation ) on July 2nd. so hopefully can get things moving along with what will be done with my urinary issues. I'm just wanting to get it over. I'm concerned about going to the big hospital complex in the city across the river, but I've heard such great reviews of the Dr. that I feel I need to move forward. Also, there they have the ability to do micro and robotic surgeries. All a benefit in my book.
I'm still doing my little job in Sandoval. I had no idea that it would go this long, but that is a bonus for me as well. The pay is not high, but helps out a lot in our situation.
I feel mixed emotions for those states who are going to see a big rise in the number of their virus cases. Irritated with those who set the pace and worried for those who are not given a choice. I do hope they are all wise enough to do what is healthiest for themselves. If they are like people in my home town though, way too many could face un-pleasant outcomes.
Hope you all have a good Monday.
0 -
Good morning, Ladies. The county inspector should be out this morning for the final and sign off. Not sure about the HOA people. I have a lot of errands to run and need to do the "Big Shop" at Publix. We are about out of everything and someone even snagged a few things out of the hurricane supplies.
0 -
ChiSandy, I had to take a few moments to research as Microbiology was not my favorite study, but my grandniece is a microbiologist. The virus is mostly protein and the protein spikes are how is replicates, attaching to human cells. Around the RNA is a tiny bit of fat. In my little old lady brain fat melts in heat, so therefore heat should decrease replication and it, the virus, decomposes and deteriorates. So, what I should have written, is how I had hoped the Summer heat would help eliminate the spread of COVID 19. By the way, I don't care for the news shows, too much opinion and not enough facts. It makes me grumpy with all the blah, blah, blah.
0 -
If summer heat melts fat, the hotter the summer, the slimmer we'd all be. Obviously, that's not the case! (A little partial scientific knowledge can be less useful than none at all--that's how "junk science" proliferates).
There's "fat" and then there's "fat." Yes, destroying the surrounding fat/protein coat should also de-activate the virus, but it takes at least 160F to do so. But know what else degrades that protein/fat coat? Surfactants--notably >60% alcohol, benzalkonium, and SOAP! The combination of soap & at least body-temp water, plus friction from creating lather and continuing to do so for at least 20 seconds, then rinsing it off down the drain, will kill virus particles on your hands.
Listen to epidemiologists and other infectious disease doctors, ladies!!!
0 -
Oh, and our HK has reluctantly cancelled her upcoming trip this weekend to see her sister in hospice in Birmingham, AL. Birmingham is becoming a hot-spot, and her DH--currently getting dialysis--has been put back on the kidney-transplant list. But if he travels out of state, especially to one with a rising number of coronavirus cases, his V.A. dialysis center will require him to get tested on his return, (regardless of test result) quarantine for 2 weeks (except for going to the COVID-only dialysis center) and have 2 negative tests a week apart before he will be allowed to return to the V.A. Oh, and he would be removed from the transplant list. (The transplant would be done at the V.A. adjacent to U. of IA Med. Ctr. in Iowa City--they'd be flown and put up at the Marriott or Vetro at V.A. expense--and not till 2021).
0 -
ChiSandy, LOL Ok. Ok. I know, I know. My BS is in Nursing & MS Healthcare Service Management and my wonderful grandniece Microbiologist. LOL Just chatting, complaining about the heat and My Dear, I damn sure wish my recent weight gain would melt away. Now the air conditioning isn't working and in is 84 in the house. The repair man can't come out until 9:00 am. Time to go for a swim.
0 -
Oh, Petite, no AC? First the roof and now this! At least you can go for a swim--our city pools (and even those at recently-opened gyms) are closed; the city's beaches are closed till at least July 4 (and nearby suburban beaches are season-pass or resident-token only).
My husband is a cardiologist but also has a PhD in mammalian Genetics; and between college & law school I worked as a tech in a bacteriophage (type of virus) Genetics lab. My boss was furious when I decided to go to law school--he wanted me to join his grad school program. During my year as a tech I attended all the scholarly lectures & visiting guest prof. presentations. Of course, I've forgotten most of what I learned: my brain apparently had to make room for legal knowledge and my songs...
0 -
Sandy, Songs are important. They should have first crack at your memory. Besides, what you learned that long ago has probably changed so much you wouldn't recognize it.
0 -
I like retirement. It is 82 degrees outside and inside. It will be a long night.
0 -
petite, it was not so long ago our a/c was not working. It is an incredible bummer. I did though sleep with a floor fan and allowed it to almost blow on me and I was able to seep okay. I think though with the present humidity I'm not sure that would help.
Glad your guy can get to you soon thought. Stay well and drink cold lemonaide.
0 -
Growing up in Brooklyn, I was 14 before we moved to an apt. in a 2-flat that had A/C--room units in through-the-wall sleeves. Before that, our 4-story walk-up building's wiring couldn't handle it. We made do with box and oscillating fans and going up to the roof at night (especially on July 4, when we could see fireworks all around--even as far away as Coney Island). Bob never had A/C growing up in a little "half-Cape" house in eastern Queens. His family would make do with a box fan in their deep basement on hot nights. When we lived in Seattle, our married-grad-student-housing bldg. did not have the wiring to handle A/C--and we had vertical casement windows anyway. We had maple trees shading our 2nd-fl. apt. On the few brutally-hot summer days, we used a "swamp cooler" (a metal box with a fan that blew across a bin of melting ice). When that didn't cut it, we would walk across the street to UW Health Sciences--I would cook dinner (dehydrated Lipton instant meals or canned chili) over a Bunsen burner in Bob's lab and then we'd go up to the air-conditioned top-floor student lounge to eat it and look out over the Ship Canal toward Mt. Rainier.
First thing we bought when we moved here to Chicago was a window A/C. Yup, even before beds. (First two nights we slept on the floor in sleeping bags).
0 -
Good morning, Ladies. The A/C is fixed. Just a minor repair. YAY!
0 -
The best portion of a good person's life,--
Their little nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love.William Wordsworth
0
