@VolNExile

You rang? Or somebody rang?

Hi y’all. Still alive and kicking, Hubs and I bored out of our minds. Many, many thanks to @vollygirl for periodically checking in!

7 dozen tomatoes on the kitchen counter as of this evening and two stock pots full of hot peppers ready to be pickled. The tomato count is after the two dozen we took to the assisted living facility plus the four dozen or so we have eaten so far. The quote wasn’t that x dozen would ripen in the next 36 hours, but all at once in some forthcoming 36 hour period (I didn’t write it clearly.) At any rate, having a highly productive tomato patch is like having 8 pregnant cats. Unwanted fertility is coming like a tsunami.

We are fine-ish here. Our moms are in lockdown in the ALF. MIL no longer knows where she is, so she’s happy and has stopped fighting (just turned 96.) My mother has horrendous memory problems (literally does not remember what was said five minutes ago), so is still fighting, but is mostly resigned/ content. Her latest is that she wants to go home to Memphis to die (understandable). She is baffled by the nearly complete absence of Black people (one nurse, that’s it.) Her feeling is that Asheville is pretty, but not home, which I get.

My kids are mostly ok. Son is pretty much business as usual, working at Publix, one of my heroes. Daughter #1, a family physician, gave notice at her healthcare employer, which was bought out by HCA, and is taking a 50% cut in pay to escape and practice medicine the way she feels it should be done, as in no health insurer middleman. Daughter #2 was furloughed at the beginning of June due to COVID. She’s still getting health insurance, thank God, but is out of work and now interviewing with University of Colorado for its masters in public health program, concentration in policy (as in making sure to have enough f***ing masks and whatnot ahead of time to take care of citizens, along with being able to react to public health disasters and provide informed leadership.) My older stepdaughter is doing well, working from home for the foreseeable future. Younger stepdaughter is starting a new job for a food producer in quality assurance for health and safety, ironically postponed for two weeks after having symptoms and testing positive for COVID. Her previous temp job was checking temperatures on employees as they cane in to work. This for someone with a health degree who practically sleeps in a mask. She’s fine now (ah, to be young.)
What else —our aged FIV+ cat is weak but hanging in there. She is now having problems purring. She makes strange squeaks and rattles, trying to get a purr going, which sometimes happens and sometimes not, This from a cat who purrs while getting vaccinations, and who purred through labor and delivery of four kittens 17 years ago. We now reluctantly acknowledge guardianship of my mother’s cat, Le Chat Lunatique, who turned on my mom one too many times and now lives with us, randomly chomping on our arms and legs for unknown reasons.

I have not been lurking for all these months, so I’m way out of touch with Zone life. I did read about half the threads on today’s first page of the Zone. @Orangeredblooded, I saw something about you having lost a friend to COVID. I am so terribly sorry. I then read about your dad in the ED, but fortunately negative for COVID. Best wishes to him, and prayers and courage to you and your mom. @rocytop2624, I hope things go well for your family. You guys are up on the frontline of life’s struggles, that’s for sure. @Orangeslice13, ahh G-d, I’m so sorry. Even when you intellectually know what’s happening, it’s so hard to deal with. My mom’s type of dementia doesn’t have behavioral issues, but my MIL has Alzheimer’s, and Hubs has been dragged over the coals. At one point she was convinced that he was his dad, and wanted to know why he wouldn’t share her bed. 🥺 She has sort of mellowed out now, no longer able to remember what she was so angry and frightened about. We truly don’t know what’s worse.

I’m still trying hard to avoid social media, as it’s just become so, so, so painful with the rage and venom and parroting of idiocies over and over (I’m proud to be a snowflake, meaning actually caring about how people feel), so no idea when and if I’ll be back here full time, but I do miss you guys, worry about you, and hope the best for all.

Hang in there, stay safe and stay strong, go Vols, and F*** Bama!
 
Last edited:
You’ve made my day, VNE. Thanks for checking in. One day, when COVID-19 isn’t the raging threat it is now, I will venture to Asheville and hope to meet you for lunch or whatever. GBO!
 
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You rang? Or somebody rang?

Hi y’all. Still alive and kicking, Hubs and I bored out of our minds. Many, many thanks to @vollygirl for periodically checking in!

7 dozen tomatoes on the kitchen counter as of this evening and two stock pots full of hot peppers ready to be pickled. The tomato count is after the two dozen we took to the assisted living facility plus the four dozen or so we have eaten so far. The quote wasn’t that x dozen would ripen in the next 36 hours, but all at once in some forthcoming 36 hour period (I didn’t write it clearly.) At any rate, having a highly productive tomato patch is like having 8 pregnant cats. Unwanted fertility is coming like a tsunami.

We are fine-ish here. Our moms are in lockdown in the ALF. MIL no longer knows where she is, so she’s happy and has stopped fighting (just turned 96.) My mother has horrendous memory problems (literally does not remember what was said five minutes ago), so is still fighting, but is mostly resigned/ content. Her latest is that she wants to go home to Memphis to die (understandable). She is baffled by the nearly complete absence of Black people (one nurse, that’s it.) Her feeling is that Asheville is pretty, but not home, which I get.

My kids are mostly ok. Son is pretty much business as usual, working at Publix, one of my heroes. Daughter #1, a family physician, gave notice at her healthcare employer, which was bought out by HCA, and is taking a 50% cut in pay to escape and practice medicine the way she feels it should be done, as in no health insurer middleman. Daughter #2 was furloughed at the beginning of June due to COVID. She’s still getting health insurance, thank God, but is out of work and now interviewing with University of Colorado for its masters in public health program, concentration in policy (as in making sure to have enough f***ing masks and whatnot ahead of time to take care of citizens, along with being able to react to public health disasters and provide informed leadership.) My older stepdaughter is doing well, working from home for the foreseeable future. Younger stepdaughter is starting a new job for a food producer in quality assurance for health and safety, ironically postponed for two weeks after having symptoms and testing positive for COVID. Her previous temp job was checking temperatures on employees as they cane in to work. This for someone with a health degree who practically sleeps in a mask. She’s fine now (ah, to be young.)
What else —our aged FIV+ cat is weak but hanging in there. She is now having problems purring. She makes strange squeaks and rattles, trying to get a purr going, which sometimes happens and sometimes not, This from a cat who purrs while getting vaccinations, and who purred through labor and delivery of four kittens 17 years ago. We now reluctantly acknowledge guardianship of my mother’s cat, Le Chat Lunatique, who turned on my mom one too many times and now lives with us, randomly chomping on our arms and legs for unknown reasons.

I have not been lurking for all these months, so I’m way out of touch with Zone life. I did read about half the threads on today’s first page of the Zone. @Orangeredblooded, I saw something about you having lost a friend to COVID. I am so terribly sorry. I then read about your dad in the ED, but fortunately negative for COVID. Best wishes to him, and prayers and courage to you and your mom. @rocytop2624, I hope things go well for your family. You guys are up on the frontline of life’s struggles, that’s for sure. @Orangeslice13, ahh G-d, I’m so sorry. Even when you intellectually know what’s happening, it’s so hard to deal with. My mom’s type of dementia doesn’t have behavioral issues, but my MIL has Alzheimer’s, and Hubs has been dragged over the coals. At one point she was convinced that he was his dad, and wanted to know why he wouldn’t share her bed. 🥺 She has sort of mellowed out now, no longer able to remember what she was so angry and frightened about. We truly don’t know what’s worse.

I’m still trying hard to avoid social media, as it’s just become so, so, so painful with the rage and venom and parroting of idiocies over and over (I’m proud to be a snowflake, meaning actually caring about how people feel), so no idea when and if I’ll be back here full time, but I do miss you guys, worry about you, and hope the best for all.

Hang in there, stay safe and stay strong, go Vols, and F*** Bama!
Good to read your comment. I have had to throw tomatoes away they just about all got ripe at the same time. Thanks for the kind words. Maybe I will see you on the flip next time. Be kind rewind. Miss you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: volwindy
You rang? Or somebody rang?

Hi y’all. Still alive and kicking, Hubs and I bored out of our minds. Many, many thanks to @vollygirl for periodically checking in!

7 dozen tomatoes on the kitchen counter as of this evening and two stock pots full of hot peppers ready to be pickled. The tomato count is after the two dozen we took to the assisted living facility plus the four dozen or so we have eaten so far. The quote wasn’t that x dozen would ripen in the next 36 hours, but all at once in some forthcoming 36 hour period (I didn’t write it clearly.) At any rate, having a highly productive tomato patch is like having 8 pregnant cats. Unwanted fertility is coming like a tsunami.

We are fine-ish here. Our moms are in lockdown in the ALF. MIL no longer knows where she is, so she’s happy and has stopped fighting (just turned 96.) My mother has horrendous memory problems (literally does not remember what was said five minutes ago), so is still fighting, but is mostly resigned/ content. Her latest is that she wants to go home to Memphis to die (understandable). She is baffled by the nearly complete absence of Black people (one nurse, that’s it.) Her feeling is that Asheville is pretty, but not home, which I get.

My kids are mostly ok. Son is pretty much business as usual, working at Publix, one of my heroes. Daughter #1, a family physician, gave notice at her healthcare employer, which was bought out by HCA, and is taking a 50% cut in pay to escape and practice medicine the way she feels it should be done, as in no health insurer middleman. Daughter #2 was furloughed at the beginning of June due to COVID. She’s still getting health insurance, thank God, but is out of work and now interviewing with University of Colorado for its masters in public health program, concentration in policy (as in making sure to have enough f***ing masks and whatnot ahead of time to take care of citizens, along with being able to react to public health disasters and provide informed leadership.) My older stepdaughter is doing well, working from home for the foreseeable future. Younger stepdaughter is starting a new job for a food producer in quality assurance for health and safety, ironically postponed for two weeks after having symptoms and testing positive for COVID. Her previous temp job was checking temperatures on employees as they cane in to work. This for someone with a health degree who practically sleeps in a mask. She’s fine now (ah, to be young.)
What else —our aged FIV+ cat is weak but hanging in there. She is now having problems purring. She makes strange squeaks and rattles, trying to get a purr going, which sometimes happens and sometimes not, This from a cat who purrs while getting vaccinations, and who purred through labor and delivery of four kittens 17 years ago. We now reluctantly acknowledge guardianship of my mother’s cat, Le Chat Lunatique, who turned on my mom one too many times and now lives with us, randomly chomping on our arms and legs for unknown reasons.

I have not been lurking for all these months, so I’m way out of touch with Zone life. I did read about half the threads on today’s first page of the Zone. @Orangeredblooded, I saw something about you having lost a friend to COVID. I am so terribly sorry. I then read about your dad in the ED, but fortunately negative for COVID. Best wishes to him, and prayers and courage to you and your mom. @rocytop2624, I hope things go well for your family. You guys are up on the frontline of life’s struggles, that’s for sure. @Orangeslice13, ahh G-d, I’m so sorry. Even when you intellectually know what’s happening, it’s so hard to deal with. My mom’s type of dementia doesn’t have behavioral issues, but my MIL has Alzheimer’s, and Hubs has been dragged over the coals. At one point she was convinced that he was his dad, and wanted to know why he wouldn’t share her bed. 🥺 She has sort of mellowed out now, no longer able to remember what she was so angry and frightened about. We truly don’t know what’s worse.

I’m still trying hard to avoid social media, as it’s just become so, so, so painful with the rage and venom and parroting of idiocies over and over (I’m proud to be a snowflake, meaning actually caring about how people feel), so no idea when and if I’ll be back here full time, but I do miss you guys, worry about you, and hope the best for all.

Hang in there, stay safe and stay strong, go Vols, and F*** Bama!
You are about to break Volnation!!! 🧡🧡🧡🧡
 
You rang? Or somebody rang?

Hi y’all. Still alive and kicking, Hubs and I bored out of our minds. Many, many thanks to @vollygirl for periodically checking in!

7 dozen tomatoes on the kitchen counter as of this evening and two stock pots full of hot peppers ready to be pickled. The tomato count is after the two dozen we took to the assisted living facility plus the four dozen or so we have eaten so far. The quote wasn’t that x dozen would ripen in the next 36 hours, but all at once in some forthcoming 36 hour period (I didn’t write it clearly.) At any rate, having a highly productive tomato patch is like having 8 pregnant cats. Unwanted fertility is coming like a tsunami.

We are fine-ish here. Our moms are in lockdown in the ALF. MIL no longer knows where she is, so she’s happy and has stopped fighting (just turned 96.) My mother has horrendous memory problems (literally does not remember what was said five minutes ago), so is still fighting, but is mostly resigned/ content. Her latest is that she wants to go home to Memphis to die (understandable). She is baffled by the nearly complete absence of Black people (one nurse, that’s it.) Her feeling is that Asheville is pretty, but not home, which I get.

My kids are mostly ok. Son is pretty much business as usual, working at Publix, one of my heroes. Daughter #1, a family physician, gave notice at her healthcare employer, which was bought out by HCA, and is taking a 50% cut in pay to escape and practice medicine the way she feels it should be done, as in no health insurer middleman. Daughter #2 was furloughed at the beginning of June due to COVID. She’s still getting health insurance, thank God, but is out of work and now interviewing with University of Colorado for its masters in public health program, concentration in policy (as in making sure to have enough f***ing masks and whatnot ahead of time to take care of citizens, along with being able to react to public health disasters and provide informed leadership.) My older stepdaughter is doing well, working from home for the foreseeable future. Younger stepdaughter is starting a new job for a food producer in quality assurance for health and safety, ironically postponed for two weeks after having symptoms and testing positive for COVID. Her previous temp job was checking temperatures on employees as they cane in to work. This for someone with a health degree who practically sleeps in a mask. She’s fine now (ah, to be young.)
What else —our aged FIV+ cat is weak but hanging in there. She is now having problems purring. She makes strange squeaks and rattles, trying to get a purr going, which sometimes happens and sometimes not, This from a cat who purrs while getting vaccinations, and who purred through labor and delivery of four kittens 17 years ago. We now reluctantly acknowledge guardianship of my mother’s cat, Le Chat Lunatique, who turned on my mom one too many times and now lives with us, randomly chomping on our arms and legs for unknown reasons.

I have not been lurking for all these months, so I’m way out of touch with Zone life. I did read about half the threads on today’s first page of the Zone. @Orangeredblooded, I saw something about you having lost a friend to COVID. I am so terribly sorry. I then read about your dad in the ED, but fortunately negative for COVID. Best wishes to him, and prayers and courage to you and your mom. @rocytop2624, I hope things go well for your family. You guys are up on the frontline of life’s struggles, that’s for sure. @Orangeslice13, ahh G-d, I’m so sorry. Even when you intellectually know what’s happening, it’s so hard to deal with. My mom’s type of dementia doesn’t have behavioral issues, but my MIL has Alzheimer’s, and Hubs has been dragged over the coals. At one point she was convinced that he was his dad, and wanted to know why he wouldn’t share her bed. 🥺 She has sort of mellowed out now, no longer able to remember what she was so angry and frightened about. We truly don’t know what’s worse.

I’m still trying hard to avoid social media, as it’s just become so, so, so painful with the rage and venom and parroting of idiocies over and over (I’m proud to be a snowflake, meaning actually caring about how people feel), so no idea when and if I’ll be back here full time, but I do miss you guys, worry about you, and hope the best for all.

Hang in there, stay safe and stay strong, go Vols, and F*** Bama!
Also, for quick check ins to say hi how ya doin, try the Topic in the Pub. It would be a perfect place for you to breeze by. 😊
 
  • Like
Reactions: volwindy
You rang? Or somebody rang?

Hi y’all. Still alive and kicking, Hubs and I bored out of our minds. Many, many thanks to @vollygirl for periodically checking in!

7 dozen tomatoes on the kitchen counter as of this evening and two stock pots full of hot peppers ready to be pickled. The tomato count is after the two dozen we took to the assisted living facility plus the four dozen or so we have eaten so far. The quote wasn’t that x dozen would ripen in the next 36 hours, but all at once in some forthcoming 36 hour period (I didn’t write it clearly.) At any rate, having a highly productive tomato patch is like having 8 pregnant cats. Unwanted fertility is coming like a tsunami.

We are fine-ish here. Our moms are in lockdown in the ALF. MIL no longer knows where she is, so she’s happy and has stopped fighting (just turned 96.) My mother has horrendous memory problems (literally does not remember what was said five minutes ago), so is still fighting, but is mostly resigned/ content. Her latest is that she wants to go home to Memphis to die (understandable). She is baffled by the nearly complete absence of Black people (one nurse, that’s it.) Her feeling is that Asheville is pretty, but not home, which I get.

My kids are mostly ok. Son is pretty much business as usual, working at Publix, one of my heroes. Daughter #1, a family physician, gave notice at her healthcare employer, which was bought out by HCA, and is taking a 50% cut in pay to escape and practice medicine the way she feels it should be done, as in no health insurer middleman. Daughter #2 was furloughed at the beginning of June due to COVID. She’s still getting health insurance, thank God, but is out of work and now interviewing with University of Colorado for its masters in public health program, concentration in policy (as in making sure to have enough f***ing masks and whatnot ahead of time to take care of citizens, along with being able to react to public health disasters and provide informed leadership.) My older stepdaughter is doing well, working from home for the foreseeable future. Younger stepdaughter is starting a new job for a food producer in quality assurance for health and safety, ironically postponed for two weeks after having symptoms and testing positive for COVID. Her previous temp job was checking temperatures on employees as they cane in to work. This for someone with a health degree who practically sleeps in a mask. She’s fine now (ah, to be young.)
What else —our aged FIV+ cat is weak but hanging in there. She is now having problems purring. She makes strange squeaks and rattles, trying to get a purr going, which sometimes happens and sometimes not, This from a cat who purrs while getting vaccinations, and who purred through labor and delivery of four kittens 17 years ago. We now reluctantly acknowledge guardianship of my mother’s cat, Le Chat Lunatique, who turned on my mom one too many times and now lives with us, randomly chomping on our arms and legs for unknown reasons.

I have not been lurking for all these months, so I’m way out of touch with Zone life. I did read about half the threads on today’s first page of the Zone. @Orangeredblooded, I saw something about you having lost a friend to COVID. I am so terribly sorry. I then read about your dad in the ED, but fortunately negative for COVID. Best wishes to him, and prayers and courage to you and your mom. @rocytop2624, I hope things go well for your family. You guys are up on the frontline of life’s struggles, that’s for sure. @Orangeslice13, ahh G-d, I’m so sorry. Even when you intellectually know what’s happening, it’s so hard to deal with. My mom’s type of dementia doesn’t have behavioral issues, but my MIL has Alzheimer’s, and Hubs has been dragged over the coals. At one point she was convinced that he was his dad, and wanted to know why he wouldn’t share her bed. 🥺 She has sort of mellowed out now, no longer able to remember what she was so angry and frightened about. We truly don’t know what’s worse.

I’m still trying hard to avoid social media, as it’s just become so, so, so painful with the rage and venom and parroting of idiocies over and over (I’m proud to be a snowflake, meaning actually caring about how people feel), so no idea when and if I’ll be back here full time, but I do miss you guys, worry about you, and hope the best for all.

Hang in there, stay safe and stay strong, go Vols, and F*** Bama!
Just glad you're okay Exie, but we miss you.
 
You rang? Or somebody rang?

Hi y’all. Still alive and kicking, Hubs and I bored out of our minds. Many, many thanks to @vollygirl for periodically checking in!

7 dozen tomatoes on the kitchen counter as of this evening and two stock pots full of hot peppers ready to be pickled. The tomato count is after the two dozen we took to the assisted living facility plus the four dozen or so we have eaten so far. The quote wasn’t that x dozen would ripen in the next 36 hours, but all at once in some forthcoming 36 hour period (I didn’t write it clearly.) At any rate, having a highly productive tomato patch is like having 8 pregnant cats. Unwanted fertility is coming like a tsunami.

We are fine-ish here. Our moms are in lockdown in the ALF. MIL no longer knows where she is, so she’s happy and has stopped fighting (just turned 96.) My mother has horrendous memory problems (literally does not remember what was said five minutes ago), so is still fighting, but is mostly resigned/ content. Her latest is that she wants to go home to Memphis to die (understandable). She is baffled by the nearly complete absence of Black people (one nurse, that’s it.) Her feeling is that Asheville is pretty, but not home, which I get.

My kids are mostly ok. Son is pretty much business as usual, working at Publix, one of my heroes. Daughter #1, a family physician, gave notice at her healthcare employer, which was bought out by HCA, and is taking a 50% cut in pay to escape and practice medicine the way she feels it should be done, as in no health insurer middleman. Daughter #2 was furloughed at the beginning of June due to COVID. She’s still getting health insurance, thank God, but is out of work and now interviewing with University of Colorado for its masters in public health program, concentration in policy (as in making sure to have enough f***ing masks and whatnot ahead of time to take care of citizens, along with being able to react to public health disasters and provide informed leadership.) My older stepdaughter is doing well, working from home for the foreseeable future. Younger stepdaughter is starting a new job for a food producer in quality assurance for health and safety, ironically postponed for two weeks after having symptoms and testing positive for COVID. Her previous temp job was checking temperatures on employees as they cane in to work. This for someone with a health degree who practically sleeps in a mask. She’s fine now (ah, to be young.)
What else —our aged FIV+ cat is weak but hanging in there. She is now having problems purring. She makes strange squeaks and rattles, trying to get a purr going, which sometimes happens and sometimes not, This from a cat who purrs while getting vaccinations, and who purred through labor and delivery of four kittens 17 years ago. We now reluctantly acknowledge guardianship of my mother’s cat, Le Chat Lunatique, who turned on my mom one too many times and now lives with us, randomly chomping on our arms and legs for unknown reasons.

I have not been lurking for all these months, so I’m way out of touch with Zone life. I did read about half the threads on today’s first page of the Zone. @Orangeredblooded, I saw something about you having lost a friend to COVID. I am so terribly sorry. I then read about your dad in the ED, but fortunately negative for COVID. Best wishes to him, and prayers and courage to you and your mom. @rocytop2624, I hope things go well for your family. You guys are up on the frontline of life’s struggles, that’s for sure. @Orangeslice13, ahh G-d, I’m so sorry. Even when you intellectually know what’s happening, it’s so hard to deal with. My mom’s type of dementia doesn’t have behavioral issues, but my MIL has Alzheimer’s, and Hubs has been dragged over the coals. At one point she was convinced that he was his dad, and wanted to know why he wouldn’t share her bed. 🥺 She has sort of mellowed out now, no longer able to remember what she was so angry and frightened about. We truly don’t know what’s worse.

I’m still trying hard to avoid social media, as it’s just become so, so, so painful with the rage and venom and parroting of idiocies over and over (I’m proud to be a snowflake, meaning actually caring about how people feel), so no idea when and if I’ll be back here full time, but I do miss you guys, worry about you, and hope the best for all.

Hang in there, stay safe and stay strong, go Vols, and F*** Bama!
I’ve missed seeing you here. I was thinking about you last night, wondering how you and your family has doing and hoping you would post. I’ve also missed reading your posts, I always learn something new. I hope you stick around. 🙂
 

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