Mr Standfast Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 20 minutes ago, Bryan said: I suspect that the risks are related to an individual's genetic make up, some folk can perhaps happily sup alcohol and eat processed meat with minimal consequence, while others are better being cautious. My family history includes a sad litany of cancer deaths, both paternal and maternal, involving the digestive system, so I would be foolish not to be careful. But this is the good things thread, it's cold but the sun is shining, and this afternoon we are going for a walk around the historic city of Durham with friends. Durham forecast is sunny intervals and a moderate breeze. Sounds good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 9 hours ago, Bryan said: I suspect that the risks are related to an individual's genetic make up, some folk can perhaps happily sup alcohol and eat processed meat with minimal consequence, while others are better being cautious. My family history includes a sad litany of cancer deaths, both paternal and maternal, involving the digestive system, so I would be foolish not to be careful. But this is the good things thread, it's cold but the sun is shining, and this afternoon we are going for a walk around the historic city of Durham with friends. Yes, family history can play a big part in health matters. I know precious little about mine. No doubt the powerful alcohol industry isn't too happy with the new guidelines. It will be interesting to see how long they hold up. Hope you had a pleasant walk. Sunny here today for a change. Think I'll go for a stroll as well. 😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Ventura Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 All this talk about colonoscopies, must have had my doctor's ears ringing. Just got a home test kit, in the mail, to use and send back. I guess next year I will go in for the real thing. Had a colonoscopy only once...only the prep was bad, the procedure was easy. Nothing bad was found then and no family history or colorectal cancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 My sonogram was normal today. Still cancer-free. Lucky me. Paulette 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 (edited) I've also had some news that means I don't need any equipment stuck somewhere undignified. Just an annual test. I'm now in on the biennial bowel screening as well. The great thing is that all these tests now appear on the NHS app, along with the referrals, notes, and prescriptions. Most useful. Edited March 5 by spacecadet 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Standfast Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 23 hours ago, NYCat said: My sonogram was normal today. Still cancer-free. Lucky me. Paulette Too good a for just a Green Arrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvallee Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 (edited) On 05/03/2024 at 08:52, NYCat said: My sonogram was normal today. Still cancer-free. Lucky me. Paulette This is terrific news Paulette! I've been thinking about you because we're going to do a cat sit with a twist: it's a rescue cat who's so scared that we won't see him. He hides in a cupboard in a bedroom. So all we have to do is sit in this luxury house with swimming pool and boat and feed a ghost in the morning. Very sad for the cat. Edited March 5 by gvallee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 1 hour ago, gvallee said: This is terrific news Paulette! I've been thinking about you because we're going to do a cat sit with a twist: it's a rescue cat who's so scared that we won't see him. He hides in a cupboard in a bedroom. So all we have to do is sit in this luxury house with swimming pool and boat and feed a ghost in the morning. Very sad for the cat. Oh they can be silly. I had one that was a scaredy cat that reacted by attacking. Fortunately, the client left a broom by the door which I could use to fend her off. After the first time she knew me and didn't try. She'd just peek around the corner at me and I would carry the broom at all times. The sad event was when the people had left a package of catnip on the table. Of course she had gotten into it so I put it in the fridge after leaving a nice pile for her on the steps in front of her hiding place. In two weeks she did not touch that catnip. It was tainted by me. Silly cat. Paulette 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 2 hours ago, Mr Standfast said: Too good a for just a Green Arrow! Thank you. I am 23 years a survivor. It can be done. Paulette 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvallee Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 (edited) 1 hour ago, NYCat said: Oh they can be silly. I had one that was a scaredy cat that reacted by attacking. Fortunately, the client left a broom by the door which I could use to fend her off. After the first time she knew me and didn't try. She'd just peek around the corner at me and I would carry the broom at all times. The sad event was when the people had left a package of catnip on the table. Of course she had gotten into it so I put it in the fridge after leaving a nice pile for her on the steps in front of her hiding place. In two weeks she did not touch that catnip. It was tainted by me. Silly cat. Paulette Oh no! I have to admit that we are not keen on cats, we prefer dogs. It just happened that this housesit came up, located near the garage where our motorhome is going to be for a week. It is convenient for us, free accommodation. We were taken aback by the house. It's in a well heeled marina. Everything is so immaculate, white, that I'll barely dare to cook! We never know in advance what the property looks like, it's lottery. Edited March 6 by gvallee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Standfast Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 I bought a Monopod on Amazon recently quite an ordinary one without the tripod feet. Have just received an email with a question from a "fellow customer". As someone who owns Manfrotto Element MII..., can you help this fellow customer? “Wondering how this works? Will it fall over?” 🤣 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Ore Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) A friend of mine who had some Social Security Proof of Life forms get stalled in the mail (either US or Nicaraguan, or both) had a letter telling her that she had five day from the mailing of the letter (arrived in Nicaragua much more than five days later) to appeal a Social Security decision to utterly mess with her account (survivers and from decades of US earnings as a person with a Green Card). She was quite hysterical this morning, but decided to call the Baltimore number since wait times on the Wilke Barre number were all over 30 minutes. Got a real person on the line (Baltimore used to be the office that handled all non-resident Social Security clients, figure Wilke Barre was a patronage deal for some politician in PA. The person on the phone checked and knew that the second form sent to Wilkes Barre had arrived, that the offices had been utter in shambles after Covid, and my friend now had both her usual payments in her bank, but will save all documentation and envelopes on this. Incredibly relieved for her since she's in her early 80s and doesn't like borrowing from her son and her son's invalid charge. They'll be paid back. The other good news, though much less utterly good is that despite reorganization of a lot of agencies into the Ministry of the Interior, I can do the six months renewal of my residency card in Jinotega instead of having to go to Managua. So $54 ish dollars and not having to deal with either hiring a car for $100 or taking a bus with Luis which would be a rather huge hassle unless the new Chinese buses kneel for the mobility limited. What's been added is a stop at the police station, probably to verify that I'm still at my registered address. And the brave little mother fish got six fry to the point where the older and bigger fish consider them junior members of the colony, not snacks. Convict cichlids are perfect old lady fish. Big tank, two filters, and drama as parents defend their babies against every other fish in the tank. Dad fish dropped out and mom fish made sure he stayed away, too. Once fry have spines in their fins and visible stripes on their bodies, the other fish stop trying to eat them, and they start beating on each other over food and territory, but still cautious around the bigger fish. Some of them will eat out of my fingers. Edited March 14 by Rebecca Ore typo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Tonight I will go to a concert by the Voices of Ascension. Heavenly. They are live-streaming it this time for free with optional donation. 7:30 New York time might not be good for you but apparently it will be available later too... https://www.voicesofascension.org/poulenc-online They are truly wonderful. Paulette 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) I completed the MK V repair of my leaking water butt. It comprised a layer of concrete followed by two coats of sealant and two coats of car underbody seal - both from ancient tins found lurking within deepest recesses of our garage. It will get christened when it next rains, probably not got long to wait. The next project may be a cold frame for the allotment, using a discarded polycarbonate glazing panel that I have been given. I've looked at videos online on how to make a cold frame, but the people concerned seem to wish to spend actual money on the project and have an arsenal of expensive electric tools and clever fastenings etc. This is for an allotment, it will largely be made from recycled materials, using humble hand tools. I might have to buy some hinges, if I can't find any in the garage. Edited March 14 by Bryan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Bryan said: the allotment, The chap at the tip today asked if I was tidying up the allotment as I had just arrived with a second lot of seven green waste bags. No, I said, just the other side of the garage, we don't go there often. About 300kg of old oak gateposts replaced in 2009, that's how often. And the same in leaf litter. One day soon the new towball cycle rack will actually be used to carry our current bikes and not the rusty ones for disposal. The frames may get a second life, though. I disturbed a mouse spider. Wish I'd had the Tamron, but he did move a bit quick. Edited March 14 by spacecadet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 4 minutes ago, spacecadet said: The chap at the tip today asked if I was tidying up the allotment as I had just arrived with a second lot of seven green waste bags. No, I said, just the other side of the garage, we don't go there often. About 300kg of old oak gateposts replaced in 2009, that's how often. And the same in leaf litter. Leaf litter will rot down to make leaf mould, I grow my tomatoes in a mix of leaf mould, bought compost, sharp sand and a sprinkling of blood fish and bone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Bryan said: Leaf litter will rot down to make leaf mould, I grow my tomatoes in a mix of leaf mould, bought compost, sharp sand and a sprinkling of blood fish and bone. Pity I couldn't send ours up, I think we probably still have a couple of hundred kg. to shift before I can fix the garage guttering. Along with half a tonne of tempered glass double-glazing panels we think were spares for the Walkie-Talkie. We don't garden. Just never got inclined. What we do in the "garden" is more accurately described as periodic demolition, for which the new battery chainsaw with the 6" blade is great. But if we ever do there'll be no shortage of material. Although we are due to grow a hop this year, in exchange for some beer. I think it will go in front, south-facing. Edited March 14 by spacecadet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bell Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Had an abdominal problem last year and went to see a doctor at the surgery in November. She decided to refer me to a "specialist" at the hospital. Just had a communication to say they had a slot for me and I have to be there at 9.20am on Friday 3rd May. Just wondering if I can last that long.🤔 Allan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Standfast Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 1 hour ago, Allan Bell said: Had an abdominal problem last year and went to see a doctor at the surgery in November. She decided to refer me to a "specialist" at the hospital. Just had a communication to say they had a slot for me and I have to be there at 9.20am on Friday 3rd May. Just wondering if I can last that long.🤔 Allan 👍🤞 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alamy Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 We've just removed an entire page of irrelevant posts that veered into subjects not suitable for an officially branded stock photography forum. Please stick to the forum rules, or we will have no choice but to remove this entirely. Thank you Alamy 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 In case you missed it live, the Voices of Ascension concert will be here for a week.. You can see the back of my head in the long shots. Hint.. I have short grey hair. Beautiful concert. Paulette 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 Now, Paulette! Where is the information such as: left section, row x, seat x from the aisle? 😁 Glad you enjoyed it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Standfast Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Found a location today which is not on Alamy, it was interesting in today's dull light but it will be fantastic in the Autumn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 A steel security fence panel became available at the allotment, offered to a good home. I put in a suggestion that it to be turned into part of a fruit cage, and that was accepted, so work has begun in removing the steel mesh and cutting the circular steel posts to length. One was badly corroded so I attacked it with a wire brush mounted on an electric drill, and followed up with a phosphate treatment, it should be fine after a coat if paint. I now have four good strong vertical supports for a cage and, when cut down to size, one steel mesh wall. Happy days, I might get a recycling photo out of it ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Ore Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 What we'd been told about applying for the address check renewal cedulas turned out to be true and I didn't have to send my passport or the cedula (identity card) that expires on March 21st to Managua. They'll use the photo and signature they have on the computers in Managua and promise (this is Nicaragua, so I'll see) that the new cedula will be in the Ministry of the Interior office on March 22, a day after the current cedula expires. Being able to do this in Jinotega saves me a trip to Managua every six months, and a choice between a $100 car trip or $16 or so on the bus (Luis would be coming with me either way). Saw the historical Sandinista former fighter who is the jefe of the Jinotega Ministry of the Interior office. She had a cordial chat with my friend who owns a hotel. When we got back to the car, I saw my friend was flying the Sandinista flag inside the car. "In case there were problems," she said. The guys at the front desk were young cops. The office was full of people applying for passports (paperwork in folders) or renewing their cedulas of nationality. Most were young guys in their late teens to mid thirties and some women. The office didn't have any pictures of Ortega and Murillo up that I could see, just Tomas Borges (first director of the Ministry of the Interior) and Sandino. I don't know if this is a message or not. A number of hard core leftists think Ortega is a revisionist, but the economy seems to work as well or better than before the April 2018 riots and the Covid years. Going to Managua takes around 2-1/2 hours each way, and while the actual renewal process in Migracion is painless, too, being able to get this done in town is very nice. Managua is brutally hot this time of year and is never really cool, much less cold. Every six months, I save $100 under the new system, but I may need a colonoscopy soon, so yeah. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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