Family & Relationships

Problem #1 - Squirrels drinking from the hummingbird feeders.  I have never seen this before.  They climb up the pole and pull the feeder over to them - tipping it so that the sugar water ends up in their mouth.  Now after the hummingbirds have left this fall, I may spike it with a bit of Jack Daniels.  But now, I do not know what to do.  Need some solution because they seem to be getting a bit chubby from all the sugar water.   Problem #2 - Deer eating my variegated Liriope Muscari which lines my long driveway - I have lived here for 30+ years, and the plants have been here almost from the beginning.  Never have I had deer eat them; didn't even know they liked them . . .  but this year - there they are up and down my drive, having their dinner or early breakfast or lunch.  All does - I have seen no little ones nor any bucks.   Again, I have no idea what will work to keep them away except if I plant them a crop

I opened up the  “1923-1973 Do You Remember... “ post on this board in front of my grand kids and their parents and we make a game of identifying the photos - it was a real hoot hearing some of their guesses and then the amazement of realizing that yes, things were this way before you were born.   And so educational - so eye-opening that from there we got here. Thanks, Dave and others for several hours of great family entertainment.  

A house a car take a cruise wash my new car go shopping then sit on the porch of my new house cause I'm tired and broke

I used to cringe at being called ‘grandpa’ but now it’s ok 😀Four grandchildren make a life a delight. My oldest is seven.  Retirement is getting closer, but work is still a requirement.  One of the reasons I joined is to get better ideas on how to remotely care for my aging mom. She lives 1000 miles away and wants to stay put.  We enjoy phone conversations and I fly up less than I’d like to admit.  We looked into buying a home with an ADU up in her area so we could stay (in the ADU) for longer periods of time, but real-estate in the area makes that less doable.  I wrote a daily call service to check in on mom once in the morning and once at night, and that helps.  But I do worry a bit on the inevitable transition of managing her living space, medical routine, finances/taxes, and the help that does some of that for her.  Honestly it was hard for me to understand why a parent would not want to live near her kids/grands/ and gre

Hawked by bears, a music group called the Quilted Queens, an middle aged grocery Manager, all funny in their own right. Described as cushiony, eco-friendly, leaves you "clean as a whistle" and a multitude of other descriptions. Constructed out of bamboo, recycled material, and "who knows what" in other countries. Named after a brass instrument or a fabric material or a religious icon. Brings us to an all important question.................                  WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE IN TOILET PAPER?

[Wednesday 8/20/25] ARTICLE TITLE: Shipping containers provide versatile, sustainable housing options for Roanoke College students. I just saw this article in my Google News for MY AREA IN VIRGINIA. USE LINK BELOW TO READ ARTICLE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/08/19/shipping-containers-provide-versatile-sustainable-housing-options-for-roanoke-college-students/

I am recently retired and still getting used to being at home all day.  I tried to get a part time job but no success. I would love to chat and get to know people from all over the country.  Maybe you can give me some advice on retirement loneliness!  Rebecca 

With over 176 souls lost in 55 plane crashes in the United States in 2025. Crashes into buildings. Crashes into rivers. Planes flipping over. Planes experiencing mid-air stalls. And now hundreds dead in India. You won't catch me ever again flying the "friendly skies". All of a sudden, they don't seem so friendly.  

hey I’m Jeff, I’m new to the site and the community. I’m 52 divorced and like most people these days I have anxiety. My anxiety came up 5 years ago with passing of my sister. I could tell I wasn’t myself something was up with my mind and body.  Mental health has come A LONG way in the last 5 years, Back then it was several doctors playing a guessing game with me as to what was going on. I got divorced in my mid 40’s. Online dating is ridiculous.sorry for blabbering  

Hi, Im currently in VA. In 2026, I'll be looking for a kindred spirit/roomate. I am disabled but Things I enjoy and is a way of lifeGardening, cooking/baking from scratch, reading, crochet, make herbal infusions,, tea blends, studying herbs. Burning incense, sage, sweet grassMy spirituality is earth/indigenous based.I love coffee, farm markets. Thrifting, music.Love dogs, horses, birds. Will share with another female.

,Late one night the air traffic control tower got a mayday call. Help, I am flying at  18,000 ft, doing 200 mph, UPSIDE DOWM. Tower answered and asked, "How do you know how high you are?" caller " by this gauge", Tower " How do you know how fast you are going?", caller "by this gauge," tower that's good but how do you know you are upside down? caller " Because the P from my pants is running down my neck."

 DAILY QUOTES II

FROM THE ARTICLE. Crypto may be coming to retirement accounts. Think carefully about the pros and cons before investing. By Chris Taylor, AARP. *** There are 2 comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published August 07, 2025. Like them or not, cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum continue to march into the financial mainstream, and the next frontier could be retirement savings.In late May, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded prior federal guidance that discouraged 401(k) plan providers from offering crypto on their investment menus. While that isn’t necessarily an official stamp of approval — the DOL said it is maintaining a “neutral stance” on adding crypto to retirement plans — it does further open the door for a digital asset option. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/crypto-in-401k.html

I just got my YEARLY email from CVS letting me know their Flu Shot Supply has arrived. I scheduled "online" for the 12th at 8:30am ET. So far "knock on wood" I have NOT had any reactions but HATE NEEDLES. Lol, my CVS know what a "big baby" I am.  ‌🤣‌‌😂‌ Nicole!

FROM THE ARTICLE. By Nancy LeaMond, AARP. Published July 15, 2025. For nearly 60 years, Medicare has been the cornerstone of health and financial security for millions of older Americans. It’s a fundamental promise: after a lifetime of hard work, you’ll be able to get the care you need, when you need it.At AARP, we’re fighting every day to make sure that promise is kept.Whether it’s hospital coverage, doctor visits, prescription drugs, or preventive care, Medicare is essential to helping older Americans live healthier, more independent lives. But the system isn’t perfect, and as health care evolves, so must Medicare. That means protecting what works, fixing what doesn’t, and ensuring every part of the program is delivering for the people it’s meant to serve. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/blog/medicare-is-a-lifeline-aarp-is-fighting-to-protect-it.html

 Was very excited to see the movie change not charity offered for free with aarp.  First got a message a must use safari. Check. Then got a message i was unable to use mirroring from my phone to my apple TV.  Check.  Airplay didn’t work despite multiple attempts. So not getting to see movie.  Blame aarp for making it so technically difficult 

The average American will own somewhere between 8-10 cars during their lifetime.  Of the cars you have owned during your lifetime, what was your favorite? And, on the other side of the coin, what car left you the most disappointed? 

FROM THE ARTICLE: 10 Proven Ways to Pay Less for Car Insurance.Rates are going up — and could rise even higher due to tariffs. Use these strategies to lower your premium. By David Rodeck, AARP. *** There are 7 Comments on the AARP website. Stop by to add your comments. *** Published May 27, 2025. You aren’t alone if you’re frustrated about your car insurance bill. Rates spiked after the COVID-19 pandemic created high inflation and drove up the price of vehicles, parts and repairs. They’ve only gone up from there, with full-coverage premiums increasing an average of 42 percent (from $1,633 to $2,313) from 2022 to 2024, according to a report from Insurify, an insurance comparison website.An ongoing trade war with other countries could push insurance rates even higher, “especially for foreign or electric vehicles,” says Laura Longero, executive editor at CarInsurance.com, an auto insurance comparison website, as these vehicles rely on more parts and batteries from

FROM THE ARTICLE. Autonomous ‘agentic AIs’ can act on your behalf and even pay for stuff. But guardrails are essential. By Edward C. Baig, AARP. *** There is 1 comment on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 18, 2025. I've been busy shopping online: for a laptop, flights for a family vacation, groceries too.But instead of methodically researching deals and recommendations on my own, I recently enlisted an artificial intelligence agent from ChatGPT owner OpenAI named Operator, which not only took care of all that but also, with my say-so, was ready to spend my money. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/ready-for-ai-shopping.html

So many women and so few men - how to attract and find a guy I'd be interested in?  New to dating sites and wondering best way to navigate them.  Snowflake  

Judging from past AARP articles such as: "6 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE WHILE DRIVING""HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY FOR LESS MONEY""TO THE RESCUE: SAVING ANIMALS FROM DISASTER ZONES" It becomes clear that AARP cares more for animals than it does for our fellow human beings. Why do I say this, you might ask? Because AARP seems to have restricted discussion of the caged human beings in the bug infested, tropical heat of Florida. Humans that are exposed to walking through their own and fellow caged individual's sewage. The ASPCA would not put up with those conditions for canines or felines. Judging from AARP'S defense of humane actions toward animals noted above VERSUS their restricted conversation of "man's inhumanity to man" in Florida can only lead one to conclude they care more for animals then our fellow human beings. This comment is not political in any way, shape, or form.  It is the expression that no human being, regardless of who they are or wha

I am disabled and take pain medications,  ever since these young kids started using these medications to get high i have had the worst time trying to get my medication filled. I am so tired of feeling like a criminal because i don't like to be in pain. Who gave these pharmacists with their little 4 year degree so much power, they don't know me and have no clue what my medical issues are. I know i can't be the only one dealing with this. Who do i have to call or write so my rights aren't being trampled on because of people who do abuse these medications.  

 I would like to offer my thoughts and prayers for those affected by the flooding. I pray for those that lost loved ones, children and friends, also those missing.  I pray God will be with them in their mourning and give them provision. The Bible tells us to be prepared because you never know when He might call your name. God bless you all🙏🌻

FROM THE ARTICLE. Medical Bills to Remain on Credit Reports.Federal judge overturns rule that would have helped millions of Americans. By Maya Dollarhide and Daniel Bortz, AARP. Published July 15, 2025. Unpaid medical bills will continue to hurt Americans’ credit scores after a federal judge in Texas struck down a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule on July 11, 2025, designed to remove medical debt from credit reports.The CFPB rule would have aided an estimated 15 million Americans currently carrying upward of $49 billion in medical debt on their credit reports. In addition, the rule would have prohibited medical devices, such as wheelchairs, from being used as collateral on loans and allowed for some medical information to be shielded from loan applications. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/medical-debt-credit-report.html

Amid all that's happening, to tune out stress, I find it both relaxing and enjoyable rewatching classic foreign films that are now available to stream.  Among my favorites are: Cinema ParadisoBabetts FeastAu revoir les enfantsSeven SamuraiThe CounterfeitersThe Lives of OthersNowhere In Africa