Our Front Porch

Shimmery clouds over Reykjavik gave Iceland an ethereal glow, but at what cost? Polar Stratospheric Clouds Over Iceland 

This is very simple! Find a picture or take a photo of a bird or group of birds. Then post it along with it's name, short information about it and photo credit if available.  A gorgeous Dwarf Kingfisher enjoying the rain.Credit: Rahul Belsare Photography.  The Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca), also known as the black-backed kingfisher or three-toed kingfisher, is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. A widespread resident of lowland forest, it is endemic across much of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. 

Happy New Year!!I pray that the new year brings happiness and peace to all!Do you have any plans for tomorrow evening? I don't, since I have a terrible time staying up past 10pm

I haven't been a forum member for very long, and sometimes I may be here posting for days in a row or be gone for a week.  But I've come across some really nice people on these boards, and wanted to send my wishes for a "MERRY CHRISTMAS," a SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON, and many BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR to you!🎄❤️🎁😀🎆Thanks!!Rosemary

Quick poll! Are you a:   a. white lights only person.             -or-   b. multicolored lights all the way person.               Hit reply and let us know. And share a photo of your holiday lights if you've decorated 🎄

 Click for a Christmas message especially for you!    

Sitting here having my coffee, in fact, may have more coffee as it is a cool Monday morning here near Lake Michigan on the Illinois side, suppose to reach the 40's today. I decided with all of the seriousness that has been happening we need to have some light-heartedness. This morning while I was toasting myself a bagel, my eight-month-old kitten was having his breakfast. The toaster popped up and my poor kitten was scared to the point of shaking. Needless to say, I had a good laugh at the poor kitten's expense.  This poor kitten is afraid of the can opener, mixer, and now the toaster.  On the high side, he does leave the Christmas tree alone.Make it a great day!!

Millions of people spend their holidays alone, even when there isn’t a pandemic raging outside. This year, though, many will experience the holidays by themselves for the first time. If you’re feeling lonely or cut off, you could be at risk of social isolation. You can find out by asking Alexa or Google voice assistant to “Launch Social Check-In.”   Social Check-In is a free assessment you can take in 5 minutes using just your voice. Setup is easy; just follow the instructions for your device. Then tell it to, “Launch Social Check-In,” answer a few questions, and get a text message with your results telling you whether you (or a loved one) may be at risk for social isolation. The text also shares resources to help you live a more connected life, even in a pandemic.   To get started, say “Alexa, Launch Social Check-In,” or “Hey Google, Launch Social Check-In.” Try Social Check-In and share feedback about your experience here.

This item was moved by the AARP Online Community Team. This thread has been removed for violating community guidelines.

It's that time of year again...Autumn! Are you seeing the leaves turning where you are? Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Share a photo of the fall colors you're seeing!   Here's a maple tree in my neighborhood that is starting to transition. I love how you can see the transition from summer to fall 🍁   Happy Autumn!      

Man Facebook post goes viral after an elderly customer unexpectedly passed him a note A North Carolina man shared his story on Facebook after receiving an unexpected note from an older gentleman in a packed restaurant. Although the old man couldn’t speak, he sure knew how to get someone’s attention.The Facebook post has since gone viral, being shared thousands of times on social media. Read it below.Farris Leonard“Today I went to Lane’s Ferry Grill to eat lunch. Great staff and food. I needed a real bacon cheeseburger. Place was packed. Now the rest of the story…As I sat alone with one seat open an elderly gentleman caught my attention and pointed to the chair and motioned if he could sit down. I replied sure. He was filling out his order sheet and one of the staff came to say to me that the gentleman communicated by passing notes because he couldn’t hear or speak well. They asked if he could sit there. I responded we had already worked that out.As we sat and passed notes, we fill

Let's  start with desert!  A small slice of Pumpkin and a small slice of Pecan pie for me please!

What were some of the most positive and fun things you were able to do in your middle school and high school day?

Moved to the political threads. Please continue the discussion there.

Was talking with our son about how they're getting along working from home and having few alternatives for entertainment and got a rave review for Hamilton on Disney+. So we signed up for a month $6.99 and had a delightful evening to celebrate the 4th watching a show were tickets had been selling (by scalpers) for $1,000.00 a pop just a few short months ago.  Tonight we're going to revisit Catch Me If You Can - Not having grandkids in the area, doubtful we'll keep the service past the end of the month, but considering movie tickets for the geezer-pleezer matinee' were $7.50 last time we went, gotta recommend you all try at least a month of Walt's latest boon to Mankind. ENJOY!

I have 4 vehicles and just bought another one a 2014 Kia Sportage and wanted to try AARP recommended Hartford Insurance for this vehicle. I am retired and my wife and I both have a 5 year good driving ranking with GEICO, with whom I have had insurance with for over 50 years now.Well what do you think the response was from Hartford on 08/02/2020?  See below: "Thank you for contacting The Hartford.Based on the information provided, The Hartford is unable to issue insurance coverage at this time." Don't waste your time with Hartford go somewhere else for car insurance. From the threads on this site Hartford, after a couple of years will raise your rates by 30% to 70% for no reason.

 My mother made some of the best pies ever! How about your mother, grandma or father bake? Mother's pie were County Fair worthy!  

Happy Thursday Morning, Here I sit trying to decide if it would be safe for me to travel to other states to visit with my brothers.  I am currently working from home so could do that from anywhere.  I have a brother in Cincinnati and one in Morgantown, WV.  Home is WV so I would probably stay there for a while.  I live alone so am looking to be just in a house where there are other people just to have someone to talk to during the day.  I know the virus is cranking back up again so not quite sure what to do.  What do y'all think? Marilyn 

What is your opinion on these pop up drive in concerts that are beginning with Garth Brooks this weekend?  I also saw that Brad Paisley was going to do 3 of them in Nashville, Indianapolis & Maryland Heights, Missouri.  4 people per car and I don't exactly remember the costs.  I don't know if I would still feel as safe as I would need to be with being considered as high risk with age and health. Hope everyone is well and having a great day. Marilyn

This brought tears to my eyes... United In Song: National Anthem - Madisen Hallberg and Emmanuel Henreid - PSU Virtual Commencement 2020  Please know "I'm with Kaep" and understand and applaud his kneeling protest. Moments like this reassure me we can overcome anything thrown at us to divide us... we will do the right thing! #StaySafe #PrayForShay

 I THOUGHT THIS ONECOULD BE FUN- INSPIRED BY  TOM WAITS'( AGAIN) "OBITUARY MAMBO" ALSO "TWIST  AND SHOUT"- BEATLES, "THE TWIST"- CHUBBY CHECKER; THE BEST EXAMPLE I THOUGHT OF IS WILSON PICKETS' "LAND OF  A 1,000 DANCES"-  HERE A FEW HE NAMES :PONY, WATUSI, MASHED POTATO, JERK,

I don't know where I should post this.   But I would love your favorite gazpacho soup recipe.   It was 95 degrees today and a cool soup would have hit the spot.   

Not sure where this fits so I'm starting a new topic! So let's see if it takes off!Do you have any fun facts to add to this?

Here is a current list of Registered Antimicrobial Products which can be used against the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. You have to use them as directed, meaning that they have to remain on a treatable surface for the recommended amount of time. The EPA Registration number for the product should be shown on the package label - so don't just go by the name of the product.  EPA.gov 03/02/2020 - EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19   I am gonna cross post this in several AARP community boards so that many will see it.

 Have a great day!It has been a very long time since I have visited. I doubt I even know anyone here anymore, except for Dave. I migrated to Facebook some years ago, and with a busy work schedule, quit visiting all social networks except for Facebook. Well, with an addiction to Facebook and so much going on, political and what not, I have deactivated my Facebook account. I live in ND in the heart of the No Daple Protesting. Well, without much censoring, I tired of all the evil and lies I was exposing myself to. Actually, if  you believe in God, and understand what conviction is... well my conviction was I needed to leave Facebook. But I miss it terribly. So today, I am saying "hi"  here. I started back in 2008.  Things have changed so much, and I am trying to find my way around. Now on my IPad verses my computer, so once again another learning session. Peggy