MORNING ROLL CALL March 2025

[DaveMcK]

MORNING ROLL CALL MARCH 2025

Top of the morning to everyone on this First day of

MARCH 2025 

Happy Birthday to all of our MARCH Birthday members.

[DaveMcK]

My second eye surgery is progressing well. I finally got a prescription for reading glasses. They are working well.

[Therapist4u]

Hi Dave! @DaveMcK That’s fantastic news about your “second eye surgery is progressing well. I finally got a prescription for reading glasses. They are working well.” That... & knowing that your 1st surgery went good as well! It’s also encouraging to know how it went for you, as I too will be having that operation....not sure when...but sometime this year as I understand it.

Also, as I just replied to @LaDolceVita with more details, ....& it’s great to know “the progressive lenses” are working well for her too!

Anyway...have a wonderful week &....

🍀Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 to you & your family & friends!

Take care! 

☮️  🌄 🍀 ~Allen 🍀 🌈  🎨

[LaDolceVita]

Folks I have the progressive lenses, do not know the brand name but they work pretty well, I can see both close up and far away.   You do have quite a large out of pocket expense but so far it has been worth it.  No reading glasses needed yet.

@Spring2025   I am a pretty big PBS fan, still working on season 7 of Seaside Hotel.  Was not a Miss Scarlet fan.  Cannot watch All Creatures Great and Small because I cannot watch shows to do with animals.  I just turn into quivering blob.  I watched the Midwives for years then got tired of that.  I watched All of Vienna Blood and Grantchester and like both.   Fan of Robson Green.  Loved Doc Martin the show and the scenery.  Loved the Durrels in Corfu too.  There are other, including some movies. 

Lately I am hooked on Max Miller's Tasting History on YouTube.  They are short segments and I seem to have very little time in the evenings, partly due to sauna😳.  

[Therapist4u]

Hi @LaDolceVita Glad that your glasses work well for you! It seems that “the progressive lenses” are what I was supposed to get! Every year I get an eye exam & 1 pair of glasses. I’ve gone to Lenscrafters & Vision Works...they’re OK but tend to be quicker & less thorough exams as they have such a volume of peeps (it’s like the proverbial MILL) & before ya know it it’s >>>NEXT patient!!

The Ophthalmologist I saw this last time had a big clinic with many hi-tech gadgets for testing & examining the eyes....They are quite competent & well praised by many reviewers. But....they don’t make glasses at their facility, so I was handed a script & told I could take it anywhere to be filled. I chose Walmart as they are close by & shop there often & assumed they would do a decent job. But, as I mentioned in an earlier post.... when they were ready & tried them on...I couldn’t see either distance or close by clearly at all...in other words....it was a waste...I have no way to know if it was Walmart’s fault or not...so we’ll just have to wait another year...LOL!

Anyway...have a wonderful week &....

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you & your family & friends!

*Also..thanks for all the kudos!

Take care my friend! 

☮️  🌄 ~Allen 🌈  🎨

[catwoman500]

Hey Porch Peeps!

@LaDolceVita ...I do watch most of the PBS shows you watch. My fave is Midwives. All Creatures Great and Small is another favorite even though I have some of the animal issues you have. I couldn't even watch the cartoon, Babe, because I was a puddle when he said, "I don't have a mother." I also walked out of the first five minutes of Horse Whisperer until my friend came to the lobby to get me and said that was the worst part. I did go back to my friends and watched the rest.

As for glasses, I also have the progressive lenses for distance and up close.

@MsStretch,@DaveMcK, @Frozenoem, @Spring2025, @LeeS4949 and everyone,  

☘️As for tomorrow, I will have an Irish coffee as most of you remember. (with Jameson @Frozenoem) ☘️

Also bought some Irish soda bread. I used to make it, but too much trouble and nobody to share it with now. Also used to make the Irish potato candy.

Green beer is fine if you don't mind a green tongue! 😳

Meanwhile I had a new driveway put in on Wednesday. Amazing how they did the whole thing in 3 hours. It involved cutting out the old driveway since it was so badly damaged during my renovations. I thought they'd have to use jackhammers (that's how old school my thinking is), but they have this cool machine that lifts the old asphalt. The whole operation was very efficient, and tomorrow I can take down the tape and finally put take the car off the lawn and use the driveway. It was very tricky walking on the uneven lawn to and from my car. I'm not supposed to walk on uneven ground, but I certainly wasn't going to stay in the house for 3 days.

That's about it from here. I hope everyone has a safe and happy St. Pat's!

[Spring2025]

(Saturday 3/30/24) @catwoman500 , yikes - I didnot realize it is ONLY 3 episodes. Thanks for letting me know!!! 💙💙💙

[Frozenoem]

@Spring2025 

If Stretch doesn’t get back with you SNP is Shenandoah National Park 20,000 acres in VA.

Waterfalls and many climates with Skyline Drive.

I know I was there in the 70,80’s and 90’s, and once in RV vs tent. The rest of time was while I was looking Bing in DC.

The area around Luray, VA has wildfires.

Froze

[LaDolceVita]

The old dog Claire died yesterday.  My guess is that she was somewhere between 21 & 22 years old. She was very difficult to take care of but I miss her dreadfully right now. She would only eat certain foods on certain days.  I kinda figured out how to feed her after a while.  She gained about a year of life from moving to our new location due to the extra exercise which strengthened her left hip.  When we moved here almost 2 years ago she would fall due to that hip giving out, but after about 6 months of her new lifestyle that stopped.  She did pretty well until yesterday AM, when she collapsed.  Put her in the car to go to vet and she died as they were bringing her in.  At least she did not have to have needles stuck in her.   

[Therapist4u]

Hey @LaDolceVita

So sorry to hear of your dog Claire died recently!

Also it’s very touching to know that while it’s been “very difficult to take care of her ....but I miss her dreadfully right now”

You must have taken the very best care of her & because of that ...she “gained about a year of life” >>>> She benefited so much by the ‘Quality of life’ time you provided & she was surrounded by those who loved her to the end!

I had a cat that also lived about 20 years....& I had to give her to the humane society as she couldn’t move or eat anymore ...I sat next to her on the floor... face to face...I kept direct eye-to-eye contact to reassure her...& talked about our time together ...even a few of the humorous times....& that it was OK to ‘let go’.... “when you’re ready dearest....I’m here with you now....& forever...your daddy loves you so much!!!”.......kinda makes me emotional....as I write this....even tho it’s been over 5 years ago....everyone encouraged me to get another cat, or dog...but I simply did not want to go thru loosing another...it hurts as much as if they were humans!

Anyway, Spring’s here...

or at least on its way!

Hope you’re doing well!

As always... Take care!

☮️  🌄 ~Allen 🌈  🎨

[DaveMcK]

Most Active Three Months For Tornadoes In The US Starts In April

At a Glance

• April, May and June are the peak months for tornadoes in the United States.
• The highest tornado threat moves from the South toward the Plains and Midwest deeper into spring.
• Intense tornadoes are more likely to occur during the spring.
• Do you have tornadoe drills where you live. Ours will begin soon. 
• Do you have a weather radio! Be sure to replace the batteries.

[Therapist4u]

Hey Dave! @DaveMcK

Good to hear from you! Thanks for the topic!

 I had just replied to Froze! @Frozenoem about this is “Severe Weather Awareness Week” ....

& that I’ve been through, or close by, over a dozen tornadoes while living in “Tornado Alley” (& 4 hurricanes...including Charley, Ivan, Rita & Katrina while in & around Florida) in the past 60 years....the 1st scary experience when only 4 years old!

So you can also check out some other resources listed there if you want!

Anyway, hope you’re healing well from the cataract surgery!

As always... Take care!

☮️  🌄 ~Allen 🌈  🎨

[Frozenoem]

The closest to tornado drills I ever had was while traveling in the RV or up at camp. Abandon the rig, and run for the he windowless bathrooms of concrete block, the dogs didn’t argue.

For camp it was take shelter in dam keeper cellar.

While hiking it would be flatten down in a ravine or culvert. Home is in the closet, root cellar, or beneath the stairs.

Think that covered all bases worst we ever had was water spouts? Where the dock ripped out and floated away, and that was anchored by steel pins to a boulder the size of a 56 Buick.

The closest call might have been in Paris, ME alway get a hit on the woods down there.Safest place would be the old Gaol down the road from Hannibal Hamblins house he was the VP under Lincoln? 

Between cell phone alerts where we have service, and WX channels think we’re covered with luck.🍀 

Just blizzards last storm was 29” almost dig out. Rain storms and floods that’s new, on coast Or inland. And mega gales of 60-109 mph, why I had to move close to Mt Washington in NH no idea.🤔

Must be time to wash clothes and spray liberally with repel, Permethrine- 159 ticks submitted to State.

Enjoy y’all

Froze

[Therapist4u]

Hey  Froze! @Frozenoem

Good to hear from you! One thing you mentioned is related to:

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Where is the safest place to shelter during a tornado?

I’ve been through, or close by, over a dozen tornadoes while living in “Tornado Alley” (& 4 hurricanes...while in Florida) in the past 60 years....the 1st scary experience when only 4 years old!

Here’s some other resources:

Hastings participates in statewide tornado drill

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/hastings-participates-in-statewide-tornado-drill/ar-BB1...

NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center

https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html

CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/tornadosafety

American Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html

Anyway, as always... Take care!

⛷🏒☃️☮️~Allen 🌈 🎿 ❄️ 🏂

[LaDolceVita]

@Spring2025   Spring really is here, I felt a bug bite on my back yesterday.  When I grabbed the spot I flung something away.  Lot more of that coming 😓.

 Have not watched the new Masterpieces.  I looked up Alice and Jack trying to figure out what it is about.  Put Nolly on my watch list.  BTW, how do you watch, TV or computer? Streaming or regular?

Are you a reader as well as a PBS fan?  Since our wonderful reading thread on AARP is no longer active I am at a loss for reading material.

[Therapist4u]

Hey @LaDolceVita

So you got your 1st bug bite....

Clearly a sign Spring’s on its way!

I had to chuckle at this: “Lot more of that coming”

You know that’s right! LOL!

Lot more of that coming

 Anyway, as always... Take care!

☮️  🌄 ~Allen 🌈  🎨

[Frozenoem]

Not doing much for now on signature line or anything else until later, who knew at 5* my fingers would lock up.

@therapist is in southern or central Maine, I believe. There are at least 3 Mainah’s here.

Froze

[Therapist4u]

Hi Froze! @Frozenoem

Do you know “therapist”? Their profile shows no activity or info.

About therapist

 Nicole @Spring2025 wrote to me in a previous post: “@Frozenoem says you are in Maine. Wow, I never thought so!!!”

So...If you meant me [ @Therapist4u ] ...then I’d like to reply to the content of your message here.

“Inquiring minds want to know”  LOL!

[Frozenoem]

@Spring2025 

Misread post Nicole my Progressives still need repair teeny little screw is somewhere between home and Rangeley. Not magnetic like the frames, that would make it too easy to find. Clip on sunglasses are now held in place by magnets.

Only known Mainah’s are Lee and Allen.

Froze

[Frozenoem]

@Therapist4u

Thought Nicole wrote your name, everytime I’ve made an appt to see my eye dr to fix or get new progressives, the river has risen and I couldn’t leave town.

With my luck of late if storm stays snow not rain maybe they’ll be fixed this time or I’ll get better readers from wallyworld.

Catching a ride with big Bertha 4 and a 1/2 feet at the running boards. 🤬 a Ford diesel F550.

Froze

[Therapist4u]

Hi Froze! @Frozenoem

Thanks for clarifying!

If you follow the thread....I had just replied to Nicole.... who was also trying to figure it out!

“Inquiring minds want to know”  LOL!

Anyhoot.....Now we can rest! Hahaaa

*Also..thanks for all the kudos!

Take care my friend! 

⛷🏒☃️☮️~Allen 🌈 🎿 ❄️ 🏂

[Spring2025]

1 comment (Thursday 3/21/24 10:22pm ET)

[1] @Therapist4u , did I cross a boundary with you by asking you what state you are in?

[2] Or is this one of your jokes?

[3] I have been a part of this Our Front Porch Forum from way back before I had left AARP in 2021.

[4] My old username is Anonymous.

[5] We have all shared our state and apologies for asking you.

[6] @Frozenoem was being his usual "kind" self when he responded to my question.

[7] Again apologies IF I have "offended" you.

Take Care, Nicole 👵

---

[*** @Therapist4u wrote:

Hi Froze! @Frozenoem

Do you know “therapist”? Their profile shows no activity or info.

About therapist

 Nicole @Spring2025 wrote to me in a previous post: “@Frozenoem says you are in Maine. Wow, I never thought so!!!”

So...If you meant me [ @Therapist4u ] ...then I’d like to reply to the content of your message here.

“Inquiring minds want to know”  LOL! ***]

---

[Therapist4u]

Nah....no offense taken....Nicole 

@Spring2025

I was just trying to clarify with Froze if he was referring to “therapist”?...

or was he referring to >>>> moi!

I'm not that type anyway...LOL!

Ima CHILL dude ❄️👀🙄....

& usually lean towards humor😃🙃

.... as you know!😺

[Frozenoem]

@Spring2025 

No to green food coloring, allergic to Yellow. I will have a Guinness , Midleton, Jameson or Bushmill Whiskey.

Nae a drop of Irish blood  within me. I do have some Celtic but, that is a fisticuffs discussion. I’m with @LeeS4949 on beer. Prefer other beverages in moderation to stout and ales.

Froze

[Therapist4u]

Hi Froze! @Frozenoem

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you & your family & friends!

An actual rare photo of a rainbow & a bolt of lightning! Sorry Leprechaun! LOL!!

 And also to all the good Front Porchers....including Dave @DaveMcK @LaDolceVita @catwoman500 and Ms. Stretch @MsStretch & @LeeS4949

Take care one & all!

☮️  🌄 ~Allen 🌈  🎨

[LeeS4949]

 No green beer here. I like a cold one now and then but please, NOT GREEN. Probably proof positive that I have little Irish blood cursing thru my veins, ( my loss)

[Spring2025]

1 comment (3/15/24) @LeeS4949 , I don't drink but often wondered IF the "green" one tasted the SAME as the others. Anyway, thanks for "responding" to my question!  😎

---

[*** LEE @LeeS4949 wrote:

 No green beer here. I like a cold one now and then but please, NOT GREEN. Probably proof positive that I have little Irish blood cursing thru my veins, ( my loss) ***]

---

[LeeS4949]

 Colored beer goes flat much quicker because the keg needs to be tapped to put the green food coloring in. That lets air in and cause the beer to go flat. Yuck.

[MsStretch]

@Therapist4u , correct, the lenses are Symfony, not Symphony.  Thought about editing and correcting my original post, but I left it.  They worked fine the first couple years, and I never had to reach for the readers, but the near vision has gradually degraded over time.  Maybe because your eyes do anyway and there's only so much that medical science can do to halt the inevitable march of time (in our lifetime anyway).. C'est la vie.

@Frozenoem , hiked in snow last December to an old cemetery in those SNP woods, not deep enough to require snow shoes, but got a little annoying when every time while bushwhacking through the overgrowth and inadvertently shaking the snow off the various low-lying branches and other annoying obstacles Mother Nature likes to throw in the way, the snow managed to find its way down my back.  Ya think you're bundled and sealed up tight, but that pesky snow will find a way to zero in on bare skin. 🥶 

And as we speak, there are already a plethora of hikers leaving or have left GA headed your way.  Should start seeing them around late summer, early fall. 🚶🚶🚶 Of course, they'll be passing through my way first. 🥾😊

@Spring2025 , glad you are OK. 👍

[Therapist4u]

Hi again Ms. Stretch! @MsStretch

Thanks for the info.....it seems that since the Symfony lens “worked fine the first couple years, and I never had to reach for the readers”.....it might be worth it to have some good eyesight for a few years before...“the inevitable march of time” compromises the benefits. I’ve been fortunate that for most of my life I’ve not needed glasses & that in retirement, if I can limit the need for them mostly to reading (& zoning out in front of computers...LOL!) then when I have to have the surgery.... I’ll accept that as the best it’s gonna get!

As a side note...every year I get an eye exam & 1 pair of glasses...& last time I let the workers talk me into getting this wonderful pair that I’ll be able to see clearly...both near...& distance....at the same time: with some new fangled multi-focals (not bi-focals) or whatever they called them....& when they were ready & tried them on..I couldn’t see either clearly at all...in other words....it was a waste...so we’ll just have to wait another year..LOL!

Anyway...have a wonderful week &....

Take care my friend! 

☮️  🌄 🍀 ~Allen 🍀 🌈  🎨

[MsStretch]

Hey everyone, been MIA but I'm still hanging in there.  Rough January (bleeding into February), but back on my usual track which is usually off-trail. 😉 Literally.  Talking about daffodils, they made it a lot easier to find a homesite a friend and I were looking for in Shenandoah NP earlier this week.  Lower elevation.  Not much left of it and would have been easy to overlook had it not been for the telltale green stems and one solitary yellow bloom. And a couple of metal pots.

So I see  @SpringIsHereSoHappy deleted most, if not all, of her posts. 🤷‍♀️ Hope everything is all right with her.

Glad 2nd surgery went good, @DaveMcK . I actually paid extra to get the Symphony lens (not covered by Medicare) which is a type of bifocal lens allowing for close-up viewing, thinking it would be a good investment not to have the use readers for the rest of my life.  It wasn't; it was a waste of money.  Seven years later and I'm back to having to use them.  Glad I didn't throw out those dozens of dollar store reading glasses I have strategically placed around the home. 👓👓👓👓😎