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.

[Spring2025]

🏡  Welcome to the AARP Our Front Porch Forum, where there are very fun conversations happening.

Take a coffee break, check in, and spend some quality time with other forum members.

Thank you AARP for "creating" this AWESOME forum for us!!!  💛

[Spring2025]

✈🚢  Any Vacation Plans?

➡️  We have @MsStretch and her hikes and explorations.  👍

Me, I am "thinking" of some Day Trips here in Virginia so I will NOT have any regrets of NOT seeing Virginia when I RETURN to Florida. Between work and life 2015 to 2020 (retired) I NEVER left my apt. The same for Florida BEFORE I left in 2015. I also plan on Day Trips there too. Hey, my Bucket List before I die.  😉

➡️  @LaDolceVita , you had mentioned Day Trips in your area of Georgia.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[Spring2025]

🌱  Geez, I will be lucky IF I end up with any IMPATIEN plants./lol  🤣😂

Note to self for NEXT YEAR 2026 - measure the DEPTH of potting soil when inserting seeds.  Yep, between some NOT popping up and some toppling over, I am now down to THREE seedlings.  😭  Watched a Gardening YouTube last week and guy said when TWO PAIRS of leaves appear, time to transfer into a "real" pot from "starter" pot as roots will need room to GROW. I have ONE PAIR on them. Gosh, hope they make it to TWO PAIRS.  🤔

Lisa @LisaS961881 , has YOUR seeds done anything?  🤔

➡️  Now that I know about PERENNIALS from @LaDolceVita , I am researching them (seeds) for NEXT YEAR 2026 for my area in Virginia. May have to get them from Lowes or Home Depot as Dollar Tree here does NOT have any.

Lol, already spent my Gardening Budget for this year.

👓  Eye Exam (tiny cataract) and glasses this month. Going to check with the Lions Club to see IF they will help with glasses as Medicare does NOT cover. $300+ LAST YEAR - yikes.  😱  I get the ones that get dark in the sun for driving and for reading, distance and I guess what is considered the "computer" zone. My daughter has dark glasses (prescription) plus regular glasses. Way too many to keep track of, a challenge finding my ONE some days.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY porchers!!!

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[Attachment]

[Spring2025]

📚  Okay, back to my Audiobooks. Been listening to this series. Anyone else heard of them? They apparently are available in Kindle.

NAME OF SERIES: Inspector Price Mysteries.

AUTHOR: Born in 1898, Joanna Cannan was the youngest daughter of Oxford don Charles Cannan, and his wife Mary Wedderburn. Part of a family of authors, Joanna Cannan was cousin to novelist and playwright Gilbert Cannan, sister to poet May Wedderburn Cannan, mother to fellow pony-book authors Josephine Pullein-Thompson, Diana Pullein-Thompson and Christine Pullein-Thompson, as well as to screenwriter and playwright Denis Cannan, and grandmother to cookbook author Charlotte Popescu.

Cannan worked as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse during WWI, meeting her her future husband, Captain Harold J. "Cappy" Pullein-Thompson, in Oxford, during the course of that work. They were married in 1918, and Cannan (who never published under her married name) became the primary breadwinner for the family, after he was severely injured during the war, publishing approximately one book per year. Most of her pony books for children were written before and during WWII, at which point she began turning to detective novels for adults. Cannan suffered from ill health in the 1950s, and eventually diagnosed with tuberculosis. She died in 1961.

[MsStretch]

@Spring2025 , actually exploring/bushwhacking season occurs during the winter when everything is bare, since almost all of our forays are off-trail.  Hard to find or see anything when everything is green, so one, maybe two weeks left.  Off on another adventure tomorrow in SNP and maybe another one next week to find the location of an old school that's at a higher elevation and hopefully, not so green.  Probably not much left.  Maybe the old foundation and a few artifacts.  Plus with spring come the snakes (saw one last week on a bushwhack to an old Poor House and cemetery in Prince William Forest Park) and the bugs. 😝

Stay tuned.

[Spring2025]

ENJOY @MsStretch and lol, keep the bugs and snakes with you!!!  🤣😂

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @MsStretch wrote 4/1/25:

@Spring2025 , actually exploring/bushwhacking season occurs during the winter when everything is bare, since almost all of our forays are off-trail.  Hard to find or see anything when everything is green, so one, maybe two weeks left.  Off on another adventure tomorrow in SNP and maybe another one next week to find the location of an old school that's at a higher elevation and hopefully, not so green.  Probably not much left.  Maybe the old foundation and a few artifacts.  Plus with spring come the snakes (saw one last week on a bushwhack to an old Poor House and cemetery in Prince William Forest Park) and the bugs. 😝

Stay tuned. ***]

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[MsStretch]

@Spring2025 , I have plenty of pictures from this season's adventures, but mostly if you like looking at old cemeteries (frequently just fieldstones) and remnants and artifacts of old homesites.  Not everyone finds them interesting. 😁

No spectacular mountain views or waterfalls or sunsets. 🚫🌄🏞️⛰️

But let me cull through and find something.

[Spring2025]

Lol, yes, SKIP the gravestones!!!  🤣😂😱

I think LAST year 2024 or the year before, you had posted some homesites. Hey, NO RUSH as I am sure you will be exploring probably until Winter arrives = we got lots of months left.

Deal?  👍

I wish I was NOT as afraid of SNAKES as I am as I am NEAR some awesome hiking trails.

Luv yo the kids 💛🐈💛🐈

Mister has been TESTING my luv with arriving with I guess pieces of whatever he has been laying in outside. Now I do BRUSH him, which he LUVS but of late it seems EVERY time he is at my door, yes - covered. Well I guess it is better than the DIRT he use to lay BEFORE I put up my GARDEN FENCE to keep him and the critters out. My boy.  💛🐈

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @MsStretch wrote 4/1/25:

@Spring2025 , I have plenty of pictures from this season's adventures, but mostly if you like looking at old cemeteries (frequently just fieldstones) and remnants and artifacts of old homesites.  Not everyone finds them interesting. 😁

No spectacular mountain views or waterfalls or sunsets. 🚫🌄🏞️⛰️

But let me cull through and find something. ***]

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[Spring2025]

📚  Okay, I give up. Third library book I DIDNOT LIKE and SO BORING = no one will replace the Cozy Mystery writers that have died. Lol, going back to my FREE audiobooks on FREE YouTube = for some reason I LIKE those authors.  🙃 I can listen while I do the housework I DO not want to do and on those NIGHTS I cannot sleep. At the library and will be turning in book I have NOT finished. Add lack of parking to the mix = I have fallen out of luv with sitting at the library and reading. But it was totally awesome for a time.  👍  Would read at home but have neighbors from h.ll ABOVE my cute Studio Apt.

HAPPY TUESDAY porchers!!!  🙃

Nicole  👵

[LisaS961881]

Nicole,

   I’ll add that I mourn the loss of Anne Perry, Shelia Connely, and M.C. Beaton (although Green has done a fine job continuing her series).  I so enjoyed Thomas Pitt and Hamish MacBeth !

[Spring2025]

Lisa @LisaS961881 Me too for M. C. Beaton!!!

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @LisaS961881 wrote 4/2/25:

Nicole,

   I’ll add that I mourn the loss of Anne Perry, Shelia Connely, and M.C. Beaton (although Green has done a fine job continuing her series).  I so enjoyed Thomas Pitt and Hamish MacBeth ! ***]

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[LisaS961881]

….and Sonsie, the wildcat ! 😺

[Spring2025]

📸  .gif attached

[LisaS961881]

This made me giggle!  I was an Elementary Special Education teacher for 38 years and have fond memories of April 1st.  All day long, I’d be bombarded with, “There’s a bug on your shoulder!”, “There’s a giant spider on the wall behind you!”….

i always gave Academy Award worthy performances of shock and surprise - which delighted my students.

im still smiling as I write this.  In retrospect, it was a simple way to brighten up that very long stretch between Valentine’s Day and Easter, and it didn’t cost a penny!

~ Lisa

[Spring2025]

Lol Lisa @LisaS961881 !!!  🤣😂

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @LisaS961881 wrote 4/1/25:

This made me giggle!  I was an Elementary Special Education teacher for 38 years and have fond memories of April 1st.  All day long, I’d be bombarded with, “There’s a bug on your shoulder!”, “There’s a giant spider on the wall behind you!”….

i always gave Academy Award worthy performances of shock and surprise - which delighted my students.

im still smiling as I write this.  In retrospect, it was a simple way to brighten up that very long stretch between Valentine’s Day and Easter, and it didn’t cost a penny!

~ Lisa ***]

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[MsStretch]

@Spring2025 , I generally go for historical fiction (no, not the swashbuckling romance kind) that are based on real facts and research, but the author adds fictional characters and dialogue to make it more relatable. Anything from prehistoric times through the Civil War.

Another source to try is BookBub.  I have an account and receive daily emails for the latest deals based on my preferences.  Bought a few books (Kindle, of course) from them.  Sometimes they offer books for free for a limited time.

To each his own, but I love my Kindle and Kindle app.  I can 'carry' a whole library on my phone to wherever I go.  And no stains or torn and dog-eared pages. 

[Spring2025]

Hmmm @MsStretch , will we be getting PICTURES of your 2025 ADVENTURES?  🤔  NO pressure as usual, but hope so!!!

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[Spring2025]

[Monday 3/31/25]

I cannot believe APRIL is arriving TOMORROW!!!  😱

For me it seems this year 2025 is FLYING by. Slow down and let me ENJOY Spring BEFORE the awful and hot Summer arrives here in Virginia.  😭   Hey, I am OLD and HOT FLASHES (the old ladies know about these).

Anyway, the REASON for my post - Tomorrow is the famous APRIL FOOL'S DAY.

(1) Do YOU prank?  🤔  I DONOT, not even before I retired in 2020. If YES, tell us about past and planned pranks.

(2) Been PRANKED? IF yes, what happened? Lol, I am TRYING to "remember" IF I have been. Gosh, the "joy" of growing old (67 this year 2025) = Senior Moments.  🤣😂

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[Spring2025]

📋 April Fools’ Day Food Deals 2025: These Discounts Are No Joke (Today.com)

FROM THE ARTICLE:

➡️  [1] Dunkin’.

Dunkin’ will give away a million free hot or iced coffees or cold brews of any size to rewards members on April 1. To redeem the offer, customers can enter the code THISISNOTAJOKE in the Dunkin’ app.

➡️  [2] Baskin-Robbins.

Baskin-Robbins rewards members can take advantage of a buy-one, get-one-half-off deal on sundaes on April 1.

➡️  [3] Burger King.

Burger King Royal Perks members can score free onion rings (any size) on April 1 when they make a purchase of $1 or more. The offer is valid at participating U.S. restaurants on the chain’s app and website for order ahead.
The single-use offer isn’t valid during breakfast hours or in Alaska, Hawaii or the U.S. territories. It’s not valid on delivery orders and can’t be combined with other offers.

*** There are more deals listed. ***

https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/april-fools-day-food-deals-2025-rcna198339

[Spring2025]

[Sunday 3/30/25]

Big Bro @Frozenoem and Allen @Therapist4u , I MISS YOU BOTH!!!

Luv,

Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

[MsStretch]

@Spring2025 , @LisaS961881 , do you still have used book stores in your area?  I used to score some good finds there.  Also, check out the little free libraries.

I'm a Kindle user myself and have been for years.

[LisaS961881]

Sadly, the used book store nearby closed years ago.

i do, however, score very well going to estate sales.  If I see hundreds of books in the preview photos of the sale, (I use estatesales.net), then I go to the sale on the last day within two hours of the close of the sale.  If I buy in bulk, I get paperbacks 4/$1 and hardbound books 2/$1.  Likewise, I shop Library Book sales when it is the final hours and $2 a bag. 😁.

…..I have to readily agree about how frustrating it is trying to find “clean” books though.  More often than not, if I am not the very first person to check out a “new release” in my library, these books often already have food stains on many pages.  But what annoys me even more is that the reader before me cannot even be bothered to use a bookmark, and “dog ears” the pages!  At the risk of sounding cranky, it just seems so disrespectful of what is communal “public” property.

…..I’ve just finished ~ The Mirror & The Light ~.What an amazing series!  I’m simply saddened it is over.    Now I’ll begin my cozy mystery!

Lisa 🏠

[Spring2025]

📚  Lol, Lisa @LisaS961881 from my CRANKY to another cranky, I AGREE!!! I use a bookmark from the library (lots for free to public) and keep book in a ziploc bag when I am NOT reading the NEW RELEASE. If I run across a book that is dealing with the "issues" you mentioned, I skip it.

YOU WROTE: I have to readily agree about how frustrating it is trying to find “clean” books though. More often than not, if I am not the very first person to check out a “new release” in my library, these books often already have food stains on many pages. But what annoys me even more is that the reader before me cannot even be bothered to use a bookmark, and “dog ears” the pages! At the risk of sounding cranky, it just seems so disrespectful of what is communal “public” property.

take care,

Nicole  👵

[Spring2025]

📚  What genres do you read on your kindle @MsStretch ?

Thanks, YES there are but as I AGE I no longer want to deal with used anything. Rather wait until I can get NEW RELEASES at library (clean, NO missing pages) or buy on my own.

With my Prime subscription I can read on a kindle but still luv my hardcovers with a bookmark.  🙃

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @MsStretch wrote:

@Spring2025 , @LisaS961881 , do you still have used book stores in your area?  I used to score some good finds there.  Also, check out the little free libraries.

I'm a Kindle user myself and have been for years. ***]

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[Spring2025]

🌻 Guidance on the Basics From a Master Gardener!!!

Monday, Apr 7, 2025.

2:00 p.m. ET • 1:00 p.m. CT • 12:00 p.m. MT • 11:00 a.m. PT.

Duration: 45 Minutes.

Facebook and YouTube - FREE Online Event FOR MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS.

For questions, contact AARP IL at ilaarp@aarp.org.

FROM THE AARP EVENT LISTING. Now that spring is here, take this opportunity to gather some helpful gardening tips to guide you as you start planting!

About the Event.

With the spring planting season upon us, take advantage of a chance to learn from a master gardener! Whether you are a lifelong gardener with a “green thumb," someone who likes to plant flowers around the house, or simply interested in seeing a master gardener at work, this virtual presentation will offer plenty of helpful gardening tips and ideas.
Gordon Voumard, the farm manager at Senior Services Plus in Alton, Illinois, will spend an informative half-hour sharing wisdom on effective gardening methods. The class initially aired in July 2023.
In advance, you might enjoy reading a bit about one aspect of gardening’s appeal: 8 Ways to Boost the Health Benefits of Gardening.

How to Join.

Sign in to your aarp.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Facebook link before the session.

USE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER.

https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/gardening-101-guidance-from-a-master-gardener-j8nl8492twl.html

[Spring2025]

🌱  Impatiens Seeds Update!!!

Transferring 4 of the 10 starter pots to an INDOOR flower pot.

📸  Picture Attached.

Wow, my 1st time SOWING seeds and 4 out of 10 pots made it.  🙃

NOT sure when they will go OUTSIDE here in Virginia, so indoors for them for now.

I face West (studio apt) so will NEED to find a SHADY spot in my garden outside maybe in MAY. Totally EXCITING this journey.

INVESTED: $1.25 seeds (Dollar Tree), Potting Soil $5, 10 Starter Pots $1.25, Flower Pot $1.25. THANK YOU Dollar Tree!!!

Take Care,

Nicole  👵

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[Spring2025]

📚  BOOK DISCUSSION!!!

Finally back to my luv of reading at age 67 this year 2025.  🙃

NEW routine since last week = go to library, check out NEW RELEASES for Cozy mysteries. 📸  Picture Attached.

*** This SO CUTE cozy has furbabies!!!  💛

Started some NEW RELEASES I DIDNOT like - about Zen and a Cozy.

Lol, since I was sitting at library READING, I was able to turn BOTH in (you have 2 weeks to read NEW RELEASES) and try again.  👍

*** What are YOU READING?  🤔

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[LisaS961881]

I just picked up this cozy mystery from Dollar Tree.  It will have to wait until I am finished with ~ The Mirror & the Light -.  It’s the final book in her trilogy about the final years of Thomas Cromwell.  The first was ~ Wolf Hall ~ , and the second ~ Bring Up the Bodies ~.  
I enjoyed the PBS adaptation, and want to finish this book before I watch the final segment on PBS.  

[Spring2025]

Lisa @LisaS961881 , I am SO JEALOUS!!! Why?

I remember YEARS of buying BOOKS at the Dollar Tree near me here in Virginia for $1.  🙃

Since they went up on PRICES ($1.25, $3, $5), NO more ADULT BOOKS.  😭

Before I retired in 2020 thanks to COVID, knowing that EVERYTHING was $1 was my payday trip to heaven.

Then 2020 increased prices. I still go, but NOT as often as I did BEFORE 2020.

Hmmm, I need to see IF my library has this book (cozy).

Hey @LaDolceVita and @catwoman500 , WE have ANOTHER reader and PBS FAN. Luv it!!!

Take care,

Nicole  👵

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[*** @LisaS961881 wrote 3/29/25: 📸 Two Pictures Attached.

I just picked up this cozy mystery from Dollar Tree.  It will have to wait until I am finished with ~ The Mirror & the Light -.  It’s the final book in her trilogy about the final years of Thomas Cromwell.  The first was ~ Wolf Hall ~ , and the second ~ Bring Up the Bodies ~.  
I enjoyed the PBS adaptation, and want to finish this book before I watch the final segment on PBS.  ***]

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