How long will it take us to get to 10,000 posts?

[DallasFanForever]

It feels good not having any travel restrictions anymore .. my mind still boggles when I think of what happened to the world when Covid first struck.

I know what you mean. It was a very uneasy time, that’s for sure. I remember just going to work and coming home and not really doing a whole lot of anything else. It definitely made us appreciate going places and traveling a lot more.

I found that once I was on it I was fine .. it was a big hammock though so that might've made it easier to manage and I watched someone else getting on a hammock to see how its done and then just copied her. I did worry a bit about having to dismount the thing, but I just sorta lunged myself back onto the sand which gave a soft landing.

I guess you’ve had much better luck with hammocks than me Lashes. I do love the way they look in the backyard and I bet it would be nice to take an afternoon nap on one. Maybe someday I’ll get around to trying one again.

You've done incredibly well DFF :10: its not easy to change our usual habits, you must have good willpower.

It’s not easy at all! Right now it’s the weekend and I’ve been cheating quite a bit. But that helps keep me honest. You gotta splurge a little. I take it seriously but only so seriously.

I dislike it it when I'm eating with someone for a very special occasion and they want to stick to salad and no carbs .. it kind of spoils the special treat,

I agree. I guess it’s their choice but I won’t do this. I save the strict eating for when I’m alone.

I'm sure the people around you must admire your achievements

I have to say they do. I get asked a lot what I do for a diet and it’s really a simple answer. You just have to eat less but healthier and everything else takes care of itself. It’s not that hard to figure out. And with my cheat days I just pick my spots on the weekend.

I don't call it 'hiding the food' by the way, I just carefully store it right at the back of the cupboard and place larger items in front so it can't be seen :laughing:

I see. Well, whatever it’s called I do admire your tactics. It’s been awhile since I’ve lived in a crowded house so I find this all very fascinating!

Oh I know what you mean, which is why I try to be careful when I post photos on here, I always have this dread of neighbours or other people who know me discovering my special place (Telly Talk) and joining ... Mr L knows I post on here and he used to read some of my stuff, but I think he soon became bored ..Lol!

I think the same would happen with the people I know and they would get bored with it quickly. My pest of a niece loves to look at peoples phones and have a nosey when they’re not looking so I’ve buried TT deep in my phone where she can’t find it.

I suppose we do miss out on some things, the other day I bumped into an old work colleague and she's recently spent three months in Australia, she was in a rush when I saw her and she shouted out to me .. "check out my photos they're on facebook" .. I always feel a bit dumb admitting 'I don't do facebook'

I do get some weird looks myself when I say I’m not on Facebook. I’ve thought about joining but I’d really rather not. Like you I feel a bit dumb saying I’m not on there but they always get over it. From what I see of my family that’s on there all they do is post pictures of their kids or what they’re making for dinner anyway, and I already know what both of those look like.

I don't blame you one bit not wanting to join in with this. I think it could be very disheartening to become part of something so negative. Also, I think negativity rubs of on other people so others are quick to join in.

I can deal with a little negativity in small doses but it does quite often get out of hand. I mean, it’s something we all do. It’s normal but it really doesn’t help the situation. I’d much rather crack jokes and be sarcastic than be negative.

:coffeelaugh: ... are you still at the bottom of that cliff?

I knew you’d get a good laugh out of that one Lashes. No, I’m no longer at the bottom of the cliff. I’m slowly climbing my way back but it’s taking awhile as I had to wait for my arms, legs and back to heal up. I can see you standing at the top of Hotness Mountain and I didn’t realize til now just how far a fall that was.

So you got it then?

Yes, I got the new vehicle. Mainly cause no one else wanted it but I’m not bitter LOL!! My old truck had 220,000 miles on it so I guess it was time.

When I'm in the big van it has some great mirrors and all the usual safety stuff for when reversing, but unless I can see clearly with my own eyes and not have to rely on the technology (beeping noise) then I feel uneasy. Its reassuring to hear that you DFF who drive a large vehicle far more than I do has the same feeling about reversing .. but I don't think that's a bad thing, it must help to make us be more cautious and aware?

I’m like you in that I don’t trust all the technology. I’d rather look myself. I use the cameras and the mirrors over the beeping cause I’ve seen the beeping mechanism malfunction at times.

Ooo I haven't a clue where we are up to with goals .

We could try and do as you suggest my friend and get to 5300 posts by July 1st which is 34 days to go and we will need 17 more posts

... surely we can't fail?

I went back and looked the other day and it looks like our goal was 5300 by January 1. Well, we never said what year so I guess we’re fine. So I guess we’ll go with 5300 by July 1.

I hope you’re having a nice weekend my friend and have a great week as well!!

 

[DallasFanForever]

I kinda like the fact that we're pretty hidden. It's like "Unimatrix Zero" to reference Star Trek Voyager

I guess I never looked at it like this. There is something pretty cool about being so hidden, like an undiscovered land or something that no one else can find but us.

I don't get involved in social media for the same reasons. The anonymity afforded by this platform coupled with the "pretty hidden" attribute has yielded something unexpected. I've, if not explicitly, have alluded to aspects of life that.... I'm sure you've gleaned.

Yes, I do like the anonymity here, as I feel that’s what’s missing with the other platforms. I’ve been branded antisocial by certain friends and family members for my lack of participation in their media circles but as I always tell them, “You’re more than welcome to call or visit anytime. Like, you know, we used to do in this world before?”

That's welcome feedback. I've also circled back and thought to myself "yeah, but no! anyone can read this and find it in poor or offensive taste and rightly report it" On a tangential note, wishing to share some of my faves (for better or worse) music with others. I really don't see genres, music is music to me... but my collection is certainly weighted in Hip=hop's favor. The language and subject are understandably often considered as offensive. I actually reached out the the mods for guidance, but still don't want to offed.

It takes a lot to offend me. It definitely doesn’t happen often. I know the subject matter and the lyrics of Hip Hop aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but again, I’m never offended by any of it. I think it’s good you did reach out for guidance though, as a lot of people probably wouldn’t have been so sensitive towards others. Offending someone here has always been my biggest fear. I hope I never have, as that’s just not me. And if I ever did, I’d be the first to apologize.

I stumbled across TT by scrolling through many many many pages on the 'net. I Googled "Emmerdale" at work to see what others were saying about a storyline that was not the usual fodder for a teatime soap. Eventually following several visits joined... the rest you know!

I found TT when it was Soap Chat. One night many years ago I was just looking up stuff to do with the TV show Dallas and I came across the site, and I was hooked. But I was too shy to join and so for many years I just lurked. Then one day I said why not?

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend my friend!
And the same goes for everyone else here!!

 

[Long Lashes]

5300 posts by July 1st which is 34 days to go and we will need 17 more posts

... surely we can't fail?

Did I really say this? At the slow rate I'm replying we might not even make it by July 1st

We are finally having unusually warm and sunny weather so I've been spending as much time as possible outside , I'm having the time of my life pottering around the garden, even sitting out there late in the evening with my Stephen King .. sadly it won't last.

I guess you’ve had much better luck with hammocks than me Lashes. I do love the way they look in the backyard and I bet it would be nice to take an afternoon nap on one. Maybe someday I’ll get around to trying one again.

Hammocks remind me of a childs swing, I used to spend hours on my swing .. wish they made them for adults

It’s not easy at all! Right now it’s the weekend and I’ve been cheating quite a bit. But that helps keep me honest. You gotta splurge a little. I take it seriously but only so seriously.

Oh I can fully appreciate how hard it is.

I think when we try to make any major changes to our usual routines its a hard slog .. especially with dieting/healthy eating because we can't just ignore or give up food its still a big part of our lives .. am I making any sense..Lol!

I agree. I guess it’s their choice but I won’t do this. I save the strict eating for when I’m alone.

I have lunch out sometimes with a couple of my friends and one of them will never have dessert or cake ... selfishly I get a bit rattled by this because I ALWAYS want cake .. my problem not hers I guess.

I get asked a lot what I do for a diet and it’s really a simple answer. You just have to eat less but healthier and everything else takes care of itself. It’s not that hard to figure out. And with my cheat days I just pick my spots on the weekend.

This is all very wise DFF.

I was in our local chemist earlier today and they have shelves full of diet stuff like powdered milk drinks in replacement for a meal or watery soups, I suppose this might work for some people, but I always think surely it would be healthier to eat low calorie real food instead of meal replacements? I like your way of doing it DFF. And you are doing wonderfully well, its a hard slog.

My pest of a niece loves to look at peoples phones and have a nosey when they’re not looking so I’ve buried TT deep in my phone where she can’t find it.

Ooo I'm not too sure your niece wouldn't find TT younger people are such experts at finding anything they want on-line.

I can deal with a little negativity in small doses but it does quite often get out of hand. I mean, it’s something we all do. It’s normal but it really doesn’t help the situation. I’d much rather crack jokes and be sarcastic than be negative.

More wisdom DFF!

I had a couple of people at work who I could be completely honest with and we would share our negativities, moans and complaints with each other, we could be honest and know it wouldn't go any further, apart from that I tried to avoid any other negativity with the other staff or it would bring me down.

I knew you’d get a good laugh out of that one Lashes. No, I’m no longer at the bottom of the cliff. I’m slowly climbing my way back but it’s taking awhile as I had to wait for my arms, legs and back to heal up. I can see you standing at the top of Hotness Mountain and I didn’t realize til now just how far a fall that was.

:laughing: ... I'm so pleased you're recovering.

Be very, very careful when you eventually get yourself to the top of that Hot Mountain :danc:

Yes, I got the new vehicle. Mainly cause no one else wanted it but I’m not bitter LOL!! My old truck had 220,000 miles on it so I guess it was time.

222,000 miles? where every one of those miles driven by you?

I hope you’re having a nice weekend my friend and have a great week as well!!

Thank you my friend, you too :dance1:

 

[DallasFanForever]

Did I really say this? At the slow rate I'm replying we might not even make it by July 1st

You’re doing fine. You reply at your own pace. That’s the nice thing about this thread. There’s no pressure, although I am starting to wonder if I’m going to be in a wheelchair by the time we get to 10.000

We are finally having unusually warm and sunny weather so I've been spending as much time as possible outside , I'm having the time of my life pottering around the garden, even sitting out there late in the evening with my Stephen King ..

This all sounds terrific! I can’t blame you one bit for spending all that time outside then. Here it’s quite the opposite for me. I’m outside in that scorching Florida heat and humidity all day so once I get home I just want to lock myself indoors all night and enjoy the air conditioning. It takes a little coaxing to get DFF out of the house after a long day LOL!!

sadly it won't last.

No, before you know it we will be talking about Christmas and snow and the cold and the ice, except for here, of course, where it will still be 85 degrees in December.

Oh, heck, I really shouldn’t have said that. It’s bound to make me the villain of this thread now.

Hammocks remind me of a childs swing, I used to spend hours on my swing .. wish they made them for adults

I had a swing once. The truth is I wasn’t too fond of it cause I was never too keen on heights. So while most kids were rocking that thing and swinging high through the air back and forth I’d just be sitting on my swing going about two miles an hour and barely moving at all. It was kind of funny cause I stuck out like such a sore thumb. The grownups would be telling me to go higher and faster but I would just shake my head negatively and go at my very slow turtle’s pace.

I think when we try to make any major changes to our usual routines its a hard slog .. especially with dieting/healthy eating because we can't just ignore or give up food its still a big part of our lives .. am I making any sense..Lol!

Yes, you’re making perfect sense. I fall off my wagon every weekend when it comes to my diet. Luckily by Monday morning I feel guilty enough that I’m ready to get back on it.

I have lunch out sometimes with a couple of my friends and one of them will never have dessert or cake ... selfishly I get a bit rattled by this because I ALWAYS want cake .. my problem not hers I guess.

Oh, the dreaded cake! One of my weaknesses as well. I know what you mean though. Some people just cut certain things out of their diet for good. I can’t do that. I’ll cut down but I can’t cut stuff out entirely.

I was in our local chemist earlier today and they have shelves full of diet stuff like powdered milk drinks in replacement for a meal or watery soups, I suppose this might work for some people, but I always think surely it would be healthier to eat low calorie real food instead of meal replacements? I like your way of doing it DFF. And you are doing wonderfully well, its a hard slog.

I’ve never tried any of that stuff but I know it does work for some people. My advice to people has always been do what works for you. My Aunt is trying to lose weight right now so we’re always talking about dieting and everyone kind of gives her a hard time cause she takes it very far and won’t eat certain things. She tries all these different diet foods that quite honestly I’ve never even heard of but I told her if it’s working then keep doing it. Don’t listen to me or anyone else.

I like your way of doing it DFF. And you are doing wonderfully well, its a hard slog.

I meant to quote this part separately cause I really want to thank you for saying this Lashes! It’s a struggle every day but I’m sticking with it.

Ooo I'm not too sure your niece wouldn't find TT younger people are such experts at finding anything they want on-line.

Very true! And also a little scary if you ask me. Sometimes I’m glad we didn’t have the internet when I was growing up.

had a couple of people at work who I could be completely honest with and we would share our negativities, moans and complaints with each other, we could be honest and know it wouldn't go any further, apart from that I tried to avoid any other negativity with the other staff or it would bring me down

Very smart on your part! Do you feel the negativity in the workplace has become worse in recent years? Cause I do unfortunately and I’m not sure why that is to be honest.

:laughing: ... I'm so pleased you're recovering.

Be very, very careful when you eventually get yourself to the top of that Hot Mountain :danc:

Yes, well, the beauty (no pun intended) of that thread is that I know once I get back up to the top I’m only going to be sent back down to my untimely demise once again so it can be a little disheartening over there but it’s well worth it.

Have you noticed by the way that your crown over there has been temporarily stolen? And just so you know I didn’t hit the “HA HA” button on purpose when you lost your crown. It got stuck. Yes, that’s it!

222,000 miles? where every one of those miles driven by you?

No but most of them definitely were since I was averaging about 80 miles a day back then. Someone else has that truck now and I think it’s up to about 250,000 miles. I had it almost ten years.


Have a great weekend my friend!!

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Wow, this thread has been inactive in nearly a month. We have to get chatting again. Where is our dear friend @Long Lashes ?

Happy 4th to the Americans here.

 

[DallasFanForever]

Wow, this thread has been inactive in nearly a month. We have to get chatting again. Where is our dear friend @Long Lashes ?

I’m not sure where the pest is but I do miss her terribly! It’s never the same when either one of you are gone for awhile. I even miss me when I’m gone from this site and that’s usually only a few hours.

Happy 4th to the Americans here.

Thank you my friend! And Happy 4th to you and everyone else reading this!!

 

[Long Lashes]

:ello:

Have I missed a lot?

We've been away and I was going to tell you we were going away, but the forum was down and I couldn't get on here :hair:

Good to see you back on this old thread @Michelle Stevens :ch:



And DFF I like you're new avatar you are a star for keeping this place going

I will catch up on here soon.

 

[DallasFanForever]

:ello:

Have I missed a lot?

Hi Lashes! It’s so good to see you make your return. You haven’t missed much but we sure have my friend!!

We've been away and I was going to tell you we were going away, but the forum was down and I couldn't get on here :hair:

It was down for quite a few days this time. It’s good to be back though and it’s good to have you back as well!

And DFF I like you're new avatar

Thank you! It’s really the same house but from a different angle. It’s the only picture remaining of what was once DFF’s field. That’s a pretty recent picture though. The field is long gone but you can kind of get the idea of where it was.

you are a star for keeping this place going

You’re too kind! I’m afraid I didn’t do as much as I could’ve. I’ve been so busy lately with work and other stuff that even I regrettably haven’t been here as much as normal lately.

But calling me a star meant a lot, even though there are two other people on this thread I consider to be the real and original stars.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend!!!

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

:ello:

Have I missed a lot?

We've been away and I was going to tell you we were going away, but the forum was down and I couldn't get on here :hair:

Good to see you back on this old thread @Michelle Stevens :ch:

How are your plants doing this summer @Long Lashes ? How are your orchids and Tiny Tim?

I only have gotten two new orchids this year thus far. 67 in total.

Streetie is alive and living at her summer home in the outdoors on my Mother's patios with Princess and Duchess II. Pippa The Pepper is also alive as producing yellow peppers.

 

[Long Lashes]

Bear with me and I'll try and catch up ..... again

You’re doing fine. You reply at your own pace. That’s the nice thing about this thread. There’s no pressure,

Thank you my firend.

although I am starting to wonder if I’m going to be in a wheelchair by the time we get to 10.000

:coffeelaugh:

before you know it we will be talking about Christmas and snow and the cold and the ice, except for here, of course, where it will still be 85 degrees in December.

Oh, heck, I really shouldn’t have said that. It’s bound to make me the villain of this thread now.

I'd love to experience a warmer Christmas at least once in my life, somewhere on a beautiful beach with the waves lapping and enjoying a picnic of turkey sandwiches followed by ... ew no not Christmas Cake or Christmas pudding ... perhaps followed by coffee ice cream.

Did you know that Europe is experiencing a big heatwave at the moment? people are being warned to stay indoors during the day, its the fires that scare me. Meanwhile in my part of the world we are having rain and windy weather everyday .. we are never satisfied whatever the weather. ..Lol .I believe .. is it Philadelphia? .. is also suffering the extreme heat?

I had a swing once. The truth is I wasn’t too fond of it cause I was never too keen on heights. So while most kids were rocking that thing and swinging high through the air back and forth I’d just be sitting on my swing going about two miles an hour and barely moving at all. It was kind of funny cause I stuck out like such a sore thumb. The grownups would be telling me to go higher and faster but I would just shake my head negatively and go at my very slow turtle’s pace.

Aww not everyone was a daredevil on a swing like I was .. are you the same about funfairs/amusement parks and avoid the big rides? I know I avoid those rides these days.

Do you feel the negativity in the workplace has become worse in recent years? Cause I do unfortunately and I’m not sure why that is to be honest.

Yes, sadly that's true. Its also soooo very draining which is why I've always tried to avoid it. I'm not sure why either? is it that people in general are more dissatisfied these days and expect more? .. I really don't know.

Have you noticed by the way that your crown over there has been temporarily stolen? And just so you know I didn’t hit the “HA HA” button on purpose when you lost your crown. It got stuck. Yes, that’s it!

WHAT!!!!! :talk: ....



:laughing: ... you know how vicious I become on that thread., no one stands in my way..Lol!. My return will be spectacular :danc:




Its good to be back on here DFF. Your new avatar looks so serene and picturesque


Dare I ask .. ave we reached our goal yet?

 

[Long Lashes]

How are your plants doing this summer @Long Lashes ? How are your orchids and Tiny Tim?

Its so good to see you Lovely Michelle and thank you yes my plants are all good. Orkie and Pearl have bloomed again and are now sleeping again Tiny Tim continues to live out his long retirement in the corner of our back garden, he's not a particularly pretty plant, but he seems happy enough.

I also planted Sunflowers, Petunias and Lilies outdoors this year .. they're all getting plenty of water with all this rain

I only have gotten two new orchids this year thus far. 67 in total.

Only 2 more? I'm shocked :Clol: you've slowed down my friend.

Wow though, 67 is a grand amount to have, they must keep you very busy. Do you remember all their names? I bet they are an absolutely glorious sight.

Streetie is alive and living at her summer home in the outdoors on my Mother's patios with Princess and Duchess II. Pippa The Pepper is also alive as producing yellow peppers.

Oh thank you for telling me, good ole' Streetie what an absolute legend! You've given her a good life, she would surely have be gone long ago if it wasn't for you. Its good to hear about Princess and Duchess II too enjoying the fresh air .... and how flipping wonderful is Pippa The Pepper rewarding you with yellow peppers?

You've inspired me Michelle , I'd like to have a go at growing something edible, something very easy though. I might try growing radish? I'm not sure our weather is suitable for Peppers? .. I need to do some investigating.

 

[Long Lashes]

A very belated happy July 4th to all across the pond!
I hope you all had a great day!

:usa:​

 

[DallasFanForever]

Bear with me and I'll try and catch up ..... again

Well, there really isn’t that much to catch up on so it shouldn’t take too long Lashes LOL!!!

I'd love to experience a warmer Christmas at least once in my life, somewhere on a beautiful beach with the waves lapping

It’s nice in a way cause we get to have Christmas without the bitter cold but the problem is it really doesn’t feel like Christmas here unfortunately. It feels like, well, it feels like every day to be honest. It takes a lot here of decorations and spirit here for it to feel like Christmas. But somehow it always does anyway. Maybe the magic of Christmas isn’t in the climate. Maybe it’s in us and how we choose to celebrate it no matter our climates.

Which means most of what I just posted is wrong, isn’t it Lashes? I guess I should’ve sorted it out before I started typing.

and enjoying a picnic of turkey sandwiches followed by ... ew no not Christmas Cake or Christmas pudding ..

I’m okay with the Christmas cake or pudding if you don’t want any. Actually I’ll trade you my turkey sandwich for those. Did you trade lunches when you were in school Lashes? I wasn’t really into trading my food with others.

... perhaps followed by coffee ice cream.

Oh, now you’re talking! I’ve always loved how this thread always seems to go back to food at some point. I can see that introducing you to coffee ice cream was a good thing. I’m assuming it’s still way back in the freezer, well-hidden from the rest of the Lashes household?

Did you know that Europe is experiencing a big heatwave at the moment? people are being warned to stay indoors during the day, its the fires that scare me.

Yes, I’ve heard about this and I can definitely relate! It’s quite scary and I think a lot of people don’t take the warnings seriously enough. I agree with you that the fires are the crazy part. We’ve had those here as well lately. As a matter of fact not too long ago I had a forest fire surrounding my route. I gotta say that was a bit scary to be out there working while a fire is happening literally right next to me at the same time. Luckily it’s gone for now but with this heat I guess it’s something we have to prepare for.

Meanwhile in my part of the world we are having rain and windy weather everyday

I guess in a way maybe this is good, or am I wrong? I was thinking maybe the rain and wind is at least keeping things cooler for you? I know when it starts pouring here I’m actually kind of happy cause it will cool things down just a little.

we are never satisfied whatever the weather. ..Lol

No, we aren’t, let’s face it. I’m just hoping the hurricanes stay away this season. That’s the scariest part about living here as far as I’m concerned.

.I believe .. is it Philadelphia? .. is also suffering the extreme heat?

I’m not sure about Philadelphia to be honest but I thought it was time to get my eyes checked the other day when I saw it was going to be 131 degrees in Death Valley, Arizona. That’s the highest temperature I’ve ever heard of. We’ve never even come close to that down here in Florida. I can’t even imagine dealing with that kind of heat!

Aww not everyone was a daredevil on a swing like I was .. are you the same about funfairs/amusement parks and avoid the big rides? I know I avoid those rides these days.

It’s weird because most of the rides don’t bother me that much. I’ll get a little scared if I look down from the top but I guess those rides are moving so fast that there’s not much time to get nervous. It depends on the ride really.

Yes, sadly that's true. Its also soooo very draining which is why I've always tried to avoid it. I'm not sure why either? is it that people in general are more dissatisfied these days and expect more? .. I really don't know.

I’m not sure either. I try to distance myself from the negativity but sometimes it just seems like a losing battle these days.

:laughing: ... you know how vicious I become on that thread., no one stands in my way..Lol!. My return will be spectacular :danc:

Yes, I am aware of your viciousness on that thread. I do anxiously await your return over there, even though I know I will probably end up in a hospital sipping from a straw and unable to eat solids for a few weeks with a few minor broken bones but I harbor no bitterness.

Its good to be back on here DFF. Your new avatar looks so serene and picturesque

It’s good to have you back my friend! You’re always missed when you’re not here.

As for my avatar, I wanted something different. Well, that was the plan anyway. I was tired of looking at that house and I wanted something else but I couldn’t decide on what to use. But then I kind of missed that house being there and was going to put up the same avatar I had, until I found this recent picture of it and I liked how it shows what used to be my field. I couldn’t pass it up. It’s just too special to me but I’ve learned that the field is not what’s most special to me anymore. It really isn’t. It’s the house and who was in it, and that’s why I put it back up. It’s part of who I am, and I guess that’s what an avatar should be.

Did you follow all that Lashes? Cause I’m reading that back and I’m not even sure I get what I type sometimes.

Dare I ask .. ave we reached our goal yet?

Dare I answer....not quite but we are getting there!

I hope you are having a great week my friend and the same goes for anyone else passing by!!

 

[Biggie]

Well, there really isn’t that much to catch up on so it shouldn’t take too long Lashes LOL!!!

Sir. I salute your post above. Cogent to a degree I am yet to attain, and the epic nature of your work without pointless hyperbole.... tell me your secret.

Did you follow all that Lashes? Cause I’m reading that back and I’m not even sure I get what I type sometimes.

You made sense, oceans apart but sharing similar thoughts.

Circa 2009 when Google maps was a new curiosity, I navigated to my childhood home. The satellite image of the house stirred feels I didn't expect. I wished I could jump into the image and.... yeah. Halcyon days living there.

Little had changed with the house and garden but the open scrubland had been developed with numerous houses. The woods across the road was gone replaced by more houses.

My childhood friends, Big Sister and I use to play, explore or just hang out in the woods such a pity that our Enchanted Woods that provided adventure, scary times, opportunities to play, and a place to explore is no longer. In an ever changing world thing change.

The wind eventually arrived, picked up Dear Mama, Big Sister and me. Deposited us in Hampshire. But as you said.... it's all about the people in the house. The people in the house made me.

 

[DallasFanForever]

Sir. I salute your post above. Cogent to a degree I am yet to attain, and the epic nature of your work without pointless hyperbole....

Thank you for saying this Biggie! I really do appreciate that cause sometimes I read this stuff back before I hit send and I’m not sure it’s any good to be honest. I’ll usually end up thinking, “Is anyone in their right mind going to want to read this,” or “Why would anyone care about what I just said?”

tell me your secret.

The secret is taking medication before posting. At least it’s always worked for me.

No, in all seriousness, I don’t think there’s a secret. Just be yourself. That’s what I noticed the first time I happened to stumble upon this thread in September of 2020. It was just two people being themselves and having fun, bantering back and forth about miscellaneous topics and stuff. Okay, they were both a little delusional when it came to their Hotness but I was willing to look past that. I mean, no one’s perfect.

I remember wanting to join in this thread but feeling very, very, very shy (and frightened). But they were very welcoming and I’ve never forgotten that so I’ve put up with all the slapping and the attempted murder on the other thread because of that.

All kidding aside though, the post I sent joining in this thread is the post I remember more than any other I’ve ever sent, and that’s because of how warmly it was received.

You made sense, oceans apart but sharing similar thoughts.

You sure about that? Cause I’m reading what I typed so far and all I see is bla bla bla bla bla again LOL!!

Circa 2009 when Google maps was a new curiosity, I navigated to my childhood home. The satellite image of the house stirred feels I didn't expect. I wished I could jump into the image and.... yeah. Halcyon days living there.

It does bring back a flood of thoughts, doesn’t it? For some, it’s probably something they would never do cause they may feel it’s living in the past or as the saying goes, “You can’t go home again,” but I know exactly what you mean. I get curious about where I grew up sometimes too.

Little had changed with the house and garden but the open scrubland had been developed with numerous houses. The woods across the road was gone replaced by more houses.

My childhood friends, Big Sister and I use to play, explore or just hang out in the woods such a pity that our Enchanted Woods that provided adventure, scary times, opportunities to play, and a place to explore is no longer. In an ever changing world thing change.

Unfortunately, the things as the way we remember them, often do change. To you, you probably thought those woods would be there forever. I guess as kids we don’t think about how these things can ever change. I know I didn’t back then.

But as you said.... it's all about the people in the house. The people in the house made me

Unfortunately I’m the only person in my family that lived in that house in my avatar that’s still alive. I think that’s the hardest part about looking at it. Maybe that’s why I had to take it down for awhile, But then I notice every time I log in it’s the first thing I see and it kind of makes me smile. I had missed it being there.

But back to your point, when I look at that avatar now, the first thing I think about is the people that lived there. The field and all the hours I spent on it, the mountains in the background, the house itself, it all means nothing without them. I guess I should’ve told them that when I had the chance but unfortunately we don’t realize these things til much later in life sometimes. I’ve heard of young and stupid and I’ve heard of old and wise but I’m yet to hear of someone being young and smart.

I hope you’re having a great weekend my friend!
And the same goes for everyone else here!

 

[Biggie]

read this stuff back before I hit send and I’m not sure it’s any good to be honest. I’ll usually end up thinking, “Is anyone in their right mind going to want to read this,” or “Why would anyone care about what I just said?”

I can honestly say that your posts are very good and the 'voice' of your posts is kind and thoughtful. While with my efforts.... a TT member suggested that I wax talking gibberish and then to drive the point home...cut and paste the dictionary definition of 'gibberish'. I mean what is wrong with people! If memory serves I posted a sweet piece. Issue was that they were the wrong audience.

Unfortunately, the things as the way we remember them, often do change. To you, you probably thought those woods would be there forever. I guess as kids we don’t think about how these things can ever change. I know I didn’t back then.

You called it. As a child the woods were a constant and playing our games in the woods was the norm. My perception was that that nothing would change there. For years we played in 'our' woods. The wind carried me away in November 1987, I expected to see what I spent many hours, days, weeks and years playing in. 22 years had passed and things had changed.

Last year I went through some photos taken in the closing days of my secondary school. I texted some images to a friend I met in the first year, and in doing so a belief I held popped into my mind... I believed that I would know my school friend and classmates for ever. After all I saw them everyday for 5 years. From the very last day of school friend and classmates scattered.

Unfortunately I’m the only person in my family that lived in that house in my avatar that’s still alive. I think that’s the hardest part about looking at it. Maybe

So sorry to hear this. When we arrived in Basingstoke, we had to move around the town and we lived in 6 different houses. Dear Mama arrived with 2 young children and a suitcase and she built a mountain. She has achieved what the native folk often fail or never even attempt. When I'm near or passing I stop and look at some of the houses that we lived in. Shit holes, shared accommodation with awful people, council housing in a godliness area and then to were we are now. Described by estate agents as "highly desirable" all thanks to Dear Mama and her love for Big Sister and me. So when I am passing previous places we lived, I understand what she has achieved starting with 2 children and suitcase. The 3 of us have become 5. Her grandchildren reap the reward of her labour but don't know what superhuman effort was required. I am blessed that were are still all here.

DFF, I comprehend you losses by knowing that I a great ugliness is on the horizon. I know that when it arrives Big Sister will be the only person who will be able to pick me up off the floor. Literally and figuratively.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I can honestly say that your posts are very good and the 'voice' of your posts is kind and thoughtful

Thank you! I do try to be nice in general. I never saw the point in the alternative to be honest.

While with my efforts.... a TT member suggested that I wax talking gibberish and then to drive the point home...cut and paste the dictionary definition of 'gibberish'. I mean what is wrong with people!

LOL!!!!!
I’m sorry cause I know you’re being serious but that really cracked me up! I can’t believe someone would actually do that. I’m not sure how I would react to someone doing that to me. I’d probably be speechless for a few minutes, that’s for sure. I might’ve had to bring in The Enforcer for backup with that one.

You called it. As a child the woods were a constant and playing our games in the woods was the norm. My perception was that that nothing would change there. For years we played in 'our' woods. The wind carried me away in November 1987, I expected to see what I spent many hours, days, weeks and years playing in. 22 years had passed and things had changed.

I guess we can’t really prevent that change unfortunately. I do get it but sometimes I think things change a little too fast these days.

I believed that I would know my school friend and classmates for ever. After all I saw them everyday for 5 years. From the very last day of school friend and classmates scattered.

It’s quite sad! I remember being oddly depressed most of my senior year in high school while everyone else was having so much fun and that was mainly because I was thinking ahead and starting to realize that our time together was almost up. It still makes me sad sometimes when I think about some of them and what they’re doing after 30 years. It seems like a lifetime ago now.

DFF, I comprehend you losses by knowing that I a great ugliness is on the horizon. I know that when it arrives Big Sister will be the only person who will be able to pick me up off the floor. Literally and figuratively.

My friend, I’ve dealt with that ugliness more than the average person, believe me, and my advice is don’t think about it until it’s time. Enjoy what’s still here. I know that’s easier said than done, but take it from someone who’s lost more family members than he has left. What matters is when they’re here. Yes, you will need to be picked up off the floor. That is unavoidable, and luckily you’ll have Big Sister for support. The worst loss of my life was 15 years ago and there are days I still feel like I’m on the floor looking up asking for help. And somehow that help always arrives at some point and eventually I do get up again. Was I ever the same? No, of course not but eventually you find the will, and a way, to go on.

That last sentence reminds me of a Dallas episode when J.R. is looking to get a sneak peek at his daddy’s will and says, “Where there’s a way, there’s a will.” An obvious pun on the famous saying. Michelle will know what I’m referring to, I’m sure, but Lashes won’t cause, well, she hates Dallas.

 

[DallasFanForever]

And so we’ve finally arrived at our goal of 5300 posts. Only 4700 to go til that magical plateau of 10,000! Are we going to be setting a new goal for 5400?

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

And so we’ve finally arrived at our goal of 5300 posts. Only 4700 to go til that magical plateau of 10,000! Are we going to be setting a new goal for 5400?

Only 4700? Donate, donate, donate to keep this place alive so we reach 10,000.

Maybe by the end of August we may be able to get to 5400?

 

[Trick-or-Treat Stevens]

Its so good to see you Lovely Michelle and thank you yes my plants are all good. Orkie and Pearl have bloomed again and are now sleeping again Tiny Tim continues to live out his long retirement in the corner of our back garden, he's not a particularly pretty plant, but he seems happy enough.

Tiny Tim isn't pretty plant, why do you say that?

It's good to hear that Orkie and Pearl are doing well. It's rest time for the orchids.

I also planted Sunflowers, Petunias and Lilies outdoors this year .. they're all getting plenty of water with all this rain

That's where all the rain went. We need some here.

Only 2 more? I'm shocked :Clol: you've slowed down my friend.

Wow though, 67 is a grand amount to have, they must keep you very busy. Do you remember all their names? I bet they are an absolutely glorious sight.

Well they don't all have names but they all have their date of purchase on the bottom of their pots. All but about three have names. Knox (about on the Spring Equinox) and Molly are the latest. Several are still blooming but it's high orchid fashion not to make new leaves. That is on orchid trend this summer.

Oh thank you for telling me, good ole' Streetie what an absolute legend! You've given her a good life, she would surely have be gone long ago if it wasn't for you. Its good to hear about Princess and Duchess II too enjoying the fresh air .... and how flipping wonderful is Pippa The Pepper rewarding you with yellow peppers?

Here is a photo I took of my Poinsettias this past Sunday, 23 July.

Let to right, Streetie, Streetie II, Princess, Duchess II and Boxer Poinsettia. Boxer is the little one I got on 26 December before they were all tossed. they are enjoying their Summer. I still worry about Streetie as she isn't as green as the others. Streetie II is just a branch of hers we put into a pot and it's still alive.

Pippa is alive and we recently repotted. She's not as productive as the newer peppers but she's an older plant and I understand.

You've inspired me Michelle , I'd like to have a go at growing something edible, something very easy though. I might try growing radish? I'm not sure our weather is suitable for Peppers? .. I need to do some investigating.

I'm not sure but you may be able to grow peppers indoors as well. Pippa produced indoors during the Winter.