Wish granted.

EldestSon was born deaf. We've been through scores of hearing aids, ear molds, accessories, etc, etc. I remember when I saw my first non-discreetly colored ear mold. Whaaaaat???? Yep. The kids, not having any shame (nor should they) thought, Oooooh, those look cool! and so they got whatever colors tickled their fancy. I've seen neon colors, sparkly glittery ones, sports team colors, swirly, etc. etc. They very obvious when not completely hidden by the hair.

You could definitely do something like that.

Also, "Excuse me, what did you say?" until they look at you while they're talking... don't give up.

There's nothing like that over here, more's the pity.


Sent by thought transference

All my love to Mr Limey - that's shows great perseverance.
I hope we'll both see less of eachother in June!

Which is also to say, my tickets have arrived at Mum's.
she's going to post them to me after the weekend.
I might ask her not to, until closer in the day. Less time to lose them...
But I fear I need to hhave them in my hot little hands before I believe it's actually real. How long have I been saying I'll come to yours in the Summer.

Carruthers - I think what I will do is report the place I put the tickets on here. And promise sincerely not to move them without writing it here. If I keep them all together in the original envelope they arrive in I should be okay?

Poor Carruthers is the one who gets the panicked texts when I lose this and that and bits and bobs, only to find them again within hours... Luckily he's used to being held responsible for everything that happens in his own house, so he is capable of being calm in a crisis which is not of his making.

I will chant the mantra - no platforms, no wedges, no booze (actually I'd like a glass of wine on my birthday), no lost tickets. And in deference to Mr Limey, no tempting sweet treats.
I can't control blisters, the weather, train delays or the ferry crossing. But if I manage the first list I can cope with the second.

As Limey says, I've not seen those here either (ie mainland England).
The real change I saw as an adult was the children who wore patches on their glasses to train/ correct their eyesight. Back when I was a kid it was something akin to masking tape on really ugly NHS glasses. But I never once heard the term "speccy" or "four eyes" when I worked in school - glasses were too cool. And the patches were temporary pieces of felt in all sorts of bold, bright and beautiful designs. Including the ubiquituous Disney Princesses, but you can't have it both ways.
See, that's okay on a one-to-one, or especially if someone is being rude. But in a group situation it's not always right or enjoyable to force yourself into the centre of every conversation. My hearing doesn't test poorly enough to rate a hearing aid. Yet. Although it was borderline when I was a child, and I have hearing problems on both sides of my family.
So as a teen/ in my early twenties I hated noisy bars, being chatted up in nightclubs and fast food restaurants. I think that's why I married comparitively young, so we could do country pubs without music, decent restaurants and I could cook big meals for my friends in my own kitchen. Everyone had to defer to me there, or they wouldn't get fed.
In hindsight, I wish I'd qualified for a hearing aid!

Congratulations to Limey and Mr. Limey! Fabulous! :cheerldr:

Re hearing impairment and asking someone to repeat ... at some point you have to give up. Sometimes a person can repeat him/herself more than three times and my brain just won't interpret, even though I know he/she is making noises. It's much easier when people look at me but lip-reading isn't perfect either. Noisy places are impossible. Hearing aids aren't a lot of help in those situations, because they amplify noise across the frequency spectrum but don't help with speech discrimination.

If hearing aids were cheaper, I'd look into some of those colorful ones though - they'd be fun to wear on weekends! Or maybe I'll just get a colorful pair anyway when my current ones bite the dust. At $5000/pair I can't have a wardrobe of them.

A friend went to be tested and buy her first hearing aids. They were throwing around numbers like $5,000 to $7,000 EACH. Bandit bastards.

Whoa! Time to do some comparison shopping. The damned things aren't particularly technologically advanced, which adds insult to injury.

There's an engineer out there (I'm lousy at posting links - I suspect some astute dwellar has likely already posted his story here) who has designed a number of different hearing aids for himself to use in different situations. They aren't pretty, and some require the person you're having dinner with to wear a microphone, but they work better than the stuff being sold commercially.

The last time I had my ears tested, she said I have good news and bad news.
(Paraphrasing)
Bad News, you can't hear for shit.
Good News, you don't have to spend a fortune of expensive aids when the cheap ones will help just as much.

Today may have been something of a milestone with our bird-feeding...

For the past few weeks we've been feeding squirrels, blue jays, nuthatches,
house finches, woodpeckers, and occasional robins, and sparrows.

The squirrels and jays have become very territorial, driving off all the other critters.
So, I called in our Lab Retriever, Vicky.
She cut off the squirrels' escape route up into the trees, and the jays followed suite.
I had her lay down at the base of the feeders for a while to establish her command of the territory.
After about an hour, we called her in the house and waited to see what was to ensue.
Here they came, first the female (left) then the male (right)... "Northern flickers"

Attachment 51481
(not my pic)

These are my favorite birds of the Pacific Northwest, I think they are gorgeous
in their black and red markings, and individual feathers are blends of browns, tans, and orange.

It's a milestone because they are also the most wary of birds around us.
If they can see you, they fly away.

Some people (justifiably) say they are nuisances with their pecking and drumming behaviors,
but for so much beauty you have to pay at least a small price.

They are gorgeous. We have the yellow shafted on this coast.

I have had 2 of my "Farm Series" images accepted into "What's Old is New Again - Alternative Photographic Processes" at Gallery136-1/2, Manchester, CT. These are gold toned Van Dyke prints from 4x5 and 8x10 b/w negatives. The show runs from June 13 to July 11 and was juried by Jill Enfield, one of the best alternative process photographers working today.

Cool, I'd like to see them.

Here they are - Attachment 51492Attachment 51494

Ah, nice. Very nice. http://cellar.org/2015/hands19.gif

Thanks !

After 50 hours of work this week, half of those on seriously painful feet, and getting all my laundry done today...I'm chillin' at b-dubs. Wings, beer and trivia. It's the simple things, ya know?

I'm sure I've shared this story before, but for the benefit of any latecomers...
When I was at school our English textbook had an exercise showing how italics worked and how stressing a certain word changed the meaning of a sentence.

The sentence they chose was "I like your red shoes".
This passed into (schoolgirl humour) legend for my friends and me, but I'm sure it has affected my brain. Infected it, if you like. Because I always like red shoes.

Went to the carboot sale today.
Managed to get there at the time the independent sellers were facing a weary trek home with unsold items, so were selling at silly prices.
I bought a pair of red shoes for 50p.
Leather.
And leather lined with "comfort soles".
They're the sort of shoes my Mum has in her expensive shoe catalogues. Probably cost £40+ new. And from the soles they can only have been worn once or twice outside.

FIFTY PENCE!
They bridge the gap between flip-flops and rainy day shoes perfectly.
I can climb Jacobs Ladder in these shoes.

Say it with me now:
I like your red shoes.

I do like your red shoes. Do you have Pete the Cat in the UK?

Never seen or heard that before, thank you!
But as I'm not as sanguine as Pete I shall be looking out for large piles of... anything.

pink shoes! you go!:)

Found my shoes online. £25. So I over-inflated their price earlier, but it's still a massive win as far as I'm concerned; I could never justify spending that amount on new shoes these days.

Massive win, indeed!

I like your red shoes too. They look comfy and stylish.

:yesnod:

I have something to look forward to when I get back from Arran.
This is necessary, as it turns out I deal as badly with happiness as I do with disappointment; both tend to lead to a "crash" - a period of despair and depression, which varies in length and intensity.

I am learning (self-taught) to control my emotional barometer to an extent, but I've found a useful tool is having a little treat after a big one ;)

I'm going on a walk on 4 July, with a buffet after.
It's all booked and paid for, and it should be a good sociable evening. It's not a guided tour, just a walk with a guide to keep us on the right track, so it shouldn't disappoint like the Leeds Walk did. And it's all in Otley, ending up very close to my flat.

And I thought the name would appeal to y'all:
Yankee Doodle Dawdle + Star Spangled Social

That sounds like it will be fun.

What an excellent idea!

I would avoid the macaroni at the buffet, I'm just sayin'.

My girls crushed it academically this semester. Lil' Griff aced neuro-science and is starting to see a career path. :)

Cooll!

Great news Griff.

My eldest son is FINALLY finishing his internship... seems like he was on the 7 year plan. Should be complete in July and shortly thereafter become a college graduate.

That's awesome!

I have to say, my middle school son is crushing it academically these days, and I'm a little surprised and very proud of him. He always had trouble with homework through elementary school and even last year in middle school. He hated to read and write. Probably because it was such a challenge, but he seems to have turned a corner. He's a much better reader now, and writing is getting easier for him.

Those two skills are the key to everything else. He's gone from a struggling student to a kick ass student. And he's more efficient doing homework now, so he spends less time on it. It's like he figured out the key. Focus and work hard when it is time to work, and that gives you more time to play.

I used to be a little worried about him, but the kid's gonna be alright.

His sister is doing great too. She actually got one or two Bs this year, which I think is good for her. She had like 6 years in a row of straight As, and the pressure of perfection was weighing on her. It's like when your new car gets that first scratch.

Brilliant!

Glatt, you seem to be a great parent. I think your children's success is due in no small part to you and mrs glatt's parenting skills. They're going to be wonderful adults someday. It's nice to see that!

Thanks! I hope they turn in to good adults. So far, so good.

Awesome news all round :)

Fucked starlings!
 

They got WAY above their raisin' and the little fucking finches or sparrows or whatever the fuck they are, were getting a little too cozy in my walls so I borrowed the neighbor's ladder and with the help of the inch vacuumed as much nest material out as we could, a few little eggs, and then i FOAMED THE SHIT OUT OF THE GAP.

The best news of all was that the foam gun I had, that I thought was a goner (left w/o a can of foam) I managed to take apart and clean and now it works great. They ain't cheap and I already had to replace one.

And in really excellent news a month ago I got nabbed for speeding 46 in a 30, and I told the cop my current situation and he told me how to get the fine reduced.

I had traffic court today and got the city prosecutor to knock it down to a $150 parking ticket with a $50 surcharge (vs a few hundred plus 150 surcharge and points) and when I went in front of the judge I told him my doleful tale and he knocked it down to $50 parking ticket and $25 surcharge and 90 days to pay.

That's awesome about the ticket!

Attachment 51923


This is a much better ticket.

I looked at these and thought, "Shit, I know this guy."

nowhereman's picture essay of the last bell factory in America is extremely poignant.

I have decided on a tattoo and had a "consultation" (which is like a cheeky free appointment because the tattoo artist is interested in what you are having done.

It has to wait until at least July for financial reasons, but I will think of it as my birthday present to myself. It's for Brianna, and for my sobriety.

I feel good having made the decision, even though no money has changed hands. I've only been thinking about it for two years after all...
I will have to put down a deposit at my "official" consultation, but of course that comes off the price of the actual tattoo.
It's not going to be large, but it will be visible.

There.
I feel I have taken another step by telling you on here.

Can you tell us the design, or is it a surprise?

Yes, you do! Still here (sort of). Photographing for artists, museums and galleries, gardening and keeping about 120,000 bees .......

Do you have 120,000 bumper stickers on the back of your car saying, "Who Rescued Who?"

I ate lunch with Jim Ball today.

Secret surprise. May let you know when I've actually got the design nailed (not literally). But I'm not sure of the timescale, it may be that by the time I approve it, the same session will be the actual ink. It's not large, but it is being drawn for me rather than me picking it out of a book.

In a group/ fundraising sort of thing? Or personally?
Either way it's cool.

I was at his training which was organized by a couple ladies from work who invited me to lunch. He's very dynamic in a crowd (ex football coach) and pretty chill in a small group. I tried not to be a fanboy. He started as an aide and now he'd this sought after Dr. The cool thing is he still works in the field. I don't know how many trainings I've taken from people who essentially washed out and make their living as experts.

Were these "washouts" giving you bad, outdated, or conflicting information?
I suspect this a subject where the training could be heavily influenced by the personal conclusions of the trainer.

I'm happy today to have found my reading glasses. I thought I lost them in a customer's car months ago. I've replaced them since then, and yesterday I found them in the office. I still don't know how they got in the office.

I went to the Strawberry Festival today. It was nice enough. Mostly I thought of mom a lot. Much history there. It made me smile.

So pleased it made you smile.
I know how much you loved her (and she loved you).

Nice.

This is how our loved ones live on, in us. I'm happy to hear your story infinite monkey. :)

Starling lover.

:p:

Tag 'em, foots.

Yes, but they're very tiny :D
Beekeeping is a kind of Zen for me, move slowly, study their actions and ommmmmm

Had two pieces of future-positive news this morning.
After a few days of horrible news.
Won't go into details as one may come to nothing, and the other is something I don't want to go into. Both require more work and luck, but as least I feel I'm doing something.

Even if I'm doing it on a far far tighter budget than I like (having to live for three weeks on one weeks money - I think you can guess what one of the horrible things was) I do need hope in my life. And hope there is.

I wish you the luck you need, and gumption to put in the work. Hang onto that future positive. X


Sent by thought transference

Now if y'all know me at all, you'll know I love me some musicals.
I had the chance to see Starlight Express put on by a local company, with discounted tickets through my church.
The poor person who subbed me has already had to put up with me singing down the phone, so it's your turn.

Not the singing.
Just the mithering on.

I loved it. Still buzzing.
Starlight Express is really hard to do well in amateur theatre because it requires such a range of talents, specialist staging and eleborate costumes. This production handled the singing excellently - the more extreme aspects of the skating were... skated around, and the costumes pared down.

But the songs, the songs, the songs.
I don't care if I'm a laughing stock for loving it for what it is. I grew up with opera and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Radio One being played equally. And although I adore Tim Rice, Richard Stilgoe turns a merry phrase too.

The only fly in the ointment came after, when a well meaning YOUNG Mum assumed I was one of the actor's Mum. Well, I did holler and whoop. And in hindsight (if she was watching) I did sing along with all his lines. But only because he was playing my fave character (Greaseball, who gets all the best songs imo). And yes, I suppose even without being all non-English anyway, I was in a neon sundress with lilac hair. So I may have been easy to pick out in a police line-up. And yes, yes again, it's possible that as this was a youth theatre group I could legally have been his Mum (it's hard to tell when someone is dressed up as a diesel train).

My consolation is that if he had been my son I would have been very proud. Acknowledging that if he really had been my son he'd probably have been in Strangeways [prison] now.

Anyway, it was an excellent performance. All the leads sang well. In fact they all sang well, the ensemble pieces were marvellous. Rusty - who I always found a bit too whiny to be a hero - moved me to tears. And there was an excellent girl as one of the coaches (probably Buffy, but the new version doesn't give them their own solos) who I'd liked to have seen more of.

My only two real regrets (aside from wishing I hadn't met the yummy Mummy who said I must be so proud) was that CB's character was shaved down to nothing; something I did know in advance. And that Greaseball wasn't five stone heavier and twenty+ years older, so I could fancy him, as I did the original Greasball when I saw it as a teen.

But I have to say I liked their version of Poppa more. I swear he said "Eeeeeh! Careful!" when they nearly took a spill during one of the races - held through the audience. Very Southern Bluesman :)

Greaseball's theme (from the original soundtrack - sound only)

I was a dinner guest tonight! I think Limey was the last person who cooked for me, back in January 2014.

Chicken casserole (okay, maybe that could have looked a bit cat-sicky, but casserole does generally) new potatoes, carrots, mashed sweet potatoes and cabbage.

And for dessert (they even made me dessert!) fresh strawberries and raspberries with proper posh vanilla ice cream. You know, the speckly kind.

Before that I had a long walk with the lady of the house, and a good chat about life in general. She also suffers from depression, but is still managing to work part time as a music teacher and freelance instrustor for her instrument. Then another good chat back at the house with her husband, who loves words like me. And a relaxed general talk over dinner with the two of them and their son who's back from Uni where he's studying Sports Science in a city I know tolerably well.

I felt like a proper grown-up.
They're good people.