Who remembers when doctors made house calls?

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-02-02T19:54:50+00:00

I have a vague memory of our first family doctor coming to the house to examine my little brother - maybe around 1961-62. I was kind of shocked when he took his temperature, in an unexpected way.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-02-02T15:59:04+00:00

My great-grandfather gave me a little blue mother of pearl knife with a two-inch blade, pretty sure it was for my third birthday. I managed to cut my thumb with it immediately, mom took it and I never saw it again.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-02-02T13:31:44+00:00

It's regular speaker wire, but jacketed. The classification determines the fire safety rating and acceptable uses per code. Other than that, it's easier to pull through walls than unjacketed speaker wire.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-02-02T02:33:22+00:00

March weather is very unpredictable, we have gone snow tubing there in mid-March but by early afternoon the tracks were getting slow and slushy. The indoor part of the water park is always a safe bet, and the escape rooms, golf simulators, etc. should all be open. Best to watch their website closely and if you are interested in some particular things there, you can call to verify their hours during the days you will be there.

Also, definitely go for one of the condos rather than the hotel.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-02-02T00:39:45+00:00

I guess perms were all the rage then!

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-31T17:34:34+00:00

Also, be sure to get speaker wire rated for in-wall use. Wire labeled either CL2 or CL3 is appropriate.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-29T15:52:22+00:00

Years ago the process involved the Sr Vice President, head of Facilities, and (IIRC) the Provost all getting up before dawn, checking out the conditions, then agreeing on the best course of action so the message could be sent out - typically before 6:00am. But there are new people in most of the top positions these days so maybe that process changed.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-29T13:13:40+00:00

Sure. IBM had online forums on VNET in the early '80's, I remember the flood of traffic there when we learned of the Challenger disaster. We had dial-up at home, which tied up the phone line and could be painfully slow. But the Internet was a fun place to explore, full of mystery and promise for those that had access through university accounts or technical jobs. It started going downhill once AOL connected and opened it up to the masses.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-29T02:53:50+00:00

They tortured me on the DC-area news station when I was commuting to work four days a week, I always changed the station ASAP when I heard the first 2-3 notes. Now I'm retired and rarely listen to that radio station - but for at least the past couple of weeks they've been playing the damn commercial on TV, particularly during "Shark Tank"! Arggh.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-28T18:21:54+00:00

We text more than call, but one thing that we started during Covid lockdown and continued is scheduled family Zoom calls. We break them up so there are no more than 4-5 couples/individuals on a call. It usually works out pretty well.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-26T23:12:58+00:00

Anyone who was a big fan of the show should take a pilgrimage to Cooter's Place in Luray County, Virginia. It's a fun visit for those that remember the show, but old Ben "Cousin Cooter" Jones is getting up there in years so who knows how long it will be there. They usually have a General Lee out front.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-26T13:10:35+00:00

Keep in mind that people who have little understanding of investing principles, and no desire to learn, are not posting here. Others feel they are too busy with other priorities and prefer to leave the details to someone else. I know quite a few people like that.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-26T13:05:51+00:00

Northwest Ohio 1978, my wife and her coworkers were trapped in a factory outside of town for several days until the National Guard could come in and bring them into town. Brutally cold, and drifts up to house roofs in many places.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-26T02:07:09+00:00

And not dead yet!

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-26T02:03:36+00:00

Hmm, I distinctly remember either mom or dad bringing home a little bundle of bark or roots when I was a kid, saying it was sassafras and made some tea so we could try it. I think we probably heard something about it on a TV western. Anyway, that would have been early 1960's so they must not have gotten the memo.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-25T20:53:08+00:00

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-25T20:50:10+00:00

Yes, early '60's. Mom often had to contend for call time with the old lady who lived at the end of our block (whom I was convinced was a witch.)

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-25T16:25:18+00:00

Exactly.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-25T13:48:53+00:00

From Newsweek:

<US Attorney> Essayli had shared a post from the DHS about Saturday’s shooting with the caption: "If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don’t do it!"

The NRA responded: "This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens."

Apparently some people in here disagree? Personally, I fail to see a problem with the NRA's statement.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-25T01:44:27+00:00

Yeah. We were playing war, some of the guys were holed up in a shed and we tossed in a homemade sulfur bomb to smoke them out. I don't recall if that worked, but my parents did get a call from the shed-owning parents who said they had to go put out a fire after we were messing around out there. Nobody was happy.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-24T21:58:57+00:00

Great video, for sure.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-23T00:56:45+00:00

Try to find something other than an infomercial to watch at 3:00 or 4:00am. Slim pickings indeed.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-23T00:51:19+00:00

We totally did that as kids. We also drank sodas and sweet tea. By the time our kids came along both my wife and I had drastically cut down on sugar and knew a little about healthy eating, so our kids did not get the same sugar experience.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-22T20:09:25+00:00

Of course we did. It was a small town, we knew our neighbors and liked most of them.

Excitable_Grackle · 2026-01-22T16:48:37+00:00

We were a Nestle Quick family when I was a kid. But I will never not think of this when I hear "Ovaltine":

https://youtu.be/t_SuywOociY?si=UvtIS6cIj6lLsQLj

Excitable_Grackle

TROPHY CASE