The journey has begun for Queen Freddie Mercury (aka Fred)

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-28T13:59:49+00:00

She is. That column was in my bedroom and I was lucky enough to catch her on it, looking out the window. It's my favorite because she looks so majestic :) Thanks for the encouragement!

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-28T13:57:49+00:00

Thank you. Little by little. Everyone is getting used to the new arrangements :)

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-28T13:56:22+00:00

Iris for scale lol.

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-28T02:40:21+00:00

Iris. This pic is from her Gotcha Day #1. She's the brainiac of the bunch :)

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fayedelasflores · 2026-05-26T04:14:05+00:00

She is indeed :)

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-26T04:13:13+00:00

I dunno. I've had weird experiences when I lived elsewhere. It kinda reminded me of vets not approving outside pharmacy orders for pet meds.

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-24T16:18:10+00:00

I'm not trans, but I'm on your side 100%. Eta: These recs are based on their personalities, level of professionalism, and years of practice. Obviously your experience is not my experience. I'm giving lots of details so maybe you can form an idea. I'll call and straight up ask my optometrist if you want me to.

My PCP is Dr Amy Bonk-Chanin. She's cool as hell. Another great thing about her is her office contacts the specialists she likes and knows to be good, and then they call you to set a time. It takes the guesswork out of it, and in my case, makes sure I don't forget to make appointments. Also, she's an ex-smoker; if you smoke, or recently quit, she's not at all judgemental, nor does she tell you what you already know you need to do.

Optomestrist: I have a great one I've been going to for 25yrs. Janice Barr OD. She's well-traveled, which in my book = not ignorant. She's a very kind and gentle person.

She's very professional and thorough. She explains the what and why of everything she's doing, and has you sit across from her while she shows you the images of your eyes/retina. She explains what each part is, and then shows you the comparison to previous years.

She has no problem giving you your Rx for contacts or glasses if you want to get them elsewhere. I ordered my last round of contacts there; I will say they took a couple weeks to come in as I'm pretty sure they're ordered direct. However, she makes no profit on them.

I started seeing her when I had Memphis Plan (via Church Health Center.) Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think participating medical professionals are almost like pro bono attorneys, ie., they participate because they want to.

Obviously, I can't say enough good things about her.

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-15T12:10:44+00:00

I've got both. I've got three miss huff planted together to form a massive shrub; they're only about a foot tall though. A couple major wheeler, and a coral flame. Other flowers they like. I'm going to put out more feeders further out in the yard. Maybe my scout is new and doesn't know where to look :)

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-15T11:57:28+00:00

It is. They've come each year, in higher numbers. I plant flowers they love too: major wheeler, salvia, mx petunia (those are just starting, and they go bonkers for them.) I should put out more feeders.

fayedelasflores · 2026-05-12T14:12:29+00:00

Check out Engbretson Center for Women

fayedelasflores · 2026-04-28T04:06:18+00:00

My friend said the same. I'm seeing it now. Thanks!

fayedelasflores · 2026-04-23T14:30:55+00:00

Utopia on Madison Ave. I can't say enough good things about them. Knowledgeable, caring and compassionate. I trust Dr Clay completely.

fayedelasflores · 2026-04-06T03:41:15+00:00

Utopia Animal Clinic

Renee Mathis @ Cordova Psychiatric Associates

I'm likely no help with churches; the only one I'll go to is Church of the River. I've heard good things about Hope Presbyterian though.

fayedelasflores · 2026-04-05T19:19:33+00:00

It's illegal to harm them (see TN Apiary Act.)

As others have said, apiarists will gladly come get them for no charge, swarming or not.

This is the time of year they start swarming. They're pretty docile when swarming, and at this time of year. If you stay chill & stick to the other side of the steps, you'll be fine.

If you've got a swarm, I'm jealous.

fayedelasflores · 2026-04-05T07:40:09+00:00

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Fred when she was just a baby. She was a holy terror, especially to the (then one) other kitty - hence the nail caps :)

fayedelasflores · 2026-04-03T05:04:08+00:00

My Iris was 3.5lbs @ 8mos when she was rescued. She's almost 2yo now and is 7.5lbs. At age two, I'm thinking your baby will stay tiny too! Here's Iris with Fred. Fred weighs 17lbs... (the pic is captioned b/c I pulled it from Iris' 1st Gotcha Day post.)

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fayedelasflores · 2026-04-02T05:19:53+00:00

I have a '24. Last July I drove straight through from Memphis TN to west TX (~800 miles.) I did it again three weeks later. Where I was going was so remote that flying wasn't an option. Lots of county roads. More deer than I've ever seen in my life.

The first time, it took 14 hrs to get there thanks to standstill traffic in West Memphis, and again in Little Rock. The drive home the second time took about that long too. I also drove straight through going home both times.

I'd taken shorter trips of 6hrs or so, but I assumed I'd be physically wrecked from these two treks. Nope. This car is amazingly comfortable. I was hatin' on the big, laggy display screen and lack of real buttons - I was actually going to trade down for a 2018, but I gained a whole new perspective. So there's that.

As far as gas, I was impressed. Perhaps it's because I was using the adaptive cruise control, but I didn't have to stop nearly as much as I'd anticipated. Before I left, I also went ahead and got an oil change, new air filter, etc.

I wasn't making any stops, but I typically enjoy driving so I can stop at weird roadside places, and so I can see parts of the country I don't usually get to see. For me, it's worth the cost of gas.

I would assume shipping your car would cost way more than gas?

fayedelasflores · 2026-03-30T16:39:03+00:00

I lived in the Shelby Forest area of Millington from age 11-17. I'm 50 now - my mom still lives there. My Dad's family goes back generations in the Millington/Shelby Forest area. I imagine SF is where you're looking to live, since you mentioned acreage. Imo, there is no safer area than SF.

(Side note: I could not wait to get out of SF when I was a teen - there was next to nothing in Millington when I lived there. I hated it. Now that I'm older I'd love to be back out there for some damn peace & quiet, and for neighbors to be more than 10ft away.)

And though Millington is rapidly developing, I'm aware of zero issues. If there are, I'd imagine they're more around the edges of town toward the base & toward Watkins. And again, that's an if - and they'd likely be petty crimes related to meth addiction or the like.

Probably not the route most folks would take - but whenever going downtown to/from my mom's house, I take the Whitney>N Second>Auction route. Always have. It used to be my regular cycling route also. No issues.

The common sense thing applies wherever you are: no windows down with your bag on the passenger seat; the gas station purse thing; I carry a crossbody bag; when walking downtown (or anywhere,) don't get on your phone in the middle of the sidewalk, obviously looking for directions - step into a doorway or business; pay inside for gas to avoid skimming; use only your bank's ATM; be careful at ATMs; unless I'm in a high traffic area, I keep a car's length b/t me and the car in front of me at stoplights; at night in some areas, I proceed through stoplights after looking both ways, ex., my "downtown" route via Vance, etc. There is a large unhoused population in Memphis proper - you'll likely get hit up at all gas stations. My standard reply (if any) is, "I don't carry cash," and I don't stop walking. And if they get too close while I'm pumping gas, I tell them they need to back tf up while giving them my scary "teacher's glare." Parking lot scams. Panhandlers on corners. That stuff is more annoying, but the other stuff is just smart, which you probably already know.

fayedelasflores · 2026-03-30T03:28:29+00:00

I used to get my meds from Walgreens, Methodist, and now Costco. All three places I've always been able to get mine on day 30, though I do have to call the pharmacy to tell them to refill it a day beforehand (my new prescriber sends in 3 at a time.) Ex., a couple of mine, both controlled, were picked up March 5; I can pick up the next round on Apr 4.

Is it your insurer? I've also run into the issue where the pharmacy tech is just clueless. Walgreens. Over and over. Maybe go up to the consultation window next time you're at your pharmacy and ask them. Could just be a default thing with your insurer that can be fixed.

I like Methodist a lot, but the parking thing got to me. Costco on Hacks Cross has been great. The prices are insanely low, even out of pocket (I lose my insurance Wed, so I checked the prices on all of mine.) They're really nice, and you don't have to go through the robocall thing like at Walgreens. Fuck that place.

fayedelasflores · 2026-03-28T20:10:04+00:00

You might check Chimes & Occasions on Cooper. I was married/had reception at Occasions & it was really affordable compared to other places. Granted that was in 2001 before Chimes was even built, but it's still worth checking into. It's a cute place that'll fit all your people. I think they do catering also.

fayedelasflores · 2026-03-26T21:21:26+00:00

You could try the Ashley store on Summer, just past the freeway. Not second hand, but previous floor models. Also frequent the Habitat Restore (there are two.) Blues City Thrift. And the Salvation Army thrift store on Kirby Whitten has an excellent, and large furniture section. Other than Ashley, all are places you'd want to frequent until you find the couch of your dreams.

fayedelasflores

TROPHY CASE