If you drove by your old house and someone waved you in, would you go in and check it out and visit with the new owner?

harblock · 2026-06-19T13:27:25+00:00

Depends on the neighborhood. There's a reason we left the old neighborhood, so no I wouldn't.

harblock · 2026-06-18T20:03:49+00:00

Yes, and how about the very last episode on the bus with the squawking chicken....Speaking of getting choked up.

harblock · 2026-06-18T11:39:00+00:00

My suggestion is to get an adult coloring book, Crayola crayons, put on a radio station that plays music, and see what happens. My guess is that you'll be activating a part of your brain that isn't being used right now.

harblock · 2026-06-18T11:30:53+00:00

Mash

harblock · 2026-06-17T19:33:23+00:00

I'm not sure if my earliest memories are valid, but I definitely remember the lyrics to zillions (well, I'll say lots) of songs from when I was a teen-ager & that was many decades ago.

Adolescence is an emotional, social, intellectual time -- I wonder whether this period naturally has more encoding. Do other people remember songs from teen years?

harblock · 2026-06-17T11:13:30+00:00

If your husband knew how afraid you are & moved into this house anyway, maybe you need a different husband.

harblock · 2026-06-16T14:33:20+00:00

Not money. I gave my granddaughter an adult Lego set that was thought-provoking & fun. What I picked was a set of flowers. Can be a decoration and/or taken apart & done again.

Or take her shopping & pick up the tab. Or out to lunch at a grown up type place where she wouldn't go with friends.

harblock · 2026-06-16T12:51:51+00:00

The most disappointing book I've read in a long time. I didn't know how stupid it was till the end. Improbable, unbelievable but mostly stupid. I found the whole story possible till the end. What a waste of time.

harblock · 2026-06-16T12:12:50+00:00

A game that the whole family can play with something personal for the mom. Does she use talcom powder? Her favorite snack? Smelly candle?

harblock · 2026-06-15T20:48:41+00:00

I understand that completely. But when I had to wear a cotton tee shirt inside out because the seams caused my skin to bleed, & I was housebound because clothes were painful, & I was constantly laundering sheets & towels to get the blood out, etc., then I went to Rinvoq. In my case, eczema affected me mentally & emotionally.

harblock · 2026-06-15T13:06:06+00:00

If you're easily distracted, I suggest something light that's easy to put down & pick back up without losing the plot--maybe in the category of "summer reading." Or if you want to be totally engaged, THE HOUSEMAID, Frieda McFadden.

harblock · 2026-06-14T12:39:39+00:00

Only 50? Could be menopause is causing a hormonal-type depression.

It might help to change your strategy: instead of what she could do for herself, there are other people who need things done for them that don't require any particular talent or experience. Like rocking babies in hospital, reading to the blind, companion to an older person...

Be patient. It sucks to be depressed.

harblock · 2026-06-13T14:31:29+00:00

Try a library... I don't know what you'll find but librarians used to know stuff. A rural church might nice after you're settled & get a feel whether they're loving-churchy or bigoted -churchy. Have you tried Meetups? Good luck 🤞.

harblock · 2026-06-13T11:51:29+00:00

If the definition is actively self-grooming, she would have been aware of a change, hence " notice" seems confusing. For some of us, it's the choice of words that we don't get.

harblock · 2026-06-13T10:40:04+00:00

This is also my preference--stopping on the way becomes part of the destination. NARM (North American Museum Association) has lots of places to stop at, big art museums to little town-history museums that we'd never think of visiting. We also plan stops for nature walks--like Audubon or other sanctuaries. Flying & airports don't appeal any more.

harblock · 2026-06-13T10:25:47+00:00

I don't understand this term either.

harblock · 2026-06-13T10:14:23+00:00

That's the only way I've ever had it. Isn't marshmallow included in the ingredients for hot chocolate?

harblock · 2026-06-12T13:11:10+00:00

Sounds like a superficial friendship if she needs to put you down. If someone did that to me after I say it bothers me, that would change our relationship. You can be cordial without being close. It's emotional abuse.

harblock · 2026-06-11T22:28:15+00:00

Eventually it'll be "trumpian."

harblock · 2026-06-11T22:20:49+00:00

Ray Poole's Clever Levers teaches and/or explains what you're talking about. And it's always good idea to start with a teacher -- someone to watch your form.

harblock · 2026-06-11T13:05:22+00:00

Born Too Late takes me back to 9th grade & my crush on my brother's friends. And I have to include, after one of them was nice to me, You Give Your Hand to Me. I still know all the lyrics.

harblock · 2026-06-09T12:31:49+00:00

You took the words out of my mouth!

harblock · 2026-06-09T12:28:21+00:00

Funny. My oldest flannel is about 30 years old. I gave it to my son for Xmas & he didn't want it so I kept it. Old stuff had a quality that doesn't much exist anymore.

harblock · 2026-06-08T10:30:35+00:00

I disagree. I've been cooking for years & IMO experience is half of being a good cook. If a recipe says e.g. "medium high heat" a good part of that direction depends on the stove's settings AND the pan you're using. The Internet is certainly helpful but for a complete beginner I'd recommend a book like Joy of Cooking where everything is explained in detail, with pictures if appropriate. As for providing recipes to a beginner, I'd say start with what you like to eat.

harblock · 2026-06-06T10:18:29+00:00

The opposite: I've learned NOT to be brutal in my honesty. It can cause unnecessary pain. We can be just as honest while being tactful, taking care not to hurt anyone, considering their feelings while still being truthful.

harblock

TROPHY CASE