Just need to talk to my friends (212)

Lorita

As of 3 p.m. they hadn't been able to get my car checked out. I don't look for it to.be finished until next week.Luckily the PU is okay so I'm not stranded without transportation.

I'm tired tonight - never got that nap so I'm going to bed pretty soon. Sleep well tonight.

Iris, how was your outing today?

Iris L.

GG, the moon shot is beautiful!

Today we seniors visited the Looks Delicious! exhibit at Japan House LA.

The exhibit shows how replicas of foods were made to show diners at restaurants over 100 years ago, when new foods from overseas were bring introduced to Japan.

This is the beginning of the process.

This is the finished product—it looks so real!

Replica of a Japanese breakfast

Replica of a Western breakfast

Iris L.

Food replicas have gone high-tech. By scanning a food replica in a restaurant window, a diner can learn the nutritional value of the food and if there are allergens. This is a wonderful service.

This is an example of a restaurant windows display.

Here is a replica, but could anyone actually eat this tower sandwich?

Iris L.

The Japan House is in Hollywood. Here is the Dolby Theater, where the Academy Awards are held to distribute Oscar statues.

Workers were setting up for tonight's premiere of this movie at the TLC Chinese Theater (formerly Grauman's Chinese Theater).

We saw some stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We had lunch at Wahlburger's. Do you recognize a famous actor?

Mark Wahlberg and sibs

Here is the future: an autonomous robot delivery cart.

I saw Mickey Mouse but I couldn't snap a photo, so here's Elvis.

Iris

Carl46

That fake food looks pretty good. I have heard of actresses who were so hungry that they grabbed stage prop food and ate some before anyone could stop them!

I had some really good fish tacos for lunch today. Met an old friend from work and went to Primos, which is a couple of blocks from her office and consistently excellent. Good times. 🥑

Good night, friends. Hope to see you tomorrow, Ron.

Goodlife2025

Iris, thank you for sharing this trip. Brought me back to memories of the mid 1960's when we were stationed in Japan and my mom would take me into the local villages. Food replicas were such a big thing for a little girl. I would go up to the big window in front and look at all the colorful displays; plates of food I couldn't even imagine people actually ate. Such a great memory thank you for taking me back. Now my memories of the public bathrooms being a hole in the floor you squatted over was another eye opening experience for this little Colorado girl.

ronald71111

Good morning,

I’m going to try hard to make it to the Senior Center this morning. Pulmonologist wants pulmonary function test every three months. He told me sometimes the fibrosis doesn’t change and at times it just blows up, so they need to keep an eye on it. The neck and shoulder is no better and I was told yesterday that my Dr has put in for a MRI.

Iris, thanks for sharing your pictures, if it would have been real, the hamburger looked like one I would have tried to eat back in the 60s.

Ron

eaglemom

Morning.

Iris I'm so glad that you take us on all of your trips! I enjoy your pictures then I show DH and he enjoys them. Its great that you keep busy.

Lorita while your car is at the dealership, can you have them do a car wash & interior cleaning? Getting every little bit out of the car so when it comes home its clean inside. Then you know for sure nothing is in the car. That way you'll know immediately if a critter gets inside. Its just a thought. No wonder your tired, it is always something.

Ron I hope you make it to the senior center. Sometimes even when you feel rotten, getting out helps.

GG as I've said before, we love Charleston. That would be stressful thinking about your return flight. Hopefully it will all go smoothly for y'all.

When we were chatting about slippers, I'm a LL Bean 'wicked good' gal.

Now for the question of the day for everyone. As background my three toes (between my big toe and pinkies toe) have been hurting. Its gone on far too long. I was thinking it was a neuropathy or something. I kept trying to work through it with everything I was dealing with with DH. I finally couldn't stand it & went to the PCP. First off he listened to me, looked at my foot & toes, listened to the blood flow, etc. Then he did massive blood work. He doesn't think its 'true' neuropathy, but a variant of it. My blood work came back and all the regular stuff was fine. Except for my Alpha Lipoic acid which was almost absent. I'd never even heard of that before. He recommended a different multivitamin with B12. Also add Alpha lipoic acid and folate. He thinks that combination will ease this pain. I certainly hope so because this is miserable. Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Time to get busy here. My goal is to finish one little project then try to just hang with DH for the weekend. His coughing is almost gone, thankfully. He's gained strength in his shoulder which is good. Now if this neck would respond to treatment he'd be good! Let's be safe everyone.

Lorita

Mornimg. Eagle, I've never heard of that but I hope the new vitamins will help. Also glad your husband's cough is better, now for the neck.

I know I have mentioned I have bilateral Morton's Neuroma.. Doesn't bother me too much in the daytime.but does at night. Guess it has something to do with.blood flow. It hurts when I walk barefoot

.Decided I would take the letters to mail and guess what-- the PU won't start. I just drove it a day ago and it was fine. Can't see anything wrong under the hood as if I would know. My.Halo won't start the PU and the charger doesn't help. Hard to get the positive clamp on the terminal. I have jumped it many times but with a different charger. Guess I will need to be careful until the car gets home. I am so tired of this, just one thing, then two others. I know you all are tired of all this and so am I.

Eagle, that's s good idea. I will have them do that. Better stop and check the clothes I'm drying.

ladyzetta

Good morning Rockers.

Iris. Thank you for all the pictures. Its so comforting to see you getting out so often. I wish I would enjoy getting out, but i have always been a stay at home and out of people's way type of person

Lorita. I hope you start getting some good news, soon. I also think it's a good idea to have them clean the inside of your car.

Eaglemom. My middle toe on my right foot hurts at times, I think it after I vacuum and maybe I'm twisting it some. I just got through vacuuming so I'm now waiting. I'm glad to hear your DH coughing is getting better.

Ron. I'm sorry to hear your having some bad days. Hopefully your feeling better today and meet up with Carl, for a few laughs.

Dryer has stopped. hugs Zetta

Lorita

Zetta, you're doing laundry, I just finished and friend, Carol is doing laundry. We will all have clean clothes this weekend. I have always been a home body, too. No place like home.

jfkoc

Iris…thanks. Now I know something I did not know that I did not know!

Iris L.

Good morning. I'm glad everyone enjoyed reading about the food replicas in Japan. I wish more restaurants over here would use replicas to display their dishes. I especially would enjoy being able to know the nutritional facts of a dish before ordering.

I too will occasionally get a sharp pain in the ball of one foot, but not in the toes. I try to do foot and ankle range of motion exercises every day anyway. In the past I have had foot pain so bad that I couldn't walk at all, it was very awful! We have to be able to walk!

Eaglemom, I told my neurologist that I had tingling and neuropathy in my toes, and he suggested that this might be a sign of thiamine deficiency. I take a multivitamin every day, but often in older adults our ability to absorb B vitamins diminishes due to lower acid in the stomach. You might ask your doctor about that. I believe the doctor already suggested a supplement?

Ron and Carl, I do hope you will be able to get together today at the senior center. It is so nice to be able to sit and chat and socialize.

Iris

Mint

Good evening

Rainy windy day

Eagle I do have pain in some of my toes now and then. I exercise my feet. I put my feet down then I scrunch my toes up, then i relax them and lit my toes up and spread them out. I think it helps? Yours sounds a little different though.

HB i think you asked about my nephew’s schooling. He did well on his written exam. He had around 5 days of classroom. Now they are going to be working with the truck. This is sort of like the beginning though. If he obtains his CDL he hopes to get with a company that trains the drivers more. Think it is 4 more weeks if I remember right. It will be out of state. Hope it works out for him.

BethL

Good afternoon! Iris, loved seeing the photos of the replica foods and the Hollywood walk of fame stars. Thanks for sharing with us. So interesting!

It's in the 50s here today in Iowa and tomorrow we get the colder temps, rain, even snow! Boo hoo.

Mint, glad your nephew is studying and finding something he likes.

Beth

JeriLynn66

Tornado Watch here until 10 pm as storms move through and then overnight temps in the 20’s for a couple days.
Hoping everyone feels better soon and car/truck troubles resolve!

jfkoc

Off to surprise birthday party for a 90 year old!

Training tomorrow with the curator from The National Gallery of Art!!!

Carl46

Pretty day today. They were having a garage sale up the street where my friends lived until both died a week apart last summer, but I didn't go. I don't want to pick through their things. I don't need things, I need friends.

Ron made it to the senior center in time for the Veteran's Day celebration (we're closed on 11/11) and we had a nice visit. He had quite an odyssey getting here, but I'll let him tell you about it. BTW, one more woman has joined our table since Ron started coming to visit (wink). He said he was going to tell on me about her, but I'm beating him to it.

Lorita, I saw a magazine cartoon in which a car has the hood open and a "For Rent" sign. One squirrel is telling another that "This apartment is often in a nice neighborhood" and "It's very private. The landlord doesn't know how to open the hood." I hope you get your transportation situation resolved real soon. As JeriLynn reported, winter is coming!

GG, I hope you're not sitting in an airport somewhere. Travel is trying enough without a shutdown that leaves flights reduced 10% and the air traffic controllers distracted by thoughts of how to pay their bills when they have worked without pay for over a month.

Judith, that training sounds great! I toured the National Gallery many years ago, when they had an exhibit of paintings from the country houses of England.

Lorita

Enjoyed the pictures of your outing, Iris.. The food looked so real.

Judith, don't yell 'surprise' at a surprise party for a 90 year old. Have fun.

JeriLynn, hope the storms pass by without damage! Darwin is coming over tomorrow to see about the PU. He worked as a mechanic when he was younger, then worked on farm equipment later. Hope he can figure it out.

Mint, glad your nephew is well on his way to his trucking career. Sarah's brother is an over the road trucker somewhere up north. Charles also did that when he was young.

Tired tonight so I'm going to bed and watch tv a while. GPs and cats already have sacked out.

Billy went out about midmorning and went up when they fed. Hasn't come back in yet.. Guess he enjoyed being out with his friends.

Ron, hope you and Carl had a good visit today..

Good night, sleep tight.

Iris L.

I was invited by a friend to her Woman's Club luncheon tomorrow, so I've got to get to bed now. Good night.

Iris

ronald71111

Good morning,

I don’t know what to think about Carl! Yesterday at the Senior Center, Carl had found another lady to join his table. After not being there in a week, I’m slowly being pushed further away on his table. He’s like a magnet, as new ladies join the center, he draws them closer with his charm.

I had mentioned yesterday about the lab calling and telling me my blood draw had been put into the wrong tube and they needed me to come back for a redo of the lab. Well I parked in a different place and when I went inside the place was different than yesterday. I asked directions at information and was told to go up to the third floor, walk across the concourse, and the lab was in another building. I did and ended up lost, but after asking several nurses and aids, I finally ended up in a different lab than yesterday. They did draw my blood and told me how to get to the main lobby. I decided getting back to the car would be easy if I just walked in the direction I came from. After approximately walking 1 to 2 miles my COPD and ILD told me I was lost. I flagged down a hospital van and after he asked questions about the building I was parked, he took me looking for the car. He ended up taking me to another hospital lobby where they called security for help. I was picked up and asked for details of my vehicle and by then I was so flustered I had trouble identifying my Toyota. Finally the location of my car came across the radio and I was taken to it. I had not realized all the walking around from one building in the complex to another had actually brought me to a building at another street.

After meeting Carl and his table of women I went home to rest before driving back to town with my grandson to meet the rest of family at a restaurant. We arrived first and people were parked on the grass and driving around in the restaurant circle looking for a parking place. I called my son to meet us in a Holiday Inn parking lot to decide what to do. We ended up going to Outback, the food was cooked good but way to salty and I ate to much and have been up all night because I did not listen to my Drs about eating small portions with my achalasia.

I apologize for writing a book to explain my day!
Ron

ronald71111

JeriLynn66

The storms have passed us by with no damage reported anywhere. Thank goodness. Temperatures begin falling today. We're hustling to get things done before the cold sets in for a few days and before we leave on our little trip Tuesday.

Black Star is one happy billy goat. He's now out with the Big Girls and able to wander 10 acres. The fence is secure so we're happy that is done before our trip. Grandson will feed each day and daughter will tend to Oliver Kitty while we are away. I appreciate having folks coming and going at different times when we are away. All I have left to do is get my clothes to the RV for the trip. I always save that until the last minute.

Ron, your trip to the lab sounds like a nightmare. I'm sorry it was so difficult. I agree with you about Outback. Too salty for me. We bought some beautiful steaks at Costco yesterday. Looking forward to having them by the campfire.

Well, I guess I'll get busy. You all have a good day.

harshedbuzz

Good morning. We're partly cloudy and headed for an unseasonable 65F today. DS will be busy at the station today for sure. Santa trains start next Saturday. Yikes!

Iris— DH always talked about the "fake food" when he traveled to Japan. He was a little obsessed with it and would love that exhibit. The American breakfast reminds me of his first trip where he was hosted in the company executive dorms. The housekeeper asked if he wanted a Japanese or American breakfast and he made the mistake of ordering American which was poached eggs made the evening before and served ice cold from the fridge. He never made that mistake again.

Interesting about the Thiamine. One of dad's mixed dementia diagnoses was the result of a Thiamine deficiency related to alcohol use. When he was treated, his focus and clarity were improved for a time. He was given IV injections initially.

Good life— That reminds me of the time DH was practicing his language skills on the train in Japan. He asked a conductor where the "benjo" was. DH later asked the conductor later if his pronunciation was that bad and the man explained that benjo was a pit toilet and that his children had never seen one. So DH asked what term he should use instead and the man answered "we use toilet".

Ron— That sounds like a big medical campus. No wonder you got spun around. I once misplaced a car at the centennial Boy Scout Jamboree on what was then Fort A.P. Hill. DS and I arrived just as the sun came up and parked in the field. No mean feat as it's 200 miles away and I somehow ended up in D.C. as a result of my navigator napping. I thought I'd be OK when I got back as I was in the very front. Nope, by the time I'd handed DS off to his scoutmaster and taken the shuttle bus for a 90-minute ride to the gate it was late afternoon, and many visitors more folks had parked. It was a rental Prius parked among massive SUVs which added to that challenge. A volunteer drove me around the lot while I hit the panic button for a good 20 minutes before I found it.

FWIW, dad had pulmonary fibrosis along with COPD. While he was symptomatic, neither progressed very quickly. I hope it's like that for you.

Lorita— Could the dealer offer you a loaner? Most of the dealerships here have very nice vehicles they offer folks have repairs.

Eaglemom— I hope adding the supplements helps.

Mint— Fingers crossed for your nephew. Will he stay with you once he's working or is he anxious to have his own place? He might appreciate your cooking once he's on the road eating where ever there's parking.

Carl— It sounds like you're quite the chick-magnet.

Jerilynn— Where are you headed this trip? Will it just be you and DH or will the in-laws be along?

I agree about the Costco steaks. When they have the "Prime" cuts they are amazing; the Choice cuts can be iffy IME.

_______________________________________________________________________

I had a me-day yesterday. Mostly shopping. Mostly unsuccessful.

My first job was to order a post and mailbox. The style/color I want are out-of-stock at "my" Home Depot and Ace. I actually ordered it from my local Ace and they canceled it on me. I went to NJ to check out the Lands End store. It was a bust. There was a lot of outerwear that I didn't need. The plaid flannel shirts weren't as nice as most years and the sweaters were all either holiday-specific or weirdly bright (Hot pink and red— nope). Brown is having a moment. I do like a nice deep chocolate, but this was not that brown and there was so much of it.

I ended up next door at Sephora. I needed foundation as the color just isn't working for me. I didn't need mascara, but I bought some anyway. I did check their Home Depot, but it was a bust as well. I'm off to stalk Amazon.

While I was out, the landscaper's crew trimmed my willow and removed the dead cherry laurel so the front of the house looks so much better.

I'm taking mom food shipping later and maybe the library. She didn't have any appointments, so she's been on her own more than is good for her. She's bored but she doesn't take the initiative to do anything on her own which is frustrating. She has a pool, gym, library and all manner of activities where she lives but doesn't make use of any of it.

I hope all have a pleasant day.

HB

Lorita

Afternoon, sunny and warm here this morning. Cold front comes through this afternoon and by Monday morning we will have a killing freeze but ,hopefully, just a hard freeze. I hate to see the green grass in the pastures turn brown. Darwin came over about 9 this morning. His battery charger did the same as mine which was nothing. He tightened things and it started. Several times as he was trying, it didn't.

I drove it several miles after letting it run 15 or so minutes. I mailed my letters, picked up the mail and took down the trash. Also drove up a mile or so where they're beginning to start work on the solar farm. Just makes me sick to see that happening. Someone is going to make a boat load of money- not worth it to me. At least it isn't in our County.

When he came up the drive the girls saw his white PU and, to them, a white truck means feed. They watched what was going in and are now laying in the shade. So far Billy is still out with them.

Ron, it makes me tired to just read what you went through. Glad you finally got out of there.

HB, the dealer where I bought the car didn't have loaners, however, they were working on my PU near closing time and he did let me drive a car home. The dealership has changed owners so not sure about this one. I guess I need to take the PU to see what's going on and maybe the car will be fixed by then. Maybe I will wait until it is fixed to take the PU in and I can drive it home and they can figure out how to get the PU home.

Glad the storms passed by without damage, JeriLynn. I bet Black Star is happy being with the girls, Billy probably is, too. Have a good, safe trip. Back later.

BethL

It's snowing! It rained most of the day, and now (1:00 pm) there are big moist white flakes coming down.

Earlier this week I went to a local park. There were lots of leaves on the ground and I was there to collect some for my compost. I raked up 3 garbage bags full. Then, this morning (before the rain began), I took them and dumped them on the yard and mowed over them to shred them a bit and make them easier to break down in the compost. I then stirred two of the bags into my compost pile and I'll save the other one for next spring - when there won't be any leaves to collect. Also, I want to go back to the park and collect some more when they are dry.

Football to watch today (on tv) - it's nice and dry in the house. Then the kids/grands are coming over. Today's menu is French silk pie, roast, potatoes and gravy, corn, pears and garlic bread.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Beth

Lorita

You have had a wonderful day, Beth. Those leaves will make your flowers grow next Spring. Snow!! Way to early for that but did hear Some Missouri might geb a few flakes.

I.have been out on the porch for a couple.of hours. When I went out it was bright and sunny - now it is cloudy. I took down the new flag because the wind is so strong, emptied the sprayer of its Round Up and brought the Chewy order in off the porch.

Most of the girls are in the NE pasture but some were across the fence in the East pasture. I watched while half a dozen little babies, a couple of cows and several.bigger calves ambled up to the gate by the barn to get in brcom with the others. The little babies came up in pairs, slowly and exploring. Fun to watch them. Billy is still out with his family.

Got a lot.of paper work done and filed and finally put the 2026 sticker on the PU tag ( only had it since August). It was in my purse and I kept forgetting to put it on.

Judith, The Dura.Flame heater was delivered yesterday.. Haven't opened the.box yet.. Will do that next week and put the legs on. Guess I will need to call Jeremy to see what's going on with my.propane heater.. Pilot lights but goes out when I release the knob. We talked about a new one two years ago.

My neighbor went to town today and said there were lots of people in WM. He said he was surprised that several.people wanted to help.him with.his groceries, like putting them in the PU. Said one girl.insisted on lifting things for him. People, for the most part, are really nice and helpful. I remember once Charles fell inside WM and several people hurried to help him get up and to a bench and stayed with him while I got the car, then helped.him get in in-'same thing when he fell outside the store.

Carl,you better watch those ladies. Sounds like they're on the prowl.

I better stop and find some supper. I cooked pasta and carrots and a loaf of bread yesterday so that will be it along with cottage cheese. Enjoy your evenings. It's supper time for the babies, too. Moms are calling their little ones and they are running to mom. Babies all over the place having supper. Amazing that they know their mother's voice, and vice versa.

GothicGremlin

HB - I understand why your DH watches/listens to the BBC - just to get that different perspective. That's my reason for reading The Guardian (also British). I read a couple of US based news sites so that I can compare and contrast.

Sorry about the mailbox saga.

And lost cars in parking lots? This is why I don't drive silver colored cars. I can't find 'em.

Iris - Your photos about the food replicas were really interesting! Really informative.

Eaglemom - Charleston is its same gorgeous self. I'm hoping we don't get stuck, but there are worse places to be.

I haven't experienced anything like that with my toes.

JeriLynn - I'm glad the tornadoes passed you by! I love that you guys often get to go camping. It's not something I get to do very often. I'm a camper, my s.o. is very definitely not. 😄 Just about everything tastes better by a campfire!

Carl - I'm not trapped in an airport - yet. We'll see what happens on Monday evening.

Ron - That hospital trek sounds just horrible. I've never been to an Outback, and it sounds like I'm not missing much.

Beth — Yikes! (the snow) I'm hoping not to see any this season in my neck of the woods.

Lorita - I'm glad Billy is out and about!

As for us — We're just hanging out with my s.o.'s mom. We went to the Lost Dog in Folly Beach today for brunch - always good. This afternoon we went to the City Market in downtown Charleston. You've probably been there, Eaglemom.

We were looking specifically for the spice stand - it wasn't there last time. But we got lucky! Now we have spice packets for blackened salmon, a jerk spice mix, a Cajun spice mix, and a spicy salmon rub. Those will last us until we come back next time.

Other than that, not much. I've got more posts up on my blog and I've got a phone call scheduled for after dinner with Karyn (the woman doing the editing) to go over the latest posts. She's amazing.

ladyzetta

Ron. Years ago I had a white car it looked like everyone else's white car, so even in a Walmart parking lot I would have to look real hard to find my car. My friend got me a red plastic rose to attach to my antena. From that point on i was always able to find my car. Iam glad you were able to meet up with Carl today i hope your feeling better today. You and Carl, be careful around those ladies.

Lorita. Please be careful out driving around in a PU that may stop on you. Im guessing your not too far from being close to someone to come help you.

Eagle. I hope your toes are feeling better. Mine was caused by me pushing the vacuum to hard. Are you doing something that might be putting a strane on your toes ?

GG I also hope your not sitting in a Airport some place. My kids will be flying from Boise. To Portland, Oregon in 2 weeks. I will be watching the Airport traffic that weekend, hoping they don't have problems.

Beth. I wish there was a way I could give you some leaves. We have so many in the front and back yard. We decided tomorrow we will be raking. We have a big compost bin that is picked up each week in Our neighborhood. There are lots of leaves around our houses.

Our weather here has been cold and I'm enjoying it. My DD has put out a squirrel feeder and she has been feeding squirrels and we have had babies comming around.

Take care my friends. Hugs Zetta

Lorita

Baby squirrels, Zetta? I bet they are so cute. I saw Rusty yesterday. He needs to get busy, doesn't he?