OT June Chit Chat

[Frog42]

Craig's book came out in 2011. Can't find anything more recent.

[agate]

Vicky, there's a Facebook page for him but his last post was in September 2014, and he wasn't doing well

BBS, those seem like really good suggestions for coping with allergies.

I've always heard that hot water kills allergens too and yet the energy people keep insisting that laundering in cold water works just as well as hot water. I've been refusing to believe this and use cold water only for things that are supposed to be washed in cold water. Everything else goes into hot water.

That's so true about vacuum cleaners. I have two of them. I can see a little cloud of dust every time I remove the dust cup.

I've tried the bags as well and it's the same experience--try to remove the bag (not so very easy usually) and watch the dust fly around.

[Howie]

My Kirby vacuum has a bag, but it has a hose inside the bag that can VERY carefully be twisted and separated from the bag, and gently be lifted out, and carried in to the trashcan in the kitchen.

But even then, it is best to place trash on top of the bag, and NEVER push down the trash to compact it, or POOF, and dust flies everywhere. Spoken like someone with real experience!

[Cat Dancer]

I have a hoover.. I usually get one of those plastic bags like the grocery store has...carefully remove the hoover bag, put it into the plastic bag, then gather up and tie up the top. THEN dispose of the whole mess into the trash can. That way, if indeed trash is placed on top and compressed down...it "explodes" into the plastic bag and not over everything else. Or Ive done the same with a paper bag, only that doesn't close up as easily But rather than risk taking a full bag across the house to a trash container, this works for me.

I would suggest that you all check to see if your vacuum cleaner has other filters in it, too -- mine has two, in two different locations. They both need to be changed, or cleaned, regularly. One is specific for pet hair, one supposedly "allergenic"....whatever that means! :)

[Howie]

It wasn't that long ago that vacuum cleaners didn't exist, only mops and brooms. Of course most people didn't live to be 50 years old back in those days.

SAM, GET THE KIRBY OUT!!!

[Cat Dancer]

I know that my next..and last..stop will be a nursing home, so whatever additional remodeling that needs to be done here will be done by whoever buys the place. Lots needs to be done. Since TC is a hoarder, should he die before me there will be LOADS of stuff to go to the dump, loads to places like Goodwill, then LOADS AND LOADS that will be put up for auction. He's got tools galore, and equipment, some of it brand new, still in boxes. And then I'd be to our basic furniture. I'd like to keep 2=3 pieces that have special meaning to me...but the rest.....auction or Goodwill. Then the insides will get a fresh coat of neutral paint....then after that, it'll be up to tSahe next guy.

If I were 20 years younger and rich, I'd have a list of things I'd change to make the place more accessible for me. But I'm neither. So I'll put up with the cabinets that are too high (and do as I do now..wait for someone (TC, or our neighbor)) to come by so I can tell them what I want out of the cabinet. And the lower cabinet fronts that are scratched from my wheelchair scraping against them. Same for the doors. I haven't used the bathtub in years....right now TC has taken over that bathroom. I haven't ventured in it in years. I'm sure it's full of his junk (he showers in my bathroom, which does have a roll-in shower).

Anyway...none of that matters anymore. I'll make do with what I have here, now, knowing that it will be sooner than later that I'm outta here.

TC picked my poppies today, brought them in for me before the predicted storms hit! 7 glorious blossoms. I love poppies!! These are spectacular, the red-orange blossoms p=brightening the whole room. Best part of this time of year!

[stillstANNding]

Cat, I love poppies too. My Mom's are also the orange red ones. They were blooming last time we were in PA. Mid- May. The dance like ballerinas.

Enjoy.

[Sunshine]

Cold water cleans clothes, but won't kill dust mites, which are live creatures in the dust that get into bedding, rugs and drapes. Only very hot water kills em.

[Virginia]

Hi Everyone,

BBS, thanks for your input on allergies. I do have a Ricar vacuum which I have never used anything but Hepa bags in. A few months ago I bought a Shark Rocket. The Ricar is an expensive upright vacuum but with the bag on it I was finding it hard to get to a lot of places with ease. So I bought the Shark Rocket. It has the best suction on any vacuum that I have ever used. There isn't a bag, so you just empty the cup on it each time you vacuum your house. Goes around things and under things. Great to get around with. My Ricar is upstairs right now.

I do have upholstered furniture, valances at windows in living room and dining room and master bedroom. I have always had these things with no problem. I have developed the allergies just in last few years, but they come and go for no apparent reason. I can be fine and then my eyes start burning, itching, I start to sneeze a lot, and I am very congested.

I do not want to spend a lot of money on my house because it is in pretty good shape and like Cat, at my age, my next stop is not likely where I want it to be but it will certainly cost me a lot of money if it is independent care, or assisted living or anything like that. I only have enough for one of those places for a few years. My income is sufficient (though not overly so) to the point that I will never be able to get Medicaid or help.

So anyway, it is kind of between the devil and the deep blue sea. So far the allergies are not all the time, so I have been living with them since this started. Today I am better.

By the way, I have been using hot water for all bed linens for many years. I have pillow cases encased, but since I cannot do the mattress myself and I don't have anyone to do it for me that is not done. The next one I buy will be. I just ordered a new cuddle ewe. I plan to get the cover for it and put it on myself. I hope that it does not cut down on the softness. I cannot stand a hard bed. The cuddleewes have been great for sleeping but they are expensive. My bed is queen size and this time it was $413.00. I get a new one about every 5 years.

You gave some really good points, which I am taking under advisement, but I really cannot see me spending a lot of money at my age. I have to try to take care of myself for the rest of my life. There is no one else, no children and my siblings cannot be expected to do that. So I can't just do all the things I would like to do.

[nuthatch]

I was going to share this on the bird thread, but the thread is gone, or maybe on page two now. I never look that far back since this board has fewer posters than years ago.
I guess people have lost interest in the thread, but I wanted to share this anyway cuz it's so cute.

Friday, while sitting at my computer desk, I noticed when I glanced out the window that is right next to my computer, that there was a male quail on the wall of the planter. There is a small fountain in the planter that attracts all kinds of birds and just recently the quail have discovered it. About a foot away were about 8 little quail chicks huddled in two bunches of 4 each. Daddy quail looked like he was lecturing the little ones, teaching them a lesson or something!
I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped a couple of shots. He walked the length of the wall as the kids watched, then turned as if to tell them to follow, which they promptly did. Then they followed dad off the wall to search the yard for bugs/seeds.
They were later seen all sitting on top of a landscape boulder together!

I love watching all the birds at that fountain. I've seen as many as 9 birds at one time splashing around taking baths, having a jolly ol' time!
That fountain must provide 50 baths a day to all kinds of birds! Here's a couple of pics.

[Virginia]

Nuthatch, very, very pretty. I am most impressed that you know the males from the females. I only know the cardinals, but that is the State bird where I live.


Ann and Agate, that is the Craig that I was talking about. Ann, I saw the picture where he climbed to the top in Hawaii because I had his book. I had just been wondering what happened to him. They finally diagnosed him through blood that was sent to Duke the best I can remember. I can't remember what he had, but I do know that he was in bad shape.

[Virginia]

Nuthatch, I forgot to mention that somehow I pictured your house sitting all alone out in the country, but I see you have close neighbors. That is good that there are people you can call if your husband ever got caught someplace and could not get back quickly.

[agate]

I found the quail babies!

The baby birds thread is on page 2. Quite a number of links were no longer working--these bird cam links seem to come and go.

Also, some people can't get links or videos to work here. Whether it's something to do with their computers or with this board is unknown, but it's unfortunate--and may account for the thread dropping to page 2.

[Howie]

That probably feels like a secure place to get a bath. Surrounded by a wall, which gives whoever is on guard a good vantage point.

[nuthatch]

You're probably right, Howie. Birds like fairly shallow water too, which is why we got that particular fountain. It also has a fairly flat bottom on each level, where most fountains have a deeper, bowl-like shape. Of course, most people get a fountain for the calming sound of trickling water in their garden. Not me, it's all for the birds! I enjoy watching their antics from my vantage point at my computer desk or sitting outside on the front patio.

The quail have not been seen getting in the water . . . yet! But the male quail has been seen getting a drink from the fountain. The males are more colorful with distinct markings, the females and babies are more camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings. Natures way of protecting them, since they are ground nesting birds.

All the birds were frightened of the top part of the fountain, where the water bubbles up, at first. They have finally gotten the hang of it now. Some birds hop up there and stick their heads in, and a few have been seen actually sitting on top of the bubbling water. I tell my hubby they must like a clean hinny!