June chitchat

[Jeanie Z]

:) Rose I have no idea if they are doing a funeral. I do not think they are having them here only on digital. I have no phone number to be able to call and all the info I have came from her Facebook posts and Andy. I am praying for them too. Thanks, Jeanie :)

[agate]

Jeanie, I'm so sorry about this tragic and shocking news. It must be quite horrible to lose a child to suicide.

I've heard of quite a few funerals and memorial services that were held long after the actual death--and this was before the coronavirus came along. For one reason or another, a service got postponed. Maybe that's what will happen this time.

Howie, you asked why I still have a landline phone.

Yes, a cellphone can be carried around. I've tried that and it's so heavy it weighs down my pocket and puts me off balance. I'm easily put off balance, I guess. Also, I don't really want the interruptions other people don't mind putting up with. I wouldn't want a phone beeping at me as I'm doing something else. I'd never get anything done.

And cellphones don't really work very well with hearing aids.

And how does anyone see those little tiny things on that little tiny screen? My phone even is somewhat larger than many and I still can't make out the icons and other important information on there.

And my fingers aren't up to working the thing. It takes forever and a day to type anything! And I use a stylus because it's faster. Even so, it's so slow!

My landline phone (the main one I usually use) is captioned. The captioning won't work without the Internet and so there are some extra cords involved but it's very useful if you don't always hear what someone on the phone has said. It's a freebie available to anyone with impaired hearing. I couldn't have that with a cellphone.

I see why people like cellphones. If you fall and need help, you can just reach for your phone and call someone. But I signed up for this LifeStation system, which gives me a way of calling for help if I need help in my apartment or even for quite a distance outside it.

I'm just set in my ways. Phone calls are interruptions. The landline phone is bad enough. I haven't had quite as many robocalls lately but just today I had a local call from an unfamiliar number, and I answered it but no one replied though the line sounded open. I dislike nuisance calls, and I'm betting that you have nuisance calls on a cellphone too. In fact I've erased some messages on mine that were clearly sales pitches.

[Sunshine 2]

My heart goes out to the parents whose son committed suicide. Depression (and addiction) remodel the brain and one can literally say that the person was not in his right mind when he decided to jump off the bridge. That makes it no less tragic, but maybe a bit easier to grasp.

The amount of grief, anger, guild, sadness is endless at first for those left behind.”If I only had....(or had not)...him, maybe he would still be alive. Suicide is not that linear and simple.

There has also been a spike in suicide during the pandemic for people who already suffered from Depression or Anxeity. Its like the final draw.

Then there is the misinformed. My friend’s teen jumped on a dare from a pretty high, but survivable bridge. He survived. But he did go to counseling , a wise choice by the parents.

[Sunshine 2]

Re landline:
In the last hurricane, Jeanne, mylandline was up and running 3 weeks before the cell towers were working. But, that was 16 years ago, so I don’t know for now.
But, so often my cell is down becasue we are rural and our network extender goes on the fritz. In emergency, it would be nice to know that the landline can do the trick. But, I have been reluctant to have a worrker in teh house—- wish I had done it last hear when I was considering it, pre covid.

[Virginia]

I understand about having a workman in the house. There are things that I want to get done such as have carpets cleaned, but will not have anyone come in. Of course I also miss Laura a lot. I had her come over this past Saturday and pressure wash my deck, walkway, porch and bannisters. She did a good job. She did not come inside.

As for landline phones I just prefer to talk on one over my cellphone. I have an iphone and people text me on that one, but they call me on my landline. I have one neighbor who occasionally gets mixed up and calls on my cellphone, but then she remembers. Joan never got mixed up. It's easy enough because the people who use nothing but cellphones have a place when entering their contacts to put cellphone numbers and landline numbers.

Howie, another thing, when I was negotiating prices with my provider (I have cable, internet and phone with same provider) I offered to give up my landline if they would give me a better price. They actually quoted me a higher price. The man said it was because I would have to sign a new contract. Another time they quoted me a lower price that was only a couple of dollars. I never was going to give up my landline, but was trying to see what they would offer me. I couldn't bargain with anything else because they already knew I wasn't going to let my internet or cable go.

[agate]

I offered to give up my landline if they would give me a better price. They actually quoted me a higher price. The man said it was because I would have to sign a new contract. Another time they quoted me a lower price that was only a couple of dollars. I never was going to give up my landline, but was trying to see what they would offer me. I couldn't bargain with anything else because they already knew I wasn't going to let my internet or cable go.

It's posts like this that make it very clear that these communications people have us all by the short hair. They've discovered that we really like communicating with one another and they've raised their prices so high (and made the whole thing so complicated) that we're desperately wheeling and dealing with them just to try to save a few dollars. The prices for phone, Internet, and cable are outrageous IMO, but then I seem to live in the past.

[Sunshine 2]

I saw a very good movie on Netflix yesterday, if you can access it.
It’s called Trumbo, made in 2015 and it has nothing to do with our president. Its a true story about a famous (then) Hollywood film writer who stood up to the House for Unamerican Activities (Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his enablers), although there were some themes that resonated: How the country became fascist quickly based on lack of facts, just on right wing conspiracy wing nuts in the govt that whipped up the population etc into a frenzy. With some antisemitism overlay.

Starts Bryan Cranston (Star of Breaking bad), who uncannily looked like Trumbo.himself.

John Goodman knocks it out of the park as the sleezy movie maker who has a scene that is priceless, and true.

[agate]

Thanks for the movie suggestion, Sunshine! I'm going to look it up and request it from Netflix. I've definitely heard of Dalton Trumbo but didn't know a movie had been made about him.

[Sunshine 2]

Let me know what you think of the movie?

[Virginia]

Sunshine, I am going to try and look that movie up too.

I am not feeling well today, but it is a different kind of not feeling well. I woke up burning up this morning and it probably was from having too much cover on me. Then I felt like I had a cold when I first got up. This afternoon I have had earache, head feeling heavy and started feeling cold, like slight chills. Hope this passes over. Right now it is scary to have symptoms like this.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Do you have a thermometer, so you can take your temperature? As you know, hot and cold/chills can indicate a fever.

Do you have any other symptoms, like a headache, sore throat or cough or chest tightness? Body aches?

Have you tried taking Tylenol? Are you drinking plenty of water? With these symptoms, I feel like you should increase your fluid intake. I don't want you to become dehydrated.

If you have a BP monitor, I recommend you take your BP periodically.

I believe everyone should have a couple of thermometers, a BP monitor/machine, and a pulse ox. Keeping track of our vitals regularly is important, so that if we have a major change, we know our baseline.

I wish I could come over and take care of you! Since I can't, I hope you will be able to take good care of yourself.

Do you have access to a Nurses' Helpline? I think United Healthcare offers that as a free service. Perhaps checking in with a nurse would be helpful for you. Or you could call your PCP, and the on call doctor or nurse should be able to help you.

Sending lots of healing prayers your way, dear friend ~

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[Sunshine 2]

Virginia, how are you feeling now. I will check on you upon awakening.
I fear that they could be COVID, or not. Have you called your PCP?

[agate]

Let's hope it's not COVID-19, Virginia. I'm hoping it's gone now.

We're vulnerable, unfortunately. Something I don't like to think about but it's a fact.

[Sunshine 2]

Virginia, how are you feeling today?

[Howie]

No one has posted for lets see....26 hours. You're scaring Sam. I guess this virus has folks even afraid to post here.

Well, tomorrow, I have a doctor's appointment. It's mostly to revamp my meds, and to see how I'm doing on the Gabapentin. I really don't feel anything, but the seizures have stopped completely as soon as I took the first pill.

And since I'll be out, I'll go to the store on the way home. And stop at the ATM and get some cash. It's the only place I use my debit card. I never go anywhere and use it.

So that's the plan for Howie tomorrow. Tonight, I'm watching the Star Trek channel I have now. It's called the H&I channel. It's right up my alley. The last one I watch before I go to bed is Enterprise. With that hot Vulcan T'pol. She fills out a uniform nicely. Hey, I'm old, but I ain't dead!

Well, everyone have a great, late night!