Welcome to The Moose Pond! The Welcomings posts give the Moose, old and new, a place to visit and share words about the weather, life, the world at large and the small parts of Moosylvania that we each inhabit.
Welcomings will be posted at the start of each week (usually Saturday night with a Sunday date). To find the posts, just bookmark this link and Voila! (which is Moose for “I found everyone!!”).
The format is simple: each day, the first moose to arrive on-line will post a comment welcoming the new day and complaining (or bragging!) about their weather. Or mentioning an interesting or thought provoking news item. Or simply checking in.
So … what’s going on in your part of Moosylvania?
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NOTE: The comments page will split off after 20 or so left margin comments with the most recent comments on the current page. To see the older comments, scroll to the bottom of the page (right before “Leave A Reply”) and use the Pages Tool to view previous pages, shown here with 3 pages of comments available and Page 2 circled.
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Good “morning”, Motley Meese! The week begins …
Morning low of 57 degrees in the Desert Southwest with an expected daytime high of 70. Cloudy with a chance of rain, snow likely in the mountains.
Have a great day, all y’alls!!
Sunday Meese. 41 going up to 62 with rain here in Kingston.
Am tearing my hair out because I am in yet another multiple hour tech support situation. Now have to work from my husband’s puter because situation with “Blue screen of death” with my computer – which I was assured by tech support was fixed – happened again this morning when I logged onto my puter. Grrr.
Puerto Rico
Sheesh! For one thing, the blue screen of death is so infrequent since the advent of Windows 10, it is difficult to believe that the techs can’t find the cause. It is almost always related to a Windows hardware driver that no long communicates well with the hardware, either because the hardware was upgraded (firmware) or the driver was updated (software). You can’t undo a firmware upgrade and sadly if there are no longer any compatible drivers the issue is sometimes intractable but you can almost always revert back to an older driver (and stop the news ones from automatically installing). With laptops, the problem is worse because a lot of the components are built into the motherboard and can’t just be popped out and replaced if they are failing. :( I hope they get to the bottom of it quickly – being computerless is a pain! The good news is that now that your storage is in the cloud, you should be able to function from any Internet connected computer.
Thank you – the Blue screen error message says “what failed: ACPI.sys”
I keep telling them that. Of course I have zero clue what that means – so I googled it. Still not understanding why they can’t fix
APCI: "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) is an industry standard that defines power management features and other configuration information for computers."
It looks like it is tied to a lot of different possible failing components or the corruption of the apci.sys driver software itself. The later can sometimes be fixed by scanning and fixing the driver but the former may indicate that the power components are failing. Those are the weakest link in a computer because by their very nature they have electricity running through them at all times – they can overheat and get damaged, may be hit with power spikes and damaged, all sorts of external things. A good diagnostic test should tell the techs what is going on. I hope they get you into the next tier of support quickly.
I have had 3 helpful tech persons in the last 2 days – this morning I got a nasty one – sigh. I have no idea if the problem was fixed. If not will have to take the computer in.
Diana, I sent you an email. If you reply with attached photos of Mandy, I will post them here when I get back on my computer.
Thank you!
Posted
Good morning. Got in my mile. Doing laundry, tea is steeping, watching the news. Interesting story about an American who fought in Iran’s first democratic revolution in the early 1900s, hoping that Velshi’s staff tweet out that segment. Anyway, today: church, pack up next week’s breakfast & lunch, write out the propositions I’m voting for since cell phones have to be off in the voting booth. I’m leaving work early tomorrow to vote.
It’s 69, heading for 83, and sunny. Yesterday we generated 8.2 KWHs and the m-t-d is 183.24 – so unless the system flat shuts down or the rest of October is socked in we’ll at least reach 200. If we can get to 238 we’ll have beaten last year. Which ain’t saying much.
I’ve got most of my Sunday chores done but since I’m putting my new flannel sheets – even if a few days late they’re my “birthday” sheets – on my bed and they’re currently in the washing machine I won’t finish until they dry sometime this afternoon. BB&B didn’t have anything in full but Tuesday Morning did and on sale so I’m good with that. We found some flannel pj bottoms at Old Navy on sale – the resale shops were full of trash – so I’m fixed for flannel for the winter. It was a bit more than I hoped but a lot less than I feared. My friend brought over her stovetop espresso maker and we had our coffee the way we like it on the sun porch before we headed out. We only saw 3 other people masked – and they were mostly wearing their masks on their chins because they seemed to think they had to take them off to talk. sigh.
I don’t know whether or not I need Microsoft Office on my laptop. Nor whether it’s safe to try. Since the “new” one is from 2019, it’s probably Windows 10 and what’s on the laptop now is Windows 7. (I love that seascape that comes up on Windows 7 – I’ve missed it since I went to 10.) But I know I don’t need One Drive. Oh well.
The washing machine is about finished so I’ll go hang out the clothes before I head over to twitter and DK. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
If you want something that functions like Microsoft Office and is free, download the Libre Office shareware product. Even though technically Office and Windows are separate, Microsoft has been pretty heavy handed about requiring the OS and Office be constantly upgraded so that they very often only work when both are patched.
Which brings to mind – you should probably not run Windows 7 if you plan on being on the Internet. It is no longer being actively patched and will be vulnerable to exploits – even the best antivirus won’t keep you safe. You should probably look into the Windows 10 free update and see if the laptop is compatible.
I know so little about computers that I’m really afraid to do anything for fear of messing it up so badly it turns back into a useless piece of junk that I can’t get rid of because it’s got my information on it but I can use either. My son is very much involved in the Sikh community’s events right now when he’s not working and other than him (and basket, of course but he’s not here) I don’t know who I can actually trust. sigh. Thank you. I’ll think of something.
Your data is on a hard disk and you can easily remove the hard disk from a dead laptop and put it in your socks drawer if nothing else. There are cables you can use to temporarily connect a laptop disk to your desktop computer for purposes of copying the information off. They you can either clear the disk or smash it with a hammer – either way is pretty effective! I never go the "smash it with a hammer" route because I worry about pieces flying off of them (I suppose if you put it in a cloth bag first?) but I also have software that clears disks – most people don’t.
I don’t know how to but I’m sure my son does. And basket transferred all the data to the desktop when he set it up several years ago. I’ll figure out something. LOL. Thank you.
Good morning, 42 and mostly cloudy indoors and out today because our furnace is still not working. Barry is very conscientious so I know he’s not ignoring us, but he must still be having trouble finding a new ignition system. I really don’t want to buy a new furnace so am trying to stay patient.
Our sons will be here for dinner tonight and then we’ll watch the last episode of The House of Dragon. RonK is making a meatloaf and I’m going to bake a gingerbread cake for dessert. Thanks to the rain and chilly temps I don’t have to water any plants so I won’t get too distracted outdoors today and should have time to bake. Best wishes to all.
I hope they can find the new ignition system; it is too cold to be without a furnace where you live. A lot of companies went out of business during the pandemic and the ones that are left are swamped. Special orders are often delayed (I had a similar experience with a repair in my apartment). It turns out that you can’t just shut down an economy and then turn it back on with the flick of a switch. I suspect that a lot of small companies in the supply chain did not know how to apply for PPP or couldn’t get it or just chose to quit rather than deal with the hassles. I am not sure how we fill the gap – I think it would be tough to try to start a new business right now. Fingers crossed that you get a resolution soon!
Monday Meese. 54 and raining here in Kingston, going up to 60. The neverending saga of my puter Blue screen continues. Level 2 tech assured me yesterday it was fixed. Logged in this morning and got blue screen. I will try one more time and then take it into the store – which is a pain because it is over an hour away and I have to get someone to drive me (I can’t drive that far anymore)
Hope y’all have a good day.
Puerto Rico
“The wheel of the Health Industry in Puerto Rico. A lot of money for the Advertising Media, for politicians and lobbyists; but very little for the workers and for the Health Services. A clear example of Neoliberalism!!!”
Got in a good walk: 1.2 mi. Kinda warm & sticky. It is supposed to rain today, though so that’s nice. Working in the office. Voting this afternoon, hope that cuts down on the calls & e-mails.
Another, please let us know about the activity at the polls. We are going to vote this morning.
I am going to drop ballots off at the post office later this morning – indoors so that crazy people with AR-15s are not videotaping me! In Phoenix, they seem to be targeting non-white people and I think the intimidation is at dropboxes in Democratic-leaning areas. My post office should be safe.
Here she is – Mandy!!
Thank you, Jan! Mandy is very sweet and COMPLETELY different from Monty. Yesterday I began to think that age 6 in human years must be equivalent to the early farties in dog years, because the odors that little girl produces are enough to render humans unconscious. I had to open the bedroom window last night, which I normally don’t do. (Planes come in late at night and they make a lot of noise.)
However, a couple of Dog Moms I know told me to keep her on her old food for a few days, then gradually mix 1/4 of the new food with it and increase the amount little by little. We’ll see if that works.
I’ll be so happy when her crate arrives on Wednesday! We’ve never used a crate before but we MUST discourage her from the idea that dogs should be on beds along with their hoomans.
Excellent advice from the Dog Moms. Any time we have changed dog food, we mix the old with the new and gradually cut back on the old until it is gone. Part of that is frugality – we hate to waste dog food – and the other is to make sure she can tolerate the change.
Good luck with trying to break old habits. Our rescue dog insisted on climbing on the back of the couches to watch what was going on outside. We tried and tried to get her to stop and finally gave up and put a towel on the top where she sat. Fortunately she did not want to sleep with humans – that would have a more difficult habit to break and one that I would not have been willing to compromise on.
Awwwwww!
Hi Mandy, hope you love your new home!
Good Monday morning, Moosekind! It’s overcast and will continue to be so. We didn’t receive any rain last night and won’t today. Guess what—we’re now 3 inches under for the year. Drought mode for sure! The high will be 66 F. or something.
Dee, I’m so sorry about your computer. There’s nothing more frustrating than being stranded on a desert island, well off the Information Highway. Hope it can be restored to health. Princesspat, ditto with the furnace. Very awkward indeed not to have a furnace at this time of year.
We were supposed to have Ethan today as Arlington County schools are closed for Diwali, but all the plans fell through. Dearly didn’t want to go to dinner because he’s not feeling well, Ethan had a bit of a cold and DIL had a bit of a cold. In the end, it was decided that since the Boy Next Door’s grandparents are still in town looking after him, Ethan could go over there. They’re good friends. That will enable his work-from-home parents to get their work done. Eric always comes upstairs for a cup of tea at 4 (I trained my children well), so after that the workday slows way down.
My late, beautiful Texas-born mother would have been 102 today. You know, I think I’m glad she died in 2008. It would have pleased her to see Barack Obama elected twice, but today’s environment of hatred and viciousness would have appalled her. She loved her native state of Texas but was the polar opposite of its denizens as far as religion and politics were concerned.
On Saturday night I was lounging in the green chair, desultorily reading a book on my Kindle, as usual, and texting with my daughter. She was looking after two dogs who lived on a luxury estate well outside Austin. Daughter said it was like an Italian villa. I texted, “It’s so blissful to have a daughter to text to,” and she texted back, “It’s delightful to have a mother to text to!” We do get on well.
Today we’ll go to vote when the polls open not very long from now. It’s the first day of early voting. Sometimes I PANIC when I read the Rethug media, gleefully touting a whopping Rethug victory. The pundits were 13 points off about Kansas, so that’s cheering to think about.
Wishing a good day to everyone at the Pond!
Good morning, meeses! Monday …
It is 50 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 63. Sunny skies are in the forecast. I slept through the pre-midnight storm last night that brought the cool air – it was wet but not very noisy. We will settle in for some days with highs in the low 70s before November arrives. Historical averages for November are high 76 and low 49. I am fine with those but I have to admit that I enjoy the low to mid 80s when it is dry heat.
I am trying to stay mentally healthy by avoiding polls and keeping my mute button handy when I am watching TV. I will be so glad when the faces of hateful people and their lies about my preferred candidates are no longer filling every commercial break. I am glad that the horserace narrative is breathlessly proclaiming that "the polls are tightening" and "there is a Republican surge" because complacency ("who would vote for this gross person?") in 2016 led to tRump. The reports of close races scare me and shock me (can’t people see how awful the Republican are?!?) but to the extent that it scares everyone to the voting booth, it is a good thing. I was reading that we might even pick up a Senate seat in Iowa as Iowans are getting weary of Chuck Assley. Fingers crossed!
I have to get my day started. It is already the last week of October and I feel like the month just began. I have to get a good to-do list as my to-do stack is threatening to tip over and bury me in scraps of paper.
See all y’all later!
It’s 65 heading for 69 and raining – which it’s been doing since before dawn and why I’m so late getting online – and the PV system is still in night mode. The rain is pretty much slated through tomorrow midmorning so we’ll be lucky to get any production at all. Yesterday we got just over 8 KWHs and the m-t-d is at 191.
My sleep was disturbed most of the night but rock solid from 5:30 to 8 am. The cats have been fed, the litter boxes and barf dealt with, I’m eating my own breakfast right now. So. Off to twitter. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Let’s trade climates, bfitz!
{{{Diana}}} – we’re short on water here, too. The ground is still hard. Like you, we’ve gotten a lot of those days where it was cloudy and was supposed to rain – but didn’t. Oh well, fewer fleas in a dry year. Have fun with your new pup. moar {{{HUGS}}}
I have been watching weather news and the crisis on the Mississippi River from the midwest drought is alarming. The problem with water is storage – if there were a way to save and store water from flood years and release it during droughts that would be ideal. It is likely that Mother Earth would take care of that but dams and locks, unsustainable irrigation, and water diversion for recreation and agriculture made it an impossible task.
The short-sighted greed of our culture backed by the Indigenous-dismissing science of our culture is both why we’re having climate collapse and why we can’t deal with it.
Good morning, 50 and mostly cloudy with real rain in the night. I’ve stayed upstairs this morning because it’s warmer but I’ll talk with Barry later today and see what the repair vs replace options are for our boiler. The pipes are full of water and the old radiators are still working, but cold water doesn’t provide any heat!
Time to get busy. As always, my best wishes to all.
Good morning, meeses! Tuesday …
It is 43 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 68. Sunny skies are in the forecast. I finally had to put on long pants yesterday evening for the first time since early April – long pants, sweatshirt and slippers! It is still nice enough to take my morning walk in shorts but that will probably require long pants soon also.
I am not thrilled about being at the epicenter of election intimidation. I hope people get their votes cast early and then get themselves out of harms way. The Tucson area is mostly Democratic with pockets of Republicans but there are a lot of political signs that tell me that the local Republicans are as awful as the national ones. One set of signs on a major street says: "Save Girl’s Sports, Vote Republican" with the obvious subtext of hating on transgender teenagers. They are probably right – a Democratic governor would veto the Republican legislature’s hate bills. But the ban is already in place, passed and signed earlier this year, and there is no likelihood of the legislature flipping – we will always have to depend on convincing one or two Republicans to be decent people in order to pass legislation. So the sign is literally just trolling and gross and hurtful to young people dealing with gender identity issues. Bastids.
Left-of-the-left Democratic Congressmen need to quit trying to ratfk the election chances of their more moderate colleagues. To see them align themselves with the bloody butcher Putin is distressing. It is like Defund The Police, a simplistic phrase (with no nuance) which lost us seats in 2020 and may well lose us the majority in 2022. We must support democracy in Europe and supporting Ukraine is part of that. War sucks, we get that and we agree! But when people are attacked by a madman bent on genocide, if we don’t engage and push back we give him cover. Bastids.
I need to get back to work and make sense of the notes I left on my desk before I had to shut down yesterday.
See all y’all later!
Thankfully – most of Black Twitter I follow has no use whatsoever for the “Fauxgressives” and “Justice Dems” and are ratioing them to a fare-the-well for that stupid letter
Good.
Tuesday Meese. 55 and raining here in Kingston, going up to 68.
Puerto Rico
Good morning. We had storms last night and it’s chilly this morning. I have the windows open, hoping I can get my apartment cooled off enough to not need a/c later today. Voted yesterday, yay! No line, which worries me. For now, I’m eating breakfast & watching astronomy.
Good gray Tuesday morning, Meese! Our current temp. in Ashburn is 58 F., with a high expected of 72 F. If it’s going to look like this, I wish we’d get some rain out of it.
Is there a way to get rid of Bing? It opens by showing me scenes of tropical beaches in countries that hold no interest at all for me. The only thing I want to see when I fire up the laptop in the morning is pictures of elephants, and I want to see that same picture every time.
We voted early yesterday and received stickers to display on our jackets. I was voter No. 98. It wasn’t crowded at 10:30 a.m., for which I was deeply grateful. Dearly is too old to be kept waiting in line.
While he was inside voting, I took Mandy around the building to introduce her to the balloteers out back. Both ladies loved her looks and disposition and said they had rescue dogs themselves. The Republican lady in front of the building also liked Mandy. I don’t know why, but I always get on well with my fellow balloteers, even if they’re on the other side. They’re generally very pleasant and not at all eager to convert me to their way of thinking. Instead, we just commiserate on how divided people are now. When I was growing up one could live next door to people and never even question their affiliations. Even if they turned out to be Republican, we still cheered on each other’s kids at swimming races and ate each other’s pasta salads at block parties.
Today we have to go to Costco. Mandy did nothing but sleep all day yesterday. She also refused her breakfast this morning even though it was her old food. It is SO DIFFERENT from when Monty lived here—he could hear the almost noiseless sound of a blueberry dropping into his food bowl. (Mommy is a bit absent-minded when measuring blueberries.)
Today I must catch up on desk work. Wishing a good day to all at the Pond. I want some good news about the Democratic vote!
There is a little gear on Edge (upper right hand corner) where you can change the settings for startup. I don’t use Bing because I found out it is gathering information about me and I hate that! I open to New Tab (which is available as a setting) and have a clean screen.
Ooh, thanks for the tip, Jan!
Our high for the day was 58 just after midnight. It’s 51 now and still dropping. Also still raining off and on. Once the rain stops the temps are supposed to get back up to 54 shortly before dark. Yesterday we got .8 KWHs and unless the clouds clear when the rain does we’re like to get the same today. sigh. M-t-d is 192.23 – it’ll take 2 sunny days just to reach 200.
My sleep is coming late these days. I guess it doesn’t really matter. What I do isn’t time sensitive. Or not that time sensitive. And I truly don’t know if it actually does any good anyway. But it might so I’ll keep doing it. My “prayers” certainly don’t seem to be helping any of my friends or family, online or off. But I’ll keep doing them too. Anyway, off to twitter. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 48 and cloudy inside and out! Barry will be here later today so if all goes well we should have a working furnace again. And the gardener may be here today too, so lots of possible progress :) RonK has the dreaded C exam today and it’s prolly his last one. Interesting to be so old that statistically a polyp changing to a tumor won’t have enough time to be a concern. He managed the prep better than I did but it’s still a hard exam for older people.
Time to find another cup of coffee and then my gardening clothes. Best wishes to all.