I will be heading to the store when I get home from yet another indulgent trip today, and will fill the fridge with lots of fruit and veggies. We order fish from a market that delivers, so that will arrive in a couple of days.

I am getting another cortisone shot in my hip. Blah blah blah. The last one worked for exactly 3 months. I did manage a 30 mile bike ride over the weekend (um, on an e-bike) but my hip was very unhappy about it.

Five days with friends wasn’t great for my hip, waistline, or liver, but great for the soul.

Nantucket after yesterday’s rain.

Mtn, what are your favorite jeans?

I may keep my Zara suit and get it altered; I don't see the size I want on PM. Plus I only wore it like 3-4 times.

Meanwhile, for next week at my conference, I have a black blazer with a subtle texture (thrifted Armani Collezioni) and black pants from BR. They work well together without matching per se.

I've always liked the look of a suit without a visible shirt (just a cami) but not sure if it looks better with my L'Agence chain shirt. Even in NYC, where everyone wears mostly black, at least a collar showing might be nice.

This time with the right shoes too

Two out of the three tops worked from Loft.

Floral too with either beige or black pants.

The pink sweater. I will probably wear it with jeans.

Then on another order, this sweater. Again not sure what I will pair it with.

I've been lucky with Loft. All items on sale.

Eld, you are such a cutie in everything! I especially like the last sweater on you.

Being exposed in a bathing suit at a communal pool makes me anxious but less so now that we go to the one here in our retirement community 😎 Age and gravity are great levelers.

This discussion reminded me of a story from Hollywood's golden age - I think it was Erich von Stroheim who insisted on expensive, fancy silk underwear for women's costuming because he believed it made a difference in how the actresses performed.

Arapaho-Rd your story reminded me of DH's grandmother who, until she died at 106, always wore a dress and a pearl necklace.

River Cottage Pear Chutney Recipe

River Cottage Pear Chutney is a traditional British preserve made by slowly cooking pears with sugar, vinegar, onions, and spices. The mixture simmers until thick and glossy, creating a condiment that is both sweet and tangy.

• Author: Ekani Ella
• Prep Time: 20
• Cook Time: 40
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 3 jars
• Category: Stovetop Simmering
• Method: Stovetop Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Fruit Base

• Ripe pears (800 g, peeled and diced) – Sweet pears create the main body of the chutney.

Vegetables

• Onion (1 large, finely chopped) – Adds savory depth to balance the sweetness.

Sweet Elements

• Brown sugar (200 g) – Enhances the natural sweetness of the pears.
• Raisins (100 g) – Provide texture and gentle sweetness.

Acid

• Malt vinegar (250 ml) – Adds tanginess and helps preserve the chutney.

Spices

• Ground ginger (1 teaspoon) – Adds warm spice notes.
• Mustard seeds (1 teaspoon) – Provides mild heat and texture.
• Salt (½ teaspoon) – Enhances the overall flavor.

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Pears

Peel the pears, remove the cores, and cut them into small cubes. Smaller pieces cook more evenly and create a smoother chutney.

Step 2 – Combine the Ingredients

Place the diced pears, chopped onion, raisins, sugar, vinegar, ginger, mustard seeds, and salt into a large saucepan.

Step 3 – Dissolve the Sugar

Heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring gently until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 4 – Simmer the Chutney

Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 35–40 minutes. Stir occasionally as the pears soften and the sauce thickens.

Step 5 – Check the Consistency

The chutney is ready when it becomes thick and glossy. When a spoon is drawn across the bottom of the pan, the mixture should briefly hold its shape.

Step 6 – Prepare the Jars

Sterilize glass jars by washing them in hot water and drying them in a warm oven.

Step 7 – Jar the Chutney

Carefully spoon the hot chutney into the sterilized jars and seal them tightly.

Step 8 – Cool the Jars

Allow the jars to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 9 – Allow the Chutney to Mature

For the best flavor, leave the chutney to mature for 1–2 weeks before serving.

* I used half malt vinegar and half cider vinegar in every batch I made. (5)

Empathy, respect, health

@Feathers11 I commend you on the work you’ve done to improve your life and hope this conversation doesn’t take away any of that. I don’t think anyone here would want to rob you of that experience and the success you’ve had.

Like I said before, both things can be true.

You’re the example of how money facilitates one’s ability to change because you - with or without the funds - had that drive and desire. That came from inside you.

A slight right turn from the conversation…I have known both rich and poor people for whom money is both the source of their problems and has no value.

So whether or was the rich one buying expensive trophies that got them into society or the middle class one stacking boxes from QVC they never opened or the one who had to sell their house in retirement and rent because of too much frivolous buying of random junk. The mechanics of their situations were identical.

All of these people had money and they all suffered the same fate that late in life either their choices were constrained or their heirs were surprised because they didn’t want to change themselves. No ount of money bought what might have made a difference in who they were.

There was no original question though. I asked people to contribute things that in their book money cannot buy. If anyone took my statement and invitation as an assumption that people have innate qualities that cannot be changed I am sorry I gave that impression as I certainly do not believe it. Aristotle’s theory of the soul as an unscribed tablet (later called tabula rasa) and the empirical theory of knowledge are the bedrock of my personal philosophy.

adding, when I said money cannot buy character I did not mean to imply that people cannot reshape their character with intention, purpose and— in my personal opinion, prayer and the grace that come from a loving God’s presence in my life. Perhaps if I said that money cannot confer these things that would make my meaning clearer? The fact of having means alone (whether earned or inherited) does not automatically confer the benefit of any evolved consciousness, for lack of a better term. Not trying to be pretentious here, just to explain. I can see where the word character could be read in a different context and I apologize for any misunderstanding.….. if there were a truce emoji I would be waving it!!!

True confession:

Every single post loses me, when pictures ( available world WIDE) are taken with the toilet seat in up position. The most necessary and least attractive piece in any bath does not need to be worsened, let alone highlighted, in this manner.

A hand wring on decor seems pointless when it is obviously a condition so natural to the owner, it goes completely unnoticed as they hold up the phone.

You can allll beat me up below, for the "DOWN...........please? ".

I didn’t really have anything to get rid of in the kitchen but the drawers needed vacuuming and general sorting out.

DH puts things away like his tea ball and spoon and cutting boards etc without ” decrumbing”. It accumulates in the drawers.

I took out the liners and organizers and vacuumed and resorted and replaced.

Everything looks so nice …. for now ❤️😊.

I figure if he were to be gone I’d have neat crumbless drawers but I’d rather have him and the crumbs. At least I know where he is and has been 🤣❤️. c

Some years ago, Sister cleaned a bunch of stuff out of their garage and piled it to one side to be hauled off. Afraid that her DH would see it and want to keep some of the stuff, she had me help her throw it all in their van and race to Goodwill with it before her husband got home. The next time he went to play golf, we discovered that his set of clubs was part of what we had quickly thrown in the van and hauled off. It didn’t hurt his feelings to get to go buy new…and my sister could not say one word about it! 😂

In the last stage of cleaning BIL’s house, I got a second smaller storage unit right across the hall from mine and just threw stuff in it.

Today was the day. Spent seven hours cleaning and consolidating into one, my original eBay storage space.

Started listing stuff on FBMP and will slowly make my way through it. Everything is on wheels so it’s easy to roll out and access stuff. Getting my money’s worth on the space!

BeaBeautiful pictures. So glad you recovered and got to enjoy the rest of the trip. 🙏c

Gorgeous pictures, @Sueb20. I am glad that you recovered quickly.

@pudgeder Does he also have a 6yo sister, 1 dog and 2 cats? LOL He is our first grand, and only grandson.

DH took this yesterday on his morning walk.

Thank you for sharing more pictures. We have yearly pics of all the grands with their backpacks and huge smiles! Always a joy. DGS saved his Dad 2 pieces and there’s 1 1/2 pieces for him today after school.

Love all the pictures!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

DD &family are in Blue Ridge for the holiday weekend. They always get in a ride.

Lennox 6

Vivienne 8

That pizza is calling my name, c— save me a piece!

Grandparenting is definitely one of the top three rewards of having children. It’s clear that this is your avocation, and your kids are so lucky you two are such a vital, happy and supportive presence in their children’s lives ❤️

Jojo… that backpack! Andy has one that is also about half his height. He’s in kindergarten, and as far as he’s concerned it is a five year old’s heaven.

SueB, that bear has the best backyard I’ve ever seen!

Allison, your DH’s photo is breathtaking.

My contribution to happy:

A new golf buddy!

Even without power, you've got just about everything that counts right there.

@Jilly this guy can’t cook a bad meal. ❤️ he says ” Hi ” to imaginary friend lol. DH met with our Gardenweb friends back in the day. Our Garett was at the first big meet up in 2007. Me and the forum and my family go way back.

Always a place in my heart for GW friends. 🙏. c

*Wins lottery and buys this dream house while DLM is busy*

All I can say is sorry, D. You’re welcome to come visit!

Am I the only one certain I would get an AI shot of water straight up my nose or to the eye somewhere in the learning curve?

Quieter than Gloria Steinem or Dolly Parton, but perhaps even more important.

Another powerhouse gone but when a life has been as well lived as hers for 92 years, we may grieve but feel fortunate at the same time.

What a brave woman. She had a huge influence on me. Thanks for all you did for us, Gloria.

She is one of my few heroes.

Oh my goodness, they are so cute. You are a wonderful, giving person to do this work.

During COVID we adopted our boy from a GSD rescue in Beaumont, Texas. It was facilitated through a group very much like Bestyears described. He came on a bus to just this side of the Canadian border and we picked him up there.

When we applied to adopt we specified we wanted a GSD, and they put us in touch with the woman who ran the rescue in Texas. We followed her on FB and watched all of her videos, etc. until we found the boy that clicked for us. Then she worked with the transporter to get him to us.

What we learned along the way about conditions in Texas echos what Bestyears & Lascatx have said. It's very sad. At the time the rescue was overcapacity, and she was getting calls everyday for owner surrenders, strays picked up and taken to the shelter, on and on. I remember at the time we met her, she was in the process of taking in a group of dogs - including several puppies and a male thought to be aggressive, from a "breeder" that had died and left his disabled wife with all of these dogs she couldn't take care of. They were basically starving in the yard. The male turned out not to be so aggressive once he was untied, fed a few good meals and treated kindly. A few of those dogs came to Canada with our boy.

I don't know how she handled it emotionally.

This is our Waylon. He loves his pool.

Blessings to you Bestyears! They are all adorable and you have really set them up for the best possible life.

Waylon is incredibly handsome! And I love his name. What a great story.

Update: The ibuprofen started my stomach hurting so I had to quit that too. Good news is I am now able to go without pain meds. The shooting/stabbing pains have stopped and I have just a slight headache and/or discomfort on that side. Scalp is still tender to the touch. A hint of rash is still visible on my face and into my scalp, but it is so much improved. It's not yet been 4 weeks, so I'm hoping this outcome is due to my being vaxed and getting the anti-virals quickly.

rubyclaire, I had a dear friend -- bless her heart she made it to 101! -- who despite all her infirmities was always upbeat and cheerful. She said it's because, why be miserable? When you're miserable, you really don't feel very good! I miss her a lot! She was a wonderful role model.

I'm glad to hear you can go without pain meds now and things are improving. I agree with you and your friend -- a positive outlook makes such a difference. But so do vaccines and antivirals. I'm sure you are progressing well due to all three.

How can you see a person you know suffer for months and not want to avoid that? I would think that a person who has such a bad case would also be at risk for lifelong nerve pain. That and potential blindness are just not worth the risk. Even if you don't "believe" in the science, it would seem worth humoring it a bit.

I have Frogg Toggs rain pants and jacket that I wore on some very rainy hikes in Alaska. They kept me dry, and were not expensive. I did wear layers underneath.

I am also planning a fall trip to Europe and expecting lots of walking in the rain. I haven't purchased this yet, so I can't speak to the fit yet, but I am looking at the Helly Hansen Aden long rain jacket. I'm thinking of getting black, but thought the details were more visible in this pink color.

I'm also looking for comfortable shoes that will hold up in wet weather. Found these cut On Cloud 6 waterproof sneakers and Blundstone chelsea boots.

I think I have some REI rain pants somewhere that I bought for backpacking. I'd just go to a sporting goods store and try some on until you find a pair that fits.

If you don’t need a raincoat to provide a lot of warmth, look at Athleta. They are having a sale right now too. I have a one that is waterproof & hits mid-thigh and love it because it’s so lightweight. I think it is this one. I like having a hood.

They have a longer coat now too, but there is no hood & it’s not waterproof. Maybe it’s more of a coat than rain wear.

I am fairly tall with long-ish arms and find I don’t need the tall size as a rule.

Those are amazing, Jojo! I can't believe how big your grandsons are getting. They are adorable.

This is the very first year that I've had to deal with bunnies eating my plants! I don't grow any vegetables/fruit - only ornamentals. They bunnies really decimated a few of my liriope (I lost two for sure - a third one is just barely hanging on even though the bunnies moved on to other plants quite awhile ago).

Those sunflowers do take up a lot of space/sunlight - but - WOW - they would be something to see in person! Maybe I'll plant them in my daughter's back yard (she has a large yard - she doesn't do any gardening - but she'd probably take care of these if her son planted them with .me!

Wowzers!!!! I love sunflowers, but don't think I ever had any get that tall!

I bet the kids were so excited!!

Thanks again for the kind borthday wishes! My favorite bit at the party was a slideshow / powerpoint presentation; DSIL had asked everyone to send in a photo and their best memory of me 😎 It was just precious and brought back many sweet moments shared with those closest to me❤️

In other news, a few days ago the Episcochicks met for happy hour in the garden of a downtown restaurant. Even though it was the hottest part of the day, this area is so protected by live oaks and Spanish moss that it was cool and confortable!

My new happy hour drink since 2025 is cranberry juice and either sparkling water, club soda or tonic water— refreshing and bladder friendly lol.

Episcochicks! Love that.

My grandson has become obsessed with cranberry juice. So odd for a 6 year old. Took them out to dinner when babysitting last weekend. The look on the face of the waitress when he ordered was hysterical.

Just saw the letter sent out to kids in her reading program. 💗

Jillly, she also asked to be removed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination, but they refused. Here is her acceptance speech. Following this, in 2023 she released Rockstar with 30 tracks with rock legends. Fun Fact: Rockstar is her top-selling solo album in her career. I had no idea, but will stream it today.

Dolly was one of a kind. Such a special lady.

Fort Worth for Dolly 💜

You have been busy, @Kswl. I’m looking forward to watching the progression. My parents put Corian in the last house that they built, and it was a great product that held up well.

There was a poster, now deceased, that had Corian and loved it. She even remodeled her kitchen and added new Corian to the old and you could not tell. She was in Kentucky. Her screen name started with an A. Angelophia??? Search stinks now, but maybe someone could find it.

Feathers, China's first attempts at quartz were pretty much garbage so maybe it's that, especially if it was put in by the builder. I remember all the complaints in the Kitchen forum back then, and people were warned to stay away.

Sherry, Anglophile. She passed away.

Precious

Aaaaah.....very sweet!

Oh, I love this! I am sad that you and your pup have lost your bunny.