USMB Coffee Shop IV

[007]

Gotta mention this. Don't know how popular these are with anyone else here, but I've never owned one, and after my younger sister urging me to get one for many years, I did a lot of research on them and wanted one that wasn't some tiny little thing that could easily be carried away. I also wanted one that I could store 8.5"x14" legal documents in flat, so I came up with the Mesa safe. Build quality is exceptional. This thing is big, and it's 260 pounds empty. It arrived on a pallet in a semi trailer and was a challenge for the truck driver and myself to get in the house. It's not bolted down, but with what I have in it plus it's own weight, it's has to be 300 pounds now. No one is going to pick it up and carry it way. It would even be hard for two people... two very strong people. I love it. I do feel better knowing irreplaceable documents and things are "safe" inside it... AND... I was really glad to find one with the OLD FASHIONED MECHANICAL DIAL lock. I just do not trust those battery operated locks.

 

[beautress]

Hombre andI got our first shot of the COVID vaccine today. So far so good. Zero side effects noted. No hair growing on our toes or anything. I wavered getting it reading so many alarming things on social media, but honestly many many of our friends and kin have now had the shots with no problems whatsoever. And since we are first in line as caretaker for my 94-year-old aunt and our heart transplant friend, and our weekly 42 partners are among the extremely high risk group, so we decided we would get the shots just in case they actually work. One more defense not to infect any of the high risk people.

The VA is pushing the vaccine, I have no idea which one, to all us veterans, but it's a HARD PASS for me.

Leaked Documents Reveal Major Concerns About Early Batches Of Pfizer mRNA Vaccine - The True Reporter

Reading some of those illustrious offerings from your source, I can offer this bit of advice: Don't believe everything you read.

I think most of us think pretty critically on these things, and I don't fault anybody for being cautious. I have read all the downsides reported from wherever and also the upsides being reported wherever, and made a calculated decision that the risk was less getting the vaccine than not getting it for me. That may or may not be true for others though.

But anyway, welcome to the Coffee Shop odanny. Be sure to read over the OP to see what we're all about here and then keep right on joining in. First timers to the Coffee Shop receive a complimentary beverage:

View attachment 471373

I envy people who can take virus shots. The last 2 flu shots I took gave me the flu, and when I took the pneumonia shot, I went into shock for several hours in the er, plus I had full blown pneumonia 5 times in a row for several months. When I read up on the shots given that year, the pneumonia shot contained 6 variations of pneumonia, so I figured I got all 6 of them in a one after another basis for all those months. This year, no shots but I have constant asthma for over the last 10 months. I had an attack of asthma the year before, but it went away after the live oaks pollen disappeared. And I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I don't think I am going for any more flulike shots including the covid vaccine. I did all the charity work I could for the last 50 years, so I'm ready to meet my maker should if wearing a mask in public fail to keep me safe. I just hope He will be forgiving of any unknown errors I may have unwittingly made in my life of hard work and long retirement falls, too. It's getting late. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and good health ahead.

 

[Foxfyre]

Today is the first day of the World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden. Normally, my "Toronto Friends" would all get together at Larry's condo in downtown Toronto, and have a "Not Going to Worlds" Party, where we would spend the day watching skating, drinking smart cocktails, and eating. The entire coffee table is covered in food. There's veggies and dip, a fruit tray, the Eastern European expatriot starter kit (cold meat, cheese and crackers), sushi, guacamole, chips, and then later on, we order in dinner. There's red and white wine, as well as vodka cocktails.

Larry lives in a VERY expensive building a 5 minute walk from the St. Clair Subway Station. There's a big high end grocery store, and a liquor store next door so we never have to worry about running out of anything.

After 20 years of travelling to skating competitions together, and holding "Not going to . . . " parties when the events were too far away, Larry is the only one of our original group of 7 who still lives in Toronto. The rest of us have moved elsewhere, one died. When we all lived in Toronto, Larry's place was in the middle of the City with easy accessibility. This year's World's Party will be held via Zoom.

In addition to Figure Skating, we also go to baseball games, tennis matches (Rogers Cup is a favourite), and Raptors games, together. Megi, who was born in Poland, doesn't go to baseball games. She'll go to brunch with us before the game, but she finds the game boring, and she says baseball only seems to make the rest of us miserable.

This afternoon we watched the Canadian Pair of Walsh & Michaud skate their short program, I was reminded that the last time my friends and I watched these two skate was January of 2020 - live at the Canadian Championships in Mississauga. Before the world went to hell. It was the last time we were together.

I love figure skating. It's right among the top of my favorite spectator sports.

 

[Foxfyre]

Gotta mention this. Don't know how popular these are with anyone else here, but I've never owned one, and after my younger sister urging me to get one for many years, I did a lot of research on them and wanted one that wasn't some tiny little thing that could easily be carried away. I also wanted one that I could store 8.5"x14" legal documents in flat, so I came up with the Mesa safe. Build quality is exceptional. This thing is big, and it's 260 pounds empty. It arrived on a pallet in a semi trailer and was a challenge for the truck driver and myself to get in the house. It's not bolted down, but with what I have in it plus it's own weight, it's has to be 300 pounds now. No one is going to pick it up and carry it way. It would even be hard for two people... two very strong people. I love it. I do feel better knowing irreplaceable documents and things are "safe" inside it... AND... I was really glad to find one with the OLD FASHIONED MECHANICAL DIAL lock. I just do not trust those battery operated locks.

I envy you that. We have critical documents in small fireproof boxes in metal filing cabinet in our office which is a lot less neat than yours.

 

[Foxfyre]

Hombre andI got our first shot of the COVID vaccine today. So far so good. Zero side effects noted. No hair growing on our toes or anything. I wavered getting it reading so many alarming things on social media, but honestly many many of our friends and kin have now had the shots with no problems whatsoever. And since we are first in line as caretaker for my 94-year-old aunt and our heart transplant friend, and our weekly 42 partners are among the extremely high risk group, so we decided we would get the shots just in case they actually work. One more defense not to infect any of the high risk people.

The VA is pushing the vaccine, I have no idea which one, to all us veterans, but it's a HARD PASS for me.

Leaked Documents Reveal Major Concerns About Early Batches Of Pfizer mRNA Vaccine - The True Reporter

Reading some of those illustrious offerings from your source, I can offer this bit of advice: Don't believe everything you read.

I think most of us think pretty critically on these things, and I don't fault anybody for being cautious. I have read all the downsides reported from wherever and also the upsides being reported wherever, and made a calculated decision that the risk was less getting the vaccine than not getting it for me. That may or may not be true for others though.

But anyway, welcome to the Coffee Shop odanny. Be sure to read over the OP to see what we're all about here and then keep right on joining in. First timers to the Coffee Shop receive a complimentary beverage:

View attachment 471373

I envy people who can take virus shots. The last 2 flu shots I took gave me the flu, and when I took the pneumonia shot, I went into shock for several hours in the er, plus I had full blown pneumonia 5 times in a row for several months. When I read up on the shots given that year, the pneumonia shot contained 6 variations of pneumonia, so I figured I got all 6 of them in a one after another basis for all those months. This year, no shots but I have constant asthma for over the last 10 months. I had an attack of asthma the year before, but it went away after the live oaks pollen disappeared. And I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I don't think I am going for any more flulike shots including the covid vaccine. I did all the charity work I could for the last 50 years, so I'm ready to meet my maker should if wearing a mask in public fail to keep me safe. I just hope He will be forgiving of any unknown errors I may have unwittingly made in my life of hard work and long retirement falls, too. It's getting late. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and good health ahead.

I had an unpleasant reaction to my last flu shot too, and my primary doctor suggested I could have a reaction to the COVID shot too. I didn't though other than a very sore arm for a day, but I am nervous about the second one which seems to produce more side effects than the first in some people.

 

[Foxfyre]

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Now if I only understood the language of binary evaporators........ Oh wait, that was Star Wars.........

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Be sure to load this tape/CD or whatever into it. Best workout tape ever.

I appreciate the thought Foxy, but there's no CD or tape player. It's purely a digital streaming setup, at this point. I have Amazon Music Unlimited because they have one of the largest music libraries of anyone, and some of the highest bitrates for outstanding sound. You get a little discount if you already have Prime, which I do. I had Spotify for years but they're just lagging way behind others with their pathetic slow bitrates, and when you get equipment like I have, the difference in SD and ultra HD streaming can be dramatic.

Also, my gym is a Body Solid P2 Powerline universal gym. I love it. I don't work out on it to get all huge. I just want to stay healthy and keep what I've got. At 65 pushing 66 in a couple months, that's about all I can do. But they say that resistance training is excellent for older people, even more so than cardio, because it can slow down the aging process. You won't become feeble as fast.

Well, I'm pretty sure Amazon Prime can stream "Maniac."

 

[007]

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Now if I only understood the language of binary evaporators........ Oh wait, that was Star Wars.........

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Be sure to load this tape/CD or whatever into it. Best workout tape ever.

I appreciate the thought Foxy, but there's no CD or tape player. It's purely a digital streaming setup, at this point. I have Amazon Music Unlimited because they have one of the largest music libraries of anyone, and some of the highest bitrates for outstanding sound. You get a little discount if you already have Prime, which I do. I had Spotify for years but they're just lagging way behind others with their pathetic slow bitrates, and when you get equipment like I have, the difference in SD and ultra HD streaming can be dramatic.

Also, my gym is a Body Solid P2 Powerline universal gym. I love it. I don't work out on it to get all huge. I just want to stay healthy and keep what I've got. At 65 pushing 66 in a couple months, that's about all I can do. But they say that resistance training is excellent for older people, even more so than cardio, because it can slow down the aging process. You won't become feeble as fast.

Well, I'm pretty sure Amazon Prime can stream "Maniac."

No video though...

 

[Foxfyre]

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Now if I only understood the language of binary evaporators........ Oh wait, that was Star Wars.........

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Be sure to load this tape/CD or whatever into it. Best workout tape ever.

I appreciate the thought Foxy, but there's no CD or tape player. It's purely a digital streaming setup, at this point. I have Amazon Music Unlimited because they have one of the largest music libraries of anyone, and some of the highest bitrates for outstanding sound. You get a little discount if you already have Prime, which I do. I had Spotify for years but they're just lagging way behind others with their pathetic slow bitrates, and when you get equipment like I have, the difference in SD and ultra HD streaming can be dramatic.

Also, my gym is a Body Solid P2 Powerline universal gym. I love it. I don't work out on it to get all huge. I just want to stay healthy and keep what I've got. At 65 pushing 66 in a couple months, that's about all I can do. But they say that resistance training is excellent for older people, even more so than cardio, because it can slow down the aging process. You won't become feeble as fast.

Well, I'm pretty sure Amazon Prime can stream "Maniac."

No video though...

True, but I find music that pushes me is far more important than visual during a workout.

 

[Dragonlady]

My youngest used to figure skate and had dreams of going to the Olympics. She injured the knee on her landing leg just before her 12th birthday, and her dream ended. Many of the kids she trained with continued on the path, and several of them competed for Canada Internationally, and at the World and Olympic Championships.

This afternoon, I watched the last of her friends still skating for Canada, win a Bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships, with his ice dance partner.

It has been one of the great joys of my life to watch this generation of skaters grow from children taking their first steps on the ice, into world and Olympic champions.

Today is the first day of the World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden. Normally, my "Toronto Friends" would all get together at Larry's condo in downtown Toronto, and have a "Not Going to Worlds" Party, where we would spend the day watching skating, drinking smart cocktails, and eating. The entire coffee table is covered in food. There's veggies and dip, a fruit tray, the Eastern European expatriot starter kit (cold meat, cheese and crackers), sushi, guacamole, chips, and then later on, we order in dinner. There's red and white wine, as well as vodka cocktails.

Larry lives in a VERY expensive building a 5 minute walk from the St. Clair Subway Station. There's a big high end grocery store, and a liquor store next door so we never have to worry about running out of anything.

After 20 years of travelling to skating competitions together, and holding "Not going to . . . " parties when the events were too far away, Larry is the only one of our original group of 7 who still lives in Toronto. The rest of us have moved elsewhere, one died. When we all lived in Toronto, Larry's place was in the middle of the City with easy accessibility. This year's World's Party will be held via Zoom.

In addition to Figure Skating, we also go to baseball games, tennis matches (Rogers Cup is a favourite), and Raptors games, together. Megi, who was born in Poland, doesn't go to baseball games. She'll go to brunch with us before the game, but she finds the game boring, and she says baseball only seems to make the rest of us miserable.

This afternoon we watched the Canadian Pair of Walsh & Michaud skate their short program, I was reminded that the last time my friends and I watched these two skate was January of 2020 - live at the Canadian Championships in Mississauga. Before the world went to hell. It was the last time we were together.

I love figure skating. It's right among the top of my favorite spectator sports.

I have always loved figure skating, but I used to say that I would never put any child of mine into such an expensive sport. God laughed, and all three of my kids went into the sport, but my youngest had dreams of going to the Olympics, even though genetics were definitely NOT on her side. Champion figure skaters are 5' 4" or less. Both her parents are 6' tall. But she was talented, and loved skating and has some wonderful memories.

Her cohort of skaters has been the most talented and most decorated in Canadian history, and I had a front row seat to watching these kids grow up. I remember wishing two children good luck on their first JGP assignment when they were 13 & 14 years old, and feeling foolish for thinking these two might grow up and win the Olympic Gold Medal someday. They were so good those kids.

No team this young stays together for the length of time it takes to win the OGM. The Moirs are not tall people. She could outgrow him. Don't even think they'll make it to seniors. Well not only did they make it to Seniors. With 3 Olympic Gold Medals, and two Silver Medals, plus 3 World Championships, they are the G.O.A.T. But this is the team I first saw. There is a moment in this video where former Champion Ice dancers Shae Lynne Bourne and Tracy Wilson exchange a look that is priceless.

 

[007]

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Now if I only understood the language of binary evaporators........ Oh wait, that was Star Wars.........

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Be sure to load this tape/CD or whatever into it. Best workout tape ever.

I appreciate the thought Foxy, but there's no CD or tape player. It's purely a digital streaming setup, at this point. I have Amazon Music Unlimited because they have one of the largest music libraries of anyone, and some of the highest bitrates for outstanding sound. You get a little discount if you already have Prime, which I do. I had Spotify for years but they're just lagging way behind others with their pathetic slow bitrates, and when you get equipment like I have, the difference in SD and ultra HD streaming can be dramatic.

Also, my gym is a Body Solid P2 Powerline universal gym. I love it. I don't work out on it to get all huge. I just want to stay healthy and keep what I've got. At 65 pushing 66 in a couple months, that's about all I can do. But they say that resistance training is excellent for older people, even more so than cardio, because it can slow down the aging process. You won't become feeble as fast.

Well, I'm pretty sure Amazon Prime can stream "Maniac."

No video though...

True, but I find music that pushes me is far more important than visual during a workout.

Not sure I know what that means...

 

[Foxfyre]

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Now if I only understood the language of binary evaporators........ Oh wait, that was Star Wars.........

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Be sure to load this tape/CD or whatever into it. Best workout tape ever.

I appreciate the thought Foxy, but there's no CD or tape player. It's purely a digital streaming setup, at this point. I have Amazon Music Unlimited because they have one of the largest music libraries of anyone, and some of the highest bitrates for outstanding sound. You get a little discount if you already have Prime, which I do. I had Spotify for years but they're just lagging way behind others with their pathetic slow bitrates, and when you get equipment like I have, the difference in SD and ultra HD streaming can be dramatic.

Also, my gym is a Body Solid P2 Powerline universal gym. I love it. I don't work out on it to get all huge. I just want to stay healthy and keep what I've got. At 65 pushing 66 in a couple months, that's about all I can do. But they say that resistance training is excellent for older people, even more so than cardio, because it can slow down the aging process. You won't become feeble as fast.

Well, I'm pretty sure Amazon Prime can stream "Maniac."

No video though...

True, but I find music that pushes me is far more important than visual during a workout.

Not sure I know what that means...

It's just that some music inspires us to work harder or feel more or experience more depth of feeling. When I work out to "Maniac" I'm not watching the video but just moving with the beat. You can keep up aerobics a lot longer to music usually.

 

[007]

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Now if I only understood the language of binary evaporators........ Oh wait, that was Star Wars.........

The new high end 2 channel system in the gym room... McIntosh C47 Audio Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Amplifier, (an 84 lb behemoth), and streaming digital HD and ultra HD music from a Dell XPS desktop, all plugged into a Panamax M5400-PM Voltage Regulator/Conditioner, which is plugged into a 20 amp dedicated circuit, and assorted high end Audioquest cables, powering my Bowers & Wilkins CM-10's and an SVS PB-2000 subwoofer. The sound is incredible. This old audiophile is very happy. First time I've ever owned any McIntosh component. They are world class...

Be sure to load this tape/CD or whatever into it. Best workout tape ever.

I appreciate the thought Foxy, but there's no CD or tape player. It's purely a digital streaming setup, at this point. I have Amazon Music Unlimited because they have one of the largest music libraries of anyone, and some of the highest bitrates for outstanding sound. You get a little discount if you already have Prime, which I do. I had Spotify for years but they're just lagging way behind others with their pathetic slow bitrates, and when you get equipment like I have, the difference in SD and ultra HD streaming can be dramatic.

Also, my gym is a Body Solid P2 Powerline universal gym. I love it. I don't work out on it to get all huge. I just want to stay healthy and keep what I've got. At 65 pushing 66 in a couple months, that's about all I can do. But they say that resistance training is excellent for older people, even more so than cardio, because it can slow down the aging process. You won't become feeble as fast.

Well, I'm pretty sure Amazon Prime can stream "Maniac."

No video though...

True, but I find music that pushes me is far more important than visual during a workout.

Not sure I know what that means...

It's just that some music inspires us to work harder or feel more or experience more depth of feeling. When I work out to "Maniac" I'm not watching the video but just moving with the beat. You can keep up aerobics a lot longer to music usually.

I didn't know you worked out... COOL.

But I agree with you there. That's why I have my big stereo in the gym room. Mondays are always nice because the new "Discovery Mix" is up. I'm listening to that and working out on the gym right now. Working on the "core" today.

Warm but windy day in store up nort' here in Podunk, WI. Could see wind gusts to 50 mph they're saying.

 

[gallantwarrior]

Anyway....I hear your pain at losses. Which is why I enjoy being a loner. Here...not so much. I am the youngest here (at the old folks apartments). New friends are in their 80's and over.

Yeah I had a good friend, fellow veteran, told me the VA told him he had cancer of the liver. Wonder why since he loved his Crown Royal on the rocks, daily, but a year later he was dead. I saw him 5 days before he died, and he didn't look bad at all. I was actually shocked. Then a biker friend of mine died that I used to work with, knew him for a long, long time. Farmer pulled a wagon across the road thinking he could beat traffic and he hit the wagon he was pulling with his Harley trike. No disrespect to my buddy but, had he been wearing a helmet, he'd still be alive, because he wasn't banged up all that bad. He died of brain swelling. Then another veteran buddy of mine, also a fellow biker, and my neighbor, same age, tells me the VA found cancer in him, lung cancer. Well he smoked ever since he was 7 or some crap, and then quit but sucked on a vape from sun up to sun down. I tried to tell him to quit but, he just blew it off, said "the damage is already done." Well, it is now, he died back in November. Then this girl I used to kinda have the hots for, Angie, we hung out back in the day, but only 48 years old, apparently died after having a seizure, just a few months ago. I could go on and on listing names of people I used to know around here that are dead. Just unbelievable. Starting to feel kinda lonely. Maybe a new toy will cheer me up...

Hey, that's like my Deere!

COOL... yeah it's coming up for auction at my cousins auction yard here in town, Apr. 9th. I believe it to be an early '70's but it's only got 1,158 hours on the ticker, so it's in really, really super nice condition. My cousin thinks it should go for around $5K, maybe a little more, but I don't care, it's coming home with me. I've been looking for a loader / backhoe tractor for years. I have things to do around here that I absolutely need one for. I've looked at quite a few, even skid loaders, saw a couple others at auctions, but they've all looked pretty whipped. This JD here is in great shape. It's got my name all over it.

Mine was quite a score and included a whole lot of extra gear, including an aftermarket installation that is mounted on top and allows you to pick up and place things like uprights for a pole barn or roof trusses. I'm hoping to repair the residual damage done by my ex-partner this summer. Lots to do around here, too.

 

[gallantwarrior]

So how the hell has everyone been?

Hey, 007! How have you been? Long time, no see.

Been having a couple minor issues but, I was trying to self medicate and avoid the covid creepy crud, so I started taking extra vitamin D and C. Well, come to find out, too much vitamin D can be detrimental. It can cause irritability, stomach pain, nausea and constipation, all of which I experienced. So I laid off the D and started to feel better within days. I also had to lay off the coffee. I grind my own beans and love the stuff, but alas, I think it's the cause of the anxiety I was having once and awhile. I haven't had any coffee for awhile and no anxiety. So right now I'm back on my gym, lovin' life and feelin' great.

Sometimes, trial and error help define what works best for each of us. I am doing loads better since I sent the partner packing and had my hip surgery. Work is actually a lot more fun now. And, I lost enough to buy myself a new pair of work pants for my birthday, I'm down from a 38 to a 34 sized pant. Even though we now have a Duluth Trading Company outlet here, I had to order them. I'm pretty jazzed about losing that much weight and many inches.

 

[gallantwarrior]

Good morning darlinks. I really do love you guys. May the Coffee Shop always be a virtual family for those who need or enjoy one here. Meanwhile we pray or send positive vibes or keep vigil for:

Harper, the inspiration for the vigil list.
Kat for wellness
JustAnotherNut for wellness
Mindful and healing for her shoulder.
Good results for Nosmo King 's step nephew dealing with difficult surgeries.
Ringel, Peach, Gracie, everybody dealing with depression and adjustment.
Mindful's daughter diagnosed with cancer.
Ollie's brother recovering from major surgery.
Beautress for wellness
Nosmo King for healing and health

And we keep the light on so others who have been away can find their way back and we hope they do.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everybody!!!
View attachment 468741
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Back in our partying days, Hombre & I enjoyed Irish Coffee made with Baileys around Saint Patty's Day and it is still a yummy good drink. But for those of us who don't drink these days, or never did, a non-alcoholic version is pretty darn good:

NON-ALCOHOLIC IRISH COFFEE

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup strong black coffee (157 ml)
• 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon rum extract
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream (60 ml)
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder, for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a glass mug with ⅔ cup of hot coffee. Add the sugar and rum extract and stir until dissolved. Let the cup stand still until the mixture has completely stopped swirling.
2. Meanwhile, beat the cream in a medium bowl until it's thick and airy, but still pourable. Pour it into a jug with a spout.
3. Pour the cream over the back of a spoon right in the center of each mug.
4. If desired, dust the cream with cocoa powder using a stencil, and serve immediately.

I beg to differ, unless you use Irish whisky, it isn't Irish coffee. No rum!

 

[gallantwarrior]

I would like to visit those places before I get too much older.

I want a road trip through all those mid west states (and others). Covid permitting.

Most Americans I think would consider Wyoming west rather than midwest, but on the eastern edge of the west. But yes, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico all on the eastern edge of the west offer some stunning scenery and a lot of history and fun things to see and do. Some of the best climate in the USA as well.

I spent 35 years of my adult life in Wyoming, and we referred to it as the Rocky Mountains, and considering a historic bar on Center Street was frequented occasionally by cowboys on a spirited horse that older people remembered and artists painted it to recall it as a special part of the Rocky Mountain West.

The best thing about Wyoming was the wonderful, sturdy people who celebrated helping each other out in deadly winter conditions, not to mention their love for animals and deep respect for others, whose wise ways saved lives in blinding snowstorms and search parties in wooded mountainsides if kids got lost at a summer picnic attended by many, or just being a good neighbor when the nearest house could be a couple of miles down the Platte River.

Enough nnostalgia. Hope everyone had a taste of Irish potatoes, corned beef and cabbage this week and are going to have a lovely weekend coming up.

Your depiction of Wyoming of the past greatly resembles where I live now. Most people don't look like much, but we are all helpful and tough. Winters here are nothing to scoff at and we all love animals. Willow is considered the dog mushing capital of the country, if not the world. My little bit of road has been kept clear this summer by a neighbor and his Cat4 bulldozer.

 

[gallantwarrior]

This showed up today.

View attachment 469730

007 I think Mindful's post is something to consider. It is true that Vitamin D and Vitamin A can be toxic in very large amounts, but taking 2 to 4k units of Vitamin D is not toxic and does wonders for our health and immune system and, as the chart here mentions, can help with anxiety. Maybe discontinuing Vitamin D is a factor in increased anxiety attacks? I don't know but I would consider that.

I applaud you for recognizing them for what they are and not overreacting to them as too many do, but they are not at all pleasant for anybody. For omegas, the fastest way to increase those is via adding chia seeds or freshly ground flaxseed (a couple of tablespoons of whole seeds ground in a coffee grinder) to your salads or smoothies or oatmeal or whatever. Anyway hope you and your doctor figure it out soon because the attacks really suck bigtime.

Water soluble vs. fat soluble vitamins. Water soluble wash out of your system while the fat soluble will accumulate in fatty tissue and eventually build to toxic levels.

 

[gallantwarrior]

Hombre andI got our first shot of the COVID vaccine today. So far so good. Zero side effects noted. No hair growing on our toes or anything. I wavered getting it reading so many alarming things on social media, but honestly many many of our friends and kin have now had the shots with no problems whatsoever. And since we are first in line as caretaker for my 94-year-old aunt and our heart transplant friend, and our weekly 42 partners are among the extremely high risk group, so we decided we would get the shots just in case they actually work. One more defense not to infect any of the high risk people.

The VA is pushing the vaccine, I have no idea which one, to all us veterans, but it's a HARD PASS for me.

Leaked Documents Reveal Major Concerns About Early Batches Of Pfizer mRNA Vaccine - The True Reporter

Reading some of those illustrious offerings from your source, I can offer this bit of advice: Don't believe everything you read.

I think most of us think pretty critically on these things, and I don't fault anybody for being cautious. I have read all the downsides reported from wherever and also the upsides being reported wherever, and made a calculated decision that the risk was less getting the vaccine than not getting it for me. That may or may not be true for others though.

But anyway, welcome to the Coffee Shop odanny. Be sure to read over the OP to see what we're all about here and then keep right on joining in. First timers to the Coffee Shop receive a complimentary beverage:

View attachment 471373

I envy people who can take virus shots. The last 2 flu shots I took gave me the flu, and when I took the pneumonia shot, I went into shock for several hours in the er, plus I had full blown pneumonia 5 times in a row for several months. When I read up on the shots given that year, the pneumonia shot contained 6 variations of pneumonia, so I figured I got all 6 of them in a one after another basis for all those months. This year, no shots but I have constant asthma for over the last 10 months. I had an attack of asthma the year before, but it went away after the live oaks pollen disappeared. And I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I don't think I am going for any more flulike shots including the covid vaccine. I did all the charity work I could for the last 50 years, so I'm ready to meet my maker should if wearing a mask in public fail to keep me safe. I just hope He will be forgiving of any unknown errors I may have unwittingly made in my life of hard work and long retirement falls, too. It's getting late. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and good health ahead.

I have similar difficulties with various vaccines and have decided to opt out of this one, too. As far as masking is concerned, if I was intended to suck down that much CO2, I'd sprout leaves in a few weeks. Plus, I get headaches if I wear a mask more than a few minutes.
You have a great week and good health.

 

[007]

So how the hell has everyone been?

Hey, 007! How have you been? Long time, no see.

Been having a couple minor issues but, I was trying to self medicate and avoid the covid creepy crud, so I started taking extra vitamin D and C. Well, come to find out, too much vitamin D can be detrimental. It can cause irritability, stomach pain, nausea and constipation, all of which I experienced. So I laid off the D and started to feel better within days. I also had to lay off the coffee. I grind my own beans and love the stuff, but alas, I think it's the cause of the anxiety I was having once and awhile. I haven't had any coffee for awhile and no anxiety. So right now I'm back on my gym, lovin' life and feelin' great.

Sometimes, trial and error help define what works best for each of us. I am doing loads better since I sent the partner packing and had my hip surgery. Work is actually a lot more fun now. And, I lost enough to buy myself a new pair of work pants for my birthday, I'm down from a 38 to a 34 sized pant. Even though we now have a Duluth Trading Company outlet here, I had to order them. I'm pretty jazzed about losing that much weight and many inches.

Well hot damn brother, that's awesome.

In the past 15 years I've been on a slow weight gain. When I came back to Wisconsin from Nevada I was about 195 lbs and wore 36" waist pants. Now I'm around 213 and wearing a 38". Last year I got up to 221 lbs and was so disgusted I dieted down to 202. I was back in my 36" waist jeans and loving it. Planned on keep going back down under 200 but, couldn't keep up the dedication. Now I'm back up to around 213, but I've been hitting the gym pretty hard for a good year and half now and have packed on some muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat. Still got too much around the middle but, IDK... I eat very healthy food, I work out daily, so I'd say regardless of few extra pounds, I'm pretty dang healthy. Nurse took my blood pressure the other day at the clinic and it was 124/78. Can't beat that. Summer is almost here though and I always lose weight because I'm outside busting it. I get the tractor on the 9th and I have two or three projects lined up waiting for it, and even with the tractor I'll be humpin' it. I love it though. Working up a sweat where it's just pouring off you makes me feel great. Have to remember to take my wallet out though, otherwise that gets soaked.

 

[007]

Hombre andI got our first shot of the COVID vaccine today. So far so good. Zero side effects noted. No hair growing on our toes or anything. I wavered getting it reading so many alarming things on social media, but honestly many many of our friends and kin have now had the shots with no problems whatsoever. And since we are first in line as caretaker for my 94-year-old aunt and our heart transplant friend, and our weekly 42 partners are among the extremely high risk group, so we decided we would get the shots just in case they actually work. One more defense not to infect any of the high risk people.

The VA is pushing the vaccine, I have no idea which one, to all us veterans, but it's a HARD PASS for me.

Leaked Documents Reveal Major Concerns About Early Batches Of Pfizer mRNA Vaccine - The True Reporter

Reading some of those illustrious offerings from your source, I can offer this bit of advice: Don't believe everything you read.

I think most of us think pretty critically on these things, and I don't fault anybody for being cautious. I have read all the downsides reported from wherever and also the upsides being reported wherever, and made a calculated decision that the risk was less getting the vaccine than not getting it for me. That may or may not be true for others though.

But anyway, welcome to the Coffee Shop odanny. Be sure to read over the OP to see what we're all about here and then keep right on joining in. First timers to the Coffee Shop receive a complimentary beverage:

View attachment 471373

I envy people who can take virus shots. The last 2 flu shots I took gave me the flu, and when I took the pneumonia shot, I went into shock for several hours in the er, plus I had full blown pneumonia 5 times in a row for several months. When I read up on the shots given that year, the pneumonia shot contained 6 variations of pneumonia, so I figured I got all 6 of them in a one after another basis for all those months. This year, no shots but I have constant asthma for over the last 10 months. I had an attack of asthma the year before, but it went away after the live oaks pollen disappeared. And I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I don't think I am going for any more flulike shots including the covid vaccine. I did all the charity work I could for the last 50 years, so I'm ready to meet my maker should if wearing a mask in public fail to keep me safe. I just hope He will be forgiving of any unknown errors I may have unwittingly made in my life of hard work and long retirement falls, too. It's getting late. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and good health ahead.

I have similar difficulties with various vaccines and have decided to opt out of this one, too. As far as masking is concerned, if I was intended to suck down that much CO2, I'd sprout leaves in a few weeks. Plus, I get headaches if I wear a mask more than a few minutes.
You have a great week and good health.

The CDC already said that the statistical difference everyone wearing a mask has made is less than 1%. It's been virtually irrelevant. I don't wear a mask anywhere, ever.

It's a hard pass on the biolab DNA altering mRNA shot for me too. It'll be interesting to see what happens a year, two years, three, etc, to those that got it. Can't be good... just my thoughts.