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What’s on your mind?
- Thread starter Gutwrench
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Yes, it does. As long as one is not being rained on or cold, "the outdoors" is one of the best medicine for one's mind as long as one pays attention or observes everything one is surrounded by.
The talk of 80s fountain pen ink has me thinking nostalgically of the Sheaffer blue ink I used in the 1980s. My last bottle is memorable: I bought it so I could use a Sheaffer Targa my mother had, but never used. That would have been probably a month or so after she died. I still have the now empty bottle.
The (excuse the foul language) ballpoint talk also pulls up some 80s memories. One prize I won at school that I remember with nostagia was a green Bic Cristal. Odd prize, since most kids weren't allowed to use ballpoints until about age 11... Also I have no idea what the prize was for.
I have a vague memory that my father used a red Cristal as a grading pen when I was quite young, but he switched to PaperMate Write Bros by the time I won my Cristal (which probably made it feel exotic). I suspect his choice was motivated by either what a supply cabinet had, or if he bought in the bookstore (charging to his department) what was cheapest.
The (excuse the foul language) ballpoint talk also pulls up some 80s memories. One prize I won at school that I remember with nostagia was a green Bic Cristal. Odd prize, since most kids weren't allowed to use ballpoints until about age 11... Also I have no idea what the prize was for.
I have a vague memory that my father used a red Cristal as a grading pen when I was quite young, but he switched to PaperMate Write Bros by the time I won my Cristal (which probably made it feel exotic). I suspect his choice was motivated by either what a supply cabinet had, or if he bought in the bookstore (charging to his department) what was cheapest.
More Paper Mate Write Bros thoughts...
I remembered seeing this old ad on YouTube.
The comments say that Don Most (Happy Days) was in this.
I remembered seeing this old ad on YouTube.
The comments say that Don Most (Happy Days) was in this.
Indeed. Particularky the "rain" part.
I actually found it easier getting out in winter for a walk when I lived in a snowbelt location vs. a warmer, but rainier place. Yeah, the snowbelt is cold...but you can bundle up. Snow can be brushed off. Rain soaks in, and the damp cold feels so cold vs. a colder dry cold.
Although, part of me thinks the ideal winter cold might be a cold dsy of 60-something in Arizona. But maybe I'm getting old...
Ok, another ink story.
I got a notification from AliExpress. As with any time you open AliExpress, its always a rabbit hole that is impossible to go down.
Anyway, this popped up. It's quite expensive for an ink, $50 per bottle, but the description, oh, the description.
I have had Iron Gall ink, and I know of squid Ink Bladder ink, but I know not of this Iron Gall Bladder ink...
Note to the nice people at AliExpress -- don't let AI do your translation for you.
I got a notification from AliExpress. As with any time you open AliExpress, its always a rabbit hole that is impossible to go down.
Anyway, this popped up. It's quite expensive for an ink, $50 per bottle, but the description, oh, the description.
I have had Iron Gall ink, and I know of squid Ink Bladder ink, but I know not of this Iron Gall Bladder ink...
Note to the nice people at AliExpress -- don't let AI do your translation for you.
Well, a couple of years ago we bought at my work a fountain pen - Montblanc - engraved for the occasio n of our director's 60th birthday. Beautiful pen. I can't write s*** myself and now missing 2 fingers on my right hand can do even less.
I also wish to add we are hump day - I mean winter solstice! It won't make much difference other than a few minutes later sunset over the next few days but days can only get longer now. I try to stay optimistic by keeping that in mind. Once spring equinox arrives I look forward to the summer. Once summer solstice arrives well still days are long ... once fall equinox arrives at least we still have a light of light. It's once I reach late October and November that my mood drops.
I also wish to add we are hump day - I mean winter solstice! It won't make much difference other than a few minutes later sunset over the next few days but days can only get longer now. I try to stay optimistic by keeping that in mind. Once spring equinox arrives I look forward to the summer. Once summer solstice arrives well still days are long ... once fall equinox arrives at least we still have a light of light. It's once I reach late October and November that my mood drops.
After November and December things improve for me. Two of the most depressing months of the year.
I write with Mont Blancs (the classic Meisterstuck), size 144, and have two fountain pens, and a roller-ball, all excellent pens with which to write, and all ergonomic in my hand and comfortable to write with (and they are used for writing).
Ah, although we will not notice the changes in time - in the form of lengthening days and perhaps a slightly better quality of light - for a few days, (as there will be virtually no change at all for several days, a matter of some seconds, perhaps, a minute or two) or, as is more likely, a few weeks, - I still rejoice in the fact that the winter solstice has now passed.
Anyway, in common with @Apple fanboy, and @decafjava, I deeply detest November, December, and, also, January.
Today, - as it happens, on the bus - I ran into the carer whom I had not seen in some time; we hugged, exchanged seasonal greetings, chatted awhile, - again, I mentioned the superb quality of care my mother received when the carer was with us - and also reminisced a little about my mother and our respective families.
She remembered the significance of yesterday (after all, she had actually been present, as well), but has also experienced and lived through a number of similar such anniversaries in the seven years since then.
It was lovely to have met her.
She remembered the significance of yesterday (after all, she had actually been present, as well), but has also experienced and lived through a number of similar such anniversaries in the seven years since then.
It was lovely to have met her.
That is nice. Funnily enough when you mentioned your Mother yesterday, I was going to enquire after her. I’m glad you had a chance to catch up.
She sounds like a wonderful person.
On my mind is work. Last day in the office tomorrow before the NY. Working from home the rest of the time.
The carer cared for my mother for six years, (and lived with us for six years) and I am absolutely certain that the superlative quality of care my mother received ensured that her life was extended by at least a few years.
In January 2016, for example, we had been told, by our GPs, given our mother's deterioration and rate of decline, to prepare ourselves for the worst by around Easter and to try to spend as much time as possible with her - whereas, in fact, my mother actually lived until 21st December, 2018.
Much of that was down to the superb quality of care she received from the carer, and I told her so today, "A Rolls-Royce level of care" as Decent Brother put it to me, (something else I also mentioned).
Yes, she is a wonderful person; we were very fortunate - and so was my mother - that she became a part of our lives.
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I was just looking at a Parker fountain pen on Office Depot's web site. Supposedly it's in stock at my local store. I fantasized that I could get it today as a to me, from me Christmas gift. Then I checked JetPens. Same model costs $20 less there, for a different finish (but one I like better).
I guess I probably won't be stopping by Office Depot today after all, as tempting as a new fountain pen is.
I guess I probably won't be stopping by Office Depot today after all, as tempting as a new fountain pen is.
😅 We just get colder as we get older. By the way, hypothermia is a common occurrence in Alaska during the summer if one gets rained on or wet and are unable to find a dry and warm shelter. This could happen if the ambient temperatures are lower than one's body core temperatures. The cold air and moisture, aided by the wind, can speed up the loss of body-core's temperatures, specially of one are unable to sustain one's caloric intake.
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This is exactly the kind of thing I wish I'd gone to when I was in Europe last Christmas. I felt the concerts and services I went to were a little subpar, especially since they were in tourist-prone areas.
I'm thinking about how just not excited I am about Christmas this year. I think this is largely a reflection of my attitude as I've gotten older. I feel like Christmas used to have a very special quality, even just a few years ago. It's not that I'm not looking forward to it, because I am, but it just feels like another holiday this year, nothing special. I think it's also because at this time of year when I was younger, we'd have lots of family friends over, who have all passed away over the years. Really, it's just going to be my family and two of my cousins this year. My four older cousins are spending the holiday elsewhere. Three older couples who we always had over have all died now, so we really don't have many family friends (at least my grandparents' age) left. Those are the people with whom I most fondly remember spending past Christmases.
It also feels like I'm constantly preoccupied with a thousand things that just take away the cheer of the holidays, especially as I've gotten older. Even just two years ago I didn't feel this way. I feel that way in general, too. I'm always busy these days, and it feels like I really don't get to spend any time with family, which I always used to. It's really interesting how one's perspectives on things shifts as they get older.
I think it'll be a lovely time on Thursday, with the family that's here, but this is just something I've been thinking about.
It also feels like I'm constantly preoccupied with a thousand things that just take away the cheer of the holidays, especially as I've gotten older. Even just two years ago I didn't feel this way. I feel that way in general, too. I'm always busy these days, and it feels like I really don't get to spend any time with family, which I always used to. It's really interesting how one's perspectives on things shifts as they get older.
I think it'll be a lovely time on Thursday, with the family that's here, but this is just something I've been thinking about.
I remember my father commenting towards the end of his life that he kept some warm garment ready to use, even in summer. He wasn't cold sensitive younger.
Although I think it's possible health ussues/treatments could also have been a factor in his case.
Hard to believe it's almost Christmas...
At the risk of sounding like the Grinch, I'll be glad when it's over. Thete 's little left in the holiday season for me but sad memories.
I need to downsize, and I'm wondering how much holiday stuff should go bye-bye. At the moment, I feel like the answer is everything. Just be done with Christmas for good.
At the risk of sounding like the Grinch, I'll be glad when it's over. Thete 's little left in the holiday season for me but sad memories.
I need to downsize, and I'm wondering how much holiday stuff should go bye-bye. At the moment, I feel like the answer is everything. Just be done with Christmas for good.
We may not get snow this Christmas, but the sky was spectacular and almost Christmas coloured this morning.
I'll take it... 🎅🎅🎅
I'll take it... 🎅🎅🎅
Hm.
Personally, have I always felt the cold, and have always hated the cold - I recall cold feet as an almost permanent fixture of my life in winter, with the possible exception of a few years in my twenties - and this was also the case when I was younger, and pretty physically active, for, while I never actually exercised, I did walk and cycle everywhere pretty much on a daily basis.
In general, I think that you will find that women are more sensitive to the cold than men.
Wince.
Today's the day - after starting the process back in August, we're finally getting our solar panels and battery storage installed, and just in time to receive the 30% solar tax credit.
Not a grinch at all. Christmas is optional (at least in your own home).
We don’t celebrate or even acknowledge it. The three or four cards we receive just go straight in the bin.
If you don’t want to do Christmas don’t. Personally looking forward to Saturday and the madness is over for another year.
This definitely used to be true in our house. But these days I think I suffer just as much if not more than Mrs AFB. But that maybe because we keep the heating off (or set to 15.5 C) most of the time.
And I bet many wives look at their husbands, and they would say women are more sensitive, period!
Do you have to use terrible language, like the ”e" word? LOL