Random randomness

[hepcat]

I say this every time I visit him, but I swear to god I can actually see my 90 year old father slowly turn down his hearing aid whenever I talk to him for more than 5 minutes. The smile on his face grows wider the lower he does, I think.

[jztemple2]

[Daehawk]

All my life i wondered why old folks fell..usually breaking a hip. I mean they've walked ALL their life then suddenly..or slowly...they cant walk without nearly killing themselves.

Im starting to see its because of health problems that complicate it. Im 55 so im older now..i say old a lot...and my back is REALLY bad now. I need to find a chiropractor I think. Anyways my knees are bad too and I find myself tripping on stuff i never tripped on before or stuff i shouldn't be tripping on now. Also I ant get up from sitting in the floor like I once did. AND I catch myself almost fallen just walking or going around something like a floor heater.

Ive not fallen yet but im getting closer. And I hate it..its weird..its new. And I live alone so I worry a little bit.

[Blackhawk]

Skip the chiropractor and find a physical therapist.

[Daehawk]

I just saw David Duchovny on The Drew Barrymore Show. Yes Ive got it on in the background. Needed something noise wise in the background today. Anyways he is 64 and still looks great. Man I miss the X-Files as it was when it came out. Fun times. Great show.

[Holman]

All my life i wondered why old folks fell..usually breaking a hip. I mean they've walked ALL their life then suddenly..or slowly...they cant walk without nearly killing themselves.

Im starting to see its because of health problems that complicate it. Im 55 so im older now..i say old a lot...and my back is REALLY bad now. I need to find a chiropractor I think. Anyways my knees are bad too and I find myself tripping on stuff i never tripped on before or stuff i shouldn't be tripping on now. Also I ant get up from sitting in the floor like I once did. AND I catch myself almost fallen just walking or going around something like a floor heater.

Ive not fallen yet but im getting closer. And I hate it..its weird..its new. And I live alone so I worry a little bit.

A big part of the problem is simple muscle weakening. Old people get out of shape, so they move less, so their muscles get weaker, and the cycle accelerates.

You're a year younger than me. You can still get in shape. Focus on leg exercises.

(I developed a very bad knee a few years ago, and I let it slow me down to the point where it got worse and worse and I was actually limping. Finally I started bicycling again, which puts no stress on the knee but builds the muscles above and below it. This has made a *huge* difference, and now I walk almost completely normally again.)

[jztemple2]

A big part of the problem is simple muscle weakening. Old people get out of shape, so they move less, so their muscles get weaker, and the cycle accelerates.

Years ago I read an article about how far and how fast at which you walk is an indicator of how long you can live; not will live, but can live. In other words being able to talk a good walk will help the other issues that come with old age. It's one of the reasons I obsessively walk three miles almost every day.

Speaking of good health the people on my wife's side of the family seem to not be having a lot of it. My wife has had to have total knee replacements twice on each side, her older brother had his knees done a few years ago and is now ill with something else and her nephew has developed AFIB and is awaiting a surgery slot. And just this week her sister, who we were going to visit, had a pulmonary embolism that necessitated a trip to the emergency room and a surgery. She's doing better and expected home in the next day or so, but sheesh, that was scary.

[Holman]

tl;dr: Dog digestive health

On Friday I came home from work after our staff holiday party, where I had pocketed a few Babybel cheeses from the snack table for later. Babybel are famous for encasing a single bite-sized cheese in a small wax round that can be opened by pulling on a little attached tag.

I ate a couple of them later in the evening while thinking and posting Great Thoughts on OO at my computer. The wax bits went into my office trash can.

On Sunday I caught my dog chewing something on my office floor, and I realized that he had filched and swallowed some cheese-smelling wax wrapping from the office trash. He swallowed before I could stop him.

Google informs me that the wax wrapping is non-toxic but non-digestible. If the dog chewed it up sufficiently, it should pass through without too much trouble. There is a risk, and especially if it wasn't sufficiently chewed, that the wax could cause an intestinal blockage.

It's Wednesday now, and while I haven't actually seen the dog poop since Sunday, he often does so out in the yard where we don't see it until later. (Today I cleaned up a few instances of poop but couldn't tell how old they were or whether they included post-digestive cheese wax.) He's eating regularly and seems happy and fine, so I'm hoping there is no problem.

[Daehawk]

Feel like I got a Xmas ghost. I have a long home...i can see clear to the other side from my pc here. Theres a living room then a den..and off the den is the kitchen. Im sitting here using my pc and I could swear a figure went from the den towards the kitchen. Then i got the chills. I went to look but nothing. I was carrying my switchblade lol. ive still got the chills. I closed all the doors and this bedroom one too . now I heard a weird noise. but i looked..nothing there. Strange night.

[Anonymous Bosch]

All my life i wondered why old folks fell..usually breaking a hip. I mean they've walked ALL their life then suddenly..or slowly...they cant walk without nearly killing themselves.

Im starting to see its because of health problems that complicate it. Im 55 so im older now..i say old a lot...and my back is REALLY bad now. I need to find a chiropractor I think. Anyways my knees are bad too and I find myself tripping on stuff i never tripped on before or stuff i shouldn't be tripping on now. Also I ant get up from sitting in the floor like I once did. AND I catch myself almost fallen just walking or going around something like a floor heater.

Ive not fallen yet but im getting closer. And I hate it..its weird..its new. And I live alone so I worry a little bit.

Skip the chiropractor and find a physical therapist.

A big part of the problem is simple muscle weakening. Old people get out of shape, so they move less, so their muscles get weaker, and the cycle accelerates.

You're a year younger than me. You can still get in shape. Focus on leg exercises.

(I developed a very bad knee a few years ago, and I let it slow me down to the point where it got worse and worse and I was actually limping. Finally I started bicycling again, which puts no stress on the knee but builds the muscles above and below it. This has made a *huge* difference, and now I walk almost completely normally again.)

Indeed. Daehawk, as an aging adult living in seclusion with prior physical impairments, do NOT overlook the essential benefits of regular physical exercise and activity for older adults. For instance, take just a moment to examine the section labelled 'To keep your muscles, bones and joints strong' in the BMJ image below, and reflect upon just how much of your daily routine is currently filled with activities similar or adjacent to those marked with an 'X':



If you’re hesitant to embrace regular exercise due to your existing physical limitations, it's even more critical to avoid pseudoscience subluxation specialists and consult a qualified physical therapist instead. Because they can provide you with a safe and manageable exercise plan tailored to your specific situation and needs. Remember, the human body is evolved and designed for regular physical activity; so a completely sedentary lifestyle, devoid of suitable physical activity, is a blueprint for a wretched profusion of chronic diseases and misery--particularly for an older adult living in solitude.

[hepcat]

I just went through a month of physical therapy for my back after being told by an orthopedic doctor that I have moderate arthritis in my spine. Sucks and it won’t go away, but the strengthening exercises they gave me seem to help. I lift and have for years, so I probably didn’t help things with bad form.

Invest in a 10 dollar set of elastic bands. I got these but most brands are fine. They’re a very basic and common component in PT. Exercises are pretty easy to find.. Just go slow and easy as you build up muscle.

[Kraken]

Skip the chiropractor and find a physical therapist.

+1 Sometimes chiro helps, sometimes it's harmful, most often it's a wash. PT is trustworthy.

[Kraken]

It's one of the reasons I obsessively walk three miles almost every day.

I did that for literally 20 years, and then we moved. I haven't walked since. First there was too much work to do, then it became winter. I no longer live in a walkable neighborhood and the winters are harder here than I'm used to. So I'm gaining weight and losing stamina. Turning into a puddle of fat.

Gonna rectify that in the spring for sure, though. The southern terminus of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a 5-minute drive away, and that will be a good way to ease myself back into daily exercise. Eventually I'll walk the whole 14.7 miles, but it will take some time to build back up.

[Daehawk]

I cant get any eggnog for this holidays it seems. Ive tried Walmart 2 times..each time in stock then mysterioously not when they fill my order. I ALWAYS have eggnog. I love it. I dont think Ive not had eggnog in 40 years or more. THIS SUX bad. Pisses me off at Walmart.

And I dont know who else delivers. Thats the trouble..I have no idea where to buy food or anything with my EBT and medicare plan card other than Walmart for delivery. I cant go anywhere. I tried selling stuff online but cant meet people or ship big items so I make no money. its all useless around this town lol.

I just want some Mayfield eggnog.

[Holman]

tl;dr: Dog digestive health

On Friday I came home from work after our staff holiday party, where I had pocketed a few Babybel cheeses from the snack table for later. Babybel are famous for encasing a single bite-sized cheese in a small wax round that can be opened by pulling on a little attached tag.

[...]

It's Wednesday now, and while I haven't actually seen the dog poop since Sunday, he often does so out in the yard where we don't see it until later. (Today I cleaned up a few instances of poop but couldn't tell how old they were or whether they included post-digestive cheese wax.) He's eating regularly and seems happy and fine, so I'm hoping there is no problem.

PSA: Witnessed a very good dog poop this morning. Since there has been plenty of time for the wax to pass already, all appears to be well.

Carry on.

[Daehawk]

Im glad they are ok. Stuff like that worries me..did they eat something ? Will it pass? Do i go to the vet? All stressful.

--------------------

I got a fright today. Got a brochure in the mail from my new healthcare United Healthcare telling me about my new U card..the spending card they provide. It said the $290 was quarterly..so every 3 months instead of each month. I was getting more with Humana and this card was basically why I switched.

i called them and luckily thats a different plan. im on one that gives me $200 a month on the card...phew. Humana used to give me $190 then they said in 2525 it lowers to $154..so glad I switched.

[Blackhawk]

I cant get any eggnog for this holidays it seems. Ive tried Walmart 2 times..each time in stock then mysterioously not when they fill my order. I ALWAYS have eggnog. I love it. I dont think Ive not had eggnog in 40 years or more. THIS SUX bad. Pisses me off at Walmart.

And I dont know who else delivers. Thats the trouble..I have no idea where to buy food or anything with my EBT and medicare plan card other than Walmart for delivery. I cant go anywhere. I tried selling stuff online but cant meet people or ship big items so I make no money. its all useless around this town lol.

I just want some Mayfield eggnog.

That's been everywhere for several years now. It doesn't stay on the shelves. We learned to buy what we wanted as soon as it's on the shelves - usually several weeks early - and to just save it.

[Zarathud]

No one wants to stock egg nog or other seasonal stuff at the end of the season.

[Holman]

No one wants to stock egg nog or other seasonal stuff at the end of the season.

Yeah, Egg Nog Season lasts about two weeks.

[Isgrimnur]

Gotta harvest them before they turn purple

[Max Peck]

In theory it's not that difficult to just make your own egg nog, but if you are leery about consuming raw eggs it probably helps if you have the means to pasteurize the eggs.

[Isgrimnur]

[Daehawk]

Getting annoyed at people simply hanging up on me when a call is done...They say their bye and before i can respond they simply hang up. DAMN annoying. My doctors office did it to me today, my ss supplement place, and just now the police fund called to beg money and i explained why I couldn't and they go "no problem" and I start to say im srry but happy holidays and good luck..i get Im s...CLICK!....the world sux.

[hepcat]

If it helps any, the police fund call was most likely a scam.

[Daehawk]

Most likely. My phone is saying numbers I get are ok and safe. Sometimes it will flag one as spam. but these so called safe numbers are s till those ones that dont speak to you or this one from the police. I dotn trust my phone is right on these numbers. Guess its back to never answering it again.

[stessier]

He means that all the police fund calls are a scam.

[Jaymann]

All my life i wondered why old folks fell..usually breaking a hip. I mean they've walked ALL their life then suddenly..or slowly...they cant walk without nearly killing themselves.

Im starting to see its because of health problems that complicate it. Im 55 so im older now..i say old a lot...and my back is REALLY bad now. I need to find a chiropractor I think. Anyways my knees are bad too and I find myself tripping on stuff i never tripped on before or stuff i shouldn't be tripping on now. Also I ant get up from sitting in the floor like I once did. AND I catch myself almost fallen just walking or going around something like a floor heater.

Ive not fallen yet but im getting closer. And I hate it..its weird..its new. And I live alone so I worry a little bit.

I find it helps to walk hunched over like a cave man.

[Zarathud]

He means that all the police fund calls are a scam.

I tell them I represent charities for a living and my wife has been a CAPS liaison. They conclude a final pitch before hanging up on me. Which is a shame, as I plan to follow up asking if they’d prefer to be reported to my contact at the Secretary of State or the local police district.

[hepcat]

My favorite thing to do now is tell them I don't speak English. When they try to get more info, I just tell them in perfect English, "I'm sorry, but as I've said, I don't speak a word of English. I apologize for that. I really should have learned English at some point.". Some get confused and try to figure out what the hell I'm saying, but most just hang up immediately.

[Blackhawk]

I just say, "No thanks" and hang up. I have better ways to entertain myself.

[Smoove_B]

You guys are answering the phone?

[Isgrimnur]

[Blackhawk]

I get too many calls from actual people that come across as "Unknown caller."

[Daehawk]

Well Ive been trying to starve some mice out of my home. they've been here months but they seem to be more and making a mess of things. So Ive been lidding the kitchen garbage and putting a box over my bedroom one so no food is available to them. Been doing it a few days. Seems to be working. Seen less. I cant stand to just outright kill anything. im hoping they move on.

Tonight i see a little semi baby one..not a baby but not grown making their way through the house towards me in the bed room. Its a little one. I see it start to try to get a piece of dry food off the carpet edge where my dog ate. I feel sry for it so i stick my hand down. it actually came over to me and put their little front feet on my hand and tested my finger to see if its edible lol.

Then I broke off a tiny piece of saltine cracker. it took it gently from my fingers. Now I feel awful about trying to starve them out. im such a wussy when it comes to little animals no matter their type.

ive seen them come from the kitchen to in here before..they actually hop not run.

This is like it..a juvenile house mouse.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Well Ive been trying to starve some mice out of my home. they've been here months but they seem to be more and making a mess of things. So Ive been lidding the kitchen garbage and putting a box over my bedroom one so no food is available to them. Been doing it a few days. Seems to be working. Seen less. I cant stand to just outright kill anything. im hoping they move on.

Tonight i see a little semi baby one..not a baby but not grown making their way through the house towards me in the bed room. Its a little one. I see it start to try to get a piece of dry food off the carpet edge where my dog ate. I feel sry for it so i stick my hand down. it actually came over to me and put their little front feet on my hand and tested my finger to see if its edible lol.

Then I broke off a tiny piece of saltine cracker. it took it gently from my fingers. Now I feel awful about trying to starve them out. im such a wussy when it comes to little animals no matter their type.

ive seen them come from the kitchen to in here before..they actually hop not run.

Daehawk, I've no doubt Smoove can paint you a far more vivid picture than the following, but the truth is undeniable: mice are vermin, pure and simple. Disabuse yourself of any romanticized notions of cuddly, cute, and furry anthropomorphic companions ASAP:

[Kraken]

Dae's house is a mouse paradise. Probably rats and roaches joining the party, too. If you can't beat 'em....

My advice is to get a kitten when your dog dies. A cat would earn its keep.

[dbt1949]

Three times in my life I've come across broods of baby mice. I killed them all. I didn't like doing it tho. They are cute.

[Unagi]

Did you eat them?

[Daehawk]

I used to give them to our cat for a quick demise. I always felt bad for that. In fact its why i had the pet rat..there were 10 little eyes shut babies..I tried to save them all but only one made it..Porthos. Id love to have one of these little mouse jrs as a pet. So cute. And much smaller than my rat was.

[Isgrimnur]

I still have a rat. I can send him to you when I catch him.