[*Beth*]

(Forgive me for the double post, Nammu)

My best friend sent me this photo of the American River, one little stretch of it. The American is a very wide and wild 120-mile long river that begins up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains east of here and ends by flowing into the Pacific Ocean, west of here. It was in that river where the gold was discovered that enticed so many men to come out west for the gold rush.

Part of the river runs through my home city, Sacramento. This isn't the most gorgeous part of the river at this time of the year, although I do love it, but my friend was showing me where it had flooded during the heavy rains. Made me homesick, so many great times near the river or in it, and happy memories living in a neighborhood near the river when my kids were growing up. The American River was such a normal part of day-to-day life and I miss that.

[Nammu]

I had no idea you could tear your shoulder so bad just lifting something! Thanks for the heads up.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Mendingmysoul

Yep,I agree and I knew I shouldn't pick it up.But I was in such a dark place and isolated at that time ,I just wanted to hear a real person's voice.

I get that too. I can make a withdrawal online from my account but prefer to talk to a human. But since I’m initiating the call I KNOW who I’m dealing with. . And after the last 3 years I need the contact.

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[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I had no idea you could tear your shoulder so bad just lifting something! Thanks for the heads up.

I’ve had “frozen shoulder” in both shoulders and they aren’t even sure of exact causes. Incredibly painful with months of physical therapy.

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[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I had no idea you could tear your shoulder so bad just lifting something! Thanks for the heads up.

Actually, I wasn't specific. I didn't exactly lift something, I caught and then lifted a broken double-paned, old, heavy glass refrigerator door that had come off its hinges. It happened in the coffeehouse where I worked.


That said, I do think lifting something that's too heavy could certainly tear a rotator cuff. They're vulnerable.

[MuseumGhost]

Hi, everybody.

At least for us, this latest big storm has turned out to be our average Winter experience (so far). Knock on wood.

I feel like I have pretty much told everybody an awful lot about my life---everybody here, anyway.

I feel fortunate to have a warm, dry home and a roof over my head. We do have two older used cars, but I'm grateful for them, too.

We have suffered at the hands of some pretty unscrupulous people, and have lived with tight finances far longer than we had planned to do. So our retirement will have to involve a miracle or two.

Who would like a cup of tea?

[Nammu]

love a cup of tea.

I’ve been looking into getting grab bars for the shower. Had no idea it was so hard. I’m going to have to do it the hard way. Drive to the lumber store and ask them in person. Hopefully they have a handi-man list of people who know how to find studs and drill though tiles. And hopefully they have the grab bars I want.

[MuseumGhost]

Nammu, grab bars are a great thing to have around the home.

I think all the big box stores offer installation for many things. If not, they most likely can recommend people, or you could check through sites like Angi, Yelp, and Houzz. (Make sure they are bonded, and can prove it.)

[Nammu]

Unfortunately we have no big box stores here but I did use angi to ask for quotes. So far no calls.

[Samicat]

Hi all. I'm Sami and I'm within a year of retiring. I like to write so I'm looking forward to doing more of that!


Unfortunately both myself and my husband have had periods of illness and disability so we are far from rich although we do own a small townhouse and recently paid off the mortgage. I'm really grateful for that. I'm hoping not to have to work post-retirement but I may need to have something part-time. It seems like money is a worry for so many older people although of course many are well off.


Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I have no kids BTW but two sweet cats.

[Nammu]

Welcome Samicat

My one sister chooses to work past retirement, she’s 70 and works part time to afford her frequent trips out of state to be with her son and be part of the grandkids life. Her husband has been disabled a long time so his SS isn’t that great but she makes pretty good SS but chooses to work for the extra $$ my other sister and her husband said they did their time so now they spend winters down south and summers up here. I hope you don’t have to work but that it can be a choice.

[nonightowl]

I take online reviews with a grain of salt. They can be bogus or biased and it’s hard to tell. Bad online reviews can ruin a good business.

SS isn’t enough for many people to live off of. Add the draconian restrictions to get or keeping MediCare or MediCaid and you have a recipe for disaster. The “jobs” they tout are too physically demanding for some older people. Or the hours are too volatile such as “any shift to accommodate business needs.” And don’t even get me started on trying to get approved for disability….

They keep saying we need an economy that works for everyone but so far it’s just talk. Older folks that need to work are limited in their options and there’s ageism to boot.

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[*Beth*]

A cup of tea sounds quite lovely, @MuseumGhost Think I'll have Lavender Honey.

Hi Sami, and welcome I share my home with 5 cats.

Speaking of tea, I have a neighbor who has received my mail countless times because the mail delivery here is unpredictable. Last week she received a box (gifts) my son and DIL sent to me. The neighbor is a quiet woman, and is so kind. She has been bringing my mis-delivered mail (including the box the other day) for over a year. She lightly taps at my door and when I open it I am always greeted with her warm smile. I would like to give her a token gift for dutifully bringing my mail to me. I used to bake, but don't do so at this time. Any ideas? I'm thinking a box of nice tea?

[MuseumGhost]

What a kind and thoughtful gesture, *Beth*. Time -honored, and considerate!

Our mail was forever being delivered to the same house number, one street over. They'd walk over in the evenings when their young man was still in a stroller, and let him drop it in the mailbox. I'd love to see them again, to see how he grew up. Nice people, always smiling and waving.

I am currently doing a big push as far as organizing goes. I'm looking forward to Spring and Summer, and our return to selling at flea and antique markets. I'm re-purposing this middle room into a proper office (not a slap-dash, half-office, as it was), because I'd like to be ready to be selling online, during the colder months. It feels great to have a vision (and some energy and support) for all of this, at long last.