Chat Showing 1,351-1,400 of 1,659

[Martin]

Jay wrote: "After seeing the ridiculously expensive veterinary treatments currently available, I consider myself fortunate to have a dog who is not worried about his cholesterol."

You may be fortunate enough to have a Medical Detection Dog who worries about your cholsterol.

[Melki]

Martin wrote: "You may be fortunate enough to have a Medical Detection Dog who worries about your cholsterol."

There's a woman who comes into the library who claims that her dog is a Medical Alert Assistance dog, though she's never said exactly what the dog is on the alert for. For a few years she had a beautiful, well-behaved golden retriever, but when he died, she replaced him with . . . a Jack Russell terrier. Er, maybe I should say a Jack Russell terror, as the thing does little more than stay alert for spots of carpet she hasn't yet peed on. The subject comes up frequently at staff meetings, but due to fear of a law suit, we seem to be able to do little more than keep a roll of paper towels handy.

[Jay]

Melki wrote: "There's a woman who comes into the library who claims that her dog is a Medical Alert Assistance dog, though she's never said exactly what the dog is on the alert for..."

Years ago, I had a friend with medical issues who had a Medical Alert Assistance dog which would warn him when he was about to have a seizure so that he could lie down, versus fall over. However, my friend had to carry the dog's ID and show it when asked.

You might contact the Medical Alert dog agencies (suppliers) in your state. They'll tell you if they issue ID to the dogs or not, and whether the law in your state requires the pet owner to produce it when asked. This might solve your problem.

[Joel]

Melki wrote: "Martin wrote: "You may be fortunate enough to have a Medical Detection Dog who worries about your cholsterol."

There's a woman who comes into the library who claims that her dog is a Medical Alert..."

Or, you could just follow her around with a defibrillator. Maybe she'll take the hint.

[Jay]

Joel wrote: "Or, you could just follow her around with a defibrillator. Maybe she'll take the hint."

Shocking, Joel! Just shocking!

[Rebecca]

Joel wrote: "Melki wrote: "Martin wrote: "You may be fortunate enough to have a Medical Detection Dog who worries about your cholsterol."

There's a woman who comes into the library who claims that her dog is a..."
Good idea. We dealt with similar issues at my library--you really aren't allowed to ask what the dog assists with, though I'd think you ought to be able to ask for ID.

[Jay]

I had a fan motor burn out on my central air \ heater unit. I have some familiarity with such systems, and the problem was fairly obvious. I then called a local AC repairman, who promptly gave me an estimate of $4500 to replace the entire system.

Next, after briefly searching my soul and deciding I'm not an idiot, I called one of his competitors who replaced the motor, fixing the problem for about $200.

MORAL: There are still many repairman out there who believe "There's a sucker born every minute." is a good business strategy.

[Rebecca]

Jay wrote: "I had a fan motor burn out on my central air \ heater unit. I have some familiarity with such systems, and the problem was fairly obvious. I then called a local AC repairman, who promptly gave me a..."

Your moral is all too true.

[Martin]

Saving lives

We sometimes hear a person say "she/he/you saved my life". Maybe it was meant literally, though sometimes it figuratively acknowledges rescue from trouble or embarrassment. Philosophically, it is a nonsense. No mortal can save another mortal's life. BBC television has been running a very good series called "Saving Lives at Sea", about the British volunteer lifeboat service. If a lifeboat crew rescue an eighteen-year-old from drowning, they have not saved a life, only prolonged it. Sooner or later that person will die. Maybe aged 99 from pneumonia or aged 19 in a road traffic accident.

A Happy New Year to you all!

[Melki]

Martin wrote: "Saving lives

We sometimes hear a person say "she/he/you saved my life". Maybe it was meant literally, though sometimes it figuratively acknowledges rescue from trouble or embarrassment. Philosophi..."

It's awfully early in the morning for such deep philosophical thought, but I appreciate your sentiment. The beginning of a year, as well as the end of the old one, is always a contemplative time.

So . . . using your reasoning, when I gave birth to my sons, I also sentenced them to death. What a sobering thought. Shouldn't they resent me for that? Or is being alive for however many years we get worth paying the piper at the end?

It makes me think of one of my favorite jokes - the one that Woody Allen uses at the end of Annie Hall:

“There's an old joke - um... two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions." Well, that's essentially how I feel about life - full of loneliness, and misery, and suffering, and unhappiness, and it's all over much too quickly.”

Here's to another miserable, stinking year . . . that will be over much too quickly.

[Joel]

Melki wrote: "Martin wrote: "Saving lives

We sometimes hear a person say "she/he/you saved my life". Maybe it was meant literally, though sometimes it figuratively acknowledges rescue from trouble or embarrassm..."

Although, Melki, that may explain a lot about kids. Not being a parent myself, I have to experience parental aggravation vicariously.

[Joel]

Martin wrote: "Saving lives

We sometimes hear a person say "she/he/you saved my life". Maybe it was meant literally, though sometimes it figuratively acknowledges rescue from trouble or embarrassment. Philosophi..."

Thinking of death always brings to mind some Neil Young lyrics:

"Try to avoid it,"
said the Captain, of the shore."

[Joel]

A number of Humour Club members live in Australia. We here "up over" hope those of you "down under" who may be affected by the fires are safe, and have access to the things you need. The Humour Club is thinking of you.

[Jay]

Joel wrote: "A number of Humour Club members live in Australia. We here "up over" hope those of you "down under" who may be affected by the fires are safe, and have access to the things you need. The Humour Clu..."

Nice sentiment, Joel.

Also, 20+ people killed, millions of acres burnt, 2000+ homes lost, and millions of animals dead or wounded... Australians have always stood by us, so sending their charities a buck or two wouldn't go amiss.

[Jay]

Ing-wen wins her second term as Taiwan’s president with most ever votes

Apparently, the Taiwanese people don't want to live under a communist regime.
Go figure.

[Rebecca]

Jay wrote: "Joel wrote: "A number of Humour Club members live in Australia. We here "up over" hope those of you "down under" who may be affected by the fires are safe, and have access to the things you need. T..."

Yes to this.

[Rebecca]

Jay wrote: "
Ing-wen wins her second term as Taiwan’s president with most ever votes


Apparently, the Taiwanese people don't want to live under a communist regime.
Go figure."
Who'd a thunk it?

[Jay]

Normally, I don't mind Amazon's 'You might also be interested in' advertisements attempting to sell me more stuff. However, they're not always realistic.
For example:



What an incredibly useless item! If tacos last long enough to be placed in a stainless steel holder, then you make lousy tacos.

[Melki]

Jay wrote: "Normally, I don't mind Amazon's 'You might also be interested in' advertisements attempting to sell me more stuff. However, they're not always realistic.
For example:



What an incredibly usele..."

Ahem, I have to confess, that I own the above item. It makes assembling the tacos a breeze, before removing them to a serving plate. (And, I've NEVER had any complaints about my tacos, thank you very much!)

[Jay]

Melki wrote: "Ahem, I have to confess, that I own the above item. It makes assembling the tacos a breeze, before removing them to a serving plate. (And, I've NEVER had any complaints about my tacos, thank you very much!)"

Yes, but did you like the joke?

[Gary]

Martin wrote: "Joel wrote: " Britain, you're better off without us. Really.."

Really???

What the Hell is happening to our world? Is is a re-run of the 1930s, when men who went on to become aggressive dictators ..."
Maybe that's why Trump has managed to quote Hitler ("Only I can fix the problems") and Stalin ("... newspapers are the enemy of the people") so often.

[Brena]

Gary wrote: "Martin wrote: "Joel wrote: " Britain, you're better off without us. Really.."

Really???

What the Hell is happening to our world? Is is a re-run of the 1930s, when men who went on to become aggres..."

The US has become a cautionary tale. Some of the right wing groups in other countries are flatlining. I give Trump credit for that. He is the perfect example of what can go wrong.

[Jay]

Paying $12 a month for YouTube Premium stops advertisements from interrupting your music. Basically, their marketing philosophy is:
Pay Us and We'll Quit Annoying You.

I'm pretty sure they learned that from my kids.

[Gary]

So we are really giving them an allowance?

[Jay]

I can't remember the last time I missed a State of the Union address. I've watched presidents I liked, and presidents I disliked. However, sadly, I just couldn't watch the State of the Union last night knowing that it was pointless without real time fact-checking.

This morning, every reputable media outlet is trying not to use the term "nauseating", but can't quite seem to find a more appropriate word.

Even the foreign press was aghast:

This is always the busiest night of the year for the nation’s factcheckers, but Trump delivered a State of the Union address overflowing with untruths...
-The Guardian
Taunts, groans and walkouts: Trump stokes division with cascade of lies

And then:
-Refusing to shake Nancy Pelosi's hand.
-Announcing the Medal of Freedom awarded to...[Wait for it!]...shock jock Rush Limbaugh!
-Fred Guttenberg, who lost his 14-year-old daughter in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, was forcibly removed from the chamber.

This wasn't the State of the Union, it was reality TV at its worst, and the only thing of merit that I missed was Nancy Pelosi tearing up the script.

[Jay]

Why is McDonald's selling burger-scented candles?
As for why we’re doing this to ourselves – I can’t think of a better passive-aggressive gift for the slob who has everything.

I can't decide if this is a gag gift that ranks right up there with the deer-foot ottoman (Yes, I know, technically, it's hooves**.), or if it's just another way to start your dog begging and whining for imaginary food.

**That's also a 'cloven hoof' for people who want to see the devil in their furniture.

[Joel]

Jay wrote: "
Why is McDonald's selling burger-scented candles?

As for why we’re doing this to ourselves – I can’t think of a better passive-aggressive gift for the slob who has everything.

I can't decide i..."

Just think of what smells the candles will be lit to cover up? The mind cringes.

[Jay]

What is Super Tuesday?

The above is a pretty good brief breakdown of Super Tuesday for those interested in what will be happening in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia – as well as one US territory (American Samoa)...

[Melki]

Jay wrote: "
What is Super Tuesday?


The above is a pretty good brief breakdown of Super Tuesday for those interested in what will be happening in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachuse..."

I feel sorry for all the absentee voters who voted for Buttigieg. It's gonna be an interesting couple of days.

[Stanley]

Joe's coming on like a corona man,
He's viral, spread by Kloby and by Pete.

[Jay]

ANOTHER HC TIP
Just thought I'd pass this money-saving idea long.

[Jay]

Mnuchin calls coronavirus pandemic 'a great investment opportunity'
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin argued Friday that the coronavirus pandemic presents "a great investment opportunity," insisting that global markets spooked by the public health crisis will rebound eventually.

Don't forget to invest before you bury the dead.

I hope when this jackass is eventually cremated that his heirs remember to remove the lump of gold that he uses for a heart.

Even if true, is this the type of public announcement from the government that calms fears in the face of people dying all over the world and here at home in this pandemic?

King Midas lives!

[Melki]

I was going to ask how everyone is coping. We talk about the virus endlessly here at the library. Circulation is down, and usage of the public computers is almost nonexistent. There's a fundraiser here Saturday, and children's story-time starts up again next week, so it will be interesting to see if attendance suffers at either program.

The university (where my son is a senior) is switching to online classes only for the next three weeks. My husband and I are secretly thrilled about this as we now have a live-in houseboy to take care of the dishes and vacuuming.

So, I guess pandemics ain't all bad . . .

(Please don't whine - you must know I'm kidding . . . right?)

[Jay]

Melki wrote: "I was going to ask how everyone is coping..."

Not too well from what I can see.

Just as an experiment, cough in public and watch some people run!

The line between prudence and paranoia seems to be blurring. And with the conflicting local, state and federal government responses, I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Like a bad flu season, I think we just have to try to act responsibly, be compassionate, and hope for the best.

[Jay]

Shields and Brooks on leadership in a time of crisis
Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s political news, including the unique magnitude of the novel coronavirus pandemic, how President Trump is handling the crisis, what the government should do to reassure fearful Americans, and how the outbreak might affect the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race.

If you haven't seen this segment of the PBS Newshour, you missed a thoughtful, insightful evaluation of the current national emergency. I do not always agree with conservative commentator David Brooks, but tonight he could not have been more on point.

[Brenda]

Melki wrote: "I was going to ask how everyone is coping. We talk about the virus endlessly here at the library. Circulation is down, and usage of the public computers is almost nonexistent. There's a fundraiser ..."

That's hilarious Melki! Everyone around here seems to be staying calm. I've been in the grocery store three times since this thing reached Ontario, and people are quite pleasant and chatty. Everyone seems to be bonding over a common enemy (covid-19)

[Jay]

Brenda wrote: "...people are quite pleasant and chatty. Everyone seems to be bonding over a common enemy (covid-19)."

Nice to hear, Brenda.

Also, has anyone else started getting calls from relatives or friends that you haven't heard from in ages? The people I know seem to be checking on each other more than normal.

[Jay]

BBC: Fossil 'wonderchicken' could be earliest known fowl

What a fabulous name: Wonderchicken!

I feel a new Saturday morning cartoon coming on.

[Brenda]

Jay wrote: "
Also, has anyone else started getting calls from rela..."

My kids keep coming back HERE to eat, for some reason - they're referring to this as the Apocalypse House. There are five cars in the driveway (I don't own a car) and seven kids in the kitchen making nachos and yakking right now. I'm hiding in my office and hoping none of them are infected.

[Jay]

Brenda wrote: "I'm hiding in my office and hoping none of them are infected."

That's an easy one. If they're anything like my kids, subtlety won't cut it. Try meeting them at the front door and giving them a thorough spraying with Lysol. Worked for me.

[Jay]

The supply chain is working hard to catch up with the hoarders, however there are still a ton of 'soon-to-be-flaming' idiots out there.




Two questions remain: How well do you know your neighbors, and is your fire insurance paid up????

[Jay]

Just found a wonderful new word online:

...Roman words I like a lot...'sgargarozzare', which my wine-selling friend Antonio defines as: “To consume or throw back with joy, and with no intention of stopping.”

We DEFINITELY need a word like that in English.

[Brenda]

Jay wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm hiding in my office and hoping none of them are infected."

That's an easy one. If they're anything like my kids, subtlety won't cut it. Try meeting them at the front door and gi..."

I finally contacted them all and said "Mom's suppers are cancelled until it's warm enough to eat outside." They took it pretty well.

[Jay]

Brenda wrote: "I finally contacted them all and said "Mom's suppers are cancelled until it's warm enough to eat outside." They took it pretty well."

Don't feel bad, Brenda. I have a sneaking suspicion that we're not alone.



By the way, do you have any sidewalk chalk that I can borrow????

[Brenda]

Jay wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I finally contacted them all and said "Mom's suppers are cancelled until it's warm enough to eat outside." They took it pretty well."

Don't feel bad, Brenda. I have a sneaking susp..."

I wish I could help you, but I have a gravel driveway - haven't owned sidewalk chalk in about 10 years. Try using stale bread crumbs to write out your message - the squirrels will love you (and they won't whine like kids do)

[Jay]

CORONAVIRUS IN NYC: 17,856 total cases; 2,952 new
New York City has half the total of coronavirus cases statewide with 2,952 new cases and 17,856 total cases, Gov. Cuomo said Wednesday.

Fortunately, help is available.

For New York, 58-Cent Medical Masks Now Priced at $7.50 Each
The rapid spread of coronavirus is making New York desperate for medical supplies. Vendors are taking advantage. ...Face masks for front-line staff, normally about 58 cents each, have been quoted by sellers at $7.50, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office. Thermometers are going for twice their usual price, latex gloves triple. Portable X-ray machines that help diagnose the virus cost as much as 20 times what they were selling for before the emergency.

Apparently, we're all in this together unless you can make big bucks.

Normally, my attitude toward human nature is...well...a touch cynical. Today, I'm leaning more towards disgust and a sincere hope that a few CEOs get prosecuted for price gouging during a national emergency.

[Brenda]

Jay wrote: "
CORONAVIRUS IN NYC: 17,856 total cases; 2,952 new

New York City has half the total of coronavirus cases statewide with 2,952 new cases and 17,856 total cases, Gov. Cuomo said Wednesday.

Fortu..."

That makes me cringe. I've been very grateful that the big grocery store chains, here, don't seem to be gouging - I haven't seen any changes in pricing, even for the (bizarrely) high-value items like toilet paper...

[Will]

The reverse is also happening. We have a lovely lady who comes in and cleans for us once a week. To isolate her from us and us from her, we've asked her not to come in but we're still paying her. She needs the income.

I'm actually saving money at the moment as I can work from home and now don't have to pay for the train commute into work. Feels very wrong when some folk are losing their jobs.

[Brenda]

Will wrote: "The reverse is also happening. We have a lovely lady who comes in and cleans for us once a week. To isolate her from us and us from her, we've asked her not to come in but we're still paying her

Will, that's so kind of you - you just earned about a billion brownie points for that one :-)

[Jay]

Will wrote: "The reverse is also happening. We have a lovely lady who comes in and cleans for us once a week. To isolate her from us and us from her, we've asked her not to come in but we're still paying her. S..."

Just when I'm shocked (once again) at man's greed and inhumanity, some saintly bastard comes along and renews my faith in common decency!

Good on you, Will!

I don't believe in karma, but if I did, I'd expect you should look forward to some very pleasant surprises in your future.