I need a real time conversation with someone. Anybody up to that this hour?

[Skip Intro]

[Skip Intro]

1. Ok, I'll reply to my own thread and talk to myself until greater minds join in...

Today was another hot day. Oppressively hot. No rain for several days now. I just looked at the 10 day forecast and we have the same 40% chance for the next few days we've had for the last few days, although no rain fell here during the last few days. After that, three days out, we drop to zero chance of rain. Temps still in the 90's. I know, I know, people out in AZ and parts of CA are crying me a river, but damn, it's effin' hot. This is different than last year.

Last time I remember weather like this here, the tropics spun a few, many fierce, storms, through the gulf and up the eastern seaboard. I'm relying on spotty memory here, sure. A hot day in SC doesn't equal a Hugo or Katrina. But still, this heat, it doesn't seem normal.

Bla bla bla...your turn...

[Mendocino]

2. So what's on your mind?

I'm dealing with the increasingly erratic behavior of my aging parents. Not a pretty sight. My sister and I are going nuts.

I walked about five miles with my Siberian Husky yesterday. I really love that dog.

I can retire in two years, 3 months and 13 days. But who's counting.

In the fall I'm planning a backpacking trip in the UP of Michigan. Hope to spend a leisurely week and only go about 35 miles total.

The robins just started to chirp here.(4:30) It is said that they can detect when the light intentsity goes up 1/100 of one percent. That starts their singing. Sunrise isn't for another hour or so.

Mendocino

[Skip Intro]

3. Aw, man, I'm sorry to hear that. I mean, that's reality though.

I'm sorry to hear that. My parents both died relatively young, one just before 60, the other just after.

The thought of retiring makes me almost jealous. I'm 48, no 401k, no retirement plan at all, health insurance either. Or job, at this point. On unemployment. House in foreclosure. Alone. Made good money for a while as a salesperson for cell phones, but the money's gone out of that business, and I'm not the young firecracker I was then - seem to be outdone by younger, more eager candidates than myself at every turn. My own business is my dream, and my only way, that I can see, to finally get some real money coming in. No idea what I'll do when I'm your parents' age. Single and no kids, and no real friends to speak of, no idea who'll fend for me when I can no longer fend for myself...

Sounds like you live in the Eastern Time Zone, 'cuz it's about 4:40 here now. I've got so many birds yelping just beyond my back yard. My back yard, though lined on each side with neighbors (too close) backs up to a small patch of woods, and there are any number of active birds in that back area. I love to hear them, but it's far too hot to open the back door tonight. But I'm every optimistic, don't see my situation as drastic

Would love to go camping.

Just felt like talking. Thanks for your post.

[Mendocino]

6. They are both in their 80's.

Dad had a very serious operation about a year ago. He doesn't walk well and is on oxygen 24/7. Mom is constantly depressed and confused. They need a lot of help and will not consider assisted living or nursing care. They want to live like they always have and are in denial about the severity of their limitations. My sister and I have discussed guardianship of them, but to broach the subject with them is not appealing.

Sorry about your situation. I guess I get a bit insulated from the plight of others without safety nets. I hope that all turns out the best it can for you.

I'm up in Ohio. The dawn is approaching and the cacophony of birds is a sweet and comforting sound. The wonderful song of the morning. When I was walking the dog I saw a hawk take a rabbit. Frightening and breathtaking at the same time.

So take care.

Edit-spelling error, well it is early.

[Skip Intro]

7. Best to your parents and you and your family.

I know it can't be easy for you or your sister, and God knows it isn't easy for your mother or father. A long life isn't always a blessing. It must be unimaginably frightening to lose one's sense of reality, one's sense of independence. Please comfort them all that you can. I know you do. I trust that they still have moments of happiness. Final years shouldn't be a struggle. Good vibes to you all.

Thanks for the conversation, and good wishes. I hope it did you some good as well.

:hug:

[Mendocino]

8. Thank you.

:)

[chillspike]

15. Talk Your Way to Happiness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7d-KozmokQ&feature=related

[MissHoneychurch]

4. I am at work

only started 2 hours ago and am already in the mood to go home. The weather is yucky. Cool and raining. Where is the summer this year?

I have to use a typewriter these days. When was the last time you used a typewriter?

[Skip Intro]

5. Wow, a typewriter. Yikes. I've used one. Hell, I had a course in typewriter in HS.

OMG.

I remember when I was first sat in front of a computer. It was an English Lit. class. We were supposed to type our compositions via the computer. I was so intimidated by it. Cut and paste scared the crap out of me. It was a blue screen, white letters. Word Perfect, I think. Probably version 1. Trippy memory.

I wish it was cool and rainy here. I really do. I hate SC summers, especially the really hot ones like this one looks like it's going to be. So hot and humid now, and Summer isn't even here yet. It's always hot and humid here in Summer, but this is jumping the gun. I wouldn't be surprised to see some East Coast hurricanes this year. I'm almost hoping for a mild one to cool things down.

[MissHoneychurch]

9. For some reason

I never had to learn to type on a typewriter, I am still mostly a 2 to 5 fingers typer. I got my own system now, maybe not the fastest but it works for me. Also I am VERY glad about the computer regarding mistakes. The computer is way more forgiving ;)

We had one of the first computers in 1988, in the GDR no less. No idea how we got it. Have to ask my mom. So I started early with getting used to one.

[Skip Intro]

10. No idea what a GDR is. I had a Commodore 64 at one point.

Keyboard and screen and no idea what do do with it. It just kinda sat around and eventually wound up in that place in my childhood home where we put things we really didn't care about. The closet of unused toys, or something, lol.

Atari - now there was a home computer. Let me kill some space invaders, oh yeah!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

12. I think GDR has gone the way of the Commodore 64

If I remember right, it meant "German Democratic Republic", which we usually called "East Germany". It was merged with West Germany amid great hoopla involving sledgehammers.

:hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

13. Thanks for the clarification

:hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

14. We had one of those

Schneider

[ChoralScholar]

11. When I started Elementary school in 1983, each classroom

had a TI-99/4A that we used to play educational games that we could check out from the library. Pretty heady stuff for a rural school district in Arkansas.

The next year we got a Commodore 64, which was different, but not a great deal better than what we had.