how about drinking?

Goldie, Your Nora sure is a sugar lamb! How sweet she looks!

I'm frustrated with this site too. Takes forever and just weird.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy, Happy Saturday!I have a story to tell:Early in February, on my way to work, you may remember that I stopped for a dog standing in the middle of the road. He came right up to me, said Hi! And jumped right into the car. Tried to find his people, didn't have any luck, so I took him to work with me and called the Animal Control Officer. The ACO was familiar with the dog, Colt according to the name on his collar tag. She knew where they lived, said she would stop by and if they opened the door (they didn't the last couple times she stopped by) she'd give them my contact info. The people called and we made arrangements for Colt to get home.After that I kept a lookout for him every drive to work and home, thinking if I saw him in the road I would dognap him. I never did see him in the road again. One morning, going past his people's place I did see a bunch of blue lights, state trooper cars, and lots of people milling around. Never did find out exactly what was going on, but I kept an eye out for Colt. Fast forward through February vacation, and I've been looking for a companion or two, put in for and didn't get a couple of puppies, waiting for the right one. Yesterday, on my lunch break, I went online and, on a whim, checked out a fairly nearby Humane Society. There in the dogs for adoption page was the picture of a dog that looked just like the one I picked up that day. His name was even Colt. I click on the pic, thinking this must be a coincidence. Not much information about him listed, but it really did look like the same dog. Well, since I had a short day Friday due to working a long day Wednesday, I put in an application and decided to drive over and take a look. I talk to the people, and go into the play room where Cold and another dog are playing. Sure enough, it was the same dog! His story:he was "surrendered" by his people, because they were arrested and jailed on drug charges. That's what I was seeing that morning there were all the blue lights when I went by! Obviously I was meant to rescue Colt, one way or another. Colt and Zoe were playing together, Zoe is a husky mix, absolutely beautiful, I had been drawn to her pic on the website when I checked it out. They were having such a great time together, and my heart strings got pulled a couple of ways, so the question became not Which dog am I going home with, but How Many dogs am I going home with? I couldn't choose between them, so I took them both. Added bonus--the shelter has this wheel to spin a la Wheel of Fortune, my spin landed on 30% off the adoption fee. Not only did I get a special rate for adopting 2 dogs, I got 30% off that!

So, may I introduce Colt:

About 3 years old, rottweiler or rottweiler mix, 83 pound, big, goofy guy who slept on the bed with me part of last night. He knows some commands, probably has had some pretty good training, will take some time for him to settle after just being neutered, and getting some regular exercise, is house trained. He comes up to me pretty regularly for attention, and I swear he is saying "Thank you!" but that could be my imagination.

And please meet Zoe:

Alaskan Husky/husky mix, 45 pounds, approximately 2 years old. Brought in as a stray, had been running loose for some months before being caught. Probably never lived in a house or with someone, has not had any training. A little shy and skittish, but able to put Colt in his place when he gets out of hand with the humping and chasing. She looks skinny to me, but I'm not an expert on huskies and will need to do some research.

For all the wild running around they were doing in the play room, I was a bit concerned about the drive home but they both rode in the car really nicely. I let them loose in the yard (fenced in, 6 foot chain link) and they ran themselves tired last night, and again this morning. Morning feeding went well, I did need to put Colt outside when he was finished so Zoe could finish in peace. Zoe did back away from the dish every time I stepped too close (I was making my coffee) but would go right back to the food when I moved a few inches away. She has come up to me looking for attention a few times, so I don't think it will be too hard to gain her trust.

Right now both doggos are flat on the floor snoozing, Colt in the living room, Zoe in the kitchen. It may be very quiet (I've only heard one bark since I met them), but the house feels alive again.

D'sOTD: (we have 2 today)

Colt Cruiser

2 cl rum (white)
1 cl amaretto
1 cl creme de bananas
2 cl lemon juice
12 cl lemonade
ice cubes

Add all liquid ingredients except lemonade with some ice cubes to the shaker and shake vigorously. Pour the mixture through the Bar Sieb onto other ice cubes in a long drink glass. Depending on your taste, fill with lemonade and stir before serving.
Serve with drinking straw.

Zoe Walker

The Zoe Walker cocktail (Mix 2.0 oz Rock Sound Rum Smoked Coconut with 1.0 oz Cream of Coconut and 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice- Shake on ice and strain into Cocktail Glass filled with pellet ice - Float 1.0 oz Rock Sound Rum Smoked Coconut - Garnish Lime Wedge)

Kim, the saying goes that "pets adopt you," and so Colt and Zoe were meant to be your furkids.

Since yesterday, it's been brutally cold, with highs in the 20s (lower than our average low for this late in March). Walking to & from Regalia last night was torture--wearing a mask in the cold & windy outdoors barely helped, as my nose ran so badly once indoors that the PND ran down my throat and caused a tickly cough and vasomotor/exercise-induced asthma that doubtless scared the crap out of those at the tables on either side of me. Water didn't make a dent in it. Didn't stop till I took a hit off my inhaler. Ditched the mask on the walk home (only 3 blocks, mind you) and though my lips felt frozen I didn't feel any worse than had I worn the mask.

DsOTD: with dinner, Villa Sparini Brut Spumante (Piemonte), made from the Cortese grape grown around Gavi. "Metodo classico" (champagne method, bottle-fermented), unlike prosecco, which is bulk-process (tank-fermented with added CO2 before bottling). Delightful pinpoint bubbles lasting till the end of the bottle. Dry but a tiny bit fruity, just different enough from the usual Pinot Nero (Noir) or Chardonnay that other producers like Franciacorta use. And since it was a cheat meal (see the "What's for Dinner" thread), we gladly accepted the comped after-dinner drink offered to us: a delightful Amaro that was soft and sweeter (hint of cherry) than it was bitter. (Most Amaros I've found are so bitter that they threaten my digestive system into behaving itself after dinner--they are best reserved for cocktails). It wasn't on the booze list so I'm not sure what brand--but that is one of the delights of being surprised.

Back to the weather. Because it is the weekend before St. Pat's Day (and though next week is closer in time, after the holiday is anticlimactic), today was the annual dye-the-river-green day, followed by the first parade in two years (exactly two years after the shutdown began). Air temp at parade time was 14F, wind-chill -11. One must be resolutely Irish (or a tourist who spent an arm & a leg to be here for the holiday) to willingly endure that. I am neither of those things. The extent of my observance will be on the 17th itself: making Reubens, and Irish coffee from scratch with Jameson's or Bushmill's (brown Swerve for me and Demerara sugar for Bob). Will hand-whip the cream (using a battery-op frothing wand) just enough to thicken it and still allow it to pour and float atop the coffee. I hate it when clueless bars use Bailey's and Reddi-Wip, with a drizzle of green creme de menthe (or worse, green sugar or sprinkles). In these days of millennial craft-cocktail culture, though, we're seeing less of that. In that regard (to quote Pete Townshend), "the kids are alright."

This website, just horrible. The mods, all talk and no action. It's been 2 weeks! What gives? I'm glad I'm able to get around to where I need to be without too much trouble, other than wait times, or error issues. I wonder how long this is going to take?

Sandy, those are some cold temps...brrrrr.

BabyGirl, good luck on your hunt for a fur baby or babies. Of course you will post pictures, eh? How are things coming along at the cabin and with the water issues?

NM, I hope you and kids are having a wonderful getting to know one another day and that those babies are learning what love is.

I went and picked up my FJ yesterday, and fell going in from the parking lot. With my mask on, I wasn't paying attention to the curb, which is like a smaller speed bump. My boots have a thick rubber tread on them and with my normal stride hit that bump and stopped me, however the top of my body stayed in motion and I was not able to catch myself and down I went, on knees and palms on concrete. Both knees scraped pretty good, palms not so much. People running over to see if I'm ok, I am, but so embarrassing! Just checked my labs from my last treatment, TM's continue to sky rocket. I'm getting close to 5000 now, normal in the mid 30's. I don't get it! I don't feel any different than I have in the last 7 years. Treatment tomorrow. I don't think MO is there this round, so there will be no discussion. He has mentioned switching me to Piqray. Any pill I have been on, SE's have been horrible. I don't really have any with these infusions. Even though that would mean I wouldn't have to make that 8 hour trip every 3 weeks, my choice would still be to stay with the infusions!

Good morning friends- happy daylight savings time. I am always happy to get the evening light back, especially because I love to walk in the evenings in spring and summer. It still feels like winter here a lot like most of you are getting. We had some snow here around the state a couple times this week, none here in ABQ, but think we have seen more snow this March than in most of the earlier part of winter. Moisture is always good for us no matter what, and the mountains are getting feet of snow at a time which we need for our water supply. Temps are warming up again and think there is rain coming later this week. I am working this weekend to set up a few things on the back patio and get some clean up started on the gardens. Spring is finding it's way in slowly but surely.

I was out to a restaurant to dine indoors for the first time since late 2021, I was staying low during the worst of the winter surge which has come down very quickly here the past few weeks. We have gone from thousands a day to hundreds a day and better yet, from over 700 covid patients in house state wide to only around 160 inpatient state wide. It's been good to see our hospital ICU drop below 100% for the first time since early last summer.

Dinner last was at a fav spot in the valley for a friend's upcoming graduation. Four of us enjoyed some great food, beverage and conversation. There were a couple of nice bottles (one of champagne and one of white wine) recommended by the sommolier. I will post pics of those for you. Social outings are increasing again, and I have some little junkets around the state, a cousin visting, some birthday outings and a concert in the next month. Feels good to be able to plan more fun things again (work/life balance has been sorely lacking for way to long.....)

NM- I love how Colt came to you initially to show you that you were ready for another doggo. And now he came back to you and with a friend. There is a lot to be said sometimes for the synchroniticy of things that one can never explain but that bring us this kind of joy. I saw your posts on FB and here too and everyone seems like they are settling in. Plus, when you are at work, they will have each other to hang and play with. Congratulations on your new furbabies!

Chi- I love St Patty's day, have some irish roots on my father's side of the family and have had to attempts to go thwarted since 2017. I was watching something on TV yesterday about Ireland that was county by county and it made me want to think again about planning a trip. Maybe for 2023. I always thought the green river would be cool to see in Chicago, and the area I grew up in back east always had a fun parade this weekend which I saw was back on this year. Not much Irish stuff here, but know there will be people out partying on Thursday just the same. Its a work night so not this girl. The wedding is coming up really fast, you must be getting excited.

Goldie- sorry to hear about the fight over the bills. I have had to fight things in the past with some genetics tests I was told would be paid for but then weren't because the office didn't do the job to get the prior authorizations required by insurance. I remember getting a bill once for $7K and freaked out. Anyways, I think you can and should fight it and think saying you will take it to the insurance comission via NM is a good idea.

Ill - how are the preparations coming along on the move out to west Texas? Do you have any scans or other tests coming up or is everything stable for the moment. Eating or drinking anything good?

Karen- my friend in Denver says it continues to snow there and is very cold. She is a skiier and enjoying the fresh powder when she goes but does not like the bitter cold either.

Kidi, Wren, Minus Two, Celica C, and others, wishing you a good weekend!

Oh, Lori, so sad to hear about SuzyQ (MemaSue?). Take care of your wrists & forearms--a FOOSH (Fall On Outstretched Hand) injury can be a bear, with effects creeping up.

Jazzy, just got a photo from a pen pal (literally--he sells & restores vintage fountain pens) in Alamagordo--snow on the ground and a still-bare tree. We're finally getting a little spring--going up to 50 today, all the snow that fell Thurs-Fri. has melted or evaporated (sublimated, if I remember physics).

Kim, hearing about awful blizzard conditions up in ME--between that and the still-high case rates in the interior, glad it's a Sunday and you can stay indoors.

Last night had Ch. Ste. Michelle (WA) 2020 Sauv. Blanc. Going out downtown for surf (me) & turf (Bob) early tonight after his haircut and a quick refill of our (very) dark chocolate stash from Teuscher--if I drink it'll probably be a glass of bubbly,

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Monday Monkey Day! It's been a really nice weekend for the most part, getting to know Cold and Zoe and getting them settled in. For a dog who supposedly never lived in a house, Zoe sure has gotten the hang of house training and claiming furniture pretty quickly. Colt has started training me already. When he wants something he looks at me with the big blockhead of his, and tilts his head back and forth until I figure out what he wants. Only one real spat so far, over food this ayem, that I immediately broke up, and they will keep being fed in different places and with me nearby to make sure Zoe gets her share without having to fight for it.

Visited Mom yesterday. She didn't feel up to going out for her birthday day lunch, come to find out she's been playing with her medications again, and stopped taking a pill she's prescribed for her arthritis pain, a med that should not be stopped abruptly. No wonder her blood pressure was through the roof! She was predictably appalled that I adopted 2 dogs, and for one to be a rottweiler mix, well, how could I get such a dangerous dog? Not as much of a scene as I expected, though.

Goldie--wow, the infusion situation seems to have gotten more confusing. I hope you get it all figured out soon.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Colt Cruise and Zoe Walker!

Wren--yup, the dogs adopted me. I just paid the fee!

Illi--good luck with the search! I've seen some bonded pairs on Petfinder. The right ones will find you, too, I'm sure.

Goldie--Yikes, on the fall, hope you are not hurting too much. You really haven't had much luck with the chemo pills, have you? I wish the infusion was working better.

The Bees Knees sounds like it tastes like the bees knees!

Jazzy--I like getting the evening light, too, but really do not like going back to getting up in the dark. Finding Colt in the road that morning really was a turning point for me and a signal that it was time. I just didn't know he would be the one! I like the idea they have each other for company while I'm at work. Hopefully that will keep them out of trouble!

Goldie--I was so surprised to hear about MemaSue's passing. I was so blessed to meet her on the Disney cruise. I cherish the memory of that trip more and more every year.

Chi--I got lucky and missed the Blizzard conditions this time around, kept itself mostly to the mountains. The wind Sunday was bitingly cold, though.

Reader--I noticed the Avatars are back today and the font is black rather than gray, both are welcome signs of progress. But I agree, not the best example of a software transition.

NM, thanks for the pet finder tip, I’ll check it out.

Sad to hear about memasue, thank you for letting us know Goldie. I hope things are going ok for you with everything you’re still dealing with.

Jazzy, the move is in high gear now, packing up the last non essential stuff and scheduling realtors out in a couple weeks. I have a brain MRI on Thursday and will return to Houston every 3 months for scans but I’m already getting my maintenance infusions locally in El Paso every 3 weeks. Progress on the cabin is slow but moving forward.

Popping in and out since I'm at work!

Here's my Peachy Pink Empress. First one is prior to mix and the second one is mixed. It was very good.

Goldie,

Sad to hear about Sue. Thank You for keeping us in the loop!

Kim - we are on a 187 day contract year - kids 175 days if the school is on the traditional calendar (not charter or innovation which gets to decide their calendar and length of school day which are longer). I'm so used to the 2 week winter break after 30+ years working in schools and plus my own schooling, I don't think I could give that up for another week of somewhere else. Staff start mid August and we are done first week in June. Interesting how different things are back east which starting later and going longer into June. That's how it was when I was growing up. Enjoying the daily pup updates.

I've got a cold or sinus infection - dripping sinus plus coughing - had this 2+ years ago and it ended up being sinus infection. Took antigen test yesterday and it was negative. I felt way worse last night than I do this morning, but time will tell. Need to keep up on the generic "musinex D" (guaifenicin (sp) and cough suppressant) on a consistent basis.

Have a great Tuesday/

Good morning!

I'm going to save the rest of my Empress Gin for a once a month cocktail. There are so many recipes out there! Maybe I'll try a creamy one next time. I'll try to post pictures of each.

Karen - feel better soon! When I was sick after my daughter's b'day trip to Savannah, Ga I think I drank almost a whole bottle of Robitussin Extra Strength cough syrup. It really worked!

Goldie - I'm so sorry to hear about Sue.

Illimae - We bought our house from a couple that moved to a cabin in GA. I hope your move goes smoothly!

I have an appointment with a local PS next Tuesday to talk about reconstruction revision. I'm nervously excited. I don't want to keep on having surgeries. I am building my list of questions. I'm going to TRY not to trash talk my original PS, maybe a little trash talk. Just to explain how I got to where I am now.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

Cheers!

Linda

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Hump Day! This week's pool testing results are finally in, all are negative which is good news. Got a coating of snow overnight, so there will be slippery spots on the way into work again today. Hard to believe March is almost half over.

Karen--Maine works on 180 day school year, with a minimum of 175 of instruction. We got word yesterday that next school year's schedule will not have half days on Fridays. Not sure what the nursing team will look like and still haven't heard anything from my application. I did see and apply for a school nurse position at a nearby private boarding/day school, so we'll see what happens. Sorry to hear you have a sinus infections, those are NOT FUN. Take good care of yourself.

Goldie--Colt found his way onto the bed the first night. Zoe joined in last night, but didn't stay the whole night. She got down at some point, but came back before alarm time. I hope the soreness eases up soon, and glad you didn't get seriously hurt. Sorry, too, to hear about step DD's grandmother's passing. Enjoy the warmer temps, I am so looking forward to those myself! Don't blame you for not paying or signing anything until you get answers.

Well, it sounds like the twice yearly time change may be on the way out. Personally, I'm with the "pick one time setting and stick with it" crowd, don't really care which one we use, just stop the insanity! Even it if passes it will take a year to go into effect, though. Still, light at the end of the tunnel!

Daylight Savings

1 ½oz Four Roses Yellow Label bourbon

¾oz fresh-pressed or Ocean Spray Ruby Red grapefruit juice

½oz fresh-pressed lemon juice

½oz Bigallet China-China liqueur

½oz vanilla syrup

2 dashes black walnut bitters

1 dash grapefruit bitters

grapefruit peel for garnish

Add all ingredients but garnish to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into cocktail coupe or martini glass. Garnish with grapefruit peel.

From <https://www.sunset.com/recipe/daylight-savings-cocktail?print=1&servings=0>

NM - I'm with you on the time change. Pick one and stay.

I love all these drinks. I think my next purchase will be a shaker, can't believe we don't have one.

STARRY NIGHT GRANITA

INGREDIENTS

2OZ EMPRESS 1908 GIN

1OZ VIOLET SYRUP

1DROP FLORAL BITTERS

1TSP HONEY

1½ CUPS ICE CUBES

RIPE PEAR, PEELED & CHOPPED

ORANGE ZEST

METHOD

Add the pear, honey and ½ cup ice cubes to a blender and blend until the mixture reaches slushy consistency. Set to the side and repeat steps with the gin, violet syrup, floral bitters and remaining 1 cup ice cubes. Layer into a glass, adding the pear mixture first, followed by the gin mixture. Garnish with orange zest, stir, and enjoy!