Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Photo

64 comments:

puddle said...

Whew! Blogger let me in for a minute, so I grabbed something and posted it.

HOWARD'S FIRST! AGAIN!

puddle said...

I'd tried a whole bunch yesterday (and the day before, and the day before that), and only would get blank pages. One of them, evidently I left up, and looking for something else there it was, and set up, so wham! Hope this holds!!

Been a nice moderate day after starting at 28ยบ, and looks like no freeze tonight, and much warmer tomorrow! Yes!

whitznd said...

Yay for warmer, Puddle. Great post! AND... Howard is first!

listener said...

So I have very unsettling news that a powerful Republican in town plans to build a Dollar General store in our quaint little town of 6000, next door to the Lutheran Church, beside an ancient graveyard, and uphill from a wildlife refuge. Our present town plan does not preclude this man from building on his own property, and since it's in an area zoned commercial, I think our hands are tied. The town planners can make certain requirements of how the building will look, the allowable outdoor lighting, and such as that (and they are), but not how it will be used (as long as it's legal). =Sigh= As one sympathetic member of the town board put it, "We think this enterprise won't last a year." (Yeah, then what goes in there next?) Egads.
Why cannot there be a town plan and code which says that something this morally repugnant is not permitted? Dollar General buys from container ships, paying for a container without even seeing it first. They buy cheap, questionable goods originating in China and India, sell them cheaply, and pay their employees cheaply. I read a post from a manager who makes $30K per YEAR working 55hrs per week. I am disgusted.
Worse, the town plan is to be revised in 2016. If more non-Repubs don't get on the local commissions between now and then, the dudes there now can make a plan that ruins the rest of the town.
How can this be happening in Vermont, of all places? Grrr.

Jo_in_Vermont said...

thanks for the new thread puddle! sorry that I haven't been woeking on the other site. I've been too distracted by life lately to spend time on it, most of my time online lastely has been mindless time on fb trying to cheer up!

my natural gas was turned off last week and it was hard! I use it for heat, hot water, cooking and clothes dryer. had it trned back on last Friday, but it is inevitable tha it will happen again unless I find a job. I have had very little luck with my job search, I seldom hear from co's I've applied to and whenever I do it's to say someone else has what they're looking for, thanks for applying. I'm not in panick mode, I learned a long time ago that just makes it harder to function but I am very concerned and not sure if I can pull my ass out of these financial problems this time!

Jo_in_Vermont said...

let me correct that:

most of my time online lately WHEN I'M NOT SEARCHING FOR A JOB has been mindless time on fb trying to cheer up!

Shirlee in NC said...

Oh, JO--surely thinking of you--is there no assistance you can receive?
This is awful. THIS is the U.S.A.???

Pat said...

Hi JO,

Dismay here and sympathy. This is awful. Are there any community services you can call? We have a fund here that pays electricity bills when people need a hand.

Jo, you are so intelligent, articulate, skilled in language and thought, there must be something that would work. Library, school, community organizations, newspaper, advertising, administration and managing of people and information??? Certainly you are entitled to some help from our safety nets federally, state, and local.

Thoughts and prayers your way. Jo, you are so capable, there has to be a place for your skills.

Keep us informed.

Pat

Jo_in_Vermont said...

thank you Pat. yup, you would think there would be something for me but I can't force someone to hire me! as for help, I do get health insurance and some help with food. the hard part is that I have so much equity in my home and can't use it, if I lose the house I'll lose that too, more than $100k. so am just hanging on and 'hoping, praying, expecting' a job any day now!

Jo_in_Vermont said...

thank you too Shirlee, just saw your post. so glad that you are home! <3

Pat said...

Just a thought, have you had an opportunity to think outside your skills, such as trying something you've never done before?

I was hired as a proofreader in the
journalism department, but ended up paining the walls in the hall. I also worked as a proofreader, but they let me do some manual work for pay as well.

Thoughts with you, Jo.

puddle said...

Jo, you have my heart. Scattershotting here:

Have a friend who supported herself for years with a combo of bookkeeping for old ladies, and teaching cooking classes in her kitchen.

Another, who hired a lady to attend theatre with her mother, and play bridge. (Her mum was in a nursing home.)

Ask seriously around ALL the churches in your area about who might need ferrying, grocery shopping, companionship, sewing help.

Teach gardening classes. Do gardening for others.

Tour guide for out of towners/bed and breakfasts.

Reverse mortgages. Second mortgage (maybe co-signed) on house.

Josh and I took in boarders. At one point we had four college kids living with us. I've known several ladies that either rented a room in another lady's house, or rented a room to same.

I got a paper route, lol!

Think about what you know, and start a consulting business. It also looks better on a resume.

Sell herbs and pot holders at farmers' markets. Also spiced vinegars. Chutneys are good too. Cookies. Those cute stone feet.

Find your local Quakers, and attend a meeting, and ask them for ideas.

Custom made quilts.

Friend of mine gave up her apartment went to live with a daughter for a year, got some retraining and a part time coffee serving job, and is now headed back home.

Pet sitting.

Hand made greeting cards -- web site and/or farmer's markets.

My sister remakes jewelery from old stuff found at flea markets and garage sales.

I know. I just feel so helpless here. Love you!!!

whitznd said...

Ah Jo! Puddle has a treasure trove of good ideas. as does Pat. My heart goes out to you. I have a "consulting" business not good for much more than a tax write off, but I do things here and there.

Sometimes people just need a sympathetic ear. that's another way to "consult". If you can make a few bucks at that, you're helping both you and the one you're listening to.

Wish we could do more for you.

Jo_in_Vermont said...

thanks for all the thoughts ladies. I have tried a variety of the side things, applied for any job I can physically do since they allowed me to go back to work after the surgery which was late June of last year.

I can't take a second mortgaage w/o an income, that's why I can't use the equity. I only owe $7000 on my house but can't find anyone who would loan me that plus interest and atty's fees and put a lean on it. my UE ran out in Feb so where I am at now is bottom. not a red cent, spent my last $5 on gas and the brakes on my car just gave out coming home from celebrating my son's 40th b-day!

I think that the gods are trying to tell me something! have tried to rent the extra bedroom but unless I find someone who will sign a min one year lease I will not be able to use that as income to save my mortgage.

what am I going to do? same as ever, carry on the best I can and keep looking. ;-)

puddle said...

Oh, Ack!! My nephew, whose mother died of breast cancer five years after a double mastectomy is joking with a friend on facebook about Angelina Jolie's boobs. Christ on popsicle stick!

listener said...

Ah, puddle. Aren't rude relatives the worst?!

listener said...

{{{ ♥ JO! ♥ }}}

What services are available to you? Have you used up all your unemployment benefits? Are you at least getting food stamps? How I wish I had 7K to pass your way!!!

Someone was recently advertising out here in Jericho for a companion for their elderly mother. Are you on Front Porch Forum? I recommend it, as that's where opportunities of that nature tend to get posted locally.

I'll put my thinking cap on. Remind me of the kinds of work you can do.

puddle said...

listener, I think what really shocked me is that his father and brothers are all facebook users. This is a guy I normally like, and who isn't really rotten. But the posts were on a friend's page. And rather than calling him out, or remaining silent, he joined in. This particular "friend" is a nasty piece of chit, anyways.

Shirlee in NC said...

Here is hoping things are working out for Jo---soon!

Sore tongue is healing--another doc check tomorrow. I am hoping to be able to start brushing my teeth again in the area near the surgery :)

The Repubs seem bent on taking away the AFA. Idiots--beyond hope--more and more meds, tests are gradually being covered. Ah, well--what can we expect from this particular gang of R's especially?

listener said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
listener said...

Updated my comment, hence the removed comment above. Here's the update...

Sending healing vibes your way, Shirlee! ♥

Sending hopeful prayers your way, Jo! ♥

Sending commiseration to you, puddle. ♥

XOXOXXX to all. ♥♥♥♥♥

Sweet News:
Deaniac Maura became a Mom today! Maura and Pete welcomed Hugh Joseph last night, about 5 or 6 weeks early. He's beautiful and robust and presently in the NICU. Maura had severe pre-eclampsia, and is getting better now. Tuck them into your prayers, please. ♥

whitznd said...

WOW! Great news for Maura. That is wonderful.

XOXOXXX to all. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

puddle said...

I *love* that wee Hugh has a widow's peak exactly like his mama. And lots of hair, a precursor to looking a whole lot like his papa!

This is my sis's blog post today: http://pollyanna-reinvents.blogspot.com/2013/05/adornments-artist-created-necklaces.html

puddle said...

Joy is the boy letting me sleep till almost 11! Clearly, I needed to. This past week's weather ups/downs/hots/colds has made finding the right combo of comforters difficult, and taken some toll on sleep.

Finally got to the point of going 48 hours with no pain killers, and went ahead and took a couple of naproxin last night, which prolly also helped.

listener said...

Sooo glad you got a comfy, cozy night of sleep, puddle!

Had to work this morning and am headed off for a nap right now.

Jo_in_Vermont said...

listener, I just rec'd your pay-it-forward package - I hope you don't mind that I'm thanking you here! it made me cry and then the chocolate made me smile! thank you so much, I needed an extra dose of love today! and thanks so much for the NN pin! I love you, thank you. xoxoxo

love to the rest of you too! happiness and congrats for Maura!

Jo_in_Vermont said...

and the photo card is beautiful, ty!

Pat said...

Just to say, I'm thinking of you all. Glad for the joy, hope that your situation improves, Jo.

puddle said...

For forty lonely years they didst wander in the universe looking for gates, hoping and praying that they would find the worthy gate that would relieve them and their way of thinking from opprobrium. Would it be Travel-Gate? Or Vincent-Gate? Monica-Gate or Futures-Gate? Alas. So they didst deep keep up the search and found: Middle-Name-Gate. And Commie-Gate. And Acorn-Gate. And Ayers-Gate. Watermelon-Gate? Bad-Economy-Gate? At last, bleeding at the knees, they didst come forth with Benghazi-Gate, and still that great amorphous whale that is the voter did not move. . . . Gasping for air, vision fading, at last, at last, at last they found, erm, UMBRELLA-GATE, certain, finally, they could rest.

whitznd said...

LOL Puddle, good one!

But then, Burt didst say, "It would be funny if it weren't so tragic. This is, after all, our country we're talking about."

Yeah, I guess so, but the both of agreed that it was most certainly true.

Shirlee in NC said...

Ah, Puddle--you get it so right every time--had to take some time away from recouping to Google umbrella-gate.

What a bunch---thanks for your history lesson!!!!!

Love to all---

puddle said...

Really lovely little trip to the store this afternoon. The Elder in full bloom, and the honeysuckle, and the wild phlox. Joyous!

No rain, though predicted. But predicted again for the next five days, phew!

Shirlee, hope you're continuing to heal!

Shirlee in Nc said...

Glad you had a good trip to the store! Recouping here in GSO. Brenda brought in groceries and later our young decorator friend is stopping by to fix up things the restoration people left awry.

Jo--hope things are looking up.

puddle said...

Quite, muted cool day here. But no rain yet.

So fun to open an eye and see a giant puppy just standing quietly wagging his tail like krezzy, lol!

puddle said...

Poo. It had been ten days since baby was hit by the spammers, and I was hoping, that maybe, just maybe, they had given up and moved on. Tonight, about 10 in a half hour space, so I guess not. Damn.

puddle said...

Nice, moderate, quiet day here.

I left the computer on overnight so the spam wouldn't hit me first thing in the morning. And yep: forty one pieces overnight. Gotta wonder about peeps whose primary purpose in life is to bother others. . . .

Shirlee in NC said...

That seems like a LOT of spam, Puddle! Great big nuisance to say the least.

puddle said...

It's worse in the day when I get beeped every time a new email arrives, lol! It's all notifications from google that someone has posted a comment on baby. . . . And all the comments are machined spam. But considering how long it took me to get rid of the old spam that had accumulated because I wasn't paying attention, maybe a better choice.

But I'll never understand the mindset of people who, as a job, think it's okay to harass strangers.

Pat said...

Hi friends,

Spam and viruses are becoming more and more a problem. I read an article in a recent New Yorker that talked about how prevalent it is.

Weather cool here, but oh the grass is green. I'm still feeling under the weather, so am resting a lot.

Just a hello to you all.

Shirlee in NC said...

Special for Listener!!! My goodness
what a wonderful surprise in my mailbox--enough chocolate to cure all my ails. I DO love it--does every woman? You may have saved me from getting in real trouble--on the way down to the mail room I was plotting an Occupy the Greensboro Library movement. They have a wonderful collection, but their online search engine is terrible and terribly frustrating!!!!

I will wear the NN pin proudly--and
ENJOY the chocolate.

(Card to come as soon as I recoup enough to hunt one up on my desk.)

Thank you, thank you for now :) :)

listener said...

"I'll never understand the mindset of people who, as a job, think it's okay to harass strangers."

AMEN!

Shirlee...I'm so glad it arrived safe and sound! :-) Can't wait to hear how you like it once you've done the all-important taste test. ;-)

Shirlee in NC said...

Alert--my Aol mail seems to be on sick leave--so will pop in here with whatever!

Shirlee in NC said...

Aol seems to have recovered. The first bite of the Awesome Fudge was--MiGHTY awesome! Now have enough strength and courage to venture down to Elm Street and do an errand or two. Thank you, Listener for a taste of Vermont!

listener said...

Dear friends!
Jo has asked me to convey that the only reason she is not posting these days is that yesterday her cable got shut off, so she no longer has internet access at home. :-( That makes it much harder for her to search for work. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I think she would love to receive phone calls. If you would like her phone number, cryptically post your email address here and I'll send it along.

XOXOXXX

puddle said...

Double dirty damn!

Guess I need some stronger light!

Shirlee in NC said...

Ditto, Puddle!!!

listener said...

I talked with Jo on Tuesday. She will be able to use internet occasionally, at her son's place, and will pop by.

She also welcomes phone calls.

Jo! When you pop by, this will be good for a laugh: I never saw your notes to me upthread here, about the package, until JUST NOW, *after* your card arrived and even after we talked. So now you've thanked me three ways. LOL!

I'm heartglad it lifted your spirits. Hoping like crazy you'll have good news soon. A friend of mine who has been looking for work for a while just got a job. It happens! <3

Prayers ensuing. =HUG= Take care!

listener said...

Jo! I only have your old telecom email addy. Next time you're at a keyboard, pop me a note, as I have something to email to you. Mine is first initial with last name (all one word) @ together dot net. ;-)

XOXOXXX

Pat said...

Good Morning,

Thoughts and a prayer Jo's way. A difficult time, but I have hope that resolutions will be there.

Weather still strange here: one day at 50 degrees, the next at 70.

On NPR today, a piece about older women and how they survive. About 1/3 of women in the Baby Boomer category are single without children. One woman's solution was the "Golden Girls House" renting out her five bedroom home to women who have become friends, look out for each other, and share all expenses.

Not an easy situation when we have high mobility, independent living, and longer life expectancy. In American Samoa family was the security. Even that's changing. What to do? Some creative thinking, community resources, and family and friends can help, I think.

Hope your day is good.

Jo_in_Vermont said...

hey all! raining buckets so I am amazed that I could latch onto a network in the 'hood!

my son just loaned me his 1997 Jeep Cherokee to use as long as I need to - now to sell a few more things for gas money!! a staffing service contacted me today - I had almost given up on hearing from any of them and they have a few possibilities for me so things are looking up!

love you all, thanks for the support and love! puddle your light is working just fine, everything in it's own time, eh?!!

as I am typing this I lost my connection, but the window is still open so I haven't lost it - yet!! I'll wait to post until it's back - we're having a thunderstorm so they prolly unplugged their equipment. rain has almost stopped so hopefully I can be back 'on' soon! my laptop is fully charged so I am good to go for a while before I have to plug back in - we've had a lot of severe thunderstorm warnings for a couple of days, thank God the storms from the midwest peter out before they get here!

Jo_in_Vermont said...

I can be reached at jopoquette27(at)gmail(dot)com. took 2 days to get to the email so may be slow in anwsering!

Shirlee in NC said...

So good to hear that some things are working out for you, Jo! I have high faith in the power of Puddle's Light!

listener said...

I keep forgetting to mention that I thought of you on Sunday, whitznd! Happy Pentecost. ;-)


{{{ JO!!! }}}
I'm so glad the Jeep worked out and that more may soon be working out for you too. I'm sending you a message in a moment. Two job offerings I noticed on VermontJobs.com...though you may have already encountered them. They seemed perfect for you.

puddle, there's nothing like the light of a friend's love holding you in the Light! XOX

whitznd said...

Ahhhhh, such a lovely place with loving friends that care so much for each other. So comforting to come here first thing in the morning.

Jo, glad you now have a car to get around. Hopefully your lead will pan out. And if not, maybe one of the leads that listener sent.

Don't think I mentioned that Denise was here for a conference. Burt and I took her to a Brit Floyd concert. What fun to share good music with a friend. We went to dinner before the concert (her treat) then we went to the Dilittante for a fantastic chocolate dessert after the concert. Lots of time for great conversation.

Love and hugs all around!

Shirlee in NC said...

Political comment! Has anyone else noticed that it is getting more difficult to sign a supporting petition without also being required to donate. No donation--support not accepted.

I would be more than happy to be wrong here!

listener said...

Shirlee, I haven't encountered that yet, but I'll be on the lookout!

listener said...

Well, tonight was the meeting here in town for the Development Review Board to hear from citizens about the proposed building of a Dollar General store in this small, historic town.

Happy to report that the meeting remained civil. What is impressive is that there was standing room only right from the start of the meeting! Many good points were made. Now we wait upon the decision of the Development Review Board.

Jo_in_Vermont said...

hi ladies! thank you for the love and light!

I received a beautiful card and gift from Pat, thank you so much! your friendship and kindness aer such a gift!

sending HUGE rain mercies to listener - the entire state is under flash flood warnings and the flooding is already bad in her area, roads closed, rivers of rain running where there were none before. there is so much rain predicted for the next few days, prayers to all, Vermont still hasn't fully recovered from Irene.

thanks for the job leads listener - they both sound good, I will check them out.

things are looking up, after a couple of crazy weeks. well, maybe years! 'crazier' weeks is moe accurate. one step at a time...... ;-)

I love you, thank you all so much for being here!

Shirlee in NC said...

Good to see great citizen involvement, Listener.

listener said...

Thanks, Shirlee! :-)

And thanks Jo!

Yes, it is definitely flooding over this way. My house is fine, but I know folks who are stranded.

When I was at work today my iPhone began beeping the Emergency Broadcast System alert! That has never happened before, and it was telling me of the Flash Flood Warning. I guess it’s a feature that comes with the app. Who knew? I wasn't in a low lying area, but it sure made me feel like I was in mortal danger! Ha! I mean, you don't generally hear the Emergency alert sounding off in a library...especially in the library clerk's possession! LOL!

But! We seem to be in thunderstorm alley, presently, judging by the radar. It's very strange to have this kind of flooding so late in Spring. I am in Jericho, and here's the latest:

"Areas that have been particularly hard hit include
Jericho... Underhill... and Cambridge. Avoid travel in these towns. Road washouts may not be marked by town emergency crews... and flood damage is very hard to recognize at night.

"As this flood event progresses... flooding will continue downstream on the Browns river through Westford... as well as on the LaMoille through Jeffersonville... Cambridge... and Fairfax."

On Tuesday we had .96" of rain
On Wednesday we had 1.43" of rain (new record)
On Thursday we had 2.26" of rain (tying the 1955 record)
And it looks like rain from now through Sunday morning. Heh.

listener said...

Here's what's happening about 2 miles from our house (click on the video)...

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130523/NEWS02/305230018/Vermont-under-flash-flood-warning

puddle said...

Whew! Stay dry, please.

Having a beautifully cool dry day here after a week of rain, humidity and heat. I'm grateful.

listener said...

We went into town the long way 'round, and by the time we were heading home they had dirt-patched a key section of Route 15. So we're good to go again!
:-)

Jo_in_Vermont said...

NEW THREAD!

not only did blogger allow me to start a new thead - a miracle in itself! - an angel paid to restart my internet service so I am officially back online!

one step at a time.....