If you click on this thread you must post on it...

[CatrionaGrace]

It's hard to watch beloved animals get old. I accidentally adopted a retired roping horse when she was fourteen and I was around fifty-five. When I called the horse doc to come look her over, the first thing he said (and in a horrified voice) was, "This horse is lame!" I glared at him, said, "She has arthritis and so do I. Your point is..." He stared at me a moment, then grinned and said, "Well, I guess you can spend some time and money on a free horse. Let's go take a look." Star and I had a wonderful twelve years together. She responded to massage and long walks to loosen her up before rides and eventually went with my son on pack trips into the mountains each summer. She loved those trips. I miss that mare. I based the mare in Book II on Star. It's her memorial.

 

[Set2Stun]

That's so sweet. Happy you shared this.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

Thank you. She was special. They all are.

 

[GrahamLewis]

Thank you. She was special. They all are.

Yes, they all are.

 

[Louanne Learning]

I won't be adopting a dog from Korea after all. That fell through. Instead, I'm thinking of getting a puppy after we return from Ireland.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Just one tip when you're driving in Ireland, specifically on the secondary and lesser roads. It is essential that you salute everyone you encounter, whether cars driving against you, pedestrians, or any other road users. The composition of the acceptable salute is to raise the index finger of whichever hand is holding your steering wheel. Nothing else is required and will only serve to diminish the gesture. It is advisable to salute everyong because it is far less egregious to salute your mortal enemy, such as someone who repeatedly fails to salute when you pass on the road, than to fail to salute your friendly neighbour, thereby making you their mortal enemy.

I'm one post shy of 500. I'll get there one day.

 

[Homer Potvin]

Best not to make any gestures when driving in the Northeast US. They might be answered with gunfire.

 

[Louanne Learning]

In Canada, when we're driving, we always raise a hand in gratitude if another driver does something courteous, like letting you in or going first at a four-way stop.

It is essential that you salute everyone you encounter, whether cars driving against you, pedestrians, or any other road users.

You're making me even more excited to go!

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Best not to make any gestures when driving in the Northeast US. They might be answered with gunfire.

"Live Free or Die" didn't inspire confidence when I read it on licence plates when driving in USA. Some things are best left unsaid during road usage.

You're making me even more excited to go!

You'll have a blast!

And that's No. 500!

 

[Louanne Learning]

Best not to make any gestures when driving in the Northeast US. They might be answered with gunfire.

Not to contradict you, but I just want to say that I have driven to Boston a few times, and to New York City, and to Florida, and we've always met such lovely people on the road.

 

[Louanne Learning]

And that's No. 500!

Congratulations!

 

[Rigor Mortis]

I have to say, having driven around a lot of USA, the overwhelming majority of people I met were generous, courteous and not at all murderous. There were a few spots where it got hairy (Oakland, primarily, when my then girlfriend now wife's instincts stopped us becoming statistics after booking into a motel that was really just a crack house) but nothing that I mightn't have found here only I know better where and what to stay clear of. We had car trouble in Colorado City on Arizona/Utah border (I think) when the mechanic could have said it was the adjusticator and charged us hundreds. Instead, it was a filter and he charged 8 bucks

 

[Louanne Learning]

My niece is in Seattle and she loves it there.

 

[Set2Stun]

Just doing the internet rounds before it's off to PS5 land for the afternoon. Going to try Grand Theft Auto V for the first time.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

After 11 hours on Friday, an 8 hour session that ended at 3 a.m. this morning, and two hours this morning for tweaks, the copy edited manuscript has been sent to the main editor. I actually did the edits twice on separate manuscripts since I figured out some things after doing the first set of corrections. The second went faster.

Alea jacta est. If I was a drinker, I'd have a straight whiskey. Since I'm not, I'm going outside to stack firewood, pull weeds, and plant spring bulbs.

 

[Louanne Learning]

My stomach is telling me it is time for some penne alfredo.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

My stomach isn't that discerning. It's just saying, FEED ME.

 

[Louanne Learning]

Lol, I was just going with what I had in the fridge.

 

[Homer Potvin]

Not to contradict you, but I just want to say that I have driven to Boston a few times, and to New York City, and to Florida, and we've always met such lovely people on the road.

Let me plan your route for you next time.

 

[Louanne Learning]

Lol, thanks. I think I am going to share a story here just because it is so cute.

One of the things we loved in the southern states were their biscuits. Driving home, we decided we must have some of those biscuits before we crossed back over the border. In West Virginia, we Googled a shop that sold only biscuits. That was their specialty. We left the main road and went off into the local neighbourhood and found the special biscuit shop.

There were two teenage girls working behind the counter. "Where y'all from?" one asked.

"We're from Canada," we replied.

The girls gaped at us as if we were from Mars. "I ain't never seen anyone from Canada before," one said.

The other drawled, "But we had a lady from England once."

Lol, it was the cutest thing.