Oh, gosh! I feel like Studio C quotes deserve a thread of their own! A few of our favorites: “There’s nothing more attractive to the ladies than a chocolate sculpture of Winston Churchill covered in dirty money.” ”Oh, great! Now I have two___!” “This is why I wanted a dog!” “We’re Wells Fargo, Mr. Sideous. We *own* the dark side.” (I could go on…and on…😂)

The use of book/movie/tv show quotes is so frequent in our family that we often say that we speak Darmok. This name is itself a reference to a ST:TNG episode, so that probably counts as yet another quote. Some recent ones: ”You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” (Princess Bride) ”Shut up, Wesley!” (ST: TNG) ”You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission…quest…thing.” (LOTR) ”Another great idea from the people who brought you beeeeeer milkshakes!” (Red Dwarf)

I like the Plum Village app, but it does have a LOT more than just simple, 20 minute meditations, and it can take a while to sift through to find your favorites. If you’re looking for something really beginner friendly, try the First This podcast. It’s 10 minute, very simple meditations, and I just love the host's voice!

Another vote for Star Trek: TNG Good Neighbors Red Dwarf (the first 8 seasons)

We enjoyed Knives Out.

Stories From the Village of Nothing Much is a series of three short, cheerful stories. I also like Tales From Three Corners. They are really quite short, but charming. Definitely falls into the category of flash fiction.

The idea that mass shootings are just a part of life that we need to shut up and accept is beyond sickening to me. That said- Yes, absolutely, do direct outrage and disgust at government officials who have the power to change things but don’t really care enough to. But also- I think it is absolutely appropriate to be enraged by the poor behavior of the sports players, the singers, the movie stars, and all other public figures because they DO have the power to reach millions by standing up and speaking out and encouraging their fans to vote the worthless, do-nothing politicians out of office! Like it or not, there are many, many sheeple out there who treat the opinions of their favorite celebrities like the gospel truth. If celebrities and influencers would kick up a major ruckus and tell their followers to vote for the candidates who will change things, it would go a long way toward making positive changes in this country. Ignoring horrible things (by shrugging your shoulders and heading out to that party, for example) that *could* be changed if they used their influence is lazy, cowardly, and selfish.

My favorite comfort viewing shows tend to be the older brit-coms : Good Neighbors, Yes Minister, Are You Being Served. A previous poster mentioned Studio C. I like these skits as well, but prefer the first 7 or 8 seasons, before they had the cast changes. There was a definite change in the quality of the writing and acting after that. edited to add: Time Team. Reality tv + Archaeology= a surprisingly charming and addictive show! Hugs to you! Steroids (however useful they may be) stink!

Funny you should mention this in this thread! MEmama checked on my dd when she was struggling a bit while on a research trip to Maine. 💕She’s one awesome hive auntie!💕 Hopefully, the antihistamine will allow him to get some sleep. If the sore throat and rash are still there in the morning though, a trip to urgent care is definitely in order. Strep is nothing to mess about with!

There used to be a fainting emoji. We need the fainting emoji back for posts like these. Seriously.

I concur with the other hive aunties. He needs to be seen. That rash looks more scarlet fever (strep) than meningitis like to me. (Not a doctor, don't play one on tv. 😉) Joint pain, while uncommon, is also a potential symptom of strep. Hope he feels better soon! (And I hope there is no need to rack up more frequent flyer miles!)

I am so very sorry for your loss!

*sigh* 55 degrees and overcast. I’m pretty sure that means no snow ❄️ for us!

🎄Merry Christmas!🎄

I have been feeding a group of 4 crows since last spring. (Maybe a family?) I go out, shake a can of peanuts and make “kissy” noises before sprinkling some of the nuts on the end of our driveway nearest the house. They have learned the routine, and when I let our dogs out for their mid-morning potty, I usually see the crows waiting for me in a nearby tree. If I don’t see them, all I have to do is make the kissy noise, and the four of them come flying for “brunch.” If I forget, or am late putting the nuts out, they sit in the tree and make a racket scolding me until I feed them! Sadly, they haven’t left me any goodies in return. 😂

Forget the parking situation! If a man had exited his car and approached while I was alone in my car, I would never have opened the window. In fact, I probably would have honked the horn to attract attention and dialed 911. Pretty sure this anxiety comes from the time when I was small and I was in the car with my mother when she accidentally got into a lane with a funeral procession at a light. The guy in the car behind us jumped out of his car and came and pounded on the car roof and the driver's window, shouting and cussing up a storm! Scared the living daylights out of both of us! Not that the OP's situation was anything like this, but that's where my brain goes every time I think of someone getting out of their vehicle and approaching mine.

Agree!! (Not the part about you being contrary, but the other bit! 😉) I have never been overly fond of my in-laws, but if my MIL had done this, I probably would have run as far and fast as I could!

I don’t think anyone has mentioned “The Shop Around the Corner” yet. Also, Patrick Stewart is my favorite Scrooge! We are planning to watch that version of A Christmas Carol this evening.

Bill Vicars (Lifeprint) and Meredith Rathbone (LearnHowToSign.com) both have lots of clear, fun, and free videos on YouTube.

Same here! See that sweet little face in my avatar? I’m telling you that dog could BARK for her country! You know how opera stars have unbelievable volume and resonance in their voices? Well, that’s my pup! The best solution I have figured out is that 4-inch balls are perfect for her to play with and carry around, and when she has one in her mouth, it acts as a sort of mute for the bark. We have a LOT of balls in the backyard. 🤣

On behalf of all the responsible dog owners out there, I am so sorry! I don’t know what your local laws look like, but my city has an ordinance that states that animals cannot be left outdoors in extreme temperatures without appropriate shelter, water access, etc… 15 degrees w/accompanying windchill could be deadly for the dog! There is also the risk of some unhinged creep taking it upon themselves to shoot or poison the dog. Dogs don’t deserve to be the targets of violence just because their owners are idiots! Maybe a call to your nearest (breed-specific, if you know the breed) rescue expressing concern for the pup’s well-being? The rescue I work with has taken in some animals whose owners are relieved to have a troublesome dog off their hands without having to take them to a high-kill shelter!

Oh! I completely understand about the table! Our dining table has so many little nicks and marks, each one a story, it feels like a scrapbook to me! I’d hate to ever part with it! I’m with Cat on this one: find a place to store it, and take your time figuring out how to (possibly) get it in the house!

Yes, sadly. My irl circle was very small to begin with, and I have recently realized that my worldview does not fit in at all with this particular group of women. It’s politics, and religion (which are pretty much the same thing in my neck of the woods), and Covid, and public health, and climate change, and science in general, really. 😞I still keep in touch with 1-2 of the women, but the others seem to be perfectly content to push any and all folks who are different out of the group. Somewhere during the past 4 years, people have just become more permissive about rudeness and hostility towards others.

For the spinner in your life: (Note that this comes in a glow in the dark option- because who doesn’t love spinning in the dark? 😂) Dizzy sheep

I’m a little late to the party, but Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Literally everyone in my family has some kind of food/health/allergy related issue, so instead of having a big dinner, we had coffee and (limited ingredient) scones and went for a trash pickup walk along a nearby riverside walk. It was lovely, and sunny, and relaxing! Definitely going to do it again next year if the weather cooperates!