69 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 9-12-16”

  3. It’s a woolly bear. The larval form of Pyrrharctia isabella, the Isabella tiger moth.

    It’s supposed to be used by some as an indicator of the winter to come. The longer the black bands, the more severe the winter is supposed to be. If the brownish bands are wider, it’s supposed to mean a mild winter. If that stuff is true, we’re in for a doozy because this guy has no brown, just solid black. 😦

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  4. Jo,

    They’re only about an inch long. You can hold them in your hand, they don’t bite. They just curl up. They call them woolly, but bristly is probably more accurate. They also make good fish bait. 🙂

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  5. Here’s more…..

    https://www.weather.gov/arx/woollybear

    “As far as the story about the woolly caterpillar’s coat, this is how Mother Nature helps it survive winter. The fur is called setae and it isn’t there to protect them from the cold weather. Instead it actually helps them to freeze more controllably. Here is something truly remarkable. Once settled in, the caterpillars hibernate, creating a natural organic antifreeze called glycerol. They freeze bit by bit, until everything but the interior of their cells are frozen. These interior cells are protected by the hemolymph. Woollybears can – and do – survive to temperatures as low as -90oF. This ability to adapt to cold shows up particularly in the Arctic, where the woolly worms live in a strange state of slow motion. Most caterpillars live for two to four weeks before becoming moths. The Arctic woolly worms, however, spend at least 14 years in the process! The woolly bear caterpillar has even been known to survive an entire winter completely frozen in an ice cube.

    As far as the woolly bear caterpillar’s travel goes, they are simply moving about in search for that perfect spot to curl up and spend the winter. This is usually under bark, a rock, or a fallen log.

    Even though there is great interest in its caterpillar stage, very few people know what it grows up to be. Each fuzzy, 1½ inch caterpillar becomes an Isabella Tiger Moth. After wintering in its chosen spot, the caterpillar awakens on a warm spring day and continues to feed. Soon it forms a cocoon and pupates. In about two weeks, an orange-yellow moth with 1 ½ to 2-inch wingspan emerges. The wings lack distinctive markings but the abdomen is spotted with three longitudinal rows of small black dots. These moths are active at night throughout summer.”

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  6. If it had stripes, I would have recognized it.
    Like Hendersonville has the Big Apple Festival,
    Boone, NC (Yes, named after Dan, so they say.) has the Woolly Worm Festival. Youngest GD went to Appalachian State U. and is there now, presumably for the festival.
    During the festival, some guy (always the same one, by tradition) examines the woolly worms.. They can tell by the stripes what kind of winter they will have.
    I notice the worms always predict good skiing weather.

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  7. My husband has shingles. I never knew much about that until this happened and assumed it was something you caught from someone else. Not so – it is the latent chicken pox virus that sits on your spine until something causes it to take off and travel a nerve to somewhere in your body. Stress is a common trigger. His manifested itself on the left side of his head – in his ear, eye, mouth, scalp, and skin. It is terribly painful and lasts a long time (going on week five for him).

    Bottom line is this – if (or when) you are over 60 and had chicken pox, GET THE VACCINE!

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  8. Thanks for the reminder, Linda.

    I apparently no longer sleep. Could it be stress?

    Bible study starts tomorrow. I’m teaching on John’s letters, so a good morning will be spent reviewing just who John was!

    Fun day wine tasting yesterday (as the driver, I drank tea) when three nieces unexpectedly showed up together. We haven’t seen them all together in 16 years. It was lovely to catch up. Beautiful and talented, they live in NYC, Raleigh and San Francisco.

    They always want us to visit, especially the Raleigh one, so if I ever hunt up Chas and Elvera, I’ll be on my way to or from Raleigh. 🙂

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  9. I tried to get chicken pox when my niece was a baby and had them. I didn’t. As far as I know I have never had them. The flu is already going around down here. They don’t have enough of the vaccine and are hoarding what they have for elderly and compromised people. I have only had the vaccine once.

    We had BG’s birthday party yesterday. It was nice. She had been in the pool but got out and was sunning herself when her cousin walked around the pool, picked her up, and jumped in the pool with her. There is video on my FB page. She received a hair dryer, necklace, earring, money, and a paid traffic ticket.

    I, like Michelle, have been awake for hours. I finally gave up and read until it was late enough to make the coffee. It promises to be a long day and I have Bible study tonight.

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  10. I would like to meet someone from the West Coast.
    We met Sawgunner and his wife at Crackerbarrel in Hendersonville.
    I left a fat tip because we tied up the waitresses’ table for over an hour and a half.
    I met Worthygirl at a place where they had a program in Asheville.
    We need to visit the statehouse in Raleigh. Never been to Raleigh. But Elvera and I have visited the state house of every state we lived in. SC, Texas and Virginia…

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  13. I know. But we have to make home ownership affordable–even for those who can’t afford it. They are even now allowing people on welfare to use those funds as income to purchase a mobile home. A mobile home is like a car. It DEpreciates instead of appreciating and has little resale value IF you can find financing. Most banks won’t lend money against them.

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  14. I’m not sure what that all means, but any situation where people lend money to people who can’t pay them back is not viable. No matter how you slice it.

    Congress passed a bill that said that Lenders could not discriminate against certain people who were too poor to buy houses. So? They loaned money to people who couldn’t pay them back. People bought houses they couldn’t afford and banks bundled the loans with good ones and sold them to some investors who thought they could scam someone else.
    Ponzi schemes always have their own conclusions.

    But Kim is the expert on this. I just know what I have read.

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  16. Now they are trying to do the same with cars. There is what is called the “secondary” market in car sales. These are the no credit, bad credit, your grandma needs to sign this loan because you can’t even buy this junker with a co-signer.
    This is a “comedian” who is doing more to report what is going on than our regular media is right now with the election and such. I am sure there is bad language in this so watch at your own risk.

    http://www.mediaite.com/online/john-oliver-takes-on-unfair-feeding-frenzy-of-subprime-loans-with-help-from-keegan-michael-key/

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  19. As noted above, I’ll be teaching on John’s epistles starting tomorrow. As I was working on Who is John?, I found the following on the Catholic Youtube channel. Other than a few tiny aberrations, they’ve done the research for me. I’ll be showing this tomorrow and then may get the first lesson done! 🙂

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  21. Many years ago I had to travel some for my job. I flew to Atlanta where I met another sales rep and we flew into Raleigh to call on customers. It is the only time I can remember ever eating at a Denny’s. Anyway, he had booked our hotel rooms and when he had called they were running a “Romance Package” which upgraded us to the concierge floor and gave us a complimentary bottle of champagne. (He had the hardest time getting them to understand he wanted to book two ROOMS not a single room for two). Anyway, we were very late checking in and had meetings starting early the next day so we took the elevator to the top floor, one of us went left and the other right. I called home to let my husband know I was safely checked in. There was a knock on the door, I stupidly answered it. There stood a guy holding a toilet seat. He told me he had come to fix the toilet. I argued with him that the toilet was fine, then shut the door on him. I was irate. I called down to the front desk to tell them there was nothing wrong with the toilet in my room and that is was inconvenient that they would even send someone up to fix one at this hour.
    I met Jim the next morning for breakfast and was telling him about what happened. The SAME thing happened to him, but when he answered the guy mumbled something about having the wrong room. Poor Jim had to explain to this naive woman that had I let the guy in my room to fix the toilet he would have robbed, raped, or possibly killed me. I am somewhat smarter these days, although I did book BG and me into a rather questionable hotel near the New Orleans airport a couple of months ago. I am pretty sure a drug deal was doing down in one of the rooms down from us. We got locked into our room and I convinced myself that at 4am the next morning they would be passed out and we would be safe to get to the shuttle. 🙂

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  23. Prayers for you, Janice.

    I got a shingles shot a month or so ago. I know some people who have gotten the shingles. To my knowledge I never had chicken pox, but my children did have mild cases. I may have had it as a baby. Hard to say, since my mom doesn’t remember a lot of stuff like that. I was told that it is still better to get the vaccine.

    From yesterday’s discussion: I, too, have had premonitions. For example, I ‘knew’ when my sister had her baby. Granted, I knew she was due anytime. This was different, though. I told my husband I was sure she had the baby. We had been out and I told him that I was sure there would have been a phone call to us when we came home. The babysitter said there was no phone call and I remember being surprised by that. I was sure the baby had come earlier in the evening. The next morning I heard the baby HAD come around that time.

    Why would I have that ‘feeling’? I have no idea. I do not think such things do not happen, however if it is a regular thing and one has been dabbling with the occult, that is when it is a problem.

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  24. Shingles: had it but I believe it was a relatively minor case. I was about fifty six and I suspect it was stress related. Started with my side feeling quite sensitive and then the rash appeared and sure enough, went to my spine one direction and to my belly button the other. In other words, stayed on one side. I did not go to a doctor or anything. But those who get it on the face, I do not envy. I don’t know if the doc can do anything to prevent it moving into the eye region?

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  25. Linda, so sorry — shingles sounds horrible, I had a neighbor who had it and it was very painful.

    I didn’t get chicken pox until I was in my late 40s, so that was lots of fun. I keep thinking I should ask my doctor about getting the vaccine, but always forget when I see him.

    I was up late last night (knowing stay-cation started today and I could sleep in — which I did, thank you).

    I may need a new house, this one is proving the death of me. But onward … Aiming to get this bathroom do-over FINISHED sooner rather than later.

    Grout colors? There’s always something that pops up that I didn’t realize I needed to make a decision on. Oh, and tile. We need a tile guy, real estate pal says, when the work is ready to begin.

    A church friend gave me a couple handy man referrals of guys she’s used (she’s a widow) but said one of them charged $175 an hour. Yikes. Out of my price range already.

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  26. Janice, prayers — hope this will stabilize everything for your guys for a while, you’ve had a long season of medical stuff.

    So our pastor is debating a well-known atheist Saturday night, a bunch of us are getting together to car pool (it’s at a Christian college, so kudos to the atheist for being willing to wander into enemy territory, I suppose 🙂 )

    People also are gathering at the church at 6 p.m. daily this week to pray in advance. I love our pastor, he said among his main concerns is never to come off snarky or to focus too much on “winning the argument” without concern for the soul with whom he’s debating (and those who are listening). He’ll do well, he’s an apologetics guy at heart, after all, but one who presents his case in a winsome manner, often with a gentle humor, a good listener. Should be fun to watch.

    I think it may be also live streamed — and it will probably be available in video format, I’ll post the links when I find them.

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  28. Hey Michelle and Donna- Did you notice that Chas wants to meet someone from the West Coast? I think one of you needs to make travel plans. You could do it for you jobs. Michelle could call it research for a novel and Donna could say she’s doing a feature story on the weather at dog parks in SC or something like that.

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  29. A dog park travelogue! I can take the Pet Rock for an outing. Plus if Kim goes, I can huddle in person with my bathroom styling muse.

    I’m putting together a collection of print outs on inspiration, tile designs, beadboard options, grout colors, sinks, toilets, and fixtures.

    I’m still afraid to order anything and be locked in, though — and I’ll have to get everything stacked up on my patio, I suppose, and hope it doesn’t get stolen. This is when work schedules get in the way

    Or maybe my neighbors would be willing to keep a lose eye on it all (they’ve already installed security/surveillance cameras that take in my driveway).

    I don’t think I have room inside the house to stash all those big, heavy items (that probably come in gigantic, oversized packaging).

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  31. Like Mumsee, it seems that most people get shingles on their side. In my husband’s case, it traveled via a nerve into his head where it branched out three ways. Once it takes off, apparently there’s nothing to be done to stop it or cure it. His GP did send him to an ENT and his eye doctor to monitor it, though. I’m sure his was caused by stress – he’s a worrier. We had a pool put in this summer and he totally stressed over the surrounding work and landscaping (needlessly, but he worried, nonetheless).

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  32. Here’s a related question. When hubby’s shingles first started, he was in so much pain that he got up at midnight and went to the ER. They didn’t have a clue. The next morning, his GP diagnosed it immediately. We just got a bill for $979 from the hospital, which I’m tempted to dispute. What do you think?

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  37. Linda, I suppose ER would argue that they ruled out anything life-threatening that required hospitalization? Or was there treatment (had they diagnosed shingles) that could have helped lessen the symptoms at that stage?

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  41. Shingles: I had wondered what a doc could do. A friend had it on her face and was concerned about it going to the eyes and the doc was watching it.
    RKessler, what is acyclovir? Does it do something for shingles or is it just a generic feel good thing for ER visitors?

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  42. And that is why people with shingles are supposed to stay away from infants, especially those not vaccinated.

    I don’t think an ER visit is that expensive around here. I don’t think many people would go if it was and I know we have been there a few times for asthma and broken arms and such.

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  48. Oh look at that bug up there!!! I believe I played with such a caterpillar when I was little…or was it yellow…I just remember them being on our walnut tree out front….
    So sorry to hear about your husband Linda….my neighbor/boss had shingles this past Spring….brought on by stress for certain….great pain like described on her side….red rash going up the side and towards her back….ER thought she had a bladder infection, which was confusing…. They sent her to have an MRI…everything “looks fine”! Her family doctor was out of the country at the time….but arrived home the following week…she saw her and immediately said “you have shingles”….it was quite painful and lasted for about four months….she says she occasionally feels pain on her side still….
    I had chicken pox rather badly as a child…but I will take my chances as a adult…no vaccine for me….
    Don’t get me started with “affordable care”….we pay 500 a month, 10,000 deductible…we are not covered for anything until we pay out 10,000 first….and this is with a Christian co-op which is exempt from “Obamacare”….but it covers us for our required coverage….

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  50. Acyclovir is an antiviral that targets herpes in all its forms. People with genital herpes get valtrex. It does help if you can catch it early.

    You can count on a $1200 bill if you walk through the door of our ER.

    Chas, I think our W2 said we paid $16,600 for insurance last year. 😦

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  51. Yes, $3,500 a year for $3,000 deductible and $6,000 “out of pocket” (each) – and I have no clue what the difference is between those two numbers. Since we never come close, we just keep paying for stuff ourselves.

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  52. That is how I wanted to do our health care. Hubby refused to have to pay Obama the no insurance fine. I would much rather do a medical savings account, and pay it all myself. Before he went with the insurance offered by work, I ran the numbers. The most we pay out on a normal year was less than $4,000. My hubby has diabetes and sees the endocrinologist regularly.

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  53. I wish you hadn’t said that. I was going along, fat and sassy, until I noticed the $3500. Then you folks started a conversation and I decided to check on my health insurance cost.
    Realize of course that I have Medicare. I pay only $121.80/mo. for that. But my total health insurance bill for the two of us is $7007.64.
    WOW
    I never thought much about it because I’ve never met the minimum in income tax calculations.

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  55. Ary’s surgery is next Monday. Today’s variety of tests is to make sure all systems are go. Most of the procedures today went quickly except for one LONG wait for an ultrasound of the carotid arteries. The test was short, but we were in the waiting room for what seemed at least an hour and a half for it. After we left the hospital I did a Google for the closest Firehouse Subs, and it was nearby so we did lunch there.

    Art’s surgery is for a valve repair and possible ablation since he is back in A Fib. He has a top doc who everyone speaks highly about. Thanks, all, for prayers this week and next.

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  56. Chas, my insurance is over $600 per month just for my personal needs. It is the bronze plan (not silver or gold). I have never used it. I think I have to hit around 6,000 expense before it will cover anything not considered preventative such as physical exams. It has been a sham scam, and I fell into the group that did lose their former insurance plan. I had no insurance for a short while. Thankfully I did not have a problem during that time.

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  59. No coyotes yet.

    Grout. I’m leaning toward a contrast with the white subway tiles, maybe a dark gray/black? And with a narrow border line of black tile running through it, 3/4 of the way up (in tub area only, beadboard on rest of the bathroom wall space).

    Kim, what was the blue color you were talking about a couple weeks ago, was it something specific that you’ve seen? I was think just a really light wash of cornflower blue, antique-y looking.

    Ok, back to the wooly worms and high cost of health insurance

    I’ve been clearing out a back room and made real progress. Found a book in there about how to be better organized. 🙂 Story of my life

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  60. Go with the darker grout
    Ir was a whiter color but had a blue cast to it. I think it would look good against the stark white of the bead board.
    I may have to go to Sherwin Williams and mail you a paint chip or at least get the number

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  64. Going though old files, actually found some interesting household repair receipts, including one for bathtub liner fix I’d had done 15 years ago. I think that was when I found a tear in the bottom of it.

    And found a receipt from former plumber, around same time, saying the wood subfloor under bathroom linoleum was in good shape, not in need of replacement. Not sure what the original call was for that — and it was quite a few years ago, so no telling what shape it’s in now.

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  66. Linda, the difference between deductible and maximum out of pocket: First you have to pay for everything until you’ve paid the deductible. After that, your insurance covers some portion of the cost, maybe 60, 70, or 80%, but you have to pay the remainder (your co-insurance). When the total you’ve paid, including the deductible and the co-insurance, hits the maximum out of pocket, you don’t have to pay anything else that’s covered. Insurance covers 100%.

    So, let’s say your coverage is 60% for most stuff. If you have $100,000 in medical charges for the year, you’ll pay all of the first $3000. Then you’ll pay 40% of the next $7500, which totals another $3000. Now you’ve paid $6000 total, which is your maximum OOP. So the insurance should cover everything after that.

    Most years we don’t come anywhere near our maximum OOP, but a couple years ago when our costs were very high we hit that maximum. Since the insurance would cover everything else for the rest of the year, we scheduled all the stuff we’d procrastinated on to get it done while it was “free”.

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  67. There’s a Sherwin Williams store opening near me, not sure it’s open yet, last I saw it said “coming soon.” I’ve reached out to some bead board people for a primer on how and what to buy.

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