barbult's Discursion Thread

Ron Knights · July 17

You have a habit of falling on your vacations.

Glad he softened your landing.

Richard Haseltine · July 17

barbult said:

I rode in a Hot Air Balloon this morning at sunrise and then went to the Balloon Museum. In the gift shop I saw Richard Haseltine taking a rather unique balloon ride.

Ah, air-skiing. Though I gather I should have used a speed boat, not a speed moke.

Richard Haseltine · July 17

barbult said:

And I didn't drop the camera, but winds picked up an we had a hard landing. The basket thumped hard on the ground, bounced, and tipped over. They had warned us that could happen. We survived OK. My husband was a little smashed by me falling on top of him.

A little too adventurous, by the sound of it.

barbult · July 18

These were taken by the ground crew and texted to us.

barbult · July 18

Richard Haseltine said:

barbult said:

I rode in a Hot Air Balloon this morning at sunrise and then went to the Balloon Museum. In the gift shop I saw Richard Haseltine taking a rather unique balloon ride.

Ah, air-skiing. Though I gather I should have used a speed boat, not a speed moke.

I had to research what a "moke" is. You Brits have a strange vocabulary - strange to me anyway.

Ron Knights · July 18

You two look alike!

barbult · July 18

Ron Knights said:

You two look alike!

Maybe that's what happens after 50 years together.

Ron Knights · July 18

Yeah! You look great! It's nice to see you both!

Artini · July 18

barbult said:

These were taken by the ground crew and texted to us.

You both look great. What an adventure...

Thanks for posting.

Ron Knights · July 18

I hope you don't mind. I just printed an 8x10" colored picture to show my friends.

You know I've been sharing parts of your wonderful story. They'll love to see "The Real You Two, on the hot air baloon!"

barbult · July 18

That's fine Ron. I can be scary, I suppose, but not that day. David is doing 3D stereo photography. We are at an NSA convention in Albuquerque. (National Stereoscopic Association).

Ron Knights · July 18

You are not scarey. You're a great looking couple.

My friends loved your picture. They also loved the parts of your ongoing story I shared with them.

It's difficult to share the story because many of them don't have a computer or the Internet.

So I printed some of the pictures and told them the story.

You really look like some of those old comedies. Like Around the World in 80 days!

You ought to star in a movie!

Ron Knights · July 18

I've decided to convert two of my computers back to dual monitors.

I remember how nice it was to use DAZ Studio with a dual monitor setup.

I put away two 24" monitors about 5 years ago. I wanted to reduce the clutter on my desks. So far I've pulled one 24" monitor out of the closet and dusted it off. I just need to find the proper cables to reconnect it.

The other 24" monitor will go on a monitor arm to raise it about the desk where I deal with my "business stuff" including printing, etc.

I'm recreating my family trees. It's so much nicer when I can have Family Tree Maker on one screen, and the Ancestry web site on the other screen.

Richard Haseltine · July 18

barbult said:

Richard Haseltine said:

barbult said:

I rode in a Hot Air Balloon this morning at sunrise and then went to the Balloon Museum. In the gift shop I saw Richard Haseltine taking a rather unique balloon ride.

Ah, air-skiing. Though I gather I should have used a speed boat, not a speed moke.

I had to research what a "moke" is. You Brits have a strange vocabulary - strange to me anyway.

"Origin unknown" according to the Concise Oxford, and apparently it is used in Australia to mean a very poor horse rather than a donkey. I would have guessed it to be a US term, I can just pictue a grizzled prospector using it to describe his donkey or mule

barbult · July 18

Richard Haseltine said:

barbult said:

Richard Haseltine said:

barbult said:

I rode in a Hot Air Balloon this morning at sunrise and then went to the Balloon Museum. In the gift shop I saw Richard Haseltine taking a rather unique balloon ride.

Ah, air-skiing. Though I gather I should have used a speed boat, not a speed moke.

I had to research what a "moke" is. You Brits have a strange vocabulary - strange to me anyway.

"Origin unknown" according to the Concise Oxford, and apparently it is used in Australia to mean a very poor horse rather than a donkey. I would have guessed it to be a US term, I can just pictue a grizzled prospector using it to describe his donkey or mule

The Internet tells "In the United States, "moke" is a modern slang term for a mixture of cannabis and tobacco, usually smoked out of a bong or water pipe.". I've never heard of that, though.

WendyLuvsCatz · July 18

I really wanted a Mini Moke when I was young but everyone talked me out of it saying it was unsafe

I eventually ended up riding motorscooters even in my 50's so probably safer than that

richardandtracy · July 19

The groundsman at my junior school had a mini moke. He bombed about in it in summer and used his collection of tractors in winter. Only if the weather was foul did he use his canvas topped short wheelbase Landrover. Fantastic vehicles. Regards, Richard

background · July 19

I believe the Mini Moke was developed with the idea of it being a light weight military vehicle, possibly suitable for airborne troops, but it was rejected by the military because of its low ground clearance.

WendyLuvsCatz · July 19

Australia had the Purvis Eureka kit car that used a Volkwagon Beetle chassis as it's base

considerably more affordable for 3DIO than a Lamborgini though somewhat slower

apparently good for EV conversions these days as lightweight

Ron Knights · July 19

Those cars look great.

Hope you don't mind I share some good news.

I was talking to some of my friends at lunch. One of the ladies said she liked rain. I said "I hate the rain," and told the ladies about a book of children's poetry I'd written around 1997.

I had posted some of my poetry on an Internet Usegroup. One lady reached out to me.

We met, and felt a strong connection. I eventually moved in with her and her two daughters, aged 8 and 10.

I wrote the book of poetry with them in mind. It was the first time I'd written that many poems that rhymed.

I printed out the book recently, and shared it with some friends. Now I'm thinking about doing some illustrations to go with the book.

Of course I get an anxiety attack thinking of it.

Ron Knights · July 22

I might be getting a cat soon.

So far I only have some preliminary information. The cat is 11 years old. The cat's family is moving, and they can't keep it. The cat is a real sweetie.

I'll let you know when I have more info.

So far I've received a couple texts from Tango's owner.

I've told myself a cat would be easier to care for since it would be too hard for me to take a dog outside for walks, etc.

I just don't have the strength to handle a walker and a dog at the same time.

I like cats. My ex-wife had two cats. They were precious.

I've always felt it would be extra special to adopt a senior animal.

In this situation I'd provide an easy transition for a cat who needs to leave her family.

Ron Knights · July 22

Is that a black panther?

barbult · July 22

Older cats can have lots of health problem.too, requiring expensive vet bills. I base that statement on knowing people with cats that grew old and got diabetes, requiring insulin shots, and had kidney problems. Their latest cat refuses to drink and has to go to the ver every two weeks for fluid injections. You'd better start saving for the vet bills right away!

WendyLuvsCatz · July 22

I honestly cannot understand people not liking cats

but then again, I am not fond of dogs

WendyLuvsCatz · July 23

on my walk home from the shops a couple of months ago, I grabbed a staffy by the collar that randomly ran across the road to me because there was traffic

it's owner soon came running after and took it

I actually said to him I am not fond of dogs but I was worried he'd get run over

so yeah, I don't really dislike dogs, in fact I didn't even think twice that it could bite me because the tail was wagging like crazy

just not fond of them, too attention demanding for me

richardandtracy · July 23

Strangely, I'd never discourage someone from getting a cat. They can get unwell as they age, same as dogs... and humans. Both cats and dogs confer health benefits and having a cat purring away on your lap is really beneficial. Cats are more independent, which is less exhausting when you're a bit frail. Swings and roundabouts. Dogs worship their owner (flattering), and often need the owner to think for them, which can be exhausting, cats don't and expect the worship to be conferred on them. It depends on the person's personality whether this is a good fit. Maine Coon cats are big, blundering and behave in a way that earns their reputation as a 'Dog lover's cat'. But.. they eat a lot and it all has to go somewhere... Regards, Richard.

Ron Knights · July 23

I am concerned that it would be unsafe for me to walk a dog and handle the walker at the same time.

It might be a safety issue just to "pick up" after the dog does its "business." Also, going out in bad weather could be hazardous.

I had some experience with cats when I was married. Yes they were independant. But they could be quite affectionate when they wanted. I still remember the one cat "making biscuits" when he sat on my lap. And his purring was very attractive as well. That cat had a unique personality. He was deaf, but loved to meow for attention.

I am beginning to have second thoughts about this potential new cat. Yes, there are bound to be many vet bills.

I'm concerned that the vet needs might be overwhelming, and that the cat might not have long to live.

I'm also thinking I might need more time to feel confident that I am ready to take in a cat. I want to be able to provide the cat the best possible life for the remainder of its days.

I've been communicating with a friend about the cat via texts. I think I will express my concerns via text tomorrow.

This is the woman who owns Tango. Tango is the retired service dog who visits us on some Fridays.

cosmosm · July 23

Ron Knights said:

Is that a black panther?

Was wondering if it was a melanistic puma (I don't know of them coming that way), Wikipedia says the movie used a puma with a dye job.

Ron Knights · July 23

Thanks again, everyone for all your input and concern.

I've spent many hours on Facebook reading about cats. I've gained so much helpful information that supplements my own experience.

At this point I will wait till I hear more info about this particular cat. Yes, I'm torn between the desire to get a companion and the reality of health concerns.

There's a part of me that prefers a dog. You might remember my dog Bandit. He was my loyal companion for 17 years.

In his case, I was lucky that he had very few health challenges in his long life. There were only 4 emergencies in 17 years.

My life was a lot more challenging in those days. I still had a lot of growing up to do.

At this stage of my life, I am very settled, and more capable of caring for a pet.

Ron Knights · July 23

I'm really worried about my mobility... and balance problems.

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