TEST!! Had this been an actual post, you'd have been instructed to...

[westgrandboulevard]

We're always wishing. Funny how we so easily forget that what we once wished for, we now have....

[moe]

.........and when we have it do we really need it?

[144man]

If we enjoy it, we needed it.

[westgrandboulevard]

Not sure I completely agree there, 144man?

It depends on perception of want and need.There's much to enjoy in achieving what we want [[but which also carries with it the possibility of disappointment), and little or no enjoyment but perhaps satisfaction in fulfilling our basic needs.

I'd say there's a lot of enjoyment in unexpected things we really could do without, weren't aware we wanted, and don't really need.....but which I'd still see as a real bonus.....

[moe]

You are so right westgrand. EXAMPLE: My mother has a stash of individual treats wrapped in her freezer. We are the only 2 who know they are there [[not my sister). I took her one this morning. She doesn't need the cake at all [[she is not obese) but the look on her face when I brought it [[with a Starbucks) was like she hit the jackpot!!!

[westgrandboulevard]

A little bonus can work a treat when people have become old and tired, and are having their modest needs met with good care and attention.

If living with dementia, the same treat can even be repeated regularly, maybe every day - as every day is a new day, should we ever reach that point....

[moe]

I think I'll remember the look/reaction of my mother for a VERY long time. She said something to me in Polish that only we understood. I will treasure that reaction!!!

[moe]

What's happening with the St Jude Storm, westgrand????

[westgrandboulevard]

The rain is torrential here on the south coast, but the wind seems to have diminished very much in power from earlier this evening.

Belle, an intrepid cat who is generally unfazed by rain as long as there is sufficient shelter available, has just sat briefly on the doormat and stared in disappointment at the rain outside, mentally cancelling her proposed patrol around 'the estate' - and has now come back in and quickly settled on the goose down duvet for the night.

I'm concerned about the Monterey pine we have here, which stands quite close to the house. If it ever were to fall this way, it would take out the cars parked along the front of the house - but hopefully, no-one with them. Alternatively, it could fall onto the neighbouring house.

Maybe this storm has been hyped, and there is a good chance we will escape any major damage.

[moe]

I hope all goes well and the Monterey Pine remains intact!! Be safe!!

Belle's no dummy!!!

[westgrandboulevard]

Just signing off.

Belle is stretched out on my bed, and will move around during the night, so I move also, to accommodate her. Which means I shall probably wake up with a body contorted into the shape of a capital 'S'.

The storm is gathering pace. Wind much louder. Rainwater has been blown in through a small top window in bedroom, and has soaked carpet in a small area. Window now shut, and this section is now closed.

I shall not be stirred. I am British!

G'night!

[moe]

Any damage, westgrand?

[144man]

I slept through the worst of it. I haven't seen much sign of any damage, but four people were killed.

[moe]

Oh, how terrible!! You are quite the heavy sleeper, 144man!

[144man]

I have a sleep routine developed over the years. It works every time.

[westgrandboulevard]

Yes Moe, sadly, there were some fatalities, power lost in some areas, floods, trees on rail lines etc.

Overall, not as bad the media might have predicted, but best to warn people. Without warning, there could have been more fatalities. Like 144man, I slept right through.

The lead item on BBC news tonight at 10pm was a retrospective on the effects of the storm - which did make me feel it was a slow news day.

And the Monterey Pine still stands tall here- and so do I, at least to the best of my ability!

[moe]

Stubborn tree...........glad to hear you're all intact!!

[westgrandboulevard]

The magpies, jays and pigeons were soon back, perching high up on the various branches.

Thank goodness they don't try that with my head....

[moe]

HAHAHA!! You have a way with words!

[westgrandboulevard]

None of the birds I know can read, so words are ineffective.

'Keep Off' just doesn't do it with them......

[144man]

I was surprised to see flying foxes in the garden. I didn't think we had them in Britain.

[moe]

First class or coach?

[westgrandboulevard]

In the US, does 'coach' mean any seat which is not first class - ?

[moe]

Coach is another way of saying economy, too!

[westgrandboulevard]

OK, got it. I guess that relates to air travel, which would be a whole new world to me, as I drive everywhere.

And...I got my first speeding ticket in about 45 years of driving, just last week.....

[moe]

Was it one of those photo radar things?

[westgrandboulevard]

I guess so, as I saw no-one with a hand held detector. Can't quite think how I did it. 39mph in a 30 limit, and I'm generally quite careful. Guess I moved from a 40 to 30 zone, didn't register that, or didn't reduce speed - or, I could briefly have hit 39 if overtaking someone pulling in.

Either way, I have to accept I did it.

[moe]

Ohhh, I REALLY feel for you westgrand!!! I know when we were in Ireland the locals were telling us all about it. When I lived in Phoenix in the late 80's a section of the city had started it and was quickly voted down as "unconstitutional."

[westgrandboulevard]

I think we've had the same discussion here before. I'll still say that if I did break the speed limit i.e. the law - then I have to deal with the consequences.

Some say the traffic cameras are unfair, and just there as an easy method of extracting money from motorists.My view is, in almost all cases, there would be no money to pay if the drivers had kept within the appropriate limit. Their fault and, in this instance, mine too.

[moe]

OK, your opinion, and noted. Mine? They're unfair.

[westgrandboulevard]

But what about the times I and others did break the laws for speeding, and didn't get caught....?

[moe]

Did you have control of your car?

[westgrandboulevard]

Yes, on all occasions. Our speed limits here in UK are strict. They have to be, as the roads are small in comparison to US, but often busy.

We have more bends [[in this part of the world, some originated as cattle tracks)

Cars are more powerful now for the small roads - I drive a VW Touran, manual transmission, diesel. It's hard to keep under the limits, and watch for all the signs.

There is a tolerance on the speed limit - if I'd been doing 37mph instead of 39, I may not have received a penalty notice.

It's my first offence, so I have the option of going on a Driver Awareness Course, which costs £100. That way, I don't pay the fixed penalty [[which is a similar figure) or get any points on my licence. That's what I'm going to do. Also, the car is registered in my partner's name, but I keep a record of where I/we go, which usually indicates who was driving - and I know it was me driving on that occasion.

[moe]

This, my friend, is where we go in different directions. Yes, I know about driving in Scotland/Ireland.
I'm the one who puts her car on the track & DRIVES!!!!

[westgrandboulevard]

Me too, if I can, so it proves tedious, keeping everything tightly controlled in built-up areas.

We can hit 70mph on a motorway, but I live in one of the few UK counties without a motorway, so there isn't one in my local area. That, of course, also has an 'up' side.

What are the speed limits over there?

[moe]

Depends where you go. On the turnpike and some interstates it's 70mph. That means we go at least 70!
Pennsylvania only has 65mph limit. Some western states are 75.80. and 1 place in Texas I know of is 85.

[westgrandboulevard]

What exactly is difference between 'turnpike' and 'interstates' [[highways?) - ?

Yes, on motorways and other roads here, the speed limit is generally regarded as the minimum speed! Some areas around schools and/or villages with difficult roads, it's 20mph.

Do you have any minimum speed limits - ?

[moe]

Turnpikes you have to pay to use the road. Interstates are free.
No minimums here.
What might make you laugh, westgrand is being in Detroit going into town on the 10 and watching the racing old ladies with their thick dark glasses barely above the steering wheels in their big old cars [[i.e. cadillacs, buicks, etc). ZOOM!!!!!!!!

[westgrandboulevard]

When I drive up-country, we have a motorway here which has an alternate route where you pay a toll - and I do.

I'll need to check it out but I'm sure I read years ago that some US freeways had sections where there was a minimum speed, to keep the traffic flowing. Perhaps it didn't work out.

Oh, those old girls, and boys. We have them here. Driving automatics, when they plain shouldn't be driving at all. They have accidents, sometimes kill people,and say the car revved too fast, and they couldn't stop it. Dementia....

Over here, when we hit 70 years old, we only have to declare we are fit to drive [[eyesight, reactions etc) - and repeat every three years, but are supposed to tell our doctor if we feel we may have developed difficulties. I think that should be tightened up. How about over there?

[moe]

Well, there are eye exams every 4 years here in Ohio. But, I think people over 75-80 should have to show they are fit drivers.
At the ripe age of 90 my mother surrendered her car keys [[with a bit of coaxing) just last week. THANK GOD!!!!

[westgrandboulevard]

I agree to a point, as there is always the possibility, if not probability, of reduced powers - but I think people of all ages should have regular assessments.

'A bit of coaxing' = A straitjacket.

[moe]

"A bit of coaxing=I stole the keys & wouldn't give them back."

[westgrandboulevard]

And that lock to her apartment should be changed. Tell it like it is, Moe.....

[moe]

Her apt is no more.........she moved TODAY!!!!!!

[westgrandboulevard]

I wonder how a 'welcome to your new home' card will go with her....

Make sure you have easy access to the new apt!

[moe]

I do. She's is assisted living & has already made friends in 4 days!! Doesn't seem too worried about the car these days.

[westgrandboulevard]

She's now living just for the day.

Yesterday probably doesn't matter any more. Car? What car...

[moe]

Not the car but everything else..........

[westgrandboulevard]

If you ever find the worrying thought going through your head "will this be me, one day
?", you're not alone.....

[moe]

Oh, you are so right!!!!