I gardened in this heat from 10 am until 1:30. Now it’s time for a nap.
Offering this as alternate programming for anyone who isn’t up for talking politics or even thinking about politics on this hot summer day.
Another vacation photo. Pretty sure that my sweet little Henry will be napping with me!
“Henry, would you like to take a nap?”
Open thread.
WaterGirl
See you when I get up from my nap. :-)
japa21
Never have been able to nap. At least not and feel like it did me any good. Usually wake up feeling worse than when I started.
different-church-lady
Just another lazy Friday afternoon.
Jeffro
On a non-politics note: we are prepping the house with decorations and balloons for Fro Jr’s HS graduation party (which will be later this evening) and it’s been fun just gabbing amongst ourselves. Plus the occasional hit of helium. ;)
It should be a fun night, minus whatever music he’s going to whip up on his portable speaker-thingy.
Omnes Omnibus
@different-church-lady: Woohoo! The weekend is starting.
Nukular Biskits
Chilling today.
Took off the past two weeks (had leave to burn, things to do, etc) and worked my butt off. Celebrated a wee bit too much last night and I return to the office tomorrow, so today’s goal is to absolutely nothing productive.
And, just woke up from a nap I took while in the swing on the porch.
zhena gogolia
@japa21: Me too. But I might reconsider if I had Henry.
eclare
@japa21:
I have never been able to nap, either. I must have driven my mom crazy as a child.
JPL
@Jeffro: A young man graduated last weekend. About a month ago, the juniors decorated his trees with toilet paper. Fortunately the price has come down.
eclare
@Jeffro:
Congratulations to Fro Jr!
eclare
Always happy to see Henry’s ears!
Lazy Sunday, having a Dateline marathon and trying to stay cool, 90 here in Memphis.
lowtechcyclist
@different-church-lady:
Six and a half months from now, ALL my afternoons will be Friday afternoons.
Nukular Biskits
@lowtechcyclist:
Retirement?
If so, I’m jealous and I hate you. ;>)
zhena gogolia
@eclare: God, I hated those enforced naps in kindergarten and early grade school. We each had a little rug and we had to put it on the floor and lie there for half an hour. EXCRUCIATING BOREDOM, I’ve never forgotten it. I never fell asleep for a nanosecond. It was just to give the teacher a break. I would have sat happily with a book for half an hour, but NOOO.
eclare
@zhena gogolia:
Ha! I remember those too! I just lay there on my mat, eyes wide open, for however long it was. I even remember that ridiculous woven mat.
Luckily that was only in kindergarten, no naps in first grade.
Omnes Omnibus
@zhena gogolia: Napping isn’t really something I have ever been good at. Unless ill or really hungover.
zhena gogolia
@eclare: It was itchy!
zhena gogolia
@Omnes Omnibus: Same here.
Baud
I just woke up from a nap.
ETA: DeSantis would be outraged if he knew how woke I am.
eclare
@zhena gogolia:
At least yoga mats have some give. These were woven strips of fabric over a hard linoleum floor. Ugh. And yes, itchy.
oatler
Jay Raynor reviews a London pub and the comments are energetic:
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jun/04/the-parakeet-london-the-food-is-great-but-beware-of-the-dogs-restaurant-review
Baud
@zhena gogolia:
I can barely remember what happened 10 years ago.
mrmoshpotato
Just got up from a nap. Go Cubs and go Nuggets!
mrmoshpotato
@eclare:
Interesting choice.
eclare
@Baud:
When you are forced to pretend sleep, you remember a lot!
MoCaAce
Henry is adorbs! I started a hobby vineyard last year so I was out tying up vines in the heat with our new labradoodle.
eclare
@mrmoshpotato:
Dateline is great! Unfortunately this is a Dennis Murphy, not a Keith Morrison, who is the Dateline god.
kalakal
How not to have a nap on the beach with your dogs
let sleeping dogs lie
eclare
@kalakal:
Hahaha! Little fucker got what she deserved!
FelonyGovt
I gardened (= pulling some of the weeds that we neglected during our winter rains and allowed to take over our garden) for just an hour and an half and exhausted myself.
Jay
T’s getting back into working, so up at 6am today, so around 11am, I went down for a nap. Up now, found out she also took a nap.
Never used to be able to nap at all, but 4 years of early/long hours, irregular shifts, and on days off, naps became a need.
Jay
BTW, Tara Reade has made it onto Vatnick Soup’s radar.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Jay: she was on Megyn Kelly’s podcast, and Will Stincel is still defending her, both post-“defection”. The Horseshoe is real
zhena gogolia
@Baud: You will love this. We were in church this morning. At the end of one of the prayers, the minister said, “We’ll continue our prayers silently.” I closed my eyes and waited for the voice of God, and what I heard was “Fuck DeSantis.” I started giggling, hope no one heard me. I really think it was God!
kalakal
I feel justified in having a nap having spent the morning turning a compost heap and spreading the composted bit around the garden. ‘Twas a big heap and I’m no longer young
JoyceH
Oh, the kindergarten naps! NOBODY ever fell asleep! Well, ever so often one person would and they would be a hero for the day.
sukabi
Henry: “Yes, the couch is quite nice for napping!”
Jay
@sukabi:
Henry was never on the couch. He was on a blanket and pillows, that just happened to be on top of the couch. The blanket and pillow’s were the ones that should have been yelled at,……
TheronWare
There’s a good doggie!
Baud
@zhena gogolia:
Have you attended any Paramore concerts recently?
Phylllis
@lowtechcyclist: 15 days from now for me.
Baud
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
I’m glad I don’t consume political media anymore.
sukabi
@Jay: couch enough that Watergirl wrote a post about it….and you KNOW Henry was under the blanket at some point prior to Watergirl entering the room….
kalakal
This is a special weekend for me. After 5 years I have completed my course of allergy shots. No more being pumped full of wasp venom, hornet venom, and antihistamines every 8 weeks. Yee Hee!!!
Jay
@sukabi:
we will see you in court,……..
Henry was in the blanket, not under it.
Miss Bianca
@oatler: That was funny!
zhena gogolia
@Baud: I’m sure that clip had some kind of effect on channeling the voice of the divine.
Maxim
@kalakal: Congrats!
eclare
@kalakal:
Yay!
lowtechcyclist
@Nukular Biskits:
Yep, retirement.
I turn 70 early next year, and I vowed many years ago that I would quit by then. So I’m doing it.
Fortunately, my body doesn’t seem to think it’s pushing 70, so I should have a number of good years to do all the fun outdoorsy stuff I really want to do.
Mel
I just love Henry’s sweet expression. He is such a handsome little guy!!
kalakal
@lowtechcyclist:
That’s good to hear. I have around 2 to 2 & 1/2 years to go. My biggest fear is being in no condition to do all the stuff I want to do. So far, so good
Benw
Handsome
Energetic
Napping
Ruff
You’re a good boy! Who’s a good boy? You are!
lowtechcyclist
@zhena gogolia:
I’d be saying, “no, Lord, you fuck DeSantis! You’re the one who’s all omnipotent and stuff.”
At that point, it would be up to Him to show me how I can cause DeSantis to get well and truly fucked, or do it Himself.
trollhattan
@zhena gogolia: “Not even with thine dick, Lord God. Sorry! Amen.”
trollhattan
Wish to follow up on Gus, our friends’ dog who was in the process of being carried away by a coyote Friday morning when dad intervened and saved him. Gus is back home from UC Davis vet hospital (lord knows what that bill must be) and mending, after two surgeries. Being a very old Gus he must fight off infection now, which will be touch and go for awhile, but Gus lives!
Have repeated to my Rocco about the dangers of the yard squirrels. Does he listen? Nope. I think he’s smart enough to not tangle with the raccoons, but huntin’ dogs have that switch.
zhena gogolia
@trollhattan: I’m glad Gus pulled through!
lowtechcyclist
Anyone in the greater DC area hear a loud boom about 3:10pm today?
WTOP:
Annapolis OEM:
My wife and I didn’t hear a thing, fwiw.
Nukular Biskits
@lowtechcyclist:
I’ll be 59 this October and I’m seriously contemplating retiring when I turn 63.
Yeah, it’ll be a hit in terms of Social Security but I’ve seen too many coworkers work until they couldn’t and then not be able to enjoy their retirements at all.
I have a friend who managed to work her way up from gov’t typing pool (back when that was a thing) all the way to a GS-15. Due to being under the “old” federal retirement system, she was able to retire in her mid-50s about 8 years ago. Her reasoning? Her and her husband wanted to be able to travel while they were still in good health and enjoy life. It’s good they did: He was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer that had moved into his bones.
That and some other life-changing events are causing me to reevaluate whether sticking around until 67.5 so I can draw full SS is really worth it.
NotMax
Nap Bar.
sukabi
@Jay: lol
Phylllis
@Nukular Biskits: I plan to take my SS next year at 62. Like you, I want to draw it while I’m in good shape and can enjoy it. Hubby and I have lots of travel plans.
NotMax
Thread needs music. Just for funsies, howzabout some Moms?
;)
trollhattan
@Nukular Biskits: Plan for it and see what happens in four years. Paying for healthcare (supplemental Medicare insurance) is near numero uno on the budget, with housing and food. Is there money left over for fun things? Then it may be the right time.
As I found out during first covid then Vlad’s big European adventure, externalities can shred retirement accounts in an eyeblink, in my case about four year’s net pay was gone by Q2 of 2022, following the invasion.
What if China invades Taiwan?
To your point, being financially comfortable while staring at death is not the playbook I signed up for. While waiting for the office elevator one morning several years ago, doors burst open and a guy was wheeled out on a gurney by paramedics. He didn’t make it so in fact, died at his desk. Happy? Who’s to say.
ETA which year can you begin drawing SS without taking the penalty if you keep working? I’d look at that year as Plan B.
raven
@Phylllis: I waited until the very latest and my wife took hers at the earliest!
raven
@trollhattan: I highly recommend “Medicare School” on YouTube. It is delivered by a broker but the information is great.
Stay away from Advantage policies.
lowtechcyclist
@Nukular Biskits:
I completely understand!
Part of the reason I worked into my late 60s is that my wife is 11 years younger than I am, and she would have been most unhappy if I’d retired years before she could. She just retired a month ago, and now I’m staying on just long enough to help out with a once-a-decade project where my knowledge will make a big difference. But come mid-December, I’m outa here.
NotMax
@raven
Right there with you. Waited until I turned 70, when payout amounts cease accruing.
Nukular Biskits
@trollhattan:
I’ve been prelim’ing the numbers and, assuming (and we know what that means) no major market crashes, wars, pandemics, etc, I think it’ll work but I’m not going to pull the trigger until at least 63.
Another factor in all this is work burnout. I’ll spare the details but the crap we (meaning the fed gov’t, contractors, etc) are delivering to the US Navy has got me to the point that I really don’t want my name associated with the program I’ve supported for nearly 36 years. It’s time for a change and if the #s supported it, I think I’d go work as a Walmart greeter until I could draw SS.
kalakal
My retirement as regards pensions is a bit complex. I have a local govt pension which becomes active at 65 ( I’m vested so could quit tomorrow). No US SS ( city scheme pays medicare but not SS) . UK pension at 66 & 2 months ( bastards changed it from 65 to 67, If I was 11& 1/2 months older I could collect at 65). Plus works pensions from UK (65) & private stuff here. At the moment 65 looks like the target, so grit teeth & hang on 2 and a bit years
Layer8Problem
@lowtechcyclist: I was around Farragut Square and didn’t hear a thing, but I’m assured by my better half that I’m generally oblivious.
Note to Steeplejack and all regarding my unsupported morning humidity whinge: once I got out and jogged it was in fact delightful, a credit to the District for such weather. But I dropped my phone during my cool down and killed my screen, so I think honor is satisfied.
Nukular Biskits
@Phylllis:
The primary reason for me continuing to work is to pay for all the stuff I like to do (working in the yard, gardening, building things, etc).
Too bad I can’t get paid to do things I actually enjoy! LOL
Phylllis
@Nukular Biskits: It’s funny, when I was paycheck to paycheck, I seemed to have all the needs. Now that I’m comfortable, I don’t seem to need or want anything. Exception for books.
Ohio Mom
Just stoping by to say Ohio Dad and I just finished cleaning one side of the garage. I would feel better if it was the whole garage but that’s all we could manage today. Still, progress.
At this rate, another year and we will be able to sell this house.
Ohio Mom
@kalakal: It’s not the pensions, it’s the medical coverage that makes retiring early fraught.
Van Buren
Today I learned that it is a bad idea to give a ball that squeeks to a dachshund mix. If I take it from her I get the saddest eyes on Earth. When she gets it back, it makes everyone in the house homicidal, but she is in ecstasy.
eclare
@Ohio Mom:
Good for you! Any forward progress counts.
trollhattan
@raven: 👍👍👍
WaterGirl
@different-church-lady: hahaha
JMG
I retired two weeks after my 65th birthday. Did some freelance writing after that, and have stopped that. I advise all of you, unless you have a career you truly love, to retire as soon as you think it’s financially feasible. Retirement is terrific if you have any outside interests at all, and I know the folks here have plenty of ;em.
zhena gogolia
@WaterGirl: Haha, just got it!
gwangung
I felt very productive today (exercised, gathering headshots, prepping ads, reserving rehearsal space). Justified in taking a nap. A reading is yet to come….
WaterGirl
@zhena gogolia: Henry is honored!
WaterGirl
@zhena gogolia: @eclare: I had the coolest rug! It was very soft, and featured some sort of animal, and the threads on the animal parts of the rug were raised,
WaterGirl
@mrmoshpotato: If we ever play team sports on Balloon Juice, it will be nappers vs. non-nappers!
WaterGirl
@kalakal: That is awesome. Good boy!
WaterGirl
@FelonyGovt: Winter rains! Humble brag from California! :-)
WaterGirl
@Jay: Henry appreciates that you have his back.
kalakal
@Ohio Mom: In my case both, but yes, that’s why I’m looking at 65.
WaterGirl
@trollhattan: Glad Gus has made it this far. Come on, Gus! You can do this.
mrmoshpotato
@WaterGirl:
Non-nappers will be at a disadvantage!
mrmoshpotato
@trollhattan: Go Gus!
CaseyL
@Van Buren:
Perhaps she’ll get tired of it soon…?
(Or break it. But then you’ll have to get her another one!)
I was planning to retire at 70, but my condo is going to get hit with a massive assessment. So… in until 72, because I can pay off my mortgage from my IRA, or pay off the assessment from my IRA, but not both.
WaterGirl
@mrmoshpotato: As a napper, I can honestly say that doesn’t bother me a bit. :-)
Another Scott
Dead Open Thread, but in case she missed it – one for Schrodinger’s Cat:
APOD for June 4, 2023 – Color the Universe.
Cheers,
Scott.