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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Friday Open Thread (+ Heads Up)

Friday Open Thread (+ Heads Up)

by WaterGirl|  July 14, 20231:35 pm| 107 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Talk About Whatever You Want

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I started to schedule this open thread for 2 pm, but then changed it to 11 am in the hopes that we will have some Grand Jury / Special Counsel / Indictment news this afternoon.  I will gladly take any of the three today, or all of them!

edit: Then I moved it back because other posts were up!

A quick heads up on a couple of things.

First, soccer.  This is really an open thread with a couple of PSAs, so jump right past this if you’re not interested in soccer.

Blue Guitarist let me know that the Women’s World Cup starts in less than a week.  Putting up a post for each match is a ton of work – all hail Anne Laurie for having done that for the soccer peeps for the other World Cup – but those threads don’t get a ton of action, so with lots of work and little reward, that’s not happening again.

I’m willing to try an experiment for the Women’s World Cup.

I made three soccer posts, one for each of the soccer groups (whatever they are called).  All three posts are linked in the sidebar, and each post has the schedule for that particular set.  So at the very least, you’ll have easy access to the schedule!  If you want a designated place to talk soccer for the World Cup, the 3 posts are there, or you can obviously talk soccer in any open thread.  Even though the posts won’t be on the front page, any comments will show up in recent comments, so if you comment, I imagine you’ll soon have company in the thread.

It’s an experiment, and the results may well show that there’s not enough soccer interest to do this again, but that’s what experiments are for, to be able to see the results!

Second, OzarkHillbilly.

As you know, Ozark’s family had a terrible loss, with Ozark’s brother Dave recently taking his own life. We can’t do anything tangible to help Ozark with the terrible and unexpected loss of a loved one, but there are logistical and financial issues that Dave’s wife, Renee, is having to deal with as she loses not only her husband, but also her home.  We approached Ozark to ask if we could help in some way.

So this is a heads up that we’ll put up a small GoFundMe this weekend to see if we can help, even a little bit.

Totally open thread.

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Reader Interactions

107Comments

  1. 1.

    Alison Rose

    July 14, 2023 at 1:49 pm

    I think the limited WWC posts are totally fine, and those of us who follow it can also babble in the open threads, as you noted :)

    Sending love to you, Ozark <3

  2. 2.

    Gretchen

    July 14, 2023 at 1:50 pm

    What happened with Renee’s home? Terrible to have to deal with that at such a time. Love to you, Ozark. Hope we can help.

  3. 3.

    Paul in KY

    July 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    Very sorry, Ozark, on the loss of your brother.  Really sorry for his family, too.

  4. 4.

    Suzanne

    July 14, 2023 at 2:07 pm

    Ozark…. I’m so, so sorry. Hugs.

  5. 5.

    cain

    July 14, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    I’m so sorry, Ozark for you and your brother’s wife who must be so devasted. I’ll do what I can.

  6. 6.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 2:25 pm

    I’m a WoSo fanatic who doesn’t follow the men’s game much beyond our local team so…bring them forth! And also, too, get ready because the next WWC may well be hosted by Mexico-US. There are four bids and the announcement is May 2024.

    Nice article on the USWNT, who are in for a tough tourny this go. There are at least five top contenders and we have our weak spots.

  7. 7.

    Joy in FL

    July 14, 2023 at 2:25 pm

    Ozark,

    I am so sorry for your whole family.
    I send all of you kind and supporting thoughts.

  8. 8.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 2:26 pm

    So sorry, Ozark. That’s unbelievably sad and cruel.

  9. 9.

    Butch

    July 14, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    Long, long ago in a blog far, far away, wasn’t there a front page writer here (I’m certain his name began with an R) who created lots of posts about international soccer?  I remember in particular because when we were returning from one really horrible trip to Central America the airport in Honduras was blaring a soccer game at the threshold of pain, and this guy actually recalled what countries would have been playing.

  10. 10.

    Brachiator

    July 14, 2023 at 2:35 pm

    Ozark, I am so sorry for your loss. Please take care.

  11. 11.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 14, 2023 at 2:35 pm

    @Butch:

    Randinho, yeah. I’ve wondered about him.

  12. 12.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 14, 2023 at 2:40 pm

    I don’t exactly follow women’s (or any) soccer, but in the interests of broadening my mind, I’m glad to have these thread links. Thanks, WH!

    And do count me in for the fundraiser for Ozark’s SIL. What a devastating prospect for her, losing her home. Let’s do what we can to keep that from happening.

  13. 13.

    Butch

    July 14, 2023 at 2:40 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: That’s it!

  14. 14.

    Maxim

    July 14, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    The USNWT has more followers/fans nationally (and internationally?) than the men’s team, so I’m glad there’ll be a place to chat about it in addition to the open threads.

    Ozark, my heart goes out to you and your family.

  15. 15.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    Okay fellow humans, give yourselves a hand. We’re number one, we’re number one!

    The National Weather Service believes the Furnace Creek Location in Death Valley could get to 129 degrees or possibly 131 degrees on Sunday. If this happens, it will be the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.

    However, there’s been some dispute on that being the hottest day ever recorded. The Guinness World Record marked 134 degrees in that same spot back in 1913.

    Guessing German heat tourists have booked up all the rental cars to go experience it in person.

  16. 16.

    BellaPea

    July 14, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    We just found out yesterday that our 19-year-old cat, P’Nut is in the early stages of kidney failure. It was not a surprise, but still hard news to hear. The vet has recommended that we give her hospice care prescription food, so going to get that soon. If anyone has any other suggestions on how we can help her, please let me know.

  17. 17.

    TaMara

    July 14, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    Oh, Ozark, I am so sorry for the loss your entire family has suffered. There are no words adequate. But whatever we can do to help, I’m in for.

  18. 18.

    Old School

    July 14, 2023 at 2:52 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Looks like Randinho is still active on Twitter.

    His last post on Balloon Juice was December 2016, so it’s been a bit.

  19. 19.

    WaterGirl

    July 14, 2023 at 2:54 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: We tried to get in touch with Randinho for the 20th anniversary, but with no luck, I believe.  John was doing the reaching out, which is why I am hedging a bit. :-)

  20. 20.

    WaterGirl

    July 14, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: She’s definitely going to lose the house one way or another.  The extended family all chipped in so that the house won’t be foreclosed on, but it has to be sold, either breaking even or netting a very small amount.  The hope is to have a little bit of money for Renee in the short run as she has to find a place to live, etc.  Moving always costs money, and when you’re grieving most of your brain is screaming at you about the loss, so money worries on top of that is even harder.

    *My take on the situation.  Ozark may well correct me!

  21. 21.

    TaMara

    July 14, 2023 at 2:59 pm

    @BellaPea: WereBear probably has some solid advice – but from me:  make sure that prescription food is wet food – I know vets who prescribe dry kidney-health food and it’s not helpful.  (ETA: If she hates the prescription food, just go with any wet food she likes and makes her happy. Emma was getting whatever she wanted her last couple of years. 19 year olds get to make the rules. )

    Mostly make sure she’s drinking, if she doesn’t have a water fountain, I highly recommend, Amazon has great ones (here) that are inexpensive and super easy to clean. If she doesn’t like the fountain, a glass of water can be oh-so tempting to some cats

    The vet had us use URO Maxx for one of ours who was prone to kidney issues, I don’t know if it helped, but it made me feel less helpless.

    Mostly just spoil her. And I’m so sorry! 19 is great, but I lost my Emma at 19 and I can tell you, it still was not enough. ❤️

  22. 22.

    2liberal

    July 14, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    randinho moved back to Argentina (I think) and stopped posting here.

  23. 23.

    WaterGirl

    July 14, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    @BellaPea: I lost my beloved kitty soulmate, Quiver, to kidney failure.  At this point, I say fuck the prescription food – I think the key is to get them to eat ANYTHING.

    Once they are willing to eat something on a given day, then sometimes they will eat other things that aren’t as yummy.

    My go-to food items at the end:

    • fresh shrimp from the deli
    • ground beef in a frying pan, like if you were going to make tacos. don’t drain the grease, that’s why they will eat it
    • very thinly sliced ham
    • kitty treats you can get at the grocery store that I wouldn’t have given at any other time.  Some are star shaped, if you come up with a brand name I can tell you if that’s the one.
    • Eggo mini-waffles.

    Something I wish I had known to look for.  Check your kitty’s gums  every couple of days.  They should be pink, if they are very pale, the kitty is super anemic, which can go with kidney failure.

    That’s all I’ve got, except appreciate every single day you have together.

  24. 24.

    John Cole

    July 14, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    @WaterGirl: No need to hedge. I talked to him and he just lost interest.

  25. 25.

    WaterGirl

    July 14, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    @John Cole: I knew you had reached out, but I couldn’t remember for sure if you had connected or not.  thanks for the update.

  26. 26.

    Hungry Joe

    July 14, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    @trollhattan: We spent a few days in Death Valley a few Januarys ago. I asked the motel manager if they closed in summer. “Nope,” he said. “Germans.”

  27. 27.

    Tinare

    July 14, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    @BellaPea:  Did they suggest fluids under the skin? I’ve had three elderly kitties (one 20 year old) who got some good quality time, I think, with me doing that a couple of times per week.  It helps keep them hydrated which keeps the kidneys working.

  28. 28.

    Maxim

    July 14, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    @BellaPea:

    @Tinare: If the vet does recommend subcutaneous fluids, I was able to get them at Costco with a prescription from the vet for significantly less than getting them from the vet would have been.

  29. 29.

    TaMara

    July 14, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    @WaterGirl: All of this!

    Basically, spoil, spoil, spoil them! ❤️

    I did not know about the gums. I will file that away because I’m sure it will come up at some point in this household.

  30. 30.

    Dagaetch

    July 14, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    @WaterGirl: my vet told me if my cat (18yr, kidney failure) didn’t want to eat the special food, find something else. She specifically said “I will never choose to die on the food hill, because the cat will!”.

    I’ve been giving my girl Fancy Feast pate, 2 cans a day, for the last 6+ months, and her kidney numbers are basically unchanged. Wet food is so much better than dry that I think any of them are probably okay. And yes to water fountains. One interesting thing I’ve learned is that my cat prefers wider food/water things; she was hesitating about food in her old metal bowl, so I started using a plate and she was much happier. Maybe her whiskers are more sensitive or something?

  31. 31.

    Kristine

    July 14, 2023 at 3:23 pm

    I am so sorry, Ozark.

  32. 32.

    sab

    July 14, 2023 at 3:25 pm

    Off Topic: I have been procrastinating for years on some stuff. Pending UPS strike has focussed me a lot. Finally sent my great  grandmother’s china to my sister’s kid. Packing it was a project. I spent years saving boxes and packing material that I hope was recyclable in CA. Afraid to package because stuff gets broken all the time, and my adventurous ( late lamented cat) never saw a shelf he didn’t want to climb. , and he broke a bunch of 100 year old cups when he stomped up onto the wrong shelf.

    We withheld his food for a day in spite. Couldn’t call it punishment since he had no idea what he had done. Just part of the vagaries of living with humans. So just human spite. Cats all know about that

    ETA Whatever. I packed madly, and carefully, and hopefully with recyclable in CA material.

  33. 33.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    @Hungry Joe:

    Hilarious!

    It’s a thing, and I do not know why it’s a thing even having a German background. “Next time, we invade Yemen. Practice!”

  34. 34.

    Quantum man

    July 14, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    @BellaPea: We have had numerous cats through the years have kidney failure. We learned how to give them sub q fluids. They did quite well and one lived for about four years with the disease. Giving sub q fluids is not hard assuming the cat tolerates it. All ours did fine with it. They had good quality life until kidneys finally gave out.

  35. 35.

    dmsilev

    July 14, 2023 at 3:29 pm

    @trollhattan: One of my summer students this year lived in Dubai for a while and so the current heat wave here in LA didn’t bother her. But, we looked at the forecast for Death Valley, did the conversion to Celsius (54-55) and she blinked and said “yeah, that’s really hot”.

  36. 36.

    Gin & Tonic

    July 14, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    @trollhattan: I have been there in the summer a few times, and the Germans aren’t *just* heat tourists. One time my son and I were having dinner in Pahrump (rhymes with “dump”), and the next table was 15-20 younger, single German men. The waitress told us they were test drivers – they take the Audis and Mercedes and BMW’s out into Death Valley when it’s 120+ and run them as hard as possible.

  37. 37.

    sab

    July 14, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    @Quantum man: My cat with hyperthyroid was a sweetie about getting his medication, but a master at spitting it out secretly unnoticed. Little genius killed himself. Breaks my heart. He thought he was being a good boy accepting his meds then spitting them out when I wasn’t looking.  Had no idea he was killing himself.

    I thought he was so good taking medicine, but I am finding spit out thyroid pills all over the house.

  38. 38.

    Mr. Bemused Senior

    July 14, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    @trollhattan: don’t mention the war!

    Ozark, My best wishes to you.

  39. 39.

    Butch

    July 14, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    @WaterGirl: My post was really more out of curiosity than a suggestion that he post again – I hope it wasn’t misinterpreted.  Thanks!

  40. 40.

    Dangerman

    July 14, 2023 at 3:40 pm

    Adding my condolences, Ozark. It’s happened a few times over the years in my world and it’s never easy. Take extra fine care right now.

    As for DV heat and Germans, what?

    My record, IIRC, is 115 or 116 (Paso Robles). After 110, it just doesn’t matter up to what I’ve felt at 115 or so. It’s just HOT. I can’t imagine 129. Or wanting to be in 129 as a tourist.

  41. 41.

    Gin & Tonic

    July 14, 2023 at 3:45 pm

    @Dangerman: One of the rangers in DV told us “once it gets above 120, you can really feel it.” It was 117 at the time, and we really felt it, despite what he said. But the highest I experienced was 121, which disappointed me, as I wanted to get to 122 (50 C) so I could show my European friends.

  42. 42.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    @Dangerman: I’ve done 118 twice: Redding, CA and Phoenix, HL. Phoenix was noticeably worse because it was August monsoon season so the humidity added to the fun and held the heat such that it’s still around a hundred at midnight. OTOH I traveled to Redding by motorcycle and cannot recommend that, not even a little.

    We were threatened with 110 here tomorrow, but they’re backing off to a mere 108. Believe it’s time for our new heat pump thingie to prove itself.

  43. 43.

    Raoul Paste

    July 14, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    Ozark :It’s terribly difficult thing, and I wish the best for you

  44. 44.

    mrmoshpotato

    July 14, 2023 at 3:52 pm

    @trollhattan:

    Guessing German heat tourists have booked up all the rental cars to go experience it in person. 

    Madness.  It’s 92 in Chicago right now, and I don’t even want to go onto my shaded back porch.

  45. 45.

    ixnay

    July 14, 2023 at 3:54 pm

    @BellaPea:

    As a retired veterinarian, I can say a couple of things: (1) 19 years is a good long haul (2) early stage kidney disease is not a surprise (3) don’t wait too long. We have 3 of 4 aged cats, and as I am currently disabled, I cannot (emotionally)  assist over the Rainbow Bridge

  46. 46.

    Old Man Shadow

    July 14, 2023 at 3:54 pm

    @BellaPea: Follow your vet’s advice. Otherwise, spoil your kitty. Cuddle with her if she lets you. Let her know how much she means to you. If she likes to travel, take her to her favorite places.

    Make the days count.

    That’s the best any of us can do for our loved ones.

  47. 47.

    Mel

    July 14, 2023 at 3:54 pm

    Ozark, I am so very sorry.

  48. 48.

    Old Man Shadow

    July 14, 2023 at 3:56 pm

    @trollhattan: Hmm… I thought inland Australia had hit the 130’s a couple years back.

  49. 49.

    BellyCat

    July 14, 2023 at 4:02 pm

    Speaking of temperature being exacerbated by humidity (and at the risk of offending half of the U.S. population), one reflects on the old adage about the South: “It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity.”

    Admittedly, recent political trends do seem to add a degree of credence.

  50. 50.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    Is there anything cuter than an otter stealing a surfboard? No, unless it’s your board.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66182428

  51. 51.

    Jeffro

    July 14, 2023 at 4:06 pm

    @trollhattan:

    @Hungry Joe:

    @dmsilev:

    @Gin & Tonic:

    @Dangerman:

    @Old Man Shadow:

    does anyone know where Al Gore’s supposed to go to pick up his apology?  I was wondering about that…

  52. 52.

    Stuart Frasier

    July 14, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: I’ve been to Death Valley a number of times, for canyoneering and group motorcycle rides.  I’ve also seen the hot weather auto testing platoons.  One annual ride has coincided with the Death Valley ultramarathon several times, which is a whole other level of crazy.  135 miles long and starts at 282 feet below sea level, in blistering weather.

  53. 53.

    Sister Golden Bear

    July 14, 2023 at 4:09 pm

    Adding my condolences, Ozark, to you, your family and especially your SIL.

  54. 54.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 4:10 pm

    @Old Man Shadow:

    IDK, they get picky about the instrumentation, data validation and such. Can well believe there are hotter places, but Death Valley is also unusual being well inland, isolated from the coast by the Sierra Nevada, and yet below sea level, PLUS having an official weather station. Like Mt Washington in NH, must be an interesting worksite.

    Still, would love to hear more about the Australia readings.

    “Oy mate, my dingo thermometer just recorded 55 bloody degrees!”
    “Sounds like a record, Bruce.”

  55. 55.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    @Stuart Frasier: Isn’t there some crazy run that begins in Death Valley and ends summiting Whitney? [checks]

    Okay, it once did but now MERELY goes to Whitney Portal. Sheesh.

    If you need inspiration to do anything this week in super-heated L.A., here it is. Runners in this summer’s Badwater 135 Ultramarathon will take off across Death Valley and over three mountain ranges to finish at the portal to Mt. Whitney west of Lone Pine, Calif. The race covers 135 miles with a combined (and grueling) 14,600 feet of gain. The brutally hot temperatures stoke this suffer-fest of a foot race. Got that? For example, in 2018, the temperature at the evening start was 118 degrees F — and remained above 110 degrees through much of the first night.

    The race was inspired by Al Arnold, the most badass distance runner you’ve never heard of. After two unsuccessful tries, Arnold, then 49, set out at 5 a.m. on Aug. 3, 1977, to run from Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in America (282 feet below sea level), to the top of Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S. (about 14,505 feet). He did it — in 84 hours, with stops and detours. Arnold’s feat was lauded in running circles and inspired the modern-day Badwater Ultramarathon.

  56. 56.

    Gin & Tonic

    July 14, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    @Stuart Frasier: This is one of my favorite “Death Valley in July” photos. Yes, there is water.

  57. 57.

    Brachiator

    July 14, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    The Internet says:

    The highest temperature ever recorded in Australia is 50.7 °C (123.3 °F), which was recorded on 2 January 1960 at Oodnadatta, South Australia, and 13 January 2022 at Onslow, Western Australia.

    Put a shrimp on that barbie, mate.

  58. 58.

    Baud

    July 14, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    @trollhattan:

    He did it — in 84 hours, with stops and detours

     
    Pussy.

  59. 59.

    Annie

    July 14, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    Thank you for the Women’s World Cup threads, WaterGirl.  I watched the friendly last Sunday and the stadium was full.

    It made me cry with happiness.

    When I was growing up — I’m 67 — women’s sports were almost nothing.  Oh, maybe a women’s match at Wimbledon would get some attention, Bobby Riggs v. Billie Jean King got coverage — I think that started to nudge the doors open —  but women’s sports did not often get coverage in the mainstream press.  And in person?  I asked if my high school could start a women’s rowing team — there was one for the guys — and the athletic director laughed.  Said women didn’t row.  (which I found out later was not true.)  We had no varsity women’s teams in any sport.  Girls were only encouraged to play things like golf or tennis so that we could be good companions for our husbands when we married, but we were not supposed to be serious competitors, and certainly we should not beat our husbands or boyfriends!

    So to see a stadium full of fans for a women’s game, and World Cup level competitions, is heaven for me.  I’ve already checked out the Women’s World Cup game times, got my live-stream options set up.  I’d like the U.S. to win — I’m a Yank — but mostly I’m just really happy to see how much women’s sports has progressed.

  60. 60.

    Sister Golden Bear

    July 14, 2023 at 4:19 pm

    The German tourists summer visits to Death Valley is definitely A Thing. Apparently the draw is that it’s so alien to their own experience. Both the vastness and the heat.

    There was a tragic case a few decades ago of a German family that disappeared, and their remains were found years later in a total unexpected direction from where they abandoned their van, after got stuck in the sand.  Best guess is they saw on the map that there was a military area south of them, which they walked towards assuming that (as in Germany) there would be a fence line with regular patrols. Unfortunately they didn’t realize that the area is so rugged, so remote and so harsh the there’s no fence line, let alone patrols, or even roads.

    Death Valley and much of the American West is a land of beauty, majesty, and absolutely no mercy.

  61. 61.

    TriassicSands

    July 14, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    @BellaPea:

    As you may already know, kidney disease is the primary cause of death in cats over the age of 14. The facts about feline kidney disease, as they were explained to me by a vet, are truly depressing. This may have changed because of improving testing techniques, but the vet told me that by the time testing shows there is a problem, the cat has already lost more than 60% of its kidney function. If P’Nut is only in the early stage at 19, she’s pretty fortunate.  I’ve always thought that trying to translate cat years to human years is questionable at best, because humans and felines are so different, but the current thinking is that a cat 19 years old is roughly the equivalent of a human who is 92. People over the age of 90 only make up about 4% of the U.S. population. So, 92 is already special.

    Apparently, Hills, Iams, Eukenuba, Hi Tor, and Royal Canin all make wet food for cats with kidney disease, but a lot of cats don’t seem to care for the special foods. Wet food is definitely preferable to dry food. It may also be possible to mix a prescription wet food with another wet food that P’Nut already likes. That wouldn’t give the maximum benefit, but it might get her to eat something that is better than a non-prescription food.

    Good luck to P’Nut.

  62. 62.

    TriassicSands

    July 14, 2023 at 4:25 pm

    Ozark, I’m truly sorry to hear about your loss.

  63. 63.

    Sister Golden Bear

    July 14, 2023 at 4:27 pm

    @trollhattan: In addition to racers having to climb up to the Mt. Whitney portal, they also have go over both the Panamint and White mountain ranges. Hallucinations due to sleep deprivation are considered “normal.” Participants often train by riding stationary bikes in saunas for hours.

  64. 64.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 14, 2023 at 4:27 pm

    Have some love for and your family from the Lost Coast. Ozark.

  65. 65.

    The Very Reverend Crimson Fire of Compassion

    July 14, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    Ozark:  I’m so sorry.  I’ve been through this experience recently with some folks I love, and my heart breaks for you and everyone you love.  Sending you light and love.

  66. 66.

    dkinPa

    July 14, 2023 at 4:32 pm

    Ozark, my condolences on your loss to you and your family.

  67. 67.

    Suzanne

    July 14, 2023 at 4:32 pm

    My heat record (official) is 122. I was ten, and spent much of the day in the pool, and the afternoon indoors.

    However, I want to note that 122 was the temperature at the airport weather station. If you stand in any parking lot in Phoenix in the summer, it will exceed 122.

  68. 68.

    zhena gogolia

    July 14, 2023 at 4:32 pm

    @Jeffro: I got to apologize to him at the end of an airline flight.

  69. 69.

    m.j.

    July 14, 2023 at 4:33 pm

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/14/wisconsin-teacher-fired-rainbowland-dolly-parton-miley-cyrus

    The Waukesha, Wisconsin school board has declared rainbows verboten.

    “Avert your eyes kids. The rain has stopped and the sun is coming out.”

    Have they started confiscating prisms?

  70. 70.

    sab

    July 14, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    @Suzanne: Yikes! I used to live in Las Vegas as a normal person, and one night my then husband came out of a casino and the clock told him it was 1:00 am and a second later the clock told him it was 1:00 -am

    We had nine dogs living in Las Vegas with threatening heat. I got away from that husband as soon as possible, and draggwd as many dogs along as I could.

  71. 71.

    Annie

    July 14, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    @BellaPea:

    Oh no.  So sorry to hear this.  I lost my beloved cat Harry to kidney disease last October;  he was 17 years old. He had been diagnosed  3 years before.

    If you try special cat food, try one can at a time to see if P’Nut will eat any of it.  Harry never would.  Utterly refused.  I tried mixing the prescription special stuff with his regular food — and Harry ate around the prescription stuff!  Finally the vet told me to just give him whatever food he would eat since there was no nourishment at all in food left in the dish.

    Best of luck to you and P’Nut.

  72. 72.

    Suzanne

    July 14, 2023 at 4:46 pm

    @sab: The heat tourism seems bonkers to me, but then again, I go do hot yoga in a 105-degree room and I love it. But it’s dark, and I take a cold shower afterward, which is awesome.

    Mr. Suzanne and I hiked Camelback Mountain one year on July 4, which was…. dumb.

    The Phoenix heat is fine to visit. The problem is when you have to do stuff. Drive, work, shop, whatever. That is when it gets stupid.

  73. 73.

    Geminid

    July 14, 2023 at 4:46 pm

    @WaterGirl: I have never nursed a gravely ill cat but it seems like Half and Half might be good food. I know healthy cats lap it right up.

  74. 74.

    sab

    July 14, 2023 at 4:48 pm

    @Annie: You seem so mature. I thought you were older than me. Apparently  you are two years younger.,What a waste of space I am. I am an idiot.

  75. 75.

    sab

    July 14, 2023 at 4:51 pm

    @Suzanne: My ideal tourist attraction is somewhere in northern Scotland. Nothing about the country. Just where my ancestors got kicked from. Trying to blend in to survive this time.

  76. 76.

    suzanne

    July 14, 2023 at 4:59 pm

    @sab: I want to fuck off to the North Pole, or somewhere relatively close and sparsely populated. I don’t mind bundling up.

  77. 77.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    July 14, 2023 at 5:04 pm

    @suzanne: I occasionally check temps around the earth on my weather app just for grins. I’ve seen 90+ degrees above the Arctic circle.

  78. 78.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 5:05 pm

    @Annie: Billie Jean King is keeping at it, promoting girls and youth sports and fighting for equality. It’s a joy to see.

  79. 79.

    trollhattan

    July 14, 2023 at 5:08 pm

    If you have the Nitter browser extension for Twitter, this link should work. Watch a little girl smack Mike Pence with a water balloon. You know, girls sports and all.

    https://nitter.net/LePapillonBlu2/status/1679944910701486085#m

  80. 80.

    Baud

    July 14, 2023 at 5:09 pm

    @zhena gogolia: What did you do?

  81. 81.

    RaflW

    July 14, 2023 at 5:14 pm

    @suzanne: I want to visit Iceland, the Faroes, Svalbard, Greenland etc.

    My Italian-heritage partner thinks I’m nuts.

  82. 82.

    OzarkHillbilly

    July 14, 2023 at 5:16 pm

    @WaterGirl: I would only add this: Their house is a block and a half from Coldwater Creek. Might be hard to find a buyer.

    Other than that, sometimes the best thing one can do is STFU. So I will.

  83. 83.

    UncleEbeneezer

    July 14, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    @trollhattan: On the flip side from BJK is Martina Navratilova who has sadly turned into an extremely vocal TERF, probably second only to the odious Margaret Court, when it comes to her constant spewing of Transphobic BS :(

  84. 84.

    schrodingers_cat

    July 14, 2023 at 5:26 pm

    @BellaPea: I lost two of my very senior cats both made it to over 19 1/2 years to kidney disease.

    1. My ginger kitteh hated the uber expensive kidney diet food. She wouldn’t touch it.
    2. Wet food
    3. Shrimp and tilapia as treats.
    4. Bosscat loved yogurt.
  85. 85.

    UncleEbeneezer

    July 14, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    Little old, angry, Insurrectionist Lady’s courtroom outburst just got herself significantly more prison time.

  86. 86.

    Ruckus

    July 14, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    I live in SoCal, northeast San Gabriel Valley, and it’s 97 here now, the forecast Sat 99 Sun 100, low next 3 nights is supposed to be 65. There isn’t a hint of a cloud in the sky. Wednesday is supposed to be a balmy 94 deg. I do believe that summer has arrived.

  87. 87.

    Ruckus

    July 14, 2023 at 5:32 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer:

    She seems nice……..

  88. 88.

    mrmoshpotato

    July 14, 2023 at 5:34 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: Oh boohoo!

  89. 89.

    Kayla Rudbek

    July 14, 2023 at 6:05 pm

    OzarkHillbilly, I’m sorry for your loss and I hope that your sister—in-law makes out okay.

  90. 90.

    schrodingers_cat

    July 14, 2023 at 6:05 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: Does she have a screw loose?

  91. 91.

    Kayla Rudbek

    July 14, 2023 at 6:07 pm

    @RaflW: I managed to get a sunburn while visiting Ireland, although that was during a drought (and the Irish weather service didn’t have any coding on their maps for drought because it hadn’t happened since independence).

  92. 92.

    Sister Golden Bear

    July 14, 2023 at 6:07 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: After seeing the photo of the little old lady, I was shocked to find out she’s only 54. But hate ages the fuck out of you.

  93. 93.

    Sister Golden Bear

    July 14, 2023 at 6:12 pm

    @Kayla Rudbek: When I was in Dublin, I initially thought one of the tour guides was a Goth, since she was so ghostly white. And then I realized, no that wasn’t corpse make-up… she really was that pale.

  94. 94.

    Geminid

    July 14, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: A screw loose, and it sounds like the threads are stripped too

  95. 95.

    zhena gogolia

    July 14, 2023 at 6:42 pm

    @Baud: Lived in a world in which GWB “won” the election.

  96. 96.

    SteveinPHX

    July 14, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    Ozark – This is a hard blow to you and your family. I can only imagine. My deepest sympathies to all of you.

  97. 97.

    zhena gogolia

    July 14, 2023 at 6:46 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: Wow, that is very interesting.

  98. 98.

    zhena gogolia

    July 14, 2023 at 6:46 pm

    @Sister Golden Bear: Kind of a cute dress, though.

  99. 99.

    Kathleen

    July 14, 2023 at 6:48 pm

    I’m so sorry for you and your family Ozark. Sending you hugs and light.

  100. 100.

    Chris T.

    July 14, 2023 at 8:31 pm

    @sab:

    I thought he was so good taking medicine, but I am finding spit out thyroid pills all over the house.

    One of mine is now on daily prednisolone, and she’s learned how to fake taking her pills, and to eat around the pill pockets. It’s a thing they do. Don’t beat yourself up over it, cats are very clever about things like this.

    (I now double check after she pretends to swallow, and she hates that even more than the first mouth-open-insert-pill step! It’s caught her out several times now. But she hates whether or not she swallowed the pill, and she’s getting more cautious about being scooped up to be pilled now, so I’m not sure what the next step will be….)

    As for kidney failure in general: cats run their kidneys hard, so it’s pretty common. The rate of failure and symptoms and so on are highly variable, some kitties do well with subcutaneous fluid and some don’t. The anemia thing is correct as kidneys are the source of the hormone erythropoietin, without which the bones don’t bother making enough red blood cells. Kidneys also have a strong role in controlling blood pressure.

  101. 101.

    Steeplejack

    July 14, 2023 at 8:39 pm

    @BellaPea:

    I second the recommendations to spoil the kitty. Wet food all the way. In her last few years the housecat really liked Gerber baby food—the meat ones. Chicken and turkey, not beef, for some reason. Tasty (apparently), moist and easy to lap up.

  102. 102.

    Chris T.

    July 14, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    @Steeplejack: Yes, kidney diets are fine if they’ll eat them, and if not, whatever they’ll eat is fine. When the kidneys aren’t filtering well, one can get pretty nauseated. (The sub-Q fluids help a lot here, if they’re working for your cat.)

    My extreme kidney failure kitty, who eventually died from anemia, had digestive issues towards the end, alternating between runs and constipation. I’m convinced I kept her around too long, poor thing. But I was so emotionally dependent on her myself…

  103. 103.

    Rob in CT

    July 14, 2023 at 9:27 pm

    GodDAMNit.  I’m so sorry, O.H.  i posted this link over at LGM too to try and boost.

    I’ve taken some hits over the years, but this is beyond that.  My half brother, who sadly I barely knew, threw himself off the GWB when I was about 13.  His wife, who honestly was awful and a major part of the problem, drank herself to death a couple of years later.  They had 2 kids (both of whom are doing well, thankfully).  It hit the family hard.  My sympathy and empathy, man

    Will look for that gofundme.

  104. 104.

    Aaron

    July 14, 2023 at 11:07 pm

    @TaMara: Lots of unlimited love and gently displayed adoration.

  105. 105.

    No One You Know

    July 15, 2023 at 1:34 am

    Ozark, I an so sorry for your loss. Partner and I will kick in what we can. (((Hugs)))

  106. 106.

    Ramalama

    July 15, 2023 at 9:41 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: good Lord. No words.

  107. 107.

    BellaPea

    July 15, 2023 at 12:24 pm

    @TaMara: Thank you, and to everyone else who replied, for these helpful suggestions. This is a wonderful community.

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