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And my mother’s hearing aids which were mistakenly resent to her rather than returned back to the seller, sat on her porch for like a week because they were left there where no one would see them rather than by the garage where we would have. And the porch is like 13 stairs up, so not lazy.
They can't make everyone happy. Best bet is to sign up for alerts with the major carriers so that you know when something has been delivered. Then you know to retrieve it and not tempt the porch pirates.
Seconding Lindsey's advice - if you haven't signed up for your own accounts at FedEx and UPS, it is very worth it. I too rarely use my front door, so have posted instructions to leave all packages on a bench next to my garage doors. Most of the time both providers actually do as instructed.
You can also schedule holds for when you're going out of town, schedule deliveries for a different day, etc..
Let's put this into perspective, since all we see as recipients is what happens with our package at it's final destination. My DH was a FedEx delivery driver for over 20 years (stopped in 2022) and I helped him during peak times (hello holidays!) so I know what I'm talking about.
On average, his day would be comprised of 125-150 stops with 300-400 packages. His delivery range was very extensive and there were times had to drive 15 miles one way to deliver a package (30 miles round trip for one package). Some deliveries were to businesses and some to homes. His day started at 6AM and ended between 6 and 7PM. FedEx used to have a weight limit of 75 pounds but that was adjusted and he's delivered packages of 150 pounds or more. He would always do his best to deliver packages where they were sheltered from view or weather but sometimes it's just not possible. Plus he was a bit more conscientious than today's drivers (there's a story behind that but it's not relevant for this discussion).
If one requests special delivery and it takes "just 6 steps", consider there may be other special delivery instructions might be "just 15 steps" or "just around the back of the house" and so on. Multiply that by 300-400 packages at 125-150 stops. It's time and effort, which is already at a premium for people who do this job.
You know what I do when I'm expecting a delivery? I watch for my package to be out for delivery and then listen for the truck. I have a moderately long driveway and, because steps are important, I meet them at the truck for my package. If I can save them those 10-20 steps to my door, I've made their day just a little easier. I also offer water and snacks but I digress.
Amy, I can tell you having a dolly out would make your delivery person very happy.
Another Paris fan here, second only to NYC in my affections. The architecture, the food, the light, the museums, and the chance to practice my increasingly rusty French - bliss, no matter the weather.
Isn't it amazing how high school French sticks in your head far longer than you would ever think!
I actually started learning French in 3rd grade, and at one point was not what I would call fluent, but I had a pretty decent command of the language and a better-than-average accent. Now my accent is still good, but my vocabulary has really fallen away. But it certainly suffices for trips to France, and it's remarkable how much comes back once you're in the country.
Posting a reply to Jasdip's daily quizzes.
Having a great attitude and perspective in life.
Knowing you did your best
Maddielee I know exactly what you mean and agree 100%.
Honesty is always the best policy, for everyone. Barring that, it’s best to say nothing. QE2 was a big believer in that way of life and it won her the trust of her subjects for 70 years.
I am very sorry to hear of Catherine’s diagnosis and hope her recovery is swift and her treatment is successful.
This news is just breaking, I do not know the details, but wish her the very best.
This goes nowhere and as regards the British royal family, there's much for them to learn from their counterparts in other countries. As I said before.
Please name a country where politicians don't take personal and private advantage of their positions during and after their terms of office? And who don't act as members of a select group high above others with special entitlements for life?
The royals have tin ears regarding PR. Best to get ahead of speculation by releasing full information at the start, while you have a chance of framing the story. Answer the inevitable questions at the get-go. The worst thing you can do is dribble it out, inviting more speculation with each drip. It ALL comes out anyway.
That stinks!
Do you think they looked through your photo albums? And marveled at all the uses for baskets?
Seriously, glad you’re getting it back. :)
Safe travels tomorrow, hope it’s a great trip!
What a magnificent garden, a beautiful work of art. Please, post as many pictures as you want! So peaceful, well thought out. I bet it is a treat to just sit outside and view as it goes through seasonal changes throughout the year!
Roxanna - I don’t normally enjoy pinks and oranges together, but that hot pink of your Spirea isn’t so bad with the oranges, really. Sometimes if you add a deep purple and a very dark red to the mix, and if you took out the pale pink daylily and the yellow daylily, you might find it is a nice hot blend.
What are the trees coming up through your beds?
I see bushes with netting over them, blueberries? Do you still have them?
Great photo of the edge of the patio with a row of those cement outdoor pots on the wall. I also have Leucojum ‘Gravetye Giant’, I love it. I keep meaning to add more.
That pergola from BJs looks pretty darn good…lol.
Your hot deck needs an umbrella for you. You must get a great view from up there. Does it get full sun all day on part of it, or is it just late afternoon sun? It might be a good place to grow some heat loving veggies. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, string beans. Especially if your yard is getting more shade.
I didn’t realize you have all those rock walls. The herringbone front walkway with that wide perennial bed to walk past is great, too. It’s really a wonderful property. I hope you are able to enjoy it and not always look out at a garden that is getting away from you and feel unhappy. What is your favorite part of the garden, now? I love that first photo of the daffodils in front of the wall at the base of a very mature tree and the bird table. Do you get a lot of birds? That photo reminds me of Beth Chatto's Woodland Garden, are you familiar with her?
Roxanna not only am I loving your photos, but am impressed with how you know the names of so many of your plants. Do you keep a garden journal? I've thought many times of doing so, but haven't in many years. I'll have visitors to my gardens and many times struggle to come up with the name of a plant.
Oh my, how beautiful, and what a lovely story!
What a beautiful story and I love the ruffles along the hemline of the dress to mimic the ones on the top.
Stephanotis - My mom who married my dad in 1951 had them in her bouquet as well. When I got married in 1983 I brought a picture of my moms bridal bouquet to the florist and asked her to duplicate it for me. She commented on the fact that stephanotis were seldom used anymore and did I want to update the look. But no, I didn't. When my mom saw me on my wedding day and noticed the bouquet she started to cry. It was a surprise for her and she was thrilled.
I'm loving your photos and what a sweet one this is. How wonderful to be able to wear something from generations back. Thank you for sharing your stories and photos.
Cheetah?
Cheetah. Yes.
Ostrich
When the day comes that people are not "allowed" to criticize a country like the US which widely impacts the rest of the world is the day Americans can just stop pretending we have free speech.
How beautiful!
These are the comforters I rotate on our bed. These are just photos from amazon, where I bought them.
Considering doing a seasonal thing huh? Allow me to inspire you! :
This is my Halloween.
This is the one that goes on in November....
Get a grip. Nobody eats all fried things, all the time.
It's not necessarily good thing to go around judging people, so give it a rest.
Oh, I haven't had catfish in ages......I love catfish!
Catfish tastes to me like the mud they ingest.
Not farm raised. They're incredibly sweet.
https://www.tastingtable.com/865387/the-difference-between-farmed-and-wild-catfish/
If we can make huge advances in expected life spans for us, why can't we do the same for leaves on trees? Make a product that would allow leaves to stay on the tree for an extended time.
We never remove the oak leaves under our live oak. No grass is going to grow there anyway, and it's the easiest mulch ever - keeps most of the acorns from sprouting too.
Actually some grass will grow under a live oak. About 1/3 of our front yard is grass, the rest is Formosa azaleas and various other plants. The grass gets raked.
The under-50yo landscapers with leaf blowers, multiplied by a dozen of them successively and overlapping, especially during spring cleanup that calls for a few hours at each property, is louder than one retired neighbor cleaning under the foundation plants. We have a lot of trees around here.
The years when the ash trees had to be removed were pretty bad, but I’d rather hear a chain saw than a leaf blower. There’s a different pitch. And unless there has been a major storm, it’s not on the weekends.
I'm stupefied by that comment.
Here's a recent photo:
Dcarch thank you for the heads up- sounds like your warning applies to mushroom eaters as well as mushroom hunters, since it is difficult to know the provenance of the mushrooms served in restaurants. I buy mushrooms at the grocery store, that is as adventurous as I am prepared to get, and I think those are still safe?
Recently, there was this:
Top chef jailed for serving raw clams infected with norovirus
Marco Sacco, 59, served a borage risotto at a wedding banquet in 2021. More than 50 guests fell ill after eating the dish
Does anyone know why links won’t post?
I got one the other day saying my debit card (from a local, well known bank) had been hacked and my account frozen so I should call the phone number in the text.
Sounded legit. Except I don’t have an account at that bank. 🤣
Clicking BBQ tongs.
Putting a banana sticker on your dog’s forehead when he is mooching.
Cracking thin ice on shallow puddles.
Poking a campfire.
Opening your mouth when applying mascara.
Giving your pet his own voice.
Lucille, thank you for starting this thread, it’s a lot to ponder. We’re currently looking for a newer vehicle, so privacy issues (and higher rates) are things we have to consider.
I hope you don’t mind me posting this link in regards to rates rising:
It just kind of scratches the surface, but I still found it somewhat informative.
MY insurance offers this as an option to obtain a discount. I decline. First, because my SO often drives my cars and does so like a maniac. Second, because they deem it "risky" driving behavior to drive between midnight and 6 am for some reason, and I am get off work and drive home at 5 am. I think that is incredibly stupid.
My cars are older models. An 03 corolla, an 09 bmw and an 06 saturn vue. My premiums go up EVERY renewal. Same with homeowners. Its a complete scam, IMO. I had to call and remind them that i have never made a claim this last renewal, since I noticed that discount no longer applied. I did not make a claim with the wreck I was in, I sued the other party and my insurance wasn't out a dime. They decided to condescendingly lecture me on how insurance works, and why my premiums steadily increase every 6 months,despite my cars getting older. My daily driver, my corolla, doesn't even have power locks or windows, let alone anything like backup cameras or gps or other fancy things. Yet, it is the most expensive car to insure. Scammers.
Lucille, what a kind thing to say! You made my day, thank you. :)
(lol at Tide Pods!) :D
I don't think most people have children thinking they aren't going to be able to provide for them. Not all children are planned. Not all pregnancies are a result of a loving relationship with the father. Not all fathers support their children. Not all women have access to birth control or health care. Blaming poor people for being poor is what is gross.
Lucille, our school for years did a China exchange program. One student was asked for the school paper, what was a big difference she felt living with her American host family versus at home. She said, siblings. She had none, nor did almost any of her friends, so that they had virtually no experience with that dynamic, whether personal or by observation.