WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2025

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  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,946 Member

    10021002

  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,555 Member

    If you don't have buttermilk or want to use something you already have on hand, use regular milk and add a bit of either vinegar or lemon juice to it. If you do that, you can make just the amount that you need

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 26,250 Member
    edited June 24

    Bridges — my discomfort has nothing to do with height. I'm not overly bothered by heights. I enjoy gondolas, immense ferris wheels, the glass skywalk along the Icefield Parkway in Canada, the tops of mountains and skyscrapers.

    It also has nothing to do with the bridge itself. I like the architecture of bridges and often take photos of bridges.

    The discomfort has to do with falling into water … and drowning. I know it is highly unlikely I'll fall into water, but nobody said these things are rational. 😛

    I'm also not keen on swinging bridges because I feel like they're designed to throw me off into the water.

    However, I'm OK with causeways … which is good because I'm on one causeway or another just about every day.

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 26,250 Member
    edited June 24

    Caves — no problem with tunnels I can walk upright through and no problem with big caverns … as long as they aren't too deep underground. I can even manage to duck and step through a lower opening.

    But if I'm faced with having to crawl though a tiny tunnel on my stomach. Nope … not going to happen.

    Remember the group of boys who got stuck in the cave system in Thailand in 2018 and were rescued by a team including the Australian anaesthetist and cave diver? I followed the story closely (it was all over the news here) but looking at the map and how they had to move their bodies to get out was difficult and gave me the chills.

    @1948CWB … Carol … is the Sandra Brown book you're reading called The Witness? Most of Sandra Brown's books have descriptive sex scenes (which I tend to skim) and some level of violence, but I think that one kind of bothered me too.

    If you're looking over the books I've read for ideas of something to read, a tip … don't read anything by Tim Weaver or Karin Slaughter. I don't mind a certain level of horror, violence, etc. in books, but both of those authors were right on the edge of my tolerance level. After reading 2 Tim Weavers, I had to read a couple Cosy Mysteries to settle myself.

    @OregonMother … thank you for the explanations and I'm with you.

    I'm fully prepared to use the products science and scientists have provided for us. Perhaps my Canadian-Australian background means that I'm not so worried about Big Pharma, the money, etc. I don't look at the medical world as a money-making scheme. I'm so glad that there have been medical developments … if there weren't penicillin, I would have died at age 4. Then about 10 years ago, I developed an allergy to penicillin and now I'm very glad that scientists have developed other antibiotics. I'm glad there are tests like ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans and more. I'm relieved to know that if I need my gallbladder out (it gives me trouble now and then), it should just be a keyhole surgery. And don't even get me started on the medical interventions in my husband's situation.

    And I've had a couple different kinds of cancer too. Fortunately mine have been relatively minor but both required surgery (one twice because it came back) and a chemotherapy cream. My gynaecological oncologist has been fantastic as has my skin doctor.

    BTW - I really like your blue dress with the white polka dots. It looks good on you and looks like something I'd wear. 😊

    Wellness — Of course, even though I'm all in favour of the medical developments and options we have available to us in that regard, I'm also all in favour of wellness.

    Before prescribing anything, doctors recommend the usual list:

    1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
    2. Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily
    3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
    4. Maintain a healthy weight
    5. Get quality sleep
    6. Manage stress
    7. Get regular health screening tests
    8. Take steps to prevent infections

    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502

    If you look up just about any disease, you'll see basically the same list.

    Machka in Oz

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 26,250 Member

    Cold, windy, rainy, possibly snowy tomorrow with abnormally high tides. Lovely day tomorrow. And the boots I want are not accessible right now. 😕

    Another swimming lesson tonight and I'm slowly, slowly putting things together.

    Machka in Oz

  • 1948CWB
    1948CWB Posts: 1,945 Member

    😍

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 26,250 Member

    For the carers …

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  • kevrit
    kevrit Posts: 4,636 Member

    No Machka, it is on Rte 10 between Port Arthur, LA and Houston, TX. We drove Rte 10 from Pass Christian MS along the coast.

    Last night, I experienced the 'itchy ankles' for unknown reasons. I put body lotion on them and my feet which stopped the itching. This morning woke up way to early with an asthma attack. Of course, that woke up Lucy so there was no going back to bed! It has been raining here for the last week, so I think it is mold (which I am allergic too of course!). So, no sunrise walk this morning b/c it was raining. So here I am, reading and writing to you all. Of course, Lucy is sleeping now. SMH

    The list you provided Machka, I heard from my cardiologist yesterday before doubling my cholesterol medication. He said one of my cholesterol markers predicts possible strokes. My grandmother died from a massive stroke, and my mother has had a stroke, so I didn't argue when the doc doubled my cholesterol meds.

    "Before prescribing anything, doctors recommend the usual list:

    1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
    2. Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily
    3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
    4. Maintain a healthy weight
    5. Get quality sleep
    6. Manage stress
    7. Get regular health screening tests
    8. Take steps to prevent infections

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/home/leaving?allowTrusted=1&target=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fdiseases-conditions%2Fheart-disease%2Fin-depth%2Fheart-disease-prevention%2Fart-20046502 "

    Town is flooded and there was a funnel cloud spotted about 15 miles from me last night. So a good day to curl up and read. Campground is not flooded, just muddy so we should be safe here.

    Thought for today:

    What happened when two slices of bread went on a date?

    What happened when two slices of bread went on a date?

    giphy.gif giphy.gif

    RVRita in Roswell 👽️🎢

  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 13,227 Member

    I'm in Waitrose, having my free coffee in the café while I'm waiting to walk down to the school. John usually meets me at the bottom of the hill. I did a quick run around the aisles to pick up pork pie and a few other bits. I hope he will carry it back!

    I had breast cancer in 2007 .They said they aimed to "cure" me, so I was more than happy to go through surgery and chemo to obtain a 'cure'. The chemo only got rough in the 4th month. I hated losing my hair, but it all came back. I was 57. Now, I'm not sure what I would do if it came back. I am 75. A different story. It all depends on the prognosis and your fitness. I have lived a wonderful life, and ...... well, I don't know.

    Love to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx

  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 4,463 Member

    Such cuties! Love all the photos! I need to ask son for more of Athena and Eli!

    Rebecca Whidbey Wa

  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 4,463 Member

    OOh my what a deal! Glad everything worked out in the end though!

    My sister falls and her watch declares she's fallen and do they medical assistance. If she doesn't say no, I'm fine, a call would be sent. Also her kids get notifications of this.....she gets calls after the fact..."mom, what did ya do now"??? But really its nice to know she'll never be just lying in a field! The joke around the neighbors is if you do fall in your field, just keep moving so the buzzards don't get ya! Farm humor.....🙄😂

    Rebecca Whidbey Wa

  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 4,463 Member

    Good idea! I am going to make some oat farls for husband. Made with oatmeal and the buttermilk, leaving on counter overnight, then the next day you mix with flour and knead, making a circles and cutting into scone triangles. Scotsmen would take these in their knapsacks when traveling. I used to make them when we did our Renaissance camping. 💖👍🏼

    Rebecca Whidbey Wa

  • minicooper452
    minicooper452 Posts: 731 Member

    And that's exactly why I gotta come VISIT YOU Rebecca!!! OMGosh... what fun! That looks absolutely gorgeous! Look at all those trestles. Our youngest lived in ND for a short time; in Valley City and it was know for it's bridges. Oh wow... that was fun. Aside from being, eh, ND. Flat as a pancake for most of it and then you came over this hill and WOAH! Hills everywhere. Way cool.

    Isn't that the truth, Margaret! I hate that "they" seem to be doing more to attempt to "treat" cancer than to cure cancer. Don't get me wrong, the cancer that took my dad is the same that Ted Kennedy lived with for years longer than Daddy did only 12 years later. So the advances that were made in those 12 years were amazing! Daddy only lived 6 months. Same cancer, exactly the same location in the brain. Daddy was so sick in those six months.

    Flea, I so glad you weren't. It's great that you had a better experience with chemo. We didn't. Just like I had with my MRI, everyone is different. I watched and cared for my dad, who was miserable. He finally decided that he was done and wanted to live his last days, months in peace, with his family and friends. He and Mom took a three week vacation out to Cali, for my cousin's wedding, through the Tetons and Glacier, Yellowstone and all those big ones there and back. All of our out-of-town relatives came up that summer for weekends or just days to make sure to see him. Even though he was still feeling the residual effects of the chemo, nausea, fatigue, he fought through it and put on a brave face and welcomed everyone. THAT is my memory of chemo, so I happen to have a very clear understanding of chemo... at least my side of it. Feeling a little testy here too.

    SO JEALOUS, Machka... One of my dreams to walk that bridge, but as I say, I don't think I'll ever get there. Got any pictures? I'd love to live vicariously through your adventure. Well done for not liking bridges in the first place! WOW! OMGosh, that Tasman Bridge is gorgeous! I'd never heard of that one. Wtheck? OHhhhhhh... okay, now that makes sense. I am not keen on those swinging bridges either. Just the thought of that makes me queasy. Interesting thing, I do not like "heights" per se, or more specifically, edges. You could NOT get me on that glass, ummmm, balcony-deck, thing, in I think Chicago? NO! And if I'm on an observation deck, I'm holding on for dear life, with my stomach in my throat. But I used to LOVE roller coasters and thrill rides and I would do a zipline in a heartbeat if my weight, etc. would allow it. And we love caves and mines (we have a bunch of those up north here) too. I remember that Thailand thing too.

    OH NO, Cheryl! I'd go with THANKS! I mean "hot firefighters"? Wtheck, how often does that happen? Might as well enjoy it, even though it's a little embarrassing. You're never going to see them again and it's a great story. Did ya at least get a picture? That's what I would do. "Hey guys! I need one for the scrapbook. And hold up the lawn chair, please!" hahaha!
    (NO... of the HOT firefighters, Cheryl, the HOT firefighters... girl! Come'on... 🤣)

    Okay... not funny, but funny now story about HOT firefighters to the rescue. Youngest, single, DD was 13 months pregnant (yes, exaggerating) on "bedrest", in the Marine Corps, alone!, in her apartment, having really bad back spasms so she decided to lie down on the floor. BIG MISTAKE! Thankfully, she did have her phone. She couldn't get up. Called 9-1-1. Told them what was going on and that the door was unlocked, to just come in. They arrived and knocked. She COULDN'T GET UP! They kept knocking, but she didn't want them to bust the door, so she called 9-1-1 again to tell them again, that the door was UNLOCKED and to come in! Two VERY cute EMTs finally got the message and walked in and helped her up. Both actually lived just down the road and gave her their phone numbers just in case anything else happened before the baby came... only one week later. (during Hurricane Sandy!) I have never been so angry with the Marine Corps in my life... because no one from her command checked on her! But I digress. She made two new friends, who turned out to be very helpful because they did check on her before, during and after the hurricane and the birth.

    Tracey, those are really cool bridges too. May have to come up to visit you too when I get my passport updated! Oh gosh, I haven't read Sandra Brown in years. I'll have to pull her out again. I think I have an old one sitting on my table right now. Nope, Catherine Coulter. Shows you how long it's been since I've read an actual BOOK. It's all on Kindle lately. 😏

    Oh Debbie... I am SO happy for you and hubby. That must be such a HUGE load off of your shoulders. What is that adage? Something about "Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Sometimes is "Resentment is..." But the point being, you can't hold onto it or you're going to die yourself. It just gradually corrodes the body. You implode! Negative emotions are so harmful to ourselves. To release them is just so wonderful. You're completely free of her. She doesn't hold onto either of you anymore. Like you said, you'll never forget, but now both of you can heal. You can prioritize your lives over hers.

    That's all I've got for today.

    Love and Blessings
    Carla, in MN

  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,555 Member

    That bridge looks very cool but don't think I could walk very far on it.
    Years ago, dh's friend and his cousin who was here from Holland wanted to walk on the Golden Gate Bridge. I went with them. Got to the very first pillar which was still over the rocks, not the water yet. I froze. I actually held onto that pillar until they came back so I could walk back to the car with them. I couldn't do it on my own. I knew I hated driving bridges because of all the cars and being on the bridge. Thought I might be able to walk a little on the bridge. That is all I could do.

  • auntiebk
    auntiebk Posts: 2,729 Member

    Attagal Michele! Baby steps. Do Jess and/or Colby go shopping with you? They’ll need to learn those skills too and I can’t think of a more successful shopping warrior to teach them. ;) Glad the earring turned up.

    Rita ((hugs)) would you be willing to share which cholesterol marker your Cardio said was a possible stroke predictor? Sorry, didn’t get the two slices of bread on a date joke ;}

    Lanette looking at that BB&B video I see how far Coach Ken took us beyond. Boy do I miss him!

    Carla, thanks for the LazyFit recommendation, I’ll try it!

    Rebecca imho buttermilk will go great in your Kodiak pancakes. Your oat farls are making me hungry ;}

    Flea and Lisa thank you for sharing the chemo experiences. Knowledge combats fear. And yes, cancer and chronic illnesses DO just suck. ((hugs))

    And yes again, Margaret too, it really does depend on individual circumstances, and imho our profit-based health care system is a sin and a shame.

    Ginny your story is inspiring and your oncologist’s “everyone’s biology is different” is surely true.

    Tina just contemplating a sensory deprivation chamber makes me shake. No way for me. I’m ok with most natural heights, but manmade heights make me oogley. Long story about seeing the stairwell inside the Empire state building and crawling back to the elevator on all fours… Thankful your DH had the surgery and really hope it repaired the botched job on his ankle.

    Allie, has sMyles recently had a growth spurt? He looks different…

    Machka, What you said about swinging bridges being designed to throw us in the river. Truth!

    Cheryl, what a story! Laughing to tears, what a heckuva way to meet your hunky firefighters. Ack!

    Tracey oh that Michaela ;)

    Debbie, brava. Good on you for following your guidance. Hope your DH finds peace.

    Lisa what you said about being able to see through slats to below. Feel the same way about spiral staircases with openings between the treads. Vertigo!

    Annie self control is a wonderful thing, self torture, not so much.

    Visiting Aunt Margaret and Uncle Frank in St. Louis in August, it never seemed to cool down at night. Couldn’t sleep on the porch due to the mosquitoes. Ended ujp in the bathtub with a pillow, the porcelain at least FELT cool…

    Classic Fit yesterday really worked the shoulders, so this morning I swapped split squats for shoulder mobility exercises. Even though I did 3 sets each, finished at 10 minutes instead of 12. Hunh.

    Joe’s gone to Medford for glaucoma checkup. Hope the MD has some new tricks up his sleeves, Joe’s eyes were bothering him last week. He gets grumpy if I try to help, offer warm compresses, anything. Men.

    Last night I gave in and had a piece of sourdough toast with peanut butter and jelly around midnight. Still not sure if I was really hungry, or just wanted to CHEW something. ;{

    Time to get productive. Too foggy to play in the dirt but there’s laundry and vacuuming edges and brushing dogs and and and…

    Later, lighter, lovelies!
    Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

    barky.gif

    June focus: Just one thing from the OMG room
    2025: Chose NOW: to move more than yesterday (5 sit to stands every potty break no excuses), fuel better than yesterday (hold that after dinner sweet down to two pieces of dark chocolate max), open heart and mind before mouth

  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,555 Member

    Carla- this is a HUGE thing for dh to even talk about doing- he never lets ANYTHING go. Even things that his aunt did to his parents when he was a kid still make him upset. Something he thought I was doing that I wasn't, he has held on for almost 30 yrs-never mentioned it to me just totally shut me out.

    I hope he really can let this go- One last dig he is thinking of but not sure he will is on her gravestone that will be shared with his brother is something along the lines of " buried with the only thing she ever really loved" which was his brother. She did everything for him-He died at 48yrs old(car crash) up until that time still washed his clothes, cooked all his meals including packing his lunches, made dh take her shopping to buy him clothes, etc. He lied and stole from his mother but she never believed he did. Blamed dh instead.

  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,493 Member

    Afternoon ladies

    It is literally hotter than the shades of hades out 100 degrees hideous

    Went to Target to pick up some once upon a farm stuff for Delia..and got a peach shake from chicken fil a,it was ok ,once was enough.stopped to drop off the goods and Kyle was there.poor Tracy is exhausted and nauseous and trying to take care of the 2 kids,they bought a small above ground pool so that was being installed and filled.

    Kyle isn't helping with the kids and isn't pleased that they are having another little one.Wish I could help out more..but when I show up Miles goes crazy and bounces off the walls.i stayed for about 45 minutes.

    Im back home and staying in the a.c.brutal outside

  • Whidislander
    Whidislander Posts: 4,463 Member

    I need to buy some steel cut oats for my oat farls.😁 So not making them today, maybe Friday. How long does buttermilk keep anyway?

    Today making some pinto bean an ham hock soup for husband. I am having cottage cheese, wild rice with quinoa and a shrinking of "everything bagel" sessoning.💖👍🏼

    Rebecca Whidbey Wa

  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,946 Member

    10031003

  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,809 Member

    Thank you for sharing this, Margaret. It is heartbreaking. I have more to say, but hate typing on my phone, so will wait until I get home.

    Those of you under the heat dome, try to stay cool

    Flea

    Willamette Valley OR

  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,955 Member
    edited June 24

    Cheryl - I almost had the chair incident happen to me! It was one of those old aluminum folding chairs with webbing. A couple webs let loose and thankfully I was able to pull myself out. Nice to have some "hunky" responders come help you out, lol. 😉

    Carla - you and Cheryl reminded me of when I had to call 911 to take my DH to the hospital the weekend before he passed. He had fallen again and I could not get him up. The ambulance arrived quickly and two strong and nice looking young men came in with the gurney. I had no idea our fire department had such "well trained" paramedics. Did I vote for the levy when it came up for renewal? You bet.😉

    Beth - so glad that bathroom is finished, it looks great. Any more remodeling on the horizon or are you and DH at your limit for now? How's your mom dealing with the heat wave? Hopefully they have A/C there.

    Margaret - Sorry to hear about what your sis and husband went through with their cancer treatments. I think as we get older, our views about cancer and treatment begin to shift. If I was younger and diagnosed with cancer and still had children in school, I'd follow every treatment recommendation the docs threw at me. Now that I'm approaching my mid-70's with no DH to care for anymore, I do what I can for prevention nutrition, supplement and lifestyle-wise and would be open to using repurposed drugs if it came to that, depending on what type of cancer it was.

    Flea - so glad your cancer treatment was successful and you have a great quality of life. You are a great example of the power of positivity when it comes to your health. You, like Ginny, are "glass half full" heroes.

    Ginny - I so appreciate your input and wisdom about dealing with your cancer. I've learned a lot and am very grateful you are willing to share.

    Annie - you mentioned you weren't sure how you broke your foot and this reminded me that a year ago I had a suspected stress fracture - swelling, pain, redness. Probably from all the walking I did on pavement. I had to stay off it for a couple weeks, keep it elevated, iced and it took a long time for the swelling to go down. Months it seems.

    Debbie - I'm glad you and your DH got to speak to MIL and tell her you forgave her. It lessened the burden on your hearts and that's what matters.

    Why we easily gain back fat after we lost weight…. I stumbled down another rabbit hole this morning. Why is it so darn easy to gain weight back after we've lost it via WW, calorie restriction, surgery, etc. Well, it seems our fat cells "remember" what it was like to be plumper and directs our system to plump them back up. Remember Seymour the hungry plant in the "Little Shop of Horrors" — "feed me!!!"

    Memories of obesity can linger in fat cells long after weight loss

    Are we doomed? No, there are nutrients and lifestyle strategies that may help reprogram fat cells. Here's an article and lists if interested. (2 spoilers!)

    The article:

    Obesity’s Epigenetic Memory: Unravelling the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Weight Loss Resistance | Clinical Education

    Nutrients That May Help Reprogram Fat Cells

    Methyl donors (like folate, B12, choline, and betaine): These nutrients support DNA methylation, a key epigenetic process that can influence gene expression in fat cells. Think of them as the editors of your cellular story.

    Polyphenols (like EGCG from green tea, curcumin from turmeric, and resveratrol): These compounds can modulate histone acetylation and methylation, helping reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in adipose tissue.

    Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil or flax): Shown to reduce inflammatory gene expression in fat cells and improve insulin sensitivity.

    Vitamin D: Plays a role in adipocyte differentiation and may help regulate fat storage and inflammation.

    Lifestyle Strategies That May “Retrain” Fat Cells

    Time-restricted eating: Intermittent fasting has been shown to alter gene expression in fat tissue, improving metabolic flexibility and reducing inflammatory markers.

    Exercise (especially resistance training): Physical activity can shift fat cell gene expression toward a more metabolically active profile. It also increases adiponectin, a hormone that improves insulin sensitivity.

    Sleep optimization: Poor sleep can reinforce obesity-related gene expression. Prioritizing deep, consistent sleep helps regulate hormones like leptin and ghrelin.

    Stress reduction: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can promote fat storage and inflammation. Mindfulness, breathwork, or even gardening (your specialty!) can help recalibrate that system.

    It's a warm, humid afternoon here - too hot too mow, but nothing like Allie, Lisa, Michele, and many others of you are experiencing. At least it cools off into the upper 40's F at night. I did a little weed eating before lunch and called it good.

    Lanette 😎

    SW WA State

  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 3,427 Member

    Hey, y'all,

    Just finished up making a potato salad for my beloved… which is a truly terrible thing to do to a perfectly nice potato in my estimation. Never did like potato salad, but apparently he likes the way I make it, so I said I would. Hot - oh yes, it's hot. Nearly 90 outside, and just breathless. No air moving at all. Waiting on the rain - it's supposed to come down for a couple hours just after Corey gets home from work.

    Saves on watering! Got about a quarter-inch yesterday, too. Don't mind the rain at all - it tends to keep the temperatures from shooting past a hundred degrees F (38 C).

    Ran into town with four rugs that I had moved around the storage room one too many times. Plus one of them had been in the entry, and I swapped it for one that was being stored. Shopping my house, Heather! 😂 Released all four into the wild (otherwise known as Goodwill).

    Also got my hair trimmed. Unexcited by it - she was scared of cutting anything and I had to urge her twice to get her to cut the tiny amount she was able to bring herself to trim off of my ends. And it took her yonks to do that much.

    Usually I get it cut every 90 days or so, but I'll need to be back in four or five weeks at most. Ah well. I know who not to go to now, and two out of the three that have cut my hair at this place have been good. Just ran into one that isn't.

    Relaxing for a couple hours in front of a murder mystery 'til Corey gets home from work…

    Later, y'all,
    Love,
    Lisa in AR