tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-119015782024-03-07T00:57:14.000-05:00Taller Than Average TalesClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.comBlogger2858125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-63829087025204388072024-01-01T20:33:00.004-05:002024-01-01T20:34:13.460-05:00A Theme for 2024<p>It's been several years since I chose a word or theme to guide me during the year, but over a week ago a word just came to me.<br /></p><p>It was very early Christmas Eve technically, between 4 and 5 AM, still a whole day away from Santa making his run. Waking up after a few hours sleep is alas typical for me and often without cause. I'll get up a for a while, pee, do some low key stretches, and then try to go back to sleep.</p><p>In bed a second time, my mind wandered and settled on a word, a theme for 2024. I hadn't even been considering choosing one so I'm not sure what triggered it. Nonetheless I liked it and have already been keeping it in mind.</p><p><b>VARIETY</b>.</p><p>Mainly I was thinking of changing up my workouts some if only in small ways for now. Add this, delete that. Do things a little differently.</p><p>We'll see where it takes me.</p><p>Do you have a theme or motto for 2024? If so, feel free to share it in the comments.<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2014/01/life-of-art-2013-year-in-review.html">Life of Art 2013: the year in review</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-59005549334973957262023-12-25T17:21:00.001-05:002023-12-25T17:21:27.259-05:00A Redeeming Win In The Little Drummer Boy Challenge<p class="hcukyx3x oygrvhab cxmmr5t8 kvgmc6g5 bstw73uy" dir="ltr"><span data-outline-text="true">Merry Christmas if you celebrate! </span></p><p class="hcukyx3x oygrvhab cxmmr5t8 kvgmc6g5 bstw73uy" dir="ltr"><span data-outline-text="true">I'm
pleased to report that I won this year despite a long haul from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve this year.<br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I've been playing <a href="https://littledrummerboychallenge.com/" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;">The Little Drummer Boy Challenge</a> since
2011. </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://littledrummerboychallenge.com/about/" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;">The rules from the site</a>:<br /></p><blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It’s
very easy: So long as you don’t hear “The Little Drummer Boy,” you’re a
contender. As soon as you hear it on the radio, on TV, in a store,
wherever, you’re out. <br /><br />The game begins the day after Thanksgiving
(Black Friday) at 12:01 am and continues until midnight, Dec. 23. If
you haven’t been puh-rum-pum-pum-pummed, you win. For this year, anyway.</blockquote><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Last year I was out almost instantly on Black Friday as I watched a West Wing marathon, so it was rewarding to redeem myself this year with a win. <br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In
13 years of playing, I've now won 9 times.</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Happy holidays, y'all!</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <br /></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2013/12/power-questions-build-relationships-win.html">Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others</a> (Wow, I don't recall this book at all.)<br /></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-6826055850857466542023-09-30T19:56:00.002-04:002023-09-30T19:56:52.194-04:00Note to Self, vol. XXXII<p>
</p><p>Almond Milk + Carob Powder ≠ Chocolate Milk<br />
</p><p>It was okay, but I probably won't be trying that experiment again.<br />
</p><p><br />
</p><p><i>Previously on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2022/12/note-to-self-vol-xxxi.html">Note to Self, vol. XXXI</a><br /></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-26150052316736907852023-05-01T21:13:00.000-04:002023-05-01T21:13:24.967-04:00TFW (aka 18 years of TTaT)<p>That feeling when you realize you missed your blog's anniversary by nearly a month, and you check your archives and see that you also missed it entirely last year. </p><p>Pandemic time has really gotten into my head it seems. </p><p>Here we are at 18 years, woo!</p><p><a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2021/04/xvi-sedici-16-seize-sweet-sixteen.html">Some highlights from the celebration 2 years ago.</a> </p><p>(My leopard still has her ears on this year though it's well past Easter because they please me to see. My mom made the ears when I was a kid, so I've had them and the leopard a long time.)</p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-61757547577062525292022-12-10T20:55:00.001-05:002022-12-10T20:55:15.822-05:00Note to Self, vol. XXXI<p>Just because a medical bill says they have billed your insurance doesn't mean they have. If there are no adjustments to the price they charge, that is a huge RED FLAG. Do not let the "Due on receipt" propel you into paying it until you've checked it out.</p><p>I made that mistake in June and have been trying to get it sorted for months. Guess what? It's much harder to get your money back after you've paid it.</p><p>I emailed my insurance in August because I still didn't see the claim listed on my account. Heard back that no, they didn't have it, but the customer service rep kindly called the billing company and spoke with someone who said they'd submit it right away.</p><p>In September, still no sign of the claim. I email the billing company directly with login info included on the bill to see what's going on. I get an auto-reply which shows they have my correct email and says they will forward it to the billing department.</p><p>No reply.</p><p>In October, I email them again including everything so far from my end. Nothing but the auto-response.</p><p>In November, I check my insurance again, no claim, and log in to the billing site which looks like they have finally submitted it a few days before.<br /></p><p>I call the billing site's damn number. First time it doesn't even work. Next time the auto system hangs up on me. Third time I get through and a woman with a thick accent waits for me to take a breath (she's lucky I was done) to say, "Sorry to interrupt. It's a known issue." She doesn't elaborate on what it was. She says, "It's not a workman's comp claim." I think to myself, "No shit," but maybe that was part of the "known issue"?<br /></p><p>Anyway, all I'm able to discern is that there's nothing left for me to do but wait. 30-45 days for my insurance to consider the claim. Then 6-8 weeks to get a refund, if one is due.</p><p>Current status: my insurance denied the claim because the billing company waited too long but says that's on billing company unless they can prove otherwise, so I don't currently owe anything.</p><p>Which is nice except I paid the bill months ago.</p><p>Next up: fighting with the billing company's phone system again. I'd email since that's what I prefer and I like having written responses, but they've never answered any of mine. Hopefully I will get someone more helpful this time. Or psych myself up to ask for a supervisor and demand a refund. ARGH!</p><p> </p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/12/60-color-index.html">60. Color Index </a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-36226768621468863622022-11-04T12:13:00.002-04:002022-11-04T12:13:58.699-04:00Your Vote Matters<p><span>If your vote didn't matter, Republicans wouldn't spend so much time suppressing voter access and rigging the system in their favor.</span><br /><br /><span>Fight Back.</span><br /><br /><b><span>Vote for Democrats all the way down your ballot Tuesday Nov. 8 or Vote Early!</span></b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><a class="x1edh9d7 xmper1u x1fey0fg" href="https://iwillvote.com/"><span>https://iwillvote.com/</span></a></p><p><span> </span></p><p><span>Some things at stake in this midterm election: <br /></span></p><p><b><span>Voting rights. </span></b><span> </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Do you want free and fair elections? Vote for Democrats.</span><span></span></p><p><span>There are election-denying Republicans running for Secretary of State in several states in which that office controls how elections are run. (Clearly they believe in elections enough to want to run for office so they can control election outcomes.) </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Do you want free and fair elections? Vote for Democrats.<br /></span></p><p><b><span>Social Security. </span></b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Do you want to get the money *you* paid into Social Security back when you're older? Vote for Democrats.</span></p><p><b><span>Abortion access.</span></b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Do you believe women have the right the make decisions regarding their own bodies without interference from government? Do you believe rape victims and women with life threatening pregnancies deserve access to abortion health care? </span><span>Vote for Democrats.</span><span></span></p><p><b><span>Birth control access.</span></b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>If you don't approve of abortion, making birth control widely accessible should be a no-brainer. Also birth control is used to treat a variety of ailments for women and girls. If you believe birth control should be accessible without government or employer oversight, </span><span>Vote for Democrats.</span><span></span></p><p><b><span>Marriage rights.</span></b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>If you don't want to go back to banned interracial marriages and banned gay marriages, Vote for Democrats.<br /></span></p><p><span><b>Privacy rights.</b><br /></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Republicans don't believe the right to privacy is included in The Constitution. That's how they overturned Roe v. Wade and have their sites set on birth control and marriage rights next. They will keep eroding our rights. To protect your right to privacy, Vote for Democrats.<br /></span></p><p><span> </span></p><p><span>Your Vote Matters and How You Vote Matters. This midterm election will greatly impact whether we have free and fair elections in 2024 and going forward.<br /></span></p><p><span>Democracy is not bully people into changing results when you lose. Democracy is not throw out the votes of people who vote against you or disenfranchise them before they can even cast their ballots.</span></p><p><span>Democrats are pro-democracy. Republicans are pro-authoritarianism and pro-fascism.<br /></span></p><p><span><b>Choose wisely: Vote for Democats.</b><br /></span></p><p><a class="x1edh9d7 xmper1u x1fey0fg" href="https://iwillvote.com/"><span>https://iwillvote.com/</span></a><span> </span></p><p><span>#VoteBlue #VoteBlueToProtectYourRights</span><br /><br /></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-40814210509247880112022-10-09T20:36:00.001-04:002022-10-09T20:36:47.543-04:00Get Ready to Vote BlueMake sure you:
<div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1s2bzr4"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Register to vote/check your registration.</span></li><li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Plan to vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person November 8.</span></li><li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Vote for Democrats all the way down your ballot.</span></li></ol><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" id="id__6e4wqbbyb4t" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> All our rights depend on it: voting, reproductive, marriage, social security, privacy…</span></div><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" id="id__6e4wqbbyb4t" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span></div><div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-37j5jr r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-vrz42v r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" id="id__6e4wqbbyb4t" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1cvl2hr r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteBlue?src=hashtag_click" role="link">#VoteBlue</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">!</span></div></div></div><p><a href="https://iwillvote.com/">https://iwillvote.com/</a></p><p><br /></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-64934420804029142312022-08-01T19:58:00.000-04:002022-08-01T19:58:10.436-04:00Handwritten Wordle Notes From Games Past<p>My parents and I compare notes on our Wordle play. When I've taken more guesses than I can easily remember or I'm distracted, I write down the words I used. Yesterday I filled in the last of the roughly 2" by 2.5" piece of paper I'd been using.</p><p>Vertical running words and other sections which do not fit Wordle parameters are stray solutions to Letter Boxed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBan6J3JzfZKbZarLrajuOKccdTKywngVOiNwSR6Xekc1qia7OnOdVaQUvVnZWuGcdksvK9uREVbzMjIyOM1OdQ7ybbjK27KgFMxiI9H2NQJMXKxEQoRa_8W15RYA98LMdBzYuDmBX6sFvJ_-bcrsen3HtQO5Q4huK0ZB5wcAYhWa1l_awzg/s938/wordleresults.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Messy handwriting" border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBan6J3JzfZKbZarLrajuOKccdTKywngVOiNwSR6Xekc1qia7OnOdVaQUvVnZWuGcdksvK9uREVbzMjIyOM1OdQ7ybbjK27KgFMxiI9H2NQJMXKxEQoRa_8W15RYA98LMdBzYuDmBX6sFvJ_-bcrsen3HtQO5Q4huK0ZB5wcAYhWa1l_awzg/w341-h400/wordleresults.jpeg" title="Messy Wordle Solutions" width="341" /></a></div>It's messy because I just wrote it for myself and because the scan pulled through words from the flip side.<br /><p></p><p>All the games can be found at <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords" target="_blank">The New York Times Games Page</a> and played for free. Enjoy!<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><i>17 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2005/08/tip-of-week.html" target="_blank">tip of the week</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-78232050160516527512022-06-27T20:27:00.000-04:002022-06-27T20:27:37.901-04:00Recharge and Fight Back<div data-contents="true"><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="cqnkf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cqnkf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cqnkf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Tonight's</span></span> dance break<span data-offset-key="cqnkf-2-0"><span data-text="true">: "Daft Punk" by Pentatonix.</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="appds-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="appds-0-0"><span data-offset-key="appds-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="684nb-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="684nb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="684nb-0-0"><span data-text="true">Even though things are dire, when the GOP is outlawing our rights, find ways to recharge so you can fight back.</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="2gq2u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2gq2u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2gq2u-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-text="true">Because we must.</span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-text="true">Register and vote for pro-choice Democrats who will end the filibuster.</span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-offset-key="97dep-0-0"><span data-text="true">Contact your senators, representative, and local officials and tell them you are pissed about the Supreme Court overruling Roe v. Wade, undermining gun control, and advancing an extremist right-wing agenda. Tell them to take action to protect your rights.<br /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="an0fj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="an0fj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="an0fj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8f7r9" data-offset-key="10q42-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="10q42-0-0"><span style="color: #1d9bf0;"><span data-offset-key="10q42-0-0"><span data-text="true">#VoteBlue</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="10q42-1-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d9bf0;"><span data-offset-key="10q42-2-0"><span data-text="true">#AbortionIsHealthcare</span></span></span></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-59711864007505650472022-05-27T19:40:00.001-04:002022-05-28T20:53:59.079-04:00Captain America<div data-contents="true"><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="9vcbv-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9vcbv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9vcbv-0-0"><span data-text="true">Today's sighting: Captain America. He was working for a subcontractor of the cable company and installing a new cable line for the new utility poles.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="e0rov-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e0rov-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e0rov-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="9q34q-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9q34q-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9q34q-0-0"><span data-text="true">He was wearing the classic Captain America t-shirt with the shield on the front, a matte black hard hat that gave WW2 vibes, and skinny jeans.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="9d5a4-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9d5a4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9d5a4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="33les-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="33les-0-0"><span data-offset-key="33les-0-0"><span data-text="true">I saw him pulling a line from the spool on the back of the truck past the driveway into the yard and then down the creek bank. From there he hurled it across to the other side. Then he walked downstream on the bank a bit and quickly hopped across the big junky rocks the construction crew left jutting out of the creek to the other side.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="e1kar-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e1kar-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e1kar-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="1qsvu-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1qsvu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1qsvu-0-0"><span data-text="true">He was so agile. I'm only sorry I wasn't shooting video because I had no idea that was coming. Later it occurred to me that I couldn't think of a reason he couldn't have just walked across the bridge with the line, but, you know, Captain America.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="cm746-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cm746-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cm746-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="csn17-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="csn17-0-0"><span data-offset-key="csn17-0-0"><span data-text="true">A while later he was up in the bucket arm of the truck working on the line at the new pole in my yard. This time I was shooting photographs and video. I had the top half of the window down with my camera resting on it. He was maybe 50 feet away but he was clearly aware of me since we were about at eye level and he kept glancing over in my direction. I think I was making him nervous.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="7m1oi-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7m1oi-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7m1oi-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="cacqt-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cacqt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cacqt-0-0"><span data-text="true">If I were an extrovert or maybe if I hadn't felt like I'd lose my voice, I would've yelled, "Hey, Captain America! Thank you!" I suppose I could've waved, but ultimately I didn't want to interrupt his work.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="8i59p-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8i59p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8i59p-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="9aj3s-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9aj3s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9aj3s-0-0"><span data-text="true">I was just waiting for this cool machine they attach to the line to spin down to the next pole. I think it wraps the cable line around the metal wire line he'd already installed. Once I had that shot, I closed the window and went back to my workout.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="2hra9-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2hra9-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2hra9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="49a8p-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="49a8p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="49a8p-0-0"><span data-text="true">He and his partner, Bucky?, who mainly did work on the ground and drove the truck left around lunchtime.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="4ujct-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4ujct-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4ujct-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="98us-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="98us-0-0"><span data-offset-key="98us-0-0"><span data-text="true">I thought they'd come back after to finish switching over to the new line and removing the temp line but they didn't return. My guess is the actual cable company will come back for that part of the job. We'll see.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="eq3l4-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eq3l4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="eq3l4-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="5v9gu" data-offset-key="2lmpj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2lmpj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2lmpj-0-0"><span data-text="true">In any case, Thank you for your work, Captain America!</span></span></div></div></div><p><br /></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/05/temporal-transportation.html">Temporal Transportation</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-76741790542414363652022-05-26T11:43:00.000-04:002022-05-26T11:43:24.329-04:00Remember in November and Take Action Now<p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">When
the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting happened nearly 10 years ago,
I thought it would be the catalyst for gun reform. I was wrong. With
hundreds of mass shootings in the US since including one at </span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Robb Elementary School in </span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Uvalde, Texas this week, it's clear there will be no
change until politicians in the pockets of gun lobbyists are voted out
of office. </span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Remember in November and for every local election or primary before then and vote accordingly.</span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Make sure you are registered to vote now. Call and/or email your senators and representative and tell them you want sensible gun control laws. </span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Learn more: <a href="https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/gun-violence/16-facts-about-gun-violence-and-school-shootings/">16 Facts About Gun Violence And School Shootings</a> </span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Take action: <a href="https://actionfund.sandyhookpromise.org/">Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund works to pass legislation that advances school safety and mental health and prevents gun violence.</a></span> <br /></p><p> </p><p><i>17 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2005/05/geek-well-maybe-according-_111713623636806623.html">Geek? Well, maybe according to some... </a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-72455498200524906442022-05-14T16:30:00.000-04:002022-05-14T16:30:37.966-04:00Note to Self, vol. XXX<p>If you are going to help Dad move something heavy again:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>a) Do it by yourself if you can, or</p><p>b) If you can't, go over where and how the item will be moved very clearly and very specifically before you lift anything.</p></blockquote><p><br />Mom was getting a new chair delivered, so I offered to help Dad move her old one out of the way after lunch. Though it's not really big, it's a recliner that both rocks and swivels. The thing is a heavy beast and really unwieldy to move.<br /></p><p>Dad finished lunch before me and disappeared. I finished a few minutes later, waited a bit, and decided to see if I could forge ahead without him.</p><p>I can test out whether I can lift/move something without injuring myself, but Mom was worried and went looking for Dad.</p><p>While she was gone, I discovered I could stand behind the chair and tip it back so it was resting on its circular base. Then it rolled sideways a short distance. It felt like a brilliant discovery.</p><p>Mind you, it's probably not good for the chair, but I knew she didn't plan to keep it. I was also a little concerned about all the concentrated weight rolling across the rug, but it looked okay, so I kept going.</p><p>I moved it across the room, about ten feet, by myself until I was nearing the edge of the rug. My angle was getting off for final placement and I realized it would be in the way when her chair got delivered.</p><p>Had I had a few more minutes to myself, I would've realized I could swivel the chair when it was resting normally on the ground to change direction when it was tipped back. However, Mom arrived with Dad in tow berating him for not helping me.<br /></p><p>He didn't take it well and blew it off talking about what he'd wanted to do outside but ultimately looked at me and said, "I forgot."</p><p>The chair still needed to be moved a couple feet off the rug onto the hardwood floor. I didn't think my rolling method would be good on that surface.</p><p>Dad was just standing motionless in the middle of the room so I said, "Are you going to help or what?"</p><p>He walked over and got on the right side of the chair across from me. The only useful place to grip it was quite low, just a few inches from the ground. When we were both set, we lifted.</p><p>I lifted a couple inches thinking we'd shift it back from there while he stood up as if we were going to walk several feet. So I had to stand up while not braced for it. We moved it like a foot and put it down.</p><p>The chair still needed to go further back. He wanted to put it all the way next to the wall and went into in charge mode and stood behind the chair.</p><p>"That's not going to work," I said.</p><p>"Why not?" he said.</p><p>"Because you're standing behind it," Mom interjected.</p><p>I'm sure he thought he could, as he calls it, "jackass it around." I'd already given that a tentative try and the nature of the heavy round base prevents it.</p><p>He came back to the side opposite me.</p><p>"I don't want to stand up with it. I just want to lift it a couple inches and move it back," I clarified while gesturing.</p><p>We moved it without incident this time.</p><p>For all their concern I would injure myself moving it by myself, it was that first uneven lift with him that gave me a mild strain to my lower back.<br /></p><p>It's not thrown out, but I can feel it and any wrong move, imperfect form lift or reach could trigger it. I'm trying to take it easy today, but I needed to do laundry and scrub my tub. Not ideal. I could've put it off, but having to change my routine would've irked me. I am delaying other things I would've done today.<br /></p><p>So anyway, note to self: maybe next time don't offer to help and if they ask, tell them to ask the strong delivery guys to do it. At least they got a nice tip!</p><p><br /></p><p><i>17 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2005/05/chocolate-glazed-donut.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Glazed Donut </a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-48275249188222758472022-04-05T20:21:00.000-04:002022-04-05T20:21:44.746-04:00Cell Time<p>Looks like I will finally have to get a new cell phone one of these days. The one my friend helped me pick out almost 20 years ago still works, just not with 5G. Though honestly, it seems like a scam because last time I tried it, it recognized the network, had 5 bars, and was able to relay a message saying it couldn't connect the call and I should contact the account holder (aka me) as if it's my fault (it's not!). </p><p>Anyway, anyone know a good pay as you go phone that will work with 5G? </p><p> </p><p><i>10 years and 1 day ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/04/lucky-7.html">Lucky 7</a></p><p> Seeing that post made me realize I missed my blogiversary yesterday. Happy 17 to TTaT!</p><p> Here are some highlights from last year: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2021/04/xvi-sedici-16-seize-sweet-sixteen.html">xvi, sedici, 16, seize, sweet sixteen! </a> <br /></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-14553231125321449452022-03-22T17:05:00.000-04:002022-03-22T17:05:30.390-04:00Tarts<p>Regarding blueberries that were not very sweet, my Dad said, "They'd make a great pie."<br /></p><p>"Or a tart," I suggested.</p><p>"What?"</p><p>"A tart," I repeated and then spelled out, "T-a-r-t."</p><p></p><p>I love that this exchange lead to me describing the <i>Pitch Perfect 3</i> scene where Amy suggests they get "tarted up" and no one understands because of her accent and phrasing. Made him laugh.</p><p></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/03/dance-dare-brilliant-idea-in-action.html" target="_blank">Dance Dare: a brilliant idea in action</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-30931054822715547512022-02-21T20:49:00.000-05:002022-02-21T20:49:05.940-05:00Fatigued<p>Fatigued. That's my word for 2022 so far. Not in the pick-a-guiding-principle-for-the-year sort of way, just descriptive.</p><p></p><p>I recognize it, this particular fatigue, depression gaining ground. I even know its many roots.</p><p>We're coming up on 2 years of a global pandemic. I know it's already over two, but in those early days and weeks and months when information was withheld, downplayed, and/or lied about, I wasn't yet truly feeling its impact.</p><p>I remember going to an art museum with my parents on March 2, sort of squeaking in before shutdowns which seemed likely started reaching my semi-rural area. That was 2020.</p><p>I miss going to museums. It's one of the things that recharges me. I went to one outdoor sculpture exhibit last year and that was it.</p><p>The pandemic wasn't even the biggest mental drain for me in 2021. It was almost 10 months of construction right outside starting at 7 am, many days earlier. I'm not a morning person and I'm sensitive to loud noise so it was crushing me. Definitely made it a struggle to concentrate while working from home.<br /></p><p>They aren't even done yet. The reprieve is only due to winter. The new replacement bridge is done, the temp bridge removed, but the temporary road 1/2 of which cuts through my yard still needs to be removed. In theory the creek banks are supposed to be "restored," but that's a joke because they cut down 40 trees before they started this project.<br /></p><p>Anyway, that will resume once it gets warmer and no doubt be dragged out as the rest of their work has been.</p><p>At the beginning of last August, I came down with <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2021/08/how-to-recognize-you-have-shingles.html">shingles</a>. I didn't recognize it for what it was missing that <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2021/08/a-critical-thing-to-know-about-shingles.html">critical early treatment window</a>. (Seriously, if you're 50+, get the Shingles vaccine! If younger, learn those symptoms and get treated fast.)</p><p>Based on my symptoms, my doctor thought it would last 4 months. It's been over 6 and the rash still hasn't totally healed yet. It is wearisome. Other than rest and clean living, there's not much for it.</p><p>In December, I had a dodgy mole in a sensitive spot removed. It needed doing and was fine (not cancerous) so that was a relief but the area is still bruised and uncomfortable.</p><p>Then there are the Republicans: their many attacks on voting rights and how elections are held, rigging the system every way they can while undermining their base's confidence in elections so that any time they lose they can yell foul play like kids in a school yard. They are the foulest of all. No true patriot of this country should want any eligible voter prevented from doing so.<br /></p><p>Then there's the Republican attacks on women's right to choose (medical decisions are none of your business!), trans kids, LGBTQ rights...</p><p>Ggrarrgh!</p><p>So I feel like it makes complete sense that I'm feeling depressed all things considered. I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm just losing steam without my old sources of rejuvenation.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-kind-of-dream.html">My kind of dream</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-13741184442483849402022-02-16T17:24:00.002-05:002022-02-16T17:24:39.099-05:00Georgia O'Keeffe, Photographer<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57615573-georgia-o-keeffe-photographer" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Georgia O'Keeffe, Photographer" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1619246678l/57615573._SX98_.jpg" /></a>1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57615573-georgia-o-keeffe-photographer">Georgia O'Keeffe, Photographer</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6262721.Lisa_Volpe">Lisa Volpe</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4554828469">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Really enjoyed it. The book accompanies an exhibition of the same name that is currently traveling through the US in 2022 and into 2023. Check it out if you can.
<br /><br />
<br />
<p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/02/if-you-ask-me-and-of-course-you-wont.html">If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) </a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-20125225726984239132022-02-01T19:48:00.001-05:002022-02-01T19:56:11.698-05:00Happy Lunar New Year!<blockquote>The year 2022 is slated to be the year of the water tiger. The water tiger comes up every 60 years. The water tiger is action-oriented and represents strength, bravery and clearing away evil. –<a href="https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year" rel="nofollow">https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year</a></blockquote><p>
Action-oriented "strength, bravery and clearing away evil" sounds like excellent, timely inspiration and motivation for this year. I am here for it!</p><p>Double-check your voter registration, register to vote if you aren't registered, spread the word, vote for pro-choice/pro-democracy/pro-voting Democrats up and down your ballots this year!</p><p></p><p>Angry that Dems haven't done enough lately? Elect more progressive Democrats to give them a wider margin so they can't be held hostage by Republicans, Manchin, Sinema, and the effin' filibuster.<br /></p><p> </p><p></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/02/remarkable-places-explore-beauty-of.html">Remarkable Places: Explore the beauty of nature's hidden places </a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-5190493524288803802022-01-21T18:44:00.001-05:002022-01-23T18:49:05.949-05:00Caller ID<p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Heard phone ring.
Saw Dad leaning over the kitchen phone, reading the caller ID. </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"Anyone of note?" I asked. </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"Washington, D.C.," he replied. </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"Are they calling to personally apologize?" </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">"No doubt," he said glibly. </span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">They didn't leave a message though.</span></p><p><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-business-practices-for.html" target="_blank">Best Business Practices for Photographers</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-86562934211214719152021-12-26T17:09:00.000-05:002021-12-26T17:09:21.283-05:00Another Win In The Little Drummer Boy Challenge, Huzzah!<p class="hcukyx3x oygrvhab cxmmr5t8 kvgmc6g5 bstw73uy" dir="ltr"><span data-outline-text="true">I'm pleased to report that I won this year despite an hour at the dentist getting my teeth cleaned during which they played non-stop xmas music, xmas music at another doctor's office, and much roll of the dice tv watching. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It seems crazy, but I've been playing <a href="https://littledrummerboychallenge.com/" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;">The Little Drummer Boy Challenge</a> since 2011. Honestly I wasn't going to play this year, rather I wasn't invested in winning. Once you've played, I find it hard not to be aware of what music's playing. That said, it was still nice to rack up another win.<br /><br /><a href="https://littledrummerboychallenge.com/about/" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;">The rules from the site</a>:<br /></p><blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It’s very easy: So long as you don’t hear “The Little Drummer Boy,” you’re a contender. As soon as you hear it on the radio, on TV, in a store, wherever, you’re out. <br /><br />The game begins the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) at 12:01 am and continues until midnight, Dec. 23. If you haven’t been puh-rum-pum-pum-pummed, you win. For this year, anyway.</blockquote><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In 11 years of playing, I've now won 8 times, but when I lost, I lost 3 years in a row. Currently I'm on a 4 year winning streak.</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Happy holidays, y'all!</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2005/12/outdated-help.html">Outdated help</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-86512241493239663462021-11-11T21:26:00.004-05:002021-11-11T21:26:45.386-05:00More Than Words: Illustrated Letters from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/865449.More_Than_Words" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="More Than Words: Illustrated Letters From The Smithsonian's Archive of American Art" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348317765l/865449._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/865449.More_Than_Words">More Than Words: Illustrated Letters From The Smithsonian's Archive of American Art</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/446813.Liza_Kirwin">Liza Kirwin</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4333539167">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Overall I enjoyed it though I do wish the book were physically larger. Often the letters are reduced in size making them hard to read. There are transcripts in the back (often the whole letters aren't pictured) but they are in an even smaller, all caps, light blue font. I like the blue but I see why black on white is the standard. <div><br /><br /><i>16 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2005/11/expedition.html">The Expedition</a></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-59791659480254756342021-11-02T18:39:00.001-04:002021-11-02T18:39:42.229-04:00New (to me) WordIn describing the efforts of the construction crew, my Dad said they were, "fiddledicking around."<div><br /></div><div>Not really a portmanteau. A compound word, I reckon, made from "fiddling" and "dicking."</div><div><br /></div><div>Somehow it's more offensive than either word on its own while also more hilarious.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><i>10 years + 1 day ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2011/11/43-i-am-maru.html" target="_blank">43. I Am Maru</a></p></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-80885343830412629132021-09-16T20:05:00.001-04:002021-09-16T20:05:59.064-04:00SnapMom and I were out for a walk to take a better look at the wood forms the construction crew had built today when I spotted something on the temporary road. I leaned over for a better look.<br /><p>"There's a little turtle," I said. Its shell was maybe an inch and a half long with a tail that seemed oddly long to me, maybe another inch.</p><p>Mom was a few paces ahead but turned back to see.</p><p>"That's a snapping turtle," she said.</p><p>I wasn't sure if it was alive since it was so still and its shell was covered with pale dirt like from the construction site.</p><p>"It's dirty," she commented.</p><p>I crouched down to get a little closer to take a photograph. I was still a foot away when the baby turtle took off. It didn't go far but it was fast. I had entered its personal space and it was not having it.</p><p>At least it was at the edge of the road instead of on it then. Unfortunately it was on the side leading to the construction.</p><p>"It'll never get where it wants to go now," Mom said. "You should pick it up and move it."</p><p>"Where?"</p><p>"Over there," Mom said, pointing to the side of the temporary bridge that would lead down to the creek.</p><p>"Feel free," I said with a sweeping arm gesture.</p><p>"I don't want to," Mom said.</p><p>"Why not?"</p><p>"I don't want my fingers to get snapped," she replied.</p><p>"Gee, thanks," I said.</p><p>Having seen how fast it moved when I was still a foot away, I had no doubt it could swing around and bite me in a flash. I was not up for it.</p><p>"Sorry, little guy," I said as Mom and I walked further on.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>15 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2006/09/multiples-of-eleven.html" target="_blank">Multiples of Eleven</a></p>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-10264249769215679802021-08-27T21:10:00.000-04:002021-08-27T21:10:08.597-04:00A Critical Thing to Know About Shingles<div><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_dd"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto">So <b>a critical thing to know about Shingles</b> is that you need to get treatment within <b>72 HOURS</b> of your first shingles rash appearing so you can start the antiviral medicine which will reduce your symptoms, shorten the duration, and most critically, prevent ongoing pain (postherpetic neuralgia) after your rash clears.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto">I missed this 72 hour window by ~12 hours. Based on how my blistery rash looked, my doc estimated I will have 4 months of pain. (Trust me, it sucks.)</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto">If you're 50+, get the Shingles vaccine! <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Learn more from the CDC</a>.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><b>Other key things to know:</b></div><div dir="auto">If you had chickenpox in the past, you can get shingles.</div><blockquote><div dir="auto">Chickenpox and shingles are related because they are caused by the same virus (varicella zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles. –<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CDC</a></div></blockquote><div dir="auto">You don't have to be over 50 to get shingles.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">So be vigilant. <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2021/08/how-to-recognize-you-have-shingles.html" target="_blank">I didn't know how it presented</a>. <i>I don't want that for you. </i></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">If you have muscle pain and then a rash appears as well, get checked out right away! That is my anecdotal experience. I'm not a medical professional.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Get facts from the Mayo Clinic</a>.</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-37876006772915508172021-08-10T20:41:00.000-04:002021-08-10T20:41:37.710-04:00How to Recognize You Have Shingles (Anecdotal)For me, it started with a muscle strain, vertically along the middle of my spine. Like I'd pulled a muscle.<div><br /></div><div>I'd been doing some odd things recently, like carrying heavy grocery bags over a foot bridge that was so narrow I had to carry one bag in front and one behind. So I didn't think much of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ER doctor said the dormant chickenpox virus hangs out along the middle of your spine. Go figure.</div><div><br /></div><div>I rolled out my back with rubber balls, kept doing my usual workout and it seemed to improve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sleeping Wednesday night, I started to have muscle pain. It felt like it had moved to the right. (The ER doc said Shingles migrates out along the nerves.) When I rolled over, it felt like my skin was tearing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I assumed I'd gotten a scratch on my back somehow. When I looked at it as best I could on Thursday it was red in a couple places. I put some antibiotic on it which seemed to help and figured it would heal up in a couple days.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was the first Shingles appearing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday the redness on my back was larger and slightly raised. Redness and bumps also appeared on my chest. I thought this was a stronger atopic dermatitis reaction. It's a condition where rashes can randomly appear. I hadn't had one as pronounced, but again I didn't think it was related to the muscle pain which kept increasing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was psyched out because it was Friday and figured the doctor's office wouldn't be able to get me in and also I was still thinking I would start improving. Just that Wednesday, I'd gotten a notice from the local health system about new protocols to help prevent the uptick in Delta variant virus cases.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really didn't want to go to the ER.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday the pain and redness increased. Here my high tolerance for pain worked against me. I thought about going to the ER but things sort of conspired against that choice and I felt a bit better with a heating pad on my back.</div><div><br /></div><div>At 6:30 pm, my mom asked to see my back. I said no since I already knew I was definitely having a much stronger skin reaction to something. She suggested it might be Shingles, and I immediately felt she was right. It had never crossed my mind (so I didn't like hearing she'd thought of it before but hadn't mentioned it because she thought I wouldn't listen).</div><div><br /></div><div>I really didn't want to go the ER on a Saturday night though. My dad would have to drive and night driving isn't great for him and I knew it would really wear him out to be at the ER for 6 hours (and me too). My parents have been a couple times in recent years at night on off-days. It took forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday night I had so much pain I don't feel like I slept at all. I'd been taking Advil this whole time for pain but it wasn't doing much.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday morning, I waited for my Dad to get up and then asked him to take me to the ER. The pain was so high it changed my voice, made it higher and harder to talk.</div><div><br /></div><div>I checked in and described my symptoms. It wasn't long before I was taken back to the triage nurse. I described my symptoms and lifted my shirt to show her my rash. She asked me to stand up because it looked like Shingles and that's contagious. They took my blood pressure which was super high because, guess what?, pain. My pulse oximeter rating was good though.</div><div><br /></div><div>They whisked me off to a room since I couldn't be in the waiting room. Took 2 hours which is good compared to my past ER experiences. Still, it was a long painful 2 hours because the doctor came, said I had Shingles and that they'd get me 1st doses of an antiviral and a pain reliever but I didn't get those until right when they were ready to kick me out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the moral of the story is you want to start treatment for Shingles as early as possible. I didn't know how it presented. So this anecdote is how it started for me: Muscle strain first that migrated to the right and became painful. Some redness showed up on my back along with the first strong pain. So Thursday would have been the day to seek treatment.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_171"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto">If you are 50 or older, get the Shingles vaccine unless you have a medical reason not to!</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Learn more here:</div><div dir="auto"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html</a><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q"><div dir="auto">Shingles is no joke. Painful, grisly rash that blisters up. Trust me, you want to avoid this.</div></div></span></div></div></div></div><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>10 years ago on TTaT</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2011/08/50-for-50-for-50.html">50% for "50 for 50"</a></p></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11901578.post-13161419328733033642021-08-03T13:49:00.005-04:002021-08-03T13:49:53.155-04:00RainfallAverage total rainfall in July where I live: 5 inches.<div><br /></div><div>July 2021 rainfall total: 17 inches.<br /><p><br /></p><p><i>Not quite 10 years ago on TTaT, but fitting</i>: <a href="https://tallerthanaveragetales.blogspot.com/2011/08/power-of-water-part-1.html" target="_blank">The Power of Water, part 1</a></p></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06168243108016358137noreply@blogger.com0