Surely I have written about the Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ mystery book club before. About how they made me feel welcome at the first meeting. About how fun it is to join this group for dinner before we actually go to the meeting. About how fun it is to talk about the book we read. If we all like the book, the discussion is usually minimal, unless we really, really like the book. If we disliked the book, the discussion extends. Sometimes, we learn from members about background information pertinent to the book.
The selection process for the book to read has varied: We sometimes decide as a group. There was a time that each member was assigned a month to pick a group. There have been a few times when just a few members have been asked to select the group. Those who are consistent and persist with the group do not complain if the selection is not to their liking, because, ultimately, they do have the opportunity to select a book, too.
We have had an author, with ties to Lubbock, join us on more than one occasion. That is neat. But, that does not mean that we select the author's book to read for the book club.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Friday, July 4, 2014
Maybe Time Out Really Does Work with Taki
Taki sometimes gets too out of control in her play, biting and scratching. I think, because she did not have sibling kittens to play with as a baby and young cat, she never learned how hurtful that play is, so she continues with it. That is probably my fault, but from an early age, I tried to dissuade those behaviors. I usually try to redirect her.
When I was doing physical therapy exercises before, and when I resumed this time, she was fascinated with my feet when I did certain exercises. I prefer to be in my stocking feet in the house, but often wore shoes when I did the PT exercises before. When I wore shoes, her attentions to my feet did not bother me. But, in my stocking feet, her attentions are almost painful. More ticklish, but almost painful, and very distracting.
The first time I did PT, I did my best to discourage Taki from her attentions as much as possible, but put her in "time out" only once or twice. "Time out" is the bottom cage of the cat stroller, which has a prominent place in the living room. All three cats like to sit or lay in the top cage of this double decker stroller from Kittywalk https://www.kittywalk.com/double_decker.asp. I leave the doors to both levels open, but the door to the top level blocks the lower level. So, sometimes a cat will go in the lower level, but they usually choose the top level.
Well, this time, doing PT, Taki again could not resist my feet, and attacked them consistently, at the same exercise each night. After a couple of nights of loud "nos", I did put her in time out when she started misbehaving. I put her in "time out" two nights in a row. She was not in for long, and I did not finish the PT sessions before I took her out, I just finished the parts of the sessions that set her to grabbing and attacking my feet.
Now, I have noticed that when I do PT, Taki stays away from me, until I get to the offending set of exercises. Then, she come into the living room, watches, but does not grab for my feet. Maybe "time out" does work. Recently, I had told a friend I did not think "time out" worked for Taki. I think Taki has a learning disability. She is slow to try things, and doing something once does not mean she knows how to do it again. (Unlike Sake and Haiku. Doing something once makes it a tradition for them.)
So, maybe time out does work for Taki, after all!
When I was doing physical therapy exercises before, and when I resumed this time, she was fascinated with my feet when I did certain exercises. I prefer to be in my stocking feet in the house, but often wore shoes when I did the PT exercises before. When I wore shoes, her attentions to my feet did not bother me. But, in my stocking feet, her attentions are almost painful. More ticklish, but almost painful, and very distracting.
The first time I did PT, I did my best to discourage Taki from her attentions as much as possible, but put her in "time out" only once or twice. "Time out" is the bottom cage of the cat stroller, which has a prominent place in the living room. All three cats like to sit or lay in the top cage of this double decker stroller from Kittywalk https://www.kittywalk.com/double_decker.asp. I leave the doors to both levels open, but the door to the top level blocks the lower level. So, sometimes a cat will go in the lower level, but they usually choose the top level.
Well, this time, doing PT, Taki again could not resist my feet, and attacked them consistently, at the same exercise each night. After a couple of nights of loud "nos", I did put her in time out when she started misbehaving. I put her in "time out" two nights in a row. She was not in for long, and I did not finish the PT sessions before I took her out, I just finished the parts of the sessions that set her to grabbing and attacking my feet.
Now, I have noticed that when I do PT, Taki stays away from me, until I get to the offending set of exercises. Then, she come into the living room, watches, but does not grab for my feet. Maybe "time out" does work. Recently, I had told a friend I did not think "time out" worked for Taki. I think Taki has a learning disability. She is slow to try things, and doing something once does not mean she knows how to do it again. (Unlike Sake and Haiku. Doing something once makes it a tradition for them.)
So, maybe time out does work for Taki, after all!
I don't think I'm organized....
I have written before about my perception that I am not very organized. And the fact that other people think I am very organized. Well, when I purchased the new computer, I needed to find the key for the secure wire-less network that I set up.
I had looked for it before, but was not sure that I found it. I did a dumb thing, and used the key set by the manufacturer, which was a complex series of letters and numbers that made no sense, and had no rhyme or reason. Well, what I remembered finding before did not seem right, but it was all I could find.
With the purchase of the new computer, I needed the key to set up the wireless system, again. Well, I went looking in the box I thought contained those papers, and there it was, plain as day! Was I surprised? A little. Relieved? A lot. But it was where I put it when I put it up some 8 years ago. Maybe that is being organized.
I had looked for it before, but was not sure that I found it. I did a dumb thing, and used the key set by the manufacturer, which was a complex series of letters and numbers that made no sense, and had no rhyme or reason. Well, what I remembered finding before did not seem right, but it was all I could find.
With the purchase of the new computer, I needed the key to set up the wireless system, again. Well, I went looking in the box I thought contained those papers, and there it was, plain as day! Was I surprised? A little. Relieved? A lot. But it was where I put it when I put it up some 8 years ago. Maybe that is being organized.
Haiku and the Off Limits Surfaces
Of all of my cats, Haiku likes boxes the most. She likes to tear them up, she likes to hide in them, she likes to chew on them, she likes to lay on them. So, Wednesday night was a tough night for her. I brought home a new computer in a box. I had the box open on the TV tray next to the computer desk. Haiku jumped on it twice. I removed her both times. After the second time, she got her feelings hurt, and went away.
But when she came back, she jumped on the old laptop keyboard. All three cats do that, although Sake, and to a lesser extent, Haiku work around the keyboard to a slight extent, some of the time. Taki totally does not get it, she even likes to just sit on the keyboard. So, Haiku again had to be moved. That really hurt her feelings.
She got over it. But, I hated that she had such a tough night. She is such a sweet cat, that I hate to deny her any requests, or discipline her. But sometimes, she needs to be redirected, even if it hurts her feelings.
But when she came back, she jumped on the old laptop keyboard. All three cats do that, although Sake, and to a lesser extent, Haiku work around the keyboard to a slight extent, some of the time. Taki totally does not get it, she even likes to just sit on the keyboard. So, Haiku again had to be moved. That really hurt her feelings.
She got over it. But, I hated that she had such a tough night. She is such a sweet cat, that I hate to deny her any requests, or discipline her. But sometimes, she needs to be redirected, even if it hurts her feelings.
A Plug For Office Depot
I live within walking distance of Office Depot http://www.officedepot.com/, and indeed, when I did not have back problems, I have walked there before. I use them a lot because of the convenience. Like any store we frequent, I have become familiar with the layout, and if for that reason if no other, I prefer it to Office Max. I use Staples some, too, but they are further away.
Anyway, they were very helpful. I went comparison shopping Tuesday night. I started with Office Depot. I am glad I did. The gentleman spent a lot of time answering my questions about the new technology (Windows 8 and 8.1.)
I went to Staples http://www.staples.com/ next. Like Office Depot, they had a variety of computers to look at. Unlike Office Depot, there were very few that had prices marked. When the sales gentleman came to help me, he was not very forth coming with information, and his answers were the kind that someone who knows the jargon uses, without consideration for whether or not someone else knows the jargon. He rattled off comparisons and prices so quickly, I could not digest the information.
I went to Office Max http://www.officemax.com/. They had very few options from which to choose, and I could not even scare up a sales clerk, but I did not try too hard.
So, of course, I stopped at Wal-Mart. I had some other things to pick up, anyway. I went to the computer aisle, and there were several laptops, 2 customers, and a sales person describing the computers to them. The prices were great, in the range I really wanted to spend, but not with the features I could get on the computers at Office Depot. And I was unsure of the brands.
By then, it was a little after 8 PM, and I could have gone back to Office Depot and purchased the computer. But I had stuff to do at the house, and would not have had much time to start setting up the computer. So, I went back Wednesday on my way home from work, asked a few more questions, and purchased a computer. (It came in a tiny little box. I remember my first computer. It came in a huge box!)
I did not start setting up the computer until after I took care of personal business. I realized it would take me more than one night to set things up. That was a little frustrating, but okay with me.
I realized that I needed a flash drive to make a recovery program. I had some, but I was not sure they were compatible with Windows 8.1, and I did not want to take a chance. I raced back to Office Depot, told the sales agent what I needed, and she made the correct recommendation! (This was such a quick trip, I did not shut off the lights or TV in the house!)
The other thing that Office Depot does, and many stores now do, is if there is a mail-in rebate attached to the sale, they provide a duplicate receipt for that exact purpose. The one thing they do not do right though, is they do not show the itemized purchase information on the screen where you swipe the credit card. That would be nice. But I give them a high B at worst.
So, kudos to Office Depot. They did good, not great, but good.
Anyway, they were very helpful. I went comparison shopping Tuesday night. I started with Office Depot. I am glad I did. The gentleman spent a lot of time answering my questions about the new technology (Windows 8 and 8.1.)
I went to Staples http://www.staples.com/ next. Like Office Depot, they had a variety of computers to look at. Unlike Office Depot, there were very few that had prices marked. When the sales gentleman came to help me, he was not very forth coming with information, and his answers were the kind that someone who knows the jargon uses, without consideration for whether or not someone else knows the jargon. He rattled off comparisons and prices so quickly, I could not digest the information.
I went to Office Max http://www.officemax.com/. They had very few options from which to choose, and I could not even scare up a sales clerk, but I did not try too hard.
So, of course, I stopped at Wal-Mart. I had some other things to pick up, anyway. I went to the computer aisle, and there were several laptops, 2 customers, and a sales person describing the computers to them. The prices were great, in the range I really wanted to spend, but not with the features I could get on the computers at Office Depot. And I was unsure of the brands.
By then, it was a little after 8 PM, and I could have gone back to Office Depot and purchased the computer. But I had stuff to do at the house, and would not have had much time to start setting up the computer. So, I went back Wednesday on my way home from work, asked a few more questions, and purchased a computer. (It came in a tiny little box. I remember my first computer. It came in a huge box!)
I did not start setting up the computer until after I took care of personal business. I realized it would take me more than one night to set things up. That was a little frustrating, but okay with me.
I realized that I needed a flash drive to make a recovery program. I had some, but I was not sure they were compatible with Windows 8.1, and I did not want to take a chance. I raced back to Office Depot, told the sales agent what I needed, and she made the correct recommendation! (This was such a quick trip, I did not shut off the lights or TV in the house!)
The other thing that Office Depot does, and many stores now do, is if there is a mail-in rebate attached to the sale, they provide a duplicate receipt for that exact purpose. The one thing they do not do right though, is they do not show the itemized purchase information on the screen where you swipe the credit card. That would be nice. But I give them a high B at worst.
So, kudos to Office Depot. They did good, not great, but good.
16 to 9, is this Football?
Wednesday night, I watched the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox play baseball on TV. The game was at Fenway Park. I am not sure I would call it a good game, because the Red Sox lost. But there was a lot of action, and the final score was Chicago 16, Red Sox 9. Now, that score is an American football score, not a baseball score. That was amazing. It was a long game, too. But with a lot of scoring, it is fun to watch, although the team I was cheering for did not win!
Google, Blogger and Me
A couple of years ago, all of a sudden, I could not access my blog, Joyce's Jabberings. I finally gave up, and re-signed onto Google with a different account, did one Joyce's Jabberings, and created Lisenby Lines.
Well, I have a new computer, and I am trying to set it up. That has been trying and interesting, as the technology and software has changed so much. I am getting used to the Microsoft 8.1 and the touch screen. I have set the default, though, so the computer will open to the desktop instead of the Windows tiles.
As a Texas Tech employ, I have access to discounted and low cost downloads, including Microsoft Office. I checked the other day, and Office 2007 was available and free. Now, it is not on the download list. Oh, well, I can get Microsoft 2010 for $10. I send for it by mail, or go to the library and buy it. I am hoping the media support center will be open this weekend so I can get it.
I decided to open a Microsoft email account, anyway, so I could send stuff to myself. The one thing I wanted to send to myself was the Lisenby Lines access information.
Well, that did not work, because I kept getting my first blog account for Joyce's Jabberings. I worked at it over and over. I kept having to change my password and I just could not get it to work. It took me forever to realize the Lisenby Lines is associated with a different gmail account, and then not quite as long to figure out how to change to that account so I could get to Lisenby Lines.
Well, obviously, I am there, and this is my first blog since June 24, 2014. At first, it was because the other laptop would freeze up too often and for too long. Then, it was because I could not figure out the access problem on this computer. Well, this sight is now favorite placed, so I should be able to come back and post again. Soon!
Well, I have a new computer, and I am trying to set it up. That has been trying and interesting, as the technology and software has changed so much. I am getting used to the Microsoft 8.1 and the touch screen. I have set the default, though, so the computer will open to the desktop instead of the Windows tiles.
As a Texas Tech employ, I have access to discounted and low cost downloads, including Microsoft Office. I checked the other day, and Office 2007 was available and free. Now, it is not on the download list. Oh, well, I can get Microsoft 2010 for $10. I send for it by mail, or go to the library and buy it. I am hoping the media support center will be open this weekend so I can get it.
I decided to open a Microsoft email account, anyway, so I could send stuff to myself. The one thing I wanted to send to myself was the Lisenby Lines access information.
Well, that did not work, because I kept getting my first blog account for Joyce's Jabberings. I worked at it over and over. I kept having to change my password and I just could not get it to work. It took me forever to realize the Lisenby Lines is associated with a different gmail account, and then not quite as long to figure out how to change to that account so I could get to Lisenby Lines.
Well, obviously, I am there, and this is my first blog since June 24, 2014. At first, it was because the other laptop would freeze up too often and for too long. Then, it was because I could not figure out the access problem on this computer. Well, this sight is now favorite placed, so I should be able to come back and post again. Soon!
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