Marty

I read a report in an Irish newspaper yesterday that the US National Weather Service had issued "red flag warning" for extreme fire danger due to "bone-dry humidity and wind gusts possibly hitting 55 mph," and that Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) had warned that it may cut power to as many as 54,000 customers in 24 counties as a pre-emptive strategy aimed at preventing fires from being started by power lines that have been damaged or knocked down amid high winds. Fingers crossed the dry weather doesn't lead to even more wildfires!

Hi, Page! (And goodnight, everyone.It's actually 2:00 am here, so I'm off to bed. Got delayed with my volunteering session tonight - which is actually about a one and a half hour from home.)

Glad you got there safely!

I actually had to Google raclette to work out what you were talking about.

I suspect that I have also managed to successfully manage mine through diet, as well (plus other lifestyle changes, particularly exercise). The doctor has hinted at that once or twice, and even wondered if I need to really continue with the Metformin. I might ask hm the next time I see him whether II should at least try lowering the dosage for a while...

Greetings, young fellow!

Hi, Gary! Heading out for the evening shortly - usual Thursday evening voluntary work. Spent a few hours in the early afternoon picking up a friend of mine who currently has no car, took him shopping, and (more importantly) for a flu jab that was scheduled for 3:00 pm. I did manage to find the time when I got back home to take @dughlas's advice and spread the runner bean vines on the lawn and let the lawnmower chop them up before adding them to the compost heap.

I'm on Metformin for my Type 2 diabetes. Another name for it is Glucophage, which basically means sugar eater. As far as I know it doesn't actually lower the insulin level. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not responding to insulin as well as it should do, so I reckon it would not be a good idea to then start taking a medicine that actually lowers the insulin level even further... The main job of insulin is to regulate the level of glucose in the blood, causing it to be stored in the cells of the body if the level starts to rise. High levels in the blood, while not immediately dangerous, can lead to long term damage, such as kidney failure (due to the kidneys taking over the regulatory effect by excreting the excess sugar in the urine - hence the old name of "Sweet Pee" to describe the condition), cardiovascular problems and poor blood supply to the extremities (particularly the feet), raised blood pressure, problems with the eyes (could even cause blindness eventually), amongst other things. Metformin keep my blood sugar down at normal levels. It's working so well for me that my doctor tells me after my every 6 monthly blood tests that, if he didn't know I was Type 2 diabetic, the results would indicate I wasn't (if that makes any sense). Fortunately I have zero side effects from Metformin, and I understand that is the case for the vast majority of people who use it.

Having Googled "IntheMindofSunshine" it looks like that author may have had at least two stories on GA: The Paradox of Friendship, and (possibly) In the Depths of Despair. However, I have not been able to find any other site where works by this author seem to be hosted. The first one actually has a discussion thread still extant on GA, which can be accessed at the following link: https://gayauthors.org/forums/topic/34173-the-paradox-of-friendship/ (However, the link to the story itself in that thread returns an error message saying it cannot be located.) IntheMindofSunshine's profile page still exists (https://gayauthors.org/profile/15017-inthemindofsunshine/) but they have not logged into GA since July 31, 2016, so I doubt even trying a PM the author would be of any use... As an aside, Googling "The Paradox of Friendship" throws up some interesting results (not that any of them seem to be of help in solving @JimBob97's original request...)

Hi, young Albert! I hope the improvement continues, my friend!

Good day to you as well, Gary! Nice and sunny autumn day here also. Slowly dismantling the pea and bean supports. The bamboo canes, and the heavier posts at the end of the rows, will be wiped down and stored in the old cottage for the winter, while the dead and dying pea and bean stems are destined for the compost heap (the broad bean stems are quite tough, so may need a good crushing with the lump hammer first). Just in the house for a snack (shortly after 4:00 pm) and then I'll head out and continue the job. I have a (minimum) 2 hour Zoom session starting at 7:30, so must try to at least get dinner prepared beforehand. Otherwise I might have to ring the chipper again once the meeting finishes.

Safe travels, bro.

Hope you're feeling better soon, Albert.

A very belated "Hi" back at you, Albert. I seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time in Zoom meetings these days, so sorry everyone that I'm not around as often as I'd like. Just midnight here. So it's cocoa, and then bedtime for me shortly...

Finger crossed the changes aren't too severe, Mr B.

G'day, bro! (And everyone else.) Similar sort of day here, although the sun doesn't seem too far away. Occasional showers have meant I haven't managed to cut the grass in the lower part of the garden. Unfortunately this part of the garden doesn't get as much of the sun as the upper part, because it's in the shade of the dwelling house and the old cottage. Fortunately, though, the grass doesn't grow as fast in the lower garden (precisely because of the shade), so it won't be the end of the world if I don't manage to give it a final cut before I decide to give the mower a final clean and service before storing it away until the spring. In other news, it's Budget day here in Ireland, today. The Minister for Finance should be delivering his announcements in the next few minutes or so. I doubt there'll be any really good news, although the Minister has already stated that it should give "hope and confidence." His speech will probably last several hours, so I'll not bother listening to it all, but just catch up with the main points after he's finished. Fingers crossed they make an increase in the State Pension.

Safe travels for when you start, dug! That would work even better for me if the bad weather manages to knock out the internet. Otherwise I tend to waste a bunch of time sat in front of the laptop, surfing away... When a bunch of thyme used to make a herbal tea might actually be better for me... Good day, everyone!

It was a nice enough day here, as well, although the temperature only got up to around 12°C/54°F. But I did manage to get some work done in the garden. It's around 7:15pm here and getting dark, so I'm back in the house. I've just mown the lawn in the upper garden, and if tomorrow's dry again I'll mow the lower one once any dew has dried. That may be the last time I have to mow the lawns this year...

How's things, Page?

Well hello to you, as well, Curti! (Dagnabit! Now my ears are hurting after that loud hello. )

Howdy, young Albert!

And I'm no longer big-headed. Nowadays I'm just perfect! (G'day, duggie )

I've a freezer overflowing with freshly picked garden peas. Just say the word and I'll do my best to get some flown over.

What gary said.

Forest? I thought you were just outstanding in your field, bro...