You're Going To Give Me Money? Sure!

Yesterday I received a post card in the mail that indicated that I might be entitled to a payment from a class action lawsuit. Usually things like this go straight into the recycling bin, but when I turned it over and started reading I learned that in this case the "entitle to a payment" information was correct.

In this case, the defendant was Lee Enterprises (the owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper). Allegedly, they disclosed subscriber's personally identifiable information to Facebook without consent.

The records indicated I was a class member, and the postcard encouraged me to fill out a claim form with a provided login and password. This morning I went to the website, logged in, filled out the form, and chose my settlement delivery method. Before I signed off on the application I had to agree that:

"I am a person in the United States who, from December 1, 2020, until March 4, 2025, have or had a Facebook account, and was a subscriber of a Lee publication during that time."

A hearing on the proposed settlement is scheduled for early August. If the Court approves the settlement I will receive a payment 90 days later. The payment is anticipated to be approximately $41.01. Definitely not a huge amount, but enough to have made it worth my while. 

Five years ago: Time To Count

An Arachnid Good Deed

Every couple of weeks I see a common house spider in the laundry room or master bathroom. During my years of being a "boy mom" to three sons I got over my fear of most creepy crawlies. Now I figure that as long as they stay out of my way and build their webs in inconspicuous places, they're keeping my home insect free.

Two nights ago I went into the bathroom at bedtime and was surprised to see a spider in one of the two sinks in the double vanity. It was trying to climb out, but between gravity and the slick porcelain it couldn't quite get there. I used the other sink to brush my teeth and went to bed.

The next morning the spider wasn't anywhere to be found in the sink, so I was surprised when it was back again later in the afternoon. (Had it been resting in the drain underneath the stopper?) After spending a few minutes watching it's futile locomotion I decided I would give it a little help. I draped a piece of toilet paper from the bottom of the sink up to the vanity, tucked the end under the drinking cup, then turned out the light and left. When I checked five minutes later the spider was gone back to whereever it normally hangs out.

I haven't seen it again.

Rawpixel

Is This A Positive Or A Negative?

Did you realize that today is the midpoint between January 1st and December 25th? Yep, it's Halfway to Christmas.

And as fast as time is flying the holiday season will be here before I know it.

Five years ago today: Scrap Spice Shelf

Hot And Humid Activity

I live in the large part of the country that's currently dealing with a heat wave. A heat advisory (with heat index values-the combination of actual temperature and humidity-of up to 108 degrees started on Saturday. Originally the advisory was set to expire this evening, but then it was extended until Thursday night. I hope that's correct!

Every summer the area has at least one heat wave, so the extremes are nothing new. But they're still annoying. On mornings without commitments, Hubby Tony and I have been arranging our schedules to try and beat the heat. Right after breakfast we grab water bottles and go out to walk.

At that time of day, the angle of the sun is low enough that some of the sidewalks are shady. Sometimes there's a sprinkler system going that I can walk through.  If we choose a route that includes stores I can use the bathroom and refill my water bottle. (And then find a chair and sit for a while in the air conditioning).

By the time our walk is finished I can't wait to get into the air conditioned condo and take a cool shower. My biggest challenge is making myself do anything other than sit around for the rest of the day.

Five years ago: The Office Comes To The Cat

Diverse Different Things

Some days it's difficult to find something noteworthy to post about. Other days there are an embarrassment of riches. Today was one of those. Hubby Tony and I spent an entire afternoon (and early evening) visiting places we had never been to before in a small section of the city.

The inspiration for the whole thing was a heat advisory warning, which made us concentrate on inside activities. Hubby Tony and I take Foster Cat Pimento to the vet, there are several interesting storefronts. One of them is the Miniature Museum of St. Louis. Then, a couple of months later I saw a story about the museum on the local PBS station and added it to my list of places to see. The museum is only open on the weekend, so a hot Saturday in June seemed like the perfect time.

The two-story storefront in the Bevo neighborhood had an incredible collection of dollhouses and buildings of all types. Each of the displays had a push button to light up the interior (which was very helpful to see the tiny details). For example, the tiny Monopoly board on the right hand side of the floor in this one was about an inch one each side!

I enjoyed looking at the displays, but I suspect that if ever I went back I would see a completely different set of details. There was that much!

After we left the museum we headed one neighborhood to the east to visit Dad's Cookie Company in Dutchtown, where they have been making cookies since the 1930s. We thought about getting some of their Original Scotch Oatmeal, but after the friendly clerk gave us samples of two different types we ended up with a half pound of peanut butter chocolate chip and a bag of imperfect (broken) toasted coconut. The old-fashioned store put our purchase in an old-fashioned paper sack marked with an old fashioned stamp that had the address and their obsolete letter-based phone number.

Not too far from the cookie store was St. Anthony of Padua parish, where we went to Mass. I love old, ornate churches and this one definitely fell into that category.

Before mass started the priest was walking from the sanctuary back to the narthex, greeting people as he went. He stopped and asked where we were from, and after the service he told us to drive home safely.

For dinner we ended up across the street from our original location at Das Bevo (originally called Bevo Mill). The building, along with it's windmill, was built in 1917 by the Busch brewing family as a rest stop between the brewery and their farm in the county.

Due to the weather the biergarten was closed, so we ate in the bierhall-a large room with paneled walls, beamed ceilings, and large chandeliers. Tony got a loaded wurst brat with sauerkraut and grilled onions that came with fries. I chose a German-ish Mushroom Spaetzle, and added crumbled bacon.

Even after a filling dinner there's always room for dessert. We weren't too far from the South Grand branch of Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard. I had never been to that location before, but now I can say I've crossed it off my list of places to visit. The menu was the same, and my Johnny Rabbit Concrete (with hard shell chocolate and maraschino cherries mixed into vanilla custard) was as good as it always is.

Five years ago today: Rockery

Summer Starting Point

The Summer Solstice occurs this evening at 9:42 PM, which begins the Northern Hemisphere astronomical summer.

Hubby Tony and I talked about how we would celebrate the event, and decided on something cold and creamy. When we went into Aldi for a few things a box of frozen lime bars jumped into the cart. 

The bar was the perfect combination of cold, sweet, and tart. A perfect beginning to the new season.

Five years ago: Recycling Road Trip

Cats, Cats, And More Cats

Five years ago: Eat Your Vegetables!

All About The Papa

In the United States and some other countries, today is Father's Day. In our family, June 15th is also Son Donald's birthday.

Donald usually comes over to our condo for a birthday dinner. Because of my Covid quarantine (which ends tomorrow!) I checked with him  to see if pushing off his celebration until next weekend worked for him. It did. That left today without much on the calendar. For years Hubby Tony has been gracious enough to combine celebrations together, but today it got to be all about him.

The first event was breakfast. In order to beat the heat, right after rolling out of bed we walked to the Sunny Street Cafe for a great meal Later in the day we drove to the movie theater to see The Phoenician Scheme. Tony watched the baseball game on television. For dinner I made pork chops, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, and applesauce. For dessert, Tony contributed his birthday pastry from Panera.

We also celebrated the young fathers in the family. This morning we forwarded some words of wisdom I found on Facebook- a post titled Ten Things To Remember On Father’s Day (For Dads Everywhere) from The Paps Fam. Their words touched me, and I decided to also share them with you.

1. You matter more than you know.

    Your presence, your voice, your steady hand-these shape lives. 

 

2. Little eyes are always watching.

    Even your smallest acts teach the biggest lessons. 

 

3. You don’t have to be perfect.

    Just present. Just real. That’s what they’ll remember. 

 

4. Love doesn’t always look loud.

    It’s in early mornings, late nights, quiet sacrifice. 

 

5. Your words carry weight.

    Speak life, speak hope-they’ll echo for years. 

 

6. Showing up is a superpower.

    Even when you’re tired, your presence speaks volumes.

 

7. It’s okay to be soft.

    Strength is found in kindness, in hugs, in “I love you”. 

 

8. You are building legacy.

    With every bedtime story, every scraped-knee pep talk, every prayer. 

 

9. They’ll remember how you made them feel.

    Safe. Loved. Seen. That’s what lasts. 

 

10. You’re not alone.

      There’s no manual for fatherhood-but there is grace for the journey. 

 

Five years ago today: Describes Me To A T

A Forecast Of Fear

According to Google AI Overview, approximately one in ten Americans may experience severe weather-related phobias. In honor of Friday the 13th, here are 10 of the most common:

• Ancraophobia: Fear of wind
• Astraphobia: Fear of thunder and lightning
• Chionophobia: Fear of snow
• Cryophobia: Fear of cold weather
• Heliophobia: Fear of the sun
• Homichlophobia: Fear of fog
• Lilapsophobia: Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes
• Nephophobia: Fear of clouds
• Ombrophobia: Fear of rain
• Thermophobia: Fear of heat

Five years ago today: Counting Customers

Party Like It's 2020

Today was Hubby Tony's birthday, but my Covid quarantine that started on Monday really put the kibosh on any plans. However, at the end of the day Tony said it had been a good one.

Last week I asked Tony what he wanted for his birthday dinner. He chose a nearby Greek restaurant that recently opened. I would have gone wherever he wanted, but Greek food always sounds good to me.

Freepik

(Two days after my positive antigen test I am feeling better. My only remaining symptoms are a slight scratchy throat and a runny nose/post nasal drip cough, but the most current guidelines say that I should stay home until at least 24 hours after my symptoms are better, and any fever is gone. I think by tomorrow I should be good to go out masked up.)

Yesterday I realized from a Facebook ad that the restaurant was having it's Grand Opening today. Their big promotion was a Chicken Gyro dinner with chips and a side for $5. I was afraid the dining room might be overwhelmed, but Tony wasn't concerned. Our original plan was to eat in the restaurant. Plan B was to order online, but I found out system wasn't functioning. Plan C was for Tony to walk into the restaurant and order.

I drove with him to the restaurant and sat in the car while he went in.  In addition to the dinners, he also got a salad to share and two pieces of baklava.We came back home and ate our food at the dining room table, just like we did back in 2020 when everything was shut down.

Five years ago today: No Problem

Again?!?

Yesterday afternoon my nose started running and my throat was scratchy. The mold count has been awful, so I took allergy medicine and kept going. At bedtime I had a headache, so I downed ibuprofen along with a decongestant.

I didn't sleep well, because the post nasal drip and accompanying cough kept me up. After breakfast I took a walk outside with Hubby Tony, but cancelled my class at the gym and laid around. I wasn't tired, but had no energy. The air conditioner was set to the normal temperature, but I felt chilly.

Mid afternoon I had a horrible thought. What if I had more than a cold? I did some research and decided it was time to test for the dreaded Covid.

Cold, Flu, or Covid?

When the test was finished the Positive line was so clear there was no room for doubt. I had Covid.

I spent the next hour clearing my calendar for the next five days.  Depending on my symptoms, my quarantine could be over, or it could drag on. Tony hasn't had any symptoms, so he gets to figure out his own schedule.

What A Weekend!

Hubby Tony left Thursday late afternoon for a retreat, and he got home today.

I made plans for lots of activities while he was away, but many of them were outside and Mother Nature had other plans. The weekend was gloomy with periods of rain, which put the kabash on several things. Despite the weather issues I still had a great time.

Thursday

As soon as Tony left I started thinking about what I was going to have for dinner. After poking around the kitchen I decided toasted cheese and tomato soup sounded good. However, there wasn't a can of soup soup in the house so I made my own by pulling out the blender and pureeing a can of chopped tomatoes, garlic, onion, a spoonful of tahini, and a fig (for sweetness), then simmered the puree until the flavors melded. It was even better than the Campbell's would have been.

Pixabay

Friday

After a mid-morning meeting, instead of coming straight home I had extra time to pop into stores that caught my attention. The light drizzle that wouldn't go away made my hair barometer go full frizz, but I didn't mind.

In the evening I had dinner plans with Son Donald. He asked if I had a place in mind or if I wanted to go to something from his list of restaurants on his phone that he wants to try. Adventure always sounds good to me, so we ended up at Stews Food & Liquor in the Soulard neighborhood.

When we got there the sky was filled with clouds, and we both brought our umbrellas. All the inside tables were filled, but the host offered us a table for two under the building overhang. Halfway through the meal it started drizzling, and by the time we got the bill there was a light but steady rain.

We shared an appetizer and two entrees: T-pockets (a mashup of toasted ravioli and crab rangoon), Stew's Way Chicken (buffalo sauce, red chili paste, Mozzarella, and crispy rice), and Cold Curry Udon (red curry with coconut milk, peanuts, cilantro, and a scallion emulsion). There was enough of the entrees left over for each of us to bring some home.

Entrees

After leaving the restaurant we walked around the neighborhood. The steady rain meant that my sandals got wet and my feet were sloshing around in them, but the conversation was so good I didn't mind. I dropped Donald off at his house and came home. Pimento the foster cat wanted to know where I'd been.

Saturday

The city of Kirkwood sponsored a Route 66 Cars and Guitars Festival, which included a vintage car show, two stages of music, a few vendors, and food and drink stands. The main event started in the late afternoon, but in the morning the fire department and Rotary Club held a Carbs Guitars Pancake Breakfast. 

After my cycling class at the gym I walked over to the firehouse, where a pancake cooking station, serving line, banquet tables, and a trio of musicians had replaced the vehicles inside the building. My carb-filled breakfast gave me energy to get things done. I came home and did laundry and straightened the condo. I thought about visiting an art fair in Webster Groves (the city just to the east), but when I looked outside it was raining again.

When it was time for church in the late afternoon, I researched masses that would make it easy to go back into downtown Kirkwood for the main part of the festival. After church I was hungry; when I drove by a Sam's Club I decided that a piece of their food court pizza sounded good. It was, and I had money in my pocket for the rest of the night.

The festival always brings in a big crowd, so I knew to park several blocks away. I carried a water bottle and a rain jacket. I walked around the car show, listened to a couple of tunes from a cover band, and got some swag from the booths. It started drizzling. 

I decided I was ready to go home. But on the way back to the car I remembered I would be passing right by Clementine's Ice Cream. I got a 'Nice" scoop of Midnight Pleasures dark chocolate and a "Naughty" (with alcohol) scoop of Pink Champagne Sorbet. It was a great combination.

Five years ago today: The Importance Of Correct Punctuation

Eagle-Eyed

Mike left a comment on my last post asking me about a photo of the Lustron house I saw. When I went back and looked, I realized that for some reason Blogger had used an earlier version of my post rather than my final draft.

What should have been included:

The house was across a busy road. I had already walked a substantial distance, and without going out of my way to the nearest stoplight there was no way to cross the street to get a close photo. I tried to take one from where I was, but there were no breaks in the traffic. In the end I used a photo from one of the local television stations, but the attribution wasn't on the post that got published.

I never want to be the person who uses something without giving credit, so the original post is updated accordingly.  Thanks, Mike!

Five years ago: Compare And Contrast Churches

Hippo House

This morning Hubby Tony and I dropped Foster Cat Pimento off at the vet, then decided to walk around a part of South City several miles away. We started on a greenway, which dumped out onto a large arterial road, then turned right to loop back to the car. 

We were almost to the next turn when a large pink hippo sculpture in the yard of a house across the street caught my eye. Then I noticed the house was made out of large squares and realized I was looking at a Lustron house.

Fox 2

Lustron houses are a type of prefabricated home constructed from enameled steel panels and built on the customer’s job site.They were manufactured by the Lustron Corporation in the United States between 1948 and 1950. The houses were a response to a shortage of homes for returning G.I.s after World War II. Almost 2,000 houses were built before production ceased due to the company's tangles with labor unions and the inability to pay back their start up loans.

The house is now an Airbnb, which I think would be fun to stay in. Five years ago: No Controverting

Half Priced Happiness

Several months ago a Capital One Cafe opened at the mall close to our condo. I have one of their charge cards in my wallet, so it was interesting to read the signage that indicated Capital One customers could get 50% off of beverages. 

Eventually Hubby Tony and I stopped in to see what it was all about. I found out that the menu has a nice variety of coffees and teas, and a small selection of breakfast and lunch items. That day neither one of us was in the mood for a drink or a bite to eat. However, I left knowing that the space has tables, plenty of electrical outlets, and free wi-fi. If you have an account you can also reserve a private workspace.

Today after lunch Tony and I decided it was too hot to walk outside. I told him that if he was interested I would be a big spender and buy him a half-priced coffee at the Cafe. He smiled and agreed.

(I think walking at the mall is pretty boring, so we usually mix it up by completing a lap of the lower level then taking the escalator up to the second floor and doing the same thing. Sometimes we do a third or fourth lap, but walk in the opposite direction.)

Today was only a two-lapper. The Cafe is on the top floor, so when we reached the door we swung in. Tony got a drip coffee and I ordered a Honey Lavender Latte, their signature beverage. When it was time to pay, the associate asked if I was going to use a Capital One credit or debit card. I said I was, and all of a sudden the price dropped by half.

While we were waiting for our drinks I noticed two associates standing at a counter who greeted everyone who came in and said goodbye to people as they left. They were also willing to answer questions about Capital One services should anyone be curious.

Five years ago: Be More Like Labs

At The Speed Of Life

How is it June already? Didn't the year just start?

I recently came across the word zenosyne. It's a noun which describes the sense that time appears to be moving faster and faster, especially as you age, and the inevitable conclusion (death) will arrive before you know it.  

When I was a student, even a week of vacation was enough to do everything I wanted to, and the three months of summer vacation felt like an eternity! Now most of my days have at least one commitment penciled in and my to-do list is long. Summer goes by in a flash. 

Seconds turn into minutes, which turn into hours, which turn into days, which turn into weeks, which turn into months, which turn into years. Until they don't.

Five years ago today: New Word, Old Idea