COLD DARK ROOM

Ray--Opo

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Oct 14, 2017
Messages
8,450
Location (City and/or State)
Palm Bay Fl
All those deserts you enjoy and often make look fantastic N!

I just finished a puzzle last night. This one was only 300 pieces but very oddly shaped pieces. Wow, it took so much brain power it actually hurt. I wasn't going to mess with it but Kerry did the outside edge all the way around so when I sat down within view, I was compelled. It's all math to me and once i stare at the parts for a while, my brain assembles it. This one took hours to get " there". I didn't like it! LOL

View attachment 386791

Anyone else do puzzles?
I just finished a puzzle in 2 days. I was so proud of myself because on the side of the box. It said 3 to 5 years.
 

jeff kushner

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
4,107
Location (City and/or State)
North of Annapolis
Kerry and Ray share their love for silly humor. I should have left her there! Lol

Feel like a champion this morning at midnight. I changed the oil in Kerry's car before she left to volunteer at school. THEN I drained the 8 yr old "turned" gas from her '73 Honda CB350. Put in new gas and watched it run into the floor when the floats stuck in the carbs. The bowls were full though so when I connected a battery charger to power the ignition, I was able to kick it to life! Started and idled nearly perfectly after sitting for 8 years! At least it runs....a mouse had moved into her battery box but thankfully didn't chew any wires. Dang I'm good...or lucky!
Lol.
 

jeff kushner

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
4,107
Location (City and/or State)
North of Annapolis
You guys are making me feel smart..i did mine in 3.5 hrs or so but it really did hurt. It caused me stress with those weird shapes. We have a new one and this one has normally shaped pieces! Yay!
17387426527043225778462532174627.jpg



Deer feeding;
We have talked about this several times over the last couple of winters but we keep arriving at the same decision not to feed them. Y'all already know why. We have many neighbors who choose otherwise and 1 has a herd of deer in his yard quite often eating corn.

I really hope that little deer makes it though. He was sleeping in our front yard right up against the house where he watched the game a week or so. Kerry saw him when she got home from the school.
 

MaNaAk

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Messages
4,904
Location (City and/or State)
Southend
I just finished a puzzle in 2 days. I was so proud of myself because on the side of the box. It said 3 to 5 years.
Dear Ray,

Those are probably the sorts of puzzles that I used to complete in Nursery School except that I use to undo them and turn the pieces face down before doing it again with the pieces face down! Mum remembered the teachers her this and they were amazed.

Natrah
 

The_Four_Toed_Edward

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
6,290
Location (City and/or State)
Finland
Deer feeding;
We have talked about this several times over the last couple of winters but we keep arriving at the same decision not to feed them. Y'all already know why. We have many neighbors who choose otherwise and 1 has a herd of deer in his yard quite often eating corn.
Here in the city we have to be careful when feeding the birds because no one wants to attract rats.

The white-tailed deer is an invasive species, brought to here from the USA in 1930s and 1940s to be hunted. People really hate them especially the deer that live in cities, since they cause all kinds trouble from diseases and parasites to eating crops.
 

The_Four_Toed_Edward

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
6,290
Location (City and/or State)
Finland
Here in the city we have to be careful when feeding the birds because no one wants to attract rats.

The white-tailed deer is an invasive species, brought to here from the USA in 1930s and 1940s to be hunted. People really hate them especially the deer that live in cities, since they cause all kinds trouble from diseases and parasites to eating crops.
I thought some of you might be interested, so I will tell shortly about the history of the white-tailed deer in Finland:

Finland's population of white-tailed deer has its origins in a gift to their former homeland from American Finns who emigrated to Minnesota. At the time of the emigrants' departure, there were hardly any wild deer in Finland, as the Finnish forest reindeer had been hunted to extinction, the elk population seemed to be suffering the same fate and the European roe had not yet spread there. In 1932, Minnesota settlers formed a special deer committee with the goal of making the white-tailed deer a new game species in Finland. By the fall of 1934, the committee had acquired eight deer calves, half of which were males and half females, for transport by ship. However, only one male and four females survived to the port of Helsinki, arriving on 8 September 1934 at the enclosure established on the grounds of Lauko Manor in Vesilahti.

The first Finnish calves were born in May 1937. In March 1938, the deer escaped from their enclosure and the male could no longer be caught. The three females and their two male calves that remained in the enclosure were released. In this case, the three females and their two male calves were released.

In 1948, a few more white-tailed deer were brought to Finland to expand the genetic make-up of the population. Either six or eight individuals (half of each sex) took flight, but 2-3 of them died before being released in Laukko.

The population had begun to grow rapidly even before the reintroduction, with about 100 individuals in 1948 and 1,000 in 1962, the year the hunt began. The hunt did not slow the increase, and by 1968 the deer population was estimated at 4,000. Numbers increased rapidly in the early 1970s and by the end of the decade the winter population was estimated to be around 25,000. Hunting of whitetail deer was intensified, with almost 15,000 taken in 1980, a record year for the species. The hunt was stepped up, and in 1980, a record year for the species.

White-tailed deer have been thought to compete for food with the native deer of their new habitat, elk and European roe, due to similar feeding strategies between these species.

Translated from the Finnish Wikipedia page
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
95,399
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
I thought some of you might be interested, so I will tell shortly about the history of the white-tailed deer in Finland:

Finland's population of white-tailed deer has its origins in a gift to their former homeland from American Finns who emigrated to Minnesota. At the time of the emigrants' departure, there were hardly any wild deer in Finland, as the Finnish forest reindeer had been hunted to extinction, the elk population seemed to be suffering the same fate and the European roe had not yet spread there. In 1932, Minnesota settlers formed a special deer committee with the goal of making the white-tailed deer a new game species in Finland. By the fall of 1934, the committee had acquired eight deer calves, half of which were males and half females, for transport by ship. However, only one male and four females survived to the port of Helsinki, arriving on 8 September 1934 at the enclosure established on the grounds of Lauko Manor in Vesilahti.

The first Finnish calves were born in May 1937. In March 1938, the deer escaped from their enclosure and the male could no longer be caught. The three females and their two male calves that remained in the enclosure were released. In this case, the three females and their two male calves were released.

In 1948, a few more white-tailed deer were brought to Finland to expand the genetic make-up of the population. Either six or eight individuals (half of each sex) took flight, but 2-3 of them died before being released in Laukko.

The population had begun to grow rapidly even before the reintroduction, with about 100 individuals in 1948 and 1,000 in 1962, the year the hunt began. The hunt did not slow the increase, and by 1968 the deer population was estimated at 4,000. Numbers increased rapidly in the early 1970s and by the end of the decade the winter population was estimated to be around 25,000. Hunting of whitetail deer was intensified, with almost 15,000 taken in 1980, a record year for the species. The hunt was stepped up, and in 1980, a record year for the species.

White-tailed deer have been thought to compete for food with the native deer of their new habitat, elk and European roe, due to similar feeding strategies between these species.

Translated from the Finnish Wikipedia page
Another case of man thinking he knows better than nature.
 

The_Four_Toed_Edward

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
6,290
Location (City and/or State)
Finland
I am travelling to my hometown tomorrow to see my sisters high school dance on Friday.

Basically, the Finnish high school or sixth form takes three years, and in the spring of the last year there are these big examinations (similar to SATs but not quite). So about this time, the third year students start a holiday meant for preparing for the test. This means second year students become the oldest students in the school for a short period of time and this is celebrated with vanhojen tanssit meaning the "dance of the old".

So that is what I got coming this weekend, what about you?
 

Cathie G

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
17,649
Location (City and/or State)
Lancaster
I am travelling to my hometown tomorrow to see my sisters high school dance on Friday.

Basically, the Finnish high school or sixth form takes three years, and in the spring of the last year there are these big examinations (similar to SATs but not quite). So about this time, the third year students start a holiday meant for preparing for the test. This means second year students become the oldest students in the school for a short period of time and this is celebrated with vanhojen tanssit meaning the "dance of the old".

So that is what I got coming this weekend, what about you?
Sounds fun.
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
24,625
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I am travelling to my hometown tomorrow to see my sisters high school dance on Friday.

Basically, the Finnish high school or sixth form takes three years, and in the spring of the last year there are these big examinations (similar to SATs but not quite). So about this time, the third year students start a holiday meant for preparing for the test. This means second year students become the oldest students in the school for a short period of time and this is celebrated with vanhojen tanssit meaning the "dance of the old".

So that is what I got coming this weekend, what about you?
I hope your sister has a great time and that you enjoy time with your family.
The UK has adopted the US prom for it's school leavers (16 year olds) after their exams finish in June. This usually involves a dinner and dance and can be very expensive with the girls dresses and suits or dinner jackets for the boys. Some even go way over the top with the hire of stretch limos etc.
There are very few schools here that have six forms now. At 16 most kids move on to colleges to study vocational courses or A levels until the age of 18 and then may go on to university or work. Some grammar schools still do A levels.
In my day we organized our own informal leaving parties or get togethers with friends before we all went out separate ways - far less stressful and competitive dress wise.
I was 19.5 when I left school, not much younger than some of the new teachers.😄
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
24,625
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Good morning/afternoon all.
It's a beautiful day here but so cold, I had to break the ice on the bird baths again.
Hasn't stopped Lola wandering outside for a quick look at his garden. I've also been out and about, but nowhere exciting.
I hope you're all having a good day. TTFN
 

jeff kushner

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
4,107
Location (City and/or State)
North of Annapolis
Glad Lola is active...even indoors Matilda has a day every few when he's active, he hides the rest of the time but it's Winter so I expect it.

I left home at 15....school dances but no proms for me so it was super neat watching my wife get my daughters ready, and my "little chats" with their dates! LOL

We got some freezing rain last night so the trees are glistening....very pretty.


Word on the Squirrel who took over the Owl box.......we haven't seen him in 3 days. Poof! Vanished, most likely he learned in the middle of the night why you don't build in an owl box.


Ex wifes birthday was yesterday so I reached out to congratulate her.....she said she's getting a knee replace on the 14th....Valentine's day.....I said "Tell Mark(her hubby), Way to go!"
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
24,625
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Glad Lola is active...even indoors Matilda has a day every few when he's active, he hides the rest of the time but it's Winter so I expect it.

I left home at 15....school dances but no proms for me so it was super neat watching my wife get my daughters ready, and my "little chats" with their dates! LOL

We got some freezing rain last night so the trees are glistening....very pretty.


Word on the Squirrel who took over the Owl box.......we haven't seen him in 3 days. Poof! Vanished, most likely he learned in the middle of the night why you don't build in an owl box.


Ex wifes birthday was yesterday so I reached out to congratulate her.....she said she's getting a knee replace on the 14th....Valentine's day.....I said "Tell Mark(her hubby), Way to go!"
Mark can use that great line for Valentine's Day - 'what's a gal like you doing with a joint like this?' 😄
 

Cathie G

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
17,649
Location (City and/or State)
Lancaster
Maybe the robins were right 😊 it's been 40's f . My dog and tortoise think springs springing too. Mr Fre is laying on the floor at my feet instead of on my lap. Sapphire is coming out to eat at 10am sharp 🐢 I gotta get on the ball 🏀 😜
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
24,625
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Maybe the robins were right 😊 it's been 40's f . My dog and tortoise think springs springing too. Mr Fre is laying on the floor at my feet instead of on my lap. Sapphire is coming out to eat at 10am sharp 🐢 I gotta get on the ball 🏀 😜
Temps are about 28 - 32f for us - I haven't felt warm all day. My feet have felt like ice. 🥶.
It's very worrying that worldwide average temps for January were highest on record, but it hasn't felt like that locally. I think it's been a lot colder than recent years, more like the old days. Long range forecasts predict snow for us at the beginning of March so not due to warm up for a while.

Lola stays in his hide until about 11am or later some days, watching from the comfort of his heated hide. He'll eat a little then but tends to eat most of his food in the evening when he has room service.
 

Cathie G

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
17,649
Location (City and/or State)
Lancaster
Temps are about 28 - 32f for us - I haven't felt warm all day. My feet have felt like ice. 🥶.
It's very worrying that worldwide average temps for January were highest on record, but it hasn't felt like that locally. I think it's been a lot colder than recent years, more like the old days. Long range forecasts predict snow for us at the beginning of March so not due to warm up for a while.

Lola stays in his hide until about 11am or later some days, watching from the comfort of his heated hide. He'll eat a little then but tends to eat most of his food in the evening when he has room service.
It might be warmer around here lately but I'm still freezing cold too! I'm wearing 3 pairs of socks still. It's funny that my critters have a different take on it. I did take Mr Fre out today for a drive though. He's gotten so good that he loves getting his leash on. I simply walk with him and he gets in the van like a little gentleman. I got some recycling done. I feel like I accomplished something.😊
 

jeff kushner

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
4,107
Location (City and/or State)
North of Annapolis
Kerry went to school, I went to hang out at the motorcycle shop...then we met back for showers and getting cleaned up.

We went across the street to a neighbors for dinner. Nice folks. She had a double lung transplant just over a year ago so she no longer works, she used to own a custom canvas covers store , he is a retired carpenter, both around our age. Salmon for dinner with a pesto shrimp salad side and garden veggies. I used thousand island with the fish and it was excellent. She even made a gluten-free cake that only held a faint hint of being "healthy". Good times..

We got a short video of Sketchy the little deer. He was at our salt-lick today.

 
Top