samhexum

Didn't he also write that autobiographical Cockney children's classic, Orton Ears A Oo?

DEAR ABBY: I’m a single man, and have been for 15 years. A year ago, I met a guy, “Josh,” and we fell in love. He lived 240 miles away. A month ago, he transferred his job to my city and moved in with me. (I supported this 100%.) I had sown my wild oats long before he moved in. Everything was going great until recently. Josh logged into my computer and saw all my emails and text messages, some of which were as recent as a week ago. I have been updating old flings that I’m no longer on the market, but in one particular text, I didn’t give such information. Instead, I simply didn’t respond. Later that day, Josh confronted me and began to cry. He said I hurt him, and he doesn’t know how to trust me again. Abby, I love Josh with all my heart, and I’m trying to weed out old “flings” as they come in, but as I mentioned, I’ve been single for 15 years and it will take time. Since this happened, I have deleted a lot of text messages and updated my social media to “in a relationship,” but I’m still unsure how Josh feels. Was he right to go through my emails and text messages? I have since changed my password, but I need advice. What should I do or say to him to make him feel confident in our relationship? I don’t want to lose him. — FORMER BACHELOR IN TEXAS DEAR FORMER BACHELOR AMORAL SLUT: The questions I have to ask you are: Why did Josh go into your computer, and why did he feel it was necessary to snoop through your texts and emails? DISSOLVE INTO A PUDDLE LIKE A LITTLE BITCH OVER ONE MESSAGE? How much do you know about his personal history, and did he have trust MENTAL HEALTH issues that started before you met? Tell Josh you would like the two of you to get couples counseling from a LGBTQ community center, if he will agree. If he does, AS FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AS POSSIBLE; it may save your relationship LIFE. DEAR ABBY: My sister and I have been estranged for eight years. She had an “unusual” relationship with my ex-husband, meaning they moved in together three days after I left him. My entire family insists there’s nothing between them. She blames me, and even though I have reached out, she has never responded. She tells people all kinds of awful things about me and blames me for not knowing her girls. How can I know them if I can’t see them or meet them? I send gifts in the mail, but I’m somehow the “monster”? Help, please. — HURT IN MARYLAND DEAR HURT: You wouldn’t have left your husband if the marriage had been hunky-dory. That your sister took him in with no romantic involvement is suspicious. (Does your family also believe in the tooth fairy?) Surely your ex or your sister would have liked a romantic relationship with someone, if not each other. Of this, I am certain: You cannot control what someone says about you. But you CAN control how you react. Stop listening to gossip your sister spreads, and be suspicious of anyone who insists on telling you about it. Do not expect to have a relationship with her or her daughters, because it isn’t likely to happen. Just put one foot in front of the other, go on with your life and spend as little time as possible looking backward. BUY A GUN…

The garden on the grounds of the East Flatbush Safe Haven, a homeless shelter in Flatbush, was once an oasis of native plants. Now, it is being destroyed. Volunteers who nurtured the garden for years say it lowered temperatures in the area, which has little greenery, and provided shelter residents with the healing benefits of nature. However, staff at Breaking Ground, the nonprofit that operates the shelter, began leveling the garden on July 31, according to volunteers. The volunteers, who had a positive relationship with the nonprofit for years, say their relationship began to sour after a management shift at the shelter. Samuel Pressman, one of the main volunteers, shared his dismay: “My number one goal is to help people get in touch with nature and observe how it can benefit them, how it can help heal them, and help motivate them to be more positive,” said Samuel Pressman, one of the main volunteers who created the garden. “For me, gardening is very sacred [...] It was traumatizing to me when it was clear cut in a very sneaky, kind of evil way.” In 2021, volunteers initiated an eco-rehabilitation project on the seven-acre grounds of the former Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, where the shelter is located. Their aim was to beautify the grounds, connect residents with nature, and bring ecological benefits to the area. They planted about 150 species, over 90% of which were native, in five orchards and ten planters. The safe haven shelter has fewer restrictions than standard shelters, allowing vulnerable New Yorkers to access housing, medical care and case management without fearing eviction. Although the nonprofit initially welcomed the volunteers and their project, staff later claimed the garden was removed because it created unsafe, hidden spaces for residents. The eco-rehabilitation project was led by Marion Yuen, founder of The MYA Group, a sustainable infrastructure consulting firm, and Pressman, founder of Samuel’s Food Garden, an organization dedicated to expanding urban agriculture. “I’m about ecological restoration and bringing nature back to the city,” said Yuen. “Greenery has been proven to not only provide beauty, but plants have a beneficial effect on health. A lot of the clients put their faces by the bushes, touch them, and there’s a whole body of literature showing that has a beneficial effect.” Yuen and Pressman emphasize that their work is not just about sustainability or aesthetics, but also about promoting physical and mental health through a deep connection with nature. They were devastated by the loss of the garden, which they had hoped would continue to benefit shelter residents. Initially, Breaking Ground celebrated the garden's success, even promoting it on social media as "therapeutic and healing." The garden significantly reduced temperatures during heat waves, with a difference of 8 degrees Fahrenheit between the garden and a nearby parking lot. The garden was created from soil from the Clean Soil Bank and compost from the DSNY’s Composting Facility. The New York Restoration Project and other organizations donated plants, according to volunteers. The project was so successful that Breaking Ground asked the volunteers to replicate the model at other facilities. However, after a new director took over the shelter in January, the volunteers were informed they would no longer receive funding or be allowed to bring in outside help. Without these resources, the garden became overgrown, leading to its removal. On July 31, staff began cutting down plants, including grapevines and sunflowers. Yuen and Pressman say they have been barred from the facility, where some of their supplies remain. The volunteers have entered into mediation with Breaking Ground, facilitated by the New York Peace Institute, to address the situation and discuss how to move forward. Breaking Ground did not respond to requests for comment. “The punishment for the gardens developing so lushly, so well, and luring [residents] to want to spend time in them, led to them having a ‘management issue' with residents not being visible all the time,” said Pressman. “So it was kind of a recipe they didn’t know they were setting up, but they attacked the gardens instead of the real issue, which is that they really don’t know how to manage the residents properly.” Garden growers and volunteers Marion Yuen and Samuel Pressman. A Once-Therapeutic Garden at a Homeless Shelter in Brooklyn Faces Destruction, Sparks Outcry - BKReader WWW.BKREADER.COM Staff at the non-profit managing the garden claims it creates unsafe, hidden spaces for residents.

Perhaps the healthier spouse works or has other things that get him out of there regularly so for him it might just be like coming home to a studio apartment with maid and cooking services. I haven't been able to afford apartment insurance for years and am on the 'hope I die suddenly before my meager savings give out' long-term plan.

Phil was 88.

The enigmatic life and complex legacy of Pinky Deras, America’s greatest Little Leaguer At his funeral in 2022, the family made a display with photos from his Little League days, and mourners recounted his legendary statistics: 108 innings pitched and an astonishing 298 strikeouts, an 18-0 record with 16 shutouts and 10 no-hitters for a 1959 team that won the Little League World Series. On two occasions, he threw six-inning perfect games in which he struck out all 18 batters. They clocked him at 71 mph off the Little League mound, the equivalent of a 100 mph fastball from the major-league distance. At the plate, he hit .641 and smashed 33 home runs. He hit a grand slam in the Little League World Series semifinal, then threw a three-hitter in a 12-0 championship win against a team from West Auburn, Calif. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5703670/2024/08/16/little-league-world-series-pinky-deras/

Did they wind up closing your local store?

I am, too, but I don't live near any of them, so until they spark a nationwide price war, it doesn't affect me one way or the other.

I read an article the other day about a widow who got a $100,000 assessment from her condo not that long after buying who is now living with her son in Arizona (where she'd moved from). She has gone back to teaching young kids with autism full-time. She says she's constantly exhausted and figures it'll take 2 more years to pay off the assessment and move back. She can't sell, so she's stuck.

Wall Street skeptical as Kroger promises to slash grocery prices by $1B after Albertsons merger

I'll have a wing and a thigh, please. And some napkins, of course.

You could've just said Big Whoop! 😇😁😊

Socrates Sculpture Park has announced the Socrates Annual 2024, a new exhibition embracing invasive species and exploring the legacy of species migration. The new exhibition, which will be on display from Sept. 14 through April 6, 2024, features nine site-specific projects that consider the politics of settlement and the complex legacy of species migration. The “living” installations engage the park’s past, present, and future, making use of dozens of native and introduced plant species that allow the art pieces to evolve and change with each season. The art pieces explore diaspora, displacement, containment, and assimilation, linking human adaptability with that of other living species. The new exhibit’s opening celebration will take place between 3 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. The event is free and open to the public. Katie Dixon, Executive Director of Socrates Sculpture Park, said the new exhibition challenges the negativity attached to invasive species and instead studies the vital role they can play in regenerating ecosystems. “Instead of automatically assuming certain plants and other naturally occurring species are invaders, we embrace the possibility and potential of integration, highlighting the vital role these species play in regenerating our ecosystems,” Dixon said in a statement. “This year’s Annual is a living testament to the power of adaptability and resilience, turning what is often disregarded into a cornerstone of our community’s ecological health.” The new exhibition is the culmination of the park’s fellowship program, awarded to nine up-and-coming artists through an open call. The park unveiled projects by fellowship recipients Kimberly Chou Tsun An, Landon Newton, Mamoun Nukumanu, and Vick Quezada in June, with each artist making use of the spring and summer growing seasons to create living installations. Jill Cohen-Nuñez, Utsa Hazarika, Juan Manuel-Pinzon, Petra Szilagyi, and Nala C. Turner – the other five fellowship recipients – have been working at the park throughout the summer, fabricating site-specific sculptures in the park’s open-air studio. TILT (what if these plants get out) by Langdon Newton. The five artists have used a wide range of materials for their respective projects, including mud, clamshells, metal, clay, stone, and found wood. The nine artists selected for the fellowship program were chosen from a list of more than 250 applicants following a lengthy review process. Each artist fellow received a $8,000 production grant and a $2,000 honorarium. Each artist was also granted three months of seven days-a-week access to the resources and fabrication facilities at the park’s outdoor artist studio to help complete their projects. The program, which has operated since 2001, supports early-career artists by offering financial and technical support that allows them to complete ambitious public artworks for inclusion in a park-wide exhibition. Socrates Sculpture Park is free and open to the public every day of the year, from 9 a.m. to sunset. Located at 32-01 Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, the park is managed and programmed by Socrates Sculpture Park, a not-for-profit organization licensed by NYC Parks.

I just read this in an article on the stock market today… A combination Covid-flu vaccination developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE missed on one of its goals in a final-stage trial, a setback for the companies as they search for lucrative new uses of a technology that succeeded in the pandemic.

DEAR ABBY: My mother, who is 69, recently moved close to where my wife and I live to be near us as she ages. On the whole, this has been great for all of us. Mom is in good health and still very active. She walks every day and takes care of her house and garden. We see her often. The problem is, she is very resistant to meeting new people or going out without us. She says she will never find friends as good as the ones she left behind, so it’s not worth trying. We encouraged her to join the senior center, which she did, but she quit after a month, saying the people there are “too old.” I took her to church, but after the second Sunday, she announced she’s not going back. My wife tried to get her to join a club or volunteer at our kids’ school, but Mom said she doesn’t like to be on a schedule. Several neighbors invited her over, but she always makes excuses to decline. I think they have stopped asking. Because she’s independent, this isn’t a big deal now. But I’m worried that if she doesn’t get to know people while she’s still active, we’ll be her only source of support as she ages. You often ask if older parents are experiencing a change of personality caused by old age or dementia, and I don’t think this is the case here. Mom’s always been shy. Now she’s shy and stubborn. What are my options? — LOOKING OUT FOR MOM IN CHICAGO DEAR LOOKING OUT: Among my first thoughts is that your mother isn’t the independent person you described, and she’s setting herself up to be completely dependent upon you and your wife for social interaction. It isn’t healthy for ANY of you. Before she isolates herself further than she already has, sit her down and tell her directly that you do not want this to happen and that she MUST make more of an effort to interact with others. While relationships are not interchangeable, she once had a social life, and she will again IF she makes an effort. If her shyness prevents her from easily conversing with strangers, suggest that she volunteer at an animal shelter. That way she will be out of the house, interacting with others and not solely dependent on you. MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN THE WILL AND KILL HER. DEAR ABBY: My friend “Sally” has been dating this guy for 10 years. Their relationship has been rocky from the beginning, and he doesn’t seem to want to commit. He acts like he doesn’t want to even BE with her, spending time only when it’s convenient for him. He has put Sally through a lot. He was involved with this other woman. He said it was because she knew some things about him and was holding it against him and he couldn’t tell my friend. I think he’s a narcissist. What advice can you give her? — ASKING FOR A FRIEND DEAR ASKING: Knowing that the most unwanted advice is that which is unasked for, I would wait until the next time Sally complains about the treatment this man has given her for the last 10 years. Then I would suggest that she talk with a licensed mental health professional about how to rebuild her self-esteem. KILL THE BUTT-IN-SKI ‘FRIEND’ WHO WANTS TO RUIN A RELATIONSHIP SHE’S OBVIOUSLY SATISFIED WITH.

His younger son died of COVID complications in 2021.

A's catcher Shea Langeliers is 3-3 with a double and a walk today. Tuesday he was 4-4, 2 doubles, a HR, & a HBP. The game before he was also 4-4. He had a game in May where he was 3-5, single, triple, HR, then two games later was 3-4, double, triple, HR (it drives me nuts the couple of times a year they miss a cycle by a single). He had a 3HR game in April. How is he only batting .230/.296/.469?

He used to host a TV show called HOLLYWOOD SQUARES.

Boo Math!

Former major leaguer Pete LaCock's dad died. He used to host a TV show called HOLLYWOOD SQUARES.

A Florida doctor without his hearing aid couldn’t hear his colonoscopy patient scream can you imagine if this had happened in space? https://www.aol.com/news/florida-doctor-without-hearing-aid-190440480.html

Inside a $22B plan to transform an airport — runway and 11 hangars included — into a city for 55,000 residents Toronto’s former Downsview Airport is getting a $22 billion facelift that will turn the historic airfield into a bustling, new community for 55,000 residents. But this isn’t your typical suburban development — this one comes with airplane hangars, a mile-long runway and enough retro charm to make it a must-see. Forget bulldozing the past, too. Northcrest Developments, the masterminds behind the colossal project, is betting that preserving the airport’s original infrastructure will give the neighborhood an irresistible edge. “It’s hard to make a planned community seem authentic when everything is brand new,” Derek Goring, Northcrest’s CEO told the Wall Street Journal. “So we really decided to lean into the aerospace legacy.” The result? The project’s first neighborhood, a 50-acre hub packed with 2,850 homes, will be anchored by those massive hangars. These structures, relics from another era, are expected to become a magnet for residents and visitors alike. Meanwhile, the old runway will morph into a lively pedestrian promenade, complete with trendy shops, eateries, patios, schools and even a library. In total, the massive redevelopment will create more than 28 million square feet of residential space, 7 million square feet of commercial property and 74 acres of parks, The Journal reported. Spanning seven distinct neighborhoods, this ambitious build-out will unfold in phases over the next 30 years, making it one of the largest real-estate ventures in Canadian history. Northcrest is taking inspiration from high-profile projects like New York’s High Line, where an old rail line was reborn as a bustling park. Goring is confident that Downsview’s unique features will set it apart. The hangars and runway “will make this place unlike anything else, and from a developer’s perspective, that’s like marketing 101,” Goring explained. “This is something no one else can really offer.” But not everyone’s convinced. Turning a derelict airport into a thriving community isn’t cheap. David Dixon, an Urban Places Fellow at Stantec, warned that repurposing old infrastructure can rack up costs quickly. Dixon pointed out that it only works if the result justifies the price tag. With all the hype around self-driving cars, people have even talked about converting parking garages into housing. “These conversions will be more expensive and less competitive in the marketplace than purpose-built housing,” he told The Journal. The airport, which opened in 1929, has a storied history. It served as an air base during World War II and later as a testing site for Bombardier before being sold in 2018 for a whopping $635 million. While Northcrest initially considered demolishing everything, they realized that keeping the site’s history intact could be the key to its success. “We quickly came to the conclusion that that was not a good idea,” Goring said. Local residents were also adamant about preserving the site’s role as a hub for jobs and economic activity. The hangars, constructed between the 1950s and 1990s, are more than just relics — they’re ready for a new lease on life. With their massive dimensions and soaring ceilings, the spaces are tailor-made for film shoots, light manufacturing and the clean-tech industry, Goring said. “There’s an opportunity to attract companies that actually want to be here but can’t because they can’t find these types of locations,” he noted. The redevelopment of midcentury industrial sites is becoming increasingly popular as once-overlooked structures are now being celebrated as pieces of history. Downsview is part of that wave, joining other projects like Berlin’s Tegel Airport, where a 5,000-home community will repurpose the existing terminal buildings for startups and university labs. Northcrest isn’t waiting for construction to finish before putting Downsview on the map. They’ve already hosted “Play on the Runway,” a public event that turned the tarmac into a giant playground for skating and dancing. And more is on the way, with plans to roll out temporary sports fields and performance venues as the development progresses. Looking at the grand plans for Downsview, Dixon mused, “It makes me wonder what we’re going to save 30 to 40 years from now. Don’t knock down all the big box stores!”

I get Paramount+ free with the "added to my sister's subscriptions" plan. She texted me yesterday that she read you get $20/yr off the Walmart+ price w/ an AARP membership, which I have.

You made it just before me because I had to take the time to change the color of my answer to match the numbers in the problem. The price of being an empath, I guess...