It's very funny about the paste Hops. There do seem to be online recipes without flour these days.
You can talk about dating that is fine.
Personally I feel I am against online stuff. Sounds like it has sort of worked for you a little bit. Voicelessness is the only social online thing I do anymore. I've tried to make a pact with myself to only meet people in person to avoid the safety wall of the screen.
I don't think I can make an honest self-profile online.
Hops did you do
The Great Cleanup of 2026?
I kept one bust (he was a wild-looking gondolier, I think) until I saw a roach come out of his mouth. Don't make bug-friendly paste! I did, out of wheat flour out of ignorance. But I sure enjoyed him while I had him and so did everyone who saw it.
I mean, maybe an experimental artist somewhere makes marzipan poodles, dunno.
I'd love to do papier mache again. Supplies are nearly free and it's FUN. A good paste can be permanent, too. There are surely modern recipes online? Or cheap glue bugs hate? I gave most of the busts to people, which was fun too.
Creepy story about the daughter speaking for the mother, but I wonder if there was something medical involved? My idea for fresh friendships is less scrutiny and more making appointments to do something and see how it goes. That's how I managed online dating, anyway. Said sincerely in my profile that to me, the pleasure is in meeting a new person and hearing about their life, but I believed that if it's just a one-time try without the Big Click, I still enjoyed a nice cuppa coffee with a new person with a story to tell. I did enjoy meeting all those strangers, even when I'd usually conclude I would decline another date. (When that happened I'd write back gently and just say "I enjoyed meeting you, but realized that for me, there wouldn't be a romantic connection. But thanks for the time you spent with me, and the coffee." Then I'd right away block them, not from hostility but because I'd been clear up front about STOPPING being a fine, no-judgement choice for them or for me. I learned to never let a conversation drag on afterward online, once I'd made that choice.) I observed it helped both people relax, too. It's just as scary for them as for me. (Dunno why I'm droning on about men when that's not your topic, sorry.)
It IS hard to connect when you don't feel comfortable about it. I guess I think the best way is to endure the discomfort for the better goal of overall connection with more humans. I think if you keep it up, it'll pay off. I'm rooting for you, Meh.
hugs,
Hops
PS Amber, thanks for asking. I mostly go immobile in extreme heat, but since I spend too much time immobile anyway, it's not a huge change. As long as I know "this too shall pass" and the power doesn't go out (mercifully it hasn't) so I can sleep at some point with AC, I do fine. On the 4th it was 103 and I still went out to meet BirdNerd and his sister and BIL, which went very pleasantly. Nice people!
While I'm at it, I admit I'm catching feelings for him, and it seems reciprocal. Lots of scary passages ahead, intimacy maybe and having him here after the Great Cleanup. But so far he's been kind, thoughtful, communicative and more. Whew!!!
PPS - A big WOOT WOOT about the deck! Kudos. And I too have wondered if Lighter's okay. She better turn up and catch up, so we'll know. Yoo hoo, Lighter! Hope you haven't melted or been kidnapped by pirates, hon.
