The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 02: A Comma (is a Restful Pause)

[colddiesel]

Off and went to a C12th Abbey today; or rather, what's left of it.
It was a huge Cistercian place with a very elaborate High Altar.

But now it's time for coffee.

If you google "Cistercian Abbeys in England" it makes one realize that Henry VIII was possibly the greatest robber of all. Everyone of the medaevil Abbeys is now a ruin and a monument to Henry's greed, not only for their land but for the wool trade which financed it all. He particularly had it in for the Cistercians because of their dominant position in wool production.

Monks had no Coffee and had to drink Ale. Wonder if that was a problem?

 

[sharingfantasies]

If you google "Cistercian Abbeys in England" it makes one realize that Henry VIII was possibly the greatest robber of all. Everyone of the medaevil Abbeys is now a ruin and a monument to Henry's greed, not only for their land but for the wool trade which financed it all. He particularly had it in for the Cistercians because of their dominant position in wool production.

Monks had no Coffee and had to drink Ale. Wonder if that was a problem?

I doubt it, everyone drank ale back then, even kids. I, on the other hand, would have had a terrible time as I don't drink ale, wine, coffee, etc. The one thing I drink by the gallons wasn't that easy to get back then and that was milk. Although, maybe the abbeys had goat's milk.


Well the weather sites were totally wrong about today's weather. They said it would rain all day and there hasn't even been one drop. They don't usually get it that wrong. Oh well. It will probably make up for it tomorrow.

 

[oggbashan]

If you google "Cistercian Abbeys in England" it makes one realize that Henry VIII was possibly the greatest robber of all. Everyone of the medaevil Abbeys is now a ruin and a monument to Henry's greed, not only for their land but for the wool trade which financed it all. He particularly had it in for the Cistercians because of their dominant position in wool production.

Monks had no Coffee and had to drink Ale. Wonder if that was a problem?

Henry VIII as a robber? Yes, he was, and he wasted most of the money he got from the churches, abbeys and monasteries.

But at the time the Church owned about a third of England and didn't pay taxes. The dead hand of the Church oppressed many communities and competed unfairly with farmers and merchants who had to pay taxes.

Much wool smuggling (Owling) was an attempt to compete with the untaxed monks.

 

[TxRad]

Henry VIII as a robber? Yes, he was, and he wasted most of the money he got from the churches, abbeys and monasteries.

But at the time the Church owned about a third of England and didn't pay taxes. The dead hand of the Church oppressed many communities and competed unfairly with farmers and merchants who had to pay taxes.

Much wool smuggling (Owling) was an attempt to compete with the untaxed monks.

Morning Ogg, I had never heard the term Owling. Being from the country, I know a good deal about owls but other than night owl, it is a stretch between owls and wool smuggling. But then again, what the heck do i know. I've never smuggled wool in my life.

What do you call a farmer with a sheep under each arm? A pimp.

I'm up way too early.

Ok, fresh coffee is available and a nice hot kettle.

I'm thinking cinnamon rolls with a drizzle of cream cheese icing.

 

[oggbashan]

Morning Ogg, I had never heard the term Owling. Being from the country, I know a good deal about owls but other than night owl, it is a stretch between owls and wool smuggling. But then again, what the heck do i know. I've never smuggled wool in my life.

...

Owling? The smugglers used to make the hoot of an owl to signal to their colleagues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owling_(legal_term)

Smuggling wool was one of the most profitable and long-lasting activities to defraud the customs and excise. Smuggling lace and brandy was a less bulky load but moving wool around the countryside wasn't illegal - until it was exported without paying taxes.

Now coffee smuggling is increasing:

https://www.worldcoffeepress.com/coffee-smuggling-on-the-rise-in-central-america/

Is your coffee smuggled?

 

[TxRad]

Owling? The smugglers used to make the hoot of an owl to signal to their colleagues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owling_(legal_term)

Smuggling wool was one of the most profitable and long-lasting activities to defraud the customs and excise. Smuggling lace and brandy was a less bulky load but moving wool around the countryside wasn't illegal - until it was exported without paying taxes.

Now coffee smuggling is increasing:

https://www.worldcoffeepress.com/coffee-smuggling-on-the-rise-in-central-america/

Is your coffee smuggled?

I hadn't thought of signalling to others even though owl sounds were a big part of American Indian heritage.

I don't think my coffee is smuggled but then again how would one know? Buying from a large reputable company might help.

The only thing we have smuggled around here are people. Illegal aliens or sex traffickers moving people to or through Houston.That and drugs.

 

[NotWise]

Grrrr. I made my travel mug of coffee to take to work and left it at home. But all is not lost. I can still make a cup here.

 

[TxRad]

I missed lunch. How did that happen? Oh yeah, I was writing. I finished a second Summer Lovin contest story so some good came of it.

 

[Handley_Page]

I spent an hour this afternoon testing my newly-built galvo 'display' unit.
(Actually, it's a larger meter in an old-fashioned wooden box)
I'm pleased to say that it works.

Time, I think, for a cup of tea.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Sleepover at my house tonight. Not the kind I daydream about. Ah, family vacations.

 

[Hypoxia]

Sleepover at my house tonight. Not the kind I daydream about. Ah, family vacations.

Spike their drinks, put them down early. Or grin and bear it. Family vacations here mean the kids go into tents in the yard and adults get the little RV.

It's too late now for coffee. Mmmm, that bottle of Rex-Goliath Merlot is more appropriate, along with the spicy salmon and nutty feta salad.

Anyway, I'm back from the second eye surgery in two weeks. My third eye is off-limits to material manipulation, of course. But these two work much better now, with lots of gunk cleaned out, retinal edges tacked down, and general fix-ups (and suppression of inflammations and infections). The damaged area will stay damaged; there'll still be a 'curtain' covering my upper left vision; but I'm infinitely better. Now what'll we do with the dog?

 

[NotWise]

Now what'll we do with the dog?

Congratulations on the eye surgery. I hope that effective sedatives were administered during the procedure.

Why do you need to worry about the dog?

 

[Hypoxia]

Why do you need to worry about the dog?

I no longer need the dog, the cane, the mini-sonar, the blindfold, the kids running ahead blowing whistles, none of that. They'll all have to go. Redundant now, y'know. [/joke] But I'll keep the wraparound shades.

In reality, all is not perfect. Font sizes remain inflated. I squint and cover my face in bright light. Reading music on a stand is difficult. Yeah, scoot closer.

Dog? What dog? [/me squints] Oh, *that* dog. I thought it was a hyena.

 

[NotWise]

I no longer need the dog, the cane, the mini-sonar, the blindfold, the kids running ahead blowing whistles, none of that. They'll all have to go. Redundant now, y'know. [/joke] But I'll keep the wraparound shades.

In reality, all is not perfect. Font sizes remain inflated. I squint and cover my face in bright light. Reading music on a stand is difficult. Yeah, scoot closer.

Dog? What dog? [/me squints] Oh, *that* dog. I thought it was a hyena.

You know, I'm not going to worry about you too much. You still seem to be pretty much in charge of you.

 

[TxRad]

Dogs, kids, canes, whistles. Are you sure your weren't in a parade by mistake?

Before I had my eye surgery I just sat on the porch during the day and watched the dim lights do tricks. At night... I slept. No light show to distract me.

Congrats on the return of sight. It is distracting but it is kind of necessary, especially if you are a writer.

Ok, fresh coffee for the night crew. I'm doing Diet Dr Pepper and he's loving it, uh, I'm loving it, uh, it's all good.

 

[sr71plt]

Here's to improved eyesight where ever it can be got.

 

[sharingfantasies]

My biggest fear is losing my eyesight. I am a reader and hate audio books. I need to see the words. I am glad you are doing much better.

 

[Haulover]

I no longer need the dog, the cane, the mini-sonar, the blindfold, the kids running ahead blowing whistles, none of that. They'll all have to go. Redundant now, y'know. [/joke] But I'll keep the wraparound shades.

In reality, all is not perfect. Font sizes remain inflated. I squint and cover my face in bright light. Reading music on a stand is difficult. Yeah, scoot closer.

I hope your eye problems resolve ASAP!

See my earlier post (no. 724, on the last page).

 

[MagicaPractica]

Spike their drinks, put them down early. Or grin and bear it. Family vacations here mean the kids go into tents in the yard and adults get the little RV.

It's too late now for coffee. Mmmm, that bottle of Rex-Goliath Merlot is more appropriate, along with the spicy salmon and nutty feta salad.

Anyway, I'm back from the second eye surgery in two weeks. My third eye is off-limits to material manipulation, of course. But these two work much better now, with lots of gunk cleaned out, retinal edges tacked down, and general fix-ups (and suppression of inflammations and infections). The damaged area will stay damaged; there'll still be a 'curtain' covering my upper left vision; but I'm infinitely better. Now what'll we do with the dog?

Grinning and bearing it.

Gratz on the improved eyesight.

 

[Hypoxia]

Many thanks to all, and my best to any who have, are, or will be undergoing any sorts of necessary surgical procedures. (Elective surgeries are your own affair.) Make sure every cut is absofuckinglutely necessary.

My sis-in-law is a retired VERY senior financial exec who ruined herself on continuous global business trips and has undergone multiple surgeries much more serious than mine. If she can take it, so can I. (If she dies first, we inherit, but that's another matter.) She almost thinks that the payoffs were worth the pain. I know better than to argue.

Damn, too late for coffee. But there's still a bottle of Sierra Nevada Coffee Stout in the fridge. Maybe pour it over some chocolate-coffee ice cream...

Dogs, kids, canes, whistles. Are you sure your weren't in a parade by mistake?

I forgot to mention the clowns.

 

[Handley_Page]

May the eyes never dim!
My Mum's comment, post eye surgery was "the colours." She did not need to say more.

And now, Coffee !

 

[ChloeTzang]

.....And now, Coffee !

Please (loud panting sounds from your computer....)

https://www.quotemaster.org/images/4f/4f43926656b6e6be3b99459f3e6759a1.jpg

And then, just for that nice Handley Page who flew in especially with the coffee.....

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/46/42/fd/4642fd5728d12996f8685177e5d2d4f2--funny-wednesday-quotes-hump-day-camel.jpg

And now, on to those early morning chores like actually making breakfast, packing lunch and getting myself out the door at this ungodly hour..... I made the mistake of not going to sleep early enough yesterday....usually I'm all bushy tailed but this morning .... yawning....

I no longer need the dog, the cane, the mini-sonar, the blindfold, the kids running ahead blowing whistles, none of that. They'll all have to go. Redundant now, y'know. [/joke] But I'll keep the wraparound shades.....

All the best with that and be careful. Eyes are so precious. Definitely DO keep the shades.

And think about getting some blue light filters for your computer and your cellphone. Actually you should all do this.

Computer eye strain (eye fatigue, computer vision syndrome) has been associated with blue light emitted by digital display devices. Computer eye strain is a big problem if you are blue light sensitive and you need to stare at screens a lot. Emerging research suggests that there are other longer term health hazards, e.g. retina damage, sleep disorder, depression, etc. Blue light filters are a possible solution to blue light induced computer eye strain and you can get them either for your devices or as clipons if you wear glasses like I do...

 

[TxRad]

Loud panting sounds are always welcome in the morning or any time for that matter.

Ah yes, coffee. I guess i should make a fresh pot for Hump Day.

Computer eye strain. Found something that helps on most of firefox. Night Mode Pro. You can find it in the add ons.

I think I'll get outside and do something today. Yeah I know, It's the end of July and that sounds crazy but the yard needs mowing again. Damned rain must have fertilizer in it..

 

[Handley_Page]

Please (loud panting sounds from your computer....)

https://www.quotemaster.org/images/4f/4f43926656b6e6be3b99459f3e6759a1.jpg

And then, just for that nice Handley Page who flew in especially with the coffee.....

And think about getting some blue light filters for your computer and your cellphone. Actually you should all do this.

Computer eye strain (eye fatigue, computer vision syndrome) has been associated with blue light emitted by digital display devices. Computer eye strain is a big problem if you are blue light sensitive and you need to stare at screens a lot. Emerging research suggests that there are other longer term health hazards, e.g. retina damage, sleep disorder, depression, etc. Blue light filters are a possible solution to blue light induced computer eye strain and you can get them either for your devices or as clipons if you wear glasses like I do...

For a while, back in the day, I used to get bad headaches. Then I got some glasses and all was fixed. But do please tell me about blue filters. I have flat-screen displays.

And now I wear 'special' glasses (getting the focus right at 40-odd inches; the distance between my eyes and the screens). My optician went mad; there's not means of setting up her machines for that distance. It took us both a good while to get it right.

Listen: here

 

[Hypoxia]

We taped the shield over the latest-cut eye for the night and I drifted toward dreamland. Halfway there, a thought hit me: OH FUCK, THEY CUT MY EYES! With wee tiny sharp metal tools like knives and spoons and forks and I don't know what the fuck else, and lasers, and scooping around inside my eyeballs, and poking about, and burning stuff (did I smell hamburger?) -- and I can still see.

Fucking gobsmacked, I am. Anyone who hasn't had eye problems may muse on the mechanics of people CUTTING YOUR EYEBALLS. Yes, you may shudder. Yes, it's spooky shit. Yes, it beats the treatment of a millennium ago: prayer.

An extra dollop of tequila in this morning's coffee, if you please...