Search found 218 matches

by SueG5123
Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TRICARE/Medicare
Replies: 8
Views: 981

Re: TRICARE/Medicare

TFL has turned out to be quite costly for us, owing to IRMAA on the Medicare Part B. But “it’s the only game in town,” you know!

I will say that one unheralded benefit of TFL is that it will cover you outside CONUS, unlike Medicare.
by SueG5123
Fri Jan 26, 2024 6:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel to Greece - seeking input on itinerary
Replies: 14
Views: 1946

Re: Travel to Greece - seeking input on itinerary

We went to Naxos in 2021. We took a day tour of the island that was very interesting and included ancient ruins, Temple of Demeter, pottery makers, olive oil factory, distillery for liqueur made from tree leaves, the Venetian palaces, archeological museum, etc. From Naxos, we took ferry to Paros and rented a car to see Lefkes, ancient marble quarries, hilltop windmills, and quaint fishing villages. We hired a boat in Alyki to take us to swimming areas in the incredibly clear azure water between the islets of Penteronisi and Mikronisi. We loved the charming village of Piso Livadi and strongly disliked the crowded, expensive nightlife at Naoussa. We ended back in Athens with several wonderful but very warm days, one of which was spent in the ...
by SueG5123
Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA vs AMICA
Replies: 27
Views: 4343

Re: USAA vs AMICA

Same issue with us: every home in our neighborhood (20+) got a new roof because of hailstorm, but USAA decided our house had been miraculously spared any damage. At roughly the same time USAA was heavily fined for such practices.

Short answer: we left USAA after 25 years of zero claims. Rotten company. We don’t regret it!
by SueG5123
Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel agent specializing in European river cruises.
Replies: 11
Views: 1827

Re: Travel agent specializing in European river cruises.

Let me also add that:

Travel agents do not increase the cost of the cruise to you, and typically travel agents will offer you some incentive (typically an onboard cruise credit).

The only real benefit we’ve seen to DIY booking is the flexibility to make the flight arrangements we want.
by SueG5123
Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel agent specializing in European river cruises.
Replies: 11
Views: 1827

Re: Travel agent specializing in European river cruises.

We have used travel advisors and we have “DIY” (both) with Viking. IMHO, a travel advisor can be an advocate for you with the cruise line, should you need it. Example, one of our cruises was disrupted by local officials (France) forcing the ship to a shipyard in order to make repairs and requiring all passengers be disembarked for 48 hours. Viking offered a small discount on a future cruise as solace. Those travelers who had used travel agents had ready advocates and seemed to get better “discounts,” than those who had directly arranged their trip with Viking.
by SueG5123
Mon Sep 25, 2023 7:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Viking Cruise Cities
Replies: 7
Views: 1421

Re: Viking Cruise Cities

Wife and I headed for a Viking River Cruise April next year. We are active travelers who like to sightsee, hike and bike. Looking for excursion recommendations for the following cities and any other general tips! I always appreciate the insights on this forum! Regensburg, GE Passau, GE Krems, Austria Vienna (Two days) Budapest (cruise finish, will spend an extra day there) DH and I have done this trip on Viking twice pre-pandemic and are scheduled to take friends with us this year on same as we visit the Christmas markets. Regensburg: the Thurn & Taxis palace was lovely. Mostly spared by Allied bombs in WWII, it has many medieval buildings and a 12th century stone bridge used by Crusaders en route to the wars. Passau: we enjoyed walkin...
by SueG5123
Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 San Francisco, 1 day stay
Replies: 78
Views: 8202

Re: 2023 San Francisco, 1 day stay

dual wrote: Sun Jul 16, 2023 12:11 pm Car smash and grab break-ins, particularly for rental cars, are a big problem in San Francisco. Look for a safe place to park your car even if you have to pay quite a bit.
I can speak from personal experience, as this very thing happened to us at the Cliff House on July Fourth this year. We were standing less than 15 feet away. The cops later told us the smash-and-grabbers are so brazen they will smash your car window even if the car is occupied. They target rental cars particularly. Within 24 hours, we passed two other vehicles that had had the windows smashed moments previously. Definitely advise no rental cars in SF; just Uber it.
by SueG5123
Thu Jul 13, 2023 5:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28889

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

CFPB. It exerts a lot of pressure for the consumer.
by SueG5123
Thu Jun 29, 2023 6:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Iceland the week before Christmas (with kids)?
Replies: 6
Views: 861

Re: Iceland the week before Christmas (with kids)?

Courtesy of the US Navy in the early 1990s, I lived in Iceland. Some of the major sightseeing locations may be difficult to reach — such as Gullfoss, Thingvellir, Geysir — if there is snow. I recall seeing Gullfoss when it was still mostly frozen over (late May), and it was still so shrouded in ice that all you do was listen to the roar of the water. I’m sure the roads and signage are much improved in the last 30 years. The darkness may be a factor. The sun will rise a few minutes before noon, and set a few minutes after. There will be an hour or two of eerie twilight, but the rest of your day will be pretty dark. Temperature-wise, Iceland in winter is warmer than many American Midwest locations (temps in the 30s), but the winds can be brut...
by SueG5123
Tue Jun 27, 2023 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Viking vs. Tauck River Cruise
Replies: 16
Views: 4430

Re: Viking vs. Tauck River Cruise

We’ve been on 7 Viking River cruises (with another one scheduled later this year) and 2 Viking Ocean cruises. So we are enthusiastic Viking supporters. Good itineraries, free excursion in every port, nice optional excursions offered, good dining, wines and beer with meals, local entertainment usually available on board. No casinos, no kids, no nickel-and-dimming you with add-ons.
by SueG5123
Mon Jun 19, 2023 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Best" first time cruise for family out of Galveston....
Replies: 31
Views: 3937

Re: "Best" first time cruise for family out of Galveston....

We’ve been on three or four Carnival cruises out of Galveston (we live in Katy), and we have found them generally a value, despite the photo-huckstering and other nickel-diming stuff. Easy to drive ourselves to port and rent a good parking spot, so little trauma coming and going. Recommend you do not buy any liquor at duty free as Texas imposes its own little headaches at arrival.

I’ve taken Princess and Norwegian cruises to other destinations. Loved Princess, hated everything about NCL, especially the food. No experience with Royal Caribbean or Disney.
by SueG5123
Sat Jun 17, 2023 6:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does one do the Kentucky Derby?
Replies: 24
Views: 2986

Re: How does one do the Kentucky Derby?

“As a Kentuckian, I've never done The Derby. And won't. Unless you have the good fortune to have contacts who can get you in to a clubhouse at the track, you're vying for limited seats in the grandstand at high prices, or the legenday in-field where you can scarcely see the track action and likely will be sidestepping vomit. It is widely considered to be utter debauchery; lots of Louisville residents leave town for those days around it if they can. Some folks even refer to it as "Amish NASCAR"…I can see how it is appealing to an outsider to have it be a bucket-list item but my suggestion would be to instead visit Lexington when the gorgeous grounds of the Keeneland Race Course are having its Spring or Fall Meet, soak up a Friday a...
by SueG5123
Sat Jun 17, 2023 6:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What periodicals do you subscribe to? Cost? Print or digital? (2023)
Replies: 94
Views: 6047

Re: What periodicals do you subscribe to? Cost? Print or digital? (2023)

The Houston Chronicle (daily paper) and The New Yorker. Subscribed to NYT for most of the period 2017-2020 for rather obvious reasons. I feel an obligation to be informed. News ain’t free, but propaganda sure is.
by SueG5123
Fri May 12, 2023 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cairo for a few days
Replies: 19
Views: 1711

Re: Cairo for a few days

We just got back from Egypt. The visa can be purchased in advance on line and save you any airport hassle. We were there 2 1/5 weeks and used only 1000 Epounds (about $30) in cash. We also took $300 in US ones and fives to facilitate the expected tips throughout. A guide gets you through security check points at every museum or tourist spot — watch as your guide surreptitiously slips the official “tip” to cops and uniformed officers.
by SueG5123
Sat Apr 15, 2023 6:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Malaga (Spain) in May 2023
Replies: 14
Views: 1561

Re: Trip to Malaga (Spain) in May 2023

Recommend do a little research on Malaga itself. There is plenty to see and do both there and in nearby area. Picasso museum is outstanding, fine beaches, nice restaurants (we liked El Pimpy’s).

Rick Steves treated Malaga rather dismissively in the book of his we used before our 2013 trip to Spain. We found his advice on Malaga ill-informed, surprisingly so for such a storied traveler.
by SueG5123
Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Movies - Name Five
Replies: 277
Views: 23918

Re: Favorite Movies - Name Five

Casablanca.
Casablanca.
Casablanca.
Casablanca.
Top Hat.
by SueG5123
Mon Feb 27, 2023 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Victim of Check Scam. Bank hasn’t returned my money yet
Replies: 17
Views: 2432

Re: Victim of Check Scam. Bank hasn’t returned my money yet

I had a similar loss last year of a check for over $58,000. It was a bank check stolen from the mail and the payee was altered to someone else’s name. Truist Bank reps were pleasant to deal with when we filed the fraud paperwork, but they didn’t want any part of me following up; they referred me to their corporate fraud people, who always referred me back to the local branch. Frustrating. I filed complaint with CFPB and got some attention from the bank, but it still took 90 days for the process run it’s course.
by SueG5123
Thu Feb 23, 2023 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice for student looking at psychology careers?
Replies: 44
Views: 4929

Re: Advice for student looking at psychology careers?

My step daughter went the distance for a PsyD and applied for military accession. She was commissioned 0-3 in USAF and just selected for 0-4, seems to really enjoy it. Bonus and some relief of the student loans. Recent article in Psychology Today (2020) details avenues to military accession.
by SueG5123
Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Suggestions for Obtaining Cash in Europe
Replies: 75
Views: 5207

Re: Suggestions for Obtaining Cash in Europe

“NYC is probably the safest city of any size in the United States.”

Absolutely true. I just spent a week in NYC and never felt safer. Of course, I wasn’t out walking thru Central Park at 3am, either!

We travel to Europe several times a year. Never had any problems finding an ATM to get local currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, though, reducing need for actual cash.
by SueG5123
Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europe River Cruises - Is Viking the Last Word?
Replies: 39
Views: 5687

Re: Europe River Cruises - Is Viking the Last Word?

6 soon-to-be 7 cruises with Viking River Cruises (+2 ocean). We have greatly enjoyed all of them, even the one that was truncated by a river collision (before we boarded).

We are not noobies to European travel, but the cruises are an excellent venue for exploration. If you are a noobie — well, you will love it. As the tv ads say, you are right where you want to be (most of the time).

We understand that other cruise lines offer good experiences and we hope to try those eventually. But… we’ve enjoyed Viking so much that we haven’t been forced to try any other!
by SueG5123
Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43306

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

Florida.

All of it. Humidity, heat, and bugs.
by SueG5123
Sat Oct 08, 2022 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Marine Corps NROTC program for daughter
Replies: 67
Views: 6638

Re: Marine Corps NROTC program for daughter

Retired female naval officer here. 23 years of adventure. Loved it all, endorse it highly. Forget the nonsense about “how services treat women” — it all comes down to who you work with and for. There are a lot of safeguards for equal treatment in the military that you won’t find in most civilian employers.
by SueG5123
Thu May 19, 2022 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estate Settlement
Replies: 14
Views: 1213

Re: Estate Settlement

Having just gone through this process as the executrix of my late mother’s estate:

The state did not permit distribution of estate assets until a period of time had elapsed (6mos from opening of estate and appointment of executor) so as to allow potential creditors to make claims against the estate. We sold the condo in November but proceeds could not be distributed until March.

I was shepherded throughout the process by the probate attorney.

Thank god my 4 siblings had no trust issues with me.
by SueG5123
Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA Bank Hit with $140M in Fines
Replies: 12
Views: 1825

USAA Bank Hit with $140M in Fines

Per this morning’s Houston Chronicle, USAA has been whacked with fines by federal regulators for failing to timely report thousands of suspicious transactions.

Confirms my opinion that USAA has gotten too big too fast and has forgotten “the mission”!
by SueG5123
Fri Mar 18, 2022 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best online remainder bookstore/ outlet
Replies: 16
Views: 2055

Re: Best online remainder bookstore/ outlet

I use Edward R. Hamilton, Bookseller, and have been pleased. Wide selection, good prices, new books.
by SueG5123
Sun Feb 06, 2022 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the Eiffel tower worth a visit?
Replies: 79
Views: 8152

Re: Is the Eiffel tower worth a visit?

Many good suggestions here, but I’m going to throw in my 2cents anyway! The kids might enjoy the Palais Garnier, Paris Opera house — magnificent building, the fabulous Chagall ceiling. Nearby is Galeries Lafayette, which also has impressive building plus terrific views of the city from the observation deck…. Oh, and shopping!
by SueG5123
Thu Nov 18, 2021 7:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did the USAA bank Get So Bad
Replies: 66
Views: 9992

Re: How did the USAA bank Get So Bad

We’ve pretty much left USAA for the reasons you cited, plus egregiously bad home owners insurance issues. No regrets. USAA sold out military members.
by SueG5123
Mon Oct 25, 2021 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Useful items for seniors (80+ years)
Replies: 57
Views: 7011

Re: Useful items for seniors (80+ years)

My 93 yr old MIL does not drive and lives alone. She really likes us to gift a selection of greeting cards (birthday, sympathy, holiday, etc.) with a roll of stamps. That way, she isn’t dependent upon someone to drive her to the store to buy a card if she needs one.
by SueG5123
Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unloading Massive Collection of Classical Music
Replies: 59
Views: 8297

Re: Unloading Massive Collection of Classical Music

I recently digitized all our CDs. I offered my collection of Broadway Original Cast Recordings (about 60 CDs) to the local library and they enthusiastically wanted them. (My fallback plan was to offer them to the theatre department of a high school.)
by SueG5123
Sat Oct 09, 2021 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Funniest movies of all time? Name five of your favorites...
Replies: 338
Views: 50088

Re: Funniest movies of all time? Name five of your favorites...

Victor/Victoria and Return of the Pink Panther, two Blake Edwards classics! Peter Sellers and “the minkey” always crack me up. In Victor/Victoria — the cockroach in the salad scene, the silent movie-ish scene of the starving Julie Andrews watching a glutton eating a pastry, and ANY scene with Robert Preston or Leslie Ann Warren…
by SueG5123
Tue Sep 21, 2021 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Viking Ocean Cruises
Replies: 6
Views: 1643

Re: Viking Ocean Cruises

We’ve taken 2 Viking ocean cruises: one of the Med in 2017, and a transatlantic (repositioning) cruise in 2018. Loved them both. The Med cruise was the last before Istanbul was taken off virtually all cruise line itinerarie — I think Istanbul has recently been restored to a lot of them — and it was a sensational cruise experience. Loved having the scholars and academics on board for the lectures about ancient trade routes and Gallipoli and all. Repositioning cruises are not for everyone, because there are about 5 consecutive days at sea. DH and I are retired naval officers, though, so we were undaunted. Very luxurious crossing, slept late, used the spas and swimming pools every morning, afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, music and dining ev...
by SueG5123
Mon Aug 23, 2021 3:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Covid restrictions to enter Germany/ anyone been recently?
Replies: 57
Views: 4962

Re: Covid restrictions to enter Germany/ anyone been recently?

Just returned from a Rhine cruise 3 days ago. Every German restaurant required us to complete contact tracing forms, but it was no big deal— just name, phone number, address. We expected to have to show proof of vaccination at every venue (as Paris required) but did not.
by SueG5123
Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Replies: 193
Views: 30621

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Doggy door.

It improved the quality of our lives by freeing us from having to let the dogs in and out on their schedule. It enabled us to take day trips without having to ask a neighbor to let the dogs out.

Yes, definitely. Doggy door.
by SueG5123
Fri Jun 18, 2021 10:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What Is Your Longest-Held Investment?
Replies: 147
Views: 15509

Re: What Is Your Longest-Held Investment?

Wellington, purchased in 1987 just days before “Black Monday”!!!
by SueG5123
Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Acoustic Guitar Help
Replies: 65
Views: 7154

Re: Acoustic Guitar Help

I’ll throw another brand name at you: Guild. I have a vintage Rhode Island Guild dread and a recent “Chinese” Guild, and I play them more than my Martin!
by SueG5123
Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mediterranean Cruise Opinions
Replies: 50
Views: 4596

Re: Mediterranean Cruise Opinions

We have taken 2 Viking ocean cruises, including the Sea’s maiden voyage. We loved them. Daily excursions, wifi, dining options, entertainment (incl. enrichment lectures from academics), wine and beer with meals, and a terrific crew-passenger ratio — what’s not to like?

I will say that I think we may have gotten better pricing. At the time, we ascribed that to Viking wanting to make sure the maiden cruise was fully booked. (Our second cruise was a repositioning, which are famously value priced.)
by SueG5123
Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which U.S. military bases are the best locations to work as a civilian RN?
Replies: 19
Views: 2975

Re: Which U.S. military bases are the best locations to work as a civilian RN?

Naval Air Station Jacksonville has LCOL, naval hospital, proximity to other bases Sub Base Kings Bay, NavSta Mayport). Good place to learn about the service and opportunities while making a real contribution.

The overseas bases I served at in my 23 yrs Navy service (Keflavik Iceland & Subic Bay RP) are long disestablished, but I would think Aviano IT or Sousa Bay CR would be excellent — judging from my civilian travels!
by SueG5123
Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frederick Lewis Allen, "Only Yesterday," $1.99 Kindle sale
Replies: 4
Views: 990

Re: Frederick Lewis Allen, "Only Yesterday," $1.99 Kindle sale

Excellent book. Allen also wrote a similar history of the 1930s. I believe it was titled Since Yesterday.
by SueG5123
Fri Feb 26, 2021 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USPS Postmarks on Envelopes
Replies: 38
Views: 4172

Re: USPS Postmarks on Envelopes

Still waiting on two Valentine cards mailed February 9th from North Carolina to Tennessee. :x We received two separate first class items (personal mail, not mass mail) from Columbus, Ohio. They each took five weeks. They were postmarked - that's how I knew how long it took. The USPS had an on-time delivery rate of just 49.6% for 3-5 day mail in the fourth quarter of 2020: https://about.usps.com/what/performance/service-performance/fy2021-q1-single-piece-first-class-mail-quarterly-performance.html This is down from a peak of 92.3% in 2012, and it's a sharp drop from 80.9% in 2019. It's easier to destroy than to create. You can remove a mail sorting machine in an afternoon for thousands of dollars. Once the machine is gone, it'll take months...
by SueG5123
Fri Feb 26, 2021 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Generators]/ supplemental power generation
Replies: 162
Views: 11361

Re: [Generators]/ supplemental power generation

Explaining our rationale for why we installed a generator in 2020 would likely get me slapped by the moderators. I will say that we did not foresee a four day ice storm in Texas without power — nor are we unduly worried by hurricanes, although we are near the gulf coast. Regardless of our motivation, our Gererac generator proved itself well worth the investment during 60 hours off the grid. The whole house had power, seamlessly, while entire housing developments nearby have been in the dark. We have sheltered and fed neighbors. We had heat to keep interior pipes from freezing. Peace of mind. priceless! If you afford it, I’d recommend it highly. Was it a natural gas one? What was your all in price, $6k to $10k? Yes, natural gas. Roughly $10...
by SueG5123
Fri Feb 26, 2021 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Boglehead Lessons From the Texas Winter Storm?
Replies: 226
Views: 23245

Re: Any Boglehead Lessons From the Texas Winter Storm?

Katy Resident here (30 miles outside Houston): the key to us surviving the first 40 hour black out, then the 9 hour black out, followed by the 12 hour black out was the whole house generator we installed in January 2020.
by SueG5123
Wed Feb 17, 2021 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Generators]/ supplemental power generation
Replies: 162
Views: 11361

Re: [Generators]/ supplemental power generation

Explaining our rationale for why we installed a generator in 2020 would likely get me slapped by the moderators. I will say that we did not foresee a four day ice storm in Texas without power — nor are we unduly worried by hurricanes, although we are near the gulf coast. Regardless of our motivation, our Gererac generator proved itself well worth the investment during 60 hours off the grid. The whole house had power, seamlessly, while entire housing developments nearby have been in the dark. We have sheltered and fed neighbors. We had heat to keep interior pipes from freezing. Peace of mind. priceless! If you afford it, I’d recommend it highly. Was it a natural gas one? What was your all in price, $6k to $10k? Yes, natural gas. Roughly $10...
by SueG5123
Wed Feb 17, 2021 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Generators]/ supplemental power generation
Replies: 162
Views: 11361

Re: [Generators]/ supplemental power generation

Explaining our rationale for why we installed a generator in 2020 would likely get me slapped by the moderators. I will say that we did not foresee a four day ice storm in Texas without power — nor are we unduly worried by hurricanes, although we are near the gulf coast.

Regardless of our motivation, our Gererac generator proved itself well worth the investment during 60 hours off the grid. The whole house had power, seamlessly, while entire housing developments nearby have been in the dark. We have sheltered and fed neighbors. We had heat to keep interior pipes from freezing.

Peace of mind. priceless!

If you afford it, I’d recommend it highly.
by SueG5123
Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite non fiction book?
Replies: 152
Views: 13445

Re: What is your favorite non fiction book?

Longitude, by Dava Sobel. It is the story of how one visionary built a reliable timepiece for ocean navigation purposes — not only facilitating ocean exploration and travel, but revolutionized timekeeping.

Interestingly, I took my MA in Literature, but now read almost exclusively in history and biography. I blame it on Faulkner.
by SueG5123
Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Copyright Infringement (Visual Arts)
Replies: 75
Views: 3629

Re: Copyright Infringement (Visual Arts)

I am following this discussion with interest and would like to see the opinion of an actual art historian, as well. Many great painters of the past have “replicated” earlier works and labeled them as, “After [original artist’s name].” Moreover, when I have visited museums, I have frequently run across other museum-goers who are sketching or copying the painting on view. I always assumed that the individual creative input overrode accusations of artistic infringement.

And... how is this different from the jazz performer who riffs all over a standard from the Great American Songbook?
by SueG5123
Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Watching hollywood movies with kids 10 and 16
Replies: 33
Views: 3438

Re: Watching hollywood movies with kids 10 and 16

Turner Classic Movies.
There! Problem solved!
by SueG5123
Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Govt/Political Science major aspiring 6th grader - Recommendations ?
Replies: 51
Views: 4240

Re: Govt/Political Science major aspiring 6th grader - Recommendations ?

INLAFF wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:04 pm
TierArtz wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:02 pm Something simple and cheap, would be a subscription to the Epoch Times: https://www.theepochtimes.com/
I literally laughed at this.
Me, too!
by SueG5123
Sun Dec 27, 2020 6:50 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: "The Hills of Bastogne"
Replies: 93
Views: 9058

Re: "The Hills of Bastogne"

Thank you, Taylor, for then — and now, for the reminder.

Let me add that my husband and I, both retired Navy, toured the area a few years ago and saw the wonderful museum at Bastogne. The freedom markers that mark every kilometer from Normandy. Moving, instructive, and we are planning to go back.
by SueG5123
Sat Dec 26, 2020 6:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Christmas Movies
Replies: 85
Views: 5543

Re: Favorite Christmas Movies

Two Barbara Stanwyck classics: 1) "Christmas in Connecticut" where she plays a Martha Stewart-type perfect homemaker columnist who is really a fake who can't even boil water, who is called upon by her unaware publisher Sydney Greenstreet to entertain him and a hero (singing) sailor Dennis Morgan, for Christmas. It's a hoot, with wonderful character actor S.Z. Cuddles Sakall as the real genius in the kitchen helping her try to pull off her charade. 2) "Remember the Night" where Stanwyck plays a thief whose trial is postponed over Christmas and her prosecuting attorney Fred MacMurray winds up giving her a lift back home to Indiana where they are both from to spend he holidays prior to the continuation of the trial, seeing...
by SueG5123
Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off at 34, another degree/career thread and financial advice.
Replies: 71
Views: 10484

Re: Laid off at 34, another degree/career thread and financial advice.

I'm nervous about reentering college at 34 though and being near 40 graduating with something like an engineering degree.
I am reminded of advice columnist Ann Landers gave to someone who wrote her that he had always wanted to be a doctor, but he was 40 and his schooling would take 6 years more. She replied, ‘How old will you be in 6 years if you don’t do this?’

Wishing you success, whatever you choose.