WTF-Beta

This is a cute house in the town I grew up in. Of course, if it were mine I'd be changing the interior decoration. I swear, the interiors of every listing I look at online these days looks the same. Seen one, seen them all. No individuality, almost exclusively white, grey, polished metal. I don't think this period will be looked back upon as one of beautiful interiors.

But the layout of this house looks pretty cool, and the fact that it's on the lake. I don't like how close the neighbors are, though. My favorite part is the kitchen. Nice. Perfect vacation home if one can afford such things.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/20-Bonardi-Dr_Enfield_NH_03748_M34953-26073?from=srp-list-card

Silly can help . . .

@AndyD Someone I follow on YT, visited her Aunt and Uncle's place in Suffulk (I believe) a few Christmases ago and they talk about the work involved in owning a Grade 2 structure. Their son did some amazing work on the place. . . (starting at 2:33 in the video) . . .

Scary essay in today's NYTimes about AI.

Gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/opinion/silicon-valley-ai-empire.html?unlocked_article_code=1.LE8.qnY6.3cHDKRY3MjEK&smid=url-share

The Pearl Fishers was the very first opera I ever saw live... at the Met.

Certainly, potato chips. I won't pay more than $2.50 for a 10 oz. bag which means I usually leave the store without... just as well. I never go to the movie theatre any longer, and I never bought sports tickets so not missing anything there. Wine is always in the cart as is Prosecco, because there's so much to celebrate! And the prices here in NH are still good in that department, and we don't have sales tax. I don't even want a new vehicle, too many bells and whistles that I'm not the least interested in. I'm hoping that when my current car needs replacing I'll still be able to find something that is mostly analog. Dining out is still in the works. Our wonderful Thai place has a lunch special for $11 - $13. Soft drinks are a rarity for me, but I have recently started buying seltzer water in packs of 12, 12 oz. aluminum cans (recyclable), $4/12 pack. I don't think I was drinking enough water, and I love seltzer water, hence.

I take issue with the article's mention of fabric. One doesn't sew because it's cheaper, one does it for the experience and fulfillment.

I eat little meat so that's not a concern, but I have stopped buying Impossible Burger. It's way too expensive. And I've never bought a streaming service.

It is getting harder to buy certain cheeses due to price increases. And smoked salmon. Cut flowers don't come home as often as they used to (but that's partly due to being on a budget until the mortgage is paid off).

@wtg said in The decline and fall of Elon Musk:

The Tesla innovator becomes the latest government employee to lose his job.

Gee, how awful. Not.

Happy Birthday, Big Al!

Start a cult and make it your headquarters?

Then there’s the social element. Right now my Bird Buddy Pro is hanging on a pole in my parents’ backyard. Being able to call my mom and tell her our feeder finally got our first visitor created a real memory.

Oh, please. Memory creation is independent of AI or "smart" plastic fabrications. And the memory of wasting $250 for yet another totally unnecessary gadget would indeed linger.

I don't need a $60/year subscription to watch the birds in my yard. I have a field guide for bird identification and it's never wrong and won't expire.

I guess I am not a fan.

Gorgeous place and a fabulous greenhouse, but imagine the staff you need to maintain the place. Unless it can be turned into a money maker, one needs deep pockets for such a place.

@rustyfingers I shared more than one railroad apartment in my early years in NY. Not ideal for those who value privacy.

@ShiroKuro I was in Versailles once. That's the only time I've been in one.

@ShiroKuro I'm familiar with it due to being a lover of châteaux. If you've ever been in an old château, you'll have experienced the long rows of rooms that all have a doorway--usually without doors--along one wall of the building, allowing one to see from one end to the other.

A modern house with an enfilade, but I would want a few more walls.

@rustyfingers, I was perplexed when I first got here about how to upload images directly to this forum. It's not immediately obvious.

When you click on 'reply' to someone's post, you may get a mini version of the input editor. At the bottom of the input box is the "Quick reply" button. Immediately to the left of it is a diagonal double arrow icon. If you click that you'll get the full editor. On the full editor toolbar, the next-to-last icon on the right is the upload image tool.

If you're already in the full editor, just click the upload image icon (second to last on the right).

Happy Birthday, Joe! Many happy returns of the day!

Aw, bummer. But glad you got the plate number.

Lovely pics, one and all. I'm envious of your Lilacs, AndyD. We had white and purple ones when I was growing up. My lilac bush is bust this year; I'm lucky if there's a dozen flower heads on it. Oh, well, next year.

The purple rhododendron was a spectacle this year, as usual--except for years when a late frost hits just as it is opening. This bush is huge, taller than I am and very wide.

This rhododendron I planted a few years ago is starting to come into its own. I'm hoping it will eventually equal the purple one in stature.

The crabapple I planted as barely a sprig 11 years ago is opening its blossoms now. We're just coming out of multiple days of rain and cold, and I think it's supposed to warm up this week, so it should be a nice display in a few days.

The usual wild flowers are out. Trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, violets, dandelions, ground ivy, wild phlox, forget-me-not, and others. Most of the color to be seen right now is low to the ground.