Johanna’s Comments (group member since Oct 23, 2011)

Johanna’s comments from the Q&A with Josh Lanyon group.

Here's everything okay (apart from the sad war news continuing). The work I love keeps me busy. Hubby and the two dogs keep me on my toes outside work hours.
:-D

In a week Finland is going to have a new president for the next six years. We had nine candidates to vote from during the first round. Everyone's campaigning has went in gentlemanly/gentlewomanly fashion — nobody hasn't been bullying or denigrating their fellow competitors. The discussion has been interesting and civilized. Now we're in the midst of the second round with two candidates: Alexander Stubb and Pekka Haavisto. In my opinion either one of them will make a smart, wise, capable president — so color me happy.

Interesting detail: Alexander Stubb's wife is British and Pekka Haavisto's (he's gay) husband is from Ecuador. Oh, and even though both candidates are male, neither one of them are old — Stubb is 55 and Haavisto is 65.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Fi...

Ije, how was your trip to Egypt?

Josh wrote: "Karen wrote: "I'm still digesting our trip to Armenia and stop-over in Paris. This was a "heritage" trip for my husband, his brother, and nephew —organized by their jazz musician cousin's travel ag..."

Karen, that really sounds like a trip of a lifetime!

Mtsnow13 wrote: "preparing to move back home to Montana in a few weeks and will be near my family after almost 6 years in a foreign country and culture."

How's Montana? I bet it's been lovely to be back home after so many years. :-)

Jordan wrote: "How is everyone doing?

I've had a sleep study, finally, a few weeks back. Had an anxiety attack in the middle of it, and for whatever reason, I've continued to have them very frequently since the..."

Hopefully everything feels a little easier for you by now, dear Jordan. I'm sending good thoughts your way and many, many hugs.

Josh wrote: "And the most exciting thing of all -- one of my very favorite art critics/historians, Waldemar Januszczak, is on a YouTube channel called Perspective https://www.youtube.com/@PerspectiveArts

It's an absolute treasure trove of art documentaries!"

Going to check this out!

Josh wrote: "True Detective. The SO is enjoying it. I found it offensively grisly, which is disappointing because I love Jodie Foster and was really looking forward to it."

Oh, shoot. Hubby and I really enjoyed the first season of True Detective with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson! I've been looking forward to watch the newest season with Jodie Foster.

Is Slough Horses the one on Apple TV+ (with Gary Oldman)? Haven't seen that one yet. Thank you for the recommendation!

Byron wrote: "Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Thank you, Jordan and Ije. Although lately it almost feels like I'm occupying too much space if I share you what I do, because not many people write s...

My Mom is in her early 90's and food is a constant discussion and for me, often a source of amusement. I figure she has outlived all her relatives so if she declares the 5 food groups to be: Cream Cheese, English Muffins, Ham spread, Bonne Marman Cherry Jam and Nutella cookies, well then who am I to argue?"

LOL! True words. :-D

Karen wrote: "Hugs to Josh and Jordan hoping things get better for you, and everyone here!

I haven't posted much personal news lately either, so here's a wee bit. :)

After spending most of the year traveling a..."

Hopefully your foot is much, MUCH better buy now!

Sounds like the fact that your daughter's family lives next door is a win-win situation for you all! :-) I'm so happy for you!

Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Thank you, Jordan and Ije. Although lately it almost feels like I'm occupying too much space if I share you what I do, because not many people write such things an..."

My parents (especially my mom who cooks the meals) have the same issue with sodium than your dad. They barely use any salt at all. Their doctor had convinced them to at least drink mineral water with salt in it. So instead of putting some salt in their food they haul immense amounts of mineral water bottles from the store. I fail to see any logic in that. (Well, maybe that makes them drink enough per day, so that's something.)

Jordan wrote: "I have my phone set to shut down Instagram after fifteen minutes every day so I don't continue to scroll and lose track of time. lol. Sometimes, if I know I have more time to spend on it I'll keep ..."

That's a great idea! I didn't even know that's possible to do. Thank you for the hint!

Ije the Devourer of Books wrote: "I like Instagram. I spend time there mostly watching comedy, animal comedy and people dancing and doing weird things."

Yep. I feel the same way. I'm rarely on FB anymore, but I tend to watch Instagram video clips before going to sleep to stop myself thinking any work stuff or such.

Antonella wrote: "I'm on Instagram now because I'm running for the National Council in the elections on October 22nd. Don't worry though, I don't have political ambitions, I just want to bring votes for the Greens ;..."

Fingers crossed for as many votes as possible!

Ije the Devourer of Books wrote: "May be we should think about another group gathering at some point in the future."

I’d love that. I miss you guys!

Antonella wrote: "Thank you, Jordan and Ije. Although lately it almost feels like I'm occupying too much space if I share you what I do, because not many people write such things anymore.

Do tell us what you are d..."

I’m currently visiting my Californian bestie (you might know her!) and having a wonderful, WONDERFUL time. It’s been lovely to catch up together, swim, relax, talk talk talk, try different cocktails, eat yummy food, watch true crime and White Lotus in the evenings, take dogs for walks, take naps when we feel like it, do little tasks around the house… There’s nothing better than laughing with friends and fantasizing about a boat (hubby) or a vacation home in Catalina (the rest of us) that we could share. I’m truly happy.

There’s no place I rather be in — both here at my friend’s beautiful home and here in this group on GR. :-)

Karen wrote: "My big news is that we have a new grandson, born on June 1st — 5 weeks early! We were still in the Pacific NW visiting our older daughter, SIL, and three grandkids. She got (very) early morning tex..."

Congratulations, Karen! And how extra lovely that they will be living next door. I suspect that that little fellow will keep you busy in the near future. :-)

Ije the Devourer of Books wrote: "I was in San Francisco last week visiting family and I have returned to London exhausted. I had a lovely time though."

Sometimes one needs a vacation to get over a vacation. :-D

Antonella wrote: "I had some interesting days.

After a couple of years of inactivity in my region there was a new meeting of an association of one-woman-entreprises. It was nice especially to see again the founder..."

This all sounded like a lot of fun!

Karen wrote: "We're in Washington State again. I spent last weekend in Port Townsend,n and the week in Neah Bay visiting our older daughter, SIL, and grandkids. We're staying in a cabin just above one of the Pac..."

Glad to hear you’ve been able to visit Washington State, your daughter and your grandkids so often resently. It’s always nice to hear about those visits!

Melissa wrote: "Josh wrote: "It's been a very busy month. A very productive month. Though never as productive as I hope. June is going to be a kind of marathon--a good marathon full of visits with friends and musi..."

That sounds like a truly wonderful visit.