Heaven — Ship of Fools http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/ Fri, 29 May 2026 15:28:27 +0000 en Heaven — Ship of Fools Earworm? 🐛 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6050/earworm Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:03:05 +0000 Heaven Boogie 6050@/index.php?p=/discussions Help, please! General questions for 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6747/help-please-general-questions-for-2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:11:47 +0000 Heaven jedijudy 6747@/index.php?p=/discussions Cars these days http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6902/cars-these-days Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:38:30 +0000 Heaven Gramps49 6902@/index.php?p=/discussions
Just the other day Mrs. Gramps and I agreed to a three-year lease of a new Subaru Sport. It is a four litre engine, but it makes up power through the seven-speed automatic system. I can go to manual, but that means just flipping either down or up paddles with no clutch. The vehicle is a mobile supercomputer. Actually, a whole series of computers, each doing their own thing. Adjustable cruise control--slows down if vehicle in front of you is going slower. Crash avoidance systems, rear video monitor. Sound system that would make my home stereo blush. SXM Sirius Satellite system, traveling wifi, the works. There are a number of buttons I do not know what they do and probably won't for the life of the lease. Maintenance monitoring system--much more than just a check engine light.

We decided to lease the car for a few reasons. One, the lease payment is about half of a auto loan for more than six years. Two, who's to say what newer technology will be on the highways within three years. Three we do not want to saddle the other with a loan that needs to be repaid should one of us pass on before the life of a loan is complete. This is the third lease we have gone for, actually.

Amazing what they put in as standard equipment these days.

We did look at an EV. Distance is still a problem for us, but as I said, in the next three years the technology might have that solved.

Who is driving what? How has your vehicle exceeded the first vehicle you have owned? Are you discovering something new about the vehicle you never new it had?]]> What have you inherited? http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6926/what-have-you-inherited Sun, 17 May 2026 13:07:22 +0000 Heaven Boogie 6926@/index.php?p=/discussions @Puzzler 's comment -
Yesterday we had a most enjoyable conversation in French on inheritance - not the financial kind, but traits and artefacts we have inherited.

What have you inherited?

(In English please 😉)]]> Platform 9 and 4/4: A New Railway Appreciation Thread http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/5411/platform-9-and-4-4-a-new-railway-appreciation-thread Sat, 11 Nov 2023 12:29:51 +0000 Heaven Wesley J 5411@/index.php?p=/discussions
Ready for departure now. :)]]> Wild life near you http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/5788/wild-life-near-you Fri, 07 Jun 2024 02:33:00 +0000 Heaven Gee D 5788@/index.php?p=/discussions
What is your local wildlife (neighbours children excepted)? Do you see much?

Angophora - https://www.google.com/search?q=angophora&oq=angophora&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQLhhA0gEINDgyM2owajGoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Sulphur-crested cockatoos - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulphur-crested_cockatoo]]> Bad jokes http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/4572/bad-jokes Wed, 31 Aug 2022 21:50:38 +0000 Heaven HarryCH 4572@/index.php?p=/discussions
Why won't Dracula attack Mick Jagger? Because you can't get blood from a Stone.

Why won't Dracula attack Gene Simmons? Professional courtesy.

How can we diagnose the difference between bubonic plague and pneumonic plague? Ask
the patient to return tomorrow.

How can you tell whether the bear chasing you is a brown bear or a grizzly bear?
Climb a tree; the brown bear will climb it after you and the grizzly will just knock the tree down.]]> Hands in the soil, head in the sun. The gardening thread 2026 🪏 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6727/hands-in-the-soil-head-in-the-sun-the-gardening-thread-2026-%F0%9F%AA%8F Thu, 01 Jan 2026 10:42:17 +0000 Heaven Boogie 6727@/index.php?p=/discussions
May Sarton]]> Vanished from view: books and authors nobody reads any more http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6837/vanished-from-view-books-and-authors-nobody-reads-any-more Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:10:08 +0000 Heaven March Hare 6837@/index.php?p=/discussions Innocent Blood in the Book Club started me thinking about books and authors hugely popular in their own day which have largely sunk beneath the waves. Who now reads Arnold Bennett, Joseph Conrad or John Galsworthy? - but there are examples from much more recent times: Ellis Peters, James Herriot, even PDJ herself.

What are the books or authors which gave you pleasure but which nobody seems to read any more? If you could nominate one 'forgotten' author for revival, who would it be?

I'll start by nominating JB Priestley and 'Good Companions'.]]> 2026 TV and Streaming http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6752/2026-tv-and-streaming Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:12:45 +0000 Heaven Doublethink 6752@/index.php?p=/discussions
I remember watching that when it first came out and it stuck with me. So I am thinking I may now rewatch that.]]> Eurovision 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6924/eurovision-2026 Sat, 16 May 2026 15:53:01 +0000 Heaven Gill H 6924@/index.php?p=/discussions
So @Hugal and I are getting into the Austrian mood already. He's made some apfel strudel which is sitting in the fridge for later. I'll be cooking schnitzel with cabbage and parsley potatoes.

And most importantly, thanks to a local-ish delicatessen, we have Sachertorte GIN!

Anyone else want to join me in the Ship's virtual commentary box?]]> May Book Club: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6907/may-book-club-crying-in-h-mart-by-michelle-zauner Fri, 01 May 2026 02:05:07 +0000 Heaven Mili 6907@/index.php?p=/discussions "Action!" Films of 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6753/action-films-of-2026 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:19:24 +0000 Heaven Doublethink 6753@/index.php?p=/discussions
(ETA late because my own typo was doing my head in.)]]> Art, Crafts and Creativity http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6855/art-crafts-and-creativity Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:13:18 +0000 Heaven Mili 6855@/index.php?p=/discussions
So I am starting this thread for all the accomplished and hobby artists and crafty shipmates to share about their projects and techniques and inspire each other to keep being creative when life gets busy.

My latest pursuit is water colour painting. I haven't really used water colours since school and began with some lessons on activities to teach children that I can use at work and add to my professional development hours. The course came with all the paints, brushes and some paper so I am continuing improving my skills and having fun using Youtube tutorials. I plan to get creative and paint some more original paintings once my skills improve and I get the courage to be more experimental. Today I painted a simple cat and poppies and had a go at a landscape.]]> Nice segue, pop-pickers http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6921/nice-segue-pop-pickers Thu, 14 May 2026 09:06:05 +0000 Heaven mark_in_manchester 6921@/index.php?p=/discussions @Firenze 's (I think) memorable poetry threads of years gone by, where one post has to lead on from its predecessor?

Some starting ideas for links - same tune done by different artist; same artist and similar (or wildly different) style tune, or another favourite off the same album; same tune but re-interpreted in a different genre / with different instrumentation; some thematic link in the idea behind the two songs - I'm sure we could take it in various directions. I'd like to see if I can get to hear some things that otherwise I would remain unaware of.

If you want to provide a Youtube link to a tune you really like - go for it. If you want to say what your song means to you - by all means, it'll make it more interesting.

A well-known one to start - on side 4 of the Decca double LP 'Rolled Gold' so scratched I only want to risk my knackered needle on it - 'Gimme Shelter'. I used to sing this with a bunch of service users at a music project based in a homeless centre, which was kind-of funny.

If you kill it by suggesting something so weird that no-one can link to it, there ought to be a forfeit :) ]]> Read, read, read! What we are reading in 2026. http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6740/read-read-read-what-we-are-reading-in-2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:14:46 +0000 Heaven Boogie 6740@/index.php?p=/discussions Ship of Fools Book Club 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6663/ship-of-fools-book-club-2026 Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:16:14 +0000 Heaven Caissa 6663@/index.php?p=/discussions
Once again this year, would it be possible to get 12 volunteers (1 for each month) to agree to facilitate a discussion? The volunteer would get to choose a book (keeping in mind availability). If we could have a complete schedule in place by the end of this year people could plan for acquiring copies for the months in which they want to join in the reading and discussion. ]]> You suddenly realize you are getting old. http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6410/you-suddenly-realize-you-are-getting-old Fri, 09 May 2025 15:12:45 +0000 Heaven Gramps49 6410@/index.php?p=/discussions
Another one I realized is when you have more doctors than close friends.

Saw a meme yesterday.

My mind thinks it is 29.
My humor is that of a 12 year old.
But my body realizes it survived the Civil War.]]> 2026 Travel plans and exciting adventures. http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6749/2026-travel-plans-and-exciting-adventures Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:15:38 +0000 Heaven jedijudy 6749@/index.php?p=/discussions Recipes so tasty that we want to share. 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6748/recipes-so-tasty-that-we-want-to-share-2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:13:58 +0000 Heaven jedijudy 6748@/index.php?p=/discussions April book club: Hamnet, by Maggie O'Farrell http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6871/april-book-club-hamnet-by-maggie-ofarrell Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:20:00 +0000 Heaven fineline 6871@/index.php?p=/discussions Hamnet (published as Hamnet and Judith in Canada), by Maggie O'Farrell.

There is a Guardian review of it here, though depending how much you like to know about a novel before you start reading, you might prefer to wait till you've read the book before reading it. I haven't read the book yet, but I watched the film, and am curious how similar it is to the book.

]]> CHEESE 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6836/cheese-2026 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:16:46 +0000 Heaven Stercus Tauri 6836@/index.php?p=/discussions
I was prompted by finding a piece of Stilton in the back of the fridge. It had been there for some months - a forgotten birthday treat to myself. Its appearance is a disgusting mixture of grey and brown and yellow and green - a clear hazmat case requiring the immediate attendance of persons in white overalls with flashing blue lights on their van. I knew better, of course, cut off a piece and ate it. I immediately felt like a better, happier person. What cheese makes you happier?]]> Comic books http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6778/comic-books Sat, 17 Jan 2026 03:54:58 +0000 Heaven ChastMastr 6778@/index.php?p=/discussions New Gadget(s) in our homes http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/5482/new-gadget-s-in-our-homes Mon, 01 Jan 2024 16:18:12 +0000 Heaven Gramps49 5482@/index.php?p=/discussions
Last month, my wife and I installed an induction range. Our gas range had given out. Since it was over thirty years old, we could not find parts for it. Turned out we were able to purchase the induction range for less than a new gas range. We also decided to go for induction because. 1) our state government wants its residents to reduce fossil fuel use as much as possible, 2) we will eventually sell this place and modern appliances make it more attractive, 3) gas ranges give out methane and a bit of carbon monoxide with each use, and 4) we had just gone through a four day gas interruption in November--a farmer had cut through the feeder line to the whole area, but that is a different story.

Anyway, here is my review of the new induction range:

Using a magnetic field, the surface does not heat up directly, but it allows the pot to heat up quickly. Things fry up in no time. Water boils quickly. We are still trying to find the sweat spot for frying eggs, though.

The one downside is the glass shows fingerprints. We have solved that by keeping a Barkeep Spray Cleaner near the stove.

While the surface of the range does not heat up directly, it will absorb the heat from the pan. There is a warning light to show which area may be hot, though. The other day I had used a frying pan. When I was finished with it, I moved the pan to another area on the range that I had not used. Low and behold, the warning light for that area lit up only because of the hot pan. As far as I can tell, there is little change in our utility use.

Induction ranges use about 1/3 electricity as a regular electric range. Since our previous range was gas, it seems like a wash cost wise.

When you install an electric range, you just have to plug it in to a standard American 240 plug, but the induction range had a European style plug, so we had to direct wire the unit.

Conclusion: it's a keeper.

What new gadgets have you gotten recently?

]]> Happy Birthday Wishes http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6879/happy-birthday-wishes Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:51:54 +0000 Heaven Gramps49 6879@/index.php?p=/discussions Caren Marsh Dull the oldest surviving member of The Wizard of Oz cast. She turned 107 on April 6, 2026. Yes, she was born in 1919. Who was she in the movie? She was a stand in for Judy Garlund in the click your heels scene. Yes, it was her legs and feet in that scene. Hope you read the wikipedia entry I linked. She has had quite a life.

Any other birthdays to note? Famous or otherwise.]]> Superstitions http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6795/superstitions Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:53:00 +0000 Heaven Gee D 6795@/index.php?p=/discussions Could you live on a cruise ship? http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6824/could-you-live-on-a-cruise-ship Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:22:26 +0000 Heaven Boogie 6824@/index.php?p=/discussions
They ' work from home'.

Katrina Middleton and husband Kevin sold up and now live in luxury cabins on back-to-back cruises, working remotely from the ships 🛳️

I couldn't do it. I'd miss the garden and the countryside and the dogs far too much - but could you??]]> March Madness http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6830/march-madness Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:05:33 +0000 Heaven Gramps49 6830@/index.php?p=/discussions Making plans for Easter eats. http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6854/making-plans-for-easter-eats Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:35:10 +0000 Heaven Graven Image 6854@/index.php?p=/discussions March Book Club: Innocent Blood, by PD James http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6817/march-book-club-innocent-blood-by-pd-james Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:31:24 +0000 Heaven fineline 6817@/index.php?p=/discussions
I am not sure what to say about it, because I can't find my copy of this book, though I know for certain I have it somewhere. But I can say I haven't yet read any PD James books and I've wanted to for a while, and I know this book is about a young woman called Philippa, who is adopted and goes in search of her birth parents. It's apparently more a psychological thriller than a detective novel, which is why it appeals to me. Anyway, I will either find my copy of it or get another copy, and read it and write some questions on 20th March.

Apologies for this being a couple of days late - I lost track of time and didn't realise it was March already. However, despite my lack of organisation, I am looking forward to reading this book and I hope people will join me in reading it. ]]>