General Discussion, Friday, January 16, 2026

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Stella

Day THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO of Presidential recovery.

 

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64 Responses to General Discussion, Friday, January 16, 2026

  1. Lucille's avatar Lucille says:
    January 16, 2026 at 12:23 am

    Stellars…..

    A Trip Around London in 1943 – Restored Footage…

    The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament)…2023…

    Trafalgar Square and Big Ben…

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  2. Lucille's avatar Lucille says:
    January 16, 2026 at 12:30 am

    Love and Kindness Can’t Be Beat….

    Liked by 3 people

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  3. texan59's avatar texan59 says:
    January 16, 2026 at 6:11 am

    Good mornin’, and happy Friday! It’s been another busy week for our POTUS with miscreants in MN, and showing the moo-lah’s the Great American Fake-Out, so lets make sure we’ve got plenty of nectar to keep up with everything. One of my favorite bean-to-brew machines where you can pick your favorite flavor. Keep your head on a swivel and carpe’ your coffee.

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    • Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
      January 16, 2026 at 6:38 am

      Morning T. I reckon it must be cold as heck all over the country, so I predict a run on the coffee this morning. 21* here right now, and sometimes it drops more just before dawn. Thankfully, we just do classes at my house today.

      Thanks and good morning!

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      • texan59's avatar texan59 says:
        January 16, 2026 at 7:45 am

        Good mornin’, Menage! It’s a bit chilly here this morning, but about 10* warmer than yesterday, so I’m not going to complain. Good news that you don’t have to get out in it. Coffee’s running all day, so help yourself.

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      • Stella's avatar Stella says:
        January 16, 2026 at 9:16 am

        Morning Menage! Coincidentally, it is also 21° here right now, but we got about 5″ of snow. School is NOT cancelled!

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        • Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
          January 16, 2026 at 9:54 am

          Morning Stella! Yep, I imagine you guys have much more rigorous standards for cancelling school.

          Back in ‘93 when we had our blizzard (25” at our house), I worked for a company that sold Marvin Windows wholesale to dealers, and my primary job was handling all their sales, orders, and working with Marvin.

          We were unable to work for a week, and the day I came back in the phone was ringing as I walked in. I answered even before we opened, and it was Marvin, up in a teensy town called Warroad, MN on Lake of the Woods, right at the Canadian border.

          They wanted to know where the heck we’d been and why they couldn’t get to us. I asked if they didn’t know about our blizzard. They responded nonchalantly and said they hadn’t even closed schools. To which i truthfully replied we’d all ‘pert near died down here.

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    • Stella's avatar Stella says:
      January 16, 2026 at 9:15 am

      Mornin’ Tex! Another winner. I am wishing for less news today.

      Liked by 3 people

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    • czarina33's avatar czarina33 says:
      January 16, 2026 at 9:40 am

      The restaurant I was in yesterday morning had one of these and it was SOOO noisy!

      Liked by 5 people

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    • ernnburn's avatar ernnburn says:
      January 16, 2026 at 10:39 am

      Thanks for the coffee, Tex! I’ll be in and out all day to get warm so this will be much appreciated!

      Liked by 3 people

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  4. czarina33's avatar czarina33 says:
    January 16, 2026 at 9:45 am

    National Slow Cooking Month

    National Nothing Day – what is there to say…

    National Fig Newton Day – I like these

    National Without a Scalpel Day – recognizes the opportunities to treat disease without a scalpel. On this day in 1964, pioneering physician Charles Dotter performed the first angioplasty. The ground-breaking procedure to open a blocked blood vessel took place in Portland, Oregon. Not only did the angioplasty allow the patient to avoid leg amputation surgery, but she left the hospital days later with only a Band-Aid.

    National Religious Freedom Day

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    • Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
      January 16, 2026 at 9:59 am

      Morning czarina. I’ve been contemplating replacing my crockpot pot with a new multi function one. Did you know they make them now with a real, function able sauté option, and some have sous vide, steam, bake, and roast functions as well as slow cooking capabilities?

      Being intrigued, I’ve found discussions where people actually have baked bread or cakes in them and been pleased. I myself am most liking the idea that I don’t have to use my stove top brown meat, but can do it all in one pan. You can even then put the pan in the oven to crisp or brown the top, or melt cheese.

      I see myself succumbing to this temptation soon!

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    • Stella's avatar Stella says:
      January 16, 2026 at 10:33 am

      Morning czarina! I like fig newtons too, but recently read that they are mostly sugar and bad for me (not surprised, since many things I really like aren’t good for me). Since having angioplasty myself, I truly appreciate how the technique has saved many of us from invasive surgery. “Keyhole” surgery, in general, is a real step forward. My daughter had her gallbladder surgery that way.

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    • ernnburn's avatar ernnburn says:
      January 16, 2026 at 10:50 am

      Good morning, Czarina! Happy Friday to you and hope you have a good weekend too!

      Liked by 3 people

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    • auscitizenmom's avatar auscitizenmom says:
      January 16, 2026 at 11:51 am

      I have a small slow cooker and I need to use it because it would be real handy. I also like Fig Newtons. I am ALL for “without a Scalpel Day.

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    • Lucille's avatar Lucille says:
      January 16, 2026 at 6:10 pm

      Good day, Czarina! Re religious freedom, I received this morning the following message from one of Idaho’s U.S. Senators, James Risch….

      January 16, 2026

      Protecting Religious Freedom Today and Every Day Today, on National Religious Freedom Day, I join many Idahoans in celebrating our right as Americans to live according to our beliefs.

      The ability to worship freely without fear of persecution brought the early colonists to this continent, shaped our nation’s founding, and is permanently enshrined in our First Amendment. It is the cornerstone and foundation of nearly every freedom Americans enjoy today.

      However, that freedom is far from universal. Far too often, Christians, Jews, and other people of faith are targeted, attacked, and imprisoned simply for practicing their religion.

      In a recent OpEd , I wrote about this disgraceful tragedy and why religious liberty is worth protecting here at home and around the world.

      America has always been a beacon of liberty to the world. This week, I led a resolution to reaffirm America’s leadership in safeguarding religious freedom. I have also spearheaded legislation to protect the rights of faith-based organizations and block radical proposals that undermine Americans’ ability to live according to their religious beliefs.

      Our rights come from God, but it is the responsibility of our government to protect them.

      I will continue standing up for the God-given right of Idahoans, Americans, and people around the world to worship freely.

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  5. auscitizenmom's avatar auscitizenmom says:
    January 16, 2026 at 11:43 am

    Mornin’ All. I finally got up on time again. I thought it had snowed, but it was just a heavy frost. It was 20* when we got up and isn’t supposed to get over 35* this afternoon. It is typically overcast, white overcast I call it because the sky is white.

    Hope you are all warm and safe.

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  6. auscitizenmom's avatar auscitizenmom says:
    January 16, 2026 at 11:59 am

    I find this very interesting. My internet/wifi seems a little slower than it has been since I got it. Now, Spectrum sends out an ad advertising faster Internet for a few dollars more. Do you think there is any connection?? 😯

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  7. Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
    January 16, 2026 at 1:08 pm

    Anyone have opinions on new cookware? I need some, don’t want enameled for a whole set, nor anything aluminum. I’m now cautious about the safety of non stick stuff. Leaning toward stainless steel.

    If you have something you love I’d appreciate feedback, even if it’s contrary to what I just said. I don’t know what I don’t know, and haven’t needed any in a long time. I tried a carbon steel skillet, and I love the lightweight material and some things about it, but have spent many, many hours seasoning it per manufacturer’s directions and it comes right off when I cook in it. Ordered it from a highly recommended manufacturer.

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  8. Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
    January 16, 2026 at 3:19 pm

    Good one here, although I don’t know if his conclusions are right. I shared a long article of his a few weeks ago. He’s become a favorite. Deep perspectives.

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  9. Stella's avatar Stella says:
    January 16, 2026 at 4:26 pm

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  10. Stella's avatar Stella says:
    January 16, 2026 at 6:43 pm

    Something funny that I have noticed this week. On X, Greenlanders and Danish posters have been talking about how the U.S. military isn’t capable of fighting in Arctic conditions. Well, all this week it has been colder in Detroit than in most of Greenland, and MUCH colder that in Copenhagen, Denmark. Maybe they believe the US is all like California? Heck, it’s even down to 20° in parts of Florida today!

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    • Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
      January 16, 2026 at 7:17 pm

      They’re arrogant and stupid.

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    • Menagerie's avatar Menagerie says:
      January 16, 2026 at 7:23 pm

      Found this via AI. Aside from our own base in Greenland, of course we have troops in Alaska. And other troops prepared and trained.

      U.S. troops serve in cold weather locations primarily in Alaska, home to the 11th Airborne Division and key training areas like JPARC, focusing on Arctic warfare readiness with subzero training, mountain survival, and advanced cold-weather gear; other significant cold-weather forces include the Army’s 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY, specializing in winter combat, while various units conduct large-scale exercises (like Nordic Response) in Arctic regions to build expertise for global contingencies, emphasizing survival, equipment, and joint operations in extreme cold. 

      Key Locations & Units:

      • Alaska: The primary hub for U.S. Arctic forces, hosting:
      • Fort Drum, NY: Home to the 10th Mountain Division, known for its historical expertise in mountain and winter warfare. 

      Training & Focus Areas:

      • Arctic Strategy: The Army is revitalizing its Arctic presence, focusing on deterrence and defense in the region, notes.
      • Realistic Scenarios: Units train in extreme conditions (deep snow, subzero temps, whiteouts) for realistic combat, leveraging vast areas like JPARC (Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex).
      • Key Skills: Soldiers learn shelter building, fire starting, navigation (skiing/snowshoeing), energy conservation, and advanced camouflage.
      • Equipment & Doctrine: Extensive testing of gear like the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) and new vehicles (Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle – CATV) is ongoing, says National Defense Magazine. 

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  11. Stella's avatar Stella says:
    January 16, 2026 at 7:47 pm

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  12. Stella's avatar Stella says:
    January 16, 2026 at 8:28 pm

    Love this!

    I’m worn out hearing people moan, “Our grandparents could buy a house on one paycheck, but now we can’t even afford rent on two!”

    Yeah, maybe because Grandma wasn’t dropping half her income on $14 iced lattes and avocado toast shaped like art projects. Back then, if they wanted coffee, they boiled it at home in a dented pot. It tasted like burnt rubber and regret — but it woke you up and cleaned your pipes.

    And Grandma wasn’t “out to brunch.” You think she had time for mimosas and hashtags? She was making something called whatever’s left in the fridge and feeding six people with it.

    Don’t even start with Uber Eats. You think Grandpa was out here paying $38 to have a burger delivered three blocks away? Please. He grilled mystery meat on a rusted barbecue, and everyone called it dinner.

    Now people cry about being broke while sitting in a house full of gadgets. Two SUVs in the driveway, six streaming services, three air fryers, and matching tattoos that cost more than their light bill. You think Grandpa had a tattoo? He did. It said “Korea, 1951,” and it came with trauma, not Instagram likes.

    And the kids—Lord help us. “We can’t make ends meet, but Brayden needs the new iPhone!” No, he doesn’t. You’re handing an $1100 device to a child who still eats crayons and forgets to flush.

    When we were kids, there was one phone. It hung on the wall like a family relic. The cord stretched just far enough for you to whisper secrets before someone yelled, “Get off, I need to make a call!” And guess what? We lived.

    The TV? One. In the living room. With three channels and a dial that clicked like a safe. And if Dad wanted to watch bowling, you were a fan of bowling, end of story.

    Now there’s a flat screen in every room, the baby’s got an iPad, the dog’s got a camera, and everyone’s wondering why they can’t afford rent.
    Because you’re living like rock stars on retail salaries, that’s why.

    Grandpa wasn’t leasing Teslas or buying $12 smoothies called “Green Zen Awakening.” He drove a truck that coughed smoke, rattled like a storm, and smelled like oil and hard work.

    They lived within their means. Whatever Grandpa brought home on Friday — that’s what they had. They weren’t keeping up with the Joneses; they were keeping the lights on.

    So yeah, Grandpa bought a house on one salary. But he also didn’t have a gym membership, three delivery apps, and emotional support crystals on his nightstand. His only support system was Grandma, who told him to quit whining and mow the yard.

    Nowadays, everyone’s broke, anxious, and “manifesting abundance” while ordering tacos on DoorDash for the fourth time this week.

    It’s not the economy — it’s the lifestyle.

    Wake up, turn off your subscriptions, make your own coffee, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll smell the truth.

    Credit to original author, unknown

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  13. Stella's avatar Stella says:
    January 16, 2026 at 8:49 pm

    True story. One place I lived, my mother lived in the house behind me (both owned by my uncle). Anyway, she had a Chevy pickup parked next to my house. I had a black lab mix at the time. “Midnight Auto” removed the passenger door from my mother’s truck during the night, and the dog never even woke up.

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