From a DUer about the defection of the astrologers from this

forum. This DUer can't post because he/she doesn't have a gold star, but felt that he/she speaks for many.

I don't usually go in for private messages, but since I am
not a donor, I cannot post in the groups area (which rule is
one of the reasons I am not currently a donor). Even though I
can't post, I do read the threads in here regularly, and I see
no reason to change the focus or scope of the current group;
it works well, and I like the inclusivity and breadth of
topics -- and I don't miss the "skeptics".

Just my two cents, and I wanted to pass it along to someone in
the group just so they know at least one person uses and
enjoys the room the way it is, even if they can't post here. I
suspect there are plenty of others who do the same.

I like all the different topics in here too.....it makes a nice balanced mix.

:hug:
DR

:kick:

I've been caught up with life, spending less time at the keyboard the last few months. I still read, but post less.

I, too, like the inclusivity and breadth of topics; I'm sorry if some feel like they need to be more exclusive.

:hi:

the new house??

Good to "see" you! :hi:

:rofl:

The new house needs work; A LOT OF WORK. So does the barn and the shop and the fences, and the well. It's a fixer; that's why I could afford it to begin with. The legal costs surrounding the grandboy have depleted all reserves down to bare survival, so we're not buying materials to do any fixing. We're living with it just the way it is, and doing what we can with 2 backs, 4 arms, and available implements. I still haven't unpacked and set up the house; we're "camping" here, while I work on the barn for my 2 horses, who are living in a tiny little temporary pen. You see, this was a goat ranch. That barn has years worth of goat bedding, manure, hay, etc. all tamped down and compacted in every stall, in the aisle way, and the pens surrounding it. I've cleaned one stall (2 feet of compacted rotten straw) and 4000 sq feet of pen area. I have a mountain of compost feet tall and about 10 feet in diameter. By this weekend, I should have a spot all cleaned up for the horses, and I can finish unpacking. I didn't do anything but wash the walls; no $$ left to do anything about the garish old wallpaper. Once I move my bookshelves and books in, it will be a big deal to even get to the walls; 5,000 volumes will cover all the available wall space, anyway.

Because of escrow delays, the place sat empty for about 6 weeks. So when we got the keys, we had 6 acres of grass and weeds that are waist high; you couldn't push a wheelbarrow away from the barn through the stuff. So I've been working on that, too. I've got about 2 acres cut down. I'm discovering muscles I never knew I had.

Yet, in case this sounds too dire, I really love this place. It's a peaceful, serene sanctuary, if you can believe it.

:hi: