Notice: I am leaving DU.

[MineralMan]

But wait...I'll be back in a few days, though. My apologies about that to all who wish me gone permanently.

My wife and I are flying out to California tomorrow AM to visit my 91-year-old parents and the rest of my immediate family. As always, the trip is with the knowledge that it could be the last one. My brother and sister still live in the same town as my parents, so they're looked after very well, and live independently still on their citrus and avocado farm. They're doing OK, but they're 91. Uff da!

Worse, my 87-year-old mother-in-law is currently in the hospital undergoing a series of tests to figure out what's wrong with her. Her other two daughters are here, and she's not in any immediate danger, but it's a very worrisome situation. The results of those tests are going to determine whether or not she can keep living where she lives, or if she needs a more intensive level of care from now own. Not a happy thing. One of my wife's sisters will be staying at our house until we return, and the dogs are going to a boarding kennel. $$$.

Anyhow, there's no Wi-Fi at my parent's house and even the cell signal is iffy. So, I won't be visiting DU while I'm there. I won't mind too much. I could use a break from all the tsuris that seems endemic here on DU. So, for a few days, I'll be Internet-less, except for brief periods when I'm in a Wi-Fi zone somewhere. I'll read books, have long talks with my parents and siblings, eat tamales and a day after Christmas Christmas dinner.

See you all when I return. I'll join whatever discussions that start after that.

Happy Holidays to One and All!

[Iliyah]

1. Safe journey!

And happy holidays!

[MineralMan]

2. Thanks!

[Scootaloo]

3. Pretty sure we'll make it. Thanks for the warning about your impending return though

[Rex]

8. Notice: how to get noticed.

Otherwise nobody notices.

[ornotna]

4. When you get the big package under the tree

and discover it contains a Popeil Pocket Fisherman.

Safe travels, enjoy the trip.

[MineralMan]

7. Heck! I already have one of those.

I actually caught a fish on it once.

[Scootaloo]

17. This is a wonderful setup for a crude joke

Not as good as the Aztec death rattle, but still pretty good.

[MineralMan]

19. No...not that! No Schlong Jokes!

Thanks so much.

[leveymg]

63. Did we we ever figure out the etymology of "Schlonged"?

And, do not let your head detach and start floating. It could present a hazard to aerial navigation. Safe flight!

[MineralMan]

69. Zardoz Will Speak to Us All!

But will we listen?

[leveymg]

71. That's the holiday spirit!

Safe travels, Good Will to Humanity, and Peace on Earth.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

77. How about Schort Jokes?

[lovemydog]

5. Enjoy the time with family, MM.

I know what it's like with parents getting older and more and more concern for their health.

Hope you have some peace and comfort, and find plenty of time for reading books.

See you again soon.

[MineralMan]

22. Thanks. I hope you enjoy the season, too.

This is turning into a Happy Holidays thread. That's wonderful!

[Gothmog]

6. Have fun

[MineralMan]

24. Will do. You too!

[pnwmom]

9. Safe travels!

[MineralMan]

25. No worries.

We'll miss the pooches, though.

[pnwmom]

35. Know what you mean. We hate leaving ours.

[cwydro]

10. Merry Christmas!!

And safe travels.

[MineralMan]

13. And to you as well.

Actually, Happy Holidays to Everyone!

[think]

11. Best wishes & happy holidays

[MineralMan]

26. Right back atcha!

[Matrosov]

12. Happy holidays! n/t

[MineralMan]

28. The same to you!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

14. Have a warm and safe Christmas with your family, MM, and my very best wishes for a...

...memorable holiday season!

[MineralMan]

15. Thank you. May you and yours enjoy the

holiday, too.

[lunamagica]

16. You scared me for a moment there. Have a safe trip, and enjoy the time with your family!

[MineralMan]

53. We will, and I hope you do the same.

[justhanginon]

18. Best to you and your family on the holidays and have a safe journey.

[MineralMan]

20. I hope you enjoy the Holidays, too.

[floriduck]

21. I hope your trip goes well.

And hopefully your mother-in-law will overcome what ails her. Enjoy the trip and have a great Holiday season.

[MineralMan]

29. And good holiday wishes to you and yours!

[yallerdawg]

23. Happy Holidays, MM!

Hope the best for all!

[MineralMan]

30. Thanks so much!

[question everything]

27. You are lucky you did not plan your travel for yeesterday

You may have missed your flight - with no compensation - because of disruptions at the MSP airport.

[MineralMan]

31. The flight we always take to California

leaves in the morning, so we'd have missed that. Christmas Day travel is always more relaxing, anyhow. Plus, there won't be much traffic in LA, and that's a wonderful, rare thing.

[Iliyah]

36. City of the Angels!

low 60s, possible light sprinkles. Enjoy!

[MineralMan]

40. Indeed. We'll be driving out of LA, though. Not far out.

My parents' farm is only about an hour from LAX. A little town in Ventura County.

[csziggy]

32. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time with your parents

I'm posting while my 94 year old Mom is taking a nap. I'm only here until Tuesday. Tomorrow we drive over to my sister's for her traditional Christmas cookout - looking forward to hot dogs and cole slaw!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

[MineralMan]

38. We are in a similar generation, it seems.

Our aging parents. We're lucky to still have a living parent or more, I think. It's rather rare. We'll be coming back on Tuesday as well. Lots of catching up and conversation between now and then. There will be four generations at dinner on Sunday. Always a treat. A couple of the youngest generation are in their later teen years, so there's a chance my parents will get to see the fifth generation. I'm sure the girls' parents would rather wait longer, though. LOL!

[csziggy]

48. Yes, we must be close to the same age

We only lost Dad two years ago - he was 90. There are grandchildren though none will be at the cookout tomorrow. No fourth or fifth generation and there may never be. Half of my generation didn't have kids and it seems that the next batch of my family may not either.

On the other hand my husband's Mom is still hanging in there though she is only 87. Now, that family has four generations but they are not ready for a fifth yet. I think the oldest of the fourth generation is not quite ten.

[riversedge]

33. Joy to you and your family.

[MineralMan]

39. Very Nice! A Hillary Christmas Logo!

[LiberalEsto]

34. Happy holidays to you too, MM

Have a safe and wonderful visit!

[MineralMan]

43. Thanks very much!

[Agschmid]

37. Happy holidays!

[joanbarnes]

41. All the best to You and Your Family, MineralMan, safe travels.

[roguevalley]

42. I wish you the very best and hopefully, something good about your aging family. That is the worst

part of loving people, seeing this happen. Take care and come back when you can. Happy Holidays for you and yours, Mineral Man.

[MineralMan]

45. At age 70 myself, I"m growing used to losing people

in my extended family. It's always unwelcome, but it comes to us all. Both my family and my wife's family are stoics, pretty much about life and death issues. We understand the inevitability and know that's everyone's fate, eventually. We feel very fortunate to have our parents' generation still with us. Mourning is a passage for everyone.

[TheBlackAdder]

44. Merry Christmas MM! Merry Christmas DUers or Happy Holidays to those who share different beliefs!

[MineralMan]

47. Or no religious beliefs at all, in many cases.

That's my situation. I celebrate all holidays, though, for the sake of those who do have those beliefs.

[SunSeeker]

46. Enjoy de-coupling from the internet.

Our family does it every year in the summer when we stay in a cabin near Mount Shasta. It is getting increasingly difficult for our son though. LOL

Have a great Christmas and I look forward to your posts in the New Year.

[MineralMan]

51. Oddly enough, I don't miss it much for a few days.

I'm always online, and it's good to take a break now and then and revisit a simpler way of living.

[fredamae]

49. May you have a wonderful

holiday with your family and a very enjoyable and safe trip! See ya when you get back.
Best,
fm

[MineralMan]

59. I will be back, for sure.

I do dislike travel days, but they're worth it.

[etherealtruth]

50. wishes for peace and contentment to you and your family

[MineralMan]

52. We always work toward that goal.

Thank you.

[SCVDem]

54. You need to pack for Cal

Like I would pack from LA to a Packers game.

Cause baby it's cold outside.

Safe trip and Merry Christmas!

[MineralMan]

56. I'll still take a parka. After all,

we'll be back, and who knows what the weather will be like here in MN. Besides, the parka has lots of pockets and can be almost another carry-on that stows neatly under the seat.

[octoberlib]

55. Happy Holidays, MineralMan!!

[MineralMan]

57. And to you!

[Hekate]

58. Enjoy the relentless sunshine. It's been pretty chilly in S.Barbara, but nothing like Minnesota!

Most of all, enjoy the well deserved break from the relentless negativity on this board. My advice, fwiw, is to not bother checking in until after January 1-- your holidays will be more peaceful.

I'm so glad you still have your parents and other assorted family. No more needs be said on that score.

[MineralMan]

61. I focus on the positive things on DU.

I couldn't survive here otherwise. I keep in mind that the primary elections will happen in due time, and we'll learn the will of the voters. As long as there's a Democratic nominee for President, I'll have something to work for in 2016.

DU is something of a political anomaly. The discussions here bear little resemblance to what I hear in the real world offline. Most people are focused on their daily lives, with the elections just a blip on the horizon. Most people are busy and involved in their own pursuits. DU is here for political wonks to have a playground. And play we do.

[ismnotwasm]

60. Happy Holidays

I hope all works out well!

[MineralMan]

62. I'm sure it will.

[Duval]

64. I wish you safe travels and will keep

you and your family in my heart and prayers. You did scare me for a sec, MineralMan!


Happy Holidays to you!

[MineralMan]

67. Thank you. I hope you enjoy your holidays, too.

[1StrongBlackMan]

65. I was concerned that you were doing a GBCW post ...

I understand visiting elderly parents thing, and would encourage EVERYONE to do so.

Have a Happy, Peaceful, and fulfilling Holiday.

[MineralMan]

68. No worries on that score.

It was a minor attempt at humor.

May your holidays be fulfilling and pleasant.

[Bubzer]

66. You and I may not agree on numerous things, but I hope everything goes well.

To you and yours... Happy holidays!

[MineralMan]

70. Thanks. And for you, as well.

[malaise]

72. Have a great time

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[MineralMan]

73. Many thanks. The same to you!

[Martin Eden]

74. Don't let the door hit you ...

... on the way back in.

[MineralMan]

75. LOL!

[Agnosticsherbet]

76. Safe journey, best of wishes to your family,

I am flying out of California to my Mother-in-law's house.

Enjoy California while I am gone.

[MineralMan]

78. I'll do my best to enjoy CA.

I lived there for over 50 of my 70 years. It's home, really.

Minnesota's nice too, but quite different. I like it well enough, too.

Enjoy your visit with your mother-in-law. I hope your relationship with her is as good as mine is with mine.

[Agnosticsherbet]

81. My MIL is one of finest ladies I've ever known.

We have a great relationship.

Thanks.

[MineralMan]

82. Excellent.

I enjoy mine, as well.

[Samantha]

79. Peace and good will to you and your familiy during these Holidays, Mineral Man

I hope you have a wonderful time.

Sam

[MineralMan]

80. Thanks, Sam!

[bigwillq]

83. Bye, Felicia.

I kid, I kid.

Happy Holidays!
Hope everything goes ok for Mom-in-law.

[MineralMan]

86. Funny!

Thanks.

[stonecutter357]

85. Merry Christmas

[MineralMan]

87. The perfect gift for someone!

[livetohike]

88. Have a great holiday. Enjoy every moment with your parents. Our Moms are

84 and 89 .

[MineralMan]

89. Yes. Every year is special.

Every year is a gift.

[peacebird]

90. Safe journey! Treasure the time with your folks, you are so lucky to still have them!

[MineralMan]

91. I will, indeed.

Thank you. They're a gift.

[captainarizona]

92. we should be thankful for even small gifts

happy kwanza!

[MineralMan]

95. And a Happy Kwanza to you, as well.

All holidays are occasions to reflect on our gifts.

[mountain grammy]

93. Safe travels and happy holidays.

You gave me a jolt with that title. Glad you'll be back.

[MineralMan]

96. My little trick to get people to read the post.

See you soon.

[still_one]

94. Same to you you MineralMan. Have a safe trip

[DFW]

97. May the Great Spirit watch over you

By the time you're back, I'll be in South Caaaalahna--for a whole week! It's nominally for a "Weekend," but due to the time difference, we fly in two days early and stay a day later. My poor wife has to try to contend with the local version of English, but she has survived previous trips without giving up on it altogether--besides, after that, we'll be in New York City, where I have some Stateside work, and one of our daughters lives there, too.

So, see you on the flip side. At least you have your 91 year old parents! I lost mine before they ever made it to 80.

[MineralMan]

99. Thank you. I realize how fortunate I am, for sure.

[DinahMoeHum]

98. Safe journeys and quality/quantity time with your family.

Gah, growing old sure ain't for sissies. What a pain in the ass life can be at times.

[MineralMan]

100. Yes, indeed. But consider the alternative.

Each day is a gift to be treasured, I'm learning.

[DinahMoeHum]

101. True, dat.

[w0nderer]

102. Happy holidays and......

DON'T DO THAT!!

we've lost so many 'good' 'ole timers' (not irl age, site age) lately

gaah


here i was all ready to start another sequence of 'ok so where the heck can i find you'

pheew

enjoy family, holiday, food, books and talks

[lark]

103. Glad you're not going for good.

Best of wishes to your aging family and for a safe trip for you and your wife.

[treestar]

104. Happy Holidays Mineral Man

Have a safe trip.

[RoccoR5955]

105. Have a nice trip

See you in the Fall.
Don't let the door hit you, where the good lord splits you!

[Liberal_in_LA]

106. Good fake out!

glad u will return

[catbyte]

107. Sounds like heaven, MineralMan. You're very lucky you still have your folks. I miss mine so much--

especially this time of year. I hope the best for your mother-in-law. Have a great time & a safe trip!

[MADem]

108. Good Bye, Cruel World....UNTIL Next Week or Whenever!

Aren't you lucky to have both your parents!! What a wonderful Christmas gift that is! Treasure it--I'm betting that's just what you'll do.

If the neighbors have wi-fi, maybe they'll let you cadge off them. Can't hurt to ask. I always loan my signal (which is protected) to the son of the elderly woman who lives next door to me when he comes up from DC to check in. He didn't have to ask, I offered--I know his mom well, and she stopped getting "techy" in the early nineties. She's got a cellphone and a VCR/DVD player! That's IT! I figure if he has net access, he'll visit longer...it works!

I can get wifi on the go from my cable company, if there's a router nearby--that works pretty good for me most (not all) places. I also have one of those hotspots that I use when I go way up north--it's not cheap to get service, but it beats paying for access year round when I'm only up there a few weeks out of the year.

Hope you have a great visit.

[MineralMan]

109. Unfortunately, the neighbors house is a mile away.

They live on a citrus and avocado farm. No close neighbors. I think they're planning to sell the farm, though, after the first of the year and move into an assisted living apartment. We all hope so, anyhow. They'll make that decision for themselves, though.

[MADem]

110. I am addicted to avocados. There's no other way to describe it.

Whatever they've got, I need!! I can't resist the things.

Were I in your shoes, I'd want to move in...! Hee hee!

[Maeve]

111. May your days be merry and bright!

But only wishing the white stuff if you want it...may the holidays bring joy and peace to all!