I know we'd all prefer to not be burdened with such avoidable nonsense, Erica. Keeping a sense of humor is one way to rise above. Thanks for joining in today.
All those things Jim said to you, I agree... By the way.... I am real..... And so are you... Merry Christmas to you and your casanova..who is also cool...❤
The realness of us was never in question, thank goodness. And thank you for the gift of being someone who knows how to laugh. Also, I'm totally nabbing that word, casanova, which had fallen completely off my radar until now. Love it!
Thanks a lot for bursting my bubble. You mean to tell me that the women who "like to be my friend" on Facebook don't really find me irresistible? (Thank you for the great laugh this morning!)
Oh, Darrell. I can't speak for them, of course, but my guess is they are working all facets of the meaning of irresistible. So glad to know you're laughing alongside today.
Lovely picture. We’re old marrieds, too. 52 years and counting. Married life changes, but it’s worth hanging onto each other for the sweet everyday moments.
Sometimes I’ll get a friend request. When I check out the guy, he’s usually a widow.
Oh my goodness. I rarely use Facebook but I’ve had a couple of requests to message here on Substack. Unfortunately the scammers mean that we don’t trust anyone without a long history of recognisable interactions. I’m relieved that Substack isn’t one of ‘those types’ of social media.
I love that photo of you and your Jim. Hoping you have many more happy years together. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗💕
Beth, the requests come from Facebook and Instagram, both of which are part of my communications work (ie: obligatory). And as you know, the bogus friends are just the tip of the iceberg for the broad and insidious scam industry. Though it pains me to say so, I doubt Substack will be immune much longer.
Many thanks for your kind words and for taking part in the joy of it all!
Elizabeth, thank you for sharing all of your admirers that have so many exotic interests and clearly the purest of motives ;) It's noble that you remain true to Jim version 1, Original Recipe. It speaks volumes that he is cool enough to fill your friendship needs for 34 years. I love that you are both lucky, that's the best. ♥️
Thanks, Eileen. I meant it when I identified luck as a key component of my relationship. Sure, we work at it, and we've had plenty of gristle to chew through, but when we attach ourselves to others, there is a lot of never really knowing isn't there? I try to not take that for granted. In keeping, my. many admirers have been kicked to the curb. Heck, in truth, they were never even allowed near the house! 😁
Delighted to think of your laugh on this blustery day, Lyn. You've been part of a lot of what's gone on over here, so you know it hasn't always been a straight line. Still, here we are. Thanks so much for the comment!
... "consent-forward" approach. So funny. This happens with all our accounts, of course, and it's annoying. I did the "100 day dress challenge," and the influx of these requests among participants was nuts. Stringing these examples together and calling them out this way is so satisfying to see.
A great piece, Elizabeth. It really shows off your wonderful humor and sharp wit.
And how lovely to know you have such loving routines at home, too! Great photo.
Humor has saved me from ruin on more than one occasion, Amy. Sometimes, it's the only lifeline I can find.
So, the 100-day thing: That's the one with the wool dress, yes? What was it about the contest that opened the door to so many scams?
I've been collecting screenshots of these requests for a very long time. At some point, I purged them all, but it didn't take long to rebuild the file. I haven't decided, now that I've written this, if I'm releasing myself from the need to save them, or if I'll carry on. Maybe there's a sequel in my future!
Always delighted to chat, Amy. Thanks for playing along.
Yep. The wool dress. Documenting the challenge involves a selfie a day -- and many people doing it via social (which is not a requirement) keep those accounts private -- so the requests come in. I'm sure those kinds of hashtags feel like a feeding pool for these losers -- a bunch of women talking about their dress(es). Lol. Yes to humor ;)
Oh those guys. When I used X I seemed to be the darling of every senior US armed forces guy who could use a keyboard! If they weren't Army, Navy or Airforce, they were surgeons, usually orthopaedic. They were such a trial.
June, I'm sorry I missed responding to this before now. I never attached myself to X, a terrific if unplanned bit of intelligence, it turns out. 😅 If it's not been done already, someone should write an expose on what kind of market research scammers do that leads to the conclusion that women prefer soldiers and surgeons! Thanks for commenting, and particularly for your closing kindnesses.
So respectfully written in response to those who think that camo-gear, stethoscopes and army rankings, let alone how god-fearing and animal loving they are can pierce our cynicism. I just never knew that the USA had so many orthopedic surgeons!
But Elizabeth, how beautifully and subtly you write of Jim. There's a little love-story there, right off the bat. XXXX
Prue, this is such a sweet comment. Thank you. I'm sorry I missed seeing it before now. (The email overload is real.) Your remark about the plethora of orthopods in the U.S. made me laugh out loud!
Thank you for a delightful piece! You speak for many of us, I am sure.
I know we'd all prefer to not be burdened with such avoidable nonsense, Erica. Keeping a sense of humor is one way to rise above. Thanks for joining in today.
All those things Jim said to you, I agree... By the way.... I am real..... And so are you... Merry Christmas to you and your casanova..who is also cool...❤
The realness of us was never in question, thank goodness. And thank you for the gift of being someone who knows how to laugh. Also, I'm totally nabbing that word, casanova, which had fallen completely off my radar until now. Love it!
Thanks a lot for bursting my bubble. You mean to tell me that the women who "like to be my friend" on Facebook don't really find me irresistible? (Thank you for the great laugh this morning!)
Oh, Darrell. I can't speak for them, of course, but my guess is they are working all facets of the meaning of irresistible. So glad to know you're laughing alongside today.
Elizabeth, you are just so clever, funny, and poignant; a marvelous mix! And you're beautiful to boot!! 💚
Muchas gracias, Don!
Lovely picture. We’re old marrieds, too. 52 years and counting. Married life changes, but it’s worth hanging onto each other for the sweet everyday moments.
Sometimes I’ll get a friend request. When I check out the guy, he’s usually a widow.
Wow - 52 years! That's really something, Suzanne. Keep up the good work. You're so right that it's worth it.
Also, my hunch is that those "widows" will be whatever they think we want them to be!
Elizabeth, these guys are all married to me. You are a home wrecker
😂 You must have a LOT going on in your marriage, Ilona. Thanks for the laugh.
Way to make us all a little jealous. You're so in demand! (I'd add a million weird emojis but substack doesn't have that option, that i can see)
Oh, Stephanie, it's great to see you. For the record, I'm *more* than happy to share!
😅 😂 🤣
(On a Mac, there's a keyboard shortcut to access emojis: Cmd + Ctl + Space Bar. If you're on a pc, I've got nothing.)
Oh my goodness. I rarely use Facebook but I’ve had a couple of requests to message here on Substack. Unfortunately the scammers mean that we don’t trust anyone without a long history of recognisable interactions. I’m relieved that Substack isn’t one of ‘those types’ of social media.
I love that photo of you and your Jim. Hoping you have many more happy years together. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗💕
Beth, the requests come from Facebook and Instagram, both of which are part of my communications work (ie: obligatory). And as you know, the bogus friends are just the tip of the iceberg for the broad and insidious scam industry. Though it pains me to say so, I doubt Substack will be immune much longer.
Many thanks for your kind words and for taking part in the joy of it all!
Elizabeth, thank you for sharing all of your admirers that have so many exotic interests and clearly the purest of motives ;) It's noble that you remain true to Jim version 1, Original Recipe. It speaks volumes that he is cool enough to fill your friendship needs for 34 years. I love that you are both lucky, that's the best. ♥️
Thanks, Eileen. I meant it when I identified luck as a key component of my relationship. Sure, we work at it, and we've had plenty of gristle to chew through, but when we attach ourselves to others, there is a lot of never really knowing isn't there? I try to not take that for granted. In keeping, my. many admirers have been kicked to the curb. Heck, in truth, they were never even allowed near the house! 😁
I love a good old fashioned love story ❤️
That was a fun read. I laughed out loud a couple times. Thank you for the lighthearted escape on this rainy December afternoon.
I love your sweet exchanges with the real Jim. And yes, you are beautiful, both inside and out. ❤️
Delighted to think of your laugh on this blustery day, Lyn. You've been part of a lot of what's gone on over here, so you know it hasn't always been a straight line. Still, here we are. Thanks so much for the comment!
Are you sure you aren’t subscribed to one of those dating apps?
All of us here at Leavenworth F.P. are.
Ha! I wouldn't have any idea how to operate those apps. I'd be the one swiping the wrong way and ruining everything.
How is it on the inside? Y'all getting many matches? 😇
Thanks for joining in on today's fun.
I’m too tired after a long day of making license plates, so I spend my evenings reading a chapter or two from Dostoyevsky and fall asleep.
Lights out.
... "consent-forward" approach. So funny. This happens with all our accounts, of course, and it's annoying. I did the "100 day dress challenge," and the influx of these requests among participants was nuts. Stringing these examples together and calling them out this way is so satisfying to see.
A great piece, Elizabeth. It really shows off your wonderful humor and sharp wit.
And how lovely to know you have such loving routines at home, too! Great photo.
Humor has saved me from ruin on more than one occasion, Amy. Sometimes, it's the only lifeline I can find.
So, the 100-day thing: That's the one with the wool dress, yes? What was it about the contest that opened the door to so many scams?
I've been collecting screenshots of these requests for a very long time. At some point, I purged them all, but it didn't take long to rebuild the file. I haven't decided, now that I've written this, if I'm releasing myself from the need to save them, or if I'll carry on. Maybe there's a sequel in my future!
Always delighted to chat, Amy. Thanks for playing along.
Yep. The wool dress. Documenting the challenge involves a selfie a day -- and many people doing it via social (which is not a requirement) keep those accounts private -- so the requests come in. I'm sure those kinds of hashtags feel like a feeding pool for these losers -- a bunch of women talking about their dress(es). Lol. Yes to humor ;)
oh this is such a lovely piece.
😁 Thank you, Roe. It feels good to smile. Been thinking about you...
Oh those guys. When I used X I seemed to be the darling of every senior US armed forces guy who could use a keyboard! If they weren't Army, Navy or Airforce, they were surgeons, usually orthopaedic. They were such a trial.
Your Jim is gorgeous. And I LOVE your curly hair!
June, I'm sorry I missed responding to this before now. I never attached myself to X, a terrific if unplanned bit of intelligence, it turns out. 😅 If it's not been done already, someone should write an expose on what kind of market research scammers do that leads to the conclusion that women prefer soldiers and surgeons! Thanks for commenting, and particularly for your closing kindnesses.
So respectfully written in response to those who think that camo-gear, stethoscopes and army rankings, let alone how god-fearing and animal loving they are can pierce our cynicism. I just never knew that the USA had so many orthopedic surgeons!
But Elizabeth, how beautifully and subtly you write of Jim. There's a little love-story there, right off the bat. XXXX
Prue, this is such a sweet comment. Thank you. I'm sorry I missed seeing it before now. (The email overload is real.) Your remark about the plethora of orthopods in the U.S. made me laugh out loud!