25th December 2019
I've popped in to say Happy Christmas everyone - hope you have a lovely day. Don't overdo the pudding, it'll cling to your hips until Easter. We're due at Ian and Jenny's (No 1 grandson) in Lichfield this afternoon. We're going to call in at St Giles' Hospice en route to visit my cousin Mary - she's very ill but we'll chat for a while until she becomes too tired. |
23rd December 2019
The winter solstice is done so now we can figure out what to do in our extra minutes of daylight. Thanks again to everyone for your good wishes re the 60th anniversary. Special mention to Doreen and Brian, Audrey and Jack, Joanie and Vic and also saying a warm hello to Jenny Fardoe who reads these pages - Carol and Gary's neighbour when they lived in Moat Brook Lane. Here's a silly picture we did to frighten the family on WhatsApp - it made us laugh but I guess it is pretty scary, especially my warm flannelette purple plaid pyjamas not the right thing to wear with Rudolph antlers. We watched Countryfile last night - the theme was Christmas in the country. We saw lots of decorated trees and baubles and carol singers galore. I noticed that the oak trees still had their leaves and the landscape looked too green for December. The BBC's "pull the wool over their eyes" approach didn't work for me. |
20th December 2019
Good morning all - is life is still revolving round cards, trees and baubles? We had a bit of a change yesterday - the excitement of the day was our Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Lots of sparkly 60th cards turned up, beautiful bouquets, chocolates, visits from family, it was a very pleasant day - thanks everyone. We're not into fuss so we didn't push the boat out big time. We quietly awarded ourselves imaginary long service medals and threatened the kids that we may still be around for our 70th. AND... Bern has bought me a fabulous new ring but it's still with the jeweller to be sized down. No not diamonds - too unethical and too much cruelty and warring involved in the mining of them for me - it's a modern design in plain gold. |
18th December 2019
I just had to nick this cartoon to show you, my cousin Phil posted it on Facebook - it made me smile. Yesterday's Writers' meeting was entertaining - we always have nibbles and word quizzes on last day of term. The blinds were finished when I got back and Bern had cleaned the windows. Hope no one is panicking about shopping and Chrimbo stuff - it's only one day so don't get too stressed. Oops! I see I need to write a couple more cards. I was feeling smug having despatched all our posted ones, Two have just arrived from people I'd forgotten. Sorry folks, I'm just putting things right but I'm not going to tell you who it is because I didn't mean to forget, and I had the cheek to tell you all not to stress. I'll have to go now and unearth the addresses for the cards I forgot to send. Bern is out delivering the local ones - his weekly exercise session while saving a few bob. |
I've just heard this on Classic FM. After playing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song the announcer informed us that if you were to buy all the things listed in the song the cost today would be in excess of £29,000. Just thought I'd mention it in case you were thinking of... oh all right... just saying...
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17th December 2019
We have the blind man with us today - he's replacing all our faded wooden blinds with white ones - it'll look louvre-ly when he's finished, he's doing a great job. |
11th December 2019
Roll on January I say. The hype is here and I'm too busy coughing for England to get on with doing Christmas stuff. I haven't even finished the cards yet despite having persuaded Bern to write a few. I'm currently into Strepsils and tissues instead of tinsel and trees, nor can I stop spluttering long enough to do anything much. |
I'm afraid I've not much to tell you at the mo - I've been holed up most of the week feeling sorry for myself although I did venture out yesterday to this term's penultimate writers' meeting where they had the pleasure of my barking cough during the readings.
Until I can come up with something more interesting, here's a couple of seasonal limericks I've written. |
Did you see the TV drama on Sunday "Elizabeth is Missing" with Glenda Jackson playing the main character? I thought it was exceptional - worth watching on catch up if you missed it.
P.S. Maggie has messaged us to say, she too thought Glenda Jackson played her part brilliantly.
Only eleven more days to the Solstice and then we can watch the days slowly lengthening. Begone dark dull gloom!
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1st December 2019
Happy new month - mind you, I'm not too happy with these chilly temperatures we're getting. To add to my grumpiness we have techno mayhem yet again. BT persuaded us to have a new home hub and as it was free we accepted. Now Alexa has gone on strike and so has my printer - neither of them will talk to the new hub. We've Googled and pratted about as best we can and as yet haven't managed to resolve matters. So no radio at breakfast time and it looks like I may have to handwrite my writers' group homework. How awful is that! Do home hubs not know that I only function with a flashing cursor in front of me. Talking of cursOrs - I'm a fair to middling cursEr when things go haywire. Oh wow! I've just glanced out of the window and saw two redwings land in our holly tree. I wonder if we're in for a cold snap, they've arrived earlier than previous years. They're lovely birds, similar to a thrush but with red flash under their wings. Their official Latin name is Turdus iliacus - I prefer to call them Redwings. |
I think there's a curse on us this morning - just as the Redwings landed and Alexa was still being obstreperous Bern received a text message from New Cross hospital reminding him of an appointment for next Sunday at the Eye Infirmary. He's never had a problem with his eyes nor has he ever been referred to the eye infirmary. Another techno mystery demanding attention! We'll investigate that one tomorrow in case the message was intended for someone else. Odd thing is, how did they get his name and number when he's never been on their list?
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29th November 2019
Good morning. Hallelujah! she says, it's not raining today. Hope everyone is OK and keeping clear of Black Friday stuff. I've had an up-and-down week, I made it to art class but had to miss writers' group - but all right again at the mo. We did our annual Weston Park family lunch last Sunday - fifteen of us, including four babies. We had a lovely time but forgot to take any photographs - we were probably too busy taking turns to keep the little ones amused. I was able to assure the staff that we shan't be such a scary bunch next year as all the babies will be a bit older and we won't need to clutter the place with so many high chairs. We think this is the 5th year we've done it - a little pre-Crimbo treat for the family. |
I wasn't a star pupil at Thursday's art class, I just doodled a pen and ink Rook in my sketch book. He can keep last week's Crow company.
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I have to say I'm dumbfounded by an advert currently appearing on TV flogging a stupid gismo for your dog to wear so that it knows how far it has walked. A dog owner must be pretty daft to buy one, if they're walking their dog they should know how much ground they've covered and then they can tell the dog for free. And I wonder, does the dog actually need to know. Maybe there's something more to it than meets my eye. It costs £39 - I'm still feeling puzzled.
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20th November 2019
No rain today - the washing was overjoyed to get dried outside. We've been up to Weston Park to the coffee shop this lunchtime to meet up with Tom and Elaine (two of our forever friends). A light lunch a breath of fresh air and a glimpse of the wintery landscape - lovely. A good writers' meeting yesterday and now it's time to pack my bag ready for tomorrow's art class. I must leave a message here for Doreen, another forever friend who has been a bit poorly and I know she pops in to see wat we're up to. "Hi Doreen, Linda told me she has seen you and that you are feeling much better. Wonderful news. xxx. " |
I've been doing another painting this week, it's not a "proper" picture, I don't have a reference it's just a made up thing and now it's nearly finished I can't decide which way up it should go. It's too awful to show you at the moment but if it does finally work out I'll let you have a butchers. At this point in time I can't decide if I like it. I could take it to art class to morrow for Roland's opinion but I don't have the nerve to show it to him. |
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15th November 2019
Oh dear, I didn't mean to be absent for so long. The days slipped by without notice, such is the excitement of our social calendar. But I've turned up now and I'm just checking my diary to see what highlights I've forgotten to tell you about (she says with shame and a wry grin). Since we last spoke I've been for another ultra-sound scan in the cardiology department and Big Jay (AKA James) spent last weekend in London to catch up with his RAF Regiment mates and take part in the Veterans' march past at the Cenotaph. He said it was cold and decidedly draughty hanging around on Horse Guards Parade as they had to muster well before kick off time. A time to say, "winter drawers on". Which reminds me, I looked up the word drawers because I wondered why it became another word for knickers - Google said that it's because years ago when men wore long under garments they had to "draw" them on i.e. pull 'em up, so they became known as drawers. (Another bit of useless information for you). |
We've three happy birthdays to mention: Cora, my brother Bernard, and my cousin Jan - hope you all had a happy day.
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Tuesday's writers' meeting was quite lively. The brief was to write an essay style piece about your personal rules for living - i.e. your philosophy of life. It was quite difficult consulting yourself to unearth what you really think about it. Some of us ended up with revealing soap box moments. All I can say is, oh well, it's out there now!
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We've done art class too - at the moment I'm back to ,my ink and wash drawings and managed a grumpy old crow in my sketch book. I ran out of page so he's had to dangle his tail onto the next page - sorry it's chopped short here.
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6th November 2019
Good morning all, the flowering cherry by our back gate looked resplendent this morning, thought you might like to see its autumnal loveliness. I made it to writers' group yesterday but cheated on the homework. The brief was to write something of your own choice - being devoid of ideas I trawled my computer and found something from a few years ago hoping no one remembered it. In recent weeks we've been working on a group anthology which is nearly ready for the printer to do his stuff - most members have submitted a piece so family beware, you may well find yourselves foisted with a copy.
Another outing on the calendar for tomorrow - cardiology department - another scan. It' s an afternoon appointment so all being well I'll be going to art class in the morning.
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1st November 2019
Halloween jiggery pokery done and dusted for this year. I put my terracotta little ghost outside with his tealight inside to keep away any stray demons. It must have worked as nothing untoward was hiding under the bed or leering at the window. By morning his lights were out and he's back on his shelf in the garage until next year. I hear all our little ones joined in the pumpkin fun at their respective nurseries. |
What do you think of the politicians who've abandoned their jobs because of the abuse they claim to receive. I wonder what would happen if medical staff, ambulance crews, police, firefighters, teachers and other public sector personnel chucked in their jobs for the same reason! Looks like we're in for a busy time with a general election being squeezed in before 'C' - no doubt we'll witness more political tantrums before matters are resolved. |
28th October 2019
Yesterday was a bit of a treat after all the rain. We ventured out to the garden centre to grab a bit of sunshine. We were all at Karen's on rainy Saturday afternoon - she hosted a bon voyage do for Emma and Lewis - they leave for Australia tomorrow for their Antipodean adventure. Seems like a good plan to me, giving our English winter a miss. Happy travels you two. Richard's been this afternoon to give my laptop a going over - stuff needed updating and I fear the technology is leaving me behind. It's all ship-shape now... until I manage to mess it up again. |
26th October 2019
Wow - I had such a jolly day yesterday - visitors, gifts, cards, flowers and good wishes. It was what you could call a mega "pop in". Bern was on coffee-tea-cake duty while I had the time of my life chatting and enjoying the stream of visitors including Elaine, Jan and Julie, Carol, Toni and Ralfie, Jose, my brother and sister-in-law (Bernard and Trudie) James and Lesley. THANK YOU everyone. I like to say Happy Birthday to Picasso too because we share 25th October. |
Is anyone a dietary expert? I saw the kidney chap on Tuesday and he was unhappy that my potassium level had spiked and kidney function reduced. I've done a bit of Googling and find it's a complex subject: trying to eat reasonably interesting meals and avoid potassium is like being between a rock and hard place.
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19th October 2019
Hi folks, here at last, but not much to tell you other than I'm now into my second week of the cancer drug which has pretty much zapped me. I've done that much napping my eyes are threatening to heal over. I tried reading the list of possible side effects but halfway down the long list I realised it was a bit scary so I didn't look any more. The bits I remember are, I'm going to forget things, I'll be really tired and fatigued and feel generally unwell and maybe my hair will fall out but it's not a cert (fingers crossed on that one then). That's just for starters so you can see why I didn't want to know more. |
I had a bit of a disaster mid-week when my upper denture developed a crack. Panic stations, phoned round to find a while-u-wait denture repair place. Located one in town and rushed off to get fixed up. We were told to come back in an hour. So, hoping I didn't meet anyone who would expect me to smile or speak we hid in Marks & Spencer's café for an hour. I had coffee while Bern waded through an enormous bun loaded with bacon (how dare he?) it looked delicious. Is there no end to the adventures that come my way?
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I had to miss art class and writers' group this week - because of hospital appointments on both days. One little positive: I planted some crocus bulbs.
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13th October 2019
I'm really struggling for an idea for this week's writers' homework. The brief if is to write something in the Dystopian genre. Oh crikey! Help! |
On this day in 1884 Greenwich was named the initial meridian of longitude from which standard times throughout the world are calculated. Bit odd that we call the tune when it comes to time and still we "change the clocks" twice a year. A Google search says we go back to Greenwich Mean Time on October 27th this year. Here's what I found, "...Politicians passed the measure by 410 votes to 192 - meaning seasonal time shifts, which were introduced during World War One to save energy, will end in 2021. A final law will be produced after discussions with member nations, but the UK government has indicated it will stick to the current system after Brexit." Looks like it's still not definite then. The politicians still need to do a bit more pratting about. And let's face it, they've had plenty of practise over recent years.
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Have to give Ian (no 1 grandson) a mention after a hectic few days with Great Britain Swans. He's head coach - I can't explain the technicalities as it's all Oz Rules Football. They're getting geared up for an international competition. I've put this here mainly for the family to read, unless of course, you're interested in Australian Football.
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Congratulations to Charlotte and Phil Bryett (Jnr) on the arrival of baby Martha. A new granddaughter for my sister and brother-in-law. They've sent a picture but it's been forwarded several times before reaching me and I can't unravel the complexity of getting it onto my compute. Nice pic though, lovely baby.
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8th October 2019
Brrr the lavatory seat seemed extra cold this morning - time to switch on the bathroom heating - a sure sign that summer's gone. Unless of course, St Luke comes up with the goods. My Mum always talked about St Luke's Little Summer which, according to folklore or some such, St Luke’s little summer is a short period between 18th and 28th October. If Luke lets us down, St Martin’s little summer may happen a few days around the 11th November. I wonder if they'll come up with the goods. |
Sending get well wishes to Audrey. Lesley's mum is quite poorly. Suspected pneumonia, but now told it's a severe chest infection. It knocked her for six straight into hospital.
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I'm giving the writers' meeting a miss today. I have such a spluttery cough and cold that I'd not be good company apart from the risk of infecting others. Sorry folks - see you next time hopefully germ-free.
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6th October 2019
I had to miss art class this week in exchange for a hospital visit for biopsy results. Consultant said my cancer is Type 1, the least aggressive. That's a lucky outcome. She's prescribed a new drug (tablets) to see if it will halt the nasty stuff happening. So that's where we're at right now. It's a matter of "wait and see." In the meantime Bern and I have both acquired a stinking Cold... on the premise that Coughs and sneezes spread diseases - we've been lying low for a couple of days. Just realised that last little involved another couple of 'C' words. |
I must stir my stumps and get some daffodil bulbs planted. Ours have dwindled - time to top them up.
I heard an odd item on Radio 4 this morning. People were telling of bitter disputes with friends and family caused by Brexit. Some had cut all ties with "loved ones" because they'd disagreed on "IN" or "OUT" and had cast opposing votes in the referendum. They're blaming Brexit for the upsetting fall-outs. How bloody silly is that? I think they should blame themselves for failing to respect another person's point of view. One chap who had broken all ties with his former friend accused him, "You've ruined my retirement. " |
1st October 2019
Here we are again heading for the darker days. I like October with the autumn getting underway and the trees starting to peel off their summer finery ready for a long kip. I like the damp earthy smell of autumn too. No good waxing lyrical is it, Keats says it better in his Ode to Autumn. Anyway, more on my busted motor story... My 15 year old little Panda has finally given up ghost and they quoted in excess of £2,000 to put it right. So... in for a penny in for a pound and all that and in view of recent health happenings I threw caution to wind. I've exchanged it for a young three year old. |
RIP little old blue Panda. I'm a bit gutted that I forgot to remove some newish car mats out of it - they'd have fitted in it's successor.
Hi to the newish 500. I'm pleased it has a fabulous radio and does justice to Classic FM. I was always amused when our grandsons were young, they weren't keen on having a lift with me in my naff car of they day they were also put off by my music. |
29th September 2019
New Cross post room has been busy sending me mail - endoscopy, kidney consultant and cardiology have all sent me an invitation. Looks like October will be a social whirl. Another bombshell to cap it all: I've been diagnosed with breast cancer. Last week I had x-ray, scan, biopsy - all that sort of stuff. We should be getting results and decisions by the end of this week. Something else to keep me busy but it's difficult to keep dark thoughts at bay. My car has come out in sympathy - the speedometer has given up the ghost so I don't know how fast I'm going - it's gone to the garage for repair. |
Bern's outside remonstrating with a squirrel. Little varmint has gnawed a hole in the peanut holder despite it having a "squirrel proof" cage over it. I think we get intelligent super-squirrels in Bilbrook.
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26th September 2019
Hi everyone. Sorry I've been missing again, I've been a bit busy and slightly up-and-down health wise, but still ticking along. We've two weeks of art class and writers' group under our belt now so things are feeling pretty normal-ish. Our oldest writer, Rene, has moved to the Willows Care Home; at 93 she's entitled to hang up her notebook and pencil. Best wishes from us all Rene. I just managed the deadline for my submission to the writers' group forthcoming anthology. OK so we've had all summer to sort something out, but you know how it is. Maggie has done all the hard work trying to get things organised despite most of us having dragged our feet. But it's all in motion now and should be ready by 'C' (that time of year I don't mention until December). Watch out family... you might get yet more of my scibbles in your stockings. |
Maybe it's because we're all knocking on a bit, but it's a similar scenario at art group. Roland, gave us a pep talk this morning. We have to be more ambitious and attempt subjects other than flowers and pretty landscapes. He said we're "short on ideas." Have to admit he's right. Help!
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17th September 2019
Good morning all. I'm a bit late calling in for a chat today - my brother and his wife called in this morning. We check on each other occasionally to ascertain who is still up and running. We agreed that the four of are still breathing, then we spent time doing coffee and catch up talk, and it seems all's well with our worlds. After they'd gone Bern's sister rang for exactly the same reason, "just seeing how you are..." and invited us to their place for a lunchtime "do" later in the week. Conversations veered in the direction of health, aches and pains, and how many pills we all take. The very fact that Bern's and my sibling and spouse had the same notion for the same purpose, I'm wondering if one of them has had a premonition. Whoa! Let's not go there. |
Jolliness abounded in yesterday's lovely sunshine. We were all in Lichfield for Freddie's first birthday party. There were seven little ones, their respective parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Quite a gathering. Jon and Zara were there too so we were able to say goodbye - they're going back to Rotterdam on Tuesday - back down to earth and work after their 6 months spell of travel.
DVLC has said "yes" I can drive for another three years before they chase me again - that's another little worry ticked off the list. |
14th September 2019
What a lovely September morning; sunshine, early dew, and the spiders had worked their magic. Our Acer Griseum was draped with jewelled lace doilies. Bern photographed them but they don't show up on the picture. The tree is a type of Maple, one of those with weird bark. It's red and shiny, and the old bark forms big curls that fall off as a new layer develops underneath. I guess the word ragamuffin would suit. It's been a busy-ish week - art class and writers' group recommenced. First week of term meetings are always chatty - so much catching up to do. Then there's the "elephant in the room" business of staking your claim to the same seat you had last term. Folk drifted to their usual places and we had enough spare seats to accommodate new members. I marked Jan's empty chair with my coat as she had a doctor's appointment and we also made sure Hilary's place went unclaimed as she's on holiday. Whew... happy all round.
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I've just bought a couple of books about collage so I'm hoping to give that a go sometime soon. My reasoning is that if my eyes are going to deteriorate collage might be more suitable than trying to paint. When I started researching it I soon realised that simple collage i.e. cutting and sticking stuff to make an image, is still very much an art form but one also has to consider digital collage, and I have to say it looks very interesting. But that's all for another day... it's a wait and see scenario.
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It's that time of year when over-sized arachnids sneak about and put the wind up some of us. A super-sized one came marching out from behind our loo the other day. I tried to chase it away but it dived back to whence it came so I approach the said facility with trepidation in case it's still lurking. Bern is also on spider duty for Alison, our neighbour. We get a text saying "help!" and he has to dash round and catch the monster before she faints with fright. Poor things (spiders not neighbours) get a bad press... I try to live and let live... as long as they're not living in the same room as me I allow them to exist.
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I been busy practising my Instagram skills - I'm not top of the class yet and constantly confuse "followers" and "following". I don't know if it's them looking at me or me looking at them. However, I do get to see lots of plates of food and loads of pics of all the babies. The young ones seem to live their lives on Instagram - it's the "in" thing right now. You have to get the little app on your phone (a red square thing) and away you go. Jonathan has given me some lessons and each time I get it wrong he says, "that'll be next week's lesson." I'm going to have to do some intensive learning before he and Zara go home to Rotterdam in a couple of weeks.
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27th August 2019
During the hot bank holiday we spent a quiet time cowering in the shade of the holly tree. It was the only place to be with coffee and the biccy tin. Pa has recently had a haircut, yes he does have some but prefers to have it shaved off. When it's newly bald I always call him Voldemort (from Harry Potter) All the young ones packed the kids into pushchairs and headed for the Lichfield Food Festival. Jai is sleepy and Ralfie is hiding from the hot sun but Josh and Freddie were both up for it. |
Just to fill this little space, here's one of the garden pots.
The nasturtiums are swarming with caterpillars ugh! |
26th August 2019
Morning... whew it was a hot night, I didn't crawl under the covers until a bathroom visit at about 4 a.m. We didn't do much yesterday other than flop about in the shade and then had the cheek to complain that we were tired. Oh well... Here's a little something to liven us up this bank holiday... Left click and then click on the blue link that comes up. We've seen something similar before but it's worth a smile. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4QzHeUE-CM&fbclid=IwAR1b3e8WSnT-cP_Quw0Y0F9-ozbOMZqClhLEV6_Xl5uLwNu6w_UuIMeKrv4 |
20th August 2019
I took my car for it's Mot this morning - I'm awaiting a phone call to see if it's OK or poorly. I'm also still hanging on for a response from DVLC to say whether they'll renew my licence this time. I hate these "iffy" waiting times while someone decides if you're too old or too daft to do stuff. I have fingers crossed that I'm not yet consigned to a mobility scooter to get around. My friends Val and Jo (art class) visited Kew Gardens yesterday to see the Chihuly Glass Installation Exhibition. Really stunning - this one is called Summer Sun. It's a massive piece all done in glass.
(Google Kew or Chihuly if you want to see other pieces). |
13th August 2019
Green today - I'm in garden mode and shouting from the rooftops: Yay! Success! I've found it at last. It arrived yesterday all the way from Ireland. Brilliant delivery service as I only ordered it on Friday evening. I've been plant hunting for ages ever since I had the idea of making part of our garden look like an Henri Russeau painting - sort of tall and leafy with dabs of colour here and there. One of my dabs of colour is to be a Rudbeckia but it had to be the very tall one which I'd seen in a local garden but couldn't find it in a garden centre. Rather than go plant hunting in the far flung jungles of somewhere I cruised round the Internet and found the very one at a plant company (Ballyrobert Gardens) in Ireland. Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii I've given it a drink, while it waits for me (or probably Bern) to get its new bed ready and maybe it'll be looking very "Russeau" by next summer. Mind you, it has a lot of growing to do yet that pot is only 4 inches tall but it has time to settle in before the cold weather arrives. |
12th August 2019
I had an appointment at the docs this morning. I have a swollen left leg which by bed time is very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. (Medics call it oedema). Remedy given to me to fix it is sit with my leg above my hip. Can you imagine the contortions involved when I'm at my desk for a chat with you all. Another bit of advice was, if you're standing, don't' stand still, do a little dance. Now what sort of nerd am I going to look like at the supermarket checkout? And if I'm standing at my easel where is the paint going to end up? Must learn to do the Can-Can then I'll have my leg above my hip while doing a little dance. |
It's what the hunting/shooting/fishing fraternity call "The Glorious Twelfth" today - the start of the shooting season for red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica), and to a lesser extent the ptarmigan. Watch out little birdies they're coming to get you and all in the interests of "sport". Not what I'd call a level playing field - little birds v. big men with big guns.
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Jay and Les called in yesterday afternoon. Emma, a relative of Lesley's from Australia stayed with them over the weekend. She works as a Park Ranger - an interesting job, so there was much to talk about.
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10th August 2019
It's disappointing weather for August. On the plus side, each monsoon-type deluge washes the pigeon poo off the patio and the bird baths get a wash and a top up. Do you read cereal boxes? I do, it passes the time while munching breakfast. Because scleroderma attacks internal soft tissue, I've developed a gluten intolerance. I'm not diagnosed as specifically celiac, but reducing my gluten intake has helped tremendously. I'm avoiding normal bread and cereal. Hence the new reading matter. My imagination ran riot when I read "....naturally delicious, irresistibly crispy flakes of corn and ancient grains..." It was the "ancient grains" that alarmed me. I visualised ancient slaves sweeping up ancient grains in the vicinity of the pyramids with King Pharaoh's cast offs ending up in my breakfast cereal. Despite the hint of prehistory grain gathering, it tastes very nice and it doesn't give me stomach ache. I smiled to myself on reading the note at the bottom of the box explaining that the fruit in the picture is just a serving suggestion - maybe they were worried I'd expect to find some raspberries inside. |
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6th August 2019
We did Bern's hospital appointment yesterday - it was a change for him to be the patient. He had an ultrasound scan of his upper arm - sit back and wait now for a report to his GP. He's doing a lot of "oh-ing and ah-ing" and occasionally utters a more expressive expletive so I gather his arm is pretty sore. |
Maggie and I are well into the writers' group summer read. No idea how the others are getting on. "Cousins" by Salley Vickers. It's quite a complex story - hope I'll be able to make sense of it in time to write a review - that's the homework for first meeting of the Autumn term.
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All's quiet on the home front as several of our gang have hopped over to Rotterdam (again). Little Freddie made his first flight with the Clogs/Tulips/Windmills clan. I think this pic is a leisurely breakfast at Zara's parent's home or maybe it's last night's supper. Nanna and/or Freddie must have been taking the picture. Gary will be hot-fotting over there to join them at the weekend. heb een fijne vakantie mensen
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2nd August 2019
Good morning all - we did an early trip to Sainsbury's and got back in time for coffee. We shuffled round looking for this and that - I'd typed the shopping list (I'm embarrassed to mention it yet again but it's taken over my life at the moment) on my new phone. I've been practising like mad to do it with two fast moving thumbs like the young ones do. I wish the rest of me could keep up with them. |
Today I've launched another £100 plus into the ether to land on a DVLA desk - i.e. paid my road tax online. They've also had the cheek to remind me how old I am that it's time to apply for a driving licence renewal. I've done that online too and now await their "yes" or "no". Doing it online means you don't have to supply a photo so I trust whoever does the "yes" or "no" decision won't be swayed by my aged appearance. I'll be devastated if they come back to me with the message: "from now on you'll have to walk."
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1st August 2019
Another new month already. The older I get the more quickly time passes which is a bit disconcerting. Let's talk about something else. You know this new phone I told about - well not only does it tell me when I'm driving it slings reams of news items my way from HuffPost, formerly known as Huffington Post and now called HuffPost or Huffpo. Stupid or what? I used to think that HuffPost doled out "fake news" but apparently the stuff they spout is real news. Anyway, this morning's little gem was all about bed bugs, which, they say, are proliferating due to the raised temperatures. They can be picked up on buses, trains, hotels and such places. One way of avoiding these unwanted companions is to avoid sitting down down on public buses and trains as the little blighters might crawl into your clothing. What a bind when you're dead on your feet and all you need is to sit down while you journey home - BUT at the risk of taking home a few extra visitors that will invade your sofa, bed, clothing and they'll also go forth and multiply. UGH!! Something to think about as we hope for a nice warm August. |
Gerry is coming this morning for a chat. She's one of my daughter's (Carol) best mates but she likes to come to me to talk about painting and art. Not that I'm an expert, absolutely not, but we enjoy the chat. Talking of art, I've just been looking for a book about Paul Klee - I'm curious to learn about him as he died of systemic scleroderma - the disease that I'm lumbered with. If I can't match his expertise at least I can identify with his troubles. I share a birthday with Picasso too, so I'm in the loop one way or another - the only thing I have in common with a couple of proper artists. All good for a larf, and I'm sure they would laugh if they could just see the stuff I churn out, 90% of which is hurriedly banished to the bin.
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Jonathan (number 3 grandson) visited his old Gran and Pa Yesterday. He's just back from his recent travels with Zara - they've been wandering round Asia for six months, ending up in Japan, and stopping off in Turkey on their way back. They'll be doing Spain with Carol and Gary before settling back in Rotterdam at the end of summer. Jon and Zara are serious foodies so we were regaled with tales of all the strange things they've eaten there was also a photographic record on his phone. I'd lost my appetite within minutes of looking at some the stuff they'd eaten, including rat and raw fish.
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29th July 2019
Whew, so glad to be back online with everything working again. I phoned BT, talked to someone across the other side of the world who said that I needed to change a password. It was as simple as that. We didn't actually talk, it was one of those typing conversations. Anyway, I found "how to" on the BT website and suddenly all my devices became friends again - iPad, phone, laptop. I'm still not sure why they became so disagreeable in the first place but it was obviously something I'd done. I'm happy to have been spared the mending man's fee. |
I've been having a good mooch round Facebook this morning. I thought these two items might amuse you. It's important that we worry about bees and pollinators with all the terrible stuff that's happening to our planet and this explanation of the most common types make them sound quite friendly, almost cuddly in fact. John Carrier had posted this one. He lives not far from us and I remember him from our younger days when we were just village kids. Amazing who you find on Facebook.
I've included this little glow-worm picture because it mde me laugh. Denise had posted it - thanks Denise, I love it and own up to having a peurile sense of humour. |
27th July 2019
Hitches, glitches and techno mayhem yet again. My e-mail is out of action - I'm as isolated as Robinson Crusoe - well, almost-ish. Don't know what I've done but it's probably caused by my ineptitude in setting up my new phone - I've gone the whole hog this time and indulged in an iPhone - in the process I've upset iPad, phone, and Windows laptop. I thought I'd been so clever in finding a little app that could transfer all your stuff from an android to an iPhone, hoping to save myself the trouble of typing contacts etc into the new phone. Richard of Perton PC is coming on Monday to sort out my mess. I'll just have to wait and remain incommunicado as I listen to the gardens breathing a sigh of relief - grateful for a drink. |
RIP our little birch tree, we miss you - not so little though, it was way higher than the house, getting a bit poorly and dangerously wobbly. We expect the cremation will take place during the winter months when these silvery logs end up in Jay and Lesley's wood burner. We still have a little stump and pile of sawdust to remember it by.
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17th July 2019
I was chuffed to catch sight of the partial lunar eclipse last night - interesting stuff. It happened because the planets were in syzygy. I wonder who coined that word. Pronunciation? I haven't a clue. A lunar eclipse or partial lunar eclipse happens when the planets (sun, earth, moon) are exactly or very closely aligned (i.e. in syzygy) with Earth between the other two. Earth's shadow is cast across the moon. During a total lunar eclipse, Earth completely blocks direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. |
19th July 2019
Sorry I've not chatted today - busy painting and done two over the last few days. One made it into the dustbin but for now, the other has been allowed to live - it's a canvas in quarantine while I debate it's fate. |
Last writers' meeting this term - we can breathe easy for a few weeks without any homework to do. While we waffled on and read our work aloud we made two boxes of Quality Street disappear - Graham brought them - our end of term party! Thanks Graham. We let him have all the big purple ones, his favourite, as he gets no chance of them at home because Yvonne always bags them. |
15th July 2019
I've just been reading about grasshoppers. A study by nutritionists, reports that they will provide you with nutrients equivalent to that of fresh orange juice. Maybe they will if you can get them into your mouth in the first place ugh! Will you be downing orange juice or chewing on a grasshopper? |
Hey ho... homework done. We've a weird one this week: write your life story in exactly 100 words using words of one syllable. It's the last writers' group meeting this term so we can switch our brains off until September. This week's task would be a difficult one if you've had an eventful life. Bit sad isn't it when you can squeeze a lifetime into one hundred one-syllable word - my piece is very much a diary of a nobody!
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Bern's been on tenterhooks since our burglary. awaiting a court date as he'd agreed to give evidence for the prosecution as the guy was pleading 'not guilty' despite the fact that Bern saw him walking out of our house. As is often the case, he has pleaded guilty at the last minute. Police have just phoned to say the court case is over and the chap got 12 months. That's another little story put to bed. Mind you, we still lock the door even when we're only in the garden.
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14th July 2019
Good morning everyone - we went to a family gathering on Saturday - a lovely afternoon with all the little people enjoying paddling pool fun. Rob and Lisa came too (they live in Nottinghamshire) everyone was pleased to see them. Jay and Les were missing - they had flown to Edinburgh for the weekend especially to see a photographic exhibition and arrived to find it had been cancelled. No worries though - Edinburgh is a great place to do a bit of sight-seeing and act like a tourist. |
Le Quatorze Juillet - Allons, enfants de la patrie, le jour de gloire est arrive
14th July 1789 - "Off with their heads!" |
Bern and I spent some fun time on Sunday picking weeds out of the gravel. Some years ago we replaced our lawns with large areas of gravel in order to save work when we got old. Guess what... I'm sure you know the answer - but we're weed-free for the time being.
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10th July 2019
Just popped in to say a Wednesday "hello". I've wandered round Facebook and found a picture of Lesley's folks, Jack and Audrey. They have relatives from Oz visiting right now. The rellies are doing a big trip round Europe and stopped off in Hampshire to catch up with family. Here they are taking a break in a local tea room which happens to be the very place where Jack worked as a dairy man some fifty years ago. Audrey, Gill, Andy, Jack. Safe and happy travels Gill and Andy. |
Talking of tea rooms - we've just been to David Austin Roses for morning coffee with Carol. We had a quick whizz round the roses - they're quite stunning right now and the place was brimming with German tourists all keen to photograph the blooms. Our most recent purchase from there "Rambling Rosie" two years ago, is doing well and we're thinking of getting it an identical sibling. They'll make a nice red splash amongst the greenery. It's what they term a courtyard climber which I suppose means it's smallish and won't gallop away to make a nuisance of itself. The small blooms are come in rich red in clusters.
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Great writers' meeting yesterday - we managed to make each other laugh with our topic about the mundane. I ended up writing about lavatory paper - a riveting read - NOT. I've put it on the Jottings page.
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7th July 2019
We've only two writers' meetings before we finish for the summer break. I'm about to start digging up ideas for this week's homework. We have to think of something really mundane, boring, uninteresting and write about it and in so doing make interesting. My mantra that I always quote has come back to bite me on the bum... "There are no dull subjects, only dull writers." Now what the hell can I write about? They (the ubiquitous 'they') reckon writers must do research - yes well, I'm trying, but I don't call it research I call it Googling and you don't even have to get out of you chair. Trouble is I can't think of a website that might give advice on writing about the mundane. I do have a tiny spark of an idea which came to me in Sainsbury's so I'll say bye for now, and see if I can turn it into a conflagration. Google here I come. |
5th July 2019
I just hate those geriatric happenings that beset us in our latter years. We recently bought a new pair of secateurs, expensive ones, because we intended them to "see us out". We did a bit of snipping with them, just the once, and now we can't find them. We've turned everywhere and everything upside down and inside out and can only presume we've "chucked the baby out with the bath water" or more accurately, "chucked the clippers out with the clippings." How stupid is that? . We replaced them today with a new pair, here's hoping we can hang onto them this time. |
We're going to have to break some sad news to our birch tree. It's infected with something and looks very poorly with drooping curled up colourless leaves. After much Googling and looking up birch tree ailments, the wisest move is to have it felled. It has been spitting sticky stuff all over other plants, garden furniture, etc. They are coated in goo which Google tells me is honeydew (a more fitting name would funny glue) following that comes resin. I think we're at the resin stage because one of the garden tables and a couple of chairs are so shiny with the funny glue it looks like they've been varnished. All this is caused by nasty little aphids. Sorry tree - when you've gotta go, you've gotta go. It's taller than the house - I reckon it's going to cost more to have the tree cut down than it did to have the cat put down.
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4th July 2019
I was tickled pink this morning - woke up early, put the news on the telly and there was Bilbrook - fame at last, we're on the map. Here's a link to the news item (left click on the link until the little blue thing comes up then click on the blue thing) https://www.facebook.com/MidlandsBBC/videos/697911047326214/UzpfSTcyNjYxMzcyODoxMDE1NjE1Mzc3Mzk5ODIwNA/ Jimmy Broadhouse AKA Jimmy the Mower deserves a gold medal for taking pride in his work. It warms the cockles of your heart albeit at grass roots level. Betty's Blog and all who read it award you a medal Jimmy - you help make Bilbrook a better place. I'm happy to say Jimmy has become a Facebook sensation. |
1st July 2019
Happy 28th Birthday Jonathan - he and Zara are still wandering round the globe, most recent stops are Japan and the Philippines. I'm unsure where they are right now but they're due home some time this summer. They've had to miss out on birthday cards as we never know where to direct them. |