25th August 2016
There's no denying it's an autumnal morning. Time to drag out the old Keats' poem about ...season of mists and mellow fruitfulness... it always comes to mind at this time of year along with the cobwebby mornings. Flipping heck... why am I waxing lyrical about the weather? It's dull, damp, dismal, and it's started to rain again. Mr Keats can go jump in the lake. Talking of poems, I'm still having trouble with this week's writing topic "Sound." I'd better drum up some inspiration before Maggie has me down as a deserter. |
It's part with a load of money day for me - my car is going for it's MoT and annual service. It's probably money down the drain as the amount of miles I do hardly warrant paying for a service - but better safe than sorry.
Friends and Family-wise there's no ground breaking news to report - everyone seems to be lying low - perhaps they're gearing up for a new spurt of energy when September arrives. I'll have to rattle a few cages and find out what's afoot - if anything. P.S. just popped back - it's 5.30 pm and moments ago I e-mailed my homework to Maggie - I'm out of trouble now. |
24th August 2016
The winning one-liner of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was announced this morning. I quite like reading through that stuff - here's the winner: "My dad has suggested that I register for a donor card. He's a man after my own heart" - Masai Graham |
Not much happening here - the sun has made an appearance so I'm off to wander round the garden and get my joints moving. I'm a bit lethargic as the old rheumatoid arthritis is troublesome today, I even had to eat my porridge with my left hand. Back later if things buck up a bit.
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23rd August 2016
Don't you just hate brown envelopes? They lie there on the mat and grab your attention in an officious sort of way. You don't know whether to pretend you haven't seen it or stand to attention and salute. I've just received the one that says convince us that you're compos mentis and maybe we'll renew your driving licence. You can apply online. What can't you do online? I could think of a few things but they're unmentionable. Anyway... the brown envelope is waiting for me to confront it, but it can wait a day or so more. Look at the size of the lettering reminding me I'm on the cemetery side of 70 - I yell at the stupid piece of paper "I already know that!" For goodness sake DVLC I know I'm old but I'm not yet daft, deaf, nor senile and believe it or not, I can still see! |
Team GB have returned triumphant. Pam Ayres, in her inimitable style, has paid tribute to them. Here's a link to her poem (from BBC Website) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37163326 |
22nd August 2016
Hello - Monday again. We've had a quiet (ish) weekend having spent most of it tearing our hair out over a new house phone. The old one was getting dodgy - replacement arrived on Friday. We opted for the latest thing in landline phones which has a system called Call Guard - allelujah we thought, no more nuisance calls like PPI, or someone from Asia saying "let me into your computer it needs fixing," It's stopped those calls all right. A voice asks a caller for their name and then announces it to us and we can accept or reject the call. Of course when it's someone we know who is calling we can press button 3 and their calls will never be intercepted again and they'll get through as normal. But in these early days a caller is confronted by the Phone Police - I hope they'll not think we've something to do with MI5 or the KGB. I fear we've messed up big time by pressing the wrong buttons and generally cocking up the system. If you do need to ring our landline take heart, respond to the interrogator who will demand to know your name and you'll get through eventually. Er.... I think.... Apologies in advance for any inconvenience. Bern has just summed it up (while eating a banana) he reckons we are "two old farts trying to get to grips with technology and it's only a phone." |
Ian's had a successful weekend. His team, Great Britain Bulldogs (Oz Rules Footy) won the European Championship. The finals took place in London. It was a double whammy for Ian - he also coaches the women's team The Swans and they too came out top of their tournament - congratulations all round.
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Do you get the Staffordshire Review? It's the freebie issued by South Staffs Council. In Issue 64, Summer 2016, there's an item about reducing energy bills. People in our area are invited to call Freephone Number 03333 058671 or email [email protected] quoting SSC9 to see if they can make a saving. We made the call and were told we'll be saving about £400 per annum. No hassle - the bloke on the phone sorted out the swapping business. Something worth thinking about. Jay and Les had a water meter fitted today - we're going to investigate that next. Bern will be rubbing his hands together!
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I suspect we'll not be wandering far this weekend - the V Festival is about to start just up the road at Weston Park and the roads will be jammed. Shame the weather is so unsettled for it - looks like it'll be wellies and mud-wallowing, and the music of course. Not quite my cup of tea.
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17th August 2016
Mr & Mrs Mitchell (AKA Ian and Jenny) are due home today after their honeymoon in far flung lands and exotic shores. Back to reality - time to get their school heads on again - the new terms begins soon. Bern has a new project on the go - he's going to create a garden seat using gabions. I'd never heard of them before but we happened to trip over one on the Internet. I don't even know how you pronounce it - but he's ordered two of them. In simple terms, they're wire cages and you fill them with fancy pebbles (or bibbles if you come from the Black Country). I'll let you know if and when we make progress. |
Ooh! At last we have colour restored. I've done this week's summer homework challenge. Maggie has spurred me on because she'd tackled hers in the form of a terza rima - loathe to let it beat me, I've consulted Stephen Fry's "how to" book and managed a terza rima too. The theme is holidays and you must mention the words 'bucket' and 'spade' but aim not to use them in their conventional context. It sure does keep the old grey matter working.
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15th August 2016
We're nipping down to Fordhouses this morning to see my brother and sister-in-law. We had an SOS to say he'd lost his cursor - I'm not cursor savvy - but we'll switch things on and off, try another mouse, poke about at the back his CPU and try to make it look like an official cursor hunt. I don't even know if they call it a CPU any more (central processing unit) he called it his mainframe. Sounds like we're both out of the ark when it comes to computer terminology. It's a bit of an Agatha Christie mystery - "The Case of the Missing Cursor" - cue spooky music. I wonder, when talking computer mouse, is the plural mouses or mice? Anyone know if an official decision has been made regarding this point of grammar? Family discussion insists the plural of computer mouse is mice. But I'm not so sure - when you talk about a still life painting the plural is definitely still lifes and NOT still lives - I rather think the same rule may apply to that little rodent we use to operate our computers. |
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Back from the mercy visit. We all poked and prodded the patient and Joshua, my brother's grandson, spotted the fault. It was nothing more than a dodgy plug - the pins were a bit out of line on the gang plug. We plugged the computer directly into the socket and instant success. When they told me they'd lost the cursor they omitted to say the computer didn't come on at all.
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NOTE FOR WENDY (my sister). Just wanted to say, happy new iPhone. Been there, done it, we have the well worn t-shirts. We realise you're still at the hair-tearing stage as it's only a couple of days old. Bern and I both suffered a bad bout of tantrums, hair-tearing, and throwing of phones. I can assure you it does get better... we've had our smart phones almost a year now and we can text, answer a call, and do WhatsApp, but the big secret to getting it right is to call the kids when we need to do anything more complicated.
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13th August 2016
I've been hoping to see something of the perseid meteor shower this last week. The press said there would 200 shooting stars an hour. En route to my middle-of-the-night bathroom visits I've wandered round peering through every window but the cosmic spectacular managed to elude me. |
More free veg arrived yesterday afternoon - a surprise visit from my friend Hilary bearing runner beans, cherry tomatoes and courgettes. I gave her some of Jay and Les's rhubarb - as my Mum used to say, "exchange is no robbery."
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12th August 2016
The Glorious Twelfth - grab a grouse day. Shoot a load of birds, transport them quickly at great cost to London - so the rich and famous can eat them for lunch. Apparently that's what it's all about. It's also the anniversary (1851) of the first home sewing machines going into production, invented and manufactured by Isaac Singer. Diverse subject matter but I reckon a grouse and a sewing machine have something in common - they've both been stitched up. |
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Jay was on a rest day yesterday which precedes a duty weekend - he called in with a ton of rhubarb and some spuds from their garden - very nice. There was not much happening on Facebook yesterday and I'm all up to date with my Scrabble so I did two more daubs on the Yupo paper ( OK, I know I should have been dusting but what the hell ). On the left - I'm still with the bad weather theme - right is a continuation of my earlier fixation, chickens. Let's name these two Mucky and Chucky. It's a busy old life pushing paint and stewing rhubarb.
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My phone went off at around 3.30 this morning - it was a message from Jon to say he had landed in Christchurch. It was a Whats App message on one of the family group things so we all had a 3.30 am early morning wake-up call. Thanks Jon - we're all happy that you've landed safely. He included a picture of the view as they came in to land - pretty stunning.
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11th August 2016
Bern has just set off for his weekly walk and I've been trying to paint rain on Yupo paper. I bet that sounds like I'm over the edge, off my rocker... The rain theme was set by Roland as our summer "homework" and the Yupo paper is something I'd read about and was itching to try. This is my first effort and it's like painting on a sheet of plastic, water and paint just do their own thing. All you can do is keep shoving it around, tip it this way and that and hope that something exciting happens whilst trusting to luck that the resultant mess turns into something recognisable. The other downside is that the paper is non-absorbent so you have to wait while the water dries naturally leaving just the paint pigment. The red blobs are supposed to be wellies weathering a deluge under a big umbrella. I wonder who is under there wearing the wellies and holding the umbrella. The other odd thing is, that when the painting is dry and you see something you don't like, you can go back into it with water and change things quite easily. Or, you could hold it under the tap and wash the whole thing off and start again. |
9th August 2016
This week's summer writing challenge has arrived - thanks Maggie. We have a picture of a bullet hole in glass - use it as your theme. That's a hard one, especially if you want to avoid the obvious. And it has to be done in 100 words. Mmm... I'll need some time to ponder on that one. Jonathan grabbed a last cuddle with Babba Jai yesterday. Carol and Jon are coming for coffee this morning before heading to Lichfield to return Ian's car, kindly loaned to Jon for the duration of his visit. Then it's a train from Lichfield to the airport. He has quite a journey - Rotterdam, Bangkok, Dubai, Australia, then on to NZ arriving in Christchurch on Thursday. Zara flew home a couple of days ago. I can see all these goodbyes are going to end in tears! Carol has just sent a phone pic of Jon's packing - it's too awful to show you. It's more jumble sale muddle than a pile of neatly folded clothes. They all know I can't cope with chaos so they send me the pics for a wind up. Get the iron out Jon and start again! John's reading for the long haul is the latest Harry Potter book and Nigel Slater's "Toast". Credit to Jay for the lovely black & white photograph of Jon and Babba Jai. There's already a message from Mags to say it had her shedding a tear. |
7th August 2016
I don't know what's gone wrong but I'm unable to change text colour at the moment so we're stuck with monochrome text for the time being - yet another techno mystery. I wonder if it's a glitch with Weebly (the platform for this site) or has the recently installed Windows 10 put a spanner in the works? One gives a Gallic shrug in the hope it will sort itself out! And if you fancy another language it could be a case of que sera sera. |
Jonathan is getting himself together ready for the long haul back to New Zealand - the journey begins tomorrow with Carol doing airport duty. I guess he'll soon have his Kiwi hat on again.
Thanks Maggie for your comment on the wedding pics: she was quite taken with the pinky- purple colours Carol and I wore. (see 'Family' page.) |
Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh: I've been tagged on Facebook. I found this little monster with my name on it courtesy of Maggie. (I smile sweetly whilst grinding teeth, clenching fists, white knuckles, and all that sort of tension). Dearest Mags is well aware of my denial of C (the very word chokes me) until it's on top of us and then I relent a little. My friend Hilary got the message too, a couple of years ago she bought me some lovely gloves that said "bah humbug" on them.
Talking of twinkly events such as C - we've had an invitation from Andy and Rajni to a Diwali "do" at their place. They've arranged it for 4th November so it'll be a another Anglo-Indian event - take your pick between Guy Fawkes and the Hindu Festival of Light. I think I prefer the latter - the Guy Fawkes thing is a grisly old story and I can't think why an attempted act of terrorism is celebrated - after all, that's what such a deed would be called today. |
6th August 2016
Latest Police Message: Suspicious male seen knocking doors in the Perton area asking where local shops are and enquiring about a car he recently bought. Description white male, mid 20s, 6ft tall, slim build, short cropped blonde hair, wearing grey jacket, carrying a blue bag. If you see this male contact 101 and do not answer door. If you need to reply regarding this message, use this email address: [email protected] |
Lovely weather today - we were at a family "do" at Andy and Rajni's place. A traditional Indian event to welcome a new baby into the family. So many people - Rajni's parents, aunts, sisters and other extended family and the same on Andy's side. Despite baby Jai being showered with gifts he was more interested in his feeding times. We have some photos but Bern took them and we have to demystify how to transfer Apple Mac stuff to Windows - we're working on it -we're pretty dumb at all this techno stuff.
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5th August 2016
Message from Ian and Jenny - they think Singapore is a fab place and they've been cycling round one of the islands Pulau Ubin. Despite them both being very competitive sport-a-holics they managed to travel on a tandem without fighting about who sits where. |
I love this news item on the BBC website: window cleaners at a hospital in Canada dressed up as super heroes - junior patients were thrilled to bits when Batman, Superman, Spiderman and a few others appeared at their ward window. |
August 5th is considered the first day of the Oyster Season - so says my trusty book of notable dates. If you're one of those who think they should only be eaten when there is an 'R' in the month then September 1st is when you can start gulping them down. Years ago folklore decreed that if you ate an oyster on 5th August you'd never be short of money. My thoughts on that are: not for love nor money could I swallow a lump of snot in a shell, so I'll choose to stay poor! Goodness me, they're only one up from the things that keep eating our hostas. Ugh!
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We receive our broadband, phone, TV, mobile phone service from BT. On Jay's advice we've contacted them to find out when our contract expires. We were told it did so a couple of months ago. However, BT do not inform you of the expiry date when it happens and continue to charge you at the given rate.
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If you are with BT find out if your contract term is complete or when it is due to expire. Then speak to someone on what they call the Retention Team. This is someone who will negotiate a new price to retain your custom. We have reduced our contract charge by £20 per month i.e. some £200 per year.
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4th August 2016
Late again - sorry. I've been glued to the computer updating the Writers' and the Art Group's websites. Then I remembered this morning's news item about how we are all too addicted to our phones and computers. I'm guilty as charged. The notion set me thinking - maybe we live in our virtual little worlds because the real world isn't a very nice place these days - viewing it via a phone or computer screen keeps us one step removed from reality. Every day there's a terrorist attack, a random mass murder, an unjust war, constant abuse of humans carried out by humans. I'll stay stuck to my computer thank you - it's likely to be my only addiction but I'm staying loyal. Talking about computers - Andie Green has sent a really funny piece about Old Testament Computing - I've posted it on the Bits & Pieces page under 'More' on the above menu. |
I know I promised to limit these strange pictures to three but I couldn't resist adding this one - as you might imagine it was taken some time after the bar had opened, not that I'm casting aspersions of course.
It's Anita and Carol having a little 'moment' - dignity and decorum that accompanied everyone into the marquee dissipated somewhere along the way. Nice pink frock and shiny trousers though. I've put you down for Britain's Got Talent girls - we'll see what Mr Cowell has to say! Oh dear: we have a message from Maggie saying these pics are all very nice but she needs to see our outfits before we went all silly. I'm on the case Mags - Gran calling Family: does anyone have sensible pics of hats, dresses, fancy handbags?. |
2nd August 2016
What a soggy start to the month - never mind it has filled the water butts ready for when the sun shines. Richard (computer whizz man) has just been to tidy up my laptop - it seems quite chirpy now, he found things that needed clicking that I didn't know existed. |
The Whats App "Wedding Fever" group has been buzzing these last few minutes as Ian and Jenny board their flight. It was everyone sending soppy messages and emoticons or do we say emoji now? Have fun you two - Happy Honeymoon.
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1st August 2016
Hi everyone - home again - it's Monday morning and a new month. We said our goodbyes after breakfast and Ian and Jenny went off to get their train to London - they're having lunch at the top of The Shard and tomorrow they fly to Singapore for a short stay before moving on to Bali. Meanwhile the rest of us tootled home and back to reality after our action packed three days. Big event for Babba Jai today too - I've put the details on his own page. |
Oh dear - technology is about to challenge me again. Jenny has set up a "thingy" - a place in the "cloud" I suppose, where everyone can deposit/plonk/post/download their wedding pictures from cameras and phones so that we can all view them. When I've mastered the mystery I'll show you some of them.
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In the meantime here's a little rundown on the weekend happenings:
Friday 29th: we all met at Ian and Jenny's house in Lichfield where Ian cooked for us all while Jenny was out with her family. A sort of "last supper" I guess. Then we all went off to our hotel. Saturday 30th: Early breakfast before everyone dispersed to titivate. The ceremony was at St Chad's - very nice do with all the trimmings and a flurry of pretty bridesmaids. Off to the reception - out of the ordinary leaning towards rural and rustic. There was a huge marquee in a meadow. Hay bales were scattered around outside with cosy rugs and very comfortable to sit on - drinks on arrival and/or little tubs of ice cream and/or nibbles al fresco to accompany the polite chit-cat while people got acquainted. Then into the marquee for the main course - it was very weddingy inside with frills and flounces and the chairs and tables were all dressed up too. Tables were decorated with large jars of wild flowers - I loved these. Then each table took turns to queue at the barbecue where there was plenty of choice. A huge wedding cake was cut and served for pudding - not traditional fruit cake: a choice of lemon and/or chocolate sponge with cream. It was great fun, not too formal, and refresibly different. There was a table loaded with sweets where you filled a stripey paper bag with your choice. Outside they had swing ball to keep the young ones happy and later on a hog roast. Dancing, loads of fun games and although Bern and I crept away earlier than some we heard that things went on until after midnight and our lot found their second breath back at the hotel and carried on until dawn was creeping over the horizon. Bern and I can't keep up the pace so while the young ones burned the candle at both ends we slept. Sunday 31st: Consciences were pricked and I heard that the night porter was given a hefty tip. However they still all managed to come down for a full English breakfast - how do they do it? We had a leisurely morning sitting around in the sun and raking over events. Then it was off to another party organised by Jenny's relatives - an afternoon garden party, more food and more learning about who is related to whom and generally identifying everyone. We heard that there were a few sore heads on Jenny's side of the family too. It's been a busy, but very happy weekend. |
Ian and his best man Tom Ackroyd
waiting for the bride to arrive Down a long twisty lane to the venue -
we were glad to find this signpost to point us in the right direction. |
29th July 2016
I know that Ian pops in here to see what his silly old Gran is up to so this is good place to add a note to the BRIDE & GROOM. My friends Denise and Maggie have posted messages sending wedding wishes for a happy future. And lots more readers have also sent good wishes and are watching this space for the all important pics. |
Heard on the grapevine that Jonathan is so besotted with Baba Jai he and Zara have gone to Pattingham for a couple of nights to stay with Andy and Rajni.
Must go now, I need to paint my nails. Have a good weekend everyone - wedding fever will soon be over and we can get back to normal next week. |
27th July 2016
Good morning - a quick word before I start messing about with the download and its possible consequences. (see yesterday's post). Re today's Smart Alert (red bit on the right) It beggars belief when you hear of the despicable things people do. And here comes yet another gripe: Bern has just gone to collect what he calls "the daily thud" i.e. junk mail hitting the hall floor. And it was... junk mail... Now he's mid-rant about the Co-op energy scheme - our current supplier. A man came to read the meters two days ago and they've sent an e-mail to say "read your meter and send us the figures." |
TODAY'S POLICE MESSAGE
via Smart Alert Fake Mailboxes- Fraudsters are placing fake letter boxes on residential properties in an attempt to harvest mail. There have been at least 2 reports of these types of incidents in Staffordshire. |
I've done the dastardly deed - I'm now running on Windows 10. Don't know what I thought was going to happen but there were no fireworks or big bangs and I've managed to get back here. It took quite a while to download and sort itself out but luckily Doreen turned up so we had a lovely chat while Mircrosoft marauded, planting new files and probably doing a bit of spying in the process. Anyway; Doreen is a real good egg mate, she brought a card for Ian and Jenny and some beautiful knitting for Babba Jai. When the chips are down good friends are about the best thing in life along with family. As Emily Dickinson said, "love is all there is."
Oh, and Doreen said she agreed with Maggie that I do look like Gudrun Sjoden. Not sure Gudrun would be flattered to be told she looks like me as she appears to still have her own teeth. |
25th July 2016
Excuse me while I leave a quick note for Hillary and Maggie (art class friends). BBC1 at 10.45pm tomorrow there's an interesting looking programme "Imagine" about Georgia O'Keeffe and her art - 'American Modernism' movement - currently the subject of an exhibition at Tate Modern. |
Oh dear, the Gudrun Sjoden catalogue found its way through our letterbox this morning. Time for me to lock my credit card away in case I'm tempted by the new autumn designs - a bit wacky and very colourful. Here she is (right) the Swedish designer whose clothes I love.
Message for Denise: Happy Birthday and apologies for being late with your card. Jon and Zara have just been - Zara arrived in England yesterday. It was cups of tea all round. I did some Googling this morning to find a translation site - I managed to find out how to say "welcome Zara" in Dutch and Turkish with time to spare for a bit of a practise. However, Zara is keen to improve her English so luckily for us she's happy to chat in English. She said she's having a bit of trouble with our Midland accent as we speak too quickly.
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Do you get the Police Smart Alert messages?
You might like to consider signing up for these. There's links to information on how to receive the Smart Alert e-mails as and when crimes in our area take place in the piece below which a copy of today's Smart Alert message. This system has replaced Neighbourhood Watch. |
24th July 2016
All's well with the world (at least in Shrewsbury) - the table is out on the yard and Jon and his Dad have slipped back into their former habit of relentless ping-pong. We called in after a quick mosey round Shrewsbury shops - couldn't wait any longer to munch Jon and give him a belated birthday gift. All the young ones were there - Jenny, Ian, Andy, Raj, and Babba Jai. Little Man seemed quite bewildered with all the goings on so Andy took him off upstairs for some quiet time while Rajni and Jenny popped into town for some last minute wedding shopping - the girls are all of a doo-dah with wedding fever, I'm sure the baby is picking up the vibes. |
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A week or so ago I mentioned Shaun the Sheep that was keeping Babba Jai company in his little bed. I was informed that it's not Shaun at all - it is Ewan the Dream Sheep. Oops, my mistake, shows how much I know about sheep and babies. Apparently Ewan is the latest thing in baby gadgetry and a definite 'must have' as he's been declared a universal success. There's a variety of noises you can have him play including one that is a recording of the sounds an unborn baby hears - it's a pulsating swishy whooshy sound the same noise I hear when my carotid arteries have an ultra-sound scan. Anyway, it seems to have the right effect and calms babies. Maybe when Jai is a bit older I'll be able to wean him onto Shaun the Sheep because I quite like watching him on telly. He's a cool dude sheep with attitude. Top left is Ewan. You must think me quite woolly headed lambasting you with sheep talk.
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23rd July 2016
Carol and Gary are happy to have Jon home - it's almost a year since he set off on his travels so he'll be getting quite a welcome. I think he arrived in Shrewsbury yesterday. Welcome home Jon - you're in for a busy couple of weeks doing "catch up" with everyone. This pic has landed on all our phones and is also floating round on Facebook - fame at last for Dad. Bern and I have just been messing about trying to photograph a robin. When we're in the garden and standing about 2 feet from the bird bath he dives in and splashes about happily even when we're moving or talking. Bern slid his phone out of his pocket and attempted to take a pic but he flew away. Put the phone away and he pops back straight into in the water. It happened yesterday and today. I reckon he's great little robin with an aversion to modern technology.
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22nd July 2016
Anyone suffer from rheumatoid arthritis? Mine is behaving badly right now and I've just been sitting in the hot sun for half an hour to warm my bones. I've no idea if it's a good or bad thing to do but it feels nice. Now I'm too hot so I've come indoors for a chat with you and to cool down. It's very quiet outside - only thing I can hear is Mr Magpie's raucous call and Bern's equally raucous cussing as he battles with a particularly 'evil' Sudoku on a website he uses. |
Our hydrangea is performing right now - perfect puffs of pink and blue. I was passing by the flower shop on Birches Bridge yesterday and saw a smashing idea in their window using the dried flower heads. When the time comes I'll copy their idea for a 'C' decoration. Just can't utter that word yet as it's only July - I refer to the time when there's holly and a jolly man in a red suit creeping into children's bedrooms. ( I wonder why he's never been arrested! ) Anyway, these little pink and blue beauties are destined for other things... that's if I remember.
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20th July 2016
I was glad to get up this morning having slept all night without getting under the covers... this weather has me waking up feeling like I've done a day's work. We're meeting up with Bernard (brother) and Trudie for lunch today so I'll be back later for a proper chat. BACK HOME: a phone pic taken at Weston Park cafe where we shared a pleasant couple of hours - we ate in the coffee shop-cum-cafe area where you can get something light. It was nice and cool in there. We went back to Trudie and Bern's for a cup of tea and a look round their garden. Then it was monsoon time so we called it a day and drove home in the deluge. I swear I heard our plants gasp their thanks for a welcome drink. |
19th July 2016
Whew! Did you manage to sleep last night? We've had one day of really hot weather and already I'm complaining. Afraid I can't stop for a proper chat right now - I have to try to bang out some homework in time for today's 1.00pm writers' meeting. Flipping heck! I've just wasted two minutes trying to delete a full stop which I'd typed in the wrong place. Then discovered it was a dab of dust on the screen. Ooh.... how to drive yourself mad in one easy move. I've really shot myself in the foot for this week. I'm guilty of having set the homework and I'm finding it difficult to find the right 'angle' to attack it. Subject is - "There are no dull subjects only dull writers - write about notebooks." See what I mean? What the hell can one say about notebooks? Back later if I haven't torn my hair out. |
Back again: last meeting of the term is over - our brains can vegetate now until September. I managed the homework but it wasn't profound so I'll not bore you with it. Jay called in this afternoon - we were flopped in the garden too hot to move but managed to find him a cup of tea and a biscuit. My GP phoned while Jay was here - he's unhappy with yesterday's blood test - so it's back to the drawing board for me. Hope we can get through the wedding before the hospital visits start up again. Ugh!
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18th July 2016
At last - some proper sunshine - let's hope it lingers awhile. I'm off to the surgery in a mo, my GP rang to say he wants a drop more blood in addition to what he had last week. Oops! I can hear Bern chuntering away and arguing with his computer. Went to see what the commotion was about and found him raging at the online phone bill. Looks like BT have surreptitiously upped their charges and it also looks like BT will be getting an irate phone call from you-know-who. |
Oh dear - I had a mad old lady moment yesterday. I sent a text to Jay to ascertain if the branches we'd cut off our holly tree would be any good for his wood burning stove. I can't think how or why, but the text went to Rajni - obviously a technical hitch on my part. She didn't respond knowing that Mad Gran sometimes does stuff like this. When Jay didn't reply I sent him another text to ask if he was grumpy. But this one also went to Rajni. Can you see the sort of holes I dig for myself. Raj must have thought I was barmy because the text said "is hollywood any good?" I suspect she thought film industry rather than firewood. which would confirm her suspicions about me losing the plot. Then when I accused Jay of not replying to my messages he hadn't a clue what I was talking about. Oh dear.... it took me longer to unravel things and provide explanations than it did to chop the branches off in the first place. Moral: for goodness sake leave your holly tree alone!
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We went to meet Babba Jai yesterday - he's tiny but perfect and just over the five pound mark now.
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Jonathan has arrived in Rotterdam and is staying with Zara and her parents for a few days. Here they are.
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I almost forgot to mention my lovely friend Hilary. Another Hilary, not the one of the 14th. I would think both my Hilary's know each other as both lived in Bilbrook when were little kids. Anyway, today's Hilary brought lovely fresh raspberries and strawberries from her garden. How kind is that? Thank you. Bern put some on his porridge this morning, I can't eat my share until later as fruit clashes with my morning pills. Oh the joys... |
14th July 2016
Yay! Whoo-hoo! I've had a poem (Shakespearean sonnet) published today. Here's a link if you want to read it. No payment of course - just a bit of street cred and the chance to brag about being published - and the fact that it'll be floating round in cyber-space for ever. I guess that's my bit done for posterity. URL http://www.spillingcocoa.com/recent/ |
We've had a quick trip to Sainsbury's this morning for odds and ends - we bumped into some old friends whom we hadn't seen for some time - Hilary (nee Reid) and Trevor Turner. I suspect they may wish they hadn't met me after all when I fished out my phone to take a quick pic much to their embarrassment in the middle of the meat aisle - (or meet aisle). I've know these two since junior school days.
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We have LIFT OFF... 15.37 and this picture has just landed on my phone - it's Babba Jai getting his first glimpse of the outside world - he's a real travelling man now. Looks like he's off to the moon in all this modern day baby kit rather than taking a little stroll along the hospital corridor, out to the car park, then home to Pattingham. I can see some laughter ahead in the years to come... he'll be racing round the corner to Grandma Chanian (Rajni's Mum) and round another corner he'll be hunting out Uncle Jay and Auntie Lesley. Watch out Pattingham people - this little dab of dynamite is coming your way and I see a gleam in his eye already. |
13th July 2016
A "thinking of you" message to Shirley and Steve (my sister-in-law's sister and hubby). On top of existing health problems Steve has broken his hip. We think of you both and send best wishes. |
I'm having my Scary Mary hair trimmed this morning - not my favourite thing to do - can't be doing with the fuss and when my specs are off I can't quite see what's being done. Time to go and do the deed - I'll catch up with you later.
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Back again:
Note for Maggie and Cora: after Kerry had tamed my hair, I called to see how Rene is getting on. She was chirpy and cheerful - reduced medication and feeling quite a lot better for it. She said 'thanks for the mag' Cora. We did some iPad stuff and argued with Windows 10 on the desktop and managed to resolve a query or two so we felt quite pleased with ourselves. |
We've just watched the lunchtime news - the comings and goings at No 10 are underway - no doubt we'll hear of nothing else for the next few days despite having experienced political overload in recent months.
We thought Baby Jai was coming home today but medical people have changed their minds - maybe tomorrow. |
12th July 2016
Writers' Group today: I've failed again on the homework front but having missed last week's meeting I can read the piece I prepared for that. Andy and Rajni are getting the flags out for tomorrow - Babba Jai is coming home - there'll be great excitement and much twittering of the coochi-coo baby-babble ilk. All from a safe distance of course - medics have advised that he is not yet exposed to loads of people and to avoid any risks of possible infection so carefully does it. |
Writers meeting went well - nothing untoward to report. A message from Maggie says she's been looking at the Pantoum (a poetry form). Got my Stephen Fry book out ready to look it up as I haven't a clue - something to do if tonight's telly is boring.
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Here's a picture for Doreen: Hi Doreen we caught up with Elaine yesterday at a "do" for Matthew's 40th. We had a lovely afternoon in the garden - it was well timed between the morning and evening monsoon. I can't remember what we're all looking at on the right - I was quite taken with these little mites - identical twins belonging to Elaine's friend - on the right is little Betty and her sister below is named Ruth. Maybe my name is coming back into fashion and looking at the windswept images I think I'd better get something done about my Scary Mary hair before I turn up and Ian and Jenny's wedding.
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I was adding my two-pennorth to an online writers' forum the other day and someone asked "what is the most unusual book title you've ever come across?" One written in the 1980s came to mind: "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg. Intriguing title and I'd not heard of the author. I enjoyed the film years ago on TV and looked up the book on Amazon - good write up so it's now on my Kindle awaiting attention.
The picture on the right is here simply because it amused me. Another Facebook find. Carol posted it there which has me wondering if she's trying to tell me something! |
4th July 2016
What bliss - I managed to sleep last night so I can say a chirpy "good morning." Yesterday afternoon turned out so nice we went for a walk round David Austin Roses. It was crowded, the roses were putting on a good show, and very fragrant in the warm air. They've smartened it up in recent times and we saw many foreign tourists snapping away with phones and cameras. |
2nd & 3rd July 2016
Technically it's Sunday but at 2 am it still feels like Saturday and the whole world is asleep. I've just fetched my trusty laptop to keep me company - I feel a bit rubbish right now but it'll pass. My aches and pains woke me up and then the dry eyes thing kicked in - it makes my eyelids feel like they're in the Gobi desert and the inside of my face super-glues itself to my teeth - very strange. It's the one called Sjogren's Syndrome and runs alongside the other syndrome. What fun! On Friday I asked my GP if it would ever go away - he said he thinks not so I reckon I'd better get used to it and give up moaning. |
Carol called in this morning - we had an early morning text saying "I like coffee" so we knew it was time to get up and put the kettle on. They'd been to Emma's birthday bash last night and stayed over at the Premier Inn in Fordhouses.. She doesn't like the little pod things of milk in hotel rooms so hot-footed up to ours while Gary went on to work.
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Back again at a more civilised hour - I dropped off just as the birds were thinking of getting up. I've things to do today: homework for Tuesday, we have to write a piece of prose without using adjectives. It really makes you choose your words. I also need to reinstate the rubbish hen I scraped off my current painting. I've loads of pondering to do: I'm good at pondering but not so good at the actual 'doing' - Roland wants us to spend the summer holiday weeks painting and/or drawing with the theme 'rain'. I'll be visiting You Tube to get some ideas of how to paint rain - I just don't know where to start.
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1st July 2016
Good morning everyone - welcome to July. I'll give the new month babble a miss - too much of a cliche and all that. A couple of birthdays to mention - Happy Birthday Jon, he's having a birthday weekend in Queenstown NZ with some friends from work. They tell me it's the "in" place for the young ones and something of a party town, whatever that means. Also happy birthday to Emma - it was her 19th on Wednesday. Here's birthday girl and her dishy boyfriend Lewis - Jon is on the left. The two birthday people are cousins. |
Baby Jai has developed a cold causing a bit of concern but Rajni assures me he'll be OK. Carol has finally been allowed to hold him - he doesn't look so big out of his incubator. It looks like he still has tubes and things attached but he's keen to hang on to his little dummy. Argh...
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Jay turned up yesterday morning, he was on a rest day, preceding a weekend on duty. We had a lovely chat and coffee session and sorted out what's wrong with Westminster and the political state of play right now. I expect every household in the country has had that particular conversation.
Carol is still working hard at her "wedding diet" and has a lost a stone. Well done! Rajni asked me to make a small blanket to fit Jai's Moses basket ready for when he comes home. I thought I'd put his initial on it so he'll know which one is his. |
28th June 2016
I've been messing about trying to find the lost photograph belonging to yesterday's post. It's Gary doing the 'green' thing. He's in Titchmarsh mode grubbing about in the garden hoping we'll admire his muscles. Very nice Gaz, but there comes a time in one's life when areas of flesh look best covered up. Nice bean sticks though. Writers' group today - no homework to do as it was another workshop session with Jane who tries very hard to instil us with literary know-how. We try and I'm sure she finds us trying.
Bern's been getting on with his fencing task - repairs are all done leaving a just a couple of panels to paint with brown stuff.
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Calling Audrey in Hampshire (Lesley's Mum). At last Aud, as promised, a picture of Lesley and Jay's refurbished front driveway. You know the rest of the story - 1 house, 2 people, three cars and another one in the garage - and four bikes. Say nor more! Bless 'em.
I'm happy to say Rene is home again. They've sorted out her problem and the pain is caused by fractured vertebrae. She'll go mad if we make a fuss - rest up Rene, get well soon.
We watched "Life of Pi" last night having recorded it earlier. A rather surreal film but beautifully executed and we found it very watchable. As often happens when we're let loose with a remote control gadget and things technological, the end of the film was missing. We'd been glued to it and then sat gaping as it petered out... we got as far as when Pi landed on an island swarming with meerkats and the tiger was chasing them. Anyone know what happened next?
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Carol and Gary have spent their weekend doing the Titchmarsh thing. Carol has invested in more roses with her birthday money. We always intend her to get a new dress with it but she'd rather have roses or a new saucepan. Nowt stranger than folk. Gary's into veg and is seen here showing off his legs whilst persuading his runner beans to gallop up the poles. (not sure if that's the right word for the sticks that runner beans hang onto.)
Well there will be picture of Gary's legs and beans when I can fathom how to retrieve it from my phone. Yes, I know I've done it before but I've forgotten how. Bear with me... maybe tomorrow... |
23rd June 2016
The deed is done - we've cast our vote - we await the result. There were lots of people out and about this morning heading for the polling stations. We've stopped and chatted to more people this morning than we normally do in a month. We saw Phillipa at the polling place, then John and Eileen Barratt who were heading in that direction. When we were in the chemist collecting more pills (what else!) we saw Alan Dawson's wife, Lynn (their son is Alex who is in New Zealand and a great friend of Jon). She had the prettiest toenails I've ever seen - twinkly silver to match her sandals. Doreen and Brian were in the Co-op, everything happens in the Co-op round here. The Thursday Group (elderly cyclists) were out in force looking colourful in their lycra by the Rajput Restaurant in the Square - in their midst was Ken Gilks so we exchanged news with him. A few yards on we bumped into the Poyners: Don, Dorothy and Andrew so we had another catch up and an exchange of medical matters. I think everyone over the age of 70 is preoccupied with health matters - on this subject I can bore myself to death let alone everyone else. We met so many people I feel like I've been to a party. |
When we came out of the Co-op Bern set off for his weekly walk and I took the car home in time for coffee and a Kit-Kat - so much for my low-fat diet! The rest of the family females are doing what they call their "wedding diet" - a hasty last ditch attempt to do a bit of streamlining and look good in their new frocks at Ian and Jenny's forthcoming nuptials. The thing is with all the photographs that get taken these days guilty inches are recorded for posterity. Keep up the good work girls - you can always have a good blow out afterwards. |
22nd June 2016
Isn't the telly boring this week - is this what they call between a rock and a hard place - i.e. Referendum or Football? I opted to watch Lucy Worsley telling the story of an 8 year old Mozart coming to London in 1764 to showcase his prodigious musical prowess. It was interesting to note that even in the eighteenth century his concerts were advertised and Mozart merchandise was produced for the punters to buy much in the way things are done today. Nothing's changed then, just the tunes are different. Mozart's music is still around - I wonder if any of today's offerings will still be hitting the air waves in 200-300 years time. |
21st June 2016
And we have another birthday today.... Happy Birthday Jenny, Ian's fiancee who will soon be our granddaughter-in-law. Not sure if there is such a title in use but there is in our family.
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Rene is in trouble again with aches and pains - it's unheard of for her to miss writers' group which indicates that she is really under the weather right now. You were missed Rene and everyone sends their good wishes.
It was a good meeting with "Free Choice" for the homework. I got round that one by digging out an old piece from yonks ago - I just gave it another airing and no one was any the wiser. Either that or they were decidedly diplomatic and let me get away with it.
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There's seems to be no escaping Referendum talk: are you geared up for Thursday and getting your voting shoes on? According to the media polls it's pretty much neck and neck - nothing we can do but wait and see.
Bern has been out in the garden mending the fence - for some reason there's always a bit of fence that needs attention. Is it a regular thing with all fences or just ours? |
When we were all together at Carol and Gary's on Sunday we had a quick rundown on who was on track with wedding clobber. Carol and I are both sorted - we've seen each other's outfit and given the seal of approval. Lesley has her dress but is keeping it a secret, we just know that she's still minus her hat. Karen has bought hers but is not totally happy with it and may yet opt for something else at the last minute- we haven't seen it but we know it's blue. Emma has hers but no details have been divulged. We have no news of Kate and Rajni's choices. Critical stuff this... even more important than the Referendum. We didn't get as far as shoes and handbags... that's a completely different matter. Men don't seem to have such worries - strange isn't it?
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20th June 2016
Someone we know refuses to do trumpet blowing: he casually let drop yesterday that last week he'd was awarded a 20 year service and good conduct Police Medal. I'm here to do a bit of a fanfare on his behalf. Congratulations James Taylor - we're proud of you. Another one to polish along with all the military service medals you never mention! We haven't actually seen it because he'll have shoved it in a drawer never to see the light of day. I managed to find a picture of the very thing on the Internet. He turned down the opportunity of an official presentation with an audience and people clapping - buffet with drinkies - etc. etc. All that stuff is anathema to him but he's quite pleased with the bit of paper that came with it from the Queen. Thank goodness he turns up at family events. |
We had a great afternoon yesterday at Carol's birthday bash cum father's day "do" - everyone was there. Non-stop catch-up chat, lots of laughs, lovely food (thanks to Carol and Karen). We arrived via some remote twisty lanes but Bern has a built-in brain compass so I have to eat humble pie regarding yesterday's comment about us getting lost. Ian was last to turn up - he came straight from Wiltshire where he'd been attending trials for the England Squad Oz Rules Football Teams i.e. The Dragon Slayers - congratulations on being picked for the team Ian. They play in Lisbon in October.
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It's the summer solstice today - long hours of daylight and this year the sun and moon are performing a phenomenon by appearing in the sky together. I fear we'll not see much of the astral happenings given today's weather conditions. Nor is it the sort of morning to be dancing round the stones at Stone Henge - skipping through the damp grass - picking buttercups and daises or whatever else might be your whim at daybreak on a murky Monday morning. I'll be donning my winter woollies and giving it all a miss.
I like to hang onto the old name of Litha for the Midsummer Solstice - I've always had a yen to be there on Solstice morning to watch dawn claw its way over the horizon as sunrise creeps round the stones. I could rub shoulders with the Druids... maybe one day. |
19th June 2016
It's a red letter day today - Carol's Birthday. We'll all be turning up at the Shrewsbury household this afternoon. We'll have to take a circuitous route - or as they say in these parts - we'll be going round the Wrekin to get there because the Cosford Air Show is today - there's also a 3-day International Model Aircraft Show at Weston Park - traffic will be horrendous on the M54 and A5. Bern's not a patient driver, he'll have us out in the middle of nowhere wandering round lanes I've not seen before and insisting he's opted for the scenic route rather than own up to not knowing where we are. I don't have a crystal ball but I bet a pound to a penny that's what will happen. |
17th June 2016
It's been a week of dodging showers, jumping on snails, shooing cats and squirrels away from the bird feeders, and generally ticking along. Sadly our neighbour died earlier this month and we're going to his funeral this afternoon. R.I.P. Rex, no more suffering. |
I took an in depth look around Facebook yesterday - I need something to do with the rain keeping me indoors. I nearly fell off my chair when I found this photograph of my Mum, Marjorie Jones, who died 14 years ago aged 92. She is the one in the pink overall - she was cook at St Nicholas Junior School - someone had posted it on Facebook on the Bilbrook & Codsall Group page. I've not seen this pic before - I wonder what she'd say about appearing on social media. Ian, Andy and Jon will be amused to see Nanny Fishpond here - she was great grandma to them and they considered her to be very old. They coined the name to differentiate between two grandmas and two great-grandmas. My Mum was Nanny Fishpond because she had a fishpond, and Bern's Mum was Nanny-Up-The-Road because she lived near to them. Kids' logic I guess.
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15th June 2016
Yesterday's meeting went well. No yawns, lots of chat and as it was David's birthday he'd brought cake - our cup ranneth over. Luckily libraries are friendly places these days and we don't get moaned at about the noise and our occasional surreptitious moments involving chocolate or cake. Do you remember in the old days, when a po-faced jobs-worth would venomously hiss, urging you to shush? We caught up with Rene's shenanigans - she's been partying again on a scale that puts her on par with the Queen. She was invited to the Mayor's Parlour for a civic celebration and also to a local "do" for nonagenarians. On the right: Rene and others at the Codsall Village Hall Queen's Birthday celebrations. Our Rene is the one wearing the crown jewels. Rene and Jan attended the Queen's Birthday do at the Civic Centre - dinky sandwiches and cake in the Mayor's Parlour - lots of rubbing shoulders with local gold-chained dignitaries. Both events were last Saturday - Rene is the only one among us who can cope with such a hectic social whirl. Thanks Cora for nominating Rene for this event. |
We've been to the chemist this morning and lugged home my latest consignment of pills and potions. The eye thing is getting a bit troublesome and wakes me in the night - I've made an appointment with my GP - the earliest I can see him is nearly 3 weeks hence by which time it may have subsided. I'm going to shove all the ailment aggravation aside and tackle marque II of my hen picture - so here goes with a hopeful cluckety-cluck. I'll keep pecking away until I get it right. So corny... sorry... but that's what happens when you're cooped up. I do wish the rain would stop.
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13th June 2016
Doreen has sent a message giving a solution to my mismatched lumpy eyes and my need to glam up a bit for Ian and Jenny's wedding. She suggests film star sun glasses or maybe a fancy mask - the type worn at masked balls. Sounds good to me. This got me thinking about all the things we hang on our faces. Specs, earrings, hats, then we decorate with makeup, tattoos etc and convoluted gadgets to fix our hair. Go to a football match and you get the chanting and stamping as well. I reckon we're not as civilised as we like to think - we're latent tribal warriors rather than dignified inhabitants of a developed world. |
I'm about to tackle my homework for tomorrow's writers' meeting - time to squeeze blood out of a stone! I finished the picture that I waffled about recently. It's done in acrylic and I'm not altogether satisfied with it. I'm going to do it again using oils - I'll probably tweak the composition and colours and I've already made a start by putting a blank canvas on the easel with good intentions. No apologies for orange and blue hens - that's the bit I like, i.e. painting things in the "wrong" colour. I also like the rough textures you can achieve when painting with a knife.
Jay and Lesley called in yesterday afternoon. They brought some lemon cakes from M&S (yum-yum). They'd had bad news about their old VW camper van - it's failed its MoT and had to have an expensive ride home on a low loader. They're debating whether to spend money on it or sell. Into the debate comes their VW Beetle which has lived in their garage for the past 7 years - beggars belief doesn't it? It's 50 years old so it gets treated gently and with reverence.
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CAROL
Oh Mum! We'll get some false eyelashes for you. |
ME
Or I'll decorate my nose instead. I've got to pretty up somehow. Another thought, I could go all dramatic with a big hat and veil to hide my face and swish through the throng with panache. |
CAROL
Ha Ha! There's always the burka option. |
ME
That's funny - a burka would do the biz beautifully. |
CAROL
Mascara savings abound. |
ME
Absolutely - no need to lash out makeup money |
CAROL
Oh! There's always the pirate option. |
ME
Dad suggested that one but it's too Johnny Depp for me. |
9th June 2016
This weather is such a joy... lunch al fresco again today. Sounds like the life of Riley doesn't it? A cheese sandwich on a garden chair outside the back door just doesn't have the same ring so I'll stick with the posh version even though version two is more accurate. There weren't many at art group this morning - the holiday season has started so people are beginning to go "missing". Just waving to Hilary... hope you're have a good holiday Hilary. Maggie, Jose, and I all opted to do a drawing. The decisions making on this score is prompted by the heaviness of art kit - when we're feeling lazy we just take sketch books and pencils on the pretext of wanting to draw. I produced another piece of work that will never wow the world, it hasn't hit the bin yet but it's staying low profile in my sketch book. |
I went to look round the garden after yesterday afternoon's monsoon - what a deluge! Ten thousand slugs and snails were scrambling up the euonymus that covers a side wall of our house. The little blighters didn't want to get their slimy feet wet and were making a dash for dry shelter. I filled two flower pots with the monsters and slung them in the bin - they're the bane of my life.
I've finished the Bill Bryson books so it's all ready to go back to Jay. Bern's also immersed in one of Jay's books called "Alone in Berlin" by Hans Fallada (translated by Michael Hofman). Bern and Jay both consider it to be "gripping". I was surprised to see that it was written in 1947 - it captures the true zeitgeist of wartime Berlin. |
8th June 2016
Give thanks for 8th June - the day that two can't-live-without 'em items were patented: the washing machine in 1824 and the vacuum cleaner in 1869. Mind you, I'm glad they've improved on them a bit I'm not sure this early vacuum cleaner would fit in our under-stairs cupboard. Imagine having to lug it up the stairs. It looks as if the washing machine needs some input from a strong-armed housewife. |
7th June 2016
Oops! Had my knuckles rapped today (sort of) when one or two regular readers pointed out that I've been missing for three days. I guess the warm weather brought on a bout of somnolent procrastination or more precisely a spot of dozy dilly-dallying because it's too hot to think and I was lured outside by the sheer joy of some wonderful weather. Hope I'm forgiven. |
I've been longing to tell you about our brand new great grandson - Jai Andrew Mitchell. We're all absolutely besotted with him - he's an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, premature baby and very beautiful. I haven't told you about him until now as I wanted to wait for his Mummy's permission and the little mite has been very busy overcoming a few hurdles. His due date was 7th August but he made up his mind to arrive very early indeed and was born on 23rd May. Mummy Rajni and Daddy Andrew have had a very worrying time for some months as Raj has been in and out of hospital throughout this time. She's had such a bad time her sisters arranged a posh afternoon tea at the Mount Hotel, Tettenhall where there was to be a Baby Shower. When little Jai turned up so unexpectedly Raj decided to cancel the event - then in an effort to cheer her up it was decided that we'd go ahead after all. It was dainty sandwiches, tea, cake, scones and all the trimmings - etc etc. We had a fab time - beautiful day, beautiful venue and all the family females we could muster. Sonia, Sunita, and Anita had organised games and decorations and we had a very happy afternoon. The men were dispatched to a cafe up the road and we didn't worry too much what they were having for tea.
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It's the first time I'd been to such an event. We played pin the tail on the donkey only it was pin the bottle on the baby. Everyone had a bag of sweets - jelly babies of course. It was a load of fun and there was celebratory fizz to toast the baby and his parents. I spent this morning sewing name tapes on tiny clothes as Babba Jai (my name for him) will be in hospital for a few more weeks and all the family have been on a mission to hunt down extra tiny clothes. Little Jai is in for a load of fuss. I've made a page for him so that far flung friends and family can have a peep at him. He has another great grandma in India and so I need to share him with her too. And of course there's the grandmas proper - Carol and Chan who will come before us oldies in the pecking order.
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Jay (big Jay not little Jai) spent the weekend at an RAF Regiment reunion. You know how it is... chaps doing what they call "yarning" and trying to recapture their youth in a few pints of beer. Lesley took the opportunity to visit her family in Hampshire - hope all's well in Greywell Audrey and Jack xxx.
Looks like we have a couple of family homonyms - Jay and Jai - i.e. words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently. Sorry to label you thus guys, it's just a grammar thing, nothing pervy. |
4th June 2016
Yesterday's canvas is still blank-ish. I've put a few outlines onto it with oil pastel and that's as far as I've got - now I'm pondering colours and choice of medium - oil or acrylic? The idea in my head is an explosion of colour leaning to abstract so keep an open mind as to the outcome - what's in my head doesn't always land on the canvas according to plan. And so there it sits, (the canvas) poised, expectant, hope I don't daub it with disappointment. I see Ian has survived day two of his solo camping trip in the beautiful Peak District. I think I'd be scared stiff at night-time - he's copped lucky with the weather. (Dreadful grammar - Midland speak - sorry.) |
I've only a few pages left of the Bill Bryson to read - it's had me squealing to the end - which I suppose reflects my odd sense of humour. I think Mr Bryson operates in similar vein... sardonic, hyperbolic, with a hint of puerility. Here's a snippet from the book that caused me a moment of audible mirth. He is talking about his visit to Grange-over-Sands in Lancashire and the best butchers shop for miles around called Higginson's from where he purchased a small pork pie. He went into the park, settled on a bench to enjoy his snack while gazing out to sea and the view across Morecambe Bay. He says, and I quote... "The pie was delicious. The British are surely the only people in the world who have a made a culinary feature of boiled cartilage and phlegm." I nearly fell off my garden chair, guffawed on a grand scale sending a clutch of sparrows skywards. I decided it's a pretty good description of a pork pie - I never did like the wobbly bits.
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3rd June 2016
Jay called in yesterday full of the joys of Lisbon - he and Lesley enjoyed their time there but he said the weather was much the same as here. Portugal seems to be popular right now - our bride-to-be, Jenny, has also gone to Lisbon for a few days. Ian is camping on home soil - looks like their half term week has been given over to a sort of final freedom fling. Jenny's with a girlfriend in a civilised hotel with swimming pool and proper food while Ian has opted for the great outdoors - here's his accommodation which I would describe as scant. I used to love camping when I was in the Girl Guides but the thought of a night in a tent these days gives me nightmares, palpitations, and my feet turn cold involuntarily - literally and metaphorically. Complete change of subject: How do you get on with those do-it-yourself checkouts? I had a go yesterday afternoon and found it not a totally fun experience. You have to get into robot mode and do exactly what the thing says. I cocked it up straight away by not placing my shopping bag correctly. The machine yelled at me to adjust things in the "bagging area" - I gaped while wondering what and where is the "bagging area". The machine said "wait for help". Magically an assistant knew I'd messed up and wandered over and shuffled my shopping bag two inches in a northerly direction on the "bagging area" . Away we went again. Bip... bip... bip... I was getting the hang of it and the bip bip bip made me feel like a real checkout girl. Then, with disbelief, I heard myself answer aloud "yes I have" when the machine asked me if I'd removed my card and picked up my receipt - so I slink out of the shop feeling stupid.
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2nd June 2016
We have another Ta-Da! day today and an important birthday to celebrate. Rene, star and stalwart of our writers' group, leaves her octogenarian status to become a nonagenarian. (Sorry about the big words but we are in a writers' group). HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY RENE. She's up there with the rich and famous nonagenarians i.e. Her Maj and the great David Attenborough and from what we hear, she seems to be partying on a similar scale. |
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As you may know I do a lot of shopping on-line these days: I've just been trying to hunt down trousers and/or jeans and quickly abandoned the idea when I became swamped in the mysteries of leggings, jeggings, treggings, slim leg, straight leg, high rise, low rise, roma rise... some of which sounds like landscape features on an ordnance survey map. M&S also talk about "button safe" what the hell is that? I'm quite bamboozled with the nonsensical language of it all. If you go for simple leggings you have to work out whether you'd like spandex, lycra, elastine, mesh insert, ankle, cropped, capri, blah blah blah. I think I'll make do with what I already have - not to mention my wasted morning.
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