THIS POST IS CLOSED
"longer off topic comments" - Episode 40 Life Outside Ambridge 
HAPPY SPRING

Comments

  1. What gorgeous colour contrasts in this photo, where is it Ruthy? My garden looks nothing like that yet, just tired grass, bare trees and a few clumps of daffodils. But at least the Viburnum bodnantense is pushing out lots of beautiful perfume

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  2. Having to keep up with TA via CatchUp and blog comments at present. Mr S admitted to hospital 3 times last week. By the third time they'd worked out what the problem really was and kept him in. Mornings - shopping, domestic stuff or work; afternoons - 3-hour round trip to the hospital for visiting; Evenings - completely knackered!

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    1. Sorry to hear that Sarnia. I hope they manage to sort out the problem.

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    2. Thoughts are with you at this very difficult time, hope for better news soon

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    3. My thoughts are with you Sarnia. Hope Mr S is much better soon, now that it is known what the problem is. Keep strong and get what rest you can. 😘

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    4. Might that Sin L from Nails....th pitch in to help Sarnia, or would that create greater sapping of energy.
      Thoughts are with you and wishing the best outcome.

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    5. How did you guess, Mrs P? Thanks everyone. I thought there was a noticeable improvement this afternoon, confirmed by the nursing staff, but he's not convinced. there are still a number of issues remaining to be sorted, but I think he's on the mend,

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  3. Oh dear! I hope things soon settle down and he is returned to you in full working order! Best wishes.x

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  4. Bon courage Sarnia,
    Ruthy, Augusta ?

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  5. Sarnia ,you must be exhausted.
    Thank goodness they have worked out the problem and it won’t be too long before Mr S is back home.
    Best wishes to you and Mr S


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  6. Sarnia, I am sending you and Mr S positive thoughts.

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    1. Sarnia, positive thoughts for you and Mr S are being sent from up here too...

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    2. ,...also from here, Sarnia. Sorry you are both having such a rotten time. Do hope everything improves soon.

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  7. Spring is sprung,
    The grass is riz
    I wonder where the boidie is,
    They Say the boidie's on the wing
    But that's absoid, the wing is on the boid.
    Anonymous to be quoted in a NewYork accent.
    Ruthy and everyone, Spring has come and planting on the allotment has started, and we are accompanied by all the little birds fluttering and calling to each other.

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    1. Loved that poem since a child, especially the bit about the wing on the bird. Loving bird watching in my new home.

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    2. Probably haven't heard that in about 40 years stasia! I can picture my Dad standing beside the fire in the living room launching into that poem with great gusto...

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    3. Very appropriate, Stasia, as today is world Poetry Day!
      I think I may have contributed my favourite poem by Spike Milligan before but here it is again:
      There are holes in the sky
      Where the rain gets in
      But they’re ever so small
      That’s why rain is thin.

      Happy Spring everyone! πŸ₯

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    4. Saw a pair of garden warblers flirting in the flowering cherry this morning when |I emptied the teapot, as well as a lady wood pigeon playing hard to get - at least, I assumed it would be the male who was making all the running.

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  8. Just catching up with blog. In a signal black spot, no WiFi and PAYG charging me through the nose for internet use, but missing you all.

    Sarnia, thinking of you and Mr S - I remember when Mum fell and I had similar rush around sorting out her house, hospital visits and rushing back to London for NY Eve duty at hospital where I worked ..it’s exhausting. Do hope Mr S recovers soon and well.

    Miriam, also sending warm wishes to you for your recovery and hope not too long to wait to be the far side of the second op.

    Archerphile, Mount Kilimanjaro, wow, you have a family to be proud of - they are a credit to you!

    Lovely last blog and really interested in Carolyn’s colour post. A Yorkshire white rose for me as well. Lovely!

    Looking forward to meeting again when we have a London date and of course the Yorkshire meet up on 2nd April. Do we have a time for that? I am flexible.

    Exciting day today as my bed arrivesπŸ›Œ. No more camping out. Thanks for the tip about the duvet on top of camp bed - kept me warm during last week’s storm - very draughty here for a whole week. Mr S will be able to pack up and join me here now he can stay in comfort. However he will be given a list of jobs to do in between walks on the beach and eating fish and chips.

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    1. PS any tips on musty kitchen cupboards? Had my drain unblocked again last week so might need to be patient and let them dry out.

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    2. The old standby's of Bicarb or white vinegar spring to mind! πŸ™‚

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    3. Cloves Seasider !
      Might be worth boiling some up in a small saucepan and putting inside closed cupboard to infuse overnight. Then dry out next day.

      Cleaning with vinegar first though.

      My two pennorth.

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    4. Thanks both. Vinegar treatment executed and bicarbonate in place. Will try closes but no cooker at the moment to boil on...could try pouring on boiling water from kettle though. Thanks.

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    5. Seasider, PtoB Yorks Re the meet. As I only live 5 mins away I can fit in with you both, my day is clear.

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    6. How about 11am on Tuesday seasider, cowgirl?

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    7. Sounds good to me. Looking forward to it.

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    8. Tuesday April 2nd 11 am I will be there.

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  9. Sarnia know exactly what you are going through and that it is very draining. Will be thinking of you both and wishing you together in your own home again very soon πŸ’•

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  10. Ruthy, in my in box this morning

    A Trek Nepal
    It is a hospice in Bath and NE Somerset region
    Spring 2020
    And can be self funded.

    If you are interested I will give further contact details.
    Let me know.

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    1. Hi MrsP - I googled Walking Women and they do trips to Nepal. Looking at it now to see if it's the trek I am interested in. In the meantime, I would like this other contact, if not difficult to send. Thank you! Ruthy

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    2. info@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

      verity.clark@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk

      Tel: U.K. Code : 01225 721 480

      Trek 25 April - 6 May 2020
      Plus volunteering at Kathmandu Hospice.

      Good luck in your search Ruthy

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  11. A sign of Spring for this part of the world is the Red Breasted Robin. Saw two males just in the middle of an intersection on a Sunday morning 2 weeks ago. The daffodils are also starting to emerge. I do love the 4 seasons that we have.

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  12. Sarnia....I do hope Mr S gets well soon. My thoughts are with you too.

    Seasider.....small de humidifiers in your cupboards would sort them out.
    I got some from Poundland for a couple of mine. In fact I keep one in two of my kitchen cupboards near my back door. Buy the powdery stuff from Lakeland plastics to refill them when needed.

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    1. Thanks!

      Furniture has just arrived. So exciting!

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    2. Now it will begin to feel like home.

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  13. Said mother tern to baby tern,
    Would you like a brother?
    Said baby tern to mother tern -
    Yes! One good tern deserves another!

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  14. In days of old, when boys were bold,
    and girls were not invented,
    they drilled a hole in a telegraph pole
    and had to be contented...

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  15. Sarnia.
    I am wishing Mr. S. every good health, getting sorted, and back home soon.
    Take Care - and look after yourself, with meals and sleep, which is easier said than done, but so very important.
    Thinking of you both.😍😍😍

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  16. Yes, Spring has Sprung.
    I have just received a wonderful 'photo of my big Sis, and her two grand-kids, peering into her pond as tadpoles are now hatching out of the spawn.
    "Nature Studies" at its best.
    There is a family "bet" going on, as to who will topple into the pond first!
    🐸🐸🐸
    My bet is Big Sis. aka Grandma.

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    1. PS. H. (5yrs old) was not interested, much preferred to play football with dad + grandpa. Typical.

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  17. Ruthy.
    Yet another Wonderful photo.
    It reminds me of Ness Gardens (a NT place on the Wirral) which has a magnificant display of azealas and rhodendendrons.

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  18. I have hacked my way through the brambles to the top of the garden this afternoon. A red admiral was sunning itself up there. I also found a buddleia and started pruning until I realised there was a bird’s nest in it. Yikes!
    Nearer the house I found aquilegia coming up that my late father planted, and tulips, a peony and bluebells pushing through that mum says came from her garden.

    Ruthy, a lovely robin was singing here last night and a blackbird literally right outside my mother’s bay window the other day.

    As Archerphile says, happy spring everyone. Nothing like a little sunshine to lift the spirits.🌝

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    1. Bumble Bees are so enjoying my window box, with the pansies which have been in flower since last Sept. and the hyacinths, sadly just getting past their best, but still very fragrant. Have tulips, daffs. a blue flower (no idea what), hyacinths + cyclamen in my flower bed in front garden, all in bloom at the same time. It is a first! 🌷🌷🌾🌸🏡

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    2. Spent the afternoon in the garden. It was warm enough to have a cup of tea outside being serenaded by a couple of starlings while watching a blue tit going in and out of our nest box with nesting material.

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  19. Ruthy.
    Your photo reminds me so much of the Augusta Golf Course.
    Where is it??

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    1. Seattle Japanese Garden. I think Augustus Golf Course also have large displays of azaleas.

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    2. A friend has a Japanese garden near to Skipton in Yorkshire.

      When you do your UK tour , Ruthy,you may be able to visit it.

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  20. Janice we haven't heard from you in a while, hope all is well

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  21. 144 plug plants just arrived this morning. Guess what I'm going to be doing for the rest of the day...

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    1. What are you planting GG? I need some different ideas, so any ideas welcome.

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    2. Nothing "special" I think Miriam. The ones I haven't heard of before are Doronicum, Gaillardia, Leucanthemum & Aquilegia - I am almost brand new to the gardening game so I don't have a clue if they are "common" or not! Will google them all later...

      And thanks to Lanjan I have propagators full of hollyhocks and a brand new poppy bed!

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  22. Thank you LanJan. I love Japanese gardens. The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens will have beautiful cherry blossoms. Look for photos in April.

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  23. I live near to Chester Zoo, where I visit often.
    I am devasted to hear that yet another young elephant calf, Indali- a 2yr old female - has succumbed to the awful herpes type virus, which affects almost all Asian elephants and is nearly always fatal. The vets and keepers are trying so hard to save her, but will they succeed?? 🐘🐘

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    1. Oh that’s awful. I visited Chester and the zoo last year. We also watch the programme on tv. The step daughter of one of our friends is a keeper there and in the tv prog. We had a lovely day at the zoo and the elephants were the highlight.

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    2. We sponsor a tomato clown fish at Chester Zoo (a legacy from when the children were little) and visit quite often. It's so sad about the elephants sucumbing to the herpes virus.

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  24. My nephew-in-law is just finishing his final residential course, on his Grade 3 cricket coaching course (if he passes he will then become an A* professional cricket coach) and has just sent a 'photo of one of his tutours - the brilliant Mark Ramprakash!.
    😍😍😍🏏🏏

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  25. I just got an idea. Was looking when the last post was made on the "official" now closed blog which was April 9 in the early morning by sleepylawyer (who no longer posts here) and started re-reading some on those old comments - some so funny. In the next couple of weeks, I may show some of those here on our blog. GaryG you will make an appearance.

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    1. That’s a great idea Ruthy. It would be lovely to see some of those once familiar names again - though I can think of one ( who shall remain nameless ) which I should not welcome!
      Also interesting to see what we were discussing at the time, apart from the imminent closure of that blog. A lot has happened in Ambridge over the past year.

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    2. As Archerphile says, that will be interesting to see Ruthy.

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  26. Look forward to that Ruthy - great idea!

    As to next week, we are going to firm up our plans for NY later today. Sat/Sun still ok for you? Daytime or evening? Tea or boozahol? Up to you! ☕ or 🍷?

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  27. GG. Have fun with the new gardening enterprise.
    Be warned re aquilegia as they self seed, and every Spring I am constantly removing these self seeded plants from garden. They also cross pollinate, so colours change! I have never been successful with guillardia - the snails and slugs just love them too much.

    I have some wonderful poppies in my garden, which proliferate + reappear every year, but sadly my delphiniums have gone, so will need replacing soon.

    I am so very frustrated - as am not allowed to garden for at least another 10days. By then, at least then I will be able to see what I'm doing !!!!

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    1. How wonderful that you will be able to see your garden through renewed eyes this year Miriam - I bet the colours will look stunning. 🌸🌺🌹🌼
      I also get masses of self-seeded aqueligia but I am happy about that because I get lots of new plants for free! The same happens with foxgloves and nicotiana and it’s lovely to get a mixture of colours.
      We have masses of primroses in our orchard this year and, over the years, they have spread all over the garden, even on top of walls. Because we also grow Polyanthus and Primula wanda which are deep purple, we get primroses in various shades of pink and mauve as well,as yellow, due to cross pollination. Quite pretty really, if not quite kosher!

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    2. Your primroses and primula wanda sound lovely. In my garden it's the cyclamen coum that have self seeded and spread all around the winter/spring heathers. On the subject of aquilegia, several years ago I admired some in my daughter's garden. She subsequently presented me with seeds that she had collected from them. I explained that they are promiscuous and might not come true but they did and have remained so ever since.

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    3. Archerphile
      I had no idea how my vision was being affected. It was a slow + gradual deterioation over a long period of time. A cataract op is very quick + simple, nothing like your hip replacement, and a knee replacement, as per Mrs. P..
      I am surpised, though how it has affected me, with the after effects, and the now very careful needs. My organised plans and lists, have worked out well. Yes - am a sort of "controal freak".

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  28. Sarnia - if you manage to look in..
    How is Mr. S + You- both doing?
    Am thinking of you πŸ€—πŸ€—

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    1. Yes, Sarnia. Please let us know and very best wishes and thoughts.

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    2. Thanks to you all. Mr S is making slow but steady progress after a really nasty internal infection. Now well enough to recognise that he needs to be in hospital and not expecting to be discharged until he is properly sorted, probably towards the end of next week.

      Me? I sprinkled salt on my breakfast cereal this morning and put the tea bags in the fridge!

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    3. Pleased to hear that Mr S is improving,Sarnia.
      Also good to hear you have not lost your sense of humour.
      Lovely day here at the moment.
      I hope it is the same where you are and you can spend a little time at least enjoying the sunshine.

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  29. Ruthy - "old" posts would just be brilliant.
    Can't wait to read TA posts from a year ago and compare posters - Then and Now - have you all changed??

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  30. GG - tea or booze? Will let you know before the weekend is over.

    We had to make an unplanned trip to the vet this afternoon. Our cats had a fierce fight that we had to separate into different rooms. When Boris reappeared, noticed his canine tooth was loose and visible when his mouth was closed. He looked like a demented cat! I should have taken a photo. Vet gave a shot of pain killer and antibiotic, and took the tooth out. Otherwise, the cat is healthy.

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    1. I am a "cat" owner and a cat lover, so feel for you.
      How old is Boris?
      My lovely puss cat Becky, will soon be 14 yrs old, but is still very active. I can see though, that age is starting to creep up, just like me -her owner + carer. 😻😻😻

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    2. Poor wee Boris - hopefully he is curled up somewhere warm right now, fast asleep and having lovely painkiller fuelled dreams...!

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  31. Re Nephew-in-Law and cricket coach course. He still has to submit videos, showing work with private clients, and also his work with the team he trains + coaches, at a major cricket club, along with written course work/plans showing how he has progressed. The final decision will be made in May. 🀞🀞
    I admire him, as I have said before, he is an alcoholic, "dry" now for nearly 4 years and has turned his life around and I so admire him for this, after a long, hard struggle - and he is still only 38yrs of age.


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    1. Agree with your admiration for your relative Miriam.
      Wish for the same for my son in law.

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    2. Miriam - thank you for sharing your nephew-in-law good news story. Takes lot to change one's life around. Also, good that your eye is continuing to get better. My mom had them done a few years ago and she remarked "didn't realize how dirty the house was".

      My cats are 15 years old, both males from the same litter, indoor cats and are active. We have stairs and think the exercise up and down stairs helps.

      They both are sitting at the back door as that is west facing.

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    3. Poppy and Percy send good wishes to Boris ,Ruthy and hope he makes a good recovery.
      Talking of stairs ,a friend told me that because I live in a bungalow and therefore don’t have to climb stairs much,I will develop “bungalow knees”
      I hate to say it but she has been proved right!
      I spent yesterday morning weeding a border and it took me all my time trying to stand up again.
      However,when I told another friend ,she said that she suffers from the same problem and has lived in houses all her life.
      Lovely day so I am going outside to do more weeding .
      I won’t give Up.

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    4. Lanjan - We also have a lovely day today. Now I have caught up with everything I need to on the web, I am off to prepare vegetables for dinner tonight and then out to the garden. Probably will give the lawns (front very small and back a little larger) their first cut.
      Middle son has taken on this task but is away at "Espionage Camp," helping to run a fun weekend for Explorer Scouts (14-18 yrs) before they get too involved in exam work!
      Happy gardening everyone!

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    5. Sowing parsnips beetroot & shallots this afto - beautiful spring day here.

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    6. Know what you mean Lanjan. I weeded my herbaceous border this morning and am feeling the after effects. This afternoon's job is to put compost on and plant supports in then job done till it needs weeding again!

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    7. I refused to even consider a bungalow for the reason suggested, even though one knee was already ' gone'.
      I do feel that it is better to keep doing ' stuff'. Giving up and adopting' aids' is the slippery slope down IMO.

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  32. Quite right too Lanjan, the body wearing out is such a nuisance, yesterday I was changing the barn around as the pigeons are fouling Emeralds hay and straw, I had to move the feedbin, that in itself was relatively easy, what wasn't was moving the sacks of feed. I used to be able to carry them, now I struggle to lift them, like you Lanjan I wont give up, to give up is to cease to function, in my view.

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  33. After a splendid and exhausting day in London yesterday, I shall spend the day in the potting shed seeding all sorte of veg.

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    1. Ruthy. As a cat lover I'm pleased your Boris is recovering.
      Must say, writing the name Boris fills me with fear, but I'm sure cat Boris is loving and a good boy. Well most of the time.
      Enjoy meeting up with GG.

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    2. These cats are 15 years old - they were adopted by my son and he named them. Jeff is really Thomas Jefferson. My son now lives in another state with his own cat to take care of. Boris is a sweet cat but always very jittery. Jeff is almost like a dog - greets everyone who comes to visit, comes over to you when you call him and sits on your lap every night.

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  34. Still very much winter here - nothing green yet, except for the daffodils peeking through now.

    Boris looks OK today. More scuffles between Boris & Jeff (the other cat) - maybe it's the change of season.

    GG- how about meeting for mid-afternoon coffee/tea on Sunday? Trying to convince other half to spend the weekend in Manhattan next weekend.

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    1. Ruthy - Sun afternoon is A-OK with me! Anywhere you prefer? We have no plans for that day at all - we are just gonna go with the flow...

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  35. Choosing roses for an arch erected by Mr. BB. (He) using words you wouldn't want anyone else to hear! He's not a natural in the garden, but is very good for the 'grunt' work!! Now watching Jamie while preparing a Nigella! My Sunday in a nutshell! 😌

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  36. Don't want to talk politics here but we are eagerly awaiting the content of the Mueller report. In the meantime, going to head down to Hoboken for a walk along the Hudson and food and drink.

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    1. Ruthy, we live in interesting times, over the pond and here in the UK.

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  37. Late up. Walked dogs up the woods. Home for quick cuppa. Now waiting to meet up with a friend in a “ between us” village to go dog walking. She has my Mabel’s brother, Kit.

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  38. Buddy has been out with Katy in a group effort to clean up one of the beaches. The encouraging news is that they didn’t find nearly as much rubbish as last time they were out. Buddy is now pooped and is flat out on my bed. He wasn’t sure about what was going on but enjoyed sharing Katy’s burger at the pub lunch. He doesn’t like chips though (fries in US!). Gypsy and I had a morning in the garden. It is pebbled but the weeds creep through and have cleared some of it. Nowadays have to pace myself! I also received some tiny plug plants this week, perennials, and have pricked them out as they are too small to plant out. The pigeons have pooped on my garden waste bin so washed that down too. Gypsy is due her weekly bath so will deal with that after lunch, an M & S quiche with olives, sun dried tomatoes and ham wrapped round cheese. Am feeling Continental! Sun is lovely and hopefully spring is here!

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  39. A visit from Bath daughter plus middle granddaughter for a couple of hours. Success with Lady though. After pretty poor and stressful results with the back of the car over recent weeks, daughter got into back of car and dog followed. She did have to be restrained when car moving, me driving, but not much. Granddaughter sat with her outside supermarket and I was able to get cat food.

    The house I so wanted to buy when I first came here, and then waited another year, when it was then snapped up by another, has come onto the market again.
    Every time I pass it I grieve for the loss of it, and still yearn to live there.

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    1. Oh Mrs P I so sympathize. When you view a property and know it is for you, but to have it snatched froma under your nose is devastating. There is no easy answer to this. Like a less than a favourite child (not saying you have one) grab it and love it. This was the house you were meant to have. Apologise, if it sounds like a patronising homily. Feel free to shoot me down!

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    2. I meant to say the present house you are in now is the house to cherish! Not very good at saying what I mean this afternoon. Blame the Prosecco whilst cooking!!! πŸ™„

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    3. Well done Lady.
      I wonder why it has come on the market so soon Mrs P, do you think there might be something not quite right with it ? or is that wishful thinking, perhaps it was meant to be, not that that is of any help though.

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    4. Know that feeling, Mrs.P. I found my ideal/perfect house about 17yrs ago, 5 mins walking distance from where I live now.
      I hesistated and did the sums - I could afford it, but the mortgage payments would have doubled, extra council tax plus
      higher utility bills, plus new furniture etc. I decided against it. Whenever I walk past it - I think "if only" but realistically my head, not my heart, decision was right.
      As BB has said - I "cherish" my little house, very much my home + have been mortgage-free for over 7 years now. It has been revamped and am so happy with it.

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    5. Mrs P, I think I would want to go and have a nose round the house.
      If you have already been round it years ago and loved it then ,maybe the people who have it now have done a lot to it and it may not now be to your taste.
      It may in fact compare unfavourably with your home
      I have been of less help than other folk but I did think along the same lines as CowGirl.
      Why are they selling it so quickly?.
      Ask Susan!
      I have a feeling it may be an old house so perhaps it has damp areas or maybe it is dark with small windows that look lovely but don’t give much light once you are sitting trying to read a book.
      There may have been something special about that house that you might be able to copy In your present home.











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    6. Oh !
      I do so appreciate your comments, both positive and negative.
      The story :
      I saw it on line when still in London and liked it, when I viewed it in reality I liked all the things I had liked on line. I viewed it twice in the same day !
      But..... I felt it was too small, only two bedrooms, and I was convinced I needed three. ( nobody ever had the sense ( courage ? ) to say, Madam, the money you wish to spend will not buy you a three bed house )
      Younger daughter looked at pictures and thought it would suit. Elder turned her nose up at it and was very negative. Crucially I allowed this to deflate me.
      It was then taken off the market and I wrote and asked if I could rent it, reply no, but it will be back on market in one year and we will contact you then.
      They didn't. I found it for sale and contacted her to be told, open day Saturday.
      I had plans to grandchild sit that day. A couple came and offered on the spot.

      Dozens of times I have thought to write to them and ask first refusal if they sell.
      But have desisted temptation.
      I too wonder why for sale so quickly.
      As for light LJ.
      My present cottage out of town and NE facing and 'cos of alignment of later buildings NO SUN, remote garden, up a steep path.
      The house, in town full sun at back and kitchen and lovely tiered garden sunny all day.
      I had an appointment to view yesterday but postponed till next Saturday.

      All points of view taken into account.

      Have managed another successful dog in back seat trip.
      Now we shall be able to go to training classes.

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    7. Mrs P. Sounds that there are many positives and worth a view - as I can understand the garden aspect.
      Don't forget to ask about electrics, and the type of fuse box, CH heating + how old is the boiler. Also look out for things that would need replacing + costs eg. flooring, kitchen, bathroom.
      Good Luck - and let us know. 🏠🏠

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  40. Another wonderful sunny day, and I so envy you all working in your wonderful gardens. Am still on "light duties" and gardening is not included in that. Still can't believe such a simple πŸ‘"op." has to be treated so seriously + cautiously,(can take 6-8 weeks to heal properly) but off to hosp. tomorrow for the one week follow-up, check-up. I'm sure this will be fine, and hope to get the OK to drive again, and to garden (with care).Have to wait for an optician's eye test, to find out if need new contact/glasses, for another 6 weeks yet, but focal vision is far better than before.

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    1. We weren't ALL out in the garden today Miriam - I sat on my lazy butt for most of it eating crisps & Wagon Wheels watching football, re-runs of Mob Wives & The Real Housewives of OC!

      Good luck for your check-up tomorrow...

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    2. Real housewives of Cheshire starts again tonight Gary. Do you watch that one too?
      They are so common, and sweary in it , with horrendous fashion sense. I love it.

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    3. There's a couple of the cast I really can't bear PtbY so I give that one a miss! I do NY, NJ, OC & Melbourne - used to love Miami. Do you remember Marysol's mother Elsa? Absolutely horrifying and hypnotic in equal measure. God, I literally just shuddered! What a start to the morning...

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    4. Marysols mother.....hilarious, loved that she needed sub titles.......obviously that plastic surgery buggered up her mouth!!
      We do not get enough series of New York. That’s my fave.

      Delete
    5. NY is probably my favourite too. Hope I bump into crazy Ramona later in the week!

      I actually googled images of Elsa after I posted - I can't take my eyes off her now! I'm like a Matt caught in the headlights...

      Delete
    6. PtbY,if you like “common “,you should come with me to a Racecourse close to where we live which hosts a market each Thursday.
      We call it “The Common market”
      Talking of Racecourses......
      It is worth turning over to North West Tonight( BBC 1 Channel 958 I think) at 6.30 pm on Ladies Day at Aintree for the Grand National meeting.
      You will not believe what you see.

      Delete
  41. Miriam don't RUSH things ,eyes are too precious, The garden can wait, frustrating it might be, but more so if you spoil things.
    Patience is needed !

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  42. Mr S has made steady progress in the last few days and the urologist would be happy to discharge him on Tuesday. It all hangs on the verdict of his oncologist, who is seeing him this morning. Fingers crossed, as I'm finding the travelling more and more difficult.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fingers very much crossed Sarnia!

      Delete
    2. Glad to hear the good news, I hope the oncologist agrees.
      Do take care of yourself Sarnia, miss a visit or two if necessary, just explain to Mr S , he will understand I am sure, he would be lost without you if any thing untoward were to happen.

      Delete
    3. So tough on you both, Sarnia; hope you & Mr S. can enjoy the bright Spring that has been talked about so eloquently here, really soon !

      Delete
    4. Feeling for you so much Sarnia, last September when Mr R was in Basingstoke for 8 days or so I covered around 250 miles plus, and in between kind family and friends phoned to ask how things were going and to send good wishes all of which was much appreciated but so very tiring.
      Please take care and best wishes to you both for being back together very soon...

      Delete
    5. Yes, but if our surname was Crowe (there's joke in there for one or two of you) the hospital isn't much more than 3 miles away - it just takes 1 1/2 hours (2 hours in rush-hour traffic) and 2 buses by public transport!

      Delete

  43. I am pleased that Mr S should be home with you very soon but Cow Girl says it all Sarnia,
    Please take care of yourself too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Sarnia, make sure you take time for yourself too. It must be a great relief to hear Mr S can come home tomorrow and save all that tiring travelling. My thoughts and good wishes are with you both.

      Delete
    2. Fingers crossed Sarnia that Mr S gets home tomoz.
      Don’t overdo yourself your strength will be needed in the coming weeks. Take care.

      Delete
    3. I echo all that has been said by others Sarnia.
      Preserve your strength for looking after him once he is home.

      Delete
  44. In the last half hour I have received a phone call from the vendor of THAT house, wanting confirmation of my appointment ( the online estate agency is crap and she thinks so too ). I told her, briefly, that I had wanted their house for longer than they had been there.
    They are emigrating to Europe, partner has a new job there. So now we know.
    She says she loves the house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is exciting, Mrs P., but I sense you'll maintain your cool. Get the impression you have a quick instinct but are prepared for the long game, temperamently able to wait for, yet know the right moment.
      This comes not only from the house story, but the saga which led to Lady.
      Humour this rather presumptuous analysis,please, I just couldn't resist !

      Delete
  45. I believe in fate Mrs P.
    I think you are meant to have your house.
    However if you are not successful there will be a reason for it.
    Good Luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too LanJan.
      Will your house be easy to sell Mrs P ? Don't know what the housing market is like down n your neck of the woods.
      If it is what you want then go for it and good luck.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for encouraging and positive thoughts being given

      Delete
    3. It looks a lovely house Mrs P. 🏚🏠🏑

      Delete
  46. Sarnia. My thoughts are with you Big Style - as am sure so many here, will agree.
    A Big virtual hug from Me πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ˜πŸ˜

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hosp. appoint went well, and I can start to do more active things, slowly but surely and with care.
    The Bad news is - I have not been listed for my other eye, but will have an appoint in about 4 weeks time to discuss this. If the answer is then NO, will pay to go privately about K3,600. Costly £££ and can manage it - just!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Mrs P. It sounds that your potenial New Home is really going well. I am another one, who believes in Fate, in that "what will be, will be".
    I still think you need to err on the side of caution slightly, look around critically + sensibly, which I am sure you will do.
    Good Luck - and let us know.🏠🏠
    What does Mr. P. think.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Go for it, Mrs P. As I've only just located you, you'll have to supply me with a further set of cryptic clues for the s-i-l to work out.

    By the way, Mr S was discharged a day early - he phoned at 11.15 this morning to say he was coming home today! Not until 6.25pm this evening, but we got here eventually.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent news, Sarnia ! I hope you're having a happy, relaxing evening.

      Delete
    2. Fantastic Sarnia! Hopefully you can now both de-stress and get back on an even keel... Didn't say earlier, but had a similar experience about 18 months ago with my other half. He got complications from a seemingly straight forward op & was in hospital for almost 2 weeks. Stressful for everyone - as you will be more than aware! And I'm sure Mr S will be loving being back in his own bed tonight...☺

      Delete
  50. That is good news sarnia. Hope you can both put your feet up together.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Very pleased to hear good news Sarnia.
    Enjoy new time together after your mutual fright.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh, what a relief for you Sarnia, to have Mr S safely back at home. Now you can relax a bit and enjoy the Spring together. Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Two hospital. visits to report, the more interesting next week. Today, I got an 'entirely benign' verdict from a biopsy taken from a surgically removed lump thingy on forehead about 8 wks. ago. What's more, scar healing well, probably won't take the usual 6 mths. or so. Jolly good !
    Next week, curiously, hoping very much for a bad result - never thought to write that about a health matter ! It's a hearing assessment with a view to having an aid implanted behind the ear. If I'm deaf enough, then I get the implant !! So....here's hoping. Have the usual kind in the other ear, but can no longer use one in the other ( perforated eardrum, frequent infections).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops ! ...am fairly confident, but you never know, do you. It would certainly make a difference to my life if I get this. Most people don't speak up, &, to be fair to self, I've always felt that, long before deafness set in.

      Delete
    2. Fingers crossed for you Carolyn. I am known for being quite loud. Both my parents were fairly deaf in the end so I’m used to speaking in a loud voice. My sister in law ( never got past discussing the weather) said the other week ....”oooh you’re sooo loud!”
      I thought.....well you can bugger off!
      A case of “ you can pick your friends but not your relations”

      Delete
    3. Your SiL sounds a pain....bet she mumbles, too, &/or drops her voice at the end of sentences so you never get the point. Grrrr...

      Delete
  54. Hospitals.....I’m having a bit of a difficult time re thyroid probs and consultant. After a dreadful appointment 2 weeks ago when I was told nothing will happen for 18 months even though my throat is now obstructed and it’s difficult to eat, I am now going for a second opinion privately on Friday. I’m really hoping this dr will say he’ll remove my thyroid soon as it feels like someone is throttling me all the time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PtbY, this is appalling. All the best for Friday, surely it'll be obvious how badly you're comprised now.

      Delete
    2. Oh goodness, that’s dreadful for you PtbY. You have my heartfelt sympathy. I do hope the second opinion will be more positive and you can have the op. soon.

      Delete
  55. Sorry to hear that. If you feel like it, we could discuss on Tuesday when we meet , to see if we can come up with any ideas to help.I leave it entirely up to you.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Thanks both of you.
    Hoping I’ll have some good news when we meet Tuesday cowgirl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just giving your problem some thought, under the national health you are entitled to a second opinion, so you could ask your GP for another referall.

      Delete
    2. Gonna see what this consultant says on Friday. He specialises in thyroids so I’ve more confidence in what he’ll say rather than the endocrinologist I saw on nhs.

      Delete
    3. Good luck PtbY. Sorry for what you are going through right now.

      Delete
  57. Well you know we will all be thinking about you on Friday P tbY.
    I am really pleased you have decided to have a second opinion.
    We did that about 14 years ago with Mr LJ.
    We have never regretted what we decided to do.

    ReplyDelete
  58. So sorry to hear your problem with Endo PtbY.
    It's a bugger ! Endocrinology variable. Postcodes ! I've had a very bad time here in Glos. Had to return to my Endo in London to get satisfactory treatment.
    Have you been in touch with the Thyroid Association. There may be a local branch or at least a branch in Yorkshire, and could give advice.
    Also there is a website, useful, but will have to look it up.

    As CG says, you are entitled to a second opinion, but if you have had good recommendations of Thyroid specialist then go to see him/her with confidence.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Carolyn, may I suggest you use magnesium oil on that scar.
    I used it for my knee and the scar is now pretty indistinct.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, do use something, which is evidently working. Am now focused on having a stress free social life, NHS willing ! It's an expensive procedure, so, rightly, they have to be sure the extent of deafness merits such an intervention. It's been delayed in my case because messages didn't get through from one Dept. To another, but now...we'll see !

      Delete
    2. MrsP - are you are settled with Lady now?

      Delete
  60. Mrs P......looked on healthunlocked. Loads of info. Very good.
    Frightened to death now!!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I do hope that everyone who is awaiting news regarding their health gets good news, I really do.

    On a happier note, off to fancy Manhattan at 6am tomorrow! Will still be logging on though - I do get borderline obsessed with things, and this blog is a whole lot healthier than some of my previous "hobbies"...πŸ˜‰

    Ruthy, did you manage to persuade Mr Ruthy to come into the city for the weekend?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yesssssss! Mr. Ruthy and I will be staying in the city. Looking for hotels now - either Central Park view or Chelsea.

      Have a safe trip. See you Sunday.

      Delete
  62. Yay! And the weather is looking pretty good at the weekend too...

    See you Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  63. You will probably mid air and not look in until safely ensconced in a plush New Yor hotel but have a safe and wonderful trip Gary! Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Have a lovely time in Manhattan Gary.
    Hope to hear about your Ruthy meet up. ☕️🍰🍸

    ReplyDelete
  65. Carolyn and PtbY. Good luck I do hope all will be right for you both.
    Gary, have a great time with Ruthy.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Wish I could join you in NY and join in with the conversation. Bon Voyage Gary and happy meetings to you both. Looking forward to hearing all the goss! πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 🏴󠁧󠁒󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§

    ReplyDelete
  67. Have a great holiday, Gary ! Exciting places & people to see...hope you & Ruthy aren't tooo English over tea & crumpets, but enjoy a rattling good natter, even a few loud bursts of mirth !

    ReplyDelete
  68. Very envious ,Gary.
    When my younger son was working in New York I went to visit him at 210;East Sixty fifth Street where he had an Apartment
    I loved Manhattan.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am sure you will have a great time Gary but you won’t have the experience I had on my way home.
    In the”Ladies” or “bathroom” at the airport I met Elizabeth Taylor.i was surprised at how tiny she was.
    As I had had a few drinks I didn’t dare speak to her.
    I couldn’t think what to say

    My son assumed I had had too much gin but sure enough she was on the same flight as me with her then husband .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Were you able to admire the famous violet eyes?

      Delete
    2. They were looking into the mirror as I recall and far below my line of vision.
      I remember thinking that she had an awful lot of black hair and was wearing a lot of make up
      This was 27 years ago and sadly she was then past her best but when she was a young actress (like in Little Women) she really was beautiful.

      Delete
    3. What an arrogant and conceited woman she was. I was staying in the same hotel as she was in Paris ( courtesy of my employers ) when she marched through the entrance full of herself, with a retinue of employees walking behind her, one carrying her little dog. I have never had any time for her since.

      Delete
    4. I am totally uninterested in the cult of celebrity, they all up their own proverbial. In my teens I was hooked on Karl Marx and F. Engels. I hope I have grown up since then, and modified my views. Although I would have loved to receive and invitation to one one of Fred's dinner parties.

      Delete
    5. .Me too Stasia, but enough said, as my rant would go on forever

      Delete
    6. Re Celebrities-
      I quite agree .
      What is the definition of a Celebrity?
      As far as I am concerned it is “ Someone most of us have never heard of or remember the name of because he or she was once on TV or is someone invited to the Chelsea Flower Show”
      The most famous of these must be Joanna Lumley who seems to nhave a finger in most pies.

      Delete
    7. .........and invited to The Royal Box at Wimbledon..

      Delete
    8. Also they need to post the minutiae of their lives on the likes of Instagram

      Delete
    9. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    10. Sorry it won’t let me delete the second post

      Delete
    11. Oh it has now.
      It was just a repeat of the previous one.

      Delete
  70. GG + Ruthy - two words only":-
    Have Fun. πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

    ReplyDelete
  71. I’ve never seen a “celebrity” where ever I’ve been. I would love to see one.
    I’m obviously very shallow.

    Some friends are staying at the Beverly Hills hotel at the mo and have been upgraded to a bungalow (Howard hughes’s Apparently) and were sat at the next table to Warren Beatty in the polo lounge there.

    I’m most jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Starting a new post. GG look for message for you there.

    ReplyDelete

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