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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
A simple message to ALL that might
need a wee bit of encouragement or reassurance...
Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments' - Episode 8 Life Outside Ambridge Beach Chairs
That works, Gary - I, for one, feel encouraged, &, yes, I agree - most things DO get better !
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Wonderful Gary.
ReplyDeleteI applaud you..
If not always, then at least some of the time! 🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you Gary. I'm amazed how you find just the right picture and comment at the right time!
ReplyDelete👏👏👏
So cute! Makes me smile 😊😀😁
ReplyDeleteThanks GG - it certainly does!
ReplyDeleteSympathies Carolyn, bon courage..
Mr P is currently watching Premiership Rugby Cup highlights (& me, intermittently..) the interesting bit comes when he gets up out of the chair... oh dear.
Nurse coming tomorrow.
Bonne soirée xx
Mr P16 is back home where he belongs.
DeleteWishing you both well.
All the best for tomorrow, Parsley, & the next step forward.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, a relief to get a definitive diagnosis. Let it take its course ! Go with the flow & all that ..
Thanks Gary.
ReplyDeleteThough in the case of ME the jury's still out on that one : (
Super little cartoon Gary - it’s had me singing
ReplyDelete“Always look on the bright side of life - de da, de da, de da da da da da” 🎶🎶
Thanks for cheering us all up - many of us seem to be old crocks at the moment but thank goodness for this heartening blog!
So very sorry to hear of Shingles for you Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteDreadful condition, and like KP I do hope you do not get the after effects.
I am one of those who must wait before getting the vaccine.
Burnham Beeches (Old blog)
ReplyDeleteHow about a real life breathing dog (toy)
Labrador and
Dachshund both available on Amazon ?????
Thank you CG. 9.am
ReplyDelete.............got it covered!! 😊
https://www.muirandosborne.co.uk/tag/knitted-dogs
P.S.
Delete........Amazon would be a backup plan.........lots of books on the subject.🤔
Can't decide whether the real thing would be easier as I'm a non-knitter!!😔
No No Burnham Beeches, wont do at all, wont breathe and doesn't look the real thing, never mind you cant knit . Precious Petzz 72875 ( on Amazon ) will fool your friends. No need for all the hassle of going out for walks , no barking and will do as its told. No procrastination now !!!
DeleteOldWomaninAShoe. Are you referring to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis? If so then you are right, some people have this debilitating condition for long periods and unfortunately some in the medical profession can be Insensitive in their approach to those who suffer.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that too stasia....
DeleteSome GPs can be very understanding.
DeleteConversely, some NHS trusts can completely ignore the condition - to the point of not even mentioning it on their websites (except for one line under paediatrics) and CCGs not funding referrals because it's cheaper to palm you off on MIND.
As for research funding, I suspect it's on a par with that spent on farmer's lung.
Thank you Gary. That cheered me up. It would look good on the screen in our doctors surgery instead of "appointments are for 10 minutes only" when you have loads of questions to ask!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteCG. 3.32. Just checked it out and will give it some thought! 🤔
ReplyDeleteWe do have a Tortoise though. Arrived on our doorstep over 30 years ago. After many inquiries including the local Vet, there were no takers. She has been with us ever since. She has longevity but very little personal interaction. I have told my children 'on my watch' I will do my best! After that she will be their responsibility or a pet's rescue. I'm sure they'll do the right thing!!!!! 😳
My son decided to leave the shared Doctors Practice because they were annoyed with him because he would not stick to the 10minute rule.
ReplyDeleteIn Canada apparently each appointment costs money which he doesn’t like.
When he was training in this Country the GP Practice Manager gave him 20 minute slots instead of 10 minute ones.
To some extent I can see why they do it but I think the bad thing is when people make appointments which they don’t keep.
I think unless there is a good reason why that person is unable to attend and that the Surgery is informed before hand ,then he or she should pay a fine .
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteInteresting problem. I think a fine is appropriate if the surgery hasn't been informed, or the person can't prove they were unable to contact ( alone in the house, with a broken leg, for instance ?)
ReplyDeleteA black mark, I feel, wouldn't cut it at all - why wait for them to be irresponsible again ? Waste of time & manpower to check everyone for black marks. As for having more time for the day's list, well earned damage limitation ! The over stretched NHS deserve that.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHm, who would adjudicate? It seems worryingly reminiscent of the penalties imposed on people on Universal Credit who miss appointments - in some cases for such 'trivial' reasons as being rushed into hospital or not having the bus fare to get to the job centre.
DeleteI am not sure I understand what you mean ,Miriam.
ReplyDeleteIf somebody doesn’t turn up for an appointment it is too late for anybody else to take that person’s place .
There's no 'naughty step' , Miriam, don't why you think that. It's just bloggers expressing opinions & often they won't be the same. Isn't that normal in a discussion ?
ReplyDeleteIt could be though that the doctor can spend more time with another booked in patient. Agree though that missed appointments may mean that someone else couldn’t make a needed appointment at that time. There are also those time wasters who dash to the doctor every time they have a little sniffle when we all know there is no cure for the common cold, only time, paracetamol and hot lemon!
ReplyDeleteYes I'm in agreement about fines and think a black mark will just add to administrative costs.
ReplyDeleteI do see the argument that an empty space provides an extra few minutes for the doctor, and or allows for less overrun of surgery time.
However don't quite know how fines could be collected, perhaps next appointment not given until previous fine paid. Or perhaps we should / could all pay a fee at the beginning of a year and a fine deducted if appointments not kept, and at the end of year fee rolled over to following year if all appointments kept, or cancelled.
Miriam, please allow me to point out that your very frequent ' oh, the naughty step for me' when someone has a different opinion to yours, is very irritating.
Because you have a different stance on something does not make you ' silly'.
You clearly are not a silly woman, and you do have opinions worthy of being put forward just like the rest of us.
By using these phrases you irritate, provoke and annoy your fellow bloggers.
You are also insulting us, although that is probably not what you are intending to do.
I hope you will take this comment on your behaviour in good spirit and not throw a tantrum and threaten to leave us.
But if you do, it will be your loss.
Think you were a bit hard in your last paragraph Mrs P but agree Miriam needs to value her own opinions more.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI apologise for insulting and irritating You All, whenever I post and give my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSadly I cannot change my ways - as to how I express things and think, in the same way, I expect none of you others are able to change your own personalty.
Thanks Mrs. P.
I can take your hint....
I have deleted a post I made a short while ago, as I am sure it would have been classed again as insulting or irritating.
DeleteIt wasn't a hint Miriam, it was straight forward speaking.
DeleteI am sure none of us want or expect you to change your ways.
The expressions you use are the problem NOT YOU !
But it would be sad if you felt that you could not modify some of your expressions when you know that they irritate and inflame your fellow bloggers.
You have deleted the post, perhaps next time you feel that someone has a different opinion to you, you could try to remember that they are not criticising you, but simply disagreeing as Carolyn has pointed out. Then you would not feel that you had to delete anything you have said.
As she says, in normal discussions people often disagree, but it doesn't make anyone in the wrong.
Miriam, I can see that those sort of expressions you have used could be interpreted differently in a face to face situation, as perhaps a quirky sense of humour.
ReplyDeleteI think that the issue on the blog is that we never see body language or hear the tone of voice. It is the same with text or email, open to different interpretations.
As others have said, we express differing opinions, and it's OK to do that as long we do not cause offence.
Thank you Zoetrope for adding enlightening illustration to my comment to Miriam.
DeleteYou put it very well and I am grateful.
Miriam, if you check the Ambridge blog you will see that I have disagreed with others who have posted about Joe’s death.
ReplyDeleteNone of us is wrong.
We are stating our own opinions.
I do not think mine is a silly idea even if I am the only one who thinks as I do.
Just have the courage of your own convictions.
I think all of the above is trying to encourage Miriam. Personally I have never found her posts irritating or offensive in any way and have enjoyed conversing with her. Sometimes I have voiced an opinion and others have disagreed so know how easy it is to feel silly in these circumstances. However, all opinions are valid and sometimes we are too rigid in our own beliefs. Vive la difference!!
ReplyDeleteExactement !
ReplyDeleteCourage Miriam !
Enjoy your day Lady R.
ReplyDeleteBurnham Beeches 5.10 yesterday.
ReplyDeleteVery sensible, they don't get you up at 6.30, yelping cos there's a rabbit in the garden !
LadyR. If it is your birthday 🎂 many happy returns. 🎊🎉
ReplyDeleteIs is a special day for Lady R, Lanjan?
ReplyDeleteA birthday perhaps?
If so, have a super-duper birthday, dear Lady R! Are you doing something special to celebrate?
I hope it stops raining & brightens up so you can celebrate in sunny weather! ☀️ 💐 🎂
If it’s not your birthday this post is going to look a bit stupid, but never mind, the thoughts are the same whatever the day!
I just logged onto this blog this morning, having only concentrated on the Archer one yesterday - so I missed out on the reason for all Miriam’s deleted posts. All I can assume is that there was some sort of disagreement between bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI don’t want to exacerbate the situation but would just like to say that the whole atmosphere of our precious blogs is normally one of peace and understanding. They feel safe places to air one’s opinions. So I really hope that whatever occurred yesterday is forgiven and forgotten and we can all move on in friendship. Hereby endeth the first lesson ! 😉 😇☺️
Indeed it is Lady R’s birthday Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI remember when it is because Mr LJ had his yesterday.
Raining here but I hope wherever she is Lady R is enjoying her day and that the weather is not too off putting.
Hello everyone 🤗 and thank you all for your very kind wishes. Also belated ones to Mr LJ for yesterday. Did you spoil him LJ 😂
ReplyDeleteWe are off out to lunch with friends. Yesterday my niece and partner popped in - yummy cake consumed and tomorrow my IOW sister and b-i-l calling in (nieces mum) so a busy weekend chatting eating and drinking 👏🏻👏🏻
Rain still falling but hope everyone has the beat time that they can that being so!
Many happy returns of the day Lady R, and hope the coming year is a happy and healthy one.🎂🎉🎈🎁
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is considering buying Keri Davis’s book “The Archers - Year of Food and Farming”, you might be interested to know that The Book People are offering it for only £6.99 instead of the shop price of £18.99.
ReplyDeleteApparently it includes recipes for Susan’s Chilli Con Carne and Helen’s Tuna Bake (sounds a bit dangerous to me!) as well as having a calendar of village events. Might make a good Xmas gift?
These recipe books are a big con.
ReplyDeleteSusan has never made a chilli con carne in her life.
Why ,even if she had ,would it be better than the one you have been making for years?
Who needs a recipe book nowadays?
One cookery book is enough.
I saw a few of the recipes from the book in The Times.
Not impressed.
It is telling you something if a book is remaindered as soon as it is published.
Sorry Archerphile I disagree about giving them as Christmas presents.
These themed presents are dreadful
Someone finds out that you listen to the programme and so will buy you the recipe book .
Another friend or relative does the same.
Before you know it you have been given a few.
Result -several new unwanted recipe books appear in the Charity Shops where they will remain until they are thrown away.
While I am having my bar humbug moment,I wouldn’t give anyone an Archers Calendar either.
The pictures are just of the Countryside or farm animals.
Another expensive .con.
If you go to The Works you can usually get a lovely Calendar(I got a steam Railway one last year and the year before plus an A5 diary for £3 .)
Just to save anyone buying the book, here's the BBC recipe for lemon drizzle cake:
Deletehttps://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/lemon-drizzle-cake
I'm sure Jill Archer donated it anonymously.
I use 2 lemons for the zest and drizzle to make it nice and lemony. (I suspect Jill does the same but decreased the quantities for the published recipe to make sure anyone with the temerity to use it for the Flower and Produce Show would only ever come second.)
Does anyone else find it irritating when books are written in the present tense? I usually download my books from amazon and generally check that this isn’t the case but have just enjoyed a book by Imogen Clark so went for another one lo and behold it is written like this! To my mind the events happened in the past and this is how it should be but modern writers think differently! Oh well, better get on with it as I paid all of £1.99 for this one! Moan over!!🤔🥴😟
ReplyDeleteLanjan 1.15
ReplyDeleteSorry to have rattled your cage! 😉
Just thought if anyone was thinking of getting the book it would save them a bit of money!
I have about 4 or 5 cookery books from which I regularly make about half a dozen recipes.
You can instantly find them because the books automatically fall open at those pages which are well smeared with greasy fingerprints!
One of the books is my late mother’s Florence Greenburg Book of Jewish Cookery which I treasure. It has lots of her own adaptations and recipes in the back and seeing her fading handwriting is very comforting. I also have my own cookery book/file where I have written down some of my favourites and filed cuttings of recipes found in magazines etc.
Since being on my carbohydrate free diet I have stopped making cakes, biscuits and buns altogether but managed to create my own recipe for a totally sugar-free cheesecake for diabetic Mr A, which I have to say is delicious.
As for the so-called Archers Calendar, I agree. My daughter bought me one for Christmas a couple of years ago and it could have been any old country-themed Calendar. The only Archers thing about it was the birthdays, anniversaries etc of all the characters. As if to remind us to send them cards on the right days!
Archerphile,I hate cooking and baking which is probably why I can’t be doing with getting any cookery books.
ReplyDeleteI use ‘The Dairy book of Cookery “ or some such name which I got cheaply donkeys years ago along with ‘The Dairy book of Home Management ‘ from my milkman.
For someone who doesn’t particularly want to spend her time in the kitchen I used to make what are grandly called Petit Fours which were sold in a local delicatessen and little jars of apple and crab apple jelly with fancy Laura Ashley cotton tied round the top of the jars .
I did this in the evenings after teaching all day.
I know how Emma must feel!
I would like to support Archerphile’s 10.09 am comment about an earlier disagreement, although I have no idea what was said about doctors appointments. This blog is composed of a group of compassionate individuals who have a rage of differing views and sometimes we can express these in an opinionated, I include myself, clumsy style. Some of know each other, but most don’t therefore the manner in which we express ourselves can be devoid of of other personal characteristics.
ReplyDeleteexpressing ourselves in written form may not be how we would speak If we were face to face and any conversation will be influenced by a multitude of other factors.
We are a kind, caring bunch of Archerphiles and we migrated here on Ruthy/Gary’s blog because we have those inherent aspects to our personalities.
We can of course moan and groan but in the end we all have our idiosyncratic ways of expressing ourselves.
✔✔✔
DeleteLady R Happy Birthday from Miriam Xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope you have had a nice day with your family.
Just a quick, and personal post, to mark your special day.
DeleteThank you Miriam for your kind wishes they are much appreciated 🤗 A lovely day with special friends and family yesterday and tomorrow 👏
DeleteIf your family are as wonderful and loving as mine, you must be having a wonderful time celebrating, along with Lord R.
DeleteTake Care. 😍
carolyn. I do hope your shingles is dimishing, and you are;in less pain.🧪
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stasia. To answer, it's blooming happily rather than fading 😙 ! Early days, though, eh, at least it is going through the stages as described.
ReplyDeleteYou poor thing, Carolyn. Shingles was always one of the viruses I dreaded getting so I am so sorry you are suffering. Hopefully you can keep yourself occupied with some good books, radio plays or something else to take your mind off the discomfort. Rest as much as you are able, keep taking any painkillers you have and keep your chin up!
ReplyDeleteBelated birthday wishes Lady R - have a lovely weekend! 🎉🍰🍾
ReplyDeleteThank you parsley (hope all is going well with you and Mr P)
Delete
ReplyDeleteOn my way home in the train from Yorkshire I got a text message from PtbY to say that an Archers friend of hers was in the next carriage.
I thought I would go and have a chat with him but he wasn’t there.
I waited for a bit and then decided to walk back to my seat when a man came from that direction.
It turned out to be P tb Ys friend.
We had a great chat
When I returned to my seat the man opposite told me that a man had been looking for me!
I then had to explain the situation and got to chatting about our blog etc.
He told me he was a Doctor on his way to deliver a lecture at London University on an aspect of Psychiatry.
We had what I thought was a most interesting conversation including at my request tests for dementia and the time flew.
Mr P is ironing (!) in front of Jpn/Sco (well, someone's got to do it)
ReplyDeleteWith you in spirit GG!
Mr P ironing - tell him I’m on my way with a load or two 😂
DeleteI have fits of ironing.
DeleteThen the piles of clothes sit forlornly on the settee / spare room bed until I get sick of nagging for them to be removed and dump them on the owner's desk / chest of drawers. Where they sit until they get knocked off / worn / riffled through / (if I'm really lucky) stuffed into the drawers.
Makes me wonder why I bother ....
Come on Scotland!
ReplyDeleteLanjan 11.50am
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting experience LJ! Plus a (free) private consultation 👏🏻 😀
Quite a break you have had!
Wow & well done the Brave Blossoms, commiserations to Scotland.
ReplyDeleteWhat 1/4 final matches in prospect!
Just back to hotel after spending last hour or so sat outside at a cafe with a glass of wine and chicken sandwich people watching in a square with a fantastic church in Vienna.
ReplyDeleteMild weather, sun came out and my table was the only one to be bathed in it. Blessed eh!
It’s been an interesting and entertaining time.
Only complaint about Vienna.....too many buildings that deserve to be photographed!
5 a day gone out of the window unless it’s try to eat 5 cakes a day!!!! 🍰☕️
PtbY Vienna is lovely, do go to the Sacher Hotel cafe for authentic sacher-torte it is the worlds best chocolate cake!
ReplyDeleteJust back from Crete after a fantastic week. We did an escorted tour with Prestige and were extremely impressed, already booked a trip to Greece with them for next year.
Kpnuts.......
ReplyDeleteWasn’t going to queue to go into Sacher cafe. Huge queue. Mr PtbY won’t queue. Moans like mad.
Did go on the famous Ferris wheel this aft. Would have regretted it later if I hadn’t. Amazed at how many men and women dressed up going to the park. Leiderhoussen , can’t spell, and women in Heidi outfits!!! Unbelievable. God that leather must chafe, it looks really rough.
Off to Prague tomorrow on the train. Can’t wait.
Really transporting to read about your holidays, KPnuts & PtbY. Thanks for whisking us off to Crete & Vienna ! I never thought there was much to do on Greek islands aside from chilling out ( only been to Xante, pleasant but not enough to do for 2 weeks), but now I would love to explore Crete, sounded a perfect mix of relaxation & sights - old forts, history & other isles to visit. Your enthusiasm was infectious.
ReplyDeleteNever been to Vienna, PtbY, but would like to, sacher torte & all ! I do know Prague, a quirky place of legends & history, an architecture all its own. Will be interested to hear your impressions.
Phew! Thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteI have finally finished knitting and sewing up a new winter jumper for Mr A!
It has taken me months to knit this one instead of the more usual weeks because of my arthritic and damaged thumb joint which now makes knitting very painful and I can’t keep going for very long.
I am upset about this as knitting has always been one of my favourite pass times but I think I now have to give it up.
Anybody need umpteen bags of knitting yarns in every colour and ply you can imagine, or boxes of needles and other accessories? 😢
PTbY and Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteEldest son lived in Vienna for eight years so I have visited over 20 times! I also lived there for six weeks while dil went to Moscow to establish residency to renew her Russian passport. I loved the architecture, but more especially the transport system. My granddaughters' schools necessitated a tram, underground then bus journey from north to south across town but we never had to wait more than ten minutes at any stop!
Very expensive for everything other than food. As in Germany now, where the family lives. Last visit to Frankfurt I was shown a new bath mat, nothing special but one which was quite thick and soft. It was bought half price in a sale yet still cost $180 euros!!!
It's no wonder I get a shopping list every couple of months and send a packing case of 'stuff' out!
I am working on the latest list now so as to dispatch before November the first and presumably Customs declarations etc! The list includes 4 pairs of men's slippers for visitors to wear, Cauldron vegetarian sausages, crumpets, Marmite, Shredded Wheat, (hopefully Christmas) presents if I have decided what to get and so on..... Might even be two packing cases 😳😳
That’s interesting Spicy. I have found the underground very easy. Never thought 5 years ago I’d go anywhere never mind use a city’s underground on my own, me being a country local yokel! I was very proud of myself managing a full day on my own in a country where I speak none of the language yesterday.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn.... will be back on with a Prague update. 👍
Lovely travelogues - pleased you had a good break KP, and PtbY, I am particularly envious as I wanted to go to Vienna for my last big birthday but didn’t manage. Prague has also been on my list for years.
ReplyDeleteOh Archerphile,how I wish we lived nearer.
ReplyDeleteI had loads of knitting patterns and wool but got rid of them plus all my lovely Laura. Ashley material a few years ago .
How I regret doing that.
This summer I undid a chunky pure wool cardigan coat because it was too large and having washed and recalled the wool , re knitted it using same pattern and wore it for the first time for my trip to Yorkshire..
A fortnight ago I bought a kilogram of pure Aran (Irish Aran not Scottish Arran) wool from a Charity Shop.
Haven’t a clue what I will do with it .
Last year I used a lovely arran weight wool to knit a poncho with a roll collar and arran twists radiating out from the neck for my daughter in law. She loved it and said it was very warm without being restricting when she was riding her bike.
DeleteI got the pattern from a Scandinavian company called ‘Drops’ who produce some wonderful and different patterns and they are all available, free, to download online.
I really recommend them . Their website address is www.garnstudio.com. If you need some inspiration.
I am going to try crochet instead of knitting to see if it is easier on my left thumb. I must have some sort of handwork to take on the cruise next month. I always seem to need my hands being busy with something creative, especially as I shan’t have Wi-fi to play with!
Thanks for the recommendation,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteWill look it up.
Well I really am sad!
I crochet my own dishcloths.
Dishcloth cotton can still be bought online.
I use baby bottle steriliser (Sainsbury’s is really cheap ) to clean them.
Incidentally as I am sure you will know the steriliser is ideal for cleaning surfaces
I’ve never thought of dishcloths having their own specific yarn. That’s one of the reasons I love this blog, you pick up all sorts of information, as well as the friendship and sense of community.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to Birmingham today to meet a friend who is coming down from Runcorn ... thanks to dishcloths!
ReplyDeleteI recently changed back to using dishcloths after a few years using sponges. I remembered my friend putting her dishcloths in the dishwasher when she ran it, to wash them. I sent her a text to say I was thinking of her because of a dishcloth and the arrangements went from there!
We're staying in an easyHotel, and going to see a ballet tomorrow.
The finest dish cloth I ever had was one knitted for me by a friend.
ReplyDeleteI too use baby steriliser LanJan, bleach is banished in this house as I have a septic tank.
Commiserations Archerphile I too had to give up knitting because of arthritis, sewing I can manage, don't know what I will do when I cant do that. Good luck with the crotchet.
My fall-back craft always used to be needlepoint (tapestry) and I still have a chest full of tapestry wools and four wooden tapestry frames from mini to large.
DeleteThe only problem is - what to make now? I have several tapestry-fronted cushions and really don’t like tapestry pictures hanging on the walls, so old-fashioned. I made birth samplers for all the grandchildren and wedding samplers for friends and several pincushions and lavender bags, so really can’t think of anything else to stitch.
Yes, I think it will have to be crochet next.
(anyone fancy a crocheted doll toilet roll cover? 😂)
Archerphile 8.36am Oct 14
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother switched to crochet when her arthritic hands couldn't support the weight of the knitting needles and garment. At least with crochet you can rest the garment on your lap!
Nan tried so many times to teach me to crochet and I can do 'basic' but no way can I follow a pattern!
My dil has impressed me by teaching herself, using some you tube I think, but has crocheted lovely matching winter berets for herself and two daughters by making up the pattern as she went along!
Goodness, that is really impressive Spicy! I have tried to learn crochet in the past by following instruction videos on U-tube and from books. I found it impossible to do it the official traditional way so I ended up holding both the hook and wool in my right hand and using a knitting motion - index finger guiding the wool over the hook and then pulling the hook back. I just held the tail of the work in my left hand.
DeleteThis is not the way you are supposed to do it but it seemed to work for me.
As for following a written pattern - I haven’t a clue, and have only done straight rows back and forward to make rectangular pieces of work. I wouldn’t have any idea how to shape a neck or armhole! 🤔
Archerphile 10.15
ReplyDeleteWhat about cross stitch ?
I make all my own Christmas and other cards.
My niece gave me a book of Feminist cross stitch for my birthday, then decided she would like 2 making for her friends ! Everyone will be getting one for Christmas, though some have been adapted . I am careless, so large projects are no good, too much unpicking, these just suit me to the ground.
Great idea CG! And small projects like cards would be good for taking on holiday too.
DeleteBack in 2000, I did a very large Millennium cross stitch sampler showing historical events and inventions throughout the centuries. It contained themes from the Roman invasion of Britain up to the invention of the www. It was fascinating to do, took several months and is the only piece of work I have actually paid to have professionally framed. It is at the top of our stairs. But cards would be much easier to handle and do quickly.
By the way, I’m just wondering what Feminist cross stitch looks like?
Archerphile. Feminist cross stitch is simply embroidered slogans such as, ‘ A woman’s place is in the revolution’, ‘ A well trained woman is a dangerous creature’ and ‘Smash the patriarchy’. I looked it up .
DeleteWe were visiting a medieval church in Cornwall a couple of weeks ago, and all the pews had these cushions called hassocks. I believe they are a tradition in the CofE and a coterie of parishioners, usually women make them. These were beautiful and had religious themes or floral motifs. They lookEd like embroidered tapestry.
It’s all foreign to me. Hated that sort of stuff, which was compulsory at school.
Archerphile
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful sampler, I could never do anything like that !!
The book contains sayings set in borders suitable for embroidery hoops or picture frames.
Some quite rude and some quotes from Shakespeare, Michelle Obama and others.
It is "Feminist cross stitch" by Stephanie Rohr
Thanks for that, CG and Stasia. They certainly sound more interesting than the traditional « Home Sweet Home » !
DeleteIn case you are wondering where Mrs P is, she is in Cornwall and is unable to get a signal and is therefore unable to post any comments.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling. I have to walk out down the track to send texts.
DeleteStasia: 4.16 yesterday
ReplyDeleteI understand there is a new book out called “A Single Thread”, by Tracey Chevalier who wrote “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”
It is all about the women who embroidered the hassocks in Winchester Cathedral in the years after WW1. In particular, a woman who had lost her fiancé & brother in the fighting and, destined for a life looking after her difficult mother, decided to move to Winchester where she joined the embroiderers at the Cathedral and found a new life.
I have seen those hassocks (Winchester being our nearby cathedral) and intend to read the story behind their creation. Thought this might be of interest to you too.
I’ve been to Winchester cathedral and honestly don’t remember the hassocks. I do like the city and even thought about moving there, but it never happened.
DeleteI shall investigate the origins of hassocks.
Can I join in please ?
ReplyDeleteI have a short window of opportunity- I embroider samplers.
The best one I did was when my ex was married and I gave her away, I did a sampler of their names entwined and all of the places they had visited in their courtship as well as the two professions.
I recently did one for my daughters 50th.
Went to Falmouth yesterday.
Lady is getting lots of training with the help of my daughter.
And I'm missing my time on here.
I used to do printed tapestries. You don’t get many now. It’s all counted cross stitch and I can’t be bothered with that. I did Van Gogh’s iris’s as a tapestry which is hung in our living room. Then I started doing them in silks and did a lovely lily one which my mother had made into a fire screen for me.
ReplyDeleteJust back in hotel after trudging through Prague centre, round the castle and cathedral and trudging all the way back. Feet and legs were ok till half way back, now laid with legs up the wall recovering.
A glass of wine somewhere in half an hour or so is faintly calling me.......
By the way.....anyone else on here think the middle of Prague looks just like Disneys Pinocchio setting ?
ReplyDeleteNever been to Prague PtbY, but remember thinking exactly the same about Tallinn in Estonia when we went there. Lots of medieval looking spires and domes, set in a tiny walled city with cobbled streets, pointy windows and flower boxes and hanging baskets everywhere. I quite expected to see Rumplestiltskin or a princess with long gold hair leaning out of a window. Beautiful and so pretty and small enough to walk around in an afternoon.
DeleteI love knitting. I've knitted since I was a child. Everyone knitted in my mother's generation and if there was a baby on the way those need could catch fire 😁😁 I still have a boxful of her Patons patterns in black an white.
ReplyDeleteI even had knitting in primary school..when the boy's did woodwork the girls knitted slippers, a tea cosy and in our final year even a jumper...although it wouldn't have fitted even an octopus.
I knitted for years after mostly for the enjoyment but as I'm sure most of you realised like me that it wasn't worth the expense and work when you could buy a jumper for a fraction of the price. Thanks to globalization I suppose.
So I stopped knitting.....until....dah dududah🎺🎺🎺🎺(can't find a drum😑) about 4 years ago when my daughter's teddy (she's 23 now) from her childhood, spiralled into a pitiful state ..poor little mite (as clarrie would say)was practically bald and flattened to beyond belief thanks to 22 years of cuddles and love. I thought of restuffing him but there there was really nothing to keep the stuffing in..then skin grafts with fake fur from the fabric store..niente da fare.....nothing doing...then mum has a brainwave🍻🍻🍻 why don't I knit teddy some sweaters to protect his poor little fragile body. Up to now he has a fisherman arran sweater with matching hat and scarf ,a sailor suit ( for summer evenings on lake Garda), a Christmas sweater and a multitude of different little outfits..aaaannd I've just finished a superman outfit ..with matching pants😨😨😨😨😨
My Mum had a Steiff alsatian which got passed on to my brother. When Arco got terminally threadbare, Mum made him a whole new skin to go over his existing fur. We think he's now I labrador but we're not quite sure : )
Delete(Meanwhile, Dad's Steiff teddy frequently got new paws and noses cut from Mum's brown felt needlecase.)
I know I know...I've got my appointment next week😩😩😩
ReplyDeleteDid I mention the onesies?
ReplyDeleteOnesies!! Is that for the teddy or your good self?
DeleteWere for teddy...but now you've got me thinking!!!
DeleteI sometimes knit, but I'm not too good at getting the item sewn up.
ReplyDeleteI have one cardboard box with at least three sweaters in it all waiting to be sewn into the intended garment.
I think they were knitted in th eighties.
I know what you mean Mrs P - love the knitting, hate the sewing.
DeleteSo for the past few years I have been knitting jumpers ‘in the round’ on circular needles and hey presto - no side seams to sew up!
Sometimes I knit from the neck down, again with no seams and have learnt how to increase for the sleeves, leave those stitches on holders, continue knitting body down (you can adjust the length much more easily that way) - then go back to each sleeve and knit them downwards on a circular needle too. The only sewing up required is to stitch the little armpit hole closed.
Sounds complicated but, once mastered, this technique is so much easier that sewing endless seams, trying to match stripes and patterns.
You're knitting guernseys.
ReplyDeleteAm I?
DeleteI suppose I am, but I actually started doing this by reading Scandinavian knitting patterns as they seem to favour this method. They use a similar method for adding highly fairisle patterned yolks too - takes a awful lot of concentration and can’t be done in front of the TV!
My mum taught me to knit those complicated fairisle pullovers men wore back in the war, anything between 2 and 5 colours in a row, with the 2ply yarn hanging on little bobbins at the back of the work! Wouldn’t have the patience these days! 🧶
carolyn. Are the shingles fading? How are you feeling?
ReplyDeleteArcherphile. Hassocks or pew cushions are a modern creation made when parishioners had to kneel when praying. The ones I came across recently in Cornwall where the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The church, St Breage, also had some beautiful medieval wall paintings.
ReplyDeleteIf MrsP is in that area she would be amazed at the work contained in the hassocks. I’m surprised nobody has removed any of them.
I don’t 🧶 knit, sow or embroider and have absolutely no inclination for such activities. But my mother was brilliant.
I have always been a great believer in safety pins.
ReplyDeleteParsley - are you Liz Hurley in real life?!!😁
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for stasia (although my dear mum was not good either in these spheres but had other talents) - parsley I was beginning to think it was just me 🤗
ReplyDelete🤣🤣Ev : absolutely not!!
ReplyDeleteTalking of Liz Hurley - she was a local girl and her mother still lives in our village. I think Liz attended school or 6th Form College in Basingstoke at one time. She was regarded as our ‘famous local celebrity’ for a while when she was photographed wearing *that* dress. Nowadays she is hardly ever mentioned!
ReplyDeleteStasia (4.49pm yesterday), thank you. To answer in a word : 'rough' ! Especially in the evening & during the night, so sleep deprived. It just has to run its course, The rash is fading, so hopefully the nerve pain will too.( 3-6 weeks estimated, & I've done 2 of them.)
ReplyDeleteOh bother - I wrote a message to you, Carolyn, about an hour ago and it’s disappeared!
ReplyDeleteIt was just to sympathise with your sleep deprivation at nights, which can make other symptoms seen even worse and wear you out in the daytime too.
When I am having a sleepless night (usually due to knee pain) I find it helpful to switch on my little iPod with earphones firmly in place, and tune in to either Radio 4 extra or thé Radio 5 « All through the Night » programme. The softly spoken voices seem to lull me back to sleep, whereas music is too stimulating and keeps me awake. I often go off in the middle of a play or book reading on 4Extra and wake up wondering how it ended - but at least it has gained me an hour or two of sleep. I recommend this if you are still in discomfort at night and hope you will be feeling much better soon.
Sorry to hear that Carolyn hope it all clears up soon.
ReplyDeleteI concur with Archerphile about listening to words on the radio if you cant sleep, it helps you to concentrate on the words and not the pain etc
You're both right about distraction strategies, I use them, but last night the pain was so acute, that they couldn't work - could only keep shifting position & pacing the house !
ReplyDeleteWhen no doubt every minute felt like an hour Carolyn! Hope it helps a little that we are all thinking of you and other blog sufferers. 🥰
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies Carolyn..there is nothing like enduring pain at night..somehow during the day we just have to "get on ".
ReplyDeleteAlmost 12 years ago I was literally struck down out of the blue at the age of 50 with a rare auto immune disorder.....before it was diagnosed I was in extreme pain with burning and numbness all over my arms and legs and feet. I'll never forget the kindness of my husband during those dark days rubbing my back to relax me so that I could perhaps have an hour or two of sleep. Luckily thanks to a great team of doctors in Verona and :Trento they were able to diagnose just in time problem...so my dear friends i sympathize wholeheartedly with your ailments and hope you have some comfort very very soon
I include spiceycushion in my best wishes....if I'm correct you are are also having a challenging time at the moment...never give up ..is my mantra💪💪
ReplyDeleteEncouraging words all round, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour auto immune disease sounds horrendous, Autumnleaves, so hard to endure, as well as the worry making for more tension, not knowing what on earth was wrong. Spicy, too, fudged diagnoses, even if they got it right eventually, & going on for over 2 months now.
Shall remember that in the wee, small hours, when I'm moaning away quietly, feeling oh-so-sorry for myself !! At least I know what it is, hardly unusual, & though it takes weeks, even months in some case, it is finite.
Thank you carolyn and autumn leaves! Yes I'm getting there I suppose. I am now down to 50mg predinosole(?) steroids a day. Soon be down to the recommended maximum daily dosage!!!
ReplyDeleteAt least I have a layer of skin on my forearms now although still painful where the skin is so thin the nerve endings (I suppose) are close to the surface so any pressure on them hurts. All the hot summer I've had dressings on them now it's cooler I can't wear the long sleeves!
I'm awaiting the call from the consultant to hear the results of the biopsies which may come in the next couple of weeks.
Unfortunately I have developed the very fat face associated with steroid medication and have put on 7lb in weight as I'm constantly hungry. It doesn't seem right to be filling up with fruit and veg as they are all recommended to 'boost immune system' when mine is being actively suppressed!
Had the shingles jab last year so should be okay regarding the warning about not mixing with chicken pox and shingles sufferers. But I need to check if I can have flu jab yet as I have had a reminder from the agency that my surgery employs that they are now doing those.
Side effects aplenty! Sweating, extreme tiredness, short spells of sleep (I actully got four and a half hours in a row last night, a rarity) no strength in my legs so hands and knees employed going up stairs and can do about one hour physical activity before have to sit down and rest a while.
I too have the radio on, on automatic so it turns off after an hour, when I go to bed. It is set for 6am to come back on but it's usually 5ish when I turn the light and radio on and read for a little while. Take thyroid tab at 5.30 then get up at 6am.
Quite amusing that the other night I heard the Shipping Forecast at 12.50am then again at 5.20am. It reminded me of the summer and Jim Maxwell the Aussie TMS commentator who delighted in announcing when the long wave listeners were to leave to hear it!
But I AM SO BORED!!!!!!! My mind knows there are so many things I need to do before the winter but I just haven't got the physical strength except in a short bursts! 😫
Hope the painkillers work carolyn. Totally agree nighttime is the worst. Just read Kilvert's Diary 1870-79. I have wanted to read this for years but was very disappointed.What a strange man, who seemed far too interested in little girls! He apparently fell in love with almost every single woman he met and there was much more waxing lyrical about the female body than the countryside!
Now re-reading a Shardlake mystery 'Sovereign' (out of order) as I can't find my copy of the second in the series.
Promise no more long 'bulletins' until positive news!!!😀
Thinking of you and sending best wishes. You have had such a tough time. I have read all the Shardlake mysteries and am sad there won't be any more.
DeleteSpicy, Carolyn, so sorry to hear of your ongoing suffering, and no apologies needed for updates. Wishing you healthier days ‘soonest’ and enjoy those shipping forecasts (text wrote foecasts😣).
ReplyDeleteLove the shipping forecast!
ReplyDeleteSympathies & bon courage to you both, Spicy & Carolyn.
Mr P is a happier man this am : "désondage" yesterday..!!
Spicy and Carolyn:
ReplyDeleteYou are both amazing women. You write about your sufferings in such a ‘non-poor-me’ way that it makes me feel ashamed to complain about my minor problems with knees and thumbs.
I really don’t know how you manage Spicy, with such tender skin on your arms and the side effects of the steroids. I remember the puffy face side effect from when my Mum had to take oral steroids for her asthma years ago. It altered her appearance so much, but she said she didn’t mind because it filled out the wrinkles on her face and made her look younger!
Carolyn, I assume your doctor has prescribed some strong painkillers for your shingles? My sister in law was taking a high dose co-codamol, gradually reducing to a lower dose, for a few months which did help a lot but she complained they caused constipation too - but I think I would put up with that (it is, after all, easily treatable) and get some good pain relief. I know people are worried about becoming dependant on these painkillers but sensible use and gradually reducing the dose as one improves should be possible.
I do wish you both, and Monsieur Parsley, much better health to come, relief from symptoms and side effects, nights filled with sleep and days of enjoyable activity. Bless you all. 💕
And of course the best medicine of all is the love and support of family, friends. .and of course Archers bloggers!!!
ReplyDelete😚😚
ReplyDeleteSo now back from Vienna and Prague. Both places are lovely but I think Vienna has a lot more that I would go and see next time.
ReplyDeleteGot back late last night with a sore throat and sniffle, this morning a full on bunged up cold.
Typical. Will doctor myself up with whiskey and night nurse tonight. Got 10 days to get properly better before next holiday looms.
Sending all ill people best wishes. 💐
Catching up on telly in between washing and ironing. What a bunch on the apprentice!!! My blood pressure rises just watching it. Can’t miss it though however cringe worthy they are.
Just having a coffee with Monty don now.
Proud to be Yorkshire. So glad you had a nice time. A couple of years ago we went to Salzburg, expensive but wonderful. Went specially to pay:homage to M. Haydn and W. Mozart.
Deletecarolyn. Neuralgic pain is very distressing and I do think you and spicycushion are very brave.
I feel a bit of a fraud in comparison as I also have a sore throat and the beginnings of a cold. Like PtbY I will be treating my symptoms with whiskey and paracetamol.
Need to be fit as am going to London tomorrow.
I cannot get my comments published on the archers blog for some reason. Don’t know why.
ReplyDeleteWill try again tomoz.
Hmm. Just checking I can PbtY....
DeleteFaithful to the whisk(e)y cure - never fails 😉
ReplyDeleteHad a rough night then the 🥃 whiskey (Irish spelling) kicked in and I didn’t wake up in time to head for London. Shall be there in Spirit to fight the good fight.
ReplyDeleteAnother hot Bushmills later to comfort myself.
Why does a cold make me feel like a wimp? That’s rhetorical.
I am cheesed off with our politicians not working together for the good of the country but I am having my eyes opened by my daughter in law to how very much worse it is in the Philippines. Political killings are rife, a vice mayor in Masbate was killed about a week ago and he is just one of many.
DeleteAlso I realise how lucky we are having the NHS. There is some insurance cover out there, but major things have to be paid for. Her family between them managed to raise the equivalent of £800 to pay for a brother to have one of his cataracts removed, but in their country that is a huge amount of money. Mariavilla as a teacher earns the equivalent of £13 per day. One of her pupils and his family are desperately raising funds for the mother's ongoing chemotherapy treatment. Those who can't afford the treatments die. Glad I live in Britain.
Archerphile & possibly KP - in local paper Basingstoke are considering doing emergency orthopaedic ops only with elective surgery (hips and knees) being done at Winchester!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I remember of the parking there 😱 even though tricky at most hospitals.
Really rate Basingstoke and their O. Team too!
ReplyDeleteArcherphile you mentioned the Tracy Chevalier book .”A Single. thread”
Most. Folk on Review sites like it.
I am afraid I found it very boring and the protagonist ,Violet totally boring too.
There is only a certain amount that can be written about embroidering Hassocks without becoming repetitive
However I must say that this happens to me with a lot of modern books so don’t take my word for it.
Re Winchester.
Lovely city
Lovely Cathedral.
We stayed many moons ago at The Wyndham Arms..
I remember it being very old and the floors being very uneven and that the birth date of the owner/manager ?at the time was exactly the same as mine.