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Life outside Ambridge
Life outside Ambridge
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
Apologies for not changing this blog last night when we got home, was far too cream-crackered to attempt anything more technical than having a cup of tea & a lie down!
ReplyDeleteHad a wonderful time away - just so nice to be ANYWHERE. I love where I live and I love my house, but after almost 5 months of it's good (and healthy!) to not see it for a while...
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteMiriam - July 24, 2020 at 8:13 PM
Post #2
TOTP on BBC 4 tonight, 1967- 68
Memories.... I remember these groups + songs, even as a youngster, stiil in school, wearing gym slips, socks etc.
How I enjoyed this.
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procul Harem
Massachutis - Bee Gees
Lets Spend the night Together - Rolling Stones
Shackalack - Davy, Dozy, Mitch + Titch
Status Quo - but not sure the song.
Fire Brigade - The Move
It was strange to see this in B+W, but then that was TV at that time and was normal.
I remember, Mum + Dad, were not at all happy about us 3 daughters (10, 12 + 14 or similar, I think) watching TOTP - but they must have let us do so. Perhaps, we had to prove our homework had been done, tea eaten, and washed + ready for bed - or similar... Not sure.
Archerphile - July 24, 2020 at 9:51 PM
I loved TOTP too Miriam, but I am thinks of the very early days, Beatles, Herman & the Hermits, The Hollies etc. My Dad ( a clarinet & saxophone player in jazz & dance bands) was appalled. He would switch the programme off if he came in when it was on! And I was around 18 - 20 by then. But not supposed to enjoy ‘that dreadful pop music’ 😒
Anneveggie - July 24, 2020 at 10:53 PM
My schoolfriend and I always looked forward to Thursdays because it was TOTP night! Loved it and also Ready Steady Go on Sundays. We all wanted to look just like Kathy McGowan with her long fringe and long straight hair. Happy days.
*** THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS ***
ReplyDeleteGianna, time for you to get your thinking cap on! Enjoy!
Welcome home Gary.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good time and a quiet rest.
welcome back Gary. I know how you feel. After spending 5 weeks shut up in this little flat it was heaven to go up to the mill house
ReplyDeleteAh Gary, I always say (and others) that it's necessary to go away to appreciate one's home even more. By the way, would 200 one line posts fill up the blog or is it the length or both? I always think it's the number. If you know and feel inclined please inform.
ReplyDeleteBasia, it's the NUMBER of posts. Makes zero difference if they're long or short....
DeleteThanks for confirming this Gary.
DeleteWithdrawal of TOTP was the ultimate punishment at my school, I only attended one term all the same.
ReplyDeleteI went to a girls’ grammar school in Crewe. Two of the reprobates faked a day off sick to go up to Manchester (I think) to be in the crowd at TOTP. Against all the odds the headmistress spotted them on TV. Who would have thought that stuffy woman even watched it!?They were hauled up before the school at the next assembly making the rest of us feel we were glad it wasn’t us!
DeleteArcherphile, following from yesterday, you and MrA sound like a delightful couple to me. You with your fiery temperament and he calm and practical. I wish you many more happy years together.
ReplyDeleteHere are my choices all films:
ReplyDeleteJust a bit of history first. I arrived in Italy in 1973 not speaking any Italian at all. My future husband took me to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the loacal cinema. All foreign language programmes in Italy are dubbed (very expertly ) so I was delighted to watch a film Icould understand. Then in 2015 our local theatre was showing a live performance of Jesus Christ Superstar sooI treated the whole family. I was amazed when Jesus started singing that it was Ted Neeley of he 1973 film stll belting out the songs and falling to his knees and getting up without assistance at the grand old age of 70 plus. It was a wonderful evening.
So first film Jesus Christ Superstar.
I always enjoyed the old Ealing studio films so
2.The Lavender Hill Mob
3. Kind Hearts and Coronets. An excellent Alec Guiness playing all the heirs.
4. Harvey with James Stewart
5. Village of the Damned with George Sanders. The last scene when he is trying to prevent the children reading his mind is riveting.
The meal will be the first meal we had after lockdown at the restaurant across the road from our mill in the Appenine mountains which was
Home made cappeletti (pasta parcels stuffed with meat and cooked in broth all home made by the owner and her mum).
I am not a great meat eater so I then had some local cheeses and the sweet also made on the premises which was a semi freddo topped with raspberry sauce.
Before reading and digesting Gianna’s list, may I just welcome Gary back home?
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful time (sounds as if you did), are fully refreshed by the break and will enjoy being home.
Regarding blogs - not being in the slightest bit critical, but I wonder if it would be an idea for another of us to be able to shut a very full blog and open a new One? There may be times when you want to be away for longer than a week or, God Forbid, are ill and it might be an insurance policy (and peace of mind for you) if someone else were able to take over temporarily in your absence?
Just throwing the idea in there.
Gianna
ReplyDeleteYour list. Absolutely love the old Ealing Studio Films and, had I chosen films for my list, there would definitely have been one in there. Probably The Lavender HillMob but there are so many to choose from I should be spoilt for choice.
I don’t know any of the others, but your menu sounds delicious and would suit me down to the ground
How lovely Gianna to remember all those Ealing films enough to have them on your list.
ReplyDeleteI like pasta, but don't think I would ever choose it for a favourite meal.
Although spaghetti bolognise must be considered comfort food.
How lovely Gianna to remember all those Ealing films enough to have them on your list.
ReplyDeleteI like pasta, but don't think I would ever choose it for a favourite meal.
Although spaghetti bolognise must be considered comfort food.
“Welcome home” Gary (l sound like the opening of the Peters & Lee song) Glad you have had a change of scene to refresh your soul!
ReplyDelete‼️Archerphile the hit or miss tv show was “Juke box jury” with David Jacobs 📀
Of course! I was really struggling to remember the name!
DeleteThanks, Gianna.
ReplyDeleteHave heard of the films, but can only remember actually seeing Kind Hearts etc. - v.good.
Have the music of J.C. Superstar, but have never seen any production. Your no 5 tempts me for some reason.
Like the sound of your Italian meal, yum, yum, but what is a semi freddo ?
Love the music....
DeleteGianna, I know the JCS music of course but not any of the others.
ReplyDeletePasta in brodo and semi freddo, lovely, I'll let you explain.
Gary, I seem to be making up for my lack of posts (too lazy to load more), I forgot to say that I'm somehow reassured that there are still places out of reach of the internet.
ReplyDeleteEv 1:50 - But didn't you secretly think your classmates were 'heroes just for one day'?
Wel,yes, Basia! You had to admire them!!
DeleteGood choices Gianna.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite has to be Kind Hearts..Alec Guiness was wonderful.
The meal, the pasta and pud, sound wonderful and my taste, but forget the cheese!
I love venetian liver, but I cannot replicate it, as I can't buy calves liver. I have tried it, by soaking lambs liver in milk, but it's not the same. Pasta is a stable part of my diet and I use a lot, and these days prefer wholewheat varieties. My cupboard has penne, fusilli and taglietelle at the moment. I also love papparedelle but this is difficult to find, even now.
I am doing a slow cooked gammon joint in cider, at the moment. This will be "pulled" when really cooked. I will eat it with veg, mash + gravy tonight, but some will be used to make a pasta sauce - but which version, is not yet decided.
I will decide + create, listening to Sundays TA omnibus.
AP, your question to Gary (1.26pm) : agree it would be good to have a standby or 2 to refresh an overloaded blog but that is part of an administrator's role & I suspect it may not be that easy to arrange. Ruthy & Gary had the foresight to plan for that when they met. However, I don't know how it could work as we are now.
ReplyDeleteOn that, I hesitated to take up space these last few days, because of all those posts but now feel free to say I'm over the moon since Thursday 😀😀😊
At long last, the BAHA ( bone anchored hearing aid) was fitted & I CAN HEAR !
I do hope PtbY also some some good developments soon about her eye.
Congratulations Carolyn. It's good to hear your news
DeleteBrilliant news Carlolyn and I imagine, that life is so much better + joyful.
DeleteI hope that both PtbY and Archerphile get the same result, with their ongoing eye problems, and will be equally as ecstatic as you are.
I know that feeling, after my eyes were sorted.
Carolyn How marvellous for you. I expect it will take some getting used to and I think you are extremely brave to have it done! Happy listening to whatever takes your fancy! 😁
DeleteThat's wonderful news Carolyn.
DeleteAbsolutely 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Carolyn so pleased for you.
DeleteCarolyn semi freddo is made with egg yolks sugar and cream. It's like frozen mousse. I prefer home made pasta which my mother in law used to make
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't.
Thanks, Gianna - sounds tasty !
DeleteWhile Dirk B. is still the feature at the top of this page:-
ReplyDeleteTalking Pictures, 29th July is showing The Tale of Two Cities at 11.05am.
Channels:-
Freeview 81
Sky 328
Virgin 445
Freesat 306
...just in case, anyone wants to watch or record this.
It's been said before but - welcome back Gary!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gianna for your choices. I know JCS very well, used to play the LP a lot so can sing along with the songs. I've only seen bits of the other films but your list makes me want to investigate further. I'll pass on the pasta but would enjoy the rest.
Gianna's Ealing film choices, has reminded me of others, of the same style - The Titfield Thunderbolt and Whiskey Galore, plus the one I have mentioned before, Blythe Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThe Oldies are The Goodies - fun, laughter and pure enjoyment, in differing ways than now.
Carolyn - that’s wonderful News!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and I hope you will be indulging in lots of listening to your favourite music, films and countryside birdsong
as soon as possible!
Oh that is such good news Carolyn, so very pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd your life will be a lot less stressed by not having to strain to hear every word of your companion when in conversation.
Many thanks for kind comments, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it does make such a difference to the quality of life. ( incidently, it does to Mr C as well - no more mishearing & guessing wrongly from me, which can be hilarious but also wearing...)
Spicy, you're spot on - the consultant said it will take 6 months to adjust, & I'm seeing ( well, hearing !) that on day 3. It's a very different way of hearing.
You're right about birdsong, AP, it's brilliant in the garden !
You'll probably hear the Archers better than some.
DeleteGood for you Carolyn.. Enjoy the birdsong!
DeleteCarolyn. So pleased for you. You’ve had a long wait. X
ReplyDeleteReally pleased to hear your news Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteP Tb Y ,I hope you get good news too when you return to see your Consultant.
Carolyn, great news! Birdsong.. ❤️
ReplyDeleteGianna, love the old Ealing films!
Would love the pasta & cheese, Mr P can have the dessert.
Do you have to be careful when washing your hair now Carolyn? It is great news.
ReplyDeleteI just have to remember to take the device off first, Janice ( no problem there - small but very costly to replace !)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGianna I don't know your films except for the music from JC Superstar, but would love the cheeses and raspberry dessert.
ReplyDeleteQuarantine for 2 weeks from midnight then for holiday makers returning from Spain! I thought this would start to happen too much world travelling and mixing too soon? Yes countries our own included need tourism but it appears that COVID 19 does not and will not respect this. I thought we would have to take things slowly for at least a year but I guess financially we will have to risk lives to keep afloat ☹️
ReplyDeleteIt’s a real conundrum Lady R.
DeleteI now feel that our world has changed permanently and I don’t like it very much 😔
It is a worry, as to how things have changed so quickly in Spain. The only positive is, if there is such a thing, is that all are much more prepared, for a second wave. 🤞🤞 this doesn't happen.
DeleteI agree international travel is a concern, but not the only one. Just going out + about, when so many disregard "the rules", is also a concern. The majority abide by these, but it only takes a few..to put others at risk.
Carolyn, just adding my delight to hear you can hear! Enjoy the refound sounds. I can only imagine the relief at no longer having to strain to hear folk.
ReplyDeleteIt’s very concerning to learn about the new lockdown and quarantine. It makes me very nervous of straying far. I intend to visit Mum in Yorkshire in a couple of weeks and spend some time at my house where there is plenty of work to do but I don’t feel very much at ease about it. I have got used to staying within a mile of home and going out early in the morning on foot to shop, or for a run. Nothing else.
I go to the supermarket at 8.00am or soon after, as it suits me. I am still cautious about going out, and I am always wary as to who is nearby. Having said that, I have had some wonderful chats with others, in socially distanced queues, whilst waiting to go into a shop. I just need to feel braver, about socialising, as all are in the same situation and so understand.
DeleteSpot on Miriam 👍
DeleteMy niece + partner are finally planning to marry, after nearly 18 years together and 2 children (now 9 + 6).
ReplyDeleteThey are holding back booking anything, due entirely to international travel. His parents are in thier 70's and are still in semi-isolation in Mauritas. Then there is her sister in OZ, with hubby + sons (2.5 + 1 years - the latter still with some health problems).
They want these persons at the wedding - so it is wait + see- if it will happen in 2021, but it is looking more unlikely, as each month passes.
I am devastated to read that the wonderful Denman College at Abingdon is to close down permanently due to the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteFor those who are not aware, Denman is/was the educational establishment set up in the 1920s for the education of WI members. Denman is a beautiful old house set in lovely gardens where you could go for a week or weekend course on just about any subject under the sun.
I was lucky enough to go several times (nominated by my WI, and given a bursary towards the cost). The subjects I did included Italian cookery, Machine Knitting, Antiques (this course given by Lars Tharp, one of the Antiques Roadshow experts) and French Conversation. There were also gardening, singing, upholstery, painting, art appreciation and a hundred and one other things to be chosen.
You were given a beautiful bedroom decorated and cared for by different County WIs and, of course, the food was superb. You got to meet other WI members from all over the country and had a lovely relaxing week whilst learning a new skill.
Unfortunately, such a facility costs a fortune to run, and with no bookings all year they gave just run out if funds and had to close. It will be very greatly missed.
We know that many businesses etc. are suffering, some closing but it really, really brings it home when it's a place you know & value.
DeleteYou have clearly had interesting times there, AP, learnt a lot & enjoyed the surroundings. Sad news indeed.
I have had my say tonight, but I am posting another, just to say:-
ReplyDeleteIf any-one likes Broadway shows, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin - there is a Proms concert, from 2012, BBC4 at 7.00pm, which might be of interest.
I am definitely going now.
🤗 👏🏻
DeleteSeasider (4.16pm), thanks - it certainly is a wonderful liberation. One amusing thing - first time flushing the loo on return from hosp.,was deafening - made me jump !
ReplyDeleteUnderstand completely your worry about travelling, though the picture may change yet again in a couple of weeks. We'll all going to find previously normal activities involving travel difficult. Going to London on Thurs. , train, tube etc., & it feels like a Big, Bold adventure !! I do think it behoves us to take these steps, though, otherwise our lives will shrink & shrink & everything becomes pointless.
Your final words Carolyn- shrink and life becomes pointless- just about sums up how I have been feeling now for the last few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I had to allow me to feel that I had any point in life, being a ' personal trainer ' to the ninety year old that I have worked with for the last two weeks ( and was told by the Physio team that I had clearly maintained her lower body strength) was taken away from me by the combination of the nursing staff and the senior Physio, despite the Physio team and the doctors wanting me to continue.
That's a real shame, Mrs P., for both of you. However, Lady very much needs you, &, moreover, all dog owners I know say that whilst they don't always feel like it, they have to walk their pet every day, which is healthy for them as well !
ReplyDeleteAlso, you've been away some distance yourself, & explored Truro for the first time.
Not wishing to come over all sanctimonious 'count your blessings', btw but I think it helps to add up the steps to some semblance of normality.
Carolyn, very wise words. A sense of balance is really important.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, I am really sorry to hear about Denman. I had an email from them this afternoon to advertise their online courses they are currently running on Zoom. I didn’t know about the impending closure. I discovered Denman four years ago and visited twice for a family history course and once for a folk singing weekend. I am not a WI member although I have attended the local branch a couple of times and did a bat walk with them in the park at the bottom of the road. Denman is absolutely beautiful and the courses were excellent, as was the food and a very friendly place to stay. I loved the way the rooms were adopted and decorated by WI branches. There was a really interesting tour of the house when I visited and I learned quite a bit of WI history. Such a shame.
Thanks Gianna!
ReplyDeleteI have seen each of your choices several times! I especially love "Harvey" - I would watch anything with James Stewart in it.
Dinner is right up my avenue too. Can't go wrong with a nice pasta dish and I'm never going to turn down cheeses!
Carolyn - I'm over the moon for you! Fantastic news.
ReplyDeleteMiriam - just finished watching the Broadway Proms on iPlayer. Loved it.
Mrs P re. having a point in life sometimes without even realising it you can be of help and useful. Ripples go wide. I was contacted by someone last week to ask if she could exercise /train her new rescue dog from Thailand in my little cliff fields. Her reasons included the fact that a farmer now has quite feisty young cattle in the fields with the footpath where she would normally walk, and I remembered how you talked of your concern about Lady and cattle on the Common? and how you needed to spend time training her to come back when you called etc. So I thought of you and said "yes" as long as it wasn't at a time when my brother's sheep were in there, and they aren't in there at present.
ReplyDeleteThink not shrinking but rippling outwards. 😊
DeleteAs quarantine and the escalation of the virus in Spain was mentioned I think I'll add my exasperation with some of the happy hordes hitting Cornwall now.
ReplyDeleteI received a phone call a fortnight ago from my cousin to say don't go to the Co-op because there were some visitors in there cheerfully bragging about how they had escaped from the lockdown in Leicester
and
in the little Spar in Boscastle a group of people, mainly young men, from London ignored the signs asking people to wait for others to come out before they went in, and when they were politely asked if they would mind going back to wait their turn this was the reply:
No we f.......ing won't, we have come down here to escape all that f.....ing lockdown crap in London, and we f.....ing well aren't putting up with it on holiday.
And in a small shop with very few staff there isn't really much you can do about it.
We have been relatively lucky down here so far, but I have heard the numbers have been creeping up this last couple of weeks and it isn't surprising. I shan't be venturing out any time soon, unless absolutely essential.
Janice -
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I wish to apologise to all for allowing my ' feeling sorry for myself ' to creep onto the blog.
I should have kept my mouth shut, or rather my fingers still.
I'm afraid that being actively prevented from helping Norma to recover and to maintain her ability has clobbered my self esteem.
Lady is being walked among the cattle this year, but on a lead strictly beside me. She is off the lead when the cattle are at a distance, but this doesn't always work. Two days ago she took off at speed and ' rounded' and barked at a very large dark brown gentleman who rounded on her with hooves pounding. Fortunately she did, eventually return to my call. But when on the lead she is calm and interested in them. I make her sit and just be for a minute or two when in the middle of them. But once they start calving I shall be keeping her away from the common altogether.
We have made progress in ' being left '.
I can now go out for an hour. I could leave her longer but do not want to push her unnecessarily, and am increasing the length of time daily. Initially she would watch me from the window and still be there on my return, but now she understands that I am leaving, sits looking at the door and is waiting patiently watching the door on my return.
She is still very needy on my return but I am managing that with commands to 'leave' and she is learning and improving.
She is also much better now with other dogs, most of whom she greets in the usual doggy fashion and then moves on.
She must be well over three now, and she's doing well.
Mrs P, you have worked miracles with Lady! It is slow progress with them though and takes a lot of patience. We are about to adopt Dudley having fostered him for nearly a year. Generally he is a lovely boy and shows affection but still has issues we are trying to resolve. He barks every time a car goes past or even if someone shuts a car door, at the doorbell when he goes frantic and at anyone, dog or person who tries to enter a room. If he doesn’t want to be picked up he’s liable to turn on you but once picked up will go into pussycat mode. We have sturdy oven gloves to pick him up if in this mood which we have been told online would make him worse but it does work and prevents him biting. Gradually his behaviour here is getting better. We need to pick him up to get his collar and harness on. He will sit on your lap quite happily to get saddled up but would not tolerate it otherwise. He is a nervous little dog and was bred in a private home from a pet dog who probably had a similar temperament. He possibly just never should have been born. Our feeling is that if we had given him up he could have become unmanageable elsewhere and might have ended up being put down which would have been a very sad outcome and in spite of all he has the makings of being a lovely little dog. Like you, Mrs P we have to prevail, have patience and make him see he is not in charge nor does he bear full responsibility for guarding us and the house and the car! On the plus side, he and Buddy get on well. He still doesn’t get what Gypsy is all about though!
ReplyDeleteMrs P 1.38 am
ReplyDeleteFirst, please don’t apologise for expressing your negative feelings.
In a way, it was helpful (to me) because I too have been having such feelings recently and it’s comforting, in a strange way, to know someone else feels the same.
But the important thing is to overcome such thoughts and try to find something to help override them, as you have done with Lady. Your second post was very cheering.
So thank you.
Seasider:9.25pm
ReplyDeleteRe Denman Collage. I’m so glad to hear someone else on our blog has been.
I believe they only started admitting non-WI members a few years ago.....and also allowed husbands to accompany wive on some courses....a thing that never would have been allowed 35 years ago when I started going!
When Mr A and I were first married, before taking up farming, we lived in Abingdon.
Our two children were born (in Oxford) whilst living there. I often used to drive past the gates of Denman and wondered who lived in this lovely house and garden. When, 5 years later, we moved down to Hampshire and the farm, I joined the WI and discovered the house I had admired was the WI college. Never did I think I would be going back to stay in such a lovely place one day,
Thanks for the clip from Village of the Damned Gary. It still gives me shivers when I watch it. I too love James Stewart films.
ReplyDeleteI went to Denman a few years back for an art course. I have memories of comfortable bedrooms with patchwork quilts, a worthwhile course and yes, good food! So sad it is closing and wonder what will become of it now. It was a flagship for the WI and there must be much regret among the members.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Denman, but do know all about it and it's courses.
ReplyDeleteLike others I see it as a considerable loss for the WI, but also for the future generations of woman who would have benefited from what the college offered.
I can imagine that many of these semi private colleges giving access to traditional crafts and techniques may well fall by the wayside as a consequence of the current crisis. I suppose it is reasonable to think that much of what has been on offer in the past may well be available on line, but IMO nothing can replace the passion and patience of a dedicated tutor.
My tutor at evening classes in antique restoration was a woman who as the daughter of a vicar had been allowed and encouraged by her father to learn woodwork, in turn encouraged me to move on to college where again I was given time and patience by my male tutor and learned most importantly that given the space and permission to strive towards perfection, I could thrive, and reach my personal best.
This is something that Denman College has given many women over the decades and it's closure will be significant.
Archerphile-
Thank you.
I'm not comfortable with the heading of this current blog.
I was shocked into an in drawn breath when I first saw it, which was a repeat for me of the original poster.
I never saw the film and never want to.
I have not, and will not watch the clip.
Mrs P, I bet most of us in our time have felt unappreciated or hurt by someone's action so you are definitely not alone.
ReplyDeleteI think you should be proud of the fact that you have shown such patience with Lady who obviously adores you.
Last week we had to have a fascia board stripped and repainted.
A few years ago Mr LJ would have climbed up a ladder and done it but we decided to get someone to do the job .
I was told about someone Called Steve who was great ,apparently.
I telephoned him and told Mr LJ that from his voice I thought he sounded like a young man.
When he arrived I was surprised to see a tattooed gentleman ,a bit overweight in his early 60s
It was a hot day and he said he would be able to prime and undercoat the board that afternoon.
I looked out of the window and in between coats I spotted Steve sitting on a seat in the garden talking to Percy cat who was sitting next to him enjoying being stroked.
Some people have a way with animals.
My step daughter was outside Tesco's when she spotted a group of people watching a duck who was trying to get into the store .
She went inside ,scooped it up and sent him on his way down the high street .
She was amused to hear a man say of her.
"Oh she must be The Duck Whisperer"
There are quite a lot of bloggers on our site like you ,Mrs P and Steve who are cat ,dog or hen Whisperers .
Of that I am sure.
I have seen numbers 2;3and 4 of your film choices Gianna .
ReplyDeleteI loved the Ealing Comedies.
I wonder what youngsters today would think of them?
I would certainly like to try the cappeletti and would love to have the cheese .
The pudding sounds right up my street too.
I have just read of the death of Olivia De Havilland .
ReplyDeleteShe was 104 years of age so had had a good innings.
What a beautiful woman she was.
MrsP - I somehow expected to see a clip from JC Superstar, so I was taken aback to find this eerie image.
ReplyDeleteI sent a text to both my daughters yesterday telling them of the death of Olivia d H.
ReplyDeleteThey had been fortunate to meet her, I can't remember how it came about other than through their father who had probably done a photo shoot of her and she probably entertained the idea of meeting them.
So she was I imagine a rather nice person.
LJ - thank you for your kind words.
Yes I am one of those people as you describe, and the story of the duck is almost exactly the same situation as I found myself in when in Gloucester a couple of years ago. It was a baby seagull that had entered a large and cavernous furniture store. Mum was on the roof and circling the street in turn and making a raucous racket. I went into the store and found the staff utterly perplexed at what to do. I then, with the help of a 'street person/ homeless man' gently ushered the confused baby around and eventually out onto the road. I stopped the traffic to allow mum to swoop down and take over the rescue of her baby.
I don't even like seagulls, but when compassion kicks in action is required.
The first time I ever took my granddaughter out for a trip into central London, on our return home a pigeon was on board the train at London Bridge station. The train took off and the bird started to panic. At the first stop, I ushered it out of the carriage. My granddaughter was fascinated by all this, she was about four at the time.
I have continued to worry that the pigeon found its way back to London Bridge.
I've always hoped it was of the Homing type.
I could continue with similar stories of rescue.
Perhaps I should write a 'Jilly Cooper - The Common Years' type of book.
Basia- it is the eeriness that I find disturbing. I think the picture above was the poster for the film. It has a visceral effect upon me.
But then I've had a ' thing' about dolls most of my life. I find them very eerie too.
I love to read stories of compassionate actions towards animals. Restores my faith in human nature.
DeleteWhen I first saw the picture above I thought it was from a film of the book ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’ by John Wyndham.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if a film ever has been made, but I imagine the poster might look like that.
Very eerie and it would not encourage me to watch a film so advertised.
I am not a lover of "spooky " films, but I did watch the "Village of the Damned", purely as I had read the book it was based on, The Midwhich Cuckoos. The only other strange, wierd films that I have watched were, The Stepford Wives ( the original version) plus Pshyco and The Birds. What does that say about me.
ReplyDeleteI went to a large Tesco's today, over the border, so I didn't have to wear a mask. I did not enjoy the experience, due to the staff. Let me explain...
This store puts together, the many on-line orders, which are so necessary for so many. They are doing brilliant work, getting these orders ready, for delivery. I appreciate that they are time-limited to sourcing the products for these. However, they were whizzing around, and as such were not keeping to the social distance rules, with the shoppers in store.
It was worth a trial visit, but I am now going back to what I know best, England with a mask.
I am slightly excited tonight, as tomorrow, my Curly Lockdown Locks, will be chopped off. It is nearly 5 months since I was last there, and I am so looking forward to having my short, manageable, haircut again!
What a horrible day, high winds and torrential rain and I am back into winter clothes, even if it July.
Archerphile must have posted, as I was typing (which I had do to twice, as I lost the 1st one..😣).
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - any dates yet for your new eyes? At least the biometrics have been done, so your new lenses will be ready + waiting.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago, I mentioned I was doing a slow cooked gammon, to then be "pulled".
ReplyDeleteThis has worked out so well.
It was a small "smoked" piece which only cost £4. I have made 8 meals from this, easily, simply and at a low cost.
Part has been done with unsweetend apple juice, toms, red onions, with a cored + sliced apple (peel left on) plus pots in small pieces. The other part has been put into a onion, garlic, cider sauce to go with pasta.
A lot of thyme, sage, rosemary were used, along with stock cubes-vegetable + beef.
I enjoyed creating these meals, many of which, are now in the freezer. It was worth the effort, as so cheap + cheerful.
I interperse these with chicken + fish, and I eat loads of veg, to keep a healthy diet.
Although I now need to take a statin, I still watch my diet, re fats, sugars etc.
That sounds so well worked out, Miriam.
DeleteLooking at the trailer above, the horror of these creepy children, is diminished ( to me) by the ham acting of the period ! All desperately serious, but not realistic. Maybe memory doesn't serve me well, but couldn't sit through The Exorcist which was later, I think, in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder at parents allowing their children to act in these horror films. They look about 9 or 10 and surely would have been affected by this awful story. Maybe I’m too sensitive!
DeleteIt has been very 'blustery' and showery today.
ReplyDeleteI said to Jon 'It would be a lovely day for drying the washing if it would stop raining!'
Jon looked at me and said 'You're not getting any better are you?'
Well I knew what I meant!
Janice, that’s awful. Just why I am nervous of travelling around at risk of encountering such folk. Also the last thing I want to do is put my mother and neighbours up north at risk. I think my mother wants to see me but when I go I will be living very quietly up there and pottering around painting and gardening, certainly not careering around the tourist spots.
ReplyDeleteMrs P, it sounds like you have done a fantastic job with your neighbour/ friend and can be proud of your achievement. I can imagine how difficult it feels to be pushed aside. Not self pitying at all.
Archerphile, lovely to hear about your farming days in Abingdon. I enjoyed walking around Marcham as much as staying at Denman.
We didn’t farm at Abingdon, lived in a nice little house right on the southern edge of the town,
DeleteMr A worked for a pharmaceutical company in those days.
We didn’t start farming until we came down to Hampshire in 1975. A long story!
Miriam, thanks for asking about my eyes. My surgeon will be working with the lens manufacturers to make the rather complicate lenses now. They will be triple vision and have to accommodate my astigmatism too. Apparently a lot of maths is involved!
ReplyDeleteHe is going on holiday for a couple of weeks and will phone me when he has theatre time on his return. Because the private hospital is doing a lot of work for the NHS, helping to get their waiting lists down, I might have to wait a couple of months.
Come on then Archerphile........
ReplyDeleteA long story ?
Tell it in chapters. I'm interested, anyone else ?
In the morning Mrs P! Having an early night as I had a bad night last nightand need to catch up on zzzzz!
DeleteThank you Seasider.
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much being pushed aside that hurts, but rather seeing an apathetic and passive person that I have managed to get through to over two years, and keep active, being left in a bed without any stimulation and very little attention.
Today her daughter has discovered that the two large bottles of fizzy water that Norma drinks, she doesn't like still water, are still in her locker, untouched, where the daughter put them on her last visit two weeks ago.
At the same time the staff tell us that they cannot persuade her to drink enough of the water she is given, tap water, and that she now has another ITU and is back on a drip.
And becoming weaker and frailer by the day.
That sounds very sad Mrs P. I suspect the staff just don’t have the time to spend with her and persuade her to drink. If only they’d known about the fizzy water and offered her that, she might have done so. It must be very frustrating for you to see your kind work being undermined like this. I suspect it has been happening a lot in recent months all over the country.
DeleteNot just recently Archerfile. I hope that Truro hospital has improved with time and there was a shake up resulting in new management, but years ago I thought it the most appalling hospital in the world. I was doing a 90 mile round journey every day for weeks (except Sunday when my brother managed to leave the farm), just to make sure my mother after a stroke was being fed and watered. I saw food trays and cups of tea being dumped by catering staff on bed tables out of reach of patients who could not move to get it, and then returning later to take away the uneaten food. I saw patients told off for wetting the bed when they had been pressing the bell for ages with no one answering. And it wasn't just staff shortage although I am sure that was a factor, but a lack of clear leadership with young nurses who should perhaps have been attending to the simpler tasks hanging around the young doctors station basically just flirting with them and ignoring their patients. I could but won't go on as it still makes me furious, and worse I was so ground down by exhaustion myself that I could do little about it except care for my own mother.
DeleteHaving said all that I have to say that my care last year in the emergency unit and then the cardiac ward was excellent and the staff both professional and compassionate.
DeleteArcherphile, please tell us your story when you're up to it. I remember a lady on radio 4, Jewish from north London as she described herself, who went into pig farming with no previous knowledge.
ReplyDeleteGianna,
ReplyDeleteI love an Ealing comedy. I'm a great fan of Peter Sellers and Ian Carmichael. Loved the trailer at the top. Such crappy acting, it's hilarious. Actually listened to the Midwich cuckoos in a radio 4 series whilst wandering round the Mucha museum in Prague.
Archerphile, for some reason I never had you down as a farmer. Don't know why. Funny how we assume things about people that we've never even met.
Well you asked for this Mrs P. - the saga of how we became farmers.
ReplyDeleteMrA and I met in the early 60s when we both worked at a government research lab at Slough. I lived nearby at Iver, he came from Epsom and had attended Tiffin’s Boys School at Kingston. We both had qualifications in Biology, Botany & Zoology. We both had to visit farms as part of the job.
During this time I met & became engaged to my Jewish fiancé. Was told (at age 21) about being adopted, then ditched by said fiancé 2 months before wedding.
Meanwhile Mr A, had been promoted, transferred to the Tropical Stored Food Products
Centre, housed at the same lab, did work for the UN’s WFO & visited Iran to advise about grain storage.
Some time after he returned we started ‘courting’ and eventually married. The lab was closed down & we both found jobs working for pharmaceutical companies. Bought a brand new house in Abingdon. (Estate still being built around us, 3-bed detached house cost £5,300!. Luckily just got in before inflation started)
I became pregnant, daughter born at the old Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. Mr A’s job getting boring, repetitive and taking him away from home a lot.
Second pregnancy 2 years later, son born at brand new, super-duper John Radcliffe.
One day, out of the blue, Mr A gets a phone call from old an old Tiffins schoolfriend.
A few years earlier we had been to his wedding in North Hampshire where Mr A had been an Usher. Lovely little village, parked car in village school carpark. Reception in marquee at bride’s parents house next door to school. Father’s farm on land opposite.
Friend (also Zoology student) had been working on his father-in-law’s Farm in the village, been made a partner and was doing very well. Had built his own house opposite his in-laws.
Father-in-law decided to retire, suggested friend find someone else to take on a partnership to share work and profits.
Hence phone call! Would Mr A and I consider moving down to the village and take up offer of partnership in farm and a new life!!
You bet we would! We both had a sort of agricultural background (albeit in research), I knew a lot about chickens, it was worth taking the risk while the children were still toddlers.
For 6 months Mr A was commuting 90 miles a day from Abingdon to the farm, whilst we were selling Abingdon house and trying to find one in village.
Eventually we did, our children went to that little school where we had parked for the wedding, and we became fully immersed in village life.
And we are still in the same house, even though retired and farm is now closed.
Sorry this has been so long, even with much editing!
Sorry, that should have been WFP - United Nations World Food Programme.
DeleteThat is fascinating Archerfile, and how brave to make a complete lifestyle change like that.
DeleteVery efficiently edited, AP, if Imay say ! A really clear picture of how your lives evolved in ways you couldn't have foreseen aged 20, & fascinating, as Janice writes - this mixture of being on a set path, yet being open to other opportunities & big changes. If we all look back, we can see this kind of pattern in our lives, I think.
DeleteVery interesting,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteLike your daughter I was born in the Radcliffe Infirmary ,Oxford at about the time that a policeman was being given penicillin at the same hospital (so I was told ; don't remember it myself.)
Thank you Archerphile, as C said, well edited, but with all salient parts.
ReplyDeleteAnd very interesting too.
What a lifestyle change you both made and managed to continue throughout your lives.
Is there more ?
Parts/ points
ReplyDeleteThank you Archerphile, you have a real insight into how things are done and you support British farmers. I heard some disturbing news about "clean meat", made from animal cells, without killing the donor and developed in a lab. The sample tasted of chicken, without its consistency and was revolting. I now only eat meat at my sister's but like it to be real and not a pretend product. Unfortunately a lot of money is going into this idea, so will it mean the end of farming and rural life?
ReplyDeleteIt will mean the end of animal farming as we know it but not the end of arable farming. On balance I think/hope it will lessen animal suffering. Too few farms nowadays farm in a free ranging organic way.
DeleteThe stories about animal treatment in the abattoirs are appalling. Perhaps if more synthetic meat is produced there will still be place for organic products at an appropriate price.
DeleteBasia - not just stories unfortunately. You can see some ghastly videos on YouTube which one just cannot forget once viewed.
DeleteI have just "popped" and all I can say is - brilliant + so very enlighting posts.
ReplyDeleteI will my leave my daily drivel, for another time. Miriam Xx
I am glad you had a nice time away, Gary.
ReplyDeleteI am at present away from home so and without wifi so I will havevto eke out my gigabytes!
Top of the pops was the only tv programme I watched as a teenager so I am very sorry to have missed the BBC4 1967 TOTP.
Gianna, I love JCS too and I have seen the Ealing comedies but don’t know the others so will be googling and youtubing them.
Miriam, your gammon sounds delicious! No gammon in Italy unfortunately, or lean bacon. I suppose it is used for Prosciutto crudo instead.
Carolyn, I join in the rejoicing for your great news.
It was very interesting to read your account, Archerphile. Thank you.
Just had good news. Operation for first eye on 14th August!
ReplyDeleteOnly snag, I have to be in strict self-isolation for 14days beforehand, not even allowed out for a walk from this Friday. But it will be worth it and I should be able to see out of operated eye in time for birthday. Hooray!
Brilliant news and so very soon. 14days isolation sounds harsh, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
DeleteAugust 15th will be a totally new day for you, seeing so very differently..👁be it in just one eye. Take a tip from me, if I may say so. This is, practice lying flat on your back as still as possible. Believe me, it helps, so much.
Great News.
When is your birthday AP?
DeleteEcho that, AP, good news - just a little over a fortnight from now ! An awful drag having to self isolate first for so long but I guess you'll put up with that because, at last, there's decent vision at the end of it.
DeleteHilary, how nice to be somewhere other than home for a while, after all these months - never mind lack of wifi 😊😉 Thanks for keeping in touch & I hope you are enjoying yourself.
August 21st or 22nd 🤔
DeleteArcherphile what is it with you and birthdays 😘
2 yrs ago hip last year a bad fall and this year 👁
but so worth it and thrilled for you!
Such good news for you Archerphile- the fortnight will pass quickly and then good eyesight.
ReplyDeleteVery pleased for you.
Merci AP for all your news,
ReplyDeletebon courage for the op.. 👍
This week I am mostly.. sterilizing & pickling...
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, it might be worth double checking regarding the pre-op isolating, I heard on the radio today that this was being changed.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for when you have the op, Mr Nuts was pleased with the results of his cataract op a few years ago
Miriam, thank you for the tip about lying flat - I’ll definitely practice. I tend to be very wriggly when lying down, so it won’t be easy!
ReplyDeleteYes Lady R, you are right, it’s the 21st. And I did tell the surgeon I wanted to avoid an operation in that day, it’s becoming a bit of a habit for me to be around a hospital on that day!
Thankyou KP - we heard that on the news, only an hour after the hospital gave me my instructions. The news report said it applied to NHS hospitals and you had to isolate for just 3 days before admittance, after having a Covid Test. I’ll have to ring Hampshire Clinic and see if they are going to do the same.
And Carolyn, I hope I am going to experience similar wonderment to you, after your hearing operation. You are enjoying hearing birdsong.....I hope to enjoy seeing the birds again!
I'd like to second best wishes for your eye op. Archerphile.
DeleteSincere thanks to everyone for their good wishes. It’s been quite a year so far!
DeleteHave just popped in here (after a long absence) to congratulate carolyn and wish Archerphile good luck for the forthcoming op.
ReplyDeleteZoetrope. Thank you.
Lovely to hear from you stasia - hope all is well and you pop in again soon 🤗
DeleteDudley in particular loves to see the piglets on morning walks even in the rain!
ReplyDeleteStuart Broad - 500 test wickets - brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAnd not bad for a premature baby who weighed only 2lb 2oz at birth to grow up into an athletic 6ft 4in man with such a fine spirting record.
(And he even gets praise from Geoffrey Boycott, he must be good!)
Damn auto correction! SPORTING!
DeleteIt was half-way between sprinting and spirited, so all's well.
DeleteArcherphile, with your new lenses you'll be able to beat the auto-correct!
I wish you all the best with your forthcoming eye operation,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds very complicated but you will feel the benefits it's in a few months I am sure.
Several bloggers have had eye problems recently not least of all P tbY who has as we know had to wear an eye patch because of double vision.
That must be awful for her and I hope that next time she sees a Consultant that he or she will be able to sort something out for her.
We want good news all round like Carolyn has just had concerning her hearing problem.
And how are you doing SPICEYCUSHION ?
ReplyDeleteJust thinking of you and your stoic attitude, as well as PtbY with an eye patch and now a mask as well.
Carolyn- Are you feeling overwhelmed with sound, or accommodating to it all gradually.
Jenni Murray is to stand down as Woman's Hour presenter for 33 years, on 1 October.
ReplyDeleteAs they always underline the importance of ethnic diversity, this is their one chance to achieve it.
I have pointed out to them a couple of times that for all that they advocate the two current presenters are white and judging by their names also the producers. I also added that as a white woman I have no problem with the current set up but would expect some changes.
I rarely listen to Woman's Hour these days as I can't stand the preaching and superiority in the attitudes of the presenters and some of the contributors.
DeleteI do agree, Aneveggie - especially Murray - she sets my teeth on edge ! Ok, the title of the programme is what it is, but I find it out of date, & the whole approach so earnestly 'wimmin- ist'. Hadn't thought about it before in connection with diversity, Basia, but am sure you're right.
DeleteI saw that Murray was to 'stand down.' Like Anneveggie I can't stand the preaching and the attitudes of the presenters and contributors. My family find it peculiar that I despise today's 'feminism' which is less about equality than 'power for me!' I have brought up four children totally alone (physically and financially ) since the eldest was 13 and youngest 5 years old. I fitted training and work around my duties as a mother, not the other way round. Sorry bit of a rant! Won't say anymore.
DeleteAs for BBC replacing Murray, well at least they won't have to pay any longer for the hotel and taxis for her dogs when she is in Birmingham recording.
BTW In a survey reported on the BBC website last week it states that the employees of the BBC total 28% BAME women and men, whereas the population of the UK is 13% of said groups, so I don't think they are at all at fault in the diversity issue.
We discussed WH and JM on the BBC blog at the time when 'Jill' was a guest to coincide with her 60(?) years in the Archers. I am not a feminist but I listen everyday, out of habit, because it coincides with my routine. There are some informative items and I get ideas for non-fiction books. There is a lot that I disagree with and delight in sending emails to that effect. My point is that it'll be their chance to practise what they preach.
DeleteWe're not very diverse here, white: women and a few men, no problem.
Timely questions, Mrs P, in relation to Spicy & PtbY. Of course, Spicy, you're the only one who can answer, but I'm getting the impression from your recent posts that things are rather better these last few weeks, even though there is tiredness & you're not pain free yet by any means. Would that be accurate ?
ReplyDeletePtbY, are you seeing the consultant quite early in August, can't remember the date ? I gathered there's no cut & dried solution, but trying things out, including Botox. Fingers crossed that you can toss that eye patch in the bin before Autumn....
Not overwhelmed by sound yet, Mrs P, it's like it was when I first had a regular hearing aid around 7 years ago - noticeable for a while, eventually becoming white noise. However, so far, I've only spoken to Mr C at home or to people on the 'phone, the test comes when in more challenging noise situations, starting tomorrow when I go to London !
Enjoy London. Sounds a lovely day out in the forecast sunshine, and don't forget your masks.
DeleteI had my hair, literally, chopped off yesterday and I certainly got my monies worth. It was a different experience though, due to temp. being checked and having to use hand sanitiser on entering, gowns, towels etc being single use only, and having to wear a mask. Still, it was nice to feel being "pampered" again, and I came out, happy + smiley. I returned home, with a very much shorter hair cut. I Love It!
ReplyDeleteAs to my new neighbours -
I think that they are a couple, after a chat in the front garden, whilst I was gardening. They met in Vienna. One is from Chester, and is now a teacher at an ofsted outstanding senior school (not very far away), teaching German, Spanish + French to A' Level. The other is from Belaruse, but I have no idea what he does. I have no worries at all, though I feel like a Mother Figure as I am probably older, than either of theirs.
In my post this morning, I received my latest financial report. After the 10% loss I suffered in Jan-March, I opened it with trepidation, as this is where my income is coming from. This new report was April-June, and what a surprise..as even after drawing my income, the final values are up by 8.6%, so all is back on track. I do know that things could well change again, and probably for the worst. I feel I now have a buffer though, to try + offset any future changes. I am so staying calm..
..so much so, I have a booked an appointment at a car dealer on Sunday. I am only on a fact-finding mission only.
DeleteI cannot do anything until September, although my car is pristine and very low mileage, why change it? I am just bored with it, and I just want something different - an electric hybrid is what I am looking for.
It will be a different type of jaunt out, even wearing a mask!
What "Miriam wants -
DeleteMiriam gets", but this is perhaps one step too far, even for me. I am though, getting braver, going out with a mask, but still doing the social distancing rules. If I don't, I will just vegetate and still be "home alone" for a long while to come. I have masks, hand gel, and obey all the guidelines, but life has to go on and I will try to do so, with a lot of care + attention. I will not put myself, nor others I meet, at risk.
It has to be - onwards + upwards - but still "Stay Safe"..
Thank you for your enquiries. I'm really on the edge of controlling the disease and not!
ReplyDeleteI can tell when the time for the antihistamine is due as I begin to itch and it is excruciating when I have to clench my fists to stop myself from scratching. Sometimes I'm on the verge of screaming I'm afraid. I banged my leg on the bottom of my bed and scratched my shin. My word did it bleed. Stung like billy-o for some days and took a couple of weeks to heal.
The biggest worry is that I am due another consultation next week but just over a week ago it was announced on BBC South east news that Medway health trust has cancelled the out-sourced Dermatology clinic because it has found ' dangerous practises' in its treatment of patients. I rang the Helpline given out and they said they would contact me within the two weeks. Nothing heard yet.
My cataracts have worsened during lockdown. I was warned by the optician last October they would, due to the steroids. Haven't seen anyone yet about them though. Too many other, more important 'illnesses,' to sort out first.
Bit depressed occasionally but sons are doing their best to keep me positive. Jon has had this week as a holiday so has been doing some 'heavy' work and managed to book a slot at the tip so went with a car full of fence panels, old pipes etc.The garden is now looking quite tidy.
All soft fruit finished except for the plums but I don't think that the wasps will leave me any! Dozens of fruit on the branches but as soon as one side goes yellowy-pink the wasps chew a hole!
Well time now for next round of tablets(anti-histamine and Vitamin B) .
Carolyn - I had a Cub with a cranial implant. He had a little red light when the battery needed changing! I expect, like my hearing aids, he also gets a tinkling sound. But he was very blase about it all!
Take care everyone.
Spicy.
Steroids! They have so many positive affects, but also have so many negative ones.
DeleteHow worrying about your next appointment. I hope this will still happen for you.
I so admire your wonderful positive attitude, with the many ups + downs you are experiencing, and I applaud you for this.
Miriam.. 🤗🤗👏👏👏
Spicycushion, amid juggling appointments, sorting out pills and prioritising ailments you make use of your garden and preserve what it has to offer. Stay focused. Good night.
DeleteI have just heard some very sad news. The younger brother of my Big Sis's 2nd hubbie, died yesterday. It was from natural causes (and not Covid) after a massive stroke 5 yrs ago, when he was left with very little memory and recgonitive processes. It is very sad, for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteI never met him, and only knew about him, but I feel for Big Sis + Hubbie.
Yes Miriam a head and heart case as it often is - suffering over but for family and friends still a loss of a loved one and grieving to be done 💔
DeleteMy sister went to a wake today, of her son's first girlfriend's mother. She was one of the first people I met in Strasbourg 19 years ago, so it has had an impact. It was well organised and included her chosen playlist. People wore masks; she embraced the girl and the mother's partner and said she showered and changed on return.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to those suffering bereavements
ReplyDeleteAnd my admiration for Spicy and the way you manage to keep battling through all your difficulties. Thank goodness your son is there to help. And also that you have a garden to, hopefully, distract you from some of your unbearable symptoms. Keep going, with our love. 🥰
Silly season here. I'm afraid. Three weeks ago, ambulance sent because I was having serious giddy spells and pain across back of skull, fainted and cracked my head on furniture. Despite rigorous checks by paramedics, no obvious cause found. Woke up the next morning with my explanation to them of allergy symptoms ringing in my ears and checked on-line the product I'd been using the previous day: sure enough, although no mention made on the tin, ingredients included formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.
ReplyDeleteLast week in hospital for minor procedure to remove abscess caused by infected sebaceous cyst on shoulder muscle. Now running the gauntlet of dressings not ordered from the chemist and socially-distanced queuing in the rain to have ill-fitting dressing applied that comes off almost straight away.
Wonderful weekend with daughter-in-law and granddaughter, as all very excited at first time leaving Wales for four months. D-I-L hadn't been in the house since the funeral last September, and was bowled over by the changes made since then, especially the garden, which she loved. She has just become interested in gardening, so we had a fun Sunday morning at the local garden centre. She wants to come back and help me to spray=paint the new garden furniture. Very much enjoying son's company until Friday. Don't see much of him as he has to work, but can hear him in the study upstairs conducting Zoom interviews and it makes all the difference.
How lovely to have your family visiting and for your d.i.l. to have caught your interest in gardening. You will be able to teach her so much, from your own experience and hopefully she will be able to pass that interest onto your granddaughter too. I think gardening is a skill often passed on through the generations rather than learnt from books.
DeleteI'm so pleased for you Sarnia. On Inside Health a while ago there was gardening to be prescribed by GPs, now followed by cycling and eating basic food. It's all very well, but it saddens me that we have to be taught to spend time outdoors, respect our earth and enjoy what it has to offer.
DeleteSecond that, Basia.
DeleteSarnia 💕
ReplyDeleteI would like to add my condolences for those among you who have suffered bereavements.
ReplyDeleteAnd commiserations for the health problems some of you have.
And thanks for the lovely happy pieces of news which cheer us all.
I am at present in Umbria so have exchanged rice fields on the plain for olive groves and vast expanses of sunflowers surrounded by green hills.
How are the olives doing Hilary? I heard something about a disease (as if we haven’t enough already!) attacking olive trees. It’s tragic if that’s so because olive groves are so beautiful and the oil is so precious.
DeleteI haven’t heard the olive tree disease mentioned recently but cherry trees were affected by a disease this year and the plum tree has no fruit at all. The figs look fine but the walnut tree looks rather sorry for itself and tomatoes are not doing well.
DeleteAh the sunflowers! My sister and I always remark how we can eat sunflower seeds from a packet. During childhood holidays in the countryside a farmer's wife would cut a sunflower head for us and it took a lot of effort to shell a handful but the reward was well worth it!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite picture of all is Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”. I had a small print at university and still have it, next to “Starry Night”.
ReplyDelete