Spicycushion - September 15, 2020 at 10:40 PM There was a very funny start to a programme about cats a couple of years back. A team was going to study all the cats in the isolated village (about 20) i.e. where they hunted, how far away did they go, did they have their own territories etc. Village Hall was HQ with computers and large screens, all cats fitted with trackers, large maps fitted to the walls. They planned to be there about a week. The first day it poured with rain and not a single cat left their house!
Archerphile - September 16, 2020 at 8:48 AM My next door neighbours bought 2 very expensive pedigree Burmese cats a couple of years ago (thank goodness they don’t ask us to look after them when they go on holiday any more!) They are sisters, but different colours. The cream one stays around their house and our gardens. The brown one goes walkabout for days on end. Several times they’ve thought she’d been run over or been stolen, or got in the back of a van and been transported away. But after several days she appears back home, has a good feed and sleep, then a week or two later the whole routine is repeated. They would love to have one of those trackers to see where she goes off to.
Ev - September 16, 2020 at 8:42 AM This morning on Breakfast, Esther Ransom said no presenter on BBC should be paid more than the PM. She put these crazy salaries alongside the withdrawal of free TV licence for over 75’s. Gary Lineker has taken a pay cut of £400,000 which she said stuck in the craw! Zoe Ball is paid around a million a year for a her radio program. Will the BBC listen? I doubt it!🙁🥴
Ev - September 16, 2020 at 8:43 AM Esther also pointed out that top presenters have all sorts of freebies and of course there are always crisp adverts if they fall into poverty!!!
Archerphile - September 16, 2020 at 9:06 AM I believe the new Director General is clamping down on BBC presenters, news readers etc from moonlighting, taking paid work for other events which could be thought to compromise their neutrality. Naga Munchetty was criticised for earning a big fee for working at some commercial event or other (can’t remember which company it was). I completely fail to see why Gary Linneker should have been earning £1.7 million for presenting one football programme a week and the Sportsview Personality of the Year Show. It was obscene. And an insult to elderly license fee layers. 😡
It's not only presenters and those who appear on screen. There are over a 1000 'managers' at the BBC who earn £150k per annum. Obviously the TV series W1A was not far off the mark the same as Yes Minister 30 years ago! The new DG has also called a halt to 'meetings' saying they are mostly a waste of time!
That programme was unbelievable, 3 series of saying absolutely nothing and getting nothing done. I mean it was really funny and very clever writing. I bet the BBC is actually like that too.
I bet they will still continue to send so called "stars" to repeat coverage of events which have adequately been reported by local reporters and to send reporters to the location of an incident which occured several years ago whenever there is a new development albeit hundreds of miles distant.
We frequently hear that the enormous salaries are to prevent the so called stars from taking their talents elsewhere. Well then let them go I for one would not miss them and there are infinite jobs on offer.
I can well afford to pay for a tv licence but i resent this profligate use of the corporations finances.
It isn't only T.V. presenters though, footballers, rock stars, internet 'influencers' also get vast amounts of money. I don't blame them for taking the going rate. If I had a talent, I would have enjoyed earning shed-loads of money. I definitely would not have liked the greed, envy and jealousy that accompanies it.
Jealousy, envy etc might be mitigated if the ‘stars’ are generous to charities and good causes. Like the young football player who has been campaigning for free school meals this summer, Marcus Rashford(?) Or even, dare I say, Mr and Mrs Bill Gates who pump so much of their fortune into a world anti-malarial programme and vaccinations for poor children. I’m sure there are many other examples.
What particular enormity of talent is required to READ the news? I am aware that the journalists are somewhat involved in the preparatiom of bulletins but I cannot accept that, following an update to a news story which is mentioned during the bulletin, the "Star" finishes the programme by repeating the somewhat sensationalised words that started it and completely omits any reference to the new facts..
I earnt every penny of my salary, by hard work, commitment, understanding + care for all, be it staff or clients. I was "salaried" so could never claim for the very many extra hours I did, such as:- going in a hour early, staying late, working half my lunch-break etc. Over paid - definitely not! Would I do it again - probably Yes.
My car passed its MOT today. I didn't think for one moment that it would fail, but it was still a relief. I sat, with a mask on, reading a book for the hour it took. It was, surprisingly a very relaxing time.
Not such good news is, I have spotted a small round "black lump" on the back of one of my Pusscats ears. It looks OK, but I am concerned. Luckily, she is booked in next week, for her annual jab so it can looked at then. So it is 🤞🤞😺 until then. I am prepared, though.
I am reading a book by Christobel Kent, which is set in Florence. For those who know this author, it is one of those, when Sandro Cellini, is now a private detective. The print is very small, so I am glad that I finally have had my prescription reading glasses, repaired.
Mr R booked for Saturday and 3 friends met with yesterday have all had theirs. I am a different surgery and like you Miriam I have not heard anything yet, my online September newsletter not through yet so they are still sorting details.......
Just checked out my Practice website. They will be writing or texting patients with a day and time of appointment the injection will be administered to each person in their car! Arrive wearing a mask and have your arm nearest to the window bare. My surgery is in the grounds of the local Community Hospital which will be set out with an in/out system. If appointment is not possible to keep ring and will be remade but likely Nov and 🤞🏼 vaccine lasts out!
We had a text telling us to go to surgery website to book a flu vaccine appt. It took ages to navigate the site, incredibly difficult to book appts for us both and only one Saturday morning in late October when over 65’s can be seen. We have even been instructed not to go by car to avoid blocking the surgery car park. I can tell you that I am not walking the 15 mile round trip to get a jab! We also told to take an umbrella as we will have to queue outside in the car park - is it worth it, I ask myself? Since they got computerised it is almost impossible to arrange any thing easily at our surgery any more.
Many pharmacies are doing flu jabs. We used to be able to walk in to several of our local Chemists and get one but now of course one has to book an appointment. Our tiny local Boots is starting on 23rd September to supply the jabs. I am not surprised that it is difficult to get a flu jab at a Surgery. It must be so difficult for them at the moment
The answer ,Archerphile is that it IS worth having the flu jab however inconvenient it may be.
It is also generally assumed that everyone has access to a computer. Archerphile, couldn't you do it on two separate days and drive each other nearer to the appointment? I was very much against any sort of vaccinations but caught the flu a few years ago. I didn't have a fever, but it was very unpleasant and debilitating, I couldn't eat and was weak. The following year I decided that I didn't want to go through that again and any more toxic substance wouldn't make much difference at my age. I don't yet know what the situation is here this year.
Here in Italy we hear on the news when the jab is available. There's always a big public service campaign with posters all over. It's free for over 65 s and those with chronic illness and you can buy it for 10 € in the pharmacy. My GP is on a first come first serve basis..doesn't have a Secretary if you need a doctor you just turn up and wait in the queue otherwise he will come out to do house visits in the afternoon. I had the flu 20 years ago ..was in bed for a week felt like a truck had ran over me. Took me weeks to get my strength back.
I had a 'flu jab this morning. Whilst in Sainsbury's shopping I enquired at the in-store Lloyds Pharmacy. They had the over-65 one in stock, and they could do it there + then. I didn't hesitate. I was told I had the last over 65 one, and due to shortages, it is unknown when they will get more stock. I was lucky.
It certainly is more convenient to get it from the chemist. Over the last five years I have been told each year, at my health centre that I would have to wait another month because all the waiting lists were full. On each occasion I have walked round to Boots and been given the injection either there and then or given an appointment for half an hours time. Only this year because I was booking directly with the nurse for my B12 was I then offered the flue jab at the same time.
Great it has been done. I feel it is so much more important, to get jabbed as soon as possible, this year. The vaccine programme has been expanded this year, so waiting times could be more, depending on fitness + health, rather than age. I am relieved that mine has been done so easily. Nearly 7 hours now, and as per usual, my arm is slightly swollen - but that is normal for me. It will be stiff + sore tomorrow, as that always happen + expected.
PS I had a good time with the Pharmacist, as on offering me the package literature, I said that I was interested in reading it. Only then did I say I was an ex-pharmacist and we had a lovely chat. She told me about how difficult it was working in "lockdown" and how upsetting it was, on hearing a customer had died directly from Covid - or more usually, a post Covid complication. I said a big "Thank-you" to her, to be passed onto her staff, as my meds. were always ready when I picked them up. She was so grateful for that. It helps them.
What another lovely Indian Summer day. It certainly helps in keeping the spirits + activity up. I am already not liking, closing the curtains and putting low lighting on, soon after 8 o'clock. Mind you, it was misty this morning when I woke up.
One if the things that really surprised me about our surgery’s flu jabs is that they only earmarked one Saturday morning for over 65s. The previous Saturday was for younger people. Now, our surgery (called the Watership Down Practice) serves several villages in and around theWatership Down area. Probably around 10 villages in all. 3 of these are large villages, almost mini-towns. The population is of mostly quite elderly retired people. I just don’t understand how they aim to vaccinate such a large number of patients in one 4 hour morning session. Previously there have been 3 or 4 sessions one could go to. Perhaps there is a shortage of vaccine and it’s a first come, first jabbed policy.
I know a 92 year old lady who is immobile and tried to make an appointment, to be taken to the surgery by her daughter in her wheelchair. She was refused because there wouldn’t be suitable provisions for wheelchairs. The daughter asked for a home visit for her Mum but that was also refused due to staff shortage. So poor old Mum won’t get a flu jab this year!
My shop today was a big one. I have stocked up my freezer with meat products - turkey steaks, 1kg mince, sausages, lamb steaks, 750gm of lean braising steak, fish-cakes + fish. As I live on my own, this will make many, many meals for me. At the moment my area is fine, but Warrington + Runcorn, are areas of concern. These are not that far away and many in my area, commute to these areas for work. Things are creeping slowly, in my direction - so I decided to stock up, just in case. When extra local extra restriction happen, they seem to do so quickly. I decided to make sure I would be OK, if it happens in my area. It might sound a bit OCD, but to me, it is just being sensible + prepared, but I hope this doesn't happen 🤞🤞any time soon, or better still, never.
Funnily enough I have just had a big online order delivered, prompted by our first positive test down in the village, a young lad who works in the summer stacking shelves in the village Spar, which is where my daughter normally goes once a week for fresh food. The village is packed with holidaymakers from all over so it was inevitable really. We have been lucky to have avoided it before.
This is the latest, a market in France. Again improvement needed but enjoyed it so much I was still painting at 7 tonight having started at 2.30! Not much housework done today! Takeaway Italian again tonight. No time to cook!😉😊😁
Now the season of "Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness" is starting, I will be getting the knitting out again, plus jigsaws. But first I have to start putting the garden to bed, and planting more bulbs. I took a photo last Spring, so I know the areas which need more. Also I plan to go to a garden centre soon, to get plants + compost, to do a winter flower box. This has been empty and bare all summer, but I hope to change this. I might even do a winter hanging basket, again missing this year. I have been collecting jam jars, so there might even be home made marmalade. I am sure the lovely blokes next door, would like like a pot!
The temparature has suddenly dropped but what a lovely evening. Clear skies with loads of twinkling stars. I have been outside, spotting and trying to identify/name, the very many star constellations.
Lady R Did you see that the beautiful Dahlias at Hinton Ampner were featured on South Today this evening? Apparently, around 1000 dahlias were planted by the head gardener on his own because his staff were furloughed at the appropriate time. He said dahlias had been a big garden feature at Hinton since the 1930s and he just couldn’t let a year go by without them So, all on his own, he planted out all those glorious yellow ones around the greenhouses and, my favourites, the bright pink ones with dark purple leaves in the island beds in the terraced garden. I should love to go and see them but you need an appointment and I shall be isolating all next week. Never mind, I saw them on television instead. 🌸
No Archerphile we did not 😕 will try to watch on iPlayer if available. Was the item on BBC South Today? Our ITV local programme which we have been watching with Fred Dinenage does not appear to cover our area mostly Reading etc Sounds glorious but doubt we will make it spaces are available online to book but as things are right now.....
I should like to wish “Shanah Tova u’Metuka” to all my friends on these blogs. This may not mean anything to many, or indeed, any of you. Tonight, at sundown, is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish new year, and I am wishing everyone a “Good and Sweet New Year”
It is traditional to eat a round challah bread, sprinkled with raisins, the children would love apples dipped in honey and we would all listen to the Shofah being sounded on the first 2 mornings of Rosh Hashanah. Living where we do now, and not having been a practicing Jew for many years I still find I miss these traditions.
But this year, of all years, I want to wish everyone a good, sweet, healthy and less stressful year ahead, whenever your tradition says it begins.
And in 10 days time, on Yom Kippur, I shall seek atonement and ask for forgiveness for all the grumbling and complaining I have indulged in this year and pray to be more accepting and thankful for the blessings I receive in future. Bless you all.
This was heartwarming, . Wishing you every happiness in the next year! Our friends in New Orleans are Jewish and when we went to stay was looking forward to the Friday night dinner but they are Reformed Jews and don’t go into all the usual ceremonies. We did go with them to synagogue where of course everyone sat together rather than women being separate. It had a very warm feeling. A bit strange with no Christian decor but the main thing was the warmth and friendliness just like our better churches and chapels. Bless you too for sharing the above!😊
Archerphile, how wonderful that the Jewish new year coincides with the abundance of produce after harvest in our hemisphere. It is also so poignant this year, may we all see some light ahead.
You may be interested to know that Rosh Hashana is actually the Anniversary of the creation/birth of Adam and Eve, thus the beginning of a New Year. Not at all sure how the date was established to be on the 1st and 2nd of the month of the month Tishrei, but I expect the date decided by an ancient rabbi and handed down through the generations for over 5,700 years.
What a lovely post from Archerphile. It was so lovely and heart-felt, and I salivated hearing about the bread with raisins, plus apples with honey.
Archerphile - as for asking for attonment, due either to complaining or grumbling - we all have experienced this, in many various forms. It is just a different life in 2020.
Thanks all for the greetings and good wishes, which are returned with a wish for good health and better times to come.🌈🙏🌻
I am taking part in an autumn equinox celebration online tomorrow morning. We usually gather in a chapel in Hampstead, prepare an “altar “ of our collective objects and symbols of hopes and wishes, meditate a little, then walk a labyrinth in the afternoon. Tomorrow we will share the morning activities and I have a table ready with a candle, beach and garden finds (not rubble😉), and my journal to scribble thoughts as we go along. My attic will be a chapel/meditation room for the morning.
That sounds amazing. I am sure it will be just as memorable, in just a different way. At least things, can be adapted to, and enjoyed in the same way, be it in this new virtual world.
I am sincerely hoping that the second wave doesn't result in a strict lockdown as I am hoping to visit my only brother in Weymouth next weekend. My sisters have visited him twice since he told me on August 10th (his 70th birthday) that the doctors had told him he has four months to live (due to Hodgkin's Lymphoma) without treatment, but after tests said they would treat him with chemotherapy for six months. He even made a joke of it saying that they had already extended his life by two months. I have chatted with my doctor who said, following the now usual precautions 'the Governemnt' says it was okay for me to go out now. He was very careful in putting the responsibility on the Govt. and me! Anyway middle sister is taking me down to Dorset next Friday hopefully and I can see for myself what's going on. He is my little brother and for the first ten years of our lives it was just us two as there is a big gap between him and my eldest sister. Also the joke is that although I am nearly 6ft tall he is 8 inches taller! So it has always been Big Sister and Little Brother. He started his career in the RN in the submarine section when he was 15 but literally outgrew it! He ended up in ordinary Destroyers as a Chief Petty Officer after 27 years. That is despite being 'busted' several times due to losing his temper on occasions. Usually when dealing with drunks on shore patrol, always picked because of his intimidating height according to him. Will be seeing the new consultant on Monday after a 3 month delay when my last appointment was cancelled. Also will have to see GP regarding my eyes as I can barely see this morning. It was only last November when I had new glasses so I was reluctant to go back again without confirmation that I can come off the steroids and have the cataracts dealt with so I am not spending hundreds every year changing the prescription! Sadly no sign yet of auto immune disease going although my nails seem to have recovered. I am about to lose for the second time the broken nails but the ones growing under them seem to be attached so hopefully they will be okay now. I rubbed my eyes yesterday due to the bluriness and literally rubbed the skin off my cheek. That was the thing I was most afraid of, the disease attached my facial skin. Hopefully the consultant can help there. I have my folder and diary complete to take with me, including gruesome pictures of feet and arms, on Monday so am very nervous of what the next couple of weeks hold. I hope I can be sensible and brave with my brother but I can get very emotional easily. Oh well today is 'tidying garden for winter day,' putting all summer stuff away as forecast not good for next couple of weeks. Breakfast time now!
Spicy, don’t you dare apologise for an ‘enormous’ post!
I, and I’m sure everyone here, is very keen to hear all about what is happening with you, your treatment and daily life. I am so sorry to hear about your Little Brother’s illness and it must be a great relief for both of you that he is going to receive treatment. I wish him well with all my heart. So many patients have been unable to get cancer treatment during this pandemic, so it’s good news that he is going to have the chemotherapy. As for your trials and tribulations with the horrid disease - I just don’t know how you cope with it all, especially when your various appointments are delayed. You must have the patience and stamina of a saint. I admire you greatly and, as I am sure Miriam would say, hope that you can get those cataracts treated soon. It has made such a difference to my one eye and, hopefully the other one too, non Friday. Do keep us informed please. Your posts here, and on the Archers page are invaluable and so interesting. Sending my love, and hopes for both you and your brother.
Best wishes, Spicy to you and your brother. Mike used to say “Old age is not for Wimps!” and you have shown you are not one of them! Have been speaking to my brother today and feel it as he is so far away. He has been in pain and the painkillers prescribed had side effects but he is now a bit better. At the moment immunology treatment is ongoing and as always it is a waiting game. Hope your brother responds to his treatment. At least in these troubled times our brothers are getting their cancer treated.
Gary - I have been reading an article by Susan Calman about her favourite place - Glasgow. She makes it sound a wonderful place. She particularly loves the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and from the photo it certainly looks very impressive, both inside and out. She say she’s spending a lot of time at Escape Reality, an escape game venue. She was bought up in the West End, but has now bought a house in Southside which she never ever wants to leave. I have never visited Glasgow and would love to do so next year. Do you know anything about the places mentioned and do you have any recommendations? (I am a huge Charles Rennie Mackintosh devotee by the way)
Must respond to Archerphiles post re Glasgow. It is a wonderful city AP. I have visited more than once and have lovely memories. I too am a great fan of Charles R M and have visited many of his buildings my most memorable being the School of Art itself. (Recent disaster and results followed closely ) But also loved the house outside of the city. And too the Kelvingrove. But sadness mixed in. I was sitting on the lavatory in a hotel basement ensuite when given the news of Diana's death. It was a horrible holiday and we never got to Edinburgh as a result.
Charles R Mac's house is Hill House, a NT property. I was lucky as a friend who was a travel "organiser", arranged a weekend in Glasgow for 20 of us. This was in late November and she arranged a private opening + viewing for us. I remember it well, as it unexpectandly snowed overnight, and none of us had suitable footwear!
Oh Mrs P - what a coincidence! I too was sitting on the loo when I heard about Diana's death! I think it was a Sunday morning, very early. I had got up to visit the loo, put the on bathroom radio and couldn’t believe that the news reader was genuine. Thought I’d tuned into some bizarre play. I remember going back to bed and waking Mr A to tell him what I had heard
I was the 'guest' of Mr S on a Monumental Brass Society weekend at a Spartan boarding school in Suffolk with no access to radio, television or newspapers. We returned, nonplussed, to a world in which people in their droves were reverently laying floral tributes at the doors of supermarkets and leaving messages about the dead going to be stars in the sky.
Ev + Spicy - you are both going through so much, with your brothers. My thoughts are with you both. Stay positive and optimistic. In my experience, the positivity, often comes from the person with the condition, and their views. It is hard to accept, though.
PS Get yourself onto the "waiting" list for cataracts. Like many procedures, there are now long waiting lists for such procedures as this, now a year or more. With the 2nd wave, this could be extended more. Get yourself into the system, regardless of the immune syndrome you are so suffering from. Who knows this might be under control, in that time-line. PS I read that due to the delay in cataract ops, Moorfield Eye Hosp. are aiming for 1,000 ops per week, to reduce the backlog - talk about a conveyor belt!
I love Susan Calman, and am watching her series - Secret Scotland. I had heard her on various R4 quiz/comedy shows, but I had no real idea who she was. Then she appeared on "Strictly". The image of her in my mind, was so very different. I really loved how her personality came through, and how she changed into a "softer" person through her dancing experience, as the weeks went by. I loved the TV programme she did, which I think, but not sure, was called "Armchair Detectives". I would love to see a repeat of this.
I am feeling a bit "off" today, but it is the result of my 'flu jab, nothing more.
Why oh Why - do all the TV programmes I want to watch tonight, clash... Queen at Wembley Sky Arts now on Freeview The Best of Strictly Britains Got Talent.
They all overlap, but luckily I have two HDD recorders, which are now programmed to record!
My TV choices tells a lot about me. I have the new James Herriot recorded to watch..along with episodes of My Farming Life along with various programmes about Pompei, Egypt, Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures. My taste ranges far and wide.
Woo hoo🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Meet daphne. She will be joining the family on Oct 24th. Very excited. Celebrating with gin and tonics. She is a German shepherd x rottie/mastiff cross. Only downside is .......she’s Lancastrian!!! Don’t say a word Lanjan!!!
Buddy and Dudley met an enormous German Shepherd called Petra the other day. She ambled over to take a closer look and they weren’t a bit perturbed by the size of her. She was truly a gentle giant! She was swimming in the creek and I hadn’t realised her breed were so fond of water! She has an injured leg and her lady owner thought a swim would do her good! The dogs Buddy doesn’t like for some reason are the squashy nosed such as boxers. Dudley likes them all!
Daphne is obviously a "good un".PbtY . Well done you for deciding to go over the Pennines to find your new family member. Mabel will be pleased to have a little companion.
Like all puppies she looks lovely PtbY. Well done. I take it she is not a rescue, though she might be. Do tell us more, please. It sounds a very interesting mix and she will be, and stay healthy, as a result I hope.
Re - that Sunday morning. We left the hotel and went as planned to the museum for the day. My partner bought every Sunday paper available and while I spent time in the museum she was absorbed with ' Diana'. We went off to the highlands the following day, but every moment was soured by the shock that we and the nation were experiencing. Then we had the problem of the coming days. Should we return to London for the funeral ? Why were we not at home and able to be at Kensington Palace ? Then the news was that millions would be streaming to London, so we decided to stay put and watch on television with other guests. But neither of us had the emotional energy to continue our holiday in Edinburgh, so travelled south and stopped off for a few days in the dales. But my partner absorbed in the life and death of Diana had departed emotionally from me, and within a year we had separated. We did however on our return to London walk the route from Kensington Palace to the Abbey. ( or was it St Paul's ? ) How awful to have forgotten that detail.
And I still haven't had that few days holiday in Edinburgh !
The passing of Diana was very sad. She was so young and potentially had so much ahead of her. I could never understand though the wave of grief that followed her death. I did sign a book of condolence but went no further than that. Certainly the tragedy should never have curtailed your holiday, Mrs P but there you are, we are all different!
The collective madness that struck large parts of the UK when Diana died was one of the most bizarre things I have seen in my entire life. I was genuinely perplexed that some people were reacting the way they were. But as Ev says above, we are all different.
I found it very difficult to understand too Gary. I appreciated that it was a tragedy for her two sons and felt so upset for them having to grieve in public, especially when following the cortège. But I found the ‘national outpouring of grief’ almost distasteful and especially the criticism of the Queen for not instantly making a broadcast. As for Tony Blair and his well rehearsed ‘Princess of the People’ speech, words fail me! Îd better not say any more for fear of upsetting folk.
Whoever made those children traipse behind the corpse of their mother should be in jail! It may have looked good on TV and allowed some viewers to cry & coo over them, but it was one of the most disgusting, mawkish things ever. Distasteful doesn't even cover it AP. Who on earth suggested it? Performing monkeys are probably treated with more respect & dignity. Does anyone here think that it was a healthy thing to subject two young boys to? Repugnant.
I met and shook hands with Princess Diana years ago when she came to open the new science block at the local secondary school, and my little girl gave her a bunch of Camellias from our garden. (I realised later that was probably an unfortunate choice as they are apparently Camilla's favourite flower). What I wanted to say though was that she was much more beautiful up close than ever she looked on television, and with a natural grace and a charisma that I think came from her being descended from the Stuart line of royalty, and I think it is likely the boys will have inherited that from her.
Diana did play to the crowd and the media. When I lived in Cornwall near to Antony House (where the Alice movie was filmed!), VIP’s who visited were taken across the Tamar by boat and landed in the grounds. They were then driven through the gates and as I knew someone who worked there I got to know the time of arrival. A few others did too so we stood by the gates, maybe four or five of us. When Diana came she sat slumped back in the back seat with a petulant look and didn’t acknowledge us. In contrast a few months later Princess Anne came over and when she saw this small gathering she leaned forward, smiled and waved. Maybe for Diana it was a bad day but it did make me think.
As I’ve said on here I’m a believer in fate. We had to go and have a socially distance meet up with our son last weekend to pass on some paperwork. Mentioned we’d been looking for a new dog and had applied for 3 Rotties and failed. Next day he texts to say his managers brother in law has 4 puppies. Now that’s fate. It’s a one off litter from their dogs done as a bucket list experience really. The lady was a dog trainer. They really want the dogs to go to friends of friends so not to anyone off the internet. As much away from a puppy farm as you can get. In fact when I said we used to have 4 big dogs the guy said did we want 2! It’s just nice to be approved of and finally get another dog. It’s 11 yrs since we had a pup though, hope we cope. 🐶🤦♀️
I'm a great fan of those happy accidents PtbY. I love when it happens. I have many instances in my life where the right person, right time, right conversation, right place all came together.
You'll be fine with a pup! And you will very quickly start to remember how funny (& thick as shit) they can be...
Puppies are a handful but you will love her and cope! Buddy was chewing everything in sight including the hallway wallpaper and we did have accidents in the house but we never lost sight of his lovely nature and that he would grow into a lovely dog and he has! Now two and a half, he is a joy! The hallway was due a redecorate and now looks lovely too!
That's the good thing about dogs, they're puppies for a very short time before they become more settled adults compared to children. Congratulations PtbY I hope you have many years of companionship and joy . I've posted a new photo of Winnie. She's really settling in and getting lots of love.
I take my hat off to Spicycushion. Not only does she have her own illness to contend with but she also has the worry that two of her close family are ill also. We have counted ourselves as fortunate at our age to have been virtually clear of hospitals and doctors for the past few years so it came as a bit of a shock when after Mr LJ ,a man approaching 88 who has always acted and looked about 20 years younger ,was told he just had a virus and then to be told that it could be THE virus and finally to be told that it is his heart that is the problem. At the moment he is on a small cocktail of pills but he has two hospital Appointments on 23rd October when we may find out more.
May I wish our young blogger P tbY all the best when she goes to see her Consultant on Tuesday
Ev,I am pleased that your brother is now feeling a bit better. It is as you say good that in spite of what is happening at the moment, your brother and Spicycushion's brother and niece are getting the cancer treatment they need.
Thank you to all for good wishes. I am writing my list of questions for the consultant whilst sitting here wasting time (!) surfing. Do I really need to take all 13 tablets a day? Especially the water retention tablet, seeing as one of the effects of the auto-immune disease is too frequent visits to the loo! Is it the disease or the tablets, or indeed my diet causing me to need tablets for (wait for it!) Vitamins B, C, and D, Potassium and calcium? Other tablets are 'chemicals,' treating blood pressure and the Bullous. Finally anti-histamine, pain killers and statins!
PtbY - Best of luck for your treatment on Tuesday. I really hope it works! Lanjan - Hope your husband continues to make progress and that they (Doctors) get to the root of any problem and they can cure it. Archerphile, -Thank you so much for your lovely words in your post. It meant a lot to me to receive such thoughts from someone I feel I know but obviously do not know if you see what I mean! MrsP - as usual measured words and sound advice. Thank you. Ev- I hope your brother continues to make progress especially with the control of any pain. Again many thanks to all Spicy xx
PtbY - I too believe that fate plays a large part in the lives of many.
How wonderful that a few words passed between random ( or not ? ) individuals can lead to such fruitful an outcome.
Of course you will cope with a puppy. And as said, it is but a short time.
And who knows, the other pup may not find another family willing to have such a potentially large dog and you might be soft enough to have them both eventually.
I am a great believer in fate. It is the "Che Sera Sera" situation, as sung so well by Doris Day, and just being in the right place, at the right time. I believe it happens, which I have "no control" over. Silly or not, it happens.
I wish:- Spicy - tomorrow with her consultant appointment PtbY - on tuesday with her procedure Archerphile - on friday with her eye op
every Good Wish to all. I hope that all goes as well and very sucessfully, as expected. At least you are all going, before further life restrictions are put upon us.
My next hospital, pre-glaumoa check is a month away. If it gets postponed, I will not worry, as everything has been stable for 2 years now. It was spotted early, by my optician who referred me. My nightly drops, are doing great. It is wait + see, literally
PS I reacted to my 'flu jab yesterday - headache, muscular aches + pains, feeling "off" but this has passed. I am just glad, that I am now protected.
It will be a joint celebration! We had one today as it was Gyp’s 13th birthday on 13th but she was a bit poorly so we put it off. It was also gotcha day for both boys, 2 years for Buddy and one for Dudley so I made some cupcakes from a packet and they had blue and pink buttercream piped on top with a fishtail decoration as they were supposed to be mermaids! We had one each and the dogs shared another. They particularly enjoyed the buttercream although Dudley is very partial to cake! It is a very rare treat for them! After all that I did a simple risotto for dinner as opposed to our usual Sunday roast! Now sunk into bed with a Godfather - don’t get any ideas, it is a whisky and amaretto! Just to finish off the weekend! Night ! Night!🍹 😊😉
My mum used to give the dogs birthday cakes. And Christmas dinner. And Sunday lunch. And New Year's Day dinner. And Easter treats. (You get the picture...)
Very unusually for us, we had a full 3 course Sunday roast dinner at the place we got married on the banks of Loch Lomond. Perfect day out was had. And yesterday we spent the day at Culzean Castle and went paddling in the sea. Exhausted now. Night night.!
Ooo, you lucky do-and-so! Sounds wonderful Gary. Isolation for me again this week in prep for op on Friday .....then I’m going to party! (Boris permitting, of course)
Oh bother! Earlier on this evening I wrote a fairly long post to Lanjan, wishing Mr L well with his medication and any treatment required, and sent a message to PtbY for her eye treatment, and to Spicy too for her consultation. For some reason it has disappeared (or perhaps I forgot to click Publish?) But I hope you will all forgive me for not re-typing at this time of night, and just take my sincere good wishes as read.
Well I lost everything AP😱 could not get online hub was ok I fiddled for an age iPad was same as phone connects. Just come into the bedroom tried again and here I am 🤗 Could not believe it. Anyway going to have a read now. Good luck to everyone with appointments this week including you of course..
I wrote too. To PtbY! To Archerphile and to wish Spiceycushion the best ....alll for the coming week. I wrote twice, the first disappeared the second wouldn't 'publish' Apologies to all.
Ooh, I share a birthday with Gypsy, then (35 again, folks, I'm beginning to enjoy it!) Celebrated with first service of public worship since March 15th. Having hardly touched a keyboard since then, as I took the break as a sabbatical, my thumbs, thighs and knees are KILLING ME! It was a bit strange (we will now hum our final hymn), but worth it.
EV......liked the sound of your Godfather. So got a bottle of cheapy lidl amaretto this morning. Sat trying one now as I type. Very good. Be interesting to see how a good bottle of Disarrono makes one. Excuse spelling. Honestly only had one sip. Mixed it with Talisker whisky. Going to take it up to the summer house in a mo and finish reading David Niven Biog whilst sipping. How decadent is that!!! Weather too lovely to miss out on. Then, Miriam, if I'm not too pissed, I will be attempting Jamies sausage pie for tea that he made on last weeks show. If I am......frozen pizza.
Hey Gary... I've notice lately that were getting into a little slump here on the blog. No offence but we don't seem to have the same enthusiasm. When we had DiD and favourite movies or books people really took part giving opinions whether positive or negative. Since Europe including GB are heading for another lockdown (we've already started stocking up and I hope you all have to), then I think we need to have another game to keep our spirits up. I thought of (and this is taken from Gary's My favourite things title), 5 of our absolute favourite things and 5 things that irritate us. I'm sure that would get the juices flowing. Of course that's only a suggestion, everybody could have a different idea. Gary's already got the hat ready. I loved reading about all your choices and I miss it....what do you all think...winter is coming (as they say on Game of Thrones) and I think we need some fun. By the way welcome to Autumn 🍁🍁🍂🍂🌰🌰🌰🍃🍃
Excellent idea ,Autumnleaves. Much better than that of Ev and P tbY .!!!! Amaretto and whisky.!!! In my opinion apart from water and perhaps ginger wine ( with blended whisky) nothing should be added to whisky at all. I am clueless on this. I know Amaretto tastes of aniseed. Is it a liqueur? Is it a type of wine? If grapes are involved then remember one should not mix grape and grain P tb Y
(Looking forward to any post P tb Y makes later on this afternoon !!!)
If Gary agrees,Autumnleaves ,perhaps he will let you have first go. It will take me a while to think of my favourite things Ithink. So many to choose from .
That was only a suggestion, we could even include favourite tv series . I remember what fun we had reminiscing on our childhood sweets and tv. Gary I hope I'm not imposing.
It’s happened again! 😡 I just spent several minutes typing about our lovely (but very hot) walk this afternoon which was most unusual. I pressed Publish and it disappeared and took me back to the very first page of our very first blog on April 8th 20??? Managed to navigate back here and all my typing had gone.
Anyway, it was just to say the new photo of sunflowers is where we walked this afternoon. A very large corner of one field had these beautiful sunflowers and they were besieged by butterflies. It was very spectacular. At the back of the sunflowers there was a gap in the hedge. We looked through to see if there were more. But we were very surprised to see a huge plantation of Christmas trees, each with a red, white or green label attached to it’s top branch. It just seemed such a strange combination of crops, sunflowers on one side of the hedge and Christmas trees on the Other! It was silly to go out on such a hot afternoon and I have got back very red-faced, hot and sweaty, but ready for the beginning of isolation tomorrow.
What a great idea from Autumnleaves, about a new favourite choices. I have no preference, and if it is decided that another one happens, then I will try and give my input. Funningly enough, the other day, on listening to a DID revisted episode on R4ex, I tried to recall my 8 choices which I posted here. Sadly I couldn't recall all eight, I got to 6 but what were the other 2 - I just don't know. 😣
MIRIAM I am having network problems it’s like the Hokey Cokey so to be sure not to miss your big day HAPPY 🎂BIRTHDAY for tomorrow and enjoy whatever you do 🤗
And to think I had kept it quiet! Thank-you. It will be a different day, but Big Sis + self, are having a visit to The Zoo, with individual packed lunches. It was felt that this was the best idea and place, to meet up and enjoy, with social distancing etc. There is always so much to see and the weather is looking good.
Whenever I join in, I always get the blog from March 14th 2020. I can easily bypass it, but I cannot remove it. I always see a post I made. It was bad then but everytime..😲
Big Sis and I are still having to social distance, due to family and her grand-children and living on opposite sides of the Welsh/England border. I am not a member of her extended household with 4 families. The places are 2 daughters with her grand-kids and one of her hubbies sons. I do not mind at all, as it life as we now know it. I can't go into her home, but she can come into mine if stay well apart. It is so confusing.
My idea of a new possible favourites, relates to popular music. This is - choose a decade between 1900 to 2000, and then give 6-8 pieces of "popular" music from that decade. It could be the '20's, '50's or whatever, with any "pop" tunes in those 10 years. This covers a lot of genres of music eg jazz, music from the war years etc... That's my input, for what its worth 😁
If we are going to list our favourite things , as suggested by AutumnL I should like a bit more direction. Could it be favourite food, smells, TV programmes, hotels, cities, trees, even shops etc etc.
Or perhaps people could choose their own categories and others could comment?
I thought when we chose to do either favourite films or favourite books we were going to do the one we didn't do next; but perhaps something completely different is preferred now. 5 things that irritate us, nice idea Autumnleaves, it would give me an exercise in self control I.e. not to mention anything of a political nature. I have already today got very near to verging on it on the other blog.
Yaaay. I knew I could rely on you Lady R. So Miriam has a solstice birthday, that's special. Miriam it is midnight so : happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Miriam, happy birthday to you! 👏🎂🍨🍹🎈🎉 Have a lovely day at the zoo.
Stunning leaves Archerfile. There is something special about Autumn, sort of cosy and crisp. I was surprised how early our sycamores on the field hedge started losing their leaves this year.
Oh how I agree with you both - wonderful Autumn. Janice you have summed it up so well 👏🏻 Archerphile 🍁 what a stunning painting a true joy well done! Like others on this blog you are very talented. I’m afraid such talents passed me by but I very much appreciate what others can do!
Archerphile9;45pm last night, I don't think we need any further clarification .
I may be wrong but what I imagine Autumnleaves was saying is that your favourite things can be absolutely anything -a scent,a view ,a place .a piece of furniture, a feeling .......... I think it is something that makes you feel a bit happier. Let me give you an example As you know things are not great at the moment in the LJ household. However this morning when I got up I realised that an old orchid which has had only leaves for a long time has suddenly produced some lovely white flowers . I couldn't remember what colour the original flowers were . I can't tell you what a great feeling that gave me. This is just a suggestion. Feel free to say it is not a good idea. Do we have to bother Gary with getting out his hat ( though I am sure he will be only too pleased to do so).? Perhaps in these troubled times we can post our favourite things as and when we think of them If we just put FT before we posted anything. I love your idea Autumnleaves Thank you.
I bet I know one of the birthday girl Miriam's favourite things is. She is going there with her sister today .. Happy birthday Miriam. Enjoy your day. Lovely weather down here so I hope it is with you.
Happy Birthday Miriam! Hope you have as good a day as possible. Might even raise a wee glass of something to you later on this afternoon...
To everyone that has been experiencing problems posting comments over the past couple of days - I have tried to see what could be causing this. I can't find a definitive answer! There appears to be quite a few possible causes and they all seem to be at "your" end. Hopefully it's just a glitch and will disappear of it's own accord.
Autumnleaves - in total agreement that we seem to have lost a bit of "zing" on the blog of late and I too was thinking that we could be doing with another "Desert Island Discs" type of thing. What about the choice of posting either our 5 favourite places (plus 1 we hated!) OR our 5 favourite TV shows of all time (plus one we can't stand!)? You get to choose which one. I think if we did the 5 things that irritated us it would lead to too much gnashing of teeth and far too much scope for offending!!!
As per usual, add your name below if you would like to take part....
Yes I would like to take part Gary thank you. I would need to do the favourite places as although in more recent times I have begun to watch some things on the computer Iplayer, (like the Repair Shop mentioned here, and my daughter tells me the Bake Off begins again next week) I am not very familiar with television programmes. I don't have a television and never have had one. I think Cowgirl is the same.
I figured that that would be the case with some folk Janice - I happily lived without a TV for about a decade some years ago. Wouldn't be without one now though!
Thanks Gary I'm glad you are all gung ho about the idea. Maybe I should have reworded "things that irritate us" to pet peeves. But I can understand this would open a can of worms. Let's keep it stress free. Happy birthday dear Miriam! Have a wonderful day💖💖
I tried to post earlier from my phone but it wouldn't work, so just got to laptop now. Happy birthday Miriam, hope you have a lovely zoo visit. I'll pass on the favourite places/tv progs. Just couldn't choose.
I have been having a problem with both iPad and iPhone holding connection to the internet. As with our smart tv it has been a matter of switching off our hub for a few minutes so it can reset and if necessary then turning off and on again the devices themselves in order to reboot them but mine were ok following switching off the hub and on again. Had a recent iOS update probably that contributed as well. My IOW brother in law was on hand for advice - bless him 👏🏻
Miriam, many happy returns! You must have enjoyed your day at the zoo and seeing your sister! What a lovely celebration!
Gary, please add me to the hat but as yet have not assembled my list!
Have yet another urine infection and more antibiotics! What is wrong with this creaky old body? Thank goodness have Katy who picked up the medication and is cooking tonight! Am just taking it easy. I am so lucky though compared to others in my age group.
Thank You All so much, for my Birthday Wishes. It was a lovely jaunt out, and with Big Sis, having a catch up. As our rules are different, she could come into my home, this morning. We did realise on our jaunt out, we were not observing social distancing, but I am sure as we are both so careful, it should be OK. We ate our packed lunches, looking at a cheetah....
I saw today an area where there was horrendous problems with broadband. It was either intermittent, non- existant or just very slow. After months of tests etc. the cause was found. It was a single house, who had an old tv which interupted, with the "signals" in some way.
Gary G. Please put my name into the mix. I need to think about my favourite places but I am sure I can do this. I couldn't do favourite TV programmes as far too many eg. Bake Off starting tonight!
Very belatedly, strongly wish PtbY & Spicycushion all the best with their hospital/GP appointments this week, some progress in treatment & clarity for the future, & less of this waiting, & that Archerphile will weather the uncomfortable eye operation( on Friday, I think), & emerge in a couple of weeks with good vision in both eyes - joyful result !
Also, Happy Birthday to Miriam, & what a good idea it was to arrange something you love doing, a zoo visit with your sister.
Such good news about the canine edition to your family PtbY ! Very serendipitous. So often, we get frustrated when things don't work out ( bus/train late, a meeting has to be cancelled etc., etc., ) but perhaps don't acknowledge so much when everything falls in place magnicently -- as it certainly does !
Must say, though I haven't posted for a while here (much else going on), have followed the blog & don't think, with all the posts pouring out, the artistic enterprise of Ev. & AP very much included, that there has been a 'slump' or a lack of 'zing'. However, the DID worked well, so why not resume on a different theme. Like Janice, was thinking that if we did it again, I'd like us to go for the one not chosen before, i.e, films or novels, but places or TV is ok if preferred. Please count me in, Gary. I'd go for places, as I watch very little TV these days.
Thanks I will, as there is a bottle of prosecco chilling in the 'fridge. 🍾 just in time for TA. I need to be careful though, as I am test driving a new car tomorrow morning.
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion - September 15, 2020 at 10:40 PM
There was a very funny start to a programme about cats a couple of years back. A team was going to study all the cats in the isolated village (about 20) i.e. where they hunted, how far away did they go, did they have their own territories etc.
Village Hall was HQ with computers and large screens, all cats fitted with trackers, large maps fitted to the walls. They planned to be there about a week.
The first day it poured with rain and not a single cat left their house!
Archerphile - September 16, 2020 at 8:48 AM
My next door neighbours bought 2 very expensive pedigree Burmese cats a couple of years ago (thank goodness they don’t ask us to look after them when they go on holiday any more!)
They are sisters, but different colours. The cream one stays around their house and our gardens. The brown one goes walkabout for days on end. Several times they’ve thought she’d been run over or been stolen, or got in the back of a van and been transported away. But after several days she appears back home, has a good feed and sleep, then a week or two later the whole routine is repeated.
They would love to have one of those trackers to see where she goes off to.
Ev - September 16, 2020 at 8:42 AM
This morning on Breakfast, Esther Ransom said no presenter on BBC should be paid more than the PM. She put these crazy salaries alongside the withdrawal of free TV licence for over 75’s. Gary Lineker has taken a pay cut of £400,000 which she said stuck in the craw! Zoe Ball is paid around a million a year for a her radio program. Will the BBC listen? I doubt it!🙁🥴
Ev - September 16, 2020 at 8:43 AM
Esther also pointed out that top presenters have all sorts of freebies and of course there are always crisp adverts if they fall into poverty!!!
Archerphile - September 16, 2020 at 9:06 AM
I believe the new Director General is clamping down on BBC presenters, news readers etc from moonlighting, taking paid work for other events which could be thought to compromise their neutrality. Naga Munchetty was criticised for earning a big fee for working at some commercial event or other (can’t remember which company it was).
I completely fail to see why Gary Linneker should have been earning £1.7 million for presenting one football programme a week and the Sportsview Personality of the Year Show.
It was obscene.
And an insult to elderly license fee layers.
😡
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Archerphile
DeleteIt's not only presenters and those who appear on screen. There are over a 1000 'managers' at the BBC who earn £150k per annum. Obviously the TV series W1A was not far off the mark the same as Yes Minister 30 years ago!
ReplyDeleteThe new DG has also called a halt to 'meetings' saying they are mostly a waste of time!
That programme was unbelievable, 3 series of saying absolutely nothing and getting nothing done. I mean it was really funny and very clever writing. I bet the BBC is actually like that too.
DeleteI bet they will still continue to send so called "stars" to repeat coverage of events which have adequately been reported by local reporters and to send reporters to the location of an incident which occured several years ago whenever there is a new development albeit hundreds of miles distant.
ReplyDeleteWe frequently hear that the enormous salaries are to prevent the so called stars from taking their talents elsewhere. Well then let them go I for one would not miss them and there are infinite jobs on offer.
I can well afford to pay for a tv licence but i resent this profligate use of the corporations finances.
It isn't only T.V. presenters though, footballers, rock stars, internet 'influencers' also get vast amounts of money. I don't blame them for taking the going rate. If I had a talent, I would have enjoyed earning shed-loads of money. I definitely would not have liked the greed, envy and jealousy that accompanies it.
ReplyDeleteJealousy, envy etc might be mitigated if the ‘stars’ are generous to charities and good causes.
DeleteLike the young football player who has been campaigning for free school meals this summer, Marcus Rashford(?)
Or even, dare I say, Mr and Mrs Bill Gates who pump so much of their fortune into a world anti-malarial programme and vaccinations for poor children.
I’m sure there are many other examples.
What particular enormity of talent is required to READ the news? I am aware that the journalists are somewhat involved in the preparatiom of bulletins but I cannot accept that, following an update to a news story which is mentioned during the bulletin, the "Star" finishes the programme by repeating the somewhat sensationalised words that started it and completely omits any reference to the new facts..
DeleteI never thought I was overpaid in any of the jobs I did. Has any of the bloggers?
ReplyDeleteI earnt every penny of my salary, by hard work, commitment, understanding + care for all, be it staff or clients.
DeleteI was "salaried" so could never claim for the very many extra hours I did, such as:-
going in a hour early, staying late, working half my lunch-break etc.
Over paid - definitely not!
Would I do it again - probably Yes.
...and this did not include the evening meetings, the training packages to be done, the 9 hours of CPD each month, all done in my own time.
DeleteDefinitely not Gary!!
DeleteNo.
ReplyDeleteMy car passed its MOT today. I didn't think for one moment that it would fail, but it was still a relief.
ReplyDeleteI sat, with a mask on, reading a book for the hour it took. It was, surprisingly a very relaxing time.
Not such good news is, I have spotted a small round "black lump" on the back of one of my Pusscats ears. It looks OK, but I am concerned. Luckily, she is booked in next week, for her annual jab so it can looked at then. So it is 🤞🤞😺 until then. I am prepared, though.
I am reading a book by Christobel Kent, which is set in Florence.
DeleteFor those who know this author, it is one of those, when Sandro Cellini, is now a private detective. The print is very small, so I am glad that I finally have had my prescription reading glasses, repaired.
Yes 🤞🏼🤞🏼 for 🐱
DeleteOff tangent + health concerned - has anyone had a notification about getting the 'flu jab?
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet.
Mr R booked for Saturday and 3 friends met with yesterday have all had theirs. I am a different surgery and like you Miriam I have not heard anything yet, my online September newsletter not through yet so they are still sorting details.......
DeleteMine booked for Monday at 10:30 at my local community pharmacy
DeleteThanks Pierre. I will go to my local Pharmacy to see what they are offering..
DeleteI had a text from my GP practice last week. I called the next day and am booked in for October 10th.
DeleteI got mine today (hope I don't sound smug!)
DeleteJust checked out my Practice website. They will be writing or texting patients with a day and time of appointment the injection will be administered to each person in their car! Arrive wearing a mask and have your arm nearest to the window bare. My surgery is in the grounds of the local Community Hospital which will be set out with an in/out system. If appointment is not possible to keep ring and will be remade but likely Nov and 🤞🏼 vaccine lasts out!
ReplyDeleteThis assumes that all patients have access to a car.
ReplyDeleteI booked my B12 injection last week.
ReplyDeleteHaving booked with the nurse she asked if I usually had a flue jab.
So on Friday I get both at the same time.
No Gary, I don't ever remember thinking that I was overpaid for any of the jobs I've ever done.
Yes Sarnia, just as it is assumed by everyone that we all have a mobile phone.
ReplyDeleteWe had a text telling us to go to surgery website to book a flu vaccine appt.
ReplyDeleteIt took ages to navigate the site, incredibly difficult to book appts for us both and only one Saturday morning in late October when over 65’s can be seen. We have even been instructed not to go by car to avoid blocking the surgery car park.
I can tell you that I am not walking the 15 mile round trip to get a jab! We also told to take an umbrella as we will have to queue outside in the car park - is it worth it, I ask myself?
Since they got computerised it is almost impossible to arrange any thing easily at our surgery any more.
Many pharmacies are doing flu jabs.
ReplyDeleteWe used to be able to walk in to several of our local Chemists and get one but now of course one has to book an appointment.
Our tiny local Boots is starting on 23rd September to supply the jabs.
I am not surprised that it is difficult to get a flu jab at a Surgery.
It must be so difficult for them at the moment
The answer ,Archerphile is that it IS worth having the flu jab however inconvenient it may be.
Yes, Lanjan, I do know that! I was trying to be ironic. I obviously failed.
DeleteIt is also generally assumed that everyone has access to a computer.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, couldn't you do it on two separate days and drive each other nearer to the appointment? I was very much against any sort of vaccinations but caught the flu a few years ago.
I didn't have a fever, but it was very unpleasant and debilitating, I couldn't eat and was weak. The following year I decided that I didn't want to go through that again and any more toxic substance wouldn't make much difference at my age. I don't yet know what the situation is here this year.
Here in Italy we hear on the news when the jab is available. There's always a big public service campaign with posters all over. It's free for over 65 s and those with chronic illness and you can buy it for 10 € in the pharmacy. My GP is on a first come first serve basis..doesn't have a Secretary if you need a doctor you just turn up and wait in the queue otherwise he will come out to do house visits in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI had the flu 20 years ago ..was in bed for a week felt like a truck had ran over me. Took me weeks to get my strength back.
I had a 'flu jab this morning. Whilst in Sainsbury's shopping I enquired at the in-store Lloyds Pharmacy. They had the over-65 one in stock, and they could do it there + then. I didn't hesitate. I was told I had the last over 65 one, and due to shortages, it is unknown when they will get more stock.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky.
It certainly is more convenient to get it from the chemist.
ReplyDeleteOver the last five years I have been told each year, at my health centre that I would have to wait another month because all the waiting lists were full.
On each occasion I have walked round to Boots and been given the injection either there and then or given an appointment for half an hours time.
Only this year because I was booking directly with the nurse for my B12 was I then offered the flue jab at the same time.
Great it has been done. I feel it is so much more important, to get jabbed as soon as possible, this year. The vaccine programme has been expanded this year, so waiting times could be more, depending on fitness + health, rather than age.
DeleteI am relieved that mine has been done so easily. Nearly 7 hours now, and as per usual, my arm is slightly swollen - but that is normal for me. It will be stiff + sore tomorrow, as that always happen + expected.
PS I had a good time with the Pharmacist, as on offering me the package literature, I said that I was interested in reading it. Only then did I say I was an ex-pharmacist and we had a lovely chat. She told me about how difficult it was working in "lockdown" and how upsetting it was, on hearing a customer had died directly from Covid - or more usually, a post Covid complication.
DeleteI said a big "Thank-you" to her, to be passed onto her staff, as my meds. were always ready when I picked them up. She was so grateful for that. It helps them.
What another lovely Indian Summer day. It certainly helps in keeping the spirits + activity up. I am already not liking, closing the curtains and putting low lighting on, soon after 8 o'clock. Mind you, it was misty this morning when I woke up.
ReplyDeleteOne if the things that really surprised me about our surgery’s flu jabs is that they only earmarked one Saturday morning for over 65s. The previous Saturday was for younger people.
ReplyDeleteNow, our surgery (called the Watership Down Practice) serves several villages in and around theWatership Down area. Probably around 10 villages in all. 3 of these are large villages, almost mini-towns. The population is of mostly quite elderly retired people.
I just don’t understand how they aim to vaccinate such a large number of patients in one 4 hour morning session. Previously there have been 3 or 4 sessions one could go to. Perhaps there is a shortage of vaccine and it’s a first come, first jabbed policy.
I know a 92 year old lady who is immobile and tried to make an appointment, to be taken to the surgery by her daughter in her wheelchair. She was refused because there wouldn’t be suitable provisions for wheelchairs. The daughter asked for a home visit for her Mum but that was also refused due to staff shortage. So poor old Mum won’t get a flu jab this year!
Every medical practice has to have wheelchair access - it is mandatory.
DeleteMy shop today was a big one. I have stocked up my freezer with meat products - turkey steaks, 1kg mince, sausages, lamb steaks, 750gm of lean braising steak, fish-cakes + fish. As I live on my own, this will make many, many meals for me.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment my area is fine, but Warrington + Runcorn, are areas of concern. These are not that far away and many in my area, commute to these areas for work. Things are creeping slowly, in my direction - so I decided to stock up, just in case.
When extra local extra restriction happen, they seem to do so quickly. I decided to make sure I would be OK, if it happens in my area.
It might sound a bit OCD, but to me, it is just being sensible + prepared, but I hope this doesn't happen 🤞🤞any time soon, or better still, never.
Funnily enough I have just had a big online order delivered, prompted by our first positive test down in the village, a young lad who works in the summer stacking shelves in the village Spar, which is where my daughter normally goes once a week for fresh food. The village is packed with holidaymakers from all over so it was inevitable really. We have been lucky to have avoided it before.
DeleteThis is the latest, a market in France. Again improvement needed but enjoyed it so much I was still painting at 7 tonight having started at 2.30! Not much housework done today! Takeaway Italian again tonight. No time to cook!😉😊😁
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do people like that!
DeleteYou are inspirational Ev !
DeleteNow the season of "Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness" is starting, I will be getting the knitting out again, plus jigsaws.
ReplyDeleteBut first I have to start putting the garden to bed, and planting more bulbs. I took a photo last Spring, so I know the areas which need more.
Also I plan to go to a garden centre soon, to get plants + compost, to do a winter flower box. This has been empty and bare all summer, but I hope to change this. I might even do a winter hanging basket, again missing this year.
I have been collecting jam jars, so there might even be home made marmalade.
I am sure the lovely blokes next door, would like like a pot!
The temparature has suddenly dropped but what a lovely evening.
DeleteClear skies with loads of twinkling stars. I have been outside, spotting and trying to identify/name, the very many star constellations.
Cocoa + slippers now..and 💤💤
Warm wind blowing, windows open, hopefully down to around 19 ° in the bedroom overnight, 32 today... so dry.
ReplyDeleteOverpaid? Music teacher? 🤣😂🤣
ReplyDeleteYou wish!!!!!
DeleteLady R
ReplyDeleteDid you see that the beautiful Dahlias at Hinton Ampner were featured on South Today this evening?
Apparently, around 1000 dahlias were planted by the head gardener on his own because his staff were furloughed at the appropriate time.
He said dahlias had been a big garden feature at Hinton since the 1930s and he just couldn’t let a year go by without them
So, all on his own, he planted out all those glorious yellow ones around the greenhouses and, my favourites, the bright pink ones with dark purple leaves in the island beds in the terraced garden.
I should love to go and see them but you need an appointment and I shall be isolating all next week.
Never mind, I saw them on television instead. 🌸
No Archerphile we did not 😕 will try to watch on iPlayer if available. Was the item on BBC South Today? Our ITV local programme which we have been watching with Fred Dinenage does not appear to cover our area mostly Reading etc
DeleteSounds glorious but doubt we will make it spaces are available online to book but as things are right now.....
I should like to wish “Shanah Tova u’Metuka” to all my friends on these blogs.
ReplyDeleteThis may not mean anything to many, or indeed, any of you.
Tonight, at sundown, is the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish new year, and I am wishing everyone a “Good and Sweet New Year”
It is traditional to eat a round challah bread, sprinkled with raisins, the children would love apples dipped in honey and we would all listen to the Shofah being sounded on the first 2 mornings of Rosh Hashanah. Living where we do now, and not having been a practicing Jew for many years I still find I miss these traditions.
But this year, of all years, I want to wish everyone a good, sweet, healthy and less stressful year ahead, whenever your tradition says it begins.
And in 10 days time, on Yom Kippur, I shall seek atonement and ask for forgiveness for all the grumbling and complaining I have indulged in this year and pray to be more accepting and thankful for the blessings I receive in future. Bless you all.
Shannah Tovah Archerphile. I wish everyone peace, health and happiness in the year 5781🕎on Rosh Hashanah.
DeleteThank you for your kind wishes Archerphile which are returned to you tenfold 🥰
DeleteThis was heartwarming, . Wishing you every happiness in the next year! Our friends in New Orleans are Jewish and when we went to stay was looking forward to the Friday night dinner but they are Reformed Jews and don’t go into all the usual ceremonies. We did go with them to synagogue where of course everyone sat together rather than women being separate. It had a very warm feeling. A bit strange with no Christian decor but the main thing was the warmth and friendliness just like our better churches and chapels. Bless you too for sharing the above!😊
ReplyDeleteArcherphile, how wonderful that the Jewish new year coincides with the abundance of produce after harvest in our hemisphere. It is also so poignant this year, may we all see some light ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou may be interested to know that Rosh Hashana is actually the Anniversary of the creation/birth of Adam and Eve, thus the beginning of a New Year.
DeleteNot at all sure how the date was established to be on the 1st and 2nd of the month of the month Tishrei, but I expect the date decided by an ancient rabbi and handed down through the generations for over 5,700 years.
Thank you, Archerphile
ReplyDeleteThank you Archerphile, and I wish you the same.
ReplyDeleteThank you Archerphile and Stasia. I wish the same to all readers of this blog, and your families. x
ReplyDeleteMerci AP, 💕 à toutes et à tous.
ReplyDeleteI wish the same for you Archerphile and to all of us on this blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post from Archerphile. It was so lovely and heart-felt, and I salivated hearing about the bread with raisins, plus apples with honey.
ReplyDeleteArcherphile - as for asking for attonment, due either to complaining or grumbling - we all have experienced this, in many various forms. It is just a different life in 2020.
✔️ 👏🏻
DeleteThanks all for the greetings and good wishes, which are returned with a wish for good health and better times to come.🌈🙏🌻
ReplyDeleteI am taking part in an autumn equinox celebration online tomorrow morning. We usually gather in a chapel in Hampstead, prepare an “altar “ of our collective objects and symbols of hopes and wishes, meditate a little, then walk a labyrinth in the afternoon. Tomorrow we will share the morning activities and I have a table ready with a candle, beach and garden finds (not rubble😉), and my journal to scribble thoughts as we go along. My attic will be a chapel/meditation room for the morning.
That sounds amazing. I am sure it will be just as memorable, in just a different way.
DeleteAt least things, can be adapted to, and enjoyed in the same way, be it in this new virtual world.
Sounds equally special Seasider 🍁 🕯 🍂🐚 🕯 🍁
DeleteArcherphile I found the HA 🌺 clip on YouTube via google as the local news is very short lived on iPlayer. Thank you for the nod!
ReplyDeleteI am sincerely hoping that the second wave doesn't result in a strict lockdown as I am hoping to visit my only brother in Weymouth next weekend. My sisters have visited him twice since he told me on August 10th (his 70th birthday) that the doctors had told him he has four months to live (due to Hodgkin's Lymphoma) without treatment, but after tests said they would treat him with chemotherapy for six months. He even made a joke of it saying that they had already extended his life by two months. I have chatted with my doctor who said, following the now usual precautions 'the Governemnt' says it was okay for me to go out now. He was very careful in putting the responsibility on the Govt. and me! Anyway middle sister is taking me down to Dorset next Friday hopefully and I can see for myself what's going on. He is my little brother and for the first ten years of our lives it was just us two as there is a big gap between him and my eldest sister. Also the joke is that although I am nearly 6ft tall he is 8 inches taller! So it has always been Big Sister and Little Brother. He started his career in the RN in the submarine section when he was 15 but literally outgrew it! He ended up in ordinary Destroyers as a Chief Petty Officer after 27 years. That is despite being 'busted' several times due to losing his temper on occasions. Usually when dealing with drunks on shore patrol, always picked because of his intimidating height according to him.
ReplyDeleteWill be seeing the new consultant on Monday after a 3 month delay when my last appointment was cancelled. Also will have to see GP regarding my eyes as I can barely see this morning. It was only last November when I had new glasses so I was reluctant to go back again without confirmation that I can come off the steroids and have the cataracts dealt with so I am not spending hundreds every year changing the prescription!
Sadly no sign yet of auto immune disease going although my nails seem to have recovered. I am about to lose for the second time the broken nails but the ones growing under them seem to be attached so hopefully they will be okay now. I rubbed my eyes yesterday due to the bluriness and literally rubbed the skin off my cheek. That was the thing I was most afraid of, the disease attached my facial skin. Hopefully the consultant can help there.
I have my folder and diary complete to take with me, including gruesome pictures of feet and arms, on Monday so am very nervous of what the next couple of weeks hold. I hope I can be sensible and brave with my brother but I can get very emotional easily.
Oh well today is 'tidying garden for winter day,' putting all summer stuff away as forecast not good for next couple of weeks.
Breakfast time now!
Sorry it is an enormous post!
ReplyDeleteNo apology needed Spicy and I wish you and your brother all the luck in the world with your meet up 🤞🏼🙏🏼
DeleteHoping very much that your brother responds well to the chemo, and that your health also improves. Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteSpicy, don’t you dare apologise for an ‘enormous’ post!
ReplyDeleteI, and I’m sure everyone here, is very keen to hear all about what is happening with you, your treatment and daily life.
I am so sorry to hear about your Little Brother’s illness and it must be a great relief for both of you that he is going to receive treatment. I wish him well with all my heart. So many patients have been unable to get cancer treatment during this pandemic, so it’s good news that he is going to have the chemotherapy.
As for your trials and tribulations with the horrid disease - I just don’t know how you cope with it all, especially when your various appointments are delayed. You must have the patience and stamina of a saint. I admire you greatly and, as I am sure Miriam would say, hope that you can get those cataracts treated soon. It has made such a difference to my one eye and, hopefully the other one too, non Friday.
Do keep us informed please. Your posts here, and on the Archers page are invaluable and so interesting.
Sending my love, and hopes for both you and your brother.
Spiceycushion, I wish you and your brother, " Fair winds and a following sea "
ReplyDeleteSpicy 💕
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion, you always 'stand tall' when facing up to life, you're an example to us all. Please let us know the outcome when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Spicy to you and your brother. Mike used to say “Old age is not for Wimps!” and you have shown you are not one of them! Have been speaking to my brother today and feel it as he is so far away. He has been in pain and the painkillers prescribed had side effects but he is now a bit better. At the moment immunology treatment is ongoing and as always it is a waiting game. Hope your brother responds to his treatment. At least in these troubled times our brothers are getting their cancer treated.
ReplyDeleteSpicy and Ev, warmest wishes to you and your brothers. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best also to Archerphile, PtbY, and anyone else coping with health concerns and appointments.
Hoping we can sustain ourselves and each other in these testing times.🙏
You have said pretty much exactly what I was going to write Seasider.
DeleteGary -
ReplyDeleteI have been reading an article by Susan Calman about her favourite place - Glasgow.
She makes it sound a wonderful place. She particularly loves the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and from the photo it certainly looks very impressive, both inside and out. She say she’s spending a lot of time at Escape Reality, an escape game venue. She was bought up in the West End, but has now bought a house in Southside which she never ever wants to leave.
I have never visited Glasgow and would love to do so next year. Do you know anything about the places mentioned and do you have any recommendations? (I am a huge Charles Rennie Mackintosh devotee by the way)
Must respond to Archerphiles post re Glasgow.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful city AP. I have visited more than once and have lovely memories.
I too am a great fan of Charles R M and have visited many of his buildings my most memorable being the School of Art itself. (Recent disaster and results followed closely )
But also loved the house outside of the city.
And too the Kelvingrove.
But sadness mixed in. I was sitting on the lavatory in a hotel basement ensuite when given the news of Diana's death. It was a horrible holiday and we never got to Edinburgh as a result.
Charles R Mac's house is Hill House, a NT property. I was lucky as a friend who was a travel "organiser", arranged a weekend in Glasgow for 20 of us. This was in late November and she arranged a private opening + viewing for us. I remember it well, as it unexpectandly snowed overnight, and none of us had suitable footwear!
DeleteOh Mrs P - what a coincidence!
DeleteI too was sitting on the loo when I heard about Diana's death! I think it was a Sunday morning, very early. I had got up to visit the loo, put the on bathroom radio and couldn’t believe that the news reader was genuine. Thought I’d tuned into some bizarre play.
I remember going back to bed and waking Mr A to tell him what I had heard
I was the 'guest' of Mr S on a Monumental Brass Society weekend at a Spartan boarding school in Suffolk with no access to radio, television or newspapers. We returned, nonplussed, to a world in which people in their droves were reverently laying floral tributes at the doors of supermarkets and leaving messages about the dead going to be stars in the sky.
DeleteEv + Spicy - you are both going through so much, with your brothers. My thoughts are with you both. Stay positive and optimistic. In my experience, the positivity, often comes from the person with the condition, and their views.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to accept, though.
PS Get yourself onto the "waiting" list for cataracts. Like many procedures, there are now long waiting lists for such procedures as this, now a year or more. With the 2nd wave, this could be extended more.
Get yourself into the system, regardless of the immune syndrome you are so suffering from. Who knows this might be under control, in that time-line.
PS I read that due to the delay in cataract ops, Moorfield Eye Hosp. are aiming for 1,000 ops per week, to reduce the backlog - talk about a conveyor belt!
The PS was meant for Spicy, but didn't address it to her.
DeleteI love Susan Calman, and am watching her series - Secret Scotland.
ReplyDeleteI had heard her on various R4 quiz/comedy shows, but I had no real idea who she was.
Then she appeared on "Strictly". The image of her in my mind, was so very different. I really loved how her personality came through, and how she changed into a "softer" person through her dancing experience, as the weeks went by.
I loved the TV programme she did, which I think, but not sure, was called "Armchair Detectives". I would love to see a repeat of this.
I am feeling a bit "off" today, but it is the result of my 'flu jab, nothing more.
My arm is still slightly swollen where I was jabbed - but this always happens to me
DeleteWhy oh Why - do all the TV programmes I want to watch tonight, clash...
ReplyDeleteQueen at Wembley Sky Arts now on Freeview
The Best of Strictly
Britains Got Talent.
They all overlap, but luckily I have two HDD recorders, which are now programmed to record!
My TV choices tells a lot about me. I have the new James Herriot recorded to watch..along with episodes of My Farming Life along with various programmes about Pompei, Egypt, Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures.
DeleteMy taste ranges far and wide.
I may have dog news later!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery excited.
Woo hoo🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
ReplyDeleteMeet daphne. She will be joining the family on Oct 24th.
Very excited. Celebrating with gin and tonics.
She is a German shepherd x rottie/mastiff cross.
Only downside is .......she’s Lancastrian!!! Don’t say a word Lanjan!!!
Sorry.....tap on name to increase size of photo.
DeleteObviously not you Archerphile. Lol.
Daphne looks gorgeous! I assume she’s going to be quite large given her heritage. I hope you have a wonderful life together.
DeleteShe’s lovely! How old is she? All the best to you and her!🐶🐶
DeleteBuddy and Dudley met an enormous German Shepherd called Petra the other day. She ambled over to take a closer look and they weren’t a bit perturbed by the size of her. She was truly a gentle giant! She was swimming in the creek and I hadn’t realised her breed were so fond of water! She has an injured leg and her lady owner thought a swim would do her good! The dogs Buddy doesn’t like for some reason are the squashy nosed such as boxers. Dudley likes them all!
DeleteOoh bless Ptby - such a cutie 🥰
DeleteShe is beautiful.
DeleteIf she lives up to her Greek water nymph name she will be straight in every puddle and stream she finds! 🐕💦🏊♀️
DeleteLook at the size of those paws. She'll be a whopper!
DeleteLucky you! Lucky her!
DeleteDaphne is obviously a "good un".PbtY .
DeleteWell done you for deciding to go over the Pennines to find your new family member.
Mabel will be pleased to have a little companion.
She will be 5 weeks on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteHope she’ll be enormous. Will save bending over to stroke her...😁
😁 She's a beauty!
DeleteLike all puppies she looks lovely PtbY.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
I take it she is not a rescue, though she might be. Do tell us more, please.
It sounds a very interesting mix and she will be, and stay healthy, as a result I hope.
Re - that Sunday morning.
ReplyDeleteWe left the hotel and went as planned to the museum for the day.
My partner bought every Sunday paper available and while I spent time in the museum she was absorbed with ' Diana'.
We went off to the highlands the following day, but every moment was soured by the shock that we and the nation were experiencing.
Then we had the problem of the coming days. Should we return to London for the funeral ? Why were we not at home and able to be at Kensington Palace ?
Then the news was that millions would be streaming to London, so we decided to stay put and watch on television with other guests. But neither of us had the emotional energy to continue our holiday in Edinburgh, so travelled south and stopped off for a few days in the dales.
But my partner absorbed in the life and death of Diana had departed emotionally from me, and within a year we had separated.
We did however on our return to London walk the route from Kensington Palace to the Abbey. ( or was it St Paul's ? ) How awful to have forgotten that detail.
And I still haven't had that few days holiday in Edinburgh !
The passing of Diana was very sad. She was so young and potentially had so much ahead of her. I could never understand though the wave of grief that followed her death. I did sign a book of condolence but went no further than that. Certainly the tragedy should never have curtailed your holiday, Mrs P but there you are, we are all different!
ReplyDeleteThe collective madness that struck large parts of the UK when Diana died was one of the most bizarre things I have seen in my entire life. I was genuinely perplexed that some people were reacting the way they were. But as Ev says above, we are all different.
ReplyDeleteI found it very difficult to understand too Gary. I appreciated that it was a tragedy for her two sons and felt so upset for them having to grieve in public, especially when following the cortège. But I found the ‘national outpouring of grief’ almost distasteful and especially the criticism of the Queen for not instantly making a broadcast. As for Tony Blair and his well rehearsed ‘Princess of the People’ speech, words fail me!
DeleteÎd better not say any more for fear of upsetting folk.
Whoever made those children traipse behind the corpse of their mother should be in jail! It may have looked good on TV and allowed some viewers to cry & coo over them, but it was one of the most disgusting, mawkish things ever. Distasteful doesn't even cover it AP. Who on earth suggested it? Performing monkeys are probably treated with more respect & dignity. Does anyone here think that it was a healthy thing to subject two young boys to? Repugnant.
DeleteYes, I think the Queen is a compassionate, caring person and I imagine she would have been comforting her grandsons at Balmoral.
DeleteAP, I'm not ignoring your queries about Glasgow - honest! Just had a busy, busy day or two. (In a good way) Will reply properly later.
DeleteIt was awful to make those two boys walk behind the coffin. I think Harry especially is still traumatised by the death and the aftermath.
DeleteI met and shook hands with Princess Diana years ago when she came to open the new science block at the local secondary school, and my little girl gave her a bunch of Camellias from our garden. (I realised later that was probably an unfortunate choice as they are apparently Camilla's favourite flower).
DeleteWhat I wanted to say though was that she was much more beautiful up close than ever she looked on television, and with a natural grace and a charisma that I think came from her being descended from the Stuart line of royalty, and I think it is likely the boys will have inherited that from her.
Even more beautiful -wow!
DeleteDiana did play to the crowd and the media. When I lived in Cornwall near to Antony House (where the Alice movie was filmed!), VIP’s who visited were taken across the Tamar by boat and landed in the grounds. They were then driven through the gates and as I knew someone who worked there I got to know the time of arrival. A few others did too so we stood by the gates, maybe four or five of us. When Diana came she sat slumped back in the back seat with a petulant look and didn’t acknowledge us. In contrast a few months later Princess Anne came over and when she saw this small gathering she leaned forward, smiled and waved. Maybe for Diana it was a bad day but it did make me think.
DeleteDog alert!!
ReplyDeleteAs I’ve said on here I’m a believer in fate. We had to go and have a socially distance meet up with our son last weekend to pass on some paperwork. Mentioned we’d been looking for a new dog and had applied for 3 Rotties and failed.
Next day he texts to say his managers brother in law has 4 puppies. Now that’s fate.
It’s a one off litter from their dogs done as a bucket list experience really. The lady was a dog trainer. They really want the dogs to go to friends of friends so not to anyone off the internet. As much away from a puppy farm as you can get. In fact when I said we used to have 4 big dogs the guy said did we want 2!
It’s just nice to be approved of and finally get another dog. It’s 11 yrs since we had a pup though, hope we cope. 🐶🤦♀️
I'm a great fan of those happy accidents PtbY. I love when it happens. I have many instances in my life where the right person, right time, right conversation, right place all came together.
DeleteYou'll be fine with a pup! And you will very quickly start to remember how funny (& thick as shit) they can be...
Puppies are a handful but you will love her and cope! Buddy was chewing everything in sight including the hallway wallpaper and we did have accidents in the house but we never lost sight of his lovely nature and that he would grow into a lovely dog and he has! Now two and a half, he is a joy! The hallway was due a redecorate and now looks lovely too!
DeleteThat's the good thing about dogs, they're puppies for a very short time before they become more settled adults compared to children.
DeleteCongratulations PtbY I hope you have many years of companionship and joy .
I've posted a new photo of Winnie. She's really settling in and getting lots of love.
Winnie is deffo a cutie.
DeleteShe sure is!
DeleteAdorable 🍁🍁🍁🍁
DeleteI wish you many happy years with Winnie who looks so sweet.
DeleteI take my hat off to Spicycushion.
ReplyDeleteNot only does she have her own illness to contend with but she also has the worry that two of her close family are ill also.
We have counted ourselves as fortunate at our age to have been virtually clear of hospitals and doctors for the past few years so it came as a bit of a shock when after Mr LJ ,a man approaching 88 who has always acted and looked about 20 years younger ,was told he just had a virus and then to be told that it could be THE virus and finally to be told that it is his heart that is the problem.
At the moment he is on a small cocktail of pills but he has two hospital Appointments on 23rd October when we may find out more.
May I wish our young blogger P tbY all the best when she goes to see her Consultant on Tuesday
Meant to add to my first sentence.,how stoical Spicycushion has been.
ReplyDeleteI was just saying to Mr R today “ I wonder how Mr LJ is getting on” sending good wishes 🤗
DeleteEv,I am pleased that your brother is now feeling a bit better.
ReplyDeleteIt is as you say good that in spite of what is happening at the moment, your brother and Spicycushion's brother and niece are getting the cancer treatment they need.
Thank you to all for good wishes. I am writing my list of questions for the consultant whilst sitting here wasting time (!) surfing. Do I really need to take all 13 tablets a day? Especially the water retention tablet, seeing as one of the effects of the auto-immune disease is too frequent visits to the loo!
ReplyDeleteIs it the disease or the tablets, or indeed my diet causing me to need tablets for (wait for it!) Vitamins B, C, and D, Potassium and calcium? Other tablets are 'chemicals,' treating blood pressure and the Bullous. Finally anti-histamine, pain killers and statins!
PtbY - Best of luck for your treatment on Tuesday. I really hope it works!
Lanjan - Hope your husband continues to make progress and that they (Doctors) get to the root of any problem and they can cure it.
Archerphile, -Thank you so much for your lovely words in your post. It meant a lot to me to receive such thoughts from someone I feel I know but obviously do not know if you see what I mean!
MrsP - as usual measured words and sound advice. Thank you.
Ev- I hope your brother continues to make progress especially with the control of any pain.
Again many thanks to all
Spicy xx
PtbY - I too believe that fate plays a large part in the lives of many.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that a few words passed between random ( or not ? ) individuals can lead to such fruitful an outcome.
Of course you will cope with a puppy. And as said, it is but a short time.
And who knows, the other pup may not find another family willing to have such a potentially large dog and you might be soft enough to have them both eventually.
I am a great believer in fate. It is the "Che Sera Sera" situation, as sung so well by Doris Day, and just being in the right place, at the right time. I believe it happens, which I have "no control" over. Silly or not, it happens.
ReplyDeleteI wish:-
Spicy - tomorrow with her consultant appointment
PtbY - on tuesday with her procedure
Archerphile - on friday with her eye op
every Good Wish to all.
I hope that all goes as well and very sucessfully, as expected.
At least you are all going, before further life restrictions are put upon us.
My next hospital, pre-glaumoa check is a month away. If it gets postponed, I will not worry, as everything has been stable for 2 years now. It was spotted early, by my optician who referred me. My nightly drops, are doing great.
DeleteIt is wait + see, literally
PS I reacted to my 'flu jab yesterday - headache, muscular aches + pains, feeling "off" but this has passed. I am just glad, that I am now protected.
Spelling 😣 "pre-glaucoma check"...
DeleteSorry folks....
ReplyDeleteRe dog. Found out today that daphne was born on my birthday. Told you it was fate.
Well fancy that ptby 👏🏻
DeleteIt will be a joint celebration! We had one today as it was Gyp’s 13th birthday on 13th but she was a bit poorly so we put it off. It was also gotcha day for both boys, 2 years for Buddy and one for Dudley so I made some cupcakes from a packet and they had blue and pink buttercream piped on top with a fishtail decoration as they were supposed to be mermaids! We had one each and the dogs shared another. They particularly enjoyed the buttercream although Dudley is very partial to cake! It is a very rare treat for them! After all that I did a simple risotto for dinner as opposed to our usual Sunday roast! Now sunk into bed with a Godfather - don’t get any ideas, it is a whisky and amaretto! Just to finish off the weekend! Night ! Night!🍹 😊😉
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to give the dogs birthday cakes. And Christmas dinner. And Sunday lunch. And New Year's Day dinner. And Easter treats. (You get the picture...)
DeleteVery unusually for us, we had a full 3 course Sunday roast dinner at the place we got married on the banks of Loch Lomond. Perfect day out was had. And yesterday we spent the day at Culzean Castle and went paddling in the sea. Exhausted now. Night night.!
Ooo, you lucky do-and-so! Sounds wonderful Gary.
DeleteIsolation for me again this week in prep for op on Friday .....then I’m going to party! (Boris permitting, of course)
Oh bother! Earlier on this evening I wrote a fairly long post to Lanjan, wishing Mr L well with his medication and any treatment required, and sent a message to PtbY for her eye treatment, and to Spicy too for her consultation.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it has disappeared (or perhaps I forgot to click Publish?)
But I hope you will all forgive me for not re-typing at this time of night, and just take my sincere good wishes as read.
Well I lost everything AP😱 could not get online hub was ok I fiddled for an age iPad was same as phone connects. Just come into the bedroom tried again and here I am 🤗
DeleteCould not believe it. Anyway going to have a read now.
Good luck to everyone with appointments this week including you of course..
Something going wrong in the ether then tonight !
ReplyDeleteI wrote too.
To PtbY! To Archerphile and to wish Spiceycushion the best ....alll for the coming week.
I wrote twice, the first disappeared the second wouldn't 'publish'
Apologies to all.
Ooh, I share a birthday with Gypsy, then (35 again, folks, I'm beginning to enjoy it!) Celebrated with first service of public worship since March 15th. Having hardly touched a keyboard since then, as I took the break as a sabbatical, my thumbs, thighs and knees are KILLING ME! It was a bit strange (we will now hum our final hymn), but worth it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Sarnia! Hope the gain outweighed the pain...😁
DeleteThe date on my birth certificate suggests that I should be one month younger than Archerphile, but it's probably some kind of administrative error.
ReplyDeleteEV......liked the sound of your Godfather. So got a bottle of cheapy lidl amaretto this morning. Sat trying one now as I type. Very good. Be interesting to see how a good bottle of Disarrono makes one. Excuse spelling. Honestly only had one sip. Mixed it with Talisker whisky. Going to take it up to the summer house in a mo and finish reading David Niven Biog whilst sipping. How decadent is that!!! Weather too lovely to miss out on.
ReplyDeleteThen, Miriam, if I'm not too pissed, I will be attempting Jamies sausage pie for tea that he made on last weeks show. If I am......frozen pizza.
Hey Gary... I've notice lately that were getting into a little slump here on the blog. No offence but we don't seem to have the same enthusiasm. When we had DiD and favourite movies or books people really took part giving opinions whether positive or negative. Since Europe including GB are heading for another lockdown (we've already started stocking up and I hope you all have to), then I think we need to have another game to keep our spirits up. I thought of (and this is taken from Gary's My favourite things title), 5 of our absolute favourite things and 5 things that irritate us. I'm sure that would get the juices flowing. Of course that's only a suggestion, everybody could have a different idea. Gary's already got the hat ready.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about all your choices and I miss it....what do you all think...winter is coming (as they say on Game of Thrones) and I think we need some fun.
By the way welcome to Autumn 🍁🍁🍂🍂🌰🌰🌰🍃🍃
Excellent idea ,Autumnleaves. Much better than that of Ev and P tbY .!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmaretto and whisky.!!!
In my opinion apart from water and perhaps ginger wine ( with blended whisky) nothing should be added to whisky at all.
I am clueless on this.
I know Amaretto tastes of aniseed.
Is it a liqueur?
Is it a type of wine?
If grapes are involved then remember one should not mix grape and grain P tb Y
(Looking forward to any post P tb Y makes later on this afternoon !!!)
Oi.....Lanjan. For your info amaretto tastes of almonds not aniseed.
DeleteIt’s rather strong. Bet Ev slept well last night.
Just testing,P tbY ,
DeleteWanted to see how far gone you were, when you read it!!
There’s still some teacher in you I see!
Delete✔️✔️✔️ 😂
DeleteTrue!
If Gary agrees,Autumnleaves ,perhaps he will let you have first go.
ReplyDeleteIt will take me a while to think of my favourite things Ithink.
So many to choose from .
That was only a suggestion, we could even include favourite tv series . I remember what fun we had reminiscing on our childhood sweets and tv.
DeleteGary I hope I'm not imposing.
Just the one, ptby!😁🍹
DeleteIt’s happened again! 😡
ReplyDeleteI just spent several minutes typing about our lovely (but very hot) walk this afternoon which was most unusual. I pressed Publish and it disappeared and took me back to the very first page of our very first blog on April 8th 20???
Managed to navigate back here and all my typing had gone.
Anyway, it was just to say the new photo of sunflowers is where we walked this afternoon. A very large corner of one field had these beautiful sunflowers and they were besieged by butterflies. It was very spectacular.
At the back of the sunflowers there was a gap in the hedge. We looked through to see if there were more. But we were very surprised to see a huge plantation of Christmas trees, each with a red, white or green label attached to it’s top branch.
It just seemed such a strange combination of crops, sunflowers on one side of the hedge and Christmas trees on the Other!
It was silly to go out on such a hot afternoon and I have got back very red-faced, hot and sweaty, but ready for the beginning of isolation tomorrow.
GG What a wonderful meal for you both. It must have brought so very many wonderful and heart-felt memories back, as if it was the actual day. 😀
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea from Autumnleaves, about a new favourite choices. I have no preference, and if it is decided that another one happens, then I will try and give my input.
ReplyDeleteFunningly enough, the other day, on listening to a DID revisted episode on R4ex, I tried to recall my 8 choices which I posted here. Sadly I couldn't recall all eight, I got to 6 but what were the other 2 - I just don't know. 😣
MIRIAM I am having network problems it’s like the Hokey Cokey so to be sure not to miss your big day HAPPY 🎂BIRTHDAY for tomorrow and enjoy whatever you do 🤗
ReplyDeleteAnd to think I had kept it quiet! Thank-you.
DeleteIt will be a different day, but Big Sis + self, are having a visit to The Zoo, with individual packed lunches. It was felt that this was the best idea and place, to meet up and enjoy, with social distancing etc. There is always so much to see and the weather is looking good.
Whenever I join in, I always get the blog from March 14th 2020.
DeleteI can easily bypass it, but I cannot remove it. I always see a post I made. It was bad then but everytime..😲
Big Sis and I are still having to social distance, due to family and her grand-children and living on opposite sides of the Welsh/England border. I am not a member of her extended household with 4 families. The places are 2 daughters with her grand-kids and one of her hubbies sons. I do not mind at all, as it life as we now know it. I can't go into her home, but she can come into mine if stay well apart. It is so confusing.
DeleteMy idea of a new possible favourites, relates to popular music.
ReplyDeleteThis is - choose a decade between 1900 to 2000, and then give 6-8 pieces of "popular" music from that decade. It could be the '20's, '50's or whatever, with any "pop" tunes in those 10 years. This covers a lot of genres of music eg jazz, music from the war years etc...
That's my input, for what its worth 😁
The idea is to choose an era of music which is liked/loved, regardless if lived through it.
DeleteIf we are going to list our favourite things , as suggested by AutumnL
ReplyDeleteI should like a bit more direction.
Could it be favourite food, smells, TV programmes, hotels, cities, trees, even shops etc etc.
Or perhaps people could choose their own categories and others could comment?
I thought when we chose to do either favourite films or favourite books we were going to do the one we didn't do next; but perhaps something completely different is preferred now.
ReplyDelete5 things that irritate us, nice idea Autumnleaves, it would give me an exercise in self control I.e. not to mention anything of a political nature. I have already today got very near to verging on it on the other blog.
Yaaay. I knew I could rely on you Lady R. So Miriam has a solstice birthday, that's special.
ReplyDeleteMiriam it is midnight so : happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Miriam, happy birthday to you! 👏🎂🍨🍹🎈🎉
Have a lovely day at the zoo.
I've just written two posts Janice in answer ( positive) to yours. Neither has published.
ReplyDeleteLet's see if this one does so.
Welcome to the Autumn Equinox (my favourite season) with one of my leaf paintings.
ReplyDeleteAnd a very happy birthday to Miriam, have a zootastic day!
Stunning leaves Archerfile. There is something special about Autumn, sort of cosy and crisp. I was surprised how early our sycamores on the field hedge started losing their leaves this year.
DeleteOh how I agree with you both - wonderful Autumn. Janice you have summed it up so well 👏🏻
DeleteArcherphile 🍁 what a stunning painting a true joy well done! Like others on this blog you are very talented. I’m afraid such talents passed me by but I very much appreciate what others can do!
Archerphile9;45pm last night, I don't think we need any further clarification .
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong but what I imagine Autumnleaves was saying is that your favourite things can be absolutely anything -a scent,a view ,a place .a piece of furniture, a feeling ..........
I think it is something that makes you feel a bit happier.
Let me give you an example
As you know things are not great at the moment in the LJ household.
However this morning when I got up I realised that an old orchid which has had only leaves for a long time has suddenly produced some lovely white flowers .
I couldn't remember what colour the original flowers were .
I can't tell you what a great feeling that gave me.
This is just a suggestion.
Feel free to say it is not a good idea.
Do we have to bother Gary with getting out his hat ( though I am sure he will be only too pleased to do so).?
Perhaps in these troubled times we can post our favourite things as and when we think of them
If we just put FT before we posted anything.
I love your idea Autumnleaves
Thank you.
I bet I know one of the birthday girl Miriam's favourite things is.
She is going there with her sister today ..
Happy birthday Miriam.
Enjoy your day.
Lovely weather down here so I hope it is with you.
Happy Birthday Miriam! Hope you have as good a day as possible. Might even raise a wee glass of something to you later on this afternoon...
ReplyDeleteTo everyone that has been experiencing problems posting comments over the past couple of days - I have tried to see what could be causing this. I can't find a definitive answer! There appears to be quite a few possible causes and they all seem to be at "your" end. Hopefully it's just a glitch and will disappear of it's own accord.
Autumnleaves - in total agreement that we seem to have lost a bit of "zing" on the blog of late and I too was thinking that we could be doing with another "Desert Island Discs" type of thing. What about the choice of posting either our 5 favourite places (plus 1 we hated!) OR our 5 favourite TV shows of all time (plus one we can't stand!)? You get to choose which one. I think if we did the 5 things that irritated us it would lead to too much gnashing of teeth and far too much scope for offending!!!
As per usual, add your name below if you would like to take part....
Yes I would like to take part Gary thank you. I would need to do the favourite places as although in more recent times I have begun to watch some things on the computer Iplayer, (like the Repair Shop mentioned here, and my daughter tells me the Bake Off begins again next week) I am not very familiar with television programmes. I don't have a television and never have had one. I think Cowgirl is the same.
ReplyDeleteSo it is good you have given us a choice of two.🤗
DeleteI figured that that would be the case with some folk Janice - I happily lived without a TV for about a decade some years ago. Wouldn't be without one now though!
DeleteThanks Gary I'm glad you are all gung ho about the idea. Maybe I should have reworded "things that irritate us" to pet peeves. But I can understand this would open a can of worms. Let's keep it stress free.
DeleteHappy birthday dear Miriam! Have a wonderful day💖💖
I tried to post earlier from my phone but it wouldn't work, so just got to laptop now. Happy birthday Miriam, hope you have a lovely zoo visit.
ReplyDeleteI'll pass on the favourite places/tv progs. Just couldn't choose.
You could choose your favourite ANYTHING really!
DeletePlease add me to the list of favourite places ,Gary.
ReplyDeleteAt this time of today Miriam will be either at, or on her way to Chester Zoo.
ReplyDeleteSo when you read this Miriam, later today,
HAPPY ZOO BIRTHDAY
Hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your day with your sister.
MrsP.
Who is it that is a fan of ' Alice' - that is the Lewis Carol Alice ?
ReplyDeleteMy V&A email this morning has an alert on some online event they are doing.
Just letting you know.
I have been having a problem with both iPad and iPhone holding connection to the internet. As with our smart tv it has been a matter of switching off our hub for a few minutes so it can reset and if necessary then turning off and on again the devices themselves in order to reboot them but mine were ok following switching off the hub and on again. Had a recent iOS update probably that contributed as well.
ReplyDeleteMy IOW brother in law was on hand for advice - bless him 👏🏻
Please add me to your list Gary - favourite places or tv shows.
ReplyDeleteHave a very Happy Birthday Miriam!!
Please add me to the list GG
ReplyDeleteThink I will choose favourite clothes over time.
Joyeux anniv' Miriam!
ReplyDeleteAdd my name to the hat please, GG.
Just popped in to say hello.
ReplyDeleteI agree we need a bit of zing to brighten up our lives.
I shall go for places.
Happy birthday Miriam🎂🍷🍾.
Hope you enjoyed the Zoo and the ‘ monkeys and the elephants and the kangaroos too.🐘🦧🦘
Miriam, many happy returns! You must have enjoyed your day at the zoo and seeing your sister! What a lovely celebration!
ReplyDeleteGary, please add me to the hat but as yet have not assembled my list!
Have yet another urine infection and more antibiotics! What is wrong with this creaky old body? Thank goodness have Katy who picked up the medication and is cooking tonight! Am just taking it easy. I am so lucky though compared to others in my age group.
Thank You All so much, for my Birthday Wishes.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely jaunt out, and with Big Sis, having a catch up. As our rules are different, she could come into my home, this morning. We did realise on our jaunt out, we were not observing social distancing, but I am sure as we are both so careful, it should be OK. We ate our packed lunches, looking at a cheetah....
I saw today an area where there was horrendous problems with broadband. It was either intermittent, non- existant or just very slow. After months of tests etc. the cause was found. It was a single house, who had an old tv which interupted, with the "signals" in some way.
ReplyDeleteGary G.
ReplyDeletePlease put my name into the mix.
I need to think about my favourite places but I am sure I can do this.
I couldn't do favourite TV programmes as far too many eg. Bake Off starting tonight!
Very belatedly, strongly wish PtbY & Spicycushion all the best with their hospital/GP appointments this week, some progress in treatment & clarity for the future, & less of this waiting, & that Archerphile will weather the uncomfortable eye operation( on Friday, I think), & emerge in a couple of weeks with good vision in both eyes - joyful result !
ReplyDeleteAlso, Happy Birthday to Miriam, & what a good idea it was to arrange something you love doing, a zoo visit with your sister.
Such good news about the canine edition to your family PtbY ! Very serendipitous. So often, we get frustrated when things don't work out ( bus/train late, a meeting has to be cancelled etc., etc., ) but perhaps don't acknowledge so much when everything falls in place magnicently -- as it certainly does !
Magnificently...
DeleteMust say, though I haven't posted for a while here (much else going on), have followed the blog & don't think, with all the posts pouring out, the artistic enterprise of Ev. & AP very much included, that there has been a 'slump' or a lack of 'zing'. However, the DID worked well, so why not resume on a different theme. Like Janice, was thinking that if we did it again, I'd like us to go for the one not chosen before, i.e, films or novels, but places or TV is ok if preferred.
ReplyDeletePlease count me in, Gary. I'd go for places, as I watch very little TV these days.
I couldn't do books nor TV programmes.
DeleteMiriam, I hope you have had a lovely day at the zoo, and seeing your sister.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your birthday x
Thanks I will, as there is a bottle of prosecco chilling in the 'fridge. 🍾 just in time for TA.
DeleteI need to be careful though, as I am test driving a new car tomorrow morning.