MrsP Ambridge - October 28, 2020 at 6:56 PM I too was worried about my car being vandalised, or indeed craned away. I was praying as I walked through the woods towards it, that it would still be there and undamaged. I was prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. I did an RAC survey on line today. Great praise for the patrol man. Less for their service staff.
parsley16 - October 28, 2020 at 11:34 PM Chrysanths are all the rage at the moment here. Toussaint is nearly here. Huge choice outside Leclerc today.
parsley16 - October 28, 2020 at 11:42 PM Relieved for you, Mrs P. LJ, belated thanks for your list. Not had the chance to visit any northern cricket grounds, Lord's was my first introduction, the Neville ground in Tunbridge wells was /is lovely, fond memories of the old ground in Westerham... oh dear, previous lives.. 😉
parsley16 - October 28, 2020 at 11:43 PM & inevitably, back in lockdown.... 😔
Firework chrysanthemums Gary!! Very appropriate on 2 counts. Clever!
Regarding Lords, as mentioned by Parsley - I remember going there for the first time and thinking - ‘it’s so small! ‘. I think TV cameras make things look much bigger and wider and I had only seen the ground on TV before. The distance tothe boundary was no bigger than our village ground and the famous pavilion not nearly as large as I had thought. It seemed do enclosed by all the stands. It was a bit disappointing, but just being there was such an exciting day...... and of course Hampshire were playing!
It is a horrible wet day and I am turning my thoughts to more philosophical notions. Knowing or knowledge and how we reflect and perceive the actions of others. All our perceptions are based on the knowledge we believe to positively exist. It Is when we present counter views to those opinions we ensure that our own are not fallible. . We now live in a world where everything can be contested on Its epistemological accuracy but unless we have absolute truth how are we to be convinced of the other’s truth. In many instances we are guessing so how do we go beyond what we claim to know when we don’t have the knowledge to assert our truths. Most of us rely on the “experts” to confirm or deny these truths and how de we prove that their knowledge is a well founded and accurate truth. We don’t is the answer, so we trust the “experts to guide us in the way we respond to the dilemmas facing us as a society. The difficulties come when individuals accept one set of truths and modify those truths in attempt to change the behaviour of others. At an individual level I would listen and not present my response in an absolute deterministic manner. How we view the world and our place in it is based on observation, participation and the attitudes of those who inform our learning in our own particular society. Whatever we hold to be true can be questioned but we should consider how we frame our truth in response.
Having been brought up to believe in 'truth' as absolute, I discovered the hard way as a witness in the magistrates' court that truth is actually relative. When defendants contested what I knew to be the truth, ie that they had ignored a red light and had almost killed me as I used a crossing with my child in her push chair, they weren't really lying, they simply hadn't noticed the light and believed me to the one who was mistaken. In the absence of any other evidence it was their word against mine, the verdict was 'not guilty' and I was considered to have a grudge against motorists because I didn't have a car myself.
Well Stasia that's deep pondering for a wet afternoon. I sometimes think that intuition arising from the deeper levels of the mind can get to the heart of what is true BUT I suppose, unless by any chance we are linked into a network wider than ourselves, that the deeper levels/subconscious are only based on the information we have absorbed from the acquired knowledge and people around us.
Sadly there will be no public firework displays near to me, this year. Also all public Rememberance Services at War Memorials, are also cancelled. It is so understood...but many will miss these traditional events. It is only for this year, hopefully. I am sure something will happen at The Cenotaph, in a very small and socially, distanced way. 🤞🤞
Miriam, Oct 28th 4.07pm. When your neighbours considerately half-park on the pavement to allow room for other vehicles to pass, I hope they leave room for mobility scooters, mothers with prams and other pedestrians, for whom the pavement was originally intended. With my arthritis and prosthetic joints, together with dropped kerbs pavement parking is one of the major banes of my life.
Totally agree Sarnia. Apart from everything else it is lorries and cars parked on pavements, or driving over pavements, which crack paving slabs, break up tarmac or compress the earth beneath which makes pavements so dangerous to pedestrians. Because pavements are not built to take the weight of vehicles. I did not learn to drive until after my divorce, so was out every day with a pushchair and nearly always having to go into the road to get past parked cars. Now when I am out walking I am terrified of tripping on uneven and damaged pavements. (Not since my illness of course but even on short walks to the post box and certainly in the dark.) However some good news for pedestrians! It was on the news last weekend that a nation-wide law against parking on pavements is being considered, just the one that applies to London at the moment. It would then be put into the Highway Code I suppose.
No-one uses a mobility scooter by me, well just yet. There are few senior citizens (of which I am one), but we are all still fit + healthy. I accept your very valid point, but pushchairs, Mums walking toddlers etc. still have room to walk on the pavements. As I said, parking is staggered, so no car parked half-on, half-off is opposite a similar one. The road is clear, sort of, and the pavements are still very passable. The builders, laid the houses out really well, as I do not have another property, either immediately opposite my front or behind, my property. I see trees in gardens or the nearby wildlife park, and other properties are not too close. It wouldn't happen today. Wheras my part is just 2 pairs of semis, today it would be 3 pairs of town houses, tall and narrow, with smaller gardens, overlooking similar ones.
I am surprised that you were disappointed with Lord's ,Archerphile. I think it is a wonderful Ground. When I first went there ,women were not allowed into the pavilion so maybe you were not able to see how magnificent it is inside.
Not disappointed with Lords itself Lanjan, just disappointed that TV coverage had led me to believe it was much larger, wider and longer that it is in real life. I think it is something to do with the lenses they use on their cameras. I had a wonderful day, spotting famous cricketers and MCC members in the Pavillion, walking around the perimeter during the lunch break, to say nothing of seeing our beloved Hampshire win the match! I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I can assure you. And no, I was not allowed inside the pavillion, it was in the day’s before even the futuristic looking press building was built at the nursery end!
And, having been to the ROSEbowl at Southampton several times, I noticed that that ground also looked far, far bigger on TV this summer than when you are actually sitting in the stands.
A niece of mine went to Wimbledon, a few years ago, on a corporate event, by suppliers she uses at work (this is the interior designer/architect who works in Knightsbridge). She also said the same, as to how small it felt, in comparison to seeing it on TV. Modern camera work is brilliant, which is the same as Estate Agents photos.
How bored I have been today. It has been the 3W's Wild, Wet + Windy. I finished a jigsaw, cleaned the cooker hob, did some washing (now on an airer in a spare bedroom). I am now cooking a chicken casserole, with leeks, carrots, onions, mushrooms to be served with Neeps 'n Tatties, sprouts + cauliflower. This awful weather is to be expected until Monday. Still I have knitting to do, the kitchen needs a good clean (floor + all cupboard, drawer fronts etc) plus the ironing, when the wash has dried. I am starting to feel "isolated" again, which is due to the rising no. of cases in my area, and the tier I am in. Still, it is better to stay
safe, and not increase the risk factor. It is not helped by the dark evenings, when it is just me + Pusscat. I survived Lockdown, and will get over my current "blip". 😁
What a spectacular sight on Autumnwatch tonight. The White Tailed Sea eagles released on the IOW and where they have been, and seen. I hope EV was watching.
I was thinking that too Miriam! I love Autumnwatch - dinner eaten, candles lit, jim-jams on and snacks brought out for a good old fashioned lounge about on the sofas. Heaven.
Agrée Gary - an absolute must see in our house. And we do much prefer the new format, introduced in Springwatch, of the presenters being located on their own patch or somewhere else of interest - none of that stupid joshing and larking about that we found so juvenile and distracting in the past. But I have to admit that I have no interest at all in seals! Big lumps of grey flesh lying around on a beach or rocks - Michaela Strachan is welcome to them!
By the way, I can really recommend Chris Packham’s autobiography « Fingers in the Sparkle Jar ». It’s very different and very enlightening and explains a lot about his obsession with animals and unusual personality.
Totally agree about the changes to the Autumnwatch format. It's so much less awkward now that they all don't have to try to be funny with each other all the time - and the addition of Megan has worked really well I think. (I still miss Martin though...)
We agree absolutely with your comments Gary & everyone enjoying the new SW & AW format. I emailed the BBC post SW telling them just this. Also enjoyed SCD for the same reason no mega going crazy audience and Tess unable to clutch the hand of the participants for the duration of the judge’s comments 🤗
No, I didn’t see it but have just caught up on I player! They really are magnificent creatures. I knew about the Scotland trip and the one over to the East. We are on the northern part of the island so haven’t seen one over our garden yet! What worries me a bit is that our dogs like many others are about rabbit size but hopefully the eagles will stick to fish and rabbits!
This is today’s painting which I enjoyed. Got into a bit of a mess with the shadow and of course the style is very different from the intricacy of Archerfile’s paintings which I do admire. It was interesting that our tutor did the flowers and foliage and then put in the background. I had always been taught to put the background wash on first but I think the white gaps are very effective. On Saturday will get by e- mail the efforts of others from the zoom session which is always interesting comparing notes! Amazing how many takes there are on the same subject!
Ev wish I could paint like you! Archerfile I have found Fingers in the Sparkle Jar on Ebay and ordered it. I have just read another of your recommendations and enjoyed it , Meadowland. I bought it weeks ago and put it aside because I leave post, unless bills! for 3 days before opening because of the virus, and it completely vanished. In the end I found it slipped down behind the deep freeze. I hope Phoebe, Pip and Rex have read it. I have a friend in Edinburgh who had a stroke earlier in the year and she is in a Nursing Home at present, and I wondered why the letters and postcards I send her seemed to take a long time to get there but apparently all post goes into an isolation room for 3 days before it is given out. So I thought that was a sensible idea.
Janice. I am so like you, but have never said it. I too, leave my post on the mat, for 3 days, but flick it over with a foot, to spot anything important. I also isolate much of my weekly shop, for the same reason, and my cupboards are organised to do this. I have it down to a fine art! This might sound OTT and a symptom of OCD - and this is probably very true. There are still many questions, still to be answered, about the contact with goods and what is safe or not. I am just being very cautious, but my own system works well, for me only.
I wash and/or sanitise hands if I touch anything that is new/alien to my house. Mostly the post I get is just bills but not much of those anyway as I have gone 'paperless' in as many accounts banks etc.
Ev: 11.20 Love your flower painting, as you say, very different to mine. But I wish I could paint in that lovely loose style rather than being so pernickety with detail. Perhaps we should meet up one day after Covid and swap tips!
I think you did the shadows behind the vase very well. I remember being taught that shadows should be painted in a muted shade of the colour of the object casting the shadow. Up until then I had always just used Grey and wondered why it was unsuccessful!
I was taught to do a background wash first too, but not for botanical studies where you need to leave white for highlights, veins in leaves etc. And I admit to using a lot of masking fluid for the same reason!
Archerfile would love to meet up! As I said we have different styles but equally pleasing! I love the Redoute roses too but for me I couldn’t achieve that degree of detail. I was hoping to go to the prospective Winchester meet up but of course Covid came along. I sent my picture to my American tutor and she said she always does the subject first then fills in the background. The London Art college I do my course with is all for washes and I find their methods often take the joy out of painting but will persevere! My zoom tutor is far more loose and leaves room for individualism which I like. My style is very different to that of my American tutor, Sandra, whose paintings are dramatic but I have learnt a lot from her and hopefully will be on her course in June. Keep painting!!🎨
I was sorry to read your 5:03 pm post yesterday ,Miriam saying that you have been bored so I thought I would offer a few a few suggestions for you . Please ignore if you wish
1) I know you enjoy your garden but the weather is not alway conducive to spending a lot of time outside. How about collecting the fallen leaves, putting them into a black bag adding water and .piecing it several times with.a fork . You can use it later to put on the top of plants like fuchsias as a mulch Take a few cuttings. Collect seeds to sow in the Spring.
2) Too wet to go out? Send for a new address book online and transfer the names and present addresses of the friends and relatives you still want to keep in touch with. Keep the old address book with its crossings out - just in case
3)Get a notebook and write about what life was like when you were a child . Your great nieces will love to read what you have written when they are older. (I started doing that during lockdown.I am up to when I was aged 7 .! My father did it for me .He was born in 1898.It makes fascinating reading.)
4) Turn on Smooth Radio and start addressing the envelopes for Christmas.
5)Have a sort out .Throw out stuff you are keeping "just in case" If you haven't used it in the past two years you are not likely to need it now. Very cathartic.
6) We have talented bloggers who paint beautifully I don't ,but I do make my own cards and decided to buy some acrylic paints (from The Works) ) and try my hand.at painting some for a change. Most enjoyable pastime. Maybe other bloggers have ideas. I just hate the idea of anyone being bored.
LJ. Thank-you so much for the ideas. Strangely, I am doing and have in place, what you have suggested, so it is definitely Great Minds. I cannot paint and it doesn't appeal. I am frustrated as to my garden, as it is so wet + squelchy, so I cannot do much. The lawns need mowing but it is impossible as, putting a foot on them, water oozes out. There is worse to come tomorrow 🌨🌨 with 40mph winds. I am secured. Thanks - 😀
PS Off to order some new jigsaws. I have been waiting patiently, to go past the 4.30pm time, as it is a Friday, to so miss my credit card date, hopefully, but not sure 🤞
Oh Lanjan that was a lovely post suggesting ways to keep ourselves busy during lockdown. Unfortunately loneliness is a terrible thing even under normal circumstances. I hope our little blog continues to keep the spirits up of whoever needs it whether we contribute or not . 💖💖
It is interesting, seeing how mant tv programmes, are now being produced and shown, with social distancing in place. I think the standard of these, has actually improved. This is a strange thing to comment on I am enjoying the new BBC1 Morning Live programme, with Gethin + Kym with their guests, all distanced. It is factual and also entertaining.
Been watching Gethin and Kim. Interesting programme, but that set!! Looks as if it was dressed by the Bargain Hunt team with leftover junk from one if their shows!
Or perhaps, Money for Nothing, from Sarah (?). I have watched this for the 1st time this week. It is on shortly after 7.00am, so have seen this, I am still on old time, wide awake at 6.30am. I only stay in bed, until the CH comes on, 30 mins later. Do I enjoy it - not really, but it is better than the gloomy news.
The coffee table is a real '70's retro design. My parents had a very similar one from about 1972. It was going to be dumped, but Little Sis decided to take it. She put in somewhere, forgot about it, until doing a clear out a few years ago. It now has a new home, in one of her rooms and looks great.
Miriam , did you realise that Doctors is only returning for 4 days a week? Like TA, there will be no Friday episodes. And they will be taking up all the stories exactly where they broke off back in June. Enjoy! 😄
The weather forecaster Matthew Taylor said today would be like being in the washing machine’s spin cycle He was not wrong! It is dark, blowing a gale, lashing with rain & leaves coming off the trees in great waves. Spin cycle weather is a very accurate description! 💨💨💨🌧🌧🌧🍂🍁🍂
Lanjan 4.21 - I love your ideas for what to do when feeling bored. I did start to write out my life history, such as it is, when lockdown began. I've neglected it of late and need to start writing again.
And in such weather conditions it is time for me to ponder on this, that and life? I am making an assumption that we consider blogging to be a social interaction even though we don’t physically engage and many of us have no awareness of our physical attributes. Although we can make a good guess at age and from there make inferences about some aspects of our social attitudes. Of course we provide some information about ourselves and at another level may not have awareness of how much we don’t knowingly say but others will recognise. This digital format allows us to make aggregate transactions. One person will make a comment and others will respond. We create a stimulus and others will react. For example, I may say I believe that X is is wrong in his/her statement but my response may reflect a critical and judgemental attitude. Responding in this manner will result in alienation. Any further communication is finished and because our transactions occur in a confined structure we are unable to yield and explore our perceptions and find a common solution. It becomes impossible to shake hands and say let’s find a way to accept that we have different views without creating barriers. By jumping to conclusions about A we are manipulating our reality to reassure ourselves. We may feel disappointed by A’s comments but a blog sets limitations on how much we do do know another person. We may have expectations of X to have feelings, attitudes similar to our own and suddenly we find we have differences and react harshly. Of course I can’t exclude myself as the hackneyed phrase goes, we’re all human. Be nice. I’m trying.👺 🎃👽👻
Hope those who are interested are enjoying some wild and windy rugby! I had the choice of watching three rugby interationals or taking part in a virtual Halloween camp with the Cubs. I was going to do that but I had a very bad day yesterday feeling sick everytime I moved. I'm pretty sure it's the 'once week' tablet I take Thursday mornings because this was the third time I didn't want anything to eat all day Friday. Just about managed to track more family history stuff. My luxury, no drink, cigarettes, holidays abroad but membership of 2 online family history websites. I am very lucky that my family is almost totally Kentish and all Kent parish records are on line and can be viewed in their original form, not transcribed. I do have a nth xgreat grandmother where the vicar stated (in early 18th century) on the baptism of her baby son that she was a 'Single woman and well known in the parish!' I wonder what he meant? 🤣
What a day of two halves. It was so very wet and windy this morning, yet now it is sunny and calm but it is getting so much colder, but as it is November tomorrow, it has to be expected. I did a short supermarket trip, in the wind + rain, to buy the ingredients for a Christmas Pudding. What I really needed, was the one item not available, namely currants, so will have try elsewhere. Making a Christmas Pudding is traditional to me. Whether it will be used this year, that will not be known, for many a week yet. I kept one for over a year, after Dad died on Dec 23rd. one year. It was delicious even 14 months after making.
What I did notice, as it started to get busier, were many were doing "stockpile" shops, as to the hint of a national shut down again, seen this morning. The trolleys were piled high. I think this is just silly + stupid, but that is only my thought. I saw one, with about 18 loo rolls and 4 kitchen towels in it, and the ailse with the flours, yeast etc. was very busy, as was the alcohol area! Why? Supplies will get through, as before, and also nothing has yet been announced!
I was sad to learn about Sir Sean Connery. He was a brilliant actor and person. I will remember him most, as Indy's Dad, in the 3rd film - namely The Last Crusade. This was one of my films I chose, on the 2nd list, here, many months ago.
Oh, yes he was definitely 007. Pierce Brosnan a very close second for me! By all accounts SC treated his wife badly and I didn’t like the way he advocated Scottish independence from his safe haven in America but yes, he was the best Bond!
Our lockdown started yesterday and there were many sacks of flour at my local shop, presumably ordered by people, with this in mind. I also stocked up, not to be caught out like the last time.
Why oh why can’t we work together as Great Britain regarding this virus one “Country” stopping lockdown as another starts one most of this time 😡 some counties will now have an extension of their local lockdowns I guess!
This so applies to me and my family in N.Wales, but it might not happen yet. Goodness knows when we can meet up again, due to the differences in rules. It's hard.
I think the answer lies in devolution! What made me extremely angry yesterday was seeing the people in Nottingham 'partying' last night, in the pub, before their lockdown started today. Silly, selfish idiotic people! I expect someone will complain that they or their children, parent etc could not get treatment in hospital because the beds are full of covid patients. 😡
We do what we have to do! My sister cannot stay with her daughter who has breast cancer. I cannot visit my brother who has possible terminal cancer. I may not ever meet up with my brother again! But we do what we have to do!
Thank you. He's had two lots of chemo and apparently has put some of the lost weight back on. And he feels much better he says. It's just makes me so angry. Here in Kent we are well below the national average of cases and not so many people in hospital either. Yet those people (including a friend of mine) who moan that they can't carry on their lives as usual. I cannot bite my tongue all the time! 🙂
I had a short walk this afternoon. It was lovely seeing homes with children, are still doing Halloween, in a different way. One had decorated their home with spiders, crawling up the windows + walls on the outside, another had decorated the garden with pumpkins, another had a skelton on the front door. I walked in the local nature park, and loved seeing families walking the dogs, with the kids all dressed up. It was great to see. 🎃👻
Miriam @ 4.00 pm That is a huge coincidence. Mr A’s Dad died on 23rd December too! But that was in 1979. He was taken to Epsom hospital after a heart attack and Mr A’s Mum had to be hospitalised too as she had Parkinson’s and his Dad was her carer. We had to travel to the hospital, go up to her ward and tell her her husband had died in the ward downstairs as the staff refused to do it! It was a pretty miserable Christmas, our children were only aged 5 and 3 and couldn’t understand what was going on. It was very difficult arranging a funeral at Christmas from a distance. The hospital wouldn’t keep his Mum in and kept pressurising us to find a care home for her as they needed her bed. So we were trying to do that over Christmas too. In early Jan we found a nice home that she approved of and could deal with Parkinson’s but sadly she died on Valentines day 6 weeks later. Hence our second funeral to arrange within a very few weeks. Both my parents had died the year before, so our two grew up grew up without grandparents which they have always very much regretted.
It is so hard when a loved one dies. The problem at Christmas, is trying to sort things out, in what should be a lovely time. Christmas was cancelled that year. Big Sis + self spent 23rd + 24th December that year, trying to get to the funeral directors plus his solicters. There had to be a post mortem, with the coroner involved. It was a sad time, as there was a long delay.
Yes, but they have parents to this day which is much more important. I remember someone saying she had no gr-mothers and I told her don't worry, they'll still be born! Everybody laughed and I was none the wiser.
Thank you Basia , that is true. When they were young they felt very left out with no Grandpas or Grandmas to give them birthday and Christmas gifts, or take them out for treats as their friends had. So we tried hard to make up for the lack of relatives as they had no Uncles, Aunts or cousins either. Poor deprived children!
I hope I am not misinterpreting you when I say that I too have been trying to find the words to say how I feel for the last few days. I feel that you have spoken for me.
So.... if I am not misinterpreting your words..... thank you.
Unfortunately I found Stasia’s piece at 1.41 yesterday a little difficult to understand. It reads as being very erudite but I’m afraid I’m finding it difficult to interpret, or to read between the lines. Mrs P and Seasider have obviously got the point and agree with it, but I shall need a little more spelling out before I can comment. I must be a bit thicker than I imagined!
One thing I do know is that, after last nights news from the Prime Minister, I am feeling even more depressed this morning and that these blogs will become more important than ever in helping to keep spirits up. Although we (well, most of us) have never met in person and don’t know what each of us looks like, we have formed ‘friendships’. Some seem to have a closer connection with each other than others, as we would in real life, but hopefully we can all keep in touch in a friendly and supportive way.
I am distressed to see no contributions from Carolyn since the vaccination debate blew up but I do hope she still feels able to chat with us on other subjects without the fear that she will face another barrage of disapproval. We all have different points of view and should feel able to discuss them. But if Gary feels things are getting out of hand or are touching on ‘banned’ topics such as politics or alternative health opinions he will no doubt close down that particular conversation and we can move on to something else.
Concur regarding Carolyn and sincerely hope she will be back with us. I think Stasia was saying we know enough about each other through the blog but unlike face to face contact it is difficult to see opposing views through. In my experience though we all have entrenched views and no amount of argument will change them although they can be modified slightly. Sometimes it is necessary to put the opposing view but IMHO it doesn’t make much difference to our individual stance.
Which is exactly what he did, without removing any posts and we moved on. I also noticed Carolyn's absence but she does stay away sometimes. The news is the same for all everywhere, I personally call it the 3rd war and from what I know of the previous it could be much worse. I also feel that we all contribute to whatever happens on this planet good or not. No, I don't know what Stasia meant by her message. Be kind to each other, yes, sometimes we are not.
Stasia's ponderings both the 1.41 one and the 29th 1.12 one are a bit like parables, they have a surface meaning and a deeper one . Carolyn if it helps the "disapproval" was not unanimous; and I think that big business who ( with the exception of some ethically led companies) are driven by the profit line are affected for the good by vocal questioning minds. When questioning affects sales then companies, including pharmaceutical ones, shift themselves to improve their products. Business companies are not always ethical, and I learnt not to automatically trust them because of the experience of the husband of a cousin. He was a research scientist and his company had asked him to study the effects of the talcum powder which was one of their products. His research convinced him it was carcinogenic, and he stopped his wife from using it ( the rest of us did too). The Company however totally mothballed his research, because it did not provide the findings that they wanted. He then left them and worked until retirement at Swansea University in a post that included both lecturing and research, where research results could be freely published. I am not quite sure what I am saying here, except that having a questioning mind does not necessarily mean that one is a conspiracy theorist. I don't think any of us on this site is, but we are an intelligent bunch.
From a practical view point I could never understand the use of talcum powder as it blocks the pores. I also remember once a dessert in a restaurant with icing sugar on top which I inhaled and had to recover my breath. Oh, the dangers of everyday living. I don't use flannels or sponges for washing because unless absolutely dried afterwards they smell and are full bacteria. The same goes for towels of course and we are full of "stuff" on our skin.
I have always used talcum powder since childhood for drying the skin, donning tight clothing and comforting chapped areas. I adored the smell of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby powder with which millions of babies must have been dowsed, without apparent ill effects! But after reading about possible cancer effects a few years ago I changed to a talc free powder which is made from microscopically ground maize. Soft, comforting, drying but perfectly safe.
I read that many breast scans were showing up false positive results and were later linked with the use of talc. I believe that women are now asked not to use it before being scanned as tiny specs of talc show up in scans and can be mis-interpreted.
I was just about to bring up talc and breast screening AP. The pre info always stated not to use prior to scan or other products such as underarm deodorant come to that. I also took awhile to understand Stasia‘s post AP but It seems I did work out the right sentiment from it according to others comments here.
Janice, your opinion, summed up in your final para, should be helpful to anyone finding difficulty in understanding Stasia's recent post. A different opinion is simply that, and a polite response to disagree has been possible on this blog on previous occasions, without the need to be rude or to question that persons sanity or intelligence.
A thought and a review of what has been written before posting is always useful I find.
Like others I am disappointed at the recent silence from Carolyn. Whether temporary or permanent, the absence of a fellow thinker and contributor is to be regretted.
I would have thought that in these changing times, questioning the status quo is incumbent upon each of us, whether we choose to observe government guidelines or create our own path within reason and at the same time, keeping others safe as well as protecting ourselves.
Entrenched views are deep seated indeed, but can be modified by allowing intelligent arguments, if one has an open mind to other opinions. Closed minds are often closed due to fear of the 'other', whatever the other may be. If we as individuals have never contemplated a particular point of view that may hold untold dangers for us, have never put ourselves into that pair of shoes, and cannot contemplate ever doing so, our response may be quick to deny or ridicule, because it shakes our confidence in our own understanding. But that other point of view is valid to that person and may well derive from experience as described by Janice.
And to give another interpretation of how we receive and understand others, often what we say about others opinions says more about ourselves than we may realise.
Difficult though relations with my mother were inclined to be (for all of us, not just me) she knew what she was doing when it came to dealing with babies. I was so badly affected by inhaling particles of talcum powder (and chalk dust when teaching) that I followed her example and powdered my babies' bottoms with starch which being much denser, doesn't fly about.
Thank you Janice and MrsP. I agree that I was being ambiguous in my meaning and my communications were intended to be understood at different levels.I was being cryptic in my message so I’m not surprised if my meaning did not provide clarity. To be blunt I found Gary’s response to Carolyn too dogmatic laying down rules without respect. Whilst I accept that we need to have some parameters set on how we project our views and opinions I:didn’t feel that Carolyn’s comment warranted such a strident response. In a transactional sense I felt it was heavily parental. I have always admired carolyn’s posts they are always empathetic and supportive and I can only assume that her absence is a response to being reprimanded. Hence my let’s be nice to each other. We don’t have to agree on all things we discuss but please don’t drive anyone away just because we may find their view antagonistic to own. I include myself as I can on occasions be intolerant of others.
I’m sorry about my part in this but even though we are all entitled to our views, I did think this one warranted a response. I do feel uncomfortable about anyone being reprimanded unless of course their views are very extreme and detrimental. Because Carolyn opposes vaccines it doesn’t mean the rest of us are not entitled to exercise our own rights in this regard and to go ahead and have the vaccine. I will be first in the queue for the Covid one after the front liners and have already had the flu one!
Stasia, why didn't you say what you meant. To me yours were just general thoughts and not aimed at anyone in particular. I am not going to take sides. As administrator of this blog Gary issued a friendly warning without removing any posts.
I am comforted to understand that alternative points of view are being acknowledged and understood by some. To Basia - perhaps Stasia was dipping her toe in the water, as it were, in the post that you read as ' general thoughts' due to the warning given by Gary that you considered friendly. I would respectfully ask you what in his warning you found to be friendly ?
My initial response was that his warning was dictatorial and positively strident. My second that it was unnecessary and was also clearly biased since he made it clear that he agreed with Ev and her post. In addition he was breaking one of his own rules, about being political, by making it very clear that the POLICY of the current Government was the ONLY acceptable line to take on this blog. I agree he did not remove any posts at that point, when he might have chosen to do so. However there seemed to me to be little respect in his injunction for the intelligence of many who post on this blog. I was left with the feeling that the headmaster had spoken, and the school was meant to take notice. I have no objection to our moderator laying down guidelines and if necessary rules, but as a mature woman I found his manner of doing so on this occasion objectionable. You say Basia that you will not take sides, but it seems evident that a number of others did so with alacrity judging from the half dozen or so brief posts following Gary's injunction. In contrast, others with perhaps a more nuanced outlook, have taken time to consider what might be said on the subject.
Ev, you have now told us several times that you felt that Carolyn's post warranted a reply. And hitherto we have debated with respectful understanding of others viewpoints as well as, on the whole, kindness. I have no objection to your reply to Carolyn explaining your position but I was extremely unhappy with the dismissive way that you couched your opinion.
Accepted Mrs P. Maybe I feel too strongly about this because of past experience. I did think long and hard about phrasing the reply but will try to be more diplomatic in future. We are all dismissive to a degree when giving an opposing opinion on anything. I apologise.
I gave up using talcum powder decades ago, with the objections so well explained by Sarnia. As a young nurse I found the profligate use of talc on babies strange, and although I used it I always blew away any excess. I also noted that babies sneezed a great deal when talc was in the air. I sneezed too ! I didn't use it for my babies, always ensuring that their skin was allowed to air dry naturally. I do however use it for the comfort of my feet, by sprinkling it sparingly into the shoe, as I prefer to not wear socks or stockings when wearing shoes or boots, especially in summer.
For the first time ever, Lady was worn out today and lay down towards the end of our walk clearly feeling unable to go any further.
I have discovered a magnificent Iron Age Fort not too far away, and over a mile around the perimeter. We went there today for the second time, and Lady disappeared into woodland twice, and for at least ten minutes each time. I could here yelps suggesting rabbits or badger sets, but I don't think she actually caught anything.
PtbY ? How is Daphne getting on ? We haven't heard from you for a couple of days. Are you worn out ?
MrsP - Gary worded it himself as a friendly "warning", which I interpreted as such and as you say some immediately agreed with him. I used the word 'poison' in my post when considering my options about the vaccine, expected it might be removed and moved on. We've had no post from Gary here today, perhaps he hasn't read any of this or perhaps doesn't consider it necessary to respond.
What I have noticed recently that people are using words that seem to have become fashionable. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am so old fashioned that I stick to words I have always used. Let me give you four examples 1) Many people use the word "concur. "I still use "agree"
2) Many people say "thus far". I still say "so far"
3) Every time I hear someone on the radio he or she has to use the word "nuanced" I don't think I have ever felt the need to use that word
4) The word I really hate is when a child is referred to as a baby goat. Why? If children were called puppies,calves ,piglets. there would be an outcry.
Mrs P Tried to move daphne into kitchen to sleep on her cage the other night. Disaster. Had to get up in the end and move her back into living room with Mabel. They have finally taken to each other. Took about 5 days. Daphne can just walk under Mabel which aids in play fighting. Won’t be long though before she’s too big to do that. She weighs 20lbs already at 10 weeks. We had to go to Manchester today in a hire van to take stuff for our son who has just moved into his first house. I was dreading the journey. Mabel stayed at a friends but daphne had to come. She was in the travel carrier strapped into the middle seat. She slept most of the way there and back. Excellent. Ok she really created when we put her in her crate in the house whilst I was putting a bed together and she was downstairs on her own. Have to make the most of the next 3 days for socialisation before lockdown kicks on.
Good luck with the socialisation. It will be tricky with the lockdown interrupting the process. Due to our victimisation on our local FB dog forum I have been taking Lady well away from any local walks for a month now. I was worried that she was losing her social skills, but today she went forward to meet a very calm Irish Setter and greeted him/her very politely then asked to play. He wasn't interested in doing so, but I was pleased with her response. I collected Lady when I got her in a crate, but once inside the house she never went near it again, and was very stressed when I attempted to pursued her. Daphne is a puppy, she will create when she doesn't like something but she will hopefully grow out of it with Mabel to teach her. Good luck, and hope your son is happy in the new house.
Our boys go out with the dog walker in the week and she has 7 - 10 dogs when walking them some like Dudley on leads and others like Buddy off lead. This helps to socialise them and gives me a break! Dudley feels more secure on the lead. If you let him off he doesn’t know what to do! Buddy is a free spirit but stays close by. Might be an option for Daphne later on. Lovely she is getting on with Mabel. 🐶👏🐾
LJ, from yesterday evening, I wasn’t aware that “concur” is a trendy word. Certainly I have not noticed it as overused but it sprang to mind when I was commenting last as the appropriate way to respond. I was not intentionally trying to look cool or clever. However I do agree that some expressions feel like they stage a takeover and can grate if they don’t seem to be the language we are used to, and perhaps alienate us.
PtbY, good luck with the new dog, and I hope your son enjoys his new home.
We have just had a little bit of cheering-up news. Granddaughter Rosie, taking Theatre Studies and English at Warwick University, has been chosen to star in one of Alan Bennet’s Head to Head monologues for the end of term performances. It’s the one played by Jodi Comer entitled ‘Her Big Break’ She us thrilled to have been given such a big solo role so early in her course. Of course, we would love to go and watch but she is in a Tier2 area so we are not allowed - and of course the trial lockdown could be extended too But it’s a lovely encouraging start for her 🎭
Oh Seasider I wasn't getting at anybody it was just that it was something I had noticed. However what I am actually irritated by is when someone says"At this moment in time" Why not just say "now"? Am I the only one who hates the word "kid" referring to a child?
LJ, yep, not personal, but it just shows how we can all trip up and tread on each other’s toes when we don’t mean to, as much by the words we choose and how we express ourselves, as the content of our message.
I do prefer child to “kid”, and don’t enjoy being addressed as “guys” but what suits one doesn’t suit another.
I went to my local pharmacy this morning, the vaccine had arrived and a friendly pharmacist administered it. Together with buying some baguettes and cleaning products I was back within the allocated hour with ten minutes to spare.
Well done Basia, a good use of your one hour of freedom. And now you've got your ' poison ' inside of you, stay well ! ( irony )
I don't like grandkids or kids, and like Seasider I really dislike being called guys, and Ev, I too rile at every answer beginning with "So.....but I understand that it is part of university education to use this in ' presentation'.
Archerphile, continue glowing in your granddaughters light. She deserves it, and you are entitled to feel proud.
Has anyone been over to the TA blog this morning? The latest one where we have been commenting has disappeared! Well at least it has on my computer! I believe it was tagged as real world but I can't find it there either.
My, well our, most hated word is the use of ‘basis’ when used in a phrase like ‘on a regular basis’, ‘on a weekly basis’ etc etc. Totally unnecessary. What’s wrong with ‘regularly’ or ‘weekly’.
And also ‘So’ at the beginning of anything. But I find myself doing it occasionally (NOT ‘on an occasional basis,) these days, I am ashamed to say.
Have just checked and right enough the Brexit tag has disappeared and the top one is the oldie about the Leonard character joining. Maybe it was a mistake to open up the blog and the beeb have removed it? It did seem strange after all this time. It was there earlier this morning.
I had decided to do my favourite places in my top 5 but given the circumstances and the fact that we won't be able to travel to them ,I changed my mind and opted for 5 people, comedians who have made my sides split with laughter. I have a list as long as my arm but I narrowed it down, a difficult choice. I understand that they won't be everyone's cup of tea but I really don't care they have all made my life better by giving me laughter and that's something there's much too little of nowadays. Here goes. ..love them all for their wit.
1. Barry Humphreys. Be it dame Edna Everidge or Sir Les Patterson there's no one better at ad libbing and taking over with their whole persona.
2 Robin Williams. ..a human firecracker. We lost a good un when he died. 3 Billy Connelly..a master storyteller who can make the most desperate circumstances of 195 0s Glasgow hilarious..by making us laugh at ourselves.
And now the ladies:
Joan Rivers..the first or at least one of the first female stand up comics. She had so much resilience coming through tragic times. She just scraped herself off the floor and reinvented herself. I admire her for that.
Lucille Ball...there was never anyone quite like Lucy getting herself into ridiculous situations with her pal Viv. The I love lucy show was broadcast in the U.S. and we watched it nearly everyday. When she died in 1989 I actually cried. We all loved Lucy.
Those I hate are the so called comedians of today who don't hold a candle to the talent mentioned above. wE are in for dark times ahead when Connelly., Humphreys eventually leave us.
I know what you mean, as to me, there is not a true, natural comedian, to take their place. The nearest I can think of is, Peter Kaye. He always makes me grin + smile, but not laugh out loud.
Autumnleaves. What a well thought out and entertaining list.
The Men:- Love Dame Edna with Gladiolis. Robin Williams was a master at comedy. Strangely I watched a film with him in yesterday. Not his finest but still funny - RV The Runaway Vacation. Billy Connelly. I have been lucky to see him in a Live show - my face ached for days afterwards. When I did my film list in the last lockdown, one of my choices was "What we did on our Holiday" where he had a prominent role.
The Ladies:- Sadly, neither of these I like, nor appreciate. Victoria Wood is more to my taste.
Thanks again, for your brilliant choice.
I still have a series of programmes, recorded after Victoria W. passed away, about her. It shows a lot of her iconic scenes, one of which, is the Pudding Trolley with Nigel!
Thanks Miriam. .I spent a good 15 years in the U.S. so was much more exposed to American comedians or those foreigners who "made it" across the pond. Victoria Wood wasn't one of them. But I have come to appreciate her talents quite recently. Lockdown has given me time to search out old favourites like Dave Allen, Ken Dodd. Do you remember Tiswas. It was my all time favourite show even though I was in my teens when it came out. It was absolutely brilliant. Compost corner , Frank Carson and spot the real Benny from Crossroads. A competition between the real Benny and Lenny Henry dressed as Benny. .......Lenny won😂😂😂. Just fabulous slapstick fun.
Electrified bikes Mine has been completed at last after months of hold-ups due to covid, factory being closed etc.
It's brilliant! Riding is effortless and no longer puts a strain on my knees. After a road-test in the park I rode the uphill 2 miles to the local shopping centre in quite a strong wind with no trouble at all. The company is called Swytch and the wheel costs £500 with a small amount extra for fitting, which is peanuts compared with the price of an electric bike - which anyway is unlikely to be available in my size with a low enough step-through.
I appreciate it might be something to do with my age, Autumnleaves but I cannot abide Barry Humphries . I think his Les Patterson is vulgar and Edna Everage unfunny.
I don't watch many films so am unable to comment on Robin Williams. I have never seen Billy Connelly either or Joan Rivers. I did watchI I love Lucy years ago but wasn't impressed. I would have loved to agree with you Autumnleaves about at least one of them but I am afraid I can't . I don't agree either about modern comedians. I think Peter Kay, Lee Mac ,Ken Dodd and Victoria Wood for example are and were very funny. Oh I wish you had stuck to places. Can't you give us a clue as to where they were? Go on ,have two bites of the cherry . I really want to agree with you about something.
For me the funniest of all was Eric Morecombe backed of course by Ernie Wise. Favourite skit of theirs was the breakfast prepared to the tune of the Stripper! Autumnleaves, I like Peter Kay and thought “carshare” was very funny! Billy Connelly, the Big Yin, again a very funny man and full of that Glaswegian humour! I love Dame Edna’s panache but shuddered at Les Paterson! Not keen on Robin Williams and don’t really know much about Joan Rivers but do you remember Phyllis Diller? She had spiky hair and was a little spidery lady in sack like dresses and remember her being very funny. Also way back loved Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen. All of course known through TV programs imported from America. Of course “I Love Lucy “ was a gem and she was hilarious! Thanks for the Memory!
At last! Suddenly got blocked and have been unable to post but still able to follow what's been going on. I have been reviewing my Google settings, don't know what I did but here I am.
Fantastic Cheddar Cheese - well done for getting here! Lovely to add another blogger to our crew. A lot of us had trouble getting here but found that using the Chrome browser works best - but don’t ever ‘sign out’ as it can be very difficult to get back in again! Did you used to contribute to the old BBC blogs? I seem to remember your name
Some months I feel Cheshire Cheese, since you were with us, but I remember that you were. I got blocked for some months last year, but was also blocked on other sites at the same time. Like you I suspected that it was something to do with google. Gradually all my other connections have become available again, but I haven't a clue how !
Autumnleaves: Barry Humphreys and Billy Connelly make me laugh too. The ladies don’t appeal but then I think there is a difference between English and American sense of humour. I remember crying when Eric Morecombe died: for me a light had gone out and the world seemed a bleaker place without him.
Autumn leaves - well done for thinking of something different for the My Favourites list. Afraid I’m not keen on any American comedians or comediennes, but my Mum loved Lucille Ball and never missed a single episode of her show with her husband Desi Arnez. Some of my favourites would be Lee Mack, David Mitchell, Tim Vine and some of the old 50’s/ 60’s performers such as Kenneth Horn and Kenneth Williams. Amongst the females, Victoria Wood is really the only one I admire, I don’t find many modern female performers very funny at all!
Thank you Archerphile. I thought now more than ever we needed to lift ourselves out of the doom and gloom. I haven't heard of the comedians you have mentioned except round the horn with" stopmuckin about" Kenneth Williams. E used to listen on the wireless during Sunday lunch. As I said before this was a completely personal choice and I'm not really looking for approval. They made my life so much better and quite frankly that's plenty for me.
I would love to buy some of its "home" produced venison again. It makes a wonderful and tasty, low cholesterol, casserole. I serve it with braised red cabbage (apples, onions, red wine vinegar, stock and nutmeg) plus mashed pots! Sadly none this year. 😣
Thank you Autumnleaves for choosing comedians. We need any comedy we can get at the moment. I too like Barry Humphries, Billy Connolly and Robin Williams was such a talent. Seeing him in Birdcage still makes me laugh. Your female choices not really for me, each to their own. I loved Victoria Wood along with many others who mourned her loss.
Mrs Doubt fire..how the rest of the cast could keep a straight face is beyond me. I never liked him in serious roles..thought he exaggerated. But as stand up..wonderful.
I have mentioned this before - but I am loving Tom Wrigglesworth, on the radio and subscribed to it on Sounds. I then found all the series, with easy access. I am up to the latest series.number 5 from 2019. Now this, makes me laugh out loud, and "Leanord" aka Paul Copley, plays Dad. It is my sense of humour.
Thank you all for your comments. As I said before this is a purely personal choice..but I have a weird sense of humour. I have been bewildered at the popularity of Monty Python and Friends. I've tried but it just doesn't tickle my funny bone..maybe because it doesn't rise to my expection of funny.
Welcome back Cheshire Cheese! Lovely to hear from you again...
Autumnleaves - thanks for your list. I have laughed long and often to most of them, particularly Dame Edna, Billy Connolly & Joan Rivers. I like a wee bit of foul mouthed vulgarity at times...
I was lucky enough to see Victoria Wood live once and had to stuff the sleeve of my jacket into my mouth to try and stem the hoots that were pouring out of me. I loved her!
I’m with Gary Autumnleaves, although I did not like Barry Humphries as “Les” uurrg - Dame Edna ✔️ and I loved Joan Rivers & dear Fang! 🤣 Billy C good (although a pity about the over use of “that” word) because he didn’t need to use it to be funny. Victoria Wood and others managed very well in this respect.
Well as we enter another period of lockdown I'd like to invite everyone to add to Lanjan list and look up on you tube all our old favourites, be it Ken Dodd, Benny hill, Dave Allen, Morecambe and Wise. They're all there alive and kicking on YouTube. Enjoy and keep your spirits up. Remember laughter is the best medicine.
Fair enough ,Autumnleaves. We are all different I feel like that advert that used to be on the tele. It's not you it's me. To prove the point I don't watch Strictly,Bake off or any Soaps I am going to watch the General Knowledge questions on Mastermind and then Only Connect and University Challenge . I lose out because I know nothing about any modern pop singers ,film stars or TV programmes.
Have just registered for a seven day course by zoom run by the Watermill in Posara where I have been twice for a watercolour week. We are having a painting session each day following the itinerary of the week if we were in Italy. I wondered whether I would have time but the sessions are in the afternoon so will make time! If I miss any though I will have the UTube video. We are also having a recipe each day so it may be a real Italian week! We’re just short of the sunshine! It has been a bit cold and windy here today. November can be such a dreary month! The course runs from 28th November so something to look forward to!😊🎨🎨😍
Very interested in your electrical addition to your bike Sarnia. Is that what it is, an addition to an ordinary bike ? I wasn't aware this was possible. Can you explain more ?
Thank you for your interest, Mrs P. The £500 buys a kit containing a front wheel with an electric motor, a detachable battery that has to be fitted to the handlebars (when leaving the bike unattended you take it away with you), some kind of drivewheel that connects the motor with the gears and chain, and a charger for the battery. My son can fit one to an ordinary road bike in 20 min, but in a bike shop it will probably cost another £50. When ordering the wheel from Swytch, which is company in Norfolk, you need to supply the wheel size (eg 26x1 3/8) plus the type of rim. My son neglected to give the latter, so that the wheel, which is made in China and had taken almost a year to get here due to Covid problems throughout the supply chain, turned out to be the wrong rim size, and so couldn't be made to work. Fortunately the replacement arrived (only from Norfolk this time) in under a week and I have ridden the bike for the first time today. Having been trapped in the house without transport since last March, the freedom and independence was not only exhilarating but absolutely effortless!
I didn't know that you could turn a normal bike into an electric one Sarnia. I love my bike, but for various reasons I haven't been using it this year as much as I would like. There is no finer feeling than freewheeling down a hill with the wind in your face! Enjoy your days out again.
Autumnleaves, I think comedians are a fun choice. I am really only familiar with Billy Conolly so I went on YouTube to have a look at the others, but thought I would just have a quick peek at BC first and then somehow ended up with Dave Allen and have been chuckling ever since so will check out the others another time.
Janice, thank you for reminding me about Blackadder. One of our favourite programmes - the writing and performances were superbly funny. Also Stephen Fry and Hugh Lawrie in their early days in together.
But Mr A has reminded me of one of the funniest evenings we ever had, yonks ago - A visit to a tiny theatre in London to see ´Beyond The Fringe.´ Just 4 young actor/writers: Alan Bennet, Dudley Moore, Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller. So clever, so funny. All totally unknown then but all went on to become very famous in different areas of writing and performance
Love the idea of an electric bike ,Sarnia. We both gave our bikes to the Charity shop last year because the roads where we live are too dangerous to ride on . In the end I was getting out the bike just to cycle to the pillar box less than 10 minutes away . It wasn't worth it.
Incidentally when in a nearby town I asked shop assistantsIf they knew where the nearest pillar box was. They all looked perplexed. I should have said post box.
Talking of funny evenings reminds me of going to see a recording of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. It was shortly before Humphrey Littleton died, my sides ached for days afterwards.
I went with two youngest sons to Tunbridge Wells to see the crew one cold foggy November evening. Jack Dee was 'chairman' with Jeremy Hardy, Tim Brook Taylor, Graham Garden and Barry Cryer. Probably the best night out I have ever had! Our family can recite many, many of the 'Sound Charades!' All time favourite radio programme!
I saw it too a couple of years ago in Hull. They were recording 2 episodes so it was a full 3 hours of laughter! John Finnemore, Barry Cryer, Tim B-T & Mikes Jupp were on the panel for both shows. It was a brilliant night out, and all for the price of £5 a ticket!
I've seen two recordings of ISIHAC, one wth Humph and the other with Jack Dee. The last one was January this year, shortly before lovely Tim B-T died with Covid. Good memories of happy times. Also saw Humph on tour - didn't much like his type of jazz, but loved his humour and anecdotes.
Thank you for that detailed information Sarnia. I shall squirrel that information away for future use.
I gave my bike away when I moved into this cottage. My garden is remote and accessible via a steep path, so it would have been practical to keep it my garden shed. I have always wanted to have a tricycle, and one friend has recently got one. We have an electric bike shop here in Stroud and many people here do have electric bikes, very useful in this area of extreme hills. But until I am able to change my location the return to a bike, electric or otherwise, must remain on hold.
I have had a wonderful hair-cut today. My stylist lives just over the border in N. Wales, and still in lockdown, but can travel the 6 miles for work. She did the back + sides the same, but did the front + top, slightly different. This was done "just in case" - as no-one knows what will happen in December. At least in this 2nd period of pure isolation, I will not be a "dulux dog" again. It doesn't really matter though, as I will be home alone, yet again, and so will not be seeing anyone. Back to a once a week shop only, but sadly no gardening nor sitting outside on a chair, reading a book. Instead it will be cold days, sometimes gloomy, plus the dark nights. I have plenty of books to read, jigsaws to do, knitting to continue, so I won't get bored.
Then there is here, to brighten up the days, with you all
To add. I realised today, which is a very selfish thought, how lucky I am, to have got my new wheels, just over 2 weeks ago. With car dealers having to close, it might have been a very long delay.
DVLA have been great. I already have the new car registration document, plus the confirmation that I now am not the keeper of the vehicle I traded in. I had e-mails of these, but I now have the paper ones, via the royal mail. These are now safely, filed away.
Snap Miriam! Me too! I had a cut & blow dry this morning ...only my second visit to a hairdresser this year. And to prove it, here it is! I have been ‘trimming’ it myself between times but it had evolved into a thick grey bush that I couldn’t cope with any longer. How serendipitous that I made the appointment à couple of weeks ago, unaware of the forthcoming Lockdown. (Don’t worry folks, I’ll replace my fizzog with a painting tomorrow)
Very nice Archerphile. My hair used to be cut like this, the salon even had a notice before closure: we'll cut off 20% of your hair for free, but I was not tempted. I've been cutting it myself equal length for over a year now.
Why no gardening,Miriam? It will do you the world of good to have a bit of sun on your face. You know the vitamin D will be beneficial. I have checked and tomorrow is going to be sunny and so will Thursday and Friday in your neck of the woods Last week you said we were "Great minds" Well this Great mind plans on cutting down some overgrown branches ,digging up and transplanting some big yellow flowers that I have forgotten the names of and plant a few daffodil bulbs. At 4pm tomorrow I expect you to say what you have done in the garden. Don't let me down!
You said you do not watch Bake Off. I have spent the last few evenings watching Junior Bake Off, from last year, available on Channel 4 catch-up. It was marvellous! The young people aged from only 9 to 15 were really delightful. and I think they could give Miriam a run for their money, they are certainly more talented than me. Seriously uplifting stuff. I enjoyed 'The A Word' on your recommendation, and I think you might enjoy this.
Tomorrow I plan to garden too! Today I received shallots, garlic bulbs and a rhubarb crown so will have to find room in the garden somehow. I have put new strawberry plants in a strawberry planter and 'purpose built' strawberry bag for youngest son to take to his new house. Also I plan to do as Monty suggested last week and sow some sweet pea seeds and leaving them over winter. Hopefully that will be more successful than the last couple of years when they haven't produced anything!
Tomorrow, as sunny, it is a zoo visit, before it closes at 4.00pm until, who knows when. Gardening..my back garden is north facing. It now gets no sun, and just stays soggy + wet, as it is a clay soil. As to Vit D, I always take a daily supplement along with a Co-enzyme Q10 one. If need be, I supplement with a high dose Vit. C, but hopefully this will not be required.
Mistral I will try tomorrow as long as there is no football on. I have just tried to watch it on Catch up and couldn't find it (I was looking for Junior Masterchef) ! I returned to My Ipad to check and realised I had got it wrong but meanwhile Mr LJ spotted a football match on the tele. I tried to find it on the Ipad but couldn't. I have to go through Sky on the Ipad because for some reason I can't get Channel 4 otherwise..
Well now we know what you look like Archerphile, and although I have never tried to imagine what you might look like, what you do look like does not disturb my subconscious vision of you.
I THINK I understand what I mean. I hope you do !
I also see the lovely pink top which obviously suits you.
Thank you Mrs P - I do understàd what you mean! I do like to wear bright colours but they have to be pink, cobalt blue or purple, usually with a navy or black bottom half. I can’t wear anything brown, orange, yellow or sludgy green. Think that makes me a Summer or Winter person rather than Autumn!
Enjoy your trip to the zoo Miriam. A friend always sends me sweet peas seeds on my birthday ,Spicycushion and every year they fail. I will have another go tomorrow. They did really well up north . I am going to have to:put the geraniums away for winter soon too.
*** FROM PREVIOUS BLOG ***
ReplyDeleteMrsP Ambridge - October 28, 2020 at 6:56 PM
I too was worried about my car being vandalised, or indeed craned away.
I was praying as I walked through the woods towards it, that it would still be there and undamaged.
I was prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best.
I did an RAC survey on line today.
Great praise for the patrol man.
Less for their service staff.
parsley16 - October 28, 2020 at 11:34 PM
Chrysanths are all the rage at the moment here. Toussaint is nearly here. Huge choice outside Leclerc today.
parsley16 - October 28, 2020 at 11:42 PM
Relieved for you, Mrs P.
LJ, belated thanks for your list.
Not had the chance to visit any northern cricket grounds, Lord's was my first introduction, the Neville ground in Tunbridge wells was /is lovely, fond memories of the old ground in Westerham... oh dear, previous lives.. 😉
parsley16 - October 28, 2020 at 11:43 PM
& inevitably, back in lockdown.... 😔
Firework chrysanthemums Gary!! Very appropriate on 2 counts. Clever!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Lords, as mentioned by Parsley - I remember going there for the first time and thinking - ‘it’s so small! ‘. I think TV cameras make things look much bigger and wider and I had only seen the ground on TV before. The distance tothe boundary was no bigger than our village ground and the famous pavilion not nearly as large as I had thought. It seemed do enclosed by all the stands.
It was a bit disappointing, but just being there was such an exciting day...... and of course Hampshire were playing!
Lovely, GG !
ReplyDeleteLord's - remember spotting Brian Johnston "Johnners" in his co-respondent shoes...
It is a horrible wet day and I am turning my thoughts to more philosophical notions. Knowing or knowledge and how we reflect and perceive the actions of others.
ReplyDeleteAll our perceptions are based on the knowledge we believe to positively exist. It Is when we present counter views to those opinions we ensure that our own are not fallible. . We now live in a world where everything can be contested on Its epistemological accuracy but unless we have absolute truth how are we to be convinced of the other’s truth.
In many instances we are guessing so how do we go beyond what we claim to know when we don’t have the knowledge to assert our truths.
Most of us rely on the “experts” to confirm or deny these truths and how de we prove that their knowledge is a well founded and accurate truth.
We don’t is the answer, so we trust the “experts to guide us in the way we respond to the dilemmas facing us as a society.
The difficulties come when individuals accept one set of truths and modify those truths in attempt to change the behaviour of others.
At an individual level I would listen and not present my response in an absolute deterministic manner.
How we view the world and our place in it is based on observation, participation and the attitudes of those who inform our learning in our own particular society.
Whatever we hold to be true can be questioned but we should consider how we frame our truth in response.
Having been brought up to believe in 'truth' as absolute, I discovered the hard way as a witness in the magistrates' court that truth is actually relative. When defendants contested what I knew to be the truth, ie that they had ignored a red light and had almost killed me as I used a crossing with my child in her push chair, they weren't really lying, they simply hadn't noticed the light and believed me to the one who was mistaken. In the absence of any other evidence it was their word against mine, the verdict was 'not guilty' and I was considered to have a grudge against motorists because I didn't have a car myself.
DeleteWell Stasia that's deep pondering for a wet afternoon. I sometimes think that intuition arising from the deeper levels of the mind can get to the heart of what is true BUT I suppose, unless by any chance we are linked into a network wider than ourselves, that the deeper levels/subconscious are only based on the information we have absorbed from the acquired knowledge and people around us.
DeleteI'm sorry you had that bad experience Sarnia.
Deleteour acquired
DeleteMost uplifting Gary and also the safest way to enjoy the sparkle 💥 ⚡️🤗
ReplyDeleteSadly there will be no public firework displays near to me, this year.
DeleteAlso all public Rememberance Services at War Memorials, are also cancelled.
It is so understood...but many will miss these traditional events. It is only for this year, hopefully. I am sure something will happen at The Cenotaph, in a very small and socially, distanced way. 🤞🤞
Miriam, Oct 28th 4.07pm. When your neighbours considerately half-park on the pavement to allow room for other vehicles to pass, I hope they leave room for mobility scooters, mothers with prams and other pedestrians, for whom the pavement was originally intended. With my arthritis and prosthetic joints, together with dropped kerbs pavement parking is one of the major banes of my life.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Sarnia. Apart from everything else it is lorries and cars parked on pavements, or driving over pavements, which crack paving slabs, break up tarmac or compress the earth beneath which makes pavements so dangerous to pedestrians. Because pavements are not built to take the weight of vehicles.
DeleteI did not learn to drive until after my divorce, so was out every day with a pushchair and nearly always having to go into the road to get past parked cars. Now when I am out walking I am terrified of tripping on uneven and damaged pavements. (Not since my illness of course but even on short walks to the post box and certainly in the dark.)
However some good news for pedestrians! It was on the news last weekend that a nation-wide law against parking on pavements is being considered, just the one that applies to London at the moment. It would then be put into the Highway Code I suppose.
No-one uses a mobility scooter by me, well just yet. There are few senior citizens (of which I am one), but we are all still fit + healthy.
DeleteI accept your very valid point, but pushchairs, Mums walking toddlers etc. still have room to walk on the pavements. As I said, parking is staggered, so no car parked half-on, half-off is opposite a similar one. The road is clear, sort of, and the pavements are still very passable. The builders, laid the houses out really well, as I do not have another property, either immediately opposite my front or behind, my property. I see trees in gardens or the nearby wildlife park, and other properties are not too close.
It wouldn't happen today. Wheras my part is just 2 pairs of semis, today it would be 3 pairs of town houses, tall and narrow, with smaller gardens, overlooking similar ones.
I am surprised that you were disappointed with Lord's ,Archerphile.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a wonderful Ground.
When I first went there ,women were not allowed into the pavilion so maybe you were not able to see how magnificent it is inside.
Not disappointed with Lords itself Lanjan, just disappointed that TV coverage had led me to believe it was much larger, wider and longer that it is in real life. I think it is something to do with the lenses they use on their cameras.
DeleteI had a wonderful day, spotting famous cricketers and MCC members in the Pavillion, walking around the perimeter during the lunch break, to say nothing of seeing our beloved Hampshire win the match! I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I can assure you.
And no, I was not allowed inside the pavillion, it was in the day’s before even the futuristic looking press building was built at the nursery end!
And, having been to the ROSEbowl at Southampton several times, I noticed that that ground also looked far, far bigger on TV this summer than when you are actually sitting in the stands.
A niece of mine went to Wimbledon, a few years ago, on a corporate event, by suppliers she uses at work (this is the interior designer/architect who works in Knightsbridge). She also said the same, as to how small it felt, in comparison to seeing it on TV.
DeleteModern camera work is brilliant, which is the same as Estate Agents photos.
She had a seat on Centre Court - how lucky, and how I was so envious. 🎾
DeleteHow bored I have been today. It has been the 3W's Wild, Wet + Windy. I finished a jigsaw, cleaned the cooker hob, did some washing (now on an airer in a spare bedroom). I am now cooking a chicken casserole, with leeks, carrots, onions, mushrooms to be served with Neeps 'n Tatties, sprouts + cauliflower.
ReplyDeleteThis awful weather is to be expected until Monday.
Still I have knitting to do, the kitchen needs a good clean (floor + all cupboard, drawer fronts etc) plus the ironing, when the wash has dried.
I am starting to feel "isolated" again, which is due to the rising no. of cases in my area, and the tier I am in.
Still, it is better to stay
safe, and not increase the risk factor. It is not helped by the dark evenings, when it is just me + Pusscat.
DeleteI survived Lockdown, and will get over my current "blip". 😁
I haven't been to the Rose Bowl for several years, Archerphile .
ReplyDeleteIt is large but I did prefer the lovely Ground Hampshire had at Southampton.
What a spectacular sight on Autumnwatch tonight.
ReplyDeleteThe White Tailed Sea eagles released on the IOW and where they have been, and seen.
I hope EV was watching.
I was thinking that too Miriam! I love Autumnwatch - dinner eaten, candles lit, jim-jams on and snacks brought out for a good old fashioned lounge about on the sofas. Heaven.
DeleteAgrée Gary - an absolute must see in our house. And we do much prefer the new format, introduced in Springwatch, of the presenters being located on their own patch or somewhere else of interest - none of that stupid joshing and larking about that we found so juvenile and distracting in the past.
DeleteBut I have to admit that I have no interest at all in seals! Big lumps of grey flesh lying around on a beach or rocks - Michaela Strachan is welcome to them!
By the way, I can really recommend Chris Packham’s autobiography « Fingers in the Sparkle Jar ». It’s very different and very enlightening and explains a lot about his obsession with animals and unusual personality.
Totally agree about the changes to the Autumnwatch format. It's so much less awkward now that they all don't have to try to be funny with each other all the time - and the addition of Megan has worked really well I think. (I still miss Martin though...)
DeleteWe agree absolutely with your comments Gary & everyone enjoying the new SW & AW format. I emailed the BBC post SW telling them just this.
DeleteAlso enjoyed SCD for the same reason no mega going crazy audience and Tess unable to clutch the hand of the participants for the duration of the judge’s comments 🤗
No, I didn’t see it but have just caught up on I player! They really are magnificent creatures. I knew about the Scotland trip and the one over to the East. We are on the northern part of the island so haven’t seen one over our garden yet! What worries me a bit is that our dogs like many others are about rabbit size but hopefully the eagles will stick to fish and rabbits!
ReplyDeleteThis is today’s painting which I enjoyed. Got into a bit of a mess with the shadow and of course the style is very different from the intricacy of Archerfile’s paintings which I do admire. It was interesting that our tutor did the flowers and foliage and then put in the background. I had always been taught to put the background wash on first but I think the white gaps are very effective. On Saturday will get by e- mail the efforts of others from the zoom session which is always interesting comparing notes! Amazing how many takes there are on the same subject!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'll put it on my book table.
DeleteAs always I am full of admiration Ev.
DeleteAwaiting your next masterpiece Archerphile 🤗 in awe of all you talented people...
I like your painting Ev.
ReplyDeleteFlowers in a jug or vase. Always lovely, real or painted.
Thank you for showing us.
Ev wish I could paint like you!
ReplyDeleteArcherfile I have found Fingers in the Sparkle Jar on Ebay and ordered it.
I have just read another of your recommendations and enjoyed it , Meadowland. I bought it weeks ago and put it aside because I leave post, unless bills! for 3 days before opening because of the virus, and it completely vanished. In the end I found it slipped down behind the deep freeze. I hope Phoebe, Pip and Rex have read it.
I have a friend in Edinburgh who had a stroke earlier in the year and she is in a Nursing Home at present, and I wondered why the letters and postcards I send her seemed to take a long time to get there but apparently all post goes into an isolation room for 3 days before it is given out. So I thought that was a sensible idea.
Janice. I am so like you, but have never said it.
DeleteI too, leave my post on the mat, for 3 days, but flick it over with a foot, to spot anything important. I also isolate much of my weekly shop, for the same reason, and my cupboards are organised to do this. I have it down to a fine art!
This might sound OTT and a symptom of OCD - and this is probably very true. There are still many questions, still to be answered, about the contact with goods and what is safe or not.
I am just being very cautious, but my own system works well, for me only.
I regret to say that I don't do any of this, but we do have the lowest infection rate in the country.
DeleteI wash and/or sanitise hands if I touch anything that is new/alien to my house. Mostly the post I get is just bills but not much of those anyway as I have gone 'paperless' in as many accounts banks etc.
DeleteEv: 11.20
ReplyDeleteLove your flower painting, as you say, very different to mine. But I wish I could paint in that lovely loose style rather than being so pernickety with detail.
Perhaps we should meet up one day after Covid and swap tips!
I think you did the shadows behind the vase very well. I remember being taught that shadows should be painted in a muted shade of the colour of the object casting the shadow. Up until then I had always just used Grey and wondered why it was unsuccessful!
I was taught to do a background wash first too, but not for botanical studies where you need to leave white for highlights, veins in leaves etc. And I admit to using a lot of masking fluid for the same reason!
Archerfile would love to meet up! As I said we have different styles but equally pleasing! I love the Redoute roses too but for me I couldn’t achieve that degree of detail. I was hoping to go to the prospective Winchester meet up but of course Covid came along. I sent my picture to my American tutor and she said she always does the subject first then fills in the background. The London Art college I do my course with is all for washes and I find their methods often take the joy out of painting but will persevere! My zoom tutor is far more loose and leaves room for individualism which I like. My style is very different to that of my American tutor, Sandra, whose paintings are dramatic but I have learnt a lot from her and hopefully will be on her course in June. Keep painting!!🎨
DeleteI was sorry to read your 5:03 pm post yesterday ,Miriam saying that you have been bored so I thought I would offer a few a few suggestions for you .
ReplyDeletePlease ignore if you wish
1) I know you enjoy your garden but the weather is not alway conducive to spending a lot of time outside.
How about collecting the fallen leaves, putting them into a black bag adding water and .piecing it several times with.a fork .
You can use it later to put on the top of plants like fuchsias as a mulch
Take a few cuttings.
Collect seeds to sow in the Spring.
2) Too wet to go out?
Send for a new address book online and transfer the names and present addresses of the friends and relatives you still want to keep in touch with.
Keep the old address book with its crossings out - just in case
3)Get a notebook and write about what life was like when you were a child .
Your great nieces will love to read what you have written when they are older.
(I started doing that during lockdown.I am up to when I was aged 7 .!
My father did it for me .He was born in 1898.It makes fascinating reading.)
4) Turn on Smooth Radio and start addressing the envelopes for Christmas.
5)Have a sort out .Throw out stuff you are keeping "just in case" If you haven't used it in the past two years you are not likely to need it now.
Very cathartic.
6) We have talented bloggers who paint beautifully
I don't ,but I do make my own cards and decided to buy some acrylic paints (from The Works) ) and try my hand.at painting some for a change.
Most enjoyable pastime.
Maybe other bloggers have ideas.
I just hate the idea of anyone being bored.
LJ.
ReplyDeleteThank-you so much for the ideas. Strangely, I am doing and have in place, what you have suggested, so it is definitely Great Minds.
I cannot paint and it doesn't appeal.
I am frustrated as to my garden, as it is so wet + squelchy, so I cannot do much.
The lawns need mowing but it is impossible as, putting a foot on them, water oozes out.
There is worse to come tomorrow 🌨🌨 with 40mph winds. I am secured.
Thanks - 😀
PS Off to order some new jigsaws. I have been waiting patiently, to go past the 4.30pm time, as it is a Friday, to so miss my credit card date, hopefully, but not sure 🤞
DeleteOh Lanjan that was a lovely post suggesting ways to keep ourselves busy during lockdown. Unfortunately loneliness is a terrible thing even under normal circumstances. I hope our little blog continues to keep the spirits up of whoever needs it whether we contribute or not .
ReplyDelete💖💖
It is interesting, seeing how mant tv programmes, are now being produced and shown, with social distancing in place.
ReplyDeleteI think the standard of these, has actually improved. This is a strange thing to comment on
I am enjoying the new BBC1 Morning Live programme, with Gethin + Kym with their guests, all distanced. It is factual and also entertaining.
PS Doctors returns on Monday, Yeah, but how will it be?
DeleteBeen watching Gethin and Kim. Interesting programme, but that set!! Looks as if it was dressed by the Bargain Hunt team with leftover junk from one if their shows!
DeleteOr perhaps, Money for Nothing, from Sarah (?). I have watched this for the 1st time this week. It is on shortly after 7.00am, so have seen this, I am still on old time, wide awake at 6.30am. I only stay in bed, until the CH comes on, 30 mins later.
DeleteDo I enjoy it - not really, but it is better than the gloomy news.
Pusscat, is also still on the old time. It is probably due to the sunrise + normal daylight starting.
DeleteThe coffee table is a real '70's retro design. My parents had a very similar one from about 1972. It was going to be dumped, but Little Sis decided to take it. She put in somewhere, forgot about it, until doing a clear out a few years ago. It now has a new home, in one of her rooms and looks great.
DeleteMiriam , did you realise that Doctors is only returning for 4 days a week?
ReplyDeleteLike TA, there will be no Friday episodes.
And they will be taking up all the stories exactly where they broke off back in June. Enjoy! 😄
The weather forecaster Matthew Taylor said today would be like being in the washing machine’s spin cycle
ReplyDeleteHe was not wrong!
It is dark, blowing a gale, lashing with rain & leaves coming off the trees in great waves.
Spin cycle weather is a very accurate description!
💨💨💨🌧🌧🌧🍂🍁🍂
007 has gone to heaven!
ReplyDeleteI wonder! He wasn’t the nicest of men!
DeleteLanjan 4.21 - I love your ideas for what to do when feeling bored. I did start to write out my life history, such as it is, when lockdown began. I've neglected it of late and need to start writing again.
ReplyDeleteAnd in such weather conditions it is time for me to ponder on this, that and life?
ReplyDeleteI am making an assumption that we consider blogging to be a social interaction even though we don’t physically engage and many of us have no awareness of our physical attributes. Although we can make a good guess at age and from there make inferences about some aspects of our social attitudes. Of course we provide some information about ourselves and at another level may not have awareness of how much we don’t knowingly say but others will recognise.
This digital format allows us to make aggregate transactions. One person will make a comment and others will respond. We create a stimulus and others will react.
For example, I may say I believe that X is is wrong in his/her statement but my response may reflect a critical and judgemental attitude. Responding in this manner will result in alienation. Any further communication is finished and because our transactions occur in a confined structure we are unable to yield and explore our perceptions and find a common solution.
It becomes impossible to shake hands and say let’s find a way to accept that we have different views without creating barriers. By jumping to conclusions about A we are manipulating our reality to reassure ourselves.
We may feel disappointed by A’s comments but a blog sets limitations on how much we do do know another person. We may have expectations of X to have feelings, attitudes similar to our own and suddenly we find we have differences and react harshly.
Of course I can’t exclude myself as the hackneyed phrase goes, we’re all human.
Be nice. I’m trying.👺
🎃👽👻
Hope those who are interested are enjoying some wild and windy rugby! I had the choice of watching three rugby interationals or taking part in a virtual Halloween camp with the Cubs.
ReplyDeleteI was going to do that but I had a very bad day yesterday feeling sick everytime I moved. I'm pretty sure it's the 'once week' tablet I take Thursday mornings because this was the third time I didn't want anything to eat all day Friday.
Just about managed to track more family history stuff. My luxury, no drink, cigarettes, holidays abroad but membership of 2 online family history websites. I am very lucky that my family is almost totally Kentish and all Kent parish records are on line and can be viewed in their original form, not transcribed. I do have a nth xgreat grandmother where the vicar stated (in early 18th century) on the baptism of her baby son that she was a 'Single woman and well known in the parish!' I wonder what he meant? 🤣
'Known' in the Biblical sense, perhaps?
DeleteWhat a day of two halves. It was so very wet and windy this morning, yet now it is sunny and calm but it is getting so much colder, but as it is November tomorrow, it has to be expected.
ReplyDeleteI did a short supermarket trip, in the wind + rain, to buy the ingredients for a Christmas Pudding. What I really needed, was the one item not available, namely currants, so will have try elsewhere.
Making a Christmas Pudding is traditional to me. Whether it will be used this year, that will not be known, for many a week yet. I kept one for over a year, after Dad died on Dec 23rd. one year. It was delicious even 14 months after making.
What I did notice, as it started to get busier, were many were doing "stockpile" shops, as to the hint of a national shut down again, seen this morning. The trolleys were piled high.
I think this is just silly + stupid, but that is only my thought.
I saw one, with about 18 loo rolls and 4 kitchen towels in it, and the ailse with the flours, yeast etc. was very busy, as was the alcohol area!
Why? Supplies will get through, as before, and also nothing has yet been announced!
I was sad to learn about Sir Sean Connery. He was a brilliant actor and person. I will remember him most, as Indy's Dad, in the 3rd film - namely The Last Crusade.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my films I chose, on the 2nd list, here, many months ago.
To me he is the only 007 for ever.
DeleteOh, yes he was definitely 007. Pierce Brosnan a very close second for me! By all accounts SC treated his wife badly and I didn’t like the way he advocated Scottish independence from his safe haven in America but yes, he was the best Bond!
DeleteBasia, to be totally honest, I have not really seen any of the Bond films, when he was 007.
DeleteMy earliest 007 memory, was Roger Moore.
Our lockdown started yesterday and there were many sacks of flour at my local shop, presumably ordered by people, with this in mind. I also stocked up, not to be caught out like the last time.
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why can’t we work together as Great Britain regarding this virus one “Country” stopping lockdown as another starts one most of this time 😡 some counties will now have an extension of their local lockdowns I guess!
ReplyDeleteThis so applies to me and my family in N.Wales, but it might not happen yet.
DeleteGoodness knows when we can meet up again, due to the differences in rules. It's hard.
I think the answer lies in devolution!
DeleteWhat made me extremely angry yesterday was seeing the people in Nottingham 'partying' last night, in the pub, before their lockdown started today. Silly, selfish idiotic people!
I expect someone will complain that they or their children, parent etc could not get treatment in hospital because the beds are full of covid patients. 😡
We do what we have to do!
DeleteMy sister cannot stay with her daughter who has breast cancer.
I cannot visit my brother who has possible terminal cancer.
I may not ever meet up with my brother again!
But we do what we have to do!
Spicy My thoughts are with you 🤗 as you also have problems.
DeleteSpicycushion, I hope that you will see your 'little brother' you told us about, who is exceptionally tall.
DeleteThank you. He's had two lots of chemo and apparently has put some of the lost weight back on. And he feels much better he says.
DeleteIt's just makes me so angry. Here in Kent we are well below the national average of cases and not so many people in hospital either. Yet those people (including a friend of mine) who moan that they can't carry on their lives as usual. I cannot bite my tongue all the time! 🙂
I had a short walk this afternoon. It was lovely seeing homes with children, are still doing Halloween, in a different way. One had decorated their home with spiders, crawling up the windows + walls on the outside, another had decorated the garden with pumpkins, another had a skelton on the front door.
ReplyDeleteI walked in the local nature park, and loved seeing families walking the dogs, with the kids all dressed up.
It was great to see. 🎃👻
Miriam @ 4.00 pm
ReplyDeleteThat is a huge coincidence. Mr A’s Dad died on 23rd December too! But that was in 1979.
He was taken to Epsom hospital after a heart attack and Mr A’s Mum had to be hospitalised too as she had Parkinson’s and his Dad was her carer.
We had to travel to the hospital, go up to her ward and tell her her husband had died in the ward downstairs as the staff refused to do it!
It was a pretty miserable Christmas, our children were only aged 5 and 3 and couldn’t understand what was going on. It was very difficult arranging a funeral at Christmas from a distance.
The hospital wouldn’t keep his Mum in and kept pressurising us to find a care home for her as they needed her bed. So we were trying to do that over Christmas too.
In early Jan we found a nice home that she approved of and could deal with Parkinson’s but sadly she died on Valentines day 6 weeks later. Hence our second funeral to arrange within a very few weeks.
Both my parents had died the year before, so our two grew up grew up without grandparents which they have always very much regretted.
What an awful run of events Archerphile and so sad your young children never had grandparents😢
DeleteIt is so hard when a loved one dies.
DeleteThe problem at Christmas, is trying to sort things out, in what should be a lovely time. Christmas was cancelled that year. Big Sis + self spent 23rd + 24th December that year, trying to get to the funeral directors plus his solicters. There had to be a post mortem, with the coroner involved.
It was a sad time, as there was a long delay.
Yes, but they have parents to this day which is much more important.
DeleteI remember someone saying she had no gr-mothers and I told her don't worry, they'll still be born! Everybody laughed and I was none the wiser.
Thank you Basia , that is true. When they were young they felt very left out with no Grandpas or Grandmas to give them birthday and Christmas gifts, or take them out for treats as their friends had. So we tried hard to make up for the lack of relatives as they had no Uncles, Aunts or cousins either. Poor deprived children!
DeleteStasia
ReplyDeleteVery well put, your piece at 1:41 today.
I hope I am not misinterpreting you when I say that I too have been trying to find the words to say how I feel for the last few days.
I feel that you have spoken for me.
So.... if I am not misinterpreting your words..... thank you.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMrsP Thanks. You did not misinterpret my words.
DeleteThey were a reflection on the past few days.
Thank you Stasia for your confirmation.
DeleteThank you Stasia for your confirmation.
DeleteFor some reason my post has repeated itself.
ReplyDeleteBut the delete button seems to have disappeared.
I apologise.
Stasia and Mrs P, I concur.
ReplyDeleteSeasider... thank you.
ReplyDeleteComforting to know we are not alone.
Unfortunately I found Stasia’s piece at 1.41 yesterday a little difficult to understand. It reads as being very erudite but I’m afraid I’m finding it difficult to interpret, or to read between the lines.
ReplyDeleteMrs P and Seasider have obviously got the point and agree with it, but I shall need a little more spelling out before I can comment. I must be a bit thicker than I imagined!
One thing I do know is that, after last nights news from the Prime Minister, I am feeling even more depressed this morning and that these blogs will become more important than ever in helping to keep spirits up. Although we (well, most of us) have never met in person and don’t know what each of us looks like, we have formed ‘friendships’.
DeleteSome seem to have a closer connection with each other than others, as we would in real life, but hopefully we can all keep in touch in a friendly and supportive way.
I am distressed to see no contributions from Carolyn since the vaccination debate blew up but I do hope she still feels able to chat with us on other subjects without the fear that she will face another barrage of disapproval.
We all have different points of view and should feel able to discuss them.
But if Gary feels things are getting out of hand or are touching on ‘banned’ topics such as politics or alternative health opinions he will no doubt close down that particular conversation and we can move on to something else.
Concur regarding Carolyn and sincerely hope she will be back with us. I think Stasia was saying we know enough about each other through the blog but unlike face to face contact it is difficult to see opposing views through. In my experience though we all have entrenched views and no amount of argument will change them although they can be modified slightly. Sometimes it is necessary to put the opposing view but IMHO it doesn’t make much difference to our individual stance.
DeleteWhich is exactly what he did, without removing any posts and we moved on. I also noticed Carolyn's absence but she does stay away sometimes.
DeleteThe news is the same for all everywhere, I personally call it the 3rd war and from what I know of the previous it could be much worse. I also feel that we all contribute to whatever happens on this planet good or not.
No, I don't know what Stasia meant by her message. Be kind to each other, yes, sometimes we are not.
Stasia's ponderings both the 1.41 one and the 29th 1.12 one are a bit like parables, they have a surface meaning and a deeper one .
ReplyDeleteCarolyn if it helps the "disapproval" was not unanimous; and I think that big business who ( with the exception of some ethically led companies) are driven by the profit line are affected for the good by vocal questioning minds. When questioning affects sales then companies, including pharmaceutical ones, shift themselves to improve their products.
Business companies are not always ethical, and I learnt not to automatically trust them because of the experience of the husband of a cousin. He was a research scientist and his company had asked him to study the effects of the talcum powder which was one of their products. His research convinced him it was carcinogenic, and he stopped his wife from using it ( the rest of us did too). The Company however totally mothballed his research, because it did not provide the findings that they wanted. He then left them and worked
until retirement at Swansea University in a post that included both lecturing and research, where research results could be freely published.
I am not quite sure what I am saying here, except that having a questioning mind does not necessarily mean that one is a conspiracy theorist. I don't think any of us on this site is, but we are an intelligent bunch.
From a practical view point I could never understand the use of talcum powder as it blocks the pores. I also remember once a dessert in a restaurant with icing sugar on top which I inhaled and had to recover my breath. Oh, the dangers of everyday living. I don't use flannels or sponges for washing because unless absolutely dried afterwards they smell and are full bacteria. The same goes for towels of course and we are full of "stuff" on our skin.
ReplyDeleteI have always used talcum powder since childhood for drying the skin, donning tight clothing and comforting chapped areas. I adored the smell of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby powder with which millions of babies must have been dowsed, without apparent ill effects!
ReplyDeleteBut after reading about possible cancer effects a few years ago I changed to a talc free powder which is made from microscopically ground maize. Soft, comforting, drying but perfectly safe.
I read that many breast scans were showing up false positive results and were later linked with the use of talc. I believe that women are now asked not to use it before being scanned as tiny specs of talc show up in scans and can be mis-interpreted.
I was just about to bring up talc and breast screening AP. The pre info always stated not to use prior to scan or other products such as underarm deodorant come to that. I also took awhile to understand Stasia‘s post AP but It seems I did work out the right sentiment from it according to others comments here.
DeleteJanice, your opinion, summed up in your final para, should be helpful to anyone finding difficulty in understanding Stasia's recent post.
ReplyDeleteA different opinion is simply that, and a polite response to disagree has been possible on this blog on previous occasions, without the need to be rude or to question that persons sanity or intelligence.
A thought and a review of what has been written before posting is always useful I find.
Like others I am disappointed at the recent silence from Carolyn.
Whether temporary or permanent, the absence of a fellow thinker and contributor is to be regretted.
I would have thought that in these changing times, questioning the status quo is incumbent upon each of us, whether we choose to observe government guidelines or create our own path within reason and at the same time, keeping others safe as well as protecting ourselves.
Entrenched views are deep seated indeed, but can be modified by allowing intelligent arguments, if one has an open mind to other opinions.
Closed minds are often closed due to fear of the 'other', whatever the other may be.
If we as individuals have never contemplated a particular point of view that may hold
untold dangers for us, have never put ourselves into that pair of shoes, and cannot contemplate ever doing so, our response may be quick to deny or ridicule, because it shakes our confidence in our own understanding.
But that other point of view is valid to that person and may well derive from experience as described by Janice.
And to give another interpretation of how we receive and understand others, often what we say about others opinions says more about ourselves than we may realise.
Very succinctly put Mrs P ⭐️
DeleteDifficult though relations with my mother were inclined to be (for all of us, not just me) she knew what she was doing when it came to dealing with babies. I was so badly affected by inhaling particles of talcum powder (and chalk dust when teaching) that I followed her example and powdered my babies' bottoms with starch which being much denser, doesn't fly about.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janice and MrsP.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I was being ambiguous in my meaning and my communications were intended to be understood at different levels.I was being cryptic in my message so I’m not surprised if my meaning did not provide clarity.
To be blunt I found Gary’s response to Carolyn too dogmatic laying down rules without respect. Whilst I accept that we need to have some parameters set on how we project our views and opinions I:didn’t feel that Carolyn’s comment warranted such a strident response.
In a transactional sense I felt it was heavily parental.
I have always admired carolyn’s posts they are always empathetic and supportive and I can only assume that her absence is a response to being reprimanded.
Hence my let’s be nice to each other. We don’t have to agree on all things we discuss but please don’t drive anyone away just because we may find their view antagonistic to own.
I include myself as I can on occasions be intolerant of others.
I’m sorry about my part in this but even though we are all entitled to our views, I did think this one warranted a response. I do feel uncomfortable about anyone being reprimanded unless of course their views are very extreme and detrimental. Because Carolyn opposes vaccines it doesn’t mean the rest of us are not entitled to exercise our own rights in this regard and to go ahead and have the vaccine. I will be first in the queue for the Covid one after the front liners and have already had the flu one!
DeleteStasia, why didn't you say what you meant. To me yours were just general thoughts and not aimed at anyone in particular. I am not going to take sides. As administrator of this blog Gary issued a friendly warning without removing any posts.
ReplyDeleteTesting
ReplyDeleteI am comforted to understand that alternative points of view are being acknowledged and understood by some.
ReplyDeleteTo Basia - perhaps Stasia was dipping her toe in the water, as it were, in the post that you read as ' general thoughts' due to the warning given by Gary that you considered friendly.
I would respectfully ask you what in his warning you found to be friendly ?
My initial response was that his warning was dictatorial and positively strident.
My second that it was unnecessary and was also clearly biased since he made it clear that he agreed with Ev and her post.
In addition he was breaking one of his own rules, about being political, by making it very clear that the POLICY of the current Government was the ONLY acceptable line to take on this blog.
I agree he did not remove any posts at that point, when he might have chosen to do so.
However there seemed to me to be little respect in his injunction for the intelligence of many who post on this blog.
I was left with the feeling that the headmaster had spoken, and the school was meant to take notice.
I have no objection to our moderator laying down guidelines and if necessary rules, but as a mature woman I found his manner of doing so on this occasion objectionable.
You say Basia that you will not take sides, but it seems evident that a number of others did so with alacrity judging from the half dozen or so brief posts following Gary's injunction.
In contrast, others with perhaps a more nuanced outlook, have taken time to consider what might be said on the subject.
Ev, you have now told us several times that you felt that Carolyn's post warranted a reply. And hitherto we have debated with respectful understanding of others viewpoints as well as, on the whole, kindness.
I have no objection to your reply to Carolyn explaining your position but I was extremely unhappy with the dismissive way that you couched your opinion.
Accepted Mrs P. Maybe I feel too strongly about this because of past experience. I did think long and hard about phrasing the reply but will try to be more diplomatic in future. We are all dismissive to a degree when giving an opposing opinion on anything. I apologise.
DeleteThank you Ev, accepted with respect.
DeleteI gave up using talcum powder decades ago, with the objections so well explained by Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteAs a young nurse I found the profligate use of talc on babies strange, and although I used it I always blew away any excess. I also noted that babies sneezed a great deal when talc was in the air.
I sneezed too !
I didn't use it for my babies, always ensuring that their skin was allowed to air dry naturally.
I do however use it for the comfort of my feet, by sprinkling it sparingly into the shoe, as I prefer to not wear socks or stockings when wearing shoes or boots, especially in summer.
For the first time ever, Lady was worn out today and lay down towards the end of our walk clearly feeling unable to go any further.
ReplyDeleteI have discovered a magnificent Iron Age Fort not too far away, and over a mile around the perimeter.
We went there today for the second time, and Lady disappeared into woodland twice, and for at least ten minutes each time. I could here yelps suggesting rabbits or badger sets, but I don't think she actually caught anything.
PtbY ?
How is Daphne getting on ?
We haven't heard from you for a couple of days. Are you worn out ?
MrsP - Gary worded it himself as a friendly "warning", which I interpreted as such and as you say some immediately agreed with him. I used the word 'poison' in my post when considering my options about the vaccine, expected it might be removed and moved on.
ReplyDeleteWe've had no post from Gary here today, perhaps he hasn't read any of this or perhaps doesn't consider it necessary to respond.
The latter Basia!
DeleteWhat I have noticed recently that people are using words that seem to have become fashionable.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I am so old fashioned that I stick to words I have always used.
Let me give you four examples
1) Many people use the word "concur.
"I still use "agree"
2) Many people say "thus far".
I still say "so far"
3) Every time I hear someone on the radio he or she has to use the word "nuanced"
I don't think I have ever felt the need to use that word
4) The word I really hate is when a child is referred to as a baby goat.
Why?
If children were called puppies,calves ,piglets. there would be an outcry.
I
*** FIVE OF THE BEST ***
ReplyDeleteNext up is Autumnleaves! Enjoy...
Mrs P
ReplyDeleteTried to move daphne into kitchen to sleep on her cage the other night. Disaster. Had to get up in the end and move her back into living room with Mabel. They have finally taken to each other. Took about 5 days. Daphne can just walk under Mabel which aids in play fighting. Won’t be long though before she’s too big to do that. She weighs 20lbs already at 10 weeks.
We had to go to Manchester today in a hire van to take stuff for our son who has just moved into his first house. I was dreading the journey. Mabel stayed at a friends but daphne had to come. She was in the travel carrier strapped into the middle seat. She slept most of the way there and back. Excellent.
Ok she really created when we put her in her crate in the house whilst I was putting a bed together and she was downstairs on her own.
Have to make the most of the next 3 days for socialisation before lockdown kicks on.
Good luck with the socialisation. It will be tricky with the lockdown interrupting the process.
ReplyDeleteDue to our victimisation on our local FB dog forum I have been taking Lady well away from any local walks for a month now. I was worried that she was losing her social skills, but today she went forward to meet a very calm Irish Setter and greeted him/her very politely then asked to play. He wasn't interested in doing so, but I was pleased with her response.
I collected Lady when I got her in a crate, but once inside the house she never went near it again, and was very stressed when I attempted to pursued her.
Daphne is a puppy, she will create when she doesn't like something but she will hopefully grow out of it with Mabel to teach her.
Good luck, and hope your son is happy in the new house.
Our boys go out with the dog walker in the week and she has 7 - 10 dogs when walking them some like Dudley on leads and others like Buddy off lead. This helps to socialise them and gives me a break! Dudley feels more secure on the lead. If you let him off he doesn’t know what to do! Buddy is a free spirit but stays close by. Might be an option for Daphne later on. Lovely she is getting on with Mabel. 🐶👏🐾
ReplyDeleteDog walker always has her mum with her so two walkers. Mum has leads attached to her round her waist!
ReplyDeleteLJ, from yesterday evening, I wasn’t aware that “concur” is a trendy word. Certainly I have not noticed it as overused but it sprang to mind when I was commenting last as the appropriate way to respond. I was not intentionally trying to look cool or clever. However I do agree that some expressions feel like they stage a takeover and can grate if they don’t seem to be the language we are used to, and perhaps alienate us.
ReplyDeletePtbY, good luck with the new dog, and I hope your son enjoys his new home.
We have just had a little bit of cheering-up news.
ReplyDeleteGranddaughter Rosie, taking Theatre Studies and English at Warwick University, has been chosen to star in one of Alan Bennet’s Head to Head monologues for the end of term performances.
It’s the one played by Jodi Comer entitled ‘Her Big Break’
She us thrilled to have been given such a big solo role so early in her course.
Of course, we would love to go and watch but she is in a Tier2 area so we are not allowed - and of course the trial lockdown could be extended too
But it’s a lovely encouraging start for her 🎭
Wow how exciting for Rosie 🤗 👏🏻
DeleteOh Seasider I wasn't getting at anybody it was just that it was something I had noticed.
ReplyDeleteHowever what I am actually irritated by is when someone says"At this moment in time"
Why not just say "now"?
Am I the only one who hates the word "kid" referring to a child?
LJ, yep, not personal, but it just shows how we can all trip up and tread on each other’s toes when we don’t mean to, as much by the words we choose and how we express ourselves, as the content of our message.
DeleteI do prefer child to “kid”, and don’t enjoy being addressed as “guys” but what suits one doesn’t suit another.
I don’t like the expression “ grandkids” and the way sentences in reply to questions start “So.....”
DeleteI went to my local pharmacy this morning, the vaccine had arrived and a friendly pharmacist administered it. Together with buying some baguettes and cleaning products I was back within the allocated hour with ten minutes to spare.
ReplyDeleteWell done Basia, a good use of your one hour of freedom.
ReplyDeleteAnd now you've got your ' poison ' inside of you, stay well ! ( irony )
I don't like grandkids or kids, and like Seasider I really dislike being called guys, and Ev, I too rile at every answer beginning with "So.....but I understand that it is part of university education to use this in ' presentation'.
Archerphile, continue glowing in your granddaughters light.
She deserves it, and you are entitled to feel proud.
Do you mean "Uni" education ,Mrs P?
DeleteNo I don't LJ. I don't like that either and I don't use it.
DeleteI meant University and that's what I wrote !
Has anyone been over to the TA blog this morning? The latest one where we have been commenting has disappeared!
ReplyDeleteWell at least it has on my computer!
I believe it was tagged as real world but I can't find it there either.
Which TA blog are you referring to Spicy - our one here or the new one on the BBC Archers site. I have been able to read both of them this morning.
DeleteMy, well our, most hated word is the use of ‘basis’ when used in a phrase like ‘on a regular basis’, ‘on a weekly basis’ etc etc.
ReplyDeleteTotally unnecessary. What’s wrong with ‘regularly’ or ‘weekly’.
And also ‘So’ at the beginning of anything. But I find myself doing it occasionally (NOT ‘on an occasional basis,) these days, I am ashamed to say.
Have just checked and right enough the Brexit tag has disappeared and the top one is the oldie about the Leonard character joining. Maybe it was a mistake to open up the blog and the beeb have removed it? It did seem strange after all this time. It was there earlier this morning.
ReplyDeleteGone from my radar as well, I was just checking here.
DeleteArcherphile, congratulations to your Rosie on gettiing the part.
ReplyDeleteI had decided to do my favourite places in my top 5 but given the circumstances and the fact that we won't be able to travel to them ,I changed my mind and opted for 5 people, comedians who have made my sides split with laughter. I have a list as long as my arm but I narrowed it down, a difficult choice. I understand that they won't be everyone's cup of tea but I really don't care they have all made my life better by giving me laughter and that's something there's much too little of nowadays.
ReplyDeleteHere goes. ..love them all for their wit.
1. Barry Humphreys. Be it dame Edna Everidge or Sir Les Patterson there's no one better at ad libbing and taking over with their whole persona.
2 Robin Williams. ..a human firecracker. We lost a good un when he died.
3 Billy Connelly..a master storyteller who can make the most desperate circumstances of 195 0s Glasgow hilarious..by making us laugh at ourselves.
And now the ladies:
Joan Rivers..the first or at least one of the first female stand up comics. She had so much resilience coming through tragic times. She just scraped herself off the floor and reinvented herself. I admire her for that.
Lucille Ball...there was never anyone quite like Lucy getting herself into ridiculous situations with her pal Viv. The I love lucy show was broadcast in the U.S. and we watched it nearly everyday. When she died in 1989 I actually cried. We all loved Lucy.
Those I hate are the so called comedians of today who don't hold a candle to the talent mentioned above. wE are in for dark times ahead when Connelly., Humphreys eventually leave us.
I know what you mean, as to me, there is not a true, natural comedian, to take their place.
DeleteThe nearest I can think of is, Peter Kaye.
He always makes me grin + smile, but not laugh out loud.
Autumnleaves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a well thought out and entertaining list.
The Men:-
Love Dame Edna with Gladiolis.
Robin Williams was a master at comedy. Strangely I watched a film with him in yesterday. Not his finest but still funny - RV The Runaway Vacation.
Billy Connelly. I have been lucky to see him in a Live show - my face ached for days afterwards. When I did my film list in the last lockdown, one of my choices was "What we did on our Holiday" where he had a prominent role.
The Ladies:-
Sadly, neither of these I like, nor appreciate. Victoria Wood is more to my taste.
Thanks again, for your brilliant choice.
I still have a series of programmes, recorded after Victoria W. passed away, about her. It shows a lot of her iconic scenes, one of which, is the Pudding Trolley with Nigel!
Thanks Miriam. .I spent a good 15 years in the U.S. so was much more exposed to American comedians or those foreigners who "made it" across the pond. Victoria Wood wasn't one of them. But I have come to appreciate her talents quite recently. Lockdown has given me time to search out old favourites like Dave Allen, Ken Dodd. Do you remember Tiswas. It was my all time favourite show even though I was in my teens when it came out.
DeleteIt was absolutely brilliant. Compost corner , Frank Carson and spot the real Benny from Crossroads. A competition between the real Benny and Lenny Henry dressed as Benny. .......Lenny won😂😂😂. Just fabulous slapstick fun.
Electrified bikes
ReplyDeleteMine has been completed at last after months of hold-ups due to covid, factory being closed etc.
It's brilliant! Riding is effortless and no longer puts a strain on my knees. After a road-test in the park I rode the uphill 2 miles to the local shopping centre in quite a strong wind with no trouble at all. The company is called Swytch and the wheel costs £500 with a small amount extra for fitting, which is peanuts compared with the price of an electric bike - which anyway is unlikely to be available in my size with a low enough step-through.
Highly recommended!
I appreciate it might be something to do with my age, Autumnleaves but I cannot abide Barry Humphries .
ReplyDeleteI think his Les Patterson is vulgar and Edna Everage unfunny.
I don't watch many films so am unable to comment on Robin Williams.
I have never seen Billy Connelly either or Joan Rivers.
I did watchI I love Lucy years ago but wasn't impressed.
I would have loved to agree with you Autumnleaves about at least one of them but I am afraid I can't .
I don't agree either about modern comedians.
I think Peter Kay, Lee Mac ,Ken Dodd and Victoria Wood for example are and were very funny.
Oh I wish you had stuck to places.
Can't you give us a clue as to where they were?
Go on ,have two bites of the cherry .
I really want to agree with you about something.
I
For me the funniest of all was Eric Morecombe backed of course by Ernie Wise. Favourite skit of theirs was the breakfast prepared to the tune of the Stripper! Autumnleaves, I like Peter Kay and thought “carshare” was very funny! Billy Connelly, the Big Yin, again a very funny man and full of that Glaswegian humour! I love Dame Edna’s panache but shuddered at Les Paterson! Not keen on Robin Williams and don’t really know much about Joan Rivers but do you remember Phyllis Diller? She had spiky hair and was a little spidery lady in sack like dresses and remember her being very funny. Also way back loved Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen. All of course known through TV programs imported from America. Of course “I Love Lucy “ was a gem and she was hilarious! Thanks for the Memory!
DeleteAt last! Suddenly got blocked and have been unable to post but still able to follow what's been going on. I have been reviewing my Google settings, don't know what I did but here I am.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Cheddar Cheese - well done for getting here! Lovely to add another blogger to our crew.
ReplyDeleteA lot of us had trouble getting here but found that using the Chrome browser works best - but don’t ever ‘sign out’ as it can be very difficult to get back in again!
Did you used to contribute to the old BBC blogs? I seem to remember your name
I used to be on this blog but suddenly got blocked one day.
DeleteSome months I feel Cheshire Cheese, since you were with us, but I remember that you were.
DeleteI got blocked for some months last year, but was also blocked on other sites at the same time. Like you I suspected that it was something to do with google.
Gradually all my other connections have become available again, but I haven't a clue how !
Autumnleaves: Barry Humphreys and Billy Connelly make me laugh too. The ladies don’t appeal but then I think there is a difference between English and American sense of humour. I remember crying when Eric Morecombe died: for me a light had gone out and the world seemed a bleaker place without him.
ReplyDeleteAutumn leaves - well done for thinking of something different for the My Favourites list.
ReplyDeleteAfraid I’m not keen on any American comedians or comediennes, but my Mum loved Lucille Ball and never missed a single episode of her show with her husband Desi Arnez.
Some of my favourites would be Lee Mack, David Mitchell, Tim Vine and some of the old 50’s/ 60’s performers such as Kenneth Horn and Kenneth Williams.
Amongst the females, Victoria Wood is really the only one I admire, I don’t find many modern female performers very funny at all!
Thank you Archerphile. I thought now more than ever we needed to lift ourselves out of the doom and gloom.
DeleteI haven't heard of the comedians you have mentioned except round the horn with" stopmuckin about" Kenneth Williams. E used to listen on the wireless during Sunday lunch.
As I said before this was a completely personal choice and I'm not really looking for approval. They made my life so much better and quite frankly that's plenty for me.
Isn't it uncanny that both Soz and Cheshire Cheese have made it back at the same time?
ReplyDeleteCheshire Cheese. So lovely to hear from you again.
ReplyDeleteYou are East, wheras I am West - differences but with the same outcome.
I hope you are still frequenting Lyme Park, walking and enjoying the Autumn colours and seeing the wild-life, along with the deer.
DeleteI certainly am Miriam, as well as Quarry Bank and Alderley Edge.
DeleteI would love to buy some of its "home" produced venison again.
DeleteIt makes a wonderful and tasty, low cholesterol, casserole.
I serve it with braised red cabbage (apples, onions, red wine vinegar, stock and nutmeg) plus mashed pots!
Sadly none this year. 😣
Thank you Autumnleaves for choosing comedians. We need any comedy we can get at the moment. I too like Barry Humphries, Billy Connolly and Robin Williams was such a talent. Seeing him in Birdcage still makes me laugh. Your female choices not really for me, each to their own. I loved Victoria Wood along with many others who mourned her loss.
ReplyDeleteMrs Doubt fire..how the rest of the cast could keep a straight face is beyond me.
DeleteI never liked him in serious roles..thought he exaggerated. But as stand up..wonderful.
As we enter into yet another dark phase I hope my suggestions will bring some joy and laughter into your lives💕💕
ReplyDeleteThey will. Spot on with your wonderful idea.
DeleteIt was well thought out...🤗
I have mentioned this before - but I am loving Tom Wrigglesworth, on the radio and subscribed to it on Sounds. I then found all the series, with easy access.
ReplyDeleteI am up to the latest series.number 5 from 2019.
Now this, makes me laugh out loud, and "Leanord" aka Paul Copley, plays Dad.
It is my sense of humour.
Thank you all for your comments. As I said before this is a purely personal choice..but I have a weird sense of humour. I have been bewildered at the popularity of Monty Python and Friends. I've tried but it just doesn't tickle my funny bone..maybe because it doesn't rise to my expection of funny.
DeleteWelcome back Cheshire Cheese! Lovely to hear from you again...
ReplyDeleteAutumnleaves - thanks for your list. I have laughed long and often to most of them, particularly Dame Edna, Billy Connolly & Joan Rivers. I like a wee bit of foul mouthed vulgarity at times...
I was lucky enough to see Victoria Wood live once and had to stuff the sleeve of my jacket into my mouth to try and stem the hoots that were pouring out of me. I loved her!
I’m with Gary Autumnleaves, although I did not like Barry Humphries as “Les” uurrg - Dame Edna ✔️ and I loved Joan Rivers & dear Fang! 🤣
DeleteBilly C good (although a pity about the over use of “that” word) because he didn’t need to use it to be funny. Victoria Wood and others managed very well in this respect.
Well as we enter another period of lockdown I'd like to invite everyone to add to Lanjan list and look up on you tube all our old favourites, be it Ken Dodd, Benny hill, Dave Allen, Morecambe and Wise. They're all there alive and kicking on YouTube. Enjoy and keep your spirits up. Remember laughter is the best medicine.
ReplyDeleteThis is for Lanjan ..too bad you didn't like my choices,..as for my favourite places you'll have to wait for the next draw of the hat😊😊
ReplyDeleteFair enough ,Autumnleaves.
ReplyDeleteWe are all different
I feel like that advert that used to be on the tele.
It's not you it's me.
To prove the point I don't watch Strictly,Bake off or any Soaps
I am going to watch the General Knowledge questions on Mastermind and then Only Connect and University Challenge .
I lose out because I know nothing about any modern pop singers ,film stars
or TV programmes.
We seem to have lost KP nuts lately.
ReplyDeleteGary you have her contact details I seem to remember, are you able to find out if she is OK ?
Have just registered for a seven day course by zoom run by the Watermill in Posara where I have been twice for a watercolour week. We are having a painting session each day following the itinerary of the week if we were in Italy. I wondered whether I would have time but the sessions are in the afternoon so will make time! If I miss any though I will have the UTube video. We are also having a recipe each day so it may be a real Italian week! We’re just short of the sunshine! It has been a bit cold and windy here today. November can be such a dreary month! The course runs from 28th November so something to look forward to!😊🎨🎨😍
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs P, I’m fine, reading each day but slightly distracted by other stuff, nothing serious.
ReplyDeleteThat's good KP.
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Very interested in your electrical addition to your bike Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteIs that what it is, an addition to an ordinary bike ?
I wasn't aware this was possible.
Can you explain more ?
Thank you for your interest, Mrs P.
DeleteThe £500 buys a kit containing a front wheel with an electric motor, a detachable battery that has to be fitted to the handlebars (when leaving the bike unattended you take it away with you), some kind of drivewheel that connects the motor with the gears and chain, and a charger for the battery. My son can fit one to an ordinary road bike in 20 min, but in a bike shop it will probably cost another £50. When ordering the wheel from Swytch, which is company in Norfolk, you need to supply the wheel size (eg 26x1 3/8) plus the type of rim. My son neglected to give the latter, so that the wheel, which is made in China and had taken almost a year to get here due to Covid problems throughout the supply chain, turned out to be the wrong rim size, and so couldn't be made to work. Fortunately the replacement arrived (only from Norfolk this time) in under a week and I have ridden the bike for the first time today. Having been trapped in the house without transport since last March, the freedom and independence was not only exhilarating but absolutely effortless!
I didn't know that you could turn a normal bike into an electric one Sarnia. I love my bike, but for various reasons I haven't been using it this year as much as I would like. There is no finer feeling than freewheeling down a hill with the wind in your face! Enjoy your days out again.
DeleteAutumnleaves, I think comedians are a fun choice. I am really only familiar with Billy Conolly so I went on YouTube to have a look at the others, but thought I would just have a quick peek at BC first and then somehow ended up with Dave Allen and have been chuckling ever since so will check out the others another time.
ReplyDeleteI find Blackadder and Fawlty Towers very funny. Rowan Atkinson and John Cleese.
DeleteJanice, thank you for reminding me about Blackadder. One of our favourite programmes - the writing and performances were superbly funny.
DeleteAlso Stephen Fry and Hugh Lawrie in their early days in together.
But Mr A has reminded me of one of the funniest evenings we ever had, yonks ago - A visit to a tiny theatre in London to see ´Beyond The Fringe.´
Just 4 young actor/writers: Alan Bennet, Dudley Moore, Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller. So clever, so funny. All totally unknown then but all went on to become very famous in different areas of writing and performance
Love the idea of an electric bike ,Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteWe both gave our bikes to the Charity shop last year because the roads where we live are too dangerous to ride on .
In the end I was getting out the bike just to cycle to the pillar box less than 10 minutes away .
It wasn't worth it.
Incidentally when in a nearby town I asked shop assistantsIf they knew where the nearest pillar box was.
They all looked perplexed.
I should have said post box.
Talking of funny evenings reminds me of going to see a recording of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. It was shortly before Humphrey Littleton died, my sides ached for days afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI went with two youngest sons to Tunbridge Wells to see the crew one cold foggy November evening. Jack Dee was 'chairman' with Jeremy Hardy, Tim Brook Taylor, Graham Garden and Barry Cryer. Probably the best night out I have ever had!
DeleteOur family can recite many, many of the 'Sound Charades!' All time favourite radio programme!
I saw it too a couple of years ago in Hull. They were recording 2 episodes so it was a full 3 hours of laughter! John Finnemore, Barry Cryer, Tim B-T & Mikes Jupp were on the panel for both shows. It was a brilliant night out, and all for the price of £5 a ticket!
DeleteI've seen two recordings of ISIHAC, one wth Humph and the other with Jack Dee. The last one was January this year, shortly before lovely Tim B-T died with Covid. Good memories of happy times. Also saw Humph on tour - didn't much like his type of jazz, but loved his humour and anecdotes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that detailed information Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteI shall squirrel that information away for future use.
I gave my bike away when I moved into this cottage.
My garden is remote and accessible via a steep path, so it would have been practical to keep it my garden shed.
I have always wanted to have a tricycle, and one friend has recently got one.
We have an electric bike shop here in Stroud and many people here do have electric bikes, very useful in this area of extreme hills.
But until I am able to change my location the return to a bike, electric or otherwise, must remain on hold.
I have had a wonderful hair-cut today. My stylist lives just over the border in N. Wales, and still in lockdown, but can travel the 6 miles for work.
ReplyDeleteShe did the back + sides the same, but did the front + top, slightly different. This was done "just in case" - as no-one knows what will happen in December.
At least in this 2nd period of pure isolation, I will not be a "dulux dog" again.
It doesn't really matter though, as I will be home alone, yet again, and so will not be seeing anyone.
Back to a once a week shop only, but sadly no gardening nor sitting outside on a chair, reading a book.
Instead it will be cold days, sometimes gloomy, plus the dark nights.
I have plenty of books to read, jigsaws to do, knitting to continue, so I won't get bored.
Then there is here, to brighten up the days, with you all
To add.
DeleteI realised today, which is a very selfish thought, how lucky I am, to have got my new wheels, just over 2 weeks ago. With car dealers having to close, it might have been a very long delay.
DVLA have been great. I already have the new car registration document, plus the confirmation that I now am not the keeper of the vehicle I traded in. I had e-mails of these, but I now have the paper ones, via the royal mail. These are now safely, filed away.
DeleteSnap Miriam! Me too!
DeleteI had a cut & blow dry this morning ...only my second visit to a hairdresser this year.
And to prove it, here it is! I have been ‘trimming’ it myself between times but it had evolved into a thick grey bush that I couldn’t cope with any longer.
How serendipitous that I made the appointment à couple of weeks ago, unaware of the forthcoming Lockdown.
(Don’t worry folks, I’ll replace my fizzog with a painting tomorrow)
Be proud AP a lovely photo of you. Love your pink top as well as your hair!
DeleteVery nice Archerphile. My hair used to be cut like this, the salon even had a notice before closure: we'll cut off 20% of your hair for free, but I was not tempted. I've been cutting it myself equal length for over a year now.
DeleteWhy no gardening,Miriam?
ReplyDeleteIt will do you the world of good to have a bit of sun on your face.
You know the vitamin D will be beneficial.
I have checked and tomorrow is going to be sunny and so will Thursday and Friday in your neck of the woods
Last week you said we were "Great minds"
Well this Great mind plans on cutting down some overgrown branches ,digging up and transplanting some big yellow flowers that I have forgotten the names of and plant a few daffodil bulbs.
At 4pm tomorrow I expect you to say what you have done in the garden.
Don't let me down!
Lanjan, this is for you.
DeleteYou said you do not watch Bake Off.
I have spent the last few evenings watching Junior Bake Off, from last year, available on Channel 4 catch-up. It was marvellous! The young people aged from only 9 to 15 were really delightful. and I think they could give Miriam a run for their money, they are certainly more talented than me.
Seriously uplifting stuff.
I enjoyed 'The A Word' on your recommendation, and I think you might enjoy this.
Tomorrow I plan to garden too! Today I received shallots, garlic bulbs and a rhubarb crown so will have to find room in the garden somehow. I have put new strawberry plants in a strawberry planter and 'purpose built' strawberry bag for youngest son to take to his new house.
DeleteAlso I plan to do as Monty suggested last week and sow some sweet pea seeds and leaving them over winter. Hopefully that will be more successful than the last couple of years when they haven't produced anything!
Tomorrow, as sunny, it is a zoo visit, before it closes at 4.00pm until, who knows when.
DeleteGardening..my back garden is north facing. It now gets no sun, and just stays soggy + wet, as it is a clay soil.
As to Vit D, I always take a daily supplement along with a Co-enzyme Q10 one.
If need be, I supplement with a high dose Vit. C, but hopefully this will not be required.
Mistral I will try tomorrow as long as there is no football on.
ReplyDeleteI have just tried to watch it on Catch up and couldn't find it (I was looking for Junior Masterchef) !
I returned to My Ipad to check and realised I had got it wrong but meanwhile Mr LJ spotted a football match on the tele.
I tried to find it on the Ipad but couldn't.
I have to go through Sky on the Ipad because for some reason I can't get Channel 4 otherwise..
Well now we know what you look like Archerphile, and although I have never tried to imagine what you might look like, what you do look like does not disturb my subconscious vision of you.
ReplyDeleteI THINK I understand what I mean.
I hope you do !
I also see the lovely pink top which obviously suits you.
Thank you Mrs P - I do understàd what you mean!
DeleteI do like to wear bright colours but they have to be pink, cobalt blue or purple, usually with a navy or black bottom half.
I can’t wear anything brown, orange, yellow or sludgy green.
Think that makes me a Summer or Winter person rather than Autumn!
Enjoy your trip to the zoo Miriam.
ReplyDeleteA friend always sends me sweet peas seeds on my birthday ,Spicycushion and every year they fail.
I will have another go tomorrow.
They did really well up north .
I am going to have to:put the geraniums away for winter soon too.
Autumnleaves :
ReplyDelete👍👍Billy Connelly, Barry Humfreys, Joan Rivers,
Can't get on with Robin Williams though... tried...
Rather a busy few days clearing up kitten poo... gastro/worms... you really don't want to know!!!
ReplyDeleteAll clear now!
says Lily, butter wouldn't melt.. 🙄