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Life outside Ambridge
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Life in Ambridge
THIS POST IS CLOSED "longer off topic comments" - Episode 14 Life Outside Ambridge Have a seat and let's chat.
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ReplyDeleteMiriam - March 1, 2021 at 6:49 PM
I need a Rant.
I hope that this is OK...
This is about what I have seen + read today, about parties in flats/houses with 50 persons, gatherings of 250 people at outside events, plus the many who flocked to beaches/parks in the very welcome sunshine, with a total lack of social distancing.
What my rant is - the break of the Lockdown rules. This could now put the way out of this situation, back for all.
I just wish, many can just understand why the rules are in place and why breaking them, will not only effect them, but the whole country.
I think that many just do not understand the implications, of their actions.
Rant Over!! 😣
Miriam - March 1, 2021 at 6:59 PM
Yes I have been very OTT.
It is a selfish thought, I realise this.
All I want to do, is to drive to very many different UK areas, to then be able to visit and stay with,family + friends, and to hug them all.
This is my dream, but will it happen?
Lady R - March 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Well The Queen tried her best 💉 bless her.
Anneveggie - March 1, 2021 at 7:20 PM
Thank you for the clues. I have 20 and 21 and am working on 19.
Enjoyed reading your early memories Autumnleaves. Would the tickling on a child who's not enjoying it be called child abuse nowadays?
MrsP Ambridge - March 1, 2021 at 8:22 PM
Yes, Annieveggie, that thought re abuse occurred to me too.
In answer to several comments re my 'immoral ' comment about washing machines.
Yes, water and energy use my reasoning, but I do know that manufacturers are improving the ecological benefits. But it hasn't changed my mind (yet ! )
Some may remember that I am obsessed (?), certainly highly engaged, with the flagrant use of water. Nothing comes out of my taps to be immediately flushed down the drain.
Spare water ( if needing hot, for instance the cold water until hot) is collected in plastic milk bottles, and then used for rinsing. If the collection of bottles becomes too many then it is poured into the washing machine for the next wash. This also applies in the bathroom and collected cold water used in the bath.
My family are irritated by this habit, but ( on the whole) respect it.
In turn I am incensed by the amount of water that is wasted in both daughters households. Despite one SinL being an environmentalist.
The other SinL is just profligate in most area of life and I despair.
That daughter and him, have two washing machines and two dishwashers due to creating a very large property which when rented out as a holiday home to a certain kind of 'social class' requires ' the very best (!).
I am incensed, but bite my tongue. They were raised by me with my values, but as adults
they have chosen their own values and are no longer my responsibility.
All of this ' water' thing has developed throughout my life, but the origins derive from my fathers experience in Africa, and the paucity of water there.
Daily I am aware that the world is full of places where woman ( sometimes children) are required to walk distances amounting to miles for some, each day, to fetch water for use by the family for cleanliness and cooking.
I am getting towards the end of my life, but my grandchildren will, without doubt witness
water wars somewhere in this world during their lifetime.
Ev - thank you for your apology, but it wasn't necessary. I wasn't offended.
Archerphile- as you know I am deeply envious of you still having your Micra.
I finally had to abandon mine at twenty two years. I hope you can do better than me.
MrsP Ambridge - March 1, 2021 at 8:26 PM
Should have inserted DISH before washing machines.
I did feel the same about washing machines for many years, but eventually overcame my disdain. But I don't use my washing machine now as much as once weekly, so forgive myself my profligacy.
Autumnleaves - thanks! Didn't know whether to post a little video of Kathy Kirby or Huckleberry Hound, so I tossed a coin!
ReplyDeleteOWIAS - Knightsbridge! Of course! I'm RUBBISH at this game... Must try harder.
I had never had a dishwasher until I moved into our new house 4 years ago. I can't imagine life without one now. I send mine postcards when I am on holiday. (Remember holidays?)
Miriam, I don't think you were being OTT at all. If it was up to me I would have all the people that are constantly having parties and flagrantly breaking lockdown shot at dawn.
Mrs P, I was going to ask you about washing machines but you have answered that now.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I think the truth is that they just don't care.
ReplyDeleteI am so frustrated . I have written out a post 5 times tonight and it will NOT publish! Every time I try, I get that wretched Whoops that’s an error message. So I’m resorting To my little old iPod with a tiny Keyboard as it’s on an old iOS system - please excuse typos
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to reassure Miriam that I was NOT having a dig at her or her car this afternoon
I was prompted by her post about not paying for features you don’t need in a new purchase. I think she was talking about a freezer.
Well, I mentioned not needing modern gadgets on a car like Mr A has. He keeps trying to get me to drive it but frankly all those knobs and switches, lights, bells & whistles terrify me. I am much more comfortable driving my
little old basic car which is very simple and is all I need for a once weekly trip to the local supermarket,
No reference to Miriam’s car intended at all.
Lady R. 6.15 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI usually cook one or two family-sized meals each week, and I like to mix old favourites with new recipes. I'm no good at scaling down, so make enough for 4/6 servings, depending on the recipe. I then eat it for two days and chill or freeze the the rest. I don't like frozen left-overs very much, they seem to lack flavour, so only use them if I just can't be bothered or have been far too busy doing nothing very much. I usually have a pan of 'just' soup on the go for lunch, I really love home-made soup, and make either a cake or pudding to last the week. I would say that I love cooking, but it's not true, however, I do love eating, and am keen to have high welfare ingredients. When I tested positive with covid, before I felt too tired, I made a soup, a casserole and a risotto and alternated them.I couldn't taste a thing, but appreciated having hot food. I also drank a lot of tea, which I really dislike, to use up the t-bags I keep in for visitors.
Thanks for replying Mistral - my 6th attempt to do so 😡 You manage well and I agree love to eat more than cook but has to be good tasty quality!
DeleteSecondly, in reply to Miriam again -
ReplyDeleteYes I have read Ann Cleeves book, The Long Call.
I read it straight after publication as it is set in an area of North Devon that I know very well, I could picture all of the locations clearly. But I was a bit disappointed. I don’t think the new detective is a patch on Jimmy Perez in the Shetland series. I just couldn’t warm to him at all and found the plot tedious and unconvincing - all that religious sect stuff did not interest me.
However I shall read the next in the series, just to see if it improves and I can develop some interest in any of the characters.
But I do wish Ann Cleeves would head back to Shetland again.
I wish she'd go back to Shetland too
DeleteWho is Francine (on previous blog) and why did she just say 'Rubbish'?
ReplyDeleteI wondered that!
DeletePerhaps she is a big fan of Anne Cleeves and didn’t like the reference to her book being less than glowing !
Kathy Kirby had a lovely voice but how funny to see these old videos, the way her arms jerk up and down and that nipped in waist so fashionable at the time. She had a very sad life though and significant that we still remember her.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that struck me, watching that video , was how little she moved about when singing. Only minimal movements and a slow walk through the set. Today’s stars are much more mobile, flinging themselves around.
DeleteAlso there are very few close-ups of her face, I wanted to see those shiny lips and more of my much coveted hairstyle!
They were much more rigid times, AP.
DeleteIt’s interesting how cameras operated then in comparison to now. It could be a lot to do with the portability of the camera now. I remember the pictures behind the scenes of large, heavy cameras which could be moved but not very easily! I wonder whether they zoomed which could explain few close ups!
DeleteAP: Perhaps it was Anne Cleeves herself refuting the idea that she would use a 'ghost writer'!
ReplyDeleteChanged my mind 🤣
DeleteI think abuse too strong a word but definitely harassment and unwelcome attention.
ReplyDeleteOwias, I only found your post this morning, in all fairness the gold star goes to my sister, she'll be glad of it when we speak later. We are of Ken's generation and he was her first thought but didn't click, so she landed on the next one, that's why I laughed so much. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteBack to Anne Cleeve books, for a short moment only.
ReplyDeleteI bought the latest "Vera" book today, on my weekly S/bury's shop. I love reading these, but I just cannot bear to watch the TV series, as the original plots have been altered far too, much for me.
Back to the new Devon series - the 1st book finished today.
I enjoyed it as a good read, but nowhere like the Shetland series.
However, it was the first of a new set of books. I felt that it was more about the characters, their home lives + backgrounds, the inter-relationships, as to the work characters, rather than the interesting story, which was clever.
I will read the 2nd one, to see if it does progress, in a better way.
Sorry, not as short, as intended 😣
I’ve ordered the new dishwasher from AO.com and thank you for the recommendation! They don’t do installation on the island as the goods are sent over the ferry and delivered by a local firm who do not have the qualified engineers on their vans. I have been able to employ a local plumber on the recommend from my boiler service people who will take out the defunct one on Tuesday. The new one will be delivered on Friday and he will come back to install it then. It is a Siemens which ticked all the boxes. My Dorset stepdaughter who has been a kitchen designer did some recommends on makes and advised a cutlery drawer was much better than a basket for instance. It also has a good energy rating. Here’s hoping it lasts more than 3 years! Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteSounds brilliant, and well done getting things sorted so easily.
DeleteSiemens is a good make..
I love my dishwasher. It is Me, with a bowl of hot water, Fairy liquid, along with a J-cloth + scourer. This takes me 15mins max...🤣
DeleteJust being silly..only!
DeleteWe've had two Siemens dishwashers and been very pleased with both of them. when we had our kitchen replaces 9 years ago we kept the Siemens one we already had because it was working just fine and it's still going strong.
Deletereplaced!
DeleteMy previous kitchen had Siemen appliances. However, the thermostat on the oven went wrong, in that it just didn't work and it could not be replaced, as too old. It was though, about 20 years old, and served me well...
DeleteI changed things after this, for varying reasons, such as I wanted a stand-alone range type cooker, not an integral one.
I can recommend the Siemen brand though, as it served me well, for many years.
I also think that the Sienens brand is a good one. I bought a secondhand Harlequin Siemens washing machine about 7 years ago. It dates from the 1990's so is well over 20 years old and it is still going strong. I wanted one that would use the hot water from the Rayburn whereas most modern ones seem to only draw in cold water and then heat it. I love it because it is multicoloured, red, blue yellow and green and makes me smile whenever I look at it.
DeleteI have just watched the K Kirby video.
ReplyDeleteWhat struck me most, is the outfit she is wearing.
I have a little black dress in my wardrobe, plus shoes, which are almost identical.
It will be interesting after the many lockdowns, if they still fit!
I am signing off for tonight.
ReplyDeleteIt is stiil light, and just love this..It is nice to have normal light, rather than electric lights on + curtains closed!
Cooking a favourite meal of mine tonight, which is a made-up recipe.
Sliced Cumberland sausages, with loads of sliced onions + garlic, cooked in a "roux" cider sauce, with stock, a bit of sugar, plus lots of thyme + sage.
It will be served with pasta + veg. such as cauli, carrots plus green beans.
It will suit me.
Not healthy nor vegan, but don't care, as I picked up a new 3 month supply of my statins today...😉😂😂
DeleteI now use the pharmacy in my nearest major supermarket, where I do my weekly shop, as it is so easy to do. All medication requests + prescriptions, are now done via internet and electronically produced.
DeleteI feel sad though, that I no longer support a more local community based pharmacy, which I once did.
I say this, as a now retired community Pharmacist, who worked in a village pharmacy, and it was such a lovely experience.
I understand how you feel Miriam.
DeleteMy present surgery here has a Lloyds attached to the purpose built HC, but in London our expanding surgery / HC had always used a nearby independent pharmacy, with an Asian senior Pharmacist who had served the local large local authority housing estate for years, and which everybody used.
On the next expansion, buying the house next door and linking the buildings, the practice negotiated with the pharmacist and included them in a purpose refit of the new part to create a better space and he was able to employ extra staff, while still serving the previous community, and adding more from being a little closer to a much larger area.
It worked brilliantly and it was a pleasure to be a customer of a pharmacy that knew you and your needs and would be proactive in advice if they became aware of your use of a particular drug.
I miss that pharmacy and their very personal touch very much.
We are very lucky that the pharmacy in the village where our GP’s surgery is located work closely together.
ReplyDeleteIt is a 15 mile round trip for us to visit either of them, so when we need repeat prescriptions, we simply fill in an online request to the surgery who sign and pass it to the pharmacy and they deliver it to us the next day. This service is invaluable for the several scattered villages that the surgery services. The independently owned pharmacy employs a full time driver who delivers the prescriptions to all
outlying patients, free of charge.
We too get all our prescriptions delivered free of charge, and any repeat prescriptions are automatically renewed into the bargain, so there's no fear of forgetting to request them. (And ALL our medicines are free....!)
DeleteThe downside of having prescriptions renewed and delivered automatically is that they come whether you need them or not. When my father in law died we found a cupboard full of laxatives.
DeleteI had that problem when my 91 year old brother died a few years ago. When clearing his bungalow we filled 5 large carrier bags with boxes of unopened drugs and surgical dressings etc that had been automatically sent to him but never taken or used.
DeleteWe tried taking them back to his surgery but they wouldn’t have them, neither would the local pharmacy. We couldn’t just put them in the rubbish bin so we ended up having to take them home and burn them in a bonfire. What a terrible waste when the NHS was pleading underfunding at the time.
.
3rd go 😡😡😡
DeleteWe are told to take out of date and unused meds back to Pharmacy so you tried to do the correct thing AP. What if you had lived in a flat with no facility to burn the items...
Miriam what are your thoughts?
Mr CC took them back to the pharmacy that dispensed them, placed the bag on the counter, said what it was and walked out.
DeleteAutumnleaves just to say I loved your very creative use of smarties! and thought that cousin of your dad's must have been a right pest.
ReplyDeleteI live in a rural area our GP practise dispenses itself. There is a voluntary service that delivers to the housebound.We keep being hounded in the post to use prescription delivery services.There is a danger that should enough people use this service then we would lose our pharmacy. What is generally not known is that not all drugs are able to be delivered by post etc ( Miriam will know the technical term I cant remember). To lose our pharmacy would therefor be detrimental.
ReplyDeleteWe use our local pharmacy for all our pharmaceutical needs. It's only a short walk from where we live and they provide a good service and they are very friendly. About 15 years ago it combined with the local post office, an arrangement that seems to work very well.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a great combination CC
DeleteI get my prescriptions delivered by post, simply to avoid having to queue at the pharmacy during lockdown. The downside is the wait - you order online, they request it from the doctor, doctor sends prescription, they post it. They say it can take 10 days but it's usually quicker. Fine if you've remembered to order your repeats on time. Not so fine if you're forgetful or need a prescription quickly. They have now added the option to forward the prescription to your local pharmacy which helps in these cases.
ReplyDeleteWorks OK but I shall probably revert to pharmacy collection when Covid is history.
Still no sign of LanJan. Has anybody heard from her?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOne or two of us are in touch OwiaS.
ReplyDeleteAs you will realise and LJ has said, she has less time to give to the blog at the moment.
As for out of date drugs :
Animal charities particularly those bringing in animals from abroad are always in need of many 'hooman ' pharmaceuticals.
In this district there is a lady who regularly collects them for the charity she supports.
When my dad died there were no pharmaceuticals to return.
ReplyDeleteBut there were four giant size jars of Vaseline and at least one box of bars of carbolic soap. He died in 1980 and I am still using one of the jars of Vaseline. Other jars were dispersed to others.
Re LanJan. Mr LanJan was taken into hospital a week yesterday and has been deteriorating ever since. Hence no LanJan on the blog. She wanted me to get you all up to date but just wants to left alone at the moment.......like a celebrity she says. lol
ReplyDeleteOn a brighter note, she has got all the underground stations and is still at 100%
I know you will all be thinking of her.
Thanks PtbY and MrsP, I must have missed the news last week.
DeleteDo please pass on my best wishes when you're next in touch with her.
Me too. 💕
DeleteI have been wondering if we might hear such news and my heart goes out to LJ and of course Mr LJ and all family. 🥰
DeleteThankyou All, for the update about LJ and more specifically - Mr LJ
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are so with them both and their family.
If anyone is still in contact with LJ - then please pass on my good wishes.
All pharmacies take back all unused and out-of-date medications. These are put into designated bins, which when full, are sealed, until collected once a month, well that wad how it was in my day.
ReplyDeleteThe contents are then incinerated securly + safely.
It wasn't a nice job sorting through some of the bags handed it, after a property had been cleared, following a death.
There was a health hazhard, and I made sure whoever did this task, wore gloves, a mask + safety goggles!
I took a massive amount of unused meds, which were all still in date, to the pharmacy my late Dad used. I was so embarrased by the total waste, and the cost the NHS.
I have no idea, how he managed to stock-pile so much!
PS As a pharmacist, I could not pass these meds onto charities, which, I know, could have well used them.
DeleteI had to ensure a dedicated, supply chain, which I just couldn't..
On a very different note:-
ReplyDeleteTo those whose properties are either already on the market, who are thinking about it.
The stamp duty exemption is being exempted to June?
Also, 1st time buyers seem to be able to get a mortgage, with just a 5% deposit.
This will help both buyers + sellers, in many ways.
We've been thinking of Lanjan and she knows it, also that we'll respect her privacy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI understand.
DeleteMy good wishes will now not be passed on.
Yes, she needs her privacy and this is so understandable.
Thank-you, for reminding me.. 😣
Don't be daft Miriam. I'll pass on your good wishes. She'll appreciate them. It's just she doesn't want to start corresponding about everything with people.
DeleteThanks. I think I must have mis-understood some posts..😣
DeletePlease pass on my good wishes too.
DeleteTypical.
ReplyDeleteThe Birthday present I ordered on-line 10 days ago, for a grand nephew's 7th birthday on Friday, has still not arrived.
After a chat with his mum, I have re-ordered and paid the extra, for 24hour delivery, by courier, going direct to him.
I just want him to have a pressie from me, to open on the day.
I just hope things go as planned.
He is the 1st family one, to not have a birthday party with friends, for the 2nd year. His party in March last year, was just when we all went into the 1st national lockdown, and now it is the same.
DeleteI feel for him.
Still I am sure his Mum + Dad plus sister (9yrs now), will do him proud...
DeleteI’ve spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone to HMRC, spoke to 2 people and got nowhere. Meanwhile whilst waiting to get through to HMRC I was doing car insurance online which I then still had to phone the company up and wait to pay. Then I had to attempt to install a new printer.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I had my first gin at 2.15!!! and tea ended up being a frozen pizza. 😱
My experience with HMRC was so very different. I was on hold for 20 mins. but when I spoke to some-one, she was so helpful and sorted things out, exactly how I wanted, quickly + efficiantly.
DeleteI had this confirmed in writing, in my post today.
I was very obviously very lucky.
Good for you ptby 🍸 🍕 🤣
DeleteOoooh noooo!
ReplyDeleteI hope the insurance and printer got sorted, and that HMRC is resolved soon.
We tend to get Canon printers - very easy to set up, except for connecting to the internet. I always look up instructions online for getting it to talk to our hub, fail miserably, and then find the instructions for our particular printer, which just happens to require a different combination of buttons to be pressed.
Despite all this, my laptop and the printer are currently in some form of dispute. 'Printer is in use by another printer' is usually resolved by stopping and re-starting the print spooler. But 'preparing print data' for minutes on end is just aggravating. The only solution appears to be to give up, restart the computer then go downstairs to find the printer has decided to print you three copies after all. When my spare room is tidy (and all the pigs have been taught to fly) I shall get a second printer to save the frequent trips back and forth between the printer and the laptop. (I did also wonder about training a Roomba to load the right paper, etc, into the printer and bring me the finished copies, but I'm not sure how it would cope with climbing up to the desk, nor the stairs🙂)
Yes new printer is a canon.
DeleteHave to install it to everything separately. So, my lap top and phone then husbands laptop. 3 attempts to get it to install correct printer. Nightmare.
I'm late in watching the video at the beginning Gary but, having watched it, I do remember the song and Kathy Kirby. I also remember her very glossy lips and not liking her music. She seemed like an old fashioned throw back to Marilyn Monroe. I'm sorry that she had an unhappy life though.
ReplyDeleteMy usual late log in, so just want to ask PtbY to let LanJan know she is very much in my thoughts at the moment. I can understand why she doesn’t want to communicate at such a time but nevertheless we are all thinking of her and her dear husband.
ReplyDeleteI agree, sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteNews for Spicy and Miriam - and anyone else who might be interested:
ReplyDeleteI’ve been reading in today’s Telegraph about a new radio soap called Greenbourne, which is to be launched at the end of March.
It will be broadcast on various local radio stations throughout the country. Sounds a bit like TA and seems to be located around a pub in a village, but set slightly in the future so they can accommodate Covid restrictions e.g. the village starting to recover from lockdown.
The thing that interested me is that one if the main characters is to be played by Corrine Wicks who was one of my favourite doctors in ‘Doctors’ a few years back.
It might be worth a listen.
I feel for LanJan, I really do. Tell her I'm beside her all the way.
ReplyDeleteGary, the Alhambra screens are due to be delivered today. Mixed feelings as with all the alterations I've made in the last 18 months, eager anticipation muted by regret and not a little guilt - all perfectly normal under the circumstances.
Completely normal Sarnia. If I was you, I would be proud of myself for all the changes you have made in the last year and a half, forced or otherwise. Once the garden is finished (are they ever actually finished? Finding out that the answer is probably "no"!) you will no doubt be able to enjoy it in the present whilst also occasionally looking back to the past AND into the future.
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Gary Sarnia.
ReplyDeleteYou have worked miracles, and you have done so for yourself.
You will be the beneficiary of all the planning and action and you alone will be allowed to criticise what you have done. And if you feel there have been mistakes YOU will be able to rectify them at your leisure.
Late picking up news -
ReplyDeleteSending much ❤️❤️to LanJan...
No actual mistakes as such so far, Mrs P, just things I wish I hadn't had to do.
ReplyDeleteLooked at from the reverse Sarnia, your catching up with your previous self.
DeleteAnd I imagine you are gaining strength from doing so.
I'm late with this but sending thoughts to LanJan.
ReplyDeleteGary + Sarnia - It sounds that, I need you to visit me, to be my advisors, as to my garden "make-over". I have no idea what I want, or where to start!
ReplyDeleteUnless you have a complete garden makeover by a garden designer, all you can do is to do a bit at a time. Having had my new patio ( aka Buddy’s toilet!) put down, the next job in May is to have some astroturf in front of Katy’s chalet. At the side of that is an area I would like to have redone with better weed suppresser and new pebbles. An apple and pear tree from previous owners are both in this area. I think we’re done then but agree Gary, sometimes with house and garden you are never done!
ReplyDeleteSarnia, it is tough to find yourself bearing all the responsibility for house and garden but in another way it is rather nice to make your own decisions and not to have to consult anyone else. My house is like a rainbow after years of magnolia walls and I love it! Doesn’t take away the sorrow at losing him but compensates just a little bit!
ReplyDeleteI so understand how difficult it must be for many, to suddenly find to be the only person, making the many decisions re house + garden alone...and these never seem to end.
ReplyDeleteIt is just as difficult for those, who have and still do, live alone. To still do this, as have done constantly for many years, it is still hard on many occasions.
Sorry...OTT again..
Not OTT at all. I admire you for all you have achieved and am not making light of making decisions and taking the weight of responsibility on your own. I feel it very much now after all those years of having a partner to share things with. If anything was broken invariably Mike could fix it. We made decisions jointly especially on important things like buying houses. It was all very relaxed but if he didn’t agree with what I wanted he would dig his toes in! I found it hard in my first few years of marriage as previously I had the freedom to make my own decisions. When in a partnership it is only right to respect the other one’s viewpoint. As far as the magnolia walls were concerned I never thought it worth the hassle to argue against and just hung up many pictures! I can see the advantage of only having one colour as my outside store is getting full of different pots of leftover paint! He was ever practical where I am not!😊
DeleteI loved my visit to The Alhambra, even though it was much shorter than expected.
ReplyDeleteThe booked guide was not there on arriving, so had to wait for an hour for the replacement to arrive. As imagined, he was called in on his day off, so not at all happy.
Still, I enjoyed it, but felt we were rushed around due to time constraints. I think I missed a lot.
I plan to go again at a more leisurly pace and done in a different way.
To add, I have had very many more holiday brochures received via mail, over the last few days.
Am I tempted - Yes - but sense says just, wait + see how things go over the next few months.
I so prefer, as have said previously, to just stay in the UK visiting family + friends, as and I can do again..
Some dispiriting news about our Spicycushion - I received an email from her son this evening...
ReplyDelete"Hi
This is ...... Mum had a mild stroke at the weekend and was admitted to hospital. Thankfully she was discharged today and is back home.
Mum is having difficulties communicating both verbally and through writing by struggling to select the correct word. She is receiving speech therapy to improve this.
You can email Mum but it maybe a while before you receive a response. Also it might be a while before spicycushion returns to the blogs.
Please pass the message on to others on the blog.
LanJan - Mum is sorry to hear about your husband's illness and prays for both of you every day.
Regards
...."
I'm sure everyone on this blog will join me in wishing Spicy well and sending all the love and hope and prayers that we can muster. Get well soon... xx
Thanks for letting us know Gary. I'm sure you've already replied and sent best wishes on all our behalfs.
ReplyDeleteLots of prayer needed in this blog this week it seems.
Get well soon Spicy.
Thinking of you spicy. Get well soon. Xx
ReplyDeleteOh my dear Spicy, a very special friend. Please include my love and warmest wishes for her recovery when you email Gary.
ReplyDeleteWhat an anxious week for our dear friends this is turning out to be.
So sorry to hear the news about Spicycushion. Hoping to read her contributions in the not too distant future.
ReplyDeleteSpicy and Lanjan you are both essential members of this blog. I’m sending positive thoughts and prayers to both of you.
ReplyDeleteSending warmest wishes to Spicy and Lanjan.💕
ReplyDeleteI am thinking so much about both of you Spicy and Lanjan, and sending you sympathy and hugs.
ReplyDeletePoor Spicy and LanJan - and here am I, wittering on about garden screens!
ReplyDeleteA late log on and taken aback by the news on Spicy, sending much love to her and many get well thoughts. Will really miss her contributions and will look forward to better days and her return. Kind of her son to let you know the situation Gary so that we are able to be in the picture. As discussed once before a conundrum for those of us who have not met up and therefore have no connection other than on the blog to inform should things go awry. Mr R would not be able to post so I must inform my IOW sister of the details - in the hope she will not need to use them and just in case I should be missed 🤣 one must not assume.....
ReplyDelete(Not a happy week still thinking constantly of Lanjan)
Sarnia please keep wittering we need some distraction currently (which you know more than anyone of course)
ReplyDeleteI second that Your Ladyship...
DeleteGary and anyone else who's interested, here is a distraction for you. Screens only just finished today. When you've had all had a look on the profile page I'll show you the terrace. Not at it's best plant-wise as the pots of dwarf irises have just finished, but you'll get the general idea.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful Sarnia and I recognised them straight away!
DeleteMy son and d.I.l have one such screen in their home in Dubai. It divides off the area of their home office from the rest of the living room. It’s perfect because it filters the light without making the area dark, gives some privacy and looks so attractive.
A brilliant choice for your garden.
They are stunning Sarnia!
DeleteSorry about the apostrophe - don't know where it came from!
ReplyDeleteSending my very best wishes to LanJan and Spicy xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind supportive messages .
ReplyDeleteThe hospital telephoned me an hour ago to tell me that my lovely husband has died.
Oh Lanjan I'm so sorry to hear that sad news.
ReplyDeleteLanjan, my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteLanJan, I am so sorry to read about your husband. You are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLanjan - what can I say, except to send my thoughts and love and to wish you strength over the coming days.
ReplyDeleteWe know how much your dear husband meant to you and some here know better than I, what loosing a dearly loved partner is like.
I’ll be with you in spirit and hope you will feel able to re-join us before too long.
your dear Husband néant yo you
So sorry about typo at bottom. Tried to delete but cannot. 😢
DeleteOh LanJan, toutes mes condoléances.. So sorry. 💕💕
ReplyDeleteAll best wishes to Spicy, what sad news.
ReplyDeleteWhat times.
Love your screens, Sarnia! & yes, please keep wittering!
ReplyDeleteWe've got another dose of Sahara sand, very weird atmosphere.
Planning a bathroom revamp, lots of choices to make..
Lanjan, our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteTo Lanjan and Spicy with plenty of love.
ReplyDeleteLanjan (through my tears for you) so very sorry you have lost your lovely Mr LJ. We will all be with you in thought and prayer of that you can be sure. Bless you 🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteThank you GG for that very appropriate candle.
ReplyDeleteGary my thanks along with Mrs P a kind and respectful gesture.
DeleteI guessed the moment I saw your candle Gary, so thank you for preparing us for the sad news.
DeleteSo did I - oh, LanJan, there's nothing I can say. xx
DeleteI am so very sorry Lanjan. Just take one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteLovely image GG, merci.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry LanJan.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers
💕🙏💕
Lanjan, I'm so sorry to hear your news. My thoughts are with you x
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion, wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery x.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to your son for letting Gary know.
Gary, like others, I guessed when I saw the candle. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSame here. Thank you Gary
DeleteLanJan, I am so very sorry to hear your sad news. Prayers and thoughts are sent to you.
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion, get well soon.
Very sorry to hear your news LanJan. I am sending you my condolences and sympathy.xxxx
ReplyDeleteI was so sorry to of your loss Lanjan. Best wishes Spicycushion for a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to hear of your sad loss, Lanjan, and send you my condolences and love.
ReplyDeleteThe candle is lovely, Gary.
Spicycushion, get well soon. I hope you can be back on this friendly, comforting blog before long.
A beautiful description of our blog Hilary ❤️
DeleteI have just joined, and I am writing this, with tears pouring down my face.
ReplyDeleteI feared bad news on seeing the candle, it is so lovely and a wonderful touch.
At this moment, LJ must be in total disbelief and shock.
I extend my very good wishes + thoughts, to both and her family - as I do exactly the same - to Spicy + her family.
Miriam ..Xxx
Hilary has described this blog, so brilliantly..
ReplyDeleteI hope that both LJ and Spicy, when they feel they can, will return, for these very reasons.
What sad times - affecting some virvant, vibrant and original strong members, of this blog community.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, to hear such news, affecting them both..😣
...vivant - typo 😥
DeleteI really feel for LJ, for just receiving a 'phone call in the early morning, with the news about the loss of "the love of her life" - and she was not there..
ReplyDeleteI have experienced this, as will have others, and it is not what is expected...as no final "good-bye" could be given 😢😢
So sorry Lanjan. Thinking of you🕯
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady R and Miriam. It was very nice of you to comment
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely, friendly and comforting blog, as you have described so eloquently.
DeleteI do appreciate and enjoy it, even though I often have a "spat"..😣
Gary, please keep that candle burning for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need and appreciate it.
Thank you.
It was (understandably) a quiet evening on the blog. As ever I am a late owl having just completed some paperwork but will soon be going to bed where I shall still be thinking of Lanjan and Spicy especially so as these night time hours can seem extra long when a mind / body is under stress.
ReplyDeleteBless you both 🙏🏼
Yes, I was thinking of Lanjan. When Mike died I found it hard to sleep through the night and I went to the chemist and got some herbal sleeping tablets which helped and are not habit forming. It will take time for her to get through but it does get better and you need to hold on to that. Love and thoughts to both Lanjan and Spicy .
ReplyDeleteYes Ev yourself and Sarnia will be a comfort to Lanjan that the stages of grief will move on (at ones own pace of course) but Lanjan is a very positive person and will be determined to adjust using her garden and puss cat(s) plus next doors puss to ease her way through.
DeleteAnd, I am sure with the help of her family. I do hope her son, who I think lives in Canada, will be allowed to return to England to help and give comfort, despite Covid restrictions.
DeleteI think LanJan is getting lots of practical support from her husbands son and daughter and I imagine much long distance support from her own sons.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure the wealth of comfort from this blog is much appreciated.
Our thoughts are all still very much with LJ and Spicy.
ReplyDeleteI hope, that I am not being in-sensitive, by posting about my achievement today. This is:-
I managed to mow the front lawn, for the first time, on a lovely bright, warm, sunny Spring afternoon.
It was hard work due to the length of the grass and that it was still, surprisingly wet.
I had to keep stopping, to clean the blades, so it took quite a while. After clipping the edges, what a difference!
The spring bulbs in the front garden, look so much more prominent and colourful.
This afternoon, certainly helped lift my spirits.
Now for the back, which is still very much wetter, and still not getting much sun. At least I have started....
I needed to move the car back on the drive, to find it covered in spots of dust. It rained just a short, sharp shower, a few days ago.
Could this be Sahara Dust?
I have noticed, house windows are the same.
I apologise, if I have been too out-spoken. This is a time, when all are still the feeling the aftermarth, of yesterday's news, which was a double "whammy".
DeleteTo add, CH is still off, with many windows still open.
DeleteThis has made a lovely change - and gives me, a much more positive feel to normality, well to me.
Wow Miriam freezing here barely 5c and the feels temp has been no higher than 3c so CH certainly on 🤗
ReplyDeleteStarted with blue sky but not for long. Glad to here you have had much better weather and able to get on with some gardening and have been able to lift spirits here a little too.
Not to me, Miriam. One person's bereavement doesn't stop life all around continuing as normal. The day after Mr S's death my son and daughter-in-law drove me to the surgery to collect the Death Certificate and take it to the registry office. Then we had lunch in a hotel garden near the waterfront, followed by supermarket shopping on the way home. It was a surreal mixture of brutal necessity, special treat and the totally commonplace which was utterly bewildering, all on a beautiful summer's day with everyone out enjoying themselves.
ReplyDeleteAfter Mum died, in hospital at 7.00am, with all the family with her, we went home with Dad. I stopped at the local Spar for provisions, and we then had a massive "fry up".
DeleteIt took a few days, after I had collected the death certificate + registered the death, the reallity hit!
It will be some time before my grass needs mowing, in the back, anyway. What's left of it is being beaten into submission by C and his heavily -laden wheelbarrow.
DeleteI scrubbed the decking today with stiff broom and using white vinegar and water. I had it cleaned in October but it started to have green marking on it. The cleaners offered to put down chemicals but concerned about the dogs I read on t’internet that vinegar is effective so tried it before the really cold weather and was surprised at the result. Now it is warmer I did more of it today and could see the green lifting as I worked. Far safer than chemicals and very much cheaper. You can get big containers of white vinegar from the likes of greengrocers.
DeleteKaty is cooking tonight, steak and chips and tomorrow I’m making a moussaka. The mince is cooked and I managed to get an aubergine. They have been in short supply lately but at last obtainable by our
Ryde greengrocer!
I had a lovely surprise yesterday. Katy had an early Mum’s Day present delivered, an afternoon tea from the Frostbite bakery in Shanklin. It was sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cheese scones with onion relish, individual cheesecakes and cupcakes, strawberries, raspberries and macaroons. Quite a feast, meant for six people so we are still eating and will be into tomorrow!
I have been watching Jane Macdonald cruising around Scotland and she went to Mull. I have lovely memories of going there with Mike in our campervan. It is such a lovely, peaceful place. Just after he died, Katy and I went on a river cruise and we lit a candle for him in Cologne Cathedral. Jane said her Dad died in 1993 but in these peaceful surroundings she felt her Dad was with her on the journey. I know just what she means.
I forgot the brownies and blondies ( white chocolate) in the afternoon tea, yum, now all gone!😁
DeleteI am cooking big-style tonight:-
ReplyDeleteRoast Pork, Roast Pots, stuffing, apple sauce, cauli. carrots + brocolli, with a cider gravy.
I just felt I wanted to do this, as it is just a way of mine, to keep positive + normal.
A G+T has just been poured, to sup and enjoy, slowly..😀
I am now watching the indoor European Athletics, so that's my evening sorted.
I am actually enjoying The Voice, but as it is a long programme tonight, I am recording it, to watch tomorrow.
This way, I can whizz over the ads. and parts that do not interest me. A long programme can be reduced by, at least half.
DeleteWe record the Chase and cut out the adverts of course! We watch it at cup of tea time in the afternoon! Far less time taken up than the full hour! I like the new Chaser, Darragh but have always been a mug for that Irish charm!!!😉😊
DeleteI love Jenny, The Vixen. I do wonder though, that sometimes, The Chaser, deliberately messes things up, so the contestsnts win.
DeleteI enjoy this show, as I can actually answer some of the questions.
Gosh, I had not realised that is Mothering Sunday tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAs not a Mum, nor having one, this pasts me by..
To all others.
I hope that in this still difficult time,..You will all be remembered, even in a small way. It will so help...
I don’t think it is yet, just that the afternoon teas for the actual day were all booked up!
DeleteMothering Sunday is next weekend, I’ve ordered from the caterers that provide food for the Grange opera festival which is local to us, they started doing deliveries last year and we have enjoyed some terrific meals. If I am lucky my daughters might make me cards.
ReplyDeleteMrNuts had his first vaccine yesterday, feeling slightly tired but otherwise fine, we’re watching Dave Allen on BBC 2 great fun.
Us too KP, I ‘d forgotten how clever Dave Allen was and very inventive in his comedy. Before that, being unable to find anything of interest on TV tonight, we watched the first couple of editions of The Detectorists on the BBC iPlayer.
DeleteWe love the gentle humour and lovely scenery in these programmes but had never seen the first series so this was a real treat.
I see you say you are located near The Grange Opéra venue. Is that The Grange near Brown Candover? We have been there many times as it is quite close to us.
One afternoon when we were there, a beautiful White Barn Owl glided silently around the field in front if the building. It was quite magical. Dinner was at The Woolpack Inn afterwards and it was one if the best afternoon/evenings we have had.
Yes, we are thinking of the same Grange, we started going a few years ago, it’s a lovely intimate venue, like Glyndbourne was before remodelling 30 years ago, the landscape is idyllic and we’re home in 20 minutes. We usually take a picnic hamper and table, it’s a summer ritual that MrNuts and I have enjoyed throughout our marriage. My Dad was a member at Glyndbourne and took us every year, so we always provided dinner. More recently we go with my brother, we pay for our own tickets, and there is a friendly rivalry as we provide different courses for the picnic. Hopefully this year we will be able to go again.
DeleteI have in all honesty had a pretty easy lockdown compared to many but I have really missed live entertainment, theatre and opera has always been important to us.
Dear Lancashire Janet, I looked in on Gary G's blog tonight and was so very sorry to read that you have lost Mr LJ. I remember ages ago back on the bbc blog when you told us that you were on your second marriage. I think that until then I had thought you were, like me and some others, jogging along happily (more or less) approaching golden or more anniversary. I had the impression that you had many happy years with mr LJ and I hope you will be able to have happy memories of those times. With fond thoughts, minty xx
ReplyDeleteSpicycushion ,all the very best to you
ReplyDeleteI hope you will soon be able to return to blogging again soon .
Thank you Gary for the candle
Thank you Minty and all you lovely bloggers who have been so kind and thoughtful .
I remember Ev saying that the blog helped her when her husband died and that
was the old BBC blog which was nothing like as friendly as "our" blog
You are right,Minty.
Mr LJ was my second husband.
We met thousands of miles away 21 years ago whilst on a England Cricket Tour in South Africa.Those whom I met on our first meet up at Waterloo, know about our fairy tale meeting.
I feel sure that it will help me to start blogging again.
When you feel able to do so LJ I’m sure those of us who were not able to be part of the blog meet up(s) would love to hear the story of your fairytale meeting with Mr LJ. Appreciate it may be awhile in coming but we will be here....
DeleteYes, it was the old blog. I found it very hard at night being on my own so I would visit the blog on my IPad and it was so helpful to just have that virtual company. This blog is so much better though and no judgemental uppers and downers 👎🤙. I’m glad for your fairytale meeting and happy 21 years, Lanjan. Hold on to the memories as in time they will bring comfort. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteLanjan - I was telling MrA about the very sad news on this page from Spicy’s son and yourself the other day.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes mention the people that I chat to on here and he finds it a little amusing that I have all these virtual friend with strange names. And that I get so wrapped up in the lives of people I have never met. He is not an online communicator himself at all.
But he could see I was upset and asked more about you all. When I told him about you meeting your dear husband on the South Africa Cricket Tour he was delighted and said what a perfect way to meet a future partner, and one that shares a keen interest in something like Cricket, the love of his life too, alongside gliding.
He specially asked me to pass on his condolences, which I am more than happy to do.
I would also love to hear about your fairytale meeting LanJan, when you are ready to do that of course.
ReplyDeleteI've never met anyone on this blog but regard you all as friends and enjoy reading points of view and stories here. When I was going through a traumatic time in my own life I found a site which was so supportive and helped me enormously.
What a lovely post, which I so agree + 👏
DeleteLovely Anneveggie 🤗
DeleteYesterday at 4:34 pm Miriam mentioned that she felt sorry that I was not there when Mr LJ died.
ReplyDeleteThank you Miriam but I was so pleased that it happened as it did.
Let me explain
My son advised me not to go into the hospital in the middle of the night so I told them on the ward that I did not want to be awakened.
The message obviously did not get through.
Initially I was told that he was very ill and could die shortly .
She asked me whether I wanted to come in.
I thanked the person calling but said that I would not be coming in and more or less immediately I was told that a Colleague was with him and that he had died.
What would have happened had I gone in?
As it was,the previous day when I went in ,he recognised me.
The nurses were joking with him about the beard it looked as if he were growing and I commented that it would make him even more handsome
He was unable to speak but was able to give a thumbs up sign.
I was able to sit and talk to him and hold his hand and tell him I loved him and I left him lying peacefully ,sleeping.with him thinking I would be coming to see him the following day.
I feel so grateful that is the way I remember him.
The Fairy Tale.
DeleteBriefly
We sat next to each other on a flight from Capetown and Johannesburg between Test Matches on our way to Victoria Falls .
We married a year to the day after we met .
Those who were at Waterloo know more !
That is so lovely and meaningful, LJ for you, in both these two posts.
DeleteTake Care and a big🤗
Thank you Lanjan. I'm so glad you feel the way you do and keep up your Lancashire spirit.
DeleteI love your fairy tale, Lanjan. What a lovely happy memory.
DeleteThank you for sharing that story LanJan. I am pleased that you feel the way you do and can enjoy lovely memories. Give yourself time and take care.
DeleteSo glad you had such a good last visit with your husband, LanJan.
DeleteMy father-in-law was similar a year ago. He was laughing and joking with visitors that morning. Then in the afternoon his heart just gave up. So he was spared a long drawn out continual - and the pain of being in a nursing home and us being unable to visit because of Covid.
I'd love to hear the rest of your fairy tale - perhaps in person when we're finally all able to meet up again. For now, I pray that your happy memories will bring you joy and laughter, even amongst the tears of your loss.
💕🙏💕
Sadly, no further gardening today. 😣
ReplyDeleteI was ready and motivated to do so today, but woke up to a thick frost. A cold and dull day, then followed.
Ah so it was you who sent us the sun today Miriam - many thanks 😊
DeleteSend it back..asap..😂
DeleteLanjan, you were so right. I was with Mike when he died along with Katy and then went to the family room where the doctor and ICU nurse spoke to us. I was asked whether I wanted to go back to sit with him but said no, I had said goodbye. When he was moved to the funeral home I was again asked whether I wanted to see him but declined as like you I wanted to remember him as he was and for my last memory of him not to be after he passed. Everyone has to make their own choices at times like this. The other thing is to grieve as you want and not as you are told. We are all different in our character and our outlook. God Bless you!
DeleteKP and Archerphile mentioned a site, with a Glyndbourne feel.
ReplyDeleteI have been many times, to one which appears similar, in Cheshire
This is Clonters, but I think only a few will know of it. Who knows these might have enjoyed this venue, also.
A cold, dull day over here in east Cheshire as well Miriam so I spent the day sorting out and repotting my houseplants and cacti. Needed help from Mr CC with some of the bigger cacti, their spikes are pretty lethal!
ReplyDeleteI am nuturing an Anthrum..a birthday pressie, way back in September. It is still in flower and doing OK.
DeleteAlso I have a lovely orchid flowering again. This was one I cut back many months ago, just left it on the kitchen window-sill, a place which gets steam from the kettle + hot water tap. A new flower spike then appeared. It is now in the lounge, with 3 flowers and more buds to bloom. I am pleased with it. I also have another orchid in the kitchen, with another flower stem growing..
Cheshire Cheese and Miriam. Please come and visit - my shoe-plants are sadly neglected and seriously in need of repotting.
DeleteI didn't know orchids like hot water. I was told that they prefer rain water but mine has to make do with tap water - perhaps I'll try it hot.
Fortunately the plants in the garden are rather happier than the indoor ones. I can claim no credit for this - it's all down to our wonderful gardener. And my father-in-law who supplied the fuschias and dahlias that he grew every year.
Here in Cheshire West - there is already frost + ice.. ❄
ReplyDeleteIt's not as fore-cast and pusscat, does not want to go out, but who can blame her. 😾
CC - I had to repot some large and very spiked cacti last year. I used a pair of very thick oven gloves that gave fingers (can’t get on with the sort that are joined together & are like mitts).
ReplyDeleteThey did the job perfectly enabling me to pick up the cacti and put them in a new pot.
I then filled in round the edges with cacti compost, pushing in down with the handle if a wooden spoon
Kitchen to the rescue! 🌵
That's a useful hint Archerfile. We used a pair of knee pads and some very thick gardening gloves.
DeleteMy fencing has been completed at last. It's the first time in the 50 years we've lived here that the whole lot has been done properly, as Mr S was a dab hand at repairing, and then repairing the repairs and it was all collapsing. As my garden includes the bottom half of the one next door, purchased by a previous owner at some point in the 1930s, the property backs on to seven other gardens, 5 fences of which are mine. C has also replaced a sixth fence at the bottom of next door's plot. It's a rented house and although the fence is not mine the broken panels would have made a dreadful backdrop to my Mediterranean courtyard and the agents ignore all requests to deal with it. Corners have been revealed which I've never seen before in 50 years, and there's one part of the boundary which has never had a panel before because there is a huge workshop backing on to us which has been masked by several buddleias rampant. It all now looks terrifyingly enormous.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I've often read about your cosy (immaculate) little house and carefully tended garden, all organised to your own personal requirements, with admiration and a certain amount of envy. So far since Mr S's demise I've replaced a leaking gas fire, a front door vintage 1920 with shrunken panels which were letting in infant slimy invaders, and sundry items of furniture repaired to the point of collapse. The dilapidated shed and crumbling greenhouse have been cleared away and the screens installed in place of rotting trellis. The replacement for the shed is to be painted white with blue doors and the new greenhouse is due in a couple of months' time, a white Victorian one with little spikes along the ridge.
The next job on the to-do list is the re-wiring of the house, followed by the de-commissioning of the outside loo down a flight of steps, to be replaced by a new one in the hall. I just hope I have time to recover from the upheaval of the garden landscaping before my name reaches the top of the electrician's list.
Indoors, the level of delayed maintenance has reached the point at which the house is no longer just a tip, it's verging on a slum, but I only have the energy to do tiny bits at a time, which is not how I want it. I suppose it will all come together eventually, I just have to be patient!
PS I realise that all this must sound as if I'm rolling in money, which is not quite the case: I would much prefer to have been left less in the way of savings, which have only been accumulated through years of neglecting the property, and correspondingly fewer major projects to manage.
ReplyDeleteHowever, to be positive at least this way, like you Miriam, I'll finish up with everything the way I want it.
You are doing so well, Sarnia and moving towards your dream! I have lots of projects in mind too but agree they must be taken slowly both to minimise disruption and give time to accumulate the wherewithal to pay for them. I have resolved to replace things with the best I can afford as we went for budget buys which after such a short time are falling apart. The kitchen, including appliances came in at about £4000. After 5 years I have already replaced the gas hob as one ring stopped working,, it was scratched as well due to poor quality stainless steel and am now about to replace the dishwasher. The cupboards are flimsy and in time will have to have the kitchen redone. A false economy! Mike, bless him was always afraid of running out of money but in my mind as long as you have a steady income this will never happen. Agree savings are no good sitting in the bank when things need doing and of course in these days of low interest rates they actually lose value. I have invested some in premium bonds which give a better return! Carry on the good work, Sarnia, as I will do too!
ReplyDeleteSarnia, I do admire the way that you have taken on such a big project yourself. Our family bathroom has been in need of updating for some time, it will be 30 years old this year and we have been thinking about facing the mess for a while. We've finally got someone coming to look at it this week.
ReplyDeleteCC, I really didn't have much choice re the garden, as Mr S had struggled to keep on top of it for the last few years of his life, and after the last months of his illness it was disappearing under buddleia and Virginia creeper. It should finish up as a pleasant space for family, or even church use, that is easily managed with the help of Nigel-the-neighbour.
ReplyDeleteI have been struggling with the outside, ground floor loo for years, due to the constant need for joint operations, so that left to my own devices that particular alteration would have taken place years ago. But - as evidenced by other bloggers, ageing husbands and their resistance both to change and spending money, however necessary, have resulted in it all being left to me to deal with. I'm obviously far from alone in this situation.
I'm so grateful Miriam and her narrative of her new front door, because she inspired me to be brave enough to tackle my own.
Sarnia, you have my admiration too. Your garden plans and the work you have tackled on your own are a real inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI was out in the garden yesterday trying to clear up our very long herbaceous border, cutting down last years growth, tidying up fallen leaves and reducing the size of clumps of Alchemilla mollis and sedums which were taking over everywhere. Trying to dig on chalky soil, full of flints and resistant clumps of buttercups.
But I found that after my two replacement joints in opposite legs, my balance is terrible. I needed to have a fork stuck in the ground to act as as a prop. Trying to dig on a slope and then twist to throw weeds in the barrow was hopeless and I fell over several times. In fact, standing on one leg and pushing the fork down with the other was almost impossible. So I think my gardening will be reduced to greenhouse work, potting up tubs. (And mowing the lawn if I’m allowed to). Any heavy work will have to be done by a reluctant Mr A or a jobbing gardener.
So I am extra Impressed by all that you have managed to do by yourself. It’s amazing.
Sarnia Like Archerphile I admire the way you are tackling so many of the jobs which have been left for so long. You must take pride in the fact that you are instigating this on your own and are beginning to see some results.
ReplyDeleteOnce the weather is fine enough, I’m outside. I’ve had both hips replaced and an operation on my right shoulder which takes me out of pain but leaves me with no power in it. So pruning all my roses takes a long time and like Archerphile, I make sure I have spades or forks stuck in the ground to steady myself. However sometimes the sense of achievement when I look back at what I’ve done keeps me going. Realistically, my dream of a long herbaceous border may remain just that unless I can find some fit young people to do what I tell them - I would be an annoying back seat gardener though.
One thing lockdown has made me realise is how much I hate housework. Fortunately I am not house proud and don’t crave an “ideal home” BUT my garden is important and I will work outside quite happily from dawn to dusk ( my dawn is not controlled by the sun!!! ).
Agree with you Soz about being happiest when out in the garden.
DeleteNot entirely by myself, people, I'm fortunate in having several friends who are willing to help. Like you, AP, my gardening activities are restricted to tubs and pots. Soz, your remarks about your personal housework/garden priorities leave me feeling a bit better about myself. As for a sense of achievement, I'm too tired for pride - that will have to come later!
ReplyDelete