Good morning Mick and all GN's on a still cold morning in North Yorkshire. No sign of rain which is a blessing, but very chilly and we are promised more cold and a possible dash of snow so the winter clothes still needed at the moment.
Yesterday we had lovely sunny weather with daffodils and blossom all rushing out to enjoy the sun. Well it looked lovely, but was very cold if you went out. Still cheering to see the sun at last.
My halo was shining by yesterday evening. I am still stuck with wretched coughing which is making my ribs ache and now my chest is painful especially when I actually cough. So wasnt up to trying to do anything outside so reluctantly faced the ironing mountain. However I persevered and spent all morning with it but now the rewards. Empty basket and a total choice of T shirts tops and trousers. That cheering moment when for that little time everything from me to clothes is clean , ironed and tidy . Felt rather weary but pleased with myself and awarded myself a good coffee and a toasted teacake, which was much enjoyed.
That was as much as I felt able to do and so still havent dealt with muddy car and windscreen scraper etc, and dont think it is likely to be sorted today either. Went to whist, which was very full last night and some odd hands. No prize or raffle win but mostly an enjoyable evening. But there is a bit of a conundrum.
A couple have recently joined. She is a reasonable player and fits in quite well. Now we allow for peoples foibles and ways of playing, but we are all of a reasonably good level of playing. So we reckonize strategies such as playing a low card can tell your partner that you have the king and so if they have the ace, for them to play that and then play the same suite so that you will gain with your king. There are many ways that you can have a good idea of what your partner is likely to have, and you count how many cards of a suite played so that you work out possible ideas, with your knowledge of what has already gone to improve matters. So you need to know your cards and have some basic ideas to fit in as games are played quite fast with everyone knowing what they are doing.
Now this man is not only a beginner - which is the kindest thing you can say - but is actually worse than a beginner. He doesnt sort his cards out in a sensible way, you have no idea what he is going to do, doesnt count how many cards in a suit gone and trumps a trick showing he has none of that suit left and then promptly using a card of that suit to play another trick. So we all make the odd mistake and play the wrong thing, but now when his partner has played the highest card and would have won the trick he trumps it etc. So he is like a loose cannon, and does not seem either prepared or able to learn, but over the game last night he really caused havoc.
People are out for a pleasant evening ,not worrying much about winning , but looking for a chance to use their brains and forget the worries at home etc. Last night every person that moved to my table was somewhat steaming with annoyance. From the person who said they felt like not coming anymore as they came for some pleasure and not to feel furious by this mans playing etc etc. To another who said he had trumped a trick and two tricks later showed he had had a card of that suit and so they had to go back and try and work out what should have happened. I dont know how this will pan out , as we do try to be welcoming to everyone and make allowances but this is a different scenario , with him not seeming to want to learn and upsetting many people and the worry is that if nothing happens some of the regulars may stop coming. Ah well we shall see what happens. Personally I was nowhere near winning anything but one or two were somewhat annoyed to see their hands spoilt. But it certainly takes your mind from aches and pains and the sorry state of the world at the moment!
Today I have a meeting this morning at the library, instead of going to my usual thursday at Upfront and need to get there early as there is only one disabled space in their car park and I am struggling today and wont be ableto get out of the car without opening the door wide, and it is definitely too cold to go on the yellow peril. Then fingers crossed the cleaners come this afternoon, as I am really struggling to bend or reach things and there are some things that even my grabber cant move etc. I have already put a beetroot jar out to remind me to ask them to open it. These little things are so maddening when you cant do them any more. I have bought various supposed jar openers but the beetroot jar defeats them and I darent risk trying to bang it or anything as the thought of beetroot juice being all over the kitchen and me is not a good one!
Tonight I have no plans to be out and will be glad of an evening , hopefully sat in clean and tidy surroundings , and just need to check through the calendar and appointment times etc. Sent a couple of emails to my son but had no reply so not sure if he is away or what so might ring and see how they are doing.
hope your leg improves Mick and you have a good trip on the bus. Good photos GrandMattie and fingers crossed, sounds a possible improvement at least with this new agent. Cant be worse than the Teflon man can she? Bellasnana envy you your strawberries. We are a long way away from home grown ones here.
Well the sky has lightened somewhat but now a little breeze, and very grey still , so no sign of sun at all. Still the snowdrops and my miniature daffodils are cheering the view for now. Hope everyone has a good day with things going to plan.
