The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

I thought maybe you had second sight Jan16 because we did have a short power cut recently.
Let's all hope that Kaimoana's isn't too bad. At least it is Summer for her.

Oh dear even after 2 mice dispatched, I can hear loud noises behind the log basket. Should I borrow a friend's cat or get a terrier?

MrMamissimo !! I am truly sorry for him. Who invented that diet? How can it be good for anything or anybody?
It will be good I presume to get rid of his gall bladder.
It reminds me, MiL fell ill in Toulouse many years ago and was admitted to hospital. After examination she was told it was her little bladder. Since she had never had bladder problems before she was worried that it was a misunderstanding and she was doing her best to explain this in French. However, it was indeed the gall bladder, which was efficiently removed and she has nothing but praise for the French hospitals where they serve a glass of wine with your supper. She will be 96 next month so being relieved of a gall bladder 20 years ago, has not done any harm.

I can read you perfectly by your bookshelf BTW. especially pruning and training for the dog? but I can't read the inscriptions on the cups.....?

We have even more snow today. I didn't think that was possible.

Evening all.
No snow today only slight dandruff but it’s getting very cold. Next week is supposed to be more normal temperature so DH and I have decided to try going out for our daily walks, we haven’t been out walking since DH fell down the stairs.
Jan you certainly have some serious snow. Hope your visit to the hospital with DH went well. I wonder if you are home yet.
Kaimoana that would be a nice thing to do on Saturday. Lunch with your friend. Have you decided where to go?
Shame your neighbours aren’t more friendly but until we moved to this flat, that was mostly the situation with out neighbours too.
Your wish will be granted Cinders. I will find a video of the Dean’s cat Tiger dipping his paw in milk and post you a link.
I’d forgotten about Arthur until you mentioned him. ?
mamissimo thank you for the interesting photo.
Do I spy a cross stitch wall hanger bottom right. A beer drinker in the family, lots of pewter tankards.
Little matchbox toys, children or grandchildren?
A trophy from some sporting achievement perhaps?
Like us, you have a massive book that is the concise Oxford Dictionary ?
And lots of books.
What a dreadful diet for gallbladder removal.
Poor MrM he has my sympathy. As do you ?
I remember my mother having her gallbladder our when I was a small child. She had a glass jar with the gallstones in. After the operation she went to a convalescent home for a few weeks. I was only 5 or 6 at the time but I remember being so sad and missing her so much.
I wonder if we will get any holidays. Ours are rolling forward. As one is cancelled we move the money on to another just on the off chance we will get away sometime.
Grammaretto mice ?. I’m not brave.
Loud noises behind the log basket....could it be bigger than mice. Ferret, wild boar, bear ??. Are your traps big enough.
I must tell DH that in France you get wine with your supper in hospital. He will feel mighty annoyed he didn’t get any in the UK. Hope you’re not snowed in.
Cherry, Missedout, Panache, Dragonfly Nfk hope you’re all ok and you too Nortsat if you are still reading.

Kaiomana the link below is for the Dean’s cat Tiger dipping his remaining front paw in the milk jug. If you scroll forward to about 20mins 18 seconds and watch from there you should see him doing it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cluFl1XvgE4

Evening Everyone. Doodle yes Eric is home having had nothing done ?. The surgeon wanted to see Eric to discuss the options. Obviously I wasn’t there but apparently he’s got doubts about operating as if he does Eric’s eyebrow will drop and then he will need another op. He’s going to see if radiotherapy will help. As it’s not a dangerous cancer I’ve said unless radiotherapy is the answer he can just learn to live with it. It’s unsightly and bleeds sometimes but that’s it. The drs are having a meeting Mon and will phone Mon ev. So we wait!

Mamisimo I had no idea new boy Waititi had been ejected.
Storm in a teacup but a typically inappropriate reaction by Mallard who has a habit of ducking the trouble he causes.

Not so long since he accused someone of rape and it turned out to be a fabrication. He should have lost his job then but didn't.

Yes, absolutely we live in a time warp.
That's why so many people want to emigrate here - record numbers incidentally during the last 4 years: Trump and Covid inspired But we're keeping the beggars out

When I lived in Cornwall I had a proper library: floor to ceiling shelves and all full.
My books were in categories: Art, Biology, Science, Myths, Botany etc. I knew where every old friend was and when I came back to NZ, it broke my heart to jettison a bookshop's worth.

I could only choose about a dozen, the ones the boys had given me - and even these were pared down by my interfering non-reading Mum who had said she'd bring them in her container of furniture.

When one jaunts around the world, one learns to weep and move on, rather than mourn losses which cannot be helped.

Grammaretto do you have humane mouse catchers? You don't need to touch the poor wee timorous beasties - just take them to a place of safety and tip them out.

Ah, a workman has just arrived, better go and see to him.

Jan is your DH disappointed or is he happy to leave it to the surgeon for the best advice? I’m glad to hear it’s not a dangerous cancer.
Glad he’s home though.
Kaimoana I have always wanted to have a library. A room full of books on every wall with one of those tall ladders that you move round to get books off the top shelf. A nice open fire and a comfy chair and just to sit and read.
I expect I would still fall asleep with an open book on my lap.?

Doodle It wasn't quite as grand as the polished wood panelling and rolling ladder image but there were bookshelves on 3 sides to the ceiling.
If I wanted a book on the top shelf I either asked my tall elder son to get it or I hauled out the step ladder

The room to the right of the door - as you look at our house - was the library.
If I was reading with the window open, people would stop to chat or ask, 'You busy?'
'I am.'
'Then you'm best stop for a cuppa tea my lover.'
In Cornwall that doesn't mean what it might across the border in England.
Of course I got the same answer if I wasn't busy

My door was never locked so if I wasn't there, they were free to come in and make their own tea or coffee and raid the cake tins which very occasionally they did at 1 or 2 am.
Those were good days.

Just popped in to say I'm not dead yet - but we do seem to be hibernating. We've spent the last two or three days doing really nothing. Sleeping in in the morning and binge watching all the TV series' we've recorded in the evening. I'm deep into Hilary Mantel at the moment too and the time just evaporates.

Yes, Jan we have snow. About 8 inches. I'll try to add a photo later when the sun gets into the garden. Yesterday the wind dropped so I roused myself, dug out my furry lined wellies and spring wire crampons and went for a walk. I took loads of lovely scenic sunny snow photos and when I got home found the camera had moved itself onto macro setting and, with my watering eyes and the bright sun, I hadn't noticed! I shall have to go around again today. No more snow is forecast but as it's well below freezing the snow won't thaw much.

I haven't read all the posts I've missed but did see that the Panaches have been reunited. The best news! Will pop back later when I've caught up.

Hello Lobstars.

Interesting that Eric is not getting any treatment Jan. When DH was having frequent appointments, I always went with him and we made a day of it by having lunch at the Filmhouse and seeing a film if he felt up for it. When covid struck, his consultations were phone calls but on speaker phone so I could join butt in and I think we once managed a video call but that was the GP.

It is so blimmin complicated now with all the restrictions and we have snow to boot.

Your Cornish house looks and sounds wonderful Kaimoana .
We have a room here which DH called his library. I call it the room of doom - not because of the books but the mountains of stuff in the way of anyone enjoying the books.
It's somewhere on my "to-do" list but not today.

Very cold and pretty again today butI am quite glad I don't have to venture far. Here is a view from my walk yesterday.

Kaimoana what a beautiful house. You must have enjoyed living there.
Nfk glad to hear you’re still with us. Hibernating seems a good name for what we are doing at the moment.
Your walk sounds lovely. Shame your photos didn’t work out.
Hope you managed to take more today. Got any to share?
Grammaretto that snow looks so crisp and thick. I would love a snow walk like that, ?
Waitrose delivery today. Freezer and fridge were quite low so we had a big order. Took ages to wash it and put it away.
We are having a Meal delivered tomorrow from our local pub.
I wonder what it will be like.
More painting for me today. The picture has 5 different shades of light blue. They all look the same to me. Even with a strong light and magnifying glass I’m finding it hard to see what I’m doing.
Hope all the missing gangsters are ok.

I am so busy doing nothing that I only remembered to do my Sainsbugs order for tomorrow's delivery just now. It was a rush job so next week will be interesting on the food front.

My poor bored beans aren't enjoying this weather so we are cosseting them with snuggly fleece. The greenhouse heater doesn't seem to switch off at all and I've got a humidifier running as well because the air is so dry.

Don't ask me about the three hours it took to not get an answer from the DWP........grrrrrrrrrr

Hope the missing are hunkered down with plenty of warming soup chocolate.

Oh your poor bored beans mamissimo I’m glad to hear they’re all snuggled up and being looked after. Would you like me to come over and read them a bedtime story ?
See you had a productive afternoon on the phone then ?
Hope everyone is ok. Sleep well all

Hanna: Can I have a coffee?
Me: (leaping up to switch on the kettle) Of course
Hanna: No, I mean one of these packets of decaf in your pantry, for my hair.

We'd just come back from the supermarket, why didn't she buy some then?

Grammaretto Your crispy crunchy walk looks good

I shall see Mila again tomorrow but I'm not hopeful that we'll get on any better than previously.
Both her parents are coming too, so why would she want a bar of me, someone she doesn't know?
Still, I can keep my fingers crossed, can't I?

The disappointment is compounded by the fact that the original plan was for Daddy and Mila only to visit whilst Mummy got her nails done.

So I was also looking forward to discussion, debate and discourse. Not possible when my dil is here.

Ali and I will go to lunch another day.

Doodle I don't think you need to stick religiously to lines and specific colours. It'll look just as well, better in fact, if you inject some of your undoubted creativity into the picture and blur the lines a little.

I was once given a 'famous painting' PBN (I think I was about 10 at the time) and decided I'd add a bit of auburn to the blonde hair of the subjects, and some slight shades of purple to the blue gown. It looked just fine.
Go on, be a devil


I wonder why so many Lobstars are missing? One would have though, in total lockdown, they'd have more time and inclination to pop in and chat. I hope the silence doesn't mean exacerbated health problems.

Love to all anyway

Just dropping in again quickly because tomorrow I'll be powerless.

Because I'll have guests, I've been busy baking today.

My son asked for another Bakewell Tart for his "birthday cake" on Sunday and as he and his partner will be here for lunch and tea tomorrow, I've made a quiche and 2 gluten-free pizzas (chicken and bacon) and there'll be potato salad and the usual lettuce, tomatoes, cuke etc.

I've also made Energy Cakes, one for Hanna who seems to live on bought fruit cake but mine is made with fresh peaches, nectarines, apples, banana and dried fruits; sunflower and pumpkin seeds, butter and free range eggs.
Much better than bought stuff.

The other will go to Karen's family who I know appreciate my baking, so whilst I can still do it, I must.

I might knock up a batch of shortbread before I run out of steam, my dil particularly likes that.

Hot drinks, should we need them tomorrow, can be accomplished on my trusty Trangia and Gubbins' bottle will be warmed from the boiled water too.

I think I've remembered everything.

So it's been a really good day for me as I absolutely love cooking, especially for guests.

And I only racked up one cut and two burns, not bad!

See you all once power has been restored.
Stay well.

You are amazing Kaimoana. I couldn't imagine embarking on such a marathon cooking spree even if I wasn't about to have a power cut.
Wouldn't visiting them at their place have been an option?

I hope you are enjoying it and seeing little Gubbins growing up is a treat many on here can't share.

I emailed a distant cousin to tell her about DH's death but also to resume our family history researches and she apologised for not writing earlier but said the lockdown had been like being asleep.

I haven't much to report that would be of any interest apart from it is minus 6 and the sun is shining.

I lost my phone yesterday and thought it had dropped out on my walk so before dark I retraced my steps and met a woman who offered to help me to look. We didn't find it but I heard that she lives alone and has 2 estranged teenage DC who live with their father. How cruel can life be! I tried to comfort her and when I was home called DD on the landline (how grateful am I for that) who told me off to contact Find my Device and lo and behold my phone was in the laundry basket, on silent, in amongst the ironing.
Perhaps it was in training to be one of those ironing machines. If it was it hadn't got very far.

Good Morning. Where is everyone? We still have snow - it’s just hanging around with no signs of melting but it’s a lovely sunny morning albeit b....y freezing!
Nfk 8 inches of snow -gosh that’s a lot. We’ve had around 3 and that’s quite enough.
Grammaretto. DH has made the decision for no surgery. Surgeon was worried about doing it as last time he had a large cancer removed he ended up in hospital with pneumonia and blood clots on the lungs. Plus he was told if this one was removed he would end up with a dropped eyebrow and would then need another operation to sort it out! We will know on Monday whether radiotherapy can help although that means an 80 mile trip 3 times a week for 3 weeks! We don’t mind driving but of course you can’t stop for coffee or lunch at the moment.
Panache Hope all is well with you and your dear man
Kaimoana Sure I spell your name wrong every time! Hope your no electric day goes well. Good job it’s not here. It’s minus 2 outside. Love your posts. You’re always so cheerful and interesting.
Mamissimo Sorry about your beans. Like you I forget to do supermarket orders and just guess wildly at what we want. Always forget something!
Doodle how nice to get a meal from the pub. None of our pubs around here are doing that so it’s fish and chips, Thai or Indian for us but we seldom bother!
Hope everyone has a good day and that all the missing Lobsters are ok

Kaimoana I think we're missing because we're not really living our lives at the moment.. with so many of the freedoms and joys being verboten and the weather causing additional mobility issues every tiny thing causes frustration and difficulty. I think most of the UK has depression to some degree.

Us lockdowners were originally locked down for health reasons and the pandemic has made managing those existing conditions harder. Our thoughts are turned inwards too much and the media don't help as they seemed determined to be the voice of total doom.

The doom-mongery has seeped into everything and seems to be sucking the joy from many of us. We need spring, daffodils, lambs and rebirth!

But we're fine really.....just on standby mode ?

Kaimoana I know it doesn’t really help much when you so want to cuddle your lovely DGD but our first DGD only ever wanted mum and dad. She certainly didn’t want us and used to scream blue murder if they even parked their car on our drive. Roll on a year and gradual acceptance came roll on a bit longer and our lovely, beautiful, gentle, kind and caring granddaughter shows us such love and affection more than we could ever hope for. So, upsetting though it is, hold on to the time when she will come to understand you a bit more. Sad you won’t get the chat with your son that you wanted but try and take it as a positive your DIL is coming too and hope you perhaps form a better bond. Will your DGS be coming too?
The chances of me staying inside the lines on my painting is pretty slim. Eyesight and shaky hands see to that.
Wow that’s some meal you have prepared for tomorrow. It all sounds delicious. I’m sure your DIL will appreciate your making something that is a favourite of hers too.
You are so well organised.
Hope all goes well with your power off.
As for missing gangsters, I too hope it is not due to ill health. I think perhaps also it could be more of a case of nothing happening and nothing to say. We just sit here day in day out. I have noticed with friends and family I don’t seem to have anything to chat about.
Grammaretto minus 6. That’s a bit chilly. Is there still lots of snow around.
Glad you found your phone. Nice though that on your travels you were able to talk to someone who probably needed a chat. Sad about her estranged children.
Oops someone at the door. Back later

Thought it was our meal delivery but it wasn’t. I’m hungry.
Jan sometimes we decide enough is enough. Your DH has obviously decided he doesn’t want another op and who could blame him. Hope it works out with the radiotherapy if that’s what he wants. Long journey though.
You’re so right about Kaimoana, always a joy to read ?
I do hope this meal comes tonight, I have been looking forward to it. Not quite sure how it’s going to arrive or in what state. I will let you know. ?
Mamissimo I love your description. On standby mode. That’s just it exactly. Same thing day I day out. It seems a long time ago we went into the first lockdown. Then it was all new and battling for a food delivery was the highlight of the week.
Hope you and yours are ok.
cherry, panache, dragonfly missedout , nfk thinking of you all and you too Nortsat . Hope someone has some excitement ?

I phoned an acquaintance who lives locally and has failing eyesight. She is a rather needy person so I have to be feeling strong myself before I can take on her troubles. Her main problem is isolation and the snow (yes there is still a lot) means she can't leave her home. She has enough to eat and her flat is warm but she talked about Chinese New Year so I have decided to have a Chinese meal delivered to her tonight. Wish me luck. I hope it works.

I hope your meal comes too and is delicious Doodle

I think your DH probably is making the best decision not to have surgery in his circumstances Jan

Yes, Mamissimo, on standby mode is about the right description although I'm more on a roller coaster just at the moment.

I didn't realise how poorly I have been until now, when I'm feeling better. Suddenly, I'm back on the exercise bike, I've cleaned the house, I'm making cakes and cooking again and I've restarted my knitting. Fantastic - energy, fitness whoopeee! And for what? My immune system is broken. I've been vaccinated- does it make a difference - I don't know. Can I see my family soon? Well they are all under 45, only 2 of them have been vaccinated (NHS workers), two different households, their partners haven't, so nothing has changed. Can I see my grandchildren soon? I don't think so. Up, down, seesaw.... I may be able to spend time with my vaccinated peers soon. That will be nice but ......

Sorry gang, not a great post. I must return to being grateful for good health again, a lovely DH, a safe home and be patient about the rest.

I hope you don't drum me out of the gang after this ungrateful grumble. I think of those who are in poor health and struggling so often.

Doodle I hope your meal comes soon and that you enjoy it.

Grammaretto you are very kind to send a Chineses meal to your friend. It is a lovely thought.

My new weather station says it is -0.3° outside. What day is it please?

Phew. I can hardly move. Our meal was lovely but far too filling. We have left the pudding for tomorrow. Couldn’t eat another thing.
Grammaretto that’s a nice surprise for your acquaintance. I hope she enjoys her Chinese meal. I bet she’s surprised.
Hello Missedout you sound full of energy at the moment. I too want to hug and cuddle my DGC and visit family. Somehow this time round, lockdown seems to be dragging on forever. Never will anyone be drummed out of the gang. We are here to support each other and if truth be told we probably all have low periods and down times when we feel miserable. You are always welcome here.
It’s the day after yesterday, the day before tomorrow. I think it’s probably Friday but I stand ready to be corrected ?

Grammaretto how sweet of you to send a Chinese meal to your needy friend. I'm sure she'd enjoy it.
BTW, I love Indian food



You're right about Gubbins and I certainly do appreciate every moment with her because I know many grandmas don't see their wee darling and would love to.

Mamissimo Yep, Lockdown Depression is a real problem in many lives. When we were in strict lockdown here (no visitors other than the emergency kerbside food drop -when we could get it) and absolutely forbidden to leave home for any reason whatsoever, I kept my head above the emotional waters by writing the Lockdown Diaries.
Daily research and free online course via futurelearn.com were lifesavers.
Mind you, if I had been on skimmed milk and Oxo cubes, I may not have been so sanguine. Poor MrM.

I guarantee there is something for everyone at that futurelearn site.

Doodle Gubbins was a little more settled today; still very wary of this strange old bootface and constantly looking for either Mum or Dad but then she is only 3 months old.
We all had a really wonderful afternoon.

When they arrived they exclaimed at the laden table and I said, 'That's okay, anything you can't eat will feed me the rest of the weekend.'

Ha! They made short work of every single scrap, even eating my slice of the fresh fruit tart, the gannets!
(the pic is from the Internet) How my slim and elegant dil can eat so much without bursting I'll never know.

This is by no means a complaint; there's nothing I like better than to see people polish off the food I've made.

Glad you enjoyed your delivered meal too Doodle it sounds yummy.
Missedout you sound a bit more lively, more your old self in fact - long may it continue.

Nfk I'm glad you're not dead

Jan That's brave of your DH to rethink the op. Have you considered other options ?

It's been a hot day and I'm going for a cooling shower - you'll all have your chance to laugh at me when June comes round and I'm cold when winter begin!

Meantime, have a wonderful day, stay cheerful and if you need something to make you smile, go to YouTube and search "Olive and Mabel"

It was a great post Missedout you sound so much more upbeat. Your burst of energy makes me feel quite tired. reminder to self - take the vitamins
I prefer Indian food too Kaimoana
I have cousins in Auckland.....
Wasn't that a good day you managed. Well done despite the power cut.
The snow hasn't melted here yet and I haven't managed to fire the big pot yet.
I haven't finished my knitting and I haven't done any washing up for several days. OOer..... the slippery slope?
I will go out for a walk, if only to feel warm when I get home. My walking buddy had her vaccine yesterday so is staying at home resting today.
Maybe it's all part of being on standby Mamissimo and everything will leap into action like a game of musical statues once the music starts.

Kaimoana so pleased you had a lovely day with the family. I’m not surprised they ate everything, it sounded delicious.
DH is a user of future learn too. He’s been researching musculoskeletal actions since his fall and found this a very interesting video.
Our meal last night was lovely but oh so filling. We have left the pudding for tonight as we couldn’t manage all three courses.
Grammaretto hope your friend enjoyed her Chinese meal.
Be careful on your walk if it’s still icy. Hope your walking buddy can join you again soon.
Did you decide on your colour wool, I guess you must have if you’ve begun your knitting.
Do you have any heating in your studio or is it too cold to work out there in this weather?
I’m about to do some painting, bit late in the day really as the light has almost gone but I had a late morning and have been playing on GN for a while.
Very sad news on GN today about the death of Jings who was a poster when I joined GN years ago.
Hope all the gangsters are ok, back later .....covered in paint probably. ?