The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Good morning! Happy first day of not being shielded.......but beware the COVIDiots in public places!

We took Mr M's bike to be repaired yesterday under The govt voucher scheme to get people back on their bikes.....I asked why he wanted to get back on his bike after fifteen years of non cycling activity his mountain bike overhauled and he said that he liked the idea of cycling again. Hmmm.

I finished clearing out DS' old bedroom yesterday, including the removal of tatty old stickers from paintwork. It's official in this house that stickers are banned! they were when DS dabbed them everywhere so in future I will encourage the use of stickers so that no one uses them!

We are spending Easter planting the orchard. The trees are in transit after several false starts so we're flexing our muscles in preparation. I've made a time capsule of COVID press cuttings, a face mask and a shielding letter from little Mattie Hancock for someone to find in the future.

Kaimoana Mr M absolutely loves Alexa.....he hurls random questions at her, uses her to remind him of things he'll forget to do.....and always says thank you to her...unlike his affectionate manner towards me!

I must away.....

Thanks for the Easter eggs kaimoana but I am very sorry you have had so much trouble with your eyes.
DH used to sing with his Taizé singing group in an ancient chapel dedicated to St Triduana, patron saint of eyesight. Although her own story is particularly grizzly, pilgrimages are made to it and to its sister chapel in Orkney.
I can go there and say a prayer for you, if it would help?.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triduana

It might be fun to have Alexa to shout at. I hope you qualify.

Hoping all Lobstars are doing OK today . I'll be back later.

Ooops, I previewed it and still got it wrong !!

Hello Lovely Lobsters,
No, not computer related this time, quite definitely health. Very much a damned if you do - damned if you don't situation which has been going on for a while and getting me down.

I'm sure many of you have similar sissues and worse, so I won't moan.

The eye clinic appointment yesterday was like the Curate's Egg.
My right eye is bleeding again, so that was injected and is very sore today. The capsular bag into which they inserted a new lens during cataract surgery some time ago (and which did nothing for my sight but full marks for trying), is cloudy, so they're going to burn a hole in it with a wee laser. Painless - don't panic.

It just might make things clearer but won't improve my ability to see.

Tomorrow all will be tickety boo (what on earth does that mean? I bet Michael knows).*

The good part is that I've been referred to the Blind Foundation who will, if they decide I qualify, set up Alexa on my new computer. Free.

Grammaretto the coincidences astound me. My recycling bin wasn't emptied on Monday either but our dozy Council say if you don't report it within 2 days (and with lashing rain since Tuesday and being away at hospital, I couldn't, as I explained) they won't collect.
So it will all have to go into the rubbish bin.

I do hope the Panaches gets help over Easter; it's criminal if they don't.

Wishing everyone a Happy HAPPY Easter
Jeeves will be round soon with yummy eggs
Love to all [flower]


* He did: www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tic1.htm

Cherry I hope those girls aren’t being put at risk. I feel sorry for them all. Mental health issues are so difficult to deal with. Lockdown has made it worse I think.
I am hoping Kaimoana’s absence is computer rather than health related.
Grammaretto that video about the potatoes was interesting. Cardboard seems to be one thing we have a lot of these days. Every Amazon delivery no matter how small seems to come in a bigger box.
Hope all the missing lobsters are ok.

It doesn't surprise me that there are a lot of people interested in your flat Grammaretto. There are always people looking for decent accommodation. When you first mentioned your friend's son, her worries for varioue reasons and the fact that he needs somewhere to live ^urgently I thought ?, that sounds hairy! Seems from what you've said since that one of his biggest issues is his overly worried mum. I hope when you meet him tomorrow you'll be able judge whether he'd be suitable to let your accommodation to.
Great news that your DS has had his covid jab ?. My niece2 has had hers too even though she's under 50 and 7 years younger than niece1 who is very 50 and hasn't had hers yet. Neither have underlying conditions but niece1 is a teacher (who I think should have received their jabs before the children returned to the classroom).

I hope you are feeling alright Kaimoana and it's just computer/internet issues keeping you away. Like Doodle I am concerned because you said you weren't feeling well.
I have no idea whether anything concrete has been done to help my neighbour. I know, however, that the girls haven't been with her for a while (excluding yesterday) She did quieten down for a few days but, inevitably, it didn't last. Typically, and heartbreakingly, as she was starting to become more distresses one of the girls came to spend a day and night with her. Of course she didn't handle it well. Fortunately, her daughter hasn't been left with her but goodness knows what upset she caused her for that one 24 hour period.

Lovely Spring photo Mamissimo ?. Ah, the childhood joys of climbing gates (or walls) just to be up there! A must do. It's sooooo different up there. What can I see if I'm up there? I'll be as big as you if I'm up there. I can do it, I can get up there. I've done it, I'm up there ?.

grammaretto that’s not on putting rubbish in your bin. Some councils issue fines for putting the wrong thing in.
Please be careful with the furniture. I hope you can get some youngsters to help (not implying you’re not a youngster ) It’s so easy to damage backs etc.
I am intrigued by your growing potatoes in cardboard. Do they grow pre packaged for storing? I will watch the video and see ?
Hello cheery Cherry would that be pink blancmange? It’s my favourite ?. Sorry your worbles are causing you trouble. I feel a bit the same after a glass of wine .......or two ?

I agree with Doodle, Panache we don't expect you to write but if you are reading, please know we are supporting you with our loving thoughts.

Things change in an instant round here, including the weather.

The weather yesterday was really nice and even this morning but this afternoon was horrible. I am making a no-dig bed to plant potatoes. It involves cardboard and lots of barrow loads of compost. It may be no dig but it's not easy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LH6-w57Slw

The painter, who was going to begin on 12th, is now wanting to start this Monday so I am calling in offers to help me move heavy furniture. Friday morning will be the work party but it can only be one family at a time.

I hope Kaimoana is doing well and Cherry

How is your neighbour ?
I got very cross with mine .
I put out my wheelie bin on Monday with its carefully sorted recycling , washed plastic and paper . The bin was left full because my neighbour had pushed a duvet on top!
I marched around and rang the bell hammered on the door but nobody answered.
It's a care home so I imagine some one given the job, hasn't a clue about recycling.

I'm sure you are Doodle ? because it is quite quiet today.

My worbles are still rather cumbersome ?. They feel a bit stuck, focussed thinking is hard ?. I was fine this morning (again) but come the evening these days I think my brain turns to blancmange ?. Dense stuff, blancmange ?.

Panache I too wish I had a magic wand to wave and make everything better for you and Mr P. How can they possibly leave you with less help and support over Easter, especially now you have injured yourself doing too much. You can't be expected to do more! I hope you've had words. I'm sure the support can be there if they put the effort in to give it to you. Sending you a bundle of cwtches x

Back shortly .. ?

Panache I don’t expect you to pop in today but if you do read anything we are all thinking of you. I wish we could help with your struggles and like Grammaretto wish I could magic things better. x
Grammaretto pleased to hear that you are getting some response from people wanted to stay with you.
Wow fancy being here all that time. I wonder when she will be able to go home.
Snow ?. I am sitting on our balcony in a T shirt and I am boiling (mind you that may well be age related ?)
Hope your DGC likes the Bee ? presents.
Kaimoana not heard from you today. You mentioned yesterday not feeling well. Hope you are ok.
Cherry hope your worbles are ok.
I feel a bit like a mother hen clucking over her chicks ??

I’m so sorry you’ve hurt yourself panache and totally understand your fears about Easter. The physical and emotional drain on your resources really can’t be overlooked. As others have said, please ask for or indeed demand help. Thinking of you both and sending love.

Oh Panache I am sorry and wish i could magic things better.
xx ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Christmas and Easter should be renamed days when lonely and poorly people are even more lonely and poorly. I know my mum used to dread these "family" occasions and they are prime times for people to despair.
Please ask for help. There will be someone who can step in.

Mamissimo what a beautiful, uplifting Spring photo.
It was nice here though not very warm.

Another person has written to ask if I can host her from Thursday. I can't yet but it shows how many people are desperate. This is an Australian stranded by Covid in the Highlands.

My DS had his jag today. That's 3 generations in our family old enough to receive the vaccine!
I posted the Bee related presents to my DGC but I will be sorry not to see them.

Here in Scotland we aren't being let loose just yet and we have snow forecast, so I will be staying in.

Panache I am so sorry that you have hurt yourself and that you are carrying such a load with yourself being in poor health. Is there no one from the medical team that can come in and help over Easter?
I too hope there will be a more peaceful time ahead for you but at the moment that must seem far away. I hope MrP has more relief from his pain. So, sorry to hear of you being in such distress. Much love and prayers coming your way x

Mamissimo it’s amazing how tiring it is being with the younger ones but we wouldn’t miss it for anything. ?
It sounds as though they had a fun time with you. What a lovely photo. I love that age when there is so much to discover. ?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=USQvIRxQPCc
Grammaretto this is the link to Saturdays video from the Dean’s garden. The older pigs are at the beginning and the little piglets feature towards the last third of the video

Kaimoana no I didn’t know about the videos. I will have a look, thank you.
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling too good. Hope you feel better tomorrow.
Grammaretto you too. DH is coughing a lot. I think it’s the pollen. Hope your sore throat is better soon.
DMs tend to worry don’t we grammaretto.. I hope your young man is suitable.
I am so sorry about your df being back in hospital. It it his hip causing problems?

I will find a link to the Dean and his piglets ? for you and post it if you’d like to see them.. Winston (father) is spotty, Clementine (mother) is sort of beige, the first litter had only one spotty piglet but this latest litter has three.

Panache what a hard time you're both having. I'm sure you've asked the support services what help will be on hand over Easter but if you haven't got a clear answer do make sure that they tell you? I also hope you get ten minutes when the helpers are there to step outside and feel the warmth of the sun on you...and to breathe.

We had a lovely visit from our DGDs today and we both need a snooze. They loved rediscovering everything and every gate was climbed. Their mother was their age when we moved here and she loved climbing the gates to see if the chickens were in the fields too....

I hope you are all hoovering up the vitamin D today - it seems that lockdown lurgies are lurking around.

Look after yourselves you special people.

Unbelievable how much can happen,and change in the space of just days.
Indeed no longer can I wax lyrical about my dear one sleeping soundly and in relative pain.
Things have taken a dramatic turn for the worst,and whilst I look on,mainly helplessly, I too have hurt myself rather badly with all the heavy lifting which has triggered off one of my many ongoing health issues.
I am dreading Eastertime as I shall have very little cover,whilst of course all Services will not be working full time.
Our friends are also away for the whole break.

At this point in time there just is no rest as it is caring,laundry,ironing,caring and yet more caring.
So very sad.I do feel beaten into the ground.

Hopefully, some day,some time I shall be my more cheerful self,although at this point in time I fear that this may never happen.

Have yourselves a safe,pleasant,peaceful and blessed Eastertime dear friends.

Puglets?
Must be my kiwi accent slipping in

Hello Lobstars,
Sorry you are not feeling too good Kaimoana
Me too. I had a really sore throat and felt sorry for myself. Hoping today is better.
The young man is coming to visit on Thursday to chat. He must have survived his crisis. His dm worries about him from afar.
The df who survived a broken hip and subsequent covid is back in hospital.
I wish i could find something cheerful to say. I will see if I can find the Dean and his puglets.
Thanks for the picture of recumbent honey beagle Mamissimo she knows how to relax.
Panaches
See you all later.

Doodle did you know there's a whole collection of films on YouTube about the Dean's garden? It's over 1,000 years old.

Dear old HoneyBeagle, it's a good job she's not a grey Shar Pei, she'd be totally camouflaged on that couch.

Not feeling to great today but still sending much love to all

Grammaretto that’s kind of you to offer to have your friend’s son to stay. I hope it works out ok and he doesn’t cause you any worries.
All our DGC are much taller than me and DH. It took a while for the youngest to get there but now even she looks down on me ?
I remember remarking to her father when we were watching her on stage dancing some years ago, that she must be the best dancer as she was always at the front. My DS gently pointed out that it was because she was the smallest in her group that they put her in the front ?
Kaimoana you have been missed. I wondered what you were up to.
I have never heard of rooibos I will have to look it up.
Yes I saw the piglets too. Amazing how much they’ve grown in just one week. Soon their little tails will start wagging. I spend the whole service watching little bottoms to see their little tails wagging. They are very sweet at this age.
Now you’ll have to forgive me if I’ve forgotten but I don’t remember what you may have said about your book. What is it you’ve sent off? How exciting. I hope they accept it.
You take very good care of our feathered friends. They must love coming to visit you.
Sorry you won’t be seeing your son this Friday but it will give you something to look forward to on the 9th.
Shame about your student’s book being rejected. Nice to have a visit though.
Mamissimo wow you will have been busy today to get all that done. Lovely to have a visit tomorrow, the weather is supposed to be good.
I hope MrM won’t get caught slacking, what with the pointed rhubarb and the frozen leg of lamb he needs to be on his guard.
Aah lovely Honey beagle looks so cosy. Funny how pets always get their own way isn’t it, ?
Panache hope things are ok and you are getting some sleep
Cherry are you ok? Hope so.
Take care all the lobstars ⭐️

Good morning ?
Today will be a good day......we are going to scrub the paths and paved areas, cut the grass, make some compost and unwrap the garden furniture....because the DGC are coming to lunch tomorrow in the garden.....our weather forecast says 19-23 degrees! The anticipation is so great I've almost forgotten the leg of lamb...

But not quite! This lockdown has enabled Mr M to slow down very comfortably and that will not do! I shall keep a sharp stick of rhubarb under my pinny this week and get some jobs done....then he can enjoy an Easter feast on Sunday.....lamb?

The new bench comes back from the powder coating people today so I can shop for cushions for it. I'm not "allowed" cushions and other feminine fripperies so they come under the category of " this old thing? We've had it for ages.." ?

Thought you might like a glimpse of a very contented H Beagle who isn't allowed on the furniture ?

Nurdlings:
I don't feed the birds every day and never in the early morning as that's when they roll yawning from the nest and go foraging for the good stuff - snails, beetles etc

Every few days I throw out a few seeds about 2pm but not all birds round here are seed eaters and I refuse to catch snails which are faster than me anyway as the Thrush does that better herself.

Someone here keeps pigeons and if I'm given white bread, which during lockdown I was, I fill them full of that.
Once they are lying, comatose on their backs like feathery stuffed barrels, I put seeds out for the others.
Sometimes I put seed on my deck where (so far) pigeons fear to tread.

If the ducks bring ducklings, they get soaked oats and any good thing I may have handy, such as tiny pieces of bacon rind or fat.
They do get fed in the mornings because Mama then takes them off to steal dog and cat food from local outdoor dishes.

I've just found out that DS is coming on 9th, not this Friday but as long as this old thing (and my computer too) keeps going, that's fine.

I sent the book off to Random House, my old publisher but I doubt they'll even read it.
Publishers these days want 'value added' attractive vibrant authors who can travel and promote and make huge profits for them. Not dull old grannies.

Fortunately, I don't care a hoot if it's accepted or not. Rejection is all part of the job; it's the writing which is the joy for me. Publishing is just a nice little extra.

One of my creative writing student from way back is coming to visit me on 10th; she's a very talented writer; the winner of numerous story competitions but her wonderful book has been turned down.

I'll get outta your way now.....

I don't know if it's my setup, sunspots or GH gremlins but I haven't been able to get onto GN for ages- but now I am hee hee.

Happy birthdays to all and sundry - birthdays just gone, still in celebration and those to come. That about cover it

Grammaretto I haven't tried the other versions of rooibos, though I see them advertised.
At the moment I have a piping hot mug of the plain one beside me.

I think your new guest will be a boon; he sounds to simply need peace, quiet, space and possibly support. I'm sure you can provide some of that and point him in the right direction for the last - if he needs it.

Cherry any updates on your troubled neighbour yet?
Glad your worbles are all in place again, it doesn't do to confuse your worbles.

Mammisimo how are the offended gods treating you? I hope you've taken a hefty boot to the deus, so now it's ex machina and you're having a better time.
I added to your thread in the spirit of camaraderie.

Nfk lovely to see you back and posting. You sound to have had a splendid time catching up with your old friend. Pity about the loos.

Doodle Wee piggies again on Saturday, so sweet. The first part, with the stream at the side was very picturesque. That must be a truly wonderful garden - and farm too.
I could hear a canary calling at some point, reminding me of my sorely missed little Piccolo who made exactly the same noise when he wanted to share my muesli

Hope the Panaches are still peaceful and resting. Sending love, as always, to your nest.

And everyone's....

Saucy minxes all. What have you been up to!
I am glad you were able to celebrate DS birthday with him Doodle and good luck with the hospital visit.
I like that you have heard your mum and noticed her Welsh accent.
When I first met DH it was in England and his Scots accent was never strong being Edinburgh! but I could always tell when he was was speaking to his mum on the phone because he would sound more Scottish.

I don't remember my dad's voice but he must have had a NZ accent having been born and brought up there. Mine only comes back when I speak to Kiwis and then I revert.

I have done something rather rash: My df in the North is worried about her son for various reasons and he needs somewhere to live urgently so I have invited him here. I hope it works out well. I don't think he will arrive tonight but he could.....

All these tall people! My DMiL, who is tiny, was chuckling with me as we now at last have some long legged DGC. Our DC were always in the front row in school photos and now some of this next generation, although not at the back, are not the smallest either.

I'm glad the NfkDs had cake for Mr Nfk's birthday too.
Our next batch of birthdays is Easter weekend when there are 3. I may have to parcel things and post them as there is little likelihood of seeing anyone.

I'm drinking vanilla rooibos which is rather nice as a change from choccy