The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Jan sounds like you had a good day today and more friends tomorrow. Nice to hear that people are getting together again.
We get caught in traffic here too. We live one side of an old two lane bridge. If we need to go to the other side of the river we often get caught by traffic on the bridge. The only other way across is miles out of the way so we have to put up with it.
Yes I’m going to be watching Line of Duty, I would be lying if I said I knew what it was all about. I have watched all the previous series and enjoyed them but I’m not sure I’m up with the plot on this one. DH and I are guessing who H is. I am going for Andrea Wise the grey haired boss lady and DH thinks it might be the tall male Sargent whose name escapes me. Won’t be long till we find out ?

Doodle well we haven’t watched the previous series so we really have no idea what’s going on! Confused.com!

The previous series were much better than this one in my opinion. Too many acronyms but I keep watching in case it all makes sense in the end ?

The nearest anyone gets to having any fun in Line of Duty is one glass of something in the drab looking pub. It's enough to put anyone off joining the force. No-one ever smiles.
The snooker would have been more fun. MrP has the right idea.

Glad you had a sociable time Jan. It's good for the soul.
I planted out my broad beans but it began to hail on me so I had to cover them with fleece. Poor things.

Interesting about the names Doodle I guess they can call their baby what they like. It's more that I won't know who my Dsis is talking about her GtGD or her Gniece

I tidied my studio today. It needed it.

I'll have hot chocolate please Jeeves

I feel quite sorry for your poor little broad beans Grammaretto out in the cold at night. Would you like me to knit little jumpers to keep them warm. ?
I agree it does get confusing if more than one member of the family has the same name. With mine, the two sides of the family rarely met so it wasn’t really an issue.
Yes they are all quite glum in LoD I expect it’s something to do with having to remember all those acronyms.
Early night for me I think then tomorrow I am going to tackle 3 boxes of old photos, cards and things the boys made at school. My idea is to prune it down a bit......trouble is I find it hard to throw things away.
Sleep well ?

Chances are Doodle the books your Dad enjoyed are amongst those I'm reading now by Louis L'Amour. He was first published in the 1940's and his books are still popular and in print. Cowboys never die, but it seems they don't fade away either I like the Sackett Family series.

Oh, what a lovely picture of MrP enjoying his snooker to the full. Does me good to read that after what he's had to tolerate. How relieved and happy Panache is, bless her heart.

Not so happy news about poor dragonfly - I hope she's home soon.

When I think of all the Johns, Williams and Marys in the world, I really don't know why using a name more than once is strange Grammaretto. Is there something I'm missing? There surely can't be anyone with a unique name?

It's only halfway through the day but I've managed 6 hours hard work already and feel that grand glow all procrastinators have when they finally get round to clearing the deck .

Perhaps most important, all the freesia bulbs are planted. Last years are already well grown so it was about time.

The AI technician will be here tomorrow; I'm excited about that; sit rep anon.

Meanwhile, another Jacaranda picture for Doodle
Stay well everyone

Morning Lobstars,

Any news of Dragonfly? Wherever she is, I hope she is being well looked after and not too worried about Dexter.

There can be as many Tom, Dick and Harrys as can be but no more Grammarettos or Kaimoanas on here. That is my point. I'm the only G in this village
Our family already has too many repeated names.

Well done on your deck clearing Kaimoana. I feel rather proud too of the cleaning done yesterday.
I can just sit about and knit or read today.
Snooker final tonight MrsP.....

Good morning ?
Grammaretto it fascinates me how different our planting times are......my bored beans are full of flowers and raring to go, the carrots all have about six true leaves and it's time to thin both those and the beetroot. Yet if I left now I could be with you by teatime. With the growth of interest in growing things I'm hoping people really begin to understand the reality of climate change - and change their ways!

We went to see the DGD yesterday and they have changed so much in two weeks....as I drove Mr M home I began to wonder whether we change as much....and I don't think we do. that was deep wasn't it?

In my husband's family there is a tradition on his father's side of every son being given the name Ernest as a first name, and a second name that they are known by to save confusion . On his mother's side every eldest son was called Pentecost. Gently I had to let them know that our son would not be Ernest Pentecost.......but I didn't completely win because he's Ernest VII. He tolerates the tradition but is adamant he won't keep it growing.

New viewing alert for tonight at 10.pm on BBC 2 - a great cast, including a pipe smoking Judi Dench in a drama about Tulips in the 17C. ?

Today I must iron. thus spoke Mr M not!

Oh I know Mamissimo Gardening in the frozen north is not an easy occupation. Trying to grow organically is even harder.
When we were first married we lived in Kent. It wasn't called the Garden of England for nothing.
Everything grew. Here, well......

Fascinating names in your family.
My df has just proved his ancestry by testing his DNA. When she was very old and senile, his GM announced that she was adopted. Nobody believed her but he investigated and has now unravelled a sad story of a young girl/farm worker in Northern Scotland, pregnant (by landowner) gives the baby for adoption. Never marries or has any more DC and works all her long life. Dies aged 99 in Ullapool. The baby was his grandmother. He has also found he's related to a string of successful people who were the legitimate children of the landowner.

Thanks for the viewing tip. I will watch.

Well I spoke too soon about going out for coffee yesterday as I ended up in hospital on Saturday night with Atrial Fibrillation. It was very dramatic as the paramedics came who said I had to go to hospital and then the ambulance. They took me to the quiet hospital which specialises in heart problems. It was very quiet there and relaxed. They have no Covid.
I spent yesterday being waited on hand and foot which was lovely. Even the food was good. I said it was the first meal I have had since lockdown that I have not cooked.
Anyway home now armed with Beta Blockers and blood thinning medication. Seems a bit over the top but not mine to reason why.

The blue flowers are so lovely. I love Agapanthus which I know are abundant in NZ. Blue geraniums are perennials Doodle so once planted I can forget about them. Not much chance of doing that today though as it is pouring with rain.

Poor Dexter is very cross he cannot go out. He has his operation tomorrow and my DD thinks that is what brought on the attack. She says she takes full responsibility for anything which may happen to him so we shall see.

I would love to grow food Mamissimo but I only have rhubarb and gooseberries. I used to grow runner beans but it seemed such hard work.

That is a very sad story Grammaretto!

Dear Dragonfly I hope you are ok. I would agree that you have been worrying about Dexter. I am not sure if you have him or DD does? Either way I wish him a good outcome of his operation.
I am glad that hospital was relaxing. That's a bonus.

I felt sad about my df's gt grannie, but pleased that he has solved her story and is satisfied.

It has been wet and cold today. DS3's birthday tomorrow and looking back it rained every day for a month that year and I bought a tumble dryer to cope with the mountains of wet washing. It is still going strong after 45 years as is he!. ?

Good evening all.
I’ve had a busy lazy day. I have decided to organise DH’s study as I want to get in there and set up my sewing machine. He is a bit of a collector. Today I found a big box of old LPs. We don’t have a record player any more. Our DGD was looking for some LP covers for something she was doing so we will pass them on to her. This afternoon I sat going through old photos. Tiny little black and white snaps of DH as a baby and mine when I was young . Lots of memories. So far I’ve just looked at the tip of the iceberg. So many more to sort.
Kaimoana I love it when I feel as though I’ve achieved something. A good tidy or sort out. Good you got your bulbs planted. Thank you for another lovely photo.
Grammaretto when I was little I was the only person I knew with my name. That went on for many years until I was about 20 when suddenly it became a very popular name for children and has continued to be ever since. Isn’t it nice to have a day when you feel justified in doing just what you like without feeling guilty about housework or gardening ?
Mamissimo I hope your bored beans are well wrapped up. It’s blowing a gale here.
Wow Ernest Pentecost sounds very unique. You couldn’t have an ordinary job with a name like that. ?
Thanks for the tip about Judi Dench. I think she’s a lovely actress. I will see if I can find it.
Grammaretto that’s an interesting story about your friend. It’s amazing what these DNA tests uncover.
dragonfly so pleased you are back home. That must have been a worrying experience for you. Good to hear you were well treated . I must admit when I heard on the GM thread you were in hospital with palpitations, I did wonder if it was worry about Dexter. I hope all goes well for him. I’m sure your DD wouldn’t want you to worry. Please let us know how he gets on.
I would be happy to come to tea anytime. I love goosgogs and rhubarb. Got any custard? ?
Panache I hope you are both still enjoying the snooker.
cherry if you’re reading, Hope the start of the kitchen goes well.
Sleep tight all

I had a sad thought just now. I’m pretty sure that my son, daughter and grandchildren haven’t missed me at all over the past year. They’ve missed their friends but not me. I’ve been far more careful about shielding than other relatives as well so have been more cut off from them. Just wanted to get that off my chest. Wondered if anyone else felt the same?

dragonfly glad to have you back with us and SNAP! I too have AF but felt it was my place to reason why when I was prescribed blood thinners which clearly state they are deadly for anyone with AMD wet...as they can (and did) cause more bleeding.
Bleeding leads to sight loss, hence my now useless right eye, which deteriorated in months before I realised why.

So I had to choose - heart or eyes - can't preserve both. I chose eyes.

Mamissimo I wonder if your family is related to Oscar Wilde?
You knew I'd ask that didn't you? Nothing if not predictable is old Kaimoana!

Too cold to sit here for long this morning but the sun is up and already promising another bright day.

Take care everyone.

Maybee70 It's so easy for people of any age to 'misplace' those immediate affectionate feelings when we don't see one another as often as we used to.
But you know, May, love isn't a habit or a duty, it's there in our hearts always and whilst it may just smoulder a little when we're out of contact, it soon flares up to its old warmth once we are able to see one another again. It will for you and yours as well.

If the grandchildren are young, it might take a little time to get used to you again. Only natural.

My grand-daughter howls every single time she sees me snd it hurts because I know for sure if I saw her regularly, that wouldn't happen.

Bear it mind too, that your family, being together, have had to entertain themselves in these dire days. From necesity, not choice they've been separated from you.
No one's fault but at least, as we all trickle back into normality, you'll have the chance to build up the old (and possibly better) relationship you had before.
Be patient with them - and yourself and try not to feel that out of sight meant out of mind - love doesn't work like that.

What a lovely reply to Maybee70, Kaimoana. It applies to us all.
Thanks.
I am sure we often feel like that.I know I do. I had written something too but didn't post as it sounded a bit trite.

But a good sleep often helps to see things in perspective. It's late at night when I feel sorry for myself.

I hope Dexter's operation goes well today Dragonfly

My DS3 is 45 today I have just worked that out! this makes me wonder where the years have gone. He was the baby for a long time before DD arrived.

How are the Lobstars today?
I am sure MrP will have enjoyed the snooker final but what next? Is your sewing room ready yet Doodle?

Good morning ?
Promise me that you won't follow my random TV recommendations? Last night we watched the tulip thing, on the recommendation of The Times......it was all about a different kind of deflowering and cuckolding entirely. Sorry! unless that would have cheered everyone up ?

Mr M is taking me into the attic this morning to look for a bedside table he's misplaced. He's promised it to potential DiL for upcycling. He won't find it because I took it to the charity furniture place about three years ago but I'm sure he will find another treasure to share with the offspring.

I'm going to have to get the rat man in......H Beagle has started going bananas in the night and is following scents frantically along a gravel path that runs along our boundary. The other side of the path is a small wildlife reserve which has nesting birds. Some twit kindly soul has been sprinkling the grass with bird seed. Now if there's one thing I know it's that you can't grow birds from bird seed but you do grow ?. The ? then eats the fledglings and you end up with huge ? and no ? ?

What will Mr P watch now Panache? The snooker has been a joy for him. Mr M follows a bloke on YouTube who is building a wooden boat. He's been filming every nail I think but it makes great slow tv for salty old yachtsmen .

Hold onto your hats if you venture out today.....

I did stay up and watch the tulip film, having watched the Tom Hanks one just before so it was a bit of a marathon. sore bum Mamissimo
I did wonder why you had recommended it but it was an easy watch I could knit and drink wine with such atmosphere it all looked very Breughel and Vermeer. Cool tulips!

I don't feed the rats/squirrels either. The DGC have red squirrels where they are which are so pretty but shy so they love to see ours which are neither.

Thanks Kaimona. It was my daughters birthday yesterday and it always takes me back to when the children were born and were little and they were my world. Where do the years go?

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Is this your first post Shaniqgran? it doesn't sound a happy one.
This thread is for chatting but also for support so there won't be much empathy with you on here I would guess.

It has been raining hard all day and now it has turned to sleet. I may have to call off my daily walk!
I hope it is better where you are?
How is Dexter?

Evening all. Seems we have another deleted post. Not sure what that was about.
Kaimoana what a lovely post to MayBee. I am luckily. Living so close to my sons we got to see them and our DGC often when growing up. I know many who don’t have that. Now our DGC are older, we don’t get to see them that much. I’m sure when you meet up again Maybee you will feel better. I’m sure they miss you in their own way but life is very busy for the young and they don’t get to dwell in things like we do when we get older.
Kaimoana seems you have had to make some tough decisions about your health. Only you can decide what is more important to you.
Grammaretto many happy returns to your DS3. Our younger son is the same age. It’s amazing how time goes.
Sadly it will be a while before I get to use my “sewing table”. I will have to share our spare bedroom (currently DHs study) . I just need to move enough of his things out of the way for me to get mine in ?. I am still sewing on the dining room table. Today’s chore was to make a pair of very wide trousers a little thinner. Not so much the waist (which is actually a bit tight) but the legs which are very wide. Yesterday I turned up the hem on a new evening dress ( in the hope that our cruise will go ahead). A bit optimistic as by the time we actually go I might have shrunk a bit more ?
Mamissimo I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy your TV show as much as you’d hoped.
DH made a Line of Duty joke today. I was complaining about my lasagne pasta sheets being bent. DH suggested I asked AC12 to come in and sort it out. ...Well I thought it was funny ?
Ooh a trip to the attic, with DH. How romantic ?. Did you tell him you had rehoused the table already?
I hope you get your rat problem sorted. Honey beagle to the rescue. I’ve watched a couple of what they call slow TV. One of them was about a farmer bringing his sheep in for the winter. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the views and watching the dogs at work.
Grammaretto you mentioned the Tom Hanks film. Was it Sully you watched? I thought that was a really good film.
Sleet. Wow that’s a surprise, we have had very strong winds today also some torrential rain but now it’s calm and sunny.
Drsgonfly hope you are feeling better today. Been thinking about Dexter and hoping he’s ok.
Been thinking about Cherry too and hoping her kitchen is going well.

Gutted! My kitchen/diner is gutted ?. The room looks huge with nothing in it. Wish it always looked that spacious but with a kitchen in it not to mention all the dining furniture!
Very tired after the last few days moving everything out -- bar the kitchen sink-- . I think I might have pulled a muscle in my back too ?. Typical me ?.

I see we've had invaders again. I did read the message earlier. Good response Grammaretto ?. "They" (I suspect one poster, two names) were all over gn ?.

I'm so pleased that your hospital stay was short dragonfly and I hope the meds you've been put on mean that you don't end up back there. I hope Dexter's op' went well too ?

Happy birthday, bit late in the day I know, too your DS3 Grammaretto. My nephew1 is "catching up* with your DS and will be 44 toward the end of the year. I remember him with his mop of beautiful blond curls when he was a baby, he's bald now ?

Kaimoana you always put things so well, your post to Maybee is "bang on the money". You are absolutely right, love is a forever gift. I'm sure your family have missed you Maybee. I can't wait to spend time with nephew1, neice2 and my great nephew's, it's been so long now. They know I love them. I'm sure it's not a case of out of sight out of mind that way round so why should it be the other way. I'm pretty sure it isn't and I don't think it is for your family and you ?

I'm glad Mr P was able to enjoy the snooker and be quite comfortable. I hope you relaxed too Panache

You need a "woman cave" Doodle ?. I hope the trouser alterations work well. It's ages since I've altered trousers but I was happy with the result last time I did it. Not sure I could do such a good job anymore, I'm very out of practice
"Our" team won again yesterday ??. We conceded a penalty quite early on ? but ... scored down the other end two minutes later ?. Ten minutes later we scored again ?. That was the final score but hardly tell the picture. We outclassed our opponents big time, their own manager said as much ?

Not sure if I'll be able up to posting tomorrow but if I don't be assured I'm thinking of you all. Leaving sandwiches ...

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Do you think we can wiggle our way up to fourth position by the end of the season, cherry?
Here's hoping!⚒