The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Hello Lobstars,

All this talk of painful backs reminds me I have a Chiropractor appointment this morning. I booked a block of 8 sessions and it seems to have made a difference.
When DH had hospital at home he was issued with a brand new riser/recliner chair and made good use of it in his final weeks. However when the social services collected all the other things he was given,(bathlift, bed etc) they didn't take the chair saying it would only be thrown away. I didn't want it so offered it on a local facebook site where it was quickly taken for a woman who had had a stroke and was recovering at home.

I do not write poetry Doodle but my df booked us both into this 2 hour workshop where about 10 of us, all 2m distanced in facemasks and well sanitised, attended to hear our local writer/actor/poet on the subject of writing poetry.
stanzapoetry.org/festival/poets-artists/stevenson-0
At first she gave us 5 mins to write a few lines on something we knew about. We had to include a place, a colour, a smell, a sound. I suppose it was an exercise.

Polished up, some of the poems will be published locally. My df wrote a really good one.

I am so glad you saw the family again NfkD It must have been wonderful.

Nfk our previous neighbours both had HSL chairs and found them very comfortable. The husband used to sleep in his.
Our chairs have high back and are recliners. DHs current problem is getting out of the chair. I know the HSL ones can have risers which throw you out ?
I’m sure we will go down that route at some point but our current chairs are stress less and very comfortable just no so easy for DH to get out of at the moment. Since he fell down the stairs before Christmas he has stiffened up a lot. I think he needs to do some stretching and back exercises.
Thank you for thinking of us. It is indeed a good suggestion.
Hope your DH finds his new chair comfy when you get it.

Doodle, my DH suffers from a bad back and can't find a comfortable chair. Last week we went to HSL to look for a new one for him - and will probably return to order one. It was well worth the visit. We learnt a lot about what to look for in a comfy chair and how different we are - we need one each! One point was head support, so I'm going to make a pad to go over the back of our present sofa. I've bought the foam and I have the material - now I just need to remember how to thread my old sewing machine! Do you have an HSL shop near you?

Mamissimo I don’t have to words to say how sorry I am about what has happened to your daughter. I applaud their courage try again and hope and pray for a better outcome.
Thank goodness she has a loving family around her to support her. Hope you all managed to enjoy your second Christmas.
Kaimoana the more I hear about the Maori people from you the more I realise what a spiritual and caring people they are.
Glad you enjoyed the Matariki although I too would have wanted a warming meal.
I have never seen fire walkers except on TV. I think you’d have to be quite brave to attempt that.
grammaretto I too have been to one of the Queens garden parties many years ago. Nice to attend but too nervous to enjoy it. Not my normal sort of venue, lots of tiny sandwiches and cake. You garden party sounds more fun. Not sure about the midges though.
Do you write poetry? I had a great aunt who had a poetry book published once. I write silly rhymes (they have to rhyme as that’s the only type I can do )
Nfk sounds a lovely family occasion. How nice to see them all. I too tidy before people come. Once they are here I forget all about it and don’t care what mess I am left with ?
DH’s back is still painful so I have brought in one of our upright garden chairs for him to sit in. He says that is more comfortable. We have also ordered an iPad stand from Amazon. I have a cushion support for mine but DH just sits with his on his lap and bends his head forward, I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to sit like that so hoping the stand means he lifts his head up.
Day at home today fiddling on the computer. Trouble with the internet and the printer but all seems ok now.
Hope all the gang present and missing are ok. Thinking of you all x

I somehow missed reading your post Dragonfly. A year before your next appointment sounds really good - even if it is a telephone one. Very positive. It looks like you're on the routine check list now, the best place to be.

I'm glad to hear your Matariki went well Kaimoana - Happy New year! Perhaps a flask of hot chocolate as well next year?

And Happy Christmas Mamissimo! I was really hoping your DD2 was hiding a baby in there, I do hope things work out next time. Three months, perhaps there's a chance Nature will have got the message on her own by then?!

We've had a wonderful weekend. DD1 and family came over - last seen October last year. DGD's have grown and blossomed quite scarily. The whole family were here on Saturday and we ate at a couple of tables pushed together under the car port. Not the warmest spot, but it has a roof and no sides, and we slept in the camperbubble and left them in the house - so we were legal. I think! Needless to say I have a pair of shoes to post off to them tomorrow. There's always something left behind.

I never know why I feel the compulsion to clean and tidy before they get here when the house is such a tip after they've gone. And how did it get that way when we were outside so much?!

How brave Kaimoana 5 hours sitting outdoors in midwinter sounds like a form of torture to me, especially listening to speeches.
I am glad the performances were good.

Oh Mamissimo I wish you a Happy Christmas! with all the family. It can only be joyful.

Dragonfly I hope your far away appointment is a good sign.

The garden party went very well although it wasn't warm and the midges came. I am glad we did it as the volunteers appreciated meeting eachother and the scones with fresh cream and strawberries, and chocolate truffles were delicious. Better than a Royal Garden party and I have been to a few of those. I picked fresh flowers for the tables and ironed several embroidered tablecloths which I really do have in my linen cupboard.

Someone brought her baby and someone brought her dog - a husky pup.

I am going to a poetry workshop today.

Mammissimo

dragonfly the stars are only propitious for tilling in the southern hemisphere at the moment, so you are spared

Doodle your dgs is in accord with Maori thinking in which all things have a 'mauri' or life force. the innocence and inate intelligence of children.

Matariki went well. I made the usual provision of a flask beside my bed for a very early cold-start but the weather gods shot the temps up to 12 degrees, so not cold at all.

Nevertheless, for our very senior kaumatua, spending 5 hours siting outside was something of a challenge as even the food was served outdoors.

Who wants to eat cold sausage rolls, sandwiches and wraps (how can anyone eat those disgusting things?) when what's neede after 2 hours of speechifying, is a cooked breakfst and hot tea?

This is the difference between the care given to elders in a Maori context and Auckland City Council's idea of a good time...for it was they in charge.

We didn't get to see Matariki rising but the children perfoming in national dress and bare feet, were magnificent, as were the firewalkers.

Next year I'm going to bring my own bacon and eggs and pop them on the hot coals before anyone runs across them

Good morning......and a Happy Christmas to all! Today we are all , every single one of our family, having Christmas 2 because we were robbed of it in December. We have a secret Santa, a tree, and a very fine turkey.

Most importantly we are all together to put our arms around DD2 and DSIL who are no longer expecting a baby......but who are determined to keep on with the programme. The next round will be in about 3 months.

Now it's back to the kitchen for me.....????‍?

Grammaretto glad you enjoyed the link. I thought it was so sweet all those different chicks snuggling together. ?
Much to my relief the AGM passed without major incident. A couple of members had been very unpleasant to others and things were coming to a head. Fortunately they both resigned their place in the committee and things calmed down after that. I don’t like unpleasantness. I don’t have the stomach for argument I would much rather get on with people.
I hope the weather improves for you. Glad DF has arrived. A DF who cooks great meals is the best kind to have ?
I understand about the Rayburn. Things that have been part of our lives we have great attachment to. My wonderful and lovely DGS was distraught (I mean that) when the family had to part with their old washing machine. Everything is classed as family to him.
What have I been up to today? Well, I have been very busy. I have cleaned the second half of our lounge diner (first half being done yesterday). This includes washing all the paintwork, sweeping the ceilings, dusting the curtains and cleaning all the chairs and sofa and re arranging. Also I’ve done the ironing and been for a walk, I am worn out now so having a rest.
DH and I have decided that we need to plan as though we are going on our cruise. Still no confirmation ? but we need to start sorting out.
dragonfly yes DH has got a few phone appointments with consultants too. One is based on blood test results so no too worried as if the tests are ok then so is he. The other is for his tremor. A bit difficult to see over the phone.
I think if his illness was one where I felt he needed to be seen I would be much more worried. Hopefully by the time your appointments come round perhaps you can re arrange face to face.
Hope you are keeping well and also the lovely Dexter.?
mamissimo still thinking of your DD and the terrible predicament you find yourselves in. I hope by now the outcome is known and you can all begin to come to terms with whatever it is.
panache I hope you are able to have good visits with MrP this weekend and he is still managing to smile for you.
Missedout Nfk Nortsat and Cherry all still very much in our thoughts, hope you are ok.
Kaimoana I hope the pre Dawn ceremony was wonderful and enjoyed by all. It sounds a lovely event. Hope you’ve warmed up by now.

Hi to everyone.

Gosh you have been busy in the garden Grammaretto. I wouldn't know where to start with table cloths as I don't own any.
Beautiful lavender - I have trouble growing it for some reason.

You are right about hospitals Doodle. They seem to have lost the caring part of Care. I was surprised to receive my next oncology appointment this week. It is in June 2023 ( I see my surgeon next summer) and it is a telephone appointment again. I would have thought by then they should be having face to face appointments. It looks as if the telephone is here to stay.

Beautiful stars Kaimoana I must get tilling!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. Mamissimo's daughter and the Panaches are constantly in my thoughts.

Hello Gang,

Thanks for the link Doodle that's lovely.
How was the AGM? Anything like that Parish Council one which went viral?

I have just spent a long time taking a blood sample for a Biobank antibody test and posting it off. I was too impatient to watch their video so missed the vital instruction: do not do this on a Saturday because it would arrive too late to be useful.
I posted it anyway.

3 gazebos have gone up in the garden which is full of midges already. It's still raining slightly so perfect for them.
I said I would look out tablecloths so I had better see what emerges from the back of the linen cupboard.
My df arrived and he's being a great help and cooking delicious meals.

I am still undecided about the Rayburn. It's a case of sense v sentiment and I am unsure what's winning.

I'll be back later and want to know what you are all up to.

Evening all. Just eaten two chocolate eclairs ?. So so naughty but so so nice.
Last nights AGM wasn’t as bad as I thought and we had a nice chat with lots of our neighbours.
My new summer sandals were due for delivery today but didn’t arrive. Living in a flat we often have trouble with deliveries.
I have included a link to today’s garden congregation from the Dean at Canterbury Cathedral because the beginning is a clip of lots of little chicks of all shapes and sizes. They are so very sweet. Thought you might like to see them
Hope everyone is ok
Mamissimo. Very much thinking of you and your family.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYwW8GWU_BM

Grammaretto the orchids are magnificent - Early Purple?

Glad you don't have to part with your dear old Rayburn.

Grammaretto from DHs recent spells in hospital I have come to the conclusion that although many of the staff are kind and caring they are not of a level able to make decisions or to question doctors. On being told DH was in pain, the response was oh dear. When asking for more pain meds he was told nothing without doctor agreeing but they never took the matter any further. I had to phone from home, try and trace the senior nurse down from another ward and ask her to get the duty pain team in to see him because the nursing team on the ward he was in hadn’t thought to do so.
I realise the nursing staff are under considerable pressure but agree there doesn’t seem to be the same level of care there used to be.
Hmmm. Is it wise for you to be up a ladder. They are dangerous things. When is your guest coming?
Glad you’ve got your sauna fixed and everything is working ok now. Do you know when you will have your Rayburn electrified?
I was amazed to see all those football fans together, not a mask between them. Worrying really.
Have you been making teapots or more planters?
Your walk sounds nice. Those orchids are beautiful. Love the colour.
We are out tonight at our Residents (Owners) Association AGM. It could get heated. I will have a steadying drink to prepare. ?

Hello Lobstars,

I have to agree that professional care and compassion has been totally lacking for both Panache and Mamissimo
Why have things become like this? Were they always so?
I realise it isn't comparable but when first DS was born I was desperately trying to breast feed him and only one nurse was sympathetic and patient enough to help me through that time. She found me weeping and explained how although natural, it wasn't obvious or easy and her kindness meant I persevered and won in the end

How brave of you to venture out before dawn Kaimoana but how wonderful to see the heavens and feel the wonder of nature. The brighter Matariki, the better the harvest. We are the complete opposite here and there is hardly any darkness.

I've been up a ladder hanging the curtains. My guest is to be in the newly painted flat and I want him to test drive it before I let it out. I don't want new tenants to find things don't work at the start!.

I think I have to thank the crow falling down the chimney for finding the accidental sauna in the attic. The painter was trying to access the roof to see if he could fit a guard/cowl, and on the way he found a problem.
Anyway the gasman/plumber has just been back and has it all working properly. It was a faulty valve.

Very high rates of covid in Scotland right now- mainly amongst young men. I wonder if the football has anything to do with that. The crowd scenes from London and Glasgow Green showed nobody wearing masks.

I have been potting Doodle as have the others in my club.
I went for a doggy walk with a recently bereaved friend yesterday. The wild flowers were beautiful. Here are some of the orchids we saw. My phone pictures do not do them justice.

Popping in early (!) as I have a busy day ahead. Haircut early afternoon, Waitrose delivery later, evening meeting of residents association which (unusually) could become heated so not looking forward to that.
Kaimoana glad you found your bottle of Slippery Elm. It obviously lived up to its name and slipped off your suitcase ?
Your Maori New Year ceremony sounds very moving. That will be a very early start for you and cold. Hope you enjoy it.
Thinking of Mamissimo and her family.
The Panaches and Cherry too.

Doodle just before my grand-daughter took me to Tauranga, a friend over there messaged me to bring Slippery Elm.
I had an unopened bottle so, before I forgot, I threw it into the case I was packing.

In Tauranga, no sign of it.

Recently, when sorting out craft things to give to a young artist friend, there was the Slippery Elm!

Although I have no recollection of the craftbox being in my bedroom, it's clear it must have been and the bottle missed the case and hit that.

Some of us will be going to the very chilly but deeply moving pre-Dawn ceremony for Matariki (Maori New Year) on Saturday.
Pickup starts with me at 4am.
It's been about 32°F (ice on the lawn) these past few mornings and won't be any warmer on Saturday but we'll be well wrapped up.

I wish I could say I was a footie fan ixion but other than swimming, I'm not sporty now at all.

I'm trusting in Mammissimo to create 'an aftermath' so that other families don't have to go through what her poor girl & partner are suffering.
It's unbelievably cold-hearted that they are treated thus.

In this and Panache's situation, one would hope people were more compassionate, not less. The staff of that Clinic are a disgrace.

Picture is the the constellation Matariki or Plieades, whose rising signals the time for soil preparation and planting in many cultures.

Stay well everyone

Oh gosh Mamissimo how heart rending this must be for your DD (and you). Hoping for good news on Friday.

Yes I am sending prayers for you both Panache.

Cherry if you are reading this sending you an enormous cwtch. I hope things get better for you soon. We miss Tigger!

Sorry ixion not really a football supporter. It was only really interesting because Cherry had such a wonderful way of describing the match. I don’t know if we will hear from her again. I do hope so.
Mamissimo oh dear I had hoped that by now your poor DD would know what was going on. Can’t believe you are all being put under so much stress. Everything crossed for Friday. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you all, Cwtchs for you all.

Kaimoana I think you’re right about DHs back, he’s fine sitting and sleeping thank goodness, it’s just getting up from sitting. He’s taking some painkillers and trying to exercise a bit. We’ve been for a walk tonight which was ok.
Grammaretto what are you packing in your kiln. Have you been potting?
dragonfly DH and I have only been to the Peak District once. It was really lovely. Amazing views. To be honest we got a bit lost on our way home from somewhere else and decided to stay for a night or two in a hotel. We booked by phone and when we turned up the owner said it was a quiet week so he up graded us to his best room. It was huge and had an enormous four poster bed in the middle. ………I didn’t sleep at all ?
Hope you have a lovely time with your SIL.

Funny how lost things turn up in the strangest of places. We are still looking for a small torch DH bought for our last winter holiday. He was so sure he packed it but no trace of it while we were in holiday and still haven’t seen it since we got home …..2 years ago .
NfK where did you go on your river cruise? We went with Saga on the Rhine with my brother and SIL. It was when his dementia was just beginning to be very noticeable. We had a lovely time but it wasn’t without trauma, especially the day he asked my dear SIL what she had done with his wife ?
Hope you had a good day in the garden and all the plants are tucked up for the night in their new beds, ?

Doodle
If you speak with Cherry again, please let her know that bubbles will continue to be blown in her direction each match night.
Any more ⚒ supporters out there? ?

Good evening.?
Just popping in to thank you for your kind thoughts and wishes. Sadly this sorry mess is unlikely to have a good ending because the clinic and hospital are currently unable to agree.......if I tell you that the hospital is Margate you may understand our concerns. Decision day is now Friday.

My very best wishes and love back to Panaches, a sandwich to Cherry and my respects to everyone who's b*gg**ing on, as stalwart Mr M would say.

Dear Gang I will be back later to catch up with you all but I am just popping into give you a quick update on Panache’s latest Message.

From Panache
Panache thinks that because of the uncaring attitude of the hospital they have been left pretty much to their own devices which has resulted in Panache being able to visit MrP every day for about 70 minutes and 4 hours each day at the weekend.
The Doctor is visiting today and Panache fears they will broach the subject of a nursing home again but for the moment they are making the most of the time they are able to spend together.
MrP has weakened considerably over the last two weeks but still manages to smile when he sees Panache. The nursing team love him.
Grandmafrench , Panache says thank you for the Macmillan Nurses phone number she has found them a great help.
As usual she sends her love to everyone and has her fingers crossed for more time and asks for extra prayers please.

I have sent her our love and best wishes for them both.

A gigantic meaningful cwtch to you our Cherry...........and love to you all.