The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

Good Evening all dear Lobstars ?

Four days of messages to read and they have really grabbed at my heartstrings. Kiamoana and BoadiceaJones, your posts both have elements that fit the memories of my youth.

BJ you ask what I did after I left school. School had never been a happy place for me, a very shy, skinny, tall girl, who didn't seem to 'fit in'. I loved learning and devoured books, but failed the 11+. My parents had little money but sent me for typing lessons from the age of 14. So BJ, I became a typist, much to my Dad's delight. No factory work for me! I married at 19 and as my two children grew, I became very interested in their primary education. Over a period of 4 years I took O and A levels at evening class. Secondary school let me down. I'd always loved maths and still do, but had to drop maths at the age of 14 as my parent's wanted me to do the secretarial studies. Maths was for those who wanted a 'science' career. My A level maths lecturer asked me to think about a career change. There you have it BJ. I worked during vacations and studied for my B.Ed.Hons during term times.

Thank you all for your kind words about my glass pieces.

Grammaretto What a day it has been for you. Thank you for the two photographs. Rainbows and snowdrops. Perfection.

Good luck with the collar and lead Mamissimo.

Today has been fortuitous in that after nearly two months, our electrician has given us a date to start work again on the build. 5th March. Our mains needs connecting urgently because our 2 yr old generator has decided to pull the plug out on us. My days are filling up with 'house' tasks again so I may well be absent from posting here for a while but will come back to read everyone's news of an evening and think of you all. I also grab a few moments to do the two puzzles WORDLE and NERDLE that are popular with some GN posters. It is now past midnight and I must alight those stairs to bed.

Easter is two months away Doodle?. The house warming could be a summer BBQ though.

I think a lot of us had a less-than-joyful childhood muse but I look back and see all my wee triumphs and rejoice.

My husband encouraged me to go to art college and then, after being accepted, found I was having our first son. I tried again some years later and as mature student did incredibly well for 3. 1/2 years of a 4 year course- until an unexpected baby and dreadful pregnancy, with my darling younger son, put paid to that.

When he was a few weeks old, I went to work with Viet-namese refugees and did that, as a daily, committed hobby for many years , whilst working from home at various jobs until DS2 went to school.

Those are the years I remember with most affection as I loved the work and the people and was able to get them out of refugee camps overseas and reunite families who'd been sent to opposite ends of the world; find them homes, jobs and hope for a new life.

I was paid in love, friendship and laughter by the people I worked for, which far outweighed a wage.

After that refugee crisis I continued to be involved in others. Sudanese, Kurdish, Afghanistani.......

Finally, I became a peripatetic teacher; in te reo Maori (in schools) and ESOL (privately).

I did this until my eyes got too bad to cope but as you may recall, I recently tutored a young lassie who was failing at school and who then, in her final exam, got 89%.

Along the way I was a writer, bone-carver, CSR at one Council, designer at another in Cornwall; cookery teacher, professional photographer, foster mother, nanny and much more.

So leaving aside my unfortunate beginning, I've had a glorious, interesting and exciting life* and loved every minute.

Message from one of my Korean student-friends who helped me celebrate my 75th birthday recently.
'I love you very much, please live forever!'
You can't measure that in £.s.d.

*Even had to seek police protection in a safe house when my life was threatened.
What fun !

So there you go. If ever there was a patchwork life, it's mine.

Today I was reminded of a little song I used to hear on Listen with Mother.

Does anyone remember 'I love little pussy'? I wanted the lyrics.

I knew for sure I didn't dare Google it, lest I then be bombarded with ads for sites which would make me blush.
But the wonder of technology means Chrome has a Incognito facility where you can do secret things. So now I have the whole poem to sing to Gubbins.

How sad though, that a sweet and innocuous children's song now leads to vulgarity.

Poor BJ is very sick and going for a Covid test tomorrow - please think strengthening thoughts for her.

Hello lovely stars,

Sorry about my dreary tales of woe. I am feeling considerably brighter after a long sleep and determined to do something about the fuel costs situation. Colleen will help me.

Reading your brief but beautiful life stories Kaimoana and muse it seems to be that those with the hardest starts, if they can overcome obstacles, find the deepest happiness and joy.

I may have told you about my dfriend who is a twin. He passed the 11+ but his twin brother failed and had to go to the secondary modern school and leave at 15.
Meanwhile df sailed through school, university and a steady, well paid job. His twin, dissatisfied with his dull bookkeeping job started evening classes and worked his way through up to becoming a solicitor. earning a lot more than his brother!
All this story shows is the arbitrary way children are "selected" with doors closing along the way.

I haven't found Take a Hike yet, Doodle but I found Clare Balding's Ramblings to send me to sleep.

Hi Everyone. Quick note to say I did survive the Bay of Biscay but quite honestly it was terrifying. I couldn’t believe that a ship as big as this could be thrown around so much by the wind and the sea. I’m not a brilliant traveller so missed a dinner and breakfast and I wasn’t the only one! It’s all calm now but unfortunately we missed out on Madeira today. The Captain - or probably the Pilot - had two attempts to dock but it was decided it was too dangerous so we set sail for Tenerife! Hopefully we will get ashore there! Been a lovely sunny day and we really wanted to get to Madeira again but couldn’t be helped.
Hope you are all ok and I will catch up with all your posts later. Time for a shower and then off again for more food!! Oh and a glass of wine or two!!!

Gramaretto did you know that Clare Balding is called (not sure if officially or not) The most beautiful voice on radio ?
Glad you are feeling brighter.

Gosh Jan what an experience, glad the sun came out for you too.

Keep looking for rainbows everyone.

Hello Muse I’m sure you can’t wait to move into your new home but hopefully now you’ve heard from the electrician again it can progress more.
Funny isn’t it how you can become something later in life that didn’t appear to be an option when you were younger.
Now I must complain. If you’re that good at maths I think you should give me some hints on my Nerdle. ?. I’m failing badly.
Kaimoana you were obviously very popular with all your students. What a lovely message to have. I always knew you were a lady of many talents.
I remember I love little pussy I think. Didn’t it go on something like her coat is so warm.
I think you were very wise not to Google it. I hate to think what would come up.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear Boadicea is feeling so poorly.
If your reading, sending you best wishes and hoping you feel much better soon. Hope the results are negative.
Grammaretto I think I have a really bad sense of humour. When you wrote that you were determined to do something about the rising fuel costs and that Colleen would help you, I had visions of you stuffing her into the furnace. Oh dear ?
My two sons were not particularly academic at school and didn’t do well in exams but both have gone on to study since leaving school and both have good jobs.
I did get into grammar school (by the skin of my teeth and due to a magnificent maths teacher in my last year) but I hated it. It was a constant struggle to keep up. I had memory problems even then and had to make copious notes in all my lessons. I was much happier in my working life where I chose my path based on my own interests. Spreadsheets (for data not accounts) and computer software became my fascination. I loved it.
Is your cooker working yet, by the way?
Jan sorry to hear you had such a rough journey. We had a trip like that when The Beast from the East storm was around. Sorry you missed Madeira, it’s lovely there isn’t it.
Hope the rest of the trip is more comfortable.

Yes Doodle here's the first two of several verses.....
I Love Little Pussy by Jane Taylor

I love little Pussy,
Her coat is so warm;
And if I don't hurt her
She'll do me no harm.

I'll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I
Very gently will play
**********************************

BJ has taken a little porridge today

My family, due at the weekend to bring DGS to stay have just informed me they are all down with runny noses, sore throats and fatigue.

They are assuming it is Covid.

DGS is very disappointed but I've said I'm more than happy for him to come over if he's feeling up to it.
They are having big thinks and will ring in the morning.

It would be so much easier to look after themselves and Gubbins, if he were with me.

He would also be cossetted within a inch of his life, as he well knows - so he'll be bouncing tomorrow and have an immediate relapse when he gets here
'I think I might just manage a little ice cream Gramlyn....and are there any ginger biscuits?'

And the porridge was delicious, cooked by the fair hands of MrJ. The horrendous headache has gone, the fatigue remains.

"Pussy" comes from the name of the Egyptian cat-headed goddess, Pasht (aka Bastet) I have a book crammed with useless facts that I used to regale my classes with at the start of the lesson such things as:

-one policeman in 5 in Manchester is married to a nurse
- ferrets are the only non-primate that can catch the human
cold
-It's illegal to sleep with your boots on in North Dakota, to
slam a car door in Switzerland, to mistreat an oyster in
Maryland
- selling a broken gingerbread man is still a treasonous
offence in the UK
- there's enough energy stored in the atoms of a fairy cake to
blow up a city the size of London
- the last words of General Sedgewick at the Battle of
Spotsylvania? "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..."

Back to bed now. Night night

BJ
It is illegal to handle salmon in suspicious circumstances (law made in 1986). So don't go to the chippy wearing a mask, striped jersey and a shopping bag with Swag on it.

In New Jersey, you can be fined for 'doing acrobatics in public'.
Best not go there then, I love turning somersaults in the post office.

You can still be fined £500 in London if you carry a ladder or plank along the pavement.
Window cleaners beware.

Is it any wonder BJ and I get on?

If you're Welsh, don't look for night life in Chester.
The Welsh are subject to curfew there from 7pm. It prevents revolution against the English apparently. So get your mutiny in before 6:45 eh?

Since 2000, in the UK it is illegal to keep a postie talking 'too long'. It constitutes delaying the mail

Makes you wonder if there's a job for following posties with a stopwatch.

Kaimoana I remember it now you’ve written down the verse.
That’s really sweet.
DS2 has a cat that they took in when it was a kitten because it was being thrown out (literally). They have fed it and kept it warm and taken it to the vet. They’ve had years. They think it was actually from a feral cat as it plays all cuddly till they get near it then launches at them with all claws out. It seems to get on well with the dogs though. They both realise whose boss.
Sorry to hear all your family poorly. Hope it’s not Covid and just colds. I bet your DGS can’t wait to be with you. Hope he’s feeling ok and allowed to come. I’m sure he will be well looked after if he’s on his sick bed. Lots of ice cream and ginger biscuits. After all that’s what they say isn’t it, feed a cold and starve a fever.
I’ve been busy baking today ready for DS 1 and family coming tomorrow. I made an apple cake and some brownies. The cake was more successful this time (baking it in the right shaped tray might have helped) It is golden brown on top and hasn’t got a big valley running through the middle.
We went out for a walk quite late tonight as we were busy earlier. We didn’t get far, it was freezing.
Boadicea lovely to see you posting. Kaimoana told us you weren’t well.
I’m sure MrB’s porridge cleared the headache, let’s hope his tlc gets rid of the fatigue soon and you feel better.
You made me nearly choke on my coffee reading that list of yours especially when I came to the Last words of General Sedgwick ?
Oh and you too Kaimoana. You are indeed quite a pair.
I love your humour, both of you.
Take care all and hope everyone especially Boadicea had a good night.

Well, I just couldn't go out and have a test yesterday, so put it off till today. We went out early to the nasal swab testing place, obediently followed instructions as "having symptoms". Waited and waited, and wilted and wilted. Then we were told that we had come to the wrong place...no-one seemed to have any idea of what was going on. Drove 3 miles up the road to the RAT testing station, but the queue was down the road. Couldn't face waiting in a hot car any longer, so came home and went back to bed. Maybe will try again tomorrow, if I can face it. Makes you wonder how many people with symptoms don't get tested because they can't manage the wait.

I went out in the late afternoon sunshine to feed the chickens, who have taken to getting out and wombling about the garden all day, finding shade under the fruit trees. Coming back to the garage, I heard a funny noise that sounded like "oi! oi! oi!" There was my little collared dove following me as fast as her little legs could go, intent on an early supper. Never been hailed by a dove before. I put down some seed mix for her, and went inside, talking to Pudding as I did so. Then went back to the door, and there was the dove, having heard me talking, coming down the steps, with the obvious intention of checking out the food situation in the house. Poor old blind Pudding tottered out, and the dove took fright/flight.

So that's the sum of my day-a peremptory dove and a failed test attempt.
And that's all I can manage for now, so, that's all folks x

BJ what a day you have had to endure. At least the waiting in a hot queue part.

I hope you are not too poorly.
DGD is a lot better now but, odd thing, the positive test marker - stripes on the test have got stronger as she has got better. And she tested negative for the first 3 days when she must have been infectious.

Colleen has left so any chance of a romance has gone but there wasn't any at all

She was very helpful but such a sad young lady that I am quite relieved to be on my own again.

I hope you aren't being buffeted about on the high seas still, Jan. I think you are very brave.
I hope your weekend with the family is off to a flying start Kaimoana
I wish I was in NZ right now. It's DGS birthday this weekend. I haven't seen him for nearly half his young life. But, they may be coming across later this year.

I saw DMiL and Sis-in-law today. and I have been invited to Sunday lunch at theirs.

I have written several posts which did that disappearing trick. I had been watching Michael Portillo's train journeys in South Wales and was thinking of Panache and Cherry
I found the Take a Hike too Doodle. It was the same model as Come dine with me so a bit annoying, but the scenery was great.

I am tired so may have an early night.
How are all our lobstars?

Boadicea not surprised you went home again. Not feeling well and waiting in a hot car is not a good idea,
That little tale of your collard dove made me smile.
I do hope you feel better soon.
Grammaretto good to hear your DGD is feeling better. That’s strange about the tests.
I’m glad Colleen was of some help but also glad she had moved on if she was so sad all the time.
I do hope you get to see your DGS. I can’t imagine how hard it is not to have regular contact. Do you face time?
Sunday lunch with your in-laws sounds nice. You obviously get on well.
Actually I’d forgotten I’d mentioned Take a hike. I’ve watched two episodes and I don’t like it. I watched the trailer which showed beautiful scenery which is what I thought it was about but I don’t like the concept and probably won’t watch any more. I didn’t like come dine with me either.
We have watched some of Michael Portillo’s train journeys. He did one to our favourite place in Switzerland.
Our son and family came for lunch today. It’s been years since they’ve been here due to lockdown. We have seen them at their place but not here. DH and I unwinding now.
We are tired too so we may be joining you in an early night.
Sleep well all. x

My oh my Gramaretto you are a busy bee this week. So enjoyable to have lunch with family, especially as it's all made for you.

Unfortunately, I won't be doing the same as the family decided not to come due to the lurgy.
It sounds very much like Omnicron and matches the symptoms I had after the booster...only worse

BJ what a hassle and it's much the same here.

And of course all the supermarkets are stripped bare again due to our sudden change of status at midnight.

I wish I had shares in the supermarkets and grog shops

Speaking of shares.

You may remember NZ Bonus Bonds (Premium Bond equivalent) was dissolved in 2019, despite having very few pay-outs and billions of dollars to invest.
However, we eventually got $1.10 for every $1 invested.

Now the rumour is abroad that the UK (maybe because of Covid expenses?) is considering the same.

The managers here, ANZ Banking Group, said we'd been alerted months before but I wasn't and many people piped up publicly to say the same.

I didn't have much invested and the Bonds had been bought in dribs and drabs over 40 years but I would have received a better return on a long-term investment account.

I'm not moaning (for once) I got my payout just before Christmas which meant I could treat the family.

But if you have Premium Bonds, you just might want to compare them against a better deal - just in case.

I have a quiet week ahead, highlight is the podiatrist - so I'll be skipping like a new born lamb on Monday.

RAT place this morning as they opened. Done. Dusted. Negative. Just a rogue virus that I understand is doing the rounds. Just have to stop feeling a bit better, then guilty about the garden, getting up to work.

I have so enjoyed reading your life histories, Muse, Doodle, Mamissimo and Kaimoana. Such brave and talented women, at a time when brave and talented was not valued so much as submissive and domestically skilled. Not that there's anything wrong with domestically skilled. Submissive-not so much.
I hope Jan is enjoying herself immensely at sea, and on land, of course. Grammaretto - bad luck about the romance. Nice try, though. I do hope that you see your family this year, after missing so much of the DGC's lives. So very sad.

Useless facts, anyone?

"Sincere" comes from the Latin "sine cera" = "without wax". Sculptors of statues to honour ancestors were notorious for remodelling old marble statues with wax features, which were painted over, as were all classical statues, then selling them as genuine marble. In the hot summers, the wax features would melt off. Reputable sculptors advertised their wares as genuine and themselves as honest - "sine cera".
Isn't Latin wonderful?

Latin IS indeed wonderful BJ and, with Greek, has often helped my ESOL students learn English.

My DS had a Covid test - positive.

Only one swab allowed and you have to be there, so my son couldn't take a swab home for his wife who of course is housebound with 2 sick children.

This, as well as, "if symptomatic, stay home and isolate so you don't spread it"

Shambollick to say the least.

He is assuming they all do have the same thing.

Gubbins has a fever and can't eat but is still breastfed.
We can but worry and wait.

Oh, Kaimoana, I'm so sorry to hear that. How wonderful that Gubbins is still being bf though. Makes such a difference all round. I hope they stay put and keep safe. You too. xx

Better news from Gubbin's Gardens.

Skyped with them for an hour just before DS started dinner and they were all perky.

DiL gave in and allowed Gubbins to have Pamol.

She went from being an unhappy, hot wee girl, to racing about the place with the cat.

Grandma is thus reassured.

Hello Lobstars,

Hooray for pamol! I presume this is paracetamol suitable for babies. I think it is similar to calpol here. Happy wee Gubbins.

A peaceful night after a good sleep. I lay awake worrying about Colleen but I can stop that now. phew!
Even DMiL noticed C was too thin which may be why she felt the cold so badly. You do wonder why she chose Scotland in February. A complex character so she was..
I have a new girl booked for the week after the tenants move in. They are due to arrive on Friday, but want some of their belongings to move in ahead of them in a van!

The new girl is from Somerset. Is there a name for a Somerset lass? I daresay she may feel cold here too. I do.

DMiL needs a curtain across her front door to keep out draughts. I am on the case.
I am also enjoying the Latin origins BJ. I am so glad you are safely home after the test debacle

A friend who knows these things, told me that tests are currently being done on the blood of unvaccinated health workers who, despite being constantly exposed to the virus have never been infected.

There is still much we don't know though I do get an education on here everyday!.


.

.

Kaimoana what a lovely photo of a little lamb. Such joy in his bounce.
So sorry your family couldn’t come and your DGS missed his visit. Hope they are all ok and feel better soon. Perhaps next weekend.
It seems strange for us here to be ‘free’ again while you are still suffering the effects. Not sure DH and I trust this new freedom. I think we will still be wearing masks and keeping to ourselves for sometime to come.
All our family have premium bonds but actually only in tribute or memory of my dear mum who for some reason won regularly. I think £150 was the maximum she won and usually £25 was the norm but when she died DH and I bought them for all the family in her memory……..sadly her luck didn’t continue.
Boadicea glad you are negative but obviously still poorly. Hope you feel bette soon.
That’s an interesting bit of Latin. I will have to get searching for some interesting facts to post too. I feel I’m being left behind ?
Oh Kaimoana so sorry your DS has tested positive. I wonder if that’s the same for the rest of the family. I do hope they are ok and recover soon. You must be worried especially with little Mila. I pray they make a speedy recovery and all is well.
Ah, just read your second post and see the situation has improved somewhat. What a relief.
Grammaretto glad you had a peaceful night. I hope whoever else you get to help around the place is perhaps a bit more cheerful.
Ah new tenants at last. Hurrah. Hope they settle in well and cause you no problems.
A new girl from Somerset, suddenly I feel like launching into a Worzels song (did they come for Somerset where the cider apples grow ……or have I the wrong County ?)
I wonder if it’s only older houses that have that curtain over the front door. I remember my Mum and Dad having one and my aunts and uncles too. Keeping our the draughts.
I am brewing hot chocolate in my Christmas gadget. Line up anyone who wants one. I have orange, mint, ordinary and I did have salted caramel but Jeeves pinched that one.
Have a good weekend all and I hope things improve for the NZ branch of the gang.

Doodle - I'm trying to remember the name of the Wurzels' song about the strapping Somerset lass who could do anything a bloke could, but to no avail. I haven't heard it for nearly 50 years!! I'll have a raincheck on the hot chocolate until I can eat more than toast and porridge, please. But do save me some of the mint, if you don't mind. Your gadget sounds fab.

Kaimoana - any more news about your little family? I bet Gubbins will be the first to recover...and she'll do that by sheer force of will! I hope all goes well, and I'm so sorry about your DGS not being able to visit - I know how much time spent together means to you both.

Grammaretto - yes, interesting about the unvaxxed health workers. Wouldn’t happen here with the vaccine mandates. The so-called “freedom” protestors on the grounds of Parliament are experiencing a wave of infection which they believe to have been caused by EMF weapons. Tinfoil hats are the obvious counter-measure. As my dear, late, American brother used to say “there’s no arguing with stoopid.” Curtains are great for draughts at doors, aren’t they. We had them at the other house, despite living in the “winterless North”, and they made the place so cosy when the night temperatures very occasionally dropped to 5 deg. In our new place, the previous owner, who built it himself, installed TRIPLE glazing – I had no idea such a thing existed, as I’ve never even had double glazing before. The windows and doors have some kind of neon ? gas interior between the glass. Keeps the house really cool in summer, too. All this new-fangled stuff…I don’t know…

I wanted to go to a concert this afternoon, but have to isolate for 5 days, even having tested negative…

Aha! The Worzels' song was "The Radstock Queen". So Grammaretto, your new young lady will have to be Queenie. A buxom lass of 20 stone, rosy-cheeked and sturdy was the original.

BJ was it Cushy Butterfield?
'And they called ♬ her Cushy Butterfield and I wish ♪ she woz 'ere' ♫

Doodle I think you be fascinated by Mark Forsyth's 'The Etymologicon' which I am currently re-reading.
Most of Mark's boks are very funny and extremely informative. Did you know that if you say, 'Ciao' to someone, you are promising to be their slave, or that 'slave' itself comes from the oppression of Slavic peoples?

I think you've got Gubbins off to a T (now I wonder why we say that?) she is a strong willed little rascal.
They are all cheerful and eating well, always a hopeful sign.

Where's Mamissimo ? I hope not sick or nursing another family member - or was she going away?

We seem to be such a small band these days, so many friends missing.

Soon be Spring

Grammaretto don't forget my quilted sari when you want a draught excluder for the door - a little more exotic than the old green chenille which, incidentally, means 'caterpillar'

www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-toa2.htm

Kaimoana - thanks for the info about The Etymologican - right up my street for a winter read! Interesting about "Ciao" and "slave" . "Minister" in Latin means a servant...wish some of our politicians with delusions of grandeur would remember that.

Oh, and Kaimoana - I don't think it was Cushy Butterfield, but could be wrong. The Radstock Queen was actually the wife of one of the members of the group.